Relatives of a 30-year-old woman, Rafiat Okewole, are currently grieving over the sudden death of the lady allegedly in the hands of her husband, Wole. PUNCH Metro gathered that Okewole, though married to the businessman, was living separately on Odelusi Street, in the Ijoko area of Ota, Ogun State. She was said to have lost her life during a disagreement that ensued when she visited her husband in the Gas Line area of Ijoko on Sunday to collect money for her children’s upkeep. The deceased was said to have been having a running battle with her husband over his alleged failure to cater for her children. The issue, however, reached its climax when Wole allegedly smashed Okewole’s head against the wall during her Sunday visit. Our correspondent learnt that efforts made by neighbours to save Okewole’s life after the incident failed as she was confirmed dead in the hospital where she was rushed to for medical attention. It was further learnt that her 41-year-old husband was arrested after the case was reported at a police station by one of the deceased’s siblings. One of the deceased’s brothers, Akinola Shittu, in an interview with PUNCH Metro, said he was devastated by the news of his sister’s death. He said, “My elder brother called me on Sunday evening to inform me that Rafiat died. I asked what happened and he told me that it was reported to him that Wole smashed her head against the wall of his house when she went to ask for money for the upkeep of their kids. “This happened at Wole’s Gas Line, Ijoko residence on Sunday around 3pm. “Immediately, I rushed to the house and I saw that neighbours had already gathered and my sister was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. I am devastated. “I later learnt that one of my brothers who lives nearby reported the case at Sango Police Station which led to Wole’s arrest.” The deceased’s sister, Basirat Liasu, told our correspondent that the incident happened in the presence of Okewole’s daughter who accompanied her to Wole’s house. Liasu said, “I learnt on Sunday from one of our elder sisters that Rafiat died due to injuries inflicted on her by her husband, Wole, who hit her head against the wall in his house. “Rafiat was not living with Wole as of the time of the incident because she was Wole’s second wife. Though, his first wife also packed out earlier in the year. “She went there to ask for money for the children’s upkeep. One of her children who accompanied her to the house told neighbours that her father hit her mother’s head on the wall.” The deceased’s elder brother, Yusuf, told PUNCH Metro that he was the one who reported the matter at the Sango Divisional Police Headquarters. He said, “My wife was the one that called me on the telephone and informed me that she heard that my sister died after her husband hit her head against the wall of his house. “I rushed to the hospital at Ijoko but she was already dead and I learnt that Wole was still boasting that nothing would happen to him after killing my sister.” Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident. She said Wole was already in police custody. The PPRO said, “The Sango Ota Police Division arrested a murder suspect on August 6, 2023, around 4pm. It was one Segun Osho who reported that his sister, Rafiat Okewole, who lived at Odelusi Street, Ijoko, Ota had an argument with her husband, Oluwole Okewole, and he hit her head on the wall and she became unconscious. “She was rushed to a hospital in Ota where she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. “Detectives visited the scene, arrested the suspect for interrogation and took photographs while the corpse was evacuated to the mortuary for autopsy.”

  Wednesday 09 August 2023 Niger: ECOWAS plans fresh sanctions on Burkina Faso, Mali, UN talks fail Father blames hospital for elevator death, doctor buried Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Church members mourn as Pastor Odukoya dies No corruption allegations against Adamu, Omisore, says APC scribe Businessman hits wife’s head against wall, victim dies $1.9bn arms imported into Africa annually, says NATCOM FG’s reliance on borrowings must end — Tinubu Strike: Nigerians ‘re dying, FG begs doctors We may be pushed to invade Niger — US tells coup plotters Mob sets suspected thief ablaze in Delta Diplomacy ‘Best Way Forward’ In Niger, Force Still On Table – Presidency Blinken Warns On Russia’s Wagner Taking Advantage In Niger Political Elite Yet To Model Sacrifice Expected Of Nigerians, Says Labour Tribunal Fixes Date To Hear Final Written Address In Petitions Of Rhodes-Vivour, Jandor Tinubu Appoints 400-Level Student Into Tax Reforms Committee Abia Launches Operation Crush Initiative To Tackle Insecurity Akpabio Meets With Resident Doctors Over Industrial Action Closure of airspace, borders cutting off aid supplies to Niger, says UN Okonjo-Iweala: Tinubu is committed to improving welfare of citizens Without Working, I Got Salaries After Paying N1m For Job Slot At FCC, Man Confesses Tribunal: Fashola petitions DSS to investigate peddlers of fake news Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  Telecommunication firms are considering a repayment plan proposed by Deposit Money Banks to end the N120bn debt on the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data service, findings from The PUNCH has revealed. A source said the Central Bank of Nigeria was intervening in the dispute, and planned a meeting with both parties. According to a source in the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, the umbrella body for telcos, “Work is going on and we would soon have a meeting with the telcos. We are going to talk about what the banks have told us. Modalities for payments, the banks are ready to pay. “The CBN has called all of us to try to resolve the matter. We are looking at a way of fulfilling the promise. Banks have made commitments to pay.” The source noted that the debt had continued to increase in 2023, due to continued patronage of the USSD channel. Telcos and banks had had been having disagreement on the debt since 2019, over the payment of USSD debt. At the time, telcos insisted that banks were owing them N32bn for offering financial services with USSD. Since then, an agreement over the repayment of the debt had remained elusive, with telcos threatening to stop banks from using USSD channels.

