The APC Youth Solidarity Network, a youth group within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has sounded the alarm over what it described as attempts by internal enemies to destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

This warning comes in response to the recent failed attempt to oust the national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Prince Danesi Momoh, national coordinator of the youth group, urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action to stop enemies from bringing down the party.

He drew parallels with a similar situation in 2013/2014, when anti-party agents conspired against then-PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, leading to the party’s defeat in the 2015 polls.

Momoh stated, “We initially led protests against Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and called for his removal. We submitted a protest letter to the President through the National Secretary, citing his suspension by his council ward in Kano State.

“We were brainwashed that, the only way to save of our party, is by mobilizing for the removal of the National Chairman, in order to avoid Zamfara treatment, where the party won all elections, but our votes were later awarded to the opposition by the Supreme Court.”

He emphasized that despite the rejection of the suspension by the Ganduje Ward Executive and the discovery that those involved were not APC members, some individuals continue to vent their frustrations due to perceived lack of patronage by the Tinubu administration.

“History has shown us the dangers of silence in the face of internal sabotage. We urge President Tinubu to rise to the challenge and ensure Ganduje remains as national chairman to prevent a repeat of the 2015 scenario.”

Hunters and local security personnel have been deployed by the people of Amaba Ime community in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State to join in the search for three children stolen by a motorcyclist last week.

The abducted kids are Gideon Osinachi, Divine Osinachi, 6, and Israel Osinachi, 4, children of the same parents.

Local security outfits have been mandated by the community to help the police and other security agencies in the search for the missing children.

The traditional ruler of the community, King Emmanuel Otuwa, who confirmed the sad story of the abducted children, said his community has been devastated since the kids were taken away to an unknown place by an unidentified person.

He expressed shock at the development and advised parents in his community and other parts of Abia State against entrusting their children to strangers.

King Otuwa, who appealed to the Abia State government and security agencies in the state to expedite action in the rescue of the abducted kids, also called for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the heinous act.

The monarch charged the hunters and local security agencies to assist the police and agencies in their efforts to locate the whereabouts of the innocent kids.

The news of the abduction of the children has already been confirmed by the spokesman of the Abia State Police Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, who said that the matter was reported at the police divisional headquarters covering the area of the incident.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed intelligence officers to Banex – an electronics and telecommunications gadgets market, in Abuja following a conflict that ensued between soldiers and some traders on Saturday.

A viral video seen by our correspondent on X on Saturday showed a multitude of civilians overpowering some soldiers during a free-for-all fight at Banex.

The Defence Headquarters, and the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu could not be reached for comments as of press time.

Meanwhile, a trader who simply identified himself as Abdul, told our correspondent on Saturday that the conflict ensued over the sale of a mobile phone.

“There’s a problem at Banex now. Some soldiers came to complain about a phone, and during an argument with the traders, a fight ensued,” Abdul simply revealed.

When contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, Benett Igweh has deployed officers of the FCT Intelligence Response Team to the scene of the incident.

“The CP has deployed the Intelligence Response Team to the scene,” Adeh confirmed

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Ajuri Ngelale as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action.

Tinubu in a statement circulated on Sunday, through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, hinged the appointment on a strategic move to ensure the advancement of his administration’s climate and green economic initiatives.

The statement added that Ngelale will serve in this role as part of a larger Presidential Committee, to be chaired by the President.

The Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions, established by the President, will coordinate and oversee all policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.

This is to remove the constraints to coordination, foster a whole-of-government approach to climate-action programmes, provide an efficient governance architecture, and ensure that all relevant institutions in the sector are plugged into the President’s vision and are collectively implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda on climate action.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu is to serve as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over an ongoing N8,069,176,864.00 money laundering probe.

The indicted former Minister of Aviation arrived at the Federal Capital Territory Command of the EFCC at about 1:00 pm on Tuesday our correspondent can confirm.

Our correspondent, who was at the Wuse office of the EFCC, observed the embattled former minister’s arrival at the anti-graft agency’s Abuja office.

Following his arrival at the command, Sirika is currently meeting with EFCC investigators to answer questions on alleged fraudulent contracts awarded by him to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.

Impeccable anti-graft sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, because they were not authorised to speak, confirmed the development to our correspondent on Tuesday.

“Yes, that was Hadi Sirika who was taken into our FCT custody. He is currently meeting with EFCC investigators over the alleged N8,069,176,864.00 aviation ministry contract fraud,” a source revealed.

Another source noted, “The N8,069,176,864.00 aviation ministry contract fraud was carried out in connivance with his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika, through the latter’s company.”

According to reports that the EFCC was investigating the activities of the Aviation Ministry under former Minister Sirika for conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation.

