National

By Uzair Adam 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has emphasized that the fight against corruption in Nigeria must begin with accountability at the highest levels of leadership to inspire public confidence and ensure effective governance.  

Speaking during a virtual interactive session tagged “Boiling Point Arena” on Sunday, hosted by a private radio station in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo asserted that leadership plays a pivotal role in combating corruption, which he described as deeply entrenched in Nigerian society.  

“The best way to fight corruption is by starting from the head. Leadership must set the example for transparency and integrity to achieve meaningful progress in this battle,” he stated.

Several private radio stations in Abeokuta broadcast the session, which focused on Obasanjo’s legacies and views on contemporary Nigeria.  

Highlighting the complex nature of corruption, Obasanjo likened it to a “babbar riga,” saying, “If you fold it on one side, it falls apart on the other side. 

It is not a one-day affair, nor is it limited to one regime. It must be a consistent and daily effort. Once any regime lets its guard down, corruption spreads.”  

The former president called for reforms in the recruitment and appointment of leaders, advocating for merit-based selections over political or tribal considerations.  

On leadership, he argued that only leaders ordained by God are likely to succeed, warning against self-made leaders or those installed through corrupt or malevolent means.  

“We must acknowledge that while some leaders are prepared by God, others may be made by Satan. The power of Satan is real, and it must not be underestimated,” he remarked. 

Obasanjo concluded by urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and committed to holding leaders accountable, stressing that corruption can only be curtailed with sustained effort and collective responsibility.

By Uzair Adam 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its efforts to combat drug trafficking, intercepting various consignments of illicit drugs and arresting several suspects in multiple states.  

The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that a 42-year-old building engineer was apprehended on December 2 at Okeyson Motor Park, Enugu, while attempting to collect three pressure machines from South Africa. 

Hidden inside the machines were 7.40kg of Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain.  

The shipment had initially arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on November 29 and was tracked by NDLEA operatives to a logistics company warehouse. 

However, the point of collection was later changed to Enugu, leading to the suspect’s arrest during a follow-up operation.  

In another operation, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa intercepted a Siena vehicle abandoned by its occupants after noticing the agency’s patrol team on Hildi-Askira Uba Road. 

The vehicle contained 511,000 tramadol pills, which were recovered early on December 6.  

Similarly, in Ekiti State, two suspects were arrested along the Ise-Emure Road while transporting 108 jumbo bags of cannabis, weighing 1,323kg, in a J5 bus. 

The suspects reportedly planned to deliver the consignment to Ondo State for distribution in the North.  

In Oyo State, operatives seized 704kg of cannabis on December 6 at Idere Road, Igboora, while in Lagos, a 65-year-old grandmother was apprehended on December 6 at Odunfa Street, Lagos Island, with 20.6 litres of codeine-based syrup. 

Another man was arrested on Ogundana Street, Ikeja, with 4.7kg of cannabis and 1.3kg of tramadol.  

The NDLEA has also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitization lectures in schools, workplaces, and communities across the country. 

Among the institutions visited were Government Girls College, Maiduguri, and Progressive Secondary School, Ado Awaye.  

NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retired) commended the agency’s operatives and lauded their efforts in drug supply and demand reduction, describing their achievements as vital to the agency’s mission to safeguard public health and safety.

By Uzair Adam and Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has announced key appointments to the leadership of several federal agencies, including the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (SMDF/PAGMI), and the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD).

The Daily Reality reports that among the appointments, Prof. Salisu Shehu has been named the Executive Secretary of the NERDC.

Prof. Shehu, a distinguished academic in educational and human psychology, is recognized for his instrumental role in establishing the School of Continuing Education at Bayero University, Kano.

He also served as the Vice-Chancellor of Al-Istiqamah University, Kano.

His extensive experience in education reform and administration is expected to drive innovation and transformation within the NERDC.

President Tinubu also appointed Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu as the Executive Secretary of the NUC.

Prof. Ribadu, an expert in veterinary reproduction, has previously served as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola, and Sule Lamido University, Jigawa State.

For the National Coordinator position at NEPAD, the President selected Jabiru Salisu Abdullahi Tsauri.

Tsauri, who holds a Master’s in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, is a seasoned administrator with expertise in legislative and global affairs as well as democratic governance.

Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the SMDF/PAGMI.

A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire, UK, Danfulani brings a wealth of experience from his roles in banking, business administration, and public service, including his tenure at the Central Bank of Nigeria and as a Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Zamfara State.

