My Blog

Category: Governance

  • Comedian Seyi Law knocks Tinubu government over Cybersecurity Levy

    Comedian Seyi Law knocks Tinubu government over Cybersecurity Levy

    Comedian Seyi Law has taken to social media to knock the Tinubu administration over the new cyber security levy.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had issued a directive to all banks and financial institutions to implement a cybersecurity levy on banking transactions.

    This new levy, set at 0.5% of the value of all electronic transactions, was in response to the escalating concerns over cyber threats and follows the guidelines of the recently enacted Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024.

    Reacting to the development, Seyi Law wrote:

    “I hate when government agencies don’t speak up to the understanding of the citizens and allow wrong narratives to fester before tackling it. Cybersecurity level, according to the act, is 0.005%, and different figures from 0.5% to 3% are being thrown around.

    “A 0.5% charge in the Nigeria of today is in itself too much punishment on Nigerians. Are we trying to discourage banking transactions again and encourage cash keeping? @cenbank should revisit this abeg.

    “Stamp duty is something, and now this. It is unacceptable. @NGRPresident @officialABAT, let the poor breathe. When will the new minimum wage be announced and implemented? Some of your ministers need to look for another job. One year is here and we are counting”.

  • FG, states will review sentencing for suicide attempt – AGF

    FG, states will review sentencing for suicide attempt – AGF

    The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has promised a review of the law imposing sentencing for suicide attempts.

    He gave the promise when he received a delegation from the Asido Foundation, a non-governmental organisation promoting mental health advocacy and reforms with a view to improving awareness, reducing stigma and discrimination and empowering persons with mental disorders and their families.

    In a statement signed by Kamarudeen Ogundele,
    S A to the President on Communications & Publicity,
    Office of the AGF, Sunday, the Minister said health is one of the priority areas of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “The law is something we have to take a second look at, especially where it is established that the offenders are not in the right state of mind. What the offenders need is pity, treatment and love so as to rid society of this kind of situation.

    “But whatever we do is not binding on the states. So, I will take the case to the Body of Attorneys General,” Fagbemi said.

    He promised to take up the issues around the Mental Health Act with his colleagues in the Federal Ministry of Health.

    Earlier, the founder of Asido, Dr Jibril Abdulmalik, sought the help of the AGF in reviewing the law sentencing people for attempted suicide and the implementation of the Mental Health Act signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2023.

    Abdulmalik said medical evidence had shown that all over the world, 80-90 percent of those who attempted suicide had background mental illness, especially depression.

    “It is because of sense of hopelessness that makes them get to the edge where they think they are better off dying.

    “In that situation what they need is help and treatment, not punishment and incarceration. We know the workload is heavy for our judicial officers…We don’t want them overburdened with cases that should ordinarily go to the hospitals,” he added.

  • Gunmen Kidnap 6 Anambra Clerics

    Gunmen Kidnap 6 Anambra Clerics

    Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen have reportedly abducted Archbishop Uka Uka Osim of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star.

    The cleric, his wife, Anne Osim and son, Roland Uka Osim, and three other clerics from the ministry were abducted on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Abia State while travelling to Awka, the capital of Anambra State.

    They were reportedly on evangelical duties when they were ambushed by the armed men. The other three priests also kidnapped were identified as Azuka Ochu, Moses Okafor and Anderson Akwazie.

    The kidnapping incident was confirmed to journalists by the administrator of the spiritual organisation in Abia State, BCS, Bishop Denis Onuoha.

    He said four days later, the abductors had not reached out to anybody.

    “We are very worried, but we are assured that the Almighty Father, whom they worship and work for with total devotion, will help them out,” Bishop Onuoha told reporters.

    The cleric urged security agencies to assist and rescue the clergymen, stating that the church has embarked on deep prayers, believing that the Archbishop and his brethren will be rescued unhurt.

  • Prof Jega, 5 Others Warn President Tinubu against Signing Defense pact with America, France

    Prof Jega, 5 Others Warn President Tinubu against Signing Defense pact with America, France

    Nigeria is at the verge of commiting another major political blunder as its leadership is under intense pressure to sign a defense pact that may undermine her sovereignty, complete with all the daunting security implications.

