A federal high court in Abuja has restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further disbursing financial allocations to the Rivers state government.

The court held that monies from the federation account should not be released to the state pending the passage of a lawful appropriation act by a validly constituted house of assembly.

Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding judge, issued the verdict on Wednesday while delivering judgment on a suit filed by the Rivers state house of assembly led by Martins Amaewhule.

Abdulmalik held that Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers governor, was wrong to have presented the state’s 2024 Appropriation Bill to a five-member assembly “that was not properly constituted”.

BACKGROUND

In December 2023, Fubara presented an N800 billion budget estimate to the Edison Ehie faction of the house of assembly.

The presentation of the budget titled: ‘Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation and Continuity’, took place at the government house.

In July, the Rivers house of assembly and Amaewhule, the factional speaker, instituted the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24 against the CBN and nine others.

The Rivers house of assembly has been polarised following the rift between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

The Amaewhule-led faction of the legislature is loyal to Wike.

The plaintiffs listed the CBN, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, and the accountant-general of the federation (AGF) as first to fourth defendants.

Fubara, accountant-general (AG) of Rivers, Rivers Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), chief judge (CJ) of Rivers, chairman of RSIEC, and government of Rivers state were listed as fifth to tenth defendants.

The Amaewhule faction of the assembly sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the CBN, the commercial banks, and the AGF from honouring any financial instruction from Fubara.

The court had dismissed all the objections raised by the defendants.

Delivering the verdict, the judge held that Fubara’s decision to implement an “unlawful budget” was a gross violation of the 1999 Constitution he swore to protect.

The judge therefore restrained CBN, accountant-general of the federation, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the consolidated revenue and federation account.

Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, says the federal government should not burden the poor with more taxes.

The national assembly is reportedly considering a bill proposing an increase in value added tax (VAT) from 7.5 percent to 10 percent by 2025.

The legislature also intends to increase VAT to 12.5 percent by 2026 through 2029.

During an appearance on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, Ndume said he would resist any attempt to punish the poor with more taxes. 

He advised the federal government to go after rich individuals and corporations, adding that millions of Nigerians are barely surviving and cannot afford to be taxed more than they already are.

“We are almost losing the middle class in Nigeria. It is either you have it or you do not have it. Those that are in the middle are being squeezed out,” he said.

“If Nigerians can pay for those taxes, it is okay. But in the current situation, increasing taxes is not an alternative at all. I will not support any increase in taxes.

“Let us get things right first. Let people start living and not surviving. Let people have extra income.

“The north has more poverty, so if you want to increase taxes again, let’s be considerate. Tax those people who can afford it. Those who can afford the taxes in Nigeria are not even paying for them.

“I’m going to start campaigning against the increase in tax for now because it doesn’t only affect the northerners, it affects the average Nigeria. I’m not saying people should not pay tax but don’t tax people that are barely surviving.

“Let the tax authority concentrate on those that are supposed to pay tax.”

Nigeria has been grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades since President Bola Tinubu unfurled a raft of reforms in 2023.

Barring last-minute change of plan, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will this Wednesday arraign the lawmaker representing Abia North/South federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, for assaulting an e-hailing cab driver, Mr Steven Abuwatseya.

Abuwatseya was verbally and physically assaulted by the lawmaker a few days ago as captured in a viral video on social media.

Recalls that Abuwatseya recorded and shared the video where the lawmaker slapped him countlessly and used derogatory words like ‘rat’ and ‘poor monkey’ on him in Abuja over a delivery disagreement.

The lawmaker was also shown in the viral video threatening that he could make Abuwatseya ‘disappear’ forever and nothing would happen, a development that sparked outrage amongst netizens.

Hon. Ikwechegh, however, apologised to his colleagues in the Green Chamber and Nigerians on Tuesday following a statement of public apology he had earlier released. He was also questioned by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police for belittling the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) during the altercation with the cab driver.

However, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, in a message sent to LEADERSHIP on Wednesday, disclosed that the lawmaker will be arraigned before a Kuje Magistrate Court by the Police for assaulting his client, Steven Abuwatseya, who is a nominal complainant in the matter, this Wednesday.

“We are on our way to Kuje Magistrate Court for the arraignment of the honourable member who assaulted our client, Mr, Steven, a bolt driver. The IGP’s SPECIAL INVESTIGATION UNIT (SIU) is in-charge of the investigation and prosecution. The media is invited to cover the arraignment, which is scheduled for 12pm today at Kuje Magistrate.”

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, stunned federal lawmakers on Tuesday when he declared that a multi-billion-dollar cargo tracking agreement entered into by the federal government of Nigeria, regarding the International Cargo Tracking Notes (ICTN) was done in error.

The minister stated this while being quizzed by a House of Representatives investigative panel, probing the delay in the implementation of the cargo tracking project, believed to be costing the country $500 million monthly.

The investigative hearing, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping, Customs, Port and Harbour, and Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration, was to probe the non-implementation of the contract.

