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Labour issues warning to FG over fuel price hike

Bankole ABE
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Labour issues warning to FG over fuel price hike

THE Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a warning to the Federal Government over the hike in the pump price of petrol to N617.

NLC, in a statement by its President, Joe Ajaero, rejected the new pump price, describing it as provocative.

Ajaero said the hike was designed to worsen the poverty level in the country and further escalate the hardship Nigerians are passing through.

“We woke up this morning (Tuesday) to the news that NNPCL has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the hitherto draconian N500/liter to N617/litre.

“This is despite the suffering and hardship that Nigerians have had to go through as a result of the original hike on May 29, as part of President Tinubu’s inaugural gift to Nigerians.

“An 18 per cent increase in the price of fuel at this time of great difficulties for our people is sadistic and totally unacceptable.

“The NLC considers this most insensitive and horrendous and smirks of triumphalism by this government against the masses of this country.

“It looks like a feeling by those in government that the people have become a conquered people that they can treat anyhow they like without repercussions and this demonstrates why it has taken pleasure in inflicting more and more pains and sorrow on the people,” Ajaero stated.

Ajaero added that what the government has done is capable of pushing Nigerians to the edge of the precipice, a situation which he said can overwhelm whatsoever mechanisms the government thinks it has put in place as safeguards.

The NLC’s head of information and public affairs, Bensoah, also told journalists on Tuesday that the adjustment is unacceptable to Nigerians. 

According to Upah, the increase seriously jeopardises the socio-economic security of the populace, as well as their businesses, earnings, and way of life.

Ths labour movement alleged that the Federal Government is planning to push fuel prices as high as N1,000 per litre.

The union questioned how the projected rise in fuel prices can benefit the populace or the economy, particularly in light of the much-discussed prospect of recovery.

Bring back Buhari trends on Twitter 

Meanwhile, many Nigerians on Twitter have reacted to the hike in fuel pump price.

While some said the development will bring a lot of hardship, others joked that former President Buhari should be brought back as his administration appears to be more favourable than that of his successor.

A Twitter user Pooja complained of hunger in the land and asked President Bola Tinubu to address Nigerians

Below are some of the reactions that have trailed the fuel price hike:

In his tweet, a user @Waspapping posted the picture of Buhari and captioned it: “’Bring this man back!”

 

Nigerians across the country woke up to an increase in the price of PMS on Tuesday morning.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has defended the hike, which it claimed was due to market forces.

In a report by The ICIR, industry analysts gave reasons why petrol prices will keep rising.

According to them, the pump price will continue to rise till the naira attains measurable stability against the dollar.

Market forces responsible for rising petrol price – Kyari

Harrison EDEH
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0
Market forces responsible for rising petrol price – Kyari

THE Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, says market forces are responsible for the rising pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.

Kyari spoke on Tuesday, July 18, after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at Aso Rock, Abuja.

Nigerians woke up today shocked by the NNPCL with an upward price adjustment of petrol across the country.

But Kyari had said the same market realities that forced the price up could also force it down any time.

Conoil filling Station near General Hospital in Ikeja Lagos with long queues of motorists

The NNPCL boss maintained the price hike was not a supply issue, while assuring Nigerians that the country had a robust supply of the vital commodity for, at least, a month.

He explained that the marketing team of the NNPCL had the responsibility of price adjustment, and the team “adjusts prices depending on market realities.”

Kyari said, “This is really what is happening. This is making sure that the market regulates itself so that prices will go up and sometimes, it will come down also.

“There is no supply issue. When you go to the market, you buy the product. You come to the market and sell it at the prevailing market prices. It’s nothing to do with supply issues.”

He told Nigerians lamenting the skyrocketing price that allowing market realities to determine the price of petrol was the only way to go.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, who addressed reporters after Kyari, corroborated the NNPCL boss’ position on market forces.

