The member representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has urged the Nigerian Police Force to withdraw its invitation to the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero.

Ugochinyere, who is also the spokesperson of the opposition coalition lawmakers, stated that “it’s clear to everyone that the NLC President didn’t commit any terrorism or murder”.

He told the police to withdraw the invitation and avoid creating confusion for President Bola Tinubu, stressing that any move by the security operatives to detain Ajaero might lead to another nationwide protest.

He said, “Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC President didn’t commit any terrorism or murder challenge, drop it, so you don’t bring people back on the street and create confusion for the President. If you want to help President Tinubu go and chase out these bandits in the forest. Find out why crude oil is still being stolen.

“You don’t help the President by inviting the NLC President and accusing him of murder and treason. Stop it!!!!! The President needs help, there’s insecurity, that’s why there’s economic hardship, that’s why food products are high. That’s the real terror that you need to deal with, not Comrade Ajaero.

“I have to advise the Nigerian police, there’s no basis for this now, what Nigerians need now is more enhanced security, more involvement of security agencies in quelling security challenges across all parts of the country instead of inviting the President of Nigerian Labour Congress for a chat over his involvement in terrorism.

“These are old strategies that people can decode, from someone that has been through it, this same police force invited me multiple times and charged me multiple times. Based on my personal experience, I think this invitation should be withdrawn, the country is at a difficult moment now.

“I know Comrade Ajaero and I know he’s not involved in any terrorism. We are trying to find a way to maintain stability and navigate these economic challenges, the Nigerian police should Channel their energy on oil production, what the oil thieves are doing etc. they should focus on wiping out the bandits and criminal elements. I’m urging the Inspector General of Police, don’t let your era be known with what you used to have, don’t get involved in that. The biggest thing I know you can do for the President that I know you love is to find a way to energize the police force to go after all these criminal elements in different parts of the country.”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to stand his ground and fight for his principles, amidst internal crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party.

Speaking at a media parley on Wednesday, marking his one year anniversary as a minister, Wike declared, “I don’t run away from any fight. I will stay there, I will fight it out. Who am I going to run from? The vampires? I cannot do that!”

Wike’s statement comes amidst speculation that he may leave the PDP due to the internal crisis in the party, particularly against him. However, the minister has consistently maintained that he will not abandon his principles, even if it means standing alone.

Less than 24 hours ago, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, had called on the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ambassador Iliya Damagun, to expel Wike from the party to save it from destruction.

In an open letter to Damagun, Clark stated: “I am writing to bring to your attention the activities of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Nyesom Wike, who is using his closeness to President Bola Tinubu to intimidate the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the party.”

Clark, who is also the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum and the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum, said: “I cannot stand by and allow the minister to continue to hound the governor. If we do not stop him, the matter will consume him, Wike, and their cohorts.”

When asked by a journalist if he sees himself leaving the PDP in the future, Wike responded, “Anybody who knows me knows too well if I want to join APC today… when I was then PDP and I said ‘look, I will not support your presidential candidate’, Did I say it secretly? Or those people that are saying those things did they bring one member that won election?”

The minister also highlighted his commitment to principle, stating, “Did PDP not win (in Rivers State)? I stood my ground in terms of principle that if this is not done we will not accept it. People must know you for something. Integrity is very important. Forget about those that are saying this, they are afraid of my face.”

The Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) says the plan to sell Nigeria-denominated crude in naira will potentially worsen Nigeria’s currency volatility and foreign exchange receipts.

According to a statement on Monday, Abdulrazak Isa, chairman of IPPG, expressed the group’s concern in a letter to Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive officer (CEO), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

On July 29, the federal executive council (FEC) approved a proposal by President Bola Tinubu directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to sell crude oil to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other refineries in naira.

The sale of crude oil in naira will commence on October 1.

Speaking on the issue, Isa said such a move was not in tandem with the law.

He said a significant source of the government’s royalty and taxation earnings such as petroleum profit tax (PPT), company income tax (CIT), and hydrocarbon tax (HT), which are denominated in dollars, would be affected, and could further disrupt the fiscal regime.

