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Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has expressed frustration and hinted at a potential resignation following a string of poor home performances.
His side suffered a 3-1 loss to Auxerre on Friday, increasing the manager’s worries.
Although De Zerbi’s team sits second in Ligue 1, they’ve managed just one win in five home games this season, conceding three goals in each of their last two home losses.
“If I’m the problem, I’m ready to leave. I’ll leave the money and hand back my contract,” De Zerbi told reporters post-match.
The former Brighton coach, who joined in June, emphasized his desire to see the same intensity at the Velodrome that he sees in training and away games but admitted he has struggled to inspire this level of performance at home.
De Zerbi highlighted the privilege of playing at the iconic Stade Velodrome and his passion for bringing his football ideas to life for the team and fans.
Marseille’s next fixture is an away match against eighth-placed Lens on November 23, where De Zerbi will hope to turn around the team’s fortunes.
The Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has said that there is nothing in the four tax bills currently before the National Assembly which threatens the existence of any government agency or the jobs of individuals.
Adedeji gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving the chief executive officers of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The statement comes amid fears being expressed that the proposed change of the name of FIRS to Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) will lead to the tax agency subsuming a number of federal agencies.
“I want to assure you that there is nothing in the bills that will reduce your funding, effectiveness or efficiency.
“The main objective is to enhance tax efficiency, ease compliance levels,” Adedeji said.
Some communities in Delta State have been submerged by rising floodwaters.
Most affected areas are Ewulu and Illah communities, along with adjoining areas in Aniocha South and Oshimili North Local Government Areas of Delta State.
Authorities have repeatedly urged residents in flood-prone coastal regions to relocate to higher ground.
According to local sources, the flood, which is an annual occurrence, has taken over the main access road linking Ewulu community, posing a significant threat.
The floodwaters are rising quickly and are expected to inundate homes near the Umuomi River, which serves as a flood channel for the area.
To reach Ewulu, visitors now have to take a longer route through the neighboring town of Isheagu, as many residents remain in the area despite the warnings.
Andrew Uchendu, a resident of Ewulu, stressed the importance of a swift response from the authorities to mitigate the impact of the flood on the community.
He called on the Delta State government to urgently assist those living in low-lying areas, explaining that with the main access road submerged, residents now face higher transportation costs and difficulties reaching their homes.
“The flooding of the main road means it is only a matter of time before the water reaches the coastal areas where many of our people live. The sooner the government steps in, the better for our community,” Andrew said.
“If no action is taken, we may soon need to establish camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to accommodate those affected. Planning for such camps now would help ease the situation for those at risk,” he stated.
Singer Cardi B has vowed to take legal action against a yet to be identified person who made an anonymous call to the Child Protective Services, CPS, to visit her home.
The American rapper who announced the development in a video on her social media page, said she was hospitalised before the incident.
Expressing her annoyance over what she described as a ‘supposed prank call’, Cardi B threatened legal action against both CPS and the person responsible for the call.
“To do a prank call with CPS to come to my gated mansion that my kids have been beaten and abused while they were already sleeping at 11pm. Are you fucking dumb?
“This is where pranks start going too far, and you think this is funny?, Firstly, I’m the only coloured and Latin person in my neighbourhood and for people to pop into my house with cops and CPS because of an anonymous call involving my children?
“I promise, I’m going to sue child protective services and the person that made the call and I’m going to the bottom of this.”
The National Secretariat of the Petroleum Tankers Drivers Branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, PTD- NUPENG, has issued a 2-week strike warning to the Nigerian government.
In a statement issued by the National Chairman of the Union, Augustine Egbon on Thursday and made available to DAILY POST in Abuja, PTD- NUPENG accused the Inspector General of Police, IGP team of seizing members’ loaded trucks.
Egon said the development has now warranted calls by the union on its members to withdraw their trucks from petrol depots.
He accused the Police IGP’s Task Force of excessive harassment despite the scarcity of fuel at retail outlets across the country, stressing that their strike would paralyse the loading of petroleum products and ultimately result in scarcity at retail outlets.
The Union called on the IGP, Michael Egbetokun to intervene before the ultimatum lapsed, failure of which they insist, members will down tools.
Recently, PTD-NUPENG at its NE.C meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, urged the IGP to curb the high-handedness of its task force on petroleum products, which impounds tankers on federal highways.
The Union lamented that two fully loaded trucks with Automotive Gas Oil ( AGO) were impounded by the Task Force between July and August in Funtua, Katsina State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and haven’t been released despite documentary evidence of depots where products were loaded
The statement said: “We have genuine certification by the statutory regulatory agencies, the IGP office has ignored and refused to release the trucks.
“The truck with registration number, GRY 155XA loaded 49,000 litres of AGO at Prudent Energy Limited in Oghara, Delta State. The destination was Sokoto but it was impounded in Funtua, Katsina State on July 31, 2024.
“The second truck with registration number, TWD272XA, with 45,000 litres of AGO loaded the products at Integrated Oil & Gas in Apapa, Lagos. Its destination was Yobe State before it was impounded in August in Abuja.
“Despite the fact that samples of the products from the two trucks were certified by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Products Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, the office of the Inspector General of Police Task Force team has remained adamant and it has refused to release the loaded trucks.
