Barely 48 hours after gunmen abducted the father of the vice chairman of Kwali Area Council of the FCT, alongside six others, in Yewuti village in Kwali, eight women were again abducted on a farm in Gwombe village in Gwargwada Chiefdom in Kuje Area Council of the territory. A resident of Gwargwada, Usman Yakubu, said the incident happened around 5pm on Monday. He said the women, all housewives, harvesting benni seed when the gunmen wielding AK-47 rifles appeared and surrounded them. A chief from a village in the chiefdom, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the abduction, saying, “In fact, four among the women are from one house.” He added that, “I suspect that these gunmen that abducted our women are among those ones that escaped from neighbouring Kabbi village who were roaming inside the bush after Miyetti Allah vigilantes neutralised some of them over the weekend.”   There was no response from the spokeswoman of the FCT Police Command, SP Adeh Josephine, over the incident.

  The National Bureau of Statistics says the average retail price of a litre of petrol increased from N195.29 in October 2022 to N630.63 in October 2023. It made the declaration in its Petrol Price Watch for October 2023 released in Abuja on Wednesday. NBS stated that the October 2023 price of N630.63 represented a 222.92 per cent increase over the price of N195.29 recorded in October 2022. “Comparing the average price value with the previous month of September 2023, the average retail price increased by 0.71 per cent from N626.21. “On state profiles analysis, Zamfara paid the highest average retail price of N659.38 per litre, followed by Gombe and Borno at N658.33 and N657.27, respectively. “Conversely, Lagos, Oyo, and Delta paid the lowest average retail price at N590.95, N592.19 and N599.38 respectively,’’ it stated. Analysis by zones showed that the North-East Zone recorded the highest average retail price in October 2023 at N644.16, while the South-West recorded the lowest price at N616.81 per litre. The NBS also stated in its Diesel Price Watch Report for October 2023 that the average retail price was N1004.98 per litre. It said that the October 2023 price of N801.09 per litre amounted to a 25.45 per cent increase over the N801.09 per litre paid in October 2022. “On a month-on-month basis, the price increased by 12.82 per cent from the N890.80 per litre recorded in September 2023,’’ it added. On state profile analysis, the report said the highest average price of diesel in October 2023 was recorded in Plateau at N1150.00 per litre, followed by Nasarawa at N1138.00 and Benue at N1091.67. On the other hand, the lowest price was recorded in Rivers State at N824.44 per litre followed by Borno at N827.27 and Kebbi State at N845.00 per litre. In addition, the analysis by zones showed that the North-Central had the highest price of N1090.69 per litre, while the North-East recorded the lowest price at N947.32 per litre. NAN

  The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has authorised the redeployment of 94 Federal High Court Justices nationwide. This reassignment comes following the appointment of 23 new judges to the court. The posting directive, obtained by SaharaReporters, stipulates that all affected judges must report to their designated duty stations before January 8, 2024. Hon. Justice Ariwoola Olukayode Jnr., the son of Olukayode Ariwoola, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, is among the justices posted. Outlined in the document are various reassignments across different locations: Abuja Hon. Justice J.T Tsoho (Chief Judge) Hon. Justice G.Kolotu Hon. Justice B.F.M. Nyako Hon. Justice R.N. Ofili- Ajumogobia Hon. Justice A.R Mohammed Hon. Justice Ieekwo Hon. Justice D.Uokorowo Hon. Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik Hon. Justice James Kolawale Omotosho Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite Hon. Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu Hon. Justice Mobolaji Olubukola Olajuwon Hon. Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Mана Umuahia – Abia Hon, Justice Sunday Onu Hon. Justice Musa Κακακι Yenagoa – Bayelsa Hon. Justice Isa Hamma Adama Dashen Hon. Justice Salim Olasupo Ibrahim Benin -Edo Hon, Justice S. M. Shuaibu Hon, Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor Birnin Kebbi. – Kebbi Hon. Justice Emmanuel Gakko Kaduna Hon. Justice R.Maikawa Hon. Justice Hawau Buhari Κano Hon. Justice A.M. Liman Hon. Justice M.N. Yunusa Hon, Justice S.A. Amobeda Lagos Hon. Justice J.T. Tsoho – Chief Judge Hon. Justice A.Ofaji Hon, Justice Alewis -Allagoa Hon, Justice C.Janeke Hon. Justice Yellim S. Bogoro Hon. Justice Daniel Emeka Osiagor Hon, Justice Akintayo Aluko Hon. Justice Peter Odo Lifu Hon. Justice Abimbola O. Awogboro Hon, Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac Hon. Justice Ogundare Kehinde Olayiwola Hon. Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala Hon. Justice Ogazi Friday Νκεμακονam Ilorin -Kwara Hon, Justice Evelyn Nmasinulo Anyadike Hon. Justice Ariwoola Olukayode Jnr. Akure – Ondo Hon. Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke Hon, Justice Owoeye Alexander Oluseυι Ibadan -Oyo Hon. Justice Uche N. Agomoh Hon, Justice Ekerete Udofot Akpαν The notice directs all affected judges to resume duties before the end of the 2023 Christmas vacation, specifically on January 8, 2024. Additionally, judges previously serving are instructed to adhere strictly to policies and instructions concerning the movement of their property from one judicial division to another.

