Senate Moves To Whittle President, Govs’ Immunity [LEADERSHIP]
In its apparent search for good governance and accountable leadership, the Senate has taken steps to exclude the president, vice president, state governors and their deputies from enjoying certain privileges under the controversial immunity clause in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
If the Upper House succeeds in its quest to amend the nation’s constitution to reflect its intention, any future Nigerian president, vice president, governor and deputy governor accused of corruption and other criminal offences shall face prosecution in the law court.
This is because they will no longer be protected by the provisions of section 308 of the Nigerian constitution, which confer immunity on them.
The decision to strip the president and governors of immunity from trial in the law court while still office was taken by the Senate yesterday during a debate on a “Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to qualify criminal liability for certain public officers under Section 308 and for related matters, 2020.”
The bill is sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central).
The bill excludes immunity for public officers referred to in section 308 from criminal liability where the offence involves misappropriation of funds belonging to the federal, state or local government and also the use of thugs to foment violence.
According to the proposed law, “the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (in this Act referred to as the Principal Act) is altered as set out in this Act: “Section 308 of the Principal Act is altered by (a) substituting for subsection (2), a new subsection. (2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply – (a) to civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party; and (b) to persons who hold the office of vice president, governor or deputy governor, if it is determined either by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Nigerian Police and State Security Service through a collaborative investigation that the said person is indicted by a court of competent jurisdiction for:
“(i) Financial misappropriation of funds belonging to the federal, state or local government; or (ii) sponsoring of thugs to perpetrate violence that cause injury or death of a political opponent, a member of his family, agent or personal representative.
“(b) Inserting in subsection (3) in line 2 after the words “deputy governor”, a comma and the phrase “except where otherwise is stated. This Act may be cited as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration, No. 29) Act, 2020,” the bill added.
Sanusi Sues FG, Kano Govt Over Banishment, Detention [LEADERSHIP]
To enforce his fundamental human rights, dethroned Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has dragged the federal and Kano State governments before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
He asked the court to order his release and declare his banishment and detention in Awe town in Nasarawa State as unlawful.
In the suit, which he joined the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), the inspector-general of police (IGP) and the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Sanusi specifically prayed the court to release him from detention and confinement to Awe town.
In the suit brought pursuant to section 34, 35, 40, 41 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Order 4 Rule 4 of the Federal High Court, the former emir wants the court to restore his right to human dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association and movement in Nigeria apart from Kano State.
In the suit with no: FHC/ABJ/ CS/357/2020, filed by his counsel, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Sanusi further prayed the court to declare his “banishment to Nasarawa State as illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.”
Sanusi was on Monday, March 9, 2020, dethroned as the emir of Kano by the state government.
Shortly after his removal, he was banished to Loko village in Nasarawa State from where he was later moved to Awe town.
Anti-Amotekun Protest Rocks Lagos [LEADERSHIP]
Youths in their large numbers on Thursday took to the streets of Lagos to protest against the western Nigeria Security network codenamed Operation Amotekun already passed into laws in some states in the region, thereby paralysing commercial activities in Agege area of the state.
The group operating under the aegis of Yoruba Appraisal Group (YAG) organized a massive rally and commenced their procession from Women Development Centre in Agege down to Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja area of the state.
They said Amotekun is an instrument to perpetrate crime and make political gains for a few individuals masquerading as having the love of the people of the region at heart.
Speaking to journalists during the protest, spokesperson for the group, Chief Oloketuyi Joshua said the South West Governors are ignorant by throwing their weight and resources behind a security outfit whose real motive they were not aware of.
He said that the alarm raised by eminent Nigerians, including the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mallami Abubakar, the Convener of the Muslim Muslim Right Congress ( MURIC), Prof. Ishaq Akintola, former Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and the leadership of the Myetti Allah, Kautai Hore on the danger inherent in establishment of the South West Security initiative cannot be discountenanced.
“Amotekun has been hijacked by those who don’t mean well for Yoruba land and the country at large. They plan to hide under the guise of providing security to cause mayhem in the country, ” Oloketuyi said.
He said that all they want was to hijack control of security architecture adding that the individuals which he refused to name have successfully achieved with the security outfit.
