Former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka, Sunday, berated Nigerian security agencies for being unable to track the genuineness of President Bola Tinubu’s certificate overtime.
According to him, it is a national disgrace to take the matter of such gravity for proof in the United States even when Tinubu had been given a clean slate by Nigeria’s intelligence agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission to run for president.
Chidoka made his opinion known in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, “That it took the courageous activism of Abubakar Atiku to force the discovery of information concerning the President of Nigeria is a disgrace to our national institutions.
“As a nation, we have a full retinue of staff at the Department of the State Security, the National Intelligence Agency, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Embassy of Nigeria with the full complement of staff in Washington DC and the Nigerian Judiciary that have variously ruled on matters concerning President Tinubu’s academic qualifications. Yet, we cannot have a definitive conclusion about whether he has the academic qualifications he claimed he had or not. Disgraceful.
“That all the aforementioned institutions allowed a man to be sworn in without definitive statements about his qualifications is a national tragedy.
“For 23 years, the issue of President Tinubu has been a recurring decimal in our national equation. Under his reign, a current youth corps member is serving as Minister, and people under investigation by EFCC and made public are sitting in the Federal Executive Council. And they all passed through security screening.”
He described the office of President of Nigeria as “important both in its moral authority and its strategic importance to our national security and safety that nobody who has possible blind spots that can make him or her a potential asset for foreign intelligence or governments should be allowed a mile near that office.”
According to him, “This should be a primary burden on all our national institutions. Legal technicalities and silence by state institutions should be deemed high treason.”
He made a case for a constitutional amendment to finish all electoral cases before the assumption of office, adding that, “The current disgraceful proceedings against a Nigerian President in a foreign court under election petition matters are damaging to our collective moral and legal standing as a people.
“If it turns out tomorrow that our President presented a forged certificate to INEC, Nigerians will bow down their heads globally in shame. On the other hand, if it turns out that his certificate is genuine, again our reputation as a people is still in tatters because of the failure of national institutions to perform due diligence no matter who is involved.”
He stated that the image of Tinubu would be tarnished if it was found that he forged his certificate. Quoting him, “A forged certificate finding leaves President Tinubu in a vulnerable position morally and legally. As he did not present primary and secondary certificates to INEC, a forged CSU certificate makes him unqualified to stand for the office of President as he does not possess the minimum qualification S.131(D) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Of course, the next issue is the case of perjury, the presentation of false documents under oath.”
Chidoka berated INEC adding, “How INEC accepted a university degree without the qualifying certificates would continue to be a national mystery.
“The decision of the District Court and the whole proceedings is not a moment of triumphalism but a sober moment of introspection. It is a moment when as a nation we ask ourselves: what are our national values? Who or which institution should have ordered the full investigation of the questionable certificate?
“Considering that he did not present a primary or secondary certificate, should our courts be concerned with the technicality of the tendering process of the CSU certificate or the disgrace and global moral damage a forged certificate would wrought on Nigeria?”
President Bola Tinubu has responded to the rejection of his initial offer by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) by raising the temporary allowance for treasury-paid Federal Government workers.
The allowance has been increased from N25,000 to N35,000, aiming to ease the financial burden brought about by the removal of subsidy on premium motor spirit.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this on Sunday night after the government’s meeting with the unions failed to yield desired outcome.
The allowance, which will be paid for six months, comes as the federal government seeks to find common ground with the labour unions to prevent strike action.
President Tinubu pledged to resolve demands of the labour unions while urging workers to remain at their posts.
Among commitments made by the Tinubu administration were the fast-tracking of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus provision to enhance public transportation in response to the removal of subsidies on PMS (Premium Motor Spirit).
Additionally, the government pledged to allocate funds to support micro and small-scale enterprises, as well as grant waivers on VAT for diesel over the next six months.
Furthermore, the government announced its plan to distribute N75,000 to 15 million households, providing N25,000 per month over a three-month period from October to December.
The information minister revealed that the NLC and TUC have agreed to consider the offers made by the federal government and potentially suspend their planned strike to allow for further consultations.
“A sub-committee will be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
“NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above,” said Idris.
The initial meeting was held virtually and chaired by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and attended by Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State who doubles as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).
Among the attendees were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong; the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu.
Others were the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan; and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
The labor delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero; Deputy President of TUC, Dr. Tommy Okon; NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja; and TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro.
