The Nation August 01, 2011

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Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Panic in Ibadan over Boko Haram

Govt, Labour wage talks to continue

NEWS

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NEWS

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•Fed Govt will pay, says NLC

•Residents abandon church services

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 1839 MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Lawyers to sue NJC over new panel From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

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ATHER than subside, the row in the Judiciary seems to be growing. Some lawyers are preparing to challenge in court the fresh panel raised by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to review the report of the Justice Umaru Abdullahi panel, which probed the feud between Chief Justice •Justice Katsina-Alu

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MATTERS ARISING, ACCORDING TO LAWYERS •Of the 18 members of the NJC Panel, the CJN nominated 14. •How fair is this, considering the fact that he is party in the matter? •Can Justice Musdapher, who gave evidence before the NJC Panel, be a member of the panel? •Justice Ayoola, who was a member of the Abdullahi Panel, served on the Babalakin Panel, which indicted the CJN over the Sokoto governorship petition verdict •Justice Auta’s Panel is unconventional in that a High Court Judge cannot be asked to review the verdict of a panel of Supreme Court Justices.

Justice Abdullahi is former President, Court of Appeal. •Can a junior Judge cannot recommend disciplinary measures against the Chief Justice or the President, Court of Appeal as the Auta Panel is being asked to do? •The Abdullahi Panel called witnesses; Auta’s will not. Besides, its terms of reference are not known. •The NBA Panel is independent, comprising tested lawyers. Its report is considered to be more thorough. Why another panel? •NJC, NBA PANELS REPORTS ON PAGES 17 & 18

JONATHAN’S SINGLE TENURE PROPOSAL

IBB, Ciroma, Atiku plan anti-single tenure battle Braithwaite, Agbakoba, Fasehun, others to meet in Lagos

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HE cloud is gathering over the single term proposal for president and governors. Eminent Nigerians are meeting to take decisions on President Goodluck Jonathan’s planned Bill to limit the tenure of executive office holders to a single term. The Northern Political

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

Leaders Forum (NPLF), which unsuccessfully championed the zoning of the presidential seat to the North in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the party primaries, has been revved into life by the proposal. The NPLF, led by ex-Finance Minister Alhaji Adam

Knocks for RECs nomination By Bolade Omonijo, Group Political Editor, Joseph Jibueze and Gbenga Omokhunu

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s nominees for Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) may face a tough screening at the Senate, going by reactions at the week-

end. Many senators said they resented the lack of transparency in the nomination. According to them, this could lead to appointment of partisan politicians. One senator from the Southsouth, who pleaded not to be named, said: “It is good that the Constitution has now got the Senate involved in the appointment. I can assure you that there can be no ‘bow and go’ this time. We shall ask all the necessary questions.” The senator said he was saddened by the renomination of Dr. Gabriel Ada, which “I do not understand”. “Dr Ada is one of the 13 RECs who have ended their ten-

Ciroma, is billed to meet this week. Ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida and exVice President Atiku Abubakar, are expected to attend. In Lagos, a group of eminent Nigerians will meet tomorrow on the platform of the National Consensus Group (NCG).

Besides the single term issue, the NCG meeting, billed to be hosted by Lagos lawyer and politician Dr Tunji Braithwaite, will take a stand on insecurity and the heightening tension in the country, according to a statement by Olubori Obafemi on behalf of Citizens Advocacy Group (CAG). Expected at the meeting

are, among others: Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Olisa Agbakoba, who hosted the inaugural parley, former Minister of Finance Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs Dr Lateef Adegbite, human rights lawyer Dr Tunji Abayomi, former West African Bar As-

sociation President Femi Falana, foremost political scientist Dr Jibo Ibrahim, President of the Trade Union Congress Comrade Peter Esele, activist Shehu Sani, Arewa Youths leader Shetimah Yerima, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader Dr Frederick Continued on page 2

•Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga (middle) discussing with Chairman of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN) Joseph Makoju (left) and Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote during the Minister’s tour of Dangote Ibese Cement Plant ... at the weekend

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•SPORTS P23 •CITYBEATS P25 •MOTORING P47 •PERSONAL FINANCE P48


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