The Nigeria Police Force announced that its officers will cease the practice of torturing suspects upon their arrest and detention.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi stated this in an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday.

His comment comes after the report of arrest of some suspected killers of the Divisional Police Officer in Rivers State.

According to the Force spokesperson, the police are now conscious of the provisions of the Anti-torture Act 2017 and conducting professional interviews.

Adejobi said the police do not need to torture anybody to get needed information, noting that though it may take them time to get information from suspects, they will surely get the information.

He said, “We don’t torture in the police again. That era has gone. We are actually carrying out what we call interview and interrogation sessions in a professional way to get them.

“We are conscious of the provisions Anti-torture Act of 2017. We don’t need to torture anybody. It may take us time to get information from them but we will surely get information from them.”

The President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government has approved N225 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour tariff increment for Band A electricity consumers in the country.

The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Musliu Oseni, who made this known at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday said the increase will see the customers paying N225 kilowatt per hour from the current N66.

According to Oseni, customers in Band A who are those who enjoy 20 hours of electricity supply daily represent 15 percent of the 12million electricity customers in Nigeria.

Oseni further said that the NERC had also downgraded some customers on the Band A to Band B due to non-fulfilment of the required hours of electricity provided by the electricity distribution company.

“We currently have 800 feeders that are categorised as Band A, but it will now be reduced to under 500. This means that 17 per cent now qualify as Band A feeders. These feeders only service 15 per cent of total electricity customers connected to the feeders.

“The commission has issued an order which is titled April supplementary order and the commission allows a 235 kilowatt per hour,” he said.

Oseni added that the upward review of the electricity tariff will not affect customers on the other Bands.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has warned that he will surprise those who consider his honest decision to implement the presidential peace pact as a sign of weakness.

Governor Fubara said he had been inundated with several comments in the media about the implementation of the peace initiative, and had chosen to be silent out of maturity and wisdom.

But, he said, it was important to put the records straight for clarity, and explained that when President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened in the political crisis that engulfed the State on October 30, 2023, the agreement that was accepted was a political solution.

Governor Fubara said, he had since then commenced implementation of the agreement, solely because of his respect for President Tinubu, but cautioned that it appears that other political actors have taken his humility and compliance as a sign of weakness.

The Governor said: "Let me say it here for record purposes: What is happening here in our dear State is somebody who has respect for an elder.

"Mr. President invited all the parties to Abuja, and came out with a resolution that we should go and implement. That resolution, I am implementing it. It is not a constitutional implementation. It is a political solution to a problem.

"And I am doing it because of the respect I have for Mr President. But, let me say it here, if that action that I have accepted to take would be seen as a weakness, I will surprise them. I want this message to go to them."

Governor Fubara, who had received members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) from the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State on a solidarity rally at Government House Gate, in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, said their large number further goes to prove the nature of the organic support his Administration has continued to enjoy from the people of the State.

"Some days ago, somebody said we are busy renting crowd for thanksgiving. But what I have seen here today, it's not different from what is happening at those thanksgiving rallies. People are just appreciating God and good governance."

Governor Fubara stated that he was mindful of the legacy he would bequeath after his tenure, adding "It should also be about the lives that have been touched genuinely; about the policies implemented without any inducement to better the lives of the people and the society."

The Governor urged the people to continue to support his Administration, show understanding over actions taken, and obey the rules in a peaceful manner.

"When you are doing what is right, I will stand by you. Nobody, whether full or half is going to intimidate you. Brace up, I say brace up, because the next step, it will be fire for fire in Rivers State. Everything will be implemented."

Governor Fubara said that already, local government workers have started receiving ₦30,000.00 minimum wage with promotion to be implemented beginning from April's salary payment.

He also promised to set in motion plans to finalise modalities for the implementation of the Consolidated Salary Scale for Grade Level 17, and regular payment of benefits to the local government service retirees.

"For our people, the great and wonderful people of Rivers State, we will continue to lead you with the fear of God.

"Maturity is not about age, maturity is in the person. It is what defines the character of a person. I choose not to respond to people that I assumed are matured, but are obviously immature in attitude.

