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The Edo State government has reported that more than 200 vehicles are currently missing under the administration of former governor Godwin Obaseki.
It had been reported on Thursday that a 12-member committee was set up by Governor Monday Okpebholo to recover all vehicles belonging to the Edo State Government which were said to be in the hand of the immediate past governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki and his aides.
Okpebholo had appointed Kelly Okungbowa to lead the committee as he gave them two weeks to deliver on its mandate and ensure that the government vehicles in private hands are fully recovered and subsequently returned to the state government.
Okungbowa who spoke to journalists after 24 hours said three vehicles including one Hilux van and two Toyota Hiace buses had been recovered.
According to him, in one of the Toyota Hiace buses, the committee recovered some palliatives which was meant to have been shared to Edo people. He added that the palliatives include bags of garri and rice of 10kg and 25kg.
He appealed for more information from members of the public, saying it was the information earlier obtained that led to the recovery of the three vehicles.
Okungbowa also assured whistleblowers that a handsome reward awaits them provided their information is correct and verifiable.
He said; "Yesterday, we were inaugurated, we promised to follow the law to carry out the mandate of Mr Governor which is to recover all missing government vehicles in private hands. We are glad to inform the people of Edo State that we have recorded success within 24 hours of our inauguration.
'I am glad to announce to you that we have recovered one Hilux and two Toyota Hiace buses in private custody. You see that within 24 hours that we have made success and recovered some vehicles.
"We assure Edo people and the State Government that we are going to do the job to the best of our ability. We will make sure we recover all the stolen vehicles.
"Reports reaching us is that we have over 200 government vehicles missing. We appeal for more information as the whistleblowers will be handsomely rewarded.
"This is not private property but the property of Edo citizens and it is not good for a private individual to steal government property. These vehicles were recovered from one person's house. Palliatives were recovered from the Toyota Hiace bus as some garri and bags of rice where kept in the bus.
"We are just wondering how many will be in the Houses of former government officials like the Chief of Staff, SSG and so-called Deputy Governor which is not known by law.
"We appeal to former government officials and other citizens holding back government vehicles to return the vehicles within 48 hours. Information is key as these three vehicles recovered this morning was as a result of information.
"We need more information as we are moving to other places where we have been informed that government vehicles are parked. There have not been resistance so far because security agencies are backing our operations."
The Labour Party (LP) has dismissed the video making the rounds in social media that its leadership was partnering with President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mr Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary, LP said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
According to Ifoh, the party has on several occasions debunked the allegations that it has an understanding with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to collaborate in the 2027 general election.
“As a matter of fact, the Labour Party is the most visible opposition party as at today and our National Chairman, Barrister Abure is the leading voice in the opposition camp, and has been most critical of the present government.
‘”After the 2023 general election, it continued to interrogate the system’s failure and has been very visible playing the role of the opposition, continuously critiquing the policies, proffering solutions and advising the government.
“Recently, the party under the able leadership of Mr Julius Abure came up with series of programmes, including the creation of the Electoral Reform Committee.
“With it we hope to enthrone credible, fair, and transparent processes, leading to the selection of leadership in the country, Labour Party being a major victim in the 2023 general election,” he stated.
Ifoh said the party had created a Political Education Committee for reorienting citizens on the need to have a positive behavioral change towards politics in Nigeria.
He also said the party had become the first party in Nigeria to attempt to deepen participatory democracy by the introduction of e-membership registration with thousands of people already subscribing.
”All these efforts to reposition the party, for someone to be demarketing such a party in such an unguarded and callous manner, is most ridiculous and unfortunate.
“We are, therefore. challenging Deji Adeyanju and any other person to come up with facts and proofs that either the party leadership or Mr. Abure intends to work for President Bola Tinubu or his party, the APC in the 2027.
” Adeyanju’s assertion which is presently trending globally has caused the Labour Party enormous harm and we are demanding that he refrains from causing the party further harms.
“As a political party, we view Deji Adeyanju’s now viral comments as a criminal defamation, a clearly motivated ploy to ridicule our hard earned reputation.
“We are therefore, calling on Mr Adeyanju to without delay provide facts and evidences to prove that Labour Party has been ‘bought’ over by President Tinubu.
