The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is set to take enforcement measures against Starlink over its recent decision to increase the price for its subscription packages.
According to the NCC in a statement on Tuesday, Starlink did not receive approval from the commission before announcing the price increase.
The NCC Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, said the organization filed a request seeking approval for the upward increase in its subscription price but the commission was yet to respond before Starlink announced the increase.
Muoka said the action of Starlink contradicts Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, and the NCC would take appropriate measures against the organization.
“The decision by Starlink to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
“We were surprised that the company jumped the gun by announcing price changes after filing a request to the Commission seeking approval for price adjustment for which the Commission was yet to communicate a decision.
“The action of the company appears to be a contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, and Starlink’s Licence Conditions regarding tariffs.
“The Commission will, therefore, take appropriate enforcement measures against any action by a licensee that is capable of eroding the regulatory stability of the telecommunications industry,” the NCC statement reads.
Naija News reports that about a week ago, Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, announced a significant price increase for Nigerian users, citing rising inflation.
The monthly subscription fee rose by 97 per cent, from ₦38,000 to ₦75,000, effective immediately for new customers, the service provider posted on its website.
It also announced that new users will also face a higher cost for the Starlink kit (hardware for installation), which will now be priced at ₦590,000, a 34 per cent increase from the previous price of ₦440,000.
The crisis in Rivers State snowballed into violence on Monday leading to the killing of a brother to Edison Ehie, Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s Chief of Staff, the father of a newly elected councillor, and about three others.
Also, three local government secretariats were torched by suspected thugs shortly after the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, withdrew the policemen guarding the council premises.
Suspected political thugs torched Ikwere Local Government while an explosion rocked the Eleme council secretariat.
Rival groups also attempted to take over Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni councils.
The development disrupted the planned resumption of the 23 newly elected local government chairmen and the swearing-in of 314 councillors.
Emohua Local Government Area was reportedly taken over by members of the Peoples Democratic Party opposed to the council poll which was held on Saturday.
The PDP and the All Progressives Congress had on Sunday rejected the conduct and outcome of the local government election, stating that no election was held in Rivers State on Saturday.
The Rivers State PDP loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described the poll as an exercise in futility, vowing to challenge it in court.
Despite the opposition to the poll, Fubara swore in the newly elected council chairmen at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House in Port Harcourt, on Sunday.
The council election was won by Fubara’s allies in the Action Peoples Party which secured 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance candidate won one seat.
The APP also won 314 out of the 319 councillorship seats in the 23 LGAs in the state.
The new Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Bala Mustapha, who withdrew the policemen guarding the secretariats on Monday, explained that it was in compliance with the IG’s directives.
The police had sealed the 23 LGA headquarters in July following the crisis that greeted the attempted tenure elongation of the former LGA chairmen in the state.
The command said the decision was in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
The police in a statement said, “In view of the recent political developments in Rivers State, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha hereby convey the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the Local Government Secretariats in the state.
“This decision is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
“Consequently, the IGP has ordered the unsealing of the Local Government Secretariats, which were earlier secured by police personnel.
“The police will only be redeployed to these locations in the event of any crisis or breakdown of law and order, in which case emergency measures will be swiftly implemented to restore normalcy.’’
But a few hours after the elected LG chairmen attempted to enter the secretariats to swear in their councillors, gunshots and violence broke out in some areas.
In Ahoada East Local Government Area, as the chairman and his councillors tried to access the secretariat, loud gunshots rent the air.
As a violent protest erupted in front of the council, a detachment of policemen was deployed to quell the situation which later got out of hand.
The policemen were forced to fire several gunshots into the air to disperse the crowd, and soldiers arrived at the scene and allegedly took over the secretariat.
During the melee, a relative of the Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Edison Ehie, was reportedly shot dead.
The state Secretary of the Inter-State Party Advisory Council, Benjamin Ogbobula, confirmed the incident.
He condemned the torching of several council secretariats in the state.
Ogbobula, who spoke on a news programme aired Nigeria Info, Port Harcourt, monitored by our correspondent on Monday, called on security agencies in the state and the National Security Adviser to take urgent action to contain the political situation before it gets out of hand.
He stated, “What I know about Ahoada East, is they shot the junior brother to the Chief of Staff, Government House. I condemn the dastardly act in its entirety.
‘’They don’t have the right to take life and the burning of the local government is not a welcome development. They are taking us back. We must forge ahead.
Ogbobula, who is also the Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party in the state, said Fubara was right to have sworn in the elected LG chairmen.
At the Obio/Akpor council secretariat, scores of youths were spotted wielding machetes, bottles and sticks.
The youths later clashed with another group at the council secretariat while gunshots rang out shortly after the Chairman of the local government, Chijioke Ihunwo, inaugurated the newly elected councillors.
It was also gathered that friends and well-wishers who came to grace the inauguration ran for their lives.
Some scaled the fence of the secretariat for safety, while others ran for their lives through the back gate.
In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, a similar protest took place as some youths blocked the entrance of the council headquarters in an attempt to stop the new local government chairman from entering the premises.
