Bobrisky has been in public glare for quite a while, but more compellingly following her imprisonment for six months two weeks ago. Her life has been controversial and so, predictably, her imprisonment. A trans-gender, she has been an editor’s good copy and delight for what many consider as her defiance in life, charting her own course as she deems fit. In her own words, on her Instagram page, she posted in October last year and as reported by this newspaper, The Guardian: “Immediately I got mature enough to differentiate between my right and left, I told myself I wanted to be a woman (in caps for emphasis). There is nothing bad about being a man. But I see myself doing better in life as a woman.”

So, in 2019, she jetted out, headed for Dubai to go under the knives to transform from a man into a woman. The risks of the surgeries made her to give herself the name Bobrisky. Again, in her own words: “Ever since I started transitioning into a woman I gave myself this name Bobrisky because I took a lot of risk going under several knives to be a woman today. I’m a successful woman today with so much fame, houses, cars etc.”

Bobrisky is well educated. She was born as a boy on 31 August, 1992, at Ebute Metta, Lagos, and appropriately christened Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye. He grew up there before going to King’s College. He graduated from the University of Lagos with a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree in accounting. Before he went to transform into a woman, he had this ardent longing for a sex change and he set out as a transvestite, that is, a person who enjoys being in the attire of the opposite sex. Dark skinned, she went for creams to change her complexion. She then took to establishing a cosmetic firm, marketing skin-lightening products. She has also been more known as an internet influencer, a platform which gives her considerable following of both admirers and as expected, stern critics. The enterprise fetches her a lot of money. She is into some other businesses. She also moves in high social circles where some billionaires find her glamorous and adorable.

To the chagrin of the world, on 12 April, this year, Bobrisky found her sensational world crashing down at the gates of a jail house. There was outrage with commentators arguing that as a first offender, she should have been given an option of fine. She did not also waste the time of the court seeking adjournments. The counter argument has been that a fine option is discretionary on the part of the judge. Bobrisky was charged on April 5 of Naira currency mutilation. The prosecution accused her of spraying N400, 000 at an event in Lekki. Video clips of two other instances she sprayed N20, 000 at Ikorodu and Oniru, Victoria Island were shown, all to which she admitted she was guilty. Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court announcing his verdict said: “The act of mutilating the Naira notes has become a menace which has continued to damage the country’s image. Enough of people mutilating and tampering with our currencies. It has to stop. This will serve as a deterrent to others.” She herself has pleaded within the last few days that she should be let off with a fine of N200, 000 which she is ready to pay immediately.

The interest of this column is not so much in the nauseating age-long cultural practice of money spraying in the land. The matter, distasteful a practice no doubt it was and has been–throwing away N400, 000 mindlessly at a go just like that– it merely scratches the surface considering what unfolded in the saga.

During the trial, Justice Awogboro did ask Bobrisky about his gender–whether she was a man or a woman to which she responded that he was a man. Five years ago when he transformed into a woman, he had said he cleared off all the physical features associated with a man. This should suggest to us that despite his vaunted trans-gender status she is going through an internal struggle with himself—outwardly a woman, inwardly a man. It is at this point we should recognise the need for us to overwhelm him with love and prayerful thoughts that he may overcome in the struggle with himself. His condition thus invites us into deep introspection. The condition demands even more from him—unceasing reflection in the closet the Ikoyi Correctional Centre is affording him: Who am I? Man, know thyself! Self-knowledge was demanded in ancient Greece, and so the Temple of Apollo at Delphi carried the inscription: “Know thyself.” Herbert Vollmann says in his book, A Gate Opens: “Man certainly needs the courage to be prepared to make unpleasant discoveries in the contemplation of himself…Self-knowledge is the first step to improvement.

“ If the improvement towards what is good continues, it leads towards dropping of faults and unswervingly to severance of evil threads of fate.”

Idris Okuneye was privileged to attend reputable institutions, King’s College and the University of Lagos, Akoka. He read accountancy. He had a promising future spread out for him. He must consider it strange that despite the beckoning of glitters in his life, the thoughts that kept assailing him were those urging him to change from being a man to transforming into a woman. Why were those thoughts banging on his soul? From where were they coming? Answers he must find to them.

Some years ago, a survey was reportedly carried out in one of the countries of Western Europe. And the question asked was: “If you were to come into the world once more, would you rather be a man or a woman?” The answers were predictably interesting: 61 per cent of the women respondents, acknowledging their sex, said they would want to come back and remain as women; 25 per cent would like to be men in the said reincarnation; while 13 per cent were undecided. Of the men, 88 per cent said they would like to return and live as males and only 8 per cent would elect to come next time as females. What lies behind a desire for a gender change?

