Category: News

…Tribunal adjourns sitting until August 16 to adopt final written addresses

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) subpoenaed witness, Barr. Victor Udeh on Thursday tendered Governor Peter Mbah’s letters of redeployment, deferment and reinstatement to continue his NYSC programme after completing his part two in law school.

Mr Udeh tendered the documents before the governorship election petition tribunal hearing the petition filed by Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party (LP) against the election of Mr Mbah of the PDP in Enugu.

Mr Udeh also tendered Mr Mbah’s final clearance letter after completing his NYSC programme.

Mr Edeoga is praying the tribunal disqualifies Mr Mbah over the alleged forgery of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate and manipulation of election results.

The LP lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, objected to the admissibility of the document, saying he would give his reasons in their final address.

The tribunal, however, admitted the document as evidence.

The witness tendered 21 documents which included: Mbah’s call-up letter, letter of deployment to the Nigerian Ports Authority, letter of redeployment to the law firm of Udeh & Associates, monthly clearance papers, last clearance paper, among other documents. The documents were all admitted in evidence before the tribunal.

During cross-examination, the witness said a letter from the NYSC reinstated Mr Mbah after his deferment.

The witness said he wrote the letters to the NYSC and got a reply.

Mr Udeh said he was unaware of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) reply on the investigation of the NYSC on March 2023.

The lead counsel of the LP said there was no evidence of delivery and acknowledgement of the letters from NYSC that the witness presented.

“As a Lawyer, you know the importance of delivery and acknowledgement of official letters to government departments,” he said.

Mr Awomolo said that by the witness letter, Mr Mbah was to conclude his NYSC on September 16, 2003, as he was in the office of the governor of Enugu State as the Chief of Staff in July 2003.

The witness responded that the information was not true, saying that Mbah accepted the offer to be a chief of staff to the then governor immediately he finished his National Youth Service programme in September, 2003.

Awomolo said that in 2007, the EFCC charged the subpoenaed witness with Mr Mbah, for money laundering at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Tendering the charge with a case file number FH/C/09/07, the respondents’ counsels, Bode Ola, SAN, counsel to Mr Mbah, the PDP counsel, Anthony Ani, SAN, and Humphrey Okoli of the INEC, objected to the admissibility of the document and said they would articulate their reasons in their final addresses.

The tribunal admitted the document as evidence.

The chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice M.K Akano, adjourned the sitting until August 16 to adopt final written addresses after the PDP counsel closed its defence.

Recall that Mbah’s NYSC discharge certificate has been a subject of controversy since the NYSC denied issuing him any NYSC certificate. But on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, the Department of State Services, DSS, which carried a sting investigation on the matter, told the tribunal that Mbah didn’t forge any discharge certificate, blaming the NYSC for poor record-keeping and misrepresentation of facts.

NAN

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered the Youth Party (YP) a new political party.

National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Festus Okoye, said this on Thursday in Abuja in a statement.

By this, the number of registered political parties in the country have risen to 19.

Our correspondent also reports that INEC had on 6 February 2020 deregistered 74 political parties for poor performance in the 2019 general elections and the subsequent re-run elections across the country.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said in addition to the extant provision for the registration of political parties, the Fourth Alteration to the Section 225(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, empowers the commission to deregister political parties.

During the 2019 general elections, 91 political parties participated in the exercise, while an additional party, Boot Party, was registered based on the order of a court after the election.

Okoye in Thursday’s statement recalled that the Youth Party (YP) was registered on 16th August 2018 by virtue of the judgement of the Federal High Court delivered on 16th October 2017.

“Following the commission’s decision to deregister some parties in accordance with Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Youth Party approached the Federal High Court and secured an Order restraining the commission from deregistering it.

“On appeal by the commission, the Court of Appeal set aside the Order of the Federal High Court and on further appeal by the party, the Supreme Court set aside the deregistration of the party,” he said.

The statement said based on the judgement of the Supreme Court, INEC interfaced with officials of the YP on the modalities for its operation based on the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and the Regulations and Guidelines of the Commission.

