The Kano State Government on Tuesday filed fresh charge against former governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje.
In the charge sheet with case No. K/143c/24, the state government accused Ganduje and erstwhile Commissioner for Justice, Musa Lawan, of Criminal Conspiracy, and misappropriation contrary to Section 308 and punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code (as amended) CAP 105, Vol. 2, the Laws of Kano State of Nigeria.
The offence, the state government said, is contrary punishable under Section 97 and Section 315.
The state government accused Ganduje and Lawan of abuse of office.
In the charge sheet, the state government said it intends to present four witnesses.
No date has been fixed for the arraignment.
[DailyPost]
Another member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams, has reportedly died.
Adams, who represented Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna State as a first-time member, reportedly died after a protracted illness.
Until he died on Tuesday morning, he was the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports.
An ex-footballer with Remo Stars, he was once a General Manager of Kada City Football Club of Kaduna and elected on the platform of the Labour Party during the last general election.
He is the second member of the House to die within the last seven days after Hon. Akinremi Olaide representing Ibadan North and the fourth member to die since the inauguration of the House in June 2023.
As at the time of filing this report, the House spokesman, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi and the Chairman of the Kaduna caucus, Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji could not be reached for confirmation.
Details shortly…
[TheNation]
Nigeria’s inflation narratives took a controversial twist yesterday as the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), gives its own figure contradicting that of the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, by a wide margin.
The NBS had released its Consumer Price Index, CPI, for June 2024 reporting that headline inflation rate increased by 0.24 percentage points to 34.19 per cent in June from 33.95 percent in May.
But when contacted by Vanguard for his comment, the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Kelvin Oye, simply said, “Inflation is over 90 percent”, without giving further details.
Giving its own details NBS, also said that food inflation grew to 40.87 percent in June from 40.66 percent in May 2024 due to increase in the prices of millet whole grain, garri, guinea corn, etc (bread and cereals class), yam, wateryam, cocoyam, potatoes, yam & other tubers class, among other food items.
Meanwhile, financial analysts said the NBS’ figures outstripped both the individual and consensus forecasts.
NBS stated: “In June 2024, the headline inflation rate increased to 34.19 percent relative to the May 2024 headline inflation rate which was 33.95 percent.
“Looking at the movement, the June 2024 headline inflation rate showed an increase of 0.24 percentage points when compared to the May 2024 headline inflation rate.
“On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.4 percentage points higher compared to the rate recorded in June 2023, which was 22.79 percent.
“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in the month of June 2024 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e. June 2023).
“The rise in Food inflation on a year-on-year basis was caused by increases in prices of the following items: Millet Whole grain, Garri, Guinea corn, etc (Bread and Cereals Class), Yam, Water Yam, Coco Yam (Potatoes, Yam & Other Tubers Class), Groundnut Oil, Palm Oil, etc (Oil & Fats Class) and Catfish Dried, Dried Fish-Sadine, Mudfish (Fish Class), etc.
According to NBS, in June food inflation on a year-on-year basis was highest in Edo (47.34 percent), Kogi (46.37 percent), Cross River (45.28 percent), while Nasarawa (34.31 percent), Bauchi (34.78 percent) and Adamawa (35.96 percent), recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on year-on-year basis.
Monetary policy is failing- Adonri
Reacting, David Adonri, Analyst and Executive Vice Chairman at Highcap Securities Limited, said : “Despite all the measures taken by CBN, inflation rate continues to rise. Continued application of monetary policy to tackle this kind of stubborn inflation is failing because what is required is not demand management but supply side fiscal policy.
“Should the monetary authority react by hiking interest rate again, it will further increase yield on debt and cause financial assets to migrate more to debt. This may harm ongoing recapitalization exercise of banks. Rising inflation is not good news for equities.”
Commenting on the further rise in inflation, analysts at Comercio Partners said: “Looking ahead, food inflation, the main driver, is expected to taper off because of the short-term federal government’s recent interventions, with a N2 trillion packages announced by Abubakar Kyari, the minister for Agriculture and Food Security, to curb rising prices and speed up stabilization and growth.
