ADVOCACY CHAMBER, NOT FOR SALE!

BUSTED: ADVOCACY CHAMBERS, FACULTY OF LAW, UNIVERSITY OF UYO, NOT FOR SALE

It has come to the notice of some concerned persons in the Faculty of Law, University of Uyo that effort is in top gear to sell Advocacy Chambers Int'l to a politician in the state. The development as reported is not unconnected to the upcoming LAWSAN Presidential Election. The auctioning of the Chamber is said to be used as a consideration for the success of two aspirants who incidentally are also members of the Chambers and at the time of fielding this report, the two aspirants are hell bent on dispensing with the Chambers in order to have the means to campaign and be elected the LAWSAN President. One will ask, "is that not a sure evidence of ineptitude on the part of the aspirants? How are we sure LAWSAN too will not be sold?"

What baffles sensible LAWSANites is the apparent lack of their knowledge of the procedural law of LAWSAN. Heck, need I remind the Chambers' auctioneers that in LAWSAN, things must adhere to procedural laws? Do I need to inform them for the umpteenth time that it is so very impossible to sale, lease, mortgage or change the character of any Chamber without recourse to the LAWSAN constitution?

This is not the first time in the history of LAWSAN that some external Oligarchs attempted to thwart our constitution in a bid to further their selfish reasons. In 2013, the LAWSAN House of Representative had rejected the creation of a new Chamber which was to be tagged "Godswill Akpabio Chambers" because it did not follow the laid down procedure of law, and as such, the efforts of the proponent of that idea became null and void and of no effect whatsoever. A perpetual injunction had also been obtained against the act and it is still running and it will run in perpetuity except the law vacates it.

Section 54 of the LAWSAN Constitution expressly laid down the procedure through which the alteration of any Chambers can be done. It provides thus:

(1) There shall be for LAWSAN the following Chambers;
(a) Ime Umanah Chambers
(b) Magna Juris Confraternity
(c) Advocacy International Chambers
(d) Udo Udoma Chambers

(2) The number of Chambers RECOGNIZED by this Constitution may be by law enacted by the LAWSAN House of Assembly be increased or decreased.

The above statutory provisions goes to consolidate the fact that, No Chambers existing in the Faculty of Law can change its character without first. setting the necessary machinery of the LAWSAN House of Assembly in motion, and which incidentally will also lead to the amendment of the LAWSAN Constitution.

I expected that the proponent of Advocacy Chambers auctioning should have had recourse to the LAWSAN constitution before they embark on this effortless, futile and rub-a-dub styled wanton suicidal processes of undermining the supremacy of the LAWSAN constitution. I am not sure that Emaediong Akpan, the then indefatigable Advocate General of Advocacy International who administered the Chambers in her days with creative ideas is aware of this development. I am skeptical of how the past Advocate General would feel should the information of the Chambers auctioning is put to them. If they are aware and still feign ignorance in order to play the devil's advocate, too bad.
It is noteworthy that Advocacy Chambers had survived over the years without any encumbrances and has produced prominent LAWSAN Presidents and Lecturers, among whom were, Dr. Etefia Ekanem and Comrade Edidiong Peter. The question is "Why the sudden auctioning?"

It is instructive for all LAWSANites to note that, it is not wrong to change a Chambers name, but such a chamber must undergo the legal process of doing so. On this note, I advise the current Advocate General, who is also the the President of LAWSAN Bar Association,that if at all, the alleged intention to change the Chambers name is true, he should behave as a Senior Advocate of LAWSAN, approach the House of Assembly, set the legislative machinery in motion for the amendment of the LAWSAN constitution as enshrined in section 1-7, if it sails through, then, the House is bound to amend the appropriate Section in order to insert the new name for the purpose of recognition as enshrined by Section 54.

However, anything short of what the Constitution says shall be resisted within the bounds of the law.

Paapa Akpan.
Const. IV.
Legal Consultant

Breaking!!! UNIUYO SUG President submits budget of N84m

The President of the Student Union Government University of Uyo has submitted a budget of N84,000,000.00 (Eighty Four Million Naira) on the floor of the student's senate body.

Details soon...

FROM CITIZENS TO SLAVE: THE IRONY OF THE RESTORATION ADMINISTRATION IN BAYELSA STATE

FROM CITIZENS TO SLAVES: THE IRONY OF THE RESTORATION ADMINISTRATION IN BAYELSA STATE

Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine

Your Principal would have been better for Bayelsa state! Your principal would have been better for  Bayelsa state! Your principal would have been better for Bayelsa state! He cried to me persistently till he lost his voice to the bitterness he feels within. At first, it looked like just one of these feckless protests, the type we see across Nigeria in print and social medias, where a group of enthusiast carry placards to show their discontent with the status quo but not inconvenience themselves enough to get the desired result.

But this was different, he was not an activist, neither have I known this man to be least concerned with state politics. He has just come to realize social interdependent theory first hand by experience. He now manages a kiosk at Akenfa. He looked like a family man, a loving husband and a responsible father. But you can see how broken his spirit is by the grimace on his face. He looked like one of those who will always see light at the end of every tunnel. "This is no commoner", I said to myself. He is not a man of little income, at least you can tell he was not. The Mercedes parked behind his shop and the well ironed suit he was putting on  hinted me of his station in life, he nevertheless wore the look of a poor  man on his face.

If there is a class of citizens perennially marginalized, deeply insulted and greatly dehumanized, it is civil servants in Bayelsa state from all walks of life. Their story is a reminiscent of the slave trade dealings in the feudal system era who devoted the totality of their life in servitude of the owners and society but was never appreciated in any way.

Unlike their counterparts in other states such as Cross-Rivers state, Ekiti state and Anambra state, civil servants in Bayelsa state are relegated to a point where silence is no longer golden even if you do not have an enviable track record of your own. It breeds  cowardice of men to keep silent in the face of injustice in the society. Their predicament is as if, these lots have sinned against God or humanity. Their painful exertion and their travails cannot be exhaustively addressed in this piece. It will require writing a seasonal book for one to fully capture the severity of unmanageable situation. But for the purpose of work, few examples and recitals will suffice.

