Nelson Ugwuagbo

An angry mob suspected to be thugs loyal to the National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Julius Abure, on Monday attacked protesters, believed to be from the Edo State chapter, who were at the party’s Abuja national secretariat to demand Abure’s removal.

Trouble started when the anti-Abure protesters stormed the party headquarters in a number of vehicles, wielding placards and chanting solidarity songs.

After some of the protesters stepped out of one of the vehicles, the suspected thugs descended on the vehicles with sticks and other objects, forcing the drivers to take off.

However, armed policemen and operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS, waded in when the thugs started throwing stones into the nearby Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, chasing away newsmen who were covering the fracas.

The presence of security officials prevented the situation from further degenerating.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit brought by the impeached deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillips Shaibu, seeking to nullify the February 22, governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

Asue Ighodalo was declared the winner of the party’s governorship primary election, which took place in Benin City.

In his judgment, Justice James Omotosho on Monday stated that Shaibu did not have the legal standing to challenge the outcome of the primary because he did not fully participate in it and was not present at the venue on the day it took place.

Omotosho further ruled that Shaibu’s lawsuit was premature as he failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanism within the PDP before resorting to court.

The judge emphasised that as a member of the party, Shaibu was obligated to follow its rules and regulations, which stipulate that an aggrieved aspirant must approach the party’s Appeal Committee before filing a lawsuit.

He stated that there was sufficient evidence indicating Ighodalo’s victory in the primary.

Details later…

The Federal Ministry of Education has postponed the inauguration and retreat for pro-chancellors, chairmen and members of governing councils of federal tertiary institutions.

A statement by the ministry signed by the Director (Press & PR), Folasade Boriowo, on Monday, said the development comes as a result of a federal government directive, following a State House Press Release on the 23rd of May 2024, calling for a comprehensive review of the membership of the nominees.

The inauguration and retreat were earlier scheduled for Thursday, 30th and Friday, 31st May 2024.

“We regret any inconveniences this may cause,” the statement added.

The Federal Ministry of Education recently released names of nominees for chairmen, pro-chancellors, and members of the boards and councils of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

However, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Thursday, said public reactions showed that the nominations did not reflect the federal character of the country, as some states got just one nomination, while others got many.

“In directing a complete review of the list of members, President Tinubu acknowledges the feedback across the country.

“President Tinubu is committed to ensuring strict compliance with the principle of federal character as entrenched in the constitution,” Onanuga said.

He added that the review will also take into consideration national spread and ensure every part of the country is adequately represented.

In another development, the Bauchi zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Tuesday, criticised the appointment of the nominees.

According to them, it was better for the Bola Tinubu-led administration to reinstate the earlier dissolved members.

No fewer than 200 officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria were on Friday relieved of their duties.

This is an addition to the long list of ongoing disengagements in the apex bank.

This adds to the list of 117 staff sacked by the bank between March 15 and April 11, 2024.

The termination of appointments affects directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, principal managers, senior managers and lower-ranking staff.

Impeccable sources who are staff of the bank confirmed the sack to our correspondent on Friday, saying that those sacked are not less than 200.

They revealed that affected persons include older directors who were not affected by the last round of retrenchment.

One of the sources in a 20-second call with our correspondent simply stated, “It is true and confirmed.”

The staff member who could not disclose further details for fear of victimisation added that the move has caused apprehension among staff of every cadre as the management has not specified any criteria for the decisions.

Another source confirmed the information, indicating that additional dismissals are expected in the months ahead, spread out across staggered phases.

The official said, “It is real and is even more than 200 officials but the actual number is unconfirmed yet. The sack is coming in staggered phases and that is why we can’t confirm the number yet. But it is not less than 200.

“The sacked persons include directors, and other cadres but the ones that are easily known are the directors. Some of the batch of old directors that were not affected during the last round of sacks are now affected.”

The sack letter obtained by our correspondent and issued by the Human Resources Department on May 24, 2024, said the policy was to reorganise the organisation for effective operations.

The letter, lacking a signature read, “The new strategic direction of the bank has been widely publicised. In line with our new mission and vision, the bank is currently undergoing a significant organisational and human capital restructuring process.

“As a result of this review, I have been directed to notify you that your services will not be required with effect from Friday, 24th May 2024.