  The committee is in charge of several aspects of tax law reforms, fiscal policy design as well as the coordination, harmonisation of taxes, and revenue administration. According to President Tinubu, the committee headed by Taiwo Oyedele is also expected “to deliver a schedule of quick reforms that can be implemented within thirty days. “Critical reform measures should be recommended within six months, and full implementation will take place within one calendar year.”   The committee is in charge of several aspects of tax law reforms, fiscal policy design as well as the coordination, harmonisation of taxes, and revenue administration. According to President Tinubu, the committee headed by Taiwo Oyedele is also expected “to deliver a schedule of quick reforms that can be implemented within thirty days. “Critical reform measures should be recommended within six months, and full implementation will take place within one calendar year.”

  The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced sanctions against individuals collaborating with the military junta in the Republic of Niger. The leadership of the regional body, on Tuesday, resolved to impose financial sanctions on the individuals and entities believed to be supporting the military junta in the Francophone country. Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on media and publicity, told state house correspondents that the ECOWAS chairman has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement the financial sanctions on those concerned. The presidential spokesperson did not specify the sanctions and also did not reveal the identities of the individuals affected. “Mr President has directed the acting CBN governor to levy another slate of sanctions against entities and individuals associated with the military junta in Niger public,” he said. “I said that intentionally I didn’t make a mistake, because I was given permission to make that statement and I emphasised that this is not an individual action taken by an individual president on behalf of an individual nation. “This is an action taken yes, by the ECOWAS chairman who is the president of Nigeria, but standing on the authority provided by the consensus resolution of all ECOWAS members and heads of state with regard to financial sanctions being levied by ECOWAS members states against the military junta in Niger Republic. “There is an authority that we are standing on. It is not the Nigerian government’s authority, it is the authority of the resolution passed in public before now.” Ngelale said the seven-day ultimatum issued against the military junta is not a personal decision taken by Tinubu but that of ECOWAS. “Concerning the ultimatum given to the military Junta in Niger Republic, it is an ECOWAS mandate, and it is not a Nigerian ultimatum. It is not a Nigerian mandate,” he said. “And the office of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also serving as the chairman of ECOWAS, to emphasise this point, that due to certain domestic and international media coverage, tending toward personalisation of the ECOWAS sub-regional position to his person and to our nation individually. “It is because of this that Mr President has deemed it necessary to state unequivocally that the mandate and ultimatum issued by ECOWAS is that of ECOWAS’ position.” Following the military takeover in Niger Republic, ECOWAS issued a seven-day ultimatum to the junta to reinstate the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Despite pressures from the organisation and other countries, the military leaders in the country have refused to reinstate Bazoum. On Thursday, ECOWAS leaders will reconvene to discuss the crisis in Niger Republic

  An unidentified adult has jumped into the lagoon at the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge area of Lagos State. It was gathered that the incident happened on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency responders are currently at the scene as efforts are ongoing to recover the victim from the water. The area has also been cordoned off by the police. The state Public Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the incident. He said, “The incident happened truly. Marine police and the Lagos State emergency officials are here. Efforts are still on to bring out his body dead or alive.” The Head, Public Education of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Amodu Shakiru, also confirmed the incident. Shakiru who spoke on behalf of Adeseye Margaret, Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, said, “We got a distress call at about 2:43 pm and we moved down to the location. There is no update yet.”

