Nigerian Lawmakers Sponsor Bill To Adopt Parliamentary System Of Government
A proposal to introduce the parliamentary system of government in the country has successfully passed the first reading in the house of representatives. The bill, backed by 60 lawmakers, was presented during Wednesday’s plenary session. Currently operating under a presidential system, Nigeria elects its president directly. In contrast, the parliamentary system involves the legislature appointing a prime minister, with a less distinct separation of powers. Lawmakers aim for a transition to this system by 2031, citing perceived flaws in the current presidential system. Abdulsamad Dasuki, representing the PDP in Sokoto, highlighted concerns, including the high cost of governance and excessive executive powers. “Among these imperfections are the high cost of governance, leaving fewer resources for crucial areas like infrastructure, education, and healthcare, and consequently hindering the nation’s development progress, and the excessive powers vested in the members of the executive, who are appointees and not directly accountable to the people,” Dasuki said. The lawmakers said they expect the bill to ignite, and provoke a national conversation about the future of the Nigerian governance system. “To ensure robust public debates, stakeholder consultations, expert analyses, and a thorough and informed decision-making process, raise awareness about this significant development and encourage constructive dialogue on the potential implications of these proposed constitutional alterations,” they said. “Our conviction is that a streamlined executive branch, which replaces the president and vice president with a prime minister and cabinet chosen from the legislature could lead to a smaller central government, reducing salaries and administrative expenses. “We also hold strongly that shifting the election of governors and local government chairmen from the general election to votes within their respective legislative bodies could save billions spent on state and nationwide campaigns,” he said.
FG Moves To End Electricity Subsidy
Nigeria’s Power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, has announced an end to electricity subsidies, citing a national debt of 1.3 trillion naira to GenCos and 1.3 billion dollars owed to gas companies. Adelabu in a press conference on Wednesday revealed that despite a budget allocation of 450 billion naira for subsidies this year, the ministry requires over 2 trillion naira to sustain the subsidy program. As part of the proposed changes, state governments will now be permitted to independently generate power to supply their states. Addressing the recurring issue of grid collapses, Adelabu attributed these incidents to various factors including gas shortages, aging infrastructure within the grid, limited capacity to evacuate generated power, and the destruction of power stations in the North-East region. He further disclosed that the Transmission Company of Nigeria has shelved over 100 projects due to contract variations caused by fluctuations in forex rates. Consequently, the company will refrain from awarding new contracts until existing projects are completed. In a bid to address power challenges in remote areas, Adelabu announced a budget allocation of over 50 billion naira in 2024 for the construction of mini grids. Adelabu issued a stern warning to electricity distribution companies (DisCos), cautioning that those found negligent in their duties risk having their licenses revoked. In a move to bolster security for power infrastructure, the minister revealed reaching out to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for assistance in providing adequate security measures.
Fresh EndSARS Protest Erupts In Delta
Youths in Delta state have taken to the streets, protesting escalating police brutality and extortion. Viral videos depict demonstrators holding placards with the inscription “ENDSARS NOW,” urging the Nigeria Police Force to address the alleged misconduct. A social media user, X, shared the videos, asserting a surge in police brutality within the state. The spokesperson for the Delta Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, responded, stating that the protest stemmed from the arrest of four individuals who couldn’t prove ownership of an unregistered car. According to Edafe, during the arrest, some youths attacked the officers, causing injuries and damaging a police patrol vehicle. He emphasized that the police would not be deterred by protests and urged the public to remain calm. In his statement, Edafe mentioned, “Nine of the suspects were arrested and will be charged to court. Youths are advised to stay off any protest because it won’t deter us from doing our job.” This incident echoes the 2020 #EndSars protests that swept through Nigeria, prompting the government to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) and establish judicial panels to investigate allegations of police abuse.
NBA threatens legal action over UK lawyers practice in Nigeria says FG undermines its legal professionals
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) through it’s President, Yakubu Maikyau, has rejected Federal Government’s bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom, which henceforth allows English lawyers to practice in Nigeria without any hindarance. The NBA maintained that the action will undermines the Nation’s legal professionals, adding that it is a move that will enhances increase in the importation of legal services to Nigeria to their disadvantage. Opposing the agreement, the association, therefore, threatened to resist it by all means necessary within the ambit of the law. He therefore, referred the deal as a “tragic reminder of our colonial past,” as he wondered why the Nigerian government would take such a decision with likely monumental impact without consulting with the NBA. The Federal Government and the United Kingdom government, had Tuesday, formalized a new trade agreement to boost trade and investment between both countries. The agreement themed, “the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP)” focused unlocking new opportunities for UK and Nigerian businesses. Addressing the press, Wednesday, Maikyau said, “We want to make it very clear that the ETIP agreement, in so far as it relates to legal services is unacceptable in its entirety. The NBA will take all necessary measures provided by our laws in support of our position on this matter.” He said the agreement “will compromise our legal space.” “It is indeed unfortunate that this tragic reminder of our colonial past is being gleefully celebrated at the highest level of the Government of Nigeria. What is more disheartening is the fact that a decision of this magnitude that adversely affects the well-being and livelihood of millions of Nigerians, could be taken without any consultation, especially with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). “For the avoidance of doubt, the NBA had no foreknowledge or inclination of the text of the said agreement. We could not therefore have contributed to it. I have since assuming office as President of the NBA clearly opposed any agreement that will compromise our legal space at all the meetings. Speaking further on the implications on the profession, Mr Maikyau said the British government would not undermine its own body of legal professionals in such a manner as the Nigerian government has done. “It is truly tragic that while the government of the UK is seeking opportunities for its own lawyers beyond its constrained environment, the government of Nigeria is attempting to deprive Nigerian lawyers and their millions of dependants of means of livelihood.
EFCC Reportedly Arrest FUTA Students During Midnight Raid
Some persons believed to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly conducted a late-night operation at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in Ondo State. According to reports, student residences were breached around 2 am, with some students taking to social media to share videos claiming that the individuals forcibly entered rooms and arrested several students. Social media footage also appears to depict damaged window frames, suggesting attempted forced entry. One social media user, J Brandy, criticized the incident, questioning the continuation of nighttime raids despite a directive from EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede in November to cease such operations. Brandy wrote, “I thought they said EFCC should not raid at nights again. This hostel (Celebrity Lodge, FUTA ) is right behind mine. When will this endemic? EFCC (officials) moving like thieves at night!” This directive to stop midnight sting operations came following widespread condemnation after EFCC operatives arrested suspected internet fraudsters in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
N9 Million Ransom Recovered As Police Arrests Kidnappers In Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has apprehended seven notorious kidnappers in Abuja and recovered a ransom of N9 million. CP Benneth Igweh, the police commissioner, announced the arrest of the wanted kidnappers by operatives of the Utako police division in a coordinated operation at Tudun – Wada Lugbe and Pyakasa areas. He gave the names of the wanted kidnappers as Usman Muazu from Kwali, FCT, Aliyu Mohammed, from Pumpomare area of Borno state, Awwal Dahiru, who hails from Gwagwalada area council of the FCT, Rabi Sani, from Safana, Katsina state and Madina Abubakar, from Gulu, Lapai local government area of Niger state. Others are, Jonah Elimelech from Kauru, Kaduna state, Saminu Idris, from also from Kauru, Kaduna state and Mariji Iliya from Mangu, Plateau state. All have confessed to their crimes, providing valuable information for the arrest of other gang members. The police commissioner also mentioned the recovery of weapons, including knives and cutlasses, along with bulletproof vests and charms. Additionally, 79 suspects were arrested in raids on various black spots in the FCT, part of the command’s efforts to combat crime in the area. “And we speak, the suspects who have been profiled are in custody undergoing interrogation at respective division, while those found wanting will be charge to court,” he said.
FG Makes U-turn, Says UK Lawyers Can’t Practice In Nigeria
The Federal Government has withdrawn its initial statement regarding the legal dimension of the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership signed with the United Kingdom on Tuesday. This decision follows criticism from Nigerians who raised concerns about the perceived one-sided nature of the Memorandum of Understanding with the UK. Nigerian Minister for Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, clarified in a thread on X that there is no legal agreement between Nigeria and the UK, retracting the earlier suggestion. She emphasized that there is no provision in the MoU allowing UK-licensed lawyers to practice in Nigeria and highlighted that Nigeria has no Mutual Recognition Agreement with the UK. She said, “Earlier today, Nigeria signed a far-reaching MoU with the United Kingdom for Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership. “Regrettably, our earlier report erroneously suggest that Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding that allows lawyers licensed in the United Kingdom to practise in Nigeria. “We wish to state emphatically that there is no such provision or agreement in the MpU.” On Tuesday, a statement by the UK’s Department of Business and Trade, and a tweet from Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Investment, had disclosed that Nigeria was signing a deal to remove barriers preventing UK lawyers from practising international law in Nigeria. The Nigerian Bar Association described the deal as “ridiculous, unpatriotic, and uninformed.”
