The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has reached an agreement with the federal government to temporarily suspend its planned nationwide protest against the 50 percent increase in telecommunications tariffs.

Following a meeting on Monday with government representatives, NLC leadership, led Joe Ajaero, president of the congress, agreed to delay the protest for two weeks.

As part of the agreement, a 10-member committee, consisting of five members from each side, has been established to review the tariff hike report and propose solutions that address the concerns of both telecom operators and consumers.

The committee is expected to submit its findings within two weeks.

NLC had announced plans to go on nationwide protests on February 4 after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50 percent increase in telecom tariffs, citing rising operational costs and inflation.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the NLC president lamented that the labour was not consulted before the tariff hike was agreed upon by the NCC.

“We emphasised to them that the NLC is the largest organisation in the whole of Africa, and there is no consultation of stakeholders that does not include us that will stand,” Ajaero said.

“It was on that premise that they agreed to have a larger committee to look at the entire tariff structure and model to come up with a realistic and all-inclusive agreement.

“So, the committee will be made up of five, five from both sides, and expected to come up with a result after two weeks that will determine the next line of action and the process of engagement.

“The symbolic action of submitting the letters tomorrow will be put on hold until the outcome of such a committee.

“The outcome of such committee is what will determine our next line of action in terms of protest, in terms of boycott, in terms of even withdrawal of services, which are the three issues put online.

“But I want to use this particular meeting to put in our displeasure on the electricity tariff and the tax that is killing the workers now the tax regime, which is unbearable.

“So those are actions that are still on course, you know, until they are addressed. So that’s the summary of the meeting.”

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said there would be no protest on February 4.

“Well, as you can see, we have been engaging with members of Nigeria Labour Congress, the leadership, the president, secretary, and other members of the executive council of the NLC,” the minister said.

“We have met here under the chairmanship of the secretary government of the federation. We have the minister of finance and the coordinating minister of the economy, the minister of budget, the minister of communication, minister of labour and myself, and, of course, the executive vice chairman of the NCC.

“We have deliberated at length. The crux of the matter is that there is already a study that was conducted by the NCC that led them to arrive at this 50 percent increase.

“Now, we are discussing this with labour and labour has agreed that they will look at that study, and then a small committee has been set up to look at that study once again and come up with a final resolution for the consideration of government and labour in about two weeks’ time.

“So, the summary of it is that labour and the Nigerians Labour Congress specifically, and the delegation of the federal government, have set up a committee of five each.

“We’re going to meet here continuously for the next two weeks, and at the end of the second week, we will now come up with a recommendation that will give to government and the organised labour for final consideration.

“Now, I think what has happened here has effectively taken out that position (protests). Both of us have agreed. And in fact, it is an attempt to put a stop to that (protests) that led us to make this meeting to happen today.

“So this meeting has happened both the organized labour, the NLC, particularly the government People have sat down here and have agreed on this position so there won’t be any protest tomorrow by Nigerian Labour Congress, and there will be some form of report that will come up in about two weeks from now to consider the study and other considerations by both parties

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Mustapha Mohammed, chief executive officer (CEO) of MB Lugga Global Travels and Tours Limited, before a federal high court in Gombe on charges of defrauding hajj pilgrims.

The EFCC accused Mohammed of fraudulently obtaining N144,162,500 from the pilgrims for services related to the 2024 Ramadan Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, including flight tickets, visas, and accommodation.

The EFCC claimed that Mohammed, in collaboration with Nazifi Sale Idris, who is currently at large, defrauded a man named Hamza Ibrahim Maina of N97,080,000 via Mohammed’s personal Access Bank account.

Another charge involves a similar scam against Ibrahim Arabia, for which Mohammed allegedly obtained N29,082,500.

Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Mustapha Mohammed, male adult, while being the Chief Executive Officer of MB Lugga Global Travel and Tours Limited and Nazifi Sale Idris (now at large) sometimes in 2024 at Gombe, Gombe state within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to defraud falsely obtained through your personal Access Bank plc account number 0026323827, the total sum of N97,080,000.00(Ninety Seven Million, Eighty Thousand Naira) from one Hamza Ibrahim Maina for the purpose of procurement of flight tickets, visas and accommodation for 2024 Ramadan Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.

Count two of the charge reads: “That you Mustapha Muhammed, male adult, while being the Chief Executive Officer of MB Lugga Global Travel and Tours Limited and Nazifi Sale Idris( now at large) sometime between December,2023 and February, 2024 at Gombe, Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud falsely obtained through your personal Access Bank plc account number 0026323827, the total sum of N29,082,500.00(Twenty Nine million, Eighty Two Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) from one Ibrahim Arabia for the Ramadan Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2)(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other fraud related offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.

Upon pleading guilty to the charges, Mohammed’s counsel, M.Z. Gambo, applied for bail. However, the prosecution, led by S.H. Saad, opposed the application, arguing that Mohammed poses a flight risk.

