The Presidential Election Petition court on Wednesday refused to recognise any representative of the Labour Party except the 1st petitioner, Peter Obi who was in court.
The court presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani reached the decision having been possibly intimated that there was a disagreement between two factions of the party before the court resumed proceedings.
When the matter was called, Obi stood up to announce his appearance followed by Dudu Manuga, the National Women’s Leader of the Party who sat close to Obi.
Meanwhile, Before the court could record Manuga on the list, Lamidi Apapa quickly stood up to announce his appearance as the representative of the Labour Party.
However, Justice Haruna interjected and said, ” It appears there was a little disagreement… We are not recognizing any representative from the party.”
Earlier on, factions of the Labour Party could be sighted at the PEPC Court, engaging in a war of words over which faction is the authentic one.
The Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the LP was challenging why members of the party loyal to Julius Abure were in the court.
They asserted that the ruling of a High Court of the FCT, suspending the Abure-led faction, remains.
The court rose on the last adjourned date for the continuation of the pre-hearing of Peter Obi’s petition.
The drama which could have interfered with today’s proceedings appears to have been arrested with this intervention.
The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, have urged the Presidential Election Petition Court to dismiss the application by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party for a live broadcast of proceedings.
They argued that the relief sought by the applicants are not such that the court could grant it.
“With much respect to the petitioners, the motion is an abuse of the processes of this honourable court,” the respondents stated.
Besides describing the application as frivolous, they said the court is not a soapbox, stadium or theatre where the public should be entertained.
Through their team of lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, they wondered why a petitioner would file an application to distract the court and waste its precious time.
They stated, in the counter affidavit, that the application relates to policy formulation of the court, which is outside the PEPC’s jurisdiction as constituted.
“The application also touches on the powers and jurisdiction invested in the President of the Court of Appeal by the Constitution, over which this honourable court as presently constituted cannot entertain.
The application touches on the administrative functions, which are exclusively reserved for the President of the Court of Appeal.
“The application is aimed at dissipating the precious judicial time of this honourable court.
“The said application does not have any bearing with the petition filed by the petitioners before this honourable court.
“It is in the interest of justice for this honourable court to dismiss the said application filed by the petitioners,” they said.
In an attached written address, the respondents faulted the applicants’ reference to the fact that virtual proceedings were allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They argued that Atiku and his party failed to draw the court’s attention to the fact that practice directions were made by the respective courts for the exercise.
“Another angle to this very curious application is the invitation it extends to the court to make an order that it cannot supervise.
The position of the law remains, and we do submit that the court, like nature, does not make an order in vain, or an order which is incapable of enforcement,” the respondents stated.
More so, they stated that “At the very best, this application is academic, very otiose, very unnecessary, very time-wasting, most unusual and most unexpected, particularly, from a set of petitioners, who should be praying for the expeditious trial of their petition.
“Petitioners have brought their application under Section 36(3) of the Constitution which provides that the proceedings of a court/tribunal shall be held in public.
“The word ‘public’ as applied under Section 36(3) of the Constitution has been defined in a plethora of judicial authorities to mean a place where members of the public have unhindered access, and the court itself, sitting behind open doors, not in the camera.
“Even in situations where a class action is presented, the particular people constituting the class being represented by the plaintiffs or petitioners are always defined in the originating process.
“Here, in this application, the public at whose behest this application has been presented is not defined, not known, not discernable.
“Beyond all these, it is our submission that the court of law must and should always remain what it is, what it should be and what it is expected to be: a serene, disciplined, hallowed, tranquil, honourable and decorous institution and place.
It is not a rostrum or a soapbox. It is not also a stadium or theatre. It is not an arena for ‘public’ entertainment.
“With much respect to the petitioners, the motion is an abuse of the processes of this honourable court.”
A United States convoy was attacked in Nigeria on Tuesday, May 16 k!|ling four people, including two personnel from the US consulate and two police officers, with three others kidnapped, according to the Nigerian security services and US state department officials.
The attack took place in Anambra state, with Anambra Police Command saying the attackers “m¥rdered two police operatives and two staff of the US consulate and set their bodies and their vehicles ablaze.”
