Barrister Olalekan F. Ojo, a Lagos-based human rights lawyer and powerful advocate of social justice, is the Managing Companion, Platinum & Taylor Hill LP, a number one regulation agency in Nigeria. On this chat with EJIKEME OMENAZU, he takes a have a look at the current removing of the Benue State Chief Decide by the State Home of Meeting, the current disaster within the Lagos State Home of Meeting, the sexual harassment allegation towards the Senate Speaker Godswill Akpabio, and the current Supreme Court docket ruling on the Rivers State disaster amongst different essential points. Excerpt:
What’s your tackle the current removing of the Benue State Chief Decide (CJ) by the State Home of Meeting?
I consider the removing of the Benue State Chief Decide, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese, by the State Home of Meeting was a transparent violation of constitutional provisions. The method was not according to the established procedures, because the Nationwide Judicial Council (NJC) have to be involved in investigating and recommending the removing of a judicial officer. The independence of the judiciary is essential to sustaining the rule of regulation, and any try and bygo established authorized procedures undermines this precept. Subsequently, the removing was unconstitutional and units a harmful precedent for judicial autonomy.
How do you see the current disaster within the Lagos Home of Meeting and the way it was resolved?
The disaster within the Lagos Home of Meeting underscores the challenges of legislative autonomy in a politically dominant atmosphere. Whereas the decision of the disaster was vital to take care of legislative stability, it highlights the necessity for stronger institutional safeguards to make sure that inner legislative issues are dealt with transparently and in accordance with democratic rules. The power of the Home to resolve its disputes with out external interference is essential to preserving the integrity of the legislature.
What does the disaster within the Lagos Home of Meeting present in regards to the domination of Lagos politics by the All Progressives Congress (APC)?
The disaster reveals the deep entrenchment of the APC in Lagos politics, which has each stabilising and restrictive implications. On one hand, get together cohesion ensures continuity in governance, however on the opposite, it raises considerations about inner democracy and political inclusivity. A really democratic system should enable for sturdy intra-party engagement and independent legislative capabilities with out undue affect.
Nonetheless on the disaster within the Lagos Home of Meeting, how do you view the controversial intervention of operatives of the Division of State Service (DSS) at a degree? The DSS’s intervention in sustaining order on the Lagos State Home of Meeting should align with constitutional provisions below the 1999 Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Whereas Part 215(4) permits safety agencies to behave in support of civil authority, such intervention should not infringe on the separation of powers below Sections 4 and 11. If there have been credible threats of violence, lawful safety measures could also be justified. Nonetheless, any motion should respect due course of, legislative independence, and basic rights, guaranteeing that safety businesses don’t intrude unduly in legislative affairs or political disputes.
What’s your tackle the current choice of the Supreme Court docket on the Rivers State disaster?
The Supreme Court docket’s current decision to nullify the native authorities elections in Rivers State underscores the judiciary’s function in upholding electoral integrity and adherence to authorized frameworks. The Court docket discovered that the Rivers State Impartial Electoral Fee (RSIEC) didn’t adjust to obligatory authorized provisions, resembling publishing the 90-day discover earlier than the elections and updating the voter register as required by regulation. This ruling highlights the need for electoral our bodies to strictly adhere to established authorized procedures to make sure the legitimacy of elections. It serves as a reminder that any deviation from due course of can result in the invalidation of election outcomes, thereby affecting governance on the grassroots degree. Shifting ahead, it’s crucial for the state authorities and related authorities to conduct recent native authorities elections that totally adjust to authorized necessities. This strategy will restore democratic governance on the native degree and reinforce public confidence within the electoral course of. Moreover, steady capacity-building and adherence to authorized requirements by electoral commissions are important to forestall future occurrences of such lapses.
Shifting ahead, how do you assume peace can return to Rivers State?
For peace to return to Rivers State, all stakeholders should commit to reconciliation, dialogue, and inclusive governance. There have to be a concerted effort to de-escalate tensions, keep away from inflammatory rhetoric, and deal with delivering good governance. Moreover, regulation enforcement businesses and the judiciary should make sure that the rule of regulation is upheld to forestall additional breakdowns in political order.
How do you see the raging controversy within the Senate over the sexual harassment allegation towards Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan?
Sexual harassment allegations in any setting, notably inside the hallowed chambers of the legislature, have to be taken significantly. The controversy surrounding the Senate President is a check of the Senate’s dedication to upholding moral requirements. A clear, independent, and thorough investigation is important to determine the details and guarantee accountability the place required.
Do you assume Godswill Akpabio ought to step apart as Senate President to permit a full investigation of the allegations made towards him by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan?
