October 2024 – Page 23

Post Date : October 13, 2024

58% pregnant women in Nigeria suffer from anemia – report

A non-governmental organisation, Alive and Thrive, has said that no fewer than 58 percent of pregnant women in Nigeria have a deficiency of anemia, a contributory factor of maternal and child mortality. The Organization’s Senior Technical Adviser on Behavior Change Communication, Dr. Auwalu Kawu stated this during a two-day media interactive dialogue in Kano on Multiple Micronutrients Supplements, MMS, a critical intervention for improving maternal and child health. Dr. Kawu said the figure was based on the most recent Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, NDHS, 2018 to 2024. He, however, advocated the need for pregnant women to use MMS to prevent pregnancy complications as a result of deficiency in nutrients. According to him, “Recently, the Federal government in collaboration with the state is focusing on improving maternal health, particularly among pregnant women. This is a very critical period because the concern is on maternal mortality, especially during pregnancy, so the government is committed to provide MMS to all pregnant women in the country essentially which will address a lot of the challenges pregnant women face during pregnancy. “We have observed in addition to anemia, that pregnant women suffer several deficiencies in nutrition, so Multiple Micro-Nutrients, MMS consists of 15 nutrients that are extremely essential for pregnant women to ensure safe delivery and healthy baby. “So our meeting today with the media is one of the interactive sessions because the media are critical partners in promoting the messages and campaign on MMS. “We want to encourage the women to use MMS as provided to them at the health facility. MMS is one of the key solutions to anemia. “All along Nigerian government or in health facilities, women were given Iron Folic Acid, IFA but MMS compliments that. It provides an additional 12 nutrients, so it makes her healthy and address some complications in related to nutritional deficiency. “Nationally, the current anemia rate is still about 58 percent of pregnant women. They are deficient in anemia. MMS we anticipate will be able to address that gap and correct it,” Dr. Kawu stated. Meanwhile, the Deputy Country Director (Programmes) of Alive and Thrive, Stephanie Dada said the media interactive session was to raise awareness of the media practitioners on the need to encourage pregnant women to take MMS at the facility to reduce maternal deaths.

Post Date : October 13, 2024

AirPeace CEO In Hot Soup: The Genesis Of Allen Onyema’s Laundering Case In US

By Pascal Ibe On Saturday, Allen Onyema, the Chairman, CEO, and founder of Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, was charged in a superseding indictment with obstruction of justice for submitting false documents to the government in an effort to end an investigation of him that resulted in earlier charges of bank fraud and money laundering. Ejiroghene Eghagha, the airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, was also charged for participating in the obstruction scheme, as well as in the earlier bank fraud counts. How It Started Allen Ifechukwu Athan Onyema, 56, of Lagos, Nigeria, and Ejiroghene Eghagha, 37, of Lagos, Nigeria, were indicted on November 19, 2019, on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit credit application fraud, and three counts of credit application fraud. Additionally, Onyema was charged with 27 counts of money laundering, and Eghagha was charged with one count of aggravated identity theft. Mr Onyema allegedly leveraged his status as a prominent business leader and airline executive while using falsified documents to commit fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “We will diligently protect the integrity our banking system from being corrupted by criminals, even when they disguise themselves in a cloak of international business.” Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division commented on the indictment, “Allen Onyema’s status as a wealthy businessman turned out to be a fraud. He corrupted the U.S. banking system, but his trail of deceit and trickery came to a skidding halt. DEA would like to thank the many law enforcement partners and the subsequent prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office who aided in making this investigation a success.” “This case is a prime example of why IRS-CI seeks to partner and leverage its expertise in an effort to thwart those seeking to exploit our nation’s financial system,” said Thomas J. Holloman, IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Office. “With the importance of our banking system to the movement of money around the world, those attempting to use intricate schemes to commit bank fraud through the use of falsified documents and other means should know that the odds are now heavily stacked against them as law enforcement is combining its talents to protect the sanctity and integrity of the nation’s financial system.” “Onyema setup various innocent sounding multi-million dollar asset purchases which were nothing more than alleged fronts for his scam,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in Georgia and Alabama. “I’m proud to be part of a team of law enforcement agencies that come together to identify and attack criminals that attempt to profit from the exploitation of our nation’s financial systems.” According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the indictment, and other information presented in court: Onyema, a Nigerian citizen and businessman, is the founder and Chairman of several organizations that purport to promote peace across Nigeria, including the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, International Center for Non-Violence and Peace Development, and All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited. Beginning in 2010, Onyema began travelling frequently to Atlanta, where he opened several personal and business bank accounts. Between 2010 and 2018, over $44.9 million was allegedly transferred into his Atlanta-based accounts from foreign sources. Onyema is also the CEO and Chairman of Nigerian airline Air Peace, which he founded in 2013. In years following the founding of Air Peace, he traveled to the United States and purchased multiple airplanes for the airline. However, over $3 million of the funds used to purchase the aircraft allegedly came from bank accounts for Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, International Center for Non-Violence and Peace Development, All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited, and Every Child Limited. Beginning in approximately May 2016, Onyema, together with Eghagha, allegedly used a series of export letters of credit to cause banks to transfer more than $20 million into Atlanta-based bank accounts controlled by Onyema. The letters of credit were purportedly to fund the purchase of five separate Boeing 737 passenger planes by Air Peace. The letters were supported by documents such as purchase agreements, bills of sale, and appraisals proving that Air Peace was purchasing the aircraft from Springfield Aviation Company LLC, a business registered in Georgia. However, the supporting documents were fake — Springfield Aviation Company LLC, which is owned by Onyema and managed by a person with no connection to the aviation business, never owned the aircraft, and the company that allegedly drafted the appraisals did not exist. Eghagha allegedly participated in this scheme as well, directing the Springfield Aviation manager to sign and send false documents to banks and even using the manager’s identity to further the fraud. After Onyema received the money in the United States, he allegedly laundered over $16 million of the proceeds of the fraud by transferring it to other accounts. Many US Agencies Are Involved The Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Commerce, and Department of Treasury are investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett L. Bradford, Deputy Chief of the Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Section and Lead Strike Force Attorney, Irina K. Dutcher, and Christopher J. Huber, Deputy Chief of the Complex Frauds Section, are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Office of International Affairs. This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against a continuum of priority targets and their affiliate illicit financial networks. These prosecutor-led co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships that can be forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime. The specific mission of the Atlanta

