The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the N50 billion it handed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) was not a donation from the commission.

In his speech on the #EndBadGovernance protests on August 4, President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of the sum to NELFUND.

“This week, I ordered the release of an additional N50billion Naira each for NELFUND – the student loan, and Credit Corporation — from the proceeds of crime recovered by the EFCC,” Tinubu said.

On Wednesday, there were reports that the EFCC “donated” the sum to NELFUND.

In a statement on Thursday, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, said the fund was not a donation but “part of the recovered proceeds of crime remitted to the government”.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in furtherance of his social intervention policy for the most vulnerable segments of the population, decided in his wisdom, to plough the money into funding the critically acclaimed students loan scheme,” the statement reads.

“It is not the place of the Commission to determine where the government commits recovered proceeds of crime.

“But the student’s loan scheme is a salutary innovation which has the potential to reduce youth involvement in criminality.

“As the Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyde disclosed during a courtesy visit to the Commission by the NELFUND’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr on August, 13, 2026, the EFCC will monitor the use of the funds to ensure accountability and the realization of the objectives of the Scheme.”

[TheCable]

Almost everyone thinks they know what is wrong with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his government, except Tinubu himself. And to show that it’s not just bellyaching, there are plenty of examples to beat the president over the head.

Headline inflation has risen from 22.2 percent in April 2023 to 33.7 one year after – and is still growing – while attempts by the government to tame it have been largely ineffective. Food inflation has nearly doubled. The naira has been devalued by 70 percent in one year, and poverty levels, even among the once-comfortable urban population, have risen dramatically. Hardship has never been starker.

But that’s not all. Where Tinubu promised leaner government parastatals, they have increased. The talk about cutting the cost of governance is being crushed under the wheels of longer executive convoys and a parliament out of touch.

Events around the continent, especially in West Africa, where Nigeria is supposed to be a powerhouse, offer little comfort. On Tinubu’s watch, and some might even add, because of his mishandling, three countries – Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso – have pulled out of ECOWAS and formed a band of rebellious Sahelian states.

And on the continental stage, Nigeria has dropped from Africa’s largest economy to number four, a blow that a country with an oversized ego can still not reconcile with.

Crucify him

If one called for nails to crucify Tinubu, volunteers would supply more than enough to cover every inch of his body, with bags of it to spare. You will be reminded that this was self-inflicted misery when he removed the petrol subsidy on day one and attempted to merge the exchange rate without a clear plan.

That’s just as well. I can’t wrap my head around some of the events that happened in the last year. And I can’t remember how often I have asked if this is the same Tinubu I’ve known since 1998. Well, it’s the same Tinubu, more or less. It’s the same Tinubu, seasoned and buffeted almost equally from age and circumstance in a country that has also changed by far greater measure in the last nearly three decades!

Tinubu asked for the job, so there can’t be excuses for why the country is in such misery. It’s, however, fair to say, almost at the risk of attack, that those who judge Tinubu harshly underestimate the determined, active efforts of interest groups – both from within and outside his government – to ensure that he fails, despite his best efforts.

The heart of the matter

His government’s two most consequential decisions – announcing the removal of petrol subsidy and attempting to create a more transparent exchange rate system – touched a raw nerve. The biggest beneficiaries, primarily wealthy, powerful and deadly people across the country, but particularly in the North, are determined to fight his government to a standstill.

The pattern of last week’s #EndBadGovernance protests showed where poverty was starkest. But it also showed the locus of misdirected anger and resistance to change. The anger was against Tinubu’s policies.

But much more than that, it implicated sections of the Northern elite who have, over the years, underdeveloped and impoverished the region, primarily by playing the ethnic and religious card and refusing to be held to account. This same elite was on a roll last week, issuing Russian flags to protesters and pontificating how Tinubu had lost his way.

North’s misery

Things didn’t become suddenly hard for the North under Tinubu. As Kingsley Moghalu said four years ago, when Nigeria displaced India as the world’s poverty capital under the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, the North, regrettably, also became the poverty capital of the poverty capital, with the incidence of poverty up to 80 percent in the North-west.

