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Post Date : February 5, 2022

Anambra Sues Malami, Others Over Collection Of Stamp Duties

  The Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue has sued the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, over the collection of stamp duties under the amended Finance Act. In the originating summons filed before a Federal High Court in Awka, the state’s agency, which also joined the chairman of the Federal Internal revenue Service (FIRS) as a defendant, is contending that section 27 of the Finance Act, which was amended with section 89A of the Stamp Duties Act, is targeted at stripping the states of their rights to the collection of duties on electronic transactions involving individuals. It contends that section 27 of the Finance Act, 2021 is void to the extent that it purports to take over the administration of and collection of stamp duties, electronic money transfer levy under section 4(2) of the Stamp Duties Act, 2004, in disregard to the separation of powers provisions of section 163(a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution. Part of the eight reliefs sought by Anambra through its counsel, David Onyilofor Esq, The plaintiff is asking the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction restraining the AGF, the finance minister and FIRS Chairman “from interfering or otherwise continuing to interfere with the right of the plaintiff (Anambra Board of Internal Revenue) to collect revenue derivable from stamp duties and electronic money transfer levy in respect of instruments or transactions initiated or carried out between persons or individuals pursuant to section 163(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.” No date has been fixed for the hearing.

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Post Date : February 5, 2022

I can rebrand Nigeria as I did with Enyimba FC, says Orji Kalu

  Orji Kalu, chief whip of the senate, says if elected president, he will make Nigeria a “big player” in world affairs just like what he did with Enyimba FC. In January, Kalu announced that he will contest the presidency in 2023 if the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is zoned to the south. The senate chief whip was the governor of Abia state between 1999 and 2007. Enyimba FC, an Aba-based football club was taken over by the Abia government after the state was created in 1991. The club won major trophies at the national and continental levels between 2001 and 2004, and is a major force to reckon with in football in Nigeria and Africa. Speaking on Friday during an interview on Channels Television on what he will offer Nigeria if elected president, the former Abia governor said Nigeria is like a football team which he can effectively manage. “What I’m going to be getting on the table is the stability of the country; the rebranding of the country and giving Nigerian people that confidence that they are Nigerians and giving them the motivation to move forward,” he said. “Nigeria to me is like a football team and I have done it in the past with the Enyimba football team and I can do it in the future because what every aspect of this country needs is just motivation. “I know the faults, ups and downs of Nigeria. I can make Nigeria a very big team and a big player in the world affairs because when you look at my face, you see the face of Nigeria.” ‘MONEY IS NOT THE PROBLEM — I CAN CHALLENGE TINUBU’ Asked if he can challenge the likes of Bola Tinubu for the APC presidential ticket, Kalu said that wouldn’t be a problem. “I was governor with him. There is no difficulty in challenging anybody. We are all going to meet in Eagle Square and we will square it out there. There is no difficulty. We are all friends,” he said. “I’m the only political businessman that Forbes recognises as a billionaire and not sure there is anything those people can do in terms of money that I can’t do. I do not think they can speak to anybody in Nigeria or in the world I can’t speak to. “Politics is not only about money. It is going to be about the people you are going to govern. The people will decide. Money is just a secondary issue. “The primary issue we are going to be talking about is the people. I can move people. The people are with me. Money is not going to be a problem I want to assure you. I was governor the same year as Tinubu.”

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Post Date : February 4, 2022

