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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja not to grant the reliefs sought by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his fundamental right enforcement suit.
The EFCC, in its counter affidavit in opposition to Sanwo-Olu’s originating summons, told Justice Joyce Abdulmalik that the governor’s action in the instant suit is a mere conjecture.
Recall that Sanwo-Olu, through his counsel, Darlington Ozurumba, had sued the anti-graft agency as sole defendant over alleged threat to arrest, detain and prosecute him after his tenure as governor.
In the originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/773/2024, dated June 6 and filed on the same date, the governor raised seven questions and sought 11 reliefs.
Sanwo-Olu sought a declaration that under and by virtue of the provisions of Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, “the plaintiff, as a citizen of Nigeria, is entitled to right to private and family life as a minimum guarantee encapsulated under the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, 1999 before, during and after occupation of public office created by the Constitution.”
He also wants the court to declare that upon community reading of the provisions of Sections 35(1) & (4) and 41(1) of the constitution, the threat of his investigation, arrest and detention by the EFCC during his tenure of office as governor is illegal.
The governor prayed the court to declare that the incessant harassment, threat of arrest and detention, against him upon the EFCC’s instigation by his political adversaries based on false and politically motivated allegation of corruption is a misuse of executive powers and abuse of public office.
He, therefore, sought an order restraining the EFCC from harassing, intimidating, arresting, detaining, interrogating or prosecuting him in connection with his tenure as the governor of Lagos State, among others.
However, the anti-corruption agency, in its counter affidavit dated Oct. 30 but filed Oct. 31 by its lawyer, Hadiza Afegbua, said contrary to the governor’s claims, the EFCC neither threatened, invited or took any step at all to encroach on his right to freedom of movement nor violated his right to private and family life and personal liberty.
The EFCC’s objection was sighted on Monday in Abuja.
In the application, Ufuoma Ezire, a Superintendent and a Litigation Secretary in the Legal and Prosecution Department of EFCC, who deposed to the counter affidavit, averred that he was conversant with the facts of the case.
According to him, that I have the authority, consent and permission of the defendant to depose to this counter affidavit.
“That I have read and understood the plaintiff’s affidavit in support of the originating summons and I hereby state that the depositions in Paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 and even 8 are not true and are calculated attempt to mislead the honourable court.
“That the depositions in paragraph 4 sub 4(iv), 4(v), 4(vi), 4(vii), 4(viii), 4(ix), 4(x), 4(xi), 4(xii), 4(xiv), 4(xvi), 4(vii), 4(xviii), 4(xix), 4(xx), 4(xxi) ,4(xxii), 4(xxiv) and 4(xxv) of the plaintiff’s affidavit are unfounded, untrue and unknown to the defendant and are hereby denied,” Ezire said.
The official said the commission was not investigating the governor and had never invited him or threatened to arrest any member of his staff, domestic or otherwise.
“That I know as a fact that the defendant invites members of the public for interview, interrogation or any engagement vide a written invitation, phone calls or text messages by any of its officers who shall introduce himself or herself by name, rank, designation, and Section to enable the invitee trace the officer easily.
“That no officer of the defendant could have invited the plaintiff or his aides without furnishing them with such detailed particulars of himself.
“That contrary to the depositions in paragraphs 5 of the plaintiff affidavit, the defendant did not intimidate, harass or threatened the plaintiff or subjected him to any trauma,” he said.
He said the agency was unaware of any threat to arrest Sanwo-Olu’s “aides, accusation of maladministration or diversion of Lagos State’s funds nor is it aware of any likelihood of a breach of the applicant’s right to liberty or right to own movable and immovable properties in this case.
“That the action of the plaintiff in this case is mere conjecture and speculations as there is no petition or any intel gathered before the defendant to warrant the men and officers of same to invite, threaten to arrest the plaintiff at the moment.
“That the entirety of the dispositions contained in the plaintiffs’ affidavit are not true, as the application is misconceived and brought in bad faith to mislead this honourable court.
“That the defendant is not in a position to deny or confirm the depositions in paragraphs 4 and 4(iii) as the defendant is not a party to the conversation between deponent and the plaintiff.
“That it will be in the interest of justice to refuse the reliefs sought by the plaintiff,” Ezire added.
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA has made an allegation against President Bola Tinubu and Dangote Refinery.
According to the group, the incessant hikes in the pump price of fuel was simply President Bola Tinubu’s selfish agenda to empower his cronies.
“The truth and nothing but the truth is that the policy of incessantly hiking the pump price of fuel and petroleum products were never meant to benefit the commoners of Nigeria,” a statement signed by Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA ‘s national coordinator, said.
