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The supreme court has nullified the enforcement of provisions of the National Lottery Act 2005 in the 36 states of the federation.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday, the seven-member panel held that the national assembly lacks the powers to legislate on issues pertaining to lottery and gaming.
In March 2005, former President Olusegun Obasanjo signed the national lottery bill into law.
The legislation provides the framework for the operation of the national lottery and the establishment of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.
The commission is charged with regulating the business of lottery in Nigeria as well as establishing the national lottery trust fund.
In 2008, the Lagos state government filed a suit against the federal government on whether the control and regulation of gaming and lottery businesses in each state is under the exclusive list.
In October 2020, the Ekiti government joined Lagos as co-plaintiff in the suit.
In November 2022, the supreme court joined 33 state governments as co-defendants in the suit.
In the judgment, the apex court ruled that only state assemblies have the powers to legislate on lottery and gaming businesses.
The supreme court ruled that legislation cannot be enforced in all states, except the federal capital territory (FCT), since the national assembly is empowered to make laws for the country’s capital.
![[PRESS RELEASE] Federal University Gusau Debunks Claims of Dr. Odoh's Professorship](/media/k2/items/cache/f923fa38e086dd70ab29c11e4f197c8b_L.jpg)
“DR.ODOH BERNARD IFEANYI IS NOT AND HAS NEVER BEEN A STAFF OF THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY GUSAU” – BEING TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE VICE CHANCHELLOR, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY GUSAU, PROFESSOR MU’AZU ABUBAKAR GUSAU ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024
Gentlemen of the Press
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this press Conference.
Introduction
In the last two weeks, both the mainstream and new media in Nigeria have been awash with screaming headlines about the controversy surrounding the appointment of Dr. Odoh Bernard Ifeanyi as the Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State by the Governing Council of the University. Part of the issues that has generated serious attention is the misleading and unfounded claim by Dr. Odoh that he was offered a tenure appointment and confirmed as a Professor by the Federal University, Gusau.
Arising from the spurious claim, the Federal University Gusau, has been inundated with enquiries about the true status of Dr. Odoh Bernard Ifeanyi regarding: (a) his appointment as a tenured Professor in the Department of Geology; (b) grant of leave of absence and, (c) confirmation of appointment as a substantive professor by the Governing Council of the University.
In response to the public enquiry, the University management, after a thorough internal scrutiny, issued a disclaimer to the effect that Dr. Odoh was neither employed by the University nor appointed as a professor. However, despite the disclaimer, Dr. Odoh has been unrelenting, parading documents purportedly issued by the University as proof of his non-existent employment by the institution.
The widely circulated misinformation by Dr. Odoh has no doubt, raised serious concerns about the credibility and reputation of the Federal University, Gusau. Consequently, the University Management has decided to go public, to tell its own side of the story to stem further misinformation on the issue.
The University Management, therefore, wishes to clarify as follows:
(a) That appointment of staff, both academic and non-teaching, by the Federal University Gusau, is done based on laid down guidelines duly approved by the University’s Governing Council;
(b) That part of the guidelines is that when an individual applies for employment, after vacancies are declared, the University’s registry scrutinizes such application upon which, if found to have met employment requirements, such an applicant, alongside others, is shortlisted and invited for interview;
(c) That upon successful interview, such an applicant is issued an appointment letter, containing the terms and conditions of his appointment. One of such conditions is a written acceptance of the offer of appointment. Thereafter, the applicant proceeds to document his engagement, upon which he is posted to the relevant unit of the University to assume duty as a staff;
(d) In the case of Dr. Odoh Bernard Ifeanyi, the University notes as follows:
(i) That he did not submit any letter of acceptance of offer of appointment,
(ii) That he did not undergo the statutory documentation,
(iii) That even though Dr. Odoh was engaged as a Visiting linkage staff in the Department of Geology of the University, and dubiously enrolled into the institution’s payroll from July 2014 to August 2015, he neither assumed duty nor taught any course since the inception of the Department in the 2014/2015 academic session. The collection of salary for job not done, amounts to an illegality and a breach of extant rules;
(iv) That he was not at any point in time, appointed as the pioneer Head of Department of Geology of the University, contrary to such unfounded claim, and,
(v) That there is no personal file related to the appointment of Dr. Odoh Bernard Ifeanyi in the custody of the University.
(e) Meanwhile, the so-called letters of offer of tenure of appointment as Professor and confirmation of promotion to the post of Professor, dated 30th April 2015 and 12th November 2015, being paraded by Dr. Odoh Bernard Ifeanyi and purported to be certified true copies hurriedly endorsed by Ibrahim Bawa Kaura, former Registrar of the Federal University, dated November 8, 2024, six solid years after the latter left the services of the Federal University Gusau, are products of administrative fraud orchestrated by Dr. Odoh, working in cahoots with the former Vice Chancellor of the University and the Registrar.
(f) For the sake of emphasis, assessment of candidates for professorial appointment, just as it is the case with all academic staff promotions, is procedural and begins from the Departmental Appointments and Promotions Committee (DA&PC) through the Faculty Appointments and Promotions Committee (FA&PC) to the Senior Staff Establishments Committee (SSEC). It is only after successfully going through these stages that a candidate’s paper are packaged and sent out to three external assessors. In the case of Dr. Odoh, no such procedure was followed as there is no record to that effect in the University.
