A Reverend Father, Charles Igechi at the Benin Archdiocese has been allegedly shot dead by gunmen in Benin City, Edo State. It was gathered that the priest was shot by gunmen on Wednesday along the Agbor Road, Ikhueniro area of Benin, on his way to his place of assignment. A Reverend Father within the Benin Archdiocese who craved anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the incident, confirmed the killing of the priest to Daily Trust. He said, “It is true he was killed. No body was with him when he was killed by gunmen.” He said the priest’s body was found in the bypass axis of the Benin Agbor road where he was dumped. Efforts to reach the Edo State Command spokesperson, Chidi Nwanbuzor, was unsuccessful as calls and a text message to his cell phone were not answered. But the Catholic Archbishop of Benin City, Augustine Akubeze, said that the issue had been reported to the police and expressed hope that justice would be served on the perpetrators of the illegal act.   Akubeze, in a condolence statement issued on Thursday, said the priest, who was ordained in August 2022, was shot on his back.   The statement read, “With deep sadness and sorrow in our hearts, we wish to inform you of the death of one of our priests in the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Charles Onomhoale Igechi, who was ordained on the 13 of August, 2022 and who until his death was the Vice Principal of St. Michael College, Ikhueniro. “With great shock we received the news this morning that he was shot on his way back to his place of assignment, on the 7th of June, 2023 and his remains were found by Boundary Street in Ikpoba Hill, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State. “We therefore wish to solicit for your prayers for the happy repose of his soul. I kindly wish to use this medium to inform all priests that there shall be a Mass for the peaceful repose of Rev. Fr. Charlies Onomhoale igechi, tomorrow June 9, 2023 at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre’s Chapel at 10:00am.   “I entrust you all to the maternal intercession of our Lady of Sorrow. May God continue to guide and protect all the faithful in the Archdiocese of Benin City and may the soul of Rev. Fr. Charles Igechi find peace and tranquillity in the loving embrace of our risen Saviour. Amen.”

  The Indigenous People Of Bịafra, IPOB has ordered Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother to detained Nnamdi Kanu to quit visiting him in DSS custody. In a document obtained by CrimeFacts.news, the group’s Directorate Of State, Chika Edoziem also ordered Kanu’s Counsel, Alloy Ejimakor to stop visiting Kanu in DSS custody for any reason. He directed that only Mike Ozekhome, SAN and Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor are permitted to pay regular visits to Nnamdi Kanu in DSS custody henceforth. Edoziem said, “The Directorate Of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra has deemed it extremely imperative to make public statement and clarification regarding the issue of Maazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People Of Bịafra’s health and plans for him to undergo surgery while still in custody of the DSS. According to IPOB’s DOS, “Firstly and clarity’s sake, the lead counsel to Nnamdi Kanu in the matter instituted against him by the Nigerian government which matter is now before the Nigerian Supreme Court is Barrister Mike Ozekhome, SAN assisted by Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor and others . Any matter therefore concerning Maazi Nnamdi Kanu while still being detained at the facility of the DSS, whether such issues pertain to his health or otherwise must be brought to the knowledge and attention of the lead counsel. Edoziem said IPOB cannot longer tolerate moves by anyone to endanger the life of Nnamdi Kanu. He called on Emmanuel Kanu, Nnamdi Kanu’s younger and Barr Alloy Ejimakor to retrace their steps and desist from visiting the IPOB leader in DSS custody henceforth. “Emmanuel Kanu, Barrister Alloy Ejimakor and others who are known to us should be held responsible if anything happens to Maazi Nnamdi Kanu, “Edoziem said. BACKGROUND On Wednesday Vanguard reported that Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu said the Department of State Services (DSS) did not allow the medical team to see his client. On Tuesday, Vanguard reported that Kanu’s medical team arrived at the DSS headquarters in Abuja to give proper care to the IPOB leader. Hours later, Kanu’s brother alleged that the self-determination group leader was not allowed to see his doctors, as they were asked to leave the medical facility on Tuesday. Confirming the development, Ejimakor, via a Twitter post, confirmed on Wednesday that Kanu did not receive medical attention from his doctors. “After going through so much trouble to advance the cause of arranging proper medical care for Onyendu #MNK, the DSS made sure it didn’t happen. This will not stand. Onyendu must get the proper medical care that he needs from physicians of his own choice,” Ejimakor wrote.

