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Supreme Court decides FG suit against govs today

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Supreme Court decides FG suit against govs today

The Supreme Court will today (Thursday) deliver judgment in the suit instituted by the Federal Government against the 36 state governors of the federation on local government autonomy.

The suit filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is seeking full autonomy and direct fund allocation to the 774 local governments in the country.

It is praying the apex court to make an order that funds of LG being run by caretakers appointed by governors instead elected chairmen and councillors should be withheld.

But the 36 states, represented by their attorneys general, opposed the suit on various grounds, including their contention that the Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

A seven-man panel of Supreme Court Justices led by Justice Garba Lawal, heard the suit on June 13 and had reserved judgment.

While Fagbemi represented the Federal Government in the suit marked SC/CV/343/2024, the state governors were represented by their AGs or lawyers.

All the states opposed the suit and prayed the Supreme Court to dismiss it.

The AGF on his part, asked the apex court to grant all the reliefs sought by the Federal Government and grant the local governments full autonomy as the third tier of government in Nigeria as stipulated in the 1999 constitution.

The AGF prayed the court to order direct allocation of funds from the federation account to the local governments.

He seeks an order prohibiting the unlawful dissolution of local government administration and the state governors’ appointment of caretaker committees to run the councils.

The suit is hinged on 27 grounds that the Constitution of Nigeria recognises federal, state and local government as three tiers of government.

It also averred that the three recognised tiers of government draw funds for their operation and functioning from the federation account created by the constitution.

The originating summons read, “That by the provisions of the constitution, there must be a democratically elected local government system and that the constitution has not made provisions for any other systems of governance at the local government level other than the democratically elected local government system.

“That in the face of the clear provisions of the constitution, the governors have failed and refused to put in place a democratically elected local government system even where no state of emergency has been declared to warrant the suspension of democratic institutions in the state.

“That the failure of the governors to put democratically elected local government system in place is a deliberate subversion of the 1999 Constitution which they and the President have sworn to uphold.

“That all efforts to make the governors comply with the dictates of the 1999 Constitution in terms of putting in place a democratically elected local government system has not yielded any result and that to continue to disburse funds from the federation account to governors for non-existing democratically elected local governments is to undermine the sanctity of the 1999 constitution.”

The AGF asked the apex court to invoke sections 1, 4, 5, 7 and 14 of the Constitution to declare that the governors and state houses of assembly are under obligation to ensure democratically elected systems at the third tier.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Local Government Employees said it would hold a national day of prayer and fasting towards victory for LG autonomy at the Supreme Court today.

The National President of NULGE, Hakeem Ambali, made this known in a text message sent to one of our correspondents on Wednesday.

“NULGE declares tomorrow (today) a day of national prayer and fasting towards victory for local government autonomy at Supreme Court,” the message read.

Autonomy: Supreme Court freed LGs from decades of captivity, systemic plunder – Shehu Sani

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Autonomy: Supreme Court freed LGs from decades of captivity, systemic plunder – Shehu Sani

Former Kaduna lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has said the Supreme Court has freed the local governments from over two decades of captivity and systemic plunder by the states.
Sani’s statement followed the Supreme Court judgement on Thursday, granting autonomy to the local governments in the country.
The court in a landmark ruling ordered all state governors to henceforth steer clear of the funds meant for the 774 local government areas of the country.
The apex court also stated that the control of local government areas funds by states is unconstitutional.
Reacting to the development, Sani said local governments have been freed from captivity and systemic plunder by the States.
He said: “The Supreme Court has freed the local governments from over two decades of captivity and systemic plunder by the states.”
Autonomy: Supreme Court freed LGs from decades of captivity, systemic plunder – Shehu Sani

CAC to cancel certificates of BDCs with revoked licences

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CAC to cancel certificates of BDCs with revoked licences

The Corporate Affairs Commission has announced its intention to cancel the certificates of incorporation of Bureaux De Change whose licences were revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria earlier this year.

