ZENITH BANK APPOINT NEW MD

The Board of Directors of Zenith Bank Plc yesterday announced the appointment of Peter Amangbo as the Managing Director designate. He is to replace Godwin Emefiele who has been appointed by the federal government as the new Central Bank governor. Mr. Emefiele was confirmed by the Senate last week which has made it imperative for Zenith Bank board to appoint a new Managing Director.

The bank board approved the appointment of Mr. Peter Amangbo as the Managing Director/CEO-designate of the bank effective June 1, 2014. Mr. Amangbo takes over from Mr. Godwin Emefiele who has been appointed the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to a statement from the bank Amangbo’s appointment which is consistent with the bank’s tradition and succession strategy of grooming leaders from within is subject to confirmation by the CBN. Mr Amangbo the bank said has over two decades of experience with Zenith Bank, gaining experiences in Corporate Finance and Investment Banking, Business Development, Credit and Marketing, Treasury, Financial Control and Strategic Planning and Operations.

According to the bank Mr. Peter Amangbo was appointed to the board of the Bank and its subsidiary companies in 2005. He was a pioneer Non-Executive Director of Zenith Bank UK. Before joining the banking industry, he was a senior consultant with PriceWaterhouse where he covered assignments in financial services, manufacturing and general commerce.

Peter Amangbo brings the experience and expertise to meet the current competitive banking challenges that require constant innovation through proven leadership and team-building skills, an exceptional ability to drive product, process and customer service improvements and a talent for building partnerships with key business decision-makers. He also has demonstrable ability to motivate, mentor and lead talented senior professionals and to direct cross-functional teams.

He was part of the team that drove the Strategic Planning and Successful execution for positioning the bank as one of the best in the Country. His exemplary leadership continues to make significant contributions to the banks growth. As an Executive Director of Zenith Bank for the last nine (9) years, Peter was responsible for the supervision of corporate and commercial banking, corporate finance, trade services and all the subsidiaries of the bank.

He is a member of the Board of Directors of Zenith Bank PLC Nigeria, Zenith Insurance Ltd, Nigeria, Zenith Pensions Ltd, Nigeria, Zenith Capital Ltd, Nigeria and Zenith Bank, UK. He was a member of the board of Interswitch Nigeria Ltd from 2005 to 2007.

Amangbo is an alumnus of INSEAD and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

‘KIDNAPPERS DRIVE THE BEST CARS IN MY VILLAGE’

A 24-year-old electrician, who was recently arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Lagos State for kidnapping, has said kidnapping is tempting because kidnappers live large in his hometown.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect, Bernard Okoro, was arrested alongside five others for kidnapping a businessman in the Agbara area of Ogun State.

According to the police, some of the suspects were also involved in the kidnapping of a Briton, Lee Dixon, near the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in 2013.

Okoro is said to be the half-brother of a kidnapping kingpin, Samuel Peter, aka K Boy, who masterminded the Briton’s kidnap.

According to the police, K Boy owns a big house in the highbrow area of Imo State and also drives the latest Honda MDX Sports Utility Vehicle and a Land Rover LR3.

K boy was also said to own an uncompleted building in the Okota area of Lagos as well as another uncompleted building in the Agbara area of Ogun State.

Okoro, who seemed remorseful, said he was not a kidnapper, but he knew that his brother was into the illegitimate business and had also aided his brother in escaping when the police were on his trail.

“K Boy and I share the same mother but have different fathers. I am from Ohafia Local Government in Abia State. His friends and him , who are into kidnapping live large in my village. They drive the latest cars,” he said.

PUNCH Metro learnt that after Okoro was arrested in Lagos, the police attempted to use him in tracking K boy, but Okoro alerted him and he fled to Imo State.

The Officer in charge of SARS, Abba Kyari, was said to have deployed a team of policemen to Imo State where K boy was found in a hotel.

K boy was said to have entered into his SUV and burst the gates open.

