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The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, fixed Oct. 22 for the hearing of a suit filed by at least 16 state governments challenging the constitutionality of the laws establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and two others.
A seven-member panel of justices, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, fixed the date after the states were joined as co-plaintiffs and leave granted for consolidation of the case in the suit originally filed by the Kogi Government through its Attorney General (AG).
The states that joined in the suit marked: SC/CV/178/2023 include Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross-River and Niger.
The 16 states said they are relying on the fact that the constitution is the supreme law and any law that is inconsistent with it is a nullity.
The plaintiffs argued that the Supreme Court, in Dr Joseph Nwobike Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria, had held that it was a UN Convention against corruption that was reduced into the EFCC Establishment Act and that in enacting this law in 2004, the provision of Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was not followed.
They argued that, in bringing a convention into Nigerian law, the provision of Section 12 must be complied with.
According to them, the provision of the Constitution necessitated the majority of the states’ Houses of Assembly agreeing to bring the convention in before passing the EFCC Act and others, which was allegedly never done.
The argument of the states in their present suit, which they said had been corroborated by the Supreme Court in the previous case mentioned, is that the law, as enacted, could not be applied to states that never approved of it, in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian constitution.
Hence, they argued that any institution so formed should be regarded as an illegal institution.
When the case was called on Tuesday, lawyers, who represented the states, made their submissions.
While the majority sought to be joined as co-plaintiffs, two of the states prayed for an order for consolidation of the case.
Kogi AG’s counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, informed the court that there were states that indicated interest in consolidation of the case and those seeking to be joined as co-plaintiffs.
“It is for this honourable court to tell us how to proceed my lord.
“Out of about 15 states, there are about 13 of them that have indicated interest to be co-plaintiffs and only two want consolidation.
“To make the task of the court easier, those who want to be joined as co-plaintiff should be joined and abide by the processes already filed and those who sought consolidation should be asked to file within seven days,” Mohammed said.
After the lawyers’ submissions, Justice Abba-Aji granted their prayers.
She adjourned the matter until Oct. 22 for a hearing.
The Kogi State AG had, in the suit number: SC/CV/178/2023 sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as sole defendant.
In the originating summons filed by a team of lawyers led by Prof .Musa Yakubu, SAN, the state raised six questions for determination and sought nine reliefs.
The Kogi government sought a declaration that the federal government through the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) lacked the power to issue any directive, guideline, advisory or any instrument however called for the administration and management of funds belonging to the state.
The government also sought a declaration that the EFCC, the NFIU or any agency of the federal government cannot investigate, requisition documents, invite and or arrest anyone concerning offences arising from or touching on the administration and management of funds belonging to the state.
[Vanguard]
OPENING ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR, AT THE 54TH ANNUAL ACCOUNTANTS CONFERENCE: "GOVERNANCE REIMAGINED: MAPPING THE FUTURE", TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2024
(DELIVERED BY ABUBAKAR ATIKU BAGUDU, MINISTER OF BUDGET AND ECONOMIC PLANNING)
PROTOCOL
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. It is with profound honour that I stand before you today as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a fellow advocate for transformative governance. I welcome all the distinguished guests, esteemed speakers, and dedicated participants in this pivotal annual accountants’ conference.
Today, we unite under the visionary theme: Governance Reimagined: Mapping the Future.” This theme captures our aspirations and marks a significant milestone in our journey towards refining governance and fortifying accountability across our great nation.
2. As we convene in this esteemed assembly, I would like to pose a question: How can we, as stewards of governance and accountability, harness our collective expertise to foster a more
transparent, efficient, and equitable society?
Your role as accountants in cultivating transparency, upholding integrity, and managing our nation’s resources adeptly is indispensable. Your expertise does not merely shape our economic landscape—it fortifies the foundation of trust upon which our societal progress is built.
3. We convene at a time when the governance landscape is dramatically evolving, presenting challenges and opportunities that demand innovative solutions and proactive strategies. The advent of emerging technologies opens new avenues for enhancing accountability and transparency. We must foster robust collaboration and networking among policymakers, regulators, and professionals to harness these opportunities effectively.
