Federal Govt Goes To Supreme Court Over Nnamdi Kanu

October 21, 2022

The Nigerian Federal Government has filed an appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court, challenging the recent Court of Appeal judgment freeing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a lawyer to Kanu confirmed that he had received the court filings on the appeal through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Ministry of Justice.

In an interview yesterday, Kanu’s lead counsel said that Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), received a copy of the court documents on the appeal at 5 p.m on Wednesday.

It was learnt that the government contended in its notice of appeal that the Court of Appeal was wrong to have faulted Kanu’s extraordinary rendition to Nigeria and gone ahead to strike out the charges against him on that basis. It also argued the court erred when it struck out the pending terrorism charge against the IPOB leader.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, had on October 13, struck out the terrorism charges filed against Kanu by the government. It held that the IPOB leader was “extraordinarily renditioned” to Nigeria in flagrant violation of the country’s extradition treaty and Mr Kanu’s fundamental human rights.

The court ordered the release of Kanu from the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), where he has been detained since he was brought back to Nigeria in June last year.

But the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his counterpart at the Ministry of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, argued the Court of Appeal only discharged Kanu and did not acquit him.

Source: Premium Times

I’ve Failed, British PM, Liz Truss Judges Self; Quits After Over 40 Days In Office

Greenbarge Reporters

October 21, 2022

The British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, barely 45 days in office, quits the job today, October 20, on a self assessment, concluding that she had failed to deliver on the mandate she was elected by the Conservative Party.

“I was elected by the Conservative Party with the mandate to change this. We delivered on energy bills and on cutting national insurance.

And we set out a vision for low tax, high growth economy that would take advantage of the freedoms of BREXIT.

I recognize, though, given this situation, I cannot deliver on the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative party.”

Liz Truss, who spoke to newsmen, said that she will remain as the PM until a successor has been chosen.

Read her full speech below:

“I came into office at a time of great economic and international instability. Families and businesses were worried about how to pay their bills.

Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine threatened the security of our whole continent and all countries have been held back for too long by low economic growth.

I was elected by the Conservative Party with the mandate to change this. We delivered on energy bills and on cutting national insurance.

And we set out a vision for low tax, high growth economy that would take advantage of the freedoms of BREXIT.

I recognize, though, given this situation, I cannot deliver on the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative party.

I have, therefore, spoken to His Majesty, The King, to notify him that I am resigning as the Leader of the Conservative Party.

This morning I met the Chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, we’ve agreed that there would be a leadership election to be completed within the next week.

This will ensure that we remain on our path to deliver on our physical plans and maintain our country’s economic stability and national security.

I will remain as Prime Minister until a successor has been chosen.”

Liz Truss came to power in September this year with the ousting of Boris Johnson.

She was believed to have been forced to resign as PM after revealing that she could not deliver the mandate on which she was elected.

Kogi Confirmed As Oil Producing State, Receives First Derivation Allocation

Greenbarge Reporters

October 21, 2022

Kogi State has been formally joined oil producing area of the Nigeria with the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello confirming receipt of the first derivation allocation.

The Governor broke the news yesterday, October 20 at the State Executive Council meeting during which he assuring the people of the determination of his administration to continue to record more wins for Kogites.

He said that his administration had recorded many giant strides in the sectors covering the thematic areas of his New Direction Blueprint, adding that the “derivation allocation will make us do more for our people.

“I am elated to announce to the good people of Kogi State that my administration has received our first derivation allocation as an Oil Producing State.

“This announcement is in line with my administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, for which we have received many awards.

“We worked hard to make this history. But we wouldn’t have achieved it without the support of our people, who stood resolutely with us to make this see the light of the day.

“We also wish to express our gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for his leadership roles as well as the RMAFC for making this a reality.

“Let me reiterate this to the people of Kogi State that my promise to make their resources work for them is iron cast. We will build more schools, hospitals and construct more roads. We will empower our youth and women. Under my watch, we will ensure security.”

