The Nigerian Customs Service has disclosed that the federal government is set to forfeit approximately N187 billion due to the recent directive to suspend import duties on staple food items for six months. This information was revealed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, during the 2nd Economic Confidential lecture and book presentation in his honour, titled “Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management,” held in Abuja.

Adeniyi explained that the suspension of customs duties and levies on key food staples, including beans, maize, rice, and wheat, is part of the government’s strategy to reduce the cost of food items. However, this policy will result in significant revenue losses for the federal government. He noted that between 2020 and 2023, these food imports generated around N3.81 trillion in revenue, including N189 billion in customs duties and over N500 billion from various government levies.

“Wheat alone generated N3 trillion, maize N340 billion, rice N195 billion, and beans N146 billion. Therefore, the estimated revenue forfeiture from the suspension of import duties on these staple food items for six months is about N187 billion,” Adeniyi stated.

He added that the Customs Service awaits guidelines from the Ministry of Finance and will ensure proper implementation by designing special corridors for clearing food imports.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Dr. Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, expressed optimism that the government’s food reforms would soon positively impact the economy.

Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi also handed over his vice chairmanship of the World Customs Organisation, North and Central African region, to his Malian counterpart, Ahmadou Kounate, during an official ceremony in Abuja. Adeniyi emphasized the need for technology to advance customs practices, while Kounate pledged to enhance transparency, implement strategic action plans, and improve manpower development to boost trade facilitation.

On Tuesday, a controversial document entitled the Counter Subversion Bill 2024 went viral on social media.

The bill was sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, and it scaled through the first reading and proceeded to the second, where its general principles would be debated on July 23.

It aims to impose stringent penalties on Nigerians who fail to recite the newly approved national anthem or abuse politicians or community leaders.

According to the bill, anyone found guilty shall be fined up to N5 million and would face five to 10 years prison sentence or both.

Meanwhile, Nigerians have begun calling for the abolishment of the bill while describing it as “anti-people” and a “decree in democratic society”.

What the bill stipulates

The Bill “stipulates that anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, defacing a place of worship with intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government shall face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.” 

The Bill also “states that anyone who sets up an illegal roadblock, performs unauthorised traffic duties, imposes an illegal curfew, or organises an unlawful procession will be subject to a fine of N2 million, five years in prison, or both upon conviction”.

Also, any person who “forcefully takes over any place of worship, town hall, school, premises, public or private place, arena, or a similar place through duress, undue influence, subterfuge or other similar activities, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N5 million or imprisonment for a term of 10 years or both.”

“A person who professes loyalty, pledges or agrees to belong to an organisation that disregards the sovereignty of Nigeria, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N3 million or imprisonment for a term of four years or both.”

“If you protest or set up an illegal roadblock, or perform unauthorised traffic duties, impose an illegal curfew, or organise an “unlawful” procession, you will be subjected to 5 years in prison with N2m fine or both upon conviction,” it added among others.

Why the introduction?

The bill was introduced to target activities perceived as threats to national security, stability, or public order.

Before now, many politicians, including executives and legislators believed that social media have been a platform where Nigerians express their freedom of speech without hassle as they could barely see many of them. However, there have been insinuations that infiltrators are using the same platform to destabilise the peace of the country without minding the authorities involved.

The recent example is the mixed reactions that followed the statement of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who reportedly said that hunger protesters should go ahead with their demonstration while they (politicians) will be home eating.

Another scenario is the knocks that trailed the statement of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, who proclaimed that social media needs to be regulated.

According to him, social media has become a societal menace and must be regulated.

“As many people do not understand that once the send button is hit, there is a potential to reach millions of people around the world, which is capable of causing a great danger not just in the society but even unintended consequences to the individuals that are receiving information which may include security of life,” the statement quoted Gbajabiamila as saying.

The implementation of the amended Cybercrime Act 2015 seems to be devoid of what the Counter Subversion bill is pushing with its distinct punishments and punitive clauses.

Speaker Abbass’ defence on the bill

On Wednesday, Abbas, in his defence, said the bill was chiefly sponsored to cater to the critical aspects of national security.