“The primary goal is to financially reward friends of those holding sway in the current administration, their cronies or business affiliates.
“The hikes in the costs of fuel have only brought instability in the prices of essential food items and the inability of millions of absolutely poor households in Nigeria to buy their essential food items, has resulted in malnutrition of hundreds of thousands of children, mass hunger, increasing number of out-of-school children, and starvation and untimely deaths.
“Whereas most poor Nigerians perish in unmitigated poverty and unpredictable high costs of living, only very few people running businesses in the oil and gas sector are making a kill by way of profits as data and statistics made available at the weekend have shown this irrefutable fact.”
The rights association appealed to oil and gas companies to roll out corporate social responsibility initiatives to economically empower millions of increasingly impoverished Nigerians.
The group said that failure to do this, the business climate of Nigeria will become perilous and dangerous because “if the poor can’t sleep because they are hungry, the rich can’t sleep inevitably because the poor, angry people are awake”.
HURIWA further endorsed the claim by the Nigerian labour Congress, NLC, that marketers, including Dangote Refinery, have colluded to inflate the costs of fuel. It called on Nigerians to increase public pressure on the National Assembly to investigate the allegation of collusion and inflating of cost of fuel.
DAILY POST reports that the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, had at the weekend accused Dangote Group and oil marketers of ganging up to rip Nigerians off in the pricing of PMS.
NLC disclosed this in a communiqué on Sunday after its National Executive Council meeting held on Friday.
The union called on the Nigerian government to immediately activate the Port Harcourt Refinery and other government-owned refineries.
HURIWA which cited publicly available data, stated that as a consequence of the incessant increase in price of fuel and other products, a total of six oil and gas companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) generated N2.97 trillion revenue in nine months of 2024.
This represents an increase of 115 per cent increase from N1.39 trillion generated in corresponding period of 2023.
Profit before tax stood at N626.3billion, about 384 per cent increase from N129.43 billion reported in nine months of 2023.
“The Federal Government must stop implementing crude measures that unleash hardships on Nigerians whilst at the same time making very few people and companies too rich and prosperous from the hunger, starvation and untimely deaths of Nigerians,” HURIWA added.
“Government must restore the dignity and the respectable value of the Naira to stop the downward collapse of the value of the National currency.”
A prophet has revealed that God showed him that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will return like Donald Trump.
The Ebonyi State-based prophet, His Holiness, Spirit Emmanuel Chukwudi revealed the prophecy after Trump won the US Presidential election last week.
He stated that former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will eventually become the president of Nigeria.
He stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vanished from the spiritual realm.
Chukwudi, the General Overseer of King of Kings Deliverance Ministries Worldwide, located in Gbonum Ulepa Ntezi, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, shared this prophecy during an interview shortly after Donald Trump emerged victorious over Kamala Harris in the recent elections.
This prediction is particularly intriguing, given the current political climate and the ongoing discussions about leadership in the country.
He said Atiku will become president, as God has directed him to announce it again to Nigerians.
He stated “Today, the Lord has said it again, that just as Donald Trump was elevated to lead Americans on November 5, so shall it come to pass in Nigeria regarding His word on Atiku Abubakar.
“I prophesied in 2019 and 2023, that Uzodinma will win, and he won.
“In 2011, I told Buhari that Goodluck Jonathan will be president.
Former Kaduna State senator, Shehu Sani has written a letter to future generations.
In an emotional letter on Monday, the former lawmaker stated that the present generation is a time of war and hardship.
Sani, who took to his Facebook page, wrote: “Hello, the people of 2099, this is me writing in 2024. I will not be here when you will be reading this.
“You will read about me and others, but we can never know who you will be. Just to let you know that our time is a time of war and hardships. We don’t know whether our time will be better than yours or yours will be better. In case you are passing by our graves.
“Kindly spare a minute, remove the grasses, and pray for us. But I don’t know if your generation will even have time to remember us.
“You will find everything about us through our postings.
With much love from the peace of Heaven.
Bye.”
Demola Olarenwaju, the Special Assistant on Digital Media Strategy to former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has slammed President Bola Tinubu.
He accused Tinubu and his Lagos boys of living large at the Presidential Villa in Abuja while Nigerians suffer.
Olarenwaju said Tinubu and his Lagos boys in Aso Rock wrongly believe that Nigerians can forever tolerate his living large on public expense while the average citizen suffers.
Posting on X, Atiku’s aide said the president and his cronies are out of touch with reality.
