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Malami Denies Advising Buhari To Suspend Constitution, Declare Martial Law

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Malami Wants Journalists Sanctioned For False Reports

President Muhammadu Buhari was never asked to suspend the 1999 Constitution and replace it with a martial law.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, denied authoring a memo purportedly asking the president to do such an unconstitutional thing.

Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Chief Law officer of the country, insisted that such a memo never emanated from his office.

In a denial statement released in Abuja, the AGF described the media report linking him with the memo as the handiwork of anti-constitution elements.

The denial statement was issued by Malami’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr Umar Jibrila Gwandu.

The statement read in part: “The attention of the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,

Abubakar Malami,SAN has been drawn to a false and fictitious report alleging that there was a secret memo emanating from the Office to the Presidency.

“General publics are hereby asked to disregard the media report as fabrications of anti-constitutional democratic stability in Nigeria.

“Malami remains a true democrat who believes in rules of law and tenets of democracy and constitutional order.

READ ALSO: Why Presidency May Elude South-East In 2023 – Northerners

“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is a constitutionally recognised one with its role and responsibilities embedded in the constitution.

“It is antithetical to common sense to think that the holder of such coveted Office as the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will stoop to what was printed by the media.

“The government does not operate in secrecy as it is not a clandestine operation. Hence, Malami discharges his constitutionally recognized mandates in compliance with principles of transparency, openness and accountability.”

A media organization had claimed having a leaked memo where Malami reportedly asked Buhari to suspend the 1999 Constitution and declare martial law on Nigeria

The media outfit quoted copiously part of the allegedly leaked memo where the AGF reportedly suggested to President Buhari to do away with the 1999 constitution and opt for martial law to govern the country.

The report indicated that “President Muhammadu Buhari is on the verge of declaring a state of emergency across Nigeria, according to a secret memo that has now come to light as well as confirmation from government sources familiar with the matter.”

“This is as the administration struggles to rid the country of insecurity as terrorism, banditry and rebellion from separatist groups threaten the nation’s stability.

“Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in the said memo requested the President to move with alacrity to suspend Nigerian’s ‘fundamental rights guaranteed under Chapter IV of the Constitution,'”said the exclusive published on Wednesday .

“The report noted that Malami, in the eight pages long-secret memo, dated May 4, 2021, counselled Mr Buhari, that insecurity across the country has reached a breaking point where a state of emergency declared by the President appears to be the only way to restore much-needed tranquillity, saying existing democratic techniques are no longer fit for purpose.

READ ALSO: UNILAG Sacks Two Lecturers Involved In BBC Sex-For-Admission Scandal

“The essence of declaration is to allow for suspension of constitutional and legal bureaucratic bottlenecks pertaining to matters of National Security with particular regard to fundamental rights guaranteed under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution and processes and procedures relating to procurements, among others,” the attorney-general reportedly said.

The minister further advised that the “instruments of emergency” be immediately issued and published in the federal gazette with leaders of both chambers of the National Assembly, Ahmed Lawan (Senate) and Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila (House) kept in the loop.

“To douse probable legal tension, it is important for the proclamation instrument of the statement of emergency to expressly provide for the suspension of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution and its attendant enforcement rules,” Mr Malami wrote.

“The suspension of rights pertaining to matters of national security will then give legal backing for the proclamation of the statement of emergency to be operational and effective without litigious or judicial distractions.”

The report further read: “In the early pages of the document, Mr Malami cited widespread acts of insecurity and blamed prominent separatist agitators like Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu for fueling the protracted crisis that has enveloped the country and aggravated the social and economic conditions of Nigerians.

“The memo was endorsed to the president by National Security Adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno and administration officials are divided on how to proceed with the advice.

“Clearly, different factions of our government have different positions on this alarming proposal,” a presidency official reportedly said.

“But everyone agrees that the AGF holds a powerful sway over the president and it would be a miracle if the Constitution is not suspended as he recommended.”

“Another official also within the presidency, who confirmed hearing about the memo but had not seen it before they were reached … said Mr Buhari might have little resistance considering the potency of Mr Malami’s argument.

“The president is just saying they should act in the best interest of the country,” the official said.

“Even as the president, he seemed to have given up on his own ability to get the AGF to back down.”

However, Malami urged the general public to disregard the media report as fabrications of anti-constitutional democratic stability in Nigeria.

 

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BREAKING: Abacha’s Ex-chief Of Staff Oladipo Diya Dies

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Diya

Retired Lt.General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the former Chief of Staff in General Sani Abacha’s military government, is dead.

His death was confirmed by Prince Oyesinmilola Diya. He said the former military administrator of Ogun State passed on to glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.

Born on the 3rd of April, 1944, Diya was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983.

Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He held other top military posts like GOC, 82 Division and finally the Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha

The statement read: “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband,Father, Grandfather,brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.

“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”

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Breaking: Appeal Court Retains Adeleke As Osun Governor

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BREAKING: Adeleke Freezes Osun Accounts , Reverses Appointments After Swearing In As Governor
Governor Adeleke

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated the tribunal judgement that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, on Friday held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgement of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola

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BREAKING: PDP Suspends Anyim, Fayose

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Anyim and Fayose

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; former president of the Senate, Pius Anyim; Prof Dennis Ityavyar and Aslam Aliyu were on Thursday suspended from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP made the suspension on Thursday after an extensive review of the affairs of the party, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

The PDP also referred the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time,” the statement added.

 

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