The decisions of the remaining 20 state governors on the proposed establishment of state police are expected to be submitted within the next four weeks.

This is according to the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Asishana Okauru, who spoke in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH on Friday.

Sixteen state governors had earlier thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police as a panacea for the insecurity ravaging the different parts of the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nwkocha, had earlier disclosed in a statement that discussions were held at a meeting of the National Economic Council and that 16 out of the 36 states had already submitted their reports on the state policing initiative.

The NEC received the reports from the 16 governors at its 140th meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa on March 21, 2024.

Nwkocha said there was an expectation that the remaining 20 governors, whose identities were not disclosed, would also submit their reports, stressing that all the states across the country expressed their support for the establishment of state police.

Okauru explained in a telephone conversation with one of our correspondents that the governors were unanimous in their support of the state police. 

He added that the remaining 20 governors were already in the process of submitting their reports, and would turn them in a few weeks from now.

According to him, it became clear after the NGF’s last meeting that there was a need for the governors to speed up “whatever report they were putting together in respect of state police and submit it.”

He said, “The official position of the forum is in favour of state police. I don’t know of any state that is not in support of state police. I can tell you that I don’t know of any state not in support of the idea. That the governors have not submitted their reports for now is not saying they are not in support of it (state police).

“They are in the process of submitting their reports and I can tell you that in the next couple of weeks that would have been resolved. This is the only way to go. The forum has come a long way. So, there’s a very strong consensus in support of state police.”

Asked if funding would be a major challenge for the state police, the NGF director-general added that the government should begin to think about innovative ways to fund the security architecture of the country.

“Even the way the police structure is configured, funding is still an issue. So, the funding issue will always be there. In some other countries, the police institution is to some extent revenue-generating. You know, it has revenue-generating potential. I mean, if done well, you know that everybody will agree to it. Let’s accept that the funding issue will always be there whether it is done centrally or you are for state police.

“Another point that must be made is that it is not because some states have not submitted their reports that the idea hasn’t taken off. It became very clear after the last meeting that they needed to speed up whatever report they were putting together in respect of state police and submit it. So, a maximum of about four weeks, and it should be done,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu had on Thursday, February 15, 2024, agreed on the need to establish state police as recommended by state governors to curb rising insecurity in the country.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to State House correspondents after a meeting between the President and the governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the possibility of creating a state police structure will be further discussed.

He further said that a lot of work needed to be done, and the President and the governors agreed on working out the modalities for the idea.

In October 2023, the President mooted the idea of increasing the numerical strength of the police, which is just a little over 300,000.

At the end of the Nigeria Police Council conclave, which Tinubu chaired, he set up a Constitutional Review Committee to carry out comprehensive police reforms.

The 2014 National Political Reform Conference recommended devolving policing by allowing states to create their police and enabling community policing. 

However, former President Goodluck Jonathan, who initiated the 2014 conference, and his successor, Muhammadu Buhari, did not implement the recommendations despite the deteriorating security situation in the country during their administrations.

Reps plan retreat

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review will host its first retreat on the State Police Bill and other related bills slated for deliberation ahead of the planned constitutional review.

This is contained in the work plan of the committee obtained by Sunday PUNCH.

The bill seeking to establish state police has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.

The Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, and 14 other lawmakers proposed to transfer the term “police” in the 1999 Constitution from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list.

The bill, which comprises 18 clauses, seeks to amend sections 34, 35, 39, 42, 84, 89, 129, 153, 197, 214, 215 and 216 of the constitution.

On February 15, the Federal Government set up a committee to explore the creation of state police given the worsening spate of insecurity across the country.

The Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, said given the fact that the bill was a constitutional matter, the onus was now on the Constitution Review Committee, which rolled out a two-year work plan to deliberate on state police, local government autonomy, fiscal federalism and other items listed for deliberations in the constitutional amendment process.

 “The State Police Bill is a constitutional amendment. After the second reading, it was referred to the Constitution Review Committee like all other constitutional amendments. The committee has rolled out its two-year work plan,” Waive said.

