The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

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  • IGP grants Ugwuanyi’s requests for more personnel, equipment to tackle insecurity in Enugu

    IGP grants Ugwuanyi’s requests for more personnel, equipment to tackle insecurity in Enugu

    Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, on Wednesday, granted requests made by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State aimed at assisting the state in tackling existing and emerging security challenges and consequently maintaining Enugu’s enviable status as one of the most peaceful and safest states in Nigeria.

    Governor Ugwuanyi had in his address during the inauguration of the 76 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Ekwegbe in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area constructed by his administration, requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Baba, who performed the function, to passionately consider the deployment of the Special Forces of the Nigeria Police Force to Enugu State to help in tackling security challenges in the state.

    The governor also requested for the deployment of more units to No. 76 Police Mobile Force, to enhance its manpower base and make it more formidable.

    Governor Ugwuanyi equally appealed to the IGP to release back to base, operatives of No. 3 Police Mobile Force who are on special duty in other parts of the country, stressing that “this will further strengthen its manpower base and improve its crime fighting capability.”

    The governor went further to request for provision of additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), bulletproof vests, helmets and other protective equipment to help Police operatives in the state to frontally confront and contain unrepentant criminal elements.

    He urged the Police Chief to consider the need for the establishment and equipping of a drone section, adding that it will aid the Police in combating crimes, especially those perpetrated in areas with difficult policing terrains.

    Governor Ugwuanyi who maintained that his administration is conscious of its primary purpose of ensuring the security and welfare of the people as enshrined in section 14 sub-section 2(b) of Nigeria’s constitution (as amended), pointed out that it has continued to support and encourage the security agencies in the state, particularly the Police force, in their onerous task of providing security.

    The governor explained that the newly constructed 76 Mobile Police Force Squadron is one of the several interventions his administration has made in order to improve the security of life and property of all residents as well as visitors in the state.

    He revealed that his administration had in the past, executed and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Command, the construction of main access roads, internal roads and car parking lot at No. 3 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Agbani Road, Enugu; installation of All-in-One 80 watts solar-powered lightings in all Divisional Police Stations in Enugu State; construction and furnishing of new Divisional Police Station at Orba and Emene; and provision of logistics support including operational vehicles and communication equipment.

    Describing the inauguration of the 76 Police Mobile Force Squadron as a fulfilling moment for him “given the quantum of our investment in this project, the attendant enhancement of the state’s security architecture and its prospects for improved security of life and property in the state,” Governor Ugwuanyi commended the project contractor, Bonez Construction and Engineering Services Limited for the timely completion of the facility, as well as the staff of the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructure for their effective supervision of the project.

    He expressed optimism that the operationalisation of the facility, located along Ugwogo Nike-Opi Nsukka road, holds great promise for the improved security of life and property within the state.

    “This facility consists of administrative block, transit camp, provost’s office, armory, observatory post, generator house/generator set, commander’s and deputy commander’s quarters, parade ground, sick bay, borehole and elevated water storage and reticulation, internal road network, perimeter fence, and installation of All-in-One 80 watts solar-powered streetlights,” the governor said.

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP Baba, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Ugwuanyi for the laudable project, which he said, provides the Police Force with a conducive working environment to discharge its duties effectively.

    He expressed delight at the standard facilities provided at the Squadron for the men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force to discharge their duties accordingly, saying that they are “better facilities.”

    The IGP also appreciated the landlord, the Chairman of Igbo-Etiti LGA, Hon. Ikenna Nwodo and all the elders of the host community (Ekwegbe) for donating their land for the facility, stating that the gesture is a testimony to their commitment to security.

    Responding to Governor Ugwuanyi’s requests, IGP Baba gave favourable considerations to all the requests, and added more provisions as a mark of appreciation.

    (Sun)

  • 2023 Budget: Senate delays passage, cites late submission, uncovers errors

    2023 Budget: Senate delays passage, cites late submission, uncovers errors

    THE Senate dashed the expectations of those, who expected it to pass the 2023 Appropriations Bill into law, yesterday.

    The Senate failed to pass the 2023 Appropriations bill as earlier scheduled, blaming the Executive Arm of government for not only submitting the budget proposal very late but presenting a bill filled with errors.

    There were strong indications that the 2023 Budget was not going to be passed by the senators when the budget report was not listed on the Order Paper for yesterday’s legislative activities.

    Prior to the disclosure by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, the Senators had gone for an Executive Session shortly after the plenary resumed for the day and the closed session lasted for 15 minutes.

    President Muhammadu Buhari submitted the 2023 budget proposals of N20.51 trillion to the National Assembly at a joint sitting on October 7, 2022.

    Error-full budget proposals

    Meanwhile, the Senate will defer its traditional Christmas holiday to enable the lawmakers to attend to what was described as President Buhari’s error-full budget proposals for 2023.

