Contempt: A/Court grants EFCC’s stay of proceedings against Yahaya Bello …fixes May 20 for hearing
The Court of Appeal, Friday, granted an exparte motion for stay of proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) against the contempt proceeding instituted by the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, against the Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede. Justice Joseph O.K. Oyewole, consequently granted the EFCC’s application to serve the processes in the Appeal by substituted means on the former governor. Consequently, the matter was adjourned for hearing of the motion on notice to May 20, 2024. The EFCC boss who was summoned to appear before the Kogi State High Court on May 13, 2024, to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for disobeying the Orders of the court, had appealed the Ruling of the trial Court and sought a stay of the proceeding of the Court. The EFCC boss is facing a contempt charge for carrying out “some acts upon which they (the EFCC) have been restrained” by the Court on February 9, 2024, pending the determination of the substantive Originating Motion. Justice I. A. Jamil, delivering a ruling in Suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024, ordered that “the said act was carried out by the Respondent (EFCC) in violation of the order, which was valid and subsisting when they carried out the act. That same act of the Respondent amounts to Contempt. EFCC operatives had laid siege on the residence of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as early as 8am on April 17, 2024, with a bid to arrest him, despite a court order restraining them from taking such action, pending the determination of the Originating Motion. Justice Jamil’s order was based on a motion ex-parte filed by Yahaya Bello through his lawyer, M.S. Yusuf, Esq, where he prayed the court for an order to issue and serve the Respondent (EFCC Chairman) with Form 49 Notice to show cause why Order of committal should not be made on Olukoyede.
Gov Obaseki finally swears in five Edo high court judges after 11-month delay
After a lengthy 11-month delay, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has finally sworn in five out of the eight judges recommended for appointment as Honourable High Court Judges by the National Judicial Council (NJC) in June 2023. The newly sworn-in judges are Justice Obayuwana Osarenren Mathias, Justice Ehinon Anthony Okoh, Justice Ovenseri Otamere, Justice Bright Eraze Oniha, and Justice Osayande Ikwuemosi Awawu. Reports indicate that the delay in swearing in all eight judges stemmed from petitions against some of the nominees. Chris Nehikhare, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, noted that the petitions necessitated further investigations before the full panel could be appointed. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had condemned Governor Obaseki’s delay in swearing in the judges, citing it as an abuse of power and a disregard for constitutional provisions. Specifically, the NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) highlighted the constitutional obligation of the Governor to swear in appointed judicial officers promptly. SPIDEL said the delay hindered the functioning of the justice delivery system and left the appointed judges needing means of sustenance. In response to the mounting pressure, Governor Obaseki eventually swore in five of the judges at the Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City. During the ceremony, he reminded them of the importance of impartiality in dispensing justice
Court adjourns Rivers LGs/Govt, AGF, Police, DSS, others case till May 22
The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned hearing in the suit seeking to stop the Rivers State Government from withholding the financial allocations of the 42 Local Government Councils in the state, to May 22. The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, adjourned the matter to enable parties already served with the court’s documents respond accordingly, just as he ordered service on the 1st to 4th and 6th respondents who were neither in court nor represented by any lawyer. At the last adjourned date, the court, while ruling in an ex-parte application, refused to issue an interim order against the Rivers State government and other respondents pending the hearing of the main suit. He ordered the plaintiffs to put the respondents on notice and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo by not doing anything that would render the suit nugatory. However, when the matter was called on Thursday, while the 1st – 4th and 6th were absent in court, M. N. Umoh, Olumide Fusika, SAN, Damian Okoro, SAN, and Sammie Somiari, SAN, appeared for the 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th respondents respectively. The four lawyers all admitted service of court order to maintain status quo and asked for time to respond, adding that they are still within the time allowed by law to file their responses. When asked by the judge if they were also served with the court’s order directing all parties to maintain status quo, all but the 5th defendant admitted service. Justice Omotosho told the respondents that he had declined to grant the interim order but after plaintiffs’ counsel, Clement Ijom stated that salaries of teachers, primary health workers and other local government staff depend on the allocation, he then ordered parties to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the matter. Subsequently, the judge ordered the respondents to file in their responses, while the suit is served on the remaining respondents. The Inspector General (IG) of Police, Commissioner of Police (CP) Rivers, Director General (DG) State Security (SSS), Director SSS Rivers, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Chairman Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Rivers State Government, AG Rivers State and Finance Commissioner in Rivers are 1st to 9th respondents respectively. The plaintiffs, on the other hand, include Dr Chidi LLoyd, Chairman, Emohua Local Government, Hon Alwell Ihunda Chairman, Port Harcourt Local goyvernment, Dr Nwanosike Samuel, Ikwerre Local Government, amongst others. They are suing the respondents over the financial allocation to the council as well as their personal security. Pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, the plaintiffs had filed an ex-parte application seeking to restrain the Rivers State Government from withholding their financial allocation. They had also prayed the court to restrain the security agencies from withdrawing the security personnel attached to them. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/537/2024, and filed by their lawyer, Aliyu Hussein, the local government Chairmen, also sought an order prohibiting the defendants from preventing the enforcement or implementation of the newly amended Rivers State Local Government Law N:5 of 2024 pending the determination of the motion. In a 33 paragraph affidavit in support of the application deposed to by Dr Chidi LLoyd, Chairman of Emohua Local Government, the applicants claimed to have been duly elected in a democratically conducted election for a term of three years under the provisions of the Rivers State Local Government Law. They asserted that they are autonomous and constitutionally recognized as one of the tiers of the government and that Rivers State House of Assembly Enacted Rivers State Amended Law to guide their affairs and activities. They claimed that Rivers State Government, AG and Finance Commissioner who are not happy with the amended law have approached the IGP, CP, DG SSS and Director SSS seeking the withdrawal of policing and other security services from them in order to frustrate the implementation of the amended law. The Chairmen alleged that the Police Commissioner in the state who has the responsibility to advise the IG on the policing and security needs of Rivers State is under substantial control of Rivers State Government and would implement the directive of the state government. They further asserted that it would be impossible for them to carry out their respective functions and duties without the policing and security services of the IG. The Council chairmen asked the court to restrain the defendants, especially the Rivers State Government, from taking the law into its hand. They promised to undertake to pay for damages if their suit turns to be frivolous.
2024 Hajj: Nigeria’s inaugural flight commences May 15
As expectations are high on this year’s holy pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Thursday informed that the country’s inaugural flight would take off on May 15. This was made known by NAHCON Chairman/CEO, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, in his opening remark at the first National Stakeholder Summit of Nigeria’s Hajj and Umrah Industry held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. Arabi informed that close to 65,500 Nigeria pilgrims would participate in the 2024 Hajj, adding that they would be airlifted by the approved airlines from 10 departure centres across the country. The NAHCON boss said the commission had decided that for this year’s operations all Nigerian pilgrims would visit and spend at least four days in Madinah before the commencement of the Hajj rites proper. Speaking on the summit, Arabi said coming together of stakeholders was a divine responsibility on all, noting that the theme of the summit, “Partnership, Collaboration and Teamwork: The tripod of success for 2024 Hajj operations”, was carefully chosen. He said the Hajj body deemed it fit to dialogue with critical stakeholders to ensure successful Hajj operations this year. He added that it is important that all stakeholders work together for the pilgrims to have memorable Hajj experience this year.
NDIC Increases Deposit Insurance Coverage For Banks, Mobile Money Operators
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has increased deposit insurance coverage for all licensed deposit-taking financial institutions. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the NDIC Managing Director/Chief Executive, Bello Hassan, said the coverage ensures that depositors will be reimbursed up to a certain limit for their deposits in the event of a bank failure. He said the increment applies to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Microfinance Banks (MFBs), Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs), Payment Service Banks (PSBs) and Mobile Money Operators (MMOs). The NDIC boss said by increasing deposit insurance coverage, the corporation is ensuring that the move will strengthen the banking system and encourage further financial inclusion within the country. Hassan said the increased deposit insurance coverage levels will take effect immediately, offering Nigerians greater peace of mind when saving their money with licensed financial institutions. He said: “Key increases in Deposit Insurance Coverage: Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) coverage has jumped from N500,000 to N5,000,000, providing full coverage for 98.98 per cent of depositors compared to the previous 89.20 per cent. “Microfinance Banks (MFBs) coverage has risen from N200,000 to N2,000,000, offering full coverage for 99.27 per cent of depositors (up from 98.76 per cent) and significantly increasing the value of covered deposits (from 14.38 per cent to 34.43 per cent of total deposits). “For Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs), the maximum coverage has been raised from N500,000 to N2,000,000, ensuring full coverage for 99.34 per cent of depositors (up from 97.98 per cent) and boosting the value of covered deposits (from 10.77 per cent to 21.04 per cent of total deposits). “Payment Service Banks (PSBs) coverage has been increased from N500,000 to N2,000,000, providing near-complete protection (99.99 per cent) for depositors and raising the value of covered deposits to 43.10 per cent of the total (from 40.60 per cent). “For Mobile Money Operators (MMOs), the maximum Pass-through deposit insurance coverage has been raised to N5,000,000 per subscriber per MMO, aligning it with the coverage level for DMBs. “Deposit insurance coverage levels for all licensed deposit-taking financial institutions refer to the amount of protection provided to depositors in deposit-taking financial institutions in case the financial institution fails or goes bankrupt.”
