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Constitutional Lawyer Ben Nwabueze Dies At 92

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Abuja, NIGERIA – Nigerian popular constitutional lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze, is reportedly dead, at 92. According to reports, a family source as reporting that Prof. Nwabueze died on Sunday, October 29, 2023, in his home in Atani, Anambra State.

Nwabueze, a one-time Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was born in 1931.

Professor Ben Nwabueze or Professor of Professors as he’s fondly called by his numerous admirers is Nigeria’s first academic Senior Advocate of Nigeria. A Teacher, Administrator, Businessman and former Minister of Education and Youth Development, Professor Ben Nwabueze was born on December 22nd, 1932 in Atani, Ogbaru Local government Area of Anambra State.

His academic pursuit started at the CMS Central School Atani, from 1938 – 1945; C.M.S Central School, Onitsha (formerly, African College), 1947 – 1950. He later went to London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London, 1956 – 1961 and School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, 1961 – 1962. From 1962 – 1965, he was Senior Lecturer at Holborn College of Law, London, and Senior Lecturer, University of Nigeria Nsukka, between 1967 – 1970. In 1971, he was Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Zambia and Director, Law practice Institute, Zambia, 1973 – 1975.

Although, well supported by both father and uncle initially, the greater part of his Academic pursuits abroad were made possible by scholarship awarded to him for his academic excellence.

Prof. Nwabueze earned his Doctor of Laws (LL.D) at the University of London in 1978, based on his three outstanding books – Constitutionalism, Presidentialism, and Judicialism, thus entering the record books as the second (since the death of Dr. T.O. Elias), the only Nigerian and African holder of a higher doctorate degree in Law by published works.

He is also the first academic lawyer to be made a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1978 strictly on the basis of his published works.

A seasoned Academician, he was member of Senate of the Universities of Lagos, Dar-es-salaam, Nairobi, Haile Selassie in Ethiopia, Lesotho, Botswana and Swaziland between 1971 – 1978.

He was appointed the University Assessor for Academic Appointments, Universities of Ghana, Lagos, Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and Jos between 1978 – 1979.

A firm believer in publishing, Prof. Ben Nwabueze is the proud author of over thirty books and treatises with an average extent of 400 pages. They include; The Machinery of Justice in Nigeria; Constitutional Law of the Nigerian Republic; Nigerian Land Law and Constitutionalism in the Emergent States. Others are Presidentialism in Commonwealth Africa, Judicialism in Commonwealth Africa; The Presidential Constitution of Nigeria; A Constitutional History of Nigeria; Federalism in Nigeria under the Presidential Constitution; and Nigeria’s Second Experiment in constitutional Democracy in Africa in Five Volumes.

He has written over 200 articles in academic journals and more than 100 keynotes at local and international Conferences.

He is a household name in the Legal Profession and hardly, any other author is as frequently quoted in court judgements as Ben Nwabueze. Although, well known for his teaching, research and writing; Nwabueze continued to participate in University administration.

This erudite Professor was appointed to Professorial Chairs in the following Universities; Zambia, 1970 – 75; Ahmadu Bello university, Zaria, 1974; University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1975 – 76; Anambra State University of Technology; Nnamdi Azikiwe university, Awka 1989 – 1983 (visiting)

Prof. Ben Nwabueze is also a strong advocate for the Igbo cause. He, alongside other prominent Igbo sons like Akanu Ibiam, M.I. Okpara, K.O. Mbadiwe, Chief Ugochukwu, P.N. Okigbo and Udoji, co-founded Ohaneze Ndigbo in 1976. He served as Secretary – General, between 1978 to 2004, in which capacity he transformed the body into a formidable, highly regarded non-partisan Pan Igbo pressure group.

The recipient of several Chieftaincy titles, and The Nigerian Order of Merit (NNOM).

Prof. Ben Nwabueze is truly an academic giant in every sense of the term. Probably, more than any other Nigerian has, through his numerous books and articles contributed towards the application of constitutional law and the broader process of governance in Nigeria.

Indeed, the Nigerian Constitutional Evolution and the evolution of the entire legal system of Nigeria would not be complete without the invaluable contribution.

Time Africa

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Commission of inquiry to hold inaugural sitting Monday

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

 

The judicial commission of inquiry on public properties and assets established by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State to probe the previous administration led by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has scheduled its inaugural session for Monday, 29th April 2024.

