Crime Facts

Data, SMS cost hike not possible without approval, NCC assures Nigerians

  The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it will allow any tariff increase by the telecommunication companies without adequate approval. NCC said this in a statement issued by Ikechukwu Adinde, its public affairs lead, on Friday. The commission said contrary to MNOs’ agitation to increase tariffs for voice and Short Messaging Services (SMS) by a certain percentage, the Commission wishes to categorically inform telecoms subscribers and allay the fears of Nigerians that no tariff increase will be effected by the operators without due regulatory approval by the Commission. “The demand being made by MNOs under the auspices of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), citing high cost of running their operations as the major reason for their proposed tariff hike, is contained in a letter to the Commission,” the statement reads. “Consistent with international best practice and established regulatory procedures, the NCC ensures its regulatory activities are guided by regular cost-based and empirical studies to determine the appropriate cost (upper and floor price) within which service providers are allowed to charge their subscribers for services delivered. “The Commission ensures that any cost determined, as an outcome of such transparent studies is fair enough as to enhance healthy competition among operators, provide wider choices for the subscribers as well as ensure sustainability of the Nigerian telecoms industry. “For the avoidance of any doubt, and contrary to MNOs’ agitation to increase tariffs for voice and Short Messaging Services (SMS) by a certain percentage, the Commission wishes to categorically inform telecoms subscribers and allay the fears of Nigerians that no tariff increase will be effected by the operators without due regulatory approval by the Commission. “It is noteworthy that tariff regulations and determinations are made by the Commission in line with the provisions of Sections 4, 90 and 92 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, which entrusts the Commission with the protection and promotion of the interests of subscribers against unfair practices including but not limited to; matters relating to tariffs and charges. “The current tariff regime being administered by the service providers is a product of NCC’s determination both for voice and SMS in the past. “However, while there could be justifiable reasons for MNOs’ demand for tariff increase, it should be noted that they are not allowed to do such either individually or collectively without recourse to NCC, following the outcome of a cost study. This is not the case for now. “Through NCC’s commitment to engendering healthy competition among the licensees, the cost of services has been democratised and become more and more affordable for Nigerian subscribers. The regulator is even more committed to this cause to ensure subscribers get greater value for money spent on telecom services.” On Wednesday, telcos asked for upward reviews in voice calls, short message services (SMS) and data costs. In a letter addressed to NCC, ALTON suggested an upward review in the price of calls and SMS.

South-West APC leaders, aspirants reach agreement on 2023 presidency

  South-West presidential aspirants and leaders of the All Progressives Congress have reached an agreement to ensure that the region produces the next APC presidential candidate of the party. A former National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, made this known while addressing journalists at the end of a meeting with presidential aspirants from the zone on Friday night in Lagos State. According to him, the South-West APC presidential aspirants, governors and other leaders are united ahead of the 2023 general elections. The party stalwarts and aspirants also agreed “to talk to themselves and the public with absolute decorum”. He said, “We are united as we will ensure that the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will come to the South-West. “We had a fruitful discussion. We also resolved that everybody should maintain absolute decorum because we are united.” Those present at the meeting included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, a former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu; Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila. The governors of Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti, Messrs Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Gboyega Oyetola, Dapo Abiodun, Rotimi Akeredolu and Kayode Fayemi, respectively were also present. Also present at the meeting were the Ministers of Works and Housing, Trade and Industry and Investment, and Interior, Messrs Babatunde Fashola, Adeniyi Adebayo and Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola respectively. Other APC leaders at the meeting were Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun; Chief Iyiola Omisore, the APC National Secretary; Otunba Moses Adeyemo, former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and Chief Pius Akinyelure, former National Vice Chairman of APC, South-West Zone among others.