The President expressed confidence in the appointees, highlighting their vast expertise and track record of excellence.

He urged them to bring renewed commitment and deliver results that meet the aspirations of Nigerians in their respective organisations.

By Haroon Aremu

As a concerned young Nigerian, it’s disheartening to witness lawmakers and esteemed legal practitioners grapple with fundamental constitutional principles—especially regarding the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

It is astonishing that those tasked with crafting laws and interpreting them could exhibit such a glaring misunderstanding of the legal framework that governs their actions. The recent attempts by the Nigerian Senate to remove Mr. Danladi Umar, Chairman of the CCT, serves as a case in point.

In their misguided effort, the Senate invoked Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution, mistakenly applying it to the CCT. This section is pertinent to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and other executive bodies, but it has no bearing on the CCT, which operates under a different constitutional framework. As noted by PRNigeria’s fact-checking team, the remedial actions regarding judicial bodies such as the CCT require broader legislative consensus than the Senate alone can muster – specifically, a two-thirds majority from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, a detail curiously overlooked by the lawmakers.

Further complicating matters, the Senate suggested Mr. Abdullahi Usman Bello as Umar’s potential successor. However, it must be emphasized that Mr. Bello was appointed to lead the CCB, not the CCT. Moreover, constitutional stipulations require that the CCT Chairman possess qualifications akin to those of a judge of a superior court—qualifications which Mr. Bello notably lacks. This misstep reflects either a profound ignorance or a blatant disregard for the constitution.

It’s also alarming to observe the Senators conflating the roles of the CCB and the CCT, erroneously linking Umar’s situation to that of Bello. Their claims regarding the 9th Assembly’s investigations into Umar also deserve scrutiny, especially given that they appear to stem from a petition filed by a security guard concerning an unrelated incident —ironically, even after an anti-corruption agency had already cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Adding a layer of complexity to the situation is the media’s role in disseminating information. While there was widespread coverage of the Senate’s resolutions, many outlets failed to substantiate or fact-check their claims against the Constitution. This lapse in journalistic vigilance contributes to the propagation of misinformation, thereby undermining public trust in our governance systems.

The situation becomes even more troubling when senior lawmakers defend their misguided actions. The 1999 Constitution (as amended) clearly delineates that the appointment of the CCT Chairman and its members must follow the National Judicial Council’s recommendations, which should be informed by the Federal Judicial Service Commission. Thus, any motion to remove the CCT Chairman necessitates formal attention from both legislative chambers, not simply the Senate.

To complicate an already delicate situation, the newly elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), boldly claimed that the Senate adhered to constitutional protocols. Such statements from a figurehead of the legal profession raise questions about the level of legal literacy within our ranks.

Even more alarming was the endorsement from renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. By supporting the Senate’s push for Umar’s removal, Falana and others reveal a troubling trend where senior legal practitioners sidestep constitutional requirements, jeopardizing the sanctity of Nigeria’s judicial and legislative systems.

In light of these developments, distinguished legal scholars such as
Professor Mamman Lawan Yusufari, a former Dean of the Faculty of Law at Bayero University Kano (BUK), Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, the Executive Director of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, and Dr. Wahab Shittu have denounced the government’s handling of the CCT issue. They described these actions as blatant violations of constitutional mandates, calling on the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to provide guidance to President Bola Tinubu on adhering to constitutional pathways for such significant personnel decisions.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria Yunus AbdulSalam further criticized the misinterpretation of the Constitution, labeling it alarming and indicative of a dangerous lack of diligence within both the executive and legislative branches. He remarked, “Their unconstitutional and desperate attempt to remove the CCT Chairman undermines the spirit of the Constitution and poses a serious threat to democratic integrity.”

It takes a whole week before the Senate admitted and corrected the procedural error by invoking the correct constitutional provisions, including Paragraph 17(3) of the Fifth Schedule and Section 22(3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

This entire debacle serves as a clarion call for lawmakers to strictly observe constitutional provisions. Legal protocols should never be compromised for political convenience. Moreover, the media must enhance its accountability in fact-checking claims that significantly influence national governance.