Press Statement on The Meeting Between the Federal Government and Leadership of The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), And Trade Unions Congress (TUC)
AdminThe Federal Government, on Sunday, October 1, 2023 met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on measures to address the dispute arising from the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The parties noted the following:
i) The Federal Government has announced N25,000 only as provisional wage increment for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months.
ii) The Federal Government is committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.
iii) The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises.
iv) VAT on diesel will be waived for the next 6 months.
v) The Federal Government will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023.
RESOLUTIONS: In light of the discussions held during the meeting, the following resolutions were reached:
i) The issues in dispute can only be resolved when workers are at work and not when they are on strike.
ii) Labour Unions argued for higher wage award and the Federal Government Team promised to present Labour's request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.
iii) A sub-committee to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
iv) The lingering matter of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who participated virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.
v)NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above.
Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, participated virtually in the meeting, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, the Minister of State, Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The labour delegation was led by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Deputy President, TUC, Dr Tommy Etim Okon, NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, TUC General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, among others.
Mallam Mohammed Idris Minister of Information and National Orientation October 1,2023
statehouse.gov.ng
The organised labour has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s N25, 000 Provisional wage increment for the average low-grade worker to cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy.
The organized workers also rejected the government proposed six months of the Provisional wage increase and the N15 million additional Conditional Cash Transfer for vulnerable households
Recall that President Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast on the occasion of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary had said: “Based on our talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation. For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional Twenty-Five Thousand naira per month.
“Commencing this month, the social safety net is being extended through the expansion of cash transfer programs to an additional 15 million vulnerable households.”
However, Vanguard reliably gathered that the organized labour in their meeting with the Federal Government team at the Permanent Conference Room, Presidential Villa, Abuja, rejected the N25, 000 provisional wage and demanded the wage to be 100 percent of the current minimum wage.
Besides, labour insisted that the provisional wage should be for all workers and that it will not be limited to only six months but rather be running till when new minimum wage would be approved next year.
The organised labour also insisted that the Conditional Cash Transfer for the poorest and vulnerable people should be increased to N25, 000 and not the N5000 the previous administration was paying.
After many hours of horse trading, the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is leading the government delegation at the meeting has to break, to go and consult with the President on the new demands
Gbajabiamila was accompanied by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong.
[Vanguard]
The Northern District of Illinois in Chicago has warned President Bola Tinubu to desist from filing appeals to stop the release of his academic records from Chicago State University.
Naija News had earlier reported that the presiding Judge, Nancy Maldonado ordered the Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic record to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku is hoping to use the document in the Supreme Court of Nigeria where he is challenging Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.
Maldonado, a district judge, said in her September 30 ruling that President Tinubu should not bother returning to her court to attempt obtaining another temporary postponement of the disclosure.
The judge said, “The court cautions President Tinubu that any request for a stay before this court will be denied, as the court finds any stay impracticable in light of the fast-approaching Supreme Court of Nigeria deadlines.
“President Tinubu’s argument and rhetoric as to Mr Abubakar’s likelihood of success at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, or his vigorous disputes with the merits of Mr Abubakar’s underlying claims about the election, do not equate to evidence of the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s receptiveness to assistance in discovery.
“The discovery sought here relates not only to a prominent public figure, President Tinubu but is sought as part of an underlying dispute over the Nigerian presidential election, a matter of extreme importance to the Nigerian people.
“The discovery is thus undoubtedly of significant importance, as are the issues at stake. And CSU has sole access to the discovery—there is no other way for Mr Abubakar to access the sought-after information about President Tinubu’s diploma and education.”
The Nigerian Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has declared that the 25,000 naira provisional increment that was announced earlier to federal government low-grade workers is now being added to the wages of all Federal workers in the country.
This statement was issued following the ongoing meeting with the National Labour Union (NLC) and the Trade Union Commission (TUC) over the looming nationwide strike on October 3rd.
This is a developing story…
[Nairametrics]
BUA Cement PLC on Sunday announced the reduction of the price of its cement product to N3,500 per bag starting from Monday, October 2, 2023.
It said the price reduction was in line with its commitment to spur development in the “building materials and infrastructural sectors”.
The company announced the price reduction in a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) page.
This development is coming weeks after the company’s chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, after meeting with President Bola Tinubu, promised to review the price of the product.
