Former Senator Abubakar Halilu Girei has proposed urgent measures to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenges, advocating for a presidential order mandating all political office holders to contribute 40% of their salaries and allowances towards alleviating the hardship faced by Nigerians.

Girei made these remarks during a press conference at his residence in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, on Thursday.

To address the issue of job creation, he suggested that political office holders at the national, state, and local government levels should contribute 40% of their salaries and allowances for a period of two years, as outlined in a presidential order.

Additionally, Girei proposed the presentation of a supplementary budget of N1 trillion to the National Assembly, with a significant allocation of N2 trillion towards addressing insecurity in the country.

The former Senator also recommended the implementation of the White Paper on the Oronsanye Report, aiming to streamline Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to reduce the overall cost of governance.

Furthermore, he called for a joint meeting of the National Council of State and the National Economic Council to align their strategies and take necessary political actions to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

Girei underscored the importance of combating corruption, particularly in the management of subsidies on petroleum products and electricity. He urged for a forensic audit to uncover any fraudulent activities related to tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), and other revenue streams accruing to the federation.

A former Nigerian Senator, Shehu Sani has reacted to a viral audio of an Islamic cleric calling for the murder of the First Lady, Remi Tinubu.

In the audio, the cleric could be heard stating that Remi Tinubu must be killed because she is the leader of infidels in the country.

He insisted that she deserves to die for being a pastor.

He also said that the Muslim/Muslim ticket that brought President Bola Tinubu to power was a scam.

The cleric said, “Now, Tinubu, his wife is an infidel. As an infidel, she is a leader among the infidels.

“God’s judgement says she must be k!lled. She’s a pastor… a leader of infidels (Christians); Allah says they must be killed…”

Reacting, Sani insisted that the cleric statement was unacceptable and condemnable.

He noted that it was within the democratic rights of a citizen to criticise government policies, but calling for the murder of the first lady was preposterous.

According to him, “Criticising the Government and its policies is within the ambit of democratic rights;but Calling for the killing of Senator Remi Tinubu by the religious cleric is unacceptable and utterly condemnable.”

Listen to the audio

A suspected bandit was killed in Borgu local government area of Niger state while trying to collect a N3 million ransom, according to the Niger State Police command.

Naija News reports that the Niger state police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement released on Thursday, detailed that the event happened after some bandits threatened to kidnap a businessman in the Bako-Mission area.

According to Abiodun, the businessman was ordered by the bandits to deposit N3 million at a certain spot in Tunga-Umoru village.

He claimed that in response, police officers and vigilantes under the direction of the DPO of the New-Bussa Division mobilized to the scene. They successfully rescued a 22-year-old female victim who had been kidnapped earlier after engaging the robbers in a gunfight.

One of the robbers was neutralized during the firefight, and an empty magazine from his AK-47 weapon was recovered.

The statement read, “On 21/02/2024 at about 1030hrs, information was received that four suspected kidnappers threatened a businessman of Bako-Mission village, Pissa District of Borgu LGA to drop a sum of three million naira within three days at a particular location around Tunga-Umoru village, via Pissa District or be kidnapped.

“Immediately after this information was received, the police tactical team, including vigilante members led by the DPO New-Bussa Div swung into action, mobilised to the purported location, adopted an appropriate operational strategy and engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, while one female victim of about 22 years earlier kidnapped was rescued unhurt.

“Fortunately, the team combed the bush and one of the bandits was neutralised during the gun battle and his AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine were recovered”

He further detailed that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other bandits who escaped with gunshot wounds.

Demands Monthly Key Performance Indicators

It was time for frank talks between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leadership of the Federal Civil Service yesterday.

The President said the service was slowing down implementation of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He decried non-implementation of the administration’s well-intended programmes.

The President described as shocking that timelines for approved policies have deliberately been kept in abeyance by civil servants.

A visibly angry Tinubu berated top civil servants during a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

At the parley were Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Accountant-General of the Federation, Auditor-General of the Federation and federal permanent secretaries.

He ordered leadership of the service to double up their efforts.

The President said the proper thing for civil servants to do whenever they have reservations about any policy, programme or initiative is to offer suggestions.