How do I begin to explain that till now, the third week of June 2016, Local Government workers are being owed 14 to 17 months salaries, since 2015? How do I explain the fact that Niger Delta University, the only state University we have in Bayelsa state, founded on a strong belief of nationhood and making the Ijaw race a knowledgeable race is closed down sine  dine and would be privatized due to the state government's refusal to pay its academic and non-academic workers for the past 5 months? How do I even explain that our hospitals are choke full with old pensioneers who have been abandoned and left to die by the state government in refusing to pay them their pensions for more that 7 months now? How can I explain the fact that primary and secondary school teachers are not paid too? How do I even explain that this innocent article that seeks to speak for the impoverished citizens will come under baseless and exasperating attacks by the Restoration social media team? How can the government make excuses for owing these people tasked with the responsibility of laying good foundation for our children ad continuum? How can a government that prides itself as pro Ijaw, contravene section 34 of the Nigerian Constitution and subject the people of ijaw to slavery and require them to perform forced or compulsory labour? These are people with families to cater for and responsibilities to shoulder with no other veritable serious source of income.

The Seriake Dickson led second term administration in an attempt to shift blame and not owing up to responsibilities has rendered untenable and arbitrary reasons among which is the drop in the state monthly allocation which began at the beginning of this year, despite the state government receiving N1.24billion as bailout funds. It is a sad thing that the Governor has nefariously not commissioned any project which he solely financed with the state fund in his 5 years in office. Yet one wonders where the money have been going to. The government has advance an irresponsible alibi by shifting the blame to federal government and Timipre Sylva led administration.

On February 15, 2016 the Governor was credited with saying “I have not seen anything like what has just been reported to me by the finance team. For this month, what has come into our state is N2.9 billion; it has never been this bad. Meanwhile, our salary obligation for civil servants alone, is about N4 billion, so you can see where we are, as a state." He also went further to say “Four years ago, when this government started, the first allocation we received was about N16 billion. At some point, it climbed to N18 and even N19 billion."

http://dailypost.ng/2016/05/16/bayelsa-pays-n100bn-on-bonds-loses-n24bn-annually-to-payroll-fraudsters-dickson/?utm_source=dlvr.it_dp1&utm_medium=facebook#

On May 16, 2016 the Governor also claimed in a live NTA interview that N100billion have gone to servicing bonds of his predecessor for the past four years, with N1.3billion being deducted monthly for that purpose. This excuse on the face of it look sensible, but a critical appraisal of the situation shows that the state government is being economical with the truth. This recent claim by the government is conflicting with its earlier claim through its Chief Press Secretary Daniel Iworiso-Markson on August 20, 2015 earlier that the administration was servicing N330billion debt inherited from its predecessor and at the time of that statement, the bond was successfully reduced to N90billion.

Read: https://www.today.ng/news/8713/bayelsa-dickson-dismisses-n600bn-federal-allocation-claim#

Also, the state government has been hiding under the notorious veil of endless “verification exercise” as the reason for delay in payment of its workers. This is itself ludicrous. What is the government always verifying year in, year out? Presently, the state government is hiding under yet another nebulous verification exercise (this time biometric) as the reason for not paying these poor servants their salaries for months now. The last time the state government embarked on verification exercise was the bursary payment scam in 2014. Is this a way of telling these civil servants "the government can no longer afford to pay you"?

Contrary to news that has inundated the media over the years by the social media team of the restoration administration, the declaration of state of emergency in the education sector of Bayelsa state is the greatest scam of the 21st century.

Worse still is that there is nothing in the state to credit these imaginary laudable projects the Governor claims to have embarked on. Bayelsa state is suffering from infrastructural, intellectual and moral decay. You cannot afford to be paying yourself while your people cringe on their bed every night on hungry stomach not knowing what to eat the ensuing day. When the history books will be written, this administration will go down as the worst ever in Bayelsa state, before any other administration.

Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine
Faculty of Law,
University of Uyo,
Uyo.
Ebisko19@gmail.com

UNIUYO Law Report: SUIT NO.LHC/CL/02/2016

IN THE LAWSAN HIGH COURT 0F AKWA IBOM STATE IN THE UYO JUDICIAL DIVISION HOLDEN AT UYO

SUIT NO.LHC/CL/02/2016

BETWEEN 

HON. ALUZU E. AUGUSTINE……………………… PLAINTIFF

AND

1. THE SPEAKER, LAWSAN HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: ………………… DEFENDANT

2. THE LAWSAN HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY: ………………………………. DEFENDANT

JUDGEMENT

On Friday 11th day of March, 2016, the plaintiff through Originating Summons approached the court seeking two (2) reliefs against the 1st and 2nd defendants in this suit as follows:

1. A declaration that the notice of the purported declaration of the seat of the plaintiff vacant by the 1st and 2nd defendants and signed by the clerk of the 2nd defendant is illegal and unconstitutional and therefore null and void.

2. A declaration that the plaintiff remain a member at the 2nd defendant.

Filed alongside the originating summons were; a five paragraph affidavit in support of the Originating Summons, a Written Address containing issues for determination and legal argument, annex to these documents was a public notice of the purported declaration of the seat of the plaintiff vacant.

Service of these processes was effected on the 1st and 2nd defendants on the 4th day of May, 2016, at the Faculty of Law as indicated by the proof of service.

Hearing on this case commenced on the 13th day of May, 2016, where the plaintiff was present in court and equally represented by Dignity Ekop, (SAL) and Uchewaji, Aganin, Esq, the plaintiff through his counsel adopted his brief and submitted in his opening statement that: “the action of the 1st and 2nd defendants is not just an open rape of the LAWSAN Constitution but also an attack on all known due process of law”. The court however, adjourned proceedings of the day as the 1st and 2nd defendants did not attend Court nor represented by any legal practitioner, relying on the right of the defendants to be granted fair hearing.