Ahmed disclosed that out of the 56 marketers that applied for licensing, 10 had demonstrated commitment, and three had commenced importation, while seven others would be ready to commence importation next  month.

 

‘Why petrol price will still rise above N600 per litre’

Harrison EDEH
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‘Why petrol price will still rise above N600 per litre’

INDUSTRY analysts have given reasons why petrol prices will keep rising, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Tuesday jacked up pump price from the least price of N492 per litre to N617. 

Analysts believe the price will continue to rise till the naira attains measurable stability against the dollar.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign exchange unification policy has put the local currency under intense volatility.

READ ALSO:
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Labour berates NNPCLtd for publicising new petrol price template despite ongoing negotiations

Petrol price increased by 54.52% in one year – NBS

“The removal of fuel subsidy was the right decision; the alternative was the Federal government defaulting on its debts. Hopefully, Dangote can undercut the marketers and force them to stop importing when he starts production and supply later in the year. This would affect the price. But for now, exchange rate volatility will still affect price of importation,” an economist, Kelvin Emmanuel, told The ICIR.

The price hike comes barely 48 days after President Tinubu declared an end to subsidy on petroleum import, and barely a month after Nigeria’s inflation increased for the sixth consecutive time to 22.79 per cent, as announced yesterday, July 17, by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Analysts are certain the fuel price hike and increase in the inflation rate will further squeeze households harder and compound poverty levels.

Following the new price announcement, queues immediately sprang up at NNPCL filling stations in Abuja as attendants moved to adjust fuel pumps to reflect the new price.

The NNPCL at Murtala Muhammed expressway, Kado, was shut against consumers for a couple of hours.

There has been no official communication by the official spokesperson of the NNPCL, Garba Deen Mohammed, on the reasons for the price hike.

He did not respond to The ICIR calls on the matter when contacted.

President of the Petroleum Retail Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy-Gilly Harry, told The ICIR that the NNPCLtd did not consult other petroleum marketers before increasing the price.

“NNPL still has an edge over other marketers but shouldn’t have adjusted the price without reaching out to other stakeholders,” Harry said.

The PETROAN chief, noting that the national oil company had only 300 filling stations while PETROAN members had 18,930 filling stations across the country, added, “They changed price to N617 without consulting us. This is completely wrong. We are all competitors, but NNPCL is a super partner. They have the assets, and they still wield the powers they had when they were fully in government. This is not fair competition, but we will get to compete with them.”

Harry disclosed that the association had been reaching out to its members to invest in their own modular refinery.

“We have already got partners,” he said.

The National Operations Controller of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mike Osatuyi, said he had projected sometime ago that an upward review in fuel pump price should be expected from the third week of July 2023 when new imports of the product arrive.

Osatuyi attributed the rise to an increase in crude oil prices at the international market, foreign exchange unification and higher logistics – including transportation – costs.

DSS under fire for describing Emefiele’s lawyers as ‘IPOB members’

Vincent Ufuoma
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1
DSS under fire for describing Emefiele’s lawyers as ‘IPOB members’

THE Department of State Service (DSS) has come under fire after referring to lawyers defending the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, as members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The DSS, in a tweet seen by The ICIR on Tuesday, June 18, also described Emefiele’s legal team, led by Maxwell Okpara, as ‘charge and bail lawyers’.

‘Charge and bail lawyer’ is a derogatory term used to describe some lawyers who hang around court premises, soliciting and lobbying to represent individuals who may need help in securing the bail of persons who have been charged to court.

“Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other like minded lawyers against DGSS. Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred aggression,” the DSS said in a post on its Twitter handle.

“A Biafran Republic agitator and Outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN Governor. Is IPOB defending one of theirs???? What a contradiction…..hmmm…what’s the connection? Is someone telling us something? May Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please.”

The tweet, which have since been viewed by more than 80,000 people on the micro-blogging site, has generated a lot of angry reactions from Nigerians.

Many Nigerians, who condemned the tweet, wondered why a government agency like the DSS would choose to use some of the words it used in the post.

