Category: Lead

The Senate on Sunday denied reports by a section of the media that N70billion allocated to the National Assembly in the recently passed N819billion Supplementary Appropriation Act Bill was ‘palliatives’ for lawmakers.

The red chamber also debunked reports that the lawmakers ‘padded’ the supplementary budget.

The Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC – Ekiti South), who gave these clarifications in a statement in Abuja, said the money is meant for “facelift” of the National Assembly and not for individual lawmakers.

He added that presently, some lawmakers had to bring in some of their personal effects like “chairs and tables” for temporary usage as their offices were undergoing renovation.

Adaramodu said the Senate was not ready to join issues with mischief makers who claim the N70b was a ‘gift’ from the Executive arm of government to the lawmakers.

He insisted that the passage of the Supplementary Appropriation Act Bill was part of the constitutional duties of the Senate to accommodate funding for the Federal Government’s Palliatives for the Nigerian public among other national demands.

Adaramodu said: “After the passage of the Supplementary Budget to accommodate funding for Federal Government’ Palliatives for the Nigerian public, among other urgent national demands, the socio-political space has been inundated with spurious, inaccurate and irreverent misinterpretations.

“Suffice to say that the passage is part of the absolute constitutional duty of the Senate. We would, therefore, not wish to join issues with the mischief and misrepresentation that a portion of the just passed Amendment Act that appropriated N70billion was a ‘gift’ to the Legislators.”

Read Also: UPDATED: House approves Tinubu’s request for palliatives

According to the Ekiti South lawmaker, “a visit to the suites, offices and the general structures of the National Assembly Complex would reveal a yawning gap and the need for exigent attention.

“Many Senators had to bring their chairs, tables and electronics and in many cases, do sundry repairs.

“The so much debated allocation will not be paid to any Legislators. This will be managed by the National Assembly’s bureaucracy.

“It’s pertinent to also note that the National Assembly complex does not house only the Legislators. There are thousands of workers and service providers, whose working environment needs a face-lift, and/with necessary tools.

“Since the Assembly Complex is not owned by legislators who are merely political birds of passage, such allocation cannot be termed by anyone as a palliative to the legislators.

“The alleged padding of the palliative budget by the National Assembly only exists in the minds of those who are all out to discredit the 10th Assembly. There is nothing like padding as is being alleged by some misinformed media outfits.

“We wish to urge fellow compatriots to see the National Assembly as partners in the progress of Nigeria. The National Assembly is the soul of democracy and the 10th Senate shall join hands with other arms of government and our forward-looking Nigerians to sing new songs of progress, development, safety and all-round economic recovery and growth.”

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, charged African leaders to be proactive in forging the destinies of their various countries, noting that the odds stacked against the continent and its people do not require passive leadership.

Tinubu spoke in Nairobi, Kenya, at the Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (5thMYCM) of the African Union (AU), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and the African Union Member-States.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr Dele Alake, the President also reaffirmed Africa’s unity and strength, while strongly rejecting the notion of a new scramble for Africa.

The President, who warned that past plundering and exploitation of the continent should remain in the past and never be repeated, also announced plans to strengthen the ECOWAS Standby Force to deter coups and combat terrorism in the sub-region.

The Nigerian leader, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, highlighted the progress made by ECOWAS in various sectors of its integration process, including trade, free movement of persons, investment promotion, infrastructure development, and security.

In his statement entitled “Address on Status of Regional Integration in ECOWAS,” Tinubu emphasized the need for Africa to overcome its challenges and work towards a prosperous future, focusing on inclusive growth, good governance, and leveraging the opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Calling for good governance to ensure a prosperous future for Africa, free from the exploitations of the past, President Tinubu said: “As Africans, we forge ahead, no matter the barriers thrust before us.

“The world we inhabit is often unkind and uncertain. Past history and current global difficulties argue against our future success.

”Lessons of the past few years teach us that the world economy can be disrupted in ways that halt progress and invite downturn. Our nations can suddenly find themselves in dire situations if we choose to be passive observers of our fate.

”Such passivity does not commend itself to me. I will not listen to it. Neither should any African. The challenges we face mean that governance will be difficult.

”They also mean that visionary good governance is necessary. Some observers assert a new scramble for Africa is afoot and it is much like the old scramble that plundered our continent.

”But, here and now, let it be said to whomever the new scramblers might be that our continent may be old but our spirit is new. And it is strong. The bad that took place in the past must stay there. It shall never be repeated.”

On peace, security, and stability, the Nigerian leader acknowledged the challenges faced by the sub-region, including terrorism and anti-constitutional changes in government.

”We sit here in meaningful discussion of vital economic matters. Yet, it will be impossible to bring full meaning to what we attempt unless we give due consideration to the instability and conflict that now scar many of our nations.

Read Also: Tinubu to African leaders: stand firm against military coups

”The fullness of the integration we seek will elude us as long as several of our nations stand in the mist on violence and war.

”The trade and commerce we talk of today refers to valued goods and services that improve life. The trade and commerce these nations suffer is of destruction and disorder that takes lives and steals opportunity.

”We cannot integrate Africa and attain the prosperity we seek while our nearby brothers and sisters suffer in pain and anguish, they should not suffer.

”We must advance as one continent toward peace and prosperity.

