Crime Facts

DAILIES TOP STORIES: 13 states rush to hold council polls over LG autonomy

  Wednesday 17 July 2024 Minimum wage: Labour threatens 30-day strike, alleges plan to decentralise talks FG warns 22 states of five-day massive flooding Crypto billionaire, technopreneur arrested for alleged fraud, terrorism funding TASUED suspends final year activities after student’s death Trump running mate Vance to light up Republican convention Gov Abba Reinstates Gaya Emir, Appoints Two Other Second-Class Emirs IMF Slashes Nigeria’s Economic Growth Forecast To 3.1% FG, States, LGs Share ₦1.35trn In June 2024 Appointments: Tinubu Not Unfair To Northerners, Says APC Spokesman Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Arabic Inscriptions On Naira Notes France’s Macron Accepts Prime Minister’s Resignation Binance Chief: Court Orders Arrest Of Kuje Prison Doctor Court Declines Emefiele’s Request To Travel Abroad For Medical Checkup Pro-Fubara Lawmakers Counter Amaewhule, Gives Gov Go-Ahead To Spend Govt Funds Katsina Singer’s Mother Regains Freedom 18 Days After Abduction Five Suspected Cultists, Others Arrested In Kogi Poly Edo LG Chairman Impeached Over Alleged ₦1.7bn Budget Padding, Others FG’s policies crippling businesses — NECA, MAN, NACCIMA Scammers hack Osun gov’s phone number —Aide Jos Building Collapse: Investigative committee releases preliminary report Gunmen kidnap naval officer, seven others in Akwa Ibom Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Arabic Inscriptions On Naira Notes

  The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday dismissed a suit challenging the use of Arabic inscriptions on Naira notes. Justices Yellin Bogoro held that Section 53 (1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) empowers the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to print, design and issue the currency and compels the need to establish bad faith before an action can be brought to challenge the act or omission of the Federal Government or the apex court. The court also held that the suit brought by a Lagos-based lawyer, Malcom Omirhobo, challenging the Arabic inscriptions on Naira notes failed to establish that the CBN’s powers were exercised in bad faith. Omirhobo had filed the suit against the CBN in Jan. 2020 contending amongst other things that Arabic is not one of the four official languages of Nigeria namely English, Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo. He contended that Arabic is not indigenous to Nigeria and to have it on our country’s currency offends certain provisions of the Constitution. The CBN, in its response, had filed a preliminary objection insisting that Omirhobo had no locus standi to file the matter. The bank also filed a defence. Three other interested persons joined the suits as defendants, the Incorporated Trustees of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), its Founder, Ishaq Akintola; and a Kebbi-based legal practitioner, Umar Kalgo. After listening to all the defendants in May 2024, the court fixed its judgement for today (Tuesday). First, Justice Bogoro dismissed the CBN’s preliminary objection and held that Omirhobo had the locus standi to institute the action of being a taxpayer. The court also held that public interest actions must be encouraged. The court, however, held that Omirhobo failed to prove that the CBN acted Mala Fide, in bad faith and accordingly dismissed the suit. In his reaction to the judgment, Omirhobo said he had applied for a Certified True Copy of the judgement and would study the same to decide his next line of action. According to Omirhobo, the court also noted that Nigeria is a secular state and as such no religion is superior to the other. The lawyer also said the court noted that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and religious country and that no ethnic group or religion is superior to the other. The lawyer claimed that the court held that Arabic is not Nigeria’s official Language and advised that for Nigerians to coexist in harmony, perhaps it is time for the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Government to remove the Arabic inscription on the N200, N500 and N1000 naira notes since it has been removed from the N5, N10, N50 and N100. Reacting to the judgement, MURIC described the judgement as far-reaching, profound, didactic and monumental. Akintola, in a statement, said, “This is a sweet victory. Once again the Nigerian judiciary has demonstrated courage, intellectual excellence and jurisprudential exactitude. This judgement is far-reaching, profound, didactic and monumental. “Omirhobo’s approach is not only naïve, it is pedestrian and kindergarten. This suit against Arabic on naira manifests acute desertification of religious tolerance… We have been vindicated.”

