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Onnoghen owes Nigerians apology, not sympathy
Chieftainf the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Arise who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District between 2007 -2011, has said the embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen deserves no sympathy but rather apologize to Nigerians.
Arise expressed reservations on the stance of the National Judicial Council (NJC) on the trial of the suspended CJN Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Speaking with The Nation in Ado-Ekiti, the former Lawmaker argued that the system of government being practiced in Nigeria only recognizes the supreme ourt as the final arbiter in any case.
He described the suspended CJN’s saga as an embarrassment not only to the judiciary but a stigma on the country as a whole.
The former Lawmaker said with the existing constitutional debacle arising from the case, Nigeria could take advantage of the controversy and make correction on some flaws inherent in the Constitution.
He disclosed that the suspended CJN could have saved himself and the nation from the mess ,if he had taken what he termed ‘path of honour ‘ and resigned from his former position, “saying no individual could be larger than the judiciary.
“Well, it is an unfortunate scenario that we found ourselves. Ordinarily Onnoghen should have saved the judiciary ,saved this country and also saved his name by simply resigned from office
“Whether it is allegation, confirmation or deliberate misrepresentation.Whatever the case may be ,once Onnoghen has owned up and said he forgot to make the declaration of his assets ,he should have resigned and apologize to Nigerians that he ,as an individual who represents an institution. And no individual should be larger than the judiciary. It is not worth what it has been subjected to.
“There is no room for apportioning blame at this time .The President acted based on advise from the Attorney General of the Federation ,who is the number Law Enforcement Officer of the country .
“When you look at the whole scenario, it appears that it challenges the essence of our constitution .How do you have somebody who has admitted to violating the law of the land to continue to lead that sensitive arm of government?”, he queried
“Obviously, there is no basis for justification, either morally or legally looking at the reactions of several organizations .The NBA , South South Governors Forum and others. .
“Yes, there is a little bit of controversy in the constitution .The constitution says when a judicial officer commits an offense ,he or she should be refer to the Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC) for sanction
“It is the same constitution that says when a public servant fails to declare his or her asset or made false declaration , such officer would be sent to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for prosecution and administration of justice .And a number of guidelines were stated there in .”
“The issue now is which one is superior? Is it the court or the NJC ?with the system of government that I believe we are practicing the NJC cannot be a parallel court to CCT.
“When you say the supreme Court is the final arbiter in any case .That is the Supreme Court .So ,is the NJC now saying it is equivalent to supreme Court .So,invariably the answer to is no,that means something needs to be clarified on the roles of the NJC and the Courts when breach of the law is involved.
“As a nation, even though we are learning by the day this democracy is not a perfect system of government .It is a system that allows for learning ,make correction and improves upon and add value , as we progress as a nation.
“It is even good that this scenario came up .And whatever the weaknesses are,in our constitution can be corrected as we move forward”, Arise said
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BREAKING: Court Puts Off El-Rufai’s Bail Hearing, Sets New Date
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The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, till Wednesday.
The adjournment followed proceedings that took place under tight security, reflecting heightened public interest in the high-profile corruption trial.
Counsel for the ex-governor, Ukpong Akpan, confirmed the development shortly after the session but declined to give details.
“I’m sorry, I can’t talk now, we are in the middle of work. I have to go and file responses. The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow,” he said.
Shortly after the court rose, El-Rufai was escorted out of the premises by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in a white Hilux vehicle.
Earlier, the former governor had returned to court amid heavy security for the continuation of proceedings on his bail request.
The security arrangement mirrored the situation during his arraignment last week when he was first docked before the court.
El-Rufai is standing trial before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of public property as well as money laundering.
He was brought to court after spending over a month in detention, a development that has continued to draw widespread attention across the country.
The court had earlier fixed March 31, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications, including the bail request.
However, the anti-graft agency had on March 27, 2026, released him on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai, in Cairo, Egypt.
