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NLC Reacts As Petrol Price Surpasses N550 Per Litre

Investigation has revealed that petrol is currently selling above N550 per litre.
This is as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy.
Also, the ex-depot price of petrol has risen by 4.3% to N490 per litre, prompting petrol stations to hike their prices accordingly.
According to Vanguard, some stations in Lagos are now selling fuel for more than N500 per litre, a significant jump from the previous price of N488 per litre.
Despite the price hikes, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited continues to sell fuel to major marketers at N446.57 per litre.
However, independent marketers in Lagos who purchase petrol at N490 per litre are dispensing it at N520 per litre at their stations, depending on the location.
While NNPC Limited maintains a selling price of N488 per litre at their retail stations in Lagos, major marketers have set their prices between N488 and N492 per litre, with location again playing a significant role in pricing.
Reacting to this new development, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, said organised labour was not “surprised by the antics of the marketers; that is why we are working on an alternative.
 
“PMS (petrol) is now for the rich. So, by the time we are through with alternatives, PMS will be left for the rich.”
Ajaero had earlier said as an alternative to PMS, Labour “came up with a module of having a Compressed National Gas, CNG, based on the fact that Nigeria has large natural gas deposits.”
He added, “The study we found, especially the pilot study conducted in the Edo area where about 10,000 vehicles were converted to CNG, shows and the report came out from the mouth of the former Minister of State Petroleum Timipre Sylva, that a litre of gas CNG will cost about N90.
 
“On the basis of that, even Innoson Motors came to address us and said he was going to produce vehicles that will have provision for CNG and PMS, so if you don’t want to buy PMS at N500 and above per litre, you buy CNG.
 
“If you want to buy CNG at N90 per litre, buy it. But in the construction of the vehicles, you have a switch to whatever you want. If you switch to CNG, you use CNG; if you switch to PMS, you use PMS.
 
“It is now left for all Nigerians to determine the one that is our target. At least the labour movement has been able to think outside the box to provide this alternative.”
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Shehu Sani Reacts As Tinubu Sacks All Service Chiefs

Former Kaduna federal lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has taken to Twitter to react following the sack of all service chiefs including the Inspector-General of Police by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that Tinubu had on Monday, retired all the service chiefs and also approved the replacement of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
According to a statement signed by George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation, their retirement is with immediate effect.
Reacting via his Twitter page, Senator Sani commended Tinubu for relieving the service chiefs of their duties.
According to him, they belong to the old decadent order.
“The retirement of those service chiefs and comptroller General of Customs and others is a welcome development. They belong to the old decadent order. When the head is gone, so should the tail. Good riddance,” the former lawmaker wrote on the microblogging platform.
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Presidential Tribunal: PDP’s Petition Stalled Over Unsorted Documents

The PUNCH reports that the joint petition by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar recently came to a premature end.

The petition ended prematurely on Tuesday, over the presentation of unsorted documents before the Presidential Elections Petition Court.

The parties are challenging the outcome of the February 25 election wherein Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress emerged as the elected president as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Respondents in the suit are INEC, the president, Tinubu, and his party, the All Progressives Congress.

During the resumed hearing in the matter, the lead counsel for the PDP, Chris Uche SAN, tendered the certified true copies of the INEC voters register for FCT in 14 batches.

The court admitted them as evidence and reserved ruling on the objections by the respondents.

According to the court, the documents were not properly sorted.

In his defence, counsel for the PDP, Chris Uche SAN told the PEPC that it was difficult to get electoral materials including Form EC8As from INEC on time.

He asked the court to admit the documents in evidence pending the proper numbering by lawyers to parties and the court registry after the close of the day’s proceedings.

He added that INEC should have properly arranged the documents before bringing them to court in line with a subpoena issued to the electoral umpire.

But INEC’s lawyer, Kemi Pinero, disagreed with Uche’s position.

He said, after an election, it was incumbent on the parties to arrange the electoral documents given to them by the commission.

