Issuu

With Onyeagwu, Zenith Bank Set for Next Growth Phase Obinna Chima Zenith Bank Plc yesterday announced the appointment of Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu as the Group Managing Director/ CEO of the bank as it enters its next phase of growth. The appointment which

becomes effective from June 1, 2019, is however subject to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) approval. Onyeagwu replaces Mr. Peter Amangbo, whose tenure expires on May 31, 2019. Amangbo leaves the bank at the end of a very successful

career built on integrity spanning over 27 years, with the last five years as GMD/ CEO. A statement from the bank explained that the appointment was consistent with its tradition and succession strategy of grooming leaders

from within. Onyeagwu is a vastly experienced banker and financial expert, trained in reputable institutions of learning in Nigeria, the United Kingdom and United States of America. He is an alumnus of the

prestigious University of Oxford, England, from where he obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Strategy, and certificate in Macroeconomics. He also undertook extensive executive level business education in Wharton

Business School of the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School of Columbia University, the Harvard Business School of Harvard University (all in the United States) and Lagos Continued on page 6

US Sanctions, Libyan Crisis Push Oil Price to $70... Page 8 Tuesday 9 April, 2019 Vol 24. No 8765. Price: N250

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Fidelity Bank Realigns, Appoints Joshua, Odeghe, Imman New Executive Directors Goddy Egene As part of corporate realignment and repositioning, the Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank Plc has announced the appointment of three new Executive Directors

(EDs). The board, which met in Lagos recently, approved the appointment of Mr. Gbolahan Joshua as Executive Director/Chief Operations and Information Officer; Mr. Obaro Odeghe, Executive Director,

Corporate Bank, and Mr. Hassan Imman, Executive Director, Northern Directorate. This is, however, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). A statement from the bank yesterday explained

that Gbolahan would have executive responsibilities for Operations, Technology, Digital Banking, Investor Relations, Strategy and Business Transformation. Odeghe on his part would oversee all the bank’s

corporate banking business covering Energy, Power, Manufacturing, Telecoms, Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Construction and Real Estate. Also, Imman would supervise all Commercial, SME, Consumer and Public

Sector businesses of Fidelity Bank in the North Directorate, comprising 18 states and Abuja. According to the bank, the elevation of the three Continued on page 6

S’Court: We Remain a United Institution Strikes out Abe's appeal on Rivers APC primary Stop intimidating the apex court, APC tells PDP Alex Enumah and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Supreme Court said yesterday that it remains a united institution, denying a report that the reported resignation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, had ripped it apart. "It is necessary to state categorically clear that the publication is false and misleading in its entirety. There is no iota of truth in the story, as every word in it only exists in the realm of rumour and mischief,” the Director

of Press and Information, Supreme Court, Mr. Festus Akande, said in a statement. According to the statement, the Supreme Court of Nigeria is one big, indivisible judicial family that is not in any way governed by religious, tribal or parochial influence or sentiments. The statement added that the judicial oath taken by all the justices of the court is “a potent sacred bond that regulates and conscientises the conducts of the judges in the Continued on page 8

Dogara Warns against Imposition of Leadership on Ninth N’Assembly... Page 6

WELCOME TO THE VILLA... President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote (left), and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during Dangote’s visit to the vice president in Abuja… yesterday godwin omoigui

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Dogara Warns against Imposition of Leadership on Ninth N’Assembly Says it's difficult to impeach president Ndume vows not to step down Deji Elumoye and Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has warned against imposition of presiding officers on the ninth National Assembly due for inauguration in June. Dogara, who spoke at the opening of the second batch of the orientation programme for National Assembly memberselect in Abuja yesterday, declared that any attempt to force any leadership on the legislative body will not last. “Where leadership has been forced upon the people, the history in the National Assembly, and in fact, the history in Nigeria, it has never endured,” he said, adding: “The least we could afford in the National Assembly is crisis on account of the leadership selection process.” He said whoever a political party is supporting must have the support of the legislatorselect. Dogara admonished: "The party should make sure it has the backing of the legislature so that the legislators will accept it because they own the process and they own the leadership. “That way, it will be good, but in a situation it is forced, literally driven down the throat, in most cases it doesn’t augur well. Even in the Senate it doesn’t augur well. In the House of Representatives, it doesn’t augur well too."

According to him, leadership is always something that emerges from people. He said: “Some of us that have been a bit old in the field, we know how that is done. My advice is that we stay calm to understand the people going in for these positions of leadership in the National Assembly. “At the end of the day we are praying that we have those leaders who will be able to sustain what we have done in the Eight Assembly or even surpass what we have done. We don’t want leadership that will take us back. “We have made a lot of mileage and we hope that we will be able to get the kind of leadership that will build on the achievements of this Assembly which is unparalleled in our legislative history. “I will advise members to actually look out for those who have thrown themselves into the race to see who it is that will aggregate their aspirations better and then will be able to surpass the record of this Assembly.” Dogara, in an answer to a question asked by a legislatorelect, said it is very difficult to impeach a sitting president with the procedure outlined in the amended 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. He, therefore, canvassed for the amendment of section 143 of the constitution, which stipulates the procedure to be followed in impeaching the president.

According to him, "Except some of the provisions of section 143 are amended, the possibility of impeaching Mr. President is very slim". Some of the federal legislatorselect also supported Dogara's warning that leadership should not be forced on the legislature. Former governor of Benue State and senator-elect representing Benue South, Hon Gabriel Suswam, said the lawmakers will not condone anybody dictating to them about who to choose as leaders. According to him, when subterranean moves are made from outside and produce presiding officers, there is likelihood and tendencies that some members would stoutly object to it. Dogara explains further: "There might likely be surprises even within the APC because there are lots of resistances. We are talking to a lot of them. They are just keeping quiet but what would happen on the floor will be different because it is we that are going to vote. People who are bringing up names will not vote. "So, you should expect anything but that is not to say that the people whose names have been bandied are not qualified. Ahmad Lawan has been a federal lawmaker since 1999, he is very vast and experienced. I wouldn’t mind him as a senate president but because he is appearing as if there is an imposition. People

are beginning to question him. Ordinarily, Lawan is a complete gentleman who should be senate president but the fact that people are feeling that he is the party’s choice is a factor. "The same thing is affecting Femi Gbajabiamila who has been in the House for a long time. He is a very experienced lawmaker who will make a very good speaker but the fact that members believe that he is the party’s choice will lead to resistance. That is how it has been happening since 1999. The three people who are contesting the senate presidency are all APC members and whoever that emerges will be loyal. It is the impression of an imposition that is a problem. I was in the House of Representatives for eight years and there was no time that the person nominated by the party became the presiding officer. We are all matured and people want to freely express themselves after all we are equal". On her part, senator-elect representing Akwa-Ibom East, Mrs. Akon Etim, suggested a power sharing formula between the ruling APC and PDP when electing the presiding officers. Her words: "In the eighth assembly, the two parties are being represented. The APC produced the Senate president while the position of the deputy senate president was won by the PDP. I think it’s a good arrangement because it achieved balance in the

country’s political equation. If in the ninth assembly, we will do the same, I will strongly buy into it. So far, the final decision has not been taken on it". Outgoing governor of Ogun State and Ogun Central senatorelect, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, expressed his readiness to work with his colleagues, adding that the executive and legislature can work together without compromising the principles of separation of power. Former governor of Abia State and Abia South senator-elect, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, said as a loyal party man he would abide by the zoning formula to be evolved by the party for the leadership of the ninth Senate. He, however, said APC should zone the Deputy Senate President to South-east zone "so that I can contest with whoever is contesting from the South-east or our caucus from the zone will go and meet in order to produce a consensus candidate." Also speaking, House member-elect from Ife Federal Constituency, Mr. Taofeek Ajilesoro, said the federal legislators would elect leaders of their choice as soon as they are inaugurated in June. "I believe that the issue of the party should not determine whoever that would be chosen as our officers. This is a matter of who is going to protect our interest. National Assembly is supposed to be an independent arm of government, meant to check the executive. So, if

the party is now giving us somebody that will be a rubber stamp, it means that whatever the executive brings will just be passed like that. So, what is the essence of being lawmakers," he said.