According to him, the Counter Subversion Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 23, 2024 and not Tuesday.

He said, “The Bill aims to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-terrorism framework by addressing subversive activities carried out by various groups, including associations, organisations, militias, cults, bandits, and other proscribed entities.

“This is in line with similar legislation in countries like the United Kingdom, Spain, India, Turkey, Canada, and Australia.”

The Speaker, also reaffirmed the House of Representatives as the “People’s House,” welcomed robust public engagement and discussions on the contents of the Bill.

He stressed that concerns and suggestions from Nigerians are crucial in shaping the final outcome of the legislation.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has identified 22,074 suspicious personnel on the Federal Government’s payroll.

This is despite the implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

The commission found that last year, the government disbursed N37,103,337,614.40 to these suspicious employees.

These personnel were found across various Ministries, Departments, Agencies, tertiary institutions, and notably, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), which was allegedly the most implicated.

In the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), there were 12,714 personnel listed on the payroll who were not included in the service-wide nominal roll from January to December of last year.

The total financial impact of these 12,174 personnel was estimated at N34,808,740,634.37.

Additionally, approximately 4,190 former police officers were found on the IPPIS payroll.

These findings were shown in a report that resulted from a comprehensive review of the IPPIS conducted by the commission as part of the anti-corruption system assessment initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Investigators have revealed that the IPPIS has been subjected to tampering, manipulation, and alleged padding with ghost workers or suspicious personnel.

According to investigators from the ICPC, numerous instances of fraud have been identified in the IPPIS payrolls of the Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Corrupt practices observed in 20 MDAs include double salary payments, inclusion of fictitious names on the IPPIS, the use of fake identities to embezzle public funds, the operation of two IPPIS accounts, and the presence of ghost workers.

For example, approximately 95 personnel across various MDAs were found to have names listed on both the payroll and the nominal roll, yet discrepancies arose when their identities were verified through banking applications.

Among these 95 suspicious beneficiaries, eight share the same family name, and one individual is connected to two different IPPIS accounts.

Twenty-four workers from approximately 20 MDAs were reportedly receiving double salaries from their respective agencies, and in some cases, from additional sources.

At the Ministry of Works, 212 officers listed on the IPPIS payroll, with a combined monthly salary amounting to N31,986,324.40, were found to be absent from both the ministry’s nominal roll and the service-wide nominal roll of IPPIS.

The commission said: “The general overview of the Nominal Roll and Payroll of MDAs furnished by IPPIS and subjected to an analysis established a quantum disparity of 12, 174 personnel between the two parameters (nominal roll and payroll) used in the analysis.

“The said 12,174 personnel were visibly on the payroll but not on the service wide nominal roll between January and December 2023,

“The monetary value of the 12, 174 personnel is put at N34,808,740,634.37within the period under review. Included in the service wide disparity between the payroll and the nominal roll were the specific discoveries made from some MDAs used as a pilot scheme.”

“But the fraud was allegedly more entrenched in the Nigeria Police Force with thousands of ex-employees on the payroll.

The report added: “The analysis of NPF payroll focused on December 2023 nominal and payroll obtained from IPPIS for the purpose of comparison. The nominal and payroll have populated names of 350,028 and 312,047 respectively.

“It was discovered on the nominal roll that 37, 160 staff were described as “ex-employees. However, on the same nominal roll spreadsheet, 37,129 were described as “inactive” whilst the balance of 31 staff were also categorized as having “Active” status.

“Furthermore, 4,190 staff of NPF, described as “ex-employees” were found on the payroll of IPPIS to have received December 2023 salary amounting to N980,273,690.51.

“It was discovered that 3, 228 of the 4, 190 have their records consistent in all parameters used for validation on the payroll such as the names, IPPIS numbers and account numbers.

“Conversely, the account numbers of the remainder 962 staff were compared with that on the payroll and the findings revealed that the names of staff and bank names were inconsistent.

“It was also discovered that none of the IPPIS numbers of the aforementioned number of staff on the payroll was found on the nominal roll.

“Further analysis revealed that the names, IPPIS numbers and account numbers of 20 staff , who were not on the nominal roll, were found on the payroll given by IPPIS amounting to payment of N5,585, 256.13.