We have presented authentic documents to the Police that the products were genuine at the point of loading. The IGP office has continued to ignore us.
“At our last NEC meeting, we issued a deadline to them, demanding for the release of the impounded trucks and a stoppage to the continued harassment of our members”
The Abuja Federal High Court on Friday threatened to jail the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi for blocking Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, from his legal team.
In a Notice of Consequences, the court accused the DSS DG of disobeying its ruling ordering Kanu’s lawyers to have routine access to him.
The Notice of Consequences was served on the DSS DG by the Registrar of the Abuja Federal High Court and was made public by Kanu’s lead Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor.
In a statement he signed, Ejimakor threatened to commence contempt proceedings against the DSS boss following the Notice of Consequences served.
The statement reads: “Earlier today, the Registrar of the Federal High Court, Abuja issued a Form 48 which is a Notice of Consequences of disobeying an order of court against the Director General of DSS in regard to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“The Notice stated: “TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directions contained in this Order (see overleaf) – by allowing the Applicant’s Counsel to conduct the Court-ordered visitations with the Applicant on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays – you will be guilty of Contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
“This Notice is necessitated by the repeated disobedience of the court-ordered visitation of Mazi Kanu by the newly appointed Director-General of the State Security Services (Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi) who has, for almost a month, not allowed Mazi Kanu’s Lawyers to visit him.
“To be clear, this Notice is a quasi-criminal judicial process that forewarns any person disobeying a court order of the penal consequences of such misconduct. Therefore, if the Director-General of DSS persists on this ignoble path, he will leave us with no other option than to commence vigorous contempt proceedings against him.”
The Scout Association of Nigeria (TSAN), on Monday, staged a peaceful protest and threatened to take legal action against some elements that are parading themselves as leaders of the voluntary organisation.
The chairman of Conference of State Commissioners of Scout of Nigeria, and the Oyo State Scout Commissioner, Dr Zack Ekanola, on behalf of the organisation, at the weekend, cried out that some imposters are moving around states presenting themselves as leaders of the organisation.
Speaking at the Oyo State secretariat of the organisation at Agodi, Ibadan, Ekanola said the only person who is Scout’s Chief Commissioner is Engineer Babatunde Oyetayo.
He, however, warned that the organisation was set to take the imposters and their travelers to court if they refused to desist from such unlawful acts.
Ekanola said: ‘’We are protesting against the attempted forceful takeover of our organisation by some imposters led by one Olusoga Sofolahan, who was once one of the leaders of the organisation six years ago. The person leading the imposters concocted a dubious story against our Chief Commissioner.”
“The man in question went ahead to organise his Annual General Meeting [AGM]. He gathered some former leaders of the organisation to form a parallel leadership within the Scouts of Nigeria. He neglected the Scout Commissioners, real members, and leaders of Boys’ Scouts of Nigeria.
‘’That is why we are coming together to reject their antics and tactics and their impersonation. It is thuggery and rascals taken too far.
‘’This is the first step we are taking. After this, we are taking a big legal action against all the imposters,” he added.
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The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a stern warning to factional leaders within the party, stating that it may resort to using security agencies to enforce compliance and uphold the rule of law following internal conflicts.
This announcement was made during a press briefing on Monday by Acting National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga.
Manga addressed the media to clarify the recent turmoil within the PDP, marked by the suspension of key party officials, including the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN.
The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) explained that the suspensions were necessary to facilitate an investigation into allegations of “abuse of office and insubordination.”
“We must ensure that certain actions are not guided by sentiments and personal interests, but by the party’s constitution,” Manga stated, urging party members to avoid conflicts that could jeopardize the PDP’s future.
He emphasized the need for unity, warning that continued infighting could lead to the party’s downfall.
Manga expressed disappointment at the reactions of the suspended officials, accusing them of adopting a “motor park” approach to what he described as a procedural suspension aimed at giving them the opportunity to clear their names.
He criticized the spread of misinformation regarding the legitimacy of the leadership changes and urged members to rally behind the acting leadership.
In a more serious tone, Manga declared that if necessary, the party would involve security agencies to enforce compliance with party rules and address any reckless violations of a subsisting court order related to the ongoing disputes.
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“In the face of this reckless violation of a subsisting court order, we are left with no option but to deploy the services of security agencies to enforce the rule of law,” he said.
This statement signals a potential escalation in tensions within the PDP, which has faced significant internal strife in recent months.
As the party strives to maintain its status as Nigeria’s major opposition force, Manga called for solidarity among members and support for Acting National Chairman Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum.
He urged all party stakeholders to focus on resolving ongoing issues and reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to its foundational values of democracy and governance.
The Ogun State Government has threatened to restrict the activities of members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and warned against any breakdown of law and order in the state.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, that the government’s position was in reaction to an alleged plan by some members of the union operating in Ijebu-Ode, challenging the decisions of the established leadership of the union in the state.
The state government said it would not fold its arms and allow the peaceful atmosphere existing in the state to be threatened by any group in the name of protest to drive home their position.
Dairo warned the union members that the state government would not hesitate to restrict the activities of the union in public spaces if there was any attempt to breach the peace.
