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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Abdullahi Usman Bello as the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) chairman.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said the appointment is pending confirmation by the senate.
Ngelale said, “Tinubu believes that Bello will lead the bureau with utmost integrity toward the realisation of its mandate of maintaining high standards of public morality in the conduct of government business”.
“Dr. Bello is a consummate professional with more than 25 years of work experience in consulting, banking, law enforcement, financial services, and academia,” the statement reads.
Bello is an assistant forensic accounting and auditing professor at Northumbria University, United Kingdom, his profile on LinkedIn revealed.
If his appointment is confirmed by the senate, it will lay to rest, the leadership tussle in the bureau.
In November 2023, Murtala Kankia, the acting chairman of CCB, debunked the claim that Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, a former member of the house of representatives, had been appointed to replace him at the bureau.
Earlier, a letter purportedly signed by George Akume, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), announced the appointment of Agbonayinma by Tinubu as the chairman of CCB.
But in an internal memo released by Kankia and sighted by TheCable, the acting chairman of CCB described the letter as “fake, misleading and does not emanate from the office of the secretary to the government of the federation”.
Kankia had said he is the most senior ranking member of the bureau, adding that he remains the acting chairman of the agency until further directives from the president.
[TheCable]
Suspected hoodlums have set ablaze the Neni Police station in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra state.
Armed assailants also allegedly ignited flames at the Anaocha Local Government Headquarters, chanting hostile songs directed at the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
A few days earlier, gunmen had attacked the Awgbu police station, resulting in the deaths of two officers, while another narrowly escaped.
According to sources, the assault on the local government headquarters occurred between 3 am and 4 am today (Thursday).
The Nation equally gathered that the hoodlums whisked away some police operatives, including female police personnel at the police station.
The source said the hoodlums alleged that Anaocha Police Station had become another SARS station.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Anambra state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident.
He stated that though the hoodlums attacked the police station with IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), they however, did not take away any arms, and did not whisk away any police personnel.
He said the hoodlums were successfully repelled by the superior firepower of the police operatives who engaged them and forced them to flee.
He further said the police operations were still ongoing in the area as of the time he was reacting to the development.
He promised to communicate further developments on the incident later.
On the killing of the policemen at Awgbu police station by the gunmen, he refused to react to it, but a senior officer confirmed it to The Nation.
The source said the command was on the trail of the hoodlums, adding, “They want to scare those ready for the Easter holidays, but we are ready for them.”
A resident, who preferred anonymity, informed The Nation that gunmen had been conducting operations in several villages unknown to many, suggesting that Anambra was not as secure as some had assumed.
[TheNation]
Gives Banks 24 Months To Recapitalise
Barely 48 hours after restating the need to increase the capital base of Deposit Money Banks for improved productivity, the Central Bank of Nigeria has announced new guidelines on its recapitalisation policy for banks in the country.
The new guidelines were disclosed in a statement signed by its Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Sidi Ali, in Abuja on Thursday.
She said the apex bank had directed commercial banks with international authorisation to increase their capital base to N500bn and national banks to N200bn.
According to the acting CBN director, commercial banks with national licences must meet a N200bn threshold, while those with regional authorisation are expected to achieve a N50bn capital floor.
Similarly, non-interest banks with national and regional authorisations will need to increase their capital to N20bn and N10bn, respectively.
The CBN’s move came two days after the Monetary Policy Committee hinted that it would change the capital base of the nation’s banks.
At the press briefing that followed the 294th MPC meeting on Tuesday, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, urged DMBs to expedite actions to increase their capital base to strengthen the financial system against potential risk.
In its meeting, the committee noted that to guard against risk, commercial banks in the country should accelerate their recapitalisation efforts.
Cardoso said, “The MPC also reviewed developments in the banking system and noted that the industry remains safe, sound, and stable. The committee thus called on the bank to sustain its surveillance and ensure compliance of banks with existing regulatory and macro-potential guidelines.
“The MPC also enjoined the banks to expedite actions on recapitalisation to strengthen the system against potential risks in an increasingly globalised world.”
However, the latest CBN policy directive specifies that commercial banks with international authorisation are now required to shore up their capital base to N500bn.
The current capital base is stratified based on the type of banking licence – banks with regional, national, and international licences are currently expected to maintain the minimum capital bases.