Decades of the elite prioritising politics and a sense of entitlement over production and accountability have radicalised millions of young people without hope or a future. Their anger should have been directed at the elite responsible for the mess.

Unfortunately, the same elite stoked the discontent, capitalised on it and managed to frame it as evidence of Tinubu’s unfitness for office. And people who used soldiers to crush swathes of the civil population when they were in power are now teaching us lessons on civil management of public protests. The truth is more nuanced. 

The handling of the protests in several states was incompetent, disgraceful and indefensible. Nothing justifies using live rounds against primarily unarmed people expressing their right to dissent. It’s a disgrace that live rounds were used to disperse mostly unarmed crowds, as a result of which about 13 people were killed.

However, the suggestions that people with a sinister agenda sponsored the violence in several Northern states to destabilise Tinubu’s government and divert attention from their complicity in our current mess should not be dismissed out of hand.

Elite wars

It only takes a cursory look at the sections of the elite worst hit by the removal of the subsidy and the attempts to streamline the forex market chaos to understand why they won’t give up without a dirty fight, whatever the cost. Those who think it’s in their power to determine who rules and how long took advantage of the protests to fire warning shots about what they’re determined to do, if not sooner, then by the next election.

Kenya, the UK, and, later, Bangladesh have been touted as models for managing dissent and examples of what may happen if a government fails to listen to the people. While economic hardship is the common thread, those who cite these examples in Nigeria ignore the sinister role of interest groups that fear a prolonged loss of political power.

Insects within

Yet, suggesting that outsiders caused all of Tinubu’s woes would be foolish. Amid the chaos of last week, there were members of his cabinet who were more than delighted that the pressure might finally compel the president to review his government’s “tight-fistedness”. Under Buhari, the Ministry of Finance released quarterly capital votes to ministries and government departments, and they didn’t have to account for it.

Under Tinubu, however, the Ministry of Finance tightly controls releases. Payments are only made after projects have been verified and certificates of completion issued. It’s not the kind of thing people who are used to easy money would be happy about. Beneficiaries of the previous order will resist this change or stand idly by when the government is under attack.

What team?

The part of the whole business that I find troubling is the quality of Tinubu’s cabinet and inner circle. If it was a joke to please certain interest groups when he came to power last year, it has become an embarrassment. He has paid them what he owes, with interest.

With a few exceptions, his team is neither valuable for the country nor serviceable for a president in an emergency. Where did he find these people? And how long will he keep them as passengers on a train to nowhere, putting at risk his reputation as an excellent talent hunter?

I guess that the #EndBadGovernance protest will not be the last. One can only hope that lessons have been learnt and concrete steps will be taken to implement them for the benefit of citizens. That would be the biggest test of his presidency.

In an interview with Financial Times published last Friday, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu sounded more upbeat about the Nigerian oil and gas sector than he was two and a half years ago. As an industry player, Elumelu had lamented in March 2022 that the reason Nigeria could not meet its OPEC production quota “is not because of low investment but because of theft, pure and simple!” At the same period when oil companies were shutting down production, a former Seplat Energy CEO, Mr Austin Avuru stated that “the entire export pipeline network has been surrendered to vandals and illegal ‘bunkerer’ thus the phrase, ‘crude theft’ which crept into the industry about 2010 has taken on a new meaning.”

It is heartwarming that Elumelu is no longer reading from the Book of Lamentations, essentially from a reduction in theft. “42,000 barrels of crude are pumped out daily. Theft still takes away about 18 per cent of production,” Elumelu admitted while posing a fundamental question for which there has been no answer. Asked about those behind oil theft, Elumelu adopted the Nigerian style of answering a question with another question, but he left no doubt as to who should be held accountable for the problem. “This is oil theft; we’re not talking about stealing a bottle of Coke you can put in your pocket. The government should know, they should tell us,” Elumelu replied before he added: “Look at America — Donald Trump was shot at and quickly they knew the background of who shot him. Our security agencies should tell us who is stealing our oil. You bring vessels to our territorial waters, and we don’t know?”