The personnel who were killed were not US citizens, according to the White House and the local police. “No US citizens were involved and therefore there were no US citizens hurt,” said John Kirby of the US National Security Council. “We are aware of some casualties, perhaps even some k!lled.”
When the assailants saw security forces “they made away with two police operatives and a driver of the second vehicle in the convoy,” Ikenga Tochukwu, deputy superintendent of police, said. “No US citizen was in the convoy,” he added.
Police said that joint security forces “have embarked on a rescue and recovery operation in the area.”
A State Department spokesperson said Tuesday that “Mission Nigeria personnel are working with Nigerian security services to investigate.”
The State Department added: “The security of our personnel is always paramount, and we take extensive precautions when organizing trips to the field,” they continued
His social life was blunted. Perhaps by his reticent disposition.His persona, two dimensional. To a distant public, he was upscale and cool . His manly bearing spoke loud. His onscreen image ironically amplified some idiosyncrasies ; heroics, romantic adventures and traits that did not gel with the mortal privacy that eerily define his quiet and lonely life.
Saint Obi, real name, Obinna Nwafor, was shy, almost bordering on timidity and insecurity. He cherished the pleasantly tranquil interractions among a few friends. He would vanish at any outburst that could upset the poise of such small meetings. As he repeatedly told me, he just wanted to live a cool, quiet and fulfilled life.
But, has he lived this cool and fulfilled life he envisioned ? I have my doubts.
I tell Saint’s story here with painful tears in my eyes ; because he was a star, a super star whose life turned out a gleam of irony .
Yet, it was this stardom that fetched him his much professed financially strong and powerful wife . And their wedding, that solemn ritual of love would drastically alter the cause of his life and tragically yank him off the creative community that threw him up for the wife to capture and indeed conquer.
Their marriage was at best a dramatization of love. It was quick. He barely told us that he found a wife . Then, the marriage happened. It was something of a mystique, only those involved understood the histrionics that played out . None of us who were his closest pals, who walked with him through the crucible to the crest of his career in Nollywood, none of us was invited. The distance between us and the guy I admirably called Saint of the Storm had begun . This gulf would widen with each year. We saw him perhaps once in a year after this marriage.
And life actually seemed to have given him a fair shake of the dice. He dressed well, drove big cars and even his skin, in literal lingo, spelt wellness.
The Saint would be blessed with three beautiful children. But not on one occasion were his friends in Nollywood invited for christening or birthday. We were told that his wife was of the topmost hierrachy in telecom giant, MTN . But even if their celebrations were designed to be a rendezvous of the elites of the technocracies that his wife chiefly belonged, you expected that Saint would reach out to a few of his fellow creatives, for even if they would herald his small beginnings , there could be no tinge of shame to it because we all have our journeys and our stories. And even at that, the actor or cineaste in Nollywood is by no means poor.
But more tragic is the fact that his marriage did not only take away Obinna from his friends, it took him away from Nollywood. Saint stopped acting, absconded from his career and perhaps his calling.
It would seem prognostic now. Yes, because I recall leaving my house in Lagos Mainland for his massive office in Lekki, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was about six years ago. There, I demanded to know why my friend abandoned our industry. He told me with his usual shy expressions that he wanted to focus on some other businesses and also to work behind the camera. Because his visage was unconvincing to me, I told him in stark terms, that whatever his new vision and pursuits, he must not abandon the trade that made him who he was.
It took another three years for Saint to return to his homies. But when he did, some of the deeply disappointed ones sniggered behind him. This was because the simmering rumours of cracks in his marriage had hit home. And though secretive in his ways, he knew it was time to open up. And he did. ” I do not know why my wife’s sibblings see me as a gold digger. They confront me, harass and fight me in my own matrimony. And my wife did nothing to stop them. I work hard, I earn my money . I have never depended on my wife “, he lamented, eyes blurred with tears. You could tell he was in deep pain. By the next visit, the Saint returned with a deep cut from knife on his left eye. His wife’s brothers, he said , scaled the wall fence of their house to attack him. They were captured by hidden closed-circuit television, CCTV, installed for surveillance and security, he revealed..