The statement said: “It has come to the attention of the Ogun State Ministry of Transportation that some members of NURTW operating in Ijebu Ode are challenging the decisions of the established NURTW leadership in the state.
“Further to the above, it is reported that disaffected members propose to resort to violence as a means of demonstrating their grievances.
“This bulletin is to notify and remind NURTW and its members of their corporate and personal duty to conduct corporate and personal activities strictly within the ambit of the laws, rules, and regulations that the Constitution of Nigeria demands.
“NURTW and its members are therefore put on notice that the government of Ogun State, under the leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, would not tolerate any disturbance of the peace in Ogun State so painstakingly achieved and sustained throughout the life of this administration.
“The leadership and members of NURTW are enjoined to fully operationalise the constitution of the union and transparently activate the dispute resolution clauses and schedules contained therein as appropriate, and to avoid any action(s) that may endanger lives and property in our dear state.
“Finally, this message serves as a reminder to all stakeholders that parks and garages in Ogun State are public assets for the safe and secure use of all members of the public and not a preserve of third parties, and that, in the wider interest of the public, the government will not hesitate to restrict the activities of unions in public spaces if public safety and/or security is adjudged at risk.”
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•Marketers accuse NNPCL of inflating Dangote petrol price, MEMAN continues loading subsidised PMS
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has threatened to stop operations nationwide following the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, sold to IPMAN members by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
IPMAN revealed on Thursday that the cost of petrol from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to NNPC was about N898/litre, but noted that NNPC was selling the same product to independent marketers at N1,010/litre in Lagos.
The association, which controls over 70 per cent of filling stations nationwide, kicked against this and threatened to down tools, as it also demanded a refund from NNPC for earlier petrol supply payments made by its members. This development may further worsen the petrol scarcity and queues in many parts of the country.
Meanwhile, it was also gathered on Thursday that members of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria were still loading subsidised petrol from Dangote refinery, based on earlier arrangements with NNPC.
Speaking with one of our correspondents on Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, said the association may be forced to take action if the challenge between IPMAN and NNPC is not resolved immediately.
This development followed an earlier revelation by IPMAN national president, Abubakar Maigandi, that NNPC was asking independent marketers to buy petroleum products from its depot at N1,010/litre in Lagos State.
Maigandi, who spoke during a live television interview on Thursday, argued that the price was higher than what NNPC paid for the product from the Dangote refinery.
He also noted that independent marketers’ funds had been held by the national oil company for about three months.
According to him, NNPC purchased the product from the refinery at N898/litre but is asking marketers to buy it at N1,010/litre in Lagos; N1,045 in Calabar; N1,050 in Port Harcourt; and N1,040 in Warri.
“Our major challenge now is that independent marketers have an outstanding debt from the NNPC and the company collected products through Dangote at a lower rate, which is not up to N900, but they are telling us now to buy this product from them at the price of N1,010/litre in Lagos; N1,045 in Calabar; N1,050 in Port-Harcourt; and N1,040 in Warri”, Maigandi stated.
He also pointed out that the association’s funds with NNPC had reached N15bn, stressing that marketers were eager to be fully involved in the petrol business and its components following the full deregulation of the sector.
He added, “Marketers want to be fully engaged in the business of petrol and its components. NNPC has been the one bringing in the product and loading and has an off-take in the Dangote refinery.
“We are now being allowed to import and there is no challenge on that issue. What we are after is to get the product directly from Dangote and not through NNPC. Currently, they owe us up to N15bn.”
On Wednesday, the retail stations of NNPC raised the price of petrol to N1,030 from N897/litre in Abuja, and in Lagos it was hiked to N998/litre from N868/litre. Other locations witnessed similar price hikes, a development that triggered anger among Nigerians.
The price hike, the second in one month, represents about 14.8 per cent or N133 rise. However, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Organised Private Sector called for the immediate reversal of the hike in the pump prices.
With the latest price adjustment, it means that in the less than 17 months of the current administration, the price of petrol has risen by over 430 per cent from May 29, when it took over the reins of power.
Asked if NNPC had reached out to resolve the issue with independent marketers, the National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Ukadike, responded in the negative.
He said the oil company had not provided any feedback or response following its last discussion with the marketers.
Ukadike said, “No changes or feedback at all. NNPC hasn’t responded to us. They haven’t returned our money. We are still observing what the situation would turn to since they haven’t reached out to us, or probably we would have to withdraw our services if the issue is not resolved.”
He, however, noted that efforts to reach Dangote for direct loading were in progress and a meeting between both parties expected to hold soon.
Ukadike also disclosed that its marketers would sell at a lower rate of N970/litre if allowed to purchase products directly from the refinery.
The IPMAN official added, “Any moment from now, Dangote will invite us, from the fillers we have received.”
On its pricing, he said, “If we start buying from Dangote at its current price, we will sell at N970, lower than the price of NNPC. Dangote sold to NNPCL at N898/litre. But they are asking us to buy from them at their pump price, can you imagine this kind of slavery? We continue to talk about price disparity every day and it’s there for all Nigerians to see.”
Phone calls and messages to NNPC officials to respond to the position of IPMAN were not replied as of the time of filing this report.
Similarly, officials at the Dangote refinery did not respond to enquiries when contacted for their views on the issues raised by IPMAN.