In the enlightenment of higher knowledge available on earth today, it is revealed that as we left the Spiritual Realm embarking on our descent to this earth for our development, although we left as unconscious spirit germs, there was an inner, awakening urge which sought to incline towards a more delicate activity or to a coarser, positive working. If the urge increased in inclination towards the delicate, it was determined as female and it kept a part of the higher spiritual essence. (I refer to our descent to this vale of matter for our sojourn in the past tense because there are no new spirits coming to this earth). The female is thus enriched with higher spiritual make-up. If inclination of the urge leads towards coarser, positive tasting and activity, the spirit germ defines itself and it is so determined as male. Being male, it is gradually divested of the delicate and finer part of the higher spiritual part as it will inhibit its working. The female holding to her own is put in a situation that she is a firm link and channel of radiations and influences from higher and purer Light Realm, indeed, Paradise. She is thus blessed with richer intuitive and perceptive faculties to sense the Will of God at all times and in every situation so she can guide man. The urge that triggers the inclination becomes a resolution to be either a female or male. That first resolution of the spirit germ, we learn from higher knowledge, is decisive and fundamental for its whole existence, not just for life on earth but the entire existence. It is once and for all! No matter the changes that may have occurred, the spirit itself always remains what it had originally chosen at the start of its wandering through Creation. It is bound to that one single and decisive free will.

This special spiritual enrichment for women accounts for their charms which impact fully as from puberty upwards. The charms are to arrest the male folks and turn their gaze upwards to the Light. However, out of ignorance and the so palpable decline of woman, the role of the charms p is perverted; they are used today only to seduce.

Standing as she does half a step higher than man even psychically, and by virtue of her make-up, she is able to absorb the rays of power and she thus becomes the store house of power from On High. She mediates the rays to the dense men thus passing strength to them for use in their coarse activities. She pulls them up; she dispenses to them, spreading beauty, ennobling the environment and directing affairs to a glorious end. Nature has endowed woman with a finer essence which her body mirrors so that in the ensuing homogeneity with the finer and purer currents of life, she may easily link up with these forces, and absorbing from them, mediate strength to her menfolk, who being coarse and alien to these forces cannot reach out to them on their own. All women carry these abilities. They are inherent in their essence from the very beginning. Man senses some power emanating from woman, and he the sturdier one feels drawn to protect this inexplicable treasure, for balance in reciprocity.

As I once explained, man, through science has encountered this overwhelming power in nature but has been unable to relate it to the nature of female species in whatever form at all levels of being. In the tiny atom, a storehouse of power, the nucleus holds the active-prone electrons together in orbiting the shells. In the gigantic solar system, the storehouse is the sun. The galaxies and the universes, too, have their own storehouses and so does humanity. And that storehouse is woman! For all species of life are subject to Law, the Will of the Creator which affects every species according to its nature. This is the storehouse which women want to abandon to become men. Men, too, seek to abandon their roles and become women as in the example of Bobrisky.

From trends observable in modern times, there will be more cases of men seeking to become women in the future. They are already filing their applications in the psychic sphere with men plaiting their hair; some wear wigs; some wear ear rings; many in their thoughts or distorted conceptions either adopted voluntarily or received through upbringing. Since becoming a woman is nourished, in the next incarnation the man will have his longing answered according to the law that what a man strongly desires returns to him. Weakening their masculinity, they distort their souls. They are males inhabiting female bodies. In their reincarnation, they may be women; they assume only partially features of women to begin with. They are marked by distinctive characteristics such as narrow hips and aggressive disposition. Contrary to the accustomed naturally quiet posture of genuine women, they express strong opinions. Where the distortion is not yet complete, the person can come back as a bisexual person. She begins to wonder why she is different from other young girls and women.

However, the distortion is more prevalent among women. In modern times, women not fully aware of their roles in Creation and out of ignorance of the consequences, imitate men, seeking to share roles with them or even take over. From the words alone, it can be easily recognised that man is different from woman and each has its roles assigned by Nature. The aping is manifested in positive activities, diversion of energies to wrong and harmful pursuits, such as footballing; weight lifting; crane driving; excessive cultivation of the frontal brain which is the seat of the intellect. This has the effect of blocking the outflowing of their intuition. The craving for political power and kindred executive activities steel them. When genuine womanliness is repressed, the delicacy of perception measured in the sharpness of the sixth sense that it represents, is walled in and distorted by the intellect.

With the forced changes in roles, the distortion of the inner man begins and disequilibrium sets in. The threads of fate are woven in the tapestry of life; the woman concerned must reincarnate as a man. This is because after the suppression of the true womanliness, only the coarser spiritual elements prevail. In most cases the female body harbouring a distorted maie soul will have features that are distinctive such as narrow hips sliding towards the male structure. She could grow muscles.

Whether it is a man or a woman who is involved in the distortion of the soul, there is restlessness as neither feels welcome in the gathering of genuine men or genuine women as the case may be. The male in a female body, for example, finds that a genuine man is unable to feel happy in her vicinity. There can hardly be a harmonious and successful marriage between a genuine man and a distorted woman’s soul, and vice versa. A genuine man finds no understanding for a false woman.

The inexplicable urge from within to do something about the inability to fit joyously into any circle of friends or gathering or have a stable marriage union intensifies. Then, there is recourse to seeking public acknowledgement and renown to fill the gaps through various means and by all means. Some take very desperate and abhorrent steps!

The question remains for all drifting towards such unwholesome experiences: Who am I? Bobrisky upon deep reflection, grappling with seeking to find an answer to the all-important question may find the closet and experience the correctional facility affords him more of a blessing than a curse. The situation is reversible in the long run. It depends; as there is not much time left for all mankind, all of us to straighten our ways.

Having a firm volition for what is good and nursing no ill-will towards anyone is the first step in the quest for freedom from enchainment, inwardly and outwardly, as freedom within is freedom without. We should all lovingly wish Bobrisky well and help from Above, from the Throne of Grace. Above all, we should seek knowledge—knowledge that answers all questions of life and existence!