Armed with facts and figures, Tinubu queried why the civil service was “abysmally slow in carrying out his people-oriented programmes.”

He listed some of the programmes being dragged down by the civil service as: the N25,000 wage award to workers and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative (Pi-CNG).

He faulted the civil service attitude to the reform package designed to create jobs and boost the economy.

Some of the reform programmes include provision of a single-digit loan of N1billion to 75 enterprises; N50,000 grant each for 1,300 Nano businesses; N75 billion for 100,000 businesses and startups; and the investment of N100 billion in gas-powered buses for mass transit.

The President said the reforms have not been implemented by the civil service.

A source told The Nation last night: “President Tinubu was angry with those at the top in the civil service and he did not hide his feelings.

“At a point during the meeting, the President expressed shock that the civil service failed to implement the N25, 000 Wage Award for workers since October until he placed a call from the AU Meeting in Ethiopia.

“The President told the top civil servants: ‘I am unhappy with the pace of work. The civil service is slowing down my Renewed Hope Agenda.’

“He said the civil service has not been responding ‘positively’ to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

“He complained that some of the approvals and programmes have not been implemented.

“He expressed concerns that the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative (Pi-CNG) is being slowed down by the dilly-dally excuses by civil servants on the Procurement Act.”

Another source said it was the first time the President would open up on the poor attitude of the civil service to his administration.

The source quoted President Tinubu as saying: “We swore to an oath and we made a pledge to the country and that God should help us. Governance should make impact on the lives of our people.

“If everybody does what is expected of him or her, our nation will be better.” He was really emotional.”

The source added: “The President told the civil servants to double up. He also called for more of such meetings in the future to iron out issues.”

The President added: “If there are government policies that civil servants do not agree with, they should come up with suggestions.”

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said the President tasked the top civil servants to rededicate themselves to their duties and work towards improving the lives of Nigerians by acting with dispatch on matters that border on citizens’ welfare.

The statement said President Tinubu warned that the ineffectiveness and unnecessary bureaucracy that delay interventions in the economy and with programmes targeting vulnerable citizens would not be tolerated.

He directed that a monthly briefing by the Head of Service and submission of key performance indicator (KPI) reports should be made to his office for review, and that quarterly interactive meetings between the President and the Body of Permanent Secretaries will now be scheduled.

The statement reads: “The Head of Service and the Body of Permanent Secretaries have been mandated by the President to consistently measure progress in actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.”

The President was quoted as saying: “Before the next meeting, I want to see progress in the civil service.

“I have been sending people to check the level of work that gets done. Service to the nation is extremely important. We are to change the narrative on Nigeria.

“You and I can change the perception about Africa, not just Nigeria. We might not get it 100 percent right, but if we are focused, I think we can totally change and reshape the trajectory of our country in the right direction.”

President Tinubu asked public servants to always think and work with a generational understanding of their role in shaping national history, knowing that they serve as the engine room of the government and that their actions will affect more than 200 million people home and abroad.

The President added: “Let us make our children’s dreams come true. Why are we slowing that down? It is not just shameful. It is unacceptable.

“We pledged to bring our people out of poverty. You should not increase their vulnerability. Help Nigerians to get out of these problems; do not compound the tough situation with unacceptable delays.”

Briefing State House reporters after the meeting, HoCSF, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, said the permanent secretaries assured the President of their commitment to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda and realisation of his administration’s goal.

The Permanent Secretaries have also reassured him that they are his foot soldiers.

She said: “The meeting went very well; it gave us an opportunity to have a chat with Mr. President. The permanent secretaries had been wanting to have an opportunity to have some time with the President and this gave a very good opportunity.

“Mr. President also used the opportunity to charge the permanent secretaries to redouble their efforts to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda becomes a reality. So, it was a successful meeting.

“Mr. President has given us a double-match order to ensure that all the projects and programmes that are domiciled in the ministries become a reality to Nigerian citizens.

“The permanent secretaries have also given him the reassurance that that’s why they are there, that they are his foot soldiers in the ministries and that they will work tirelessly.”

