The pair was proclaimed wanted by the NDLEA following the arrest of four members of the accused network in Lagos, where a Sports Utility Vehicle and two houses previously related to them were sealed for forfeiture to the Federal Government.

A statement signed by the Director of Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, said alleged two members of the syndicate: Imran Olalekan and Ishola Olalekan were arrested on April 3, 2024 following their reported bid to export 3.40kg cocaine on a Qatar Airlines flight going to Oman through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos.

“While Imran was the courier conveying the drug consignment to Oman, Ishola recruited him for the head of the cartel, which investigation has now revealed to be Alhaji Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade whose Indian residence permit bears Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun based in India.

“Efforts to dismantle his network in Nigeria paid off after five weeks of surveillance and follow up operations when another member of the syndicate, Hamed Abimbola Saheed who works directly with the baron was arrested on Tuesday 14th May at Abule Egba area of Lagos. It was indeed Saheed who lodged Imran in a hotel a day before his aborted trip to Oman and equally dropped him and Ishola at the Lagos airport the day they were arrested.

“During a search of Hamed house, NDLEA operatives recovered some phenacetine, a cutting agent for Cocaine, weighing 900 grams. He confessed that the recovered substance was what was left of the consignment Imran was taking to Oman the day he was arrested.

His arrest led to a follow up operation at the home of the Owoalade couple at 20 Eyiaro street, Ogudu Orioke, Lagos where another suspect was arrested and a new model Toyota RAV4 SUV marked FKJ-773 JJ belonging to Rashidat and additional 400 grams of Cocaine recovered in addition to already prepared suitcases to be used for illicit drug concealment, digital weighing scales and other paraphernalia,” the statement sighted by PlatinumPost said.

In the same vein, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, DOGI, attached to a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday 15th May intercepted two parcels, containing Cocaine and Amphetamine concealed in steel bolts and shea butter.

While the cocaine weighing 587 grams, was concealed in eight steel bolt screws going to China, the Amphetamine consignment packed in vape pens and hidden in shea butter was going to the United Kingdom.

The statement reads further :”Attempt by Emeka Nwadiaro (a.k.a Mega) to export 3.6kg Loud, a strain of cannabis concealed in 36 water flasks to Dubai, UAE was also thwarted at a logistic company in Port Harcourt, Rivers state on Thursday 16th May while a swift follow up operation led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Emeka Nwadiaro in Onitsha, Anambra state same day.

“While NDLEA operatives in Lagos intercepted a mercedes benz bus loaded with 840kg cannabis and arrested the driver, Samuel Henry, at Olojo in Ojo LGA, Lagos, another suspect, Lawal Adam was nabbed along Otukpo road, Aliade, Benue state on Friday 17th May with 75,000 pills of opioids including tramadol and exol-5. Two suspects: Olisa Etisi, 32, and Jonathan Umeh, 25, were arrested along Owerri – Onitsha road, Imo state following the discovery by NDLEA operatives of a big gas cyclinder used to conceal six blocks of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 3.85kg.

“In Borno state, 70-year-old Adamu Mohammed was arrested at Mbulamel, Biu LGA
on Thursday 16th May with 2kg cannabis and 33.55grams of diazepam, while Gaddafi Sani, 27, was arrested with 30 kilograms of cannabis along Abuja-Kaduna road, Kaduna.
In Yobe state, a consignment of 91.1kg opioids and 13kg cannabis going to Maiduguri, Borno state, was recovered from hidden compartments of a petrol tanker along Potiskum-Damaturu road by NDLEA officers who arrested the driver, Ismaila Ali.

“No less than four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 2,025 pieces of improvised explosive devices (IED) materials intercepted in a Toyota hummer bus marked AGL 905 XX by NDLEA officers along Agaie – Lapai road, Niger state. While the duo of Abdulrauf Shitu Adeyemi, 46, and Asmiyu Rahim, 45, conyeying the IED materials were arrested on the spot, follow up operations led to the arrest of Husaini Abdullahi, 25, at Sokoto main market, Sokoto and Nazifi Abdullahi, 37, at Naibawa Motor Park, Kano on Friday 17th May. The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has directed that all four suspects and the explosive materials be transferred to the appropriate security agency for further investigation. In another operation, Muhammad Lawal, 42, was nabbed at Central Market Motor Park, Katsina State with 1,000 Ampoules of Pentazocine injection.

“A total of 105kg cannabis was on Friday 17th May recovered from a house at Obola community, Owan West LGA, Edo state and a suspect, Gloria Oris arrested when NDLEA officers raided the area. In Kwara state, two suspects: Abdulganiyu Karaman, 55, and Sunday Abel, 37, were on Saturday 18th May arrested with 83kg cannabis and tramadol at Boriya, Baruten LGA, and Offa respectively.”

On Saturday, a trailer lost control and smashed three minibuses in Owerri, the capital of Imo State. Seven people were thought dead.

Platinum Times Nigeria gathered that the truck hit about 20 persons at the Imo State University junction in Owerri after the driver lost control of the vehicle.

