The Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Section on Public Interest has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to stop the directive requiring vehicle owners to register and obtain a Central Motor Information System Certificate for a fee of not less than N6,000.
The Association in a letter addressed to the IGP, and co-signed by NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun, questioned the legal basis for the Nigeria Police Force’s issuance of the CMRIS certificates.
It stated that no law had granted the police the authority to issue such licences or certificates to vehicle owners following vehicle registration at the appropriate offices.
The Association, therefore, demanded an immediate halt to the issuance and enforcement of the CMRIS certificates, urging the Inspector General of Police to issue a directive stopping the practice nationwide.
It stressed the need for the shutdown of the registration website and physical registration centres and refunds made to those who had already paid.
The NBA stated that any such certificate being issued by the Nigeria Police Force without legal backing is illegal, null and void, and therefore of no consequence.
The Association said that the police’s duty to protect citizens and enforce the law does not extend to collecting money or issuing certificates to vehicle owners.
The Association condemned the exploitation of Nigerians’ ignorance, resulting in extortion during road searches.
“Failure, neglect, or refusal to comply with this lawful demand within seven days of receipt of this letter will compel NBA-SPIDEL to seek appropriate sanctions in court against your esteemed office and the Nigeria Police Force,” the Association warned.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered the enforcement of the digitalised Central Motor Registry by July 29, 2024.
The directive, according to the Inspector General of Police, is to modernise and digitise the motor vehicle registration system, bolstering the nation’s safety and security framework.
Central Motor Information System Certificate: NBA issues 7-day ultimatum to stop directive
Central Motor Information System Certificate: NBA issues 7-day ultimatum to stop directive
Attack on Trump distasteful – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the assassination attempt on the former United States President, Donald Trump.
There was an assassination attempt on Trump at a political rally on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Pennsylvania, US.
Trump had escaped by the whiskers, saying, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation disclosed that 20-year-old Thomas Crooks had fired multiple gunshots, killing one while two others sustained injuries.
The Secret Service said the shooter committed the act from “an elevated position outside the rally” before being “neutralised” by agents.
However, according to a statement he personally signed on Sunday, Tinubu said the attack on Trump was distasteful and goes beyond the pale of democratic norms
The Nigerian leader asserted that violence has no place in democracy and wished the former US President a quick recovery.
He added, “I extend my sympathies to the former President and wish him relief. I also condole with the family of the deceased and those wounded and wish them a quick recovery.
“Nigeria stands in solidarity with the United States of America at this time.”
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Agbakoba seeks return to regional govt, faults agitation for new states
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba has advocated for the return to regional government rather than the creation of new states.
He noted that state creation would increase the cost of governance as new offices would be formed, despite the harsh economic realities facing the nation’s populace.
Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, expressed the view in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos State.
A bill seeking the creation of Etiti State in the South-East passed the second reading on Thursday in the House of Representatives, as the House is set to hold a public hearing on the bill, before returning it for a third and final reading ahead of passage and concurrence of the Senate.
Also, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Prof. Leroy Edozien, has advised President Bola Tinubu to write his name in gold by creating an additional state to address the marginalisation in the South-East zone.
Reacting, Agbakoba said Nigeria does not presently need more states
According to him, instead, lawmakers and other political stakeholders should be concerned about restructuring Nigeria into a regional government to reflect the real diversity of the country.
He added that he was not in support of additional states because most of the 36 states are economically unviable, insolvent and incapable of bringing about infrastructural development and even paying the proposed minimum wage.
The SAN said, “State creation at this present harsh economic will, no doubt, lead to an increase in the number of National Assembly members, ministers, local governments, and others, which would further increase the cost of governance in the country.
“This is coming at a time when most Nigerians are starving due to rise in the food prices. Insurgents, bandits and terrorists are abducting people for ransom in other states of the country.
“Therefore, the National Assembly should, instead, return the country to regionalism by collapsing the 36 states into six to eight regions or geopolitical zones, each of which will have a leader.”
Agbakoba noted, “This means that the present Nigeria 1999 Constitution would be amended or a new one written to accommodate this proposal.