Ohanaeze urges South East to reject planned nationwide protests

  The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has cautioned South-East states against participating in the planned nationwide protests scheduled for August 1-10, 2024. The protests, organised by various groups, aim to express frustration over escalating living costs and hardships faced by Nigerians. The Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, in a released statement on Tuesday, explained the organisation’s stance citing historical incidents where Igbo people have suffered disproportionately in the aftermath of major protests and riots. “Reflecting on the poignant history of the Igbo people in Nigeria, particularly in the aftermath of significant riots and protests… It is evident that Igbos have often been unfairly treated as sacrificial lambs amidst the turmoil,” Isiguzoro stated. The organisation highlighted several past events, including the 1978 “ALI MUST GO” protests, the 1989 anti-SAP riots, the 1993 June 12 protests, the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests, and the 2020 END SARS protests, where Igbos reportedly faced significant losses of life and property. Ohanaeze Ndigbo provided multiple reasons for their advisory against participation including security challenges in the Southeast region making safe protest conduct impossible, among others. The statement said, “First and foremost, the prevailing security challenges in the Southeast region pose insurmountable obstacles to the safe conduct of protests and riots. In recognition of this reality, any Nationwide Protest scheduled within the Southeast is hereby revoked, with a clear directive that Igbos will not partake. “Enforcing such protests risks exacerbating the existing security dilemmas in the Southeast, creating opportunities for criminal elements and external Igbo detractors to exploit the situation and instigate further chaos. Thus, it is in the best interest of all concerned parties to refrain from organizing any protests within the region. “Secondly, the fear of Igbos once again being perceived as sacrificial lambs in the forthcoming nationwide protests is a legitimate concern. In this regard, OHANAEZE NDIGBO calls upon Igbo residents in the 19 northern states and Southwest regions to boycott the looming protests for their safety and security.” The statement further urged Igbo residents in northern states and the Southwest to boycott the protests for their safety. “Demonstrating restraint and prudence by avoiding involvement in the protests is imperative to safeguard their well-being during this period,” Isiguzoro emphasized. Furthermore, Ohanaeze Ndigbo stressed that the primary focus for the Southeast region should be the release of Nnamdi Kanu, rather than engaging in nationwide protests.

FG, states, LGs shared N1.35tn in June

  The Federation Account Allocation Committee has disclosed that the three tiers of government shared a total sum of N1.35 trillion in June. The amount shared was out of the total sum of N2.48tn revenue generated by various agencies and N150m more than the N1.2tn shared in May. A statement by the Director, of Information and Public Relations, Finance Ministry, Mohammed Manga, on Tuesday said the Federal Government received a total sum of N459.776bn, the States received N461.979bn, the Local Government Councils got N337.019bn. The Director however didn’t confirm if LGCs administrated by the caretaker committee received statutory allocations as directed by the Supreme Court. Last week, the apex court ordered the Federal Government to immediately start the direct payment of local government funds to the latter’s exclusive accounts. The court ordered immediate compliance with the judgement, stating that no state government should be paid monies meant for Local Governments. The statement read, “The Federation Account Allocation Committee, at its July 2024 meeting chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, shared a total sum of N1,35tn to the three tiers of government as Federation Allocation for m a gross total of N2,48tn. “From the stated amount inclusive of Gross Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax, Electronic Money Transfer Levy, Exchange Difference, and an Augmentation of N200 Billion, the Federal Government received N459.776 Billion, the States received N461.979 Billion, the Local Government Councils got N337.019 Billion, while the Oil Producing States received N95.598 Billion as Derivation, (13 per cent of Mineral Revenue).” It added that the sum of N92.11bn was given for the cost of collection, while N1.037bn was allocated for transfer Intervention and refunds. It said CoCompanies’ncome Tax and Value Added Tax increased significantly, Import and Excise Duties and Electronic Money Transfer levies increased marginally while Petroleum Profit, Royalty Crude, Rentals and Customs External tariff levies recorded considerably decreases. The sum of N92.11bn was given for the cost of collection, while N1.037bn was allocated for transfer intervention and refunds. The Communique issued by the committee at the end of the meeting indicated that the Gross Revenue available from the Value Added Tax for June 2024, was N562.685bn as against N497.66bn distributed in the preceding month, increasing to N65.020bn. The Communique stated, “From that amount, the sum of N22.507bn was allocated for the cost of collection and the sum of N16.205bn was given for transfers, intervention and refunds. “The remaining sum of N523.973bn was distributed to the three tiers of government, of which the Federal Government got N78.596bn, the States received N261.987bn and Local Government Councils got N183.39bn. Accordingly, the Gross Statutory Revenue of N1.24tn was received for the month. From the stated amount, the sum of N68.95bn was allocated for the cost of collection and a total sum of N1.02tn for transfers, intervention and refunds. The remaining balance of N142.514bn was distributed as follows to the three tiers of government: Federal Government got the sum of N48.95bn, States received N24.83bn, the sum of N19.14bn was allocated to LGCs and N49.59bn was given to Derivation Revenue (13 per cent Mineral producing States). Also, the sum of N16.35bn from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy was distributed to the three tiers of government as follows: the Federal Government received N2.354bn, States got N7.85bn, Local Government Councils received N5.49bn, while N0.654bn was allocated for the cost of collection. The Communique also disclosed the sum of N472.19bn from Exchange Difference, which was shared as follows: Federal Government received N224.51bn, States got N113.88bn, the sum of N87.79bn was allocated to Local Government Councils, N46.01bn was given for Derivation (13 per cent of Mineral Revenue). It further disclosed an Augmentation of N200bn which was shared as follows: the Federal Government got N105.4bn, the States received the sum of N53.44bn, while the sum of N41.200bn was allocated to Local Government Councils. Companies’ Income Tax and Value Added Tax increased significantly, while Import and Excise Duties and Electronic Money Transfer Levies increased marginally. Petroleum Profit, Royalty Crude, Rentals and Customs External Tariff levies recorded considerable decreases. According to the Communique, the total revenue distributable for the current month of June 2024, was drawn from Statutory Revenue of N142.5bn, Value Added Tax of N523.98bn, N15.69bn from Electronic Money Transfer Levy, N472.19bn from Exchange Difference and Augmentation of N200bn, bringing the total distributable amount for the month to N1.36tn. “The balance in the Excess Crude Account as of July 2024 stands at $473,754.57,” the Communique said.