A credible source who spoke with our correspondent on Tuesday revealed that the anti-graft commission is investigating the activities of the Aviation Ministry for conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation.

Others are criminal breaches of trust and money laundering amounting to N8,069,176,864.00 during Sirika’s tenure in office.

The sum is said to be for four aviation contracts from the former minister to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.

Apart from being listed as the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar is said to be the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union Banksy.

It was further revealed that the ex-minister’s younger brother, Abubakar Sirika, has been arrested and detained by the commission in connection with N3,212,258,930.18 paid to his company, Engirios Nigerian Limited’s, bank account by the former minister.

It was noted that there is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date.

The source said Abubakar Sirika, who was arrested on Sunday, February 4, has since been assisting the commission in its probe of the Aviation Ministry’s financial expenditures during Mr Sirika’s tenure.

The EFCC investigator said, “We’re investigating an N8,069,176,864.00 money laundering case linked to former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika.

“Hadi awarded contracts to his brother Abubakar, knowing that the latter is a civil servant, a deputy director on Level 16 in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, where he has been working since 2000 till date.

“The first of the contracts from the former minister to Engirios Nigeria Limited was on August 18, 2022, for the construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport, at a cost of N1,345,586,500.00. The second was awarded on November 3, 2022, for the establishment of the Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Center in Katsina Airport, valued at N3, 811,497,685.00.

“The third contract was on February 3, 2023, for the procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, and a power generator’s house in Aviation House, Abuja, at the cost of N615,195,275.000, while the fourth was awarded on May 5, 2023, for the procurement of Magnus aircraft and a simulator for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, at the cost of N2, 296,897,404.00.

“Out of the total contract sum, the ex-minister paid out N3,212,258,930.18 to his younger brother’s Engirios Nigerian Limited, who, upon receipt of the payment, transferred it to different companies and individuals. There is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date.

“Abubakar Sirika is currently in our custody at the Headquarters, and he is providing us with more useful information on the financial activities of the Aviation Ministry under the supervision of his older brother, Hadi Sirika.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed its officers to the Lead British International School, Abuja, over viral videos of bullying.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that the move was a proactive response to alarms raised by some members of the public regarding videos circulating on social media depicting the bullying of students at the school.

She also revealed that the police were on top of the situation while noting that the investigation was ongoing.

Adeh said, “The FCT Police Command is on top of the situation and has deployed seasoned officers to the school premises for investigations and to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order.”

A third video depicting a separate case of bullying at the Lead British International School, Abuja emerged on Tuesday.

In the new video posted on Tuesday, some male students in the school’s uniform were seen surrounding another boy who appeared to be in casual attire.

A student slapped the boy who was on his knees, and then some of the other boys who were gathered appealed to stop the ‘bully’ from further harming the boy, who was later whisked away in the nine-second video.

An X user, @PopoolaJoke4, who posted the video wrote, “No be the same school?”

This was in response to the first viral video of bullying in the same school that was released earlier.

Our correspondent reports that an X user, @moooyeeeee, had on Monday night posted two videos of a female student of the school being repeatedly slapped by another female classmate.

The user called for justice for the victim. Since they were posted, the videos have drawn the wrath of many users of the microblogging platform who condemned the incident and called for the school authorities to investigate and punish the culprits.

However, the management of Lead British International School, Abuja, in a statement on Tuesday, said it had begun an investigation into the matter.

The Director, Special Projects, Federal Ministry of Finance, Aisha Omar, has said the ministry has so far recovered N57 billion from the N5.2 trillion owed by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Omar disclosed this during the Sensitisation Workshop on Federal Government Debt Recovery Drive through Project Lighthouse Programme for South-East zone, on Tuesday in Enugu.

Declaring the event open, Omar said the debts came to the spotlight from data aggregated from over 5,000+ debtors across more than 93 MDAs.

Omar represented by Mrs Bridget Molokwu, the Deputy Director special projects, Ministry of Finance, Abuja, said the debts were in the form of liabilities to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The director said that it also received refunds to the government by companies who failed to deliver on projects for which payment had been made.

Others are unpaid credit facilities granted to both corporate entities and individuals by the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Judgment Debt in favor of Government, debts owed Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) by insurance companies amongst others.

She added that data from Project Lighthouse revealed that many companies and individuals, who owed government agencies and refused to honor their obligations were still being paid.

This, she said, was done through the government platforms such as GIFMIS and Treasury Single Account (TSA) due to lack of visibility over these transactions.

According to her, in actualising debt recovery goal, the Federal Ministry of Finance initiated “Project Lighthouse”, which has enabled the aggregation of relevant economic and financial information from multiple agencies who hitherto did not share data.

