The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said online submission of passport applications may begin from December. Tunji-Ojo stated this while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday. According to him, one of the reforms the ministry is implementing in passport management is to put an end to the “chaotic” passport application process. He said, “For me personally, I have said this to service providers; I said it today, I said it yesterday, and I have always told them, ‘You need to make life easy for people. We cannot, as a government, as a service, make things more difficult than they ought to be. “Part of the reforms that we are putting in place now, starting from December, is that even when you want to enrol for your passport, you fill your forms online, you do your payments online, and everything.” The minister said international best practices for passport application and collection are being deployed to reduce Nigerians’ frustration in the application process. He noted that only a biometric capture needs to be done in person, adding that all necessary details can be submitted via a Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) portal. Tunji-Ojo said, “You do not need to go to the passport office to have your picture captured. People apply for American visas, people apply for UK visas, people apply all over the world. Your passport with the required specifications as directed by the NIS will be uploaded on the platform. “You upload your passport online, you upload your supporting documents online, so when you go to the immigration office, you spend just like five minutes just to have your biometric captured; that’s all,” he added. The minister stressed that the days of drawn-out enrollment procedures are long gone and unacceptable, adding that it is Nigerians’ right to experience a smooth procedure. “The era of people sacrificing a whole day just because they want to go to a passport office for enrollment is over; it is unacceptable. You cannot inconvenience people based on their rights; it is the right of the people to have a seamless experience,” he said. Recall that the Minister had earlier announced that 204,322 international passports are now ready for collection out of the backlog of over 300,000 he met upon assumption of office. He made the disclosure during a press conference in Abuja, disclosing that only 99,901 had been collected out of the amount ready for collection. The minister urged Nigerians to pick up their uncollected passports, revealing that the ministry was working with the immigration service and their vendors to ensure that from next year, international passports are delivered directly to the preferred address of Nigerians.

  The federal government has begun probes into the activities of Meta formerly known as Facebook, a haulage company, DHL, and online payment platform OPay for alleged data breaches. The companies, if found liable, would forfeit two percent of their annual gross revenue to the government. Findings by our correspondent revealed that there have been a barrage of complaints against the companies by Nigerians over the violation of data subjects’ rights. It was learnt that the Nigeria Data Protection Commission has opened investigations into the data processing activities of the affected data controllers. This is the second time the NDPC would open probes into the activities of some companies, banks and universities in the country over alleged data infractions. Our correspondent gathered that the National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, had warned during the Commission’s presentation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 to the public that infractions would attract penalties in accordance with the letter and spirit of law. Olatunji said the commission would not hesitate in “safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria data economy ecosystem.” He warned data controllers and processors against all forms of data processing which are not in tandem with the Act, insisting that the Chief Executive Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government would be held liable for infractions. The Nation learnt that complaints against Meta touch on behavioural advertising without explicit consent of data subjects. Approximately 40 million Facebook accounts in Nigeria might have been affected by the data processing under investigation. This also has significant implication for the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy. DHL on the other hand is facing investigation for allegedly violating the lawful basis and principles of data protection, it was discovered. Sources privy to the investigations said DHL’s data processing falls short of the confidentiality standard prescribed under the Nigeria Data Protection Act. The Act in section 24(2) (2) notes that “A data controller and data processor shall use appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data.” On its part, Opay might be called upon to answer for allegations that it opens bank accounts for data subjects without their consent. If this is true, it would amount to a grave violation of data privacy rights of affected data subjects, our Correspondent gathered. A report attributed to Opay says the platform has about 40 million data subjects. Finding by our Correspondent shows that Nigeria Data Protection Commission has served each of the data controllers with Notice of Investigation. The companies, it was learnt, have ample opportunities to defend themselves against the law of the country. Culled from TheNation

  The Federal Government has announced a special grant of N25,000 each to improve the lives of vulnerable pensioners in the country. The grant, will be disbursed under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Scheme of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. The Minister, Dr Betta Edu, announced this when she met with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress, (NLC), led by its President, Mr Joe Ajaero in Abuja. “President Bola Tinubu mentioned very clearly that vulnerable pensioners should be immediately captured on the National social Register and benefit from the CCT. “As part of social safety net, this was made clear in his speech on Independence Day where he committed 25000 Naira for 15million household for three months”, she said. Edu informed the leadership of labour union that the desire to expand the national social register to include vulnerable pensioners in the CCT scheme was encapsulated in the renewed hope agenda. She therefore appealed to the NLC to help fast-track the process of collating Data of would-be vulnerable pensioners beneficiaries so that they can start receiving CCT. “I want us to fast-track this, so that we are sure the expected beneficiaries can start receiving their stipends from next month which is November” Edu said. The minister commended Ajaero for being a team player. According to her, the task of moving Nigeria forward was a collective one. She therefore urged NLC leadership to continue to have faith in the Tinubu Administration. In his response, Ajaero expressed delight at the various poverty alleviation and job creation schemes rolled out by the Humanitarian Ministry. The labour leader however said, identifying the root cause of poverty would go a long way in addressing the challenge in the country. “Let’s look at not only how to solve this problem, but the cause of the problem, Let us look at other social welfare interventions and job creation that will go a long way to support families” he said. He urged the federal government to create more productive economy by creating more Jobs to ensure prosperous nation. Ajaero thanked the Minister for being the first member of the federal executive council to visit the labour house in President Tinubu’s Administration. ”For finding time to visit the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, we will work with you to achieve success in this process and your impact will be felt” Ajaero said. Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Mr Godwin Abumisi, thanked the federal government for finding the retirees worthy of government social intervention programme. According to him, Pensioners recieved as low as between five and ten thousand Naira a month. ”Twenty five thousand Naira is a big money to them”, Abumisi said. (NAN)