“We are (also) aware of suggestions and proposal to sell crude in Naira, this is inconsistent with the law and will further put a materially significant strain on the efforts of the Government to manage the Naira as it will reduce Nigeria’s FX receipts from its highest FX revenue earner – the oil and gas industry, which is a significant source of the Nigerian Government’s royalty and income taxes earnings (PPT, CIT and HT) that are denominated in US Dollars,’’ Isa said. 

Isa also expressed concerns over recent industry developments, including NUPRC’s domestic crude oil refining requirements and production forecast for 2024, and the request for monthly quotations for local refineries.

“However, it is important to highlight certain contractual, legal, financial and factual incongruencies that exist in the increasing push and demands on petroleum producers and particularly on members of the IPPG,” he said.

“We are indeed constrained to say that the current position on this matter may inevitably lead to economic damage and self-sabotage of the Nigerian economy. This is simply an inescapable fact.’’

The IPPG chairman, citing a potential economic emergency, said he is aware that the group’s members are mandated to allocate crude volumes to the domestic market for the second half of 2024, in line with the NUPRC’s domestic crude oil supply obligations (DCSO) guideline.

Isa said under Nigerian law, “any supply of crude oil to a refinery even under a DCSO umbrella is required to be on a willing buyer and willing seller basis”. 

“This is the position of the principal law that cannot be derogated by regulation or guideline,” he said.

“Additionally, all producers (including NNPC Limited) are currently beholden to either fixed supply contracts or forward sale contracts to international traders who have stepped in to fill the financing gap to fund upstream investments since international finance institutions have reduced their funding positions to fossil fuels due mainly to ESG requirements.

“These contractual arrangements have become the necessary collateral obligations for producers (including NNPC Limited) and thus they currently have contractual rights to producers’ barrels of crude oil. 

“In addition, crude cargoes are normally sold at least three (3) months in advance and therefore your recent letters to some of our members received in August mandating DCSO volumes from July to December 2024 are not achievable, particularly as most, if not all, of the cargoes from July to October will already have been sold.’’

‘NIGERIA’S OIL PRODUCTION LEVEL WILL BE AFFECTED’

The IPPG chairman reaffirmed that any action that jeopardises the aforementioned funding mechanism would thereby jeopardise a substantial portion of Nigeria’s crude oil production. 

He also said that any unilateral directive to IPPG members to supply domestic refineries in violation of the primary legislation would have certain repercussions, such as producers’ failure to fulfil their offtake obligations to buyers of crude oil who have already entered into contracts.

Isa said it would also impact the ability to raise the current production levels from 1.3 million barrels of oil per day to the federal government’s projected 2-2.5 million barrels of oil per day. 

The oil producer said it could also put the country in an adversarial position with the international traders, who finance a significant portion of upstream activity, alongside their respective institutional investors. 

He said it could cause cross defaults across IPPG members and this would dry up a critical source of foreign exchange (FX) for the country.

“This FX shortage would be acutely felt given that NNPC Limited has engaged in (and is currently marketing) a series of Forward Sale Agreements which mean future revenues are being secured against upfront funding,” he said.

If IPPG members cannot augment this gap with their FX inflows, he said it creates a spiral of liquidity funding that would further impair the economy on a macro level.

Silverbird Group, organisers of the Miss Universe Nigeria contest, has unveiled the contestants for its 2024 pageant.

The pageant organisers said this year’s winner would receive ₦10 million in cash alongside other prizes.

Arthur Ngwube, brand manager of Silverbird Group, said the theme for the 2024 competition is ‘Digital Divas’.

Ngwube said the theme reflects the growing significance of digital presence and influence. 

He urged the contestants to use technology, social media, and digital platforms in their quest for the crown.

The voting process will remain open until the eve of the event on August 30, 2024.

Mitchel Ihezue of Imo state was crowned the Miss Universe Nigeria 2023 pageant winner. 

Ihezue thereafter represented Nigeria at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador.

Below are the 25 contestants:

• Miss Abia — Chioma Nkumeh

“I am working on an advocacy of empowering women and I want women to become the best version of themselves.”

 

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• Miss Abuja — Lucille Oputa

“I stand for every voice that needs to be heard and every dream that wants to thrive.” 

