Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practice and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (left), and Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede have a meeting today, January 9, in Abuja, to re-strategize on ways to tackle the flood of corruption now ongoing in Nigeria.
The former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Doyin Okupe has called it quits with the party, saying that he had realised that he had all along been in a wrong party.
In a letter dated January 8, 2024, addressed to the national chairman of the party in Abuja, he said that he had found it exceedingly difficult to continue to stay in the Labour Party that is ideologically rooted in the left of the center.
“I have been a rightist and a Liberal Democrat all my entire life.
“It is therefore this ideological conflict that makes me seek an exit so that I may continue my political activities with liberalism, sincerity and freedom.”
Okupe’s letter reads:
“I submit herewith my letter of resignation from the Labour Party with effect from today. You will recall that our flagbearer, Mr Peter Obi, myself and others left the PDP abruptly and had to look for a Special Purpose Vehicle in which to contest the 2023 Presidential Elections.
“The Labour Party, your good self, and other members of your executives provided us with this veritable platform with no burdensomeness whatsoever and for which we were extremely grateful.
“We did contest the election on the platform of the Labour Party and lost. This makes it exceedingly difficult for me to continue to stay in the Labour Party which is ideologically rooted in the left of the center.
“I have been a rightist and a Liberal Democrat all my entire life. It is therefore this ideological conflict that makes me seek an exit so that I may continue my political activities with liberalism, sincerity and freedom.
“I wish to thank you in particular and other members of the leadership of the party for the cordiality and respect accorded to me as the Director General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organization.
“I wish you and the party success in your future endeavors. Long live the Labour Party. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your brother, friend and compatriot, Omooba (Dr Doyin Okupe, Former Director General Obi-Datti Campaign Organization.”
President Bola Tinubu has formally reduced the number of officials in his entourage whenever he is traveling outside the country and within. This could be a move to cut the cost of governance in the country.
A list, posted on some WhatsApp groups today, January 9, showed that while on foreign trip, the President can be accompanied by only 20 officials while the Vice President and First Lady would have five officials each accompanying them
For local trip (within the country), Tinubu reduces his (Presidential) entourage to 25 officials while the Vice President would go with 15 officials as First Lady would have 10 officials.
However, as at the time of publishing this message, no official confirmation had surfaced.
MTN, Glo Renew Old Rivalry Over Alleged Debt
Telecommunications service providers, MTN and Globacom are currently on each other’s throats over a debt running into billions of Naira.
In the ensuing rivalry, MTN had already secured the permission of the regulatory body, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to disconnect Glo from its network, even as Glo kicked, insisting that it is not owing MTN a cent.
It all began yesterday, January 8, when NCC granted MTN Permission to partially disconnect Globacom, over Globacom’s refusal to pay interconnect debt of about N70 billion.
In a public notice, the telecom regulator said that Globacom has been given a 10-day notice, starting from January 8, after which the disconnection will be implemented.
When implemented, Globacom subscribers will be unable to call any MTN number but can receive inbound calls from MTN customers.
The notice read in part: “All subscribers are, therefore, requested to TAKE NOTICE that: The Commission has approved the Partial Disconnection of Globacom to MTN in accordance with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and Paragraph 9 of the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012.
“At the expiration of 10 (ten) days from the date of this notice, subscribers of Globacom will no longer be able to make calls to MTN but will be able to RECEIVE CALLS. The Partial Disconnection, however, will allow inbound calls to the Globacom network. Please note that this disconnection will subsist until otherwise determined by the Commission.”
In 2020, former Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta put the interconnect debt figure at over N70 billion, saying that it had been threatening the operators’ capacity to expand their infrastructure for quality service.
He had at that time, noted that the interconnect debt was “a big challenge to infrastructure expansion and inimical to healthy competition” which are needed for facilitating the digital economy in Nigeria.
However, in a swift reaction today, January 9, Globacom Ltd, a Nigerian Telecommunications Company, denied reports that it is owing MTN interconnect charges.
