A federal high court in Abuja has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further disbursing financial allocations to the Rivers state government.
The court held that monies from the federation account should not be released to the state pending the passage of a lawful appropriation act by a validly constituted house of assembly.
Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding judge, issued the verdict on Wednesday while delivering judgment on a suit filed by the Rivers state house of assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.
Abdulmalik held that Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers governor, was wrong to have presented the state’s 2024 Appropriation Bill to a five-member assembly “that was not properly constituted”.
BACKGROUND
In December 2023, Fubara presented an N800 billion budget estimate to the Edison Ehie faction of the house of assembly.
The presentation of the budget titled: ‘Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation and Continuity’, took place at the government house.
In July, the Rivers house of assembly and Amaewhule, the factional speaker, instituted the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24 against the CBN and nine others.
The Rivers house of assembly has been polarised following the rift between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).
The Amaewhule-led faction of the legislature is loyal to Wike.
The plaintiffs listed the CBN, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, and the accountant-general of the federation (AGF) as first to fourth defendants.
Fubara, accountant-general (AG) of Rivers, Rivers Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), chief judge (CJ) of Rivers, chairman of RSIEC, and government of Rivers state were listed as fifth to tenth defendants.
The Amaewhule faction of the assembly sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the CBN, the commercial banks, and the AGF from honouring any financial instruction from Fubara.
The court had dismissed all the objections raised by the defendants.
Delivering the verdict, the judge held that Fubara’s decision to implement an “unlawful budget” was a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution he swore to protect.
The judge therefore restrained CBN, accountant-general of the federation, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the consolidated revenue and federation account.
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Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, says the federal government should not burden the poor with more taxes.
The national assembly is reportedly considering a bill proposing an increase in value added tax (VAT) from 7.5 percent to 10 percent by 2025.
The legislature also intends to increase VAT to 12.5 percent by 2026 through 2029.
During an appearance on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, Ndume said he would resist any attempt to punish the poor with more taxes.
He advised the federal government to go after rich individuals and corporations, adding that millions of Nigerians are barely surviving and cannot afford to be taxed more than they already are.
“We are almost losing the middle class in Nigeria. It is either you have it or you do not have it. Those that are in the middle are being squeezed out,” he said.
“If Nigerians can pay for those taxes, it is okay. But in the current situation, increasing taxes is not an alternative at all. I will not support any increase in taxes.
“Let us get things right first. Let people start living and not surviving. Let people have extra income.
“The north has more poverty, so if you want to increase taxes again, let’s be considerate. Tax those people who can afford it. Those who can afford the taxes in Nigeria are not even paying for them.
“I’m going to start campaigning against the increase in tax for now because it doesn’t only affect the northerners, it affects the average Nigeria. I’m not saying people should not pay tax but don’t tax people that are barely surviving.
“Let the tax authority concentrate on those that are supposed to pay tax.”
Nigeria has been grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades since President Bola Tinubu unfurled a raft of reforms in 2023.
Barring last-minute change of plan, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will this Wednesday arraign the lawmaker representing Abia North/South federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, for assaulting an e-hailing cab driver, Mr Steven Abuwatseya.
Abuwatseya was verbally and physically assaulted by the lawmaker a few days ago as captured in a viral video on social media.
Recalls that Abuwatseya recorded and shared the video where the lawmaker slapped him countlessly and used derogatory words like ‘rat’ and ‘poor monkey’ on him in Abuja over a delivery disagreement.
The lawmaker was also shown in the viral video threatening that he could make Abuwatseya ‘disappear’ forever and nothing would happen, a development that sparked outrage amongst netizens.
Hon. Ikwechegh, however, apologised to his colleagues in the Green Chamber and Nigerians on Tuesday following a statement of public apology he had earlier released. He was also questioned by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police for belittling the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) during the altercation with the cab driver.
However, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, in a message sent to LEADERSHIP on Wednesday, disclosed that the lawmaker will be arraigned before a Kuje Magistrate Court by the Police for assaulting his client, Steven Abuwatseya, who is a nominal complainant in the matter, this Wednesday.
“We are on our way to Kuje Magistrate Court for the arraignment of the honourable member who assaulted our client, Mr, Steven, a bolt driver. The IGP’s SPECIAL INVESTIGATION UNIT (SIU) is in-charge of the investigation and prosecution. The media is invited to cover the arraignment, which is scheduled for 12pm today at Kuje Magistrate.”
American rapper, Rubi Rose has confessed that she loves Nigerian men.
