Category: Lead

The Federal Government has denied claims that the salaries of politicians, judicial and public office holders will be increased by 114 percent.

The report of a 114 percent salary increase went viral on Tuesday with many claiming that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) said “the salaries of politicians, judicial and public office holders will be increased by 114 percent”. 

The reports further quoted the chairman of RMAFC, Mr Muhammad Shehu, as saying “The move was in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 32(d) of part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 constitution (as amended) while noting that the review of the remuneration packages was long overdue.”

The RMAFC however denied it made such a proposal on Wednesday.

The Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications & Strategy to President Bola Tinubu Dele Alake on Thursday also refuted the reports, stating that there was no presidential approval for salary increase for political office holders and judicial officers

Read Also: Ondo workers accept 50 percent salary

The statement reads: “We have followed with consternation the viral story of the purported 114% increase in the salary of the President, Vice President, elected Federal and State political office holders and judicial officers.

“We state without any equivocation that President Bola Tinubu has not approved any salary increase, and no such proposal has been brought before him for consideration.

“While we recognise that it is within the constitutional remit of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to propose and fix salaries and allowances of political office holders and Judicial Officers, such can not come to effect until it has equally been considered and approved by the President.

“It is important to note that RMAFC, through its Public Relations Manager, has responded to this fake story being circulated and has already set the record straight. However, that this unfounded story gained prominence on social media and in a section of mainstream media, again, brings to the fore the danger fake news poses to the society and our national well-being.”

He alleged the misinformation was, obviously, contrived to create ill-will for the new Tinubu-led administration.

“The misinformation was, obviously, contrived to create ill will for the new administration, slow down the upward momentum and massive goodwill the Tinubu-led administration is currently enjoying among Nigerians as a result of its fast-paced, dynamic and progressive policies.

“It is important to reiterate to journalists, media managers, and members of the public that stories on government activities and policy issues that do not emanate from approved official communication channels should be ignored.

“Media practitioners are enjoined to, at all times, cross-check their stories to ensure accurate reportage, which is the hallmark of responsible journalism,” he said. 

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has kicked against the alleged plan to increase electricity tariff by 40 per cent on July 1.  

The Congress described the move as insensitive and callous, saying it reflected an organised indifference to the well-being of consumers, especially, the poor ones.

The NLC said this in a statement by its, Comrade Joe Ajaero on Thursday in Abuja. 

The statement reads: “The plan to increase electricity tariff by 40 by July 1st is both insensitive and callous and reflects an organised indifference to the well-being of consumers, especially, the poor ones.

“The massive increase is explained away as a response to the over 100 per cent increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit (pms). 

“Details reveal a movement in inflation from 16.9% to 22.41 (threatening to needle 30), and a shift in exchange rate from N441 to N750.

Read Also: ‘Why electricity tariff will go up’

“We believe not even these figures are a justification for this reckless proposed tariff increase.

“The issue of capacity to pay and quality of service delivery are not only germane but superior to any rationalisation by market logic.

“The service providers in spite of sundry support have not been able to meet the threshold of 5000 megawatts. 

“Coupled with this, there have been surreptitious increases without notice in violation of statutes.

“The inherent risk in the new regime of tariff is that there is no control, implying that by August, consumers will pay new rates. 

“The other risk is that by the time other product or service-rendering entities come up with their new prices or rates, the ordinary person would have been compacted into dust.

“We would want to advise apostles of the market who have called NLC all sorts of names to check their conscience. 

“The rate at which they are going is highly combative and combustible. With contemplation of payment of school fees in tertiary institutions and increases in privately-owned ones in addition to other costs/tariffs on the way, life in Nigeria could truly be Hobbesian.

“The market economies which the Market Fundamentalists seek to emulate, have in place socio-economic safeguards which we do not have. 

“In light of this, our advice is that this proposed tariff hike should be shelved for our collective safety.”

President Bola Tinubu will on Thursday evening join other high-profile panelists to speak at the New Global Financing Pact summit, Palais Brongniart in Paris, The Nation has gathered.

The financial summit hosted by France seeks to establish a system that will be more responsive, just and inclusive. 

