Mrs Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the alleged unlawful detention of her husband and staff by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Mrs Isaac, who begged the President to direct that the rule of law take its course in the release and prosecution of her husband and staff, alleged a flagrant violation of section 35 of the Nigerian constitution.
Making the appeal in a press statement she signed and made available to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Mrs Isaac said the continuous detention of her husband and staff despite satisfying all bail conditions required by law to release them, amounts to an infringement on their fundamental human rights.
Mr Godwin-Isaac, husband to Mrs Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac and their staff were arrested over two weeks ago following allegations of land grabbing by the EFCC.
The duo was said to have been arrested without investigation into a reported matter at the anti-graft office.
”Section 35 of the Nigerian constitution prescribes that no law enforcement agency has the right to detain one in a civil matter for more than 48 hours.
“This is 13 days and still counting that my husband and several workers are detained by EFCC operatives without prosecuting or releasing them.
“It is a contravention of section 35 of Nigeria’s constitution and an infringement on their right to freedom,” she said.
Mrs Isaac, who is known in the Real Estate sector, condemned the alleged undue detention and asked the EFCC not to take laws into their hands.
She affirmed that her husband and others had satisfied all bail conditions required by law to release them and yet were denied bail, insisting that they ought to be released or charged to court according to the laws rather than incarceration without trial.
Omokamo Godwin-Isaac who expressed her belief in the democratic leadership qualities of President Tinubu, appealed to him to let justice prevail.
“The EFCC Chairman has asked the Elizabeth Eke-led E&SS department to release my husband and yet they refused.
“I don’t know her personal interest in the matter that she has refused to obey the law and her boss ”
She explained that she had never met the Yesufu family who are alleged to be behind the arrest of her husband and staff over a non-existent land-grabbing allegations.
“My husband and I are people of integrity without any record of corruption or fraud or land grabbing, so I wonder why EFCC should be terrorizing us.”
Omokamo Godwin-Isaac appealed to President Tinubu, men and women of good conscience to help preserve Nigeria’s law by calling on EFCC to release her husband and staff.
Alleged land grabbing: Detention of my husband, staff, infringement on their rights – Wife begs Tinubu
Alleged land grabbing: Detention of my husband, staff, infringement on their rights – Wife begs Tinubu
BREAKING: Senate passes National Minimum Wage bill into law
The National Minimum Wage Amendment Act, which introduces a new N70,000 national minimum wage, has been passed into law by the Senate.
The executive bill, which was received from the executive arm of government, seeking amendment to the Act to enable upward review of workers’ salaries, was laid for first reading.
Reading the general principles of the bill, Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi also explained that the bill, if passed, would reduce the period of review of the minimum wage from five years to three years in line with economic realities, given that the Act was last amended in 2019.
Senators were unanimous on the need to approve the bill, which followed negotiations between the executive and organized labour.
The Senate immediately passed the bill for second reading after which senators dissolved into the committee of the whole for its passage for the third reading
BREAKING: Senate passes National Minimum Wage bill into law
DSS denies arresting Kano man for printing protest T-shirts
The Department of State Services, DSS, has denied reports alleging that operatives of the Service arrested one Bashir Abubakar for printing T-shirts with the inscription ‘#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria’ ahead of the planned nationwide protest.
TVN reports that African Action Congress, AAC, presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, had in a post on his official X handle on Monday, alleged that Bashir was arrested by the DSS.
According to Sowore, who is one of the organizers of the EndBadGovernment protest scheduled for August, Bashir was released from the DSS custody on Monday.
He wrote, “The team of lawyers sent to the @OfficialDSSNG today secured the release of Bashir Abubakar from the DSS dungeon.
“Bashir was the youth activist from Kano who was accused of producing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria T-shirts in Kano”.
However, when contacted by TVN, the spokesperson of the secret police, Peter Afunanya simply said, “It is not true”.
DSS denies arresting Kano man for printing protest T-shirts
Lagos Govt arrests 40 persons for night street trading
The Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Special Offences, Enforcement Unit, has arrested 40 persons for allegedly trading on the street at night and causing heavy traffic in Ikeja.
The agency’s spokesperson, Mr Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed the arrests to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.
Abdulraheem said that the suspects had been operating illegal, night makeshift shops and restaurants at Alade Avenue, Orishe and Johnson streets, all off Obafemi Awolowo Way in Ikeja.
“They have converted streets to mini- markets and restaurants, thereby causing serious human/vehicular traffic obstructions and serious environmental pollution along those routes and adjoining streets,” he said.
