Crime Facts

Naira slides to N745/$ at parallel market

  The naira has depreciated further against the dollar at the parallel and official sections of the foreign exchange market. Bureaux De Change operators (BDCs), popularly known as ‘abokis’, who spoke to TheCable on Monday afternoon in Lagos, quoted the naira at N745 to the dollar at the street market. The figure signifies a depreciation of N5 or 0.7 percent from the N740 it traded over a week ago. The street traders put the buying price of the dollar at N735 and the selling price at N745, leaving a N10 profit margin. “Demand is fair. People are not rushing to buy dollars at the moment,” one BDC operator in the Victoria Island area of Lagos told TheCable. At the official market, the local currency fell by 0.11 percent to close at N446.50/$ on Friday, according to details on FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange — a platform that oversees official foreign-exchange trading in Nigeria. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has continued to intervene in the official market to maintain the stability of the local currency. An analysis of the CBN’s economic reports showed that the apex bank’s interventions in the forex market stood at $12.74 billion in the first eight months of 2022. When compared with the same period in 2021, the interventions declined by 13.6 percent from $14.74 billion. Last week, the apex bank announced a new policy which limits weekly over-the-counter cash withdrawals by individuals and corporate entities to N100,000 and N500,000, respectively. Since then, the policy has generated mixed reactions from the citizenry. Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, said the cash withdrawal policy was targeted at the political class and would further throw the country into poverty.

No Critical Election Materials Destroyed In Imo Attack – INEC

  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that none of the critical election materials was destroyed in the attack on its State Headquarters office in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Monday. The Commission in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Card Education Committee Chairman, Festus Okoye also confirmed that there were no casualties involving staff of the Commission in the incident which he said occurred at about 3.00 am on Monday. However, the statement said the attack affected the part of the building occupied by the Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) Department and one official utility vehicle (a Toyota Hilux pickup van) was burnt. INEC confirmed that this is the third attack on the Commission’s facilities in Imo State in less than two weeks following the earlier attacks on our Orlu LGA office on Thursday 1st December 2022 and Oru West LGA office on Sunday 4th December 2022. The Commission described the incident as yet another systematic attack targeted at its assets across the country, more so on the day that the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) commences nationwide ahead of the 2023 General Election. Earlier, Channels Television reported that four persons including one policeman had been killed in an attack that was repelled by the police on the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) along Port Harcourt Road in Owerri, the Imo State capital. According to the Spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Mike Abattam, the gunmen numbering over 10 came around 3:00 am with petrol bombs and dynamite. He, however, said the hoodlums were confronted by security operatives who repelled the attack and killed three of the attackers. Abattam also said one of the attackers was arrested by the police and three vehicles used by hoodlums were recovered.

Tinubu Arrives Kaduna For Rally, Visits Birnin Gwari Bandits Attack Victims

  The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu arrived in Kaduna State for the North-West flag-off of the party’s presidential and governorship campaign rally in Kaduna on Tuesday. The APC flag bearer was accompanied by his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Director General of APC Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong, the Governors of Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu and Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru. They were received at the Dana Airport in Kaduna by Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the state APC governorship candidate, Senator Uba Sani among other top Kaduna state government officials. Following his arrival in Kaduna, the former Lagos State governor proceeded to Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, one of the councils ravaged by insurgency and banditry. He is visiting the area to commiserate with the victims of attacks and also get a piece of first-hand information on the devastation of the attacks. Tinubu is embarking on the two and half hours trip to Birnin Gwari by road, amidst tight security. He is accompanied by Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the Kaduna State APC governorship candidate, Senator Uba Sani and members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

Why I Can’t Retire To National Assembly – El-Rufai

  Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday, said unlike his colleagues who become federal legislators after their constitutional limit of two terms as governors, he won’t ‘retire’ to the National Assembly. “I know that many of our colleagues; governors retire to the Senate. I can assure you that I will never retire to the legislature because I don’t think I will function there. So, I really have great respect for those in the legislature and have it function,” El-Rufai said in Abuja at the second edition of the ‘Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture’ organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies. Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila were some of the dignitaries in attendance at the programme. El-Rufai, whose second term as Kaduna governor ends in May 2023, said being a legislator is perhaps the ‘hardest job’ in the country and he has no patience for the officialese of the second arm of government. “The legislature is one branch of government I know I can never function. The hard work needed to convince people to support even your motion is something some of us have no patience for. “You know management in the executive is very straightforward; it is very hierarchical and once you are a governor, your word is almost law. In the legislature, everybody is equal and there is no leadership or management more difficult than managing your equals. “I don’t envy Mr Speaker and the Senate president at all because their job is perhaps is the hardest job in this country. Managing equals is difficult, managing subordinates is very easy, you can hire and fire but managing equals is not,” the governor said. Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 after years of military rule, the National Assembly has been described as a ‘retirement home’ for former governors who ride on the power of incumbency to win Senatorial and House of Representatives elections. About 20 former governors were elected into the Ninth National Assembly in 2019. Some of them include Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Kabiru Gaya (Kano), Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu) Orji Kalu (Abia), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), and Ibrahim Shekarau (Kano), amongst others.