“Generally, revenue loopholes have been aided by poor information sharing and enforcement.

“It may interest you to note that the Ministry through the consolidation efforts of the Debt Analytics and Reporting Application, has been able to aggregate monumental debts of approximately N5.2 trillion.

“The debt aggregation effort is still ongoing. Currently, approximately, N57 billion has been recovered so far from this amount due to concerted efforts on the part of stakeholders and the Federal Government,” she said.

The director said the similar workshop had been held in five other geo-political zones of the country namely South- West, North-Central, North-West, South-South and North-East.

She explained that important part of the policies and strategies was to leverage big data technology to help block revenue loopholes, identify new revenue opportunities, optimize existing revenue streams especially non-oil revenue as well as improved fiscal transparency.

“The Ministry, in this regard, has taken steps to address this major revenue loophole, through the issuance of a ministerial directive to all MDAs to aggregate all government debt across the Public Finance space as well as having a single window on the credit profile of government;

“Extend the functionalities of Debt Recovery Capability of Lighthouse to enable the Federal Ministry of Finance fully automate the debt recovery process and make settlements of debts as seamless as possible,”.

Omar said that the revenue generation effort would be dependent on cooperation and commitment of MDAs in providing quality and relevant information (debt-related data) to populate the platform.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has again announced a further reduction in the prices of both diesel and aviation fuel to N940, N980 per litre respectively.
This is coming at the wake of its widely celebrated price reduction to N1,000 barely two weeks ago.

The price change of N940 is applicable to customers buying five million litres and above from the refinery, while the price of N970 is for customers buying one million litres and above.

Speaking on the new development, the Head of Communication, Mr Anthony Chiejina, explained that the new price is in consonance with the company’s commitment to cushion the effect of economic hardship in Nigeria.

Chiejina said, “I can confirm to you that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has entered a strategic partnership with MRS Oil and Gas stations, to ensure that consumers get to buy fuel at affordable price, in all their stations be it Lagos or Maiduguri. You can buy as low as 1 litre of diesel at N1,050 and aviation fuel at N980 at all major airports where MRS operates.”

He further stated that the partnership will be extended to other major oil marketers.

“The essence of this is to ensure that retail buyers do not buy at exorbitant prices. The Dangote Group is committed to ensuring that Nigerians have a better welfare and as such, we are happy to announce these new prices and hope that it would go a long way to cushion the effect of economic challenges in the country,” he added.

It would be recalled that the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a further reduction of the price of diesel from N1200 to N1,000per litre barely two weeks ago.

This marks the third major reduction in diesel price in less than three weeks when the product sold at N1,700 to N1,200 and also a further reduction to N1,000 and now N940 for diesel and N980 for aviation fuel per litre.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu had also commended MrDangote for the initial price reduction, describing it as an “enterprising feat.”

Reacting to the latest development, the Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Ajayi Kadiri, said that, “The decision of Dangote Refinery to first crash the price from about N1,750/litre to N1,200/litre, N1,000/litre and now N940 is an eloquent demonstration of the capacity of local industries to positively impact the fortunes of the national economy.”

He added that, “The trickle down effect of this singular intervention promises to change the dynamics in the energy cost equation of the country, in the midst of inadequate and rising cost of electricity.

“The reduction will have far-reaching effects in critical sectors like industrial operations, transportation, logistics, and agriculture, contributing to easing the high inflation rate in the country; a lot of companies will be back in operation.”

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration will not succumb to the pressure mounted on it by self-serving politicians.

The governor assured that despite the deliberate distractions by his detractors, the state government will remain focused on delivering good governance to the people to justify the mandate freely given to it by the electorate.

He urged the leadership of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) to sustain the promotion of excellence in financial reporting and practice in the country.

Fubara spoke when he received a delegation of the association led by its 13th National President, Dr. James EkerareNeminebor, in Government House, Port Harcourt.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, noted that the government’s eyes would remain glued on the ball to enable it to achieve set targets in critical sectors.

Fubara in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, vowed not to disappoint Rivers people.

“No matter the pressure to via off the curve, the government will never yield to the machinations of self-serving politicians and individuals”, he insisted.

He charged ANAN to remain consistent in professional financial practice to institutionalize best practices, due diligence, and transparency in governance.

The governor said: “So, know that it’s actually a pleasure to have you come to hold your Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programme in Port Harcourt. And also to say that it is an association that rings a bell.

“In fact, two of my staff actually passed their training examinations. It was in Jos, and I asked them: what are you going to do there? And they said it was mandatory for them. So, you’re doing a good and wonderful job.

“It is good to be good and consistent so that you have that integrity for the Association. And to congratulate you on the college that has been established because anything to do with education, it is something that is top notch because people have to learn, train, and be retrained.

