THE TOP STORIES: It Will Give Them A Chance To Vote Whom They Like” – Sanusi Reacts To CBN’s New Naira Policy.
Former Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi has opened up about the new naira policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the controversies surrounding it.
Sanusi who is also a former CBN Governor submitted that Nigeria is ripe for the policy and the people should adjust and adopt the new cashless dispensation.
He however cautioned that Nigerians should be careful with what politicians say as according to him, it is the same money they loot that they bring back every four years to buy votes.
The former Emir however submitted that with the new CBN policy, rigging and other vices would be drastically reduced and Nigerians would be able to vote their preferred choice during the forthcoming 2023 Elections
He made his view known in a social media post on Monday.
He said: “This policy (naira redesign policy) has been under way for more than 10 years. And Nigeria is ripe for the policy since we have way of transaction apart from physical currency (bank notes or coins).”
“My second advice is that Nigerians should be careful with what politicians say. Politicians will suffer more from the policy not ordinary Nigerians. They spend four years looting public funds and torturing their people, yet when another election round comes, they bring the money to buy votes and security apparatus and INEC officials; and sponsor thugs to destabilize elections process.
“The policy would reduce rigging and similar activities during election. If you want to give an INEC official, a police officer or a judge some money, send via banks where it can easily be identified.
“Nigerians should welcome this new policy as it will give them a chance to vote whom they like, not those who can hire thugs or buy votes during elections. In the past those with highest loot were the ones to rig their way to power. Now even if someone stashed some money, it useless as the notes have been changed”
Old Naira Notes: El-Rufai Speaks On Revoking C Of Os Of All Banks In Kaduna
The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El- Rufai, has angrily lashed out at a political whistleblower, over the accusation of revoking the C of Os of all Banks in the state following the rejection of the old 500, 1000 Naira notes.
El-Rufai and Federal Government have been at loggerheads as he insists the old Naira notes remain legal tender in Kaduna pending the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling on February 22, 2023.
In a post on Twitter, a political Whistleblower, with the handle, 99% oppressed, alleged that the governor has revoked the C of Os of all banks in the state over the Naira redesign policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The post also revealed that the walls of the bank are marked with bulldozers positioned at various locations.
The post read: “I can confirm to you that, the governor of Kaduna State @elrufai has revoked the C of Os of all banks in the State, outside Jaiz Bank, which i can’t confirm her status, over CBN naira redesign policy. The walls of banks are marked X red, by KAPSUDA, with bulldozers, positioned.”
Responding to the tweet, El-Rufia fumed, as he angrily rained curses on the whistleblower and dared him to show pictures of the bank buildings and the bulldozers.
He tweeted: “Cursed, congenital liars like you use social media anonymity everyday to incite and acquire likes!!
“May your evil intentions translate back into your life experiences now and forever.
“Why not show the pictures of the bank buildings and the bulldozers?”
The directive is coming as more bank branches come under attack by hoodlums across the country owing to the current naira scarcity.
In a media briefing in Lagos, the association had on Thursday warned that it might be forced to direct its members to stay away from work if the attacks on banks and their staff were not immediately halted by the government and concerned security authorities.
In a follow-up statement signed by Olusoji Oluwole, ASSBIFI’s national President and dates February 17, the association said it’s National Secretariat has been inundated with reports of threats and attacks on lives and properties of members and bank branches.
The letter with reference ANS/IIR/JA/OP/5018 and addressed to all Unit President and Secretaries was titled, “Stay at home order.”
Immigration Announces Major Shakeup Ahead Of 2023 Elections
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a major shakeup less than six days before the presidential and national assembly elections.
On Sunday, the NIS announced the redeployment of 11 Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACG) and 30 Comptrollers.
A statement that announced the redeployment of the 41 senior officials, said the Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris, had to carry out the redeployment in preparation for Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
The statement by the Immigration Service spokesperson, Tony Akuneme, a Comptroller of Immigration, revealed that the move affected eleven Assistant Comptrollers General in charge of the various zones across the country.
Also, 30 Comptrollers had been dispatched to new administrations, notably those that bordered African countries.
