Meeting on the ongoing negotiations on new minimum wage has been adjourned till Wednesday after the organised labour rejected the new N54,000 minimum wage proposal by the Federal Government, a highly reliable source who attended the meeting told our correspondent on Wednesday.

The PUNCH had exclusively reported that the Federal Government upped its offer from its earlier proposed N48,000 to N54,000.

Tuesday’s meeting came as a result of the walkout staged by members of the organised labour following the proposal of N48,000 as minimum wage by the Federal Government during last week’s meeting.

During that meeting, the OPS had also proposed N54,000 while labour insisted on its N615,000 living wage demand.

Our correspondent who spoke to sources who attended the follow-up meeting on Tuesday learnt that the Federal Government upped its offer from N48,000 to N54,000.

“Well, during the meeting, the government increased its offer from N48,000 to N54,000. However, labour rejected that offer and the meeting has been adjourned till Wednesday,” a source who asked not to be named said.

When asked if the government’s side was showing any sign of seriousness, the labour leader said, “No seriousness at all. Even state governors did not show up. Those who represented them, like Bauchi and Niger states, did not have the mandates to speak on their behalf.

“As regards the private sector, we did not get to them before the meeting was adjourned but we hope they also increase their initial offer.”

Organised labour on Monday reiterated its May 31, 2024 deadline for the implementation of the new minimum wage.

The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, insisted on N615,000 minimum wage, arguing that the amount was arrived at after an analysis of the current economic situation and the needs of an average Nigerian family of six.

He blamed the government and the OPS for the breakdown in negotiation, saying, “Despite earnest efforts to reach an equitable agreement, the less than reasonable action of the Government and the Organised Private Sector has led to a breakdown in negotiations.”

In a statement released at the end of the jointly held NEC meeting by the NLC and TUC which was signed by Joe Ajaero, NLC president and Festus Osifo, TUC president, the unions said they acknowledge the ongoing negotiations between the NLC/TUC, the Organised Private Sector and the Federal Government regarding the new national minimum wage.

While appreciating what they described as the efforts made thus far, the NLC and TUC emphasized the urgency of reaching a fair and equitable agreement that reflects the true value of Nigerian workers’ contributions to the nation’s development and the current crisis of survival facing Nigerians as a result of government’s policies.

They also affirmed commitment to ensuring that the interests and welfare of workers are adequately protected in the negotiation process.

President Bola Tinubu through Vice President Kashim Shettima, on January 30, 2024, inaugurated the 37-member Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage to come up with a new minimum wage ahead of the expiration of the current N30,000 wage on April 18.

With its membership cutting across federal and state governments, the private sector and organised labour, the panel is to recommend a new national minimum wage for the country.

During the inauguration of the panel, Shettima urged the members to “speedily” arrive at a resolution and submit their reports early.

“This timely submission is crucial to ensure the emergence of a new minimum wage,” Shettima said.

In furtherance of its assignment, a zonal public hearing was held simultaneously on March 7 in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, and Abuja.

The NLC and the TUC in different states proposed various figures as a living wage, referencing the current economic crunch and the high costs of living.

In their different proposals on the minimum wage, the NLC members in the South-West states demanded N794,000 as the TUC suggested N447,000.

At the North-Central zonal hearing in Abuja, the workers demanded N709,000 as the new national minimum wage, while their counterparts in the South-South clamoured for N850,000.

In the North-West, N485,000 was proposed, while the South-East stakeholders demanded N540,000 minimum wage.

But organised labour settled for N615,000 as a living wage.

[Punch]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday inaugurated the 6th National Stakeholders Working Group, NSWG, of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, with a charge on members to stay away from the day-to-day activities of the agency.

The President said that since the appointment was on a part time basis, the daily management of NEITI lies with the management team led by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume who inaugurated the board on behalf of President Tinubu reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to the implementation of the principles and standard of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in Nigeria.

“Our faith in the EITI process is not just because it is central to our key government agendas, but also because, over the years, NEITI has demonstrated a high degree of competence, integrity and commitment to the values that the country requires to achieve economic growth and development in the sector through availability of reliable information and data required for national planning and reforms.