“And to tell you that my Governor is very passionate about things that have to do with the improvement of capacities and building of individuals and human beings. I’m delighted that he will be willing to do something that will put his name on the marble when you talk about ANAN College.”

Fubara commended their decision to choose Port Harcourt as the host for their 2024 professional development programme and urged them to enjoy their visit.

He said that the choice of the state for the annual gathering of professional accountants was an eloquent indication that the Rivers was safe not just for national conferences, summits and retreats, but also for long-term investors and visitors.

He said: “It is, indeed, gratifying that when conferences or meetings are scheduled in Rivers State, for us, it is a plus because it resonates with the fact that Rivers State is safe; that Rivers State is a place you can do business and interact with people”.

In his address, the 13th National President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr. James EkerareNeminebor, said they were in Government House on a solidarity visit to the Governor, who is a fellow of the association.

Neminabor, who is also chairman of the council of ANAN, explained that as a body of 55,000 members with 44 branches across Nigeria, they were reckoned as one of the topmost institutes for practising accountants.

He also said that ANAN decided that the three-day 2nd session of the 2024 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme should be hosted in Port Harcourt to underscore the pivotal position of Rivers State in the national economy.

On the delegation were national and state executive officers of the association, while the training event, which began on Monday with registration of participants, will end on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

A Dana Air aircraft with registration number, 5N BKI, flying from Abuja to Lagos on veered off the runway while landing at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos.

A statement signed by Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, Head of Corporate Communications of the airline, said all the 83 passengers and crew members onboard were unharmed.

According to Ezenwa, the airline was relieved to confirm that all 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight disembarked safely without injuries or scare as the crew handled the situation with utmost professionalism.

He said that all relevant authorities had been informed of the incident.

“We have also updated the AIB and NCAA on the incident and the aircraft involved has been grounded by our maintenance team for further investigation.

“We wish to thank the airport authorities, our crew for their very swift response in ensuring the safe disembarkation of all passengers following the incident.

“Our sincere apologies and appreciation to the passengers on the affected flight for their patience and understanding.

“We wish to reassure our passengers that their safety will always be our top priority, and we are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident,” he said.

There was tension in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Tuesday over alleged shooting of a student by a yet to be identified security agent.

The incident occured at LadokeAkintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso.

DAILY POST gathered that a security agent allegedly gunned down the student and injured two others on Tuesday.

Our correspondent learnt that the incident occurred when the security agent was invited to settle a misunderstanding between two people in the school.

While attempting to settle the matter, the officer reportedly shot sporadically into the air. Our correspondent learnt that in the process, a student was gunned down.

Two other students were injured in the course of the shooting.

The incident triggered a riot as students locked the school gates in protest, demanding justice for the deceased.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, ASP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident. He said that the Command has commenced investigation into the matter.

Osifeso in a short statement made available to DAILY POST on Tuesday said, “Investigation is ongoing. Updates would be provided accordingly please.”

A Dana Air aircraft with registration number, 5N BKI, flying from Abuja to Lagos on Tuesday morning, veered off the runway while landing at the Murtala Mohammed airport in Lagos.

A statement signed by Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, Head of Corporate Communications of the airline, said all the 83 passengers and crew members onboard were unharmed.

According to Ezenwa, the airline was relieved to confirm that all 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight disembarked safely without injuries or scare as the crew handled the situation with utmost professionalism.

He said all relevant authorities have been informed of the incident.

“We have also updated the AIB and NCAA on the incident, and our maintenance team has grounded the aircraft involved for further investigation.

“We wish to thank the airport authorities and our crew for their swift response in ensuring the safe disembarkation of all passengers following the incident.

“Our sincere apologies and appreciation to the passengers on the affected flight for their patience and understanding.

“We wish to reassure our passengers that their safety will always be our top priority, and we are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident,” he noted.

By Henrietta Ashikodi

Abia state government in partnership with the enterprise development centre, office of the first Lady and Abia state Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is set to commence the process of training about ten thousand women from Abia.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture Prince Okey Kanu stated this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council presided over by Governor Alex Otti said the programme will focus on capacity building and business support programmes with particular emphasizes on equipping participants with essential information technology skills for future endeavours.

He said “the calls for applications for the programme will soon Commence, and of course you all know that this is pointed towards building capacity for Abians in different areas of endeavor, including SMES, stand alone IT -expert.

“The overriding interest of the state government is to ensure that as many people as possible acquire IT-skills that will help them in the future”.

Prince Kanu also informed that Governor Otti has sponsored the participation of 26 individuals in Cyber security Certification examinations, while noting that the sponsorship was provided through the state Ministry of SME and digital economy.

