SIMON EBEGBULEM…

The most recent victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national level, at the sub national off season governorship election in Edo State, once again brings to the fore, the untiring efforts of notable individuals of the party, towards expanding the frontiers and making it the party of first choice by Nigerians.

Try as it may, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) baseless attempts to exonerate itself from the hardship confronting Nigerians, the effects of which the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has frontally taken on to reverse, via the Renewed Hope Agenda, will ever be to the utter shame and regret of PDP.

Assuredly, and in the not too distant, as more of the gains of the re-engineering matrix of  the administration bear more fruits, then would the true meaning of the fabled 60-years-rule by the PDP and the juggernauts that touted it, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, dawn on Nigerians. Their plan being to put Nigerians under perpetual and everlasting bondage, misery and suffering.

Nigerians are now wiser, and nothing encapsulates this more than the APC’s thumping that brought a well deserving end to the Godwin Obaseki eight years of maladministration in Edo State, and back into the fold of the forward looking APC.
Under the instruction of the leadership of the APC led by President Bola Tinubu, that Edo State should be salvaged and recovered back to the fold of the party, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State was beckoned on to lead other Progressives governors in ensuring that the mission is accomplished, applying all democratic principles.

Governor Uzodimma is one of the silent heroes that worked day and night to make this come to reality, and once again ensure that democracy flourishes in Edo and its dividends cascade down to the good people of the state, under the leadership of the Governor-Elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, beginning November 12 and beyond.

Senator Hope Uzodimma, fondly called ONWA by teeming supporters and admirers comes with lots of Democratic antecedents predating his mounting of the saddle as Imo State Governor, in 2020.

A former member of the Upper Chambers of the National Assembly, he, not unlike President Tinubu, who he holds in the highest of regards and esteem, has joined in expanding the frontiers of the party, ensuring notable spread across the Niger and far beyond the Heartland state, where he has continued to endear the ruling party to all and sundry.

With sterling performance in Imo, which has expectedly rubbed off on Ndi Imo at the federal levels, through appointments, added to the glaring Federal presence in the state and coupled with his administration’s unsurpassed infrastructural and economic development strides, Governor Uzodimma has continued to garner accolades from far and wide, several of which has translated into more recognition and added responsibilities.

Into his first tenure in office, colleagues from the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, in recognition of his leadership qualities made Senator Hope Uzodimma Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, while President Bola Tinubu, even from before coming into office, has chosen to work with him, charging him with the most sensitive of assignments, of which he has creditably discharged and delivered on.

In the process and along the ways, the APC has gained and continues to add, a windfall of notable and heavyweight defectors from the major opposition parties in the geo-political zone, into its fold.

The landmark APC victory in Edo
Right from the beginning, Governor Uzodimma has been in the tick of the battle to rightfully return Edo State, back to the fold, working assiduously with others, including the leader of the APC in the state, Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, a former two-term governor, to make this manifest.

It is therefore no surprise that following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as winner of the September 21 election, on Sunday, congratulatory messages poured in from high, far and near. Uzodimma being a loyal party leader may not understand what he and others have achieved in getting Edo back to the APC fold, but those who have followed the political history of the state will better understand.

After Comrade Oshiomhole left the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as its President , people from all walks of life, advised him to contest for the Presidency of this nation. But Oshiomhole opted to run for the governorship after the masses of Edo State persuaded him to come and lead them out of the PDP conundrum. That was how Oshiomhole joined in the governorship race in 2007, under the umbrella of the then Action Congress, with alliance with the Labour movement. However he was rigged out by the PDP and Edo people cried foul. The current President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu mobilised resources for Oshiomhole and recruited forensic experts who deployed the most modern of techniques, including recounting the ballot papers used for the election. That was how, on March 20, 2008 the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal nullified the election of Prof. Osarhiemen Osunbor and declared Oshiomhole the authentic winner of the poll. And, on 11 November, 2008, the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the state election petition tribunal declaring Oshiomhole winner. Therefore, Governor Obaseki made one of his too numerous blunders, when he and his cohorts came with their usual rhetoric that, “Edo is not Lagos.”

Sadly, after the efforts made by the now President Tinubu and Oshiomhole to bring Edo into the APC, Governor Obaseki who was handed the ticket of the party by the latter, against all odds, took the state back to PDP to the chagrin of many, including President Tinubu and Oshiomhole.
It is therefore understood, why President Tinubu deployed his political ally in the South East, the political strategist, Governor Hope Uzodimma, to return Edo back to the APC fold.

