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The aggrieved investors of MBA Trading and Capital Investment Limited in Rivers State, a forex company, have met with officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to know the outcome of its investigation into their funds.

SaharaReporters had reported last month that the disgruntled MBA forex traders stormed the offices of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Central Bank of Nigeria over the delay to recoup their capital and return on investment (ROI).

They have written several petitions against MBA Trading and Capital Investment Limited, a forex training and capital investment company, and its Executive Officer, Maxwell Odum, who is now at large over their inability to pay capital and ROI to investors.

The amount involved is said to be about one hundred and seventy-one billion naira (N171,128,219,041).

However, the latest of their action was the meeting they had on Tuesday with the CBN representatives.

Some of the MBA investors disclosed this to SaharaReporters on Thursday.

SaharaReporters learnt that the meeting was based on their request for the outcome of 180-day investigation period on MBA trading and capital investment limited accounts which received over N171bilion from Nigeria investors.

The CBN representatives in the meeting with MBA Investors delegation assured investors that the CBN felt their pains and the apex bank would not relent in doing everything in its capacity to make investors get back to their invested capital. See Also Scandal Investment Fraud: Aggrieved Investors In MBA Trading Limited Protest Over Alleged N171billion Fraud 0 Comments 2 Weeks Ago

One of the affected investors said the CBN was aware of the order granted by the court to investigate MBA finances for 180-day had elapsed on August 11, 2021, but the case was in court and more Investors had sued the CBN and MBA.

The legal department of the apex bank confirmed that the investigation had not been finalised as a result of the ongoing litigations otherwise the apex bank would have concluded its investigation without these numerous litigations from interested parties stating that the apex bank could not preempt the court.

Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved investors, Mr Henry Senibo said the CBN only approached the Federal High Court for an interim court order to stop all debit transactions from MBA accounts for 180 days pending the outcome of the said investigation.

"CBN did not sue MBA in court and so it cannot say it has not concluded its investigation as a result of numerous litigations from investors. MBA investors are in poor conditions, and some investors have lost their lives as a result of this pending issue," Senibo said.

He further stated that from the information gotten from those who took CBN to court, it was revealed that what was frozen in MBA accounts by the bank was not more than two hundred twenty million naira.

"We wonder why the apex bank cannot conclude its investigation within the stipulated time frame granted by the court," Senibo added.

The MBA investors' spokesperson for the group added that they had decided to carry out a non-stop protest to the CBN offices nationwide until the bank made its investigation known to investors.

He further enjoined the affected investors to cease litigation so as to not compound the already compounded issues on ground as advised by the legal department of the apex bank.

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The Ogun State Police Command has arrested three teenagers, Sodiq Awokoya, Odunayo Samson and Jimoh Rilwan over their alleged involvement in the murder of a motorcyclist, Bashiru Umaru.

This was made known in a statement issued by the command's spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi.

According to the statement, the suspects were said to have seized the deceased's motorcycle after which they killed him.

They were arrested on Friday, October 9 at the Tollgate area of Ogere where they had gone to sell the deceased’s motorcycle.

The teenagers were exposed after the buyer demanded the documents of the motorcycle before purchase but became suspicious when the three suspects gave conflicting accounts of how they obtained the motorcycle.

The buyer was said to have secretly informed the police in Ogere divisional headquarters, consequent upon which the DPO Ogere division, Abiodun Ayinde, led his men to the scene and got the three suspects apprehended.

The police said, “Upon interrogation, they informed the police that the motorcycle was stolen from Iperu Remo, and they were subsequently handed over to police in the Iperu division.

“Coincidentally, it was the time the relations of the deceased came to lodge a complaint about their missing person that the police brought the suspects from Ogere with the stolen motorcycle.

“On sighting the motorcycle, the relatives of the deceased quickly identified it and informed the police that the motorcycle brought with the suspects belonged to their missing brother.

"Upon the information, the policemen intensified their investigation into the case, and the suspects later confirmed that they actually snatched the motorcycle and that the owner was being tied to a tree in a bush.

“In order to rescue the victim, the policemen quickly led the suspects to the bush, but surprisingly, they had hacked him to death before taking away the motorcycle.