One of the protesters cited the amendment of the Local Government Law by the Martin Amaewhule-led state House of Assembly which extended the tenure of the former LG chairman by six months due to the alleged failure of Fubara to conduct the council elections then.
The unidentified man said, “When the governor was unable to constitute or empower RSIEC to conduct local government election, the House of Assembly considered it that a vacuum cannot exist and thereby extended the tenure of the local government chairmen by six months. The six months is still running, and the governor woke up from his slumber to do a Kangaroo election.”
Online videos showed some youths destroying plastic chairs outside the secretariat even as they afterwards forced their way into the premises after unlocking the gate.
In Eleme LGA, a section of the council secretariat was set ablaze with substances suspected to be dynamites.
This occurred before the local government chairman, Brian Gokpa, arrived at the secretariat with his councillors and supporters.
It was gathered that some properties were looted before the hoodlums torched the building but the fire was extinguished by the chairman’s supporters before the officials of the fire service arrived.
However, offices, windows, doors, and stationery were destroyed by the fire.
Gokpa assured that the incident would not affect the discharge of his constitutional duties to the people of the area.
He stated, “On reaching here this morning we found the secretariat being torched by hoodlums who don’t mean well for Eleme people. This act was carried out around 8am-8:30am.
“It was looted first before it was set ablaze. If you go around now you won’t find anything. The furniture, fridge, air conditioners, everything in the offices were looted.
‘’We are going to start from scratch. It is a very difficult situation. However, since we are ready for leadership we will ensure that we start on a new note.”
In Khana Local Government Area, a man said to be the father of one of the newly elected councilors, was hit by a bullet fired by some hoodlums who shot sporadically near the Rectors’ Lodge where the swearing-in of the councillors was about to take place in Bori, the council headquarters.
Meanwhile, the River governor’s camp has warned against the declaration of emergency rule in the state.
The Special Assistant on Electronic Media to the Rivers State Governor, Jerry Omatsogunwa, condemned the violence that erupted in the state, even as he described as wicked those calling for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.
Omatsogunwa stated, “Is that not witchcraft? That is pure witchcraft. I think four states held an election on Saturday, the same time as the Rivers State election and those people have been sworn in, nobody has called for a state of emergency in those states.
‘’So far, out of the 26 states that were running caretaker before the Supreme Court came and gave that window of three months, nobody has called for a declaration of state of emergency in those states. That is so wicked, that is so barbaric and it’s not fit for modern-day society. The wickedness of the highest order.’’
Speaking further, the media aide asked President Bola Tinubu to ignore those suggesting an emergency rule in the state.
He noted, “We have problems in some Northern states where other things are happening, yet nobody has called for a state of emergency. They gave a window for election, the state high court has said go ahead with the election, what the Federal high court did is okay, police aren’t involved in the election.’’
He further said, “You (journalists) went round to cover the election, did you see any police anywhere? And this is the most peaceful election. I can tell you the police were interlopers; they were looting and carting away materials to cause a crisis.
‘’So, as far as I’m concerned, the election went well and the people have been sworn in, there is no need to call for such wicked order to be carried out in Rivers State. Is it up to what has happened in Borno state; Is it up to what has happened in Plateau state where villages were burnt down?’’
Omatsogunwa castigated the police for allegedly failing to discharge their responsibility of protecting the people.
“And by the way, what is the duty of the police? Is their duty not to protect lives and property? The people that came to Obio/Akpor today, for instance, to shoot for over 30 minutes, did the police come out to chase them away?
‘’Is the order they gave them that they shouldn’t work in Rivers State again? If we know they’re not working, we should just devise a way to protect ourselves at the end of the day.
“If the police know that they are not working because they asked them to leave the secretariat that they unlawfully occupied, then everybody should be able to protect themselves. But I pray that the government doesn’t push people that they now decide to defend themselves.”
An activist and Convener, Ogoni Development Drive, Solomon Lenu, confirmed the incident to our reporter on the telephone, saying he escaped the scene by the whiskers.
Lenu said, “It happened right before my eyes. In fact, God in heaven said it was not my time. I escaped the shooting this morning.
“Today they wanted to swear in the councillors. I was going there with one of the councillors. As we were about to get to the Rector’s Lodge, the police told us to just wait.
“Within one minute, there was sporadic shooting all over the corner, everywhere. They came from the bushes and started shooting everywhere. Unfortunately, the father of one of the councillors, who also came got shot and died on the spot and other people were injured.”
Commenting on the development in the state, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, noted that his Rivers State counterpart had proven himself a true democrat.
Mohammed said Fubara against all odds pushed through with his decisions and actions to deepen democracy.
The Bauchi State governor reportedly said this after he witnessed the swearing-in of the 23 council chairmen, according to a statement on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor, Nelson Chukwudi.
The PDP Governors’ Forum chairman affirmed Rivers as a PDP state, even though the newly sworn-in local government chairmen and councillors were elected under different political parties.
The Bauchi governor bemoaned the situation, describing it as the problem that they have found themselves both as a party and governors.
