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Why Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB Leader, Hired Another New Senior Counsel

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has hired a new Lawyer.

To join his team of Lawyers is a Senior Lawyer, Chukwuma Machukwu Umeh, SAN.

In the past two months, Umeh will be the second senior Lawyer to join Kanu’s team. The first was Dr. Mike Ozekhome, SAN. Before then, Nigerians were used to Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, and Barr. Alloy Ejimakor, IPOB/Kanu’s Special Counsel.

IPOB sources say the new entrant is to help strengthen  Kanu’s legal team.

However, inside sources say it is because Kanu now appreciates the seriousness of the case at hand and does not want “to take chances.”

Said one of the sources: “Kanu seems to have realized that the case the Federal Government has woven against him is beyond threats, and sit-at-home orders by IPOB.

“Truth is that the Federal Government does not care if IPOB locks down the South-east for 10 years. The FG says it is their business if they choose to inflict hardship on their people. It is prepared to follow the case till the end on points of law.”

However, not a few people and groups have faulted the FG’s stance insisting that Kanu’s case can only be resolved politically.

A few days ago, Southern and Middle Belt leaders, at a meeting in Abuja, asked for the unconditional release of Kanu. They noted that it is unfair and discriminatory and unjust to lock and prosecute Kanu while muderous and blood thirsty terrorists- Boko Haram and Bandits- are being pampared and feted in Government Houses.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo had, also, called, on a number of times, for the unconditional release of the IPOB Leader.

Kanu is being prosecuted by the Federal Government, which has kept him in custody since June 2021 when he was renditions, according to his Lawyers, from Nairobi, Kenya, at a Federal High Court, Abuja, for sundry issues including alleged treasonable felony and terrorism.

On Wednesday, March 16, 2022, another Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed his application to have the Director General of the Department of State Services, appear in person, in Court, to give evidence on a fundamental rights case he filed against the Federal Government and its agents.

Prince Emeka Obasi, Publisher Of Hallmark, Dies, Aged 58!

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Emeka Obasi

By Adesina Soyooye

The cerebral Publisher of Hallmark Newspapers, Prince Emeka Obasi is dead.

Smart, brilliant, suave, a wordsmith, elegant writer, author, entrepreneur, resourceful, with a great network of sources and friends, Prince Obasi reportedly died on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.

Obasi, was a former Special Adviser under the Government of former Governor Orji Kalu, who later appointed him Commissioner for Information.

He, gradually, took ill about eight years ago, but battled it both medically and spiritually in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. He never believed the illness was ordinary, as he noted in one of his “tell-all” books.

Obasi was the Founder and Executive Secretary of Public Policy Research And Analysis Centre, PPRAC, the organizers of the prestigious Zik Leadership Award. He was also the President of Cameo Adventures Ltd, Lagos, President/Chief Executive Officer, Patriotic Ltd, a Public Relations outfit.

He had worked at Newswatch and Classique Magazines, before founding the Hallmark Newspapers.

A native of Ibeku, Umuahia, Obasi attended the University of Calabar where he read English.

Born on February 10, 1964, a native of Abia State, he married the beautiful Betty, an Eye Doctor, in 2000, his devoted wife,  with whom he had children.

He will be sorely missed by his family, colleagues and many friends.

Senator Osakwe Dies, Aged 73 Years

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Patrick Enebeli Osakwe

By Adesina Soyooye

A three-time Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Patrick Enebeli Osakwe is dead.

Osakwe, reportedly, died in a London hospital where he had gone for medicals.

A native of Ndokwa, Delta State, Osakwe was, first, elected a Senator in 1999, and was re-elected in 2003 and 2007. He was succeeded in the Senate in 2011 by the now Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

Osakwe was born on August 11, 1948. He attended the University of Benin and had a string of degrees to his name – B.Sc, M.Sc, LLB, BL.

FG To Borrow N2.2bn Petrol Subsidy

By
James Orji
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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Zainad Ahmed, the minister of Finance has disclosed that the federal government will borrow to fund petrol subsidy in this year’s budget. President Muhammadu Buhari had two weeks ago sent a bill to the National Assembly for the Amendment of the 2022 Budget to accommodate the over N2 trillion provided in the budget for fuel subsidy.