4. Your profession provides you with the skill set to appreciate a company or Government strategy. Some of you are at the heart of or have been involved with turnaround for companies and choices necessary for survival in a competitive environment. The Renewed Hope agenda is our strategy for Nigeria to confront her reality: we are not where we want to be, we are not growing fast enough, and decades of underinvestment have limited the economy from delivering on its potential.
5. The Necessary Choices, pleasant and otherwise, we made in the last 17 months were designed to stop the decline and put us on a path to higher, sustainable, and inclusive growth. It is encouraging that GDP growth for the first and second quarters of 2024 was positive while inflation turned downwards. The foreign exchange market is stabilising, and we see encouraging investment signals.
6. We are continuing with innovative reform measures: digitisation of revenue collection and government services, consumer credit system to boost manufacturing and enable access to goods and services, mortgage system reform to provide wider opportunities for home ownership, CNG penetration to offer cheaper and alternative energy sources, and agriculture development fund to de-risk agricultural investments further.
7. Our reforms include removing punitive subsidies to the economy. Revenue bleeding has reduced, and the three tiers of Government are receiving higher allocations, which enable more support to vulnerable populations. Social investment spending is increasing, the minimum wage has increased, student loans are available, and interventions to support NANO, MSME, farming, fishing, and the livestock sector have increased.
8. Our collective vision for Nigeria’s future is anchored on strengthening our institutions and nurturing a pervasive culture of accountability. We are committed to leveraging cutting-edge
technologies to boost transparency and efficiency and cultivate strategic partnerships that pave the way for sustainable development.
9. As we delve into the complexities of governance, I call upon each of you to participate actively in the dialogues unfolding over the next few days. Share your unique insights and forge new connections. Together, let us develop actionable plans to lead Nigeria towards a future where governance is synonymous with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
10. With great enthusiasm and driven by our shared commitment to excellence in governance, I officially declare the 54th Annual Accountants Conference open.
Let us embark on a path of meaningful discussions and enriching knowledge exchange.
Thank you for your attention, your dedication, and commitment to the noble cause of reshaping our nation’s destiny. Let us reimagine governance and map a future that generations will look upon with pride.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab faces a watershed moment on Thursday when CEO Elon Musk takes the stage at the Warner Bros Hollywood studio to unveil much-delayed plans for a robotaxi, a project that has reignited the electric vehicle maker's stock, despite cooling expectations for EV growth.
Musk has said Tesla's robotaxi product - called a Cybercab - will be a new model of vehicle that can drive itself and work on a Tesla ride-hailing platform. Tesla also will allow owners to make money off their cars by putting them on the ride-hailing network as autonomous cabs, which he has called a "combination of Airbnb and Uber."
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Tesla's relies on cameras and artificial intelligence to drive current cars, with driver supervision but without the costly additional hardware associated with radar systems and lidar technology that other robotaxi players use.
Musk expects that improving this technology will let him crack a still-nascent and tightly regulated industry that has resulted in billions of dollars in losses for others.
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Investors, attracted by Musk's estimate that Tesla's robotaxi business could drive the company's valuation to $5 trillion from $750 billion now, want to see a prototype and learn how quickly Musk can mass-produce it, at a profit. They want to understand regulatory hurdles and how FSD, still categorized as a type of partial automation, can become safer than a human driver.
"They need to get going because this has been sort of discussed, rumored, talked about and announced in various forms for a while," said Elliot Johnson, chief investment officer at Evolve ETFs, which manages investments in Tesla. He does not expect anything announced on Thursday to have a financial impact for one to two years.
Musk said in 2019 he was "very confident" the company would have operational robotaxis by the next year. This year he shelved plans for a new, affordable vehicle in a sharp pivot to robotaxis. Tesla "should be thought of as an AI robotics company," not a carmaker, he said.
Few observers, if any, expect a fully functioning product.
"We believe the robotaxi event will be long on vision, and short on immediate deliverables or incremental revenue drivers," Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi said in a research note. "The company has a track record - particularly in FSD - of being overly optimistic and there is significant devil in the details."
Tesla could also give specifics on cheaper versions of its current lineup as well as update investors on its humanoid robots, Optimus, he said.
HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND RISK
Hopes are high ahead of the event - called "We, Robot" in an apparent nod to the "I, Robot" collection of science-fiction short stories by American writer Isaac Asimov.
Tesla shares - hurt in recent years by worries EV rivals with cheaper and fresher models are eating in to its market share - are up nearly 50% since April when Musk announced the shift to robotaxis. Still, expectations of volatility in Tesla's stock over the next 30 days are close to a two-year high, driven primarily by uncertainties around the robotaxi event, according to options data from Trade Alert.
Bringing self-driving vehicles to market has proven time-consuming and costly for other companies.
Alphabet's (GOOGL.O), opens new tab Waymo is the only U.S. firm operating uncrewed robotaxis that collect fares. Others still in the race include General Motors' (GM.N), opens new tab Cruise - re-launching robotaxis with a safety driver after an accident last fall forced it to halt operations - and Amazon's (AMZN.O), opens new tab Zoox, which is expanding testing of its self-driving taxis that come without steering wheels and pedals.
To keep Tesla's costs in check, Musk has decided to steer clear of sensors beyond cameras and he could potentially develop the first generation of Cybercab on its existing platform that runs the Model 3 and the Model Y.
Tesla also has learnings from the data it collects from millions of vehicles.
But investors and analysts said leapfrogging to high levels of automation that do not require driver supervision from its current FSD technology - which has come under increased regulatory and legal scrutiny with at least two fatal accidents - will not be easy.
"We think this is still several years away and numerous technological hurdles, safety tests, and regulatory approvals are still standing in the way," CFRA Research analyst Garrett Nelson said, highlighting "an increasing disconnect between the stock's lofty valuation and the reality that Tesla's earnings growth has hit a wall."
[Reuters]
On October 7th, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry draw, issuing 1,613 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
Express Entry is a system for handling applications from skilled workers who want permanent residency in Canada.
Candidates create an online profile and are scored based on factors like work experience, education, and language skills.
The candidates with the highest scores receive invitations to apply. To qualify, they must meet the requirements of one of the federal economic immigration programs.
According to recent reports from Immigration News Canada(INC), ‘This draw specifically targeted candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) who achieved a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 743 or higher.’
Current Draw Highlights
Reports inform that this draw comes after a week that started with a PNP-only draw, suggesting more Express Entry draws may happen soon.
There is anticipation for additional draws, especially for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on October 8th. The emphasis on specific immigration streams indicates that IRCC is refining its strategy to address labour market needs through targeted selections.
CRS Score Distribution
The distribution of CRS scores among candidates in the Express Entry pool reveals the competitive nature of the process.
As of the most recent update, there are 209,892 candidates in the Express Entry pool, each assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on various factors. The breakdown of candidates by CRS score range is as follows:
- 601-1200: 1,656 candidates have scores in this range.
- 501-600: 11,800 candidates fall within this range.
- 451-500: 62,853 candidates have scores between 451 and 500.
- 401-450: 54,313 candidates have scores in this range.
- 301-350: 23,155 candidates have scores between 301 and 350.
- 0-300: 5,374 candidates have scores below 300.
This breakdown shows how many candidates are competing at different score levels, highlighting the competitiveness of the pool, with the majority having scores between 401 and 500.
2024 CRS Score Trends
IRCC’s draws this year have shown fluctuations in CRS score cutoffs based on the immigration program targeted. The trends indicate a focused approach in selecting candidates:
1. General or No Program Specified:
- Draws: 9
- Invitations Issued: 14,445
- Average CRS Score: 536
This category includes candidates who are not tied to a specific immigration program.
2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):
- Draws: 9
- Invitations Issued: 12,167
- Average CRS Score: 695
This reflects draws targeting candidates nominated by provinces, indicating a higher average score, which suggests these candidates are typically more competitive.
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
- Draws: 6
- Invitations Issued: 24,800
- Average CRS Score: 516
This category focuses on candidates with work experience in Canada, showing a significant number of invitations.
4. French-Speaking Candidates:
- Draws: 8
- Invitations Issued: 20,400
- Average CRS Score:390
This highlights draws aimed at candidates who are proficient in French, with a lower average score compared to other categories.
