Months after banks restricted withdrawals on automated teller machines (ATMs), commercial banks in the country are beginning to increase the maximum amount of cash customers can withdraw on a daily basis to N200,000.
In an emailed notice to customers yesterday, Zenith Bank said customers can now ‘perform cash withdrawals of up to N200,000 per day’ at its ATM terminals across the country.
This, it said, is irrespective of the bank that issued the card.
The bank, however, stated that the N500,000 weekly cashless policy withdrawal limit for individuals still stands.
There are insinuations that other banks in the country may follow this path, by allowing their customers to withdraw, through ATM terminals, large amounts in the region of N200,000, even though they have not made it public.
Before now, most banks had put a limit of N20,000 daily withdrawal on their ATM terminals mainly for cards issued by other banks. The limit had been put in place during the naira redesign policy.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had, last December, limited weekly cash withdrawals over the counter to N100,000 for individuals and N500,000 for organisations. It also set daily cash withdrawals at point of sale (POS) and ATM terminals at N20,000 per day, with the directive taking effect from January 9, 2023.
Customers had resorted to seeking out their bank ATMs where they could make more withdrawals, or making cash withdrawals over the counter.
A circular issued by the apex bank during the period stated that “the maximum cash withdrawal per week via ATM shall be N100,000 subject to a maximum of N20,000 cash withdrawal per day.
“Only denominations of N200 and below shall be loaded into the ATMs. The maximum cash withdrawal via point of sale (POS) terminal shall be N20,000 daily.”
The limits on POS as well as denomination part of the statement have, however, not held ground as cash withdrawals limit through POS has since been in excess of N20,000 while all ATMs are dispensing only N1,000 and N500 notes.
Although a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail in the sum of N50 million, suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, will not be released, Daily Trust can report.
Kyari, who is facing charges of failure to declare assets alongside his siblings, was granted bail on Thursday.
The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had filed a 24-count charges against DCP Kyari, his brothers Mohammed Baba and Ali before the court over his failure to declare properties allegedly linked to him in the asset form.
The judge had earlier granted bail to the Kyari brothers who were accused of receiving funds from an international scam syndicate linked to Ramoni Abbas a.ka. Hushpuppi.
In his ruling on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho granted Kyari bail in the sum of N50m and two sureties in like sum.
Justice Omotosho added that the sureties must have property worth N25m within the court’s jurisdiction.
The House of Representatives has warned public tertiary institutions in the country not to take advantage of the Students Loans and access to Higher Education in Nigeria Act to increase their tuition fees.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Terseer Ugbor (APC-Benue) at plenary on Thursday in Abuja.
The House also resolved to convene a Legislative summit on student loans and access to higher education with all stakeholders in the education sector.
Moving the motion, Ugbor said that financial support from family members and relatives was often considered a traditional source for funding higher education globally.
He said in the past 60 years, such funding indicated that governments in both developed and developing countries had put in place various student loan and educational credit schemes to enable students to borrow towards the funding of higher education.
According to him, the use of Students Loans and Educational Credit Schemes in most countries of the world is often justified on the grounds that it guarantees greater access to higher education for less privileged citizens.
He said it was further predicated on the notion that education remained an investment in human capital which in turn would promote individual development, economic growth and national productivity.
He said, “after several years of unsuccessful attempts by successive administrations to introduce students loans, scholarships and other educational credit schemes, the 9th National Assembly passed the Students Loans Bill”.
He said it was recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu to provide the legal and institutional framework for the implementation of a Students Loan Scheme in the country.
He said the objectives and intention of the Students Loans were patriotic and would impact positive access to higher education in Nigeria, especially among the underprivileged citizens.
He, however, said that there were several critical omissions and identifiable bottlenecks that would frustrate the successful implementation of the Act.
This, according to him, is if immediate further legislative action was not taken to ensure its efficient implementation.
He said there was an urgent need to convene a legislative summit with all key stakeholders to develop a strategy to ensure the smooth implementation of the Act for the benefit of indigent Nigerian students.
(NAN)
Troops of the Nigerian Military attached to Operation HADIN KAI in the North East have neutralised members of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists attempting to cross the Nigerian territory from the Cameroon border.
