Scores of Boko Haram insurgents have been killed after two Super Tucano jets, operated by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) under Operation Hadin Kai, bombed their camps in Borno state. Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the military had intelligence suggesting that the terrorists were converging for a meeting in Gaizuwa on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest. A source told the publication that pilots flying Super Tucano jets bombed the gathering of more than 100 terrorists with dozens of them on motorcycles. The source said the bombardment of the Boko Haram fighters left many of them injured. Some of the terrorists are believed to now be at large while several motorcycles and weapons belonging to them were destroyed. The publication said some of the fighters who escaped the onslaught, and their families, have laid down their arms and surrendered to the troops. TROOPS KILL 7 BOKO HARAM FIGHTERS, DESTROY CAMPS Meanwhile, troops of 21 Armoured Brigade, in Bama, in collaboration with civilian joint task force (CJTF) officers, on Friday, destroyed four Boko Haram camps in Churchur, Mbaiwa, Kashimiri, China — and many other newly established villages — in Borno. A military source told Zagazola that seven of the insurgents were killed during the operation. The troops were said to have successfully burnt down the terrorists’ enclaves and rescued some women and children in the process.

  The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has condemned Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, a socio-cultural group, for saying Nigeria would not survive if Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) does not win the presidential election. Adebanjo had also said there will be no opportunity for a non-Christian, a non-northerner to be president again if Obi loses. Reacting on Friday in a statement signed by Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the director of publicity and advocacy, NEF described Adebanjo’s comments as “irresponsible and condemnable”. “In his usual rantings, this time in campaigning for Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party, he said, among other inflammatory outbursts, that if Nigerians do not elect his candidate, it will be the end of Nigeria. This statement is, to say the least, irresponsible and condemnable,” the statement reads. “It is the worst thing that can be said in promoting a candidate, but that is the business of the candidate. We do not believe that Chief Adebanjo’s reckless outburst reflects the quality or essence of the Obi/Datti ticket.” The forum said Nigeria’s unity is not dependent on intimidation or actions that will destabilise the elections. “Nigerians will not be scared from exercising their choices freely,” he said.   “The unity and survival of Nigeria are not dependent on politicians who think they can intimidate citizens, or instigating actions that will subvert a credible election and a peaceful transition to the next administration. “If there are Nigerians with any influence over Chief Adebanjo, they should advise him to show respect for his age and all the advantages he enjoys from being a Nigerian.”

  One of South Africa’s hottest rap artists, Kiernan Forbes, known as AKA, has been shot dead outside a restaurant in the southeastern city of Durban, his family said Saturday. The 35-year-old won multiple South African awards, was nominated several times for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award in the United States, and was once nominated for an MTV Europe Music Award. “It is with extreme sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our beloved son,” his parents Tony and Lynn Forbes said in a statement posted on AKA’s Twitter account. “Our son was loved, and he gave love in return.” He was gunned down on Friday night alongside another man while they were walking towards their car from a restaurant. “They were allegedly approached by two armed suspects who walked to them from across the street and shot the victims at close range,” police said in a statement. The motive of the shooting is unknown, and police are investigating. Shootings are common in South Africa, which has one of the world’s highest murder rates. Many people have licensed firearms for personal protection, yet there are many more illegal guns in circulation.

  Niger Government has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government over the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the Supreme Court. A statement by Justice Nasara Danmallam, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, in Niger in Minna on Saturday, said the case with suit number SC/CV/210/2023, was filed on February 10, with the Niger State Government as the plaintiff. The statement said that the state government was seeking for an extension of the timeframe given by the CBN for the currency swap and withdrawal from circulation of old N200, N500 and N1,000 amongst other reliefs. The statement said the three months given by the Federal government for the withdrawal of old currency across the country was not reasonable and in violation of section 13, 14 (2) (b), 17 (1) (c) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. In the affidavit in support of the originating summons, filed at the Supreme Court, the Niger Government contended that the unavailability of the new redesigned notes had caused untold hardships and sufferings on the inhabitants of the state, especially those living in rural dwellers across the state. The statement expressed the state government’s concerne about the inconveniences the redesigned Naira policy had brought on the people, saying that government would continue everything within its constitutional limit to ameliorate their sufferings.