The commission’s secretary, Salisu Mustapha, said this in a letter addressed to the Director General Media and Publicity on Saturday.

Mustapha specified that the session will take place at High Court No. 3 within the Audu Bako Secretariat on Monday 29th April, 2024 by 10.am prompt.

Earlier this month, Governor Yusuf inaugurated two judicial commissions of inquiry (JCI) to investigate instances of misappropriation of public properties and assets, political violence, and missing persons between 2015 and 2023.

During the inauguration of the JCI members, Governor Yusuf pledged to hold accountable anyone found culpable, emphasizing his commitment to uncovering and prosecuting those responsible for political violence in the state before and during previous elections.

The governor urged the Commission to thoroughly investigate cases of misappropriated public properties and assets during the tenure of immediate past administration.

He instructed the commission members to uphold their integrity, remain true to their oath, and serve the people of Kano State by ensuring justice is served. Governor Yusuf clarified that the initiative was not politically motivated or directed at any individual but rather a response to the mandate of the people of Kano State.

You may recall that Justices of the State High Courts, Farouq Lawan Adamu and Zuwaira Yusuf a long with other eminent personalities were selected and appointed as chairmen and members of the two commissions of inquiry respectively.

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Almajiri Returns Lost Phones Worth Over 2.5 Million Naira

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Haruna Adamu left who found the phones ,right Ibrahim Muhammad Abdullahi the owner

Haruna Adamu, a 37-year-old resident of Kano who recites Quran at Tsangayar Malam Sani, has returned lost phones worth over 2.5 million Naira at Masjidurrahma Mosque in Kano.

The owner of the phones, Ibrahim Muhammad Abu Abdallah, recounted that after prayers, the Muazzin usually cautioned people to take care of their pockets. However, upon checking his pockets after prayers, Abdallah realized his two phones, worth over 2.5 million Naira, were missing. He recalled having visited the mosque’s toilet during that time.

The two phones, both with two terabytes of storage, were essential for Abdallah’s work, and he expressed immense gratitude upon their recovery through Haruna Adamu after forgetting them inside the toilet . He acknowledged that losing the phones could have resulted in a loss of over 20 million Naira due to the valuable data they contained.

The mosque later announced the discovery of the phones, which were found by another worshipperi inside the toilets Mosque , Haruna Adamu , a 37-year-old resident of Tarauni located close to the Mosque. Adamu, who is staying at Tsangayar Malam Sani for Quranic memorization and recitation, returned the phones promptly.

Masjidurrahma is a multi-million Naira Mosque situated along Maiduguri Road,Kano built by renowned businessman AY Maikifi and recently commissioned by Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Saad Abubakar.

The Agony Of The Almajiri System In Northern Nigeria

In appreciation, Abdallah later gifted 100 thousand Naira to Haruna Adamu for his honesty. Adamu resides at Tsangayar Malam Sani, where he recites and memorizes the entire Quran in Tarauni local government area.

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Ace Nigerian Journalist and Parliamentarian Dies at 86, Governor Yusuf Offers Condolences

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Late Sidi Ali

 

The First Republic politician and Second Republic parliamentarian reportedly died in Kano on Thursday evening at 86.

Late Sidi Ali was a prolific writer with National dailies and was one of the Nigerian journalist who covered the civil war.

In his later life, he was a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a member of the party’s Elders Committee in Kano State.

The elder statesman spent years serving the Nigerian International Press Centre, Ministry of Information and National Broadcasting Commission, among other critical institutions.

Born in Kano but raised in Ghana, Ali’s wide travels reportedly influenced his love for journalism and communication.

 

In his 2018 birthday message, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari noted that Ali spent most of his life serving the country as a Public Affairs Officer, “most remarkably for ensuring accurate and balanced information on government activities during and after the Civil War.

 

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has condoled with the families of late Sidi Ali who died Thursday evening at the age of 86.

In a statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf described late Sidi Ali as a trusted Public Affairs Officer who worked hard to ensure the flow of true stories during the Civil war.

The Governor also noted the positive contributions of the deceased as a Senator in the Second Republic in shaping the Senate and the overall development of democracy in the country.

On behalf of the Government and people of Kano State, Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir extend condolences to his families, prayed for the repose of his soul, Aljannah be his final resting place, the courage and the fortitude to bear the loss.

 

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