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A community leader and an aspirant of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Toyin amuzu has called on Christians to use this Easter period to reflect and pray for the unity of Nigeria as well as the removal of bad leadership in the Country.
Chief Toyin Amuzu who is vying to represent Abeokuta South Federal Constituency as a member of the House of Representatives come 2023, said these prayers are necessary to bring in a new crop of leaders that would have the fear of God and sympathy for the masses.
He stressed that the action must be followed by registering and securing the voters card needed to elect credible candidates that would be ready to serve selfessly, saying "sacrifice was a major message of Easter as exemplified by Christ thus we must sacrifice to see a better Nation".
Chief Amuzu who explained that happenings in the Country are so fearful, said "the level of insecurity, poverty and joblessness among others are creating hopelessness and calls for concern".
He said, "those at the helms of affairs at present are not showing any serious concern to stem the backward trend, but seems to be more interested in holding on to power, thus the need to be decisive and take our destinies in our hands".
Chief Amuzu said, "if we must start afresh and be saved from the myriad of problems confronting us, we as a people must not only take the 2023 elections serious but must all participate and see it as a period to save Nigeria from further disintegration".
He explained that "God has bestowed on us necessary resources, it is now in our hands to use for our own good. We have failed woefully to use such resources for the good of all because of greed, incompetence, corruption, un-patriotism and i-dont-care-attitude all caused by bad leadership".
Chief Amuzu, urged all faithfuls to use this Easter period as a time to have sober reflections, pray for the atonement of sins, the good of the Nation, the well-being of the people and the purging of bad leadership.
The World Bank says Nigeria’s increasing fuel subsidy could pose debt sustainability concerns for the country.
The bank disclosed this in its latest ‘Africa’s Pulse’ report, a biannual analysis of the near-term regional macroeconomic outlook.
On Thursday, the national assembly approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to earmark N4 trillion for petrol subsidy.
According to the World Bank, the rising cost of subsidies could also weaken the country’s public finance.
“Risk remains high on increasing fuel subsidies, which could weigh heavily on public finance and pose debt sustainability concerns,” the report said.
“Nevertheless, public debt as a percentage of GDP is currently moderate.”
The Washington-based institution added that the country’s soaring military spending and debt servicing costs could prey on the country’s debt sustainability level.
“Persistent fuel subsidies, increasing military spending for security purposes, and rising debt servicing costs weigh heavily on public finance to keep public debt at a sustainable level in Nigeria,” the report added.
“The fiscal balance deteriorated considerably in several Sub-Saharan African countries as governments scaled-up spending to mitigate the prolonged effects of the pandemic on firms and vulnerable households.”
On sub-Saharan Africa’s recovery, the bank noted that it is multi-speed, with wide variation across countries.
“The recovery of the three largest economies in the region — Nigeria, South Africa, and Angola — will continue to be sluggish,” it said.
“High oil prices will support growth in Nigeria and Angola.
“Excluding Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa, growth is projected at 4.1 per cent in 2022—higher than the growth of the region as a whole.
“Non-resource-rich countries are projected to be adversely affected by rising commodity prices, dragging down growth in the region.
“The opposite occurs with resource-rich countries whose growth would be propelled by favourable terms of trade.”
The bank further said the war in Ukraine would further improve the economic performance of resource-rich countries (especially their extractive sector) and decelerate the economic activity of non-resource-rich countries as their import bills soar.
“Given limited trade exposure, the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict are expected to be negligible,” the bank added.
It projected a 2.7 per cent growth for Nigeria in 2022.
“Of the region’s three largest economies, South Africa’s growth is expected to decline by 2.8 percentage points in 2022, dragged by persistent structural constraints, while Angola and Nigeria are projected to continue with the momentum of 2021, up by 2.7 and 0.2 percentage points, respectively, thanks partly to elevated oil prices and good performance of the non-oil sector,” the bank said.
According to World Bank, growth in Nigeria is forecast to increase to 3.8 per cent in 2022 and stabilise at 4 per cent from 2023 to 2024.
