Kidnapping: Evans, others know fate today [Sun]
Justice Hakeem Oshodi of Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja will today rule on the no-case submissions made by co-defandants of Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, in their ongoing kidnap and murder trial.
At the last sitting, Justice Oshodi had ordered an Office of Public Defender counsel, E.E. Okonkwo, who was in court, to take over Evans’ defence since Evans could not hire a lawyer.
Evans’ co-defendants, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba, had filed no-case submissions, asking the court to dismiss the charges against them. The second defendant, Uche Amadi, however, did not file a no-case submission.
The defence counsels, Roger Adewole, Olanrewaju Ajanaku, M.C. Izokwu and Emmanuel Ochai, told the court that no prima facie case has been established against the defendants by the prosecutor and urged the court to dismiss the case accordingly.
Responding, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), asked the court to dismiss the no-case submissions of the four co-defendants. He said: “The defendants are asking the court to do something that cannot be done.
“They are asking the court to analyse evidence and go beyond the window that no-case submissions requires. All that the court needs to do is to show that there is prima facie evidence. There is before the court legally admittable prima facie evidence enough for the defendants to enter their defence. I urge the court to dismiss all the applications and that the defendants proceed to enter into their defence.”
Evans, who was arraigned alongside five others on August 30, 2017, on two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping, has changed lawyers at least five times during the course of his trial. Some of the lawyers, who represented Evans, include Olukoya Ogungbeje, Noel Brown and Olanrewaju Ajanaku.
Reacting to the absence of his defence counsel, Justice Oshodi noted that Evans had developed a habit of engaging the services of lawyers, who “disappeared halfway through trial” and this has caused delays in the case.
He said: “There are five other defendants with different counsel. The interest of the first defendant (Evans) is not superior to those of the other defendants. The court will not breach Section 36(6) of the 1999 constitution by going ahead with today’s business of the court, which is the hearing of the no-case submissions.”
Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until August 14, today for ruling and possible continuation of trial.
War in NBC over new code [Sun]
- Board chair hits Lai Mohammed, NBC boss
- Commission fines radio station N5m for airing ex-CBN deputy gov’s interview
All is not well with the Ministry of Information and Culture as Minister, Lai Mohammed, has come under fire from Chairman of the Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Alhaji Ikra Bilbis, who has dismissed the recently unveiled code as an illegality. Briefing journalists in Abuja, Bilbis stated that the move by the duo of Mohammed and\ Acting Director-General of the NBC, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba was nothing but usurpation of the powers vested on the NBC.
He said the sixth edition of the NBC code which he termed Mohammed’s version, fell short of basic regulation-making and standards since it was characterised by indifference to stakeholder’s inclusiveness.
This came as NBC slammed N5 million on Nigeria Info 99.3FM. NBC had cited alleged unprofessional conduct of Nigeria Info 99.3FM, in the handling of the programme, “Morning Cross Fire” aired on August 10.
“The station provided its platform for the guest, Dr. Mailafia Obadiah, to promote unverifiable and inciting views that could encourage or incite to crime and lead to public disorder,” it said.
However, Bilbis, former minister of information and communications, said Mohammed breached the schedule of his legal responsibility when he amended the code in a manner that threatened to destroy investments and lead to loss of jobs in the country.
He disclosed that none of the past ministers of information interfered with the review of the code, even as he said the NBC Act empowered the commission to regulate industry practice standards other than the minister.
He added that the process of the code review, which holds every four years is usually marked by the involvement of past directors-general, retired directors and staff of the NBC, broadcast organisations and media scholars.
Bilbis also said the new amendment was at the instance of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) because FEC wanted the NBC strengthened in order to ensure that NBC can stop a repeat of the divisive broadcasts the nation witnessed before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
He added that based on the decision of FEC, President Muhammadu Buhari, approved the review of the code which Mohammed later misunderstood.
“Instead of studying and following the law, relevant rules and regulations, and direct the appropriate authorities as stipulated by the law to act on, he erroneously embarked on the review alone.
“The minister has constantly dropped the name of President Muhammadu Buhari as having approved his own version of the code review. The NBC Code is a regulatory framework put together jointly by stakeholders to guide their operations in the industry. It is therefore not a unilateral government instrument and is already covered by law, hence not requiring any further presidential approval.
“This might be the reason why till date, the minister cannot show us a copy of the presidential approval,” Bilbis said.
Meanwhile, outrage and wild condemnations have greeted the imposition of N5 million on a Lagos-based radio station.
Reacting, the International Press Centre (IPC), in a statement by its Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said NBC gave the impression that it was the radio station that put the words in the mouth of the guest and went on to impose a fine without any evidence whatsoever that the alleged statement had degraded any person or groups of persons, which would have amounted to hate speech.
“Even if a case of hate speech can be established, it is totally out of place in a democratic setting that NBC would be the one to accuse, prosecute and judge its own case against the station.”