He said, “Consequently, the commission has recognised the Youth Party (YP) as the 19th Political Party in Nigeria with all the rights and privileges accorded political parties in Nigeria”.

Daily Trust

The House of Representatives have taken a firm stance against the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) by rejecting the proposed increase in electricity tariff.

This resolution was reached following a motion presented by Honourable Aliyu Madaki, who expressed strong disapproval of the price hike, especially considering the recent increase in petrol prices that has already burdened many Nigerians.

Honourable Aliyu Madaki emphasized that it is inappropriate and insensitive to introduce such a significant tariff increase at a time when citizens are still grappling with the impact of the petrol price surge.

In response to the motion, the House has mandated its committee on power, once constituted, to engage in discussions with NERC. The aim is to seek a mutual understanding and find a middle ground to address the proposed tariff hike, considering the current economic challenges faced by the populace.

The lawmakers say the House remains committed to safeguarding the interests of Nigerians and ensuring that decisions made by regulatory bodies are in line with the welfare of the citizens.

Channels TV

Vice President Kashim Shettima is currently presiding over the second National Economic Council, NEC, meeting at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

NEC is comprised of the 36 governors of the federation, Ministers in charge of finance, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari among others.

The early callers at the Council Chamber for the meeting slated for 11am are Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State his colleague from Nasarawa state, Abdullahi Sule and the deputy governor of Enugu State, Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai.

Also present are, the Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahya, Zamfara governor, Dauda Lawan, Katsina, Dikko Radda, Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak Abia, Dr. Alex Otti, Chundung and Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Others are Bauchi, Senator Bala Mohammed, Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, Delta, Sheriff Obrevwori, Kebbi, Nasir Idris Anambra, Prof. Charles Soludo, Edo, Godwin Obaseki, Deputy governor of Kogi state, David Onoja, Jigawa state, Umaru Namadi, Yobe state, Mai Mala Bunu and Bayelsa, Duoye Diri.

Others include Akwa Ibom , Umo Eno, Cross River, Prince Bassey Otu, Ondo State acting governor , Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliu, Plateau state, Caleb Mutfwang, Benue, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Akwa Ibom, Umo Eno and Imo, Senator Hope Uzodimma.

Vanguard

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has said it will soon meet with stakeholders in the broadcasting industry to review the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, this is as the commission revealed that it is considering upward review of television and radio stations licence fees.

…You lack power to fix fuel price, Falana tells NNPCL

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday chided the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government over Tuesday’s hike in the pump price of petrol.

This is just as the House of Representatives yesterday summoned the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, and operatives of independent marketers in the country in reaction to the hike in price of petrol.

National Publicity Secretary of the opposition party, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement, described the new price as a provocative exhibition of extreme insensitivity and callousness towards Nigerians, adding that the recent increment worsened the already suffocating economic situation under APC leadership and has the capability of triggering very serious crisis in the country if not abated.

The statement read in part: “Our party insists that the N617 per litre of fuel is excessive, unacceptable and cannot be justified under any guise. It is appalling that instead of seeking ways to stabilise and grow the economy, the APC administration has abandoned the welfare of Nigerians, which is the primary purpose of government under Section 14 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and left citizens to the vagaries of market forces and exploitative cabal; a disposition that is characteristic of a government that is not accountable to the people.”

PDP said it was alarmed that “with its ill-thought out, badly planned and hurriedly-executed policies, APC is running Nigeria’s economy aground with the value of naira rapidly plummeting, businesses and production shutting down, citizens losing their means of livelihood, commercial and social activities crippled, with millions of families no longer able to afford their daily needs as the costs of food, medication and other essential goods and services continue to skyrocket.”

PDP dismissed APC’s “insensitive and lame argument of market forces and comparison of price of fuel in Nigeria with those of other countries, which have functional infrastructure, variety of affordable alternative transportation system and sources of energy; strong currency and where citizens earn far higher than what obtains in Nigeria.”