“Real GDP growth was revised up by 1.2 percentage points for both periods compared with the previous forecast. Nigeria’s economy is still dependent on the oil sector,” it said.
“Oil-related revenue contributes 40 to 60 per cent of fiscal revenue, while oil and gas account for 80 to 90 per cent of total exports. Weak oil production, below the OPEC quota, held back the recovery process.
“Although at a slower pace than the average 7 per cent during the boom period, growth prospects for the Nigerian economy are somewhat bright thanks to high oil prices coupled with reforms initiated by the passing of the Petroleum Industry Act and the completion of the Dangote refinery expected in 2023.”
'Quality representation through sponsorship of bills, project facilitation and welfare of the people would be a major focus, if given the opportunity to represent Abeokuta North State Constituency, at the Ogun State House of Assembly, in the 2023 elections'.
Those were the words of an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC Sulaiman Sanni while intimating the Local Government executives and members of the party of his intention to contest in the forthcoming election, at the Local Government Party Secretariat in Abeokuta.
Sanni who is the managing Director of Fotogallery and Moment Transport Ltd promised to give the best of services to the Constituents when put forward as a legislator.
He appealed to the executives, delegates and members to support his ambition to the House of Assembly and make it a reality.
The Chairperson of APC in Abeokuta North LG, Faidat Sarumi said Gbagura has competent hands like Sulaiman Sanni who can lead and deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
She shared some of her experiences in governance and politics, noting that Mr Sanni has been doing well to his people and Abeokuta North APC.
Sarunmi described the aspirant as a young vibrant personality with a large heart, urging him to be firm and build his confidence as fortunes favour only those who dare.
The local government Vice Chairman, Saba Olanrewaju also advised him to put his mind together and shun distractions, while the race lasted.
A former legislator, Wale Bayewunmi acknowledged the distinct qualities of the aspirant which he said would come handy as the voice to represent the people.
One of his coordinators, Bayo Arowona Sanni Sulaimon is fully prepared and ready to represent the people at the State Assembly saying he is trusted and reliable.
There are indications that negotiations between the Federal Government and terrorists, who attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train on March 28, have stalled following the refusal of the government to accede to their demands.
The terrorists are keeping about 100 passengers, who were abducted from the train, which derailed at Katari, Kaduna, after it was bombed.
Eight persons were killed and 26 others injured when gunmen attacked the train and kidnapped the victims.
Nigerian Railway Corporation said it was unable to establish contact with 163 of the passengers and seven crew members, who boarded the train.
It was gathered that the demand by the attackers for the release of 16 of their commanders and sponsors in custody in exchange for the abducted victims was not acceptable to the government.
Security sources said the authorities were still negotiating with the terrorists, while exploring other options to rescue the abductees, who were seen in a viral video sitting under a tree at an unknown location, believed to be the bandits’ camp.
Our correspondent gathered on Friday that the government was also not ready to pay ransom on the abductees.
A source said, “The Federal Government is looking into their demands because of the hostages, but the government is being cautious; it cannot meet the demands of the terrorists. The last time the government released some commanders, they went back and the insurgency became worse.
“So, nobody is considering releasing the commanders. The terrorists were also given money previously and the situation did not improve.”
Following the lack of progress in the negotiations, it was learnt that the terrorists might start asking the families of the hostages for ransom.
Some of the family members had protested the abduction of their loved ones and also complained that the terrorists had not contacted them since the victims were held captive over two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered intensive security patrols of all public spaces and critical national assets ahead of Easter.
He directed all state Commissioners of Police and their supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to ensure adequate deployment of personnel and operational assets in areas of security interest in their respective areas of responsibility.
The acting force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed in a statement that the IG also instructed the supervising officers to ensure that “confidence-boosting, proactive and high visibility patrols” were carried out on the highways, motor parks, train stations, airports, worship centres, recreation centres, banks and other financial institutions, while taking adequate measures to provide a peaceful, crime-free, and enabling environment for religious, cultural and other socio-economic activities to thrive.
“In addition, the commissioners of police and their supervising AIGs have been directed to ensure proper supervision of the men assigned for these assignments. They must be professional and courteous to law-abiding citizens, but firm and ruthless with criminal elements, who might want to take advantage of the festive period to perpetrate their unholy acts,” the statement added.
