Hembafan

[Adéolú Oyěbọ̀dé @adeoluoyebode]

So I eventually took my Chairman to court. This is not to embarrass him, but to remind him that Democracy lives in the questions we’re bold enough to ask.

It is not news that some weeks ago, the newly refurbished gate of the Ikere Local Government Secretariat was unveiled with fanfare. It was shiny, bold, and freshly painted, it was like a showpiece for what the audience could call the Chairman’s performance. I have said before that performance is relative. So I am not very bothered about that. But then came the whispers. From the market stalls to WhatsApp chats, people started saying: “That gate cost between fifteen and thirty five million naira.” Nobody could say for sure, but tongues kept wagging.

I am not one to chase rumours. I don’t believe in pulling down leaders with speculation. And I’m not interested in street gossip or party fights. So instead of shouting, I picked up my pen, or rather, my lawyer’s pen. I wrote the Chairman, officially, to ask: “How much did the gate really cost? Where is the contract? The budget? The audit report?” I made my request under the Ekiti State Freedom of Information Law (2011). This was a law that was passed by our government and party, which gives every citizen, including me, the right to know how public funds are used.

But he didn’t respond. No explanation. No documents. Nothing. Just silence. And in that moment, I was reminded that governance is not a favour, it is a duty. And asking for transparency isn’t rebellion, as some would assume or have been whispering within the government corridor, it’s a responsibility of all and the progressives, if we are one.

So I took it a step further. I headed to court.

Yes, I sued him. I have challenged my party man, my party leader in the LG, and my Chairman. Not because I hate him. Not because we disagree politically. But because I believe that politics is not governance. We can share party platforms, work together to ensure our government returns/remains in Power, and still demand accountability when public trust is on the line. Loyalty to party should never override loyalty to the people, and to my conscience.

And let me be clear: this is not about the Governor. Some have pinned my audacity, to fighting the Governor, for reasons best known to them. In fact, one thing many of us will agree on is that Mr. Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), does not touch a kobo from the Local Government allocations in Ekiti State. He has maintained a principled stance of non-interference. The LG Chairmen have stated this times without number. The Deputy Governor also confirmed same at every LG projects commissioned. So if funds are mismanaged or transparency is ignored at the local level, we must hold the Chairmen accountable, not pass the blame up.

In the Ekiti State High Court, where I have sought to seek My Lady's help, I asked for just four things:

1. That the court declares my right to access the financial records of Ikere LG vis-a-vis the audit, the approved budget, and the account showing how much came in from Abuja.

2. That the court confirms the Chairman has no power to withhold this information.

3. That he be ordered to release the documents, and

4. Pay the cost of this legal action.

For me, it’s not just about a gate. It’s about a culture that must be reviewed, because if care is not taken, we will degenerate further when the Local Government becomes 100% autonomous with funds paid directly to them. As a matter of fact, abuse would be imminent. At the moment, we are battling with a culture where local governments spend without explaining, build without accounting, and govern without listening.

This must end!

[Hembafan @sure_laa]

The courage to live! Fearlessly! Beautifully! Fully! 🙏🏾🩵🩷❤️

[super starrrah ⭐️ @rahhsznn]

it’s so crazy that i’m even typing this on here but my friend james is missing. we haven’t heard from him in the past couple days and it’s very worrying, pls rt. let’s find him please

[Hembafan @sure_laa]

@Hube95 That was my confusion. Did she have a ticket or did she not have a ticket? This is not even a case of a need for an apology. It’s likely a breach of contract with need for compensation. Apology is only an icing on the cake of compensation.

[O'Neill Institute @oneillinstitute]

Interested in pursuing #GlobalHealth law? Georgetown Law’s health law academic programs, run in conjunction with the O’Neill Institute, train lawyers to apply their specialized legal skills to improve health around the world.

https://t.co/UgxJ5C2r6R via @YouTube

[TEMPLARS @templars_law]

TEMPLARS Senior Associate and Head of our Abuja Office, Inna Ali, has been appointed Head of the External Relations Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Women's Forum (NBAWF).

Read more: https://t.co/XAUv9VrS7r

[Allan Maleche @MalecheAllan]

"It was truly an honor to co-chair the @UNAIDS HIV & Human Rights Reference grp with Ezster Kismodi. 🙏🏿for the support of all the members & the dedicated @UNAIDS & @UNDP team. Wishing the incoming chairs all the best as we continue to promote #humanrights in the🌎#HIV response.

[Efemena / Olumide @Efemenaa_]

The Nigerian Very Young Arbitration Practitioners (VYAP) is lining up its launch event later this month.

The event will hold on Wednesday, 31 May 2023 in Lagos, Nigeria.

If you’re interested, register here: https://t.co/O5KRGR4NcI.

If not, please RT for wider reach.

[Hembafan @sure_laa]

Always a star and by God’s grace, always will be!!! 💫💫💫

[Hilda.(O).A. @Hilsneurone]

My Friend!!!!!
SJD!!!!
@Bethar_I ❤️❤️❤️🎊🎊🎊

[Secretary Antony Blinken @SecBlinken]

We have imposed visa restrictions on specific individuals who undermined the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 elections. We remain committed to supporting Nigerian aspirations to strengthen democracy and rule of law.

[Hilda.(O).A. @Hilsneurone]

Today, my friend is officially getting bestowed with the SJD title! (equivalent of a PHD. in Law)
And I am so proud 🥺

From foundation class in 2010
To law school
To Masters
and now, SJD🚀🚀🚀
So happy
Well done, B!
We're grateful to God for your life!❤️

[ILA NIGERIA @Nigeria_ILA]

Today at the 9th Forum of AUCIL, @dsolawuyi of @Nigeria_ILA will give the keynote opening address while Dr @AbeOyeniyi , Chair on Biz & Human @Nigeria_ILA will speak to the topic ; "Business, Human Rights & the UN Guiding Principles: The search for Good fit Approach in Africa".

[Hembafan @sure_laa]

Vaatia College Makurdi ♥️

[TEMPLARS @templars_law]

Our open-day initiative for aspiring lawyers is designed to educate and inspire the next generation of legal professionals. Experience TEMPLARS’ culture and work ethic.
Applications close on Friday, May 5th.
Click the link to apply: https://t.co/F7clG1NL7u

[Hembafan @sure_laa]

The rains will be here soon. Please what’s the advice of the relevant authorities? Is there likely to be flooding? Has there been information on people needing to relocate?

[Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi, Ph.D @olumuyiwaayo]

Joseph is an exceptional individual and a talented scholar whom we supported earlier this year by paying for his Nigerian passport. I kindly request your support in helping him achieve his dream of attending graduate school. Any contribution, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated.

God bless!

[Project Topic for NG Law Students @ProjectTopicNG]

Competition and consumer protection is quite an interesting area. If you have interest in the field, watch this video with the complete video on YouTube and see if any research question(s) jump at you. #ProjectTopic

[Project Topic for NG Law Students @ProjectTopicNG]

Another internship opportunity! Apply! Apply! Apply!
During your internship, you will be exposed to live legal questions which could turn into your research question.

[Hembafan @sure_laa]

@Bethar_I 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾♥️♥️♥️♥️

[Hembafan @sure_laa]

@Hilsneurone Love your look 😍😍😍