On the contrary, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria said it is not owed by NNPC, as it owns a large stock of storage systems to mitigate against sudden changes in petrol prices.
The Executive Secretary, MEMAN, Clement Isong, in a telephone interview, attributed this situation to its continuing relationship with NNPC.
He said, “We have storage tanks, unlike other oil marketers that only have trucks to transport directly to their filling stations. MEMAN is integrated. We have storage tanks, trucks and we have filling stations. So, we have products that we have bought into our storage tanks, which is a big difference from people who buy and take them straight to the station. They don’t have additional storage. We have depots and it takes a little bit longer for us to run out of stock, so we don’t face the challenge of being owed by the NNPC.
“We have a continuing relationship with NNPC and it is not the first time prices have gone up or down. That relationship means that when prices go up or down, we adjust. And so they continue to supply us. Everybody will charge its price according to its business strategy to optimise costs.”
Subsidised petrol
This came as a major oil marketer revealed that members of the group were still loading subsidised petrol from Dangote refinery, which they had earlier paid for through NNPC.
Major marketers had announced that NNPC sold petrol to them at N766/litre when it started lifting the product from Dangote refinery. Due to the capacity of the major marketers to buy the product in large volumes, they paid for the commodity massively and are still loading it from the Lekki-based refinery.
“The loading of this product may continue till the next two weeks before it will be exhausted and we will now start buying directly from Dangote without going through NNPC again,” a major dealer told one of our correspondents.
When another dealer was asked if major marketers had started lifting petrol directly from Dangote refinery, he replied, “I know the opportunity is open, but I cannot confirm if anyone has started yet. The one we are still lifting is the one we bought under NNPC.”
The dealer provided further explanation on the new petrol pricing regime in Nigeria, saying, “I believe the price of PMS has finally been deregulated, and subsidy has finally been eliminated. Henceforth, the price of PMS will be determined by market dynamics. This is inevitable as the government could no longer bear the burden of the subsidy.
“A good measure the government has taken to mitigate the development is the sale of crude oil to local refineries in naira at a fixed exchange rate. This will protect consumers from the negative impact of the fluctuations in exchange rates. The fact that the crude will be refined in local refineries will also save the cost of transporting crude to offshore refineries and transporting refined products back to Nigeria. Without these two factors, prices would have been higher.
“Another thing will be that the incentive to smuggle petrol from Nigeria to our neighbouring countries will be greatly reduced. Henceforth, prices can change at any time, depending on market dynamics. Customers will make informed choices about where to buy from. Operators will need to improve on safety, customer service, and accurate measurement to retain customers. This is also the time for consumers to consider alternative sources of powering their vehicles like CNG.
“The era of full competition has come to Nigeria. With time, things will settle down, and people will make informed choices. The government should invest in mass transportation, especially with CNG buses. Greater incentives should be given in terms of duty waivers on conversion kits and other CNG equipment and vehicles.”
Meanwhile, the landing cost of petrol has dropped to N975.89/litre, according to the latest data released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria.
Crude oil prices and foreign exchange rates are the major factors determining the cost of refined petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, and kerosene.
On Thursday, Brent crude futures settled at $77.41 a barrel, falling 60 cents, or 0.8 per cent. US West Texas Intermediate futures settled down 33 cents or 0.5 per cent, at $73.24 a barrel.
The decrease in the landing price is supposed to lead to a corresponding reduction in pump prices at filling stations across the country pending the cost of transportation, storage, and distribution.
MEMAN data also revealed that the landing cost of Automative Gas Oil, also known as diesel stood at N1,076.35/litre, while that of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK), known as aviation fuel stood at N1,111.97/litre.
Filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory sold between N1,025 and N1,120 in different locations.
Total Energies, located at Sultan Abubakar Way, Zone 3, sold the product for N1,080. Eterna filling station at Obafemi Awolowo Way, Utako, sold at N1,120. Shafa filling station, located along Airport Road, sold at N1,050 while, NIPCO and Mobil fuel stations, both located along Airport Road, also sold the product at N1,025 per litre.
This development followed NNPC’s decision to terminate its exclusive purchase agreement with Dangote Refinery.
In light of the recent fuel price hike, concerns are mounting over its potential impact on Nigeria’s economy.
An Associate Professor at the University of Africa, Balyesa State, Dr. Onuche Unekwu, said, “As prices rise, demand will fall, leading to increased unemployment rates. This is a concerning cycle that can ensnare many households.”
He emphasised the ripple effects of the fuel hike, noting, “People and businesses will become increasingly burdened. The rising costs are not just about fuel; they also frustrate production processes across various sectors.
“If the current trend continues, we could see millions more Nigerians facing poverty as essential goods and services become less accessible.”
Regarding the impact on small businesses, he expressed grave concerns.
“Many small enterprises operate on thin margins. With the higher costs of doing business, we risk seeing a significant number of them collapse, which could exacerbate unemployment and economic instability.”
Unekwu’s insight underscores a challenging road ahead for Nigerians as they navigate the complexities of rising costs and their implications for individuals and businesses.
An accountability expert at the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity Victor Agi said, “It has been a tragedy that when there is a hike in fuel prices, everything else automatically skyrockets. This situation will not be different. We have seen how the prices of fuel have moved from N650 to N700, depending on the location, and now to over N1,000, the official price set by the NNPC.
