Tinubu receives Blinken at State House.

Tinubu receives Blinken at State House.

President Bola Tinubu in closed-door on Tuesday talks with United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Blinken who arrived at the State House at about 06:53 pm local time on Tuesday was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, ushered into the President’s diplomatic room for a bilateral meeting.

Although the senior US official is visiting Tinubu for the first time since the latter assumed the Presidency eight months ago, it would be his second visit to the seat of power since November 2021 when he met President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nigeria is Blinken’s third destination in his week-long whistle-stop tour which began in Cabo Verde through Ivory Coast and is scheduled to end in the Central African state of Angola.

Visiting a port in Praia, Cape Verde’s capital, that was expanded through US government assistance, Blinken remarked that the US was “all in” for Africa.

“We see Africa as an essential, critical, central part of our future,” he said.

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According to the US State Department, his visit is part of a bid to forge a united front with key African democracies as crises engulf the world.

In Abidjan, Blinken met Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, before heading to Abuja to see Nigerian President Tinubu.

The two West African powers, one Anglophone and one Francophone, have largely shared the US stance on arming Ukraine and, more recently, US support for Israel in its war with Hamas.

In 2022, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, and Ivory Coast, as well as Kenya in East Africa, joined the United States in a United Nations vote to condemn Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

This is in sharp contrast with another continental power, South Africa, which the US has accused of allowing arms shipments to Russia and which most recently pushed a genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice.

Consequently, Blinken will not visit South Africa but he will visit Angola, which played a crucial role in mediating to end unrest in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ogun Speaker, Oluomo impeached.

Ogun Speaker, Oluomo impeached.

The Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, was on Tuesday impeached by 18 out of 26 members of the legislative arm during the house sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mrs Bolanle Ajayi (APC-Yewa South).

Oluomo, representing Ifo State Constituency was impeached over allegations of gross misconduct, highhandedness, lack of focus and transparency, financial misappropriation and pursuit of selfish interests.

The erstwhile speaker was reportedly at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto Abeokuta attending the swearing-in of customary court judges a few metres away to the assembly complex, Governors Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta when his colleagues moved against him.

The Assembly also elected Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda) as the new speaker.

There were also reports of shootings by some security officers loyal to Oluomo who our correspondent gathered tried to stop the impeachment.

Adegoke Awoso (APC-Yewa North 1), moved the motion for the impeachment of Oluomo while it was seconded by Ademola Adeniran another APC lawmaker representing Sagamu Constituency II.

Adeyanju, popularly called Awoso had reportedly entered the assembly chamber with the mace in the company of other lawmakers

Recall that the impeached speaker is standing trial over financial misappropriation of N2bn.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had in September 2022 filed an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and stealing against Oluomo, and three other staff members of the legislative arm.

The charge was filed by the EFFC’s Lagos Head of Legal Monitoring Unit, Rotimi Oyedepo, at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta.

The Speaker had however maintained his innocence saying that he would eventually be vindicated of the fraud charges.

Speaking to newsmen after being elected as the new speaker, Elemide said the people of the state should expect the best from him.

“We are law-abiding legislators. We want the world to know that there has been a change in leadership.

“18 members signed for me to be the speaker. People should remain calm. We are in the custody of all the authorities of the house. We are saying that the new leadership will support the governor.

“The governor does not know anything about this impeachment,” he said.

Also speaking to newsmen, Mr Damilola Soneye (APC-Obafemi Owode), noted that the office of the speaker is meant to be first among equals.

“The speaker was impeached due to gross misconduct which includes high handedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance and poor leadership style, financial misappropriation and inciting members against themselves,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, also visited the assembly complex to ensure law and order.

This is just as Awoso alleged that policemen shot at the tyre of his car while claiming to be searching for guns said to be in his car.

He said “The police shot at my tyre, they said they were searching for arms which a member claimed was in my car and by the time they searched everywhere including the engine, they found nothing. I am embarrassed to have been treated with such disrespect and disdain as if one is a common criminal”.

The Commissioner for police, however, said that he was at the Assembly to ensure law and order.

Alamutu said, “We are here to ensure law and order and we also picked up the information that arms were kept inside one of the cars at the Assembly Complex but it has been searched and nothing of such was found”.

The house has adjourned sitting for a week.

The Clerk and the Deputy Clerk, Mr Deji Adeyemo and Mrs Funmilayo Adeyemi were also at the plenary.

FG, states, LGs share N1.12trn December revenue.

FG, states, LGs share N1.12trn December revenue.

....FG got N383.872 billion.

....States got N396.693 billion.

....LGs got N288.928 billion.

....Oil producing states got N57.915 billion as 13% derivation.

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total sum of N1,127.408 trillion in December 2023 Federation Account Revenue with the Federal Government, States, and Local Government Councils.