Oyetola, a former governor od Osun State, who was represented by a director in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Babatunde Sule, confirmed the delay by stating that the process approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was flawed.

Recall that the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari had in March 2023 engaged a consortium led by Antaser Nigeria Limited to implement a cargo tracking system for all imports and exports, including crude oil exports.

But, with the change of government, it has been reported that some officials of the Bola Tinubu administration were attempting to replace the Antaser-led consortium with their own preferred investors, in the guise of PPP arrangement using the new DG of ICRC, Jobson Ewalwfoh.

The representative of the blue economy minister who had earlier admitted the project’s approval by the FEC, later claimed that it was consumated in error.

He said: “I am aware of the contract. I am also aware that it was given to five companies. I learned that four of the companies signed an agreement, with the fifth not signing, and I think that was what stalled this whole process.

“The process was even faulty ab initio. The process that led to this was wrong,” he said, as the lawmakers jeered at him.

“The process could have been better than the way it was handled,” Sule later added after some of his colleagues whispered to him.

His responses forced lawmakers to cast doubts on his capacity to represent the minister adequately even when a member of the legislative committee, Hon. Kabir Maipalace said: “I don’t think you are capable enough to represent the minister; you don’t even have any information about the issue.

“The ministry is not serious. The minister did not show up, the permanent secretary did not show up, and you here do not have first-hand information.”

In his submission, Antaser’s chairman, Emeka Obianozie, told the committee about how his company received approval to implement the cargo tracking project, including approval by the Federal Executive Council.

He stated that under the current administration, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) were attempting to build and implement the same service in the oil and gas sector at a higher cost.

“We informed NSC of the attempt by the Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and Nigerian Customs Service to implement part of ICTN’s scope at a huge cost to the nation. We noted that these efforts and the associated complications are arising due to the delay in implementing the ICTN scheme.

“The hush move, if allowed, will amount to duplication, mediocrity, unnecessary costs, and, more importantly, abuse of the project by inadvertently compromising the transparency which is the cardinal pillar of the service scheme,” he stated.

Obianozie noted that his company’s contract with the government remained valid, adding that the company “maintains over ninety-five per cent (95%) global network outreach for trade monitoring and cargo inspections.”

As part of the Federal Government’s effort to reduce the cost of transportation, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, PCNGI, on Tuesday, signed an agreement with the Airport Taxi Operators, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to convert 800 vehicles to CNG fuel.

The deal, according to PCNGI, would reduce fare to the airport by about 30 percent.

Speaking at a brief signing ceremony, Programme Director/Chief Executive, PCNGI, Engr Michael Oluwagbemi said the Federal Government was determined to provide a cheaper, cleaner and sustainable alternative fuel for Nigerians.

Engr. Oluwagbemi who was  represented by the Programme Execution Coordinator, Mr Folarin Oworo assured that the plan to convert one million vehicles to CNG is on course.

He said: “The airport taxis operators have about 800 fleet of vehicles and we have agreed that once we hit 50 per cent conversion, which is about 400 vehicles, a 30 per cent discount will be implemented immediately.

“There are various prices based on the distance one is traveling, so the 30 per cent will be applied accordingly based on the current prices for the areas one is going.

“A red card with prices and discount will also be available in the vehicle based on the passenger’s destination. And to ensure compliance there will be regular monitoring for diligent delivery,” he said.

Speaking on the safety of the CNG cylinders, Engr. Oluwagbemi said an explosion could only occur if the conversion was done illegally, with locally manufactured cylinders.

He said: “Cylinders used for CNG are practically bullet proof and cannot explode or break. So we implored Nigerians not to cut corners.

“The Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has also certified the CNG cylinders the P-CNGI is using. We guarantee in our conversion that an explosion cannot occur unless there is intentional tampering with it.

“We have different sizes of cylinders – 65 and 75 litres to reduce time of refilling. Going forward we will introduce various sizes and shapes to suit vehicles and loads to carry,” he said.

Also speaking, Spokesman of Airport Taxi Operators, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Mr Aliyu Abdulaziz Aliyu, commended the PCNGI for signing the agreement with them and assured that the free conversion would drastically reduce airport taxi fare.

The arrest of a foreign contractor who is said to be engaged in the vandalization of street lights in Abuja, has been announced by the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC).

According to the AMMC Coordinator, Felix Obuah, the contractor damages the existing streetlights in order to get fresh contracts.

Obuah made the disclosure on Tuesday after inspecting some ongoing streetlight repairs and maintenance as directed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The AMMC Coordinator, who refused to name the contractor, however, said the company operated by the contractor was well known, and the individual would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He explained that there was a belief that the vandalization was been carried out by scavengers, but they were shocked to discover the involvement of the contractor.

The coordinator explained that Abuja streetlights are divided into 21 lots, with 18 lots inspected so far and the vandalized portions undergoing repair works.

