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Former Big Brother Naija contestant, Victoria Adeleye popularly known as Veeiye, has voiced frustration with Nigeria’s economic challenges, likening the situation to a “social experiment.”
In a post on her X page, Veeiye stated: “Nigeria: too expensive to live, too expensive to leave. Almost feels like a social experiment. It’s like they want to see how much people can take.”
[TheNation]
A new bill has been proposed in Nigeria that will require individuals engaged in banking, insurance, stock-broking, or other financial services to provide a Tax Identification Number as a precondition for opening a new account or operating an existing one.
According to the bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Assessment, Collection of, and Accounting for Revenue Accruing to the Federation, Federal, States, and Local Governments; Prescribe the Powers and Functions of Tax Authorities, and for Related Matters”, this legislation aims to enhance tax compliance and improve the country’s revenue collection process.
The bill, obtained from the National Assembly and dated October 4, 2024, stated, “A person engaged in banking, insurance, stock-broking, or other financial services in Nigeria shall make the provision of a tax ID, a precondition for opening a new account or operating an existing account.”
This requirement is part of broader efforts to ensure that all individuals and entities participating in financial activities are properly registered for tax purposes.
The bill also outlines that any non-resident person supplying taxable goods or services to any individual in Nigeria or deriving income from the country must register for tax purposes and obtain a Tax ID.
However, non-resident individuals who derive only passive income from investments in Nigeria will not be required to register, although they must provide relevant information as prescribed by the relevant tax authority.
The proposed legislation also empowers the relevant tax authority to automatically register and issue a Tax ID to individuals who should apply for one but fail to do so.
In such cases, the tax authority is required to promptly notify the individual of their registration and the issuance of the tax ID.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in administrative penalties. According to the bill, a taxable person who fails to register for tax will incur a penalty of N50,000 in the first month of non-compliance, followed by N25,000 for each subsequent month.
[Punch]
INEC postpones inspection of Edo election materials indefinitely after PDP, APC supporters clash
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the inspection of election materials used in the Edo governorship election indefinitely.
The postponement was sequel to a clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the commission’s secretariat in the state.
The electoral commission initially fixed the inspection for Wednesday after the PDP alleged it was prevented from inspecting the materials on Monday.
Thereafter, INEC fixed Thursday for the inspection following an objection by the APC.
The party alleged that the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) were brought to INEC’s secretariat in vehicles owned by the Edo government, adding that it did not get enough notice before the inspection was to commence on Wednesday.
Goodluck Osaretin, one of the representatives of the PDP, described APC’s objection as “desperation to prevent us from inspecting the BVAS machines”.
“We are not surprised by what is happening,” Osaretin said.
However, when the inspection was to commence on Thursday, violence broke out.
Gunshots could be heard and that forced INEC to postpone the inspection of election materials indefinitely.
Inspecting the election materials is a prerequisite for the PDP to file its case at the Edo governorship election tribunal.
Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the PDP, is challenging the victory of Monday Okpebholo, Edo governor-elect.
[TheCable]
The Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) is preparing for a significant leadership transition as its two Vice Presidents, Bishops David Abioye and Thomas Aremu, are set to retire after serving for over four and three decades, respectively.
Sources within the church, including an anonymous pastor, confirmed the impending retirements to Punch on Thursday.
This move aligns with the church’s operational manual, known as The Mandate, which recently revised the retirement age for its leadership from 60 to 55 years.
Church members have speculated that the retirements will coincide with celebrations for Bishop David Oyedepo’s birthday.
One congregant stated, “We have heard that Bishop Abioye and Bishop Aremu will leave during the Bishop Oyedepo birthday celebration. That is the new law in the church; only Bishop Oyedepo can remain in his position for life. One of the two bishops has even been considering leaving for a while, so this is not news to some of us in the church.”
Bishop Abioye is currently 63 years old, while Bishop Aremu is 67. Under the new policy, only the church’s founder, Bishop Oyedepo, will be permitted to serve beyond the specified age limit, while future leaders will be allowed to serve one or two terms of seven years each, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.
According to Church Times, farewell services will be organized for the two bishops at their respective locations. Bishop Abioye’s valedictory service is scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Durumi branch in Abuja, while Bishop Aremu’s farewell will take place on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at LFC Basorun in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Bishop Abioye, the current Senior Pastor of Living Faith Church, Goshen City in Abuja, has a long-standing relationship with Bishop Oyedepo, dating back to 1979. He led one of the church’s five pioneer branches in 1987 and was consecrated as a bishop in 1993 at the age of 32.
Bishop Aremu transitioned to full-time ministry after a successful career in accounting and was among the seven bishops consecrated in November 1999 at the Garden of Faith in Kaduna.