    The Senate was expected to proceed on Christmas and New Year holidays following the passage but the decision to push forward the passage of the budget proposals has changed the plans.

    Speaking after the closed-door session, Lawan said the 2023 Appropriations Bill cannot be passed as scheduled against the backdrop that the Appropriations Committee could not complete work on the budget report.

    Lawan blamed the executive arm of government for submitting the budget proposal very late and with errors, disclosing that the process of cleaning the errors contained in the Appropriations bill was concluded, yesterday, adding that the two chambers have to harmonize the copy to be able to present the report for passage by both chambers on December 28, 2022.

    Lawan disclosed that the Senate and the House of Representatives were collaborating with the executive to clean up the errors in the budget ahead of its passage on Wednesday.

    Budget implementation’ll begin January 1

    Lawan also assured that the implementation of the proposed budget will still commence on January 1, 2023.

    Lawan said: “Today (yesterday) was scheduled for us to receive and consider the report of our committee on Appropriation for the 2023 Appropriation Bill. However, due to some challenges, we are not able to receive the report of the committee and the main reason is that the Appropriation Bill came to the National Assembly with some problems and when our Committees on Appropriation in the Senate and the House of Representatives started to reconcile the figures of what we have done and what was presented, the problems became very obvious and they were not easy to deal with, and therefore, our committees had to start a process of cleaning up the Bill first.

    “That process, of course, also engaged the executive arm because the problems came from there. It was concluded only on Wednesday, and our committee secretariats are not able to finish processing the budget for us to take today, tomorrow, Saturday or Sunday because these are periods that are for festivities, the Christmas period. Monday and Tuesday are public holidays.

    “Consequently, we can only receive the report and consider it on December 28, 2022. That is the earliest, that’s next week.

    “So far, this 9th National Assembly has done so much to pass the previous appropriation Bills since 2019, before the end of the year to date and I’m sure that this will remain one of the cherished legacies of the Ninth National Assembly.

    “So, by the Grace of God, on the 28th of this month, the Senate and indeed the House of Representatives will all come back to receive and consider the budget report from our committees.

    “Second, our Committee on Finance is this morning (yesterday) holding a public hearing on the Finance Bill 2022, and of course, the Finance Bill is the basis on which the Appropriation Bill 2023 is built.

    “We had arranged yesterday that the Finance committee will present a report of the Finance Bill Hearing at 2 p.m., today. That of course would not be possible. This is the reason: We also received two communications yesterday, Supplementary Budget 2022 and of course, Ways and Means. So, our Committees on Appropriation, Finance, Water Resources, Agriculture and Works and Housing will be processing the Bills for today.

    “In that respect, the Senate will adjourn immediately, so that our committees can start the action they are supposed to take and therefore, those reports will also be available to us on December 28, when we will be here.

    “And by the Grace of God, December 28, 2022, will be a very heavily loaded day for us, but I’m sure we will be able to deal with all the issues that Wednesday and our colleagues, who will wish to travel back to continue the festivities with their families can still make it the following day.

    “Let me advise the executive. The Bills that have come to us, the Ways and Means, the Supplementary Appropriation, whoever is invited to come and explain, give information or any details for the National Assembly to understand must do so because it is not our work alone.

    “We want to do our work thoroughly, we want to understand whatever we are going to deal with and to base our decisions on information, and time is of the essence.”

    (Vanguard)

  • Domestic debts hit N22.57tn as Buhari seeks fresh N819bn loan

    Domestic debts hit N22.57tn as Buhari seeks fresh N819bn loan

    Nigeria’s domestic debt rose to N22.57tn as the Federal Government on Wednesday proposed a last-minute supplementary budget for the 2022 fiscal year.

    The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), is seeking the approval of the National Assembly for N819.54bn supplementary budget, which it planned to finance through domestic borrowing.

    Buhari on Wednesday forwarded to the National Assembly for approval, N819.5bn supplementary budget for the 2022 fiscal year to fix various infrastructure destroyed by floods across the various states in the country a few months ago.

    The supplementary budget as explained by the President in a letter read in plenary by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, is meant for the capital expenditure component of the 2022 budget with an attendant increase of deficit to N8.17tn.

    The letter read, “The year 2022 has witnessed the worse flood incident in recent history which has caused massive destruction of farmlands at a point already closed to harvest season.

    “This may compound the situation of food security and nutrition in the country. The flood has also devastated road infrastructure across the 36 states and the FCT (Federal Capital Territory) as well as bridges nationwide that are critical for the movement of goods and services.

    “The water sector was equally affected by the flood and there is a need to complete some ongoing critical projects that have already achieved about 85 percentage completion. The nine critical projects proposed in the sector cut across water supply, dam projects, and irrigation projects nationwide.

