Author: The Nation

• ‘I surrendered myself’

Convicted Senator Peter Nwaoboshi has refuted reports allegedly circulated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he was busted and hounded into the Ikoyi correctional centre.

A statement by the Head of the Senator Peter Nwaoboshi Media Team, Philip Elueme, described the reports as “mere propaganda unbecoming of a supposed respectable organisation”.

Elueme said the high-ranking senator representing Delta North, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), surrendered himself, even right from the time of conviction by the Appeal Court.

The lawmaker claimed that he was not in court when his conviction took place, “which in itself is legally perverse”.

Elueme also claimed that the anti-graft agency chose to play to the gallery by misrepresenting facts to drive home its vendetta against a “law-abiding gentleman and lawmaker for that matter”.

 He said the anti-graft agency took the action it did with intent to disparage the senator by allegedly disseminating falsehood to create the wrong impression among unsuspecting members of the public.

The Court of Appeal, sitting in Lagos, had convicted Nwaoboshi on a two-count charge on July 1, 2022 on the heels of the judgment delivered by Justice Chukwujeku Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The court discharged and acquitted him on the same counts he brought against the anti-graft agency.

The allegations bordered on N322 million money laundering, contrary to N850 million being bandied by the agency, Elueme said.

“The distinguished senator and two others filed appeal at the Supreme Court in Abuja, against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which is still pending,” the statement said.

It also claimed that as against the EFCC’s claim that it arrested Nwaoboshi from his hiding place, the senator, shortly after his conviction, surrendered himself to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre but was refused entry by the authority on the ground that the service was not in possession of his detention warrant from the court.

The statement added that the embattled senator, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, went again but was also refused entry into the custodial centre, the second time, due to same reasons.

It claimed that the statement by the EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren was in bad light and ill-conceived.

According to Elueme, Nwaoboshi did not evade detention at any time.

“Could he have gone into the correctional facility without a duly procured detention warrant or defiantly imprison himself?” Elueme queried.

The statement said Nwaoboshi was admitted to the hospital where he had been receiving treatment, adding that at no time was his whereabouts unknown to the EFCC officials who had visited him there previously.

It also claimed that the senator had no intention to evade imprisonment.

Ahead of the February 25 presidential election, Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church has announced a three-day fasting and prayer to seek God’s help for a peaceful and credible poll.

A circular sighted by our correspondent revealed that the exercise, which is expected to begin today, is targeted at praying against forces that may manipulate the election.

According to the circular, David Ibiyomie of the Salvation Ministry and other ministries founded by spiritual sons of Oyedepo are expected to join the exercise.

The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), Dr. Paul Enenche, announced this while addressing members of his church during a prayer for a better Nigeria yesterday. In a charge that preceded the prayer for the nation, the cleric lamented how the two major political parties neglected some categories of Nigerians while selecting their flag bearers.

The British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Ben Llewelyn-Jones, has said the United Kingdom (UK) exports to Nigeria amounted to £3.3 billion in the four quarters of 2022.

He said the total UK imports from Nigeria, in the same period, amounted to £2.2 billion.

This, according to him, puts the trade volume between the UK and Nigeria at £5.5 billion.

Llewellyn-Jones gave the figures in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos.

The envoy said the UK government was exploring ways to improve the trading relations with Nigeria, including partnering with it in bringing in electric meters

He said the UK government had also introduced the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) that would encourage and improve exportation of goods from Nigeria.

Llewellyn-Jones stressed that under the scheme, 99 per cent of goods exported to the UK would be duty-free.

“With the introduction of the DCTS, which would take off in April, 99 per cent of Nigeria’s exports to the UK would be duty-free, as we see this as a real opportunity to improve trading between both countries.”

“The UK market is a very large one. So, we have reached out to small and large businesses in different parts of the country. This is intended to help exporters and other people in the trading business to make the United Kingdom an export destination.

“Also, it is important to note that our government has been carrying out a lot of work in the country through initiatives as British International Investment, which looks into the possibilities of investment and provides them.

“We work closely with the Nigerian authorities to overcome some challenges that come with investing in the country and we are also working on several ways to further strengthen the relationship between both countries,” he said.