The proposed increase in the capital base comes nearly two decades after the CBN’s 2004 banking reform, which increased the then-prevailing capital base from N2bn to N25bn.
The 2004 banking reform was characterised by massive mergers and acquisition activities, ultimately reducing the number of banks in the country from 89 to 25.
last year, indicated that Deposit Money Banks’ chief executive officers and other top executives had begun moves to raise fresh capital to bolster their respective institutions’ capital base through preliminary merger and acquisition talks.
Recall that in November 2023, Cardoso, at the 58th Annual Bankers’ Dinner organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, announced plans by the apex bank to carry out a fresh round of banking recapitalisation for the Deposit Money Banks.
He said the policy was part of its efforts to strengthen its capacity to support Nigeria’s drive to become a $1tn economy by 2026.
At the dinner, Cardoso said, “Despite the challenging global and local economic environment, Nigeria’s financial sector has demonstrated resilience in 2023 with key indications of financial soundness largely meeting regulatory benchmarks.
“Stress test conducted on the banking industry also indicates its strength under mild to moderate scenario on sustained economic and financial stress. Although there is room for further strengthening and enhancing resilience to shocks.
“Therefore, there is still much to be done in fortifying the industry for future challenges. The economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate has set an ambitious goal of achieving a GDP of $1tn over the next seven years.
“Attaining this target necessitates sustainable and inclusive economic growth at a significantly higher pace than current levels. It is crucial to evaluate the adequacy of our banking industry to serve the envisioned larger economy. It is not just about its current stability. We need to ask ourselves, can Nigerian banks have sufficient capital relative to the finance system needed in servicing a $1tn economy in the near future, in my opinion, the answer is no, unless we take action. As a first test, the central bank will direct banks to increase their capital.”
Earlier in March, a report by Ernst and Young indicated that at least 17 out of the existing 24 Deposit Money Banks might be unable to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s capital requirement if it is increased from its current N25bn.
The new report, titled ‘Navigating the Horizon: Charting the Course for Banks amid Plans for Recapitalisation’ noted some banks might depend on different recapitalisation options, which include mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, placements and/or right issues and undistributed profit (retained earnings) despite the fact that financial soundness indicators show that Nigerian banks were largely safe and resilient as of 2023.
“On this basis, a worst-case scenario given a 15x capital multiplier for 24 banks will be considered based on the type of banking licenses held. We have benchmarked the current capital of these banks against the current capital requirement and four recapitalization scenarios,” it noted.
In spite of the possible disruption, the apex bank has gone ahead with it’s drastic move.
A circular signed by the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mr. Haruna Mustafa, to all commercial, merchant, and non-interest banks and promoters of proposed banks emphasised that all banks were required to meet the minimum capital requirement within 24 months commencing from April 1, 2024, and terminating on March 31, 2026.
To enable them to meet the minimum capital requirements, the CBN urged banks to consider injecting fresh equity capital through private placements, rights issues and/or offers for subscription, Mergers and Acquisitions, and/or upgrade or downgrade of license authorisation.
Furthermore, the circular disclosed that the minimum capital shall comprise paid-up capital and share premium only. It stressed that the new capital requirement shall not be based on the Shareholders’ Fund.
“Additional Tier 1 Capital shall not be eligible for meeting the new requirement. Notwithstanding the capital increase, banks are to ensure strict compliance with the minimum capital adequacy ratio requirement applicable to their license authorisation.
“In line with extant regulations, banks that breach the CAR requirement shall be required to inject fresh capital to regularise their position,” it added.
The CBN circular said the minimum capital requirement for proposed banks shall be paid-up capital, adding that the new minimum capital requirement shall apply to all new applications for banking licenses submitted after April 1, 2024.
It noted that the CBN would continue to process all pending applications for banking licenses for which a capital deposit had been made and/or an Approval-in-Principle had been granted.
However, it said that the promoters of such proposed banks would make up the difference between the capital deposited with the CBN and the new capital requirement no later than March 31, 2026.
In an earlier interview with our correspondent, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, welcomed the move to increase banks’ capital base, adding that the current capital base was grossly inadequate.
He said, “The minimum capital requirements of the banking industry need to be reviewed in light of the considerable loss of value amid depreciating domestic currency. During the banking consolidation of 2004, the minimum capital requirement for banks was raised from N2bn to N25bn. The revised capital requirement was equivalent to $187m. Today, the same N25bn is the equivalent of just $32.5m.”