It was also discovered that 40 different staff on the 2023 payroll had different IPPIS numbers that had one account linked to the different names. Of the 40 staff, 21 received double salary.

“Furthermore, an account number linked to two officers revealed that the account is in the name of a company, Don Aks Ikoro Global. Some names do not match the account name on the nominal and payroll.”

The Port Harcourt Refining Company, a refinery under the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in Rivers State, has again failed to commence operations after about six postponements, The PUNCH reports.

It was observed that promises made to Nigerians by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPC about the refinery have continued to witness multiple failures.

Since December 2023, NNPC, which is in charge of all the government refineries, has given Nigerians different dates, assuring citizens that the refinery would begin the sale of refined products soon.

In July, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, stated categorically that the refinery would come into operation in early August.

The same Kyari said in 2019 that the NNPC would deliver all the country’s four refineries before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

While appearing before the senate recently in July, Kyari boasted, “I can confirm to you, Mr Chairman, that by the end of the year, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.

“Specific to NNPC refineries, we have spoken to a number of your committees, and it is impossible to have the Kaduna refinery come into operation before December, it will get to December, both Warri and Kaduna, but that of Port Harcourt will commence production early August this year.”

However, as August nears midpoint, the refinery has yet to commence operations, creating concerns that this might be another failed promise from NNPC.

Replying to inquiries from our correspondent on Tuesday, the NNPC said it was on course, even when the early August promise has expired.

In a chat with our correspondent, the NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, tersely replied, “We are on course.”

Soneye did not reply to further questions, asking if he meant the refinery would still operate this month.

The PUNCH recalls that the 210,000 barrels per day refinery was said to have reached what the NNPC called mechanical completion of rehabilitation work in December.

It stated that the facility would start refining 60,000 barrels of crude oil daily after last year’s Christmas break.

Later in January, Kyari said the refinery was being tested and would be ready by the end of January. 

During the second month of the year, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited completed the supply of 475,000 barrels of crude oil to the Port Harcourt refinery, raising the expectations of marketers that production was set to commence.

This came a few weeks after NNPC said in January it was seeking to engage reputable and credible operations and maintenance companies to run the Port Harcourt refinery. NNPC did not disclose whether or not it had secured bidders to run the refinery.

In mid-March, Kyari said the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations in two weeks, April.

“We are serving this country with honour and dignity. And we will make sure that the promises we make on the rehabilitation of these refineries will take place,” Kyari stated after he appeared before the Senate Ad-hoc Committee investigating the various turnaround maintenance projects of the country’s refineries.

As the April deadline elapsed, independent petroleum marketers told The PUNCH that the facility would begin production by the end of July.

Commenting on this, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Soneye, said regulatory approvals from international bodies were the only impediment stalling the operational commencement of the refinery.

“We have said that the mechanical completion has been done and every other thing is done. There is crude oil and all the pipes are working; we are only waiting for regulatory approvals. As I said, some of our materials and the things we use have to do with nuclear, and we need the nuclear authorities to give us approval to use all those things at the site.

“And some of these approvals come from bodies outside of Nigeria. Until they give us those approvals, we can’t begin operations. We are ready to go but if something happens without it, which would be another issue. Everything has been completed in terms of our work, and once we get those approvals, it will start operations,” Soneye revealed in May.

Some Nigerians have expressed disappointment that the nation’s refineries have remained moribund for years. The country has since depended on imported fuel as it lacks refining capacity, spending up to N2tn monthly.

The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said $4bn had been spent by the Federal Government in an attempt to revive the nation’s refineries.

Obasanjo talks tough

While addressing some House of Representatives members who visited him in Abeokuta on Friday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo recalled how Shell refused his pleas to help run the refineries when he invited them during his days as the President, blaming corruption and poor management.

According to Obasanjo, some Nigerians later paid $750m to take over the refineries, however, his successor turned it back.

“I ran to him, I said, ‘You know this is not right’. He said, ‘Well, NNPC said they can do it’. I said ‘NNPC cannot do it’. I told my successor that ‘the refineries, from what I heard and know, will not work and when you want to sell them, you will not get anybody to buy them at $200m as scrap’. And that is the situation we are in.

