News

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, announced the seizure of various contraband items worth N3,636,594,600 within June 2024.

Comptroller Kola Oladeji, in charge of the unit, made the announcement at the Unit’s headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday. 

The seized items include 1,500 pieces of bulletproof jackets, 989 kg of Indian Hemp (Cannabis Sativa), 5,229 cartons of expired drugs, and other contraband items.

Comptroller Oladeji stated that the importation of military wares by individuals is prohibited and requires an End-User Certificate (EUC) for controlled items and products. 

Other seized items include 343,750 liters of premium motor spirit, 7,150 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 32 units of used motor vehicles, 120 bags of sugar, and 3,560 cartons of poultry products.

Four suspects were arrested for various offenses, including violating import/export guidelines and smuggling. 

Comptroller Oladeji warned about the dangers of expired drugs and urged patriotic citizens to provide valuable information to aid in the arrest of illegal importers.

He also encouraged importers and licensed agents to make sincere declarations and adhere to existing guidelines. 

The unit recovered N62,017,875.82 in revenue for June 2024 through meticulous documentary checks and the issuance of Demand Notices.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for Nigerian workers, with a promise to review the national minimum wage law every three years.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. 

The president made this announcement during a meeting with leaders of organised labour, including the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Usifo, among others. 

Prior to the meeting, labour leaders had demanded a minimum wage of N250,000, but the approved amount is a compromise.

This development is a significant step in the ongoing negotiations between the government and labour unions.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The House of Representatives has resolved to support the Federal Government by cutting down its salaries by 50% for six months to address the high cost of food and support food sufficiency across the country.

This decision was made on Thursday during the plenary session in Abuja, and the lawmakers also appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience with President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as it addresses the challenges and hardships faced by citizens.

The House mandated its Committee on Appropriation, Humanitarian Affairs, Finance, and Budget to ensure compliance with the resolution. The motion was moved by Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka (APC-Ogun State) and adopted by the House.

Additionally, the House of Representatives has pledged to support the Federal Government with ₦648 million for six months to address food sufficiency and the high cost of food.

Details later….

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Federal Government has reversed its earlier decision, announcing that 16-year-olds can now be admitted into tertiary institutions.

Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman had initially directed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to only admit candidates who are 18 years or older.

However, stakeholders at a policy meeting organized by JAMB in Abuja objected to this decision, arguing that it is illogical to deny admission to 16-year-old students who have passed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and JAMB exams.

Following this feedback, the minister accepted the stakeholders’ suggestions and announced that candidates aged 16 and above would be eligible for admission this year, while the new policy would take effect from next year.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal by suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari, seeking to quash the charge against him regarding an alleged unlawful drug deal.

The three-member panel of the appellate court found Kyari’s appeal to be unmeritorious and affirmed the findings and conclusions reached by the Federal High Court.

Kyari had challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him and four other serving police personnel, arguing that they had not been subjected to internal disciplinary mechanisms of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

However, the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal have held that the Federal High Court has the exclusive right and jurisdiction to hear drug-related cases, as enshrined in the Constitution and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act.

Kyari and four members of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) are charged with conspiracy to deal in 17.55kg of cocaine, dealing in cocaine without lawful authority, conspiracy to tamper with cocaine, and unlawfully tampering with the 21.35kg of cocaine seized from two convicted drug dealers. The trial will continue at the Federal High Court.

The Court of Appeal’s decision was unanimous, with Justices Peter Obiora and Okon Abang agreeing with the lead judgment. Kyari’s appeal was against the March 22 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite, which declined to quash the charge and dismissed an application filed by Kyari.

The Federal High Court has the exclusive right and jurisdiction to hear drug-related cases, and the powers of the Police Service Commission (PSC) do not supersede the powers of the Federal High Court.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A recent report by Statisense, a data collection organisation, reveals that a staggering 664,384 Nigerians sought asylum in other countries between 2016 and 2023.

This significant increase occurred during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. 

The report, which cites the United Nations Refugee Agency, shows a steady rise in asylum seekers.

In 2016, 66,862 Nigerians sought asylum, increasing to 91,924 in 2017, 84,624 in 2018, 112,382 in 2019, 73,233 in 2020, 83,105 in 2021, 83,402 in 2022, and 68,852 in 2023. 