The independence of the judiciary and the integrity of the legislative process are cornerstones of Nigeria’s democracy; they must be protected from missteps and oversights, both from lawmakers and in media coverage. This incident reinforces that constitutional provisions are not mere guidelines; they are the foundation of a functioning democracy. The Senate’s actions reflect a troubling ignorance that could jeopardize the integrity of Nigeria’s legal system. As a nation, we must recommit ourselves to upholding the rule of law and rigorously adhering to constitutional procedures to safeguard judicial independence and the health of our democratic framework.

Haroon Aremu Abiodun is a co-author of ‘Youth Service for National Stability: A Corpers’ Chronicle.’ He can be reached at exponentumera@gmail.com

By Anwar Usman

Not less than 45,689 applicants are conducting the Computer-Based Aptitude Test on Saturday (today) as part of the recruitment process to secure employment at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

The aptitude test, currently taking place at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Centenary Resource Centre in Maitama, Abuja, and various other testing centres across Nigeria, marks the second stage of the rigorous recruitment process that began earlier this year.

Previously, on July 25, 2024, the company announced openings for new entrants.

In a statement, Olufemi Soneye, the NNPC spokesperson, said the recruitment would be for various positions across various departments within the energy company and interested applicants to visit the NNPC careers page for application instructions.

However, in a new post on its official Facebook handle on Saturday to update the public on the process, the national oil firm emphasized that only the most qualified candidates will be selected for employment at the end of the exercise.

The post read, “As the Computer-Based Aptitude Test for NNPC Ltd.’s recruitment begins today at various centres across the country, 45,689 applicants compete in a transparent and inclusive recruitment process.”

The NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, who visited the centres, promises a smooth, transparent, fair, and credible process.

“As an equal opportunity employer, NNPC Ltd. has made special provisions to ensure that applicants with disabilities can take the test without any hindrance.

“Kyari reiterated that only the most qualified candidates among the 45,689 applicants will be selected for employment”.

The daily reality gathered that this may be the major recruitment exercise since the NNPC fully transformed into a limited company in 2022.

By Uzair Adam

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has instructed all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) across the country to ensure continuous cash disbursement to customers.

The Daily Reality reports that the bank urged members of the public to report banks that fail to comply.

In a circular issued to DMBs and the general public, and shared on the bank’s verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, the apex bank emphasized its commitment to enforcing compliance through intensified oversight and sanctions on erring banks.

The CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso, assured that sufficient banknotes had been distributed to all banks based on their capacity, eliminating any reason for a cash shortage as the festive season approaches.

Titled ‘Cash Availability Over the Counter in Deposit Money Banks and Automated Teller Machines,’ the circular outlined guidelines for improving currency circulation in the economy.

“As part of ongoing efforts, the CBN directs DMBs to ensure efficient cash disbursement both over the counter and through ATMs. The bank will continue to monitor compliance closely,” the statement read.

The CBN also provided reporting channels for the public to lodge complaints about cash shortages.

Customers are required to submit details, including the name of the bank, location, amount, and date of the incident, through designated phone numbers or email addresses provided for each state.

The circular, jointly signed by Acting Director of Currency Operations Solaja Mohammed Olayemi and Acting Director of Branch Operations Isa-Olatinwo Aisha, took effect on December 1, 2024.

By Uzair Adam 

The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has uncovered how three police officers attached to Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, illegally diverted N43,160,000 from a cargo worker at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in August 2023.  

According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Ogunjobi, the officers—Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode—acted on the directives of DSP Peter Ejike. 

They unlawfully arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting N74,950,000 on behalf of clients.  

The officers reportedly detained Ejah at Zone 7 Headquarters and falsely declared that only N31,790,000 was recovered. They allegedly demanded a portion of the funds in exchange for suppressing the case.  

Upon receiving a petition from the owners of the missing funds, the Force Headquarters assigned the IGP Monitoring Unit to investigate. 

The unit recovered N31,790,000 from the officers, who maintained that it was the total sum confiscated during Ejah’s arrest.  

Further investigations revealed that the officers had tampered with evidence. Photographs taken at the time of arrest, showing the full amount, were allegedly lost after the phone used was damaged. 

However, forensic analysis exposed their conspiracy to divert N43,160,000 and move it out of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for safekeeping.  

The statement also addressed circulating reports accusing Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun of shielding a cartel involved in smuggling new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria. 

The NPF dismissed the claims as false and part of a smear campaign to divert attention from the officers’ misconduct.  

“The implicated officers have been suspended and face prosecution for serious misconduct, tampering with exhibits, abuse of office, and corrupt practices,” Ogunjobi added.  