The incident occurred around 7 pm on Saturday night.

Sources said the heavy-duty truck was driving against traffic and eventually rammed into three minibusses with nine passengers each including the drivers.

Some of the victims were rushed to the Federal University of Technology Hospital Owerri for treatment, while seven others confirmed dead had been deposited at the morgue.

An eyewitness who gave his name as Emeka noted that the buses were hit in quick succession because they were driving close to each other

A crowd subsequently besieged FUTHO to look for their relatives.

Gridlock took over the busy Okigwe Road as people rushed to the accident scene while the affected vehicles were blocking a major part of the road.

Efforts made to reach the police spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye, were not successful as his telephone line was not reachable as of the time of filing this report.

Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor, has joined others in attending the Harvard Alumni Reunion in Massachusetts.

The reunion gathering, which involved two groups – Mason Fellows and Mid-Career MPAs – took place at the KSG Campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Saturday, 15 years after their graduation.

He shared photos on X.com on Saturday, captioning them:

"REUNION WEEKEND#HARVARD: I am attending the 15th year reunion of Harvard Kennedy School class of 2009 at KSG Campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

"It is wonderful to reconnect with many of my classmates - Mason Fellows and Mid-Career MPAs - after such a long time. It is nice to be back.!"

President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of at least 555 people to serve as Pro-Chancellors/Chairmen and Governing Board members of 111 federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

This followed Tinubu's approval of a list of nominees selected by the Ministry of Education.

When contacted for confirmation, the Presidency said the list emanated from the Ministry of Education.

“This is from the Federal Ministry of Education…they make the nominations and forward them to the President to sign. But they are at liberty to release it from their end,” the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told our correspondent on Saturday.

The appointments come days after the Academic Staff Union of Universities had threatened to embark on another strike, potentially disrupting the academic calendar and causing further setbacks in the country’s higher education sector.

The union, on Tuesday, decried the failure of the Federal Government to appoint Governing Councils for federal universities.

The union also faulted what it described as the nonchalant attitude of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to matters about academics in federal universities.

The body of academics, during a briefing at the University of Abuja, also faulted the 35 per cent salary increment for professors and the 25 per cent salary increment for other academics in the university system.

The National Judicial Council has recommended that Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, wife of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, be promoted to the Appeal Court.

Suzzette, the immediate past Rivers State First Lady, was one of 21 individuals proposed for the appellate court.

She is currently a Justice in the Rivers State High Court.

In the same manner, Oluwakemi Victoria Ariwoola, the daughter-in-law to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, was considered among the list of 12 judges to be elevated to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Suzzette and Victoria are among the 86 judges listed for recommendation by the Interview Committee on Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria.

A statement from the council stated that the recommendation came under the National Judicial Council, during its 105th plenary meeting held between May 15 and 16, 2024.

“All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective State Governors,” said the council’s Director of Information, Soji Oye, in a statement dated May 16, 2024.

Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, has withdrawn a lawsuit she had brought against Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, the speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, over his plan to marry off 100 orphans from his constituency. 

Speaking with reporters, the minister stated that the ministry, in partnership with the speaker of the Niger State Assembly and the state's traditional rulers, is now investigating the girls' ages to see whether they are of marriageable age.

According to her, the Ministry of Women Affairs will, for now, focus on empowering girls, as well as others affected by insecurity in the state.

Last week, the speaker, Sarkindaji, announced plans to marry off 100 orphans in his constituency as part of measures to alleviate their sufferings.

While the development had sparked national outrages, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), urged the minister to withdraw the litigation and petition she wrote to the Inspector General of Police.

The Chairman, Kano State Chapter of MURIC, Malam Hassan Indabawa, who made the call on Thursday night in a statement, urged Nigerians to learn to respect one another’s culture and traditions.

“We found the harsh and hasty decision taken by the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs over a matter that is entirely beyond the scope of her ministry.

“The minister’s attempt at media demonisation of marrying off of 100 poor and orphaned girls, who were largely traumatised for losing both parents to brutal and bloody banditry and insurgency, exposed her ignorance to the culture and traditions of the Muslim North.

“This elaborate media blitz, over the matter, MURIC observed, was deliberately done to sway public opinion against the marriage institution, and an attempt to vilify Sarkin-Daji, after demonstrating his genuine concern for the needs of members of his constituency,” Indabawa said.

The marriage arrangement in question is slated to take place on May 24, 2024.

Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, has apologised to the Rivers people for appointing Governor Siminalayi Fubara as his successor, claiming that he never instructed anyone to worship him in order to gain power.

Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), issued the apology on Saturday in Ogu town, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, for a thanksgiving ceremony held in honour of George Sekibo, who celebrated 20 years of meritorious service at the National Assembly and 36 years of public service.

In his remarks at the event, Wike begged the people of Ogun/Bolo loca to forgive him, saying that people should be appreciative of those or whoever that is instrumental to their elevation.

The former governor said that God cannot come down to help people, but would use somebody to accomplish that, condemning ingratitude in the lives of some individuals.

