Actor Alex Ekubo says he has logged out from anything that will lead to wedding.
I have logged out from anything that will lead to wedding – Alex Ekubo
Governor Adeleke approves farm inputs subsidy for Osun farmers
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun has approved the implementation of the Farmers’ Intervention Programme (FIP), focusing on subsidies of farm inputs for farmers in the state.
Spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, said this via a statement on Saturday in Osogbo.
The statement said the new intervention programme would cover subsidies on fertilisers and chemical inputs for farmers.
It said the government would subsidise the fertilisers and chemicals by more than 40 per cent of the price through direct purchases from the producers.
The statement said to safeguard the credibility of the programme, the farm inputs were to be branded with a project manager within the state’s agric sector, who would coordinate the marketing and distribution process.
According to the statement, the intervention is to develop into a revolving fund process such that the project’s sustainability is guaranteed.
The statement quoted the governor as saying: “this is the first of our interventions ahead of the new rainy season.
“My government will ensure that the subsidised inputs get to the farmers. This programme will positively touch the lives of our farming population.
“I will soon publicly flag off the programme statewide. We are an agrarian state.
“Easy availability of farm inputs is a major step forward. We are also working to drive investment into the sector through a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.”
Naira Scarcity-MURIC urges Buhari to obey Supreme Court’s ruling
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to abide by the pronouncement of the Supreme Court on the naira swap.
The group’s director, Ishaq Akintola, made the appeal in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.
He lamented that Nigerians had faced starvation and hardship due to the policy, leading to psychological trauma.
Mr Akintola called on the presidency to call the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to order without further delay.
“It is obvious that this institution has failed to effectively distribute the new notes as well as monitor its disbursement to members of the public.
“Apart from this, Mr President must find a way of abiding by the decision of the Supreme Court, which earlier ruled that the old and new currencies should run parri passu,” he said.
He also appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience.“This cup will pass. Any resort to violence will only cause more harm to the poor masses and struggling businessmen and women,” he said.
He called on religious leaders to intensify prayers for the nation.“Prayer points should include peaceful 2023 elections, smooth transition, political stability and economic buoyancy for our dear country, Nigeria,” he said.
Obasanjo’s In-Law Sent To Jail For Forgery
A special offences court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has sentenced John Abebe,an in-law to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, to seven years imprisonment.
Abebe was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment with an option of N50m fine to be paid within 30days.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Abebe, who is a younger brother to the late former First Lady, Stella Obasanjo, for alleged forgery.
Abebe was arraigned on four counts before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja.
The EFCC, in the charges, claimed that Abebe “knowingly forged” a November 30, 1995 letter written by BP Exploration Nigeria Limited to Inducon (Nigeria) Ltd.
The anti-graft agency claimed that the businessman “illegally inserted” into page 2 of the said letter “the following statement:
“Also note that the ‘Buy-Out Option’ only applies to the pre-production stage of the NPIA. The $4m buy-out is thus irrelevant from production of oil in any of our fields.”
According to the EFCC, Mr. Abebe also attempted to “pervert the course of justice” by tendering the allegedly forged November 30, 1995 letter “as a fabricated evidence” in court, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/224/2010 between Dr. John Abebe, Inducon Nigeria Limited and Statoil Nigeria Limited.
He was arraigned on four counts.Justice Mojisola Dada handed the judgement after it was established that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecution led by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo SAN had arraigned the defendant on the 26th of July 2018 on three counts charge bothering on money laundering and forgery.
FCT, 32 states risk high floods, severe consequences, FG warns
The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has warned that 178 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) fell among highly probable flood risk areas for 2023.
The minister gave the early warning, following earlier predictions by the NIgeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), at the official unveiling of the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), themed ‘Flood Prediction and its impact on Socio-Economic Livelihood’ on Friday in Abuja.