The spokesperson said that the two-day night raid led by the agency’s chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, was carried out when the traders erected makeshift shops and placed barricades on parts of the road, causing traffic impediments.
Abdulraheem noted that the suspects also flouted the state’s laid down environmental laws through indiscriminate disposal of waste and solid materials into the gutters in the area.
He said: “The raid will be a continuous exercise as a step made in the interest of the citizenry who have longed for solutions to the menace of street trading.
“Some of these locations serve as safe haven for suspected criminals and they enjoy the proceeds of their criminal activities there.
“The flooding experienced in some parts of the state is also as a result of improper disposal of waste that end up clogging the drainage channels.
“They also sell drugs indiscriminately there, which is counter-productive to the society,” he further said.
The spokesperson appealed to other recalcitrant street traders and vendors to relocate their stores to designated outlets designed for trading and vacate the streets and inner roads.
Lagos Govt arrests 40 persons for night street trading
Youths warn groups threatening to invade Kogi Govt House
Youths in Kogi State have warned those they described as agents of enemies of the state to desist from painting the wrong picture to outsiders.
The youths, under the aegis of the Kogi Youths Stakeholder Forum, said any attempt by outsiders or defeated politicians to go near the Kogi Government House in the guise of occupying the complex will be vehemently resisted.
The youths described those threatening to occupy the Kogi Government House as a faceless group of ethnic jingoists doing the bidding of embattled paymasters.
They dared anyone to try such and test the popularity of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello and his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
The youths spoke in a statement jointly signed by the Coordinator, Comrade Tunde G. Muhammed, Yunisa Idris, Yusuf Ndako, Idris Kabir, Osovehe Jimmoh, Itoba Momoh, Agali Oluwafemi, Mayowa Williams, Ocholi Idris, Hassan Gambo and Oloruneffa Jegede.
Parts of the statement read, “Our patience has been tested enough, no one should try anything to undermine democracy in Kogi State or the consequences will not be palatable. They will be shocked.
The youths condemned the talk of invasion being spread by political actors and echoed by ethnocentric agents of destruction in the state as suspicious and an attack on democracy, saying any further oppression would be met with stiff resistance.
According to them, there is a pending court case that has been adjourned and the illegally obtained warrant of arrest is a subject of appeal as it was obtained against a valid court order.
“This needless noise is clearly persecution taken too far as we, the bona-fide citizens of Kogi State, know that no Governor has performed better than Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello since inception. His successor is riding on this solid foundation to deliver even better dividends.
“We categorically reject even the thought of disrupting the peace and stability of our state through unlawful occupation. Our dutiful Governor Usman Ododo was duly elected and the current occupier of the Lugard House. Such threat from whatever quarters is an attempt to overthrow democracy and pave way for anarchy.
“We know the voice of Jacob and hand of Esau and warn all those trying to cause chaos because they have lost at the polls, those conniving with enemies of Yahaya Bello outside, to desist. We have been patient enough in the face of the endless persecution and defamation. We will not allow anything that will be counter-productive to the peace, progress, development and well-being of all bonafide residents of Kogi. Our dear State is currently undergoing a critical period of development and consolidation of democratic values.”
Youths warn groups threatening to invade Kogi Govt House
Tinubu sends minimum wage bill to N’Assembly
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, presented the Minimum Wage Bill to the National Assembly for consideration and passage into law.
In separate letters to both the Senate and the House of Representatives, the President requested an expeditious consideration of a bill to amend the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, to increase the National Minimum Wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000.
The bill also sought to reduce the period for reviewing the minimum wage from five years to three years.
Tinubu had agreed on ₦70,000 as the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers during a meeting with Organised Labour last week.
Details later…
Tope, The According journalist, has over a decade of experience in health reporting, environmental issues and investigative journalism, and currently covers the National Assembly, specifically the Senate
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I’ve daughters too – Akpabio apologizes to Natasha Akpoti for ‘night club’ comment
Senate President Natasha Apoti-Uduaghan has apologized to the Chairman of Senate Committee on Local Content, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for rebuking her.
Last week Thursday, Akpabio had cautioned Akpoti-Uduaghan on the floor of the Senate, saying she was not in the night club.
The Senate was in session when Akpabio said those in favour of the second reading of a bill to say ‘Aye’, while those against should say ‘Nay’.
The ‘Nay’ response came the loudest and as the Senate President contemplated his next action, Akpoti-Uduaghan rose to explain why she and some others were against the second reading of the proposal.
“Mr President, we don’t want it to be killed. We just want a bit of modification. We don’t want the bill killed but there should be slight modification.”