According to the progamme of schedule sighted by The Nation, the one-hour panelist session is slated for 18:00 – 19:00. 

The panel session titled: “Ensuring more reliable, comparable information and data” will be moderated by Sylvie Goulard and Mark Carney (GFANZ).

Read Also: What I told President Tinubu during my visit, by Bill Gates

Other panelists include: David Craig, Co-Chair of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD); Mark Carney, Co-Chair of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) ; Mary Schapiro, Vice-Chair of Global Public Policy at Bloomberg; Sabine Mauderer, Vice-Chair of the Network for Greening the Financial System ; and United Nations Special Envoy, Catherine Mckenna

The Nation reports Tinubu arrived at the venue in the company of his Aide-de-Camp, Nurudeen Yusuf and was received by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and Europe, Catherine Colonna.

The President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina will also join another set of panelists to speak on “Debt and SDR-channelling: where do we stand and how to go further?”

Also, WTO Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will discuss the question of “what consequences for the trade agenda?” at the summit.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is holding a closed-door meeting with members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), and development partners, including the Co-Chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill Gates and Chairman of Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The specific agenda of the meeting has not been disclosed but a media advisory from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said Mr. Gates’ visit to Niger and Nigeria is part of the foundation’s commitment to collaborating with communities and leaders to promote innovation for accelerated progress and improved lives across Africa.

Read Also: VIDEO: Shettima decorates Acting IGP Egbetokun

The American billionaire entrepreneur on Monday met with President Bola Tinubu as part of the programme to learn from partners helping to address polio, anemia, and other health threats; scientists applying research to develop agricultural innovations that will help with food security and climate adaptation; innovators using technology to improve access to financial services; and others working to improve lives in Niger and Nigeria and throughout the continent. 

Gates and his delegation had also been scheduled to meet with national and regional leaders to encourage them to make investments and advance policies that promote innovation and provide equitable opportunity, despite challenging economic conditions. 

He was similarly expected to participate in a conversation with students and young leaders to gather insights and share

perspectives on how science and innovation can accelerate positive change and contribute to a brighter outlook for Africa. 

Seated for the meeting are the Chairman of the NGF, Governor Abdulrahman Adbulrazaq of Kwara State; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; Dr Umar Radda of Katsina, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno and Umar Namadi of Jigawa State. 

Also attending are Deputy Governors of Kaduna, Delta, Kano, Plateau, Ebonyi and Benue among others. 

Details Shortly.. 

• •ASUU, CONUA, parents take different positions •Policy due to begin Sept

Labour centres in the universities are divided over the student loan policy initiated by the Federal Government due to begin in September.

The policy has further deepened the division between the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

While CONUA is in support of the policy, ASUU described it as discriminatory against poor parents. But, parents are backing the Federal Government’s plan.

CONUA said students could approach an education bank for loans to fund their studies under the law.

ASUU argued that those whose parents’ yearly earnings surpass N500,000 would be excluded.

Although CONUA also picked holes in some clauses of the law, it said that the scheme was a welcome development. The association lauded President Bola Tinubu for signing the bill.

The “Bill for an Act to provide for easy access to higher education for Nigerians through an interest-free loan from the Nigerian Education Bank established in this Act to provide education for Nigerians and other purposes connected thereto” was signed by the President early this month.

CONUA’s National President, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, told The Nation yesterday that the scheme was not unique to Nigeria.

Sunmonu said: “It is a welcome development. It is one of the best practices internationally.

“Students who study through loans will also make sacrifices for the nation. The beneficiaries would be committed to their profession.”

Admitting that the union had yet to sight the original copy of the new law, the CONUA chief said its members noticed grey areas in the bill in circulation.

He said: “On the loan bill, the one we saw has some grey areas. If the grey areas are wholeheartedly worked on and implemented, it will ensure access to uninterrupted education and also guarantee employment. The government will want to recoup its money.

”So, it will have no choice but employ graduates who went through school with the loan. The copy of the bill we saw in circulation came with grey areas because the government didn’t carry stakeholders along.

“One of the grey areas is the repayment. Will the surety pay back if the loanee defaults? If this area is not cleared, those who want to apply may not get guarantors.

“It is difficult to make a categorical statement because we have not seen the original copy the President assented to.”

ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke described the law as discriminatory between the children of the rich and the poor.

According to Osodeke, a student whose parents (father and mother) earn the national minimum wage of N30,000 per month is excluded from being a beneficiary of the loan.

“Everyone knows our position on student loans because you will end up encumbering the children of the poor with loans and debt after graduating. This is discriminatory.

Read Also: ‘Student loan will revolutionise access to higher education’

“If what I read online is correct, it said it is only for children whose parents earn N500,000 per annum. That means if your both parents earn more, you won’t benefit.”

ASUP, which like CONUA, welcomes the scheme, however, agreed with ASUU that the law is discriminatory. 

Its President, Anderson Ezeibe, said: “It (the law) is good because we need to have a sustainable funding platform for tertiary institutions.

“But the law as it is makes it impracticable. The groundwork has been laid now for the introduction of tuition fees in tertiary institutions. It is a subtle way of introducing tuition fees.

“The provision in the law, which spelt out the conditions, is not sustainable. It is expected that after two years, graduates who took the loan would be employed. If unemployed, they cannot repay the loan.

“Repayment would help others get loans but the majority of our graduates after two years are still unemployed. So, for people who studied through that loan, how will they start repaying?

“If they don’t refund, how would others receive? The household that is earning less than N500,000 per annum can only benefit.

“This means that in a family where the father and mother are earning N720,000 per year based on the minimum wage of N30,000, children in such families cannot benefit.

“Technically, the law has disqualified parents on minimum wage level. “

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago -Iwoye, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, said that the loan scheme will “reduce drastically, the number of students who drop out of schools yearly.”

Agboola, who noted that about 2,000 out of every 10,000 students drop out or apply for leave of absence every year due to lack of funds, believes the trend would drop.

He spoke after his investiture as the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the university.

The event had in attendance the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Toyin Ashiru; the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, the Ebumawe of Ago – Iwoye, Oba AbdulRasaq Adenugba and Senator Gbenga Kaka.

Also yesterday, the National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) described Tinubu as a true democrat, who had brought succour to parents and students through the law.

“President Tinubu has done very well. In our days, there used to be a Students Loan Board in Surulere, Lagos, but all that is no more. The military government didn’t believe in it.

“Thank God Tinubu has brought a big succour for parents. Indigent students can apply for a loan. It is a good development,” NAPTAN’s Deputy National President, Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said.

How the scheme will work

Explaining how the scheme will run, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo, said the law would provide easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

The loan, he said, covers the loan students in private and public schools.

He said President Tinubu had also approved a committee made up of ministries and agencies to see to the fruition of the loan scheme. The committee met on Tuesday.

According to him, the bill is to ensure that every Nigerian has access to higher education through what we called the Higher Education Nigerian Bank.

“Learning from past mistakes, the bank is not going to be the type that will sit down and be collecting application loans.

“It will also perform normal banking functions and make sure loans are given because we had cases of loan recovery in the past. The Act tells us the process.

“The president has also directed that by September to October of this 2023/2024 academic session, he wants to see recipients of these loans,” he said.

• •Tinubu woos U.S., French, Swiss investors

The economic reforms of the Federal Government are attracting more global attention.

At least, three world leaders and some global financial institutions have indicated interest in discussing partnership with President Bola Tinubu in France.

The president arrived in the French capital, Paris, on Tuesday for a two-day New Global Financial Pact Summit, which begins today.

 British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, who met with Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja said Nigeria was becoming a “big opportunity”.

The Envoy said the feedback from the UK government and the British business community was that the first steps of the administration were well-received.

Shettima urged Montgomery to work towards setting up a Nigeria/UK Bi-national Commission.

Leaders from the United States of America, France, Switzerland and others have indicated interest in meeting with President Tinubu, his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, said.

Alake said the President would push for foreign direct investments.

He told reporters: “Don’t forget that Mr. President has taken some very bold steps in the area of social engineering in the last three weeks, particularly the unification of the multiple exchange rates.

“In the short term, we have noticed and expected that there will be a slight spike in the demand and then, that would affect the value of the naira viz-a-viz the dollar. 