The information Commissioner explained that the move is aimed at enhancing cyber security expertise and fortified digital infrastructure within the state.

“This initiative is made to substantially increase the number of cyber security expertise in the state. Of course, we know that this is the way to go in this era of technology and artificial intelligence.

“You have to have people who are good in cyber security so that they can help the government maintain security generally in the state”.

He said that the state government as part of the reforms being carried out in the state civil service through the Abia state civil service commission will soon commence the certification of administration officers in human resource management.

While noting that the state government is carrying out reforms of its civil service, noted that a good human resource management is a sinequanon for an effective civil service, adding that officers will be expected to acquire professional certificates from relevant and approved professional bodies for progression in the civil service.

Prince Kanu who emphasized that the state Civil Service Commission would commence the actual implementation of the policy said the policy was part of efforts of the government to build capacity for civil servants and professionalize the state civil service.

The state information boss disclosed that the state Executive Council has approved the “Dig once policy” through the establishment of the “Dig once policy implementation council headed by the deputy governor, Engr me Ikechukwu Emetu.

He further explained that the policy aims at facilitating internet penetration and fast internet access even in rural areas, adding that the policy is in line with the present administration agenda in information technology development which is a serious enabler of business.

Prince Kanu said the state government in a joint effort with the federal Ministry of communication, Innovation and Digital Economy has committed to establishing 6 -mini digital hubs with free internet access across the 3 zones of the state including Arochukwu, Umunneochi, Ikwuano, Isialangwa south, Ukwa East and Ugwunagbo.

Contributing, the Commissioner for SME and Digital Economy, Dr. Mathew Ekwuribe said that the about to be launched “Dig once” project is to minimize the constant digging on the roads to lay fibre optics cables by operators, adding that the project will be extended to the hinterland.

He noted that though, not every part of the state would benefit from the initiative, the internet hubs to be set up in 6 LGAS across the 3 senatorial zones of the state by the federal Ministry of Digital Economy in collaboration with the state will provide Abians a functional hub to receive internet training and digital services.

Answering questions from newsmen, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma clarified that the Peoples road, Aba which was rumored to have been washed off is still under construction, adding that all roads being done by the Dr Alex Otti’s administration are usually certified before commissioning, adding that all the roads completed are still standing.

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is collaborating with BUA Cement to conduct regular tests on drivers and other workers of the company to ensure that they are not hooked to illicit drugs.

The NDLEA Commandant in Sokoto State, MrAdamuIro, said this during a sensitisation lecture organised by NDLEA and BUA Cement for workers of the company on Tuesday in Sokoto.

Iro said that the initiative would help to safeguard people’s lives, and commended the company for the partnership.

According to him, some drivers engage in illegal use of substances that endanger their health and physical wellbeing.

The NDLEA commandant expressed concern that the use of illegal drugs and substances was becoming a “normal lifestyle by many Nigerians,” adding that the attitude has pushed such drug dependent people into crime.

The commandant described drug abuse as the catalyst of the crimes bedeviling the nation, saying that drivers on drugs endanger peoples lives and property through road accidents.

In her address, the Head of training, BUA Cement, MrsRamatuSani, thanked NDLEA for the support aimed at sanitising workers wellbeing as well as promoting productivity in the company.

Sani described the sensitisation programme as crucial to the health engagements in the community as it would sustain the partnership.

Mr Ibrahim Bande, Head Transport of the company, called on workers to adhere to the lectures and stay away from all forms of drug abuse for their development and society at large.

Bande also cautioned drivers against working under influence of drugs at all times and uphold the company’s integrity and ensure safer roads.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event witnessed a drama presentation on dangers of drug abuse, and award to company staff working against drug abuse.

There was also a road walk round the community to educate residents on the dangers of drug abuse and associated ills.

The Corporate Affairs Commission has revoked the certificates of incorporation of NIPOST Properties and Development Company and NIPOST Transport and Logistics Services Limited.

This revocation followed the discovery of an illegal transfer of N10 billion in restructuring funds released by the Federal Ministry of Finance to the agency’s subsidiaries.

The CAC, in a statement on Monday, said, “The General Public is hereby informed that the Commission, sequel to its powers contained in Section 41 (7) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 3 of 2020, revoked the Certificates of incorporation of the below-mentioned companies because the same was improperly procured.

These companies are:
“1. NIPOST Transport and Logistics Services Company Ltd RC 1673881 and 2. NIPOST Properties & Development Company Ltd RC 1673971.

“By virtue of these revocations, the Companies are deemed to be dissolved and their Assets and Liabilities transferred to the Nigeria Postal Services established under the Nigerian Postal Services Act Cap N127 LFN 2004.”