Like a pack of cards, the corruption charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against  former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, have crumbled, further exposing the commission’s poor investigation and prosecution.

Aformer Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, last week finally surmounted every plot to convict him or hang corruption allegations on his neck since he left office in 2015.

As part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government’s efforts to hold individuals accountable for their actions during the previous administration led by Goodluck Jonathan, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought charges against Adoke. These charges stem from his purported involvement in transactions linked to the alleged defrauding of Nigeria of approximately $1.8 billion. Central to the accusations are Adoke’s alleged roles in the complex ownership transfers concerning the OPL 245 dispute with Malabu Oil and Gas Limited.

Adoke promptly filed a suit marked, FHC/ABJ/94/446/2017, against the then AGF, Abubakar Malami, praying to be freed from any criminal liability in respect of the transactions and declaring his prosecution by the EFCC null and void.

In his defence, Adoke argued that his actions in the deal were carried out under the direct orders of President Jonathan, thus making him immune from prosecution. He petitioned the court to deem his prosecution by the EFCC as unlawful. However, Attorney General Malami contested the claim, insisting that Adoke should stand trial.

But in her ruling, Justice Binta Nyako declared that Adoke could not be held accountable for his involvement in the OPL 245 transactions. She reasoned that Adoke merely executed lawful directives from President Jonathan, absolving him of any wrongdoing in the deal.

Justice Nyako resolved all the issues raised for determination in favour of Adoke and dismissed the preliminary objection raised against the suit by Malami. She granted four of Adoke’s prayers but refused one which sought a declaration that his prosecution was null and void.

The judge noted that contrary to the defendant’s contention that the plaintiff exceeded the directive of the President and in the process committed a crime, Exhibits 19 and 20, which remained uncontradicted and unchallenged, confirmed that the plaintiff actually remained within the confines of the lawful directives given to him by the president and is therefore protected by law.

THISDAY gathered that Malami himself had in his reasoned legal opinion to the EFCC confirmed that he had reviewed the Settlement Agreement and could not find any illegality in the transaction.

Even the then Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, had also written an opinion to the President through the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, where he explained that the transaction was for the benefit of the country as it would enable the development of the oil block.

Despite these exonerating opinions and the subsisting judgment of Justice Nyako, the EFCC under Ibrahim Magu in 2020 proceeded to charge Adoke and others for corruption, money laundering and other sundry offences.

This he did through two criminal charges prepared against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja and the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

While the charges at the Federal High Court bordered on money laundering, those of the Federal Capital Territory High Court were on fraud, bribery and conspiracy.

In the charges before the FCT High Court, EFCC charged Adoke along with Aliyu Abubakar of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, Shell Ultra Deep Nigeria Limited, and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited (SNEPCo).

The anti-graft commission accused the former AGF of collecting a gratification of N300 million from Abubakar over the OPL 245 resolution. It also accused him of conspiring with other defendants to “commit the offence of public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to cause injury or to save a person from punishment or property from forfeiture.”

But Adoke denied all the allegations, maintaining that he was a victim of political victimisation by former President Buhari on behalf of the late General Sani Abacha’s family who felt cheated in the OPL 245 transaction.

Delivering his judgment on March 28, 2024, Justice Abubakar Kutigi dismissed the charges against Adoke, saying the EFCC failed to adduce credible evidence to prove the allegations contained in the charge. The judge proceeded to reprimand the EFCC for filing “frivolous” charges against the former AGF.

While upholding the no-case submission filed by Adoke, Justice Kutigi commended the prosecution for conceding that it did not have sufficient evidence to oppose the no-case application, but he criticised the anti-graft agency for wasting four years prosecuting the case.

The judge added that the defendants ought not to have been charged in the first instance, stressing that the allegation of illegal tax waivers granted to Shell and Eni was not corroborated by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or any authority.

Justice Kutigi said the EFCC failed to prove its charges of fraud, bribery and money laundering and ruled that the defendant has no case to answer, adding that the EFCC did not provide the necessary evidence to prove the alleged N300 million bribe said to have been given to Adoke by Aliyu Abubakar.

“It is argued that people can be arrested circumstantially. But every trial, more so, a criminal trial is a different ball game which must be undertaken with utmost care and attention to detail, particularly, the quality of the evidence and availability of witnesses.

“It cannot be right or fair, that in this case, for example, nearly about 30 counts in the case involving forgery, the documents subject to these counts were not presented in evidence and material evidence led to situate the elements of forgery.

 “I must therefore make the point that the whole trial process, whatever its inherent imperfection, is entirely evidence-driven, evidence which requires quality and probative value. This is so whether it is at this stage of situating a prima facie, as in the present situation, or at the point of determining guilt, or otherwise of the defendants.”

With the absence of evidence, the judge stated that allowing the proceedings to continue is to inflict undue hardship and injustice on the defendants.

“In my final analysis, and for the avoidance of doubt, my firm decision on the basis of the provision of section 302 of the ACJA 2015 is that the evidence adduced by the prosecution on record is not sufficient to justify the continuation of this trial.”

The money laundering allegations against the former AGF also came as a result of the commission’s desperation to nail Adoke at all costs. Hence, it failed to conduct a proper investigation of the case.

