All Posts in "Day: August 20, 2021"

 The New PIB Act:Robbing Peter To Paul Paul

The New PIB Act: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul – THE AUTHORITY NEWS
             By
Chief Mike Ozekhome ,SAN, OFR, Ph.D.
The PIB Bill just assented to as an Act of Parliament by President Muhammadu Buhari, is a mere ruse, a monstrosity, an artifice and device, carefully crafted, incubated and delivered, to actually do irretrievable violence to Nigeria’s progress and juris corpus. The Act constitutes a direct assault on age-long cherished principles of federalism and the doctrine of separation of powers, most ably propounded in 1748 by Baron de Montesquie, a great French philosopher.
The PIB Act seeks to frontally attack the provisions of section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, which state that all revenues accruing to the Federation shall be paid into a Federation account from which sharing shall be made amongst the three tiers of government – the federal, government, the 36 states and the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria. No expenditure can be made by the Federal Government outside the provisions of section 162.  Nor can any monies be expended without going through an Appropriation Bill through submission of budgetary proposals(See sections 80- 84 of the Constitution)
To the extent that the Act seeks to redesign the provisions of the Constitution (the fons et origo, grundnorm, Oba, Eze and Emir of all our laws), to that extent is the Act unconstitutional. It must therefore be struck down with the constitutional sledge hammer of section 1(3) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
In a sane clime, Nigeria’s only surviving cash cow, the NNPC, ought to be totally unbundled , to make it more viable, productive, transparent and accountable to the Nigerian people.
But, alas, most curiously, the Act has further strengthened NNPC’s hand of non-accountability and non-responsibility. How can the federal government alone have shares in the only viable milk industry of Nigeria, to the total exclusion of the other three tiers of government, major stakeholders, oil-bearing communities and the long-suffering people of the Niger Delta?
How can an Act of Parliament, rather than assuage and ameliorate the sufferings of a beleaguered people, further compound them by reaffirming the people’s perilous status as slavish hewers of wood, drawers of water, masseurs of ego and sideline onlookers in the exploitation and use of their God-given wealth through their natural resources? The Act is nothing but a mere totalitarian and draconian piece of legislation designed to rob Peter to pay Paul.
The Act is a deliberate design by state captors to further their egoist and bachanalian self-interests.
It was never designed to reform an institution such as the NNPC, nor passed to advance the principles of federalism or doctrine of separation of powers. It is most egregrious, expropriatory and unfair to States, Local government Areas and the suffering masses of the oil- bearing communities of the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. The panacea? Simple.
The 36 States Attorneys- General should IMMEDIATELY approach the Supreme Court and challenge this latest Federal Government’s impunity and the outrageous acts of executive lawlessness and legislative rascality we are beholding , by invoking the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction under section 233(1) of the 1999 Constitution. That is the way to go.
Allowing the Act to stay will further cement the present misguided unitary system of government that Nigeria is currently operating, under our thinly garnished disguise of a pseudo-federalism.
Online Editor by — August 20, 2021 in Opinion 0
VAT : Wike Signs Bill Into Law