He wrote: “If you judge the effect of T-pain with the attitude and coping mechanisms of Lagosians, you’ll wrongly conclude ‘it isn’t that deep.’ Lagos is a microcosm of Nigeria, but it is not a true reflection of the average Nigerian. To govern Nigeria as Lagos is a mistake in political leadership, and to draw conclusions about Nigeria from Lagos is poor judgment.
“The average Lagos resident came to Lagos from all over Nigeria, Africa, and the world with a mindset to hustle and succeed. Lagosians are resilient and will rather ‘double their hustle’ than wear their disappointment around the place.
“Tinubu and his Lagos Boys group in Aso Rock are out of touch with the reality of many Nigerians — another reason why diversity is important. Tinubu wrongly believes that Nigerians can forever tolerate his living large on public expense while the average Nigerian suffers.
“Were Tinubu a true Lagosian though, he would understand how to decode the hidden signs of hunger, pain, and frustration that the hustling Lagosians always try to mask.
“The danfo driver last week who didn’t mind setting himself on fire along with the LASTMA guy: people are frustrated, and they will not need Sowore to call for revolution when they’re ready.”
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed plans to probe the complaints filed against members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concerning the recently concluded governorship election in Edo State.
Recall that the electoral commission declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election on September 21, 2014, in Edo State.
However, during a recent conversation with journalists, the spokesperson for the anti-corruption body, Demola Bakare, revealed that several complaints have been received against some INEC officials.
Reports had emerged earlier speculating how election observers who were present during the state’s recent election stormed the ICPC’s headquarters to lodge complaints against the INEC.
These observers, primarily legal professionals, had gathered under the umbrella of Tap Initiative, specifically calling for the arrest and prosecution of the commission’s officials for allegedly producing two sets of result sheets (EC8A).
The Executive Director of Tap Initiative, Martin Obono, had indicated that the commission’s actions had escalated to a point where they should be reported to USAID, EU, UK, and other international organizations.
However, the ICPC spokesman told Daily Trust yesterday, “When we are addressing a petition, we do not disclose the details.
“You can be sure that the petition was received, it was acknowledged. Definitely, if there is substance in it, we will do something about it.
“But it is not our tradition to tell anybody about what we are doing. We received the petition and it was acknowledged. Be sure that something will be done.”
Gov Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has announced that state employees will receive double salary payments in December.
According to Eno, the introduction of the 13th month salary, referred to as ‘Eno-Mber,’ is intended to enhance the festive season for civil servants, particularly in light of the delays surrounding the implementation of the new N80,000 minimum wage.
According to Vanguard, the harmonization committee, led by the Head of the Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, may not meet the one-month deadline set by the State government for the submission of its report, with the completion of the task now projected for the first quarter of 2025.
In an effort to allay the concerns of the workforce, the Governor announced the double salary payment during a church service at the Eternity Mission International Church in Uyo on Sunday, serving as a temporary relief prior to the rollout of the new minimum wage.
“I am aware that quite a number of our civil servants have relocated within Nigeria while others have gone abroad. We have to be sure that those receiving payments are real civil servants. My watchword since assuming office has been transparency and honesty in service deliverables and we have to ensure that we carry this through this verification exercise, which would soon be completed,” he noted.
The Akwa Ibom governor also warned those constantly working to disrupt the smooth relationship between the state government and the organized labour to have a rethink.
“Since we came in, we have paid critical attention to the needs and the welfare of civil servants in this state. To date, we have paid N35 billion in gratuities to retired state, local government workers and primary school teachers in the state,” he recalled.
Other interventions which the Governor said should encourage the workers to imbibe good work ethics included the institution and payment of a bonus regime of N1.1billion naira to all public servants, prompt payment of salary, pension and gratuities.
The governor had also released funds, and ensured prompt payment of wage award to the State workers for three months to cushion the effect of high cost of living occasioned by the federal government’s fuel subsidy removal as well as free 150 homes at the Grace Estate for civil servants of grade levels one to eight.
Popular Nigerian actress, Sarah Martins has revealed that she became a gold digger after her past relationship with her ex-lover.
In an Instagram post, she revealed that she gave 50% of her salary to her ex-boyfriend for six months, only to discover he was using the funds to support another woman’s business.
According to Sarah Martins, this betrayal has left emotional scars, making her cautious about loving deeply.
She emphasized that her support for her partner is now contingent upon reciprocal support.
''There was a time I gave my ex 50% of my monthly salary for 6 months and the werey was giving the money to another woman??♀️”.
“He even funded her business from my sweat and the lady married someone else months after he finished setting up her business ?”.
“I’m a lover girl and I go hard for people I love but ever since them show me shege on top my kind heart, I no dey give man shishi!”