The Federal Government on Thursday in Abeokuta began the sale of rice at a subsidised rate in Ogun.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, while speaking during a ceremony to signify the commencement, said it was “one of the numerous programmes initiated to bring succour and relief to Nigerians”.
Kyari, who was represented by Mrs Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, the ministry’s State Director, explained that the distribution was being monitored by several Federal Government agencies to ensure transparency, fairness and adequate security.
The Minister stated that the government had put measures in place to ensure that the rice got to the intended beneficiaries.
He said all that was needed was an individual’s National Identification Number (NIN) and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card to buy 50kg of rice at N40,000.
“However, I want to specifically applaud Gov. Dapo Abiodun for his commitment to the welfare of the citizens of the state.
“Ogun is one of the first set of states in Nigeria to enjoy the benefit and this can be attributed to the governor’s tenacity and visionary leadership.
“Ogun has one of the most organised templates ensuring that this gets to the three Senatorial districts of the state and all at the grassroots,” he said.
Kyari urged citizens of the state to support the government to make sure that all the efforts by different levels of government were appreciated.
In his address, Gov. Abiodun noted that President Bola Tinubu’s initiative testified to his commitment to ensuring he tackled the issue of food inflation and also improved the people’s livelihood.
He expressed his appreciation of the President for his unwavering dedication to supporting the agricultural sector and ensuring food security for citizens.
“This is especially in the light of the present economic realities facing the nation.
“Government has shown responsiveness, thoughtfulness.
“This is appreciated and welcomed, particularly following the removal of petroleum subsidy, as this will go a long way in cushioning the impact of the subsidy removal,” the governor said.
….As NHRC, NBA, others call for abolition of capital punishment
In commemoration of the World Day Against Death Penalty, the Advocates Sans Frontiers, ASF, France, otherwise known as Lawyers Without Borders, yesterday, expressed its concern over the swelling number of inmates awaiting execution in various prisons across the country.
The organization, through its Country Director, Ms. Angela Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, disclosed that a total of 3,650 inmates are currently on death row in Nigeria.
It stressed that 63 of the inmates that are waiting to be executed in 11 maximum prisons across the federation, are women.
The revelation came on a day the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC and the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, threw their weight behind the call for the abolishment of capital punishment.
Speaking at a high-level technical consultation to mark the world day against death penalty, the ASF’s director, Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, noted that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had at a recent international engagement, revealed that Nigeria has a voluntary moratorium on death penalty.
“To us, this is a step in the right direction, but what is lacking is a policy to back up that comment that was made by the Minister.
“This is very crucial because as long as we do not have any policy paper, then executions could happen at any time, thereby, putting those over 3000 persons on death row at risk of execution at any time.
“This is very important. Nigeria has highest number of persons on death row in sub-Saharan Africa and the number keeps increasing because people are being sentenced to death everyday, even though the last execution occured in 2014. However, the risk of execution remains,” the ASF director added.
Likewise, the Legal Defence & Assistant Project, LEDAP, through its Executive Director, Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu, SAN, noted that in Africa, only 15 countries which included Nigeria, have not abolished the death penalty.
“Among those 15 countries, Nigeria has the highest number of death row prisoners as well as highest number of offences that are punishable by death.
“We are therefore worried that the death penalty regime in Nigeria is very appalling and we do hope that it will be abolished soon.”
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mr Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, while calling for “a complete legal abolition of capital punishment,” maintained that the continued sentencing of individuals to death remained a grave concern.
“The death penalty, as a form of state-sanctioned violence, is not only irreversible but fraught with the potential for irreparable harm.
“We cannot ignore the growing body of evidence that shows capital punishment does not serve as a deterrent to crime. Moreover, the risk of wrongful conviction, which can lead to the execution of innocent individuals, stands as one of the most tragic and indefensible failures of any justice system,” he added.
The President of NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, who was represented at the occasion by the Chairman of Citizens Liberties Committee of the legal body, Mr Nuhu Egya, said there was need for the federal government to review the issue of death sentence which he described as “an outdated and ineffective form of punishment.”
He said the NBA would continue to push for reforms that would promote fair trial and humane sentencing, saying the association would also provide free legal services to individuals facing the death penalty.
Among those that participated in the event included the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Leilani Bin-Juda and the Deputy Head of Mission of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Jean-François Hasperue.
Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has attributed the worrying cases of Nigerian youths defrauding U.S citizens and other countries’ nationals to “rising unemployment” and societal pressures.
In a statement by the anti-graft agency on Thursday, Mr Olukoyede, represented by Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC ASE I Ogunjobi Olalekan, stated this at an event in Abuja organised by the “Child Protection Initiative against Cybercrime.”
“Hard work and integrity should define your future, not the fleeting gains of fraud,” Mr Olukoyede said, urging youths to resist the temptations of internet fraud and the attendant “get-rich-quick” mentality.