Forgery: Judge expresses displeasure over delay in Fani-Kayode’s trial

  Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has expressed displeasure over the delay in the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, for alleged forgery. Fani-Kayode, along with former Minister of State for Finance, Nemadi Usman, were facing trial for alleged money laundering and diversion of N4.9 billion at a Federal High Court in 2018. The prosecution alleged that the former minister had allegedly brought several medical reports to stall the case. On investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the anti-graft agency found the medical reports allegedly obtained by the former minister from several government hospitals to be fake. On December 17, 2021, the EFCC arraigned Fani-Kayode before the special offences court for allegedly procuring the execution of documents by false pretence; use of false documents, fabricating evidence and use of fabricated evidence. At Friday’s proceedings, Justice Abike–Fadipe frowned at the prosecution and the defence counsel for wasting the time of the court as the trial could not commence. Abike-Fadipe enquired from the EFCC counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, about the amended charge the anti-graft agency had sought to file against the former minister. Buhari, in her response, said that the EFCC had not taken any action on the amended charge. Defence counsel, Wale Balogun, also told the judge he had not filed an application to get a copy of the proof of evidence from the EFCC because the commission had not amended its charge. The judge said the parties in the suit had wasted precious judicial time of the court, noting that Balogun ought to have applied for the proof of evidence without waiting for the EFCC’s amended charge. The judge adjourned the case until February 23 for commencement of trial. (NAN)

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Post Date : February 4, 2022

Evans denies kidnapping businessman, collecting $420,000 ransom

  Billionaire Kidnapper Evans: Family of late Chiemeka Arinze to sue prisons Alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, at an Ikeja Special Offences Court, denied kidnapping a businessman, Sylvanus Ahamonu and collecting a 420,000 dollar ransom from his family.   The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Evans is standing trial alongside an ex-soldier, Victor Aduba, on a four-count charge of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms. He made the denial on Friday while under cross-examination by the state prosecutor, Mr Yusuf Sule. Evans told the court that he was born on April 22, 1980 and was from Nnewi, Anambra. He vehemently denied knowing Ahamonu prior to seeing him after his arrest. When Sule noted that Ahamonu had identified him when he testified virtually (via the Zoom app) in court, Evans said he was easily identifiable. “Ahamonu and Idowu Haruna (the Investigating Police Officer) could have conspired with the police. “My pictures are everywhere, all over the world. Before my picture was everywhere, people knew who I was. kidnapped, tortured by Evans ― Businessman “I had a haulage and logistics business with over 30 staff and drivers in Amuwo-Odofin,” he said. The alleged kidnap kingpin said he had made no mention of his haulage and logistics business in his statement because it was written by the police. Responding to questions, Evans said he also did not provide medical documents proving his alleged torture by the police to the court. He, however, noted that while he was incarcerated, he had filed a fundamental human rights suit against the police at the Federal High Court, Lagos, over the alleged torture. Explaining why he was seen in a jovial mood in the confessional video played in the court when prosecution presented its case, Evans said he was forced to act that manner by the police. “The police told me to be laughing and smiling in the video. You do not know what I encountered in the hands of Abba Kyari and his boys. My eyes saw hell. “It was what they told me to be doing that I was doing,” Evans said. Earlier, while testifying in his defence, Evans had said he did not know Ahamonu. Led in evidence by defence counsel, Ms O.N Sonuga, he said, “I do not know Slyvanus Ahamonu, I only met him at the IG Guest House in Falomo. “One day at the IG Guest House, the police brought some documents and asked me to sign, I asked what the documents were for, they didn’t answer me. They said that if I didn’t co-orperate with them they would kill me. “When I refused, Insp. Philip asked them to take me to the back of the guest house. When I got there, they were pressing cigarette butts on my body.” He said he saw the people he was paraded with in Ikeja, “and they said l will see what will happen to those people; that it is better I sign those documents. “They killed about six persons in my presence and I signed the document, I was not allowed to read it. I think it is the document that was used to bring me to court. “I do not know anything about the allegations before this court. I don’t know who Ahamonu is. I only met him at the IG Guest House, I had no prior contact with him. Evans also told the court that no firearms were discovered in his home by the police. NAN reports that Ahamonu and his wife, Chimebere, had on Dec. 17, 2021 testified virtually how Evans and his gang kidnapped him on June 23, 2014 on Kara Road off Osolo Way, Ajao Estate, Lagos. The couple narrated how they sold properties, borrowed money, raised funds from family and well wishers to attempt to raise the initial 2 million dollar ransom that was demanded by Evans. Ahamonu said his hands and legs were chained throughout his two months in cavity and was only released when his family had allegedly given Evans the 420,000 dollar ransom, by which time he said he was at the point of death. Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo adjourned the case until March 11 for continuation of trial. (NAN)

