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The Federal Government has filed a six-count charge against nine individuals for allegedly publishing false information on October 16, 2024, that the Department of State Services (DSS) laid siege to the National Assembly with a view to effecting the impeachment of the Senate President,Godswill Akpabio.
The defendants are the Incorporated Trustee of Order Paper (on whose online platform the false information was allegedly published), Oke Epia (founder/publisher and Executive Director of Order Paper), Tony Okeke Ofodile (Head of Operations), Edna Bill Ulaeto (Admin/Finance Executive) and Elizabeth Atime (National Assembly lead reporter, author of report).
Others are Regina Udo (Coordinator of Programmes), Leah Twaki (Social Media Executive), Idongesit Joseph Ekoh (Admin Support) and Edoesomi Sharon Omonegho (National Assembly correspondent).
The charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/555/2024 was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 21, by the Deputy Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, A. A. Yusuf.
Some of the charges against the publication are, “False information under Section 24(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 (as amended 2024).
“That you, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), of Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, through your agents, Oke Epia, Tony Okeke Ofordile, Edna Bill Ulacto, and Elizabeth Atime, and others at large on or about the 16th of October 2024 knowingly published false information via your online platform, alleging that the Department of State Services (DSS) laid siege to the National Assembly over plans to impeach the Senate President, which you knew to be false, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 24(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under the same section.
“Cyber Defamation under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015)
“That you, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), of Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, through your agents, Oke Epia, Edna Bill Ulacto, and Elizabeth Atime, on or about the 16th of October 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court intentionally published defamatory statements regarding the Department of State Services and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on your online platform, which ‘was accessible to the public, with the intent to harm their reputations, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 24(1)b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under the same section.
“Defamation under Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act),
“That you, Order Paper (Incorporated Trustee), of Suit C12, Halima Plaza, Plot 1496, Balanga Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, through your agents, Oke Epia, Edna Bill Ulacto, and Elizabeth Atime, on or about the 16th of October 2024 knowingly published defamatory material on your online platform, accusing the Department of State Services of unlawful actions, thereby injuring the reputation of the Department of State Services, bringing them into public ridicule, an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.”
No date has been set for the arraignment of the defendants.
A tanker loaded with fuel has fallen in Akamkpa, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State with residents of the community trooping out to scoop the content which was flowing uncontrollably on the floor.
A viral video of the incident surfaced on social media on Thursday morning showing residents of the area scooping the content from the fallen tanker along the roadside.
Some of them carried buckets, others were with kegs taking fuel fuel from the tanker.
Though there is no official report from either the driver or community members on the cause of the accident, no lives were lost.
Authorities in the state have not also commented on the matter as of now.
The development has raised concerns, especially after the death of about 180 persons – who were scooping fuel from a fallen petrol tanker – in Jigawa.
That incident took place on October 15 at Majia in Taura Local Government of Jigawa State. It involved a petrol-laden truck going from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State.
Media
The Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru, has ordered troops of Operation Fansar Yamma to arrest the notorious bandits’ leader, Bello Turji.
The Minister gave the order while addressing the troops at the One Brigade Headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State.
He added that President Bola Tinubu has the following the activities of the troops in the past few months and has seen some levels of improvement in the operation against terrorists in the region, but the challenges are still there.
“He, therefore, urged me to thank you and to urge you to do more to end insecurity in these areas of operation and the country. He is ready to provide all you need to end insecurity in the Northwest and Nigeria.”
“I had some reassurances from the commander officer and was pleased, sure that we would reach the goal. Are you ready to finish with them? Are ready to end it? Please get me Turji.”
The Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru, has ordered troops of Operation Fansar Yamma to arrest the notorious bandits’ leader, Bello Turji.
The Minister gave the order while addressing the troops at the One Brigade Headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State on Thursday.
He added that President Bola Tinubu has the following the activities of the troops in the past few months and has seen some levels of improvement in the operation against terrorists in the region, but the challenges are still there.
“He, therefore, urged me to thank you and to urge you to do more to end insecurity in these areas of operation and the country. He is ready to provide all you need to end insecurity in the Northwest and Nigeria.”
“I had some reassurances from the commander officer and was pleased, sure that we would reach the goal. Are you ready to finish with them? Are ready to end it? Please get me Turji.”