However, Mohammed said Fubara, who is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, is still a member of the PDP although other parties constituted the body of elected officers at the local government level.
He said, “Of course, he is still with us. He’s still a PDP man, and I have to come, on behalf of the governors to show solidarity with him for his very proactive democratic instincts that he developed, which is a new manifestation in the political arena in Nigeria which he had to intensify, and he has to develop strategy to be able to deliver governance, irrespective of party allegiance or party consideration.’’
Continuing, he added, “He didn’t have a structure of the party in the state for certain reasons, and he had to go out to make sure he allowed other parties to participate within the political space so that there wouldn’t be any vacuum.
“And, I think this is very auspicious, that is very creative and I am very proud of him. And I said, yes, we have lost as a party, and that is why we want to be running away from this.
“Again, he has established himself as a governor and the pride of all the governors in Nigeria.”
Mohammed pointed out why it is inadvisable to ignore a governor at the sub-national level because of the role he plays and the following he commands.
He described as unacceptable the plot to undermine the office and person of the Rivers state governor.
He added, “A governor is the chief executive, he can do anything. He can spring surprises because the Nigerian state is run by governors at the sub-national level.
“Even the Federal Government is a tenant. Nigerians live in the states and local governments, and that is why what he did today is very proactive and creative, irrespective of the fact that he knew his party would lose.’’
“And certainly, because of his deep democratic instincts, he had to allow the other parties to win, and I will just wish that those who have won will see it in their own modesty and willing to give him support because he is not doing it with any strings or asking them to do anything. Let the APP and him have that relationship so that he can govern,” he explained.
Reminiscing about a similar experience, he stated, “I had a similar situation in 2019. I governed a state where only nine PDP persons were members of the state assembly and he (Fubara) is still doing that.
“So, his political sagacity has come to a level where he has become a specimen for democratic studies in Nigeria.”
Speaking on how soon the PDP will resolve its internal crisis and achieve unity, the Bauchi governor said it may seem prolonged but quickly added that true reconciliation was in view.
‘’And that is the more reason I am here. Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. All the governors are with him, and certainly, we are taking steps to ensure reconciliation.
“Reconciliation with somebody who they had started with; the former governor of this state and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory is a must because, certainly, they have come a long way. We didn’t want to throw the baby away with the bad water.
“And certainly, the governors are with the governor (Fubara) because this is our own tradition and fraternity; at the same time, out of our political history as a party that has a history of governance.
“We are still stretching our arms of reconciliation to his mentor, to his friend and brother, and also our colleague,” he added.
Worried by the political tension in Rivers State, a former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, has advised the FCT minister to ceasefire and allow his predecessor, Fubara, to work for the people of the state.
George, who appealed in a statement in Lagos on Monday, also called on President Bola Tinubu to advise Wike to work towards ending the political tension in the state.
The PDP Board of Trustees member said this had become imperative now that the people of Rivers had boldly asserted their civic and constitutional rights by voting in Saturday’s council election.
“This is the time for the former governor of the state and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allow Gov. Siminalayi Fubara to work and deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
“This is also the time for President Bola Tinubu to advise Wike, who is one of his ministers, to allow the governor to work.
“I say this with all sense of responsibility because if this democracy is truncated, God forbid, Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief, will be the biggest loser,” George said.
According to him, all lovers of democracy are worried that the political happenings in Rivers could lead to the re-enactment of the crisis in the defunct Western Region which raged between 1962 and 1966.
He said the crisis eventually led to the first military coup of Jan. 15, 1966.
The PDP chieftain recalled how some national figures were killed and how the crisis led to a second coup on July 29, 1966, which also claimed the lives of many military officers.
“Since history is no longer taught in our schools, I want to remind the gladiators in this Rivers crisis that the January and July 1966 killings eventually led to the civil war between July 6, 1967 and Jan.15, 1970.
“Close to two million Nigerians died in the war. I am raising this alarm because what is happening in Rivers now is a cause for serious concern for everyone.
“My understanding of this man-made crisis is that there is a despotic, divisive, wicked and anti-people design to create a conflagration which may eventually consume our country.
“We all know the economic importance of Rivers to the survival of this nation. It is the gateway to the Niger Delta.
“Any threat to peace in this state will eventually lead to huge security implications, not only for Nigeria but West Africa and Africa,” he said.
According to him, it is good to have political ambition, but this ambition must not be at variance with the expectations of the people.
He said that some analysts had linked the happenings in Rivers to the 2027 elections’ calculations.
George added, “I believe it is too early to start strategising for a partisan event which is still close to 28 months away. One thing is clear: Nyesom Wike was governor of the state for eight years. He left the Government House in May last year and today, he is the FCT Minister.
“Sir Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi were governors before him. Now that Governor Fubara is the Chief Executive of the state, he should be allowed to work. Nobody stays in office forever.
“By 2027, the people of Rivers will decide, through their votes, if they want him to return to office or not. This is how political issues and ambitions are handled in civilised climes.”
He said that the way the partisan crisis was going, if not checked, might collapse Nigeria’s democracy.
