Emefiele Meets Bail Conditions, Freed From Kuje Prison
Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been released from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja after fulfilling the conditions for his bail. Adamu Duza, the facility’s spokesperson, confirmed this release on Saturday, stating that Emefiele regained his freedom on Friday, December 22. Emefiele, along with Sa’adatu Yaro, a CBN employee, and her company, April 1616 Investment, faced accusations of procurement fraud. The charges initially amounted to 20, but were later reduced to one by the federal government in November. The allegations against Emefiele centered on favouring Yaro by awarding contracts for the purchase of 43 vehicles totaling N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020. These included various Toyota models and were purportedly obtained at inflated prices. Upon his arraignment, Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the revised charges. He had been in detention at the Kuje facility awaiting the court’s ruling on his bail application, which was granted on November 22 by a Federal Capital Territory High Court, setting bail at N300 million. The conditions required two sureties with properties in the Maitama district in Abuja. Emefiele’s legal issues began in June when the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested him following a suspension by President Bola Tinubu. Subsequently, in July, he faced charges related to “illegal possession” of firearms at a federal high court in Ikoyi and was granted bail at N20 million. This week, a federal government probe panel raised further allegations against Emefiele, accusing him of maintaining multiple foreign bank accounts and engaging in other financial misconduct during his tenure as CBN governor.
CBN Rescinds Ban on Cryptocurrency Transactions
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has retracted its prohibition on cryptocurrency transactions in Nigeria. This policy reversal was conveyed in a circular no. FPR/DIR/PUB/CIR/002/003, dated December 22, 2023, and signed by Haruna Mustafa, Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department. Earlier, in February 2021, the apex bank had imposed a ban on cryptocurrency transactions in Nigeria, citing concerns over potential money laundering and terrorism financing risks, as well as the absence of regulatory measures and consumer protections. However, citing evolving global trends and regulatory developments, the CBN acknowledged the necessity of regulating Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASPs). This recognition aligns with the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) updated Recommendation 15 in 2018, which urged the regulation of VASPs to prevent misuse of virtual assets for illegal activities. The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 also included VASPs within the definition of financial institutions. The new guideline issued by the CBN is aimed at providing clarity to financial institutions under its purview regarding their relationships with VASPs operating in Nigeria. Notably, this guideline supersedes previous directives, particularly circulars FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/06/010 dated January 12, 2017, and BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/014/001 dated February 5, 2021. Despite the lifting of the ban, the CBN reiterated that banks and financial institutions are still prohibited from directly engaging in trading, holding, or transacting in virtual currencies on their own accounts. Under the revised directive, banks and financial institutions are mandated to promptly comply. The CBN also reminded these entities of its previous circular, BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/014/001 dated February 5, 2021, which urged them to identify and close the accounts associated with cryptocurrency transactions.
French Embassy Offers Lucrative Job Opportunities to Nigerians
The French Embassy has announced a lucrative job opportunity for Nigerians willing to work as English Language Assistants in France. The embassy is looking for English Language assistants to work in France for a 7-month period, providing an excellent chance for individuals to immerse themselves in the French language and culture. Information released on the embassy’s official website indicates that eligible candidates must be between the ages of 20 and 30 and possess at least a B1 level of proficiency in the French language. The application window for this employment opportunity opened on December 19, 2023, and is set to end on January 19, 2024. Successful applicants will not only gain professional experience but will also have the chance to travel, live, and work in France. The role requires a commitment of 12 hours of work per week, and the contract duration is seven months. Meanwhile, one of the most attractive aspects of the opportunity is the salary offered to the selected candidates. English Language assistants will receive a monthly salary of N911,000 or €1,010.67, translating to a total of N6,377,000 over the course of the fellowship. Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the embassy’s application portal to complete the application process.
President Tinubu Orders Payment of Outstanding N-Power Stipends
President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate payment of overdue stipends owed to N-Power beneficiaries nationwide. This action was prompted by a report revealing that Batch ‘C’ beneficiaries hadn’t received their stipends for nine months. The beneficiaries’ outcry led by the National Association of N-Power Beneficiaries prompted the President’s intervention. They expressed frustration over the non-payment, citing financial uncertainty and despair. Following a thorough verification exercise by the Ministry, Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, confirmed the commencement of fund disbursement in line with President Tinubu’s directive. The Minister emphasized the significance of this payment for Nigerian youths during the festive season, affirming the President’s commitment to their welfare. “I ensured beneficiaries were paid before Christmas as directed by the President. Payment has begun, and beneficiaries can check their bank accounts,” Zubair stated.
Breaking: Rivers elders drag Tinubu, Fubara, INEC, others to court
Six elders from the Rivers State, have instituted a legal action against President Bola Tinubu, for allegedly compelling Governor Siminilaya Fubara, to enter into an unconstitutional agreement, signed December 18. The matter before the Federal High Court, Abuja, maintained that the agreement was not only illegal but amounted to an usurpation, nullification, and undermining of the extant/binding relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1718/2023, mentioned the Rivers State House of Assembly representing Bonny State Constituency, Victor Jumbo, are Senator Bennett Birabi, Senator Andrew Uchendu, Rear Admiral O. P. Fingesi, Ann Kio Briggs and Emmanuel Deinma as the Plaintiffs. Specifically they want the court to, among other things, determine whether President Tinubu, Governor Fubara, and the Rivers State Assembly have the rights and are entitled to enter into any agreement that has the effect of nullifying or undermining the constitutional/legal potency of the provisions of Section 109(I)(g) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. They contended that neither President Tinubu nor Governor Fubara has the statutory powers to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from conducting fresh elections to replace the 27 Rivers State lawmakers. The said lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Others are the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Governor Fubara, the Rivers Assembly, Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly, and the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
Enugu Guber: Supreme Court Upholds Mbah’s Victory
The Supreme Court of Nigeria, Friday, affirmed the election of Peter Mbah as the governor of Enugu State. The Apex Court aligned with the decisions of the court of appeal Lagos and that of the Enugu state Election Petition Tribunal which upheld the election of Mbah as governor. The five-man panel of the justices, lead by Justice Muhammed Garba, resolved the issues canvased by the appellant who is the candidate of Labour Party (LP) Mr. Edeoga Chijioke Jonathan against him. The Labour Paper(LP) candidate has prayed that, Mbah was not qualified to participate in the election because he failed the basic eligibility test by filing a forged NYSC discharge Certificate under oath. They also contested that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act, with respect to the non-use of BVAS machines for accreditation, inter-changing of LP’s results in 19 PUs at the Ward Collation Centre in Udenu LGA , electoral violence and. Also, that the election result was not counted in accordance with the law due to over-voting, wrong tabulations especially in Mbah’s Owo Ward and Ugbawka 1 Ward, both of Nkanu East LGA, etc. At the court of Appeal, sitting in Lagos, led by Tani Yusuf-Hassan, the appallate court held that the Labour Party (LP) and its governorship candidate failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove that Mr Mbah was not qualified to contest the election. On the allegation of over-voting, Mrs Hassan said in her lead judgement that voters’ registers were not presented before the lower tribunal. She, therefore, ruled that the appeal failed because the petitioners failed to submit the voters’ registers for the disputed areas to substantiate the over-voting allegation. The court also determined that the witnesses presented by the Labour Party did not sufficiently prove the existence of over-voting in the governorship election. Consequently, the court dismissed the case for lacking in merit and upheld the judgement of the election tribunal, which had earlier affirmed INEC’s declaration of Mr Mbah as the winner of the 18 March governorship election. Moreso, the Supreme Court on the issue of non qualification of Governor Mbah, held that, the allegations by Jonathan have laid without proof at all and liable to be truck out. “There is merit in the argument of the appellant and lacks merit.” On the complain of lack of proper evaluation or counting of results in accordance with the law by the appellant, the court held that, the Tribunal was right to hold that the evidences were merely hearsay as they are not substantiated. “The Appeal lacks merit and the decision of the of appeal is affirmed in its entirety.” The Court held. “All parties bear their respective costs.” The Court added. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Governor Mbah as winner of the governorship election with 160,895 votes. Mr Edeoga of the LP came second with 157,552 votes, while Frank Nweke of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) polled 17, 983 votes to place third. Dissatisfied with the results, Mr Edeoga and his party filed a petition, challenging Mr Mbah’s victory, asking that he should be declared as winner on the grounds that he and the party, polled the highest number of valid votes. Counsel to Governor Mbah Mr. Damian Dodo SAN while reacting on the judgment said it was in line with the law.
INEC Releases Timetable for Bye-Elections and Court-Ordered Re-Run Elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled its comprehensive timetable and schedule of activities for upcoming bye-elections and court-ordered re-run elections across various constituencies in Nigeria. This was contained in a release signed by Mr. Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information Voter Education Committee in Abuja. The vacancies, arising from the resignation or demise of Members of the National and State Houses of Assembly, have been declared by the Presiding Officers, including the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly. These electoral vacancies span two Senatorial Districts, four Federal Constituencies, and three State Constituencies, affecting nine States of the Federation. The commission according to the release is set to conduct re-run elections as directed by various Election Petition Appeal Tribunals, encompassing 35 Constituencies resulting from the 2023 General Election. While three cover entire constituencies, others involve select Polling Units. The simultaneous conduct of both categories of elections is scheduled to occur on Saturday, 3rd February 2024, in all affected constituencies. To ensure transparency and accessibility, the Commission has uploaded the Timetable for the elections and detailed delimitation data, including registration areas, polling unit names, the number of registered voters, and PVCs collected, on its official website and social media platforms. INEC emphasizes the importance of political parties and candidates adhering strictly to the specified timelines for the seamless conduct of these elections. For further details, the timetable, and other election-related information, visit the INEC website and official social media channels.
