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Following reports about possible a cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu, a group, known as De Renaissance Patriots, on Friday, urged the president to appoint an indigene to represent Lagos State in the Federal Executive Council, FEC.
The group, in a statement by its President, Prince Adelani Adeniji-Adele stated that the choice of an indigene will “cement a better relationship with us and assuage the feelings of the indigenes towards being alienated.”
Adeniji-Adele said: “The IBILE people of Lagos State, through one of their social cultural organisations, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, congratulate President Bola Tinubu on the recent celebrations of Democracy Day.
“We have received media reports about possible a cabinet reshuffle by President Tinubu, if true, we welcome any changes that will make his administration more versatile.
“It is, therefore, our wish to draw the attention of His Excellency to the wishes of most indigenes of Lagos state that an indigenes from any IBILE division so appointed by you as a minister be given a substantive and full port folio, not a junior’ minister. This will be a good step towards cementing a better relationship with us as well as assuaging the feelings of the indigenes towards being alienated.
“We pray for His Excellency for the energy and wisdom filled with filled with Grace of God to always do the right thing for us and practical steps by giving Lagos State the Ministerial slot that she deserves.
“The great strength of Lagos State is the unity and understanding that had been its hallmark that bonded the indigenes together during the colonial administration before and after amalgamation in 1914.”
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II has shared his insights on Nigeria’s political landscape, casting doubt on the feasibility of regionalism as a solution to the country’s challenges.
Sanusi, in an exclusive interview published by Vanguard, questioned the necessity of a bicameral legislature and the rationale behind appointing ministers from every state, even when not required.
Sanusi began by questioning the necessity of maintaining a bicameral legislature and the practice of appointing a minister from every state, regardless of need. He argued that such practices contribute to bureaucratic inefficiencies and do not necessarily serve the best interests of the nation.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s historical and political context, Sanusi criticized federal government interference in state matters, particularly regarding traditional and chieftaincy affairs. He stressed the importance of upholding constitutional principles and maintaining a clear separation of powers to ensure accountable governance.
The Emir, drawing from his experiences, highlighted the imperfect yet preferable nature of democracy compared to past authoritarian regimes. He emphasized the need for political leaders to honor constitutional agreements and foster a unified approach to governance, rather than exploiting regional or ethnic identities for personal or political gain.
Addressing the concept of regionalism, Sanusi questioned its practicality in a country marked by diverse ethnicities and historical divisions. He pointed out ongoing conflicts and asserted that further subdividing Nigeria into regions might exacerbate rather than resolve existing tensions. Instead, he called for a more cohesive national identity and governance structure that promotes unity and accountability.
His words, “I think there are several things we can do to address those structures because at the end of the day, if you allow the state governors to run, the thing with devolution is we have 36 states, if only half of the governors are good, at least half of Nigeria has a good government. There is too much power at the centre, too much of the resources. The centre does not do primary education or primary healthcare, and that is where the vast majority of Nigerians are. Shouldn’t those resources come to the state? Instead of everybody going to Abuja, what is happening in Abuja? There are several issues that we need to look at. And also simple constitutionalism and federalism, just even the respect of separation of separation of power. If you take the example of what is happening in Kano today, chieftaincy matter is 100 per cent a state matter.
“…We had a parliamentary system in the First Republic. What happened? At the end of the day, it is the humans that operate the system. People talk about regions. Initially, the regions we had in this country were North, East, and West, and then it became NorthEast and MidWest. Where did the creation called six geo-political zones come from historically? We can keep dividing and subdividing this country and thinking of ourselves, but are we really honest? Are these regions?
“If you go to the Niger Delta, since when did the Itsekiri stop fighting wars against the Ijaw? Since when did we become homogeneous?
“It was the Sokoto Jihad that brought us together. From the Sokoto caliphate, we became Northerners, from Northerners, we became Nigerians.When I was in King’s College, I grew up under Yakubu Gowon in a country where Nigerians were thinking like Nigerians. What happened? Political leadership is the one that exploits regional and ethnic identities as part of the struggle for political office.
“When they get there, they all sit together. If you look at the president’s cabinet, what do you have? You have everybody from every state. You have Christians, you have Muslims, you have Northerners and Southerners. Why are they not fighting one another in there? The elites are irresponsible.
