119 Inmates Escape Suleja Correctional Centre Following Heavy Downpour
Suleja Correctional Centre was thrown into chaos on Wednesday night as a severe rainstorm battered the facility, leading to the escape of 119 inmates. Mr. Adamu Duza, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), confirmed the incident, attributing it to the extensive damage caused by the downpour. The heavy rainfall destroyed the custodial facility and its surroundings, particularly damaging the perimeter fence and facilitating the escape of the inmates, according to Duza. In a statement released on Thursday morning, Duza revealed that immediate measures were taken to recapture the escaped inmates. Working in collaboration with other security agencies, the NCoS has successfully apprehended 10 fleeing prisoners, who have been returned to custody. However, efforts to locate and secure the remaining escapees are ongoing, with law enforcement agencies intensifying their search. “The Service recognizes the vulnerability of its aging facilities, many of which were constructed during the colonial era,” stated Duza. “Efforts are underway to modernize these facilities and enhance security measures.” Duza highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at upgrading correctional infrastructure, including the construction of six 3000-capacity ultra-modern custodial centres across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. Additionally, existing facilities are undergoing reconstruction and renovation to address structural weaknesses and improve operational efficiency. The NCoS urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or sightings to the nearest security agency. Despite the breach, authorities reassured residents of Suleja of their unwavering commitment to ensuring safety and security in the region.
Ensure reforms guarantee wellbeing of Nigerians, economic growth -Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has tasked the judiciary to ensure that justice sector reforms will guarantee the well-being of Nigerians and the economic growth of the country. He said this while declaring open, a 2-day National Summit on Justice 2024, organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Judicial Council. The President was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the summit holding at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja. He said justice sector leaders and professionals need to find the right responses to the challenges we face through policy innovation, citizen-centered reform, systems change, and legislative reform, where necessary. Further in his speech, Tinubu insisted that the country needs judicial reforms that would enhance a functional justice delivery system that will aid a fast growing economy, guarantee basic human and political rights of individuals as well as provide security and justice to all Nigerians. He tasked the judiciary to align its activities within the tenets of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly as they relate “to the priorities on inclusivity, fairness, rule of law, and anti-corruption stance, among other things”. In accordance with his administration’s pledge to be impartial and adhere to constitutional principles, Tinubu said the National Justice Summit will avail institutions in the justice sector “with an opportunity to push boundaries by identifying needed system changes and critical reforms that would allow Nigerians to reap the benefits of huge investments in the sector.” He said much is achievable when institutions of government, including the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, unite to acknowledge their challenges and brainstorm with a view to proffering solutions to the problems bedeviling Nigeria. “I accordingly urge the leadership of all justice sector institutions to seek a new direction and focus on outcomes by creating a justice system that truly responds to the needs of our citizens – one that serves Nigerians now and for generations to come. “I demand informed and coordinated responses to the identified challenges plaguing the effectiveness and efficiency of the sector. “I demand performance so that Nigerians can feel and acknowledge the impact of your reform efforts. “Ultimately, the expectations are that law and justice should aim to ensure public safety, economic development, peaceful co-existence, and the well-being of our people” Tinubu stated. The Vice President said President Tinubu’s administration is determined to implement its policies and promises made to Nigerians for a renewed hope, through the instrumentality of the “law and the dictates of justice to create opportunities for our people”. While highlighting the preliminary measures he took in order to reposition the Judiciary in an effort to aid a just and rules-based Nigeria, President Tinubu recollected his administration made funding for the Judiciary a top priority, doubling it in the Renewed Hope budget 2024 by more that 100 per cent from last year’s budget. More so, Tinubu stated that in his administration efforts to reposition the judiciary, the Supreme Court of Nigeria now has a full complement of 21 Justices as required by law for the first time after many years. In addition, the President said he has made approval for a substantial increase in the salaries and emoluments of judges, which is currently undergoing legislative action. However, inspite of these progresses being made in the justice sector, Tinubu said there “is an urgent need for a functional justice system capable of supporting a rapidly growing economy, guaranteeing basic human and political rights of individuals, and providing security and justice to all.” In his welcome address, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, said the national summit seeks to address critical challenges in the justice sector. The AGF hinted that the summit will address the significant challenges plaguing Nigeria’s justice sector and pave the way for the much-needed reforms that will make justice more accessible to all Nigerians. One of the summit’s goals according to Fagbemi, is to review, validate, and adopt the revised National Policy on Justice 2024-2028 to drive prison reforms, access to justice for the average Nigerian, as well as the review of electoral laws and procedures in handling election related cases, among several other reforms. The summit, the Justice Minister said, will deliberate on draft legislations proposed to address specific identified challenges within the justice sector, relating to the judicial appointments process, administration, funding and budgeting for the judiciary, the elimination of delays and inefficiencies in justice delivery and to evolve ways to reduce the amount of time for adjudication of cases, eliminate some of the associated technicalities, and reduce the number of cases getting to the Supreme Court.