Intellectual property rights law is quite interesting and most times controversial: An intending husband and wife hire a photographer and pay the photographer handsomely to come and cover their wedding. By common sense, the husband and wife are right to assume that since they have paid the photographer, every picture of theirs snapped by the photographer ought to legally belong to them. But no, that’s not what the law says; the law says that though you have paid the photographer, though it is your image that was snapped by the photographer, those pictures legally belong to the photographer and not the couple. The same goes when a family invites a photographer to come to their house and snap them family photos for their family portrait, same goes when a parent(s) invites a photographer to come and capture the images of their infant. That your family portrait, that your child’s image captured by the photographer belongs to the photographer and not you or your child. In fact, by law, before you do anything with those wedding pictures or family portraits, you need to seek the consent of the photographer or else he has the right to commence an action against you for copyright infringement. 

Cases like these have gone to court and the courts have all agreed that the photographer owns the copyright of every picture taken by him with his camera even though he has been paid for the photos. The landmark case that must always be mentioned whenever image copyright in Nigeria is being discussed is the case of BANIRE V. NTA STAR TV (CA/A/345/2017).

In the above case, Ms Banire, a photographer/videographer brought legal action against NTA Star TV because NTA Star TV used her images for outdoor advertisements on billboards mounted all around Abeokuta and Akure without her consent and authorization. This, she claimed, amounted to infringement of her copyright on those images. NTA TV stars, on the other hand, raised the defence that they acquired and paid for those pictures, although through a third party, hence, they did not infringe on Ms Banire’s copyright to the images. 

On appeal, the appellate court held that the law has afore provided in Sections 10 and 51 of the Copyright Act, that it is that it is the photographer and not the person in the image that owns the copyright to the picture. His Lordship, Justice Muhammed Baba Idris (JCA), reiterated “What is evident from the above provision is that the person who is a muse or the person in the photograph is not in fact the author and therefore he/she does not own copyright in the photograph. Rather it is the person who took the photograph that is the author.”

The only time when a person who has been snapped or who pays for the photos can own the copyright in those images is when there has been a transfer of copyright ownership in writing from the photographer to the person or when the photographer signs a release form, releasing the intellectual properties in those images to the person. 

 Stan Alieke is an Abuja based legal practitioner.

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…Governor sets up open markets for cheap food items, slashes T-fares by 25% on public transport means

…Launches palliative in health, education 

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced sweeping interventions which the State will be implementing in order to reduce the effects of the current economic hardship on its citizens.

The Governor, during a live media chat on Thursday, conveyed his empathy to the State’s residents groaning under the rising cost of living, resulting in inflation of food and commodities prices.

Sanwo-Olu rolled out layers of measures targeted at vulnerable populations within the State to mitigate the impact of the hardship and bring about immediate ease, just as the Federal Government led the recovery efforts.

The Governor bared it all at the live programme anchored by veteran media practitioners led by Dr. Reuben Abati of Arise TV and Babajide Kolade-Otitoju of Television Continental (TVC). Others are General Manager of Lagos Television, Mrs Adesola Kosoko, and Channels TV’s Jeffery Uzomma. 

As part of the measures to cushion the harsh economic situation, Sanwo-Olu announced new work schedule for the workforce in the State’s civil service. From next week, State workers on Grade Level 1 to 14 will be permitted to work three times weekly until further notice.

Also, civil servants on Grade Level 15 to 17 will work four days in a week. 

Sanwo-Olu said the measure was not intended to disrupt governance. The move, he said, was to reduce the pressure daily borne by workers in carrying out their duties in the period of economic hardship. The Governor said the measure would save the staff of additional stress.

Besides, Sanwo-Olu announced a 25 per cent fare slash across the State-owned public transport channels, including BRT, train and ferry services.

The Governor said he had instructed all government departments and agencies to design modalities for immediate implementation of the measures.

He said: “I convey our deepest empathy to our citizens over the current hardship occasioned by inflation commodities prices. We are not unaware and unmindful of the current situation, but as leaders, we have the responsibility to bring immediate ease to our people. Given the nature of challenges that we are facing presently, we have designed creative means to ease the hardship on our people, starting with public servants.