“Don’t think that pandering to these elites by saying the solution is going to a regional system of government. How do we go regional? In Yorubaland, there are Ijebu, Ekiti, Ijesha, Owo, and Egba since when did they become one? Right there between Ife and Modakeke, they were killing each other. It is not about that. It is not a solution. How many parts are you going to slice this country to get a homogenous country? How? With all the intermarriages and education, I am not sure that is a solution, and I think people have this dream that can only be sold by blocking out history.
“We had a regional system in the First Republic. How did it end? We had a parliamentary system in the First Republic. How did it end? I am not talking about the coup; I am talking about the crisis that led to the coup. Before Nzeogu, forget Ironsi. How was the system before they came? Is there any documentary evidence that that system was fundamentally better than what we have?
“We can’t shift responsibilities away from human beings, the people who are responsible for operating the system. If you go to the Senate and the House of Representatives, and you are there for 16 years and you have never passed a bill, you don’t even know that your job is to be a lawmaker.”
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected for a second term on Friday after his humbled ANC cobbled together an unprecedented coalition government.
Lawmakers in Cape Town voted overwhelmingly to put Ramaphosa, 71, back in office for another five years after the May 29 general election that produced no outright winner.
“I accordingly declare honourable M.C. Ramaphosa duly elected President,” Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said after the votes were counted.
Last month’s election marked a historic turning point for South Africa, ending three decades of dominance by the African National Congress of the late Nelson Mandela.
The party that led the struggle to end apartheid won only 40 percent of the vote and, for the first time, lost its absolute majority in parliament.
It has now struck a deal to form what it calls a government of national unity.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said on Friday the broad coalition brings together a majority of the 18 parties that won representation in the 400-seat National Assembly.
These include the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA), the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and other smaller groups.
Ramaphosa was re-elected by fellow MPs with 283 votes in a secret ballot.
He saw off a last-minute challenge by Julius Malema, the firebrand leader of the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), whose candidacy gained 44 votes.
Ramaphosa will be sworn in next week in Pretoria and then unveil his new cabinet.
Earlier, Zondo had opened the parliament’s first sitting, swearing in MPs in batches ahead of votes on the election of a speaker and deputy speaker.
The first post went to the ANC’s Thoko Didiza and, in a first sign the power-sharing deal was working, the second went to the DA’s Annelie Lotriet. Both are women.
‘Illegal’
Lawmakers cast their ballot one by one in a lengthy ceremony held in a Cape Town convention centre, as the parliament building is being rebuilt after a 2022 fire.
EFF members took the oath wearing red overalls and in some cases rubber boots and plastic construction worker helmets.
They declined to support the incoming administration, having refused to countenance joining an alliance with right-wing or white-led parties.
“This is not a government of national unity, this is a grand coalition between the ANC and white monopoly capital. History will judge you harshly,” Malema said after conceding defeat.
Graft-tainted former president Jacob Zuma’s new party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), which came third in the May 29 election, has disputed the results and its MPs boycotted Friday’s sitting.
“The sitting of the national assembly today as far as we’re concerned is illegal and unconstitutional,” MK spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela told AFP.
A former trade unionist turned millionaire businessman, Ramaphosa will preside over a government combining radically different political views.
The ANC is a historically pan-Africanist, progressive party of the left that has overseen welfare and economic empowerment programmes for poor, black South Africans.
The largest coalition party, the DA, pushes a liberal, free-market agenda. Smaller parties that are understood to have agreed to join the government range from the left to the far right.
“At the heart of this government of national unity statement is a shared respect and defence of our constitution and the rule of law,” DA leader John Steenhuisen said.
No easy road
The agreement extended to Johannesburg’s Gauteng province and KwaZulu-Natal.
Zuma’s MK won the most votes in the latter but was left empty-handed as coalition members managed to get a wafer-thin majority of 41 out of 80 provincial councillors.
Steenhuisen added that the coalition agreement included a consensus mechanism to deal “with the disagreements that will inevitably arise”.
“This is not the end of the process. And the road ahead will not be an easy one,” Steenhuisen said, explaining that the two-week deadline imposed by the constitution to form a government did not leave enough time to iron out all details.
Ramaphosa first came to power in 2018 after Zuma was forced out under the cloud of corruption allegations.
