Federal High Court goes on annual vacation July 24
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), Justice John Tsoho, has disclosed that the court will commence its 2023 annual vacation on July 24. Justice Tsoho stated this on Friday in a statement made available by Dr Catherine Oby-Christopher, the FHC’s Assistant Director of Information, in Abuja. The CJ said that the vacation, which would begin on Monday, July 24, would end on Friday, Sept. 25. “By virtue of the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (d) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Honourable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, announces its 2023 Annual Vacation and Roster for Vacation Judges. “The vacation will commence from July 24 to Sept. 15. “The court shall resume sitting on Sept. 18. This is in order for Hon. Judges to enjoy their well- deserved rest and to prepare for the challenges of the new legal year,” it read. According to the statement, consequently, the litigating public will be at liberty to approach only the under-listed functional courts located nearest to them; Abuja, Lagos, and Port-Harcourt. “The vacation Judges are: Hon. Justice A. R. Mohammed and Hon. Justice O.A. Egwuatu for Abuja division; Hon Justice I. N. Oweibo and Hon. Justice A. Aluko for Lagos Division and Hon. Justice A. T. Mohammed and Hon. Justice S.I. Mark for Port-Harcourt “The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, wishes his fellow lordships a wonderful Vacation in advance,” it concluded.
Ali inaugurates $3.2bn e-customs project to end manual administration
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) has inaugurated a 3.2 billion dollar modernization project to end manual administration. Ali while inaugurating the Project Management Office in Abuja, said the project, aimed at full automation of NCS was a dream come through. According to him, the service embarked on the project, which is being handled by Trade Modernisation Project Limited (TMPL), to strengthen the processes of the service and eradicate corruption. “Today we are witnessing the state of the art technology. “So, it is with pride that we reflect on the journey we embarked upon since 2015,” he said. Ali said the NCS decided on automation because of its numerous benefits, adding that “digitisation drives efficiency, transparency and effectiveness.” He said the project would help NCS adapt to changing market dynamics while assisting to automise operations and unlock revenue to contribute to economic growth and wellbeing of Nigerians. On challenges encountered in actualising the project, the comptroller-general said, although there were obstacles, they persevered. He said “The inauguration is a celebration of NCS” determination, resilience and foresight. “Every step that has been taken has been a testament to our commitment to embracing the power of digitization.” On concerns that adopting the technology would reduce the use of manpower, Ali said such assertion was unfounded. According to him, modernisation will engender the service’s desire to recruit more personnel. He added that the project would require a lot of manpower to effectively cover the borders and ensure security of the people. “We need to be at par with global practices, “he said. Mr Saleh Ahmadu, Chairman, TMPL, said the project would “invest 3.2 billion dollars over a 20 year period. According to him, the investment will generate over 200 billion dollars in revenue generation. “Financing for the first stage of the project is in the sum of 300 million dollars. “This is with a cash-backed $9 million performance fund, which has been secured through financial partners, “he said. Ahmadu said capacity building was one of the priorities of the project, adding that a “substantial part of the project will go into building the capacity of staff.” The former minister of state, budget, and national planning, said the federal executive council on April 20, approved the implementation of the e-customs project to a concessionaire. The concessionaire is Bergman securities consultant and suppliers limited as the project sponsor, Africa Finance Corporation, UFC as the lead financier, and Huawei Technologies will be trained as the lead technical service provider. The concessionaire, he said has furnished the government with 9 million dollars (N4.135 billion) in security from the satisfactory performance of the project. They have also executed the depth facility tensions of 300 million dollars (N138 billion) to finance the first phase of the project. “The revenue sharing arrangement is 45 per cent of accruals to the comprehensive input service scheme going to the concessionaire and 55 per cent going to the federal government, five per cent of what accrues to the Nigerian responsible action scheme, and 75 pe rcent federal government,” the former minister said.