He added that the security Initiative is a healthy development, which ordinarily, no right- thinking person should opposed, saying indications are clear enough to discern that Amotekun will eventually become the Frankenstein monster that the country won’t be able to control.
“ Having another rebellion from South West would be one crisis too many for a country still struggling to combat the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, Banditry and Cattle rustling in the North West and North Central area as well as militancy in the South South.
“The Plans is that once Amotekun gains foothold in the region, the new promoters and their foreign sponsors will now show their real colour, real intention by hounding other ethnic groups in the South West in the name of providing security in the region.
“In the process embark on a sort of ethnic cleansing and ultimately expelling other Nigerians from Yoruba land through force and violence, the backlash of which will be retaliation in the other region” he said.
12 SANs Lead Sanusi’s Freedom Battle, Hearing Begins Today [PUNCH]
- Ex-Kano Emir sues IG, DSS boss, fights to leave detention
- Soyinka hits Ganduje, says former CBN governor a reformer
- Nasarawa gov, emirs, security chiefs meet deposed monarch
The deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, on Thursday instituted a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order for his release from the post-dethronement detention and confinement.
The PUNCH learnt late on Thursday that former Emir’s preliminary ex parte application seeking an interim order for his release had been assigned to Justice Anwuli Chikere.
Barring any last-minute development, the judge will hear the ex parte application on Friday, our correspondent learnt.
The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Monday deposed Sanusi because of what the state government called “total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the state government.”
On Monday, the dethroned monarch was banished to Loko, a remote location in Nasarawa State. On Tuesday, he was relocated to Awe, where he is currently being detained in a guest house.
But Sanusi’s team of lawyers led by Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) on Thursday filed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/357/2020 before the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge his banishment and continued detention in Awe by security agencies.
The respondents to the application are, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi; the Attorney-General of Kano State, Ibrahim Muktar, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).
In the application, which is a prelude to the main suit, the deposed monarch specifically prayed for an interim order for the restoration of his rights to human dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association, and movement around Nigeria, apart from Kano State, pending the hearing and determination of his main suit.
“An interim order of this honourable court releasing the applicant from the detention and or confinement of the respondents and restoring the applicant’s rights to human dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association and movement in Nigeria, (apart from Kano State) pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s originating summons,” the prayer read in part.
Alleging a breach of their client’s rights provided under sections 34,35, 40, 41 and 46 of the Nigerian Constitution, Sanusi’s legal team comprising 12 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, contended, “the applicant’s fundamental right to life, human dignity, personal liberty and movement are seriously under challenge and continually being breached by the respondents.”
The battery of SANs comprises, Fagbemi; Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi; a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abubakar Mahmoud; Adeniyi Akintola, the incumbent NBA President, Paul Usoro; Ifedayo Adedipe, Dr. Garba Tetengi, Suraj Sa’eda, Funke Aboyade, Nesser Dangiri, Ernest Ojukwu, and H.O. Afolabi.
In addition to the interim order, the lawyers sought an order granting leave to the applicant to serve the order to be issued by the court and the main suit on the four respondents through substituted means.
He prayed for an order permitting him to deliver the processes meant for the IGP to any officer in his office at the police headquarters at Louis Edet House, Garki, Abuja, the ones for the DG DSS to any officer at the DSS headquarters at Aso Drive in Abuja, the ones for the AG of Kano State to any officer at state’s Ministry of Justice, Audu Bako Secretariat, Kano, and the ones for the AGF to any officer at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja.
His grounds for the application are, “The applicant’s originating motion and all other processes were filed on March 12, 2020.
“Considering the status of the respondents, it would be difficult to effect personal service on the first second and third respondents (IGP, DG of DSS), unless this application is granted.
Multiple Suits Threaten APC NEC Meeting, Crisis Deepens [PUNCH]
There was uncertainty on Thursday over the All Progressives Congress National Executive Committee meeting scheduled to hold on Tuesday as multiple lawsuits and injunctions worsened the crisis in the party.
On Thursday, the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered that the NEC meeting must not hold except a former Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi; Waziri Bulama and Paul Chukwuma, were allowed to attend.