He reported them at the police station and subsequently acquired a gun to defend himself. This effectively marked the beginning of the end of his marriage and perhaps Saint Obi’s long walk to a sad end. He moved out of his marital home to a new house to begin the reconstruction of his destiny, alone without his wife and worse still without his three beautiful children.
Meanwhile, his wife went to the police to defend her sibblings using her financial power to manipulate the cause of justice, Saint stated unequivocally. The wife also sued for divorce, not in Lagos, but in Ogun state. As Saint put it, ” It was to make the journey difficult for me. But I will not bend neither will I break. I will fight with my last blood to take custody of my children. They love me and they know it will be hard for me to live without them.The divorce is not an issue. My marriage has long been over “, he said with a mix of courage and a quaky heart that betrayed his distress.
About mid last year, however, Obinna took ill. But he told no one. He simply became scarce. He was in and out of hospital, we would later learn. He sold two of his three big SUVs to take proper care of his health and to acquire six camry cars he’d use for Uber. But his vanishing health continued unabated. He seemed to have a premonition of his own passing as he wept repeatedly about not seeing his children. He emaciated. Life took a grim picture. When I saw him by chance in January 2023, the dude called Saint looked 15 years older than his age. His macho cut had shrunk. His fat wallet was gone. What was left was only his fat will. His eyes seemed lost in their socket. This would be the last time I would see him.
Saint snuck out of Lagos to hang in with his sister in Jos. He told no one.
But a month ago, in April precisely, the once delightful actor who brought joy to many a home broke his icy silence. He called our mutual friend in US to give him a devastating message. He was on a deathbed, he said and wanted our friend to pray for him. ” It’s not looking good, pray, pray for me “, he appealed passionately. His next call came on May 1, 2023. This time to his mentor, the man who made him a star with his productions, Zeb Ejiro, OON. He told him with a wavering voice that he had had three surgeries but was still in hospital in Jos. He averred again that his situation was not looking good, that he is also in a deep pain, distressed that he could not see his children. But still he begged him not to tell anyone about his ailment. Such was the life of this creative hermit, a lonely trouper.
I was the first to hear the news of his death late on Sunday, May 7. Having confirmed it, I called Zeb Ejiro . ” I have a very bad news my brother, Zeb “, I began. ” What is it, what is it, “, he asked anxiously. “A big star has fallen in Nollywood “. Zeb broke down in tears. I hadn’t said who it was. But sobbing helplessly now, he said, ” Don’t tell me it is Saint Obi “.
Sadly, he was right…
May his soul find peace.
Zik Zulu Okafor, veteran journalist, Nigeria Media Merit Award Winner and multiple award winning film maker wrote from Abuja.
The information reaching my desk is that Peter Mbah went to the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to stop NYSC from releasing information about him. Such attempt to use the Court to stop the NYSC from continuing to expose the forgeries committed by Mbah over his NYSC is a classic ex ample of witness suppression. But the effort is too little and it came too late to make any difference. All the information needed from NYSC is already out. I have a mountain of it in my drawer already. Indeed, I am now seeking information from the university Mbah claimed to have graduated from in the UK. He should tell the court to stop that university from responding to the request for information I propounded upon it two days ago.
This latest effort by Mbah means that he has tried all known ways to suppress the truth. He has used intimidation and threats, attacking everybody who tried to say the truth. He has used bribery, like paying INEC officials. And now, he tries to use the courts to block the truth.
When a person accused of a crime tries to suppress witnesses, it means they are attempting to prevent those witnesses from testifying against them in court. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as intimidating or threatening the witnesses, offering them money or other incentives to not testify, or filing legal motions to exclude or block their testimony. Peter Mbah is overwhelmed by the truth gushing out from every hole around him. Peter is facing a losing battle in the Elections Tribunal. It is glaring that one of the most damaging pieces of evidence against him has to do with the forgeries he committed over his non-participation in the mandatory NYSC program.
