Governors from the South East under the umbrella of the South East Governors’ Forum met in Enugu Tuesday with a resolve to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to plead for the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

They also plan to discuss other pressing issues that will be of interest to the region and the country with President Tinubu.

The decisions of the Governors were contained in a Communique read to the media by the Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum cum the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, after their meeting at the Lion Building Government House Enugu, in Enugu State.

Governor Uzodimma was flanked by his brother colleagues – Dr. Alex Otti (Abia), Prof Charles Soludo (Anambra), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi State) and the host Governor, Dr Peter Mbah (Enugu State).

The Chairman of the Forum said during their visit to the President they will discuss the issue of insecurity in the region and the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

The Communique added: “The Forum deliberated on the reviewed report of the South East Security and Economic Summit held in Owerri on the 28th September, 2023 and agreed to implement the aspects of the report pertaining to security and economic integration and affirmed its desire to put actionable plans on the key issues agreed.

“The Forum also resolved to interface with the Federal Government to secure the release of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

“The Forum commiserated with Government and people of Abia State, Ebonyi State, Imo State, South East, Nigeria and Chief Ogbonnaya Onu’s family on the demise of His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.

“The Forum received the delegation of the Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON and His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe CFR, Obi of Onitsha, who came on a solidarity visit to the Forum.”

Consequent upon the demise of former Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Onu, the Forum announced the setting up of a nine man burial Committee to be Chaired by the former Senate President, Senator Pius Anyim.

Southeast governors and some stakeholders in the zone currently in a closed-door meeting in Enugu State.

The closed-door meeting is holding at the Enugu State Government House with focus on issues confronting the region.

The meeting has in attendance all the five Southeast governors, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, and some other influential traditional rulers in the zone.

The meeting is coming amids the insecurity challenge in the Southeast, due to the activities of gunmen, as well as calls for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

About 50 members of the House of Representatives had jointly written President Bola Tinubu to drop all the charges against Kanu for the interest of peace and unity in the country.

The 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Abia State, has tasked members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Aba Branch, to help report any soldier involved in the extortion of motorists and residents of Aba.

Brigade Commander,14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General O.O. Diya who stated this at Ohafia while receiving the members of the NBA Aba Branch who called on him at his office,in Ohafia, stated that the Army doesn’t condone corruption and indiscipline and would punish any soldier found to have engaged in such activities.

Brigadier Diya assured that any soldier involved in corruption wont go scot- free.

He commended NBA Aba Branch for finding time to visit and commiserate with the Army on the loss of her soldiers in Aba.

The Army chief told the NBA that security is everyone’s business and urged the branch to continue to partner with the Army in getting rid of criminals in Abia State especially Aba. He said; “Report any soldier involved in the extortion  by getting the names of the soldiers involved and their location.

“Your members can get video and pictorial evidence of the extortion where the same is possible. “Security is everyone’s business. I urge NBA Aba Branch to continue to partner with the Army in getting rid of criminals in Abia State, especially in Aba.”

He promised that the Army would honour any invitation extended to it by the branch.

Earlier, Chairman of NBA Aba, Charles Onuchukwu, said the branch commiserates with the Army and families of soldiers who lost their lives in the recent security challenges in Aba. The Chairman also lamented the maltreatment of residents and motorists by soldiers, especially during the recent security challenges at the checkpoints.

Onuchukwu urged the Brigade Commander to advise soldiers at various checkpoints in Aba to devote their time to security matters and stop using civilians to extort money from motorists and residents in the city.

He assured that the NBA Aba Branch is ready to partner with the military in addressing security challenges in Aba.

The divide and rule method allegedly deployed by the Federal Government in the payment of withheld salaries owed university workers in 2022 may have further polarised the tertiary system, as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, has threatened to resume its strike from July 4th, 2024.

The leadership of SSANU is particularly angry that four months salaries which were withheld by the government when its members joined the sister union, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, on strike, was yet to be paid.

The non-payment of the salaries and other contemporary challenges plaguing the tertiary education sector featured prominently at the 48th National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held in University of Benin, Edo State last weekend.

Recall that a fortnight ago, the Joint Action Committee, JAC, comprising SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, had issued a two week ultimatum to the Federal Government to pay its members the four months withheld salaries.

Out of the four university based unions that embarked on a prolonged strike in 2022, the Federal Government paid ASUU, neglecting the other three unions.

The development is leading SSANU to issue fresh notice of strike when the ultimatum elapses on Thursday, July 4th.

The communique stated that JAC of SSANU and NASU is expected to meet on the aforementioned date to review the government’s response to the ultimatum and take a common position on withdrawing their services.

SSANU in the communique signed by its President, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, accuses the government of exhibiting insensitivity and deliberate resolve to cause chaos in the university system by adopting the divide and rule policy.

The communique read, “NEC in session once again expresses utmost dismay at the unprecedented level of Government’s insensitivity and deliberate resolve to cause chaos in the university system by adopting the divide and rule policy to set unions on a collision course through preferential treatment of one union over others.

“Recall SSANU and other unions were compelled by government to embark on strike in 2022 over the refusal to honour a Collective Bargaining Agreement willingly signed by all parties.

“At the end of the strike, the then (Muhammadu) Buhari government further signed an elaborate agreement among which was the non victimization clause. However, government made a selective payment of the withheld salaries.