The retreat, which will be held in Abuja later this month, will witness collaborative efforts between the Clerk to the Committee on Constitution Review and the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre.

In May, the committee will engage with stakeholders, including civil society organisations, to collate inputs after which the committee will call for a public hearing

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said both chambers of the National Assembly were ready to amend the constitution to accommodate state police if the decentralisation of the security architecture would end kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and other crimes being experienced in Nigeria.

 Security experts speak

Commenting on the development, a security expert, Akin Adeyi, said the adoption of state police was a welcome development and advised the remaining 20 governors to submit their reports as soon as possible.

He added that rather than waiting for the governors to submit reports, the President could submit a bill to the National Assembly for review, while the governors would only append their signatures afterward.

According to him, allowances received by the state governments from the income generated from the removal of fuel subsidy should be enough to fund the state policing initiative.

Adeyi said, “Ordinarily, it’s supposed to be the responsibility of the state governors and state governments, but they are going to complement the effort of the Federal Government. With the removal of subsidy on petrol, there should be enough money on the ground to fund state police. I have that confidence except if the governors are not prudent in managing their resources.

“State police is going to be the best because it is going to be domiciled where the people are living; so automatically I will know you, and you will know me. At least, as a community person, you will not take sides with any judgment.

 “I read a report recently that state governors don’t need to write a memo before the matter can be resolved. So, what the Federal Government should do is what a member of the House of Representatives has done. He has submitted a bill to the National Assembly. Let them review the law and that is all. Once the bill is passed by the National Assembly, the state governments will just go there and do their job.”

However, the founder of Beacon Consulting, an Abuja-based security risk management and intelligence consulting firm, Kabir Adamu, said the country was not ready for state police with the current process of governance in the states.

According to him, creating state police is dangerous as it will turn the governors into “mini-emperors.”

He said, “It is indicated in the Renewed Hope Agenda that the Federal Government will decentralise policing. What we don’t know is the form it will take. I do not think we are ready for state police as a country. While there is a need to enhance security at the grassroots, I am worried that if we hand control of policing over to the governors, we are going to have mini-emperors.

“They (governors) are ruling their states like mini-emperors. They have the legislature under their control; they have the judiciary to an extent under their control. So, if you take the instrument of power, which is security, and add to these other components, we will have stronger mini-emperors.”

He, however, said there was a need for the establishment of policies that would improve the democratic culture at the state level where the legislature could effectively check the excess of the executive before policing could be decentralised.

On her part, a professor of Criminology at the Kaduna State University, Evelyn Yusuf, said the creation of state police was important to address the security challenges in the country.

She stated, “State police would have been excellent if the ruling class would allow the personnel to work and not engage them for other things. If there will be no abuse of power, I am in support of state police, because we need more police up to the level of community police to be able to curb the insecurity in Nigeria.

“There should be a policy that will guide against the ruling class using them as political thugs. If that can be done, state police will be fantastic. I recommend community policing more than any form of policing because, within the community, we know ourselves and anyone coming into the community will be easily identified.”

The traditional ruler of the Azumini autonomous community in Ukwa East LGA, HRM Eze Edward Ebere Eule, has been removed by the Abia State Government.

The traditional ruler, who was suspended from office by the state government in February 2024 for alleged misconduct and actions unbecoming of a traditional ruler, has been finally removed as the monarch of his community by the state government.

A press statement signed by the Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, said that Governor Alex Otti has approved the withdrawal of staff of office and certificate of recognition from Eze Eule.

The press release said that the withdrawal of the staff of office and certificate of recognition was because of the alleged refusal of Eze Ebere Eule to comply with the directives stipulated in a letter of suspension given to him on February 23, 2024, in line with the provisions of sections 12, 14 and 20 of the Abia State Traditional Rulers and Autonomous Communities Amended Number 2 Law 2018.