  The Federal Government said plans are in place to implement an improved minimum wage package for civil servants by the second quarter of 2024. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, made this announcement at the Nigeria Labour Congress’ 13th National Delegates’ Conference in Abuja. The former Anambra state governor said necessary provisions had been implemented to make it a reality. According to Ngige, plans have been put in place to review and implement a new minimum wage for Nigerian civil servants on or before May 2024. He maintained that the trade unions have no rights to force the federal government on what decisions to take. While speaking at the conference, the former Anambra state governor called out organised labour and other trade unions to stop the act of imposing their will on the government. He stated that the attitude and actions of the trade unions contradicts the statutory codes of the Trade Union Act that mandated that all newly elected trade union officials take required courses at the Michael Imuodu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) He stated that this training will give them first hand knowledge and adequate capacity to exercise their responsibilities effectively and also influence their Industrial Relations authorities. Ngige said, “The good story that filters out from it is that we put out an Act, a legislation that had in place an inbuilt review five years mechanism, unlike the formal Act. So, mandatorily, Nigeria will produce a new minimum wage on or before May 2024. “It is acknowledged, both nationally and internationally, that government would not interfere in trade union matters and likewise, trade unions are not to interfere in labour administration unless as provided by the laws and principles of tripartism.” Ngige further reiterated that in his not within the rights of the trade union to dictate to government on the appointment of public officials. He urged the NLC to ensure the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Act (ECA) 2010 by State Governments. Ngige said, “This has resulted in many workers not being covered by the ECA Act for injuries and even deaths sustained in the place or course of employment. “The NLC should remedy this situation as the welfare of workers is one of the cardinal functions of Trade Unions including the Confederations. “In this regard, it should be noted that the PENCOM Act 2014 makes it mandatory for all employers to give Insurance Cover for workers employed by them.” Similarly, the federal government has announced a plan to increase workers’ salaries in 2023 following a series of industrial actions in 2022. Ngige, said the increment is to curb the effect of economic challenges posed by inflation on the country. According to Ngige, the presidential committee on salaries is currently reviewing the wages, and the government will make a pronouncement next year.

  The level of optimism displayed so far about the elections taking place on February 25th, indicates eloquently that millions of Nigerians are determined to vote for the real change they’ve been yearning for all these years. Never have they been this ready to elect leaders who they expect will be honest about salvaging what is left of Nigeria. And so, armed with their PVCs- for those who have been able to collect theirs, the masses are hoping that the elections will be credible especially with the introduction of the BVAS and electronic transmission of election results. One nagging problem however is the role of the judiciary and the nature of judgements delivered in recent times on election matters, which have become grave threat to Nigeria’s democracy. Many Nigerians have been expressing dissatisfaction on the Supreme Court judgements in favour of Sen. Godswill Akpabio and Senate President, Ahmad Lawan. Recall that Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal earlier upheld the duo of Machina and Ekpoudom’s elections as the validly nominated flagbearers of the APC for the senatorial district polls in Yobe and Akwa-Ibom states, respectively. But, the Supreme Court upturned the decisions of the two lower courts and held that they were wrong to have assumed jurisdiction in the suit since the issue of candidate nomination lies with political parties. It subsequently dismissed Udom Ekpoudom, and Bashir Machina, as authentic candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for Akwa-Ibom North-West Senatorial District, and Yobe North Senatorial District. This is not the first time the Supreme Court is pronouncing such controversial judgements. Concerning the recent controversial judgements, many people do not believe justice has been done, a situation former Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mike Igini, described as ‘tragedy’.”It’s a tragedy in our country that 16 days to elections we are still talking about party primaries issues that ought to have been dealt with months ago. The judiciary which should be the last line of defence of democracy and the