FEATURES
Until he was arrested and convicted in London where he is currently serving a jail term, Senator Ike Ekweremadu was a renowned politician and lawyer who dominated Nigeria’s political landscape like a colossus for several decades.
He was best known for his role as the Deputy President of the Senate. During his time in the Senate, Ekweremadu represented the Enugu West Senatorial District.
As Deputy President of the Senate, Ekweremadu was the Chairman of the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
He played a significant role in Nigeria’s legislative process, formulating and enacting laws and policies. He also represented the Senate at various national and international fora, contributing to Nigeria’s overall diplomatic relations and legislative diplomacy.
Ekweremadu was involved in efforts to promote good governance, the rule of law, and democracy in Nigeria. He advocated for constitutional reforms, electoral reforms, and the protection of human rights.
But things took a swift turn downhill for the senator when he and his wife Beatrice were arrested in London and charged with conspiring to bring a child into the UK with the aim of harvesting his organs. An investigation of the crime went on for about 11 months from when the Metropolitan Police were informed of potential violations of modern slavery legislation. Ekweremadu was tried, convicted and jailed for nine years and eight months, while his wife was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment.
His influence and celebrity status quickly diminished after his arrest, conviction and sentencing. He has since disappeared from the political space in Nigeria. Many Nigerians have blamed him for not using his influential position to attract world-class hospitals in Nigeria, which could have prevented the medical tourism that landed him in trouble.
His experience should serve as a lesson for other Nigerian political leaders.
[ThisDay]
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested an Ilorin based clergyman, Prophet Adeniyi James, for allegedly defrauding a member of his church to the tune of N3.9 million.
A statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Saturday, said the Ilorin Zonal Command arrested James on April 2, 2024 for the alleged offence.
It was gathered that James is the General Overseer of Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Freedom City Prophetic and Deliverance Ministry in Ilorin.
Oyewale noted that the victim, Oluwole Babarinsa, in a petition to the Commission, alleged that James called him out during a church programme sometime in 2021, declaring that he had a revelation that he (Babarinsa) would travel abroad.
“The petitioner said the cleric, in the course of giving the revelation, asked him about his preferred country, which he replied ‘Canada’ and they agreed to talk later in order to perfect arrangements for the trip.
“The petitioner said James later told him that he had a friend in Lagos who could help him facilitate his relocation to Canada, but at a cost of N1.7 million and N2.5 million for processing of flight ticket and travel documents, respectively.
“Babarinsa added that he had to sell some of his properties and took some loans before he could raise N3,980,000 which he gave the prophet to facilitate his quick relocation to Canada.
“After prolonged waiting with no result, the petitioner became agitated and began to query the prophet’s vision, prompting him to ask for a refund of his money.
“All efforts and entreaties to the suspect to refund his money yielded no positive result,” EFCC spokesman said.
The suspect would be arraigned in court after the conclusion of the investigations, Oyewale added.
'Naira days are gone' - Trans-Border Traders Reject Nigeria Currency For Business Transactions
AFOLABIAs a result of the depreciation of the Nigerian currency (Naira) over the past few months, additional challenges have arisen for the local currency in the West African market region. Trans-border traders have begun to refuse acceptance of the currency.
Vanguard findings across the Seme border show that the traders on both sides are now preferring either the CFA or the domestic currency of the non-francophone countries.
Hitherto, Naira ruled the sub-region as the dominant currency accepted as a medium of exchange by traders across the borders due to the high volume of trade between those countries and Nigeria.
The Nigerian currency traded in the status of convertibility in the unofficial payment systems of the countries.
However, Vanguard’s findings indicated that the Naira began sliding from that status in February, hitting the point of outright rejection in March 2024.
Some of the traders interviewed by Vanguard included Nigerians. They lamented that holding Naira has become a huge risk as the value keeps depreciating since last year with the worst rate of depreciation recorded last month.
Official reports indicate that Naira which traded above N1/1.5CFA in the first quarter of 2023 dropped sharply to N1/0.9CFA in the second quarter and N1/0.8CFA in the third quarter 2023.
