The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has suspended the enforcement of the digitalised central motor registry (e-CMR) indefinitely.

In a statement on Sunday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said the suspension will enable “mass enlightenment and education” of Nigerians on the initiative.

Adejobi said the e-CMR scheme is not a “revenue-generating platform but an initiative to digitise policing for effectiveness and general safety” of Nigerians.

He added that Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police, has urged police officers not to extort the public in the name of e-CMR certificates.

“The inspector-general of police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered an immediate suspension of the proposed enforcement of the e-CMR initially scheduled to commence on the 29th of July, 2024,” the statement reads.

“This is to give ample benefits and effectiveness in solving the challenge of vehicle related crimes, and protection of individual and corporate vehicle ownership.

“In the same vein, the IGP charges all police officers to desist from requesting for e-CMR certificates as individuals found extorting or exploiting members of the public on the guise of not having e-CMR certificates will be sanctioned accordingly as the enforcement which will be done by only dedicated officers has been suspended till further notice.”

THE CONTROVERSY

On Saturday, the NPF said it will commence the enforcement of the e-CMR by July 29.

Adejobi had said the e-CMR is a real-time online archive of vehicle data designed to support police investigations and combat vehicle-related crimes.

Responding to the development, the Nigerian Bar Association — Section of Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), asked the police to stop the issuance of e-CMR certificates and refund all monies to vehicle owners.

The NBA-SPIDEL threatened to initiate legal action if the police failed to act accordingly within seven days.

The statement was signed by John Aikpokpo-Martin, chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, and Funmi Adeogun, its secretary.

In its response to the statement, Adejobi said the police have the right to initiate any approach aimed at curbing crime in the country.

Reacting to the statement, Akorede Lawal, spokesperson of the NBA national leadership, said Aikpokpo-Martins and Adeogun did not seek the consent of the association before writing to the police.

Lawal also said the duo have been removed as executives of NBA-SPIDEL since February 2024.

Charly Boy, the ace Nigerian singer, has urged Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, the controversial pastor known as Odumeje, to use his purported spiritual powers to save Nigeria from its current hardships.

The singer’s plea follows Odumeje’s recent criticism of Aliko Dangote for not responding to his prophetic warning about a disaster at his refinery.

Odumeje claimed that the refinery would not have caught fire if Dangote had sought his intervention.

Weighing in on the matter, Charly Boy called on Odumeje to focus his spiritual efforts on alleviating the suffering in Nigeria and save the nation from “burning”.

He also advised the clergyman to disregard Dangote, stating that the billionaire is out of touch with the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians.

“Dear Odumeje, We Nigerians have humbly come to you – please can you stop the nation from burning, fire is catching, the economy is plummeting. We ask for your power in this desperate time of need,” he wrote.

“Abeg no mind Dangote, he get plenty money oo, this hunger no dey reach him side that’s why E no understand say E go humble before the Indabosky #Naijamatter.”

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported that Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 34.19 percent in June 2024, up from 33.95 percent in May..

According to the bureau, food inflation also surged to 40.87 percent in the month under review as prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages continued to surge.

The police in Kenya have arrested a man over the serial killing of women.

The suspect reportedly confessed to killing 42 women, including his wife, since 2022.

The dismembered bodies of the victims, said to be aged between 18 and 30, were found on Friday at the Mukuru quarry in Nairobi.

The police cordoned off the dump site where the bodies were found in various stages of decomposition.

According to the BBC, the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Jomaisi Khalisia, was arrested at a bar on Monday morning while watching the Euro final.

Mohamed Amin, the police head of the directorate of criminal investigations (DCI), said Khalisia’s arrest followed a “forensic analysis” of a mobile phone that belonged to Josephine Mulongo Owino, one of the victims.

Amin said the suspect led police officers to his house, which was about 100 metres from the crime scene, where they found a machete they “believed was being used to dismember the victims”, and nine sacks like the ones used to dispose of the bodies.

The police also recovered 10 phones, a laptop, identity cards and personal female clothing.

Police said they were still interrogating the suspect to establish the motive behind the killings, adding that he would be arraigned on Tuesday.

The police asked families “who believe that their beloved ones may have fallen prey to these macabre murders” to report to the police.

“It is crystallising that we are dealing with a serial killer, a psychopathic serial killer who has no respect for human life, who has no respect and dignity,” Amin said.

He said a second person with a phone belonging to one of the victims has also been arrested and would be treated as an accomplice or suspect.

Nigeria’s food inflation has reached an all-time high of 40.87 per cent as the Bola Tinubu-led government embarked on reforms that have spiked the cost of living.

Figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday show that in June 2024, the headline inflation rate increased to 34.19 per cent relative to the May 2024 headline inflation rate of 33.95 per cent.

The country’s inflation has risen on a year-on-year basis by 11.40 per cent compared with the 22.79 per cent recorded last year.