The court sitting on the 27th day of May, 2016, having duly notified the parties as shown in the proof of service had in attendance, the plaintiff who was equally represented by Dignity Ekop, (SAL) and Uchewaji Aganin, Esq, the defendants were again absent, neither were they represented in Court. No defence was filed in response to the plaintiff’s Originating Summons, and no notice was given as to the reason of their failure to attend Court.

The court upholding the prayer of the plaintiff’s counsel to declare the 1st and 2nd defendants as having defaulted in appearance held that the right of fair hearing is fundamental to any legal proceedings, however, the law is particular about a fair opportunity to be heard. Relying on the case of Chief Felix Amadi & Ors v. INEC (2012) 2 SC (pt 1)1, where it was held that: if for whatever reason a person is not heard within the alloted time frame, it cannot be said that the affected parties has been denied the right to fair hearing, and that, in this case, the defendants neglected or were indolent in exercising their right to be heard having been granted the opportunity by the Court.

The plaintiff was a member of the LAWSAN House of Assembly, the 1st defendant is the Speaker of the LAWSAN House of Assembly and a member of LAWSAN, the 2nd defendant is the LAWSAN House of Assembly and an artificial person being an arm of the LAWSAN government, therefore the parties are proper parties and this suit is competent for hearing.

Having carefully read the facts contended by the plaintiff in his application and also read with a calm mind the submissions on factual issues raised, the principles of law applicable, statutory provisions and case law cited. I have also read closely the deposition of PW 1 (being the plaintiff himself), let me state at this point that the plaintiff in his statement was coherent and composed, therefore the following reveals, in my view the true facts of this case;

That the plaintiff being an elected member representing the year 3 class in the LAWSAN House of Assembly, was demanded to sit-down and shut-up by another member of the LAWSAN House of Assembly representing the year 1 class following a point of order he raised against that other member for introducing irrelevant matters to the floor of the House on the day the LAWSAN President presented the Executive Budget to the House. Reacting in the “heat of passion”, the plaintiff moved towards the other member representing the year1 class and issued him with a slap in which the member representing the year1 class retaliated by effecting a corresponding slap on the plaintiff.

Flowing from the above facts, the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges without inviting the plaintiff to defend himself concluded and forwarded a report to the LAWSAN House of Assembly which resulted in the House declaring the seat of the plaintiff vacant on the 4th of March, 2016.

From the above facts, it is clear just as stated by the public notice that the seat of the plaintiff was declared vacant by the House on the ground of slapping a fellow member of the house.

In the light of this, the plaintiff pursuant to section 10(1) (g) of the Constitution of LAWSAN 2012, applied to this court for interpretation and enforcement of his right by way of reliefs.

To succeed on this, the plaintiff formulated two issues for determination:

1. Whether the purported declaration of the seat of the plaintiff vacant based on section 17(d) and section 21(1) of the LAWSAN Constitution 2012, and the purported report of the LAWSAN House Committee on Ethics and Privileges as contained in the notice dated 7th March, 2016, signed by the Clerk of the 2nd defendants has any force of law whatsoever;

2. Whether the absence of fair hearing by the LAWSAN House Committee on Ethics and Privileges vitiates the probative value of the report of the committee.

In my view, I think the plaintiff’s issues correctly capture the issues for resolution and in answering the questions raised, I shall examine the provisions of our laws with respect to the grounds which a member shall lose his seat or be removed from the LAWSAN House of Assembly, the powers to declare the seat of a member vacant and the means of exercising such powers.

Before then, let me note that whenever a point of order is raised on the floor of the House, it is for the Speaker or any person presiding to decide whether to sustain or overrule such a point of order and not for members to start a fight. See Rule 13 and 17, Part 2, Second Schedule to the LAWSAN constitution 2012. The LAWSAN Constitution in section 21 clearly states the grounds for removal of a member of the House. Section 17(i) (d) of the same Constitution also vests the Speaker with the power to declare the seat of any member vacant. Similarly, the Speaker while exercising his power must have recourse to section 21(1-5), section 50, section 51 (7) and section 59 0f the LAWSAN Constitution 2012.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in sections 68, 69, 109 and 110 contain similar provisions to the LAWSAN constitution. It is my view that the House notwithstanding the power to declare vacant the seat of a member is also empowered to adopt other disciplinary measures to curb unruly and inappropriate behaviors of its members.

However, in exercising all these powers, it must be born in mind that the right to fair hearing is a fundamental and constitutional right entrenched in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria ( as amended in 2011). And the breach of fair hearing in any proceedings without more vitiates such proceedings in their entirety, it renders the entire proceedings null and void. See the case of OGED OVUNWO & ANOR V. IHEANYICHUKWU WOKO & 2 ORS (2011) 6 ILAW/SC. 297/2005.

 Applying the above analysis to this case, let me mention that the supreme court held in FAWEHINMI V. I.G.P (2002) 7 NWLR PT (767) PG 606 particularly at 678 that “the proper approach to the interpretation of clear words of statute is to follow them in their simple grammatical and ordinary meaning rather than look further because that is what prima facie gives the their most reliable meaning”. Therefore on issue one, it is held that section 21(1)-(5) of the LAWSAN constitution 2012 does not empower the Speaker to declare the seat of any member vacant for slapping a fellow member of the House.

The plaintiff cited the case of Atiku V. INEC (2007) SC 69 and also, relying on the case of Alhaji Bashiru Zubairu Usman V. Kadunna State House Assembly & 2 Ors (2007)11 NWLR (PT. 1044 OF 148 C.A, I hold that issue one is bound to be answered in favor of the plaintiff, although the conduct of the parties is depreciating and should always be avoided for the smooth business of the House.