This is just as another Federal High Court in Ekiti fixed March 23, 2020 for hearing in a suit challenging the appointment of Ajimobi as the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC.
Also on the contentious NEC meeting and the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, the Court of Appeal in Abuja will on Monday hear the appeal filed by Oshiomhole to challenge his suspension by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Jabi, Abuja, on March 4.
But in Lagos on Thursday, the Federal High Court in a ruling by Justice Mohammed Liman, restrained the APC and its officials from “disturbing, preventing or obstructing Bulama, Ajimobi and Chukwuma from carrying out their duties as acting national secretary, acting national deputy chairman (South) and acting national auditor of the APC, respectively.”
Gbajabiamila Begs ASUU, Lecturers Vow To Continue Strike [PUNCH]
The House Representatives on Thursday met with officials of the Federal Government and leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities over the ongoing two-week warning strike by ASUU.
The National President, Prof. Abiodun Ogunyemi, however, insisted that the strike would continue until the state chapters of the union agreed to accept the pleas by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, who led the leadership of the House to the meeting held at his office in Abuja on Thursday.
Ogunyemi said he would get back to the Speaker “early next week.”
The House had on Tuesday resolved to intervene in the crisis over the government’s failure to implement the agreements it reached with university lecturers in 2019.
The leadership of the House had consequently scheduled a meeting with the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Chris Ngige; and ASUU.
Gbajabiamila expressed concern that the strike by ASUU had dire consequences that could only be imagined, stating that students should not be allowed to face disruption in their academic pursuits.
Gbajabiamila, who suggested that the House should be part of the scheduled meeting between ASUU and the Federal ministries of Labour, Employment and Productivity; and Education, asked the Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund to attend the meeting.
The Speaker asked why the Federal Government could not meet its commitment more than 10 years after it signed an agreement with ASUU.
Gbajabiamila also appealed to ASUU to support the government’s efforts in the fight against corruption in the country by allowing its members on the IPPIS platform.
He said, “On the 2009 agreement, there has to be something called sanctity of agreement. But if you have an agreement and there’s dwindling revenue, how does the government respect that? But I’ll blame that on the part of government; and we’re a part of government, even though we didn’t sign an agreement with ASUU.
“On the issue of IPPIS, I’ve heard and read your position. Your union is even divided on this. Much as you argue that you can’t be part of IPPIS, we live in a country governed by laws. If government comes up with a policy for good, we should support that and be part of it. Honestly, much as you may have a point, I think the option may not be for you.
“Give the issue of IPPIS another thought, and if government can take care of your fears, I think you should agree on that. I’m appealing to ASUU that if you can hold on for the sake of our children, let us see what we can achieve in the next two weeks. This new agreement will be a tripartite agreement now. Give us that confidence.”
In his response, the ASUU President said it had become public knowledge that government could not respect the 2009 agreement it reached with the union, which resulted in disagreement with the union.
He said, “That is why ASUU is always reluctant to go on strike. The structures we are talking about are not in Abuja. People will have to come from different parts of the country. The best we can promise here is that you give us to early next week to consult and we’ll get back to you.”
On the IPPIS, Ogunyemi said it was in the interest of the nation that ASUU did not allow the Federal Ministry of Finance to impose the system on universities.
He said, “We challenge them to tell us anywhere in the world where IPPIS is implemented in the universities. IPPIS will shut the door against foreign scholars, contract officers and researchers that we need most dearly. We are opening new universities every day. Ask them how many competent scholars they have in the pool. They have to poach from existing universities.”
The Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), said ASUU did not notify the ministry before embarking on the strike, as required by the Trade Dispute Act.
‘Your protest against IPPIS needless’
Meanwhile, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has told striking ASUU to accept the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System.
Buhari, who spoke on Thursday at the 14th convocation ceremonies of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, described ASUU’s protest against the payment system as “needless.”
Represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, Buhari said IPPIS was not meant to diminish the university autonomy.
Buhari said the transparency which IPPIS sought to achieve should be an important moral pillar of all universities.
Naira Crashes In Value, Dollar Sells For N420 [PUNCH]
…CBN fines 100 BDCs over N5m each
On Thursday, the naira exchanged between N405 and N420 to a dollar in the Bureau De Change segment of the market.
