Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

Flood Warning: NEMA identifies 19 states, 56 communities at risk in August

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a flood alert, indicating that 19 states and 56 communities throughout Nigeria are under the threat of heavy rainfall that could potentially lead to flooding in the upcoming month.

In a statement released by Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA’s Lagos Territorial Coordinator, on Monday, this warning highlights the urgent need for preparedness and precautionary measures.

The states and communities identified are as follows:

Delta: Aboh, Ekiti State; Ado Ekiti, Ondo State; Akure, Idanre, Ifon, Iju Itaogbolu, Ogbese, Owo, Owena, Ondo

Others he said include: Lagos State; Apapa, Badagry, Eti Osa, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Ikoyi, Lagos Island, Ojo Lagos, Surulere; Anambra; Atani; Ogun; Ifo, Ota, Sagamu; Nasarawa State; Lafia, Wamba and Cross River; Ikom, Ogoja

Farinloye also listed Bauchi State: Jamaare, Misau, Azare, Itas ,Kafin Madaki,Kari, Kirfi, Tafawa Balewa, Katagum; Jigawa; Hadejia, Miga; Osun State; Ilesa, Oshogbo and Kwara; Kosubosu.

The rest are Zamfara; Anka, Bungudu, Gusau; Sokoto State; Goronyo; Adamawa; Numan, Shelleng; Taraba: Serti; Benue; Ito, Katsina-Alan, Vande-Ikya; Imo State: Oguta, Orlu and Abia State; Ugba.

NEMA’s Farinloye further emphasized the critical importance of taking preventive measures and staying informed about weather updates to mitigate potential risks.

Residents in these identified states and communities are advised to be vigilant and prepare for potential flooding situations as the rainy season continues this month.

08/14/2023
N52bn SPW Disbursement: Lawyer threatens NDE with court action

An Abuja-based legal practitioner and social crusader, Abdulazeez Tijani has invoked the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act against the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), demanding details of the disbursement of N52bn to some youths under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Public Work (SPW) policy.

The disbursement of the N52bn approved and released to NDE by the former President was said to have been supervised by the office of the immediate past Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Keyamo.

Keyamo who was taken up on the issue by some Senators during his screening as a Ministerial nominee had claimed on the floor of the Senate that all registers and records of the beneficiaries are domiciled with the NDE.

Keyamo had told the lawmakers that the account details and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) of the 774,000 youths who benefited under the SPW policy of former President Buhari can be accessed under the NDE.

Armed with Keyamo’s revelation, the lawyer cum social crusader, in a letter to the Director General of the NDE applied for Certified True Copies of the list of the 774,000 beneficiaries, their account details and evidence of disbursement to the accounts.

He cited section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the enabling law to back up his demand for the N52 billion naira payment facts.

In the letter dated August 10, 2023, and received the same day in the NDE Headquarters in Abuja, the lawyer claimed that as a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria, he became curious to know the true state of affairs in relation to the Special Public Works involving 774,000 youths and disbursement of N52bn to them as claimed in the Senate by the former Minister.

In compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, the legal practitioner said he will undertake to be responsible for the cost of production of the demanded documents.

In the letter obtained by our correspondent, the lawyer warned the NDE Director General to take the 30-day ultimatum as a pre-action notice and act within the period to meet up with his demands in line with the provision of the enabling law.

The legal practitioner warned that unless his demands are met, he would have no option than to approach the Federal High Court for an order of Mandamus that would compel approval of his demands.

It will be recalled that the sum of N52 billion was allocated for the SPW programme which was coordinated by the NDE under the supervision of the then Minister of State for Labour and Employment.

The programme was targeted at employing 1,000 unskilled youths in each of the 774 local government areas for three months across the country.

The beneficiaries were expected to engage in public service works and receive a monthly stipend of N20,000 each for three months.

08/13/2023
NJC denies alleged letter relinquishing powers to State Govs

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has formally distanced itself from a forged letter that falsely conveys the surrender of its legal authorities and responsibilities concerning the appointment and promotion of judges to State Governors.

The legal body’s spokesperson stated that the missive, ostensibly directed to the Chief Judge of Kebbi State and purportedly signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, did not originate from the NJC or the CJN, who also serves as the NJC’s Chairman.

In an official statement released on Sunday, Mr. Soji Oye, the NJC’s Director of Information, unequivocally declared that there is absolutely no basis in reality for the fabricated letter.