“Someone had alerted K boy of our presence and he suddenly jumped into his vehicle and rammed through the rear gate of the hotel. He was firing at policemen who were on his trail. Policemen returned fire and K boy lost control and his vehicle fell into a gutter,” a police source said.

Our correspondent learnt that K boy died at a hospital soon after.

Meanwhile, another team of SARS men in Lagos trailed K boy’s accomplices to an uncompleted building in the Agbara area.

The suspects, Ugochukwu Ezeoma, Samuel Oha, Obinna Ohuoha, James Emoh and Hebeeb Garba, toldPUNCH Metro that they played minor roles in the kidnapping.

One of the suspects, Ezeoma, told PUNCH Metro that he was among the kidnappers who abducted a Briton last year.

He said he was shot when policemen came to rescue the Briton, but managed to escape.

He said after the incident, he vowed never to return to crime and even had plans of relocating to India to seek greener pastures, but he was tempted by the gang to do one more operation.

He said, “Last year, we kidnapped a Briton who was on his way from the airport. We took him to our warehouse (hideout) and demanded money from his people. However, police spoilt our plans and even shot me in the stomach.

“I managed to escape and paid a doctor who treated me. After that, I vowed to stop kidnapping and my elder brother, who lives in India, told me to join him there. I had already processed my documents and was planning to relocate when I was called for one more kidnapping. I should have refused, but I was greedy.”

Asked how they usually kidnap, 27-year-old Ezeoma, who hails from Umuahia in Abia State, said they did not always target people but could just kidnap anyone who seemed well to do.

He said they usually demanded not less than N10m as ransom.

He said, “In the case of the Briton, I was in a Honda CRV along with K boy around Oshodi when the British man’s vehicle drove past us. K boy told me to make a U-turn and chase the guy. We crossed his vehicle and dragged him out of his vehicle into ours.

“In the case of the second guy that we kidnapped at Agbara, six of us drove on three motorcycles and chased the man to an area with bad road. Because the road was bad, he could not speed so we alighted from our bikes, pointed guns and seized him.”

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the telephone, said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

Source: Punch

COSON Scores Big As Members Join The IPI System

The Head Office of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) in Lagos was abuzz with excitement last week as confirmation was received that members of COSON have been listed in the critical Interested Parties Information (IPI) system administered by the Geneva based organization, SUISA. The IPI system can be likened to the Bible of the international copyright structure by which every important copyright owner in music is identified around the world.

The listing of COSON members in the IPI database and the assignment of special international numbers to each of them has made the tracking of the use of their works and compensation for any such use in any part of the world much easier. 

The development was received with great rejoicing by COSON members who have received the news as the listing makes them full participants in the international music industry. The mandate to do whatever is necessary to have hundreds of Nigerian artistes listed in the IPI was given by members of COSON to the Board at the COSON 2012 AGM which held at EKO FM Multipurpose Hall in Lagos. 

The IPI System is an international register used by the International Confederation of Authors & Composers (CISAC), the Paris based organization representing collective management organizations in 122 countries. It is also used by Bureau International des SociétésGérant les Droits d'Enregistrem(BIEM) member societies found in 42 countries. The IPI contains all the names of rights holders (natural and legal persons), both of copyright protected works and public domain works, made known to the IPI Centre. The collation and presentation of the information standardized according to the CIS regulations of CISAC and BIEM serves the documentation, distribution and accounting processes of the societies linked to the IPI system. 

The purpose of the IPI system is the global unique identification of a natural person or legal entity acting across multiple creation classes, roles and rights. This is related to the data exchange not only within and between the CISAC societies, but also in the world-wide transaction and processing with third parties and user organizations such as radio and TV stations, sound carrier producers, etc. 