According to the statement by the commissioner, the removal of the traditional ruler was a result of allegations of misconduct brought against the former traditional ruler, for which the Abia State Government set up a panel of inquiry to investigate him.

The panel, the statement affirmed, indicted Eze Edward Ebere.

The statement advised the removed monarch to cease parading himself as the traditional ruler of the Azumini autonomous community and to return the staff of office and certificate of recognition issued to him within 14 days from the day of the announcement.

The statement further affirmed that all rights and privileges previously accorded to the sacked traditional ruler have been withdrawn.

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi has said they could not compete with Arsenal due to injuries, as they lost 3-0 on Saturday.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for the Gunners from the penalty spot in the first half.

Goals from Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard in the second half ensured Arsenal took all three points at the Amex.

De Zerbi, speaking to BBC MOTD, said: “We played a good first half and played well in the second half until the second goal. After that, we played not so good and deserved to lose against one of the best Premier League sides. With our injured players, we can’t compete against Arsenal.

“We are sorry and disappointed for our fans. We wanted to get points, to win the game and compete in better ways. We are having a tough moment because we are playing without a lot of injured players. It is tough.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested an Ilorin based clergyman, Prophet Adeniyi James, for allegedly defrauding a member of his church to the tune of N3.9 million.

A statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Saturday, said the Ilorin Zonal Command arrested James on April 2, 2024 for the alleged offence.

It was gathered that James is the General Overseer of Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Freedom City Prophetic and Deliverance Ministry in Ilorin.

Oyewale noted that the victim, Oluwole Babarinsa, in a petition to the Commission, alleged that James called him out during a church programme sometime in 2021, declaring that he had a revelation that he (Babarinsa) would travel abroad.

“The petitioner said the cleric, in the course of giving the revelation, asked him about his preferred country, which he replied ‘Canada’ and they agreed to talk later in order to perfect arrangements for the trip.

“The petitioner said James later told him that he had a friend in Lagos who could help him facilitate his relocation to Canada, but at a cost of N1.7 million and N2.5 million for processing of flight ticket and travel documents, respectively.

“Babarinsa added that he had to sell some of his properties and took some loans before he could raise N3,980,000 which he gave the prophet to facilitate his quick relocation to Canada.

“After prolonged waiting with no result, the petitioner became agitated and began to query the prophet’s vision, prompting him to ask for a refund of his money.

“All efforts and entreaties to the suspect to refund his money yielded no positive result,” EFCC spokesman said.

The suspect would be arraigned in court after the conclusion of the investigations, Oyewale added.

As a result of the depreciation of the Nigerian currency (Naira) over the past few months, additional challenges have arisen for the local currency in the West African market region. Trans-border traders have begun to refuse acceptance of the currency.

Vanguard findings across the Seme border show that the traders on both sides are now preferring either the CFA or the domestic currency of the non-francophone countries.

Hitherto, Naira ruled the sub-region as the dominant currency accepted as a medium of exchange by traders across the borders due to the high volume of trade between those countries and Nigeria.

The Nigerian currency traded in the status of convertibility in the unofficial payment systems of the countries.

However, Vanguard’s findings indicated that the Naira began sliding from that status in February, hitting the point of outright rejection in March 2024.

Some of the traders interviewed by Vanguard included Nigerians. They lamented that holding Naira has become a huge risk as the value keeps depreciating since last year with the worst rate of depreciation recorded last month.

Official reports indicate that Naira which traded above N1/1.5CFA in the first quarter of 2023 dropped sharply to N1/0.9CFA in the second quarter and N1/0.8CFA in the third quarter 2023.

After a moderate stability through the fourth quarter 2023, it opened 2024 at N1/ 0.66067CFA in January 2024.
However, following a second wave of depreciation in February, the sub-regional fortune went down drastically to N1/0.38308CFA before hitting a new low of N1/0.37595CFA last week.

The traders are already hedging against further depreciation although there’s a slight improvement in the last few days.