“He also has a choice to withdraw his ill assertions and apologize to the leadership and millions of members of Labour Party for the great harm he has caused the party,” he stated.
Canada-based Sunday Adebehinje has revealed what it cost him to relocate abroad. Although the sum, $28,000 (nearly N50 million) is huge, “It’s worth it,” he told Vanguard.
Adebehinje’s disposition fuels the optimism that has seen thousands of Nigerians of all ages and profession relocate abroad in the increasingly infective ‘japa syndrome’.
‘They don’t love Nigeria’
The effects of this trend on Nigeria also increase in direct proportion.
A few days ago, the Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, warned that the increasing wave of emigration of Nigerians abroad, otherwise called japa syndrome, posed serious challenge to the nation’s socio-economic development.
The Vice-Chancellor challenged Nigerian sociologists and academics to be at the forefront of strategic efforts to reverse the exodus of youths and other citizens from the country.
His words: “Let’s stop deceiving ourselves. If they (foreign countries) love us, they won’t be taking our best brains away.”
Read the full story HERE.
There’s boredom and challenging weather, but… – Adebehinje
Let’s get back to Canada-based Sunday Adebehinje.
He told Vanguard: “I left Nigeria for Canada in 2023. Although I’m married, I didn’t relocate with my family.”
Asked how much it cost him to japa to Canada, Samuel said: “It cost me $28,000. And education brought me here.”
Although the amount is relatively high (almost N50 million), Sunday said: “It’s worth it.”
He was an architect in Nigeria. However, in Canada, he’s a machine operator alongside his educational pursuits.
According to Sunday, the only challenges for him are boredom and the weather. Inspite of these challenges, he cherishes the exposure provided by the country. Also, he said, there’s the opportunity to meet people and network.
He looks forward to visiting his family here in Nigeria.
Tellingly, he would “definitely help” others to Japa to Canada if he has the means.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has revealed that the Federal Government is falling short of its commitment to supply crude oil under the naira-for-crude initiative.
According to Dangote Industries Limited Vice President, Devakumar Edwin, the refinery has received only a fraction of the agreed volume of crude oil from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which is insufficient to boost refined product output.
Edwin disclosed in a Reuters report that the NNPCL had pledged to supply at least 385,000 barrels per day (bpd) since the program’s launch in October.
However, the deliveries have been significantly below that target.
“We need 650,000 bpd. NNPCL agreed to give a minimum of 385,000 bpd, but they are not even delivering that,” he stated.
The naira-for-crude initiative, introduced in July, was intended to ease foreign currency pressures by allowing local refineries to purchase crude oil in naira.
Despite this arrangement, industry insiders told The PUNCH that while four crude oil shipments have been delivered to the Dangote refinery, further deliveries are still pending.
Less than two months into the program, the refinery is reportedly considering alternative crude supply options, including imports from the United States.
On Wednesday, the facility procured two million barrels of US WTI Midland crude—the first such purchase since August—highlighting its reliance on international markets amid domestic supply challenges.
The $20 billion refinery in Lekki, which aims to compete with European facilities, is operating below its full capacity of 425,000 bpd and targets 85% capacity by year-end.
Edwin described the crude deliveries from NNPCL as “peanuts,” underscoring the gap between the refinery’s needs and available resources.
The acting Executive Director of the Crude Oil Refinery-Owners Association of Nigeria, Mathins Obaze, confirmed that Dangote is the sole refinery benefitting from the naira-for-crude deal among the eight operational refineries in the country.
However, Obaze noted that most members are still unable to access crude under the initiative and are in discussions with the government for a resolution.
The reasons behind the crude supply shortfall remain unclear, with both the NNPCL and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) declining to comment on the matter.
Dangote had previously urged NUPRC to enforce regulations mandating oil producers to prioritize local refineries.
Meanwhile, the NNPCL is pursuing new international markets for its crude oil.
The company recently sought term customers in London for its newly introduced Utapate crude oil grade, reflecting its strategy to explore global opportunities despite domestic supply issues.
The Celestial Church of Christ, Acts of Apostle Parish in Ketu, Alapere, Lagos, is embroiled in a major crisis following a N5 million donation by the church authorities.