Even with the removal of subsidy on petroleum products, PDP maintained that with a deft, transparent and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, national comparative advantage and expanded value chain in refining capacity, fuel should not sell for more than N150 per litre in Nigeria.

In the same vein, Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has slammed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over the fresh fuel price hike, adding that it lacked constitutional powers to fix the prices of petrol.

In a statement released in his capacity as the chairman of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Falana said the prices of petrol should be fixed by market forces, adding that “the increase of the pump price of petrol by NNPCL is an affront to the rule of law on the ground that it is illegal in every material in particular.”

The statement read: “In his inauguration address delivered on May 29, 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced that his administration would govern the country in accordance with the rule of law. The implication of the commitment is that the actions of the government and its agencies will be carried out under the law. The people of Nigeria were taken aback on Tuesday when NNPCL increased the pump price of petrol from N500 to N617. After increasing the price, NNPCL turned around to claim that it was fixed by market forces. It is submitted that the increase of the pump price of petrol by NNPCL is an affront to the rule of law on the ground that it is illegal in every material particular.

“In Bamidele Aturu v Minister of Petroleum Resources (Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/591/2009), the plaintiff challenged the plan of the Federal Government to deregulate the downstream sector of the petroleum industry and allow market forces to determine the prices of petroleum products. In a landmark judgment delivered on March 19, 2013, the Federal High Court, presided over by Adamu Bello J. (as he then was) held that by the combined effect of the Petroleum Act, Price Control Act and the Constitution, the Federal Government must always fix the price of petroleum products sold across Nigeria.

“Dissatisfied with the judgment of the Federal High Court, the Federal Government filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal. Even though the appeal has not been determined, NNPCL has usurped the power of the Federal Government to determine and fix the prices of petroleum products in the country. It is undoubtedly clear that the action of NNPCL is illegal and contemptuous since the judgment of the Federal High Court on the subject matter has not been set aside by a higher court.

“It ought to be pointed out that NNPCL is no longer an agency of the Federal Government but a limited liability company, which is regulated by the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority in charge of the petroleum industry. The action of NNPCL has confirmed that the company has continued to exercise monopoly in the importation and distribution of petrol in the country contrary to the letter and spirit of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

“Having liberalised the petroleum sector, NNPCL lacks the power to fix the prices of petroleum products in any part of Nigeria. It is high time that NNPCL was restrained from further fixing the prices of petroleum products in the country,” Falana submitted.

Guardian

The National Population Commission (NPC) has assured households that all their personal information which they would give to enumerators during the forthcoming population and housing census would be strictly confidential.

The Federal Commissioner representing Katsina State, Mr Bala Almu-Banye, made the disclosure at a meeting with media executives in the state, on Wednesday in Katsina.

Almu-Banye said that the purpose of the meeting was to update them on the status of the preparations for the 2023 Census and the next steps forward.

He said that the commission had recruited adequate ad hoc staff for effective coverage of all the nooks and crannies of the entire state during the exercise.

According to him, the ad hoc staff are to work in their local governments of residence in order to achieve the set targets.

The Federal Commissioner, therefore, urged residents to cooperate with the enumerators and provide answers to the questions raised.

“The information will be treated as confidential and only for the purpose of the exercise.

“We were all sworn not to reveal people’s secrets, likewise, all the enumerators and supervisors will take oath before they start the exercise,” he said.

He further said that the information given to the enumerators would be digitally transmitted directly to the commission’s server through the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), which is a machine like a mobile phone.

Almu-Banye further said that the NPC would work with traditional and community leaders to ensure that people who reside in hard-to-reach areas were counted.

He explained that such leaders would provide guides who would assist enumerators in reaching people in remote communities.

Responding on behalf of the media executives, the General Manager, Gram FM, Alhaji Bashir Ahmed, thanked the commission for carrying them along in the exercise.

Ahmed assured that the media would continue to enlighten people on the importance of the exercise so as to achieve the desired objective.

Vanguard

The Senate has urged employers of labour in the country to de-emphasise age requirements as a precondition for employment in Nigeria.

