Adebukola Banjoko: Tough Female Judge Who Jailed Ex-gov Jolly Nyame

This is Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court who found former governor of Taraba State, Reverend Jolly Nyame guilty for criminal breach of trust on Wednesday.
She was so appalled at Nyame’s brazen theft of public money that she bellowed: “There’s no moral justification for the level of outright theft, and the Court must therefore, impose a statement, hopefully as a deterrent to other public officers, who may be similarly inclined”
“From the totality of facts before the court, Nyame approved N250 million for purchase of stationery, but is found to have no intention to fulfil the purpose,” Justice Banjoko held.
Justice Banjoko also noted that Nyame, a clergyman, as governor of Taraba, breached the trust reposed in him by the indigenes of the state, when he misappropriated N250 million which he approved purportedly for the purchase of stationery for the state.
In a ruling which lasted more than 4 hours, Justice Banjoko found Nyame guilty of 16 counts, bordering on criminal breach of public trust.
Nyame had during the trial denied knowledge of Salman Global Ventures Limited. But Justice Banjoko disagreed, saying that, “immediately the fund was released, his verbal instruction was given, that N180 million be paid to Salman Global Ventures”.

Jolly Nyame

The judge further added that: “the audacity of the defendant to divert N180 million from the N250 to the company, shows that he had more than a casual interest and so can’t hide behind a screen”.
“There was no evidence to show that Salman Global Ventures bid for any contracts,” the trial judge said, noting that within five weeks, Salman Global Ventures received over N300 million from the state coffers.
The angry judge sentenced him to a total of 28 years in prison, 14 years of which was for criminal breach of trust

N1.64bn Fraud: Court Jails Ex-Taraba Gov Nyame 14 Years

The Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday sentenced a former governor of Taraba State, Mr Jolly Nyame, to 14 years in prison without an option of fine.
The court convicted Mr Nyame of criminal breach of trust in a case of N1.64 billion fraud preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Nyame, who was Taraba State governor between 1999 and 2007, was accused of criminally misappropriating the funds while he governed the state, Channels Tv reports.
Delivering a judgement that lasted more than four hours on Wednesday, Justice Adebukola Banjoko found the former governor guilty in 27 out of 41 counts he was charged with.
The judge blamed Nyame for financial recklessness and brazen display of executive power without following due process.
According to the judgment, the former governor was jailed two years for misappropriation of government funds, seven years for receiving gratification, and five years for obtaining valuable government properties without consideration.
However, the jail terms are to run concurrently.

#NotTooYoungTooRun: Postpone Your Campaigns Till After 2019, Buhari Jokes With Youths

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the youths not to eye his seat in the coming 2019 general elections.
The President made the appeal on a light note while signing the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ bill at the Aso Rock Council Chamber, Abuja on Thursday.
While he congratulated the youths on the feat, which he described as a “formidable legacy”, he told them to postpone their ambitions till after 2019.
He said, “I am confident each one of you will transform Nigeria in your own way – whether through media, agricultural enterprise, economists, engineers, or as lawmakers in your States or at Federal levels, or as State Governors – and even someday, as President. Why not?
“But please, can I ask you to postpone your campaigns till after the 2019 elections”.
He, however, urged the youths not to relent in their efforts to impact the nation in whatever way possible.
According to him, the signing of the bill is only a starting point which presents them with an opportunity to make their marks on the nation’s political space.
“You may all know that the Bill I just assented now becomes an Act of the National Assembly.
“Thus, it may be tempting for you to think of this as the end of the journey. However, it is only the beginning; there is still a lot of work ahead, towards ensuring that young people take full advantage of the opportunities provided not only by this constitutional amendment but also through Nigeria’s boundless prospects,” he said.
With the passage of the new bill, the age limit for running for Presidency will now be reduced from 40-35 and 30-25 for the House of Representatives as well as the State Houses of Assembly.
The age limits for Senators and Governors were, however, not reduced – a development which the president says would have to be addressed in the future.
He said, “Eligible age for aspirants for members of the State Houses of Assembly will be reduced from 30 to 25 years; eligible age for aspirants for members of the Federal House of Representatives will be reduced from 30 to 25 years; and eligible age for aspirants for Office of the President, will be lowered from 40 to 35 years.
“Surprisingly, the age limits for Senators and Governors was not reduced, as originally proposed by the sponsors of this Bill. This is an issue that may need to be addressed going forward”.

