FEATURES
The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has accused Mikano International Limited of obstructing its investigation into the operations of the company.
The FCCPC is empowered by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 (FCCPA) to, among other things, promote fair business practices and safeguard the interest of
consumers.
According to a statement by Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, Acting Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, the commission obtained a search warrant on December 16th, 2022 from the Federal High Court in Abuja to execute a search on multiple generator companies.
“The Court, being satisfied that there was adequate information to show untoward behavior and business practices by certain companies requiring further investigation, issued the order.
“The Commission proceeded in the investigation and investigatory efforts including securing the order because of a high prioritization of the electricity power industry both from a primary/substantive production, and alternative power sources standpoints. Power, and the cost thereof being vital and critical to businesses, and households, particularly small businesses and vulnerable households is a major concern, and any practices in that sector that exploits or negatively affects consumers is of grave concern.
“That investigation is currently at various stages. Extensive briefings with topmost officials in government, and evidence gathering from relevant targets have also occurred.
“As part of the investigation, and to ensure compliance with the law, the Commission on March 8th, 2024 filed criminal charges against one of the targets (Mikano International Limited and Others) of investigation,”the statement read in part.
The Commission however lamented that Mikano was failing to comply with the court order and frustrating the investigation.
“The Charges allege violations of Sections 28(5), 33, 110 and 111 of the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) which provide and mandate companies to comply and be transparent in investigative procedures.
“The Commission is strongly committed to ensuring compliance and transparency in enforcement of the law. The Commission recognises the prevailing hardship in consumers, and business operations, and as such reiterates that compliance with the law, and lawful requests under the law are vital to economic and market stability and protection of consumers.
“The Commission will continue to enforce the law in a fair and humane manner for both consumers and businesses, but will not tolerate any action by any that weakens the regulatory framework or encourages others to violate the law as that leads to exploitation of consumers,” the statement concluded.
A civic-tech non-profit organisation, BudgIT, has accused the National Assembly of inserting 7,447 constituency projects worth N2.24 trillion in the 2024 project.
The organisation said this in a report released on Wednesday in its reaction to the allegation of budget padding made by the suspended Senator Abdul Ningi representing Bauchi Central.
In its report, BudgIT said most of the projects inserted into the budget by the National Assembly are of personal interests and have no national significance.
According to the organisation, a breakdown of the 2024 budget shows that N25.4 trillion was earmarked for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MSAs).
It said the N3.32 trillion allocation earmarked for government-owned enterprises (GOEs), the national assembly, the National Judicial Commission (NJC), the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), was excluded from the budget passed and published.
The report reads: “However, our findings show that a budget breakdown totalling N25.4tn was provided for the budgets of the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and some other agencies receiving a statutory allocation from the federal government.
“The comprehensive budget breakdown of government-owned enterprises, the National Assembly, the National Judicial Commission, the Public Complaints Commission, INEC, and TETFUND totalling N3.32tn was excluded from the budget that was passed and published.
“This does not mean the country operates two separate budgets and that there’s only one final budget known to us.”
In the report, the organisation said the 10th National Assembly continued the “ugly trend” of indiscriminate insertion of projects in the budget.
BudgIT said the members of the national assembly target some agencies and organisations for the insertion of projects.
The organisation said the federal ministry of agriculture and food security has the highest number of inserted projects, with 2,470 projects worth N632.31 billion.
It added: “A total of 7,447 projects culminating in N2.24tn were inserted in the 2024 budget by the National Assembly, an ugly trend that was accelerated in the 9th National Assembly.
“Fifty-five of the projects range with a value of N580.7bn are greater than N5bn in value. We also noticed that 281 projects worth N491bn, and 3,706 projects within the range of N100–500m, worth 759bn, as inserted into the budget.
“The National Assembly has indiscriminately added projects to the budget, with most projects having no national significance but narrowed to personal interests.”
Recall that Senator Ningi stirred controversy when he alleged during an interview last Saturday that the 2024 budget was padded by N3 trillion and that the country is operating two budgets concurrently.
During plenary on Tuesday, the allegations were debated on the floor of the Red Chamber, amid a rowdy session.
Subsequently, the Bauchi senator was suspended for three months from all legislative duties over the allegations.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu says the Federal Government, FG is addressing power deficit by using alternative energy sources, such as windfall, solar and mini-grids.