The model and singer stated this during her visit to Lagos. According to her, Nigerian men are her “favorite things” about the country.
She said she also loves Nigerian cuisine.
She spoke during an interview with Almera Danjuma.
Almera asked, “What’s your favourite thing about Nigeria?”
Rose replied, “Nigerian boys are my favorite things about Nigeria [laughs].
“I also love the food.”
She revealed that her Nigerian name is Oluwa Ruby.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, stunned federal lawmakers on Tuesday when he declared that a multi-billion-dollar cargo tracking agreement entered into by the federal government of Nigeria, regarding the International Cargo Tracking Notes (ICTN) was done in error.
The minister stated this while being quizzed by a House of Representatives investigative panel, probing the delay in the implementation of the cargo tracking project, believed to be costing the country $500 million monthly.
The investigative hearing, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping, Customs, Port and Harbour, and Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration, was to probe the non-implementation of the contract.
Oyetola, a former governor od Osun State, who was represented by a director in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Babatunde Sule, confirmed the delay by stating that the process approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was flawed.
Recall that the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari had in March 2023 engaged a consortium led by Antaser Nigeria Limited to implement a cargo tracking system for all imports and exports, including crude oil exports.
But, with the change of government, it has been reported that some officials of the Bola Tinubu administration were attempting to replace the Antaser-led consortium with their own preferred investors, in the guise of PPP arrangement using the new DG of ICRC, Jobson Ewalwfoh.
The representative of the blue economy minister who had earlier admitted the project’s approval by the FEC, later claimed that it was consumated in error.
He said: “I am aware of the contract. I am also aware that it was given to five companies. I learned that four of the companies signed an agreement, with the fifth not signing, and I think that was what stalled this whole process.
“The process was even faulty ab initio. The process that led to this was wrong,” he said, as the lawmakers jeered at him.
“The process could have been better than the way it was handled,” Sule later added after some of his colleagues whispered to him.
His responses forced lawmakers to cast doubts on his capacity to represent the minister adequately even when a member of the legislative committee, Hon. Kabir Maipalace said: “I don’t think you are capable enough to represent the minister; you don’t even have any information about the issue.
“The ministry is not serious. The minister did not show up, the permanent secretary did not show up, and you here do not have first-hand information.”
In his submission, Antaser’s chairman, Emeka Obianozie, told the committee about how his company received approval to implement the cargo tracking project, including approval by the Federal Executive Council.
He stated that under the current administration, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) were attempting to build and implement the same service in the oil and gas sector at a higher cost.
“We informed NSC of the attempt by the Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Nigerian Customs Service to implement part of ICTN’s scope at a huge cost to the nation. We noted that these efforts and the associated complications are arising due to the delay in implementing the ICTN scheme.
“The hush move, if allowed, will amount to duplication, mediocrity, unnecessary costs, and, more importantly, abuse of the project by inadvertently compromising the transparency which is the cardinal pillar of the service scheme,” he stated.
Obianozie noted that his company’s contract with the government remained valid, adding that the company “maintains over ninety-five per cent (95%) global network outreach for trade monitoring and cargo inspections.”
As part of the Federal Government’s effort to reduce the cost of transportation, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, PCNGI, on Tuesday, signed an agreement with the Airport Taxi Operators, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to convert 800 vehicles to CNG fuel.
The deal, according to PCNGI, would reduce fare to the airport by about 30 percent.
Speaking at a brief signing ceremony, Programme Director/Chief Executive, PCNGI, Engr Michael Oluwagbemi said the Federal Government was determined to provide a cheaper, cleaner and sustainable alternative fuel for Nigerians.
Engr. Oluwagbemi who was represented by the Programme Execution Coordinator, Mr Folarin Oworo assured that the plan to convert one million vehicles to CNG is on course.
He said: “The airport taxis operators have about 800 fleet of vehicles and we have agreed that once we hit 50 per cent conversion, which is about 400 vehicles, a 30 per cent discount will be implemented immediately.
“There are various prices based on the distance one is traveling, so the 30 per cent will be applied accordingly based on the current prices for the areas one is going.
“A red card with prices and discount will also be available in the vehicle based on the passenger’s destination. And to ensure compliance there will be regular monitoring for diligent delivery,” he said.
Speaking on the safety of the CNG cylinders, Engr. Oluwagbemi said an explosion could only occur if the conversion was done illegally, with locally manufactured cylinders.
He said: “Cylinders used for CNG are practically bullet proof and cannot explode or break. So we implored Nigerians not to cut corners.