He added, “Inflation figures have also risen as a result of this hike. If the prices of commodities begin to rise, they will also affect the prices of raw materials for small and medium enterprises. The purchasing power of individuals will be impacted as well.”
Agi warned that these changes would have a ripple effect on the economy. “More and more people will be unable to meet their needs. If you’re buying a cup of gari in Abuja for, say, 1,300 to 1,500 naira, this increase in fuel prices could push it to 1,700 naira, depending on market reactions.”
He stated, “One of the things that affect prices in the country is transportation costs. An increase in fuel prices will lead to higher transportation and production costs, which will eventually reflect in the prices of goods in the market.”
Agi also addressed the impact on small and medium enterprises.
“If there’s an increase in transportation and raw material costs, it will affect their businesses. If they lack sufficient funds, they may not be able to continue operations or will stagnate due to inadequate resources.
“Small and medium enterprises will eventually have to adjust to the new prices, and ordinary people will suffer as a result.”
He suggested that businesses sought alternative energy sources.
“The over-reliance on PMS as an energy source has not benefited small and medium-scale enterprises in Nigeria. For instance, a barbershop that relies on a generator finds it increasingly unsustainable due to fuel costs,” he said.
“Businesses should consider alternative energy sources, such as solar power, although it’s not cheap. Many small enterprises find themselves in a dilemma, having to choose between electricity, generator fuel, and solar.”
Regarding government intervention, Agi expressed skepticism, saying, “Honestly, we no longer trust the government to mitigate these risks. In the past, we trusted that removing the fuel subsidy would lead to better allocation of resources, but little has changed.
“The government should seek alternative energy sources, such as CNG, which is cheaper and abundant. However, it must address the costs associated with transitioning to CNG facilities for average Nigerians. Subsidising this migration could significantly help both individuals and businesses.”
The National Union of Local Government Employees on Thursday said it wouldn’t rule out seeking redress in court should the Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, or other governors introduce bills to frustrate the Supreme Court judgment on direct allocation of funds to LGAs.
The union also called on President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to call Soludo to order over alleged moves to prevent LG funds from being utilised by chairmen for the betterment of the people at the grassroots.
The National President of NULGE, Hakeem Ambali, said this in response to the reported moves by the Anambra State governor to circumvent the apex court’s judgment granting full administrative and financial autonomy to local councils.
The Anambra State House of Assembly passed the Local Government Administration Bill 2024 on Tuesday amid condemnation from civil society groups and opposition parties, including Labour Party lawmakers in the assembly.
They alleged that the bill was an attempt by Soludo to arm-twist the council chairmen into paying their federal allocation back to the state.
The Secretary to the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Emma Madu, confirmed that the assembly passed the bill titled, ‘Anambra Local Government Administration Law 2024,’ on Tuesday.
Reports indicate that some other state houses of assembly have also enacted similar bills on local government administration.
Henry Mbachu, a member representing Awka South I State Constituency (Labour Party), raised the alarm on Tuesday, urging the governor to withdraw the bill, which he said would allow the state government to share in funds meant for local government councils, potentially undermining their financial independence
However, Soludo defended the bill, asserting that it did not contravene the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy.
He challenged anyone who believed otherwise to seek redress in court.
In response, the Senate, on Wednesday, faulted moves by some governors to enact laws to mandate the local government councils in their states to remit allocations into a joint account.
It endorsed the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, which granted financial autonomy to the 774 Local Government Areas across the country.
The Red Chamber urged all three tiers of government to fully comply with the judgment and resolved to collaborate with the House of Representatives to amend certain provisions of the 1999 Constitution to ensure full implementation of the judgment.
The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, and seconded by Abdul Ningi and Tahir Monguno.
Speaking on the development with one of our correspondents on Thursday, NULGE president, Ambali, said, “This act of illegality is condemnable and Governor Soludo should be called to order. This is a move to take local government funds.
“The FG should be proactive and withhold LG funds from such governors. The move by Governor Soludo is an affront to the law of the land. He needs to understand that nobody is above the law. What he is doing is totally against the judgment of the Supreme Court. NULGE thereby calls on the President to call Governor Soludo to order.”
Asked what steps would be taken to halt the perceived threat against LG financial autonomy, Ambali said, “We have not ruled out going to court. We can join the AGF in a suit in court.”
Some state officials of NULGE, who spoke with The PUNCH, however, said there were no signs that governors in their states were also looking at introducing bills to frustrate the Supreme Court judgment on direct allocation of funds to LGs.
“Well, to the best of our knowledge, we have not seen any move of Governor Dapo Abiodun to frustrate the working of the LG autonomy either by opening of another account for the LG funds or otherwise,” a NULGE official in Ogun State, said.
“Remember that the national president of NULGE, Akeem Ambali, is from Ogun State, he is very close to the government, so, Ogun State won’t get involved in such illegal act.
“But if it happens, God forbid, I don’t think the workers will take it kindly, they will definitely react, but like I said, NULGE is having a cordial relationship with this government and we shall definitely want that to be sustained.”