Our correspondent reports that CAC records confirm that as of November 8, 2023, some top officials of BPE control significant shares in the subsidiaries.
Responding to these discoveries, the Senate passed a resolution on December 30, 2023, for a probe into the matter.

The resolution declared the NIPOST subsidiaries in question “irregular and illegal” and recommended their immediate winding-up and deregistration.

The Senate resolution goes beyond immediate action; it demanded a thorough investigation into the N10 billion voted by the Ministry of Finance for NIPOST’s restructuring and recapitalisation.

Should evidence of “injudicious utilisation” surface, the Senate said the committee responsible must recover the full amount.

In its resolution of December 30, 2023, the Red Chamber said it uncovered an alleged illegal transfer of Federal Government shares in two NIPOST subsidiaries to private individuals.

The discovered infractions sparked outrage, prompting the lawmakers to call for immediate action.

Some individuals in key positions within the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and NIPOST were listed as shareholders of the two NIPOST subsidiaries.

The lead counsel of NnamdiKanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, AloyEjimakor, on Friday denied reports of giving some conditions for the trial of the Biafra agitator during his last proceedings at the Abuja Federal High Court.

Ejimakor explained that the claims of Kanu’s legal team giving conditions for his trial before Justice BintaNyako-led Federal High Court was false and misleading.

Giving a rundown of events during the last proceedings, he said at the last hearing in 17th April 2024, the main issue before the court was “our application to have Kanu’s bail reinstated, in line with the clear and unequivocal pronouncement of the Supreme Court in its judgment of 15th December, 2023.”

He noted that the the kernel of their argument for bail restoration pivots on the determination made by the Supreme Court to the effect that Kanu’s bail was revoked in error, based on the misrepresentation or false premise that he had jumped bail, of which the Supreme Court made a finding that he did not. Below is part of what the Supreme Court had stated.

In a statement, the lead counsel said: “My attention has been drawn to some publications in the media, purporting that – at the last hearing of his case on 17th April 2024 – MaziNnamdiKanu had given conditions for his trial. By this Press Release, I wish to make it clear that any such publication, regardless of how well-intentioned, is misleading. For avoidance of doubt, below is the true state of affairs:

“The respondent 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. Yet during proceedings in the pending criminal case against him, they applied that his bail be revoked, that a warrant for his arrest be issued and his sureties forfeit their respective bail bond and that his trial in his absence be ordered because he had jumped bail and is not in court to stand his trial. But they knew that their illegal actions made it impossible for the respondent to be in court for his trial. In a situation such as this one, where the prosecution has taken extrajudicial actions against the defendant in a pending criminal case brought by it and made it impossible for the defendant who is on bail to be in court for his or her trial, it is wrong to treat such a defendant as having jumped bail in the sense that he is running from prosecution or running to avoid prosecution in the pending criminal case in respect of which he was granted bail.

“The respondent did not intentionally and knowingly fail to appear in court. It was therefore wrong and malicious for the appellant that had cause the respondent to flee from his home and country to secure his life and that had therefore caused his unavoidable absence from court, to inform and thereby deceived the trial court that the respondent had jumped bail.

“On the basis of this deception, the appellant applied to the trial court for an order revoking the respondent’s bail, forfeiting the amount securing the bail bond of his sureties and an order issuing a bench warrant for his arrest. It is glaring from the record of the proceedings in the trial court that it granted the said orders prayed for by the appellant with knowledge of the fact that the respondent’s absence from court was caused by the invasion of his home by army officers of the appellant.

“Therefore, the trial court knew that the said extra judicial and illegal actions of the appellant made it impossible for the respondent to be in court for his trial, that the respondent’s absence is not intentional or deliberate absence and that the respondent is not running from prosecution or running to avoid prosecution.

“In the light of the foregoing, the trial court acted unfairly and without rational and legal justifiable basis by its decisions revoking the respondent’s bail, forfeiting the amount securing the bail bond of his sureties and its order issuing a bench warrant for his arrest. The orders were made on the basis of the false assumption that the respondent jumped bail.

“It was on the basis of the order of arrest of the respondent obtained under the false pretense that he jumped bail that his extradition or rendition from Kenya was carried out
“In addition to the above, there is a lot more of what the Supreme Court had said against the revocation of Kanu’s bail and the consequent issuance of the bench warrant that grandfathered his infamous extraordinary rendition.

“It is on basis of this pronouncement that we made a vigorous submission on 17th April that the Federal High Court is bound to restore Kanu’s bail, as demanded by the Constitution at Section 287(1) thus: “The decisions of the Supreme court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Supreme Court”.