 On the second question for determination, it is settled law that the test whether a party in a case was given fair hearing is the impression of a reasonable person who was present at that trial or who was aware of the proceeding. See the case of General Electricity Company V. Harry Ayoade  Akande & Ors  (2012) LPELR SC. 337/2008, Matthew Nwokocha V. Attorney General of Imo State (2016) SC 388, SEGUN AGUNSANYA V. THE STATE – Per. F.F TABAI, JSC and also OGED OVUNWO & ANORS V. IHEANYICHUKWU WOKO & 2 ORS CITATION: (2011) 6 ILAW/SC. 297/2005 PER C.M CHUKWU ENEH JSC. In the instant case where the plaintiff was neither heard nor granted any opportunity to be heard. I hold that such action is an abrasion of the fundamental principles of such proceedings and therefore vitiates the outcome in its entirety.

Consequently, SECTION 10(2) (g) of the LAWSAN CONSTITUTION 2012 provides that; “ in the determination of his civil rights and obligations including any questions or determination by or against any government or authority, a member shall be entitled to fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court or tribunal established by this constitution and established in such a manner as to secure its independence and impartiality. The House committee on Ethics and Privileges acting as a tribunal is bound by this provision but had failed to uphold it.

Therefore, in line with the case of ALHAJI BASHIRU ZABIRU USMAN V. KADUNNA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY & 2 ORS,(already cited) the question on issue two is answered in favor of the plaintiff that his protected right was arbitrarily violated.

On the whole, this case succeeds because it is trite law that a default in appearance amounts to admission of the totality of facts alleged by the plaintiff.  Also, all civil cases are decided on the preponderance of evidence but the defendants failed to present any. In view of the aforesaid, judgment is hereby entered in favor of the plaintiff in terms of his reliefs 1 and 2 as I find merit in his case, viz;

It is hereby declared that the purported removal, expulsion or declaration of the seat of the plaintiff vacant in the LAWSAN House of Assembly is unconstitutional, null and void;

It is further declared that the plaintiff is still a member of the LAWSAN House of Assembly until he is constitutionally and legally removed.

Delivered this 15th day of June, 2016.

……………………………………..

HON. JUSTICE NSINYENE CHARLES
JUDGE, LAWSAN HIGH COURT 1


APPEARANCE ………………  Uchewaji, Aganin 
PARTIES…………………………… Plaintiff - present , Defendants - absent

RE: Niger Delta University: Victim of the paradox of a political style – By Aluzu Ebikebuna A.

RE: Niger Delta University: Victim of the paradox of a political style – By ASUU NDU

"I would admonish NDU ASUU chapter to desist from venting out their self induced frustrations and vituperations on innocuous students and hide their tail inbetween their legs like the proverbial dog did when he was ashamed of his act."

I have read with shock and annoyance, that the ASUU chapter of Niger Delta University (herein referred to as NDU ASUU) chapter is blaming the schools union  government as a contributory factor in the lingering strike for their continued silence. An excerpt released by NDU ASUU chapter reads this:


"Over fifteen thousand people of the Niger Delta University have been sent to the embrace of idleness, hunger and starvation. The lecturers, the students and the non-academic workers form this population. What will this population be doing now at home? Most worrisome is the fact that the university’s student union government and the Niger Delta University Alumni Association are not also bothered about the closure of the university. In very civilized societies, student unions have a responsibility to play a role to broker peace between government and the striking workers for students to return to school. For as long as stake holders are not concerned about the welfare of Niger Delta University lecturers and workers, for as long as the question of calling off of the ANC action embarked upon by the workers of the university is not put on the priority list of Bayelsa people and government, students will remain at home even if the governor decides not to address the Niger Delta University problem for the rest of his stay in power. In whose interest have students of Niger Delta University been sent home painfully? With the way things are in Bayelsa State, the daily chanted and ritualized ideology of restoration is pungently hypocritical.

Click here to read full statement by NDU ASUU

In law, I have been taught particularly by a case that self induced frustration, does not ammount to frustration in law, and that a frustrated person cannot hide under the delusion of his frustration.


I am making this assertion in order to link the Niger Delta University (herein referred to as NDU) who is akin to a freed slave who has turned what could have been a blessing into venoms of hatred.


The accusations of the Student Government in NDU is not true, and must be discountenanced with by every right thinking individual. Such remains a mere attempt to colour the minds of its readers and nothing more.



For avoidance of doubt, NDU has no student government. What they have is Student Caretaker Committee when the institution in its tyrannical way disband the student union towards the end of the 2014/2015 academic session.



On resumption of the 2015/2016 academic session, it will interest you to know that students were forced to fill "Good Conduct Form" commanding good conduct from students and prescribing any form of protest within or outside the school by student reeling out stiff punishments on erring students ranging from expulsion to lighter punishments such as rustications for two semesters.



Not long ago, I called on the school to immediately set up a student union government in one of my many publications.


(Click here) to go to RE: The Legal Perspective of the MPC Rule and Role of Management in the Recent Students Uprising in Niger Delta University.



Now that NDU ASUU is in a face-off with Governor Seriake Dickson, they now understand what it means to have a vibrant student union.


They kept quiet, connived and watched the University silence the voice of students. Today, they are in need of student's voices to pressure the government. Nemo fit injuria, one who consent to or promotes the occurrence of the facts he relies on, should not complain.


The current face-off between the school management and the state government is a replica of the relationship between the school management and the student union before it disbandment. Again, this is evidence in the fisticuffs which ensued between the school and students of the Engineering department.


Where was the NDU ASUU when students union was banned?


Where was NDU ASUU when students were made to pay fifty thousand naira (50,000.00) as surcharge fee without recourse or due consultation with the student union in a state describe by economic experts as a civil service state and most parents were owed by the state government?



Where was NDU ASUU when graduates were arrested by the Seriake led administration during his first stint as Governor for carrying out a peaceful protest against unemployment rate in the state?