Market realities driving up petrol price – Kyari
*Says prices will normalize within two weeks The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, has said that the sudden hike in pump price of petrol in filling stations across the country is a reflection of the realities of the market. Despite having supplies, the filling station still went ahead to hike the price of their products. Speaking on a television program monitored by NIGERIAN ANCHOR on Thursday, Kyari said that the situation applies to all commodities and that it portrays the reality of the market. “It could have been the other way round; prices could have collapsed downwards and those holding the old stock would have to sell at lower prices to arrive at market condition. “It is not something serious or strange, this is a stock management issue and it is very typical, no one can do anything different about this. “The prices we are seeing today at our stations are the current price of the commodity. This means that prices in the market can go down at any time and of course, the market will adjust itself,” Kyari said. The GCEO however assured that the fuel hike currently being experienced will normalize in the next 2-3 weeks because competition among major players in the oil sector would force down the price of petrol. He added that the subsidy removal would allow new entrants into the market, a move he said, would aid competition and phase out monopoly. “The beauty of this (subsidy removal) is that there will be new entrants (into the market) because oil marketing companies’ reluctance to come into the market all along is the very fact of the subsidy regime that is in place. “And that subsidy regime doesn’t have a guarantee of repayment back to the those who provide the product at subsidise price and now that the market is being regulated, oil marketing companies can actually import product or even if it is produced locally, they can buy and take it into the market and sell it at its retail price. “Therefore, you will see competition, even with NNPC. And by the way, by law, NNPC cannot do more than 30 percent of the market going forward. As soon as the market stabilises, oil marketing companies will be able to come in,” he explained.
Abuja Online Publishers congratulate President Bola Tinubu
*Set Agenda for Tinubu’s Administration Abuja Online Publishers Forum (AOPF) on Thursday felicitated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his assumption of office as the 16th President of Nigeria and using this opportunity to set agenda for the new administration. In a press statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen by the Chairman and the Secretary of the Association, Martins Odiete and Shola Akingboye, respectively, the body, while commending Mr President’s long walk to victory, says the former Lagos state governor fought through thick and thin with a dint of hard work and resilience which he demonstrated during campaigns that culminated into the hard-earned victory. Eulogising Tinubu’s political trajectory, the Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Martins Odiete reflected on the roles played by the new President in bringing Nigeria together in the wake of the June 12, 1993 election crisis that threatened the peaceful coexistence of the country.Odiete reiterated the role President Bola Tinubu played, along with other pro-democracy stalwarts in the fierce battle against military dictatorship in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria. He encouraged the President-elect to act as a transformational leader by itching his name in gold in the history of the country. “Given our constitutional responsibility as the watchdog of society, we will constructively bridge the gap between the government and the people,” Odiete said. AOPF therefore, highlighted the following areas as part of our agenda for the President-elect: “First, urgent palliative measures must be rolled out nationwide in the short to medium term to cushion the negative effects of the current economic crisis. “The President should be magnanimous in victory, and work with all patriots irrespective of political divides. Nigeria at the moment is divided across ethnic lines, at AOPF, we cannot but urge you to bring back the lost glory of Nigeria as one undivided Nation. “We call on you to strengthen the electoral process that brought you to power by reviewing the Electoral Act to bequeath a trusted and improved process. This will place Nigeria among committee of truly democratic nations of the world. “The tenets of federal character and inclusion must be upheld to the latter in distributing appointive positions without sacrificing competence and patriotic character. “Let there be equal rights for all religions; ethnicities, gender and other representations in the public service, military and security agencies. “Nigerians look forward to stable electricity, quality education, and affordable and quality healthcare for all, among other basic necessities under your watch. “Key among expectations of all Nigerians is a secure nation. Let the security of Nigeria be the administration’s priority, a nation where Nigerians can sleep with two eyes closed while businesses thrive for economic growth. “While commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the peaceful conduct of the last general elections as observed, the Forum is using this opportunity to appeal to the electoral umpire to be more proactive and ensure that future elections are free of rancour as witnessed in the last general election,” the statement said. Finally, the body admonished other candidates who are still in court to be patriotic in words and deeds as they seek redress over any grievance through democratic means in the interest of the nation.