A reliable source in Globacom told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the amount due for payment was N1.6 billion and it had been paid without controversy.
The Glo official said that a proper cross checking of facts should have been done before concluding that the telco was owing MTN.
“We are not owing MTN any interconnect charges,” the Glo official said.
The official reminded NCC and Nigerians that Glo was the first telecom company that introduced the pay per second form of billing, thereby cutting the monopoly of MTN and other foreign companies operating in Nigeria.
The Glo official described as totally false, report against Glo, which is Nigeria’s fully indigenous telecommunications company, adding that Glo has redefined access to communications at all levels.
The remains of Hajiya Hafsat Ahmed Gimba, mother of Dr. Hassan Gimba, Publisher/CEO of Neptune Prime, has been laid to rest in Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Hajiya Hafsat died at the age of 85 years on Monday at Potiskum Specialist Hospital after a brief illness.
The funeral prayer took place at the Palace of the Emir of Fika in Potiskum, drawing a massive crowd of friends, relatives, and others.
Dignitaries present at the graveyard included Chairman of Potiskum Local Government, Salisu Mukhtari; Shamakin Fika, and Rector of the College of Administration Management and Technology, Potiskum, Ibrahim Bomai Zarma, among others.
Late Hajiya Hafsat is survived by eight children, including Dr. Hassan Gimba, the Publisher/CEO of Neptune Prime Network and Magistrate Hadiza, wife to His Royal Highness Emir of Fika Muhammad Abali ibn Muhammadu Idriss.
She also left behind 77 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has protested the fine of N100 Million in favour of the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele and is set to appeal against the judgement by the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The judgement by the Abuja High Court was based on violation of the fundamental human rights of Emefiele.
Emefiele had instituted a fundamental human rights suit against the agency, the Federal Government, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Yesterday, the court ordered the EFCC and the Federal Government to pay ex-CBN Governor N100 million for violating his rights.
Responding, the EFCC said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has expressed dissatisfaction with a judgment of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court awarding N100 million damages against it in favour of a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele.”
The Commission’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, in a statement said: “Justice O.A Adeniyi, on Monday, January 8, 2024, fined the Commission after he ruled that the Commission’s detention of Emefiele in the course of his investigation was a violation of his right to liberty.
“The decision failed to take cognizance of the fact that the former CBN boss was held with a valid order of court. Consequently, the Commission will approach the Court of Appeal to set it aside.”
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has fined the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N100 million for flagrantly violating the human rights of the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
The court ruled that the prolonged detention of Emfiele, without trial was a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights.
It also restrained the Federal Government and its agents from re-arresting or detaining Emefiele without an order of court.
The judgment was given in a fundamental human rights suit filed by the former CBN governor following his prolonged detention in the custody of the Department of State Services.
He asked the court to order the respondents to pay him N1 billion damages and to restrain them from further arresting and or detaining him.
The ex-CBN boss was arrested on June 10 shortly after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
Listed as defendants in the suit were the Federal Government, the Attorney General of the Federation; the EFCC and its chairman.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced that there will be no uniform fare for intending Muslim Pilgrims in the 2024 hajj operations in Saudi Arabia.
The chairman of the Commission, Malam Jalal Arabi, who dropped the hint after a series of meetings with relevant bodies, including the Saudi Foreign Minister, said that the fare for each state would depend on the cost of accommodation in the Holy land.
According to him, the cheaper a state’s cost of accommodation and feeding, the cheaper the state’s Hajj fare.
“States are to plan their individual menus which would be used during negotiations.”
Jalal Arabi made it clear that the team of NAHCON’s facilities’ inspectors will not compromise standards, even as he commended the maturity exhibited by the Private Tour Operators for their collaboration to move the operations to the next level.
He reminded them to commit their agreements on paper for future reference.