Clearly, Peter Mbah is scared. Everyday, new piece of evidence emerges, more damning that that of the day before. Not knowing what else to do, he ran to Abuja to file an action at the Federal High Court asking the court to gag the NYSC and stop it from releasing information about him. It is important to note that Peter Mbah did not tell the court that the information coming from the NYSC was false. He did not tell the court that he did not forge documents. He did not tell the court that that he did not do anything wrong. Instead, he only told the court to stop NYSC from telling the truth. That is called witness suppression. It will not work for the people of Enugu State.
Attempting to suppress witnesses is generally considered illegal and unethical behavior, and can result in additional criminal charges being filed against the accused. It can also be used as evidence of guilt, as it suggests that the accused is aware of their wrongdoing and is attempting to avoid accountability for their actions.
What is Peter Mbah scared of? What is he is afraid of? He knows that the allegations against him are probably true. Indeed, with this latest move, anybody previously in doubt should now understand that Peter Mbah himself knows he is guilty of what he is accused of. Otherwise, why is he afraid of the truth? Is this how he plans to govern Enugu State? By lying and hiding the truth? Peter Mbah has no respect of the judiciary. To think that he could cajole the courts into doing his bidding, he has exposed the kind of leader he will be, if given the chance.
It is important to note also that witnesses play a crucial role in the criminal justice system, as their testimony can help to establish the facts of a case and ensure that justice is served. Any attempt to interfere with or intimidate witnesses is therefore taken very seriously by the courts and law enforcement officials. In a case where NYSC documents are said to have been forged, the NYSC stands to play a crucial role in establishing the truth. To try to silence the NYSC in such a blatant manner is unfortunate, but ultimately detrimental to Peter Mbah. Not only has he shown that the truth will be against him if allowed to come out, he has also made a terrible miscalculation, because the order he claims to have gotten from the court does not stop the NYSC from responding to subpoenas and any order of the Tribunal.
It is important to state that the Federal High Court is a court of coordinate jurisdiction with the Tribunal. It has no power to bind the Tribunal. It has no power to tell the Tribunal how to do its work. So, nothing the Federal High Court can do today will help Peter Mbah. His cause is doomed and no amount of desperation will alter it. Besides, the order can only be an interim ex parte order which will most likely be set aside when NYSC or any interested party joins the case and moves to vacate that order. So, no easy way out for Peter Mbah. No easy way, buddy.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to respond to issues of jurisdiction over their application seeking to stop Bola Tinubu’s inauguration as president.
Justice Inyang Ekwo on Monday said the residents and voters in the FCT should address the court on their locus standi, jurisdiction and whether there is a similar matter before the presidential elections court.
Earlier, counsel for the FCT residents, Chuks Nwachukwu Esq, informed the court that they filed the ex parte application and originating motions seeking a referral of the constitutional matters to the Court of Appeal for interpretation.
The residents are seeking a determination of Section 134 (2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution on any candidate in the February 25 presidential election who did not fulfil the requirements of the 25 per cent of the votes in the FCT.
The residents represented by Anyaegbunam Ubaka Okoye, David Aondover Adzer, Jeffrey Oheobeh Ucheh, Osang Paul and Chibuke Nwachukwu are seeking an order of court restraining the Chief Justice of Nigeria and any judicial officer and/or any authority or persons from swearing in any candidate in the February 25 presidential election as president or vice president.
They also want an order of the court “setting aside or suspending any declaration and/or issuance of a certificate of return to any candidate in the February 25th presidential election in the country or having been elected save and except it is judicially determined with finality that such candidate fulfilled the conditions stated at Section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution.”
Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, has been arrested and is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, popularly known as Panti, in Lagos State, over an alleged assault on a police officer on Saturday.
The musician was accompanied by a lawyer representing Falana and Falana Chambers, the law firm of popular human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN.
Our correspondent exclusively obtained a video clip and pictures showing the musician in handcuffs while being paraded by police officers at the SCID, Lagos
The PUNCH had reported that a viral video of Seun Kuti assaulting a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State emerged on Saturday.
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, as a result, ordered the arrest of the singer.
The IG equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the alleged assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.