However, the Naira is still not close to what it used to be in the subregion some years ago. The development is adversely affecting the cost of goods imported into Nigeria through the West African economies. Consequently, the traders are recording a lull in business activities on both sides of the border towns in Nigeria and the Benin Republic.

Some border markets in Benin-Nigeria visited showed that most of the money changers or Bureau De Change, do not display the Nigerian currency like they did last year.

Even transporters and bike riders otherwise known as Okada in Nigeria, across the borders declined payment in Naira, saying that by the time they return to convert Naira to CFA, they would have lost some fraction of their earnings. Consequently, they said CFA was safer to hold.

A bike rider, Ibrahim Yakubu, who took our correspondent from the Seme border into the ‘Misebo’ market (about 45 kilometres from the border) refused to accept Naira and insisted on collecting his payment in CFA.

Yakubu also said that before now, the Naira was strong adding that it was easily accepted as a means of payment for goods and services.

A money changer, Taiye Ekiti blamed the development on the United States Dollar adding that the cost of Dollar was the reason for the depreciation of the Naira in Benin Republic and other countries including Togo and Ghana, adding that they as Bureau De Change are equally as helpless as other business people.

A Nigerian trader who deals in fairly used clothing, Mr. Achi Collins, said that most traders do not accept Naira anymore, adding “that is how much the Naira has lost value over time.”

Collins also said that most traders would tell their customers to change their money to CFA before they can accept it as payment for goods.

He however, added that around the border town of Seme, there could be few traders that still accept Naira for payment but their goods cost more.

He also noted that inside the cities of Benin Republic, Naira is not acceptable because of the value when compared to the strengthening of the CFA.

He further stated: “If you want to buy something here you will go and change your Naira to CFA before you buy whatever you want.’’

Before now, Naira was accepted on the west coast, up to Ivory Coast and Senegal. Traders freely spent Naira in many countries of West Africa. Nigerian sports journalists who covered sports events in Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast spent Naira in the markets of these countries. Naira was stronger than CFA then. Those days are gone. The naira is now rejected in these countries.

Ali Ndume, the Borno South senator, has called for the reversal of the hike in electricity tariff.

Ndume, who spoke in a statement made available to DAILY POST in Abuja on Saturday, said the timing of the hike is not right as Nigerians are yet to recover from the removal of fuel subsidy. 

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), recently approved a 300 per cent tariff increment for Band A consumers, allowing power distribution companies to raise electricity prices for city dwellers from N68 to N225 per kilowatt-hour with effect from April 1, 2024.

Ndume condemned the move and called on the Federal Government to reconsider its position in the interest of Nigerians.

He said Nigerians are facing many challenges, including unprecedented inflation, poor purchasing power, insecurity and other forms of hardship.

The senator said, “The news of the increment came to me and many of my colleagues as a shock. It also came at a time when the National Assembly was on a break. Personally, I think the timing of this hike is very wrong. Nigerians are grappling with many challenges.

“To put this fresh responsibility on them is very unfair. Nigerians are yet to recover from the fuel subsidy removal of last year. Many Nigerians are still grappling with the ripple effects that removal had on them. To now come up with this is wrong.

“I believe that the timing is wrong. There ought to have been some consultations, especially with the National Assembly as representatives of the people. We were not consulted. We saw the news like every other Nigerian.

“The inflation is still very high. The prices of food commodities, drugs, transportation, school fees, and other daily expenditures are still on the high side. To now add this new burden is unfair.

“The minimum wage has not been increased. Many state governments are yet to even pay the current minimum wage of N30,000. How do we expect the people to survive? We’ve to be very realistic and feel the pulse of the people we represent as a government.

“For me, I think the Federal Government should first of all provide stable electricity, reduce the inflation, stabilise the naira, and prices of food commodities. Then, the purchasing power of Nigerians must significantly improve before we can place a fresh responsibility on them as a government.

“The Federal Government needs to give the National Assembly the opportunity to also step in and consult because we represent the people. We feel their pulse, and we know what they’re going through right now.”

Beverly Osu, the popular Nigerian actress and model, has explained why dropped out of the university.

