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Tinubu inaugurates National Economic Council

Beloved JOHN
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Tinubu inaugurates National Economic Council

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the National Economic Council (NEC).

The Council, led by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was inaugurated at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, June 15.

The President, at the inauguration, promised to sustain the rejuvenation of the nation’s economy.

He tasked the council to work with other government bodies to achieve the goal of propelling Nigeria’s economic growth.

Tinubu said the task of growing the nation’s economy was enormous and urged the NEC members to dutifully carry out their roles. 

The President urged governors to collaborate and use local governments to rapidly develop infrastructure and resolve challenges facing the nation.

He said, “You and I asked for it. We campaigned for it. We even danced for it. So, we have no reason to complain. Members of this country are behind us. They want reforms and they want them quickly. You here are stakeholders…. Collaboration is not a crime. Please, let us do so.”

The economic council was established by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. 

The council, which meets monthly, is responsible for advising the President on the economic affairs of the Federation.

The council also provides advice necessary for the coordination of the economic planning efforts or economic programmes of the government. 

Its members comprise the 36 state Governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other co-opted government officials.




Obi, LP tender 18,000 blurry result sheets from IREV to tribunal

Vincent Ufuoma
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Obi, LP tender 18,000 blurry result sheets from IREV to tribunal

THE Labour Party (LP) and its candidate in the February 25 presidential election, Peter Obi, have submitted more than 18,000 polling unit results as evidence in their petition challenging the election result.

According to the petitioners, the results were downloaded from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) result viewing portal (iREV).

However, all the result sheets provided were found to be blurry.

During the court proceedings, Obi’s counsel, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, informed the court that the documents retrieved from the INEC result viewing website were distorted and unclear after being downloaded.

In addition to the blurred result sheets, the party also called two witnesses to testify in support of its petition.

One of the witnesses, a professor of Mathematics from the Anambra State University, Eric Ofuegbu, presented three reports and a sworn statement to the tribunal.

The reports included an analysis of election scores in Rivers state, another report from Benue state, and a statistical investigation into the votes received by the candidates in the presidential election.

Despite objections from INEC, Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), the reports and witness statements were accepted as evidence by the court and marked as exhibits.

But the cross-examination of the witness has been postponed until Friday.

The petitioners also presented a video featuring the INEC chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, assuring the public that the election results would be transmitted from over 176,000 polling units and that the IREV platform would serve as an archive for Nigerians to access the results at any time.

This video display aims at supporting the petitioner’s argument regarding the transmission and accessibility of election results.

Obi’s petition

In their petition, Obi and the LP argued that when Tinubu’s running mate, Kashim Shettima, became the vice presidential candidate, he was still nominated as the APC candidate for the Borno Central senatorial election.

They also challenged Tinubu’s eligibility, alleging that he was previously indicted and fined $460,000.00 by a United States District Court for an offence involving dishonesty and drug trafficking.

Obi, who came third according to results announced by INEC, claimed that the election was invalid due to corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

He argued that INEC breached its regulations and guidelines by not prescribing and deploying technological devices for voter accreditation, verification, continuation, and authentication as required.

The petitioner sought a declaration from the court that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the election and that all votes recorded for him were wasted.

He also requested the court to determine that he received a majority of lawful votes and satisfied constitutional requirements to be declared the winner.

In the alternative, he called for the cancellation of the election and the conduct of a fresh election in which Tinubu, Shettima, and the APC would not participate.

AbdulKarim Chukkol assumes duties as EFCC acting chairman, not Muhammad Umar

Theophilus ADEDOKUN
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AbdulKarim Chukkol assumes duties as EFCC acting chairman, not Muhammad Umar

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the former Director of Operations of the Commission, Abddulkarim Chukkol has assumed as its Acting Chairman.

This development followed the suspension of the former chairman of the Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa by the Federal Government on Wednesday, June 14.

Bawa was suspended due to weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.

The ICIR reported that Bawa was directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the Commission, who will oversee the affairs of the Office of the Chairman of the Commission, pending the conclusion of the investigation.

Earlier on, news circulated by some media outlets {now pulled down} that the former Director of Operation, Muhammad Umar Abba, who had previously functioned as acting chairman before the appointment of the embattled chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

On February 24, 2021, CP Abba made way for Abdul Rasheed Bawa as the substantive Chairman of the EFCC.