”Otherwise, we risk the creation of two or more Africa, one a select group of nations moving steadily while the rest remain trapped in the age-old mire of poverty, conflict and lack of hope.

”It is very clear that in the area of peace, security, and stability, our region is confronted with the twin challenges of terrorism and reversal of democratic gains through undemocratic changes of Government.

”To address these challenges, the ECOWAS Authority, which I have the honour to chair, has given directive regarding the enhancement of the role of the ECOWAS Standby Force for deployment to fight terrorism and undemocratic changes in government.

”The Authority has also resolved to raise our own funding internally to finance the peace support operations in our community. Meanwhile, we have continued to monitor the transition programmes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, ” he said.

President Tinubu recounted that during the recently concluded ECOWAS Summit in Bissau, West African leaders resolved to maintain engagement with Mali, Burkina Faso, to assiduously work towards the implementation of the 24-month transition calendars agreed with ECOWAS.

Nonetheless, to assist Burkina Faso and Mali in defending their territories from occupation by terrorists, he said, ECOWAS had decided to provide support for their security agencies.

He appealed to international partners to assist to provide necessary support that will ensure the restoration of democratic order in these Member-States.

On trade, President Tinubu said ECOWAS had achieved the Free Trade Area and was working on establishing the Customs Union and Common Market.

However, he expressed concern about the low level of intra-community trade among member-states, noting that the European Union remains the major trading partner for the region, followed by Asia, North America, and the rest of Africa.

Highlighting efforts made by ECOWAS to consolidate the gains of its trade liberalization scheme and support the implementation of the AfCFTA, the Nigerian leader said the ECOWAS Commission had been assisting member-states in the negotiations, ratification, and implementation of the AfCFTA.

He noted that 13 out of the 15 ECOWAS member states have ratified the agreement.

On free movement of persons, President Tinubu informed the meeting that ECOWAS had commenced action towards the implementation of the Harmonized Visa-Regime (ECOVISA) to facilitate the free movement of non-ECOWAS citizens.

On regional infrastructure development, President Tinubu reaffirmed ECOWAS’ focus on building regional infrastructure, including the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Highway, to promote economic activities and integration.

”The Feasibility and Preliminary Design and Studies show a significant investment cost of nearly US$15 billion for the whole highway with an average economic rate of return of 15% per annum. In the same vein, preparations are under way for the development of the other corridors, namely the Abidjan-Praia-Dakar,” he said.

Regarding intra-regional cooperation, the President informed the meeting that a joint border post between Nigeria and Cameroon was recently commissioned and handed over in November 2022 to the authorities of the two countries.

He described the project as a bridge between ECOWAS and ECCAS and a solid foundation for future cooperation and integration between the regions and ultimately the African continent.

• President says opponents misread Constitution on 25% votes in Abuja
• Tinubu, Shettima, APC lawyers want ‘strange, hollow’ petitions thrown out

President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are asking the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) to disregard claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and their presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, that it is mandatory for a candidate to score 25 per cent of votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to be declared president.

Tinubu and Shettima insist that such claims could have been as a result of either their misreading of the Constitution or their miscomprehension of the relevant provisions of the nation’s ground norm.

This is part of their arguments in two sets of final written addresses filed on the petitions by Atiku/PDP and Obi/LP against the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.

The Nation learnt that the two final addresses were filed on Friday by the Tinubu/Shettima legal team, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN.

Describing both petitions as strange and hollow, Tinubu and Shettima argued that neither of the two sets of petitions provided  relevant evidence to support the claims of the plaintiffs that the election was not held in compliance with relevant laws or that the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the APC were not qualified to contest the election.

The defendants said the suits could not even be considered as petitions within the context of the nation’s electoral laws as they were strangely not “complaining about election rigging, ballot box snatching, ballot box stuffing, violence, thuggery, vote buying, voters’ intimidation, disenfranchisement, interference by the military or the police, and such other electoral vices.”

“The crux of their grouse, in their petitions, is that this time around, while the presidential election was peacefully conducted all over the country (as corroborated by their primary witnesses; that is, the Presiding Officers (POs) and the results accurately recorded in the various Form EC8As, some unidentified results were not uploaded electronically to the INEC Election Result Viewing (IREV) portal,” Tinubu and Shettima said.

Continuing, they said: “The other remote contention of the petitioners is that the 2nd respondent (Tinubu) did not score 25 per cent or one-quarter of the votes recorded in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (FCT); while the petitioners have also tersely alluded to the respondent’s non-qualification, without providing any fact of same in the body of their petitions.”

They submitted that the petitioners failed woefully to establish their claims with adequate and relevant evidence as required by law.

Tinubu said he won the election with 8,794,726 votes ahead of Atiku/PDP, “who were his closest rival, though trailing at a distance with the total of 6,984,520 votes,” and Obi/LP “came a distant third with a total of 6,101,533 votes.”

Besides, the defendants said while they polled more than 25 per cent of the total votes cast in 29 states, Atiku secured same in 21 states, while Obi got 25 per cent in only 16 states and the FCT.

They added that it was ironical that while Atiku, who scored 16.13 per cent of the votes cast in the FCT, as against Tinubu’s19.76 per cent score in the same territory, is not only seeking to be declared the winner of the election, he also wants Tinubu’s victory voided on the grounds that he (Tinubu) did not score 25 per cent of the votes cast in the FCT.