    When signed this pact will enable the redeployment of American and French soldiers that were recently expelled from three countries in the Sahel region to Nigeria and a few other countries in the gulf of Guinea.

    Towards this end, it has been reported that the leadership of Nigeria is currently under intense lobby to give a nod to this plan.

    Sensing that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu may cave-in to the lobby, former INEC Chairman and notable academic, Prof Attahiru Jega and some civil society heavy lifters of Northern extraction penned an open letter to president Tinubu yesterday to dissuade him from nursing any positive thoughts of saying ‘aye’ to the plan.

    Apart from Prof Jega, the other authors of the open letter comprised of Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT),
    Zaria; Kabiru Sulaiman Chafe,
    Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), Kaduna; Jibrin Ibrahim
    Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abuja; Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Abuja; and Y. Z. Ya’u, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in Kano.

    They argued that “Nigerians have consistently opposed defense
    agreement with foreign countries since the 1960s when the Balewa administration was
    forced to abrogate the Anglo-Nigerian Defense Agreement because the agreement contained a clause which allowed the Royal Airforce to overfly and test its aircrafts in Nigeria.”

    They further contended that another reason, which remains valid till this day, why the late Prime Minister was compelled to abrogate the agreement was that it was considered as an “impairment of Nigeria’s freedom of action” as sustaining such agreement could drag the country into a war against its wish.

    The group advanced other compelling reasons, backed by numerous internationally documented cases, to insist that President Tinubu, whom they suspect seemed favourably disposed, must not sign the pact. For instance, they argued that allowing the American and French troops, which were recently flushed out from Niger to resettle in Nigeria would be a major affront that could conflict relations between the two brother nations which were merely separated by colonial demarcation.

    Citing the claim by one of Nigeria’s most successful foreign affairs ministers, late Gen Joseph Garba, they argued, “Nigeria’s neighbors are a matter of colonial
    heritage and socio-cultural diversity; but it is in our Nigeria’s interest to deliberately
    cultivate the friendship of our neighbours.”

    The group therefore pleaded with President Tinubu not to yield to the immense pressure being put on him to sign the pact because of numerous other downsides that include the bad blood that it may breed between Nigeria and its immediate neighbours and other friendly nations from the Eastern bloc.

    The group therefore, advised that the president should not further encumber the current tense security situation of Nigeria by introducing a foreign element into the troubling mix.

  • Court bars Kano DisCo from implementing new tariff

    Court bars Kano DisCo from implementing new tariff

    A Federal High Court in Kano has issued an order restraining the National Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company from implementing the new electricity tariff for Band A consumers.

    The suit marked FHC/KN/CS/144/2024 was filed by Super Sack Company Limited and BBY Sacks Limited.

    Others are Mama Sannu Industries Limited, Dala Foods Nigeria Limited, Tofa Textile Limited, and Manufacturers Association Of Nigeria Limited.

    However, ruling on an ex-parte motion by Abubakar Mahmoud, counsel to the plaintiffs, the presiding judge, Abdullahi Liman, ordered NERC and KEDCO from going ahead with the impending tariff pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.

    The order also restrained the defendant from intimidating and threatening to disconnect the applicants’ electricity supply for non-acceptance of the new increased tariff.

    Recall that in April, NERC approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.

    With the new tariff, customers under the category, who receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, would begin to pay N225 per kilowatt, starting from April 3 — up from N66.

    The sudden hike has since been criticized by the House of Representatives and other stakeholders who have asked NERC to suspend the implementation of the new tariff.

  • MultiChoice defies court order, increases DStv, GOtv subscriptions

    MultiChoice defies court order, increases DStv, GOtv subscriptions

    MultiChoice Nigeria Limited has ignored an interim order granted to the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja, and increased the subscription rates for its DStv and GOtv bouquets.

    Recall that on Monday, the tribunal issued a clear injunction restraining MultiChoice Nigeria from increasing its subscription prices, which were set to take effect on May 1.