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has flagged off the 2023 Fertilizer Sales and Distribution to farmers in the state with a caution against diverting the product for any reason.

Speaking at the event, Alia said he will not accept the diversion of government subsidised fertilizers for personal use by anyone, irrespective of their position in government.

He said the flag-off is part of his administration’s efforts at cushioning the effects of the harsh economic challenges temporarily being experienced by the people of the state and Nigeria as a whole.

Alia who described Benue state as one of the richest states in terms of fertile land for agriculture, urged Benue farmers to take advantage of the N12,500 being the subsidized amount for a bag of fertiliser, promising to provide improved agricultural machineries as well as an enabling environment for farmers as the administration progresses.

He disclosed that government has purchased 100 trucks of fertilizer for the state, and urged the farmers to exercise patience, saying, going forward, farming seasons will be flagged off in April of every year.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Nats Adzuu, commended the governor for his efforts at ensuring that fertilizer is made available to Benue farmers at a subsidized rate.

He assured the governor of the ministry’s commitment to food security and fair distribution of the product across the state.

Chairman, Taskforce committee on governor Alia’s 100 days in office, Dr. Moses Tule, disclosed that the governor has allocated one truck of fertiliser each for all the political parties in the state, insisting that the time for campaigns are over, and as such everyone deserves to enjoy the dividends of democracy, irrespective of their political parties.

Dr. Tule added further that, fertilisers will be sold at the ministry of agriculture and at all the Agric departments across the 23 local government areas in the state.

Tule also said the governor had purchased 50 bags of the fertiliser for the most vulnerable farmers in the state, to be distributed at the SEMA office.

Sun

The Department of State Security (DSS) has denied claims by the National Youths Service Corps NYSC that Enugu state Governor Peter Mbah, forged his NYSC discharge certificate.

While Giving evidence, the subpoenaed DSS Deputy Director, Operations and Strategic Department, Yahaya Isa Mohammed said the security agency commenced investigation into the discharge certificate controversy following a petition to it by Dr. Mbah dated February 8, 2023.

He disclosed that their investigation revealed that NYSC did not do due diligence and does not keep proper records of its operations.

Meanwhile, the DSS said it came to its conclusion relying, among others, on the verified documents submitted by Dr. Mbah and the NYSC, most of which are one and the same.

Lead Counsel to Labour Party and petitioner against Mbah, 2nd Respondent in the matter, Chief Awomolo Adogoke, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had during the cross examination sought to know from the DSS representative, Yahaya Isa Mohammed, if his coming was official and authorised by the Director-General of the agency, which the witness responded in the affirmation.

He said he was in court following the subpoena by the tribunal.

Addressing pressmen, one of the counsels to Mbah, IIkechukwu Onuoma, said all the allegations raised against his client had been convincingly debunked by the two witnesses.

Governor Peter Mbah closed his defense, as the Tribunal adjourned sitting to 20th July (today), for People’s Democratic Party to open its defense.

Igede tribe in Benue State has described the continued detention of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, against court orders, as “a stain on Nigeria’s democracy”.

The tribe in a statement issued on Wednesday, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to quickly comply with the court order and free Kanu.

According to the statement jointly signed by Obo Mike Omenka and Agori Dennis Eka, Kanu’s release will quell the growing disenchantment in the South East and restore peace to the region.

They appealed to President Tinubu to give the Igbo tribe a sense of belonging by heeding to the numerous appeals for the release of Kanu.

The statement further argued that agitation for self-determination is never a crime but a fundamental right of the agitators.

“We, the Igede natives, write to profoundly appeal to your sense of justice and integrity, urging you to take swift action in effecting the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from unjust detention.

“It is no longer news that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, has been unlawfully arrested and detained by the Nigerian government for advocating civil rights and the emancipation of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

“Having been charged to Court, faced the rigors of criminal trial, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was discharged and acquitted by Courts of competent jurisdictions, even the appellate Court. Nigeria Government under the previous administration in contemptuous and flagrant disregard to the rule of law and natural Justice yet continually kept Kanu in detention, causing civil unrest not only in the South East but across the entire country.