“Further investigation revealed that Samson Odunayo was the person, who called the deceased to take him to somewhere in Iperu, unknown to the okada man that he had already informed Sodiq Awokoya to wait in a bush along Ona Eri area of Iperu with cutlass and other dangerous weapons.

“On getting to the point, Samson Odunayo ordered the deceased to stop because he had got to his destination. While the deceased was waiting to collect his money, Sodiq Awokoya came out with a cutlass and cut him.

“While wriggling in pain, Samson Awokoya moved near him and squeezed his neck until he gave up the ghost. They searched his pocket and found the sum of N5,500 which they also took away. Further investigation revealed that this is the second robbery operation carried out by the suspects.”

“Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation, with a view to charging them to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”

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A coalition of Enugu State youth leaders has condemned the arrest of one his members, Godfrey Chikwere, on the orders of the Ebonyi State Government over a post which he made on his Facebook page against the state government.

The Ebonyi State government had alleged that the post was incisive, fake and a hate speech.

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.

But the youth leaders warned that if the state government refused to release the innocent man by Friday October 15, they would take further actions.

They noted in a statement that such an arrest was a breach of the fundamental human rights, adding that the action was contrary to the provisions of the constitution.

The statement was jointly signed by the President of Nsukka Youth Assembly, Comrade Roy Ekwueme as well as the President of Nkanu Youth Assembly, Hon. Edeani M. Edeani, and Nebo Ebube, the President of Agbaja Youths General Assembly. See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Ebonyi Governor, Umahi Orders Arrest Of Journalist Over Facebook Posts About Nigerian Politicians, Army 0 Comments 3 Days Ago

The statement reads, “The attention of coalition of Enugu state Youth leaders has been drawn to inhumane treatment meted at one of our own by the name Godfrey Chikwere by agents of the Ebonyi State government under your supervision over a harmless Facebook post.

"We have painstakingly reviewed the post and we condemn the arrest in its entirety as it was never incisive, fake or a hate speech as Hon. Chikwere was merely basking on his legitimate freedom of speech as enshrined in Section 39 (1) (states that every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive; impart information without interference.).

"We are also aware of subtle threats on Enugu youths speaking out by agents of your government and its time to put a stop to this madness.

"The coalition of Enugu youth leaders gives Governor David Umahi and the government of Ebonyi State an ultimatum to release Chikwere to the government of Enugu State on or before Friday October 15, to receive adequate medical attention or they will have all us to contend with.

"Finally, may God help us all that nothing happens to Chikwere. A stitch in time saves nine."

Recall that Chikwere was one of the aides sacked in December 2020 by Umahi following the governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The Secretary to the State Government had announced Chikwere was sacked in order to enhance service delivery.

However, Mr Chikwere said he was sacked because he refused to insult elders and equally discouraged others from doing so on Facebook on behalf of the state government.

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Past and present Nigeria’s basketball players on Thursday staged a peaceful protest in Abuja over an alleged plan to impose one Musa Kida as the President of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

The protesters marched from the Area 10 Old Parade, Garki and to the Unity Fountain, Maitama, demanding that Kida must be prevented from imposing himself on the basketballers and other stakeholders as the association’s President.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development summoned Kida and a former President of NBBF, Tijani Umar, to another emergency meeting over the lingering crisis rocking the association.

The meeting which is slated for Monday, October 18, 2021, in Abuja is to find a lasting solutions to the four-year old feud between the duo.

This is coming a few days D’Tigress, Nigeria women’s basketball team protested over their unpaid wages and allowances. See Also Sports EXPOSED: How Nigerian Officials Diverted $100,000 Meant For Women Basketball Team, D'Tigress, Owe Each Player $4,900 Allowances 0 Comments 2 Days Ago

They also expressed grievances over what they described as unfair treatment meted out to them by the Nigerian government and the outgoing caretaker board of the NBBF, led by Kida after their victory at the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket Women’s Championship in Cameroon.

Some members of the team said their efforts in winning the championship for a fifth time were never appreciated.