The NJC’s statement elucidated, “The National Judicial Council has been made aware of a falsified letter dated July 14, 2023, fraudulently attributed to the Council and bearing the signature of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairperson of the National Judicial Council, Honorable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON.”

The fraudulent communication, titled “Judicial Seniority Order of Kebbi State High Court Judges and the Endorsement of Justice Umar Abubakar as the Substantive Chief Judge of Kebbi State,” contends that, “In accordance with Section 10 of the prevailing 1996 Kebbi State law, the Governor possesses the authority to establish the seniority of judges, and the National Judicial Council lacks any capacity to counteract or reverse the Governor’s decision.”

The letter further alleges, “The position of the Court’s Lead or Chief Judge is essentially a political appointment, subject to determination by the respective state’s Governor.

“To eliminate any misconceptions and uncertainties, the NJC explicitly denies any association with the counterfeit letter and underscores that no such communication originated from the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria or the NJC.

“The general public is hereby advised to disregard the forged letter and its contents,” the NJC said.

Simultaneously, the NJC said it has reported this unfortunate occurrence to relevant law enforcement agencies, aiming to investigate and apprehend the individual(s) responsible for this reprehensible act.

08/13/2023
Tribunal reserves judgment in petitions against Sanwo-Olu’s re-election

Lagos State Election Petition Tribunal has reserved judgment in two petitions against the election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

The three-man tribunal led by Justice Arum Ashom, on Saturday, said it would communicate the date for the judgment to the parties in the petition.

Ashom made this known after counsel to the parties adopted final written addresses.

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP) and Abdulazeez Adeniran (a.k.a. Jandor) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is challenging the re-election of Sanwo-Olu and Hazmat of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the first respondent in the petition, while Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat are the second and third respondents, respectively.

APC is the fourth respondent.

The governorship election took place on March 18.

The two petitioners were absent in court on Saturday but Hamzat was present.

Sanwo-Olu’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), while adopting his final written address, asked the court to dismiss the petitions for lack of merit.

He described the petitions as an academic exercise.

He said that there was no reference to the second respondent in the addresses of the petitioners, adding that the addresses dwelt on the third respondent.

“They have abandoned their petitions and also abandoned any issues against the second respondent.”

He said that the non-qualification of the deputy governor for the election as claimed by Rhodes-Vivour had no substance.

Olanipekun argued that the allegation of Hamzat’s renunciation of Nigerian citizenship and swearing an oath of allegiance to the U.S. were not sufficiently proven.

Similarly, counsel to APC, Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), submitted that the argument about Hamzat’s citizenship was not duly proven by the petitioners.

Counsel to INEC, Mr. Charles Edosonwan (SAN), in adopting his final written address, asked the Tribunal to dismiss the petitions for lack of evidence.

He said: “One of the issues raised by the petitioners is whether the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.

“We say that they have provided no scintilla of proof to show it wasn’t.

“A petition erected on such an allegation was sought to be proven by 10 witnesses in a state that has 13,325 polling units. The petition is materially challenged,” he said.

Mr Olatunji Benson, counsel to LP and its Governorship Candidate, Rhodes-Vivour, asked the tribunal to uphold the position of his clients that Hamzat did not qualify to contest the election.

He prayed the tribunal to remove Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat from office and declare Rhodes-Vivour the Governor of Lagos State.

Also adopting his final written address, counsel to PDP, Mr Clement Onwuenwunor, argued that Sanwo-Olu did not have a secondary school leaving certificate and, therefore, was not qualified to be governor.

08/13/2023
FCTA inaugurates task force on safe handling of petroleum products

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has inaugurated a Ministerial Task Force on the safe handling of petroleum products in the capital city, Abuja.

The Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, while inaugurating the task force in Abuja on Thursday, said that the measure was to curtail incidences of fire outbreaks in the nation’s capital.

Adesola said that fire outbreaks in the FCT in recent times had resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of property.

He vowed to sanction any fuel-filling station within the territory that failed to observe the necessary safety measures as required by law.

“In 2022 alone, no fewer than four filling stations were reported to have been gutted by fire within the FCT.

“Improper handling of petroleum products, as well as non-compliance with safety measures as it concerns operational guidelines of managing filling stations have been largely responsible for several fire outbreaks,” he noted.

Adesola expressed optimism that the Ministerial Task Force would work assiduously to reduce occurrences of fire outbreak by ensuring that operators of filling stations adhered strictly to safety measures.

He explained that inaugurating the taskforce was a proactive step taken by the government to secure the lives and property of residents.