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Post Date : February 4, 2022

I’ll prioritise poor, vulnerable Nigerians’ welfare till 2023 – Buhari

  President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said he would remain committed to protecting and lifting the poor and vulnerable from poverty cycle till the end of his tenure in 2023. The President gave the assurance while speaking at the virtual official presentation of the Country Review Report of Nigeria to the 31st Africa Peer Review Forum of the African Union, according to a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, titled, ‘Poor and Vulnerable in Nigeria Will Continue to Enjoy Social Safety Nets, Says President Buhari’. Buhari noted that the poor’s social safety nets would be further sustained, while access to education and opportunities would be expanded. He promised that his government would also take advantage of Information, Communication and Technology to ensure inclusiveness, access and create more opportunities. “Your Excellencies, Nigeria’s strategic focus, as we set out to achieve the objectives of the African Union Agenda 2063, has been around the following: Building a thriving and sustainable economy; Enhancing social inclusion and alleviating poverty; Enlarging agricultural output for food security and sufficiency; Attaining energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products. “Expanding transport and other infrastructural development, business growth, entrepreneurship and industrialisation; Access to quality education, affordable healthcare and productivity, social cohesion and security; and, building a system that fights corruption and improve governance. “Nigeria remains resolutely committed to achieving these set goals despite the challenges that the report highlighted, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains committed to providing social safety nets for the poor and most vulnerable in our society, while also taking advantage of the huge opportunities offered by the information and technology sector,’’ he said. The President reiterated that Nigeria had remained a committed and dedicated member of the African Peer Review family, after acceding to the Mechanism in 2003. “Today, the forum has presented its second peer review report on Nigeria. “This Second Peer Review of Nigeria came at a critical time in the history of the country. From the report just presented, there is no doubt that the exercise was far reaching, as it touched the various segments of Nigeria’s political-economy and highlighted the progress recorded since the first peer review. “The report also highlighted some challenges and as a country, we are prepared to review those challenges in the context of our internal dynamics in Nigeria, ultimately with the determination of achieving Agenda 2063 goals of the African Union,’’ he added.

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Post Date : February 4, 2022

Imo Police command lacks modern facilities to fight crime — CP

  The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Hussaini, on Friday said the command lacked the modern equipment to fight crimes in the state. The Commissioner of Police disclosed this at the command’s headquarters in Owerri, when the state Governor, Hope Uzodimma visited the command on a working visit.   He also told the governor that the command had arrested hundred and five kidnappers/armed robbers and forty-five terrorists between January 2021 and January 2022. According to the Commissioner of Police, “I wish to use this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State for finding time out of his stringent schedule to be here today. This visit marks a turning point in the history of the Command’s anti-kidnapping Unit and serves as a morale booster to all the officers and men of the Command.   “Your Excellency, I assumed duty as the Commissioner of Police, Imo Command on the 11th of August, 2021. On my arrival, I met a command faced with a lot of security challenges which include amongst others, the activities of organized local terrorist groups christened “Eastern Security Network (ESN)”, its Militia Wing, the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and others. “However, my sincere appreciation goes to Your Excellency for your wonderful advice and logistics support that assisted the command tremendously in launching vigorous and aggressive attacks on terror groups and the decimation of their Camps in the state, resulting in relative peace and tranquillity the state is enjoying today. I am delighted to inform you that the general security situation in the state has improved considerably and to sustain it, a lot of strategies have been emplaced by the command. “Presently, we are collaborating with the Traditional Rulers, Town Union President Generals, Stakeholders, Youth Leaders, Religious Leaders and Hunters Association with emphasis on Community Policing which has assisted greatly in combating violent crimes.” Adding that, “Despite the Command’s Anti kidnapping Unit’s constraints, due both to the modern equipment used in fighting crimes, like serviceable vehicles, modern tracking devices, drones and other vital security apparatus, it has recorded laudable achievements. “It will interest His Excellency to know that, between January 2021 and January 2022, the unit has arrested a total of One Hundred and Five kidnappers/Armed Robbers, Forty-Five Terrorists, and have recovered Twenty-Seven vehicles of different makes and assorted calibre ammunition. “At this juncture, Your Excellency, may I respectfully request your assistance in the tarring of the only access road leading to the barracks and the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit. As you might have observed, it is in a very deplorable condition and worse during the rainy season.” “Also, the command lacks modern barracks accommodation. The majority of the officers and men serving in the command live outside. More so, the existing barracks were built in the colonial era hence, they are dilapidated, while some are obsolete due to large threatening cracks. Finally, the barracks lacks consumable water.”