Group, etc. He was named Deputy Managing Director of the bank in 2016. Onyeagwu is on the board of Zenith Bank Ghana, Zenith Pensions Custodian Limited, Zenith Nominees Limited and African Finance Corporation. He brings to his job strategic thinking, inspirational leadership, energetic and entrepreneurial skills. He is married with children. The Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia, in his statement at the bank’s recently held Annual General Meeting in Lagos, said Zenith Bank remains a clear leader in the digital space, with several firsts in the deployment

of innovative products, solutions and an assortment of alternative channels that ensure convenience, speed and safety of transactions. “In order to continue to cater to the varied appetites of our customers in a constantly changing world and stay ahead of the competition, therefore, we have invested massively in new technologies and innovative solutions in the last financial year. “This is geared towards ensuring that we continue to provide best in class quality services that create value for all our stakeholders,” he had said. Zenith Bank’s total deposits was N2.82 trillion as of the year

ended December 31, 2018, representing a 2.9 per cent increase over the previous year’s figure of N2.74 trillion. Its profit before tax in same period rose by 13.6 per cent, from N169 billion in 2017, to N192 billion in 2018. Also, profit after tax rose by 7.8 per cent, from N153 billion in 2017 to N165 billion in 2018. During same period, its total assets grew by 2.7 per cent, from N4.83 trillion to N4.96 trillion; while shareholders’ fund declined by 3.3 per cent, from N698 billion to N675 billion. Gross earnings similarly declined by 20.2 per cent, from N674 billion in 2017, to N538 billion.

Ndume Vows Not to Step Down Meanwhile, the senator representing Borno South, Senator Ali Ndume, yesterday in Abuja vowed not to step down for Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North), in the race for Senate presidency. Ndume, who made the pledge in the State House after holding a meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, said he was still busy making consultations on his ambition. Ndume who declined to answer questions from State House correspondents, was, however, asked to confirm rumours that he had stepped down for Lawan. But shocked by the claim, the senator who had declined granting interview, found it imperative to deny the insinuation as he swiftly cut in, saying, "Me? Step down? I'm consulting." His reaction smacked of a commitment to his pursuit which ruled out the possibility of any future withdrawal from the race. Asked why he was in the State House, he said "VP is my oga. I come to see him."

WITH ONYEAGWU, ZENITH BANK SET FOR NEXT GROWTH PHASE Business School of Pan African University, now Pan Atlantic University, Nigeria. Onyeagwu is a Chartered Accountant and was named a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), in 2003. As Deputy Managing Director, he had oversight over the bank’s Financial Control and Strategic Planning, Risk Management, Retail Banking, Institutional and Corporate banking business portfolios, IT Group, Credit Administration, Treasury and Foreign Exchange Trading, as well as general administration of the bank, among others. With nearly 30 years’

experience in the banking industry in Nigeria, Onyeagwu, who is a graduate of accounting from Auchi Polytechnic, began his career at the defunct Financial Merchant Bank in 1991 and later held several management positions in the erstwhile Citizens International Bank Limited until 2002. He joined Zenith Bank Plc in 2002 as a Senior Manager, in the Internal Control and Audit Group of the bank. His professionalism, competence, integrity and commitment to the set objectives of the bank saw him rise swiftly between 2003 and 2005, first, as Assistant General Manager, then Deputy General Manager,

and eventually as General Manager of the bank. In these capacities, he handled strategies for new business and branch development, management of risk assets portfolios, treasury functions, strategic top-level corporate, multinationals and public institutional relationships, among others. He was named Executive Director of the bank in 2013, and put in charge of Lagos and South-South Zones as well as strategic groups/business units of the bank including Financial Control & Strategic Planning, Treasury and Correspondent Groups, Human Resources Group, Oil and Gas Group, and Credit Risk Management

FIDELITY BANK REALIGNS, APPOINTS JOSHUA, ODEGHE, IMMAN NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS erstwhile General Managers to Executive Director positions was consistent with the bank’s new succession strategy of grooming leaders from within. “Over the years, we have worked assiduously at proactively preparing our people and growing the talent and leadership pool in the bank, so that when opportunities arise, we do not always have to look outside. I am most delighted that our three new EDs were all appointed from within,” Fidelity Bank CEO, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, said. The strong and cohesive Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank led by former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of

Nigeria as Chairman, Mr. Ernest Ebi, has three female EDs, which the statement described as the largest on any bank board and is made up of seasoned businessmen/ technocrats as members. “We welcome Gbolahan, Obaro and Hassan to the board. Collectively they have with them, varied and deep industry knowledge and relevant experiences that will not only deepen but engender even more robust discussions and engagements at board level. Please join me in congratulating them,” Ebi said. Gbolahan attended King’s College Lagos and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He is a Chartered

Accountant and has attended several executive and banking specific programmes in leading educational and professional institutions including Harvard, IMD, and Euromoney. He has 20 years of comprehensive experience across various areas of Assurance and Banking including, Operations, Technology, Digital Banking, Strategy, Business Transformation, Finance, Treasury, Mergers and Acquisitions Also, Obaro attended Edo College, Benin City and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture and an MBA. He has gained exposures from top global educational and professional institutions

including Harvard, Wharton and Kelloggs. He has 24 years of banking experience across various areas of banking including; corporate banking, commercial banking, SMEs, consumer banking, institutional banking, trade finance and operations. Imman, o his part, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, has two Masters’ Degrees and an MBA. He has attended programmes in Harvard, Stanford, Wharton and other leading international educational and professional institutions. He has 25 years of comprehensive experience across various areas of banking including; commercial banking, consumer banking, SMEs,

institutional banking, trade finance, operations, treasury and risk management. Fidelity Bank is a fullfledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria, with over 4.2 million customers who are serviced across its 240 business offices and various other digital banking channels. Focused on select niche corporate banking sectors as well as Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Fidelity Bank is rapidly implementing a digital based retail banking strategy which has resulted in an exponential growth in deposits and a corresponding surge in customer enrolment on the bank’s flagship mobile/ internet banking products.

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN MUTUALBENEFITS 0.02 0.22 NEIMETH 0.05 0.56 LEARNAFRICA 0.11 1.34 CHAMS PLC 0.02 0.26 ETERNA 0.25 4.25 TOP LOSERS NGN FIDSON 0.45 4.05 TRIPPLEGEE 0.07 0.70 NPFMFB 0.13 1.36 CHIPLC 0.02 0.25 MCNICHOLS 0.05 0.63 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,450.00 Volume: 455.875 million shares Value: N5.257 billion Deals: 3,993 As at yesterday 8/4/19 See details on Page 31

% 10.0 9.8 8.9 8.3 6.2 % 10.0 9.0 8.7 7.4 7.3

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US Sanctions, Libyan Crisis Push Oil Price to $70 Ejiofor Alike with agency reports United States’ sanctions against Iran and Venezuela, fighting in Libya and production cuts led by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) yesterday pushed crude oil price to a five-month high of $70 per barrel, as expectations of tighter global supply persist. While the international benchmark Brent futures gained 56 cents, or 0.8 per cent, to $70.90 per barrel, United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up $1.09, or 1.7 per cent, to $64.17 a barrel. Brent and WTI hit their highest since November 2018 at $70.99 and $64.39 a barrel, respectively.

Reuters reported that oil prices extended gains after crude stockpiles at Cushing, Oklahoma, the delivery point for WTI, fell by about 419,000 barrels last week, according to traders. Fighting in oil-rich Libya has also threatened to disrupt crude oil exports as eastern forces were advancing on the country’s capital, disregarding global appeals for a truce. To prop up prices, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies such as Russia pledged to withhold around 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of supply from the start of this year. The group, led by Saudi Arabia, has exceeded those expectations so far this year. Despite the factors boosting prices, there are still factors

that could bring oil prices down later this year. Russia is said to be a reluctant participant in its agreement with OPEC, and Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s direct investment fund, reportedly said OPEC and its allies should raise output from June. Dmitriev previously said it was too early to pull back from cuts. Saudi Energy Minister, Khalid al-Falih said yesterday it was premature to say whether a consensus existed among OPEC and its allies to extend cuts but a meeting next month would be key. Russian oil output reached a national record high of 11.16 million bpd last year. US crude production reached a global record of 12.2 million bpd in late March.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu

Gunmen Kill 20 Persons in Fresh Attack in Kaduna

John Shiklam in Kaduna

No fewer than 20 people have been killed in a fresh attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Anguwan Aku village, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Several others were said to have sustained injuries from gunshots. The incident, according to a resident of the community, took place at 7 a.m. yesterday. He said the attackers were dressed in military uniform and were armed with AK47 rifles, machetes and sticks and were communicating with one another in Fulani language. According to him, the invaders started shooting sporadically on arrival at the village. “They were shooting indiscriminately and everybody started running to the bush. They were pursuing us as we ran to the bush; some people

were killed in the bush. “Some of them were wearing military uniforms with bulletproof vests and they were communicating in Fulani language. I saw them from where I was hiding,” he said. He further alleged that the police arrived at the village in eight Hilux vans, but could not go into the bushes to pursue the bandits. “The police came in eight Hilux vehicles, but instead of pursuing the bandits who ran to the bushes, they just turned back,” he alleged. According to him, there had been speculations about impending attacks since last week, which the state government was aware of. “We had thought that the government would have taken the speculations seriously and be proactive, but they didn’t take it seriously and this led to the killing of more of our people. It is rather very

unfortunate,” he said. A former president of the Adara Development Association (ADA), Mr. Danladi Yarima, confirmed the killings in a telephone interview, describing it as unfortunate. He accused Governor Nasir el-Rufai of bias in handling the crisis. The incessant killings in Kajuru communities started in February 10, 2019 when Fulani herdsmen allegedly attacked Anguwan Barde, an Adara community in the night and killed 11 people. The Adara were alleged to have embarked on reprisal attacks, killing many Fulani. Governor el-Rufai had announced that 66 Fulani were killed. He later said 131 Fulani were killed. Since then, there had been incessant attacks on communities leading to the loss of many while several others injured.