“So, apart from the immediate, short and long-term positive effects of that unification policy, there could be a need for an injection of direct foreign exchange into the economy to shore up the value of the naira while market forces stabilise.

“The domiciliary account restrictions have been liberalised. It will build confidence in the foreign exchange system.

Read Also: Envoy:Taiwan ready to partner Tinubu on South East tech revolution

“This means people abroad can begin to bring in their money into the economy, even those at home, who have hoarded their dollars for fear of restrictions and all that will now be more encouraged to bring the dollars into the financial system.

“However, with all of these, you still need a direct foreign injection of foreign exchange to build or complement the domestic policies.

“There are several heads of state of developed societies that Mr. President’s policies in the last three weeks really have encouraged.

“These foreign nations and investors have become more interested in the affairs of Nigeria.

“At the last count, about three, four different heads of state of developed countries have indicated willingness to meet with him, have a chat with him and explore areas of cooperation on the economy, on agriculture, on other areas that are salient to the development of Nigeria’s economy. That is generally the essence of this meeting.”

Montgomery, after meeting Shettima, stressed that the policy decisions had placed Nigeria on a higher growth path.

He said: “The big economic decisions being taken by this government are really important and are being noticed around the world: the removal of subsidy; the exchange rate reform, all of that create a much better investment environment. 

“I was in London last week; I was briefing my ministers, but I was also talking to British businesses in the finance, banking and investment sectors. They are all responding very positively to these first decisions.” 

Shettima called for Nigeria-UK Binational Commission, saying it will strengthen economic relations between both countries.

To Montgomery, he said: “I will urge you to facilitate the setting up of the commission.

“The Bi-national Commission can be the driver for accelerating business relationship between our two countries.”

Shettima underscored the need for economic reforms, saying: “This is just the beginning because it was fait accompli to withdraw the fuel subsidy. We either get rid of the fuel subsidy or the fuel subsidy gets rid of the Nigerian nation.” 

On student visa restrictions, Montgomery said UK’s ban on students coming in with dependents was not targeted at only Nigerians, even though they account for a higher percentage of immigrants.

He said: “Last year, for example, the UK granted three million new visas of which 325,000 of those visas were between Nigeria and the UK. So, Nigerian visitors constitute over 10 per cent of the people coming to London and the UK.

“On the issue of students’ visas, I will also like to provide the context; that the number of Nigerian students coming to the UK has increased five folds in the last three years; it is a fantastic success story for our universities and we are really delighted that so many Nigerians are coming to the UK.

“The issue about restrictions of people bringing dependents is not just for Nigeria. Many more students are trying to bring their dependents with them.

“There are two issues here. The first is: it is not always possible to find housing services to meet all the needs of our existing student population.

“Secondly, I think reasonable people will accept that we have to manage our visitor numbers and that we have to manage migration in and out of the UK; just as the Nigerian government does for your own borders.”

Montgomery was accompanied by Deputy Development Director Susan Mshana; Counsellor Lake Chad Basin Alex Maclean; Political Counsellor Jonathan Bacon and Senior Political Advisor Damilola Oyedele.

With a promise to secure Nigeria, acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun yesterday assumed office at the Force Headquarters, in Abuja as the 22nd police boss.

The IG said the police will also strive for excellence, transparency and accountability.

He spoke while taken the baton from his predecessor Alkali Usman at the Louis Edet House, FHQ, Abuja.

Egbetokun, who was decorated at the State House on Tuesday by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, noted that much still needs to be done to improve policing in the country, adding that he was aware of the enormous responsibility that accompanies his appointment.

He said: “The Nigeria Police Force will strive for excellence, transparency, and accountability. We will also include a technology-driven approach to leveraging other techniques to ensure effective and efficient of resources.

 “We will provide support structures for police officers that would cater for their physical, and psychological needs. We will introduce programmes to strengthen the minds and hearts of every officer. We will secure the nation.”

Read Also: VIDEO: Jubilation at Force Headquarters as Acting IGP Egbetokun resumes

Stressing the importance of community policing as one policy trust of his administration, he noted that he plans to strengthen the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the Force, as he further appealed for cooperation and teamwork, promising to run a transparent and integrity-driven regime.