Ejimakor said Kanu’s legal team further advanced the common sense argument that bail restoration is the next best alternative that will enhance the environment for the accelerated trial the Court had ordered, because it will put an end to the stringent DSS detention conditions which have posed grave risks to Kanu’s fair trial rights as guaranteed under the Constitution.

For good measure, he stressed the point to the Court that it is against the ethics of the legal profession for any lawyer to advise a client to succumb to trial whilst his detention conditions are not conducive to his constitutional right to unhindered access to Counsel and the adequate facility to prepare his defense. It is even more egregious in the case of MaziNnamdiKanu, because most of the charges he is facing carry the death penalty.

“The forgoing is a summary of the case-in-chief we had presented in Court on 17th April, 2024. We never presented any ‘conditions’. We don’t even fancy ourselves possessing the slightest coercive wherewithal to present conditions to the Court or the Nigerian State,” he added.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and former president, Goodluck Jonathan, have disagreed over the establishment of state police in the country.

There have been renewed calls for the establishment of state police following an increase in kidnappings, banditry, and violent attacks across the country.

Speaking during a national dialogue on state police organised by the House of Representatives in Abuja, with the theme: ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’, Egbetokun, represented by Ben Okolo, an assistant inspector-general of police, said Nigeria is not ready for a decentralised police force.

He said, “It is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria police force that Nigeria is yet to mature for the establishment of state-controlled police.”

The IGP listed some of the challenges as inadequate manpower, inadequate operational equipment such as vehicles, arms and ammunition, communication equipment, drones, aerial surveillance cameras, security surveillance helicopters, armoured vehicles, and inadequate training of personnel.

He added that state police would create a conflict of jurisdiction and open to abuse by state governors.

Ex-President Jonathan, on the other hand, stated that with the spate of kidnappings, the issue of state police is non-negotiable.

“So the National Assembly needs to look into all these. These are the areas that we have to concentrate. The issue of the need for states to have their own police is not negotiable. There is no way we can continue this kidnapping that is going on in this country.

Jonathan, however, added that for state police to be implemented, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be rejigged.

“So if we are talking about state police, we must also rejig INEC, and the police must not be used against or to the advantage of any political party.

“The issue of voting, the polling booths of INEC, and the use of police during elections has to be reviewed by the National Assembly,” Jonathan added.

The Kenya Police Service has arrested fleeing Binance executive Nadeem Anjarawalla, who escaped from custody in Nigeria.

There are indications that the International Police Organisation, INTERPOL, plans to extradite him to Nigeria this week.

A reliable source in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, who preferred anonymity, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday.

“Anjarawalla has been arrested in Kenya by the Kenya Police Service through intelligence by the International Police Organisation. Nigeria has kickstarted talks with INTERPOL about his extradition,” the source said.

Our Correspondent had reported that Anjarawalla, who escaped lawful custody in Nigeria, was found in Kenya. EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukuyede, had in a statement in March, said that the Commission is collaborating with INTERPOL, the US, UK, Northern Ireland and Kenyan authorities to extradite Anjarwalla.

The Commission had slammed a five-count charge bordering on tax evasion, currency speculation and money laundering against Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, the firm’s executives.

EFCC arraigned Binance and the two executives on Thursday, April 4, 2024.

Recall that Anjarwalla escaped from custody on March 22 and has been at large since then.

The Inspector General of Police, OlukayodeEgbetokun, has opposed the establishment of State Police, saying the country was not ripe for it.

Egbetokun stated this during a one-day dialogue on state policing, themed, ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’ on Monday.

He stated that the establishment of state Police would exacerbate ethnic tension, leading to divided loyalty in the states.

“On the issue of state police, it is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) that Nigeria is not yet mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police,” the IGP, represented by AIG Ben Okolo, said at the event organised by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.”

Represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ben Okolo, the IG said the establishment of state police will also lead to multiple command structures in the states.

He also claimed that state governors were likely to abuse the privilege of state police by using it for political gains, leading to possible abuse of power and abuse of human rights.

“State governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and undermine human rights and security. There would also be a conflict of jurisdiction,” he noted.

He argued the state Governments lacked the required funding that would give birth to the type of policing that the nation requires.

He also said there was the need for a yearly recruitment of about 30,000 police personnel into the Force annually to meet the UN requirements for modern policing, while also increasing annual budgetary allocation to the Force.

Rather than establishing state police across the country, he recommended merging the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission to form departments in the Nigeria Police Force.

Organised by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the dialogue is the beginning of deliberations on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (alteration) bill 2023 (Establishment of State Police) sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu and 13 others.

The bill was designed to improve public safety and strengthen law enforcement in Nigeria by decentralising the police. The proposal in the bill provides for state police alongside the federal police and outlines a constitutional framework for states that choose to establish and maintain their service.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, FCT Command, has intercepted 10 victims of human trafficking at Zubamotor park in Abuja.