“Also, a 150-day duty-free import window has been approved, allowing tariff-free importation of maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas through land and sea borders. This measure, with imported commodities subject to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP), aims to provide immediate relief.
“However, tackling food inflation long-term means addressing underlying issues like transportation and logistics challenges, harvest losses, and regional insecurity. Moreover, discussions around raising the minimum wage could further fuel inflationary pressures.
“On the monetary front, recent interest rate hikes have helped combat inflation, but another hike seems unlikely because of tight macroeconomic environment.
“However, a focus should shift towards addressing the root causes of inflation without stifling economic growth.”
Also commenting, analysts at CardinalStone Finance stated: “The June CPI data indicated that inflation leapt by 24 bases points (bps) to 34.2% YoY, missing analysts’ average consensus of 33.94% and our projection of 33.90%. “Our tamer inflation expectation, based on the stability in the foreign exchange (FX) market was overshadowed by a more pronounced food inflation.
“We perceive that the food basket is still grappling with an uptick in input costs and persisting insecurities in the review period, thus propping up prices.
“The outlook for July’s inflation is likely to be mixed on the back of multiple factors. On upside risk, we expect the recent PMS scarcity and another electricity tariff hike for ‘Band A’ users to increase price pressure.
“Furthermore, FX volatility will likely be prevalent in July, stemming from increased FX demand for vacation and payment of foreign tuition fees.
“While these highlighted factors are expected to increase inflationary risk, we anticipate the base effect to sufficiently moderate YoY inflation.
“Moreover, the government’s decision to suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of certain commodities like Maize, husked brown rice, Wheat, and cowpeas for the next 150 days is expected to lead to lower food prices. “The government’s plan to import 250,000MT of Wheat and 250,000MT of Maize also bodes well for the food price outlook, providing a positive counterbalance to the inflationary risks. “Overall, we expect headline inflation to moderate by 50bps to 33.7%.
“In light of the above, we expect the monetary policy authority to maintain its hawkish stance and hike the policy rate by 50 to 100bps in its July meeting”.
In his own comment Clifford Egbomeade, Public Policy Analyst and Communication expert, said: “The rise in Nigeria’s inflation rate to 34.19% in June 2024 has several significant implications for the economy. First, it reduces the purchasing power of consumers, making goods and services more expensive and diminishing the standard of living, particularly for low and middle-income households. This increased cost of living can exacerbate economic hardship and potentially push more people into poverty.”
“High inflation also creates economic uncertainty, which can deter both local and foreign investment. Investors are likely to be cautious in such an environment, leading to reduced investment and slower economic growth. “Moreover, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may be compelled to further raise interest rates to control inflation, which increases borrowing costs for businesses and consumers, potentially further slowing down economic activities.
“To address rising inflation, the government and the CBN should consider a combination of monetary and fiscal measures. Tightening monetary policy can help curb excessive money supply, although this must be done carefully to avoid stifling economic growth. Implementing prudent fiscal policies, such as reducing fiscal deficits and improving tax collection, is also crucial. Investing in supply-side interventions, such as supporting local production and reducing import dependency, can help stabilize prices in the long run”.
[Vanguard]
The Federal Government has repatriated 190 stranded Nigerians from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Bashir Garga, the National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA) zonal director in the North Central, on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that the returnees were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday at 5:57 a.m.
He said the returnees were received by a combined team of government officials led by NEMA.
He said that the returnees were profiled and documented by the relevant agencies and sensitised to behave with decorum and responsibility on their return to Nigeria.
“The Federal Government urges all Nigerians, wherever they may be, to act as exemplary ambassadors of their country, by upholding the fundamental values of patriotism, rule of law, decency, and integrity,” the statement says.
(NAN)
Donald Trump has picked JD Vance, a senator from Ohio, as his running mate for the presidential election.
Vance, a one-time Trump critic turned loyal ally, is now the first millennial to join a major party ticket at a time of deep concern about the advanced age of America’s political leaders.
“I’m a ‘never Trump’ guy. I never liked him,” the 39-year-old had once said in an interview in 2016.
“My God what an idiot.
“I find him reprehensible.”