Usman Babangida, the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Human Resources, signed the posting order on the Comptroller General’s behalf, according to the NIS spokesperson.
Akuneme noted that the majority of the states whose comptrollers have been redeployed, including Yobe, Adamawa, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Oyo, Lagos (Seme Border), and Cross River, shared a boundary with at least one African country.
2023: “A Leader Does Not Have To Come From Our Tribe” – ACF.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged Nigerians not to vote along tribal, religious, or other sentimental lines in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
The forum in a statement on Sunday said what Nigeria needs is a leader that can take care of the country and not just a particular group or region.
The ACF made its position known in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna by the Secretary General of the forum, Murtala Aliyu.
According to the ACF, voters should also shun candidates who are handpicked by President or governors as their successors because such a person’s loyalty will not be to the people.
The statement called on all relevant stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair election as Nigerians head to the polls to elect a new President, 31 State Governors, 469 Members of the National Assembly, and 990 Members of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
The ACF urged Nigerians, the government, security agencies, and all other stakeholders to play their parts in actualizing a successful 2023 election.
The ACF called the attention of Nigerians to the kind of leader Nigeria needs, saying in choosing at the polls, the people of the country must consider a party with a clear objective and candidates with character and track records.
2023: Electoral Officers Will Be Unable To Change Election Result This Year – Keyamo.
The spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council (PCC), Festus Keyamo has said that it would be difficult for election officers and security agencies to manipulate the 2023 election result because of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to Keyamo, the BVAS would help to eliminate money politics from Nigeria’s election.
The APC stalwart stated this while speaking at a forum with newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.
The Minister commended INEC for introducing the new and advanced technology adding that gone were the days that electoral officers were being bribed to change the election result.
Keyamo described BVAS as a blessing to the Nigeria electoral System.
2023: Bishop Oyedepo Warns Nigerians Against Blind Loyalty.
The General Overseer of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has warned Nigerians against voting for a particular candidate due to loyalty to a tribe.
Oyedepo while speaking to his church members on the 2023 elections on Sunday, said the country has witnessed a wide range of security challenges in the last eight years which is an indication that power must change hands in 2023.
According to the clergyman, one of the candidates neglected the killing of citizens and still insists he would change the narratives.
Oyedepo dared the ‘unnamed’ candidate to tell Nigerians what his party has done instead of making new promises.
Oyedepo went further to warn Nigerians against blind loyalty to political parties and tribes at the expense of the future of Nigeria.
He said Nigerians should vote wisely, their conscience and the future of the coming generation, adding the presidency is not a traditional stool.
Naira Redesign: El-Rufai Insists On Old Notes.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has insisted on old N500 and N1000 being legal tender in the state.
El-Rufai directed its Ministries, Departments and Agencies not to reject old naira notes.
El-Rufai stated this in a statement released on Sunday through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye.
According to the Kaduna State Governor, the old and new naira notes should keep circulating in the state.
He said the directive is in line with the subsisting order of the Supreme Court on the naira notes.
Naira Scarcity: President Buhari Appeals For Calm.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday appealed for more patience from Nigerians over the crisis faced by Nigerians over the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) naira policy.
President Buhari on Sunday said he is aware of the hardship faced by Nigerians, adding that the policy is meant to improve Nigeria’s economy.
The President stated this in a video recording from Ethiopia where he attended the just-concluded African Union summit.
He said, “I am appealing to you to exercise further patience as we take appropriate measures to ease these hardships. God willing, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, revealed this in a statement he signed on Sunday titled ‘In a video to sway voters for Tinubu President Buhari vows end to current hardship.’
He also charged Nigerians to vote for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.
New Naira: EFCC Denies Raiding Bola Tinubu’s Home.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied raiding the home of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It was gathered that reports had emerged earlier claiming that operatives of the anti-graft agency had raided the home of Tinubu and recovered N400 billion.
But in a swift denial in a statement on Sunday, the EFCC described the report as false news.
In a statement signed by the commission Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a report circulating in the social media, claiming that operatives of the Commission raided the home of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming presidential elections and recovered a humongous sum of N400billion.