Elumelu would not be the first to raise questions about the nature of this crime and why perpetrators should not be difficult to fish out. At the session with the federal government in 2022, then Managing Director, ExxonMobil Nigeria, Mr Richard Laing (now chairman & CEO of its affiliate companies in Nigeria) described the situation in our oil sector as organized crime because “the engineering involved points towards a high degree of sophistication and technology, as well as the distribution.” With these criminal cartels investing in barges, canoes, speed boats and large wooden boats which they use in their illicit business, it is difficult to fault Laing. Yet, to imagine that the country suffers such enormous revenue depletion while begging for foreign loans is, to say the least, lamentable. 

With the controversy over where to secure feedstock for the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery, mismanagement of both the upstream and downstream sectors of the petroleum industry in Nigeria is now an open sore. But nobody should be under any illusion that the problem of oil theft is being addressed in any sustainable manner. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is currently working in collaboration with the military and other security agencies to tackle oil theft in the country based on a “fresh mandate” from President Bola Tinubu. “We know that Nigeria relies so much on crude oil production, so we want to use this medium to appeal to the communities, to have an understanding,” the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa told Nigerians. “Yes, we know trust has been a problem, but they can trust us, they can trust the government, that we want to do things differently. Everyone will be carried along”.

Considering the way their trust has been abused over the years, most Nigerians would have taken Musa’s words with a pinch of salt. Besides, this episodic approach to a fundamental challenge that has been with us for many decades can only achieve short term results. “A tanker will be commandeered, its tracking devices disabled, and its cargo siphoned off onto a smaller ship in an isolated location and sold on the black market”, according to a report once published in oilprice.com, an authoritative news outlet for oil and gas, which detailed the modus operandi of the criminals. “Fuel theft in Nigeria is so systemic it will not be slowed or stopped any time soon. Doing so would be tantamount to eliminating drug trafficking in Colombia”, argued Dr Terry Hallmark, an international oil and gas expert whose career as a political risk analyst spanned more than three decades, in a piece he wrote for Forbes magazine in 2017.

I cannot count the number of columns I have also written on this vexatious issue of oil theft. In one, I referenced the 2003 United States-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) report which stated that oil theft accounts for 10 percent of Nigeria’s daily production. That was more than two decades ago. Today, between 20 to 30 percent of oil production is lost to these criminal cartels. Describing oil theft as Nigeria’s most profitable private business, estimated to yield between $750 million to $3.5 billion annually (as of that time), HRW said “in theory it should be easy to stop its theft (it is hard to hide a tanker and easy to trace its owner)”. Apparently not in Nigeria!

According to the HRW report, “Illegal oil bunkering-long prevalent in the Delta-has become a sophisticated operation that no longer requires the cooperation of oil company staff to operate equipment at wellheads or allow access-though there are still reports that they are involved.” The bunkerers, the report further claimed, “tap directly into pipelines away from oil company facilities and connect from the pipes to barges that are hidden in small creeks with mangrove forest cover. Frequently, both in the riverine areas and on dry land, the police and military are involved in the process or are paid off to take no action against those tapping into pipelines.”

To be sure, oil theft is not a new challenge in Nigeria; it has been with us for decades. That culprits are hardly brought to justice is where the problem lies. Even when they are apprehended, investigations are most often bungled. In May 2014, for instance, the late former Bayelsa State Governor, DSP Alamieyeseigha, testified before the Senate Committee on Public Finance and Revenue. “I had one experience. Tankers were loaded in Bayelsa. I got the information and laid ambush for them and arrested them. About 14 big tankers and they were handed over to the police,” Alamieyeseigha told the senators. “They were charged to court and the judge ordered that the product should be tested to be sure if they were crude oil. NNPC was invited, they came, took the sample and after a week the result came out as agro-chemical and before I know it, all of them had been released”.