A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who expressed surprise at the statement, described it as disgusting.

Another lawyer, Abdul Mahmud, who called on Nigerians to beware of the DSS’ activities, slammed the statement as disgraceful.

A user, Tony Atambi, who is also a lawyer, noted that the tweet was evidence that the Nigerian security institutions have been compromised.

Reacting to the tweet, Gbenro Adegbola, another Twitter user, described the entire statement as bizarre. He said the tone and language in the post were very odd.

Below are more reactions:

The ICIR reached out to DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, for comments. But he did not respond. He did not respond to a message sent to him on WhatsApp though the app showed he read it.

Emefiele was arrested on June 10 over allegations bordering on economic sabotage and threat to national security, amongst others, and has since remained in the custody of the DSS.

He was arrested and detained shortly after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu on June 9 to pave the way for an investigation into criminal offences he was alleged to have committed as CBN governor.

A judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the DSS one-week ultimatum to either charge him in court or release him. Another judge ordered for his release last week.

Shortly after the court issued the one-week ultimatum, the DSS announced that charges have been filed against Emefiele.

Emefiele was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a single-barrel shotgun and ammunition without a license under the Firearms Laws of the Federation 2004. The DSS claimed to have found the items during a search of Emefiele’s Ikoyi residence.

Nigerians, including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have described the charges against Emefiele as politically motivated.

Botched surgery: Trial of cosmetic surgeon to resume October

Beloved JOHN
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Botched surgery: Trial of cosmetic surgeon to resume October

THE trial of Anuoluwapo Adepoju, a doctor charged with alleged evasion from an investigation into a failed plastic surgery, has been adjourned to October 24 by a Federal High Court in Lagos 

The trial was scheduled for hearing on Monday, July 17. However, the case was adjourned due to the absence of the presiding judge, Mohammed Liman.

A surgery carried out by Adepoju allegedly resulted in the death of Nneka Onwuzuligbo in 2020. 

Following the incident, Adepoju was charged to court, alongside her company, MedContour Services LTD, by the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission (FCCPC).

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She is standing trial on a five-count charge bordering on a refusal to honour an invitation for an investigation into post-body surgery complications and failure to produce investigation documents.

The prosecuting counsel for the FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, had told the court that it was a criminal offence for an industrial player to shun a summons by the Commission. He noted that the offence carries either a prison term, a fine, or both.

Anu Adepoju’s botched cosmetic surgery and arrest 

In 2018, the medical doctor’s services allegedly resulted in the death of Onwuzuligbo, a 2013 winner of Face of Democracy Transformation in Nigeria.

The news of the ex-beauty queen’s demise, following alleged botched body enhancement surgery, first went viral in February 2019 and sparked several reactions on social media. 

Following the development, the FCCPC began to investigate Adepoju over suspicion of illegal activities and alleged evasion from an investigation into the failed plastic surgery.

However, Adepoju continued to carry out surgeries.

Using the social media to advertise her operations, she posted photos and videos of body enhancement surgeries she carried out.

She also showcased ‘positive’ feedback and patient transformations on her hospital’s Instagram handle.

As a result, Adepoju was indefinitely suspended by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

Also, the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, demanded that the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Investigation Panel investigate her for alleged professional misconduct.

In a petition dated June 11, 2020, LUTH accused Adepoju of misconduct during a surgery she performed on Onwuzuligbo at her facility.

LUTH disclosed that Adepoju obtained full registration as a medical practitioner on April 4, 2019, but performed surgery on the deceased in December 2018, months before she was qualified. 

The teaching hospital added that Adepoju claimed to be a cosmetic surgeon without undergoing a residency training programme or being registered by Nigeria’s Medical and Dental Council (MDCN).

LUTH also noted that Adepoju continued to perform surgeries even though the Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency sealed her facility.

