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Emefiele Moves To Stop FG From Further Prosecution

An application has been filed by Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, to stop the Federal Government from further prosecuting him on the charge of illegal firearm possession and ammunition.

Emefiele, through his lawyers led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), filed the application to Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos, who granted him bail.

Emefiele’s application was filed on Tuesday, Aug 8, and has been served on the federal government on Wednesday, August 9.

He is also seeking an order of the court discharging him of all offenses prosecuted by the Government who is in “brazen disobedience” of the subsisting orders of the court granting him bail on July 25, 2023.

Emefiele also asked for a further order prohibiting the FG from continuing to enjoy any form of indulgence from the courts except and unless it complies with the bail ruling.

He asked the court to stay further proceedings in the present charge until he exhausts all the remedies available to him in law to compel the government and the DSS to obey the order of the court admitting him to bail or remanding him in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre until he perfects his bail terms.

The applicant also says that the processes seeks to preserve and protect the efficacy, majesty and integrity of the court as well as the rule of law in our democracy.

Recall that the federal Government, last week, filed an application before the court seeking leave to appeal against the order granting bail to the suspended CBN governor.

In the application filed by a deputy director of public prosecutions of the Federation, Nkiru Jones-Nebo, the government also asked the court to stay the execution of the order remanding Emefiele in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Services and to make an order remanding him instead in the custody of the DSS.

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Tinubu Meets With Wike, El-Rufai In Aso Rock

President Bola Tinubu currenlty in a meeting with former governors of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.
The meeting is taking place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The two former governors are ministerial nominees.
However, while Wike was screened and confirmed by the Senate, the nation’s upper legislative chamber did not confirm el-Rufai because of an alleged security report.
The former governors arrived the State House separately.
While Wike came at about 1:40p.m., el-Rufai entered the presidential wing of Aso Rock at 2p.m.
Sources at the Presidential Villa hinted that efforts are being made to ensure that the Senate confirms Mallam el-Rufai.
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Gov Adeleke Approves N2.1 Billion Bond Certificates For Pensioners

Gov Ademola Adeleke of Osun state has approved the release of bond certificates worth N2.1 billion to pensioners.

The approved bond certificates cover retirees under the contributory pension scheme at the state and local government levels.

The Osun State Head of Service, Samuel Ayanleye Aina, in a statement on Wednesday, made this revelation.

Aina said beneficiaries should be presented with the bond certificates at the LG service commission hall on Thursday.

Aina explained that the beneficiaries of bond certificates are retired Staff of Local Government Areas, Local Council Development Areas, Area Councils, Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs), Secondary Schools, Tertiary Institutions and Parastatals.

He noted that “The Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has graciously approved the release of bond certificates worth N2.1bn for the payment of accrued right benefits of another batch of Retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme at the State and Local Government levels.”

Aina said the governor’s move aligned with one of the campaign promises, adding that Adeleke wants to guarantee that the welfare of pensioners and active workers in the state is given adequate attention during his tenure.

“Accordingly, His Excellency, the Governor, will preside over the presentation of the Bond Certificates to the beneficiaries tomorrow, Thursday, 10th August, 023,t the Local Government Service Commission Hall, Abere at 10.00 a.m,” Aina added.

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Niger Republic: Nigeria Not Pushover, Shouldn’t Be Afraid To Use Military – Reno Omokri

Reno Omokri, the popular Nigerian social critic, has explained that Nigeria is not a pushover or should be afraid of using its military-industrial complex to advance the cause of democracy and the rule of law in Niger Republic, even as Nigerians fervently and consistently pray against war.

According to Omokri, Nigeria has a vested interest in what happens in Niger Republic, the way Russia has a vested interest in what happens in Ukraine and America in Cuba.

In a tweet, the social critic boasted that Nigeria’s defence budget is larger than every other ECOWAS state combined.

He added that Nigeria intervening to reestablish the rule of law in Niger might be better than building a wall.

He wrote, “Nigeria’s defence budget is larger than the defence budgets of every other ECOWAS state combined. Our military personnel are more than the military of all fourteen other ECOWAS nations combined. ECOWAS has a combined annual Gross Domestic Product of $760 billion. Nigeria generates almost $500 billion of that amount or 63%.

