Court orders DSS to allow Emefiele access to family, lawyers

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama has ordered the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately grant suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele unhindered access to his lawyers and family members. Justice Hamza Muazu gave the order following an oral application by counsel to Emefiele, Joseph Daudu (SAN) with Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) in a suit marked No: FCT/HC/CV/6450/23. Listed as respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF); the Director General of State Security Service and the State Security Service. The enrolled order dated June 16, 2023, reads: “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately. And regularly at reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.”  In his submission, Daudu informed the court that he has written letters to the respondents particularly on June 14, 2023, for the purpose of taking further instruction from him, but the DSS has refused to respond to the application.  Responding, counsel to the 2nd and 3rd Respondents I. Awo, informed the court that the DSS does not have the penchant for refusing such a request and that it is wrong to do so.  Awo assured that he is certain the Security Service would abide the order of Court and grant access to the listed lawyers and family members of Mr. Emefiele to see him, while counsel to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not oppose the application.  Meanwhile, counsel to the DSS, as well as the AGF requested for an extension of time to file their respective responses to the originating motion, which was granted and the suit was further adjourned till Tuesday June 20, 2023 for substantive hearing of the suit. Godwin Emefiele, has been taken into custody by DSS hours after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office. The spokesperson to DSS, Peter Afunanya in statement confirmed that “The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is now in its custody for some investigative reasons.”

Indonesia donates 1.58m doses of Pentavalent Vaccines to Nigeria

Indonesia has donated 1,580,000 doses of Pentavalent Vaccines to Nigeria through the Indonesian Aid Agency to boost healthcare delivery. Delivering the items at a ceremony on Friday in Abuja, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Nigeria Dr Usra Harahap, said the gesture was a testimony to the strong bond existing between both countries. Usra added that the two countries share a common commitment to sustaining the well-being of their citizens. According to him, one of the most significant developments in public health has been the production of the pentavalent vaccine with a view to preventing diseases such as diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis-B, and Hemophilus influenzae type B that include five critical vaccines. He said, “The burden of these preventable diseases will be greatly lessened as a result of this thorough immunisation, especially among the most vulnerable populations, such as newborns and young children. “The pentavalent vaccines are produced by Indonesian manufacturer PT. Biofarma and  a total of 1,580,000 doses of Pentavalent Vaccines have been donated by Indonesia to Nigeria through the Indonesian Aid Agency. “I am delighted to inform you all that for this donation – a total of 730,000 doses – arrived in Nigeria on May 30, 2023 and a total of 850,000 arrived on June 14, 2023, to make a total of 1,580,000 doses of vaccines. “All these donations are to improve the healthcare system and increase immunisation coverage for every child in Nigeria to grow up safe and healthy. “We are delivering these pentavalent vaccines with utmost faith and confidence in Nigeria’s capability to distribute and administer them effectively; we have complete confidence in your passion, knowledge and dedication to preserving the health of your people.” He expressed the hope that the pentavalent vaccines would deepen ties and global health cooperation, to ensure a world where everyone is healthier, safer, more resilient and happier. Also speaking at the event, Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive-Director/CEO of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) expressed appreciation to the Indonesian Government for the donation of the vaccines. He said that the partnership between both countries brought about the donation of 1,580,000 doses of lifesaving Pentavalent vaccines, to support Nigeria’s Routine Immunization programme. According to him, the vaccines received were more than just vials of medicine; they represent hope, protection, and the promise of a brighter future for children. “The donated vaccines will be distributed to healthcare centres throughout Nigeria to ensure they reach as many children as possible. “Particularly, those in remote and underserved communities, where they will be instrumental in preventing countless cases of debilitating and life-threatening diseases among the most vulnerable members of our society. “We will be guided by accessibility, equity, and efficiency. We firmly believe every child, regardless of their background or geographic location, should have equitable access to life-saving vaccines. We will leave no child behind. “We will emphasize the importance of vaccine education and dispel misconceptions or hesitancy surrounding immunization; through transparent communication and community engagement, we aim to build trust and confidence for the safety and efficacy of these vaccines,” Shuaib said.  He commended the Indonesian government for the donation, saying it marked the interest of Indonesian-Nigeria and their commitment to global health. In his remark, Dr Walter Kazadi, the Country Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) commended the gesture by the government of Indonesia to have marked deviation from past achievements in healthcare donation. According to him, today we saw an example of triangular South-South Cooperation, “We thank the government of Indonesia for this gesture, Nigeria is in dire need of vaccines to close the gap of zero dose children”. “We believe your contribution will go a long way as Nigeria is accelerating to close the gap, it is very important for us, especially the United Nations Agencies. “To show that we fully support the avenue of South-South collaboration, we have suffered from injustice with COVID-19 vaccination, for so long. “We hope beyond this gesture there will be more collaboration to strengthen our capacity for local manufacturing of vaccines in our respective countries,” Kazadi said. Highpoint of the event was the official donation of the vaccines by Harahap to Shuaib. 