IPOB On Terrorist Groups: UK Finally Breaks Silence

  The United Kingdom (UK) has clarified that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a proscribed organisation in the UK. The British government described the reports in some sections of the media as “inaccurate reporting”. Several media reports had claimed the United Kingdom barred IPOB, the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other Biafran groups from participating in its asylum programme. But a statement by the British High Commission Abuja on Friday said this wasn’t the case. It reads: “We are aware of inaccurate reporting circulating in the media and online that the UK Government has added the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the UK’s list of terrorist groups or organisations banned under UK law. These reports are untrue. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a proscribed organisation in the UK. “The inaccurate reporting relates to the 13 April 2022 publication by the UK Government of a revised Country Policy and Information note (CPIN) on separatist groups in SE Nigeria, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). CPINs provide country of origin information (COl) and analysis of COI for use by UK Government decision-makers handling particular types of protection and human rights claims. “All asylum and human rights claims made in the UK are considered on their individual facts in accordance with our obligations under the UN Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights, taking into account relevant background country information and case law. “The CPIN on separatist groups in the South East, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), provides a general assessment of risks faced by individuals belonging to those groups. These assessments are based on an analysis of publicly available country information obtained from a wide range of reliable sources including media outlets; UK and other governments; local, national and international organisations; and non-government organisations. “This CPIN also acknowledges that the Nigerian government has proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organisation, some members of IPOB have reportedly used violence against the state and members of the public, and advises that persons who have committed human rights abuses must not be granted protection. “The document is publicly available on our UK Government website, Gov.UK at www.gov.uk/government/publications/nigeria-country-policy-and-information-notes”

BREAKING: 3 dead as police, IPOB/ESN members clash in Imo

  There was an exchange of fierce gun fire between men of the Imo State Police Command’s Tactical Teams and armed bandits suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN). The gun fire exchange resulted in the death of a police personnel and two suspected hoodlums who allegedly killed an officer in Agwa, Oguta LGA of Imo State Imo Police Spokesperson, Michael Abattam, disclosed this in a statement to Newsmen in Owerri on Friday. Abattam said that during the attack, one of the police officers paid the supreme price while others were treated and discharged from the hospital for minor injuries they sustained. The police spokesman while narrating the incident, said corpses of the hoodlums were later deposited in Federal Medical Center Mortuary while investigation is ongoing. According to the release, “ESN members in their numbers emerged from the surrounding bushes, shooting sporadically at the policemen while conducting stop and search duty. “The officers who swiftly took cover and responded, engaged them in a fierce gun duel, while they called for backup from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Agwa . “On arrival, they positioned themselves strategically and professionally engaged the hoodlums in a fire fight. “For the operatives’ superior firepower and number, they were able to neutralize two of the hoodlums while others fled in disarray with bullet wounds into the bush. “The police operatives tactically chased the hoodlums, in the process, combing the bush for possible recovery of their arms and arrest of the fleeing suspects. However, two locally made double barrel guns with seven live cartridges and ten expended cartridges were recovered at the scene.” The Commissioner of Police, Imo Command, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, while consoling with the family of the officer who lost his life gallantly, advised the officers and men not to relent in their efforts until all criminal elements are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law. He then appealed to Imolites for their continuous support and collaboration in giving the police and other security agencies credible and timely information and to report any person seen treating bullet wounds or hiding within the community, to the nearest police station for prompt action. Also he urged them to always make use of the command’s emergency numbers 08034773600 or 08098880197 in times of distress.

Buhari Meets Northern Governors, Security Chiefs Over Insecurity

  President Muhammadu Buhari, Friday, held a closed door meeting with some northern governors and heads security agencies at the State House, Abuja. Daily Trust learnt that the meeting held in the Executive Council chambers of the Presidential Villa was convened as part of measures to solve the challenges of insecurity in some parts of the North. In attendance at the meeting were Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, as well as his counterparts from Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufa’i, Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal, Niger, Sani Bello, Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru, Borno, Umara Zulum, Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu and Bello Matawalle of Zamfara. Daily Trust gathered that both governors of Katsina and Yobe, Bello Masari and Mai Mala Buni, were also expected, but were unavoidably absent. The meeting was equally attended by the Minister of Defense, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd); the Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao; the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman; the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar. A source in the Presidency, who spoke on anonymity, said the meeting was in connection to the security situation in the states whose governors were in attendance. “It was all about finding a sustainable solution to the security situation in those northern states. If you observed, the problems facing all the states represented are almost uniform; banditry and terrorism. So it’s something like a central situation room thing”, the source said.