Even if for the sake of argument, we concede that Dr. Odoh’s papers were sent out, it is almost near impossible for the three assessors to turn in their reports between April 30th 2015 and November 12th 2015, when he procured the questionable promotion to the rank of professor. As a matter of fact, we have it on good authority that the first Governing Council rejected the former Vice Chancellor’s request for the ratification of Dr. Odoh’s dubious promotion.
Furthermore, shortly after being allegedly offered appointment, Dr. Odoh proceeded on leave of absence, a privilege that can only be extended to a confirmed staff of the University after the statutory probation period.
(g) What is apparent from the foregoing, is that everything about Dr. Odoh’s purported offer of appointment as tenure staff and confirmation of promotion as professor is shady, fraudulent, utterly devoid of due process and smacks of illegality as there is no evidence of official documentation with regards to his controversial employment as a staff of the Federal University Gusau.
The whole charade was packaged and executed by the former Vice Chancellor and the former Registrar, without recourse to extant rules and due process for reasons not known to law and commonsense.
Further proof of the desperation to perpetuate such illegality is the impersonation and usurpation of the duties of the current Registrar of the University by the former Registrar, Ibrahim Bawa Kaura, who procured a fake stamp to certify Dr. Odoh’s equally fake documents as true copies on November 8, 2024, six years after his disengagement from the University.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Management of the Federal University Gusau, wishes to state in unequivocal terms that from available records, Dr. Odoh Bernard Ifeanyi is not and has never been a tenure staff of the University, let alone being confirmed as a Professor by the institution. Whatever claim to the contrary by Dr. Odoh is nothing but the antics of a drowning man who is hell-bent on using the good name of the Federal University Gusau, to give vent to his desperate ambition to become the Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, through subterfuge.
Thank you.
The National Economic Council (NEC) has resolved to reinforce the implementation of the National Electrification Strategy in a bid to end the collapse of the nation’s power grid.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, chairman of NEC, told members of the Council that access to energy is a fundamental right and not a privilege because electricity is the oxygen of economic growth.
The Council has constituted a committee on National Electrification to help address the challenges in the power sector.
The committee’s formation was among decisions NEC took at the end of its 146th meeting on Thursday chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The committee headed by Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, is to work towards deepening states’ engagements within the Electricity Reform Act 2023 and the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan.
Following a presentation by the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), NEC observed that Nigeria needs a reformed and diversified electricity system, noting that by empowering states, accessibility and affordability of electricity can be enabled, ensuring that all regions effectively meet their specific energy needs.
Members of the committee include Governors Dikko Radda of Katsina, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau.
Others are Ministers of Finance, Mr Wale Edun; Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu; Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu; Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change; Special Adviser to the President on Power; Managing Director, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
Shettima outlined issues before the Council that require urgent attention including energy infrastructure, human capital development, creative industries, fiscal strategy, industrial innovation, and long-term development planning, describing them as foundational to the transformation Nigeria needs.
He explained that it is for this that experts and stakeholders from some of the critical sectors have been invited to share their insights and contributions.
“The past few months of collapses in our national power grid compel us to reinforce the pace with which we are adopting and implementing the National Electrification Strategy. Energy access is a fundamental right, not a privilege. It is the oxygen of economic growth.
“Our blueprints must, therefore, strive to expand access, empower rural communities, and drive productivity, especially for MSMEs. I hope that our discussions today will inspire solutions to light up homes, power businesses, and fuel Nigeria’s industrial future.
“Whatever path we agree upon, it is clear that a private-sector-led distributed renewable energy generation approach is essential to increasing electricity access for households and small enterprises alike,” he said.
The Vice President also urged the Council to take Nigeria’s creative industry seriously, saying it presents an avenue to redefine the nation’s economic trajectory.
According to him, “new technologies have not only amplified the global appeal of our arts, crafts, and culture but also opened up revenue streams and job opportunities for Nigerians.
“Our music, films, art, and cultural heritage are not just global symbols of Nigeria’s soft power but also vital engines of economic growth. We cannot afford to relegate the promise of turning creativity into wealth, empowering our youth, and positioning Nigeria as a hub of innovation and cultural excellence,” he added.
Meanwhile, the position of states on state police will be ready by the next NEC meeting.
Deliberating on the updated submission on the establishment of state police, Council mandated states that were yet to make their submissions on the subject matter should comply within the next one week to enable NEC to come up with a unanimous position on state police at the next meeting.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has suspended its chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, over what it described as ‘unauthorised statement’.
The ACF in a statement by Alhaji Bashir Muhammad Dalhatu and Alhaji Murtala Aliyu, Chairman, ACF Board of Trustees and Secretary General respectively said, “Mr Osuman was quoted as saying the North will back a northern candidate for the presidency, come 2027.”
They said the statements were made by the NEC chairman without consulting with other leaders and members of the ACF and thus, reflected Mr Osuman’s personal opinion only.
According the statement, “The attention of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been drawn to widely reported statements credited to Mr Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, Chairman, ACF National Executive Committee (NEC), which were made during the meeting of the NEC, held on Wednesday, November, 2024, at ACF Headquarters, Kaduna. In particular, Mr Osuman was quoted as saying that the North will back a northern candidate for the presidency, come 2027.