Citing previous decisions of the Supreme Court on the status of the FCT, the respondents said: “There is no punctuation (comma) in the entire Section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution, particularly, immediately after the ‘states’ and the succeeding ‘and’ connecting the Federal Capital Territory with the states.

“In essence, the reading of the subsection has to be conjunctive and not disjunctive, as the Constitution clearly makes it so.

“Pressed further by this constitutional imperative, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is taken as if it is the 37 state, under and by virtue of Section 299 of the Constitution.

“With much respect, any other interpretation different from this will lead to absurdity, chaos, anarchy and alteration of the very intention of the legislature.

“Our courts have always adopted the purposeful approach to the interpretation of our Constitution, as exemplified in a host of decisions, including but not limited to Nafiu Rabiu v. State (1980) 12 NSCC 291 at 300-301, Marwa v Nyako (2012) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1296) 199, 306 — 307, ADH Limited v AT Limited (2006) 10 NWLR (Pt. 986) 635, 649, Awolowo v. Shagari (supra), Abraham Adesanya v. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria (1981) 12 NSCC 146 at 167-168; A.G Abia v. A.G Federation (2002) 6 NWLR (Pt. 763) 265 at 365.

The petitioners themselves admit this much in paragraph 107 of their petition, where they listed the FCT as the 37 state, after listing the States mentioned in section 3(1), as numbers 1 to 36.”

They said it was an irony that the LP candidate, who came a distant third in the election, wanted to be declared the winner of the election.

The Obi/LP petition, according  to the respondents, was hinged on frivolous claims that the election results were not electronically uploaded to the IREV; that it was not conducted in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 (EA); and that the Tinubu/Shettima ticket was unlawful because Shettima was not properly nominated.

They added that Atiku and Obi also based their petitions, riddled with contradicting and conflicting claims, on “some fishing expeditions relating to some purported forfeiture proceedings in the United States of America (US).”

They faulted the petitioners claim about the qualifications of Tinubu and Shettima, arguing that not only did the petitioners fail to prove their allegations both respondents provided ample evidence to establish that they were eminently qualified to stand for election for the office of the president and vice president.

Tinubu and Shettima added:”Largely, the election went very peacefully, under a free and fair atmosphere, without proof of violence, ballot box snatching and such other electoral irregularities and vices; a state of affairs to which the petitioners’ witnesses all testified.

“In fact, the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the principles of the Electoral Act, the INEC Regulations and Manuals for the election.

“Coincidentally, a host of the witnesses called by the petitioners corroborated the unstable and/ or unpredictable nature of technological devices/applications within the Nigerian terrain.”

Tinubu and Shettima argued that both petitions are not only without any form or substance, they are characterised by repetitions, contradictions and confusion.

They noted that the petitioners cynically alleged non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, on the flimsy ground that the polling unit results were not electronically transmitted and uploaded on the IREV (where collation did not take place); their witnesses admitted that manual collation took place from the polling unit level to the national level.

They added that while petitioners claimed that the Tinubu did not emerge winner with the highest number of lawful votes cast, throughout the petitions and during trial, “at no portion did they state what they considered as the lawful votes cast for both parties and the number of unlawful votes added to the respondent’s, or the number of votes unlawfully deducted from their own votes.”

While describing the evidence by the 27 witnesses called by Atiku/PDP and the 13 by Obi/LP as unreliable, Tinubu and Shettima argued that their sole witness successfully established their case.

They added that their sole witness, Senator Opeyemj Bamidele (the Senate Majority Leader), “demonstrated undoubted competence to testify in respect of the subjects submitted before the court, including issues surrounding the US proceedings, himself being a US practicing attorney and counselor at law.

“Also, being a law maker, who participated in the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2022, he stated the position and intention of the legislature, particularly, as it relates to the appropriate mode of transmission as well as transfer and collation of results.”

In rounding off the written address on the Obi petition, the head of the respondents’ legal team, Chief Olaonipekun, SAN, said: “In concluding  this address, may we draw your Lordships’ attention to the memorable pronouncement of the Supreme Court in Elias v. Omo-Bare (1982) 5 SC 13 at 22, where Udo-Udoma, JSC, opined thus: “If there was ever any case completely starved of evidence, this is certainly one.

“This case clearly cries to high heavens in vain to be fed with relevant and admissible evidence. The appellant woefully failed to realise that judges do not act like the oracles of Ife, which is often engaged in crystal gazing and thereafter would proclaim a new Oba in succession to a deceased Oba.

“Judges cannot perform miracles in the handling of civil claims, and least of all manufacture evidence for the purpose of assisting a plaintiff win his case.”

“In every material particular, the above excerpt from the Supreme Court judgement describes this petition in very clear terms.”

• Denies commenting on Tinubu’s cabinet

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25, 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has denied saying that  he was not looking forward to running for office in 2027 or commenting on appointees of the Federal Government.

The former Anambra State governor disclosed this in a series of Twitter posts via his verified handle @PeterObi yesterday.

His words: “I have noticed with dismay, an emerging pattern where fake media reports and news items are predicated on interviews and press remarks I never granted. Two recent instances relate to my saying that I am looking forward to running for office in 2027 on a supposed Arise TV interview that never took place. The other is about my reaction to prospective appointees into the Federal Government.”