    The tribunal also granted an application for substituted service of the interim order, after reports surfaced that MultiChoice’s officers at its Abuja office refused to accept the court documents.

    In a ruling, the presiding officer, Saratu Shafii, said the decision underscores the tribunal’s commitment to ensuring that MultiChoice complies with its orders.

    The applicant, an Abuja based lawyer, Festus Onifade, told reporters that a top manager at the Abuja office directed that any document should instead be sent to their Lagos headquarters.

    However, according to reports the new subscription fees were enforced on Wednesday, May 1, much to the dismay of millions of subscribers who waited for the company to halt the new rates.

    Following this development, consumers viewed the increase as a betrayal by MultiChoice and accused the cable company of disregarding both the legal system and customer interests.

  • Contempt: A/Court grants EFCC’s stay of proceedings against Yahaya Bello …fixes May 20 for hearing

    Contempt: A/Court grants EFCC’s stay of proceedings against Yahaya Bello …fixes May 20 for hearing

    The Court of Appeal, Friday, granted an exparte motion for stay of proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) against the contempt proceeding instituted by the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, against the Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede.

    Justice Joseph O.K. Oyewole, consequently granted the EFCC’s application to serve the processes in the Appeal by substituted means on the former governor.

    Consequently, the matter was adjourned for hearing of the motion on notice to May 20, 2024.

    The EFCC boss who was summoned to appear before the Kogi State High Court on May 13, 2024, to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for disobeying the Orders of the court, had appealed the Ruling of the trial Court and sought a stay of the proceeding of the Court.

    The EFCC boss is facing a contempt charge for carrying out “some acts upon which they (the EFCC) have been restrained” by the Court on February 9, 2024, pending the determination of the substantive Originating Motion.

    Justice I. A. Jamil, delivering a ruling in Suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024, ordered that “the said act was carried out by the Respondent (EFCC) in violation of the order, which was valid and subsisting when they carried out the act. That same act of the Respondent amounts to Contempt.

    EFCC operatives had laid siege on the residence of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as early as 8am on April 17, 2024, with a bid to arrest him, despite a court order restraining them from taking such action, pending the determination of the Originating Motion.

    Justice Jamil’s order was based on a motion ex-parte filed by Yahaya Bello through his lawyer, M.S. Yusuf, Esq, where he prayed the court for an order to issue and serve the Respondent (EFCC Chairman) with Form 49 Notice to show cause why Order of committal should not be made on Olukoyede.

  • Gov Obaseki finally swears in five Edo high court judges after 11-month delay

    Gov Obaseki finally swears in five Edo high court judges after 11-month delay

    After a lengthy 11-month delay, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has finally sworn in five out of the eight judges recommended for appointment as Honourable High Court Judges by the National Judicial Council (NJC) in June 2023.

    The newly sworn-in judges are Justice Obayuwana Osarenren Mathias, Justice Ehinon Anthony Okoh, Justice Ovenseri Otamere, Justice Bright Eraze Oniha, and Justice Osayande Ikwuemosi Awawu.

    Reports indicate that the delay in swearing in all eight judges stemmed from petitions against some of the nominees. 

    Chris Nehikhare, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, noted that the petitions necessitated further investigations before the full panel could be appointed.

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had condemned Governor Obaseki’s delay in swearing in the judges, citing it as an abuse of power and a disregard for constitutional provisions. 

    Specifically, the NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) highlighted the constitutional obligation of the Governor to swear in appointed judicial officers promptly.

    SPIDEL said the delay hindered the functioning of the justice delivery system and left the appointed judges needing means of sustenance. 

    In response to the mounting pressure, Governor Obaseki eventually swore in five of the judges at the Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City. 

    During the ceremony, he reminded them of the importance of impartiality in dispensing justice

  • Court adjourns Rivers LGs/Govt, AGF, Police, DSS, others case till May 22

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned hearing in the suit seeking to stop the Rivers State Government from withholding the financial allocations of the 42 Local Government Councils in the state, to May 22.

    The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, adjourned the matter to enable parties already served with the court’s documents respond accordingly, just as he ordered service on the 1st to 4th and 6th respondents who were neither in court nor represented by any lawyer.