Also, Uche Uwaleke, a Professor of Capital Markets at Nasarawa State University, urged the CBN not to coerce banks into increasing their capital base, as was the case during the last recapitalisation drive; rather, they should be incentivised.
“The idea of recapitalisation of banks is a welcome one. Capital is needed to finance big-ticket projects, especially when the government targets a $1tn economy in a few years. But I think the strategy should be somewhat different from the approach adopted in 2005. It should be more about incentives than coercion,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CBN said all banks are required to submit an implementation plan (clearly indicating the chosen option(s) for meeting the new capital requirement and various activities involved with their timelines) no later than April 30, 2024.
The CBN also disclosed that it would monitor and ensure compliance with the new requirements within the specified timeline.
Nigeria has yet again suffered a nationwide blackout as the national electricity grid, centrally managed from Osogbo, Osun State, suffered a collapse at approximately 4:30 pm on Thursday, leaving millions of homes and businesses without power.
This development marks the fourth time the grid is collapsing since in the first three months of the year, adding to challenges that have long plagued Nigeria’s power sector.
According to reports from various distribution companies spanning the nation’s 36 states, their feeders were rendered inactive, resulting in widespread blackouts across the country.
The grid’s output, which stood at 2984 megawatts as of 4 pm, plummeted to zero within the span of an hour, with all 21 plants connected to the grid ceasing operations by 5 pm.
This incident marks another setback for Nigeria’s electricity sector, which has been marred by persistent issues despite privatisation efforts aimed at revitalization.
Over the past decade since privatisation, the grid has experienced a staggering 141 collapses, underscoring the magnitude of the systemic challenges facing the industry.
As of the time of reporting at 6:00 pm, the Azura Power Plant was the sole facility contributing to the grid, albeit with a modest output of 54 megawatts.
Major power generation plants such as Egbin, Afam, Geregu, Ibom Power, Jebba, Kainji, Odukpani, and Olorunsogo, among others, remained dormant, further exacerbating the electricity deficit nationwide.
[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Appeals to Religious Leaders: Do Not Denigrate Nigeria in Your Sermons; Pray for The Nation Instead
AdminPresident Bola Tinubu has called on religious leaders to refrain from vilifying or denigrating the nation in their sermons.
Speaking during Ramadan Iftar with traditional rulers and religious leaders at the State House on Thursday in Abuja, the President emphasized the important role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion and fostering a sense of unity among citizens.
He urged the leaders to be more constructive in their criticism of those in elective positions.
President Tinubu also declared that his administration is determined to turn Nigeria’s challenges into prosperity.
He reiterated that no terrorist can defeat the collective will of Nigerians, no matter how hard they try to prey on innocent citizens.
He urged traditional and religious leaders to forge a strong bond with the government to defeat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality in the country.
''Yesterday in Abuja, I attended the burial of the 17 soldiers killed in action at Okuama, Delta State. I saw their pregnant wives and little kids.
''The love of the nation is in your hands. Pray for our country. Educate our children. The sermons we preach to the members of our churches and mosques are important.
''Do not condemn your own nation. As a Yoruba man and as our fathers will say, ‘no matter how slippery the bottom of your child is, you must leave the beads there.’
''Leave the beads there. This is your country; do not condemn it in sermons, do not abuse the nation. Leadership is meant for changes.
''Yes, this leader is bad, fine. Wait until the next election to change him, but do not condemn your country. Do not curse Nigeria. This is a beautiful land.
The President, who acknowledged the birthday wishes and goodwill extended to him on the occasion, reminded the leaders that his birthday on March 29, 2024, coincided with Good Friday.
''I have earned the honour of having my birthday fall on Good Friday, and I pray that on this Maundy Thursday, you all shall return to your homes safely. May God guide and keep you and your families in good health, and lift your spirits,'' the President prayed.
Different speakers at the dinner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to come together in the spirit of Ramadan to share a meal with the President and renew the bonds of friendship that unite the nation.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima emphasized the pivotal roles of religious and traditional rulers in promoting peace and unity, urging them to continue to ‘‘build bridges that transcend ethnic and religious divides.’’
The Vice-President expressed delight that the nation’s economy is on a rebound, noting the strengthening of the naira against the dollar.
''The President means well for the nation, and he has continued to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership.