Wike signs bill on VAT collection into law | Tribune Online
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom  Wike has signed into law the bill on Value Added Tax (VAT) collection in the state.
Wike signed the recently passed bill by the Rivers State House of Assembly into law at Government House, Port Harcourt.
He said  that the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had sufficiently addressed the alleged illegality perpetrated by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS).
“The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has addressed the illegality perpetrated by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) on behalf of the Federal Government in the collection of VAT in states.
The governor also signed into law the Open Rearing and Grazing Prohibition Law No 5 of 2021; The Child’s Rights Amendment Law No 2 of 2021.
Others are the Residents Registration Agency Law No 6 of 2021 and the Naming and Renaming of Infrastructure Law No 3 of 2021.
Wike explained  that when agencies of the Federal Government were allowed to illegally demand and collect taxes meant for states to collect, they strangulate the states financially and turn them to be beggars.
“But we (Rivers State) are standing on the part of history as representatives of the state to have taken the bull by the horn to challenge the illegality of the Federal Government through the Federal inland Revenue Services (FIRS).
“Of course, we are all aware that the states have already been strangulated. Most states depend on allocation from the federation account. States have been turned to beggars, hardly will any day pass that you will not see one state or others going to Abuja to beg for one fund,” Wike said.
He said no campaign of calumny or blackmail on the part of FIRS would make what was illegal to become legal.
He dismissed FIRS’ report that 30 states would suffer if some states were allowed to collect VAT.
Wike added that FIRS should be concerned about establishing whose duty to collect VAT and the constitutionality of such a position before talking about who was going to suffer or not.
“In this state, we awarded contracts to companies and within the last month, we paid over N30bn to the contractors and 7.5 percent will now be deducted from that and to be given to FIRS. Now, look at 7.5 percent of N30bn of contracts we awarded to companies in Rivers State, you will be talking about almost N3bn only from that source.
“Rivers State Government has never received more than N2bn from VAT at the end of the month. So, I have contributed more through the award of contract and you are giving me less, what is the justification for it”
Online Editor by — August 20, 2021 in News 0
Debt:We’re Still In Charge Of Jimoh Ibrahim’s Assets-AMCON

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), says it’s still in charge of the two  assets of the business mogul,Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim over his N70billion debt.
The agency debunked  the spread of false narrative on social media over its recent takeover of the NICON Insurance Limited and Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation (Nigeria Re), for which new boards and managements were constituted over the nearly N70bn indebtedness of Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim.
 Jude Nwauzor, Head, Corporate Communications Department,  explained  that the action was  based on an order by Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja Division on Monday that AMCON, NICON Insurance Limited, Nigeria Reinsurance (Nigeria Re) .
He advised  Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim to maintain status-quo-ante until September 8, 2021, when the court will hear all pending applications in the matter.
He said the ruling was agreed by both the counsel to the plaintiffs, C.I. Okpoko, SAN and counsel to AMCON A.U. Mustapha, SAN, pending the determination of the applications, and arguments heard on the motion on notice with a possible ruling.
He added:”The implication is  that AMCON is still in charge of all assets of Jimoh Ibrahim and his companies including NICON Insurance Limited and Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation over their heavy indebtedness to AMCON following earlier court rulings, which gave AMCON the power to take over the assets ab-initio. It was also from the courts that AMCON derived the power with which it appointed the receiver managers over some of the companies and assets belonging to the recalcitrant debtor.”
The corporation further described as unfortunate the fact that Ibrahim and his cohorts continue to show wanton disregard to the court directive, misinforming the public by mischievously misinterpreting the court order.
“They have used thugs to physically break into the companies’ premises, to misappropriated documents and assets, and have had the audacity to parade themselves as the legitimate management in these companies,” it added, while reassuring stakeholders that AMCON, being a law abiding institution shall not be intimidated into surrendering its legal responsibilities.
He said the insurance entities are public assets, striped and destroyed by persons with a known track record of mismanagement, criminality and outright disrespect to all that is prudent, ethical and normal.
He recalled that the matter between Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim and AMCON, has remained interminable since the loan was acquired from Union Bank during the first phase of Eligible Bank Assets (EBA) purchases.
AMCON and BPE had on July 21, received approval from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to constitute a new board and management for NICON Insurance Limited and Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation (Nigeria Re) to enhance their smooth running, efficient and effective management.
The changes,he explained,was sequel  to the takeover of Ibrahim’s majority interests in both organisations, with the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) partnering with AMCON to bring the much-needed stability in the operation of the organisations.
Reconstituting the board and management team of the firms, he said,was to ensure transparent and accountable management of insurance in the country and continue to deliver value to its stakeholders.
Online Editor by — August 20, 2021 in News 0
Transport Sector Critical To Nigeria’s Economic Rebirth-Sterling Bank Boss

