The Federal High Court in Lagos has fined the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N3m for violating the fundamental human rights of Margaret Emefiele, wife of a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

The court also directed the EFCC to remove Mrs. Emefiele’s name and photograph from its wanted list and to issue a public apology to her.

The EFCC had declared her wanted in February 2024 over alleged money laundering charges.

The presiding judge, Justice Deinde Dipeolu, held that the EFCC’s actions were unlawful and constituted a breach of Mrs. Emefiele’s rights.

The judge ruled, “That the Applicant is entitled to the protection of her fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, right to dignity of her person, freedom of movement and right to security as guaranteed under Sections 33, 34, 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“That the publication of the Applicant’s name and photograph on the website of the Respondent as having been declared ‘Wanted’ without complying with the provisions of Sections 41 and 42 of the ACJA, and without any valid Charge and/or Court Order to that effect, amounts to a violation of the Applicant’s fundamental rights to the dignity of her person, right to personal liberty, freedom of movement and right to security.

“As guaranteed under Sections 34, 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Articles 5, 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A9) VOL.1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2011.

“The respondent is directed to immediately withdraw the publication of the applicant’s name and photographs from the list of persons wanted by the respondents on its website.”

The court directed the respondents to issue a public apology to the applicant on its website where the name and photographs of the applicant were published among the list of persons wanted.

“The sum of N3m is awarded against the respondents jointly and severally in favour of the applicant for the violation of her fundamental rights,” it added.

Counsel to Mrs. Emefiele hailed the judgment as a victory for the rule of law, while the EFCC has yet to comment on the ruling.

A UK-based socio-political group, Osun Progressives Youths in the United Kingdom (O-SPYUK), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prosecute Senator Olalere Oyewumi following his public admission of engaging in vote-buying during the 2023 general election.

Oyewumi, who is the Senator representing Osun West and Deputy Minority Leader, sparked outrage after a viral video surfaced in which he allegedly alluded to using personal funds for vote-buying.

The senator claimed his efforts were rejected by All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in 2023.

Tunmise Ajiboye, O-SPYUK coordinator and Deputy Youth Leader of the APC UK chapter condemned Oyewumi’s confession in a statement, asserting that the senator is unfit to serve in the hallowed chamber.

“It is clear that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is a party that has been rejected by the Osun people but engaged in illicit activities like vote-buying, and intimidation of voters amongst others, during the last electioneering period to get votes.

“We demand for resignation of Oyewumi and his immediate prosecution by either the Nigerian Police or the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to serve as a deterrent to other politicians ahead of the 2026 Osun state gubernatorial election as well as the 2027 general election.

“The commencement of his prosecution will also discourage vote-buying in Ondo and Edo elections later this year. We deserve better leaders in Nigeria, not those who brag about impoverishing Nigerians and later buy their conscience,” He submitted.

Ajiboye stressed that prosecuting Oyewumi could also discourage vote-buying in the upcoming Ondo and Edo elections later this year. “We deserve better leaders in Nigeria, not those who brag about impoverishing Nigerians and later buy their conscience,” he concluded.

Fear, anger, disappointment and frustration are the words to describe what has gripped the camp of the Labour Party governorship candidate for Edo, Mr Olumide Akpata, following the refusal of the Edo chapter of the Obidient Movement to support the Labour Party man.

Instead, the movement has thrown its weight behind the candidate of the central ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Monday Okpebholo.

The large splinter group of the movement has said Akpata is unelectable and decided to pitch their tent with Okpebholo, who was elected into the Senate in 2023.

The remnants of the movement have thrown their support for the state ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whose candidate is Asue Ighodalo, a consummate lawyer and business mogul.

The movement pledged their support for the APC and its candidate on Monday.

The first group in the movement had also pledged their support for the PDP candidate a few weeks ago.

The group, comprising members from the Edo South Senatorial District, on Monday, said they were supporting Okpebholo because of his close ties with the people.

The development is crippling the Labour Party campaign as its campaign is not gaining traction.

The Obidient Movement is a formidable group, which emerged a few months after its National head, Mr Peter Obi, defected to the Labour Party and became its presidential candidate in 2022.

