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Folarin Kehinde

Employment scam in MINT: Group petitions CBN, National Assembly, CCB, others: CBN Deputy Governor Emem Usoro; her aide Olakunle Abiola indicted Leading Reporters
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JUST IN: CBN directs payment service providers to begin PoS transaction tracking

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Central Bank of Nigeria has directed all Payment Service Providers to route all transactions from PoS terminals at merchant and agent locations — physical or electronic — through an approved CBN Payment Terminal Service Aggregator.

It also issued a 30-day deadline requiring service providers to comply with enhanced routing guidelines for Point of Sale transactions. This move aims to strengthen the monitoring of electronic transactions across Nigeria and decentralise PoS transaction routing, addressing concerns about the centralisation of such transactions under a single entity.

The apex bank, in a circular signed by Oladimeji Yisa Taiwo on behalf of the CBN’s Payments System Management Department on Thursday, stated that all PoS transactions from merchant and agent locations must now be routed through any CBN-licensed PTSA.

The circular read, “To achieve the objective of tracking electronic transactions in Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria, in August 2011, granted a Payment Terminal Service Aggregator licence to Nigeria Interbank Settlement System Plc. In furtherance of the above, the CBN hereby directs acquirers to route all transactions from PoS terminals at merchant and agent locations, whether on physical or electronic PoS terminals, through any CBN-licensed Payment Terminal Service Aggregator.”

“PTSAs are required to send PoS transactions to only processors certified by the relevant Payment Scheme, nominated by the Acquirer, and licensed by the CBN.”

This development follows the expiration of the 5th September deadline for PoS agents to formally register their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Although the directive was challenged in court, the CAC recently announced that it has commenced taking drastic actions, including shutting down PoS businesses that failed to register.

The directive on PoS business registration comes against the backdrop of frequent fraud incidents involving PoS terminals and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s plans to prevent trading in cryptocurrency or virtual currency.

According to a report by Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc, PoS terminals accounted for 26.37% of fraud incidents in 2023.

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Nigerians lambast lawmaker’s wife for ’empowering’ youths with sugarcane

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Hajiya Fatima Aliyu Aminu Garu, wife of Hon. Aliyu Aminu Garu, Member Representing Bauchi Federal Constituency, has been criticised for allegedly distributing sugarcane sticks to some youths as an empowerment initiative.

Pictures of the event has attracted ridicule and criticisms for the lawmaker’s wife.

Weighing in on the situation, Bauchi State Chapter of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), expressed disappointment.

In a statement, State Secretary of the PRP Abdulazeez Haruna, said, “This gesture falls short of the expected standard of representation for the good people of Bauchi Federal Constituency.

“As a party, we believe that genuine representation goes beyond mere tokenism and selective empowerment programs. The people of Bauchi Local Government Area/Federal Constituency deserve more than just meagre handouts and superficial gestures. They deserve meaningful developmental initiatives that address their pressing needs and concerns.”

“We are calling on Hon. Aliyu Garu to account for his actions and inactions in the National Assembly. Specifically, we demand to know what tangible developmental initiatives he has brought to the people of Bauchi Local Government Area since his election. How many bills has he sponsored that have positively impacted the lives of the people? What concrete projects has he initiated or supported to improve the welfare and livelihoods of the constituents?

We urge Hon. Aliyu Garu to demonstrate his commitment to serving the people by working towards tangible benefits that transcend mere tokenism and handouts. We also call on the people of Bauchi Local Government Area/Federal Constituency to hold their representative accountable for his actions or lack thereof. It is time for a change in representation that truly reflects the aspirations and needs of our constituents.

“While we stand ready to provide a more effective and people-centered representation to the good people of Bauchi Local Government Area in particular and Bauchi State at large, we equally demand better representation from Hon. Aliyu Garu and all other public office holders who have been entrusted with the responsibility of serving the people,” Haruna added.

All efforts made to get the reaction of the member representing Bauchi Federal Constituency was not successful but one of his aides told Daily Trust that the lawmaker had travelled out of the country on an official assignment.

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‘I’m tired of taking salary for doing nothing”, SA to Kwara gov resigns

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Islamic singer and cleric, Ibraheem Abdulhameed, popularly known as Labaeka, has resigned from his position as Special Assistant on Artiste Matters to the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The singer confirmed this in a resignation letter posted on his official Instagram page on Thursday.

In the letter, dated 12th September 2024 and addressed to the Governor, Labaeka expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the administration but revealed that he had been unable to perform his role effectively.

He explained that, despite serving for one year and seven months, he had not been given a clear schedule of duties.

Labaeka further stated that his appointment was based on public trust and that he could not betray this trust by continuing to receive a salary for doing nothing.

The letter reads in full, “I am writing this letter with all sense of humility and gratitude for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Special Assistant, Artiste, in your cabinet. Having served in this capacity for a period of 1 year and 7 months. I wish to respectfully tender my resignation.