The NPF urged the public and media to disregard false narratives aimed at tarnishing the Inspector-General’s image and undermining ongoing police reforms.

By Uzair Adam

The Presidency has dismissed concerns that the proposed tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly will impoverish northern Nigeria or disproportionately favor Lagos and Rivers states.

In a statement issued on Monday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga emphasized that the reforms are designed to improve the quality of life for all Nigerians, particularly the disadvantaged, by simplifying tax administration and fostering a better business environment.

The statement addressed apprehensions raised by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who had suggested that the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula could be skewed in favor of Lagos and Rivers states.

Onanuga, however, described these concerns as unfounded and based on misinformation.

“The tax reform bills will not make Lagos or Rivers states wealthier at the expense of other regions, nor will they lead to the economic marginalization of any part of the country,” Onanuga stated.

He urged Nigerians to reject any attempt to polarize the nation over the proposed legislation.

Onanuga also clarified that the bills do not seek to abolish key federal agencies such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), or the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which will continue to receive funding through budgetary allocations.

The spokesperson reiterated that President Bola Tinubu’s fiscal policy reforms aim to ease the tax burden on businesses, streamline tax collection, and support national development.

Meanwhile, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara called on Northern leaders to approach the tax reform bills pragmatically rather than with ethnic or religious sentiments.

Speaking during a Channels Television town hall in Abuja on Monday, Dogara stressed the importance of prioritizing the region’s future development.

“We Northern leaders must set aside ethnicity and religious biases and focus on the realities these reforms will bring,” Dogara said.

He also criticized senators who claimed there was insufficient consultation on the bills, questioning their own legislative practices.

“How often do they consult the public when making laws? Some state laws are drafted in governors’ living rooms,” Dogara remarked, dismissing the argument that public opinion outweighs the potential impact of the reforms.

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, explained that the bills aim to empower subnational governments to enhance revenue generation and achieve fiscal self-sufficiency.

By Uzair Adam

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have rescued four children from an alleged child trafficking ring and arrested two suspects linked to the crime.

The children, aged between one and thirteen, were reportedly found at Alaeze Guest House in the Rumukwachi community of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where they were allegedly being held before being handed over to a nurse identified as Loveth, who runs a maternity home.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the Public Relations Officer of the command, stated that the hotel manager played a key role in uncovering the situation.

“The Managing Director of the Guest House became suspicious of the activities of one Esther Anthony, who attempted to check out with the children. He insisted that she provide proof of being their mother,” Iringe-Koko explained.

In response, Anthony left the premises and returned with police officers, accusing the manager of abducting the children and threatening her with a firearm.

However, the manager contacted the Choba Area Command, leading to Anthony’s arrest.

Further investigations revealed that Anthony had conspired with another suspect, identified as Favour, to traffic the children from Swali community in Bayelsa State.

Another accomplice, Purity Silas, was also apprehended in connection with the case.

In a startling development, a family in the Rumuodara area of Port Harcourt identified Anthony as the person who had previously stolen three of their children and sold them to Loveth.

The suspects have reportedly confessed to the crime and are now in police custody, with the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Port Harcourt for further investigation.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Senator Orji Kalu, who represents Abia North at the upper legislative chamber has revealed that the federal government made a mistake not to have carried the National Executive Council, Nigeria Governor’s Forum, and the Council of State along in its tax reform bills.

Kalu disclosed this on Monday in an interview with Arise Television on the controversial tax reform bills.

Recall that Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, the Northern Governor’s Forum, the National Economic Council, and others have openly opposed the tax reforms.

However, Orji noted that the bills are very progressive and would bring back fiscal federalism in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, he faulted the initiators of bills for not carrying key stakeholders along saying, “As I told you before, the bill is very progressive. It will bring back fiscal federalism. Many senators have not been briefed. I think the federal government made a mistake. The initiators of the bills would have briefed the National Economic Council, Governors’ forum”.

Recall tax reform bills, including the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, were sent to the National Assembly for passage since October 2024.

The bills gained momentum last week when they secured second-reading passage at the Senate.

This comes after the Northern Governor’s Forum and National Economic Council called for the bill’s withdrawal.

Meanwhile, DAILY POST reports that economic experts have backed the tax reform bill on the grounds that it will boost Nigeria’s revenue.

However, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee had earlier in his contributions, explained why the tax bills generated so much controversy.