“The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has also certified the CNG cylinders the P-CNGI is using. We guarantee in our conversion that an explosion cannot occur unless there is intentional tampering with it.
“We have different sizes of cylinders – 65 and 75 litres to reduce time of refilling. Going forward we will introduce various sizes and shapes to suit vehicles and loads to carry,” he said.
Also speaking, Spokesman of Airport Taxi Operators, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Mr Aliyu Abdulaziz Aliyu, commended the PCNGI for signing the agreement with them and assured that the free conversion would drastically reduce airport taxi fare.
The arrest of a foreign contractor who is said to be engaged in the vandalization of street lights in Abuja, has been announced by the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC).
According to the AMMC Coordinator, Felix Obuah, the contractor damages the existing streetlights in order to get fresh contracts.
Obuah made the disclosure on Tuesday after inspecting some ongoing streetlight repairs and maintenance as directed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The AMMC Coordinator, who refused to name the contractor, however, said the company operated by the contractor was well known, and the individual would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He explained that there was a belief that the vandalization was been carried out by scavengers, but they were shocked to discover the involvement of the contractor.
The coordinator explained that Abuja streetlights are divided into 21 lots, with 18 lots inspected so far and the vandalized portions undergoing repair works.
He said a report would be submitted to the FCT Minister, and further action would be taken on the matter, adding that all those involved would be brought to justice.
Obuah said, “The minister of FCT has given us matching orders to make sure that Abuja is lightened up, and as a matter of fact, I embark on the spot assesment with my team to make sure things work well.
“Abuja is divided into 21 lots, today will inspected almost 18 lots. We have discovered that most of those areas have been vandalised, which some are undergoing intervention work by my team.
“We are not impressed with the level of vandalisation that had happened in some of those lots. But I am impressed with my team for living up to expectations especially with the ongoing maintenance work on Yar’adua way and Jabi areas, the light has been restored but some are yet to be restored.
“We will make sure that within a short possible time, the issues is restored. Most a times we thought is scavengers or miscreants that are involved in vandalising the streetlights, not until today that we are able to discover that high level contractors are involved in sabotaging the good efforts of the minister and AMMC.
“We have arrested a very prominent contractor, an expatriate who is involved in vandalising these streetlights to enable them get this contract.One of the expatriates has been arrested and is in detention, there are full evidence to that effect.
“Our report will be submitted to the minister. we must make sure that those vandals and the people buying the items would not go free.
“We can’t be buying and installing while miscreants and expatriates are vandalising it, sabotaging the good efforts of government is wrong.”
Nasiru Mukhtar, a resident of Kano State, has been remanded by the State Shariah Court at Kofar Kudu for allegedly assaulting Imam Malam Murtala Sulaiman during morning prayers at a mosque in the Tudunwada area.
Naija News learnt that the incident occurred on October 22, 2024, around 5 am.
Mukhtar reportedly stormed the mosque, held the Imam by the neck, and slapped him multiple times before tearing his clothes and taking his microphone.
Following the altercation, the imam filed a complaint with the state police command, leading to Mukhtar’s arrest.
During the court proceedings, Mukhtar’s defence counsel requested bail, citing the need for further investigation.
However, the presiding judge, Malam Isah Rabi’u Gaya, ordered a psychiatric evaluation to assess the accused’s mental state.
The court adjourned the case until November 22, 2024, while the accused remains in custody.
The Tinubu-led federal government has announced plans to restore electricity to the Northern region of the nation within the next 72 hours.
On October 22, the Transmission Company of Nigeria reported an outage affecting the North-East, North-West, and parts of North-Central Nigeria after the 330-kilovolt (kV) Ugwaji-Apir double circuit transmission lines 1 and 2 tripped. Nafisatu Ali, Executive Director of the Independent System Operator, explained that the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, supplying power to the North, was vandalized by insurgents.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu directed the military to secure the power lines while repairs are conducted.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, October 29 during a session with the Senate Committee on Power, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South), the Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu addressed the ongoing power outage affecting the northern region.
Adelabu explained that, as a temporary measure, power would be routed through the Ugwuaji-Makurdi transmission line, covering approximately 80% of the affected states.
The Minister stated, “Power will be restored to the North in two to three days. We will use the Ugwuaji-Makurdi transmission line temporarily.”
Adelabu assured the committee that once full access is obtained, repairs would be made to the damaged lines, ensuring full restoration of power within the next 14 days.
Following renewed cult-related killings in Edo State, a group, Benin United Forum has called on the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II to invoke curses on those involved in cult-related killings like he did when human trafficking assumed an embarrassing dimension in the kingdom.