Post Date : October 13, 2024

Corpses in Enugu mortuaries will attract #40 daily henceforth

Enugu State Government has clarified the controversial mortuary tax imposed on corpses in the state, stating that it was not intended as a revenue-generating measure but rather to discourage excessive storage of deceased bodies in mortuaries. The Executive Chairman of Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Emmanuel Nnamani, said this on Saturday while reacting to the Mortuary Tax circular addressed to all mortuary attendants. According to the circular, ESIRS in line with the provisions of Section 34 of the Birth, Deaths and Burials Law Cap 15 Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004, approved the implementation of the mortuary tax. “The sum of N40 only is to be paid by owners of a corpse once it was not buried within 24 hours. The amount continues to count daily. “Kindly ensure that owners of corpses make the payments before collection of the corpses for burial and then remit same to the ESIRS in any commercial bank under the mortuary tax in Enugu State IGR Account,” the circular read. Reacting, Nnamani said that the tax was not new to the state, adding that it was within the Enugu State Mortuary Tax Law which had been in existence for years. According to him, the amount to pay as the mortuary tax was N40 daily, not N40,000. “It is an indirect tax paid by mortuary owners, not deceased family and it is just N40, not N40,000. Since its introduction, nobody has been denied burying their dead ones. “It means that if the corpse stays in the mortuary for 100 days, the mortuary is expected to pay to the state a sum of N4,000. “The tax is not meant to generate revenue but to discourage people from taking their dead ones to the mortuary all the time,” Nnamani stressed.

Post Date : October 13, 2024

Report: Bandits Shoot Retired General Heading Zamfara Community Guards

Bandits, Sunday shot the Director General of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG), General Lawal B. Muhammad (rtd). Daily Trust gathered that General Muhammad was shot by the bandits during an attack on motorists at Kucheri village in Tsafe local government area of Zamfara state. The bandits were said to have blocked the busy Funtua-Tsafe road late evening, and attacked motorists including the CPG’s DG. Out reporter gathered that scores of passengers were abducted by the bandits during the operation. A source from the Zamfara State Ministry of Internal Security, who preferred anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to press, confirmed the incident and said the DG was receiving medical treatment at a Hospital in Gusau, the state capital. “It is confirmed that the bandits shot DG Community Protection Guards and he is currently receiving treatment at Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital,” the source said. The attack comes days after bandits killed at least eight CPG personnel and a commercial driver in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara. Eyewitness accounts revealed that the bandits ambushed the CPG personnel before killing them. The bandits also engaged soldiers in a gun duel at Unguwar Chida village, killing a commercial driver and injuring three soldiers. Unguwar Chida is a village just a few metres away from Magazu on the same Funtua-Gusau road. The two separate attacks, according to a resident of Unguwar Chida, were carried out almost at the same time. Reacting to that attack, the General who was shot, had said, “After I realised that bandits have made operations in Tsafe a routine exercise, I deployed 105 CPG personnel to the local government and stationed them at this particular point to protect travellers. “Unfortunately, the bandits on Sunday ambushed my boys. I suspect that the bandits slept there because my boys used to go there early in the morning. So, while my boys were about to come down from their patrol van, the bandits opened fire and killed some of them on the spot. It is quite unfortunate.” Zamfara is one of the NorthWest States badly affected by banditry. Despite efforts by the government to contain the outlaws, they have continued wreaking havoc.