The President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria, Aminu Gwadabe, said the crude oil price which fell drastically in the international market to as low as $35 per barrel, raised speculations among the BDC operators and Nigerians in general.
He said this caused speculations in the market which were not necessary.
Gwadabe said, “With the fall in oil crude oil prices on Monday, we witnessed a lot of foreign investors portfolio dropping their assets, most especially to convert to cash.
“The movement was as a result of recklessness on the side of the operators, when they want to speculate, but there is no reason for such because the Central Bank of Nigeria had continued to maintain support for liquidity to the BDC sub-sector.”
While noting that the dollar sold for as high as N400, he said sanity was gradually returning to the sector as it sold for N375 by the close of the day.
According to him, the CBN had maintained stability at N360 in more than three years.
He said in its meeting with the CBN on Thursday, the regulator warned the BDCs against contraventions.
The ABCON president disclosed that the CBN wanted to revoke the licences of some BDCs for various infractions but fined over 100 BDCs over N5m for various offences.
Another BDC operator who spoke with our correspondent said, “When we woke up on Monday, the exchange was still about N360, but all of a sudden, because of the fall in crude oil price, people were panicky.
“Today, we still sold for up to N420 but the price was fluctuating.”
Senate Moves To Strip President, Governors, Others Of Immunity [THE NATION]
SITTING Presidents will no longer enjoy immunity from criminal matters if the alteration being proposed to the 1999 Constitution by the Senate sails through.
Also to be affected are Vice-Presidents, governors and their deputies .
This followed the second reading of a Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to qualify criminal liability for certain public officers under Section 308”.
The bill sponsored by Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege ,contains the proposal.
The explanatory memorandum of the bill states : “This act provides for qualification of the immunity clause to exclude immunity for Public Officers referred to in Section 308 from criminal liability where the offence involves misappropriation of funds belonging to the Federal, State or Local Government and also the use of thugs to foment violence.”
Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) reads: “(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, but subject to subsection (2) of this section –
“(a) no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against a person to whom this section applies during his period of office;
“(b) a person to whom this section applies shall not be arrested or imprisoned during that period either in pursuance of the process of any court or otherwise; and
“(c) no process of any court requiring or compelling the appearance of a person to whom this section applies, shall be applied for or issued:
“Provided that in ascertaining whether any period of limitation has expired for the purposes of any proceedings against a person to whom this section applies, no account shall be taken of his period of office.
“(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party.
“(3) This section applies to a person holding the office of President or Vice-President, Governor or Deputy Governor; and the reference in this section to “period of office” is a reference to the period during which the person holding such office is required to perform the functions of the office.”
But Omo-Agege’s bill provides that a President, Vice-President, Governors and Deputy Governors shall lose their immunity if they are investigated by security and anti-graft agencies, including the courts.
The bill seeks that: “Section 308 of the Principal Act is altered by (a) Substituting for subsection (2), a new subsection “(2)” –
“(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply –
“(a) to civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party; and
“(b) to persons who hold the office of Vice-President, Governor or Deputy Governor, if it is determined either by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Nigerian Police and State Security Service through a collaborative investigation that the said person is indicted by a court of competent jurisdiction for:
“(i) Financial misappropriation of funds belonging to the Federal, State or Local Government; or
“(ii) Sponsoring of thugs to perpetrate violence that cause injury or death of political opponent, a member of his family, agent or personal representative.”
Also yesterday, a bill which prescribes a degree certificate as a minimum qualification for any one aspiring to the Office of the President also scaled second reading.
Senator Istifanus sponsored the bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the amendment of Sections 65 (2) (a), 131 (d), Section 106 (c) and Section 177 (d) therein, to provide for minimum qualification for election into the National and States Assembly, Office of the President and Governors, and other related matters, 2020.”
The bill seeks to alter Section 131 (d) of the 1999 Constotution which deals with minimum requirements for anyone running for the office of the President.
Section 131 (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states that the person seeking the office of the President must have “been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.”
The states: “Section 131 (d) is now rephrased to read: ‘He has been educated up to at least HND level or’ its equivalent.”