NLC threatens one-month nationwide shutdown over NASS moves to deregulate minimum wage

  As the nation waits for a new National Minimum Wage, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has threatened to shut down the country for a month over plans by the National Assembly to deregulate the Minimum Wage. President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, who spoke on the sideline of the 67th Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Lagos, insisted that minimum wage is a national issue. Ajaero warned that organised labour would not accept a situation where governors working with the members of the National Assembly would imposed slave wage and poverty on workers and Nigerian citizens. According to the NLC President: “As we are here, a Joint Committee of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Judiciary are meeting. They have decided to remove section 34 from the Exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list so that the state governors can determine what to pay you and so that there will be no minimum wage again. You cannot decide what you should earn. The very moment the House of Representatives and the Senate come up with such a law that will not benefit Nigerian workers, they will be their drivers and gatemen, and there will be no movement for one month. We cannot accept any situation where the governors and the National Assembly members will foist a slave wage on workers and force poverty on the citizens. Organised Labour will not accept it.”

Delta court sentences man to death for killing twins for ritual

  A High Court sitting at Asaba, the Delta State capital, has sentenced one Onuwa Ijie to death, and Nwanozie Uzor to 14 years imprisonment for murder and conspiracy to commit the murder of twin boys, Chidalu and Chigozie Agwunobi. The court presided over by Justice Onome Marshal-Umukoro sentenced two convicts over the murder of the seven-year-old boys. The prosecution conducted by a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Paula Akpoguma, in proof of the case called five witnesses. The court held that the testimony of the five witnesses proved the case against the two defendants beyond reasonable doubt.   The prosecution stated that tragedy struck the family of Olise Agwunobi of Oko-Ogbele Community on March 5, 2020, when their seven-year-old twin boys were lured by the defendants to a bush and they proceeded to cut off their penis, eyes, tongues and hands which they hurriedly took to a native doctor at Aguleri in Anambra State. “One of the defendants had earlier gone to the school of the twin children to take them but was turned down by the school teacher, one Mrs Emelda Ezekwude,” she said. Delivering his judgment, Justice Marshal-Umukoro stated that after carefully evaluating the evidence presented before him, the prosecution had discharged the burden of proof as the first defendant from his confessional statement was the person who sowed the seed of committing human rituals in the mind of the second defendant by giving the phone number of one Chukwudi Edemuzor who was alleged to be searching for twins to kill for money. The court maintained that the law is settled that the testimony of an investigating police officer was not hearsay evidence, and the court can rely on it. Speaking with journalists after the judgment on Tuesday, the prosecuting counsel, Akpoguma thanked the court for upholding the cause of justice, “reaffirming that the judicial system works.”