Speaking on the development, COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji said, “We said in the beginning that COSON would do everything to ensure that the Nigerian music industry is an important player on the world stage. I am very pleased that COSON has received the first batch of IPI numbers. This is in line with the drive to ensure that members’works exploited anywhere on the face of the earth is tracked and right owners adequately compensated. The world has become a global village with the coming of the digital age. While that may have its own disadvantages, it creates a huge opportunity for the creative industry all around the world and we are excited to be part of this”. 

Commenting on development, CEO of Now Muzik and member of COSON Board, Mr. Efe Omorogbe said, “Thumbs up to the guys at the COSON office for the good works that they are doing. I am glad at this news. Now it will be a lot easier to monitor the use of Nigerian music anywhere around the world. Our artistes are assured of full compensation for their works as COSON is not resting on its oars to re-write the story of our industry.” 

Also reacting to the news, female artiste Azeezat expressed joy at the news, saying, “This is a giant leap in progress for Nigerian artistes and the Nigerian economy. Being part of a global database means more returns on investment for the music business in Nigeria. Congratulations to all our members. COSON is working.” 

FOR COSON: 

MAYREE UKET 

New Media

Jonathan Finally Opens Up: Amaechi's NGF Almost Sacked Me

President Goodluck Jonathan has finally broken his silence on the activities of the Nigerian Governors Forum after months of claiming that he had no interest in what happens among the governors in the meetings.

Jonathan confessed that if not for governors from the North Central region, he would been sent packing from the Presidential Villa by the Governors’ Forum under the leadership of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Stressing that the governors almost chased him out of Aso Rock, Jonathan said: 

“We thank you for this solidarity visit and for giving us a Senate President that has been able to stabilise the NASS. The governors from the zone who have been stabilising the country because the way some of the governors talk and behave, if 50 percent of the governors behave that way, probably, we would have vacated this place and allow others to come and manage it for us. But they have been able to help to stabilise the whole country...

“When the governors’ forum became a monster and we had a lot of challenges, it was the North Central that came on board to stabilise the governors’ forum. So, the zone has been able to produce very great leaders, not just leaders but they are patriotic leaders. So, we will continue to work with this zone; we will continue to encourage you. As we approach elections next year, let us know the problems on time. We will work with you to ensure PDP continues to maintain the zone.”

The president, who made this comment when a delegation of PDP stakeholders of the North Central region, led by Senate President David Mark, paid him a visit at the presidential villa, Abuja, said the governors’ forum turned itself into a monster.

On the issue of attacks on farmers by insurgent posing as herdsmen, the president said, “we are working very hard with the NSA office to make sure that the security challenges that we have across the country are contained – whether in Borno State or the kidnapping in Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Abia and so on. We are coming up with different architecture that will deal with this insurgency. As we progress, we will begin to bring the situation under control”, he said.

But when they thought President Jonathan was going to grant their request for new roads in North Central, he told them that the request cannot be granted and that his hands are tied because "no money".

SSS INTERROGATES DETAINED BOKO HARAM SUSPECTS

State Security Service (SSS) officials are questioning detained Boko Haram suspects to ascertain if external collaborators were involved in Sunday’s failed —and bloody —jailbreak.

Twenty-one suspects died in the attempted jailbreak at the Abuja SSS facility, according to the Service.

Some suspects, especially passers-by, arrested within the vicinity of the SSS Asokoro headquarters have been released – in line with the Service’s “respect for human rights”.

It was learnt that some of those arrested had valid identification cards and they were passers-by.

A new framework put in place by security agencies triggered the intervention of soldiers during the jailbreak.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said the Service had started finding out the remote and immediate causes of the botched jailbreak.

The source said: “We are de-briefing all the detainees to determine how the plot was hatched and if external collaborators were involved.

“We may also look into the likelihood of internal collaboration, although the strict system of recruitment might make it impossible. This is the only service that conducts serious security checks before employing its operatives.

“What we are doing involves interaction with these detainees by a team of officials, who have been mandated to dig deeper into the foiled jailbreak.”

On the proposed Board of Inquiry into the incident by the Presidency, another top security source said: “It is a routine thing in a crisis situation like this; it is not an indictment of the SSS. It is also not prejudicial to any internal investigation of the jailbreak by the SSS.