After a moderate stability through the fourth quarter 2023, it opened 2024 at N1/ 0.66067CFA in January 2024.
However, following a second wave of depreciation in February, the sub-regional fortune went down drastically to N1/0.38308CFA before hitting a new low of N1/0.37595CFA last week.
The traders are already hedging against further depreciation although there’s a slight improvement in the last few days.
However, the Naira is still not close to what it used to be in the subregion some years ago. The development is adversely affecting the cost of goods imported into Nigeria through the West African economies. Consequently, the traders are recording a lull in business activities on both sides of the border towns in Nigeria and the Benin Republic.
Some border markets in Benin-Nigeria visited showed that most of the money changers or Bureau De Change, do not display the Nigerian currency like they did last year.
Even transporters and bike riders otherwise known as Okada in Nigeria, across the borders declined payment in Naira, saying that by the time they return to convert Naira to CFA, they would have lost some fraction of their earnings. Consequently, they said CFA was safer to hold.
A bike rider, Ibrahim Yakubu, who took our correspondent from the Seme border into the ‘Misebo’ market (about 45 kilometres from the border) refused to accept Naira and insisted on collecting his payment in CFA.
Yakubu also said that before now, the Naira was strong adding that it was easily accepted as a means of payment for goods and services.
A money changer, Taiye Ekiti blamed the development on the United States Dollar adding that the cost of Dollar was the reason for the depreciation of the Naira in Benin Republic and other countries including Togo and Ghana, adding that they as Bureau De Change are equally as helpless as other business people.
A Nigerian trader who deals in fairly used clothing, Mr. Achi Collins, said that most traders do not accept Naira anymore, adding “that is how much the Naira has lost value over time.”
Collins also said that most traders would tell their customers to change their money to CFA before they can accept it as payment for goods.
He however, added that around the border town of Seme, there could be few traders that still accept Naira for payment but their goods cost more.
He also noted that inside the cities of Benin Republic, Naira is not acceptable because of the value when compared to the strengthening of the CFA.
He further stated: “If you want to buy something here you will go and change your Naira to CFA before you buy whatever you want.’’
Before now, Naira was accepted on the west coast, up to Ivory Coast and Senegal. Traders freely spent Naira in many countries of West Africa. Nigerian sports journalists who covered sports events in Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast spent Naira in the markets of these countries. Naira was stronger than CFA then. Those days are gone. The naira is now rejected in these countries.
Beverly Osu, the popular Nigerian actress and model, has explained why dropped out of the university.
Beverly spoke on the latest episode of The Discourse With Ken where she opened up about her experience juggling budding career as a video vixen and school.
She stated that her school was going well up until she started getting criticisms for being a vixen.
“In Babcock University everything was nice and education was going well but because I was on TV at the age of 16 as a video vixen.
“Nigerians did not understand the term video vixen then so they always used to criticise me and take pictures to school. I used to get in trouble in school every weekend, and I mean every weekend,” she said.
On why she left the institution, she said: “I just felt that let me leave before it gets sour, you know how Babcock is, it’s very strict for lack of a better word. I left because I felt so comfortable doing what I was doing and I knew I could balance it, so I left.”
On her parent’s reaction to the development, Osu stated that her mother was initially displeased but eventually came around.
“My mum didn’t believe that I left and she was like ‘After all the money I paid.’ We had struggled back and forth because of it but at a point, she just knew that ‘This girl is determined and Ada would do what Ada wants to do.’ I strived because I knew that modelling was it for me,” she concluded.
HRH David Akpa, the district head and traditional ruler of Bagaji Odo in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State, has stated that herdsmen were responsible for the attack in Agojeju-Odo community, resulting in the loss of 25 lives.
The attack reportedly occurred on Thursday.
The monarch, who spoke to DAILY POST on Saturday, said the community has been completely deserted.
According to him, residents of the community have relocated to Bagaji Odo, Abejikolo, Acha and other neighboring communities over fear of further attacks.