The movement which takes its name from Obi, successfully pushed the Labour Party to national consciousness leading to the victories of Alex Otti of Abia as governor, and Ireti Kingibe as FCT Senator among others in the Senate, House of Representatives, State Assemblies among others.

The movement was mostly made up of young Nigerians, some Gen-Z (those born between 1997 and 2012 also called Zoomers) gave Obi their unalloyed support and saw him emerge third during the presidential election.

Members of the movement, which is organic and leaderless, have often said their support is not to any party but to personality, which they say must be based on integrity, a word they often ascribe to Peter Obi.

But any hope for Akpata to upend the political status quo which oscillates in favour of PDP and APC in the state appears to be dashed months away from the election.

This has sent shock waves across the Akpata campaign forcing the Labour Party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Sam Uruopa, to slam the movement describing it as absurd.

Uruopa said, “It is absurd to hear that Obidient movement is supporting Okpebholo just the way some also said they were Obidient movement for Asue Ighodalo.

“The Obidient movement is synonymous with the Labour Party and is integral members of the party,” he stated.

He added, “They have forgotten so soon how the party was denied the use of the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium before the presidential election.

“So, how can these people now say they are Obidient members and they are supporting Okpebholo or Ighodalo?

“For me, they have run out of ideas and do not know what they are doing at this point. They cannot be Obidient movement and work against the party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata.”

Akpata did not react to the development when contacted at the time of filing this report.

There is something eerily familiar about the protests that engulfed Kenya last week. Many Nigerians would easily recognize the parallels between this and the #EndSars protests in Nigeria in 2020. Four years ago, confronted with a police force that had become notorious for corruption, accidental killing, torture and brutality, the youths of Nigeria trooped into the streets in protest. They gathered at the tollgate in Lekki, Lagos, waving flags, singing the national anthem but the #Endsars protest, also involving ladies, students, even children, soon became a riot, acquiring a life of its own, spreading to other parts of the country. The angry youths were labelled the Soro-Soke generation, and indeed, they spoke up, demanding accountability from Nigerian leaders and psychiatric tests for members of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), and other policemen as well. The protesters had no single leader, they were driven by their youthfulness and their anger. Things eventually got violent and bloody. People died. Thousands were arrested or intimidated. Many of the youths fled into exile. Some of the youths who participated in the protests are still in detention. Not much has changed since then. 

Kenya has just experienced its own version of #EndSars, further exposing the alienation between the leaders and the young people of Africa. The population of Africa is predominantly young, a strategic demographic that is often projected as the engine room of the future, but this is a category that is poorly served and hence, it is angry and disillusioned. In Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana, we have a growing population of young people: they are educated but they have no jobs, their parents once lived in a country that prospered but which has been mismanaged, basic infrastructure for healthy living has collapsed, the cost of living is high. While the older generation may have resigned to their fate, for the most part, the youth are finding their voice, and they are speaking up, and when they do, they make sure their voices are loud and clear and that they are heard. They are no longer silent voices, but a loud majority.  The trigger for the youth revolution in Kenya is the Finance Bill of 2024. Last year there had been protests over the same Bill, resulting in the death of about six persons. But this year, Kenya’s parliamentarians returned to the same piece of legislation. The story is that Kenya had been advised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to increase its tax to GDP ratio from 13.5%% to at least 20%. This is supposed to generate about $2.3 billion and help reduce fiscal deficit. Kenya is a heavily indebted country - 68% of its GDP- about $80 billion in domestic and foreign debt. When President Ruto was invited on a state visit to the United States in May, one of the major gains of the trip was the pledge by the Biden administration to assist the country with part of its debt. But even that was not enough. Kenya owes China alone over $5.7 billion, a victim obviously of China’s debt trap diplomacy.  The country was left with no option to avoid default, and raise revenue, but to take IMF’s advice. IMF prescriptions may be fine on paper, but they do not often align with the psychology of the streets in developing countries. 

