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BREAKING: Meranda, In Tears,  Resigns As Speaker LAHA … Lawmakers Also Shed Tears

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Mojisola Lasbat Meranda

By Akinwale Kasali

Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda has, officially, resigned from her position as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

She resigned from her position following the intervention by the Presidency, who prevailed on her to return to her previous position as Deputy Speaker.

As she formally signed her resignation Letter, tears rolled down her cheeks, as her historic moment and adventure as Speaker finally came to end.

The Lawmakers who pledged allegiance to  Meranda could not also hold back tears following her resignation.

Details Later…..

Senate Unaware Of Se3ual Harassment Allegation Against Akpabio – Spokesman … Afenifere Urges Caution

By
Ayodele Oni
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Yemi Adaramodu - Senate Spokesman

By Ayodele Oni

Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, has called on the Senate Committee to conduct proper investigation into the allegation leveled against its president, Godswill Akpabio.

This is just as the Senate clarified that there is no allegation or report before it which calls for any investigation, except that of breach of order.

Yemi Adaramodu, spokesman of the Senate, explained on Monday that the Senate is yet to receive any complaint bordering on se3ual harassment from any member.

Afenifere, in a statement signed by its National Organizing Secretary, Kole Omololu, and made available to journalists on Monday, advised that Akpabio should not be made to suffer unjustly over unfounded allegation.

It expressed suspicion in the timing of the allegation, noting that Senator Natasha decided to disclose the allegation when a punitive measure was taken against her at the Senate.

Afenifere insisted that Senator Akpabio could not be traded off on grounds of “unproven allegations,” considering his contributions to political stability and democratic governance in the country.

The statement reads in parts: “For we in Afenifere note and appreciate the political stability engendered by the calm, thoughtful and patriotic leadership of the National Assembly by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

“He has been most instrumental in engineering one of the few eras in the history of democratic governance in Nigeria where we have enjoyed Executive/Legislative synergy.

“We are hopeful that such a committed patriot will not be sacrificed on the altar of unproven allegations by an accuser.

Natasha Akpoti and Godswill Akpabio
Natasha Akpoti and Godswill Akpabio

“Of course, the allegations should be investigated by a Senate Committee. But we cannot help but notice that they were made after the Senate President’s act of just discipline against Senator Natasha Akpoti.

“Hopefully, this is not a knee-jerk reaction made in a highly emotional state by the disciplined party.

“That being the case, the nation has to be careful in assessing these allegations, as they may or may not result from animosity toward that disciplinary measure.

“But whatever the case, Afenifere, without passing any judgment on the accuser and her accusations, based on his history and credibility, extends the right hand of fellowship to Senator Godswill Akpabio and commends him for being a steady hand during these times of political, economic, and social reforms of the Renewed Hope agenda.”

Senate spokesman, while reacting to the allegation on Monday pointed out that “There is no allegation before the Senate. There is none from anyone, for that matter. We do not entertain allegations based solely on television broadcasts or social media.

“Nobody has lodged any allegation with anyone in the Senate. The only matter currently at hand is a breach of the Standing Orders, which has been referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions. I do not believe there are any other petitions or complaints before the committee.

“Unless someone brings up a new issue, it will be dealt with accordingly. For now, there is nothing other than the matter we have referred to the committee.”

Rivers House Of Assembly, Gives Fubara 48 hours Ultimatum To Re-present 2025  Budget

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Fubara Presents Budget

By Suleiman Anyalewechi  & Ayodele Oni

  • Rejects Administrative Heads to lead Councils till Election ●Proceeds on a two-month vacation from Friday.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara was right when, in his state-wide broadcast on Sunday, in reaction to the Supreme Court ruling of his Government’s case with majority members of the House of Assembly, he told the people that: “Difficult times are with us again.”

Indeed, for Governor Fubara, there is no breathing space.

In their first day of resumption, Monday, based on the Supreme Court judgments which confirmed  Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker, and his group as still members of the House of Assembly, they  issued a 48 hour ultimatum to  Governor Siminalayi Fubara to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

There was no discussion or consideration of, perhaps, the Governor’s engagements prior to their resumption. It is an ultimatum.

The Assembly, also, faulted Governor Siminalayi’s directive to Administrative Heads to take over the reigns of governance at the Local Governments.