“Now that council chairmen and councillors have been elected, I appeal to Nyesom Wike to please give peace a chance. Tinubu must also call Wike and tell him to allow the governor to work.
“I am appealing to Wike to please let this crisis be a thing of the past. The democracy we enjoy today, many people suffered to bring it to fruition. Some even died.
“We should not be seen to be dancing on their graves because of partisan interests. Only God knows what will happen in 2027 because He is greater, wiser and more powerful than all of us.”
He advised the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to call some judicial officers to order over conflicting court orders.
“Once again, I am appealing to Wike to look at the larger interests in this crisis. He should not allow himself to be used and dumped by the APC.
“The political storm in Rivers must disappear immediately, in the interest of all Nigerians,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, President Tinubu urged Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.
He urged political actors and their supporters to settle their differences in court, saying, “Self-help has no place in a democratic system.”
The President’s admonition follows reports of arson and vandalism of public facilities in Rivers State after last Saturday’s Local Government Council elections.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President ordered the police to guard public facilities to “Restore and maintain peace, law and order immediately.”
The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu decries violence in Rivers, directs police to provide security to local government offices.’
In response to the tension in the state, the President expressed deep concern over reports of arson and explosions in the state.
The statement read, “He urged all political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive actions. President Tinubu directed the police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately.
“While instructing law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control, he emphasised the need to ensure the security of public institutions. President Tinubu said government facilities built with public funds must be safeguarded from vandalism.
“He stressed that self-help has no place in a democratic system, especially after 25 years of continuous democracy. According to President Tinubu, the judiciary can settle all political disputes, and the outcome of this election should be no exception.”
Reacting to Tinubu’s statement on the crisis, Fubara expressed worry over President Tinubu’s mention of his name in his statement on the destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers.
Fubara said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday, “I do not have any issue with it (the President’s intervention) but I am a bit concerned when my name was only mentioned.
“The issue is very simple. It’s as simple as ABC, everyone in Nigeria, everyone in Rivers State knows where this issue is coming from. It’s not rocket science. We know what the issue is and the issue is not Fubara, it is not.
“I believe strongly that with the recent intervention of the Inspector General of Police, maybe we will have a breathing space.
“Maybe as a result of him pulling his men out of those secretariats might be one of the reasons they (hoodlums) took advantage of the situation but I will appeal that while the men are there, the elected officers should have the opportunity to do their work, at least, let them provide security for them, which was even what I was thinking of.
“I was never of the opinion that the police should pull out completely. No. When they said they were moving out, it was what allowed these miscreants to take advantage of the secretariats to destroy them.”
Governor Fubara also urged his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, to let go of any grip he desires to have over Rivers State and allow peace reign in the oil-rich state.
Asked what his message to Wike would be if they met, Fubara said, “I’ll tell him (Wike) that it has gotten to a point where he needs to let go. We need peace in this state.
“You don’t necessarily need to win all the fights; at times, you just let go for the sake of the good people of Rivers State and the love that you have always professed for the state. We need to secure the state.
“Fubara will leave tomorrow. Who knows who is going to come? It might be through him or another person but we need to secure the state.”
In a related development, the Ijaw National Congress Worldwide urged President Tinubu to pay close attention to political developments in Rivers to avert the breakdown of law and order.
INC president, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.
“Rivers is of special interest to the INC as lots of ljaw people are indigenes of the state. The INC believes that the issues we are dealing with in Rivers are far beyond political godfatherism, but that of desperation for state capture by all means and at all costs.
“The extent to which some of the dramatis personae are going with their self-seeking adventurous activities is quite worrisome as it appears that they do not care if democracy is truncated in Nigeria.
“Local government elections are not new in Nigeria. Indeed, it is a constitutional requirement that falls within the legislative purview of the states,’’ he said.
He observed that three other states- Akwa-Ibom, Benue and Jigawa conducted council polls at the same time as Rivers with less rancour.
“It bears questioning why the elections in Rivers attracted such desperation and attention to the extent that the courts and the Nigeria Police became over-interested participants in the drama,” the INC President wondered.
Okaba further said INC could not comprehend how a Federal High Court would restrain the police from performing their constitutional responsibilities.
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has charged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to let go of any grip he desires to have over the state.
Fubara stated this on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday.
According to Fubara, he does not regret conducting local government election in the state last Saturday.
The governor said he has kept all understanding he had with his predecessor to ensure peace in the state but the issue has continued to escalate.
“There is nothing I have not done on this earth for peace to reign. I can tell you the number of times I have knelt to beg that let’s allow this issue to go. I have done everything,” Fubara said.
Asked what his message to Wike would be if they meet, Fubara said, “I’ll tell him (Wike) that it has gotten to a point where he needs to let go. We need peace in this state.
“You don’t necessarily need to win all the fights; at times, you just let go for the sake of the good people of Rivers State and the love that you have always profess for the state. We need to secure the state.
“Fubara will leave tomorrow. Who knows who is going come. It might be through him or through another person but we need to secure the state.”