According to him, the forecasts for the 2023 AFO, showed that 178 LGAs in 32 states of the Federation, and the FCT, fall within the Highly Probable Flood Risk Areas, and 224 LGAs in 35 States of the Federation, including the FCT fall within the Moderately Probable Flood Risk Areas. Meanwhile, the remaining 402 LGAs fall within the Probable Flood Risk Areas.
“The Highly Probable Flood Risk States are: Adamawa, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross- River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the FCT.
Mr Adamu said the level of floods in highly probable flood risk States, is expected to be high in terms of impact on the population, agriculture, livelihood, livestock , Infrastructure and the environment, between April and November.
“Part of 66 LGA’s across the country fall within the Highly Probable Risk areas in the months of April, May and June, while part of 148 LGAs in the months of July, August and September, while part of 100 LGAs in the months of October and November, 2023.
“The details of the LGAs and their corresponding states are contained in our publication.
“The moderate impact level of floods are expected in parts of 41 LGAs within the months of April, May and June, and in parts of 199 LGAS within the months of July, August and September, and parts of 73 LGAs within the months of October and November, 2023,” he added.
He noted that Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Ondo, would be experiencing coastal flooding, due to rise in sea level and tidal surge, which would impact on fishing, wildlife habitation and river navigation.
“The flash and urban flood will be experienced in urban cities centres across cities of Lagos, Kaduna, Suleja, Gombe, Yola, Makurdi, Abuja, Lafia, Asaba, Port Harcourt, Yenagoa, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Benin City, Bimin- Kebbi, Sokoto, Lakoja, Maiduguri, Kano, Oshogbo, Ado-Ekiti, Abakaliki, Awka, Nsukka, Calabar, Owerri.
He, therefore, called on all stakeholders, policy makers and agencies to rise up, with appropriate mechanisms on how to curtail impending floods.
The Permanent Secretary, Didi Walson- Jack, in her speech read by a representative who is Director, Inspectorate, River Basin, A.J. Ochigbo, spoke on the negative impacts of flood and other disasters.
He said flooding would be drastically reduced if better understanding of flood risks are promoted and ensuring adequate and appropriate mitigating measures are deployed.
The Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Clement Nze, in his vote of thanks, emphasised on the need for farmers, policy makers and Nigerians, to use the information provided for preventive measures.
Mr Nze added that the objective of the AFO was to prepare the nation to avert the negative impact of floods, and come up with pre- emptive measures to get it right before the rains start.
“We have been working round the clock to come up with actionable solutions,we have been given 90 days,this is the first time we are having this in February, believing this year that the sub Nationals at this time will be able to do something.
“There’s enough time now to work. We have taken some steps to ensure that we improve on that by 2022. This year, we are introducing a new dimension.
“From the month of June, every five days we will be giving out predictions, telling you what will happen,it will be broken into pieces and segments.
We expect that at the end of the day, all the agencies will come together and speak with one voice,” he added.
Catholic bishops urge Nigerians to reject evil by voting for capable candidates
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has advised Nigerians to vote wisely by choosing excellent and capable candidates at all levels.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their first 2023 plenary meeting held at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja, the CBCN said it was time for Nigerians to reject “evil” and vote for capable candidates.
“This is now the time to reject evil, greater or lesser, and wisely choose good and capable candidates at all levels,” the bishops said in the document was co-signed by the president of CBCN, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, and secretary, Bishop Donatus Ogun.
They added;
“Our votes are precious; we must use them well.”The Conference also warned that any candidate in the forthcoming general elections with questionable character would not work for the common good of the electorate.
According to the bishops, politicians with evil intentions could in no way possess good intentions for the people and the nation’s development.
The clerics called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its officials to ensure that the newly-adopted technologies for accreditation, transmission and collation of results are not manipulated to give false results.
“We equally call on the law enforcement agents, whose primary duty is to enforce law and order and ensure the protection of persons and materials during the elections, to efficiently and professionally carry out their responsibilities without fear, favour, or partiality.
“In the same manner, we advise our youths not to allow themselves to be used as thugs and agents of disruption and violence before, during, and after the elections.
“We, at the same time, enjoin voters to ensure that proper counting is done before the transmission of the results,” the communique read.