“While we do not begrudge the payment made to our colleagues, we expected same gesture to be extended to SSANU and NASU that legally complied with all procedures before embarking on the Industrial action.

“Despite all promises and media hypes by the Ministers of Education and Labour, including the House of Representatives to pay these arrears, Government has continued to dribble SSANU, even after the mutual agreement to suspend the one week warning strike in March this year.

“NEC in session deliberated on the matter and unanimously approved a long drawn comprehensive industrial action after concurrence with the Joint Action Committee meeting of SSANU and NASU scheduled for Thursday 4th July, 2024, if Government fails to pay the four months salary arrears.”

On the government’s approved wage award of N35,000 to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal which has been stopped, the association said that the “gross inability of the wage award to heal the excruciating financial wounds is further compounded by its stoppage in Federal Universities with three months arrears already pending.

“Many states are yet to effect payment of the wage award to our members in state universities thereby increasing their economic woes.”

SSANU equally called on the Federal Government to immediately resume the payment of the wage award alongside the accrued three months arrears without further delay.

It also urged state governments that are yet to commence payment of the wage award to commence payment with the arrears accruing therefrom.

Arewa Youth for Peaceful Coexistence has tackled Senator Ireti Kingibe representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for criticising the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s infrastructural development projects in Abuja.

The group in a statement by its national chairman, Hon. Haruna Bature said that Wike inherited a poor state of infrastructure, security, healthcare, human and vehicular traffic, sanitation, healthcare, and welfare of public sector workers in Abuja, saying that he has in one year corrected the wrongs.

While asking the Senator to focus her on responsibilities as the elected representative of the people of FCT in the National Assembly, the Arewa group urged the Minister not to pay attention to narrow and skewed criticism, but to continue with the good works of implementing and promoting the Programmes of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

According to the statement, “The attention of the Arewa Youth for Peaceful Coexistence has been drawn to a media interview on Arise TV granted by Sen. Ireti Kingibe condemning and casting negative aspersions on the infrastructural development efforts in the FCT by the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Chief Barr. E.N. Wike, CON, GSSRS. “We wish to remind Sen. Ireti Kingibe of the decadence in the state of affairs in infrastructure, security, health care, human and vehicular traffic, sanitation and healthcare, welfare of Public Sector Workers, etc upon assumption of office of the Hon. Minister of FCT, Chief Barr. E.N.Wike, CON, GSSRS.

“The story today is different except in the opinion of Sen. Ireti Kingibe because these challenges in the FCT either have been addressed or are being addressed by the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Office of the Hon. Minister of the FCT, Chief Barr. Ezebuwon Nyesom Wike of which Sen. Ireti Kingibe is a major beneficiary as the Senator representing the FCT, Abuja.

“Development is a gradual process and we trust that the Economic Reforms, Fiscal and Monetary Policies, and Human Capital and Welfare Programmes of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda will soon put hope and smiles on the faces of Nigerians and especially residents of the FCT. “The Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence therefore wishes to urge, the Hon. Minister of FCT, Chief Barr. E.N. Wike did not pay any attention to the narrow and skewed criticism of Sen. Ireti Kingibe but rather focused and continued with the good works of implementing and promoting the Programmes of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“By and large, Arewa youth for peaceful Co-Existence are saying goodbye to an incompetent senator representing FCT comes 2027 because her performance profile is nothing to write home about, thank you all,” Arewa youths said.

Aloy Ejimakor, the lead counsel of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has said the Biafra agitator ought to have been released by the Supreme Court ruling of December 15, 2023.

Ejimakor said the Supreme Court had ruled that Kanu was on bail and in custody of the law when his home was illegally invaded by military officers.

Recall that Justice Binta Nyako of an Abuja Federal High Court had granted Kanu bail in 2017. Shortly after the bail, the IPOB leader eloped to Europe after military personnel invaded his residence in the Afaraukwu area of Abia State.

He was however rearrested in Kenya and repatriated to Nigeria in 2021.

Since his repatriation, Kanu had remained in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, as the Nigerian government refused to release him despite orders by the Appeal Court. However, Ejimakor said Kanu left Nigeria after the military invasion to preserve his life.

Posting on X, Ejimakor wrote: “It’s not wrong for anybody to say that MAZI NNAMDI KANU ought to be freed on the basis of the 15th December 2023 judgment of the Supreme Court because, despite remitting the case for trial, the Court also held that Kanu “was on bail and therefore in custody of the law when his home was illegally invaded by heavily armed military officers of the appellant causing him to flee from his home and the country to secure his life. In the face of such an attack, it was responsible for him to flee to secure his life and physical well being.

“That is what any normal and reasonable human being would do in that circumstance to preserve his life and physical well-being. It is glaring that the consequences of that attack were intended or foreseeable. This is not arguable. The appellant’s officials knew that their invasion of the respondent’s home caused him to tun away to secure his life and physical well-being.”

The Federal Government on Tuesday said it is ready to join forces with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to come up with an actionable roadmap and policy framework that would revamp the nation’s manufacturing sector.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, gave the assurance, saying if presented, the roadmap and policy framework would be speedily implemented to effect the needed changes that will revamp the sector.

The VP, who disclosed this while declaring open a three-day National Manufacturing Policy Summit at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, regretted that the sector, which has a crucial role to play in building a nation driven by production and abundance, had endured a series of setbacks over the past decades.