Tribunal: Obi, LP challenge 18 states’ presidential election results
The Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi confirmed to the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that out of 36 states, they will be challenging the election results of 18 states. So far, the Petitioners have tendered certified electoral documents obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Results Viewing Portal (IREV) in only six states. A breakdown of the tendered and admitted documents showed that Forms EC8A were tendered in 15 Local Government Areas of Rivers State, 23 in Benue, 18 in Cross River, 23 in Niger State, 20 in Osun, and 16 in Ekiti Local Government Areas. Reacting, INEC, who was represented by Kemi Pinhero SAN, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shetima, who are 2nd and 3rd respondents and represented by Adebayo Adelodun SAN, as well as the All Progressives Congress (APC), represented by Chief Afolabi Fashanu SAN, hinted to oppose the admissibility of the electoral documents. The Respondents confirmed they have gone through the documents sought to be tendered and will be giving reasons for objection when presenting their written addresses. Consequently, the panel of the court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani admitted the documents as exhibits after they were tendered by Chief Emeka Okpoko SAN. In the meantime, further hearing in the petition has been shifted to June 2, at the instance of the Petitioners. Obi and LP approached the PEPC are challenging the declaration of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.
Tinubu holds first meeting with Service Chiefs
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday met with the Service Chiefs at the State House in Abuja. The routine meeting in the previous administrations is the first since President Tinubu’s assumption of office on May 29, 2023. Those in attendance at the President’s first engagement with heads of the nation’s security and intelligence agencies include the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao; and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba. Others are the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar. Tinubu, during his inaugural speech on Monday, promised to prioritise security, amongst other pressing areas. He said, “We shall defend the nation from terror and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace and stability of our country and our sub-region.” “Security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence. “To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security doctrine and its architecture. “We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide, better training, equipment, pay, and firepower,” he added.
U20 W/Cup: Nigeria Coaches hail Bosso, Flying Eagles for beating Argentina
The Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA) has commended the Chief Coach of the Flying Eagles, Isah Ladan Bosso, his lads, the Flying Eagles, and the backroom staff over their emphatic 2-0 victory against host nation Argentina in the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup. In a statement signed by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Etta Egbe, the Acting President of the Association, Dr. Isiaka Salami, praised the leadership, technical and tactical efficiency of Coach Isah Ladan Bosso against Argentina, which were rated as favourites to win the 2023 Under 20 World Cup. He was full of praises for the boys, the Flying Eagles, who gave their best that made Nigeria to record this rare achievement against Argentina. Dr. Salami admonished the team to work towards taking the next three important steps to winning the Under 20 World Cup, by maintaining that spirit of determination to win and hard work. He advised the team to celebrate less, be focused and prepare more for the task ahead. He stated that apart from the members of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association who are solidly behind the Flying Eagles, the entire country stands behind them. This is the time Nigeria needs the U20 World Cup the most. “We pray for you to succeed”, he added.
Leaked Exams: 56 rogue website operators set for prosecution- WAEC
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has identified 56 rogue website operators that leaked its West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). The Head of National Office, Nigeria (HNO) Mr. Patrick Areghan, made this known on Thursday in Abuja while monitoring of the examination in some Government Secondary Schools. Areghan said that the identified rogue website operators would be prosecuted by the police in due course. According to him, some dubious supervisors are responsible for some of these malpractices during examinations. ”We have a regulation to release papers to supervisors one hour before commencement time to enable them to go from the collection point to the administrative point because of distance in some schools. ”But what they do is to snap the question papers and send to their syndicate groups. You now begin to ask questions about what they are trying to achieve with it. ”Candidates are already in the exam hall and you are posting the questions. Sometimes, they change the front of the questions and add 2023 for exam questions of 2020. ”Some gullible parents and students will go for it and destroy themselves because there is no way they can get our questions,” he said. The WAEC head said that the council had put in place technology to detect any form of maleficence from any location. ”I am happy to announce that so far in this exam, we have made a lot of arrests. We made arrests in Ibadan, Maiduguri, Abeokuta, Osogbo, Umuahia, and many other states. ”In all, we have made arrests of no fewer than 15 persons comprising candidates, supervisors, school proprietors, and others connected with the malpractices. ”Supervisors are our problems because they make a lot of money from this. The exam is taking place in over 21,000 secondary schools in Nigeria with only 2,000 staff strength, how many centres are we going to man? ”These supervisors are teachers given to us by state ministries of education and when they come, they make it a business. ”We are not in control of social media, small boys post questions for advertisement and ask candidates to subscribe on their websites and then they give them fake questions,” he added. He, therefore appealed to candidates, teachers and parents to maintain the ethics of examination to have a good and sound educational system, saying that all hands must be on deck to fight the monster called examination malpractice. Also, the WAEC Board Chair, Hajiya Binta Abdulkadri, expressed worry with the involvement of school principals in the exam malpractices. Abdulkadri, who is also the Director, Senior Secondary Education, the Federal Ministry of Education, commended the council for the deployment of technology to nap perpetrators of examination malpractice. Meanwhile, the principal, Government Secondary School, Kubwa, Mr Musa Zuru commended the progress made by WAEC saying that schools in FCT operate zero tolerance for examination malpractice and urged other schools to key in. A total of 1,621,895 candidates are sitting for the examinations across the country in over 21,000 secondary schools.