Popular blogger, Linda Ikeji, has boasted of hiring 100 lawyers to fight against the N25 million awarded against her over an alleged libel content her blog published, the Punch has reported.
She said this on Twitter while reacting to the judgement of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja asking her to pay general and exemplary damages of N25 million to a claimant, Mrs Ajibola Ajayi, daughter of former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
She also criticised a law firm that represented Ajayi, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, for bringing the case to public knowledge on Twitter.
Her blog was also asked to publish a written apology, according to the law firm.
Linda Ikeji had reported that Ajayi described some protesting students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology as a “generation of mannerless children”.
But the former Oyo governor’s daughter after the publication issued a press statement noting that the Instagram page quoted by Linda Ikeji, ‘conceited_csj’, was not hers.
Subsequently, Ajayi secured the services of a law firm, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, on the matter.
It was learnt that in a judgement delivered on April 12, 2022, the court held that the publication by Linda Ikeji was “false and malicious”.
According to Linda, the law firm filed the same case in both Lagos and Abuja High Courts without her knowledge.
Apart from calling Olaniwun Ajayi LP’s lawyer, Ogunmuyiwa Balogun, ‘an idiot’, she also described the lawyer as “inexperienced 26 years old”.
She tweeted, “Lol. You’re such an idiot lawyer. I hear you’re an inexperienced 26 year old? How can you file in Lagos and Abuja on the same issue? And then you don’t even inform me? Hope you’re ready for appeal and supreme court? And a countersue? Tell your client to get ready!
“Also if you’re using my name to catch clout like this on social media, gloating and happy… does this mean I’m the biggest client your firm has ever sued and won against? Or is this how you announce all your victories? I should sue you for using my name like this.
“I’m supposed to be scared? I can pay 100 lawyers. So let’s go!
“They are such a big law firm and they are using Linda Ikeji to chase clout on Twitter? I’m the biggest thing to ever happen to them? Lol. I hope when I come after them, they will continue to tweet. I’m done talking. Thanks, everyone for the love and support. God bless.”
What the court said -Law firm
Earlier, the firm tweeted, “Olaniwun Ajayi LP is happy to have successfully represented Mrs. Ajibola Ajayi, the claimant in Suit No. FCT/CV/667/2018: Mrs Ajibola Ajayi v. Linda Ikeji in an action filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“In the action, the claimant had sued Ms. Linda Ikeji in respect of the defamatory article published in the latter’s blog, https://t.co/96s6uH3OKc on 15.01.17 and 17.01.17 which cited Mrs. Ajibola Ajayi as having described protesting students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, as a “generation of mannerless children” in an Instagram post with the username “conceited_csj”.
“In the judgment delivered on 12.04.2022, the Court held that the publication by Ms. Ikeji was false and malicious and that the evidence before the Court showed that the Defendant knew that the Instagram account with the username “conceited_csj” did not belong to the Claimant.
“In reiterating the trite principle of law that libel is actionable per se, the Court awarded general and exemplary damages in the sum of N25,000,000.00 (Twenty-Five Million Naira) against Ms. Linda Ikeji and directed Ms. Ikeji to publish a written apology to the Claimant in three National tabloids.
“The claimant was represented in the action by our Ogunmuyiwa Balogun; and it is our belief that with Judgments like this, media outfits and members of the public will verify sources of their information ahead of publication.”
The two foremost Nigerian anti-corruption agencies have not made any tangible progress in bringing high profile persons culpable in corrupt practices to justice, a United States report has indicated, according to Premium Times.
The report, titled, ‘2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria,’ said the two agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), only target low and middle level officials suspected of corruption.
Released by the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday, the report said despite the charges brought against some serving and former high-level officials by the EFCC and ICPC, the organisations focused more on low and middle-level corrupt officials in 2021.
“The bulk of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s anticorruption efforts remained focused on low- and mid-level government officials, although both organisations brought indictments against various active and former high-level government officials,” the U.S. report said.