The conflict reportedly escalated during a Sunday service when Muyiwa Oluponna, claiming to be the son of the church’s founder, disrupted the service in a bid to assert himself as the church’s shepherd.
Witnesses said Oluponna interrupted Acting Shepherd Adetayo Adetola mid-sermon, seizing the microphone and declaring his right to deliver sermons every second Sunday of the month. A viral video of the incident shows heated arguments between Oluponna and church members.
In response, the church’s task force, led by Akinbode Adjovi, shut down the parish for 40 days to restore order.
Adetola recounted the disruption, alleging that Oluponna demanded the N5m earmarked for church renovations and clergy housing be handed over to his family.
“That Sunday, our shepherd was not around and I was put in charge of the church. I was also assigned to give the sermon. We started the service and everything was going well until he (Oluponna) snatched the microphone from me, demanding to speak.
“I respected him and gave him the microphone because I knew him as a family member of the church founder. Immediately he collected the microphone, he said the N5m given to the church by the headquarters for renovation does not belong to the church but to the family of Oluponna who founded the church.
“He also demanded that money be given to the family, insisting that the church belongs to the family and not the community or the CCC authorities.
“He also demanded that he be made the church shepherd and be allowed to give sermons every second Sunday of the month. We all kept quiet until he finished.
“After that, I took over to deliver the sermon, but to everybody’s surprise, he came back and snatched another microphone from one of the choristers and came to the pulpit to give the sermon. That was when we all resisted him”, Adetola said.
When Oluponna attempted to deliver a sermon, tensions peaked, leading to resistance from church members.
Shepherd Emmanuel Iperepolu also accused Oluponna of repeated threats and confrontations, which he believes escalated after the donation was announced.
“He has been causing trouble and demanding the money, claiming the church belongs to his family. The authorities and police are now involved,” Iperepolu stated.
Kayode Ajala, Head of Media and Publicity for the CCC, confirmed the temporary closure of the church to prevent further violence.
“The church is a house of God but when things are going wrong and people’s lives are being threatened we have to do something.
“The church authorities cannot fold their arms and allow people to get killed; we have to intervene and this is why we shut down the church temporarily, while investigation is going on.
“All those involved in the conflict are being talked to and resolution is going on and once all that is done, the church will be reopened,” Ajala said,” Ajala said.
Oluponna declined to comment on the allegations, stating that the matter remains between the family and the church.
Some Nigerians in Finland are in panic following the arrest and detention of separatist leader, Simon Ekpa.
Ekpa is one of the leaders of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra.
According to sources, Nigerians in the European country are afraid of commenting on the arrest of the suspect over fear of being attacked.
A Nigerian community leader, who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, noted that the Igbo community was “gravely affected” by the violent acts of the secessionist group.
He said, “Everyone is afraid to speak about Ekpa’s arrest. The key people in Finland and the Igbo community at large are not ready to lend their voices either.”
The source noted that some persons were being accused of reporting Ekpa to the police and were being threatened.
“A particular person they accused now, they’re after him. This happened before he (Ekpa) was even remanded—what will happen when they imprison him? Everyone is afraid. These people are very deadly,” the source said.
Another resident, who also asked not to be identified, said there was tension among Nigerians in the country.
“People don’t want to speak about Ekpa for fear of being hunted by his followers. We believe that they will hunt whoever comes out to talk about their leader. But the Finnish Government is trying to get rid of the situation.”
Ekpa’s arrest
Ekpa was arrested alongside four others on Thursday by Finnish authorities on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.
Checks by Saturday PUNCH revealed that his X handle (@simon_ekpa) had been inactive for four days.
Ekpa, who describes himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, is accused of using social media to promote violent activities in southeastern Nigeria, including attacks on civilians and the authorities.
He was first arrested in February 2023 for inciting comments and sit-at-home orders to the people of the South-East.
The suspect gained international notoriety for his calls to boycott Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which were enforced through violent means, contributing to attacks on residents.
Before his arrest, Ekpa had attracted global attention, with thousands of Nigerians worldwide petitioning the Finnish and Nigerian governments, as well as the European Union, to take action against his disruptive activities.
In response, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, urging Finland to cooperate in addressing Ekpa’s threats.
A local publication in Finland, Yle noted that the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation acted on the reports by detaining Ekpa and later releasing him.