Osinbajo, Tinubu, Others Present As South West APC Presidential Aspirants Meet

  South West presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are currently meeting at the Lagos House in Marina. The meeting was convened by a former governor of Osun State Bisi Akande and a former Ogun State governor Olusegun Osoba. Those present at the meeting included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; a former governor of Lagos, Bola Tinubu; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.   The governors of Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, and Osun states are also present. The ministers of works and housing, trade and industry and investment, and interior amongst others, are in attendance. Details of the meeting are still sketchy as of the time of publishing this report.

Bawa: EFCC working with INEC to monitor source of funds for party nomination forms

  Abdulrasheed Bawa, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says the agency is working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor sources of funds for party nomination forms. Recently, the cost of expression of interest and nomination forms of the two major political parties in the country — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) — has elicited varied reactions. In the APC, the presidential form is pegged at N100 million, while that of the PDP is N40 million. Speaking on Friday in an interview with Channels Television, Bawa said the anti-graft agency is concerned about ensuring that corrupt persons are not given leadership positions in the country. “Of course, it is quite some money. It will take a lifetime for you to save N40 million and N100 million,” the EFCC said. “But as you know when it comes to the issue of monitoring of election funds and candidates’ funds, that has to do with the work of INEC in this regard. “But of course, we are working hand in glove with INEC as well as other related agencies in that field to ensure that we follow the money and we know the source, whether it is legitimate or illegitimate, because that is what concerns us. “Above all, we are concerned about good governance, transparency, accountability and we are concerned about ensuring that corrupt elements are not given leadership positions in this country.” Asked if the EFCC will be willing to partner with relevant agencies to monitor source of funds used for nomination forms, Bawa added that the anti-graft agency is already partnering with relevant agencies in that regard. “Certainly. That is why we are here. That is part of our mandate to investigate every movement of any fund to ensure legitimacy or otherwise,” he added. “We are partnering already — not that we are willing to partner — and working together to ensure some certain sanctity of the system.”

Strike: FG, ASUU to resume talks next week

  The Federal Government on Friday said it would resume talks with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) next week with a view to ending the prolonged closure of Nigerian public universities. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige disclosed this in his opening remarks at a meeting between the government side and the striking National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) in his office in Abuja. Senator Ngige noted the multiple industrial disputes in the education sector could have been averted if the unions in the sector took advantage of his open door policy like the health unions, which culminated in the peace currently enjoyed in the health sector. The Minister, who also decried the rivalry among the education unions, made it clear that everybody is important in the university system. He assured that the government was tackling all the disputes in education sector holistically, knowing fully well that none of the unions could function effectively without the other union. According to him, “If you are from any union, you don’t need to book appointment to see me. The doctors started using that advantage, JOHESU also did the same. That is why the Health Sector is quiet. But the education unions don’t take advantage of my open door policy. “We don’t have to cry over spilt milk. Let us look at your issues to see the ones we can handle immediately, the ones we can do in the medium term and the ones we can do in the long term. There are certain ones that are over and above me that are not in my hands to do. “My job is to prepare an agreement after conciliation on what you have agreed with your employers, the Federal Ministry of Education, put timelines and monitor them, to see whether the results will be there. “As a conciliator, I manage you people in measured steps. That is why I want to take all of you holistically and I ask for your cooperation. When I finish with you today, I will continue with ASUU next week. I have done NASU and SSANU yesterday and they were happy. I want you people to be happy as we leave here.” Ngige maintained that the issues causing the rumpus in the industrial milieu were economic, bordering on money and welfare, including old arrears and 2009 renegotiation of Conditions of Service. “I believe that if we talk frankly to ourselves, knowing fully well that the economy is not good and that you should have money that can take you home. With an open mind, we will arrive at something. Once we arrive at something, It will be done.” He, however, pointed out that the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement would not be immediate because the Education Ministry had put in place a committee to handle it. Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Andrew David Adejo re-emphasised that all the issues in dispute were basically economic, in the sense that everybody wants improved conditions of service. Adejo said while government agrees that workers should enjoy better Conditions of Service, consistent industrial actions were worsening the situation. “In 2000 when this agreement was signed, N400,000 was equivalent to $3000. Today, that N400,000 is less than $400. Because of this consistent trend, we are reducing productivity in the economy. So, the things that will help us to generate more money to meet these demands have been taken away.” He looked forward to the speedy resolution of the disputes to enable the children to return to school. Addressing the meeting, the President of NAAT, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma said ordinarily, they would not have gone on strike, but they were compelled to do so because the Education Ministry didn’t help matters in the issue. He said they embarked on strike as a last resort to draw government attention to their plight.