“So, while we fervently, strenuously, and consistently pray against war, that does not mean Nigeria should be a pushover, or be afraid of using its military-industrial complex to advance the cause of democracy and the rule of law. We have a vested interest in what happens in the next-door Niger Republic, the way Russia has a vested interest in what happens in Ukraine and America in Cuba.

“Gone are the days when President Obama would destabilise Libya and then hand off and leave Nigeria to bear the consequences in the form of Boko Haram, which were essentially a spillover effect of the Libyan crisis.

“Political instability in the Sahel will not be the direct burden of France, NATO or Russia. Libya and Chad, which share a border with Niger, are somewhat in a crisis. Algeria is dead set against opening its borders to non-Arab, and non-Amazigh persons. Mali is facing hydra-headed issues, including a power struggle, an Islamist insurgency, and a population growth rate higher than her GDP growth rate.

“Therefore, if there is political and economic instability in Niger, the influx of refugees and migrants will naturally be to Nigeria.

“And that is why it is in Nigeria’s interests to reestablish the rule of law in Niger. Either that or we build a Trump-style wall between us and them.

“Singapore is perhaps the least mineral-resourced nation on Earth. Yet, she has the world’s strongest passport, according to the Henley Index, and one of the highest per capita incomes in the world at almost $90,000. And the reason is that Singapore has an unassailable commitment to the rule of law.

“The above means intervening to reestablish the rule of law in Niger might be the better option than building a wall.

“And for those who are thinking that this is a Western imperialist action, please give Nigeria some credit. We have come of age. We know our right from our left. And we can pursue our own agenda and asset our own interests. And Russia is not the saviour here. Neither is the US or NATO. Nigeria is the Black saviour!”

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Niger: Be Careful, Don’t Weaponise Electricity – Shehu Sani Advises Tinubu

Shehu Sani, a former Nigerian lawmaker, has sent a message to President Bola Tinubu.

He urged Tinubu not to weaponise electricity supply against Niger Republic in handling the leadership crisis in the West African country.

According to Sani, the President should be careful not to be the new apprentice of French neo-Colonialism in the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, sub-region.

In a tweet on Sunday, the social critic is of the view that Nigeria shouldn’t be the vigilante of imperialism in West Africa.

He said that Nigeria should seize the moment and seek a new independent West Africa.

He wrote, “President Tinubu should not weaponise electricity supply to Niger Republic. Nigeria shouldn’t be the vigilante of imperialism in West Africa.

“The President should be careful not to be the new apprentice of French neo-Colonialism in our subregion.

“This is a moment we should seize for a new Independent West Africa; beginning with killing the CFA,Cedi and Naira and adopting a common West African Currency.”

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Why Osinbanjo Was Absent At APC Caucus Meeting — Aide

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, has talked about why his principal was absent at the caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress on Wednesday.

He said Osinbajo was absent from the meeting because he was out of Nigeria for some engagements to which he had long been committed.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Akande, however, reaffirmed Osinbajo’s commitment to the party.

He said: “In a letter of apology for his absence addressed to the Acting Chairman of the party (Abubakar Kyari), the former VP explained that he was already abroad for engagements to which he had long been committed, when he received the invitation to the meeting,” the statement partly read.

“He had in fact cancelled some of his engagements abroad to be available for the two previously scheduled caucus meetings of the party which had to be postponed due to exigencies.

“While wishing the party fruitful deliberations, he expressed his commitment to the Party and his availability for future meetings and activities of the party.”

Also absent from the meeting was former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

The former president through his spokesman, Garba Shehu, however, explained he was unable to attend the meeting due to commitments he earlier made.

The APC caucus meeting is a prelude to Thursday’s National Executive Committee meeting where the perennial crisis rocking the party, the nomination of former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and Spokesperson for the ninth Senate, Senator Ajibola Basiru, are expected to be on the front burner.

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What President Tinubu Said At APC NEC Meeting In Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said that despite claims by the opposition parties that the 2023 presidential elections were not credible, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won the polls.

The Nigerian leader stated this on Thursday while addressing the 12th National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling party at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

The President asserted that it is now time to deliver the promises of good governance to the Nigerian people stating that the 2023 election was the best election in Nigeria’s history.