SaharaReporters had earlier in the week reported that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development was accused of failing to distribute $100,000 (N41.1million) allowances donated by three banks to Nigeria’s women basketball team for their Tokyo 2020 Olympic participation.

Speaking with SaharaReporters, a member of the senior women basketball team, D’Tigress, had revealed that their allowances, bonuses, training grant worth $4,900 had also not been paid.

She had added that none of the D’Tigress team members would show up in camp in preparation for the February 2022 FIBA World Cup if the Nigerian government failed to pay them.

She had said, “The last time we checked, some of our allowances, bonuses and training grants have not been paid. All our accounts numbers have been submitted but still no remittance. Donations made by banks for players, officials, volunteer stipends etc. dating all the way back to 2018 but I will let the managers address the vendor/contractor’s situation.

“They forget we all have a relationship and do communicate; $500 each 2018 FIBA World Cup for players and officials; $1,000 each for finishing final 8 in FIBA World Cup; $1,000 each bonus for winning AfroBasket in Senegal for 2019 players and officials.

“$300 - $400 each Mozambique Olympic Qualifier allowance balance, were supposed to be paid $100 per day; $2,000 each training grant balance from Tokyo Olympics, players only. The $100,000 donated by three Nigerian banks to all the players and officials that made D’Tigress Olympics qualification possible final roster. The men also got $100,000 assigned to them, the total was $200,000.

“Miscellaneous expenses by players and officials; the full breakdown has been submitted to the outgoing Basket Ball President and the honourable minister, Sunday Dare.

“With all due respect to the association leadership, the Presidency, the Ministry and NBBF administration old and new, if these monies are not paid before the next qualifier of the next tournament in February 2022, FIBA World Cup, the entire D’Tigress team will not show up in camp. We are all saying this as one unit and one voice.”

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A physically challenged graduate in Lagos State, Agosu Fagla, has written an open letter to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, seeking his help for a job.

Fagla caught the attention of people when he made a billboard with the inscription, “I need a job” and stood at the gate of the state secretariat at Ikeja.

The notice also contained his Curriculum Vitae.

The young man claimed his disability came from an accident he was involved in at the age of 5. He, however, said this had not limited him.

According to him, he bagged a bachelor's degree in Economics but had been unable to secure a job due to the stigma.

He wrote, “Sir, I am Agosu Fagla Albert from the Badagry Local Government Area, Lagos State.

“Sir, 8, October 1991, I had a motor accident when going to school at the age of 5. I was then a pupil of Opebi Primary school, Allen, Ikeja, Lagos, under the leadership of the headmaster (Mr T. Adebiyi).

“I was then rushed to Omotayo private hospital, Ikeja. Then, later referred to National orthopedic hospital Igbobi, Lagos where I stayed for a year and later discharged with my right hand paralyzed, up till now i can only make use of the left hand.

“Sir, out of curiosity for learning despite all odds, with the support of God and well-meaning Nigerians; I later proceeded to further my education from basic stage to tertiary level - where I graduated with B.Sc (Ed) (Economics Education) 2014 at the Lagos State University and served at Local Government and chieftaincy affair, Jos North Local Government (Plateau state) from 2014-2015, till now without a meaningful and deserving Job.

“Due to my condition and the stigma attached to it, some employers believe I'm not employable. I have only been surviving on family support. To God be the glory, I have been able to write perfectly with my left hand.

“My Dear Governor sir, I have followed with passion your success stories in Lagos State and your passion for the less privileged.

“I am compelled to contact you through this medium to come to my aide by way an immediate appointment as a bail out of complacency, just so that I can assume a responsible citizen and be a good father despite my condition.

“Thank you sir, in anticipation of your compassionate consideration and God bless you abundantly.”

The state government had yet to react to the request of the man.

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The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on northern politicians seeking the presidency to wait till 2031.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Ken Robison, said everyone had the right to participate in governance, to vote and be voted for.

He added that the need to uphold the indispensable principles of fairness, equity, and justice is necessary for "the sake of national harmony and peace" noting that without all of these, there can be no overall peace and progress.