    “I have approved a supplementary budget of 2022 appropriation of N819.536bn, all of which are capital expenditures. The supplementary will be financed through additional domestic borrowings which will raise the budget deficit for 2022 to N8.17tn and deficit to GDP ratio to 4.43 per cent.”

    Being a proposal coming 10 to the New Year, the President of the Senate hurriedly forwarded it to the Senate Committees on Appropriation, Finance, Works, Water Resources and Agriculture for expeditious consideration.

    The Federal Government’s initial plan was to borrow N5.01tn (with domestic debt put at N2.51tn) to finance part of the N6.26tn budget deficit.

    With the newly proposed N819.54bn domestic debt, the Federal Government’s domestic borrowing is expected to hit N3.33tn for 2022.

    Data from the Debt Management Office showed that the Federal Government’s domestic debt stock was N19.24tn as of December 2021.

    By September 2022, the domestic debt stock had risen to N21.55tn, which means that the Federal Government had borrowed N2.31tn so far.

    With the additional N819.54bn borrowing, the Federal Government can still accommodate N1.02tn more domestic debt in line with its plan.

    The reporter also learnt that the Federal Government’s domestic debt rose from N8.4tn as of June 2015 to N21.55tn as of September 2022.

    This showed an increase of N13.15tn or 156.55 per cent under Buhari.

    The reporter recently reported that Federal Government proposed to spend N4.5tn on interest charges for domestic debt by 2023, according to the proposed 2023 budget.

    This is an increase of 243.51 per cent from the N1.31tn proposed allocation for interest charges on domestic debt in 2016.

    In its latest Africa’s Pulse report, the World Bank said that public debt in Nigeria was concerning due to the rising debt service-to-revenue ratio.

    According to the bank, the debt service to revenue ratio could stand at 102.3 per cent by the end of 2022.

    While presenting the 2023 appropriation bill to a joint session of the National Assembly recently, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), noted that despite the revenue challenges in the country, the country still consistently met its debt service obligation.

    “Despite our revenue challenges, we have consistently met our debt service commitments. Staff salaries and statutory transfers have also been paid as and when due,” Buhari added.

    However, speaking at the launch of the World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update titled, ‘The urgency for business unusual,’ held recently in Abuja, the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, had admitted that Nigeria was struggling to service its debt.

    She said, “Already, we are struggling with being able to service debt because even though revenue is increasing, the expenditure has been increasing at a much higher rate, so it is a very difficult situation.”

    Buhari restructures debt

    Meanwhile, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has transmitted to the National Assembly, a request for approval of Ways and Means Advances restructuring to the tune of N23.7tn.

    At the plenary on Wednesday, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, read out Buhari’s request to members of the respective chambers.

    In the request titled ‘Restructuring of Ways and Means Advances,’ the President wrote, “The Ways and Means Advances by the Central Bank of Nigeria to the Federal Government has been a funding option to the Federal Government to cater for short-term or emergency finance to fund delayed government expected cash receipt of fiscal deficit.

    “The Ways and Means balances as of 19th December, 2022, is N23,719,703,774,306.90. I have approved the securitisation of the Ways and Means balances along the following terms: amount, N23.7tn; tenure, 40 years; moratorium on principal repayment, 3 years; pricing interest rate, 9 per cent. Your concurrence and approval is sought to allow for the implementation of the same.”

    Gbajabiamila referred the request to the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, while Lawan sent it to the Senate Committee on Finance to report back on Thursday.

    The Senate President noted that Buhari’s request for a N819.5bn supplementary budget for 2022 would be considered and passed on Thursday along with the 2023 Appropriation Bill.

    Lawan said, “We are referring these letters to our committees on Appropriation, Finance, works, water resources, and Agriculture today.

    “They have to work on it and ensure that we follow the due processes. In that respect, the Minister of Finance, the CBN; Ministers of Agriculture, Water Resources and Works, are to be invited and make themselves available for this process and to ensure that we get the right information between today and tomorrow.

    “Tomorrow (Thursday), by the grace of God, will be the last legislative day for the 9th Senate this year. It will be quite busy for us because we have to receive the report of the 2023 Appropriation Bill from our Committee on Appropriations.

    Experts react

    Reacting, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr Johnson Chukwu, said budget implementation is allowed to be extended for three months.

    He however wondered why an emergency situation that happened over three months ago is receiving government attention.

    He said, “The budget can be implemented up to the end of March as budget line can be extended up to three months. In that case, the budget doesn’t terminate with the financial year. The government has the laxity to do so. And is there is a compelling need for government to insure an expense in critical expenditure, the government always has the latitude to adjust budget timing.

    “However, I wonder how the flood that happened three months ago has become critical at this stage. Flood is an emergency situation that should be tackled immediately it happens unless they are saying the implication of the flood has just manifested now.”