Yarima, a lawyer, had in a recent statement said about 4,000 people had been rendered homeless following the destruction of their homes by bandits. Efforts to get the reaction of the spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Mr. Yakubu Sabo, were unsuccessful as his telephone was not connecting and he did not reply to a message sent to him. Meanwhile, residents of Birnin-Gwari in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State yesterday protested the persistent killings of their people by bandits. The protest led by the Coalition of Birnin-Gwari Association coincided with the visit of the state Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to Birnin-Gwari. While the governor was at

Katangi, where the bandits attacked on Saturday, the police boss stopped at BirninGwari where he addressed stakeholders. The protesters laid siege on the Emir's palace at about 3p.m. and demanded the deployment of more troops to the town which had over the years been ravaged by the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers. Saying that enough is enough, the protesters noted with dismay and great shock, the continued attack on innocent residents by bandits at Birnin-Gwari. Auwa Yunus who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said: "We equally called on our people to peacefully join hands in the struggle to send a clear and unambiguous message to governments on our plights." He also called on the National Emergency Agency and the State Emergency

Agency (SEMA) to assist in rebuilding homes destroyed during the various attacks on communities so as to enable internally displaced persons to return to their homes. However, el-Rufai condemned the attack on Kakangi community on Sunday. The governor, who was accompanied on the visit by some top government officials and security chiefs, described the attack as inhuman and ungodly. He assured residents of government’s commitment to restoring peace and security to the area as well as other troubled parts of the state. The governor also visited the injured in the hospital and commiserated with them over the incident. Five people, including two policemen were killed on Saturday by bandits in an attack on the community.

the matter, abridgment of time within, which parties are to file their processes and a definite date for hearing of the appeal. The motion dated March 1, was predicated on eight grounds and affidavit of urgency among which is that the matter being a pre-election suit must by law be fully determined within 60 days. Respondents in the appeal are, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC and another governorship aspirant, Tonye Cole, along with 36 others. In a related development, the apex court will on Thursday, hear the appeals filed by another factional governorship candidate, Mr. Tonye Cole and the APC. The appeals are: SC 295/ 20019, filed by APC, with PDP listed among respondents; SC266, filed by APC, with Magnus Abe and others as respondents and SC/267/2019 filed by Tonye Patrick Cole, with Magnus Abe and 48 others as respondents.

APC has warned PDP not to mount pressure on the justices of the Supreme Court over the cases on the exclusion of its candidates in the general elections in Rivers State. In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu, the ruling party accused PDP of trying "to hoodwink and deceive the public; and most importantly, intimidate and blackmail our eminent Supreme Court Justices into doing their bidding in respect.” It described as nonsensical the statement by the PDP against the APC and two senior serving cabinet members - Minister of Transport, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN). "While the APC has no intention to join issues with the PDP over its fictional and concocted allegations against the party and its leaders, we are however well aware of the PDP's intent to hoodwink and deceive the public; and most importantly, intimidate and blackmail our eminent Supreme Court Justices into doing their bidding in respect of the matter of the purported exclusion of Rivers State APC candidates from the last elections, before

the apex court. "Again, for the purpose of clarity, it needs restating that the Supreme Court has not made any pronouncement on the purported exclusion of APC candidates from the just concluded Governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections in Rivers State," it said. APC said the cheap attempt by the PDP to ambush the Supreme Court with “their cock and bull conspiracies should be seen for what it is, hogwash.” The ruling party said the PDP has refused to come to terms with the fact that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration is a stickler to the rule of law. "We urge Nigerians to completely ignore the evil machinations of the PDP as contained in their ludicrous and false statement on the matter of the purported exclusion of Rivers APC candidates in the last elections before the Supreme Court. "As always, we shall allow the law take its course in respect of the purported exclusion of our candidates in the elections in Rivers State and we advise the PDP to do the same, rather than overheat the polity with their illogical and false claims," APC added.

S’COURT: WE REMAIN A UNITED INSTITUTION discharge of their judicial functions.” It added: "For the umpteenth time, let it be known to all and sundry that no judicial officer is appointed on account of religious or tribal affiliation, as such, the discharge of their judicial obligations cannot be dictated by such extraneous considerations. As it has always been, the Supreme Court justices and the entire management are united, cohesive and indivisible in the quest to move the court to an enviable height." The apex court enjoined members of the public to always cross check their facts from it. Justice Onnoghen is currently under prosecution by the federal government over allegations of failure to declare some of his assets in line with the provisions of the law for public officers. He has been on suspension since January 25, 2019, by President Muhammadu Buhari on the orders of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). Onnoghen, however, was said to have turned in his notice of retirement to President Muhammadu Buhari last Thursday, a development that has not been confirmed by the Supreme Court but nevertheless

has assumed prominence in the media and other public discourse.

Supreme Court Strikes Out Abe's Appeal on Rivers APC Primary Meanwhile, the apex court yesterday struck out the appeal instituted by Senator Magnus Abe, seeking the court's pronouncement on the authenticity or otherwise of the direct primary conducted by the APC in Rivers State for the nomination of its candidates for the 2019 general election. A seven-man panel of justices of the court in striking out the appeal, held that the notice of appeal filed by the senator representing Rivers South-east at the upper chamber of the legislature was defective and not in compliance with the rule of the court. The Acting CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad, who delivered the unanimous decision of the seven-man panel of justices of the court, held that the notice of appeal was defective because it did not contain the names and titles of parties in the matter. The panel held that the notice of appeal offended Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution since

the amendment could not be done to the notice of appeal in view of the fact that the 14 days required by law to file the appeal had expired. Abe, a factional leader of the Rivers APC, had prayed the apex court to make a final pronouncement on the legality of both direct and indirect primary polls conducted by the two factions of the party last year. At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel to the APC, Mr. Jibrin Okutekpa (SAN), objected to hearing of the appeal on the grounds that the names of appropriate persons affected by the suit were not listed on the notice of appeal and thereby rendered the appeal incompetent and incurably defective. Justice Mohammad in the ruling upheld Okutekpa's submissions and accordingly struck out the appeal on the grounds that it was defective. The court rejected the plea by Abe's lawyer, Henry Bello that the omission committed by him should not be visited on his client, adding that the notice of appeal cannot be refiled because the 14 days allowed by law to do so, had expired. Bello, in moving the motion last month had prayed the apex court to, among others, grant accelerated hearing in

Stop Intimidating Supreme Court Justices, APC Tells PDP As the matters come before the apex court on Thursday, the

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Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Boundary Clash Claims Eight Lives in Ebonyi Seven persons killed in Ondo bank robbery James Sowole in Akure and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki The police in Ebonyi State have confirmed the killing of eight persons, including a threemonth baby, in the resumed boundary dispute between two communities in the state. While six of the victims who are said to be from the same family were burnt to death in a bus they were traveling on, two others were also killed from bullet wounds they sustained from the attacks. This is coming as seven persons were reportedly killed while no less than five others injured yesterday when armed robbers robbed First Bank in Idoani, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State. The boundary clash occured on the road leading to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, near the border between the two communities. The police spokesperson in the state, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident, saying it happened last Saturday. According to her, one of the victims is a wife of a police officer serving in the state but who is on ‘secondment’ to Borno State to fight insurgency. Odah said: “It is a longstanding dispute between Ndiagu Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area and Enyibichiri community in Abakaliki Local Government Area that took place last Saturday. “A vehicle was seen burning on the road allegedly set ablaze by fighters from one of the communities. “The victims were coming from Abakaliki where they attended a matriculation of their son. Five of them were from the same family, including a little

baby and one is a neighbour who joined them. They were burnt beyond recognition.” The spokesperson said the driver, on sighting the gunwielding attackers, tried to reverse the car but ended up in a ditch. The gunmen reportedly opened fire on the car and some bullets hit the fuel tank, which led to the car fire that killed the six occupants. “Also three other persons were attacked and two of them killed. One of the victims was the wife of a police officer deployed to Borno State,” she added. The state Commissioner for Border Peace and Internal Security, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, said some occupants of other cars behind the burnt bus were also injured by bullets shot by the attackers, adding that “they are receiving treatment at the hospital in Abakaliki. He said government has deployed more security operatives to the area to restore normalcy. “The state Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, will soon visit the area to ascertain the level of damage,” he said. The communities have been having a land tussle for decades, and attempts to settle the dispute by successive administrations in the state proved abortive. In a related development, seven persons were reportedly killed while no less than five others injured yesterday when armed robbers robbed First Bank in Idoani, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State. It was learnt that the robbers reportedly stormed the bank located at Isewa quarters of the ancient town around 2 p.m. in a robbery that lasted for about one hour.

