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Post Date : February 7, 2021

REVEALED: How criminal cartel hijacked bank data, demanded ransom in bitcoins

Facts emerged Saturday night that Friday’s circular by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) prohibiting commercial banks and other financial institutions from facilitating payment for cryptocurrency transactions was an immediate reaction to the hijack of a commercial bank’s data and demand for a ransom payment in bitcoins. According to a source, CBN was not against the use of cryptocurrencies and had not banned any individual from using it. The regulator was only fulfilling its responsibilities of preventing unregulated actors from using the platforms of institutions it regulates to facilitate illegal transactions. “CBN, like many other major central banks around the globe, is cautious about the use of bitcoins in their respective economies because of the threats its usage posed to their financial systems. “The concerns of the central banks prompted them to float the idea of issuing digital currencies, which would allow holders to make payments via the internet and offline, in a direct move to fend off threats of other existing means of electronic payment such as digital wallets, online banks or cryptocurrencies, which are risk-prone due to their speculative nature” the source noted. Citing the proposed e-krona by the Riksbank of Sweden and advanced moves already made by the Peoples’ Bank of China (PBoC) to issue a digital currency as well as consultations by the European Central Bank and the Bank of England on the issue of digital currencies, our source said the concern of the CBN was valid and supported by all. The source explained that no central bank in the world would ignore threats to the financial system it regulates adding that investigations revealed that cryptocurrencies had been used for laundering illicit funds, defrauding unsuspecting investors, scams and monetizing ransomware as was the case with the unnamed commercial bank in Nigeria. The source then reiterated the need for Nigerians to be cautious in transacting in cryptocurrencies since they were highly volatile and not regulated by any central bank in the world nor insured by the government of any major economy. While noting that naira remained the only legal tender recognized in the Nigerian financial system by the CBN Act (2007), as amended, he said allowing cryptocurrency traders, who were unregulated, to continue to utilize the platforms of institutions regulated by the CBN would be tantamount to the Bank abdicating its regulatory role of ensuring monetary and price stability as well as promoting a sound financial system.

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Post Date : February 7, 2021

Youth Reps, Senior Lawyer Oppose Reopening Of Lekki Tollgate

Youth representatives at the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Saturday opposed the reopening of the Lekki toll gate. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa also noted that reopening the toll-gate at this time would be hasty and premature. Chairman of the Judicial Panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi earlier on Saturday ruled that the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) could repossess the toll gate, which has been closed since October. In a statement published on Twitter after the ruling, the youth representatives, Rinu Oduala and Temitope Majekodunmi, said their “dissent wasn’t reflected in the ruling.” According to the representatives, the incidents that led to the closure of the toll gate are yet to be resolved. On October 20, military officials shot at #EndSARS protesters occupying the toll gate, in what has been described as a massacre by eyewitnesses. However, the Nigerian government and military have denied any wrongdoing. “We must highlight clearly, what is of critical importance to ensure there is a full & thorough investigation into the Lekki Toll Gate incidence; ensure justice for all victims; & that any & every one found culpable is identified & recommended for appropriate action under the law,” the youth representatives said in their statement. “We understand from the Forensic Report submitted by the expert employed by the panel, LCC management has, despite requests, failed to provide information, which includes access to servers; who ordered the extraction of CCTV footage; date & time of extraction of the footage from the CCTV; method used for the extraction as well as such other information which may be useful for purposes of the forensic examination & report. “None of these have been provided by LCC and so it is impossible to conclude that investigations are over. It is therefore imperative that the Lekki Toll Gate management should not be allowed to repossess the toll gate until full investigations are concluded. “This is especially important as victims of the Lekki Toll Incident are yet to be heard and the public is still in the dark on the full details of the Incidence. “Based on these facts, we are of the considered view that the Lekki Toll Gate remain shut and under the purview of the Panel until full investigations and hearings are concluded by this Panel. “We do not have any intention to obstruct the rulings of the panel. We only want our dissent to be on record. We are committed to ensuring justice for victims.” ‘An Insensitive Decision’ In his dissenting statement, Adegboruwa, who is also a human rights lawyer, averred that the panel is yet to come to any findings in respect of the October 20 events and any takeover by LCC will be prejudicial to the ultimate findings of the panel. He also said that the panel is yet to ascertain the claims and counterclaims of fatalities and massacre of citizens on October 20 and if indeed such is established, a takeover at this time will be insensitive, callous, and totally uncharitable to the memories of those who may have died. “The panel commissioned a forensic expert to undertake a forensic examination of the toll plaza, to examine documents, videos & CCT footages submitted and the panel is yet to receive a comprehensive report or the full details of the forensic report,” he said. He also noted that the panel has summoned the Lagos State Government to appear and offer its accounts of October 20, especially following serious allegations made by the Nigerian Army against the state government. “The Governor of Lagos in an open broadcast promised to handover to the panel a camera picked up by the Hon. Minister of works & housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN),” he added. “This has not happened. “Allegations have also been made against the company responsible for the billboards at the Admiralty Toll Plaza as to who did and why the electricity was switched off on October 20 prior to the invasion by the army. The company is yet to appear before the panel. “Summons have been issued for the appearance and testimony of the Chief Pathologist of Lagos to tender autopsy reports of death and CCTV footages of all mortuaries in Lagos from Oct 20. They are yet to appear”. He stressed that a takeover of the toll plaza by this time is hasty, premature, and will overreach the work and eventual recommendations of the panel.