The Republic of Niger hosted the largest number of Nigerian refugees in 2023, with 200,497 individuals.

This brings the total number of Nigerian refugees in Niger between 2015 and 2023 to 1,268,464. 

Nigeria also topped the list of African countries whose citizens sought asylum in Canada in 2023, with 10,111 individuals.

Additionally, 1,345 Nigerians sought asylum in the United Kingdom, and 5,136 in the United States. 

This trend highlights the need for policymakers to address the underlying factors driving Nigerian citizens to seek asylum abroad.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Senator Sunday Karimi, Chairman of the Senate Services Committee, has announced that the National Assembly plans to pass legislation transferring the responsibility of conducting local government elections from state electoral bodies to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

Senator Karimi commended President Tinubu for his courage in returning power to the people, stating, “Since 1999, the third tier of government has been nonexistent. State governments treated them as appendages. No president has been able to change that, but President Tinubu has returned the local government to the owners – the masses.” 

He lamented potential resistance from state governors but expressed confidence in the President’s commitment to ensuring the judiciary’s independence.

Senator Karimi aligned himself with the President’s stance, praising his courage and understanding of the people’s needs. 

The Senator said it good if capable individuals manage local government funds effectively and prioritise grassroots development. He also highlighted the need for proper allocation of funds, citing past instances of mismanagement or embezzlement. Senator Karimi concluded by assuring that the National Assembly will ensure the legislation is passed and that President Tinubu’s achievement will be remembered, securing his second term.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The High Court in Kano State has issued a permanent injunction in favour of Emir Sanusi, prohibiting the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and four other former Emirs from parading themselves as Emirs. 

The ruling explicitly states that the former Emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye, along with their employees and representatives, are forbidden from portraying themselves as Emirs. 

This decision comes after the Kano State government took legal action to prevent the deposed emirs from using their royal titles and residing in their palaces. 

The government had earlier issued a 48-hour notice for the emirs to vacate their palaces following their deposition. 

With this ruling, the court has reinforced the government’s stance, solidifying Emir Sanusi’s position as the rightful Emir of Kano. 

The ruling is going to take another dimension in the ongoing dispute over the Emirship of Kano, and it is expected to bring clarity and stability to the traditional institution in the state.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has welcomed the release of two Kaduna-based journalists who were abducted from their homes in the outskirts of Kaduna last weekend.   

Speaking when he received the two journalists, AbdulGafar Alabelewe of The Nation newspapers and AbdulRaheem Aodu of Blueprint newspapers, from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the minister commended security agencies for the timely rescue of the victims. 

The two journalists were released along with Mr. Alabelewe’s wife and two children.  

Mohammed expressed sympathy for the two families.  

“We are most grateful of what you have done. We are aware that this is part of your ongoing effort to ensure that all kidnapped victims are rescued alive and reunited with their families.  

“I want to urge Nigerians to keep faith with the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our security agencies. The security agencies under the coordination of the NSA are working tirelessly to ensure that all those who have been taken into unlawful custody are freed without paying any ransom,” he said.  

Speaking earlier, the NSA said the five victims were rescued following a combined effort of security agencies, which led to swift search and rescue operations.  

Responding, one of the rescued victims, Mr Alabelewe thanked the NSA and his team for the swift intervention.  

“The rescue mission which brough us out of the bush yesterday gave us hope in our country and gave us confidence to believe that the government is serious about tackling this problem of kidnapping. I never thought that within a week of our kidnap we could get out.  

“We are grateful that the government swung into action and ensured that we were released,” he said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made two significant seizures, uncovering cocaine hidden in shoe soles and tramadol pills concealed in custard containers. 

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed the discoveries in a statement, warning travelers to exercise caution when accepting luggage or items from others to deliver. 

According to Babafemi, the cocaine was discovered in the soles of shoes bound for Europe, while the tramadol pills were found hidden in custard containers.

He reiterated the importance of vigilance, stating, “This is another reason why you must be careful with any bag given to you to deliver.” 

The seizures unearthed the creative methods used by drug traffickers to conceal illegal substances and the NDLEA’s commitment to intercepting them.