Under his watch South Africa suffered from record power cuts, the economy languished and crime remained rife. Unemployment is at almost 33 percent.
He will now have the arduous task to bridge conflicting views within government to turn around South Africa’s economic fortunes.
“Rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth” was listed as a top priority in a draft of the coalition deal.
GDP grew by only 0.6 percent in 2023 and was down 0.1 percent in the first three months of 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday said they will collaborate to tackle cybercrime and other emerging criminal threats.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and FBI Director, Christopher Wray, met in Abuja on Friday to strengthen their partnership. Wray led a team of top FBI officials, while Olukoyede was accompanied by senior EFCC officials.
Disclosing this in a statement, EFCC spokesman, Dayo Oyewale, said the two agencies have had a long-standing relationship, and this meeting aimed to take their partnership to the next level.
“We have had a relationship over the years and this is a reflection of how stronger than ever we are looking forward to taking our partnership to higher and higher levels in tackling threats that affect the people of Nigeria and the people of the United States,” the FBI director was quoted as saying.
“We have had close partnerships in shared values and focus and I want to say thank you for the wonderful partnership. Thank you for your hospitality and in particular for the partnership that exists between the FBI and the EFCC across a wide range of threats that we face together.”
On his part, the EFCC chairman highlighted the commission’s new direction, focusing on prevention, public enlightenment, and e-procurement to tackle contract and procurement fraud.
Olukoyede stated, “We value the partnership between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI. Over the years, this partnership has existed and it is for mutual benefit.
“We have to acknowledge that we have benefitted from your manpower and capacity development programmes, which have added value to the capacity of our operatives and our Academy.
“We also want to thank you for the technical support that you have provided over the years for the EFCC and by extension, Nigeria.”
'Civil servants were being paid N7,000 monthly before now' - Zamfara Begins Payment Of N30,000 Minimum Wage
AFOLABI
The Zamfara State Government has commenced the payment of N30,000 minimum wage to workers in the North-Western state.
This followed a meeting the state governor, Dauda Lawal, held with the leadership of labour unions where he pledged to commence the payment of the minimum wage in June.
Disclosing this in a statement on Friday, the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said Zamfara civil servants started receiving their June salary on the 12th, ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha celebration. He said before now, civil servants were being paid a paltry N7,000 monthly, adding that the current administration is determined to see to the welfare of workers.
“The Zamfara state government, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, has disbursed the June salary to support workers in preparing for the upcoming Eid celebration,” the statement read.
“This is in line with the fulfilment of the promise made by the governor last month to implement the N30,000 minimum wage.
“Before now, civil servants in Zamfara received a minimum wage as low as seven thousand naira.
“The government has been worker-friendly since its inception, ensuring the payment of three months withheld salaries, leave grants, owed gratuities, and timely payment of salaries.
“The government will continue to make further efforts to reform and rejuvenate the Zamfara civil service.”
Bisi Akande, Olanipekun, Top List As Tinubu Reconstitutes Governing Boards Of Tertiary Institutions
AFOLABI
President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of Governing Councils and Boards of federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
This was contained in a statement on Friday by the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Nnamdi Mbaeri.
He noted that approval was given for the effective management of Nigerian tertiary institutions across the country.
Recall that the president had ordered the review of the governing councils and boards after public outcry that their nominations did not reflect the Federal Character principle.
The President had assured that the review would take into consideration national spread and ensure every part of the country is adequately represented.
Among those appointed is the former governor of Osun State and pioneer chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande, who is appointed to chair the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State.
A renowned lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wole Olanipekun, was appointed to lead University of Lagos (UNILAG); a former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, also will chair the governing council of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN); and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU).
Joy Emordi, a former senator, was also appointed to chair the council of the Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State.
The list comprises five names each for 51 universities, 35 polytechnics, and 22 colleges of education.
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Meets FBI Director, Calls For Stronger Collaboration to Fight Cybercrime and Terrorism
Admin![[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Meets FBI Director, Calls For Stronger Collaboration to Fight Cybercrime and Terrorism](/media/k2/items/cache/779bf1aa58c424a204677fb25f429191_S.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu has called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies and the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the fight against cybercrime, terrorism, and other related crimes.
The FBI is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States of America, and its principal federal law enforcement agency.
