Labour Party Suspends Nollywood Actress, Hilda Dokubo

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma The Labour Party (LP) has suspended Nollywood actress cum politician, Hilda Dokubo over alleged financial misconduct. Dokubo was suspended as a member of the Labour Party at her ward in Asari Toru Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State. She was accused of financial misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of party regulations, among others. Dokubo, the Labour Party’s acting chairperson in Rivers State, was suspended on Thursday following an emergency meeting of the party’s ward executive committee held on July 15. The suspension was conveyed through a letter addressed to the LP’s chairman of Asari Toru and signed by the ward Chairman, Ajalamonia Ibama; the Secretary, Lole Amacheer; and the Treasurer, Emmanuel Ibamathe. Other signatories to the letter include the Women Leader, Osaki Dieypiriye, and the Publicity Secretary, Osaki Dokubo. The ward executives said the decision followed a thorough investigation into the allegations against the 54-year-old actress. They argued that substantial evidence had been uncovered to support their claims. In 2022, Dokubo declared interest in contesting the Asalga/Akulga federal constituency in the House of Representatives under the Labour Party after two decades in the Nollywood industry. The thespian made her Nollywood debut during her youth service in a 1992 film titled ‘Evil Passion’, and has featured in several other films including ‘Gone Forever’, ‘End of the Wicked’, and ‘My Goodwill’.

IGP Suspends Enforcement Of Electronic CMR

By Doris Isreal Ijeoma The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the suspension of the Proposed Enforcement Process on the Electronic Central Motor Registry Registration Process (e-CMR).  The process was initially scheduled to commence on the 29th of July, 2024. In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the relaxation of enforcement is to allow for massive enlightenment to highlight the benefits and effectiveness of the e-CMR initiative, which is designed to ensure the safety and security of all types of vehicles, including motorcycles by collating data imputed into the system by vehicle owners, and acting on such to flag the vehicles if reported stolen amongst other values. The statement further explained that the e-CMR is not a revenue-generating platform, but an initiative to digitalise policing for effectiveness and general safety of lives and property of Nigerian residents. While urging members of the public to obtain the digitalised CMR certificate online at https://cmris.npf.gov.ng, the IGP warned all police officers, to desist from requesting e-CMR certificates, as individuals found extorting or exploiting members of the public under the guise of not having e-CMR certificates, will be sanctioned accordingly.

Federal Government Suspends Duties and Tariffs on Essential Food Imports

The Federal Government has announced the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on select essential food items imported through land and sea borders. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, made the announcement during a press briefing at the National Press Centre, Abuja, on Monday. Kyari revealed that the affected food items, including maize, wheat, husked brown rice, and cowpeas, will benefit from a 150-day Duty-Free Import Window. This initiative is part of the Presidential Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan, aimed at achieving food security and economic stability in Nigeria. The minister highlighted the government’s efforts to combat the ongoing food inflation crisis, which has led to unprecedented price increases. Kyari assured Nigerians of the government’s commitment to ensuring food security and preventing hunger. “The Federal Government has announced a 150-day Duty-Free Import Window for food commodities, suspending duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas through land and sea borders,” Kyari stated. “Under this arrangement, imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP).” He emphasized that the government’s standards would not compromise the safety of the imported food items for consumption. Additionally, the Federal Government plans to import 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and 250,000 metric tonnes of maize. These semi-processed food commodities will be distributed to small-scale processors and millers across the country. In a related development, Kyari announced the inauguration of the Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee. This committee is tasked with developing and implementing policies that prioritize livestock development in alignment with the National Livestock Transformation Plan.

APC Suspends Assistant Woman Leader In Niger

An Assistant Women Leader of the Niger State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Amina Shehu, has been suspended for six months, over alleged political appointments and job racketeering. This is the outcome of the 5-member committee set up by the party Deputy Chairman, Zakariyya Aramm, to investigate the matter and come up with possible findings. In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary, Musa Sarkinkaji, the suspension was handed down to her by the State Working Committee under the chairmanship of Aminu Bobi. It was gathered that the State Assistant Woman Leader’s suspension is in line with Article 21, sub-section (5) xii of the APC Constitution 2022 as amended.