The terrorists numbering five, according to the Military High Command, were gunned down following intelligence report that they laid ambush along Bula Yobe-Darel Jamel in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The newly appointed Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. ES Buba, who disclosed this at Defence Headquarters, Abuja, said no fewer than 10 terrorists were captured alive.
Buba, who was represented at the briefing by his deputy, Brig.-Gen. Abdullahi Ibrahim, told journalists that arms, weapons and other logistics including bags of flour and detergent were recovered from them, adding that their collaborators were also arrested.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast zone of the country have continued to intensify operations against terrorists, including their logistics suppliers and collaborators.”
“In pursuit of this, troops, on 22 June 2023, following an intelligence report on terrorists crossing from Cameroon to Nigeria, laid ambush along Bula Yobe-Darel Jamel in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State and made contact with the terrorists.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 5 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and recovered 1 bag each of flour and detergent,” the senior military officer said.
He also revealed that no fewer than 967 terrorists, 82 adult males, 354 adult females and 531 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the joint area of operations.
The Presidency has said President Bola Tinubu will release the list of his ministerial nominees when he is ready.
In line with the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, which mandates presidents and governors to submit the names of their ministerial and commissioner-nominees within 60 days of taking the oath of office, Tinubu, who assumed office on May 29, 2023, has less than one month to unveil his cabinet.
However, there have been reports on some persons that will make the list.
In stories by different national dailies, some names have been mentioned as those being considered by Tinubu.
Tokubo Abiru, senator representing Lagos East, and Prof Ali Pate, former Minister of Health, who declined a top global job, have been reported as Tinubu’s ministerial nominees.
According to reports, Abiru, former CEO of Polaris Bank, has been penciled down as next Finance Minister, while Pate has been nominated for the Health portfolio.
Former governor of Ekiti, Ayo Fayose, on Thursday, met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, saying afterwards that he will be the first to criticize the president if he goes back on campaign promises.
Speaking to correspondents after the meeting, he, however, noted that Tinubu had done well since coming into office and should be encouraged.
Fayose said since elections are over, and it is time to govern, Nigerians need to rally round the president who he said is alert and has a clear direction he wants to take the country.
According to the governor, President Tinubu cannot do it alone.
Even though he and some opposition party leaders such as Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, are working with Tinubu, he can never join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as he remains a member of the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Fayose said he did not expect Tinubu to fail, noting that if there is any delay, it will not be a deliberate act on the part of the president.
Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has assured he is on the path to recovery and will return to office soon.
Akeredolu embarked on a 21-day medical leave outside the shores of Nigeria.
The leave commenced on June 7 and ends today.
The Governor transmitted power to his deputy Lucky Aiyedatiwa to act while away.
In a statement on Thursday, the Ondo Governor thanked residents for their unwavering support, noting that he will return once his doctors deem it expedient.
The statement reads: “I pen this message with a heart overflowing with immense gratitude & deep appreciation. Your dedication, understanding, ceaseless prayers & messages of goodwill during my journey to recovery have been nothing short of a soothing balm for my soul.
“Your unwavering support and genuine affection have sustained my determination to renewed vigor and, most importantly, to continue serving you, the good people of Ondo State.
“I am profoundly grateful to our esteemed President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President @officialABAT, GCFR, and his team, as well as all political party leaders, my brother Governors, the State Executive Council, and the members of the State House of Assembly for their unwavering support.
“Your collective strength and solidarity have uplifted my spirit and reaffirmed my commitment to our shared vision for progress and development.
“While I remain on the path to recovery, I eagerly await the moment when I will stand among you once again. Rest assured, I am in high spirits and have full faith in the expertise of my doctors. I will return to you ALL as soon as they deem it expedient.
Read Also: Akeredolu thanks President, Govs, others for prayers, support
“My dear people, once again, your prayers, support, and the rejuvenating elixir of goodwill you have bestowed upon me have fortified my resolve. I am resolute in my dedication to serving you and working tirelessly for the betterment of our beloved Ondo State.
“Thank you from the depths of my heart.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas on Thursday stepped down an amendment motion seeking to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This followed a recommendation by Rep.Ginger Onwusibe (LP-Abia) following a motion by Rep. Eze Nwachukwu Eze (PDP-Ebonyi) in Abuja during plenary.