“The statements were made by the NEC chairman without consulting with other leaders and members of the ACF and thus, reflected Mr Osuman’s personal opinion only.
“ACF rejects Mr Mamman Mike Osuman’s statements in their entirety. For this reason, the leadership of the ACF’s Board of Trustees (BOT) and that of its NEC has decided to place Mr Mamman Mike Osuman on suspension with immediate effect. A committee has been constituted for further investigations.”
[DailyTrust]
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to end his 31-year-long bid to be President.
Noting that Atiku’s bid to be President dated back to the year 1993, George said it was high time the former Vice President retired from such a contest, especially in the 2027 election.
Addressing a press conference at his Ikoyi, Lagos office, on Thursday, George urged Atiku to assume the position of an elder in the nation and leave his bid to posterity.
“To Atiku, my advice is this, you will be 81 years old in 2027, and you have been contesting for the presidency since 1993. This is the time for you to calm down and act like an elder. I appeal to you in the name of the Almighty Allah, that you serve, to take it easy and leave everything for posterity,” George said.
George decried that the PDP was on the verge of crumbling because people uplifted their personal interest and individual ambition above national interest.
He criticised the “divisive, arrogant, haughty” members of the party romancing the ruling All Progressives Congress yet failed to defect from the PDP, describing them as cowards.
“We are where we are today because of a self-inflicted crisis; we should bury our individual ambitions now and not allow the PDP to crumble, please. Elders of the party should tell some of these funny characters to cool off and think of our national interest instead of their personal interest.
“Nigerians are angry and hungry. Instead of telling the APC the truth, some divisive, arrogant and haughty members are busy romancing the ruling party and they are quick to refer to themselves as elder statesmen. Instead of instigating a crisis in our party, why are they not bold enough to defect to the APC? Do they really fear God at all? No member is big enough to hold the party to ransom,” George added.
Particularly pointing to the crisis between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, George urged Wike to immediately “cool off” from wanting to “bring down” Fubara.
George said it was worrisome that some party members rather than bringing the two parties to mediation further fuelled the Fubara/Wike crisis for their selfish interests.
“My advice to Wike is very simple. You are my political son. I am therefore appealing to him to cool off immediately. I know he was injured by friends during the last PDP presidential contest but I am advising him as a father to please take it easy. Nobody is bigger than any party. Forget what happened in the past and let us work together in the interest of this party.
“I want to ask the elders at the helm of affairs of our party today, ‘What exactly is the offence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State?’ What exactly is the offence of this gentleman that some elders of our party are trying to throw him under the bus because of political expediency? What exactly is going on that some party members don’t feel bothered about the happenings in Rivers State? Governor Fubara was helped by Governor Wike to become the number one citizen of the oil-bearing state. The governor himself acknowledged this on several occasions.
“Must the governor now behave like a slave to his predecessor and other characters because of this concept of godfatherism which is a misnomer in our politics? Why are some party members encouraging his predecessor to bring him down? He is in Abuja; he wants to control what goes on in Rivers State.
“Did the governors before him behave this way? Why are the party leaders not eager to mediate and bring both groups to normalcy? The PDP cannot continue like this. Why can’t we learn from our past mistakes? Is our party jinxed? Why can’t we tell all these troublemakers to go and sit down if they don’t want this party to move forward?”
N’Assembly approves life jail for drug traffickers
Tope Omogbolagun, Abuja
The National Assembly has amended the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, prescribing life imprisonment for drug offenders and traffickers.
This decision followed the adoption of the harmonised report by the Senate and House of Representatives on the NDLEA Act amendment.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Senate Conference Committee, Senator Tahir Monguno, explained that the amendment sought to impose stricter penalties to deter illegal drug activities.
The amendment specifically stated: “Any person who unlawfully engages in the storage, custody, movement, carriage, or concealment of dangerous drugs or controlled substances and, while doing so, is armed with an offensive weapon or disguised in any manner, commits an offence under this Act and is liable, upon conviction, to life imprisonment.”
The Senate approved the recommendation through a voice vote during Thursday’s plenary, presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.
In addition to the NDLEA amendment, the Senate also passed a bill to empower the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission.
The proposed legislation, known as the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission Bill, of 2024, sought to replace the existing RMAFC Act of 2004.
The updated law revises the commission’s composition and operational framework to ensure federal, state, and local governments receive constitutionally mandated resources to address governance and developmental challenges.
Presenting the bill, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, Yahaya Abdullahi, highlighted the urgency of reforming the commission in light of Nigeria’s dwindling revenues and growing population.
Abdullahi explained that the bill aims to strengthen RMAFC’s mandate as the constitutionally recognised body responsible for monitoring revenue generation and ensuring its equitable distribution among the three tiers of government.
“The Act, last revised over 20 years ago, no longer reflects Nigeria’s evolving economic realities. This bill proposes additional funding and a restructured operational framework for the commission to improve its efficiency,” he said.
He further emphasised that adequate funding from the Federation Account was critical for RMAFC to perform its constitutional responsibilities effectively, noting that funding challenges had previously hindered its performance.
The Senate endorsed the bill following deliberations and a majority vote.
It now awaits President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to become law.
[Punch]
A former vice president Atiku Abubakar has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s newest request for a loan, describing it as “bone-crushing”.
The Senate has approved the ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2b) loan request of President Tinubu after a voice vote in favour of the request.
