Wednesday 19 July 2017

FRA Williams Got a Lagos Judge Sacked: Shouldn't Doyen?



PDP:
First, l congratulate you on the recent judgment of the apex court sacking Ali Modu Sheriff. Only your lead counsel has a reputation; corrupts Judges corrupts lawyers, gives  corrupt lawyers money to litigate worthless corrupt lawsuits would bring some lawyers together and co-ordinate attacks against his colleagues. One of my cousins Mogbeyi Sagay SAN was killed in very suspicious circumstances during a court fight with Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN whom Mogbeyi professionally humiliated. Mogbeyi was  Olorogun Great Ogboru’s  lawyer over the Delta State governorship tussle.

The good news is the CJN has zero reputation for corruption CJN is a man of impeccable integrity which is why efforts to stop him failed. I do not believe corrupt as Olanipekun is perceived he bribed SC panel.  Chief FRA Williams SAN of blessed memory   did not have a reputation for bribing judges or anyone. Infact FRA caused a Judge to be sacked on grounds of corrupt practices and the sacked Judge ended up in Rickey Tarfa’s office, a consultant. Not surprising Chief Olanipekun is one of those helping Rickey Tarfa on EFCC charges of corruption and bribing judges.

Now recall that some PDP stalwarts had brought Modu Sheriff to lead your party in the mistaken belief that he meant well until he monstrosity of the last 14 months was stopped by the court under the able leadership of Justice Onnoghen the Chief Justice of Nigeria, very remarkable man. His Lordship also stopped the official harassment of women in courts when you announce your name  some Judges would ask and insist in telling them whether you are “Miss” or “Mrs” professional silliness. What has matrimony got to do with professional competences of learned ladies particularly in a society where infractions on matrimonial vows has become the norm. In civilized jurisdictions no Judge compels it of female lawyers cos it amounts to sexual harassment. They allow the female lawyers professional discretion of prefix Miss, Ms, Mrs, Esq or Dr or Chief and what have you or you don’t apply any prefix at all. Just your name Carol Ajie (Lawyers being independent practitioners).

The Honourable Justice Onnoghen said women Lawyers who are asked that should ignore the question and announce your name and  please proceed. You want to ask what if the Judge is infuriated about not answering his question and begins contempt of court proceedings. Simple Answer: The Judge will be removed from the Bench.

With respect to PDP’s decision to punish Ali Modu Sheriff – I think Sheriff has been punished by the Supreme Court’s decision he was unseated. That  should be enough. You know APC had the opportunity to be a great party free of corruption but they made a mistake by being vindictive - deodorizing its regime’s corruption and bribery thrived. 

But for some constitutional and human rights  lawyers, PDP and opposition may have been dead and buried by now. Those lawyers fought for our country’s democracy to thrive at great costs and risks to our lives and limbs; legacies worth bequeathing towards building a great nation.
Unlike Chiefs collecting professional fees from APC and PDP regimes sometimes arguing opposite views simultaneously, plus not paying over any fees to those poor male lawyers in S’South who brought him some  legal work assisted the court process, attended courts with him during the APC vs- PDP Governorship tussle in some  States.
Respectfully submitted,

Carol Ajie Esq.
LL.B(Hons) Benin; B.L(Lagos); MCIArb(UK); LL.M Georgetown, Washington DC
Fellow, Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa (LAWA) 2010
Vital Voices Lead Fellow 2013
IBA Human Rights Working Group Africa Regional Officer 2014-2016
UN Women Global Champion for Change 2016-2017

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