2023: PDP Will Win All Positions In Rivers State, Says Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike is boasting of a successful outcome for the Peoples Democratic Party in next year’s general elections, saying the party will as usual, win all elective positions in the State. Governor Wike stated this during a thanksgiving service and dedication of the PDP campaigns in the state. He clarified that the thanksgiving and dedication service is for the state level elections, saying the party’s campaign in the state will be made easier following his administration’s achievements.   Governor Wike also defended his decision to sign executive orders on the use of public facilities for campaigns and his party’s decision to challenge the conduct of primaries by opposition parties. The governor further urged leaders of the Church not to allow politicians to draw the body of Christ into politics, especially with the campaign against same faith ticket. He said while he is not a proponent of a same faith ticket, those campaigning against such should equally condemn the plan to retain the presidency in one geopolitical zone as against the spirit of equity, fairness and justice.

Anambra Govt Rescues Minor Impregnated By Guardian, Arrests Suspect

  The Anambra State Govt has rescued a 13-year-old girl who recently delivered a baby in the state. Channels Television gathered that the minor was impregnated by her guardian identified as Mr Sunday. She was taken into custody by the State Ministry of Women and Children’s Welfare. Briefing journalists on Monday in Awka, the spokesperson for the ministry, Miss Chidimma Ikeanyionwu, said Sunday, who impregnated the teenager was apprehended on Sunday night by the team from the ministry and handed over to the police. She told journalists that she was put in the family way by her guardian. Although the minor hails from Akwa Ibom, her biological parents stay in Agulu, Anambra State. She also accused her guardian of having a knack for defiling children. “Mr Sunday’s wife is known as Madam Ghana. This started when Madam Ghana travelled to the village. I’m not the only one involved. There is another girl who is seven years old, Mr Sunday used to sleep with her too,” she said. “I once told Madam Ghana about it, and she cautioned her husband, but when it continued, I could not do much any longer.” The state government vowed to charge the suspect to court soon.

PDP Crisis: Ortom, Wike Shun Atiku In Makurdi

  The crisis between the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the five aggrieved PDP governors may be far from over, this is even as the duo of Governors Samuel Ortom and Nyesom Wike shunned Atiku at the Makurdi Airport in Benue State. Mr Abubakar whose presidential campaign is billed to hold in Nasarawa State on Monday decided to fly to Benue because he could not secure a landing clearance in Nasarawa. About 20 minutes to his arrival, Governor Ortom arrived at the Airport and many thought he was there to receive the PDP presidential candidate. However, about five minutes later, the PDP vice presidential candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State landed at the Airport, and he exchanged pleasantries with Governor Ortom. The latter was heard asking “So, you people will come to my state without telling me?” Moments later, a jet landed and Governor Ortom swiftly moved towards it to receive the person or persons aboard, it turned out to be Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. The governors hugged and exchanged pleasantries and without wasting time, the two men entered their vehicle and zoomed off. Twenty minutes later, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar arrived at the Makurdi Airport alongside members of the Presidential Campaign Council and the PDP national chairman. He was only received by Governor Okowa and other party members, the absence of Ortom and Wike, a strong indication that the rift remains far from over. This incident comes a day after Atiku Abubakar said he has met with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to resolve the lingering crisis within the party without any way forward. Speaking on Sunday during at the People’s Townhall, Atiku said “I have met Wike two times in Port Harcourt, two times in Abuja, one time in London, personally.” “It is not on my part; it is on the other side; I am waiting for him,” he said, without revealing the kernel of his discussions with the Rivers governor. Atiku was on the programme alongside his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Wike’s 2023 presidential ambition was terminated when he lost the PDP’s primary to Atiku in May. Atiku, a former Vice President later stung Wike when he passed over his closest rival at the primary and chose Okowa as his running mate. The Rivers State governor has since been at loggerheads with PDP presidential candidate (Atiku) over the chairmanship of Iyorchia Ayu. Wike with four other PDP governors known as the G5 or the Integrity Group have insisted that Benue-born Ayu must step down for a southerner as a precondition to support the 2023 ambition of Atiku. Last month, Wike promised logistics support for the campaigns of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi; and his New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) counterpart, Rabiu Kwankwaso. While Wike and his allies have not been seen to campaign for Atiku, it is not clear whether they will support Obi, Kwankwaso or APC’s Bola Tinubu in the contest for Aso Rock’s top job.