  An Ikeja high court has convicted two men over the death of seven officers of the Department of State Services (DSS). Hakeem Oshodi, presiding judge, sentenced Clement Ododomu to death by hanging and Tiwei Monday to 16 years in prison. The convicts were said to have committed the offences on September 14, 2015, in Ishawo Creek, Ikorodu, Lagos. They were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit murder, murder and illegal possession of firearms, contrary to section 223 and 298 (3) of the criminal law of Lagos state, 2015. The Lagos state government had submitted that DSS received a distress call from an editor of Sun newspaper (name withheld) on September 14, 2015, about the kidnap of his wife at their residence. It was said that the state command of the DSS dispatched a nine-man team to carry out surveillance to ascertain the location of the kidnappers who were negotiating for a ransom. In the evening of that day, Martins Ajayi, one of the officers in the team, sent a distress text message to the command headquarters saying that the men had been ambushed by vandals and their weapons seized The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the crime while submitting that they were in Lagos to attend the burial of their grandmother. But in the judgment, Oshodi held that the defence failed to provide essential witnesses to corroborate the claim. The judge also noted that the defendants did not show remorse for their crimes. “The court has considered the allocutus of the defence counsel, but the position of the law is binding to us all,” the judge said. As noted, the first defendant was convicted on counts one, five, seven, nine and ten, while the second defendant was convicted on counts one and ten.” He held that the prosecution was not able to prove that the second defendant was guilty of murder. Oshodi said that evidence before the court showed that it was one Agbala and the first defendant who killed the operatives. He held that the prosecution was able to prove that the two defendants participated in the ambush of the operatives. He discharged and acquitted the convicts on counts two, three, four, six and eight because the prosecution was unable to prove the allegations against them. “The court has observed the demeanour of the defendants and came to the conclusion that they felt no remorse with regard to the allegations they were facing,” Oshodi said. They informed the court that they do not understand English language, whereas, in the recording, they both were conversing in English. “The first and second defendants are hereby sentenced to imprisonment for 14 years for count 10 and the first and second defendants are hereby sentenced to imprisonment for two years for count 9. “The first defendant is hereby sentenced to imprisonment for 20 years. The terms of imprisonment for both defendants will run concurrently. “For count five and seven, which the court has found the first defendant guilty, the sentence of the court upon you is that you be hanged by the neck until you be dead and may God have mercy on your soul.”

  Israel’s government and Hamas agreed on Wednesday to a four-day pause in fighting to allow the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, and the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave. Officials from Qatar, which has been mediating secret negotiations, as well as the U.S., Israel and Hamas have for days been saying a deal was imminent. Hamas is believed to be holding more than 200 hostages, taken when its fighters surged into Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. A statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said 50 women and children will be released over four days, during which there will be a pause in fighting. For every additional 10 hostages released, the pause would be extended by another day, it said, without mentioning the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange. “Israel’s government is committed to return all the hostages home. Tonight, it approved the proposed deal as a first stage to achieving this goal,” said the statement, released after hours of deliberation that were closed to the press. Hamas said the 50 hostages would be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children who are held in Israeli jails. The truce deal will also allow hundreds of trucks of humanitarian, medical and fuel aid to enter Gaza, the Palestinian group said in a statement. Israel had committed not to attack or arrest anyone in all parts of Gaza during the truce period, it added. U.S. President Joe Biden said he welcomed the deal. “Today’s deal should bring home additional American hostages, and I will not stop until they are all released,” he said in a statement. The Qatar government said 50 civilian women and children hostages would be released from Gaza in exchange for the release “of a number of Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons”. The starting time of the truce would be announced within the next 24 hours, it said in a statement.   