“This is because making a new constitution for Nigeria has become an overriding imperative based on the fact that new political realities and conundrums have cropped up in the country.”
Agbakoba, a human rights activist, said the only way to resolve the socio-economic and political problems was to amend the 1999 constitution to pave the way for a regional system of government.
He said regional governments were once successfully run with Obafemi Awolowo in charge of the South West, Michael Okpara in charge of the South East and Ahmadu Bello in the North.
Agbakoba said since Nigeria left the modernity of regionalism, the states had been unviable, apart from Lagos and Rivers, adding that though the impulse to create a sixth state in the South-East was for balance, that the greater good of Nigeria would be felt if regionalism is given a chance.
“This agitation will arise because it is on the basis of the number of states that federal allocation flows.
“So the fact that the South-East has five states means to them that they are losing revenue and that is a one point of view and also an emotional point of their agitation,” he stated.
“However, a pragmatic developmental point of view, which I go for, is that even if you create a sixth state in the South-East to give them a sense of belonging, will this new state in addition to the 36 states take us towards the path of development?” Agbakoba queried.
“Will it reverse the hunger, insecurity, poverty and unemployment in the land? Absolutely not.
“We need to do away from state creation to the regional system of government,” the former NBA boss added.
NAN
Rivers shuts three illegal dredging sites
Rivers State Government has shut down three dredging sites in Chokocho community in Etche Local Government Area of the state for operating without permit.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen after an inspection of some dredging sites in Port Harcourt, the state capital, and its environs.
Gbara frowned on those who carry out such activities without approval from the state government, saying the dredging sites had no environmental protection impact, adding that the activities of the dredging companies were affecting the road.
He stated, “We are here on the directives of Governor Siminalayi Fubara on inspection of dredging activities and necessary enforcement around this area. We have gone round, and some sites have been shut, about three for non-compliance to standards.
“This particular site as you can see is already threatening the federal road and as a responsible government, we will not want to stop the means of livelihood of our people. No, we are encouraging them.
“But when what they are doing becomes inimical to the environment, it becomes a problem and we have to step in. and that is why we are shutting down these sites. This place is going to remain shut until the Governor directs otherwise.”
The commissioner said the present administration in the state is committed to protecting the environment and attracting more investors to the state which he said will in turn create jobs for the teeming youths in the state, saying those behind the illicit activities will be fished out and prosecuted.
“We are going to investigate and know those behind these activities and bring them to book. That is the truth. We are going to visit other dredging sites in the state, scrap metals and every other operation.
“If your operation is in compliance with that of the state government, we don’t have business with you. Instead, the government will encourage you and give you the protection that you need to go ahead with your business.
“But as long as it is not in compliance with the State Ministry of Environment, and it is inimical to the environment we are definitely going to step in. Every sector has rules and regulations.
“This is a government that wants to ensure that our people and the environment are protected,” Gbara said.
State creation: Return Nigeria to regional govt – Agbakoba to NASS
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Olisa Agbakoba, on Sunday charged the National Assembly to return Nigeria to regionalism and not create additional states.
Agbakoba said the National Assembly should collapse the 36 states into six or eight regions which would have leaders.
Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria, the senior lawyer described the agitation for additional state creation as a misplaced priority.
In the National Assembly, bills seeking the creation of some states have been passed for second reading.
However, Agbakoba said Nigerians should be concerned about restructuring the country into regional governments.
Agbakoba said: “State creation at this present harsh economic will, no doubt, lead to an increase in the number of National Assembly members, ministers, local governments, and others, which would further increase the cost of governance in the country.
“This is coming at a time when most Nigerians are starving due to rise in food prices. Insurgents, bandits, and terrorists are abducting people for ransom in other states of the country.
“Therefore, the National Assembly should, instead, return the country to regionalism by collapsing the 36 states into six to eight regions or geopolitical zones, each of which will have a leader.
“We need to do away from state creation to regional system of government.”