This was as the musician alleged attempted murder of himself and his family by the police officer in question, in a social media post obtained by our correspondent on Saturday night.
However, following the IG’s order for his arrest, Mr. Kuti in another Instagram post, said, “I welcome the investigation and will give my full cooperation! I also pray to the IG that whoever is wrong should be indicted.”
This was as the Police Service Commission demands the immediate prosecution of the musician, adding that no one has the right to assault a policeman in uniform and on official duty, no matter the offence committed by the police officer.
Following the development, Falana, SAN, said the musician had sought his legal services, adding that Seun Kuti has evidence to defend his action.
Falana said, “I am his lawyer and he has briefed me. He certainly has evidence. This is not the first time he is dealing with the police.
“He (Seun) is going to report himself to the police tomorrow morning. There is no problem at all.”
Musician risks three years imprisonment
According to section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, if found guilty of assault against theyet-to-be-named police officer, Ṣeun Kuti is liable to spend three years in prison.
The Act reads,“ Anyone who assaults, resists, or willfully obstructs a police officer while acting in the execution of his duty, or any person acting in aid of a police officer while so acting is guilty of felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.”
The PUNCH reports that Kuti in a 12-second video clip which went viral on Saturday showed Kuti, who wore a red shirt and white pair of trousers, pushing a policeman, who stood beside a Toyota Hilux police van. He then proceeded to slap the cop, as he shouted, “You dey craze, you dey mad?”
A motorist, who filmed the incident from his car, was heard saying, “Omo na Kuti o. Na better news be this o.”
PSC demands musician’s prosecution
The Police Service Commission has demanded the immediate prosecution of Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, over alleged assault on a police officer on the Third Mainland bridge in Lagos State on Saturday.
The PSC Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector-General of Police, said Seun’s arraignment would serve as a deterrent to other citizens, adding that no one has the right to assault a policeman in uniform and on official duty, no matter the offence committed by a police officer.
Beats Lata Tondon Record To Create New Guinness World Record
Nigerian Chef Hilda Baci has beaten Chef Lata Tondon to create a new Guinness World Record for longest cooking marathon.
It was gathered that Chef Lata Tondon of India was called the “Iron Lady” when she cooked for 87 hours and 45 minutes in 2019 surpassing the previous record by 20 hours.
However, Hilda Baci from Akwa Ibom State, who started cooking on Friday, May 11, 2023 in an attempt to break the record set by Chef Lata, has made headway.
The Nigerian chef broke the record on Monday morning, May 15, 2023.
Though Chef Hilda Baci has broken Chef Lara Tondon’s 87 hours, 45 minutes record, she has continued cooking as she intends to set a personal record of 96 hours. She will complete this at 4pm Nigerian time (16:00 GMT).
Dark-skinned soldier in hat facing national flag series - Nigeria
Some Nigerian military officers under the platform of ‘Concerned Patriotic Military Officers’ have threatened to force a radical revolution to save Nigeria if the ‘monumental corruption’ in the military is not checked forthwith.
The group which gave the warning in a letter to the Presidency, Service Chiefs and Senate on Sunday, called for the probe of service chiefs and the former ones irrespective of their political affiliation because according to them, they are the ones failing this country.
They accused service chiefs (former and current) of buying refurbished equipment as new.
“Only soldiers and officers who serve in good places pay their ways to good places and foreign missions. The remaining just continue to fight war or serve in remote areas. Some are gods they are too precious to even serve in places that have bad weather. Too bad for this country,” the group said.
The group advised the ‘President-elect’, Bola Tinubu to be careful so that the country would not be buried under him.
According to them, there are killings across the country because some military men are colluding with criminals and only after their pockets and the interest of their godfathers and godsons.
*Titled: _”The Military Promoting Grave Injustice And Unprofessionalism To Destroy Nigeria,”_* the concerned officers warned that even politicians will not be safe when the looming calamity is upon the country.
They vowed that “if this evil continues, we will force a radical revolution to save Nigeria. As you read this, just wait for tips on how to make your attacks more potent. Stop killing innocent Nigerians.”