The bishops also condemned the practice of vote-buying and selling, noting that it is aimed at frustrating and compromising the people’s free choice.
“We vehemently continue to condemn this practice and urge all politicians and the electorate to avoid this unlawful and sinful practice and embrace the values of human dignity, integrity, and decency in order to have free, fair, and credible elections”, they said.
The CBCN also told all judges and lawyers to see themselves as ministers in the temple of truth and justice and work to make the judiciary the ‘last hope of the common man’.
Naira Scarcity- Nigerians attacking banks will be treated as armed robbers, police warn
The Nigeria Police Force has warned that citizens caught attacking banks in protest against cash scarcity will be treated as armed robbers.
Force Spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this in a video posted on the NPF’s Facebook page Friday.
“We complain banks don’t attend to us yet we go to their facilities and set them ablaze, destroy ATMs. How do you want them to serve you better if you have destroyed their facilities?” Mr Adejobi said.
“I think we need to educate ourselves on what the law says about this. You don’t go to any bank, ATM, or financial institution to attack. It is criminal and tantamount to armed robbery. If you are caught in the act, you will be treated as an armed robber.”
The police warning comes as angry citizens across many major Nigerian cities attack banks in protest against naira scarcity in the country.
In October 2022, the Buhari regime through the Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele announced the redesign of N200, N500 and N1000 notes.
With old notes mopped out of circulation and new notes unavailable in banks, citizens have been left to suffer untold hardship, queuing in banks without getting cash for their businesses and personal use.
Dapo Abiodun orders banks, companies in Ogun to disobey Buhari or have Certificate of Occupancy revoked
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun gave a directive to banks and other establishment operating in the state on Friday to accept old N1000 and N500 notes in defiance to the stance of the federal government.
He warned that commercial outlets who reject the old notes from customers would have their that the Certificate of Occupancy revoked.
The governor gave the warning in a series of tweets after riots ensued in some parts of the state.
It was earlier reported that riots broke out in Mowe and Ibafo axes, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Friday over the raging cash fiasco.Soldiers were then deployed to douse the riot.
Mr Abiodun reminded businesses in the state that the Supreme Court has ordered that the old naira notes remain legal tender to business transactions.
“The Ogun State Government will be revoking the Certificate of Occupancy, CofO of any corporation or store that rejects old Naira notes from members of the public in the State in exchange for goods and services.
“Commercial outlets are hereby reminded that there is an existing court order by the Supreme Court, the apex court in Nigeria, directing that old notes remain legal tender.”
The statement read.
On February 15, the Supreme Court asked Nigerians to continue spending the old naira notes.
On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari said only the old N200 banknotes remain a legal tender until April 10 while N500 and N1,000 should be deposited in CBN designated centers across the country.
Mr Buhari’s failure to obey the Supreme Court ruling has elicited open confrontation by state governors including Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Umar Ganduje of Kano and Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and others who urged citizens to discountenance CBN directives and continue to accept the old notes as legal tender.
Buhari disobedient to Supreme Court, Jigawa will keep spending old naira notes- Governor Badaru
Jigawa Gov dares Buhari, insists old naira notes remain legal tender.
Press Release
The Jigawa State Government wishes to inform members of the public that, it has come to its notice some individuals and corporate bodies are rejecting the now-old N200, N500 and N1000 notes.
The Jigawa State Government is concerned about the conduct of such individuals and corporate bodies.
As a law-abiding Government, there are suits by various State Governments of which Jigawa State is among before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The court has issued an order restraining the Federal Government of Nigeria, either by itself or acting through the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN and/or commercial banks, ministries, parastatals, organisations or through any person or persons (natural and artificial) howsoever, from suspending or determining or ending on 10 February, 2023 the time frame within which the now older versions of the 200, 500 and 1000 denominations of the naira may no longer be legal tender pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Jigawa State Government respects the rights of its people and those rejecting the now-old currencies are enjoined to desist from disobeying the law and causing hardship to the people of Jigawa State.
