Category: Featured

By Sanni Onogu and Nicholas Kalu, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday took another conscious step towards the mopping up of existing Small Arms and Light Weapons, which have fueled insecurity across the country.

He urged the Senate to pass two bills seeking to control small arms, light weapons and explosives.

Also on Tuesday, Defence Minister Bashir Magashi briefed the House of Representatives Committee on Defence on the recent agreement with Russia aimed at tackling insecurity.

In August, Nigeria and Russia signed an agreement for the Russian Armed Forces to train and supply the Nigerian Armed Forces.

It was signed in Moscow by Magashi and the Director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Dmitry Shugaev.

Read Also: Buhari seeks Senate’s approval for $4bn, Euro 710m external loan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan read President Buhari’s letters on the floor during plenary.

The President said the Bill on the control of small arms and light weapons sought to transform the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons into a National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons. The centre will operate under the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Buhari’s letter titled: “Transmission of the control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill 2021 to the National Assembly for consideration” reads:

“Pursuant to Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as emended), I forward herewith, the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill 2021 for the kind consideration by the Senate

“The Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons 2021 seeks to transform the Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons into a National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons under the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, when fully operationalized, would go a long way at expressing Nigeria’s optimism and practical commitment to the global fight against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, including the mopping up of existing Small Arms and Light Weapons which have become a significant driver of insecurity across the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

In another letter titled: “Transmission of the Explosives Bill 2021 to the National Assembly for contribution,” Buhari said:

“Pursuant to Section 56(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as emended), I forward herewith the Explosives Bill 2021 for the kind consideration by the Senate

“The Explosives Bill 2021 seeks to repeal the Explosives Act 1964 and enact the Explosives Act, to regulate the manufacture, storage, possession, distribution, purchase, sale, transportation, importation, and exportation of explosives and for related matters.”

At the briefing with the House Committee, its chairman, Babajimi Benson, advised that reporters should not be allowed to cover the event due to security implication.

He said: “The minister is here today to honour our invitation for him to shed more light on the recently executed agreement between the Nigerian government and the Russian Federation and as it affects our fight against banditry, insurgency and kidnapping and all other vices we have in Nigeria and also its implications on national security.”

By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja and Ernest Nwokolo,  Abeokuta

• Rivers seeks to upturn status quo order

• Bill passes second reading in Ogun

The battle on which authority has the right to collect Value Added Tax (VAT) is now in the Supreme Court.

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has taken the battle to claim the VAT collected in his state to the Supreme Court.

The government has asked the apex court to set aside the “maintain status quo” order  given last week by the Court of Appeal to enable him implement the state law which empowers it to collect the VAT.

The Court of Appeal gave the order pending the determination of the prayer by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which sought to upturn the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Rivers endorsing the collection of the tax by the state government.

On Tuiesday, the Ogun State government, one of the states with the highest VAT collections, joined the fray.

The bill to empower the state government to commence collection of VAT in its domain passed the second reading of the House of Assembly. It will go into public hearing before its passage.

The VAT has been collected by the FIRS on behalf of the Federal Government since 2004.

It is shared at 50 per cent among states and 38 per cent among the 774 local governments. The Federal Government takes 18 per cent.

The VAT is 7.5% tax on consumption and as well as goods and services.

About N8.8 trillion naira was generated in 2020.

The Federal Government got the support of Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, who said he would prefer that it continued with the collection.

Read Also: FG will obey court’s final verdict on VAT issue – Adesina

The Rivers State Government asked the Supreme Court to reverse the September 10 order by the Court of Appeal directing parties in the dispute over the administration of VAT to maintain status quo ante bellum.

Rivers, in a notice of appeal filed in the name of its attorney general, also wants the Supreme Court to order the Court of Appeal to assemble a separate panel to hear the appeal, marked: CA/PH/282/2021 filed against the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, Port-Harcourt, by the FIRS.

In the notice of appeal filed for Rivers by a legal team, led by Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), the appellant raised 10 grounds in support of its prayers.

Rivers said it was dissatisfied with the decision of the Appeal Court, said “directing parties to maintain status quo, that is, to restore parties to the status quo that existed before the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt division in suit: FHC/PH/CS/149/2020.”