The accord is the first truce of a war in which Israeli bombardments have flattened swathes of Hamas-ruled Gaza, killed 13,300 civilians in the tiny densely populated enclave and left about two-thirds of its 2.3 million people homeless, according to authorities in Gaza. But Netanyahu said Israel’s broader mission was unchanged. “We are at war and we will continue the war until we achieve all our goals. “To destroy Hamas, return all our hostages and ensure that no entity in Gaza can threaten Israel,” he said in a recorded message at the start of the government meeting. Hamas said in its statement: “As we announce the striking of a truce agreement, we affirm that our fingers remain on the trigger, and our victorious fighters will remain on the look out to defend our people and defeat the occupation.” The hostages Three Americans, including a 3-year-old girl whose parents were among those killed during Hamas’s October 7 attack, are expected to be among the hostages to be released, a senior U.S. official said. In addition to Israeli citizens, more than half the hostages held foreign and dual citizenship from some 40 countries including the U.S., Thailand, Britain, France, Argentina, Germany, Chile, Spain and Portugal, Israel’s government has said. Israeli media said the first release of hostages was expected on Thursday. Implementing the deal must wait for 24 hours to give Israeli citizens the chance to ask the Supreme Court to block the release of Palestinian prisoners, reports said. Kamelia Hoter Ishay, the grandmother of 13-year-old Gali Tarshansky, who is believed to be held in Gaza, said she would not believe reports of a deal until she got a call that the teenager was freed. “And then I’ll know that it’s really over and I can breathe a sigh of relief and say that’s it, it’s over,” she said. Qadura Fares, head of the Commission for Prisoners’ Affairs in the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, told Reuters that among more than 7,800 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel were about 85 women and 350 minors. Most were detained without charges or for incidents such as hurling rocks at Israeli soldiers, not for launching militant attacks, he said. Qatar’s chief negotiator in ceasefire talks, Minister of State at the Foreign Ministry Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, told Reuters that the International Committee of the Red Cross would be working inside Gaza to facilitate the hostages’ release. He said that the truce means there would be “no attack whatsoever. No military movements, no expansion, nothing.” Al-Khulaifi added that Qatar hopes the deal “will be a seed to a bigger agreement and a permanent cease of fire. And that’s our intention.” Reuters

  In a significant move to strengthen economic ties, Nigerian and German companies sealed two pivotal agreements in Berlin on Tuesday. The accords valued at $500m, encompass a renewable energy pact and a gas export deal, marking a milestone in bilateral cooperation, the Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale said in a statement. Union Bank of Nigeria and Germany’s DWS Group formalised a Memorandum of Understanding on renewable energy. This strategic partnership aims to attract $500m in investments dedicated to renewable energy projects, with a primary focus on rural communities across Nigeria. According to the statement, the second MoU solidified a gas export partnership between Riverside LNG of Nigeria and Germany’s Johannes Schuetze Energy Import AG. Nigeria commits to supplying 850,000 tons of natural gas annually to Germany, with projections indicating an increase to 1.2 million tons. The initial shipments are scheduled for 2026, the statement confirmed. An integral aspect of this deal is its contribution to processing approximately 50 million cubic feet per day of natural gas that would otherwise be flared. This aligns with both nations’ commitment to environmentally conscious practices and sustainable energy solutions. Nigeria, home to Africa’s largest gas reserves exceeding 200 trillion cubic feet, has grappled with environmental concerns linked to gas flaring. This deal signifies a crucial step toward addressing this issue and harnessing Nigeria’s abundant gas resources for sustainable energy projects. President Bola Tinubu, attending the G20 Compact with Africa conference in Berlin, expressed his approval of the agreements. This positive sentiment aligns with Germany’s commitment, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a 4 billion euro investment in green energy projects in Africa by 2030. The collaborative effort aims to support Germany’s transition to carbon neutrality and meet its goal of net-zero emissions by 2045. Acknowledging the need for green hydrogen imports, particularly from Africa, Scholz highlighted the pivotal role these investments play in achieving environmental objectives. The remarks were made during a German-African business forum preceding the G20 Compact with Africa summit, focusing on coordinating development agendas and identifying business opportunities in Africa. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has undertaken significant reforms, including the removal of a popular petrol subsidy and the relaxation of foreign exchange trading restrictions. These bold initiatives aim to make Nigeria more appealing to investors and revitalize its economy, addressing challenges such as sluggish growth, record debt, double-digit inflation, and crude oil theft. The Federal Government two weeks ago revealed that more than N4.3tn worth of crude oil was stolen in 7,143 pipeline vandalism cases within five years. The PUNCH reports that oil theft is an emergency that poses a serious threat to oil exploration and exploitation with huge negative consequences on economic growth, business prospects, and profit earnings by oil companies. The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative disclosed that in the last five years, 2017 to 2021, Nigeria recorded 7,143 cases of pipeline breakages and deliberate vandalism resulting in crude theft and product losses of 208.639 million barrels valued at $12.74m or N4.325tn