It also seeks to alter Section 65 (2) (a) of the Constitution which deals with the qualifications for intending members of the National Assembly.
Lassa Fever Death Toll Hits 144, Says NCDC [THE NATION]
Death toll from the latest round of Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has risen to 144, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said on Thursday.
Its Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was put at 16.8 per cent.
The NCDC said this is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2019’s 23.3 per cent, which highlights improved levels of detection and case management for Lassa fever across the country.
NCDC’s Director General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who gave an update on the disease, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that in Week 10, the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 85 cases in Week Nine in 2020 to 81 cases.
He said these were reported in 15 states of Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Enugu, Adamawa, Kaduna, Sokoto and Kebbi.
The NCDC DG said that in total for 2020, 27 states had recorded at least one confirmed case across 119 local government areas.
According to him, of all confirmed cases, 74 per cent are from Edo (34 per cent), Ondo (33 per cent) and Ebonyi (seven per cent).
Sanusi Sues Fed Govt, Kano Govt Over Banishment [THE NATION]
THE deposed Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II has challenged the restriction of his movement and banishment to Awe community in Nasarawa State.
He wants the court to declare the restriction of his movement, in the guise of banishment or otherwise, as unlawful.
The deposed Emir is praying the court to restore his right to dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association and movement.
The fundamental rights enforcement suit was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday by a team of about 30 lawyers, including 12 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) led by Prince Lateef Fagbemi.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kano State Attorney-General, the Department of State Services (DSS) Director-General and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) are the defendants.
Sanusi said respondents were violating his constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of movement.
He is praying the court to declare his banishment to Nasarawa as illegal and therefore null and void.
Naira Under Pressure [THE NATION]
- Investors convert assets to dollar
THE naira is facing one of its toughest times since 2017, the last time it was devalued. The naira was yesterday exchanging at N414 to dollar in the parallel market during the morning hours but recovered later in the evening to N370 to dollar.
However, the local currency remained firm at the official market, closing at N306.95 to dollar and closed at N366.75 to a dollar on the Investors and Exporters’ (I&E) Forex window.
President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, who confirmed the naira rates, said currency speculators and investors converting their naira asset to dollars are to blame.
According to Gwadade, many Nigerians and foreign investors, sensing the possible decline in the value of the naira, are moving their naira assets to dollars, to avoid erosion of value.
He said speculators had in their rush to accumulate dollars, pushed the local currency to new low at N414 to dollar before it made a surprise recovery at N370 to dollar at the parallel market.
He confirmed that the naira decline at the parallel market was linked to two major immediate factors: speculators buying dollars with hope of selling at higher margins and people coverting their naira to dollar assets.
The CBN, however, said the fundamentals in the market do not support devaluation of the naira.
“We wish to note with displeasure, the rumours and speculative activities of unscrupulous players in the foreign exchange market, borne out of the impression that the CBN is on the verge of devaluing the Naira, and triggering panic in the forex market. These rumours are false, unwarranted and calculated to serve their dubious and selfish ends,” the apex bank said in a stamens.
“The apex bank said it has begun a robust and coordinated investigation in collaboration with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and related agencies to uncover the unscrupulous persons and forex dealers who are creating this panic, and the full weight of our rules and regulations will be meted out to them, including, but not limited to, being charged for economic sabotage”
The CBN, said it had successfully maintained a relative stability in all segments of the foreign exchange market, which has enabled investors, households and other economic agents to plan and to conduct their genuine foreign exchange transactions with relative ease;
The drop in crude oil prices to $32.85 per barrel, the Coronavirus epidemic ravaging global economies, local and foreign investors dumping fixed-income assets and decline in the foreign exchange reserves are some remote reasons that brought the local currency under pressure.
Traders said more investors are worried about the value of the naira after oil prices plunged, pushing them to sell down their position on the debt and equity markets.
According to them, selling pressure on local debt had persisted because of worries by fund managers on the implications of the fall in oil prices on naira value.
The external foreign exchange reserves have declined to $36.18 billion by March 9, from $37.45 billion they were on February 10, this year.
Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg said the CBN will likely opt for a devaluation of between 10 per cent and 15 per cent.