The EFCC highlighted that Mohammed faces additional fraud allegations amounting to N120,869,500 from various complainants.

“My lord, the defendant still has about eight (8) other pending petitions filed by different nominal complainants alleging that he defrauded them to the aggregate sum of N120,869,500 and if granted bail, he might flew the shores of Nigeria and may never be found again. Therefore, for the interest of justice, we urge my Lord not to grant the defendant bail.” he said

Tijjani Ringim, the presiding judge, adjourned the case for a ruling on the bail application and ordered that Mohammed be remanded in the Gombe State correctional facility

The federal executive council (FEC) has approved an allocation of N4.5 billion for the procurement of HIV treatment packs to supportNigerians living with HIV/AIDS.

The approval by FEC comes after the US government granted an emergency humanitarian waiver, reversing a previous funding pause on HIV treatment in developing countries—including Nigeria.

The pause was initially ordered under an executive directive by President Donald Trump as part of a broader review of foreign aid.

Nigeria has been heavily reliant on international assistance for HIV initiatives, particularly from the US president’s emergency plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR).

The federal government’s approved budget will facilitate the procurement of 150,000 treatment packs over four months.

This initiative aims to provide immediate relief and demonstrate Nigeria’s intent to build a more sustainable domestic financing model for health interventions.

Speaking on the approval on Monday after the FEC meeting, Ali Pate, minister of health and social welfare, said it underscores Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring continuous access to life-saving treatment for individuals affected by the virus.

“This allocation is critical for ensuring that those living with HIV continue to receive necessary treatments without interruption,” Pate said.

The minister said the FEC also set up a committee with membership drawn from the ministries of finance, budget, defence, environment and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to come up with a sustainability plan.

“This is about ensuring that no Nigerian loses access to treatment during this period of adjustment,” he said.

Speaking on the recent US policy changes, Pate said while Nigeria appreciates the contributions of the American government over the last 20 years, it is now focused on transforming its health sector, using national systems and domestic financing.

Pate announced that the FEC has also approved the HOPE (human capital opportunities for prosperity and equity) programme, a $1 billion initiative aimed at enhancing governance and strengthening primary healthcare systems across the country.

“This programme is very much in line with the direction of this administration—to focus on investing in the human capital of Nigerians. People are at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the minister said.

He added that the funding, developed in collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA), allocates $500 million for governance improvements and another $500 million to enhance primary healthcare.

The minister noted that the governance component will incentivise states to recruit and train teachers and healthcare workers, while the healthcare portion will expand primary healthcare services, improve quality, and boost resilience

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Olu Agunloye, the former minister of power and steel, before a federal capital territory (FCT) high court in the Apo area of Abuja.

Agunloye was first arraigned on January 11, 2024, by the EFCC and was granted N50 million in bail.

At the court session on Monday, the former minister was re-arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on forgery, disobeying presidential directives, and gratification.

The EFCC is prosecuting Agunloye over a $6 billion Mambilla hydropower contract.

The EFCC alleged that Agunloye awarded the contract for the Mambilla project on May 22, 2003, to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) without any budgetary provision, approval, or cash backing.

The commission also alleged that the former minister received N5.212 million from SPTCL and Leno Adesanya, promoter of Sunrise Power, through Jide Abiodun Sotinrin.

The former minister pleaded not guilty to the seven-count amended charge when read to him in the court.

Adewale Agunbiade, a former compliance officer with Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), who is the second prosecution witness in the case, was called to continue his testimony.

Under cross-examination by Adeola Adedipe, counsel to the former minister, the witness who gave his evidence-in-chief on Sept 23, 2024, said he does not have the permission of his present employer—Jaiz Bank—to continue giving evidence.

He also said the EFCC did not issue him with a witness summons to testify in the case.

Agunbiade told the court that when he informed EFCC operatives he no longer worked for GTB, they told him he was the one who prepared the documents related to the court proceedings.

Asked if he presented his identification card to the court to show that he is a staff member of Jaiz Bank, the witness said he did not do that.

After cross-examination of the witness, Jude Onwugbuese, the presiding judge adjourned further hearing until February 24.

A Kano state high court has sentenced five men to death by hanging for the murder of Dahare Abubakar, a 67-year-old woman, whom they accused of being a witch.

Usman Na’abba, the presiding judge, ruled on Monday that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, convicting Da’luta Ibrahim, Abdulaziz Yahaya, Faisal Yahaya, Ibrahim Abdu, and Ayuba Abdulrahman of culpable homicide.

“I hereby sentence the defendants to death by hanging for homicide and acquit Nabi’a Ibrahim, the sixth defendant, as evidence shows she was not at the scene,” the judge ruled.