“With my full chest, I AM CURRENTLY A GOLD DIGGER.I will support my man the best way I can but my man must have supported me to a level that will warrant me to reciprocate his support in his own time of need”.
FCT Police Investigate Alleged Shooting Of 21-year-old Varsity Student By 'Bribe-seeking Officers'
AFOLABI
The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command, has ordered a comprehensive probe into the shooting of a 21-year-old student, David Ilechukwu in Kubwa area of the territory.
It was gathered that Ilechukwu, a Nasarawa State University student was shot dead at a checkpoint allegedly by the police on Saturday, November 9, 2024.
The father of the 200-level Computer Science student who spoke to newsmen on Sunday alleged that his son was shot after the policemen accused him of being an internet fraudster and demanded N200,000 from him.
He explained that his son fell into a nearby gutter after he was shot in the foot and was brought home by some commercial motorcyclists.
According to him, his son is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital where doctors confirmed that two of his bones were broken.
The spokesperson of the command, SP Josephine Adeh, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, November 10, said the perpetrators are yet to be identified.
"The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to an incident involving Mr. David Ikechukwu, who was reportedly shot by yet-to-be-identified gunmen allegedly operating from a tricycle and wearing blue and black uniforms on November 09 2024,” the statement read.
"The Commissioner of Police for the FCT Command, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to apprehend those responsible and to uncover the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event.
"The FCT Police Command assures the public that a dedicated team of detectives is actively investigating all aspects of the case. This investigation aims to provide clarity and hold those involved accountable for their actions.
“We urge members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement efforts. The FCT Command is committed to ensuring justice is served and to maintaining the safety of all residents. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”
It has been revealed that Dangote Refinery is still buying crude oil from the Nigerian government in dollars.
The revelation was made by a renowned economist, Kelvin Emmanuel.
He said the Nigerian government has not effectively implemented a Naira-for-crude deal with Dangote Refinery.
Emmanuel disclosed this in an interview with Channels Television on Monday and monitored by DAILY POST.
He was analysing the policy of the Nigerian government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and its impact on fuel prices.
Recall that in July 2024 Tinubu had directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to sell crude to Dangote Refinery in Naira.
On October 20, 2024, the Minister of Finance announced the kickoff of the Naira-for-crude deal.
However, Emmanuel claimed that the policy has not been fully implemented, noting that Dangote Refinery still buys crude feedstock in dollars instead of naira.
“The level of compliance with the Naira-for-crude deal is low.
“It doesn’t appear that the government is complying with the terms agreed with the policy. It has not been complying with by the latter.
“Under deal, Dangote Refinery is 385,000 and 400,000 barrels of crude per day. The refinery is not getting that. Let me define 11.5 million or 12 million barrels of crude on a monthly basis. The refinery is getting 40 or 50 percent of the crude. 40 percent of the 50 percent crude being sold to Dangote Refinery is being sold in dollars,” he said.
This comes as Dangote Refinery said its ex-depot prices of petrol are sold for N960 and N990 per litre for shipping and trucks.
The announcement of the Dangote Petrol price came on the back of the controversy between the company and oil marketers in the last days.
Oil marketers had disclosed that imported fuel is cheaper than Dangote Petrol.
However, Dangote accused oil marketers of importing cheap and substandard fuel into Nigeria, which was denied.
This comes as Nigerians buy petrol between N1,060 and N1,200 per litre across filling outlets.
DAILY POST recalls that fuel price increased to above N1060 per litre in November 2024 from N617 sold in August, the same year.
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A 47-year-old man identified as Mr. Anthony Onyeukwu, has been remanded in a correctional centre by a Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Enugu East Magisterial District over the alleged killing of his 11-year old houseboy, Goodluck John.
This, the Enugu State Government said, was in line with its sustained war against all forms of child abuse.
According to the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Enugu Mrs. Ngozi Enih, Mr Onyeukwu was arrested following a tip-off from one of the Ministry’s whistle-blower channels that Master Goodluck John’s death was linked to abuse at the hands of the family where he lived as a houseboy.
However, Mr. Onyeukwu was said to have quickly conveyed and had the remains of the 11-year old boy buried in the boy’s hometown in Abia State without reporting his death to the appropriate authorities.
Although he was said to have claimed that the boy had died from an ailment at the Park Lane Hospital, Enugu, there was no record to show that the boy was admitted in the hospital or that his corpse was deposited in the hospital’s morgue.
Arraigning the suspect last week , the Police Prosecutor- Inspr Calista Ifeanyi, told the presiding Chief Administrative Magistrate, Ngozi Edeh Anih that Mr. Onyeukwu had committed an offence punishable under the Criminal Code (Revised) Laws of Enugu State.