Kenya’s parliament tabled the Finance Bill in May/June, and all hell broke loose, first on social media, with young Kenyans actively protesting with #RejectFinaceBill. Kenya’s leaders underestimated the anger of the youths. They dismissed their protest as the rantings of over-pampered youths, with a sense of entitlement. The Bill as proposed has a long list of taxes: 16% Value Added Tax on bread, eggs, onions, potatoes and all petroleum products, 15 -20% tax on mobile money transfer charges and similar additional taxes to widen the country’s tax base. In the face of the protests, Kenya’s parliament, June 18 modified parts of the Bill, and removed other parts completely and quickly passed the Bill. The angry youths of Kenya were inconsolable. They did not want any modification. They want the entire Bill dropped. They took to the streets in protest, and from the capital, Nairobi the voices of dissent were echoed in 35 of the 47 counties. Last Tuesday, President Ruto reportedly said those on the streets were “criminals”, and they would be dealt with. On June 24, the lawmakers passed the Bill to be sent for President Ruto’s assent. It was a grave miscalculation. On June 26, the people took their physical anger to Parliament, with the slogan #tupataneThursday – “see you on Thursday.”  Many of the lawmakers took to their heels. Not even the cafeteria was spared.  Outside, Kenya burned. The fire of the people’s anger raged like wildfire. President Ruto did not wait for Thursday, penitently he quickly announced that he would not sign the Bill and that he would respect the will of the people. He further announced austerity measures in government spending and promised to hold a multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder consultation process with the people. On Thursday as promised, the protests continued. The President’s promise not to sign the Bill was not enough. The chant had become #RutomustGo.” 

The youths of Kenya have every justification to express personal disappointment with their President. They believe it is Ruto himself that is behind the Finance Bill, using members of his party to see it through parliament. And yet this is the same President who while looking for the job, told the people that he came from a low background like most of the people, he even described himself as “a hustler”, and a champion of the poor and the downtrodden.  “I sold chicken at a railway crossing near my home as a child…” he said. “I paid fees for my siblings. God has been kind to me…” It is the same Ruto who wants to tax the people? After the fact, he now wants to consult the people after calling the youths criminals: his arrogance is his undoing. The consultation should have been the first thing to do. Kenya is one of Africa’s richest economies, but the people have seen their country mismanaged. Even if Kenya wants to take a credit facility from the IMF, the people have the right to know what has been done with all the debts that their government accumulated over the years. 

Ruto cannot exonerate himself. He was Vice President for 10 years. He has been President since 2022.The youths of Kenya have taught their leader a very strong lesson: that the people own the government, not the other way round. The usual tricks of divide and rule, through ethnicization of all matters political, did not work this time around in Kenya. Neither the ethnic nor the class card could be played against the youths, in Eldoret, Ruto’s home town and among his kith and kin, the Kalenjin, there are on-going protests. To worsen President Ruto’s agony, his own Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua does not seem to be on the same side with him. It is not only the IMF that he has to worry about. He has his Deputy and the angry youth too, making three sources of headache.  Gachagua has openly picked a quarrel with members of the cabinet and he recently accused the Director of the National Intelligence Service of causing the protests because of his incompetence. The Kenya Kwanza Alliance of 2022 seems to be unravelling. 

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga must be chuckling. But first, President Ruto needs to rebuild trust with the young people of Kenya who as recently as June 30 were besieging hospitals to donate blood for their colleagues who were shot by the police.  What Ruto has done as of yesterday was to scrap the office of the First Lady, Rachel Ruto and the Second Lady, Dorcas Rigathi Gachagua from the new Budget. The Office of the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) has also been scrapped. Ruto has also promised to halt opulence and extravagance among Kwanza leaders. He will need to do more. His government must ensure that all the wounded persons who are currently in hospital have their bills picked up by the government and the families of the dead are compensated. Like the youths of Nigeria in 2020, Kenyan youths are insisting that they have no leader that is dictating the pace of the rebellion; they are united by their resolve that the people of Kenya deserve good governance. President Ruto must also take steps to ensure that justice is done. Kenyan policemen behaved exactly like their Nigerian counterparts: firing teargas canisters, water cannons, cracking skulls and shooting live bullets into the crowd, and lying about their brutality, with their faces hidden behind masks. They simply helped to drive a wedge between the people and President Ruto. They must not be allowed to get away with their folly. In 2020, Nigerian youths demanded that the policemen must undergo psychiatric tests. It is an option that the Kenyan government should consider. President Ruto must move swiftly and sack all sycophants around him, in uniform or not. Besides, all the protesters who were abducted and are languishing in detention centres across the country must be released. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority is said to be investigating the conduct of the police. Their report should be made public, and the President should stop saying that he is pleased with the conduct of the police until a proper inquiry is carried out.  Many innocent Kenyans lost property running into millions. They deserve to be compensated.