In 2011, Adoke had taken a mortgage of N300 million from Unity Bank to buy a property valued at N500 million from Abubakar. However, he failed to pay his own equity contribution of N200 million and the mortgage was cancelled in 2013.

Abubakar said he returned the N300 million to Unity Bank after finding a new buyer – the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

But in 2017, the EFCC accused Adoke of handing the dollar equivalent of N300 million to Rislanudeen Mohammed, then acting Managing Director of Unity Bank, to refund the loan.

The commission said it was a breach of money laundering laws as it was above the N10 million threshold allowed, arguing further that a Bureau De Change (BDC) – which the bank used to convert the dollar to naira – is not a financial institution. It accused Adoke and Abubakar of conspiring to commit the offence of money laundering.

Mohammed, in his testimony as a prosecution witness for the EFCC, claimed he collected $2 million cash from Adoke and gave it to a BDC to convert to naira to refund the mortgage. He said after the money was repaid, the bank returned the land documents to Abubakar and closed Adoke’s mortgage account.

Mohammed, however, said it was not a case of money laundering since a BDC is legally a financial institution. He said he did not report the transaction to the security agencies such as the EFCC and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) because there was nothing suspicious about it, and that his office did not reprimand him as he did not commit any offence.

Delivering a ruling on the no-case submission, filed by the former AGF, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the EFCC failed to establish a prima facie case against Adoke. He also held that the anti-graft agency did not provide any evidence to prove the essential elements of Adoke’s offence.

THISDAY gathered that Mohammed later apologised to Adoke in private, saying the EFCC had threatened to arrest his wife and daughter if he did not agree to testify — albeit falsely — that he collected the cash directly from the former AGF.

Adoke said even the former acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, who oversaw the charges, has also apologised to him.

Responding to the judgments in a statement, Adoke described them as a vindication, adding that despite his ordeal in the hands of the EFCC, his faith in Nigeria remains unshaken.

84-year-old renowned Belgian painter and writer, Erik Pervernagie, says: “People die from lack of shared empathy and affinity. By establishing social connectedness, we give hope a chance and the other can become heaven (“Le ciel c’est l’autre”).

No institution has been so disparaged and stigmatised as the Nigeria Police. It is treated with so much contempt and neither appreciated nor celebrated. Rather, anything bad or despicable is attributed to the police. An average policeman is held in utmost and never enjoys any empathy or affinity from most Nigerians. Although the police are the friend of the people, the mutual reciprocity from the people is seemingly non-existent. The compensation is abysmal while the motivation is infinitesimal.

That is why in its years of existence, no one has remembered to honour its men and officers who have excelled in their professional outings until the coming of IGP Olukayode Egbetokun. Hence, the maiden edition of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations Ceremony held in Abuja last Monday was long overdue and an emotion-laden event. This was the first time the Nigeria Police celebrated itself by recognising gallantry, rewarding excellence and professionalism, thereby boosting the morale of officers and men, which has over the decades been at an all-time low.

By this maiden award, the present Inspector General of Police has jump-started a new Nigeria Police Force whose personnel are ethically compliant, professionally focused, and stable with a strong reward culture and post-service incentives. The IGP has also, through this event, instituted a reward system and reputation management process that will ultimately change the general perception our people hold about the Nigeria Police. Going forward, the men and officers of the force will be motivated and energised to give their all in spite of the negative reception from the public and compete to be recognised and honoured.

Putting the icing on the cake was the effervescent  President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, who stole the show. It was, however, devoid of an elaborate sense of humour or trademark jokes nor hilarious laughter. It was the underpin of the inspirational remarks by the number one Legislator in Nigeria.

In a delivery reminiscent of the oratory of a Barrack Obama, Luther King, William Churchill or Nelson Mandela, Akpabio’s speech evinced the feelings of empathy and affinity.  Call it Sermon on the Mount, and you will be damn right! Because he gave the Nigeria Police Force a thump-up for the timely, strategic, and innovative strategies it has adopted in the cutting-edge reputation management of the organisation and the morale-boosting initiative adopted to foster professionalism, innovations, competition, and courage amongst its workforce.

The admonition of Senator Akpabio falls within the prism of constructive stakeholders’ engagement and an urgent demand to integrate the force into a citizen-police cubicle. Drawing allusions from the Holy Books (the Bible and Koran) to drive home his message, Akpabio said, “I see hope in today’s event. The story is told of how Prophet Elijah (known in the Koran as Ilyās), after three and a half years of drought, asked his attendant to go and look for a rain cloud. After seven attempts, the assistant came back and told him that he had seen a small cloud, the size of a man’s hand. Not minding the size of the cloud, Elijah declared that a torrential downpour was impending”.

Continuing, the Senate President was eclectic: “In this country we have had a deficit of heroes. Not because Nigerians are not heroic but because we do not celebrate our heroes. Yet heroes play a vital role in society through the provision of inspiration, motivation, hope and serving as representations of values and character. Celebrating heroes could bring the much-needed change we need in the fabric of our society and make our country a better place.

“So today, I can see in this award ceremony a small rain cloud, the size of the hand of a man. But I declare, like Elijah, that out of this event shall come a mighty downpour of recognition of heroes and heroines in all sectors of the public service, law enforcement and allied service”.

