The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the elevation of 87 lawyers to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Hajo Bello, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Bello, who is also the Secretary of LPPC, said the SAN rank is awarded as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves as advocates and academics.
Among those elevated are Messrs Baba Dalah and Monday Ubani.
Also considered were – Baba Fika Dalah, Monday Onyekachi Ubani, Lateef Olaseinde Karim, Godwin Tagbo Ike, and Mustapha Ikhegbe Abubakar, among others.
Bello said the LPPC at its 164th plenary session further considered five different petitions written against some of the applicants and determined that each of the petitions lacked merit and were dismissed.
She revealed that the 87 successful applicants would be sworn in on September 30.
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Bala Dalah, Ubani, 85 others elevated to SAN
Protest: Police warn against acts of violence, destruction of infrastructure in Yobe
Yobe state Command of the Nigeria Police Force has condemned the destruction of public and private property in today’s protest in Potiskum, Gashu’a and Nguru Local Government areas.
The command in a statement via its Public Relations Officer, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, also described the situation as an unacceptable act of lawlessness.
“The police command is fully prepared and geared up towards maintaining public order and safety and will strictly enforce the curfew imposed by the State Government in the affected areas.
“While recognizing the right to peaceful assembly, the command stresses that this right is not absolute and must not infringe on the rights of others. Any criminal acts will be met with firm resistance”, it said.
It warned individuals with malicious intentions that any further acts of violence will be dealt with decisively.
Recall that, protesters in Potiskum town had earlier in the day set ablaze vehicles at the local government secretariats, which led to the imposition of 24-hour curfew in the town along side Gashu’a and Nguru aimed at restoring law and order.
Protest: Police warn against acts of violence, destruction of infrastructure in Yobe
Commence economic policy review, PDP tells Tinubu
The Peoples Democratic Party has called on President Bola Tinubu to address Nigerians about the economic crisis facing the country.
The party also asked the President to urgently review its policies that are negatively impacting the lives of Nigerians.
In a press statement released Thursday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP highlighted the growing unrest and nationwide protests as a direct response to the government’s “arrogance” and “insensitivity” towards the hardships citizens face.
It emphasised that the protests could have been avoided if the APC had heeded previous advice to address the economic challenges and alleviate the populace’s suffering.
The PDP referenced a statement from 6 June 2024, urging President Tinubu to listen to the plight of Nigerians, warning that the public’s reaction to widespread hunger could be severe.
The party also accused the APC of exacerbating the crisis by allegedly hiring hoodlums to incite violence while expressing alarm over the dire economic conditions.
The statement reads in part, “Nigerians can recall that the PDP on several occasions offered advice on the state of the economy to the APC government, the most recent being the PDP’s statement on 6 June 2024, wherein it urged that ‘President Tinubu should listen to the heartbeat of Nigerians. There is hunger and destitution in the land. The reaction of a hungry people is better imagined! Mr. President, please act now.
“Sadly, these counsels did not receive the expected consideration resulting in the current situation. It is alarming that instead of engaging Nigerians and addressing their concerns, the APC allegedly recruited hoodlums to instigate violence so as to justify a clampdown and killing of innocent Nigerians.
“The APC is completely insensitive to the fact that more than 120 million Nigerians have become destitute and can no longer afford their daily meals and other basic necessities of life as the poverty rate soars to over 40 per cent because of the life-discounting policies of the APC administration.”
The PDP pointed to policies such as the abrupt increase in fuel prices and the arbitrary floating of the Naira as major contributors to the economic downturn.
According to the PDP, on several occasions, any people-oriented government ought to have been wary of the suffocating effect of the hasty and ill-implemented twin policies of abrupt increase in the price of petroleum products and arbitrary floating of the Naira without due cushioning measures to ensure the wellbeing of the people.
“The PDP restates that these thoughtless policies of the APC administration are responsible for the crippling of the productive sector with the crashing of the Naira to over N1,500 to a Dollar, fuel soaring to over N1,000 per litre, which in turn triggered high costs of goods and services with over 34 per cent inflation rate, over 40 per cent unemployment rate with the closure of millions of businesses and mass exodus of major multinational companies from our country.