“Your Excellency, as you may recall, I was offered an appointment to serve as your Special Assistant, Artist, on 6th January 2023. I accepted the offer because I saw it as a call to service and an opportunity to showcase my talents. Regrettably, I have not been able to achieve any of these things. Aside from the fact that I don’t have a specific schedule of duty, circumstances have not availed me the opportunity to perform my responsibilities maximally.

“Therefore, since my appointment is based on public trust. I cannot continue to break that trust by taking a salary for doing nothing. As an Islamic cleric. it is against my beliefs, and I haven’t been at peace with myself.

“So I want my salary to stop immediately. I am grateful for the confidence reposed in me. and I hope that one day. I will be able to fully utilize my talents for the development of our state.”

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JUST IN: DSS orders arrest of former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A Department of State Services (DSS) memo that officially orders the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, upon his return to Nigeria, has been leaked.

The memo, signed by a DSS official, Adeola D. Ali, under the directive of the newly appointed Director General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, cites Sowore’s involvement in the recent 10-day #EndBadGovernance protests.

The protests, which called for widespread reforms and the end of bad governance, were met with backlash from security agencies.

Sowore, founder of the news website, Sahara Reporters, contested for the presidential seat in the 2019 and 2023 general elections.

The newly surfaced memo confirms the directive and offers further insight into the level of surveillance being employed by the Nigerian secret police.

The memo, marked “DSE: 94/6203 X WATCHLIST ACTION,” outlines the plan for Sowore’s detainment and includes instructions for airport security.

It states, “The DGSS has approved the upgrading of WLA ‘B’ (Report arrival and destination by telephone immediately) to WLA ‘F’ (Detain traveller and escort with baggage to NHSS) against Omoyele Sowore, an activist/founder of Sahara Reporters Inc., an online news agency.”

The DSS memo explicitly calls for Sowore’s immediate detention and the confiscation of his baggage upon his arrival in Nigeria.

The timing of the directive coincides with rising tensions between activists and the government, as calls for better governance and an end to police brutality continue to grow.

This latest move by the DSS is part of an ongoing crackdown on activists, journalists, and opposition voices in Nigeria.

In recent months, the Nigerian government has faced criticism for its heavy-handed approach to dissent, with several high-profile activists, including Sowore, becoming targets of state repression.

Sowore, who has previously been arrested and detained by the DSS for his involvement in the #RevolutionNow movement, has continued to use his platform, SaharaReporters, to expose corruption and demand accountability from Nigerian leaders.

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BREAKING: President Tinubu Addresses current situation in Nigeria (VIDEO)

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

As the current hardship in the country bites harder due to economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, the President in a live broadcast has addressed the lingering issues.

Watch video below:

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JUST IN: Flights Set to be Grounded as Workers Announce Fresh Strike

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Flights in Nigeria are set to be grounded as workers unions within the nation’s aviation sector have announced a fresh strike which is scheduled to commence on September 18.

The strike action follows the Federal Government’s refusal to reverse the 50% deduction policy from internally generated revenues of agencies in the aviation sector.

In a joint statement signed by leaders of five aviation workers unions, the workers expressed their frustration with the government’s refusal to discontinue the deductions, which they claim have severely impacted the financial stability of critical agencies.

These agencies include the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.

The unions, comprising the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services Employees, warned that critical safety activities are already being compromised due to financial strain.

The workers accused the government of ignoring their pleas, despite the expiration of an ultimatum issued to the Minister of Aviation in August.

The statement read in part, “All efforts on our part have failed to impress it upon the Federal Government that all the Agencies are cost recovery, and not profit making, organizations. As such they cannot survive on half of their incomes under any model of administration or any other guise whatsoever. The ultimatum given to the Minister of Aviation on the same has expired since the end of August 2024.

“Information available to us indicates that some important safety critical activities of the Agencies are grinding to a halt under the yoke of the deductions. It has, therefore, become incumbent on us as trade unions and workers in aviation to let the public and the government be aware that we shall bear no responsibility in the event that the industry becomes dysfunctional as a result of financial incapacity due to the deductions at source.

“All State Councils, Women Commissions /Committees, Youth Councils and Branches of our Unions nationwide are to fully mobilise for, and ensure full compliance and success of the peaceful protests.”

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Court sentences popular American Businessnan to 74 years imprisonment for $1.2 million visa fraud

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has sentenced Marco Antonio Ramirez, an American businessman, to 74 years imprisonment for his role in a $1.2 million US visa fraud.

