Category: Featured

By Tony Akowe and Nicholas Kalu, Abuja

Secession agitators are not different from Boko Haram and  Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) members, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has said.

He described them as criminals masquerading as secession activists to unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians and engage in economic sabotage.

The Speaker warned that if given time and space, the agitators  would use their groups to put the nation on  the path of destruction, Gbajabiamila stated this in Abuja  while addressing members of the House on resumption from their summer vacation.

He used the opportunity to read a letter by President Muhammadu Buhari seeking approval to borrow $4 billion and €710 million loans to fund the 2021 budget.

Gbajabiamila, who assured that the House would no longer fold its arms and watch the agitators cause disunity in the country, stated that now was the time for statesmen to act beyond the petty considerations of politics for Nigeria to achieve greatness.

He said: “Let it be apparent to those who have made themselves enemies of Nigeria that this 9th House of Representatives will respond to the audacity of their evil with every tool and resource at our disposal, and we will not be deterred.

Read Also; Olubadan, Soun, Olowo, Oluwo, other Yoruba monarchs demand peace, oppose secession

“Thus far, we have rightly focused our national security concerns on the machinations of extremist insurgents who seek to remake our world in the image of their discredited theocracy and bandits who maraud and terrorise whole regions for profit.

“We must now add to these concerns an emerging threat that presents the same clear and present danger.

“In the South of Nigeria, East and West, miscreants, and criminals masquerading as separationist activists have emerged to wreak havoc, take lives and commit economic sabotage against fellow Nigerians and against the state.

“These people, in their inclination for devastating violence against fellow citizens, their appetite for the destruction of private property, their disruption of academic activities, commerce, and industry, their propensity for defiling institutions of the state, society, and community, their refusal to engage in debate, or to consider the possibility of dissenting opinions and alternative viewpoints are no different from Boko Haram and ISWAP.

“Given space and time, they will take our nation down the same path of destruction. We know from experience that neither appeasement nor overwhelming violence alone will work.

“We have been down this road before; we know what the consequences of inaction can be. We also know that we cannot afford to be reactionary in our approach.

“This is the time to convene our best efforts to articulate a political, economic, military, and policing  strategy to address both the manifestations and root causes of this emerging threat.

“Let nobody be under the impression that there is a political opportunity in exploiting this moment. This is a time for statesmen to act beyond the petty considerations of politics, to do the hard things and achieve greatness”.

He assured that  the 9th House of Representatives will continue to take action as required to address statutory deficiencies that limit the ability of the nation’s security apparatus to respond effectively to the insecurity in the country.

The Speaker said the House would  prioritise national security bills that seek to implement the recommendations of the security summit organised by the House during the new legislative session.

He later read the letter in which Buhari also sought approval for a $125 million grant.

Like his letter to the Senate, the President explained that the loans and grant   were an addendum to the 2018-2021 Federal Government External Borrowing Rolling Plan.

He  said the need to borrow more funds was to meet the emerging needs of some critical projects.

“The projects listed in the addendum to the 2018-2021 Federal Government External Borrowing Rolling Plan are  to be financed through sovereign loans from the World Bank, French Development Agency, China Exim Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Credit Suisse Group and Standard Chartered/China Export and Credit (SINOSURE), in the total sum of $4,054,476,863 plus Euro 710,000,000. and grant component of $125,000,000.00,” the letter read.

The National Assembly had in July approved $8,325,526,537 and €490 million loan requests by Buhari.

By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

• UN should ignore demands
• Speaker: secession agitators not different from Boko Haram

The Presidency on Wednesday warned Yoruba Nation agitators against an alliance with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

It argued that their romance with IPOB has put a question mark on their claim to being rights promoters.

The Presidency asked the United Nations to ignore the demands made by the Yoruba Nation agitators, IPOB members in the Diaspora and Middle Belt activists for not being in line with the global body’s values.

Also on Wednesday, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila flayed secession agitators, saying there are not different from the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) and Boko Haram members.

The Yoruba Nation agitators, in collaboration with IPOB members in the Diaspora on Tuesday, stage a protest at the UN headquarters in New York, United States.

During the protest coordinated by the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS), the agitators urged the UN to supervise a referendums in the Southern parts of Nigeria and the Middle Belt.

They also demanded an end to the killings allegedly being perpetrated by suspected herdsmen.

Read Also: Presidency: Buhari will respect court verdict on VAT

But in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the Presidency said it was stunned to see “Yoruba Nation” advocates throwing their weight behind IPOB.