Gwadabe said the measures taken by the CBN, including domiciliary account controls, are making it difficult for the asset movers, who are also finding a way out.
“Speculators have lost money today. Some people bought dollars at N414 in the morning hours planning to sell at higher rates. Later this evening, after CBN interventions and moves by ABCON, the rates were brought down to N370 to dollar this evening. The two things playing out against the Naira is speculation and people converting their Naira to dollars,” he told The Nation.
APC Governors Seek Buhari’s Position On ‘NEC Meeting’ [THE NATION]
- Court: admit Ajimobi, Bulama, Chukwuma – Appeal Court to hear Oshiomhole’s case Mon. – Chairman queries Giadom – Non-NWC members fault emergency NEC invitation
GOVERNORS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been consulting President Muhammadu Buhari on his position regarding the controversial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party called for Tuesday.
The state helmsmen are seeking to know the status of the meeting which many of them believe has been called illegally.
They are also seeking to know from the President whether he is disposed to the meeting.
The meeting, called by Deputy National Secretary Victor Giadom, does not enjoy the backing of National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole and other key members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Besides, it was learnt that the governors were worried about different injunctions or rulings obtained from different courts in Abuja, Kano and Lagos on the fate of the NEC meeting.
It was learnt that 10 out of 19 APC governors are behind National Chairman Oshiomhole in the power struggle within the ruling party.
Oshiomhole yesterday queried Deputy National Secretary Giadom for “illegally summoning” NEC session for Tuesday.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that as key stakeholders in the party, most of the governors were in the dark over the President’s disposition to the NEC meeting.
While some of the governors met with the President for clarification, a few others were busy coordinating how the controversial NEC meeting will hold.
Some others are on the sideline to read the body language of the President before deciding whether to attend or boycott the NEC meeting.
A top source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “Most of the governors are confused; they are looking to the President for direction in the light of conflicting rulings by FCT High Courts and Federal High Courts.
”Besides the legal factor, there are issues on the competence of the deputy national secretary to convene NEC meeting in violation of the APC Constitution.
”The conflicting roles of the Police have also created more confusion. Last Friday, Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu locked up the National Secretariat to prevent pro and anti-Oshiomhole elements from gaining access. He said he was awaiting the decision of the Court of Appeal.
”The police, however, since Monday have allowed those anti-Oshiomhole, led by Giadom, to move into the secretariat and hold meetings. Other members of the NWC, who are backing Oshiomhole, have been barred from the party secretariat.
”Some of the governors do not understand why the police changed its position and on whose authority they acted.
”This explains why some of these governors have consulted with the President because they do not want to act in a manner that will undermine him as the leader of APC.
”They also sought to know where the President stands on the situation.”
COVID-19: Forex Panic Buying Sends Naira Crashing [SUN]
- Traders blame loss on Black Monday …No naira devaluation now –CBN
Panic buying by foreign currency traders may have triggered another round of depreciation of the naira yesterday sending it to a low of N375 to $1 from N355 where it had traded since last year. Traders who spoke to Daily Sun attributed the naira’s sudden loss of value in virtually all segments of the foreign exchange market to the heat of falling crude oil prices.
The naira suffered its biggest daily depreciation of N8.5 against the USdollar in the parallel market since 2017, as the exchange rate rose sharply to N367 per dollar from N358.5.
At the Investors & Exporters (I&E) window, the exchange rate jumped to N368.33 per dollar from N366.75, losing N1.58, the biggest daily depreciation since 2017, when the window was introduced. Market operators said the development was triggered by sudden jump in dollar demand as many currency traders anticipate foreign exchange scarcity due to low inflow from crude oil sales in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak across the world. These, they believe, would lead to eventual devaluation of the naira by the Central Bank of Nigeria as it did in 2015.
Commenting on the naira depreciation, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, President of Association of Bureaux de Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) attributed it to panic buying by speculators
Stop Using My Name To Fleece People, Magu Warns [SUN]
Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has again warned unscrupulous persons and impostors dropping his name to extort money from members of the public to desist, or face the full wrath of the law.