NULGE chairman, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Mrs Anestina Iweh, said she was unaware of any plan by the state government to create a separate account in to divert local government funds. “Iam not aware of such plan in Akwa Ibom State and I don’t think it will happen,” she said.
In Baylesa State, the NULGE chairman, Thank-God Singer, said there were no plans by the government to divert FG allocations meant for local government councils.
“There’s nothing like that in Bayelsa,” Singer stated.
In May, the Federal Government, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, filed a lawsuit to challenge the governors’ authority to receive and withhold federal allocations meant for Local Government Areas.
The suit sought to prevent state governors from unilaterally dissolving democratically elected local government councils and establishing caretaker committees.
The AGF argued that the constitution mandated a democratically elected local government system and did not allow alternative governance structures.
The Supreme Court, on July 11, 2024, gave a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of the 774 LGs in the country, asserting that governors could no longer control funds meant for the councils.
The seven-member Supreme Court panel, led by Justice Garba Lawal, held that it was illegal and unconstitutional for governors to manage and withhold LG funds.
The apex court also directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to pay LG allocations directly to their accounts, as it declared the non-remittance of funds by the 36 states unconstitutional.
On August 20, the Federal Government instituted a 10-member inter-ministerial committee to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
The committee members include the Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Minister of Budget & Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu; Accountant-General of the Federation; Oluwatoyin Madein and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso.
Others are the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Jafiya, the Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation & Fiscal Commission, Mohammed Shehu, and representatives of state governors and the local governments.
The committee’s primary goal is to ensure that local governments are granted full autonomy, allowing them to function effectively without interference from state governments.
The spokesman for the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, Sani Tukur, declined comments on the moves by the governors to frustrate the Supreme Court judgment.
However, a senior official at the agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorised to speak on the matter, stated that the NFIU was aware of the antics of some state governors attempting to gain control over local government funds.
He added that their mandate was to ensure local governments received their funds.
The official said, “In terms of monitoring the trends, we are doing that. We are all together in the country. Whatever any governor does, money meant for local governments must go to them. That is the position of the law.
“Whatever the LGs do afterwards, the law enforcement agencies responsible are out there watching; I am sure they would do the needful. NFIU’s mandate is to ensure local governments get their money; that is what the Supreme Court declared.”
Speaking on the issue, Yusuf Ali (SAN), urged the governors to obey the apex court order granting autonomy to local governments.
He said, “Well, let me say this upfront, the Supreme Court has spoken, and anybody who is a democrat and believes in the rule of law will not do anything to undermine the authority of the highest court in our land, except people are asking for anarchy because the thing about using devious methods to override the Supreme Court is like riding a leopard or a lion.
“Anybody who rides a lion or a leopard will end up in his belly. So, I want to counsel people that they should not do anything. The courts are not the last hope of the common man; they are the last hope of everybody.
“And our governors should remember that most of them hold their seats with the judgments of the courts. So, people should just remember. I think I won’t say more than that.”
In the same vein, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), said it was wrong for any governor not to comply with the judgment of the Supreme Court granting financial autonomy to local governments.
“You know, the challenge our society has had is the lawlessness of people in power who believe that power belongs to them, forgetting that it is strict adherence to law and order that will keep society going.
“Any state government that does that is in contempt of the decision of the Supreme Court, the highest court of the land. The reason our society is not making progress is our disdain for law and order, nothing more.
“If the Federal Government were to behave the way some of these state governments are behaving, there would be crisis and chaos in the polity. I mean, we all are in this country.
“Whenever monies are being shared, the Federal Government will make it public how much money goes to each state and state governor but the state governors see themselves as emperors. The ones whose words are laws cannot be questioned.
“Unfortunately, we have, regrettably, in the House of Assembly, those who believe that they must worship the governors forgetting that the governor is a trustee of the people. It is wrong for any government to do that, it is very wrong.”
Civil Society Organisations also condemned attempts by the Anambra State government to bypass the Supreme Court order on LG autonomy, describing it as being in contempt of the judgment.
“What is happening in Anambra state is actually supposed to be described as contempt of the Supreme Court judgment. And the governors and every member of the Houses of Assembly that are making or considering such laws should be marked down. As soon as the governor loses his immunity, he should be promptly arrested and charged with contempt of the court,” Chairman, Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, stated.
“It is not right, it is anti-democratic, it is unwarranted. It is against the principles of fair justice. It is inhuman for them to want to muzzle the local governments within the states. It should not be allowed, and Federal Government should not watch while the states muzzle the LGs just because they have the opportunity of being called state government. Local governments should begin to also create their own structures, running their own courts and ensuring that there is fairness at the grassroots level of governance.”
On his part, the Executive Director, United Global Resolve for Peace, Olaseni Shalom, insisted that the Federal Government must sponsor a bill at the National Assembly to block every loophole, noting that otherwise Anambra would only be the first among others.
“What would save all of this drama is a bill sent to the National Assembly, that would ensure that all of these loopholes, all the money sent to the local governments, they do with it as they please. You separate the local government autonomy clearly from the state. So, if that is the law of the land, stated in the constitution, assented to by the President and ratified by the states, there is no way they can make any other law that will contradict it.
“So, Anambra is just the beginning of all of these things we will see. There are lots of loopholes that must be blocked. Until all these loopholes are blocked, we will continue to see all of these legal and constitutional loopholes,” he said.