Xenophobia: Two Nigerians Stabbed to Death in South Africa The death toll of Nigerians killed in South Africa has continued to rise with another two becoming the latest victims of xenophobic attacks in that country. The latest victims were stabbed to death in Johannesburg and Cape Town last Friday and Saturday, respectively. The Assistant Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Union in South Africa, Odefa Ikele, confirmed the killings in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from Johannesburg, yesterday. “The Nigerian community lost two citizens to gruesome murders over the weekend. “Mr. Bonny Iwuoha, 48, from Ihitte/Uboma in Imo State, was stabbed to death at about 11.45 p.m. on April 6, 2019 in Johannesburg South. “We gathered that his assailants followed him from 152 Hay Street Turffontein, and thereafter, stabbed and killed him in front of his gate at Turf Road, Turffontein. “The killing was witnessed by Mr. Izochukwu Nwokocha, also known as, Nwa Father,” he said. Ikele said the killing had been reported and a case of murder opened at Booysens Police Station

in Johannesburg South. He said that another Nigerian, Goziem Akpenyi, also lost his life in similar circumstance on Friday. “Akpenyi was allegedly stabbed to death by three unknown coloured South African men after an argument with the deceased. “The incident took place at Bellville Stadium parking lot in Cape Town at about 1 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2019. “These latest killings add to four other Nigerians who were shot dead in March. Three of the victims were murdered in Sunnyside, Pretoria and one in Balfour Park, Johannesburg,” he said. Ikele said that NUSA was concerned over the incessant killings of Nigerians and worried that the perpetrators had not been brought to book. According to him, the arrest and prosecution of the culprits by the South African Police would put to a stop the daily killings of Nigerians. “We call on the Nigerian government to impress on their South African counterpart that the killings have to be investigated and the culprits prosecuted,” he explained.

A source said the robbers announced their arrival in the premises of the financial institution by shooting sporadically as they used dynamite to break the bank’s security door. The source said at the end of the operation, seven persons,

including the bank officials, a police inspector and two persons who were at the bank to use Automated Teller Machine (ATM). Five persons who were also reportedly sustained life-threatening injuries are receiving treatment at the

General Hospital in Idoani. Soldiers who were drafted to the area were said to have engaged the robbers in a shootout, leading to the arrest of one of them while others escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.

While the operation lasted, fear enveloped the town as school pupils in the town were locked inside the school. As at the time of filing this report, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Undie Adie, was on the way to the town to assess the situation.

STRENGTHENING BILATERAL TIES...

L-R: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama; UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq; President Muhammadu Buhari ; Chairman, Nakeel Properties, Ali Rashid Lootai; Nigeria Ambassador to UAE, Mohammed Dansanta Rimi ; and Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, during a bilateral meeting at the sidelines of Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai ...yesterday

Fire Engulfs Owerri Airport, Disrupts Flights Chinedu Eze Air travellers and other airport users yesterday scampered for safety when fire engulfed the major administrative building of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, and consequently paralysed flight operations. Sighting the pall of smoke rising into the air, people began to run out of the terminal and other buildings at the airport. Motorists who were coming to the airport made quick U-turn while those already at the premises

quickly reversed for safety. The thick smoke rose and painted the skyline dark, as it spread to other buildings due to the delay before attempt was made to put out the fire. According to eye-witness account, the only fire vehicle at the airport responded slowly to the emergency, and by the time the fire was put out, it had raised the administrative block, where aero medical, airline offices and offices of some staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are housed. The fire also damaged parts of

the VIP lounge, the arrival and departure areas of the terminal. According to the source, “The fire was so intense that it was difficult for fire fighters to access the terminal, so they had to break the window glasses in order to get inside the facility.” THISDAY also learnt that the delay in putting out the fire caused its spread and made it difficult to extinguish. However, FAAN in a statement signed by its General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, said: “FAAN wishes to inform passengers and the public

that there was a fire incident that affected some parts of the terminal building of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri at about 1400hours today (yesterday). “The fire was however curtailed swiftly by officers of the Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services Department of FAAN. There was no casualty and normal operations have since resumed at the airport. The Authority has commenced preliminary investigations into the cause of the incident.”

Executive Arm More Corrupt than Legislature, ICPC Alleges Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, has said that the executive arm of government in Nigeria was more corrupt than the legislative and judicial arms. A statement from the commission’s spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa, said Owasanoye spoke while delivering a lecture titled, ‘The legislature and fight against graft and corruption,’ at the 9th National Assembly Induction Programme for new legislators in Abuja. Owasanoye told participants that members of the legislative arm would also continue to be

branded corrupt by the public until the arm made its yearly budget public. The statement said, “Corruption thrives more in the executive than the legislature and the judiciary. “The ICPC boss based his assertion on the fact that the aggregate budgetary allocation to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) year by year was more than that of the other two arms combined, thereby allowing corruption to thrive. “Corruption in the executive is far more than the legislature and judiciary combined. This is because the executive spends a far bigger chunk of the money appropriated.” The ICPC said its boss also frowned at the way National

Assembly conducted its statutory oversight functions on the MDAs, noting that asking government departments and agencies to fund the oversight was inappropriate. “The power of oversight is largely impotent because it has been commercialised. The legislature is accused of passing the cost to MDAs and of accepting other forms of gratification, for instance, foreign travels, phony seminars, etc. to look the other way.” While berating the National Assembly for the secrecy surrounding its budget, the ICPC boss said at the lecture that huge allowances due to the lawmakers had increased in high proportion between 1999 and 2018 even though

the number of members at the National Assembly had not increased. The statement added “The ICPC boss spoke on the alleged outlandish allowances of members of National Assembly and the controversial issue of constituency projects. He said that the public perception of legislators as being corrupt would not go away until the National Assembly throws open its yearly budget to the public. “He stressed that the execution of the National Assembly budget, which has grown exponentially from N6.9 billion in 1999 to about N139 billion in 2018 for the same number of legislators has remained shrouded in secrecy thereby giving room for allegations of abuse and misappropriation of the funds.”

5 ) * 4 % ": t TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͷ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

COMMENT

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

TRADITIONAL RULERS AND PARTISAN POLITICS Traditional rulers should stay out of partisan politics, writes Bukar Usman

ince independence, Nigeria has conducted elections under different scenarios with the hope of improving on past electoral processes and procedures. We have had elections conducted under parliamentary and presidential systems of government and under military rule. We have had it conducted by a government which was unseated by an opposition party which itself has also conducted elections. Our elections have increasingly come under the focus of observers, both local and foreign, with pivotal roles being played by senior academics and members of the National Youth Service Corps. In spite of appreciable progress, electoral contests remain generally ferocious and acrimonious. Foul means are still being employed by some contestants in their bid to retain or seize power. Such desperation and sharp practices thwart the yearnings of the majority of citizens for routinely-conducted free and fair elections in Nigeria. During the campaigns leading up to the 2019 general elections, some traditional rulers shoved their conventional neutrality aside and openly endorsed some candidates in utter disregard for the feelings of Nigerians living in their politically plural domains. While not an entirely new phenomenon, open endorsement of candidates by some traditional rulers and traditional institutions during the last general elections was very widespread and unprecedented. Why this development should be deemed unhealthy and totally discouraged is the focus of this article. Traditional rulers are seen, across the country, as the custodians of our culture and, as such, are expected to be neutral father figures in their respective domains. Some of them are so highly regarded in their areas of influence that they are also accorded spiritual authority as well. Because their authority is rooted in tradition and culture, they readily command the respect of all their subjects. Traditional rulers, ideally, reciprocate this reverence by not taking sides in contestable matters, such as politics or lawsuits. Because of this, many of them are seen as pillars of stability not only in their various communities but in their states and, in some cases, in the whole country. Traditional rulers should remain politically neutral. They are the ones the citizens, in spite of their political stance or affiliation, should look up to for succour in all manner of circumstances. In spite of the existence of formal courts, many of our rural folks still resort to the intervention of traditional rulers for the settlement of their petty socio-cultural and even criminal matters. This is because traditional mediation is usually cheaper and more accessible. Justice is dispensed swiftly and, in customary terms, fairly. The enviable positions our traditional rulers occupy do not obtain in the countries we borrowed our electoral practices from and it is imperative that, to maintain the stability of our polity, we should strive to preserve and guard jealously the sanctity of our traditional institutions. Vision 2010 Committee (1997), First Presidential Retreat of National Security (2001), Presidential Panel on National Security (2002), and the Panel on 2011 Electoral Violence (2011), among other ad hoc bodies set up by government to study matters concerning security and welfare of Nigerians, have all given due attention to the role of traditional rulers in governance in Nigeria. Findings reveal that the partisanship of some traditional rulers was one of the major factors that provoked communal violence in the past. It was also one of the reasons why traditional