“NEITI has supported phenomenal revenue growth in the sector through meticulous application of EITI principles. Our national and global focus is on energy security, efficiency and justice in energy financing, renewable and control of emissions. The work of NEITI is so important to our country and particularly this administration in helping us to define our country’s engagement strategy on the energy transition debate through consultations, constructive engagement driven by reliable information and data”, the President added.

He charged the members: “Your appointment as a member of the NSWG is not a full time job and as members, please note this very carefully to avoid getting involved into issues of day to day management which is the work of NEITI management under the leadership of the Executive Secretary. You are therefore advised to conduct yourselves in accordance with this requirement”.

Addressing the board in his capacity as the NSWG Chairman, Senator George Akume stated that his appointment demonstrates the Federal Government’s prompt and timely response to the recent global EITI assessment of Nigeria’s implementation of the Initiative which among other observations stressed the urgent need to reconstitute NEITI’s Board to avoid sanctions.

Other members of the board are: Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), representing the government, the Group CEO, NNPC Limited is representing the National Oil and Gas Company. The Board also has a representative of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), Lagos Chamber of Commerce and the President of Miners Association of Nigeria representing Extractive Companies (Oil, gas and mining companies). The civil society organisations have Dr Erisa Danladi representing them while the Presidents of Nigeria Mining & Geosciences Society (NMGS) and the President National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) are representing Extractive Industries Professional Unions on the Board. 

[vanguard]

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it is working to identify leakages and tighten surveillance on financial technology (fintech) companies.

Olayemi Cardoso, CBN’s governor, spoke on Tuesday during the press briefing of the 295th monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting in  Abuja.

The governor said fintechs have made positive impact both in Nigeria and the world but regulation is crucial to prevent illicit financial flows within the system.

He said the bank is working with law enforcement agencies to help identify the potential leakages and tighten its regulation on the sector.

“We are very proud of what the fintechs over the years have been able to do for the country and the positive impact that it is having not just in the country but worldwide globally,” Cardoso said.

“However, regulation is very critical in a sector that seems to have grown so incredibly rapidly.

“More recently, we had cause to take a deep dive look at the whole issue of illicit flows and money laundering, particularly within the more heavy regulated banking system and we all know some of the issues that came out with crypto and some of the messages that we put out after that, which of course, gave us some cause to know that there was need for heightened surveillance.

“We are very happy that we have been able to have a very major handshake with the law enforcement agencies which have helped to, in no small measure for us, identify where the potential leakages are and the places where we need to tighten on our regulation and our surveillance.

“For that reason, we will consent with respect to how we saw the issue of anti-money laundering and illicit flows as it made their way within various sub sectors of the financial industry and we felt there was a need for us to take a breather and see how we could work with the different players to strengthen regulations, not by any means to throw them out of business.”

‘WE HAVE NOT REVOKED LICENCE OF ANY FINTECH’

Cardoso said the bank has not revoked the licence of any fintech.

He, however, said there are measures being put in place to strengthen them to benefit the public.

“Let me say something here, who benefits from this and who loses from it? If we get it wrong, the public loses from it, if we get it right, the public benefits from it,” he said.

“It is our intention to ensure that our system is one that will benefit the general public and it is for that reason that we have sat down, and we have tried to bring out remedial measures that will help that sector to tighten up on onboarding and even existing clientele base.”

Cardoso expressed confidence that within the next few months, these issues will be a thing of the past as the fintech industry will be back with a robust regulatory framework.

[TheCable]

Today, I pay tribute to my brother and good friend, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, the esteemed former Governor of Edo State. His contributions to society have no doubt left an indelible mark on the landscape of governance and community development in Edo State. Lucky celebrated his special day on May 13, 2024, when he turned 67. It is only fit to reflect on the incredible person he has been and the impact he has had on those around him and others who came across his wonderful personality.