“I implore us all to leverage this summit to develop an actionable roadmap and policy framework, ready for immediate implementation, to create the changes we want in the manufacturing sector.

“I assure you that we shall always maintain an open-door policy to accommodate your needs and expectations,” Shettima stated.

The Vice President also called for the prioritisation of local content and promotion of made-in-Nigeria products, noting that Executive Order 003 which makes the patronage of locally manufactured products mandatory is still in effect.

“Let us be reminded that we cannot achieve significant progress in our drive for industrialisation unless we deliberately promote the production of capital goods. We must be focused on expanding our production base, prioritizing local content, and promoting made-in-Nigeria products.

“I want to assure you that Executive Order No 003 – Support for Local Content in Public Procurement by the Federal Government, which mandates the patronage of locally manufactured products is still in effect. The relevant government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are mandated to fully comply with the order,” he declared. Shettima observed that as a country in Africa, “a continent that has languished at the bottom of the global value chain, with its share of global manufacturing at less than two percent,” Nigeria has no better option than to support its indigenous firms to produce locally and increase their capabilities.

The summit, according to him, offers the opportunity to re-evaluate the challenges confronting the sector and proffer solutions that would resolve them, even as he noted that a competitive manufacturing sector would reduce the inequities in the nation’s economy as well as over-dependence on imports.

A former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Alison Madueke, has filed a petition in the Lagos State High Court, seeking a legal declaration to end his marriage to Diezani and requesting that she stop using his last name.

He is asking the court to order the former Minister of Petroleum Resources to revert to her maiden name, Agama.

This was contained in Madueke’s petition for jactitation of marriage (declaration that a marital union has ended).

The ex-Chief of Naval Staff argues that Diezani’s ongoing use of his name despite their marriage being legally over is damaging to his reputation and could lead to unintended consequences, including mistaken liability, particularly given the corruption allegations against her.

Madueke is a former military governor of Anambra and Imo states. He married Diezani on June 30, 1999, under the Marriage Act.

The petitioner, Madueke, noted that Diezani had previously filed for divorce at the Nassarawa State High Court in Mararaba Gurku in November 2021, citing an irreconcilable breakdown of their marriage, seeking to end their union formally.

He said he did not oppose the suit, resulting in the court’s dissolution of the marriage, yet Diezani persists in using his surname, despite the formal termination of their marital union.

He stated, “On the 13th day of April 2022, judgment was delivered in Suit No. NSD/MG345/2021 by Hon. Justice A.A. Ozegya dissolving the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent on the ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.

“The said dissolution of marriage has now become absolute by the operation of law.

“Even though the marriage has been dissolved and is now legally finalised, the respondent continues to use the petitioner’s first name (Alison) and surname (Madueke) as her own without any justification or consent from the petitioner.

“It is now more than two-years that the respondent continues to use the name of the petitioner to his embarrassment.”

Madueke revealed that he directed his legal representatives to serve Diezani a formal request on December 14, 2023, demanding that she cease using his surname and revert to her maiden name, Agama.

However, despite this legal notice, Diezani has failed to respond and continues to use his name.

The petition further read, “The respondent has continued to hold out herself as the wife of the petitioner even when the marriage has been dissolved.

“The respondent is undergoing criminal trials in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The charge in Nigeria is Suit No. FUC/ABI/CR/208/2010.

“The respondent faces public allegations of corruption and financial misconduct, for which trials are ongoing for both.

“The persistent portrayal of the respondent as the spouse of the petitioner is creating embarrassment, a misleading impression and tarnishing the reputation, integrity, and public image of the petitioner.

“The respondent’s continued use of the petitioner’s first and surname falsely suggests to the public a continuing relationship between the parties though same has since legally ended.

“The respondent’s continued use of the petitioner’s first and family names poses a significant risk of legal and financial harm to the petitioner.

“The petitioner seeks the intervention of this Honourable Court to prevent the respondent from further using his first name and surname, thereby safeguarding his image, personality, and reputation.”

Madueke sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining Diezani from further using his names following the dissolution of their marriage.

He also prayed for a perpetual injunction restraining the respondent from further asserting, by words or conduct, the existence of marriage between them.

He is seeking a court order that compels Diezani to revert to her maiden name and to publicly announce in a national newspaper, both in Nigeria and the UK, that she has ceased using his surname.

Diezani has held several significant positions in the Nigerian government, including Minister of Transportation, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, and Minister of Petroleum Resources.

She was also the first female President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, elected in November 2014.

Diezani was accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of embezzling $2.5bn from the Nigerian government during her tenure from 2010 to 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Corruption allegations have led to her arrest and legal proceedings in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the fundamental human rights suit filed by the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, against the Federal Government.

Kanu sued the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Department of State Service for ₦1bn in damages for alleged rights violations.

The IPOB leader claimed that the DSS and its director general violated his right to a fair hearing by allegedly preventing his lawyers from having unhindered interactions with him while he was being detained in preparation for his defence in his criminal

While delivering judgment, Justice Omotosho, held that Kanu failed to provide credible evidence to sustain his claims that his interactions with his lawyers were interfered with, that he was denied unhindered access to his lawyers, and that DSS officials eavesdropped on his conversations with his lawyers, which constituted a breach of his right to a fair hearing.