Jigawa State Government will not hesitate to use section 287(1) of the Constitution (as amended) and other extant laws to enforce the order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
For clarity, the section provides, “The decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons, and by courts with subordinate jurisdiction to that of the Supreme Court”.
People are advised to report any traders or business organisation that refuses to accept the now-old N200, N500 and N1000 notes as legal tender in Jigawa State to the nearest appropriate authorities.
Alhaji Bala Ibrahim
Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Information, Youths, Sports and Culture,
Jigawa State
Riots break out in Lagos as Tinubu, governors ramp up confrontation with Buhari over naira notes scarcity
There is gunfire and mayhem across Lagos Friday morning, with reports that an unspecified number of casualties are already recorded as the police say they are bringing the situation under control.
This is coming amid APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu and some state governors’ opposition to President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to obey the Supreme Court’s order to allow old naira notes to be used as legal tender concurrently with the new notes.
Governors Nasir El-Rufai, Bello Matawalle, Yahaya Bello and Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, among others.
The governors are urging their citizens to disregard Mr Buhari’s and CBN’s directive.
It was revealed that there was chaos at Mile 12, Iyana Iba, Ikorodu and Agege, with commuters left stranded at the bus stops and highways.
There was reported pandemonium in Mile 12 market, along Ikorodu road, on Friday as traders allegedly insisted on new naira notes before they could transact business in the market.
Gunfire was also reported at Ketu and Ojo, as a video seen online showed commuters scampering for safety after shots were fired.Witnesses claimed that scarcity of the new naira notes and its attendant economic hardship was the major cause of the violence across the state on Friday.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson in Lagos, said in a tweet that security operatives were deployed to manage the situation in Mile 12 and Ojota.
“It is true. Our men are there. Reinforcement units have been deployed. Stay safe out there as we closely monitor and manage the situation,” he said.
He added that officials have intervened and motorists can now move freely to their destinations.
“Free movement of vehicles and people fully restored. Our officers and men are still on the ground to prevent any breakdown of law and order,” Mr Hundeyin said in a tweet on Friday.
It is lawless for Buhari to ignore Supreme Court orders on old notes-Gbajabiamila
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, says the Buhari regime’s insistence of phasing out old naira notes in spite of a Supreme Court ruling smacks of lawlessness.
Mr Gbajabiamila’s assertion comes after President Muhammadu Buhari announced Thursday morning in a nationwide broadcast that it would only bend backwards to allow the reissue of old N200 notes.
The speaker said though the president’s directive was a step in the right direction, the federal government could not afford situations that “suggest disregard for the rule of law”.
He flayed the decision of the federal government for maintaining silence on the Supreme Court order on currency swap.
The apex court had earlier given an order for the old N1,000, N500 and N200 notes to remain legal tender, pending the determination of a case brought before it by some state governors.
The apex court on February 15 also reiterated its order and adjourned the matter to February 22.
However, Mr Buhari, in a nationwide broadcast on February 16, said he had instructed CBN to reintroduce the old N200 note until April 10, while the old N1,000 and N500 had stopped being legal tender.
Mr Gbajabiamila asserted that Mr Buhari’s decision still fell short of the order of the Supreme Court that the old currencies remained legal tender.
He urged the citizens to bear the moment with equanimity for the sake of the country, urging Nigerians to work together to resist actions that can escalate tensions.
“In all things, let the well-being of our fellow citizens and the survival of our nation be foremost in our hearts and guide all the decisions we make in this historic moment.”
Mr Gbajabiamila said;
“citizens and visitors were experiencing grave and unnecessary hardship across the country.
“They spend hours and days queuing at banks and teller machines to receive stipends of their own money to afford life’s necessities.
“This situation is a consequence of the flawed implementation of the Naira redesign policy by the CBN.
“It is also the result of decisions made by the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to refuse counsel, be guided by precedent or abide by the decisions of superior courts.”