    In his expert opinion, a professor of Development Economics at Babcock University, Prof Adegbemi Onakoya, said the president had acted in line with the law that allows for supplementary budget.

    A professor of Economics at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sheriffdeen Tella queried the transmission of the new supplementary budget and questioned what the recent supplementary budget was used for.

    (Punch)

  • Troops raid terrorists camps in Enugu, Ebonyi, kill several members

    Troops raid terrorists camps in Enugu, Ebonyi, kill several members

    Troops of the Nigerian Army attached to the 82 Division have killed scores of members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) when they raided their camps at Amagu village, Nkalaha community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    The operation was carried out in collaboration with the operatives of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), police and the Department of State Services (DSS) under Exercise GOLDEN DAWN II, on Monday.

    Army spokesman, Brig-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, who disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that some members of the group that have been terrorising the South East escaped with bullet wounds.

    He said, ‘’During the raid operations, the troops came in contact with members of the dissident group, resulting in an exchange of fire. In the encounter, the gallant troops neutralised some of the irredentists, while others took to their heels abandoning the camp.’’

    ‘’The Nigerian Army also encourages members of the public to work harmoniously with the security agencies to collectively make the South East and the entire nation secured and peaceful,’’ he added.

    The Nigerian military in recent times has launched offensives against terrorists in different parts of the country with the outlawed groups recording heavy casualties.

    A few days ago in Zamfara, not fewer than 180 bandits were killed in airstrikes by the NAF. Over 60 civilians used as shields by the dissidents were also killed in the crossfire.

    Discoveries in South East

    Nwachukwu stated that the troops recovered 102 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 pump action guns, 5 locally made rifles, 1 roll of detonator 27, quantity 24 detonators, 33 electrical cables, quantity 12 of type 36 hand grenades and 12 bags of substances suspected to be marijuana.

    He said the troops also recovered three motorcycles, 2 generators, 1 water pumping machine, military woodland camouflage and police uniforms.

    The army spokesman said the troops in another operation on the same date, while on routine patrol in Agubeji community in Enugu State arrested a suspect, one Mr Martins Abogwu, for conniving with IPOB/Eastern Security Network (ESN) elements to unleash attacks on innocent citizens.

    He said the suspect, who claimed he was the chief security officer of the community, was assisting in the preliminary investigations that followed and had led troops to their camp where a shallow grave containing two decomposing bodies were uncovered.

    ‘’One of the corpses has been identified as a member of the local vigilante, who was kidnapped about a month ago.

    ‘’The Nigerian Army reassures law abiding citizens of its unwavering resolve, in synergy with other services and security agencies to deny criminal elements the freedom of action and progressively rid the nation of identified threats to national security by executing its constitutional responsibilities in conformity with extant rules of engagement.

    In a related development, the Director of DSS in Imo State, Wilcox Idaminabo, has announced the arrest of kingpins behind the frequent attacks, especially the burning of offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.

    He, however, did not specify the identity of the group.

    The police in Imo and Ebonyi recently identified IPOB as the masterminds of the burning of the INEC offices and the killing of residents for defying the sit-at-home order declared by the outlawed group.

    A few days ago, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, also raised the alarm that separatist groups in the country were working to disrupt the 2023 general elections.

    Baba, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General in charge of operations, Dandaura Mustapha, spoke on Friday when he appeared before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating attacks on the facilities of the INEC.

    The police chief said the attacks on the offices of the electoral body increased after the ban on political campaigns was lifted.

    Idaminabo, who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof Sylvia Uchenna Agu, in Owerri, the state capital, said that the department would continue to work to ensure that peace was restored in the state.

    He said the department had also dislodged the camp at Orsu where the hoodlums had made their headquarters.

    He said the constant raid by operatives of DSS led to the arrest of one Mike Ahize, who is the leader of the hoodlums in Orsu.

    He said that the pounding of the hoodlums’ camp in Orsu had made them relocate to the Aku/Ihube axis along the Okigwe Expressway where they continued with their attacks.

    Ibidaminabo however expressed delight that another leader named Ejima was arrested Tuesday night.

    The DSS said, “We have continued to comb their camps and cells in Orsu, Njaba, Orlu and Okigwe and our onslaughts, especially at Njaba led to the arrest of one Ejima who has been threatening to burn down the state. I am happy to announce that just last night (Tuesday) we apprehended him and he’s now in our custody.

    “We also recovered a lot of arms, ammunition and charms from him.”

    Idaminabo appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies to ensure that these hoodlums were arrested and made to face the law.

    ‘There’s a dangerous group in town’, NSCDC boss raises alarm

    The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has disclosed the presence of a ‘dangerous group’ in Nigeria causing mayhem.