Adelabu, represented by Mr Abdulrasheed Lawal, Director Procurement, Ministry of Power said this in Abuja on Wednesday at the presentation of the proposed 30 Megawatts (MW) Windfall And Solar Hybrid Project at Lekki, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that project after necessary appraisal would be executed by Crown Resources Development Company Limited (CREDCO) in collaboration with Vergnet a French Wind Turbine Company, based in France.
He said, “We are aware that presently there is energy deficit in the country, so we are doing everything possible to address the issue by investing in alternative sources.
”We have to think out of the box to achieve energy sufficiency; we have to look at using mini-grids, solar and wind to achieve this.
”We are already doing 10MW using Windfall in Katsina and we are trying to replicate same in Lagos in order to ensure reliable and steady power supply in the country,” he said.
On his part, Mr Barney Ojiah, Chief Executive Officer of CREDCO, said that they were in the ministry of power to make a presentation on the project and to discuss how to further improve power supply for Nigerians.
He emphasised that power was important in the lives of all Nigerians no matter how it comes.
”This is a collaborative effort between the ministry of power and CREDCO on how to achieve reliable and steady power supply,”he said.
Also, Mr Frederic Cheve, Subsidiaries Manager, Africa, Vergnet while making his presentation said that the project was a renewable and innovative solution to Lagos energy need.
According to him, the project aims to harness the abundant wind and solar resources to generate clean and reliable power while mitigating the risks associated with relying on a single source of energy.
He said that the proposed capacity of the project was 20/30 megawatts wind and solar hybridised system.
Cheve, who said the project would be developed in phases, added it would have a number of significant benefits for Lagos and the country.
He listed the benefits to include improved energy security and grid stability.
”It will create green jobs and boost the local economy, reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and curtail greenhouse gas emissions.
”This project will contribute to achieving Nigeria’s national energy goals,”he said.
Cheve further said the project aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Power initiative (PPI) which aimed to add 12,000 MW of electricity to the national grid and to provide 24 hours electricity for Nigerians.
”The project is in line with the renewable energy plan that is based on Nigeria’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2060,”he said.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said some kidnappings in the territory are stage-managed.
He spoke with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, shortly after a closed-door meeting with Senators at the National Assembly.
The Senate summoned him to intimate them on the arrangements to nip in the bud the deteriorating security situation in the FCT.
Wike said it was impossible to put a total stop to crime and criminalities within any society, but assured that he would work with the security agencies, for improved security and infrastructure in the FCT.
He said, “The kidnappings you hear, sometimes, are stage-managed by people. There are some internal arrangements. Take for example, you have a housekeeper in the house, you have a driver who will plot to kidnap the child of their master. In that case, what do you want us to do?
“All we can do is to see how the person that has been kidnapped is released. But to stop it will be difficult because it’s an in-house arrangement, where a driver that is involved in bringing a child from school will mastermind the kidnapping.
” I am glad they (senators) are all happy with what we have done, what we are going to be doing and they provided some suggestions on the way forwards. What is important is what the FCT residents should expect now; improved security, more infrastructure. You can see what is going on in the FCT. It has been turned I to a construction site.”
The largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, stated that it restricted 281 accounts belonging to Nigerians in 2022 due to money laundering concerns.
The exchange said it also collaborated with the Federal Government to protect users from illicit activity.
This information was disclosed in a statement published on its website on Wednesday.
A few weeks ago, Binance announced its decision to stop naira-to-dollar exchange services following a fallout with Nigerian authorities, who had accused the platform of manipulating the country’s foreign exchange rate.
The exchange mentioned that its team visited Nigeria twice in the fourth quarter, conducting comprehensive law enforcement training sessions for officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
With over 30 investigators in attendance for each full-day session, Binance said it provided a detailed overview of its operations, training Nigerian law enforcement on the intricacies of exchanges in the digital asset ecosystem.
“During these sessions, various case studies were presented, including those involving suspects from Nigeria. The positive feedback received from Nigerian investigators underscored their strong desire to sustain this cooperative format, the platform noted.
“Binance’s financial crime compliance teams processed 626 information requests related to Nigeria or from local law enforcement agencies between June 2020 and February 2024.
