Nelson Ugwuagbo

The prosecution commenced trial on Tuesday, May 28, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in two criminal cases involving former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and ex-Aviation Minister, Hadi Abubakar Sirika.

Emefiele was, on May 15 arraigned before Justice Maryanne Anenih on a four-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In the charge, marked: CR/264/2024 Emefiele is among others, accused of approving the printing of new naira notes between October 2022 and March 2023 without recourse to due process of law.

He was also accused of approving the withdrawal of the total sum of N124,860,227,865.16 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation in a manner not prescribed by the National Assembly.

The alleged offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990.

Sirika and his brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika are facing a 10-count charge bordering on contract fraud in respect of which they were arraigned on May 23 before Justice Suleiman Belgore.

The ex-minister and his brother (staff of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources) were arraigned with two companies – Enginos Nigeria Limited, and Samahah Integrated Investments Limited.

 In a count of the charge, marked: FCT/HC/CR/347/2024 the EFCC accused Sirika of awarding three contracts, valued at about N5,772,279,460.00 to a company – Enginos Nigeria Limited – owned by his brother, Ahmad.

In the Emefiele case, the prosecution called its first witness, Ahmed Bello Umar, who said he retired in July last year as the Director of Currency Operations at the CBN.

Led in evidence by prosecuting lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Umar said he knew the defendant as the Governor of the CBN while he served as the Director, Currency Operations.

He explained that the management of the apex bank comprised two major structures – the Committee of Governors (COG) and the Board of Directors (BOD).

Umar further explained that the COD is made up of five members, which include the Governor ( as Chairman) and, the four Deputy Governors of the bank (as members).

He said the BOD is made up of 12 members, which include the Governor, the four Deputy Governors, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGoF) and five external members appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The witness the BOD is the highest decision-making body of the CBN, while the COG takes care of operational matters as it relates to the day-to-day running of the bank.

Umar recalled that sometime in August 2022, the management of the CBN directed his department to come up with a memo on the redesign of the naira notes.

“We prepared the memo for the consideration of the COG and passed it through the line Deputy Governor, (that is Deputy Governor, Operations), which he forwarded to the Governor,” he said

The witness added that the COG deliberated on the memo until October 26, 2022, when its directions and approvals were forwarded to his department

He said after the meeting of the COGs on October 26, the Corporate Secretariat Dept conveyed anticipatory approval from the COGs, pending ratification by the BOGs.

The witness said the COG did not approve all the requests as contained in the memo prepared by his department, adding that while some were rejected, some were modified.

“The proposal for the exercise to take place in 2023 was not accepted by the COG.

“The memo was referred for the consideration of the BOD and it was so considered by the BODs on the 15th of December 2022,” he said.

The witness explained the procedure for the issuance of new notes and coins by the CBN.

He said the procedure to issue new notes or coins requires that the BOD communicates to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the design, form, and devices that shall be contained in the currency.

Read Also: Court orders interim forfeiture of $4.7m, N830m, properties linked to Emefiele

The witness added that after the approval of the President, the production of the currency will commence.

At that point, Oyedepo applied for an adjournment on the grounds that he wished to attend the burial programmes for the late former Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde.

Defence lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) did not oppose the prosecution’s request for an adjournment, following which Justice Anenih adjourned further proceedings till Wednesday afternoon.

In the trial of Sirika and others, the prosecution also called its first witness, Musa Odiniya, who retired on May 5 last year as the l Director of Procurement in the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

Led in evidence by prosecuting lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) Odiniya took the court through the procurement procedure in the ministry and the process for the award of the contract.

The witness’ testimony ended abruptly when Jacobs told the court that he also wanted to attend Lamorde’s burial events and sought an adjournment.

The three defence lawyers – Magaji, Michael Numa (SAN) and Sunusi Musa (SAN) did not object to the prosecution’s request for adjournment, following which Justice Belgore adjourned till 9 am on Wednesday.

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano State has issued an order of interim injunction restraining the Inspector General of Police, the Kano State commissioner of police, and the Department of State Services from inviting, arresting, detaining, threatening or arresting mister Aminu Ado Bayero.