In a related development, the former governor was earlier on Tuesday arraigned before a Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kawo on separate charges.
At the State High Court, he was docked alongside one Amadu Sule on allegations ranging from abuse of office and fraud to intent to commit fraud and conferring undue advantage.
The charges, also filed by the anti-corruption commission, are separate from those before the Federal High Court.
After the proceedings at the State High Court, the commission moved El-Rufai to the Federal High Court within the same premises for continuation of proceedings.
With the adjournment, the hearing of the bail application is expected to resume on Wednesday.
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Araraume Felicitates President Tinubu on his birthday. Hails his Reform Agenda and National Milestones
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Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday, praising the President’s leadership style and the series of reforms that have shaped the direction of the country since he assumed office.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Araraume described President Tinubu as “a courageous reformer whose decisions continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape.” He noted that the President’s first year in office has been marked by bold policy choices aimed at stabilizing the economy and laying the groundwork for long term national development.
Araraume highlighted the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the most significant economic decisions in recent decades, saying it demonstrated the President’s willingness to confront long‑standing structural challenges. According to him, the policy, though demanding, has redirected national resources toward infrastructure, social investment, and other critical sectors.
He also commended the administration’s unification of the foreign exchange market, describing it as a major step toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The senator noted that the reforms have attracted renewed interest from international partners and signaled a commitment to transparent economic management.
Beyond economic restructuring, Araraume pointed to ongoing infrastructure expansion as evidence of the administration’s focus on national development. He cited the acceleration of key road projects, renewed efforts to expand rail connectivity, and the push to improve power generation and distribution as initiatives that reflect the President’s long term vision for a more productive Nigeria.
The senator further acknowledged the government’s interventions in agriculture, including support for mechanization and targeted programs aimed at boosting food security. He said these efforts are essential to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local production.
On the diplomatic front, Araraume praised President Tinubu’s engagements across Africa and beyond, noting his role in strengthening regional cooperation within ECOWAS and advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.
“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognize the resilience and determination with which President Tinubu has approached the task of nation building,” Araraume said. “His commitment to reforms, economic stability, and democratic governance continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.”
He wished the President good health, renewed strength, and continued wisdom as he leads the country through what he described as “a defining period in Nigeria’s history.”
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Araraume Salutes Tinubu’s Vision, Lists Key Achievements on Birthday
Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday, praising his leadership style and the series of reforms that have shaped the country’s direction since he assumed office.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Araraume described the President as “a courageous reformer whose decisions continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape.” He noted that Tinubu’s first year in office has been marked by bold policy choices aimed at stabilizing the economy and laying the groundwork for long-term national development.
Araraume highlighted the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the most significant economic decisions in recent decades, saying it demonstrated the President’s willingness to confront long-standing structural challenges. According to him, the policy, though demanding, has redirected national resources toward infrastructure, social investment, and other critical sectors.
He also commended the administration’s unification of the foreign exchange market, describing it as a major step toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The senator noted that the reforms have attracted renewed interest from international partners and signaled a commitment to transparent economic management.
Beyond economic restructuring, Araraume pointed to ongoing infrastructure expansion as evidence of the administration’s focus on national development. He cited the acceleration of key road projects, renewed efforts to expand rail connectivity, and the push to improve power generation and distribution as initiatives that reflect the President’s long-term vision for a more productive Nigeria.
The senator further acknowledged the government’s interventions in agriculture, including support for mechanization and targeted programmes aimed at boosting food security. He said these efforts are essential to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local production.
On the diplomatic front, Araraume praised Tinubu’s engagements across Africa and beyond, noting his role in strengthening regional cooperation within ECOWAS and advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.
“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognise the resilience and determination with which President Tinubu has approached the task of nation-building,” Araraume said. “His commitment to reforms, economic stability, and democratic governance continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.”
He wished the President good health, renewed strength, and continued wisdom as he leads the country through what he described as “a defining period in Nigeria’s history.”
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