IG Egbetokun also appealed to Nigerians to support the police in the fight against criminal activities, while noting that he hopes to build a stronger inter-agency collaboration and deepen the technology approach to guaranteeing internal security.

He also called for interagency collaboration among the nation’s security organisations to tackle crime.

The IG said: “We will provide support structures for police officers that would cater for their physical and psychological needs. We will introduce programmes to strengthen the minds and hearts of every officer. We will secure the nation.”

Handing over the baton, Usman said he was leaving the police better than he met it.

He asked for forgiveness where he might have offended any officer through his policies and urged all officers and men to support his successor.

• •APM ends case in two hours

The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) yesterday heard that the February 25 election was hitch-free except for the challenges associated with the results upload.

Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, called three witnesses and tendered more documents.

Dr. Chibuike Ugwuoke, Oloko Onoja and Kefas Iyak were subpoenaed.

Also yesterday, the hearing was concluded in the petition by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). The entire proceedings lasted for about two and a half hours.

Ugwuoke, who claimed to be a Cyber Security expert, was led in evidence to tender his witness statement by Patrick Ikwueto (SAN) for the petitioners.

The witness was ordered by the court to return today for cross-examination to enable the respondents to study his witness statement which was served on them a few minutes before proceedings commenced.

Onoja, who claimed to work with the Women and Child Rescue Initiative, said he served as an election observer on February 25.

Ikechukwu Ezechukwu (SAN) led the Onoja to adopt his written statement and tender a copy of his identity card.

Under cross-examination by Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Onoja admitted that the ID card he tendered was not issued to him by INEC.

The witness also said he did not perform any role during the election, including operating the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

He said from his observation, the entire election process went well up to collation at the ward centre, except for the inability of the presiding officer to upload the results to the INEC Results Viewing (IREV) portal instantly.

Under cross-examination by President Bola Tinubu’s lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), Iyak said he was a civil servant and an INEC ad-hoc Supervisory Presiding Officer.

He said he and one Suleiman Mustapha supervised 24 polling units in Madagali Ward in Adamawa State.  

Iyak also said aside from the inability of the presiding officers to transmit the presidential election results electronically, all the other processes of the election went well.

“Scores of parties in the election were properly entered in Form EC8A and the results were properly announced to the hearing of all present.

“The physical copies of Form EC8As were taken to the Ward Collation Centre. As a Supervisory Presiding Officer, it was not my duty to the BVAS machine,” the witness said.

Under cross-examination by Ukala, Iyak admitted that the subpoena was not served on INEC, but on him personally. He denied being sympathetic to the LP.

He said all the officials in the polling units he supervised complied with the regulations.

Under cross-examination by the lawyer to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the witness said agents of political parties were not expected to leave their duty posts during the election.

“A polling unit agent is supposed to remain in the polling unit during the election. A ward collation agent is also required to remain in his collation centre during the election. So also is the local government and state collation agents of the political parties,” the witness said.

After Iyak’s testimony, the petitioners tendered election materials, including certified true copies (CTCs) of the total number of registered voters and permanent voter cards collated in respect of 32 states through one of their lawyers, Peter Afuba.

Afuba also tendered CTCs of supplementary IREV reports for two LGAs in Cross River State; 12 LGAs in Lagos State; three LGAs in Benue State; one LGA in Gombe State and a copy of a certificate of compliance in respect of Edo State.

The hearing resumes at 2 pm today.

July 14 for adoption of addresses in APM’s case

APM is challenging President Tinubu’s election on the grounds that his running mate Kashim Shettima was not qualified to contest having allegedly engaged in double nomination.

Petitioner’s lawyer, G. O. Idiagbonya presented his client’s case by calling a witness, Aisha Abubakar, who described herself as the APM’s Assistant Welfare Officer.

Read Also: G-5 members absent as PDP leaders review performance at 2023 polls

Idiagbonya made the witness adopt her five written statements on oath and tendered some documents through her, following which he announced the closure of the petitioner’s case.

She was cross-examined by lawyers to the respondents, during which the May 26 judgment of the Supreme Court in the case by the PDP, where the apex court held that Shettima never had double nomination, was tendered.

Under cross-examination by INEC’s lawyer Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the witness admitted not being a staff of the commission.