Uzodimma did just that, applying all democratic tenets. He campaigned to the Igbo community in Edo vigorously and reminded them of all the anti democratic actions of Governor Obaseki, which includes his refusal to swear-in 14 elected members of the state House of Assembly. He rallied his colleague governors to ensure that the dream of Mr President is achieved in Edo.

By reclaiming Edo State to the APC, Governor Uzodimma is already galvanizing support for President Tinubu’s 2027 second term bid, which is well expected; clearing all hurdles and expanding the political horizon of the APC come 2027.

It is not surprising that today he is refered to as the “Lion” of the South East. As chairman of the South East Governors, Uzodimma has been able to propagate the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, and today we are witnessing the influx of people into the APC in the South East.

The APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, while congratulating Senator Monday Okpebholo, commended the political sagacity of Uzodimma and other progressive governors.

“We look forward to a prosperous new chapter for Edo state,” said Ganduje.
There was wild jubilation in the ancient of Benin, when the Returning Officer (RO) for the Edo State governorship election and Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC as the winner of the keenly-contested election at 9:26 p.m. on Sunday, September 22.
He announced that Okpebholo, representing the Edo Central Senatorial District, secured 291,667 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, who got 247,274 votes.

The Labour Party’s (LP) Olumide Akpata, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), came a distant third, securing 22,763 votes. This declaration ended the plot by governor Obaseki to continue to keep Edo under the stranglehold of his factional PDP. And thanks to Governor Uzodimma whose superior political dexterity rescued the state from that stranglehold. For sure, President Tinubu can now relax, that his APC has made a major in-road into the South South ahead 2027.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has sounded the alarm over the high number of lives lost to boat accidents in the state, with a staggering 182 casualties recorded in the past three years.

The governor, through his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, spoke at the 2024 World Maritime Day celebration and distribution of 33 Fiber Glass Boats, held at the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) headquarters in Minna on Thursday.

Decrying the situation, he noted, “The huge number of loss we have incurred as a result of boat mishaps in the state is unacceptable

“From the available data, the state lost a total of 95 lives in 2022, 68 lives in 2023 and so far this year ( 2024) 19 casualties have been recorded. No life is worthy more than the other, we should all walk the talk to halt the menace.”

Bago also commended N-HYPPADEC for their timely intervention, acknowledging that the gesture will greatly alleviate the suffering of riverine communities while reiterating the state government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of inland waterways for year-round transportation.

Earlier, the Managing director of N- HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, explained that the 2024 World Maritime Day coincided with the commissioning of fibre glass boats to be distributed to riverine communities along the rivers and lakes of hydroelectric dams across N-HYPPADEC member states.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Navigating the Future: Safety First’, he explained that the Commission decided to procure the fibre glass boats to enhance marine transportation and mitigate the recurrence of boat mishaps, which have plagued the communities for many years.

Yelwa also recalled the painful loss of several lives in boat accidents, a development which caused untold hardship in the communities neighboring the Kainji Lake between the vicinity of Shagunu of Borgu Emirate in Niger State and Warrah of Yauri Emirate in Kebbi State.

According to him, “Recognising the dangers posed by water snags, we collaborated with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to carry out a water snags clearing project.

“Together, we removed a considerable number of tree logs from parts of the Kainji and Shiroro Lakes, significantly reducing the likelihood of boat accidents caused by the snags.”

The House of Representatives has told Aliko Dangote, the owner Dangote Refinery, to disclose the cost he is selling petroleum from his refinery to NNPC Limited and other major marketers.

The lawmakers also asked NNPC to disclose the amounts the refinery is paying for crude oil.

This resolution followed a motion moved by Oboku Oforji on Thursday during plenary.

DAILY POST reports that there has been dispute between NNPC Limited and Dangote Refinery over the cost per litre of petrol from the refinery.

NNPC Limited has claimed to be buying petrol at N898/litre from Dangote, however, the refiner disputed the figure, stating that it is selling less than the amount.

To address challenges surrounding the distribution of its products, the lawmakers urged the management of Dangote Refinery to build, acquire or partner to get Tank Farms or depot across the geo-political zones in the country.

In the motion, Oforji commended the refinery for its impact on energy sovereignty of the country.