EFCC hands over recovered assets to Enugu governor
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, on Wednesday, handed over 14 recovered assets to Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State. During the handing over ceremony held at the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, Olukoyede revealed that the assets recovered by the commission was forfeited to the Federal Government. He added that the EFCC began an investigation into the development since 2007, and had achieved the conviction of persons in relation to the matter. He also noted that the President, Bola Tinubu, ordered the handover of the assets which includes – real estate, radio and television transmission equipment, and medical facility, amongst others, to the Enugu State Government, following a request by the EFCC.
FG Suspends Dana Air operations after Lagos airport incident
The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has suspended Dana Airline operations due to concerns surrounding the safety and financial viability of their operations. The ministry, through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, suspended the airline’s operations in the country, until a comprehensive audit is conducted. This was contained in a statement titled ‘Immediate suspension of Dana Airline pending safety and financial health audit’, signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Meribole. An aircraft belonging to the airline, with registration number 5N BKI, skidded off the runway at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday morning. The aircraft, which flew from Abuja to Lagos, skidded off the runway in an attempt to land. No casualty was recorded. The statement, directed to the Director General of NACA, called for the suspension of the airline’s fleet until after an audit is completed. “As the supervisor overseeing our nation’s aviation safety and regulatory compliance, it has come to the Honourable Minister’s attention that recent incidents involving DANA AIRLINE have raised serious concerns regarding both the safety and financial viability of their operations. “In light of these incidents and with the paramount priority being the safety and well-being of our citizens and travellers, the Honourable Minister has directed that you immediately initiate the suspension of Dana Airline’s fleet until a comprehensive audit can be conducted,” the statement read. Meribole stated that the audit should encompass all aspects of safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and financial health to ensure full compliance with aviation regulations.
Dangote Refinery Gives Update On Diesel Price Reduction
Dangote Petroleum Refinery said its N940 per litre diesel price cut is only applicable to customers buying five million litres and above. The Head of Communication, Mr Anthony Chiejina made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday, noting that N970 per litre is for customers buying one million and above. Dangote Refinery made its third diesel price cut to N940 and N970 per litre, respectively. The company had earlier announced two price cuts which saw the price of diesel drop to N1,000 per litre from N1,600. Recall that the entrance of Dangote Refinery into the sale of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, had impacted the West Africa oil & gas industry. On May 22 last year, the 650,000 barrels per day crude oil refinery was commissioned. However, the facility is yet to commence the sale of fuel. Standard and Poor’s Global Commodities said Dangote Refinery will commence the sale of fuel in the fourth quarter of 2024.
IG Egbetokun Denies saying Nigeria Not Mature For State Police
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Ben Okolo, has said his comments at the National Dialogue on State Police in Abuja on Monday were his personal views. Okolo, who had expressively said that he was representing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun at the event, said the country is not mature enough for state police despite Nigeria’s myriad of security challenges. He had also suggested that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to become departments under the Force. Following this development, his comments angered many Nigerians, who said the rising insecurity in the country demands urgent attention. Speaking at a briefing at the Force Headquarters on Tuesday, Okolo retracted his comments and clarified some points. The police officer said his statement that “Nigeria is not ready for a decentralised police force” was a personal view and did not reflect the stance of the police force. According to Okolo, the comments were not that of the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force, adding that the position of the Force will soon be made known.