    Audi disclosed this during the opening ceremony of the last Commandant General Conference for 2022 with zonal commanders and state commandants of the corps at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The CG said the group was identified through an intelligence report at the disposal of the corps.

    “There is a dangerous group in town. The members dress in security uniforms and they have started unleashing mayhem on the citizens. So, we have to buckle up and fish these people out,” Audi called on the top officers to live up to the expectations of the government by doing their job well.

    The CG, while noting that the nation would be heading into the general elections in a few weeks, said the conference would devise a strategy to end the destruction of the INEC’s facilities.

    He charged the zonal commanders and state commandants to work with sister agencies in ensuring the protection of government property and public infrastructures in their respective states.

    “We are going to hold commandants accountable if there is any attack on any INEC facility in their states,” Audi said. He charged them to concentrate more on intelligence gathering, stressing that preventing a crime was cheaper than solving it.

    (Daily Trust)

  • Not less than 11 people electrocuted in Zaria

    Not less than 11 people electrocuted in Zaria

    No fewer than 11 were feared killed following high electric power supply in some areas of Zazzau in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    Areas affected include Gwargwaje and Kauran Juli situated along Zaria-Kaduna Expressway.

    “Electric power supply was restored in high voltage in the area around 1am. It caused indiscriminate spark of electricity gadgets. That resulted in the burning of a house of one Engineer Zubair Abubakar while other houses continued to release smoke,” said a resident of the area, Aliyu Samaila.

    Daily Trust gathered that those feared dead include a pregnant woman, health personnel, a police officer and many others all in the Gwargwaje area.

    Mrs Christy Lombo, wife of the police officer that lost his life in the incident at Gwargwaje police barracks, said they were all asleep when electricity power was restored.

    “My daughter woke up to realise that some of the fuses in the house were in smoke. So she woke me up but before then my husband had already woken up and went to switch off the light from the main change over plug.

    “He was instantly shocked and thrown away by the high current. We later took him to the hospital where he gave up,” she said.

    The Head of Corporate Communication, Kaduna Electricity Company (KEDCO), Abdulazeez Abdullahi, in a press release said preliminary investigation revealed “The accident was as a result of high tension line snap on to the low tension line, which resulted in voltage supply outside limits.

    “The source feeder was immediately opened in an emergency to avoid further damage.

    “We continue to monitor the situation closely and communicate the facts of this regrettable incident. We express our deepest sympathies to families who have encountered losses as a result of this accident.”

    KEDCO, however, commended the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, for his support in managing the effect of the incident.

    (Daily Trust)

  • JUST IN: Doyin Okupe resigns as LP’s campaign DG, says his personal interest won’t be allowed to distract Obi’s campaign 

    JUST IN: Doyin Okupe resigns as LP’s campaign DG, says his personal interest won’t be allowed to distract Obi’s campaign 

    Mr Doyin Okupe has resigned as the Campaign Director-General of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

    In a letter addressed to the LP presidential candidate on Tuesday, Okupe said it is better not to allow his personal interest distract the campaign of Obi and that of the party, hence his decision to step aside.

    “Dear Peter, you will recall that I briefed you yesterday about my travails in seeking justice and clearing my name using the Nigerian Legal System to pursue same,” the letter read in part.

    “I have invested too much in your campaign to allow my personal travails to become a source of distraction.

    “In the circumstances, I have opted to step aside and plead that you appoint a new Campaign DG who can continue the assignment with zero distractions. God bless you and family.”

    Okupe’s resignation followed a judgement by the Federal High Court in Abuja which found him guilty of receiving over N200 million cash from former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.

    Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu in her ruling on Monday held that the action of Okupe, who is the first defendant in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), violated the Money Laundering Act.

    The court consequently held that Okupe was guilty in counts 34, 35, 36, and 59.

    Shortly after his conviction on Monday, Okupe took to Twitter to blame his “enemies” for his legal travails.

    “God is not man. The enemies have tried in so many ways but kept on failing. Victory is of God,” he wrote.

    (Channels TV)

  • Twitter users vote for Elon Musk’s resignation as CEO

    Twitter users vote for Elon Musk’s resignation as CEO

    Majority of the Twitter users, who participated in a poll put up by Elon Musk have voted for his ouster as Chief Executive Office, CEO of the micro-blogging platform.

    Musk, the billionaire founder Tesla Inc, on Sunday launched a poll to determine whether he should remain as CEO.

    Based on the result of the poll which ended on Monday, 57.5 percent of the 17.5 million users, who partook asked for his exit.

    Musk had earlier pledged to abide by the poll’s results when it ends.

    “Should I step down as head of Twitter? I will abide by the results of this poll,” he asked Twitter users when he put up the poll.

    After what has been described as a controversial acquisition deal, Musk agreed to buy Twitter for $44 billion in April 2022, thereby becoming CEO of the microblogging platform.