However, Vance became one of Trump’s steadfast allies a few years later, aligning himself with the former president’s ideology on trade, immigration, and foreign policy, particularly the US’ continued support for Ukraine.
“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network, as the Republican national convention (RNC) got underway in Milwaukee.
Vance had accused President Joe Biden of playing a role in the attempted Trump assassination of Saturday.
“The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,” Vance posted on X hours after the shooting.
“That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”
Reacting to Vance’s selection, Biden described the senator as a “clone of Trump”. Other Democrats have portrayed him the same way.
The former president said he has shelved plans to speak on how the US has regressed under Biden at the ongoing RNC.
Trump said he now wants to speak about overcoming the political divide in the country.
[TheCable]
A legal firm, Falana Chambers, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) warning the commission against recognizing Julius Abure as the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party.
The firm, which represents the National Transition Committee of the Labour Party, stated that Abure’s tenure has expired and any further recognition would be in violation of a Federal High Court judgment in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/IC/866/2014 between Labour Party & 3 Ors Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed, and an INEC-brokered agreement of June 27, 2022.
The letter, dated July 4, 2024, and signed by Marahal Abubakar, LP, requested that INEC desist from fraternizing with Abure and his cohorts, and restrain officials from undermining the administration of justice and respect for the rule of law.
The firm attached a report of the mediated settlement and a certified true copy of the Federal High Court judgment to the letter.
The letter noted that the Labour Party has not conducted any election for over four years, contravening Section 233(1)(a) and (2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, read alongside Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022. It also emphasized that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is the platform of the Labour Party, and that the party has been unable to conduct elections due to the expired tenure of Abure and his National Working Committee.
The legal firm warned that failure to comply with the request will lead to contempt proceedings against the INEC Chairman at the Federal High Court. The letter stated, “TAKE NOTICE that unless you comply with the foregoing request forthwith, we shall approach the Federal High Court and institute contempt proceedings against you.”
[OpinionNigeria]
The National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal for Sokoto/Zamfara States sitting in Sokoto, on Monday, sacked a member of the House of Representatives representing Yabo/Shagari federal constituency of Sokoto State, Umar Yusuf Yabo Danmaje.
The Tribunal further ordered Danmaje to pay a sum of N500,000 as damages to the petitioner as a cost of action instituted against his election at the Tribunal.
In a unanimous judgement read by the Tribunal chairman, Justice Ashu A. Ewah, the Court declared the election of Danmaje as member representing Yabo/Shagari federal constituency in the House of Representatives as null and void.
Other members of the Tribunal include Justice Helen N. Hammanjoda and Justice Ali T. Changbo, respectively.
Justice Ewah said the election, which was initially conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2023 and rerun election on February 3, 2024, was marred with malpractices some polling units, hence the exercise was inconclusive.
The Tribunal also ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Danmaje and conduct a fresh election in the affected polling units of the constituency within 90 days.
The election is to be conducted in four affected polling units of the two local government areas of Yabo and Shagari in the federal constituency of the state.
The four polling units where INEC was asked by the Tribunal to conduct election are three polling units in Shagari LGA and one polling unit in Yabo local government area, respectively.
The affected polling units include; Dagawa Maji Kira, Dagawa Mai Zane, Shiyar Magaji, Kesoji Shiyar Hakimi, Jaredi Maji Kira and Mazoji, all in Shagari and Yabo local government areas of Sokoto State.
[Leadership]
The House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals says the country is losing N9 billion annually to illegal mining activities across the country.
This is as the Nigerian Army said it had arrested 387 suspects in connection with illegal mining activities in the last seven months.
Chairman of the committee, Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi who disclosed this on Monday at a public hearing organised by the committee to investigate issues of illegal mining in the solid mineral sector, said the menace had hampered the country’s ability to maximize the benefits from its mineral resources.
He lamented that only a paltry three percent royalty was being paid by the few licensed miners in the country.
According to him, the negative impacts of illegal mining have led to insecurity and conflicts over control of mining sites and their resources.
He said these conflicts had escalated into violence thereby exacerbating existing political and social tensions in affected communities.