The statement read in part, “We refer to our previous pronouncements regarding our intent to reduce cement prices upon the completion of our new lines at the end of the year, in order to spur development in the building materials and infrastructure sectors.
“As per the commitment made to reduce prices and following a periodic review of our operations for efficiency, the management of BUA Cement Plc wishes to announce and inform our esteemed customers, stakeholders, and the public that effective October 2, 2023, we have decided to bring the price reduction forward. As a result, BUA Cement would now be sold at an ex-factory* price of 3,500 Naira per bag so that Nigerians can begin to enjoy the benefits of the price reduction before the completion of our plants.
“Upon completion of the ongoing construction of our new plants, which would increase our production volumes to 17million metric tonnes per annum, BUA Cement PLC intends to review these prices further in line with our earlier pronouncements by the first quarter of 2024.”
[Punch]
For decades, Nigerians would dance on the streets to loud music on October 1, waving the country’s flag in pride to celebrate its independence from the United Kingdom. On the 63rd anniversary of that moment, the country’s streets are bereft of the usual celebratory atmosphere.
In Abuja, the capital, there were often banquets and concerts, sometimes backed by the government. But this time, as in recent years, the streets are quiet save for the flow of traffic as churchgoers throng Sunday masses. Over the speakers, some clerics can be heard soliciting divine intervention to rescue Nigeria from the pits.
For Olive Chiemerie, a 23-year-old bookstore manager resident in Ikeja, Lagos, it is pointless to celebrate. She was born just as Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999 and used to participate in commemorative activities at school but has become disillusioned in adulthood.
“Becoming an adult in Nigeria under Buhari’s government makes it feel like I have been robbed of my entire future and I can’t do anything but to look on hopelessly as the country falls into disrepair,” Chiemerie told Al Jazeera.
Many youths share similar sentiments.
Africa’s largest economy has long been in free fall since the Muhammadu Buhari administration, as youth unemployment, inflation, and debt are at an all-time high and continue to climb. More than 60 percent of the country lives in what the United Nations calls “multidimensional poverty”.
Electricity is still abysmally poor; the national grid has collapsed multiple times this year and uninterrupted power remains a myth. Buhari’s successor Bola Tinubu came to office in a disputed election marred by allegations of vote-buying, voter intimidation, and collusion with institutions of state, by the opposition.
Early reforms, like the removal of a fuel subsidy and devaluation of the naira, were implemented by Tinubu immediately after he took office in May. They were hailed by industry watchers as a welcome development, but people say they have brought them untold hardship.
Tinubu has scaled back some of the reforms but nevertheless doubled down on the need to carry out agonising reforms.
“Reform may be painful, but it is what greatness and the future require,” he said in his Independence Day speech. “We now carry the costs of reaching a future Nigeria where the abundance and fruits of the nation are fairly shared among all, not hoarded by a select and greedy few.”
‘Moving backwards’
When the Union Jack, the British flag, was lowered down and replaced by Nigeria’s green-white-green one, Augustine Okofu was a 14-year-old schoolboy in Osisa in what is today’s Delta state. A rally went on in his town for three days and he joined in the merriment.
Okofu went on to be such a believer in Nigeria that when war broke out in July 1967, he fought for federal troops against the secessionist nation of Biafra.
He remembers rallying with the people of his township for days. But now, the day does not hold much meaning to him.
“We were very happy thinking that Nigeria will be better in the future. But instead of things to keep getting better, it is getting darker. The people who think they are wise are finding the ways and manner to change everything,” said Okofu, now 77.
These feelings of disenchantment from the different demographies that Chiemerie and Okofu belong to, stem from the belief that the country should be far more developed, according to Mark Amaza, spokesperson for Yiaga Africa, an Abuja-based civil society.
“If one of the promises of independence back in 1960 was for us to chart our own course, that hasn’t panned out as much as we expected. People can’t see what excites them about independence if we are still grappling with so many issues and moving backwards,” he said.
And while patriotic joy has been on the decline in recent years, experts say things have deteriorated this year. Beyond the state of the economy, lingering ethnic tensions exacerbated by political differences during the last election cycle have contributed to the muted commemorations, they say.
Experts say Nigerians have usually bonded together in times of economic boom and that translated to periods of peak patriotism when the independence anniversary resonated with Nigerians.