He said the hefty fine represented an assault on media independence, freedom of expression and the right of citizens to know about issues of public interest. He demanded the immediate reversal of the decision saying it was the only path of honour left for the NBC to follow having embarrassed itself with the unreasonable fine against the radio station.
The Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, also flayed the fine as misuse of power.
He questioned the sections of the broadcast code said to have been violated by Nigeria Info 99.3FM, saying, “those rules, are they being made for the sake of Nigeria?”
The former president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also said he was one of those who believed that Mailafia was not the first person to voice out his recent comment.
He noted that others have said similar things, including a former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma (retd) who was even more direct almost two years ago.
Onaiyekan also said not only nothing being done to remedy the situation, but much has been happening that seemed to even confirm the allegations made by Mailafia.
“That is misuse of power. That means when we are talking to any radio station, we should never say anything that government doesn’t like to hear because this is what it boils down to.
“I think somebody should advise them in government that this is not the way to stop unpalatable news moving around. The best thing for government to do is not to allow anything to happen that can lead to this kind of discussion.
“But I do hope too because Mailafia has stood by his words and the Northern Governors Forum have asked for investigation and I think even Mailafia wants proper investigation and I too and all the peace loving Nigerians, we want this terrible allegation to be investigated seriously and put to rest.” Onaiyekan also said.
Senior lawyers, Mr Femi Falana, Chief Mike Ozekhome, Paul Ananaba, Seyi Sowemimo and others also described the sanction as illegal.
According to Falana: “The NBC Board Chairman has said the fine was not approved by the Board. More importantly, the Board cannot accuse a criminal suspect with criminal offence, prosecute, convict and impose a fine. The investigation being conducted into Dr. Obadiah’s interview by the State Security Service has not been concluded. So, why was the NBC in a hurry to violate the fundamental right of the broadcasting station to fair hearing?”
Mike Ozekhome:
“Armageddon is here. Nigerians should not be surprised; many years ago, I predicted that when they finish with the judiciary, opposition parties and human rights activists, they will come for the press. It is a sign of despotism. It amounts to gagging the press. When government fails, it blame everybody except it. They are looking for scapegoat. The man (Mailafiya) did no wrong. He did not say anything new except that he is an elite and Oxford educated person who should know. Aside that, do they not know the gravity of paying ransom to Boko Haram which the bandits in turn use to buy arms. The matter should be challenged in Court.”
Paul Ananaba
“It is an opportunity for the law to be tested in court so there can be judicial interpretation of what hate speech is. The radio station should challenge the matter in court and all the journalism associations should ask to be joined as interested parties. It is only a court that is competent to find one guilty.”
Monday Ubani
“It is obnoxious, absurd. The station cannot be guilty. If at all, anything is wrong, it should be the man. But he did not say anything wrong except telling the government the truth. Who determines what hate speech is. If not challenged, it then means that anytime, anyone makes statement unfavourable to the government; he should be tagged to have made hate speech.”
Seyi Sowemimo
“It is an attempt to gag the press. I don’t think it is right. It is not the court that will determine who is guilty of hate speech. It is very strange and unbelievable and portents serious danger to our freedom of speech. It is illegal, unconstitutional and very astonishing.”
Charles Enwelunta
“It is an aberration and absurd. How can an interviewer on a live programme know what the respondent will say when you cannot determine what another person has in mind? Let them challenge it in court. It amounts to gagging the press.”
Kabiru Akingbolu: The imposition of fine by the NBC is rather unfortunate for a lot of reasons. One, we are not in military regime. Secondly, imposition of fine on the radio station in the circumstances is most uncalled for and smacks of unconscious invitation to anarchy. Thirdly and worse still, it’s a technical way of gagging the press and finally, the NBC does not have the vires to impose fine apart from a court of law.
Our suspension charade, abuse of power – Anambra traditional rulers [Sun]
Anambra traditional ruler, under the aegis of concerned traditional rulers, have described their suspension by Governor Willie Obiano as charade and abuse of power.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the traditional rulers, who were suspended for one year by the state government for yravelling to Abuja to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari said they didnt commit any act to warrant being suspended.
Speaking on behalf of the 12 suspended traditional rulers, HRH Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, Igwe Nawfia, said: “We state categorically that we have not committed any act to warrant being suspended.
“This is to say the least an abuse of power and high handedness by the Igwe in connivance with the state government that has become increasingly desperate as the Governor Willie Obiano administration winds to a close.”
Igwe Nwankwo said there was nothing wrong in visiting President Muhammadu Buhari.
He queried: “What was wrong about our commendational visit to President Mohammadu Buhari on the good things he has been doing for the South East Zone and the Igbos to be precise?
“We also thanked him for the appointment of notable Igbo sons and daughters into important positions in government since he became President. Is this an offense?
