Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressive Congress(APC) have announced plans to meet with the Bola Tinubu-led federal government to seek a quick solution to the hardship caused by the recent removal of fuel subsidy in the country.

The chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, revealed this after a meeting of the APC governors in Abuja on Wednesday night.

Uzodimma admitted that although the removal of fuel subsidy will result in increased federal allocation to states, the subnational governments will ensure they support the federal government to ameliorate the pains of the masses.

During the meeting, the APC Governors emphasized their commitment to addressing the current hardships caused by the fuel price increase.

They reassured citizens that the subnational governments are actively collaborating with the federal government to find effective solutions to ease the burden on the citizens.

Governor Uzodimma, while addressing newsmen after the meeting, said, “On the upcoming FAAC, we are aware that as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, it will increase the volume of money that will be received in our purses during the Federation Account meeting and we are working with the Federal Government to ensure that it is utilized in a manner that the citizens are happy and the economy of the country will be protected.

“The current hardship occasioned by the price increase is being addressed. The subnational governments are working with the Federal Government and on Thursday there will be a meeting of the National Economic Council to cross the “t” and dot the “i’s”.

“We understand the concerns of Nigerians regarding the removal of fuel subsidy, and we are working diligently to ensure that the impact on the people is minimized. The increase in revenue from the removal of the subsidy will be used responsibly to benefit our citizens and protect the nation’s economy.”

The governors also addressed the recent developments within the APC, clarified that there is no crisis in the party despite the recent resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, and Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

The governors reiterated that the APC remains united and focused on delivering meaningful progress to the citizens.

They appreciated the former National Chairman and Secretary, recognizing their contributions to the party’s growth and development.

The governors will be meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the National Economic Council meeting chaired by him, where they will further discuss strategies and initiatives to support Nigerians during the challenging times.

They assured that the welfare of the people remains their top priority, and every effort will be made to ensure that the impact of the subsidy removal is managed in a way that benefits all Nigerians.

The governors also encouraged citizens to remain patient and assured them that the palliative measures being developed in partnership with the Federal Government would soon come into effect.

They hoped that the measures would alleviate the financial strains caused by the subsidy removal and foster economic stability and growth across the nation.

The meeting hosted by Imo State governor had in attendance, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state; Umar Bago (Niger); Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi); Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara); Acting Ondo state Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa; Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Uba Sani (Kaduna); Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Mai Mala Buni (Yobe) and Dikko Radda (Katsina) and Bassey Otu (Cross Rivers).

Following her suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for missing drug tests, Oluwatobiloba Amusan has vowed to challenge and resolve the charges against her before next month’s World Athletics Championship in Budapest.

According to Amusan, she is a clean athlete and regularly tested by the AIU.

The 26-year-old is looking to defend her title at next month’s World Athletics Championship in Budapest.

Recall Amusan revealed in the early hours of Wednesday that she had been charged with an alleged rule violation for missing three drug tests in the span of 12 months.

She wrote on her Instagram handle.: “Today the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has charged me with an alleged rule violation for having 3 missed tests in 12 months.

“I am a CLEAN athlete, and I am regularly (maybe more than usual) tested by the AIU,” she wrote, in referencing the Athletics Integrity Unit, which oversees doping issues in international track and is the agency that charged her with the violation.

She said, “Today the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has charged me with an alleged rule violation for having 3 missed tests in 12 months.

“I intend to fight this charge and will have my case decided by a tribunal of 3 arbitrators before the start of next month’s World Championships.”

According to the AIU, an athlete who misses tests within a period of 12 months is guilty of anti-doping rule violation, and the penalty includes suspension for two years, which may be reduced to a minimum of one year depending on the degree of fault.

Missing three doping tests can result in a two-year ban, though exceptions can be made for different circumstances.

Amusan enjoyed a superb run of form and set the current world record for the women’s 100m hurdles of 12.12 seconds at last year’s World Athletics Championships in Oregon and a World title that followed in a record time of 12.06, but that time did not go into the record books because there was too strong a tailwind.