Wike stated: “My dear people, I came because I respect people who appreciate what God has done for them; who appreciate what God has used people to do for them. God does not come down. God uses people to help people. So, when you have been helped, you appreciate Him and, then, God will know you have appreciated Him.

“I have never told anybody to worship me. Nobody can worship man. All of us believe that we only have one God. And it is only that God we will worship. And we will continue to worship that God. But, as politicians, we appreciate people who have helped us.

“Ogu/Bolo people, when I came to ask you to support me, you supported me. Did I worship you? But, I have to appreciate you. I have to thank you. If you did not support me, I would not have been in the position where I am. I never said I would worship you. Did you tell me to worship you? So, how did the issue of worship come?”

The Minister noted that nobody can be completely free from mistakes, stressing, “I have made a mistake. I own up. And I ask God to forgive me. I have said all of you forgive me. But, we will correct it at the appropriate time.

“I am a human being. I am bound to make a mistake. My judgement can be wrong. So, forgive me for making a wrong judgement. That is life. So, nobody should kill himself.”

To the lawmaker representing Ogu/Bolo constituency in the House of Assembly, Wike declared: “Let me say this clearly, Arnold, don’t be frightened that anybody would remove you as an Assembly member. Nobody will remove you as Assembly member.

“Most of you don’t understand. This (politics) is our work. What l am doing is to make them fear, to make them angry. I have no other job than to make them to be angry everyday, to make them make mistake everyday. And they will be in trouble everyday. So, don’t worry yourselves.

“If they like, they can go to anybody by 2am, 4am to get injunction. The law will take its course. We are not afraid. We followed due process. We must follow due process. We are not going to harm anybody. We are not going to give money to anybody to buy arms and kill anybody. We won’t do that.

“As you see me, I think well. You see, I came with Senator Magnus Abe. I work with people who have brain. In politics, when people who have brain disagree, they agree.”

Wike taunted those saying they would bring him down, saying nobody could do that. “When you are in charge, you are in charge. So, don’t worry,” urging them to calm down because everything would be over.

He, however, advised Ogun/Bolo people to forget the abuse coming from their detractors, noting that one must be alive for people to abuse him.

“At the appropriate day, that day when the result would be announced, we will know who is who. Don’t worry yourselves. We have defeated them severally. No amount of propaganda can help you. Ogu people have shown loyalty. And I want to thank you.”

The FCT minister declared that he knows how to handle the people he described as “buccaneers”, stressing that he would continue to handle them.

He acknowledged that it is not easy to be in power, saying that it is only those who lack knowledge of why they are in power that give excuses.

“When you want to do bad, you say there is too much pressure on you, saying they say I should bring N20 billion, N10 billion, N100 billion. They want to run away from fulfilling the promises you made to people.

“Look at all the council chairmen; look at all the Assembly members. These are young men, whom I talked to, spoke to that all these things are for the interest of all of us. Do it. And they all did it. Today, somebody says they are nobody. Will you accept that?

“Look at Assembly people sat down in their various constituencies. You never brought a dime. I never knew you were so rich; I never knew your father was a managing director of Shell before and now you are feeding Assembly people, paying their children’s school fees. I never knew that. It’s unfortunate.”

Wike reiterated that he would not abandon Ogu people, emphasising that from 1999 to 2014, no governor in the state had recognised the traditional institution in Ogu/Bolo, but he broke the jinx.

The FCT minister berated traditional rulers in the area who failed to be appreciative of the person who lifted them up.

“I have maintained peace. And I will continue to maintain peace. And I want all of you to continue to maintain peace. There will come a time when nobody can tell me that I would not live in my house. Nobody can tell me that I cannot go to my house. Maintain peace and follow law. Follow due process.”

President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria to halt the controversial cybersecurity levy policy and conduct a review.

This follows the House of Representatives' resolution last Thursday to request that the CBN rescind its circular mandating all banks to charge a 0.5% cybersecurity tax on all electronic transactions in the country.

The CBN on May 6, 2024, issued a circular mandating all banks, mobile money operators, and payment service providers to implement a new cybersecurity levy, following the provisions laid out in the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act 2024.

According to the Act, a levy amounting to 0.5 per cent of the value of all electronic transactions will be collected and remitted to the National Cybersecurity Fund, overseen by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Financial institutions are required to apply the levy at the point of electronic transfer origination.

The deducted amount is to be explicitly noted in customer accounts under the descriptor “Cybersecurity Levy” and remitted by the financial institution. All financial institutions are required to start implementing the levy within two weeks from the issuance of the circular.

By implication, the deduction of the levy by financial institutions should commence on May 20, 2024.

However, financial institutions are to make their remittances in bulk to the NCF account domiciled at the CBN by the fifth business day of every subsequent month.

The circular also stipulates a timeframe for financial institutions to reconfigure their systems to ensure complete and timely submission of remittance files to the Nigeria Interbank Settlement Systems Plc as follows: “Commercial, Merchant, Non-Interest, and Payment Service Banks – Within four weeks of the issuance of the Circular.

