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Legal justice unattainable without social justice – Osibanjo
Nasiru Yusuf
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has expressed concern over the legal processes in Nigeria, saying that without social justice, legal justice is ultimately unattainable.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Vice President was speaking on Monday, in Bayero University, Kano at the 53rd Nigerian Association of Law Teachers’ Annual Conference with the theme: Law, Democracy and Electoral Process.
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo
Osinbajo reiterated that the whole idea of democracy is the people who determine who their leaders are and the electoral law must bow to the will of the people and that the appropriate interpretation must favour them.
He stated that the social justice refers to the economic and social right of the people to include the right to shelter, employment, education, reasonable minimum living wage, care for elderly, employment benefit and welfare of the physically challenged.
The Vice President, who was the Special Guest of Honour, said it was the federal government’s commitment to improving the electoral process, noting that the bill is in the process of being passed into law. He added that it has been a robust engagement between government and civil society groups, noting that it is hoped that it would be one with the broader consensus of all the stakeholders.
Osinbajo called on the INEC to improve its capacity by deploying the appropriate technology to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2023.
The Vice President, however, unveiled NALT’s Manual on Legal Research Basic Guide for Law faculties and legal research institutions in Nigeria. The book was adopted in 2015 and revised in 2021.
The Chairman of the occasion, A.B Mahmoud, said the choice of the theme was apt as it captured many issues concerning the interpretation of electoral process, legal system and democracy in Nigeria, saying that he was confident that the conference would critically address them.
In his remark, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje expressed appreciation over the NALT’s decision to hold its 53rd Conference in Kano, saying that the theme was all encompassing as far as electoral process and democracy are concerned. He said democracy would not thrive without a strong and viable legal process for sustainable development.
Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
The Governor said there must be a concerted effort among all the relevant stakeholders to ensure sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
In his remark, the Vice Chancellor, Sagir Adamu Abbas, said the topics drawn from the central theme of the conference are deliberately aimed at tasking our legal scholars towards providing workable interpretations of our electoral laws to facilitate the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.
Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas
“As we all know, conducting a free and fair election is one of the cardinal principles of democracy and also a pillar that sustains democratic governance and norms.Nigeria has been facing serious challenges in the conduct of free and fair elections leading to political instability, social unrest and numerous litigations. It is, therefore, my hope that the outcome of this year’s NALT Conference will serve as a panacea to the lingering problems bedeviling electoral processes in this country,” he said.
Prof. unveiling NALT’s Manual on Legal Research Basic Guide for Law faculties and legal research institutions in Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Dean, Faculty of Law, Usman Muhammad Shuaib Zannuraini, while welcoming participants to the conference, said 25 scholarly papers would be presented and discussed by various legal and other experts drawn from from various faculties of law, related institutions and other agencies dealing with election matters.
Zanuuraini, who is the President of NALT, particularly paid tribute to the Vice President, Governor of Kano, A.B Mahmoud, Chairman Board of Trustee of NALT, Popoola and many other dignitaries, as well as the participants for gracing the occasion.
The Conference will last for three days, from 8th to 10th February, 2022.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has vowed to appeal the judgement of the governorship election tribunal which nullified his election and declared the APC candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawauna as the winner.
KANO FOCUS reports that Yusuf made the declaration on Wednesday night, while making a broadcast to the people of the state.
He said his legal team had been directed to appeal the judgement at the court of appeal in order to reclaim the mandate given to him by the people of the State.
He, therefore, Called on the good people of the state to remain calm and continue to be law abiding as security agents have been directed to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizens.
“Let me assure you that the this government would continue to work for the development of the people of the state as the judgement will never dampen our spirit or discourage us from the good work we have started.” he said.
The Governor, who thanked the people of the state for their continued support and cooperation, urged them to go about with normal activities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday, said that Kano State has recorded 5,800 suspected cases of Diphtheria from January to date.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Head, UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Mr Rahama Mohammned-Farah, stated this in Kano during a one-day media orientation on Diphtheria outbreak.
The UN Agency said the cases were recorded in 39 local government areas of the state.
According to him, Kano State has the highest number of recorded cases in the country, adding that Diphtheria was a highly contagious and infectious disease that could cause death.
Mohammned-Farah stressed that proactive measures were necessary to stem the outbreak.
“Recently, we have seen a surge in the number of reported Diphtheria cases in Nigeria, and Nigeria is currently facing an outbreak that needs to be stopped and prevented.
“As of July, Diphtheria cases have been on the rise. As of last week, over 400 suspected cases with 11 deaths have been reported in Kano.
“Out of the 39 LGAs affected, eight are the most affected, including Ungogo with 2,651 cases; Dala 989, Fagge 943, Gwale 714, Kumbotso 713, Nasarawa 538, Kano Municipal 506 and Tarauni 269,” he said.
He said that 60.8 per cent of the suspected cases had been reported in children not vaccinated, which reinforced the critical need to address the issue of zero doses, especially in Kano State.
“UNICEF delivered 1.2 million vaccines to the Kano State Government in our continuing support to the government response to Diphtheria outbreak.
“Diphtheria outbreak is a threat to child survival, health and the wellbeing of children. UNICEF is collaborating with government and partners to respond to the emergency to save the lives of children affected.
“In Kano state, UNICEF supported Tetanus-Diphtheria reactive vaccination campaigns in February, April and August, vaccinating 23,200 children in round one.
“While 277,796 children vaccinated in round two and 29,500 others in round-3 of the exercise.
“We engaged 150 traditional leaders on Diphtheria outbreak and distribution of Diphtheria IEC materials, and deployed 1,500 VCMs to the worst affected LGAs to conduct house-to-house sensitisations and referral of suspected cases to health facilities.
“Media has a key role to play particularly in infection prevention, and risk communication and community engagement,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Muhammad Nasir-Mahmoud, the Director-General, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, said the state government had adopted drastic measures to curtail spread of the disease.
“We are committed towards educating the public about what is happening and the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has promised that Kano will be accorded priority in terms of vaccine distribution,” he said.
While describing the media as partners in the fight against Diphtheria, Nasir-Mahmoud urged them to support the campaign against the disease.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has urged the judges of the Kano election petition tribunal court to discharge its duties with utmost integrity and impartiality.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the organization secretary Kano chapter Nuhu Idris on Tuesday.
IPAC also called upon the tribunal to consider each case diligently and ensure that all the parties involved are given equal opportunities to present their argument and evidence.
It could be recalled that the election tribunal has fixed Wednesday 20th September 2023 to deliver judgment on APC’s petition against Abba Kabir Yusuf.
A hearing notice issued by the Secretary of the election petition tribunal on Monday said the judgment would be delivered at 9.00 a.m., at the High Court of Miller Road in Kano.
Mr Idris said the organization has acknowledged the importance of the electoral process in a democratic society, where the voice and choice of the people are paramount.
He said the ongoing legal proceedings before the tribunal are a testament to the vibrancy of democracy and the resolve of citizens to seek redress through legal means.
“IPAC firmly believes that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
“We, Therefore, implore the tribunal to maintain transparency in its proceedings allowing the public and all concerned parties to have confidence in the outcome of the legal process, the statement said.
He added that it is essential that the tribunal’s decisions are guided by the rule of law and the facts presented, rather than any external influence.
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