Read Also : I never said I’d run for office in 2027, says Peter Obi

Speaking on his focus and that of the Obidient Movement, he said:  “For me, I shall continue to speak on topical national issues via recognized news and media outfits. But I certainly will not concern myself with cheap distractive trolls. My focus and that of the Obidient Movement will not derail from the original mission of creating a new Nigeria which we believe is possible.

“Our emphasis has never been on political positions or personal aggrandizement, but on putting the nation on the right footing and deepening our democracy by helping to elevate and empower the downtrodden in our society. That was why our messages during the electioneering campaigns were all issue-driven.”

• IMF lauds Tinubu on petrol subsidy removal palliatives
• Nwifuru increases Ebonyi workers’ salaries, orders recruitment of 1,454 staff

STAKEHOLDERS in the Nigerian economy yesterday threw their weight behind President Bola Tinubu following his Thursday declaration of a state of emergency on food security.

Frontline parent body of farmers in the South West, Agbekoya, the Oluwo of Iwo, Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi and a professor of Food Science and Technology, Christine Ikpeme, all hailed the President’s move yesterday.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a separate statement declared its support for the federal government’s palliatives to Nigerians to help them cope with economic constraints arising from the removal of petrol subsidy.

Presidential Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, who spelt out details of the state of emergency on Thursday in Abuja, said the initiative entails, among others, all year round farming, creation of special purpose vehicles, especially the commodity board, to liberalise the food production value chain and the immediate activation of land-banks across the country.

The Agbekoya Society of Nigeria, the parent body of the Agbekoya Farmers Association, in a statement by its President, Dr. Adegbenro Ogunlana Agbekoya, and the Secretary-General, Chief Kamorudeen Okikiola, in Lagos commended the president’s vision and proactive measures to mitigate the food price crisis in the country.

The group described the initiative as a testament to Tinubu’s commitment to fostering a prosperous and resilient agricultural sector.

It said by implementing measures that addressed the root causes of rising food prices, the President had further demonstrated his dedication to promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

It added that it also demonstrated the President’s commitment to ensuring the availability of affordable, high-quality food for all.

It said: “The provision acknowledges the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and the agricultural community to address the underlying factors affecting food prices.

“It reflects an inclusive approach that fosters partnerships and encourages dialogue between all stakeholders involved in the agricultural value-chain.

“Moreover, Tinubu’s recognition of the agricultural sector’s significance and his commitment to its growth and development sends a positive message to farmers, agribusinesses, and other key players in the industry.

“This will further boost confidence and encourage investment in agricultural innovation, infrastructure and capacity building, ensuring long-term sustainability and competitiveness.”

The group offered to collaborate closely with the government in implementing and fine-tuning the process.

It added: “The commitment shown by the President demonstrates his determination to foster an environment that promotes agricultural productivity, market stability and affordable food prices.”

It asked all stakeholders to join hands in implementing the provision effectively, believing that it wouldn’t be business as usual for the agricultural cabal which had, in previous governments, usually hijack the process.

Oluwo: It’s a timely action

Speaking to The Nation yesterday on the phone, the Oluwo said the President’s action could not have come at a better time than now “because anybody that wants to work needs adequate strength (food) to work.”

“It is really a good one and I really commend him for that,” he said

The policy, according to Oba Akanbi, “will protect farmers and teach herders about animal husbandry.”

He was of the view that the move would go a long way in taking care of the frequent clashes between farmers and herders, saying: “We have been living together with the Fulani for over 500 years, especially in Iwo here.

Read Also: AIO President tasks insurers on food security in Africa

“We have intermarried; you can’t even know who is a Fulani or who is a Yoruba.”

But he advised government to involve traditional rulers in the implementation of the policy.

His words: “It is not something that the federal government alone can do by itself. The government has to call the traditional rulers to call farmers and herders and talk to them, give them hope and the farmers will feel secure because the only threat to farmers are herders’ cows and the Fulani too wants his cows to feed because he doesn’t want them to die.

“The only grass that is available during the dry season is the farmers’ crops. So we have a problem and the only way to fix this problem is to listen to the advice of traditional rulers,that is to educate the herders so there will be security for the farmers.

Prof Ikpeme to FG: Let real farmers, not politicians, do the job

Prof. Christine Ikpeme of the University of Calabar advised the federal government to share the 500,000 hectares of land earmarked for the policy to real farmers and not those she labeled political farmers.

Ikpeme who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily said subsidised farming inputs should be given alongside the land.

 “The land issue is a good step but then (regarding) the modalities of the farmers getting this land, there shouldn’t be any bottlenecks. The actual farmers should get it, not political farmers,” Ikpeme said.

 “It all depends on how the farmers are going to get this land without undue stress, without undue bottlenecks for them to access these lands.

 “Most times, the government means very well, but the implementation sometimes is wrong. We just wish and pray that actual farmers would get the land and the farming inputs that would be given.”

She added that there must be money for seedlings for the farmers, noting that the rural sector has to be given money for farming inputs at a highly subsidised rate.

Food policy good if well-implemented —Chukwu, Adamu

The Chief Executive Officer at Cowry Asset Management Limited, Johnson Chukwu, said the move must be backed by conscious efforts geared towards addressing the prevailing insecurity situation in the nation’s food belts.