Ken mentioned this in a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

He said it should be unthinkable that a Northerner should be elected president at the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s two tenures of eight years.

“We consider declarations, by some individuals and groups, now, suddenly opposing the extant practice of rotational zoning of Political Offices, particularly that of the Presidency, as unpatriotic and self-serving.

“Given the multi-faceted heterogeneity of our Country, Nigerians should be critically concerned, not only about the credibility and competence of those aspiring to occupy the highest office, but also, where they come.

“We must conscientiously ensure that zoning, especially for the Office of President and Governors, is very well maintained. Besides, PANDEF firmly affirms that no Zone of the Country is in want of men and women of noble character, acumen, competence, and integrity, to lead Nigeria at this crucial time.

“To say, suddenly, only in 2021, that the Presidency should be open to all Zones in 2023, amounts to moving the goalpost, in the 87th of a 90-minute game, implying that somebody from Daura, Katsina State, can, again, become President of Nigeria in 2023, within the present mood of the Country. PANDEF says a Big NO! to such an attempt to worsen the current bare threads of National cohesion, unity and all-around prosperity!

“The North would have completed the statutory eight years by 2023; it is, therefore, only reasonable and fair that power should rotate to the South, as has been the case for twenty-two years of the Third Republic! Whether the person would emerge from the South-South, South-East or South-West is a matter of different configurations entirely.

“Northerners who hunger to become President should wait till 2031. Political stakeholders need to demonstrate pristine, honourable, and patriotic etiquette of civility to whittle down the thick tensions, arising from the all-around dissensions and alleviate the pain, suffering and unpleasant conditions that the vast majority of citizens are facing.”

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has ruled out the possibility of engaging the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and the Eastern Security Network, ESN ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

The commission noted that it wouldn’t go out of its way to engage IPOB and ESN that had been outlawed by the Muhammadu Buhari regime.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu SaharaReporters Media

The INEC spokesman, Festus Okoye, made this known during an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, noting that the commission had been engaging stakeholders including security agencies, civil society organisations and other relevant bodies.

“We recognise political parties, we recognise the people of Anambra State, we recognise civil society groups and organisations, we recognise traditional institutions and the clergy. So, if they are part of civil society groups and organisation and they attend our programmes, we will tell them what we want to do in relation to Anambra elections,” Okoye said.

“But in terms of IPOB, the commission will not go out of its way to go and engage with an organisation that the federal government has declared as illegal. So we won’t do that,” the spokesman stated.

INEC had earlier disclosed that the constant attacks in South-East region did not pose any threat to the November 6 governorship election.

The commission had stated that the November governorship election in Anambra State would go on as planned despite the rising cases of killings attacks by unknown gunmen in the region.

Okoye had explained that in few days, INEC would deliver the non-sensitive materials that would be used for the election.

“As far as the commission is concerned, we are proceeding with the election. We are seriously preparing for the exercise. In the next few days, we are going to deliver the non-sensitive materials meant for the election. So, preparation is on top gear on the part of INEC and we are going ahead with the election,” he had said.

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The Kaduna State University has suspended some of its students who fought cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on October 12.

SaharaReporters learnt that the four NDA cadets, who are in their second year, were in KASU for the school’s matriculation funfair, featuring live performance, face paint, dance and others shows.

The university’s spokesman, Adamu Bargo, stated on Wednesday in Kaduna that the students beat up the cadets and damaged their car for making advances at a student’s female friend.

He said, “The incident happened at the convocation ground where the cadets saw a female student hanging out with her male friend and one of them tried to collect her phone number but she refused.

“When the cadets persisted, the male friend intervened and one of the cadets slapped him.

“The assaulted varsity student drew the attention of other students who descended on the cadets with stones and sticks.

“The cadets tried to escape in their Toyota Matrix car, but the students locked the school gates and pelted the vehicle with broken pieces of interlock bricks.

“One of the cadets who couldn’t get into the car in good time was severely beaten.”

He stated that the incident was being investigated and further disciplinary actions would be meted to forestall recurrence.

SaharaReporters earlier today reported that some KASU beat up the cadets during the matriculation of the university on Tuesday.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, the angry students chased the cadets who had entered a Black Toyota Matrix to try to escape via one of the school gates but the students had locked the gates.

