The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has warned Nigerians against paying for electricity distribution infrastructures such as transformers, cables or poles.

In a statement shared alongside a video on X on Tuesday, NERC emphasised that consumers should not be coerced into purchasing transformers, cables, or poles, as this responsibility lies squarely with the distribution companies.

The statement reads, “Is your distribution company expecting you to buy transformers, cables, or poles? Don’t! It is the DisCo’s obligation, not yours!” NERC stated emphatically.

The regulatory body urged consumers to report any coercion or delays in providing necessary materials by the distribution companies.

The statement added, “Report any coercion to purchase, or delays in providing these materials to NERC for prompt action.”

NERC assured the public of prompt action upon receiving such complaints.

To facilitate this, NERC said it has established a dedicated email and phone number for reporting issues related to network investments.

“A dedicated email and phone number have been set up to address issues relating to investments in the network as follows: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 07074865354.”

Super Eagles player, Olanrewaju Kayode has dragged his wife, Ezinne Dora before an Abuja High Court to seek dissolution of their union, citing irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

Additionally, Kayode is demanding N1 billion in damages from the founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church (SPAC Nation), Tobi Adegboyega, for emotional trauma, financial loss, and loss of goodwill due to an alleged adulterous affair with Ezinne.

The plea, detailed in a cross-petition dated July 1, follows months of public accusations between Kayode and Ezinne who got married since 2013 but have accused each other of infidelity, fraud, and domestic violence.

Ezinne initially filed a petition on March 20, alleging that Kayode had made baseless accusations of infidelity and witchcraft against her and her mother, and attempted to evict her from their matrimonial home.

She sought the dissolution of their marriage and custody of their three children.

In his cross-petition, Kayode asserted that Ezinne had multiple affairs throughout their marriage, naming her and Adegboyega as respondent and co-respondent, respectively.

He alleged that Ezinne conspired with an ex-lover, Ugochukwu Igboanugo of Zloc Constructions Limited, to seize control of property documents from his business ventures.

“The Cross Petitioner personally paid for several choice properties and instructed the realtor to prepare the transfer documents in the name of the Company DE-J-S Concept Limited,” the court document states.

“Unknown to the Cross Petitioner, the Respondent has connived with the said Ugochukwu Igboanugo and collected all the property documents and has been solely and personally collecting rent proceeds from the properties, expending same on her amorous relationship with the Co-Respondent to the Cross Petition.”

Kayode further claimed that Ezinne spent the rental income from these properties on her relationship with Adegboyega and has neglected the educational and mental well-being of their children, engaging in romantic and sexual discussions in their presence.

The Super Eagles player has also requested the custody of their children, asserting that Ezinne is unfit due to her alleged actions.

The court has adjourned the case to September 24, 2024, for further hearing.

The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, has warned tertiary institutions in the country, particularly universities, against giving admission to underage students.

Speaking on Tuesday in Lagos at the opening of the seventh biennial conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria, Oloyede warned that such an act is illegal.

He also cautioned that apart from underage admission, all other forms of illegal admission must also be stopped.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Effective University Governance: Role of Stakeholders,” the JAMB Registrar said that for the sake of accountability, data protection and integrity of the nation, this act needed to stop because anything that was irregular was illegal.

He also recounted an experience involving a 15-year-old pupil who applied for a postgraduate course outside the country.

“About two months ago, I received a letter from an European country to confirm if a student actually graduated from a particular university because she is 15 years old and applied for postgraduate course.

“They question they asked me is “Is this possible in Nigeria.

“I had to call the Vice Chancellor of the institution and he confirmed the student graduated from the university but was not admitted by JAMB.

“He had to include that he was not the VC at the time the student was admitted,” Oloyede said.

Oloyede also warned against the illegal admission of diploma students.

“Also illegal admission of diploma students needs to stop because last year, we admitted 9,000 diploma students; I was alarmed that about 3,000 students came from a particular university.

“Everyone of us should be accountable because all these acts can damage our education system,” Oloyede said.

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Tuesday announced the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

The President announced while inaugurating the Renewed Hope Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

But President Tinubu did not mention the name of the Minister for the new ministry as it is expected that he has to forward the name to the Senate for screening and confirmation if it’s a new nominee.

Present at the Inauguration were the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila amongst cabinet members.

Recall that President Tinubu on 15th September 2023, approved the establishment of the Presidential Committee dedicated to the reform of the livestock industry and the provision of long-term solutions to recurring clashes between herders and farmers in the country.

The setting up of the committee was a sequel to the submission of a report from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria.

The Ministry of National Defense of Niger and the U.S. Department of Defense announced on Monday the end of the first phase of the withdrawal of U.S. forces and equipment from Nigerien territory.

The announcement was made at the signing ceremony of documents transferring American rights to the Nigerien army at Air Base 101 in Niger’s capital of Niamey.

Transferring American rights to the Nigerien army at Air Base 101 in Niger’s capital of Niamey was in the presence of American ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon and other civil and military personalities of the two countries.