Sterling Bank attempted to 'scam' its customers; but it's a drill | Nairametrics
Sterling Bank  has emphasized its  commitment to growing the transportation sector and other major sectors of the  country’s economy.
Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director of Sterling Bank said the sector was critical to towards Nigeria’s economic rebirth and prosperity.
He added a that aviation is a key part of the transportation sector in Nigeria,
Abubakar spoke ahead  of the upcoming Chinet  Aviacargo conference,which his is a major partner.
A statement by the organisers, Mr. Ikechi Uko said that Sterling Bank had been consistent in engaging entrepreneurs and startups in the trade and travel sectors of the economy.
According to him, the Aviacargo Conference provided another opportunity to the bank and players in the sector to further engage with stakeholders.
Uko stated that Nigeria imports tonnes of cargo by air daily, but exports very little by air. Freighters he said arrive Nigerian airports regularly fully laden, but leave empty.
He  said the Chinet Aviacargo Conference is bringing together top players in aviation, logistics, export and support businesses to a two days conference and exhibition in Lagos.
The organisers emphasised that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA) and Nigerian Export Promotions Council (NEPC) would be joined by the Standard Organisations of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) and the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) in the two days stakeholders’ engagement.
The event which is billed to take place on August 25 and 26, 2021, the Chinet Expo is expected to raise a checklist of actionable plans that would enable government, exporters and cargo handlers improve on the existing situation.
Dapo Okubadejo, the Commissioner of Finance and the Chief Economic Adviser, Ogun State, would engage aviation and cargo experts on the advanced plan and implementation of the Ogun Cargo Airport Project.
Online Editor by — August 20, 2021 in Motoring 0
 Planned Coronation Of Sultan Threat To Peace  In Edo – Obaseki

Obaseki govt kicks against move to install Sultan of Edo - Daily Post Nigeria
The Edo State Government has condemned planned coronation of Idriss Addano as the ‘Sultan of Shuwa Arab of Edo State’, describing the purported move as sacrilegious and a threat to peace and security in the state.
In a statement, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, Esq., assured citizens that firm and decisive action will be taken to prevent the actualization of the illegal and sacrilegious act.
The statement reads: “The Edo State Government has been inundated with complaints from indigenes and residents of the state over the purported move to embark on the coronation of one Idriss Addano as ‘Sultan of Shuwa Arab of Edo State’.
“The Edo State Government wishes to state as follows: That whether or not this event is held at the said, or any other location within the state, it would constitute a direct assault on the traditions, custom and culture of the people of Edo State, by individuals who clearly have sinister motives and are trying to abuse the well-known Edo hospitality by their act of sacrilege.
“That it is a potential threat to the peace and security of Edo State, with the capacity to cause a breakdown of law and order as citizens of the state are likely to be provoked by the obnoxious ceremony.
“Under the Edo State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, it is an offence for anyone to proclaim himself, or allow himself to be proclaimed as the holder of any traditional title not recognized under the said law and/or without the approval of the appropriate authorities.”
According to Ogie, “The state government hereby wishes to assure all concerned that firm and decisive action will be taken to prevent the actualization of this illegal and sacrilegious act and that all persons found to have been involved in the conception and/or execution would face the full wrath of the law.”
“The Edo State Government, therefore, calls on all citizens to be calm, law-abiding and rest assured that government is firmly on top of the situation,” he assured.
Online Editor by — August 20, 2021 in News 0
Expect More Airline Operators  In Ibadan Airport- Makinde

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that more airline operators would commence operations in Ibadan Airport soon.
He said the development was sequel to the upgrade of the facilities in the airport.
He said:”The former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, said he will be flying to Abuja in the Air Peace Airline this morning and I said that the singular act of introducing competition removes the cost of travelling between Ibadan and Abuja from N80,000 to 30,000 now. So, you don’t need to go to Lagos.
“You can get 30,000 flight in here. More competition is coming, as more airlines will start operating from this place. So, the options will really become multiple for us
He gave the assurance while receiving the management and governing board of Dominican University, Ibadan, led by its Pro-Chancellor and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, in his office.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as stating that his administration will partner Dominican University to improve the educational system of Oyo State.
Makinde, who maintained that his government will look into the institution’s request for a review of taxes imposed on it by the state’s Board of Internal Revenue, said the matter will be resolved in a win-win manner.
“We will look at the complaint and take care of it. And we will resolve it in a manner that you are not going to lose and Oyo State Government, also, will not lose.
“Yes, I am aware of the fact that you are a non-profit making organisation and, for you to have chosen Ibadan, Oyo State as the first place to establish a university on the continent of Africa, the least we can do is to give you the support.
“When the Vice Chancellor was talking, he said education will develop a healthy mind and the hospital will ensure that the healthy mind resides in a healthy body.
“The third pillar of our administration is that the healthy mind in the healthy body operates in a secure environment. When that happens, the sky will be the starting point to explore economic opportunities.
“That is why the four pillars of our administration are healthcare delivery, education, security and expansion of our economy.”
Online Editor by — August 20, 2021 in News 0
SMEs Can Fix Unemployment In Nigeria,Says CBN