This is contained in a communiqué issued by the FAAC at its January 2024 meeting, chaired by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein.

Bawa Mokwa, Director (Press and Public Relations) in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, said on Tuesday in a statement that the N1,127.408 billion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N363.188 billion, distributable value-added tax (VAT) revenue of N458.622 billion, electronic money transfer levy (EMTL) revenue of N17.855 billion, and exchange difference revenue of N287.743 billion.

 

He pointed out that the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was $473,754.57.

According to the communiqué, total revenue of N1,674.230 billion was available in December 2023. Total deductions for the cost of collection were N62.254 billion; total transfers, interventions, and refunds were N484.568 billion.

Gross statutory revenue of N875.382 billion was received for December 2023. This was lower than the N882.560 billion received in November 2023 by N 7.178 billion.

The gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in December 2023 was N492.506 billion. This was higher than the N360.455 billion available in November 2023 by N132.051 billion.

The communiqué stated that from the N1,127.408 billion in total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total of N383.872 billion, the State Governments received N396.693 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N288.928 billion.

A total sum of N57.915 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

From the N363.188 billion in distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N173.729 billion, the State Governments received N88.118 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N67.935 billion. The sum of N33.406 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

The Federal Government received N68.793 billion, the State Governments received N229.311 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N160.518 billion from the N458.622 billion distributable value-added tax (VAT) revenue.

The N17.855 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) was shared as follows: the Federal Government received N2.678 billion, the State Governments received N8.928 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N6.249 billion.

The Federal Government received N138.672 billion from the N 287.743 billion exchange difference revenue. The state governments received N70.336 billion, and the local government councils received N54.226 billion. The sum of N24.509 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared with the benefiting states as derivation revenue.

In December 2023, companies’ income tax (CIT), excise duty, petroleum profit tax (PPT), value-added tax (VAT), and electronic money transfer levy (EMTL) increased significantly, while oil and gas royalties decreased substantially. Import Duty and CET Levies decreased marginally.

Court adjourns Saraki’s suit against EFCC, ICPC, others.

Court adjourns Saraki’s suit against EFCC, ICPC, others.

A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned two separate suits filed by former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, said the adjournment was to await the report of the Court of Appeal on application for stay of proceedings filed by the ex-lawmaker.

Upon resumed hearing, Saraki’s lawyer, Tunde Afe-Babalola, SAN, informed that he had a pending application for stay of proceedings filed on July 30, 2021..

He said all the parties had been served and that they were ready to proceed.

The judge then asked whether the motion for relisting had been taken.

“Yes, we filed a stay at the Court of Appeal,” he responded.

But the EFCC’s counsel, Christopher Mshelia, who said he was not sure if the commission had been served, said he was not ready for today’s hearing.

Ekenma Okafor, who appeared for Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), said his client had not been served.

“I remember on one of the sittings, the counsel appearing for the applicant had given the court his word that he is withdrawing their appeal.

“We are surprised with this development,” Okafor said.

 Afe-Babalola, who said he was not aware of Okafor’s information, said the important thing was that the motion was pending.

“If you had filed a stay at the Court of Appeal, why did you also file a stay here?

“If I grant you stay here, have I not done their duty at the Court of Appeal?” the judge asked.

Justice Ekwo, therefore, said he would give Afe-Babalola a date to enable him to sort himself out at the Court of Appeal and report back.

The matter was then adjourned until April 18 for report of proceedings at the Court of Appeal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Ekwo had, on Jan. 25, 2023, struck out the suits for lack of diligent prosecution.

After the suits were struck out, Saraki file an application to relist the cases.

The motion on notice seeking an order of re-listing the suits was dated Feb. 1, 2023 and filed Feb. 3, 2023 by Sunday Onubi from Afe Babalola & Co Law Firm.

It was reported that Saraki, the applicant, had filed the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/507/2019 and FHC/ABJ/CS/508/2019 at the FHC.

In the suits, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and State Security Service (SSS) are 1st to 3rd defendants.

Others are EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and CCB as 4th to 6th respondents respectively.

The ex-senate president had filed the suits following the EFCC’s decision in 2019 to probe Saraki’s earnings between 2003 and 2011 when he was governor of Kwara.

The anti-graft commission was reported to have seized some of his houses in the Ikoyi area of Lagos then.

However, Saraki, on May 10, 2019, filed the two separate suits before retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo to challenge the action of the EFCC.

Justice Taiwo, who was the presiding judge then, ruled on an ex-parte application filed along with the substantive suits.

The judge ordered the anti-corruption agency (4th respondent) and the other five respondents to the suits to stay action on the probe pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the applicant.

The order was granted after Sunday Onubi, Saraki’s lawyer, moved the application, on May 14, 2019.

The court had directed the parties to maintain the status quo by suspending the probe.