There was no follow-up regarding Alamieyeseigha’s claim which pointed to official complicity. But it is also typical. On 18th May 2013, then Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)Director General, Patrick Akpobolokemi told journalists in Abuja that “There are some big vessels under my custody belonging to organised piracy and crude oil thieves,” before he promised: “Very soon, I will release all the big names in the syndicate.” Akpobolokemi, who was in April this year acquitted over a case of N8.5 billion brought against him by the EFCC, has not been held accountable on the issue that impinges not only on our economy but indeed, our national security.

Meanwhile, I commend recent efforts by the NNPCL, the military and other security agencies to reduce the menace of oil theft in Nigeria. But I have not seen anything to suggest they are any different from the usual episodic interventions we have witnessed in the past. As I have argued repeatedly on this page, the capacity to undertake oil theft to the magnitude being reported in our country is not available on the streets. It is an organised crime and must involve big actors across the oil and gas value chain. Until the federal government therefore musters the courage to deal decisively with what clearly threatens the economic well-being of Nigeria and our national security, these occasional ‘presidential mandates’ will only continue to yield momentary drama.   

Tales from The Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympics ended last Sunday in France with the focus now on Los Angeles 2028 in the United States for which many countries are already preparing. But that is not the Nigerian way. Preparations will only start a few weeks to the 2028 Olympic Games. Meanwhile, there is a report on the number of medals ‘won’ by our country in Paris being circulated on WhatsApp that I find quite instructive. There is also a similar cartoon since we know how to create humour out of every tragedy. Both tell a compelling story of Nigeria. First, the report which I have slightly edited: “For those who may not know, Nigeria performed creditably well at the just concluded Olympics in Paris with five gold medals, three silver medals and three bronze medals. Here is the breakdown: Gold in Shot Put: Yemisi Ogunleye (Germany); Gold in Men’s Football: Samuel Omorodion (Spain); Silver in Men’s Football: Michael Olise (France); Silver in Women’s Hammerthrow: Anette Echikunwoke (USA); Gold in Men’s Volleyball: Barthélémy Chinenyeze (France); Silver in Women’s 400 Meters athletics: Ebele Agbapuonwu, (Salwa Eid Naser, Bahrain); Gold in Men’s Basketball: Femi ‘Bam’ Adebayo (USA); Bronze in Women’s Basketball: Ezi Magbegor (Australia); Bronze 4x400m women: Yemi Mary John (GB); Bronze 4x400m women: Victoria Ohuruogu (GB); Gold in Volley Ball Women: Paola Egonu (Italy).”

With N9 billion expended and a total of 84 athletes (and no doubt, hundreds of idle officials and politicians), Team Nigeria is returning from Paris with zero medals. And just like the Tokyo Olympics, four years earlier, our officials failed to do even the basic things at the Games. In a most pathetic case during the Olympics, Favour Ofili wrote: “It is with great regret that I have just been told I will not be competing in the 100 metres at this Olympic Games. I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to enter me. I have worked for four years to earn this opportunity.”

Now to the award-winning cartoon by Wilfred Orhue. On the medal podium are the United States for Gold, China for Silver and Japan for Bronze. A man carrying a Bible and Quran and the green-white-green flag was standing by. The caption: ‘Team Nigeria will now lead us in the closing prayers.’ The cartoon explains the tragedy of our country which a former Super Eagles Manager, Mr Berti Vogts, once summed up most memorably: “Nigerians spend a lot of time attending workshops and seminars, the rest in prayers. Yet, at the end, nothing works.”

For that narrative to change, a lot of things must also change. Regarding the Olympics, respected broadcast journalist, Dr Danladi Bako has already put the Sports Minister, Mr John Enoh, to task, following the Paris disaster. “There are too many jobbers occupying top positions in the Federations who feed on the system. The National Olympic Committee must be revamped through new elections into the executive, and performance-driven persons put in charge,” Bako admonishes. “Government must be definite and intentional in funding scholarships to designated universities of sports in the United States, China and Cuba for student youth games products.”