    At the last adjourned date, the court, while ruling in an ex-parte application, refused to issue an interim order against the Rivers State government and other respondents pending the hearing of the main suit.

    He ordered the plaintiffs to put the respondents on notice and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo by not doing anything that would render the suit nugatory.

    However, when the matter was called on Thursday, while the 1st – 4th and 6th were absent in court, M. N. Umoh, Olumide Fusika, SAN, Damian Okoro, SAN, and Sammie Somiari, SAN, appeared for the 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th respondents respectively.

    The four lawyers all admitted service of court order to maintain status quo and asked for time to respond, adding that they are still within the time allowed by law to file their responses.

    When asked by the judge if they were also served with the court’s order directing all parties to maintain status quo, all but the 5th defendant admitted service.

    Justice Omotosho told the respondents that he had declined to grant the interim order but after plaintiffs’ counsel, Clement Ijom stated that salaries of teachers, primary health workers and other local government staff depend on the allocation, he then ordered parties to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

    Subsequently, the judge ordered the respondents to file in their responses, while the suit is served on the remaining respondents.

    The Inspector General (IG) of Police, Commissioner of Police (CP) Rivers, Director General (DG) State Security (SSS), Director SSS Rivers, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Chairman Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Rivers State Government, AG Rivers State and Finance Commissioner in Rivers are 1st to 9th respondents respectively.

    The plaintiffs, on the other hand, include Dr Chidi LLoyd, Chairman, Emohua Local Government, Hon Alwell Ihunda Chairman, Port Harcourt Local goyvernment, Dr Nwanosike Samuel, Ikwerre Local Government, amongst others.

    They are suing the respondents over the financial allocation to the council as well as their personal security.

    Pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, the plaintiffs had filed an ex-parte application seeking to restrain the Rivers State Government from withholding their financial allocation.

    They had also prayed the court to restrain the security agencies from withdrawing the security personnel attached to them.

    In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/537/2024, and filed by their lawyer, Aliyu Hussein, the local government Chairmen, also sought an order prohibiting the defendants from preventing the enforcement or implementation of the newly amended Rivers State Local Government Law N:5 of 2024 pending the determination of the motion.

    In a 33 paragraph affidavit in support of the application deposed to by Dr Chidi LLoyd, Chairman of Emohua Local Government, the applicants claimed to have been duly elected in a democratically conducted election for a term of three years under the provisions of the Rivers State Local Government Law.

    They asserted that they are autonomous and constitutionally recognized as one of the tiers of the government and that Rivers State House of Assembly Enacted Rivers State Amended Law to guide their affairs and activities.

    They claimed that Rivers State Government, AG and Finance Commissioner who are not happy with the amended law have approached the IGP, CP, DG SSS and Director SSS seeking the withdrawal of policing and other security services from them in order to frustrate the implementation of the amended law.

    The Chairmen alleged that the Police Commissioner in the state who has the responsibility to advise the IG on the policing and security needs of Rivers State is under substantial control of Rivers State Government and would implement the directive of the state government.

    They further asserted that it would be impossible for them to carry out their respective functions and duties without the policing and security services of the IG.

    The Council chairmen asked the court to restrain the defendants, especially the Rivers State Government, from taking the law into its hand.

    They promised to undertake to pay for damages if their suit turns to be frivolous.

  • Military Court Martial Two Officers Over Kaduna Bombing

    Military Court Martial Two Officers Over Kaduna Bombing

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has acknowledged errors in the drone strikes on the Tudun Biri community in Kaduna State, resulting in the deaths of numerous innocent citizens.

    The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Edward Buba, disclosed this information during a media briefing on Thursday.

    He stated that investigations had been completed, and the strikes were deemed a case of mistaken identity.

    Recall that the drone strikes occurred on December 3, 2023, and claimed the lives of several non-combatants in Tudun Biri village, located in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.

    The spokesperson for DHQ mentioned that the individuals responsible for the incident would be subjected to a military court martial.

    While he did not provide specific details regarding the disciplinary actions, he confirmed that the two personnel involved will face the consequences of their actions.