“The audacity of the Boko Haram detainees accounted for the Board of Inquiry option so as to prevent a reoccurrence in any security agency or military facility.

“Beyond the outcome of SSS investigation into the incident, the Board, which may comprise sister agencies, is to examine all particulars concerned with any event or challenge.”

Regarding the intervention of soldiers at the SSS facility, the source said: “The fact is that there is a new security framework in place to promote inter-agency cooperation.

“Once there is any challenge in any military formation or security agency, the new framework will trigger alarm for Rapid Response by other sister agencies.

“The soldiers merely responded to this alarm on Sunday by coming to the SSS headquarters. This is the technical or security justification for soldiers’ intervention. It is not as if the SSS was incapable of managing the situation.

There were indications last night that some suspects around the SSS headquarters, who were arrested in Abuja on Sunday, have been released based on the service’s respect for human rights.

Another source said: “Some of these suspects were passers-by but they have been released after due checks and frisking were conducted by the service.

“Since he came on board, the SSS DG, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong places premium on human rights and engagement in line with international best practices.”

Source: The Nation

INSIDE STORY OF DSS SHOOT-OUT IN ABUJA

More facts emerged yesterday on what actually transpired at the headquarters of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Abuja on Sunday.

A military source who gave a blow by blow account of the incident recalled how the gun duel between Boko Haram detainees and the operatives left over eight personnel dead before soldiers from the Guards Brigade rushed to the scene to stop the terrorists from killing more security officers.

According to the source, the Boko Haram suspects had after hitting the officer that had gone into the cell with their food, disarmed him and killed him on the spot.

After killing the security officer, they locked his body inside the cell and started shooting and killing the other personnel at sight and dispossessing them of their weapons with which they used to attack and kill other personnel on duty.

It was when other security personnel on duty noticed what was happening that they too began to return fire by which time the terrorists group who had killed some DSS men, headed towards the gate to escape.

The initial gunshot, according to military sources, automatically attracted the attention of soldiers from the Guards Brigade who immediately deployed troops to the scene.

It was gathered that a detachment of soldiers who were stationed at the Eagle Square and ready to be deployed in the North-East, were the first to be moved to the DSS headquarters to confront the terrorists.

The Commanding Officer in charge of 7 Guards Battalion, Lt-Colonel Okoro, who also deployed his troops to the scene, however, called for reinforcement from the Army Headquarters Garrison, when he saw the situation on ground.

The Army Headquarters Garrison, immediately deployed another detachment of soldiers to the scene. To adequately battle the terrorists and ensure they do not escape, the soldiers ordered that all the gates in the premises be locked as they stormed inside and made sure none of the detainees escaped.

The exchange of gunfire between the soldiers and the terrorists, according to the military source, lasted for over two hours.

The sources debunked the allegation that the terrorists stormed the DSS headquarters to attack. Rather, the source said “the terrorists used the weapons they allegedly seized from the DSS officials they killed to carry out their attack.

“So it is wrong for anybody to say that the terrorists stormed the facility to free their detained colleagues like they did at the Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri”.

Military and top security sources who spoke to Daily Sun decried the situation where a large number of such high profile terror suspects would be kept in such a vulnerable location.

They said that even during the military regime, high profile suspects were usually kept at various detention facilities outside Abuja, not to talk of keeping them close to the seat of power because they know that anything can happen.

The Sunday attack, according to sources, may result to the relocation of the DSS headquarters from its present location at the Three Arms Zone to else where in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Source: Sun

JONATHAN LEAVES ABUJA FOR BRUSSELS

President Goodluck Jonathan will on Tuesday travel to Brussels as the head of Nigeria’s delegation to the Fourth European Union-Africa Summit scheduled to open in the Belgian capital on Wednesday.

The summit has ‘Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace’ as its theme.

