Category: News

Speaking at a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, on Wednesday in Beijing, China, President Tinubu commended the role of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in advancing partnership between Africa and China for mutual prosperity.

He said, “The African spirit for FOCAC is based upon mutual respect and partnership that promotes development, happiness, peace and stability for our people. We are on this journey together. We believe that we share common interests, which are investments and development.”

President Tinubu also called for a strategic focus on areas of collaboration that will ensure the relationship remains mutually beneficial.

“Africa is a huge opportunity for economic development. As great people, we are willing to partner for progress and development. What is most important will be the focus of FOCAC in areas on which we can collaborate to make the relationship mutually beneficial to all of us,” Tinubu stated.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said China is ready to work with Nigeria to deliver on the mutual agreements reached by President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu under the recently established comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Daily Trust

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order in an ex-parte motion filed by the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police but moved by Audu Garba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the I-G had accused the 10 detained Nigerian protesters, among others, of conniving with Mr Wynne to plot the removal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through unconstitutional means, among other allegations.

Upon resumed hearing of the motion, Garba informed that an ex-parte application seeking an order for issuing of warrant of arrest against some persons was before the court.

The lawyer listed the individuals to include Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), Lucky Ehis Obiyan, and Comrade Abdullahi Musa.

He said the fleeing defendants were involved in the case of conspiracy, treason, inciting to mutiny, inciting disaffection to government and terrorism, among others, contrary to Sections 97, 410, 413, 416 and 412 of the Penal Code, Northern States Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 2004.

He equally sought an order  declaring them wanted over the allegations.

The affidavit in support of the motion said investigation so far conducted revealed that the fleeing defendants  were allegedly responsible for planning and coordination of the invasion and burning down of High Court Complex, NCC office and Printing Press in Kano.

It alleged that the defendants were also responsible for the attacked on Government House Kano, Kaduna Investment and Promotions Agency’s office, NURTW office and several other buildings  in August 2024.

Garba said others who are now at large are being tracked, hence, the need for the application.

He said if the application is granted, it would enable all police officers in the country and other security agencies to use their mechanisms to secure the lawful arrest of the fleeing defendants.

The lawyer urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice.

Justice Nwite, who granted the motion, described it as “meritorious.”

NAN reports that the judge had, on Monday, ordered the remand of 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters in Kuje and Suleija Correctional Centres after they were arraigned on six-count charge bordering on treason  among others. (NAN)

Emir Sanusi shared his plans during a meeting with the leadership of Tapital Pulaku Njode Jam Nigeria, a Fulani socio-cultural group, at his palace. He emphasised that his proposals could only be effective with the support of the federal government.

“If the federal government supports my mission, given their resources and influence, I am prepared to provide the strategies and methodologies necessary to address these issues,” the emir stated.

He highlighted the urgency of finding a lasting resolution to the Fulani crises, noting that the community has faced significant challenges, including attacks, isolation, killings, destruction, and cattle rustling. Emir Sanusi stressed that these issues have been widespread and that immediate action is needed.

While acknowledging the existence of some individuals among the Fulani who have contributed negatively to their reputation, he expressed his commitment to helping the government achieve peace and prosperity for the Fulani and all Nigerians.

“I am ready to assist the government in achieving peace and prosperity for the Fulani community and other Nigerians. The suffering of the Fulani must end, and I believe that together we can make it happen,” he added.

Modibbo Ibrahim Buba Jada, the leader of the Fulani group, stated that they had come to pay their respects to the Emir, whom they considered their appointed leader. He explained that the group has members across all 36 states of Nigeria and even those in remote areas, and they support Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II as a leader who genuinely cares for their well-being.

Jada expressed confidence that Emir Sanusi has the capability to restore the Fulani community’s image and address the ongoing challenges they face.

Daily Trust

The NLC accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of betrayal following a sudden hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), describing the government’s actions as a “traumatic and nightmarish” experience for Nigerians, who are already grappling with economic hardship.

NLC noted that the recent increase comes barely a month after the federal government proposed a new national minimum wage of N70,000, a compromise they accepted on the condition that fuel prices would remain unchanged.

The labour union recalled how they had initially been presented with two options by the President: a N250,000 minimum wage tied to a fuel price hike between N1,500 and N2,000, or a N70,000 wage with the promise of stable fuel prices.

The NLC opted for the latter, fearing that the higher fuel costs would inflict unbearable suffering on Nigerians.

“But if truth be told, this act of betrayal is consistent with the character of this government. We recall the assurances the leadership of the National Assembly gave us on the 250% tariff hike that it had been dealt with, and there was no need to openly engage the Minister of Power who was at that meeting. Instead of the promised reversal, the rate has since been jerked up further, putting more Nigerians and businesses in jeopardy,” the statement read.