The Source Supreme Court had, on Friday, February 28, 2025 ruled among other things to  recognize  the 27 pro-Wike defected law makers as authentic members of the legislative body, with an order for the Governor to re-present to them ,the 2025 budget which  four member House led by Victor Oko-Jumbo had considered and passed into law.

The Court also annulled the October 6 2024 Local Government Election held in Rivers State during which the Governor’s loyalists swept the polls. On that in his broadcast, the Governor had ordered the sacked Chairnen to handover to Administrative Head of the Councils on Monday, pending when a new Election will be organised.

It will be recalled that the four member House of Assembly, had late December, 2024, passed the state’s N1. 1 trillion fiscal estimate for the year 2025.

The bill was signed into law on January 2, 2025 by Governor Fubara.

The Supreme Court also ruled to halt further remittance of Federal Statutory revenue to Rivers State until the re-presentation of the budget to the Assembly led by Speaker Amaewfule.

At plenary on Monday ,the House, in a motion moved by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Dumle Maol, reminded  Governor Fubara of  the Supreme Court’s pronouncement and the need for him to obey the order .

“That pursuant to the order of the Supreme Court in Suit number : SC/CV/1174/2024 for the stoppage of statutory Federal Allocations to the Rivers state Government, and halting of spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State, pending the passage of an Appropriation Bill, you are requested to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House in line with the provisions of the Constitution as amended .

“That the House expects you to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours” the Assembly stated.

The Assembly, also, noted that the directives for Administrative Heads to take over the Local Councils is not in  consonance with constitutional provisions.

In a state wide broadcast on Sunday, March 2, 2025, Governor Fubara directed the local officials, to vacate office, and allow Administrative Heads to hold the forte until new election is held.

But the Lawmakers are insisting that both the Supreme Court verdict and extant constitutional provisions are against the administration of the Local Governments by any other persons outside of duly democratically elected officials .

The House equally announced its intentions to proceed on a long, overdue recess by Friday this week, having been working for the  past two years without a break.

Natasha: ACF Laments Senate’s Image Under Akpabio, Calls For Probe Into Se3ual Allegation

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Natasha Akpoti and Godswill Akpabio
Natasha Akpoti and Senator Godswill Akpabio

By Adesina Soyooye

Urges Northern Senate Caucus to rally round Akpoti-Uduaghan

The scandalous allegation of se3ual harassment made against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kogi Central, is still drawing reactions from individuals and groups.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had, sensationally, in an interview with the Arise Television’s crew on “The Morning Show”, a flagship programme, alleged that Akpabio was mistreating her in the Senate because she rejected his inappropriate requests.

That allegation has since taken over discourse in all news outlets in the Country with everybody, almost, weighing in, including Akpabio’s wife and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband, as well as a former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

Not to be outdone, a group of, perhaps, hired women from Senate President Akpabio’s village in Akwa Ibom, took to the streets, carrying placards, and asked Akpoti-Uduaghan to leave their son alone.

Over the weekend, a serious  group, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), weighed in. In a statement signed by its National  Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, it expressed deep worry over the scandalous allegation against Akpabio by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Calling for a thorough investigation to unravel the truth, the ACF urged the Northern Caucus in the Senate to rally round Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to enable her get “a fair hearing and, ultimately, accorded treatment with all the deserved due respects that she is entitled to in the affairs of the Red Chamber.”

The Group also expressed worry over what it alleged is the diminishing image of the Senate under Akpabio’s leadership. It called on the National Assembly to:

“Always display exemplary behaviour, edifying comportment, display sensitivity, circumspection personal discipline and be above board in matters of ethics, decorum, moral rectitude and integrity, qualities that are sorely needed but which, very sadly, appear to be in deficit in the way the 10th Senate is being run.”

The ACF continued:

“Inevitably, many persons and groups have been out there in the public space with strong opinions on the matter. Even Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband has been forced to publicly comment on the matter and all such public interventions have the potential to bring into disrepute a body empowered to make laws for Nigeria.

“As things now stand, in the eyes of the general public, the allegations in question portend definite negative implications for the national and international public image of the Red Chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly. While the imbroglio lasts, the interests of the people of Kogi Central are not being adequately represented in the 10th Senate.

“While perhaps far-fetched, ACF rues the development and hopes that it is not part of the thinly-veiled anti-Arewa agenda now pervading the Nigerian political process.

“It does seem that to date, only Senators from the North have been subjected to heavy sanctions, such as suspensions, in the 10th Senate.