Overall, this data illustrates how many draws occurred, how many invitations were issued in each category, and the average CRS score of those invited, reflecting the varying competitiveness and focus of the draws.
Understanding Provincial Nominee Programs
The Provincial Nominee Programs operate within the Express Entry system to address specific labour market needs. Participating provinces and territories can nominate individuals who fulfill their economic requirements.
When candidates receive a nomination, they gain an additional 600 points toward their CRS score, enhancing their chances of receiving an ITA for permanent residency. This system allows provinces to respond directly to labour shortages and attract skilled workers
As Canada continues to refine its immigration strategy, individuals interested in Canada’s Express Entry system should remain informed about upcoming draws and opportunities tailored to specific professions and programs.
[Nairametrics]
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reassured of its commitment to ensuring the stability and reliability of the Nigerian financial system.
The CBN which gave the assurance in a bid to retain customers’ confidence in the system, reaffirmed that all deposits in Nigerian banks are secure.
The reassurance comes on the back of a recent panic of a possible collapse of one of Nigeria’s tier 1 banks.
There had been videos circulating on social media showing how customers of the bank were left stranded outside the banking halls and unable to make online and physical transactions.
Allaying the fears, the CBN said it has measures to ensure that banks adhere to established regulations and best practices to maintain the integrity of the financial system.
The bank, in a statement on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Hakama Ali, said, “Regular stress testing is conducted to identify potential vulnerabilities, helping to ensure that our financial institutions are resilient.”
The apex bank stressed that it has implemented early warning systems that proactively detect and address emerging risks, allowing it to provide timely solutions to any foreseen issues.
“The Bank’s approach to Risk-Based Supervision ensures that it focuses its regulatory efforts on institutions that may pose the highest risk to the financial system. This targeted strategy allows it to maintain a robust oversight mechanism while promoting the overall health of the banking sector.
“Furthermore, the CBN has established Memoranda of Understanding with the various countries where Nigerian banks’ subsidiaries are located. This collaboration enhances regulatory coordination and ensures that our banks operate within a safe and sound framework in accordance with banking regulations, both domestically and internationally.
“The CBN remains dedicated to fostering a secure banking environment where depositors can be fully confident in the safety of their funds. It will continue to monitor and adapt strategies to safeguard the financial interests of all Nigerians and stakeholders in our financial system,” Ali said.
[Leadership]
Petrol price is likely to rise again following the decision by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to end its exclusive offtake agreement with the Dangote Refinery, allowing other marketers to buy the product directly from the facility.
The current fuel cost was effected in August when the NNPCL adjusted the pump price from N568 to N855 per litre in Lagos, and to almost N900 in other parts of the country.
Conquering the clouds on a journey to Ta Xua with the team - Road Trip Vietnam Team - Nếm TV
The NNPCL’s exit as a middleman in the Dangote Refinery implies that the national oil company will no longer cover the price gap between the facility’s price and the selling price to retailers, previously absorbing a subsidy of N133 per litre.
The NNPCL’s decision is seen as a crucial shift towards a fully deregulated oil market.
Marketers can now negotiate petrol prices directly with the Dangote Refinery under a “willing buyer, willing seller” arrangement, aligning with practices for other deregulated products such as diesel and kerosene.
In September, Devakumar Edwin, Vice President at the Dangote Industries, indicated that the 650,000 barrels per day refinery had begun processing petrol, with the NNPCL initially as the sole off-taker.
But recent adjustments allow independent marketers to engage with Dangote directly.
“We can no longer continue to bear that burden,” an NNPCL’s official told Premium Times, highlighting the financial strain of the subsidy system.
Middle East tension may spark higher fuel cost–Experts
Experts have predicted that the heightening tension in the Middle East can spark a new petrol pump price hike in Nigeria and other nations.
Oil prices extended gains yesterday, with Brent nearing $80 to build on last week’s steepest weekly jump since early 2023.
This is believed to be driven by fears of a wider Middle East conflict and potential disruption to exports from the major oil-producing region.
Brent crude futures rose $1.09 (1.4 per cent) to $79.14 a barrel yesterday. The United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up $1.15 (1.55 percent), at $75.53. WTI had earlier risen by more than $2.