Food inflation has also grown to 40.87 per cent on a year-on-year basis. Compared to last year, the figure is 15.62 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in June 2023 of 25.25 per cent.

NBS said food inflation on a year-on-year basis was caused by increases in prices: Millet Whole grain, Garri, Guinea corn, etc (Bread and Cereals Class), Yam, Water Yam, Coco Yam (Potatoes, Yam & Other Tubers Class), Groundnut Oil, Palm Oil, etc (Oil & Fats Class) and Catfish Dried, Dried Fish-Sadine and Mudfish (Fish Class), etc.

NBS said, “On a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in June 2024 was 2.55 per cent which shows a 0.26 per cent increase compared to the rate recorded in May 2024 (2.28 per cent).

“The rise in Food inflation on a Month-on-Month basis was caused by the rise in the rate of increase in the average prices of Groundnut Oil, Palm Oil, etc (Oil & Fats Class), Water Yam, Coco Yam, Cassava, etc (Potatoes, Yam & Other Tubers Class), Tobacco, Catfish Fresh, Croaker, Mudfish Fresh, Snail, etc, (Fish Class).”

In May last year, President Tinubu removed fuel subsidies which led to hike in energy cost while the Central Bank of Nigeria floated the currency leading to the depreciation of the currency to N1560 per dollar.

Also, banditry and kidnapping in the food-producing hub of the country have persisted as farmers for years do not have access to their farmlands.

In some areas, farmers pay fines to bandits to access their farms.

A Kano State High Court, on Monday, granted a perpetual injunction restraining the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, and Four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs.

The applicants are the Attorney General of Kano State, the Speaker Kano State House of Assembly and the Kano State House of Assembly, through their counsel Ibrahim Isah-Wangida Esq, filed a motion exparte dated May 27.

The applicants sought a court order restraining Ado-Bayero, and Four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs.

The respondents are: Ado-Bayero, Alhaji Nasiru Ado-Bayero Bichi emir, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar ll, emir of Karaye, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad-Inuwa, emir of Rano and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim-Gaya, emir of Gaya.
Others are the Inspector General of Police, Director of State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Army.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, held that the Kano State House of Assembly had powers to amend and propose a bill for the peace and good governance of a state under section 4 rule 6,7(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“The Kano State Governor has the right to ascent the proposed bill to law after being passed by the state assembly”

The court also restrained the Police and other security agencies from violating, disobeying or tempering the Kano State Emirate (Repeal) Law 2024.

“The deposed Emirs shall surrender all movable and immovable properties in their possession that belong to the Kano State Emirate Council to the state government” Adamu-Aliyu said
She held that the first respondent legal counsel withdrawal without notice to other parties is unprofessional and that moving their motion is as good as not filing it since it has been abandoned.

The judge said the act of the 6th to 9 respondent for smuggling the first respondent to Kano after the enactment of the Emirate Repeal Law 2024 disregards what they have sworn for the protection of life and property.

Earlier, Counsel to the applicant, Mr Ibrahim Isa-Wangida, urged the court to discount the respondent’s affidavit of facts under order 39 rules 1 and 2 of the Court.

Counsel to Ado-Bayero, Mr Abdul Muhammed SAN, informed the court that they have an affidavit of fact dated July 3, 2024, attached with a notice of appeal and a motion of stay of proceedings.
He urged the court to stay of proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the motion at the appeal court.

NAN reports that Ado-Bayero’s counsel on July 4, withdrew their legal services before the court.
Counsel to the 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents, Hassan Tanko-Kyaure, moved his application for an extension of time dated July 2 and counter affidavit in response to the originating motion.

He urged the court to set aside the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) law 2024, adding that due process were not followed and urged the court to dismiss the applicant’s application with a cost of N1 billion.

Counsel to the Inspector/General of Police, Mr Sunday Ekwe, told the court that he had nothing to present.

NAN reports that the applicants, 3,4and 5th respondents moved their applications, for extension of time, notice of preliminary objection, setting aside exparte order, joinder application, examining deponent, application for the Judge to recuse herself and originating summon.

NAN reports that the State House of Assembly on May 23, dissolved all the four newly created Emirate council’s in the state and Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, reappointed Lamido Sanusi, as the Emir of Kano

The North Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has issued a warning against the planned nationwide protests purportedly aimed at the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

During a press briefing in Jos, Plateau State, the forum’s Chairman, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, argued that such protests could disrupt the nation’s progress and urged the organizers to reconsider.

Zazzaga highlighted that the motives behind the protests appear to stem from selfish interests rather than genuine concern for national development.

He emphasized that the current administration under President Tinubu is making significant efforts to steer the country towards growth and stability, and such actions could serve as unnecessary distractions.

