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FG threatens to revoke license of DisCos over chronic provide 

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FG threatens to revoke license of DisCos over chronic provide 

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, threatened to revoke the licenses of power Distribution Companies over persistent poor power supply across the country.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made this known on Wednesday.

The minister, through his X handle, expressed that the Chief Executives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, and the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria have been summoned to a crucial meeting to explain the current challenges faced nation.

“The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the worsening power supply in their respective regions and to collectively find lasting solutions,” he said.

He lamented the insufficient electricity distribution by the Discos, despite the generation companies, saying “The ministry has been exerting pressure on the Generating Companies to enhance their performance, resulting in a recent increase in generation to over 4000MW. Despite this progress, certain distribution companies are failing to adequately distribute the power supplied by TCN, while vandalism of power infrastructure exacerbates the problem in regions such as Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan,”

He stated his commitment to hold all distribution companies accountable for their performance as “willful non-performance will not be tolerated, and severe consequences, including license revocation, may be imposed.”

He added, “Additionally, I have instructed TCN to prioritise repair works on damaged transmission towers and power lines to improve supply in affected regions. During recent supervisory visits to power-generating plants, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the sector.

“Plans are underway to settle outstanding debts owed to power generation and gas supply companies, which will alleviate the financial strain and contribute to improved generation levels nationwide. I urge electricity consumers to remain patient as we work tirelessly to address these issues and provide better service to all Nigerians.”

PSC approves promotion of one,607 DSPs

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PSC approves promotion of one,607 DSPs

The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 1,607 Deputy Superintendents of Police to the next rank of Superintendents.

The Commission had earlier stepped down the consideration of the officers’ promotion at its last management meeting where other recommendations were considered when it noticed some discrepancies in the list.

This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Head, Press and Public Relations, PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, on Wednesday.

The statement quoted the Chairman of the Commission and  Retired Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, as saying that the Commission has restored the dignity of the specialists’ cadre in the Nigeria Police Force.

It added that the promotion of the DSPs to SPs saw the elevation of 158 officers in the professional cadre, including 105 in the communication unit, 22 in transport, 10 medical officers, nine nurses and another nine from works.

Arase said, “The Commission will continue to give equal opportunities to all cadres in the Nigeria Police Force. The era where specialists stagnated in one rank is now history.

“The Nigeria Police Force needs these specialists for efficient and effective Policing and promised that the Commission will continue to accord them the required privileges.

“The general duty officers will continue to receive the support of the Commission in the area of prompt and regular promotions. We tasked the newly-promoted officers to reciprocate the Commission’s gesture by rededicating themselves to the service of the nation.”

Arase also warned that the Commission will not hesitate to discipline any officers who undermine the ethics, rules and regulations guiding their conduct.

He also warned them to stay clear of land matters and recovery of rents and other minor issues that can be resolved through alternative dispute resolution or legal processes.

“You need to concentrate on helping the nation win this war against insurgency and banditry and also remember that the Police is the lead Agency in internal security,” he added.

The other professionals promoted to superintendents were six workshop officers, three maritime, and one each from medical and dental units and Band.

A total number of 1,423 DSPs were promoted in the General Duty cadre.

Some of the promoted Officers are the public relations officers for Anambra and Delta states, Tochukwu Anthony Ikenganyia and Bright Edafe.

Others are: Clement Ominiyi Awoyemi, Salami Ganiyu, Dogo Mathew, Finedon Akah, Attahiru Umar, Adamu Wakili, Constance Katu Ekeh, Nuhu Danjuma and Yaha Bashir.

The list also include: Iwuji Barnabas Iliya, ADC to the Rivers State Governor;  Samson Ekeinde, Officer in charge, Safer Highway, Bayelsa State Command; Clement Gladys C, Lagos Command; Usman Nureni and Adibeli Joy.