“All other Financial Institutions (Microfinance Banks, Primary Mortgage Banks, Development Financial Institutions) – Within eight weeks of the issuance of the Circular,” the circular noted.

The CBN has emphasised strict adherence to this mandate, warning that any financial institution that fails to comply with the provisions will face severe penalties. As outlined in the Act, non-compliant entities are subject to a minimum fine of two per cent of their annual turnover upon conviction.

The circular provides a list of transactions currently deemed eligible for exemption, to avoid multiple applications of the levy.

These are loan disbursements and repayments, salary payments, intra-account transfers within the same bank or between different banks for the same customer, and intra-bank transfers between customers of the same bank.

Exemptions include other financial institutions’ transfers to their correspondent banks, interbank placements, banks’ transfers to CBN and vice versa, inter-branch transfers within a bank, cheque clearing and settlements, letters of credit, and banks’ recapitalisation-related funding.

Others are bulk funds movement from collection accounts, savings, and deposits including transactions involving long-term investments such as treasury bills, bonds, and commercial papers, and government social welfare programmes transactions.

These may include pension payments, non-profit and charitable transactions including donations to registered non-profit organisations or charities, educational institutions transactions, including tuition payments and other transactions involving schools, universities, or other educational institutions, and transactions involving the bank’s internal accounts, inter-branch accounts, reserve accounts, nostro and vostro accounts, and escrow accounts.

The introduction of the new levy sparked varied reactions among stakeholders as it is expected to raise the cost of conducting business in Nigeria and could potentially hinder the growth of digital transaction adoption.

‘Stop levy now’

Members of the House of Representatives on Thursday asked the Central Bank of Nigeria to withdraw the circular directing financial institutions to commence implementation of the 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy, describing it as “ambiguous”.

The development was in response to a motion on the urgent need to halt and modify the implementation of the cybersecurity levy, moved by Kingsley Chinda.

According to the House, the CBN is to withdraw the initial circular, and “issue a more understandable one”.

Chinda had drawn the attention of the House to multiple interpretations of the CBN directive against the specifications in the Cybersecurity Act.

The House then expressed worry, that the Act would be implemented in error if immediate steps were not taken, to address the concerns around the interpretation of the CBN directive and the Cybersecurity Act.

However, sources with knowledge of Tinubu’s position on the issue told Sunday PUNCH that the President was aware of the economic burden on Nigerians since his hardline economic reforms began last May, adding that he did not want to risk adding to the burden with more levies.

A senior presidency official who preferred not to be named told our correspondent, “The President is sensitive to what Nigerians feel. And he will not want to proceed with implementing a policy that adds to the burden of the people.

“So, he has asked the CBN to hold off on that policy and ordered a review. I would have said he ordered the CBN, but that is not appropriate because the CBN is autonomous. But he has asked the CBN to hold off on it and review things again.”

Another presidency official who preferred to remain anonymous as he was not authorised to speak on the issue said these discrepancies prompted the President to order a review.

“If you look at it, the law predates the Tinubu administration. It was enacted in 2015 and signed by Goodluck Jonathan. It is only being implemented now.

“You know he (Tinubu) was not around when that directive was being circulated. And he does not want to present his government as being insensitive. As it is now, the CBN has held off the instruction to banks to start charging people. So, the President is sensitive. His goal is not to just tax Nigerians like that. That is not his intention. So, he has ordered a review of that law.”

Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, has come under fire from the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court accused Bello of trying to end the criminal prosecution that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had brought against him.

The court, in the ruling that was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, on Friday, restated the order it made on April 17, which directed security agencies to arrest and produce him before it to answer to the 19-count charge that is pending against him.

According to the court, the former governor, by briefing lawyers to challenge its jurisdiction to try him, while he remained in hiding, showed that he “has no atom of respect and regard for the court.”

It held that Bello’s decision to file the application “is clearly showing his intention not to present himself for trial,” stressing that he ought to have made himself available upon becoming aware of the order of arrest that was issued against him.

“The law is settled that he who disobeyed an order of court and shown disrespect to the court cannot expect a favourable discretion of the court.

“The honourable thing the defendant would have done was to obey the order of court by making himself available.

“Section 287 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, mandates all persons and authority to give effect to orders of court.

“He has wilfully disobeyed the order of this court. An order of court of competent jurisdiction, no matter how it was obtained, subsists until it is set aside.

“A party who refuse to obey an order of court after becoming aware of it, is in contempt of court.



“He is not entitled to be heard or granted a favourable discretion. The refusal of the defendant to make himself available is solely to truncate the arraignment and prevent the court from proceeding further in this case.

“Refusal of the defendant to make himself available in an attempt to truncate this court and make it practically impossible for the court to assume jurisdiction in this criminal trial.

“He ought to make himself available. He cannot sit in the comfort of his home to file applications before this court.

“The defendant has no atom or regard for the court. Clearly, the defendant is taking this court for granted.”