“In the event, ACF wonders if the unfolding events constitute a pattern, or are cruel coincidences at work!

“Putting it mildly, the public image of the leadership of the 10th Senate is now less than inspiring. ACF, therefore, joins concerned Nigerians in wishing that the saga be brought to an end soonest.

“An independent, open, transparent and thorough investigation, devoid of fear, favour or interference of any kind, from any quarters be conducted. This will be necessary to allow the Senate to return, as it should, to the serious and solemn duty of law making for Nigeria, at a period when citizens are being overwhelmed by dire existential living conditions on account of the impact of public policies on lives and livelihoods.”

There are, already, two cases in Court. The first case was instituted by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio, his Aide, Patrick Mfon and the Federal Government claiming the sum of N100.3bn for alleged defamation and legal fees. The second is from Akpabio’s wife, Unoma. She sued Akpoti-Uduaghan for N250bn, claiming emotional  trauma.

“President Tinubu Trusted His Life With Rauf Aregbesola” – Prof Adeyeye

By
The Source
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Professor Olusola Adeyeye and Rauf Aregbesola and Bola Tinubu

By Gideon Njoku

“Whatever came between them must be political power tussle. To Aregbesola, Tinubu was next to God. I have tried to settle them, but failed”

For Professor Olusola Adeyeye, the broken down relationship between President Bola Tinubu and former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, could count as one of the seven wonders of the world.

Considering how extremely close both were to each other, Professor Adeyeye, a former Chief Whip of the Senate, said the broken relationship is difficult to understand.

Adeyeye expressed these sentiments when he spoke in the evening  of Sunday, March 2, on Channels Television.

Aregbesola was Tinubu’s Commissioner for Works when the President was the Governor of Lagos State. Thereafter, Aregbesola, with a very massive support from Tinubu, morally and financially, became a two-term Governor of Osun State, and after that, Minister for Interior under the APC Government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

But the very close friends have since fallen apart to the surprise and shock of those who knew how deep their love for each other was.

Lamenting the sad situation, Professor Adeyeye said it must be as a result of a political tussle. He disclosed that the relationship was so close that Aregbesola literally worshipped Tinubu like a god. After the Almighty God, Adeyeye said, to Aregbesola, Tinubu was next.

To confirm, Adeyeye told a story of how Tinubu once said, at a meeting, that if he were to be asleep, and Aregbesola walked in with a knife or a dagger, nobody should bother to wake him up because Aregbesola would never hurt him.

Adeyeye: “If you want to get between Aregbesola and Tinubu, you’ll fail; they were so close that I was at a meeting where Tinubu said that if you see him sleeping and you see Rauf coming with a dagger or a knife, don’t wake him, Rauf will never injure me.

“For Rauf, the only entity in the universe that is greater than President Bola Tinubu is God.”

He said he cannot quite put a finger on what came between them, but strongly speculated that it had to do with Aregbesola’s successor, Gboyega Oyetola.

Oyetola was Aregbesola’s Chief of Staff, who he later disclosed, in the heat of his quarrel with Tinubu, was forced on him by the President, who also forced it on him as his successor in office. However, no thanks to the broken relationship, Oyetola ended up as a one-term Governor as Aregbesola and his loyalists looked the other way while the now- incumbent Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, whipped him at the polls. In deed, the relationship became so messy, that at a point, Aregbesola publicly cursed Tinubu.

Adeyeye: “So I never know what happened between them. I have a feeling that it has to do with Rauf thinking Bola Tinubu sided with his own brother (Oyetola) against him; I leave the two of them to settle that.”

Adeyeye revealed that there have been multiple attempts to repair the broken relationship, but none has been successful.

Adeyeye: “I tried my best. Let me tell you, power is a terrible thing. The game of thrones is treacherous in Nigeria. If the two of them want to settle, it’s not impossible but I attempted in the past, not once, not twice, several times, but I failed.”

Aregbesola and his loyalists have recently left the APC after years of an, almost, non-existent, or at best, rancour-filled relationship with the Party. They have, however, not joined any political party yet.

Governor’s Aide Causes Scare With Huge Snake At Govt. House, Suspended

By
The Source
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Kabir Sani-Giant

By Gideon Njoku

It was a bizarre and scary sight to deal with when an Aide to the Governor of Kebbi State was seen inside Government House carrying a large snake on his shoulders and walking about.