The President spoke during a meeting with FBI Director, Christopher Asher Wray, at the State House in Abuja.
Security chiefs who attended the meeting include the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi; the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd); Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Major-General Emmanuel Undiandeye; Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede; and the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major-General Adamu Laka.
President Tinubu described the presence of the FBI Director alongside his team in Nigeria as a recognition of the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against financial crimes and terrorism.
''It is an honour for me to receive Director Christopher Wray, the leader of an organization that has demonstrated consistent procedural sophistication and a reputation for excellence over several years. Your visit conveys the importance of Nigeria and Nigerian partnership in the work of America's law enforcement institutions and vice-versa. For us, it is a recognition of what stage we are at, who we are, and the level of interest both countries share in eliminating crimes locally and globally.
''We cannot achieve this important feat of eliminating crimes without collaboration. Incidentally, as the Chairman of ECOWAS, Nigeria is also collaborating with other West African countries to fight economic and other related crimes,'' the President said.
President Tinubu told the FBI Director that his administration has prioritized education as a tool against poverty, which is generally believed to be a driver of criminal activities.
''We are working hard to eliminate terrorism, cybercrimes, sextortion, and I am glad that we have a good number of agencies that are involved in reducing these crimes to the barest minimum, and they are also well represented at this meeting,'' the President said.
Noting that no single country can combat financial crimes in isolation, President Tinubu called on the United States to support developing countries with the requisite technology and knowledge transfer required to combat complex international crimes.
In his remarks, Director Wray said he was in the country to enhance the "outstanding partnership" that exists between the government of Nigeria and the government of the United States.
He lauded President Tinubu for supporting the growing partnerships between various agencies of government and the FBI in order to protect the citizens of both countries.
''We appreciate the President’s vision in countering terrorism in the region, which is a dangerous threat, not only to the countries in the region but also to the United States.
''We appreciate your vision in re-engineering the role of the Office of the NSA to effectively coordinate efforts on counter-terrorism, and this has already started to bear fruits in terms of the success you are recording against ISIS in West Africa and other terrorist groups.
''We appreciate your support and collaboration on cyber-enabled crimes and sextortion, which has unfortunately resulted in a few tragic deaths in the United States.
''I want to assure you of our support whether it is on counter-terrorism, cyber-enabled crimes, kidnapping, joint investigations, and intelligence sharing. Our relationship with Nigeria is a very important one,'' the FBI Director concluded.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
![[PRESS RELEASE] FCT Police and the Military Synergies, Foiled Abaji Bank Robbery](/media/k2/items/cache/a745ee892f8e5c9264140d5f0131882b_S.jpg)
...as joint forces neutralises two, arrest two others.
In swift response to an armed robbery incident at first bank PLC in Abaji on June 13, 2024, at about 5:00 PM, the FCT police, led by the commissioner of police, CP Benneth C. Igweh, psc, mni, himself, in a combined operation with the military, mobilized to scene and repelled the attack simultaneously carried out on both Abaji Divisional Police headquarters and first bank PLC in Abaji by a group of fifteen armed men who attacked with dynamites in attempt to rob the bank.
The security forces engaged the armed robbers in an intense gun duel, forcing them to scamper to safety with various degrees of bullet wounds, as the security forces succeeded in apprehending three suspects, namely, Usman (surname yet unknown), who was reported to be the gang leader, Nuhu Musa, 41 'm' of Kogi State; and Muhammed Aminu, 25 'm' of Abaji, with grave degrees of bullet injuries, while a yet-to-be-identified suspect was set ablaze by an irate mob at the scene after being neutralised by the security forces.
One police operative and the gang leader hit by bullet during the gun duel, were rushed to the hospital, and the doctor on duty confirmed them dead, while others are still receiving treatment.
While search operation is ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects with bullet injuries, the commissioner of police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, psc, mni, lauds the effectiveness of the combined operation and reaffirms the command's unflinching commitment to ensuring that FCT remains inhabitable for criminals, noting that the safety of the residents of FCT is non-negotiable.
SP Josephine Adeh, Anipr
Police Public Relations Officer
For: the Commissioner of police, FCT, Abuja.
The Federal Government has declared Monday 17th, and Tuesday 18th June 2024 as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako who disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja said the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.
She said the minister congratulated thr Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on this occasion.