“The Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and INTERPOL Nigeria were among the many organisations that benefited from the information we supplied in their efforts to combat crimes ranging from money laundering, kidnapping, extortion, and scams,” it said.
The exchange also conducted a three-hour online workshop for 70 EFCC officials in August 2023. The workshop’s main objectives were to interpret Binance’s operational responses and determine how best to use our help.
“We worked closely with the authorities to safeguard users from illegal activity in a well-publicised action that occurred in January 2022, restricting 281 accounts that belonged to Nigerian residents because of worries about money laundering,” it added.
The crypto exchange recognises Nigeria’s thriving fintech ecosystem, anticipating that nearly half of all investments in Africa from 2019 to 2023 will be directed to the country.
“Operating alongside established global players like Binance is deemed vital for the cohesive growth of this ecosystem, fostering a supportive environment for dynamic local startups,” the company noted.
Binance explained that collaboration with regulators and law enforcement in Nigeria would accelerate its financial technology adoption.
According to the exchange, the suggestion is to rely on top-tier partners with a proven track record of productive partnerships with both Nigerian and international authorities.
Looking ahead, Binance expressed eagerness to continue positive interactions, aiming to contribute to the prosperity of every Nigerian through ongoing collaboration and support for the nation’s fintech evolution.
A Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan, on Wednesday, dissolved the 14-year-old marriage between one John Akinwumi, a commercial driver, and his estranged wife, Toyin.
Akinwumi had pleaded with the court to put an end to his 14-year-old marriage with Toyin on grounds of alleged constant domestic violence and spiritual incompatibility.
He told the court, presided over by Mrs S.M. Akintayo, that his wife refused to take care of him, even when he was seriously ill.
Akinwumi said that a year after their marriage, things went so rough for him, while his wife suddenly changed, adding that they were always fighting as a result of the absence of love and affection.
He said that this was in spite of his estranged wife’s relatives assisting him to start a transport business.
Akinwumi, therefore, prayed the court to dissolve his marriage to the wife, as it was no longer working.
”My lord, all I need now is separation because the marriage is not working.
”I was okay before I met her, but it’s like we are not meant to be together,” he told the court.
Akinwumi, however, promised to give the two children, who are still staying with their mother, N25,000 as their monthly feeding allowance.
However, the respondent opposed the prayer for separation, adding that she still loved her husband.
She, was, however, silent on most of the allegations levelled against her.
”My lord, I still love Akinwumi. There is no reason for him to abandon me at this time.
”For almost a year now, he had left the children and me in penury.
”Akinwumi has not been catering for the children regularly, and the children are girls who need more attention,” she said.
Delivering judgment, Akintayo held that there was a valid traditional marriage between Akinwumi and Toyin due to the payment of bride price.
She said that there was nothing anyone could do since the petitioner said that he was no longer in love with the respondent.
Akintayo, therefore, pronounced the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent dissolved, while he ordered the duo to maintain peace.
He also granted the order restraining Toyin from harassing, threatening, and interfering with the personal life of the petitioner. (NAN)
Paul Alexander, a polio survivor known as the “man in the iron lung” has died aged 78, according to his family and a fundraising website.
Paul Alexander of Dallas, Texas contracted polio at the age of six. It left him paralyzed from the neck down and reliant on a mechanical respirator to breathe for much of the time.
Although often confined to his submarine-like cylinder, he excelled in his studies. Iron Lung Polio Paul Alexander earned a law degree, worked in the legal field and wrote a book.
“With a heavy heart I need to say my brother passed last night,” Philip Alexander posted on Facebook early Wednesday.
“It was an honor to be part of someone’s life who was as admired as he was.”
Christopher Ulmer, a disability advocate running a fundraiser for Alexander, also confirmed his death in a GoFundMe update posted on Tuesday.
“His story travelled wide and far, positively influencing people around the world. Paul was an incredible role model that will continue to be remembered,” said Ulmer.
A prior update on Alexander’s official TikTok account said he had been rushed to the emergency room after contracting COVID-19.
Iron lungs, the type Paul Alexander used, are sealed chambers fitted with pumps. Raising and lowering the pressure inside the chamber expands and contracts the patient’s lungs.
Invented in the 1920s, their use fell away after the invention of the polio vaccine by Jonas Salk. This became widely available in 1955 and helped consign the devastating paralytic illness to history.