But Atiku has slammed the move and believes the loans do not favour Nigerians.
“These @officialABAT’s loans are bone-crushing to Nigerians and bringing insufferable pressure on the economy, especially when they are not properly negotiated and utilized,” Atiku wrote on his X handle on Thursday.
“It is concerning that the voracious appetite for these humongous loans is powered by corruption and not for infrastructure and development needs. A report by Budgit, a budget watchdog, has disclosed that the 2024 Budget is a mess because of the level of pork associated with it.”
He accused the National Assembly of being “an accomplice once more”.
“Nigeria is sinking further into debt, and the National Assembly has become an accomplice once more. In July this year, Tinubu boasted that the @FIRSNigeria and @CustomsNG under his watch had collected all-time high revenues to finance the Budget,” the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election said.
“Why are they still borrowing? There is something that they are not telling Nigerians, even as they are being crushed by a combination of their failed trial-and-error policies and loan rackets.”
“I feel a sense of personal agony seeing that just a few years after the administration of President Obasanjo took our country out of foreign indebtedness, we are today back at the top spot in the same conundrum,” the former vice president added. “It is time to apply more caution and arithmetic to the loan frenzy.”
Media
The recent report released by the World Bank, showing Nigeria as the third most indebted country to the International Development Association (IDA), is very concerning.
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) November 21, 2024
This report is coming just when the government has already sent a proposal to the National Assembly signalling…
- IPOB disowns Biafra agitator
The Federal Government will likely apply for the extradition of Simon Ekpa, the leader of the Eastern Security Network, the paramilitary organization of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, who gave the indication on Thursday, said Ekpa, a self-proclaimed disciple of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, should be extradited to Nigeria to face criminal charges.
Also, many Nigerians online demanded his repatriation to Nigeria to face terrorism charges.
However, the IPOB dissociated itself from the embattled Biafran separatist, asserting it had no relationship with him.
Ekpa is one of the 97 individuals declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters in March 2024.
The Finland-based Biafran agitator is a close ally of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing charges of terrorism, treasonable felony, and inciting violence through his Radio Biafra, amongst others.
He has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since 2021 when he was arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria.
A presidential spokesman, Daniel Bwala, said President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, have yet to be briefed on the arrest of Ekpa.
“The procedure is that the (Nigerian) Embassy in Finland has to have the information and it would brief the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the minister might brief the NSA or the President,’’ he explained.
Ekpa and four others were arrested in Finland on charges related to terrorism, Finland’s Central Criminal Police said in a statement on Thursday.
A report said the District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland, ordered that Ekpa be imprisoned “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.”
Speaking on the development in a statement on Thursday, Gusau said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Chris Musa, was pleased with the trial of the ESN leader.
Gusau wrote, “CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice.”
Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian origin, was accused of inciting crimes with terrorist intent, while the other suspects face charges of financing terrorism.
He was arrested in February 2023 for his inciting comments and sit-at-home orders to the people of the South-East.
Before his arrest, thousands of Nigerians worldwide signed a petition appealing to the Finnish and Nigerian governments and the European Union to arrest Ekpa.
He had asked the people to boycott the 2023 general poll, insisting there would be no election in the region.
Worried by his activities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, over his threats to stop the 2023 general election in the South-East.
The ministry sought the Finnish government’s cooperation to arrest Ekpa over threats to disrupt the exercise.
The Finnish police confirmed on Thursday that Ekpa and his accomplices were arrested earlier this week as part of an international investigation.
Ekpa, who describes himself as the “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, is alleged to have used social media platforms to promote violent activities in the South-East, including attacks on civilians and authorities.
The police said the main suspect was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime.”
The police added: “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21. The detention demands are related to the preliminary investigation, in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
“The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria” the statement read in part.
Speaking on the case, Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen stated, “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels,” suggesting that his online actions have fueled violence in Nigeria.
“Four other persons are suspected of financing the aforementioned activity. All five suspects in the crime were arrested at the beginning of the week.
“International cooperation has been carried out during the preliminary investigation,” the statement added.
The four other suspects, whose identities have not been disclosed, are believed to have financed these alleged activities.
The Central Criminal Police revealed that the case involved extensive international collaboration.
The Finnish authorities emphasised their commitment to investigating the case thoroughly as part of their broader effort to combat terrorism.
Expressing delight over Ekpa’s arrest and ongoing trial, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen Edward Buba, said the military was pleased with the news.
The Chief of Defence Staff had severally called for Ekpa’s arrest, accusing him of sponsoring terrorism in the South-East.
Buba noted that the military was glad that the international community was supporting the country in its fight against terrorism.
He stated, “The CDS has always called for the arrest of Simon Ekpa following his deep involvement in fuelling terrorism in SE Nigeria. We are delighted about his arrest, and glad that the international community is partnering with Nigeria in our fight against terrorism.”
The ESN has been implicated in numerous violent activities in the South-East since its creation in December 2020.
While the ESN was initially formed to counter the activities of armed herdsmen and protect local communities, their operations have reportedly led to significant unrest in the region.
The group has been accused of ambushing and killing troops of the Nigerian Army, police, and other security personnel.
Police stations and military checkpoints in the South-East have been frequent targets, leading to loss of lives and property.