Enoch Suleiman, Officer in charge of Surveillance,  Zone 5 Benin; Sidi Umar Ahmad, Technical Assistant to the DIG Training and Head of IGP Smart Force Management and Data Base Centre; Patrick Chinwe Anike, Divisional Crime Officer 1, 9th-mile Division, Enugu State Command; Ben Orih, Unit Commander 28 PMF, Umuahia; Nwanaga Innocent Okpuru, OPTS Officer, SPU BASE 28 Owerri, Imo state; Isa y. Ladan, Department of Operations,  Rivers State Command and Moses Omale were some of the other DSPs that got the Commission’s approval for promotion to the next rank of Superintendents.

The approval has been officially communicated to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.

P&ID rip-off: Court docket moves out case over ex-director’s loss of life

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P&ID rip-off: Court docket moves out case over ex-director’s loss of life

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama on Wednesday struck out the case against the former Director of Legal, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Grace Taiga. Taiga was accused of bribery in the controversial Gas Supply Processing agreement between Process and Industrial Development and the Federal Government. She was first arraigned on September 20,

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Long run of our youths lies in Nigeria, now not Europe – AfDB boss

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Long run of our youths lies in Nigeria, now not Europe – AfDB boss

The President of African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, on Wednesday, said the future of the Nigerian youths does not lie in any country but in Nigeria.

He said this in Lagos while speaking at the 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership in Lagos.

Adesina was awarded the 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award.

Former heads of state, state governors, royal fathers and other distinguished Nigerians.graced the event.

Past winners of the prestigious award are Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka; former South African President, Thabo Mbeki; and lawyer, Aare Afe Babalola.

Adesina added that Nigerians must make the country a viable place for people to stay and not a place to run away from.

“I refuse to believe that the future of Nigeria’s and Africa’s youths lie in Europe, North America, Asia, or anywhere else. I believe that their future must lie in Africa, growing well, robustly, able to create quality jobs and decent earnings for our young people.

“There is absolutely no reason in the world how we have a demographic asset that then becomes a global negative externality. Let’s take pride in ourselves and let’s make our demographic asset our economic asset globally. I firmly believe that their future lies right here in Nigeria,” he said.

The former Minister of Agriculture from 2011 to 2015 decried the migration to other countries by Nigerians, especially youths, as it does not develop sustainability.

“While one might argue that our growing diaspora is good as they send back billions of dollars, higher than the oil revenue that we have, this is not the way to develop sustainably.

“Nations that develop do all they can to keep their best human capital at home and additional resource skills elsewhere, with flexible immigration and labour policies,” he said.

He said AfDB unveiled a $614m programme to support Nigeria’s digital and creative enterprise to create 6.3 million jobs and add N6.4bn to the economy.

“I always say to myself, how can we have 477 million people under the age of 35 and there are no financial institution? That means we have missing institution and market failure problems and that is why the African Development Bank decided that we will create what we call Youths Entrepreneurship Investment Bank,” Adesina added.

Speaking about the event, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), described Adesina as a brilliant man, who “represents the best of Nigeria.”

“The choice of Dr Akinwumi Adesina can only be described as having been very well done. He represents the best of Nigeria, hardworking, diligent, brilliant, forward-looking, and deeply patriotic,” Gowon stated.

Reps search finish to banditry in Katsina

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Reps search finish to banditry in Katsina

The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged President Bola Tinubu to be ruthless against criminal elements terrorising innocent Nigerians in Katsina State.

This is coming against the backdrop of the frequent attacks by gunmen in parts of the state.

The resolution by the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved on the floor of the House during plenary by the member representing Jibia/Kaita Federal Constituency, Katsina State, Mr. Sada Soli.

Addressing his colleagues while moving the motion, the lawmaker expressed concerns over the continuous destruction of lives and property in the North Western state and called for urgent action to stem the tide.

This is just as he lamented what he called the failure of security agencies to rise to the occasion and rid the state of criminals.

“The House calls on Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to direct the security agencies to sustain their pressure on criminals perpetrating violence and criminal activities in Katsina State and the country in general.

