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  • Forwarders deplore Customs portal

    The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has expressed dissatisfaction with it called the slow pace of the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS 2). It also described the platform as “static“, ”inept” and “retrograde” in operation.

    It urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to engage stake-holders in port operations before embarking on innovations to boost trade facilitation.

    NICIS is a portal introduced by the Customs to enhance,  secure and facilitate trade. It is aimed at  harmonising and integrating trade chain.

    Since its introduction in 2017, it has aided trade facilitation and the ease of doing business at the ports.

    But to NAGAFF president Dr Increase Uche, NICIS 2 has failed to meet stakeholders’ expectation in the clearance of goods from the ports.

    According to him, the only way to improve on facilitation of trade is to embrace the right portal.

    Uche noted that during ASYCUDA’s era, the traders and Customs zones, facilitated trade.

    He said:”You can’t be subjecting all the cargoes to physical examination; you have to provide scanners because it is long overdue. Since 2012, the portal has remained the same. Customs could not continue from where the service providers ended.

    “Even the new system that customs introduced from NICIS 1 to NICIS 2, it has not really worked as we expected.

    “Whether they are still doing the pilotage stage. But if indeed they have started full implementation of NICIS 2, we need to see change, we need to see it reflect in the pattern in which things are done and the way businesses are conducted in the port.

    “As at the last time, I was still telling them that we are yet to see the impact of NICIS 2 because what we saw during ASYCUDA 2.7 and 3.0 seemed to be better than what we are seeing today.

    ‘’In NICIS 2, there has not been a clear departure from what obtained before it’s introduction.

    “Formally, when we had the traders zone and customs zone, some of these non-compliance were almost reducing.

    “All of a sudden, the NICIS 2 came up and the trader zone was terminated and every other thing was jampacked and there was no more clear cut procedure.

    “Immediately you do your declaration, you wouldn’t know where you are going until you bring the container out.

    “Everything you see in terms of interruptions from intelligence unit, investigative unit and others up to nine of them.”

    It has never been like this before.

    “What we are advising is that stakeholders input have to be included before introducing these current regimes.” he stressed.

  • LCCI sets agenda for President Buhari’s 2nd term

    The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) says the quality of the nation’s infrastructure, policies and institutions are crucial to driving economic diversification.

    Mr. Muda Yusuf, Director-General of LCCI, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

    He noted that it was crucial to get the parameters right and ensure proper alignment among the variables to achieve sustainable economic diversification.

    According to him, the policy mix of monetary, foreign exchange, interest rate, tax, trade, procurement, and investment policies are critical to the economic diversification process and to achieve desired outcomes.

    “The monetary policy should be designed to drive domestic investment through moderation of the monetary tightening stance of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    “This is needed to moderate interest rate in the economy because it is difficult to drive domestic investment at current levels of interest rate which is well over 25 percent for most economic players,” he said.

    Yusuf stressed that the economy required investment, especially domestic direct investment to drive the diversification agenda.

    According to him, the current multiplicity of rates in the foreign exchange policy is inimical to sustainable economic diversification.

    He said that the tax policy should be better attuned to economic diversification through a reversal of the tax burden from investors to consumers.

    “The three tiers of government targets investors more than consumers and this is not in consonance with best practice principles in taxation.

    “In an economy which is almost 50 percent informal, this structure of taxation is not investment friendly because the formal sector of the economy bears the largest burden of the tax system,” he said.

    Read More: Why Nigeria’s auto sector is at a standstill

    Yusuf said the use of banks as collection agents for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) was disruptive, distracting, arbitrary, oppressive and unfair to investors.

    He noted that it was a serious disincentive to investment and the promotion of financial inclusion, adding that the approach should be discontinued.

    The LCCI boss also stressed that the trade policies should be guided by sectoral competitive and comparative advantage to ensure sustainability.

    He said that institutional capacity to enforce the policies should also be considered in trade policy formulation.

    “Policies should be focused on incentivizing resource-based industries which typically has a competitive advantage and good impact on the economy because of the high multiplier effect.

    “The relativity of tariffs between Nigeria and neighboring countries should also be considered in the formulation of trade policy,” he said.

    He stressed that fixing the country’s infrastructure was critical to building a competitive economy and a fundamental requirement for economic diversification and sustainable job creation.

