Category: News

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has elected to hear a N1.5 billion defamation suit brought against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) by former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Victor Attah.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, dismissed the preliminary objection raised by the AGF, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

Attah, through his lawyer, Dr. Reuben Atabo, SAN, had sued the AGF as the sole defendant in the case.

In the ruling, Justice Nwite upheld the argument by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Atabo, that the subject of the case fell within the scope of the court’s jurisdictional competence as provided in Section 251 of the Constitution.

The judge held that the suit was informed by the action of the AGF, “which emanated from the administrative action and decision of the Federal Government to retry the plaintiff for a crime which he was earlier charged, tried, discharged, and acquitted.

The case borders on money laundering, conspiracy, and abuse of office,” and in relation to which the AGF granted an interview that was published in national dailies, and prompting the plaintiff to sue.

“In the light of the above, I must say that the argument of the learned counsel to the defendant/applicant (the AGF) is misconceived.

“The main crux of the matter is not one pertaining to tort only; rather, it is one seeking declaratory reliefs as well as to stop the prosecution of the plaintiff for the second time.

“The authority relied on by the learned counsel to the defendant/applicant is of no moment as it is distinguishable from the instant case.

“In the light of the above, I am of the humble opinion that Section 251(1) (r) is applicable in this case and has vested this honourable court with the jurisdiction to hear and determine the instant suit.

“The application of the defendant is hereby dismissed,” Justice Nwite held.

The judge adjourned until October 16 for hearing of the substantive suit.

In the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/646/2018, the ex-governor claimed that the immediate past AGF, Abubakar Malami, in 2016, named him among some ex-governors to be prosecuted by the National Prosecution Coordination Committee (NPCC) for alleged corruption.

Attah stated, in his witness statement, that as a result of the pronouncement by the AGF, which was published in the media, the Specialist Crimes Directorate (SCD) and the Metropolitan Police (MP) of the United Kingdom placed him on its watch list of corrupt governors of Nigeria, facing corruption charges.

“I left office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on the 29th day of May, 2007 and the only allegation made against me and my government were the of allegations of money laundering concerning the sale of Akwa Ibom’s shares in Econet by the Akwa Ibom Investment and Industrial Promotion Council (AKIIPOC) and African Development Fund Inc and I have been cleared of the said allegations.

“From the 29th day of May, 2007 till date, there are no fresh facts linking me with the looting of the treasury of Akwa Ibom State or any case of money laundering, official corruption, and/or abuse of office.

“By the conduct of the defendant in causing the Specialist Crimes Directorate and the Metropolitan Police of the United Kingdom to place my name under their watch list and upon arrival in the United Kingdom to be arrested and interrogated, I have not been able to travel to the United Kingdom to meet my international obligations to my clients and have lost several contracts.

“By the defendant’s publication, I have been brought into public ridicule, a politician not worthy of my calling and a person who cannot be trusted to hold political office and I have therefore suffered loss and damages,” he said.

Attah said his resort to court was because the AGF failed to retract the publication as demanded in his lawyer’s letters to him.

The ex-governor, therefore, prayed the court to, among others, order the AGF to tender an apology to him, which must be published in three national dailies, retracting the alleged defamatory statement.

He also sought an order compelling the AGF to write to the Specialist Crime Directorate of the UK stating that he was not among the ex-governors facing corruption charges.

Attah is claiming N1.5 billion in general, exemplary and aggravated damages.

In a bid to ensure that the initiatives of the Revised Capital Market Master Plan 2015 – 2025 (RCMMP) which is the blueprint for harnessing the opportunities for economic growth and development in the country are copiously implemented, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)is set to hold a hybrid workshop on ESG to sensitize market stakeholders on the concept of sustainability.

The workshop which is titled ESG and Sustainable Finance – The Future of Investment is scheduled to hold on July 27at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speakers at the workshop include Director General of the SEC, Mr. Lamido Yuguda, MD/CEO Financial Derivatives Company Mr. Bismarck Rewane, and Vice Chairman Financial Centre for Sustainability Lagos Prof. Doyin Salami.

