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The presidency has reacted to the political crisis brewing in Rivers State between Governor Sim Fubara and 25 members of the state assembly.

Leading reporters earlier reported that the Rivers State High Court issued a restraining order against the 25 members who decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 from parading themselves as lawmakers.

The 25 affected lawmakers are loyalists of Nyesom Wike, the current FCT minister and immediate-past governor of Rivers State.

Sequel to the order, Governor Fubara signed an executive order for the relocation of the sittings of the assembly to the Government House in Port Harcourt over safety concerns.

But presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelage said President Bola Tinubu will not take side with either Fubara or Wike.

Ngelale noted anyone with the belief that President Tinubu would take their side in the political crisis would be disappointed.

According to Ngelale, President Tinubu won’t allow any attempt to frustrate the Rivers government.

“I believe that anyone who believes that by their actions, whether it’s from the federal level, state level or the legislative branch in the state or the executive branch in the state, if they are banking on Mr. President to take sides on this matter, they’re mistaking and they’ll be disappointed,” Ngelale said.

“I Mr. President will not do that. What he will do is to ensure that everybody has what they need in order to work.

“He will also ensure that any attempt to frustrate the operation of the Rivers State government in conducting its affairs in a way that it would benefit the Rivers people, that’s obviously is not going to be allowed by this President or anybody else.

“So, I think there’s a need for all stakeholders to understand that Mr President won’t take sides,” he added.

Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja, has found guilty and convicted Mrs Ramat Mba, a mother of five children, for forging the signature of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, the late Abba Kyari.

The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Mohammad, deferred the convict’s sentencing till Thursday, 16th of May, 2024, however, directed that she should be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had arraigned Mba in June, 2022 on a 5-count charge bordering on cheating, fraud and forgery contrary to Section 13 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 200 and Sections 320 (b), 366 of the Penal Code Cap 89 laws of Northern Nigeria.

One of the counts read: “THAT you RAMAT MERCY MBA (F) sometime in October, 2019 or thereabout at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently induce one Mr Ismail Adewole Oladipupo, an unsuspecting job seeker and collected the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Naira only N700,000.00 from him which sum was paid into your private account under the guise of securing employment for him at the National Space Research and Development Agency. (NASDRA), AND you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320(b) and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Cap 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria.”

In the course of the trial, ICPC’s Prosecutor, Mr Hamza Sani, Esq. led evidence before the court on how the convict, dishonestly induced her victims under the guise of securing employment for them with government agencies like Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Furthermore, the documentary evidence tendered, showed that the convict fraudulently forged a letterhead paper of the Office of the Chief of Staff to former President Muhammad Buhari, Abba Kyari and his signature.

The letter, addressed to the Chairman of ICPC, was a request for the recruitment of three individuals by the Commission. However, the late Chief of Staff, in a written correspondence that was also tendered in court as an exhibit distanced himself or his office from authorising the letter.

In his judgement, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, convicted the mother of five children on counts 1, 2, 3 and 5 which deal with cheating and forgery while she was discharged on count 4 which deals with felony.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has shut down the headquarters of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) in Plateau State over electricity tariff hike.

According to report, the labour union has blocked the main gate of the company, leaving the staff of the DisCo stranded outside the main building.

Security operatives including the police, Department of State services (DSS) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were seen around the entrance of the company.

Daily Trust had reported how NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced that they would shut down offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) nationwide as a result of the failure to comply with their demand of total reversal of electricity tariff hike.

Daily Trust had reported how the commission hiked the electricity tariff from N65/kwh to N225/Kwh for Band A users.

The Federal Government later approved a marginal slash, which labour rejected and demanded full reversal, giving an ultimatum of May 12.

The unions had also asked NERC to stop of what it described as “discriminatory practice” of segregating electricity consumers into “arbitrary” bands.

Giving an update on Sunday night, the head of information at NLC headquarters, Benson Upah, said members of the movement would converge on Labour House, Abuja by by 7am.

“NLC invites you to cover the picketing of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission headquarters in Abuja,” Benson said in the official notification sent to our correspondent last night.

He added that similar arrangement had been made nationwide.

The organised labour has commenced nationwide protests over the electricity tariff hike and removal of subsidy from the power sector by the Federal Government.

The National Treasurer of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Olatunji Ambali and the National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim, who confirmed the planned protests harped on the reversal of the tariff hike to the subsidy era.