Other African leaders must learn from the Kenyan debacle. Leadership must be driven by respect for the people. The youths of Kenya have set an example that would inspire other young persons in the continent. Already in Ghana, young persons have gone to X (formerly Twitter) to ask questions about the sale of SSNIT hotels (#HandsOffOurHotels) and they are asking President Nana Akufo-Addo to take note of what is happening in Kenya. Here in Nigeria, not a few commentators have been using the Kenyan situation to illustrate how African leaders take their citizens for granted and the risks that they run in doing so. 

Youths in Kenya share a lot in common with their Nigerian counterparts, especially in a post-COVID season. Kenya is in debt. Nigeria is also heavily indebted, and the government at the centre is reportedly trying to run four different budgets in one year creating room for suspicion and doubt. In 2023, President Tinubu promised Nigerians “e lo fokan bale, emi lo kan.” We were told that he has done it before in Lagos, at the centre, he would even do better. He became President in 2023. But there is hunger in the land, with the people shouting “ebi n pa wa” or as Eedris Adulkareem, the musician puts it, “ebi lo kan.”  The cost of living is high in Kenya, so it is in Nigeria. Food has become so expensive around here, people who live in communal spaces have learnt to avoid that old practice of leaving your pot of soup on fire to go and pick something in the room. Your pot of soup could get stolen before you get back. In the past, if you went to visit a friend and you met him eating, you were likely to be told to “come and join me, let’s eat.”  Not many Nigerians can offer free food again. There is insecurity in the land and it keeps getting worse. Only last weekend, female suicide bombers wreaked havoc in Gwoza and Monguno areas of Borno state, at a wedding, a funeral and a hospital. It is not even safe to get married or fall sick or go to a hospital in Nigeria. Not too long ago, Nigerians were told that terrorists had been decimated, and that the government was winning the war. But it looks like the Boko Haram terrorists are back with greater ferocity. It is frightening. The Tinubu administration has been careful not to tell Nigerians that they would raise taxes. One of the officials has also said Nigeria is not considering asking the IMF for a loan, even if there is widespread suspicion that the government is unusually “friendly” with the IMF/World Bank. 

One preliminary lesson that Nigerian leaders can take away from the Kenya situation is to avoid the error of careless talk that often gives the impression that the leaders are insensitive. This is certainly not the time for any Nigerian leader to keep saying there is no money to pay Nigerian workers and pensioners a minimum wage. Or that the people should be ready to make sacrifices. The people want better pay, and if there is no money, the leaders should be the ones to take a pay cut. Nigerian leaders cannot ask the people to make sacrifices, and they would be talking about buying new jets, SUVs and building new houses, with taxpayers’ money. Nigerians don’t want to be told by members of the National Assembly that any request that the Executive brings to the Assembly will be granted automatically and there is nothing any citizen can do about it. What Nigerians want to hear are words of hope, reassurance and clear, meaningful attempts to make their lives better. African leaders like to talk loosely. Once they get to power, they forget all the promises that they made, and begin to blame other people for their omissions. President Ruto of Kenya called the youth “treasonous criminals.” He got the answer he did not expect. We can only hope that he has learnt his lesson. 

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says two states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) contributed to the country’s capital importation in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024.

In a report on Monday titled ‘Nigeria Capital Importation Q1 2024,’ NBS said the country recorded $3.38 billion in foreign investments, up from $1.09 billion reported in Q4 2023.

This represents a 210 percent quarter-on-quarter increase.

On a year-on-year basis, the bureau said capital importation rose by 198.06 percent from $1.13 billion recorded in Q1 2023.

Also, according to the report, with over $2.78 billion recorded, Lagos accounted for 82 percent of the total foreign capital inflow into Nigeria.

FCT followed with $593.58 million and Ekiti recorded $12,750.

TheCable Index analysis showed that 34 states did not generate any foreign investment between January and March 2024.