I would admonish NDU ASUU chapter to desist from venting out their self induced frustrations and vituperations on innocuous students and hide their tail inbetween their legs like the proverbial dog did when he was ashamed of his act.



You cannot get others to do an act which you cannot do!

Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine

Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine
Faculty of Law,
University of Uyo
07068639696 (SMS only)
Ebisko19@gmail.com

Breaking News: Hon. Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine drags the Speaker to Court.

Breaking News: Hon. Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine drags the Speaker to Court.

Hon. Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine

The intrepid activist of Constituency III, Hon. Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine drags the Speaker and the LAWSAN House of Assembly to the High Court of LAWSAN, University of Uyo, Uyo Judicial Division.

Notice of Hearing

Date for hearing: 13 of May 2016,

Time: 2pm.

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'HOPE' A Message For The World

Umem David Emmanuel with Danish Woman floods the Internet with a Message of 'HOPE' for Children across the World.

Read below:

A woman from Denmark named Anja Ringgren Lovén has spent three years in Nigeria saving children from the worst cases of abuse. She is taking care of kids abandoned by their own very families for being witches.

Anja Bjorn Lovén with kids under her care

A section of kids under Anja's care with baby Hope in the middle

Anja took the social media in Nigeria by surprise with the most bizzare pictures you can imagine when she and her team rescued a baby in Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria by January 2016 who had been abandoned by his family to survive on his own for more than three (3) months.

The rescuing of the child HOPE

Anja Bjorn Lovén found baby Hope

Hope lying unconscious

Cheerful Hope

Transformed baby Hope

She renamed the Child 'Hope' and believed she will be able to affect lives through the story of this child. Hope is hale and healthy today as he has recovered fully and he is now under the care of Umem David Emmanuel and Anja Ringgren Lovén just like tens of other kide. It is indeed sickening and much has been left to be desired in Nigeria for the protection of Children in Nigeria, who suffer vagaries of abuses ranging from cultural, religious, and societal beliefs in Nigeria.

Umem David Emmanuel and Baby Hope

Umem David Emmanuel and Baby Hope

Mostly affected by these abuses in Nigeria is the girl child. As they are abducted in the North and forcefully married off and forced into the baby factory market in the South.

We are using this medium to call on the Government of Nigeria to do more to protect her Leaders of tomorrow.

Umem David Emmanuel jnr

Foster kids dining with little Hope below

L-R Umem David Jr, Anja Bjorn Lovén and Umem David Emmanuel

Umem David Emmanuel @Faculty of Law, University of Uyo

The Team

Indeed, the message of 'HOPE' has gone International.

RIVERS RERUN: THE TESTIMONY OF THE NIGERIAN YOUTH

RIVERS RERUN: THE TESTIMONY OF THE NIGERIAN YOUTH - By Barr. Ugo Isiguzo

Barr. Ugo Isiguzo

"The heat that has made the Cock pursue the mother Hen will cook good food for its owner".

My brother and fellow thinker Idorenyin Umoh constrained me not to be silent over the Rivers rerun and blood bath that has resulted from it. I'm constrained to direct our public consciousness to some salient facts and truths which will be a departure from the seeming public accepted view of the issues affecting the Nigerian Youth. I don't care if some political slaves decide to give my view a political twist of APC or PDP and Buhari or Jonathan.

One of the greatest harm done to this generation of young people in Nigeria is the scrapping of HISTORY as a compulsory subject in our secondary schools. It has made them less concerned about where they are going to since they don't know that things have happened in the past. I say this with all sense of humility that any young Nigerian armed with Nigeria's history will be properly guided with the happenings taking place.

I will be brief in making two points which are central to the issue at hand. I'm one of those who will hardly blame the youths of Nigeria (described as silent majority by Idy Umoh) for their sheepish involvement in Nigerian political violence. My reason is simple. This country is plagued beyond the ten plagues of Egypt with a generation that has formed it's political class. We have a political generation of failed leaders born from the 1920's up to 1970's. They are the plague and bane of Nigeria's progress. A disgraceful generation who solidly believe in waste with no creative ideas on how to change the lot of its followers.

Fashola at a time boldly told striking and protesting students over the hike of school fees in LASU that if they think the school fees is to expensive, they should try ignorance. Investigations show that Fahola as a lawyer never went to school with such high school fees. Yet today, he thinks that good education is dependent of high school fees. A certain senior colleague gave her testimony of her encounter with looking for a state library in Ekiti state. After an arduous search, what she found as state library put up by the government was a shame to the eyes. Yet our generation of youths today is tagged a "poor reading generation". The education system put up before now was to reward hard work and thinking but today the brilliant ones are the best crammers and those ready to pay in kind or cash because there abound lazy teachers. Listening to the present Minister of Communication in the Senate during screening, i was dumb founded. This is a man who was a member of a political party as a University student and also as a new legal wig. He has seen one political party to another and held appointments courtesy of his membership. Today this same generation has made it a task before you can be a card carrying member of any political party. The minimal age to contest an ELECTION in Nigeria is 30 years. This is just a constitutional dream I doubt will ever come through. I will stop here in my examples. My point is simple, we are led by a generation that met a better Nigeria than the one they are giving to us today. What is the purpose?

That last question leads me to my second point. The purpose is to put us (the silent majority) under subjugation. From your school days as a young Nigerian, your self worth is diminished and you beg for your right. At the higher institutions it is worse. Professors who enjoyed a smooth and responsible school system find it hard, very hard to run it and make it better than they were in it. Instead they come up with outrageous educational policies targeted at lowering the self esteem of young students and call it REFORMS. Then you meet NYSC that worsens your psyche and you are made to believe things can't be done and achieved in orderliness and peace.