“The Second Niger bridge had been presented as an impossible task by previous administrations but it is now becoming a reality under his watch as it is almost nearing completion. And we also appreciated him for this.
“We know that the project is very dear to our hearts because it is a key component of boosting business activities between the people of the South East and the entire country. Where did we go wrong here?
“The Enugu- Onitsha expressway that the Buhari administration is rehabilitating is another magnificent reason we went to thank the president.”
He said because of what the President has done, they felt that it was incumbent on them to express their appreciation to him on behalf of the entire people of the area and to urge him to do more for the zone.
Tje traditional rulers said: “Where have we committed a crime in these laudable efforts? On what ground is the Igwe and the state government now witch hunting us?
“All what we have done were in exercise of our fundamental human rights and we emphasis that no one can take that from us. Freedom of speech, freedom of movements are all enshrined in our constitution and grand norm. Any attempt against these would amount to muzzling the traditional institutions and we cannot accept that.”
Boko Haram governor: Don’t sweep Mailafia’s allegations under the carpet, ACF tells govt [Punch]
- Middle Belt youths laud ex-CBN deputy gov for insisting on allegations
- Don’t make hero out of Mailafia, Dean, Borno Concerned Elders advises govt
The pan-northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, on Thursday, advised government not to sweep recent allegations by a former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor, Dr. Obadia Mailafia, under the carpet.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Emmanuel Yawe, in an interview with The PUNCH, said the allegation by Mailafia that a northern governor was a Boko Haram leader was weighty and should be “screened.”
The former CBN deputy governor, in an interview with a radio station, Nigeria Info 99.3 FM, had said some repentant terrorists revealed to him that a serving northern governor was a Boko Haram commander.
He said, “Some of us also have our intelligence networks. I have met with some of the bandits. We have met with some of their high commanders, one or two who have repented. They have sat down with us not once, not twice.
“They told us that one of the northern governors was the commander of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Boko Haram and the bandits are one and the same.”
Mailafia was on Wednesday quizzed for several hours by the Department of State Services in Jos. After leaving the DSS office, the ex-deputy governor of the CBN said he would not retract the statement he made.
In the interview with The PUNCH, the ACF spokesman, Yawe, said the allegations coming from a former CBN deputy governor were weighty and should be “screened.”
According to him, Nigeria cannot afford to sweep such allegations under the carpet. He hailed the DSS for inviting Mailafia.
The ACF spokesman said, “Given his status as former deputy governor (of the CBN) and the weight of the allegations he raised, the DSS did the correct thing in inviting Obadia Mailafia.
“He owes it to the country to shed more light on these allegations. We cannot afford to sweep such allegations under the carpet.
“Boko Haram has killed many people, destroyed the lives of many Nigerians, foreigners and Nigeria’s image in the comity of nations. The allegation that a governor who swore by the constitution and the holy book to defend the lives and property of the citizenry is behind such a satanic group is repugnant and must be properly screened.
“Additionally, we fought a costly civil war in terms of human lives and materials between 1967 and 1970. If there is any information that a group is planning a civil war, we should do all we can to verify such information and abort the plan. We cannot afford a second civil war.”
Name gov leading B’Haram, northern coalition advises Mailafia
On its part, the Coalition of Northern Groups, challenged Mailafia to go ahead and name the northern governor who was the commander of Boko Haram.
According to the CNGs, the fact that Mailafia is sticking to his guns even after his arrest called government to question.
He stated, “For instance, he should disclose the name of the northern governor and the extent of involvement of government as he claimed.”
Spokesperson for the CNGs, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, stated these in an interview with one of our correspondents in Kaduna on Thursday.
The CNGs said, “We look at the Mailafia saga from two perspectives. One is the direct accusation of the involvement of government and in particular, a serving northern governor with the unceasing insecurity and other disturbances in the region. The fact that Mailafia is sticking to his guns even after the arrest has certainly called government to question”.
“The man has made a serious commitment by claiming that he has reliable intelligence of the existence of such dangerous plot. The authorities should get him to prove his claims, perhaps he can even assist the government.”
Middle Belt youths laud Mailafia for insisting on allegations
But the Middle Belt Youth Council condemned the DSS for inviting Mailafia.
The National President of the Middle Belt Youth Council ,Emma Zopmal, who spoke to one of our correspondents in Jos on Thursday, said the Middle Belt people were happy that Mailafia did not retract his statement.
He stated, “ We in Middle Belt are happy that the former CBN deputy governor did not retract his statement despite the invitation meant to intimidate him by the DSS because what he said was nothing but the truth. And we are not surprised by his statement at all”
On his part, a member of the eighth National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, warned the Federal Government and state governors against harassing the former CBN deputy governor.
Sani stated in an interview with journalists on Thursday after receiving the ‘Africa’s Legend of Human Rights,’ award from the Human Rights Writers Association in Abuja.