BREAKING: Suspended Senator Abdul Ningi resumes plenary 

Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi North Senatorial District, has returned to Senate plenary sessions after a three-month suspension. The Senate recently ended his suspension, which had started on March 12, 2024, by granting him a pardon and recalling him. Last week, Deputy Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro put forward a motion for Ningi’s reinstatement, expressing regret on Ningi’s behalf and taking responsibility for his actions. Following appeals from several lawmakers, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced Ningi’s unconditional return to the Senate. Ningi was initially suspended due to a controversial interview in which he alleged discrepancies in the 2024 budget. He claimed that the National Assembly approved N25 trillion, but the Presidency implemented N28.7 trillion.

BREAKING: Kano APC sanctions ward leaders over Ganduje’s suspension

The Kano State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken action against Ganduje Ward Leaders who suspended the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Prince Abdullahi Abbas, the Kano State Chairman of the APC, announced the sanction during a press briefing in Kano on Monday. He stated that the Ganduje Ward leaders have been suspended for six months due to their involvement in anti-party activities. Abbas explained that the State Working Committee made the decision based on the resolution of the party’s Dawakin Tofa Local Government Committee, which also recommended the suspension. “We have evidence of meetings between the State Government officials and those that suspended the National Chairman, and the state working committee has agreed to sanction them for six months and they stand suspended,” Abbas stated. Earlier on Monday, the Ganduje Ward leaders in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area had announced the suspension of Dr Ganduje, alleging corruption during his tenure as Governor. The ward’s legal adviser, Haladu Gwanjo, cited gross misconduct and misappropriation of public funds, particularly referencing the “dollar video” scandal. However, the State Working Committee declared the suspension invalid, null, and void, asserting that it cannot stand.

Bauchi Governor Reacts To Ningi’s Suspension

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has declared that the state government is behind Senator Abdul Ningi, the lawmaker who was handed a three-month suspension after his comment on N3.7 trillion not being traceable in the 2024 budget. Ningi, representing Bauchi Central senatorial district at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, was suspended by the Senate, on Tuesday. The Senator had subsequently resigned as Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF). On the floor of the Senate, Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), had said the Red Chamber had inaugurated a template for the speedy consideration and passage of the 2024 Money Bill as he initiated the motion on breach of privilege by the Bauchi senator. Senator Adeola had come under orders 9, 10, 41, and 51 to move a motion of privilege and issue of national importance against Ningi over his interview with the BBC Hausa. Following Adeola’s motion on breach of privilege, a member of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, Jimoh Ibrahim, first moved the motion for Ningi’s suspension for 12 months over allegations of criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly. But, some of the senators moved for the amendment of the suspension for three months for the embattled federal lawmaker, which the senate ratified. Speaking during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Bauchi, on Wednesday, Mohammed said, “yesterday I was very sad the Senate suspended one of our best from Bauchi for saying the truth, for standing up to be the beacon of the truth.” Mohammed, who is also the chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, said, “Equally I don’t know what we will do but we will discuss privately to see what we can do to support him because I support whatever he is doing and that is our best position especially if what he saying is the truth”.

UNIBEN suspends academic activities over burial

The management of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, has ordered the temporary suspension of academic activities at the Ugbowo campus of the institution over the host community’s burial of a vigilante chairman scheduled for Saturday. The institution disclosed this in a statement dated February 9, 2024, signed by Professor Clement Ighodaro, Dean of Students Affairs, on behalf of the management of the institution. In the statement by the institution titled “Notice to UNIBEN Students on Security Alerts in Ekosodin Community and its Environ,” Prof. Ighodaro said the vigilante chairman was killed some time ago at Ekosodin community. “The alert from the information gathered concerns the burial ceremony this weekend of the vigilante chairman murdered some time ago at Ekosodin. “Students are therefore advised to conclude all activities today, Friday 9th February by 6 pm and to return to their places of abode in the community and to stay indoors. “They are to remain indoors the next day, Saturday, until the events of the burial in the community are over and other citizens can move about freely. Students on campus are also advised to return to their respective hostels before nightfall during this period,” he said. He also informed members of the university community that the institution’s gate leading to Ekosodin will be closed at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday. When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, confirmed the statement. “The notice is from the university authority,” she said.