Also, the ESN has been linked to arson attacks on public facilities such as police stations, electoral offices, and government buildings, disrupting governance and public services in the region.
There have been allegations of extrajudicial killings by the ESN, including attacks on individuals accused of opposing IPOB’s secessionist agenda or cooperating with the government.
Some communities have reported being harassed or forced to comply with the group’s directives, including its Monday sit-at-home orders, especially during days commemorating Biafra or protesting the detention of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Defiance of these orders had led to attacks on businesses, vehicles, and individuals, paralyzing economic activities in the South-East.
Conflicts between the ESN and local vigilante groups, including state-backed security outfits like Ebube Agu, have resulted in casualties and instability, escalating insecurity in the South-East.
The situation had led to heightened military operations in the region, sometimes resulting in collateral damage and further alienation of local communities.
The Federal Government labelled the ESN a terrorist organisation and launched several military operations to dismantle it.
On Monday, Anambra Central Senatorial Zone descended into chaos as gunmen enforcing the sit-at-home order attacked Abatete, Abagana, and Ukpo communities, leaving five people dead and several others injured.
At Abatete, three vigilantes attached to the town’s president-general were fatally shot. The victim sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Also, vehicles were set ablaze by the attackers who repeatedly warned the people to respect the sit-at-home order.
Witnesses reported further violence in Abagana and Ukpo. At the Ukpo roundabout in Dunukofia Local Government Area, a vigilante member and a motorcyclist were reportedly gunned down.
Meanwhile, IPOB denied any relationship with Ekpa, saying it had publicly asked the people and relevant authorities to stop linking it with the embattled Biafran agitator.
Reacting to the arrest of Ekpa by the Finnish authorities, IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, maintained that his organisation had nothing to do with Ekpa and his group, Autopilot.
He said, “We are not interested in his arrest. All we want is for the release of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has not committed any offence and who has been freed by the law courts. That is our concern.
“We have reiterated on several occasions that the Ekpa had no relationship with the IPOB from the formation to date and he had nothing in common with the Biafra struggle.
“For a long time, IPOB has maintained that there is nothing like autopilot in IPOB. More so, the criminal gang leader in Finland has no relationship with ESN from the formation of ESN to date or with IPOB. The authorities should stop linking IPOB with Ekpa and his group and IPOB is not interested in his arrest or whatever.”
“All we want is for the Nigerian government to release our leader who has been detained for no known crime other than fighting for the liberation of his people.”
Spokesman of IPOB’s Political Wing, Nwachukwu Emereonye, called for the immediate extradition of Ekpa to Nigeria to face the consequences of his actions.
While speaking to journalists on the development, Emereonye noted that Ekpa’s actions led to the death of scores of innocent people and destruction of businesses in the South-East.
He said, “We in IPOB Political Wing welcome the arrest of Simon Ekpa. His actions are unbecoming. Scores of people have been killed and properties worth billions of Naira destroyed.
“He should be handed over the Nigerian government for immediate prosecution.”
Also, a chieftain of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Dubem Silas, said the apex Igbo socio-cultural group was still studying the details behind Ekpa’s arrest.
Silas said if found guilty, according to the laws of Finland, Ekpa should be made to face the music.
He said, “We heard of the news of his arrest online and we are still studying the details. Ohanaeze, as a body is not in support of anything that is against the law.
“However, what is upper most for us and a top priority is for the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who did not commit any crime, who did not carry gun or arm, but he’s been detained unlawfully despite the fact that the courts of the land have freed him.”
The arrest of the ESN leader has generated various reactions online with many Nigerians demanding his extradition to Nigeria.
A former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, applauded the development on his X handle.
He said, “The arrest and detention of one Simon Ekpa by the Finnish authorities for terrorism-related charges and inciting terrorism in Nigeria is good news.
‘’Not only is this misguided young man a feral psychopath, a hate-filled sociopath, a notorious coward and a man of blood but he is also a religious bigot, an unrepentant racist, an ethnic supremacist and an enemy of humanity.
“He derived pleasure from killing and torturing our people and he waged war on our nation from the safety of Finland. Many innocent Nigerians were killed on his orders and as a consequence of his foul and divisive rhetoric.
“I hope this serves as a lesson to others in our nation who believe that division, violence & terror are the only way forward and who have no respect for the sanctity of human life.”
Bashir Ahmad, former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, proposed that Ekpa should be extradited to Nigeria after serving his jail term in Finland.
Ahmad said Ekpa should be made to face justice for the treasonable offences he perpetrated in the South-East.
He insisted that Ekpa should be punished for his role in the sit-at-home enforcement in the region.
Posting on X, Ahmad wrote: “After serving his jail term in Finland, Simon Ekpa should be extradited to Nigeria to face justice for his numerous treasonable offences, particularly his role in enforcing the unlawful and condemned sit-at-home orders on our brothers and sisters.”
An X user, Nwafresh @nwafresh wrote, “Extradite this son of a thousand fathers called Simon Ekpa back to Nigeria and I’ll use my last kobo to watch his tears in every court session until his last day on earth… A murderer and coward.. Tueh.”
Another X user, Ogechukwu Chime @ogechumwuchime stated, “Hurray!!!! Let me see if Tuesday will be declared as sit-at-home in the east for Simon Ekperima.”
Another X user, Ijaya @samuel10540458 knocked Ekpa stating, “Kirirkiri. The Finland version is good for him.”