He stated that government should not make Mailafia a scapegoat after failing to stop Boko Haram insurgency and violence in the northern part of Nigeria.
At the event, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, stressed that the government had no right to harass Mailafia.
He urged the media to stand in solidarity with Nigeria Info 99.3FM and protest the N5m slammed on the radio station by the National Broadcasting Commission for airing the programme for which Mailafia was invited.
Sani said, “This is a democracy, people in the position of power must learn to respect the fundamental rights of citizens as guaranteed by the constitution of this country.
“We shouldn’t use Mailafia as a scapegoat or an excuse. Mailafia is not responsible for the insurgency and the violence, he is only expressing his opinion and that should be respected.”
Don’t make hero out of Mailafia, Borno Concerned Elders dean advises govt
But the Dean of Borno Concerned Elders, Prof Khalifa Dikwa, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said the DSS could decipher Mailafia’s statement as that of a politician preparing for the 2023 presidency.
Dikwa stated, “His (Mailafia) outburst may have been made after he was shown some deceitful theatrics by a political interest or foreign troublemaking intelligence which chose a dramatis personae to act like real repentant Boko Haram, planning to invade a region for a false propaganda to take over the media space as if it is real.”
“We are dealing with some bad political actors who are readily willing to heat the polity with ethno-religious sentiments, rather than wait for 2023 elections because they cannot galvanise votes in a democracy where numbers matter.”
He advised government not t make a hero out of Mailafia. Dikwa recalled that a former President while in office once alleged that there were Boko Haram members in his cabinet.
Second recession in four years looms, says FG [Punch]
- Hints at debt sustainability crisis
The Federal Government has said the likelihood of Nigeria sliding into another recession in the Third Quarter of 2020, making it the second time within four years.
The government said the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in crash of global oil prices among other economic factors had adversely affected the nation’s economy, with the Gross Domestic Product growth for Q2 most likely to be negative.
The Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba, said this in Abuja on Thursday at the beginning of a five-day interactive session on the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper.
The event was organised by the House of Representatives’ Joint Committee on Finance; Appropriation; National Planning and Economic Development; and Aids, Loans and Debt Management.
The World Bank had in July warned that the collapse in oil prices resulting from COVID-19 pandemic was expected to plunge the Nigerian economy into a severe economic recession, the worst since the 1980s.
The global bank had stated this in its latest Nigeria Development Update.
Agba had read out a written presentation by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, titled ‘Draft 2021-2023 MTEF/FSP: Presentation to the House Finance Committee.’
The minister said the Nigerian economy faced serious challenges in the first half of 2020 with the microeconomic environment significantly disrupted by the pandemic.
The document partly read, “The impact of these developments is about 65 per cent decline in projected net 2020 government revenues from the oil and gas sector, with adverse consequences for foreign exchange inflows into the economy.
“Nigeria is exposed to spikes in risk aversion in the global capital markets, which will put further pressure on the foreign exchange market as foreign portfolio investors exit the Nigerian market.
“Nigeria’s Q2 GDP growth is in all likelihood negative, and unless we achieve a very strong Q3 2020 economic performance, the Nigerian economy is likely to lapse into a second recession in four years, with significant adverse consequences.
“In response to the developments affecting the supply of foreign exchange to the economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria adjusted the official exchange rate to N360/USD1, and more recently to N379/USD.
“The disruptions in global trade and logistics would negatively affect Customs duty collections in 2020.
“The COVID-19 containment measures, though necessary, have inhibited domestic economic activities, with consequential negative impact on taxation and other government revenues.
“Consequently, the projections for Customs duty, stamp duty, Value Added Tax, and Company Income Tax revenues were recently reviewed downwards in the revised 2020 budget.
“Customs revenue has generally performed close to target over the last few years, exceeding target in 2019.”
While noting that there had been some improvement in Company Income Tax and VAT remittances, the minister said the Federal Government expected significant improvements in VAT collections with the new VAT rate of 7.5 per cent.
The minister said, “Over the past five years, actual revenue performance averaged 61.4 per cent.
“Some of our reforms are yielding positive results, with significant improvements between 2018 and 2019. We believe we can do more to improve revenues, especially remittances from GOEs, possibly up to N1tn per annum.”
Speaking on the key assumptions of the MTEF/FSP, the minister, among other, said, “Inflation, however, is expected to remain above single digit over the medium term, given the structural issues impacting on cost of doing business, including high cost of distribution.”
On management of the fiscal crisis, the minister noted that fiscal measures were being instituted to improve government revenue and entrench a regime of prudence, with emphasis on achieving value for money.
“The goal of fiscal interventions will be to keep the economy active through carefully calibrated regulatory/policy measures designed to boost domestic value addition, de-risk the enterprise environment, attract external investment and sources of funding, etc.,” the minister stated.