There is a generational conspiracy against this generation of youths. I mean youths who are not the children or relations of these wasteful leaders for the waste is for their children. This has nothing to do with their children as their fathers have stolen enough to sustain them to steal for their own children. These youths of no rich political background are left with the choice to struggle. They are left with the choice to get to the heights by any available means. Worst of all is when they have no education in a society like Nigeria. They won't die of hunger. No they won't. The society expects alot from them before they are 35 years old. They must meet up. They must do something. They must show loyalty because they have been caged and reduced to the level of fighting for their rights. So the idea of fighting and casualties is an embedded principle no wonder students say ALUTA CONTINUA, VICTORIA ASSERTA.

Unfortunately we seem not to understand or hate our situation. We seem too afraid to take the step of breaking the chain. Truth be told it is not easy to do so. Any means adopted to revolt against this unfortunate situation will be given a criminal or tribalistic tag after all who made the laws? But we must try. The first step is the sermon of re-orientation. We must begin to see ourselves as being better than they want us to be. We must start from there.

For when a man complains of an itching scrotum but scratches it with a smiling face, then you know he is doomed for importency.

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INYENE JOHN; Tales of a revolution of impunity and the untold story of a power drunk dictator!

Sampson Ibifrank and Blessing Augustine becomes De-facto LAWSAN President and Vice President.

This is certainly not the best of times for LAWSAN. It appears the much talked about revolution is now a revolution of impunity as the man who just 25 days ago swore to defend and protect the LAWSAN Constitution is now colluding with his lieutenants to openly rape the same constitution. It was a show of shame yesterday 15/2/2016 during the meeting of the LAWSAN Bar Association. Our reporter gathered that not long after the meeting had kicked off, it was unanimously agreed that the meeting be rescheduled to allow for more time and notice to be given to interested counsels to pay their practicing fees and join the LAWSAN Bar. Just before the meeting was formally adjourned, two of the LAWSAN President's foot soldiers stormed the Law Assembly Hall in a commando styled show of aggression and disrupted the meeting. Our sources later gathered that the two men had not paid their practicing fees in line with section 55(5)(a) of the LAWSAN Constitution and therefore had no business with the said meeting of the Bar and were only acting a script. Again, trouble brewed on the evening of Monday 15/2/2016 about 16:00hours GMT around the vicinity of the Faculty of Law when Samson Ibifrank a 500 level Law student of Law who goes with the self styled title of the 'DG' and the sole 'GOdfather' of the current LAWSAN President, threw caution to the wind, even at the risk of portraying the noble profession of Law in disrepute, shouting to top heavens that "no one has the right to contribute any meaningful ideas or suggest to the President except him, especially if that person did not support the President during the electioneering period, and that those who did not vote for the President has no right to use the LAWSAN facilities." This threat played out today, Tuesday (16/2/2016) when in fulfilment of the requirement of the LAWSAN Constitution the Registrar of the LAWSAN Judiciary and secretary of the LAWSAN Judicial Council pasted a few notices emanating from the LAWSAN Judicial Council and a notice calling for counsels to pay their practicing fees in front of the Faculty. Our reporter learnt that the notices calling for qualified Lawsanites in year IV to submit application to the LAWSAN Judicial Council for onward recommendation to the LAWSAN President for appointment as Judges in line with section 41(2) of the LAWSAN Constitution did not go down well with the LAWSAN President. Few minutes thereafter, the LAWSAN President Mr. Inyene John with the assistance of one Sampson Frank and Blessing Augustine in year V openly vow to flush all Judges and Justices from the LAWSAN Judiciary and equally vowed not to take any recommendations from the LAWSAN Judicial Council in appointing judicial officers irrespective of what the LAWSAN Constitution provides. This is coming barely 2 weeks after one Mr. Ukeme Akpakpan, a member of the year 5 class was shamefully locked out of the LAWSAN Moot Court by another lieutenant of the LAWSAN President and was sternly warned that the LAWSAN Moot Court is out of bounce for him because he didn't vote for Inyene John. Sampson Ibifrank, together with Blessing Augustine swung into action. They tore the notice in the presence of other students and rant vituperations against the members of the LAWSAN Bar. It should be noted that Sampson is a common LAWSANite and as such, has no right to such action. Blessing Augustine, the former Vice President who was booted out of office by the then Dean College of Classreps Idongesit Etim (Asiwaju), and whose predicament led to the civil suit against the Dean College of Classreps (Idongesit Etim) for usurping her functions. It is now clear, that she in turn has usurped the functions of the current President (Sifon Bassey), while Sampson on the other hand is the De-facto LAWSAN President, relinquishing Iyene John to play second fiddler. Sadly, this tyrannical act is coming from a President who strolled to victory at the polls consequent of the actions of similar acttion of the then Dean College of Classreps. For a President who's ambition would have been dead and buried was he to be successfully shortchanged in congress on the day of ELECO formation but not for the courageous activism and spartan show of legal industry by a few Lawsanites who braved the odds to ensure justice, equity and transparency on that historic day. His new found love for impunity and lawlessness is terribly absurd and heartbreaking. Twenty five (25) days after swearing in, the LAWSAN President has attempted no single item of his campaign promises, even the 7 days emergency intervention programmes has become a farce. As more and more LAWSANites continue to grumble over the cluelessness of the LAWSAN government, there are emerging although unconfirmed stories that many key and renowned Lawsanites who supported Inyene John's candidacy are slowly abandoning him on daily basis due to his sudden attempt to return LAWSAN to the dark era.

As the government continues groping, more and more LAWSANites are increasingly afraid of the coming days... © Revolutionary Youths

LAWSAN President Blames Poor Condition of LAWSAN Facility on Sacked Cleaners

Presidency blames poor condition of LAWSAN convenience on sacked Cleaners.

Iyene John (LAWSAN President 2015/2016)

Barely 24 hours after Revolutionary Youths publication of the deplorable state of the LAWSAN convenience, the President through it's Chief Press Secretary blamed the sacked cleaners for the poor condition of LAWSAN convenience and hints that the Vice President will ensure the toilet is kept clean as she has procured the necessary implements to arrest the situation.

The statement reads thus:

"PRESS RELEASE !!