Access Bank launches French Desk
In a bid to strengthen its business relationship with France, Access Bank PLC has launched the ‘Access Bank French Business Desk’. The bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Roosevelt Ogbonna, said in a statement on Thursday that the action followed the opening of the first subsidiary of Access Bank Plc in the European Union, in Paris. Ogbonna said the Access Bank French Desk, which was in partnership with Business France, was created as a platform to connect French and Nigerian companies. He said the act would provide them with financial solutions to conduct trade and investments between both countries. The financial solutions, he said, would be through business advisory services, engagement with relevant institutions, economic roundtables, trade facilitation, and comprehensive banking solutions. He said the desk would remain the trusted partner that would empower and facilitate business opportunities for Nigerian and French businesses on their journey to success. “The French Desk will help to strengthen the Bank’s partnership with institutions that shared in its commitment to global economic development. “We have developed competencies to grow with institutions that have powered us to where we are today even as we continue to create intrinsic value, beneficial to the economies of all the countries where we operate,” Ogbonna said. He further said that the new desk would serve as the platform to provide enhanced services and support to French businesses and individuals operating in Nigeria and Nigerian businesses with significant interest in France or seeking to establish their presence in France. “By leveraging the expertise and resources of both Access Bank and Business France, the Desk aims to create dynamic and comprehensive banking solutions tailored specifically to the needs of these businesses.” The statement also quoted the Group Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, as saying: “Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy endowed with vast human and natural resources while France possesses technological expertise, innovation, and a rich cultural heritage. “The Access Bank French Desk will play a pivotal role in facilitating trade and investment between our nations. “It will serve as a knowledge hub, providing valuable insights, intelligence, and networking opportunities for businesses from both countries.” “We aim to create an enabling environment for French companies to thrive in Nigeria while also assisting Nigerian businesses in navigating the intricacies of the French market. “Collaboration with multilateral organisations such as PROPACO and AFD will further enhance the impact of the Access Bank French Desk,” Wigwe added. The statement also quoted Mrs Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, French Minister of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, as congratulating Wigwe and welcoming the signing of an agreement with Business France Nigeria to partner on the French Desk. She said: “This initiative illustrates the huge dynamism and potential of the economic ties between Nigeria and France, which have been continuously strengthened since President Macron’s visit to Nigeria in 2018. “This Desk will enable us to further strengthen an already substantial economic partnership and benefit companies from both countries, including SMEs”.
CBN slams Daily Trust report, says we’ve not devalued the Naira
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has tackled Daily Trust Newspaper over its report on June 1 2023, that the apex bank has devalued the Naira. In a statement on Thursday morning, the Ag. Director, Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, insisted that the report by Daily Trust newspapers bordered on wilful ignorance. According to him, the report by the newspaper is riddled with outright falsehood and destabilizing innuendos which reflect wilful ignorance by the revered news medium. “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to a news report by Daily Trust Newspaper of June 1, 2023, titled “CBN Devalues Naira to 630/$1”. “We wish to state categorically that this news report, which in the imagination of the newspaper is exclusive, is replete with outright FALSEHOODS and destabilizing innuendos, reflecting potentially willful ignorance of the said medium as to the workings of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market. “For the avoidance of doubt, the exchange rate at the Investors’ & Exporters’ (I&E) window traded this morning (June 1, 2023) at N465/US$1 and has been stable around this rate for a while. “The public is hereby advised to ignore the news report by Daily Trust in its entirety, as it is speculative and calculated at causing panic in the market,” the statement said. The Apex Bank further urged media practitioners to verify their facts from the Central Bank of Nigeria before publishing in order not to misinform the public.