While I subscribe to the idea of funding scholarships for sports men and women, it doesn’t have to be for only those in the Diaspora. As a student at Ife in the eighties, I can recall several students who were also on such sporting scholarships. Our charity must begin at home!

Kola Adesina @ 60

It is a testimony to the kind of man he is that the 60th birthday ceremony of the managing director of Sahara Group and board chairman of Ikeja Electric, Mr Kola Adesina had in attendance people from all walks of life. From former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Ernest Bai Koroma (of Sierra Leone) to young professionals in the corporate world and entertainment industry, it was a memorable night in Lagos on Monday as many paid tributes to a man who values relationships. With a year and a few months between us (as I got to know only recently), Kola qualifies to be called an Egbon. And he has earned it. I wish him long life and good health.

In many cultures, marriage is seen as the union of not just two individuals, but two families. It is a joyous occasion, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the bride and groom. However, beneath the surface of this celebratory union often lies a tension-filled relationship between wives and their mothers-in-law. This "no love lost" situation is a tale as old as time, and yet, it continues to manifest in modern marriages with remarkable consistency.

The question of why this tension exists is complex and multi-faceted, rooted in tradition, expectations, and the deep-seated emotions that come with the transition of roles within a family. Mothers, who have spent years nurturing their sons, often find it difficult to adjust to the new dynamic where another woman becomes the primary focus of their son’s affection. Wives, on the other hand, may struggle with the perceived intrusion of a mother-in-law into their new household, leading to feelings of resentment and defensiveness.

This struggle for influence and control can manifest in various ways, from subtle disagreements to outright confrontations. The recent incident at Lagos Airport, where a wife tore her husband’s passport, allegedly over her husband’s seeming extreme care and obsession for his mother (her mother-in-law), as implied in a video she did to explain what made her  tore her husband’s passport at the airport, of all places,  is a stark reminder of how volatile these relationships can become. The anger and frustration that led to such an act reveal the deep emotional turmoil that can arise when these familial tensions are left unresolved.

In many cases, the source of conflict lies in the expectations that mothers-in-law have for their sons' wives. They may expect their sons to be cared for in a certain way, to uphold traditions, or to maintain the same standards they were accustomed to in their family home. When these expectations are not met, it can lead to criticism, passive-aggressive behavior, or even outright hostility. For wives, the constant scrutiny and comparison can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of inadequacy and resentment.

Conversely, wives may feel that their mothers-in-law are overstepping their boundaries, trying to exert control over their household and their marriage. The struggle for dominance in the household, coupled with the natural desire to establish one’s own identity and rules in the marriage, often leads to friction. The competition for the son’s attention and loyalty can exacerbate these issues, creating an atmosphere of rivalry rather than harmony.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is germane to opine that not a few husbands can afford to   ignore the influence of societal expectations on this dynamic. This is as in many cultures, the relationship between a wife and her mother-in-law is often framed in negative terms, perpetuating a narrative of inevitable conflict. This cultural conditioning can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, where both parties enter the relationship with preconceived notions of animosity, making it difficult to foster a healthy and supportive bond.

So, what can be done to improve the relationship between wives and their mothers-in-law? The answer lies in mutual respect and open communication. Both parties must acknowledge the need to respect each other’s roles and boundaries. Mothers-in-law need to understand that their sons are now part of a new family unit, with their own rules and dynamics, while wives must appreciate the deep bond that exists between a mother and her son.

It is also important for husbands to play a proactive role in mediating and fostering a positive relationship between their wives and mothers. By setting clear boundaries and ensuring that both women feel valued and respected, they can help to mitigate conflicts before they escalate.

In the end, the goal should be to build a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding, where both the wife and mother-in-law feel secure in their roles. It is not an easy task, given the deep-rooted emotions and expectations involved, but with patience and effort, it is possible to transform the "no love lost" situation into one of harmony and support.