Delving into the literary world, Akpabio navigated the thoughts of one America’s finest naturalist, essayist, poet and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau. He said, “It is apt that the police should set the ball rolling for us in this hero’s recognition affair. Many have sought to hang the police to dry for all our many vices. But the truth of the matter is that the police are all members of our society. Down the ages the popular philosophical thinking was that man could not be better than the society because the society makes the man, socialises man, and orients him with a sense of right and wrong. But Henry David Thoreau came with a counter narrative that man can surpass societal limitations, and rise above societal norms and expectations”.

According to Akpabio, “This is what the police are trying to do with this event under the current leadership. This leadership understands that the role of the police in a democracy cannot be overstated. They are the custodians of law and order, and they ensure the safety and security of the citizens.

“In a democratic society, it is imperative that the police uphold the highest ethical standards in carrying out their duties. They are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the rights and liberties of the people, while maintaining law and order.

“Once again, I commend the police for this maiden effort in organising this awards ceremony. It is a testament to IGP Egbetokun’s commitment to giving honour to whom it is due. By recognising the gallant, selfless, and patriotic contributions of individual officers, will not only motivate them for higher performance but also reinforce the new policing agenda of the force. This agenda focuses on internal ethical regeneration, restoration of professional standards, and the enhancement of the anti-corruption drive”.

He left some words of admonition: “However, let us not ignore the challenges faced by the police in Nigeria. The ever-evolving landscape of crime and the increasing sophistication of criminal gangs pose significant obstacles. More so, as we honour the good officers, let us weed out the bad ones because a chain is as strong as its weakest link. We must address these issues and work together to find solutions. The police need the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, to overcome these challenges and build a stronger and more effective police force.

“I congratulate the awardees who have excelled in their respective fields of policing. Their dedication, bravery, and integrity have set them apart and made them deserving of this recognition. I commend every one of them for their outstanding performance and commitment to the service of our nation. I urge them to remember that to whom much is given, much is expected.

“As the leader of the National Assembly, I pledge our full cooperation and support for the better policing of Nigeria. We recognize the importance of a well-equipped and motivated police force in ensuring the security and well-being of our citizens. We will continue to work tirelessly to provide the necessary legislative framework and resources to enable the police to carry out their duties effectively”.

This is what our institutions need now, this is the quality Nigeria is looking for and the leaders that deserve to be at the helm of affairs. Senator Akpabio was generous in the act and in the heart of his personal support to the families of the posthumous awardees.

Hon Eseme Eyiboh is the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and the official Spokesperson to the President of the Senate

The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ben Igweh, stated this in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh.

Igweh expressed concern that the misleading video has been passed around to sow fear and misinformation among FCT residents and Nigerians in general.

The CP, therefore, ordered a comprehensive investigation to uncover the source of the misinformation and discern the motives behind its dissemination.

The statement reads, “Forensic analysis conducted by the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre has revealed startling findings regarding a video circulating purportedly depicting security concerns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Contrary to initial impressions, the investigation confirms that the incident depicted occurred in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and was posted by a South African individual on X (formerly Twitter) on April 22nd, 2024. The video falsely claims the necessity of carrying handguns for travel in Ethiopia.

“It is deeply concerning that this misleading video has been misappropriated to sow fear and misinformation among residents of the FCT.

“The command reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of the FCT and will take all necessary legal actions to address this issue. We urge the public to remain vigilant and discerning in consuming information, especially in the digital sphere.”

[NaijaNews]

The Federal Government of Nigeria received an additional N3.8 trillion in what appears to be fresh Ways and Means Borrowing in the last six months of 2023. 

This is according to provisional data published in the latest Statistics bulletin for the fourth quarter of 2023 recently released by the central bank.  

The CBN’s provision data show that the total figure rose from N4.4 trillion at the end of June 2023 meaning that the cumulative Ways and Means balances due by the government now stand at N8.2 trillion as of December 2023. 

This is despite news reports noting that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, which suggest President Bola Tinubu’s government has not borrowed money from the CBN. 

The Ways and Means provision serve as a mechanism enabling the government to secure short-term or emergency financing from the CBN to address cash flow gaps. 

Total Ways and Means balances as of May 2023 when the Tinubu administration took over was N26.95 trillion. However, the balances were securitized as included as part of the federal government’s domestic debt profile.  

Breakdown of the data 

A cursory analysis of the data shows the balance at the end of June 2023 was N4.36 trillion indicating that the prior month balances may have been moved to the Debt Management Office.  

However, from July 2023, the balances increase every month, first to N4.5 trillion in July, then N5.1 trillion in August, crossing the N5.1 trillion mark for the first time.  

By September, the total was N6.4 trillion, representing the single largest additional borrowing for a month with about N1.3 trillion. It then climbed to N7.2 trillion in October before rising marginally to N7.6 trillion in November. 

At the end of the year, in December, the total hit N8.21 trillion, suggesting that Ways and Means increased by 88% in 6 months. 