STATES THAT FAILED TO ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN Q1 2024

• Abia
• Adamawa
• Akwa Ibom
• Anambra
• Bauchi
• Bayelsa
• Benue
• Borno
• Cross River
• Delta
• Ebonyi
• Edo
• Enugu
• Gombe
• Imo
• Jigawa
• Kaduna
• Kano
• Katsina
• Kebbi
• Kogi
• Kwara
• Nasarawa
• Niger
• Ogun
• Ondo
• Osun
• Oyo
• Plateau
• Rivers
• Sokoto
• Taraba
• Yobe
• Zamfara

Also, the NBS report showed that foreign portfolio investment (FPI) was the top source of capital importation with $2.08 billion, accounting for 61.48 percent, followed by other investments with $1.18 billion, accounting for 34.99 percent.

FDI recorded the least with $119.18 million (3.53 percent) in Q1 2024.

Ethiopian Airlines has revealed that the Nigerian government has withdrawn from the partnership aimed at launching the Nigeria Air project. 

The announcement was made by the Airlines' Group Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Tasew, in Dubai, as reported by the Ethiopian Tribune. “The Nigerian government has lost interest in partnering with a foreign airline,” Tasew was quoted as saying.

This news follows the Federal Government's decision two months ago to suspend the Nigeria Air project indefinitely.

On May 27, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo announced the suspension during a briefing marking President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office. Keyamo criticized the partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, arguing that the proposed airline's ownership structure was not favorable for Nigeria.

He stated that it would be irresponsible for the Federal Government to allow a foreign entity to dominate the Nigerian aviation sector, potentially stifling the growth of local businesses.

The maid of the former Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian e-commerce giant, Konga, the late Nick Imudia (names withheld), has disclosed the last conversation she had with her boss before news of his death was announced last week.

Vanguard, meanwhile, gathered that the late Imudia’s family had requested his body for burial.

The maid, according to a close friend of the deceased, who spoke with Vanguard on the condition of anonymity, said late Imudia called her a day earlier and handed her a piece of paper with five telephone numbers, including that of his brother in the United States of America.

According to the deceased’s friend, “She said Nick told her to keep the numbers, that she would need them at the appropriate time. Thereafter, she said he went into the bathroom and heard the shower running, indicating that he was having a bath.

“She said after some time, she observed that the shower was still running and wondered what he could still be doing for so long. She knocked on the door, but there was no response and she left.

“Moments later, she said the private guard knocked on the door and informed her to come and see what had happened to Nick. She rushed downstairs and found him in a horrible state. Immediately, she rushed upstairs and still met the shower on. By the time she opened the door, she discovered there was nobody in there.”

Meanwhile, the family, according to the deceased’s friend, had requested the release of Imudia’s body for burial.

The family, in a statement, had ruled out suicide as the cause of his death, stating that he never showed any signs of stress and was never diagnosed as depressed at any point.”

Vanguard gathered that detectives at the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigative Department, Yaba, Lagos, investigating the cause of the death were expecting some of those invited for questioning as at 11a.m., yesterday.

To ease financial pressure on pilgrims, who took part in the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the Federal Government and no fewer than eight states spent N100.642 billion on the pilgrims as subsidies and allowances.

The 2024 Hajj lasted from June 14 to June 19.

Coming at a time when no fewer than 20 states refused to pay wage awards to their workers to reduce the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, an Executive member of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Isiaq Kunle Sanni, said that the Muslim community never requested the Hajj subsidies.

Sani expressed concern that the government’s priorities are misplaced and that the funds could have been better spent on scholarships and other pressing issues.

However, the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, commended the governments for the gesture saying it was a necessary rescue package for pilgrims.

FG spent N90bn

At the flag-off of the inaugural airlift for the 2024 Hajj exercise at Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu,
disclosed that the president had ordered the payment of N90 billion subsidy for the 2024 Hajj.

The Vice President said the president took this initiative on account of the economic situation in Nigeria, and urged the intending pilgrims to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country.

Like the Federal Government, many states, especially, in the North, catered for the welfare of their pilgrims. Most of the states did not disclose how much they spent on their pilgrims; however, seven states disbursed N10.699 billion.

Governors prioritise pilgrims’ welfare over workers pay

There are indications that many governors in the North prioritised the subsidisation of pilgrimage of some privileged persons in their states over the payment of the wage award initiated by the Federal Government to their workers.