Brent rose more than 8 per cent last week; while WTI soared 9.1 per cent on the possibility that Israel could strike Iranian oil infrastructure in response to the latter’s October 1 missile attack on the former.
Amidst the tension, the global oil prices have remained volatile with the likelihood of a barrel of crude climbing to $100 later this month.
Iran, a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), is a global player in the oil market with a production of between three million to four million barrels of oil per day; hence any tension therein constitutes a potential crisis for the oil market with broader implications on the price of crude.
The CNN, in its analysis, predicted that the price could reach $100 this month if the Middle East tension continues.
“Pre-shale revolution, this type of situation would have sent prices well above $100,” Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, told CNN.
Meanwhile, Nigerians’ expectations that the 650,000-barrel Dangote refinery would crash the petrol price have not been met.
Dangote had explained that it sourced most of its crude from the international market at the prevailing market price and cannot sell below the cost of production.
Experts speak
An economist, Paul Alaje, in a post, stated that the tension generated by Iran’s attack on Israel “may lead to a full-scale war” that could result in a global shortage of fuel supply.
According to him, if Israel should retaliate, there are high chances “that this may lead to a full-blown war. If it happens like this, there may be a global supply shortage of oil because Iran is a major producer of oil.
“What does this mean for Nigeria and nations with oil and relative peace? The price will surge, leading to more revenue inflow for the Nigerian authorities and others.”
He added: “PMS, diesel, and other refined products may increase as well; Inflation may go higher than we already have; Revenues to the government are expected to go up. The government will decide who will pay the increase in petroleum products prices if this happens.”
In the same vein, an oil and gas expert, Dr Ayodele Oni, said only subsidy could prevent Nigerians from paying higher prices for petrol.
“The likely consequence is an increase in crude oil prices and without some subsidy, pump prices will increase correspondingly with increasing crude prices,” he said.
Analysts believe that OPEC’s Middle Eastern producers like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have enough spare capacity to offset potential losses of supply from fellow member Iran.
They, however, noted that if the conflict escalates to Iranian proxies targeting oil infrastructure in Iran’s Middle Eastern neighbours, or if Iran moves to block or restrict oil cargo traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices could spike to triple digits and record highs.
400,000bpd for Dangote as naira-for-crude deal begins
Meanwhile, a report by Bloomberg said the federal government was set to deliver up to 400,000 barrels of Nigerian crude oil daily to the Dangote Refinery under its naira-for-crude deal.
[DailyTrust]
Former Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2023 election, Tonye Cole has weighed in on the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Cole said peace cannot return to the oil-rich state unless four prominent personalities in the state sit together to resolve the crisis.
He stated this on Tuesday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show programme.
The statement comes amidst ongoing political crisis in Rivers State following the last Saturday’s local government election
According to him, President Bola Tinubu can superintend the meeting if he really wants peace to Rivers State.
He said: “I have already said some actors need to be on the table. There are four of them who must sit down at a table and decide that Rivers State is more important than personal interest and agenda. Till then we are not going to have peace.
“His Excellency ex-Governor Peter Odili, who is the father of this political dynamics, must sit at the table. His Excellency Rotimi Amaechi must sit at that table. Then Nyesom Wike, and Siminalayi Fubara must sit at that table.
“The President can superintend this if he really wants peace in Rivers State. And a decision must be made that this is how are going to be moving forward.
“Until that is done, as soon as Fubara’s time is about to end, you will see an all out war.”
[DailyTrust]
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has added her voice to the growing concerns over the escalating crisis in Rivers, calling on President Bola Tinubu to resolve the feud between the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
She equally urged the President to ensure the Minister focuses on his work in the FCT and allow his successor to govern the state as mandated by the constitution.
The crisis, according to a statement by her media aide, Israel Arogbonlo, in Abuja, has been characterised by violence, intimidation, and alleged electoral malpractices, threatening the peace and stability of the region and the country at large.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasised the need for presidential intervention to Protect citizens’ lives and properties, ensure neutrality of state institutions to promote peace and justice, and prevent further escalation of the crisis.
“The situation in Rivers demands urgent attention, and I implore Mr President to take decisive action to prevent further escalation.
