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Category: Governance

  • Minimum Wage: Presidency Sends Message To Organised Labour, Nigerians

    Minimum Wage: Presidency Sends Message To Organised Labour, Nigerians

    The Presidency has pleaded with Nigerians not to mount unnecessary pressure on President Bola Tinubu over the new minimum wage demand.

    The government assured that Tinubu would transmit the proposed bill to the National Assembly once it is ready.

    Speaking to Punch, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga wondered what the rush for the transmission of the bill was all about.

    Onanuga’s position is coming barely 24 hours after the Organised Labour asked the President to consult with them before transmitting the bill to the National Assembly.

    The Union had complained that the National Executive Committee which will accommodate about 300 Labour leaders, is being stalled by Tinubu’s delay to transmit the wage bill.

    The President, during his Democracy Day broadcast, disclosed that a consensus had been reached between the Federal Government and Labour on the new wage, a development which the Organised Labour debunked.

    However, Onanuga, while admitting that he had no idea when the bill would be submitted, called for patience.

    “People should be patient,” he stated.

    His appeal comes one week after he reiterated that the ₦250,000 wage being demanded by the workers’ union is unsustainable, warning that the Federal Government cannot channel all its resources to meet such demand.

  • Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of N12.18b Property Linked To Godwin Emefiele

    The court has decreed the permanent forfeiture of a property valued at N12.18 billion associated with former CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

    Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke granted the ultimate forfeiture order following a court session where the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by lawyer Chineye Okezie, presented and discussed a motion.

    The properties, situated in highly sought-after locations within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja, were included in two separate listings.

    Justice Aneke directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper to give all concerned parties the opportunity to challenge the final order.

    On June 21, when the court resumed proceedings, there were no parties present to contest the temporary order.

    After carefully examining a detailed 41-paragraph affidavit presented by EFCC Investigating Officer Michael John Idoko, along with the 19 accompanying exhibits and a written address signed by Okezie, Justice Aneke approved the application.

    The judge said, “Having carefully considered the application and submission of counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows: a final forfeiture order is made forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria, properties contained in Schedule A, which were traced and reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.”

  • Court nullifies creation of 33 LCDAs by late Gov Akeredolu’s administration

    Court nullifies creation of 33 LCDAs by late Gov Akeredolu’s administration

    The Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, has annulled the creation of 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) by the administration of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    Presiding Justice A.O. Adebusuoye declared that the creation of the LCDAs was unconstitutional and illegal.

    The court determined that the procedures followed in establishing these LCDAs did not comply with the necessary legal requirements.

    The administration of the late Governor Akeredolu initiated the creation of the 33 LCDAs to enhance local governance and development. However, the move faced legal challenges, culminating in the recent court decision.

    Justice Adebusuoye noted that the creation of the LCDAs bypassed critical constitutional processes, rendering the establishment of these local government entities null and void.

    The judgment reiterated the importance of adhering to the constitution and legal statutes in the creation of any local government areas.

    The annulment of the LCDAs means that any administrative actions taken by the councils are now invalid.

    As of now, there has been no official response from the Ondo State Government regarding the court’s ruling.

  • New Minimum Wage:We Are Ready To Make Sacrifices, Pay ₦150,000-Sen Wadada tells Tinubu

    New Minimum Wage:We Are Ready To Make Sacrifices, Pay ₦150,000-Sen Wadada tells Tinubu

    The lawmaker representing Nasarawa West zone, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, has called on President Bola Tinubu to approve at least ₦150,000 as the new national minimum wage.

    Wadda made the call while speaking with newsmen in the Keffi local government area (LGA) of Nassarawa State.

    The Social Democratic Party of Nigeria (SDP) chieftain asserted that the economic situation in the country is the reason he is making such a demand.

    His words: “I have expressed my opinion in the past on the issue, and I am going to reiterate it here. “For me as a person, the minimum a worker should earn is N150,000, looking at the realities of today.”

    Speaking further, Wadada stated that he and other lawmakers were willing to make sacrifices in terms of reduction of their remunerations and allowances just to ensure Nigerian workers earned decent monthly salaries.

    He added: “At worst, it should be higher than what the government is currently offering.”

    Nigerian workers, under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are waiting on the federal government and national assembly to meet their demand on the proposed minimum wage.

    It is yet to be seen if the government and labour will come to an agreement soon.