This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

According to the statement, participants including Jonathan, the President of the European Council, Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, other Heads of State and Government of the European Union and Africa as well as leaders of the European Union and African Union Institutions will, among other matters, discuss ways of stimulating further growth and creating more jobs in Nigeria and other African countries.

The statement read, “Education and training, women and youth, legal and illegal migrant flows between both continents, investments in peace and ways to enhance EU support for African capacities to manage security on the continent are also on the agenda of the summit.

“The Brussels Summit will also provide an opportunity for participants to review EU-Africa relations based on the Joint Africa-EU Strategy which was adopted in Lisbon in 2007 and explore options for greater mutually-beneficial cooperation between Africa and Europe.

“President Jonathan whose entourage will include the Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen Aliyu Gusau (rtd.), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga will hold bilateral talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and some other participating heads of state and government before leaving Brussels for Abuja on Wednesday night.”

Meet Mr Ideal Nigeria 2014 winner, Stanley Igwilo

Stanley Igwilo beat 29 other contestants to win the 2014 Mr Ideal Nigeria that held yesterday March 30th in Lagos. Stanley will represent Nigeria at the Mister Africa International pageant to be held in the Hague, Netherlands later in the year.

Stanley is 30 years old and a graduate of Rivers State University of Science and Technology. Ladies, would you hit this? That's a rhetorical question...:-)

If you're not Beyonce, don't do like Beyonce. Kid Cudi learnt the hard way lol

On Dec. 13th 2013, Beyonce dropped her fifth studio album Beyoncé at midnight with absolutely no prior promo or warning. The album sold 828,773 copies worldwide in 3 days becoming the fastest selling album in iTunes history.

On February 26th 2014, Kid Cudi decided to pull a Beyonce by dropping his 4th album 'Satellite Flight: The Journey to The Mother Moon' on iTunes with no prior promo and no mainstream support.

Well, the numbers are in...and some artists really need promo before releasing an album. According to Billboard magazine, Kid Cudi's album has moved only 87,000 copies first week, making it Kudi's smallest debut sales week in his solo career.

University of Abuja students protest lack of water, power

Students of the University of Abuja on Monday protested the lack power and water supply to the permanent campus site of the university.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that more than 1,000 students gathered on the campus about 8am on Monday and barricaded road leading to the Senate building and classes.

Some of them told NAN that the protest became necessary because the school authorities had not provided power and water at the campus for three months running. Continue...

Mr Mike Ajeoja, a Theatre student, said those of them living in hostel at the permanent site had no power and water for the past three months.

Ajeoja said they had drawn the attention of the school management to their plight, but nothing had been done to address the situation.
“We are left with no choice then to come out and tell the world our problems.
“We will not stop the protest unless our problems are solved,” he said.
A female student, who pleaded for anonymity, said she had not had her bath for some days as a result of lack of water.

According to her, some of students use sachet water to bath, cook and even wash clothes.
“We are tired of staying without water and light. We wear squeezed clothes to the classes and we do not want such situation to continue,” she added.

The Information Officer of the school, Mr Waziri Garba, confirmed the situation to NAN on telephone, saying the students were protesting lack of power and water supply in the school.
Garba, however, appealed to them to remain calm, assuring that the school management was already taking steps to resolve the problem.

Meanwhile, Baro Ahmad, the Business Manager, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Gwagwalada, said it was not true that the school had no power for three months running.
He blamed power outage on the campus on some electrical problems which, he said, the company was working on.

Ahmad assured the students and school management that steady power would be restored to the campus.
“By 4 p.m. today (Monday), there will be steady power supply to the permanent site,” he said.

Model and actress Adunni Ade stunning in new photos...

Adunni Ade is a beautiful and talented young woman who has worked in the entertainment industry for quite a while both in Nigeria and the US. She is an actress, model and entertainer. Born in Queens New York, Adunni recently moved back to Nigeria to pursue her dreams. Continue to see more pics..