Fubara said all Nigerians know that he has no hand in the destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers State.
The governor noted that he sounded the alarm on Sunday evening when he swore in 23 newly elected LG chairpersons in the state that some aggrieved political actors had mobilised to destabilise the peace of the state on Monday.
Some residents of Bauchi have resorted to trekking as part of survival strategies to cope with the rising cost of living triggered by petrol price hikes.
Workers, traders, and students resorted to trekking for their daily errands as they could not afford the exorbitant transport fares.
The situation was further compounded by the scarcity of commercial vehicles plying the roads in the metropolis.
Servicing stations dispensed petrol between N1,060 and N1,200 per litre, while the product sold at N1,400 per litre at the black market outlets.
Mohammed Saleh, a resident, said the hike in pump prices forced cabs, tricycles and motorcycle riders to increase transport fares by about 300 per cent.
He said the surge in transport fares had forced many residents to embrace trekking or adopt other survival strategies.
“A trip that previously cost N100 now goes for N400. We have no choice but to trek to our places of work and businesses.
“The hike in fuel prices has made transportation costly. Sadly, our salaries can’t keep up,” Mr Saleh said.
A commercial motorcycle operator, Audu Bakoji, said he was not making good sales now due to low patronage of their services.
“People are not patronising us; we’re operating at a loss,” said Mr Audu. “Petrol now costs between N1,060 and N1,200 per litre. Most passengers can’t afford trips, leaving us without customer.”
Corroborating Mr Bakoji, a bus driver, Musa Yakubu, called for urgent measures to address the problem and improve the well-being of the people.
“We urge the government to find a lasting solution to the fuel price crisis. We can’t continue like this. Our livelihood depends on it,” he said.
Aisha Mohammed, a petty trader, said the petrol price hike has not only crippled transportation but also taken a toll on residents’ health due to the long trek.
“Trekking long distances has become the norm; we’re exhausted. And my sales dropped significantly,” she said.
Commenting, Rabiu Baba, chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketing Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), attributed the disparity in petrol pricing to the high cost of transportation.
“The price of petroleum commodities is determined by the transportation cost to your destination,” he said.
(NAN)
The police command in Lagos state says it has detained a commercial sex worker, Joy Kelvin, for allegedly stabbing a client, simply identified as Okafor, 48, to death.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to journalists on Monday in Lagos.
He said that the incident happened on Monday at 5:32 a.m. at Jakande Housing Estate, in the Lekki area of the state.
Mr Hundeyin said that the murder case was reported at the Ilasan Division by a friend of the deceased.
“A complainant reported that he got a call from one of his friends that Okafor was stabbed in his house by one Joy Kelvin, a prostitute he brought to his house overnight.
“He stated further that the victim was rushed to the General Hospital, Marina where he was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty,” he said.
The image maker said that the police stormed the scene and arrested the suspect.
“On the receipt of the report, the scene was promptly visited by detectives of the division and the suspect was apprehended.
“The corpse has been evacuated and deposited at General Hospital Mortuary, Yaba for preservation and autopsy,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Hundeyin said that efforts were on to locate the family member of the deceased.
According to him, investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.
(NAN)
The federal government has approved the construction of an airstrip in Canaanland, the headquarters of the Living Faith Church Worldwide popularly known as Winners Chapel, in Ota, Ogun state.
Naija News reports that the General Overseer of the church, David Oyedepo announced this to members of his congregation at his church’s Tehillah Night Special Edition in Canaanland, Otta, Ogun State.
Oyedepo explained that the airstrip is meant to improve transportation for worshippers and visitors, particularly during large events such as Shiloh as they can now move to anywhere from his church premises without having to get to the airport first.
The members would now be able to land and park their aircraft at Canaanland.
The founder of the church also revealed that the project will be privately funded by the church, highlighting its commitment to self-reliance and infrastructure development.
Although the exact timeline for construction has not been specified, the church leadership has assured that it will be carried out swiftly and in accordance with all necessary aviation standards.
Japa: ‘Ask God Before You Pack Your Bags’ – Oyedepo
Meanwhile, Oyedepo, has advised youths to follow God’s plans.
David Oyedepo urged youths not to make decisions without God. He said only God can lead anyone to stardom in one’s career and not otherwise.
“Don’t pack your bag and ask God if you should go. Don’t tempt God. Asked God for his plan because his plan is already blessed,” Oyedepo said.
He explained that knowing the plan of God requires one to “separate yourselves to a quiet place to hear God“
“You need an ornament of a quiet and meek spirit to hear God speak. One must be in the spirit to hear the voice of the spirit, and one must be spiritual to embrace the voice of the spirit,” he emphasized.
The Living Faith General Overseer said at the church’s Annual Youths Alive Convention, AYAC2024, on Saturday.
“Access to the voice of God is what takes you to stardom. We are where we are today as a church by following the voice of the spirit.
“Staying where God says you should stay and doing what God says you should do is what guarantees your stardom.
