Abdul Aminu Mahmud

Last updated
Abdul Mahmud
Abdul Aminu Mahmud.jpg
Mahmud at his Farnham Royal, England home in 2018
Born (1968-11-20) November 20, 1968 (age 56)
Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Citizenship British Nigerian
EducationBachelor of Laws, LL.B (Honours)
Master of Laws, LL.M
Alma mater University of Jos
Nigeria Law School
OccupationLawyer
Years active1993 - present
Organization(s)President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)
Known forSocial Commentator, Civil Rights Activist
Board member ofInternational Centre For Investigative Reporting
Social Intervention Advocacy
Foundation Centre for Strengthening the Economic Position of the Ultra Poor
Electoral Reform Expert Group
Children3

Abdul Mahmud is a Nigerian lawyer, social critic, columnist, human rights advocate, knowledge worker, essayist, poet, [1] former Students' union leader and activist. He is currently the President, Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL), a body of professional and independent group of lawyers committed to the promotion and enforcement of the rights of vulnerable and minority groups, deepening of democracy and governance and the expansion of public interest law. [2] He is a third-generation Nigerian poet whose works appear under the nom de guerre, Obemata. Some of his poems have also been translated into Polish, Lithuanian and French languages.

Contents

Early life, education and activism

Education

Abdul 'Aminu' Mahmud was born in Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria on 20 November 1968. He was educated at Federal School of Arts and Science, Ondo State and the University of Jos, Plateau State where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws, LL.B (Honours), then proceeded to the Nigeria Law School for his Master of Laws, LL.M.

Student activism and prison

Abdul Mahmud became the President of National Association of Nigerian Students aka NANS in November, 1990, [3] and his leadership and activism led to his abduction [4] and detention by the Department of State Security aka DSS alongside other high-ranking members of the association. [5] Detained alongside him were Bamidele Aturu, Nasir Kura, Chima Okereke, Olatunji Kayode, Bunmi Olusona and Christian Akanni. [6]

Career

He is the Chief Counsel, Ephesis Lex, (Attorneys & Solicitors), Abuja and President of Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL). Prior to that, he was the Senior Legal Executive Tivoli Technology, Stoke Poges, England and served as a Director of Legal Services, Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Nigeria. He is a Dutch Fellow on Development, Law & Social Justice of International Institute of Social Studies The Hague (class of 1998), and was a Visiting Lecturer in Human Rights Law, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State. He was a delegate of the 2014 National Conference of Nigeria representing the Civil Society Organizations. [7]

Social commentator

Obemata, his nom de guerre is a regular contributor on legal [8] and public affairs, [9] national [10] [11] and international issues on major national and international print and electronic news media, including The Guardian (Nigeria) newspaper, Daily Times (Nigeria), Channels Television, Africa Independent Television, Radio Nigeria, African Writer Magazine [12] and the Africa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation and on several online blogs and social media platforms.

Anthologies

Poetry

  • Self Portrait [13]
  • For WS, for Breytenbach [13]
  • In his footsteps [13]
  • My Heart Whispers, Prometheus [14]
  • Sunset [15]
  • Protest Streets [16]
  • Memoir [17]

Fiction

  • Chequepoint Charlie [18]

Literary reviews

  • Lola Shoneyin's Love of Flight [19]
  • The Legal Framework of Nigeria's Economic Diplomacy: A Review of Nigeria's Economic Diplomacy by Musa Babayo [20]
  • We Are All Biafrans - A Participant-Observer's Intervention in a Country Sleepwalking to Disaster by Chido Onumah [21]

Selected essays and papers

  • Audu's Death: Resolving the Legal Conundrum [22]
  • Electricity Tariff: What the NERC must do to inspire investors' confidence [23]
  • Falling Standards in Education and the Crisis of Higher Education in Nigeria [24]
  • Legal and Administrative Imperatives for the Operation of Political Parties in Nigeria, Abuja, 2013
  • Making Sense of the Judgment of the Taraba State Election Petition Tribunal [25]
  • NANS in Our Eyes: The Journey through Time and Space, Kano, 2015 [26]
  • On the Cyber Stalker Near You: The Power of Arrest of the EFCC Examined [27]
  • Politicians and the Courts are Shackling INEC [28] [29]
  • The State Digs in Once More: Preliminary Observations on the Transport Sector of the Transformation Agenda, Abuja, 2012