"I will continue to be mature, not minding my age, but I will not, for any reason, allow myself or anybody who is working with me in this Administration to be messed with, maltreated or abused in the cause of administering this governance."

Signed
Nelson Chukwudi
Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor

Gospel minister, Nathaniel Bassey, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate and prosecute four persons who he accused of criminal defamation and cyberstalking.

The singer submitted the petition to the IGP on April 1, 2024, through his lawyers, Peter Abraham, Uche Matthew, Gbenga Agunloye, and Anthony Abia.

Last week, four social media users alleged that Bassey fathered the son of fellow popular gospel singer, an allegation that went viral on X.

The lawyers, therefore, urged the police authorities to urgently treat the petition against the four social media users, identified in the petition as Okoronkwo Ejike, Kingsley Ibeh, Terrence Ekot and Dj Spoiltkid.

“Our client is a gospel music minister whose songs and ministrations have impacted the lives of so many from different walks of life across the globe,” the petition partly read.

“On Friday, the 29th day of March 2024, Mercy Chinwo Blessed another popular gospel music minister, and her husband posted pictures of their son and themselves on different social media platforms.

“However, our client was disheartened, saddened, and grossly disturbed to find that the above-mentioned suspects, as mischief makers with a criminal intent to destroy the image and character of our client, had made different social media posts of defamatory matter, calling our client ‘the father of minister Mercy Chinwo Blessed’s son,’ a woman who is married to another man.

“The post by Mr. Okoronkwo Ejike has since gone viral on the platform. In reaction to the post, Mr. Kingsley Ibeh commented on Mr. Okoronkwo’s post with a picture of our client with the caption “The real father of the baby.”

“In a post on the platform “X” formerly known as Twitter, “Dj SpoiltKid” a verified X user, quoted the statement by Okoronkwo Ejike along with a screenshot of the post and added, “When are we doing DNA test?”

“In another post, Mr. Terrence Ekot, on the platform “X” made a post thus: “Take a look at the stunning resemblance of mercy chinwo’s son and Nathaniel Bassey. Though duo has been working together on several projects in the past..what do you have to say?” (sic)

The lawyers said the social media posts by the four individuals amounted to complete assassination of Bassey’s character.

“These nefarious acts of these suspects, if not immediately dealt with, will continue to destroy our client’s image, injure his reputation, assassinate his character, and cast aspersion on the good name built by our client over the years.

The lawyers said the alleged actions of the four individuals contravened Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act as well as Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.).

“The consequences of making such statements on social media have been known to tarnish the reputations of individuals, render marriages unstable, and many never recover from them. International reputation is an asset—both for the individual and for the nation—and it takes time to acquire.

“Consequently, we urge you to use your good offices to, in the interest of justice, investigate this matter, arrest, and bring the suspect to justice, which will serve as a deterrent to others.”

Efforts to reach the Police Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, for comments were not successful as of press time. Also, calls to Mercy Chinwo’s lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, rang out.

Nigerian commercial banks have set withdrawal limits on their automated teller machines (ATMs), TheCable can report.

Findings showed the limits vary across banks.

This followed reported cases of cash scarcity in some parts of the country in the second half of last year.

On November 2, 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said the scarcity experienced in some locations was due to a high volume of withdrawals from its branches by banks and panic withdrawals by customers from ATMs.

The CBN also said there was sufficient stock of currency notes for economic activities in Nigeria and assured its branches across the country were working to ensure seamless cash circulation in their respective states of operation.

While the scarcity persisted, the apex bank, on December 13, blamed the situation on hoarding, stating most of the cash given to banks was in the hands of individuals.

A year before, the CBN had attempted to limit cash circulation by implementing a cap on ATM withdrawals, to encourage cashless transactions.

The CBN reduced ATM withdrawals on December 6, 2022, to N20,000 daily and N100,000 per week. However, on December 21 of the same year, the regulator reviewed the cash withdrawal limits across all channels to N500,000 and N5,000,000 per week for individual and corporate organisations, respectively — after a public outburst.

This took effect on January 9, 2023.

However, recent findings across various locations in Lagos showed that banks have restored limits on ATM withdrawals.