“When I watched the record, I was like ‘Whoa, who did that?’” Amusan said of her reaction upon seeing her time pop up on the scoreboard.

She also retained her Commonwealth Games title with a new Games’ record of 12.30s and defended her Diamond League title in a record-breaking season that saw her set impressive records and win the Nigerian, African, Commonwealth, World, and Diamond League titles.

Foremost Niger Delta leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has criticized the comparison of what he considers legitimate agitators of the region to “blood-sucking bandits” in the north, describing it as not only obnoxious but also criminal.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, he stated that those who suggest such a comparison are displaying ignorance and myopic thinking.

He specifically objected to the positions of former Zamfara State governor, Sani Yerima, and the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who argued for the federal government to grant amnesty to the bandits in the northwest, similar to the Niger Delta militants.

“My first reaction to those who compare the murderous, blood-sucking bandits from the northern part of the country with the legitimate agitators from the Niger Delta is one of pity for their ignorance of national affairs and their myopic thinking,” he said.

Chief Clark commended the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) for condemning Yerima’s advice. However, he expressed regret over what he deemed an unfortunate statement credited to the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja.

The Army Chief had suggested a review of the Niger Delta Amnesty programme, expressing concerns that it has provided an opportunity for “re-organizing and launching attacks on defenceless citizens.”

In response, Clark stated, “The statement of the Chief of Army Staff comes across to me as a proposal for scrapping the amnesty granted to legitimate agitators for a better life and environment by the Niger Delta youths.” He warned against such a move, as he believed it could ignite a fresh crisis in the region.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told the Presidential Election Petitions Court sitting in Abuja that it was unaware of the over 20-year old United States District Court judgment which ordered President Bola Tinubu to forfeit $460,000 suspected to be proceeds of narcotics trade.

According to INEC, the case was not brought to its attention prior to the 2023 presidential election.

This was contained in its final written address filed by its lead counsel, A.B. Mahmoud SAN, against the petition filed by the presidential candidate of the Labour party, Mr Peter Obi.

In one of the grounds of Obi’s petition which seeks the removal of President Tinubu, his legal team led by Dr Livy Uzoukwu SAN stated that Tinubu was at the time of the election not qualified to contest for election to the office of President as he was fined the sum of $460,000.00 (Four-Hundred and Sixty Thousand United States Dollars) for an offence involving dishonesty, namely narcotics trafficking, imposed by the United
States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, in Case No: 93C 4483 titled “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, v. Plaintiff FUNDS IN ACCOUNT 263226700 HELD BY FIRST HERITAGE BANK, IN THE NAME OF BOLA TINUBU.”

They had urged the PEPC to disqualify Tinubu on that ground, among other prayers.

But in its final written address obtained by THE WHISTLER, INEC’s lead counsel, Mahmoud, maintained that the said forfeiture order was not brought to the attention of the Commission (especially by the petitioners) prior to the election.

“On the alleged imposition of fine on the 2nd Respondent(TInubu) by the United States District Court in Case No: 93C 4483, the case of the 1st Respondent(INEC) is simply that same was not brought to its attention,” he stated.

However, he told the PEPC that the 1999 Constitution provides that the fine that disqualifies one from running for president must be associated with a court sentence.

“However, Section 137 (1) (d) of the Constitution, which provides for the sentence of fine as a disqualifying factor in
respect of a Presidential Candidate, states as follows;

“(1) A person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President
if- (d.) he is under a sentence of death imposed by any competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria or a sentence of imprisonment or fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called) or for any other offence, imposed on him by any court or tribunal or substituted by a competent authority for any other sentence imposed on him by such a court or tribunal;” he added.

Mahmoud argued that in the 1999 constitution, the prescription of “fine” as a disqualifying factor for a Presidential candidate is hinged on a “sentence.”