“The herdsmen are behind the attack at Agojeju-Odo community which led to the death of 25 people. They came in their numbers and started killing people.
“They have been harvesting our crops, preventing our people from having access to their farms. Whenever they come, they will be asking ‘are you from Agatu?’ and many more questions,” the traditional ruler said.
He called on the government to provide security for his people.
“The government should come to our rescue before things gets out of hand. Our people are being killed by this herdsmen.
“Those that have relocated to Bagaji Odo and are thinking of relocating out of here because there is information that these herdsmen are coming here to attack.”
One of the survivors of the attack, who gave his name as Joshua Salifu, narrated what happened.
“The herdsmen came at about 3:00 am on Thursday and started killing our people. I am yet to find my wife and my children. About 25 people were buried in our village.
“We don’t know what is our problem with them. This is not the first time they are attacking us. They killed four of our people the last time before Thursday’s incident. We could no longer go to our farms and the rainy reason is fast approaching. What are we going to do?
“The government should help us with adequate security so that we can go back to our community,” he stated.
It would be recalled that earlier in January 2024, yet to be identified gunmen attacked Agojeju-Odo community, killing four people.
The Commissioner for Commerce in Jigawa State, Aminu Kanta, has been suspended over alleged misappropriation of Ramadan feeding funds.
The state governor, Umar Namadi, who suspended the commissioner, said it is with immediate effect.
He noted that the suspension followed the allegations of misappropriation of funds allocated for the Ramadan Iftar feeding programme in the Babura Local Government Area of the state.
This is contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Bala Ibrahim, on Friday in Dutse, the state capital.
The affected commissioner, according to the statement would remain suspended, pending the outcome of an investigative committee established by the governor to probe the allegation.
“Governor Namadi’s action underscores his commitment to responsible financial management and tackling misuse of public funds,” the statement said.
The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has cautioned individuals who criticize and mock him to proceed with caution. The cleric emphasized that those who engage in such behavior ultimately meet unfortunate ends.
Pastor Adeboye said even though he is nothing and weak, those mocking him and the mission should know that his God is a consuming fire.
He reminded his critics that the word of God made it clear that anyone God will use must be foolish, must be weak, be a nobody so that nobody will get the glory.
Recall that Adeboye had been drawing criticism from several celebrities and on-air personalities over some of his declarations and comments.
Adeboye’s sermon
Adeboye made the comments during his sermon and annointing service at the monthly Holy Ghost service. It was held on the theme: “Shielded by Fire” at The Redemption City of God.
In his words: “If Paul, who wrote more than half of the New Testament, claimed to be less than the least of the saint, according to Ephesians 3:8, Pastor Adeboye is nothing.
“However, his God is everything. Listen to me carefully, Adeboye is one stupid boy and I would prove it to you before I close, But his God is wiser than the wisest.
“Adeboye is weak, he eats pounded yam and goes to the toilet. But his God is stronger than the strongest. Adeboye is nothing but his God is the All-sufficient God.
“So there is nothing spectacular. There is no big deal if you mock Pastor Adeboye. He deserves to be mocked.
“The word of God made it abundantly clear. Anyone that God will use must be weak, foolish, and a nobody, so that only God will take the glory. So you can mock Adeboye, but you must not mock his God.
“Why? Because Adeboye is nothing, there is nothing he can do to you. But his God is a Consuming fire.”
Going further, he revered cleric asked his members series of questions.
“I want to ask you some questions. The fact that the leaders of Boko Haram are Muslims or claimed to be Muslims, does that mean every Muslim is a terrorist?
“Because one Islamic cleric said they should kill our first lady, does that mean every Imman is a murderer.
“There was this guy called HUSSPUPPY, the fellow who was the original 419 man that was arrested in Dubai. He happens to be a Nigerian, does that mean every Nigerian man is a 419?
“If a pastor and his wife do something insensitive somewhere, does that mean every pastor everywhere is insensitive?
