By Isreal Joel
Executive Chairman of Langtang North Local government of Plateau state Barrister Zulfa Bitrus Rimven on Wednesday described the judgement obtained by the Immediate past Chairman of the Council Ubandoma Laven as a miscarriage of justice, insisting that he remains the authentic chairman of the council.
It could be recalled that the immediate past Chairman of the council Laven and his Party the Peoples Democratic party had earlier taken a swipe at Governor Simon Lalong for what they said was his penchant for encouraging the breakdown of law and order, adding that the governor should be held responsible in the event that violent erupts in Langtang North Local Government Area of the state.
State Chairman of the party, Chris Hassan, spoke on the heels of the sealing of the council’s secretariat in Langtang by security agents despite the court ruling that the council’s Chairman, Joshua Ubandoma remains in office until his tenure elapses next year.
Reacting to the allegations Zulfa who addressed newsmen in Jos said that the press conference by Laven is littered with false accusations, half-truths, and unfounded allegations leveled against his humble self and the Government of the day.
“I am the Chairman of our council and even the Ex-Chairman Laven knows that I followed the process, an election was conducted In my council in which I won a landslide, I was issued a certificate by the electoral empire saddled with the responsibility that’s the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC ) and was sworn in by the Executive arm.
Zulfa added that One can quickly pardon him for his comments on some of the legal issues involved in the judgment he obtained as he is not a lawyer. Consequently, it will be an extension of common sense too far to expect him to understand the concept of legal proceedings and procedure.
In his words Zulfa added that “As a Lawyer that I am, I will not be discharging my duty of enlightening the public on legal issues if I allow the Babylonian confusion released by Ubandoma Joshua Laven in his press conference to fester. It is for this reason and many more that I must respond to the press conference to clarify the issues involved.
First, I must state in unambiguous terms that neither myself nor Langtang North Local Government Area is a party to the suit and the judgment obtained by Ubandoma.
“I am very much aware that Ubandoma does not know, but I will take the pain to explain to him in a language he can understand that judgments cannot be executed against non – parties.
He said that “The Law in this regard has not changed, that judgments cannot be enforced against persons who are not parties to the suit. ” Had Ubandoma wanted to execute his judgment against me or Langtang North Local Government Area, he would have sued me and Langtang North Local Government Area as parties to his suit. But, he didn’t. To my mind, this is an elementary principle of common sense that needs no interpretation by any Lawyer.
The Council boss further added that the judgment obtained by Ubandoma has already been appealed against and the Notice and Grounds of Appeal adequately served on Ubandoma.
“It is not a Motion on Notice alone that has been served on him as he alleges. Well, I don’t expect him to understand the nature and nomenclature of the documents served on him, after all, he is not a Lawyer. These issues and the documents in this regard are public records that any member of the public can apply to have them. It is not something happening in the dark.
Zulfa further added that “upon obtaining a judgment from the Court, it is not for the party who has obtained judgment to enforce same (as did Ubandoma), it is for the Court Sheriffs, in the company of Law Enforcement Agents to enforce same against persons who are party to the said judgment.
“The resort to self – help by Ubandoma and his supporters by destroying part of the main gate leading to Langtang North Local Government Area is an act of criminality; and if Ubandoma is being prosecuted for it, then he should deal with it. In law, the maxim is “Ignorantia Legis Noninem Excusat” meaning ‘Ignorance of the law is not an excuse’. No matter the beauty of the judgment obtained, it is not a license for one to exhibit his village rascality on public property. The Law Enforcement Agencies will always be there to ensure such attitude is curtailed. ”
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The Council boss further alleged that Ubandoma has leveled so many false accusations against the Government of the day, “I must quickly educate him on this too, or else, posterity will not forgive me.
The judiciary is an independent arm of government governed by its rules and regulations. Once a party approaches the Court for a remedy, he must be patient enough to allow the processes and procedures of such to take its full course. Government of the day has nothing to do with what Ubandoma is accusing it of.
Government is equally patiently allowing the legal process to take its full course, having been sued by Ubandoma. “The accusations levelled against Government of the day is just Ubandoma’s way of exhibiting ignorance of the legal process.
“It is imperative to state at this juncture that unless and until there is a judgment against me or Langtang North Local Government Area, the judgment obtained by Ubandoma has nothing to do with me or my office as the Executive Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Area. The judgment obtained by Ubandoma is against PLASIEC, Attorney General of Plateau State, Governor of Plateau state and the Ministry of Local Government .
Zulfa further added that if Laven Ubandoma claims that he is a man of Conscience and that his tenure has not expired, then why did he contest in the PDP primaries build up to the Council election that produced me as the Executive Chairman of Langtang North Council, which his name was forward to PLASIEC until a court order barred his party from contesting the recently concluded Council polls.
“I advise them to stop misleading the general public, the PDP do not deserve to be given the chance to govern the people of Langtang North , Plateau and Nigeria again , our party the APC is taking Nigeria to greater heights “, he stressed .
He added that”Consequently, my position as Executive Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Area is not affected in any way. The sealing of the Local Government Secretariat by the Police is just to ensure that there is no further destruction of public property by Ubandoma and his supporters.
Hon Zulfa further called on all his supporters to remain calm as the situation is under control.
He also called on his brother, Ubandoma to remain calm and to allow the legal process to take its course.
“I am the chairman of the council and I am still carrying out my duties to impact positively on my people as well as provide dividends of democracy to them.
He called on the people of the Council to continue to support him and the All Progressive Congress-led government at all times .