NLC also criticised the government for its heavy-handed approach to dissent, citing the arrest and detention of individuals involved in the End-Hunger/End Bad Governance protests.

These individuals have been charged with serious crimes, including treasonable felony and terrorism financing, which the NLC deems as attempts to muzzle lawful dissent and silence opposition.

The statement concluded with the announcement that NLC organs would be convening in the coming days to decide on the next action, which will be communicated to the public in due time.

West Africa Weekly

In a statement released on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Hundeyin and Michael Temidayo Alade were listed as alleged accomplices of PIDOM.

Bristol, who was arraigned at the Federal High Court Abuja, on Tuesday has been remanded for a minimum of 7 days at Kuje prison. He was arraigned on charges of money laundering, cybercrime, and unlawfully obtaining, retaining and disseminating classified official secret documents.

The Police has now named the investigative journalist David Hundeyin as a suspect in the same case alongside Michael Temidayo Alade, who is also listed as a police witness set to testify against Bristol in the same case, according to a report by Sahara Reporters

Hundeyin’s award-winning investigative work has exposed corruption and human rights abuses by the Nigerian state. His list of awards and recognition includes the 2020 People Journalism Prize for Africa, 2021 and 2022 GRC Anti-FinCrime Reporter of the Year, Most Outstanding Young Person in Journalism at the 2022 Lagos Youth Awards, 2023 Distinguished James Currey Fellowship at the University of Cambridge, Special Investigative Reporting Award at the 2023 PwC Media Excellence Awards, finalist at the 2023 AIJC African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award and 2024 Journalism Residency at the Centro Cultural Africano México.

Currently in exile to avoid persecution by the authoritarian Nigerian government, Hundeyin has written 2 books, The Jungle (Abibiman, 2023) and Breaking Point (Abibiman, 2024) detailing his protracted confrontation with Nigerian state actors.

Previous attempts by the government to abduct or extradite him have failed.

West Africa Weekly

According to the main opposition party in the state the ‘controversial’ project is expected to run through six local government areas in the outer parts of the state capital.

Controversies surrounding the announcement of 500 metres as setbacks on both sides of the 110kilometre stretch continue unabated as owners of properties on the affected portion of land groan in pains while pleading for leniency even as many of them have had their choice building demolished or marked for demolition by the agents of the state government.

The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, in a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, queried the “rationale behind the determination of the Makinde administration to forcefully hijack over 24,700 acres of privately owned land when such action would render at least 170,000 families homeless and stranded at the end of the day.”

Sadare noted that, “To say the least, this is not only inhuman and cruel but it is also unacceptable.

“Tongues have been wagging on why a governor would alter the approved plan of a developmental project initiated by his predecessors to suit his own taste for feudalism in a democracy.”

The statement added that while members of the public do not have sufficient information about the progress made on the real construction of the circular road project apart from the fact that a whooping N300 billion was set aside as the cost, it alleged that Governor Makinde-led administration has prioritised grabbing of land belonging to poor citizens along the projected route for about two years now.

“Even as the state government claims the actions were being taken in the overriding public interest, certain questions on the exact developmental projects which are to be done on such expanse of land have not been answered by the governor or any of his men,” Sadare said.

He added that this lends credence to the submission from many quarters “that the development could be a wider repeat of what had been done to various land resources owned by either the government or private individuals/organisations forcefully hijacked and sold off by the agents of the governor in recent times.”

It further noted that the sale of BCOS Staff Quarters, ARCEDEM Estates in Wofun owned by ECOWAS, 80 per cent of land on which Agodi Gardens was located, Trans Amusement Park, among others still hurt the citizens of the state who are yet to come to term on why a government would decide to sell off public assets and heritage without any caution.

The party said these, it has become imperative for Governor Makinde to halt his alleged plan to hijack land and properties owned by hapless citizens “with a view to selling or transferring same to his friends and cohorts from other parts of the country who disguise as investors”.

Leadership

The announcement comes after over a year of the refinery’s launch in May 2023.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Aliko Dangote, the owner of the Lagos-based refinery, declared the day a “celebration” for Nigerians.

He assured the public that the petrol produced at the refinery would be of world-class quality, promising to significantly improve engine performance and longevity.

“You are now going to have good petrol while the engines of your vehicles will last longer. You will not be having engine issues, which a lot of us were having. It won’t happen at all.

“The quality here will match that of anywhere in the world; US, America, we will make sure that nobody will beat us in terms of quality”.

Dangote further revealed that the refinery is in the final stages of negotiations with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to begin distributing its products to the market.

