Mohammed Shosanya

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF) to re-open investigation and prosecution of those involved in the gruesome killing of the founder of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa, on October 19, 1986.

He was murdered in his Lagos office through a letter bomb.

Justice Inyang Ekwo made the order on Friday, while delivering judgment in a suit by the Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda against the AGF.

By the suit,MRA had sought the enforcement of fundamental rights of media professionals to safety as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and African Charters on Human Rights.

Justice Ekwo held that the AGF as Chief Law Officer of the Federation was under obligation to prosecute and penalize killers of media practitioners in the country including the late Giwa.

Besides,the court ordered that the killings of other journalists in the discharge of their lawful duties must be investigated and perpetrators brought to book in line with the provisions of the law.

Justice Ekwo ordered the Federal Government to ensure adequate protection and safety of lives of journalists as enshrined in sections 33, 39 of the Constitution and Articles 4 and 9 of the African Charters on Human and Peoples Rights.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) drive of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration has yielded about N30 billion in investment commitment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment has said.

She disclosed this while reeling out achievements recorded so far, within the administration of President Bola, through her ministry, at the second edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing organized by the Ministry of Information and National Orientation in Abuja.

She said even though the investments came in form of commitment, the FDIs have started flowing as actual buildings had already started, stressing that some the investments would come in form of equipment and other means.

“For us in investment, when you say commitment, it means that you have committed to bring that money or a promise. So this is a commitment so the money and investment, the proposal everything is done. They have already started building and they are continue to build. And it is over a period of 5 to 8 years. The monies, some of them will come in form of equipment, some in form of direct investment into manufacturing and into the facilities. So that fund yes, is committed and is live. It is here already” she said.

She also declared that contrary to wide speculations that Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited (SPDC) is leaving Nigeria, the British oil company is actually expanding its investments in the country.

She clarified that Shell Petroleum is only divesting its onshore investments and expanding its investments in gas offshore, contrary to rumours in the social media space.

She expressed optimism that by the third quarter of 2024, the numerous efforts of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration would critilalize into a huge and tangible industrial success where Nigeria would be counted among the industrialized nations in the world.

In his opening remarks, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation emphasized the fact that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the entire government fully understand the pains and challenges that Nigerians are going through at this time, and we are working very hard to alleviate these pains and bring lasting relief to all: individuals, households and businesses.

“Just yesterday, the President met with the 36 State Governors, as part of efforts to scale-up the collaboration required to tackle the social and economic challenges confronting us. Indeed, the State Governments are just as critical as the Federal Government in the work that needs to be done.

“We ask for your continued understanding, patience and belief in the Renewed Hope vision of Mr. President. We will keep you informed about everything we are doing to make the vision a reality” he said.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission(FCCPC), Friday sealed Sahad Stores Limited, a popular supermarket located in the Garki Area 11 of Abuja.

The supermarket was accused of shortchanging customers by charging prices other than the price tag on the shelves.

The enforcement was led by FCCPC Acting Executive Vice Chairman, Adamu Ahmed Abdullahi.

Abdullahi told journalists that the Commission’s preliminary investigation confirmed that the management of the supermarket was short-changing customers.

He said the Store would remain sealed until the completion of the further investigation.

Speaking, Director for the Surveillance and Investigations Department at FCCPC, Mrs Boladale Adeyinka, said that price tags on products on the shelves of the supermarket were different from prices at the pay point computers.

Adeyinka said that even the same products and brands had different prices.

She said:”The same products, the same brand has different prices. One is N5,000 while one is N6,000.

”Imagine if you buy 10 pairs, that means you have been short-changed by N10,000. In this period, we want people to have maximum value for their money,” she stated.

The Acting Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Mr Adamu Abdullahi, who led the enforcement team to close down the premises of the mart, said the act was an obnoxious practice which amounted to a violation of rights under the FCCP Act.

Mr Abdullahi said the practice contravened Section 155 (3) of the FCCPA and the fine amounted to N100 million or more.

“What we have found out that they are doing is misleading pricing and lack of transparency in their pricing which is against section 155 (3) of the FCCP Act.

”It is an obnoxious practice and amounts to a violation of rights under the FCCPCA.

”Section 155 of FCCPA states that any corporate person that contravenes this law is liable to a fine of N100 million or even more.

”We found out that they are contravening this law and made sure that we came to tell them that our mandate is very clear. What we have come here today to do is to make sure that they comply with the law.

”We called them to defend themselves, but they failed to show up and in the long run, they sent a lawyer and the lawyer is not familiar with the case, but we requested for names of people that we wanted to come and defend them.

”Those people refused to come, and these are the people in charge of retail, fixing prices on the computer system and shelves.

”We do not have a choice but to seal off the premises until they comply with the provisions of the law,” he said.