According to the State, the Appeal Court Justices, who gave the September 10 order,  erred in law when they relied on Section 6(6) of the Constitution and the court’s inherent jurisdiction to order parties to maintain status quo, “which they identified as restoring the parties to the position they were before the judgment of the Federal High Court .”

The state said the Justices applied  the principle governing the exercise of inherent jurisdiction laid down by the Supreme Court in Shugaba vs Union Bank (1999) 11 NWLR (pt. 627) 459 to the effect that no court had an inherent jurisdiction (except in extreme circumstance) to set aside the exercise of discretion of another court with regard to order made in respect of application for a stay of execution.

It contended, in ground two, that the Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law when they wrongly assumed jurisdiction to entertain the oral application for maintenance made by lawyer to the  FIRS “in spite of the fact that a condition precedent to the invocation of the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal was not fulfilled by the first respondent (FIRS).

The appellant added that the Court of Appeal failed to appreciate that failure to comply with the condition precedent robbed the court of the requisite jurisdiction to entertain or grant the reliefs sought.

It contended in ground three that the Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law and breached its (the appellant’s) right of fair hearing when they entertained a vague oral application for maintenance of status quo and went ahead to make orders aimed at maintaining the status quo ante bellum.

Rivers is contending,in ground four that the “Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law when, in spite of a behemoth of binding precedents on what status quo ante bellum is, they went ahead and made orders for maintenance of status quo ante bellum, without due regard to the undeniable fact that judgment had already been entered in favour of the appellant and which had the practical effect of upturning a valid judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction and its order refusing to grant an injunction pending appeal, at a time when the Court of Appeal was yet to hear the appeal.”

It is contending, in ground five, that the justices erred in law in granting an order for the maintenance of status quo ante bellum, which amounted “effectively to an order for stay of execution and injunction against the declaratory orders of the Federal High Court, on an oral application by the appellant, pending the hearing of the various applications before it, and thus occasioned a miscarriage of justice, to the prejudice of the first respondent -now appellant – (Rivers State).

Ogun State House of Assembly unanimously agreed that when operational, the bill would accord the state its rightful position as a viable federating unit.

The bill “H.B No. 73/OG/2021- A bill for a law to impose and charge value added tax on certain Goods and services, provides for the administration of the tax and for related purposes.”

The motion for the second reading was moved by Majority leader Yusuf Sheriff.

In their contributions, Olakunle Sobukanla, Ganiyu Oyedeji, Adegoke Adeyanju and Abdul Bashir Oladunjoye – underscored the need for the enactment of the proposed law as a federating unit to further improve revenue accruable to the State.

The lawmakers reckoned that a VAT law would ensure a seamless funding of more projects,. They lamented that the state often got less of what it contributed in VAT.

In their submissions, Kemi Oduwole, Oludaisi Elemide, Solomon Osho and Olusola Adams explained that the bill would improve the state’s financial status through tax revenue generation.

Speaker Oluomo lauded his colleagues for their contributions to the debate and committed it to the Committee on Finance and Appropriation for further legislative actions. He fixed the public hearing on the bill for September 23.

By Sanni Onogu, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday sought National Assembly’s approval of a fresh loan of $4.1bn and Euro 710million to finance critical projects in the 2021 budget.

He also requested the legislature’s nod for  a grant of $125million to fund the budget which is being awaited by the National Assembly.

The sums are contained in Buhari’s letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan to members of the upper legislative chamber at plenary. The members resumed yesterday after a two-month annual vacation.

According to the President, the request is an addendum to the proposed 2018 – 2021 Federal Government External Borrowing Rolling Plan earlier approved by the National Assembly.

He explained that the projects are  listed in the addendum to the 2018 – 2021 Federal Government External Borrowing Rolling Plan. They are to be financed through loans from the World Bank, French Development Agency, China Exim Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Credit  Suisse Group, among others.

The President’s  letter to the Senate  was titled: “Addendum to the request for Senate’s concurrent approval of multilateral fund projects under the 2018-2021 Federal Government external borrowing (rolling) plan.”