The minister noted that the draft 2021-2023 MTEF/FSP was prepared against the backdrop of a global recession and heightened global economic uncertainty.
The document further read, “The medium-term outlook for Nigeria suggests that fiscal risks are somewhat elevated, largely due to COVID-19 related disruptions, which have exacerbated structural weaknesses in the economy.
“Nigeria faces significant medium-term fiscal challenges, especially with respect to its revenues, which, if not addressed, could snowball into a debt sustainability crisis.”
Already, Nigerians are becoming agitated by the rising debt profile of the country, with the National Assembly raising concerns over external loan agreements between Nigeria and global bodies, especially the China Export Import Bank.
Sacked UNILAG VC heads for court, leads workers’ protest [Punch]
The sacked Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, on Thursday led a protest against his removal by the governing council of the school.
The sacking of the vice chancellor was announced during the meeting of the Governing Council of UNILAG at the National Universities Commission in Abuja on Wednesday.
The meeting was chaired by the UNILAG Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of its Governing Council, Dr Wale Babalakin.
The Thursday protest was held by four unions of the university – the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, National Association of Academic Technologists, and Non-Academic Staff Union.
Ogundipe walked with the union members from the Senate building to the school’s gate.
Ogundipe, who later addressed the union members, said, “I remain dedicated to UNILAG. We are all builders and have all invested so much to this great university. I have been here for 30 years in different capacities. Let’s wait for the directives from the government. I remain a functional member of the union; we are enjoying peace here, let’s remain peaceful,” he said.
The unions also called on the Ministry of Education and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission to intervene in the crisis.
A statement jointly signed by the unions reads partly, “Our unions are using this medium to call on the Minister of Education and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission to stop this charade and lawlessness being perpetrated by the Dr Wale Babalakin-led University of Lagos Council given its potentials for causing disharmony and industrial instability in the University of Lagos.”
ASUU-UNILAG Chairman, Dr Dele Ashiru, also said, “We condemn in its totality the purported removal of our Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe. We affirm our absolute confidence in the leadership of Prof. Toyin Ogundipe as the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG.”
The NAAT Chairman, Mr Sulyman Lawal; NASU Chairman, Mr Ajibade Kehinde and SSANU Chairman, Mr Olusola Sowunmi, also voiced their disapproval of the removal of the VC.”
Ogundipe heads to court
Meanwhile, Ogundipe has engaged a prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, to file a suit to challenge his removal from office.
His letter of instruction dated August 12, 2020, and addressed to Ozekhome, was seen by our correspondent on Thursday.
Ogundipe stated in the letter that the act was without due process and contrary to the university’s Act.
His instruction to Ozekhome on his official letterhead reads in part, “I hereby formally brief you to institute legal proceedings against the council, pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos, and others based on their illegal and unconstitutional act of purportedly removing me from office as the vice chancellor of the University of Lagos.
“I honestly believe that this action was carried out without due process and contrary to the university’s Act and other extant laws governing discipline, suspension and removal of the vice chancellor of the university.
Ozekhome confirmed receiving Ogundipe’s instructions to challenge his sacking in court.
Senate rejects VC’s removal
Also, UNILAG Senate has rejected Ogundipe’s removal as the institution’s VC.
In a resolution on Thursday, the top decision-making body of the institution passed a vote of no confidence in the council led by Babalakin and called for its dissolution.
The body also rejected the appointment of an acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Theophilus Soyombo.
The resolution was signed by the Senate Chairman, Prof. Chioma Agomo, and five other members: Prof. Dele Olowokudejo, Prof. Oluwole Atoyebi, Prof. Folasade Akinsola, Prof. Lucian Chukwu and Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa.
“Due process was not followed in the purported appointment of the acting vice chancellor as the Senate was neither informed nor invited to forward its recommendation to council.
“Its functions and its powers have been completely appropriated by the council in breach of the law.
“Senate resolved to reaffirm its confidence in Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos,” the statement said.
Governors blame past leaders, clerics for banditry [Nation]
- ‘Why Southern Kaduna killings persist’
JIGAWA State Governor Abubakar Badaru and his Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday blamed the rising insecurity in parts of the North on past governors and clerics.
While Abubakar said that past governors were lackadaisical in adopting policies and laws guiding herdmen and farmers, El-Rufai accused the religious leaders of using “their platforms and revered positions to divide and incite violence.”
The two governors spoke at different events in Gagarawa and Kaduna. However, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) said the failure of the government to execute Maj. -Gen. Zamani Lekwot was responsible for the recurring crises in Southern Kaduna.
Gen. Lekwot and some people were sentenced to death for their roles in the 1992 Zangon-Kataf crisis but were pardoned by past military regimes.
The military has however-deployed Special Operations Forces in the troubled Southern Kaduna to combat the escalating killings by bandits in the Christian-dominated part of the state.