Findings by The ICIR revealed that Muhammad Umar Abba is a Deputy Commissioner of Police FCID.

A statement signed on Thursday, June 15, by the commission’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren said that the Director of Operations of the Commission, Abdulkarim Chukkol assumed office in an acting capacity.

The statement stated that Chukkol was a pioneer staff of the Commission and an illustrious member of the EFCC Cadet Course One.

It stressed that Chukkol is a consummate and vastly experienced investigator with a speciality in cybercrime and money laundering.

According to the statement, “His Command appointments in the Commission include spells as Head of the Advance Fee Fraud and Cybercrime Sections of the Lagos and Abuja Zonal Commands between 2011 -2016, pioneer Commander of the Uyo Zonal Command in 2017 and Commander of Port Harcourt Zonal Command in 2020.”

It emphasised that Chukkol had participated in several special operations with international law enforcement organizations and maintained close relationships with Law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, UK National Crime Agency and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

Others are the United States Secret Service, Australian Federal Police, Dutch Police, German Police and South African Police.

Chukkol had worked with other Governments to develop laws and infrastructure for law enforcement actions.

The statement noted that Chukkol is Nigeria’s Contact person at the International Mass Marketing Fraud Working Group, representing key Government regulatory, law enforcement, prosecution, immigration and customs, financial intelligence and consumer protection agencies.

He also played a crucial role in trade and competition bureaus dealing with mass marketing-related issues from Spain, Nigeria, Belgium, Europol, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Court asks CBN to pay N1m to MRA for denying FoI request

Beloved JOHN
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Court asks CBN to pay N1m to MRA for denying FoI request

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay the Media Rights Agenda (MRA), a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting media freedom in Nigeria, N1 million as damages for denial of access to information.

The court also asked the apex bank to release the information on the bank’s data protection policies and practices as requested by the organisation in its May 22, 2020 letter,  a statement from MRA stated. 

The presiding judge, Donatus Uwaezuoke Okorowo, gave the order on Wednesday, June 14.

According to the statement by the MRA communication Officer, Idowu Adewale, Justice Okorowo said CBN’s failure to provide the information requested by the organisation was a breach of the law.

Okorowo held that the apex bank violated the MRA’s right to access information as established by Sections 1 and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA).

He also said the failure of the government to notify the organisations of its decision to withhold the information and the reasons for this also violated the FOIA Act.

“In his judgment, Justice Okorowo agreed with MRA that the failure of the CBN to give written notice to the organisation that access to all or part of the information requested would not be granted, as well as its failure to state the reasons for its denial of access and the section of the Act under which the denial was made amounted to a violation of section 4(b) of the Act.

“He accordingly issued an order compelling the CBN to make all the information requested by MRA available to the organisation.

“The judge also ruled that MRA was entitled to damages for the unlawful violation of its right of access to information and granted the organisation’s claim of N1 million as damages,” the statement read.

However, the court ruled against MRA’s request for an order mandating the Attorney-General of the Federation to initiate criminal proceedings against the CBN for withholding the requested information.

In June 2020, the NGO had challenged the CBN’s refusal to disclose information on the bank’s data protection policies and practices following its FOI request.

The MRA had asked for copies of all the “CBN’s data protection policies issued in conformity with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), 2019; the name and contact details of the CBN’s Data Protection Officer, designated in accordance with the NDPR and its relevant data privacy instruments and data protection directives.“

It requested “details of all capacity building training or other capacity building activities undertaken for the Data Protection Officer and other CBN personnel involved in any form of data processing since the issuance of the NDPR; the number of persons or individuals whose personal data it processes on an annual basis; and a report from a detailed audit it conducted of its privacy and data protection practices in accordance with the NDPR.”

The MRA had filed a suit asking the court to compel the bank and its Governor to release the information.

Onyema faults Sirika’s claims on Air Peace

Ehime ALEX
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Onyema faults Sirika’s claims on Air Peace

THE chief executive officer (CEO) of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, has debunked claims made by the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, that his two Boeing 777 aeroplanes are on lease rental, and that the airline lacks the capacity to operate.

Onyema, faulting Sirika’s claims on Arise Television on Wednesday, June 14, said the former minister supervised the aviation sector for the last eight years and was expected to have been the chief marketer of the industry, but the reverse was the case.

“Sirika’s claims about Air Peace being incompetent, leasing two aircraft, paying $500,000 monthly for 18 months and incurring $19 million were all falsehoods.