Delta governor suspends commissioner, others

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has ordered the immediate suspension of the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Omoun Perez. Also, the governor ordered the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Bennett Agamah; Assistant Director, Agricultural Engineering, Oki Yintareke; and the Chief Accountant, Gabriel Idiatacheko, “to proceed on compulsory leave until further notice in line with civil service extant rules.” The decision was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday. The statement explained that the measures became imperative, “following the outcome of the review of the implementation of the Greenhouse project by the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.” The statement added that the decision was taken “consequent upon the interim report of the committee and in order to have an unimpeded access to information during the period of the investigations.” The statement read, “Oborevwori has constituted a seven-man committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, to investigate the claims and perceived infractions related to the management of the scheme by the ministry. “The government’s action is in no way a presumption of guilt but rather a necessary measure to uphold the sanctity of the investigative processes already instituted which is to ensure that the investigation is conducted without any potential for undue influence or bias.” Oborevwori had assured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to ensuring the completion of all ongoing projects across the state. He also pledged to initiate new projects for the sustainable development of the state, according to a statement by his spokesman, Festus Ahon.

Federal Government Suspends N-Power Scheme, Initiates Probe

The Federal Government has temporarily suspended the N-Power Programme of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to give way for proper audit of the programme. The Federal Government kick-started the N-Power scheme on June 8, 2016 to address issues of youth unemployment and help to increase social development. The scheme was created as a component of government’s National Social Investment Programme. Dr Akindele Egbuwalo, National Programme Manager of N-Power announced its suspension in a statement he issued on Sunday in Abuja. Egbuwalo stated that the suspension and audit of the scheme became necessary to give room for a detailed investigation into N-Power’s operations in the last 12 months. He added that 960,000 Nigerians were enrolled in the scheme since its inception to date. “There is the need to audit the number of people still under the scheme because most of them have exited from N-POWER 1.0 and N-POWER 2.0 Batch A and Batch B. “The audit is also necessary to establish the number of people that have exited the programme; those who are being owed; and how funds have been utilised over the years,’’ he explained. Egbuwalo stated that some beneficiaries who concluded their programme since 2022 were still expecting payment from government. “Recently, we discovered instances of programme beneficiaries whose participation had lapsed since 2022 but have stayed on and continued to expect payment from government. “Some beneficiaries do not report to their places of primary assignments as required, but still receive monthly payments. “Some have other jobs and have left this bracket, but are still benefiting from payments, while those who truly worked are not paid. “These instances call for a thorough audit of the scheme,’’ he stated. Egbuwalo assured Nigerians that government would prioritise claims of those owed between eight months and nine months stipends after ascertaining the veracity of their claims. “Graduates and non-graduate volunteers Batch C1 & Batch C2 are in this category. We want to establish the exact number of people owed and the total cost implication to eliminate ghost beneficiaries. “Our preliminary findings show that some consultants are holding on to beneficiaries’ funds disbursed to them long ago, even when their contract ended in March 2023 without a renewal. “We condemn this practice and will not tolerate it going forward,’’ he stated. Egbuwalo added that work was on-going to identify culprit consultants to ascertain why the payments did not get to the beneficiaries. Such funds would be recalled and paid to affected beneficiaries, he assured. “We assure all beneficiaries with genuine claims that we will resolve their cases once we complete the verification and honour all valid outstanding obligations. “We appeal to Nigerians to understand the rationale behind the temporary suspension and investigation of the scheme as we work to restore the nation’s confidence in it,’’ he stated. Egbuwalo expressed government’s determination to restructure and expand the programme to accommodate persons within the ages of 18 years and 40 years as against the previous age limit of 35 years. “The restructuring will accommodate some new programmes in education, health, works, agriculture, technology, fashion, entertainment, and other relevant areas of skills acquisition and employability. “We are targeting five million beneficiaries in five years at a rate of one million beneficiaries per year under the graduate and non-graduate streams,’’ Egbuwalo also stated.