According to Colonel Mamane Sani Kiaou, the chief of staff of the Niger Army, the agreement calls for the removal of all American military assets in Niger.

The agreement calls for the removal of all American military assets in Niger “including those in Niamey, Agadez, Ouallam and Diffa by Sept. 15.”

After removing forces and equipment from Air Base 101, the United States will focus on withdrawing from Air Base 201 in Agadez City.

“Nigerien and U.S. officials will work to ensure a safe, orderly and responsible withdrawal,” he added.

American troops had announced their official departure from the African nation by Sept. 15.

The Foreign Minister of Mali, Abdoulaye Diop, has reaffirmed his nation’s decision to permanently withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Naija News reports that leaders from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have decided to depart from ECOWAS earlier this year, establishing their own confederation on Saturday.

A day after the leaders of ECOWAS gathered in Abuja, they selected the presidents of Senegal and Togo to facilitate discussions with the three countries in the Sahel region.

However, amid attempts at reconciliation by the organization, Diop expressed opposition to the idea of requiring visas for citizens of the three nations to travel within ECOWAS.

It is worth noting that the decision of the three nations to leave ECOWAS was partly motivated by their belief that France was interfering with ECOWAS’ operations and not offering sufficient assistance in the fight against jihadist groups.

Diop, however, mentioned Mali’s willingness to continue working with ECOWAS during a late Monday interview on the state-run ORTM.

“Our heads of state were very clear in Niamey when they said the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS is irrevocable and was done without delay, and from now on we must stop looking in the rear-view mirror”, Diop said on Monday.

He added that Mali remains “open to working with our neighbours and other organisations with which we share this space.

“We will have to maintain discussions with others in order to move forward, but I believe that the path we have embarked upon is not reversible.”

Diop stressed that the creation of a confederation was only one stage of the process, adding that “the vision is to work towards a federation of the three states”.

ECOWAS has indicated that the three nations are required to adhere to a one-year deadline for their departure, yet the juntas assert that their exit is imminent and will occur without any postponements.

This move has sparked worries about the impact on the region’s ability to freely trade and travel.

“If visas are re-introduced, we will be proven right in the sense that some ECOWAS officials have not abandoned the old methods of frightening and blackmailing people”, said Diop.

“In an integration process, there are gains and losses for everyone, but we must work to minimise the impact on our populations”, he added.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has done well in Nigeria, and that the current economic challenges in the country is what is being experienced globally.

Naija News reports that the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) stated this when he led governors elected on the platform of the APC on a visit to the Abdullahi Ganduje’s led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling party in Abuja.

“The truth of the matter is that the APC has done very well in Nigeria. What is happening currently, is a global economic problem. We in Nigeria, under our own leadership, President Bola Tinubu is also bringing out policies to ensure, given the kind of economy he met, given the kind of situation he saw when he came, he has started the treatment and by the grace of God, I am very confident that very soon Nigerians will be jubilant about how he has managed to navigate the waters”, said Uzodinma in Abuja.

Speaking on other matters, Uzodinma, who said he has at the party’s National Secretariat to touch base with its leadership, boasted that APC will win the forthcoming Governorship election in Edo state as well as retain Ondo state.

Addressing the Ganduje-led NWC, he said: “We are here, you know, of course, we are governors of APC. APC produced us, and we are in Abuja for a meeting; of course, in obedience to the concept of party loyalty, we have to visit the Secretariat to touch with the leadership of the party, chairman and members of the National Working Committee and above all, commiserate with the chairman who also lost his mother-in-law; and also show solidarity with the chairman and managers of our party.

“Those who are serving us, the national leadership of our party, providing service, they are managing our party day to day, they are looking after the policies of the party, they are in charge of the administration of the party, and of course, we members of the party and also critical stakeholders are committed to following and encouraging them as a way of showing support, and that is solidarity.

“Of course you know, I am the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum PGF and when I speak, I speak on behalf of my colleagues, 20 governors. A party like APC, which is in control of 20 states out of 36 and also has produced a President and members of the Federal Executive Council, is the majority party, and if an election is a game of numbers, it means the majority will win.

“On the 20th of this month, the National Campaign Council will be inaugurated in Edo State, and it is expected that most of us, members of the Progressives Governors Forum, will be in attendance. Which other party can provide or boast of such an asset, politically speaking? So, we don’t need to overflog the horse.”

Naija News reports that Uzodinma was in company of the Cross River Governor, Bassey Otu; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and their Ekiti State counterpart, Abiodun Oyebanji.

On his part, Ganduje, on behalf of the NWC, passed a vote of confidence on the APC governors, assuring that their interests are well protected by the national leadership.

The former Governor of Kano State urged the party chieftains to continue to make APC proud.

Ganduje stressed that the party leadership will continue to maintain a cordial relationship with the governors.

He said: “There is no doubt, we were highly when I got the information that they were coming. So, I think it is a blessing, a big blessing to us. We are so happy about it and we have confidence in them.