In July 2020, FCCPC announced that Adepoju had been arrested and charged to court. She was charged with failure to comply with a summons by the regulatory body.  

The Commission said there is sufficient cause to inquire into the consumer protection aspects of the representations and services of Adepoju’s clinic, MedContour, and its operatives.

When Adepoju was arraigned, she pleaded not guilty and was granted bail on self-recognisance.

Multiple adjournments

In October 2020, the FCCPC closed its case against Adepoju in court after examination and cross-examination of its witnesses. 

Adepoju, on the other hand, filed a no case submission claiming that the prosecution had not made a prima facie case against her to warrant a defence.

However, presiding judge, Mohammed Liman, rejected the no case submission filed by Adepoju in April 2022.

According to him, “The evidence so far propounded, presented and articulated by the prosecution, and admitted by the court satisfy the elements of the criminal charges pending against Dr Anuoluwapo Adepoju and as such, a prima facie case had been established which requires an appropriate defence.”

The case was reopened by the FCCPC by the order of the High Court. 

However, the case has suffered several adjournments for various reasons since then. 

On May 5, the case was adjourned to June 21 after Adepoju presented her evidence and was cross-examined. 

On June 21, the court did not sit, and the case was adjourned until July 17. 

Following the absence of the judge on July 17, the trial will now resume on October 24.

Abia uncovers 2,300 , saves N220m from wage bill

Theophilus ADEDOKUN
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Abia uncovers 2,300 , saves N220m from wage bill

ABOUT 2,300 ghost workers have been discovered in the payroll of the Abia State Government.

The detection of the ghost workers in the course of an ongoing verification of civil servants has saved the state N220 million from its monthly wage bill, according to the Abia State Accountant General, Njum Onyemenam.

Onyemenam disclosed this in Umuahia, the state capital, on Monday, July 17.

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“So far, we have been able to save N220 million from the ongoing verification of workers in the state, local governments and pensioners,” he said.

He added that, so far, 2,300 ghost workers have been removed from the system following the introduction of the unified payment system.

Onyemenam noted that more ghost workers would be uncovered in the course of the verification exercise.

The Accountant-General further disclosed that the state governor, Alex Otti, has given a directive for payment of backlog of salaries to local government workers, well as arrears of April wages to civil servants.

He added that the governor has authorised payment of June pensions to retirees.

The ICIR reported in February that the administration of the immediate past governor of the state, Okezie Ikpeazu, owed medical doctors 26-month salaries.

The ICIR highlighted that medical doctors employed by the Abia State government faced severe financial difficulties due to irregular payment of salaries.

The report noted that Ikpeazu, upon resuming office in 2015, met seven months withheld salary by the previous administration but also accumulated another four months debt, making it 11 months salary arrears during his first year.

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Although the state was able to clear the eleven months owed salary in tranches through the intervention of former President Muhammad Buhari; the Ikpeazu administration kept accumulating more months of unpaid salaries.

The ICIR, also, confirmed that the residents’ doctors were owed 25 months’ salaries, Hospital Management Board (HMB) staff members are owed about 14 months and other cadres of doctors in the state have their 26-month salary arrears unpaid.

FG confirms first case of anthrax disease in Nigeria

Mustapha USMAN
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FG confirms first case of anthrax disease in Nigeria

THE Federal Government has confirmed the first case of anthrax disease in Nigeria.

The outbreak was recorded in a multi-specie animal farm in Gajiri, Niger state.

A statement issued in Abuja by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) on Monday July, 17, said “the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria was notified of animals manifesting symptoms of a suspected case of anthrax” in the farm.

Anthrax, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, is a severe disease that can affect both humans and animals, including wild animals and livestock such as cows, pigs, camels, sheep and goats.

The bacteria, which exist as spores, can be found in the soil, wool, or hair of infected animals. The spores are resistant to extreme conditions and can survive in the soil or environment for decades, making controlling or eradicating the disease very difficult.