Also, the Edo State Police Command has confirmed the death of one person in a renewed cult war in the state.
However, a source close to the area where the clash took place in Upper Sokponba said that eight people have been killed.
The latest clash is said to be between the Eiye and Vikings confraternity.
Though the cause of the clashes is not yet known, it was gathered that the issues escalated when some of the people believed to be leaders of the groups tried to resolve the crisis in a meeting called at Tipper Garage in the Idogbo area of Upper Sokponba Road.
It was said that the attempt to settle issues did not work out after, which some ‘Eiye men’ attacked the Vikings members and inflicted injuries on them with knives but no life was lost.
The source said, “The Vikings went back in their numbers and killed one of the top members of ‘Eiye’ which led to an escalation of the crisis and killing spree. The challenge in this is that one of the groups does not accept apology and the other does not apologise,” the source stated.
Meanwhile, a group, Benin United Forum has called on the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II to invoke curses on those involved in cult-related killings like he did when human trafficking assumed an embarrassing dimension in the kingdom.
A press statement by Benin United Forum signed by the President and Secretary of the group, Iyamu Culture, and Osayuki-Osa Benson, on Tuesday, read, “We humbly appeal to Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolo Kpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to direct our Ohens (Chief Priests) across the length and breadth of Benin Kingdom to immediately place curse(s) on those who are hiding under cultism to kill themselves in parts of Benin City which have consumed the lives of countless youths especially at Upper Sakponba Axis which is often seen as the center ground for the barbaric act, followed by Egor/Uwelu, Ugbowo/Uselu, part of GRA.”
Another group, the Network of Civil Society Organisations has called on the police to lift the ban on vigilante groups in the state to help combat the menace of cult groups.
A statement by the president of the organisation, Ogbidi Emmanuel said the cult clash is largely blamed on the porous nature of security in the state, following the “needless ban on the Edo State Joint Security Network earlier trained by the Police.
“The ban, which was pronounced by the Inspector General of Police Mr Kayode Egbetokun have since brought about great increase in crime to an alarming rate, especially within the locals.”
The statement called on the police to investigate the cult-related killings and bring perpetrators to book.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said one person has so far been killed in the renewed cult clash in the state.
“I don’t know if there were cult killings, but I can confirm one corpse was picked on Monday around the pipeline, I have the picture on my phone. As of Tuesday, I don’t have any information that anything has happened,” he added.
[Punch]
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The Federal Government has said that the four toll gates along the 260km Abuja-Keffi-Makurdi expressway is in conformity with the requirements of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, while responding to questions on the tolls in Abuja, explained that the law establishing ICRC prescribes the minimum and maximum requirements for tolling of roads on concession.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Umahi was reacting to a question on concerns raised by some commuters on the number of tolls on the newly delivered expressway.
Although the toll gates are yet to be operational, the commuters along the route have raised concerns that four points for payment of tolls on a 260km stress of road will be burdensome.
They, however, commended the federal government for the timely delivery of the project.
“The total length of that road is 260 kilometres, and it is dualised, which means you are talking about 520 kilometres, and I don’t think that we have more than four toll gates on that road.
“There is a law establishing infrastructure concession regulatory commission, and they have the minimum requirements and maximum requirements for tolling.
“We have followed that law and we have also set up a committee because we are doing a cashless collection on the road.
“The committee members are meeting with us next week, and they will tell us how to go about that, because, there are a lot of people who do not know how to read and write, when it comes to ICT.
“It may be difficult for them to understand what we are talking, in terms of electronics payment of tolls.
“So, we are trying to ensure that we carry such people along,” the minister explained.
NAN recalled that the minister on Oct. 17, inaugurated the committee on the implementation of cashless tolling system on the road.
According to Umahi, cashless tolling system is a strategic programme under the Highway Development and Management Initiative aimed at promoting strong and sustainable transportation ecosystem.
The committee’s tasks included, designing the cashless system, establishing relief stations with essential services such as supermarkets, clinics, and security outposts, and ensuring improved security along the highway.
Umahi had stressed: “Within 10 minutes of any incident along the route, security people will be able to respond.”
NAN reports that the Abuja-Keffi-Markurdi road project was procured under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction–Finance (EPC+F) model.
The road, executed by the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) was funded up to 85 per cent by China Exim Bank, with the 15 per cent counterpart funding from the federal government.
The project cost 542 million Dollar, and with CHEC handling it, China Exim Bank provided 85 per cent (460.8 million dollar) of the funding in the form of Preferential Export Buyer’s Credit.