Military Court Martial Two Officers Over Kaduna Bombing
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has acknowledged errors in the drone strikes on the Tudun Biri community in Kaduna State, resulting in the deaths of numerous innocent citizens. The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Edward Buba, disclosed this information during a media briefing on Thursday. He stated that investigations had been completed, and the strikes were deemed a case of mistaken identity. Recall that the drone strikes occurred on December 3, 2023, and claimed the lives of several non-combatants in Tudun Biri village, located in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna State. The spokesperson for DHQ mentioned that the individuals responsible for the incident would be subjected to a military court martial. While he did not provide specific details regarding the disciplinary actions, he confirmed that the two personnel involved will face the consequences of their actions.
Funding Universities: Prof Ochefu Says “Edupreneurs” to the Rescue
As governments, unions and other stakeholders grapple with challenges of managing 21st century university system, a former Vice Chancelor and General Secretary of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), Prof Yakubu Ochefu has advised about the emergence of new ownership models that will take over proprietorship of universities in Nigeria. He said the new group shall comprise of “Public-Private Institutions, for-profit and publicly traded universities”. According to the professor of economic history, this group, which he called the “edupreneurs will grow and overtake existing institutions providing significantly increased personal choice for all, from pre-school to post-graduate studies.” Prof Ochefu, who spoke on “Rethinking the Philosophy of University Education in Nigeria in the Era of Education 4.0” was the guest lecturer at the 81st Interdisciplinary Research Discourse of University of Ibadan Postgraduate College. Delving into the economics of global education the former Vice Chancellor disclosed that tertiary education has a global market value of $763 billion. He stated further that when compounded, this grows by 14.59% every year. He also said that the World Bank estimates that there were 220 million students worldwide in 2020 and that number will rise to 380 million by 2030.The Big ASK is where will we in Nigeria be in all these developments. He then asked, “where will we in Nigeria be in all these developments?” The CVCNU helmsman disclosed that Nigeria currently has a total of 116 Public and 149 Private universities. He said 53 public universities are owned by the federal government while 63 are owned by State Governments. He went further to chronicle the challenges confronting public universities in Nigeria to include poor funding, governance issues, lack of qualified teaching and non-teaching staff, poor technology and infrastructure base, amongst others. He advised that all stakeholders must make deliberate efforts to address these challenges to enable university education in Nigeria to measure up to the disruptive feature of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Precisely, he admonished that an innovative design for the emerging tertiary educational system must be one that focuses on institutional pedagogical outcomes, which in turn influence curriculum, the flow of knowledge and the type of knowledge shared, as well as the behaviours of students, instructors, and governance team leaders. He illustrated his advocacy with the idea of a “Polymath University” that is based on an educational theory that suggests that original thought and creativity can be obtained by connecting seemingly unrelated ideas and concepts. Beyond the management structure, Prof Ochefu also dwelt extensively on the nature and pedagogy of university education in the fourth industrial revolution (Education 4.0). He said the disruptive impact of the new era entails ubiquity of learning, aided by the internet, as opposed to localised type as well as overall democratization of access. In concluding, Professor Ochefu X-rayed the pivotal role of the Vice Chancellor as the CEO of the university. Referencing the famous British higher education teacher, Geoffrey Boulton, Prof Ochefu asserts, “It could be said that changing a university is like moving a graveyard – you get no help from the people inside!”.