More so, he said that the documents sought to be tendered by the PDP were brought by INEC’s officials from across the country.

He also stated that despite producing the documents,  the PDP had not paid for its certification.

In response to the back and forth, Justice Haruna Tsammani – led panel told Uche that it was the duty of his legal team to create a schedule of the documents after INEC had produced them through a subpoena.

After deliberations, the petitioners told the court that the legal team have agreed to take the documents back for arrangement and tendering by tomorrow, Wednesday.

After confirming the agreement of the respondents, the court adjourned the matter to June 21 for the continuation of the hearing.

The petitioners have less than a week to round up their petition against Tinubu.

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Tinubu, APC Lose Battle To Shut Out APM’s Petition Challenging Presidential Election

The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has rejected a move by President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC to stop the petition of the Allied People’s Movement (APM)  to challenge his qualification for the February 25, 2023 polls.

Tinubu, through his lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, had sought to use a Supreme Court judgment delivered on May 26, 2023, to terminate the APM’S petition, but the request was turned down.

The grouse of Tinubu was that the Apex Court had resolved the sole issue raised in the petition of the APM in the judgment in a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He sought to move the Court to invoke the spirit and letters of the Supreme Court judgment to halt the hearing into the APM’s petition.

The Presiding Justice of the Court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani, however, disagreed with Tinubu and held that the party cannot be shut out in the face of fair hearing.

Justice Tsammani asked Tinubu to keep his objections against the hearing of the petition to the final address stage of the court’s proceedings.

Similar objections raised by APC through its counsel, Charles Edosomwen SAN, against the petition on the same ground were turned down by PEPC for the same reason.

Earlier, the APM, through its lawyer, Mr Gideon Ijiagbonya, had informed the Court of receipt of the Supreme Court judgment being sought to be used to terminate its petition.

The lawyer said that upon perusal of the judgment by the Supreme Court, he and his legal team concluded that there is life in the petition and applied for its hearing.

He, however, sought adjournment till June 26 to enable him to obtain a vital document from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to establish his case.

Justice Tsammani, in a brief ruling, rejected a week-long adjournment and fixed Wednesday, June 21, for the hearing of the petition.

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Strike: Order Restraining NLC, TUC Subsists – Court

Following the planned industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, the National Industrial Court has declared on Monday, that the order restraining them from doing so still subsists.

Justice Olufunke Anuwe stated that the order, as granted on June 5, subsists pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The court, in addition, ordered that parties maintain the status quo and adjourned the matter until July 20 for hearing.

Earlier, when the case was called, the Federal Government’s counsel, Mr Ochum Emmanuel, informed the court that the matter was slated for Monday for the claimant to take its motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction to restrain the defendants from embarking on strike.

He added that he was ready to proceed with his application as the defendants had been served.

Mr Marshall Abubakar, the defendants’ counsel on his part, however, replied that they had filed an application praying the court to set aside its order granted on June 5, restraining his clients from embarking on strike.

Abubakar further submitted that the claimant was served the application on June 8, only for them to turn around and serve on them a counter-affidavit on Monday in court.

He added that the claimant filed the counter-affidavit on June 16 and instructed the bailiff not to serve them until Monday in court.

The court enquired if the defence was properly served before the court, Abubakar responded that he was not certain, but that he will find out and do the needful.

He also prayed for a short adjournment in order to look at the counter-affidavit and respond.

Emmanuel, in response, opposed Abubakar’s application for adjournment and urged the court to allow him to take his motion on notice which was slated for hearing.

The counsel also reiterated that the federal government would never file a process and instruct any bailiff not to serve the other party.

He argued that it was probably because he filed the processes late on June 16 that made the bailiff serve defence counsel in court on Monday.

Emmanuel, in his submission, equally averred that the defendants were not properly before the court as they had not filed their memorandum of appearance but only came to urge the court to vacate the order it granted on June 5.

He stated that the defendants being not properly before the court cannot seek an adjournment.