The statement reads: “For Nigerian diaspora groups to use the world’s largest platform – the United Nations General Assembly – to garner attention to their causes are not unexpected.

“It was, however shocking, to see “Yoruba Nation” advocates yesterday (Tuesday) unequivocally throw their lot in with IPOB.

”IPOB has now publicly revealed a 50,000 strong paramilitary organisation.

“It (IPOB) regularly murders security services and innocent civilians, with a significant uptick of violent attacks this year. And it is currently attempting to hold Nigerian states hostage with orders to stay at home under threat of terror.

“Without doubt, Nigerians and the entire world will judge Yoruba Nation by the company it keeps.

“No one can take seriously this organisation if it continues its IPOB association. When their allies systematically trample human rights, it raises sober questions about their claims to uphold the values of the UN.

“The cooperation is a worrying development, once parsed with Yoruba Nation’s increasingly violent rallies in Nigeria.

”Actions and associations speak louder than words. Yoruba Nation’s talk of human rights promotion must therefore be ignored.”.

The Presidency also restated its commitment to the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows, adding that it would continue building and joining global alliances in the battle.

It said the Muhammadu Buhari Administration was steadfast in its fight against terrorism, particularly in the Sahel region.

The Presidency added: “The Nigerian government will continue its work at the UN- to fight against corruption and illicit financial flows, and international cooperation.

“If we want to see stolen funds returned to their rightful home in Nigeria, the government must continue to campaign for and coordinate global action on asset recovery.

“The government will remain the leading regional actor in the fight against global terror – particularly against threats emanating from the Sahel. Through the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps programme, the country also shares technical expertise with countries from the Caribbean, Africa and the Pacific.

“At the same time, the administration is implementing a programme of environmental sustainability to combat developments, which destroy Nigerian communities in vulnerable regions.

“Only through the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development can we secure a prosperous future for Nigeria.

“As the largest country in Africa, the government takes seriously its leadership role and will continue to strive for continental unity, cooperation, and shared prosperity”, the statement said.

It, however, sought the media’s support in projecting the programme of the administration, saying “our expectation is therefore   for the media to work with the government to focus attention on the core issues the President, the leader of the country has on his programme.”

By Bassey Anthony, Uyo; Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu; Toba Adedeji, Osogbo

• Oyetola, Udom sign Anti-Open Grazing Bill

The Value Added Tax (VAT), Inter State boundary and security will top the agenda of the southern governors’ meeting on Thursday in Enugu.

Thursday’s meeting, which is the third, trails the previous ones hosted by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Delta State counterpart, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

During their Asaba meeting, the 17 governors called for concerted efforts at tackling the worsening insecurity.

In Lagos, they resolved to enact laws in their respective states against open grazing.

They also called for presidential zoning to the South.

Some of the governors have signed the anti-open grazing bills into law. However, in the Southeast, only Enugu State has a law against open grazing.

Igbo youths on Wednesday urged the Southern governors to prevail on Southest governors to legalise the ban on open grazing in the region.

They urged the governors of Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi and Abia states to emulate their Enugu counterpart Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who had signed the state’s anti-open grazing bill into law.

Read Also; Battle for VAT collection shifts to Supreme Court

On Wednesday, Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel and his Osun State counterpart Gboyega Oyetola, signed the anti-open grazing bill into law.

Apart from Enugu, no other state in the Southeast has initiated any legislative move towards legalising the ban on open grazing.

In a statement in Enugu, the President-General of Ohanaeze Youth Congress (OYC), Okwu Nnabuike, urged the Southern governors, who are meeting in Enugu today to prevail on other Southeast governors to legalise the ban.

He lamented that Southeast governors were only paying lip service to their resolutions.

Nnabuike said: “We heartily welcome them to Enugu, a very peaceful state and urge them to ensure that resolutions they make during these meetings are implemented by all the member-states”.

He added: “We are not pleased with other states in Southeast which are paying lip service to the open-grazing ban.

“This is unacceptable, and we have said before that should anything happen to any Igbo community, those governors would be held accountable. They cannot sacrifice the lives of our people on the altar of politics.”

Akwa Ibom’s Bill to Prohibit Open Rearing and Grazing of Livestock also made provision for the establishment of ranches.

Emmanuel assented to the bill after it was presented to him by the House of Assembly Speaker, Aniekan Bassey, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Uko Udom (SAN).

Emmanuel said that the law is no respecter of persons, irrespective of status or caliber.

He directed relevant authorities to ensure that the law is enforced, stressing that culprits must be brought to book.