In a notice on its website on Wednesday, CAC said the certificates would be cancelled within three months if the affected companies do not change the names and objects of such companies.

“The general public is hereby informed that following the revocation of the operational licenses of 4,173 Bureau De Change companies by the Central Bank of Nigeria vide a Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette (Vol. 111) No. 37 of February 27, 2024 for noncompliance with Regulatory Standards, the Corporate Affairs Commission in the exercise of its powers under section 8(1)(e ) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 advises these companies to within three months from the date of this publication, change the names and objects of such companies.

“Failure to change the names and objects within the stipulated time frame shall result in cancellation of certificate of incorporation and dissolution. It is to be noted that it is unlawful for a company whose certificate has been deemed dissolved to carry on business,” the CAC notice read.

The CBN in February revoked the licences of 4,173 Bureau De Change operators over their failure to meet regulatory guidelines.

The apex bank disclosed this in a statement by its acting Director, Corporate Communications, Sidi Hakama.

According to the statement, the regulatory provisions flouted include nonpayment of all necessary fees within the stipulated period.

It added, “The affected institutions failed to observe at least one of the following regulatory provisions: Payment of all necessary fees, including licence renewal, within the stipulated period in line with the guidelines.

“Rendition of returns in line with the guidelines; compliance with guidelines, directives, and circulars of the CBN, particularly Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Counter-Proliferation Financing regulations,” CBN said in the statement.

The CBN has since released fresh regulations and guidelines for Bureau de Change operations in Nigeria, which included new categorisations with different capital bases.

Arraignment stalled as ex-Power Minister, Mamman collapses in court

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Arraignment stalled as ex-Power Minister, Mamman collapses in court

The arraignment of Mr Saleh Mamman, former Minister of Power under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, was, on Thursday, stalled after he collapsed outside the courtroom of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Mamman, whose plea was fixed for Thursday morning, collapsed before the case was called.
NAN reports that the former minister’s counsel, Femi Ate, SAN, told Justice James Omotosho shortly when the matter was called for Mamman to take his plea.
Upon resumed hearing, the ex-minister walked into the courtroom and stepped into the dock with part of his clothes drenched.
Justice Omotosho then asked why Mamman was sweating or whether it was raining outside.
The former minister, who responded from the dock, said water was poured on him.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, while addressing the court, said though the matter was fixed for Mamman’s arraignment, there was a development outside the courtroom.
Olumide-Fusika said he had a discussion with Ate outside the courtroom about Mamman’s ill-health.
“I was informed of an incident outside. I will want my learned senior advocate to tell the honourable court himself,” he said.
Speaking, Ate said Mamman, “upon being brought into the premises of the court, he collapsed and had to be resuscitated and treated by the medical personnel of the Federal High Court.”
He said his client was served with the charge after he was resuscitated.
“He was served this morning,” he added.
The senior lawyer said he sought the understanding of Olumide-Fusika for an adjournment so that the arraignment could be done on Monday when his client would have been okay.
But the judge said due to the workload in the court dockets, the arraignment could only be fixed for September ending.
Ate then withdrew the oral application for an adjournment.
Olumide-Fusika said he had just filed an amended charge earlier in the morning following a mistake in the name of the defendant and prayed the court that the fresh charge be read to Mamman to take his plea but Justice Omotosho disagreed with him.
The judge, however, asked Mamman if he was fit enough to take his plea today, and he responded in the affirmative.
The former minister explained to the court that he collapsed outside the courtroom because of the drugs he took when he had not eaten, and while he was outside the courtroom waiting to be called, his blood pressure dropped.
Mamman, however, said he was fit to continue with the arraignment.
“It can happen to anyone,” the judge said.
The ex-minister told the court that he called the attention of his lawyer to the error made by the EFCC on the name in the charge served on him.
“I was complaining about the name, that it was not my own,” he said.
Justice Omotosho then stepped down the arraignment until 1pm today.
Arraignment stalled as ex-Power Minister, Mamman collapses in court

EFCC should connect Nigerians to fight corruption

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EFCC should connect Nigerians to fight corruption

The Nigeria Labour Congress has thrown its full support behind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the ongoing battle against corruption in Nigeria.

