He said it is wrong for anyone to usurp the power of the court when a matter is before it.

According to his lawyer, Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), he said “It is unfortunate that this is coming from a minister”

But the police yesterday dismissed Ribadu’s comment as sheer balderdash. challenging him to come to court and prove his case.

It said that it was battle ready for Ribadu.

The Police legal team is led by a member of the inner bar and one time Chairman of the Ikeja Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Milton Ohwovoridle (SAN)

The decision of the police to hire a long list of lawyers was perhaps galvanised by reports that over70 lawyers had indicated interest to defend Ribadu in court pro bono.

According to the police, Ribadu deserved the dismissal.

In its Counter Affidavit filed before the court, Police claimed that he frittered away the opportunity to be heard when he deliberately refused to appear before its disciplinary committee and that his action is a gross abuse of the court processes, incompetent and is liable to be dismissed by the court.

The A-GF in a counter affidavit deposed to by Simon Egede also said the plaintiff was given ample opportunity to be heard but instead “chose the path of blackmail, insubordination and court actions contrary to police regulations and discipline.”

He also explained that Ribadu was not a victim of any power play because he was demoted along with about 140 other police officers who had been irregularly promoted and were reverted to their lawful ranks by the police service commission.

NPF had issued Ribadu a query dated November 21, 2008 on grounds of improper dressing, discreditable conduct, conduct prejudicial to discipline and serious acts of misconduct.

Ribadu was asked to explain in writing which he did.

As a follow up, the IGP set up a disciplinary committee to investigate the allegations. According to police, the former EFCC boss turned down the request of the committee to appear before it twice.

Ribadu believed the IGP and the disciplinary committee set up by him were not the appropriate authorities to exercise disciplinary powers against him.

Dissatisfied with decision of the committee and the approval of the Police Service Commission (PSC), he filed a suit challenging his dismissal.

Ribadu is presently before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja challenging his dismissal.

He came by a way of originating summons on the account that the subject-matter of the case is not contentious and purely a statutory matter.

In the originating summons dated January 7 filed by his counsel Oyetibo and Charles Musa Esq, Ribadu wants the court to declare his dismissal as unconstitutional, null and void.

Defendants in the suit are the Police Service Commission (PSC), the Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN).

Ribdau stated that his dismissal on the basis of the allegations contained in the Police Service Commission’s letter dated 22nd December, 2008 was an infringement on his right to fair hearing and natural justice.

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in its reaction expressed confidence that any possible return of the former Vice-President would not adversely affect the opposition in the country.
Similarly, former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chris Ngige said though he has spoken with Atiku, the Action Congress Presidential candidate in the 2007 elections, he said they (AC members) are unshaken.

He said, “for us in AC, there is no signal at all. The visit by our flagbearer is a courtesy visit and as far as we are concerned, a courtesy visit is a personal visit.

He (Atiku) has a right to visit anybody he wants to visit. He’s at liberty to visit anybody he wants and he’s also at liberty to have any private discussion he wants. We as AC members are not ruffled at all by the visit.”

The former governor, however, maintained that “we all know that nothing good will come out from Obasanjo. We’re unruffled and unimpressed. Atiku remains a committed AC man because I have since discussed with him after the meeting. There should be no cause for alarm for all AC members.”

However, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, said the development is a non-issue, adding that visit has no impact on the relationship between the People’s Democratic Party and the Action Congress, adding that it was “a visit from a friend to a friend”.

Also commenting on the development, former governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba said “I know nothing about it and nobody has told me anything up till this moment I’m speaking with you. I heard it in the news and read it in the papers. But pictures are not lying.”

In the same vein, gubernatorial candidate of the AC in Ekiti State, Mr. Kayode Fayemi said,“I am sure you read Alhaji Lai Mohammed. He is the spokesperson of AC. His view is my view. I am sure the former Vice-President will brief the party on it.”

Contacted, former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu said he is in the US for Obama’s inauguration. He said he read it on the internet and will speak on his return.

Also asked to comment on the development, former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George said “no comment.”

We’re not moved — CNPP

The CNPP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechuku, after an emergency meeting called in Abuja said: “CNPP after the emergency meeting wishes to state as follows: that Alhaji Abubakar Atiku has the inalienable right to defect to the PDP if he so desires.

“Secondly, whereas we acknowledge the legal battles Alhaji Atiku waged to deepen our democracy; however we note that it was an offshoot of personal survival and reaction to Chief Obasanjo who instead of handing over to him, wanted 3rd Term.

“Therefore his movement to the PDP has little or no impact, but will rather facilitate the formation of granite coalition by the opposition which is in progress.

“Thirdly, that we should not forget in a hurry that Alhaji Atiku in league with Chief Obasanjo used their offices, soon after assumption of office in 1999, to sow the ignoble seed of one party state that demolished the internal democracy in PDP, ANPP, AD, APGA etc and indeed makes mockery of our democracy.

“We cannot forget how both denied late Chief S.B.Awoniyi the level playing field to lead the PDP, thus imposing Chief B Gemade as chairman of PDP and how they manipulated chairmen of other political parties.