In addition, he submitted that if the court should deem it fit to grant Abubakar’s application for an adjournment, the court should equally declare that the order restraining the defendants from embarking on strike granted on June 5 subsist.

In his reply, Abubakar submitted that Emmanuel’s application was not necessary as the court had earlier stated that parties should maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

He also informed the court that parties were meeting later on Monday to try and resolve the issue.

The court, in its ruling, granted the application for adjournment, directed the defendants to enter their memorandum of appearance and instructed parties to maintain the status quo.

From facts, the defendants had planned to embark on a nationwide strike on June 7 to protest the fuel subsidy removal that brought about the new pump price for the Premium Motor Spirit.

The federal government had therefore instituted the suit to stop the defendants, stating that the proposed strike may gravely affect the larger society and the well-being of the nation at large.

The claimant, in addition, stated that the strike is capable of disrupting economic activities that will affect especially the health and the educational sector.

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Bawa: How DSS Officials Secretly Raided EFCC Headquarters

It has been revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS) secretly raided the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to Sahara Reporters, the raid took place on Friday night and lasted till Saturday.
Recall that the DSS had some weeks ago, stormed the Lagos office of the EFCC, preventing officials of the anti-graft agency from gaining access to their office in Ikoyi.
SaharaReporters learnt from top sources in both agencies that over 500 EFCC officials were locked out from resuming work due to office ownership disagreements.
“The EFCC officers are shocked; they have been using the building for more than 20 years. Several suspects are there and there are fears that some might have been illegally released,” a top source had said.
According to SaharaReporters, the raid was executed at night to prevent public knowledge of what is going on.
Similarly, it was also learnt that the staff of EFCC were instructed not to mention anything concerning the raid to the public.
But an insider, revealed that the DSS is working for a particular interest very important to President Bola Tinubu beyond what the public is made to believe.
But another source said it may be linked to the recent closure of the EFCC office in Ikoyi, Lagos by the DSS.
The source said.“I heard the raid and partisanship of the DSS was the reason why they raised an alarm yesterday (Saturday) that some of their disgruntled officers are planning to shame the agency and embarrass the leadership.
 
“That is actually intimidation, symptomatic of what former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami did during Ibrahim Magu’s time as EFCC chairman to get several suspects off the hook,”
Meanwhile, it was also gathered that investigators handling the case of former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle are to be summoned by the DSS for interrogation.
It was revealed that Matawalle was being investigated by the commission in two separate cases. One of them is a case involving his private company which got money from the National Security Adviser’s office without executing the contract, which was investigated under the chairmanship of Magu. The other case involves the alleged fraud committed by Matawalle while in office.
But sources close to the President said Tinubu is aware of moves by the former governor to stop the anti-corruption body from probing him, which includes obtaining court orders to restrain the commission and other agencies from carrying out their investigations.
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I Stopped A Plane In Barcelona Just To Kiss Gerard Pique – Shakira Confesses

Shakira, the world-famous Colombian pop star has revealed the most romantic thing she has ever done in her life.

Shakira said that the most romantic thing she has ever done in her life was when she once stopped a plane to give her former partner and Barcelona legend Gerard Pique a kiss.

The singer had a well-documented long-term relationship with Pique in the past.

The duo were together for over a decade before breaking up last year.

However, Shakira has now revealed a story about their much-discussed relationship via AS Tikitakas.

“I remember flying from Marrakech to Croatia. We were flying over Barcelona and I asked the pilot of the plane if he could land briefly just to give Gerard a kiss.

“It’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever done in my life. I don’t know if the Tax Agency will have computed it as one day in Spain.”

Pique has been in a relationship with Clara Chia Martin for a while, while Shakira started a new chapter in her life when she moved to Miami, United States, along with their kids Milan and Sasha.

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Subsidy Removal: Daily Fuel Consumption Drops From 66m To 40m

Vanguard reports that the daily consumption of petrol by Nigerians has reduced from 65 million to 40 million following the removal of fuel subsidy as announced by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023.