  • Court ‘Postpones’ Ruling On Kano Emirate Tussle

    Court ‘Postpones’ Ruling On Kano Emirate Tussle

    A Federal High Court in Kano has postponed its judgement on the Council Repeal Law 2024 to 2 pm, Thursday.

    The court judgement was initially scheduled for 12 pm today but was moved before noon.

    Recall that the incumbent Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, had dethroned the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and also overturned the establishment of four emirates in Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya, by his predecessor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

    A newly passed state law was also used to reinstate the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was ousted by Ganduje in 2020, as the 16th Emir of Kano.

    However, a key figure in Kano emirate, Aminu Babba Danagundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, contested the legality of the law and requested the court, through his lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), to declare the law invalid.

    The judge, Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, upon receiving the motion last Friday, adjourned the case to Thursday for consideration of the request.

    The judge will also issue a decision on a request for a stay of proceedings made by A.G. Wakil, the lawyer for the State Attorney General and Kano State Government, who was also involved in the lawsuit against Danagundi.

    This case is of significant interest as it will shape the future direction of the emirate dispute.

    The Kano State command of the Nigeria Police Force has since admonished the public to remain peaceful and patriotic as the Court delivers its ruling.

    In a statement issued earlier, the command’s spokesman, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, reiterated the commitment of the command to protect lives and property while warning against any attempt to incite violence.

    “In collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, the command will strictly enforce the ban on public protests, processions, and unlawful gatherings imposed by the state government.

    “Violators and their sponsors will face legal consequences. Adequate security personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order.

    “The public is urged to cooperate with the security forces and provide actionable information to preserve peace and detect deviants. Non-state actors, including vigilantes and hunters, are advised to refrain from participating in security operations under any guise,” he said.

  • Tinubu sacks BPE director-general, appoints replacement 

    Tinubu sacks BPE director-general, appoints replacement 

    President Bola Tinubu has relieved Mamman Ahmadu of his duties as director general of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

    In a statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale on Saturday, the president also approved the appointment of Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi as the new DG of the BPE.

    “Mr. Gbeleyi is a renowned financial expert and award-winning chartered accountant,” the statement read.

    “He is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

    “He is also an alumnus of executive programmes of the prestigious London Business School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Lagos Business School.

    “He has over 30 years of post-qualification experience in diverse sectors, including manufacturing, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), investment & commercial banking, project finance, telecommunications, infrastructure, and public administration.

    “He was the board Chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and Commissioner of Finance in Lagos State from 2013 to 2015.

    “The President expects the new Director-General to bring his vast experience and competence to bear in this role to strengthen the agency as the national resource centre for capacity building and sustenance of reforms through the promotion of a competitive private sector-driven economy, ensuring social accountability and efficient deployment of public resources, as well as advancing effective corporate governance and fiduciary discipline in the public and private sectors.”

  • BREAKING: Nigeria’s annual inflation rate rises to 33.95%

    BREAKING: Nigeria’s annual inflation rate rises to 33.95%

    Nigeria’s annual inflation rate climbed to 33.95 per cent in May 2024, up from 33.69 per cent recorded in April, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This increase marks a rise of 0.26 percentage points month-on-month.

    Compared to May 2023, when the inflation rate stood at 22.41 per cent, the current figure reflects a significant year-on-year increase of 11.54 percentage points, illustrating a sharp uptick in inflationary pressures over the past year.

    On a month-on-month basis, the NBS reported that inflation for May 2024 was 2.14 per cent, slightly lower than the 2.29 per cent recorded in April 2024.

    This indicates a moderated pace of increase in the average price level compared to the previous month.

    In terms of food prices, the inflation rate accelerated to 40.66 per cent year-on-year in May 2024, marking an increase of 15.84 percentage points from May 2023, when it was 24.82 per cent.

    The sharp rise in food inflation highlights continued challenges in food affordability and accessibility across Nigeria.

  • BREAKING: Court frees Binance executives Gambaryan, Anjarwalla

    BREAKING: Court frees Binance executives Gambaryan, Anjarwalla

    The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has discharged Tigran Gambaryan, a 39-year-old American, and fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla over alleged tax evasion.

    The duo, both executives of cryptocurrency exchange platform Binance, were dragged to court by Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) over alleged tax evasion.

    The court made the decision following fresh amended charges filed by the FIRS in view of a notice from Binance about its appointment of a Nigerian representative, Ayodele Omotilewa. 