At the launch of a Social Intervention Programme (SIP) for additional 18 local governments in Jigawa State, Abubakar lamented that insecurity was on the rise in the North because past governors exhibited lackadaisical attitudes towards adopting policies that could foster harmonious relationship between herders and farmers.
His words: “Lack of good and deserving policies and not taking timely and adequate measures on forest and grazing reserves by some past state governments worsened security in many states”.
Abubakar, however, exempted two former governors of the state – Saminu Turaki and Sule Lamido – for laying ”good foundations for the maintenance of peace in the state, especially between herdsmen and farmers.”
In Kaduna, El-Rufai shocked visiting Primate of Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Rev.Henry Ndukuba and his team when he told them that some religious leaders had in the past 40 years been the drivers of violence and religious intolerance in the state.
He said: ‘’The Primate is aware of the history of violence and religious intolerance in this state. Our study of the situation over four decades has shown that the main drivers of this violence are a few clerics that use their platforms, not to preach peaceful co-existence or promote our common humanity.
‘’Rather, they use their platforms and revered positions to divide and incite violence. I was sad to hear from the Primate, that he was a victim in 1987, when his house was burnt down in Wusasa.’’
The governor, who was responding to comments by the Primate, thanked him and his delegation for the visit. lamenting that the state was going through challenging times, he said that the visit ‘’is an indication of the positive role that religion can play to unite our people. This has been the overriding objective of this state government.’’
El-Rufai added: ‘’In those days, the Primate will recall, that this sort of violence starts from one part of the state and then spread all over the state. One credit that this government gets from everyone,including our adversaries, has been our ability to contain these outbreaks to their points of origin..”
Rev. Ndukuba recalled that as a resident of Kaduna State, he was a victim of the 1987 religious violence when his house was burnt.
He said: “The Church of Nigeria stands for peaceful co-existence and the ability of people to pursue their enterprise wherever they may be -whether North, South, East, West—any part of this country.”
The Prelate called on all Nigerians to abide by the tenet of their faith by showing consideration for others.
Also yesterday, SCSN called for a revisit of the death sentence passed on Lekwot and others for their involvement in the 1992 Zango-Kataf bloody crisis.
It argued during a news conference by its Secretary , AbdurRahman Hassan,that the pardon granted them by the military administrations of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha had encouraged some people to engage in killings in the Southern Kaduna.
The group said: “We want those pardoned in 1992 during Zango-Kataf crises, after being condemned to death to be executed now because that is the only way peace will return to the area.
”After every crisis, a commission of enquiry will be formed, report will be submitted to the government of the day, yet to no avail. For instance, the late Justice Pius Okadigbo’s tribunal on the Zangon-Kataf crises found Maj.-Gen. Lekwot and others guilty of the massacre that took place there and were sentenced to death, but they were later pardoned by the Gen. Babangida administration. That was what opened the floodgate of violence, which is ravaging the area till now, because some people felt they are above the law.
“The council has been saying, time without number, that all those found guilty in these crimes against humanity must face the wrath of the law.”
When contacted on the position of Shari’ah Council, the President of Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), Jonathan Asake simply replied: “I can’t comment on it without seeing the press statement”.
Special Operations Forces have been deployed to combat the escalating Southern Kaduna killings.
Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Ma.Gen. John Enenche, told reporters that the action was ”expected to achieve the desired result with the provision of credible and actionable intelligence specifically from primary sources”.
Enenche advised the people ” to cooperate with the security agencies by availing them with the required information that will be useful to our collective objective of taking out the criminals from the area.”
Govt: Nigeria’s economy risks return to recession [Nation]
Debt sustainability crisis likely
‘Businesses should key into N2.6tr package’
NIGERIA risks a return to recession — the second in four years — unless there is a strong third quarter economic performance, the Federal Government has warned.
It explained that another recession will come with grave consequences.
The government also warned that Nigeria faces significant medium-term fiscal challenges, especially in revenue generation, which if not immediately addressed, could snowball into a debt sustainability crisis.
Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba spoke yesterday at an interactive session organised by the House of Representatives Joint Committees on Finance, Appropriation, Budget and Economic Development as well as Loans and Debt Management.
Agba, who represented the Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said Nigeria is exposed to spikes in risk in the global capital markets.
According to him, this situation puts further pressure on the foreign exchange market as a result of foreign portfolio investors exit from the Nigerian market.
Agba admitted that the Nigerian economy faced serious challenges in the first half of this year, with the microeconomic environment significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the minister, crude oil prices declined sharply in the mild market, with Bonny Light crude oil price dropping from a peak of US$72 pb on January 7, 2020 to below US$20 in April. 2020 as a result of which the US$57 crude oil price benchmark on which the 2020 budget was based became unsustainable.
He said massive output cut by OPEC and its allies to stabilize the world oil market was another key development in the international crude oil market with Nigeria contributing about 300,000 bpd of production cuts.