TheCable understands that the cap set on account holders also restricts the customers to a certain amount should they attempt to withdraw from a different bank.

BANKS’ NEW DAILY ATM WITHDRAWAL LIMITS

At three Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) branches located in Ogba, Egbeda, and Fagba in Lagos state, the company’s account holders are only allowed to withdraw N20,000 per day at the ATM, while it dispenses a maximum of N5,000 to non-customers daily.

However, another GTBank in Egbeda has a daily cap of N50,000 for customers and N20,000 for non-customers.

Also, Polaris Bank branches at Festac and Ikeja have N50,000 ATM withdrawal limit per day for the lender’s account holders — but non-customers can only withdraw N20,000 per day.

The limit is different for account holders of United Bank for Africa (UBA), as ATMs at the lender’s branches at Fagba and Ogba only dispense N20,000 and N60,000 to N100,000, respectively, whereas non-customers have a cap of N5,000 and N40,000 to N60,000, respectively.

At Union Bank branches in Ikeja, Ilupeju, and Berger, account holders can withdraw N20,000, N60,000 to N70,000, and N70,000 per day, respectively.

However, non-customers have a limit of N20,000 daily at Union Bank branches in Ikeja and Ilupeju, while they can withdraw up to N40,000 at the Berger office.

For Ecobank account holders, the maximum ATM withdrawal at its branches in Ogba and Berger is N400,000 and N40,000 per day, respectively, while non-customers can withdraw N20,000 daily.

Keystone Bank branches at Ilupeju, Ogba, and Allen set a limit of N40,000, N50,000, and N200,000 per day for account holders, respectively; while the ATM dispenses N20,000, N30,000, and N100,000, (respectively) to non-customers.

The withdrawal limit for Zenith Bank account holders is N100,000 per day at ATMs located at the company’s branches in Aguda and Festac, but non-customers can only withdraw N30,000 and N50,000, respectively.

At its branches in Allen and Akowonjo, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has an ATM withdrawal cap of N40,000 for account holders, while N20,000 is dispensed to non-customers per day.

Also, Sterling Bank branches at Ilupeju and Allen have a limit of N50,000 for account holders, but the maximum non-customers can withdraw are N25,000 and N50,000, respectively.

Access Bank also has a limit on ATM withdrawals, as the company’s branches in Allen and Ogba offer N40,000 per day to account holders, but dispense N20,000 to N25,000 to non-customers.

Checks at Fidelity Bank’s branches in Ilupeju and Aguda showed account holders can withdraw a maximum of N40,000 — but for non-customers at the Ilupeju office, the amount depends on the bank they are using, while for the Aguda branch, non-customers can withdraw N20,000 or until they can no longer take out funds from the ATM.

First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) also limited account holders’ ATM withdrawals to N40,000 daily, according to findings at its branches in Allen and Berger.

Although non-customers can withdraw N20,000 at FBN’s Allen office, withdrawal at the Berger branch depends on the bank used by non-customers.

For Globus Bank account holders, ATMs at the company’s branches in Ilupeju and Allen have a limit of N150,000 per day, however, non-customers withdrawal limit also depends on their banks.

Providus Bank branches in Allen and Adeola Odeku offer account holders a maximum of N100,000 and N150,000 (respectively) per day, with the ATMs dispensing N20,000 to non-customers daily.

However, account holders of Premium Trust Bank can withdraw N40,000 daily at the company’s ATMs in Allen and Adeola Hopewell branches but non-customers are only able to withdraw N10,000 and N40,000 to N50,000 per day, respectively.

At Allen and Mowe (Ogun state), ATMs in Unity Bank branches dispense N40,000 per day to account holders and non-customers.

But at Parallex Bank in Adeola Hopewell, the ATM withdrawal limit for account holders is N100,000, while that of non-customers depends on their banks.

Heritage Bank in Ilupeju has a cap of N150,000-N200,000 per day for account holders, but non-customers cannot withdraw more than N40,000 daily.

Also, findings at Suntrust Bank, located in Sanusi Fafunwa, showed account holders are limited to N20,000 a day and non-customers can withdraw N20,000-N30,000 daily.

At Titan Trust Bank in Egbeda, both account holders and non-customers are unable to withdraw more than N20,000 per day.