Beverly spoke on the latest episode of The Discourse With Ken where she opened up about her experience juggling budding career as a video vixen and school.

She stated that her school was going well up until she started getting criticisms for being a vixen.

“In Babcock University everything was nice and education was going well but because I was on TV at the age of 16 as a video vixen.

“Nigerians did not understand the term video vixen then so they always used to criticise me and take pictures to school. I used to get in trouble in school every weekend, and I mean every weekend,” she said.

On why she left the institution, she said: “I just felt that let me leave before it gets sour, you know how Babcock is, it’s very strict for lack of a better word. I left because I felt so comfortable doing what I was doing and I knew I could balance it, so I left.”

On her parent’s reaction to the development, Osu stated that her mother was initially displeased but eventually came around.

“My mum didn’t believe that I left and she was like ‘After all the money I paid.’ We had struggled back and forth because of it but at a point, she just knew that ‘This girl is determined and Ada would do what Ada wants to do.’ I strived because I knew that modelling was it for me,” she concluded.

HRH David Akpa, the district head and traditional ruler of Bagaji Odo in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, has stated that herdsmen were responsible for the attack in Agojeju-Odo community, resulting in the loss of 25 lives.

The attack reportedly occurred on Thursday.

The monarch, who spoke to DAILY POST on Saturday, said the community has been completely deserted.

According to him, residents of the community have relocated to Bagaji Odo, Abejikolo, Acha and other neighboring communities over fear of further attacks.

“The herdsmen are behind the attack at Agojeju-Odo community which led to the death of 25 people. They came in their numbers and started killing people.

“They have been harvesting our crops, preventing our people from having access to their farms. Whenever they come, they will be asking ‘are you from Agatu?’ and many more questions,” the traditional ruler said.

He called on the government to provide security for his people.

“The government should come to our rescue before things gets out of hand. Our people are being killed by this herdsmen.

“Those that have relocated to Bagaji Odo and are thinking of relocating out of here because there is information that these herdsmen are coming here to attack.”

One of the survivors of the attack, who gave his name as Joshua Salifu, narrated what happened.

“The herdsmen came at about 3:00 am on Thursday and started killing our people. I am yet to find my wife and my children. About 25 people were buried in our village.

“We don’t know what is our problem with them. This is not the first time they are attacking us. They killed four of our people the last time before Thursday’s incident. We could no longer go to our farms and the rainy reason is fast approaching. What are we going to do?

“The government should help us with adequate security so that we can go back to our community,” he stated.

It would be recalled that earlier in January 2024, yet to be identified gunmen attacked Agojeju-Odo community, killing four people.

The Commissioner for Commerce in Jigawa State, Aminu Kanta, has been suspended over alleged misappropriation of Ramadan feeding funds.

The state governor, Umar Namadi, who suspended the commissioner, said it is with immediate effect.

He noted that the suspension followed the allegations of misappropriation of funds allocated for the Ramadan Iftar feeding programme in the Babura Local Government Area of the state.

This is contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Bala Ibrahim, on Friday in Dutse, the state capital.

The affected commissioner, according to the statement would remain suspended, pending the outcome of an investigative committee established by the governor to probe the allegation.

“Governor Namadi’s action underscores his commitment to responsible financial management and tackling misuse of public funds,” the statement said.

The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has cautioned individuals who criticize and mock him to proceed with caution. The cleric emphasized that those who engage in such behavior ultimately meet unfortunate ends.

Pastor Adeboye said even though he is nothing and weak, those mocking him and the mission should know that his God is a consuming fire.

He reminded his critics that the word of God made it clear that anyone God will use must be foolish, must be weak, be a nobody so that nobody will get the glory.

Recall that Adeboye had been drawing criticism from several celebrities and on-air personalities over some of his declarations and comments.
Adeboye’s sermon

Adeboye made the comments during his sermon and annointing service at the monthly Holy Ghost service. It was held on the theme: “Shielded by Fire” at The Redemption City of God.