“If Air Peace lacked capacity, the airline, during the ravaging covid pandemic in 2020, wouldn’t have been able to go to China on three occasions and 12 times to India and other countries to bring back Nigerians,” he said.

Sirika had appeared on the same Arise Television on Sunday, June 11, to speak on the controversial Nigeria Air project, and took a swipe at Air Peace.

But on Monday, June 12, Air Peace, through its Chief Operating Officer, Toyin Olajide, debunked Sirika’s claims in a statement.

Onyema clarified that Air Peace did not have two Boeing 777 aircraft but three, and that all were purchased outright.

“We never paid a lease rental to anybody. First, you cannot use $250,000 to rent a triple seven (Boeing 777). So, this is a minister trying to fool the entire nation. He is desperate to fool everybody, to hoodwink the nation.

“The former minister had just peddled pure falsehood to the world on national TV,” the Air Peace chief said, urging anyone “who cares” to contact the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for more facts.

He explained that if an aircraft were to be leased, it would be stated in the application letter preceding its importation.

“They are the regulator. No aircraft comes into the country without the aviation minister approving it. He must be the one to sign the importation permit before you bring them in.

“So, he did all that, and he knows quite well that those planes were not leased, not rented; they were fully paid for,” Onyema maintained.

On why Air Peace is not flying to London, Onyema said the airline had not been given approval for that route due to some regulatory bottlenecks.

As an airline operator, Air Peace needed to have the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) permit, but the airline did not get the Federal government approval at the time, nor its required assistance.

London is the lower hanging fruit for any airline, he said.

“Air Peace does not have the capacity, they say, but flies to China, India, Medina, and South Africa. We do all these routes, but London. Why is it that Air Peace, in the last seven years, has not been able to get into London?” he asked.

He added that the NCAA did not allow Air Peace to enter London for four years because Arik and Medview failed and would not want to be disgraced.

He quickly clarified that all this did not happen under the current NCAA director-general, Musa Nuhu.

Another bottleneck Air Peace faced was getting International Air Transport Association (IATA) audit, which Onyema said Air Peace deserved.

Air Peace was also asked to get the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), which is a lower permit to IATA, and which it did, he revealed.

On the national carrier controversy, Onyema declared that the idea was moribund as countries do not go that route anymore.

“It is a drain on any country’s purse; those operating it are running out of it.

“All that government needs to do is strengthen the ease of doing business so that people and private concerns can invest in the aviation industry,” he said.

He also debunked the talk that Air Peace was afraid of competition if, eventually, Nigeria Air came on board.

He harped on his belief that Nigeria Air, even if it started operation, would fail, noting that some of the “successful” bidders had at one time or the other denied being a part of the project, as announced by Sirika.

He said that Nigerians should thank SAHCO for refusing to put its signature on a project that could shortchange the country.

According to Onyema, Ethiopian  Airlines was only “putting up with Nigeria Air’s charade as the company had tried to play that path with Air Peace but failed.”

He revealed how, on April 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines, in a letter, approached Air Peace for collaboration, but it later turned out that it was a trick, the type being done with Nigeria Air.

He said Ethiopian Airlines wanted to come into Nigeria and do local operations using Air Peace to fly to the whole world, about 150 BASA, and then be paying Air Peace royalties in millions of dollars.

According to Onyema, he replied Ethiopian Airlines, questioning where the airlines’ collaboration would leave Nigeria, as it was a ploy to kill the airlines in the country, while he and Air Peace would be swimming in money.

He added that a document he was privy to showed that Nigeria Air’s shareholdings agreement would have Ethiopians at the top leadership position, with Nigerians as deputies.

Tokyo International Film Festival seeks entries

Joshua Ovorumu
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Tokyo International Film Festival seeks entries

THE Tokyo International Film Festival invites filmmakers worldwide to submit their documentaries and feature films.

The Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival will hold from May 1 to May 31, 2024 in Japan.

All entries must be submitted in English, or with English subtitles. The festival accepts all films and scripts of any length or genre. The festival programme include live-action narrative, documentary, and short documentary.

Standard application fees start at a discount of US$23, while student application fees start at $20. Fees vary for different categories.

The next application deadline is June 30. The early bird deadline is August 1, 2023. Interested applicants can click here.