“For me, the key thing is that we need to look at the root cause of the insecurity issue in the country,” he said.

He added: “It’s not because we don’t have arable or fertile land or we are suffering from any drought. It’s principally because we are suffering from insecurity, particularly around the major food baskets in the country in the Northeast, Northwest and the Northcentral.

“If the President wants to incentivise food insecurity, he needs to fight the insurgency in those areas mentioned.

“Once we bring these regions of the country back into peaceful conditions, I believe we should have no problem with food production and availability of food.”

Also commenting on the new charge on food security, Dr. Kabiru Adamu, Managing Director of Beacon Consulting Limited, said: “I think it’s a very interesting development. It’s a long-term plan and I’m hoping that under that long-term plan there will be low-hanging fruit that would be achieved.

“We do have grain reserves for example. I’m not sure. I haven’t seen the whole content. Has there been a directive for those reserves to be released for food to be made available to the people?

“The long-term plan would be securing, for instance, everything that has to do with our requirements for food in the country so that at least the average Nigerian is able to afford food.”

IMF backs Tinubu on subsidy removal palliatives

Hailing Tinubu on subsidy removal palliatives yesterday, the IMF said the move would help beneficiaries cope with economic constraints arising from the removal of petrol subsidy.

IMF’s director, communication department, Julie Kozack, said the unification of the exchange rate regime was also a right step in the right direction.

According to Kozack, increasing well-targeted social spending would be critical to cushioning the impact of the removal of fuel subsidies on vulnerable citizens.

She added that strengthening revenue mobilisation through tax administration reforms was also essential to create fiscal space, reduce vulnerabilities and put public debt on a sound footing.

Kozack also stated that inflation in Nigeria is expected to increase in the coming months.

“Therefore, as a result, fiscal and monetary policy tightening, including reducing Central Bank financing of government fiscal deficits are needed to prevent a further escalation of inflation,” she said.

Nwifuru increases workers’ salary, orders recruitment of 1,454 employees

Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru yesterday gave approval for a pay rise for civil servants in the state to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.

He also gave the go ahead for the recruitment of 1,454 fresh hands to fill vacant positions in the civil service.

Information and Orientation Commissioner Jude Okpor told reporters that the decisions were taken at this week’s meeting of the state executive council.

Each civil servant will receive a rise of N10,000.

The commissioner also said the council set up committee to look into communal crises across the state with a view to resolving them while the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Grace Umezuruike was mandated to look into the finances of the  Ebonyi State  University (EBSU).

By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf/ Gbenga Aderanti/ Ogo Anioke, Abakaliki

• •Lagos court to pick judge for case next week •Another court voids suspended CBN gov’s arrest

The suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele is likely to face charges of illegal possession of gun and live ammunition, Channels Television reported last night.

His trial is scheduled for Lagos next week.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had said on Thursday that it had charged Emefiele to court but gave no details of the charges.

However, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting at Apo, Abuja, yesterday voided his arrest and detention.

This came 24 hours after a separate FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja had ordered the DSS to charge Emefiele to court within seven days or release him.

Emefiele, according to Channels TV, will face a two count charge of possessing one single barrel shot gun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without licence, thus committing an offence contrary  to Section 4 of the Firearms Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1) (b) (i) of the same act.

He is also accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (catridges) without licence.

The offences were allegedly committed at No.3B Iru Close, Ikoyi, Lagos “on or about the 15th June, 2023”

Emefiele was arrested on June 10, 2023, the day after he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu.

Spokesman of DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said on Thursday that the decision to charge Emefiele was in compliance with the court order.

The service had previously sought to arraign Emefiele for offences bordering on terrorism.

In February, it said preliminary investigation revealed various acts of terrorism financing, fraudulent activities perpetrated by Emefiele and his involvement in economic crimes of national security dimension.

The DSS had attempted to arrest Emefiele but a Federal High Court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja issued an order restraining the Service from arresting him.

This ruling, delivered by Justice M.A. Hassan, also applied to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who were listed as defendants.

Read Also: DSS files charges against Emefiele

The Nation gathered yesterday that Emefiele is likely to be formally charged at the Federal High Court in Lagos next week.

Multiple sources said the DSS filed the charge yesterday and it now awaits the assignment of the case to a judge for hearing.

 Suits at the Federal High Court are assigned by the Administrative Judge for each division of the court.

“The Admin Judge in Lagos will probably assign the case to a judge on Monday,” one of the sources said.

 Again, Court voids Emefiele’s arrest, detention, orders immediate release

In voiding Emefiele’s arrest yesterday, the Apo, Abuja FCT High Court declared that his arrest, detention and interrogation violated the subsisting judgment and orders of Justice M. A. Hassan in Suit No. FCT/HC/GAR/CV/41/2022.

Justice Bello Kawu also granted Emefiele’s prayer that the Court make an order setting aside, voiding, quashing, invalidating, and nullifying any warrant of arrest obtained or procured by the respondents, especially the DSS for his arrest, detention, and/or interrogation in connection with the allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering, round tripping, threat to national security before or from any court since the date of the judgment of Justice M. A. Hassan.