“The APC has plunged Nigeria into a humanitarian crisis where millions of citizens are literally starving and dying of hunger. Sadly, today a bag of rice sells for over N85,000; a bag of beans goes for N150,000; a measure of garri now sells for N1,500 while a measure of cooking oil which sells for N1,200 now sells for N12,000 with prices of all food items increasing daily.
“More provocative is that while Nigerians are crying for food, the APC officials in government are busy looting the national treasury to fund their luxury appetite, including the acquisition of luxury jets, expensive holidays abroad, renovation of official residential mansions and other profligacies, without regard to the feelings and the pains of the majority of Nigerians,” the party stated.
The party added, “Also disturbing is the scandalous revelation that the APC administration is secretly paying a whopping N5.4 trillion as fuel subsidy for 2024 even after the President announced an end to fuel subsidy.”
It called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address the nation on policy reviews to curb the growing economic challenges.
“What Nigerians expect at this time is for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally address the nation, announce major policy reviews and order an investigation into the alleged looting of subsidy and palliative funds,” the statement added.
Protest: I didn’t ask MTN, Airtel to tamper with network – Tinubu’s Minister, Tijani
The Minister of Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has denied directing telecom companies in the country to tamper with networks as the nationwide protests began on Thursday.
Nigerians using MTN, Airtel and other networks began to complain on social media about the unusual slow speeds of browsing.
It has led to suspicions that people within the President Bola Tinubu administration have given an order to the telcoms, so they could hamper the protests.
But Tijani, appearing on Channels TV this evening, said: “There’s no instruction to tamper with (phone) networks.”
Earlier in the day, Tijani frowned at the looting of the National Communication Commission, NCC, building in Kano State.
He said it would be a setback to the federal government’s efforts at encouraging youth employment through technology.
Protest: I didn’t ask MTN, Airtel to tamper with network – Tinubu’s Minister, Tijani
EndBadGovernance: Why southeast states shunned nationwide protest – Ohanaeze
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has stated that President Bola Tinubu is not an enemy of Ndigbo, which is why the Southeast states shunned the planned nationwide hunger protests across the country.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Thursday by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and made available to TVN.
Ohanaeze stated that the boycott by the people of the Southeast should convincingly spur President Bola Tinubu to listen to the plea of the leaders and other Nigerians to release Nnamdi Kanu from detention.
“We, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, wish to express our profound gratitude to all Igbos at home and in the diaspora for their unwavering commitment to the decision to boycott the nationwide protests.
“The Southeast region has shown remarkable unity and resilience in standing against external pressures and manipulations aimed at using Igbos as sacrificial lambs for selfish political agendas.
“The Southeast’s total compliance with the directive to abstain from the protests is a testament to the newfound sense of unity and determination among Ndigbo to end the systematic manipulation and exploitation by certain unpatriotic elements and privileged elites. This marks a new chapter in Igbo perseverance, nerve, and resolve to assert our rights and protect our interests.
“The transformation of the Federal Expressway in the region is a clear demonstration of the commitment to development and progress. We also call for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu and the creation of an additional state for the Southeast to address the longstanding marginalization and neglect of the region.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has now realized that the Southeast and Ndigbo are not his enemies, and we urge him to reciprocate this gesture by releasing Nnamdi Kanu and initiating more viable projects for the Southeast. The Southeast remains open to dialogue and cooperation with the federal government for the overall development and prosperity of the nation.
“We urge all Ndigbo to remain steadfast and resolute in the face of any pressures or attempts to undermine our unity and progress. Let us continue to stand together in solidarity and work towards a brighter future for our people and our nation,” he said.
EndBadGovernance: Why southeast states shunned nationwide protest – Ohanaeze
NGX: #EndBadGovernance protests impact equities market as investors lose N235bn
The Nigerian equities market felt the impact of the #EndBadGovernance protests on Thursday as investors lost N235 billion at the close of the day’s trading.