Tunji-Ojo called on the Ummah to continue to imbibe the spirit of peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for unity, prosperity and the stability of our country.
“The Minister assured that the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians.
“While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-ul- Adha celebration, the Minister advised all Nigerians to take responsibility in the resolve to hand over a prosperous Nigeria to our children”, the statement added.
A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has ordered the Kano State Government to pay the sum of N10 million as damages to deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, for violating his fundamental rights.
The court, which assumed jurisdiction to hear Bayero’s rights violation suit, also ordered the Kano State Government to guarantee the deposed emir’s right to movement and personal liberty.
In a ruling on Friday, the presiding judge of the Federal High Court 3, Justice Simon Amobeda, noted that he was duty bound to resolve the issue of jurisdiction of the court to determine the case before delving into the main matter of the case.
According to him, without jurisdiction, any proceeding is nullity.
Justice Amobeda while declaring the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case, insisted that the issue fell under abuse of fundamental human rights of the applicant, adding that the Constitution had granted the Federal High Court the powers to preside over the matter.
He noted that Bayero was seeking, among others reliefs, payment of N5 billion as damages from the Kano State Government for breaching his fundamental human rights.
The judge also noted that the applicant also asked for the enforcement of his rights to movement and personal liberty.
In his ruling, the judge said, “It is the duty of the court to protect the rights of every citizen but that protection cannot be done in vacuum, a person crying over violation of his fundamental human rights must provide cogent and vital evidence to that effect to which the applicant has successfully provided.”
He noted that in 2019, the then government of Kano State used the Kingmakers to select a new Emir, but surprisingly, on Friday, May 23, 2024, the Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, used the social media to propagate that he had deposed the applicant (Bayero) and ordered the Police to arrest him after giving him 48 hours to vacate the palace.
“To this end, I so hold that without any lawful justification, the applicant was threatened, and his fundamental rights to liberty as guaranteed in Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution, was breached.
“Similarly, the action of the government which had forced the applicant into a house arrest, preventing him from going about his lawful business, constitutes a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights to freedom of movement as guaranteed under Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution,” the judge added.
The court also ordered that the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Respondents – including the Police and the DSS – are either by themselves, their agents, servants, privies or any other persons or authority forthwith restrained from arresting, detaining or harassing Bayero.
Justice Amobeda further ordered that the Government of Kano State should pay the sum of N10 million for breach and likely breach of Bayero’s fundamental right to personal liberty and freedom of movement, as guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution.
More...
The Nigerian federal government is seeking a $500 million loan from the World Bank to fix rural roads, improve access to agricultural products nationwide, and tackle food price hikes.
The Washington-based lender stated that the funds will address the needs of 92 million people in rural areas lacking good road networks.
The Nigerian government made the funding request in the final draft of the Resettlement Policy Framework for the Nigeria Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project Scale-Up, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The RAAMP-SU project will finance three key components: Improvement of Resilient Rural Access ($387 million), Climate-Resilient Asset Management ($158 million), and Institutional Strengthening and Project Management ($55 million).
The total cost of the project is estimated at $600 million, with the World Bank expected to provide 83.33% of the required funding. This commitment amount is 79% higher than the initial World Bank commitment of $280 million for the parent project.
According to the policy document, participating states will be required to have a fully functional Roads Fund and Roads Agency with appointed boards and staff, and provisions for administrative costs in the state budget.
“Rural access is particularly restricted in areas densely populated by the economically disadvantaged. These factors underscore the imperative to expand and enhance the rural road network, as well as conserve rural road and transport assets.
“While eligibility for state participation under RAAMP required the drafting and placement of Road Fund and Roads Agency bills in the State Houses of Assembly, the new project would require the States to have a fully functional Roads Fund and Roads Agency with appointed boards and staff, and provision for administrative costs made in the state budget. Additionally, RARAs offer an opportunity to foster women’s representation in the transport sector,” the document noted.
The development comes as food inflation continues to rise in Nigeria. In April 2024, the National Bureau of Statistics reported Nigeria’s food inflation rose to 40.53%.
Experts have blamed insecurity, energy costs, and the high cost of transportation for food price hikes in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the total debt stock of Nigeria at the end of 2023 stood at N97.341 trillion, according to the Debt Management Office.