The illogical, absurd and irrational release by an unpopular blog which is aimed at demeaning and distracting the lawsan government has come to the notice of the presidency and well meaning lawsanites are advised not to be misled by the activities of people whose predilection is to sell a lie all in a bid to gain Cheap popularity.

However the president has been involved in talks with the Dean of law and the following facts have
been established :

1. That the cleaners employed to ensure that the faculty
premises are kept perpetually clean were sacked

2. That the Newly employed cleaners will resume work on Tuesday, the 16th day of February, 2016.

Mean while, the vice président had activated a tentative plan of keeping the toilet clean by procuring some
washing tools with her personal fund and this goes a long way to show that the government is ready to give
lawsanites selfless service. All lawsanites should remain assured that the lawsan government is focused and committed to ensure that it does more with less and LAWSAN is given a facelift and will not be distracted by men who comment, condemn and pontificate over irrelevant issues.

Gideon Edem
Chief Press Secretary"

Meanwhile, we at Revolutionary Youths want to thank the Government for hearing the lamentations of LAWSANites on the poor state of the toilet facilities and promise to ensure that the role of the media as a watchdog of government is duly carried out.

"Stop shinning your teeth and work" LAWSANites tell Mr President.

"Stop shinning your teeth and work" LAWSANites tell Mr President.

After the swearing in of Mr President, the LAWSAN convenience has suddenly become a disease trap to LAWSANites.

LAWSANites have never had it this bad, coming from a man who won at the polls overwhelmingly.

LAWSAN toilet close to President Office

The pictures you see, is the current state of the LAWSAN convenience adjacent to the President's office. One of the legacies left by his predecessor lying in shambles. Mr President who on the day of his manifesto presentation made some juicy promises to LAWSANites is still trying to get his foot on the pedal.

Female toilet in the Faculty

LAWSANites are yet to feel any impact or whatsoever of your Seven Day Intervention Program (see picture below: circled yellow).

Iyene John's manifesto

Mr President sir, with utmost humility, stop saying "cheese" for the camera and fold your sleeves.

Sometimes, I wonder if the President does not make use of that toilet, or doesn't percieve the odour oozing out from it, owing to how close his office is to the convenience.

Get to work Sir!!!

Clean up the LAWSAN toilet!!!

Aluzu, Ebikebuna Augustine
For God and conscience

Breaking!!! John Essiet rejects President's appointment

Breaking News!!!

Speaking to Revolutionary Youths, John Essiet of Constituency II rejected his appointment as Special Assistant on Technical Matters to the President.

In his words, he said

"My attention has ben drawn to the appointment made by Mr President, wish I was purportedly made Special Assistant on Technical Matters. The appointment did not in any way come as a surprise to me owing to my pedigree and reputation in the Faculty. I wish to state that I have declined the appointment for lack of due consultation and other reasons best known to me.

I wish the President all the best in his administration."

If information reaching us at Revolutionary Youth is anything to go by, more appointee's will turn down their appointments. The omen indeed is not good for the new administration.

Inauguration of the Legislative House, matters arising.

Inauguration of the Legislative House, matters arising.

In the LAWSAN Legislative Council, Faculty of Law, University of Uyo, 5th February, 2016.

The event was the inauguration of the LAWSAN Legislative Council.

As the Constitution stipulates, the election of the Chief Whip of the House, which is the reserve of Constituency II, was conducted, Emediong Ekanem emerged against Martins Ukpe after scoring 15 votes to Martins 10.

The election of the Leader of the House was next, being the exclusive reserve of the Constituency III class, Dominic Akpan (Deity) stood for the electiob, but having not been challenged for the post, emerged the Leader of the LAWSAN Legislative unopposed.

The election of the Deputy Speaker of the House became a point of law as the two clbtenders, Uwana Akpan, a three time member of the House and Nango Douglas exchanged legal jibes.

While Uwana Akpan questions Nango's eligibility to stand for the election, citing Section 16(3) of the LAWSAN Constitution as his basis, Nango Douglas countered him, maintaining that he had escaped the limitations of that section having been a member of the House in 2012 as a Diploma student, Uwana Akpan further argued that, granted he was a member of the House, but he is not using the same Diploma registration number again and hence, he is stepping into the House as a first timer.

Section 16(3) provides thus:

"No member of the House shall be elected into Principal Office except he has previously been a member of the House for one cacademuc session..."

While commenting on it, the LAWSAN President cired section 60 and referred them to the LAWSAN High Court for interpretation.

This, the election of the Deputy Speaker of the House have been kept in hold, pending the decision and the ruling of the court.

Inauguration of the Legislative House, matters arising.

Inauguration of the Legislative House, matters arising.

In the LAWSAN Legislative Council, Faculty of Law, University of Uyo, 5th February, 2016. The event was the inauguration of the LAWSAN Legislative Council. As the Constitution stipulates, the election of the Chief Whip of the House, which is the reserve of Constituency II, was conducted, Emediong Ekanem emerged against Martins Ukpe after scoring 15 votes to Martins 10. The election of the Leader of the House was next, being the exclusive reserve of the Constituency III class, Dominic Akpan (Deity) stood for the electiob, but having not been challenged for the post, emerged the Leader of the LAWSAN Legislative unopposed. The election of the Deputy Speaker of the House became a point of law as the two clbtenders, Uwana Akpan, a three time member of the House and Nango Douglas exchanged legal jibes. While Uwana Akpan questions Nango's eligibility to stand for the election, citing Section 16(3) of the LAWSAN Constitution as his basis, Nango Douglas countered him, maintaining that he had escaped the limitations of that section having been a member of the House in 2012 as a Diploma student, Uwana Akpan further argued that, granted he was a member of the House, but he is not using the same Diploma registration number again and hence, he is stepping into the House as a first timer. The provision of section 60(3) provide thus: "No member of the House shall be eligible to run for a Principal Office unles he has conclude one academic session. As a member of the House..." While commenting on it, the LAWSAN President cired section 60 and referred them to the LAWSAN High Court for interpretation. This, the election of the Deputy Speaker of the House have been kept in hold, pending the decision and the ruling of the court.