Hadi Sirika: EFCC To Invite Sacked Heads Of FAAN, NAMA, Others
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is planning to invite all the sacked Heads of agencies of the Ministry of Aviation over the failed Nigeria Air project. The sacked officials are being invited in connection with an ongoing investigation of a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, relating to money laundering amounting to N8.069 billion. According to Daily Trust, the anti-graft agency is planning to formally invite all the sacked heads of agencies who worked directly under Senator Sirika in the aviation ministry. An EFCC official told the newspaper that letters of invitation to the sacked and suspended officials were already prepared to come over to explain their roles in the alleged different fraudulent activities that took place in the ministry under Sirika. Recall that President Bola Tinubu sacked the heads of Nigeria’s aviation agencies in December 2023, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), and Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT). Those sacked included Kabir Mohammed of FAAN; Tayib Odunowo of NAMA; Akinola Olateru of NSIB; Prof. Mansur Matazu of NiMet; and Alkali Modibbo, the Rector of NCAT while also suspending the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu.
Again, Dangote reduces diesel, aviation fuel prices
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has once more announced a further crash in the prices of diesel and aviation fuel to N940 and N980 per litre, respectively. This comes in the wake of its widely celebrated price crash to N1,000 barely two weeks ago. The new price of N940 is applicable to customers buying five million litres and above from the refinery, while N970 is for customers buying one million litres and above. While speaking on the new development, the Head of Communication, Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, pointed out that the new price is in consonance with the company’s commitment to cushion the effect of economic hardship in Nigeria. “I can confirm to you that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has entered a strategic partnership with MRS Oil and Gas stations, to ensure that consumers get to buy fuel at affordable price, in all their stations be it Lagos or Maiduguri. You can buy as low as 1 litre of diesel at N1,050 and aviation fuel at N980 at all major airports where MRS operates,” Chiejina said. He added that the partnership will be extended to other major oil marketers. “The essence of this is to ensure that retail buyers do not buy at exorbitant prices. The Dangote Group is committed to ensuring that Nigerians have a better welfare and as such, we are happy to announce these new prices and hope that it would go a long way to cushion the effect of economic challenges in the country,” he stated.
CBN sells $10,000 to BDCs at N1,021 per dollar
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has approved the sale of an additional 10,000 dollars to 1,583 eligible Bureaux De Change, BDC, operators in the country to meet the demands of the market. The CBN’s Director, Trade and Exchange Department, Dr Hassan Mahmud, made this known in a letter addressed to the President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, ABCON, on Tuesday in Abuja. Mahmud said that the CBN would sell to the BDCs at the rate of N1,021 to a dollar. “The BDCs are, in turn, to sell to eligible end users at a spread of not more than 1.5 per cent above the purchase price,” he said. He directed all eligible BDCs to commence payment of Naira deposit to some designated CBN Naira deposit account numbers. “All BDCs are advised to continue to abide by the rules and conditions as stipulated in our earlier operational guidelines,” he added. Recall that on April 8, the apex bank approved the sale of 10,000 dollars to 1,588 eligible BDC operators at the rate of N1,101 to the dollar amid efforts to stabilize the Naira at the FX market. The development comes amid the recent drop in the value of the Naira against the dollar. From last month to date, the Naira has depreciated four times.
Alleged N84bn Fraud: Why Yahaya Bello refuses to appear in court, Lawyer
A governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has said he is ready to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer to the 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Bello, however, claims he is afraid of getting arrested. Although the former governor was not present for his arraignment on Tuesday, he briefed his team of lawyers who addressed the court. One of the lawyers in his legal team, Mr Adeola Adedipe, SAN, told the court that Bello would have made himself available for the proceedings, but was afraid that he would be arrested. “The defendant wants to come to court but he is afraid that there is an order of arrest hanging on his head,” Adedipe said. Consequently, he prayed the court to set aside the ex parte order of arrest it earlier issued against Bello. Adedipe noted that it was only at the resumed proceedings on Tuesday that the court okayed substituted service of the charge on the defendant, through his lawyer. “As at the time the warrant was issued, the order for substituted service had not been made. That order was just made this morning. “A warrant of arrest should not be hanging on his neck when we leave this court,” he added.