But the EFCC later applied that the judge should recuse himself and the matter be transferred to another court.

Justice Taiwo sent back the case file to the chief judge and the matter was reassigned to Justice Anwuli Chikere for adjudication.

When the matter came up on July 14, 2021 before Justice Chikere, EFCC Counsel, Chile Okoronkwo, complained that Taiwo’s order had hindered the agency “from performing its duty for about two years now.”

The lawyer, who stated that Saraki continued to hinge on the order of the court any time he is invited, urged the court to vacate the order.

But the suits were reassigned to Justice Ekwo following the retirement of Chikere.(NAN)

Kidnapping: Wike pledges positive news within days.

Kidnapping: Wike pledges positive news within days.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says residents of the territory will get positive news within days with regards to efforts being made to tackle insecurity in the FCT.

“I can assure you that in a matter of days, you will be hearing positive stories,” Wike told a townhall meeting in Kwali on Tuesday.

“We are ready to support our security agencies with whatever they need to ensure that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.

“We are going to provide the councils with motorcycles to support the vigilante groups so that they can get information and assist our security agencies,” he added.

The minister directed chairmen of the six areas councils in the territory to strengthen and motivate local vigilante groups as part of measures to reinforce community policing.

Wike also asked the councils to procure more motorcycles for the vigilante groups, to enable them navigate difficult terrains while supporting security agencies.

He said that the FCT Administration would soon conclude the procurement processes for more operational vehicles to support security agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities.

“For me, whatever that is going to bring development or improve security, the government has no hesitation in doing it,” he said, adding that residents should support the security agencies with actionable information to address any security threat.

“We need information from you because without information, the security agencies would have little or nothing to do; if you give them information on time, they will make sure that bad things don’t happen,” Wike said.

On infrastructure, the minister promised to construct two roads in each of the six area councils, in addition to the ones being constructed.

The minister said that henceforth the FCT annual budget would rely on inputs from the people.

“Every year, before submitting any budget proposal to the National Assembly, I will meet with traditional rulers and the people to get their inputs.

“This is by way of getting them to recommend people-oriented projects that can be incorporated into the budget; we will not abandon you. We will make sure we develop the area councils.

“Before the end of the tenure of President Tinubu, you will see a lot of infrastructure going on in the area councils.”

Earlier, Kwali Area Council Chairman, Mr Danladi Chiya, appealed for the establishment of a police divisional office and military base in some parts of the area council.

Chiya also complained of bad roads, which according to him, have contributed to the rising insecurity in the area.

“The roads are not motorable, come to our aid to help put the roads in good shape. That will help reduce the incidences of kidnapping.

“We also require further military presence. We need more police stations especially in Gwako which has become a haven for these bad elements.

“We also need motorcycles for the vigilante groups. I have given them some, but we need more,” he said. (NAN) 

Oyebanji Receives NAFEST 2023 Honours Award for Outstanding Contributions to Arts and Culture.

Oyebanji Receives NAFEST 2023 Honours Award for Outstanding Contributions to Arts and Culture.

By Olamide Akinwumi J. 

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the promotion of Arts and Culture, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State was honored with the prestigious NAFEST 2023 Honours Award by the National Council for Arts and Culture. The accolade was bestowed on Governor Oyebanji for his instrumental role in ensuring Ekiti hosted the most successful National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in history in 2021 during his tenure as the Secretary to the State Government. Additionally, he was lauded for ensuring Ekiti's active participation in the 2022 edition held in Lagos, despite being relatively new in office as Governor at the time.

The NAFEST Honours Award, considered the highest recognition by the Council, was formally presented to Governor Oyebanji by the state Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Prof. Rasaki Ojo-Bakare. The ceremony took place at the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024.

Arts, Culture, and Tourism stand as significant pillars in the BAO administration's Six-Pillar Development Agenda, emphasizing the administration's commitment to the holistic development and promotion of the state's cultural heritage. Governor Oyebanji expressed gratitude for the prestigious recognition and reiterated the administration's dedication to further advancing arts and culture initiatives for the prosperity of Ekiti State.

Gov Oyebanji Explores Collaborative Ventures with NIPC.

Gov Oyebanji Explores Collaborative Ventures with NIPC.

By Olamide Akinwumi J. 

Governor Biodun Oyebanji engaged in a strategic meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, with the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Aisha Rimi, and her team.

The meeting, held at the conference room of the Governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti, focused on delineating areas of collaboration between the state government and NIPC, an organization dedicated to promoting investments in the country.

Significantly, Governor Oyebanji took a prominent role in leading the discussions during all strategy sessions between the NIPC and the State Government team. The meeting underscored the commitment of Ekiti State to fostering economic growth through strategic partnerships, tapping into the expertise of NIPC to attract and facilitate investments within the region.