The Organised Labour, Abia State chapter on Sunday warned the state government that failure to adhere to and implement the Memorandum of Understanding reached at the meeting by July 28, 2024, “no other notice will be given to the government than to proceed on an indefinite strike.” The union has once threatened to go on strike on Monday, June 8, 2024, due to the state government’s inability to dialogue with the union over the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage and the N35,000 palliative wage award as approved by the Federal Government since October 2023. Following the ultimatum, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti met with members of the organised labour in the state with a directive to the state Accountant-General to liaise with the union on their demands, among other issues. The state’s NLC Chairman, Ogbonnaya Okoro, had alleged that the state government is currently paying N20,100 while workers in the Local Governments receive N18,000 as minimum wage. Mohbad’s father appeals for Nigerians’ help in unraveling cause of son’s death0.00 / 0.00 However, the governor said that records available to him showed the state is paying N30,000 minimum wage. Addressing the press on Sunday, July 14, 2024, Okoro warned the state government that failure to adhere to and implement the Memorandum of Understanding, reached at the meeting by July 28, 2024, “no other notice will be given to the government than to proceed on an indefinite strike.” The details of the agreement he highlighted include the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage and the N35,000 palliative wage award as approved by the Federal Government, payment of severance allowances to Directors and Permanent Secretaries compulsorily retired, payment of current leave allowances, among others. Also speaking, the state chairman, Trade Union Congress, Ihechi Eneogwe, disclosed that for over one week, organised labour has been discussing with the state government on these issues which the state government must address soonest.

  Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, has urged those wishing Nigeria disintegrate to perish the thought, predicting that the country would continue to remain a united nation. Buratai spoke in Kuta, Osun State on Sunday at the 60th birthday celebration of Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, an event attended by dignitaries that include; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, ex-president, Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola among others. The ex Army boss, who described Olowu Kuta as a detribalise Nigerian, who has shown love to people across all ethnic groups in the country, said those agitating that the country should disintegrate must be ready to carve out their own part and move it to the ocean. Noting that the experience of civil war has taught Nigerians that agitation to divide the country would always fail, Buratai called for unity to further enhance Nigeria’s development. “You know that Nigeria is one, unless you remove those people who are agitating, and drift (them) to the Atlantic. We will remain one Nigeria, anybody who wants to leave Nigeria should carry the part of the land and take it to the Atlantic; not within the Nigeria territory. It is very clear the level of integration. “There are many Hausas here, there are many Yoruba and Igbo in the north. So, we should not allow politics to becloud our sense of unity and sovereignty. “Anybody that says that he wants to leave Nigeria is a dreamer because we had bitter experience during the civil war. So it is not something that we will joke with,” Buratai said. He advised Nigerians to embrace peace and focus on development, adding that the country should work more to further cement its unity by taking concrete action that would bring about development, and not by mere utterances. In his remarks, Oba Oyelude, said he would continue to champion cause of unity and progress for Nigeria, and called on well meaning Nigerians to do for the country’s unity and progress.

  An officer attached to the Federal Operations Unit, Zone B of the Nigeria Customs Service has been killed by a suspected smuggler. The officer lost his life while the suspect was evading arrest at Achilafia along Daura-Kano Road in Jigawa State. The Customs officer was identified as Inspector of Customs (IC), Hamza Abdullahi Elenwo. Isah Sulaiman, Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer FOU Zone B in a statement described the unfortunate incident that occurred on Friday, 12 July 2024, as sad. According to him, the incident occurred when a vehicle suspected to be smuggled into the country hit the operative while trying to evade arrest. “The late Operative was rushed to the General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the Doctor on duty. The deceased has been laid to rest in Katsina, according to Islamic rites,” he said. The Head of Federal Operations Unit Zone B, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, on behalf of the entire Officers and Men of the Unit, extended his heartfelt condolence to the deceased’s family and prays for his eternal rest. The Comptroller vowed to ensure justice is served as One (1) Suspect has been arrested and now in the Custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa State.   He added that the unit’s operatives would not be deterred and would remain unwavering in the fight against smuggling. Late Inspector Hamza was an indigene of Rivers State. He was born on 15 April 1985. He joined the Nigeria Customs Service as Customs Assistant III (CAIII) in the Transport and Logistics Unit on 17 October 2013 and was promoted to the rank of Inspector of Customs (IC) in the year 2022. He is survived by a wife and two Children.