TRADITIONAL RULERS ARE SEEN, ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AS THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR CULTURE AND, AS SUCH, ARE EXPECTED TO BE NEUTRAL FATHER FIGURES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DOMAINS

institutions in such communities were unable to contain or nip such violence in the bud. Although the existence of traditional rulers is statutorily inconsistent with the republican system of governance practised in Nigeria, it has been generally appreciated that the traditional institution has become an integral part of the Nigerian society. Indeed, government, in manifest recognition of the interwoven nature of the functions of traditional rulers, has so far refrained from prescribing a constitutional role for them or stipulating their responsibilities by law. Such a law, it is felt, would circumscribe their powers and offer the citizen the temptation to challenge them when they go outside it. For now, traditional rulers seem to be protected by the old-fashioned but usually uncontested saying, ‘The king can do no wrong.’ This saying may soon be openly challenged unless traditional rulers quickly refrain from acts that portray political bias and partiality. The open manner of endorsement of candidates exhibited in the glare of the media by some traditional rulers, during the 2019 electoral campaigns, has obvious implications. What if the candidate endorsed did not win? How comfortable will members of other political persuasions feel relating with such a traditional ruler who goes out of the way to compromise not only himself but other members of the traditional council who may hold contrary political views? What is strongly being advocated here is that Nigeria being a country of great diversity, traditional rulers and traditional institutions should be pillars of stability. This should be consciously nurtured to insulate them from political partisanship, especially in the face of increasingly unbridled contest for power among our politicians. Traditional institutions should be like other pillars of stability in the country, such as the judiciary, the security services and religious bodies, which are expected to be politically neutral. Traditional institutions, as custodians of tradition and culture, should preoccupy themselves with maintenance of peace and security at the state and grassroots levels. They should also seize upon their closeness to their subjects to articulate their interests and put them across as shopping lists to any candidate who, out of respect, may pay homage to them during their political campaigns. They must be seen to demonstrate, by their actions and utterances, political neutrality in that regard. It is only then that they would continue to maintain their dignity, occupy moral high ground, safeguard their offices and independence, command the respect of all, and be in a position to play mediatory roles in the event of disputes. As it takes two to tango, it is equally advisable to call on politicians to make every effort to refrain from dragging the royal fathers into partisan politics. In the interest of national stability, peace and progress, the public should be very critical of any politician who tries to do so in the future. There must be some social institutions that thrive above sectarian and political divides in any stable polity. The nobility and neutrality of our traditional institution should be preserved to ensure that it continues to function as one of the credible pillars of our communities, states and the nation. Usman, former Permanent Secretary in the Presidency, wrote from Abuja

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUHARI

Michael Owhoko canvasses the relocation of the operational headquarters of oil companies to the Niger Delta

congratulate you on your re-election at the recent concluded presidential polls. This has thrown up another opportunity for you to serve Nigerians for another four years. Since this will be the last lap of your administration, it is therefore imperative to remind you of the need to pay attention to the pains of those from whose territories revenue for oiling the nation is derived. I am writing this open letter to you as a citizen of Nigerian who is concerned about the current plight of the Niger Delta people. As a citizen who is from the area, I am particularly moved by the current frustration of the people whose troubles have been made worse by the termination of their natural means of livelihood. The people of the area are predominantly fishermen and farmers, and today, the rivers and land are toxic due to activities of oil exploration. Unfortunately, what should have accrued to the people have been severed by the laws of the land. As a way out of these plights, I am recapping a solution which had earlier been suggested. I believe it has the capacity to improve the livelihood and, alleviate the suffering of the people of the Niger Delta. Let the international oil companies (IOCs) and the indigenous oil and gas companies relocate their headquarters to their operational bases. Though this has been canvassed by several prominent persons from the Niger Delta, and prominently endorsed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who had said he was not averse to the relocation of the head offices of the oil and gas companies to their operational areas, my focus here is the attendant numerous benefits and value additions that have not been fully accentuated. If Mr. President is generous enough to give

approval to this suggestion, he would have sealed a date with history by putting his name on the sand of times, as the first Nigerian President to take a singular measure that evidently translates to improved living conditions of the Niger Delta people. Your Excellency, I believe the presence of the oil companies will trigger unprecedented economic boom that will ultimately transform the region. Since this has not been fully addressed in previous postulations, I have opted to highlight some of the benefits that will accrue from the relocation of these oil companies to the Niger Delta, for your consideration. In doing this, reference is deliberately played down on the contributions of the oil companies to the Nigerian economy through foreign exchange earnings and gross domestic product (GDP). Instead, emphasis is on the extent to which the presence of the oil companies will impact the economies of their host communities. Mr. President, just consider the following benefits that will accrue to the people of the Niger Delta if the oil and gas companies are directed to move their headquarters in Nigeria to their operational areas: One, revenue of host state governments will be boosted through taxation. Workers in the employ of these companies will remit their taxes (PAYE) to their host state governments, and this will enable them meet their financial obligations. Infrastructural gaps, including health care and educational facilities, salaries and other obligations will be addressed as appropriate. Two, youths will be productively engaged. Unemployment will be reduced as jobs will be available to keep the youths away from the streets.

In other words, direct and indirect jobs as well as contracts will be created for indigenes with enhanced purchasing power. Even where most of those jobs are lowly and unskilled like cleaning, gardening, and so on, at least, money earned will rob off on the relatives and dependants of these employees. Three, multiplier effect cannot be quantified as this will generate fresh demands for goods and services, leading to various chain reactions on the local economic front. For example, employees of the oil companies will rent accommodation, patronize the local market for foodstuffs and confectionaries, and as a result, the landlord and market woman are empowered, translating further into reinvestment in the local economy. Four, besides, some of the employees of these oil companies may buy land from the host communities or locals to build their houses. In the process, the locals are empowered, the town or village or city is developed and, adjourning communities will open up. These little towns can transform into mega and metropolitan cities with concomitant business opportunities. Five, inter- marriages and attendant social relations are also added values that will occur in the area which may further promote the desired unity in the country. Mr. President, this is the fastest ways and means to develop the Niger Delta. Imagine when Abuja was identified as the new capital territory, and the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government were not directed to relocate from Lagos to Abuja, there was no way Abuja would have transformed to the level of development it has attained today. Abuja is the youngest city in Nigeria, yet, it is only

second to Lagos in terms of development. This has been made possible because of the presence of the MDAs. Thus, Mr. President, the people of the Niger Delta will appreciate it if you can direct the IOCs and the indigenous oil companies to relocate to their areas of operations. Your Excellency, recall that the Niger Delta is an area that had hitherto enjoyed control of the oil resources up to 50 per cent based on derivation principle under the 1963 Constitution. Unfortunately for the region, this was abrogated to enable the federal government have absolute control of the entire natural resources and revenue, so it could prosecute the civil war. The war ended in 1970, yet government refused to revert to status quo, opting instead to expropriate all petroleum resources to itself through the Petroleum Act of 1969. The 13 per cent derivation of oil proceeds being enjoyed today is a product of struggle. The Niger Delta people struggled to achieve the initial 1.5 per cent, 3 per cent and the current 13 per cent derivation. Why should the people of the Niger Delta be subjected to a life of struggle? They struggle for everything, perhaps, because of their weak numerical strength. So, who will come to their aid? This is an opportunity, Mr. President for you to identify with the Niger Delta people to end their struggle. It is also of interest to remind Mr. President that the people of Borno and Yobe States which have suffered devastation from the impact of Boko Haram insurrection, did not put up struggle for their territories to be rehabilitated. It is only important for the destroyed territories to be restored so that life can return back to normal.