He contended that in line with testimonies of a number of witnesses at the proceedings, the US case was a “civil forfeiture proceedings” and there was no charge or conviction.

“Thus, the Petitioners failed to prove this allegation and we urge the court to so hold.

“We urge the court to resolve this issue in favour of the 1st Respondent and hold
that the 2nd (Tinubu)and 3rd Respondents(Kashim Shettima) were qualified,” he stated.

The learned silk urged the PEPC to also agree with the submissions of the lawyers representing Tinubu, Kashim Shettima and All Progressives Congress, regarding the matter.

They maintained that the US judgment was not a criminal conviction.

“On the issue of the order of forfeiture by the United States District Court, they(Tinubu, APC) contend that there was no criminal charge, sentence or conviction to support the allegation of criminal conviction or forfeiture. They further contended that the alleged order of forfeiture being that of a foreign court is not registered in Nigeria to be enforceable and is in fact now over 20 years since the alleged order was made.”

Troops of the Nigerian Army attached to 192 Battalion, operating in 81 Division Area of Responsibility have intercepted a truck loaded with 397 wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana in Ogun State.

The truck, was intercepted and impounded, alongside two suspects conveying the illegal drugs during a stop and search operations at Ajilete Road in Yewa South Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects who are said to be members of an international drug syndicate were identified as Matthew Edegbe, a Benin Republic national and Joshua Dansu of Idiroko.

Both of them are currently assisting the Army in ongoing investigations.

“Troops of 192 Battalion Nigerian Army operating in 81 Division Area of Responsibility have again on Tuesday 18 July 2023 intercepted a suspected international drug syndicate smuggling a truck load of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) en route Sango Otta in Ogun State.

“Responding to actionable intelligence, troops conducted stop and search operations along Ajilete Road in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, during which they intercepted and impounded the suspected truck without Registration number, loaded with 397 wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana.

“In the preliminary investigations that followed, it was revealed that the illicit substance concealed in the truck were transported from Ghana through Benin Republic via Igholo-Idiroko enroute Sango Otta.

“The suspects conveying the illegal drugs have been identified as Mr Matthew Edegbe, a Benin Republic national and Mr Joshua Dansu of Idiroko, who are currently assisting in ongoing investigations,” a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General, Onyema Nwachukwu, said on Wednesday.

“Items recovered from the suspects include the truck’s registration number identified as (T 1826 LA Lagos), which was detached and concealed in the vehicle to prevent identification, an Infinix and Itel phone, one iphone, a Benin Republic National Identification card and a Driver’s license belonging to one George Benyagbe, as well as the sum of Seven Thousand Naira (N7000) only.

“The suspects, vehicle and exhibits have been taken into custody, pending handing over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command,” the statement added.

It would be recallef that troops of the Battalion had on July 15, also intercepted a truck load of over 20,000 cartridges of ammunition heading to Anambra state.

There was a mild drama at the popular Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos, on Friday, following the strange discovery of a human private part by a hungry customer, who patronised a food vendor inside the market.

The shocking sight of the human part in her plate of soup, at GBO Plaza, in the market, resulted in pandamonium, as anxious traders and customers thronged the plaza to behold the strange alar’carte garnished with protruding human part and its accompanying delicacies steaming hot from a plate of soup.

The middle-aged woman, simply identified as Ebere, reportedly found strange meat inside the plate of food she bought from a food vendor.

It was learned that trouble started when Ebere, who sells household items opposite GBO Plaza, raised the alarm, while eating the food she bought from a vendor, and discovered that the meat in her plate had the semblance of a male child’s private part.

An eye witness, who spoke with Vanguard Metro at the scene, on Saturday, said; “I was here when Ebere was eating, yesterday, and found the meat that looks like a little child’s private part. We all took turns to examine it. It didn’t look like that of goat or a dog.