“Effective from next week, the working hours of workers from Level 1 to Level 14 in the State’s civil service will be rescheduled. They will now come to office for maximum period of three times in a week. This measure will not shut down governance, neither will it disrupt operations of Government. It will all be calendarised and scheduled. Workers in Level 15 to Level 17 will be required to work four times in a week. All we seek to achieve is reducing the pressure on our workers and save them of additional stress. 

“Rising cost of transportation has also made it pertinent for us to initiate an intervention in the sector. For the public using the Government-owned transport services, we are implementing 25 per cent fare reduction on all our public transportation channels. We are also working with various commercial transporters to assist in little way we can to ease the situation. Instructions have been given to government functionaries for the implementation of these measures; modalities will be provided.”

To address the rising food prices, Sanwo-Olu announced three layers of agricultural interventions. He said the State Government would be distributing combo packages of food items to vulnerable Lagosians, targeting 300,000 households.

The Governor said the State had concluded the procurement of over 100 trailers of rice and other food items, but currently fine-tunning the logistics for seamless distribution to the beneficiaries. 

Sanwo-Olu said Lagos would be opening “Sunday Market” in 42 communities across the State, where staple food would be available for residents to buy at reduced prices. Shoppers would only be able to buy items not more than N25,000, with each shopper getting 25 per cent rebate immediately after purchase.

The Sunday Market, the Governor said, will open for the next five weeks. 

“The third level of our intervention in agriculture sector is what we call “Soup Bowl”, which we similarly rolled out during COVID-19 lockdown. We have identified local cafeteria operators and caterers within communities. Funds will be sent to them to prepare the soup bowls. Vouchers will be given to anybody to walk in and eat free of charge. We want to be able to feed between 1,000 and 1,500 people in every Local Government Area daily for the next 30 to 60 days at the first instance,” he said.

In education, Sanwo-Olu introduced additional transport support for classroom teachers to enable them keep their work schedule, while pupils across public schools would continue their five-day school attendance.

For the time being, the Governor suspended the directive compelling parents to show evidence of tax payment in order to enroll their wards in school. This is to discourage pupil absenteeism and dropping out of school.

In health, Sanwo-Olu also reintroduced free child delivery programme for expectant mothers in all the State-owned General Hospitals and special maternity centres. The State Government, he said, would take up the cost of the child delivery, including Caesarean section.

He said: “We believe this measure would help reduce pressure on families. We are also working with the State-owned hospitals to reduce the cost of some certain drugs, such as hypertension medication.

“All the six health districts in Lagos will roll out bi-weekly community health mission over the next three months, where residents would enjoy free check-up for diabetes, blood pressure and eye testing. There will be free medications to be given to patients to manage observed conditions.”

Sanwo-Olu also touched other areas of his Government’s activities during the media chat, including the collaborative plan with the Local Government authorities to reconstruct 180 inner roads across the State.

He reiterated Lagos’ readiness of 10,000 men for state police in the case of the Federal Government giving full constitutional approval for creation of State Police outfit.

The Governor said hard times called for hard decisions by the Government, urging those calling for civil unrest and industrial action to desist from the plan. He noted that paralysing the economy would not bring about solutions.

He pleaded for patience and understanding, noting that the nation would be out of the woods in the fullness of the reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Addressing Lagosians, Sanwo-Olu said: “As incident commander, I am giving you the commitment that the bipartisan advisory committee that we have put together, will welcome ideas and advice from everyone that can lead to more solution out of the challenges that we have found ourselves. 

“In terms of policies, we will continue to do everything within our means that the greatest good gets to the greatest number. Lagosians are resourceful and hardworking, they are commercially driven self-starters. Those are the values I want all of us to build our hope around.”

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

22 FEBRUARY 2024

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has blamed the International Monetary Fund, IMF, and World Bank for the power sector crisis in Nigeria.

This came as workers in the nation’s power sector called for a total review of the power sector privatization, saying the exercise was a huge failure that did not meet the expectations of Nigerians.

President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, in a goodwill message, yesterday in Enugu during the 7th Quadrennial/12 Delegates Conference of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, lamented that Nigeria was still very low in capacity in terms of megawatts, contending that no nation could develop without electricity.