Eye witness accounts said  not a few people were, at once, shocked and frozen by the bizarre incident, while others took to their heels out of fear.

It is not yet known how the Aide, Kabir  Sani-Giant, Governor Nasir Idris’ Special Adviser on Power and Politics, came about the large snake. But the questions being asked are: ●Is he a snake charmer/catcher?

  • Where did he get the snake?
  • Was it at Government House?
  • If so, where – his office or where?
  • If not, why did he bring the snake into Government House?
  • And why did he carry it on his shoulders as if he has won a trophy for the State?
  • Was the snake dead or alive?

Eye witnesses disclosed that he meant it as a “prank on dignitaries” but observers say if so, it was an expensive prank.

While these questions remain unanswered, the Kebbi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has weighed in. The party has suspended Sani-Giant with immediate effect.

In a statement signed on Sunday by the Party’s State Secretary, Sa’idu Muhammad-Kimba, the Party said  it found embarrassing the 8th February bizarre behaviour of the Governor’s Aide when “he brought a snake to Government House,  pranking dignitaries, statesmen, and officials.”

Announcing his suspension,

Muhammad-Kimba said the Governor’s Aide’s  conduct could embarrass and discredit the party. It also, he noted, violated APC’s constitution as well as being offensive.

He added that: “His suspension remains in place pending further investigation and possible disciplinary action, which could lead to expulsion if repeated.”

At the time of filing this report, it could not be ascertained if any action has been taken against Sani-Giant by his Principal, Governor Idris or not.

How Dangote Will Recoup His N8bn Gift To IBB From Nigerians – Prof Adeyeye

By
The Source
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Professor Adeyeye and Dangote and Bagangida

By Gideon Njoku

Accuses most donors at the book launch of being responsible for Nigeria’s economic woes

Professor Sola Adeyeye has asked Nigerians whose eyes popped at the donation of a whopping sum of N8,000,000,000 (Eight billion Naira) to the Ibrahim Babangida Presidential Library by money man, Aliko Dangote, not to worry as they are ignorant of how the system works.

He also accused some big-time donors at the unprecedented event of being responsible for the economic woes of Nigeria.

Not a few Nigerians still hold their breath since February 20, 2025, when Africa’s richest man, Dangote, donated that amount at the presentation of the autobiography of former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, A Journey In Service during which he also raised funds for the building of his Presidential Library to be located in Minna, Niger State.

He was not the only one who donated in billions of Naira. The Chairman of BUA, Abdul Samad Rabiu,  donated the sum of N5bn, while former Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Theophilus Danjuma, donated N3bn. In all the sum of over N17bn was raised on the spot.

But speaking on a Channel Television’s program Sunday evening, March 2, 2025, Professor Adeyeye, a former Chief Whip of the Senate, said Dangote would recoup the donation from Nigerians; that it is Nigerians would would pay back that amount of money to Dangote; that it is as simple as ABCD.

Most of the donors at the event, are, also, he said, responsible for the economic difficulties Nigeria is passing through.

Here’s how, according to Professor Adeyeye: “You see these people at the IBB book launch. They are the ones responsible for the economic crisis. The highest donor, Aliko Dangote, a fantastic and brilliant man, will get his money back from Nigerians. Nigerians will pay for it.

“That N8 billion is just a question of spreading it on his products- ala: sugar, cement and petroleum. By the time he puts N4.00 or N5.00 on the products, he would recoup his donation.

“They donated heavily at every election cycle to the political party in power. What they simply do is collect foreign exchange at the CBN and change at the black market and return the proceeds to the ruling party.”

Adeyeye, a NADECO chieftain during the dark days of late General Sani Abacha regime, is married to Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, NAFDAC.

LAHA Crisis: Move To Return Obasa As Speaker Thickens

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Mudashiru Obasa

By Akinwale Kasali

In the coming days, the Speakership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly will  be laid rest if information, allegedly, coming from the Presidency is anything to go by.

It is alleged that the Presidency has made overtures to the Lawmakers to soft-pedal and support the embattled former Speaker.

It was gathered that President Bola Tinubu has, allegedly, ordered members of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC,  to rein in the anti-Obasa Lawmakers, and make sure a compromise is reached for peace to reign.

This follows the disbandment of the Bisi Akande- Committee over its findings on the matter.