Last week, the minister said the federal government has totally removed electricity subsidy, noting that plans are in the offing to remove petrol subsidy in phases beginning from this year.

The deadline for removing petrol subsidy was initially set for July this year, but had to be moved forward after the presidency and National Assembly disagreed on the issue.

The minister however said on Tuesday that the subsidy will be funded from the $ 2.2 billion Eurobonds the federal government is planning to raise within the year.

Zainab said there is no other potion left for the government to get fund for the growing petrol subsidy which has been on astronomical rise since President Buhari came to power in 2015.

According to her, “Rising oil prices have put us in a very precarious position … because we import refined products … and it means that our subsidy cost is increasing.”

Speaking at the virtual meeting of African Finance Ministers and the International Monetary Fund, last Thursday, Zainab said this year’s had been prepared to accommodate the incremental removal of petrol subsidy, adding that the government had to carefully adjust the prices incrementally at some levels.

She said, “we are cleaning up our subsidies. We had a setback; we were to remove fuel subsidy by July this year but there was a lot of pushback from the polity.

“We have elections coming and because of the hardship that companies and citizens went through during the COVID-19 pandemic, we just felt that the time was not right, so we pulled back on that,” Ahmed said.

“But we have been able to quietly implement subsidy removal in the electricity sector and as we speak, we don’t have subsidies in the electricity sector.

“We did that incrementally over time by carefully adjusting the prices at some levels while holding the lower levels down.”

The minister said petrol subsidy remained a huge problem for the government that it will have to be removed at a point whether Nigerians like it or not.

She explained that talks are in top gear with the national Assembly to ensure that petrol subsidy is totally phased out, noting that this must be done to reduce the yearly budget subsidy to the barest minimum.

“We are currently doing a budget amendment to accommodate incremental subsidy (removal) as a result of the reversal of the decision and we want to cap it at that.

“Hopefully, the parliament will agree with us and we are able to continue with our plan for subsidy (removal) otherwise the way things are going we will not be able to predict where the deficit will be as a result of the fluctuation in the global market,” the minister said.

NIMASA Act Amendment Gets Stakeholders Nod

By
James Orji
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By James Orji

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila Tuesday announced that the 9thAssembly embarked on the Amendment of the NIMASA Act 2007 and the Cabotage Act 2003 due to the need to improve the regulatory instruments in the Nigerian maritime sector to meet the need of current realities.

Gbajabiamila stated this while declaring open the two day public hearing by the House Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration on the Merchant Shipping Act, Repeal and Enactment Bill 2021, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act Repeal & Enactment Bill 2021, Coastal & Inland Cabotage Amendment Bill 2020.

The Speaker noted the need for appropriate regulation of the Nigerian maritime industry in tune with realities of the times to ensure maximum utilization of the nation’s maritime sector.

On her part, Chairman House Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration  Linda Ikpeazu said the public hearing was to ensure that the decision of the Legislature regarding the Bills are taken from well informed position premised on submisions from maritime stakeholders from all aspects of the industry.

She said: “It is common knowledge that the maritime sector is a foundation and catalyst to growth of nations that possess marine endowments. Nigeria, by any standard, is well endowed by ocean coastline, rivers, and a rich marine bio-diversity.

“Not only are we focused on making the maritime sector a key alternative source of revenue and economic growth to our dwindling oil resources, we are also poised to develop a prosperous blue economy for our nation, akin to similar success in the maritime nation around the world.

In his submission, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, commended the National Assembly for embarking on the review of the Laws governing the maritime sector noting that the new NIMASA Bill under consideration, will enhance the capacity of the Agency to effectively regulate the Nigerian maritime industry in line with international best practice.

The Minister who was represented by the Director, Legal Service of the Ministry, Paul Oteh, however expressed reservation about the Agency funding the Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko.

“The ministry does not support 12% of NIMASA revenue going to the University. The proposal, in our view, also does not recognize the fact that the university, like other public institutions under the supervision of the NUC and the Federal Ministry of Education, is ordinarily entitled to public funds as may be appropriated by the National Assembly on an annual basis.” The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, who was represented by the Agency’s Executive Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Eng. Victor Ochei adopted the position of the Minister as NIMASA’s position.

