The Nation Newspaper

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  • Two die in Port Harcourt, Asaba accidents

    One person died on Monday night after a car plunged into a river on the NLNG/Nkpogu road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    There were just two occupants. A middle-aged woman drowned, while the driver was found by the shore unconscious.

    Local divers and the police retrieved the vehicle from the river yesterday morning.

    A resident, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “This incident happened on Monday night between 10 and 11pm during the rain. We thought it was a minor accident until the fishermen started shouting that there was a car with human beings inside it this morning (yesterday).

    “We brought the driver out alive but unconscious before the police arrived. Before we knew what was happening, everywhere was filled with people and they brought a crane to retrieve the car from the river with the help of some local divers.”

    Read Also: #ProtectPHGirls trends as Nigerians react to ‘serial killer’ in PH

    The driver was said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    Efforts to reach police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni were unsuccessful.

    One person also died on Monday after a concrete slab caved in at a construction site at the Anwai Campus of the Delta State University, Asaba.

    There was confusion, putting a halt to academic activities.

    Anti-riot policemen were called in to restore order and dissuade aggrieved students from protesting.

    Commissioner for Higher Education Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, who visited the scene, lamented the disaster.

    The victim’s family has been contacted while the injured was rushed to the hospital.

    Muoboghare said someone stepped on a wet concrete slab, leading to the collapse of the section on a worker scooping sand.

    His words: “The workers were setting up a concrete slab. It had not dried before one worker mistakenly stepped on it while carrying a load. You know when you are setting blocks, it must be allowed to age. The concrete must be dry. This has nothing to do with the integrity of the building, as the building is intact.”

  • DisCos to FG: Respect electricity contracts

    The electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to respect the various agreements it entered into with the investors in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

    Following the commencement of the Transition Electricity Market (TEM), the electricity market was expected to be governed by the sanctity of power purchase agreements that the private investors entered into with the government.

    Part of the power agreements is the minor and major reviews of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO), which the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has frozen since 2015.

    The Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Barrister Sunday Odutan yesterday insisted that “the Federal Government of Nigeria must respect the sanctity of contracts”.

    ANED is the umbrella body of the DisCos.

  • Tribunal is frustrating our right of appeal, PDP cries out

    The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State has accused the National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City of frustrating its right of appeal in the judgment delivered in the petition filed by Hon Omosede Igbinedion against the election of Hon Dennis Idahosa

    In the judgment, the three-man panel had dismissed Omosede’s petition for lack of merit.

    But the PDP said it was curious to lovers of democracy about what it termed unwarranted delay in the release of the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order of Judgement

    A statement signed by state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said the Omosede petition was the first the tribunal read and delivered its judgement on 10 days ago.

    According to the statement, “It is a known fact that parties are allowed by law to go on appeal within 21 days of judgement.

    “But our right of appeal is being frustrated by the deliberate delay to avail us with copies of the judgement to enable us file our appeal within time. We are informed that APC leaders have boasted that by the time we get certified copies of the judgement, our lawyers will not have time to file any appeal. They have admitted in certain quarters that they may lose at appeal even though they know that the tribunal tried in its 5 hour long judgment to justify its position.

    Read Also; Kogi, Bayelsa polls: PDP steps up efforts to unite aggrieved members

    “Edo PDP calls on the tribunal to immediately do the needful as it is common knowledge that copies of judgement passed several days after the Omosede Igbinedion petition have been made available to the parties involved.

    “The tribunal will be doing itself a great disservice if they allow APC to create the impression that in this particular case, they are taking instructions from “outside”.”

    But State Chairman of the Edo APC, Barr. Ansell Ojezua, denied allegations of party leaders having fears of losing at the appeal.

    Barr. Ojezua said the APC has more judgment to file appeal against more than the PDP.

    He urged the PDP to know where to direct their complaints against.

    “When did the APC become a member of the judiciary? We are also affected by the delay.”

  • EFCC arrests Prison’s staff, five others for ATM fraud

    Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kaduna, have arrested six fraudsters who allegedly specialize in defrauding innocent Nigerians by using bank details obtained through sim swaps and Automated Teller Machines (ATM).