“Your final entitlements will be calculated and paid to you in due course. Thank you”

In February, at least 1,500 members of staff of the apex bank of Nigeria were redeployed from the headquarters located at Central Area to its Lagos office.

At the time, the CBN said the action was necessitated by several factors, including the need to align the bank’s structure with its functions and objectives and redistribute skills to ensure a more even geographical spread of talent.

It added that it was also in compliance with building regulations, as indicated by repeated warnings from the facility manager, and the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Decongestion of the CBN Head Office.

A memo issued to staff read, “This is to notify all staff members at the CBN Head Office that we have initiated a decongestion action plan designed to optimise the operational environment of the Bank.

“This initiative aims to ensure compliance with building safety standards and enhance the efficient utilisation of our office space”.

Efforts to get the reaction of the bank’s Director of Corporate Communication, Hakama Sidi Ali, was not successful as she did not pick up her call or respond to the text messages to her line.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on Friday, sealed three shops at Kpaduma community 2, Asokoro District and Nyanya motor park of the Federal Capital Territory.

Recall that the agency on Thursday also raided drug hawkers at the Area 1 and Deidei motor parks of the territory.

NAN reports that 19 drug hawkers and shop owners were arrested during the two operations, and are currently undergoing investigation at the agency’s head office in Abuja.

Mr Umar Ahmed, the Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, Investigation and Enforcement Unit, Federal Task Force, NAFDAC, said that the raids were part of efforts to sanitise the country of unwholesome goods and counterfeit drugs.

He said the activities of drug hawkers have now become rampant in the FCT, hence the need for NAFDAC enforcement to check unwholesome acts.

Ahmed said that the raid, which is also going on nationwide, followed complaints from stakeholders like the Department of State Services, DSS.

“We have raided not less than 55 hawkers’ outlets in Kpaduma in Asokoro District of the FCT, and Nyanya, some of these hawkers absconded, but we were able to arrest nine of them, and equally arrested 11 of them on Thursday.

“All the seized products, including those of those who absconded, are with NAFDAC, with an estimated value of about N58 million for today, and N70 million for Thursday.

“These drugs are very expensive, most of them are hard drugs, including herbal preparations, majority of the drugs are aphrodisiacs and analgesics, with hard drugs like tramadol, controlled drugs like cocodamol and the rest,” he said.

Residents of the Afin community, Akoko Northwest local government, have resorted to inter-denominational prayers to curtail the spread of insects currently ravaging the community.

The monarch of the community, Oba Mustapha Adejoro, has also mandated all residents to clear bushy premises as well as maintain a hygienic lifestyle.

The insects were said to have invaded farms and homes.

Residents expressed fears that offensive smell from the insects could lead to an epidemic.

They said the town and farmlands have been fumigated.

A resident, Raymond Omolasoye, said the use of hot water and Gammalin 20 was less effective.

He said it was difficult to eat in the open in the community before the fumigation exercise was carried out.

It was gathered that Oba Adejoro also declared Saturday’s environmental exercise as a special one for the entire community to be swept clean.

AFederal High Court sitting at Ikoyi, Lagos has ordered an interim forfeiture of the sums of $4,719,054 million USD, N830,875,611 million, and several properties linked to the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Yellim Bogoro made the order on Thursday, May 23, 2024 following an ex-parte argued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Bilkisu Buhari and C.C Chineye.

“I find merit in the application and same hereby granted as prayed.

“The applicant should publish this order in any daily newspapers circulating all over the federation for anybody who is interested to show cause why the final order final order of forfeiture should not be made,” Justice Bogoro held.

The monies forfeited to the Federal Government in the interim, were said to be warehoused in some banks operated by Omoile Anita Joy; Deep Blue Energy Service Limited; Exactquote Bureau De Change Ltd; Lipam Investment Services Limited; Tatler Services Limited; Rosajul Global Resources Ltd and TIL Communication Nigeria Ltd.

Emefiele’s properties forfeited to the federal government include; 94 Units of 11 Storey building under Construction at 2, Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue (Formerly Club) Road, iKoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, 11 Story Office Space, Situate on 1E,Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; Imore Industrial Park 1, Esa Street, Imoore Land purchased with (Deep Bive Industrial Town, Oriade LCDA, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro Lagos, Owolomi Village, ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos and 2 properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria, Closed PFA Fund, Block B.Lot.Twin Completed property Lakes Estate. Lekki, Lagos.