  The Supreme Court, on Thursday, slated December 15 to deliver its judgement on the appeal that is seeking to compel the Federal Government to release the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, from detention, Vanguard reports. A five-member panel of the apex court headed by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, okayed the matter for judgement, after counsel for both FG and the detained IPOB leader, adopted their final briefs of argument. While FG was represented by a team of lawyers that were led by an Acting Director, Civil Appeals at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. T. A. Gazzali, SAN, Kanu’s legal team was led by a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Kanu Agabi, SAN. Even though Agabi, SAN, led Kanu’s team of lawyers, however, it was Prof. Mike Ozehkome, SAN, that presented his appeal to the apex court panel. Ozehkome, SAN, prayed the court to not only order the immediate release of his client from detention, but to equally award “very heavy and punitive cost” against FG. “We urge my lords to uphold our Cross-Appeal in order to do substantial justice to this matter and to the Respondent who has been in detention since June 29, 2021, even after the lower court ordered his release and that he should never be prosecuted again on the same counts. “They are still holding him unconstitutionally. We pray my lords to deliver justice and use this case, just like in Ojukwu Vs State, to demonstrate that no man or government should be above the law,” Ozehkome, SAN, pleaded. However, in his submission, FG’s lawyer, Gazzali, SAN, urged the apex court to uphold the amended brief of argument he filed on May 3, 2023. He prayed the court to allow FG’s appeal, set-aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal which ordered Kanu’s release, and order the resumption of his trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism related charges. Gazzali, SAN, further urged the apex court to dismiss Kanu’s Cross-Appeal.   It will be recalled that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had in a judgement it delivered on October 13, 2022, ordered Kanu’s release from detention. In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court equally quashed a 15-count terrorism charge that FG entered against the detained IPOB leader, before the Federal High Court in Abuja . The court said it was satisfied that FG flagrantly violated all known laws, when it forcefully rendered Kanu from Kenya to the country for the continuation of his trial. It held that such arbitrary use of power by the Nigerian government, divested the trial court of the jurisdiction to continue with Kanu’s trial. However, dissatisfied with the judgement, FG took the matter before the Supreme Court. It further persuaded the appellate court to suspend the execution of the judgement, pending the determination of its appeal.

  The National Cybercrime Centre, Nigeria Police Force, has arrested two men over a romance scam in Abuja. The duo, Jerry Okoye and Ifeanyi Nwosu, were accused of criminal conspiracy and identity theft. This was made available by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, who stated that evidence of the criminal activities was seen on the suspects’ electronic devices. In the statement, Adejobi noted that the NPF will not relent in its “commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our citizens by relentlessly cracking down on criminal activities such as identity theft, romance scams, sextortion and other cyber-related crimes.” The statement read in parts, “These suspects, namely Jerry Okoye and Ifeanyi Nwosu, both residents of Panasonic Estate in Idu, Abuja, have confessed to their participation in computer-related frauds associated with romance scams and identity theft. Substantial evidence from their electronic devices has shed light on their criminal activities. “Jerry Okoye, a former student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), claimed to have been in the music industry since 2016 and operates a public relations company. However, he confessed to engaging in fraudulent activities dating back to 2014, primarily through Facebook. The investigation also uncovered compelling evidence, linking him to fraud and romance scams, extending up to the present day.” The Force PRO added that the second suspect, Ifeanyi Nwosu, had been involved in “cash exchanges” with a 69-year-old white woman identified as Winnie. “Similarly, Ifeanyi Nwosu, a close associate of Jerry Okoye, who was arrested along with the first suspect, claimed that his visit to the residence was for music recording purposes. However, he admitted to having a unique connection with a 69-year-old white woman known as Winnie, whom he identifies as both a fan and a friend. “This connection goes beyond casual friendship as evidence indicating a series of cash exchanges between Ifeanyi Nwosu and the elderly woman have come to light,” the Force PRO stated. Adejobi explained that the NPF remains unwavering in its ” “We urge members of the public to remain vigilant and cautious when interacting with individuals online, especially those they have not met in person. It added, “We call upon all Nigerians and residents to actively collaborate with the Force in securing our cyber-space and protecting our communities from these menaces. Safeguarding Nigeria is a collective responsibility that must not be trivialised.”