''For many years, fuel subsidy was an albatross. The President took a bold decision from day one, and he hit the ground running. Now the economy is turning the corner," the Vice-President said.
Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, assured the President of the unwavering support of traditional rulers, and commended the government's efforts to address the hike in food prices and the security challenges.
''You are not alone, Mr. President. The prices of food items and goods are gradually coming down. You are doing your best on security, and we cannot allow you to do it alone. We will join hands to support your vision to the betterment of our nation,'' the Ooni said.
Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau, speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), highlighted the significance of Ramadan as a period of reflection, empathy, and unity.
On the security situation in the country, the Emir of Zazzau, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, NSCIA, expressed optimism that the country will return to peace and stability.
''I am happy to see representatives of Muslim and Christian communities in this room. I pray God Almighty blesses the President for him to do more to take the country to the Promised Land,'' the Emir prayed.
Apostle Samson Fatokun, General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), noted that the Ramadan dinner with religious and traditional leaders, coincided with Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter, observed in commemoration of Jesus Christ's institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper.
The General Secretary, who delivered the address of CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, commended President Tinubu for fostering a harmonious relationship between the State and the Church.
''We are encouraged that your administration has shown great determination in tackling the challenges of kidnapping and banditry and bringing to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act.
''We shall continue to show our support to your administration so that you can execute your noble intention for the nation,'' CAN General Secretary said.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
March 28, 2024
The public accounts committee of the House of Representatives on Thursday, March 28, accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks collecting revenue for the government of colluding to share the money made from Value Added Tax paid on Remita by customers.
Chairman of the committee, Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) who made the allegation at the resumed investigative hearing on revenue leakages in Abuja, also accused the apex bank and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation of illegally paying about N15 billion to Remita without any formal contract.
The committee however warned the chairman of Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji against his continuous disregard for the invitation of the committee, saying his actions amount to contempt of parliament.
He also queried the payment of N15 billion to Remita, a payment platform from the Office of the Accountant General for the Federation (OAGF), saying the payment by the OAGF from 2016 to 2018 was questionable because the OAGF paid the money without agreement or contract.
Salam described the payment as illegal, saying, “The money is an illegal payment. There was no budget provision, so where did they source the money from?
“The CBN also shared in the money. The money is an illegal payment; there was no budget provision, so where did they source the money from?”
He said, for instance, if someone pays N150 as a remitter, you will now pay 7.5 percent Value-Added Tax (VAT) in addition to it. Ordinarily, that whole sum of VAT ought to go to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), but what they are doing in this transaction is that they will now add that VAT to the N150.
“They will add it up, gather the money together, and take it to the CBN”
He said: “System Spec and Remitta, both collecting revenue for the federal government, will share 50 percent, while the banks and the CBN will also have their share”, adding that by the time the Committee finished its reconciliation, “I am very sure that hundreds of billions of naira will be the VAT component that was not remitted to FIRS.”
He said each bank ought to take the money and directly remit it to FIRS, saying, “Now Remita is saying that each of those collecting the money will come and calculate the money that has been shared into shreds. How do we track this kind of money?
The director in charge of Banking Services at the CBN, Ahmed Abdullahi, said Remita and System Spec were selected as alternative ways of remitting revenue because they had been rendering similar services to banks.
He explained that Remita was engaged in 2011 and operations commenced in 2012 with system module names, adding that the CBN only finalized the transaction
He said that the fees charged under the TSA were in line with the structure of banking.
Also speaking at the hearing, the Chief Accountant of the TSA Department who represented the Accountant General for the Federation, Oyewole Adewale, accused the CBN of not honouring its letters to reconcile the revenue accrued to the country through TSA.
He said the OAGF had developed a system where all revenue generated by the Ministries of Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs) could now be monitored without any interference.
Director, Remita Payment Services Ltd., Aderemi Atanda who gave the summary of the TSA collection said that 10, 20, and 50 percent were shared among CBN, commercial banks, and Remitta.
While saying the collections are usually not static but vary “In 2015–2016, it was N4.2 million, and the fee paid was N8.5 billion; in 2016, N1.3 billion was paid.”
Meanwhile, while warning the FIRS against failure to appear before the committee, the Committee chairman said, “This is the fourth time the committee would be inviting the FIRS chairman but failed to show up.
“In addition to writing him officially, we have also made sure that such letters were delivered personally to his mailbox and his WhatsApp number.