Owhoko is a journalist, author and public relations practitioner

T H I S D AY TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

EDITORIAL Issues In Nigeria’s Misery Index Government must find creative ways to tackle the unemployment problem

18.8 per cent in 2017 to the present 23 per cent. That 23 per cent of the nation’s labour force is idle is bad enough. But worse and extremely dangerous is the fact that more than 50 per cent of that army of idle citizens is peopled by those between the ages of 15 and 35. Many of them, university graduates, are not only miserable but condemned to the street corner.

ast week, Steve Hanke 2018 Misery Index listed Nigeria as the sixth miserable country in the world. Embattled Venezuela came first, followed by Zimbabwe, Argentina, Iran and Brazil. According to Hanke, an economist at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, United States, “My modified Misery Index is the sum of the unemployment, inflation and bank lending rates, minus the percentage change in real GDP per capita. Higher readings on the first three elements are “bad” and make people more miserable.” Nigeria came to the list chiefly because of the high level of unemployment. Even if we question the criteria employed in the listing, as some countries that are obviously in more precarious conditions were left out, Hanke’s report fits into what is increasingly becoming a ranking routine: Africa’s largest economy is often associated with the worst or close to the worst indices in many areas of life. Nigeria has the most number of citizens living in extreme poverty, THE ECONOMIC among the worst RECOVERY PLAN OF THE in open defecation, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT in basic health infrastructure –barely MUST PRIORITISE ahead of war-torn YOUTH EMPLOYMENT Central African AND FORMULATE Republic, and leads POLICIES TO REDUCE the world in maternal mortality. In 2018, IT TO THE BAREST Bill Gates, American MINIMUM business magnate and foremost philanthropist, dubbed Nigeria “the most dangerous place in the world to give birth.” As the index rightly explained, the country’s misery ranking is laid at the foot of the economy and the unemployment crisis. Figures available paint a dire situation of millions of adults and youths roaming the streets looking for work but finding none. Indeed, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBC) has reported a consistent pattern of worsening situation of unemployment in the country, rising from 9.7 per cent in 2012 to

T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO

he clear and present danger of such a high level of idleness among young persons is already manifesting in the high level of strife and crimes in virtually every corner of the country. Whereas the multitude of violent outbursts might have religious and ethnic colorations and undertones, it is also a notorious fact that most of the people in the fields and trenches of war are youths who if otherwise meaningfully engaged would have been unavailable for those worthless antisocial endeavours. Worse still is that there is no evidence to suggest that the authorities in Abuja and the 36 states appreciate the gravity of the situation as there are no clear-cut plans to deal with the problem. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari who was recently re-elected for a second term to begin to find a creative way of tackling this challenge before it becomes unmanageable. The economic recovery plan of the federal government must prioritise youth employment and formulate policies to reduce it to the barest minimum. The economic empowerment programmes specifically targeted at young persons should also be reviewed and appropriate measures taken to improve and make them more efficient to achieve their objectives. Beyond the foregoing is the urgent need to realign the nation’s educational curriculum with the needs of the economy. It has been said with some measure of justification that many of the school leavers are actually unemployable having regards to their training and skills. It has become necessary therefore that our educational training curriculum at all levels must incorporate skills acquisition and entrepreneurial development so that graduates leave school with the capacity to create wealth and jobs rather than seeking jobs

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Letters to the Editor

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IS ADAMAWA GOVERNOR-ELECT READY?

he Adamawa state governor-elect, Ahmadu Umaru Fintri, became prominent and politically influential within just three months of coming to limelight in 2014. In fact, few weeks before Fintiri became the acting governor in 2014, if he was told he would become PDP’s governorship candidate in that year or in 2019, he would have laughed it off. In a short time after coming to power, Fintiri changed the narrative of Adamawa infrastructure and civil service welfare. Even his staunch adversaries will attest to this. Come May 29, Fintiri returns as Adamawa State governor, this time with more work and expectations on his shoulders. How he manages these will either further endear him to the people or make him a political misfit. For Fintiri to run a successful government in Adamawa State, he must balance policies and politics. No governor in Adamawa State succeeds without understanding the balancing of development with playing smart politics. Local government autonomy, education, civil service welfare and youth development are areas Fintiri needs to give utmost attention to. Outgoing governor Bindow’s failure in addressing issues relating to these areas cost him a second term. Local governments should enjoy a measure of freedom and autonomy. Fintiri needs to allow the LGAs to run; and as well reduce governor’s interference in their affairs. This will build public trust. The penchant for ‘pocketing’ everyone, everything and anything meant for the LGAs was the undoing of governor Bindow. Fintiri should release funds meant for local councils so that it can be used for the common good of the people. On the long run, this will

address poverty at the grassroots and the governor will also free himself from the burden of ‘carrying the camel at its loads’ - people will be less interested at what happens in the Government House, Yola. In addition, Fintiri should pay special attention to communities affected by Boko Haram senseless war. He should create a special programme solely dedicated to rural development with the objectives: to fight poverty, to unveil comprehensive and feasible post-war programmes to restore communities to their pre-war peaceful and productive statuses and to tackle the age-long cry for the restoration of basic infrastructure and livelihoods of thousands of people. Fintiri should resuscitate the technical and skills acquisition centres across the state. They should be redesigned and retooled for jobs and wealth creation. The centres should be redesigned as training places for agricultural entrepreneurship. This will go a long way in increasing human capital output that will speed up and sustain economic growth. This will also encourage youths, private sector and the rural poor to be strong participants in the economy. The centres can take advantage of agencies like the Raw Material Research and Development Agency, National Technology Incubation Centre, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria [SMEDAN], National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, National Poverty Alleviation Programme, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Bank of Industries, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). There are expectations on Fintiri to utilize the human capital potential in the state to take the Adamawa people out of poverty. Economists are of the view that, for human capital to have a

significant impact on economic development, at least 70 per cent of the population should be literate. Adamawa does not have that number. The education system should be overhauled to address illiteracy vis-à-vis human capital development in the state. This overhaul can be hinged on programmes like the Universal Basic Education (UBE) and other schemes. Where will the monies come from? Adamawa has huge debts, poor sources of income and rely heavily on FAAC. The internally generated revenue can be a viable source of fund for the state. Taxes, bonds issuance, private-sector investment and land ownership reforms are new options the government can explore for income generation. In Nigeria, IGR is naturally associated with the old method of taxation, which is riddled with corruption and inefficiency. Adamawa can generate revenues and wealth through levies and taxations, but the state needs a paradigm shift in its taxation system. A modified system of awarding ‘tax collection rights’ to investment firms can be experimented. This should be modeled according to Adamawa’s culture, needs and environment. For example, the state can enter into agreement with a firm to give government monies in advance for taxes from a certain sector, while the firm will collect the money by operating as tax agent - the famous tax auction. The state can also look into leveraging on the assets it has. Adamawa has thousands of unserviceable vehicles and many idle equipment. Government can make money by auctioning such items. Furthermore, the state has abandoned building - completed and uncompleted, fenced and unfenced plots of land. These assets are commercially viable. They can be leased out or sold. Zayyad I. Muhammad, Jimeta, Adamawa State

5 ) * 4 % ": t TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY APRIL 9, 2019

POLITICS

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com (08114495324 SMS ONLY)

TRENDING NEWS

All Eyes on the Supreme Court Davidson Iriekpen writes that the Supreme Court is currently the focus of public interest as it resumes hearing on the matter that led to the disqualiﬁcation of the All Progressives Congress from the general election in Rivers State