“It was when she raised alarm that other traders came closer and on proper scrutiny, it was concluded that the seemingly turgid but, small human flesh must be that of a child.”

Other witnesses said the argument raged for long until a verdict was unanimously passed that it was the private part of a human being and hell was let loose as they all started asking for the head of the food vendor.

It was gathered that the alarmed food vendor was loudly proclaiming her innocence saying that she bought the meat from her regular supplier in the market.

The sordid drama was so intense to the extent that some of the traders that claimed to be regular customers of the food vendor were throwing up publicly lamenting that they have been eating human flesh for long thinking that it was delicious meat.

Vanguard Metro gathered that the frenzy was such that traders thronged the plaza in their numbers to, not just identify the food vendor but, trace the meat seller and deliver instant justice on them.

The situation, which was about degenerating to a serious crisis was, however, doused by leaders of the market who called for caution and assured that they will investigate the issue and take decisive action.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer, Alaba International Market, Ezeani Theophilus told Vanguard Metro that the incident was still under investigation.

According to him, “The food vendor doesn’t have a restaurant, she is a local food vendor.
“We have called on the police and investigation is ongoing.

“The food vendor claimed she bought the meat from a meat seller who hawks around the market. We don’t want to escalate the issue so that the meat seller won’t find out and flee from the market.”

However, as at the time of going to press, not much has been heard about the result of their investigation but it was reliably gathered that the food vendor had disappeared from the market and nobody could say whether she was invited by the police or not.

On their part, the police said they are yet to receive such report and assured that once they get it, they will investigate the case thoroughly.

Amid the frustrations associated with the recent hike in the pump price of fuel to N617 per litre, the Chief Executive Officer of Emadeb Energy Service Limited, Debo Olujimi, said local refining of the product remains the only lasting solution to the price surge.

According to NAN, Olujimi disclosed this at the inaugural ceremony of its Ijegun Satellite Depot on Wednesday in Lagos.

Olujimi stated that the increase in the price of petrol will continue to harm Nigerians unless local refining of the product is encouraged.

He lamented the continued dependence on the US dollar for the importation of fuel products into the country.

“It is a known fact that the increase in the price of petrol has put significant pressure on Nigerians, which we all understand.

“The only way to address the ongoing challenges is for the government to encourage local refining,” he said.

Senate has urged employers of labour in the country to de-emphasise age requirements as a pre-condition for employment in Nigeria.

The senate resolution was a sequel to the consideration and adoption of a motion at plenary on Wednesday.

The motion titled “Age Requirement Pre-condition for Employment in Nigeria, Urgent Need for Intervention” was sponsored by Sen. Abba Moro (PDP- Benue).

Moro, in his debate, said age limit as a precondition for employment violates Chapter 4, section 42(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantees every citizen the right to freedom from discrimination.

Moro said the provision of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) had defined employment discrimination in economic terms, as a violation of human rights that entails a waste of human talents with detrimental effects on productivity, and economic growth.

He said that it also generated socioeconomic inequalities that undermined social cohesion, solidarity and acted as a brake on the reduction of poverty.

He said it was pathetic for a graduate in Nigeria who could not get a job upon graduation and decided to go back to school with the hope that a higher qualification, vis-a-vis a second or Master’s Degree, could give him a better employment opportunity.

“It is ironic that a graduate in this country can serve in the National Youth Service Corps programme at age 30 but cannot be gainfully employed, thereafter on the fact that he/she is now above 30 years, a situation that is a flagrant breach of his fundamental rights.

“The circumstances described in the foregoing present the predicament of the Nigerian youth who has the requisite qualification, knowledge, and skills and is ready to work but disqualified or excluded on the sole and unjustifiable ground that he/she is above the age limit by reason of his/her birth.”

Moro said the sad situation had led many to commit age fraud by going all out to falsify their age to remain within the age limit of employability in the Nigerian Civil Service, and all other employers of labour in the country.