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Akwa Ibom — Happiness Enetak

“I believe in designing people’s lives.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Anambra — Paula Ezendu

“They say the universe listens to stubborn people’s hearts, but for me, resilient people’s hearts will command the universe to listen.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Bayelsa — Fortune Kurobo

“I am passionate about women’s reproductive health issues.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Benue — Joy Omanibe

“I will amplify my advocacy focused on education and healthcare for children living in rural areas.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Cross River — Emanuella Igbodor

“I am committed to making a difference and I want to offer a unique perspective on creating change beyond the beauty aspect.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Delta — Sarah Olotu

“My vision is to humbly represent our beloved country on a global stage as the Miss Universe platform.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Ebonyi — Mother Theresa Orji

“I am confident that I will win and in turn, I will use my platform to advocate for causes that are personal and close to my heart.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Edo — Edeifo Aikhuele

“I promise to continue serving our great nation through advocacy for children, healthcare, and education.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Ekiti — Esther Gabriel

“I want to use the Miss Universe platform to campaign for causes I am passionate about, especially those related to girl child education.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Enugu — Uchechi Uchenna

“If I win, I will focus on my personal advocacy for mental health and education for underprivileged children.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Imo — Queeneth Igbokwe

“My vision is to help women who are victims of domestic violence escape their relationships before it’s too late. I intend to provide financial and mental support to help them regain their confidence and move forward.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Kaduna — Sophia Nelson

“With the crown, I can push my plan on a bigger scale.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Kogi — Zuleihat Oyarazi

“I will fulfill my dream of becoming an ambassador of strength for the next generation and bring the Miss Universe crown home.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Kwara — Ufa Dania

“I am here to champion important causes, empower others, and create a positive impact that extends far beyond this pageant and into the community.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Lagos — Favour John

“I want to inspire people, impact lives, and remind young people to believe in themselves and their abilities.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Niger — Priscilla Umehea

“I want to make a positive impact on the world.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Ogun — Deborah Anosike

“I will create a platform that will make schools accessible to children and empower women in Nigeria.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Ondo — Peace Ayegbidun

“I am living proof that women can be strong, beautiful, resilient, and successful businesswomen.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Osun — Ifunanya Nledo

“I want to represent Nigeria on the international stage”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Oyo — Elizabeth Salawu

“I will use fitness and technology to create a society where we prioritise mental health.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Plateau — Chioma Ogbonna

“I plan to give back through my foundation.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Rivers — Nyekachi Douglas

“I want to refocus Nigerian pageants on their core purpose; advocacy.”

 

 

 

 

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• Miss Taraba — Chidimma Adetshina

“As women, we have faced adversity, and I want to use my voice and story to promote inclusion and acceptance. I also want to educate people about the power of diversity in building a strong community that benefits everyone.”

 

 

 

 

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The supreme court in Ghana has thrown out a suit seeking to void the law that criminalises homosexuality in the country.

In a unanimous judgment, a seven-member panel of court justices led by Imoro Tanko held that the “mere fact that certain countries have legalised the practice does not mean it should be legalised in Ghana”.

“The law’s utility thus becomes waste if it is just the transportation of alien cultural values and ideas which have no foundation at all with the peculiar social factors in our legal system,” the court held.

“Therefore, any sexual intercourse with a person or animal other than through the means of penetration with a penis into the female vagina is unnatural and criminalised under Section 104 of Act 29.

“Such situations include sodomy and bestiality, which is carnally knowing an animal or where a person allows an animal to carnally know that person.”

Prince Obiri-Korang, a legal practitioner, had sought to challenge the constitutionality of laws criminalising homosexuals and LGBT individuals.

Obiri-Korang argued that section 104(1)(b) of Act 29 violated the right to privacy and liberty as respectively provided under Article 18(2) and 14(1) of the Ghana 1992 Constitution.

He based his argument on the “right to privacy, consent between adults, and freedom of choice, in so far as no one is forced into the act or is hurt as a result”.

The lawyer told the supreme court that “unnatural carnal knowledge happens in a private context or place and is beyond the view of the public; hence it ought not to be criminal”.