Ajaero also fumed that despite billions of Naira pumped into the power sector over the years, Nigeria was still grappling with 4,000 megawatts of electricity, blaming the IMF and World Bank for the power sector crisis in Nigeria, saying they “want Nigeria to remove subsidy on electricity as they ill-advised Nigeria to remove fuel subsidy as well as devalue the naira. Up till tomorrow, the IMF and the World Bank will continue to dictate to us. They are telling Nigeria to completely remove subsidies on electricity. What’s their interest? Why can’t they tell America to remove subsidy on wheat.”

In his welcome address President of NUEE, Martin Uzoegwu, urged the Federal Government to encourage and harness the abundant renewable energy resources in the country and do away with fossil fuels to improve power generation in Nigeria.

Uzoegwu, in valedictory speech, posited that if renewable energy source replaces fossil fuels, it would reduce climate change in Nigeria.

He noted that the world is already moving towards an energy transition.

“Government should encourage and harness the abundant renewable energy source as against the use of fossil fuel to improve power generation and reduce the effect of climate change in Nigeria as the world is moving towards just energy transition,” he said.

The outgoing NUEE President, while urging the government to shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources, also called on the government to consider a total review of the privatisation of the power sector, saying that the exercise was a huge failure that did not meet the expectation of Nigerians in terms of energy demands and tariff.

He lamented that the government that should have regulated the energy sector looked the other way while investors throttled Nigerians.

“I strongly call for a total review of the privatization of the power sector as the entire exercise was a gross failure and did not meet the expectation of the Nigerian people regarding energy demands, affordable tariff, power availability, ease of procurement of prepayment meters.

“Unfortunately, the government which is the regulator looks the other way while the so-called investors smile to the banks to the detriment of Nigerian people who are compelled to pay for darkness,” he laments.

Uzoegwu used the opportunity to condemn the dastardly manner the President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero was manhandled in Imo State during the 2023 general elections, pointing out that the perpetrators of the dastardly act should be brought to book to assuage the organised labour.

Earlier, the Managing Director, MD/CEO, Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, urged NUEE to use the forum to harness insights and craft solutions, adding that the power sector holds a pivotal position in driving economic development.

Abdulaziz represented by GM, Enugu region of TNC, Engr. Emmanuel Akpa reiterated the company’s commitment to provide unwavering support and an enabling environment for workers.

According to him, “Undoubtedly, the power sector holds a pivotal position in driving economic development, making forums like this essential for harnessing insights and crafting solutions.

“Therefore, as you convene to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities within the industry and the way forward, it is imperative to recognize the indispensable role of electricity employees in translating ideas into tangible outcomes.

“As leaders, it is incumbent upon us to provide unwavering support and create an enabling environment for our workforce. The fruitful relationship between TCN management and NUEE is a testament to our shared commitment to staff welfare and organizational success. Together, we will continue to prioritize employee well-being and foster a conducive working environment.”

I have noted with deep concern and sadness, the past and recent developments unfolding in the West African sub-region, particularly the pronouncement by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger of their intention to exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

As one of the founders of our regional economic community, it is incumbent upon me to speak on behalf of the 14 Heads of State and Government who joined me in Lagos, on 27th May, 1975, to establish ECOWAS. Since its inception, the regional bloc has made a number of major accomplishments, including trade liberalisation, right of West Africans to live legitimately in any country within the Community, as well as successful peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone. ECOWAS, despite its shortcomings, has become an example of regional integration for the wider continent.

Having achieved all of the above, it saddens me to learn that ECOWAS is threatened with disunity following the announcement by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, 3 important Member States of their intention to leave the Community. The impact of such a decision will have far-reaching implications for the ordinary citizens who have been the major beneficiaries of regional integration.

Therefore, on behalf of all the founding fathers of the Community and myself, I urge ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, including the leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, to put aside their differences and reunite for the peace, stability and prosperity of our sub-region. I call on all West Africar. leaders to immediately consider the implementation of the following:

1.              Lifting of all sanctions that have been imposed on Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger;

2.              Withdrawal by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger of their notices to leave ECOWAS; and

3.              Participation of all 15 ECOWAS Heads of State in a Summit to discuss the future of the community, regional security and stability, as well as the role of the international community given the current geopolitical context.