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Post Date : February 7, 2021

Unongo to Buhari: Deploy soldiers to protect Northerners in South-West

Second Republic Minister of Steel Development and convener of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Paul Unongo, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the deployment of soldiers to protect northerners living in the SouthWest and other parts of the country so as to shield them from further attacks. The elder statesman, who spoke in an interview with Sunday Tribune, also urged Buhari to utilise his presidency to focus more attention on the North, saying “if the North does not get better, the rest of the country will not be any better.” “He is the president. He is from the North. He knows the yearnings and aspirations of the region. If the North does not get better, the rest of the country will not. But if the North gets better, no individual or group will rise against the country or any part of the country. “The North owns 70 per cent of the entire landmass of the country. We have the administrative acumen and we have the power. We brought him to power. He should not be afraid to develop his own region. “We are not saying he should not develop the other parts of the country, but the North which is behind in almost every sphere must get his attention. His major priority now should be the North. He should take advantage of the power he has now unite the people of the region,” he said. But reacting to Unongo’s remarks, the Secretary-General of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Dr Kunle Olajide, in an interview with Sunday Tribune, described NEF convener’s comment as irresponsible. “Well, my own opinion, absolutely a personal opinion, is that a tiny political elite in the North are the ones insisting on unitarism in the country because a lot of them have depended fully on politics for sustenance for years. “A lot of them have been indolent, not doing any work, except feeding off the state,” he said.

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Post Date : February 7, 2021

Nigeria records 1,588 new COVID-19 cases, total now 139,242

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 1,588 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 139,242. The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Saturday. “On the 6th of February 2021, 1588 new confirmed cases and 6 deaths were recorded in Nigeria. “Till date, 139242 cases have been confirmed, 112557 cases have been discharged and 1647 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. “The 1588 new cases are reported from 20 states- Lagos (535), Anambra (218), Oyo (155), FCT (150), Kano (124), Gombe (60), Kaduna (49), Ebonyi (48), Plateau (46), Akwa Ibom (39), Niger (37), Edo (33), Katsina (23), Rivers (18), Taraba (15), Nasarawa (14), Ogun (11), Delta (9), Ekiti (2), and Jigawa (2),” the NCDC said.

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Post Date : February 7, 2021