After all, the bond between a mother and her child is irreplaceable, just as the bond between a husband and wife is sacred. Finding a way to honor both relationships, while maintaining peace and respect within the family, is the key to ensuring that this age-old conflict does not overshadow the happiness that marriage should bring.

In fact, mediating between wives and mothers can be challenging, but it is crucial for maintaining family harmony. At this juncture, it is expedient to highlight some strategies for husbands to navigate this delicate balance.

Given the foregoing view, it is incumbent for husbands to always encourage both their wives and mothers to express their feelings and concerns openly, and create a safe space where they can share without judgment. This is as the husband should actively listen to both sides and validate their emotions.

Again, husbands should clearly define boundaries for everyone involved, and discuss expectations regarding visits, involvement in decision-making, and personal space, In fact, a husband who is caught in the netting of disagreement between his wife and mother should always make sure that both his wife and mother understand these limits and respect them.

Also, he should arrange neutral settings for interactions, and avoid situations where one feels like a guest in the other’s territory. In fact, family gatherings or outings can provide a more relaxed environment for bonding.

In a similar vein, he should remind both parties that he loves them and that he wants happiness from them. Not to be forgotten in this context is that he should be empathetic enough by highlighting shared goals. 

Most importantly, the husband should avoid taking sides. As the mediator, he should avoid favoritism, and acknowledge each woman’s perspective without taking sides, even as he should always be diplomatic and fair in his responses.

The husband, in this context, should always remember that patience and understanding are key considering the fact that arbitration is not about solving every issue instantly; it is about nurturing mutual respect and finding common ground. 

Given the foregoing state of affairs in the tapestry of matrimony, it is not an exaggeration to conclusively opine in this context that there is no love lost between wives and their mothers-in-law. 

The Federal Government has warned those planning to unleash havoc in next month’s governorship election in Edo State to perish the thought.

The government stated that it is ready to deploy the full weight of the law in dealing with such elements.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja at the third regular quarterly consultative meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security ICCES hosted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ribadu warned that President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to peace must not be taken for granted.

He said, “Any attempt to undermine, interfere with, or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the polls would be viewed as an assault on the very essence of our democratic values.

“We want to reassure you, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to peaceful election is unwavering.

“Those planning to disrupt the elections should not mistake the current administration’s commitment to peace for weakness. We will defend the integrity of the polls using every lawful means at our disposal, and anyone attempting to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections will face the full force of the law. Law enforcement agencies are on high alert and ready to swiftly and decisively deal with anyone trying to undermine the polls.

“To the voters in Edo State, you are encouraged to vote confidently, knowing that the government is standing with you and is determined to protect your voice. Your role in promptly reporting any suspicious activities or threats to the authorities is crucial. Together, our vigilance and unity will prevent any attempts to undermine the polls.

“To our security forces and election officials, your dedication and integrity are crucial. As the guardians of our democracy, you must ensure that every ballot is protected, every voter feels safe, and the sanctity of the election is upheld.

“Let’s move forward knowing that together we are stronger and that we will protect the peaceful conduct of the Edo State governorship election on September 21st, 2024.”

[NaijaNews]

Tobe Oboli, the 22-year-old son of renowned Nollywood actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli, has welcomed his first child with his wife, Marelle Bergsma, just five months after their wedding.

The exciting news was shared by Omoni Oboli on Monday via her instagram page.

In a heartfelt post, the filmmaker expressed her joy and gratitude, sharing a video from Marelle’s baby shower and celebrating the arrival of the newborn, whom she called the “perfect gift from God.”

“Our hearts are filled with gratitude and joy. We never knew we could love a tiny human this much,” Omoni wrote. “Our baby Naya is here, and she’s the perfect gift from God. Our hearts are filled with so much love. Naya, mummy, daddy, grandparents, and uncles are all doing amazing. THANK YOU LORD.”

The actress also confirmed that both mother and baby were healthy, and the entire family was overjoyed by the new addition. The post has since been greeted with congratulatory messages from fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry, all sending their best wishes to the Oboli family.