Joachim MacEbong, a senior governance analyst at Lagos-based Stears Intelligence, points to three periods in particular – the period after independence in 1960 till the civil war began in 1967; the 1970s when there was a boom in crude oil revenues as the commodity displaced agriculture as Nigeria’s top export; and the first stretch of the post-military era from 1999 to 2007.
“There was a lot of optimism in the country and a lot of people were coming back to the country from the diaspora looking at Nigeria as a place of opportunity,” he said. “But every other time after that, we have had that decline in optimism.”
Eroding affection
That decline is particularly heightened this year, especially among the youths whose purchasing power has rapidly decreased during their lifetime.
In the 1980s, the naira was at par with the dollar. Today, $1 is approximately 1,000 naira.
A frustrated Chiemerie has now started plotting to Japa — a Yoruba word that means to escape — as emigration abroad is colloquially called.
“Every morning I wake up, I am despondent,” she told Al Jazeera. “I feel like my life is stuck in a place and I don’t care what I have to do to get the money to get out of here … why should it be the African dream to escape Africa with as much national resources as we have?”
Sentiments like Chiemerie’s should be a challenge to government across all levels, according to Amaza. But most officials behave like the proverbial ostrich with the head in the sand, hiding themselves and denying the obvious, he told Al Jazeera.
MacEbong agrees, saying the only way to improve is for the government to begin working for the majority as opposed to just a select few, to promote inclusiveness.
“If the government continues to cater to the whims of just a few people, that is not independence, that is just really trading one side of the shackle from colonialism to people who look like us. If the government works, people will be able to celebrate Independence Day the way they should,” he said.
In Lagos, Chiemerie has decided to spend the day visiting her aunt after church service.
“I will go on as if nothing is happening in the country,” she said. “If anyone thinks I am disloyal, Nigeria does not care about me so I won’t go out of my way to celebrate.”
[Aljazeera]
THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has promised to dialogue with cattle breeders before going ahead to enforce the ban on cattle rearing in Abuja’s city centre.
Wike also revealed plans to provide alternative means of transportation before enforcing the ban on commercial motorcycle operators in the city centre.
The minister made the disclosure while addressing journalists on Saturday after inspecting some ongoing road projects in parts of the nation’s capital.
He promised that his administration was committed to building a capital city that Nigerians could be proud of.
[NaijaTimes]
Tuareg-dominated separatist groups said on Saturday that they had inflicted heavy losses on the Malian military in an attack in the troubled country’s centre.
The rebels said they had counted 98 dead soldiers.
The claim came in a statement from the Permanent Strategic Framework which is dominated by the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), an alliance of predominantly Tuareg separatist groups.
The rebels also said they had wounded dozens of soldiers, taken five prisoner, while losing seven of their own fighters.
The claims made by rebels, and all sides involved in the fighting, are difficult to verify because of the remoteness of the affected areas.
Access to independent sources is complicated by the conflict.
The Malian army had only acknowledged an assault on one of its camps in Dioura in the Mopti region on Thursday, without giving further details.
Despite the official information blackout, images and claims linked to the incident quickly spread online.
If confirmed it would mark the CMA’s most southerly operation since it resumed attacks against the Malian army in the north of the country at the end of August.
The north of Mali has seen a resumption of hostilities by the CMA and an intensification of jihadist attacks against the Malian army.
Operations have targeted several army positions.
The upsurge in violence coincides with the ongoing withdrawal of the UN mission, pushed out by the junta that took power in 2020.
[AFP]
More...
The Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, has sent a congratulatory message to Nigerians as the country celebrates its 63rd Independence Anniversary.
Naija News reports that today, October 1, marks another historic milestone since Nigeria got her independence in 1960.
Sending love from the City of Chicago, Mayor Johnson, urged Nigerians not to forget those who fought for the independence and contributed to its accomplishment.
The Mayor of Chicago’s Independence Day message to Nigeria reads: “Hello everyone, it’s Brandon Johnson, Mayor of the greatest city in the world, the City of Chicago.
“It is truly my honour to wish you all a Happy Independence Day.
“October 1st, 1960, marks a significant and cherished milestone in Nigeria’s history. Since gaining Independence, Nigeria has continuously demonstrated strength, resilience and an incredible spirit.
“Let us remember those who have paved the way for Nigeria’s independence as we celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Nigerians right here in the City of Chicago and across the globe.
“I hope that you will celebrate Independence Day with your family, gatherings of festivities, of course, wearing your green and white with pride.
