The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced the arrest of one Chinaza Phillip, described as “a notorious Abuja kidnapper.” A statement today, January 19, by the Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said that Chinaza Phillip was arrested by police operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command yesterday, January 18. “The suspect has been handed over to FCT police Command today being Friday 19th January, 2024, and currently in police custody.” She promised that more details will be communicated soon.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has just concluded a two-day strategic retreat for members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. The retreat, according to a statement today, January 19, by the Acting Director of Corporate Communication of the apex bank, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, is preparatory to the first meeting of the MPC under the tenure of the new CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, scheduled for Monday, February 26 and Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali said that participants at the concluded retreat brainstormed and engaged in an in-depth discussion about the committee’s objectives. She said that the critical focus areas during the retreat included deliberations on the strategic plan to effect necessary improvements in the monetary policy transmission mechanism. According to her, the sessions were facilitated by former MPC members, monetary policy communication specialists at the IMF, and Directors of Departments critical to the MPC process. “The valuable insights gained from these discussions will significantly contribute towards the robustness of the forthcoming MPC meetings ” Meanwhile, a calendar of meetings of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) for 2024, published on the CBN website indicates that the meetings have been scheduled for February, March, May, July, September and November 2024.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have beaten the host, Côte d’Ivoire to bounce back into reckoning at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Abidjan. The match was played today, January 18, with the Eagles scoring a goal in 55th minute. The goal was scored by William Troost-Ekong from the penalty spot. The group rival, Equatorial Guinea, had defeated Guinea Bissau 4-1, putting them at the top of the table with four points. This came after their opening group match against the Super Eagles ended one all. The Cote d’Ivoire Elephants had defeated Guinea Bissau 2-0 in the opening match of the competition. Super Eagles needed a win in today’s match to remain on track, which they got, gaining three points.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has denied invitating volunteer nursing staff for recruitment for the 2024 Hajj operations. A statement today, by the spokesperson of the Commission, Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara said that the news circulating in social media regarding the recruitment is misleading and false. “It is crucial for the public to be aware that NAHCON has not registered any organization for the recruitment of volunteer nurses during Hajj. We strongly caution against falling victim to potential scams. “NAHCON hereby clarifies that only medical personnel engaged by the Commission would be authorized to practice medicare during Hajj in Saudi Arabia. For emphasis, even setting up of clinics by verified country representatives such as NAHCON is strictly regulated by Saudi Arabia’s authorities, hence how could any organization offer medical assistance without the Commission’s knowledge? “Under Saudi Arabian medical policies, no State Pilgrims’ Board, Private Tour Operators or organizations are permitted to run clinics except under a Hajj participating country’s recognized Hajj Mission with approval from the Saudi Ministry of Health through Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. “Whoever does otherwise runs the risk of arrest and persecution. “NAHCON further clarifies that Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Suleman Adam, the Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque has disassociated himself from this purported recruitment offer. “Similarly, NAHCON delegation, on the instruction of its Chairman Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi who is on official assignment in Saudi Arabia, met Dr. Suleman for clarification over the matter. Led by Malam Yusuf Balele and Ahmad Muhammad of NAHCON Media unit, the revered Sheikh assured the team of their commitment to share only authentic information from NAHCON as the organization charged with Hajj matters in Nigeria. “He called for collaboration between NAHCON and Ulama in the dissemination of the Commission’s messages to avoid misinformation. “It is penitent to note that NAHCON communicates solely through official government channels, print and electronic media, as well as through these authorized social media handles: @nigeriahajjcom (Instagram, Facebook & Twitter) and the NAHCON Website at: nahcon.gov.ng. “For legitimate enquiries, public is advised to contact the Commission’s official access numbers at 09071800007 & 08059456781 (Calls/Text/WhatsApp).”
Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, has listed things that the Commission can do jointly with the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) to tackle fraud in the administration of taxes. The ICPC boss spoke today, January 18, when he visited him the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to open talks on how to tackle fraud in tax administration in the country. The ICPC boss dentified three crucial areas in which the two agencies could explore to mitigate financial tax frauds and other corrupt vices. “First of all, there are three critical areas which we need to look at. First to consider is the issue of sharing information between the two organizations and integration of technology. “We need to set up a structured process of regular information sharing between us so as to detect potential corruption or fraudulent activities in tax-related matters. “You have the expertise on tax and we have the mandate of preventing corruption, so I believe effective collaboration would help to identify and tackle the fraudulent practices in the system” “The second area is the issue of joint investigation and legal reforms. This is an area which the ICPC and the FIRS need to come together because we know that sometimes corruption also come in form of tax evasion and other means of fraud. “Then the last is the issue of capacity building, which is very important because no organisation can perform its function effectively without the support of the government. We can come together to train or organise programs jointly for members of our staff and organisations so as to enhance our skills and knowledge in detecting and preventing corruption which is related to the issue of tax system in this country.” The ICPC Boss, who also advocated for a cross-agency committee that will be reviewing and addressing the critical areas of partnership, promised that ICPC is one hundred percent ready to give the FIRS the needed support in the interest of the country’s development. On his part, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Zacch A. Adedeji, expressed delight about ICPC’s visit and the expression of interest to help the revenue-generating agency tackle tax-related frauds in Nigeria. “I am hopeful and optimistic that we will collaborate effectively, and I am particularly delighted that with your support, our enforcement mandate on tax-matters will improve. “We will also develop a framework and we will use technology to do so and I believe you are a ready-made partner for us in the area of revenue generation and the progress, not only for individual agencies but for the federal government as a whole.”
Ebira People Association (EPA) and other stakeholders have began the mobilisation of people to the swearing-in of Ahmed Usman Ododo as the new Governor of Kogi State, scheduled for January 27 in Lokoja, the State capital. In a communique at the end of its meeting, with other similar organisations in attendance, EPA called on all sons and daughters of the Egbira nation to make deliberate efforts to be present at the swearing-in ceremony of the Governor-Elect. “We should assert our presence and publicly demonstrate our solidarity with the incoming government.” The communique, signed by the President General of EPA, Dr. Oyibo Godwin, also called on the sons and daughters of the Egbira nation to consider the appointment of Alhaji Dr Ahmed Tijani Anaje as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, “as an act of God without whom it would not have been possible in the first place. “Essentially, all sons and daughters of Ebira who had aspired to occupy the revered stool but lost out in the process should accept it as a divine act by the almighty God who will reward their contributions to the land in ways that please Him.” The stakeholders advised the new King to reach out to all aspirants in the said kingship selection process, as well as prominent individuals and organizations in the land, with a view to bringing them on board for the peace and development projects of Ebiraland. They further advised the new King to immediately assume the rallying point posture that is necessary for the peace, unity and progress of the Egbira nation. The stakeholders frowned at the use of voice notes and write-ups on WhatsApp media platforms to insult and cause division among Egbira people and urged all organizations operating the group WhatsApp Platforms to disallow such posts on their platforms forthwith. Part of the communique goes thus: In furtherance of its efforts to continually engage all stakeholders of the Egbira nation for peaceful and harmonious coexistence, EPA summoned a critical stakeholders’ meeting primarily to assess some current situations in the land, particularly as it concerns the appointment of the new Ohinoyi of Ebira, and the forthcoming swearing-in ceremony of the new administration of the Governor-Elect Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo. The meeting, which was co-chaired by the President-General, Ebira People’s Association (EPA) Dr. Oyibo Godwin, the Chairman of the Kogi Central Elders Forum (KCEF) Adai Stephen Yakubu and the President-General of Ebira Youth Congress (EYC), Comrade Obiyo Ateiza, was attended by sixty-two participants, representing fifty-one organizations, cutting across communities, civil society groups and faith- based organizations across Ebiraland. Specifically, among others, the meeting deliberated extensively on the following and noted that: 1. The swearing in ceremony of the Governor-Elect of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo is slated for the 27th day of January, 2024 at the State Capital, Lokoja. it was emphasized that the event is very important for the Ebira nation and that should be accorded the needed participation. 2. The process of the appointment of the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland had been concluded, culminating in the appointment of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr Ahmed Tijani Anaje, the former Ohi of Okengwe as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland. He has since been given his letter of appointment and turbaned on the 10th of January, 2024 in his palace at Okengwe. 3. Alongside the appointment of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, two prominent traditional rulers in Kogi Central Senatorial District; the Obobanyi of Ihima, His Royal Highness, Chief Samuel Adayi Onimisi and the Olu of Magongo, His Royal Highness, Chief Sam Bola Ojoa were deposed and banished to Niger State. The title of the Obobanyi of Ihima was redesigned to read “Obobanyi of Emani.” 