Defence Minister visited the Operation Fansar Yamma in Gusau to take briefings on military operations.
The Minister was received by the Commander, Joint Taskforce Northwest Operation Fansar Yamma, Major General Oluyinka Soyele, the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mani Mumun,i among other dignitaries.
Veteran Nollywood actress, Sola Sobowale, has taken to social media to express excitement as one of her daughters is set to tie the knot.
The thespian announced the upcoming wedding in a post via her Instagram page, accompanied by pictures of the love birds.
Sola Sobowale said she had gained a son, adding that her daughter had found someone to spend the rest of her life with.
She wrote, “My baby found her forever person. My heart is overwhelmed with joy. I’ve gained a son. A wonderful inspiring young man. All the glory be to God. I love you both.”
Barr. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, a former Minister of Women Affairs, has expressed her gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, First Lady Remi Tinubu, and Nigerians for the opportunity to serve the country following her removal from the cabinet.
Kennedy-Ohanenye was among several ministers relieved of their duties on Wednesday, including Prof. Tahir Mamman (Education), Mohammed Gwarzo (State for Housing), Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), and suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, who was replaced.
In a statement released on Thursday, Kennedy-Ohanenye said: “I write to express my sincere gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It has been an honor and a privilege to contribute to the development of our nation.
“I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for her invaluable guidance and support during my tenure as Minister of Women Affairs. Her kindness and encouragement were instrumental to my success.
“To the people of Nigeria, I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support. Your trust and confidence in me have been a constant source of inspiration.
“I remain committed to serving my country and will continue to do my utmost to contribute to its progress and prosperity.”
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has acknowledged that Nigeria’s economy is weak.
The presidential aide stated that without the current reforms, Nigeria’s economy could have deteriorated to a state similar to that of Somalia, an East African country.
Naija News reports that Onanuga made these remarks on Thursday in response to the widespread public concern regarding the economic difficulties resulting from certain policies implemented by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He noted that Nigerians have exhibited considerable impatience in awaiting the outcomes of the government’s reform initiatives.
While recognizing the fragility of the nation’s economy, Onanuga emphasized that the ongoing economic reforms present an opportunity for Nigeria to transition into a more productive economic landscape.
“Recently, I have been reading several reports about Vision 2010 and Vision 202.
“All those reports showed that our economy has been very efficient, very weak and if we don’t do what we are doing today, one day, we may end up like Somalia.
“Our economy is very weak and what the government is doing today through these reforms is to create an opportunity for us to be a productive economy. Nigerians have been consuming and the government has been subsidizing these consumptions”, Daily Post quoted Onanuga saying in a recent chat.
‘Petroleum Sector Not Doing Well, Tinubu Can Not Be Petroleum Minister’ – Aigbe
Meanwhile, following the recent reshuffle of President Bola Tinubu‘s cabinet, Austin Aigbe, Regional Advocacy Lead and ECOWAS Liaison Officer for the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network, has emphasized the critical need for the appointment of a substantive minister to lead Nigeria’s floundering petroleum sector.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, Aigbe discussed the implications of the cabinet changes, particularly for the vital energy sector.
Aigbe commended the president’s initiative to scrutinize and modify the cabinet structure, noting, “It’s good when you interrogate the system. You have to look at where the pitfalls are.”
He pointed out that the petroleum sector, a crucial component of Nigeria’s economy, currently lacks a dedicated minister to guide and rejuvenate its operations amidst ongoing challenges.
The advocacy leader stressed the importance of having a focused and competent leader at the petroleum ministry’s helm to navigate the industry’s complexities and spearhead necessary reforms.
The Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) from 1989 to 1993, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, has died.
NEC is now known as the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Nwosu, who was born on October 2, 1941, died in a hospital in Virginia, United States of America.
Following his appointment by then dictator Ibrahim Babangida, Nwosu conducted the June 12, 1993 election, which was seen as the freest and fairest election till date in Nigeria.
The presidential election was won by Chief Moshood Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, defeating Bashir Tofa, the candidate of the National Republican Convention.
Nwosu's commission introduced the novel Option A4 voting system and the Open ballot system.
Nwosu had released many of the election results when he was ordered by the Babangida military regime to stop further announcement.
