Bookmakers define a writer as a person who uses written words in different writing styles, genres and techniques to communicate his or her ideas, to inspire feelings and emotions to his or her readers. He or she sometimes writes to entertain.
A writer is thus, one who is able to use language to express ideas well which often contribute significantly to the cultural content of a society. The term “writer” can produce material across a number of genres, fictional or non-fictional.
Therefore, a writer may develop different forms of writing such as short stories, monographs, travelogues, songs and essays as well as report news articles that may be of interest to the general public. And that is why writer’s works are nowadays published across a wide range of media.
Thus, the wish of every writer, especially a weekly column writer like myself, is to get a good and attractive topic to discuss which will entice and educate his readers.
It used to be easy to get and sometimes even very plentiful of what to write on which trouble a writer or difficulties in choosing which to use and which not or leave till next week.
And the painful side of the whole scenario is when the time comes and there is no tangible topic at hand to write on. It used to be upsetting to see the time and no topic at hand.
One has to ask for assistance from friends and well-wishers of any topic, especially those that have interest in what I am doing.
“I have no idea what to write this week, please tell me what to write! Please help me escape this sadness!” Me pleads to my friends and readers anytime I am out of topic to write.
And until I get a good and attractive topic, put all what I have to down and the column is complete, before I have a rest of mind and get relaxed.
More so, to write a good column requires more than just the ability to articulate an opinion, one’s opinions must make sense, provide insight and be convincing. And one must do all these in an easy and entertaining way.
It requires one to be almost like a lawyer. Which means that through one’s arguments, one will need to convince the presiding judge (my readers) of all I put down.
Therefore, shaping a powerful argument takes practice and requires both breadth and depth of knowledge as well as the ability to critically analyze a particular issue or topic at a time.
So, a writer will not rest until he or she has a good, educative and entertaining topic which his or her readers will read and appreciate and even comment on.
So, this week I found myself in a very difficult and sad situation, a situation which will put every column writer sad because of lack of topic of discussion.
I was in this sorry state when I glanced at the news titled, Violation of Court Order: Ex-AGF Aondoakaa, SAN writes Wiki, over review of allocations in Games village, Abuja.
The story reported that, the Registered Trustees of Games Village Abuja, had written to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Barr Nyesom Wike, seeking for the review and revocation of all allocations that were approved through deceit and not in line with the Federal Executive Council Resolution of May 11, 2005.
The letter dated March 14, 2024 was written by Chief Micheal Aondoakaa SAN, Managing Partner, Prime Jurists, solicitors to the Registered Trustees of the Games Village, Abuja.
It was titled: Violation of Court Order in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/0367 17. Between Incorporated Trustees of Games Village Resident Association of Abuja and the Minister, FCT, Federal Capital Development Authority and Abuja Metropolitan Management Council.
By the letter, Chief Aondoakaa, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, demanded the FCT Minister to Issue Right of Occupancy to the Resident Association of Games Village on all the identifiable areas handed over to the Association by the FEC Resolution of 11th May, 2005 including plot No: 1765, Cadastral Zone BII, Kaura for the development of school, sporting and recreational facilities.
The Games Village Association also requested Barr Wike to give approval to the Resident Association of the Games Village to use part of the site office used by CCECC during the construction of the Games Village which is plot No:1765, Cadastral Zone BII to build school for the benefit of the children in the Games Village.
Furthermore, the association asked the FCT Minister to direct the Department of Development Control to reconstruct the secretariat of Game Village Resident Association and all the structures that were demolished and also compensate the association for all the losses incurred as a result of the demolition by FCDA.
Aondoakaa stated that the Games Village Estate was built by the Federal Government to host athletes for the COJA Games in 2004 and after the games, the same federal government set up a committee for the disposal of the assets in the Games Village.
The former AGF also revealed that in the 19th meeting of the FEC dated 11th May, 2005, the Council passed a resolution that the site office used by CCECC during the construction of Games Village be used by the Facility Manager.
The letter noted that, on November 9, 2017, the Department of Development Control in a fragrant disobedience to the Federal Executive Council Resolution of 11th May, 2005 and an affront to the powers of the President in Council wrote a letter to the chairman, Games Village Resident Association directing the Association to vacate plot No:1765, Cadastral Zone BI Kaura which was the site office used by CCECC during the construction of the Games Village on the ground that the Abuja Metropolitan management Council intends to use the said plot for the purpose of developing Senior Staff Cooperative Housing Scheme.
Aggrieved by the eviction notice by the Department of Development Control, the association filed a suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to protect its rights over the said plot.
That made Aondoakaa to on May 13, 2017, wrote and informed the minister that the association had obtained an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants, by themselves, their agents and or servants from evicting the Plaintiff from the said plot pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
But in obedience of the court order, the then minister Musa Bello directed the suspension of all building plan approval on such plots illegally allocated.
But while the suit against the FCT Minister is still pending with subsisting restraining order, the officials of FCTA, the Department of Development Control on 7th March, 2024 at about 10 am, invaded the Games Village estate with their caterpillars and team of over fifty armed men and demolished the secretariat of the Games Village and forcefully took possession of the said plot in defiance of court order.
In the said letter, the lawyer informed Barr Wike who is also a lawyer that the actions of officials of FCTA, Department of Development Control to say the least, is an affront on the executive powers of the President in Council and calculated attempt to disobey the court order.
And based on the aforesaid circumstances, Aoadoakaa said they have commenced committal proceedings against the staff who participated in the violation of the subsisting court and physically took part in the destruction of the plaintiff’s property.
Honestly, I am confused here because the minister is fully aware of the court order restraining them from doing anything on the said land but unfortunately they acted otherwise.
I don’t know the message the minister is sending to the general public. Because as a lawyer he ought to act wisely and not to disrepute court order. Is he telling us that he is above the law or what?
The minister needs to remember that he is a barrister and answer the name of a barrister. To me, a barrister is a lawyer in common law jurisdictions.
He or she mostly specializes in courtroom advocacy and litigation. His tasks include arguing cases in courts and tribunals, drafting legal pleadings, researching the law and giving legal opinions.
With the above statements, one will wonder how a man answering such a name will have acted that way. Shame!
I remembered that most of the occupants of the area in question are former athletes, ex-players, coaches and a variety of different residents such as professionals, civil servants and business men.
Minister Wiki should please respect the court and its order and allow it to do its work. Whereby he is not satisfied with its verdicts, he can appeal.
He should remember that we are in a democracy not a military rule where things are done anyhow without rule of law. He must respect court orders.
I am happy Chief Aoadoakaa who is lawyer of the plaintiff last commented that, “they have commenced committal proceedings against the staff who participated in the violation of the subsisting court and physically took part in the destruction of the plaintiff’s property.”
Until people who act unwisely or foolishly are brought to book things of this nature will never stop.