A section of the agreement states that the company will toll the road and then recoup the money for the government to pay back the loan segment of the project.
[Vanguard]
President Bola Tinubu says the oil sector will experience stability with the implementation of naira-for-crude transactions.
Tinubu spoke during a review meeting at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday.
On October 5, the federal government officially announced the commencement of the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in naira.
Three weeks later, Dangote Petroleum Refinery received four cargoes of crude oil from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited under the naira-for-crude sale agreement.
The president said using the naira was conceived to remove the exchange rate hurdle.
“Whatever solution we proffer in crude oil and refined products sales in naira should not take us back to our experience in the last 40 years,” Tinubu said.
“There can be cost and revenue adjustment in the oil sector, but the issue is that the government will not have to go back to the old way of doing things.”
Tinubu also commended the implementation committee on the crude oil and refined products sale in naira and asked the members to resolve any teething problems.
He urged the various players in the oil sector, including the NNPC and the Dangote refinery, to collaborate to improve the economy and livelihood of Nigerians.
The president urged stakeholders to look inward and consider supplying enough petrol and petroleum products for local consumption to stop the persistent reliance on importation.
Tinubu said it would enable the channelling of foreign exchange into the development of the real sector.
‘USE AFREXIMBANK TO RESOLVE NAIRA PRICING’
Tinubu also advised stakeholders to use the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), being the financial adviser on the deal, as a settlement bank to resolve the naira pricing for crude and refined products.
“The market must determine what we are doing. Once you allow the market to determine the profit and loss, independent marketers and the government side can meet on the worksheet,” he said.
“I want the issues resolved without future waste of time.
“We can have energy security, and the motivation for Alhaji Aliko Dangote will not be defeated. It will be more predictable on a medium and long-term basis.”
At the meeting, Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, said the administration’s groundbreaking steps to sell crude in naira would not be reversed.
He said the government would not be involved in determining the rate of exchange for the oil sector.
Aliko Dangote, president and chairman of Dangote Group, told Tinubu that Dangote refinery had more than 500 million litres of petrol in reserve.
Dangote said the refinery could collaborate with the other refineries managed by NNPC to meet an estimated 32 million litres of local petrol needs.
[TheCable]
Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage has made a confession.
She revealed that more women approached her for relationships than men.
She disclosed this in a recent interview with The Beat 99.9 FM, Lagos.
She wondered why women were approaching her despite being straight.
“A lot more women actually hit on me than men. I don’t know why.”
Video:
Media
"A lot more women actually hit on me than men. I don't know why..."
— @????????????? (@OneJoblessBoy) October 29, 2024
-- Tiwa Savage pic.twitter.com/ekJJ2E3bbB
A pastor Ayorinde AdeBello has denied engaging in gay s3x.
The pastor suspended by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, denied allegations of homos3xuality in an Instagram post.
Recall that his suspension, along with another pastor, was announced in an RCCG letter dated October 28.
The letter, signed by Sunday Akande, RCCG’s national overseer, pointed out serious allegations of homos3xuality and ordered a thorough investigation into the allegations.
Reacting to the suspension, AdeBello in a post via his Instagram denied the allegations, stating, “I never engaged in sodomy with male teenagers”.
The pastor explained that his prolonged silence was misconstrued as an “admission of guilt”, which led to his response.
“In the past few days, some allegations were made against me and some others via a blog on social media known as Gist Lover,” the statement reads.
“I had wanted to respond immediately when it was brought to my attention, but I was advised not to, as I was not the only one named, and all of us may have been mentioned to drive engagement on the blog.
“However, as these allegations have escalated to criminal claims, I am compelled to respond as my prolonged silence has been misconstrued as an admission of guilt."
He continued, “I have NEVER demanded s3x from any male as payment or gratification to give them assistance, platforms or positions. God is the only king-maker, the only One who can raise and erase kings, and give positions and platforms.
“I have NEVER had s3x with (*******) or proposed s3x to him for any reason.
“The questions in the screenshot were asked during a conversation in a male teenager WhatsApp group where discussions regarding Male Reproductive Health and self-esteem took place.
“The teenagers were taught about the right hygiene for reproductive health, the right kind of underwear to buy, and that the girth and length determine the underwear size. I also explained that their sizes should not affect their self-esteem and that they are perfectly and uniquely created by God.
“It is disheartening to see that the screenshot message has now been mischievously quoted out of context to portray me as someone who has s3x with male teenagers.”