The military officers said they were concerned to hear that the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.) was looking for an appointment in Tinubu’s administration after he “crushed the army and made it so useless by stealing money and awarding contracts to his own company using a civilian, one Mr. Kabiru Sallau, he has made a billionaire”.
“Buratai was so unprofessional that he was just spoiling army standards and killing capacity. Those of you soldiers and officers you know your colleagues who are considered special that only serve where they want. Nigeria will not survive like this. Action is coming,” the group said.
It asked soldiers at the front to stop fighting if their colleagues in air-conditioned offices cannot be part of it.
“Those few of you enjoying with your generals, be ready to face the majority who are considered sacrificial lambs. Imagine some officers will hide then now they want the highest appointment so that they can finally bury Nigeria.
“That is why soldiers are dying everywhere because the lazy ones that dodge are now policymakers. We will reveal things that no one will be able to defend this country until change comes. The evil is too much. Soldiers who present issues become the bad ones and also officers who are treated bad can’t speak or else they frustrate them. It is either you live a free man or die a slave.
“For the civilians, are you not tired of serving as slaves while the rich continue to empower themselves and family members? This is a warning. After this, there will be volumes providing guidelines for how war can be waged with even the army and the politicians who fail to put the army in check. If you cannot carry everyone along in the army let everybody return to their states and form a state army since some soldiers and officers are already in their places serving.
“These problems have been lingering for long and it is becoming the unfortunate norm. If you like do not correct the problems go and be looking for sacrificial lambs, Nigerian Army. It will surprise you when you start seeing action because many are affected. We are all Nigerians. To buy good weapons is a problem.”
It added, “Some of you agitators have a good cause but you don’t know how to go about it. Nowhere in Nigeria is impenetrable or indestructible. Wait for the exposures let this country heat up so there can be a restoration of values and prosperity. Nigerians, some of you are agitating and you have a just cause but you are not hitting the areas that will make this country sit up.
“Know that most Nigerians are being marginalized and must rise up and challenge this monster. Look at Niger Delta, a few fat selfish people just carry beards and come to the press as political mouthpieces while they rule and enslave their people while owning billions in money and assets all over Nigeria.
“Tompolo was wanted by the government but has been given over 4 billion naira monthly contract to secure oil facilities. Who is Tompolo and how many is he that the faith of a whole country will be put in the hands of a selfish person with no interests of the masses? Just like the army, you will see few benefitting from him coming out to justify it. The ones suffering and being marginalized are the majority but the few benefitting selfish cowards are the only ones occupying sensitive offices.
“So when there is a legitimate observation of marginalization and injustice those wicked few benefitting and their accomplices suppress those genuine concerns. Enough is enough. Nigerians, the ones suffering are over 200 million across every work of life or non-working citizens. Come together and conquer this evil but the army will soon collapse if this continues because the structure is failing already,” the letter partly read.
MY REMOVAL AS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES
On Friday, 21st April, 2023, a publication of new appointments you made started circulating on various university social media platforms. I observed that I have been prematurely removed as the Deputy Director, SGS. Many people were surprised seeing that, and knowing that officially, the position usually lasts for two academic years, and that I have done only the first year, they could not understand that. Also, given that the Director who I was appointed together with was not also removed equally made the situation suspicious. They were not only surprised at your action but went on to ask questions about it. But I was not surprised because I got the hint of your move to replace me with Dr Adaoma Igwedibia immediately we came back from our trip to Germany in December, 2022. So your action was, undoubtedly linked to that trip.
It is helpful to recall what actually happened in that fully sponsored Germany trip. When Prof Klaus presented all the participants of that workshop with some documents that required our signature, I saw that the amount written on that document was at variance with what you, our Vice Chancellor, remitted to us as the financial package given to us by the organisers of that academic exercise. I was surprised thinking that there must have been a mistake somehow. So I had to ask questions like any reasonable person would. I asked other members of Awka contingent and no one could render any explanation as they were as surprised as I was. Prof Klaus himself first raised the issue telling us that the paper you, Prof Esimone, prepared bears 2000 Euro which made me understand that he already suspected what you did. All he wanted was confirmation from us and I confirmed to him that you gave us 2000 Euro instead of 3500 Euro we were made to sign.The difference in the amount was 1,500 Euro and the deduction was done by you from every one of us including from a lecturer II, a very junior staff.