This followed the dip in the share prices of stocks like MECURE, THOMASWY and WAPIC, amongst others on the trading floor.
After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalization crashed to N55.2 trillion from N55.5 trillion recorded by the bourse on Wednesday.
The All-Share Index (ASI) also decreased to 97,359.76 from 97,774.22 recorded the previous day.
The market breadth was negative as 22 stocks advanced and 19 declined, while 66 others remained unchanged in 6, 821 deals.
UCAP, CUTIX, and AFRIPRUD led other gainers with 9.95%, 9.94% and 9.94% growth each in share prices to close at N11.05, N5.64, and N9.40 from the previous N10.05, N5.13, and N8.55 per share.
On the flip side, MECURE, THOMASWY and WAPIC led other price decliners as they shed 9.94%, 9.74% and 8.24% each to close at N8.15, N1.76 and N0.78 from the initial N9.05, N1.95, and N0.85 per share.
On the volume index, ZENITH BANK led trading with 19 million shares valued at N651 million in 470 deals followed by OANDO which traded 19 million shares valued at N445 million in 697 deals.
ACCESS CORP traded 15 million shares valued at N289 million in 554 deals.
On the value index ZENITH BANK recorded the highest value for the day trading stocks worth N651 million in 470 deals followed by GUINNESS which traded equities worth N576 million in 33 deals.
UBA traded stocks worth N458 million in 504 deals.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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NUJ condemns attack on journalists by hoodlums in Kano
Following the nationwide protest against bad governance on Thursday, some journalists on fieldwork were attacked by hoodlums, who took advantage of the situation to engage in rampage and mob action.
A bus, belonging to the Channels Television conveying 11 journalists from different media outfits, including print and broadcast, was attacked by hoodlums, who were wielding weapons on Sokoto Road, Kano State.
The Chairman, Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abbas Ibrahim and Secretary, Abba Murtala, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday to newsmen.
The Kano NUJ leaders said the hoodlums smashed the window glasses of the bus, as it drove past, littering sprinkles of glass on the passengers and injuring some of them.
According to the statement, a car belonging to Wazobia, Cool FM and Arewa group conveying reporters was also attacked by the hoodlums adjacent to the Kano Government House.
Condemning the attacks, the NUJ leaders said, “We wish to categorically state that it is constitutional for citizens to stage peaceful protests but illegal and unlawful to subject other citizens to intimidation and abuse.
“We therefore condemn in very strong terms the attack on journalists, who are discharging their functions as responsible members of the society, contributing their quota to the progress and development of our dear nation.
“We will also use this opportunity to call on the appropriate authorities to ensure that law and order is maintained in the state.”
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#EndBadGovernance: Stop rushing to court on eve of protests, Falana tells govts
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has faulted the governments of Lagos and Ogun states and the Federal Capital Territory Administration for rushing to court to seek orders restricting protesters to certain locations within the states and the FCT.
The senior lawyer stated this during an interview on Thursday evening on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
According Online reports that the various state governments, and the FCTA, had obtained court orders from individual states and Federal High Courts, restricting the protesters to the Freedom and Peace Parks in the Ojota and Ketu areas of Lagos State; and the MKO National Stadium in the FCT.
In Ogun, the court restricted the protesters to the MKO Stadium in Abeokuta; Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive High School Ota; Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu; and Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
Giving reasons for the protesters going beyond the stated restricted points to a street procession, Falana said the argument could be made that the protesters were not served the court orders, having been obtained 24 hours before the protest began on Thursday morning.
He said, “I think the government should have learnt not to rush to court on the eve of a strike action by workers, or the eve of a protest by young people because the difficulty with such orders is that they are never served on those they are made to restrain.
“For instance, the order in Lagos was not served on anybody, the orders in Ogun State were not served on anybody, the order in Abuja, I think one of the defendants is said to be ‘unknown persons. Now, how do you serve court orders on unknown persons?”