Lamido Abba-Sorondinki, the prosecution counsel, told the court that the men committed the crime on November 15, 2023, in Dadin Kowa village, Wudil, Kano.

He said the defendants conspired around 8:30 am on the same day after suspecting the victim of practising witchcraft.

“In the process, the defendants followed her to the farm and stabbed her to death with dangerous weapons,” he told the court.

He added that she was rushed to Wudil General Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

The prosecution counsel presented four witnesses and submitted two exhibits, including the defendants’ extra-judicial statements and a medical report confirming the victim’s death, while the defendants denied committing the crime.

Abba-Sorondinki argued that the actions of the five suspects contravened section 221(a), read with section 79 of the Penal Code Laws of Kano state, 1991.

Ma’aruf Yakasai, the defence counsel, called eight witnesses, including the defendants, to testify on their behalf

The federal high court in Lagos has remanded 29 Chinese nationals, 10 Filipinos, one Malaysian, one Indonesian, and one Pakistani over alleged internet fraud.

The foreigners were arraigned on Monday before four judges.

The judges are Ayokunle Faji, Alexander Owoeye, Deinde Dipeolu, and Chukwujekwu Aneke.

The suspects were arraigned on separate charges bordering on alleged cybercrimes, cyberterrorism, impersonation, possession of documents containing false pretence and identity theft, among others.

The defendants are Zhang Hua Zhai; Chen Xin; Li Zhen Peng; Guo Long Long; Ren Jia Wen; Zhang Jian; Zhao Ying Bin; Yu Zi (a.k.a. Wei Xue Huan); Zhang Yang; Wang Zhi Chenge; Cherry De Leon (a.k.a. Yeah De Leon); Khurram Shanzad; Fernand Fu Fang (a.k.a. Kim); Tan Soon Kar; Rex Jose Dilag (a.k.a. Madison); Jamal Polea; Kamilu Jayne Gongzalez (a.k.a. Jam Galanza); Hannah Jaramillo (a.k.a. Max Deleon); Danica Manulit (a.k.a. Dan Ruiz); Vera Dela Cris (a.k.a. Nina Vera Gonzal); Joey Gracia; Beverlyn Gumayo Casino (a.k.a. Veb Sumayo); and Tricia Jenylyn Castro (a.k.a. T.J. Castrol).

Others are: An Hongxu; Shitou Shizilong; Pan Jiong; Wanq Jia Qi; Huang Xiao Liang; Guo Giang; Wen Zong Xu; Zhon Kun Li; Huang Ren Jian; Li Jin; Deng Wen Qiang; Lu Yi Liang; Pan Cai Yu; Peng Li Jain (a.k.a. Han Li Jaun); He Kun; Zhao Jin Rong; Lin Hao Bo; Chen Fusheng and Xiang Bing.

The EFCC was represented in court by L.P. Aso, M.K. Bashir, T.J. Banjo, M.S. Owede, B. Buhari-Bala, C.C. Okezie, H.U. Kofarnaisa, and Z.B. Atiku.

After the charges were read, all the defendants pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution counsel asked the court for trial dates and the remand of the suspects to the appropriate correctional centres.

The four judges ordered the remand of the defendants at Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.

Faji adjourned the trial to February 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, and 2025, while Dipeolu adjourned the case to February 7, 15, 21, 24, and 28, 2025.

Owoeye adjourned the trial to February 20, 21, 24, 28 and March 18, 2025, while Aneke adjourned the case to March 7 for trial.

Last Friday, the court remanded 11 Chinese nationals and a Filipino at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri correctional centres over the same offences.

The defendants were among the 792 suspects arrested in Lagos by the EFCC operatives in December 2024.

The arrest was the largest single-day operation against cryptocurrency and romance scam networks by the anti-corruption agency

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has disclosed the quality of candidate that can remove President Bola Tinubu come 2027.

Primate Ayodele disclosed that the presidential candidate must be desperate, financially stable, unrighteous, fearless and rugged to unseat the president.

In a statement by his spokesman, Oluwatosin Osho, the clergyman alluded that the 2027 election will not be for lazy people but for those who know what they want and are ready to pursue it till the very end.

According to Ayodele: “If this cannot happen, I don’t see anyhow any party wants to defeat Tinubu, it will be totally impossible.

“The person that will win Tinubu must be financially stable, spiritually inclined, must be desperate, must not be righteous.

“The election will be for somebody who is ready for anything, fearless, rugged, entirely serious, someone who has past good records, ready to waste money too because all of these are what Tinubu has.

“The 2027 election isn’t for righteous people, the person who wants to win must be ready to face anything and must be ready to listen to God’s divine instructions at all times.

“It’s not for lazy people but very determined people. You must also be ready to accept lies and truth together. Tinubu is too strong to be pushed aside.”