Whereas stepping apart isn’t a authorized requirement, it might be a significant gesture in the direction of guaranteeing a good and unbiased investigation. Given the gravity of the allegations, a temporary step-aside would improve public confidence within the course of and forestall any notion of interference. The precept of pure justice calls for that every one events be heard with out undue affect.
What do you assume must be performed to make sure that native council elections are free, truthful, and credible?
The independence of electoral our bodies on the native degree have to be reinpressured to forestall undue interference from state governments. Extraly, there have to be strict enforcement of electoral legal guidelines, energetic civil society engagement, and real-time monitoring of elections. Political events should additionally play their function in ensuring inner democracy and credible candidate choice.
What’s your tackle the closure of faculties in a number of states within the North as a consequence of Ramadan?
Whereas respecting spiritual observances is essential, it mustn’t come on the expense of training. A balanced strategy must be undertakeed, resembling adjusting faculty hours or introducing versatile studying schedules, somewhat than outright closures. Training is a basic proper, and measures must be taken to make sure that college students don’t undergo educational setbacks.
How do you see the discount of petrol to N860 per litre first by Dangote Refinery and later by the NNPCL?
The discount in petrol costs is a welcome improvement, indicating the potential advantages of elevated native refining capability. Nonetheless, for this to translate into long-term economic aid, there have to be insurance policies that guarantee value stability, environment friendly distribution, and competitors within the downstream sector. The federal government should additionally deal with structural inefficiencies that contribute to excessive energy prices.
Would you say the hike in tariffs for essential providers, together with financial institution prices, is important for a wholesome financial system even because it hurts the residents? What different choices do you assume the federal government and anxious businesses have?
Whereas income era is critical for sustaining important providers, tariff hikes have to be carried out with a human-centred strategy. Instead of imposing blanket increases, the federal government ought to discover different income sources, resembling increasing the tax web and curbing monetary leakages. Extra importantly, regulatory businesses should make sure that tariff changes are justified, clear, and don’t disproportionately burden vulnerin a position residents.
How do you see the assorted reforms of the present administration? Would you say they’re actually having a optimistic impression on the nation?
Reforms must be measured by their real-life impression on residents. Whereas some financial and coverage modifications by the administration have been well-intended, the implementation has usually lacked inclusivity and clear path. For instance, subsidy removing and international trade liberalisation have created short-term hardships that might have been mitigated with higher planning. The problem isn’t just about coverage modifications, however about guaranteeing they translate into tangible advantages for the common Nigerian.
We perceive that the case towards the Lagos State authorities over a big expanse of land at Abule Egba, which you’re dealing with on behalf of the house owners, is but to be resolved. What’s the present state of the case?
The case towards the Lagos State authorities over the massive expanse of land at Plots 412/420, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Abule-Egba, remains a troubling instance of the disregard for the rule of regulation and property rights in Nigeria. Regardless of a binding Consent Judgment delivered by Honourable Justice O.A. Ogala in December 2019, which recognised the E.J. Alex Kehinde Taylor Household because the rightful house owners of the property, the Lagos State government has didn’t adjust to the judgment. As an alternative, it has resorted to arbitrary revocation, extended litigation, and bureaucratic maneuvers to delay justice. This case isn’t just about land possession; it’s in regards to the sanctity of personal property rights, adherence to court docket rulings, and the credibility of governance. The continued occupation of the land by the Lagos State authorities without ample compensation isn’t solely unlawful, but additionally a grave injustice to the Taylor Household, who’ve owned and managed this property for over a century, relationship again to its acquisition in 1912. The Lagos State authorities should urgently resolve this difficulty by complying with the rule of regulation and respecting the judgment already delivered in favor of the Taylor Household. This consists of the immediate compliance with the Consent Judgment of December 2019, recognising the Taylor Household’s personalership rights, cost of ample compensation as mandated by regulation or the return of the property to its rightful house owners, cessation of all acts of encroachment, harassment, or advertministrative delays that undermine the credibility of the judiciary and the federal government. This case serves as a litmus check for governance and justice in Lagos State. Failure to adjust to a subsisting judgment erodes public belief within the authorized system and units a harmful precedent the place authorities establishments can act with impunity. The rule of regulation is the muse of any democratic society, and it have to be upheld in any respect prices. We hope that the Lagos State authorities will rise to the event, honor its obligations, and act within the curiosity of justice. Any additional delay or resistance is not going to solely quantity to an abuse of energy however can even proceed to break the credibility of public establishments. This can be a matter of precept, justice, and accountmeans. The Lagos State Authorities should select to be on the appropriate aspect of historical past by respecting judicial decisions and guaranteeing equity for all Nigerians.