The NAHCON boss advised the Tour Operators to
explore liberalization of Mutawwif services in settling for those that would best serve their pilgrims.
He asked NAHCON staff to redouble efforts in working with updated guidelines.
A statement from the NAHCON spokesperson, Fatima Sanda Usara said that further preparatory engagements would continue, with working visit to Mutawwif company, known as Mu’assasa, GACA, Car Syndicate for Pilgrims’ transportation, Adillah in Madina among others. She said that the Chairman and other members are expected to strike good bargains on behalf of Nigerian pilgrims that would reduce cost of the 2024 Hajj fare
“NAHCON will continue to update its several stakeholders on its activities for transparency and inclusivity.
The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has dethroned the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe, who doubles as Chairman, Lokoja/Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto,
and banishes to Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.
Others who have been similarly Dethroned are the Olu Magongo of Magongo, Sam Bola Ojoa, and banished to Salka, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State, the Obobanyi of Emani, Samuel Adayi Onimisi, and banished to Doko, Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Governor Yahaya Bello, who spoke in a broadcast after the executive council meeting held at Government House in Lokoja, announced the appointment of Alhaji Saidu Akawo Salihu as the new Ohimege Igu of Konton-Karfe and Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi the 4th as the new Megeri of Lokoja.
He also announced the appointment of Alhaji Dauda Isah, as the Maiyaki of Kupa.
The governor said that the actions were taken under the Traditional and Chieftaincy Laws, Rules and Regulations and all the due processes.
The statement reads as follows:
“His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe, who is also the Chairman, Lokoja/ Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council is hereby removed and to be deposed to, Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.
”His Royal Highness, Sam Bola Ojoa, the Olu Magongo of Magongo is removed and to be deposed to Salka, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.
“His Royal Highness, Samuel Adayi Onimisi, the Obobanyi of Emani, is removed and to be deposed to Doko, Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State.
“That Similarly, on decision No. 3, the title “OBOBANYI OF IHIMA” which reads on the promotion letter, upgrading the stool to first class status, was done without cognisance to the fact that the title; “Obobanyi of Ihima” is a subject of litigation and the court of law is yet to arrive at the possible final decision, as such, the Government have however received several petitions, calling attention to the need to revert and maintain status quo, until the court of law decides.
“To this end, the stool is hereby reverted to “OBOBANYI OF EMANI” as the present occupant remains deposed.
“His Royal Highness, Boniface Musa, the ONU-IFE in Omala Local Government is to be suspended, indefinitely.
On the following stools, after due intervention by the Government to resolve the lingering controversies that have characterised the selection process, the Government hereby, come up with the following appointments of the next occupants.
“Similarly, going by the selection decision of the Odaki ruling HOUSE, dated 27/4/2012 and endorsed by the Lokoja/Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council, dated 14/5/2012, Mallam Saidu Akawo Salihu is hereby appointed as the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe and to be turbaned immediately to avoid vacuum.
“Finally, going by the high court judgment of 1998, which give full recognition to Ododo as bonafide child of Ita’azi the father of Ebira land and Uhuodo as a distinct district in Ebira land with equal rights as others, therefore, the stool of Ohi of Uhuodo is hereby created and processes for the occupation of the stool to commence with immediate effect.
Governor Yahaya Bello dissolved his cabinet, reappointed some and also appointed new Caretaker Chairmen in various local government areas of the state.
Alhaji, Dr. Ahmed Tijani Anaje, the immediate past Ohi Okengwe, has emerged as the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and Chairman of Ebira Traditional Council.
His emergence was announced just about now, January 8, in a special broadcast through Facebook, by the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
His appointment followed the death of the occupant in October, 2023, Alhaji Dr. Ado Ibrahim, at the age of 94.
Alhaji, Dr. Ahmed Tijani Anaje, beat six others, including the former Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Phillips Salawu; former Clerk of the National Assembly, Barrister Mohammed Ataba Sani Omonori to clinch the throne.
Details later….