Selected articles

  • 12 Important Guides For Student Activists and Leaders [30]
  • A Nation of Basket Mouths [31]
  • Buhari, His Critics and The Case for Efficient Government [32]
  • Dear Dame, Don't Abuse Kongi [33]
  • EFCC ill-prepared to handle corruption cases/ [34]
  • Government of Absurdities [35]
  • Kabiru Mohammed and the falsification of history [36]
  • Our Mutually Assured Destruction [37]
  • Why CJN must make assets declaration public [38]

Books

  • Triptych- A collection of poems [39]
  • Service Delivery Reports for Most Outstanding Public Institutions in Nigeria [40] (Co-Authored);
  • Human Rights in Retreat in Nigeria, Report of the Universal Defenders of Democracy, [41] UDD, December, 1994 (Co-authored with Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN)

Political activities

Selected mentions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Nigeria</span>

The federal government of Nigeria is composed of three distinct branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial, whose powers are vested and bestowed upon by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. One of the primary functions of the constitution is that it provides for separation and balance of powers among the three branches and aims to prevent the repetition of past mistakes made by the government. Other functions of the constitution include a division of power between the federal government and the states, and protection of various individual liberties of the nation's citizens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kano State</span> State of Nigeria

Kano is one of the 36 states of Nigeria, located in the northern region of the country. According to the national census done in 2006, Kano State is the most populous state in Nigeria. The recent official estimates taken in 2016 by the National Bureau of Statistics found that Kano State was still the largest state by population in Nigeria. Created in 1967 out of the former Northern Region, Kano State borders on Katsina State to the northwest for about 210 km, Jigawa State to the northeast for 355 km, Bauchi State to the southeast for 131 km, and Kaduna State to the southwest for 255 km. The state's capital and largest city is the city of Kano, the second most populous city in Nigeria after Lagos. The incumbent governor of the state is Abba Kabir Yusuf. He was sworn in on 29 May 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Ibadan</span> Public research university in Ibadan, Nigeria

The University of Ibadan (UI) is a public university located in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Initially founded as University College Ibadan in 1948, it maintained its affiliation with the University of London. In 1962, it became an independent institution, making it the oldest degree-awarding university in Nigeria. The University of Ibadan has significantly contributed to Nigeria's political, industrial, economic, and cultural development through its extensive network of graduates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rabiu Kwankwaso</span> Nigerian politician (born 1956)

Mohammed Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE FNIQS is a Nigerian politician who served as governor of Kano state from 1999 to 2003 and from 2011 to 2015. After he lost his re-election in 2003, he was appointed the first Minister of Defence of the Fourth Republic with no prior military background, from 2003 to 2007, under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was later elected to the Senate in 2015, serving one term under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Kano Central Senatorial District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Independent National Electoral Commission (Nigeria)</span> Nigerian national electoral body

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the electoral body which oversees elections in Nigeria. It was established in 1998 shortly before Nigeria's transition from military to civilian rule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theodore Orji</span> Nigerian politician (born 1950)

Theodore Ahamefule Orji is a Nigerian politician who served as the senator representing Abia Central senatorial district from 2015 to 2023. He previously served as the governor of Abia State from 2007 to 2015. He was formerly a career civil servant, and served as the chief of staff to Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kayode Oladele</span> Nigerian politician (born 1963)

Kayode Oladele is a Nigerian human rights activist, lawyer and politician who was a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, Ogun State, from 2015–2019. He was the Chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Financial Crimes and member of the House Committees on Justice, Human Rights, Rules and Business, Environment, Healthcare Services and Agricultural Institutions. He was elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress on 11 April 2015. Prior to that, he was Chief of Staff, office of the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes.

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission is a Nigerian agency that was inaugurated on 29/9/2000 following the recommendation of President Olusegun Obasanjo. The mandate is to receive and investigate reports of corruption and in appropriate cases prosecute the offender(s), to examine, review and enforce the correction of corruption prone systems and procedures of public bodies, with a view to eliminating corruption in public life, and to educate and enlighten the public on and against corruption and related offences with a view to enlisting and fostering public support for the fight against corruption. The Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000 governs the committee's activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aminu Bello Masari</span> Nigerian politician (born 1950)

Aminu Bello Masari is a Nigerian politician who served as governor of Katsina State from 2015 to 2023. He was the Commissioner for works, housing and transport Katsina state from 1991 to 1993. He was the speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007. Masari hails from Masari village of Kafur local government area of Katsina State. In recognition of his service to Nigeria, Aminu Masari received the National Award of honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2005, by His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR. This is in addition to the several other honours and awards that he has been dressed with.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abubakar Malami</span> Nigerian politician and lawyer (born 1967)

Abubakar MalamiSAN, is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation from 2015 to 2023.

