The Federal Government, through the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, has issued a cease-and-desist order to Point of Sale operators from conduct that constitutes an infringement of the law. This follows the move by PoS operators, under the umbrella of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, to fix new prices for PoS transactions. The new pricing model began on July 17, 2023. According to the commission, PoS operators that are found in violation of the order will pay N10m for corporate entities and N1m and, or, a prison sentence of up to three months for individuals. The FCCPC, in a statement signed by its Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Babatunde Irukera, on Monday, said, “The Commission advises PoS operators that violation of an order of the Commission attracts additional consequences apart from the underlying illegal conduct that is the subject of the order such as up to N10,000,000 for corporate entities; and N1,000,000 and or a prison sentence of up to three months for individuals.” The commission noted that it has not sought to limit the prerogative of PoS service providers to determine and set prices for services in a manner of their choosing, subject to Section 127 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, which prohibits manifestly unjust or exploitative prices. It stated that it respects and encourages a pricing methodology that is the product of market forces in a free, competitive, and undistorted market. However, it said there is no evidence that the PoS market lacks sufficient players or competition in Lagos or anywhere else. The commission said, “While the Commission continues to provide consideration to, and for small businesses, enforcing the law must remain non-negotiable. “Accordingly, the Commission, in escalating this in accordance with the FCCPA and ancillary instruments, has entered an Order & Notice (ONC) of the Commission to AMMBAN, persons identified as executives, members, and non-member PoS operators to Cease and Desist from conduct that constitutes an infringement of the law.” It said the ONC had been served on AMMBAN. It was also noted that not all members can be personally served or will become aware through service on AMMBAN. It further stated, “In addition, some persons, such as non-AMMBAN members, may become subject to the ONC. Accordingly, the Commission has, and is by this again publicly disseminating the ONC. Members are however invited to consider sufficiency of service of the ONC under Section 158(4) of the FCCPA which deems such service on their association or executives as adequate and acceptable.” According to the commission, it had tried the cautious and collaborative approach but has now adopted the ONC to convey its will to enforce the law, including, and up to prosecuting violators and affiliates who may otherwise be statutorily liable for the conduct of a violating company or business. It added, “In addition to stipulated statutory consequences, although the Commission prefers not to disrupt the business and operations of small enterprises, it will (if it becomes necessary) prohibit merchant services and privileges to PoS operators or AMMBAN members who persist in conduct that is inconsistent with law and economic efficiency.”

  Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved N10,000 monthly palliative for workers. The N10,000 monthly palliative is to help workers cope with the recent fuel subsidy removal and its attendant economic impacts. The government’s decision was announced at a press conference addressed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, at the Government House, Ilorin on Monday. Ajakaye said, “On top of the palliatives is a cash support of N10,000 for every public sector worker in the state, which will begin this month (July) and last until a new minimum wage is introduced to enable workers to cope with the economic shocks created by the subsidy removal. “In deference to the new advisory of the National Economic Council for states to design their own independent responses to the development, the governor has directed the leadership of the civil service to continue a staggered work schedule — not exceeding three days a week — to reduce transportation expenses for workers,” he said. Kwara had earlier introduced a 3-day work schedule for its civil servants but suspended it in deference to an earlier advisory of the NEC for states to await a more holistic response to the development. The staggered work plan will not cover ‘essential workers, the governor’s spokesman clarified. “The governor has similarly approved the payment, from this month, July, of new hazard and skipping allowances, and 100% CONMESS for consultants and medical doctors under the government’s payroll. “He also approved a new regime of allowances for nurses working for the state government. The whole essence is to check attrition rate in the health sector, and attract and retain medics and specialists to provide improved, qualitative healthcare services for the people of the state,” he added. “The governor has also endorsed immediate cash-backing of 2019 and 2020 promotion for Teaching Service Commission workers. The administration had earlier cash-backed arrears of promotion for TESCOM for the years 2015-2018. “In the same vein, he has approved cash-backing for the 2021 promotion exercise of teaching and non-teaching staff of SUBEB and restoration of steps to all of them. This is a policy response to the yearnings of SUBEB workers since 2016 when SUBEB workers no longer had steps. “The Governor also approved the extension of free bus rides for students of tertiary institutions in the state, while modalities for occasional distribution of food to poor and most vulnerable households are to be activated in the next few days. “This shall be nonpartisan and would be coordinated by a government team to be supported by respected stakeholders who would get inputs from traditional rulers, religious bodies, market leaders, trade unionists, and community-based organisations to generate the lists of beneficiaries and disburse accordingly. “The whole idea of these interventions, which gulp billions of naira of public funds, is to show empathy and deploy as much resources as the state can afford to support the people at this special time. “The Governor has also approved the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) to activate N500m worth of conditional support for petty traders and MSMEs in the state. “The state government will receive fertilisers and grains from the Federal Government and pay for same. It is not free. Modalities for the handling of these will be made available later. This is to boost farming outputs and food security in the state. “The government, meanwhile, will be setting up a committee to interface with marketers on the need to curb extortionist tendencies as seen in the arbitrary fixing of prices of foodstuffs. This practice imposes hardship on eve…

