A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a public summon against immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

The court ordered Bello to attend court and answer to a fresh 16-count charge pending against him.

By the summons, Bello is to attend court on October 24 for his arraignment alongside two other defendants.

Justice Maryanne Anenih issued the order for public summons in a ruling on Thursday, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Justice Anenih ordered the EFCC to publish the public summons in a widely circulating newspaper

She also ordered the EFCC to paste copies of the public summons on Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous places in the court premises.

The EFCC had claimed that it has been unable to serve Bello with the charge filed on September 24, in which the ex-governor and two others were charged with criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4billion.

The other two defendants in the charge are Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.

Bello’s absence stalled the arraignment earlier scheduled for Thursday.

The Senator representing Niger East senatorial district and chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Mohammed Sani has turned down the establishment of State Police.

Sani opined the political class would take advantage of the security outfit if established.

He insisted that what is required is adequate funding for the existing police structure adding that resources available for sub-nationals are inadequate to fund the State Police.

The legislator shared his reservation during a visit to the Kuta Internally Displaced Persons Camp to commiserate with the people over bandits’ attack.

He appealed to the service chiefs to extend the ongoing onslaught against bandits in Niger as it is doing in Zanfara State.

The senator while addressing the IDPs, said efforts are ongoing to beef up security in troubled parts of the state to enable the IPDs to return home.

He appealed to service chiefs to extend their anti-bandit operations in Niger State to those in Zamfara State.

Naija News understands that the Kuta IDP camp houses over 3000 displaced persons mostly women and children. There is a growing concern over inadequate facilities to cater for basic needs at the camp.

Esther Jonah who is the community health worker in charge of the IDP, said children die frequently due to poor health care and hygiene.

Hadiza Umaru, a mother of six, was sacked from her village four years ago after her husband was killed and the food bank was destroyed by bandits.

Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, has ruled out the use of military contractors in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism.

Musa stated that the funds that would be allocated to pay contractors could be better used to strengthen and equip the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Naija News reports that his response came after Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, suggested employing military contractors to combat terrorists in the country, following a deadly Boko Haram attack that left six farmers dead and five others abducted in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area.

Musa, speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show, highlighted that relying on military contractors has not yielded successful results in other countries, such as Mali and Afghanistan, where contractors have been engaged for years without achieving a lasting resolution.

He emphasized the complexity of asymmetric warfare, stating that it involves non-state actors who are highly mobile and difficult to track, often benefiting from informants.

While acknowledging Ndume’s right to suggest alternative strategies, Musa firmly rejected the idea, underscoring that investing in building the military’s own capacity through joint training with international partners like the U.S. and Europe is the more sustainable and effective option.

He further pointed out that Nigeria has made significant progress in eliminating terrorists, and more successes are being recorded.

Reacting to the Ndume’s suggestion, Musa said: “We appeal to Nigerians to support the Armed Forces, the challenges we are facing is not isolated. We are not where we want to be but we are heading there.

“Recently, we have military contractors in Mali and how far have they gone? Americans used military contractors in Afghanistan and they fought for 20 years, they left without finishing the war.

“What I’m saying is that asymmetric warfare is a very difficult operation because we are dealing with non-state actors. The only way to identify them is that they are carrying arms

“Ndume has spoken and there is freedom of speech in democracy, so I understand that he’s trying to look at options but for us it’s not an option. We are doing a lot of joint training with Europeans, Americans to build capacity in other to project this war.

“The war we are facing is not the conventional warfare where you know that the enemy is there, these guys are highly mobile and once you are going after them, there informants give them information about your movement and strength.

“On the 300 killed, we have done more than that, it’s still counting. Military contractors are not the solution because the money you are going to give them why not use it to equip your own military, that would be a better option.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted four tax reform bills to the House of Representatives, urging for their consideration and prompt passage.

The announcement was made during a plenary session on Thursday, where Speaker Abbas Tajudeen read the President’s letter outlining the significance of the proposed legislation.

The bills, designed to align with the objectives of Tinubu’s administration, include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, aimed at providing a comprehensive fiscal framework for taxation in the country.

Additionally, a tax administration bill is included, which seeks to establish a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes, with the goal of reducing disputes within the tax system.

Another key piece of legislation is the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the existing Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service.

Lastly, the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill is set to create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman to oversee tax-related disputes and enhance taxpayer protection.

President Tinubu emphasized that these bills are essential for strengthening fiscal institutions across the nation and are in line with the government’s broader objectives.

The proposed reforms are expected to bring significant changes to Nigeria’s tax landscape, promoting efficiency and transparency in tax administration.