Others include; One plot measuring 1,038.069 sqm, at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Block A, Plot 4, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA; Estate located at 100, Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, Owned by Lipam investment Services; a Land at 1, Bunmi Owulude Street, (Maruwa), Lekki Phase 1, Lagos and a Property Situate on 8, Bayo Kuku Road, lkoyi Lagos.

The EFCC had approached the court for an interim forfeiture of the monies and properties, pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offence Act. 14 2006, Section 44(2)(b) of the Constitution and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

Specifically, the anti-graft asked the court for the followings; “an Interim Order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the funds warehoused in the accounts particularized in Schedule ‘A’ which funds are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

“An Interim order forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria Properties provided in 2nd Schedule ‘B’ which are proceeds of unlawful activities.

“An Order directing the publication In any National Newspaper, the interim order under reliefs 1-2 above, for anyone who Is interested in the properties and funds sought to be forfeited to appear before this Honourable Court to show cause within 14 days why the final order of forfeiture of the sald properties and funds should not be made in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

In granting the ex-parte motion Justice Bogoro after he had taken submission of the EFCC’s counsel held; “I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and also perused the motion just moved, together with the affidavit in support.”

The case was adjourned to July 2, 2024 for motion for final forfeiture.

There was a mild drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, as detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, slumped in court.

Gambaryan is facing a money laundering charge.

The drama occurred shortly after the matter was called for trial continuation before Justice Emeka Nwite.

When the court registrar called the case, Mr Gambaryan did not step forward to the dock from the back row where he was seated.

Justice Nwite then asked where the second defendant (Mr Gambaryan) was, and one of the lawyers on the defence team, who sat beside him, held him by the side towards the dock.

As they walked slowly towards the dock, Mr Gambaryan fell and the lawyer assisted him into a front-row seat.

His lawyer, Mark Mordi, explained to the court as soon as the matter was called why his client could not stand when the matter was called.

Mordi said the Binance executive had been indisposed and that a written application letter had been filed to notify the court of the development.

“My lord, the case may not certainly proceed today,” he said.

Throughout the proceeding, the cryptocurrency firm’s agent rested on the arm of the seat where he was sitting.

Justice Nwite on May 16 dismissed Gambaryan’s bail application on the ground that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had been able to establish that the defendant would jump bail if it was granted.

The defendant is being remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre.

The tax evasion charge filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) against Binance Holdings Limited and Gambaryan could not proceed on Wednesday due to his absence in court.

A bill seeking to make provision for Nigeria to revert to its old national anthem has scaled through second reading at the Senate.

The bill sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, enjoys overwhelming support from the lawmakers.

It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back to the house in two weeks

The lawmakers, who appeared unanimous in support of the bill, argued that it would promote better symbol for unity, peace and prosperity, compared to the current one.

After a closed door session to debate on the bill, the lawmakers asserted that the current national anthem is a product of the military junta, decreed by the military and therefore should be discarded to adequately capture the nations democratic values, integrity and principally foster commitment to nationhood.

The old anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was replaced with the current one “Arise, O Compatriots in 1978.

Meanwhile, the the House of Representatives has passed the bill to revert to the old national anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.

The bill was quickly passed through first second and third reading at the lower chamber within minutes.

Kano Assembly on Thursday dissolved all the five emirate councils in the State, declaring Governor Abba Yusuf has the sole constitutional powers to appoint new emir(s).

The Assembly took the decision at the floor of the House during plenary on Thursday.

During the sitting, the Kano State emirate council amendment bill was considered after scaling second and third reading on Thursday.

Deputy Speaker Alhaji Muhammad Bello Butu explained that repealing the law would revive the lost glory of Kano as the division of Kano emirate to five reduced the capacity and dignity of the State at national level.

Majority Leader Alhaji Lawan Hussaini Dala said the emirate council had served as a custodian of culture before, according to him, it was distorted by the creation of additional emirates.

Speaking to journalists, the majority leader explained that with the amendment of the law, all the five emirate councils were abolished while the commissioner for local governments would serve as the overseer.

The Assembly however adopted a motion to create new second class emirate council in the state.

Details Shortly…