“Fourthly, we recall how both Alhaji Atiku and Chief Obasanjo eroded the doctrine of separation of powers by manipulating the legislature, hence enthroning the rubber stamp culture and lack of checks and balances that bedevil our political landscape at all levels today.

“Consequently, we wish to submit that Nigerian democracy will only prosper when birds of same feathers flock together,” the CNPP declared.

We’re not ruffled — Ngige

“For us in AC, there is signal at all. The reason our flagbearer said it is a courtesy visit and as far as we are concerned, a courtesy visit is a personal visit. He (Atiku) has a right to visit anybody he wants to visit. He’s at liberty to visit anybody he wants and he’s also at liberty to have any private discussion he wants. We as AC members are not ruffled at all by the visit.”

It’s a meeting of two adults — Lai Mohammed

“As far as we’re concerned in our party, it’s a meeting of two adults and two former colleagues. Both of them have told us that it has nothing to do towards 2011. Obasanjo has said that Atiku is not his political associate because he’s still in AC and we tend to assume to agree that he’s still in AC. Whatever they went to discuss, has no bearing at all on whether he’s going to move to PDP or not. When we get to that bridge, we will know how to cross it.”

He may have good reasons — Chief Tom Ikimi

“We were together at Chief Bisi Akande’s 70th birthday. Atiku never hinted and if he did, I’m in a position to know. He must have good reasons for doing so. When he comes to the party, he will explain the circumstances behind the meeting.”

It’s commendable — Senator Zwingina

“Well, the first thing you should know is that in politics, there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies, only permanent interest.

Secondly, the political culture of Nigeria can develop and progress if we learn to tolerate each other and know that differences exists among all groups and individuals, but fight differences should not be allowed to lead to bitterness and no difference should prevent us from talking to each other.

So, I commend the reconciliation between former Vice-president Abubakar Atiku and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and I believe all other political leaders should emulate them.”

AC can’t be party to it — Dele Ajomale

“It’s difficult to say what happened between both of them but we have not been briefed by anyone in the party. As I speak with you, even the AC at the national level does not know about it. Atiku, a week ago at Chief Bisi Akande’s 70th birthday expressly stated that he remains in the AC and that he will still be with them.

Their meeting may not be political, remember Obasanjo was his former boss. An explanation on the visit will be given and we’ll give him the opportunity to come and brief the party accordingly. The AC cannot be a party to this kind of a meeting.”

It’s a welcome devt — Sir Tunde Olowu

“It is a meeting for development. Whatever happens between them, both were President and Vice President respectively for a period in this country. There is no permanent enemies, they may have differences.”

Ezuiche Ubani, Reps member

“That is how politics should be. It shouldn’t be a thing of do-or-die.

“If the man had gone to see his former boss to say, ‘yes, we had our disagreement. But now we can carry on with our lives’, I don’t see anything wrong with that. Politics is not war by another means. But some of us take it as that.

Some people think that if you are in a political disagreement with someone, then you are at war with him; You must wreck his business; You must destroy his family. I disagree with that. They have used this to supplant the culture of debate. So his visit to his former boss is good.”

Ms Binta Masi Garba, Reps member

“The Atiku and Obasanjo reconciliation is a good omen. It is an action in the right dimension. It’s like two strong Nigerians; the former first man and the second man had some political differences but later thought that they had to drop or sheathe their swords to embrace peace once and for all.

“Nigerians are supposed to be looking up to them as role models and most of what had happened was based on their political differences. We are happy that they have decided to come together for the good of the country” she said.

According to a statement by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, NAFDAC has been notified and is conducting an investigation with a view to clarifying the situation further.

To prevent any casualty, Idris implored members of the public to avoid the use of any brand of paracetamol syrup pending the outcome of the NAFDAC investigation. He also advised all health institutions, public and private, to be on the alert and increase their vigilance on cases of children brought to their hospitals with signs of kidney failure.

The commissioner also urged members of the public to similarly report any case of such to the Lagos State Ministry of Health or the nearest health facility.

The state government had, on Monday, raised an alarm on the existence of the fake brand of paracetamol syrup with strong warning to avoid using the syrup.

When Vanguard contacted the the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the State Ministry of Health, Mr. Jide Lawal, on the development, he declined to give the name of the brand of paracetamol saying full investigation is ongoing.

“As soon as we conclude investigation on it, full details shall be made known to the public.” Lawal said.
Late last year, scores of children nationwide died after using a teething syrup, “My Pikin.”

In a related development, the state government has impounded over 20,000 cans of a fake tomato puree, “Tasty Tom” being mass-produced in Ipaja-Ayobo in old Alimosho Local Government Area of the state.

President Yar’Adua who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Hajia Aishatu Dukku Jubril said “it is however disheartening to note that the premier university is not ranked among the first 20 universities in Africa and there is no doubt that a lot still needs to be done in this regard.”

Although it is still the best in Nigeria based on the recent ranking carried out by the National Universities Commission, it is better for it to “shake off the toga of local champion and put on the garb of continental or better still global champion. This demands hard work, determination and discipline”.