Surely Lucky's name is a testament to the fortune and blessings he brings into the lives of others. Lucky has indeed been lucky. His presence radiates positivity and his unwavering optimism is a beacon of light for everyone who knows him. His kindness and philanthropy know no bounds. His generosity to the less privileged is as deep as a valley. Whether it is lending a helping hand, offering a listening ear, or simply sharing his accustomed legendary warm smile, he consistently demonstrates genuine care and compassion for others in a manner that is truly amazing, inspiring and energising.

Lucky's journey in the service to the people of Edo State is not merely a chapter in history, but a testament to the transformative power of leadership fueled by sheer integrity and compassion which he exhibited. Born on the 13th day of May, 1957, into the influential Igbinedion dynasty which is renowned for its uncommon commitment to service to humanity, Lucky Igbinedion embraced this legacy early in life with fervour and eclat, embarking on a path guided by a profound sense of duty and responsibility. Though he was born into a wealthy home, Lucky, unlike his peers, created a niche for himself early in life. Surely, a fruit does not fall far away from the mother tree. Upon graduating in marketing from the University of Wyoming, USA (1982), with a bachelors degree in Business, Lucky knew he needed more training to effectively compete in the unorthodox Nigerian political setting. He proceeded to Jackson State University in Mississippi, USA, where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) before returning to Nigeria in 1984, to manage Okada Air, his father’s pet first Nigerian privately owned airline project.

Not satisfied with this, he ventured into politics, when he was appointed Mayor (Chairman) of the Oredo Municipality between 1987 and 1989. His outstanding performance not only led to his being voted the Best Mayor in Nigeria for his developmental efforts, his sterling performance resonated with Edo people. Though his first shot at Governorship under the National Republican Convention (NRC), was unsuccessful against Chief John Odigie-Oyegun who won on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Lucky bounced back and won the Governorship under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999.

As the Governor of Edo State (29th May, 1999 - 29th May, 2007), Lucky demonstrated a rare blend of visionary thinking and pragmatic action, steering Edo State towards a future of prosperity and progress. His administration was characterized by bold initiatives aimed at uplifting the lives of the citizens, fostering economic growth, and promoting social harmony. He it was who established the Edo State Polytechnic at Usen and became the Chairman of the Governors Forum. His lovely wife, Eki Igbinedion, was very active in her pet project which was aimed at wiping out widespread sex trafficking of Edo State women to Europe. She did this through her NGO, Idia Renaissance. In one of the Vanguard newspaper reports in 2016, titled “Edo 2016: Igbinedion and the non-performance fables”, it was stated that human capital development was one of the greatest achievements of Igbinedion’s administration and that Igbinedion provided an enabling environment for a new crop of younger politicians who later formed over 80% of Governor Oshiomhole’s cabinet and leaders of his party. “Some of them include the APC state chairman, Anselm Ojezua and several civil commissioners as well as APC state Secretary, Osaro Idah and several others. Therefore, Chief Igbinedion is the superstructure on which Oshiomhole’s ambition and administration relied on …” the report added.

Under Lucky’s leadership, Edo State witnessed unprecedented infrastructural development, with key sectors such as education, healthcare and transportation receiving much-needed attention and investment. Through strategic policies and partnerships, Lucky Igbinedion laid the groundwork for sustainable development, laying the foundation for generations to come. In 2023, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, in recognition of the leadership qualities of Chief Lucky Igbinedion, invited Chief Igbinedion to chair a committee saddled with the responsibility of reconciling aggrieved members of the PDP in Edo State, a responsibility he executed perfectly.

Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion no doubt faced numerous challenges during his tenure. However, he navigated them with resilience and determination. He implemented various developmental projects, fostered partnerships, and engaged with stakeholders to address pressing issues such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Through strategic decision-making and effective governance, he surmounted these challenges, leaving a positive impact on the state's progress and development.

Beyond the realm of governance, Lucky Igbinedion's impact in the business world, especially in the fields of hospitality, construction and realty resonates deeply with the people he served. His unwavering commitment to inclusivity and empathy have endeared him to communities across Edo State, and beyond, building bridges of understanding and partnership and fostering a sense of unity and solidarity that transcend local boundaries. Though he has left public office, his convictions and yearnings for Nigeria have never changed. Sometime in January, 2024, he urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide much needed infrastructure, especially roads, electricity and water, for private businesses to thrive. He submitted further that with these, “people can start creating their employment capabilities, not only for themselves but also employing others, I think that is what the federal government needs to encourage by making sure that the environment is conducive for business.”