“The House urges the National Emergency Management Agency and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to urgently provide humanitarian assistance to the affected communities and support the displaced persons across the state,”  Soli said.

Leading the debate earlier, the lawmaker accused security agencies of failing to take immediate and decisive action to address the security challenges in the state, adding that the development necessitated the deployment of additional security personnel to the affected communities to combat banditry and restore peace and order.

He stated that a gang of armed bandits from neighbouring Kaduna and Zamfara states were making all efforts to gain control over some communities in Katsina State, noting that as a result, the state is almost on the verge of being “overrun by these criminal elements if no urgent and decisive action is taken to curb the activities of these bandits and restore peace to about 18 Local Governments Areas of the State.”

While commending the security agencies for their successful operation on March 4, 2024, which led to the killing of two notorious bandits, Soli called for sustained pressure on the criminals “so that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.”

Troops of the Nigerian Army killed a notorious terrorist leader, Maikusa, who is reported to be the second-in-command in the hierarchy of terrorists in Katsina State, under the leadership of another terrorist known as Modi Modi.

On March 6, the Katsina State Government released over N10 billion from May 2023 to date for various developmental projects and to tackle insecurity in the 34 Local Government Areas of the state.

The According exclusively learnt that this expenditure is to ensure development at the various council levels and to encourage residents to live and migrate to the rural areas.

10 suspected killers of Zamfara Islamic student arrested

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10 suspected killers of Zamfara Islamic student arrested

The Zamfara State Government said 10 persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Mada.

Mada was reportedly murdered in Mada town, Gusau Local Government Area on Tuesday.

A statement on Wednesday by the state governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, noted that suspects apprehended by the authorities are members of an outlawed vigilantes group and not members of the state’s Community Protection Guards.

The statement read, “The arrested vigilantes were not authorised by the state government to carry out any form of security operations as they are not part of the Community Protection Guards.

“The security operatives have successfully apprehended all suspected vigilantes behind this heinous crime.

“The Zamfara State Government has taken this matter seriously and is committed to ensuring that all the culprits behind this unfortunate murder are brought to book.

“Every effort will be put in place to ensure justice is served without compromise.

“We want to clarify that the suspected vigilantes behind the extrajudicial murder are not in any way related to the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards.”

The Community Protection Guards is a local community-based security outfit.

He added, “This clarification is expected to put to rest the confusion that arose over the identity of the arrested culprits behind the extrajudicial murder.

“We will never compromise on the protection of the lives and properties of the people.

“We want to inform the public that the Zamfara Community Protection Guards has modus operandi which prevent them from engaging in an operation without the guidance of relevant security operatives.

“Based on the preliminary investigation conducted by the police, it has been discovered that one of the vigilantes who was arrested was a former student of the murdered Sheikh.

“This information can help the authorities better understand the situation and take appropriate actions.

“Zamfara government will share the outcome of the police investigation with the public once it is concluded.

“During this trying time, we sympathise with Sheikh Abubakar Hassan Mada’s family and the entire community. May his soul rest in peace.”

Police arrest 245 suspects in 14 days

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Police arrest 245 suspects in 14 days

The Nigeria Police Force says it has arrested 92 armed robbery suspects, and 153 kidnap suspects, and rescued 35 kidnap victims in the last two weeks, in several operations by its operatives across the country.

The police also said that it had recovered seven stolen vehicles, arrested nine suspected cultists, and recovered 44 arms and 477 ammunition of various calibres from its formations across the country.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Wednesday, stated this during a press briefing at the Headquarters of the Intelligence Response Team in Abuja.

Adejobi expressed confidence that the combined efforts of the various formations of the NPF will soon result in “a more secure and peaceful Nigeria”, noting the achievements of the Force in combating crime, managing civil challenges, rescuing kidnap victims, and so forth.

“In the last two weeks, the Force has arrested 92 armed robbery suspects, 153 kidnappers, and rescued 35 kidnap victims, recovered seven stolen vehicles, arrested nine suspected cultists, and recovered 44 arms and 477 ammunition of various calibres from other Commands and Formations across the country.