Pastor in Ireland
“Then what about this pastor somewhere in Ireland. They said he committed all manners of atrocities. How will you explain that?
“Number one, the way they reported it in Nigeria is different from the way is reported where it happen.
“Over there they said “a former pastor”. Meaning he used to be. But put that one aside.
“They didn’t tell you the whole story, they did not tell you that they did not catch the boy. But he reported himself and why did he report himself, he heard a sermon on restitution and decided it is better to suffer shame while here on earth than to go to hell.
“And where did he hear that sermon, in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. We are among the few churches left in the world that ever talk about restitution.”
‘I am not Justifying the unjustifiable’
While noting that the pastor might have backslided when he committed the crime, he said: “Do you know the Bible says he who thinks he stands should take heed, lest he falls?
“Even you standing today be careful. I pray you will never fall.”
“You can say ‘but he was ordained as a pastor’. But have you heard about backsliding? Once hot for the Lord and along the line became cold. The Bible even said ‘he that thinketh that he stand…’.
“I don’t want to give the impression that I am justifying the unjustifiable. The Lord prayed all night and chose 12 disciples. One of them turned out to be Judas Iscariot. One failure out of 12.
“If you consider the number of pastors in RCCG in Nigeria, alone. Don’t let me tell you the number. But let me tell you mathematically. The number of pastors in Nigeria alone today is more than 200 thousand.
“If we find one here, one there over there, well our Lord Jesus Christ the one we are following chose 12 but one was the devil.”
Nigeria’s Economy
Pastor Adeboye lamented the increase in the pump price of fuel and the hike in the electricity tariff.
He added that what is happening in Nigeria is not ordinary. Adeboye said when he saw the way things were going he had to quickly call on some prayer warriors to intercede for the country.
He said: “If I am not such a ‘stupid’ boy I would have asked God how worse things would get before they get better.
“I did not ask. So, you see how stupid a boy I am. All of a sudden we saw the Naira going down. I never knew the Naira would go so bad.
“I know nations who got independence at the same time as Nigeria whose money is like 10,000 to a Pound.”
However, he said he called for more prayers for the country and those in place of authorities. He urged Nigerians not to be tired of praying for the country.
“As I was coming out of the prayer room, I heard the government has increased the price of fuel and electricity tarrif had increased.
“If the price of fuel increases, it means the cost of transporting the food to the market will increase. It means the food will increase in price.
“I had this feeling that the rate this is happening is no longer natural.
“And then I heard a prophet had prophesied that things would only get better towards the end of 2025.”
Abubakar Mannir, a 36-year-old Bureau De Change operator, has been accused of defrauding Mr. Manas Das, the Chief Executive Officer of Allkraft Technology and Industries Limited, of $737,015.00.
According to Saturday Vanguard, it was gathered that Das, a Nigerian-based Indian, contacted the Bureau de Change operator, who operated under Emirates Booth company, to purchase the United States dollars under three agreements that totaled $900,000.
General Manager of Allkraft Technology and Industries Limited, Abdulrahman Abubakar, told Saturday Vanguard that 100 per cent of the Naira equivalent was transferred from the Allkraft company Zenith Bank account to Emirates booth account number, in December 2023.
However, trouble started for the Indian , after Mannir was said to have paid him only $162,985 through Emirates Booth but allegedly fled without paying the balance of $737,015.00
Abubakar explained that : “The contracts were supposed to be fulfilled in November 2023, but the Emirates Booth owned by Mr. Mannir cited a delay and finally agreed to make the transfers from January 15, 2024, to January 19, 2024. By that time, Mr. Manas Das had travelled to Abuja, from where the remittance was scheduled to be transferred.
Mr. Mannir was scheduled to meet with members of staff of both companies (Allkraft Technology and Industries Limited and Emirates Booth) on January 14, 2024, for a dinner meeting to discuss and ensure that payments were made the next day.