Giving an insight into why the agencies were unable to make tangible progress in the cases involving the high-profile personalities, the report said, “Many of the corruption cases, particularly the high-profile ones, remained pending before the courts due to administrative or procedural delays.”
In December 2021, Abdulrasheed Bawa, the new EFCC’s chair appointed in February last year, noted that the commission secured the conviction of 978 persons within one year.
But going by EFCC’s public records of conviction, most of the persons convicted in the year were mostly cybercrime suspects.
The anti-graft campaign in Nigeria, particularly of the EFCC, has come under criticism for making the pursuit of cybercrime suspects (also known as Yahoo Yahoo boys) its major preoccupation, while it falters in its handling of high-profile cases.
In the latest 2021 Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index(CPI-TI) ranking, Nigeria scored 24 out of 100 points, ranking 154 out of 180 countries surveyed.
It fell back five places from the rank of 149 in 2020, placing as the second most corrupt country in West Africa.
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the national chapter of TI, said the failure of the anti-graft authorities to investigate high-profile corruption cases and prevent Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) was one of the numerous deficiencies that led to the country’s poor performance in the 2021CPI-TI ranking.
When contacted by our correspondent on Thursday, ICPC spokesperson, Azuka Ogugwa, noted that the report acknowledged the constraints anti-corruption agencies are confronted with in handling high-profile cases.
“The report acknowledged that the EFCC and ICPC handled high-profile corruption cases but are occasionally blocked by procedural concerns,” she said.
She added: “And I consider it understandable because high profile some takes time, they are not the usual cases. Also, we cannot be talking on the media about what we are doing considering most high-profile cases”.
On his part, EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, did not respond to calls and text messages sent to his phone number.
The United States has approved the sale of military equipment worth $997 million to Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the US department of defence, the weapons include 12 attack helicopters, 2,000 advanced precision kill weapon system guidance sections, and night vision imaging system.
The approval comes after months of back and forth on the matter, with the US initially reported to have denied Nigeria’s request over human rights concerns.
But Lai Mohammed, minister of information, had claimed at the time that there was no such deal with the US.
According to the statement, the US said the sale of the weapons is part of efforts to boost security for Nigeria.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Nigeria of AH-1Z Attack Helicopter Related FMS Acquisitions and related equipment for an estimated cost of $997 million,” the statement reads.
“The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
“The Government of Nigeria has requested to buy twelve (12) AH-1Z Attack Helicopters; twenty-eight (28) T-700 GE 401C engines (24 installed, 4 spares); and two thousand (2,000) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance sections. Also included is Night Vision Cueing Display (NVCD); commercial variant GPS with Standard Positioning Service (SPS); communication equipment; electronic warfare systems; AN/AVS-9 Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging System; M197 20mm machine gun; Target Sight System (TSS); support equipment; spare engine containers; spare and repair parts; tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; Mission Planning system; U.S. Government and contractor engineering; technical, and logistics support services; U.S. Government and contractor assistance and oversight of facilities construction to include the provisioning of plans, drawings and specifications.
“$25M of case funds will be allocated for institutional and technical assistance to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to continue Air Ground Integration (AGI) program, which includes developing targeting processes that are legally compliant with International Humanitarian Law and the Laws of Armed Conflict; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $997 million.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The proposed sale will better equip Nigeria to contribute to shared security objectives, promote regional stability and build interoperability with the U.S. and other Western partners. This sale will be a major contribution to U.S. and Nigerian security goals. Nigeria will have no difficulty absorbing the equipment and services into its armed forces.
“The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter, Textron, Fort Worth, TX; and General Electric Company, Lynn, MA. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale.
“Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Nigeria for mobile training teams and contract logistics support. The case will include special training on the law of armed conflict and human rights, and air-to-ground integration to minimize civilian harm in air operations.
“This proposed sale will also require multiple trips by U.S. Government and contractor representatives to participate in program and technical reviews plus training and maintenance support in country, on a temporary basis, for a period of five (5) years. It will also require approximately three (3) contractor support representatives to reside in country for a period of two (2) years to support this program.
“There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
“This notice of a potential sale is required by law. The description and dollar value is for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.”