Buhari’s Full Speech At The Signing Of ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Bill

 The signing on Thursday took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

See full speech below.
REMARKS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT THE SIGNING OF THE NOT-TOO-YOUNG-TO-RUN BILL, 31ST MAY, 2018, STATE HOUSE, ABUJA
1. First, I would like to welcome you all to the State House. Today is a significant day for all of us in Nigeria, and most especially our young people – and the role they play in our democracy, politics and national life.
2. We are gathered here for the signing of the “Not Too Young To Run Bill”, a landmark piece of legislation that was conceived, championed and accomplished by young Nigerians.
3. The coordinators of the Not Too Young To Run movement have now established a formidable legacy – which is that, in our maturing democracy, if you really want to change something in Nigeria, and if you can organise yourselves and work hard towards it – you can achieve it. The outcome of such efforts is this remarkable feat.
4. These efforts have resulted in the heroic task of enshrining in law, a reduction of the minimum ages for elective office in Nigeria.
a. Eligible age for aspirants for members of the State Houses of Assembly will be reduced from 30 to 25 years;
b. Eligible age for aspirants for members of the Federal House of Representatives will be reduced from 30 to 25 years; and
c. Eligible age for aspirants for Office of the President, will be lowered from 40 to 35 years.
5. Surprisingly, the age limits for Senators and Governors was not reduced, as originally proposed by the sponsors of this Bill. This is an issue that may need to be addressed going forward.
6. Nevertheless, your focus and contributions have now successfully increased the quality and maturity of Nigerian democracy and expanded the playing field for youth participation in politics.
7. You, the young people of Nigeria, are now set to leave your mark on the political space, just as you have done over the decades in entrepreneurship, sports, art, media entertainment, technology, and several other fields.
8. You are undoubtedly Nigeria’s most important resource – not oil, not agriculture, not solid minerals – but you and all of us. Your energy, intelligence and talent are what will drive and develop Nigeria, long after we are all gone.
9. This is an opportunity for me to affirm that this Administration will continue to do everything in its power to make Nigeria work for you.
10. You may all know that the Bill I just assented now becomes an Act of the National Assembly.
11. Thus, it may be tempting for you to think of this as the end of the journey. However, it is only the beginning; there is still a lot of work ahead, towards ensuring that young people take full advantage of the opportunities provided not only by this constitutional amendment but also through Nigeria’s boundless prospects.
12. You should inculcate the spirit of self-help. Those who complete their training should not just sit down and wait for government or private sector to employ them. You should be innovative and turn your hands to any legitimate work that will enable you to sustain yourself.
13. You may have noticed already that every one of you represents one of our 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory. This is because today is about preparing for the bright future of our country.
14. I am confident each one of you will transform Nigeria in your own way – whether through media, agricultural enterprise, economists, engineers, or as lawmakers in your States or at Federal levels, or as State Governors – and even someday, as President. Why not?
But please, can I ask you to postpone your campaigns till after the 2019 elections!
15. Finally, let me say how proud I am, and how proud the entire country is, of what you have accomplished. Congratulations and best of luck with continuing to work to make Nigeria a greater country for us and future generations of Nigerians.
16. God bless all the young people of Nigeria and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ekiti Guber Election: Fayemi Chooses 74-year-old Man As Running mate

A former Nigerian minister, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has chosen his running mate who happens to be an 74-year-old man.
According to a report by Vanguard, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has nominated former Executive Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government, Chief Adebisi Adegboyega Egbeyemi, as the deputy governorship candidate of the party.