The NCDC in a series of tweets had alerted the general public of the possible outbreak of anthrax disease due to the reported cases in Ghana. 

The Centre while assuring that government has put certain preventive measures in place to ensure safety of Nigerians, urged members of the public to desist from the consumption of dead animals, hides (ponmo) and other by-products of bush animals 

On June 12, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development had cautioned against consuming hides (ponmo), smoked meat and bush meat to forestall the outbreak of the disease.

The Ministry also alerted the general public on the outbreak of anthrax in northern Ghana, bordering Burkina Faso and Togo.

However, announcing the first outbreak of the disease on Monday, July 17, the Ministry stated that it was “deeply concerned to announce the confirmation of an anthrax case in Niger State, Nigeria”.

It added, “On July 14, 2023, the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria was notified of animals manifesting symptoms of a suspected case of anthrax in a farm in Suleja, Niger State.

“The case was in a multi-specie animal farm comprising of cattle, sheep and goats located at Gajiri, along Abuja-Kaduna expressway Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, where some of the animals had symptoms including oozing of blood from their body openings – anus, nose, eyes, and ears.”

The Ministry, according to the report stressed that it had deployed a rapid response team comprising federal and states’ One Health Professional Team to visit the farm to conduct preliminary investigations and collect samples from the sick animals.

“Subsequent laboratory tests by the National Veterinary Research Institute laboratory confirmed the diagnosis, marking the first recorded case of anthrax in Nigeria in recent years and after the report of an outbreak of anthrax in Northern Ghana a few weeks ago. All animals affected have died,” the Ministry stated.

FMARD also said it has collaborated with the Niger State government, and taken proactive measures to ensure the outbreak was controlled and contained quickly in Nigeria.

“This includes quarantine of the affected farm, deployment of anthrax spore vaccines to the affected and adjoining farms to vaccinate in-contact animals, and educating the farm workers of the affected farms on symptoms, preventive measures, and what to do when they encounter suspected cases.

“Plans are also underway to conduct nationwide vaccination of cattle, sheep, and goats against anthrax. Surveillance of anthrax will be heightened in livestock farms, markets and abattoirs. Public awareness campaigns on anthrax will be intensified.”

The Ministry urged all livestock owners to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious illness or deaths in their animals, to avoid contact with sick or dead animals and their products.

Livestock owners were further advised to be cautious when purchasing animals such as cows, camels, sheep, goats, and other livestock from Nigerian states that share borders with Benin, Chad, Niger, Ghana and other West African countries.

APC NWC confirms Adamu, Omisore’s resignation

Vincent Ufuoma
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APC NWC confirms Adamu, Omisore’s resignation

THE National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed the resignation of Abdullahi Adamu and Iyiola Omisore as the party’s national chairman and national secretary, respectively.

This was confirmed at a meeting chaired by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Abubakar Kyari, on Monday, July 17.

Kyari also confirmed his appointment as acting national chairman while Deputy National Secretary, Festus Fuanter, takes over as acting national secretary of the party.

He also announced the postponement of the National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings that were earlier scheduled to hold on Tuesday, July 18, and Wednesday, July 19.

“With this development and according to the APC constitution, it is now incumbent on my humble self as the deputy chairman (North) to assume the office as the acting national chairman of the APC. And subsequently, also, the Deputy National Secretary, Festus Fuanter, will now assume the office of acting National Secretary,” he said.

“With the recent development with the change of leadership, we would like to inform everybody here that the proposed National Caucus meeting slated for 18 July 2023 and the National Executive Council for 19 July 2023 are hereby postponed. This postponement would not be indefinitely, but a new date would be communicated.”

Although he said Adamu and Omisore resigned voluntarily, several reports have cited reasons for Adamu’s resignation, including misappropriation of funds and a cold war between him and President Bola Tinubu, who chairs the party’s National Executive Council (NEC).