Furthermore, Zazzaga appealed to potential protesters to consider the security challenges in the North Central region and other parts of the North, which are already under strain.

He stressed that any form of unrest could exacerbate the situation, detracting from the government’s efforts to address these issues.

The APC leader called for unity and support for the government’s initiatives, suggesting that constructive dialogue is the preferable path forward rather than disruptive protests.

He warned that staging protests in the already volatile North Central could pose additional risks to the region’s security.

He said, “Therefore, any protest in the region can be highjacked by hoodlums to cause mayhem and threaten the lives and properties of law-abiding citizens.

“The issue of kidnappings, banditry and other criminal activities the region has been going through over the years is already overwhelming on the region, and it cannot afford to have another restiveness added to it.

“Besides, protests in parts of the region and the North often take an ethno-religious dimension, which also culminated in killings of one another between Christians and Muslims.

“An example of such a protest which often turns violent and takes an ethno-religious crisis, is that of the #EndSARS protest across the country, which took such dimension in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and we have to do a lot to tame it.

“I, alongside other eminent persons in Jos, went around calming the people down to stop the violence, and we ensured that Christians were protected in Muslim areas, and vice versa, and thereafter handed those protected from harm over to the police to unite them with their families safely.

“So, I call on all our members across the region to mobilise vigorously and campaign against any form of protest in the region, and I also urge the governors, religious leaders, traditional rulers and other eminent personalities and opinion leaders in the North Central region to call all their wards to order and advise them against participating in any form of protest due to the peculiar situation of our region.”

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has announced a cash reward of N50 million to Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, winners of the 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.

The governor announced this when he treated the Nigerian champions to a state banquet at the Government House, Enugu, during the weekend, thanking them for etching Enugu State on the African and global map.

 “We are indeed very proud of you.  I cannot tell you enough what this NPFL title that you have brought right here before us represents and means to us. 

 “Rangers International transcends generations; it is a unifying factor for us. It is not just about winning a trophy or about making us proud. It is putting Enugu State in the hearts and minds of the people of this country and beyond.

 “You have made us proud and we will in turn also make you happy. We are going to provide the sum of N50 million to you in addition to other non-cash rewards that will implant you in our state and immortalise you,” he stated.

He further said: “I commend the General Manager, who has guided this team with a deep sense of purpose and also fuelled your optimism, reinforcing the ‘Never Say Die’ spirit that you are all known for. I thank most sincerely the coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, who through his professional ethics and consistency, has continued to do us proud. 

“The captain and all the players, you are a true embodiment of the ‘Never-Say-Die’ spirit. The fans are not left out. I also commend the commissioner, who has shown deep commitment to the success of Rangers through his tireless efforts and sacrifice.

 “However, recall that I had always said to you that success abhors complacency. We still have quite a huge space in our trophy cabinet.”

So, we still need more. I am sure we are all getting ready for the CAF Champions League and other tournaments.  

“Let me assure you that we will never get tired of supporting you.  If anything, we are going to double down and reinforce our support.”

The commissioner for Youth and Sport Development, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, who hailed Rangers for the successful title chase, thanked the governor for his personal and official support that transformed the club.

Also, the general manager and CEO of Rangers International, Amobi Ezeaku, who went down memory lane, appreciated Governor Mbah for taking Rangers as his special pet project.

 “For two years, the club played away from home, but in a twinkle of an eye, the club came back to the Cathedral. That is why 28th  December 2023 when we returned to the Cathedral will forever be engraved in the hearts of not just Ndigbo, but all true lovers of Rangers and football.

 “Today, we thank you for easing the stress of our trips, for approving for corporate sponsors to get on board, for coming to watch our matches, and for braving the turbulence of the weather on that day to fly to Jos to witness the lifting of this trophy.

 “It is also under you that the Rangers jersey is proudly instituted at the FIFA museum in Zürich, Switzerland. It is under you that the Rangers jersey is now known at the headquarters of African Football in the 6th  of October City, Giza, Egypt. And as we speak, Rangers have been nominated in many categories by the league bloggers award,” Ezeaku said.

Actress Tonto Dikeh has shared insights on her personal growth journey, along with new photos of herself.

She expressed amazement at the continuous nature of self-improvement, noting that just when she felt she had made progress, new areas for growth appeared.

Tonto likened personal development to unlocking endless levels, emphasizing that there is always room for improvement.

“It is wild how working on yourself is a never-ending journey.

Just When you think you have improved, there’s always more to tackle.

It’s like unlocking endless Levels of growth!!”, she said.

Recall that earlier in the week, she celebrated her new chapter, acknowledging her progress and growth.

Banks are increasing lending to the private sector with an average monthly N1.6 trillion facility over the past two months.

 The N1.6 trillion pushed credits to the private sector to N74.31 trillion.

Latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) indicates that credit to the private sector (CPS) rose by 65.9 percent or N29.52 trillion to N74.31 trillion last May compared to N44.79 trillion recorded in the same period last year.