“As we continue to strengthen our investigative capabilities, and collaborate with our law enforcement partners, we remain steadfast in our mission to uphold the rule of law and protect the right of every citizen in the country. We are confident that the aggregate of our efforts towards combating crime will herald a more secure and peaceful Nigeria,” he said.

He added that the Force has recorded remarkable achievements across the country, most especially in combating crime and criminality, managing civil-associated challenges like labour protests, rescuing kidnap victims, bursting gun-running syndicates, and so on.

The FPRO further paraded 26 suspects on various charges including criminal conspiracy, transborder gun-running and illegal manufacture of firearms, suspected kidnapping, and culpable homicide. Also displayed were seven recovered AK-47 rifles, nine automatic pistols, 1,804 rounds of live ammunition, one point-of-sale machine, assorted illicit drugs and a Mazda saloon car.

Adejobi said the suspects will be promptly prosecuted following further investigations and interrogations.

‘I used to be overwhelmed like a prison,’ attorney laments ordeal at Lagos police station

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‘I used to be overwhelmed like a prison,’ attorney laments ordeal at Lagos police station

A Nigerian lawyer, Timothy Olamide, has disclosed how an operative of the Lagos State Police Command allegedly beat him like a “condemned criminal” when he went to the police station in Ikeja on a case that had lasted a month.

Olamide stated that he received a “merciless beating” when he went to the station on behalf of his colleague.

He noted that while at the station, a police officer cautioned him that not all cases are handled by lawyers.

While narrating his ordeal via his X profile, @Timo_Olamide, on Wednesday, Olamide wrote, “Good morning @Lagos_PoliceCRU, @PoliceNG @BenHundeyin. I am Timothy Olamide Olaniyi, a lawyer from Lagos.

“I am contacting you in respect of the merciless beating I received from a police officer at the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja this morning.

“I went there on behalf of my colleague to find out about a client who was arrested sometimes last month but only for me to get there and was beaten like a condemned criminal. One of the officers told me that not all cases lawyers handle. I went there with all manner of respect and humility.”

In response, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, asked the lawyer to state the section of the police station in which the incident occurred, the name of the police officer involved and also suggested that he (Olamide) could report the case directly to the state police Complaint Response Unit.

Hundeyin wrote, “Which section? What’s the name of the police officer? Or simply come over to @Lagos_PoliceCRU. It’s in the same premises.”

One X user, @KingEsene, advised Olamide to lodge his complaint to a former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos State Branch, who served from 2017 – 2019, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN.

He wrote, “Please reach out to the learned silk immediately if you have not yet done so. @ChukaIkwuazom.”

On this, Olamide replied, “I have already done that through WhatsApp but he has not replied me yet sir.”

As of the time of filing this report, the outcome of the matter could not be ascertained by According Online.

This is not the first time lawyers will be brutalised by policemen in Lagos while carrying out their duties.

A 36-year-old lawyer, Olumide Sonupe, was hospitalised after he was said to have been detained by the police while seeking the bail of his client at the Moshalashi Police Station in the Alimosho area of Lagos State on December 30, 2023.

It was learnt that the lawyer’s health deteriorated upon his release from the police station on January 1, 2024, after spending two nights with his client in the cell.

On Thursday, January 11, some members of the Lagos State NBA branch held a peaceful protest against the unlawful arrest and detention of Sonupe

The lawyers who are members of about five branches of the NBA marched from its Ikeja secretariat, while displaying banners, to the command headquarters where the state Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, addressed them.

Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, then called on the Nigeria Police to conduct proper investigations into the case of brutality against lawyers in Lagos State.

2Baba, supervisor section techniques after two decades

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2Baba, supervisor section techniques after two decades

Renowned Nigerian musician, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2baba, has officially parted ways with his longtime manager, Efe Omorogbe, who is the CEO of a talent management company, Now Muzik.

The announcement was made through a joint statement posted on Instagram by Now Muzik on Wednesday, citing a mutual agreement for the immediate termination of their partnership.