Justice Nwite held that Bello’s decision to treat the order of the court with levity, was previously condemned by the Supreme Court.

“In view of the forgoing analysis, I am of the view and I so hold, that no application can be moved or heard unless the defendant is present before the court to take his plea,” the trial judge held.

Bello, who piloted affairs of Kogi state for eight years, is facing a charge bordering on his alleged complicity in money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of about N80.2billion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPE7sgnB_Qg?si=mN0fHvUgtMU0nMEJ
Famous Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo chose to honor African customs by giving his son fatherly blessings and accepting his first paycheck for his work on set.

Kanayo just welcomed his son Clinton Mbaise into the world of filmmaking.

According to Kanayo, many people in the nation have advanced as a result of learning about this culture from their ancestors.

Clinton was paid N50,000 after completing his first movie production with his father.

In the video shared on Kanayo’s Instagram account on Thursday, he requested N500 from the salary his son earned and then prayed for him to succeed in the industry.

The Nollywood actor advised Nigerians to always give their first salary to their father for his blessings and not to their pastors. He emphasized that only a father can bless his child.

Kanayo said, “I want to observe a culture from our ancestors which has led to the progress of many people you see today, ”Father blessing.’

“Clinton my son just concluded a few production management with us and he has earned his first salary, his first salary is N50,000 for a movie.

“Clinton from your pocket in the N50,000 give me N500.

“The first salary of a young man, he goes to his father to say Nnayi my salary is N50,000, the father may decide to take the entire money, he may also decide to take any amount and his father will now bless him.

“The idea of his father asking him to know the salary is, so his father would teach him financial management.

“All you going to pastors to give your salary, you are wasting your time, is not part of our culture.”

Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, his daughter, and two others have all been granted bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The bail sum is ₦100 million with two sureties.

Hadi Sirika, the former minister of aviation, together with his daughter Fatimah and two other suspects were arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday.

Platinum Times Nigeria reports that Sirika and other suspects are facing charges of contract fraud amounting to N2.7 billion that was discovered in the Aviation Ministry.

The Nigerian military has withdrawn its men from Okuama community in Ughelli South local government area of Delta state, Platinum Times Nigeria understands.

Sources in neighbouring Akugbene and Okoloba communities in Bomadi local government area said the soldiers pulled out of Okuama on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, without any prior information.

Recall that the military had invaded Okuama following the killing of 17 soldiers by some assailants suspected to be members of the community.

According to a press statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the troops were of 181 Amphibious Batallion.

He said they were headed to Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State on a peace mission to Okuama community, and they were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March 2024.

His words: ”The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State.

”The reinforcement team led by the Commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers.

”The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Government.

”However, the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country.

”So far, a few arrests have been made, while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack.”

The call by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Rivers State House of Assembly to expeditiously begin the process of impeaching the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has been supported by the local government area chairmen in Rivers State.

Under the auspices of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Rivers State Chapter, the 21 LGA chairmen in the state declared that the call was essential to preserving democracy and establishing the Rule of Law.

Addressing pressmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, Chairman of ALGON in the state, Hon. Allwell Ihunda, who also is the chairman of Port Harcourt City LGA, decried that the Governor of the state has withheld allocation of the LGAs since April.

Ihunda said the development was a show of executive rascality on the part of the governor, noting that the governor has refused to convene the Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting (JAAC) which is the prerequisite for the release and disbursement of funds between the state and LGAs.

He described the governor’s action as illegal, adding that the state was at the verge of being plunged into totalitarianism.

Ihunda said: It has come to the notice of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Rivers State Chapter that the Rivers State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS, has neglected, failed and deliberately refused to hold the statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting (JAAC) which is the prerequisite for the release and disbursement of funds due to the Local Governments in the State Joint Local Government Account and has continued to withhold the statutory allocation due to the 23 Local Governments Councils of Rivers State since the month of April, 2024 (and in the case of Emohua since March, 2024) till date for no just cause, thereby starving the third tier of government of the funds required to discharge its statutory functions in the administration of the Local Government Areas.

“It has also come to our notice that the Governor of Rivers State held a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Heads of Personnel Management (HPM), Treasurers of Local Governments and other Directors on Monday the 6th day of May, 2024 in Government House Port Harcourt whereat he directed them to go and compile for presentation to him of the salary vouchers and over heads of civil servants (excluding Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Councilors and other political office holders), for the various Local Governments with a view to unlawfully dipping his hands into Local Government funds to pay staff salaries directly without the involvement of the democratically elected Local Government Chairmen.”

Ihunda noted that the Governor of the state is seeking to proscribe the system of Local Government guaranteed under section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, noting that the action is tantamount to an illegal proscription of the Local Government Councils.

He noted that Fubara is flaunting the law of the land which he swore to upholding, calling on the State House of Assembly to take steps to cut the excesses of the governor.