Justice Omotosho held that the claims that Kanu was denied unhindered access to his lawyers by the operatives of the DSS, and that the officials eavesdropped on his conversations with his lawyers in the preparation for his defence, could not be established.

The  IPOB leader, through his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, had sued the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), DSS, and its DG as 1st to 4th respondents, respectively.

In the originating summons,  he prayed for eight reliefs.

He sought “a declaration that the respondents’ act of forcible seizure and photocopying of confidential legal documents pertaining to facilitating the preparation of his defence, which were brought to him at the respondents’ detention facility by his lawyers, amounted to denial of his rights to be defended by legal practitioners of his own choice.”

He also sought a declaration that the respondents’ act of preventing his counsel from taking notes on the details of counsel’s professional discussions/consultations with him at DSS detention was unlawful.

He further sought a declaration that the respondents’ act of eavesdropping on his confidential consultations/conversations with his lawyers amounted to a denial of his right, among others.

Kanu, therefore, sought an order of injunction restraining and prohibiting the respondents from their act of forcible seizure, and photocopying of confidential legal documents brought to him at the detention facility by his lawyers.

He also sought an order mandating the respondents to jointly and severally pay the sum of ₦1bn as damages for the mental, emotional, psychological, and other damages he suffered as a result of the breach of his rights, among others.

But in a counter affidavit, the DSS denied allegations levelled against it.

In the application deposed to by Yamuje Benye, a legal department staffer, he said 11 paragraphs in Kanu’s affidavit were untrue.

He stated that Kanu was in safe and secured custody of the DSS, and that he was not detained in solitary confinement.

According to Benye, Kanu was allowed access to his family members and team of lawyers on his visiting days, without any hindrance whatsoever.

He argued that the IPOB leader was permitted to interact and consult with his lawyers on his visiting days without any interference.

He said at no time did any DSS personnel seize or confiscate documents brought to Kanu by his lawyers or any other person.

He added that their personnel never denied Kanu’s lawyers the professional liberty to perform their lawful duty of discussing, consulting, and interacting with his lawyers.

The applicant has consistently requested that various prayer books and religious materials be brought to him as part of his fundamental human right,” he said.

Benye added that Justice Binta Nyako, who is presiding over Kanu’s criminal trial, has always maintained that visits to him should always be under supervision, as it is the best practice all over the world.

According to him, mister Kanu, along with his counsel, was permitted to consult and interact on visiting days in one of the best interview facilities of the DSS to ensure maximum comfort of the applicant and his visitor(s).

The official, who denied allegations that the personnel usually record their interaction during visits, said “there is no basis for eavesdropping and recording of their conversations.”

He said, in line with the Service Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) of the State Security Service, all visitors to her facility are subjected to normal routine security checks, and items in their possession are scanned.

According to him, this is to avoid unauthorised materials making their way into the facility.

Worried about the spate of insecurity in the Southeast, Issac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, has proposed a solution to the lingering crisis in the region.

In a video posted on X formerly Twitter on Monday, July 1, 2024, Fayose urged President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He further suggested that for peace to reign in the Southeast, President Tinubu could award contracts to Kanu the same way former President Goodluck Jonathan did to former militant leader, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo better known as Tompolo.

“If President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan can give a contract to Tompolo to have peace in the Niger Delta… why can’t we do the same in the South East?” he queried.

He said Kanu’s release could reduce the security crises in the region by half.

“If we are spending so much money on security in the Southeast, the money will be reduced by 50% releasing Kanu,” Fayose advised.

He said, “If I be president Tinubu, after the election when I noticed that the Southeast people didn’t vote for me, I would have released Kanu to counter them, adding that “releasing Kanu can make some of them say oh this man has a good intention.”

Recall that the IPOB leader was arrested during the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari.

He concluded that releasing Kanu could be a ploy to “restore peace in the Southeast.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has set up a disciplinary panel to investigate two operatives accused of assaulting a woman during a raid in a hotel in Lagos on Thursday.

Its Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, who said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja added that the errant officers were to appear before the panel on Monday.

Oyewale said that the EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, set up the disciplinary team to look into the case of the two errant officers of the commission who allegedly assaulted a female staff of the Regional Hotel, Ojo, Lagos.

The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights, CDWR, has called on Ogranised Labour to immediately mobilise and declare a nationwide strike over the minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariff.

According to CDWR, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, as the next step in the minimum wage struggle, should declare and mobilise widely for a 48-hour general strike and mass protest to demand a minimum wage not less than N200, 000 and the reversal of all anti-poor policies (privatization, deregulation, subsidy removal, electricity tariff hike etc).

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Bosah, CDWR recalled that NLC and TUC had been at loggerheads with the government and private sector over a new minimum wage, and negotiation has been deadlocked for over three weeks and still counting, saying Government and Private Sector insistence on paying N60, 000 provoked the declaration of an indefinite strike which started on June 3rd 2024 but was suspended on the 4th of June, 2024.

The group contended that “The mass protest of mostly young people has just forced the Ruto-led government in Kenya to withdraw the IMF/World Bank-inspired tax increment policy. This example shows that it is also possible for Nigerian working people and youth to force the Tinubu-led government to reverse the prices of petroleum products, electricity tariffs, fee hikes in public schools, and all other neo-liberal capitalist policies, policies which would give some immediate respite to most Nigerians.