    Yusuf said that transformation in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors largely depends on the quality of infrastructure.

    “A key focus of diversification should be on resource-based industries – agro-allied, oil and gas, manufacturing with high local content.

    “These sectors will strengthen the capacity of the economy to create jobs, drive inclusive growth, promote income redistribution and generally impact positively on the economy.”

    According to him, a lot of potentials still needs to be unlocked in the oil and gas sector, especially in refineries, fertilizers plants, gas-based industries and petrochemicals.

    “We need to put an end to being just a crude oil exporter to self-sufficiency in petroleum products and exporter of refined products and other gas related products,” he said.

    Yusuf urged agencies of government to be more investment-friendly and demonstrate better sensitivity to the plight of investors towards promoting investment and economic growth. (NAN)

  • 4-year-old boy electrocuted in Niger

    A four-year-old boy, Arafat Jibrin has been electrocuted in Niger state when he strayed into an electric transformer house.

    The incident occurred on Thursday night at the Senior Quarters of the Federal Low-Cost Housing Estate in Maikunkele, a suburb of Minna.

    The Deceased was said to have been in a search of his sister who had gone to fetch water for the House when he strayed into the transformer house where he was electrocuted.

    An eyewitness said that it was a passerby who raised alarm when he noticed unusual activity in the transformer house but before the victim could be rescued, he had been burnt beyond recognition.

    Read Also: 446 Niger ians in UAE prisons, says ambassador

    The remains of the boy were taken from the transformer house and buried according to Islamic rite on Thursday night.

    The Public Relations Officer, of the Abuja Electricity Development Company (AEDC) Adamu Muhammad, confirmed the incident saying the Managing Director of AEDC had despatched a high powered delegation to pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased.

    “We were in the residence of the family Friday morning to condole them and pray for the repose of the soul of the departed soul.”

  • Motorcyclist kills passenger over N200 fare

    An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court on Friday remanded a commercial motorcyclist, Umar Kareya, in prison for allegedly killing passenger over N200 transport fare.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Jumoke Bello, who did not take the plea of the defendant due to lack of jurisdiction, ordered that he be remanded in Oke-kura Prison yard, Ilorin.

    She adjourned the case until April 17, for further mention.

    Read Also: Motorcyclist remanded for beating man to death

    Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Sgt. Roda Kayode, informed the court that the accused picked up his victim, a yet-to-be-identified man, on March 23, from Labe-Labe to Fumuni market via Bani in Baruteen Local Government Area of Kwara.

    Kayode said that on the way, a fight broke out over transport fare.

    In the process, she said, the defendant attacked the man with a cutlass, causing him serious injuries, which led to his untimely death.

    The defendant, she said, was apprehended at the scene of the crime following a tip-off.

    She prayed the court to remand the defendant, pending the completion of investigation.

  • FG needs $3billion to link Itakpe to Abuja by rail – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has disclosed that about $3 billion is required to link Itakpe to Abuja by rail.

    He also noted that the $3 billion will see to the establishment of a seaport which will be located in Warri.

    The Minister said this in Agbor on Thursday during an inspection tour to check the progress of work on the Itakpe-Warri rail project.

    The Minister who directed that commercial operation of the train service commence with immediate effect, also said the entire project will be ready by October.

    He said: “About $3 billion is needed to connect Abuja to Itakpe with a seaport at Warri.”

    On the progress of work, Amaechi said: “We have completed the track work, what is outstanding is the stations and if they continue with the pace of work, we will get it completed soon. We are not harassing them to complete it because we are owing them but when we pay them, we will harass them.

    “We have 12 stations. None has been completed but they are at different levels of completion. For some, they have finished the structural work. By September and October, the entire project will be ready.

    On the commencement of commercial services, he said: “Passengers should start paying because the free ride cannot be forever.”

    On the linking of Itakpe to Lokoja, he said: “It has to go to the cabinet first. When the cabinet approves that, then we will start because it is a different contract entirely but this (Itakpe-Warri) will be functioning before then.

    “What the project does is that it takes the people from the south to the north and it gets them out of Itakpe because Itakpe appears to be middle nowhere.

    He also hinted that the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria is making arrangements to create parking spaces for buses at Itakpe that will convey passengers from the train by buses to their various destinations.

    He also commended the contractors for the pace of work.