Eze had moved a motion titled “Need to Forestall Further Killings in Ebonyi Local Government Area, and the Rising Insecurityi in Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State.
But Onwusibe representing Isiala Ngwa North of Abia State had asked the House to amend the motion to ensure the release of Kanu so as to end the disturbing cases of killings in the south eastern part of the Country.
it would be recalled that Kanu had been in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS) in spite ruling by the court to release the leader of the group
in his motion, Eze urged the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to consult with Political, Traditional and Religious Leaders in Ebonyi State and South East.
This according to him is to find a lasting solution to the Insecurity in the South East.
He also also urged the Acting Inspector General of Police to mobilise Armoured Personnel Carriers to strategic Points across Ebonyi State to forestall future attacks.
He further urged the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to ensure effective policing of Ebonyi/ Ohaukwu Federal Constituency of Ebonyi, other States of the South-East and the entire country.
He also urged the Nigeria Police Force to engage in training of the vigilante group for intelligence gathering and effective community policing.
He asked that the House mandated the Committee on Police Affairs (lwhen constituted to make Budgetary provisions for the Nigeria Police force to acquire more combat Helicopters.
This according to him is to ensure proper surveillance of the South-East States and Nigeria in general.
However an amendment to the motion to include the release of Nnamdi Kanu was rejected and deferred by the Speaker who said the subject matter should not come under the motion on Ebonyi killings.
But Onwusibe said, the insecurity was as a result of the prolonged detention of Kanu, adding that the government should consider a way of releasing him so as to restore peace to the region.
However, Rep Ibrahim Halims, the Deputy leader of the House, rejected the amendment, saying, ” matters like that are always determined by court and not by parliamentary decision.”
In his contribution, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps. said the motion moved by Onwusibe was to find an amicable way of resolving the issue with regards to Kanu.
He added that what the prayer of the amendment should read was to urge Mr president to use any other diplomatic or political approach to find a lasting solution on this issue.
According to him, those of us from the region know where the shoe is pinching us.
In his ruling, Abbas said “this is a topical issue, my ruling on this is that I will defer ruling on this at this particular time and I will invite both the minority and majority leaders
This according to him is to consult and see what the point of the law says before I make my own position known.
“So while I rule on other motions and amendment that have been proposed, that particular one is suspended for ruling next week after due consultation.”
(NAN)
In Arogbo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, a mentally ill man reportedly strangled a 17-year-old secondary school student to death.
The victim, identified as Timibra Meretighan, was taking his Junior Secondary WAEC examination at Ijaw National High School in Arogbo when he was attacked by the mentally ill man, who proceeded to strangle him.
According to an eyewitness, the mentally deranged man gained access to the school premises and the examination hall, causing the students to scatter in order to avoid harm.
Unfortunately, Meretighan, who couldn’t run fast enough, was caught by the suspect. The suspect held him by the neck and strangled him to death.
The mentally ill man claimed that he killed the victim because he had called him a madman. Seeking revenge, he traced the victim to his school and carried out the act.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Funmi Odunlami, confirmed the incident and stated that the suspect had been apprehended by the state police.
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The principal of Ijaw National High School reported the incident to the police, explaining that a 27-year-old man forcibly entered the school premises and killed one of the students.
“The principal of Ijaw High School came to the station to report that one Oke Loya, 27 years old, who sought shelter at the security gate during the rain, strangled one of the students to death,” the PPRO said.
She continued, “He said the man killed one Timibra Meretighan, a 17-year-old boy from Arogbo-Ibe. The suspect claimed that the student called him a madman. The suspect has been arrested and detained in police custody.”
The First Lady of Lagos, Dr. (Mrs) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Thursday called on Christians from all denominations to embrace peace and unity for the progress and development of Nigeria.
The governor's wife gave the charge at the 2023 Lagos Praise 3.0, an annual event organized by the Office of the First Lady, Lagos to create a viable platform for the state's first family, graceful ladies, and members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) to come together in collaboration with the five blocs of the Christian Association of Nigeria (C.A.N), Lagos State Chapter.
In her address, Mrs. Sanwo-Olu said this years theme: “Casting Crowns,” taken from Rev 4: 10-11. was chosen specifically to signify the act of laying down one’s crown and submitting to worship which is the essence of the gathering.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu urged all Christians, particularly in the five blocs of CAN to use the platform to worship God in holiness, saying the body of Christ is one.