It would be recalled that a Committee was set up, headed by the former Osun State Governor and former All Progressives Congress, APC, Interim National Chairman, Akande, but was later disbanded owing to the report it submitted after its visit that the odds were against Obasa.

The  high-powered committee of the party led by  Akande and members including Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and former APC National Vice Chairman, South-west, Pius Akinyelure and others was meant to resolve the crisis.

It was gathered that after the disbandment of the Akande committee, members of GAC were asked to rein- in their loyalists in the Assembly and Executive to back Obasa.

According to a source: “The Bisi Akande committee has been disbanded. The President has reached out to members of GAC who have loyalists or children in the Assembly to insist they work for Obasa’s return as Speaker.

“For those who do not have children in the Assembly but have other political loyalists in the State Executive Council, they have been mandated to ensure Obasa is returned.

“Obasa, on the other hand, has also been reaching out to Lawmakers opposed to him in an attempt to gain their support”.

There is, however, fear that the decision of the Court could play a major part in the reconciliation process.

Justice Yetunde Rukayat Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, last Friday, adjourned the hearing of all pending applications in the lawsuit filed by Obasa, over his  impeachment to March 7, which may affect the move made by the Presidency.

The Chairman of GAC in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, had said the Council was not consulted before the removal of Obasa as Lagos Speaker, a major issue that is been contended.

Olusi: “Members of the GAC are not members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to allegedly be behind the removal of Obasa. It can’t be true.

“We read it also that morning. The Lawmakers carried it out without consulting the party and those of us in the GAC. That is our position.

“We invited all of them and insisted that all of them are products of the party. They lodged their complaints and we listened to them.

“I blamed them for one thing and that is for not lodging the complaints earlier before the party.

“It is for the party to decide, they (Lawmakers) have no absolute power to remove and install their leaders.”

It is not yet known  the fate that will befall Mojisola Meranda, Obasa’s Deputy, who was chosen by the Lawmakers as Obasa’s replacement if Obasa returns as Speaker. Will she still be Obasa’s Deputy, or chose to be a floor member?

LAHA Crisis: Assembly Staff Told To Keep Off Offices,  Work From Home

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Lagos State House of Assembly

By Akinwale Kasali

The Crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly has forced the Leadership of the Assembly to order all Staff members to work from home untill the crisis is resolved.

The Leadership of the Assembly said this development was necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

The Management directed all categories of staff and Legislative aides to work remotely from home until further notice.

In a memo, titled ‘Amendment to Remote Work Schedule Arrangement’, addressed to staff and legislative aides, the Acting Clerk of the Assembly,  Babatunde Abubakar, said the move was to “guarantee safety and forestall any unwarranted consequences.”

The memo reads: “I write to convey the approval of the leadership of the House to effect the following changes in the work-from-home arrangement pending the resolution of the current leadership crisis to guarantee safety and forestall any unwarranted consequences.

“To this end, all categories of staff at the Assembly, LAHASCOM and Legislative Aides are requested to work remotely from home until further notice.

“Please note that this arrangement is in tandem with the Head of Service, HOS circular 005 issued on January 15, 2025, affirming the leadership change in the House and the appointment of Mr A.T.B. Ottun as Acting Clerk.

“Note that this measure has become necessary for safety purposes and officers are enjoined to leave open communication lines as they can be called upon for any assignment whenever the need arises.

“Be assured that Princess Mojisola Lasbat Meranda is committed to your safety and peaceful resolution of the crisis.”

Last week, staff of the Lagos State Assembly had engaged men of the Department of State Services, DSS, when the latter stormed the Assembly complex to, allegedly, prevent lawmakers from holding the plenary session.

Also last week, in a Commando style, embattled and impeached Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa had stormed the Assembly with heavy Police, DSS presence, and declared himself the authentic Speaker.

CBN ATM Fee Hike: Tinubu Must Stop Cardoso

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Yemi Cardoso - CBN Governor

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged President Bola Tinubu to “direct Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to suspend the implementation of the increase in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction fees, pending the hearing and determination of the lawsuit before the Federal High Court, Lagos challenging the legality of the increase.”

SERAP also urged him to “seek legal advice from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN on whether the CBN has the legal responsibilities to uphold the rule of law its operations by suspending the ATM fee hike, pending the determination of the lawsuit on the matter.”

SERAP had last month filed a lawsuit against the CBN “over the failure to reverse the “patently unlawful, unfair, and unjust increase in ATM transaction fees.”