A bill seeking to regulate and provide legal backing for private investigators in the country on Wednesday at plenary failed to pass a second reading at the Senate.

The bill titled ‘A Bill for an Act to prescribe standard and conditions of licence for operation and practice of private investigators in the country’ was sponsored by Osita, Ngwu (PDP-Enugu).

The lawmakers expressed fear that the bill if passed, would empower private individuals to pry into the private lives of perceived opponents. Leading the debate on the bill earlier, Mr Ngwu said private investigators could be used in various capacities.

He said that while some investigators specialised in tracing, others specialised in technical surveillance countermeasures. He said this involved locating and dealing with unwanted forms of electronic surveillance, like a bugged boardroom for industrial espionage purposes.

He listed the bill’s objectives as fraud prevention, detection, assessment, and resolution, as well as corporate fraud and risk management services. According to him, others are insurance fraud and claims investigation, aviation accident and loss investigation. Others are marine loss investigation, occupational health and safety incident investigation, witness location and bail bond defaulters.

Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra), who supported the bill, said it was a well-thought-out bill to fill the gaps left by the EFCC, ICPC, and other security agencies.

“When due diligence is applied, a lot of high-profile crimes will no longer be swept under the carpet,” he said.

Neda Imaseun said, “It’s the bill was the best practice (all) over the world.”

However, Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo) vehemently opposed the bill, saying, “It will be wrong to create an open-ended body” that will have the power to pry into people’s privacy.

He added, ”It could be a willing tool in the hands of political enemies.”

Aminu Iya Abbas (PDP-Adamawa) said the bill, if passed, would be a duplication of efforts and functions of security agencies in the country.

Titus Zam (APC-Benue) said, “I rise to express my strong reservation as the country has enough investigators. Our country is divided on ethnic, religious and political lines, and your enemies can use your opponents against you.”

Salihu Mustapha (APC-Kwara), opposing the bill, said the developed countries like the U.S. and UK, where private investigators were operating, were currently experiencing a debate on the use of private investigators who pry into private lives.

He said certain conditions like a national forensic institute needed to be in place” to streamline evidence being of a private investigator.

After the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio sought the sponsor’s opinion on whether to put the bill to the vote or withdraw it by himself for further legislative consultations and action.

Mr Ngwu opted to withdraw the bill.

(NAN)

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, says citizens are migrating to countries worse than Nigeria, urging them to avoid illegal migration.

In a video shared on X on Wednesday, Ms Dabiri-Erewa appealed to Nigerian influencers and bloggers to help the federal government warn Nigerians against fleeing to “worse” countries.

“Please, we appeal to bloggers and influencers. Help us appeal to Nigerians that where you are running to is worse than where you are running from (Nigeria),” Ms Dabiri-Erewa said.

While reacting to the recent viral video of some Nigerians in Mali prison calling for help, Ms Dabiri-Erewa said some girls in the viral video returned to Mali after the Nigerian government had evacuated them.

“I want to address a viral video of some girls shouting from a prison in Mali, asking to be returned home. Some time ago, the chief of defence staff helped us bring back some girls,” the NiDCOM chief explained. “We have identified some of these girls are some of those brought back that time. That they found themselves back in Mali is shocking.”

She added, “We want to appeal. We need to obey the laws of other countries. Crime and criminality, irregularities migration, is very deadly now. As much as the mission in Mali is working to see if they can bring people back.”

Since President Bola Tinubu's inauguration on May 29, 2023, the Nigerian Naira has experienced a sharp and persistent decline in value. At the time of Tinubu's assumption of office, the official exchange rate stood around N465/$. However, after the decision to float the Naira and unify Nigeria’s multiple exchange rates, the currency has depreciated dramatically, losing over 70% of its value. As of recent, the Naira traded at about N1,700/$ in the parallel market, marking a massive devaluation that has exacerbated Nigeria's inflationary pressures and living costs.

Several factors have contributed to this devaluation, with the following issues making it clear that the Naira will not appreciate in value in the near future.

1. Dependence on Crude Oil and Declining Output

Nigeria’s economy is heavily dependent on crude oil exports, which make up the bulk of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. However, Nigeria’s oil production has been hampered by significant challenges, especially massive oil theft in the Niger Delta region. While Nigeria once produced up to 2.4 million barrels per day (bpd), current estimates show the country’s output now hovers around 1.5 million bpd. This reduction severely limits Nigeria’s capacity to generate foreign exchange through oil exports.

