All Posts in "Day: April 23, 2024"

Rivers Lawmakers Override Fubara, Extends Tenure Of LGA Chairmen

The Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday overrode the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to pass the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Bill into law, extending the tenures of the 23 council chairmen.

This was as Governor Fubara on March 13 2024 declined assent to the (Amendment) Bill after the Lawmakers passed Bill and forwarded same to him.

The Lawmakers during its 159th Legislative sitting, invoked the powers of Section 100(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as altered, which empowers the House to override the governor, where he withholds his assent.

At the sitting, the Majority Leader Major Jack represented the bill, prompting debates by members of the House, who argued that the governor should be vetoed and with a two-thirds majority vote, the House agreed and overrode the governor to pass the bill into law.

admin by — April 23, 2024 in Politics 0

Mohammed Shosanya

Two soldiers,Corporal Innocent Joseph and Lance Corporal Jacob Gani, have been found guilty and dismissed from the Nigerian Army for theft of armoured cables at Dangote Refinery premises in Lagos State on April 14, 2024.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, conveyed this in a statement issued on Monday.

According to him, following to a thorough investigation conducted in collaboration with the management of Dangote Refinery, Joseph and Gani were found to have abandoned their duty posts and in unauthorised possession of the armoured cables.

He said: “Subsequently, they were both charged for Failure to Perform Military Duties punishable under section 57, sub section (1) and Other Civil Offences punishable under section 114, sub section (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20, the Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“They were summarily tried.

“During the trial, the evidence against them was presented and they were given the opportunity to present their cases and defend themselves, but were however found guilty of the charges levelled against them in accordance with military laws.”

Nwachukwu said as a demonstration of the zero-tolerance for misconduct and criminality within its ranks, the two soldiers have been dismissed from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect and handed over to relevant authorities for further prosecution.

He added: “This decisive action underscores the NA’s resoluteness in maintaining its institutional integrity and reputation.

“The NA reassures the general public of its dedication to upholding integrity, discipline and accountability at all levels.We remain resolute in our duty to protect and serve the nation with honour and dignity.

“We urge the public to continue to support our efforts in safeguarding national security and promoting peace and stability across the nation.”

admin by — April 23, 2024 in Crime/Metro 0
NERC Moves Regulatory Oversight To Enugu State Govt

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission,has issued an order to transfer regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Enugu State from the Commission to the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The action is in compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) and the Electricity Act 2023 (Amended)

NERC explained in a statement that with the EA, the Commission retains the role as central regulator with regulatory oversight on the inter-state/international generation, transmission, supply, trading and system operations.

“The EA also mandates any state that intends to establish and regulate intrastate electricity markets to deliver a formal notification of its processes and requests NERC to transfer regulatory authority over electricity operations in the state to the state regulator.

“Based on this, the Government of Enugu State complied with the conditions precedent in the laws, duly notified NERC and requested for the transfer of regulatory oversight of the intrastate electricity market in Enugu State.

“NERC in the order, made the following provisions: Direct Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) to incorporate a subsidiary (EEDC SubCo) to assume responsibilities for intrastate supply and distribution of electricity in Enugu State from EEDC.

“EEDC shall complete the incorporation of EEDC SubCo within 60 days from 22 April 2024 and the subcompany shall apply for and obtain a licence for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity from EERC, among other directives”

The agency stated that all transfers envisaged by the order shall be completed by 22 October 2024.

admin by — April 23, 2024 in Power 0
Epileptic Power:Africa Countries Mocking Nigeria,Says Senate

Mohammed Shosanya

The Chairman, Senate Committee on power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe,says African countries are mocking Nigeria over its epileptic power supply.

He lamented that some of these countries of Africa are making a joke of Nigeria as a generator country, where no one can do anything without having a private generator which is not acceptable.

He spoke when he led members of the Committee to the Ministry of Power for an oversight visit to the Ministry and also the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

“When you said you have over 8000MW installed capacity. Since the privatization started is something more of inconsistency, once it goes up to 5000MW, it will come down. And these have happened in the past 20 years. And so we are here, to hear directly from TCN what the problems are and are there anything we can do to using the law to make Nigeria one of the countries that don’t have to pretend on their own installed capacity.
You can see the number of senators that are here which shows that everyone is concerned” he said.

He also spoke on the Incessant electricity grid collapses which have become all frequent in Nigeria’s power sector.

He explained thst the oversight visit became necessary to find out the challenges that have led to poor supply of electricity to Nigerians and also the reasons for the consistent collapses of the national grid.

Abaribe disclosed that on 29th April 2024, the Committee would convene an investigative hearing into the issue of tariff hike without relevant stakeholders in the sector.

admin by — April 23, 2024 in Power 0
Funding Constraint Stalled 120 Power Projects For 20 Years -Adelabu

Mohammed Shosanya

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu,has lamented that some 120 Transmission Company of Nigeria,TCN projects have been stalled for over 20 years because of lack of funding.