The Finnish police also confirmed that Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian origin, and four of his accomplices were arrested as part of an international investigation.
A report stated that the District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland, ordered Ekpa’s remand in prison, “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.”
The police stated that the main suspect, Ekpa, was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while four unnamed accomplices were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime.”
A Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, confirmed via email to Saturday PUNCH that further details about the suspects couldn’t be disclosed.
Laaksonen explained that “NBI Finland cannot confirm the name of the suspect(s). The proceedings in the district court and contents of the decisions are classified at this point of the investigation,” adding, “The Ministry of Justice is the competent authority regarding extraditions.”
Hunt for sponsors
Meanwhile, Nigerians on social media have begun to search for suspected sponsors of the suspect, particularly those financing his alleged terror activities from the United States.
An X user, @Burmese_Tyga_, stated that those sponsoring him should be identified and brought to book.
He said, “If Simon Ekpa is indicted for terrorism in Finland and you know anybody in the US who has donated to him, pls forward name and address to me. I’ll make a comprehensive list I’m sending to the Department of State as sponsors of terrorism.
“Someone has to pay for the lives wasted and blood spilled in Igbo land. Destroying your lives here in the US is the least we can do.”
Several names were thrown up under the tweet, as some of those identified denied having any relationship with him.
But a user, @MaaziFaisal, said the Finnish Government might check his financial flow.
“And those in Diaspora and at home funding his terrorism act will be brought to book,” he added.
Detention excites IPOB, MASSOB indifferent
The spokesman for IPOB, Emma Powerful, said people in the South-East were happy with the arrest of the suspect, adding that he had been responsible for the many travails in the region.
He said, “There was no rest; people could not sleep with two eyes closed, people cannot go to another village for visitation because of what he is doing with his criminal gang.
“Except the politicians that are supporting him that will not be happy with what is happening to him. Now he has said that he is not a prime minister of Biafra and that he is an ordinary member. He is not our member.
“If they (government) feel that they can extradite him, better. If they feel like bringing him for trial in Nigeria, it is okay. But they know those sponsoring him.”
But the spokesperson for the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, Samuel Edeson, said the group had commenced consultation on Ekpa’s arrest.
Edeson said, “We are still studying the events and circumstances surrounding the arrest. We will consult other groups and do the needful when we are done.”
Nigeria monitors situation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Nigerian government would continue to track the progress of Ekpa’s case, emphasising the importance of addressing the influence of IPOB and transnational actors on the country’s national security.
The spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in a statement on Friday, confirmed the arrest of Ekpa on Thursday.
“He was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
“The ministry wishes to affirm that the arrest of Mr Simon Ekpa is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB and neutralising the influence of transnational actors on our national security. The ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses,” the statement said.
Extradition process
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, on Thursday, suggested that Ekpa, who is the leader of the Eastern Security Network, the paramilitary wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra, would be extradited to Nigeria to face criminal charges.
However, experts have expressed concerns about the challenges involved in the process, highlighting significant legal and diplomatic hurdles.
Some argue that Finland and Nigeria do not have an extradition treaty, which may create a problem for Ekpa to face charges for the alleged crime in Nigeria.
However, a former Nigerian envoy, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, said the decision to extradite would ultimately depend on the nature of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
He said even in the absence of a direct extradition treaty, multilateral agreements could play a role.
“It is possible that countries may extradite individuals based on multilateral agreements, even if there is no direct treaty between them,” he added.
He also highlighted the role of international law, noting that as a sovereign nation, Nigeria’s interests would be protected under the United Nations framework.
“No member of the United Nations would support actions that threaten the sovereignty of another member nation unless there is a direct bilateral dispute,” Farounbi added.
The ex-envoy also emphasised that Finland would follow due process and the rule of law in any extradition decision, and that the court’s ruling would be based on Finland’s legal framework, not Nigeria’s.
“If Simon Ekpa’s actions are deemed to threaten Finland’s diplomatic interests, the court could rule against extradition based on Finnish law,” he said.
After years of fading into obscurity, Olajumoke Orisaguna, the Lagos bread seller, who rose to fame in 2016 after being discovered by renowned photographer, TY Bello, is making a remarkable comeback—this time as a broadcaster.