Others are MD Central Securities Clearing System Mr. Jalo-Waziri, CEO NGX Mr. Temi Popoola, MD FMDQ Mr. Bola Onadele Koko, Tariye Gbedegesin, Nadine Rose, and Adrian Mill.

Moderators at the event are CEO Chapel Hill Denham Mr. Bolaji Balogun, Partner PWC Rukaiya El-Rufai and Dr. Afolabi Olowookere.

According to the capital market regulator, the workshop aims to drive sustainable finance instruments issuances, create awareness on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and connect projects that address climate risks with potential investors, advocate for policy incentives and provide access to funding for climate smart initiatives. 

“The workshop is premised on one of the strategic themes highlighted in the Revised Capital Market Master Plan which is to create awareness, deploy educational and advocacy campaigns for ESG compliant products.

“The Nigerian capital market, as an integral part of the financial system, is assiduously working to address society’s needs and concerns by undertaking a transformation, driven by initiatives of the Capital Market Master Plan to educate investors on different approaches to sustainable investment, and equally enhance confidence and participation in the market,” the Commission added.

The workshop is in collaboration with the Financial Centre for Sustainability Lagos (FC4SL), a network platform that is leading the development of global standards required to accelerate the expansion of green and sustainable finance, and ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment Limited, a leading Pan-African infrastructure fund manager based in South Africa.

The target audience for the programme includes public companies, capital market operators, investment professionals, risk management professionals, investors and other stakeholders.

The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned Nigerians about the resurgence of unapproved digital loan Apps.

A statement by Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, also notes the duplicity of some loan apps.

“The Commission notes a resurgence in the occurrence of prohibited loan recovery methods and practices in the past weeks. The Commission’s investigations and continuing surveillance demonstrate that the vast majority of the resurging infringements are not by otherwise approved/listed DMLs approved to be on PlayStore and other financial services providers.  

“The violating DMLs have resorted to the use of Android Package Kits (APK) file formats. The illegal DMLs provide links to consumers to visit unregistered websites using their Android devices/phones. In the course of that interaction, consumers’ private information that is otherwise protected and prohibited from access or download by DMLs or their apps is accessed and downloaded. This conduct is prohibited by sundry laws, particularly relevant data privacy protection instruments, and more specifically, the Limited Interim Regulatory/Registration Framework & Guidelines for Digital Lending 2020 of the Commission. 

“In the course of the Commission’s continuing investigation and tracking of these illegally operating DMLs, the Commission has discovered duplicity by at least two otherwise legally registered DMLs on the Commission’s approval list.  The nature of the duplicity is that the DMLs having been approved and placed on the approved list and Playstore, as well as cleared for services by other financial services/institutions, as an alternate channel, and method of engaging in prohibited conduct, also engaged in the use of APK to attract borrowers to a process and practice that is illegal and unregulated.

“The companies or apps so far identified, and for which there is supporting evidence of this malfeasance are Sycamore Integrated Solutions Limited and Orange Loan and Purple Credit Limited. They are the owners of “Getloan” and “Camelloan” respectively, and occupy Nos. 1 and 65 on the Approved List of the Commission, which is available on the Commission’s website. 

“Accordingly, the Commission has now permanently delisted Sycamore Integrated Solutions Limited and Orange Loan and Purple Credit Limited, along with their respective apps – “Getloan” and “Camelloan”. In addition, the Commission has entered an Order to Google Playstore and other payment and financial service providers, permanently prohibiting the provision of any services associated with digital lending to Sycamore Integrated Solutions Limited and Orange Loan and Purple Credit Limited,” the Commission said.

The Commission further insisted that there is no going back on its decision to permanently revoke the approval granted to the App warning that it would not fail to apply the same measures to other violators once they are discovered.    