“Nigeria is driving towards energy self-sufficiency, cost and foreign exchange savings, meeting the increasing demand for fuels, attraction of foreign capital investment, generation of Forex through export of finished product,” he said.

To achieve sustainability, Oforji said Dangote Refinery should sell products directly to the independent marketers.

The motion was adopted unanimously by the lawmakers.

Ten elite Nigerian Navy warships have been deployed to take part in a special sea exercise aimed at tackling oil theft and other maritime crimes in the nation’s territorial waters.

Rear Adm. Saheed Akinwande, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, disclosed this to journalists during the flag-off of Exercise ‘Sea Guard 2024’ on Thursday in Onne, Rivers.

He explained that the Federal Government had been combating oil theft, sea robbery, sea piracy, and illegal foreign fishing, among others, for years with several successes recorded.

The flag officer noted that despite concerted efforts to completely curb maritime threats, they had persisted and had significantly undermined economic activities in the country.

“The consequences of this prevailing insecurity prompted the Central Naval Command (CNC) and Eastern Naval Command (ENC) to initiate a joint, coordinated, and decisive action.

“This operation, tagged: Exercise Sea Guard 2024, aimed to deny criminals and economic saboteurs the freedom of action, thereby securing our maritime environment.

“Although maritime insecurity persists on a low scale, the Nigerian Navy believes it could escalate if not deliberately addressed with a resolute stance,” he said.

Akinwande stated that 10 warships, two helicopters, Maritime Domain Awareness assets, and naval special forces drawn from the CNC and ENC would participate in the three-day exercise.

“This sea exercise, scheduled from Sept. 26 to 28, aims to secure the nation’s maritime environment through a sustained credible presence at sea for national prosperity.

“It will be used to assess the operational readiness of assigned ships in conducting evolutions such as, anti-piracy and anti-crude oil theft operations, emergency drills, and fleet manoeuvres,” he added.

He explained that the Nigerian Navy would conduct the drill within Nigeria’s territorial waters under the CNC and ENC coverage areas.

The navy officer expressed confidence that the naval expedition would directly or indirectly contribute to the much-needed economic recovery of the country.

According to him, the nation’s maritime space, with its vast oil and gas reserves, aquatic resources, and the Blue Economy initiative, remained a critical avenue for national prosperity.

“As such, the Nigerian Navy is doing everything within its mandate to eliminate all forms of threats within Nigeria’s maritime space,” he said.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is set to swear in 87 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria on Monday, September 30, 2024.

The Supreme Court’s Director of Information, Dr. Festus Akande, in a press statement made on Thursday, stated that the ceremony will take place in the main courtroom of the Supreme Court, marking the official start of the 2024/2025 legal year.

Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment as CJN was confirmed on Wednesday, September 25, by the Nigerian Senate, and this ceremony will mark her first official event of this kind in her new role.

The Supreme Court, which went on its annual vacation on July 22, resumed sessions on September 23.

The formal legal year ceremony is slated to commence at 10:00 AM in the main courtroom, with all stakeholders invited to participate in this significant event.

“In line with our age-old tradition, during the special court session, the Chief Justice of Nigeria will deliver a state-of-the-judiciary address, highlighting the performance of the Supreme Court in particular and the Nigerian judiciary in general during the 2023/2024 legal year,” the statement read.

Additionally, other prominent figures in the justice sector, including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, will also present speeches regarding the current state of justice in the country.

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, on July 2, released the names of a total of 98 lawyers to be considered for the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

On July 30, the LPPC, at its 164th plenary session under the leadership of the immediate past CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, elevated 87 out of the 98 legal practitioners to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The SAN title is an honorific designation conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria with not less than ten years standing who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession, either as courtroom advocates or in legal academia

The Federal Government has said that plans were underway towards ensuring that former Nigerian presidents establish functional libraries in schools across the country while also encouraging library endowment by private citizens and corporate bodies.

Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mammanahir Mamman, who made this known in Abuja also revealed that the National Policy on Library and Information System would be reviewed.

He spoke during the flag-off of 2024 national readership promotion campaign, noting that the Education for Renewed Hope Roadmap places emphasis on promoting literacy, fostering love for reading in schools, and establishing a strong foundation for future generations.

He stated in specific terms that the education roadmap articulated clear strategies for addressing library services in Nigeria which translates into improvement in reading culture of Nigerians.