At my level and experience, it will amount to stupidity to append my signature against an amount that was not remitted to me without asking questions and asking questions was what I did. That was the crime you felt and still feel I committed against you.
Connectedly before we set out for the trip, we got a message from you asking us to travel to Abuja for onward processing of our papers in preparation for the trip. We, the intended participants moved to Abuja as you instructed. One of us travelled all the way from Lagos. Unfortunately, that was the last time we heard from you during the whole time we spent on that wasted and frustrating trip. After three nights of lodging in a hotel and clearly seeing ourselves in a confused situation as no information was sent to us from you, our principal, to know our next step. Day after day, night after night I personally called you and sent you messages requesting your directives on what next to do; if we were to continue staying or leave the Abuja hotel. You NEVER responded to any of the calls nor to the messages and up until today you have not, out of courtesy, at least or show of sign of leadership, explained to us why we deserved such inhuman and wicked treatment from you. I remember clearly telling in one of the messages I sent you that we had run short of money for renewing our hotel bills and for feeding. I also informed you that we had resorted to borrowing to avoid being asked out of the hotel rooms, yet you ignored and abandoned us. At the end, we spent six unplanned nights and later decided to come back to Awka. Meanwhile we learnt that you earlier left Abuja with Dr Adaoma Igwedibia without a single word to those you instructed to travel to Abuja. We felt sad, stupid, fooled and abandoned by you, our leader. I don’t want to go in details on your very petty behaviour at the Frankfurt airport where you told the driver sent to pick us that we missed the flight when you knew quite well that the reverse was the case.
Relatedly, I also found out that you, Prof Charles Esimone, our Vice Chancellor and our leader in that trip equally signed our per diem allowances from our university .That allowance never got to any of us and I want to ask you, my dear Vice Chancellor, what happened to the allowances you signed on our behalf?
Finally on the above issue, I think it is important to state that my appointment as Deputy Director of SGS is not a favour by any standard. In fact, I personally do not need the position to be relevant in any way. I am sure you appointed me DD based on your perception of me as capable and my ability to add my quota to make your project 200 achievable and I make bold to state that within that short period I was there before my removal, albeit unprofessionally, that I made some mark there. Go and verify!
KEEPING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
Yes, you have removed me as a deputy director for daring to ask questions about my money you took. I have the feeling that you might go further than that hence this information on the origin of the partnership with the University of Muenster, Germany and the projects that emernated therefrom.
That project was first brought to Prof Ezenwa-Ohaeto Resource Centre by Dr Onyebuchi Ile to help him finance and manage the administration of a Prof Ezenwa-Ohaeto Center’s journal I appointed him as the editor. After examining the project we later decided to bring it to the Department of English so that our staff will also benefit from it. The information about the partnership was clearly recorded in the minutes of meetings held at the initial stages of the project. The meetings used to hold at the Centre and were sponsored by the Centre as well. Our decision to involve the English Department was what informed the partnership between the Centre and Department of English, the partnership you later decided by your actions to ignore and play down on.
You may wish to know that the project was sustained at the Department as a result of my singular efforts as the Chairperson of the LOC of the Workshop we organized to build capacity as requested by our German partners. You may also wish to know that the decision to involve the English department in the project was what metamorphosed into your involment because of your office as the Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK. That partnership metamorphosed into that German trip you participated in even though you are a pharmacist. That also metamorphosed into the per diem and the supporting money from Germany which you unfairly extorted from us. That decision metamorphosed into the Communication Skill that is now being hosted in School of General Studies. That involment was what metamorphosed into my removal as the Deputy Director of SGS.
Now I want to talk about the Communication Skill project. I have a hunch that you may also try to remove me from that project. If that is your next intended step, I suggest that you stop now because that may not end well. No threat intended anyway. I pray you understand.
NOTE finally that “Las las everybody go chop breakfast” and that all positions are transient.