A former governor of Oyo State, Rasidi Ladoja, has declared that he did not withdraw the case file of the assassination of a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, late Chief Bola Ige, from court.

Ladoja who was Oyo State governor between 2003 and 2007, made this assertion while addressing DAILY POST and other journalists at his Ibadan residence on Monday.

DAILY POST reports that Bola Ige, a former governor of the old Oyo State, was assassinated in December 2001.

Our correspondent learnt that a former governor of Osun state, Chief Bisi Akande had earlier claimed that a former governor of the state, late Alhaji Lamidi Adesina instituted the case in court but it was withdrawn by Ladoja.

Akande, in a recent interview claimed that Ladoja has some hidden information about the death of the former minister.

But Ladoja, while speaking with journalists on Monday, insisted that he or anyone in his government did not withdraw the case file from court.

Ladoja asked Akande to apologise for making a false statement about him.

The former governor threatened to sue Akande if he (Akande) did not retract the statement.

Ladoja who doubled as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland added that Akande made some false allegations against many personalities in his recently launched book.

“Chief Bola Ige was assassinated on December 23rd, 2001, I got to government on 29th of May, 2003 which was 18 months after the assassination of Chief Bola Ige.

“I did not withdraw the case, my government did not withdraw any case.

“The case was even prosecuted till the apex court. Chief Akande lied against me, this is not his first time. People said he lied, someone like Baba Adebanjo even said he lied in his book.

“We all are not happy as a result of Chief Bola Ige’s death, and we are all concerned about his death. I was very close to Chief Bola Ige while he was alive.”

The Police Service Commission, PSC, has said it has no constitutional powers to determine the appointment or removal of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP.

DAILY POST recalls that the Police Service Commission had last week directed all serving police officers who have served for 35 years, or attained the age of 60 years, to proceed on immediate retirement in line with existing laws.

Since the directive several public commentators have argued that the directives should also affect the tenure of the IGP

But Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the PSC, in a statement on Monday, said, “By virtue of Paragraph 30, part 1 of the third schedule to the Constitution, and clause 6 (1) of the Police Service Commission (Establisment) Act, 2001, the Commission is charged with the responsibilities of appointment, promotion, dismissal and exercising disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector General of Police).

“The law is clear on the mandate of the Commission and it does not extend to the Inspector General of Police who is an appointee of Mr. President with the advice of the Police Council.

“The Commission at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on Friday 31st January 2025, only considered and took decision on the regularisation of date of First appointment of CADET ASPs/Inspector Force Entrants. This has nothing to do with the Inspector General of Police or his office.

“The Commission wishes to state that it is comfortable with the size of the powers which the Constitution has bestowed on it and is not interested in shopping for more powers that obviously are not backed by law.”

The Commission also noted that it has maintained a close and complementary working relationship with the Inspector General of Police in the overall interest of the Nigeria Police Force.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s special adviser on energy, Olu Verheijen, has clarified her statement on the eminent 65 percent electricity tariff hike in Nigeria.

Verheijen made this clarification in a statement on Monday through her official X account.

This comes after the presidential aide barely 24 hours ago hinted that Nigerians should expect a fresh electricity tariff hike within months.

Her statement had sparked a reaction among Nigerians.

According to a former Nigerian senator from Kaduna State, Shehu Sani, the government must stop the ‘unconscionable tariff hike’.

This comes as Nigerians still grapple with the April 2024 over 200 percent electricity tariff hike.

Meanwhile, Verheijen in a fresh statement clarified that the country’s current tariff covers about 65 percent of the actual cost of supplying electricity.

According to her, the federal government is still paying N200 billion on electricity subsidies. She, however said, 25 percent wealthiest Nigerians receive the biggest share of electricity subsidies.

“I would like to clarify media reports suggesting an imminent 65 percent increase in electricity tariffs.

“What I actually said: Following the increase in Band A tariffs, Current tariffs now cover about 65 percent of the actual cost of supplying electricity, with the Federal Government continuing to subsidize the difference.

“The Federal Government is committed to fair electricity pricing, protecting vulnerable Nigerians, and expanding access to reliable power.

“Right now, N200 billion per month is spent on electricity subsidies but the wealthiest 25 percent of Nigerians receive the biggest share. To address this, we are working towards transitioning to a targeted subsidy system that ensures that low-income households receive the most support.

“Additionally, we are commencing the nationwide rollout of 7 million prepaid meters, under the Presidential Metering Initiative, beginning this year. This will finally put an end to the practice of estimated billing, giving consumers confidence in what they are paying for and ensuring transparency in electricity charges.

“Beyond that, we’re lowering energy costs by removing VAT and Customs Duties on cleaner fuel alternatives like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)—offering Nigerians cheaper options for power.

“We understand the economic challenges facing Nigerians and remain committed to ensuring that power sector reforms deliver real benefits to Nigerian homes and businesses”, she stated