“In addition, all the information and evidence available with respect to these businesses will be transferred to law enforcement agencies and or any other relevant regulator(s).

“As such, the Commission again advises consumers to exercise restraint and discretion in selecting DMLs and specifically recommends that consumers patronise only DMLs on the Commission’s approved list to diminish, if not eliminate being victims of illegal and prohibited lending and recovery practices. 

“The Commission further advises consumers to consider only DMLs whose apps can be downloaded from Google’s Playstore, as only those have been subjected to regulatory scrutiny and the technology associated with their apps precluded from accessing and downloading private information of consumers.  All other DMLs are operating illegally,” Irukera said.

*Wants anti-corruption watchdogs strengthened

The leadership and members of the National Assembly (NASS) have been urged to prioritise enacting legislation to protect whistleblowers and new audit laws.

Setting an anti-corruption agenda for federal legislators, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development (PRIMORG) and Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) also warned lawmakers against efforts to “whittle down the powers of anti-graft agencies”.

Speaking during an anti-corruption radio programme, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, Wednesday in Abuja, PLAC’s Programme Manager on Gender and Policy, Nkiru Uzodi, said noted that financial corruption in the public sector to reduce “members of the National Assembly must see to the reintroduction and passage into law of the Audit Bill that was not passed by the 9th Assembly.

Uzodi called on the Assembly to exploit preventive measures to curb corrupt acts while condemning efforts of the 9th NASS to amend and reduce the powers of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

She added that factors limiting some lawmakers over the years from taking on corruption headlong is the lack of character, competence and capacity.

“Federal lawmakers have to look at strengthening anti-corruption watchdogs and strengthen their laws. There is a Federal audit bill that has been outstanding that is supposed to reinforce public audit and enhance the work of the public accounts committee in the fight against corruption.

“They (NASS) need to revisit conversations about establishing special courts to fight corruption; in the 9th Assembly, the attempt to amend the ICPC Act was wrong and would further reduce the effectiveness of the anti-corruption body,” Uzodi stressed.

She, however, knocked the current Assembly for reportedly allocating N40 billion to buy 465 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials.

On her part, PRIMORG’s Programme Manager, Dr. Adaobi Obiabunmuo, while setting an anti-corruption agenda for the 10th Assembly, called on the lawmakers to leverage the Auditor General’s report to fight corruption while strengthening whistleblowing and whistleblower protection in the country.

She said: “The National Assembly has three main functions, which are representation, oversight and lawmaking. We want them to oversight properly.

“If there are allegations, the National Assembly should be able to weigh in and investigate. They should get the appropriate authorities to prosecute. As much as we want them to oversee all MDAs, they should be accountable and transparent.

“Journalists with the constitutional mandate to blow the whistle against corruption should also be protected. They should not be gagged by the instruments of the law and security agencies,” Obiabunmuo posited.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Port Harcourt Area 11, Onne Command, said it generated more than N118 billion in the first half of the 2023 fiscal year.

Comptroller Imam Baba disclosed this in a statement signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, Spt. Benjamin Lomba, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the command also intercepted 32 containers of contraband worth more than N1 billion during the period under review.

The comptroller noted that his administration had so far made remarkable efforts by ensuring that all revenue leakages and smuggling activities were efficiently tackled.

He also said that the result led to the successful seizure of 32 containers with a Duty Paid Value of more than ₦1.1 billion

Breakdown on record of seizures included Pharmaceuticals/Medicaments and fireworks with a Duty Paid Value of N139.8 million.

Others are vegetable oil with Duty Paid Value of N833.1 million, plastic with Duty Paid Value of N6.6 million, and textiles with Duty Paid Value of N3.6 million.

“In June, the command seized drugs in one of the bonded terminals, the drugs have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in line with the memorandum of understanding between the NCS and NDLEA.

“It is important to inform the public that one of the core functions of customs is trade facilitation which promotes streamlined and simplified technical and legal procedure for import and export goods,” the comptroller said. 