According to him, some of these strategies were to encourage library endowment by private citizens and corporate bodies, including former presidents to establish functional library in all schools.

He said the government would also encourage and engage authors and publishers to comply with standards and criteria for quality assurance and assessment of educational resources among other strategies.

Mamman, who was represented by the Director Special Duties, Abdullahi Zubairu, observed that the act of reading transcends the pages of a book, saying it is the gateway to lifelong learning, to acquiring the knowledge and skills that can prepare citizens to meet the challenges of the modern world.

National Librarian/CEO, National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Professor Veronica Anunobi, said the campaign will be conducted in 34 states across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She noted that while NLN continues the advocacy on all inclusive form of reading, it will be donating books and educational materials to primary and secondary schools, as well as to vulnerable groups, in support of their reading and learning journey.

“In a bid to “Catch Them Young,” this campaign prioritises pupils and students in secondary and primary schools, as well as those in Hard-to-Reach Communities.

She added: “In previous campaigns, we have reached Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, Nigerian Correctional Centers, artisans, market groups, hospitals, and motor parks, underscoring our commitment to making reading accessible to every segments of the society thereby engendering inclusivity.

“Our efforts in reinvigorating reading among Nigerians are multi-faceted. We are advocating for the institution of a National Reading Day and the reintroduction of reading hours into the timetables of all basic and secondary schools across the country.

“Additionally, our state branches are actively establishing reading clubs nationwide. Specifically, 94 reading clubs are already active with more coming before the end of the year.”

We are also modernising the outlook of our branches to create inviting and attractive reading environments, implementing new prototype buildings while renovating the existing ones.

“These branches are not only stocked with Nigeria’s intellectual heritages through legal deposit publications but also with resources tailored to the needs of their host communities, based on thorough community needs assessments.

“Furthermore, our branches serve as reading hubs, both physically and virtually, with access to a wide range of online resources available 24/7, ensuring that Nigerians can engage with reading materials at any time while reading beyond boundaries,” Anunobi said.

By Sampson Uhuegbu…

The founder and Managing Director of AgriCodeExpo, Miss Tchegnelene Suzy Tresor, has described the platform as one designed to enhance creativity, improve food production, nutrition security, create jobs for the youths, as well as to end hunger and poverty.

The Cameroon born US- based technocrat who made this known while addressing countries Coordinators of the AgriCodeExpo, drawn from the Twenty One (21) countries, through zoom, last week Sunday, September 7, 2024, also noted, that her vision was to bring the youths back to the farm and, transform the agricultural landscape across the African continent by empowering the next generation of farmers, innovators, andleaders.

According to founder, “Agriculture is not just the backbone of Africa’s economy, but also the

vital key to addressing issues, such as food security, unemployment, and sustainable

development and others”, she said.

She further explained, that AgriCodeExpo Africa seeks to reignite the passion for farming and land stewardship among African people, regretting, that youths had steadily drifted away from farming for years as a result of lack of encouragement from the government.

At the zoom session, the founder talked about AgriCodeExpo School of Purpose, wherein, she said, they provide tools, mentorship and experimental learning opportunities that

allow young leaders to flourish.

Through our programmes in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and social

impact, we ensure that every individual can unleash their full potential, grow into visionary leaders, and become agents of meaningful change in the world”.

In her speech, the Director, Human Resources, MrsOnahChukwunonso, commended the Managing Director, Miss Tresor for establishing the AgriCodeExpo which, according to her, would go a long way in opening the eyes of today’s youths on the need to embrace Agriculture.

The Nigerian coordinator of the AgriCodeExpo was also in attendance at the meeting.

By Henrietta Ashikodi

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti has paid the first trench of the arrears of workers salaries owed by the immediate past administration.

The governor earmarked N1.5 Billion monthly to instalmentally offset the N17,.6 Billion arrears of salaries within 12 Months.

The Commissioner for Information Prince OkeyKanu revealed this.

He said Government wishes to state that the payment will follow a 12- month armortization plan with the first batch already disbursed to the affected institutions.

He disclosed that the office of the Accountant General has commenced the payment of the arrears to all verified workers amounting to N17, 629,767,342,09 (Seventeen billion, six hundred and twenty nine million, ,seven hundred and sixty seven thousand, three hundred and forty two, nine Kobo only ).

He noted that the structured payment is meant to ensure that other areas of governance do not suffer from lack of attention due to limited financial resources.