I wish to once more reiterate to regional leaders that ECOWAS is more than a coalition of States, it is a community established for the good of our peoples, based on shared history, culture and tradition. Neither my generation, nor present or future generations will understand or forgive the breakup of our Community.

I thank you all for giving due consideration to this appeal, which has been made with sincerity and a deep sense of moral responsibility. I urge all other elders in the sub­region to join me in this campaign to immediately restore unity and shared purpose within ECOWAS. Let me assure all parties that I am ready for further engagements to ensure that our Community remains united.

Long live ECOWAS and God Bless the Citizens of the Community!

General Dr. Yakubu Gowon GCFR

Former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Surviving Founding Leader of ECOWAS

On behalf of the Founding Leaders of ECOWAS.

President Bola Tinubu says his administration remains steadfast in implementing necessary economic reforms to facilitate business growth and create investment opportunities that support Nigeria’s growing population.

Receiving a delegation from the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) led by Florizelle Liser, CCA’s President and Chief Executive Officer, in Abuja, on Thursday, President Tinubu reiterated his unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth and stability, emphasizing that he is not relenting until his vision for Nigeria is achieved.

The President commended the recent landing of a 45,000-kilometre submarine fibre optic cable in Akwa Ibom State, which establishes connectivity for the entire South-South region of Nigeria with Europe, and other parts of Africa via the Atlantic Ocean.

Highlighting the significance of this accomplishment, the President noted that with the right policies, partnerships, and determination, Nigeria can overcome long-standing developmental challenges that have encumbered rapid progress across sectors.

Drawing on his extensive experience in corporate governance and interactions with CCA during his tenure as the two-term governor of Lagos State, President Tinubu expressed satisfaction with the Corporate Council’s dedication to fostering business connections between the United States of America and Africa.

”I am happy that the Council is interested in various segments of Nigeria’s economy. We are right in the middle of a challenging stage of our reforms. We have headwinds, no doubt, but we are not going back.

”We are challenged, and we believe we will overcome the challenges. I have a can-do attitude that must be translated into a must-do attitude. We have a good team, and we must remain focused to get the goal accomplished,” he said.

President Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to creating an enabling environment for business to thrive, emphasizing that his administration’s focus on investing in key sectors, such as agriculture, solid minerals, energy, health, physical infrastructure, trade promotion, financial services, digital enterprise, and the creative economy is underpinned by the need to ensure the welfare and prosperity of citizens.

”We are going to do more on security and investing in education, as we believe that education is the greatest weapon against poverty. We welcome partners like CCA, and we will strengthen our partnership to achieve our goals,” he said.

In her remarks, Ms. Liser expressed CCA’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic growth through the eight priority areas outlined by President Tinubu’s administration.

She invited President Tinubu to consider participating in CCA’s US-Africa Business Summit in May in Dallas, Texas, and urged him to consider CCA as a partner in enhancing USA-Nigeria trade, business, and investment.

[NationalDaily]

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 polls, Peter Obi, has said the reported N744,500,000 his campaign team spent on the 2023 election litigation was not just for paying lawyers, as some have reported.

He said this on Thursday in a statement signed on his behalf by Dr Yunusa Tanko, the chief spokesman of the Obi-Datti Campaign Committee.

He said the N744.5 million was a general expenditure on legal services, which also included research, accommodations, transportation, local and international flights, and stationery for various documents.

“We would like to be on the same page with the public on this matter and to remind the public that it encompasses all the things concerning our legal cases, ranging from pre-election to post-election legal processes.

“Including also the filing of cases before elections on matters involving our candidate, transmitting and photocopying of legal documents, bringing experts from overseas during our post-election legal battles, and their accommodation all form the legal expenses,” he said.

He added that also included the funding of lawyers sent to states to collect electoral materials from INEC state offices and financial assistance to some of the candidates of the party who had legal issues, among others.