He disclosed this on Monday when the Chairman, Senate Committee on power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe led members of the Committee to the Ministry of Power for an oversight visit to the Ministry and also the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

He stated that vandalization of electricity infrastructures have become more rampant in the North East and South East, adding that some projects that are lying fallow due to lack of funding have been vandalized in the part of the country.

Adelabu,who said that reliance on national grid has to reduce,urged sub national,state governments to utilize the newly passed Electricity Act to invest in power in order to provide some form of backup for the grid.

He disclosed that the incidences of incessant collapses would soon be a thing of the past as the help has come in form of World Bank interventions.

According to the Minister, the World Bank is currently working with the TCN on a project that would last two years and is expected to be a panacea to the grid collapse as it will see the installation of effective and efficient SCADA system.

Speaking,Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, the Managing Director of TCN, listed the causes of grid collapses to include vandalization, funding and the absence of SCADA, an acronym for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition; a computer-based system for gathering and analyzing real-time data to monitor and control equipment that deals with critical and time-sensitive materials or events.

admin by — April 23, 2024 in Power 0
Alleged Discrimination:FCCPC Summons Owner Of Abuja Chinese Supermarket

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission(FCCPC),on Monday stormed the Chinese Supermarket in Abuja, where there have been allegations that Nigerians are not allowed to patronise or enter it.

Nigerians had expressed outrage over a discriminatory policy implemented by the Chinese Supermarket which restricted entry exclusively to its citizens and barred Nigerians.

On arrival at the Supermaket located at Royal Choice Estate along Airport Road, situated at the Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Abuja, the gate of the Supermarket was under lock and key.

All attempts made by the enforcement team from the FCCPC to gain entry to the premises of the Supermarket proved abortive.

The team pasted a letter of summon at the gate of the supermarket.

Addressing newsmen at the entry gate of the supermarket, Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka, Director, Surveilance and Investigation, FCCPC, said the mission of the Commission, was in response to the viral video where Nigerian consumers were allegedly being discriminated against and prevented access into the supermarket located in Abuja.

She added:”The essence of the surveillance and investigation that we conducted today is to verify the allegations and the contents of that viral video.

“On arrival, we noticed that the supermarket, which is right behind me, was sealed and padlocked externally. Enquiries have shown that yes, as at this morning, this supermarket was opened and people were here.

“CCTV footage also shows that at about 8: 29am, two vehicles departed from these premises allegedly conveying the owner of the supermarket, whom we have been able to identify by name and we have her contact details.

“Since she’s not around and the place is locked, we have served a notice on her to appear before the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission(FCCPC) on Wednesday, 24th of April, 2024 by 11am.

“There are other regulatory tools to be deployed, if she fails to attend to this summon.”

Speaking further on the event of failure of the owner of the supermarket to honour the summon, Adeyinka said: “If she fails to attend to this summon, which is a lawful inquiry, the mandate of the Commission under its powers, is investigative powers, is to seal the premises until she complies with the summons of the Commission, meaning that this place will remain locked until she appears before the Commission, that is, if she fails to voluntarily surrender to the summons that we have issued on this.”

She warned that it is unlawful to discriminate against any person in Nigeria by foreigners, adding that the Commission would not condone such act.

admin by — April 23, 2024 in News 0
Alleged N42bn Debt:AMCON Sues Milan Industries’ Chair, Ramesh Valecha

Mohammed Shosanya

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has filed a suit against the Chairman of Milan Industries Limited, Milan Nigeria Ltd and Milan Beverages Ltd, Ramesh Valecha and four other directors of the companies over their alleged inability to repay a N42billion debt.

The other four directors, against whom AMCON initiated bankruptcy proceedings, are: Rajesh Valechha, Vikram Valechha, Odunlami Bayo and Akin Femiwa Akinsola.

In five separate petitions which have been assigned to two judges of the Lagos division of the Federal High Court, AMCON stated that the debt, which now stands at N41,511,758,031.14 arose from several loan facilities obtained from Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank) between 2010 and 2012 by Milan Industries Ltd and Milan Nigeria Ltd, for which the directors are now liable.

According to the petitions filed by its lawyer, Kunle Ogunba (SAN), AMCON stated that it acquired the debt from the bank in line with the provision of Section 3 of the Asset Management Corporation (Amendment) Act 2019 as an Eligible Banking Asset (EBA).

It claimed that the debtor companies deployed most of the loan facilities to the construction of a 361-room hotel facility at 52 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, formally known as Intercontinental Hotel (now Lagos Continental Hotel).

It added that “the debtors are, as at the instant of this petition remain indebted to the creditor (AMCON) to the tune of N41,511,758,031.14 which said sum remains unpaid.