Read Also: States get nod for more borrowing

It reads: “I write in respect of the above subject and to submit the attached addendum to the proposed 2018-2021 Federal Government external borrowing (rolling) plan for the consideration and concurrent approval of the Senate for same to become effective.”The distinguishing Senate President may wish to recall that I earlier transmitted a request on the proposed 2018-2020 Federal Government External Borrowing Plan for the concurrent approval of the Senate in May 2021.

“However, in view of other emerging needs and to ensure that all critical projects approved by FEC as of June 2021 are incorporated. I hereby forward an addendum to the proposed borrowing plan.

“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 Senate is kindly invited to note that the projects and programmes in the borrowing plan were selected based on positive, technical and economic evaluations and the contribution they would make to the socio-economic development of the country including employment generation and poverty reduction as well as protection of the most vulnerable and very poor segments of the Nigerian society

“The Senate may also wish to note that all the listed projects in the addendum form part of the 2018-2021 External Borrowing Plan and covered both the Federal and States Government Projects and are geared towards the realisation of the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan that cut across key sectors such as infrastructure, health, agriculture and food security, energy, education, and human capital development and COVID-19 response efforts.

“A summary of some key projects in each of the six geo-political zones and a summary of the expected impacts on the socio-economic development of each of the six geo-political zones are attached herewith as Annex II and III

“Given the importance attached to the timely delivery of the projects listed in the proposed Borrowing Plan and the benefits both the Federal and state governments stand to gain from the implementation of the same.

“I hereby wish to request for the kind consideration and concurrent approval of the Senate for projects listed in the addendum to the 2018-2021 Federal Government External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan to enable the projects to become effective.”

By Alao Abiodun

Separatist campaigners – Yoruba Nation agitators, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other agitators from the South and the Middle Belt – on Tuesday, stormed the United Nations Headquarters in New York for their one-million-man freedom march.

The Nation reports the protest, which holds from September 14 to 24 opposite the UN headquarters in New York, United States, coincides with the 76th UN General Assembly, which started on Tuesday.

The protest, monitored virtually by The Nation, is coordinated by the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS).

The protesters are asking the United Nations to supervise referendums in the Middle Belt and southern parts of Nigeria.

They also demanded an end to the killings by suspected herdsmen in the name of grazing and rejected the 1999 constitution.

Read Also; PHOTOS: Yoruba Nation, IPOB, others storm UN General Assembly

The self-determination agitators marched around the area where they camped, displaying placards and chanting protest songs.

They chanted “what do we want? Yoruba nation”, “end Nigeria now, we want our nation”, “Yoruba nation, no going back”.

In a letter addressed to UN, the agitators said: “We, the Indigenous Peoples of Nigeria gather today at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York to alert the UN, and the rest of the Global Community that the Union of Nigeria has failed irredeemably; and is now at the verge of a Violent Disintegration with Catastrophic Consequences for Global Peace, and Security as our population of over 200 million would become an Instant Global Refugee Nightmare.

“Amidst the extraordinary difficulties inflicted by the imposition and enforcement of Sharia by a section of Nigeria in a supposedly Secular Union, the immediate reason for this looming catastrophe is the Cocktail of Mass Killing, Kidnapping and General Banditry being orchestrated against the Indigenous Peoples of Nigeria by an invading Fulani Militia masquerading as Herdsmen in an undisguised Ethnic Cleansing Campaign that progressively demonstrate the Complicity of the Federal Government of Nigeria headed by Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, a Fulani man, who as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is also the Life Grand Patron of the notorious Myetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria; that proudly takes responsibility for the Murderous Exploits of the Fulani Herdsmen Militia designated the Fourth Most Deadly Terror Group.

“An Online Petition conveying the Demands of that Constitutional Force Majeure Proclamation, is currently before the UN Security Council.

“That Nigeria has failed as a State is no longer a Subject for Debate, having emerged the Global Poverty Capital, and Playing Host to Two of the World’s Top Four Most Deadly Terrorists Organisation, with Three-quarters of the Constituent Components (South and Middle-Belt) Seeking Urgent Extrication by Way of Referendums from what has become a Union of Death.”

By Sanni Onogu, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to approve a fresh loan of $4,054,476, 863.00, Euro 710million and a grant of $125million to finance critical projects in the 2021 budget.