“The Commission wishes to state that no such operation was carried out by the EFCC. The public is enjoined to disregard the report as fake news.”
Naira Scarcity: Adamu Meets With APC Governors.
The details of the meeting between the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu and governors elected on the platform of the ruling party has emerged. It was learnt that Adamu on Sunday joined the governors to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to obey the Supreme Court order on Naira redesign policy.
The Supreme Court had temporarily restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Government from banning the use of the old naira notes from February 10.
The apex court gave this ruling on an ex parte application filed by the governments of Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara.
President Buhari, however, in a nationwide broadcast directed the CBN to make available the old N200 notes for the next 60 days, which elapses on April 10.
APC Governors in their reaction to Buhari’s directives ordered that the old notes remains a legal tender in their states.
This prompted Adamu to summoned the governors of the party to an emergency meeting on Sunday.
Adamu while reading the resolution of the meeting said the naira redesign policy was hurting Nigerians and the country’s economy and called on Buhari to intervene.
Soludo Orders Immediate Investigation Into Allegations Against Zone 13 Headquarters RRS Awkuzu.
The Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has ordered the Attorney General of the State to call for and review all case files with allegations of human rights abuses handled by Police Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo, and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu.
This is coming after various reports of illegal detention, extrajudicial killing and human organ harvesting allegedly perpetrated by officers of both formations.
Speaking via a statement signed by Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the governor noted that his attention had been drawn to the reports on the alleged criminal activities of some police officers in Zone 13, Ukpo.
Soludo disclosed that the IGP of the police has set up an inquiry to look into the reports.
The governor assured the citizenry that his government is monitoring the situation and that if anyone is found guilty, justice would be served.
Obasanjo’s in-law, John Abebe jailed 7 years for forgery …with an option of ₦50m fine within 30 days.
Abebe surrounded by EFCC operatives.
John Abebe an in-law of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was on Friday, February 17, 2023 sentenced to seven years imprisonment for forgery by Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, after almost five years of trial that witnessed many twists and turns.
Abebe was arraigned on July 26, 2018 by the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC on a four-count charge bordering on forgery, fabricating evidence, using fabricated evidence and attempt to pervert the course of justice.
One of the counts against him reads: “That you, Dr. John Warimeme Abebe, on or about the 22nd day of June, 2010 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly forged BP Exploration Nigeria Limited’s letter dated 30th November, 1995 to Inducon (Nigeria) Limited by inserting in page 2 of the said letter the following words: “Also note that the ‘Buy-Out Option’ only applies to the pre-production stage of the NPIA. The $4m buy-out is thus irrelevant from production of oil in any of our fields” and purported same to have been issued by BP Exploration Nigeria Limited and committed an offence contrary to Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003”.
Another count reads: “That you, Dr. John Warimeme Abebe, on or about the 22nd day of June, 2010 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly used a fabricated evidence in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/224/2010 between Dr. John Abebe, Inducon Nigeria Limited and Statoil Nigeria Limited, before the Federal High Court, which evidence was admitted and marked exhibit BB in the said suit and committed an offence contrary to Section 120 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003″.
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges and in the course of the trial, the prosecution called five witnesses and tendered several documentary evidence to prove the case against him.
However, rather than open its defence after the prosecution had closed its case, the defense counsel, E.D. Onyeke, filed a no-case submission.
The trial Judge dismissed the no-case submission as lacking in merit and also ordered the defendant to open his defence.
In his defence, four witnesses were called.
The defendant, who took to the dock as the fourth witness, also testified in his defence denying the allegations against him.
However, in the judgment that lasted about four hours, Justice Dada held that, with the evidence before the court, the prosecution effectively proved counts one to three against the defendant.
The Judge, therefore, declared him guilty as charged on counts one to three.
Justice Dada, however, discharged and acquitted the defendant of count four, which involved conspiracy.
In his allocutus, Onyeke made a passionate plea with the court to temper justice with mercy and to consider the health challenges of the defendant whom he said had to undergo a heart surgery abroad.
Justice Dada sentenced him to seven years at any Correctional Centre of his choice based on the allocutus.
The Judge also gave him an option of fine of ₦50 million to be paid within 30 days.
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