It is different at Stanbic IBTC in Computer Village and Ogba, where ATM withdrawal for account holders is capped at N80,000 to N100,000 daily.

However, non-customers can withdraw N40,000 daily at the Computer Village branch, while they can withdraw until they are unable to at the Ogba office.

TheCable also learnt that ATMs at Wema Bank branches in Oba Akran and Ojodu are dispensing N40,000 to account holders daily, but non-customers limit depends on their banks.

WHY BANKS ARE SETTING LIMITS TO ATM WITHDRAWAL

In a notice to customers, seen by TheCable, Stanbic IBTC Bank advised withdrawals should be limited to one bank card per transaction when using the company’s ATM to avoid cash shortage.

In the statement, pasted at its ATM gallery, Stanbic IBTC said cash shortage occurs when individuals use multiple cards from different banks in a single ATM transaction.

“To ensure uninterrupted access to cash withdrawals through our Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), we kindly request that you limit your withdrawals to one bank card per transaction when using our ATMs,” Stanbic IBTC said.

“This measure aims to prevent instances of cash shortages that may occur when individuals use multiple cards from different banks in a single ATM transaction, surpassing the maximum daily withdrawal limit per individual. This practice may inadvertently restrict other customers’ access to cash.”

Also, a top official in the banking industry — with knowledge of the withdrawal limits adopted by the banks — said financial technology (Fintechs) firms are one of the reasons banks are limiting withdrawal at their ATMs.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said fintech companies have no ATMs but offer their customers debit cards to withdraw all the cash from banks’ ATMs.

“They give cards to people. Most of the people that are doing POS, they go to commercial banks to go and clean out all the money in their ATMs, denying the real customers of the banks to have access to the cash that are in the ATM,” he said.

The source told TheCable point of sale (POS) operators thereafter charge bank customers in need of the cash POS operators withdrew from the ATMs.

He said banks had to become creative to tackle the issue.

In a statement shared with TheCable, Access Bank said every bank “sets ATM withdrawal limits based on available ‘ATM fit’ cash and the number of ATMs for the bank as well as the needs of the customers”.

Commenting on the disparity in limit for its account holders and non-customers, Access Bank said the former are prioritised.

“It is important for us to give priority to our customers cash need; we owe them that duty. Subject to cash availability we can allow other banks’ card holders to also access cash,” Access Bank said.

“Every bank issuing cards is expected to also deploy ATMs to match the need of her customers.”

When asked if the CBN approved the limit, Access Bank said every financial institution has the right to set its withdrawal cap which may change from time to time subject to cash availability, among other things.

However, Access Bank acknowledged CBN had issued a directive that the maximum cash withdrawal limit on all channels is N500,000 weekly for individuals.

Meanwhile, the ATM withdrawal restrictions — as observed by TheCable — violate the limits set by Nigeria’s financial regulator.

When contacted on February 12, Hakama Sidi Ali, CBN’s acting director of corporate communications, requested the enquiry be sent to her WhatsApp. The following day, she asked for the locations of the banks for an independent investigation.

Since the disclosure of the banks’ locations, CBN has not responded to questions on the matter despite several calls, and WhatsApp messages to the regulator’s spokesperson.

Some residents of Akure, the Ondo state capital, have looted a truck conveying food items.

TheCable understands that the truck developed a mechanical fault at the popular cultural centre junction, along Ondo-Akure expressway, on Monday.

The mechanical fault enabled the residents to overpower the driver and loot the truck.

It was observed that the food bags in the truck were branded in the name of President Bola Tinubu.

Those who looted the truck were petty traders, artisans, drivers and commercial motorcyclists.

The latest incident adds to the worrisome list of recent looting of food items in trucks and warehouses amid the current economic hardship in the country.

On Saturday, residents of Kebbi invaded a government warehouse in the Bayan Kara area of the state capital, and looted food items.

On March 1, a truck conveying cartons of spaghetti was looted by hoodlums at Dogarawa axis of Zaria-Kano expressway.

Two days later, some residents broke into the federal capital territory (FCT) warehouse in Abuja and carted away foodstuffs, doors of the warehouse and roofing.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.