The Congress President, Joe Ajaero, disclosed this in Abuja at the EFCC Walk against Corruption held on Thursday across various states in the country.

In his address, Ajaero emphasised the critical nature of the anti-corruption campaign, stating, “There’s an urgent need for us to fight corruption, and the NLC will throw its weight behind the agency in all fights against corruption.”

He advised the EFCC to remain vigilant against misinformation, ensuring that genuine Nigerians continue to support their efforts.

The NLC president highlighted the importance of uniting Nigerians in this cause, suggesting that the EFCC should connect Nigerians to enable a mass movement against corruption.

He said, “Nigerians are united in the fight against corruption clearly I think what your agency needs to do is to connect them so that it will be a mass movement.”

He referenced Nigerian author Chinua Achebe’s book “The Trouble with Nigeria,” which likens the corruption problem to “putting the goat and the yam” together, implying the certainty of corruption without proper safeguards.

Ajaero further stressed the generational nature of the fight against corruption, stating, “We have to make sure that this fight, we are taking it to the next generation. It’s a fight that we can’t afford to lose. If we lose this fight, we have lost the essence of our existence as a nation.”

The labour leader expressed concern over the impact of corruption on Nigeria’s development and international reputation.

“The sad aspect of this is that people take what they don’t need from generation to generation and they dump it. We are now a laughing stock to some countries where we dump our money, and such cities are so beautiful while Nigeria is suffering,” Ajaero lamented.

In the rallying call to all Nigerians, Ajaero further stated, “My brothers and sisters, I wish to pledge the support of the NLC any time, any day, any moment. We have to come together to fight corruption before corruption will ruin the country.”

ILRI unveils forage centre to boost Nigeria’s livestock industry

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ILRI unveils forage centre to boost Nigeria’s livestock industry

The International Livestock Research Institute has unveiled a Forage Genetic Resource centre to boost Nigeria’s livestock industry.

In a statement obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture on Wednesday, the Forage Genetic Resource (FGR) launched on 28th June at the IITA headquarters in Ibadan, would house over 80 cultivars and the accession of tropically adapted and improved forage for livestock in Nigeria and West Africa.

According to ILRI-Nigeria Country Representative, Tunde Amole, ILRI’s impact over the past five decades has contributed to improving food and nutrition security and reducing poverty in developing countries through research that ensures sustainable livestock systems.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu, recently approved the creation of a new Ministry of Livestock Development to reduce the decades-long gory conflict between farmers and nomadic cattle herders nationwide.

Highlighting the importance of having reliable production of high-quality forage for livestock systems, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, during his opening remarks at the launch of ILRI FGR launch, said the launch which is an extension of a global forage genebank, marks a significant milestone in a journey toward enhancing the productivity and profitability of smallholder and other livestock systems in Nigeria.

“To have over 100 forage genetic materials in Nigeria for research, conservation, promotion, and distribution to farmers and stakeholders, the FGR initiative will support the development of pasture and livestock production in Nigeria and bolster the Federal Government’s efforts to curb the herders-farmers crisis and promote food and nutrition security,” Ehui said.

Amole expressed enthusiasm, the Director General pointed out that the FGR plot would enhance pasture production by developing forage varieties suitable for all livestock in Nigeria, adding that it would establish genetic resources plots to produce forage seeds for farmers and researchers.

During his goodwill message, IITA Business Incubation Platform (IITA-BIP) Chief Executive Officer, Adebowale Akande, shared insights on leveraging diverse partnerships for research scaling and acceleration by creating an enabling environment and structures that encourage collaborations.

During the launch, stakeholders explored strategies for strengthening the livestock sector and addressing the needs of a growing population in Nigeria and West Africa. Participants emphasised the importance of research institutes partnering with universities to train young people in maximising innovation in the sector.