    Recall that Gambaryan and fleeing Anjarwalla are facing a four-count charge by the Nigerian government brought before the court, a case now before Emeka Nwite, the trial judge.

    Even though Binance had no legal representation in court, Gambaryan took to the dock to have the charges read to him.

    But his counsel, Chukwuka Ikwazuonu, notified the court that his client had not been served with the charge, stating it was rather too hasty to have him take to the dock without knowing what his client is about to be tried for.

    The prosecutor from the FIRS, Moses Ideho, informed the judge that service of the charge hadn’t been possible due to lack of access to the defendant in custody. 

    This prompted the Court to order service of the charge on the defendant in open court. And following this, the judge adjourned till 19 April for arraignment of Gambaryan. 

    In the second case by the anti-graft agency, the EFCC, through its counsel E.E. Iheanacho informed the Court that he had served Gambaryan with the charge.

    But Mark Mordi, counsel for the defendant, this time around, said Binance, the company which he represents hasn’t been served, therefore arraignment couldn’t go ahead. 

    Moreso, as it’s a joint charge, Mordi argued that it’s necessary to serve every person individually with the charges before the case can go ahead. He also informed the Court that his client declined service of the charge on behalf of Binance because he wasn’t authorized to do so. 

    The prosecutor however maintained that the defendant, being a top official of Binance was a fitting representative of the company in this particular instance.

    But stated that in the alternative however, the Court can enter a not guilty plea for Binance to allow the case go ahead.

  • Minimum wage: I’ll approve what Nigeria can afford — Tinubu

    Minimum wage: I’ll approve what Nigeria can afford — Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu says he will approve a new minimum wage that the Nigerian government can afford. 

    He stated this on Wednesday at a dinner with the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, among other top government officials to mark Nigeria’s 25 years of unbroken Democracy in Abuja.

    The President, while appreciating those who stood by him over the years, promised Nigerians he won’t depart from the tenets of democratic governance.
     
    “I have to celebrate with you my dear brother, Senate President, Deputy Senate President,” he said.

    According to Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his deputy, Jibrin Barau would soon get an Executive Bill from him on the new minimum wage.

    “The minimum wage is going to be what Nigerians can afford, what you can afford and what I can afford. Cut your coat according to your size, if you have size at all,” he said.

  • Why Political Office Holders Should Be Put On Minimum Wage – Soludo

    Why Political Office Holders Should Be Put On Minimum Wage – Soludo

    The Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, has advocated a drastic reduction in the cost of governance in Nigeria.

    The Governor lamented that the nation is broke but government and elected officials continue to live in denial and show off flamboyant lifestyles at the detriment of the masses.

    As a way to curb the developing crisis from escalating further, Soludo said political officeholders should be placed on the national minimum wage.

    The Anambra State Governor made the call on Wednesday while speaking at the special edition of The Platform, an event organised by The Covenant Nation to mark democracy day in Nigeria.

    Soludo expressed that Nigerians are hungry, broke and poor, but the ruling class continue to live extravagantly at the expense of the common people.

    “Let’s come clean and straight with Nigerians. Nigeria is very poor and broke but the lifestyle of government and government officials does not show it, especially with the obscene flamboyance in public display,” Soludo said.

    “The poor are hungry and impatient, let’s not annoy them more with our insensitivity.

    “In this case, I agree with reverend father Mbaka, who said elected governors should also earn minimum wage. I agree that we should be paid that so that we can feel that as well.

    “In Anambra, I have not received a kobo as salary since I assumed office. I have donated my salary to the state.

    “It is symbolic. It is not much. I think generally, the system is in denial. There must be some signalling, it is just the symbolism of this.”

    Soludo called for an end to wasteful spending in governance, stressing that elected officials must always remember they are in office based on public trust.

    “That is why I proposed reinventing the new code of conduct for public officers,” he said.

    “For the federal government, the actual projecting revenue comes to about N6,160 per Nigerian, per month.

    “For the states, except Lagos and a few states, most states have revenues amounting to less than N3,000 per resident, per month.

    “It is from this shares per citizen that we are expected to provide all the infrastructure, debt service, pay salaries and pensions, build schools and provide everything.

    “For each of our wasteful spending, let’s be conscious about the fact how many citizen share we are squandering. Once we lose this consciousness about the public trust we bear, the society dies irredeemably.”