“This public hearing is aimed to investigating illegal mining activities, under-reporting wins (extract E-Products) by mining and quarry licence operators, utilisation of financial interventions in the Nigerian solid minerals sector amounting to trillions of naira within the solid mineral sector and also the Nigeria minerals and Mining Act (Amendment Bill) and Nigeria Solid Minerals Development Company (establishment bill) respectively.
“Nigeria is losing N9 billion annually to illegal mining activities in the country. The leadership of the 10th House of Assembly has found it expedient and as a sense of duty to carry out these investigative hearings to necessitate transparency and accountability, public participation, policy formation and identify challenges and solutions that will ultimately lead to the revamping of our solid mineral sector.As we are all aware, illegal mining poses substantial risks to our nation’s economy, environment, and security.
“The unregulated exploitation of our natural resources jeopardises the sustainability of the mineral sector, leading to environmental degradation and revenue loss that could otherwise benefit our communities and nation as a whole.
“It is imperative that we take as a matter of urgency, decisive steps and necessary action to address this issue and ensure that our solid mineral sector operates within the framework of the law, protecting our natural resources for future generations”, he said.
This is just as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa disclosed that those involved in illegal mining activities had links with top personalities who give them cover.
Speaking on why illegal mining continued to take place despite move by the federal government to curtail it, Director Of Operations, Air Vice Marshal Nnaemeka Ignatius Ilo, who represented the Chief of Defence staff, said that most people involved in the process had connections backing them up, adding that foreigners also came into the country to carry out the illegal act.
Speaking also at the hearing, the representative of the Nigeria Army, Colonel Tajudeen Lamidi, said that the Army had arrested 387 individuals in connection with illegal mining
While declaring the public hearing open, the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas who was represented by the House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, noted that illegal mining was a growing socio-economic challenge in Nigeria, adding that it had led to loss of ecosystems and increased poverty level, especially among peasant farmers who depend solely on environmental resources for a living.
He said, “The rise in illegal mining highlights fundamental social, institutional and structural problems in the country, therefore today’s interaction is aimed to provide enough guidance on curbing the menace of illegal mining, and also assess the role played by the Regulators in the process of their regulatory functions in the particularly as it relates to mining practices.”
[DailyTrust]
The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has announced that it has shelved the conduct of aptitude test for 2024 Direct Entry candidates.
The Board instead said that other placement criteria will be considered for Direct Entry admissions.
JAMB announced this on Monday in a post on its official X handle.
“Attention 2024 DE Candidates! This is to inform you that the Board has shelved the conduct of aptitude test for the year, other placement criteria shall be considered for your admission while adequate preparation goes into the exercise ahead of next year,” JAMB said.
[DailyPost]
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has mandated the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning to come up with an amendment bill to the 2024 Budget to be presented to the National Assembly for legislation.
The planned amendment to the national budget, it was explained, became necessary as a result of new fiscal developments, including the impending new national minimum wage.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to journalists after the 8th FEC meeting of 2024, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
According to the minister, President Tinubu is expected to hold a follow-up meeting with leaders of the organised Labour on Thursday this week, after which the proposed amendment bill to the budget would be passed on to the National Assembly for consideration.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu had met with the leadership of the organized labour on Thursday last week over the minimum wage issue.
The Tripartite Committee of the new National Minimum Wage had submitted two separate figures to the President following the disagreement among the different stakeholders.
While the government team and the organized private sector had offered N62,000, the organized labour made a demand of N250,000.
President Tinubu upon the receipt of the committee’s report, had promised to meet with the relevant stakeholders to harmonize the figure before transmitting the executive bill to the National Assembly.
Details shortly…
[TheNation]
More...
The Federal Government says it has dispatched 20 trucks of rice to each of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
It said the new move is part of measures to ease the economic burden of Nigerians.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Monday.
Idris said each state has received truckloads of rice, each containing 1,200 bags of 25kg rice for onward distribution to the most vulnerable persons and families.
He said the consignment is the first step by the federal government to provide support to all the sub-nationals.
The Minister noted that state governments are expected to distribute the commodity to bring down the current hardship in the country.