In addition, the Court granted an injunction restraining the respondents, particularly the DSS, from arresting, detaining, further detaining or proceeding against, breaching, or interfering with his personal liberty and freedom of movement or taking any other steps against him in connection with any allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering, round tripping, threat to national security before or from any court since the date of the judgment of Justice M. A. Hassan.

Also granted by the presiding judge was an order of injunction directing and mandating the respondents, particularly the DSS, to forthwith release and unfetter Emefiele from any arrest, detention, custody, interrogation concerning allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering, round-tripping, the threat to national security before or from any court because of the subsisting judgment of Justice M. A. Hassan.

Emefiele had in an Originating Motion on Notice against Incorporated Trustees of Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Inspector General of Police, the DSS and the Central Bank of Nigeria, asked the court to set aside, quash, invalidate, and nullify his arrest and detention being illegal and a nullity given the subsisting judgment of Justice M. A. Hassan delivered on 29th December 2022.

• Southeast lost N4 trillion in two years to action – Kalu

The Indigeneous People of Biafra(IPOB) has condemned the statement credited to the Nigerian Army linking IPOB to the incessant and destructive sit-at-home orders and enforcement in the Southeast.

In a statement on Friday, the group, through its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said the Army Chief, Gen. Lagbaja Taoreed will not claim ignorance of all the previous press releases written by IPOB disassociating itself from Simon Ekpa and his criminal sit-at-home  enforcers.

“For the avoidance of doubt, IPOB is not responsible for Mondays nor failed 7-day and purported two-week sit-at-home orders and enforcement.”

He said that the reckless and abusive sit-at-home strategy was from the autopilot group led by Simon Ekpa.

“We have consistently made it known that Simon Ekpa and his autopilot group are not IPOB members and do not represent Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in their violent enforcement of sit-at-home orders.

“Recently, IPOB members rallied in Lahti City in Finland to demonstrate to the world that Simon Ekpa is not an IPOB member that is why he couldn’t come out to identify with the protesters.

“Therefore, for the Nigeria Army to associate the reckless sit-at-home enforcement to IPOB is to show that the Nigerian government is using the promoters of violent enforcement of sit-at-home and criminalities in the East to blackmail IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“General Lagbaja and the government of Nigeria are aware of the man responsible for the violent enforcement of sit-at-home in the East. Why then are they shying away from accusing him? Instead, they prefer to unleash military mayhem on our people in the guise of going after sit-at-home enforcers?

“They know their camps, so why not visit them there and stop them and stop linking this peaceful IPOB agitation to their criminalities. If they are not behind Simon Ekpa, why haven’t they made any official complaints against him as a democratic government should?”

He said that IPOB opposes every military intervention in the East because they are usually of evil motives.

“We support  them if they arrest the criminals and enforcers of the forceful sit-at-home, but they must do so at their camps. We will not support the government’s plan to invade Igbo land because we will continue  to protect our innocent fathers, mothers, and youths.

“The Nigeria Army uses every opportunity to extrajudicially murder Igbo people any time they are deployed to the East. That is why we object to their presence as much as we detest the malicious sit-at-home and violent enforcement from agent provocateurs. We oppose military interventions because it will be used to kill and destroy the livelihood of our people.”

A twitter user, Chigozirom Aliyu Emeakayi had yesterday posted about the presence of security operatives in different parts of Anambra State. He said:  “Nnewi/Ozubulu is locked up. Different Security Operatives everywhere! Uli,Azia,Ihiala,Okija,Amorka, all getting beefed up by the Nigerian Military. Soludo is not joking. Peter Obi should ask his boys to stay away from Anambra or face the music.”

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Friday, decried the losses recorded in the Southeast following disruptions of economic activities by the sit-at-home order.

He said that about N4 trillion has been lost to the problem in the last two years.

Hon. Kalu also lamented  that the situation observed every Monday in the region has crippled businesses and also stifled opportunities for economic growth.

Delivering a keynote address at the “All Markets Conference 2023” with the theme: ‘Catalysing Partnership with Traders through Innovation, Technology, Analytics & Sustainability’ in Lagos, the deputy speaker said the situation had forced potential investors out of the south east.

Hon. Kalu who noted that violence was alien to the region therefore called for a collective efforts by all Igbo sons and daughters to end the menace.

He said: “The existential threat to Igbo entrepreneurship and businesses now is the insecurity and sit-at-home problem in the South-East. The mutation of this problem is largely unfathomable. It is becoming a cankerworm that is eating deep into our collective fortune as a people. We have to rise up to nip the problem in the bud.

Read Also: ‘Be ruthless against sit-at-home enforcers’

“The first wave of the migration of Igbo businesses post-civil war was in the late 1980s and the 1990s, when, due to incessant kidnappings, thievery and a rise in occultism, Igbo businesses domiciled in Igboland moved en masse to other parts of Nigeria and the west & central African region to thrive. We are currently witnessing the second wave of such migration of Igbos businesses, this time around, due to the insecurity and the sit-at-home problem in our beloved region. Ummunnem, this is not us.

“We are not known for these. If I do not tell you these truths as your son, then it will be difficult for anyone in governance from Ala-Igbo to tell you. I am pained by what our dear land has become. We have to be honest and sincere with ourselves. In conclusion, I make a heartfelt plea to each and every one of you.