Additionally, a significant portion of Nigeria’s future oil output is already committed to servicing loans, such as the recent $3.2 billion loan from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). The use of oil receipts to offset debts reduces the foreign exchange available to support the Naira.

2. Dangote Refinery and the Opportunity Cost of Local Refining

The much-anticipated Dangote Refinery, which promises to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products, is often cited as a possible solution to the Naira’s challenges. The refinery is expected to conserve about 35% of foreign exchange that Nigeria currently spends on fuel imports.

However, this gain comes with a significant trade-off. Instead of exporting crude oil to earn foreign currency, the government will have to sell crude oil to the refinery in Naira, thus missing out on potential foreign exchange earnings. This opportunity cost diminishes the potential benefit of local refining, further complicating efforts to stabilize or improve the value of the Naira.

3. Challenges in the Manufacturing Sector

Nigeria’s manufacturing sector has been severely constrained by the scarcity of foreign exchange and rising energy costs. Manufacturers who previously produced goods for export to the broader West African market are now struggling to stay afloat, as they face difficulties in obtaining the necessary foreign currency to import machinery, raw materials, and energy supplies.

The continued shutdown of manufacturing concerns means fewer foreign exchange inflows from non-oil exports, further weakening Nigeria's ability to accumulate foreign reserves and support the Naira. This sectoral decline contributes to the shortage of foreign exchange that is essential for stabilizing the currency.

4. Weak Foreign Investment Inflows

The floating of the Naira and exchange rate unification were intended to attract foreign investment by aligning the official and parallel market rates. However, the desired influx of foreign capital has not materialized at the scale needed to stabilize the currency. Foreign investors remain cautious, given Nigeria’s economic uncertainties, policy instability, and security risks.

Additionally, Nigeria’s high inflation rate, currently well above 30%, coupled with rising interest rates in developed economies, has made it less attractive for investors seeking stable returns. This is exacerbated by foreign exchange controls and difficulties in repatriating profits, making Nigeria a less appealing investment destination.

5. Inflation and Monetary Policy Limitations

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has faced challenges in managing inflation, which has been driven by both currency depreciation and supply-side factors, such as fuel and food price increases. The CBN's efforts to stabilize the Naira through higher interest rates and intervention in the foreign exchange market have so far been insufficient to counteract the broader forces driving the Naira’s depreciation.

Moreover, the float of the Naira, while theoretically designed to attract investment, has led to increased speculation and instability in the foreign exchange market, contributing to further depreciation. The divergence between the official rate and the parallel market rate has also created uncertainty, making it difficult for the CBN to exert effective control over the currency.

6. Global Economic Conditions

Global economic conditions, such as the increasing strength of the U.S. dollar due to rising interest rates by the Federal Reserve (until the first rate cut 2 weeks ago) have made it more expensive for countries like Nigeria to service foreign debt and acquire essential imports. As the U.S. dollar appreciates against other currencies, the Naira, already under pressure from domestic factors, has depreciated further.

The higher cost of servicing foreign debt means Nigeria must allocate more of its dwindling foreign reserves toward debt repayment, further reducing the amount of foreign exchange available to support the Naira.

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on its state councils to gear up for a significant challenge ahead, as public sector workers wait with anticipation for the federal government to implement the new ₦70,000 minimum wage.

The NLC emphasized that securing the wage increase is only part of the battle, and the true victory lies in making sure it is implemented in its entirety to benefit all workers.

Naija News reports that these sentiments were expressed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, during a two-day workshop in Lagos for NLC’s southern state councils.

The workshop organized by Fredrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), was themed “Strategies for Effective Implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.”

Ajaero stressed the importance of fair wages, stating, “The wage of a single worker often sustains many more—feeding families, educating children, and supporting communities. It is not merely a pay-check; it is the lifeblood of society. When we fight for better wages, we are not asking for charity. We are fulfilling a sacred duty—to build a vibrant economy, to uplift the nation, and to secure the dignity of work. This is a divine responsibility, one that we are bound by conscience and duty to carry out.

“On the 3rd of this month, we were in Kano where we kicked off this workshop beginning with the Northern zone and now, we are here for the Southern zone. And, as we gather here today, just as I told them in Kano, know that the eyes of every worker are upon us. They depend on our courage, our resolve, and our unity to carry their voices to the negotiation tables that await us.”

Reflecting on the struggle that led to the new minimum wage, Ajaero said, “We all followed the battle that led to the new National Minimum Wage act. We saw the threats, the drama, the propaganda, and the unrelenting attempts to weaken our cause. We were called names, vilified, and faced with all manners of intimidation. But we did not bow. We stood strong. We sacrificed, not just for ourselves, but for every worker in this country.