    Read Also: Amaechi, Malami plotting to void Rivers elections, PDP alleges

    According to him: “They have done filling, foundation work and even structural work. So what is left is for them to put roofing and do the finishing. This is the third visit, this place looked like a bush, overgrown by weeds during the first visit, at the second visit they had started but nothing significant had happened and now the third visit, they are almost completed.”

    On the affordability of the service since commercial activity has been directed to commence, he said: “All trains across the world are affordable because government all over the world subsidize. So, it is cheap. The problem is not the cost. The problem is whether we can even break even.”

  • Husband murder: Court refuses to reject wife’s alleged confession

    An Igbosere High Court in Lagos on Thursday dismissed an application asking it to reject the alleged confession of a lawyer, Udeme Otike-Odibi, accused of killing her lawyer husband, Symphorosa, last May 3.

    Justice Adedayo Akintoye ruled that Otike-Odibi’s prayer, made through her lawyer, Oluseye Banjoko, did not satisfy the requirements of the law.

    The judge ordered a trial within trial on May 23, to determine whether the confessional statement allegedly obtained from her by the police on May 4, 2018, should be admitted as having been made by her.

    According to Banjoko, the statements were invalid, having been made without her lawyer being present and without being videoed, as required by law, among other reasons.

    He relied on Section 93 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Lagos State, 2015 and Section 35(2) of the 1999 Constitution (As amended).

    But dismissing Otike-Odibi’s application, Justice Akintoye held: “This court does not find that the said confessional statement was obtained contrary to the provisions of Section 93 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).”

    The court also considered Section 35(2) of the 1999 Constitution (As amended), which provides that a person accused or detained has a right to remain silent or avoid answering any question until such person has consulted a legal practitioner.

    Read Also: Appeal Court strikes out motion setting aside gazette on approval of 48 Obas in Oyo

    Justice Akintoye held: “The defence counsel has not been able to establish that the defendant was not given the option to remain silent or to avoid answering any question until after consultation with a legal practitioner or any other person of her choice. This has not been proved to be so. He who asserts must prove….

    “It is also important to point out that the defendant, of all people, was well aware of her right, being a Legal Practitioner herself and as such, could have decided not to speak to any police officer.

    “To now imply that she is not aware of her rights or that the police forced her to speak, appears to be very far fetched to this court.

    “The end result is that I do not find that the confessional statement being sought to

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  • Alleged N544m fraud: Court fixes May 23 for trial of ex- SGF, others

    An FCT High Court in Maitama, on Thursday, fixed May 23 for the commencement of the trial of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and three others, over alleged N544 fraud.

    The former SGF was arraigned on Feb. 12 alongside Hamidu Lawal, a director in his company, Sulaiman Abubakar, staff in the company and Apeh Monday, managing director Josmon Technologies Limited

    Also joined are two companies, Rholavision Engineering Limited and Josmon Technologies Limited.

    The case before Justice Jude Okeke, was fixed for May 23 , at the instance of the court with the consensus of all the counsel in the matter.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) reports that Lawal, was not in court but other defendants in the matter were.

    The defendants were dragged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful award of contract to companies Lawal has interest at the sum of N544 million.

    Lawal was accused of benefiting illegally from the approval of N544,119,925.36 for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation.

    Read Also: EFCC fails to open trial in case against ex-SGF, Babachir Lawal, others

    The EFCC alleged that Babachir Lawal being the SGF and Hamidu Lawal, director of Rholavision Engineering Limited and Abubakar, staff about March 7, 2016 at Abuja conspired to commit the offences.

    EFCC said the defendants fraudulently acquired a property, contrary to Section 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    It also alleged that Babachir Lawal knowingly held indirectly a private interest in the consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Limited for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N7 million and N6.4 million.

    EFCC claimed that it was done through the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE).

    It further alleged that on March 4, and Aug. 22, 2016 contract for removing evasive grass worth N272.5 million and N258.1 million respectively were awarded to Josmon technologies but executed by Rholavision.

    The offences are contrary to Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    They all pleaded not guilty to the allegations against them.

  • Suspected ritualists kill 50-yr-old woman in Ondo

    A 50-year old woman and indigene of Ikaram-Akoko in Akoko Northwest local government area of Ondo state simply called ‘Iya Dunsi’ who was a palm oil seller has been reportedly killed near her house at Odiolowo, Arigidi-Akoko by suspected ritualists.