To reach an enviable height among other highly rated universities in the world, he advised that “universities should be more proactive by, for example, offering consultancy services to government and the private sector without compromising their core functions of teaching and research. As a matter of fact, such activities will invariably make lecturers better teachers as they see the application of their theoretical constructs”.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Olufemi Bamiro noted that as the university prepared to become a postgraduate institution, there is need to improve on the library facilities.

According to him, there should be massive acquisition of new books to complement existing collections, expansion of sitting space in the postgraduate sections of the library from 240 to 400 so as to accommodate post graduate students and subscription to current journals in all programmes of the university. The journal holding of the library now stands at over 1,500 titles”.

He hinted that with the reality that the government alone could not fund quality higher education, the institution had used its own initiative to explore other sources of funding which included the University of Ibadan Endowment Fund .

The institution, he noted, could now boast of an investment worth over N1.5billion.
The Chancellor of the University, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero decried the alarming rate at which undergraduates across the country engage in cultism, examination malpractices, armed robbery, and gross indiscipline.

The matching order issued the senior police officers, Vanguard gathered, was prompted by what the IG regarded as embarrassing manner of dressing by policemen deployed in the court premises where the judgment was delivered, and those within Benin metropolis who were seen tying red bandana on their heads while some wore T-shirts and others in torn or worn out jeans rather than their Police uniform.
Sources told Vanguard that “the shabby dressing of the policemen further infuriated the IG when telecast of the events beamed to the whole world showed officers of the Nigerian Police dressed as if they were militants, brandishing assault rifles and causing some kind of apprehension for well-meaning Nigerians who had come to Benin to witness the landmark judgment of Oshiomhole’s victory.”

Consequently, it was gathered that the IG has sent a final warning to Commissioners of Police in all the states of the federation to stop officers of the police from dressing like touts or trouble makers, adding that the case of Edo State should serve as a message that he was out to stop the act.

“Police uniforms are meant to be worn by policemen, not for safe-keeping. By dressing shabbily on the road and portraying such wayward appearances is giving the police a rag-tag expression which does not augur well for a crime fighting force,” an officer said.

About a week ago, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge ‘D’ Department, DIG Haruna Yusuf, arrested four policemen dressed in T-shirts, jeans and brandishing weapons on the road because they did not look like policemen, but touts.

Earlier that day, reports had reached the Force Headquarters that some suspected armed robbers were on the road operating and robbing passengers. The fear, it was later gathered, emanated from the suspicious dressing of policemen around the FCT. This prompted the DIG to arrest the policemen along the Kubwa Road, Abuja.

Gunmen kill 3 policemen

Meanwhile, three policemen were gunned down in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by unknown gunmen who opened fire on a police patrol van at a checkpoint along Kaduna Street overhead bridge, D Line area at about 10.45 p.m, Sunday.

Vanguard gathered that the other policemen responded to the shooting and killed one of the gunmen while the others fled. Consequently, the police and the Joint Task Force command have placed all locations in the area on “maximum alert.”

Police Public Relations Officer, Rita Inoma-Abey, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who confirmed the killings said: “No arrest has been made and the motive for the shooting of the policemen has not been determined.” Also, she said it has not been established whether the men were militants, cultists or simply hoodlums.

“Yes, three of our men, policemen, where killed in the shooting. But one of them was equally killed in the ensuing shoot-out. The killed officers were on routine patrol around D Line, along Kaduna Street.

“We have commenced investigations and we shall definitely get those who carried out this heinous and unprovoked attack. We have not been able to establish who these people were, whether militants or not,” she said.

Equally, the JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said the command had dispatched its team to the scene for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.

It was learnt that the intensive JTF and police patrol of Port Harcourt and environs has caused the militants to flee the city only to occasionally infiltrate from the creeks under the cover of darkness to wreck havoc.

Police raid Leadership Newspaper

Meanwhile, men of the Nigeria Police, yesterday, forced their way into the corporate headquarters of Leadership newspapers in Abuja and made away with some computers. During the raid, senior editors of the paper were harassed by the policemen before taking away the editor of the paper, Mr Abdulrasaq Bello Bakindo, and the weekend editor, Mr Lara Olugbemi.

The two editors were, however, released at about 7 p.m. yesterday but were ordered to report at the station today.

The International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos has condemned the invasion. In a statement yesterday the IPC said: “This development is coming in the wake of the continued detention and interrogation of four of the newspapers’ editors by the State Security Service, over a story it published in a recent Saturday edition about an alleged deterioration of the health of the President.”

According to the statement, “IPC strongly condemns the sustained clampdown on the newspaper despite the fact that President Yar’Adua has publicly indicated that he would be seeking legal redress over the story, which he considered untrue and defamatory.

Indeed, apart from the law courts, there are other appropriate regulatory bodies like the Nigeria Press Council (NPC) to which a matter like this could be referred.

“IPC demands the unconditional lifting of the siege on the newspaper starting with the immediate release of the detained editors and the return of all seized equipment.”