  Senator Clement Annie Okonkwo has died after a long battle with a Terminal Illness. Okonkwo, who celebrated his 63 years birthday on 23 May 2023, gave up the ghost on Wednesday. The Popular politician was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007 to represent the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone in Anambra State. Family sources revealed that he was “recovering after taking proper treatment in the United States of America but relapsed a few days ago and died.” His son, Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, is the House of Representatives Member-Elect for Idemili North and Idemili South Federal Constituencies, Anambra State. Funeral Arrangements will be announced soon.

  THE Anambra State Police command has rescued two persons from being lynched by a mob in Ihiala local government area of the state over allegation that they killed three persons for money ritual. In a trending video, the suspects, a male and a female, were seen being paraded naked by the mob and forced to carry the dead persons in a wheelbarrow, while the crowd followed them. They were at the point of being beheaded and set ablaze before the police intervened. Those filming the incident said the man and the woman, who they accused of being yahoo yahoo ritualists, had killed the three persons for the purpose of using them for money rituals, before they were caught by the villagers. However, the state Police command said it was not a case of money ritual, but pure murder. In a statement in Awka, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga said: “The Command operatives yesterday, 7/6/2023, rescued two victims and a suspect who were about to be lynched by an angry mob at the Total filling station junction, ihiala. “To set the records straight, it is not a case of ritual killing, but a pure incident of murder. “Preliminary information reveals that the two victims, a man and a woman, who were humiliated and paraded naked, as shown in the video by the angry mob, were erroneously accused by the mob as they were seen at the scene where the murder took place. “Also, both the suspects and victims are currently receiving treatment in the hospital, while the deceased have been deposited in a morgue.” Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, while reacting to the incident, sued for calm, adding that he had ordered immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Awka for a comprehensive investigation.

  The leadership crisis rocking the Nasarawa Assembly Wednesday took another dimension as the 13 factional members during plenary passed a resolution suspending the 10 other factional members. Moving the motion on the matter, Hon Zhekaba averred while moving the motion that the absence of the 10 members from Tuesday proceeding amounted to deserting their legislative duty as such the affected persons be treated as deserters. According to Zhekaba, the 13 members who are majority in the house the affected members should also be dully punished for ‘convening a kangaroo and illegal meeting and the purported election of a speaker and a deputy speaker respectfully. He said the suspension is to serve as a deterrent to others whom they described as ‘trouble makers”. He therefore urged the House to forthwith, suspend the affected persons and bar them from entering the premises of the State Assembly till further notice. Also contributing, Hon. Nana re-echoed the position of Hon Zhekaba and urged the House to take a decisive decision to compel the immediate past speaker, Ibrahim Balarabe from parading himself as the speaker of the State Assembly. On his part, the presiding speaker, Daniel Ogah Ogazi put the matter to voice votes where all members present supported the position of the members present at the Wednesday plenary. Also speaking a member representing Nasarawa Eggon constituency then moved for the adjournment of the Wednesday proceedings It would be recalled that the two camps of the 10 members led by Rt Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi and Hon Daniel Ogah Ogazi are laying claims to the leadership of the assembly by electing Balarabe and Ogazi as speakers. Speaking to journalists after the sitting, Hon Ogazi explained that all actions coming after a proclamation by Governor Abdullahi Sule and all other proceedings must take place in the hallow chamber of the Assembly, adding that any thing done outside the house was illegal, null and void. He noted that the action of the members was contrary to section 105 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended “This morning, based on motion of public importance moved by the member representing Obi II, Hon Luka Iliya Zhekaba and seconded by Aliyu Nana representing Keffi West, members are satisfied that these 10 members erred, because what they did was contrary to section 105 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended” “members elect are still members elect, the House barred them from entering this premises and suspended them forthwith. “Also, they should be prevented from parading themselves as speaker, deputy speaker and members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly. And that members of the public should not recognize them as Honourable members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly until they availed themselves before the hallow chamber to be properly inaugurated and actively participate in the activities and procedures” “Today, they stand bared, they stand suspended. If they are ready to come before us we will welcome them,” Ogazi declared. He called on Governor Sule to desist encouraging illegality by recognizing the Balarabe led camp even as he promised that the House under his leadership will support and cooperate with the governor to move the state to greater height. However, a member from Balarabe’s camp has described the position of the Ogazi’s group as a joke taking too far. He said the Ogazi camp has no locus standi to take a decision on matters that affect the House, describing the action by the Ogah Ogazi as unholy and illegal. He called on the security operatives to arrest the Ogazi group as they were constituting a “nuisance to legislative community and the state as a whole.”