Tobe, who is the eldest of Omoni Oboli’s three sons, was born in 2001. He got engaged to Marelle in January 2024, and the couple tied the knot in a simple ceremony held in Canada in March.

[Leadership]

On Tuesday, a document titled the Counter Subversion Bill 2024 sparked widespread controversy on social media.

Sponsored by speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, the bill has already passed its first reading.

The bill proposes severe penalties for Nigerians who fail to recite the newly approved national anthem or insult politicians and community leaders.

Major provisions of the bill include:

1. Penalty for national anthem violations: Failure to recite the national anthem or pledge could result in a fine of up to N5 million, a prison sentence of five to ten years, or both.

2. Destruction of national symbols: Anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols or defacing a place of worship with intent to incite violence will face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.

3. Unauthorised activities: Setting up illegal roadblocks, performing unauthorised traffic duties, imposing illegal curfews, or organising unlawful processions could lead to a fine of N2 million, five years in prison, or both.

4. Insulting leadership: Insulting, defaming, or bringing disrepute to community, religious, or government leaders carries a fine of N4 million or a two-year prison sentence.

5. Threatening national security: Engaging in activities that foster mistrust, intolerance, or violence threatening Nigeria’s peace and security could result in a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison term, or both.

6. Illegal occupation of public or private spaces: Forcefully taking over places like worship centres, schools, or public arenas can lead to a fine of N5 million or up to 10 years in prison.

7. Disregarding Nigerian sovereignty: Pledging loyalty to or supporting organisations disregarding Nigeria’s sovereignty could result in a fine of N3 million or a four-year prison sentence.

8. Foreign interference: Receiving financial or political support from foreign entities that conflict with Nigeria’s interests could lead to a fine of N15 million or a 20-year prison term.

9. Undermining national security: Any activities that disrupt community harmony, disturb peaceful coexistence, or undermine national security could result in a fine of N3 million, five years in prison, or both.

10. Disobedience to authority: Persistently disobeying or disrespecting constituted authority could lead to a three-year prison sentence on the first offence and seven years for subsequent offences, or a fine of N5 million.

In response to public outcry, Abbas defended the bill, stating that its primary aim is to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-terrorism framework by addressing subversive activities, similar to laws in countries like the United Kingdom, Spain, and Canada.

He emphasised that the House of Representatives, as the “People’s House,” encourages robust public engagement and welcomes input from Nigerians to shape the outcome of the legislation.

[Businessday]

The Kano State government has said those who invaded the State High Court during the nationwide protest carted away some of the documents used in the corruption trial of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Daily Trust reports that Kano government had dragged Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat, Umar, his Son, Umar Abdullahi, and five others to the court over 8 charges bothering on misappropriation, and diversion of funds during his eight-year tenure as governor.

The court is among the properties vandalised and looted by hoodlums during the #EndBadGovernance protest.

On Wednesday, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf visited the court to assess the damages.

The governor was conducted round the court premises by the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Haruna Isah Dederi, Chief Registrar of the High Court, Alhaji Abdullahi Ado Bayero, and some judges.

According to the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Yusuf described the vandalization as a staged-managed mission in which hired miscreants carted away corruption charges documents of Ganduje who is facing multiple charges before the court.

“It is very unfortunate that enemies of Kano State hired undesirable elements to vandalized one of the historic public buildings with a mission of averting corruption charges against the Ag. National Chairman of APC and former governor of the state Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his family and aides,” Tofa said in a statement.

The statement added that the miscreants destroyed virtually all units of the High Court including the office of the state Chief Judge with loss accruing to more than N1 billion through stealing of office equipment, destroying offices, burning cars and other relevant materials crucial to the dispensation of justice.

Yusuf called on youth in the state to desist from being used by detractors to engage in violence.

He advised them to rather concentrate on skill acquisitions for better future, emphasizing that government would not relent in securing the lives and property of people of Kano.

He commiserated with the Chief Judge, Dije Abdu Aboki and the entire Judiciary family for the ugly incident, urging them to brace up to cover what was lost in the courts proceedings for the benefit of the common man.