“We will do all it takes to ensure that we maintain good relationship with our governors all over the country and we will help to protect their interests and there is no doubt that they are also assisting the party, they are making the party to be proud as an institution.”

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have called on President Bola Tinubu to launch a high-level investigation into allegations that International Oil Companies (IOCs) are attempting to undermine and destabilize the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals.

In a letter dated July 1, 2024, addressed to the President via his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the unions demanded that the findings of such an investigation be made public to ensure transparency and maintain public trust.

Signed by NUPENG General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale and PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the letter stated, “The leadership and members of our unions deeply appreciate your commitment to restoring economic growth and prosperity in our nation. We are fully mobilized and committed to supporting all your initiatives toward these goals.

“However, we are deeply concerned and shocked by allegations from the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Company about a deliberate plot by some IOCs to frustrate their business efforts and continued existence.

“These alleged sabotaging actions include denying the refinery crude oil supply and artificially inflating crude oil market prices, forcing Dangote Refinery to source crude oil from other countries, including the United States, resulting in high operating costs and logistics.

“The Dangote Refinery is a critical national asset and a beacon of hope for our energy security, economic growth, and employment opportunities. The economic benefits of a local refinery with such capacity cannot be overstated.

“For decades, NUPENG and PENGASSAN have campaigned for Nigeria to require companies benefiting from Joint Venture (JVC) arrangements to establish refineries or petrochemical companies in Nigeria. Unfortunately, successive governments have lacked the political and patriotic courage to adopt this pragmatic policy.

“The survival of companies that have invested heavily in refining crude oil in Nigeria, thus saving the nation from wasteful product imports that profit other countries and cost us foreign exchange, should be of great national interest due to the enormous economic benefits involved.”

The unions outlined their demands as follows:

1. Immediate Investigation: The Federal Government should establish an independent panel to investigate the claims of sabotage by some IOCs. This investigation should be comprehensive and transparent, ensuring that all parties involved are held accountable.

2. Public Disclosure: The findings of this investigation must be made public to ensure transparency and maintain public trust. Nigerians deserve to know the truth about the actions of these IOCs and their impact on national interests.

3. Legal Action: Should the allegations be substantiated, the government should take decisive legal action against the entities involved, including sanctions, penalties, and other measures to deter future economic sabotage.

4. Support for Dangote Refinery: The government should provide all necessary support to ensure the uninterrupted commencement and operation of the Dangote Refinery, including security and stability around its operations.

“Your Excellency, we trust in your courage and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian project and believe that the Presidency will take decisive action to safeguard the Dangote Refinery and ensure its successful operation for the nation’s benefit. Protecting our national assets is our collective responsibility. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” the letter concluded.

Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $16.5 million and ₦127 million, which were illicitly diverted from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to the federal government.

This order was granted following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer, Sulaiman I. Sulaiman. The EFCC stated that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.

Previously, on May 23, 2024, Justice Ogundare had issued an interim forfeiture order for the funds. This decision was made upon an Exparte motion under the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act and the Nigerian Constitution. The court directed the EFCC to publicize the interim order, which was done on June 6, 2024.

During the final forfeiture hearing, EFCC counsel Suleiman confirmed compliance with the court’s directive to publicize the interim order. The EFCC’s submission included the interim court order and the publication in The Punch newspaper.

Justice Ogundare, after reviewing the submissions, granted the final forfeiture as requested by the EFCC.

The EFCC’s investigation revealed that the funds were initially requested by NIMASA in 2013 for security projects. However, a significant portion of the funds was fraudulently diverted by individuals using various companies. These funds were converted to dollars and used for personal purposes without rendering any service to NIMASA.

The investigation led to the recovery of $16,500 in cash and the agreement by Uche Obilor, one of the key figures involved, to return ₦118 million through drafts made to the EFCC.

Despite the court’s directive for interested parties to come forward, no one contested the forfeiture. Consequently, the court proceeded with the final forfeiture, deeming it in the interest of justice.

The EFCC emphasized that the funds are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and affirmed the court’s authority to order their forfeiture.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has called out President Bola Tinubu over the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria.

According to George, despite all the promises and theoretical declarations from the government about cushioning the effect of the harsh economic conditions on Nigerians, the people are not feeling any respite.

He added that from the richest to the poorest, no one is left out in the challenges being encountered as a result of the policies of the Tinubu government, which include fuel subsidy removal and floating of the naira.

The PDP chieftain, who spoke on Monday about the economy during an appearance on Channels Television, submitted that the people need to see results and not just talks and promises, but the economic policies of the Tinubu government look like they will take centuries to bear fruit.

The former military Governor of Ondo State charged President Tinubu to invite the leaders of the top banks in Nigeria, whom he accused of mismanaging the economy, to account for their actions instead of appointing them to manage the same economy or give advice on the same economy they destroyed.

George emphasized that the one-year grace given to President Tinubu to understudy the situation of things in the country is over, and what is expected from him going forward is only results.

See the video.