“By this development , the Dr Alex Otti- led administration has once more demonstrated its commitment to the promotion and sustenance of the welfare of Abia State civil servants at all times”.

In a joyous mood, the rector of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Dr C.K Okoro and staff went into jubilation mood, thanked the governor for keeping to his promise stating that they have started receiving payment.

NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday that the seizures followed intelligence processed by the agency on the movement of the shipments from their port of origin in India, leading to a demand for a 100 per cent joint examination of the watch-listed containers.

Mr Babafemi said a breakdown of the seizures showed that 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were recovered from two containers at Tincan port in Lagos on Thursday, August 29, and Friday, August 30.

He said each of the two containers had 175,000 bottles of the opioid, adding that at the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, NDLEA operatives equally intercepted 447 cartons of tramadol 225mg.

The NDLEA spokesman added that the cartons, which contained 29,840,000 pills of the opioid and 380,000 bottles of codeine syrup, were from three containers intercepted on Thursday, August 29.

The tramadol shipments came under different brand names such as Royal Tapetadol, Carisoprodol 225mg and Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg.

The following day, Friday, August 30, another set of three containers watch-listed by NDLEA were subjected to joint examination.

At the end of the exercise, a total of 3,030 cartons of codeine syrup containing 554,600 bottles of the opioid were recovered from them.

This brings the total bottles of codeine seized at Onne, Rivers and Tincan in Lagos to 1,284,600 bottles worth N8,992,200,000 in street value while the combined seizure of tramadol stood at 29,840,000 pills valued at N8,940,000,000, he said.

Mr Babafemi quoted the NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa, as commending all the officers and men of PHPC, Tincan and the special operations unit of the agency that had been working on the targeted containers for their vigilance and professionalism.

Mr Marwa equally praised the support from other stakeholders at the ports, which enabled seamless and successful operations while targeting the shipments.

The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants under the employ of the state.

Nwifuru announced this on Saturday at the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival.

“I have directed relevant government authorities to draft out modalities for the payment of the new minimum wage commencing in September”, he said.

The governor, however, frowned at the lackadaisical manner by which government projects awarded as contracts to prominent leaders of the state were handled, especially the housing estates at Izo autonomous community in the Ishielu Local Government Area.

He gave a marching order to the Commissioner for Housing to ensure the painting of the houses immediately.

He further called on residents of the state not to hesitate to report government projects being delayed by contractors.

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has reiterated his concerns about the growing radicalization of bandits in Nigeria.

On Saturday, the influential cleric took to his Facebook page to share a disturbing video that showcases bandits celebrating and chanting in Arabic, underlining the dangers he had consistently warned about.

In the video, the bandits appear jubilant, chanting religious slogans that Sheikh Gumi suggests could indicate their increasing radicalization.

The cleric, who has previously advocated for dialogue and negotiation with the bandits as a means to address the security crisis in the North, emphasized the urgent need for the government to intervene before the situation escalates further.

Sheikh Gumi has long been a controversial figure in the discussions around Nigerias security challenges, particularly regarding his stance on engaging with bandits.

Sheikh Gumi wrote, Initially, bandits were fighting an ethnic war that could be resolved. I warned if the kinetic [approach] is intensified, they will turn into ideologically motivated guerilla warfare. Nobody listened.

He noted the shift in the nature of the conflict, emphasising the complexities of ideological warfare.

The difference between the former and the latter is that ideological war is almost intractable; Boko Haram (BH) is an example. They commit the same crime, but this time, they think they are serving God. The picture is gloomy, he added.

This statement comes amid ongoing concerns about the increasing radicalisation of bandits in Nigeria.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

The lawsuit, filed against the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, challenges the alleged unlawful practice of the National Assembly setting its own allowances and running costs without transparency or accountability.

The lawsuit follows allegations made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that lawmakers have been fixing their own salaries and allowances, disregarding the recommendations of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).

In the suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024 and filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP was seeking an order to compel Akpabio and Abbas to end the practice of the National Assembly determining its remuneration and allowances, termed as running costs. The organization is also calling for the disclosure of the exact amount of monthly running costs paid to lawmakers and a detailed account of how these funds are spent. SERAP argues that the practice of paying running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers violates Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations, which prohibits the payment of public money into private bank accounts.

The organization further contends that this practice wais a breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a signatory. The suit also emphasizes the constitutional oath of office taken by lawmakers, which requires them to act transparently and accountably, ensuring that their actions serve the public interest rather than personal gain.