The anti-graft czar identified cybercrime enablers among Nigerian youths to include unemployment, internal and external pressures to acquire material possessions and overly supportive parents and guardians.
The latter inadvertently fostered a lack of self-control and discipline in children, adding that the toxic mix of societal and familial influences could lead vulnerable youths down a dangerous path of cybercrime, including online scams, identity theft, and other malicious activities.
A 24-year-old man, Usman Mohammed Iyal, has confessed to Police personnel how he raped a 16-year-old girl and threw her into a well at Ambassadors Quarters, Katsina State.
In his confessional statement, the suspect said his action was to save his identity. Iyal stated, “Because I didn’t want her to expose me.”
He made the confession during his parade alongside that of other suspects at the Katsina State Police Command headquarters before newsmen on Tuesday evening.
The suspect’s brutal actions were thwarted when the police launched a swift investigation and rescue operation aimed at saving the victim from the well unharmed.
Arewa PUNCH gathered that the incident occurred on September 27, 2024, when the victim was sent on an errand by her mother.
According to the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, the suspect, armed with a knife, accosted and threatened the victim, then dragged her into an uncompleted building where he violently assaulted and raped her.
“On September 27th, 2024, at about 1216hrs, the Katsina State Police Command succeeded in arresting a suspected rapist for the brutal assault and attempted murder of a 16-year-old girl in Ambassadors Quarters, Katsina.
“The victim was sent on an errand by her mother when the suspect, one Usman Mohammed Iyal, male, age 24, of Ambassadors quarters, armed with a knife, accosted, threatened, and dragged her into an uncompleted building where he then violently assaulted and raped the victim.
“In a desperate bid to conceal his crime, the suspect threw the victim into a nearby well and hurled stones down the well, with intent to kill the victim.
“Upon the victim’s disappearance, her father, Abdullahi Sabitu, m, reported the incident at the GRA Divisional Police Headquarters, leading to our swift action. An investigation was immediately launched, and successfully, we rescued the victim from the well, and we arrested the suspect.’’
The victim is currently receiving medical attention,” according to Sadiq.
“Similarly, on September 19, 2024, at about 2000 hours, the command arrested Binta Muhammed, age 35, of Lungun Loma quarters, Dutsinma LGA, Katsina State, in connection with a suspected case of cruelty to a child.”
ASP Abubakar Sadiq said “a report was received at the Dutsinma d
Divisional Police Headquarters through one Halima Aliyu of the International Human Rights Commission, Dutsinma Zone, that on the same date, while discharging their duties in the area, they received information that the suspect illegally tied and locked up a two-year-old boy in a room in a cruel manner.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised a team of detectives to the said address, where a search was conducted. The victim, one Abdulmajid Shafi’u, male, age 2, was found hanging on a wall inside a room, tied with a wrapper. He was quickly rescued and rushed to the hospital, where he is receiving medical attention, and subsequently, the suspect was traced and arrested.
“During the investigation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the offence and would soon be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
“On 25th September, 2024, at about 0545hrs, the command succeeded in arresting the trio of one Sabi’u Hassan, male, age 34, Isiya Salisu, mald, age 30, and one Aliyu Haruna, male, age 20, all of Kofar Durbi Quarters, Katsina, in connection with a suspected case of vandalism and theft.
“While on routine patrol, a team of police operatives, in collaboration with members of the vigilante, intercepted the syndicate around Kofar Durbi quarters, in possession of some quantity of electric armored cable, a sharp pointed iron bar, and a hacksaw reasonably suspected to have been stolen.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the commission of the offence and further mentioned four other suspects now at large as their accomplices.
“Efforts are being intensified to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds,” Sadiq disclosed further.
Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, has said that the worsening economic situation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration is fuelling mental health cases, among other factors.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, stated this in his message as Nigeria joined the global community on Thursday to commemorate this year’s World Mental Health Day.
In a post on his X handle, the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 general election said mental health remains one of the critical health issues not given the due attention it deserves in Nigeria.
He lamented that suicide cases in the country, fuelled by anxiety and depression, had remained on the rise.
“In Nigeria, mental health remains one of the critical health issues not given the due attention it deserves.
“The worsening economic situation resulting from hunger, poverty, and income inequalities in the country, coupled with other socio-political issues affecting the nation, have continued to fuel a growing menace of mental health cases.
“The National Institute of Health reports that about 40 to 60 million Nigerians suffer various forms of mental ailment,” Obi said.
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United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said that 75 per cent of new HIV infections among adolescents globally occurred in girls.
Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF Field Office for South West Nigeria disclosed this in a statement to newsmen to mark the 2024 International Day of the Girl.
Lafoucriere, who described the theme of this year, “Girls’ Vision for the Future,” as apt, noted that it reflected the findings from a UNICEF analysis, which showed that girls are not only courageous in the face of challenges but hopeful for the future.