Emmanuel said: “The law will promote modern techniques in animal husbandry, prevent the destruction of farms by wandering cattles, while reducing clashes and killings between herders and farmers in the state.

“It will also promote international best practices in livestock administration, regulation and control in the state.”

Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, at the plenary, noted that the law will prevent the destruction of farms and crops by open grazing of livestock.

Oyetola’s Chief Press Secretary Ismail Omipidan, told reporters in Osogbo, that his boss has signed the bill into law.

He said: “Mr Governor has signed the anti-open grazing bill into law immediately the bill was transmitted from the House of Assembly to the office of his excellency. We have notified the security agencies that will enforce the law in every part of the state, so, it is a crime to practice open grazing in Osun state.

“Osun State is one of the most peaceful states in the country. We have fewer challenges of herders invading farms to destroy the crop or attacking farmers because we had in place a Committee on Peaceful Co-Existence between Fulani/Bororo and Crop Farmers, led by Mudasiru Toogun, to foster peace between these communities.

“Before enacting this law, we have summoned stakeholder meeting to deliberate on the matter and we have enlightened the herders in the state on the benefit of embracing ranching system. We have made provisions for the practice of ranching through the ministry of agriculture.”

He added that the law will prevent killings, sexual molestation, and protect the environment from degradation and pollution caused by open grazing.

Omipidan added: “Any person or group who contravenes the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to terms of imprisonment of not less than 3 years without the option of fine as well as forfeiture of the herds of Cattle or livestock under his or her control to the State Government.

“A minor is prohibited from grazing, rearing or herding of livestock except under the supervision of an adult.

“A minor who contravenes the provision of Section 3 (4) committed an offence, and the guardian or parent of the minor or owner of the livestock as the case may be, shall be vicariously liable on conviction to a fine of N300,000.00 only.”

He noted that the conveyance of livestock on foot from one destination to another in the State is prohibited, except such movement is by Rail Wagon or Truck or pick-up wagon and is within 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie and Fanen Ihyongo, Kano

• Parents keep children away in fear of abduction

Over a million pupils will miss school this year due to fear of abduction and attacks, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said.

The agency said 20 attacks have occurred in schools this year, with 1,436 children abducted and 16 killed.

Over 200 are still missing, UNICEF Nigeria Representative Peter Hawkins said.

Many schools resumed this week after the long vacation. More will resume next week.

But pupils in the Northwest, ravaged by banditry, may not be returning. They are largely affected by the alarm UNICEF raised.

Many of the states have either shut schools or postponed resumption.

The states in the situation are Kaduna, Niger, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina.

More than 37 million Nigerian kids are expected to start the new school year of who over one million would be left behind because their parents “will be afraid to return them to school due to insecurity”, according to the agency.

Read Also; Attacks on schools threaten Nigeria’s future, by UN agencies

Hawkins, in a statement by UNICEF Communication Specialist, Samuel Kaalu, noted that learners were being cut off from their education and other vital benefits schools provide.

He said families and communities remain fearful of sending children back to their classrooms due to the spate of attacks and abductions in the country.

“A child’s first day in school should be an exciting moment for him and his parents -a landmark moment in their young lives, signalling new learning and new friendships that will impact on their futures.

“This moment is being stolen from around a million Nigerian children this year, as insecurity threatens their education and safety.

“It is unacceptable that communities should be worried to send their children to school over fears they will be abducted from what should be a safe space.

“It is unacceptable that children fear returning to their friends and classrooms and parents are afraid that if they send their children to school, they may never return.

“This insecurity must end so that children can return to their normal lives and benefit from all the important things being in school bring to them,” Hawkins said.

In February, 27 pupils and 15 staff members were abducted from the Government Science College in Kagara, Niger State.

Over 27 pupils were abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara State the same month.

In March, gunmen attacked the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, in Kaduna State, abducting 29 students.

In April, 20 students of the Greenfield University, Kaduna, were abducted. Five of them were killed.

In May, bandits abducted 156 children from the Salihu Tanko Islamic School, Tegina, Niger State.

In June, about 80 pupils were abducted from the Federal Government College, Birnin-Yauri in Kebbi state.

Early this month, gunmen abducted 73 pupils from the Government Day Secondary School in Kaya, Zamfara State.

UNICEF expressed worry that over one million children will not be able to resume school because of the growing insecurity.

The UN Agency has brought to the country the fourth international conference on safe school declaration with the theme: “Ensuring Safe Education for All: From Commitment to Practice” – and is expected to play a key role in the programme.

It will be held next month from October 25 to 27 in Abuja.