    Sources said her two breasts were clinically removed.

    Her body was said to have been dropped about 100 metres to his house.

    Scores of passers-by and sympathisers were catching a glimpse of her naked corpse, while rope was tied in one of her legs.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO)for Okeagbe-Akoko, Ibitayo Adetanranmi, a Superintendent of Police(SP) confirmed the incident.

    Read Also: Woman faces N4.5m gold investment fraud charge

    He assured that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be fished out.

    The Ikare Area Commander, Razak Rauf, an Assistant Commissioner of Police(ACP) said criminals like ritualists would not be spared under his command.

    It would be recalled that three similar cases happened late last year at Ikare-Akoko involving women with their private parts and breasts removed.

    Another eight-year-old pupils of St. George’s Anglican Primary School Oke-agbe, headquarters of Akoko Northwest was also killed in similar circumstances.

  • Insecurity: Police deepen strategy, launch new operation against bandits – IGP

    Mr Muhammed Adamu, Inspector General of Police, has said that the police had taken steps to deepen its strategy of combating crime and criminals across the country.

    He reiterated that the force would not relent in its efforts to redirect attention to renewed approach against criminal attacks by bandits on innocent Nigerians.

    Adamu said, the force will match step by step against every criminal act” we will close every attempt by swiftly taming criminals. Wherever they move to, they will find us tactically and combatant difficult to perpetrate their acts”, he vowed.

    Adamu who on Tuesday night addressed officers and men of the Sokoto command of the force, gave his words of assurance with passion and commitment to ensuring the use of strategic intelligence machinery to combat insecurity especially in parts of northwest also said the police was actively and battle ready to deplete crime rate in the country.

    ” We are strengthening our logistics capacity with adequate support for our personnel”, he said.

    He urged police operatives to be awake to their role in tackling security problems to ensure the safety of lives and property of citizens.

    To this end, the IGP disclosed that the force had demonstrated its commitment through the launch of its newly introduced “Operation Puff Addar”, adding ” we have commenced action in Abuja, Katsina and Zamfara. Our next place of launch is Sokoto”, he disclosed.

    According to Adamu who was in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara state earlier in the day before visiting Sokoto,” it is duty bound on all police to brace up to the task of doing what is best, taught and needed at curbing crime. Note that the public is watching kinly”, he stressed.

    Read Also: IGP visits Zamfara, charges Policemen to be offensive

    He noted that there were enormous challenges which informed his decision to tour formations and commands to get first-hand information in order to profer solutions in earnest.

    The IGP also assured of welfare of the police, explaining that the problems of underpayments and related challenges especially those associated with TSA, IPIS among others would be tackled speedily.

    ” Efforts are being made as we are working assiduously in synergy with the office of the Accountant General and CBN to ensure every personnel is captured as appropriate”, he stressed.

  • Breaking: Saraki gives committee Thursday deadline to submit budget report

    Senate President Bukola Saraki on Tuesday gave the Appropriations Committee till Thursday to submit the 2019 budget report.

    Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Sunny Ogbuoji told the Senate that only 24 out of 61 sub-committees had submitted their reports.

    Saraki insisted that the budget report must be presented on Thursday, April 11 ahead of the April 16 approval of the money bill.

    The Senate President noted the Appropriations committee will be forced to use Executive submissions if the sub-committees fail to submit their reports to the Committee by Wednesday.

    Saraki said, “It is unfortunate that only 24 committees have submitted their reports. Last week, we all took a decision here that we are not going to waiver on our position. Our position is very clear: that all committees should submit (their budget reports). And those that don’t submit, then the Appropriations Committee should use the Executive submission.

    Read Also: MTEF: Senate approves N1.64tr new borrowing to fund budget deficit

    “That position is still where we are. And I want to appeal to all our committees that you really have just till tomorrow (Wednesday) to make sure that your reports get to the Appropriations Committee because Thursday, you must lay this report.

    “Vice Chairman of Appropriations Committee, if you don’t get report from our committees by tomorrow (Wednesday), then you just use the submission of the Executive. But come Thursday, you must lay that report.”
    President Buhari presented the N8.83 trillion budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 19, 2018.