What You Should Know 

• Nairametrics earlier reported that the federal government obtained about N2.94 trillion from the CBN through Ways and Means Advances. This was earmarked for the servicing of its domestic debts, which means that the government had to resort to borrowing from the CBN to fulfil its obligations to domestic debt holders. 
• It was also disclosed that the federal government allocated approximately N4.83 trillion from the proceeds of Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) and Bonds issued in 2024 to settle the Ways and Means Advances from the CBN. 
• Last year, the National Assembly approved the securitization of N22.7 trillion from the N23.3 trillion previously advanced by the CBN to the Federal Government through ways and means. 
• This debt was subsequently transferred to the Debt Management Office (DMO) with a 40-year tenor, a 3-year moratorium, and an interest rate of 9%. 

Ways and Means Act 

• According to Section 38 of the CBN Act, 2007, the apex bank may grant temporary advances to the Federal Government about temporary deficiency of budget revenue at such rate of interest as the bank may determine. 
• The Act placed a limit of five per cent on how much the Federal Government could borrow, although the previous administration severely violated the limit. 
• The National Assembly introduced amendments to the CBN Act, elevating the ceiling of Ways and Means Advances from the apex bank from five to 15% of the Federal Government’s previous year’s revenue. 
• This endeavor to raise the limit to 15% opens the door to more borrowing and an increased burden of debt service obligations for the country. 
• Also, the Senate of the 10th assembly, mirroring its predecessor in the ninth assembly, approved the securitisation of the outstanding N7.3 trillion in Ways and Means. This will likely crash the figure recorded in December significantly. 

[Nairametrics]

Another minor fire incident was recorded at the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, prompting flight diversion.

The fire was recorded at the E-wing of the terminal.

Daily Trust reports that another fire gutted the terminal in September 2023, necessitating the total shutdown of the terminal while all the airlines were relocated to the new terminal.

While the fire incident yesterday did not substantially affect flight operations, stakeholders have called for a permanent solution to the recurring fire disasters at the 40-year-old terminal.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced the diversion of all flight operations from the E Wing to the D-Wing.

It was learned that the fire started in the early hours of Thursday after smoke was detected at E54 bridge.

Officials of the Airport Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) were swiftly mobilised to contain the fire which had cut off the power supply at the section of the old international terminal.

FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, confirmed the fire, saying, “The Airport Rescue and Firefighting Services (ARFFS) team was quick to respond, arriving at the scene by 05:30 hrs. 

“Initial suspicions pointed to sparks from an electrical unit as the cause, but a thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the fire. 

 “The incident, which escalated into a fire, was brought under control by 06:41 hrs.”

[DailyTrust]

Nigerians and the rest of the world were taken aback when a video of thousands of bandits celebrating Sallah in Zamfara State surfaced on social media.

The development, many say, is a slap on Nigeria’s security architecture.

The video, which was disclosed by a counter insurgency analysts and security expert focused on Lake Chad region, Zaga Zula Mahama, on Thursday, April 18, has been generating reactions from Nigerians.

The bandits in their thousands were shown partaking in the Sallah festivities.

Nigerians have paid heavily in various forms, following the activities of the bandits, particularly in the North West and North Central, where they have made life a living hell for the people.

Nigerians in their hundreds of thousands have been kidnapped in the past by the bandits and ransom running into millions paid to secure their release.

Many who could not afford the outrageous ransom which they demand from most often have been brutally killed.

Many others have died out of torture in their hands or as a result of inclement weather in the forests and thick bushes where the bandits had always kept them.

In some states, like Katsina, Zamfara and Niger, some local government areas are comfortably under the control of the bandits, where they levy and collect taxes from the people without fear of any consequences.

Although the military kept assuring Nigerians that they were on top of the situation, the bandits appear unperturbed as they keep dishing pain, sorrow and death on a monthly basis.

The situation had become so disturbing that many people now question the authenticity of the information the military has been feeding Nigerians with, as it affects the counter insurgency war.

Nigerians have been told several times that scores of the bandits have been neutralised at different times in different locations and states including Zamfara, which is regarded as their headquarters. But, with the number seen on the video, many are asking if the information that the military has been feeding Nigerians with is anything to go by.

Some people are also saying that what the bandits wanted to prove with the viral video was simply to show that they have the backing of some powerful individuals in the society.

One of those who are sceptical about the information from the military authorities regarding their onslaught on the bandits is the president of the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Dr. Pogu Bitrus.

He wondered why there are still thousands of the bandits out there despite assurances from the military that they are being dealt with.

Commenting on the viral video, Bitrus said the bandits wanted to showcase their religion.

He told DAILY POST that, “The bandits just want to show that they are Muslims, whether or not we accept is immaterial.

“It also shows that up till now, no matter what we have been told that the military have done with regard to decimating them, there are still a lot of them out there who can cause havoc in this country.”

He accused some people of paying lip service to the unity of the country, because according to him, if they wanted the country to be one as they would want people to believe, they would not be supporting the activities of the bandits.

He stressed that the only way to solve the problem of banditry in Nigeria was to restructure the country so that each state or geo-political region would be able to provide adequate security for her people.

“Sentiments apart, we are people who believe in one Nigeria. But the reality is that there are people who don’t believe in one Nigeria.

“If they do, they will not do what they are doing. We need to do what is necessary and we said we want this country to be restructured and that is the way forward,” he stated.

Also, the coordinator of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, Alhaji Yerima Shettima described the bandits’ courage to appear publicly in such a large number as a clear indication that the government of the day has to do more.

