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Court voids Ondo’s probe of Chief Judge
A Federal High Court in Abuja has set aside all steps taken by the Ondo State Governor, the state’s Attorney General and the House of Assembly in relation to the probe of allegations of official misconduct raised against the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu in a viral video made by one of her relatives, Olupelumi Fagboyegun.
Fagboyegun had, in the video that was made public on social media, accused Justice Akeredolu of among others, abusing her office and influencing his prolonged detention.
In a judgment on Thursday, Justice Inyang Ekwo upheld Justice Akeredolu case, to the effect that the governor, the AG and the House of Assembly lacked the constitutional powers to engage in the probe of the allegations of official misconduct made against the state’s Chief Judge by Fagboyegun in his video.
The judgment was in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2016/2021 filed by Justice Akeredolu against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Governor of Ondo State, Ondo AG, the state House of Assembly and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), alleging that the Ondo governor, AG and House of Assembly were plotting to remove her from office.
Justice Ekwo held that there is no law that empowers the Ondo AG or the state governor to conduct any investigation in relation to allegations of official misconduct against the State’s Chief Judge and recommend such investigation to the House of Assembly.
He further held that it is only the NJC that is empowered under the Constitution to probe allegations of official misconduct against any judge.
Justice Ekwo, who earlier dismissed the notices preliminary objection raised by the AGF and NJC, frowned at the publication of the purported probe of the plaintiff on the social media.
“It is apparent from Exhibits JSO and JSO 3 that the fourth defendant (Ondo AG), without any constitutional backing, was embarking on a charade meant to attract negative public attention to the office of the plaintiff by purporting to be conducting investigation on the allegations against the plaintiff.
“The process of dealing with allegations of misconduct of judicial officers generally, is well stated in the JDR (Judiciary Disciplinary Regulation) of the second defendant (the NJC) and ought to be adhered to.
“The purported investigation into any allegation of misconduct by a judicial officer, like the plaintiff, is a solemn constitutional matter that must be kept out of social frenzy. The supremacy of the Constitution and the sanctity of the office must be preserved.
“I believe the fourth defendant, being the Chief Law Officer of Ondo State, is aware that where the law provides a procedure for doing a thing, any other method employed to do such a thing is excluded.
“Any officer of the law who breaches the provision of the very Constitution that creates his office is not worthy of the office. He is a terror to all conscientious beings.
“Upon perusing the processes in this case and the exhibits tendered, I am unable to see where the fourth defendant (Ondo AG), or the third and fifth defendants (Ondo governor and the House of Assembly) complied with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) or JDR 2017 with respect to the act of investigating the office of the plaintiff.
“They ought to be stopped forthwith. In conclusion, I find that the case of the plaintiff has not been effectively challenged by the first and second defendants, and, has not been challenged at all by the third, fourth, fifth and sixth defendants.
“The judge proceeded to grant all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff including an order of perpetual injunction, restraining all the defendants from further taking any steps in relation to the case.
“An order is hereby made setting aside, nullifying and putting away any decision of the third, fourth and fifth defendants (Ondo governor, Ondo AG and House of. Assembly) and or any other steps taken thereon and in particular, the purported investigation report of the 3 and 4″ Defendants released on social media on 18″ February 2021 by the third and fourth defendants in so far as it relates to the office of the plaintiff as the Chief Judge of Ondo State, the same being inconsistent with sections 36(1), 153 of the 1999 Constitution and Item 2i(d) of the Third Schedule (Part 1), thereto read together with sections 271 and 292 of the same constitution,” Justice Ekwo said.
Justice Akeredolu had stated in a supporting affidavit that after the video by Fagboyegun was allegedly published online by Dele Momodu and Femi Fani-Kayode, the then AG of Ondo State, Charles Titiloye said he investigated the claim by Fagboyegun that the CJ instigated his detention for three years and found the claim to be false.
The plaintiff added that despite the AG’s finding that Fagboyegun’s claims were false, “the same Hon. Attorney General of Ondo State, in further demonstration of the script he acted, said in the report that: This matter is further referred to Ondo State House of Assembly for investigation.”
Justice Akeredolu stated that the Ondo State governor, the AG and House of Assembly “have vowed to remove her from her office as Chief Judge of Ondo State on the trumped up allegations being sponsored on social media as aforesaid.
“That the third to fifth defendants (Ondo State governor, the AG and House of Assembly) have elicited the political support of the first and sixth defendants (the AGF and IGP) to illegally remove her from office when she has not been investigated by the second defendant (NJC), which has the constitutional duty to do so.”