  The rise in the price of petrol has reduced the level of patronage at filling stations as Nigerians grapple with the ripple effects of the government’s decision on fuel subsidy removal. Checks by our correspondents on Wednesday revealed that due to the N537 new pump price of fuel introduced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), many filling stations in the territory now record fewer customers. In most of the stations, the product was available but motorists bought less petrol, describing full tank purchases as avoidable luxury. It was learnt many others had parked their vehicles at home, while others used theirs when it was absolutely necessary. Civil servants who could not afford to go out have resorted to staying at home even without permission from their employers. Those who have personal businesses only go out when there are no options; a development that has rendered highways less busy. A manager at a filling station in Kano who pleaded anonymity, said they used to sell out their stock within two days before, but “it is now a week and we still have the commodity. “If you see anyone filling up his tank, look at the type of the car, it will definitely belong to a government official, politician or an influential person.” Pump attendants at some filling stations described the new development as “scary”, saying patronage had dropped by over 50 per cent. Adeyemi Joy, an attendant at Shema Filling Station along Kubwa-Zuba Expressway, said “Many of our customers now buy between N5, 000 and N10, 000 fuel and this is below half tank considering the current price.” Another fuel attendant who did not want his name in print, said, “It is a surprise to us that most of our big customers who used to be regular here have not been regular anymore since the fuel price increase. Even when they come, they no longer pay to fill their tanks.” In a tweet Wednesday, leading activist and founder of ANAP Foundation, Atedo Peterside said “Let us watch NNPC Limited daily consumption figures collapse as the component parts of the old figures were – real domestic consumption, petrol smuggled across the border and non-existent petrol that only existed because it was assigned to bogus subsidy claims.” Workers skip duty Our correspondents gathered that workers in some agencies in Abuja now skip days due to the high transport fares. Fewer vehicles were seen on the streets as most car owners have parked their vehicles. The situation was the same in Kano, Zamfara, Ekiti and Lagos states. Our correspondent in Kano reports that many car owners were considering the option of substituting their cars with motorcycles or battery powered bicycles. In a visit to Audu Bako Secretariat, a civil servant told our reporter that most of the vehicles belonging to the junior staff of the ministry have been grounded. “You know how a junior worker is, especially one under a state government payroll. Normally, they hardly drive their cars for 30 days straight without parking them to wait for their salary. “Now that we are experiencing this high price of fuel, most of them have grounded their vehicles while some of them are looking at alternative means – to sell them and replace them with motorcycles.” Faisal Ali, who works with one of the local government areas in Kano, said they have started skipping attendance. “It has not been institutionalised but our superiors are not complaining. Many of us now go to the office two or three times a week. “Those whose work is inevitable in the office are being supported by the superiors,” he said. The level of patronage at filling stations in Ekiti State is very low due to the hike in the price of petrol. However, the majority of the stations do not sell in the daytime but prefer to sell late in the evening at higher prices between N600 and N650. Our correspondent reports that the situation is biting harder on workers as they don’t resume at the normal time. Some stay on the road to see who will assist them to get to the nearest point to get to their destination or office. Many offices were virtually empty as only a few workers were seen around. Govs back subsidy removal Despite the hardship residents are facing over the subsidy removal, governors yesterday expressed support for the president’s decision to end the subsidy regime. The governors under the banner of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) led by their chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, spoke when the president hosted them at the State House, Abuja. The governors, who took turns to speak, expressed happiness with the president for the decision to remove subsidy, all-inclusive leadership and statesmanship. They congratulated him and promised to work with him to ameliorate the short-term impact of the decision. AbdulRasaq thanked the president for the invitation to deliberate on the challenges of poverty and security, promising that they would support the federal government in meeting the targets of human development. “The NGF will follow the tradition of working constitutionally and harmoniously with you,” he assured. Major oil marketers promise 100 buses, support FG Meanwhile, the president has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima led National Economic Council (NEC) to begin the process of providing interventions to the people. Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State revealed this yesterday while briefing State House reporters after leading some major oil marketers on a courtesy call on the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The governor said the marketers were in the presidential villa to express solidarity with the president for his bold decision to end the fuel subsidy payment. He said the president’s action showed his determination and courage to remove the haemorrhage that had bedevilled the country for decades. He said the country was spending about N4 trillion annually on subsidy, which henceforth would be taken to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for sharing among three tiers of government. The governor said while