NDLEA seizes N1.4b worth of cannabis in Edo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo Command, says it has discovered a suspected cannabis warehouse in Ukpuje forest in Owan West Local Government Area of the state. Mr Buba Wakawa, the state commander of the agency, announced this at a news conference on Saturday in Benin. Wakawa alleged that the suspected illicit drug village had four large cannabis warehouses with 233,778 kilogrammes of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis. He said that the substance had an estimated street value of more than N1.4 billion. He also said that seven suspected drug barons believed to be running the cannabis trafficking syndicate had equally been apprehended. “This is the largest single concentration of cannabis discovered by the command,” he said. He gave the breakdown of the substance to include 318 bags of 80 kilogrammes each and 15,853 bags of 13 kilogrammes each. Wakawa added that while the quantity seized weighed 2,249 kilogrammes, others weighing 231,529 kilogrammes were destroyed. The state commander ascribed the success of the operation to the enabling environment created by the new chairman of the agency, retired Brig -Gen. Buba Marwa. “We took delivery of two new vehicles presented to the command last week. “This is the first assignment of the vehicles and it turned out to be the best for the command. “We are grateful to the chairman, and this is a clear warning that there is no room for drug barons in the state,” he said. The commander noted that the seizures represented a large chunk of the previous cannabis planting season. “They planted, watered, harvested, and processed the drug only for us to dispossess them of theith! labour, because their action is criminal. “The warehouses are located in the heart of the forest, yet we were able to uncover them based on intelligence gathering,” he explained. Wakawa added that it took the combined team of NDLEA and combatant military personnel to overrun the drug trafficking syndicates. He thanked the 4 Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Musa Sadiq, for the logistics and personnel assistance that led to the successful clampdown on the cannabis syndicates in the area. He described the synergy between the Nigerian Army and NDLEA in the state as an unbeatable force against drugs and related crime in the society. “The suspects will be investigated and the case charged to court soon,” the commander said.

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Post Date : February 6, 2021

Gumi: Those Agitating For Biafra, Oduduwa Republics Are Not Different From Boko Haram

A renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said those agitating for Biafra and Oduduwa Republics are not different from the Boko Haram sect terrorists. Gumi stated this in an interview with BBC Pidgin on Saturday while reflecting on the insecurity situation in the country. The cleric said it would be unfair to claim Nigerians want the country divided because of the activities of some “miscreants” who are only pushing their own different ideologies and interests. The cleric claimed that majority of Nigerians want a united nation where peace and equity abound. He said: “I usually give an example of General Murtala Mohammed, the former head of state from Kano that was assassinated by Buka Suka Dimka-led group. He married a Yoruba wife. So, where do you want his children to go if the nation is divided? Are they going to be with the Yorubas or Hausas in the North? “Look, let’s forget these useless youths. They’re no more different from these herdsmen. These people agitating for Ododuwa, Biafra or Arewa are all the same group of people with Boko Haram. “Majority of Nigerians want to stay with Nigeria. And if they are in doubt, lets make a referendum. Look at elections for instance, millions of votes from all the states, whether from APC or PDP. This means that Nigerians are ready to stay with a united Nigeria. That is an indirect referendum which shows that the people are ready. “So, all these youths that are making noise, whether Abubakar Shekau of Boko Haram, Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB and their Ododuwa counterpart, they are just a tiny minority of Nigerians using ethnic, archaic and retrogressive sentiments to destabilise the nation. “But l can vouch that Nigerians really want to stay together in peace. But in peace and equity. Not any segment of Nigeria is cheated.” Buttressing his point, Gumi said the fact that Yoruba and Igbo leaders did not endorse such calls for secession showed they are unpopular opinions championed by few disgruntled persons. “I’m in Sokoto now, there still many Igbo traders here who don’t want to go back home, so why do you tell me they want Biafra? Biafra is a nuisance just like Boko Haram. You think everyone northerner is a Boko Haram? Most Nigerians don’t want these ethnic or religious groups. They simply want peace and live together as nation. If truly the Yorubas are agitating for Oduduwa, why are their leaders not talking about it? Why Igbo leaders also not talking about Biafra?” he queried. He said it has become imperative for Yoruba and Igbo leaders to prevent such groups from fanning embers of war in their regions. Gumi said he has already teamed up with some stakeholders in the North to ensure deadly groups such as Boko Haram and Bandits ravaging the region lay down their arms through dialogue and rehabilitation. “What we expect is for Yoruba leaders and Igbo leaders to take care of their miscreants as we handle herdsmen and Boko Haram which are miscreants in the North. Every leader should take the words to their people. Only the miscreants are fuelling this,” he added. The cleric also called on the federal government to grant amnesty to bandits across the country just like it did for Niger Delta militants. He said bandits emerged due to government’s failure to provide for their basic needs.