The UN agency said the domestication and implementation of the Safe School Declaration in all states would help protect schools from attacks.

According to UNICEF Maiduguri Chief of Field Office, Samuel Sesay, the government must increase budgetary allocation for the education sector, create reporting desks in schools and invest in emergency preparedness training in schools and communities.

By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili is on the watch-list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) said on Wednesday.

The agency’s claim was contained in its response to a suit by Odili, in which he is among others, querying the seizure of his international passport by officials of the agency.

It was however silent on why the ex-governor was placed on its watch-list, following a request to the effect by the EFCC.

In a counter-affidavit filed by its lawyer, Jimoh Adamu, the NIS justified the seizure of the former governor’s passport and faulted his claims in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/965/2021.

It reads: “The applicant’s passport was seized because he is on the service’s (NIS’) watch list as requested by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

“It is the government’s policy that streamlines the security agencies present at the point of entry/exit from the country.  The respondents (NIS and its Comptroller-General) are the lead agency for the above stated function.

Read Also; Nigeria spends N6tr on war against terrorism, loses N5.4tr to tax evasion – EFCC chairman

“All security agencies collaborate by submitting list of any person on the watch list to the respondents.

“The respondents are to carry out the function at the point of entry/exit. The applicant (Odili) was watch listed at the request by the EFCC.

“By the virtue of Section 31 of the Immigration Act 2015, the respondents are empowered to prevent the departure from Nigeria where there is a request to arrest such a person in the public interest as requested in the instant case by the EFCC.

“By the above section of the Immigration Act, the respondents are empowered to seize the applicant’s international passport because he was watch listed sequel to EFCC requested.”

The NIS argued that it was pre-mature as Odili allegedly failed to meet the condition precedent to the filing of such suits.

It said: “This action is premature and incompetent as the applicant fails to serve pre-action notice on the service as condition precedent before filing this suit against the respondents.

“The failure to serve pre-action notice robs this honourable court of jurisdiction.

“The applicant is not entitled to the reliefs sought and the suit should dismiss with substantial cost for failure to comply with condition precedent.”

In his fundamental rights enforcement suit, Odili narrated how an unnamed NIS official accosted him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and requested for his passport.

He wants the court to among others, direct the NIS and its Comptroller-General to return his passport, restrain them further harassing and intimidating him and to order them to write a written apology to him “for the embarrassment occasioned by the unlawful seizure of the applicant’s international passport.”

Odili, in his supporting affidavit, gave details of how his passport was seized thus: “In the early hours of Sunday 20th June, 2021 at about 5am, I returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom where I had gone for my medicals, through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“My travel documents, including my Nigerian international passport No: B50031305 were checked and given back to me, by the immigration officials.

“However, while waiting for my luggage, an official of the immigration service came over to me and demanded for my international passport aforesaid.

“I demanded to know why he wanted it, and he stated that it was for a routine check, and that same will be given back to me the following day.

“No official explanation, other than the above conversation, was given to me. I gave him the passport, and up till now same has not been returned to me.

“The seizure of my passport by the respondents has denied me movements in and out of Nigeria, thereby restricting my movement in violation of my constitutional right to freedom of movement.

“I know as a fact that I am a very senior citizen of Nigeria, law abiding and I have done nothing to have warranted the seizure of my passport by the respondents.”

At the mention of the case on Wednesday, respondents’ lawyer, Jimoh Adamu told the court that his clients have filed a counter affidavit, but which was filed out of time.

Without any objection by Odili’s lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted the respondents’ request to regularise the process filed out of time.

Justice Mohammed adjourned till September 28 for hearing, before which Adedipe was to file his client’s response to the respondents’ counter-affidavit.

By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said a former Rivers Governor Peter Odili was under the watch list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The NIS made this public on Wednesday in its response to a suit by Odili, in which he is among others, querying the seizure of his international passport by officials of the agency.

It was however silent on why the ex-Governor was placed on its watch list following a request to the effect by the EFCC.

In a counter-affidavit filed by its lawyer, Jimoh Adamu, the NIS justified the seizure of Odili’s passport and faulted his claims in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/965/2021.

“The applicant’s passport was seized because he is on the service’s (NIS’) watch list as requested by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

“It is the government’s policy that streamlines the security agencies present at the point of entry/exit from the country. The respondents (NIS and its Comptroller-General) are the lead agency for the above stated function.

“All security agencies collaborate by submitting list of any person on the watch list to the respondents.

“The respondents are to carry out the function at the point of entry/exit. The applicant (Odili) was watch listed at the request by the EFCC.