“We cannot afford to watch as the crisis deepens, threatening the stability of the region. President Tinubu’s leadership is crucial in resolving this impasse.
“If left unchecked, the crisis may undermine Nigeria’s democratic progress, embolden perpetrators of violence and electoral malpractices, and threaten national security and stability,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stated.
The Nigerian Communications Commission has withdrawn its recently issued press statement regarding the operations of Starlink, a satellite internet service provider.
In a brief message addressed to media outlets on Tuesday, the NCC acknowledged that the statement was released in error, urging editors and journalists to retract any related publications.
“Kindly note that this press statement on Starlink was issued in error. It is hereby WITHDRAWN. If already published, kindly BRING DOWN,” the message, signed by the NCC’s Manager of Media Relations, Kunle Azeez, stated.
The commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, had announced plans to take enforcement measures against Starlink, for raising its subscription prices in Nigeria without the regulator’s approval.
In a message sent to its customers last week, Starlink said the price hike would affect both existing and new customers.
The monthly subscription fee was increased by 97%, from N38,000 to N75,000.
Additionally, new users will face a higher cost for the Starlink kit (the hardware needed for installation), which is now priced at N590,000, up 34% from the previous price of N440,000.
However, the NCC stated that it had not approved the price increase.
“The decision by Starlink to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” Muoka said.
He explained that the commission was “surprised” when the company announced the price changes, despite having filed a request with the NCC for a price adjustment, which the regulator had yet to approve.
[Punch]
….Proposes audit of LG workers, retirees
….Wants embargo on employment for a year
The Organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, and Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, has proposed a staff redistribution, placement and auditing exercise, to ascertain the actual numbers of local government workers, primary school teachers and pensioners in all the 774 local government areas nationwide.
Under the Joint Action Committee, JAC, of Local government-based unions they also recommended an embargo on recruitment of new staff into local government including teachers for one year from the date of the Supreme Court Judgment on direct payment to ensure stability and consideration.
These are parts of the recommendations JAC aimed at effective operations of local government during the direct remittance of federal allocation following the recent Supreme Court granting of financial autonomy to the local governments.
The President of NUT, Titus Amba, President-General of NULGE, Ambali Akeem, and President of NUP, Godwin Abumisi, in seven-point recommendations, noted that “For a hitch-free take off of the direct payment system JAC recommends that there should be staff redistribution, placement and auditing exercise to ascertain the actual numbers of Local Government workers, primary schools teachers and pensioners.
“Recruitment of new staff into Local Government and teaching should be suspended for one year from the date of the Supreme Court Judgment on direct payment to ensure stability and consideration. This will enable Local Government to focus on developmental projects and real service delivery”.
Among other recommendations, the JAC equally advocated the “restructuring of supervisory institutions controlling and supervising Local Government workers. These agencies are to be restructured by way of expanding their statutory members to include chairmen of local government; heads of local government based unions and other relevant stakeholders for quality control and inclusivity.”
For the Local Government Service Commission, JAC proposed for statutory membership to include: a representative of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, and a representative of NULGE, while for the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, statutory membership should include a representative of ALGON and representative of NUT.
Similarly, Local Government Staff Pension Board statutory membership should include representatives of ALGON, NUP, NULGE and NUT, while Primary Health Care Agency statutory membership should representatives of ALGON and health practitioners from the local government
According to the recommendations, “Due to the huge deficit in infrastructural development and lack of capacity for service delivery in many local governments nationwide, JAC recommends that Federal Government should intervene in the procurement of machines and equipment such as tractors, graders, bulldozers, refuse disposal vans (tipper lorries), septic evacuation van, public address system van and supply of materials and equipment for the vocational skill acquisition centres. Funds for the procurement of these materials should be deducted from Local Government allocation overtime on an instalment basis.
“The peace and security committee of the local government should be reorganized for indexing, registration, kitting and intelligence gathering, policing and regular bi-monthly meetings coordinated and funded by the local government.
“For worker’s welfare and industrial harmony, training and capacity building and sustainability of industrial stability in the Local Government system, the following payments should be made the first line of charge and domiciled at the relevant agencies.