Present at the NEC meeting were Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas; Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC governors, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

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BREAKING: Labour May Reconsider Planned Protest

On Tuesday, the Organised Labour gave an indication that it may reconsider its planned nationwide protest scheduled to commence on Wednesday, The Nation reports.

Secretary of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Emma Ugbaja gave the indication at the end of the Presidential Steering Committee on Palliatives meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He argued that though the measures announced Monday evening by President Bola Tinubu were welcoming, they were not far-reaching enough.

He however said the Labour team would go back to the bodies they represent to consort to achieve consensus on the next line of action.

Details Shortly…

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Shehu Sani Mocks Tinubu Over National Broadcast

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has been mocked by former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani over his nationwide address on Monday.
Tinubu had addressed Nigerians on the current economic challenge in the country.
Tinubu in his speech on Monday, revealed that plans are underway to ease the current pain and hardship many Nigerians are facing as a result of the fuel subsidy removal.
The president also spoke on minimum wage for Nigerian workers, fuel subsidy which he said was mostly benefited by a selected group of individuals, approval of N50 billion for small-scale businesses and plans to roll out buses across states and local government for mass transit at affordable rates.
Reacting to the president’s speech in a Twitter post on Tuesday, Sani wrote: “When you listen to Buhari’s speech, you will need a hot cup of tea to warm you up. When you listen to Tinubu’s speech, you will need a fan.”
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Fuel Subsidy: Nigerians Lost Peace of Mind On May 29 – NLC Laments

The Nigeria Labour Congress has lamented the hardship in the country.
Speaking on Wednesday, NLC said Nigerians lost their peace of mind following the “Subsidy is gone” comment made by President Bola Tinubu during his May 29, 2023, inauguration.
The labour congress in a statement jointly signed by the national president, Joe Ajaero and Secretary-General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, in Abuja, faulted the Tinubu administration over its“unfriendly” policies while adding that the administration had continued to treat Nigerians as slaves.
The NLC, however, noted that it would mobilise a nationwide strike on August 2,2023 should the government fail to meet all its demands namely the immediate reversal of all “anti-poor policies such as the hike in price of Premium Motor Spirit; increase in public schools’ fees; increase in Value Added Tax among others”.
The statement partly reads, “The Central Working Committee of the NLC observed that the Federal Government has shown enormous disdain and contempt for Nigerian people and workers having acted and continued to act without regard to the welfare and cries of the citizenry.
That Government seems to have declared a war of attrition on Nigerian workers and masses without any care leaving them to the throes of hopelessness and helplessness; the Federal Government has refused to put in place safeguards to protect Nigerians from the harsh economic situation that its policies have inflicted on the people rather it has decided to insult the sensibilities of Nigerian masses by offering us N8,000 per family and offering themselves N70bn.
 
“That the Federal Government has frustrated and abandoned its own committee which was a product of social dialogue between the government and workers’ organisations in the country. While the committee has not met, the government embarked on unilateral actions and programmes.
 
“That since Mr. President’s “subsidy is gone forever” speech at the inauguration day; the peace of mind of Nigerians has gone; decent living gone increasing despair of unimaginable dimensions. That the federal government has continued to treat Nigerians as slaves and conquered people which it treats with impunity without any concern on the consequences.
 
“That the Federal Government has continued in an unholy mission of robbing the poor to pay the rich in Nigeria as typified by its continued frustration of the activation of the agreed alternatives to Premium Motor Spirit and new hike in prices of PMS to N617 per litre.”
 
Speaking further, the NLC noted that the Federal Government has continued to promote the“gang-up of the ruling elite against the Nigerian people and workers; churn out without relenting policies designed to emasculate Nigerian workers and people via not just increases in PMS prices with its spiralling effect but also increases in VAT, increases in school fees across all publicly-owned secondary and tertiary institutions of learning.”
 
On its next steps, the NLC noted that it had received pressure from Nigerians who have been calling on it to lead a national strike.
The congress also noted that it had reached a breaking point hence it would, “give the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum within which to meet all our demands and to embark on a nationwide action beginning Wednesday the 2nd of August, 2023 to compel the government to reverse its anti-poor and anti-workers policies.”

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