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New ATM Withdrawal Fees: CBN Reveals Reason for Hike

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New ATM Withdrawal Fees: CBN Reveals Reason for Hike

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has defended its decision to raise fees for cash withdrawals from other banks’ automated teller machines (ATMs) by claiming that the action is intended to encourage banks to enhance cash availability at their ATMs.
Following its meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Tuesday, the apex bank reportedly declared that it would maintain key economic indicators by keeping the MPR at 27.5%.
After the meeting, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso spoke to reporters and defended the hike in ATM withdrawal fees, which are currently N100 for every N20,000 taken out of an ATM at another bank.

“The goal of the policy is to incentivize banks to increase the amount of cash available at ATMs and to expand their network of ATMs,” he explained.
In order to guarantee consistent access to cash at their ATMs and enable trouble-free money withdrawals, banks must be encouraged to do so. Even though things have improved, everything still needs to go smoothly and flawlessly,” he stated.

Cardoso insisted that the new fee would improve financial efficiency and eliminate predatory cash withdrawal services, dismissing worries that it would discourage consumers from using cash.

Read Also: NFF Takes Action: Bans Two NPFL Referees, Issues 2025 Federation Cup Deadline

“You won’t be charged if you take out money from the ATM at your own bank. To prevent fees, you can apply for a card with the bank whose ATM you regularly use. He continued, “This policy will promote a wider spread of ATMs and facilitate easier access to money.”

The CBN anticipates that the action will deter unlicensed cash handlers from overcharging customers for cash withdrawals, hence increasing the effectiveness of Nigeria’s banking system.

NFF Takes Action: Bans Two NPFL Referees, Issues 2025 Federation Cup Deadline

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NFF Takes Action: Bans Two NPFL Referees, Issues 2025 Federation Cup Deadline

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) referees Ayeni Ridwan Olatunji and Abubakar Jimoh have been suspended by the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) Referee Development Committee.
In response to an event that occurred during the matchday 24 match between Kwara United FC and Bayelsa United in Ilorin, the Technical Instructor (football) of the NFF and Referees Assessor, Ameenu Mohammed, signed a statement on Thursday announcing this decision.
According to the Laws of the Game, a major penalty situation that obviously qualified as a foul—specifically, holding or pulling—was disregarded by both referees.
“We recognize the influence of your choices on the result of the game and the integrity of the game on Sunday, February 15, 2025,” the NFF statement said. Ignoring an occurrence with an obvious penalty compromises officiating standards.

Furthermore, it was brought to light that the Assistant Referee’s inability to help during this pivotal moment underscored the necessity of officiating in concert in order to maintain the game’s standards.

Given these worries, Olatunji and Jimoh will be placed on indefinite leave with immediate effect. Restoring the league’s integrity and promoting officiating improvements are the goals of this move.

Another change is that the NFF has given the Federal Capital Territory and all 36 states the requirement to play the 2025 President Federation Cup finals on either Saturday, February 22, or Sunday, February 23, 2025.

The Director of Competitions, Ruth David, made this announcement in a statement. By warning that noncompliance will result in a fine of one million naira, the NFF highlights the significance of this regulation.

The announcement explained that “unless the NFF grants exceptions, final matches are to occur solely on the 22nd/23rd.”

Read Also: Security Forces Take Down 82 Terrorists, Rescue 93 Hostages in One Week

Important dates for the national play-off and later stages of the competition have also been set. On March 5, the national play-off will take place, and a week later, the national draw will follow. In 2025, the 64, 32, and 16 rounds are set on March 19, April 2, and April 16, respectively. The quarterfinals will meet on May 3 and 4, and the semifinals on May 17 and 18.

By improving competition organization and guaranteeing a seamless event, these planned schedules hope to improve Nigerian football fans’ experiences.

Security Forces Take Down 82 Terrorists, Rescue 93 Hostages in One Week

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Security Forces Take Down 82 Terrorists, Rescue 93 Hostages in One Week

In the last week, Nigerian security forces carrying out internal operations have killed 82 terrorists, captured 198 criminals, and freed 93 people who had been abducted.

Along with 2,040 rounds of ammo, the troops also confiscated 86 high-caliber weapons from various operations zones.
Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defense Media Operations, revealed these developments in a statement on Friday.