“So, why do we do this kind of thing to ourselves? NNPC knew that they could not do it, but they knew they could eat and carry on with the corruption that was going on in NNPC. When people were there to do it, they put pressure. In a civilized society, those people should be in jail,” Obasanjo posited.

He told the lawmakers that he was aware they were investigating the $1.5bn the NNPC has spent on the Port Harcourt refinery.

The refinery, situated in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, has been in operation since 1965, but later became moribund for several years. The Alesa Eleme refinery complex is approximately 25km east of Port Harcourt.

In March 2021, the Nigerian government acquired a $1.5bn loan for the renovation and modernisation of the refinery; a move that was criticised by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who advocated the sale of all government refineries.

While reacting to the plan to hand the refinery over to private managers, Atiku tackled former President Muhammadu Buhari and the incumbent President Bola Tinubu for failing to heed his advice that the refinery and others owned by the government should be sold to private individuals.

Earlier, NNPC disclosed that it signed an agreement with the African Refinery Port Harcourt Limited for the subscription of 15 per cent equity by ARPHL in the Port Harcourt Refining Company.

Parties in the deal said the agreement would lead to an increase in the refining capacity of the Port Harcourt refinery from 210,000 barrels per day to 310,000bpd.

PHRC is one of the three national refineries under the management of NNPC.

Meanwhile, the Senate has raised questions over the $1.5bn approved in 2021 for the renovation of the refinery.

The upper chamber lamented that it is “unfair and wrong to treat government businesses or public companies as an orphan while private businesses were flourishing and thriving.”

The Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate ad-hoc Committee to investigate the alleged economic sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, Opeyemi Bamidele, raised the questions at a session with stakeholders in the industry in Abuja.

At the session, Bamidele expressed concerns over the dysfunctionality of the government-owned refineries despite investments to carry out turn-around maintenance.

Nigerians are hopeful that the refinery will stop fuel importation and crash the pump price of petrol when completed.

The Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu‘s administration has entered into 26 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with various foreign countries and agencies, securing commitments valued at more than ₦4.2 trillion.

These agreements span multiple sectors, including infrastructure, education, trade, investment, tourism, security, information technology, culture, energy, gas, and sports.

The agreements’ total value may be higher, as several MoUs did not disclose their financial details, according to a document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

One notable agreement was signed with India in February 2024 to enhance trade between the two nations. In November 2023, Nigeria signed a $500 million deal with Germany focused on renewable energy and gas. Additionally, a significant MoU with Russia on nuclear energy was finalized on September 27, 2023.

Regarding infrastructure, Nigeria signed a $2 billion deal with China on October 20, 2023, to develop various projects. Another MoU with China, signed on December 9, 2023, involves establishing a $150 million Lithium-Ion battery manufacturing and processing facility in Nigeria.

In the education sector, Nigeria secured MoUs with Russia and Qatar on December 22, 2023, and March 3, 2024, respectively.

In trade and investment, Nigeria signed an agreement with India in February 2024 to further increase trade between the two countries. On March 3, 2024, an MoU was signed with Qatar to establish a Joint Business Council between NACCIMA and the Qatar Chamber.

Another MoU, signed on March 19, 2024, with Lab Four, aims to create 50,000 full-time business process outsourcing jobs in Nigeria over the next three years.

To strengthen national security, Nigeria signed two agreements with the United Nations Office on Counter-Terrorism on August 30, 2023, focusing on countering terrorism and violent extremism.

Additionally, on January 30, 2024, an MoU was signed with the United States to train commanders of the Police Special Intervention Squad in combating banditry and other crimes.

For cultural preservation, an MoU was signed with the United States on February 16, 2024, to focus on preserving a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site in Adamawa State.

In technology, Nigeria secured a $600 million I-DICE Financial Agreement with France on November 3, 2023, to support digital and creative enterprises.

Former Senator who represented Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has replied the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) over claims regarding the earnings of Nigerian senators.

Naija News reported that RMAFC had faulted Sani’s claim that senators receive a monthly running cost of N13.5 million in addition to a N750,000 salary.