The National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) South-West Coordinator, Adewunmi Adesina, suggested that ILRI leverage NAERLS’ extension activities.

He noted that these activities would facilitate knowledge transfer to smallholder farmers in Nigeria, thereby supporting their efforts to improve livestock production and sustainability.

The official launch of the FGR plot took place by planting various pasture varieties on the newly established resources plot. This hands-on activity showcased ILRI’s commitment to promoting sustainable pasture production and highlighted the practical applications of research efforts.

The demonstration illustrated how the FGR plot will be a pivotal resource for advancing livestock feed solutions in Nigeria and West Africa.

Lauding the FGR plot initiative, Ehui said that while genetic, management, and health interventions are essential for improving livestock productivity, these efforts are unsustainable without proper feeding.

“Currently, the demand for higher-yielding seeds outstrips supply, highlighting a critical area that requires our attention and action. This initiative will ensure reliable production of high-quality forage, which is contingent upon good quality forage seed availability,” he said.

BREAKING: Supreme Court bars Nigerian govs from dissolving LG councils

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BREAKING: Supreme Court bars Nigerian govs from dissolving LG councils

The Supreme Court on Thursday barred governors from dissolving democratically elected local government councils.
The court ruled in a landmark judgement on Thursday, doing so amounts to a breach of the 1999 Constitution.
The apex court said the defendants (governors) just wasted their time in the suit.
TVN reported earlier that the Supreme court granted financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country.
In its lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme court scolded governors for their decades-long refusal of autonomy for local governments.
BREAKING: Supreme Court bars Nigerian govs from dissolving LG councils

Rains kill six, displace hundreds in China

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Rains kill six, displace hundreds in China

Six people were killed as record rains struck southwest China, state media reported Thursday, as the country endures a summer of extreme weather.

Torrential downpours struck Dianjiang county, near the megacity of Chongqing, from Wednesday night to Thursday morning, state news agency Xinhua said, citing county officials.

State broadcaster CCTV, citing the county flood control office, reported that four people had died in “geological disasters” and a further two had “drowned” as of 1:50 pm (0550 GMT) on Thursday.

Xinhua said one of the people had perished after a house collapsed, and at least three had been caught in a landslide.

Nearly 7,000 people have been affected by rainstorms and 170 have been told to evacuate, according to Xinhua.

It added that up to 254.6 millimetres (10 inches) of rain had been measured in parts of Dianjiang, the highest daily maximum since records began.

China is enduring a summer of extreme weather, with heavy rains across the east and south coming as much of the north has sweltered in successive heat waves.

The country is the world’s leading emitter of the greenhouse gases that scientists say drive climate change and make extreme weather more likely.

Beijing has committed to bringing its emissions of planet-heating carbon dioxide to a peak by 2030 and to net zero by 2060.

AFP

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ECO will minimize forex losses, boost African trades, economic integration – Financial experts

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ECO will minimize forex losses, boost African trades, economic integration – Financial experts