rule of law historically, has not lived up to expectation,” he said. Going down history lane, Igini, who featured on an Arise TV show during the week, recounted the several errors made by the judiciary in election matters. For instance, “the June 12 crisis, look at how judiciary itself was used to truncat it. In a letter signed for the annulment of June 12 in 1993, the military government of the day declared that they had to annul the June 12 election to avert judicial anarchy. “In 2007, the presidential ballot papers were not serialised, the matter went to court and eventually the election was declared valid. It took a President Yar’Adua of blessed memory to acknowledge that the election was flawed. Recall I wrote that 2007 election without the ballot paper being serialised should be annulled. But it took a vote of just one justice of Supreme Court to affirm such a process that represents the lowest level of democratic discredit.” According to Igini, the 2022 Electoral Act is intended to bring about profound reforms about political party primaries so as to have outcome that would reflect the wishes and aspiration of party members, regretting however, that “All that have happened today by this judgement is effort to kill that section – laws relating to internal party democracy. This judgement has put what we call the final rite; it is an interment of the death of those provisions. “If a process is not understood, abuse is inevitable. The 2022 electoral act was designed to bring sanity to political parties’ choice of candidates.” Continuing he lamented, “What has happened is a tragedy. For us, for our democracy to blossom, to be nourished, it must be noted, the first assault to democracy is rule of law. The judiciary that was very audacious, courageous, fearless under the military, I’m not seeing that happening now.” On the two cases being hinged on domestic affairs the lawyer said, “Domestic affairs do not mean that party leaders should not respect, abide by their own internal rules, particularly when it has been decided that in view of what we are going through with political party primaries, that those domestic regulations should not even be elevated to the 2022 Electoral Act”, maintaining that “The current judgement was not decided on merits.” He further faulted the Supreme Court judgements, saying that a pre-election case does not require oral evidence in terms of calling of witnesses. Buttressing his point, he referenced Section 137 of the Electoral Act. “We have decided that because of the shenanigans of parties in election, we no longer need to call oral evidence on election matters because we knew what they’ve been doing over the years which is, when we call for oral evidence, some people will say they’ll call 350 witnesses just to frustrate that case.” Raising concerns on the forthcoming elections in relation to the role of the judiciary, Igini said, “If we are doing this with the Electoral Act, where lies the fate of all matters that will come before the judiciary?” “I’m worried and I’ve said it over time even before the judgement, that Nigeria will die because of lack of commitments of all the members of the bar and bench to the survival of our democracy. “We need a fearless judiciary that will stand tall and mighty in defence of democracy and the rule of law. “Two kinds of corruption must be avoided; the corruption of judicial officer, and the corruption in the institution of the judiciary by way of the people trying to intimidate the judiciary, pressure the judiciary and do all kinds of things. “Our quest for a fearless and courageous and independent judiciary, will be meaningless and hopeless if we do not also protect very courageous judges that will stand tall and call justice by their own names,” he stated. Still on the forthcoming elections, he expressed worries about what he termed “the expanding empire of the courts

  The Supreme Court on Saturday came hard on some Nigerians who had been “venting convoluted anger”, following its recent pronouncements, which affirmed a former Governor of the Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, and Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, senatorial candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the February 25 elections. The Apex Court warned purveyors of such attacks on the judiciary and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, especially the United States-based Professor, Farooq Kperogi and Progressive Minds Forum, to desist and channel such energies to political parties which “fail to organise themselves well.” The Director of Press And Information in Supreme Court, Dr Festus Akande, issued the warning in a statement titled, “Be mindful of unwarranted attacks on judicial officers.” According to him, as of the moment, over 600 cases have so far gone to court from just party primaries which were conducted by political parties without any encumbrance or interference from any external bodies. The statement reads, “We have watched with utter dismay