Alexander held the official Guinness World Record for time spent in a lung.
According to his Guinness page, he was able to leave the device for periods of time. He could do this after he learned to “frog breathe” with the help of a physical therapist.
This involved “using his throat muscles to force air into his lungs, gulping down air one mouthful at a time.” Eventually, he only returned to his iron lung at night to sleep.
As a practicing lawyer, Iron Lung Polio Paul Alexander was able to represent clients in court in a special wheelchair that held his paralyzed body upright.
In 2020, he published his memoir, “Three Minutes for a Dog: My Life in an Iron Lung,” which took five years to complete, given that he wrote the manuscript while confined to the cumbersome contraption.
Iron Lung Polio Paul Alexander used a pen attached to a stick held in his mouth to write every word of the tome.
Seventy-five-year-old Martha Lillard of Shawnee, Oklahoma is reportedly the last surviving person in an iron lung
No Rule Permits Hisbah Police To Arrest Non-Muslims For Eating In Public During Ramadan – Bashir Ahmad
AFOLABI
Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, argues no rule in Islam prohibits non-Muslims from eating in public during the Ramadan fast.
In reaction to reports alleging that the Hisbah police warned non-muslims against eating in public during Ramadan, Ahmad further clarified that not eating in public during Ramadan fast could only be seen as a gesture of goodwill and respect.
Naija News reports that the former presidential aide further disclosed that Islam preaches respect and consideration for the beliefs of non-Muslims.
“It is important to note that no rule in Islam prohibits non-Muslims from eating in public during Ramadan. In fact, respect and consideration for others’ beliefs are highly valued in our religion. While non-Muslims living in a Muslim-majority community are NOT expected to fast during Ramadan, it is seen as a gesture of goodwill and respect for them to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours. This is simply out of consideration for the fasting Muslims around them, but it is not compulsory,” he wrote in a post on his official X account.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate re-opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with neighbouring Niger Republic.
According to a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu also directed the immediate lifting of other sanctions against the country.
The statement further explained that the President’s directives were in compliance with the resolution of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during its last extraordinary meeting in Abuja.
He said: “President Bola Tinubu has directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.
“This directive is in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.
“ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
“The President has directed that the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted immediately: Closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.
“Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as a freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.
“Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks.
“Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD. Travel bans on government officials and their family members.”
President Tinubu has also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.
Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has claimed that the attack on the North is being orchestrated by forces within and outside the country.
He stated this while reacting to the abduction of 61 people in Buda village, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Tuesday.
Fani Kayode condemned the act, describing it as cowardly, condemnable and despicable.
He wondered who had decided to inflict Kaduna State and its people with troubles through the kidnap of their indigenes.
Speaking via his X account, Fani-Kayode wrote, “The attack and kidnapping of another 61 people in Buda Village, Kajuru Local Government, Kaduna State in the early hours of Tuesday is yet another cowardly, despicable and condemnable act.
“Four days ago, I wrote that this whole nightmare was being orchestrated by some dark and sinister forces from within and outside our country and that for our nation to have experienced 3 mass kidnappings and abductions of women and school children in the space of one week in three separate states in the North (namely Borno, Kaduna and Sokoto) was NO coincidence.
“Tuesday morning’s dastardly act makes it the fourth!
“Who is targeting the North and by extension Nigeria for destruction and who has decided to afflict the beautiful state of Kaduna and trouble its people and hardworking and diligent Governor just after he has established a bridge of peace, love and unity between Christians and Muslims in the state?
“Who seeks to rob us of our peace, who hates our people so much, who is trying to bring us to our knees and who wishes such ill for Nigeria?
“In the fullness of time, all these questions will be answered and those behind this great evil will be exposed and brought to justice.
“Once again my heart goes out to @ubasanius and the people of Kaduna state and I join millions of others in praying for them and boldly proclaiming that we shall overcome.”
More...
Tobechukwu, the son of Nollywood actress, Omoni Oboli, has tied the knot with his partner.
Naija News recalls that the movie star in January announced the engagement of his son via her Instagram page, alongside photos of the proposal.
Omoni Oboli took to her Instagram page on Wednesday to share a photo of the wedding ceremony, stating that they had the most beautiful wedding with close family and friends.