“Gross salary of local government workers should be domiciled with the Local Government Service Commission. Two per cent of the total LG allocation for Local Government Service Commission running grants and Local Government Training should be domiciled with the Local Government Service Commission. The gross salary of primary school teachers should be domiciled with SUBES. 1.5 per cent of total LGA allocation for SUBEB running grants should be domiciled with SUBEB
“25 per cent of the gross salary of teachers and local government workers should be deducted from LG allocation for the payment of pension and gratuity and should be domiciled with local government staff Pension Board. Five per cent grant for traditional council should be deducted and remitted into traditional council accounts.”
Also, JAC proposed the “strengthening of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs as a Supervisory Ministry This is for policy formulation, coordination, implementation and supervision. To also coordinate reforms in the Local Government through the quarterly summit to review government economic policy on Local Government Scheme of Service every five years to enhance productivity and policy assurance at the local government level.”
[Vanguard]
More...
Rigathi Gachagua, Kenya’s vice-president, is dealing with impeachment proceedings from the national assembly over allegations of supporting the violent anti-government protests that rocked the East African nation in June.
Gachagua is also accused of involvement in corruption, practising ethnically divisive politics, and other activities inconsistent with his office.
Lawmakers said the vice-president amassed assets worth 5.2 billion shillings ($40 million) since the last election, with an annual salary of $93,000.
Among the listed assets was Kenya’s renowned Treetops Hotel.
Gachagua said his wealth is through legitimate business deals and an inheritance from his late brother.
After the protests, President William Ruto sacked most of his cabinet and brought in members of the main opposition.
Gachagua’s impeachment proceedings were initiated a week ago by Ruto’s allies.
The vice-president prayed the high court to halt the proceedings but his request was declined.
On Sunday, during a prayer meeting at his residence, Gachagua implored Ruto, legislators, and Kenyans to forgive him for any wrongdoing.
On Monday, he clarified that his apology was not an admission of guilt and quelled resignation rumours.
Gachagua also accused the legislator who drafted the motion of lying, calling it “shameful and sensational”.
Legislators are expected to debate the motion on Tuesday afternoon and hold a vote before the motion proceeds to the senate.
The deputy president said he would prosecute his defence.
[TheCable]
I Am Concerned Only My Name Was Mentioned – Fubara ‘Replies’ Tinubu Over Rivers State Crisis
AFOLABI
Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Monday declared that he had no concerns about the intervention of President Bola Tinubu in the fresh crisis rocking Rivers State, which has resulted in the destruction of some local government secretariats in the state.
He, however, expressed worries that President Tinubu singled out his name for mention while reacting to the crisis.
The Rivers State Governor was also quick to submit that he is not the cause of the problem in the state.
Naija News recalls violent clashes erupted in some local government areas in Rivers State on Monday following the withdrawal of the officers securing the 23 council secretariats by the police early Monday and attempts by some newly-elected local government chairmen to resume duties.
Some council secretariats were set ablaze by political opponents, while sporadic gunshots were reported in some other locations.
Reacting to the development, President Tinubu, in a statement on Monday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, ordered the police to secure the local government secretariats in the state and also called on Governor Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint.
Reacting to Tinubu’s statement on the crisis, Fubara, who spoke on Monday night during a Channels TV interview, said he is okay with the President’s intervention, but concerned that only his name was mentioned.
Fubara said it doesn’t take rocket science for anyone to know those behind the violence in Rivers State.
He added that the pulling out of the Police allowed hoodlums to take advantage of the situation.
In his words, “I do not have any issue with it (the President’s intervention) but I am a bit concerned when my name was only mentioned.
“The issue is very simple. It’s as simple as ABC, everyone in Nigeria, everyone in Rivers State knows where this issue is coming from. It’s not rocket science. We know what the issue is and the issue is not Fubara, it is not.
“I believe strongly that with the recent intervention of the Inspector General of Police, maybe we will have a breathing space.
“Maybe as a result of him pulling his men out of those secretariats might be one of the reasons they (hoodlums) took advantage of the situation but I will appeal that while the men are there, the elected officers should have the opportunity to do their work, at least, let them provide security for them, which was even what I was thinking of.
“I was never of the opinion that the police should pull out completely. No. When they said they were moving out, it was what allowed these miscreants to take advantage of the secretariats to destroy them.”