The commission insisted that senators get N1 million salary monthly only, stressing that some allowances are regular, while others are non-regular.

The commission said the clarification was “in view of the recent statement made by Mr. Shehu Sani, a former Senator of the Federal Republic who was reported to have disclosed to the public that each Senator collects a monthly running cost of ₦13.5 M in addition to the monthly ₦750, 000.00 prescribed by the Commission”.

However, in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Shehu Sani said RMFAC specifically quoted the figure of the salary earned by the lawmakers without the total sum of the monthly running cost.

According to Sani, RMAFC danced around the figures, claiming that a senator receives N1 million in salary monthly, and he understands their fears.

He said: “The RMFAC specifically quoted the figure of the salary earned by the lawmakers and then danced around the figures for the total sum of the monthly running cost per legislator. Anyway, I can understand their fears.

“RMFAC refuted my statement, but I’m now vindicated by Senator Kawu Sumaila who confirmed that the monthly alert is N21million and not N1million.”

Women from Akoko Southwest Local Government Area in Ondo State staged a half-naked protest, voicing their outrage over the persistent kidnappings and killings allegedly carried out by armed herdsmen in their community.

The protesters, concerned about their safety, called for immediate action to curb the violence and restore peace in the area.

According to Saharareporters, the demonstration followed the killing of a 34-year-old farmer, Sunday Ayeni, in Uba-Oka Akoko by suspected herdsmen just a day earlier.

Dressed in various garments and without head coverings, the women marched to the palace of the Olubaka of Oka Akoko, Oba Adebori Adeleye, during a security meeting to express their frustration and demand justice.

Singing war songs, they condemned the recent violence and called for an end to the attacks. They also reported incidents of rape and crop destruction on their farmlands by the herdsmen.

The women vowed to resist any further harassment, torture, and kidnappings by the armed men.

One of the protesters, Abigail Ojo, explained that they were on the verge of abandoning their farms due to the ongoing violence. She urged state security agencies to find effective measures to protect them.

In response, Oba Adeleye assured the women that their concerns would be taken seriously and promised to escalate the issue to the State and Federal Governments for urgent intervention.

He acknowledged that the Akoko communities were already grappling with significant security challenges.

Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has revealed that he and Didier Drogba are actively involved in persuading Victor Osimhen to consider a move to Chelsea from Napoli.

Victor Osimhen currently has a €130 million release clause in his contract with Napoli and it is highly anticipated that he will depart from the Italian club this summer.

Reports suggest that the 25-year-old has attracted interest from Chelsea, with a potential deal involving Romelu Lukaku moving to Napoli.

Mikel Obi has expressed his belief that Osimhen’s playing style, characterized by his goal-scoring abilities, would greatly benefit Chelsea.

He mentioned that Osimhen possesses the qualities of a prolific goal scorer like Erling Haaland, emphasizing that the Nigerian striker could bring a lot to the Chelsea team.

In addition to Mikel Obi’s efforts, Didier Drogba has also been actively engaging with Osimhen, sharing his perspective and the significance of joining Chelsea, according to the former Blues midfielder.

“We want somebody who can finish, score goals, the tap-ins. Someone like Erling Haaland. That’s something Victor Osimhen will bring to Chelsea”, Mikel Obi said according to Goal.

“I hope that Chelsea fans will finally see him come to the club. I’ll make sure I send him those text messages and calls, making sure Chelsea is his top priority!

“Didier is also speaking to him, sharing his ideas and what the club means to us. We all want to see Victor come to the club.”

The lawmaker representing Kano South senatorial district of Kano State in the National Assembly, Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, has revealed that Senators get ₦21 million naira monthly each as allowances and running costs.

He made the revelation in a chat with the BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday morning.

Sumaila, who was elected on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), narrated that his actual salary, as fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), is less than N1m and comes down to about ₦600,000 after deductions.

The Senator, however, said the leadership of the Senate has made some increases in the take-home pay of the lawmakers, with each Senator getting up to ₦21 million in salary and allowances.

“My monthly salary is less than ₦1million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over ₦600,000,” Senator Sumaila said.