    The suspects include Urulo Ikenna Henry, an Inspector with the Enugu Command of Nigerian Correctional Service. Others are Ugonna Nelson Owete, Ugonna Samuel Okafor Obinna, Chigbo Paschal Chidiebere, Oha Chukwujekwu Kingsley, Ahamefula Francis Izuchukwu

    The suspects according to a statement by Head, Public Affairs EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Office, Zainab Sani Ahmed, were arrested in separate operations, sequel to a petition by a customer of Access Bank, alleging that monies were illegally transferred from his account without his authorisation.

    The petitioner according to the statement, sometime in February, 2019, he opened an account with Diamond Bank (now Access Bank) which he funded to the tune of N5m and instructed the bank to open a fixed deposit account, with the sum of N1m from the earlier account, as opening balance.

    “The complainant said he was receiving regular alerts until the end of March, 2019 when the alerts stopped coming, prompting him to demand his statement of account from the bank. Upon receipt of his bank statement, he discovered to his chagrin that the sum of two million nine hundred and eleven thousand four hundred and eighty naira (N2,911,480m) had fraudulently been transferred to several accounts between April 5 -9, 2019 without his authorisation.

    “Upon the receipt of the petition, the zonal office of the Commission immediately swung into action and traced some of the funds to three of the suspects, Samuel Okafor Obinna – N1,500.000; Chigbo Paschal Chidiebere -N210,000 and Oha Chukwujekwu Kingsley N300 000. All three were promptly arrested.

    Read Also; EFCC nabs gang for impersonating the commission, ICPC

    “Further investigation revealed that Ikenna Henry, Nelson Owete (a known criminal who was earlier arrested and paraded by the Enugu State Police Command for crimes bordering on conspiracy and armed robbery) and Ahamefula Francis Izuchukwu were equally complicit in the fraud.

    “They were arrested. Upon arrest, items recovered from Urulo Ikenna Henry included a Toyota Camry, documents of 2 plots of land, 2 Nigeria Housing Fund Passbook (one belonging to him and the other bearing Ani Wilfred Ochechukwu), 17 ATM cards of different banks bearing different names, 2 Nigerian Correctional Service Identity Cards, 2 smart phones and 2 Nokia phones, 1 NHIS card, 1 voter card, 26 Starter Packs and 15 SIM cards of various networks.” EFCC said.

    The statement revealed further that, two sachets of Cannabis Sativa, 8 ATM cards bearing different names and banks, 6 Starter Packs, and 4 SIM cards of various networks, One empty ECOWAS Passport, 1 NDA dependant ID card and a voter card were also recovered from Francis Izuchukwu.

    The antigraft agency said, the suspects will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

  • Wase sworn-in as ECOWAS Parliament first Deputy Speaker

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Ahmed Wase (APC-Plateau), has been sworn in as the first Deputy Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament

    The swearing-in was performed by the Speaker of the Parliament, Hon. Moustapha Cisse Lo, at the opening of the second extra-ordinary session of the Parliament in Monrovia, Republic of Liberia

    This was contained in a statement issued by his Spokesman, Mr Umar Puma, and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wase replaced the former Deputy Speaker, Mr Yusuf Lasun, who did not seek re-election to the Nigerian House of Representatives after the end of his tenure.

    Read Also: Challenges before Bande as UN prepares for 75th anniversary

    The statement said that Wase, as Lasun’s successor, was unanimously adopted by the Nigerian delegation to the Parliament as well as other members of the regional legislative body.

    In his response after the swearing in, Wase promised to join hands with his colleagues in the Parliament to work towards the integration of the sub-region.

    Wase thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him, assuring that he would bring his wealth of experience in the Nigerian House of Representatives to bear on the sub-regional parliament.

    “I am grateful to my honourable colleagues for unanimously adopting me as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

    “My priority is to work harmoniously with my colleagues, especially the honourable speaker, Moustapha Cisse Lo, to advance the integration of the West African sub-region.

    “I hope to bring my years of experience in the Nigerian legislature to bear on the ECOWAS Parliament”, he stated.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the second ordinary session of the Parliament will hold between November and December, in Abuja, Nigeria.

    (NAN)

  • VAT: What you need to know about ‘proposed increase’ from 5% – 7.5%

    By Alao Abiodun

    After 26 years, the Federal Government has made the proposal to increase the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) from five per cent to seven point five per cent with effect from 2020.

    Here is what you need to know about the proposed ‘VAT Increment’ and how the hike affects you. Alao Abiodun Reports

    What is Value Added Tax (VAT)?

