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Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha speaks with former Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong with other dignitaries at the memorial
By Raymond Gukas, Jos
At the weekend, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State was turned into a Mecca of a sort as it played host to Nigeria’s senior citizens from all walks of life.
The occasion was in honour of the President, Court of Appeal, the Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem who held a one year memorial service of her late son, Prince Paeke Shapnaan Dongban.
Plateau State in recent past have been in the news for bad reasons, as a result of the coordinated attacks particularly in Mangu LGA, with lost of precious lives and property as well as the local communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGAs that have defied all forms of workable solutions for peace in these receny years.
Ordinarily, the establishment of the headquarters of the Operation Safe Haven, (OPSH), a combined military formation that has been in the forefront to establish peace in the state in Mangu LGA by the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, should get the desired excitements, but the political gladiators, had their attention shifted to Shendam to honour the President of the all powerful court of appeal.
Also, it was observed that most political actors; both elected and appointed who appeared to have no business coming to Shendam, maynhave dome so to gain sympathy from the respeced jurist. However, on a second thought the visitors mission, point to the fact that the person of the President of the Court of Appeal holds a lot of water because even after swearing in, no tribunal, either presidential and governorship is yet to conclude it’s assignment.
Because of that, Virtually all those i attendance were in Shendam or Plateau hoping for recognition or “favours” in their various litigations to upturn or confirm the status quo.
No wonder, the gathering was one which brought together; politicians from all sides of the devide and because the venue for the memorial service remain singled, (St. Peter Clevers Catholic Church, Demshin),
they had no choice but interface with one another to make it look as if all was fine afterall .
With the way and manner of this convergence, one was quick to be reminded of the power justice Donbam welds as the president of the apex court, even as it would be recalled that the national polity was hit by a torrent of accusations and counter accusations, when a former Nigerian senator, Adamu Bulkachuwa, was on the box to explained his outburst which was later linked to his wife’s office as the then president of the same appeal court.
While speaking at the valedictory session of the 9th Senate on 10 June, Mr Bulkachuwa had boasted of his influence on his wife’s office where her “freedom and independence” was ostensibly put aside while she served as president of the appellate court to maybe favour some unfavourable decisions.
Part which he was said aid his colleagues in the Senate to obtain favour from his wife, who was superintending over the Court of Appeal that served as the final arbiter on political matters.
With that fresh on nigerians’ memory, the hand of the clock suggest the convergence of the visitors; was indeed, to seek favour using the memorial servive as an avenue.
The roll call which was not limited to this list also had in attendance, judicial colleagues who came to share in her grief being a senior member in the judiciary.
So far, governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, (Benue) Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) Seyi Makinde (Oyo) as well as the deputy governor of the neighbouring Nasarawa, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe.
Leading the pack of former Governors was Simon Lalong, immediate past governor, Plateau State, Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi state, Abubakar Badaru, Jigawa, Ben Ayade, Cross Rivers, Nyesom Wike, Rivers states.
Also, Plateau APC Gubernatorial candidate Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda was not left out, including Senator and former governor of the state, Jonah Jang, the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, former FCT Minister, Senator Jeremiah Useni.
As for justice Donbam, the President of the court of appeal, it was a period of so er reflections as she remembered a loved one. That the political and other sheds of Nigerians came around to share in her emotional state was indeed, a welcome development. However, only time can tell if their presence would have any impact on the petitions for or against at the tribunal.
