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Category: Governance

  • New Salaries for Judicial Officers

    New Salaries for Judicial Officers

    In the latest review of judicial officers’ salaries made by President Bola Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola, will now earn N1monthly basic salary and N4.3 million regular allowances.

    This was contained in an executive bill sent to the National Assembly by the President on Tuesday seeking an upward review of the salaries of judicial officers.

    After the House of Representatives approved Tinubu’s request to increase the salaries and allowances of judicial officers, the CJN will earn N13.5 million in annual basic salary and N51.2 million in regular allowances, making it a total of N64.7 million.

    Further analysis of the new salary structure showed that the President of the Court of Appeal will earn N62.4 million annually.

    In contrast, the justices of the Supreme Court will earn N61.4 million annually.

    It would be recalled that in October last year, retired Supreme Court Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad said the CJN N400,000 monthly salary is lower than the N1.2 million earned by the Supreme Court Registrar.

  • Sheikh Gumi Reacts As FG Names His Ally, Tukur Mamu As Terrorism Sponsor

    Sheikh Gumi Reacts As FG Names His Ally, Tukur Mamu As Terrorism Sponsor

    Popular Nigerian controversial Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has declared that the Department of State Services (DSS) has no right to declare his ally, Mallam Tukur Mamu, a terrorist financier.

    Recall that the Federal Government recently released a list of 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, involved in terrorism financing.

    Among the individuals named on the document is a Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu.

    It is worth noting that Mamu has been in the custody of the DSS since his arrest in Cairo, Egypt, in September 2022. The cleric is currently being tried by the Federal Government for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.

    Mamu was apprehended at the time with his family members while en route to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.

    During a recent X Space organized by Daily Trust, Sheik Ahmad Gumi stressed the importance of not granting security agencies the power to categorize an individual as a terrorist financier, particularly when the matter is already being handled by the court.

    Despite facing charges related to terrorism financing in a Federal High Court in Abuja, Mamu firmly pleaded his innocence.

    Sheikh Gumi described the situation between Mamu and the security agency as a misunderstanding, refraining from further comments as the case is currently being handled by the court.

    “Mamu’s case is in court. Let’s wait to hear from the court. It’s wrong to resort to a media trial. Let’s wait for the court to state whether he is a financier or not. I think if he is acquitted, he has a strong case to make on libel.

    “Who declares someone a terrorist financer? Is it the court of law or a security agency? The security agency has no right to declare anyone a terrorist financier. The case is already in court, so why are they judging him on the pages of the newspaper? Once a case is in court, you allow the court to decide,” The Islamic scholar noted.

  • President Tinubu Imposes Temporary Ban on Public-Funded Foreign Trips for Government Officials

    President Tinubu Imposes Temporary Ban on Public-Funded Foreign Trips for Government Officials

    By Caroline Ameh

    President Bola Tinubu has taken decisive action to curb government spending by instituting a temporary ban on public-funded foreign trips for ministers and other government officials. The directive, conveyed through a memo from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, is set to take effect on April 1, 2024.

    In the memo dated March 12, President Tinubu highlighted concerns about the escalating costs associated with international travel amid Nigeria’s challenging economic circumstances. The ban, initially set for a period of 90 days, aims to streamline government expenditure without compromising essential functions.

    “Mr. President has concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses borne by Ministries, Department and Agencies of Government as well as the growing need for Cabinet Members and heads of MDAs to focus on their respective mandates for effective service delivery,” the memo states.

    According to the directive, exceptions to the ban may be granted for trips deemed “absolutely necessary.” However, all government officials planning public-funded international travel must obtain Presidential approval at least two weeks prior to the trip.

    “This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost-saving measure without compromising government functions,” the memo emphasizes.

  • Why I’m Yet To Increase Workers’ Salaries In Abia – Gov Otti Explains

    Why I’m Yet To Increase Workers’ Salaries In Abia – Gov Otti Explains

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said he has not reneged on his promise to increase workers’ salaries.

    Otti disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the state capital, Umuahia.

    According to the governor, implementing the salary review depends on the availability of funds, and a committee has been working on it.

    He said, “I have not withdrawn my promise to increase workers’ salaries, but implementing it will depend on the availability of funds; hence, a committee has been working on it.” 

    Otti also noted that the state recently secured a $125 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank to implement its 2024 budget.

    He added, “Two days ago, the Islamic Development Bank approved the sum of $125 million as a loan for us to implement the budget.”

  • Full Names of 15 Terrorism Sponsors Released By FG 

    Full Names of 15 Terrorism Sponsors Released By FG 

    Following the directive of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Sanctions Committee on Monday, March 18, revealed the identities of 15 entities including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change firms that have been sanctioned over alleged terrorism financing.