LAWSANites Groan As 7 Days Ultimatum Expires

As you can recall, it was a cardinanal campaign slogan that before the first seven days of Iyene John's administration elapses, that the Law Assembly Hall will be fumigated, but this was not to be, as the seven (7) days ultimatum expired yesterday without the fulfilment or any attempt to fulfil that important promise.

Iyene John LAWSAN President

However, when our correspondent met with some LAWSANites, to ascertain the veracity of the President's campaign promises, Utitofon Sampson of Constituency III however expressed his disappointment on the President's inability to fulfil his promise to LAWSAN especially when the LAWSAN toilets are in shambles.

An open letter to the President Elect by Aluzu

An Open Epistle To His Excellency Iyene John (LAWSAN President Elect)

Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine was trying to make common sense as he writes an open letter to the newly elected LAWSAN President, read the content of the letter below:

Mr. President, like thousands of friends and associates both within and outside the faculty, I want to say congratulations on your most deserved victory in the just concluded LAWSAN Presidential elections which I consider the most transparent presidential election in the history of Our Dear Faculty (because none has ever been so keenly contested like this one) in terms of everything; from the pre- election campaign, campaign proper, propaganda against members of your campaign organization, to the final elections on 22/1/2016.

Yes it wasn't an easy one because for once, it was not about some group of "elite kingmakers" deciding the selection process and anointment formalities and
strategically/systematically foistening on the people their stooges. But this time around, the various campaign trains went down to Constituencies and Hostels, and the people, being the true deciding factor, featured prominently in the process of how, who and why a particular candidate should emerge as
their President. Indeed, this election has lend life to Section 14(1), Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

Iyene John (LAWSAN President Elect 2015/2016)

Despite the many negative reportage that characterised the entire build up to the processes with various malpractices; from financial inducement to threats and even blackmail, to attempt to stifle the people even at the LAWSAN Congress. The people felt the importance of their role in deciding who occupies the LAWSAN 'Iron Throne'. Nonetheless, This time, even in the face of threats, blackmails and various propagandas, the people - both young and old, women and men - came out and stood their grounds; they queued up and decided who they wanted with their thumbs.

Many fell victims even as some ended up at the receiving end of some undemocratic campaign strategies unbridled which led to infantile emission of cheap talks just to hew huge political points. Irrespective of the causes and misgivings from the perpetrators of the callous acts, the people showed the world how courageous they are as LAWSANites and how they can face even danger with heavy security presence at the polls a testament, when they really wants to make a statement as LAWSANites.

That is why, at this juncture in our history, more than ever, I will say: Mr President Sir, "Please DON'T disappoint those who have sacrificed for this course and NEVER let down the confidence of all the people that stood, fought and voted for you across the Faculty" because everyone of them are the reason for this successful revolution.

Remember, without money, Godfathers, or other elders at your disposal, our poor LAWSANites came out on their empty stomach's as early as 7:30am to the polling boots just to make sure they cast their votes. 

I wish to advice that in nocircumstances should there be a divide or preference attention in your prospective dealings with any part of the Faculty or LAWSANites (please do not entertain the politics of preferred
constituencies) because everyone played their role and even those that voted for the opposition, make your victory even more resounding. Always remember this! Everybody in the Faculty should be carried along as much as possible even as you double your efforts to BETTER the Lives of LAWSANites and transform our Faculty beyond rhetoric, to enable her attain the desired height as the true Prestigious Faculty by restoring her integrity.

Dear crowned Prince Sir, as you are fondly called, please do well to play the role of a people's leader and not a
Ruler this time around. I urge you to serve LAWSANites BETTER irrespective of STATUS, in all sincerity and faithfully; and not to foster anymore government of 'pleasing some few political elites, sycophants and elders'. You must Always remember that, it's the poor people that sacrificed for the victory you are celebrating today. CONSIDER your election as a 'test of fire' to see if truly you can and will keep to your words and promises as a man of integrity, who has been given a much tasking chance to prove critics wrong and also prepared to write his name in the sands of time. Let industry, hard work and innovation be rewarded in your administration, review the LAWSAN Constitution and let LAWSANites have a feeling of contribution towards your policies.

History and posterity has opened a new record and would judge accordingly; you've been given a chance to set the pace for aspiring indigent LAWSANites, that indeed, good name is better than riches.

Don't forget that this opportunity will in one way or the other determine the continuous followership of your personality and affiliation, both in and outdide the Faculty. Try as much as you can not to create room for the people to regret supporting and voting for you; Your Excellency, don't give us
the impression that this victory was just a mere political exercise and so can be taken for granted without recourse for the price paid for it. 

Don't give room for people to start
clamouring for an alternative mandate because definitely your performance and disposition towards the people will equally determine the attention and disposition you and your associates will get in future elections. Do well to heal the wounds of those affected (even those with wounded pride), healing their wounds will mark the starting point for true reconciliation and bonding. Trust in your new leadership and governance, this way, all hands will be on deck to make LAWSAN great and BETTER than it is right Now.

I want to wish you well, and specifically dedicate this victory to the people, who came out even in the sunny Friday, to confront and conquer an actual Tyrant and cast their votes.

Congratulations to all LAWSANites!

Long Live the Good People of LAWSAN Uniuyon!!
Long Live Akwa Ibom State!!!
Long Live Nigeria!!!

Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine

I am Hon. Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine
Member representing Constituency III, LAWSAN Legislative Council.

Breaking News!!! Imaobong Ekwere begs the new LAWSAN President for a soft landing

The propaganda machine of LAWSAN during the just concluded Presidential election who goes by the sobriquet Imaobong Ekwere begs the newly elected LAWSAN President Iyene John for a soft landing.