“This conduct of the Rivers State Government which smacks of executive high-handedness and lawlessness is not only despicable and unconscionable in a democratic setting, but is also unconstitutional given the clear provisions of sections 3(6), 7 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended which not only guarantees the system of Local Governments by democratically elected Local Government Councils across the Federation of Nigeria including in Rivers State, but which also vests the Local Government Councils with the right to receive statutory allocations from the Federation Account paid through the State Joint Allocation Account.

“It is even more worrisome to note that the Governor of Rivers State took the decision to withhold the statutory allocation in this case in flagrant violation of the subsisting interim order of the Federal High Court (coram Hon. Justice J. K. Omotosho (J) entered in suit No.FHC/ABJ/CS/537/2024 on the 25th day of April, 2024) which mandated all the parties to the suit, including the Rivers State Government (who is the 7th Defendant therein) to maintain the status quo and not to take any step that will render the pending motion for interlocutory injunction before the court nugatory.

We therefore call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Federal Government of Nigeria to intervene by calling the Governor of Rivers State to order with a view to avoiding a breakdown of governance, law
and order in Rivers State.

“We call on the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to take appropriate steps to check the excesses of the Governor of Rivers State and ensure the survival and sustenance of democratic institutions in Rivers State.”

We’ll not vacate office after our tenure

Meanwhile, the Legal Adviser of the body, Chief Hon. Dr. Irastus Awoto, who is the Chairman of Andoni LGA, noted that the democratically elected Chairmen would not leave office, adding that the law empowers to stay additional six months in office.

Awoto said: “Yes, we got elected in 2021 and our tenure is to expire in June. But by now LG elections ought to have been concluded and the winners awaiting swearing in. The Assembly has seen that no action has been taking in respect of conducting an election and in their wisdom knows there shouldn’t be any vacuum and we have to maintain democratically elected Chairmen as in the local government law said until elections are done, this Chairmen will stay in office for another six months in the interim.

“As a matter of fact, in respect of this too we went to court, because the state government has not shown any attention as regards local government elections. What we are seeing is associates of the governor making comments that on thr 17th and 18th of June they are going to invade LG offices and they will bring everybody down. This is an invitation to anarchy.

“We as local government Chairmen we going to remain in office because the law as amended by the Rivers State House of Assembly says so. That law has given us additional six month and we will remain in office after the expiration.”

The Federal Government has made the decision to cut down sales to cross-border markets in the Niger Republic, Niger Republic, and Togo in order to enhance the local electricity supply.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which oversees electricity regulation, directed the System Operator (SO), a division of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, to limit power delivery to the three nearby customers to 6%.

NERC’s order, published on Friday, was dated April 29, 2024, and effective from May 1, 2024, was jointly signed by the commission’s Chairman, Sanusi Garba, and Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni.

The directive, outlined in a document titled ‘Interim Order on Transmission System Dispatch Operations, Cross-border Supply, and Related Matters,’ will only last for six months, subject to change.

According to the document, power delivery to Nigeria’s neighbours must not exceed six per cent of the total grid electricity at any given time.

The electricity sector regulator expressed concern about sub-optimal grid dispatch practices, which have impacted the ability of Distribution Companies (DisCos) to meet their service tariff commitments to end-users.

“The reliance on limiting Discos’ load off-take while prioritising international off-takers and Eligible Customers has proven neither efficient nor equitable,” the document read.

NERC stressed that the current international and bilateral contracts with Generation Companies (GenCos) often fall short of industry standards.

It stated that many off-takers contracted bilaterally by GenCos exploit this prioritisation, exceeding their contracted levels during peak operations without penalties.

As an interim measure, NERC said the move was targeted at guiding the system operator and TCN in implementing Standard Operating Procedures to enhance transparency and fairness in grid operations.

The order also called on the system operator to place interim caps on capacities supplied to international customers for the next six months, minimising the impact on domestic supply obligations by Gencos.

The document stated that the system operator must develop and present a pro-rata load-shedding scheme to ensure equitable load allocation to all off-takers (Discos, international customers, and eligible customers) during generation drops or grid imbalances.

“The system operator will log and publish hourly readings, enforcing penalties for violations of grid instructions and contracted nominations. Maximum load allocation to international off-takers in each trading hour shall not exceed six per cent of the total available grid generation.”

It partly read, “The commission hereby orders as follows: The system operator shall develop and present to the commission for approval within seven days from the issuance of this order a pro-rata load-shedding scheme that ensures equitable adjustment to load allocation to all off-takers — Discos, international customers, and eligible customers — in the event of a drop in generation and other under-frequency related grid imbalances necessitating critical grid management.

“The system operator shall implement a framework to log and publish hourly readings and enforce necessary sanctions for violation of grid instructions and contracted nominations by off-takers in line with the grid code and market.

“The aggregate capacity that can be nominated by a generating plant to service international off-takers shall not be more than 10 per cent of its available generation capacity unless in exceptional circumstances a derogation is granted by the commission.“The system operator shall henceforth cease to recognise any capacity addition in bilateral transactions between a generator and an off-taker without the express approval of the commission,” it added.