TheCable reported that a vote of no confidence was expected to be passed against Adamu and the party’s Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, by NWC members today, Monday, July 17.

There are also reports that Adamu and Omisore would be sacked by the Tinubu-led NEC at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 19. The reported mismanagement of the N32 billion raised from the sale of forms for the 2023 general election was cited as one of the reasons for Adamu’s troubles.

According to TheCable, only N7 billion remains in the party’s account, raising concerns about the alleged misappropriation of funds. Additionally, the newspaper reported that the zonal, state, and ward levels of the party were not aware of the proceeds from the form sales, which were supposed to be shared among them.

It was also gathered Adamu’s bid to seek refuge with the party’s state chairmen failed.

“By the APC constitution, the proceeds were supposed to be shared with the zonal, state and ward levels of the party, and they were not in the know. So there was no way they were going to support him,” a party source was quoted as saying.

Adamu was said to have been advised by the Chairman of the APC Governors Forum, Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, to resign following the development.

Adamu reportedly submitted his resignation to the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday night.

The former Nasarawa governor in March 2022 emerged APC chairman by consensus following his endorsement by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Before the presidential primaries of the APC, he declared former Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the consensus candidate of the party, a move seen as a bid to stop Tinubu, the eventual winner of the primary election.

Adamu’s squabble with Tinubu did not stop after the swearing in of the later as president. He recently opposed the list of the principal officers of the party announced by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, as endorsed by Tinubu.

Ousted EFCC chair, Bawa denied access to lawyer, family

Bankole ABE
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1
Ousted EFCC chair, Bawa denied access to lawyer, family

OVER a month after his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS), suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa has been denied access to lawyers and family members, The ICIR has learnt.

Bawa, it was also reliably gathered, has also not made any statement to the Service since his arrest.

This is coming as former CBN governor Godwin Emiefele, who was arrested about the same time as Bawa by the secret service, was last Friday, July 14, charged to court for illegal possession of arms. 

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Bawa and Emiefele are believed to have gotten into trouble with the newly elected Bola Tinubu government for the role they played in the naira change policy believed to be targeted at the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, who eventually emerged winner in the 2023 presidential election.

The DSS invited and detained Bawa on Thursday, June 14, over undisclosed allegations. 

The invitation followed Bawa’s indefinite suspension by President Bola Tinubu.

A statement released on Thursday, June 14, by the spokesperson of the DSS, Peter Afunanya, stated that Bawa had acknowledged the invitation and arrived at the facility of the Service.

According to Afunanya, “Bawa arrived a few hours ago. The invitation relates to some investigative activities concerning him.”

Latest discovery

A source close to the suspended anti-graft agency boss told our reporter that Bawa had not been told the specific offence he committed, but there have been speculations that the major reason why he was removed and detained is due to the role he played in the attempt to scuttle the emergence of Tinubu as the candidate of the APC and eventual President of Nigeria. 

The former EFCC boss is believed to have written a memo to former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, which led to redesigning the naira, which Tinubu alleged was targeted at scuttling his presidential bid.

The policy immediately brought a lot of hardship to the citizens.

Our source claimed that the DSS has not asked Bawa to make any statement so far. However, an operative of the secret service said Bawa is the one refusing to make a statement.

Tinubu’s response to the alleged gang-up against him

Tinubu sensing the plots against him months preceding the elections, made the now famous ’emi lokan’ statement which translates to ‘it’s my turn’ in Yoruba.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu, at an event on Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Abeokuta, a few days before the APC presidential primary, made a speech which is more like a tirade to a gathering of party supporters in which he gave a hint of a struggle with some forces who don’t want him to emerge.

The speech echoed nationwide and beyond and sent a message to those who did not want him.

It would seem that Tinubu went to Abeokuta to pour out his mind as he publicly accused those he said he helped attain power, who are now ganged up against his ambition of reaching the presidency of Nigeria. 

According to Tinubu, Yoruba will not be relegated during Buhari’s presidency, and after his tenure, it would be the turn of the South-West. 