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Post Date : February 4, 2022

Police Arrest Suspect Linked To Murder Of Retired Officer In Imo

  Authorities of the Imo State Police Command, say they have apprehended a suspect linked to the killing of a retired police officer Chris Kpatuma, within the Mgbala Agwa Autonomous Community, Oguta Local Government Area. The spokesman for the command, CSP Micheal Abattam in a statement on Friday, stated that on receipt of information concerning the retired officer’s murder, the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Hussaini, immediately dispatched the command’s tactical teams to the Agwa Community with a mandate to fish out the perpetrators of the outrageous act. CSP Abattam further explained that on arrival, the teams commenced a discreet investigation. According to him, after diligently gathering both forensic and technical intelligence, one of the suspects and leader of the cult group that killed the retired police officer, Deberechi Chukwu, was arrested while escaping to a border state.   The spokesman also explained that in the course of investigation, it was revealed that the suspect, Deberechi Chukwu, is a notorious kidnapper and an escapee from the Imo Correctional Center Owerri, Imo State. The suspect, after escaping from the Imo Correctional Centre, recruited young men into his cult group and were terrorizing the Agwa community. According to the police, Chukwu has been involved in the killings of a lot of security personnel in the state. However, the suspect is said to have now made useful statements and has volunteered to assist the police in the arrest of other members of his gang presently, on the run. Based on the suspect’s confession, it was gathered that the group of young men suspected to be cultist residents in Mgbala Community Agwa in Oguta LGA of Imo State, conspired amongst themselves and went to the home of the retired Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and a native of Mgbala. They abducted and took him to a nearby bush where they killed him and later carried the corpse back and dump it in front of his compound. With investigations now underway, the Commissioner of Police, while commending the officers for their prompt action, urged them to intensify efforts in ensuring that the other suspects linked to the murders are arrested. He also advised the people of the community and the vigilante groups to work in collaboration with the police and give credible information that will assist in the arrest of other suspects.

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Post Date : February 4, 2022

Femi Adesina: Buhari can never be friends with those who steal public funds

  Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson, says President Muhammadu Buhari can never be friends with anyone who steals public funds. In an article posted on his Facebook page on Thursday entitled, ‘PMB and the NDDC’, Adesina said the president hates corruption with “passion”. The spokesman said the corruption in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) made the president suspend its management board and order a forensic audit of the agency. He described the NDDC as an interventionist agency established to serve citizens but was transformed to the private cash cow of a few people. Well, it is meant to be an interventionist agency, but one thing is crystal clear. Despite hundreds of billions of naira invested over 20 years, the true intervention has been in the pockets of some select people, rather than on the region, and the lives of the people in general,” he wrote. “There’s one thing President Muhammadu Buhari hates with a passion. Grand larceny. Expropriation and purloining. Once it’s confirmed that you are filching from the public purse, you can never be his friend, no matter who you are. “So he had to bring to a halt the gravy train that the NDDC had become over the years. And no stampede, no rout or panic. The house cleaning must be done, and done well. Thorough. done well. Thorough. Advertisement “In the Niger Delta, you see plenty of signboards, but little or no projects. In other words, people collect contracts, erect signboards announcing the project, but the job never gets done. And the contractors get paid. “What to do? A forensic audit was necessary. Some powerful forces mounted robust resistance, but they didn’t reckon with the iron will of the President. The audit was done, and report submitted.” Since Buhari’s intervention, the spokesman said the NDDC has recorded more positive strides than it did in 15 years. “It even has a befitting head office, something deemed impossible before now. That is what is possible with honest leadership in a country,” he added. Adesina asked Nigerians to pick an honest leader in the 2023 presidential election. “As 2023 approaches, I pray that Nigerians would consolidate on honest leadership by electing somebody who can move us forward in probity and accountability. Buhari has shown us the way, may we never veer off the path again. Amen,” he wrote.