“The voice of the Lord is in the Bible, and following what God says makes you a frontline in your chosen career. But you need an open ear to hear what God is saying. The voice of God guarantees supernatural victory and supernatural favour.
“It allays all fears. If you hear from God, you become fearless and unstoppable. God’s voice instills supernatural confidence.
“The reason you shake is because you didn’t hear from God. You can’t hear from God and lack confidence,” Oyedepo told the church youths.
Fubara vs Wike: ‘You Will Be The Biggest Loser If Democracy Is Truncated’ – Bode George Tells Tinubu
AFOLABI
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has urged President Bola Tinubu to call the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to order over the lingering political crisis in Rivers State.
Recall that Wike, the immediate past governor of the oil-rich state, has been locked in a political battle with his successor, Sim Fubara, over control of the state.
Also, there has been tension in Rivers State after Saturday’s Local Government Areas election, where Action People’s Party (APP) swept the polls in 22 of the 23 local governments.
Naija News reports that Bode George, in a statement on Monday, raised concerns over recent political developments in Rivers State, warning that if not addressed, they could lead to a crisis with far-reaching security implications for Nigeria, West Africa, and Africa at large.
The PDP chieftain asked Tinubu to prevail on Wike to allow Governor Fubara to work and deliver dividends of democracy to the residents of the state.
Bode George added that President Tinubu would be the biggest loser if democracy in Rivers State gets truncated.
He said, “Now that people of Rivers State have boldly asserted their civic and constitutional rights by coming out to vote in the Local Government election on Saturday, this is the time for former governor of the state and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara work and deliver dividend of democracy to the people.
“This is also the time for President Bola Tinubu to advise Wike, who is one of his ministers, to allow the governor to work.
“I say this with all sense of responsibility because if this democracy is truncated, God forbid, Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief, will be the biggest loser.
“All lovers of democracy will agree with me that political happenings in this oil-bearing state in the last few months, if allowed to continue, can lead to a re-enactment of the crisis in the defunct Western Region between 1962 and 1966 which eventually led to the first military coup of January 15, 1966. Many of our national figures were killed and events of that day led to a second coup on July 29, 1966 when scores of military officers were killed.
“Since history is no longer taught in our schools, I want to remind the gladiators in this Rivers crisis that the January and July 1966 killings eventually led to the civil war between July 6, 1967 and January 15, 1970. Close to two million Nigerians died in the war.
“I am raising this alarm because what is happening in Rivers now is a cause for serious concern for everyone.
“My understanding of this man-made crisis is that there is a despotic, divisive, wicked and anti-people design to create a conflagration which may eventually consume our country.
“We all know the economic importance of Rivers to the survival of this nation. It is the gateway to the Niger Delta.
“Any threat to peace in this state will eventually lead to huge security implications, not only for Nigeria but West Africa and Africa. It is good to have political ambition, to be the alpha and omega in a partisan setting but this ambition must not be at variance with the expectations of the people.”
Nigerian superstar singer, Wizkid has performed at 23rd birthday party of Arsenal winger, Bukayo Saka.
Recall that Saka celebrated his birthday on September 5 on Saturday after Arsenal's 3-1 win over Southampton in the Premier League.
It was gathered that the England international rented out a Mayfair restaurant, had some of the world’s biggest rappers perform.
Saka danced with girlfriend Tolami Benson who wore an all-white off the shoulder dress, whilst a saxophonist played for the group.
British rapper Dave, 26, a long-standing friend of Saka’s, performed an exclusive set featuring one of his most well songs, Location.
Singer Wizkid, 34, was also in attendance to perform and celebrate the special evening with the Arsenal and England winger.
Manchester City Football Club has won its legal battle with the Premier League over the Associated Party Transaction rules.
Reacting in a statement on Monday following the favourable ruling, Manchester City expressed gratitude to the members of the Arbitral Tribunal for their work and considerations and welcomed the findings.
“The club has succeeded with its claim: the Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules have been found to be unlawful, and the Premier League’s decisions on two specific MCFC sponsorship transactions have been set aside.
“The tribunal found that both the original APT rules and the current (amended) APT rules violate UK competition law and the requirements of procedural fairness,” the statement said.
The tribunal criticised the Premier League for its application of the APT rules, stating that the rules were structurally unfair and that the league was specifically unjust in how it applied those rules to the club in practice.
This resulted in specific decisions by the Premier League regarding Manchester City’s sponsorship transactions being set aside.
The tribunal also found that the rules were discriminatory in how they operated because they deliberately excluded shareholder loans.
The statement added, “As well as these general findings on legality, the tribunal has set aside specific decisions of the Premier League to restate the fair market value of two transactions entered into by the club.
“The tribunal held that the Premier League had reached its decisions in a procedurally unfair manner.
“The tribunal also ruled that there was an unreasonable delay in the Premier League’s fair market value assessment of two of the club’s sponsorship transactions, and so the Premier League breached its own rules.”
Despite $2bn Investment, Port Harcourt Refinery Yet to Function – APC Youths Slam Kyari-Led NNPCL
AFOLABI
Members of the All Progressives Congress under the aegis of APC Youth Solidarity Network have called for the sack of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL Boss, Mele Kyari.