    According to the deal, investors received $54.20 for each Twitter share they own, the company said in a statement.

    Twitter also became a privately held company upon the completion of the transaction.

    Musk, following his ascension as the company’s head, implemented many radical policies beginning with the sack of Twitter’s three top executives, less than a day after completing the acquisition of the platform.

    Following that, the billionaire went on a massive global layoff spree which affected Twitter’s newly created Africa headquarters, cutting the jobs of 3,700 workers.

    Musk further switched gears by introducing a verification policy which compels users to pay at least $8 to get the blue badge.

    Although the billionaire said he acquired the social media platform to promote free speech, Musk has come under intense criticism since he took over the company.

    (Vanguard)

  • Money laundering: Labour Party Campaign DG pays N13m, escapes two-year jail

    Money laundering: Labour Party Campaign DG pays N13m, escapes two-year jail

    Dr Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was on Monday found guilty of receiving over N200m cash from a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

    He was therefore sentenced to two years imprisonment by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of a Federal High Court in Abuja with an option of N500, 000 fine on each of the 26 count charges for which he was found guilty.

    Delivering her judgment, Justice Ojukwu held that Okupe, who is the first defendant in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission violated the Money Laundering Act.

    She said he had up to 4.30 pm to pay the fine option totalling N13m on all the charges he was found guilty of or be sent to the Kuje Correctional Centre.

    Justice Ojukwu, in sentencing Okupe, considered the pleadings for leniency from the convict’s wife, Omolola, and his son, Adesunkanmi.

    While stating that the Money Laundering Act provided that no individual or organisation shall receive any sum above N5m and N10m respectively without passing through a financial institution, the judge held that, “there is no evidence that the money passed through a financial institution” and that Okupe was not a financial institution, and that, even if the president was said to have authorised the funds, he did not say that the money must be paid in cash.

    Consequently, the court found Okupe guilty in counts 34, 35, 36 to 59 and sets him free from counts 1 to 33 because the prosecution failed to establish the charge of money laundering and criminal breach of trust and corruption against the NSA.

    In counts 34 to 59 upon which Okupe was convicted, he was accused of receiving various sums of money ranging from N10m on different occasions from 2012 to 2015 when he was Jonathan’s aide.

    The said sum, he said, was spent on running his office, payment of staff members and image laundering of the former President and his administration. But, the court, however, held that receiving such amounts in cash violated the Money Laundering Act.

    Shortly after his conviction, Okupe’s counsel, Francis Oronsaye, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy because the defendant was a first-time offender, a family man who is also advanced in age and having health challenges that he is currently treating in Nigeria and outside the country.

    Fine paid

    The reporter however gathered that Okupe succeeded in paying his fine before the deadline and was allowed to go.

    A source said, “Okupe has paid; they returned with the bank papers around 4.25pm. The court processed it, and everybody signed, including the EFCC lawyer.”

    Shortly after his release, Okupe tweeted, “God is not man. The enemies have tried in so many ways but kept on failing. Victory is of God.”

    Labour Party speaks

    Meanwhile, the leadership of the Labour Party on Monday said it would first obtain a copy of the judgment of the court that convicted Okupe, who is the Director-General of Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council and study it before taking a position on the matter.

    The spokesman of the campaign council, Yunusa Tanko, disclosed this in an interview with The reporter shortly after Okupe was convicted.

  • Enugu State Governor, others win The Sun Awards 2022

    Enugu State Governor, others win The Sun Awards 2022

    In line with its tradition of honouring those who have done well in different fields of human endeavours, The Sun Publishing Limited has announced winners of the various categories of The Sun Awards for 2022.

    According to a press statement signed by Onuoha Ukeh, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Group Chief Operating Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Malam Mele Kyari, emerged as the Man of the Year.

    Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa) and Douye Diri (Bayelsa) were named as winners of the Governor of the Year Award, with Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, clinching the Courage in Leadership Award.

    Political Icon Award goes to Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, while First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr. Zainab Bagudu, is the First Lady of the Year.

    Dr. John-Kennedy Opara, Chairman, CSS Integrated Farms and Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu, Chairman, Stanel Group, are winners of the Investor of the Year Award, while iconic actress, Mercy Johnson, is Nollywood Personality of the Year. Mr. Festus Mbisiogu, Chairman of Shanghai Engineering Works Limited and Lady Ada Chukwudozie of Dozzy Group Limited won the Industrialist of the Year, while Barr (Mrs.) Ngozi Ekeoma, Managing Director of NEPAL Energies Limited and Chief Bensheck Igwe, Chairman, Autosheck Oil Limited, are winners of Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

    For the Public Service Award, Dr. George Moghalu, Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority; Prof Mohammed Haruna, Executive Vice Chairman, National Agency for Science Engineering Infrastructure and Dr. Richard Okoye, Chief Medical Director, Save-A-Life Mission Hospital, Port Harcourt, are winners, while Mr. Olukayode Pitan, Managing Director, Bank of Industry, is winner of Banker of the Year.