Arizona @iam_arizona said, “Brigadier general go turn bricklayer for prison.”
Fubara Vs Wike: Appeal Court Nullifies Federal High Court Judgment Against Rivers State LG Election
AFOLABI
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court ruling that prevented theIndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the conduct of local government elections, which have since taken place.
In delivering its judgment on Thursday, a special panel led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi declared that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over the matter.
The appellate court clarified that Section 28 of the Electoral Act applies solely to federal elections, governorship elections, and area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, not state-conducted elections.
The Court of Appeal further criticized the lower court’s directive, which barred security agencies from performing their constitutional duties during the election process.
Previously, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court had ruled against RSIEC for scheduling the local government elections for October 5 without complying with legal provisions.
He stated that RSIEC violated the local government election law by failing to provide the mandatory 90-day notice before setting the election date.
Justice Lifu also held that the voters’ register must be updated and revised before any valid election date could be determined.
As a result, Justice Lifu had directed INEC not to release the Certified Voters’ Register to RSIEC until all legal requirements were fulfilled.
The appeal heard by Justice Otisi’s special panel was among several appeals challenging the Federal High Court’s decisions on political cases in Rivers State.
The panel had previously reserved judgment on consolidated appeals contesting Justice Lifu’s ruling.
Naija News reports that the rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, had escalated tensions before, during and after the LG Election.
• ‘Work begins on Green Rail Line next year’ — Sanwo-Olu says, as Governor presents budget proposal
• 30 newly completed road projects, bridges scheduled for commissioning December
Tourism and creative sector is about to take a huge leap forward in Lagos. The sector, with other key economic areas, will gulp a chunk in the State’s expenditures in 2025 fiscal year.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu laid bare what would be priorities of Lagos Government in the coming year, as he presented the State’s 2025 budget to the House of Assembly, on Thursday.
The Governor proposed a total of N3.005 trillion budget estimates, earmarking a huge capital investment of N908.7 billion to Economic Affairs sector — a cluster of key MDAs, comprising Tourism and Creative Arts, Agriculture, Transportation, Works and Infrastructure, Industry and Investments, Wealth Creation and Employment, Energy and Mineral Resources, Waterfront Infrastructure, and Commerce.
The 2025 Appropriation Bill, christened “Budget of Sustainability”, represents a 32.5 per cent increase over the current year budget, totaling N2.3 trillion.
The increment, Sanwo-Olu said, reflected the growing citizens’ demands for sustainable interventions in programmes and projects that would further raise productivity and energise economic growth in the State.
In response to citizens’ demands, he said the proposed budget was structured to ensure stability, stewardship and social equity around five key pillars, including infrastructure sustainability, economic diversification, social inclusion and human capital development, environmental sustainability, governance and institutional reforms.
The Governor noted that sustaining investment in infrastructure in key areas of priority would enable the State build up momentum for more growth, stressing that his administration’s infrastructural drive would further get a boost in the coming fiscal year.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the Government had completed 30 roads projects, including bridges, across the State, which had all been scheduled for commissioning from beginning of next month.
The Governor also announced that Lagos had sealed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government’s Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) to kickstart exploratory work on the development of the 68-km Green Line, which will connect Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone — a fast-growing industrial corridor in Lagos.
He said: “This 2025 budget is not just a fiscal document but a blueprint for continuity, resilience and shared prosperity for every Lagosian. As a key economic hub, Lagos stands at a crossroads: a nexus of challenges that test our resolve and opportunities that call for bold action. In crafting this budget, we have listened to our citizens’ voices, studied the global and local economic realities, and reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that Lagos continues to thrive sustainably for generations to come.
“Next year, we are making significant progress in revitalising cultural, religious and recreational infrastructure across the state. These
initiatives are aimed not only towards preserving the rich cultural heritage of Lagos, but also to unlock tourism economy by creating spaces for recreation and artistic expression.
“I am also pleased to note that we have recently signed MoU with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) to kickstart exploratory work on the development of the 68-km Green Line, which will connect Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone. In road construction and repairs, we have completed 36 road projects, including bridges, link bridges and pedestrian
infrastructure, all of which are scheduled for commissioning from December.”
The 2025 budget proposal is made up of recurrent expenditure of N1.239 trillion, representing 41 per cent of the total budget, and a capital expenditure of N1.766 trillion, which represents 59 per cent of the budget.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the State would be financing the budget through a combination of projected revenue inflow of N2.597 trillion, and a deficit financing of N408.9 billion. The revenue sources, he said, include Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) projected to be N1.971 trillion, and federal transfers of N626.1 billion.
The Governor said the budget’s deficit would be financed through external and internal loans, and issuance of bonds, which, he said, would be within the State’s fiscal sustainability parameters.
Highlighting the sectoral allocation in the 2025 budget, Lagos Government will be spending N233.176 billion in Environment, N204.005 billion in Health, N208.376 billion in Education, N124.073 billion in Security, Safety and Public Order, while Social Protection will gulp N47.077 billion.
Sanwo-Olu described the performance of the current year’s budget as “excellent”, noting that the 2024 budget had been implemented to the tune of N1.423 trillion, representing 84 per cent performance as at the end of third quarter.
While presenting the 2025 budget, the Governor urged the lawmakers to play their part in ensuring thorough scrutiny of the proposal, just as he called for its speedy passage.