“We cannot afford to retreat from our business endeavors. The stay-at-home order on Mondays has resulted in staggering losses of 4 trillion Naira in the last two years in the Southeast alone according to statistical data. This is also affecting the businesses of our brothers across Nigeria especially in the supply-chain. We must find lasting solutions to the security challenges in Igboland, addressing them collectively with innovative strategies. My brothers and my sisters. We must think and think again!”

 Mbah bemoans devastating effect of sit-at-home in Enugu

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has bemoaned the devastating impacts of the unlawful sit-at-home order in the economy of the state by a faction of IPOB.

Mbah, who spoke in Enugu at a meeting with the Presidents-General (PGs) of all the autonomous communities in the state, said the illegal sit-at-home was impoverishing citizens and scaring potential investors.

He restated his administration’s resolve to deal ruthlessly with criminal elements disturbing the peace of the state.

The governor assured residents and visitors carrying on businesses in the state of their safety, stressing that his administration had already placed security agencies on the highest level of alert to forestall security breaches and safeguard their lives and property.

The governor, who further enjoined them to erase everything about sit-at-home in the state from their memories, said the government was doing everything necessary to liaise with other neighbouring states in order to dislodge criminals from all their hideouts.

According to him, there’s a connection between sit-at-home and poverty among the people, warning that security operatives would continue to strike hooligans victimising the public over a wrong and unjustifiable cause.

He wondered why those sitting in the comfort of their homes somewhere overseas would be hurting innocent people in a sponsored bid to destabilize the region, saying it’s only those living in delusion that would hide under the guise of fighting for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release to commit atrocities.

Mbah reiterated his resolve to make the state attractive for private investors, create jobs, train the youths on digital transformation, and restore the lost glory the state was known for through his programmes and policies.

“It is time to take ownership of our future. It’s time to say enough is enough to this menace because we’re using the sit-at-home to marginalise ourselves. How does this illegal sit-at-home by criminals affect the Federal Government, or the economic planning in Abuja?

“Don’t be deceived by people who want to make you believe they’re fighting for your cause. They’re criminals sponsored to destabilize our state, our region and our people. We must resist them and say, enough is enough. We must erase everything about sit-at-home from our memories and go back to our culture of industry, creativity and commerce.”

Meanwhile, residents of Enugu, the Enugu State capital have lauded the commitment of the new Chief of Army Staff to rid Southeast region of criminal elements and putting a stop to the illegal sit-at-home in the region.

The residents said the new directive given by the COAS to the 82 Division of the Army, Enugu to raid hideouts of IPOB would no doubt stop the enforcement of the Mondays sit-at -home in the region.

Speaking separately with The Nation in Enugu, the residents urged the army to do everything within its powers to recover Southeast from the hands of bandits.

One of them, Thankgod Ani, said: “I’m glad to hear about the directive by the COAS. He knows this Southeast very well having worked here as the commander, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu. So, I expect that with this directive, we would witness raids of black spots in order to eradicate violent crimes and enforcement of sit-at-home in the state. I also know that security agencies know these hideouts.”

He, however ,charged the army to exhibit complete professionalism and act in accordance with international best practices and also be mindful of human rights abuses.

“I say this because in some of the places where you find criminal hideouts, innocent citizens also live there. And most times, when security operatives raid such places, they set houses of innocent citizens ablaze and even go as far as arresting everyone around the vicinity.

“General Lagbaja didn’t have plenty human rights issues when he was here as the General Officer Commanding 82 Division. So, I expect that his men will be able to set Southeast free without serious damage to innocent citizens,” Ani, a security expert said.

Chief Chidi Anichebe, a resident of One-day in  Enugu South Local Government Area, described the army directive as a welcome development.

According to him, “we are tired of being ordered by hoodlums to sit at home. I want to tell you that because of the success the sit-at-home enforcers have recorded owing to fear in all of us, they have taken their crime a notch further by stealing and kidnapping people any time they like. This is unacceptable. So, I’m very happy with the directive to flush them out.

“We are even safer here in the city. I say this because where I come from in Awgu, our people don’t even do anything at all till the following day. And our people have been facing a lot of threats even before the recent political activities, but with the current army directive to raid criminal hideouts, I’m sure our people will be experiencing a new lease of life in the coming weeks,” Anichebe said.

Army,sister agencies  promise to maintain peace in Abia

A senior officer  of the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks, Ohafia, Abia State,  has said that the relative peace enjoyed in the state was as a result of the proactiveness of the brigade in collaboration with sister security agencies.

The officer craved anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media on the issue.

The Army Public Relations Officer (APRO) 14 Brigade, Lt. Innocent Omale refused to respond to answer calls and text messages sent to his WhatsApp messenger over the preparedness of the Brigade to comply with the orders of the Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Taoreed Lagbaja, urging military formations under the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army to raid bushes in their Area of Responsibility (AoR) of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (who) take refuge in the bush.

But the senior army officer of the brigade who chose to speak anonymously disclosed that the brigade had adopted different strategies including raiding of black spots and suspected hideouts of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the state before the orders of the COAS.

According to the source who called for more assistance from the state and federal government in providing logistics to the command headquarters, noting that  with the call by the COAS, they would further strengthen their campaign while ensuring that they avoid what he described as collateral damage.