Popularly known as Jumoke Oniburedi, she captured national attention when Ty Bello spotted her during a photo shoot while she was selling bread on the streets of Lagos and saw her potential as a model.
Her story of rising from grass to grace became a media sensation, featuring her on magazine covers and inspiring countless Nigerians.
However, her journey took a downward turn four years ago when she lost her fame, wealth, and public relevance after falling victim to fraud allegedly orchestrated by her former manager.
Jumoke claimed she was deceived by the manager, who siphoned her money made through endorsement deals and other business engagements.
She revealed this during a meet-and-greet event titled The Comeback of Olajumoke (Oni Bredi), hosted by Cardinal Foundation, where she recounted her ordeal.
Jumoke said, “I really suffered and lost everything. She took me to South Africa twice for a documentary, but I had to pay for our flights and accommodation. When we returned to Nigeria, she only gave me N50,000. I had no money, nothing. I lost everything. I started calling people for food. It was Aunty Azuka and TY Bello who came to my rescue.
“Aunty Azuka paid my rent, furnished a shop for me, and regularly sent me foodstuffs and money to take care of my daughters. It was that bad.
“I have learned my lessons, and I will never leave those who truly mean well to me again.”
Jumoke expressed gratitude to the CEO of Media Room Hub, Azuka Ogujiuba, TY Bello, and Mrs Adedoja Allen, who supported her during those challenging times.
Despite her strained relationship with Ogujiuba, whom her former manager had allegedly alienated her from, Ogujiuba provided financial assistance for food and rent.
“Aunty Azuka and TY Bello really helped me. Whenever I called Azuka for help, she would provide it, even when she didn’t have much—her daughter would step in. TY Bello also assisted me financially. I am so grateful to these two women; they were my saving grace.”
To help Jumoke rebuild her life, Ogujiuba approached the CEO of City FM and founder of Cardinal Foundation, an initiative of Cardinal Broadcasting, Mrs Adedoja Allen, to offer her an opportunity in broadcasting.
Ogujiuba recounted how she involved the police to arrest Jumoke’s former manager, who had defrauded her. However, the case yielded no significant outcome as the manager was released and failed to honour subsequent police invitations.
Tajudeen Baruwa, who claims the title of National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has alleged that a top government official told his opponent, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, not to vacate office as the new President of the union despite the appeal court judgement sacking him.
Naija News reports that Baruwa, in an interview with Punch, dismissed insinuations that the Federal Government had a hand in the crisis rocking the union.
Baruwa stated that there are speculations that a top government official is backing MC Oluomo not to leave office and nothing will happen.
He said, “I am not aware of that because there is no information from anywhere to that effect. No one has told me that the Federal Government has a hand in the crisis affecting our union. I only heard the rumour that a top government official had been supporting him (MC Oluomo). That is the rumour that is making the rounds. Up till yesterday (Wednesday), we also heard that this top government official told MC Oluomo that he should not leave office and that nothing will happen. But it is a rumour because I did not hear it from the top government official himself. You know how rumours fly in our union, and when they do not see anything, they will not say it. They must see traces before they can say it out.”
Asked why he had not been reinstated as the NURTW president based on the appeal court ruling, Baruwa said, “You know that the law is a process, and we must follow the due process of the law. You cannot just bring any person and put them there as the union’s president because you have court judgment. Due process has to be followed. We are following due process to ensure that I am reinstated as the NURTW president, and I know MC Oluomo is not above the law; I am also not above the law. So, MC Oluomo cannot say he will not vacate that position.”
Baruwa further allayed fears that MC Oluomo’s relationship with President Bola Tinubu might hinder his reinstatement as the president of the NURTW.
He added, “I don’t know what you are talking about. All I know is that I am President Bola Tinubu’s son. I am a Yoruba man and a member of the All Progressives Congress. So, everybody in Nigeria today is a son or daughter of President Tinubu. So, MC Oluomo is not the only son or loyalist of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You and I and other Nigerians are Bola Tinubu’s sons now.”
The Federal Government has denied reports that it stopped the disbursement of funds to Rivers State.
Recall that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) had earlier on Friday announced that it halted the disbursement of October revenue payment to Rivers State, citing the Federal High Court judgement.