Sanwo-Olu said: “Let me assure the House that this budget is not just a statement of intentions but a practical, actionable framework designed to impact lives. From students and entrepreneurs in Yaba to the farmers and fishermen in Epe and Badagry, from the business executives and market women on Lagos Island to the factory workers in Ikorodu, this budget is all about the people of Lagos alone.
“I also assure our residents of my commitment towards ensuring that this proposed budget is able to effectively recalibrate the State’s economy, stimulate economic growth and strengthen the positive trajectory. The development of any megacity like ours is the responsibility of both the public and private sectors. To this end, we will continue to explore public-private-partnership strategies in the provision of infrastructure, social services, and the conversion of challenges to opportunities within the context of scarce resources.”
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday presented a budget proposal of over ₦3 trillion to the Lagos State House of Assembly for the 2025 fiscal year.
The Governor presented a budget of ₦3,005,935,198,401 to the State House of Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.
Governor Sanwo-Olu themed the budget a ‘Budget of Sustainability’ for continuity, resilience and prosperity for Lagosians.
The budget is structured around five key pillars, including Infrastructure, Sustainability, Economic, Diversification, and Institutional Reforms.
The Deputy Governor, Femi Hamzat, among other dignitaries, were in attendance during the budget presentation.
The budget comprises a total revenue of ₦2,597,034,000,000 and deficit financing of ₦408,902,000,000.
Governor Sanwo-Olu explained that a total of ₦1.239trn (41%) of the 2025 budget is for recurrent expenditure, comprising total overhead, total personnel cost and recurrent debt service, while a sum of ₦1.766trn (59%) was proposed for capital expenditure.
A further breakdown by the Governor based on sectoral allocation shows economic affairs had a sum of ₦908.699bn for it; environment, ₦233.176bn; health, ₦204.005bn; education, ₦208.376bn; security, safety and public order, ₦124.073bn and social protection – ₦47.077bn.
In the words of the Governor during the presentation, he said: “Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to present to you today the Y2025 Budget proposal, tagged ‘Budget of Sustainability.’
“The Year 2025 Budget as proposed has a total budget size of N3,005,935,198,401, comprising a total revenue of N2,597,034,000,000 and deficit financing of N408,902,000,000.
“Total Revenue comprises our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N1,970,897,000,000, and total federal transfers of N626,137,000,000).
“We equally propose a recurrent expenditure of N1,239,818,000,000 comprising total overhead, total personnel cost and recurrent debt service, as follows:
“Total Overhead Cost: N722.586 billion, as follows: Overhead: N432.580 billion, Subventions: N139.728 billion, Dedicated Funds: N150.278 billion, Total Personnel Cost: N392.000 billion, Recurrent Debt Charges: N125.232 billion
“For Capital Expenditure, we propose a total figure of N1.766,117 trillion, as follows: Capital expenditure: N1.452 trillion naira, Repayments: N313.515 Billion Naira.
“Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members of this esteemed House, I hereby present highlights of sectoral allocation in the budget: Economic Affairs – 908.699 billion naira
Environment – 233.176 billion naira, Health – 204.005 billion naira, Education – 208.376 billion naira, Security, Safety and Public Order – 124.073 billion naira, Social Protection – 47.077 billion naira
“Mr. Speaker, as you will notice, the budget size is made up of recurrent expenditure of N1.239 Trillion (41%) and capital expenditure of N1.766 Trillion (59%). The deficit financing, which is within our fiscal sustainability parameters, shall consist of external and internal loans and bonds.”
More...
Acclaimed leader of Eastern Security Network (ESN), alleged armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, has been reportedly arrested in Finland.
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Pidgin Service, Simon Ekpa was remanded in detention by Finland authority for alleged terrorist activities.
BBC reported that the District Court of Päijät-Häme, in Finland, sent Ekpa, who is a Lahti-Nigerian municipal politician, ‘to prison on probable cause and on suspicion of publicly inciting people to commit crime with terrorist intent“.
The court reportedly said Simon Ekpa allegedly spread separatist propaganda on social media.
It reported that Ekpa allegedly committed the reported crime on 23 August 2021, in Lahti.
In addition to Ekpa, BBC reported Finnish National Bureau of Investigation also arrested four other men on suspicion of terrorist offences.
Recall that Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, had called on the federal government to expedite action for the repatriation of Ekpa.
Governor Mbah accused Ekpa, who claimed to replace IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, of disrupting the security of the South East region through his Monday sit-at-home order.
On his social media handle, Ekpa consistently described Nigeria as a ‘zoo’. According to him, he wants a separate country for the people of South East.
However, IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, in press statements, condemned Ekpa’s sit-at-home order. Emma Power also emphasized that Ekpa was not a replacement for Nnamdi Kanu.
The Senate on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s loan request of $2.2 billion to partially finance the ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year.
The approval followed the presentation of a report by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Aliyu Wamakko, during plenary.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau commended the committee for its swift action and thorough examination of the loan request.
In a letter read during the Senate and House of Representatives plenaries on Tuesday, Tinubu had explained that the loan was integral to his administration’s fiscal strategy for the coming year.
“The Presidential request for $2.2 billion, equivalent to ₦1.77 trillion, is already enshrined in the external borrowing plan for the 2024 fiscal year,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated while reading the letter.