She said,, "I therefore, heartily welcome you all to this intense praise session and urge you to enjoy the presence of God and be alive in the spirit to get the best from this worship service”
“Beyond this service, I admonish us in the light of Hebrews 12: 14 that we should follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Let’s embrace peace and be pure in our relationship with people”
She further explained that," The initiative started as a platform for the First Family, Graceful Ladies, and members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), which is also chaired by me to come together in collaboration with the five blocs of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State Chapter.
“This is with the view to worshipping and appreciating God on a consistent basis for His faithfulness and loving-kindness and also to serve as an avenue to pray for good governance, peace, and development of Lagos State."
As it is tradition participants invited for the programme cut across the five administrative divisions of Lagos State namely Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe (IBILE).
Those invited to give the intense praise session the needed zest include; the eminent leadership of CAN and members of the Body of Christ, top government functionaries, security agencies, community leaders, grassroots groups, representatives of voluntary organizations, and the Organised Private sector.
There were also ministrations by the choirs from the Chapel of Christ The Light (CCTL), Evangelical Church Winning All/Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria (ECKWA/TEKAN), Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN/PFN,) Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN),Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Lagos State CAN Mass Choir and Student Choir Groups. Also featured were two popular gospel musicians, Efe Nathan and Tosin Bee.
Nwonah Olubukonla,
DD, Public Affairs,
Office of The First Lady, Lagos
6th July, 2023
DD, PUBLIC AFFAIRS,
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has filed a six-count charge against Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the suspended resident electoral commissioner in Adamawa state.
The charges were filed at the high court in Yola, the state capital.
In a statement on Thursday, INEC said it took the action after reviewing the case file from the police which established a prima facie case against Yunusa-Ari.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had arrested Yunusa-Ari over his conduct during the governorship election in Adamawa.
He was, however, granted administrative bail and asked to report to the headquarters of the NPF every weekday.
The electoral umpire, in its statement, said the court has fixed July 12, 2023, for the commencement of trial.
“As provided by Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, an offence committed under the Act shall be triable in a Magistrate Court or a High Court of a State in which the offence is committed, or the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” the statement reads.
“Furthermore, Section 145(2) of the Act provides that a prosecution under the Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission, or any legal practitioner appointed by it.
“Having reviewed the case file from the Police which established a prima facie case against Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the Commission has filed a six-count charge against him at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola.”
BACKGROUND
Yunusa-Ari had stirred controversy by declaring Aisha Binani Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Adamawa election when the collation of the results was yet to be completed.
INEC declared the announcement null and void and summoned the REC to its headquarters in Abuja.
Subsequently, the electoral umpire wrote to the police to prosecute Yunusa-Ari over the electoral infraction.
On April 20, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the suspension of the Adamawa REC pending the completion of the investigation by the police.
A day later, INEC said it was not aware of the whereabouts of Yunusa-Ari.
Speaking in an interview published by BBC Hausa, Yunusa-Ari said he wasn’t offered money to declare Binani as the winner of the election.
The suspended REC also said he never went into hiding.
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has summoned ex-Governor Abdullahi for questioning over the controversial dollar videos.
In 2017, Daily Nigerian, an online publication, had released some videos of Ganduje allegedly collecting kickbacks from contractors.
The ex-governor had denied the allegation, saying the videos were doctored.
But speaking Wednesday at a one-day public dialogue on ‘Anti-Corruption Crusade in Kano’, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado,Esq chairman of PCACC, said the authenticity of the videos had been confirmed.
He said the videos were subjected to forensic analysis which indicated that they were authentic.
Speaking further at a programme on Thursday, Rimingado said Ganduje had been invited for questioning.
Hike In Terminal Charge By Opay, Moniepoint Is Turning POS Business Into Unattractive Venture — Operators
AdminThe new terminal charges imposed by fintech like Opay and Moniepoint Inc. and the high cost of operation have turned the Point of Sales (POS) business which was very lucrative a few months ago into an unattractive venture.
In Nigeria, millions of people survive and feed their dependents with the proceeds from POS business.
As of November 2022, POS machines deployed by merchants and individuals across Nigeria rose to 1.6 million.