4. While the meeting requested the leadership of EPA to carefully understudy and act appropriately after its findings on the issues, it passionately appealed to His Excellency, Alh Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, to take a second look at the matter of the aforementioned royal fathers with a view to reconsidering its verdicts where it maybe appropriate. 5. An ugly development that centred on the use of voice notes on WhatsApp to insult, distort history and ostensibly to cause division among Egbira people, particularly since the conclusion of kingship selection exercise and the appointment of a substantive Ohinoyi must be stopped by all involved.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has extended by 21 days from yesterday, January 17, approval granted the MTN to disconnect Glo from its network as a result of unpaid debt. This followed the intervention of the regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the dispute between the two, especially as Glo insisted that it is not owing MTN a kobo. In a statement today, January 18, the Director of Public Affairs in NCC, Reuben Muoka said that the disconnection is originally supposed to commence today, but that it has been extended by 21 days to enable the two parties resolve their differences. “The Commission is pleased to announce that the parties have now reached agreement to resolve all outstanding issues between them. For this reason, and in exercise of its regulatory powers in that regard, the Commission has put the phased disconnection on hold for a period of 21 (twenty-one) days from today, 17 January, 2024.” He said that in granting the approval for the disconnection, the Commission was deeply conscious of the potential impacts of the decision on consumers. Muoka said that the Commission would continued to engage both parties to facilitate a resolution which prioritizes and protects consumer interest and the seamless operation of the national telecoms network. “Whilst the Commission expects MTN and Glo to resolve all outstanding issues within the 21-day period, the Commission insists that interconnect debts must be settled by all operating companies as a necessary component towards compliance with regulatory obligations of all licensees. “It is OBLIGATORY that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other licensees in the telecom industry keep to the terms and conditions of their licenses, especially as contained in their interconnection agreements.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has vowed to sanitise the financial service sector with a view to foster trust among all market participants, as well as internal and external stakeholders, in the Nigerian economy. A statement today, January 17, in Abuja, by the Acting Director in the Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, said that the Bank had commissioned an independent forensic review by a reputable firm. She complained about grave infractions, gross abuse and significant non-compliance by some players with market regulations. The spokesperson stressed that appropriate sanctions would be enforced in collaboration with relevant agencies. Mrs. Sidi Ali said however, that the apex bank will continue to settle the legitimate foreign exchange backlog as it has consistently been doing in the last three months. She said that the bank has paid approximately USD 2.0 billion across various sectors, including manufacturing, aviation and petroleum, in its bid to clear the backlog of outstanding foreign exchange liabilities. Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali said that the bank has also cleared up the entire liability of 14 banks and started settlements with foreign airlines. She said also that payment of the forex backlog for qualified transactions has commenced.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike has made it clear that the government is set to make Abuja very hot for kidnappers, bandits and other criminals that have recently invaded parts of the city. “To all those criminals and bandits, enough is enough. We will do everything within our powers to make sure that we do not allow this to happen again.” Speaking today, January 17, in Bwari, at a townhall meeting with relevant stakeholders, the minister said that the bandits terrorizing the residents of the FCT are those who were dislodged from the North East and are making inroads into the nation’s capital. He vowed that his Administration will make the city very hot for them, even as he solicited the support of the traditional institutions and community leaders. He advised them to provide information to the security agencies for timely and proactive actions. “Everybody has a role to play by providing information. By information, you help the security agencies to proactively take control before anything will happen. What will solve the problem is your support to the security agencies.” The Minister said that he has been mandated by President Bola Tinubu to work with the Service Chiefs to ensure that security challenges are brought to a halt. Wike announced that approval has been granted to provide all that are required by the security agencies to address security threats in Bwari Area Council and other parts of the FCT. “Just this morning, Mr. President has given me approval to provide every logistic required to the security agencies. This is not just mere talking. We are serious. “Security agencies will not have any reason to say that they are not equipped. We will provide everything required.” He said that the security agencies will take proactive actions in the coming days to bring kidnappings to halt, adding that the government is also doing everything possible to ensure the release of the kidnapped victims. He assured the Chairman of the area council that vehicles and other logistics support would be provided for the security agencies and other security outfits to encourage them in their efforts. The Minister who sympathised with the victims of the kidnap incidents and the loss of lives, cautioned residents against disclosing their intentions to raise funds for ransom. He said that such actions is helping the bandits and not the government or the people “Stop going to make announcements that you are ready to raise money. By going to the radio stations, you are not helping us. You are helping them. “Why would I go and give a criminal N100 million. There is no money to be raised anywhere. We will fight them to release our people. We will chase them away.”