The charge sheet marked: CME/631C/2024 read, “That you, Onyeukwu Anthony ‘m’ on 15th day of October, 2024 at about 20:30 hours at No. 4, Mike Onyeka Close, Loma Linda Extension, Maryland, Enugu, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did unlawfully kill one Goodluck John ‘m’ aged 11 years and thereby commited an offence punishable under Section 274 (1) of the Criminal Code, CAP 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.”
The Chief Magistrate subsequently ordered the suspect’s remand in the Correctional Centre, Enugu and, adjourned the matter to 20th November, 2024 when the report from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, Enugu, is expected.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Wife of the Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, has warned against any form of child abuse in the state, as no such act would go unpunished.
Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has stated that he is not too young to become a state governor.
Speaking at the annual Obasa Youth Crusade held in the Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State on Sunday, Obasa made this declaration during an event organized by the Obasa Youth Alliance (OYA) to celebrate his birthday. Obasa will turn 52 on Monday, November 11.
Emphasizing the importance of party loyalty, Obasa affirmed his commitment to following the directives and progress of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He noted that adherence to party decisions was more critical than personal political ambitions.
“Though I am not too young to become the governor of Lagos State, I want to emphasize that our focus must remain on the progress of the party rather than individual aspirations,” Obasa said. “We will continue our work, especially concerning party mandates. This is not about personal ambition or a desire to become the governor.”
He stressed that his primary concern was the development and strengthening of the APC across Lagos State, stating, “Our main objective is to build the party, support it at the grassroots, and ensure that it flourishes across the state. For those who think our actions are driven by self-interest, we need to correct that perception.”
Obasa also urged members to prioritize the success of the party over individual political pursuits and warned against allowing the party to face setbacks in future elections.
“We all witnessed the challenges of the last election, where voting patterns were influenced by tribal, ethnic, and religious sentiments,” he noted. “It is essential that we prevent a repeat of this.
“Many reasons have been attributed to the party’s performance in the first election, particularly pointing to the Igbo community. However, this was not the first time we’ve had elections in Lagos. The Igbo have long been part of the state, so we must identify and address any underlying issues.”
Nigerian skitmaker, Kemi Ikuseedun aka Mummy Wa has opened up that she faced s3xual harassment in the film industry.
She stated this during a chat on the WithChude podcast.
Mummy Wa, also called Kemz Mama, said she received unwanted s3xual advances from filmmakers while trying to establish her career.
The content creator said she rejected the advances because she knew they wouldn’t guarantee her the role she wanted.
“What I said related more behind the scenes, not even as an actor. Behind the scenes, a lot of people are asking for things. They are asking for a whole lot of things. But me I cannot do it,” she said.
“Where do I want to start from? How do I want to even do it? Me that I am already coming from a place where they tell me ‘this thing will not work’. How many people do you want to sleep with?
“To be honest with you, you might actually sleep with somebody in the movie industry and the role they will give you, will not ‘blow! You will still be there.
“Me entering entertainment, I saw a lot of men. But guess what? Even the ones that do not have anything; that are slim, they are still asking for things from them.
“No woman is free. No woman is immune. But me, I cannot do it.”
A former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George has slammed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.
He warned Sanwo-Olu to halt the harassment of traders by officials and security agents in the state.
The elder statesman, in an open letter to the governor, stated that Lagos traders are not terrorists, adding that while Lagos is known as the Centre of Excellence, the traders are not being treated excellently by some security agents and government officials daily.
Recall that, due to the state environmental law which bans street trading, the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials often arrest and confiscate the wares of traders who display their goods on roadsides or sell in traffic.
“Apart from lamenting the multiple levies they pay to councils and being subjected to extortion most horrendously by some thugs and rough-necks, they are also harassed and flogged like criminals,” George said.
The PDP leader, who stated that street trading has been part of the culture and tradition of Lagos for decades, where he was born, explained that many professionals like lawyers, doctors, engineers, and accountants were financed educationally by what their parents made through street trading.
He added that in London, New York, and other advanced cities, there is street trading.
In the letter, George noted that some traders and hawkers stay on the roadside where they pay government officials daily due to the harsh and hostile economy in the land, as they cannot afford a shop costing as high as N1 million.
“What authorities in those climes do is to regulate street trading, not subject traders to despicable treatment.
“In the 21st century, it is an act of wickedness for government officials to treat street traders like bandits and terrorists in Lagos State.
“Where is our dignity? Why should officials subject them to harrowing experiences daily?
“They are not armed robbers, and they should not be treated as such. It is despicable to treat street traders like terrorists. They are just trying to survive, and Lagos is not the only place where we have street traders,” he said.