“CDWR calls on the leadership of NLC and TUC, as the next step in the minimum wage struggle, to declare and this time mobilise widely for a 48-hour general strike and mass protest to demand a minimum wage not less than N200, 000 and the reversal of all anti-poor policies (privatization, deregulation, subsidy removal, electricity tariff hike etc).

“However, given the recent failures of the NLC and TUC to seriously mobilise trade unionists and activists must themselves take steps to organise a campaign at grass roots level to both build support for the struggle and for the trade unions to have leaders who take their responsibilities seriously.

“Amongst the immediate demands should be the call for the inclusion of a demand that the minimum wage must be automatically adjusted in line with the rate of inflation and rising cost of living, minimum wage need not wait for four or five years before adjustment.”

This may forestall needless long negotiations and ensure wages do not fall behind the inflationary rate and poverty line. However, we should add that it will require a serious struggle to force the capitalist elite to agree to this and actually implement it as they will try to take back any concessions they have been forced to make.”

Twelve out of the 25 students of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, brought before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan for alleged murder were on Monday discharged.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 25 students, arraigned on June 5, were charged with conspiracy, murder and negligence.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, had ordered the students to be remanded in a correctional facility in Ibadan, pending the outcome of legal advice.

The 12 discharged students are: Kehinde Martins, Samuel Okorie, Mustapha Khalid, Yusuf Adeniran, Joseph Areoye, Iyanuoluwa Oyelakin, Obaloluwa Olalekan, Emmanuel Adejumobi, John Daudu, Moses Abiola, Hammad Tijani and David Kolawole.

Ogunkanmi, while discharging them, held that the legal advice was out, which indicated that the 12 students should not be charged with any offence, as there was no evidence linking any of them with the offences alleged to have been committed.

One of the 25 defendants, who is a security guard at the university, Femi Oladoye, earlier charged with negligence of duty, was also granted bail in the sum of N250,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Ogunkanmi, thereafter, adjourned the case till July 8 for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, CSP Funke Fawole, had told the court that the defendants committed the offences on May 24 at about 9 p.m. at the afore-mentioned university.

Fawole said that the defendants unlawfully caused the death of one 22-year-old Jefry Akro, a student of the university, by beating him with planks and electrical wire.

She said that Oladoye, as a security guard, however failed to prevent the aggrieved students from beating Akro to death.

She said that the offences contravened Sections 516, 515 and 324 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has established a disciplinary committee, a key component of its internal oversight system, to investigate two operatives accused of assaulting a woman during a raid at a hotel in Lagos last Thursday. Our correspondent reports that the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, announced this in a press release on Monday in Abuja, stating that the officers in question were scheduled to appear before the committee on Monday, demonstrating the transparency of the investigation.

Oyewale mentioned that the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, formed the disciplinary team to address the serious incident involving the two officers who reportedly assaulted a female employee of the Regional Hotel in Ojo, Lagos.

The officers were captured in a viral video engaging in the assault during an early morning operation on Thursday.

“Olukoyede ordered the arrest of the two officers and has directed them to appear before a joint Disciplinary Team comprising the Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee, APDC and the Department of Ethics and Integrity.

“They are billed to appear before the Team on Monday, July 1, at the Corporate Headquarters of the Commission, Abuja.

“The team would look into the case of the officers and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures to be taken against them,” he said.

According to him, the EFCC boss stressed that no stone will be left unturned in getting the officers to account for their unprofessional conduct.

A tragic incident happened on Monday morning involving a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopter crashing in Tami village of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to reports, the crash occurred around 5 a.m., prompting first responders to rush to the site upon hearing a loud sound.

Residents, who claimed to have witnessed the pilot emerging from the wreckage, told reporters that a team of military officers from the Nigerian Air Force arrived promptly to secure the area and carry out an initial investigation.

“They cordoned off the crash site to prevent unauthorized access and to ensure the safety of the villagers. The officers also began preliminary assessments to determine the cause of the crash, which remains unknown at this time,” our reporter quoted one of the locals saying.

However, the Nigerian Air Force is yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, around 20 travellers were reportedly abducted by gunmen along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway on Sunday at approximately 9 p.m.

Our correspondent gathered that the attackers ambushed the travellers between the Sagamu Area Command of the Nigeria Police and Ilisan township.

Chairman of the Ilisan Development Council, Wemmy Osude, informed newsmen that the incident took place between the Area Command and Ilisan City Gate.

Osude stated, “A resident of Ilisan was reportedly shot in the knee and is currently receiving treatment at Babcock Teaching Hospital. The other victims were taken into the bush. Please contact your loved ones who might be travelling on that road to exercise caution.”

Confirming the incident, Osude mentioned that he had communicated with the Sagamu Police Area Commander regarding the abductions.

“I have spoken to the Sagamu Area Commander about this incident, and we hope that all security agents will pursue these criminals and rescue the victims,” Osude added.

An International Security Organization “CONACCE CHAPLAIN” has arrived Owerri, Imo State to contribute in the war against crime, and to promote peace across states in Nigeria.

The state Commandant of the organization, Prophet Gerald Agbakwuru, while inaugurating the state chapter of the outfit in Owerri over the week, said recruitment of its officers had already commenced and that their training would start from October 15-26 this year.