APG Interline E-Ticketing (APG IET), an airline servicing firm, on Wednesday announced that it would begin sales of air tickets in U.S. dollars from April 19 amidst scarcity of foreign currency in Nigeria the Premium Times reports.
“Dear travel partners, warm greetings from APG. This is to bring to your notice that with effect from April 19, 2022, GP would only accept issuing of tickets in US dollars and not naira,” APG IET said in a travel advisory to its trade partners.
The group said the move became necessary due to the difficulty in repatriating airlines’ funds stuck in Nigeria and other countries, coupled with foreign exchange fluctuations.
“This is mainly due to repatriation issues and the forex situation in the country. This would most likely be a temporary measure till the forex situation improves,” the firm said.
This is coming less than three weeks after Nigeria’s aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, asked the federal government to grant access to both local and foreign airlines to foreign exchange.
Trapped funds
Last month, Sirika asked the Nigerian government to facilitate the repatriation of ticket sales proceeds trapped in Nigeria.
The minister said Nigeria currently holds $283 million worth of foreign airlines’ funds in the country.
“Aviation business suffers from issues of foreign exchange by local and foreign airlines and their inability to repatriate blocked funds. Nigeria currently holds $283mn worth of foreign airlines funds in the country. I humbly ask for the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria through the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari, to aid access of both local and foreign airlines to foreign exchange,” the minister said.
According to the Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) with countries, airline tickets are mostly sold in naira while the airlines would repatriate the funds in dollars through the country’s central bank.
The federal government in 2018 cleared $600 million blocked funds but there has since been a backlog.
Analysts say the decision by the APG IET may worsen the challenges faced by air travellers in Nigeria who may have to source forex from the black market to purchase their tickets.
Notable carriers on the APG IET platforms include; South African Airways, Fly Dubai, Kenya Airways, Middle East Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Rwandair, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, French Bee, Egypt Air, ASKY, Air Seychelles, Air Algerie, and Air Namibia.
Others are Air Panama, Air Burkina, Avianca, Bangkok Airways, Cabo Verde Airlines, Fiji Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, and Malaysian Air amongst others.
Some of the carriers which fly directly into Nigeria are South Africa Airways, Turkish Airlines, Asky Airlines, Egypt Air, Royal Air Maroc, Middle East Airlines, Rwandair and Kenya Airways.
Hoodlums numbering over 30 disrupted proceedings in the hearing of a suit into the disputed ward, local government and state congresses of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the Bayelsa State High Court.
The claimant, Alex Blackson and his brother, Osom Blackson, were injured during the stampede in the court room, while the presiding Judge, Nayai Aganaba, was stoned.
The Judge was later whisked to safety by his police orderly.
Most of the lawyers were chased out, while those who came with the claimant were brutalised.
The hoodlums were said to have been provoked over the alleged insistence of Aganaba to hear the suit filed by Alex Blackson, seeking the order to set aside the disputed congresses of the APC held last year.
There was also sporadic shooting at the State Secretariat of the APC following the attempts by policemen to arrest some chieftains of the party over their alleged involvement in the court invasion.
Two persons were reportedly arrested.
Chairman of APC in the state, Dennis Otiotio-Odoni, who distanced members of APC from the fracas at the court, alleged that those involved were PDP supporters.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the Judiciary to adjudicate in matters concerning the party and urged the police to fish out those behind the court invasion.
He said, “APC has nothing to do with the invasion of the Court. We are a law-abiding party and we have faith in the Judiciary over cases before it. We condemn the act in its entirety and call on the Police to fish out those behind it.”
Counsel to the claimant, P.J. Fawei, described the invasion as a show of disrespect to the sanctity of the court.
A Chieftain of the party and brother to the claimant, Osom Blackson, told newsmen that those who tore his shirt and dealt him several blows were known APC members.
Another chieftain of the Party, Sunday Frank Oputu, condemned the attack, describing it as an open show of disrespect to the symbol of the law.