State creation: Return Nigeria to regional govt – Agbakoba to NASS
Donald Trump asks Americans to unite after assassination attempt
Donald Trump has posted a new statement after he was injured in an attempted assassination at a rally on Saturday
“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united,” he says, adding that “we will fear not”
According to BBC, Trump said he was shot in the ear, describing a “bullet ripping through skin”
The FBI has named the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks – he was shot and killed by the Secret Service
At a news conference, an FBI agent said it was “surprising” the attacker was able to open fire
A witness told the BBC he saw a man with a rifle crawling on a roof before shots rang out, and that he tried to warn police
The Oversight Committee in the US Congress has summoned the Secret Service director, saying “Americans demand answers”
One spectator was killed at the rally, and two others were critically injured
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Gwoza bombing, sabotage against resettlement plans —Gov. Zulum
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has deacribed the recent suicide bomb attacks in Gwoza Local Government Area of the state as acts of sabotage towards the resettlement agenda of his administration.
Zulum, who made the allegations while addressing journalists on Saturday upon arrival from a 28-day vacation
at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Maiduguri, said the incident happened at a time his administration had concluded plans to resettle displaced people back to their communities.
“What has happened in Gwoza was very unfortunate at this significant time when we are celebrating the exit of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State, we witnessed a series of bomb attacks,” Zulum said.
READ ALSO:Zulum warns against merging Army University, NDA, says it will give B’haram ‘upper hand’
“I believe this is an act of sabotage, because at this time when we look forward to seeing how we shall resettle people back to their communities. I think some don’t like Borno State’s resettlement agenda.
“I want to appeal to the people of Gwoza to remain calm and law-abiding. The state government will partner with the federal government to ensure that IDPs are resettled in their communities,” he added, while giving assurance of his commitment to support farmers to tackle food insecurity in the state.
“We will ensure that we do more than what we did for the people of Bono State. I know there are challenges in Nigeria, especially the problem of food scarcity. But I think it is temporary.”
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IPOB warns S’East governors against allocating grazing reserve to Miyetti Allah
Proscribed Igbo separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has warned South-East governors against acceding to the recent demand from the Miyetti Allah group for them to be allocated grazing reserves in the region following the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Tinubu.
The Biafran agitators, in a statement on Saturday issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said “no governor in Biafra land should mortgage the safety and security of Biafrans by allocating land to the terrorists for RUGA in disguise anyone who does will face the wrath of the group.
IPOB also reminded the Nigerian government and Miyetti Allah that “Biafrans don’t have sufficient land for development and agriculture, let alone for grazing reserves.”
“The noble family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by the great prophet and resolute leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu, wish to caution the Eastern Governors to shun the recent demand from Miyetti Allah terrorist group for the governors to allocate grazing reserves in their respective States to them,” the statement reads.
“No governor in Biafra Land should mortgage the safety and security of Biafrans by allocating land to the terrorists for RUGA in disguise.
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is asking the Southern and Middle Belt Governors to reject the demand for grazing reserves by the Fulani Miyetti Allah terrorist organization in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Heightened tensions as Miyetti Allah accuses South-East security outfits of killings
“Fulanis claim to be Nigerians. Why would they want grazing reserves from other states instead of utilizing their own ancestral land for their grazing reserve?
“President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who created the Livestock Ministry for Fulanis, should allocate grazing reserves to them. The Livestock Ministry is a code name for RUGA. No RUGA in any format will be tolerated in the Eastern Region.
“President Tinubu can allocate Sambisa Forest as a grazing reserve to the Miyetti Allah. That massive forest is more than enough grazing reserve and settlement for them.
“The Fulanis can have their way with the Nigerian fulanized presidency, but the indigenous people must resist any attempt to take over their ancestral land in the name of grazing reserves and Fulani settlement. Fulanis are opposed to the idea of modern ranching.
“Instead, they want grazing reserves in different states because they are deceptively pursuing the Othman Dan Fodio’s ideology of conquering the whole of Nigeria.
“IPOB, once more, call on all the Governors in the South, particularly the Eastern Governors, to avoid setting fire that will consume their generations to come by disregarding Miyetti Allah terrorists group demand for a grazing reserves.