Post Date : October 13, 2024

NDLEA arrests Thailand returnee with N3.1bn heroine

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, have arrested a Thailand returnee, Oguejiofor Simonpeter, for importing 13.30kg of heroin worth over N3.192bn. Oguejiofor was arrested on October 7, 2024, while attempting to smuggle out of the airport the drug concealed in six backpacks and then packed into two big suitcases. According to a statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the suspect left Thailand on October 3 on a Qatar Airways flight and stopped over in Doha, where he spent two days before heading to Lagos while his luggage was routed to Accra, Ghana, his original destination. After arriving in Lagos on October 5, he contacted the airline to reroute his luggage to Nigeria so that he could pick them up as rush bags in a bit to beat security checks. However, NDLEA officers intercepted him at the point of exit. “A search of his two suitcases revealed three empty backpacks in each box with a large parcel of heroin neatly sewn to all six backpacks. The six parcels were subsequently recovered with a gross weight of 13.30kg,” the statement read. Babafemi said Oguejiofor stated that he was offered $7,000 to peddle the drugs to Nigeria and Ghana. He said, “In his statement, Oguejiofor claimed he was hired for a fee of $7,000 upon successful delivery of the parcels. He said he was to deliver two parcels in Lagos and the other four parcels in Accra, Ghana.” Babafemi also said NDLEA operatives at three seaports intercepted large consignments of opioids with a combined monetary value of N22,7bn. According to him, a total of 32,607,900 pills of tramadol worth over N12,577,000,000 and 1,451,994 bottles of codeine-based syrup with a street value of N10,163,958,000 were intercepted at the Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa seaport in Lagos and Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state. “The combined monetary value of the seized opioids comes to N22,740,958,000. The illicit consignments were seized from containers watched and listed by NDLEA based on intelligence and processed for 100 per cent joint examination with men of the Nigeria Customs and other security agencies at the three seaports between October 7 and 11, 2024,” the statement added. Babafemi, however, said in Anambra, operatives arrested a 29-year-old man, Okelue Chiders, with 50,000 tablets of tramadol and a 38-year-old man, Monday Akel,e, in Edo State with 70 bags of the psychoactive substance weighing 1,050kg. He said, “In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Anambra on Saturday 12th, October, arrested a suspect, Okelue Chidera, 29, with 50,000 tablets of tramadol 200mg at Upper Iweka, Onitsha. “Also, in Edo state, operatives raided a cannabis transit and loading point at Aviose, Owan West LGA, where 70 bags of the psychoactive substance weighing 1,050kg were recovered, while a suspect, Monday Akele, 38, was arrested on Friday 11th October in another raid at Owan Village, Ovia North East LGA where 110kg of same substance was seized.”

Post Date : October 13, 2024

Jigawa governor suspends aide over minimum wage announcement

Umar Namadi, governor of Jigawa, has suspended Bashir Ado, his special adviser on salary and pensions, over a “premature statement” on implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage. Bala Ibrahim, secretary to the state government, disclosed this on Saturday in a statement. Ibrahim said the government “viewed with serious concern, a statement circulating in various sections of the media alleging that the governor has approved N70,000 as new minimum wage for workers in the state”. “This sounds embarrassing and pre-mature as the committee headed by Head of the State Civil Service, set up by the Government to advise on the appropriate wage is yet to complete its assignment and submit a report,” the statement reads. He added that as a consequence, the governor has approved the immediate suspension of Ado, pending findings of a committee chaired by Bello Abdulkadir, attorney-general of the state and commissioner for justice. Ibrahim added that the committee, which was given two weeks to submit its report, will investigate the source, actual content of the alleged statement and the motive behind it. Ibrahim named Sagir Musa, commissioner for information, youth, sports and culture; Abdullahi Muhammmad, commissioner for health; and Muhammad Yahaya, permanent secretary of establishment and service matters, office of the SSG; as members of the committee. On July 29, 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the minimum wage bill into law. The legislation increased the country’s minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000. In September 2024, the federal government approved the upward review of the consolidated public service salary structure (CONPSS).