The sentence was handed down after Ramirez was found guilty on 16 charges related to defrauding investors of $1.2 million through a visa scam and an additional $368,698.24 in a separate fraud case. The charges were brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC accused Ramirez and his companies—USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, and USA Now Capital Group LP—of defrauding three Nigerians between February and August 2013 in Lagos. He allegedly collected funds from his victims as processing fees for investments in USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, which he claimed would secure them a U.S. Green Card through the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) Investor Programme. However, Ramirez failed to deliver on his promises.

The EFCC stated that Ramirez’s actions violated Sections 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2004.

Despite pleading not guilty, Ramirez was found guilty of multiple counts of fraud and theft, including dishonestly converting $545,000 from Godson Onyemaechi Echegile and $314,800 from Abubakar Umar Sadiq for personal use.

After multiple adjournments, the court sentenced Ramirez to 10 years for each of the 16 charges related to the initial visa scam. Additionally, he received sentences of eight years for counts one to six and ten years for counts seven and eight in the separate fraud case involving $368,698.24, where he also defrauded Gabriel Ogie Edeoghon of $250,000, falsely claiming the funds were for a U.S. Green Card investment.

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55-year-old woman slumps, dies while sharing testimony in Lagos church

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A 55-year-old woman, identified only as Ifeoma, reportedly died shortly after collapsing while sharing a testimony at the Ministry Church in the Ejigbo area of Lagos State.

Leading reporters learnt that the incident, which occurred around 8:48 am during Sunday service on September 8, 2024, ultimately led to her death a few minutes later.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to PUNCH Online on Wednesday.

The 55-year-old woman had allegedly gone to the front of the church, singing songs of gratitude as she prepared to give her testimony when she suddenly collapsed.

Hundeyin said that the 55-year-old was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

He stated, “The Zonal accountant of the church in Ejigbo came to the station and reported that during testimony hour in the church, while the service was on, Ifeoma came out singing songs to give her testimony when she suddenly slumped.

“She was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital but was referred to the General Hospital in Isolo, where she was confirmed dead.

“Based on the report, detectives were detailed to visit the hospital with the complainant. On getting there, they were told that the husband and family of the deceased had taken the corpse to Anambra State, where she came from for burial.”

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Banditry: Only five guns in police armoury in Katsina LGA with 200 villages – Governor

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, says that despite the gravity of insecurity in his state, a police station in a local government area has only five functional guns.

Katsina has 34 LGAs, but Mr Radda did not mention the name of the particular one when he spoke during an interview with DW Hausa Service on Tuesday.

However, Mr Radda said it has 10 political wards and more than 200 villages under it.

He said the council area has 32 police officers and only nine guns, of which only five are serviceable.

“Currently in Katsina, there is a local government area with 32 policemen and nine guns, and the serviceable guns are five.

“The LGA has 10 political wards, with more than 200 villages. How can a police force with 32 personnel protect them?” the furious governor lamented.

The governor said his administration would provide guns approved by the law for self-defence to vulnerable communities if people are willing to protect their communities and families against the bandits.

“We have come up with an initiative that, for any community ready to defend itself, we will give them necessary support and training to engage criminals before the arrival of the security agents”, he stated.

He urged members of the vulnerable communities to be brave and be prepared to die like a man than to live or be killed like a coward.

He said the attackers are mostly few in number and malnourished and are from the neighbouring Kaduna and Zamfara, but can be dealt with if the local communities can strategise and confront them.

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End Bad Governance Protest: Court slams N10m bail each on 10 hunger protesters

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday slammed N10 million bail each on the
ten members of the #endbadgovernance# protesters who were charged with attempting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu between July 1 and August 4 this year.

Justice Emeka Nwite admitted them to bail while delivering a ruling on their bail applications.

Among others, the protesters are to produce one surety each in the same amount while the sureties must be residents in Abuja.

Besides, the sureties must be property owners in Abuja and must deposit documents of the properties to the court in addition to swearing an affidavit of means.

Also, both the defendants and the sureties must deposit their international passports and three recent passport photographs with the court.

Justice Nwite, while rejecting the objections of the Inspector General of Police against the bail request, ordered the defendants not to participate in any public rally throughout their trial.

Pending the perfection of their respective bail conditions, the Judge ordered that they be remanded in prison custody.

Meanwhile, September 27 has been fixed for the commencement of their trial.

The accused persons were said to have committed the treasonable offence during their one-week nationwide protests when they allegedly levied war against Nigeria.

The offences were said to be contrary to sections 96, 410 and 413 of the Penal Code.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, who brought the charges against them alleged that the accused persons broke into the Abacha Army Barracks and openly called on the military to take over the constitutional government of President Tinubu.

He also alleged that they attempted to force their way into the seat of power during which they allegedly burned down a police station and injured police officers.

They were also said to have incited the Nigerian public against the government and destroyed several public properties including a Police station, High Court complex and National Communication Commission, NCC facilities.

The accused persons are Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Eleojo Simon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello Nurudeen Khamis and Abduldalam Zubair.

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