He, however, added that: “Given the increase effected, in the Senate, each Senator gets ₦21million every month as running cost.”

The revelation comes at a time when the controversy and secrecy over the earnings of lawmakers in Nigeria are taking the front burner of public discussions again.

Naija News recalls former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently called out the members of the National Assembly, accusing them of fixing bogus salaries and allowances for themselves in contravention of extant laws.

Also, a one-time Senator of Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, Shehu Sani, had once publicly disclosed that each Senator collects a monthly running cost of ₦13.5m in addition to the monthly ₦750,000 prescribed by RMAFC.

In reaction to the fresh allegation by Obasanjo, the RMAFC Chairman, Muhammed Bello Shehu, explained on Tuesday that each member of the Senate collects a total monthly salary and allowances of the sum of N1,063,860.

The breakdown of the cumulative take-home pay, according to the commission, include; basic salary of N168,866:70; motor vehicle fuelling and maintenance allowance of N126,650; N42,216:66 for personal assistant; domestic staff – N126,650:00; entertainment – N50,660:00; utilities – N50,660; newspapers/periodicals – N25,330:00; Wardrobe allowance – N42,216,66:00; house maintenance – N8,443.33 and constituency allowance – N422,166:66; respectively.

The RMAFC chairman said some allowances are regular while others are non-regular. Regular allowances are paid regularly with basic salary while non-regular allowances are paid as of when due.

For instance, furniture allowance (N6,079,200 million) and severance gratuity (N6,079,200 million) are paid once in every tenure and vehicle allowance (N8,105,600 million) which is optional is a loan which the beneficiary has to pay before leaving office.

“A closer look at the monthly entitlement of Senators reveals that each Senator collects a monthly salary and allowances of the sum of N1,063,860:00 consisting of the following: Basic Salary- N168,866:70; Motor Vehicle Fuelling and Maintenance Allowance N126,650:00; Personal Assistant N42,216:66; Domestic Staff-126,650:00; Entertainment-N50,660:00; Utilities-N50,660:00; Newspapers/Periodicals-N25,330:00; Wardrobe-N42,216,66:00; House Maintenance -N8,443.33:00 and Constituency Allowance- N422,166:66; respectively,” the RMAFC chairman said in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday.

“The Commission also wishes to use this opportunity to state that any allegation regarding other allowance(s) being enjoyed by any political, public office holder outside those provided in the Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 2008 should be explained by the person who made the allegation.

“To avoid misinformation and misrepresentation of facts capable of misleading citizens and members of the International Community, the Commission considers it most appropriate and necessary to request Nigerians and any other interested party to avail themselves of the opportunity to access the actual details of the present Remuneration package for Political, Public and Judicial Office holders in Nigeria published on its website: www.rmafc.gov.ng,” he added.

The RMAFC boss, however, said the commission does not have the constitutional powers to enforce compliance with the proper implementation of lawmakers’ remuneration packages.

He added that aside from the President, Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, all public and legislative officers are no longer provided with housing, as was the case in the past.

The Federal government has frozen more than $37 million worth of cryptocurrency held in wallets believed to be owned by some organisers of #EndBadGovernance protests.

Premiumtimes reports that the freezing of the wallets followed an order granted by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 9.

The judge issued the order based on an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In the ex parte application filed on August 8 and heard by the court on the following day, the EFCC described the assets as proceeds of money laundering and terrorism financing.

There was no objection to the application during the hearing, which was proceeded like an exchange of views between the judge and EFCC’s lawyer, O.S Ujam.

“That an order of this honourable court is hereby made freezing the wallet addresses/accounts stated in the schedule below, which wallets are owned by individuals currently being investigated for offences of money laundering and terrorism financing, pending the conclusion of the investigation,” Mr Nwite ruled shortly after listening to the EFCC’s lawyer.

The wallet with the lion’s share of the assets has USDT37 million (USDT37,061,867,869.3) cryptocurrency, which equals the exact value in American US dollars.

Each of the three other wallets has USDT967, USDT90, and USDT443,512.37, respectively. The EFCC did not reveal the identities of the wallet owners in its application but the federal government however linked them to suspected organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests.