Bishop Oyedepo’s son reveals struggle with pornography
Son of Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church, Isaac, has confessed to struggling with pornography at a point in his life. Isaac disclosed that he got indulged in Pornography during a trip to an European country. Featuring on a podcast “Confession Box,” Isaac said he overcame through the help of God. According to Isaac: “My confessions are good ones that will help people. I struggled with pornography before. “I remembered how it started, we travelled to one country and I was meant to be in the room alone, I switched on the TV and that’s it. “But God brought me out of it very quickly. A lot of people still struggle with it and I think of somebody who had struggled with it and had walked up to me and told me how to come out, I would have come out quickly. “I think people feel there are things we shouldn’t talk about, but today there are some pastors and church members still struggling with it. “You may be anointed, seeing signs and wonders but it does not mean you are standing right. “There is this old saying that if it’s working it means you are standing right but I found out that it’s not always the case. There are times I found out I wasn’t right, but grace and mercy found me. “For the sake of someone who is genuine in the congregation, God can bypass you to meet the person; this is my confession.”
Anyone Buying, Using Pre-Registered SIM Cards Risk Jail, NCC
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned Nigerians against buying and using pre-registered Sim cards. The Commission in a warning alert posted on its verified X platform handle said that buying and using pre-registered Sim cards was a criminal act and could attract severe consequences including imprisonment. The Commission further stated that “Buying pre-registered SIM cards is criminal and may lead to imprisonment, implication in identity theft, financial fraud, kidnapping and armed robbery.” According to NCC, buying and using pre-registered SIM cards leads to “Unreliable collation of consumer information,” and creates “Difficulty in tracking the real criminals using such telephones in the country.” It called on Nigerians to follow the proper procedures for registration of their SIM cards to avoid any legal consequences. Recall that NCC had in December 2020 directed Nigerian telecommunications companies to compel their subscribers to link their SIM cards to their National Identification Numbers (NIN). The NCC made the linkage compulsory, directing all telecommunications operators to enforce complete network barring on all phone lines for which subscribers fail to link their SIM cards to their NINs. Following the enforcement of the directive, there have been two phases, on February 28 and on March 29 when some Nigerians’ SIM cards were barred by telecommunications companies for not having been linked to NIN. The Commission, however, extended the deadline for linking SIM cards to NIN (last phase) to from April 15 to July 31, 2024, stressing that the extension applies to subscribers with more than four SIM cards.
Wedding of 100 Orphanage girls: Minister withdraws suit against Niger Speaker
Madam Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs has withdrawn the suit she instituted against the speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji over his plans to marry off 100 girls pulled out from an orphanage in the state. The minister, speaking with reporters on Friday, noted that the ministry in collaboration with the speaker of the Niger state assembly, and traditional rulers from the state, are currently investigating the ages of the girls to ascertain if they are within the stipulated age for marriage. According to her, the Ministry of Women Affairs will, for now, focus on empowering girls, as well as others affected by insecurity in the state. Recall that last week, the speaker, Sarkindaji, announced plans to marry off 100 orphans in his constituency as part of measures to alleviate their sufferings. While the development had sparked national outrages, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), urged the minister to withdraw the litigation and petition she wrote to the Inspector General of Police. The Chairman, Kano State Chapter of MURIC, Malam Hassan Indabawa, who made the call on Thursday night in a statement, urged Nigerians to learn to respect one another’s culture and traditions. “We found the harsh and hasty decision taken by the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs over a matter that is entirely beyond the scope of her ministry. “The minister’s attempt at media demonisation of marrying off of 100 poor and orphaned girls, who were largely traumatised for losing both parents to brutal and bloody banditry and insurgency, exposed her ignorance to the culture and traditions of the Muslim North. “This elaborate media blitz, over the matter, MURIC observed, was deliberately done to sway public opinion against the marriage institution, and an attempt to vilify Sarkin-Daji, after demonstrating his genuine concern for the needs of members of his constituency,” Indabawa said. The marriage arrangement in question is slated to take place on May 24, 2024.
Abuja property: Court rules in Abacha family/FG legal battle, June 27
The Federal High Court, Abuja, will on June 27, deliver judgment in a suit by the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha challenging the revocation of the property of the former Military ruler in the Maitama District of Abuja. The suit was instituted before Justice Peter Lifu by wife of the late General Abacha, Hajia Maryam Abacha and her eldest surviving son, Mohammed Sani Abacha. The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/463/2016, have the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Salamed Ventures Limited as 1st to 4th defendants respectively. The plaintiff, through her council, Dr Reuben Okpanachi Atabo SAN, wants the court to nullify and set aside the purported revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy(CoO) of the property of the late General Sani Abacha located in the Maitama District. The Certificate of Occupancy marked FCT/ABUKN 2478 covering plot 3119 issued on June 25, 1993 was said by the family to have been illegally and unlawfully revoked by the defendants. In their statement of claims, the Abacha family said that the FCT under Nasir El-Rufai had instructed them to submit the Certificate of Occupancy in their possession for re-certification. They claimed that the 2nd plaintiff, Mohammed Sani Abacha promptly complied with the directive by delivering the Certificate of Occupancy to the FCDA and acknowledgement copy issued to him. While waiting for a new Certificate of Occupancy to be issued to them, plaintiffs asserted that Mohammed Abacha received a letter on February 3, 2006 notifying them that the Certificate of Occupancy had been revoked without any reason adduced in the letter. Besides the failure to give any reason for the revocation, the Abacha family alleged that adequate compensation was not paid as required by law. The family therefore asked the Judge to declare as unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal, null and void and of no effect, the purported revocation of the property. They sought order of the Court setting aside the purported revocation and holding that their Certificate of Occupancy is valid and subsisting having been revoked without payment of adequate compensation. According to them, the Certificate of Occupancy issued to the late Head of State was maliciously revoked without legal basis or justification The plaintiffs asked for an order of injunction prohibiting the defendants from taking any further step on the disputed revocation. Similarly, the prayed Justice Lifu to award N500M as damages to be paid to them by the four defendants. Meanwhile, counsel to the defendants, Dr James Ogwu Onoja SAN, in their counter affidavits and preliminary objections asked for outright dismissal of the suit. Among other reasons, the defendants claimed that the suit at the time it was instituted had become statute barred having not been filed within time allowed by law. Although, some of the defendants were not in court at Wednesday’s proceedings, Justice Lifu invoked the rule of the Court in adopting their processes already filed.
Off-cycle Elections: INEC Unveils Plans to Distribute Uncollected Voters Cards
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled its comprehensive strategy to ensure the availability of Uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) ahead of the upcoming off-cycle elections later this year. The announcement came during the Commission’s second quarterly meeting with the media held at its headquarters in Abuja. During the meeting, the Chairman of INEC reiterated the Commission’s unwavering commitment to facilitating robust voter participation in the electoral process. As part of this initiative, the Commission disclosed plans to publish the list of uncollected PVCs both in its offices and on its official website in the coming days. This measure aims to streamline the process for voters to locate and collect their cards efficiently. Emphasizing the significance of personal collection, the chairman underscored that no PVCs would be collected by proxy, urging registered voters to retrieve their cards in person. Furthermore, the Commission clarified that the final list of candidates for the upcoming off-cycle elections in Edo has been published following the conclusion of party primaries and the withdrawal/substitution period. Campaign activities by political parties in public commenced on April 24th, 2024, and will conclude 24 hours before the election date as mandated by law. In preparation for the Edo elections, media organizations have been urged to promptly apply for accreditation to cover the event. The Commission stressed the importance of adhering to the designated deadline and meeting accreditation criteria to ensure smooth processing. Addressing outstanding bye-elections, the Commission announced vacancies in four states, including State Assembly and Federal Constituency seats. Dates for bye-elections in these constituencies will be announced once preparations are finalized. Additionally, the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise is set to take place in Edo and Ondo States simultaneously from May 27th to June 5th, 2024. Eligible citizens who are not registered voters will have the opportunity to register, while registered voters can transfer their registration or replace lost/damaged cards. To accommodate the limited time before the elections, the registration will occur at ward levels and state headquarters, totaling 397 walk-in registration centers across the two states. In preparation for the CVR exercise, training for at least 794 officials will commence soon. Detailed information on registration centers and procedures has been made available on the Commission’s website and social media platforms. The chairman emphasized the pivotal role of the media in mobilizing prospective registrants for the CVR exercise, urging early registration to avoid last-minute rushes. Collaboration with the media was also solicited to ensure the success of the registration exercise and subsequent electoral processes, highlighting the importance of voter participation in shaping the democratic process.
Labour Rejects N45,000 Minimum Wage
The organized labour has rejected the Federal Government’s offer of N45,000 as the national minimum wage. They stormed out of the minimum wage committee meeting on Wednesday. Recall that the organized labour had made a demand of N615,000 as the new minimum wage and had given the government up till May 31 to conclude negotiations on new living wage. The Tripartite Committee on New National Minimum Wage resumed negotiations on Wednesday. Representatives of the organized labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, were enraged over the government offer. Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, who is one of the representatives of the NLC, said, “we asked whether the N45,000 is for transport, food, clothing, housing or for what. “So we just told them that since they are not serious, we better just leave, so we stormed out of the place.” He said that the government offer was presented to them by the Permanent Secretary, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Office.
The Hyper-hysteria Over Prince Harry & Meghan Visit to Nigeria
There is no question in a celebrity-craze world that the visit of Prince Harry & Meghan is a big deal, especially when one adds the fact of Meghan’s Nigerian ancestry. Forty-three percent Nigerian DNA for mixed race Meghan is remarkable indeed. However, the over-the top reception, the media hysteria, and everyone, including governors, falling over one another for a handshake and photo-op with the couple show that the colo-mentality and the racial inferiority complex which Fela sang about decades ago are still alive and thriving in our society. Harry and Meghan gave up their royal duties and are technically not representing the British monarchy. But you couldn’t tell that given the hysteria in the social and traditional media. Thankfully, the presidency and the foreign affairs diplomats played it just about right. Don’t be surprised if, in the next few days, a controversy arises in Nigeria between the Igbo and other Nigerian ethnicities over which ethnicity accounts for Meghan’s DNA.