SERAP asserts that the reported practice of lawmakers fixing their own salaries and allowances undermines public trust in the National Assembly and is inconsistent with the principles of good governance.

SERAP is also calling for any misused or mismanaged running costs to be accounted for and returned, arguing that such actions would restore public confidence in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.

The organization was seeking an order to compel Akpabio and Abbas to refer allegations of misuse of running costs to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

The lawsuit highlights the need for public officials, including lawmakers, to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability in the management of public resources. It also stresses the importance of transparency in the use of taxpayer money, arguing that Nigerians have a right to scrutinize how their lawmakers spend public funds. The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Andrew Nwankwo, and Ms Blessing Ogwuche, read in part: Directing and compelling the lawmakers to account for and return any misused or mismanaged running costs they collected would build trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.

SERAP is seeking: an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to refer the allegations on the misuse of the running costs received by members to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution where there is relevant admissible evidence.

Strong indications have emerged that President Bola Tinubu was planning to rejig his cabinet to ease out underperforming ministers.

Tinubu has been facing increasing pressure from within and outside his party, the All Progressives Congress, to sack ministers, some of whom appeared to have been inactive.

The President had last year set up the Result and Delivery Unit, headed by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Mrs Hadiza Bala-Usman, to measure the performance of ministers and other top government officials serving in his administration. He warned that any minister or aide that underperformed would be sacked.

Last week, Tinubu replaced the directors-general of the National Intelligence Agency and the Department of State Services after the heads of the agencies resigned their appointments.

Sources in the Presidency told Our correspondent that a cabinet reshuffle was imminent. The officials, who requested revealed that some ministers would be dismissed, while others would be reassigned to other ministries for improved effectiveness.

However, the sources did not disclose the ministers likely to be affected.

What I can tell you is some (ministers) will go. A few will swap positions, then new people will be brought on board. But the President will be focused more on capacity now; on people who can easily add value to his government, a source stated.

Another source disclosed that Tinubus close associates agreed that the President required a stronger cabinet to implement his policies effectively.

The source stated, The general concern among some of his aides, friends, and even the public is that the cabinet can be far better than this. There is a consensus among his (Tinubu) close friends that he needs a stronger cabinet to push through with his policies. It is one thing to announce policies and it is another thing for your ministers to deliver the outcomes you want. Oftentimes, it is the capacity of your cabinet members and heads of agencies that determines how you will deliver on those outcomes.
If you look at the editorial by Financial Times earlier this week, it was not palatable at all. And what they were saying is that, yes, he has taken bold decisions, the reforms are good, but he has a weak cabinet that cannot help him to deliver on those reforms. That is why it appears like we are wobbling. So, he needs to bring in people with more energy and expertise, who are more patriotic and willing to roll up their sleeves and work for Nigeria and turn things around.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Head of the Legal Services Department of the apex bank to appear before it with specific documents on Monday, September 2, the new date fixed for the continuation of the trial in the money laundering case brought against Binance Holdings Limited and its executives.

At the previous court sitting, the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, had adjourned the matter to October 11, but the defence counsel had approached the court for a date change, which the court granted by bringing the trial forward a month early.

Binance USAs Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Tigan Gambaryan, and the exchanges British-Kenyan regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, are facing money laundering charges to the tune of $35m brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were initially both detained in the custody of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Anjarwalla, however, fled lawful custody on March 22, 2024, while his counterpart, Gambaryan, was moved from ONSA custody to EFCC custody and afterwards to Kuje Correctional Facility, where he is currently detained.

In the document titled Subpoena Duces Tecum, with charge number: FHC/ABCR/138/2024, between the Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Binance Holdings Limited and Tigran Gambaryan, the court asked the apex banks heads to appear before it or delegate someone to do so.

It read, The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way, Central Business District, Abuja FCT.

You or any other officer you may delegate are commanded in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to attend before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, presided over by the Honourable Justice E. Nwite, on the 2nd day of September 2024 at 9 oclock in the forenoon, and from day to day until the above cause is tried, to bring with you and produce at the time and place mentioned the following documents.

Certified True Copy of the excel spreadsheet captioned Export Exchange Rate Results published on the Central Bank of Nigerias website for the period from 1 June 2024 to 16 August 2024.