This was revealed by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, after the inauguration of the National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Earlier, Tinubu addressed the NEC saying he would accept collaboration in governance to address the economy and improve the welfare of the Nigerian people, adding that he would not be an excuse for failure.

Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State said the government deliberated and looked at all the issues on subsidy removal, the challenges and problems holistically and set up a small committee of the council to review and come up with a term of reference that will help to alleviate the problem of workers and other vulnerable groups.

According to him, the committee is composed of Governors of Kebbi state, as Chairman, Anambra representing the South East geopolitical zone. Benue North Central, Kaduna Northwest, Bauchi, representing the northeast, Cross River, South-South and Oyo state Southwest.

Speaking after the meeting, Otti said, “As part of the inaugural national economic council meeting today, the major focus was on the removal of petroleum subsidy and implied the removal of subsidy on foreign exchange, which has led to some convergence of some sort.

“The impact of these two actions definitely is increased prices. And as a way to solve the problem and reduce the shock, a presentation was made by the National Automotive Design and Development Council on the great things that are happening in the automotive industry.

“It was that about six states in the country, including Lagos, Ogun, Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna and Kano that have benefited from domestic production of vehicles or assembling of vehicles by Nigerian companies operating in Nigeria. And these companies include INNOSON, Maikano, Dangote Peugeot, Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria, Stallion Hyundai, Honda, Elizade/Toyota, Coscharis and Ford, Kojo Motors, Jet Systems motors.”

While he said Tinubu’s administration should be commended for its efforts to remove subsidy and still help create palliatives, Otti disclosed that the consumption of fuel has reduced in the country.

“But we must salute the courage of the current government to bite the bullet and remove it. Initially, it had reduced the consumption from about 66, 67 million litres a day to just about 40 million. And as time goes on, the consumption will continue to go down.

“We know there are implications, particularly for the poorest of the poor. And that is why this government is seriously looking at palliatives to at least deal with the shock that the poor of our society goes through,“ Otti said.

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Boko Haram Beheads 15 People In Fresh Attack In Borno

At least fifteen persons have been beheaded by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
DailyTrust reported that the insurgents attacked two communities in the Jere Local Government Area of the state on Thursday night and carried out their heinous acts till Friday morning.
The terrorists also invaded Kofa village at midnight and started shooting sporadically for about an hour into the early hours of Friday.
Daily Trust quoted a source saying that the terrorists also attacked Molai Kura and Molai Gana, where they slaughtered some people.
Many residents reportedly fled their homes to take cover in the nearby bush.
Confirming the incident, a top member of a vigilante group, Bukar Ali Musty, told journalists that the farmers were attacked while working on their farmland near Molai in the Jere local government area of the state.
 
“At least 15 bodies were evacuated this morning; the attacks took place yesterday (Thursday).
 
“Seven farmers were beheaded while working on their farmland, and the attackers also slit the throats of eight other harmless civilians in their homes,” Musty said.
Another civilian JTF who reportedly took part in the evacuation team raised concerns over the attacks, saying all stakeholders must wake up to ensure it doesn’t continue.
“It was a sad development considering the progress that we have made in the months without any attacks on communities.
 
“I was there this morning. I can’t imagine seeing my fellow human being slaughtered like a ram. All those bodies that we recovered were found in the pool of blood and I think we all need to rise to tame this enemy of peace,” the source reportedly said.
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EFCC Arrests Five Suspected Fraudsters In Lagos

Five suspected internet fraudsters have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Lagos.

The suspects were identified as Tamaraemi Akpoviri, Jonathan Oshioke Okhumode, Jordan O. Clifford, Okorie J. Christian and Enabule Peace Osaro.

They were arrested during a sting operation at the Buena Vista Estate, Orchid Road, Lekki area of Lagos State, following an intelligence report on the activities of some individuals suspected to be internet fraudsters in the area.

Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include exotic cars, mobile devices and laptop computers.

The Commission added that suspects will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.

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