Tag Archives: rule of law

Global Index Rating On Rule Of Law, Group Commends Buhari

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As Nigeria makes a leap from107 to 96 points in the global index rating in rule of law, world Justice Project; the Buhari Media Support Group has commended President Mohammadu Buhari led Government for this attainment.

The World Justice Project, an independent, multidisciplinary organization working to advance rule of law around the world says Nigeria makes an 11 points leap from a global index of 107 to 96 in adherence rankings.

The Group describes this as a reflection of success of the Buhari administration’s efforts in entrenching and boosting rule of law compliance in government and the country.

The BMSG noted that the ratings prove that the administration’s reforms seen in its dogged fight against corruption, active transparency in government dealings and restoration of order and security in most parts of the country especially in the North East and improved access to justice are bearing fruit.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Malam Muhammad Labbo and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, Chairman in Abuja on Sunday calls on government agencies and departments to key into the government’s objectives of ensuring more transparency in government’s dealing. The group also notes that the keying in of government officials into these goals would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic resolve in open governance.

The group further pointed that the rule of law is fundamental to the development and growth of any society; as it is the bedrock for citizen’s trust, confidence and participation in the democratic process of governance.

“President Buhari has shown a clear resolve to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic processes and institutions. He has not just stopped at that but has put his foot to work, to bring to fruition this resolve. And that is why today, respect for fundamental human rights, access to justice, security and transparency in government has improved,” the statement said.

The group commends the Buhari’s administration’s exceptional use of digital media platform in proactively disseminating government’s policies, activities and responses.

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http://dailytimes.ng/nigerias-intl-rating-group-commends-buharis-adherence-rule-law/

PDP Crisis: Sheriff Insists Rule Of Law Must Prevail

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The disputed National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, has said that the rule of law must prevail for the party’s crisis to be resolved.Sheriff made the statement when he received some members of PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Reconciliation Committee, led by Prof. Jerry Gana, in Abuja on Tuesday night.

According to him, the crisis continues to linger because leaders in the party are not alive to their responsibilities and keep perpetuating it.“I am ready to listen at any time to the committee but for the crisis to be fully resolved, the rule of law must be followed. The moment we want to use one impunity to address another, it will not work.

“If our leaders had taken their responsibilities, we would never have had most of the problems we are facing today.

“When a leader refuses to stand up to his responsibilities, there will be a problem.

“Why am I saying this? Some of our leaders are party to our problems,” Sheriff said.

Briefing newsmen after a closed-door session, Sheriff commended the efforts of the BoT toward reconciling feuding parties and affirmed his availability now that the BoT was now better informed on the crisis.

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http://guardian.ng/news/pdp-crisis-sheriff-insists-rule-of-law-must-prevail/

EU Pushes Turkey On Rule Of Law After Coup Crackdown

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Turkey must protect the rule of law as it cracks down after the failed coup, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Monday, as the bloc said it looked like the government had prepared a list of people to arrest beforehand.

“We are the ones saying today rule of law has to be protected in the country, there is no excuse for any steps that take the country away from that,” Mogherini said as European Union foreign ministers met in Brussels.

“As we have been the first ones to say that in that tragic night (of Friday’s coup attempt), the democratic and legitimate institutions needed to be protected,” she told reporters.

“Today we will say together with ministers that obviously doesn’t mean that rule of law and the system of checks and balances in the country does not count. On the contrary it needs to be protected for the sake of the country.

“So we will send a strong message on that.”

Would-be EU member Turkey carried out fresh raids on Monday as the EU ministers were meeting, prompting growing international concern over the scale of the crackdown.

Judges and military commanders are among 6,000 people who were arrested over the weekend as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vows to stamp out the “virus” of the coup plotters.

The EU commissioner dealing with Turkey’s long-stalled bid for membership of the bloc meanwhile said it appeared that the government had already prepared a list before the coup of people to be rounded up.

“I mean, (that) the lists are available already after the event indicates that this was prepared and at a certain moment should be used,” EU enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn told reporters.

Turkey’s attempts to join the 28-nation European Union have been hobbled in recent years by concern over the increasingly authoritarian Erdogan’s record on human rights and press freedom.

But the EU agreed to speed up its membership bid and give visa-free travel to Turks as part of a migrant crisis deal in which Ankara agreed to take back people landing in the Greek islands.

Credit: Guardian

I’ll Improve Lives Of Ordinary Citizens In My Second Term – Al-Makura Promises

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Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State said on Friday said that he would dedicate his second term in office to pursue policies that would impact more on the lives of the ordinary people.