An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Vincent Adodo, has threatened to sue the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency if it does not repair the damaged sections of the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, particularly around the Nyanya-Checkpoint/Abacha Road area near the Federal Road Safety Corps Office.
He said the dilapidated condition of the section of the road had, for years, caused severe hardship for commuters and road users.
In a letter dated October 7, 2024, and made available to PUNCH Metro on Monday, Adodo urged FERMA to investigate and assess the state of the affected portion of the road.
He highlighted the daily struggles of citizens travelling between the Abuja City Centre and surrounding areas, who are forced to endure long hours in traffic due to the deteriorated road conditions.
“The users of this road are subjected to excruciating suffering every day, especially during the rainy season,” Adodo stated.
He gave FERMA seven days to respond to his demand for immediate repairs, warning that if the agency failed to act, he would file a lawsuit against it.
Adodo emphasised the strategic importance of the road, which serves as a vital route for thousands of public servants and private-sector workers commuting between the Federal Capital Territory and the Nyanya-Mararaba area.
The letter read, ”I wish to bring to your notice and that of your esteemed agency the general deplorable situation of a portion of the Abuja-Keffi Expressway beginning from Nyanya Checkpoint, Abuja through the road to Muhammadu Buhari International Market, Orange Market, Karu, Nasarawa State.
“I urge you to do your investigation and assess the current situation of the bad portions of the road particularly the area I have highlighted and also the very excruciating suffering the users of the road are being subjected to daily, especially during a rainy season.
“It baffles any reasonable person that a strategic passage such as the road in question which is the sole transport route for thousands of public servants and private sector workers employed in the Federal Capital Territory but residing in the Nyanya-Mararaba area can be abandoned and allowed to suffer dilapidation of this magnitude.
“Consequently, I am using this opportunity, again, to demand your good offices to immediately commence the repairs of the road which is a Federal Government road which connects the Federal Capital Territory.
He pleaded that in the event of the failure and/or negligence to heed his demand within a reasonable time of seven days from the receipt of the letter, he would not hesitate to institute legal action against FERMA for its dire negligence in the performance of its statutory obligation.
Owodunni Ibrahim aka Primeboy, who is a close associate of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba aka Mohbad, has countered the claims of the deceased’s mother, Abosede Adeyemo-Aloba, on what transpired between him and her son.
According to Primeboy, Mohbad’s mother accused him of having an altercation with Mohbad while he was alive during an online interview.
In a statement signed by his lawyer, Akinpelu Ogunbona, and seen by PUNCH Metro on Saturday, Primeboy quoted Mohbad’s mother as saying that he consistently complained about Mohbad’s neglect since he rose to stardom.
“In the said interview, you alleged that our client always fought the late Mohbad and consistently complained about his neglect by the late Mohbad since the said late Mohbad rose to stardom. You also alleged that our client was advised to run away after the death of the late Mohbad so as not to be suspected regarding the death,” the statement read in part.
While describing her submission as a defamation of character, the singer alleged that her actions were deliberate.
He added that this had affected the love he enjoyed from his fans.
“Your actions are deliberate to injure and traduce the integrity of our client who is a rising star in the music industry and your allegations in the interview have greatly and negatively impacted the affection and love being enjoyed by our client from his fans and well-wishers around the world,” the statement added.
Primeboy however requested Mohbad’s mother to retract her statement within seven days.
He also threatened to take legal action should he fail to do so.
Efforts to reach Mohbad’s mother for a reaction proved abortive as calls made to her phone were not responded to as of Sunday evening. A text message sent to her had yet to be responded to as of the time this report was filed.
In August, Ogunbona argued the application on behalf of Ibrahim Owodunni aka Primeboy, stating that there were new issues both Wunmi Aloba and the police needed to shed light upon to give a clearer picture of what killed the singer.
According to the statement, their request to be called by the counsel was to make clear some ambiguous statements regarding the fight the singer’s wife alleged happened in the house.
The coroner accordingly adjourned for the order to be complied with and the witnesses to be brought to court on the next adjourned date.
Mohbad died at the age of 27, on September 12, 2023, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.
His death also led to the arrest of Naira Marley and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, also known as Sam Larry, amongst others.
The singer’s body was on September 21, 2023, exhumed for autopsy to unravel the cause of his death.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday, ordered a thorough investigation into allegations of bribery within the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Although the minister did not mention any specific case, his directive comes on the heels of a voice note shared by Martins Otse, a.k.a. VeryDarkMan, in which Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, claimed that after his conviction and sentencing for abuse of the naira notes in April, his godfather, in collaboration with the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, arranged for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment.
This was as human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), denied any involvement with Bobrisky and gave VeryDarkMan a 24-hour ultimatum to retract the statement he made linking him to Bobrisky.
“We wish to state, without any fear of contradiction, that our client (Falana) has never, in his life, spoken to Brobrisky on his alleged pardon or on any matter whatsoever,” Falana’s lawyer stated in their letter to VeryDarkMan demanding a retraction and an apology.