“This unjust situation has left lives in perpetual trauma, properties in constant shambles, and has resulted in significant economic shortfalls in the South Eastern Region and Nigeria as a whole.

“Mr. President, we urge you to set Mazi Nnamdi Kanu free. By doing so, you will not only bring hope and freedom to the Igbo people but also demonstrate your commitment as the father of our nation to upholding justice, equity, and fairness.

“A man unjustly silenced during civil proceedings is an affront to the very essence of justice. A region relegated to the background in the national dialogue is a testament to the height of inequality. Witnessing the violation of human rights by the very institutions meant to protect them is the epitome of unfairness.

The Igede natives further noted with detest, the systematic marginalisation against the South East by the Nigerian State.

“We firmly believe that no government can thrive on a foundation of injustice. A region that feels marginalized and voices its grievances deserves genuine inclusiveness or the right to demand freedom. Denying them these fundamental human rights is a stain on our democracy.

“Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to enable him to address his deteriorating health challenge adequately; create a robust economic baseline in the South Eastern Region to boost its development; re-integrate the region into the national fold and find a permanent solution to the burning issues in the Eastern Regio; and establish a conflict resolution council aimed at unearthing the bond that will foster understanding and harmony among the diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria.”

The Igede natives also challenged other nationalities as well as Civil Society Organizations and the international community to speak out against Kanu’s continued illegal incarceration.

“We appeal not only to you, Mr President, but also to advocates of civil liberty, human rights, and civil society organizations around the world to raise their voices against this injustice that plagues our collective peace.

“We feel strongly that the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would bring lasting peace to the South East and contribute to robust economic development in Nigeria.”

They expressed solidarity with South East in the current travails of the zone, urging for calm and resilience.

“We stand in solidarity with the Eastern part of our nation, which is currently in dire need of a voice of reason to prevent further descent into chaos and oblivion.

“The situation on the ground is evident, with valleys raging, creeks getting muddier, and the path to daily hustles becoming increasingly slippery. People are living in horror and facing unimaginable hardships for a cause within the realm of humanity.”

The statement also challenged Igbo political elite and intellectuals to show concern and be genuinely involved in the efforts to find lasting solutions to the unrest in the region.

“To the Igbo political leaders, we implore you to embark on a journey of soul-searching and self-realization. Show sincere support to quell this festering injustice, as exploiting it for personal political gains is an apparent shame. We challenge all Igbo political leaders to wield their red caps, Ofors, sceptres, and all royal insignias, taking a bold stand to engage relevant institutions and authorities to expedite the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“To the Igbo intellectuals, we ask, how long will you stand idle while a finger is poked into your eyes? Engage in critical conversations to advocate for the speedy freedom of Chief Nnamdi Kanu, who courageously challenged the ongoing marginalization of your region. A united civil movement demanding Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release will restore hope to the common Igbo person, safeguard their freedom of expression, life, and association.”

Vanguard

The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to look into the incessant increase in fuel prices.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent National importance titled “The need to investigate the incessant increase in fuel pump price” moved by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere during plenary.

However, an amendment moved by another lawmaker asking the House to direct the NNPCL to suspend the new pump price of N617 and revert to the old price of N540 was put to vote by the presiding officer, Rep Benjamin Kalu, but the lawmakers unanimously rejected the amendment by shouting ‘NAY’.

Speaking on the amendment, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu who presided over plenary, said that the amendment would not be taken because they would not want to pre-empt what the ad-hoc committee’s investigation would be.

Moving the motion, Ugochinyere noted that the incessant hike in Fuel prices has in turn caused hardship for Nigerians.

According to him high costs in transportation will in the coming days lead to a hike in food prices in the market.

“Mr Speaker, this is the people’s House and we represent the Nigeria people, very soon with the way things are going fuel will be sold for 1,000 per litre.

He therefore called on the House to set up an Ad-Hoc committee to summon the Group Managing Director NNPCL to look into the increase in fuel price. The motion was therefore carried when put to a voice vote.

Vanguard