The Nigerian Navy, on its part, supported the amendment of the NIMASA act, urging the National Assembly, to look critically at the security component of the bill to ensure that the relationship between the two agencies is enhanced.

The Chief of Naval staff, Awwal Gambo, who applauded the initiative, said it will improve NIMASA’s institutional capacity and enhance Maritime Administration in Nigeria.

Gambo who was represented by Rear Admiral Solomon Agada, said, “the provision of a separate section on marine casualty and the proposed establishment of a Maritime Accident Investigation Unit, will improve compliance with extant regulations, such as, the international regulations for preventing collision at sea, 1972 and thus enhanced Maritime safety.”

The Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN),  Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, WISTA, CIOTA Nigerian Welfare Board, National Association of Master Mariners amongst others were stakeholders who made presentations supporting the proposed amendments to the two Acts of the national Assembly under consideration.

Global Policing Network: IGP Baba Joins Other Police Chiefs in Dubai; Seeks Enhanced Global Support

By
The Source
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Global Policing Network

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, led the Nigeria Police delegation to the World Police Summit taking place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, between 14th – 17th March, 2022.

The World Police Summit is a high-level engagement platform which brings together leaders and professionals from the international law enforcement and policing community to cross-fertilize ideas, examine crime trends, and share innovations with a view to combating the challenges posed by organized crime, rapid population growth, urbanization and evolving digital technology, amongst others, to public safety and security.

The Summit scheduled to cover the entire law enforcement and policing value chain will provide participants the thought-leadership, direction, strategies and technologies required to augment public safety in the face of growing global security threats, including terrorism, money laundering, and cybercrime.

The Inspector-General of Police has seized the opportunity of the gathering of professionals to establish contacts with his counterparts from other nations to bolster collaboration and partnership in his drive to improve on intelligence-led and ICT-driven policing even as the Nigeria Police occupies a strategic position in the top hierarchy of the INTERPOL with the recent election of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja, AIG Garba Umar, as INTERPOL Vice President, Africa.

Other Members of the Nigeria Police delegation include; AIG Garba Umar, CP Forensics, FCID, Abuja – CP Shehu Gwarzo, amongst others.

Araraume Joins PDP

By
The Source
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Ifeanyi Ararume JNR

By Charles Igbo

The political realignment in Imo State as the 2023 General Elections continued on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, when Ifeanyi Araraume Jnr, joined the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

Making public his migration to the PDP, he said: “Today, I officially joined the PDP in my Ward. In everything I have done, I have tried my best never to be found wanting. I hope it remains so in this new journey.”

Araraume jnr is the son of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC. However, the Senator’s sojourn to the APC has not been smooth. At every corner, he has been dealt a deadly blow which only a man as politically strong as he is would withstand.

He roundly failed in his bid to represent Okigwe Zone – Imo North – in the Senate, a seat he worked very hard to sit on. The death of Senator Ben Uwajimogu created the vacancy. With the declaration of Senator Hope Uzodinma as Governor, Araraume, who had contested for the seat of the Governor under the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, gradually went back to the APC, from where he had decamped to APGA, for the sole purpose of vying for the Governor’s seat.

He tried, very much, to ingratiate himself to Governor Uzodinma so as to be backed for the Senatorial seat. But the Governor preferred the now Senator Frank Ibezim.

Ararume had the full support  of former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha. But their combination was not strong enough to defeat Uzodinma’s candidate, even though two of them, ridiculously, contested under the APC because the Party held parallel Primary. It took the Courts to decide who really was the candidate of the Party. It went to Ibezim.

Having fallen out with the Governor over the Senatorial  seat, he fully joined Okorocha’s camp, a camp which till date, has refused to recognise the new  Executive of the APC in the State. Its members refused to take part in the APC membership revalidation exercise, making their membership of the Party suspect.

But, out of the blues, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Senator Ararume the Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, NNPC.  The appointment threw Ararume and associates into a wild jubilation. But he suffered one of the worst humiliations of his political career when his inauguration, and members of the Board, in Abuja, was called off at the last minute.