Bongos Ikwue: Ofu K’Idoma, Abuja Celebrates the Legend
Intended to be another party to celebrate the end of what was for many Nigerians a difficulty year, the members Ofu K’Idoma Development Association, Abuja and their families got the value of two for the price of one as the gathering assumed a different charge upon the arrival of music icon and living legend, Mr. Bongos Ikwue. Sensing the mood of the reveling crowd the Disc Jockey (DJ) played several memorable tunes of the music icon that is noted for his soul searching and nostalgic classics. In a magical transfiguration, the once noisy and busy crowd of families exchanging pleasantries and banter coalesced into a dance troupe of some sort miming, dancing and milling around Mr. Ikwue who was seated at the centre of the large crowd of dancers. Ofu K’Idoma Development Association is a socio-cultural group comprising the crème de la crème of Idoma sons and daughters domicile in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Apart from gathering to create a bond of unity and taking care of members in need, the association focuses more on in indigent members of the Idoma community in the entire Benue South or Zone ‘C’. The 2023 end of year party was chaired by Mr. Sonny T. Echono, the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TERTFUND). The fun atmosphere notwithstanding, the organisers of the party did not fail to take advantage of the large gathering of both the young and old to pass a message or two about life opportunities and challenges. In a brief remark, the Chairman appreciated Mr. Ikwue for accepting the invitation to grace the occasion. He also advised young Nigerians to always have a clear vision about their purpose in life. He urged the young adults at the event to emulate the good example of the music legend by daring to dream and living their dreams. He also enjoined members with the means, to grant others a helping hand at their times of need. He also made a token donation as seed money for a capacity building initiative in support of the youth. Now 81, Bongos Ikwue, in his custom soft, soothing velvet voice advised the audience to always be prayerful in all of life’s quest. Apart from the members, who are accomplished professionals in the private sector and public service, the armed forces, business and academia, the gathering witnessed a deluge of other notable Idoma people who came as invited guests. The Chairman of the Association, Mr. Emmanuel Abechi in an address of welcome informed the gathering that the Ofu K’Idoma end of year party holds every other year, in alternate sequence with the community development year. During the latter period, the association selects a number of projects for intervention at the home front. The Association had intervened in the areas of healthcare delivery, oil palm plantation, provisioning for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), social mobilization and political awareness; just to mention a few.
Why I Don’t Have NYSC Certificate Despite Serving Nigeria – Sowore
Omoyele Sowore, the AAC presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has revealed the tough and rough journey he faced during his university days marked by activism at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). This resulted in his expulsion twice due to his staunch advocacy for human rights. Speaking at THE PUNCH’s 50th anniversary and the launch of “Our Punch Years” book, Sowore recounted his challenging academic experience and the subsequent denial of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate despite completing the mandatory service year. Recalling his tenure at UNILAG, Sowore emphasized the pivotal role played by media outlets like Punch Newspaper and Vanguard in supporting their cause during his expulsion struggles. He spent six years instead of the usual four at the university due to these confrontations. Regarding his NYSC service in Adamawa State, he detailed how he was arrested and detained by the military under the regime of Sani Abacha on allegations of plotting to overthrow the government. This occurred after reporting the death of King Saro Wiwa during his work as a journalist at ATV Yola. Despite completing his service, Sowore was never issued his NYSC certificate. He credited a Punch reporter, Stanley Yakubu, for bringing attention to his unjust detention, acknowledging that without this intervention, he might have been forgotten and left to perish in the military facility. Reflecting on the ordeal, Sowore asserted that despite not possessing the NYSC certificate, he believes his extensive service and contributions to the country far exceed that of an average corps member. “Till today, I was never given my NYSC certificate. I don’t have my NYSC certificate as I speak, but I don’t need it anymore because I have served the country more than any corps member.”
Senate confirms 11 Supreme Court Justices
The Nigerian Senate, Thursday, confirmed the appointment of 11 Supreme Court justices sent by President Bola Tinubu to fill the vacancies in the apex court. The confirmation was made possible after the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee chairman on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, during plenary. Recall that President Tinubu had asked the Senate to confirm the nominees, who were recommended by the National Judicial Council to fill the vacant positions following death and retirement of some justices. The nominees confirmed are Justice Haruna Tsammani (North East) who chaired the Presidential Election Petition Court, Justice Moore Adumein (South South), Justice Jummai Sankey (North Central), Justice Chidiebere Uwa (South East) and Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme (South East) Others are Justice Obande Ogbuinya (South-East), Justice Stephen Adah (North Central), Justice Habeeb Abiru (South West), Justice Jamilu Tukur (North West), Justice Abubakar Umar (North West) and Justice Mohammed Idris (North Central). The chairman of the committee, Senator Tahir Monguno while presenting his panel report, said the nominees possessed the necessary qualifications and experience to occupy the position and that there was no petition against them. He subsequently recommended their confirmation. However, with the confirmation of the 11 justices, the Supreme Court now has the complete statutory requirement of 21 justices on its bench.