Ruling on a motion exparte, Justice Amobeda issued an order restraining the Nigeria police and all other respondents from denying Bayero the use of his official residence and palace at the emir’s palace, Kofar Kudu as well as enjoyment of all rights and privileges accrued to him by being Emir of Kano
and not evicting anything, anybody residing within the palace illegally pending the hearing and the determination of the originating summons.

The attorney general of the federation, the attorney general of Kano State, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the IGP, and the commissioner of police, Kano Command are listed as respondents in the suit.

Others are the State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigeria Airforce.

The development is coming a day after a Kano High Court ordered Bayero to cease parading himself as the 15th Emir of Kano and also directed the police to evict him from the mini palace at the State Road.

The court presided over by Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu said the order is effective until 11th June 2024 when the substantive motion will be heard.

This legal tussle followed a Federal High Court ruling on Thursday which restrained the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sunusi II as Emir of Kano and suspended the law establishing the dissolved five emirates in the state.

However, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf contested the ruling, claiming that the judge who issued it was in the US. Governor Yusuf has vowed to report the matter to the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). He insisted that “there is nothing stopping the recognition of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano”.

In defiance of the initial ruling, Sanusi II moved into the emir’s palace on Friday and commenced his duties as the Emir of Kano. On Saturday morning, Bayero, who was out of town when he was deposed, returned to Kano and was escorted under heavy security to a mini palace on State Road.

The Organised Labour has again rejected a fresh minimum wage proposal by the Federal Government.

This time, the Organised Labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), rejected the offer of the Federal Government to pay ₦60,000 as new minimum wage for workers.

The Organised Labour also shifted ground from its ₦497,000 stance last week to ₦494,000.

A prominent member of the Tripartite Committee for the negotiation of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers told Channels Television labour correspondent that the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) side of the talks proposed a ₦60,000 monthly minimum wage on Tuesday (today) as against the ₦57,000 they proposed last week when the committee last met.

The government and the OPS had initially proposed ₦48,000 and ₦54,000 last week, which were also rejected by the Organised Labour.

The Organised Labour had also presented ₦615,000 as the new minimum wage but saw reasons to drop their demand to ₦497,000 last week and then to ₦494,000 on Tuesday (today).

Today’s meeting was, however, deadlocked as talks ended without an agreement on what to pay as a new minimum wage.

The Tripartite Committee for the negotiation of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers is yet to agree on a new minimum wage just about three days before the May 31 deadline the labour unions gave to the government to conclude the negotiations.

The labour unions said the current minimum wage of ₦30,000 can no longer cater for the wellbeing of an average Nigerian worker, lamenting that not all governors are paying the current wage award which expired in April 2024, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act should be reviewed every five years to meet up with contemporary economic demands of workers.

NLC President Joe Ajaero had described as “unsubstantial”, the fresh proposals by the government. “It is still not substantial compared to what we need to make a family moving,” the labour leader had said of the current ₦30,000 wage paid to workers in the country.

“The economy of the workers is totally destroyed. In fact, the workers don’t have any economy. I think there are two economies in the country; the economy of the bourgeoisie and the economy of the workers. I think we have to harmonise this so that we can have a meeting point,” Ajaero had said.

The Indigenous People of Biafra has insisted that the May 30 sit-at-home remains sacrosanct across the South-East and that every resident in the zone should stay at home in commemoration of “Biafra Heroes Day.”

The IPOB had earlier directed the West African Examination Council and the authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka to shift their respective engagements earlier scheduled for the day, while declaring the day as a day to celebrate its fallen heroes during the civil war between 1967 and 1970.

The pro-Biafran group, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, on Tuesday, said the remembrance of all those who fought for Biafra freedom and sovereignty remains imperative, and no government or security agency has any authority to harass any innocent person during the event.

Powerful stated that all social activities in Biafra Land are banned.

He added that markets, schools, banks, government, and private businesses are not allowed to open, adding that the entire South-East would be on lockdown from 6am to 6mm on that day.

The statement read, “The global family IPOB wishes to remind every person resident in Biafra territory that 30th May 2024 sit-at-home in commemoration of Biafra Heroes Day is sacrosanct and we oblige everyone to abide by this order, its only one day, only Thursday, May 30, 2024 no other day.

“As long as Biafra Land is concerned, IPOB remains a very important state actor on the issues concerning Biafra. The remembrance of all those who fought for Biafra’s freedom and sovereignty remains imperative, and no government or security agency has any authority to harass any innocent person during that event.