  Senate Spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, says the red chamber may re-invite the three ministerial nominees yet to be confirmed for re-screening. Adaramodu representing Ekiti South Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly (NASS) made this known on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Tuesday. Asked whether the Senate was still going to confirm those yet to be confirmed, the lawmaker said, “The question raised about them is an ongoing issue. So, once the Senate is satisfied, definitely, if we need to invite them to the chamber for the re-confirmation and re-screening, then we’ll do that.” The three ministerial nominees yet to be confirmed by the Senate are ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Senator Abubakar Danladi from Taraba State and ex-Nexim Bank Managing Director, Stella Okotete (Delta State). The Senate had on Monday approved and confirmed the ministerial nominations of 45 other appointees of President Bola Tinubu after a voice vote. However, the red chamber withheld the ministerial confirmation of El-Rufai and two others pending “security clearance”. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had said, “Just to mention that for the avoidance of doubt, the Senate has so far approved and confirmed the nomination of 45 ministers out of the total 48 ministerial nominees sent to us by the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The others are still awaiting security clearance.” Dissecting the issue on Tuesday, Adaramodu said, “If security is not satisfied, Senate cannot be satisfied. It depends on what security agencies and the person that nominates them say.” The 45 nominees cleared by the Senate are Festus Keyamo, Mariya Mahmoud, Lola Ade-John, Bosun Tijani, Isiak Salako, Tahir Mamman, Maigari Ahmadu, Zephaniah Jisalo, Shuaibu Audu, Yusuf Sununu, Bello Matawalle, Alkali Saidu, Ahmed Gwarzo, Atiku Bagudu, Simon Lalong, Ibrahim Gaidam, Aliu Abdullahi, Gboyega Oyetola, Heineken Lokpobiri and Tunji Alausa. Others are Dele Alake, Lateef Fagbemi, Muhammad Idris, Ali Pate, Doris Uzoka, Dave Umahi, Wale Edun, Uche Nnaji, Adebayo Adelabu, Ekperikpe Ekpo, Hannatu Musawa, Musa Dangiwa, Nyesom Wike; Abubakar Kyari, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Bello Muhammad, Badaru Abubakar, Joseph Utsev, Olubunmi Ojo, Betta Edu, Uju Kennedy Ohaneye, Abubakar Momoh, John Enoh, Iman Suleiman Ibrahim, and Yusuf Tuggar. ‘Strong Petition’ On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, the Senate screened El-Rufai, a two-term governor of Kaduna from May 2015 to May 2023, and one of the nine ex-governors in the ministerial list of the President. During El-Rufai’s screening on the floor of the Senate, Senator Karimi Sunday from Kogi West Senatorial District raised a “very strong petition” against the ex-Kaduna governor that bothered on insecurity, unity, and national cohesion. Sunday, who praised El-Rufai’s performance as Kaduna governor and minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) some 20 years ago, said, “but I have a very strong petition against you that bothers on security, unity and cohesiveness of the Nigerian nation and I think that petition has to be considered along this screening exercise”. There was, however, a loud resistance from the Senators against the subject and the Senate President intervened saying, “Distinguished colleagues, perhaps I should inform you that I have received petitions from many other people in respect of other nominees but this is not where we are to deal with petitions. Our job here is to screen and of course, we can refer petitions to where petitions would be dealt with. “These are the nominees of Mr President. If it is something that is a formal petition before the Senate, we will look at it formally but there are certain petitions that we have to refer to the Presidency or security agencies to look at and that has nothing to do with us. “I think by the time we are going with the issue of confirmation and approval, we will so advise. So, I will want to plead with my brother (El-Rufai) to take a bow. So, don’t bother about (addressing the petition). Thank you.”

  President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms. The inauguration took place in Abuja on Tuesday. In July, the president approved the establishment of the committee and appointed Taiwo Oyedele, a tax and fiscal policy expert, as its chairman. In a statement announcing the development, Dele Alake, special adviser to the president on special duties, communications and strategy, said the committee will comprise experts from both the private and public sectors. He said the panel would be responsible for various aspects of tax law reforms, fiscal policy design and coordination, harmonisation of taxes, and revenue administration. The special adviser said the committee’s primary objective is to enhance revenue collection efficiency, ensure transparent reporting, and promote the effective utilisation of tax and other revenues to boost citizens’ tax morale, foster a healthy tax culture, and drive voluntary compliance. Speaking on the committee’s establishment, Zacchaeus Adedeji, special adviser to the president on revenue, emphasised the importance of a sound fiscal policy environment and an effective taxation system for the functioning of the government and the economy. He said Nigeria ranks very low on the global ease of paying taxes while the country’s tax to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio “is one of the lowest in the world and well below the African average”. “This has led to an overreliance on borrowing to finance public spending which in turn limits the fiscal space as debt service costs consume a greater portion of government revenue, annually resulting in a vicious cycle of inadequate funding for socio-economic development,” he had said. “While some incremental progress has been recorded over the years, the outcomes have not been transformative enough to change the narrative.”

  Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), says President Bola Tinubu told labour leaders that as part of measures to reduce the cost of governance, he lives in a two bedroom apartment. Ajaero stated this during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today. Daily Trust reports that the organised labour had on Thursday called off its nationwide protest after meeting with the president. Speaking on the television programme, Ajaeero said, “During our meeting with the president, we complained about the high cost of governance. We told him that when he appoints ministers, they will appoint SSAs and the SSAs will also appoint SSAs. But the president said we should look at it from the point of job creation, but we did not agree with that. Optometrists rise in defence of murdered colleague, ask IGP to speed up prosecution Niger: El-Zakzaky speaks against military action “He took his own case for example. He told us that if you come to his fleet of cars, it was large and he made efforts to reduce it, but he was told that it’s a security issue. “He equally went further to say that he prefers to use his own private jet but told not to because as a matter of security, he must use the government jet. And he went further to say, even himself, that he’s using only a two-bedroom flat. That he’s trying as much as possible to tighten his belt and he would try as much as possible to talk to the people working with him. I don’t know what that means.”