41 terrorists, including 10 men, 12 women, and 19 children, turned themselves in to Operation Hadin Kai forces, he added.

Over ₦500 million worth of illicitly obtained petroleum products, including crude oil, were seized by security forces in the Niger Delta.

The confiscated goods comprised 600 liters of kerosene, 117,320 liters of unlawfully refined diesel, and 366,530 liters of stolen crude oil, Kangye said.

There were also 38 crude oil cooking furnaces, 27 dugout pits, 22 boats, three speedboats, 60 storage tanks, 34 drums, and 32 illegal refining sites that forces found and destroyed,” he said. 22 oil thieves were apprehended by the troops, and they also found 152 different types of weapons and ammunition, five magazines, and other goods.

Read Also: Akpabio Warned by Kogi Politician: “Stop Bullying Senator Natasha”

In describing the weapons found, the defense official named three pump-action shotguns, 19 Dane guns, 18 locally manufactured firearms, and 46 AK-47 rifles.

In addition, security personnel seized 51 cartridges, 600 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 128 rounds of 7.62mm NATO rounds, and 1,165 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Akpabio Warned by Kogi Politician: “Stop Bullying Senator Natasha”

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Akpabio Warned by Kogi Politician: “Stop Bullying Senator Natasha”

 

Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s treatment of Senator Natasha Akpoti during a recent Senate plenary session has been sharply criticized by Kogi State SDP Gubernatorial Candidate Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, who calls it “legislative autocracy and rascality.”

On Thursday, February 20, Ajaka released a statement criticizing Akpabio’s leadership style and charging him with exhibiting undemocratic tendencies that compromise the Senate’s credibility.
According to him, the widely shared video of the incident is embarrassing and confirms the idea that the Senate, led by Akpabio, lacks independence and respect for constitutional norms.

Read Also: Bandits Kidnap Top Govt Official in Niger, Security Forces in Pursuit as They Flee to Kaduna

Nigerians long for a Senate that is answerable to them and attentive to their concerns. Democracy is seriously threatened when elected officials are deprived of their ability to speak for their constituents by oppressive and callous actions, Ajaka said.
Considering his extensive political background as a former governor, minister, and Senate President, he added, Akpabio ought to be able to lead parliamentarians regardless of their gender, political affiliation, or background.

“His persistent bullying of Senator Natasha is disheartening, and this has to end,” Ajaka continued.
He warned that the future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the Senate upholding justice, fairness, and respect for all members, and urged the body to act quickly to replace Akpabio with a more capable and inclusive leader.

In closing, Ajaka urged the Senate to stop fighting battles that undermine democratic principles and instead concentrate on enhancing the welfare of its constituents.

Bandits Kidnap Top Govt Official in Niger, Security Forces in Pursuit as They Flee to Kaduna

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Bandits Kidnap Top Govt Official in Niger, Security Forces in Pursuit as They Flee to Kaduna

The Munya Local Government Area Council Secretary, Daina Usman, and four other people were kidnapped by suspected armed bandits in Sarkin Pawa, Niger State, late at night.

The attackers stealthily entered Usman’s home, which is close to the riverbed in Sarkin Pawa—an area that is often targeted by criminal elements—around 10:00 p.m. on February 20, according to intelligence sources.
Among the victims are Council Secretary Daina Usman, his wife Deborah Daina, Sati Daina, Gambo Shagari, and Sorro (also called Snu).

Read Also: Borno PDP Secretary Faces Suspension by Ward Executives

The abductors promptly took the captives and fled toward Kaduna State’s Chikun Local Government Area, a well-known escape route for local crime organizations, according to sources who spoke to Zagazola.
When local vigilantes called for help, security officers quickly assembled a combined task force that included military forces from Sarkin Pawa, the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Niger State Police Tactical Teams, and local vigilante groups to hunt down the abductors.

In order to find the attackers and guarantee the victims’ safe return, the security forces have subsequently initiated a concerted search and rescue effort.

Borno PDP Secretary Faces Suspension by Ward Executives

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Borno PDP Secretary Faces Suspension by Ward Executives

Aliyu Abubakar Aliyu, the secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno State, has been suspended by the Biu Local Government Area (LGA) Zarawuyaku Ward, his home ward.