  The Benue State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Mathew Abo, has regained freedom. Abo was released in the early hours of Thursday and has already reunited with his family, according to sources close to the matter. The sources did not state whether any ransom was paid to secure his release, but they said the Commissioner returned in good health. Abo was abducted by gunmen on four motorcycles from his residence in Zaki-Biam on Sunday. The gunmen ordered everyone in the house, including his wife and children, to lie face down before taking him to an unknown destination.

  A Special Court Martial set up by the Nigerian Army has found the former Group Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Army Properties Limited, Major General Umar Muazu Mohammed guilty of 14 of 18 count charges which are all contrary to service laws. The charges include stealing, forgery, conspiracy, Theft, and Unauthorized diversion of Army property among others and they are all subject to service discipline. Among the charges was the collection of a sum of $1.045,400 paid by shipping companies for the use of Nigerian Army Jetty located at no 6 Marina, Victoria Island, Lagos Major General UM Mohammed was also found guilty of a theft of $430.800 being monies paid into Nigerian Army Domiciliary account at Unity Bank, Abuja for use of Nigerian Army Jetty, Marina, VI, Lagos Furthermore, Major Gen Mohammed was found guilty of withdrawing and confiscating the sum of N74million out of N75million paid for a property belonging to the Nigerian Army at Ikoyi, Lagos. The general was however found not guilty on allegations that he sold Army property worth N200million in Lagos as well as stole the sum of another N750million out of the sum of N2.5billion secured from banks as well as contribution from subscribers for a Army housing estate in Asokoro, Abuja He was also not found guilty of charges of forging a Deed of Agreement document pursuant to confiscating another Army property in Lagos. The Special Court Martial with Major General Kames Myam as President, has seven (7) other Major Generals as members and a Brigadier General as Judge Advocate and it is expected to read out its sentences for the accused by Tuesday next week. During the court martial, Major General UM Mohammed was brought into the court in a wheelchair but President of the court, Major Gen Myan said all necessary medical checks were carried out on the accused and all proved that he was fit to stand trial.

  The Senate is set to investigate the incarceration of over 250 Nigerians in Ethiopia. The Upper Chamber resolved to investigate this problem after the Minority Leader, Senator Simon Mwadkwon, drew the attention of his colleagues to the matter during Wednesday’s plenary session. The Senate consequently directed its Committees on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs to work with the Federal Government to immediately constitute a committee to visit the Republic of Ethiopia and investigate what is happening to Nigerians in the country. Contributing to the debate, a Federal Lawmaker Senator Abdul Ningi, said the Upper Chamber must investigate the matter to ascertain the true situation involving the incarcerated Nigerians in Ethiopia.

  The Nigerian Navy has foiled attempts by some criminals to convey Cannabis Sativa through the Lagos waterways into communities in the state, recovering illicit substances worth N235 million. The recovery was made by the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Beecroft, Apapa, and the Forward Operating Base, FOB, Badagry, respectively, in Iworo, Ibeju, Pako Beach seaside and other communities in the state. The substance gathered was concealed in 93 bags. A breakdown of the figure revealed that 66 bags estimated at N200 million were recovered by the NNS Beecroft and 27 bags valued at N37 million by the FOB Badagry. Briefing journalists during the handover of the illicit substance to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA , the Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga explained that “ the substance was seized on different occasions around Iworo, Ibeju and the Badagry area of Lagos State, with an estimated market value of N200 million. It comprises 66 bags, each weighing 40kg, containing a substance suspected to be cannabis sativa.” He added that the suspects abandoned the suspects and escaped on sighting the Command’s patrol team approaching. On his part, the Commanding Officer, , FOB Badagry, Navy Captain Adams Aliu, stated that : “On Friday, September 29, 2023, at about 7pm,the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Badagry received intelligence regarding suspected smuggling activities within our area of operation. The intelligence indicated that a boat was sighted offloading products suspected to be cannabis sativa at Pako Beach, close to Ajido, on the seaside of the FOB Badagry area of operation. “Consequently, the Base Quick Response Team, led by the Base Operations Officer, proceeded to the scene of the crime for investigation and possible arrest. Upon sighting the team, the smugglers abandoned the narcotics at the beach and fled. “Subsequently, a total of 27 bags of the suspected products, valued at about 35 million were recovered. The adjoining communities were also raided, but no other suspicious products or suspects were found. “Accordingly, investigations are ongoing in conjunction with other security agencies to identify the drug trafficking syndicate and in due course, we will make arrests and initiate prosecution”. “Anyone interested in bringing drugs or illegal consignments into Nigeria should note that under the current leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla in the Nigerian Navy, it is impossible to do so. We will detect you with our surveillance equipment, apprehend you, and ensure your arrest and prosecution. Nigerian waters and the Nigerian littoral zone are not for illegal activities”. Receiving the exhibits from both Commanders, NDLEA representatives , Merrs Paul Ahom and Dennis Fingere , applauded the efforts of the Navy and its support to the agency in the fight against illicit drugs.