In July 2024, the House of Representatives called on President Bola Tinubu to immortalise Nwosu.
The lawmakers wanted him immortalised for conducting the election adjudged as the freest and most credible in post-independence Nigeria.
The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema has disclosed that he wept when he bought his first aircraft.
He stated this in a video shared by the airline on social media to commemorate its 10th anniversary.
Sharing the emotional moment, the Air Peace boss said he was shocked that he could afford to buy an aircraft considering his humble beginnings.
He narrated, “When I look back and I remember the day I bought my first aircraft that was a Dornier 328s. I was in Monaco when we negotiated the sale, myself and Engr. Gbolahan Abatan. We went to Monaco to negotiate it and we took the delivery of the aircraft from the airport in Nice, France.
“We flew to Bournemouth in England. I cried, I wept. When we were flying, I just sat in the aircraft, looked down and said to myself, ‘So, I bought this aircraft?’
“Growing from a humble beginning and getting to where one was, the feeling was very emotional the moment I was crying on the aircraft and Gbolahan was by my side and there.
“It was over the international waters that we signed the delivery of the aircraft before we landed in Bournemouth in England. So, even today, the motivation and only satisfaction I get is when I get to the airport and see our planes taking off and landing.
“It raises my adrenaline. I like seeing it. I like going on the street and looking towards the sky seeing an aircraft and it is Air Peace. It is addictive.”
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has explained the decision not to dismiss Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, amidst allegations of his involvement in sponsoring bandits and insecurity.
During an appearance on Arise TV on Wednesday, Onanuga described these claims as “mere allegations and fabrications that are not true.”
When asked why Matawalle remained in the cabinet following the recent reshuffle, which saw some ministers relieved of their duties, Onanuga acknowledged the circulation of various stories regarding Matawalle’s alleged connections to insecurity in Zamfara State, noting that these allegations have even reached the President.
However, he emphasised that the National Security Adviser’s office investigated these claims and found them to be false, asserting that Matawalle is fit to perform his duties.
“As far as I know, most of those things are just mere allegations. I think in one of them, I got something like that I sent to the NSA, I said have you heard about this? and he said no, we have proved a lot to those things that they are not correct, they are not true. People are just bringing out all kinds of fake things and allegations about someone.
“And that is why the man is there. Even the President has heard so many stories about him. For him to be there, shows like I said, some of those things have been probed, and they are found not to be true,” Onanuga explained, clarifying the rationale behind the President’s decision not to dismiss Matawalle.
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The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday, suspended the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim.
The suspension follows Mnyim’s involvement in a coalition of states legally challenging the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved judgment on the suit filed by 19 states of the federation.
However, three out of the nineteen states challenging the constitutionality of the laws establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were reportedly withdrawn from the suit.
The three states are; Anambra (9th plaintiff), Adamawa (16th plaintiff), and Ebonyi (18th plaintiff), separately submitted applications for withdrawal before the Court.
The Attorney General of Anambra State, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, informed the court that she wishes to withdraw from the suit, having filed a motion for withdrawal on October 20.
Similarly, the Attorney General of Ebonyi State, Ikenna Nwidagu, stated, “My Lord, I filed a notice of withdrawal dated and filed on October 21. My Lords, we pray this honourable Court strikes out the name of the 18th plaintiff.”
However, Alia, who was taken aback that the state joined other states to challenge the legality of the anti-corruption agency, was said to have ordered the suspension of the attorney general.
Alia announced the indefinite suspension of Mnyim during a press conference in Makurdi, capital of Benue.
He said, “No matter how pressing or urgent the issue is, one must resort to due consultations with me or appropriately brief me and seek my permission before acting, especially in a sensitive matter such as this.
“My administration is holding accountable those who embezzled money and drained our state dry. The EFCC and ICPC are assisting us in this effort.
“How can I now turn around and begin to challenge these watchdogs? I gave no permission for him to enter an appearance for the state.
“Because he acted on his own, I hereby suspend him indefinitely pending a satisfactory explanation of his actions.”
Electricity: 85.2% of Nigerian households on estimated billing, 58% connected to national grid – NBS
AFOLABI
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says 58 percent of households in Nigeria are connected to the national grid.