Bawa Mokwa, the spokesperson for the OAGF, who spoke to journalists on Friday, emphasised that the federal government would respect the court order halting allocation with due diligence until a contrary order is issued.
“What I got is that the October 2024 FAAC has not been distributed yet. However, the federal government will obey the court order on the matter of Rivers State’s allocation,” he said.
The OAGF’s spokesperson further noted that due diligence would be followed “as long as there is no contrary order,” adding that “the process of disbursement of the October 2024 monthly allocation is going.”
The development comes amid ongoing the protracted political battle between Governor Fubara and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Speaking later to Saturday Tribune, Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation stated that “disbursement of October allocation to states and local governments by FAAC is ongoing.”
He explained that “Rivers State will benefit because of a subsisting appeal/stay of execution order.”
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division on Friday, reserved judgements in five separate appeals arising from the judgements of a Federal High Court in Abuja on the Rivers State government political crisis.
One of the appeals is against the judgement of the High Court which stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from releasing federal allocation to Rivers State.
The presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, Justice Hamma Barka reserved the judgements to a date that would be communicated to the parties after all processes filed in the appeals were adopted by counsel.
The appeals are, CA/ABJ/CV/ 1277/2024, CA/ABJ/CV/ 1303/2024, CA/ABJ/CV/1293/2024, CA/ABJ/CV/1287/2024 filed against the judgements of the Federal High Court, Abuja delivered on October 30, 2024 and appeal number, CA/ABJ/CV/ 1196/2024 against the judgement delivered by same Federal High Court on October 2, 2024.
Earlier, while adopting his briefs of argument in the appeal, Yusuf Ali, SAN representing the Governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara in appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/1303/2024 prayed the court to consolidate the five appeals, a request the court granted.
It would be recalled that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of a Federal High Court, Abuja had, in a judgement delivered on 30th October stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further releasing monthly financial allocations to Rivers State government.
The court held that the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January this year by Governor Fubara is a constitutional summersault and aberration that must not be allowed to continue.
Justice Abdulmalik who issued the order in a judgment in the suit filed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and Rt Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule as its Speaker, held that the presentation of the 2024 budget by Fubara before a four-member Rivers State House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.
The Judge specifically held that Fubara’s action in implementing unlawful budget smacked gross violations of the 1999 Constitution he swore to protect and consequently restrained the apex bank, the Accountant General of the Federation, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.
Justice Abdulmalik held that the action of the four-member Rivers State House of Assembly being held on to by Governor Fubara as yardstick to justify unlawful budget had since been nullified and set aside by the Federal High Court, Abuja and the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
According to the Judge, the judgment of the Rivers State High Court, which gave power to the governor to implement the 2024 budget, had also been set aside by the Court of Appeal.
She said, the Appropriation Bill for January to December 2024, being operated by the 5th defendant (Fubara), having not been passed by the lawful House of Assembly is illegal unlawful and subversion of the 1999 Constitution.
According to the Judge, “It is mandatory to present Appropriation Bills before the appropriate Houses of Assembly before legitimate disbursement and withdrawal can be made.”
She also issued another order of injunction which restrained Fubara, Accountant General of the state and their agents from authorizing the withdrawal of money from the Rivers state bank accounts domiciled at the Zenith Bank and Access Bank until the budget of the state is passed by the appropriate House of Assembly.
The suit, which has the Rivers State House of Assembly and Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule as plaintiffs, has the CBN, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Accountant General of the Federation, Rivers State governor, Accountant General of Rivers, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Hon Justice S. C. Amadi, Chief judge of Rivers state, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, chairman of RSIEC and Rivers State government as defendants.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has maintained its ultimatum to state governors to implement the new ₦70,000 minimum wage by December 1, 2024, warning that no extension will be granted.
Confirming the stance, the NLC’s Head of Protocol and Public Relations, Benson Upah, told Saturday PUNCH in Abuja, “Yes, the ultimatum still stands. Nothing has changed.”
The deadline, issued earlier this month, has prompted several state governments to hasten their negotiations with labour unions in a bid to meet the requirements.
In Sokoto State, Deputy Governor Alhaji Idris Gobir assured the state chapter of the NLC that the government is committed to implementing the wage adjustment.