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Post Date : February 6, 2021

COVID-19: Nigeria’ll partner WHO, others for vaccine manufacturing —Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, promised that Nigeria would continue to partner with the World Health Organisation and other countries to ensure accelerated development and manufacturing as well as unhindered supply of safe and effective coronavirus vaccines to all Africans . Buhari made the promise in his remarks while participating in the virtual 34th ordinary session of the African Union from the Presidential Villa , Abuja . He said the need for the immunisation of 60 per cent of Africans with safe and secure vaccines cannot be overemphasised. The President said Nigeria therefore welcomed the decision to establish the coronavirus African Vaccine Acquisition Capacity to accelerate the financing and procurement of coronavirus vaccines for the continent. He said , “ We continue to appreciate the remarkable progress by the team with respect to securing a provisional 270 million coronavirus vaccines doses for Africa along with Africa Medical Supply platform and other laudable initiatives already in place . “ In my capacity as ECOWAS Champion on Coronavirus , Nigeria has provided logistics support, including the freight in of critical COVID – 19 medical supplies distributed to other ECOWAS member states . “ At the national level and in the fallout of the coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria , we prioritise the vulnerable , including women , children , older persons and the unemployed in our efforts to provide medical and social assistance to mitigate the socio -economic effects of the disease. “ I will like to stress that Nigeria is committed to working with other member states in the spirit of regional cooperation and solidarity to promote human health and general wellbeing. “ We will continue to partner with the World Health Organisation, the African Centre for Disease Control and West African Health Organisation as well as other countries to ensure accelerated development and manufacturing as well as unhindered supply of safe and effective coronavirus vaccines to all Africans . ” Buhari thanked President Cyril Ramaphosa for what he called the outstanding manner in which he steered the affairs of the AU in the last one year and congratulated the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo , President Felix Tshisekedi, on his assumption of office as the union ’ s chairperson . He congratulated Ramaphosa for making a good use of the platform of the bureau to address key issues for Africa on the Coronavirus pandemic . He added , “ The Coronavirus pandemic has created additional burden to our public health system and posed a major challenge to the gains made in the socio – economic development and overall wellbeing of our continent. “ The outbreak of the second wave of the pandemic has not made the situation any better. “ I commend the African Centre for Disease Control for rising to the occasion by ensuring the implementation of set priorities. “ I also commend other efforts and support extended to the regional economic communities and member states . The leadership provided by the Assembly Bureau , the cooperation of the African Union Commission and regional economic cooperation, including the support from partners have been exemplary . ” Buhari said the establishment of a coronavirus response special fund with the objective to implement measures to mitigate the socio – economic and humanitarian impact of Coronavirus in Africa , including boosting the capacity of the African Centre for Disease Control was commendable .

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Post Date : February 6, 2021

Soyinka: Herders-Farmers Crisis Could Degenerate Into Civil War

Professor Wole Soyinka has said the conflict between herders and farmers across the country can degenerate into a civil war. In a chat with BBC Pidgin, the , Nobel laureate commended the moves to resolve the situation, adding that there is need to prevent further violence. He criticised the government’s handling of the situation and accused some security operatives of taking sides. “My fear is that it could degenerate into violence that ends up in—I hate to use the word—a civil war unless we take action. I’m glad that governors are already dialoguing with groups like Miyetti Allah (cattle breeders).” “I’m also glad that they’re already discussing agreeing to obey the rules and that other groups are already liaising. I think we need to ensure they reach a consensus that will be fair to all parties. “We’re struggling against an enemy that believes in acting the way they please. They believe they have immunity or that nothing can happen to them. That is why, in my own state, you find a soldier taking the side of an enemy. “They actually escort killers, rapists, raiders while flogging the victims. That wouldn’t happen if the people are conscious of the nature of their enemy and are encouraged to collaborate with the security forces.”