    Value Added Tax (VAT) in Nigeria is a consumption tax that is backed up by the Value Added Tax Act of 1993. It is a Federal Tax which is managed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

    VAT is a multi-stage tax which is imposed on goods and services as they pass through the various stages in the business chain. From manufacturing, importation, wholesaling and retailing but however, the burden of the payment is borne by the final consumer because it is included in the selling price.

    The VAT Act 1993 provides for a recover-ability system whereby VAT, which is paid during the course of production, is recovered by the taxpayer in form of input VAT and ultimately passed down to the final consumer.

    VAT is calculated at a flat rate of 5% of the cost of service and products and is charged on a wide array of goods and services in Nigeria. Much as it is known that VAT will increase the revenue base of Nigeria, it cannot be free from some problem.

    The scope and coverage of VAT is extremely broad and applies to all imported, supplied or manufactured goods and services in Nigeria, except those that are specifically listed as exempt or zero-rated.

    Only a few items are exempted from VAT in Nigeria. These include exported services and items such as;

    ·         Medical and pharmaceuticals products

    ·         Basic food items

    ·         Baby products

    ·         Medical services

    ·         Plays and performances conducted by educational institutions as part of learning

    ·         Materials and equipment imported for use in downstream gas activities.

    Suppliers of exempted goods are not required to charge VAT on their sales and cannot claim input tax for VAT paid on their purchases.

    The background

    On September 11, the Federal Executive Council agreed to hike in Value Added Tax, VAT from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent.

    The decision of the federal government to undertake this increment was not unexpected as there had been murmurings in government circles on the need for an increase of the country’s VAT.

    However, the increment of Value Added Tax from five per cent to 7.5 per cent have continued to spark up mixed reactions from financial analyst and Nigerians at large.

    It should be noted that the federal governments’ plan to generate more revenues to finance national development led to the creation of ‘Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative’ which in turn birthed the VAT Increment.

    However, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, has said that the proposed increase of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate by the federal government is subject to the review and approval of the National Assembly.

    Read Also; Why NLC should resist the VAT increment

    Ahmed said the decision will be communicated to the National Assembly for consideration alongside the 2020 Appropriation Bill.

    How the hike affects Nigerians

    Almost every Nigerian can attest to the fact that the cost of living is currently higher than it was in previous years.

    From a simple economic point of view, any increase in VAT would disproportionately affect poor people.

    Going deeper, the biggest challenge is that any increase in indirect taxes affects the price of goods and services. This in turn would affect the country’s inflation rate.

    If the Value Added Tax (VAT) increased to 7.5 per cent is implemented, it is expected to generate not less than N2trillion into the government treasury in 2020.

    According to statistics, Nigeria has one of the lowest VAT which is a variant of sales tax in the world. Asides Eritrea, which also has a five percent rate, Nigeria is the only other country in Africa with a single digit VAT of five per cent.

    Globally the highest sales tax rate is held by Bhutan which has 50 per cent sales tax.

    In Africa, Madagascar and Morocco hold the highest rate at 20 per cent followed by Cameroon which has a 19.25 per cent sales tax. Niger holds a 19 per cent rate.

    Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Congo, Mali all have a sales tax rate of 18 per cent.

    Kenya and Zambia hold 16 per cent while Ethiopia, Gambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe all hold 15 per cent rates.

    Egypt holds 14 per cent while Ghana and Botswana have 12 per cent sales tax. Somalia and Angola alongside Djibouti and Comoros all have 10 per cent sales tax rate.

    The National Tax Policy, the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the 2018 International Monetary Fund (IMF) Report on Nigeria have all stress the need for an increased focus on revenue generation from VAT in Nigeria. While the dwindling oil prices is no longer news, the weakness of the naira against the

    While many economic analysts have viewed the VAT rate now as ‘bad timing’ or perhaps ‘ill-timed’ and inconsistent with current economic reality, they are of the idea that the increase will lead to higher inflation, interest rate hike, more unemployment and generally make people poorer.

    A closer look also reveals that this will affect market operations, especially the formal sector because an increase will discourage consumption (People will tend to buy fewer items to save cost). This will hurt businesses and affect employees.

    The minimum wage dilemma

    Sadly, for more than four months after President Muhammadu Buhari signed the new minimum wage bill into law, workers in the country are yet to begin to benefit from the increment.

    It is crystal clear that the government already owes the workers a backlog of arrears. The longer the negotiation on consequential adjustment takes, the more the backlog of arrears will leave a huge debt burden on government.