Al-Makura said this in an interview with NAN shortly after the Special Juma’at Servicer at the Lafia Central Mosque.

According to the governor, the policy thrust of his administration will be in the areas that the masses will reap the dividends of democracy, including security and their well-being.

Al-Makura thanked the people of the state for their prayers and support in the last four years.

“Government will continue to sustain those little things we have been doing that add value to the ordinary man and to continue to enhance peace, security and good governance.

“These are our pre-occupations and that is why we are making this Friday a very ceremonial one; it is a Friday that we give gratitude to and praises to Almighty God who has seen us through the past four years and has strengthened our minds to the covenant we have with the people of Nasarawa state.”

He also urged the electorate to have trust in the incoming APC government at the centre as it will save Nigerian from its present predicaments.

“We as leaders of the people in our various states should continue to pray for God’s deliverance, guidance and direction. and above all for Almighty God to direct the affairs of the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, who will govern this country at a very difficult time,” the governor said.

Al-Makura also prayed God to grant the president-elect the wisdom, capacity and endurance to chart a new course that will lead to the benefit of every citizen.

Meanwhile, the Chief Imam of Lafia, Malam Dalhatu Dahiru, after the Juma’at prayers, prayed for the success of the next political dispensation as well as for peace and unity of the country.

Soldiers Must Give Civilians The Chance To Rule – Kukah

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Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Rev. Mathew Kukah, has commended the military for allowing the nation’s democracy to go grow.

He made the commendation on Friday in Abuja at the presentation and official launching of a book entitled “Destiny Calling My Name’’ the biography of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

The book was written by Prince Dotun Oyelade.

Kukah, who chaired the occasion, described the current transition from one government to another as `a great moment’ for the country.

He said: “This is a great moment for Nigeria’s democracy; we have made progress in our country, the military is truly subordinate to civilian administration at this moment.

“Nigeria is indeed truly in democracy and if you were ever in doubt look no further,

“I believe that most Nigerians must be very pleased that when it mattered, our military displayed a high sense of responsibility”.

Kukah commended Badeh for assuring Nigerians of the professionalism and democratic credentials of the military.

He however urged serving and retired military generals to stay away from the politics of the country.

He said that the military had taken away several years of the nation’s democracy and should allow civilians to grow the country’s democracy.

He said: “You know that the military has already taken away most of our years in this democracy, and as you have seen, they are still not yet through with us.

“After General Olusegun Obasanjo and General Muhammadu Buhari, how many more generals do you want to have as Presidents? Will civilians grow this democracy or will it be the duty of soldiers?

“My people, we must make progress and our democracy will grow. This is not anti-military rally but please soldiers, retired and serving, give us civilians the chance to rule.

“Let those soldiers who have retired enjoy the benefit of their retirement and let the soldiers who are serving remain in the military and do very well what they set out to do when they joined the military”.

Kukah said the book was a story of what God could do and traced Badeh’s journey from a village school through the secondary school to Defence Academy to his current position.

The Bishop commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the courage to accept defeat in the last elections.

The Guest of Honour, Prof. Jerry Gana, who commended Jonathan for his political maturity, said the president’s acceptance of defeat saved Nigeria from avoidable crisis.

He commended Badeh for the success made so far by the military in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents.

In his remark, the CDS said he was fulfilled having served for many years in the military.

(NAN)

Court Orders Immediate Release Of Detained APC Workers

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A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday ordered immediate release of five employees of the Data Centre of All Progressives Congress (APC), who were arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) on November 22, 2014.

Chinedu Atuche, Fayemi Olaposi, Augustine Onuchukwu, Ebun Ilori and Esther Enemy – all APC workers, were arrested by DSS operatives and police during a raid on a building which the APC said was its data office at Allen Avenue in Lagos.

But Justice Mohammed Yunusa, who ordered the release, equally restrained the DSS from further arresting the five employees pending the hearing and determination of a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the APC.

The judge, after entertaining arguments from lawyers on both sides, held that it was unjustifiable for the workers to have been detained beyond the period prescribed by Section 35 of the Constitution, without being charged to court.

Justice Yunusa ruled that the DSS could no longer continue to detain the applicants without filing a charge against them or bringing them before a competent court.

The matter was consequently adjourned to January 19, 2015.

Despite the ruling, it was gathered that DSS officials went away with the APC workers, who were produced in court as ordered by the judge.

The applicants – the APC and the detained staff – had filed an action before the court seeking an enforcement of their fundamental rights.

Source – Daily Independent