Broadcaster, Ijeoma Osamor testifies before Presidential Tribunal

A broadcast Journalist with DAAR Communications PLC, Ms. Ijeoma Osamor, on Friday testified in the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) holding in Abuja. Osamor, who anchors a programme in the Africa Independent Television (AIT) “Democracy Today” was subpoenaed as ‘the 7th witness (PW7) for Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP). Obi and LP are petitioners in the petition marked CA/PEPC/03/2023 challenging the election which brought President Bola Tinubu into power Respondents are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) president Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Osamor when being cross-examined by APC counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, said INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the results of the Feb. 25 presidential election would be transmitted live. One of the grounds raised by the petitioners in support of their prayers to invalidate the return of the president, Bola Tinubu was that Yakubu reneged on his promise to upload the results sent to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System to the INEC Results Viewing portal in real-time. However, video evidence tendered before the PEPC by the petitioners bordered around clips showing the INEC chairman at different times assuring Nigerians of the use of technology in the presidential election. The court, again admitted in evidence another flash drive and played it in the open court a clip of Mahmoud delivering a speech emphasizing the deployment of BVAS and IReV for the elections. When asked by Owonikoko if she was aware that a few days before the election, Yakubu in a press statement said the results will no longer be uploaded in real-time. She her news organisation is focused on live coverage of events and programmes. Owonikoko also raised the issue and cited a publication by The Tribune on Feb. 23 that election results would no longer be transmitted in real-time. Osamor said the Tribune publication could have been based on an interview with the reporter. The Tribune on Feb 23 published a story with the headline ‘We won’t transmit raw figures of election results’, INEC chairman. According to Tribune, Yakubu said that at a meeting with the leaders of the international election observers who visited him at the commission. However, the reporter insisted that while covering the beat, she was present during the said period at all press briefings and at the collation centre, particularly on the said day. She said that Yakubu did not make such a statement. Meanwhile, the five-member panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned until Monday for the cross-examination of the witness and further hearing of the petition.

Subsidy: FG provides solar alternative power to Nigerians

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad on Friday, said the Federal Government is providing solar energy alternatives to Nigerians in a bid to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on businesses and households. Ahmad, who was speaking after the inspection of REA’s Energizing Economies Initiative (EEI) project in Ayegbaju International Market, Osogbo, said the Federal Government, through REA, is setting up alternative solar energy systems to cater to electricity-underserved Nigerians. He also explained that the concept of the EEI project was to provide alternative and clean solar energy to Nigerians, so as to reduce or abolish the use of carbon monoxide petrol-powered generators. “We came to our Zonal office in Osun and we decided to do a short inspection of the Energizing Economies Initiative (EEI) that we have in Ayegbaju International Market, Osogbo. “We came to see the progress of the work and we are very happy with what we have seen here today. “The concept is to see how we can work with the market association and most importantly, work with the state government to scale up solar power supply to the whole market,” he said. He said the construction of the solar system at the Ayegbaju Market is about 95 percent completed and that the power generation of the system is targeted at 30kwp. He said at the pilot phase now, the solar power electricity is being test run on 48 shops and that in the long run, it would be extended to all the shops in the market. He said with the interaction he had with the leadership of the market, shop owners are interested in the solar power project, as an alternative power source to run their operations/shops. “What we have seen is the tremendous interest of the market people in the solar energy alternative, especially using it to replace petrol generators, in the face of subsidy removal,” he said. He said as a follow up to the inspection and interaction with the market people, he would meet and work with developers, Osun State Government and even the market association, to draw a roadmap of how the project would be sustained and scaled up to cover the entire market. He said with the solar system initiative, REA has been able to demonstrate a concept of solar power generation and supply, and that they can now bring in and work with other stakeholders to scale it up to the demand of Nigerians who are unserved and undeserved with electricity. “Over 148 sites have been audited directly by REA,” saying “support from partners, such as E-guide and Rockefeller Foundation, will enhance the Energizing Economies Initiative (EEI) project. “It is from these sites that Ayegbaju International Market, Osogbo, and Abubakar Gumi Market, Kaduna, were selected to deliver the next phase of EEI projects,” he said. He said they are taking into account the lessons learned from phase zero and one of the project initiatives and would use it as a model for sustainable and collaborative projects with state governments and Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos). “Once the solar system construction is completed, the State Governments or DisCos, developers, and REA will be able to sit with the Market Associations to sign a multilateral agreement which ensures the long-term viability of the project while ensuring energy access to the markets. “These projects will also provide the much-needed relief to businesses in these markets by reducing their dependence on petrol generators while increasing the penetration of renewable energy sources,” he said. 

Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline: NNPCL, ONHYM, others sign $25bn deal

The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project has advanced with the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to ensure progress and strategic direction of the $25 billion Trans-Atlantic gas pipeline project. Four MoUs were signed on Friday in Abuja at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Headquarters during the project’s first Steering Committee Meeting. The agreements were signed between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) of Morocco and the Société Nationale des Opérations Pétrolières of Cote d’Ivoire (PETROCI), Others include the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), the Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures of Benin (SNH-Benin), and the Société Nationale des Pétroles of the Republic of Guinea (SONAP). Once completed, the project will enhance the monetisation of the natural gas resources of the affected African countries and also offer a new alternative export route to Europe. Malam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, in his remarks disclosed that currently, FEED Phase II Study was at over 70 percent in tendering process for the surveys, with clear visibility in project funding. Kyari listed the surveys as the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Policy Framework (LARPF). “We are also pleased to welcome our counterparts from NOCAL of Liberia, PETROCI of Cote D’Ivoire, SNH Benin and SONAP of Guinea for committing to collaborate with us on this project through the execution of MoU. “This is a clear demonstration of the commitment of the Host Governments, the ECOWAS Commission, and the National Oil Companies to deliver on this strategic project, create wealth and value for our countries and other stakeholders. “As you are aware, our collective decisions and actions guided by our shared vision would extend far beyond gas supply to spur prosperity and economic integration between our nations,’’ he said. Kyari, while expressing appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for entrusting NNPC Ltd. with the strategic project, acknowledged ECOWAS Commission’s role in co-hosting the meeting in addition to planned execution of the Treaty, Host Government Agreements and other enablers. Also speaking, the Director-General of ONHYM, Madam Amina Benkhadra said that the gathering represented a progressive step in ensuring social and economic development through energy security and accessibility geared towards attaining total development of Africa by Africans. In his remarks, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitisation, Mr Sédiko Douka said the pipeline was designed from Nigeria to Morocco, passing through Atlantic Coast States, with inland ramps to supply the Interland Countries, possibly to Europe. “The project will strengthen our electricity production/generation capacity, stimulate industrial, agricultural development, and contribute to the energy transition by using a source of energy that is cleaner than other fossil fuels,’’ he said. He recalled that the Steering Committee, which was enlarged to include other stakeholders, was part of the dynamics of the MoU signed between the ECOWAS Commission, NNPC and ONHYM on Sept. 15, 2022, in Rabat, Morocco. He recalled that ECOWAS was engaged further to the instructions of the Heads of State and Government in the development of the West Africa Gas Pipeline Extension Project (WAGPEP), through a feasibility study approved in 2018. He said at the same time, Nigeria and Morocco, through NNPC Ltd and ONHYM, also agreed to initiate the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project (NMGP). “The similarities between the two projects soon became apparent, and so, the need for synergy to pool efforts in order to achieve a single gas pipeline project. “Today, we can assure you that the ECOWAS member States are fully committed to this structuring Project. “As proof, the statutory bodies of ECOWAS have ratified the decision to merge the projects into a single one,’’ he said. The ECOWAS-ONHYM-NNPC Steering Committee meeting for development of a single gas pipeline had representatives from Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco.