  President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mainasara Kogoa as the new chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and Omolola Oloworaran as the Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom). The appointments were contained in separate Saturday statements by President Tinubu’s spokesman Ajuri Ngelale. “President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Mainasara Umar Kogo as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT),” Ngelale said. “Dr. Kogo is a seasoned lawyer and analyst in the fields of law, security, economy, politics, and international diplomacy.” On PenCom, he said, “President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ms. Omolola Bridget Oloworaran as the new Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom). “Ms. Oloworaran is a finance and banking expert with many years of experience The appointment is subject to the confirmation of the Nigerian Senate.” Tinubu also approved the appointment of Jobson Ewalefoh as the new Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). Ngelale said the appointment is subject to the Senate’s confirmation. The Nigerian president also approved the appointment of Oluwaseun Faleye as the new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). Faleye is a legal and corporate finance specialist. He is a former lawmaker and an ex-Chairperson of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation, and Job Creation. The president is urging them to use their positions and professionalism to improve the various agencies.

  Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered parcels of cocaine hidden in the soles of shoes bound for Europe. Disclosing this in a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, shared videos of the seized contraband on X on Sunday, saying tramadol pills were found concealed in custard containers in a separate discovery. He warned travellers to be cautious when accepting luggage or items from others to deliver, as they may be unaware of the contents. “First video reveals moment #ndlea_nigeria officers discovered parcels of cocaine in soles of shoes going to Europe while the second one shows how tramo pills hidden in custard containers were uncovered. “Another reason why you must be careful with any bag given to you to deliver,” he said in the video. See the full statement below: US, UK, Europe-bound cocaine, opioids concealed in shoe soles, clothes seized in Lagos . As NDLEA intercepts tramadol pills in custard containers; bursts laughing gas warehouse in VGC Lekki; recovers 11,096kg illicit drugs in Edo, Borno, Ogun, Katsina raids Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids such as tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, ketamine injection, among others concealed in soles of shoes, clothes and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus. While no less than 250 grams of cocaine going to Cyprus was hidden in soles of custom-made shoes, over five kilograms of opioids heading to the US and UK were discovered by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, DOGI, in clothes and other household items meant to be shipped through some courier firms in Lagos. In the same vein, a consignment of 440 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis coming from Canada to Lagos was equally intercepted by operatives in one of the logistic companies. Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Edo state on Wednesday 10th July 2024 intercepted a vehicle marked Abuja GWA 273 DD at Ewu junction, Esan Central LGA following credible intelligence. The luggage of one of the occupants, Aminu Abdullahi, 32, was searched and found to contain custard containers, where 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg were buried in the custard powder. In his statement, the suspect claimed the drugs were bought in Onitsha, Anambra state and he was taking them to Mararaba area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to sell. In another operation, operatives on Thursday 11th July raided the Ohen forest, Abudu area of Edo and destroyed 5,429.751kg of cannabis on 2.918 hectares of farmlands where four suspects: Godday Ariye, 37; Friday Okafor, 59; Obinna Nwosu, 48; and Yusuf Adamu, 27, were arrested. Similarly, 300 kilograms of the same substance were recovered from Uzzeba Obi camp in Owan West LGA when NDLEA officers raided the location on Saturday 13th July. In Ogun state, operatives on Tuesday 9th July, recovered a total of 2,865 kilograms of cannabis at Afami Ibese while the suspected owner, Umar Ibese is currently at large. At least, 2,455 kilograms of materials for the production of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance (NPS), were recovered from a warehouse in Konduga town, Konduga LGA, Borno state on Tuesday 9th July when NDLEA operatives in a joint operation with men of the Nigerian Army raided the area. The following day, Wednesday 10th July, operatives in Katsina state arrested a 54-year-old Sabo Sule with 47kg cannabis in Katsina town. In Lagos, operatives on Monday 8th July raided a warehouse in VGC, Lekki where they recovered 148 cartons of non-medical nitrous oxide popularly called laughing gas; 108 cartons of fast gas cylinder; 134 pieces of balloon and 109 cartons of infusion charger, among others. A female suspect, Suliyat Abdulsalam was arrested in connection with the seizure. With the same zeal, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students of St. Louis Grammar School Senior, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo state; students and staff of Infant Jesus Model Secondary School, Oron, Akwa Ibom state; students and teachers of Ede High School, Ede, Osun state; students of Government Day Secondary School, Kalga Gari, Daura, Katsina state; and students of Rehoboth Secondary School, Okpuno Awka, Anambra state, among others. While commending the officers and men of Edo, Borno, Ogun, Katsina, Lagos, and FCT Commands as well as those of DOGI for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities while he charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the current tempo.   Femi Babafemi Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja

  The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has ordered a former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and the Ministry of Information to disclose the details of the agreement between the Federal Government and X, formerly Twitter, to assess whether the agreement complies with the exercise of Nigerians’ human rights online. According to a statement issued by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, on Sunday, the judgment was delivered in May 2024 by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/L/CS/238/2022, filed by the organisation. The Certified True Copy of the judgment was said to have been obtained last Friday. In his judgment, Justice Dimgba held that, “The former minister and the Ministry of Information are directed and compelled to provide a copy of the agreement between the Nigerian government and Twitter to SERAP solely to ascertain its impact on the protection of fundamental human rights of Nigerians.” Justice Dimgba added that, “Disclosing the details of the agreement between the Nigerian government and Twitter is in the public interest and does not affect Twitter’s business interest as a third party. It is also not prejudicial to Nigeria’s sovereignty and national security.” The judge also stated that, “The agreement between the Nigerian government and Twitter must still be disclosed irrespective of the harm to Twitter if it would be in the public interest to make sure disclosure.” The judge dismissed the objections raised by the minister’s counsel and upheld SERAP’s arguments. Consequently, the court entered judgment in favour of SERAP against the minister. Justice Dimgba further said, “The minister has failed to prove that the President has followed the due process of law to designate Twitter as a Critical National Information Infrastructure upon the National Security Adviser’s recommendation and issued an order in the Federal Gazette in that regard.” Justice Dimgba’s judgment, dated May 28, 2024, read in part: “Therefore, I hold that the disclosure of the Twitter agreement is not prejudicial to Nigeria’s sovereignty and national security or protected by the Official Secrets Act, as the minister has failed to prove the same. “The first question that needs to be answered is how the need to disclose the agreement is outweighed by the importance of protecting the commercial interests of the third party, Twitter. “The former minister has unequivocally argued that the disclosure could harm Twitter’s business interests in other jurisdictions, potentially with Twitter’s contractual negotiations. “However, this defence is hypothetical and does not point to the specific business or contractual interests of Twitter that could be affected.” He said the details of the agreement as requested by SERAP will not interfere with the commercial interests and trade secrets of Twitter or lead to financial losses to it even as the former minister has failed to prove the same. “Besides, Section 15(4) of the Freedom of Information Act envisages only real and not hypothetical financial loss or gain to or prejudice to, the competitive position of or interference with contractual or other negotiation of a third party like Twitter which could be affected by the disclosure. “No evidence was placed before this court pointing to the fact that Twitter has an agreement with another country as a precondition for its operation in such jurisdiction as obtainable in Nigeria. “I am of the view that SERAP has a legitimate reason to wish to be availed of the agreement, which is to understand how the agreement affects them and other Nigerians as far as the protection of the human rights of Nigerians are concerned,” he added. Justice Dimgba pointed out that another controversy is whether the need to disclose the agreement for public interest is subject to the need to protect national sovereignty, as argued by the minister. “National sovereignty depending on context is synonymous with national security. “In most cases, the need for national security outweighs public interest, including protection of fundamental human rights. In this case, however, I am of the view that the reason for the refusal by the minister to disclose the agreement does not come within the need to protect national security and sovereignty. “The minister’s defence is predicated on the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention Act) 2015 but has failed to prove how the Act relates to the Twitter agreement other than mentioning the same,” he added. He noted that more than merely linking SERAP’s request for the agreement to ‘critical national information infrastructure’ in Section 3 of the Cybercrime (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, nothing more is said about its relevance and how it supports non-disclosure of the Twitter agreement. “As such, the Cybercrime Act cannot apply to this case, and the protection that would have availed the minister is exempted. The minister also failed to prove how SERAP’s request for the agreement between the Nigerian Government and Twitter came within the protection of the Official Secrets Act. “SERAP’s lawsuit falls within the framework of Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act. “The minister is directed and compelled to provide a copy of the agreement requested to SERAP to enable the organization to study the same and come to an assessment of whether the agreement incorporates the provisions of Chapter IV of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] on fundamental human rights and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations,” the judge held. He averred that it is clear that Twitter was from the beginning ostensibly suspended from operating in Nigeria’s cyberspace solely to protect the country’s corporate existence, stressing that the same ban was lifted after Twitter reached agreement with the Nigerian Government on some terms and conditions for its operation in Nigeria’s cyberspace, noting that the former minister has not denied the existence of such an agreement. He added, “SERAP’s request does not involve disclosing personal information but relates to an agreement between the government and an international company that plays in the social media and public data space. “By paragraph 13 of SERAP’s affidavit evidence, the organization requested a copy of the agreement

  The Court of Appeal has dismissed the petition filed by the Labour Party and its governorship candidate Udengmobofa Eradiri, challenging the emergence of Governor Douye Diri of the People’s Democratic Party, as governor of Bayelsa State in the November 2023 election. The three-man panel of the appellate court held that the tribunal was right in dismissing the LP’s petition for lacking in merit. The court held that Eradiri and his party failed to prove allegations of non qualification and certificate forgery against Governor Diri and his deputy, as contained in their petition. The court also held that the tribunal was right when it held that the appellants petition was abandoned, having not been signed by either the petitioners or their counsel, as required by law. The court noted that the issue of attachment of alleged forged documents to form EC8 submitted to INEC by the 3rd respondent is a pre election matter which should not have been brought to the tribunal. The panel, however, awarded the cost of two hundred thousand Naira against the appellant in favour of each of the respondents in the appeal.