  The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has revealed that the government needs $35bn to kick start the construction of concrete roads nationwide. He also stated that the moribund Ajaokuta steel company will provide 16 per cent of the steel material needed for the construction of Nigeria’s roads in concrete pavement. This far-reaching resolution was the crux of discussion when the works minister met with the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaib Audu, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The Chief Press Secretary to the minister, Orji Uchenna, in a statement on Tuesday said, the meeting underscored the imperative of coordination, cooperation, and coherence in the execution of the Federal Government’s action plans for national development. The minister noted that the funding which would be gotten through a partnership with a commercial bank will be assented to by the federal executive council. Umahi said, “How do we reactivate the Ajaokuta Steel. We are going into the concrete road, in this concrete road, about 16 per cent of it is from Steel while 30 per cent is cement. We need a lot of money to start but we decided to face it and God has given us an idea. “We need about $35 billion to start. If we start waiting for FG it might become difficult. We analyzed the Return on Investment and the profit we could have made, part of it will go to bank interest. We are looking at a partnership with a commercial bank but Federal Executive Council has to endorse it. If this could be done, it means Mr President is living up to his words and this is going to be possible.” According to the statement, the ministers resolved to synergise and strategise on steps to tap into the opportunities in the Ajaokuta Steel Plant for the development of road infrastructure in Nigeria. He said that tapping into the opportunities in the steel industry would create jobs and wealth for Nigerians and encourage global market industrialisation. The former Ebonyi State governor also assured the steel minister of his support to enhance the potentialities of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant. The Minister continued, “One of the renewed hope agendas of Mr President is to think outside the box, Mr President inherited a large chunk of debt from the past administration, the beauty about it is that he is not complaining, he knew how the country was before he took the job and how it is. The good thing is that if you have passion for something God will give you an idea.” Earlier in his remark, the minister of Steel Development emphasised the importance of the initiative and expressed hope that it would provide the needed economic boost for the nation, generate revenue and provide thousands of direct jobs for skilled and non-skilled technicians and hundreds of thousands of unskilled jobs in Nigeria stressing that, “We are to achieve three things, one to create job opportunity for Nigerians as a whole, two, to ensure that the corridor around the North Central Zone and the Ajaokuta-Warri axis is busy with activities and thirdly, the plant has been inactive for close to four decades and we are here to restart the plant within the shortest possible time.”

  Gunmen were said to have attacked the Adamawa State Police Headquarters, Jimeta, Yola North Local Government Area, in the early hours of Wednesday, sending residents of Yola into panic. According to Daily Trust, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the attack, but said things were under control. Nguroje said, “The attack was repelled, but the identities of those behind it was unknown.” The newspaper quoted a source as alleging that the attackers were military personnel on a revenge mission, following the alleged killing of a military officer by the police. Although the newspaper said it could not independently verify if military personnel were involved, but the police said investigations were ongoing to ascertain the cause of the attack and those behind it. The PUNCH had earlier reported that there was a faceoff last Friday between officials of the EFCC and some personnel of the Nigerian Air Force at the Kaduna Zonal Command of the anti-graft agency. The NAF personnel were said to have stormed the commission’s office in an attempt to release their colleagues earlier arrested by EFCC operatives for allegedly attempting to forcibly release fraud suspects from custody. The anti-graft agency noted that its operatives arrested five suspects at an eatery located in the Barnawa area of the state on Monday following credible intelligence about their alleged internet-related fraud activities. A statement released on Friday by EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, gave the names of the suspected fraudsters as Favour Itung, Rachael Ande, Zuleiman Haruna, Abubakar Ismaila and Solomon Olobatoke. The EFCC, however, noted that after the sting operation, six military personnel who witnessed the operation at the eatery stormed its Kaduna Command and attempted to forcibly release the arrested fraud suspects but were subdued and detained over the security breach. According to the anti-graft agency, the intruders are four Air Force personnel: Lawal Abdullahi, Chukwuma Christian, Alfa Suleiman and Emmanuel Ekwozor, and two students of Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, Chidera Anuba and Joseph Tokula. The EFCC added that while in detention, there were inter-agency communication and discussions by the leadership of the EFCC and the NAF to resolve the matter. The statement added, “Unfortunately, dialogue on the release of the combative Air Force personnel broke down on Friday, November 17, 2023, when some unruly NAF Officers stormed the Kaduna Command in a commando-style, to forcefully release their detained colleagues. “The EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation and flagrant abuse of power. “The Commission continued to engage with the leadership of the Nigeria Air Force and released the officers to the NAF Provost after they had been duly profiled. “The EFCC wishes to assure the public that it will continue to carry out its statutory mandate of tackling all cases of economic and financial crimes, without let or hindrance.”