“So, on behalf of Chicago, I am wishing you a Happy Independence Day, Nigeria.
“Have a great evening, everyone, Thank you.”
[NaijaNews]
Media
In a bid to prevent the looming nationwide indefinite strike declared by organized Labour, the federal government has again extended an invitation to Labour leaders for another discussion scheduled for 2 pm today, October 1st, at the State House in Abuja.
The State House meeting that was slated for Friday, September 29, between government officials and Labour representatives didn’t take place because the organized Labour group declined to participate.
In a memorandum from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Director Emmanuel Igbinosun, representing the Minister, addressed the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), scheduling the meeting to take place in the State House’s Chief of Staff’s Conference Room.
- The statement read: “Further to my earlier correspondence on the above subject, I once again bring greetings from the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment.
- “I am directed to invite the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for a meeting with the Government on the above subject scheduled as follows; Date:- Sunday, October 1st, 2023; Time:- 2 pm; Venue:- Aso Villa Conference Room of the office of the Chief of Staff to Mr President.
- “Please be assured as always of the kind regards of the Hon. Minister of Labour & Employment”, the memorandum said.
The meeting is expected to be attended by the national leadership of both the NLC and that of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The government’s representation at the meeting will include the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Hon Simon Lalong, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon Nkiruka Onyejeocha, and various other high-ranking government officials.
More details later…
[Nairametrics]
The United States District Court in Northern Illinois, has ordered the Chicago State University (CSU) to release the academic records of President Bola Tinubu to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The development came after a U.S Judge, Nancy Maldonado, adopted all the ruling of Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Gilbert of the U.S. District Court, ordering the immediate release of the academic records of Tinubu by the CSU.
Tinubu had objected to the Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Gilbert ruling ordering the immediate release of the academic records by the CSU.
According to the President, releasing the documents with deposition would cause him severe harm because they were private to him and would not be admissible in the ongoing petition against him in Nigeria.
Atiku, who contested the February 25 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been seeking Tinubu’s academic records to establish that he presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, in her ruling on Saturday, Maldonado said the decision of a lower Federal Magistrate judge on September 19 was appropriate and adopted it in full.
“The Court overrules President Tinubu’s objections to Magistrate Judge Gilbert’s recommended ruling, and therefore adopts the ruling in full. Mr Abubakar’s application is therefore granted,” the judge ruled.
She also gave CSU until noon on Monday to release the documents and the deposition of officials of CSU completed by 5pm CDT on Tuesday.
“In light of the pending Supreme Court of Nigeria deadline, represented to the court as October 5, 2023, and based on CSU’s representations that it is ready to comply with the discovery requests and produce a witness, the court sets an expedited schedule for completion of discovery,” the judge said.
She warned that any attempt by Tinubu to appeal the judgement in the district would no longer be tolerated as Abubakar must transfer the collected evidence to the Nigeria’s Supreme Court for use in an ongoing election petition case by October 5.
However, she said Tinubu is free to file his appeal directly before the Seventh Circuit, an appellate court overseeing Illinois and nearby states.
[DailyTrust]
The Federal Government on Sunday distanced itself from a N50 billion planned non-prosecution plea bargain with former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele was reported to have entered into a plea bargain with the government on condition of surrendering N50 billion to facilitate his early release from the custody of the Department of the State Services, DSS.
The plea bargain was also said to be aimed at cancelling the trial of the former CBN chief on series of charges comprising money laundering, breach of Public Procurement Act and abuse of office.
However, on Sunday, the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, said there is no iota of truth in the alleged plea bargain deal.
Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said neither his office nor the Presidency has had anything of such nature with Emefiele.
The position of the Federal Government was made public in a statement by the Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Modupe Ogundoro.
The statement reads in part, “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has
been drawn to a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, have agreed to a non-prosecution plea bargain arrangement.
“The report further alleges that Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, have signed a non-prosecution plea bargain agreement and that the agreement is awaiting the signature of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice hereby states clearly that these reports are completely false.
“It would be noted that the legal team representing Mr. Godwin Emefiele had expressed their intention in court at the last hearing to initiate a plea bargain
arrangement.
“However, no such arrangement has been reached with Mr. Godwin Emefiele or his
representatives.
“We wish to advise the media and members of the public to kindly disregard the said false report.
“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will continue to take all actions in the interest of the Nigerian public.”
[DailyPost]