He said that part of the terms of reference of the taskforce was to monitor and ensure compliance to safe timing of uploading and offloading of volatile substances, including petrol and cooking gas.

He said that the task force was also expected to monitor and ensure that all filling stations had functional, basic and relevant equipment.

Adesola also said that the task force would ensure that filling stations had trained fire safety officers.

“They are also to monitor and ensure that volatile substances are not off-loaded with vehicles or customers already waiting within the premises of the filling stations.

“The task force is expected to clamp down on “black market” operators and the filling stations conniving with them.

“The task force will be expected to recommend the closure of filling stations violating basic fire safety rules and those found colluding with black market operators.

The members of the task force were drawn from the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Development Control, FCTA Fire Service Department, and FCTA Department of Security Services.

Others, he said, were drawn from the Department of State Security Services, the Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

The task force also has representatives from NNPC upstream and downstream sectors, major petroleum marketers’ associations, and independent marketers’ associations.

Responding, the Chairman of the Task Force, Dr Idriss Abbas, Director-General, FEMA, thanked the FCTA for finding the members capable of handling the assignment.

He assured the FCTA that the task force would work assiduously to deliver on the mandate.

08/11/2023
EFCC cracks down on cyber fraud hideout, arrests 14 suspects in Benue

In a significant stride against cybercriminal activities, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended 14 individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud in the city of Makurdi, located in Benue State.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, released a statement in Abuja detailing the operation.

Among the detainees are Solomon Oloche, Innocent Ochola, Aselo Wisdom, Simon Jeff, Innocent Raphael, Akula Kelvin, Emmanuel Okanche, Francis Chikodirie, Atoo Michael, Ochayi Nelson, Ngutor Paul, Michael Tyobe, Samuel Okanche, and Patience Tseaa.

The arrests were conducted following an extensive period of surveillance and intelligence gathering, aimed at uncovering the alleged criminal activities of the suspects.

The confiscated items from the operation encompass a Toyota Camry Car, 14 iPhones, 11 Android phones, 6 laptop computers, various ATM cards, a flash drive, MTN Router, a Tus bike, and an assortment of potentially incriminating documents.

Uwujaren noted, “The suspects have cooperated during the preliminary interrogations and will be subject to legal proceedings once the investigative phase concludes.”

This breakthrough signifies a determined effort by the EFCC to tackle cyber-based offenses and ensure that justice is served.

08/11/2023
Impeachment Saga: Court adjourns Edo Dep Gov Shuaibu’s suit

Justice Ahmed Mohammed of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday adjourned till August 22, hearing in the suit filed by the Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillip Shuaibu over an alleged plan by the State governor, Godwin Obaseki to impeach him from office.

The court insisted on the earlier order that status quo ante bellum be maintained by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), State Security Service (SSS), Obaseki, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Edo state, who are listed as defendants respectfully in the suit.

At the last adjourned date, Justice Mohammed ordered the respondents to appear before him, Thursday, to show cause why they should not be permanently restrained from impeaching the Edo State deputy governor.

However, when the matter was called on Thursday, counsel to the plaintiff, George Ibrahim, informed the court that the first and second defendants did not file any affidavit to show cause as directed by the court.

Responding, counsel to the second defendant (SSS) Harold I. told the court that the service only filed a counter affidavit to the originating summons of the plaintiff.

He said, “We are contending that we ought not to have been brought before the court, that is why we found it not necessary to show cause, as we have no business in the matter. We are waiting for the substantive application.”

The trial Judge however admonished the counsel that he should have, at least filed the process first and then mentioned his grievances in the said process for the court to take note of.

Although, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) was not represented in court, Justice Mohammed however adjourned the matter till August 22 and urged the SSS to file its affidavit to the order to show cause, parties should maintain status -quo ante bellum and that hearing notice be served on all the parties in the matter.

Shuaibu, in his originating summons, is praying the Court to determine whether, in view of the provisions of sections 186 and 193 of the 1999 Constitution, Governor Obaseki has the power to instigate the IGP and SSS to prevent him from accessing his office to carry out his Constitutionally guaranteed duties.

He is also asking the court to ascertain whether the Governor has power to instigate the Speaker and the Chief Judge to commence impeachment proceedings against him with a view to remove him from office on any other ground other than allegations of misconduct as contained in section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, among others.

The trial Judge had, on August 4, issued a temporary restraining order while ruling in a motion on notice filed by Shuaibu asking the court to stop the move to ease him out of office by his principal.