some unfortunate events that have been unfolding in the country, particularly within the political landscape, for some days now. “It is so disheartening to learn that some individuals and groups of persons who ought to know better and even assume the revered positions of role models to a larger proportion of the citizens are now sadly, the very ones flagrantly displaying ignorance and infantilism in the course of defending the indefensible. “In an ineptly scripted toxic article, one Farooq Adamu Kperogi, who described himself as a Nigerian-American Professor, decided to plunge into an abysmal pit of irredeemable ignorance by venting convoluted anger on Supreme Court Justices with a view to pleasing his paymasters. “We have made it abundantly clear on different occasions that Judicial Officers are neither political office holders nor politicians that should be dressed in such robes. “Our silence must not be mistaken for weakness or cowardice. “Certainly, every Nigerian citizen has an inalienable right to express his or her opinion without any encumbrance; but even in the course of expressing such fundamental right, we should be circumspect enough to observe the caution gate of self-control in order not to infringe on another person’s right. “Even in a state of emotional disequilibrium, we should be reasonable enough to make a good choice of decent words, as every word employed by the pen-happy Kperogi only succeeded in portraying the kind of vacuum that sign-posts all that he has as academic accomplishment. “I believe those who possess similar credentials with him are obviously ashamed of celebrating any form of affinity with such a character that has an odious reputation for being a serial verbal assailant over the years, as he sees nothing good in anything good. “He has only succeeded in inflicting upon himself a mood of bellicose jingoism which does not represent a mark of honour for any discerning mind or academic, the world over. “Courts don’t advertise or scout for cases for adjudication; but at the same time, we are duty-bound to adjudicate on all matters that come before us with a view to giving justice to whoever justice is due, irrespective of status. “No court in any clime is a Father Christmas; so, no one can get what he or she didn’t ask for. “Similarly, all matters are thoroughly analysed and considered based on their merits and not the faces that appear in Court or sentiments that attempt to becloud the sense of reasoning. “So, for anyone in his or her right frame of mind to insinuate that the Justices have been bought over by some unknown and unseen persons is, to say the least, a bizarre expression of ignorance, which definitely has no place in law or even in the realm of pedestrian reasoning. “We are not surprised with the surge of these well-orchestrated verbal assaults on Judicial Officers across the country at this period of elections. “It is a thing we are used to and are ever ready to absorb whatever comes our way, but there should be some level of decorum and dignity in what we say and do. Politics should not be played without recourse to good conscience and acceptable moral conduct, as everything is evolving globally. “Calling on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to resign or attacking Justices that sit on various panels, as exhibited by a faceless group that calls itself ‘Progressive Minds Forum,’ is rather prosaic. “If political parties fail to organise themselves well by managing their internal wrangling maturely and now chose to bring themselves to the court, we are duty-bound to adjudicate in accordance with the provisions of the law and not the dictates of any individual or deity, as some people would want us to do. “If political parties conduct themselves well and orderly too, the courts would definitely handle fewer cases and the political atmosphere will be much healthier than it is currently. “We shall continuously do our best to discharge our constitutional responsibility to keep the country together and move the nation along the path of peace, progress and development. “Attacks by groups, political parties or individuals under any guise will not deter us, rather it will boost our resolve to do more for the country. “It is not only petty but equally very unreasonable for anyone to hurriedly link CJN Ariwoola to his state of origin and tribe simply because of a particular judgment of the court. “The major problem of Nigeria has always been the undue emphasis on religion and ethnicity in all our dealings. As long as we continue along that path, progress will remain a mirage. “As of this moment, over 600 cases have so far gone to court from just party primaries which were conducted by political parties without any encumbrance or interference from any external bodies. “So, will the political parties, Kperogi or any individual now accuse the court of causing such unpleasant intra-party wrangling that defied all internal conflict resolution mechanisms? “Most times, some people try as much as possible to