House of Reps Reveals Steps to address Fuel Scarcity
Amid the return of long queues at petrol stations, the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream and midstream, has assured that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has about 1.5 billion litres of petrol that can last for 30 days in storage. The downstream and midstream committees, led by Hon Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon Odianosen Henry OOkojie,respectively, disclosed this during a press conference. Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North South Federal Constituency of Imo State, stated that in the last few days the downstream and midstream committees reached out to the stakeholders in the distribution value chain; the NNPCL, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and engaged extensively with them, with a view to ascertaining the cause of the resurgence of the fuel queues across the country. The lawmakers expressed concerns over the temporary presence of fuel queues in petrol stations across the country, which has adversely affected the lives and businesses of Nigerians. However, she, expressed optimism that normalcy would return in a few days. According to Ugochinyere, from investigations, they found out that there is availability of petrol products, at least, about 1.5 billion litres of petrol that can last for 30 days. He noted that it is as a result of logistics that the queues have resurfaced and these logistic issues range from difficulty in transporting products from the mother vessel to the respective petrol stations. Ugochinyere said, “Good day gentlemen of the press. Standing before you are the Chairmen of the House of Representatives Committees on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and (Midstream), myself, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and my brother, Hon. Odianosen Henry Okojie respectively. “The purpose of this press briefing is to give an update on the scarcity of petrol products and what the Committees are doing to ensuring that the right things are done as the representatives of the people. Ladies and gentlemen, it is so painful that Nigerians have been subjected to great hardship and pains as a result of the scarcity of petroleum products in the past few days. “This development has led us as representatives of the people, to engage with the regulators of the relevant sectors with a view to finding out the cause(s) of this scarcity and providing solutions to same. “We have in the last few days reached out to the stakeholders in the distribution value chain; the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and engaged extensively with them, with a view to ascertaining the cause of the resurgence of the fuel queues across the country. “We hereby express our concerns over the temporary presence of fuel queues in petrol stations across the country. This has adversely affected the lives and businesses of Nigerians across the country. As elected representatives of the Nigerian people, we are greatly disturbed by this development. However, we are convinced that this is temporary and in a couple of days, we shall get over it. “From our investigations, we have found out that there is availability of petrol products. We have on good authority that we have in our storage facilities, at least, about 1.5 billion litres of petrol that can last for 30 days. It is however saddening to note that it is as a result of logistics that the queues have resurfaced. These logistic issues range from difficulty in transporting products from the mother vessel to the respective petrol stations. Movement of products from offshore marine vessels to the stations, disruption from Escravos channels.
New Minimum Wage to become Effective May 1
The Federal Government says that although the Tripartite Committee On National Minimum Wage is yet to conclude its negotiations, workers will not lose anything as the new minimum wage will take effect from May 1, 2024. The Minister of State Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, stated this on Wednesday while addressing Nigerian workers at the May Day celebration in Abuja. She said it is regrettable that the new national minimum wage is not ready before today but that a wide consultation is ongoing to ensure that the document is out together as soon as possible. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have at various times called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to hasten the upward review of wage awards. Of late, the organised labour demanded N615,000 as the new minimum wage for workers to cope with the many economic realities and high cost of living in Nigeria. The labour unions said the current minimum wage of N30,000 can no longer cater for the wellbeing of an average Nigerian worker, lamenting that not all governors are paying the current wage award which expired in April, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act is to be reviewed every five years to meet up with contemporary economic demands of workers. Meanwhile, President Tinubu has lauded the contributions of workers in Nigeria to the growth of the country. He gave the commendation in his address to the workers presented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at an event to mark the 2024 Workers’ Day in Abuja. He said the federal government is open to receiving the recommendations of the committee on the new national minimum wage. He assured that the reform agenda of the current administration is geared towards the progress of Nigeria.
Tinubu Speaks On Wage Award, New Minimum Wage In Workers Day Message
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his warmest felicitations to Nigerian workers on the occasion of Workers’ Day, a celebration held annually to honor the contributions of the nation’s workforce. In a statement on Wednesday signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the President praised Nigerian workers for their unwavering dedication to the country’s progress and development, acknowledging their tireless efforts and patriotic zeal in keeping the nation’s engine running. President Tinubu specifically recognized the vital roles played by workers across various sectors, including clerical officers, security personnel, teachers, doctors, and all others who work diligently to keep the country thriving. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of all workers, highlighting initiatives such as the wage award and the forthcoming minimum wage review. The President emphasized that fair compensation and improved working conditions are essential for the nation’s workforce, stating that “a labourer is deserving of not just any reward but fair and commensurate wages.” He assured workers of his dedication to not only improving their welfare but also providing the necessary tools for them to succeed. Tinubu wished Nigerian workers a happy May Day celebration, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the nation’s growth and development.