The business saw its peak in February 2023 when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) withdrew N1,000, N500 and N200 old notes valued N2trn and printed only N400bn.
During the period, currency circulation was N982bn down from N1.33trn in January.
Operators across the Federal Capital Territory who spoke to THE WHISTLER lamented how the recent review in terminal charges by at least N10 and the cost of buying receipt paper and other expenses have cut into their profit.
Sylvia Ojonne, a resident of Karu who is in her late 20s is an operator struggling to keep her POS business afloat.
She said, “Before terminal charges of N10,000 was N50 now it’s N60 and my customer’s charge rate is N150. So, I make N90, from every N10,000 transaction. We are just financing the rich while getting poor.
“I tried reviewing my charge, and my number of patronages dropped, this is because people have varieties of POS operators to patronize, and with the availability of cash in the system, chances of reviewing the charge rate are slim. Mind you, I transport myself to the bank to withdraw this cash. “
Ojonne also said the industry is saturated, adding that there are issues with the uniformity of charges among Abuja POS operators.
Since the removal of the fuel subsidy on May 29 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the floating of the naira, inflation has spiked across the country. The Bank of America projects that inflation will hit 30 per cent in the coming months.
In Gwarinpa, Ubgon Etim, a father of three, told THE WHISTLER that the cost of financing his POS business is becoming overbearing.
Etim now spends double on transportation, almost 67 per cent more to buy printing papers and he is debited N10 extra for terminal charges.
Etim said, “In January a packet of receipt paper was sold for N900, now it’s N1,500. When I asked why it’s increasing almost every time I visit the market, I was told the dollar has increased.
“Aside from terminal charges, there is still a target that must be met daily, and it’s based on the nature of POS to be used. The government should have removed subsidy during the cashless policy, so we can suffer everything once.”
Elsewhere in Lagos and Enugu, POS operators have readjusted their prices to conform with economic realities.
Udoka Ikemefuna, a resident of New Haven extension, Enugu state told THE WHISTLER that charges on withdrawals and deposits from N6,000 to N9,500 are pegged at N300, while N10,000 to N13,000 is charged at N400.
Just recently, the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, Lagos Chapter reviewed prices for transfers and withdrawals.
The Public Relations Officer of the association, Lagos Chapter, Stephen Adeoye tagged it as a unified price list for Point of Sales (PoS) transactions.
He said “N1,000 to N2,000, will be N100 for withdrawal. N3,500 to N4,000 N200. N4,100 to N6,400 N3,00. N6,500 to N7,900 is N4,000. Also, N8,000 to N10,900, N500. N11,000 to N14,000 is N600. N14,500 to N17,900 will be charged N700 and N18,000 to N20,000 is N800 for withdrawal.
“Like we said, depending on your location, you can also step it down for people depending on the circumstance but it should not go more than this.
“For deposits, N1,000 to N4,900 is N100; N5,000 to N10,900 is N200. N11,000 to N20,900 is N300. N21,000 to N30,900 is N400. N31,000 to N40,000 is N500 and N41,000 to N50,000 is N600 for a deposit or you call it transfer.”
DCP Abba Kyari has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges that may involve money laundering.
In addition to being accused of money laundering, Kyari is also being held without bail on a primary accusation of trafficking cocaine.
On Thursday, Hamza N. Dantani, one of his attorneys, said on his Facebook page that the court had granted Kyari bail on the accusations of money laundering.
He wrote: ”Alhamudullhi! Abba Kyari’s Bail Granted by Federal High Court Abuja today.”
Recall that Kyari’s trial centres around the $61,400 cash and 25kg parcel of cocaine seized as evidence and believed to have been used as bribe to influence operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
According to the NDLEA, Kyari allegedly attempted to bribe a senior agency officer with $61,400 at a restaurant in Abuja to prevent testing a portion of the seized cocaine connected to two individuals arrested for drug pushing.
He is also under investigation after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States of America indicted him in the case of fraud involving Instagram celebrity Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi.
Kyari was arrested and has been in detention since February 14, 2022, after he was declared wanted by NDLEA over alleged drug links.
Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court had refused Kyari’s bail application on charges relating to trafficking of cocaine.
The bail application was also rejected at the Court of Appeal.