In a separate document but with similar wording, the court summoned, The Head, Legal Services Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way, Central Business District, Abuja FCT.

You or any other officer you may delegate are commanded in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to attend before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, presided over by the Honourable Justice E. Nwite, on the 2nd day of September 2024 at the hour of 9 oclock in the forenoon, and from day to day until the above cause is tried, to bring with you and produce at the time and place mentioned the following documents, part of the subpoena read.

Aloy Ejimakor, lead Counsel of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), has accused President Bola Tinubu of tolerating selective injustice against Igbos.

He claimed that Igbos suffered less of selective injustice under the past administration of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan but peaked in Muhammadu Buharis time.

Posting on X: Ejimakor wrote: What is now emerging in the open (thanks to social media) as institutionalized selective injustice against #Ndigbo has always been there.

It reduced slightly under OBJ & GEJ, peaked to a new high under PMB & has attained genocidal proportions. Shocking that TINUBU tolerates it. People of the Southeast have severally alleged marginalization, a situation that fuelled the agitation for Biafra.

Tragedy struck in the Makwarari quarters in the Kano metropolis on Friday when a one-storey building collapsed, killing a 35-year-old woman, Balarabe Tijjani and injuring two of her children.

It was gathered that the building collapsed following a downpour in the area which lasted for many hours from Thursday night through Friday morning.

According to a resident, the mother and her two children, Abdulnasir and Abdallah, aged 11 and 13, were rescued and rushed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital but the mother succumbed to her injuries.

“After rescuing the victims from the debris, they were transported to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital. Unfortunately, Tijjani succumbed to her injuries while the children are currently receiving treatment,” the resident said.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, the Public Relations Officer of the State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, said the one-storey building collapsed at about 9:30 am on Friday.

“Therefore, the building crushed three people, mother, Balaraba Abba about 35 years old and two children, Abdulnasir Jilani about 12 years old and Abdullahi Jilani about 9 years old.

“With the effort of the people around the area all victims were rescued alive and taken to Murtala Muhammad hospital on the arrival of the brigade,” Abdullahi said.

The Federal Road Safety Corps on Saturday said four lives were lost in multiple road accidents that occurred in Ikeji-Arakeji, a town along the Ilesa/Akure expressway in Osun State.

Also, 20 other commuters were said to have been injured in the accidents which involved three vehicles.

In a 2-minute 5-second video recorded at the scene of the accident obtained by our correspondent, it was observed that one of the affected vehicles was burning, as some of the injured passengers lay in different locations close to the burning vehicle.

Also, about three of the injured passengers were in the uniform of the National Youth Service Corps. Many of the injured passengers could be observed in blood-drenched clothes.

Contacted for confirmation and other details about the crash, the FRSC Osun Sector Commander, Mr Taofeek Sokunbi, said the accident was caused by speeding.

Sokunbi, who said three female and one male passenger died in the crash, further explained, “The accident involved three vehicles and four people died. Twenty people were injured. Those who died include three female adults and one male adult.

“The cause of the accident is excessive speed. The vehicles involved include two buses and one truck. The accident occurred where Bumps is located at Ikeji-Arakeji (Osun State).

The accident happened about three days ago (Thursday) We have cleared the crash.

I want to urge drivers to drive carefully on the road because it is overspeeding. The accident was carelessness on the path of the drivers.”

A 35-year-old man named Emmanuel Urhobocha has been found dead in his house on Alafia Street, Sango-Ota, in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The deceased was found face down with a container of insecticide next to his body.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun Police Command, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident to newsmen yesterday, said it happened at about 9:00 a.m. on Friday.

Odutola disclosed that the roommate of the deceased, Obabiyi David, had gone to the Sango-Ota Police Division to report that his flatmate was acting odd and had even attacked him with a knife, which he managed to escape.

She noted that based on this information, a team from the division was sent to question Urhobocha regarding the alleged attack, but upon arrival, they found the room locked from the inside.

The spokesperson said the officers, who eventually forced the door open, discovered the suspect lying dead.

Odutola said, “He was discovered dead in the apartment, with a container of insecticide found next to his body.

“He was promptly transported to a local hospital for medical attention, but the attending doctor confirmed him dead. His body has been placed in the morgue for an autopsy.”

She maintained that an investigation was ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death.

the incident happened just a day after a 32-year-old man, Oluwaseun Shorinola, died by suicide in the Kémta area of Abeokuta.’