She captioned the photo, “God did!!! It was a cold winter evening but it was very warm in our hearts We had the most beautiful wedding ever with close family and friends. Still reeling from the beauty of that day Thank you Jesus ❤️
Presenting the latest Mr and Mrs Oboli
“Welcome to our world @marelleoboli love you so much my baby girl PS: Thank you @wannebaybee for hooking me up with @pearls_bridals for my beautiful dress and @onyix_craft for my auto gèle and accessories more pictures and videos loading”
The Kano State Hisbah Board’s Department of Public Enlightenment has arrested 11 Muslims for eating during daylight hours, a time when fasting is obligatory for all adult Muslims.
The arrests were made on Tuesday, as confirmed by Hisbah spokesman Lawal Fagge to the BBC.
The group consisted of 10 men and one woman, caught eating across different parts of the city, notably near bustling marketplaces.
The Hisbah Board, a religious police force in Kano State, Nigeria, enforces Sharia law among Muslims. The arrested individuals, including a woman selling and consuming groundnuts from her own stock, were reportedly released after they committed to abstain from eating during fasting hours for the remainder of Ramadan.
They were required to swear an oath to this effect, with some also needing their relatives or guardians to vouch for their future compliance.
This crackdown follows the announcement by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, marking Monday, March 11, 2024, as the commencement of the 1445AH Ramadan.
During this period, Muslims are expected to fast from dawn until sunset, refraining from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations, among other prohibitions, to purify the soul and practice self-discipline as ordained in the Holy Quran.
Fagge emphasized that the board’s operations are targeted exclusively at Muslims, with non-Muslims exempt from these restrictions.
However, he issued a warning against non-Muslims selling food to those who are fasting, indicating that such actions would be deemed offensive.
A yet-to-be-identified woman residing in the Gbagada area of Lagos State reportedly met a tragic end after being fatally stabbed by her househelp.
Naija News reports that the househelp, identified only as Peter, is currently on the run, with the timing of the murderous act still unclear.
The sombre revelation came to light on Saturday, March 9, 2024, when the deceased’s son, visiting his mother, stumbled upon the harrowing scene.
According to reports from Vanguard, he found his mother’s lifeless body on the staircase, a sight marred by blood, signalling a violent struggle.
Reports detailed that the building was securely locked, indicating an absence of occupants after the incident. It was revealed that the victim lived alone, and the property also hosted three shops at the front.
A local, preferring to remain anonymous, detailed the chilling moment the woman’s son encountered the tragedy, highlighting the discovery of a long piece of wood nearby, suspected to be the murder weapon. Indications suggest that the murder might have occurred several days prior to the discovery, given the condition of the victim’s body.
Further investigations revealed that Peter, the accused househelp, had only been employed for a week before the incident. This raises questions about the vetting process and the safety of in-home workers. A relative of the agent responsible for Peter’s employment has been detained, and the agents themselves are currently evading authorities.
The aftermath of the discovery saw the involvement of the Ifako Police Division, who promptly evacuated the victim’s body from the scene. Efforts to garner statements from the devastated son were unsuccessful, as he was understandably overwhelmed by grief.
Divisional Police Officer, DPO Owolabi Sefunmi, of the Ifako Police Division, directed inquiries to the Lagos State Police Command for further comments. The Lagos State Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the suspect had been apprehended and is now in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCIID, Panti, ensuring that justice is pursued rigorously.
The Lagos State Police Command has debunked a report alleging that Afro singer Ibrahim Owodunni, aka Primeboy, was re-arrested over the death of his colleague, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
Reports had earlier emerged indicating that Primeboy was re-arrested on Tuesday during his visit to the State Criminal Investigation Department at Panti, Yaba.
DAILY POST reports that Primeboy, who was earlier arrested following the controversy surrounding Mohbad’s death a few months ago, has been visiting the SCID every week since the commencement of the investigation.
A report which went viral on Tuesday alleged that he was re-arrested and detained by the Lagos police command during his Tuesday visit.
However, when contacted on Wednesday, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, described the report as false.
He told DAILY POST that the singer was allowed to go home on Tuesday to report back on Wednesday (today).
In a chat with our correspondent, the PPRO simply said the report is “False. He was allowed to go home and report back today.”