Dr Aniefiok Umoren, Zonal Coordinator, South-South and South-East, Development Finance Activities, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has said thatbSmall and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) have the potential to reduce unemployment in the country.
Umoren who disclosed this in a meeting organised in collaboration with the Cross River Government and the Chamber of Commerce in Calabar on Thursday.
He also  said that the activities of SMEs could also enhance economic growth.
He explained that the meeting became necessary for entrepreneurs to know the importance CBN placed on presenting them advantageously to ensure they contributed significantly to the nation’s economy.
“We are aware that the micro entrepreneurs in the state have the greatest role of creating employment and adding value to the economy of the state.So, CBN is taking the bull by the horn by packaging entrepreneurs so that they can add something robust to the Nigerian economy.
“Everything follows due process because we want to ensure that the right people are getting these funds by preparing their business plan that we will be carefully scrutinise.We have to know who you are, the type of business you do, how profitable it is and whether you will be able to pay back the loan as we encourage people who get these loans to pay back so others can benefit,” he said.
The coordinator noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic currently ravaging the world, the interest rate for loans was five per cent under the apex body’s intervention.
In her remarks, Prof. Christine Ikpeme, member, Centre for Entrepreneurial Development, University of Calabar (UNICal), said the centre participated in the meeting to tap into the various CBN’s initiatives.
Ikpeme said that the goal of the centre was to know the procedures to follow to enable students get grants from the apex bank after training them in different entrepreneurial skills.
Online Editor by — August 20, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0
I Hide Money In  Ceiling Because My Wife Is A Thief,Businessman Tells Court

A businessman, Mutiu Bamgbose, has informed an Igando Customary Court in Lagos that his wife has an incurable inhabit  for stealing.
He also accused the wife,Alitah, of stealing and prayed the court to dissolve their marriage.
He said:“My wife is a thief, she is not always satisfied with what I give her, she keeps stealing my money at will.The most painful was when she stole my N3 million and squandered it.
“Because of her habit, I started keeping my money in the ceiling but she will still enter the ceiling and steal it.When I could no longer condole it, I opened a bank account and she became angry and made life miserable for me.
“It was obvious that my wife does not love me, she is just after my money.”
The businessman accused his wife, who failed to appear in court after being summoned several times, of adultery.
“She started having affairs with a married man in our community, I approached the man and warned him seriously to desist from my wife.”
The petitioner said that his wife abandoned her matrimonial home and took away all his belongings.
“I came home from work and met my house empty, she packed away all my property leaving only the chairs.She took our twin daughters with her and left the boy behind.Aliyah is fetish, there was a day I opened her bag, saw charm, I took it to the head of my family, she was summons but she could not explain how she got the charm.
President of the Court, Adeniyi Koledoye dissolved the 10-year-old marriage. He held that it was obvious from available testimony and the respondent’s refusal to appear in court that the marriage had hit the rocks.
“Throughout the duration of this case, the respondent refused to honour court processes despite been served severally.Therefore, the court has no other choice than to dissolve the marriage.The court hereby pronounces the marriage between Mr Mutiu and Mrs Aliyah Bamgbose, dissolved today.
“Both of you henceforth cease to be husband and wife.Each of you should go on his or her separate ways unmolested; the court wishes both of you well in your future endeavours,” he said.
Mr Koledoye gave custody of the twin (girls) to the respondent and ordered Bamgbose to be pay N10, 000 monthly for their feeding.
The president gave the custody of the male child to the petitioner.
Online Editor by — August 20, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
Police Nab Suspects Who Specialize In  Killing POS Operators, Uber Drivers