Abubakar said she would not be privy to when the electoral body received a notice from the APC indicating the substitution of the party’s candidate for Borno Central Senatorial district.

While being cross-examined by Fagbemi, the witness admitted being aware of a judgment of the Supreme Court, delivered on May 26 in the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against INEC and three others.

Abubakar confirmed a copy of the judgment which was handed to him, following which Fagbemi applied to tender it.

Although it was Idiagbonya who objected to its admissibility, the court admitted the certified true copy (CTC) of the judgment in evidence, which was marked as exhibit S1.

At the conclusion of the witness’ cross-examination, the respondents – INEC, APC, Tinubu, Shettma and Kabir Masari – elected not to call evidence.

They will rely on the May 26 Supreme Court judgment and a letter dated July 15 written to the INEC Chairman by the APC notifying the electoral body of the withdrawal of Shettma as a senatorial candidate of the APC for Borno Central Senatorial District.

The court then ordered each of the respondents to file and serve the final written address within 10 days.

It gave the petitioner seven days from the date of being served by the respondents, to also file and serve its final written address. The respondents are to subsequently their replies.

It adjourned till July 14 for the adoption of written addresses, following which a date will be set for judgment.

The scheduled resumed hearing in the petition by the PDP and its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar was aborted due to lack of time and the late service of documents on the respondents by the petitioners.

The court asked them to return today for the continuation of the hearing and extended the time till tomorrow for the petitioners to present their case.

•   Suspended CBN boss is flight risk, says OAGF
•  ‘Family members, lawyers not denied access’

THE Department of State Services (DSS) and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) have explained their opposition to the bail application filed by the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele.

Their reasons were contained in the counter-affidavits they filed before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Abuja.

The DSS warned that the suspended CBN boss, if admitted to bail, could interfere with its investigations if admitted to bail.

The OAGF specifically dismissed speculations that Emefiele was being held for terrorist-related crimes. It also said the CBN boss’ detention has nothing to do with neither his foray into partisan politics, nor the botched naira redesign policy.

In its counter-affidavit, the DSS said that those linked to the CBN boss in the course of the investigation have gone underground and ought to be traced and arrested to enable a successful prosecution.

The DSS said that Emefiele was being held pursuant to an order of a competent court.

It explained that the suspended CBN boss was arrested “upon reasonable suspicion of committing acts which constitute criminal breach of trust, incitement to violence, criminal misappropriation of public fund, economic sabotage, economic crimes of national security dimension and undermining the security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The counter-affidavit by the service reads: “Upon the arrest of the applicant, a detention order was duly and promptly procured from a court of competent jurisdiction to enable the 2^nd and 3^rd respondents to keep the applicant in lawful custody for a period of  14 days when it became apparent that investigation into the allegations levelled against him would take a little while to conclude.

“Also, the arrest of the applicant is not in connection with his financial or monetary policies, including the recent re-design of the naira which was approved by His Excellency, the former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Read Also: Emefiele will flee if admitted to bail, AGF, DSS tell court

“The applicant is still being investigated and as soon as the investigation is completed, the applicant will be immediately charged to court where necessary.

“The applicant has enormous resources at his disposal and can easily interfere with an ongoing investigation and even evade subsequent arrest if released on bail.

“The applicant is a flight risk and there is credible intelligence that he making a frantic effort to flee the country if released prematurely on bail.

“The investigation has assumed a wider dimension and other collaborators fingered in the course of the investigation are at large and ought to be traced and arrested to enable a successful prosecution.

“Any attempt to grant the applicant bail at this stage of the investigation may interfere with other exhibits yet to be collected and jeopardize ongoing investigation in the matter;

“The activities of the applicant constitute a potent threat to national security and cohesion of the Nigeria state;

“The applicant instituted this suit with the sole aim of preventing the 2^nd and 3^rd respondents from discharging their statutory mandate by seeking to use this court to fetter the hands of the 2^nd and 3^rd respondents in the ongoing security investigation.”

In its counter-affidavit, the OAGF argued that Emefiele’s life was not in danger to warrant him being granted bail, arguing that he would flee the country if granted bail.

It described Emefiele as a “flight risk”, to justify his continued detention.