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Post Date : February 4, 2022

Onitsha traders protest illegal shops construction

  Traders in Ochanja Central Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, on Friday protested alleged illegal construction of shops at the central section of the market. The protesters barricaded the headquarters of the state Physical Planning Board in Amawbia, and the entrance of the Government House in Awka, as they displayed placards with various inscriptions. Some of the placards read: “Save our lives now at Ochanja Central Market,” Gov. Willie Obiano; Physical Planning Board why are you people keeping quiet? and “Ochanja Central Market is not for sale.” Addressing newsmen, the leader of the protesters, Chief Gabriel Okwuneme, accused the market leadership of conniving with some government agents to construct additional shops on top of old and weak buildings in the area. Okwuneme appealed to Gov. Willie Obiano to intervene to avert building collapse capable of taking lives and properties in the market. He called for the immediate suspension of the construction work and arrest of those behind the act. “We are in Awka to protest illegal construction of shops at Ochanja Central Market. The market has only one floor and the leadership is trying to build shops on its top. “We are calling on the state government to order the suspension of the construction work because it poses serious threat to our lives as well as our means of livelihood,” he said. Reacting, Mr Chike Maduekwe, Managing Director, Physical Planning Board, appealed for calm while assuring the protesters that their complaints would be attended to. “We will meet with all concerned stakeholders, including the traders next week, to resolve the matter,” Maduekwe said.(NAN)

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Post Date : February 4, 2022

Mark Zuckerberg Loses $30 Billion, As Meta Stock Plunges

  Mark Zuckerberg drops out of the top 10 richest people for the first time since 2015. Like most Silicon Valley barons, Mark Zuckerberg is above all a “paper billionaire”. As long as he has not sold his shares, his fortune remains virtual and may experience significant fluctuations. Illustration this Thursday: with the dropout of the title Meta, which unscrewed by 26% on Wall Street after presenting declining results, the net worth of Mark Zuckerberg has melted by 30 billion dollars. For the first time since 2015, the leader dropped out of the top 10 of the Forbes ranking of the richest people. With a fortune estimated at 85 billion dollars, he currently evolves in 12th position, just ahead of the Bettencourt family, and very far behind Elon Musk (234 billion dollars). And the turbulence is probably not over. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, is under attack from all sides. The social network lost users for the first time in its history last quarter, and its quarterly profits fell 8% year on year. Competition from TikTok, iOS restrictions on user tracking, lacklustre monetization of Instagram Reels… The factors are multiple. And Wall Street only seems to realize that 98% of Meta’s revenue comes from advertising. Aware of these risks – not to mention the threats of regulation from the American authorities – Mark Zuckerberg has tried a gamble: bet everything on the metaverse, which he sees as the future of the Internet, where virtual reality (VR) headsets and augmented reality (AR) glasses will replace the screens of our computers and smartphones, for an ultra-immersive Web. Facebook Reality Labs, its AR/VR division, lost $10 billion in 2021. With annual profit still flirting with $40 billion, and nearly $50 billion in available cash, Facebook has plenty to do. And despite Wall Street’s doubts and calls to hand over, Mark Zuckerberg remains master of his destiny: he controls more than half of the votes on Meta’s Board of Directors.

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