Management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc, has felicitated with Christians as they mark this year’s Easter celebration, charging them to imbibe Godly values of righteousness, peace and justice.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company, John Ayodele, in a statement issued in Ibadan, while wishing all customers and Nigerians a safe and memorable Easter holiday, assured customers across the network of the company quality service delivery during the Easter break.
“We recognize the fact that the demand for electricity always increases during the festive season, we have therefore positioned our technical crew to ensure that the allocation we get from the national grid is equitably distributed, and that faults are cleared as fast as possible so our customers enjoy an energy hitch- free holiday", he said.
Ayodele also used the opportunity to caution and appeal against harassment of the company’s employees on duty, noting that IBEDC has provided multiple channels and customer care centers through which customers may seek redress.
He however advised customers to ensure that their homes and business premises are properly wired and earthed only by licensed technicians to ensure safety of lives and property.
“It is illegal and dangerous for anyone to trade, live or work near electricity installations or even tamper with them, motorists are also admonished to avoid drinking under the influence of alcohol and observe traffic rules to prevent collision with electric poles and other accidents", he added.
The COO further encouraged customers to take advantage of the company's hassle free channels of payment to pay bills and vend such as Quick teller, etransact, Payarena, Jumia, Watu, Buypower and ATM to avoid disconnection during the holiday period.
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Mr. Nwokorie Anthony, an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been shot dead in Imo State.
The official was killed during the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise (CVR) exercise in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Emeka Ezeonu, Nwokorie was killed at Nkwo Ihitte (PU 004) in Amakohia Ward (RA 02) of Ihitte Uboma LGA, while whereabouts of two other staff involved in the registration exercise were unkown.
Based on the tragic incident, the electoral commission suspended the exercise in the LGA.
A National Commissioner of INEC and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, announced this on Thursday.
“Prior to this incident, the commission had suspended the CVR in Orsu and Njaba Local Government areas of the state on account of insecurity while the exercise is taking place only at the INEC LGA office in Oru East, Oru West, Orlu and Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Areas of the state.”
“The commission extends its condolences to the family of Nwokorie Anthony and prays that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
The incident has been reported to security agencies to unravel the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident and bring the culprits to justice,” Okoye said.
He urged the President General of the various Town Unions in Imo State as well as all the critical stakeholders to protect staff of the commission engaged in national assignment.
He said, “The safety and security of staff is of paramount importance to the commission, particularly with the devolution of the voter registration exercise beyond our state and local government area offices nation in our determination to serve Nigerians better.”
The National Council of State has granted state pardon to former Governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame of Plateau and Taraba States respectively, who are serving terms in jail for corruption.
The governors were among 159 prisoners pardoned by the Council at a meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja on Thursday.
Among the beneficiaries are a former military general and minister under the Sani Abacha regime, Tajudeen Olanrewaju, an army lieutenant colonel, Akiyode, who was an aide of former deputy to General Abacha, Oladipo Diya; and all the junior officers jailed over the 1990 abortive Gideon Orkar coup.
The full list of those pardoned is not immediately available.
According to a presidency source, the two former governors were pardoned on health and age grounds.
Mr Nyame, 66, governor of Taraba State from 1999 to 2007, was serving a 12-year jail term at the Kuje prison for misappropriation of funds while he was in office. The Supreme Court upheld his conviction in February 2020.
Mr Dariye, 64, who governed Plateau between 1999 and 2007, was jailed for stealing N2 billion of public funds during his time as Plateau State governor between 1999 and 2007.
The former governor, elected as senator representing Plateau Central in the Senate in 2015, was sentenced in June 2018 but still completed his tenure from jail in June 2019.
In 2021, he led a partly successful appeal at the Supreme Court with a five-man panel of the court headed by Mary Odili, quashing his conviction in respect of criminal misappropriation in a unanimous decision.
The offences he was discharged of only attracted two years’ imprisonment and, so had no impact on his overall number of years of imprisonment. The apex upheld the ex-governor’s conviction in respect of criminal breach of trust, which attracted a 10-year jail term.
Adebukola Banjoko of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, had on June 12, 2018, convicted Mr Dariye and originally sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment on charges of criminal breach of trust and two years jail term for criminal misappropriation.