He also commended people of the state for their support and cooperation to present administration, and prayed for sustenance of the tempo for peace, stability, and prosperity, and economic development.

[DailyTrust]

The House of Representatives tribunal has sacked the member representing Igboeze North/Udenu federal constituency, Simon Atigwe.

The tribunal also declared Dennis Nnamdi Agbo of the Labour Party, LP, the actual winner of the Igbo Eze North/ Udenu Federal constituency rerun election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Atigwe of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the winner of the re-run election held on February 3rd, 2024.

INEC announced that the PDP’s candidate polled 23863 votes to defeat Agbo who secured 23226 votes.

Agbo who had earlier won the February 25th, 2023 election but was sacked by the appellate court proceeded to the tribunal to challenge Atigwe’s declaration.

His lawyers argued that the rerun election was marred by wrong computation of results and substantial non-compliance to the electoral act among others.

In their ruling on Wednesday, 14th August, the Tribunal headed by Justice H N Kunaza said that the petition had merit and declared Dennis Nnamdi Agbo the actual winner of Igbo Eze North/ Udenu Federal constituency.

Justice Kunaza’s panel declared invalid, null and void the 2000 votes added to the PDP candidate and restored the votes of 25th February 2023 of 14229 for the PDP and 28870 for the LP candidate Rt. Hon Dennis Agbo.

It also held that Atigwe was not duly elected by the valid votes cast as the petitioner won with 23,221 and PDP 21,863 votes and as such, the certificate of return issued to Atigwe should be withdrawn and issued to Agbo.

[DailyPost]

The Empower Ekiti Initiative (EEI) has expressed shock over the tragic murder of the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Olaofe.

The initiative extolled the late Don who was kidnapped and later murdered for dedicating his life to education and public service.

It lamented that his untimely death represents a grave loss to our academic community and society at large.

The statement said: “In recent months, Ekiti State has been plagued by escalating insecurity and a disturbing loss of lives. The brutal nature of Prof. Olaofe’s kidnapping and murder is a stark reminder of the urgent need for a comprehensive and effective approach to addressing these growing security challenges.

“We vehemently condemn this abhorrent act of violence and extend our heartfelt condolences to Prof. Olaofe’s family, friends, colleagues, and all those who were touched by his remarkable contributions. His legacy of scholarly excellence and commitment to societal advancement will forever be remembered and honoured.

“In response to this tragic event, we make the following urgent recommendations to Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the State Government to address the escalating violence and enhance public safety: Strengthening Law Enforcement: Allocate additional resources and support to law enforcement agencies to bolster their effectiveness and ensure a rapid and robust response to criminal activities, including kidnapping and murder.

“Enhancing Surveillance and Intelligence Gathering: Invest in state-of-the-art surveillance technologies and intelligence systems to better monitor and prevent potential threats, ensuring timely intervention in cases of violence and abductions.

“Promoting Community Policing and Engagement: Develop and implement community policing strategies that encourage collaboration between law enforcement and local communities, fostering trust and cooperation in the fight against crime.

“Ensuring Accountability and Justice: Commit to a transparent and rigorous investigation into Prof. Olaofe’s kidnapping and murder, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice and that the rule of law is upheld.

“Supporting Victims and Families: Provide comprehensive support services for the families affected by violent crimes, including counselling, legal assistance, and protection measures.

“Implementing Preventive Measures: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on crime prevention and the importance of reporting suspicious activities, fostering a culture of vigilance and community responsibility.

“Strengthening Inter-Agency Collaboration: Facilitate better coordination and information sharing among various security agencies to enhance overall effectiveness and efficiency in addressing security challenges, particularly those involving kidnappings and violent crimes.

“The safety and well-being of our citizens are of paramount importance, and Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the State Government must take immediate and decisive action to address the root causes of violence and ensure a secure environment for all.

“We call upon all stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and the public, to unite in this critical effort to restore peace and security in Ekiti State.”