Barka de Sallah and happy Independence Day to all our readers in Nigeria and outside.
We pray that the season will bear fruit in your lives. We also wish our country well in the years ahead. And that is one of the reasons we have chosen to focus on one of the major planks of the country’s democracy: the judiciary.
Justice Umar Faruk Abdullahi, President of the Federal Court of Appeal, is of the firm belief that the judiciary, especially the arm he presides over, has been treated as fair game by lawyers, politicians and the Nigerian public. Abdullahi claims the criticisms that have been coming the way of the Court of Appeal are largely motivated by ignorance of the public, the desperation of politicians and lawyers who have lost at the Election Petitions Tribunals and the appellate end of the tribunal chain. Politicians and lawyers have, in turn, accused Abdullahi of deliberately delaying the setting up of panels to hear the appeals of those who lost at the various tribunals because he is working for certain interests.
As evidence, Abdullahi’s critics point to the contentious rulings seeping out of appeal panels. Abdullahi blames the delay on a number of factors, presumably beyond his control.
Does he really have the power to constitute appeal panels? If so, why the inordinately long time, given that beneficiaries of electoral malpractices have the luxury of enjoying their misdeeds, while those robbed continue to seethe on the sidelines. Abdullahi explains why in our cover interview this week.
He sounds convincing. Very much so. But that is when your memory goes on vacation and you forget the startlingly contradicting judgments in Kebbi and Sokoto states, which threw up cases that were dead ringers for one another. The interview was conducted by BABAFEMI OJUDU, Managing Editor; AYORINDE OLUOKUN, Abuja Bureau Chief; and DESMOND UTOMWEN.
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A big fight has erupted on the Nigerian business circuit. It promises infernal exchanges. Both combatants are billionaires and friends, to boot. The combatants? Cement magnate, Aliko Dangote, and diesel tycoon, Femi Otedola. Ringside seats are few. We offer you one here.
With it, you can know why the erstwhile friends have decided to unhinge each other. Who blinks first between the two corporate gunslingers. That hint is supplied by Associate Editor, TAYO ODUNLAMI. For now, though, the battle is too close to call.
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