“IPOB will resist any form of land grabbing, change of demography, and conquest ideology in any disguise. All we are saying is that there shall be no grazing reserve for Miyetti Allah terrorists group in Biafra Land,” IPOB stated.
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‘Americans demand answers,’ Reps summon Secret Service director over Trump’s assassination attempt
The Oversight Committee – the main investigative board of the United States House of Representatives, has called on the Secret Service Director, Kimberly Cheatle, to appear for a hearing.
This comes after the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump at a political rally on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Pennsylvania.
Trump had escaped by the whiskers, saying, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation disclosed that 20-year-old Thomas Crooks had fired multiple gunshots, killing one while two others sustained injuries.
The Secret Service said the shooter committed the act from “an elevated position outside the rally” before being “neutralised” by agents.
Reacting to the incident on the committee’s website late Saturday in a statement titled “Comer Statement on Assassination Attempt of President Trump,” the committee Chairman, James Comer, condemned the attack and prayed for Trump and the victims.
He, however, said, “There are many questions and Americans demand answers. I have already contacted the Secret Service for a briefing and I am also calling on Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle to appear for a hearing. The Oversight Committee will send a formal invitation soon.”
“Political violence in all forms is un-American and unacceptable. My prayers are with President Trump and the victims of the assassination attempt at today’s rally in Pennsylvania. I thank the brave Secret Service members who put their lives at risk to protect President Trump and for the American patriots in the audience who helped innocent victims,” the statement added.
After being killed at the scene, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, Kevin Rojek, said Crooks had no means of identification on him, so agents had to “run his DNA and get biometric confirmation,” CNN reports.
Police begin manhunt for kidnappers of three persons in Anambra
The Anambra State Police Command said it has begun the search for kidnappers that abducted no fewer than three persons at different locations in the state and also to rescue the victims.
No fewer than three persons were feared to be kidnapped at different locations in the state on Saturday.
According to some videos circulating on social media, one of the abductions occured at Ifite-Amansea-Awka Road in Awka North Local Government Area on Saturday afternoon while the other one occured along the Agulu-Oraukwu Road in Anaocha LG on Saturday evening.
In the video, two yet-to-be-identified occupants of a Sports Utility Vehicle were kidnapped by gunmen on Saturday afternoon at the Ifite-Amansea-Awka, close to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s second gate.
While one yet-to-be-identified person was taken away by another set of gunmen along the Agulu-Oraukwu Road.
The voices in the videos narrated that the assailants double-crossed the victims with their vehicle, dragged them out into their waiting vehicle and zoomed off while abandoning the victims’ vehicles.
The videos showed masked gunmen ordering the victims out of their vehicles and into their waiting vehicles.
It was gathered from sources in the areas that the gunmen shot into the air as they made away with the victims, while one of them also took the victims’ car.
One of the sources and a resident living around the Ifite-Amansea-Awka Road where two victim were taking away said, “It was a scary scene to behold. The hooded gunmen double-crossed the occupants of an SUV vehicle, shot into the air and ordered them out and into their waiting vehicle, after which they immediately zoomed off. They left the SUV.”
Reacting to the development in a statement on Sunday, the Anambra State police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said after studying the videos, the police responding team recovered victims’ vehicles and placed joint security measures/operational positioning to forestall such or related incident in the State.
Ikenga said manhaunt and rescue operations are still ongoing in the localities to rescue victims and arrest the assailants as directed by the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam.
He said, “Efforts are ongoing to arrest the assailants and rescue the victims of the abduction incidents on Saturday captured in a video along Ifite-Amansea road, Awka.
“Meanwhile, the police responding team recovered the abandoned victim’s vehicle, and joint security measures/personnel positioning are already in place to forestall such/related incident in the State.
“To this end, the CP charges the command tactical teams deployed to complement the joint security team to redouble their efforts to deprive the hoodlums of any space they desire to perpetrate their evil acts and vows that the police command shall leave no stone unturned in hunting down the assailants
“Further development shall be communicated, please.”