Detectives of the Ogun State police command have arrested four members of a syndicate who specialized in robbing and killing POS and Uber operators.
The suspects: Kehinde Saliu Jelili, Abiodun Akinola, Johnson Fakeye and Jamiu Akinola, were all arrested following a report lodged at Onipanu divisional headquarters on the 18th of April 2021, by one Aanu Salaudeen.
Ms Salaudeen  disclosed to the  police that she is a POS attendant to one Abiodun Odebunmi, a POS operator, and that her boss left his office at Aparadija the previous day to meet a customer with a cash sum of N4 million to be used for POS transaction and had not been seen since then, while calls made to his line had not been going through.
According to her, they had earlier done a transaction of 1.5 million naira with the person who invited his boss the previous day, and that it was the same person who called his boss to meet him at Ojuore for another transaction of N4 million.
Upon the report, the policemen at Onipanu commenced investigation into the sudden disappearance of the man based on the report.
They eventually discovered the dead and burnt body of the victim in an uncompleted building in the Arobieye area of Ota.
The case was transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department on the order of the Commissioner of Police, Edward Awolowo Ajogun, who mandated the homicide team to seek and arrest the perpetrators of the act within the shortest possible period.
The state command’s spokesman, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said in a statement: “CSP Femi Olabode led the homicide team, in compliance with the CP’s directive, and embarked on technical and intelligence-based investigation, which led them to Otun Ekiti in Ekiti State, where the suspect was discovered to be hibernating.
“On getting to Ekiti, the suspect got wind of the presence of the detectives and quickly escaped to Offa in Kwara State. The team continued to trail him and they later got information that he was in Benin republic ,where he had gone to attend the court session of Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho), and that he would soon be returning to Nigeria.
“Having gotten the information about the day he would be returning to Nigeria, the team laid ambush for him and got him arrested at the boundary between Ogun and Lagos states.”
On interrogation, Kehinde Salihu Jeili, who claimed to be a native of Apomu in Osun State, confessed to killing the victim.
He confessed further that he deliberately lured the victim to Ota where he and his gang members were waiting for him with the money he was asked to bring, having transacted a N1.5 million business with him the previous day.
They macheted him to death, after collecting the money from him, and burnt his body in order to cover their tracks.
Jelili confessed further that their targeted victims are always Uber and POS operators. According to him, one of them would pretend as a passenger to the Uber driver, and would lure such a driver to where the other members of the gang were waiting, and as soon as the Uber driver got to the place, the driver would be hacked to death and the car taken away to their receiver.
He also confessed that he and his gang attacked another victim, one Idowu Ademiluyi, at Itori area and snatched his Toyota Corolla car, having macheted him to the point of death.
Saliu led the detectives to their receiver, Abiodun Akinola, who is a standby buyer of every proceeds of their crime. The confessional statements of the two led to the arrest of the other two suspects, Johnson Fakeye and Akinola Jamiu, at Atan Ota and Owode Yewa respectively.
One Toyota Camry, one Toyota Corolla and one Toyota Rav 4, whose owners had been gruesomely murdered, were recovered from the gang.
Online Editor by — August 20, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
Fraud:Court Rejects Ex-parte Motion To Halt  Abba Kyari’s extradition

No hope for Abba Kyari as Court refused to stop his extradition to US | The Paradise
A Federal High Court has rejected an ex-parte application for an order to stop the Nigerian Police Force and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, from arresting and extraditing the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a ruling,rejected  the motion which was filed by a group under the eagis of the Incorporated Trustees of Northern Peace Foundation.
He  ordered the applicants, through their lawyer, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, to turn the ex-parte application a motion on notice and serve all the relevant processes on Police and AGF.
He fixed further mention on the matter for September 9,2021
The group,in a 21-paragraphed affidavit of urgency, prayed the court for a temporary order of injunction against the two Defendants, pending the hearing and determination of their substantial suit.
 DCP Kyari was indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, in the multi-million naira advanced fee fraud said to have been perpetrated by a Nigerian citizen,  Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, popularly known as Hussipuppi.
Online Editor by — August 20, 2021 in Law/Human Rights 0