IMF downgrades Nigeria’s economic growth forecast from 3.3% to 3.1% in 2024

  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reduced its forecast for Nigeria’s economic growth to 3.1 percent in 2024 — down from a 3.3 percent projected in April. The downgrade is 0.2 percentage points below the prior forecast. In its July 2024 World Economic Outlook released on Tuesday, IMF said a lower-than-expected activity in the first quarter (Q1) of the year impacted decisions for the downgrade. The IMF, however, retained a 3.0 percent forecast for Nigeria’s economic growth in 2025. NIGERIA AND SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Revealing further, IMF downgraded its forecast for sub-Saharan Africa economic growth in 2024 to 3.7 percent — from the April forecast of 3.8 percent. “The forecast for growth in sub-Saharan Africa is revised downward, mainly as a result of a 0.2 percentage point downward revision to the growth outlook in Nigeria amid weaker than expected activity in the first quarter of this year,” the Bretton Woods institution said. However, IMF increased its forecast for economic growth in the region for 2025 to 4.1 percent — from 4.0 in its April projection. GLOBAL PROJECTION IMF retained its global economic forecast at 3.2 percent in 2024 and 3.3 percent in 2025. “Growth is expected to remain stable. At 3.2 percent in 2024 and 3.3 percent in 2025, the forecast for global economic growth is broadly unchanged from that in April,” the international lender said. Among advanced economies, growth is expected to converge over the coming quarters. “In the United States, projected growth is revised downward to 2.6 percent in 2024 (0.1 percentage point lower than projected in April), reflecting the slower-than-expected start to the year. “Growth is expected to slow to 1.9 percent in 2025 as the labor market cools and consumption moderates, with fiscal policy starting to tighten gradually. By the end of 2025, growth is projected to taper to potential, closing the positive output gap.” Also, IMF forecasted that global inflation will continue to decline. “In advanced economies, the revised forecast is for the pace of disinflation to slow in 2024 and 2025,” the Bretton Woods institution said. “That is because inflation in prices for services is now expected to be more persistent and commodity prices higher. However, the gradual cooling of labor markets, together with an expected decline in energy prices, should bring headline inflation back to target by the end of 2025. “Inflation is expected to remain higher in emerging market and developing economies (and to drop more slowly) than in advanced economies.” IMF said inflation is already close to pre-pandemic levels for the median emerging market and developing economy partly due to falling energy prices.

Nnamdi Kanu sick, denied medical attention, says lawyer

  Aloy Ejimakor, lead counsel for the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has claimed that the IPOB leader is ill and is being denied medical attention. Ejimakor disclosed this in a tweet on X.com on Tuesday. According to him, Kanu was found unwell during a visit on Monday, exhibiting shortness of breath, low blood pressure, and general discomfort. He added that a request for a doctor’s visit was submitted but reportedly denied by the Department of State Services, where Kanu is currently detained. Ejimakor wrote, “Yesterday, during our visitation with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we found him ill, with shortness of breath, low BP, and general malaise.   “For this reason, he requested to see his doctor, and we submitted a letter in this regard. Today, the doctor arrived at the DSS but was denied access to #MNK.” PUNCH reported in March that IPOB called on the Federal Government to release its leader, saying that his health is deteriorating in detention. His family had also claimed that he needed a cardiologist and urged President Bola Tinubu not to allow him to die in DSS custody.

Paul Kagame secures 99% votes, wins fourth term as Rwanda president

  President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame has won 99.15 percent of the votes from Monday’s presidential election to secure a fourth term in office. Only about 79 percent of ballots have been counted, according to the country’s electoral commission. Authorities said 9.5 million Rwandans registered to vote. The country has a population of 14 million. Kagame’s opponents — Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana — each received less than one percent in the provisional results.