Post Date : October 13, 2024

Sunday Igboho petitions UK prime minister, urges support for Yoruba nation

A Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has submitted a petition to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, to consider the creation of a Yoruba nation. Olayomi Koiki, the spokesman for Sunday Igboho, made this known in a post on Sunday via his X page. He stated that Igboho submitted the petition on behalf of the leader of the Yoruba Nation movement, Prof. Adebanji Akintoye. He wrote, “At exactly 14:00 hrs Dr. Chief Sunday Igboho delivered a petition to the UK Prime Minister on behalf of Prof. Adebanji Akintoye, leader of the YORUBA NATION movement, and Olayomi Koiki, his spokesman @10DowningStreet.” Those who accompanied Igboho were Diaspora Youth Leader, Prophet Ologunoluwa, Vice President of Ifeladun Apapo, Fatai Ogunribido, General Secretary of Yoruba World Media, Alhaja Adeyeye, and Member of Yoruba Nation Movement, Paul Odebiyi. PUNCH Online reports that the movement is seeking the immediate intervention of the UK Prime Minister and his government in their agitation to set up a country that Indigenous Yoruba people will predominantly own. Akintoye and Sunday Igboho have been at the forefront of the actualization of a Yoruba nation.

Post Date : October 13, 2024

“We Won’t Contest LG Election Results,’ Rivers Councillorship Candidates Declare

The events leading to the election and the aftermath were filled with intrigues, drama and twists. The Coalition of Councillorship Candidates for the 2024 local government elections in Rivers State has promised not contest the results of the elections held on October 5 in court. Akwu Chilegide Jonathan, the Chairman of the Forum and Accord Party Councillorship Candidate for Ward 1 in Emohua Local Government Area, made this declaration during a press conference shortly after their meeting in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Saturday. “We will not contest the election results in court to promote peace and collective development in Rivers State and support Governor Siminalayi Fubara at this time,” Jonathan disclosed. While acknowledging that the election outcomes were not favorable to them, Jonathan emphasized the Coalition’s commitment to fostering peace and unity within the state. He reflected on the valuable lessons learned from their grassroots engagement with local communities, underscoring the importance of inclusive representation in governance, where every citizen has a voice regardless of political affiliation or background. The Coalition condemned recent acts of vandalism against local government offices, urging law enforcement agents to hold those responsible accountable. He further expressed the Coalition’s readiness to support Governor Siminalayi Fubara, calling on him to prioritize collaboration with them to address the needs of the state at the grassroots. Also speaking, the Secretary of the Coalition, Cyril Nwaoma, echoed Jonathan’s sentiments. Emphasizing that all candidates had invested significant time and energy into the elections, Nwaoma noted that they have built their organizational structures and are eager for these structures to work towards the good of the state. The Coalition also appealed to the youth of Rivers State to refrain from unlawful actions and resist exploitation. They reiterated their commitment to maintaining their structure and using it to support Governor Fubara. Nwaoma urged the governor to integrate the Coalition at the grass root level, highlighting the need for cooperation among candidates to ensure the collective growth and development of Rivers State. Shortly after the elections, the Coalition of Chairmanship Candidates who contested the local government elections had also declared their support for Governor Fubara for peace and unity in the state.

Post Date : October 13, 2024

26-year-old man arrested for setting grandma on fire

A 26-year-old man, Nura Mas’ud, has been apprehended by the Jigawa State Police Command for allegedly setting his grandmother on fire. The arrest was confirmed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Adam, in a statement on Saturday. He stated, “On October 8, 2024, at about 1600hrs, the command was notified of a sad and regrettable incident that occurred in Mu’azu village, Dan Gwanki ward, Sule Tankarkar LG. “That one Nura Mas’ud, 26, of Mu’azu village, Sule Tankarkar LGA, went to his family house with a petrol canister and poured it on his grandmother, Zuwaira Muhammad, 60, of the same address, and set her ablaze. “The elderly woman eventually passed away while being admitted to a hospital as a result of the conflagration.” Adam explained that the on-call medical doctor certified her death, and her body was released to relatives for burial in line with Islamic rites. He further noted that a team of detectives from the Sule Tankarkar Division swiftly arrested and detained the suspect. “He was later taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a discreet investigation. “During the interrogation, the suspect admitted to committing the alleged offence against him,” the statement added. Adam also disclosed that a preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect has a history of mental illness and had been undergoing treatment at Kazaure Psychiatric Hospital. “The suspect further stated that the late grandmother upset him by expressing concern about his physical appearance and health, which he did not want. “He warned her on several occasions but she refused. Thus, he purchased gasoline, poured and ignited her,” Adam said. He added that the state Commissioner of Police, A.T. Abdullahi, had directed the SCID to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the suspect is prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