In its ‘Nigeria Residential Energy Demand Side Survey (NREDSS) 2024,’ on Wednesday, unveiled in Abuja, NBS said nine states; Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ekiti, Oyo, Enugu, Kwara, Plateau, Kano, and Sokoto, were selected across the six geo-political zones of the country for the survey.
According to the bureau, households from each state were interviewed, making a total of 8,100 households across urban and rural areas.
NBS said 86.6 percent of households connected to the grid had electricity supply, 85.2 percent of them used an estimated billing system, while 14.8 percent used a pre-paid billing system.
The average monthly expenditure of households on electricity, according to NBS, was estimated at N4,155.8 during the survey period.
In 2024, the national grid has collapsed eight times, with the first recorded on February 4.
The national grid collapsed again on March 28, April 15, July 6, and August 5.
Nigerians experienced another system failure at the grid on October 14, October 15, and October 19.
On October 17, Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, said the frequent system failure at the national grid is inevitable due to the outdated infrastructure.
Adelabu said more investment in power infrastructure will prevent future collapses.
However, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) will conduct a public hearing on October 24 over the frequent national grid failures.
Also, the federal government has set up a forensic investigative committee to address the incessant grid collapses.
‘67.8 PERCENT OF HOUSEHOLDS USE FUELWOOD’
The bureau said 67.8 percent of Nigerian households use fuelwood as a source of energy for domestic, agricultural, commercial, cultural, or religious purposes.
NBS added that about 41 percent of the households purchase the fuelwood, while 39 percent collect it themselves.
“While 18.9 per cent of households used other means such as barter, gift, and borrowing,” the bureau said.
“More than half of the fuelwood are cut or collected by households, 55.3 percent were branches, stems, and trees.”
Furthermore, NBS said one in every five households, an average of 22 percent, used charcoal, with 21.6 percent purchasing the product.
The bureau added that 19.4 percent, about one in five households, use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas.
“The average monthly expenditure on LPG stood at N10,239.7 across the surveyed states,” NBS said.
In addition, NBS advised the government to promote the re-planting of trees, given the wide use of fuelwood. and encourage the use of clean energy such as LPG, wind, and solar.
“This will help to reduce environmental problems such as air pollution, water pollution, climate change, thermal pollution, and solid waste disposal,” it said.
NBS also recommended that the government encourage the establishment of more LPG stations while promoting local production of gas cylinders to lower the end-user’s cost and optimise electricity generation by decentralising the national grid through mini-grids.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has begun supplying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, directly to some oil marketers, bypassing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
Reports indicate that more marketers are seeking to purchase PMS directly from the refinery, while others continue importing the product, with hundreds of millions of liters of imported petrol expected to arrive in Nigeria in the coming weeks.
Earlier, The PUNCH reported that at least four vessels carrying imported PMS had docked at Nigerian ports between October 18 and October 20, with around 123.4 million liters of PMS unloaded at two seaports to help stabilize nationwide fuel supply.
This move by marketers comes in addition to the $20 billion Dangote refinery’s output, providing further support to the market.
Marketers have now begun lifting PMS directly from the Dangote plant in Lekki, Lagos, signaling a significant change in Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.
According to a senior refinery official, this direct purchase arrangement operates on a willing-buyer, willing-seller basis, allowing oil marketers to bypass third-party suppliers and engage directly with the refinery.
“Marketers are already coming to the refinery to lift PMS directly, and agreements have been made with some marketers. If the price wasn’t favorable, they wouldn’t be coming to us,” the official said, indicating that Dangote’s pricing is competitive enough to attract interest.
“Some of the trucks you saw there today were from marketers purchasing the product directly from Dangote, without recourse to NNPC. So the direct sale has started,” another source told The PUNCH.
Officials also revealed that the refinery is dedicating around 53% of its crude oil supply to PMS production due to high demand for petrol in Nigeria and other countries.
The proportion of crude used for PMS may change if demand for other products grows, but for now, petrol remains the primary focus.
“This could be reviewed in future if the demand for other finished products increases more than the demand for petrol, but right now about 53 per cent of our crude is used for petrol production, while other products account for the remaining percentage,” the official stated.
When asked if marketers had started the direct purchase of petrol from Dangote without recourse to NNPC, one of the notable major marketers in the country replied in the affirmative.