He said it was disheartening that the CBN had refused to admit error and changed course in the face of mounting evidence that the implementation of the policy had been a devastating failure.
Naira Scarcity- Nigerians beg CBN, banks to dispense N100, N50 notes
As the effects of the current cash crunch bite harder, Nigerians have called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to prevail on commercial banks to dispense N100 and N50 notes to Nigerians.
They made the call in separate interviews on Thursday in Lagos.
Benedict Chukwuweike, an accountant, said dispensing the N100 and N50 notes would help solve the immediate challenge of access to the new naira notes.
Mr Chukwuweike noted that in countries like the United States, the highest denomination in circulation is $100 and that Nigeria could imitate the U.S. as issuing more N500, N1,000 banknotes becomes a problem.
According to him, the development will help to curb inflation and attract more value to the nation’s currency.
Eniola Gbadamosi, a teacher, said dispensing the N100 and N50 notes should have been the alternative until issues surrounding the new naira notes were resolved.
According to her, the N100 and N50 banknotes have become valuable to her.
“I started gathering the N100 and N50 notes since January when the heat of the January 31 deadline enveloped the nation,” stated Ms Gbadamosi.
“Little did I know then that the crunch would degenerate into what it is now. Today, my N100 and N50 notes have been very useful.”
Catherine Lawson, an unemployed youth, said she boarded a bus on Wednesday using N100 and N50 notes.
Judith Chukwukadibia, a lawyer, said that since the crisis started and those in the urban areas were crying for cash, she knew it would be worse in the rural areas.
“So, what I quickly did was to change my money into N50 notes which I sent to my parents in the village. The aim was to avoid (the) pressure my parents would go through. I didn’t want them to be stranded,” Ms Chukwukadibia explained.
“I am happy that the step has proved very helpful. I even did (the) same to myself and have been very comfortable since the naira crunch started.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has said old N200 notes remain legal tender until April 10.
In a nationwide broadcast on Thursday, he said the old and new N200 bills would exist side by side to ease the cash scarcity.
NDLEA arrests prophet for drug trafficking in Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) said it raided the Mushin area of Lagos and arrested a prophet, David Yekini and 76 others with substances suspected to be hard drugs.
NDLEA deputy commander in Lagos (Operations and Training), Adetula Oluwarotimi, told journalists in Lagos on Thursday.
Mr Oluwarotimi said the operation was conducted by a combined team of 150 NDLEA and military officers and lasted six hours.
He said the raid was part of the war against drug abuse and to sanitise the society of bad elements ahead of the forthcoming elections.
“Without the consumption of hard drugs, criminality will be minimal, and for NDLEA to ensure the forthcoming election is devoid of any crime, there must be visitations,” Mr Oluwarotimi said.
The deputy commander explained that hard drugs seized included ‘Canadian Loud’ worth N5 million, cannabis weighing 146.85 kg and 43.7 grammes of methamphetamine.
Mr Oluwarotimi said the NDLEA would interrogate the suspects to know the users of hard drugs that require rehabilitation.
“While those that deal in illicit drugs among them would be charged to court,” he added.
The NDLEA in January seized about 10.827 tonnes of illegal drugs and arrested 88 suspected drug offenders in Lagos.
Actress Kate Henshaw Shares Photo Of Poorly Printed New Naira Note
Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, has lamented how the new naira notes are poorly printed.
The actress shared a picture of a badly printed N500 new note via her Twitter handle.
She wrote, “ Rushed and shoddy job.”
‘There’s nothing like accidental discharge’; police intentionally kill civilians -Lagos Commissioner of Police
The new police commissioner in Lagos, Idowu Owohunwa, has declared claims of ‘accidental discharge’ by security operatives as a ruse, insisting that security operatives intentionally shoot innocent civilians.
Mr Owohunwa said this on Wednesday during his visit to some area commands as part of his familiarisation tour to all police formations in the command.
The commissioner, who visited Area G Ogba and Area F Ikeja, where he addressed all the DPOs in the areas, urged the police officers to be professional in their conduct.
