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Obasanjo decries NBA
Obasanjo decries NBA, Labour gang-up
MALACHY UZENDU, Abuja
PRESIDENT
Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday took a swipe at both the Nigeria Bar Association
(NBA) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), describing them as his worst
critics.
He, however, urged them to
support his government in the pursuit of its agenda.
Declaring open this year’s NBA
conference in Abuja, President Obasanjo who was represented by the
Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (SAN), said
rather than follow an established format in bringing up their criticisms, the
two groups (NBA) and NLC) are doing so on the pages of newspapers.
President Obasanjo who also
accused both organisations of using their platforms to disintegrate the social
system, urged the lawyers to jettison their present methods" and embark on
programmes that would help them revive the society effectively."
Pointing out that NBA and the NLC
have been persistently opposing his administration, President Obasanjo called on
them to cooperate with his government in the pursuit of its agenda.
"Rather than being objects
of media hype, NBA should co-operate with the government in the pursuit of the
expectations of the society.
"I am worried that NBA chose
to align itself with the NLC in adopting a majority of its (NLC) positions.
Rather than using the law to protect social misfits, lawyers should embark on
programmes that would help to revive the society," Obasanjo stated.
Chief Olujinmi reiterated the
President’s stand urging the NBA to channel areas of disagreement to his
office for dialogue rather than openly criticising government.
Enumerating his achievements in
office Chief Olujinmi said he had carried out a number of reforms in the
judicial sector leading to a review of the laws of the federation which will be
launched during the NBA conference.
Although he denied being against
criticising government programmes, he noted that such criticisms should not be
on the pages of newspapers.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Itse
Sagay (SAN) noted that Nigeria is being run on a civilian platform devoid of
democratic ideal.
Listing areas in which the
country’s leadership had failed woefully, Prof. Sagay stated that the absence
of free and fair electoral process; absence of open and accountable government;
lack of democratic culture and suppression of civil and political rights, have
not helped the advancement of democracy in the country.
According to him, "part of
the problems facing us today is our stubbom and consistent refusal to accept the
practice and culture of democracy.
"In view of the massively
rigged 2003 elections; with the travesty of 2003, Nigeria is presently stuck at
the threshold of democracy and cannot gain entrance.
"We have civilian
governments, but no democracy. Without democracy, genuine federation is
impossible" Prof. Sagay noted.
Outgoing NBA National President
Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) in his welcome address called on judges to refrain
from granting ex-parte application from lawyers who are facing the NBA
disciplinary committee.
He noted that with the growing
relationship between the Bar and the Bench, every endeavour should be made to
strengthen the rule of law and access to justice in the country.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Minister Mallam Nasir el-Rufai noted that of all the Certificates of Occupancy
(C-of-O) being banded about by Nigerians in the territory, only 13,000 were
genuine.
He said he decided to embark on
re-certification of all C-of-O) issued in FCT so as to get rid of the fake ones
and redesign the modes to avoid being faked in future.
He noted that from investigation
he conducted 85,000 land applications are pending before him, pointing out that
he would attend to such applications soon.
He urged lawyers to assist him
rid FCT of land speculators and other ills, noting that some lawyers have been
caught in the web of fraud involving land deals in FCT.
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