Nosakhare has remained quiet in the murky political streams, choosing instead to play the noble role of an Elderstatesman. Not for him, the looming image of obnoxious godfatherism.

Generously endowed with a massive frame, Lucky Igbinedion’s intimidating presence is accentuated by his well tended riotous moustache, which has become his signature and trademark. Over shared moments of joy, I would always tease him with cultivating his moustache with $5,000 per month. When I spoke to him last week, he laughed raucously with a guffaw, and replied, “Akpakpa Vighi Vighi, you are behind times. Due to change in market forces, I now manicure and pedicure my moustache with $7,500 monthly”. Such is the luminous personage of Lucky, a simple and humble man that possesses a large dose of humour and wise cracks.

This is wishing Chief Lucky Igbinedion happy birthday. His legacy shines as a beacon of hope and inspiration, guiding us towards a tomorrow filled with promise and boundless possibilities. His achievements stand as a testament to his hard work and dedication. Whether it is in his professional endeavors, his personal business pursuits, or his contributions to his community, Lucky has always approached every enterprise with an uncommon commitment to excellence. His resilience in the face of challenges is truly admirable, serving as a source of motivation for all who witness his perseverance.

I am writing with a heavy heart. A helicopter carrying the President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian and several others, crashed in a heavy fog yesterday, Sunday, May 19, in the northwestern part of the country. They all perished. The weather was bad, I understand, and the area mountainous and forested. It took many hours for first responders to reach the crash site and recover bodies. The crash occurred exactly one month after Kenya’s military chief, Francis Ogolla, died in a helicopter crash in the Western part of the country. Nine others perished with him.

These accidents evoke sad memories of February 9 when another helicopter accident in California took the lives of our dear Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son. Many of us are still in shock and pain.

Kobe Bryant, a US sports star died with his daughter in January 2020 in another chopper crash in California. In December, 2012, the governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa; the former NSA, Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi and four other persons perished when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed and burst into flames in the forests of Okoroba, Bayelsa State.

I also remember the crash of August 2015 involving a chopper belonging to Bristow Helicopters. The machine crashed into the Lagoon near the Oworonshoki end of Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. It was coming from the Escravos oil terminal and was heading for the Island. Three persons, including co-pilot, Mr. Peter Bello jnr, died. The pilot’s parents were my customers when I was managing the bank’s business in the Akwa Ibom-Cross River region. It was a devastating blow to Mr. & Mrs Bello of Pekab International, the Calabar-based construction and real estate company. Mr. Bello, from Edo, I think, came to do his NYSC in Calabar in the early 1980s, fell in love with the city, settled down and made a home of it. With his wife, they built a good business and raised a family. Their pilot son’s death has been crushing. When I took over in Calabar, Mrs Bello was particularly warm and welcoming to me. Her hotel on MCC Road served one of the best edikang ikong meals in the city. Well, that was over 10 years ago.

There have been many other chopper crashes in the last several years, but I can’t forget the one involving Gen. Muhammad Zia Ul Haq, Pakistani’s military Head of State, who died in a chopper crash on August 1988. Ul Haq was a mean military leader (think of Sani Abacha) who had his civilian predecessor Ali Bhutto executed despite international appeals for clemency.

Many Pakistanis celebrated Ul Haq’s death just as many in Iran are today celebrating the death of their President, Mr. Raisi for his hardline and scorched-earth decisions. Recall the death, las year, of that young Iranian girl who was killed for not wearing head scarfs and all the riots and demonstrations that came after it? Remember how security forces mowed down the demonstrators? Cast your mind back to how Sani Abacha ordered troops to mow down the June 12 demonstrators. Wole Soyinka, in his memoire, ‘’You must set forth at dawn’’, gives an epic recollection of that era.