The group lamented that despite the huge $2 billion invested in NNPCL, it has failed to deliver on the Port Harcourt Refinery project.
President of the group, Olayemi Isaac, who addressed journalists at a press conference on Monday alleged that the refusal to fix the refinery was a plot by some individuals to “sustain fuel subsidies, import blended fuel, and siphon taxpayers’ money”.
The party group also demanded an immediate investigation and probe into the activities of the NNPCL boss, Mele Kyari and other individuals involved in the Port Harcourt Refineries Project management.
The group called on the President Bola Tinubu-led government to restructure the NNPCL and make it more transparent and accountable to ensure consequences for corruption, and an end to fuel subsidies.
“We demand the immediate investigation and probe into the missing $2 billion that was purportedly spent on the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refineries, a project that has failed to come alive.
“Despite multiple attempts, multiple rounds of funding, and numerous promises from officials, the Port Harcourt Refineries remain non-operational. This is not only a failure in leadership, but a deliberate sabotage of the Nigerian economy and the welfare of its citizens.
“To date, Nigeria has four state-owned refineries located in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri. However, these refineries have been non-functional for years, even though billions of naira have been spent on their maintenance.
“More troubling is the fact that every time we are told that the refineries will be repaired and functional, they fail to come to life.
“The Port Harcourt Refineries alone have been announced to undergo rehabilitation several times, but they remain in a state of dormancy”, Olayemi said.
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Powerful criminal networks in Southeast Asia extensively use the messaging app Telegram which has enabled a fundamental change in the way organised crime can conduct large-scale illicit activity, the United Nations said in a report on Monday.
The report represents the latest allegations to be levied against the controversial encrypted app since France, using a tough new law with no international equivalent, charged its boss Pavel Durov for allowing criminal activity on the platform.
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Hacked data including credit card details, passwords and browser history are openly traded on a vast scale on the app which has sprawling channels with little moderation, the report by the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said.
Tools used for cybercrime, including so-called deepfake software designed for fraud, and data-stealing malware are also widely sold, while unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges offer money laundering services, according to the report.
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"We move 3 million USDT stolen from overseas per day," the report quoted one ad as saying in Chinese.
There is "strong evidence of underground data markets moving to Telegram and vendors actively looking to target transnational organized crime groups based in Southeast Asia," the report said.
Southeast Asia has emerged as a major hub for a multibillion-dollar industry that targets victims across the world with fraudulent schemes. Many are Chinese syndicates that operate from fortified compounds staffed by trafficked workers. The industry generates between $27.4 billion to $36.5 billion annually, UNODC said.
Russian-born Durov was arrested in Paris in August and charged with allowing criminal activity on the platform including the spread of sexual images of children. The move has put the spotlight on the criminal liability of app providers and also triggered debate on where freedom of speech ends and enforcement of the law begins.
Telegram, which has close to 1 billion users, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Following his arrest, Durov, who is currently out on bail, said the app would hand over users' IP addresses and phone numbers to authorities making legal requests. He also said the app would remove some features that have been abused for illegal activity.
Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC's deputy representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said the app was an easily navigable environment for criminals.
"For consumers, this means their data is at a higher risk of being fed into scams or other criminal activity than ever before," he told Reuters.
The report said the sheer scale of the profits earned by criminal groups in the region had required them to innovate, adding they had integrated new business models and technologies including malware, generative artificial intelligence and deepfakes into their operations.
UNODC said it had identified more than 10 deepfake software service providers "specifically targeting criminal groups involved in cyberenabled fraud in Southeast Asia".
Elsewhere in Asia, police in South Korea - estimated to be the country most targeted by deepfake pornography - have reportedly launched an investigation into Telegram that will look at whether it abets online sex crimes.
Reuters also reported last month that a hacker had used chatbots on Telegram to leak the data of top Indian insurer Star Health, prompting the insurer to sue the platform.
Using the chatbots, Reuters was able to download policy and claims documents featuring names, phone numbers, addresses, tax details, copies of ID cards, test results and medical diagnoses.
[Reuters]
Oil prices continued to rise on Monday, with Brent approaching the $80 mark, building on last week’s sharpest increase since early 2023.
The gains were fueled by concerns over a potential escalation in Middle East tensions and possible disruptions to exports from this key oil-producing region.
Brent crude futures increased by $1.09, or 1.4%, reaching $79.14 per barrel as of 1316 GMT.
Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed $1.15, or 1.55%, to $75.53 per barrel, after earlier rising by more than $2.
Brent crude surged over 8% last week, while WTI jumped 9.1% amid concerns that Israel might target Iranian oil facilities following Iran’s October 1 missile attack. Tensions escalated on Monday as rockets from Iran-backed Hezbollah struck Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city.