    The nine individuals under sanctions are

    1. Tukur Mamu

    2. Yusuf Ghazali

    3. Muhammad Sani

    4. Abubakar Muhammad

    5. Sallamudeen Hassan

    6. Adamu Ishak

    7. Hassana-Oyiza Isah

    8. Abdulkareem Musa,

    9. Umar Abdullahi

    The six BDCs and firms are

    10. West and East Africa General Trading Company Limited

    11. Settings Bureau De Change Limited

    12. G. Side General Enterprises

    13. Desert Exchange Ventures Limited

    14. Eagle Square General Trading Company Limited

    15. Alfa Exchange BDC.

  • Court Refuses to stop impeachment move against Edo Deputy Gov, Philip Shaibu

    Court Refuses to stop impeachment move against Edo Deputy Gov, Philip Shaibu

    The Federal High Court in Abuja, again, refused to stop the alleged impeachment move against the incumbent Edo State Deputy Governor, Mr Phillip Shaibu by the State House of Assembly.

    Specifically, Shaibu prays the court to grant an order of status quo to be maintained by the House of Assembly and others involved in the impeachment move.

    Counsel to the plaintiff, Olawoyin Awoyale, (SAN) had orally requested for an order of status quo to be maintained by parties pending the hearing and determination of his motion on notice.

    In his ruling, Justice Omotoso held that the cited authority was not applicable in the Shaibu’s case because the Governor of Edo State and the Edo State House of Assembly who are the principal actors in the impeachment bid have not been served with the originating summons of the suit as required by law.

    However, the Judge granted the request that the Edo State Governor and the State House of Assembly be served with the originating summons by substituted means.

    Specifically, Justice Omotoso ordered that the court process be pasted at the entrance gate of the Edo State Government House and the gate of the State House of Assembly Complex both in Benin.

    Besides, the Judge also directed that all court papers be served on parties in the matter with the use of a registered Courier Company.

    Justice Omotoso subsequently fixed April 15 for hearing of the case.

    The Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu who was in the room throughout the Wednesday’s proceedings declined to speak with newsmen.

    In the motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2024, the Edo State Government, Edo State Governor, Edo State House of Assembly, Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, the Clerk of the Assembly, the Chief Judge of Edo State, Inspector General of Police IGP and Director General of the Department of State Services DSS were listed as the first to eighth defendants.

    Shaibu, in the suit, sought an order of the court restricting the third to fifth defendants from commencing any process by issuing a notice of allegation, holding proceedings, or setting up any panel of investigation for his removal pending the hearing of a motion on notice.

    He also sought an interim injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves or their agents, from interfering with the subject matter of the originating summons filed in the suit either by way of taking any adverse actions in relation to any attempt or process targeted at his removal from office as the deputy governor of Edo State pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

    Other reliefs sought are: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st to 8th defendants, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, officials, representatives, and or any other person or authority acting through them, from preventing the plaintiff either by threat of removal from office or adverse actions capable of hindering the plaintiff from performing his official duties and discharging his responsibilities as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, including attending State Executive Council meetings, functions and other duties.

    “An order of interim injunction directing the defendants herein jointly, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, officials, representatives, or any other person or authority acting through them, to maintain status quo ante bellum prevailing before the issuance of the purported notice or petition to commence removal of the Plaintiff from office pending the hearing and the final determination of the motion on notice. ”

  • FG Releases List Of Those Responsible For Terrorism Financing In Nigeria

    FG Releases List Of Those Responsible For Terrorism Financing In Nigeria

    The Federal Government has released a list of 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, involved in terrorism financing.

    The details of the development were revealed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and made available on Tuesday night.

    The document, entitled “Designation of Individuals and Entities for March 18, 2024,” disclosed that the Nigeria Sanctions Committee met on March 18, 2024, where specific individuals and entities were recommended for sanction following their involvement in terrorism financing.

    “The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, with the approval of the President, has thereupon designated the following individuals and entities to be listed on the Nigeria Sanctions List,” the document read in part.

    Among the individuals named on the document is a Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, who is currently being tried by the Federal Government for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.

    According to the document, Mamu “participated in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransome payments over the sum of $200,000 US in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.”

    The document also said one of the individuals is “the suspected attacker of the St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, Ondo State on June 5, 2022 and the Kuje Correctional Center, Abuja on July 5, 2022.”

    Another was described as “a member of the terrorist group Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam, the group is associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

    “The subject was trained and served under Muktar Belmokhtar, aka One Eyed Out, led Al-Murabtoun Katibat of AQIM in Algeria and Mali.”

    The NFIU said the individual “specialises in designing terrorist clandestine communication code and he is also Improvised Explosive Device expert.

    “The subject was also a gate keeper to ANSARU leader, Mohammed Usman aka Khalid Al-Bamawi. Equally, he was a courier and travel guide to AQIM Katibat in the desert of Algeria and Mali. He is into carpentry. Subject fled Kuje correctional centre on July 5, 2022. He is currently at large.”

    Another was identified as “a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province Okene.”