Helicopters were invented to help us hop across bad terrains or take us on short trips if we don't want to go by road. It is widely used in the oil industry to ferry workers from between offshore platforms and onshore facilities. The military also uses choppers quite frequently.

US Presidents use their dedicated choppers, called Marine One, to hop from their dedicated airport in Maryland to the White House. President Obama wrote in his memoire how a bad weather prevented him from using Marine One one day when he arrived from a foreign trip. He opted for a 30-miute road trip, instead .

Clearly, a helicopter flight is the worst form of air travel. I will never be caught dead in it. I didn’t know how wicked and dangerous helicopters could be until the crash that took Herbert’s lives. I had always had a bad feeling about the machine, but on Feb 10 (Nigerian time), I vowed never to climb into it, no matter what. I rather swim across a river than board a chopper. It is treacherous, wicked and merciless

Let me share an example with the profound words of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. An American politician, statesman, conservationist, naturalist, and writer who served as the 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909. Teddy profoundly posited: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

Teddy continued: “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

If everyone in America left the country in 1845, America would not be where it is today. From experience and observation; it was an issue with mindset, once you get past your own ego, look at the world through the lense of positivity and be yourself. You will become unstoppable. Plus you also need to sprinkle in effort everyday never punt a day. I’ve been thinking a lot about how we should always strive for excellence in life. This is not necessarily being the most talented but rather being one who is continually striving to give the best to everything he does. It is really about the spirit of excellence.

Unarguably, mediocrity is a readily available temptation for men who aren’t disciplined, strong-willed and set goals. Excellence on the other hand is the direct opposite of mediocrity, a constant habit for getting things done at the most efficient possible standard. Excellence sits on the other extreme end of mediocrity

In reality, most people find themselves somewhere in between these two extremes, aiming for excellence in areas that matter most to them while accepting imperfection in others. Striving for constant improvement rather than getting obsessed with perfection can be a healthy approach, allowing you to set high standards while being kind to yourself when things don’t go perfectly. Ultimately, the choice between mediocrity and perfection is a personal one that should align with your values, goals, and well-being. It’s essential to strike a balance that promotes growth, fulfillment, and happiness in your life.

Let me at this point align with the position of Colin Luther Powell, an American politician, statesman, diplomat, and United States Army officer who was the 65th United States secretary of state from 2001 to 2005. He was the first Black secretary of state. He was the 15th United States national security advisor from 1987 to 1989, and the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993. Powell eloquently posited: “If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.”

Long-story-short: with the spirit of excellence; African countries are sure going to be doing marvelously well, while worthlessness will perpetually results in living a fake life, which is expensive because it often requires a person to maintain a certain image or status that may not be sustainable in the long run – which includes spending large amounts of money on material possessions, such as designer clothes, luxury cars, and extravagant vacations, in order to maintain an appearance of wealth or success.

Additionally, living a fake life can also lead to financial strain as a person tries to keep up with unrealistic standards they have set for themselves or that have been imposed by others. This can result in debt, financial instability, and a lack of true fulfillment or happiness.

Ultimately, excellence is living an authentic life, true to oneself and one’s values, can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment in the long run, even if it means forgoing certain material possessions or societal expectations.

Following from the above, at the core, the empirical evidence is based on generalized method of the moment. As such, Nigeria in particular, needs a life-altering reset, we have been afflicted for too long.

In conclusion, and more to the point, permit me, therefore, to share with you the profound words of Aristotle, an Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, and the arts. As the founder of the Peripatetic school of philosophy in the Lyceum in Athens, he began the wider Aristotelian tradition that followed, which set the groundwork for the development of modern science.

Aristotle remarked as follows: “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” In essence, a culture of excellence motivated by steadfastness result in sweeter success.

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara will today, Tuesday, screen eight commissioner-nominees presented to them by the governor.

The assembly’s Clerk, Dr. G, N Gillis-West, in a letter on Monday, invited the nominees to appear before the House.

Our correspondent obtained a copy of the letter on Tuesday.

According to the letter, the House, led by factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, is expected to screen the nominees by 10 a.m.