He further directed the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to expedite its review of the request and present a report within 24 hours.
“The Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Loans should, therefore, give the request expeditious consideration and report back within 24 hours,” Akpabio emphasised.
Although the deadline elapsed on Wednesday, the committee submitted its findings during Thursday’s plenary, leading to the loan’s approval.
Details later…
[Punch]
![[PRESS STATEMENT] Setting the Record Straight: The Truth About Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed](/media/k2/items/cache/59a02a91fcfa5e2db168a201f55ed2c5_XS.jpg)
Dear Obidients and Members of the Public,
We are writing to address a pressing matter that has caught our attention. A malicious posting has been circulating on social media, spreading like wildfire and causing unwarranted harm to the reputation of Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed.
Let us set the record straight:
1. Senator Datti Baba Ahmed does not have any social media account, and therefore, any posts attributed to him are completely fabricated.
2. The Senator has unequivocally dissociated himself from these false posts during a recent press conference, making his stance crystal clear.
3. We are aware that this is a deliberate smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the Senator's image and credibility.
In light of this, we urge you all to be vigilant and proactive. Whenever and wherever you encounter this fake post, we implore you to
-Ignore it
-Counter it
-Report it
Your cooperation in quashing these malicious rumors is invaluable. Together, we can put an end to this vicious cycle of misinformation.
Thank you for your unwavering support and understanding.
Sincerely,
Dr. Yunusa Tanko
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has recommenced the purchase of crude oil from the United States in its ongoing efforts to ramp up oil production and enhance its refining capacity.
The new purchase comes after a three-month hiatus in purchasing crude from foreign countries, focusing instead on domestic supply.
A report by Bloomberg on Wednesday said the cargo conveying two million barrels of WTI Midland crude from Chevron Corp is due to be delivered to the refinery next month.
The latest development may be an indication that the naira-for-crude initiative by the Federal Government may have stalled or that the refinery is not getting enough crude supply from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
“Dangote refinery purchased its first shipment of US oil after a hiatus of three months as the site continues to ramp up production.
“The plant purchased about two million barrels of WTI Midland crude from Chevron Corp,” the report said.
Chevron booked the supertanker Azure Nova to load crude from the US Gulf around December 5 to Dangote, according to tanker fixtures seen by Bloomberg.
Earlier this year, Dangote was typically receiving one or two supertankers of US crude every month alongside domestic supplies.
However, these imports were reduced around August following an agreement with the federal government that the NNPCL would supply crude oil to the refinery in naira rather than dollars.
The agreement stated that the refinery would take up to 400,000 barrels a day of Nigerian crude paid for in local currency.
Dangote is taking a growing role in US and European oil markets, after gradually raising purchases of crude from Nigeria and the US.
The plant’s pull on those barrels increases the competition for the oil faced by traditional buyers in Europe.
The report added that reasons for the return to US imports remain unclear, though a report from Sparta Commodities earlier this week suggests lower shipping costs may have made US oil more affordable in Europe recently.
On Monday, The PUNCH reported the refinery was seeking to raise billions of dollars to import crude oil and increase production.
The report said the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, was in concrete talks with commercial lenders, development banks, oil traders, and other industry participants to raise funds for crude supplies to turn into refined products.
According to the report, the refinery would need a minimum supply of 300,000 b/d to secure more crude to reach its refinery’s capacity.
On Tuesday, the plant began refined petroleum product shipping to West African countries, a sign to traders that the mega-refinery’s operations could soon potentially shake up regional fuel markets.
IOCs couldn’t build refineries
In another development on Wednesday, the Dangote Group said it had done what international oil companies could not do by building a refinery in Nigeria.
The Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, stated this while receiving members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment at the refinery complex in Lekki, Lagos State.
During the visit led by the Chairman of the committee, Sadiq Umar, Edwin told the senators that the Dangote Group did what Shell, Chevron, or ExxonMobil has never done in any part of the world.
According to him, a Nigerian company took up the challenge to build the largest single-train refinery in the world.
He said about six companies in the world could do the same.
“Here, a Nigerian company took up the challenge which nobody like Shell or Chevron or ExxonMobil has ever done in any part of the world. So, the Nigerian company—Dangote Projects Limited—took up the challenge and built the refinery on time. And this is the world’s largest single-train refinery,” he said.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Umar, assured the refinery of the National Assembly’s support.
According to him, the $20bn project is a national asset that must be protected.
“For us as legislators, you can rest assured that we know what you have done here, we know what it means to the country. We will do anything within our power to see how we support you to succeed so that Nigeria can succeed.
“This investment we have seen here is an investment for the country and for the world, not necessarily for Dangote himself. It is our responsibility to see what we need to do to encourage him.
“I am sure you can see a lot of actions in what the president has done to support him so that the country will be better for it,” the senator said.
Located within the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, the 650,000-capacity began production in January this year, releasing diesel and aviation fuel into the local market while exporting to other countries.
In September, the facility started producing premium motor spirits. This is after weeks-long controversies with IOCs over crude supply.
The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, repeatedly accused the IOCs of refusing to sell crude to him, saying it was an attempt to sabotage the refinery.
After presidential interventions, the refinery started getting crude in naira to boost the local supply of petrol in naira.
It was learned that the refinery might export petrol to other West African countries soon.