    The agency said the individual “came into limelight in 2012 as North Central wing of Boko Haram.

    “The group is suspected of the attacks carried out around Federal Capital Territory and the South West Geographical Zone, including the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.”

    Another was described as “a financial courier to ISWAP Okene. She is responsible for the disbursement of funds to the widows/wives of the terrorist fighters of the group.”

    According to the document, another of the individuals “in 2015, transferred N60m to terrorism convicts.”

    He was also said to have “received a sum of N189m between 2016 and 2018.”

    The same person is said to “own entities and business reported in the UAE court judgment as facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Nigeria.”

    Another individual was said to have “received a total of N57m from between 2014 and 2017.”

    Another was said to have “had a total inflow of N61.4 bn and a total outflow of N51.7bn from his accounts.”

  • Church loses bid to stop conduct of elections, examinations on Saturdays

    Church loses bid to stop conduct of elections, examinations on Saturdays

    A Member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Nigeria, Ugochukwu Uchenwa, Wednesday, loses bid seeking the prohibition of the conduct of elections and examinations on Saturdays in Nigeria.

    Justice James Kolawole Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit instituted against the Federal Government for being frivolous, vexatious, irritating and baseless.

    According to the plaintiff, Saturday is its Sabbath day of worship and that fundamental rights of its members are being brutally breached by the conduct of elections and examinations on Saturdays.

    Specifically the plaintiff, through his counsel, Benjamin Amaefina, sought order of the Court to prohibit the FG from further conducting elections and examinations on the Sabbath day so as to stop disruption of their rights to worship.

    Consequently, he prayed the court to declare the fixing of elections and examinations on Saturdays as unconstitutional.

    In the alternative, the plaintiff asked the court to order the defendants to allow him and other members of his church to vote or take examinations on any other day of the week including Sundays.

    Listed as defendants in the suit are President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Minister of Internal Affairs, Joint Admission and Matriculation Examinations (JAMB), National Examination Council (NECO), West African Examination Council, (WAEC) and the National Business and Technical Examination Board.

    Delivering his judgement, Justice Omotoso held that the fundamental rights being claimed by the church were not at large and cannot be curtailed by government policy.

    Besides, the Judge held that the Seventh Day Adventist Church is in the minority in Nigeria and cannot impose its doctrine on the majority of other religious denominations in the country.

  • BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu Bail Appeal Denied

    BREAKING: Nnamdi Kanu Bail Appeal Denied

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday rejected the bail application by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, however, granted an accelerated hearing instead.

    Counsel for the IPOB leader, Alloy Ejimakor, had at the last adjourned date urged the court to admit Kanu to bail before the commencement of the trial.

    Ejimakor stated that Kanu’s health condition was deteriorating, adding that his continued detention by the DSS was a threat to his life.

    Ejimakor also argued that the continued incarceration of Kanu would not enable him to put up a good defence in the matter.

    But the counsel for the FG, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the bail application and instead grant an accelerated hearing.

    He noted that the DSS has a medical facility that could take care of him.

    Awomolo also accused Kanu of once jumping bail, adding that he failed to declare on oath in the affidavit filed by his lawyer that if granted bail, he wouldn’t jump bail.

    He was earlier granted bail on health grounds on April 25, 2017, after spending 18 months in detention but he fled the country after an invasion of his residence by the military in September 2017.

  • FG To Create 5000 New Jobs For Nigerians

    FG To Create 5000 New Jobs For Nigerians

    President Bola Tinubu’s government is set to create at least 500,000 new jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

    This is sequel to a new partnership with the U.S. Cybersecurity Institute, Lab Four, to generate 50,000 business process outsourcing (BPO) jobs over the next three years.

    Doris Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, said this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday in Abuja.

    The MoU was signed between Lab Four and the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), the executor of the programme.

    According to the minister, the jobs generated through this partnership have the potential to annually attract up to $1.2 billion into the Nigerian economy.

    She identified the job categories as “telesales, customer service, virtual administrative assistant, marketing/social media assistant, and tech/cybersecurity.”

    “The jobs generated through this partnership have the potential to annually attract up to $1.2 billion into the Nigerian economy through remuneration for the employed.

    “In addition to about $60 million that it will provide to develop the BPO ecosystem through direct support to the individual BPOs,” Ms Anite said.

    The minister said the four-pronged objectives of the NATEP initiative were to deliver one million service-export jobs over the next five years and increase foreign exchange earnings and revenue for Nigeria.

    She noted that to successfully implement the mandate of NATEP, there was a need for strategic partnerships, both with institutions within Nigeria and those overseas.

    “As such, our partnership with Lab Four will be one of the many partnerships we will have to ensure that Nigeria becomes a global hub for thriving micro, mini, and mega BPOs,” she said.

    In his remarks, Femi Adeluyi, the national coordinator of NATEP, said the initiative would target the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector and that the selection process would be transparent.