“Yes, everyone is in the process. This was advised that it would happen soon and is a normal business transaction,” the source stated.
This direct sale initiative follows earlier claims that the NNPC would be the sole off-taker of PMS from the Dangote refinery starting September 15.
However, a recent announcement from the Technical Subcommittee on Domestic Sale of Crude Oil in Local Currency, headed by Finance Minister Wale Edun, confirmed that marketers can now purchase PMS directly from local refineries, fostering competition and improving market efficiency.
Although some Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) officials, led by Vice President Hammed Fashola, are still in discussions about logistics and modalities for lifting PMS from Dangote, refinery officials confirmed that direct sales to certain marketers have already commenced.
Meanwhile, the refinery has dismissed claims that it sold PMS to NNPC at N898 per liter when sales began in mid-September, labeling such reports as misleading.
The refinery maintains that the official naira-for-crude committee will eventually announce the product’s price, but as of October 22, no such announcement has been made.
[NaijaNews]
Plateau State Police Command has disclosed that its operatives have uncovered an Internet fraud or ‘Yahoo yahoo’ training centre in Jos, the state capital.
The command also arrested other suspected members of various criminal gangs operating in the state.
Parading the suspects on Wednesday at the Command Headquarters in Jos, the State Police Commissioner, Emmanuel Adeshina, informed that the suspects were arrested for various crimes, including Internet fraud, robbery, Gun running, and child trafficking, among others.
Mr Adeshina explained that the Yahoo Yahoo training centre was uncovered after information was received about a fraud academy and operations of Internet fraudsters in Jos.
The CP said, “On 20/10/2024 at about 10:30 a.m., we received a report that the following persons, one Ateh Anthony Idoko, 23, and Daniel Idoko, both 23 years old, of Agingi, Rukuba Road, who are internet fraudsters (Yahoo-Yahoo), conspired among themselves to traffic young boys who had just graduated from Secondary school to a secluded residence.
According to the CP, the suspects locked them up, seized their phones and, having shown them how to defraud people via romance scams and other cyber-related frauds masterfully, forced them to go into the internet and continue to defraud innocent would-be victims and in the event where they refuse to cooperate, the ring leader beat them mercilessly with a horsewhip.”
He added that ” Upon receipt of this information, the Divisional Police Officer Rantya division, under my strict directive, immediately mobilised men and swung into action, raided the hideout where Eleven (11) suspects were arrested, including the Two (2) principal suspects. ”
“Our investigations are ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects and ensure that they face the full weight of the law.”
The Plateau Police Commissioner also added that on 16/10/2024 at about 07:00 am, while acting upon credible intelligence, the Command’s Eagle Eye Patrol Unit (EEPU) arrested Jonathan Arin, 27, Moses Festus, 27, Sambo Audu, 30, and Nehemiah Yakubu, 25, all males of Angwan Rukuba Jos.
The suspects were arrested in possession of locally fabricated rifles, pistols and other dangerous tools and equipment used in the fabrication of firearms. ”
Upon interviewing the suspects, they all confessed to the crime and issued their confessional statements, which were recorded with words of caution. The investigation is ongoing to recover all firearms already distributed to some mischievous persons and arrest more suspects.
He also said that on 12/10/2024 at about 04:30 pm, we received a report at “A” division Police Station stating that on 11/10/2024 at about 04:30 pm, when they returned from work, they discovered that four (4) of their children were missing. Upon inquiry, their neighbour’s daughter informed them that they were seen with one Comfort, a female who usually comes to visit her friend, Adamu Bawa, in the compound to buy her biscuits.
Upon receipt of the report, our men immediately swung into action, which led to the rescue of the four (4) children and two (2) suspects. The case is under investigation and will be charged to court upon conclusion.
The CP also expressed his profound gratitude to the Government of the State for its support in the fight against crime and criminality within the State.
“We would not have achieved such tremendous successes without the cooperation and intelligence we have received from you. ”
I also wish to thank the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM for providing critical operational assets which have facilitated the successes we have recorded throughout this period.
My Management Team and I have implemented strategies to prevent crime and ensure the security of lives and properties within the State. Some of these measures include improving our response time, intensifying efforts toward providing the arrest of suspects, and prosecuting criminals, he added.
[Leadership]