EFCC summons ex-minister Sirika over N3bn Nigeria Air project

Ehime ALEX
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EFCC summons ex-minister Sirika over N3bn Nigeria Air project

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned the immediate past minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to appear before it over the controversial Nigeria Air project, which he claimed had gulped N3 billion.

Sirika is expected to appear before the anti-graft agency within the week.

The former minister had on Arise Television programme on Sunday, June 11 argued that of the N5 billion budgeted for the project take-off, only N3 billion was released, contrary to the speculation that the Aviation ministry had spent N85 billion on it.

READ ALSO:

Nigeria Air: Reps committee chairman denies Sirika’s bribe allegation, as ex-minister says lawmakers’ position ‘predetermined’

Reps say Nigeria Air launch a fraud, aviation unionist wants Sirika probed

Doubts about Nigeria Air persist as booking attempts redirect customers

Nigeria Air: Reps summon aviation ministry’s permanent secretary

The bulk of the expended funds, according to Sirika, was channelled into consultancies, salaries, and administrative costs associated with setting up the national carrier.

According to reports on the EFCC invitation of Sirika, the anti-graft agency had grilled some officials of the Nigerian Air over the unveiling of the aircraft.

Efforts made by The ICIR to speak with the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, on this development did not succeed as his phone was saying switched off.

However, a ThisDay report stated that Uwujaren confirmed there was an ongoing investigation on the matter, but did not give details.

He was quoted as saying, “I can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation in that regard.”

Both the Senate and House of Representatives committee on aviation had criticised the unveiling of the Nigeria Air aircraft, with the latter labelling it as a “fraud”, The ICIR reported.

This is even as aviation unionists had called for Sirika to be probed.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), for instance, had faulted the Nigeria Air project by going to court.

When contacted to comment on the House Committee report on the project, the spokesperson of AON, Obiora Okonkwo, told The ICIR, “We in AON don’t want to dabble into  decision of any arm of government.

“All we are interested in is that anything to be done in the aviation sector should be done right in strict compliance with the regulatory conditions of the Civil Aviation of Authority, and to the best interest of Nigerian aviation sector in particular and Nigeria in general, knowing fully well that the aviation sector is a global village highly regulated.”

Sirika had, on Friday, May 26, three days to the end of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, unveiled an aircraft branded Nigeria Air amid controversies over its specification, documentation, ownership, and technical agreement.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the regulatory body, had on June 4 reportedly disclosed that the airline was still in the first stage of a five-phase process of obtaining an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to operate as a commercial airline.

REA, Oando sign pact to improve renewable energy access

Harrison EDEH
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REA, Oando sign pact to improve renewable energy access

THE Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for sustainable renewable energy access across the country.

REA in a statement on Wednesday June 14 said the agreement was signed at its corporate headquarters in Abuja.

The agreement, REA stated, was geared towards “boosting collaboration between the private sector and government agencies towards the deployment of sustainable renewable energy access across the country.”

The signing, according to the agency, was as a result of the success of the recently held SPN investor match-making event.

REA said that as it continues to play a key role in the nation’s off-grid, renewable energy space, it has maintained a strong history of drawing in private sector investment, facilitating inter-sectorial collaboration, and ultimately, aiding the implementation and delivery of fit-for-purpose off-grid solutions nationwide.

It added that the Oando brand, as a key player in the energy space, activated its clean energy subsidiary, Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL) in 2021.

The Managing Director/chief executive of the REA, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, explained at the event that one of the best ways to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal in Nigeria is through the exploitation of opportunities to optimize the critical role of renewable energy.

Ahmad expressed his delight about the REA–Oando partnership, saying that “it will bring about mutually beneficial collaboration, knowledge exchange and experiences all targeted at achieving the common goal of optimizing renewable energy.”

He added, “The REA has a history of ensuring whatever kind of financing is available to the REA. There are programmes and initiatives the REA implements that can be used to deliver impact across the nation.”

While commending the REA for its approach to understanding and leveraging the role of the private sector players to deliver on the task of sustainable energy access across the country, the president and CEO of Oando Clean Energy Limited, Dr. Alex Irune, stated that “Oando is keen on renewable energy and are excited for this opportunity to create value that the country needs.”

He expressed his confidence in the collaboration with REA while explaining, “What the REA has effectively done is to take the bull by the horn and derisk investment opportunities. I wouldn’t be signing this MoU today if there wasn’t an enabling environment provided by the REA.