And when it comes to the South-West, it must be his, Tinubu’s turn.

Emefiele’s similar ordeal

Tinubu also suspended Emiefele as the CBN governor with immediate effect in similar circumstances.

A press release on Friday, June 9, by the director of information, office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Willie Bassey, announced the suspension.

Godwin emefiele and dss
Godwin Emefiele

Emefiele was directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), who will act as the CBN governor pending the conclusion of the investigation into Emefiele’s office and reform of the financial sector. 

The DSS later confirmed Emefiele’s arrest in a tweet posted on its official Twitter handle on Saturday, June 10.

The secret police did not state or explain why Emeiele was arrested. 

However, many believe that apart from many controversies that graced his tenure, the main reason for his removal and arrest, like Bawa, might not be unconnected with the allegations of his role in the recent naira redesign and cashless policy.

However, Emefiele was hurriedly charged to court for illegal possession of arms after two courts described his arrest as illegal and asked the DSS to charge him to a court or release him.

Bawa, on his part, has remained in the custody of the DSS since June 14 and is yet to be prosecuted for any offence.

Insecurity: Army intercepts truckload of ammunition heading for Anambra

Bankole ABE
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0
Insecurity: Army intercepts truckload of ammunition heading for Anambra

TROOPS of the Nigeria Army intercepted a truck loaded with ammunition, heading for Anambra State, on Saturday, July 15.

A statement released by Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, said members of an international ammunition smuggling syndicate were transporting the weapons to the South-East state when they were intercepted.

According to the statement, troops of 192 Battalion, operating in 81 Division Area, made the arrest in Ajilete-Owode Road in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Based on actionable intelligence, the troops conducted a stop-and-search operation and uncovered the illegal ammunition in a truck with the number plate ENU 697 XY.

According to reports, the truck was loaded with 720 packets of (red) cartridges of 12 calibre, containing 25 cartridges per packet. The total comes to 18,000 cartridges.

There were also 250 packets of live (black) cartridges containing ten packages each, totalling 2,500 cartridges of the same calibre.

The seized truck conveying ammunition: Courtesy Vanguard Newspaper
The seized truck conveying ammunition: Courtesy Vanguard Newspaper

A Ghanaian, Eric Seworvor, and the driver, Lukman Sani, were arrested and taken into custody concerning the discovery.

According to information discovered during the initial investigation, the ammunition, which was secretly smuggled in a fictitious empty truck, was brought from Mali across the Idiroko border.

“The criminals had successfully beaten several other checkpoints en route to their final destination in Onitsha, Anambra State, where they intended to deliver the illegal ammunition.

“The timely intervention by the vigilant troops, however, thwarted the chaos that such volume of ammunition would have unleashed on innocent members of the public if the criminals had succeeded.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has commended the troops for their commitment and urged them not to relent as they strive in synergy with other services and security agencies to provide safe and secure atmosphere for all Nigerians and the socio-economic development across the country,” the Army spokesperson said in the statement.

In another development, illicit drugs worth N13 million have been impounded by Police officers in Lagos.

Police officers attached to Aswani Division Lagos State carried out the operation.

It was gathered that during a normal stop-and-search on Wednesday, July 12, at around 11:56 pm, the drugs thought to be Indian hemp were discovered.

In addition, the police detained two suspects, Chukwuma Kennedy, 50, and Fidelis Otiga, 49, whose vehicles were used to convey the drugs.

The spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, while confirming the incident, said the illicit drugs, with a street value of N13 million, were being conveyed in a Toyota Sienna car with registration number KJA 118 HV.

“The suspects and exhibit have since been transferred to the Command headquarters for further investigation and prosecution,” he said.

In the meantime, the commissioner of police for Lagos State, Idowu Owohunwa, assured the public that there would be sufficient security for lives and property and a persistent effort to combat the threat of drug addiction and usage in the state.

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