“Go and bring your proposal for the new minimum wage implementation, and I assure you that I will facilitate the process of quick harmonization,” Gobir said during a meeting with labour representatives.
The Sokoto NLC Chairman, Abdullahi Jungul, commended the government’s willingness to engage, urging workers to remain calm as the union promptly submitted its proposal.
Similarly, Zamfara State announced plans to commence payment of the new minimum wage once an ongoing verification of workers aimed at eliminating ghost workers is completed.
The state previously failed to implement the 2019 ₦30,000 minimum wage under former Governor Bello Matawalle.
In Taraba State, the government has approved the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage with effect from November 2024.
The state’s Head of Service, Paul Maigida, said, “His Excellency, the Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas, has approved the implementation of the new minimum wage for workers in Taraba State.”
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang also approved the immediate implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage following an agreement with the Committee on Consequential Adjustment on Salaries.
In Cross River State, negotiations between the government and workers are ongoing, with no resolution yet in sight.
In Imo State, the government has remained silent on the issue, while in Osun State, the committee on minimum wage has yet to finalize any package for workers.
The National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Tommy Etim, said the union is closely observing developments across states to ensure compliance.
“State governments must act swiftly to avoid industrial action. The rising inflation leaves no room for delays in implementing the new wage,” Etim said.
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The president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem has called on the federal government to build trauma centres across the country to give victims of road crashes a chance of survival.
Justice Dongban-Mensem made the appeal at the Kwapda’s Road Safety Demand (KRSD) Foundation’s 13th annual conference and World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims in Abuja.
In a heartbreaking story, she narrated how she lost her son thirteen years ago in a ‘hit and run’ accident in Jos, Plateau State, which led to the birth of the Foundation.
According to her, her son’s life might have been saved if there was a quick intervention to attend to his wounds from which he bled to death.
She said, “Thirteen years ago my son was lowered into the ground after which I asked myself, Is that all’? Is this the end?
“In my pain, I ran to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and that was how KRSD Foundation was formed.
“We have advocated for a quick response unit on our roads. I know it has been established in Abuja but we appeal that they should be established on our highways.
“My son bled to death because there was no quick intervention. Maybe if there were, he would have been saved.”
The jurist charged the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Special Marshall Unit of KRSD Foundation to commit more to the sanity of roads.
Citing the WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023, she noted that Africa is the most affected by road crashes, with a traffic fatality rate of 19.5 deaths per 100,000 people compared to 6.5 deaths per 100,000 in Europe.
Justice Dongban-Mensem said, “This day calls us to support, to stand with families who bear the scars of road traffic crashes, to provide care and resources to survivors and to empower communities to champion road safety.
“A clarion call is for the support for the building of a Trauma Centre. Our aspiration in this regard is yet to be realised. We appeal to the Federal Government to build a Trauma Centre for us to serve as a first point of respite for victims of road crashes”.
She thanked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr Nyesom Wike for the road infrastructure development within the FCT which she said has significantly improved road safety in the nation’s capital.
[Leadership]
President Bola Tinubu says his administration’s renewed focus in driving international and local investments into livestock sector of the agricultural value-chain will end the crisis of farmer-herder clashes and promote economic prosperity.
The President also agreed that there is hunger in the land, but said hope is on the way with his administration’s commitment in developing the sector.
Speaking in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Nigerian Government and the JBS S.A, one of the top three largest meat processing companies globally, President Tinubu said the livestock investment opportunities in Nigeria is worth over $2.5billion.
He said the agreement will be solving a “problem that afflicted humanity in that part of Africa, clashes between farmers and migrating cows that have caused some life and bloodshed when there is a modern, civilized way to solve the problem and even bring a successful economy out of it.
“We are trying to turn a situation of tragedy, hopelessness into economic opportunity, see through problems and see the opportunity that is involved in it.
“Food security is extremely important. As we talk right now, there is hunger. However, there is huge hope. And you are one of those hopes that we are looking at.”
President Tinubu told the JBS top executives that Nigeria is ready to do business with them, assuring them of a good return on their investment.
Wesley Batista, founder and President of the JBS group, said the company is the largest employer of labour in Brazil with over $79 billion dollars revenue already in year 2024.