Did you know a tribe that digs up corpses, dresses them for celebration?

It listed the nominees as Charles Beke, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Dr. Peter Medee, Eloka Amadi, Basoene Benibo, Tambari Gbara, and Dr. Ovy Chukwuma.

The clerk further said the nominees are to appear before the House at the State House of Assembly auditorium, Admin Block, Government House, Port Harcourt, the state capital.

“The nominees are expected to come along with 12 sets of their Curriculum Vitae and the originals and photocopies of their credentials,” the letter added.

Our correspondent reports that this is the second time the House of Assembly loyal to Fubara will be screening commissioner-nominees since it emerged as a parallel legislative house.

Last week, the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led assembly screened and confirmed Dagogo Iboroma, SAN, as a member of the State Executive Council, and he was consequently assigned a portfolio as the new Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

Last week, an appointee, Prof. Zaccaeus Adangor, SAN, who is loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, resigned from Fubara’s cabinet as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, following the deepened disagreement between Fubara and Wike.

[Punch]

During his cross-examination of Michael Cohen on Thursday, Donald Trump’s attorney shouted at witness Michael Cohen, “You lied!” It was a moment that received breathless attention from the media, which attached great significance to the defense claim that Cohen omitted part of a call he made to Keith Schiller, Trump’s security aide, in October 2016 – almost eight years ago. The evidence showed that Cohen had asked Schiller for help in dealing with a threatening text messenger (who later claimed to be 14-year-old).  

Cohen had not mentioned that exchange with Schiller while being questioned by the prosecution.  He had testified to that being a call when he asked Schiller to hand his phone to Trump, who did not have his own cell phone. This was the crucial exchange, using Schiller’s phone, when Trump told Cohen weeks before Election Day, to go ahead and pay Stormy Daniels the $130,000 to keep her quiet.

Missed in the hype by talking heads on cables of this dramatic “Perry Mason moment” was the fact that the Trump lawyer’s melodramatic shout was not evidence to be considered by the jury. Just a lawyer shouting. Also missed was reporting on the most crucial document in the entire trial – the Weisselberg Document, which has been introduced into evidence and will be studied by the jury.

Here is what it shows:

• In Allen Weisselberg’s own handwriting, a memo shows that a total of $210,000 was to be reimbursed to Michael Cohen for money owed to him by Donald Trump, including the $130,000 in hush money Cohen paid to Stormy Daniels on Trump’s behalf because he was worried her revelations would harm his campaign (according to Trump friend David Pecker and top Trump aide Hope Hicks, among others).
• That total $210,000 was then doubled by Weisselberg on the document, equaling $420,000. (Doubling so that Cohen can pay income taxes on the total “reimbursement” at an estimated 50% tax bracket and be made whole.)
• Then Weisselberg, a former executive in the Trump Organization, does the elementary school math to arrive at Trump’s monthly installment payments over a year to repay Cohen – $420,000/12 equals $35,000 per month, the amount of the checks almost all of which Trump wrote to Cohen each month in 2017 while a sitting president from his personal checking account.

Yes, $35,000. The same amount as Trump’s checks that are in evidence. It's just simple math:  $210,000 times two, divided by 12 = $35,000. Nothing is mentioned about legal fees.

There is no other reasonable conclusion, I respectfully suggest, the jury can draw other than that these were reimbursement payments by Trump, not legal fees; and therefore, he lied when he repeatedly publicly stated, as recently as last week, that they were legal fees, not reimbursements.

I cannot be sure that the jury will conclude from the Weisselberg Document that Trump lied when he called these payments legal expenses. But the inference is as strong as the classic example of convincing circumstantial evidence: If the jury fell asleep and there is no snow on the ground, and they wake up and there is snow all over, they can “convict” on the conclusion, beyond a reasonable doubt, that it snowed overnight.

Previously, Weisselberg lied under oath in New York’s civil suit against Trump and was apparently willing to go to jail for perjury rather than testify. And this jury won’t necessarily know that. (Just as they might not know that Trump promised he “would” testify but – surprise! – he lied.)