“I commend the REA on its approaches, programmes, and achievements over the years. These approaches are sustainable.”

The Executive Director, Technical Services at the REA, Barka Sajou, while explaining the agency’s shift in paradigm on the delivery of fit-for-purpose electrification projects, stressed that “delivering on sustainable energy access across the nation must go beyond just connections but should rather serve as an enabler of growth in communities, while targeting electrification projects to people’s sources of livelihood.”

The Head of the Solar Power Naija Programme, Barbara Izilien, promised that the agency would continue to deepen private sector engagements targeted at drawing in funding sustainably while expanding access across the nation.

READ ALSO:

Izilien stated, “The intention for this collaboration is to encourage private sector investment to deploy sustainable renewable energy projects across the country.

“We are trying to grow the funding of the Solar Power Naija and this MoU signing will support the expansion targets of the REA in providing energy access to communities.

“In line with the mandate of the REA, the state governments continue to play a pivotal role in the agency’s consistent deployment of people-centered electrification projects.”

 

Sports journalists barred from Super Eagles training

Dotun OMISAKIN
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Sports journalists barred from Super Eagles training

There was a mild drama on Wednesday evening at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, Lagos as sports journalists were denied access to cover the Super Eagles training.

In preparation for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifying fixture against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone, the Super Eagles camped in Lagos.

The Super Eagles had on Monday trained ahead of the encounter, which is billed to hold on Sunday, June 18, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium, Monrovia.

And in what seemed to be the last training before travelling, the Media Officer, Super Eagles Babatunde Raji, had sent messages to journalists to cover the training by 5.50pm.

This was the messge sent.

“AFCON 2023 QUALIFIER

June 14, 2023

Training: 5.50pm

Venue: Mobolaji Johnson Arena

Media Access ✅.”

Earlier, before the training, there was a Nigeria National League, NNL match between Sporting Lagos and Smart City, which ended 4-0 in favour of Sporting Lagos, who secured a ticket to the Super 8 play-off.

After the match, the security officers informed all spectators to go out in preparation for the Super Eagles training at Onikan Stadium.

But some journalists stayed while some gained entrance until a police officer came into the stadium to announce that he had been ordered by an undisclosed chief security officer (CSO) to inform all journalists to go outside.

With the hope of gaining entrance back into the stadium, sports journalists obeyed but later were seen seeking for entrance at the sight of the opening of the second gate for vehicles to come out of the stadium.

For the training which was supposed to start 5:50pm. The Super Eagles arrived at 5:40pm.

At past 6pm, only three sports journalists were allowed in at preference while others were left hapless.

In an interview with newsmen, a senior journalist with Premium Times, Tunde Eludini described the situation as disappointing.

“I am particularly disappointed; it is very painful to act based on official communication and still be treated in such a manner. I know how much it cost me to get to the stadium at short notice.”

“If you don’t want the Media around the team for any reason, then you don’t invite them. I hope the communication will be harmonised better and such doesn’t repeat itself. I wish the Eagles all the best nonetheless,” he said.

Another sports journalist who pleaded anonymity said, “The situation was very comical because the information was passed that there would be media access at the stadium today in our platforms. On getting there, we were told the CSO directed them to send everyone out.”

DSS invites Bawa after indefinite suspension

Theophilus ADEDOKUN
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DSS invites Bawa after indefinite suspension

THE Department of State Services (DSS) has invited the suspended chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa over weighty allegations against him.

The invitation by the service followed the indefinite suspension of the chairman of the anti-graft agency.

A statement released on Wednesday evening by the spokesperson of 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.”

Meanwhile, The ICIR earlier reported that president Bola Tinubu suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa, indefinitely.

The statement was disclosed by the director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Willie Bassey on Wednesday, June 14.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,GCFR, has approved the indefinite suspension from office of Mr AbdulRasheed Bawa, CON, as the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.

“This follows weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him. Mr Bawa has been directed to immediately handover the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the Commission, who will oversee the affairs of the Office of the Chairman of the Commission pending the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement read.

In May, it was reported that Bawa sent out invitations to all outgoing governors in the country as part of steps to probe their activities and question commissioners who served under them as they wind up their tenure.

The invitation generated some reactions, especially from former Zamfara state governor Bello Matawalle, who was then preparing to leave office, having lost his re-election bid.

Matawalle called for Bawa’s resignation and probe, accusing him of corruption and abuse of power.

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