Prophet Agbakwuru who is also the founder of House of Prayer Healeth Ministry of God Church, Owerri, with its headquarters in South Africa, and branches in other countries, disclosed that the recruitment and training of men and women of various professions would produce experts in  evangelism, anti-drugs, judges of peace, mediators, diplomatic agents, defenders and promoters of Human Rights, for the purpose of promoting peace, equity and international cooperation.

The organization, he said, was legally established by diplomatic treaties, under the Vienna Convention Treaties, and that it was accredited by the United Nations  Organization, and other international organizations

Commandant Agbakwuru made it clear that the outfit is non-governmental, and that it will also engage sharing of love and commitment, in the process of restoring the mental, physical, social and spiritual health of humanity, especially the needy.

The world leader of the outfit, according to him, is Mr Carlos Arroba, Mr Kamdem is its Commandant for Africa, Rev Dr. Kalu Anya is the Nigerian Commandant, while Bishop Innocent Erimujor of Healing the Nation Ministry, Owerri serves as her Patron.

Late wife of the second President of Biafra General Philip Effiong who passed on in May is set for burial 12 July, 2024.

A church service for Mrs Josephine Effiong holds at St Vincent De Paul Catholic Church Ikot Ekpene.

Born 1935, Mrs. Effiong is survived by her sister Nelly and seven children.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), “to account for and explain the whereabouts of the over N100 billion ‘dirty and bad notes’ and ‘other large sum of cash awaiting examination’ which are kept in various branches of the CBN.”

SERAP said the allegations are documented in the latest annual report recently published by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

SERAP also urged him to “explain the whereabouts of the N7.2 billion budgeted for the construction of the CBN Dutse branch in 2010 and the N4.8 billion budgeted for the renovation of the CBN Abeokuta branch in 2009, and to publish the names of the contractors who collected the money but failed to complete the projects.”

SERAP urged him “to explain the whereabouts of the allegedly missing outstanding loan of N1.2 billion granted to the Enugu state government in 2015 and the outstanding loan of N1.9 billion granted to the Anambra state government between 2015 and 2016 and to fully recover and remit the public funds to the treasury.”

SERAP also urged him “to refer these grave violations of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the CBN Act and the country’s national and international anticorruption obligations to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution, as appropriate, and the recovery of the public funds.”

In the letter dated 29 June 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest grave violations of the public trust, the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the CBN Act, and national and international anticorruption obligations.”

SERAP said, “These grave violations also reflect a failure of CBN accountability more generally and are directly linked to the institution’s persistent failure to comply with its Act and to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.”

According to SERAP, “These grave violations have seriously undermined the ability of the CBN to effectively discharge its statutory functions and the public trust and confidence in the bank. The CBN ought to be committed to transparency and accountability in its operations.”

The letter, read in part: “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the CBN to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“Explaining the whereabouts of the missing public funds, publishing the names of those suspected to be responsible and ensuring that they are brought to justice and the full recovery of any missing public funds would serve the public interest and end the impunity of perpetrators.”

“According to the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has since 2017 been keeping over N100 billion [N100,672,999,000.00] ‘dirty and bad notes’, and other large sum of cash awaiting examination in various branches of the CBN.”

The Auditor-General feared that the ‘dirty and bad notes’ initially planned to be destroyed may have been ‘be diverted and re-injected into the economy.’”

“The CBN in August 2010 also reportedly budgeted N7.2 billion [N7,286,500,476.76] for the construction of Dutse branch building. The Dutse branch was due to be completed in November 2012 but the contractors have failed to complete the project.”

“The Auditor-General is concerned that the project may have been ‘awarded to incompetent contractor,’ and wants the ‘job completed without further delay.’”

“The CBN in 2009 reportedly budgeted N4.8 billion [N4,812,608,028.10] for the renovation of the CBN Abeokuta branch. The Abeokuta branch was due to be completed in 2012 but the contractors have failed to complete the project.”

“There is no significant renovation work on the site, several years after the proposed completion date. The Auditor-General is concerned that the project may have been ‘awarded to incompetent contractor,’ and wants the ‘job completed without further delay.’” The CBN also reportedly failed to account for the missing outstanding loan of N1.2 billion [N1,294,453,887.83] granted to the Enugu state government in 2015 and the outstanding loan of N1.9 billion [N1,994,383,561.64] granted to the Anambra state government between 2015 and 2016.”

“The Auditor-General fears the public funds may have been diverted. He wants the money fully recovered and remitted to the treasury.”

“Paragraph 708 of the Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, ‘on no account should payment be made for services not yet performed or for goods not yet supplied.’”

“Section 35(2) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 provides that, ‘once a mobilization fee has been paid to any supplier or contractor, no further payment shall be made to the supplier or contractor without an interim performance certificate.”

“Section 16(6) of the Public Procurement Act states that ‘all bidders shall possess the necessary professional and technical qualifications to carry out particular procurements; the financial capacity and adequate personnel to perform the obligations of the procurement contracts.’”

“SERAP noted that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.” Section 13 of the Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the CBN to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.”

“Paragraph 3112(ii) of the Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, “Where a public officer fails to account for government revenue, such officer shall be surcharged for the full amount involved and such officer shall be handled over to either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).”

“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources. Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the CBN to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds.”

“Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the public funds. Taking the recommended measures would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.”

“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their public institutions’ activities.”

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently postponed a decision on the new minimum wage report from the tripartite committee, opting for further consultations amid concerns that many states could go bankrupt if the proposed wage increases are implementeThe FEC’s hesitance came as President Bola Tinubu prepares to present the minimum wage bill to the National Assembly, an announcement that has stoked tensions across various states.