Aliyu was charged by the ward executives with anti-party activity and noncompliance with important party rules.

The Zarawuyaku Ward Executive Council called an emergency meeting and declared Aliyu’s suspension. A proposal to pass a vote of no confidence against the state secretary was signed by 13 of the 17 executives at the meeting, which was presided over by Yunusa Mohammed, the Ward Chairman.

Aliyu was accused by the ward executives of failing to rally the party’s supporters in the general elections of 2023. According to their accusations, he skipped important political events intended to bolster the PDP in the ward and did not attend campaign rallies.

“After reviewing the February 25, 2023, presidential and national assembly elections, as well as the March 11, 2023, governorship and state house of assembly elections, we observed with utmost dismay that Aliyu Abubakar Aliyu, the PDP State Secretary, worked against the party’s success in Zarawuyaku Ward,” the ward leadership said in the statement.

Read Also: Throwback: The 2018 Senate Seating Dispute Between Akpabio and Saraki

In addition, the executives claimed that Aliyu lacked a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) that was registered in Zarawuyaku Ward. Section 8, Subsection 9 of the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended) was allegedly breached. The party’s constitution also stipulates that Aliyu must pay a yearly party subscription fee, which they claimed he had not done.

“His anti-party activities, inability to mobilize voters, and failure to attend party rallies as mandated by Section 11, Subsections 1 and 2 of the PDP constitution are documented,” the statement continued.

Throwback: The 2018 Senate Seating Dispute Between Akpabio and Saraki

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Throwback: The 2018 Senate Seating Dispute Between Akpabio and Saraki

At the October 17, 2018, Senate plenary, then-President Bukola Saraki and Godswill Akpabio, who represented Akwa Ibom North-West, got into a heated argument over seating arrangements, causing mayhem in the upper house.
After Albert Akpan, the senator for Akwa Ibom North-East, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to sabotage the state’s 2019 gubernatorial election, the altercation broke out.
Sen. Ali Ndume’s microphone was broken, so Akpabio, eager to answer, tried to use the one near his seat.

However, Saraki denied him permission and told him to relocate to a different seat that the Senate clerk had designated for him and had a working microphone.
When Akpabio insisted on utilizing Ndume’s microphone, it caused a stir and chaos in the chamber.

Amidst the commotion, the Senate clerk disclosed that Akpabio had previously been presented with a seat that had a functional microphone, but had chosen to take one without.

After the contentious meeting, Akpabio went farther and demanded Saraki’s resignation in an address to reporters, claiming that the APC had won the Senate majority.

Only a few months had passed since Akpabio joined the APC and left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Remarkably, a same argument occurred on Thursday over yet another change in seating arrangements, this time between Kogi Central senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio, who is now Senate President.

Notably, Akpoti-Uduaghan interrupted the plenary session by altering her seating arrangement without permission.

Chief Whip Senator Mohammed Ali Monguno reportedly brought up the issue of what he called Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “improper seating position” during a session that was being supervised by Akpabio.

A loud altercation broke out between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and Monguno before he could complete his remarks. The Sergeant-at-Arms had to step in and try to remove her out of the room.

Just In: Osun Govt Questions FG’s Request to Halt LG Elections

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Just In: Osun Govt Questions FG’s Request to Halt LG Elections

Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, called for the suspension of the Osun State Local Government elections that are set for this Saturday. The Osun State Government has responded to this appeal.
Recall that Fagbemi had requested that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke immediately suspend the Local Government election process.
In a statement released on Thursday, the AGF stated that the law’s stance on the developments that are causing tension between the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) was unambiguous.

The order that the governor used to remove the local government chairmen chosen by the administration was declared void by the court, according to Fagbemi.
However, Nurudeen Kareem, Special Adviser to Osun Governor on Legal Matters, responded late Thursday night in a statement, saying that the ruling dismissing the former LG chairmen is still in effect, enforceable, and binding until it is reversed by a higher court with the necessary authority.

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He asked the AGF to clarify a Supreme Court ruling in WADA v. BELLO (2016) 17 NWLR PT 1542 433, which upholds the requirement that all courts, whether they are higher or lower in the court hierarchy, follow judgments.