“It is also an indication that the bandits have taken the country for granted, otherwise if the government is willing and determined, it couldn’t have said that it didn’t have information about the Sallah programme that bandits attended, or when they were about to hold the programme.

“This is because it was not a programme that the bandits held for one or two hours, it was a programme that took them several hours to execute.

“So, the government must buckle up because the implication is that it is an abuse of the sensibilities of the country as a whole, and it has also gone further to make a mockery of the country’s security forces.

“The government must buckle up and handle the matter once and for all,” he said.

On the number of bandits that have so far been neutralised over time, Yerima insisted that nobody could dispute the information, stressing that why it appears as the information was not true was because the bandits recruit people into their fold on a daily basis.

“They engage and employ people who are jobless by the day. So, the issue of saying that the information is not true should not even arise because the military is really trying, but just that they need to do more.

“Only God knows what would have happened if not for the military’s effort.

“They are trying but they should put more effort and clean the mess once and for all,” he submitted.

For a former member of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Alhaji Shehu Yusuf, banditry had become a big problem in the country, particularly in the North.

He said he aligned with the Kaduna State governor who recently said that everybody was involved in banditry.

“Starting from the community members that provide information to the traditional rulers, the security agents and the government, everybody is involved because looking at the way they operate, they must have the support of some people in the community who give them reliable information that enables them to attack people at random and disappear without a trace.

“I believe that there are people who are supporting them because for the bandits to come inside the town to a prayer ground which is a public place in such a large number, with arms and finish whatever they were doing and left unhindered is unbelievable.

“It is confusing and there must be people supporting them and providing them with useful information,” he told DAILY POST.

Insisting that almost everybody was involved in the menace, he said: “Remember that victims that had the opportunity to speak to the media usually tell us that they know the bandits and where they are hiding, especially in Zamfara State and in all communities that are being attacked by bandits.

“The people in such communities know the bandits personally and their hideouts.

“They go to the market and buy whatever they want, and anytime they like they can strike the communities, kill people and carry their belongings. That is exactly what is happening.

“These people are Nigerians. They live among the people in the community and the people know them and their hideouts.

“So, it is confusing and one cannot understand why they are doing what they are doing and the government has not been able to deal with them decisively.”

He advised the government to go all out not only against the bandits but also against their friends, sympathisers, informants and sponsors, and deal with them ruthlessly, according to the law of the land.

He also noted that they were able to display what they did in Zamfara without a whimper from the security agents because they have powerful individuals in the society who always come for them each time they are arrested.

“Normally, when the security agents arrest these bandits and take them to custody, except they are killed on the spot, they will always find their way out, either from the court, police cell, military cell or wherever they are being kept, and after some time, you see them back in the society.

“There is no legal action against them and this is what is happening. So, their supporters have a way of getting them out whenever they are arrested,” he lamented.

However, he expressed fear that the situation was getting to a point where the people would take the law into their own hands.

“If the communities are fed up, they will fight back. There was a case recently in a community in Zamfara State, where bandits wanted to abduct a bride, but were repelled by the groom’s relatives, who organised, attacked them, killed one of them and took their guns.

“They killed one of the bandits and others ran away; the groom’s relatives collected their guns and returned them to the nearest military checkpoint along Gusau Road.

“So, it is gradually getting to that point where people will begin to react, without waiting for any security agent,” he stated.

“Where is the technology of our military? Where is the technology of our security agents? Why can’t they use common drones to locate these bandits and act decisively on them?

“You will see the bandits exposing their machine guns, and living in the bush; meaning that in less than 10 minutes, the government can locate where they are, but nothing is being done about their activities.

“When the police or the military get a distress call that something is happening at a particular area, before they get permission from the above, the bandits have finished with their operation and disappeared.

“Anytime you report at the police or military checkpoint that something is happening at a particular place, they will tell you that they need to get permission from the top and before the top allows them to act, things would have gone wrong. This is what is happening.

“The painful aspect of the whole thing is that young military officers are always being killed.

“Look at what happened in Niger State recently, where six military officers, including a Captain, were killed. The government should take decisive action on this matter.

“Our military men are always being killed; the police and the DSS personnel, including the community people are being killed every day like animals. This is not good.

“The appearance of those bandits simply means that the people know them and their hideout, so it is time the government acted and stopped giving lame excuses about their invincibility,” he submitted.

• ‘The worst of the storms over’
• Dutch businessmen to invest $250m in Nigeria

“I am ever ready to take tough decisions in the best interest of the people, even if with initial pains,” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu affirmed yesterday.

He spoke in Hague, The Netherlands during the business session of the bilateral meeting with the Dutch team led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

The President led a Nigerian delegation on a state visit to the European country.

After the meeting, The Netherlands promised an investment worth $250 million in Nigeria in the next few months, according to a statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale.

President Tinubu, on his assumption of office last year, declared that “subsidy is gone”, a pronouncement that was followed by the unification of exchange rates.

Speaking at the meeting, Tinubu said: “I am a determined leader of my people.

“I have and will continue to take the difficult decisions that will benefit our people, even if there is short-term pain.

“We have gone through the worst of the storms. I am unafraid of the consequences once I know that my actions are in the best long-term interests of all Nigerians.

“The Nigerian naira is one of the world’s best-performing currencies today.

“We took the necessary risk, and all resilient Nigerians kept faith with us.