The protest, Politics Nigeria understands, is expected to lead to the shutdown of the Abuja headquarters of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Ministry of Power and state offices of power distribution companies (DisCos).

Recall that NERC announced an electricity tariff for Band A customers in April. By the announcement, customers on the Band A classification are charged N225 per kilowatt-hour, up from the previous rate of N68/kWh — representing a 240 per cent increase.

This announcement generated reactions from Nigerians who condemned the increment considering the socio-economic condition of the country.

While NERC ordered a downward review of the tariff from 225/kWh to 206.8/kWh, the organised labour are insisting on a reversal to the old rate of N66/kWh.

The National Treasurer of the NLC, Ambali said, the union had fully mobilised its members and affiliates for the protest against the tariff increase.

“We commend the Federal Government on halting the cyber security levy; however, labour is fully mobilised for the electricity tariff hike protests across the country,” he told Punch.

Corroborating Ambali, the National Deputy President of the TUC, Etim, noted that the organised labour was ready for the nationwide protests at the NERC offices.

“Of course, Labour is fully mobilised for the protests which will start on Monday.

Also, a top official of the NLC, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on behalf of the union, revealed: “Picketing would start today not only at the offices of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission but also in all the distribution companies across the nation.”

He said the mobilisation of workers and affiliate unions was ongoing, adding that meetings were held on Saturday and Sunday by the NLC and TUC to fine-tune strategies for the labour action.

“We enjoin the civil societies, organisations, market women, and students to join organised labour because it is a collective battle, and we are all collectively being afflicted by the wicked policies of the government,” he said.

“Collectively, we can push that back. As you can see, we have fought the issue of the cyber security levy and they have agreed to withdraw it.

“Together, if we fight this problem, one by one we will compel government’s actions that are anti-people to be pushed back. Don’t leave it to the NLC and the TUC but join us at the barricade so that together, we can compel the government to do the needful,” he appealed.

The Nigeria Police Force has condemned the exploitation of a four-year-old child, whose explicit images and videos circulated on social media, and arrested the child’s father in connection with the incident.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and shared on X.com on Sunday.

The FPPRO expressed shock and concern over the exploitation of the child, who had an Instagram handle #officialsarah_ig, and condemned the actions.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed the involvement of the child’s father, who has been arrested at the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters, Edo State Police Command.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force acknowledges the public outcry in response to disturbing images and videos involving a four-year-old child with the Instagram handle #officialsarah_ig, circulating on social media.

“The content portrays the young child in inappropriate poses, akin to adult contents. The Force expresses profound shock and grave concern over the apparent exploitation of this vulnerable child and unequivocally condemns such actions in the strongest terms possible.

“Prima facie investigations indicate the involvement of the child’s father, who has been apprehended by the police at the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters, Edo State Police Command.

“Every necessary measure is being implemented to ensure that justice is swiftly served. As the investigation unfolds, it is imperative to establish proactive measures to guide and counsel parents, preventing the proliferation of such anomalies in our society.”

He emphasized he importance of implementing support systems for parents and guardians to protect the safety and well-being of their children.

“It is crucial for caregivers to also prioritise the security of minors and seek assistance or guidance when required. The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding children and upholding the law,” the FPPRO added.

Security operatives, including local hunters, have successfully rescued 14 of the kidnapped students who were abducted at Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara in Kogi State.

The incident occurred on Thursday night when bandits invaded the institution, targeting students who were preparing for their first semester examinations scheduled to commence on May 13.

Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Bethrand Onuoha, confirmed the rescue to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lokoja.

According to Onuoha, a combined team of security personnel pursued the bandits, resulting in the successful rescue of the students.

“A combined team of security operatives, including local hunters, who ran after the bandits, successfully rescued 14 of the kidnapped students.

“One of the rescued students told us that 24 students were captured.

“The security operatives will not relent. We are determined to get the remaining students back alive and unhurt,” Onuoha said.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, also affirmed the rescue and expressed gratitude for the swift response following Governor Usman Ododo’s visit to the institution.

Fanwo said: “Our local vigilante men and security agents engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout and the kidnappers fled. Some escaped with gun wounds.

“They fled and left the kidnapped students who also ran in different directions to avoid being caught up in the fire exchange.

“Many of the students kidnapped, and even other people in captivity, have been rescued and taken to medical facilities for proper attention.

“Some were rescued in the early hours of today. The security agents are currently combing the forests to ensure that all the kidnapped students are found and brought home safely.