08/10/2023
Nigerian musicians rake in N11bn revenue from Spotify

Streaming giant Spotify has unveiled that Nigerian musicians enjoyed a substantial revenue of over N11 billion from the platform in the year 2022.

In a statement released in Lagos on Thursday, Ms Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted the transparency initiative by the company through its annual report named Loud & Clear, aimed at sharing insights into the music industry’s financial landscape and Spotify’s royalty disbursements.

Muhutu-Remy emphasized the importance of providing artists with a comprehensive understanding of music streaming economics.

She stated, “In the course of 2022, Nigerian artists collectively garnered an impressive sum of over N11 billion exclusively from Spotify. The overall revenue for the Nigerian music industry witnessed a remarkable growth of 63 percent between 2021 and 2022.”

She further detailed, “The specific revenue generated by Nigerian artists solely from Spotify displayed a remarkable 74 percent growth during the same period. Notably, the count of Nigerian artists earning over N5 million and N10 million in Spotify royalties has risen by almost 25 percent in 2022.”

Muhutu-Remy made clear that these figures exclusively represent Spotify earnings, excluding contributions from other platforms, live performances, merchandise, and concert tickets.

Underscoring Spotify’s commitment to empowering African creators, Muhutu-Remy revealed the platform’s dedication to connecting these artists with its 550 million active users.

Beyond revealing Nigerian artists’ revenue, the statement also featured fresh insights into the top-exported Afrobeats albums, artistes, tracks, and female Afrobeats tracks. Muhutu-Remy highlighted the global reach of Afrobeats, citing top streaming cities as London, Paris, Abuja, Nairobi, Amsterdam, and Accra.

“Our unwavering pledge at Spotify is to ensure that professional musicians can sustain a livelihood through their craft. The disclosure of the 2022 earnings of Nigerian artists on our platform reflects our commitment to transparency and our mission to enable artists to thrive on their artistic pursuits,” Muhutu-Remy asserted.

She elaborated on the factors behind Afrobeats’ remarkable surge, pointing to international collaborations, the amplifying effect of social media, the ascent of music streaming, and the influence of the African diaspora.

Citing a survey commissioned by Spotify and conducted by Kuvora, Muhutu-Remy mentioned that 28 percent of fans identified international collaborations as a pivotal driver in Afrobeats’ expansion.

08/10/2023
Subsidy: Poor residents in Ekiti to get N5,000 monthly, free mass transit buses

The Ekiti State Government has approved palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

Tagged “Ekiti State Subsidy Relief Programme’’, the government approved the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to civil servants on Grade level 14 to Grade Level 17.

It approved the payment of leave bonuses for 2017 and the implementation and payment of 2020 and 2021 promotion arrears to its civil servants.

The government also approved the payment of N5,000 monthly conditional cash transfer to 10,000 indigent persons and most vulnerable households from August to December 2023.

The conditional transfer focuses on the aged; while another 10,000 residents and especially the aged would be considered for free medical attention under the Ekiti Health Insurance Scheme.

To cushion the effect of the high cost of transportation especially on workers and students, the government said it would also provide free mass transit buses.

It would also distribute free foodstuffs to the poor and most vulnerable households.

Government also approved payment of 90 per cent of Consolidated Health Salary Structure and 100 per cent Hazard Allowance for local government health workers and salary parity for clinical staff of the Hospitals Management Board.

Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr Akintunde Oyebode, made these known at Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday at a news briefing.

He assured that increased revenue accruing to the state from the removal of fuel subsidy would lead to improved service delivery from the government.

“In addition to the already mentioned interventions, the government will distribute inputs to farmers and give financial support to small businesses and to the informal sector,’’ Oyebode said.

Labour leaders at the news briefing took turns to appreciate the government’s efforts at alleviating the hardship of the citizenry.

08/10/2023
Military Action Against Niger: Int’l Group drags Tinubu to ECOWAS Court

An International Civil Group, Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA) has dragged President Bola Tínubu of Nigeria before the Economic Community of West African (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, invoking the Protocols of the Court to stop the planned military action against the Republic of Niger over coup plot.

The group, in the suit instituted on its behalf by a Nigerian lawyer, Dr Oluwakayode Ajulo, OON, is praying the Regional Court to invoke relevant ECOWAS treaties and international laws to stop the military invasion of Niger Republic being spearhead by the Nigerian Government.

The grouse of the Civil Group, among others, is that the planned military action or invasion will run foul of the obligations in the ECOWAS treaties and therefore amounting to illegality.