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo told newsmen after the meeting that the derivation allocation came at a time the State Government was building legacy projects across the State.

“The Governor has once again proved that he is a goal getter with the tenacious manner he defended the interest of the state to be listed as an Oil Producing State. History will remember him for this feat.”

Also, the State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiru Idris, said that the administration would continue to put in place more people oriented projects.

Kogites are elated with the full status of Kogi State as an Oil Producing State and have expressed confidence in the capacity of the Yahaya Bello Administration to deliver more democracy dividends to the people.

We’ve Sacked Over 2,000 Customs Officers For Sharp Practices – Controller General

Greenbarge Reporters

October 20, 2022

No fewer than 2,000 Customs Officers in the Nigeria Customs Service in the last seven years.
The Director General of the Service, retired Hameed Ali told newsmen today, October 20, at the Presidential villa, Abuja that his administration has zero tolerance for corrupt officers.
He said that some of those who have been sacked were, in addition to losing their jobs, got prosecuted and jailed.
Hameed Ali said that many of them were found to be shortchanging the Service in its revenue drive, especially on the duties that were supposed to be paid for imported vehicles.
He said that some importers who engaged in sharp practices that impinged on the activities of the Service have either been suspended or prosecuted.
The Customs Boss said that he would continue to do his best to ensure excellent services but it would not be his headache on whether those coming after him will maintain the standard.

Imported Rice Is Chemicalized, Can Cause Cancer, Customs Boss Warns

Greenbarge Reporters

October 20, 2022

The Controller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, retired Colonel Hameed Ali has cautioned against consumption of imported foreign rice which he said is dangerous to human health.
According to him, the imported rice is chemicalized for the purpose of preserving it.
Colonel Ali, who spoke to newsmen today, October 20, at the Presidential villa, Abuja, said that most of the rice imported must have expired in the country of production.
“Most of the rice must have been produced and unsold for two to three years. At the point of the expired rice being destroyed, importers would buy it cheaply, put chemical to preserve it and brought to Nigeria for sale.”
The Customs boss described Nigerian smugglers as very clever and sophisticated as well as more devastating against the fierce war wage by officers of the Customers.
He appealed to Nigerians to understand the officers whenever they raid markets to seize foreign rice , saying that it is for the safety and good health of the citizens.
Colonel Ali assured that the Customs Service has acquired and still acquiring sophisticated equipment to effectively man the nation’s borders and collect relevant revenues for the country.
More to follow…

I’ve Suspended My Campaign In Sympathy With Flood Victims, Peter Obi Announces

Editorial staff

October 19, 2022

The presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has announced that he has suspended his 2023 presidential campaign in sympathy with victims of the flood that have devastated parts of the country.

“I personally stopped and told my people no more campaign, until we are able to visit some of the sites, at least sympathize with those going through problems.”

Peter Obi, who visited the Benue State Governor in Abuja today, October 19, said: “I came to take permission and ask him (Ortom) that I want to visit some of the sites in Benue as I am going to do in one or two other states.

“I am also calling other presidential candidates to stop campaigning and see what we can do.

“If we can buy our forms for millions of naira, we should have some little thing to go, now that people are suffering, and at least show sympathy with them and then we can continue.”

I Would Have Worked For Peter Obi If I Were Not In PDP, Benue Gov. Ortom

Editorial staff

October 19, 2022

The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has said that he would have worked for the success of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, if it were not that he is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Ortom, who received Peter Obi at his private residence in Abuja, said: “the front runners of this 2023 presidential election are from PDP (my party), the APC and the Labour Party. Let us look at these three people and see who has the capacity to deliver and make things work for our country.

“Let us be factual, let us be frank with ourselves because we are toying with our future. A country of over 200 million people deserves a better leadership that is proactive, that has foresight; that has vision to make things work for our country.

“I am in PDP, and I am working for PDP, and I tell you, If I were not in PDP, you would see me working for Peter Obi. But I am in PDP… let’s see how things work out.”