“The creditor, by the provisions of Section 48 of the Asset Management Corporation (Amendment No.2) Act, 2019 is also imbued with the requisite vires to proceed against and recover the indebtedness of the debtor companies by the enforcement of the individual liability(ies) of each shareholder and/or director of the said debtor companies – in the instant case, being Milan Industries Limited, Milan Nigeria Limited, Milan Beverages Limited.”

AMCON is praying the court for among others, an order appointing a trustee against the estate, funds, investment, shares or other interest of the directors, “principally as they may be vested, constituted or evinced in Milan Industries Limited, Milan Nigeria Limited, and Milan Beverages Limited which interest is held either directly or through the said Milan Industries Limited and/or in any other company within and outside Nigeria.

It also wants an order commanding each of the affected directors to immediately avail it with a “statement of affairs, statement of net worth and other credible financial details requisite and in furtherance of the Bankruptcy Act.

It is further seeking consequential order empowering it to sell the directors’ properties (be it landed or chattels) where – ever situate and/or found including but not limited to his shares principaily in Milan Industries Limited, Milan Nigeria Limited, and Milan Beverages Limited which interest is held directly or through the said Milan Industries Limited either by private treaty or by public auction which occasion shall be published in two widely read and circulated
national daily newspapers in Nigeria.

Besides,AMCON wants an order granting it leave to appropriate or otherwise utilize the investments, shares or other interests of the directors in the companies and in any other company/corporate entity in Nigeria or outside Nigeria in partial or full satisfaction of the debt due, as the case may be.

It seeks an order permitting/allowing it to apply the proceeds from the sale of the directors’ properties, chattels, chooses in action and/or interest towards liquidating thier indebtedness.

On March 21 Justice Daniel Osiagor granted AMCON leave to effect substituted service of relevant court documents, including the petitions on Ramesh Valechha and Vikram Valechha by either pasting them at their last known address at LSDPC Flats, Ground floor, Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island, Lagos State or publish them as advertorial in national dailies circulating within the court’s jurisdiction or serve them on companies’ lawyers at the law firm of A. B. Kasunmu Chambers LP at 284 Murtala Mohammed Way, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos State.

Similar orders for substituted service were earlier made in the petitions against the other three directors.

While Justice Osiagor is hearing three of the petitions (filed against Ramesh Valechha, Vikram Valechha and Akin Femiwa Akinsola), Justice Yelim Bogoro is handling two (filed against Rajesh Valecha and Odunlami Bayo).

Both judges had, in earlier rulings, issued ex-parte injunctions restraining the directors from tampering with their assets and ordering banks to provide information about their financial standing.

In one of the rulings, the court said: “It is hereby ordered as follows:

*That an order is granted restraining the debtor his agents, servants and/or privies or any other person or group of persons whatsoever under the debtor’s authority or any other authority (however derived or sourced) from operating, withdrawing from or otherwise tampering and/or dealing with the debtor’s funds in any bank or financial institution within Nigeria pending the hearing and final determination of petition herein.

*That a consequential order is granted directing and/or compelling all banks or financial institutions in Nigeria harbouring the debtor’s account(s) to furnish the creditor (AMCON) or its firm of solicitors, the details of the credit outstanding in the debtor’s account(s) within seven days of receipt of the enabling order of this
Honourable court as certified and enrolled.

*That an order is granted restraining the debtor, his agents, servants and/or privies from interfering with, tampering, removing from jurisdiction of this honourable court his investments, shareholders, pecuniary and other beneficial interests in any company or corporate establishment in Nigeria, pending the hearing and final determination of the petition herein.

*That an interim order is granted restraining the debtor, his agents, servants and/or privies from interfering with, tampering, removing from the jurisdiction of this honourable court his investments, shareholders, pecuniary and other beneficial interests in any company or corporate establishment in Nigeria, pending the hearing and final determination of the petition.

admin by — April 23, 2024 in Law/Human Rights 0
Nigeria Immature For State Police,Says IGP Egbetokun

Mohammed Shosanya

Mr Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police,has said that Nigeria is not mature for state police.

He spoke on Monday at a national dialogue on state police organised by the Nigerian’s House of Representatives in Intercontinental Hotel , Former Sheraton Hotel in Abuja

The theme of the dialogue is ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’.

He was represented by Ben Okolo, an assistant inspector-general of police, Egbetokun, he said Nigeria is not ready for a decentralised police force.

“It is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria police force that Nigeria is yet to mature for the establishment of state-controlled police,” he said.

He added:”There have been renewed calls for the establishment of state police following an uptick in kidnappings, banditry and violent attacks across the country.

On February 15, the federal government set up a committee to explore the creation of state police, amid the spate of insecurity in the country.

“On February 20, a bill to establish state police passed second reading at the house of representatives.

