The National Dialogue Stage 1

Press Release. March 28, 2014

The plenary session of the 2014 National Conference resumes on Monday March 31, 2014 on a rather sad note; with the announcement of the death of a former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Barrister Hamma Misau, on Thursday March 27, 2014.

Before his demise, Misau was a delegate to the National Conference appointed on the platform of Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON).

Conference Chairman and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, GCON, expressed shock and disbelief as he broke the news of the death of Misau on Tuesday; and prayed Allah to grant his soul eternal rest.

Justice Kutigi, while sympathizing with the family and the entire nation, however, said it was gratifying to note that the former AIG died in the service of his country, though at a time his experience was most needed.

Meanwhile, at the resumption on Monday, the Vote of Proceedings of March 24, 25 and 26 would be adopted by the Conference for deliberation.

Top on the list of issues expected by all delegates and observers would be a report of the outcome of the consultative meeting between the Principal Officers of the Conference and selected delegates.

It would be recalled that the Conference Chairman, based on a collective decision of the delegates, had last Wednesday appointed 50 representatives of the 492 delegates for crucial meeting on how to resolve the question of voting pattern.

Sitting was adjourned on Wednesday afternoon till Monday to give the selected delegates sufficient time to discuss and agree on the issue which had earlier attracted heated debate among delegates.

Continuation of the adoption of the National Conference Rules of Procedure earlier suspended last week also forms part of the issues slated for Monday when the Conference resumes.

Although debates on the standing orders had almost been completed last week, delegates had insisted on sighting the clean copy of the rules before formally adopting it for the regulation of the affairs of the Conference.

The Conference will also, beginning from Monday, discuss and adopt its Work Plan, proposed committee structure and group classification. As a part of this, delegates will be expected to identify committees they want to serve.

The Conference will call for submission of papers on thematic issues highlighted under the various committees to be announced. The papers are to be submitted before close of business on Thursday April 3, 2014; or earlier.

Conference delegates are also expected to commence debate on the speech presented by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR on March 17, 2014 when he formally inaugurated the Conference at the National Judicial Institute.