Musliu Oseni, NERC vice chairman, announced the approval during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Oseni said customers under the classification, who receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, will now pay N225 per kilowatt (kW) — up from N66.

More to follow…

Ali Ciroma, former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is dead.

Ciroma passed away at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

Ibrahim Ciroma, a family member, who is also the Secretary of the Borno State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, announced his death in a statement on Tuesday evening.

The statement reads, “It is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of Comrade Ali Ciroma, former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“The sad event occurred this evening (Tuesday, April 2) at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

“The burial for the repose of the deceased will be held tomorrow Wednesday 4pm at the residence of the deceased No.7A along Galadima Road near Muhammadu Shuwa Memorial Hospital (Nursing Home), Maiduguri.”

The deceased served as the president of the NLC from 1984 to 1988 until he was ousted by the military administration of Gen Ibrahim Babangida, which disbanded the union.

However, during the Abacha regime, he was reinstated into the realm of unionism, being appointed as the Sole Administrator of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.

Nnaemeka Obiaraeri, a respected development economist, has voiced strong criticism against the Minister of Agriculture’s recent proposal to import 10,000 tractors, echoing concerns previously raised during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

Obiaraeri emphasized that the current proposal, which is projected to incur a hefty $1.1 billion expense through a public sector arrangement, signifies a repetition of the same error witnessed during Buhari’s tenure.

In an interview with Channels TV on Tuesday, Obiaraeri advocated for a more cost-effective strategy, suggesting allocating $750 million towards the importation of both tractors and bulldozers.

Reflecting on past decisions, he remarked, “Back in 2019, when the Buhari administration proposed borrowing $1.1 billion for importing 10,000 tractors…”

He continued, expressing concern about the Minister of Agriculture’s actions, stating, “The current administration is following in the footsteps of the Buhari government, pursuing a memorandum of understanding to import 10,000 tractors under a public sector arrangement, all at the expense of $1.1 billion.”

“Does it strike you as reasonable that we could achieve the same goal with a budget of $750 million, encompassing both tractors and bulldozers?” he questioned, highlighting apparent discrepancies in expenditure.

Obiaraeri outlined an alternative framework, envisioning the establishment of agro clusters across Nigeria’s 8,000 electoral wards, managed by skilled mechanical engineers.

Within these clusters, farmers would have access to machinery at an affordable average cost of N40,000, fostering economic growth and job creation.

He concluded with a poignant observation, “The repetition of past mistakes, as witnessed under the Buhari regime, raises serious questions about the priorities of our current administration.”

Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), says Nigerian youths prefer being aides to old politicians instead of aspiring for top positions in the country.

Sowore spoke on Tuesday in an interview on Channels Television, while reacting to the swearing-in of Bassirou Faye as Senegal’s fifth president.

The 44-year-old Faye was sworn in on Tuesday at an exhibition centre in Diamniadio near Dakar, the capital of Senegal.

Faye defeated Amadou Ba, Senegal’s former prime minister, and won 54 percent of the votes cast in the March 24 presidential election.

Wike kicks as secondus, Sekibo other top Rivers’ politicians declare support for Fubara
Prior to the election, Faye was detained alongside Ousmane Sanko, his political mentor, who was accused of “defamation” among other offences.

They were released 10 days before the presidential election.

Speaking on the development, Sowore said Africans should not jubilate too soon over the election of Faye but wait to see the implications of his policies and programmes.

The AAC presidential candidate said the election of Faye has shown Nigerians the possibility of electing young and vibrant people.

He added that he has not seen the “clear aspirations” of young Nigerians to become the top leaders of their country.

“The question is: what are our young people doing? Our young people are doing what I call ‘tag along’. They are more interested in becoming special assistants to governors or senators,” he said.

“I’m not seeing that clear aspiration of our young people to go and become the leaders of our country.

“Most of the time, it is these young people who are pulling down the few young people who are courageous enough to say it is time to turn the corner.”

Sowore added that Nigerian youths should not hide their youthfulness under old people “who have no idea of how to even operate a phone”.

He urged Nigerian youths to “take power”, saying that power cannot be given through constitutional amendments.