Breaking: Ghana President Reshuffles Cabinet, Sacks 12 Ministers
Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has reshuffled his cabinet. In a statement released by the presidency on Wednesday, Akufo-Addo sacked twelve ministers and their deputies. Among those sacked is Ken Ofori-Atta, the minister of finance. Ofori-Atta had been under pressure to resign as the cost-of-living crisis in the country was beginning to bite hard, triggering a number of protests. But he did not heed to the resignation calls. He said: “Asking me to resign is like telling a father to resign from his children because he changed his mind”. When NPP lawmakers petitioned Akufo-Addo to sack him, the president hesitated. His argument was that terminating the appointment of the minister at the time will disrupt Ghana’s IMF bailout negotiations. The president has not announced any new appointments.
Carbon Acquires Vella Finance to Boost SME Banking
Carbon, a Nigerian digital bank, has successfully acquired Vella Finance, a fintech startup specializing in services for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Vella Finance is set to transform into Carbon’s dedicated business banking product, aptly named Carbon Business. The move is driven by Carbon’s intention to harness Vella Finance’s AI-powered SME banking features, aiming to derive actionable insights for enhanced financial services. This acquisition, executed through Carbon’s parent company, One Credit Limited, includes the integration of founders and teams from Vella Finance into the Carbon ecosystem. Tolu Adedayo, Co-founder and COO of Vella Finance, emphasized a seamless transition for the company’s 8,000 SME customers, who will now be served under the Carbon Business brand. Individual customers of Vella Finance are not left behind, as they have the option to upgrade to business accounts, ensuring a smooth transition for all users. Importantly, Carbon reassured that the acquisition will not compromise Vella Finance’s commitment to its customers; instead, it is expected to broaden their reach and enhance product development. Carbon’s strategic vision includes leveraging Vella Finance’s AI-powered transaction analysis specifically tailored for business customers. This move comes as a culmination of a strong existing relationship between Carbon and Vella Finance, which has been bolstered by previous investment ties. Carbon viewed this acquisition as a key step in navigating and contributing to the evolving landscape of Nigerian startups this year.
Bayelsa Guber: APC, INEC tender conflicting documents
The All Progressive Congress (APC) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Wednesday, tendered conflicting election results on the November 11 governorship election before the State Governorship Tribunal, sitting in Abuja. A former Minister of Petroleum, Timiprye Silva, and his party, APC, had dragged INEC, elected governor, Senator Diri Duoye, his Deputy , Lawrence and the People Democratic Party (PDP) before the tribunal. When the matter was called up, the electoral body tendered its own certified true copies of its results, while the APC polling units agents tendered various results in respect of the places the party was represented. The conflicting results, which were objected by the parties, were, however, admitted as exhibits by the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adekunele Adeleye, for the tribunal’s consideration during the hearing of the petition. Specifically, the petitioners are asking the tribunal to hold that election took place in three different local governments where INEC claimed that election was not conducted due to alleged diversion of electoral materials. They were also allegations of bypass of the BVAS machines . The affected local governments are Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, and Nembe Local Government Area LGAs. Led in evidence by the counsel of the petitioners, Tunde Falola, the APC’s witness, who was a poling agent, Odungele Moses, maintained that the election took place in PU unit 15 ward 4 and tendered a result which he claimed was issued to him by the election presiding officer on the election day. However, during cross-examination by counsel to the governor, Chris Uche SAN, the witness admitted that although 16 political parties participated in the election, only APC, which he represented as an agent, signed the result he tendered. He, however, did not give reasons why others did not sign. Another witness, Mallory Afin, who also testified for the petitioners, tendered APC results, which had the same serial number and number of accredited voters 169 with INEC but had different results recorded for the political parties. During cross examination by counsel to Governor Diri, it was discovered that the results tendered by APC in ward 002 were prepared and signed by the same presiding officer for ward 015. The witnesses were also cross examined by Charles Edosonwon SAN, who stood for INEC, Chukwuma Machukwu-Umeh SAN, who stood for the Deputy Governor and Tayo Oyetibo SAN who represented PDP. The witnesses, though, denied the allegations of parading fake election results but admitted that only INEC has statutory powers to conduct elections and to possess superior documents. Hearing continues Thursday,15th February.