Buhari’s request was contained in his letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan at plenary following the resumption of the upper chamber from its two-month annual vacation.

According to the President, the request is an addendum to the proposed 2018 – 2021 Federal Government External Borrowing Rolling Plan earlier approved by the National Assembly.

He said that 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, among others.

“In view of other emerging needs and to ensure that all critical projects approved by FEC as at June 2021 are incorporated, I hereby forward an addendum to the proposed borrowing plan,” Buhari said.

The letter titled: “Addendum to the request for Senate’s concurrent approval of multilateral fund projects under the 2018-2021 Federal Government external borrowing (rolling) plan” reads: “I write in respect of the above subject and to submit the attached addendum to the proposed 2018-2021 Federal Government external borrowing (rolling) plan for the consideration and concurrent approval of the Senate for same to become effective.

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

“The distinguishing Senate President may wish to recall that I earlier transmitted a request on the proposed 2018-2020 Federal Government External Borrowing Plan for the concurrent approval of the Senate in May, 2021.

“However, in view of other emerging needs and to ensure that all critical projects approved by FEC as at June 2021 are incorporated. I hereby forward an addendum to the proposed borrowing plan.

“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 USD4,054,476,863.00 plus Euro 710,000,000.00 and grant component of USD 125,000,000.00.

“The Senate is kindly invited to note that the projects and programmes in the borrowing plan were selected based on positive, technical and economic evaluations and the contribution they would make to the socio-economic development of the country including employment generation and poverty reduction as well as protection of the most vulnerable and very poor segments of the Nigerian society

“The Senate may also wish to note that all the listed projects in the addendum form part of the 2018-2021 External Borrowing Plan and covered both the Federal and States Government Projects and are geared towards the realization of the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan that cut across key sectors such as infrastructure, health, agriculture and food security, energy, education and human capital development and COVID-19 response efforts.

“I hereby wish to request for the kind consideration and concurrent approval of the Senate for projects listed in the addendum to the 2018-2021 Federal Government External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan to enable the projects become effective.”

By Alao Abiodun

Embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho has asked Yoruba Nation supporters to forgive Ibrahim Salami, one of his Cotonou-based lawyers.

Igboho, had in a leaked audio, expressed anger with Salami’s team of about 10 lawyers in Benin Republic for failing to secure his release after about 50 days in detention.

He lambasted all his Benin Republic-based lawyers and complained about his alleged maltreatment and abandonment in prison despite receiving about N5m each.

But reacting, Salami said, Igboho was angry with him and other members of the legal team because he felt he had no reason to remain in police detention.

Read Also: Bishop tasks FG to intervene in release of Sunday Igboho

The professor of law explained that Igboho found it strange to remain in police custody for “not committing any crime”.

“He wants things to be done faster,” the lawyer said in Yoruba.

One of Igboho’s strong associates, Aare Almaroof Bobagunwa Yekini, in a video said: “This is a message from Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho Oosa, we just spoke and he asked me to plead with you all (Yoruba Nation supporters) to forgive lawyer salami

“He pleaded that we should forgive him, all freedom fighters and those who broadcasted his name everywhere. He needs us and we need him, so we all need each other.

“Igboho is our demi-god in Nigeria, he is a strong warrior. He does not insult people, and he also hates insults. We forgive you lawyer salami. It is now time for you to do the needful. Once you do the right thing, then we’ll praise you widely.”

By Tony Akowe, Abuja

Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has dismissed speculations that he intends to contest the 2023 Lagos governorship election.

The Speaker said the thought of contesting the number one position in Lagos State has never crossed his mind.

He added that Governor Babajide Sanwi-Olu was doing a great job in the current situation.

Gbajabiamila, who spoke in an interview with Channels Television monitored by The Nation, said the thought of contesting any election at this point will distract him from his current engagement.

Read Also: Gbajabiamila, Okonjo-Iweala for Kings College 112th anniversary

He said:”I have a job that I am doing presently. I don’t want any distraction. I have told those close to me that I want to concentrate on the job I am doing.

“I don’t have any plan to be governor. The current governor is doing a great job. The fact that we had a one-time governor before does not mean things will always be like that.

“He has done well in the midst of the difficult time we have had.”