He highlighted the refinery’s role in restoring industry and manufacturing in Nigeria, contributing to import substitution, stabilising the naira, and helping to curb inflation and reduce the cost of living.

Recall the refinery faced different hurdles recently, from regulatory to alleged sabotage.

In addition to petrol, the refinery has already commenced the supply of diesel and aviation fuel to marketers in the country. However, despite this progress, the country’s energy challenges remain acute.

All state-owned refineries in Nigeria are non-operational, leaving the nation heavily reliant on imported refined petroleum products.

The state-run NNPCL has been the primary importer, but the company recently expressed concerns over financial pressures threatening the sustainability of fuel supply.

NNPCL raises petrol price to N897

In a surprising move, barely 48 hours after Dangote refinery announced commencement of production of petrol, the retail arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company has announced an increase in the price of premium motor spirit (petrol) from N617/itre to N897/liter effective today, September 3, 2024.

Pacesetter/West Africa Weekly

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, has confirmed the incident of the double attack launched in the early hours of Tuesday, September 3, on the Oba Divisional Police Headquarters and Oba Civic Center both in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State by some heavily-armed yet-to-be-identified gunmen.

He also revealed that the gunmen, who started shooting sporadically in an attempt to gain entrance into the facilities, also threw bombs into the facilities, in the process of which a police officer lost his life.

The statement reads: “The Police-led Joint Security Force comprising of the Army, Navy, Civil defence and other security agencies are currently in a joint on-slaught operation within Oba and its environments. Following, an attack in the early hours of today 3/9/2024 on Oba Police Divisional Headquarters and Oba Civic Center.

“The suspected armed successionist group started shooting sporadically in an attempt to gain entrance to the Police Station and threw petrol bombs at the security facility which made some of the offices catch up with fire including the Oba Civic Center. Unfortunately, a police corporal who was fatally wounded paid the supreme price, while the fire was put off with the help of other Police officers on duty and the Joint Security responding team.

“The Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, while condemning the act, described the invasion of Security facilities and hostility towards security agents as an attack on the soul of a nation and vows to bring those behind the unholy act to book.”

In an exclusive interview with Channels Television on Monday, the Briton, who denied any wrongdoing, said that he is not on the run and is more than ready to speak to the Nigerian authorities.

“I am not aware that I am a fugitive, I am not aware that I am running away from the law, I have been visiting Nigeria for 25 years. I have had a bookshop at the NLC offices right at the centre of Abuja for seven years and all that time, of course the security forces have paid no interest in me.

“I only have one nationality and the name on my passport is Andrew Wynne with a nickname. I am more than happy to talk with the police, I am more than happy to have a discussion on WhatsApp or Zoom, I am more than happy to go to London and meet with officials from the Nigerian High Commission. If they want to start a conversation then I think that is more than adequate,” Wynne said.

The Nigerian wife of the Briton also spoke to Channels Television exclusively, saying that her husband is being accused falsely.

The wife said that the reason for her husband’s ordeal is far from the allegation of toppling the government being levelled against him by the police.

She accused a Nigerian, whom she said is owing her husband, of looking for ways to throw Wynne out of the country to avoid paying his debt.

“We have been together for nine years, eight years of friendship before we finally got married last year. My husband is falsely accused, he has never been a terrorist. He is being accused because one Mr Olumide is owing him and not ready to pay him,” she said.

“The case is in court even now. So, he is just doing anything he can to intimidate and throw him out of the country, He is in UK because he came in and at the expiring date of his going back, he had to go back. If not for all these, he is supposed to be back maybe around twenty something of September.”

Sleeper cells

Addressing journalists in Abuja earlier on Monday, the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, accused the British national of building a network of sleeper cells to cause chaos and topple the government.

He said, “The Nigeria Police Force has launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of foreign national and subversive elements plotting to undermine the democratically elected government in Nigeria through unconstitutional regime change and orchestrating violence across the country.

“Following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been apprehended, who received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilise the country.

“Preliminary findings suggest they orchestrated and funded violent protests, disseminated false information, and engaged in other unlawful activities to create anarchy and justify their illegal plot to overthrow the democratically elected government.

“Investigations have identified a foreign mercenary, Andrew Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey), a British national, who built a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos. He rented a space at Labour House, Abuja, for an ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and established ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as a cover for his subversive activities.”

Adejobi said Wynne also known as Andrew Povich, and his local coordinator, Obiyan, had fled the country.

He said, “Since the commencement of investigations, Andrew Wynne has fled the country. He and one of his local coordinators, one Lucky Ehis Obiyan, have accordingly been declared wanted, and global hunting for them has commenced in connection with this investigation.”

The Force PRO also said Wynne provided finance and operational guidance to allegedly topple an elected government in the country.

Channels TV