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Post Date : February 6, 2021

EXTRA: FG, Lawmaker Empower Poultry Farmers In Abia

No fewer than 100 small holder poultry farmers in Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal constituency of Abia State have benefited from the collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency, Hon Sam Onuigbo, in empowering them to boost production and income. The collaboration yielded the distribution of about 100 Galvanized Battery Cages, 2100 Point of Lay (POL) Birds and four bags of feeds to each of the farmers in the federal constituency. In a ceremony for the empowerment in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, called on the beneficiaries to utilize the knowledge and resources provided effectively to become employers of labour. The Minister, represented by the Regional Director, Mr. Felix Kehis pointed out that the Federal Government support to the small, medium and large scale poultry farmers was also part of its strategy to boost egg and meat production as well as to create more jobs for Nigerians. In his remarks, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal constituency, Sam Onuigbo, said the event was all about creating alternative means of livelihood for Nigerians.

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Post Date : February 6, 2021

Adamu Garba: CBN’s ban on Cryptocurrency will aid fight against terrorism in Nigeria

Information Technology expert , Adamu Garba , says the recent policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria that Deposit Money Banks, Non -Financial Institutions and other financial institutions should not do business in crypto and other digital assets will help the Nigeria ’ s fight against terrorism. Garba , who is also former presidential aspirant, spoke on Saturday while featuring on a PUNCH Live programme .. According to him , the CBN ban would affect the financial transactions of terrorists and bandits, who through cryptocurrencies, receive funds from their international sponsors for the purchase of ammunition. He also said the ban would halt the funding of non – state actors or protests like the #EndSARS demonstrations as such receive financial supports through cryptocurrencies. The PUNCH learnt that cryptocurrency was one of the major ways through which funds sourced through crowd funding are accessed . Garba said , “ When government is taking this decision , there could be national economic implications as well as national security implications . You and I know that the #EndSARS protests although very well -organised, the demands very clearly stated , but eventually it was turned into something of an uprising and an insurrection than what it was supposed to be. “ When you look at the destruction that happened in Lagos , we can’ t say that that was the original intention of #EndSARS. “ If these sources of funds keep coming , amplifying that kind of insurrection that is capable of destroying law and order in the country, then , of course, it justifies why that ( crypto ban) should be done . “ Additionally, even the terrorist organisations that we have now , the bandits , the Boko Haram . Most of these guys now know how to use cryptocurrencies. “ Terrorism is a global network; it is not an isolated happening , especially when it comes to finance and weapons . These people have collaborations and the possibility that they keep sustaining their war on the Nigerian state by causing so much havoc on the country through those back channels that cannot be visible is also there . So , if you shut them out of the Nigerian system , I believe it is a good thing . The ex – presidential candidate said the CBN policy might not totally stifle the funding sources of terrorists but “ it will create friction to some of their otherwise smooth process that they use to leverage on ” . “ So , if I want to pass money from somebody in Sambisa Forest to somebody in a forest in Calabar for instance, I can be able to use crypto channel and it lands in the bank and then he cash it over there and be able to use but now it cannot pass through Nigerian banks. , ” he noted . Garba further said though cryptocurrencies are the currencies of the future but the Nigerian state does not need it at the moment . “ Cryptocurrency is here and it is the future of currency but it does not fit into Nigeria at the moment , ” he said . “ The decision of the government to the best of my knowledge makes sense because the way the crypto works in Nigeria is not consumerise , meaning it is not going to individual users to participate . Most people go through brokers to be able to do these crypto activities . Most of these brokers are in a dark environment, nobody knows where they are and they cannot be regulated. Yet, they transact in some cases millions of dollars . So , how would you allow these people to run in an economy? he asked , adding that the trading of cryptocurrencies in Nigeria was inimical to the country’ s economic growth. “ People carry their money in a dollar environment that is completely untracked and unregulated. Nigeria is the second or third most – traded Bitcoin in the world – $566m without productivity is sitting in one place from Nigeria . This to me is not a very good thing for economic growth. As a third world economy, we need more productivity per dollar that gets into the bank, ” Garba said . The IT expert added that the CBN did not say Nigerians should not trade in cryptocurrencies, the apex bank, as the regulator , only forbade financial institutions in the country to be involved in any crypto transaction . “ CBN said Nigerian financial institution should not participate from any crypto activities but it didn ’ t stop anybody from participating in crypto activities , ” he stated.

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