“We condemn and describe it as irresponsible and arrogant, and we tell him that there will be consequences if he continues this contempt of his parliament.”
Salam alleged that the value-added tax that should accrued to the Federal Government has not been collected by FIRS.
He said some VAT from the revenue collected by Remitta ought to have gone to the FIRS, but added that they would rather add the VST together and share it with the CBN, Bank, and Remita.
He said: “By the time we finished our reconciliation, the money would be in hundreds of billions,” adding that this was what they were asking the FIRS to come and collect, but the service had refused to show up.
The detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has sued the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged violation of his fundamental rights.
Gambaryan, in the originating motion dated and filed March 18 by his lawyer, Olujoke Aliyu, from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, sought five reliefs before Justice Inyang Ekwo.
Also, Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance’s Africa regional manager who escaped from lawful custody March 22, filed a separate right enforcement suit before Justice Ekwo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, had sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents.
They sought same reliefs.
Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, in his application, sought a declaration that his detention and seizure of his international travel passport, contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of 1999 Constitution (As Amended).
He said the act amounted to a violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by the constitution.
He also sought an order directing the respondents to release him from their custody and! return his international travel passport with immediate effect.
Gambaryan equally sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and agents from further detaining him in relation to any investigation into or demands from Binance.
The official, who sought an order for the respondents to issue a public apology to him, also prayed for the cost of thie action on a full indemnity basis.
In a statement in support of the suit, he said he is an American citizen who visited Nigeria on Feb. 26 February, along with fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla, as a representative of Binance, to honour the invitation of the ONSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria.
Giving 11-ground argument why his application should be granted, he said that he and his colleague, Anjarwalla, dutifully attended the meeting.
He said after the meeting the two of them were detained by the respondents and had remained in detention since then.
He said he did not commit any offence during the meeting, and neither was he informed in writing of any offence he personally committed in Nigeria at any other time.
“The only reason for his detention is because the government is requesting information from Binance and making demands on the company,” he said, adding that he was not a member of the Board of Directors of Binance.
When the two suits were called on Thursday, T.J. Krukrubo, SAN, appeared for Anjarwalla and Gambaryan
Krukrubo, told the court that though the respondents were served two days ago, they were not represented in court.
The senior lawyer, however, drew the attention of the court to their notice of withdrawal of legal representation for Anjarwalla filed on March 26.
Although Krukrubo did not give details of why they were withdrawing their legal representation, this might not be unconnected to the disappearance of the applicant in custody.
Justice Ekwo said having withdrew their legal representation, “it means that the applicant has no legal representation and requires that the matter be adjourned for the applicant to seek legal representation and for the respondents to be given an opportunity to come to court.”
The judge adjourned the matter until April 8 for further mention.
Also, upon resumed hearing in Gambaryan’s suit, Krukrubo said though the processes had been served on ONSA and EFCC, they were still within time to respond.
He therefore sought an adjourned date, saying the respondents time to file their applications would expire next week Thursday.
Justice Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until April 8 for further mention.
(NAN)
Nigerian cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, who is popularly known as Bobrisky, has provided further insights into his journey to becoming a transgender.
The controversial Internet personality disclosed that he started crossdressing as a marketing strategy while he was selling unisex clothes during his undergraduate days at the University of Lagos.
Speaking in a candid interview with maverick singer, Charly Boy, Bobrisky said he didn’t envisage that crossdressing would lead him into becoming a transgender.
He said, “About nine years ago, I was at the University of Lagos studying Accounting. I also had a side hustle, I was selling unisex clothes. Most times I try the female wears on myself and I love the outfits.
“From there, I moved to female hairstyles to makeup and more women were patronising my business. So I decided to keep crossdressing since it was lucrative.
“I wasn’t thinking I was going to do it for a very long time. Initially, it was just a marketing strategy but people were complimenting me that I look better as a woman than a man. That’s how I ended up being Bobrisky.”
He said he faced resistance from his parents initially but they eventually allowed him to be himself.
The chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Yobe state chapter, Comrade Muktar Tarbutu has been ordered to be remanded in prison.
He was charged to court for allegedly diverting palliatives.
The order was given by the court On Wednesday, March 27.
Comrade Tarbutu was arraigned on Wednesday before Magistrate II Damaturu over the allegation of diverting palliatives given to him by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for distribution.
The secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yobe state, Barrister Mohammad Ngumurumi, disclosed that NEDC had given the palliatives to the NLC to share among some selected unions, but he failed to do so.
As reported by Daily Trust, Comrade didn’t share these items with NUJ and NBA.
However, he pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.
The legal practitioner explained thus:
‘‘The North East Development Commission (NEDC) distributed 25kg of 150 bags of rice, 150 bags of sugar, 150 cartons of spaghetti, 150 rappers for women, and 150 textiles for men as well as 150 blankets.
‘‘He was urged to share them among the members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
‘‘He didn’t share these items with NUJ and NBA, we asked him where ours is, he didn’t show us that is why NBA filed the case to the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) and he was arraigned today (Wednesday), but he pleaded not guilty."
The accused was sent to prison by Chief Magistrate II Damaturu, His Worship Hasiya Abubakar, till April 18, 2024, when the principal hearing will be held.
The abducted Editor of FirstNews Newspaper, Segun Olatunji, on Thursday, recounted his ordeal at the hands of the military personnel who abducted him from his Lagos home.
Military authorities had earlier on Thursday, yielded to pressure and released Olatunji, who was abducted from his home in Lagos State on Friday, March 15, 2024.
The PUNCH confirmed that he was released to some media stakeholders, including Yomi Odunuga of The Nation newspaper and Iyobosa Uwugiaren of Thisday Newspaper in Abuja after sustained pressure from the media.
They were asked to guarantee that they would make Olatunji available if needed again.
The International Press Institute, the Nigeria Guild of Editors, and Olatunji’s employers had in separate statements faulted his incarceration, asking authorities to either release the editor or charge him to court.
Narrating his ordeal after his release at a press briefing organised by the leaderships of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists and IPI in Abuja, Olatunji said he was blindfolded and flown to the Federal Capital Territory where he was moved to a cell in handcuffs and leg chains for almost three days.
He said, “Someone came claiming to be from the military. He identified himself as Colonel Lawal. Immediately, he seized my phones.
“I went to the room to dress up. By the time I got downstairs, I saw soldiers inside the compound taking positions. Outside the gate, I saw about three vehicles with Air Force personnel, Army, Defence Intelligence Agency, and others all fully armed.
“I was handcuffed and taken straight to the office of the National Air Defence Corps where we waited for three hours. I did not know that they were waiting for an aircraft to pick me up to Abuja.
“When the aircraft landed, I was blindfolded and moved to the aircraft, and we landed in Abuja shortly. I was leg cuffed also. They removed my clothes and I was left with my boxers. I was taken to Cell 9.
“There, I was left with leg and handcuffs. And at a point, one of the officers came and tightened the right leg and the right hand, and I was there groaning in pain. They did not loosen it until about two or three days after.
“Up till now, I could still feel the pains in my hands and legs.”
Olatunji said those behind his ordeal were close to the government based on the questions he was asked.
He added, “They were asking me questions about certain stories that FirstNews had published.
“They first told me that I was one of those abusing the Chief of Defence Intelligence (Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye). They did not say much about that.”
He said they also asked him about a story FirstNews had published about the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu (Mr Femi Gbajabiamila), which he described as a “major thing”.
“That is why I told some people earlier that those behind my arrest are people in the corridors of power who are not happy with FirstNews is doing and are bent on taking their own pound of flesh,” he added.
[Punch]
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South Africa’s electoral commission said on Thursday it had excluded former president Jacob Zuma from standing in the May 29 general election.
“In the case of former president Zuma, yes, we did receive an objection, which has been upheld,” commission president Mosotho Moepya told reporters, without giving details.
“The party that has nominated him has been informed” as have those objecting to the move, he added.
Yaba Tech security guard completes OND, says he was inspired by senior staff members....
The decision can be appealed if lodged before April 2.
Zuma, 81, was forced out of office in 2018 under a cloud of corruption allegations.
He is campaigning for the opposition uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party in an attempt to relaunch his career and weaken his former party, the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
The general election, after which the victor will appoint a president, is set to be tense.
The ANC is on the brink of dropping below 50 percent of the vote for the first time since it came to power at the end of apartheid.
That would force the party once led by Nelson Mandela to form a coalition to stay in office.
The ANC is bleeding support amid a weak economy and allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
The electoral commission said in a statement that under the constitution “any person who was convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment without the option of a fine” cannot stand in an election.
Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in jail in June 2021 after refusing to testify to a panel probing financial corruption and cronyism under his presidency.
Besides his 2021 contempt conviction, he is facing separate charges of corruption in an arms procurement scandal in the 1990s, when he was vice president.
AFP
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it has shut down Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), an international fast food restaurant chain, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, over discrimination against a passenger.
On March 27, Debola Daniel, son of Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun state, had posted on his official X page about his experience at KFC, MMIA branch.
According to Daniel, the restaurant had stopped him and his family from entering, stating that “no wheelchairs were allowed”.
“Just as we were about to sit, the lady at the till – who was apparently the manager – called out loudly, ‘No Wheelchairs Allowed’,” he posted.
“She refused to listen to reason and stood her ground that at kfcnigeria Murtala Muhammed branch, wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not permitted in the premises and we should leave immediately.
“I have never been the type of person to make a fuss or complain about my disability.”
Reacting to the development in a statement on Thursday, Obiageli Orah, director, public affairs and consumer protection at FAAN, said the authority had investigated the matter and made their decision.
Orah added that the shutdown will take effect from today, March 28.
“In line with Lagos State law on people with special needs, Part C, section 55 of General Provisions n Discrimination which states that, ‘A person shall not deprive another person of access to any place, vehicle or facility that members of the public are entitled to enter or use on the basis of the disability of that person’,” FAAN said.
“The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has closed the KFC facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos with effect from March 28, 2024.
“This is as a result of a social media report by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM), alleging discriminatory treatment he received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
“The MD/CE of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi, Kuku intervened swiftly by deploying a management team comprising the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, the Regional Manager South West, Mr Sunday Ayodele, Ag. General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs Ijeoma Nwosu-Igbo and the International Terminal Manager, Mr Kerri, to investigate the allegation.
“It is based on the findings of the team that FAAN has shut down the KFC facility at the MMA, where the incident occurred.”
Orah said the authority has instructed KFC management to tender an unreserved apology, in writing, to the affected PRM and a policy statement of non-discrimination be written and pasted conspicuously at the door post of their facility at MMIA before it resumes operation.
The authority also apologised to Daniel and assured all airport users that they will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of every passenger are not infringed upon.
[TheCable]
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday stated Lagos State recorded N1.05trillion domestic debt in the fourth quarter (Q4 2023) to emerge the state with the highest public debt portfolio.
NBS document tagged: “Commodity Price Index and Terms of Trade (Q4 2023), that made this known, added that Lagos was followed by Delta with a debt portfolio of N373.41 billion.
The document said: “Lagos state recorded the highest domestic debt in Q4 2023 with N1.05 trillion, followed by Delta with N373.41 billion.”
According to the report, Jigawa recorded the lowest domestic debt with N42.76 billion, followed by Kebbi with N60.69 billion.
On external debt, NBS noted Lagos has the highest external debt in Q4 2023 with $1.24 billion followed by Kaduna with $587.07 million while Borno recorded the least with $20.49 million, followed by Yobe with $21.49 million.
The data said Nigeria’s public debt stock which includes external and domestic debt stood at N97.34 trillion (US$108.23 billion) in Q4 2023 from N87.91 trillion (US$ 114.35 billion) in Q3 2023, indicating a growth rate of 10.73% on a quarter-on-quarter basis.
Total external debt, said the document, stood at N38.22 trillion (US$42.50 billion) in Q4 2023, while total domestic debt was N59.12 trillion (US$65.73 billion).
The bureau revealed that the share of external debt (in naira value) to total public debt was 39.26% in Q4 2023, while the share of domestic debt (in naira value) to total public debt was 60.74%.
A Federal High Court in Borno State has ordered the military to release 313 suspected terrorists, for lack of evidence to nail the suspects after investigations.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Gen. Buba Edward, on Thursday, disclosed this during a briefing on military operations across the country in Abuja.
He said that the military would comply with the court order and release the suspected terrorists to the state government.
Buba said, “During the week, as a follow-up to a court order of the Federal High Court in Maiduguri, a total of 313 suspects in detention for terrorism-related offences were to be released to the Borno State government.
“The court ordered the release for want of evidence after the conclusion of the investigation and other ancillary matters.
“The cases were prosecuted by the Department of Prosecution, Federal Ministry of Justice. they would be handed over to the Borno State Government for further action.”