Weeks later, Buhari dropped Ararume, appointed a new Chairman, Senator Margery Okadigbo, and swore her and the other members in.

Since then, Senator Araraume  has been quiet.

Speculations have, however, been rife that he was on his way to defecting to the PDP with his associates. His son’s defection to the PDP on Tuesday, could be a first step to his.

Ararume jnr was a Commissioner in the Okorocha administration. He resigned when Okorocha fell out with his father over the 2019 Governorship candidate. Okorocha, to Araraume’s disappointment, preferred his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu to him or his son.

By decamping, Ararume jnr is only following the footsteps of his father who had decamped from the PDP, to AD, to APC, to APGA, and back to APC. His next bus stop is being awaited, especially, with his son’s movement.

Ondo, Malaysia In Joint Rice Production

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has assured that his administration will continue to create more enabling environment for industries and investors to thrive without hiccups.

Governor Akeredolu gave the assurance on Tuesday during the exchange of Memorandum of Agreement between the Ondo State Government and the La-RUTA Malaysia in Akure.

The event was also attended virtually by the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Mdm Gloria Corina Peter Tiwet; High Commissioner of Nigeria to Malaysia, Hajara Salim Ibrahim.

Also present at the Governor’s office in Akure were: President, Nigeria Malaysia Business Council; CEO, Laruta, Madam Shirley Ther; and the Director, Investment Promotion, NIPC, Mr Emmanuel Adeshina.

The Governor described the exchange of the MOA as the beginning of a sustainable partnership and collaboration, adding that the State has provided an enabling environment with continuous government supports.

“It should be recalled that over two years ago, I traveled with a team from the State to Malaysia to explore the possibility of a mutually beneficial partnership in Agro-business because we were of the view that Malaysia enjoys   comparative advantage over us in this area.

“Officials of Ondo State Government have met on several occasions both physically and virtually with Malaysia institutions and investors.

“Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Agreement, I believe is the beginning of a sustainable partnership and collaboration.

“I was reliably informed that your advance team was on the project site last Saturday.  Let me assure you that you are in the right State as the enabling environment has been provided and you will continue to enjoy the support of the government.”

Governor Akeredolu, while identifying rice as the stable food for most Nigerians, stressed that rice consumption is increasing daily in the country.

“I recall that when we were just a country of about 40 million people, rice was only eaten during special occasions and ceremonies, but with time, rice has become a major food in almost every home.

“With a population of over 200 million, therefore, you can imagine what the market and potential of rice value-chain has become in Nigeria and will continue to be.

“No doubt, there has been a significant rise in rice production in Nigeria and it got to the highest level so far in year 2020 with about 5.06 million tons per annum.”

The Governor maintained that farmers in the state are already producing paddy rice, assuring that La-RUTA will have reasonable supply of paddy rice from the local rice farmers across the State, for processing, while they embark on their own cultivation for enhanced capacity utilisation to be achieved.

“It is apposite to inform you that we are not looking at Ogbese/Uso axis alone.  In the Southern Senatorial District of the State, there is a large expanse of land suitable for rice cultivation in Irele Local Government.

“The place will be made available for your use too, for expansion.  You can cultivate directly and have out growers too.

“Let me assure you that our people are friendly and reliable and we will continue to support you.”

Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gloria Corina Peter Tiwet expressed confidence that Ondo State will soon begin to export rice, adding that the efforts of Governor Akeredolu is commendable.

The Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Salim Ibrahim said Governor Akeredolu has brought an interesting development to the sunshine state, saying “We are proud of you. You have opened up Ondo State for something big and very interesting. We are very proud of you.”

Kyari: Court Threatens To Strike Out Human Right Violation Case

By
Uche Mbah
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Abba Kyari in Court

By Uche Mbah

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Tuesday, all but accused the defence lawyer to Abba Kyari of deliberately trying to stall N500million fundamental right enforcement suit that Abba Kyari filed against the Federal Government, effectively threatening to strike out the case if thar continues.

Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, is currently in the custody of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, held on drug-related charges.