A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared null and void, the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, authorizing the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to impose fines on broadcast stations for alleged breaches of the Code. The court ruled that administrative and regulatory bodies cannot exercise judicial powers. The judgment was delivered today , January 17, in a suit instituted by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) against the NBC, following the Commission’s imposition of fines of N5 million each on a television station and three pay TV platforms in 2022. They were alleged to have undermined Nigeria’s national security by broadcasting documentaries on banditry in Nigeria. Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, in the judgement, held that the NBC, not being a court of law, acted above its powers by imposing such fines. The judge commended MRA for challenging the NBC’s action even as it issued an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Commission or anyone acting on its behalf, from further imposing any fine on any media platform or broadcast station in Nigeria for any alleged offence committed under the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia set aside the fines imposed by the NBC on August 3, 2022 on Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners of DSTV; TelCom Satellite Limited (TSTV); Trust-TV Network Limited and NTA Startimes Limited for broadcasting a documentary about the state of banditry and security in Zamfara State. He stressed that the regulator’s action was wrong and unjustifiable in a democratic society. The Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Uche Amulu, filed the suit on behalf of MRA, asking the court to hold, among other things, the NBC’s action of imposing a fine on each of the media platforms and the station for broadcasting a documentary about the state of banditry and security in Zamfara State is unlawful and unconstitutional and has a chilling effect on the freedom of media to impart information and ideas. MRA contended that it would deter the platforms and station from reporting the true state of affairs regarding the security situation in Nigeria, and therefore constitutes a violation of the rights of MRA, its members and other citizens of Nigeria to freedom of expression, particularly their rights to receive ideas and information without interference, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. MRA also sought a declaration that the procedure adopted by the NBC in imposing the fines is a flagrant violation of the rules of natural justice and the right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter as the Commission is the drafter of the Code, which provides for the alleged offences for which the media platforms and the station were punished, and which empowers the NBC to receive complaints, investigate and adjudicate on the complaints, impose fines and collect fines. MRA contended that the NBC, not being a court of law and not having been constituted in a manner as to secure its independence and impartiality, has no power or competence to impose fines on broadcast stations as punishment or penalties for the commission of an offence as the competence to establish that an offence has been committed and to impose criminal sanctions or penalties belongs to the courts. It said that the NBC, not being the Nigerian Police or a law enforcement agency, has no power to conduct a criminal investigation or an investigation that could lead to criminal charges against the affected media platforms and stations or the imposition of criminal penalties and accordingly, that the investigation purportedly conducted by the Commission, leading to the fines imposed on the media platforms and station for alleged offences under the Nigeria Broadcasting Code is ultra vires, null and void. MRA also urged the Court to declare that the Nigeria Broadcasting Code issued by the NBC, being a subsidiary legislation that empowers it as a regulatory and administrative body to enforce the provisions of the Code, cannot confer judicial powers or jurisdiction in criminal matters on the Commission to impose criminal sanctions or penalties such as fines, particularly as the Code was made by the NBC itself. It urged the Court to declare the fines unconstitutional, ultra vires, null and void, set them aside and issue an order of perpetual injunction restraining the NBC, its servants, agents, privies, representatives or anyone acting for or on its behalf, from further imposing any fine on any of the media platforms or station, or any other broadcast station in Nigeria for any alleged offence committed under the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. In her judgment, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia agreed with all MRA’s arguments and granted all the declarations and injunction sought by the organization. She however, refused to grant the organization’s claim for N700,000 as costs it incurred in litigating the action; another claim for N2 million as general damages for NBC’s infringement on its rights as well as a request for N1 million as punitive damages for the Commission’s “outrageous conduct in abusing its powers and arbitrarily imposing fines on broadcasting stations.”
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