Falana warns against ‘mockery’ of courts

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana yesterday declared that former Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors contesting the verdicts of the Court of Appeal are making mockery of the rule of law and judicial process.

He chided former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu and his Ekiti  and Osun states counterparts Olusegun Oni and Olagunsoye Oyinlola for challenging the court’s ruling, contrary to the laid down, time-tested judicial procedure. 

This, he said, is a mockery of judicial system, warning that any nation that ridicules its temple of justice will continue to wallow in underdevelopment.

Falana spoke at the Third Annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium, an event commemorating the 59th birthday of the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

The theme was: Nigeria: Why Isn’t it working? How will it work? The event attracted high profile personalities across the country.

They included Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, his wife, Abimbola;  Osun and Ekiti states counterparts, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and wife, Sherifat; Dr Kayode Fayemi; Action Congress of Nigeria ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Lagos State Governor, Allhaji Lateef Jakande, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Lagos State ACN chair, Henry Ajomale; Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and Mr Audu Ogbeh. 

Also there were Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas; Fashola’s running-mate, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Commissioner for the Environment Muiz Banire, LASIEC Commissioner Musbau Oyefeso, CODER coordinator Ayo Opadokun, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, member, House of Reps Femi Gbajabiamila; former Lagos Finance Commissioner Wale Edun; Wale Oshun; Dr Amos Akingba; Prince Rotimi Agunsoye; Chief Imam of Lagos Sheik Garba Ibrahim; Abiodun Mafe; Gbenga Ashafa; Funmi Tejuosho; Alhaji Jubril Abdukareem; Sola Adekunle; Mrs. Kemi Nelson; Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Alhaja Idiat Adebule.

Falana lamented that Nigeria is in dangerous situation, warning that the consequence will be grave, if urgent concerted efforts are not made to uphold the rule of law.

No right thinking individual, the activist said, will invest in a country with no respect for the rule of law.

He expressed dismay on how politicians are dragging the integrity of the judiciary in the mud.

“Any country where judiciary is being destroyed, such nation is inviting anarchy,” Falana said.

Another speaker, Mr Opeyemi Agbaje, a senior consultant/Chief Executive Officer, Resources and Trust Company Limited, lamented increasing rate of unemployment in the country.

Agbaje said no government with such level of unemployment would expect peace and development. 

He regretted that the government deviated from the primary duty expected of any good government, which is to protect the poor and the vulnerable.

“Nigerian political structure in the First Republic, he said, has been described as ‘competitive communalism’. Unfortunately, this structure has since been replaced by rent-seeking economy, unitary political system and ‘bureaucratic prebendalism’ under which rather than compete for development, all constituent states look to the Federal Government for the ‘national cake’.”

Agbaje noted that the government, since 1999 till date, has spent N45 trillion without positive effect on capital projects.

This, he attributed to the Federal Government allocating 60 per cent of the budget to recurrent expenditure meant to cater for its employees and political office holders while 40 per cent is for capital expenditure.

He asked: “How can we progress as a nation?”

“The nation’s vision 2020 target of 40, 000 mega watts for power generation is South Africa’s current mega watts. Yet, South Africa is one-third of Nigerian population. Even our present 4, 000 mega watts is still in doubt,” he said.

Agbaje urged the government to, as a matter of urgency, pass resolution on ratio 70:30 budget for capital and recurrent expenditures.

This, he said, would aid development of the economy.

“Making the Nigerian economy work requires concrete actions to diversify Nigeria’s production base and aggressive social action to build human capital,” he said.

The third guest speaker, Mr Leke Alder of Alder Consulting Firm, described the Nigerian system of government as “tenancy president and governors”.

He said many Nigerian leaders lack the visionary skill to rule the country.

Alder, who spoke on The Brand, regretted that Nigeria is a very bad brand, which affects the economy.

Though he admitted that Nigeria has human and material resources to market as brand to the world, its endemic corruption has been a stumbling block.

He said systemic corruption had been institutionalised in all tiers of government.

Fashola attributed leadership failures to loss of values. 

He called for the restoration of values. He likened values to pillars supporting a building, saying if they are removed, the government would collapse.

He expressed optimism that though the economic indices have deteriorated in the past years, Nigerians should be under a compelling necessity to reverse adversity by voting credible candidates in the elections.

Fashola said the colloquim addressed national problems because they are the challenges agitating Tinubu’s mind.

He said: “As we go to the elections this Saturday, we are presented with another opportunity to effect change. It is too big an opportunity to waste. It is time to take our destinies in our hands. We must internalise what we have heard and put it into positive actions. I believe we can fix this country back and restore its dignity in the comity of nations.”

Tinubu lauded the speakers and appreciated Nigerians for their prayers and support.

 “We have learned from fountains of young generation. We can feel it from the speakers. That is why we should transfer power to the younger generations. Vote for the right party, ACN,” Tinubu said.