  The 10th House of Representatives has released its six-point legislative agenda for the 10th Assembly to drive progress, prosperity and inclusivity across the country. Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, the House Leader and Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on Legislative Agenda, announced the agenda on Monday in Abuja. He listed the agenda as economic empowerment and diversification, infrastructure development, education and human capital development. Others include healthcare for all; transparent governance, accountability, and the security and safety of persons and property, as well as economic empowerment and diversification. Ihonvbere said the agenda, being the vision of the 10th Assembly, would be the fulcrum upon which the 10th Legislature’s operation would be based. He said one of the House’s foremost goals would be to drive economic empowerment and diversification, adding that Nigeria’s over-reliance on oil exports had left the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices. According to him, to mitigate this risk and build a sustainable economy, they would incentivize investments in non-oil sectors such as agriculture, technology and renewable energy. He said, “In the agriculture sector, we will pass legislation to modernise farming practices, improve access to credit for farmers, and support agricultural res He said the Green Chamber would explore opportunities in agro-processing to add value to the country’s agricultural produce and create more jobs. He said, “In the technology and innovation space, we will foster an environment that encourages start-ups, nurtures innovation hubs, and incentivizes research and development”. He said the aim was to position Nigeria as a technology powerhouse, leveraging her young and dynamic population to drive innovation and digital transformation. He said the agenda was to prioritise renewable energy projects to reduce the country’s carbon footprint, improve energy security and create jobs in the renewable energy sector. This, according to him, will be done by embracing renewable energy, which would not only protect the environment but also open up new investment opportunities. “Our overall goals are job creation, higher foreign exchange earnings, new skills development, diversification of exports and strengthening and deepening our technological foundations,” he explained. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some of the stakeholders that contributed to the agenda are the Nigerians Union of Teachers, Nigerian Metallurgical Society and the Federal Ministry of Health. (NAN)

  The Federal Government has arraigned 12 suspected oil thieves in connection with the intercepted Cameroon-bound vessel laden with 150 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil. The vessel, MT TURA II, was intercepted on July 7 on Escravos Sea in Delta State with 11 Nigerians and one Ghanaian onboard. The military, on July 11, set the vessel ablaze at a creek close to Bennett Island in the Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State. The Federal Government arraigned the 12 suspected oil thieves before the Federal High Court in Asaba. The charge sheet marked FHC/ASB/93C/23 had as defendants Mr Cobbina Paul & ORS. The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty when the two counts contained in the charge sheet were read to them before Justice F.A. Olubanjo. The prosecuting counsel for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, O. F Okai, prayed the court to remand the defendants in the custodial facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service while a date was fixed for the commencement of trial. The defence counsel, Paul Ejiga, made an oral bail application, saying he was informed about the arraignment late. “We just came in and we were informed that the matter is coming up for trial,” he said. In a ruling, however, Justice Olubanjo declined the oral bail application. “Please file a formal application for bail. I read the file and I do not think an oral application will suffice even if the prosecution is not opposing. “Defendants shall be remanded at the Nigeria correctional service, Ogwashi-Uku. In the event that the defendants file bail applications, it is unlikely that this court will be able to attend to them as vacation commences on July 24, 2023. “The DCR is, therefore, directed to forward the case file to the vacation court at Port Harcourt if bail applications are filed during the court’s long vacation,” the judge ruled. She subsequently adjourned the case till October 26 for trial. Meanwhile, an anti-corruption advocacy group, Human and Environmental Development Agenda, has said the Federal Government can save over $200bn yearly if leakages in oil revenues were blocked. HEDA made a submission at the end of a weeklong international conference on anti-corruption held in Abuja. “Funds recovered through stringent anti-corruption measures in the oil and gas sector will help Nigeria regain her floundering economic fortunes,” the group said at the conference with the theme, “Nigeria and the Fight Against Corruption: Reviewing the Buhari Regime and Setting Agenda for the Tinubu Administration.” “Nigeria is at a critical moment. People are passing through very difficult times. With a debt profile of N77tn, and an extremely poor debt service ratio, the country is in a quagmire. The surest way to recovery is to decisively fight corruption. “Recovery of stolen funds and an end to graft in the oil sector will see Nigeria witness an upsurge in revenue to meet the needs of Nigerians who are at the end of the stick,” HEDA said in one of its recommendations to the new government.