Acting CJN Muhammad

Amaechi

Obi

Omehia

for, saying that the court was wrong. For the lawyer’s effrontery to ask the court to reverse its judgment, the justices on the panel descended on him. First to fire the salvo was the then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, who was furious and could not imagine the lawyer’s guts. He did not only instantly dismiss the suit, but humiliated the counsel. The CJN ordered him to sit down. “In my view, your action here is a serious professional misconduct. We have given our decision two years ago and you are here asking us to review it. Even if we stay here till December, you will get nothing. At best, you can attract punitive damage. Whether right or wrong, that judgment stands. You are threading a dangerous ground. We have no right to sit on appeal over our decision. Our judgment is not a nullity and you can go on and appeal to God. One thing I know is that God is not your client. If you persist trying that path, you won’t go home today. You don’t talk as if you are talking to some juniors in your chambers. “This application is clearly misguided and ill-advised. But it affords us the opportunity to warn counsel to desist from bringing frivolous applications before us. If a court has the jurisdiction to hear a case, it follows that it has jurisdiction to be wrong or right in its judgment. This application is clearly an abuse of court process and it is accordingly dismissed,” Justice Katsina Alu held. On his part, Justice George Oguntade stated that it was wrong for the litigants to decide to turn the court to “a musical chair” that could be swerve anyhow, asking whether the applicant wanted the court to start replacing the governor with every application asking for it. In the words of Oguntade, “We are not sitting here as individuals; we are sitting as the final court of Nigeria. We don’t have any friend among you. We would leave here and retire to our villages but the Supreme Court and the law will live forever. What we did was the best way we can safeguard our democracy.” For Justice Walter Onnoghen, the only forum open to Omehia was with God. “Even if we are wrong, our decision is final. You may appeal to God. You brought this application in contempt of court. You can go and appeal to God.” Before Omehia’s application, Senator Andy Uba had twice approached the apex court to reverse its judgment. On the first occasion, Uba filed his application alongside INEC and the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Advanced Party (NAP) in 2007, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, seeking to set aside its earlier judgment delivered on June 14, 2007 which declared Mr. Peter Obi as the legal occupant of the Anambra State Government House. Reasoning that it was an effrontery to ask it to reverse itself in a case it had determined, the apex court descended heavily on the plaintiffs with vituperations. In a unanimous judgment,

the court did not only dismiss the applications filed by the trio, but the panel of justices presided over by Justice Iyorgher Katsina-Alu concluded that hearing the applications would amount to chasing shadows or “embarking on a wild goose chase.” While the court spared Uba, it however, lambasted Okonkwo who alleged that Obi had bribed him with the sum of N10million to compromise himself at the Court of Appeal. It described Okonkwo as a blackmailer who goes about extorting money from politicians and declared that he was “not fit to even live in the jungle.” Justice Kastina-Alu had this to say, “This court has given its final judgment on this matter. The jurisdiction to reopen it is on a narrow compass. The argument that we should hear the matter on its merit is an invitation for us to embark on a wild goose chase. It is clear that the court cannot invoke its jurisdiction, I, therefore, strike out all the applications with no order as to cost.” Justice George Oguntade who could not contain his consternation, said, “We want to maintain the highest standards of justice. The sum total of your position is that you accepted money to withdraw from the case but later turned around to blackmail the governor and say that you have been compromised and asking the court to set aside the judgment. I have a feeling that you are one of those exploiting politicians and making things difficult for them to rule this country.” But Okonkwo who did not read the body language of the Justices, tried to interject. At this juncture, Oguntade shouted, “Shut up and listen. You are a common crook, I think very little of you. I don’t know what my colleagues think of you, but you would be very lucky if you can go home from here. I wonder where you derived the courage to come before us and ask us to set aside our judgment after you took bribe to compromise yourself.” Whereas Kastina-Alu preferred not to hit hard on Okonkwo, Justice Pius Olayiwola Aderemi was not that charitable as he said, “You (Okonkwo) are not fit for a decent society but the jungle among animals.” Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad now the Acting CJN, who was also visibly angry, said this of Okonkwo: “If I were alone, I will jail you; you are a common crook.” The second time Uba attempted to push his luck again at the apex court was through his lawyer, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), who was then the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Of course, he received some serious bashing. Before preparing the judgment, the then CJN, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, who presided over the case, fumed at the perceived effrontery of Uba and Daudu to bring the application before the court, which, according to him, was a mere attempt to rubbish the integrity of the judiciary

in order to fulfill his gubernatorial ambition. Justice Kutigi held, “This court held in its earlier judgment that the notice of appeal filed by Peter Obi at the Court of Appeal was valid. Yet, after our judgment, the applicant went straight back to the trial court to ask it to void the same notice of appeal which this court (Supreme Court) had declared valid; when he failed, he went back to the Court of Appeal and failed and has returned to us,” Kutigi observed. Specifically referring to Daudu, Justice Kutigi thundered, “What kind of country is this where Senior Advocates of Nigeria are used to mess up the judiciary? We will not allow this kind of practice. This is wrong. The appellant has been shuttling from one court to another on a matter that the Supreme Court had already delivered judgment. If the Supreme Court makes a mistake, there are procedures of correcting the mistakes; not this way, and we will not allow it.” Another instance where the apex court refused to review its verdict was in the case between Muhammadu Dingyadi of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and Aliyu Wamakko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the Sokoto State governorship tussle. The court also made it clear that no amount of antics and trickery by counsel and their clients will ever make it revisit a case it had earlier decided in May 2014 when it ruled on an application filed by Dr. Dickson Osuala, the counsel to the governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) in Delta State, Chief Great Ogboru, against the election of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of the PDP. It used the opportunity also to send a very strong signal to lawyers that it would no longer tolerate abuse of court processes. In the matter, which had twice been dismissed by the court and refiled by Osuala, he premised his action on Section 285 (7) of the Constitution which he claimed was fraudulently inserted by the National Assembly. He argued further that since due process was not followed by the National Assembly in enacting section 285 (7) into law, it was wrong for the apex court to have relied on it to dismiss his client’s case. Justice Onnoghen who presided over the matter, talked down on Osuala and advised him not to ever come to the apex court with any application in respect of the case. He blamed the counsel for not properly guiding his client and embarking on a clear case of gross abuse of the court process. The judge told counsel to advise his client to take his case to heaven if he was not satisfied with the court’s ruling. Against the background of these precedence, many analysts wonder if the Amaechi faction of the APC has a case or if the court will make the case an exception. In a country where most lawyers premise their arguments on citation of past cases or where the decisions of courts are based on precedence, is the case of the Amaechi faction not tantamount to a wild goose chase?

he people of Rivers State are anxiously waiting to see how the Supreme Court will handle the pending appeals on the internal wrangling in the All Progressives Congress (APC) that led to its disqualification from the general election when it resumes sitting on the case from April 8 and 11. Already, tongues are wagging that a faction of the APC loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is allegedly working with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) to influence the apex court to reverse its earlier decision by annulling the governorship election won Chief Nyesom Wike. The apex court had on February 8 nullified a ruling of the Court of Appeal which allowed the APC to field candidates in Rivers State in the general election. In its decision, the court said the appellate court failed to invoke relevant sections of the law in voiding the decision of the Federal High Court barring the party from participating in elections in the state. A faction of the APC in the state had challenged the decision of the high court at the Court of Appeal. But the Supreme Court questioned the basis upon which the Appeal Court reached its ruling and set the decision aside while upholding the ruling of the high court. This judgment sealed the fate of the state APC candidates from participating in the National Assembly election on February 23, as well as, the governorship and state House of Assembly elections on March 9. Observers are therefore wondering if the apex court has any basis to reverse itself or descend into the political arena due to the desperation of one man after its decision had sealed the fate of the party by stopping it from fielding candidates during the just concluded general election. They also wonder that if the court on many occasions in the past could not reverse itself on more important cases, what makes the case of the APC in Rivers State special? Some of those who spoke with THISDAY reviewed instances where the apex court had defended and held on to its pronouncements, thereby foreclosing the chances that it would ever go back on its decisions, and concluded that if that could be achieved, there is nothing special about the Rivers APC wrangling. One of such instances was when the former governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia, filed an application before the court, seeking it to review its judgment delivered on October 25, 2007 between him and the then governor, Rotimi Amaechi, where he was sacked from office. The former governor had hired James Esike, to pursue the case on his behalf. When the application came up for hearing, it was laced with melodrama. Esike had argued that the judgment was a nullity on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction and competence to make the order not sought