 

 

Adunni is a hard working model, and a fast rising actress to be reckoned with, her relentlessness passion is what drives her and surely at this pace she is set to keep her place her at the forefront of
the, entertainment industry.

Watch behind the scenes of her first promo shoot styled by Liam Fashion Agency, photographed by
GoodeyE Photos and Shot by Sanjo Adegoke, below... 

VEHICLE REGISTRATION: FRSC INSISTS ON JULY DEADLINE

Despite a court ruling by Justice James Tsoho stopping the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) from enforcing the compulsory ownership of the new vehicles plate number, the commission has insisted on the July 1, 2014 deadline to clamp down on defaulting motorists.

Motorists are also expected to have the new approved driver’s license.

Speaking at a one day stakeholders meeting in Abuja over the weekend, Head of the planning advisory unit of the commission, Corps Commander Clement Oladele said the deadline stands until there is a contrary directive from the federal government.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos last Wednesday held that it is unconstitutional for the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), to impose new number plates on motorists.

Justice James Tsoho gave the judgment in a suit filed by a lawyer, Emmanuel Ofoegbu, against the FRSC. But the commission’s Head of the planning Corps Commander Oladele said it was already taking steps to appeal against the court judgment.

He stated that the Joint Tax Force fixed the deadline date hence the commission only has the mandate to enforce the law.

Oladele also informed that the commission was not responsible for the sale of Number plates as it only engages in the production while the state governments and the board of internal revenue were responsible for the sale. 

On the issuance of the driver’s license, he explained that the commission was only responsible to capture and get accurate data of the motorists while the Vehicle Inspection Officers test the drivers to ensure they are fit to drive on the major roads.

Daily Trust

DSS ATTACK: NIGERIA WILL NOT SURVIVE ANY ATTACK ON GOODLUCK JONATHAN - IJAW YOUTH COUNCIL

The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has condemned the attack on the Department of the State Security Service, DSS in Abuja, saying the attack close to the Presidential Villa where President Jonathan and his family reside is a threat on the life of the President.

The IYC said it would use every means within its disposal to resist any attempt on or threat to the life of President Goodluck Jonathan, warning the sponsors of Boko Haram that the latest attack is a'' joke taken too far''.

''The IYC regards the attack very close to the Presidential Villa, housing President Goodluck Jonathan and his family as a threat to the life of Mr. President. We wish to warn the sponsors of Boko Haram that this is a joke taken too far. The IYC would vehemently resist any attempt on or threat to the life of President Goodluck Jonathan. Nigeria cannot survive any attempt on the life of President Jonathan. Boko Haram members and their sponsors are warned!''

A statement signed by the the Spokesman of IYC, Eric Omare said that the conflicting accounts of the attack clearly shows that it is another case of sabotage against the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

''The IYC strongly believes that there are saboteurs within the Nigeria security forces who are actively aiding the activities of Boko Haram. There is no explanation for Boko Haram members having the effrontery to confront security agencies for more than three hours at the heavily fortified DSS headquarters very close to the Presidential Villa, nation’s seat of power''.

The IYC noted the complicity of some security agents in the attacks by Boko Haram, and called on President Jonathan to the security agencies to identity Boko Haram moles within the security agencies and fish them out immediately.

'' Therefore, the IYC calls on the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan to carry out a massive overhaul of the security agencies to identity Boko Haram moles within the security agencies and fish them out immediately. The IYC wish to warn that no nation can win a battle whether against terrorism or of any kind in a situation in which the insurgents are actively aided by insiders. History tells us that infiltration of enemies into an opponent’s camp has led to nations losing war''.

Source: Daily Trust

SSS ACCUSES CBN GOVERNOR, SANUSI, OF FINANCING TERRORISM

The fresh terrorism-related allegation against Mr. Sanusi came from the SSS.

The agency said it was investigating Mr. Sanusi for allegedly financing terrorism.