”The last call I received from Mr. Mannir was on January 14, 2024, at about 5 p.m, informing that members of both companies would meet at about 7 p.m. But the meeting never held
“The next day, after contacting the Emirates Booth office, including its managers and assistants, it was suspected that something was wrong.
“ Staffers of both companies travelled from Abuja as early as 5am to Kano, where it was confirmed that Mannir had disappeared. We had to report the case to the Police.
“In spite of regular follow-ups with the police from that day until date, Mannir could not be traced and the money is yet to be recovered.
”The police informed us that Mannir had fled to Niger. However, we also know that he is in contact with his family because there are recordings of his conversation with his mother.
“The victim has been pushed into deep financial trouble and he is now trying to borrow money to survive and pay salaries to the staff and labourers who used to work in the company. Most of them have stopped working because there is no money to pay their salaries”.
Attempts to reach Mannir failed as his mobile lines were not connecting. His younger brother, Abubakar Imam, told Saturday Vanguard when contacted, that “ We have not been able to reach him. I don’t know his current location, so I can’t say exactly where he is.
“Earier this year, he was released from prison over the same fraud case with Zenith Bank. My 50-year-old mother is already battling with sickness about this case because she is aware of the matter.”
When Saturday Vanguard contacted the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna on the matter, he confirmed that the command was aware of it, adding that investigation had commenced.
The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the death of a 14-year-old girl named Shallon Ebitare, who was found deceased in the company of her 17-year-old lover in a hotel room in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The incident happened on Wednesday when the minor and her 17-year-old boy friend, identified as Lucky Okubo, went to a hotel room in Yenagoa, but she was said to have slumped and died in a bathroom inside the hotel.
It was gathered that the deceased was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa for medical attention but she was later confirmed dead.
It was gathered that the duo had been lovers for some months before the unfortunate incident.
Already, operatives of the Bayelsa State command have arrested the deceased’s boyfriend over allegation of murder.
Confirming the incident, Bayelsa State Police Command’s spokesman, ASP Musa Muhammed, said in a statement that the state’s Commissioner of Police had ordered a discreet investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of the girl.
He said: “Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command apprehended a suspect in connection with the suspected murder of one Shallon Ebitare, ‘f’ a 14-year-old resident of Akaibiri Community in Yenagoa LGA.
“The suspect claimed that the deceased went to the bathroom to take her bath but fell, and sustained injuries. Sequel to this, he invited the hotel manager who assisted in taking the deceased to FMC Yenagoa where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor on duty. Meanwhile, the suspect is in custody at the SCID Yenagoa while investigation continues with a view to ascertain the cause of death.”
Naira abuse: "She pleaded guilty. The court will not impose maximum punishment to her - Bobrisky’s lawyer
AFOLABIAyo Olumofin, the lawyer to Idris Okuneye, a.k.a Bobrisky, has said that the popular crossdresser pleaded “guilty” to charges of abuse of Naira when they were read to him.
The social media celebrity was arraigned on Friday, April 5, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Abimbola Awogboro sitting at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos over mutilation of the Naira notes.
Justice Abimbola Awogboro deferred judgment in the matter to Tuesday, April 9, 2024, after Bobrisky pleaded guilty to a four-count charge of Naira abuse brought against him by the EFCC.
The judge ordered that the convict be remanded in EFCC custody pending sentence. The defendant’s counsel, Ayo Olumofin,
Speaking after the adjournment, the defendant’s counsel said; “There is no striking out. She pleaded guilty. The court is the master of the court. So there is nothing we can do about the adjournment. But we cited the relevant section to the honourable court that Idris is a first offender and by the relevant provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, the court will not impose maximum punishment on her
“What is the punishment? Six months or N50,000 fine. EFCC has considered the fine and they have even accepted the defendant's request to stop the abuse of Naira. We are not pained. The honourable court is the master of the court,” he added.
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On Friday, the Plateau State Police Command showcased a counterfeit soldier and 43 other suspects involved in various crimes, including kidnapping, defilement of a minor, culpable homicide, armed robbery, cultism, and gun running.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, Hassan Yabanet, paraded the suspects while briefing journalists at the Command’s headquarters in Jos.
