…A Reply to Terver Akase’s Post
By Angula Bishop Reuben
Benue people will not forget the name Terver Akase in a hurry whenever the administration of Chief Samuel Ortom is discussed. This is because Akase served as one of the leading voices of that administration, as Chief Press Secretary. For eight years, he consistently defended the government and, in the opinion of many, misled Nigerians through his public communications.
At the twilight of the Ortom administration, Mr. Akase appeared to believe he could continue where his benefactor stopped. However, even Chief Ortom eventually distanced himself from him.
Now, to respond to the self-appointed spokesperson for Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa: ordinarily, such a frivolous question would have been ignored, but it is important to set the record straight.
Is Mr. Akase truly aware of the man he has chosen to defend? Is he familiar with Chief Aondoakaa’s political antecedents, particularly his record in elective politics? If not, he should know that certain political behaviors make it difficult for some individuals to win elective office, and Chief Aondoakaa’s record speaks for itself.
Apart from losing to Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia at the 2023 APC Governorship primaries, the only other election Chief Aondoakaa reportedly contested was for the defunct Ushongo State Constituency seat, which he lost at the primaries to Hon. Hyacinth Terkimbi Nyakuma of the APP. It was only after that setback that the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua appointed him Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Chief Aondoakaa has never won even a councilorship election in his entire life. The public offices he has occupied have all been by appointment. Following controversies surrounding his tenure Attorney General of the Federation, he was eventually demoted from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Special Duties.
For Mr. Akase’s information, how can anyone be afraid of a man whose Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) privileges were suspended for two years by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC)?
How can anyone be afraid of a man who looked at Governor Hyacinth Alia’s developmental projects and reduced them to the metaphor of “taking away the pot of soup”?
How can anyone be afraid of a man who is consistently perceived as opposing matters of public interest?
Why was it, among more than 150,000 lawyers in Nigeria, that Chief Aondoakaa was the one who went to court seeking to freeze the accounts of alleged sponsors of the #EndSARS protests when Nigerians were demonstrating against injustice and poor governance?
Can anyone be afraid of a man whose name is frequently associated with unprecedented corruption, abuse of office, and controversial governance issues?
How can anyone be afraid of a man whom, according to court decisions, was subjected to severe judicial criticism and sanctions? What office is he even seeking?
Is the self-appointed spokesperson aware of the language used by the courts in describing Chief Aondoakaa’s conduct?
If Mr. Akase is not aware, he should know that the Supreme Court described Chief Aondoakaa’s conduct as highly reprehensible and reckless, stating that he acted in a manner unbecoming of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, inconsistent with the dignity and responsibilities of that office. The Court further described his conduct as representing a sordid low in the administration of justice and observed that he acted as though he was above the law.
Did Mr. Akase also read the concurring opinion of Justice Agim? If not, he should know that the learned jurist remarked that it was ironic that Chief Aondoakaa sought relief from the very judicial institution he had allegedly undermined through conduct the Court described in strong terms.
It is unfortunate that the Terver Akase many people once respected during his years as a correspondent in Port Harcourt now appears, in the opinion of many, to have been influenced by failed politicians whose actions do not advance the interests of the people.
Is it not ironic that a man who served under Governor Ortom for eight years without delivering notable development to his immediate community in Agbeede, Konshisha and Ayihe, Makurdi is now criticizing Governor Alia, whose administration constructed the Ayihe road leading to his house?
Finally, let Mr. Akase know that no one is afraid of Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa. Rather, many Nigerians remain concerned about his public record. It is worth recalling that in Suit No. SC/939/2021, decided on 10 December 2021, the Supreme Court held, among other things, that:
“A declaration is hereby made that the 2nd Defendant, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, undermined and subverted the rule of law, the due administration of justice and the integrity of the judiciary in the letters dated 8 January 2008 and 16 February 2009 written by him in his capacity as Attorney General of the Federation.”
It should also be remembered that Chief Aondoakaa appealed against the judgment awarding ₦41 billion in compensation to the victims of the Zaki Biam massacre.
The public deserves to assess political leaders based on their track records, actions, and respect for the rule of law.
Again I write not to please men, but God and my conscience.