Read Also: EFCC arrests 27 for illegal oil bunkering in Rivers

“By the virtue of Section 31 of the Immigration Act 2015, the respondents are empowered to prevent the departure from Nigeria where there is a request to arrest such a person in the public interest as requested in the instant case by the EFCC.

“By the above section of the Immigration Act, the respondents are empowered to seize the applicant’s international passport because he was watch listed sequel to EFCC requested,” it said.

In faulting the competence of the suit, the NIS argued that it was pre-matured as Odili allegedly failed to meet the condition precedent to the filing of such suits.

“This action is premature and incompetent as the applicant fails to serve pre-action notice on the service as condition precedent before filing this suit against the respondents.

“The failure to serve pre-action notice robs this honourable court of jurisdiction.

“The applicant is not entitled to the reliefs sought and the suit should be dismissed with substantial cost for failure to comply with condition precedent.”

Odili, in his fundamental rights enforcement suit, gave details of how an unnamed NIS official accosted him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and requested for his passport.

He wants the court to among others, direct the NIS and its Comptroller-General to return his passport, restrain them further further harassing and intimidating him and to order them to write a written apology to him “for the embarrassment occasioned by the unlawful seizure of the applicant’s international passport.”

Odili, in his supporting affidavit, gave details of how his passport was seized thus: “In the early hours of Sunday 20th June, 2021 at about 5am, I returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom where I had gone for my medicals, through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

“My travel documents, including my Nigerian international passport No: B50031305 were checked and given back to me, by the immigration officials.

“However, while waiting for my luggage, an official of the immigration service came over to me and demanded for my international passport aforesaid.

“I demanded to know why he wanted it, and he stated that it was for a routine check, and that same will be given back to me the following day.

“No official explanation, other than the above conversation, was given to me. I gave him the passport, and up till now same has not been returned to me.

“The seizure of my passport by the respondents has denied me movements in and out of Nigeria, thereby restricting my movement in violation of my constitutional right to freedom of movement.

“I know as a fact that I am a very senior citizen of Nigeria, law abiding and I have done nothing to have warranted the seizure of my passport by the respondents.”

At the mention of the case on Wednesday, respondents’ lawyer, Jimoh Adamu told the court that his clients have filed a counter affidavit, but which was filed out of time.

Without any objection by Odili’s lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted the respondents’ request to regularise the process filed out of time.

Justice Mohammed then adjourned till September 28 for hearing, before which Adedipe was to file his client’s response to the respondents’ counter-affidavit.

By Toba Adedeji, Osogbo

Osun Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has signed the bill banning the practice of open grazing in the state into law.

Osun Assembly passed the bill to regulate animal grazing and establishments of cattle ranches and other related matters.

Speaker Timothy Owoeye at the plenary noted that the bill passed will prevent the destruction of farms, crops by open rearing and grazing of livestock.

Oyetola’s Chief Press Secretary Ismail Omipidan confirmed that Governor has signed the anti-open grazing bill into law.

He said: “Mr Governor has signed the anti-open grazing bill into law immediately the bill was transmitted from the House of Assembly to the office of his Excellency.

“We have notified the security agencies that will enforce the law in every part of the state, so, it is a crime to practice open grazing in Osun state.

“Osun State is one of the most peaceful states in the country, we have fewer challenges of herders invading people farm to destroy the crop or attacking farmer because we had in place Committee on Peaceful Co-Existence between Fulani/Bororo and Crop Farmers led by Hon Mudasiru Toogun to foster peace between these communities.

Read Also: Grazing: beyond emotions and legalism

“Before enacting this law, we have summoned stakeholder meeting to deliberate on the matter and we have enlightened the herders in the state on the benefit of embracing ranching system. We have made provisions for the practice of ranching through the ministry of agriculture.”

He added that the law will prevent killings, sexual molestation, protect the environment from degradation and pollution caused by open rearing and grazing of livestock.

“Any person or group who contravenes the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to terms of imprisonment of not less than 3 years without the option of fine as well as forfeiture of the herds of Cattle or livestock under his or her control to the State Government.

“A minor is prohibited from grazing, rearing or herding of livestock except under the supervision of an adult.

“A minor who contravenes the provision of Section 3 (4) committed an offence, and the guardian or parent of the minor or owner of the livestock as the case may be, shall be vicariously liable on conviction to a fine of N300,000.00 only.”

He noted that the conveyance of livestock on foot from one destination to another in the State is prohibited, except such movement is by Rail Wagon or Truck or pick-up wagon and is within 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.