    The Humanitarian Service Icon Award goes to General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere and Chief James Chijioke Ume, Chairman, Unubiko Foundation, with Chief Kelvin Jumbo Onumah emerging as winner of Hospitality Personality Award.

    The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion; former governor of Jigawa State, Allhaji Sule Lamido; former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and ex-Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu.

    The statement said winners of The Sun Awards 2022 emerged after the usual painstaking selection process by the Board of Editors, with merit as the cardinal principle.

    The Sun said winners of the 2022 edition of the awards are tagged “the Pride of the Nation” because “through their accomplishments, in the face of socio-economic and political challenges in Nigeria, they have made the country proud.”

    The newspaper said that by their achievements, this year’s award winners have given the citizenry hope that “the country has the potential to be great.”

    •Reasons For Emergence Of Winners Will Be Unveiled On January 9, 2023

    (Sun)

  • Court Summons CBN, Emefiele, AGF to Defend Suit Challenging Naira Redesign Policy

    Court Summons CBN, Emefiele, AGF to Defend Suit Challenging Naira Redesign Policy

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), its Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami have been dragged to a Federal Court in Awka over the implementation of the naira redesign policy.

    The redesigned currencies N1,000, N500 and N200 went into circulation on December 15, 2022, and would finally displace the old notes by the end of January 2023.

    But the Incorporated Trustees of a non-governmental organisation and the African Initiative against Abuse of Public Trust had filed a suit on behalf of over 50 million Nigerians in rural areas who have to bank account, to stop the CBN from implementing the policy.

    In the Suit marked FHC/AWK/CS/195/2022 filed by Mr. N. D. Agu, on behalf of the plaintiff, the court had on November 30, 2022, delivered a ruling granting the application in part and gave an order for the defendants to be served with the motion ex parte dated November 18, 2022, but filed on November 29, 2022.

    But the court presided over by Hon. Justice H. A. Nganjiwa directed the plaintiff to put the defendants on notice to compel them to appear before it and show cause why the plaintiff’s prayers should not be granted.

    An Aba-based lawyer, Chief Musa Tolani, the counsel to the three defendants told journalists yesterday at the commercial city of Aba that the plaintiff’s prayers were for the court to order an interim injunction stopping the policy implementation.

    According to the plaintiff, the policy on redesigned naira should not be implemented until, “a clear policy (is put in place) on how to accommodate over 50 million Nigerians without bank accounts.”

    The plaintiff, therefore asked the court to issue an order restraining the defendants, particularly, the CBN and Emefiele, either by themselves or their proxies or agents, “from taking any step to enforce the implementation of the policy without protecting the interest of unbanked Nigerians.”

    The reliefs sought by the plaintiff included granting accelerated hearing and determination of the substantive originating summons, granting the claimant leave to serve the defendants with the court processes by substituted means by posting or courier services.

    They also prayed the court for an, “order of departure from the rules by abridging the time within which the Defendants may file their respective Counter Affidavit to substantive Originating Summons to a period of five days from the date of service of the processes.”

    After the counsel informed the court that both the CBN and Emefiele had served the plaintiff with their responses to the originating process, Justice Nganjiwa granted the relief to the plaintiff to serve the third defendant, Malami with the originating summons.

    However, citing, “the nature and far reaching effects,” of two of the reliefs sought, the court refused to grant an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants, especially CBN and its governor, from implementing the naira redesign policy.

    It also refused to bar the CBN and Emefiele, “from taking any steps to dissipate, discountenance or in any other manner inhibit over 50 million Nigerians without bank accounts from using alternative means and or physical means to exchange old notes with the redesigned notes.”

    The court said that it, “finds it very difficult to grant the said reliefs wiithout hearng from the other side” and adjourned the matter to January 19, 2023 for hearing of motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

    (This day)

  • Enugu community attacked again by suspected herders; many feared dead

    Enugu community attacked again by suspected herders; many feared dead

    A yet-to-be-ascertained number of people have reportedly been killed after suspected armed herdsmen attacked Ebor, Eha-Amufu community in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State on Sunday morning. This is as another set of suspected herdsmen, weekend, carried out a fresh attack on Adaka community, killing at least three persons.

    Since 2021, communities in Isi Uzo have come under attack, with over 100 said to have been killed so far. According to sources, the masterminds of the early morning Sunday attack outnumbered the soldiers and local vigilantes while they launched the attack, killing several people.