“We are urging all state governors in Biafra Land to ensure the safety of persons and properties on that day. The students for WAEC on that day must put on their school uniform to identify themselves as WAEC candidates. We are not involved in criminal activities going on and we cannot stop our children from taking their exams.

“The Federal Government must understand that they cannot slaughter our heroes and, at the same time, stop us from mourning or remembering them. Those who died in the defence of our land from the extermination agenda of the Nigerian and British governments during the genocidal war of 1967–1970 are worthy to be remembered and celebrated.:

The group stated that all Biafran heroes and heroines must be remembered, including Bruce Mayrock from the USA, who sacrificed his youthful age for Biafrans

“We remember and honour General Phillip Efiong, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Air raid Achuzie, Dr Frank Opigo, General Umunnakwe, Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi, Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, and many others who contributed immensely for us to live.

“Biafrans in the diaspora are advised to go and obtain permits to rally in their respective countries. We must tell the world the story of the Biafran genocidal war and the resilience of Biafran heroes. Our people must understand that Biafra is coming. We have crossed the Rubicon, and nothing will make us change our mind or diminish our resolve towards this fight for Biafra liberation,” the statement added.

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Abuja from Lagos and he is set to inaugurate several projects executed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The President left the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 11:25 am.

He was seen off by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chief of Staff Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, and other top government officials.

During his stay in Lagos, President Tinubu officially launched the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway from Victoria Island, marking the commencement of the 700-kilometre project.

Additionally, President Tinubu inaugurated several key infrastructure projects in Lagos, including the reconstructed Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway and the rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge.

He also virtually inaugurated the rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the country.

In Abuja, President Tinubu’s agenda includes the inauguration of the Southern Parkway from the Christian Centre to Ring Road One, along with other significant projects over the next week.

Watch the video of his arrival below:

In another twist to the Kano Emirate tale, a state High Court yesterday ordered the police to evict the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero from the Nasarawa Palace.

Justice Amina Aliyu issued an interim injunction restraining Bayero and the emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as monarchs.

The order is to subsist pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the applicants.

The judge gave the order after hearing yesterday’s ex-parte application by counsel for the state – Ibrahim Isa Wangida.

It comes four days after the Federal High Court in Kano granted an order restraining the state government from enforcing the Emirate Council Repeal Law that reinstated Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II.

Yesterday’s order reads: “That an order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the first, second, third, fourth and fifth defendants either by themselves, servants, privies, and or any other persons or officers serving under them or acting in connection with any other person from parading themselves as Emirs of Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the applicants.

“That an order is hereby granted to the extent that the Commissioner of Police Kano State should immediately take over the palace of the Emir of Kano situated at State Road Kano and evict the first defendant/respondent from the said palace pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated 24 May, 2024.

“That an order of this hon. court is hereby granted restraining the first, second, third, fourth and fifth Defendants from parading themselves as Emirs of Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye in the interest of peace in Kano pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

The judge ordered the CP “to ensure immediate implementation of the order in the interest of justice.”

He adjourned until June 11 for a hearing of the motion on notice.

The popular Banex Plaza in Abuja’s Wuse 2 neighbourhood which was closed for more than a week by the Nigerian Army has been reopened.

Eyewitness reports revealed that the plaza was reopened on Monday afternoon.

It was reported that the market was taken over by military authorities on Saturday, May 18, after a violent clash between civilians and uniformed men.

LeadingReporters reported that there was a disturbance at Banex Plaza, a telecommunications gadgets market in Abuja, following a confrontation between suspected thugs and some soldiers.

A viral video seen on X by The Nation on Saturday showed some civilians beating soldiers during a fight at Banex.

The incident began when three soldiers approached a trader regarding a phone issue.

A disagreement over the phone matter quickly escalated into a full-blown conflict.

According to a trader at the Old Banex complex, phone dealers ganged up and overpowered the soldiers and a civilian.

The federal government has announced the indefinite suspension of the Air Nigeria Airline project.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this at the ministerial briefing to celebrate the first year of the Tinubu administration.

According to him, the airline was never a Nigerian airline but instead, an attempt to impersonate a foreign airline operating in Nigeria.

Details shortly…