Agbebaku emerges Speaker of Edo 8th Assembly

Mr Blessing Agbebaku (PDP-Owan West), on Friday emerged as Speaker of the 8th Edo House of Assembly. Agbebaku was the Chief of Staff to the immediate past Speaker, Marcus Onobun He was elected by the lawmakers shortly after a letter of proclamation of the assembly by Governor Godwin Obaseki was read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Mr Yahaya Omogbai, in Benin. Mrs Maria Edekor (PDP-Esan North East II) was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the House. The 24 members-elect were also inaugurated into the 8th assembly. Speaking shortly after taking his oath of office, Agbebaku promised a unified Assembly that would move the state to greater heights through effective legislation. He thanked God for his protection and guidance throughout the electoral process and for his emergency as the speaker. He expressed gratitude to his colleagues for giving him the privilege and for believing in his capacity and competence to serve as speaker. “Choosing me to lead this assembly is a great honour and privilege bestowed upon me with a sense of responsibility and acceptance. “I will not take this position for granted. I will carry everyone along irrespective of their political affiliations. “I commend the 7th assembly for setting the template in legislative activities which has placed the assembly on the right track. “I assure all that we will put Edo people first as we perform our oversight functions and make the state great again,” he said. Agbebaku finally thanked Governor Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, for leading the party in the right direction.

Just in: Tinubu, Sanusi in closed-door meeting

Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Sanusi Lamidi Sanusi, is currently meeting with President Bola Tinubu.  The meeting, which is ongoing at the Aso Rock Villa with the former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, at the State House, is not unconnected with the current vacant position at the Apex Bank. Though the agenda of the meeting is not known, there are speculations that it could be connected to the suspension of Godwin Emefiele as CBN Governor.  Sanusi served as CBN boss between June 2009 and June 2024.  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, last Friday, suspended Godwin Emefiele as CBN Governor, ordering him to hand over to deputy governor operators, Folashodun Shonubi till investigation into his activities are concluded.  More details later…

NIS boss launches Visa on Arrival Lounge, declares state of emergency on passport

The Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Caroline Adepoju, on Friday, launched a state-of-the-art Visa on Arrival Lounge in Lagos, whilst announcing a state of emergency on Passport issuance across the country. Adepoju said during her working visit to Lagos where she said there was an urgent need to address the challenges faced by Nigerians in obtaining international passports. A statement by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Mr Tony Akuneme, said that the acting CGI inaugurated a state-of-the-art Visa on Arrival Lounge at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. The NIS boss used the event to announce a comprehensive plan of action to tackle the issues effectively. She said that the facility was a demonstration of the NIS commitment to improving the overall travel experience for visitors entering Nigeria. According to her, the state of emergency declaration on Passport issues signifies the renewed commitment of NIS to resolve the challenges faced by Nigerians seeking to obtain passports. “It represents a call to action for all stakeholders to prioritise efficiency, transparency, and excellence in service delivery, “she said. Adepoju directed all Passport Control Officers, relevant units and personnel, including Missions abroad, to eliminate all hindrances preventing Nigerians from accessing Passports promptly. “NIS is leveraging technology and instituting robust administrative measures to enhance the Passport application and issuance process. “We urge all Nigerians to remain patient and cooperate with the service as it takes decisive steps to address the Passport crisis,” she said. Adepoju assured the public that the efforts was to ensure that every eligible Nigerian who required a Passport could obtain one in a timely manner. Adepoju also paid an unscheduled visit to Alausa Passport office to assess the situation firsthand. In her address, Ag. CGI emphasised the necessity to dismantle all man-made bottlenecks impeding Passport application process. She stressed that the NIS management was fully committed to addressing institutional and technology-based drawbacks to ensure more efficient and streamlined service delivery. Also, Adepoju, who recognised the importance of collaboration and community engagement, embarked on a grassroots sensitisation initiative targeting traditional rulers. She visited the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, during which she sought the cooperation of traditional rulers nationwide in NIS activities, including the prevention of human trafficking.