Cholera kills over 103 persons in 34 states, FCT

  The cholera outbreak in Nigeria has claimed 103 lives from 3,623 suspected cases across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it emerged on Tuesday, July 16. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported that the cases and deaths covered 187 Local Government Areas (LGAs) as of July 15, 2024. Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Ebonyi, Katsina, and Zamfara states lead in the number of cases and fatalities, contributing 83% to the overall burden of the disease. Despite this, the nation has been recording declining cases and fatalities compared to preceding months when the outbreak was first recorded in 2024, the agency stated. Yellow fever outbreak has also been recorded in Ekiti and Bayelsa states with 3 cases and one death. 0:00 / 0:00 Recall that in its June public health alert, the agency reported that between January and June 11, 2024, there were 30 deaths from 1,141 suspected cholera cases, with 65 confirmed cases across 96 LGAs in 30 states. While by that period, 15 States accounted for 90 percent of the disease burden, by June 21, 2024, the number had risen to 34 deaths from 1,288 confirmed cases, with 15 states responsible for over 80 percent of the cases. However, between June 21 and June 23, the figures surged to 53 deaths (an increase of 19 in three days) from 1,528 suspected cases across 107 LGAs in 31 states. In the June 23 update, Lagos led the 15 states that contributed 90 percent of the disease burden, with 29 deaths. NCDC Director General (DG), Jide Idris at a press briefing on Tuesday said the cholera cumulative case fatality rate since the beginning of the year stands at 2.8% while the predominant age affected is 5 years old while males account for 52% of cases and females account for the rest. He however announced that there was a 5.6% decline in the number of cases in this reporting week (8th -14th July) as compared to the preceding week. “We also recorded a drop in the case fatality rate from 2.9% to 2.8%. Definitely, there is a decline in case fatality rate from week 24 when the spike started to the present week,” he said. According to him, the improvement can be attributed to the concerted efforts of stakeholders and weather conditions in some parts of the country. The DG said: “Whereas ongoing current efforts at the national and some State levels might have been yielding some results and largely responsible for the decline being reported, however, given the trend from previous years, we know it is not uhuru yet. “The trend analysis from previous outbreaks shows the peak of the outbreak usually coincides with the peak of the rainy season, which is still some weeks ahead. “Also, some of the northern traditional hotspot States have been reporting fewer number of cases, which may be connected with the delayed onset of the rainy season in this part of the country. “Although almost all the States in Nigeria have reported cases of cholera, there appears to be an underreporting of the situation as required data from the states are not coming in real-time as expected given the trend in previous years. This is largely due to inadequate resources to support surveillance and disease detection activities at the sub-national level. “Additionally this may likely be further complicated by the effect of political undertone for reporting cholera, which some see as a Stigma or disease proxy indicator for the inability of the affected communities/persons to have access to potable water and other basic amenities of life”. He however assured that NCDC would not relent in its efforts to prevent and mitigate the disease outbreak, saying, “NCDC is implementing the national incident action plan for the response, intensifying efforts targeted at supporting states to conduct active case search, optimize laboratory capacity, with prepositioning of cholera management supplies and capacity building in anticipation of possible surge ahead. “We have our eyes on the ball, as we continue to strengthen case management efforts to sustain the decline in fatality ratio until we report the global target CFR of less than 1%. “Using the National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) we continue to lead the coordination, communication, and cooperation of all stakeholders involved in the national response. In addition, we have deployed national rapid response teams (NRRT) to the top 6 states contributing about 83% of cases. “The States are Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, Ebonyi, Katsina and Zamfara States and plans are in place to deploy to more states, to strengthen surveillance system, improve case management, infection prevention and control and community engagement towards building community resilience. “We continue to monitor the trends and will escalate the required support as the situation demands”. Regarding yellow fever, Idris stated that the prevailing weather contributes to its outbreak and spread, adding, that maintaining good hygiene, among other measures, is an effective way to prevent the disease. “The disease, although preventable using a single dose of yellow fever vaccine which provides immunity for life; can lead to death within a few days if care is not sought early. “Currently, there are 3 presumptive positive cases which are reported from Ekiti (2) and Bayelsa (1) and 1 death. “1 confirmed case is generally considered an outbreak,” he noted. He also assured that the agency continues to monitor reports of yellow fever cases in Nigeria all year round, adding that due to the rainy season, it is also observing an increase in suspected cases. “In view of this we offer the following advice to the public, vaccination with the yellow fever vaccine provides life-long protection and is the most important means of preventing yellow fever; use mosquito repellent and wear protective clothing; clear surroundings of any stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed; ensure proper waste disposal and drainage maintenance; prompt reporting increases the chance of recovery, “If you experience sudden onset of fever, chills, severe headache, back pain, general body aches, nausea, and vomiting, seek immediate medical attention