Llewellyn-Jones announced that the UK government was looking at partnering with Nigeria in supplying electric meters to the country.

“In trading, there are different markets that can be explored, and we are exploring different ways to make Nigeria our top trade partner. It is important to note that, sometimes, it is about the quality one has to offer.

“The UK is known to have one of the most sophisticated metering in the world, which would make a quality difference in Nigeria when it comes to the electricity sector as consumers would get the best value for their money spent.

“In terms of services, there are different British schools in the country as well as various partnerships with universities across the country. This goes to show that we are also about substance.

“We are committed in ensuring that we explore every opportunity available to strengthen the bilateral relationship between both countries,” he said.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has pleaded with Nigerians, including lawyers, not to pull down the Judiciary with criticisms.

Olanipekun was recently appointed a visiting Professor of Legal Practice by the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) during the institution’s seventh convocation ceremony.

The former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President gave the advice following the reaction of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kayode Ariwoola, warning that the Supreme Court’s silence on attacks on its judicial officers should not be mistaken for weakness or cowardice.

Ariwoola said those who had been venting convoluted anger were ignorant of the law, adding that the insinuations that the apex court justices were bought over was nothing but bizarre expression of ignorance.

Olanipekun urged lawyers to subject any matter or judgment of the courts to criticism in law journals, law reports or write ups, and not by abusing the justices.

The former NBA president stressed that abuses do not constitute arguments and would not improve arguments.

According to him, it is sacrilegious for any lawyer to be commenting on any matter pending in court.

“It is always better, and by the ethics of our profession, when a matter is subjudice, it is not advisable to comment on it,” Olanipekun said.

On the naira redesign, the legal luminary backed the currencies swap policy but faulted the implementation procedures, which he said have inflicted hardship on Nigerians.

The Body of Benchers chairman said it was unfortunate that a policy, which should improve financial inclusion and protect the interests of the masses, has paralysed economic activities across the country.

He said: “The reality on the ground is that the policy of the new redesigned naira is a good idea but the implementation of the good idea is faulty.

“The naira policy, the way it was initiated, I don’t want to doubt the good faith of government, but one thing is that government exists to make life easier, pleasurable, meaningful, habitable for the citizenry. That is the prime essence of government.

“I will not say much, if government says that they are doing this because they don’t want the politics and election to be monetised. I agreed with government but the question is this, if your election and your politics are monetised, what are the security agencies doing,” Olanipekun added.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has advised Nigerians to call the agency’s toll free numbers in case of an emergency in their communities.

The toll free numbers are: 08032003555 or 099043760.

NEMA’s Head of Abuja Operations Office, Mr. Justin Uwazuruonye, announced the numbers in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.

Uwazuruonye said the numbers, which are always active and manned by its experienced workers, would be followed up by mobilising other stakeholders in disaster response to the location of any incident.

“The problem we have been facing is that Nigerians do not call us on time. This is because we do not live within that vicinity and it only those around that area that can call us.

“Once we receive a call of that nature, we immediately mobilise the various stakeholders in emergency response to the location of the incident.

“But what we have been experiencing over the years is that some Nigerians start attacking us when we get there, which is not meant to be.

“Also, the habits of Nigerians to NEMA, fire service, FRSC or even hospital ambulances, should change.

“Most times, you see some motorists not giving way when they hear our sirens blaring.

“We want them to know that we will not blare these sirens if there was no emergency. So, we need them to assist us so that we can effectively carry out our duties,” he said.

Ahead of the onset of the rainy season, Uwazuruonye urged Nigerians to desist from building on waterways and blocking drainage systems with their solid waste.

• Global bank insists fight against inflation priority for 2023
• Projects global growth slowing to 2.9%

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said the OPEC+ production cuts will reduce overall revenue for Nigeria and other international oil exporters.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, who spoke at the seventh Arab Fiscal Forum at the weekend in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), said fighting inflation would be the global monetary institution’s priority for the year.

The IMF boss said the fund had projects slower global growth of 2.9 per cent.

According to her, global growth remains weak but may be at a turning point.

Georgieva said: “For oil importers, the challenges would continue. Public debt is a particular concern, with several economies in the region facing elevated debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratios — some close to 90 per cent.”