He said a report would be submitted to the FCT Minister, and further action would be taken on the matter, adding that all those involved would be brought to justice.

Obuah said, “The minister of FCT has given us matching orders to make sure that Abuja is lightened up, and as a matter of fact, I embark on the spot assesment with my team to make sure things work well.

“Abuja is divided into 21 lots, today will inspected almost 18 lots. We have discovered that most of those areas have been vandalised, which some are undergoing intervention work by my team.

“We are not impressed with the level of vandalisation that had happened in some of those lots. But I am impressed with my team for living up to expectations especially with the ongoing maintenance work on Yar’adua way and Jabi areas, the light has been restored but some are yet to be restored.

“We will make sure that within a short possible time, the issues is restored. Most a times we thought is scavengers or miscreants that are involved in vandalising the streetlights, not until today that we are able to discover that high level contractors are involved in sabotaging the good efforts of the minister and AMMC.

“We have arrested a very prominent contractor, an expatriate who is involved in vandalising these streetlights to enable them get this contract.One of the expatriates has been arrested and is in detention, there are full evidence to that effect.

“Our report will be submitted to the minister. we must make sure that those vandals and the people buying the items would not go free.

“We can’t be buying and installing while miscreants and expatriates are vandalising it, sabotaging the good efforts of government is wrong.”

Nasiru Mukhtar, a resident of Kano State, has been remanded by the State Shariah Court at Kofar Kudu for allegedly assaulting Imam Malam Murtala Sulaiman during morning prayers at a mosque in the Tudunwada area.

Naija News learnt that the incident occurred on October 22, 2024, around 5 am.

Mukhtar reportedly stormed the mosque, held the Imam by the neck, and slapped him multiple times before tearing his clothes and taking his microphone.

Following the altercation, the imam filed a complaint with the state police command, leading to Mukhtar’s arrest.

During the court proceedings, Mukhtar’s defence counsel requested bail, citing the need for further investigation.

However, the presiding judge, Malam Isah Rabi’u Gaya, ordered a psychiatric evaluation to assess the accused’s mental state.

The court adjourned the case until November 22, 2024, while the accused remains in custody.

The Tinubu-led federal government has announced plans to restore electricity to the Northern region of the nation within the next 72 hours.

On October 22, the Transmission Company of Nigeria reported an outage affecting the North-East, North-West, and parts of North-Central Nigeria after the 330-kilovolt (kV) Ugwaji-Apir double circuit transmission lines 1 and 2 tripped. Nafisatu Ali, Executive Director of the Independent System Operator, explained that the Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line, supplying power to the North, was vandalized by insurgents.

Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu directed the military to secure the power lines while repairs are conducted.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, October 29 during a session with the Senate Committee on Power, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South), the Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu addressed the ongoing power outage affecting the northern region.

Adelabu explained that, as a temporary measure, power would be routed through the Ugwuaji-Makurdi transmission line, covering approximately 80% of the affected states.

The Minister stated, “Power will be restored to the North in two to three days. We will use the Ugwuaji-Makurdi transmission line temporarily.”

Adelabu assured the committee that once full access is obtained, repairs would be made to the damaged lines, ensuring full restoration of power within the next 14 days.

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, over alleged anti-party activities.

According to Vanguard, in a resolution submitted to the APC National Secretariat and directed to National Chairman Dr. Umar Ganduje, Osun APC accused Aregbesola, who previously served as governor, of fostering divisions within the party by creating a rival faction.

The APC claims that this act has disrupted party unity, especially during a sensitive time in Osun politics.

Party leaders believe Aregbesola’s influence over certain groups has deepened internal rifts, which the state chapter sees as detrimental to the party’s unity.

It reads: “Following Committee, the State Executive Committee (SEC), llesa East Local Government Executive reviewing the allegations and by the powers vested in it by Article 21(3) (vi) (c) of the party’s Constitution, hereby suspends Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from the party pending the outcome of an investigation into the allegations by a Disciplinary Committee.

“The State Executive Committee has constituted a Disciplinary Committee to investigate and provide Ogbeni Aregbesola with the opportunity to respond to the allegations of activities deemed to violate Article 21 (2) of the party’s Constitution, particularly relating to anti-party activities that undermine the collective interests of the APC levelled against him as follows:

“Factionalisation of the party with the creation of splinter groups i.e. the Omoluabi Caucus-a trending video of their recent activities in Iwo is here with attached; Creation of parallel organs within the party;

“Working with opposition parties to undermine the APC in the State -admission made at the Ataoja’s Palace 4th of January 2024, Osogbo; Public outbursts against the leaders of the party, including President, H.E. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), Chief Bisi Akande and H.E. Gboyega Oyetola, among others;

“Refusal to show up or support any party activities in the State; and Refusal to vote for the party since after the 2019 general elections.”

This suspension represents a bold step by the Osun APC to address internal issues and refocus leadership priorities as they prepare for upcoming elections. Responses from Aregbesola’s camp are expected as the situation develops.