“I will not take ‘accidental discharge’ from any of my officers. In fact, there is nothing like ‘accidental discharge’, and it must not happen. Someone cocked the gun, and that same person fired,” Mr Owohunwa explained.
“You call it ‘accidental discharge’? No, I will not accept it. No one will be spared for ‘accidental discharge’ in this command.”
The police chief in Lagos requested area commanders and DPOs to furnish him with all the black spots in their areas of jurisdiction and how they are checked.
He also requested the officers to tell him about the challenges in their areas and divisions.Mr Owohunwa also visited the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, where he met with its executive secretary, Abdulrasaq Balogun, and requested continuous support.
Mr Balogun said that the fund would always support the police and other security agencies in Lagos.
He added that they have been working with all police commissioners posted to the state.The LSTF boss pointed out that the fund was established to secure life and property in Lagos.
Mr Owohunwa, on Tuesday, took over the leadership of police command in Lagos from Abiodun Alabi, now acting AIG in charge of Zone 2.
In his speech, Mr Owohunwa said he would hit the ground running immediately and visit many police formations under him unannounced.
Naira Scarcity-Show your frustration on election day, Obaseki tells protesters
The Edo government has urged Nigerians to demonstrate their anger and frustration on election day instead of remonstrating on the streets, disturbing public peace.
On Wednesday, Crusoe Osagie, Governor Godwin Obaseki’s media aide, called on Edo residents to be calm over the ill-implemented Central Bank of Nigeria’s cash swap resulting in cash shortage nationwide.
Mr Osagie, flanked by the commissioner for orientation and communication, Chris Nehikhare, made the call while addressing journalists in Benin over the protest in parts of the Benin metropolis.
Three people were feared dead during a protest in Benin on Wednesday over the cashless policy.
“Edo people should be calm. Save your vengeance and show it on election day by identifying the political party that caused the pain.
Be patient, get your PVCs and show your displeasure at the polls. Enthrone the party that can bring succour,” Mr Osagie said.
The commissioner accused the opposition party in the state of being responsible for the protest.
“This is a systematic protest organised across the country. They targeted Edo, Delta, and Oyo states, and these states are PDP states. It does not make sense for PDP states to be attacking PDP infrastructure when the policy causing the problems is an APC policy,” Mr Nehikhare explained.
While admitting that the situation is bad, he told the residents to be patient because the CBN had assured the Edo government that there would be enough money to go around.
Old Naira notes remain legal tenders – Supreme court
In spite of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s insistence on old Naira notes no longer being legal tenders, the Supreme Court has ruled that its February 8 order barring the Federal Government and its agencies from enforcing the February 10 deadline for the use of old 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes still subsist.
The ruling was made on Wednesday, February 15, following complaint by lawyer to Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN) that the Federal Government and its agencies have failed to comply with the order and have allegedly directed the rejection of the old notes.
Mustapha who also revealed that they’ve filed a notice of non-compliance with the order of the court order made on February 8, urged the court take action against the respondent to protect the dignity of the court.
He added;
That order has been flouted by the government. We are talking of executive lawlessness here. We have filed an affidavit to that effect.
We want the court to renew the order for parties to be properly guided.
Justice John Okoro who led the seven-member panel of the court, asked Mustapha to filed a proper application to put forward his complaints and to enable the respondent respond appropriately.
Justice Okoro who also noted that there’s no need for a renewal of the court’s order since the motion is yet to be heard.
The Supreme Court fixed February 22 for hearing of the suit filed Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states challenging the propriety the naira swap policy of the Federal Government.
Court slams N5 million bail on Nollywood actress over new naira notes abuse
Justice Chukwujekwu Anneke of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court has admitted Nollywood actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin to a bail of N5 million over the alleged abuse of the recoloured naira notes.
On Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Ms Omoseyin on a two-count charge bothering on spraying and stepping on the newly designed naira notes.
The defendant, 31, was alleged to have tampered with N100,000 new notes, by spraying and stepping on same during an occasion in the Lekki area of Lagos
She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.In his ruling on Wednesday, Justice Aneke admitted the defendant to bail and one surety in like sum.