The source disclosed that the ESN operatives sometimes resort to mixing up with the locals if they got wind of any planned invasion of their camps.

The source further urged the government of Abia State to give the traditional rulers the necessary support that would spur them to work with security agencies to rid communities and bushes in their communities of ESN operatives who have continued to make life difficult for innocent citizens of the state.

•Reserves decision on suit seeking Tinubu’s, Shettima’s sack

The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) yesterday announced that it has scheduled for the same day delivery of its judgments on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)/Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi/Labour Party (LP), and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) petitions against the election of President Bola Tinubu.

The Presiding Justice of the PEPC, Justice Haruna Tsammani, informed counsel to the parties in the APM petition of this development after the lawyers adopted their final written addresses.

Justice Tsammani said the court had reserved judgment in the petition until a date to be communicated to the parties.

The PEPC, according to him, planned to deliver judgments on the same day on the three petitions now pending before court, in line with the provisions of its practice guidelines.

Adopting their final written addresses earlier, respondents’ lawyers – Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettma; Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for the All Progressives Congress (APC); Steven Adehi (SAN) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Roland Otaru (SAN) for Kabir Masari – urged the court to dismiss the petition for being unmeritorious.

But counsel to the petitioner, Andrew Malgwi (SAN) prayed the court to allow his client’s petition and grant the reliefs sought.

The APM had prayed the court  to void Tinubu’s participation in the election, claiming among others, that  he, at the time of the presidential election of February 25, 2023, was not qualified to contest the position of the president as a result of the alleged double nomination of his then running mate, Kashim Shettima.

The APM claimed that at the time of the election, the APC had no vice presidential candidate because Kabiru Masari (the placeholder) resigned, while Shettima allegedly had double nomination – as candidate for Borno Central Senatorial District and vice presidential candidate.

It also contended that by their alleged acts, the APC, Tinubu and Shettima breached Section 142 of the Constitution and Section 35 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

It asked the court to nullify Tinubu’s victory and declare PDP’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who came second, as winner of the election.

In its final written address, the APC argued that the sole issue of non-qualification raised by the APM, which it hinged on its claim of double nomination, was effectively dealt with in the May 26, 2023 judgment of the Supreme Court in the suit filed by the PDP against INEC and two others.

The party argued that the petition amounted to an abuse of court process as the sole issue raised in it has been caught by the doctrine of issue estoppel.

It said: “The abstract nature of the petition is further brought to the fore when it is realised that the petitioner’s sole ground of non-qualification anchored on allegation of breach of Section 142 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 35 of the Electoral Act, 2022, sought to be re-litigated by the petitioner against the return of the 3rd and 4th respondents as President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pursuant to the presidential election held on 25th February, 2023, have been settled and determined by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“Indeed, more worrisome is the academic, theoretical and hypothetical nature of the entire petition when considered against the reliefs sought in paragraph 31 of the petition, which is of no practical utilitarian value to the petitioner, who came a distant 13th position, polling a miserly 25, 961 votes as against the 3rd and 4th respondents’ 8,794,726 votes, even if judgment is given in petitioner’s favour.

“Flowing from the above, as a critical prefatory remark, it is no doubt clear that the instant election petition was from the outset doomed to fail.

Read Also: No regrets working against Atiku, says Fayose

“Apart from the fact that the averments and materials attached to the petition were grossly insufficient to sustain the petition, the sole ground upon which those facts were predicated was effectively caught by the doctrine of issue estoppel, having been fully and finally determined by the apex court in its decision delivered on the 26 May 2023 in suit No: SC/CV/501/2023 between Peoples Democratic Party V. INEC and 3 others.”

It argued that neither Tinubu nor Shettima breached the provisions of the constitution and the Electoral Act relied on by the petitioner, adding that the APM was unable to prove that they violated both provisions.

“It is our humble contention that the 3rd respondent (Tinubu) is a member of the 2nd respondent political party (APC) and was validly sponsored by the 2nd respondent in compliance with the provisions of Section 131(c) of the Constitution and same is not in contention in this petition.

“Also, the 3rd respondent has nominated the 4th respondent (Shettima) as his associate from the same political party to occupy the office of Vice President and, by that token, deemed to have been duly elected to the office of Vice President upon the election of the 3rd respondent to the office of President at the election of 25th February,2023.

“We humbly submit that the responsibility of nominating a vice president is on the presidential candidate.

“The way and manner in which such nomination is to be done is not prescribed by the Constitution or Electoral Act, same being the sole responsibility of the presidential candidate, which duty, the 3rd  respondent, in this petition performed accurately and satisfactorily by nominating the 4th respondent.

“It is the contention of the petitioner that the 4th respondent was nominated by the 2nd respondent for the office of the Senator representing Borno Central Senatorial District on 25th June, 2022 and was also nominated by the 3rd respondent for the office of the Vice-president in violation of Section 35 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“We submit that the office of the vice president is not one for which a primary election is conducted. Rather, a presidential candidate, who is elected during primary election, nominates the vice president of his choice.”

Tinubu, Shettima and the APC had closed their defence in Atiku’s petition  on July 6, 24 hours after doing the same in respect of the Obi’s petition.

The court said at the time that it would fix a date for closing arguments by the counsel in the suit.