Last week’s discussions at both the National Economic Council, chaired by Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and the Southern Governors’ Forum failed to yield a consensus on the wage structure, with the governors suggesting that wage negotiations should be state-specific.

The labour unions have criticized the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for their significant sway in the wage negotiations, arguing that the proposed wages could push states towards financial insolvency.

A report from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat highlighted that increased recurrent expenditures have already strained budgets, leaving states like Abia, Ekiti, and Kogi in deficits as of 2022.

The proposed ₦62,000 minimum wage, more than double the current ₦30,000, could destabilize state finances further, potentially leading only ten states, including Lagos and Rivers, to remain financially stable.

According to the documents, sighted by Our correspondent, Abia, with an employment size of about 58,631 workers, pays ₦5,837,899,980.40 as wage monthly. Anambra has a 20,541 employment size and pays ₦1,824,851,308.96 monthly as wages, apart from ₦894,480,399.62 as pension obligation and ₦579,694,680.33 for debt servicing.

Bayelsa boasts of 48,213 workforce, paying ₦5,802,435,178.58 monthly, with ₦1,194,528,784.40 as pension obligation and ₦3,535,787,992.48 as debt servicing, totalling ₦10,532,751,955.46 as total recurrent expenditure monthly.

Benue has about 13,366 workers in its workforce and pays ₦2,040,184,471.85 as monthly wage, ₦76,838,634.62 for pension, and ₦64,685,126,826.08 for debt servicing, totalling ₦66,802,149,932.56 monthly.

Delta has about 50,871 workers, offering ₦8,973,081,853.50 as wages ₦1,499,886,303.39 as pension, and ₦72,417,433,139.00 as debt servicing, accumulating to ₦82,890,401,295.89 in a month.

Jigawa has about 44,831 workers in its employ and pays ₦2,795,662,113.02 as wages, and ₦345,987,843.12 as a pension, totalling ₦3,141,649,956.14 monthly on recurrent expenditure.

Katsina, Kwara and Niger have 19,062, 36,048 and 22,225 workers, with accumulated ₦139,294,944,565.27, ₦4,457,268,675.54 and ₦2,653,614,213.35 monthly recurrent expenditure respectively.

According to the document, Abia has a total recurrent expenditure of ₦111,983,979,958.62, against a total revenue of ₦147,637,730,867.73.

For Adamawa, the recurrent expenditure stands at ₦70,369,399,885.57, against a total revenue of ₦109,722,949,684.65, while Akwa Ibom boasts of a high revenue of ₦444,288,683,000, with recurrent expenditure of ₦235,144,539,000.

Of the states, Lagos has the highest total revenue, amassing ₦1,243,778,878,170 in 2022, with a recurrent expenditure of ₦621,043,036,000, followed by Delta, with ₦702,020,717,460.08 and a recurrent expenditure of ₦377,905,100,451.83.

Rivers amassed ₦525,588,159,714.88 in 2022, with recurrent expenditure of ₦186,974,715,774.87; Kaduna had a total revenue of ₦222,349,875,000 and expenditure of ₦95,987,999,472.10; Ogun, ₦297,249,009,626.83, recurrent expenditure of ₦178,519,010,628.42 and Oyo, with total revenue of ₦247,156,776,739.70 and recurrent expenditure of ₦152,077,804,384.65.

Kebbi State had the lowest total revenue in 2022, raking in ₦92,132,444,588.16 and spent ₦57,601,464,374.96 on recurrent expenditure, followed by Taraba, with a total revenue of ₦101,177,283,069.87 and recurrent expenditure of ₦75,055,201,412.62.

Aside from FAAC allocation, some states recorded poor IGR in the 2022 data compiled by the NGF Secretariat.

Zamfara State generated ₦6,513,960,477.20; followed by Kebbi, with ₦8,630,767,122.96; Taraba, ₦9,744,331,840.01 and Yobe State, with ₦9,940,554,642.00.

The IGR of Katsina (₦12,821,119,042.64), Adamawa (₦13,175,774,969.53), Niger (₦14,427,373,136.00), Benue (₦15,021,223,729.38), Plateau (₦15,927,001,739.90) and Imo (₦16,711,346,111.18) also showed a poor revenue standing.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has handed over an electronically-powered  tollgate at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, to the authorities of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

He did that yesterday where he said that the facility will enable the FAAN operatives provide quality service to Imo people, who patronise the airport in particular, and their Nigerians counterparts, in general.

Preforming the brief, but important ceremony, the Governor said that “the facility was provided by the state government to, not only to beautify the airport and it’s ambience, but to enable traffic management into and out of the airport, and also as an encouragement to FAAN to be able to provide quality service to the people.”

He acknowledged that the road to the airport had earlier been commissioned by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in his last visit to Imo State, when the digital facility was in the works.

“Now, I found it expedient to hand it over to FAAN on behalf of the President, when the facility was ready for use,” Governor Uzodimma said.

The Governor thereafter inspected the facility to ascertain it’s optional functionality.

Earlier, the airport manager, Mrs Nkechi Ihekwuaba had welcomed the Governor and his entourage for finding time to formally hand over the facility to the agency.