The IGP said rather than create state police, the challenges mitigating against effective policing in Nigeria should be addressed.

He listed some of the challenges as inadequate manpower, inadequate operational equipment such as vehicles, arms and ammunition, communication equipment, drones, aerial surveillance cameras, security surveillance helicopters, armoured vehicles, and inadequate training of personnel.

These challenges have impacted negatively on the performance of police personnel,he said.

He also said state police is open to abuse from powerful state governors.

The IGP noted that, there is the potential for abuse of power by the state political leadership. State governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and compromise human rights and security,” he said.

The IGP proposed that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) should be merged to become a department in the police.

“In view of this, the police leadership rather is recommending the following instead of creating state police,” he said.

He said the recruitment of police personnel into the force should be increased by at least 30,000 annually to meet the minimum policing standard of the United Nations.

Egbetokun’s stance contrasted with that of Ibrahim Gaidam,Minister of police affairs, who backed the establishment of state police.

The Minister of Police affairs, Sen. Gaidam, who spoke at the event, said a more decentralised police force will help tackle rising insecurity in the country.

“It is clearly imperative to come together to discuss this critical issues and work towards finding sustainable solutions that will ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.

“As we gather here today our objective is clear, to explore ways and means of addressing these issues including the possibility of establishing the state police force to combat the seem unending crises. Am here to highlight the merits and challenges of implementing state police in Nigeria. I will emphasize that state police can enhance local exclusiveness.

admin by — April 23, 2024 in News 0
Ondo APC Guber Primary:Appeal Committee Receives Petitions From Three Aspirants

Mohammed Shosanya

The All Progressives Congress Governorship Primary Appeal Committee on Monday commenced work as the committee received petitions from three among the aspirants.

The immediate past governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar, SAN, who is the chairman of the five-person committee, urged all aspirants who have any petition to file to approach the committee at the party’s Secretariat to submit their petirions.

Addressing newsmen in Akure on Monday,he assured that the Committee would be thorough and fair in handling all the petitions they received.

As soon as he commenced the press briefing, less than 12 hours after the election, three among the aspirants , Olugbenga Edema, Wale Akinterinwa and Jimi Odimayo, submitted their petitions to the appeal committee.

The petitions were received by the Secretary of the committee, Chief(Mrs.) Obiocha Israel. Other members of the committee are Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon and Onyeka Okafor.

The Chairman of the committee said: “The situation I met on ground was an inconclusive election that needed to be repeated in one local government. They were able to repeat election in that local government and by early this morning, they were able to declare the results of the primary.

“It is traditional in APC to set up a committee like this in order to follow up on the fallout of the primary election. It’s as a result of this that I invited the gentlemen of the press to be here today so that I can announce to them that the presence of this committee and the readiness of this committee to receive whatever complaints as a fallout from the primary election.

“The committee will be here till Tuesday to collect whatever complaints that may be.

“Let me use this opportunity to assure members of our party that this committee intends to be thorough and transparent in treating any complaint that we will receive.

“I can assure you that within a space of few days, we will consider total number of petitions we received and render a report to the national headquarters of our party before the party takes a final decision on the issue of the primary.

“As I’m speaking with you,only three petitions have been received.I am calling on all the aspirants that have complaint(s) to please, feel free to forward it to us.

“We have since established our office at the headquarters of the party for the collection of this appeal if there are.”

admin by — April 23, 2024 in Politics 0
Judge Vacates Order Suspending Ganduje As APC National Chairman

Mohammed Shosanya

A Kano State High Court,presided over by Justice Usman Mallam Na’Abba that earlier on slammed an order Suspending Dr Umar Abdullahi Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress APC, has reverses self vacating same order.

One Haladu Gwanjo and Laminu Sani Barguma who claimed to be the Chairman and Secretary respectively of the APC Ganduje Ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government area of the State, had secured an order suspending Ganduje as the chairman of the party.

But,Justice Usman Na’Abba said while vacating his earlier order, that upon reading a motion ex-parte together with 27 paragraph affidavit in support and a written address dated the 22nd day of April, 2024 sworn to by one Glory Adah a litigation secretary in the 4th respondent solicitors law firm.

“And after hearing, Mr. L. O. Oyewo Esq, with A. Falana Esq and J. Essiet Esq counsel’s of the 4th Respondent/Applicant, an order of interim injunction is hereby granted”.

The interim injunction order is for staying of the execution of the order of interim injunction contained in the ruling of the court delivered on the 17th April, 2024 directing parties to maintain status qou ante as at the 15th day of April, 2024 in relation to the suspension of the 4th respondent/applicant from the 1st respondent by the Ganduje Ward Executive Committee pending the hearing and determination of the 4th respondent/applicant motion on notice.

admin by — April 23, 2024 in News 0