But following his appeal against the judgment, the Court of Appeal in Abuja on November 16, 2018, commuted the 14 years jail term to 10.
While the Court of Appeal affirmed his conviction, it held that Section 416 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, prohibited the imposition of a maximum sentence on a first offender, such as the convict.
The former governor had appealed to the Supreme Court.
Ejembi Emo, a member of the apex court’s panel noted that Mr Dariye’s appeal “succeeded in part” after quashing his conviction in respect of charges of criminal misappropriation.
The meeting of the Council of State was attended by former presidents and military heads of state, except former President Olusegun Obasanjo who is in the United States on medical vacation.
The Nigerian Council of State is an organ of the Nigerian Government as stipulated by Third Schedule Part 1B of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The membership of the Council includes the President, who is Chairman; the Vice-President, who is Deputy Chairman; all former Presidents of the Federation and all former Heads of the Government of the Federation; all former Chief Justices of Nigeria; the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of Representatives; all the Governors of the states of the Federation; and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The Council has power to:
(a) advise the President in the exercise of his powers with respect to the:-
(i) national population census and compilation, publication and keeping of records and other information concerning the same;
(ii) prerogative of mercy;
(iii) award of national honours;
(iv) the Independent National Electoral Commission (including the appointment of members of that Commission);
(v) the National Judicial Council (including the appointment of the members, other than ex-officio members of that Council); and
(vi) the National Population Commission (including the appointment of members of that Commission); and
(b) advise the President whenever requested to do so on the maintenance of public order within the Federation or any part thereof and on such other matters as the President may direct.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has denied reports that Eberechukwu, wife of the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, was in its custody, the Vanguard has reported.
Online media (not Nigerian Newstrack) had reported the arrest and detention of the former first lady of Anambra state. The media said she was arrested over alleged fraud.
However, when contacted EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren debunked the report, saying that she is not in EFCC’s custody.
Recall that her husband, Willie Obiano was apprehended about a month ago at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after handing over to his successor, Soludo.
Eberechukwu had last week declared interest to contest in the 2023 elections to represent Anambra North District at the Senate under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
Dayo Dasilva, Ogun
The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) in Ogun State at the early hours of today picket the Omida branch of Fidelity Bank Plc in Abeokuta, the state capital over non-payment of Anambra State Staff workers and disregard to a court judgement delivered in favor of the union.
Members of the Labour union gathered at the entrance of the bank as early as 6.30 am preventing customers coming to transact with the financial institution from doing so, in a protest to compel the bank to respect the ruling of the court.
They were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “Our salary is our rights fidelity bank don't support illegality and corruption trading with workers money is bad, fidelity bank pay us”; “Your action is tantamount to contempt,Justice delayed is justice denied you are wicked” and “We no go gree, aupctre” among others.
Ogun State Chairman of AUPCTRE, Comrade Folorunso Olanrewaju who disclosed that the protest was ongoing in all branches of Fidelity bank across Nigeria, complained that many of their members had died and those living can not meet up their basic needs due to the bank’s attitude which he said is ‘illegal, irresponsible and wicked’.
He explained, that the 2019 judgement delivered by Justice O. Arowosegbe at the National industrial court of Nigeria, Enugu Judicial Division mandated Fidelity bank, First City Monument Bank PLC and First bank of Nigeria to pay staff of Anambra State urban water asset holding corporation and Anambra State Waste Management Authority the sum of two billion seven hundred and ninety one million, one hundred and sixty four thousand, one hundred and fifty three naira eighty kobo being the outstanding salaries, promotion increment, gratuities, pensions, entitlements and benefits owed them.
Comrade Olanrewaju disclosed that while First city monument bank plc and first bank Nigeria plc obeyed the court ruling, Fidelity bank plc appealed and lost the case and still refused to obey the decisions and rulings of the Court.
The State Secretary Comrade Taiwo Adesola said the Fidelity bank was given several ultimatum which it refused to obey.
Officers of the Nigerian Police were seen at the bank maintaining law and order while some customers of the bank were seen turning back in disappointment.
All efforts to speak with the bank manager as at the time of filing this report proved abortive.