The SSS counsel, Moses Idakwo, said Mr. Sanusi’s interaction with SSS officials did not last for up to an hour and did not constitute a violation of his rights.

He said the provisions of Section 6 of the National Security Agencies’ Act empowered the Service to impound the international passport of suspects pending the conclusion of investigations.

It is not clear how this fresh allegation by the SSS is related to the dubious claims by Mr. Omokri.

PREMIUM TIMES and a few citizen journalists had exposed how Mr. Omokri, using a non-existent alias, Wendell Simlin, created a document linking Mr. Sanusi with financing the terrorist Boko Haram group.

The document was later shown to have been created by Mr. Omokri, with several Nigerians calling for his sack. The presidency has kept mum since the scandal was exposed.

On Monday, however, Mr. Sanusi’s counsel, Kola Awodehin, accused the SSS of falsehood in its new claim against the bank chief, saying the agency had no shred of evidence.

Dismiss Sanusi’s suit

The counsel to the AGF, Fabian Ajogwu, had objected to the suit, urging the court to strike it out for want of jurisdiction.

Mr. Ajogwu argued that the provisions of Section 254 (c) 1 (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) ousted the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

He noted that the case before the court borders on the applicant’s employment, saying that labour -related cases are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court, NIC.

“Section 254 (c) 1 (d) of the Constitution vests exclusive jurisdiction on the National Industrial Court, with respect to civil causes or matters touching on employment, labour or industrial relations.

“We respectfully urge the court to hold that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the reliefs sought by the applicant,” he said.

The counsel urged the court to strike out the suit.

Mr. Ajogwu also argued that the applicant should not, by the suit, seek to restrain the respondents from performing their constitutional duties.

He argued that Mr. Sanusi was being investigated based on the FRCN’s claims. He said the suspended bank chief was being investigated in accordance with the provisions of the law, which the respondents had a statutory duty to perform.

Citing the dictum of retired Justice Niki Tobi of the Supreme Court in the case of Adeniran vs Alao, Mr. Ajogwu submitted that a perpetual injunction would be everlasting and could not be granted by

a court of law.

“The applicant’s suit is basically an action to shield him from the machinery of administration of justice, which has been kick-started by the respondents,” Mr. Ajogwu submitted.

Nobody reported Sanusi to us

While the AGF said Mr. Sanusi was being investigated based on the FRCN investigations, the police said it was not investigating the CBN boss.

The counsel to the police, David Abuo, said nobody ever reported Mr. Sanusi to the police.

He, however aligned with Mr. Ajogwu, saying the case should be struck out as it seeks to bar government agencies from performing their duties.

Sanusi reacts

Responding to the respondents’ preliminary objection, Mr. Awodehin submitted that the court was vested with the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

He argued that the suit had nothing to do with the terms of employment of the applicant or industrial relations, since it was not a case of the applicant against the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He argued that the applicant never sought an order of perpetual injunction, adding that the reliefs he sought were qualified.

“It cannot be suggested that the applicant is restraining the respondents from performing their duties, but they must be restrained from doing so without due process of the law.

“The seizure of the applicant’s international passport by the third respondent is a derogation of his freedom of movement,” he said.

Mr. Awodehin also argued that the different submissions by the three respondents showed that laws were being violated in Mr. Sanusi’s treatment.

“The first to third respondents give conflicting reasons as to the complaint made against the applicant.

“This conflict goes to show that they acted without due process of the law,” he said.

The counsel also argued that the SSS’ claim of financing terrorism was bogus.

“The allegation against the applicant as to funding of terrorism is an afterthought by the respondents which is not backed by facts, as there is no reasonable suspicion that the applicant committed any crime,” he said.

He urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objection and uphold the case of the applicant.

The court had on February 21 granted an interim order, restraining the respondents from arresting, detaining, or harassing the applicant pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The interim order was sequel to an affidavit of urgency filed by the applicant on the same date. On Monday, the court adjourned ruling on the preliminary objection to April 4.

Source: Premium Times