He added that the government could designate venues for protest, as it is done in other countries of the world, noting that the government had over two weeks advance notice of the protest, which was enough time to have informed the protesters of the restrictions, without a necessary court order.
“In Lagos, largely today from my information, people came from as far as about 30-40km away to participate in the protest in Ojota. Again, that is the venue that was being used for protest, before the government sealed it off.
“Ditto for Abuja, protesters were using an enclosure, the Unity Fountain; it is a stone’s throw from Transcorp Hilton Hotel. The government in Abuja, the FCT Administration sealed it off. So, people then went to the street.
“If the government is now coming back to say in every state capital, we want to designate a venue, a protest ground as is done in many countries of the world, again, I think that is a lesson to learn.
“But don’t rush to court, when you have at least two weeks’ notice of an impending protest. Don’t rush to court on the eve of that protest because even if the court makes that order, it’s not going to be served on people practically”, he added.
Hunger protest: IPC demands justice for attacked journalists
The International Press Centre (IPC) has condemned the reported attacks on journalists and other media professionals covering the nationwide protests.
The protest, observed throughout the country on Thursday, aimed to demand an end to hardship-inducing economic policies.
In a statement issued to journalists in Jalingo on Thursday, IPC’s Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, reported that the Safety Alert Situation Room revealed that several journalists and media professionals faced various forms of attack, including physical assault, harassment, and denial of access to cover the protest.
“Some of the affected journalists were injured, arrested, or had their working tools destroyed,” the statement read.
Detailing the incidents as documented by IPC’s Safety of Journalists Alert Desk, the Lagos State reporter for News Central Television was reportedly interrupted and harassed by police officers and LCC officials who barred him and other journalists from interviewing anyone during a live broadcast.
Other journalists alleged to have been attacked during the protests include Ibrahim Isah of TVC News, Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times, Jide Oyekunle, a photojournalist with Daily Independent, and Mary Adeboye of News Central Television, among others.
Describing the attacks as a troubling repeat of history, IPC affirmed that under no circumstances should journalists on legitimate duty be assaulted by law enforcement agencies or thugs.
“It is regrettable that these incidents occurred despite calls by IPC and other media groups to stakeholders and security agencies to ensure a safe environment for journalists covering the protests,” IPC said.
The statement added, “The rights of journalists to cover and report protests and other societal activities, as guaranteed by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and various regulatory frameworks, have not been respected as expected.”
IPC called on all concerned security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, to urgently investigate the attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Hunger protest: IPC demands justice for attacked journalists
AfDB approves $500m loan to boost electricity access in Nigeria
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a fresh $500 million loan to boost electricity access in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the AfDB said the loan would finance the first phase of the Economic Governance and Energy Transition Support Program (EGET-SP), a new programme aimed at accelerating transformation of the country’s electricity infrastructure and improving access to cleaner sources of energy in the country.
It will also help close the financing gap in the budget for 2024/25 fiscal year, specifically supporting the implementation of Nigeria’s new Electricity Act and the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan.
The statement read: “These initiatives are designed to decentralize the electricity supply industry and attract investments from subnational governments and the private sector.
“Nigeria launched its energy transition plan in August 2022, and in June 2023, passed the new Electricity Act. The plan envisions the development of 250 GW of installed electricity capacity by 2050, with 90% of this capacity being renewable.
“The energy transition plan envisions the development, by 2050, of 250 GW of installed electricity capacity, 90% of which will be renewable. It will provide clean cooking access to the bulk of the population by 2030, using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biogas, biofuels like ethanol, and electric cook stoves.
“The Economic Governance and Energy Transition Support Program will also support the implementation of these policies, helping deliver much-needed upgrades of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure, and fast-tracking the country’s efforts to transition millions of households and businesses to cleaner and renewable sources of energy.
“The Bank Group’s $500m support to the Federal Government of Nigeria is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at supporting the country’s economic growth, poverty reduction, and climate action efforts.”
By: Babajide Okeowo
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