“We would like to express our appreciation to Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, for his insightful comments on the ruling in the PDP versus APC case pertaining to the 2022 Osun local government election,” Kareem stated.

We appreciate the AGF’s position on the PDP’s lawsuit, but we think it’s important to draw attention to the APP v. APC case’s continued significance, especially in light of the Federal High Court’s ruling in FHC/OS/CS/103/2022, which the Court of Appeal upheld on January 13, 2025.

We firmly believe that the Federal High Court’s decision in FHC/OS/CS/103/2022, which was issued on November 30, 2022, is still in effect, enforceable, and binding until it is overturned by a higher court with the necessary authority. The Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of WADA v. BELLO (2016) 17 NWLR PT 1542 433, which upholds that rulings must be followed by all courts, whether they are higher or lower in the hierarchy of courts, is one well-established legal precedent that supports this idea.

Read Also: Natasha Vows to Back NIDCOM in Achieving Its Goals

We humbly ask the AGF to clarify this issue, considering the importance of this ruling for maintaining the integrity of our electoral procedures. Osun residents and the general Nigerian public are eagerly awaiting his well-informed view, which we think will help advance knowledge of the legal environment surrounding these elections.

“I appreciate you taking the time to consider this urgent matter.”

Tinubu to IBB: “Your Influence Shaped My Political Path”

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Tinubu to IBB: “Your Influence Shaped My Political Path”

The pivotal role that former military president Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida played in President Bola Tinubu’s political career has been revealed.
In his description of IBB, Tinubu claimed the former military leader was a father, uncle, and leader who inspired others like him to enter politics.
The submission was reportedly made by the Nigerian leader on Thursday during a speech at the presentation of IBB’s autobiography, “A Journey in Service.”

“You inspire some of us, General Ibrahim Babangida; without you, people like me wouldn’t be in politics,” President Tinubu remarked.

As a visionary leader, IBB encouraged young, energetic individuals like him to enter politics, he said.

People were afraid that Tinubu, a sitting military leader, would be imprisoned for his remarks when he addressed IBB. However, he was astonished when Babangida stepped out and shook him for his courage.
Meanwhile, former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida has revealed that the annulment of the June 12 presidential election in Nigeria was carried out for “national interest,” thirty-two years after the historic event.

Read Also: Natasha Vows to Back NIDCOM in Achieving Its Goals

IBB reportedly disclosed the information on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in Abuja, at the book launch for his autobiography, “A Journey in Service.”

In the interest of the nation’s survival, he said, the decision was made to call off the election, which was generally assumed to have been won by businessman Chief Moshood Abiola as a Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate.

Natasha Vows to Back NIDCOM in Achieving Its Goals

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Natasha Vows to Back NIDCOM in Achieving Its Goals

Natasha Akpoti, the recently appointed chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, has pledged that her committee will carry out its duty by assisting Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
When Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, led a delegation to meet with the Senator for a briefing session to give an outline of the Commission’s operations and difficulties, Natasha reportedly conveyed this information.
Natasha gave the Commission’s management assurance in a statement released Thursday in Abuja by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols (NIDCOM), that her committee will support NiDCOM in three important areas: providing better office space, ensuring that the welfare of Nigerians living overseas is taken care of, and properly funding its budget allocation.

Dabiri-Erewa also spoke, giving the Committee Chairman an update on the Commission’s operations since its founding, including its involvement with Nigerians overseas and their overall well-being.

The head of NIDCOM requested assistance in amending the Commission’s Act and locating a suitable Diaspora Plaza for the Commission’s headquarters.

While expressing gratitude to Sen. Victor Ume, the previous Chairman of the Committee, for his support and direction over the 19-month engagement with the Committee, Dabiri-Erewa also expressed satisfaction in working with the new Chairman.

Read Also: February FAAC Meeting Postponed

Additionally, she made use of the occasion to distribute copies of the National Diaspora Policy, publications of the Commission’s earlier initiatives, and the 2025 NIDCOM event schedule.

She went on to say, “NiDCOM is eager to collaborate closely with NGOs and the Senate Committee on Diaspora to advance the welfare of Nigerians worldwide.”

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