She used the opportunity to thank Governor Uzodimma for “providing the beautiful structure that beautifies the airport,” and humbly requested him to “approve that FAAN goes ahead to start the use of the tollgate.”

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie and some members of the State’s expanded Executive Council joined the Governor in handing over the tollgate to FAAN officials.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Lilian Salami, has lamented the heavy toll the recent over 300 per cent electricity tariff hike has taken on Nigerian universities with most of the public institutions on the verge of bankruptcy.

Salami, who doubles as the Chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, said the new rate announced by the regulator, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has increased her university’s bill from N80 million, it was finding it difficult to pay, to 280 million per month.

Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress as well as experts had opposed the tariff hike, arguing that this would drive manufacturers out of business, worsen inflation, and stifle small and medium enterprises.

Speaking with our correspondent in Abuja, she said the university has been painfully disconnected from the national grid because it could not afford to pay about N300 million monthly for electricity alone.

She said the development has led to a situation, where light is being rationed for about four hours a day in the university in view of the high cost of diesel.

She observed that this was however not going down well with the students who hitherto had been enjoying an electricity supply, sometimes 24 hours a week long.

“Right now what we going through is an electricity problem. Before now University of Benin could boast of at least 20 to 22 hours of light and that could run for weeks without a blink.

“But as soon as the tariff was up 300 per cent, we went from N80 million which was very difficult for us to pay per month to N280 million per month. That even came when the students were on vacation.

“So, we were looking to hit N300 million per month, no institution can survive paying that kind of money without declaring bankruptcy; we were on the verge of that, so we are saying to the students we can’t pay.

“Of course, the reaction we got from the power distribution company is to cut off the light, so right now, the light has been cut off. We are trying to use diesel and so we are now rationing light and the students are not happy; definitely, they can’t be when they used to have light 24/7, running into weeks, months and now you are saying to them you can only give them for four hours.

“So, they are not happy. If the students tomorrow go to the streets, it is not because we don’t want to give them, we cannot afford. Yes, we’ve gotten unrest for one reason or the other but it’s not deliberate on our part, that will be outside our own control,” she stated.

She highlighted some of her key achievements in the last four years, including massive infrastructure development with funding support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund reduced cult-related activities to the barest minimum improvement in the welfare of staff and students, and introduction of new programmes among others.

In the same vein, Prof. Salami commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund for its numerous intervention programmes in public universities and other beneficiary tertiary institutions.

A Superintendent of Police, Ibrahim Sini has said he turned down a N150m bribe allegedly offered to him by a Lagos-based businessman, Akintoye Akindele to have peace of mind.

Akindele who was arraigned for the offence at the Federal High Court in Abuja in August 2023 was remanded in the Kuje correctional centre.

According to the charge sheet, the bribe was offered to allow police to permit him to escape abroad and to write a favourable report for him after the investigation.

Sini was said to have led the Inspector General of Police’s team of investigators handling the case against the businessman.

Speaking at a dinner organised to honour him on Friday, Sini said, “I am very happy to be here and I want to appreciate the organisers of this programme. They have beat my imagination and they have added more grease to my elbow.

At the event, Sini was given a plot of land in Abuja.

“Yes, I remember when the incident happened, the person in question asked me, do you want to be rich?  He said, this is an opportunity for you to be rich.

“So what I said was that it depends on the kind of riches.  I would like to have money that I can lay my head down and sleep at night.  I don’t want to have something that will make me think twice and be running from one hole to another. So, I would like to do justice and have peace of mind.

“So, I decided to do the right thing so that I can have peace of mind and also stand to do what is right for myself, for my organisation, that is, the Nigeria Police and also for the country at large.”

He advised youths in the country not to trade their integrity for anything.

Presenting the document of the land to Sini, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh said SP Sini’s conduct has brought pride to the Nigerian Police Force.

Former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council , Dr Doyin Okupe, has faulted  Federal Government on its court case against states  over  local government autonomy.

Okupe, a former Presidential spokesperson ,expressed the position in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday.

The former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), described the Federal Government’s legal battle against the states  for autonomy as needless and unfortunate.

According to him, in a true federal system, there are only two component units- the federal and the states.

“We should run a true federal system in which there are two bodies coming together for a union: the Federal Government and sub-nationalities.

“The local governments are principally and completely issues of the state, it is absolutely has nothing to do with the federal government and it (the idea of LG as a third tier)should be expunged from the constitution.

“Let the nation’s money be shared between the Federal government and the states. The Federal government asking for local government autonomy in a  federal system is an aberration.

“I t is becoming so sad that we seem not to know what is right and what is wrong in the country.

Then, the state government can decide to have as many local governments as it desires for grassroots development and fund it as they like,” Okupe said.

Recall that the Federal Government has instituted a legal action against the governors of the 36 states of the federation at the Supreme Court over what it calls their interference in the  administration of local councils in their respective states.

The suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, is seeking full autonomy for all local government areas in the country.

In suit, the Federal Government specifically prayed the court to issue an order, prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.

The suit is also asking for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them from the federation account in line with the provisions of the constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by governors.

FG also prayed the Supreme Court for an order stopping governors from further constituting caretaker committees to run the affairs of local governments as against the constitutionally recognized and guaranteed democratic system.

It equally applied for an order of injunction restraining the governors, their agents and privies from receiving, spending or tampering with funds released from the federation account for the benefits of local governments when no democratically elected local government system is put in place in the states.