Financial experts have said that the proposed ECOWAS single currency, ECO, when it comes into effect, will minimise foreign exchange losses and integrate and economically unify the countries.
In separate interviews in Calabar with the Director-General of Non-Interest Finance of West Africa, Asiwaju Busari Shaamsuddeen Akande, and Eneyi Ogosi, a banker, along with Iwora Agara, an economist, they said the advantages of the single currency outweigh the odds.
Akande said, “The issue of foreign exchange losses will be minimal. Also, economic integration and development. Trade between various states will become easier, as evident in European countries after the adoption of the single euro.”
He further stated that price instability will be a thing of the past because uniformity will be the order of the day.
According to him, Nigeria would not suffer as much as countries that solely produce their own currency with raw materials readily available within.
“Remember, Nigeria prefers borrowing to printing more money into circulation to control hyperinflation. With a single currency, there wouldn’t be freedom to supply or control the value of a universal currency through monetary policy. Monetary policy in areas such as minting or fixing interest rates overnight.”
Akande revealed that 8 out of the 15 countries in ECOWAS are already using a single currency known as CFA, adding that the decision is apt and timely.
“Coming into these countries as a businessman is like transacting in the same country because of its uniformity.
The ECO currency will bring about standardization and will be beneficial to all. For Nigeria, maintaining ECO as a currency will reduce corruption to a large extent.
A banker, Ogosi, said the introduction of a single currency in the West African subregion would have various impacts on the member states, both positive and potentially challenging.
“The overall impact on member states will depend on a variety of factors, including the level of economic convergence among the participating countries, the strength of regional institutions, the specific design of the single currency, and the political commitment to the integration process.”
He said careful planning, effective policy coordination, and consideration of the diverse needs of member states will be vital for maximizing the benefits and mitigating the potential challenges of a single currency in the subregion.
He disclosed that the economic impacts will include increased trade and investment integration within the region, leading to expanded market opportunities and economies of scale.
“The ECO currency will reduce transaction costs and exchange rate risks, boosting business competitiveness and reducing costs for consumers.
“It will have the potential for more stable and predictable macroeconomic policies, reducing the risk of currency crises and volatility.
“There will be the possibility of improved access to international capital markets and reduced borrowing costs, among others,” he said.
On his part, economist Agara said, “The development would result in a stronger currency that would be acceptable in many countries.
“This will also improve transnational trade, especially within Sub-Saharan Africa. Ultimately, the local currencies would give way.”
ECO will minimize forex losses, boost African trades, economic integration – Financial experts

PIA Act designed for money, contracts sharing, says Agbakoba

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PIA Act designed for money, contracts sharing, says Agbakoba

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, has said the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act were designed for money and contract sharing and not the country’s development.

He also challenged politicians and other stakeholders to highlight one successful commercialised or privatised government entity in Nigeria.

He alleged that privatized Nigerian-owned entities are for the benefit of a few individuals rather than the entire Nigerians.

Explaining his stance against the Petroleum Industry Act while featuring on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Thursday, the legal luminary insisted that the PIA was designed for revenue sharing for the benefit of a few individuals.

He said, “The big question is if the PIA is such a fantastic bill, why are we having fuel scarcity that I first experienced in 1972. Why is it continuing? So something is wrong. There was a misconception and I regret I was part of the misconception that commercialisation necessary means efficiency, it doesn’t.”

According to him, China does not commercialise anything, China runs state capitalism. Saudi Arabia and Aramco also run state capitalism.

Agbakoba said, “So, I personally retract what I felt initially that commercialisation and privatisation are vehicles of development, they are not in so far as Nigeria is concerned.

“Because I will challenge anybody to show me one successful privatised entity since this started in 2000. What has happened is that the state enterprises have been privatised into private pockets of individuals. Nothing has come to Nigerians as specified in Section 14 and we remain very poor. Poverty is everywhere to the point… we must be careful about food riots.

“How can Section 64 of the PIA appropriate our federal revenue to the NNPCL? Section 64 (of PIA) allows the NNPCL to draw money outside Section 62 of the Constitution that says all resources, whether taxed or not taxed shall be paid into the federation account. But section 64 of the PIA, a lower law to the Constitution enables the NNPCL to draw out money and you want me to support it?”

The former Nigerian Bar Association president added, “Now, what I see in this thing (PIA) is the usual ‘chop chop’ and contract sharing. PIA is designed to be a sharing thing. I am positing that the surrender of our national resources to IOCs in the context of production-sharing contracts or joint ventures contradicts the meaning of my sovereignty given to me in Section 14. What did the IOC come here to do? It is just to make money. So, the joint ventures enable the IOCs to take their own share and the government to take its own share.

“Neither the government nor the IOCs have developed Nigeria. So, I am saying we should move from contract oil which is all about sharing and nothing about development. There is not a word in the PIA apart from the host communities that talk about the people of Nigeria. So, how can that be a bill or a law that is for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians? So, that’s my general concept on why the PIA should go.”

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