The jury won’t get to hear Weisselberg but they will have in the jury room, during deliberations, the Weisselberg Document. I am guessing they will give it a long, long look. And then decide whether it snowed overnight – Trump lied about thinking he was paying “legal expenses” and he did so to conceal the campaign finance crime to deprive the American people of important information before they voted for president in November 2016.

# # # # #

Lanny Davis is the founder of the Washington, D.C., law firm Lanny J. Davis & Associates and is co-chair of the global public affairs and strategic communications firm Actum LLC. From 2018-2024 Davis served as a legal advisor for Michael Cohen but resigned in April 2024 so experienced N.Y. criminal defense counsel could represent him. Davis uniquely operates at the intersection of law, media, and politics to solve client problems. In 1996-98, Mr. Davis served as Special White House Counsel to President Bill Clinton. In 2006-07, he was appointed by his Yale College friend, President George W. Bush, to serve on a special post-9/11 White House panel to advise the president on privacy and civil liberties issues. He is the author of six books on politics, government, law, and crisis management. He has been writing his “Purple Nation” column since 2010.

Hollywood actress and Oscar nominee, Scarlett Johannsson, has lamented how her voice was allegedly used without her consent by tech giant OpenAI.

The actress noted that she was “shocked, angered and in disbelief” that the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Sam Altman, would go to such length to have her voice used in the current ChatGPT 4.0 system.

According to Sky News on Tuesday, the actress explained how she had turned down Altman’s request for personal reasons, only to find out that the voice “sounded so eerily similar to mine.”

In a 2013 romantic sci-fi movie titled, ‘Her,’ Johannsson’s voice was used to imitate an AI female voice called ‘Samantha,’ who formed an intimate relationship with a human.

The actress, in her statement, said, “Last September, I received an offer from Sam Altman, who wanted to hire me to voice the current ChatGPT 4.0 system. He told me that he felt that by my voicing the system, I could bridge the gap between tech companies and creatives and help consumers feel comfortable with the seismic shift concerning humans and AI.

“He said he felt that my voice would be comforting to people. After much consideration and for personal reasons, I declined the offer. Nine months later, my friends, family and the general public all noted how much the newest system named “Sky” sounded like me.”

The actress expressed her frustration, saying, “When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference,” adding that Altman had “insinuated that the similarity was intentional, tweeting a single word “her” – a reference to the film in which I voiced a chat system, Samantha, who forms an intimate relationship with a human.”

The 39-year-old actress said that before the release of the ChatGPT 4.0 demo, the OpenAI boss “contacted my agent, asking me to reconsider. Before we could connect, the system was out there.

“As a result of their actions, I was forced to hire legal counsel, who wrote two letters to Mr. Altman and OpenAI, setting out what they had done and asking them to detail the exact process by which they created the “Sky” voice. Consequently, OpenAI reluctantly agreed to take down the “Sky” voice.”

In recent times, tech users have begun using the AI model to imitate people’s voices and pictures without prior consent in most cases – a situation which negates the ethical standards of AI use.

“In a time when we are all grappling with deepfakes and the protection of our likeness, our own work, our own identities, I believe these are questions that deserve absolute clarity.

“I look forward to resolution in the form of transparency and the passage of appropriate legislation to help ensure that individual rights are protected,” Johannsson wrote.

However, OpenAI, in a tweet on Monday, stated that it had “paused” the use of Sky while it addresses the process with which it used to create the AI voice.

“We’ve heard questions about how we chose the voices in ChatGPT, especially Sky. We are working to pause the use of Sky while we address them,” it stated.

A check by our PUNCH Online revealed that the company, in a statement titled, ‘How the voices for ChatGPT were chosen,’ on Sunday, May 19, 2024, read partly, “Each of the voices—Breeze, Cove, Ember, Juniper and Sky—are sampled from voice actors we partnered with to create them.”

Sky News reports that in 2023, the New York Times “sued OpenAI over allegations it, and its biggest investor Microsoft, unlawfully used the newspaper’s articles to train and create ChatGPT.”

[Punch]