He further argued that if the act is undertaken between consenting adults in a particular association or relationship, it should be unacceptable for the law to interfere, adding that a person should be free to choose how to conduct his or her life.

However, the court said the arguments of the plaintiff were based on laws of other countries not applicable in Ghana.

Dismissing the plaintiff’s submission on the right to privacy, the apex court held that such an argument could mean that the state should not criminalise certain actions that took place in private but were injurious to the public.

The court held that the right to privacy was not absolute but subject to certain restrictions such as public safety, the economic well-being of the country, and public morality.

In a concurring opinion, Yonny Kulendi, a justice of the court of appeal, held that Ghana cannot be pressured into adopting foreign laws.

“Whilst the constitutions and laws of other nations may have expressly legalised homosexuality, glorified gay marriages, and, by way of affirmative actions, promulgated legislation to propagate, outdoor, evangelize, preach, and sell the notions of homosexuality to every fabric of those societies, Ghana as a nation, and for that matter, this court, cannot, by peer pressure, be cajoled into adopting a similar stance,” Kulendi stated.

He held that contrary to the view of the plaintiff, the 1992 Constitution does not recognise homosexuality but rather upholds family and cultural values that frown at the practice.

He cited Article 28(1) of the Constitution which enjoins the parliament to enact laws that would protect and advance the family, as the “unit of society is safeguarded in promotion of the interest of children”.

“It is difficult to see how the family could be created through a mode of sexual connection that threatens the most naturally ordained routes of conception,” he said.

“It is equally uncertain as to how the family may exist with such engagements of unnatural carnal knowledge in the name of upholding rights to privacy.

“It is without a doubt that the question of homosexuality borders on morals and traditional values. The society’s denunciation is expressed in the criminalization of not only homosexuality, but all forms of unnatural carnal knowledge stated in section 104 of Act 29.”

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has declared the ‘Park n Pay’ scheme in Abuja illegal, following revelations that the scheme was being used to syphon government’s funds under the guise of a legal operation.

Wike made the announcement during a live media parley on Wednesday, marking his one year in office.

The FCT minister expressed his dismay at the scheme’s revenue-sharing formula, where private consultants received 80% of the collected funds, while the FCT administration received a mere 20%.

He condemned the arrangement, while highlighting a significant flaw in the system that allowed private entities to divert funds meant for government use.

Wike further stated that the incident was brought to his attention when a senior advocate reported an attempt by individuals claiming to be from the Transport Secretariat to seize vehicles from his office.

Upon investigation, Wike noted that he discovered that the people were operating under the ‘Park n Pay’ scheme, which he was previously unaware of.

THE WHISTLER reports that the scheme involved an agreement between the Transport Secretariat and private consultants, who collect the majority of the funds.

According to him: “The call from a senior advocate, brought to light a scheme that has been syphoning government funds under the guise of a legal operation.

“The scheme, which appears to have been operating under the radar, highlights a critical flaw in the system that allows private consultants to pocket the lion’s share of revenues meant for the government.

“These are things we need to fight within the system. Sometimes, if you don’t bring it to our attention, we may not know. We can’t be everywhere,” Wike emphasised, while noting the challenges faced in overseeing the sprawling FCT administration.

He continued, “The incident unfolded when a senior advocate reached out to me with a troubling report. He said, ‘Sir, some people came to our office and are trying to seize our cars. They claim to be from the Transport Secretariat’.

“I asked him to give the person the phone, and I asked the person, ‘Who are you?’ He said he is from ‘Park and Pay from the Transport Secretariat.

“I wasn’t aware of this, so I called the person in charge of it. I asked, ‘Who collects the money?’ Unknown to us, there are agreements between the secretariat and some people who claim to be consultants. So, the consultant takes 80%, and the FCT administration takes 20%,” Wike explained, visibly disturbed by the discovery.

The minister emphasised that such activities are illegal and promised immediate action to dismantle the operation.

“I’m trying to say that it’s illegal, and nothing like that exists. And if my colleague hadn’t called me, I wouldn’t have known,” he stated.

In August 2023, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and a group of concessionaires of on-street parking, signed an agreement to restore the ‘park and pay’ scheme in Abuja.