He said, “On 4th of March, 2024, at about 02:30pm, one Shedrack Sabo of ATM quarters, Bukuru, reported at the SWAT Unit that on 16th February, 2024, at about 04:30pm, one Lucky Okoh, male, showed him a military identity card and introduced himself as a captain in the military.
“He further convinced him to pay the sum of N110, 000 to secure him a job.
“The suspect, one Lucky Okoh, male, of Guratopp, was arrested by SWAT operatives on 4th March, 2024, at about 03:00pm.
“After a thorough search was conducted on his house, one military identity card, three Nigerian army recruitment forms and one NSCDC recruitment form were recovered.”
Yabanet said investigation on the matter is still ongoing.
The CP also disclosed that a 24 years old man was arrested for allegedly defiling a 13 year old girl.
According to him, “On the 6th March, 2024, at about 11:20hours one Fatima Abdul, female, 52 years, of Farin Lamba village, came to the Barkin Ladi Police Station and reported that her 13 years old daughter left home to Farin Lamba market on 11/02/2024 to buy food items and in the process, one John Sati Choji, male, 24 years of Vwang village, lured her to his house and had carnal knowledge of her.
“The suspect was immediately arrested on receipt of the complaint and investigation is ongoing,” the CP explained.
Yabanet added, “On 3rd April, 2024, at 10:30hours, intelligence information was received by the DPO Bokkos who acted on the tip-off and led a crack team of IGP intervention squad.
“The operation led to the arrest of one Saddam Abdulmumuni, male, of Angwan Shukur of Bokkos town, who was an escapee of the 2021 Jos jailbreak.
“The suspect is currently under investigation at the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the Command.”
He said the suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.
On the arrest of a suspected cultist, the CP said, “On the 3rd April, 2024, at about 1800hrs while on routine patrol around Bauchi Road, Jos North, SWAT operatives apprehended one Mohammed Awal of Filin Sukuwa area of Jos North LGA who, with his gang members, stabbed one Halima Hussaini, female, of Angwan Rogo of Jos North on her left hand and dispossessed her of her TECNO handset.
“When search was conducted in his house and premises, one long cutlass was recovered.”
The CP assured that all suspects arrested for the crimes would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
“I wish to at this juncture appreciate members of the public for their cooperation, support and encourage them to continue to give us timely and accurate information to enable us stem the tide of crime in the State,” the CP admonished.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has revealed how Governors could be prevented from abusing the proposed State Police.
He said proper guarantees under the law must be put in place to prevent situations where governors use police apparatus to intimidate and oppress political opponents.
Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) spoke when he featured as a guest of Inside Sources With Laolu Akande aired on Channels Television on Friday.
He said at the moment, policing has been decentralised in the country as residential estates and communities have private security outfits with personnel armed with different weapons guarding inhabitants of such communities.
Falana described state police as an idea whose time has come but said jurisdictions must be clearly defined to prevent inter-rivalry and more clashes between security agents, adding that state police must be a people-police service and not a government-centred one.
He said one federal police force is not really antithetical to federalism as the success of the system depends on its the management. “Unfortunately, our governors have allowed the Nigeria Police Force to become the Federal Government Police Force hence the demand for state police,” he said.
“Under Section 216 of the Constitution, the President of the Republic cannot appoint or remove an Inspector General of Police without consulting the Nigeria Police Council.”
“In that 39-member body, 36 of them are chief executives of states. It’s a council where the members should discuss the number of police personnel should be in every state, how the police should be funded and how the police should be managed and administered. But what has happened?”
He said though there are other regular security council meetings in the country, the Nigeria Police Council has not been meeting. “We must go back to the provisions of the Constitution. It’s not unusual in a federation to have federal government police and state police but again, we have to go back to the drawing table and finetune our policies before we have state police. We must assure our people.
“There are governors in Nigeria that will turn state police into an instrument of oppression because even right now, the federal police is turned into an instrument of oppression.