His lawyers had on March 7, approached the Court to challenge his arrest and detention by the Drug Agency.

He is asking the Court, among other things, to order the FG to pay him the sum of N500m compensation and a written apology to be published in two national dailies for violating his fundamental human rights.

Part of his prayer is for “a declaration that the arrest and continued detention of the Applicant by the Agent of the Respondent without bringing him before a court of competent jurisdiction from 12th of February 2022 till date, is Illegal, unlawful and a gross violation of Applicant’s fundamental right to personal liberty and freedom of movement guaranteed by Section 35(1) of the I999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Article 6 of the African Charter on human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

“A declaration that announcing the Applicant in the Press without giving him right to fair hearing nor establishing a prima-facie case against him is illegal, unlawful and an infringement on his fundamental right.

“A declaration that declaring the Applicant syndicate of the suspect without establishing a prima-facie case against the Applicant is unlawful and an infringement on his fundamental right”.

“A declaration that torture, degrading and in human treatment given to the Applicant by the Agent of the Respondent is illegal, unlawful and an infringement on the Applicant’s fundamental human right.

“A declaration that refusal to grant administrative bail to Applicant on alleged bailable offence is unlawful and infringement on the Applicant’s fundamental human right.

“An order of this Honourable Court restraining the Respondent’s agents, servants proxies, police or anyone acting on their behalf from further harassing, detaining, intimidating, arresting the Applicant unlawfully”.

While responding to the NDLEA lawyer who insisted that the plea was filed “out of time”, Kyari’s lawyer, Cynthia Ikenna, requested for a short adjournment to regularize her briefs.

Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter to April 7, but warned that he would strike out the matter for lack of deligent prosecution if the defence continues to stall.

“If on next date you are not ready, I will strike out the matter.

“Put your house in order before the date of hearing.

“If you have an excuse not to be here on that date, I will take it that you are out to frustrate this matter and I will strike it out”, Justice Ekwo warned.

CBN Says Cash Hubs Are Not Bureau de Change

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Godwin Emefiele

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has warned operators of cash hubs not to deal in foreign currency or turn themselves to bureau dechange, BDC operators. The warning was contained in the guidelines released by the apex bank on Monday, in which the regulator also pegged the minimum withdraw for individual and corporate entities at N500,000 and N1 million, respectively.

The Godwin Emefiele’s led CBN the Bank Neutral Cash Hubs operations will be closely monitored to ensure that they abide by the guidelines set by the regulator.
The apex bank said the BNCH was set up in conjunction with the Bankers Committee, a body representing all the commercial banks in the country, noting that the cash centres will serve as a one stop shop for customers and relieve banks of certain costs.
“The threshold for eligible transactions at a BNCH shall be as follows: A minimum transaction value of N500,000 for individuals; a minimum transaction value of N1m for corporate entities,” the CBN said, noting that the BNCH was launched in a bid to reduce cost and improve operational efficiency in the country’s cash management value chain.

According to the apex bank, “BNCHs are cash collection centres to be established by registered processing companies or Deposit Money Banks based on business needs.

“They will be located in areas with high volumes of commercial activities and cash transactions. The hubs will provide a platform for customers to make cash deposits and receive value irrespective of the bank with which their account is domiciled.”

It added that the guideline aims to provide minimum standards and requirements for BNCH registration and operations for effective supervision.

The BNCH system, it explained, is set up to reduce the risks and costs borne by banks, merchants, and huge cash handlers in the course of cash management activities, apart from  deepening financial inclusion, enhance cash management efficiency, among other reasons.

The apex banks narrates the primary functions of BNCH thus: “a BNCH may carry out the following: Receipt of naira denominated deposits on behalf of financial institutions from individuals and businesses with high volumes of cash.

“High volume cash disbursement to members of the public on behalf of financial institutions; any other activities that may be permitted by the CBN.

“BNCH shall not carry out investing or lending activities; receive, disburse, or engage in any transaction involving foreign currency; undertake any other transaction which is not prescribed by this guideline; sub-contract another entity to carry out its operations; any other activities that may be prohibited by the CBN,” the government bank said.

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