Nigeria’s debt figure included foreign debt, which stood at N38.22 trillion, accounting for 39% of the total debt stocks as of the end of 2023.
The Federal Government has dropped tax evasion charges against two executives of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
Tigran Gambaryan, a US citizen and Binance’s head of financial crimes compliance, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan national and regional manager for Africa, were both released from the charges after Binance appointed a local representative to face court proceedings on its behalf.
The charges were filed in February, with Gambaryan being taken into custody and Anjarwalla escaping Nigeria in March.
The Nigerian Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had accused Binance and its executives of evading taxes on cryptocurrency transactions worth millions of dollars.
FIRS on May 17 amended the charges, alleging that the cryptocurrency exchange company failed to collect and remit various categories of taxes, particularly the Value Added Tax (VAT) and Company Income tax (CIT), to the Nigeria’s federation account as provided by Section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act, 2007.
Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, had claimed that Binance made a turnover of over $20 billion in Nigeria in 2023 alone.
However, Binance maintained that it had done nothing wrong and that the charges were unfounded.
According to a Binance spokesperson, the court’s decision to drop the charges against Gambaryan and Anjarwalla is a vindication of the company’s stance.
“We are pleased that the court has recognized that Tigran Gambaryan is not a decision-maker at Binance and does not need to be held in order for Binance to resolve issues with the Nigerian government,” the spokesperson said. “We await the court’s ruling on this, discharging Tigran from this matter completely.”
Despite the dropped charges, Binance and its executives still face separate money laundering charges in Nigeria.
The company has denied these allegations as well, stating that it has robust anti-money laundering measures in place.
The fedeal government has been critical of Binance, blaming it for exacerbating the country’s currency woes by allowing Nigerians to trade the naira on its platform.
The government claims that this has contributed to chronic dollar shortages and a record low for the naira.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, has announced the suspension of special promotion of certain officers within the police force.
Naija News understands that Egbetokun’s decision comes as a result of concerns that these promotions are jeopardizing the work of officers.
The IGP expressed his frustration with the excessive lobbying for special promotions and stated that any recommendations for such promotions would now be met with disciplinary action.
Moving forward, Egbetokun noted that the police management will handle any cases where special promotions are deemed necessary.
Additionally, the undue soliciting for posting has been banned, with a warning that those found guilty will face legal consequences.
On a positive note, 27 senior police officers have been recently promoted to new ranks and were decorated by the IGP.
This includes one Deputy Inspector-General of Police, 11 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, and 15 Commissioners of Police.
Notable among them is DIG Yayaha Abubakar, a lawyer from Adamawa State, who previously served as the AIG Zone 14.
The newly promoted AIGs also include Mohammad Badeh, a former Commissioner of Police in charge of Safer Highway from Niger State, Ahmed Armani from Katsina State with a master’s degree in law enforcement and experience at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Mohammed Hussain from Jigawa State, who was the Commissioner of Police in charge of Kano State Police Command prior to his promotion.
Two former governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Philip Shaibu and Omoregbe Ogbeide-Ihama, have collapsed their political structures for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo state.
Naija News recalls that Shaibu, the impeached Deputy Governor of the state and Ogbeide-Ihama had contested for the PDP ticket but lost to Asue Ighodalo.
According to Daily Trust, Shaibu and Ogbeide-Ihama made also donated on Friday to the campaign council of the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Shaibu donated over 50 Toyota Sienna buses, music trucks, and his campaign secretariat office to the APC’s Okpebholo/DENCO Campaign Organization, while Ogbeide-Ihama, a former two-time member of the House of Representatives, donated a fully equipped campaign office.
Both properties, located in the heart of Benin City, serve as a vital hub for coordinating the APC’s campaign activities and engaging with the electorate.
The Director of the APC New Media Campaign Committee, Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah, confirmed the donations on Friday, stating that the donations would have a greater impact on the political landscape.
According to him, the development marks a pivotal moment in Edo politics, reflecting the growing momentum behind the APC and its agenda for progress and development.
He said, “Shaibu and Ogbeide-Ihama’s support for the APC is likely to galvanize other PDP members to reconsider their positions, potentially leading to increased support for our party.
“As the PDP grapples with these significant contributions to the APC, we are solidifying our position and building unprecedented momentum.”