This was even as Peter Obi said that he called to commiserate with Ortom on the ravages of the floods in Benue State, which resulted in loss of lives, property and farmlands and massive displacement.

NCC Directs MTN, Glo, Other Network Providers To Reverse Tariff Increase

Editorial staff

October 19, 2022

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed all the network providers, including MTN, Glo, Airtel and other to reverse their move to unilaterally implement the recently approved 10 per cent upward tariff adjustments for some voice and data services.

The Commission said that the consideration for 10 per cent approval for tariff adjustments for different voice and data packages was in line with its mandate, as provided by the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and other extant Regulations and Guidelines.

A statement by the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, said that the step taken on the 10 percent was within the provisions of existing price floor and price cap as determined for the industry.

The statement said that the decision was also taken after a critical and realistic review and analysis of the operational environment and the current business climate in Nigeria, as it affects all sectors of the economy.

It said that though the tariff adjustment was proposed and provisionally approved by the Management, pending the final approval of the Board of the Commission, but that in the end, it did not have the approval of the Board of the Commission.

“As a result, it is reversed.”

The statement said that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has maintained that his priority is to protect the citizens and ensure justice to all stakeholders involved.

“As such, anything that will bring more hardship at this critical time will not be accepted.

“This was also why he obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for the suspension of the proposed 5 per cent excise duty, in order to maintain a conducive enabling environment for the telecom operators.

“Much as there is an increase in the cost of production, the provision of telecom services is still very profitable and it is necessary that the subscribers are not subjected to a hike in charges.

“In view of the above, the Commission, through a letter sent on the 12th of October 2022, has already directed the affected Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to reverse the upward tariff adjustment.

“The Commission will carry out further consultations with all industry stakeholders on the best approaches that will protect and uphold the interest of both the consumers and the service providers.

“The Commission will continue to entrench very transparent processes and procedures for rates determination in the industry.

“The process is usually carried out with wide industry consultation. It is through these processes that price floors and price caps for data and voice services are benchmarked, regularly reviewed, and determined from time to time.

“The Commission will continue to abide by this time-tested process and international best practice to ensure efficient pricing mechanism for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.”

Ekiti Assembly Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye, Dies At 66

Editorial staff

October 19, 2022

Funminiyi Afuye | Photo credit: Television Nigeria

Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Funminiyi Afuye is dead, age of 66. He died as a result of suspected cardiac arrest.

Yinka Oyebode, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abiodun Oyebanji, in a statement today, October 19, wrote: “Rt. Hon Afuye died Wednesday evening at the Ekiti State Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado- Ekiti, where he was receiving treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest.”

“The late Afuye, 66, was a former Commissioner of the Ekiti State Ministry of Information, and a two-time member of the State Assembly. He was inaugurated Speaker of the sixth Assembly on June 6, 2019.”

The Speaker was elected as the Speaker of the sixth assembly in 2019.

He represented Ikere I constituency at the state legislature before his demise.

Afuye served as Commissioner for Information during the first term of former Governor Kayode Fayemi between 2010 and 2014.

University Revitalization, Upward Review Of Lecturers’ Salaries To Gulp N470 Billion – Minister

Editorial staff

October 19, 2022

The Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, has announced that the sum of N470 billion has been provided in the 2023 federal budget as special fund for university revitalization and upward adjustment of lecturers’ salaries.

She explained, at a news briefing in Abuja today, October 19, that the sum of N300 billion is for university revitalization, while N170 billion is for upward adjustments of the university lecturers’ salaries, adding that it has been captured in the education vote of 2023 budget.

The position of the government may assuage members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), who are just resuming from eight-month strike over lecturers welfare, revitalization of public universities, among others.

Zainab Ahmed said that the draft 2023 budget has been prepared against the background of international challenges such as the Russia-Ukraine war and COVID-19 pandemic.

She complained that revenue generation has been a major challenge to national development in the country.

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