One of the cadets who could not enter the car on time was seriously beaten.

Also in the video, the students pelted the car damaged the car by pelting it with missiles.

It was also learnt that the four cadets eventually escaped after the security personnel at KASU opened the gates.

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The police in Adamawa State have arrested four bandits in connection with an attack on a police station and kidnapping of a mother with her daughter in the state.

SaharaReporters had on October 10 reported that some bandits attacked a police station in in Ngurore and subsequently kidnapped a woman with her daughter in a nearby house.

The incident happened in Ngurore, a satellite town, along Yola-Gombe road.

Four members of the notorious kidnap gang were reportedly arrested on Wednesday, following credible intelligence.

The spokesperson for the Adamawa State Police Command, DSP Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the arrest in Yola, the state capital, on Thursday.

He said, “Operatives of the Anti- Kidnapping unit of the Adamawa State Police Command have arrested four notorious and high-profile kidnapping suspects. They confessed during police investigations to have abducted a widow, Hauwa Umaru and her daughter and also attacked the Divisional Police headquarters, Ngurore in the Yola South Local Government Area.

"The arrest of the suspects followed an order of the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Barde, and the effort by the police towards ensuring perpetrators of the dastardly act are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law. 

"The breakthrough that led to the arrest of the suspects began with the arrest of one Buba Ibrahim a.k.a Babangida ‘m’ 20yrs, native of Wuro Bilal village, Ngurore District ,Yola South LGA.

"The confession of the suspect revealed how they abducted Hauwa Umaru, her daughter, one Alhaji Bahago of Ibbare and their attack on Ngurore Police Station on the 8th and 9th October, 2021. The police were assisted by some professional Hunters who apprehended (3) other members of the gang; Tumba Alhaji Dan Bappa, 25 years and native of Ibbare district,Yola south LGA.

“Buba Alhaji Abdu, a resident of Ibbare, Ngurore District and Abdullahi Lawal, a resident of Lau local government area, Taraba State, out of the seven-man syndicate. All the suspects will be charged to court on completion of investigations.”

 

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Former interpreters fear for their lives after the UK blocks their evacuation on security grounds.

The House of Representatives on Thursday mandated its Committee on Customs and Excise; Finance; Banking and Currency to invite Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; Controller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.); and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, over the controversy surrounding the e-Customs project.

The committee was also asked to invite the Chairman of the CBN Technical Committee on Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme, and the Managing Director of Adani Mega Systems Ltd “in order to resolve the matter for the take-off of the project.”

The panel was given a period of four weeks to report back to the House.

This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, Leke Abejide, at the plenary on Thursday.

The motion was titled, “Urgent Need to Resolve the Debacle between CBN Technological Committee on CISS and Adani Mega Systems Ltd Hindering the Take-Off of Nigerian Customs Service E-Customs Modernisation Project.”

Abejide recalled that the CBN Technical Committee on CISS had an agreement with Adani Mega Systems Ltd to engage the latter as service provider/vendor for screening service infrastructure for the inspection of all inbound and outbound cargo in Nigeria.

The federal lawmaker further noted that the CBN, in the said letter of engagement dated 16th February, 2017, also stated its statutory mandate to manage and supervise the project, as provided in Sections 13(1),15(i), and 5 of Pre-Shipment Inspection of Export Act, and Pre-Shipment Inspect of Imports Act.

He added that a Build, Operate and Own Agreement between the Technical Committee on CISS on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and Adani Mega Systems Ltd in relation to the provision of the scanning services infrastructure (scanners) required that all operations was sealed and a ‘Certificate of No Objection’ was granted by the Bureau of Public Procurement after evaluating the profile of the company.

“The House is concerned that the level of engagement had reached the turning point whereby Adani Mega Systems Ltd had procured necessary equipment to commence the e-Customs projects as provided for in the contract but since 13th July, 2017, the project had stalled without solution in sight, further causing tremendous revenue loss to the Federal Government which, according to the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, had earlier appraised of having the potential of yielding Up to $176bn over the course of the 20-year concession period.