She opined that the number of adolescent girls (one in four) is almost double the number of boys who are not in any form of education, employment, or training.
She also added that one in five young women aged between 20 and 24 years today were married as children, while nearly one in four partnered/married adolescent girls have experienced sexual or physical abuse.
The chief of UNICEF’s Field Office for South West Nigeria, however, noted that girls were seen taking action every day to realise the vision of a world where all girls are protected, respected, and empowered.
“As you well know, October 11 is a key global moment to celebrate girls and amplify their voices, actions, and leadership. The day also belongs to everyone who cares about girls and taking action to advocate for the full spectrum of girls’ rights.
“My response is that being a girl shouldn’t determine what you can do, where you can go, or who you can become. But right now, that is the reality for millions of girls across the world.
“Too many are being left behind, confronted by extreme challenges that deny them their rights, restrict their choices, and limit their futures.
“However, girls alone cannot bring about the desired change. They need allies who listen to and respond to their needs like you and me. Together, we can build a future in which every girl’s rights are protected,” she said.
Lafoucriere further opined that evidence had shown that with the right support, resources, and opportunities, the potential of girls around the world is limitless.
She stated that when girls achieve their goals, “we all move closer to achieving our global goals.”
On hursday, a bill to amend the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Act, 2007, and establish the FRSC Special Armed Squad passed a second reading at the House of Representatives.
If passed into law, the bill will allow the officers to carry firearms to perform their duties.
The bill, jointly sponsored by Abiodun Adesida and Olaide Muhammed of the All Progressives Congress Ondo and Oyo states, respectively, was unanimously supported by other lawmakers after a voice vote before being passed for a second reading.
According to the proposed bill, FRSC officers on the rank of deputy corp marshal will enjoy benefits attached to the rank, including retirement benefits.
The bill will also allow the officers to be solely responsible for traffic administration and safety management, preventing and minimising road traffic crashes on roads, supervising road users and regulating traffic.
They will also be empowered to clear obstructions and educate motorists and other members of the public on the proper use of the roads.
In another motion by Garba Ibrahim Muhammad, the House urged the FRSC to adopt technologically assisted enforcement, such as automatic vehicle local and automated traffic enforcement systems, advanced analytics and data platforms, amongst others, to carry out their operations.
The lawmakers adopted the motion and referred it to the House Committee on FRSC.
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has approved the payment of gratuities to the pensioners on the payroll of the Local Government Staff Pension Board who retired in 2011.
In a statement, the Commissioner for the Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs, Monday Osaigbovo, said the governor has directed the State Pension Bureau to immediately commence the screening and payment of gratuities to pensioners who retired in 2011.
In August 2024, Obaseki approved the payment of gratuities to the pensioners on the payroll of the Local Government Staff Pension Board who retired in 2010.
“This is to inform the general public, especially Local Government Pensioners that his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki has approved the payment of gratuity to pensioners who retired in 2011.
“By this directive, the Pension Bureau and 2011 retired Local Government Pensioners should take note,” the commissioner said.
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos will on October 14 decide whether to grant bail to four journalists accused by the police of publishing false information about Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc and its Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Agbaje.
Justice Ayokunle Faji fixed the date after the police prosecutor, Emmanuel Jackson and the defence counsel, O A Afolabi, argued for and against the bail applications filed on behalf of the defendants.
The four men, Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi male, Rowland Olonishuwa, and Seun Odunlami, were arraigned before the court on a two-count charge of cyberstalking and spreading false information by the Police.
The Special Fraud Unit, Milverton of the Lagos State Police Command had told the judge that the defendants, sometime in August 2024 in Lagos, conspired amongst themselves to commit a felony, to wit, cyberstalking and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.). Act 2015 as amended in 2024.
The police had also claimed that the defendants knowingly sent false messages or publications in social media, through a computer or network to the general public as follows: ” EFCC, FRI’s storms GTBanks over Segun Agbaje’s N1 trillion scam” and ” Whistle Blowers expose Segun Agbaje Nepotism, power play, enrich him and sister, Kofo Dosekunni” among other publications to insult the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company PLC, Mr Segun Agbaje or to cause criminal intimidation, annoyance, I’ll – will, needless anxiety, injury or hatred to him and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes ( Prohibition/prevention, et. c): Ac,2015, an s amended in 2024.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday, Afolabi urged the court to grant his clients bail in the most liberal terms, arguing that the offences they were charged with were bailable.
On his part, Jackson, asked the judge to dismiss the applications because the defendants are a ‘flight risk’ and were likely to tamper with the evidence in the case.
After listening to the lawyers, Justice Faji adjourned to October 14 for ruling, he also ordered that the defendants should remain in custody pending the determination of their bail applications.