The Minister explained that the Impact of these developments is about 65 per cent decline in projected net 2020 government revenues from the oil and gas sector, with adverse consequences for foreign exchange inûows into the economy.
He said in response to the developments affecting the supply of foreign exchange to the economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) adjusted the ofûcial exchange rate to N360/USD1, and more recently to N379/USD.
The minister maintained that the disruptions in global trade and logistics would negatively affect Customs duty collections in 2020, while the COVID-19 containment measures have inhibited domestic economic activities, with consequential negative impact on taxation and other government revenues.
As a result of this, he said, the projections for Customs duty, Stamp Duty, Value Added Tax, and Company Income Tax revenues were recently reviewed downwards in the revised 2020 budget, adding that in spite of the challenges, Customs revenue has generally performed close to target over the last few years, exceeding target in 2019 as well as some level of improvement in Company Income Tax and VAT remittances.
Agba said further that over the past five years, actual revenue performance averaged 61.4 per cent, adding that some government reforms are yielding positive results, with significant improvements between 2018 & 2019, saying “we believe we can do more to improve revenues, especially remittances from Government Owned Enterprises, possibly up to N1 trillion.
He said the key parameters as well as other macroeconomic projections during the medium term revenue and expenditure framework have been revised by the government in line with the emergent realities.
The minister maintained that “oil GDP growth rate has a strong positive correlation with real GDP growth in Nigeria. Consequently, changes in the underlying drivers of oil GDP will significantly affect real GDP performance.”
He said although Nigeria‘s total production capacity stands at about 2.5 mbpd, current crude production stands at about 1.4mbpd in compliance with the OPEC production quota), and an additional 300,000bpd of condensates, totaling about 1.7mbpd.
He added that the World Bank has projected that crude oil prices will rise gradually from an average of US$42 pb in 2021 to $44.5 pb in 2022, and US$47 pb in 2023, while EIA expects Brent crude oil prices to average $41 pb during the second half of 2020 and $50 pb during 2021, reaching $53 pb by the end of 2021.
Agba said with oil price projected to remain low and volatile in 2020, and Nigeria’s compliancewith 0PEC cuts by reducing base production to between 1.412 mbpd and 1.579 mbpd from June to end of the year, growth in Oil GDP is expected to decline in 2020.
The Minister said the nominal GDP is expected to increase from N130,836.1 billion in 2020 to N132.1254 billion in 2021 and then up to N138,415.8 billion in 2023. Similarly, consumption expenditure ls projected to stay ûat at N118,735.2 billion in 2020 and N118,468 billion in 2021 and grew to N124,358iS billion by 2023, reûecting a gradual steadiness in the recovery.
He said inflation is expected to remain above single digit over the medium term, given the structural issues impacting on cost of doing business. He explained that fiscal measures are being instituted to improve government revenue and entrench a regime of prudence with emphasis on achieving value for money aimed at keeping the economy active through carefully calibrated regulatory/policy measures designed to boost domestic value addition, de—risk the enterprise environment, attract external investment and sources of funding, among others.
Agba said improving the tax administration framework to optimize government revenue has been a major thrust of the Administration’s Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative (SRGI), saying “we have included in the 2021 – 23 MTEF/FSP, a Tax Expenditure Statement (TES) overview which seeks to dimension the cost of tax waivers/concessions, and evaluate their policy effectiveness.
“To enhance Independent Revenue generation and collection, Government will optimize the potentials. operational and collection efûciency of GOEs with a view to generating igniûcantly higher revenues required to fund the FGN budget.
“Current revenue performance of GOEs will be addressed through the effective implementation of the enhanced Performance Management Framework. The key elements of the reform initiative include Performance Contracts for Chief Executive Ofûcers (CEOs) and key management staff, which will set ûnancial indicators and targets for each GOE
“The cost-to-revenue ratio of GOEs has by a Presidential directive been limited to a maximum of 60 per cent-70 per cent. While regular monitoring and reporting of revenue and expenditure performance of GOEs will be undertaken by both the Budget Office of the Federation and the Ofûce of the Accountant General of the Federation”
He said the Finance Bill 2020, which will accompany the 2021 Budget Proposal, will contain measures to advance the SRGI, saying “we shall also work closely with the National Assembly to amend relevant laws that need to be amended to help with the SRGL.
“We have revised the 2020 FGN budget and will accelerate implementation to maintain budget credibility, enhance GDP growth and promote social inclusion. The draft 2021 — 2023 MTEF/FSP has been prepared against the backdrop of a global recession and heightened global economic uncertainty.
“The draft 2021-2023 Medium Term Fiscal Framework shows that there are continuing global challenges due to the COVlD-19 pandemic. The medium-term outlook for Nigeria suggests that ûscal risks are somewhat elevated, largely due to Covid-19 related disruptions which have exacerbated structural weaknesses in the economy.