In his words: “If Paul, who wrote more than half of the New Testament, claimed to be less than the least of the saint, according to Ephesians 3:8, Pastor Adeboye is nothing.

“However, his God is everything. Listen to me carefully, Adeboye is one stupid boy and I would prove it to you before I close, But his God is wiser than the wisest.

“Adeboye is weak, he eats pounded yam and goes to the toilet. But his God is stronger than the strongest. Adeboye is nothing but his God is the All-sufficient God.

“So there is nothing spectacular. There is no big deal if you mock Pastor Adeboye. He deserves to be mocked.

“The word of God made it abundantly clear. Anyone that God will use must be weak, foolish, and a nobody, so that only God will take the glory. So you can mock Adeboye, but you must not mock his God.

“Why? Because Adeboye is nothing, there is nothing he can do to you. But his God is a Consuming fire.”

Going further, he revered cleric asked his members series of questions.

“I want to ask you some questions. The fact that the leaders of Boko Haram are Muslims or claimed to be Muslims, does that mean every Muslim is a terrorist?

“Because one Islamic cleric said they should kill our first lady, does that mean every Imman is a murderer.

“There was this guy called HUSSPUPPY, the fellow who was the original 419 man that was arrested in Dubai. He happens to be a Nigerian, does that mean every Nigerian man is a 419?

“If a pastor and his wife do something insensitive somewhere, does that mean every pastor everywhere is insensitive?

Pastor in Ireland

“Then what about this pastor somewhere in Ireland. They said he committed all manners of atrocities. How will you explain that?

“Number one, the way they reported it in Nigeria is different from the way is reported where it happen.

“Over there they said “a former pastor”. Meaning he used to be. But put that one aside.

“They didn’t tell you the whole story, they did not tell you that they did not catch the boy. But he reported himself and why did he report himself, he heard a sermon on restitution and decided it is better to suffer shame while here on earth than to go to hell.

“And where did he hear that sermon, in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. We are among the few churches left in the world that ever talk about restitution.”

‘I am not Justifying the unjustifiable’

While noting that the pastor might have backslided when he committed the crime, he said: “Do you know the Bible says he who thinks he stands should take heed, lest he falls?

“Even you standing today be careful. I pray you will never fall.”

“You can say ‘but he was ordained as a pastor’. But have you heard about backsliding? Once hot for the Lord and along the line became cold. The Bible even said ‘he that thinketh that he stand…’.

“I don’t want to give the impression that I am justifying the unjustifiable. The Lord prayed all night and chose 12 disciples. One of them turned out to be Judas Iscariot. One failure out of 12.

“If you consider the number of pastors in RCCG in Nigeria, alone. Don’t let me tell you the number. But let me tell you mathematically. The number of pastors in Nigeria alone today is more than 200 thousand.

“If we find one here, one there over there, well our Lord Jesus Christ the one we are following chose 12 but one was the devil.”

Nigeria’s Economy

Pastor Adeboye lamented the increase in the pump price of fuel and the hike in the electricity tariff.

He added that what is happening in Nigeria is not ordinary. Adeboye said when he saw the way things were going he had to quickly call on some prayer warriors to intercede for the country.

He said: “If I am not such a ‘stupid’ boy I would have asked God how worse things would get before they get better.

“I did not ask. So, you see how stupid a boy I am. All of a sudden we saw the Naira going down. I never knew the Naira would go so bad.

“I know nations who got independence at the same time as Nigeria whose money is like 10,000 to a Pound.”
However, he said he called for more prayers for the country and those in place of authorities. He urged Nigerians not to be tired of praying for the country.

“As I was coming out of the prayer room, I heard the government has increased the price of fuel and electricity tarrif had increased.

“If the price of fuel increases, it means the cost of transporting the food to the market will increase. It means the food will increase in price.

“I had this feeling that the rate this is happening is no longer natural.

“And then I heard a prophet had prophesied that things would only get better towards the end of 2025.”