“Yet, winning the fight for a new minimum wage is not enough. We must now ensure that it is implemented in full, so that its benefits reach every corner of Nigeria, from the largest cities to the smallest villages.”

He warned that the path forward would be challenging, with likely opposition, insults, and blackmail.

“If we faced such fierce opposition at the negotiation stage, then know that the road ahead will not be any easier. Be prepared for insults, threats, and attempts to blackmail you.

“But remember why we are here: the trust and hopes of our members rest in our hands. Their meals, their homes, their children’s education depend on our ability to fight for them,” Ajaero added.

The NLC President noted that the workshop aims to prepare leaders for the task ahead: “Our goal is not just to celebrate the passage of the law—it is to make sure every worker feels its impact in their daily lives. And that responsibility rests with each of you here. You are the vessels through which this victory will be delivered to our members. You must be strong, focused, and unwavering.”

He also warned that any state council or official found colluding with employers, whether private or public, to deny workers their full entitlements under the new law would be sanctioned appropriately.

Ajaero expressed his appreciation to FES and the ILO for their continued support to the NLC, encouraging participants to stay engaged and focused on delivering the benefits of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act to their members.

“Together, we will overcome. Together, we will deliver the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act to our members, no matter the challenges,” he concluded.

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, has reacted to the ongoing feud between his colleagues Davido and Wizkid.

Naija News earlier reported that Wizkid reignited the long-standing beef with Davidoon his X page, marking their second major online spat in 2024.

Wizkid, who labelled Davido ‘wack with no talent,’ also threw tantrums at the singer’s family, including his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke.

In a series of Instagram posts on Wednesday evening, Portable criticized both artistes, claiming their songs no longer sell and are using controversy for music promotion.

The ‘Zazzu Zeh’ hitmaker also said he is now more relevant and celebrated than Davido and Wizkid. However, the claims starkly contrast with the current happenings in the music scene.

He wrote: “Don’t use your brother to shine—shine by yourself. Your (Wizkid and Davido) songs are no longer in the market; now you’re (Davido and Wizkid) using fights for promotion.

“Let’s forget the fake promotion and focus on making hit songs. Portable is bigger than them (Wizkid and Davido)—who is big is big. We’re not on the same level; it’s only me and God. Omolalomi, the chosen one.”

Portable added that he does not support Davido or Wizkid’s ongoing online disputes.

He wrote, “I’m not here for Davido. I’m not here for Wizkid. I’m here for myself, which is why I support those who support me. Chosen one.”

A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), George Moghalu, has dumped the party for the Labour Party (LP).

There are indications that Moghalu joined LP in a bid to contest for the governor­ship election in Anambra State, which would take place in about 15 months’ time.

Moghalu was the pioneer audi­tor of the APC and the immediate past Managing Director of Nation­al Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

The former APC chieftain joined the LP on Tues­day at his ward in Uruagu, Nnewi, Anambra State.

Moghalu, who had resigned from the APC, on August 26, 2024, was received by the ward chairman, executive members and local government chairman of Labour Party chap­ter in Uruagu, Nnewi.

He was presented a Labour Party membership card by the ward chairman, Chijioke Okeke, who had earlier issued him a membership form, which he filled out and returned to the party leaders during the visit.

Speaking at the event, Okeke described Moghalu as a patriotic technocrat, and a down-to-earth man, saying that he was excited to welcome him into the party as he had over the years shown him­self to be a creative, prudent and resourceful administrator.

Okeke was hopeful that Mogh­alu’s presence in the party would boost its chances of winning major elections going forward, especially with the upcoming Anambra South Senatorial elec­tion, which the party has to show the capacity to win.

In his remarks, Moghalu said he had resolved to join the LP after a thorough evaluation and careful consultation of the members of his family, community, supporters and other criticalstakeholdersof thestate.

He said, “And, I have come to the conclusion that the Labour Party is better suited to champi­on my ideals and principles as the party aligns with my core values and commitment, as well as mul­tifaceted perspective, with a pro­found dedication to the welfare of citizens.”

Moghalu pledged to work har­moniously with the leaders and chieftains of the party in forg­ing a better political culture that unites, inspires, and serves the greater good.

The event was witnessed by Uruagu, Nnewi ward 1 chair­man; executives, Nnewi North lo­cal government party chairman, 2023 Nnewi North Labour Party House of Assembly candidate, some stakeholders of the party, friends and political associates who were present to welcome Moghalu to the LP.