“The House is also concerned that at the moment, Nigeria Customs Service still remains in the analogue era of conducting 100 per cent physical examination, which in itself is a major cause of congestion at our ports and greater loss of revenue to our dear country,”Abejide said.

Abejide expressed concern that the dispute between the parties was coming at a time when there is an alarming rate of undetected arms and ammunition entering into the country through the ports and border stations due to lack of functional scanners.

According to him, “The House notes that the 2022 budget provided N3.9tn for debt servicing alone and this is asides repayment of principal (debts). If the e-Customs is allowed to take off by settling the issues between the FGN and Adani, the issue of borrowing will be reduced to the barest minimum, if not eradicated, because the Nigeria Customs Service would be able to generate twice, if not thrice, of what is currently being generated. Despite all these obstacles there is a possibility of NCS to generate over N2tn this year 2021.

“The House further notes that for the interest of the country and to reduce the country’s debt profile, the lingering crisis between the Federal Government through the CBN Technical Committee on CISS and Adani Mega Systems Ltd needs to be urgently resolved.”

 

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Human rights’ lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call on the police not to disrupt the upcoming #EndSARS protests.

The Interim Chair, Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), asked the President to abide by his oath of office.

Falana made this known on Thursday in a statement titled, “Nigeria Police Force Lacks Power to Ban Public Protests in Nigeria.”

The human rights lawyer explained that the law guarantees Nigerians the right to hold public meetings, rallies and processions in the country, noting that Buhari, who took part in protests while he was running for office, should call on the police to respect the rights of citizens.

He stressed that the police and other security agencies should be reminded of the indisputable fact that neither the former British colonial police force nor the defunct neocolonial military junta succeeded in banning public protests in Nigeria. 

The statement reads in part; “In view of the threat of the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force to ban Nigerian citizens from exercising their fundamental rights to assemble and hold peaceful rallies to mark the first year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, it has become pertinent to draw attention to the current state of the law on public meetings, rallies and processions in the country.

"The threats against peaceful rallies oozing out of the Police Headquarters and State Commands are illegal as they constitute a gross infringement of the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly guaranteed by sections 38 and 40 of the Nigerian Constitution as well as articles 9 and 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act.

"In the case of the All Nigeria People’s Party v Inspector-General of Police (2006), the Honourable Justice Anwuri Chiyere declared that police permit as a precondition for holding rallies in Nigeria was illegal and unconstitutional. Consequently, her lladyship granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Inspector-General of Police and other police officers from preventing Nigerian citizens from convening and participating in rallies.

"The appeal of the Police against the judgment was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in December 2007. In the unanimous decision of the Court, their Lordships described police permit as "a relic of colonialism" which is anomalous in a democratic society.

"Based on the epochal judgment of the Court of Appeal the National Assembly amended the Electoral Act 2010 in March 2015 to impose a duty on the police to provide security for participants in public meetings and rallies. For the avoidance of doubt, section 94 (4) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides:

"Notwithstanding any provision in the Police Act, the Public Order Act and any regulation made thereunder or any other law to the contrary, the role of the Nigeria Police Force in political rallies, processions and meetings shall be limited to the provision of adequate security as provided in subsection (1) of this section."

"Furthermore, Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 provides as follows; Where a person or organization notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilise personnel to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or the procession.'

"In view of the fact that the Police Authorities have been notified of the public rallies scheduled to hold on October 20, 2020 to mark the first year anniversary of the #endsars protests the Nigeria Police Force is required to make arrangements for the provision of adequate security for the participants at the venues of the rallies."

Falana called on the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to ensure that adequate security is provided for all citizens who may wish to protest against the policies of the Government which are considered inimical to their interests.

He said, "I am compelled to call on the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to direct the Commissioners of Police in all the states of the Federation to ensure that adequate security is provided for all citizens who may wish to protest against the policies of the government which are considered inimical to their interests.

"Since police permit has been outlawed and banned in Nigeria by the Federal High Court and affirmed by the Court of Appeal the Nigeria Police Force cannot be permitted to ban rallies without a repeal of the law on public meetings, rallies and processions in the country. In other words, the ban on public protests announced by the Police Authorities cannot obliterate the constitutionally guaranteed rights of Nigerians to assemble peacefully and express themselves. 