  A popular native doctor based in his home town, Oba in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State was kidnapped on Sunday night in one of his hotels in the town. The native doctor, known as Akwa Okuko tiwara aki ( an egg that breaks palm nut), was believed to possess power of disappearance, but could not disappear when the kidnappers came for him.   His two personal aides were said to have been killed in the vicinity of the hotel before the kidnappers effortlessly took him away. Regarded as one of the strongest native doctors in Anambra State, it was a surprise that he was kidnapped with so much ease in his hotel, Triple P Hotel, which is one of the three hotels he built in Oba. The Anambra State police command has confirmed his kidnap as the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga said the incident happened around 11:30pm last night. The state Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye has already ordered operatives to go after his abductors and ensure his release. A source said: “Akwa Okuko Tiwara aki has been Kidnapped. Two of his security men were shot dead. “The ease of his abduction has put a question mark on his rumoured strength”. In the meantime, many people have been trouping to his house in Oba to find out if truly he was kidnapped in view of the enormous powers he was believed to possess. The kidnappers have also not made any contact with his family in terms of ransom to be paid.

  Gunmen on Sunday, wreaked havoc on Delta State, forcing commercial drivers and their passengers to flee into the bush.The rampaging gunmen shot dead two policemen. Not done with the killing of the officers, the gunmen also set the police patrol van ablaze during the attack which occurred along the Ughelli-Asaba Road by the Oleh roundabout. The incident has caused serious tension in the area as transporters and travelers plying the route are now afraid and are seeking alternative routes. It’s however not clear if the service rifles of the officers attached to the Dragon Patrol team was carted away by the gunmen. According to Daily Post, The Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe has confirmed the incident. He however said he does not have details of the death of the policemen.

  Respite seems to have come the way of residents of Imo State with the Nigerian Army 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze in Imo State reading the riot act to bandits in the state. The new Commander of the Nigerian Army 34 Artillery Brigade, Imo State, Brigadier General Usman Lawal, shortly after taking over at the Brigade Command headquarters in Obinze, vowed to go after the bandits who have been disturbing the peace of the state and smoke them out of their hideouts. According to him, this is to ensure the activities of the perpetrators are brought to the barest minimum, so Imo residents can go about their legitimate business peacefully. In recent times, Imo State, just like other South-East states, has dealt with security challenges occasioned by the activities of gunmen and non-state actors. The Nigerian Army 34 Artillery Brigade, in collaboration with other security agencies in the state, has been at the forefront of combating insecurity in the state. After 16 months in charge, Brigadier General Sani Suleiman passed the baton to Brigadier General Lawal as the new Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade in the state. The former brigade commander said the Nigerian Army had done much in the last few months to curtail the activities of the bandits, adding that they were not relenting in the fight against the bandits. Brigadier General Usman Lawal vowed to go after the criminals in line with the directives of the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army. The new brigade commander met with men and officers of the command and was taken around on a familiarisation tour. With the residents hanging on the assurances of the Army, Lawal said he is ready to tackle the security challenges in the state so the people can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere and go about their lawful activities without any fear or intimidation.

  No fewer than eight persons have reportedly died while 11 persons are said to be in critical condition after allegedly taking killer alcoholic drinks in some parts of Ogun State. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday. Coker warned residents about the risks associated with consuming locally brewed alcoholic drinks and other products not approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. According to her, the incidents reportedly occurred between July 18 and 20, 2023 in two local government areas, Ijebu North-East and Odogbolu. She added that the Ministry of Health had initiated an investigation into the source and nature of the products. The statement read, “It is of utmost importance to only consume products that have been officially approved and certified by NAFDAC. “The unauthorised production and distribution of alcoholic beverages and other consumable items pose significant health risks as they are often manufactured in unregulated and unhygienic conditions, making them potential breeding grounds for harmful substances and toxins. “Such substances can lead to severe health complications and, in some cases, fatal outcomes, as evidenced by the recent incidents in Ijebu North-East and Odogbolu Local Government Areas. “We hereby urge the public to report any suspicious locally brewed alcoholic drink to the appropriate authorities or NAFDAC.” The governor’s aide added that residents should also report any case of illness or death after consumption of similar products including herbal concoctions to the nearest government hospital. Ogun begins probe as eight die after alcohol bout No fewer than eight persons have reportedly died while 11 persons are said to be in critical condition after allegedly taking killer alcoholic drinks in some parts of Ogun State. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday. Coker warned residents about the risks associated with consuming locally brewed alcoholic drinks and other products not approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. According to her, the incidents reportedly occurred between July 18 and 20, 2023 in two local government areas, Ijebu North-East and Odogbolu. She added that the Ministry of Health had initiated an investigation into the source and nature of the products. The statement read, “It is of utmost importance to only consume products that have been officially approved and certified by NAFDAC. “The unauthorised production and distribution of alcoholic beverages and other consumable items pose significant health risks as they are often manufactured in unregulated and unhygienic conditions, making them potential breeding grounds for harmful substances and toxins. “Such substances can lead to severe health complications and, in some cases, fatal outcomes, as evidenced by the recent incidents in Ijebu North-East and Odogbolu Local Government Areas. “We hereby urge the public to report any suspicious locally brewed alcoholic drink to the appropriate authorities or NAFDAC.” The governor’s aide added that residents should also report any case of illness or death after consumption of similar products including herbal concoctions to the nearest government hospital.