The Speaker said he will want to be remembered as a lawmaker who came, got into a position and used it to work for the betterment of the country.

By Alao Abiodun

Separatist campaigners-Yoruba Nation agitators, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other agitators from the South and the Middle Belt- have stormed the United Nations for their one-million-man freedom march.

The protest, monitored virtually by The Nation, is coordinated by the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS).

The protesters are demanding the United Nations to supervise referendums in the Middle Belt and southern parts of Nigeria.

Read Also: Yoruba Nation campaigners set to resume rally in Sunday Igboho’s hometown

They also demanded an end to the genocide being perpetrated by suspected herdsmen in the name of grazing and rejected 1999 constitution.

The Nation reports the protest, which holds from September 14 to 24 opposite the UN headquarters in New York, United States, coincides with the 76th UN General Assembly, which started on Tuesday.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS), Prof. Banji Akintoye, and other leaders in a statement made available to The Nation stated that the protest was to draw the attention of world leaders to state-sponsored terrorism against the people of the Middle Belt and southern Nigeria.

By Sanni Onogu, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Senate to approve a fresh loan of $4,054,476, 863.00, Euro 710million and a grant of $125million to finance critical projects in the 2021 budget.

Buhari’s request was contained in his letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan at plenary following the resumption of the Upper Chamber from its two-month annual vacation.

According to the President, the request is an addendum to the proposed 2018 – 2021 Federal Government External Borrowing Rolling Plan earlier approved by the National Assembly.

Read Also: Striking doctors disown NMA’s meeting with Buhari

He said that 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 Swiss Group, among others.

“In view of other emerging needs and to ensure that all critical projects approved by FEC as at June 2021 are incorporated, I hereby forward an addendum to the proposed borrowing plan,” Buhari said.

Details shortly…

By Yusuf Alli, Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced a probe into N11 billion contracts by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF).

Also being probed is the spending of the N1.6 billion take-off grant for the organisation.

The ICPC has invited ex-Inspector General of Police Suleiman Abba and seven others to appear before it on the matter.

Abba, who is expected on September 16, was shocked that he was summoned over contracts he knew nothing about, it was learnt.

Others invited are Director, Legal Services, Mrs. Victoria Ojogbane; Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Alh. Yahaya Mohammed; Director, Finance and Account, Mr. Lawal Gunjunju; Special Assistant, Technical , Mr. Salihu Abubakar; Director,  Human Resources and General Services, Dr. Femi Akinfala; a Board member, Mr. Ben Akabueze; another Board member, Engr. Mansur Hammed.

Read Also; Nasarawa Assembly suspends deputy minority leader over alleged employment scam

Other invitees were asked to report between September 13th and 15th before the ex-IGP takes his turn on September 16.

The letter of invitation was signed by Director of Operations, Akeem Lawal.

It was learnt that some members of the BOT, including ex-IGP Abba, said they did not know anything about the contracts and expenditures.

They alleged that the management, headed by the Executive Secretary, has usurped the powers of the Board of Trustees  in collaboration with Bureau of Public Procurement and the Ministry of Police Affairs.

But a source in the management said: “The management, led by the Executive Secretary has been operating within the laws and following due process. We have also been transparent, no law was abused. The management even sought clarifications on procurement from the Bureau of Public Procurement.”

Pursuant to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Establishment Act 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari on May 6, 2020 approved the appointment ex-IGP Suleiman Abba and six others as members of the Board of Trustees of NPTF.

Others are Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto (Executive Secretary); Mr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri – (Representing Ministry of Police Affairs); Inspector-General of Police (Representing Nigeria Police Force); Usman Bilkisu( Representing Ministry of Justice); Mr. Ben Akabueze (DG, Budget and National Planning) – Representing Ministry of Finance, Budget and National; Engr. Mansur Ahmed – Representing Organized Private Sector being Executive Director, Dangote Group and President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN); and Dr. Michael Bamidele Adebiyi – Representing Civil Society Group.

The presidency said the appointments were in “furtherance of the Buhari administration’s commitment and drive to retooling Policing Architecture in the country by emplacing the Police Trust Fund to meet the aspiration of a well-funded, equipped and highly professional Nigeria Police Force in line with international best practices.”