"After all, it is public knowledge that General Muhammadu Buhari (as he then was) and other leaders of the ruling All Progressive Congress who took part in public rallies against fuel hike in January 2012 and protests against insecurity in November 2014. To that extent, the Buhari administration ought to restrain the Police from banning peaceful rallies against police brutality on October 20, 2020 in any manner whatsoever and however.

"Finally, the Police and other security agencies should be reminded of the indisputable fact that neither the former British colonial police force nor the defunct neocolonial military junta succeeded in banning public protests in Nigeria.”

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The House of Representatives has faulted the N134billion allocated to the National Assembly in the 2022 Appropriation bill.

Benjamin Kalu, the spokesman of the House on Thursday, described the budget as too small.

House of Representatives

He said the percentage of transfer to the National Assembly did not reflect the increase in the amount of statutory transfers in the 2022 budget.

Kalu further noted that when the House had a budget with aggregate lower expenditure, it was from N150billion to N128billion.

“This concerns the House. It concerns the House because, the statutory transfer as we have mentioned, there is an increase from N484.49 billion to N768.28 billion and that is a reflection of 58.7 percent increase; an increase of about N283.79 billion. Do you know that this increase does not reflect in the amount that comes to the National Assembly?”

“But remember, when we had a budget with lower aggregate expenditure, it was reduced from N150 billion to N128 billion though, we have the challenges our forex and the challenges of the purchasing power of the currency; what we have is N134 billion? Do you know what N134 billion represents for the statutory transfer?

“Let me give you this example; in 2019, we had N125 billion given to the NASS and that is at the level of 1.42 percent of the N8.83 trillion.

“In 2020, we had N128 billion given to National Assembly. That was a reduction from 1.42 to 1.18 percentage of that N10.8 trillion.

“In 2021, we were given N134 billion which now represents 0.98 percent of N13.1 trillion but this year, we are given N134 billion again which is now representing 0.82 percent here,” he said.

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The House of Representatives has faulted the N134billion allocated to the National Assembly in the 2022 Appropriation bill.

Benjamin Kalu, the spokesman of the House on Thursday, described the budget as too small.

House of Representatives

He said the percentage of transfer to the National Assembly did not reflect the increase in the amount of statutory transfers in the 2022 budget.

Kalu further noted that when the House had a budget with aggregate lower expenditure, it was from N150billion to N128billion.

“This concerns the House. It concerns the House because, the statutory transfer as we have mentioned, there is an increase from N484.49 billion to N768.28 billion and that is a reflection of 58.7 percent increase; an increase of about N283.79 billion. Do you know that this increase does not reflect in the amount that comes to the National Assembly?”

“But remember, when we had a budget with lower aggregate expenditure, it was reduced from N150 billion to N128 billion though, we have the challenges our forex and the challenges of the purchasing power of the currency; what we have is N134 billion? Do you know what N134 billion represents for the statutory transfer?

“Let me give you this example; in 2019, we had N125 billion given to the NASS and that is at the level of 1.42 percent of the N8.83 trillion.

“In 2020, we had N128 billion given to National Assembly. That was a reduction from 1.42 to 1.18 percentage of that N10.8 trillion.

“In 2021, we were given N134 billion which now represents 0.98 percent of N13.1 trillion but this year, we are given N134 billion again which is now representing 0.82 percent here,” he said.

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The Nigerian government has announced its plans to create mass vaccination centres in higher institutions of learning and religious houses.

The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja, Punch reports.

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According to Shuaib, the latest decision of the Federal Government to create the vaccination sites was due to the need to fast track vaccination in the country.

He said, “We have made plans to create mass vaccination sites and such sites include higher institutions like Universities, Polytechnics and also religious centres like churches. We will be putting structures in place to achieve this.”

Nigerians have kicked against compulsory COVID-19 vaccination by some state governments in the recent past, amidst plans by government authorities to enforce the vaccination on civil servants and the populace.

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