  • Senate flays criticism over plan to purchase N5.5bn vehicles

    The Senate on Wednesday flayed public outrage over plans by the National Assembly to purchase N5.5 billion worth of Sports Utility Vehicles for the 469 members.

    Some concerned Nigerians, including the Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) are already in court challenging the decision of the management of the National Assembly on the matter.

    But Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi in an interview with journalists in his office, described criticisms over the planned purchase of the vehicles as “highly insulting”

    Abdullahi said the outcry over the cost of the vehicles were uncalled for, stressing that every member of the two chambers of the National Assembly deserved to have an official vehicle in the mode of a functional utility vehicle.

    The Senate Leader said, “To say that a senator of the Federal Republic cannot ride a jeep in Nigeria is an insult. The N5.5 billion is from the National Assembly fund and not money being sought from any other source. Besides, the scheme, as it has always been with previous Assemblies, is a monetised one requiring each of the lawmakers to pay back the cost of whatever vehicle given to them.

    “The outcry over it is very unnecessary and insulting to the institution of the National Assembly and status of the federal lawmakers. When I was a Permanent Secretary, I know what Ministers get. We cannot even compare ourselves with ministers we are higher than the Ministers.

    “Go and tell the people that the work that we do, is more than the work of Ministers and as representatives of the people, the money we spend on daily basis on all forms of indigent people, far outweighs whatever they as Ministers or executive officers spend”.

    Senator Abdullahi said the federal legislature would be ready to engage any group of people on its operations and spendings, stressing that actions of the National Assembly have always been in tandem with the principles of transparency and accountability.

    Read Also; Senate President Lawan, Gbajabiamila, CJN Tanko under probe

    “Each of the Ministers moves in convoy of three to four utility vehicles without anybody raising an eyebrow, while some people, who, either as a result of ignorance or mischief, always cry to high heavens anytime the management of the National Assembly wants to buy just one utility vehicle for a lawmaker on the template of monetisation”, he added.

    The Senate leader commended the executive arm for rolling out the 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

    The two documents form the basis upon which the 2020 budget proposals will be presented by President Muhammadu Buhari anytime soon.

    With the move, the country may revert to the old tradition of January to December budget circle. The country has been operating a May/June cycle as a result of delay in budget passage over the years.

  • Revolution: Falana kicks as Security operatives take over CDHR, SaharaReporters

    Armed security operatives in their numbers on Wednesday morning blocked the Adeniyi Jones premises of the Committee for the Defence of Human Right (CDHR) and the Lagos office of online site Sahara Reporters to prevent planned meeting of pro-revolutionist.

    Conveners of the #RevolutionNow movement had planned to commence their agitations around 11 am for the release of Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore and other agitators arrested by security agents for alleged treasonable felony.

    But as early as 7am on Wednesday, operatives of the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and the military laid siege to the CDHR under the guise of preventing breakdown of law and order.

    Unknown to the security agents, the protesters had another card up their sleeves as the planned protest kicked-off on the streets and not the CDHR office as anticipated.

    The protesters who spotted orange berets and carried banners inscribed “free them all,” “kill insecurity, bad governance”, embarked on a kilometre march from Under Bridge Ikeja to Allen Avenue despite.

    Read Also;  Security operatives besiege SaharaReporters office

    Co-convener of Coalition for Revolution (CORE) Olaseni Ajayi said the invasion was another desperate attempt to forcefully stop the planned peaceful agitation against detention of activists without trial.

    He said the action by the government only confirmed that the civil rights fought for over the years were crudely being removed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

    “The right to speech, association, protest and even to think are no more guaranteed under this neo-regime.

    “However, our agitation for the immediate release of Omoyele Sowore, Agba Jalingo, Abayomi Olawale (Mandate) and all others currently being held in Buhari detention centres, and for the revolutionary transformation of the country continues,” he said.

    Reacting to the invasion rights activist Femi Falana (SAN) said the government should stop harassing law abiding citizens, noting that Sowore has been held for over 45 days in defiance to the court ruling that granted the DSS 45-day remand.

    “In spite of the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression the Police had wanted to disrupt and stop the peaceful meeting of law abiding citizens to discuss the illegal detention of Omoyele Sowore, Agba Jalingo, Abayomi Olawale and scores of others being incarcerated in various detention facilities in the country.