Senate, in its further resolution, urged the Federal Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity, and other relevant agencies to restrict and discourage public and private employers from depriving millions of job seekers of employment opportunities merely for not meeting the age requirements.

It urged the ministry to immediately draw up policies that relate to equality of opportunity and treatment in access to employment at all levels. (NAN)

Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma has, again, openly apologised to the Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and Nigerians.

Ejikeme, in her apology, requested that the board temper justice with mercy and reverse the three years ban imposed on her by JAMB.

She read the letter of apology before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the alleged manipulation of UTME results by Miss Ejikeme Mmesom, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Recall that two weeks ago the House moved in support of a motion to investigate the said alleged manipulation of UTME results by Mmesoma.

Present at the Investigative hearing is the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and it management.

Details later…..

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

The threat was connected to his failure to appear in court to explain the circumstances surrounding the $53m judgment debt arising from the Paris Club refund.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, however, said he was minded to exercise restraint in the proceeding to allow the ex-CBN boss to explain himself on the next adjourned date.

Emefiele’s counsel, Audu Anuga, SAN, told the court that Emefiele, who was suspended as CBN governor, had been in detention.

He said all efforts to reach him to communicate the directive of the court to him were unsuccessful.

He prayed the court to grant another opportunity to his client as they have been unable to reach him since the last order, directing him to appear in court.

On October 20, 2022, Justice Ekwo ordered the CBN governor to appear in court on January 18 over his alleged refusal to obey the order of the court for the payment of the judgment debt in favour of a legal practitioner, Joe Agi, SAN.

Agi had dragged Linas International Ltd, Minister of Finance, CBN, and Emefiele to court as 1st to 4th judgment debtors respectively, following an application for garnishee made by him as judgment creditor in the case.

However, the matter was subsequently adjourned to March 20, before it was fixed for June 6 again as of January 18, proceedings could not go on as scheduled.

On June 6, the court ordered Emefiele to appear before it on July 19.

But President Bola Tinubu, on June 9, suspended him as CBN governor and he was directed to transfer his responsibilities to the deputy governor, operations directorate.

Hours after his suspension, the DSS announced his arrest and detention on June 10.

Upon resumed hearing on Wednesday, Ayodele Arotiowa, who appeared for Agi, was about to make a submission when Justice Ekwo asked Emefiele’s lawyer if he had complied with the order.

“We made an effort to see how we can communicate with the 4th respondent (Emefiele) but the 3rd respondent (CBN) was unable to communicate with the 4th respondent.

“We rely only on public communication that the 4th respondent is incarcerated and have been unable to communicate with him,” Anuga responded.

He said there was another development now as to whether Emefiele could act on behalf of the CBN.

However, the judge said that Emefiele was sued in his personal capacity.

Anuga said, “But the public information now is that he has been suspended. An opportunity has to be given to him to comply.”

But Justice Ekwo asked how long the court would wait for Emefiele since 2017 when the suit was filed.

He asked Anuga to tender a good reason why the court should not issue a warrant of arrest against Emefiele.

The senior lawyer said since his client was still in detention after his suspension despite an order mandating his release, “My lord, we are at the mercy of the court.”

“But there is an intervening event, as we have not had the privilege to see him.”

“The last opportunity my lord gave to the 4th respondent has not been communicated to him.”

“I feel opportunity should be given so that this can be communicated,” he pleaded.

Anuga said after this, if Emefiele failed to comply, the court can then take action.

The judge, consequently, adjourned the matter until October 31 for the CBN and Emefiele to show cause why an arrest warrant should not be issued against the former CBN governor.

The dispute stemmed from an alleged $70 million judgment against Linas International Ltd for the lawyer’s (Joe Agi) assistance with the Paris Club refund.

Emefiele was said to have only released $17 million, leaving an unpaid balance of $53 million.

The court had on January 23, 2020, ruled that Emefiele must appear “to be examined on oath.”