Rep tells Tinubu to call Wike to order - says nothing will remove Rivers LG chairs from office
AFOLABI
Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the house of representatives, has alleged that supporters of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), are behind the attacks on the LG secretariats in Rivers state.
At least three LG secretariats in the south-east state—Emohua, Eleme, and Ikwerre—were set on fire by hoodlums on Monday.
The secretariats were torched after Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, swore in the 23 newly elected LG chairpersons.
The local council election was conducted on Saturday.
The Action Peoples Party (APP) won 22 LGAs, while the Action Alliance (AA) claimed one.
Fubara’s loyalists joined APP weeks before the election to secure the party’s tickets to contest the poll.
In a statement, Ugochinyere, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing the Ideato federal constituency of Imo, asked President Bola Tinubu to caution Wike.
The lawmaker claimed that those orchestrating attacks on the LGA secretariats want a state of emergency to be declared in Rivers.
“Supporters of a serving minister in Tinubu’s government are alleged to be busy burning headquarters of another arm of government, and the police since morning have not stopped them,” the statement reads.
“Mr. President, do you know what this means? Nigeria has worked paths like this before, and the consequences were enormous. Stop the madness these overnight supporters are carrying out.
“Rivers people and Nigerians are recording all these for you. Elected LGA chairmen have been sworn in, and there is nothing this alleged Wike group can do that will change this or remove the democratically elected government of Gov. Fubara from office.
“Stupidity is when you think a state of emergency can be declared when you burn parts of a local government and rent cultists to be firing guns cowardly from moving vehicles, all in a bid to aid a greedy, desperate man in his mad quest to seize the public purse of a people.
“Let the president stop the madness coming from Abuja before it destroys the entire democratic system. Act in your own interest.”
BACKGROUND
Fubara and Nyesom Wike, his predecessor and minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), are locked in a supremacy battle over the control of the political structure of Rivers state.
The build-up to the Rivers LGA elections was marked by controversy, fueled by conflicting court rulings.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP also opposed the conduct of the poll.
On September 4, a high court in Rivers state held that Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) could conduct the LGA elections using the 2023 voter register.
But on September 30, a federal high court in Abuja barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register to RSIEC.
The court also barred the inspector-general of police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the conduct of the election.
However, the election was conducted without a voter register and police security.
Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says the commission could not investigate corruption cases in 10 states due to court orders.
Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Monday at the 6th EFCC/National Judicial Institute (NJI) capacity-building workshop for justices and judges.
The theme of the workshop was ‘Integrating stakeholders in curbing economic and financial crimes’.
However, the EFCC chairman did not list the 10 states where court orders are preventing the anti-graft agency from performing its functions.
Olukoyede said there is a need for collaboration between anti-graft agencies and the judiciary in the fight against corruption.
He said the commission is battling the issues of frequent adjournments of high-profile cases and conflicting court orders in the prosecution of corruption.
“In spite of the energy and commitment of our judges in resolving corruption cases across the country and measures such as practice direction and designation of courts and judges to hear corruption matters, there are still some areas of concern that need to be addressed urgently,” Olukoyede said.
“The spectre of frequent adjournments of high-profile corruption cases arising from frivolous applications, conflicting orders by courts of coordinate jurisdiction in corruption cases, intemperate contempt orders hauled at the commission’s leadership, and undue reliance on technicality in deciding serious corruption cases, unwarranted orders of injunction restraining the commission from investigating graft cases, are among a plethora of issues that bother the EFCC, which should be on the table for frank conversations over the next two days.
“The incidence of suspects facing criminal investigation rushing to court to obtain orders of injunction restraining the commission from inviting, investigating, interrogating, and arresting them, including some state governments, has become rampant and worrisome.
“At the last count, the commission is unable to conduct an investigation in at least 10 states of the federation.
“This is in spite of the clear pronouncements by appellate courts that law enforcement agencies cannot be restrained in carrying out their statutory duties.”
The EFCC chairman urged the judicial officers to use the platform to engage with the commission and “speak frankly on how corruption cases can be speedily determined”.
He said without a “committed, patriotic, and courageous judiciary,” EFCC and other agencies would not make any headway in the fight against corruption.