New UK visa exempts Nigerian university graduates

  The United Kingdom is set to begin issuance of a new visa that allows holders of first degrees, masters, and doctorates to travel to the country and work in fields such as science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship by May 30. The visa – high potential individual visa, allows applicants to relocate to the UK without a prior job offer or sponsorship. Meanwhile, some of the requirements exempted those who graduated from Nigerian universities. The UK government had said that in order to qualify for the HPI visa, applicants needed to have been awarded a degree from an overseas university. The university has to be one of the top global universities as published in the global universities list by the Home Office. The government noted that the list would be compiled annually and would comprise institutions included in the list of the top 50 universities in at least two of the following ranking systems: Times Higher Education World University rankings, Quacquarelli Symonds World University rankings, and the Academic Ranking of the World Universities. Also, the applicants must have been awarded a degree, equivalent to or not less than a UK bachelor’s degree. Meanwhile, checks showed that Nigerian universities do not appear in any of these global rankings. The UK had been one of the choice destinations for many Nigerians seeking to relocate abroad for academic and work purposes. According to the UK Minister of Safe and Legal Migration, Kevin Foster, the “High Potential Individual” visa route is targeted at attracting high-skilled foreign university graduates, who will be allowed to work and stay in the UK for two or three years. On the expiration of the visa, the holders could switch to permits under the skilled worker, start-up and innovator, exceptional talent, or scale-up route for continued stay in the UK. “The new High Potential Individual route will make it as simple as possible for internationally mobile individuals who demonstrate high potential to come to the UK. It will enable those who have already demonstrated their potential through academic achievement to come to the UK without a prior job offer. “If you’ve been resident in the UK for more than 12 months, you might not need to meet this requirement. Graduates with a bachelor’s or a master’s degree will be given a two-year visa. Ph.D. or other doctoral-level graduates will get visas valid for three years. This visa can only be granted once and will not be available to those who have already had a Graduate visa,” Foster said.

Terrorism: CNG welcomes UK action against IPOB

  The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has welcomed the decision of the United Kingdom government to finally accept Nigeria’s classification of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as a terrorist organisation. “We recall that following widespread killings, destructions and other acts of lawlessness, the Nigerian government had designated IPOB a terrorist group in 2017,” said CNG’s Spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman in a statement on Friday. Suleiman also asked authorities both local and foreign to consider moving against the so called Igbo leaders who have been asking President Muhammadu Buhari for the release of the terror group leader Nnamdi Kanu as accomplices. He noted that some foreign countries, including the UK, where IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, holds its passport, did not acknowledge the declaration at the time. “Though the UK withheld action all this while until recently the outlawed group beheaded an army couple, who were on their way to Imo State for their traditional wedding. We welcome its acknowledgement of IPOB as a terrorist organisation and directing that it should be excluded from its asylum programme, very encouraging and reassuring, ” Suleiman said. He recalled that for sometimes now the CNG had sustained concerted campaigns that led to the prescription of IPOB and members of the group and its paramilitary wing – the Eastern Security Network (created in December 2020) as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government and international authorities have for committing human rights violations in Nigeria.