Meanwhile, Israel appeared ready to intensify ground operations in southern Lebanon, coinciding with the first anniversary of the Gaza war, which has further fueled conflict across the Middle East. This situation has heightened fears of a broader war potentially involving the United States and Iran, Israel’s ally and adversary, respectively.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, including Russia, known as OPEC+, plan to increase production starting in December, following recent cuts aimed at supporting prices amid weak global demand.
While OPEC+ holds sufficient spare capacity to counterbalance any disruptions to Iranian supply, analysts warn that it could face challenges if Iran retaliates by targeting oil infrastructure in neighboring Gulf nations. At the onset of the Middle East conflict a year ago, Brent crude was trading at $88.15 per barrel.
Impact on the Naira
The rise in oil prices to almost $80 could further strengthen the fiscal position since it is above the budget benchmark oil price in the 2024 budget. It could also strengthen the Naira after recent depreciations in the past few months. The naira has hovered around N1540/$ on the official market and weaker on the parallel market.
Last month, Brent crude oil futures dipped below $70 per barrel for the first time since December 2021, signaling a new decline driven by robust supply, demand concerns, and extensive speculative selling.
The global benchmark slid by 2.8%. However, disruptions in U.S. supply caused by Tropical Storm Francine offered some support to prices. Brent futures declined by 48 cents, or 0.67%, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped 42 cents, or 0.6%, to $68.29 per barrel. Both benchmarks saw gains of about 1% on Monday.
[Nairametrics]
ASUU highlighted a significant change since the tenure of former CBN Governor and current Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
The union claimed that despite available funds earmarked for community development, the CBN has not undertaken any projects in tertiary institutions since 2014, when Sanusi’s term ended.
ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, shared these concerns on Inside Sources, a socio-political program on Channels Television.
Osodeke pointed out that during his time as CBN governor (2009-2014), Sanusi actively utilized the bank’s resources to fund essential university projects across Nigeria.
He said, “There are many companies today which they call cash cows; they have some reserve money for community development. CBN, NNPC and what have you.
“For a very long time that we have been having CBN governors, we never knew there was fund there that could be used in the university until the Emir of Kano, Sanusi, came in and decided to use the money the way it should be used.
“There’s no federal university today that you don’t have a project done by Sanusi regime when he was CBN governor because the fund was there. The biggest building in my university is CBN, go to the University of Abuja, CBN; go to Jos, everywhere, for the four years he was there before he was sacked but since another one came in, have you seen anything done in the university by CBN? Zero.”
Osodeke contrasted Sanusi’s contributions with those of his successors, Godwin Emefiele and the current CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, asserting that neither has continued this legacy.
According to Osodeke, if Sanusi’s approach had been maintained, infrastructure challenges in public universities could have been significantly reduced.
Highlighting what he described as “community social responsibility funds” within the CBN, Osodeke urged the current leadership to follow Sanusi’s example.
Osodeke said, “If what Sanusi did when he was CBN governor was followed by other CBN governors, we would not be talking about projects in universities but the next one came and that is the end.
“There’s a new person there now and nobody is talking about that fund again; they call it (the fund) Community Social Responsibility, it’s there.”
“So, we should ask you if the CBN governor is watching me: how did Emir Sanusi generate that money to put projects in all the federal and many state universities in this country within four years? How come Emefiele couldn’t put one anywhere? How come the present one has not even thought about that? How come all those who were there have not to do anything?
“He (Cardoso) is a year in office, has he done anything? Have you seen any project in any university?” he queried.
[NaijaNews]
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted the reduction of bail conditions for five #EndBadGovernance protesters to N5 million each.
Justice Emeka Nwite had on September 11 granted bail to all ten protesters to the tune of N100 million.
The ten defendants – Michael Adaramoye, also known as Lenin, Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nurudeen Khamis, and Abduldalam Zubair are facing six counts charges including treason, conspiracy to commit a felony, inciting mutiny, and attempting to destabilise Nigeria.
The offenses are said to be punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
The defendants are accused of attempting to force their way into the seat of power, burning down a police station, and injuring officers.
The Federal Government also claimed that the protesters incited the public against the government and destroyed public properties, including a police station, the High Court complex, and facilities belonging to the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).
LEADERSHIP recalls that five of the 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters, who were previously remanded in prison by the Federal Government, have struggled to meet the original bail conditions.
This was revealed by the counsel for the 1st, 2nd, and 4th defendants, Marshall Abubakar, who stated that some of the protesters were unable to secure a surety with landed property in Abuja, one of the bail requirements.
The Court required that the sureties must be residents of Abuja, own property in the city, and deposit their property documents with the court registrar.
Additionally, the sureties were required to swear to an affidavit of means, and both the defendants and sureties were to submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the registrar.
Justice Nwite ruled that the protesters be held in custody until the were able to meet the bail conditions.
The defense lawyers later appealed the stringent bail terms, particularly arguing that the five defendants were unable to meet the requirements.
Following their application, Justice Nwite reduced the bail sum to N25 million in total for the five protesters requesting the variation.
Each individual were required to post bail of N5 million with one surety in the same amount, who must be a close relative such as a father, mother, or another blood relative residing within the jurisdiction, if neither parent is available.
[Leadership]