Festus Bunmi Olusona is a Nigerian human rights activist and politician.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) is a law enforcement agency of the federal government of Nigeria. It was established in July, 2003 to combat human trafficking and other similar human rights violations.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a political party in Nigeria. As of 2022, Ralph Nwosu is the National Chairman. There are 2 ADC lawmakers currently in the Nigerian National Assembly. There are no ADC senators in the Nigerian Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clement Nwankwo</span> Nigerian human rights defender

Clement Okechukwu Nwankwo is a lawyer and human rights activist in Nigeria. He is the Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and convener of Civil Society Situation Room (PLAC). He is recognised as the first Nigerian to establish a human rights organisation.

Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room is a coalition of over 70 civil society organisations that monitor Nigeria's electoral process and elections across the country. Situation Room undertakes regular analysis and dissemination of information on major developments and events relating to the conduct of elections in Nigeria. It supports coordination and synergy amongst election stakeholders. The focal objectives of Situation Room are to improve the quality of Nigeria's electoral system and strengthen civil society organisations’ capacity to better engage and monitor the electoral process.

The 2019 Taraba State gubernatorial election occurred on March 9, 2019. Incumbent People's Democratic Party Governor Darius Ishaku won re-election for a second term in 12 local government areas, defeating former acting governor and All Progressives Congress's Sani Danladi who won in the remaining four with a margin of 157,69[8] votes, and several minor party candidates.

The 2019 Zamfara State gubernatorial election occurred on 9 March 2019. APC's Mukhtar Shehu Idris polled 67.41% of the total popular votes, defeating PDP's Bello Matawalle who got 23.89% of the total votes and trailed behind by a margin of 345,089 votes, and several minor party candidates. APC swept the entire 14 LGAs of the state, winning in all. It was, however, Matawalle, who was later declared winner by the INEC and sworn in as governor after the verdict of the Supreme Court, which declared Idris' votes as 'wasted'.

Civil Liberties Organization is a Nigerian non-governmental organization focused on human rights and pro-democracy advocacy.