“We are glad to work with Nigeria to work together to develop the livestock industry there. We think it’s a good opportunity for our business in Nigeria and Africa as we believe Nigeria can be the center of supply of protein to many countries in Africa. We look forward to working with you.”
Prior to the visit to Brazil, President had commissioned a team of Nigerian officials and private sector players to take the advantage of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio to conduct a study tour of Sao Paulo, Brazil and explore the opportunities in livestock development, meat processing, seed development and multiplication for key grains.
In his remarks, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muhktar Mahia, who led the delegation, reported to the President that the team embarked on guided tours of companies on the scale of their global reach, the integrated nature of their operations as well as the deployment of advanced technology.
He added that from their interactions with various companies, JBS S.A. was chosen being the second largest meat processing company in the world with the capacity to process 33,000 cattle daily and over eight million birds daily, using advanced zero-waste practices.
The company employs over 200,000 people across its subsidiaries in more than 50 countries in the world including United States, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia among others.
[Dailytrust]
Famous Nollywood actor, Bolanle Ninalowo has revealed why he supported his daughter to pierce her navel.
The actor made the disclosure while speaking about his bond with his daughter, Aliyah.
Ninalowo in an interview with VJ Adams, said his 18-year-old daughter, Aliyah had asked to pierce her tongue but he felt uneasy about the tongue choice.
In a now-viral video, the actor explained that he allowed her to pierce her navel because he wanted to bond with her. Noting that a navel ring can be taken out at any time.
Demonstrating his support, Ninalowo stated that he personally drove her to get her navel pierced and also paid for the procedure.
[DailyPost]
The Supreme Court on Friday nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 enacted by the National Assembly because it was made in violation of the powers donated by the Constitution to the federal Legislature.
In a unanimous judgment on Friday, a seven-member panel of the apex court held that the National Assembly lacked the powers to legislate on issues relating to lottery and games of chance.
The court held that such powers only reside with the state Houses of Assembly, which possess exclusive jurisdiction over lottery and related issues.
The lead judgment by Justice Mohammed Idris resolved the two issues, identified for determination, against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and one other, listed as defendants.
He granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
The judgment was on the suit, marked: SC/1/2008 filed by Lagos and some other states.
Justice Idris ordered that the National Lottery Act 2005 should no longer applied in all states, except the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in respect of which the National Assembly is empowered to make laws.
He declared that lottery or games of chance are not one of the items on the Exclusive Legislative List contained in the Constitution in respect of which the National Assembly has the powers to make laws for the whole of the country.
The judge also declared that, having regard to the clear provisions of Section 4(2) & (3) of the Constitution, the National Assembly lacks the powers to make any legislation for the control and regulation of lottery in Nigeria.
He equally declared that, having regard to the provisions of Section 4(4)(a) & (b) and Part 2 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution, matters relating to the lottery are not issues on which the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly have concurrent powers to make laws.
Justice Idris also declared that, having regard to the provisions of section 4(7)(a) & (c) of the First Schedule to the Constitution the House of Assembly of Lagos State and other states have the powers, to the exclusion of the National Assembly, to make laws for the regulation and control of lottery within their states.
He further declared that, having regard to the provisions of sections 4(4)(b), 7(a) and 39, 29(9)(a) of the Constitution, the power of the National Assembly to make laws for the regulation and control of lottery is limited by the Constitution.
The judge also declared that sections 17, 18, 19 20 and 21 of the National Lottery Act 2005 made by the National Assembly are inconsistent with the Constitution, adding that the National Lottery Act is inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
He proceeded to issue an order that was made nullifying the entirety of the National Lottery Act.
Justice Idris also issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the first defendant (AGF), either by himself or his agents or any other agency of the Federal Government from implementing the provisions of the National Lottery Act within the territories of the plaintiff states.
He further issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the first defendant, its agents, or agencies of the federal government from continuing to implement or enforce the provisions of the National Lottery Act within the territories of the plaintiff states
The judge made no orders to cost.
Other members of the panel – Justice Uwani Abba-Aji (who presided), Justices Mohammed Lawal Garba, Emmanuel Agim, Simon Tsammani, Stephen Adah, and Jamilu Tukur agreed with the lead judgment.
[TheNation]