  The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has announced an upward review of the country’s tax-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio for 2021 to 10.86 percent from 6 percent. In its report titled ‘Tax-to-GDP Ratio Revised Computation (2010-2021)’, the statistics agency said the revised calculation now includes relevant revenue collected by other agencies of government. The tax-to-GDP ratio is a measure of a nation’s tax revenue relative to the size of its economy. Developed nations typically have higher tax-to-GDP ratios than developing nations.   According to the World Bank, tax revenues above 15 percent of a country’s GDP are a key ingredient for economic growth and, ultimately, poverty reduction. The report said the revised computation is a collaborative effort of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the federal ministry of finance, and the NBS for “better measurement” of Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio. The report said the data used were sourced from the office of the accountant general of the federation (OAGF), FIRS, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Joint Tax Board (JTB), NBS, and other relevant agencies of government that collect revenue. “The new figures are revised and updated numbers to reflect better data sources and improved estimation using the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) manual,” the NBS said. “The OECD manual is an improvement over the System of National Accounts (SNA 2008) classification of taxes. “Although the System of National Accounts conceptual framework and its definitions of the various sectors of the economy are reflected in the OECD’s classification of taxes, the OECD classifications provide the maximum disaggregation of statistical data on what are generally regarded as taxes by tax administrations. “The revised computation took into account wider coverage of data at the Federal, State, and Local Government levels, and revenue items not previously included in the computations, particularly, relevant revenue collected by other agencies of government.   “At the end of 2021, the tax-to-GDP ratio stood at 10.86% for Nigeria compared to an estimated 6% previously reported.”

  The Federal Government has  Monday, June 12 as a public holiday in commemoration of 2023 Democracy Day celebration. This was condeclaredtained in a statement issued by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, on behalf of the Federal Government. While congratulating Nigerians on the occasion, Akinlade stated that the country’s democratic journey has encountered stormy and smooth sails, just like in many other climes. She said, “But the ship of State, its institutions and most importantly, the Nigerian people have remained steadfast on the tenets of democratic governance.” “On this memorable occasion therefore, Nigerians and friends of Nigeria are invited to appreciate the progress that has been made, celebrate the milestones covered and look forward to a better future for the country’s democracy. “The Permanent Secretary wishes all Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day celebration, ” the statement added.

  The Nigerian National Petroleum Company has confirmed that once the Dangote Refinery starts pumping out refined petroleum products from late July or early August, the NNPCL will cut down on its imports of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol. NNPCL is currently the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria, a task which it had shouldered for several years. Other oil marketers stopped importing petrol due to their inability to access the United States dollars at the official rate. NNPCL also owned 20 per cent stake in the Dangote Refinery. The 650,000 barrels per day crude oil processing refinery was inaugurated on May 22, 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who described the facility as a game-changer. Also at the inauguration, the Founder/Chairman, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said the facility would put an end to the inflow of toxic substandard petroleum products into Nigeria, adding that the refinery would meet 100 per cent of Nigeria’s fuel needs. Dangote also stated that the refinery would start delivering refined products to the Nigerian market from late July or Early August this year. When contacted by our correspondent and asked about what would happen to the NNPCL fuel imports programme once the Dangote Refinery began to push out products in August, the national oil firm’s spokesperson, Garba-Deen Muhammad, said this would change. He said, “NNPC Limited is bringing in products from outside Nigeria as a matter of necessity, not as a matter of choice. We would have preferred that we produce here, refine here and we sell and provide the energy security that the country needs. “Because of the circumstances that surround our refineries, we cannot allow the country to be grounded. So we have to buy wherever we can get and sell. So if Dangote products are available, why should we not buy from Dangote? “There is absolutely no reason. And that is the reason why we are interested in the Dangote Refinery. We are co-owners, shouldn’t we do business with our partners rather than do it with other people?” Muhammad explained that the NNPCL would be supplying crude oil to the Dangote Refinery based on business agreement between both parties, and that this would be in accordance with the international price of crude. “NNPC owns 20 per cent of that asset and we have an agreement with Dangote that we will supply the refinery with crude. So as soon as Dangote begins to request for crude to pay for it, NNPC is prepared to supply the crude as a business transaction. “We have been selling crude to different parts of the world for decades, and it is not whether we will sell it to Dangote, for why won’t we sell to Dangote when we are selling to other refineries and countries?” NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, recently stated that the supply of 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day by the national oil firm to the Dangote Refinery would start once the facility commenced operations.