DSS Threat Won’t Change Anything, Cabal Must Be Handled – PETROAN

  The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) on Monday, faulted the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Department of State Services (DSS) that oil marketers make Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol available for Nigerians. The Association said until the secret police go after the cartel operating among private depot owners hoarding the essential commodity, fuel scarcity and long queues will persist. PETROAN Chairman, System 2E, Eastern Zone, Sunny Nkpe, made this known on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme. “Let me make it categorically clear here: there is no amount of threat by DSS that is going to change anything. If it must change, they must start from the source; they should go to the private depot operators to find out where for now we are getting products from. “Until the cartel or cabal in that area is handled or taken care of, we can never get any reduction or fairness in the distribution of the product,” Nkpe said. He also said there has not been a drop of petrol allocation to the Port Harcourt depot in the last six months.   In this file photo, vehicles queue for fuel in Abuja A former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Peter Esele, who was also a guest on the programme alongside Nkpe, said the DSS must have been privy to a vital piece of information within the supply value chain to have issued the ultimatum. “For DSS to come out and issue an ultimatum, the DSS must be privy to some information…Everyone must focus on the DSS to come out with its results within 48 hours or else, DSS may also be a player in the game. “DSS must tell Nigerians its findings within 48 hours and whoever is behind this should be prosecuted because there are enough products in this country for everybody to get petrol,” he said. The DSS had on Thursday directed oil marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to resolve the fuel crisis biting Nigerians, saying failure to comply will make the agency activate its operations across the country. DSS Spokesman, Peter Afunanya said the challenge of fuel scarcity has assumed a dimension that is detrimental to the security of the country. For weeks, vehicle owners especially in Lagos and Abuja have had a tough time getting petrol from filling stations. Whilst many outlets are closed, the few ones that are open sell the indispensable commodity for as high as N250 per litre from the uniform price of N169/litre. The shortage of supply has led to long, gruelling snake-like queues at the few open filling stations as motorists and business owners jostle to buy fuel while others resort to the black market. The situation has also worsened traffic on major roads as vehicle owners block at least one lane to join queues to filling stations.

El-Rufai Urges NASS To Add VAT On Exclusive List

  Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday, urged the Ninth National Assembly to add value-added tax (VAT) on the Exclusive List making the Federal Government have legislative control over 7.5% consumption tax paid when goods are purchased and services are rendered. El-Rufai stated this in Abuja at the second edition of the ‘Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture’ organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies. According to him, VAT is a major survival for Nigeria, especially now that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has not remitted a penny into the federation account this year. “Value Added Tax has become a major source of survival for this country because this year, the NNPC has not brought a penny to the federation account; we’ve been relying on taxes, particularly Value Added Tax and the fact that Value Added Tax is not on the exclusive list is a major source of concern for the fiscal health of the federation and I think this National Assembly can do something about in its last six months,” the governor said at the event. El-Rufai also urged the National Assembly to make happen state and community policing to solve Nigeria’s multifarious security challenges. “We are all clear now that the current policing system is broken and cannot work for Nigeria and Nigeria is the only federation in the world with one centralised policing system. I think this National Assembly can enact state policing,” he stated. Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila were some of the dignitaries in attendance at the programme. In March, the National Assembly rejected a bill seeking to include VAT in the Exclusive List. The move followed a protracted legal tussle between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Rivers State Government over VAT collection and personal income tax (PIT) in the state. Last year, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers signed a bill on VAT collection into law, lamenting what he called injustice in the country especially in the area of resource allocation. Wike said Rivers State generated N15bn VAT revenue in June 2021 but got N4.7bn in return, while Kano generated N2.8bn in the same month and got the same N2.8bn back. The Rivers governor also said N46.4bn was collected from Lagos State in the same month but the Federal Government gave Lagos N9.3bn. “Sometimes, you don’t want to believe these things exist,” he had said. The case has been in court for over a year with no end in sight.

Pregnant woman killed as kidnappers attempt to abduct husband in Borno

  A pregnant woman, Mrs Mary Barka has been killed when some kidnappers suspected to be bandits armed with locally made -in- Awka guns invaded Pelachiroma village of Hawul Local government area of Borno state. The suspects, who have since been arrested by the Chairman of Hunters, Mohammed Shawulu Yohanna, were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Hawul, Habila Lemaka. According to Yohanna, leader of the vigilante/hunters in an interview with Journalists on Monday said, the incident was reported few days ago, after the suspects attacked the village and attempted to kidnap their targets, but we’re not successful. He regretted that a pregnant woman, Mary Barka was killed by the suspects who are now cooling off in the hands of police. ” Pelachiroma village of Hawul Local government area witnessed an attack by suspected bandits. I immediately mobilized my team to the village on that night and succeeded in arresting the four culprits who attempted to kidnap Mr Barka Paul Sawa, because, he (Sawa) has given them his cattle to rear for him. “Unfortunately, the bandits succeeded in killing the wife of Sawa, Mrs Mary Barka Paul Sawa. “The four of the suspects who confessed to the crime when arrested are fulanis and I have since handed them to the DPO of Hawul, Habila Lemaka. “The culprits are expected to be taken to the Borno State Police Command for further interrogation and prosecution.” Yohanna said. End