It urged, “The system operator and TCN to immediately initiate and install integrated Internet of Things (IoT) meters at all off-take and delivery points of eligible customers, bilateral supplies, cross-border trades, and outgoing 33kV feeders of the Discos to provide real-time visibility of aggregate offtake by grid customers.

“The installation of and streaming of data from the IOT meters should be completed within three months from the date of this order.”

Three Lawmakers have been suspended by the Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku on Monday over purported plan to impeach him and other prominent members of the Assembly.

As loyalists of the impeached deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, one of the suspended lawmakers, Donald Okogbe, PDP, Akoko-Edo II, was the only one that didn't sign the petition which resulted in Shaibu's impeachment.

The two others are Addeh Emankhu Isibor, APC, Esan North-East I, and Iyamu Bright, PDP, Orhionnwon II.

Agbebaku also accused the trio of bringing native doctors to the House on May 1 at around 1am to perform the sacrifice.

Agbebaku said the three lawmakers were suspended indefinitely, alleging that external forces were influencing them to cause chaos and remove the house’s leadership.

Platinum Times Nigeria reports that the suspension of the lawmakers, however, created tension in the House as the affected lawmakers kicked against their suspension.

In a rowdy session, the three suspended lawmakers were seen screaming, “Mr Speaker, you do not have the right to unilaterally suspend any member(s) of the house.

“You must call for votes. Allow members vote on the matter.”

The Speaker, thereafter, adjourned the plenary abruptly.

Once more, terrorists have carried out a fresh attack at Ambe community, leaving six people dead and nine others wounded in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Micah Aude, the community's youth leader, verified the tragic event on Monday.

According to him, the attackers invaded the community on motorbikes and opened fire on a particular house where a birthday celebration was taking place, but nobody was killed except those sitting around some shops.

Micah disclosed that the locals were able to apprehend one of the attackers who rode one of the motorcycles but could not be identified.

“We Immediately handed over the attacker, who was apprehended, to the authorities for prompt action because we were rushing those injured to the hospital for medical attention at that time.

” Security operatives have been drafted to the Community, and normalcy has returned and we’re about to bury the six victims now,” Ambe said.

The Executive Chairman of the Local Government Area, Bissallah Malan, when contacted earlier, said, “I am in transit from Kaduna to the village I cannot be able to give you any credible information now but I will revert with more details.

The chairman did not respond to calls put across to him the second time to confirm the incident.

Meanwhile, the Police State Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, could not be reached on the phone, and he did not respond to a text message sent to him by our correspondent at the time of filing this report.

The Catholic secondary school Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Model College, located in Ilorin, has revealed the names of its top scorers in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

Thirty pupils from the institution were among the approximately 8,000 students countrywide who scored between 300 and 355.

This is according to the results posted by Reverend Father Jude Okeh on X.

Reverend Father Jude Okeh, who tweets as @friajudeo said, “In the midst of JAMB saga, we have this from one of the Catholic schools. There is a lot more.”

According to the list, two students, Fasesin Ayomiposi and Kunle-Olawepo Ayomikun, emerged as the highest scorers with 355 points. Other top performers include Adelodun Oluwadarasimi and Ayejuto Daniel with 341 points, and Idris Jamaaldeen with 333 points.

Others are Adeoye James, 330; Ademola Ayomide,330; Sunday Eniola, 329; Fawibe Iyanuoluwa, 328; Azor Richard, 327; Bambe Daniel, 327; Ezeala Excel, 326; Oyawoye Henry, 323; Oyewopo Mercy, 323.

Others are, Ebiegberi Joseph, 319; Adetola Omotoke, 319; Adigun Oluwaferanmi, 317; Atibioke Omolade, 317; Osunbande Adegoke, 315; Aliyu Muhizat, 314; Daramola Tunmise, 314; Ogunkeyede Wereniseoluwa, 313; Abolarin John, 312; Jenyo Bernard, 312; Folorunsho Stephen, 311; Enoch Oluwole, 311; Elegbede Oluwarotimi, 305; Bamidele Daniel, 300; Olaitan-Rafiu Damisola, 300 and Onah Francis with 300 points.

Netizens described this achievement as notable, especially considering the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s recent announcement that 1,402,490 candidates out of 1,842,464 failed to score 200 out of 400 marks.

JAMB has also clarified that the UTME is primarily a ranking examination and has urged caution against fake result slips, as the official results are not printed on paper.

From January 2024 to the present, the police have apprehended a number of criminals who have been terrorizing residents along the Kaduna-Abuja road axis.

These individuals include those who planned the attacks on Southern Kaduna and Greenfield University, where a seminarian and the church were set on fire.

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Public Relations Officer for the Nigeria Police Force, paraded the suspects during his visit to the Kaduna Police Command on Thursday. He stated that the arrest of the mastermind came after intense efforts to hold those responsible for the heinous act accountable.

He said, “Under the directive of the Inspector General of Police, a helicopter has been deployed to serve as an escort for trains using the route, providing aerial support for the ground troops from the armed forces, police, and other security agencies deployed along the corridor, as well as a proactive measure to prevent attacks and act as a first responder in the event of any untoward incidents.”