But the IMF boss said after expanding by 3.4 per cent last year, global growth would be slowing to 2.9 per cent in 2023 and rebounding slightly to 3.1 per cent in 2024.

“We released our latest forecast two weeks ago. While less gloomy than in October, we still project slower growth, and the fight against inflation remains a priority for 2023,” she added.

On the positives, the IMF Managing Director projected that inflation was declining from 8.8 per cent in 2022 to 6.6 per cent this year, and would be 4.3 per cent in 2024, although it would still be above pre-pandemic levels for most countries.

As the global economy slows, growth is also expected to drop in the Middle East and North Africa — from 5.4 per cent in 2022 to 3.2 per cent this year before ticking up to 3.5 per cent in 2024, Georgieva said.

The IMF boss noted that for the fourth consecutive year, the global fund expected inflation in the region to surpass 10 per cent —above the global average.

“For the region’s emerging market and low-income economies, this reflects the lingering effects of higher food prices and, in some cases, exchange rate depreciations. We expect inflation to gradually decline as commodity prices settle and tighter monetary and fiscal policies have their intended effect. For the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, we expect inflation to remain contained.

“But for the region too, we worry about risks. Russia’s war in Ukraine and climate disasters could worsen food shortages for the most vulnerable. Add to this persistently high unemployment, especially among young people, and you have a significant risk to social stability,” she added.

Tighter global or domestic financial conditions could lead to high borrowing costs and, in some cases, a financing crunch.

The IMF boss said domestically, delays in much-needed reforms could weigh on regional prospects and government finances.

She advised countries to have a robust framework to conduct fiscal policy and manage fiscal risks.

“With today’s shock-prone and uncertain world, the conduct of fiscal policy takes on added significance but also added complexity,” Georgieva said.

Leader of the Association of Ram and Goat Sellers in Lagos State, Alhaji Alkali Muhammad Ibrahim, has described the  All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential standard bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a detribalised leader.

He said Tinubu was the ‘only political leader who loves particularly the Igbo, Hausa/Fulanis,  and   people of other  tribes with the passion with which he loves the Yoruba.

Speaking  during an intensive door-to-door  campaign of a network of canvassers constituted for Tinubu’s presidency by Lagos State Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, Alkali urged all Nigerians  to support the APC  standard bearer at the forthcoming presidential polls.

“Today, Asiwaju is the only Mandela of Nigeria, because of the impartial manner he settled inter-communal crises between Hausa and his Yoruba brothers, and between Yoruba and Igbo and also giving them a sense of belonging by appointing them into high offices, both in his government and the party, apart from his great achievements towards the development of the state,”  he said.

He hailed  Bello  and group of canvassers for their efforts and support for Tinubu.

“As you can see, they are everywhere in the on-going door-to- door exercise, mobilising in support of Tinubu/Shettima/Sanwo-Olu. They are leaving no stone unturned. I’m happy at the good work they are doing across the state, and this is why my humble self and a good number of our members are also actively going around with them as an expression of our solidarity,” he said.

Secretary of the association, Alhaji Abdullahi Adeniji,who called citizens to support Tinubu, said the former Lagos governor would not only usher in peace, but also progress as he did when he governed the state. He also described him as a unifying factor in Nigerian politics.

Co-ordinator of the group of canvassers, Alhaji Ibrahim Alao Megida, who is also a Senior Special Assistant (Political) to Bello, thanked him for the idea of  the current mobilisation and  the huge financial expenses involved.

“For several weeks past now, we had busied ourselves day and night on the streets in intensive door-to-door campaign through out the state convincing the electorates not only to obtain their PVC, but also ensure that they use it for Tinubu.I am glad to tell you that the exercise so far, has been a huge success. From what I have seen so far, I have no doubt that the good people of Lagos State will come out in large numbers to vote not only for Tinubu, as president of our great nation, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu as governor, but also ensure a successful outing for all contestants under the APC umbrella,” he added.

A prominent women leader, and Chairman Conference of Principals,Lagos State, Mrs. Morenikeji Kuforiji, urged every woman in the country to  vote for Tinubu because of his passion for   the advancement of women.