References

  1. ↑ "Abdul Mahmud". Lawyard. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  2. ↑ "Public interest lawyers league writes Minister for Trade". Chidoonumah. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  3. ↑ Opeyemi, Bamidele (2003). Errands for progress. Datkeem Press. ISBN   9783681648.
  4. ↑ Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "Refworld | Nigeria: Information on whether Mahmud Abdul Aminu is still the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and if not, what has happened to him". Refworld.
  5. ↑ Jega, Attahiru (2000). Identity transformation and identity politics under structural adjustment in Nigeria. Nordiska Afrikainstitutet. ISBN   91-7106-456-7.
  6. ↑ "Liberty: A Quarterly News Letter of Civil Liberties Organisation". 1 (3). Civil Liberties Organisation. 1990.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ↑ "List of national conference delegates". 6 March 2014.
  8. ↑ Post, The Atlantic (2019-02-19). "Civil Rights Lawyer Questions The Quality Of Legal Education Over Support Of Some SANs For Extra-Judicial Killing Of Electoral Offenders". The Atlantic Post. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  9. ↑ Sunday, Philips (2019-01-05). "Ex-NANS President, Abdul Mahmud Disowns Association, Cites Reasons". Concise News. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  10. ↑ "'Sowore's arrest may ignite public interest in new radical movement'". The Bell Time. 2019-08-04. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  11. ↑ Paper, Order (2018-01-16). "Public Interest Lawyers League decries continued detention, media parade of Sheikh Zakzaky". abna.co. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  12. ↑ "African Writer". AfricanWriter.com.
  13. 1 2 3 Mahmud, Obemata Abdul (24 April 2011). "Three Poems: By Obemata". AfricanWriter.com.
  14. ↑ "my heart whispers, prometheus - a poem by aminu mahmud". www.sentinelpoetry.org.uk. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
  15. ↑ "sunset - a poem by aminu mahmud". www.sentinelpoetry.org.uk. SPM Publications Ltd. Retrieved 2003-12-06.
  16. ↑ "protest streets - a poem by aminu mahmud". www.sentinelpoetry.org.uk. SPM Publications Ltd.
  17. ↑ "memoir - a poem by aminu mahmud". www.sentinelpoetry.org.uk. UK: SPM Publications Ltd.
  18. ↑ Mahmud, Obemata Abdul (28 April 2010). "Chequepoint Charlie: A Short Story by Obemata (Abdul Mahmud)". AfricanWriter.com.
  19. ↑ Mahmud, Obemata Abdul (12 February 2010). "Lola Shoneyin's Love of Flight: A Review by Obemata". AfricanWriter.com.
  20. ↑ Mahmud, Abdul (10 March 2016). "Musa Babayo and Nigeria's Economic Diplomacy". Daily Times Nigeria.
  21. ↑ "We are all Biafrans".
  22. ↑ Staff, Lawyard (2015-11-23). "The Death of Prince Audu- Resolving The Legal Conundrum – PIL |". Lawyard. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  23. ↑ "Opinion: Electricity tariff - What the NERC must do to inspire investors' confidence » YNaija". YNaija. 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  24. ↑ Mahmud, Abdul (2013-11-10). "falling-educational-standards-and-the-crisis-of-education". thescoopng.com/. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  25. ↑ Writer, Staff (2015-11-08). "EXCLUSIVE| Making Sense of the Judgment of the Taraba State Governorship Election Tribunal – By Abdul Mahmud". Breaking Times. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  26. ↑ Adeoya, Femi (25 September 2015). "NANS In Our Eyes: The Journey Through Time And Space, By Abdul Mahmud". SkytrendNews Nigeria.
  27. ↑ Onumah, Chido (2016-08-10). "On the cyberstalker near you: the power of arrest of the EFCC examined". Chidoonumah.com. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  28. ↑ "Politicians and the courts are shackling INEC". The ICIR. 2016-08-07. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  29. ↑ "Politicians And The Courts Are Shackling INEC - By Abdul Mahmud". 247ureports.com. 2016-08-07. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  30. ↑ "LIFESTYLE: 12 Important Guides For Student Activists and Leaders, By Abdul Mahmud - Premium Times Nigeria". www.premiumtimesng.com. Premium Times NG. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-27.
  31. ↑ Mahmud, Abdul (28 March 2013). "A nation of basket mouths". The ScoopNG. Retrieved 2013-03-28.
  32. ↑ "Abdul Mahmud: Buhari, His Critics And The Case For Efficient Government". NewsWireNGR. 15 September 2015.
  33. ↑ Mahmud, Abdul (28 February 2013). "Dear Dame, you don't abuse Kongi". The ScoopNG. Retrieved 2013-02-28.
  34. ↑ "EFCC ill-prepared to handle corruption cases -Abdul Mahmud". The Sun Nigeria. 27 September 2016.
  35. ↑ Mahmud, Abdul (4 April 2013). "Government of absurdities". The ScoopNG. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
  36. ↑ Mahmud, Abdul (25 April 2013). "Kabiru Mohammed and the falsification of history". The ScoopNG. Retrieved 2013-04-25.
  37. ↑ Mahmud, Abdul (26 November 2014). "Nigeria: Our Mutually Assured Destruction". The ScoopNG. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
  38. ↑ Oyesina, Tunde (2018-01-08). "Mahmud: Why CJN must make assets declaration public". Newtelegraph. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  39. ↑ obemata (29 July 2013). obemata - triptych. London: SPM Publications. p. 72. ISBN   978-09568101-9-9.
  40. ↑ "SERVICE DELIVERY REPORT FOR MOST OUTSTANDING PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA (2013 - 2014)". ISDMG. 22 October 2014.
  41. ↑ "Nigeria Government Profile 2018". www.indexmundi.com.
  42. ↑ "List of Delegates to the National Conference". www.nscia.com.ng.
  43. ↑ Identity transformation and identity politics under structural adjustment in Nigeria. Stockholm: Nordiska Afrikainstitutet. 2000. p. 224. ISBN   91-7106-456-7.
  44. ↑ Sorensen, Karen (1991). Nigeria, on the eve of "change" : transition to what? (Human Rights Watch, 1991 ed.). Human Rights Watch. p. 33. ISBN   1564320456.
  45. ↑ Mustapha, Abdul Raufu (4 April 2013). Civil Rights and Pro-democracy Groups in and outside Nigeria. African Dynamics. IFRA-Nigeria. pp. 145–183. ISBN   9791092312089.{{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.