    “Contrary to the order of the Federal High Court that Sowore be detained for 45 days the State Security Service has incarcerated him for 47 days. Last week, the Federal Hogh Court turned down the application for the renewal of its order for the detention of Messrs Agba Jalingo and Ekanem Ekpo for 14 days.

    “In spite of the expiration of the detention order of the two journalists they are being held by the police in Cross River. Mr. Abayomi Olawale who was arrested on August 5, has been detained for 45 days by the State Security Service without any court order whatsoever.

    “These detainees and scores of others languishing in illegal custody ought to be released forthwith.

    “While congratulating the organisers of the symposium for successfully holding the programme at another venue, the harassment of law abiding citizens cannot be tolerated under a regime that is busy negotiating with bandits and terrorists, bribing them with public funds and granting them amnesty,” said Falana.

    Meanwhile, Nigerians on social media also joined in the protest demanding that the government should respect the rule of law.

    They accused the federal government of strangulating dissenting voices, noting that the security agencies should invest their time and energies in pursuing real criminals and enemies of Nigeria.

    But the police denied they sealed Sahara Reporters office, insisting there was no security invasion at the mentioned locations.

    Spokesman for the Police Command Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said all they did was deploy security to avoid breakdown of law and order.

    He said: “It is not correct to say that police sealed up Sahara Reporters or invaded CDHRA office. No such thing happened. What security did was deploy men for the maintenance of peace and order. We did not stop any protest and we did not touch anyone. We just ensured that enough security was on ground to prevent breakdown of law and order.”

  • JUST IN: Buhari okays 59th Independence activities

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved activities for Nigeria’s 59th Independence Anniversary Celebration.

    This was contained in the schedule of activities released by Director (Information) in the office to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey.

    The activities start on Monday 23/09/19 with Press Conference, Media & Publicity at the National Press Center, Abuja.

    There will be Juma’at Prayer & Special Lecture on Friday 27/09/19 at the National Mosque, Abuja.

    Interdenominational Christian Service comes up on Sunday 29/09/19 at the National Christian Center, Abuja.

    On Monday 30/09/19, there will be National Youth Ent. Emp. Summit (NYEES2) Independence Edition at the International Conference Center, Abuja.

    On the same day, there will be The Republic2 (Ind. Edition) Youth Concert at the Millennium park.

    On Tuesday 01/10/19, there will be Independence Media Broadcast by the President by 7am.

    There will also be Presidential Change of Guards and Public Lecture/Gala Night at the State House the same day.

  • Mission denies collecting 500 rand from Nigerian returnees on Air peace

    Nigerian Mission in South Africa has denied the report making the rounds that its officials were collecting money from Nigerian returnees.

    A video which has gone viral had alleged that consulate officials were collecting 500 rand to process Nigerian passengers on Air Peace flight.

    Air Peace management had offered to airlift Nigeria wishing to return home following the recent xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals and their businesses by the South African youths.

    Reacting to the claim, Nigeria’s Consul-General in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr. Godwin Adama, said there was no truth in the claim.

    Adama described the information as misleading and saying that it was a ploy by some people to frustrate the evacuation process.

    According to him, it is not true.

    He noted that the information is malicious intent by discredited members of Nigerian Union in South Africa who are not on ground, but frustrating the exercise.

    Adama said, “The mission works with Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa.

    “The same people sent notice to Nigerians from across the provinces to park their luggage and go to the consulate to travel the same day.

    “This created serious logistics challenges and I had to accommodate all the women with children.

    “Everything has gone on well so despite attempts by these groups of discredited individuals.”

    The President, Nigeria Citizens Association (NICASA), South Africa, Ben Okoli, who also reacted to the allegation said nothing of such happened.

    Okoli stressed that the allegation came from mischief-makers who do not want to see anything good from Nigerians.

    Read Also; Air Peace boss, Onyema’s masterstroke

    “These crop of diplomats that are working in the Consulate are just great and are the best we have ever seen.

    “There is nothing like money being collected by anyone; not NICASA, not even the Consulate.

    “These services were rendered free of charge, no one has ever said anyone collected money from him.

    “So I am unhappy with this fake news that people are just circulating. It is a lie.

    “We are discountenancing the lie and it is unacceptable.”

    He that the second batch of Nigerian returnees left 12 noon South African time and should be expected to arrive Nigeria between 6 to 7p.m.

    He noted that everybody cleared for evacuation left with the flight and that none of those people was left behind in that country.