“They will be rewarded, and the reward will only be greater as we partner effectively with you on new opportunities for development.

“As leaders, we must make decisions for the benefit of our nations, and we cannot shy away from that.”

He expressed firm commitment to the developmental partnership between Nigeria and the European Union (EU).

The President noted that symbiotic economic ties remain the best long-term path to sustainable and mutual prosperity rather than one-sided relationships in which bilateral trade is skewed too much in one direction.

Acknowledging the positive impacts of the various reforms carried out by the

Tinubu administration, Rutte said: “You are promoting democratic governance and the solutions it can bring in dealing with problems of development.

“I saw how you went through democratic channels to remove an incumbent president in 2015 in partnership with President Muhammadu Buhari and how that has led to development in your country.

“I saw you take the courageous decisions to deal with fuel subsidies and other reforms, and we are interested in what allowed you to take the decisions that many before you could not take. And you took those decisions early in your term. It shows rare determination. And your stand in ECOWAS, all of these point to your commitment to leadership.”

Thrilled by the confidence triggered by President Tinubu’s reforms in the economy, Rutte unfolded plans by Dutch businessmen to invest $250 million in Nigeria.

The investments, which the PM said would be activated over the next few months, include a $100 million stake in a waste-to-wealth industrial facility in Lagos, the nation’s industrial hub.

Wooing the Dutch investors, the President listed the immense opportunities available in the country across a pool of sectors, restating his Administration’s commitment to deepening ongoing reforms to further enhance the investment climate.

Nigeria, Tinubu said, is well-positioned to power the clean energy future of Europe and the world with its high-grade lithium deposits.

According to the President, Nigeria seeks robust, balanced and mutually beneficial partnerships that will bring about value-addition in areas like solid minerals.

He said: “Taking a holistic view of the world order, there is a tremendous opportunity between us across trade spheres but especially in solid minerals, where we have high-grade lithium deposits that we know can power the clean energy future of the world.

“There is excellent value-additive opportunity in Nigeria. The world knows us for oil. They will soon know us for greater innovative exploits in other areas.

“We have an extremely dynamic youth population in Nigeria. It is a young country.

“Seventy per cent of our people are under the age of 30 and when we are referring to 200 million plus citizens, it represents both a massive workforce and a massive market for Dutch and other international investors.

“If our young people know they can achieve a good future in Nigeria, they will stay home and build our nation to greatness.

“Lawful migration of trained Nigerian minds and hands will be a benefit to Europe, and irregular migration will no longer be a source of fear in Europe if we partner effectively.

“This is what we want and it is why we are adamant about providing student loans and new credit opportunities to not only enhance the skills of our people but also to ensure that they can access a higher quality of life within their legitimate incomes.

“We will transform our economy, and our young people will be the reason.”

He asserted that the confidence Nigerians had in themselves encouraged him to make some tough decisions on their behalf, adding that the citizens need long-term tools to succeed.

Vera Anyim, the lady who became famous because of the controversy that trailed her recent testimony at the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja, has reached out to Nigerians for support in finding secure accommodation.

Anyim made the appeal in a video that started making the rounds on the internet on Thursday.

Anyim’s testimony, initially questioned by the church’s Senior Pastor, Paul Enenche, sparked widespread debate online.

Enenche interrupted and questioned the credibility of Anyim’s testimony at his church.

The woman, who claimed to have graduated with a “BSc in Law” from the National Open University of Nigeria, was accused of lying by the senior pastor.

He said that her speech did not align with that of a law graduate and insisted that no such degree as a “BSc in Law” existed.

The incident ignited varied reactions on social media when it was discovered that the testimony was genuine, with some calling on Enenche to apologise for his actions, while others defended his stance.

The church had in a statement, apologised to Anyim.

They stated that the Senior Pastor’s actions were driven by a dedication to maintaining standards of excellence and integrity within the church community.

Anyim who recently returned from a sponsored vacation at Portland Resorts Hotel in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is now seeking assistance from Nigerians to secure new accommodation.

She deemed her current living situation unsafe and calls upon the public for support.

She said, “I want to say to Nigerians, you know this thing that happened is a thing of joy, I never dreamed of it, it came this moment, I never dream of being a celebrity.

“It just came all of a sudden. I never prepared for it. I want to use this medium to urge us to assist me with accommodation because I am not buoyant now to rent a house. Where I am staying now is risky and insecure. It is a very open place and everybody has already known I am a celebrity.

“When I left Abuja, some people in my compound didn’t know what was happening, but I was there, and so many of them have heard what was going on. Some have said they are waiting for me. My brother, who stays with me, told me that people gathered, all waiting for me.”

She expressed concern that people might misunderstand the situation and assume she received a large sum of money during her time in Port Harcourt

The chairman of the Port Harcourt-based resort, Azubuike Ihemeje, had invited Anyim for an all-expense paid trip.

“That is why I am voicing out, asking for assistance to enable me to get a place I can stay so that my life can be safe. As I’m talking to you, I’m just hiding myself so that people will not come and misbehave at my side.

“So, please, if there is any way you can help me for me to get accommodation where I can be secured as a human being, intelligent people know what I am talking about.

“I don’t need to move or stay anyhow. If you don’t mind, you can assist me. Nothing is too small.”

[Punch]