The lawsuit followed the announcement by the CBN that ATM withdrawals made at a machine owned by a bank but outside its branch premises will now attract a charge of N100 per N20,000 withdrawn. ATM withdrawals at shopping centres, airports or standalone cash points, will incur a N100 fee plus a surcharge of up to N500.

Banks ‘are advised to apply the increased ATM fees with effect from March 1, 2025.’
In the open letter dated 1 March 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Directing the CBN to suspend the ATM fee hike would allow the Federal High Court to hear and determine the case on its merit.”

SERAP said, “It would also be entirely consistent with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], your oath of office and oft-repeated promises to uphold the rule of law.”

According to SERAP, “Implementing the increased ATM fees while the lawsuit on the matter is pending before the Federal High Court would make a mockery of the judicial process and the rule of law.”

SERAP also said, “It is in the public interest for the CBN to suspend the increased ATM fees and await the outcome of the lawsuit on the matter.”

The letter, read in part: “The CBN has the responsibilities to uphold the due process of law, protect the integrity of the judicial process, and ensure that its practices and operations do not make nonsense of the rule of law or the Court.”

“The CBN has the duty to maintain the status quo as of 26 February 2025 when the court processes were duly served on it, and during the pendency of the lawsuit filed by SERAP on the increased ATM fees before the Federal High Court, Lagos.”

“Once the CBN has been duly served with the court processes on the increased ATM fees, the bank cannot resort to self-help.”

“The CBN is not permitted to do or take any action or omission that would overreach the public interest or foist a situation of complete helplessness or ‘fait accompli’ on the Federal High Court.”

“Nigerian courts frown upon any act of self-help and are always swift in repelling such conduct by sending strong signal that they are not being used as mere subterfuge to tie the hands of one party while the other helps himself extra-judicially.”

“Implementing the increased ATM fees while the duly served and acknowledged interlocutory application and the substantive lawsuit on the matter are pending before the court would pose a direct threat to the integrity of the country’s judicial system and the rule of law.”

“The credibility and relevance of the judicial system risk being undermined, potentially encouraging other ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs] to adopt dismissive attitudes toward pending cases in court.”

“The CBN ought to uphold its general duty to act in good faith, and to refrain from taking any action that may undermine the integrity of the country’s judicial process by immediately suspending the implementation of the increase in ATM transaction fees pending the hearing and determination of the lawsuit on the matter.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken urgently to ensure respect for the integrity of the judicial process and the rule of law.”

“SERAP had on 21 February 2025 filed the lawsuit with number FHC/L/CS/344/2025 against the CBN over the failure to reverse the patently unlawful, unfair, unreasonable and unjust increase in ATM transaction fees.”

“The court processes were duly served on 26 February 2025 on the CBN in Abuja. The CBN has acknowledged the receipt of the processes.”

“In the lawsuit filed at the Federal High Court, SERAP is asking the court to determine ‘whether the decision by the CBN to increase ATM transaction fees is not arbitrary, unfair, unreasonable, and contrary to the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018.’”

“SERAP notes that since assumption of office in May 2023 you have repeatedly promised, including in your inaugural speech, that ‘Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the Constitution and the rule of law.’”

“Protecting the right to a judicial recourse and due administration of justice is of utmost importance, being the cornerstone of an ordered society. The only way in which SERAP can have a fair and effective access to justice in this matter is to allow the court to decide, one way or the other, on the merits of the case before it.”

“The core of the principle of judicial independence is the complete liberty of the judge to hear and decide the cases before them on the basis of facts and in accordance with the law, without any improper interference, direct or indirect.”

“Section of 8(1) of Central Bank of Nigeria Act provides that, ‘The Governor and Deputy-Governors shall be persons of recognized financial experience and shall be appointed by the President subject to confirmation by the Senate on such terms and conditions as may be set out in their respective letters of appointment.’”

“Section 6(1) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] provides that ‘judicial powers of the Federation shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established for the Federation.’”

“Section 6 provides that, ‘the judicial powers vested in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section –(a) shall extend, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this constitution, to all inherent powers and sanctions of a court of law.’”

“The provisions also provide: ‘(b) the judicial powers shall extend to all matters between persons, or between government or authority and to any person in Nigeria, and to all actions and proceedings relating thereto, for the determination of any question as to the civil rights and obligations of that person.’

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