Details later…
[Punch]
A Kano State High Court, on Monday, granted a perpetual injunction restraining the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, and four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs.
The applicants are the Attorney General of Kano State, the Speaker Kano State House of Assembly and the Kano State House of Assembly, who through their counsel Ibrahim Isah-Wangida Esq, filed a motion exparte dated May 27.
The applicants sought a court order restraining Ado-Bayero, and Four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs.
The respondents are: Ado-Bayero, Alhaji Nasiru Ado-Bayero Bichi emir, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar ll, emir of Karaye, Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad-Inuwa, emir of Rano and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim-Gaya, emir of Gaya.
Others are the Inspector General of Police, Director of State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Army.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, held that the Kano State House of Assembly had powers to amend and propose a bill for the peace and good governance of a state under section 4 rule 6,7(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“The Kano State Governor has the right to ascent the proposed bill to law after being passed by the state assembly”
The court also restrained the Police and other security agencies from violating, disobeying or tempering the Kano State Emirate (Repeal) Law 2024.
“The deposed Emirs shall surrender all movable and immovable properties in their possession that belong to the Kano State Emirate Council to the state government” Adamu-Aliyu said
She held that the first respondent legal counsel withdrawal without notice to other parties is unprofessional and that moving their motion is as good as not filing it since it has been abandoned.
The judge said the act of the 6th to 9 respondent for smuggling the first respondent to Kano after the enactment of the Emirate Repeal Law 2024 disregards what they have sworn for the protection of life and property.
Earlier, Counsel to the applicant, Mr Ibrahim Isa-Wangida, urged the court to discount the respondent’s affidavit of facts under order 39 rules 1 and 2 of the Court.
Counsel to Ado-Bayero, Mr Abdul Muhammed SAN, informed the court that they have an affidavit of fact dated July 3, 2024, attached with a notice of appeal and a motion of stay of proceedings.
He urged the court to stay of proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the motion at the appeal court.
NAN reports that Ado-Bayero’s counsel on July 4, withdrew their legal services before the court.
Counsel to the 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents, Hassan Tanko-Kyaure, moved his application for an extension of time dated July 2 and counter affidavit in response to the originating motion.
He urged the court to set aside the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) law 2024, adding that due process were not followed and urged the court to dismiss the applicant’s application with a cost of N1 billion.
Counsel to the Inspector/General of Police, Mr Sunday Ekwe, told the court that he had nothing to present.
NAN reports that the applicants, 3,4and 5th respondents moved their applications, for extension of time, notice of preliminary objection, setting aside exparte order, joinder application, examining deponent, application for the Judge to recuse herself and originating summon.
NAN reports that the State House of Assembly on May 23, dissolved all the four newly created Emirate council’s in the state and Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, reappointed Lamido Sanusi, as the Emir of Kano.
Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, says Nigerians can now apply for and obtain visas to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Idris said the federal government has reached an agreement with the UAE to allow Nigerian passport holders to obtain visas for travel to the Arab nation starting today, July 15.
More to follow…
[TheCable]
Inflation: NBS rates Bauchi, Kogi and Oyo states as most expensive places to live in Nigeria
AFOLABI
The National Bureau of Statistics has said that Bauchi, Kogi and Oyo are the most expensive states to live in Nigeria.
This is according to NBS’s consumer price index and inflation report for June released on Monday.
The report showed Bauchi with a headline inflation of 43.95 percent, Kogi(39.91 percent) and Oyo(39.15 percent) in June on a year-on-year basis.
However, on the flip side, Borno, Benue and Katsina States recorded the least rise in headline inflation.
Accordingly, Borno’s inflation stood at 25.90 percent, Benue (at 27.52 percent) and Katsina(at 29.21 percent).
On a Month-on-Month basis, however, June 2024 recorded the highest increases in Yobe (3.79 percent), Abuja (3.45 percent), Ondo (3.38 percent), Nasarawa (0.71 percent), Osun (1.19 percent) and Kano (1.27 percent) recorded the slowest rise in Month-on-Month inflation.
DAILY POST earlier reported that Nigeria’s headline inflation rose to 34.19 percent in June.