A month-on-month breakdown shows sustained growth in lending over the past two months with additional credits of N1.39 trillion and N1.71 trillion in May and April 2024 respectively.

The CPS includes loans, trade credits, other account receivables, and banks’ support to the private sector within a period.

The CPS is a global measure of the banking sector’s balance sheet resilience and contribution to the national economic agenda.

The growth in lending and support to the private sector underlines the resilient balance sheet of banks and their responses to the CBN’s push for increased lending to bolster economic activities.

The data illustrate the importance of the banking sector emerging as the backbone of the country’s economic renewal agenda.

Banks’ lending and support to the private sector rose from N71.21 trillion in March 2024 to N72.92 trillion in April. They rose to  N74.31 trillion in May 2024, representing a month-on-month increase of 1.9 percent and 2.4 percent for May and April 2024 respectively.

The latest CPS data came on the heels of a recent report on capital importation which showed that banks attracted nearly two-third of capital importation.

Analysts had said this was a measure of confidence in  Nigerian banks as foreign investors gradually took a more active stance in the nation’s economy.

Experts agreed that increased private sector credit implies a major boost for the economy as there is a link between credit to the private sector and economic growth.

Some studies have continuously found that increased lending by banks directly leads to an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Experts at Cordros Capital said they expected the re-enforcement of  CBN’s limit on the loans-to-deposits macro-prudential ratio for Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) to continue to drive the willingness of commercial banks to create risk assets.

A study by the CBN concluded that “credit is growth-enhancing, even when trade openness, monetary policy, investment climate, and infrastructure are low.” The study found that private-sector credit increases economic growth.’’ 

The balance sheet strength of banks also determines the flow of credits, with the continuing increase in lending amidst macroeconomic headwinds underpinning Nigerian banks’ resilience and stability.

In a study on ‘Balance Sheet Strength and Bank Lending During the Global Financial Crisis’, researchers at International Monetary Fund (IMF) examined the role of bank balance sheet strength in the transmission of financial sector shocks to the real economy.

The study found that “banks with strong balance sheets were better able to maintain lending during the crisis.”

According to the study, banks that were ex-ante more dependent on market funding and had lower structural liquidity reduced the supply of credit more than other banks.

“However, higher and better-quality capital mitigated this effect. Our results suggest that strong bank balance sheets are key for the recovery of credit following crises, and provide support for regulatory proposals under the Basel III framework,” the IMF report stated.

Managing Director, Arthur Steven Asset Management Olatunde Amolegbe, said the growth in credit to the private sector could be attributable to an increase in economic activities.

He, however, pointed out that other factors such as inflation and devaluation could moderate such increase

Chief Executive Officer, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) Muda Yusuf, said the credit outlook remains cautious. He called for an expansive distribution of credits across all tiers of companies and sectors.

According to him, there are major concerns in terms of the distribution of credits across sectors and companies with small businesses, which contribute more to job creation and economic inclusion, not likely to benefit much.

He noted that banks tend to be wary of credit risk concerns associated with lending to small businesses and certain sectors. Yusuf added that efforts should be made to drive inclusive and stable credit access to all sectors, including growth and employment elastic sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, real estate, and mining and construction. 

CBN Governor  Olayemi Cardoso had said the ongoing recapitalisation would strengthen banks further to drive the $1 trillion national economic target and support stable economic growth.

According to him, additional capital would not only provide a substantial buffer for banks against potential economic challenges but also enhance Nigeria’s banks’ capability to support massive economic growth and play competitively globally.

Experts agree that considering the increase changing dynamics in the banking sector and the overall economy since the last recapitalisation, it has become necessary to strengthen the banks’ financial positions.

The owner of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, has announced August 2024 as the new date to roll out fuel supply in the Nigerian market.

Dangote disclosed this on Sunday while speaking to journalists.

He noted that it has resolved its crude oil supply issues with the help of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL and the Nigerian federal government.

He stressed that the crude supply challenge was resolved last week after the federal government intervened.

The journalists were on a guided tour of the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, which is located at Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos.

Outside fuel supply, he said that the refinery’s fertiliser unit would resume production in two weeks.

This would give farmers more access to fertiliser for their farm products.

“Ramping up production to reach 500 kbpd (15 crude cargoes a month) by next August, 550 kbpd by end of the year, and 650 kbpd by Q1 2025.

“Gasoline production to commence in July with sales from August,” a report released by the company stated.

This showed a long walk to the commencement of full-scale production at the Dangote Refinery, which was commissioned on May 22, 2023.

Dangote had earlier stated that the facility would kick off the supply of fuel in Nigeria in mid-July 2024.

In a similar development, the company announced that NNPCL no longer has a 20 per cent but a 7.2 per cent stake in the refinery.