Vanguard’s checks indicate that apart from some governors directly funding expenses of the pilgrims from their states, others substantially subsidised the pilgrimage of their pilgrims.

However, most of the governors have vehemently opposed the payment of wage awards to their workers since the Federal Government introduced the six-month payment upon the withdrawal of fuel subsidy last year to cushion the spiral effect on their income and welfare.

Kebbi spent N4 billion

In Kebbi State government, Governor Nasiru Idris subsidised the Hajj expenses by donating One million naira to each of the 4000 pilgrims.

Plateau sponsored 540 of 1,233 pilgrims with N2bn loan

In Plateau State with 1,233 pilgrims, the state and local government councils concertedly sponsored no fewer than 540 of the pilgrims.

To facilitate their travel, the State Muslims Pilgrims Board secured a bank loan of N2 billion to enable it to obtain the needed number of Hajj slots from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, before the intending pilgrims not sponsored by the State or Local Government Area made their deposits.

Kano offered N1.56bn subsidy

On his part, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State announced a N500,000 subsidy for each of the 3,121 pilgrims from the state running into N1,560,500,000.

It was also gathered that the Governor gifted the pilgrims 100 Saudi Riyal each amounting to N62.42 million as Sallah gesture.

1,815 pilgrims get N550 million in Borno In Borno State, no fewer than 1,815 pilgrims received N303,000 each as subsidy from the state government. The total sum is N549,945,000.

Zamfara spent N257.7m on 1,718 pilgrims

In Zamfara, the state government supported each of the 1,718 pilgrims with $100, which at N1500 to a Dollar amounted N257, 700,000.

Nasarawa pilgrims got N1.23 billion

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State splashed $200, and 200 Riyals on each of 1, 760 Nasarawa pilgrims. At the current exchange rate, one Saudi Riyal is equivalent to N396.91.

Public Relations Officer, Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulrazaq Abacha Madaki, who confirmed this in a message to journalists, said Governor Sule had continued to demonstrate impeccable leadership and compassion after he personally donated two hundred dollars for the Islamic Hadaya and two hundred Saudi Riyals as Sallah gift to each of the 1, 760 pilgrims from Nasarawa State The board image maker explained that the donation was in fulfillment of the the governor’s earlier promise to the pilgrims when departing for the Holy land of Mecca. The summation of the donations, at current exchange rate is N1.227 billion.

Lagos, Ogun subsidized operations with N1.042bn

The Ogun State government subsidized year 2024 Hajj with N119,560,712.70, which is the shortfall in pilgrims’ Basic Travel Allowance, BTA The Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, confirmed this to Vanguard in Abeokuta.

Also, Lagos State Government disbursed N923 million as Hajj subsidy for 1,846 pilgrims, this year.
Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu said this through the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro.

Niger caters for rams, slaughtering

In Niger State, Vanguard’s checks showed that 3,223 pilgrims went to this year’s holy pilgrimage to Mecca.

Each of them paid N6,699,000 for the trip without any subsidy from the state government.

However, the state government, it was gathered, paid for the purchase and slaughtering (Hadaya) of one ram for each of the pilgrims in Mecca.

Other states

However, the sums spent by a host of the states were not disclosed. In Oyo State, Government sources said it was impossible for the government not to subsidize Hajj fare because it’s too costly, and “that’s the tradition for both Christian and Muslim pilgrims.”

In Kwara, there were 3117 pilgrims, according to the Secretary of the Pilgrims’ Board, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, who however declined to disclose what the state had given to each of the pilgrims to supplement their payment for the trip.

“I cannot tell you the amount because it is beyond me,” he quipped.

Although Kaduna State had no fewer than 4,600 pilgrims, officials declined to disclose how much the government paid to subsidise their trips, insisting that such information was beyond their brief.

Taraba sponsored 111 pilgrims

In Taraba State, the government-sponsored 111 of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.

Apart from this, the only subsidy the other pilgrims from the state benefited from was provided by the Federal Government.

This subsidy was available only to those who had paid the initial cost stipulated by NAHCON before the price was reviewed upwards.

Bayelsa funded 10 of 13 pilgrims

In Bayelsa, a senior appointee of the State government confirmed the state fully sponsored 10 persons to this year’s Hajj, while three other persons were on self-sponsorship.