EFCC has become too politicised -Transparency International 

The Head of Transparency International, Nigeria, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, says the suspension of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, did not come to the organisation by surprise as his office has become too politicised. Rafsanjani, who is also the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), said this in an interview in Abuja. President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday announced the suspension of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) chairman in a statement by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). Bawa was suspended based on “weighty allegations of abuse of office” levelled against him. ”The suspension did not come to us by surprise, this is because of the way and manner the previous regimes or governments have always removed the EFCC leaders when they come into power. ”For this development, with regard to the removal of the EFCC chairman, we believe that already we knew that he was going to be removed because of  so many political interests and changes that can happen.” He said that Tinubu might not likely retain Bawa because of how he was appointed and his affiliation. ”He will want to get rid of anything that has to do with that. ”Also there are some political interests, some politicians associated with the government also have issues with the current suspended EFCC chairman and therefore they are likely not to be comfortable having him there.” Rafsanjani added that “the EFCC office has been unnecessarily made to be too political. ”Therefore, it is making it difficult to do what ordinarily government agency is supposed to do. ”So, we need to look at it from that context and from that perspective, so I’m not surprised.” Rafsanjani, however, said that ”what is important is that we must insist and demand that the anti-corruption and the good work of agencies, including EFCC must continue in the country.” He also advised the government to look beyond politics in appointing the next chairman of EFCC. ”In appointing the next one,  I think first and foremost, let’s make that office to be a technical professional office.  ”Let’s make it less political, let us remove the use of that to settle political issues. ”I think we need to have a credibly experienced, fairly minded person to carry out that responsibility,” he said.

NAF airstrike in Nasarawa killed only terrorists – Military

The Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Ayodele Famuyiwa, has explained that the military airstrike of January 24 in Nasarawa State only targeted and eliminated terrorists. Famuyiwa said this while reacting to questions at a bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces, on Thursday in Abuja. He said the air strike was carried out after a series of intel and surveillance, adding that innocent civilians were not killed as being speculated in some quarters. He faulted the report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleging that the NAF bombarded herders who were evacuating their cattle in Kwatiri, a border community between Benue and Nasarawa. In its report on June 7, HRW said “Nigerian authorities have provided little information and no justice” with regard to the airstrike. “Although the authorities admitted carrying out the raid, the organisation said, they evaded “key questions” concerning the circumstances surrounding the attack. HRW said their preliminary investigations revealed that the pastoralists had gone to Kwatiri to pay fines for the release of their cattle seized by the Benue State Livestock Guards when they were struck in the air raid. But in his reaction to the report on Thursday, NAF spokesman challenged the organisation to produce evidence to prove the allegation that those killed in the airstrike were not terrorists. According to him, there had been Intel from several reliable sources of the activities of terrorists in that particular area. “You are all aware of the nefarious activities of criminal elements in that part of the country. “We are also aware that there is an ongoing operation, that is, Operation Whirl Stroke and the Intel came from several sources and even to the commander of that operation for the air component that there was plan by terrorists within that area to carry out a massive attack. “And then there was a secondary school in question that they also planned to kidnap students. “To that extent, the air force carried out surveillance and the surveillance confirmed that there were terrorists and that surveillance continued for almost throughout the day until later in the evening when a truck appeared in that scene. “The truck was suspected to have brought logistics to them and that was why approval was given by the appropriate authority that that truck be taken out and the truck was taken out. “Now if anyone is coming around to say innocent people were killed where is the photograph of the truck that brought the cattle that they are talking about?,” he asked. Famuyiwa said the claim that the people came there to pay for their cattle was not tenable. He also challenged anyone accusing the military to come out with proofs such as photograph of the said truck, the cattle and dead bodies. “The position of the air force is that terrorists were struck that day and whether it is whatever group and if they think they were innocent people, let them provide the evidence. “If you think the military is going to give you the evidence of that operation for now, you won’t get it because there is information that cannot be declassified now. “Let the people who said innocent citizens were killed, provide the evidence and let the press do the analysis and then the truth will come up,” he said.