Responding to her, Akpabio said, “You see Senator Natasha, in the chamber, you have to be recognized before you speak. We’re not in a nightclub.”
However, Akpabio has said his “night club” remark was reported out of context.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, the Senate President said: “We are still learning, even those of us who have been in the Senate for 16 years, we are still learning.
“But in the cause of speaking with one of my distinguished sisters on not speaking when not recognized, I made reference to the fact that we are not in a night club where people have to shout above the noise of the music.
“The social media went agog, my wife called me that they published her number and she received around 2,000 to 3,000 calls per day.
“I’m happy with the interest generated by Nigerians with what goes on in this chambers because we are here for their interest.
“The communication was totally misunderstood, instead of making meaning with what we said, they went into private abuses; I don’t want to say what they did to me.
“I will not intentionally denigrate any woman, I have a wife and four daughters and I always pray that God will lift a girl to the highest zenith in Nigeria politically and in business. So Senator Natasha I want to apologize to you if you felt offended.
“There is nothing I will say that would not be misrepresented, I felt I should tender a public apology to you.”
I’ve daughters too – Akpabio apologizes to Natasha Akpoti for ‘night club’ comment
Edo Guber: Vote candidate who’ll deliver dividends of democracy – INEC tells female voters
Ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has urged young female voters to vote for a candidate that would brighten their future with people-oriented programmes and policies.
TVN reports that the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Edo State, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, gave the advise in Benin City at a one-day awareness creation seminar for young female voters.
Onuoha also charged the young female voters not to be intimidated by anybody as they exercise their franchise in voting for candidates of their choice.
He also tasked them to sensitize the electorate on the need to vote for a candidate that can bring development to the state.
“Come out and vote whoever you want to vote for. Don’t be intimidated by anybody. Vote for persons that you think can bring development to Edo State.
“That is the only way, because if you miss it your future will be at stake. But if you want your future to be bright vote for somebody that can bring development to the state.
“It is your fundamental right to vote for the person that you think can deliver so that at the end of the day you will have dividends of democracy,” the REC said.
Edo Guber: Vote candidate who’ll deliver dividends of democracy – INEC tells female voters
I have no blending plant outside Nigeria, NNPC GCEO replies Dangote
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, has said he does not own a blending plant outside Nigeria.
Kyari stated this on Tuesday, reacting to claims by the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, that some officials of the NNPC have blending plants in Malta.
Amid the crisis surrounding his $20bn refinery, Dangote had said: Some of the terminals, some of the NNPC people and some traders have opened blending plants somewhere off Malta. We all know these areas. We know what they are doing,” Dangote said.
Reacting in a post on his X handle, Kyari said he had been inundated with calls from family members and friends, asking if he truly owns a blending plant in Malta.
Kyari stated that he does not own or operate any business directly or by proxy anywhere in the world with the exception of a local mini agric venture.
He also said he is not aware of any employee of the NNPC, that owns or operates a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world.
“I am inundated by enquiries from family members, friends and associates on the public declaration by the President of Dangote Group that some NNPC workers have established a blending plant in Malta thereby impeding procurements from local production of Petroleum products.
“To clarify the allegations regarding the blending plant, I do not own or operate any business directly or by proxy anywhere in the world with the exception of a local mini Agric venture, neither am I aware of any employee of the NNPC, that owns or operates a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world.
“A blending plant in Malta or any part of the world has no influence over NNPC’s business operations and strategic actions.”
The NNPC boss threatened to sanction any official of the NNPC involved in such acts if they truly exist.
“For further assurance, our compliance sanction grid shall apply to any NNPC employee who is established to be involved in doing so if availed and I strongly recommend that such individuals be declared public and be made known to relevant government security agencies for necessary actions in view of the grave implications for national energy security,” he stated.
Dangote has been speaking up following allegations by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, that the diesel produced by the Dangote refinery had higher sulphur content than imported ones; a claim Dangote described as an attempt to demarket his refinery.
Ahmed also said the country would continue to import fuel to stop the Dangote monopoly.
Security beefed up as VP Shettima visits Jigawa
Security has been beefed up in Jigawa State amidst the visit of Vice President Kashim Shettima to the state.
TVN observed that from the early hours of the morning, the streets of Dutse, the state capital, were lined with security personnel, to guarantee the safety of the Vice President and his entourage.
Multiple checkpoints were established across the state capital, and traffic was redirected to ensure a smooth and hitch free visit.
The VP will be in Jigawa State to launch and commission some projects initiated by the administration of Governor Umar Namadi.
They include solar projects, empowerment programs and the Fadama CARES programme, among others.
Details later.
Security beefed up as VP Shettima visits Jigawa