U.S visa restriction: we’ve progressed on resolving misunderstanding, says Buhari [Nation]
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said Nigeria had made progress in resolving issues that led to the suspension of the issuance of the United States (U.S.) “immigrant visas” to Nigerian passport holders.
The President spoke in Abuja while receiving the report of the Committee on Citizen Data Management and Harmonisation, chaired by Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola.
In statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari expressed delight that two of the six areas of concern raised by the U.S had been fully addressed.
The committee was set up in February to address those contentious issues.
The suspension, which came into effect on February 21, 2020, does not apply to other U.S visas, such as those for official, business, tourism and student travel.
Praising the committee for doing a good job, President Buhari assured Nigerians and the international community of the timely implementation of the committee’s recommendations after due consideration.
The committee had, among other things, recommended the establishment of a National Criminal Information Management, fashioned after the INTERPOL, and a National Criminal DNA Laboratory, to aid criminal investigation, administration of criminal justice as well as sharing of relevant information.
“An effective Citizen Data Management System is critical for socio-economic planning, improved service delivery and good governance, as well as national and global security. It also has the over-arching benefit of enhancing integrity of the nation’s citizens’ identity instruments for the purpose of information sharing,” he said.
Aregbesola, who listed the reasons for setting up the committee on February 3, 2020, said: “It is our hope that the findings, strategies and implementation plans proffered, if fully implemented, will expedite the lifting of the visa restrictions while bequeathing to the nation an enduring identity management system.”
We Did Not Endorse Reviewed NBC Code – Board [Leadership]
The Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has said that the purported review of the 6th edition of the NBC Code was not endorsed by it, and therefore, cannot be used in regulating broadcasting in Nigeria.
Addressing newsmen on the reported amendment to the 6th edition of the NBC Code, the chairman of the board, Ikra Bilbis, said that the com- mission was set up by law and there is an Act that guides its operations.
Biblis said that the minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, cannot
usurp the powers of the board as clearly stated in the Act.
He said that any such action by the minister is illegal, adding that the “board of the NBC wishes to make it quite clear that as long as it is in place, the only NB Code that will be recognised in the setting of operating policies and standards for the NBC, is the 6th
edition of the NB Code which was launched in 2019 in Kano.”
The chairman said that any ‘’other purported review has no board endorsement and there- fore cannot be utilised in regulating broadcasting in Nigeria. ‘’From the history, traditions and convention of the NBC, no minister of Information has ever interfered in any NB Code review.
‘’After the 2019 presentation of the 6th code (which is the present one) the minister has acted alone with just a handful of his loyalists who have written a new NB Code that has created an uproar in the industry, threatening to destroy investments and lead to job losses.
West Bank: Israel, UAE Reach Historic Deal [Leadership]
Israel and the United Arab Emir- ates (UAE) have agreed to normalise diplomatic relations, United States President (US) President Donald Trump has announced.
A joint statement by Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Mohammed Al Nahyan,
said that they hoped the “historic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East.”
As a result, they added, Israel would suspend its controversial plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.
Until now ,Israel has had no diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab countries.
However, shared concerns over Iran’s regional influence have led to unofficial contacts between them. In response to President Trump’s announcement, Netanyahu tweeted in Hebrew: “Historic Day.”
The UAE’s ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba, said that it was “a win for diplomacy and for the region.”
“It is a significant advance in Arab-Israeli relations that lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change,” he added.
But a senior Palestinian official, Hanan Ashrawi, condemned the deal, saying the UAE had “come out in the open on its secret dealings/ normalisation with Israel” and telling Prince Mohammed: “May you never be sold out by your ‘friends’.”
It marks only the third Israel- Arab peace deal since Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948. Egypt signed one in 1979, and Jordan in 1994.
7 Family Members Die Of Food Poisoning In Zamfara [Leadership]
Seven members of a family on Wednesday night died of food poisoning in Auki village of Bungidu local government area of Zamfara State.
The family, comprising two housewives and their five children died after tak- ing their dinner which was made of tuwon dawa (guin- ea corn food).
Narrating the sad incident to journalists, an indigene of the area, Mohammed Mas,ud said that the family developed serious stomach disorders immediately after eating their dinner and three of them died instantly.
Other members of the family were rushed to General Hospital, Bungudu, where the remaining four also died.
The medical director of the hospital, Dr. Gambo Tsafe, confirmed that investigation conducted by the hospital showed that the deceased died of food poisoning as a result of consumption of contaminated food.
Gambo explained that the deceased were vomiting and passing diarrhoea when they were brought to the hospital and all efforts to save their lives proved abortive.
The husband, Hassan Lawali, who did not eat the food as he was not in the house, has develop serious mental challenges and could no longer speak.
He was said to have gone mad when he re- turned home and discovered the terrible situation of his family.