    A community leader, Ogbuabor Samuel, who confirmed the attack, said several people had been killed, adding that at least 10 bodies had been recovered. He blamed the local government chairman, whom he said was playing politics with the lives of Eha-Amufu, because of the 2023 general election.

    “The chairman of the Isi-Uzo local government area is playing politics with our lives,” he said, adding, “He didn’t want to tell the governor the true facts of what is happening in our community. He is not supporting the local vigilantes and other local security.”

    Samuel claimed that the LG chairman dissolved all the local vigilantes formed by Eha-Amufu communities and hardly visited the affected communities.

    “We need the government to declare a security emergency in Eha-Amufu, especially in Ebor, Umujiovu, Mgbuji and Agu-Amede communities,” he said, noting that, “Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi should do something drastic. His government should stop politicizing the situation in our place.”

    He further claimed that Agala people in Benue State had joined forces with the armed herdsmen in attacking and killing the people every day.

    “They have sacked several villages and occupied them. They have destroyed our people’s livelihood. Properties worth millions have been destroyed and those in political positions in Enugu State are playing politics with it?” he said.

    Confirming the killings, another indigene of Eha Amufu, Ebuka Onah, in a public message to the Governor of Enugu State tagged “Governor Ugwuanyi has refused to save our lives”, said

    more people were killed as Fulani herdsmen sacked the whole towns in Eha-Amufu.

    “Some armed groups have attacked our land again. The group suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and collaborators from Agala community in Benue State today, Sunday attacked Abor community in Eha-Amufu. And a yet-to-be-ascertained number of people were killed in the process. This attack is barely eight days after assailants attacked us and killed 25 people at the last count. The attack also forced residents of Mgbuji, Umujiovu and Abor communities to flee from their homes.

    “Subsequently, businesses were forced to shut down. These assailants have already sacked over 40 villages and settlements. Now they are attacking our hometowns. These people are coming from communities in Benue State and the government is aware of it.

    “The invaders who out numbered the soldiers and vigilantes, launched another attack on Abor community this early Sunday morning. Not less than 10 bodies are already seen. Our people are still in the bushes combing and searching for more people killed. What is happening in our land is unfortunate. From the report I received, the armed herdsmen and their collaborators from Benue State communities launched the attack around 5:30 am to 6 am this morning”.

    Continuing he said: “Meanwhile, the state police command has confirmed the today’s attack but did not give the casualty figure. Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is playing politics with our lives! The world should hear this; Our Governor should be held responsible for blood been spilled in Eha-amufu Land”.

    From Adaka, a settlement about 20 kilometers on the outskirts of Makurdi Local Government Area, which is also Benue’s State capital, a resident of the community, Iorkohol Unande, who survived the dastardly incident narrated that the attack was unprovoked. He said the attackers shot sporadically, injuring several persons in the community while three dead bodies were recovered by the time the killer herdsmen retreated unchallenged.

    According to him, the three persons killed by the attackers were all men, who were shot at and their bodies butchered by the assailants.

    Reacting to the unending orgy of bloodletting, a resident of Makurdi, John Kwaghmande, stated that “the killer Fulani herdsmen have a mission to displace our people and take over our lands ahead of next year’s polls.

    “It is unfortunate that other politicians in our state are collaborating with these monstrous terrorists to unleash mayhem on our people. We will reject such persons at the polls,” he stated.

    (Arise News/Pacesetter)

  • Insecurity: Hoodlums set Imo magistrate’s court ablaze

    Insecurity: Hoodlums set Imo magistrate’s court ablaze

    Hoodlums yesterday set ablaze a section of the Owerri Magistrate’s Court in Imo State, barely 24 hours after gunmen razed down a High Court in Orlu council in the state.

    The magistrate’s court, which is located at the heart of the state capital, was housing the Owerri High Court close to the official residences of the Brigade Commander and the state Police Commissioner.

    A source told Daily Sun that the suspects came with explosives and targeted a section of the roof of the facility. It was learnt that case files and documents were reduced to ashes. He wondered how the hoodlums succeeded in setting ablaze the magistrate’s court with the presence of soldiers who had their armoured vehicle stationed at the entrance to the court.

    The source said: “Hoodlums have razed part of the Owerri Magistrate’s Court located at Owerri- Orlu Road. It happened today (Sunday). This is very unfortunate. I am still wondering how the hoodlums could attack the court, while the soldiers are stationed at the entrance to the place. It is even more worrisome that the court is very close to the residences of both the brigade commander and the state commissioner of police, and also near to the office of the deputy governor and yet the court was still set ablaze.”

    Daily Sun, who visited the scene yesterday afternoon, observed that smokes were billowing out from a part of the court building that was burnt.

    The police spokesperson of Imo State Command, Michael Abbattam (CSP), who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the fire had been put out. He also disclosed that the command had begun an investigation into the incident and that the arsonists would be brought to book.

    (Sun)