Omorogbe expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with 2baba, noting that their collaboration went beyond professional realms.

He wrote, “I am grateful to 2baba for the trust and for the friendship. I am proud of the brands we built together, the music we made; the fans we entertained.

“2Baba is one of the greatest Nigerian musicians of all time and it really is an honour to have had the opportunity to walk side by side with him, watching and helping him make magic over the past two decades.

“My team and I look forward to now supporting from the sidelines, and continuing to advocate for any and everything 2Baba,” Omorogbe stated.

Reflecting on their accomplishments over two decades, he assured ongoing support for the singer from the sidelines.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to achieve major milestones working with 2Baba over the last two decades. These achievements have defined an era and validated our collective contributions to the growth of the entertainment industry in Africa. For this, we are extremely proud,” he added.

2baba on the other hand acknowledged the pivotal role Omorogbe and the Now Muzik team played in his career, expressing gratitude while recognising that all good things must eventually end.

“I know it’s a cliche but every good thing must come to an end. I owe a lot of my career success to Efe and his team at Now Muzik.

“Everything I’ve been able to achieve is a result of the support of so many people and organisations working with me to bring my talent and vision to life. Now Muzik is one of such companies and I couldn’t be more grateful to them.”

Notably, 2baba joined Now Muzik management in 2004 after departing from The Plantashun Boiz.

Following the announcement, 2baba will be represented by his new management company, Hypertek Digital.

Reps transfer to test indiscriminate sale of gear

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Reps transfer to test indiscriminate sale of gear

The House of Representatives on Wednesday drew the attention of the Federal Government to the need to check the indiscriminate sale of drugs in the country.

This is just as it urged the Federal Ministry of Health to come up with a prescription policy to address incessant cases of drug abuse, particularly by young Nigerians.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion, titled, “Need to curb the indiscriminate sale of drugs and lack of adherence to prescription policy in Nigeria,” moved by a member representing Gamawa Federal Constituency, Bauchi State, Adamu Gamawa on the floor of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly during the plenary session on Wednesday.

In its editorial of February 27, 2024, The According painted a frightening pucture of the menace, saying, “An update by the NDLEA revealed that 14.3m Nigerians have become drug addicts.”

Leading the debate, Gamawa argued that the lack of a prescription policy on drugs and indiscriminate drug sales by pharmacists, patent medicine dealers, and street vendors, staffed by unqualified personnel ultimately, portends danger for the nation and her people.

He quoted the National Bureau of Statistics as saying that there is a frightening surge in the issue of drug abuse and misuse in Nigeria “With drug use prevalence statistics at 14,4 per cent of productive age in Nigeria (15-65 years of age), which is almost three times the global drug use Prevalence which stands at 5.5 per cent.

He said, “The House is concerned that a large percentage of drug abuse in Nigeria are prescription drugs obtained without proper prescription and most of the drugs sold by illiterate and semi-literate drug hawkers are counterfeit, substandard or expired, and therefore do not meet the quality, safety and efficacy requirement of regulated medicines.

“The House is aware that various empirical studies show that drug abuse is a significant facilitator of extreme terrorism, violent crimes, and high school dropout and this negatively affect community health, security, and stability, according to consumer studies.”

The lawmaker noted that if urgent actions are not taken to declare a state of emergency and allocate resources to the identification of drug abuse response and treatment, “A national catastrophe of unimaginable dimension is in the offing.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Health to develop a prescription policy that must be enforced just as it called on the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency “Close all illegal outlets of pharmaceutical products including open drug markets and ensure that only prescribed drugs are administered to patients by qualified health practitioners and sanction erring pharmaceutical outlets.”

It further asked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control to “Collaborate with the Standards Organization, Ministry of Information and National Orientation to continuously sensitise public awareness about drug abuse.

Consequently, the House mandated its Committees on Narcotics, Drugs, Healthcare Services, NAFDAC and legislative compliance to ensure compliance.

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