A statement by NSCDC FCT Command spokesperson, Samuel Idoko, said the rescued victims, aged between 24 and 34, comprised of one male and nine female, who all claimed to be indigenes of Ondo State.

According to him, on interrogation, it was gathered that the victims were being sponsored for illegal migration abroad.

”The victims were accosted at Zuba motor park, Abuja, by officers of the command, following a tip off of their return from Minna, where they had gone to process their International passports as directed by their sponsor.

”The victims confessed to have paid N80, 000 to facilitate the procurement of the International passport.

”They also confessed to being promised migration abroad to undertake ready-made jobs, especially in North Africa and Canada by a yet to be identified sponsor, who according to them, resides in Okitipupa, Ondo state”, he said.

Idoko stated that the victims had been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person, NAPTIP, by the NSCDC Commandant, Olusola Odumosu.

Odumosu was quoted as saying, “Be careful of the type of people that are promising you a better future abroad. Don’t be desperate because some of them might end up ruining your live; they deceive you and collect huge sums of money from you for ready-made jobs, whereas, you may end up in slavery or forced to be sex workers.

“If you must travel abroad, follow the right channel that will give you rest of mind, don’t allow somebody to seize your international passport abroad, and place you under an oath that you will regret.”

He submitted that the sentence imposed by the trial court is punitive contrary to the mandatory provisions of the ACJA on sentencing.

Controversial cross-dresser and socialite, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has filed a notice of appeal challenging his conviction on a four-count charge of Naira abuse.

In his Notice of Appeal filed by his lawyer, Bimbo Kusanu, Bobrisky is asking the court to set aside the six months imprisonment sentence imposed on him and replacing same with the option of a fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) on each of the counts against him.
On April 12, 2024, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos had sentenced Bobrisky, to six months imprisonment without an option of fine for abusing the Nigerian currency.

The judge while sentencing the convict, said the judgment would serve as a deterrent to others that are fond of abusing and mutilating the Naira.

On April 5, Bobrisky had pleaded guilty to the four-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the court.

In his Notice of Appeal, however, the appellant stated that the trial court imposed the maximum sentence on him despite having no previous record criminal of conviction and when there were options to impose a lesser sentence by the provisions of the ACJA.

He submitted that the sentence imposed by the trial court is punitive contrary to the mandatory provisions of the ACJA on sentencing.

The Appellant also stated that the judge did not consider his positive antecedent of not wasting the precious judicial resources of the trial court when he pleaded guilty to the charge.

He further stated that the Appellant honoured the invitation of the Respondent (the EFCC) on the first invitation during the investigation leading to the charge.

Part of the decision of the lower court complained of are “The sentence of the Lower Court that imposed maximum penalty of six-months imprisonment without option of fine on the Appellant who is a first time convict without previous record of criminal conviction.

“The Learned trial Judge erred in Law and in facts by his imposition of the maximum sentence of 6 Months imprisonment terms against the Appellant without option of fine contrary to the provisions of Section 416(2) d of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 (“ACJA”) that prescribed the mandatory guidelines on the trial Court on imposition of sentencing after criminal conviction of a first time offender as the Appellant.

“The trial Court imposed the maximum sentence on the Appellant who has no previous record criminal of conviction when there are options to impose a lesser sentence by the provisions of the ADCJA.

“The Sentence imposed by the trial Court against the Appellant is punitive contrary to the mandatory provisions of the Law (ACJA) on sentencing.

“The Appellant has suffered miscarriage of Justice by the maximum sentence imposed by the learned trial Court.

“The reasons adduced by the learned trial Court for the imposition of maximum punishment on the Appellant which is essentially on what foreigners think of abuse of Naira,is perverse and is out of tune with the reality of what the trial Court should have been considered to impose maximum punishment on the Appellant.

“The intendment of the provisions of the Central Bank Act 2007 that the Appellant was charged with is for Nigerians not to tamper with Naira and not what nationals of foreign countries view about tampering with Naira.

“The trial Court did not consider the positive antecedent of the Appellant who did not waste the precious Judicial resources of the trial Court when he pleaded guilty to the Charge.

The Appellant honoured the invitation of the Respondent-Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the first invitation during the investigation leading to the charge”.

“The trial Court failed to exercise his discretion judiciously and judicially in sentencing the Appellant. which has occasioned miscarriage of justice against the Appellant.”

Consequently, he urged the court to set aside the 6 months maximum imprisonment sentence imposed on him and in its place impose fine of N50,000 ( Fifty Thousand Naira) on each of the counts against the Appellant.