The EFCC also restated its warning to members of the public to refrain from dealing with such conmen, who claim to wield influence and connection with Mr. Magu, and so promise a soft landing for them in matters being investigated by the commission.
EFCC said the warning is coming up again considering the continued use of Magu’s name and photographs for extortion, as fraudsters now extort huge sums of money from highly-placed public officials over sundry matters before the EFCC in the guise that they are highly connected to him and so can help “kill” investigation of petitions against them.
The commission said Magu has never instructed or appointed anybody, relation or staff of the commission, to act as a liaison between him and any person with a case/petition against them, under investigated by the commission, with the aim of scuttling any investigation.
As a forthright officer, who for decades has dedicated his life to the fight against corruption, Magu stated that, “I have not asked anybody to collect money on my behalf, as it is not in my character to compromise my stand against corruption.”
Magu has restated this at several fora, and therefore, once again, warned the general public to be circumspect, as such fraudulent individuals have no relationship whatsoever with him.
In the same vein, relatives and friends of persons under investigation by the EFCC have been warned not to fall for the antics of the impostors, whose conscience have been seared by the love for filthy lucre.
Confinement: Sanusi Hires 30 Lawyers To Battle IGP, DSS, AGF, Others [SUN]
- Deposed emir’s presence a blessing –Awe residents
Dethroned Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, has approached the Abuja division of the Federal High Court seeking an order for his release from detention and confinement.
In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/357/2020, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who is in Awe, Nassarawa State, where he had been banished by the Kano Government, is seeking for an interim order releasing him from detention and or confinement.
Specifically, in the suit filed by Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), yesterday, Sanusi is seeking for an interim order releasing him “from the detention and or confinement of the respondents and restoring the applicant’s rights to human dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association and movement in Nigeria (apart from Kano State) pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s originating summons.”
Listed as respondents in the fundamental rights enforcement suit are the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Service, the Attorney-General of Kano State and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
In the suit brought pursuant to section 34, 35, 40, 41 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution and Order 4 Rule 4 of the Federal High Court, the former emir wants the court to restore his right to human dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association and movement in Nigeria apart from Kano State.
A consortium of about 30 lawyers including 12 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, headed by Fagbemi is asking the court to declare Sanusi’s banishment to Nasarawa State as illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.
Sanusi was on Monday, March 9, 2020, dethroned as Emir of Kano by the State government.
Among others, Sanusi was accused of disrespect to authorities of Kano state government, disloyalty and absence from meetings without cogent reasons.
Shortly after his dethronement, he was banished to Loko village from where he was later moved to Awe town where he is currently under detention.
But residents of Awe have described his presence as a blessing as it has brought the community into limelight.
Malam Dauda Muhammad-Awa, said although he was initially shocked by the sad news of the emir’s removal, he considered himself lucky living in the same community with him.
Muhammad-Awa said since the arrival of Sanusi, people have been visiting from all parts of the country to see him.
Strike: FG Reaches Agreement With Lecturers On IPPIS [SUN]
The Federal Government has reached an interim agreement with striking university lecturers to integrate the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The IPPIS is the government’s accountability software that has been made compulsory for all public institutions, mainly for personnel payroll.
ASUU is opposed to the use of IPPIS for lecturers saying it does not consider some of the peculiar operations of universities. The lecturers’ union then developed its own UTAS which it wants the government to adopt for universities.
Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, announced the agreement after a four-hour meeting between both parties.
Mr Ngige said the two parties will reconvene on Monday after the ASUU delegation deliberates with its National Executive Council (NEC).
National President of ASUU, Biodun Ogunyemi, said the National Executive Committee of the union will review the conditions for the integration of UTAS into IPPIS .
However, both parties did not reveal the conditions to the media.
ASUU on Monday asked its members in federal universities across the country to begin two weeks warning strike in response to the government’s decision to stop the February salaries of lecturers who have not registered on the IPPIS platform.
Thursday’s meeting is the first by both parties since the strike commenced. Rising from a meeting with the leadership of the House of Representative earlier, ASUU had vowed to continue its two-week warning strike.
Ogunyemi, who was accompanied by other officials said the leadership cannot unilaterally call off the strike as they have to consult with the various organs of the union before such a decision could be reached.