“This proactive measure has proven instrumental in enhancing security along the corridor, ultimately safeguarding the lives and property of commuters and residents of the adjourning communities along the route.”

“During this period, our proactive measures and relentless pursuit of criminal elements have resulted in remarkable outcomes, including the arrest of 81 armed robbery suspects, 40 kidnap suspects, 73 murder/homicide suspects, 36 rape suspects, 22 suspects involved in cult-related crimes, and 28 suspects engaged in other criminal activities,” he said.

He explained that they have “successfully recovered 16 firearms of various types, along with 226 ammunitions of diverse calibers. Additionally, our operations have led to the retrieval of 28 stolen vehicles, over 200 harmful weapons, and 600 bags of fertilizer.

“A total of three million, three hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N3,350,000) only, previously paid as ransom to kidnappers, has been successfully recovered, while our swift and coordinated efforts have resulted in the safe rescue of 158 kidnapped victims, all of whom have been reunited with their families unharmed.”

“These achievements include the arrest of Mande, leader of the kidnapping syndicate. On January 12, 2024, police operatives attached to the anti-kidnapping unit of Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), based on credible information, swooped in and arrested one Ibrahim Abdullahi, aka MANDE, at the Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover by Rido Junction.

The suspect confessed to being the leader of a kidnap syndicate terrorising the Kaduna-Abuja highway, ranked among other criminals like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji. He had participated in various kidnapping incidents, including the kidnapping incident at Green Field University, and he participated in almost all the kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.”

He said on February 29, 2024, “vigilant operatives of the Kaduna Command Monitoring Unit conducted a well-coordinated operation at the residence of a suspected kidnapper, one Adamu Abdulwahab, in Ganga Uku Village, Mararaban Jos, which resulted in the apprehension of the suspect and recovery of crucial exhibits, including 1 fabricated cartridge revolver rifle, 1 fabricated pistol, 2 Dane guns, 6 live cartridges, 1 discharged GPRG ammunition, 7 discharged cartridges, 2 SIM cards, 2 TECNO handsets, and 1 bloodstained cutlass.

“It was revealed during investigation that 35-year-old Adamu Abdulwahab, in connivance with other suspects who are currently at large, had kidnapped one Samaila Abdullahi, aged 40, of Keke Kingdom, Mararaban Jos, on February 13, 2024, and forcefully taken him to an unknown destination. Efforts is being intensified to locate and rescue the victim.”

According to him, “On April 7, 2024, police operatives were attached to the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS). Abuja, in collaboration with Operation Yaki operatives in Kaduna Command, arrested one Abubakar Umar, aged 20 years, of Bagega Village via Anka LGA of Zamfara State, in possession of four hundred and sixty (60) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed inside a stabiliser box at Zaria City Kaduna, with a mission to deliver it to one Doctor Dan Sadi of Bagega for onward transfer to a notorious bandit known as Ladan, who is expected to receive the ammunition. The suspects are being rounded up and will be prosecuted accordingly.

“On 12th February, 2024, suspected bandit/gun runner Adamu Shuaibu, aged 35, from Dumale Village under Jere L.G.A. of Kaduna State, was arrested following reliable information available to the police on his involvement in criminal activities within the state, including the supply of arms and ammunition to other criminal suspects. One (1) AK-47 rifle with breach no. 1970/TY 1938 and an empty magazine was recovered from his custody.”

“On September 7, 2023, at about 2030 hrs, the Officer in Charge of Fadan Kamanta, Zonkwa, alerted authorities of a distressing situation at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Kamantan, where suspected kidnappers had launched an attack. Due to the urgency of the situation, police operatives, in collaboration with military personnel, swiftly mobilized to the scene.

“Regrettably, the suspects had already set ablaze the priest’s residence before the arrival of the authorities. Despite the valiant efforts of operatives, one seminarian, Stephen Naaman, tragically lost his life in the inferno, and property worth millions of Naira, including a Honda vehicle and a motorcycle, was consumed by the fire.

“However, due to diligence and tireless pursuit of the issue by the police, on March 22, 2024, one Yakubu Saidu, the mastermind and leader of the notorious kidnapping gang, was apprehended, and he confessed to his involvement in the heinous crime.”

Former Governor of Katsina State, Barrister Ibrahim Shehu Shema, has officially defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Shema announced this today after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja.

The former governor was accompanied to see the president alongside the incumbent governor of Katsina, Umar Dikko Radda.

Shema, who previously served as governor under the PDP, has now crossed party lines to join the APC, a decision that is expected to have implications for the political landscape in Katsina State and beyond.

Political watchers say Shema’s decision to join the APC is a potential game-changer in the political calculations of Katsina State.

”It could significantly influence future elections and potentially reshape the balance of power within the state’s political structures, leaving the political landscape in a state of anticipation and uncertainty.

”What this means effectively is that the PDP is dead in Katsina. Former governor Shema was the one holding the party together before now,” a political analyst in Katsina told Platinum Times Nigeria.