NLC, TUC, Shutdown Discos Offices Nationwide
In protest against the electricity tariff hike amid hardship in Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Council (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Monday, shut down electricity distribution company offices (DISCO) nationwide. The organized labour prevented workers from having access to their office to work early Monday morning as they thronged various offices of electricity distribution companies to protest the Band A tariff hike. The duo had, last night, distributed reminder notices to all its branch offices and affiliates across the nation in respect of a proposed nationwide protest to commence today, Monday. It is protesting the electricity tariff hike and removal of subsidies from the power sector by the federal government. With the picketing of all the offices of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) organized labour is also expected to shutdown of the Abuja headquarters of the agency, the Ministry of Power and state offices of power distribution companies. Members of the NLC and TUC staged protests at the corporate headquarters of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company in Lagos and the office of the Ibadan ElectricCompany in Oyo. Their demonstrations disrupted normal operations, preventing workers from resuming their duties for the day. They were heard chanting slogans and advocating for fairer electricity pricing and demand for the reversal of the Band A tariff increase. Similarly, in Jos, members of the NLC and the TUC in Plateau State took action by blocking the entrance of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company headquarters, as well as picketing the offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in the Gold and Base axis of Jos, leaving workers stranded. Eugene Manji, the Plateau state chairman of NLC, said while addressing journalists, “We have been directed from our national headquarters of NLC to ensure that we comply with the directives that all the distribution offices across the nation are locked. So that’s why we’re here to picket that of the Plateau State. “All offices, not just this one, you are seeing, we have send our members to other places. Some have gone to Vom to ensure that there is compliance, and this is applicable in all the other offices. So we are here to ensure total compliance that’s why we locked the offices”. Manji added that the protest was for the whole day while the state chapter of NLC will report back to the headquarters. The surge in electricity tariffs, implemented by the federal government, has triggered a wave of dissent among consumers and industry players alike, citing concerns over affordability and equitable access to essential services. The protest at the JED office in Jos by NLC epitomises the mounting pressure faced by utility companies grappling with the repercussions of tariff hikes, as they navigate the delicate balance between public welfare and operational sustainability.
Senate Approves Death Penalty for Drug Traffickers
The Nigerian Senate has made a bold move by approving a bill that mandates the death penalty for individuals found guilty of drug trafficking within the nation’s borders. The decision, which followed a presentation by Senator Tahir Monguno representing Borno North. The bill, which passed its third reading in the Senate chamber, seeks to modernize existing laws governing drug offenses and strengthen the operations of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Key provisions include updates to the list of prohibited substances and the enhancement of drug testing laboratory facilities. The decision to introduce the death penalty came as an amendment to Section 11 of the current NDLEA Act, which previously stipulated a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for drug trafficking offenses. Senator Ali Ndume spearheaded the amendment, arguing for tougher penalties to deter drug-related activities effectively. During deliberations, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin oversaw a clause-by-clause examination of the bill. Despite objections from Senator Adams Oshiomhole regarding the gravity of the decision, the amendment to impose the death penalty was put to a voice vote and passed with a majority in favor. While Senator Oshiomhole expressed concerns about the weightiness of matters concerning life and death, the decision had already been made, as no immediate call for division was made following the ruling. The Senate’s endorsement of the bill underscores Nigeria’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and related offenses. Proponents argue that stricter penalties are necessary to stem the tide of illicit drug activities, while critics warn of the potential for miscarriages of justice and human rights violations. With the bill cleared by the Senate, it now awaits further deliberation and potential amendments in the House of Representatives before it can be enacted into law, pending the President’s approval.
Alleged N2.7bn Fraud: Fmr Aviation Minister, Sirika, Daughter, others arraigned …granted 100m bail each
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday, arraigned and granted bail of N100 million each to a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his daughter, Fatima and two others. Justice Sylvanus Oriji of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, ordered the defendants be remanded in the Correctional Centre should they failed to meet the bail conditions. Sirika, who served under President Muhammadu Buhari administration alongside Jalal Sule Hamma and Al-Durag Investment Ltd was docked on a 6-count amended criminal charge over abuse of office to the tune of N2.7 billion. Before plea taking, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, informed the court of an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7, and filed on May 8, which was not opposed by counsel to the defendants. The defendants had pleaded not guilty, and Jacobs urged the court for expeditious hearing of the case. Sequel to not guilty plea, Kanu Agabi SAN, counsel for Sirika (1st defendant) informed the court of his client’s bail application dated May 6. Reacting, Jacobs told the court that all the defendants are on administrative bail and urged the court to grant bail on the condition that will make them appear for their trials. Meanwhile, ruling on the bail application, Justice Oriji granted bail to each of the defendants in the sum of N100m with two sureties each. The court held that the sureties must own landed property within the FCT with valid land titles and must depose to an affidavit of means. The court also restricted the defendants from traveling abroad without its permission. Justice Oriji ordered that the defendants should be remanded in prison custody if they fail to meet up with the bail conditions. Meanwhile, the matter has been adjourned till 10, 11, and 20 June for commencement of trial.