A night fire has destroyed some shops at Kasuwar Rimi Market in Kano, firefighters said on Thursday.

Saminu Abdullahi, spokesman of Kano State Fire Service said 10 shops were destroyed in the fire which occurred at about 8.40 pm on Wednesday.

“We received a distress call from one Magaji Umar that there was a fire outbreak at the market where they sell mattresses, beds, and carpentry materials.

”On receiving the information, we quickly sent some of our personnel and fire fighting vehicles to the scene at about 8.49 pm to quench the fire so as not to affect other shops,” he said.

Abdullahi added that six permanent and four temporary shops were completely razed while one public convenience was slightly burnt.

He said that the fire was caused by an electric spark from an improvised structure, adding that the incident was under investigation.

The spokesperson, however, said there were no injuries or death, and advised traders to always double-check and ensure they switch off all electrical appliances and disconnect from the source before leaving the market.

The Nigerian Army has intercepted a truck transporting about 16,000 litres of adulterated diesel for sale to unsuspecting users in Port Harcourt and its environs.

The illegally refined diesel was stored inside 80 drums and worth over N14 million on street values.

Commander of 6 Division Garrison, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Brig.-Gen. Eddie Effiong, spoke while presenting the seized truck and petroleum product to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

He said the truck was arrested on Sunday along Okporowo Road in Ahoada East Local Government by army troops at a security checkpoint in the area.

“This arrest reveals another dimension of illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta, devised by oil thieves to deceive unsuspecting security personnel on routine duty.

“Normally, illegally refined products are conveyed in tanker trucks but this seizure shows that they are now transporting illicit products via container trucks meant for goods.

“Ordinarily, if this adulterated diesel was in a tanker truck, it would have been easily detected. This shows the extent to which people can go to commit crime.

He said the fake diesel was packaged in such a manner that would easily deceive personnel on security checkpoints to think the truck was conveying goods or frozen foods.

“But our troops acting on credible information laid an ambush for the truck, and on opening it; they found 80 carefully arranged drums laden with illegally refined diesel.

“We want them (oil thieves) to understand that as they are devising new methods that we equally devise our own means to catch them.

“Henceforth, if drivers of trucks are stopped on the road for searching, they shouldn’t get angry, because everything now can be used to convey illegally refined petroleum products,” he added.

Effiong, who is also the Commander of Sector 3, Operation Delta Safe Military Joint Task Force said no arrest was made at the scene of the seizure.

According to him, the occupants of the truck abandoned their vehicle and escaped into the nearby bush on sighting the army checkpoint up ahead of them.

The Defence Headquarters has said the destruction of rogue vessels used to steal crude oil in the Niger Delta is in line with the extant laws guiding military operations.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this while addressing newsmen on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba, while explaining the rationale behind the destruction of such vessels, said the military was carrying out its operations in line with laid down operational procedures.

He said the military would continue to perform its responsibilities in accordance with the law, adding that the decision to destroy any facility, vehicle, boat, and vessels used in stealing crude oil was lawful.

According to him, troops of Operation Delta Safe and Operators of Tantita Surveillance contractors intercepted a vessel loaded with suspected stolen crude oil and arrested 12 suspects (a Ghanian and 11 Nigerians) on July 7.

“The vessel was arrested between the boundaries of Delta and Ondo State. The vessel, MT TURA II reportedly owned by Holab Maritime Services Limited, has a tank capacity of 800,000 litres.

The vessel was previously named ALI RITA BEY and a close inspection on the vessel revealed that only two compartments were partially filled with about 150 metric tonnes which is approximately 178,000 litres.

“This quantity is less than a quarter of the vessel. The vessel, upon arrest, was moved to Oporoza in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

“The voyage of the vessel revealed that it originated from Lagos and was heading to Republic of Cameroon as its destination.

“The vessel captain admitted to having been engaged in same illegal activities for over four years.