Post Date : October 13, 2024

SERAP urges Tinubu to reverse petrol price hike pending court verdict

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to immediately reverse the second increase in petrol prices in one month, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja challenging the legality of the powers of the NNPCL to increase petrol prices. According to a statement on Sunday by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation had last month filed a lawsuit against the President and NNPCL “over the failure to reverse the unlawful increase in the pump price of petrol, and to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL.” The statement read, “The latest increase in petrol prices makes a mockery of the case pending before the Federal High Court, and creates a risk that the course of justice will be seriously impeded or prejudiced in this case. “One of the fundamental principles of the rule of law is that it applies to everyone, including presidents and CEOs of public institutions. “It is in the public interest to keep the streams of justice clear and pure, and to maintain the authority and integrity of the court in the case.” SERAP also said allowing the Federal High Court to hear and determine the case would be entirely consistent with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], “your oath of office and oft-repeated promises to uphold the rule of law.” The letter, read in part, “SERAP notes that since assumption of office in May 2023 you have repeatedly promised, including in your inaugural speech, that ‘Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the Constitution and the rule of law.’ “Increasing petrol prices while the Federal High Court case is pending would prejudice and undermine the ability of the court to do justice in the case, damage public confidence in the court, prejudice the outcome of the case, as well as impede the course of justice. “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken following the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP shall consider contempt proceedings and/or other appropriate legal actions to compel your government and NNPCL to comply with our request in the public interest.” SERAP also warned that if not immediately reversed, the latest increase in petrol prices would seriously undermine the integrity of the Nigerian Constitution and have serious consequences for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Nigerians and the public interest. “Protecting the right to a judicial recourse and due administration of justice is of utmost importance, being the cornerstone of an ordered society. “The only way in which SERAP can have a fair and effective access to justice in this matter is to allow the court to decide, one way or the other, on the merits of the case before it. “Reversing the latest increase in petrol prices would allow the court to render a decision on the central issues in the case, and protect the applicant’s rights and interests. “The latest increase in petrol prices while the Federal High Court case is pending constitutes an interference with the right of SERAP to fairly and effectively pursue a judicial challenge to the decision by your government and NNPCL regarding the first increase in petrol prices” the statement added. SERAP noted that according to its information, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited recently increased the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, across its retail outlets, saying that the retail price of petrol was increased from N897 to N1,030 per litre. “This is the second increase in one month, and followed the increase in September from N600 to N855 per litre, and in some instances above N900 per litre.” “The two increases followed a scarcity caused by the reported refusal by suppliers to import petroleum products for the NNPCL over a $6 billion debt. “According to the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit over USD$2 billion and N164 billion of oil revenues into the Federation Account. The Auditor-General fears that the money may have been diverted into private pockets. “The NNPCL reportedly failed and/or refused to remit N151,121,999,966. The NNPCL, without any justification, deducted the money from the oil royalties assessed for 2020 by the Department of Petroleum Resources, now Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).” It added that the NNPCL has failed to account for the missing public funds, pointing out that the Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted into the Federation Account. “The NNPCL also failed to remit USD$19,774,488.15 collected as government revenue to the Federation Account. The Auditor-General wants the NNPCL to account for the money, recover and remit it into the Federation Account, and to hand over those suspected to be involved to the ICPC and the EFCC.” “The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ltd also reportedly failed to account for USD$2,021,411,877.47 and N13,313,565,786.49 of royalties collected from crude oil and gas sales and gas flare.” “The Auditor-General wants the public funds fully recovered and remitted into the Federation Account and for those suspected to be responsible for the missing public funds to be handed over to the ICPC and the EFCC.” “SERAP last month filed a lawsuit asking your government and NNPCL challenging the lawfulness of the increase in the pump price of petrol, and the failure to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL.” SERAP stressed that increasing petrol prices would compromise the interest of the Applicant in the Federal High Court case filed against the federal government and the NNPCL, as the second increase in one month directly touches on the central issues and the legality of the first increase, which the court is set to determine and rule upon. “The core of the principle of judicial independence is the complete liberty of the judge to hear and decide the cases before them based on facts and in accordance