After the resumed hearing of the suit in which Emefiele is challenging his detention, the DSS denied not allowing his family members and lawyers to visit him.

The OAGF said: “Issues of terrorism financing and fraudulent activities are not part of the grounds for the arrest and detention of the applicant.

“The respondents have not violated the applicant’s right to live in anyway; his life is not in danger. The respondents did not subject the applicant to any judicial adjudication to warrant the allegation of denial of a fair hearing.

“With the remand order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, the said violation of the applicant’s right to freedom of movement does not arise.

The respondents did not subject the applicant to any torture, the details of which have not been provided.”

The OAGF and the DSS picked holes in the claim by the suspended CBN governor that he was unlawfully detained.

Emefiele had sued to challenge his continued detention by the DSS.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Tijani Gazal, who represented the OAGF, urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that Emefiele’s allegation of unlawful detention was unfounded.

Gazali said as the suspended CBN governor was being detained on the order of an FCT Chief Magistrates Court.

He told the court that the OAGF (listed as the 1st respondent) was challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

The senior agency argued that Emefiele’s arrest and detention was an administrative decision of an arm of the Executive arm of government.

He stressed that a court’s jurisdiction is determined by the reliefs sought by an applicant.

Lawyer to the DSS I. Awo said there was a subsisting order to detain Emefiele.

Awo, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the suit with cost.

But Emefiele’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the court has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit.

Daudu pointed out that the alleged offences listed against his client were state offences that could be tried by the High Court of the FCT.

After entertaining arguments from parties, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned till July 13 for a ruling.

‘Emefiele’s family members, lawyers not denied access’

After the adjournment, the DSS said in a statement by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, that the celebration of the news of a court order to allow Emefiele’s lawyers and family members access to him was unnecessary.

The Service also said in the statement titled “The DSS operates within its mandate” that it expected expects attacks over the suspension of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa.

The statement partly reads: “He (Emefiele) was never denied access. Ever since he was taken into custody, his family has continually accessed him; same with medical officials. The impression that the Service is going to act on the prompting of the Court is not correct.” 

Making reference to some “editorials” it considered unsavoury, the DSS said it knew that some groups and persons would come up with frivolous allegations against it.

The service added: “These entities may also exploit unpatriotic members of the service to spread falsehoods, propaganda and hate in order to project the organisation in a bad light.

“Given their reach and war chest to mobilise forces against Government and its key officials, the adversaries may intend to cause distractions to the ongoing investigations as directed by the C-in-C (Commander-in-Chief). However, the Service will not depose its professionalism for cheap backlash nor discharge its duty with prejudice or fear.” 

The United Kingdom said it considers Nigeria a big opportunity going forward based on the recent economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, who disclosed this while speaking to journalists after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the feedback he received from the government and business communities back home showed that the first few steps of the administration had been highly praised and well received globally.

According to Montgomery, his conversation with Vice President Shettima identified the shocks associated with the decisions and the right steps toward easing them. He added that the decisions were needed and placed Nigeria on a higher growth path.

“I think we already have a good economic dialogue, but I think there is a great potential to do more.  As I discussed with His Excellency, the big economic decisions being taken by this government are really important and are being noticed around the world: the removal of subsidies; the exchange rate reform, all of that create a much better investment environment.  

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“I was in London last week; I was briefing my ministers, but I was also talking to British business in finance, banking and investment sectors.  They are all responding very positively to these first decisions.  

“We know that there are tough times that are going on at the moment, inflation and unemployment. The Vice President and I also touched on some of the measures that might be possible to cushion the blow of some of these economic pressures. 

“But I think the big issue is that these reforms help put Nigeria on a higher growth path; they will attract more investments and the United Kingdom and the city of London see Nigeria as a big opportunity going forward. I will be doing my part to try to boost those, enhance trade and investment,” he said.

Responding to a question on UK’s recent restrictions on Nigerians seeking students visa, Montgomery said the ban on students coming in with dependents was not targeted at only Nigerians.

The British High Commissioner also revealed that Nigerians entering the UK take more than 10% of the total number of immigrants into the country, adding the number of Nigerians entering increased five-fold in the last three years.