  Wednesday 22 November 2023 $35bn needed to execute concrete road projects, says Umahi Nigeria, Germany sign $500m renewable energy, gas deals Insecurity: Military blames forex, demands special court for terrorists Navy hands over seized oil-laden ship to EFCC WHO says staff member, husband, six-month-old baby killed in Gaza NNPP Applauds Atiku, Welcomes Merger Of Opposition Parties Uproar As Akpabio Names PDP’s Ngwu Chief Whip Electricity Supply Will Improve By 2024 First Half — Minister Lagos Spending: ‘There Could Be Mistakes On Some Items’, Says Sanwo-Olu FG Revokes 1,633 Mining Licenses Appeal Court Dismisses SDP’s Petition, Affirms Fintiri As Adamawa Gov Reps Approve 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework Elections: Going Forward, Results Upload Will Be Mandatory – Senator Alli Soludo Presents N410bn 2024 Budget For Anambra Osun Gov Spends N2bn On Meals, Welfare; Runs Office With N6bn In 3 Months War On Gaza: Israel Close To Ceasefire Agreement With Hamas As Death Toll Hits 13,000 Troops Neutralise 7 Bandits In Kaduna Why insecurity is not going away —Service chiefs Amid heavy dockets, electoral cases overwhelm judges, justice system Govt asks Supreme Court to extend old naira notes’ lifespan Speaker, Deputy emerge in Plateau Assembly Ohanaeze, Aferifere, M’Belt Forum press for state police   Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  The European Union (EU) says it has spent €88 million to support Nigeria in the fight against corruption since 2005. Samuela Isopi, EU ambassador and head of delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), spoke on Monday at the launch of the rule of law and anti-corruption (ROLAC Phase II) programme. Isopi said the fight against corruption is a priority for the EU’s engagement with partner countries. “Corruption is a challenge in Nigeria, and indeed in many countries of the world, as it undermines good governance and human rights, and contributes to poverty,” Isopi said. “It is proven that corruption undermines the foundations of democratic institutions and represents a major barrier to social and economic growth. “Corruption weakens the trust of citizens in democratic institutions and indeed threatens stability. It varies in nature and extent, but it affects all countries. “The fight against corruption is therefore a fundamental part of the EU agenda, internally and externally, and is a priority in our engagement with partner countries. “The new administration has identified the fight against corruption as one of its priorities. This will be vital for the economic and political future of the nation.” As part of the EU’s continued support in the anti-graft war, Isopi announced an additional € 30 million in funding for the second phase of the ROLAC programme. The ambassador said 1.5 million Nigerians were impacted in the first phase of the programme. She added that the second phase would run for five years and would be implemented in Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano, Lagos, and the federal capital territory (FCT), with the possibility of extension to two more states. She noted that the programme is aimed at supporting the strengthening of the rule of law and the fight against corruption as well as reducing gender-based violence, promoting respect for human rights and ensuring inclusivity for all Nigerians. According to the ambassador, achievements of the first phase of the programme include setting up and strengthening policies and processes; and increased implementation and compliance with the administration of criminal justice law. Others are increased inter-agency cooperation in the fight against corruption and creating synergies between government and civil society organisations; increased access to justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV), through the establishment of sexual assault referral centres and special GBV courts as well as improved protection of the rights of children. Isopi added that the second phase of the program will focus on criminal justice, prison reform, curbing sexual and gender-based violence as well as strengthening and implementing anti-corruption policies and tools. The programme is implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and funded by the EU. NIGERIA’S STRUGGLE WITH CORRUPTION A 2021 corruption perception index published by Transparency International (TI) in 2022 showed that Nigeria scored 24 out of 100 points — ranking 154 out of 180 countries. In the 2020 index, Nigeria scored 25 out of 100 points, ranking 149 out of the 180 countries surveyed. The development meant that Nigeria dropped to 154 — five places down — out of the 180 countries surveyed, in comparison with the 2020 rating. The rating was the worst ranking the country got under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. In 2015, Nigeria was ranked 136th; 136th in 2016; 148th in 2017; 144th in 2018; 146th in 2019, and 149th in 2020. However, last year, although the country maintained its previous-year rating scoring 24 out of 100 points, Nigeria moved up four places on the rank, sitting at the 15oth spot out of 180 countries.