However, at the time of filing this report, an official at the Bayelsa State Pilgrims Welfare Board said they were still working on the amount to approve for the pilgrims because of the volatility of the naira to the dollar.

Muslims never asked, govt playing politics with subsidies — NSCIA Exco

Speaking to Vanguard in Abuja, Sanni stated that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, opposed free Hajj trips and preferred scholarships instead.

His words: “The Muslims never asked the government to subsidize pilgrimage. Politicians often seek to appeal to the sentiments of Nigerians, whether they are Christians or Muslims. They likely did this of their own volition, perhaps hoping to gain favour with the Muslim community.

‘’This is why, during Christmas, both federal and state governments subsidize transportation for Christians, allowing them to travel by road or by train free of charge for one month for their religious festivals. The politicians likely aimed to appeal to Christians as well.

“However, this practice was not replicated during the Islamic festival, and we did not complain. Those who had already paid for their pilgrimage in full before the various governments announced their hajj fare subsidies were not refunded a single dime. I can state this unequivocally and with reliable authority. Hajj is not compulsory unless one has the financial means to fund it. Islamic teachings clearly state that Hajj is obligatory only for those who can afford it.

“Trusting politicians can be risky; it’s possible that no money has actually been released despite the announced subsidies. Many of the listed beneficiaries may never receive the subsidies. The government stated that the Hajj subsidy would cover those with outstanding payments. It was not a full subsidy but was intended for those who had made deposits but became unable to pay the balance when the Naira plummeted.

“To the best of my knowledge, and as someone closely connected to Islamic authorities in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, never requested any government to subsidize Hajj for Muslims.

‘’The Sultan personally opposes providing free Hajj trips. He prefers that such funds be allocated to scholarships, as there are many other pressing issues that the government could address instead of sponsoring people for Hajj. Sending someone to Hajj costs about N8 million.

‘’If you give an average Nigerian N8 million, they are likely to use it effectively. They could start a business with that money and, after a few years, have enough funds to sponsor themselves for Hajj. However, Nigerian politicians, being who they are, often prefer to make some noise.”

It was a lifeline — MURIC

Toeing a different line, MURIC Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said the subsidy was a response to the extraordinary circumstances faced by the pilgrims who had paid the full amount required but were affected by the unforeseen fluctuation in naira’s value.

Speaking to Vanguard in Abuja, Akintola said: “Depending on the circumstances, it may be appropriate for the government to subsidize pilgrimage. The subsidy provided by the government in the past year was prompted by the difficulties faced by Muslim pilgrims.

‘’They did not explicitly request the subsidy, either individually or collectively. However, during the payment process, some pilgrims had already paid the full amount required when the Nigerian currency experienced significant fluctuation.

‘’They did not ask for the subsidy, but the prices changed after they had already paid, and it was not due to indigence. They had collected the exact amount that the Pilgrims’ Board required.

Unfortunately, the value of the money they paid dropped, and they were asked to find additional funds. This is the true situation we face.

“Ordinarily, we have argued that under normal circumstances, there would be no need for governments’ intervention in pilgrimage matters. About five years ago, MURIC launched a campaign urging the federal government to withdraw from pilgrimage affairs.

‘’Muslims can manage pilgrimage on their own; this year alone, at least 65,000 Muslim pilgrims went for Hajj. When such a large number of people pool their resources and manage them properly, they can return with profits. Therefore, we suggested that the government should withdraw its involvement.’’

Oil companies buy refined Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, from illegal refineries in various host communities in the Niger Delta region, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited allegedly declared on Monday.

It declared this in the presence of international and domestic oil and gas companies at the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week Conference holding in Abuja. This was not contested by the oil firms present at the event.

Tantita is a security company headquartered in Warri, Delta State, focusing on the oil and gas sector, and offers security solutions specifically designed for oil and gas assets. The firm currently offers security services to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Speaking as a panellist at the session titled, “Exploring Nigerian Content Solutions to Meet Energy Demand,” the Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Services, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh said illegal refineries produce diesel in large volumes and their customers include many downstream operators. 

He said the outfits get patronage from not just smugglers, but also from oil companies, stressing that the clampdown of these refineries by Tantita and other security agencies was the reason why diesel prices had been on the increase.

“Why is there no scarcity of diesel while there is scarcity of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol)? The story is simple, most of the diesel you buy is produced by the communities.