In a voice note played online by VeryDarkMan, a voice, believed to be Bobrisky’s, was heard saying: “There’s jealousy involved. When I got to court, I admitted guilt, hoping for either a fine or community service. However, the court sentenced me. On my way to prison, my godfather called and assured me I wouldn’t enter prison. He told me not to worry and said he would arrange an apartment near the prison and speak to the Comptroller General of Prisons in Abuja.
“After they spoke, I was taken to an apartment where I was told not to come out until I finished my sentence. They informed the person at the apartment that their boss instructed them to keep me there and not let me leave. The person said he’d collect N10m, so I had to call Elele again. Elele gave me N2m because there was no one else to call.”
In the same viral voice note, Bobrisky also allegedly claimed that he paid a N15m bribe to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to drop money laundering charges against him, leaving only abuse of naira charges, of which he was convicted and sentenced.
According to the voice note, he also allegedly claimed to have been contacted by the rap musician, Falz, and his human rights lawyer father, Falana, who proposed to help him seek the Federal Government’s pardon for a N10m fee.
Reacting to the raging controversy in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Alao Babatunde, the interior minister ordered an immediate probe, stressing that no form of indiscipline would be condoned under his watch.
“The Minister of Interior has directed an unconditional and comprehensive investigation into the allegations of bribery and corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service.
“Tunji-Ojo unequivocally condemned the alleged reprehensible behaviour, emphasising that any form of indiscipline, unprofessionalism, or corruption will be met with zero tolerance and severe consequences within the paramilitary services under the ministry’s purview.
“The ministry will not tolerate any compromise on its core values of integrity, transparency, and accountability. We will leave no stone unturned in rooting out corruption and ensuring that those found culpable face the full wrath of the law,” Alao said in the statement.
He added that the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, would head the team investigating the allegations.
He said, “The minister has called for a special investigative team, headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, to probe these allegations and submit a comprehensive report.
“The minister reassures the public that the investigation will be rigorous, transparent, and impartial, and that appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken against any personnel found guilty.”
Meanwhile, Falana has written a pre-action letter to VeryDarkMan, who disseminated the vote note, demanding a retraction of the alleged defamatory statement against him.
In a letter, written on his behalf by Taiwo Olawanle of Falana and Falana Chambers, the SAN gave the social media influencer 24 hours to retract the statement and tender an apology or he would face legal action.
The letter read partly: “We are counsel for Mr Femi Falana SAN (hereinafter referred to as “our client”), on whose behalf we write this letter regarding your publication and dissemination of defamatory statements against him.
“Your publication of September 25, 2024, on your Instagram page captioned ‘In everything and everyone that is mentioned here, I will be disappointed if truly FALZ and his father are involved in this whole Bobrisky issue…’ refers.
“In publishing the statement on several online platforms, you informed your large viewership that Mr. Femi Falana ‘spoke to Bobrisky in order to divert justice’.
“Your publication contained multiple allegations and that you did not expect Mr Femi Falana, who was a lawyer to the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, whom everyone respects, to ‘engage in something like this?’.
“Your publication further alleged that Mr Femi Falana SAN wanted to get a presidential pardon for Bobrisky for the sum of N10,000,000.00.
“As if that was not enough, you proceeded to state as follows: ‘I don’t even believe that Femi Falana would bring himself down to this level, the whole Femi Falana would engage himself with something like this’… ‘The man started the pardon and he said he wanted to send it to the Minister of Justice in Abuja, who will send it to the President to approve it but you know Nigeria with corruption.’
“’Femi FALANA collected N10,000,000 in order to wipe his name off record. These are people I respected. These are people I look up to…it is obvious that Nigeria will not go anywhere soon.’”
The letter said the social media post by VeryDarkMan portrayed Falana in a bad light as “the direct meaning of the imputation, and/or innuendo contained in the false, misleading and defamatory statements is that: Mr Femi Falana is deceitful and that his motivation for fighting against injustice and corruption in Nigeria and entire Africa is a ruse.
“Mr Femi Falana spoke to Bobrisky to divert justice (sic) with a view to perverting justice for financial gains and material benefits.
“Mr. Femi Falana solicited a brief from Bobrisky and thereby contravened the Legal Practitioner Rules of Professional Conduct.
“Mr Femi Falana has participated in a device that constitutes subterfuge in concert with others who you also characterised as corrupt.”
“Mr Falana’s fight against injustice is inconsistent with his publicly acclaimed and validated record of competence, honesty and integrity.”
“Mr Falana, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has engaged in conduct that is incompatible with his professional role and duty as a legal practitioner in Nigeria.”
The chamber described VeryDarkMan’s publication as “a vicious, wicked and reckless ploy to impugn the reputation of our client and lower him in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public.”
It said while the social media influencer had the fundamental right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, “you are duty bound to ensure that what you publish and disseminate is credible and factual in every material particular. In other words, you have no right under the law to damage the reputation of any citizen by spreading baseless allegations based on sheer falsehood.”
The lawyers, therefore, “demand immediate retraction of the offensive and derogatory publication as well as an apology prominently published in all the platforms to which you have disseminated it without any justification whatsoever.”
“Be advised that if we do not receive your formal retraction and apology as demanded within 24 hours of the receipt hereof, we shall proceed with our client’s instructions to seek appropriate legal remedies, including monetary damages, against you for your incendiary publication and dissemination of defamatory statements,” they stated.
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