“It is unfortunate, however, that in the sporadic gun battle to rescue the students, a local hunter and a security operative sustained injuries. They are currently receiving medical attention.”

The world’s first patient with a transplanted pig kidney has died, almost two months after the operation.

In March, Massachusetts General Hospital transplanted the genetically-edited pig kidney into Rick Slayman, a 62-year-old man living with end-stage kidney disease.

The operation was a milestone in xenotransplantation – the transplantation of organs or tissues from one species to another – as a potential solution to the worldwide organ shortage, the hospital said at the time.

Slayman’s death was not linked to the transplant, the hospital reported.

“Our family is deeply saddened about the sudden passing of our beloved Rick but take great comfort knowing he inspired so many,” his family said on Sunday.

Slayman’s family paid tribute to the medical team that cared for him.

“Their enormous efforts leading the xenotransplant gave our family seven more weeks with Rick, and our memories made during that time will remain in our minds and hearts.”

The pig kidney came from a pig that was genetically-edited to remove harmful pig genes and add certain human genes to improve its compatibility with humans. Scientists also inactivated porcine endogenous retroviruses in the pig donor to eliminate any risk of infection in humans.

The hospital said it was “deeply saddened” by Slayman’s death.

“We have no indication that it was the result of his recent transplant,”

“Mr. Slayman will forever be seen as a beacon of hope to countless transplant patients worldwide and we are deeply grateful for his trust and willingness to advance the field of xenotransplantation,”it said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has read the Riot Act to foreign missions based in Nigeria, banning them from transacting in foreign currencies, and mandating the use of Naira in their financial businesses.

The EFCC has also mandated Nigerian foreign missions domiciled abroad to accept Naira in their financial businesses.

The move, the EFCC noted, is to tackle the dollarisation of the Nigerian economy and the degradation of the naira.

The anti-graft commission, in an advisory to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, titled: “EFCC Advisory to Foreign Missions against Invoicing in US Dollar,” expressed reservations and displeasure “regarding the unhealthy practice by some foreign missions to invoice consular services to Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country in United States dollar(s).”

In a letter dated April 5, 2024, which was addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede expressed dismay over the invoicing of consular services in Nigeria by foreign missions in dollars.

The EFCC cited Section 20(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which makes currencies issued by the apex bank the only legal tender in Nigeria.

The letter read, “I present to you the compliments of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and wish to notify you about the commission’s observation, with dismay, regarding the unhealthy practice by some foreign missions to invoice consular services to Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country in United States.

“This practice is an aberration and unlawful as it conflicts with extant laws and financial regulations in Nigeria. Section 20(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 makes currencies issued by the apex bank the only legal tender in Nigeria.

“It states that ‘the currency notes issued by the Bank shall be the legal tender in Nigeria on their face value for the payment of any amount’.

“This presupposes that any transaction in currencies other than the naira anywhere in Nigeria contravenes the law and is, therefore, illegal.”

The commission added that the refusal by some missions to accept the naira for consular service in Nigeria and also comply with the foreign exchange regulatory regime in fixing the exchange of the cost of their services is not only illegal but represents an affront to the country’s sovereignty symbolised by the national currency.

Such a situation, EFCC added, undermines Nigeria’s monetary policy and aspiration for sustainable economic development.

The letter continued, “This trend can no longer be tolerated, especially in a volatile economic environment where the country’s macroeconomic policies are constantly under attack by all manner of state and non-state actors.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority.

Engr. Woke is a seasoned engineer and politician. He had served as Chairman of Emohua local government area of Rivers State and was Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, for many years.

According to a statement signed by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President
on Media and Publicity and made available to News outlets said that,

“The President expects the new Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority to discharge his duties with integrity and in conformity with the highest standards of transparency, while working at harnessing and developing the water resource potential of the area, as well as ensuring that the Authority is a channel for holistic and integrated industrial, agricultural, and community development.”

Before his recent appointment, Engr. Woke was a commissioner in the Governor Sim Fubara led administration of Rivers State from where he resigned recently to take up the new appointment.

In a recent development, the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an interim injunction preventing Martin Amaewhule, the pro-Wike Speaker of the State House Assembly, and 24 other lawmakers from functioning in their legislative roles.

The injunction was requested by Victor Jumbo, the pro-Fubara Speaker, and two other Assembly members aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Justice Charles Wali, who presided over the case, issued the order on Friday under suit number PHC/1512/CS/2024. The court directed the 25 defendants to refrain from convening or conducting legislative activities at the House of Assembly Quarters or any other location until further notice.