“On July 11, the vessel was destroyed in accordance with extant operating procedure that stipulates instant destruction of any vehicle, vessel or equipment linked with crude oil theft,” he said.

Buba said the troops also discovered and destroyed 23 illegal refining sites, 15 wooden boats, 34 storage tanks, 96 ovens and 16 dugout pits in the last two weeks.

He added that troops equally recovered 367,200 litres of crude oil, 27,150 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 220 assorted rounds of ammunitions, six calibers of weapons, three vehicles and 10 motorcycles. Troops also arrested 25 suspected economic saboteurs.

According to him, the Air Component conducted several air interdictions to degrade and restrict the activities of oil theft at Samkri and Elem Kalabari.

“In the course of operations, troops recovered 367,200 litres of crude oil, 27,150 litres of Automotive Gas Oil and 550 assorted rounds of ammunition.

Others discovered included 12 calibers of weapons, seven empty magazines, 17 cutlasses, three vehicles, 19 motorcycles and one dagger while 60 suspected criminals were apprehended within the period.

“It is noteworthy to state that an estimated N202.7 million was denied the oil thieves during the period in focus,” he said.

In the South East, Buba said the troops neutralised and apprehended gunmen of Eastern Security Network in a raid on their hideouts in Ohaozara, Aninri, Calabar South and Ikwo Local Government Areas of Ebonyi, Enugu and Cross River States.

In South West, he said the troops of Operation AWATSE, had during the period, intercepted a lorry with two occupants conveying concealed ammunition cartridges that originated from Mali and were to be delivered to Onitsha.

According to him, troops  intercepted a truck with 720 cartons of Red Star Cartridge of 12 caliber containing 25 cartridges each and 250 packets of live cartridge of black pellets containing 10 cartridges each. 

*Orders the sessions to be recorded

In a significant development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled in favor of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), granting him access to receive medical care from a doctor of his choice.

The court’s decision comes as Kanu’s health condition reportedly worsens, and he urgently requires ear surgery.

Justice Binta Nyako presided over the case and issued the order to the Department of State Service (DSS), instructing them to allow Kanu to have access to a medical doctor for the necessary treatment.

This ruling was seen as a recognition of Kanu’s right to receive medical services, even while in detention.

Additionally, the court further mandated that all medical sessions administered to Kanu be monitored, recorded, and sealed by the DSS for security purposes.

This measure aims to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the medical care process for the detained IPOB leader.

The judgment also included the dismissal of preliminary objections filed by the DSS against the application.

These objections challenged the notion of granting medical access to Kanu while in custody.

However, the court’s ruling clarified that irrespective of his detention status, he has the right to proper medical attention.

The crux of Kanu’s plea before the court was to obtain permission for an independent medical examination, in the form of a judicial review through an order of Mandamus.

This review was crucial to ascertain his actual state of health, and it aligns with a previous order made by Justice Binta Nyako on October 21, 2021.

The court upheld his right to seek such an examination in line with the express provisions of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017.

Furthermore, Kanu also sought the court’s order to access his medical records from June 29, 2021, to the present.

The records he requested included admission records, medical and clinical notes, nursing notes, observation charts, documentation during treatment or hospital stay, laboratory test results, pharmaceutical records, radiological scans, blood transfusion records, physiotherapy and rehabilitative treatment records, clinical findings, diagnosis, and prescribed treatment records.

This ruling has significant implications for Kanu’s well-being and his legal battle.

The court’s decision ensures that he can receive proper medical attention for his health condition, addressing the urgency of the ear surgery required.

The situation has drawn attention not only from his supporters within the IPOB but also from human rights activists concerned about the treatment of detainees and their access to medical care.

As the situation unfolds, the court’s order to record all medical sessions aims to safeguard against any potential abuses and protect the rights of the detained leader.

The provision of Kanu’s medical records will also contribute to transparency and enable him to make informed decisions about his healthcare moving forward.