The suit marked ECW/CCJ/APP/3/23 emphasized categorically that ECOWAS treaties prohibit aggression among member States.

Apart from the Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), other plaintiffs in the matter are a former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of the Internal Affairs (NIIA), Professor Bola Akinterinwa and a Nigerian Northern Region lawyer, Hamza Nuhu Dantani.

Defendants are ECOWAS, Authority of Heads of State & Government of ECOWAS, President of ECOWAS Mission, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Republic of Niger.

A military group led by General Abdourhamane Tchiani had on July 26 toppled the civilian and democratic government of President Mohammed Bazoun who has since been clamped into unlawful military detention.

Although the three plaintiffs in the regional suit described the coup detat as most unfortunate, they however warned that Nigeria should not travel the dangerous road of military hostilities that may further escalate the crisis in the Niger Republic.

According to them, over 300,000 refugees, mainly Nigeria citizens, have already fled the Niger Republic adding that military action against Niger Republic would lead to breach of fundermrntal rights to life, right to dignity of human persons and liberty to life.

The plaintiffs therefore prayed the ECOWAS Court of Justice for a restraining order against any form of military action in Niger Republic that may undermine the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Niger Republic.

Besides the Court action, the plaintiffs’ Counsel, Dr Ajulo wrote a strongly worded letter to President Tinubu, notifying him of pendency of the suit and invoking the Protocol of the ECOWAS Court on the need to respect and obey the rule of law as well as to refrain from doing that will militate against the subject matter.

The letter is entitled “Notification of Pendency of case before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice ; Call For Strict Adherence To The Protocol of the Honourable Court of the ECOWAS Commumity Court of Justice’.

It read in part “We are Counsel to the Plaintiffs/Applicants in the above case before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice and it is on their firm and unequivocal instructions that we write.

Sequel to the Resolution and several sanctions imposed by the ECOWAS in the aftermath of the unfortunate and unconstitutional takeover of the democratically elected Government of the Republic of Niger, we have lodged a Case before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in an application for reliefs as the proposed military intervention in the Republic of Niger would be tantamount to aggression between ECOWAS Member States.

” The intervention will specifically violate Articles 1, 5, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22 & 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; Articles 1 (2), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 & 14 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Articles 1, 3, 22, 23 (3), 25 (1) & 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948; Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 of the Declaration on the Right to Development 1986; Articles 6, 15, 31, 63 & 64 of the Revised Treaty of the Economic Community of West African States; Article 10 of the Supplementary Protocol (A/SP.1/01/05) amending the Protocol (A/P.I/7/91) relating to the Community Court of Justice and Articles 10 (c), 22, 26, 27, 28, 56 of the ECOWAS Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peace– Keeping and Security 1999.

“The Case, an official copy of which has been duly served on your Excellency through the ECOWAS Secretariat, 101, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja, has invoked the jurisdiction of the International Court to consider conventions, treaties, Protocols and regulations to which your Excellency and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are signatories and which override the resolutions, sanctions, domestic law and practices and which the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has been called upon to declare illegal. Another copy of the Case is attached for your informed action.

“We wish to further draw your attention to Article 22(2) of the Protocol on the Community Court of Justice which mandates that “When a dispute is brought before the Court, Member states or institutions of the Community shall refrain from any action likely to aggravate or militate against its settlement”

“In the Case before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Authority of Heads of State and Government (of which your Excellency is the Chairman), President, ECOWAS Commission, The Federal Republic of Nigeria (of which your Excellency is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces) have been sued as sovereign legal representatives of respective institutions including the Republic of Niger.

“It is your Excellency’s sacred duty as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria under your hand to bring the institution of the Case before ECOWAS Community Court of Justice to the attention of the other Defendants and to insist, particularly in your Excellences’ subsequent meetings, that the Defendants refrain from taking any action in respect of the subject matter pending the determination of the case, in view of your Excellency and Nigeria’s protocol obligation under the Article above quoted.

“Your Excellency, it is our firm confidence that by your enviable knowledge of high international standard of due adherence to the rule of law and respect for the supranational judicial process obtainable in a Case of this nature, we need not further stress the need to ensure that all the Defendants concerned maintain the status quo presently obtaining, and restrain themselves from taking any step susceptible to being regarded by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice and international Community as prejudicial to the interest of our client or any of the parties in court.

“Your Excellency would agree with us that as the law stands presently, the Resolution on proposed military actions be discontinued pending the determination of the Case by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.

08/09/2023