“About 90 per cent of the diesel in the fuel stations is produced by the communities. It will also interest you to know that even the oil companies patronise the local communities. Don’t let anybody deceive you, they (oil companies) also patronise the local communities,” he declared. 

Enisuoh explained that to provide Nigerian content solutions to meet energy demand, concerning infrastructure, “we might need to focus more on the local communities.”

He insisted that if not for the interventions of security agencies such as his firm, the production of diesel illegally would continue to increase.

“The reason why the price of diesel is high today is because of the works of private security companies like my company Tantita Security Services.

“This is because we have been able to somehow cut down on a lot of the businesses of the illegal refineries. This is why you see the cost of diesel going up,” he stated.

On April 10, 2024, The PUNCH reported that NNPC declared that a tugboat conveying suspected illegally refined diesel was apprehended by operatives of Tantita Security Services Limited.

NNPCL had stated that the tugboat was being escorted by a marine police boat in Rivers State before it was arrested by the security outfit, adding that five persons on the boat were currently being interrogated by Tantita.

“On Monday, April 1, 2024, the Tantita Security Services team on patrol pursued and arrested a tugboat – Aya Oba Olori II, which was being escorted by a marine police boat in Rivers State. 

“The tugboat was laden with an unspecified quantity of suspected illegally refined AGO which was loaded from a barge at Onne dock on March 31. Five persons onboard the tugboat were arrested by Tantita team and are undergoing interrogation,” NNPC had stated.

In another development on the sidelines of the NOG conference, the Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, led Nigeria’s delegation in a meeting with the African Petroleum Regulators Forum.

He said members of the forum, comprising regulators from various countries on the continent, would work together to harness and judiciously utilise the 125 billion barrels of crude oil reserves in Africa.

He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards fostering a more collaborative, innovative, and sustainable petroleum industry in Africa.

“The establishment of the AFRIPERF signifies our commitment to working together to overcome common challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead so that we can achieve our national aspirations in the development and utilisation of our hydrocarbon resources.

“Currently, Africa holds substantial oil and gas reserves. The continent’s proven oil reserves are estimated to be around 125 billion barrels, representing approximately seven to nine per cent of the world’s total oil reserves, while the proven natural gas reserves are estimated at around 620 trillion cubic feet, which is about seven to eight per cent of the global total (Mondaq),” Komolafe stated.

He noted that aside from hydrocarbon resources, Africa is blessed with potential for green and blue hydrogen, solar, wind, biomass and critical minerals for the development of clean energy technologies as well as a growing population predominated by young people representing a huge economic asset.

The Nigeria Customs Service said its operatives intercepted nine containers carrying offensive items including arms, ammunition, Illicit drugs and second-hand clothes worth N13.9 billion.

The Comptroller-General, NCS, Adewale Adeniyi disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists in Onne Port, Rivers State.

Adeniyi said one of the containers which originated from Turkey, based on the number of risk factors associated with the importation, became a subject of interest to the service.

Giving details of the container, the CG said, “We have followed its sail across continents and we’ve benefitted immensely from credible information through our collaboration with intelligence communities both at local, national and international levels,”

According to him, the importer tried to circumvent the procedure through the outlet of a private-bonded terminal.

“On Friday 21st of June 2024, the auspicious container was subjected to a thorough physical examination. Inside the container were 844 units of assorted riffles and 12,500 pieces of life ammunition,” which Adeniyi said were “concealed with various items like doors, furniture fittings and leather bags.”

The NCS boss stated that the duty-paid value of the container was N4.2bn.

He added that three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures after securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice.

On the other containers, Adeniyi said, “On Saturday, our officers intercepted eight pieces of 40-foot containers transiting from a bonded terminal

“On examination, six of the containers were laden with 1.5 million bottles of cough syrup of codeine in 100ml sizes, 3.5m tablets of tramadol. The duty-paid value of the containers is N9.6bn. the total duty paid value of the nine containers is N13.9bn,” the customs boss concluded.

On Friday, June 28, 2024, the Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 2 of the NCS said it intercepted 1,410 litres of premium motor spirit worth N30.4m within one week.

The team’s Coordinator, Mohammad Shuaibu, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos State.