“So, we must agree that in a Federation, every tier of government, every federating unit should be able to enforce its own laws, with its own security apparatus but you must guarantee that there will be no intimidation or oppression of political opponents, either by the federal government police, state police or even local government police.
“Right now, we deceive ourselves, we already have decentralisation of police; every community, every estate all have their own private security arrangement and majority of them are armed.”
Social commentaries on state police continue to dominate public discourse with some governors and regional socio-political groups like Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo saying it would curb menacing trend of kidnapping, banditry and sundry crimes.
Already, there are state-owned security outfits in about 23 states like the Civilian Joint Task Force in Borno State, the Amotekun Corps in the South-West geopolitical zone, Ebube Agu in the South-East, Benue Guards in the North Central State, Community Protection Guards in Zamfara, Community Watch Corps in Katsina, the Neighbourhood Watch in Plateau, state-backed vigilante outfits in Niger and Bauchi, amongst others.
However, these outfits have been handicapped in their operations due to a number of factors including lack of license to bear assault rifles and superior weapons to confront deadly insurgents and criminals but governors are upbeat that with a constitutional backing, these outfits will live up to their full potential.
To this end, President Bola Tinubu and governors of the 36 states mid-February, agreed on state police as a method to curb the escalating security challenges in the country.
About a month later, 16 governors submitted their reports to the National Economic Council (NEC), expressing their support for the creation of state police and the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to allow for same. The decision of the remaining 20 governors are still being expected.
Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, says only 1.5 million customers — out of 12 million — are affected by the recent electricity tariff hike.
On April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved a tariff increase for Band A customers.
Customers on B and A are those who receive 20 to 24 hours of power supply in the country.
Speaking at a ministerial briefing in Abuja on Friday, the minister said the hike would address the issue of liquidity affecting the power sector, adding that power supply would still be subsidised for 85 percent of consumers.
Adelabu said the N2.9 trillion electricity subsidy in 2024 is too much of a burden for Nigeria.
“The recent tariff hike only affects 15 per cent of electricity customers. We have 12 million, but this tariff affected only 1.5 million customers,” he said.
“It is because the government is sensitive that 100 per cent of the subsidy will be removed. That is why we started with gradually removing the subsidy for the selected customers.”
Adelabu said the infrastructure deficit is a challenge in the country’s power sector, noting that transformers installed in the ’60s are still in use in some parts of Nigeria.
“All our gas pipelines are bad. There has been vandalisation of the gas pipelines; there will be a lack of adequate pressure on the gas pipelines where we need compressors and boosters,” he said.
“The generating companies’ plants are also deteriorating. They are obsolete. For the transmission companies, the lines were installed over 50 years ago, the cables are weak, the towers are falling and people are vandalising them. Transformers are also weak.
“I have seen a transformer that was labelled (Electricity Company of Nigeria) which means that it was installed in the ’60s; it has not been replaced.”
Adelabu said the deterioration of infrastructure is a major challenge in the government’s push to provide power for Nigerians.
South Africa has issued new visa regulations for skilled foreign remote workers, Business Live reports.
The new remote work visas are applicable to foreigners earning more than R1m a year (about $53,665) who want to relocate to South Africa.
Although there has been no official statement from the country’s department of home affairs, the digital nomad visa reportedly replaces the critical skills visa.
The draft regulations signed by Aaron Motsoaled, minister of home affairs, had been published in February for the public to share feedback and comments that would shape the eventual outcome of the visa.
The deadline for submissions was set as March 29.
But some parts of the regulations required other laws to be amended before taking effect.
For instance, the digital nomad bill had proposed an income tax exemption for foreign employees working in South Africa for less than six months, and the income tax act would have to be amended to provide for the exemption to be legal.
Some South Africans said the digital nomad visa would make the country’s tech ecosystem attractive to foreign talent, while others believed an influx would lead to a rise in the cost of living, an increase in inequality, and tax leakage concerns.
Other African countries that offer remote work visas include Cape Verde, Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Namibia.