A statement from JKF Campaign office in Ado-Ekiti disclosed that Egbeyemi was picked as the candidate in late hours of Wednesday, after party leaders met for long hours to consider who is best suited to pair with former Governor and immediate past Minister of Mines an Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to fly the party’s flag in the governorship contest.

The Statement which was signed by Wole Olujobi said, Egbeyemi’s choice came after speculations by the expectant public spread that certain eminent indigenes of the state had been picked to fly the ticket with Fayemi in the July 14, 2018 governorship poll.

Egbeyemi, an indigene of Ado-Ekiti, was born on May 8, 1944 to the family of the late Egbeyemi Alade and late Madam Tinubu Egbeyemi. He started his education at the Holy Trinity Anglican School, Ilawe-Ekiti and Baptist School, Ado-Ekiti, after which he attended Harding Memorial Modern School, Ado-Ekiti.
He studied privately while working as a Laboratory Assistant at Ekitiparapo College, Ido-Ekiti, and while working as a bursar at Notre Dame Grammar School, Usi-Ekiti, Egbeyemi sat as a private student to pass both the GCE O’Level and Advanced Level examinations. He later proceeded to the University of Lagos College of Education where he graduated in Biology and Physical Education with distinction.

He taught briefly at the St Mary’s Girls Secondary School, Ikole-Ekiti, in 1975 before he was transferred to the Teachers’ College, Oye-Ekiti, as a pioneer Physical Education tutor between 1975 and 1977.
He later went to the University of Ife to read Law between 1977 and 1980 before proceeding to the Law School in Lagos for his Barrister at Law certificate and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981 as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. His political experiences spanned many fields, including the Youth Leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) between 1979 and 1983; a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly in 1983; and Executive Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government between 1991 and 1993.
Others include Leader of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) in Ado-Ekiti Local Government between 1996 and 1997 and was founding member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), using the platform to win the House of Representatives election that was cancelled by the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, in 1998. Between 1991 and 1992, he was Commissioner of Education and between 2001 and 2002, Egbeyemi was a member of the Governing Council of the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna.

A receiver of many awards, the lawyer was appointed the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General between 2002 and 2003. He was a founding member and Leader of the Action Congress in Ado-Ekiti Local Government and currently a foremost leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State.
A top chieftaincy title holder in Ado-Ekiti, Egbeyemi is married with children.

Buhari Assents To #NotTooYoungToRun# Bill

On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the #NotTooYoungToRun bill, thereby reducing the age at which Nigerian citizens can vie for political offices.
Now, the minimum age to run for President is 35 years, down from 40 years.  State and Federal representatives’ age moved from 30 to 25, while the age limit for senator and governorship seats remain the same — 30 years of age.

Buhari had, during his Democracy Day speech on Tuesday, revealed that he’ll be signing the bill into law “in few days”.

The Reduction of Age for Election Bill popularly known on social media as #NotTooYoungToRun, will see the reduction of the minimum age to run for President from 40 to 35 years, State and Federal representatives from 30 to 25 years and 30 years for Governors and Senators.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, President Buhari said:
“If you really want to change something in Nigeria, and if you can organise yourselves and work hard towards it – you can achieve it. The outcome of such efforts is this remarkable feat.”

Sign ‘Not Too Young to Run’ bill, Quit In 2019, Arewa Youths Tell Buhari

The AYCF is among the over 30 northern youth groups that formed the Northern Coalition Groups that asked the President and a former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who are above 70 years, to shelve their ambition to contest the 2019 presidential election.

The groups had said the two should leave the stage for the younger generation to govern the country in 2019 and beyond.

The AYCF president, who said that his group and others still stood by their statement, stated that the President’s pronouncement made no difference.

He maintained that whether Buhari quit the stage for younger generation to contest in the 2019 presidency or not, the President would hear from Nigerians during the 2019 elections.