The court held that the surety must be a public servant, and must have a landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
The surety is also to produce three years tax clearance.
In addition, the defendant was ordered to deposit her international passport with the court’s registrar.
He adjourned the case until April 3 for trial.
According to the charge, the defendant was alleged to have committed the offence on January 28 at the Monarch Event Centre in Lekki.
The prosecutor, S.I Sulaiman, alleged that the defendant engaged in spraying and trampling on the newly designed naira notes, while dancing at an occasion.
The offence contravenes the provisions of section 21 (1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.
Ms Omoseyin was arrested after a video of her spraying and stepping on the new notes at a party went viral.
Angry protesters burn down banks in Delta over crippling naira scarcity
Some irate protesters on Wednesday set ablaze some commercial banks in Warri, Delta state over the persisting scarcity of the redesigned naira notes.
Videos seen showed a burning First Bank building and at least three ATMs already destroyed by the angry demonstrators.
A signpost bearing the name and elephant logo of First bank was also vandalised in the chaotic protest.
Another video showed thick puffs of smoke billowing near an Access Bank facility with demonstrators scattered across the street.
They also erected barricades on the roads to block passage of cars and vehicles.
Union Bank on Udu road in Warri was not exempted as aggrieved youths unleashed violence on the bank’s facility in frustration of the scarce new notes.
Campaign billboards for PDP’s Atiku Abubakar and David Okowa’s presidential bid were angrily defaced by the protesters.
Sirens that signalled the arrival of security agents did not faze the protesters who remained defiant and made no attempt to flee.
Spokesman for the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, says nine persons have been arrested for the arson and vandalism of the banks.
“In UDU LGA of Delta State, some unguided youths/miscreants in the name of protest have set two banks and two vehicles ablaze. We have arrested nine suspects so far.”, Mr Edafe wrote in a tweet.
“Some persons will still call this protest.”
The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned until February 22 the hearing of a suit that sought a restraining order on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop the full implementation of the naira redesign policy.
FCT minister vows to sanction filling station that records fire outbreak
Worried about the recurring fire outbreaks in filling stations, the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, has directed all filling stations to observe safety regulations or face sanctions.
Abbas Idriss, director-general, FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), disclosed during an emergency stakeholders meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja.
Mr Idriss, represented by the agency’s Director, Forecasting Response Mitigation, Florence Wenegieme, said the minister ordered that any filling station that recorded a fire outbreak would be sanctioned.
The DG said that no responsible government would fold its arms and allow loss of lives and property to be the order of the day.
“Sadly, while we recorded many successes in the aspect of flood management in the Federal Capital, the incidence of fire outbreaks, especially in filling stations, suddenly became a recurring issue of concern.
“This worrisome issue, as our findings reveal, is largely attributed to violations of safety regulations in loading, transportation and off-loading petroleum products and other volatile substances.
“Also, there is a seeming lack of adequate knowledge of basic safety rules, absence of functional firefighting equipment and trained safety officers in most of our filling stations.”
Similarly, Mr Idriss said that discharging petroleum products while the premises were already filled with vehicles and other customers awaiting was a dangerous development.
He also frowned at the activities of black markers in and around the vicinities of the filling stations and highways.
Mr Idriss added their activities were dangerous developments that needed to be addressed by all stakeholders to avoid catastrophic outcomes soon.
“The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Nimet), on January 24, released its seasonal climate prediction, which has implications on various sectors of our economy, particularly on agriculture, transportation, water, disaster management and other critical sectors.
“Therefore, we will also use this platform to review our performance in managing flood, fire, building collapse and other emergency incidents in the nation’s capital.
“This is necessary in order to further strengthen those areas where we delivered well and also improve on others where there were lapses.”
Earlier, Justin Uwazuruonye, the head, Abuja Operations Office, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), reiterated the determination of the agency to mitigate and reduce the risk of disaster in Abuja and the nation at large.