The Permanent Secretary of FCTA, Olusade Adesola, who signed on behalf of the FCTA said that the move was to promote a culture of orderliness and organisation in vehicle parking.

According to him, the initiative will decongest the city and make motoring a more pleasant experience.

Mr Adesola explained that the scheme was suspended in 2014 by an Abuja High Court, on grounds that it was not backed by a law.

He also said that the earlier implementation was without the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The Kano State government has moved against Governor Abba Yusuf’s political godfather, Musa Kwankwaso after the state’s Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) invited the former governor’s nephew Musa Garba Kwankwaso for questioning regarding alleged medical contract scam.

The state government has quickly moved to block N160 million by securing a post-no-debt on an account connected to the state’s local government contract where reports of corruption have been reported.

The government said the move is an effort to retrieve N440 million linked to the medical contracts.

Investigators from the anti-corruption agency are expected to question all those accused of being part of the alleged contract scam which includes Kwankwaso’s nephew, Musa Garba Kwankwaso.

He is anticipated to respond to inquiries about Novomed Pharmaceuticals’ possible role in the contract scam.

The contract was allegedly given without proper procedures, with revelation that each local government was expected to pay roughly N9m per month, for a total monthly payment of N396m.

The alleged scam was revealed by Bello Galadanchi, a Nigerian filmmaker and content creator, who claimed that the state government ordered each of the 44 local government councils to pay roughly N10 million for the drug supply, with Novomed Pharmaceuticals receiving the exclusive contract.

Galadanchi claimed that 25 local governments have already paid the company for August: Dambatta, Warawa, Garun Mallam, Dawakin Tofa, Shanono, Doguwa, Tudun Wada, Gezawa, Ungogo, Nasarawa, Ajingi, Kumbotso, Kabo, Kura, Madobi, Bichi, Tofa, Gwarzo, Rogo, Takai, Kiru, Makoda, Bebeji, and Gabasawa.

Once the terms of the elected council chairmen expired in March,

Governor Yusuf had formed interim management committees for the local governments after the expiration of the terms of council chairmen he inherited from the APC-led government in the state.

However, the interim committees have been accused of not operating in a transparent manner.

Governor Yusuf last week stated that he was unaware of the contract and immediately initiated an immediate investigation.

The chairman of the PCACC, Muhuyi Magaji, said: “We’ve already issued invitations to about five or six individuals, including the permanent secretary of the Ministry for Local Governments, the Director of Planning, and the Director of Local Government Inspection”.

According to him, the commission also called a meeting with the state secretary, the chairman of the Local Governments Directors of Personnel Management Forum, the forum’s public relations officer, and the chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kano State.

Fidelity Bank has been fined the sum of N555.8m by the National Data Protection Commission, NDPC, for infractions relating to breaches of its customers’ data.

The commission’s National Commissioner, Vincent Olatunji, announced this at the Validation Workshop on the Nigeria Data Protection Act General Application and Implementation Directive on Wednesday in Abuja.

He stated that the tier one bank violated the NDP Act, 2023, and the NDPR, 2019 on data breach and was fined the amount being 0.1 per cent of the Bank’s annual gross revenue in 2023.

The CEO said the fine which represents the highest fine to be issued by the commission was aggravated by the bank’s arrogance and poor cooperation during its investigation.

Olatunji said, “Data protection compliance is important and we have stated that non-compliance will be punished. We have penalties that range from N10m or up to two per cent of gross earnings for the previous year.

“But our approach has been creating awareness and letting people know what we are supposed to be doing and most of the breaches we try to look at the level of breach, impact, and the number of data subjects affected and the level of cooperation by the organisation involved on the remuneration fee.

“Since we started, the major penalty we issued was yesterday (Tuesday) on fidelity bank. For the violation of the NDP Act, 2023, and the NDPR, 2019, we issued a fine of N555.8m and they have to pay. We have observed serious breaches and we have been working with them, investigating the issue since April 2023. But by the time we finalised our findings, they became arrogant and we decided to issue a full penalty on them which is about 0.1 per cent of their earnings for 2023.''