She added that all the defendants, except the NJC “are planning to and will use unlawful means to remove her from office as Chief Judge of Ondo State and interfere with the performance of her judicial functions unless this court intervenes.”
News
Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support
Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has assured Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Dramani Mahama, that he can count on Nigeria’s support.
The remark was made on Tuesday during Mahama’s inauguration ceremony at the Black Star Square in Accra.
He noted that Ghana has answered the question of whether Africa is capable of democratic and productive endeavors, and that it is time for Africa’s critics to stop asking the continent to prove itself.
The Nigerian president emphasized the importance of African unity and cooperation, adding that the legacy of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is a guiding spirit for African progress. Tinubu urged African nations to avoid conflict and choose peaceful dialogue to resolve differences while resisting external forces that seek to divide them.
Addressing Mahama, Tinubu said, “My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support at any given time you call on me. We are your brothers and sisters. We shall always be there for you.”
Tinubu’s remarks read:
It is always good when a friend and brother can visit the home of a close neighbour to celebrate his success and progress with him.
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We celebrate African Democracy today as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another. This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society. It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly. It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have found the critical path to our success. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.
Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people. This moment is a source of pride and honour for you, the entire Continent, and its Diaspora.
The sun is out, and the sky says daylight, but I see today a Black star rising high in the African sky. This black star shines over this nation, and its rays spread across this Continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity, and devotion to our common welfare.
While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star means that we shall always strive to work together. Even when we disagree, we shall dialogue and discuss until we reach an agreement. Never, never shall we harm others and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood, and very lives to achieve.
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The spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is here today, lifting that star higher and higher. Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between our two nations.
May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders.
Ghana is in harmony with that spirit, and President John Mahama’s inauguration today reflects that.
Your new president is a man of patriotic vision and substance. He loves his nation and its people to the core. He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.
President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.
May your administration be a profound success and progress for you, Ghanaians, and our entire region.
I am confident that the new government, under the leadership of President John Mahama, will work with Nigeria to strengthen this powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for our people. I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.
Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing subregional integration and progress. With laser focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.
May Ghana’s democracy continue to grow stronger. May progress and prosperity be your portion. Let us all look forward to a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity.
God bless Ghana and its Beloved People.
God bless Nigeria and its Beloved People
God bless ECOWAS
God bless our Beloved Africa.
I thank you for your kind attention.
Tinubu to Mahama: You can count on Nigeria’s support
News
Time to reset our country, says Mahama on inauguration as Ghana’s President
Time to reset our country, says Mahama on inauguration as Ghana’s President
John Mahama has taken the oath of office as Ghana’s new president in a ceremony attended by world leaders.
He said in his inaugural address that he was prepared for the job, adding that the time had come to reset the country.
The new President took over from Nana Akufo-Ado who succeeded him in 2017. Before Mahama’s swearing-in, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was inaugurated as the country’s first female vice president.
The Chief Justice of Ghana Gertrude Torkornoo administered the oath of office at the event.
“Today should mark the opportunity to reset our country,” the 66-year-old new President said.
Wearing the West African country’s national dress, Mahama spoke to a jubilant crowd decked in the green, red, black, and white hues of his National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.
Some of those present are Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traore, Kenyan President William Ruto, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon’s Brice Oligui Nguema.
Others are Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Mamadi Doumbouya of Guinea as well as former leaders.
News
Reactions as Mahama calls Tinubu ‘president of Ghana’ during inaugural speech
Reactions as Mahama calls Tinubu ‘president of Ghana’ during inaugural speech
President of Ghana, John Mahama, on Tuesday made a slip calling President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria Ghana’s president.
This happened while the new Ghana’s President was giving his inauguration speech.
“Your excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Ghana,” Mahama said while acknowledging dignitaries at the event.
This immediately sparked huge reactions on social media including users of the X platform.
For instance, Albert Forson
@kwameforson14, wrote:
“John Mahama announces his co president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Ghana.
“He’ll be ruling hand in hand with him.”
Another commentator, Shady Bunny🇬🇭🐇🔰@BYKAdanko, stated, “Mahama just called Tinubu president of the Federal Republic of Ghana….we’re doomed.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong support for Ghana’s newly inaugurated President, John Dramani Mahama.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Accra on 7th January 2025, Tinubu conveyed his solidarity and expressed his commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two neighbouring nations.
Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu shared a heartfelt message of brotherhood with President Mahama.
“My dear brother, I am here to walk with you. You know you can count on my support at any given time you call on me. We are your brothers and sisters. We shall always be there for you,” Tinubu said.
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