T H I S D AY ËžTUESDAY APRIL 9, 2019

STATE OF THE POLITY

The Deceit behind Second Term Endorsement for Obaseki

Adibe Emenyonu examines the political undercurrent behind the pronouncement of leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, adopting Governor Godwin Obaseki for the 2020 governorship election

n Sunday, March 31, a meeting of the leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oredo local government area of Edo State was held. At the assembly were the local government executives, ward chairmen, councillors and leaders from the 12 wards that constitutes the LGA came out with a six-point resolution as follows: r5P DBMM PO (PWFSOPS (PEXJO 0CBTFLJ of Edo State to run for a second term and adopt him as the sole candidate for the 2020 governorship election in the state. r5IBU UIF HPWFSOPS IBT NBEF &EP QSPVE because among states in the federation, it stands out in all areas of development above states that are far more privileged in terms of federal allocation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) r5IBU TJODF UIF SFXBSE PG IBSE XPSL JT NPSF XPSL UIF HPWFSOPS TIPVME IFFE UIFJS DBMM UP UBLF UIF SFTQPOTJCJMJUZ PG governing the state for the next four years beginning from 2020; among others. 5IF SFTPMVUJPO SFBE JO QBSU i8F MFBEFST of Oredo resolved to congratulate our National Chairman and Leader, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole on his effective leadership and victory at the presidential election and to pass a vote of implicit confidence on his leadership. i$POTJEFSJOH UIF QBDF PG EFWFMPQNFOU in different sectors of Edo State from infrastructure to education, industrialisation, civil service and judicial reforms, enterprise development, prompt payment to pensioners and civil servants, among other, we are convinced beyond doubt that the only way to sustain the current rapid growth trajectory is to ensure that (PWFSOPS 0CBTFLJ DPOUJOVFT BT HPWFSOPS of the state after the expiration of his first four-year tenure. i8F UIFSFGPSF XJUI GVMM TFOTF PG SFTQPOsibility, call on him to run for second term and hereby adopt Governor Godwin 0CBTFLJ BT UIF TPMF DBOEJEBUF GPS UIF 2020 governorship election in the state. i5IF HPWFSOPS IBT NBEF VT QSPVE BT Edo people. At the moment, among states in the federation, Edo State stands out in all development spheres, heads and shoulders above state that are far more privileged than us in terms of federal allocation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). i"T UIF TBZJOH HPFT UIF SFXBSE GPS IBSE XPSL JT NPSF XPSL BOE XF UIFSFGPSF VSHF (PWFSOPS 0CBTFLJ UP IFFE PVS DBMM UP UBLF PO UIF SFTQPOTJCJMJUZ PG HPWFSOJOH the state for another four years, beginning from 2020. i8F BMTP BTTVSF BT MFBEFST PG UIF QBSUZ in Oredo, of our readiness to pull all our resources together to ensure that the governor flies the flag of the party in the forthcoming governorship election and emerges as governor for a second term.â€? 5P BDIJFWF UIJT QVSQPTF UIF -( FYFDVUJWFT IBWF TUBSUFE UIF QSPDFTT PG CMPDLJOH others who may nurse similar ambition UISPVHI 8BSE FYFDVUJWFT PG UIF MPDBM government with the purported suspension of Major General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd.) over alleged anti-party activities during the presidential and National Assembly elections. 5IF FOEPSTFNFOU PS PUIFSXJTF IBT FMJDited reactions. First to respond is Senator Domingo Obende who represented Edo North between 2011 and 2015. Obende urged the party in the state to ensure 0CBTFLJ HFUT B TFDPOE UFSN UP FOBCMF IJN DPNQMFUF UIF XPSL IF IBT TUBSUFE "DDPSEJOH UP UIF 4FOBUPS i5P XIPN much is given, much is expected. Governor (PEXJO 0CBTFLJ IBT HJWFO IJT BMM UP VT and I believe that is not the finality of IJT DBQBDJUZ 5IF POMZ HPPE UIJOH UIBU can happen to us in Edo State is for

Obaseki IJN UP DPNF CBDL GPS B TFDPOE UFSN TP that he can download all his investment FYQFSJFODFT BOE UIF PQQPSUVOJUJFT UP NBLF Edo State better.â€? )F TBJE 0CBTFLJ IBT EFNPOTUSBUFE UIF positive sides of continuity as he has CFFO BCMF UP UBLF UIF TUBUF TVDDFTTGVMMZ from where the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole

After the endorsement, however, a crack appeared within the ranks of the party as one of the party ward leaders raised an alarm, noting that endorsement of Obaseki was not on the agenda of the meeting they held on Sunday, March 31. The party executive who did not want his name mentioned said it was an embarrassment to him and others to see their names among those that signed the endorsement

left it to a new level. i8JUIPVU BOZ SFTFSWBUJPOT * BN QFSTPOBMMZ FOEPSTJOH (PWFSOPS (PEXJO 0CBTFLJ (GGO) for a second term in office and would appreciate if all necessary synergy is put in place to actualize this God-given development opportunities for Edo State in order to move on to the next level of value,â€? Obende declared. 5IF ESBNB PG FOEPSTFNFOU NBZ CF B TNPLFTDSFFO UP EJWFSU BUUFOUJPO BOE postpone the evil days that may befall some party chieftains particularly those of Oredo Council of APC, identified to have played a spoiler role in the presidential and National Assembly elections in order to enrich themselves. A move that later brought shame to the governor and the state. Prior to the election, a source close to the party disclosed that two prominent members of the party; a political appointee of the governor, and the other, a highly placed member of APC executive in the state who were saddled with the responsibility of prosecuting the election in the LG by virtue of their positions as IJHI SBOLJOH QPMJUJDBM GJHVSFT #FTJEFT PXJOH UP IJT QPTJUJPO BT governor of the state, it will be wrong UP TFF 0CBTFLJ BU QPMMJOH VOJUT BOE TP he had to entrust the execution of the election in their care. 5P FOTVSF OPUIJOH HPFT XSPOH UIF governor was believed to have provided all the funds needed including logistics to procure generators to power collation centres since counting of results usually continues into the late hours of the night, in order to prevent disruption from the epileptic power supply being experienced in the state. i3BUIFS UIBO VUJMJTJOH UIF NPOJFT GPS UIF QVSQPTF UIF UXP MFBEFST LFQU IBMG UIF money they were giving for the election to themselves. More annoying was the GBDU UIBU BU FWFSZ HBUF UIF NPOFZ LFQU

depreciating. A source close to the party hierarchy in the state revealed that even the generators UIFZ XFSF BTLFE UP CVZ DPVME OPU CF accounted for. i5IF HFOFSBUPST XFSF OPU CPVHIU %VSJOH results collation, the officers and agents had to use of candles which invariably demoralised our men in the field.â€? )F TBJE i#BTFE PO UIJT GBJMVSF UIF governor had to avoid the two leaders in the disbursement of funds during the March 9 state assembly election which at the end, the party won all the 24 constituency seats. Comparing the two (presidential/ national assembly and state assembly) polls result, the governor needed no soothsayer to tell him something went wrong in the first election and decided to dig deep. 0CBTFLJ TFU VQ B NBO DPNNJUUFF UP probe what actually happened that led to APCâ€™s failure in that election particularly, Oredo local government council where he comes from. Upon investigation, the committee uncovered financial misappropriation by the two leaders. It was revealed that only a tiny bit of the funds assigned to them, which run into several millions of Naira, were not spent on the assignment on Election Day. 5P FOTVSF UIBU JU IBE OPU FNCBSLFE on a witch-hunt mission, the committee is said to have called party collation officers, agents and others who were in the field during the election to find out the exact amount they got. 5IF GJOEJOHT UIF TPVSDF GVSUIFS QPJOUFE PVU iSFWFBMFE UIBU NPTU PG UIFN XFSF giving eight percent of the amount actually allocated to them.â€? Further revelation from the field officers also showed that no generator was bought. "OHFSFE CZ UIJT EFWFMPQNFOU 0CBTFLJ XBTT TBJE UP IBWF BTLFE UIF DPNNJUUFF to tidy up its report for submission when IF SFTVNF GSPN IJT GPVS XFFL WBDBUJPO Having learnt of the ugly fate that awaits them should the governor decide to carry out the sanction recommended by the committee, the two leaders, decided to play a fast one by gathering all the 12 ward executives to a meeting whose agenda was to discuss the suspension of Major General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) by his ward. 5P CBDL VQ UIFJS QMPU UIF EVP EFDJEFE to draft a statement that the entire local HPWFSONFOU IBT FOEPSTFE 0CBTFLJ GPS B second term forcing the LGA chairman and secretary of the party, Mr. Godwin "MBCJ BOE .ST .BHEBMFOF *TFLIVSF respectively to append their signatures in order to authenticate it. "GUFS UIF FOEPSTFNFOU IPXFWFS B DSBDL BQQFBSFE XJUIJO UIF SBOLT PG UIF QBSUZ as one of the party ward leaders raised an alarm, noting that endorsement of 0CBTFLJ XBT OPU PO UIF BHFOEB PG UIF meeting they held on Sunday, March 31. 5IF QBSUZ FYFDVUJWF XIP EJE OPU want his name mentioned said it was an embarrassment to him and others to see their names among those that signed the endorsement. )F TBJE i5IF JTTVF PG FOEPSTJOH 0CBTFLJ for a second term was not on the agenda and when it was raised, nobody seconded the motion. I am surprised at what I TBX 5IF TP DBMMFE OBNFT UIFZ BUUBDIFE to the adoption letter is the attendance list in the meeting and not those who purportedly endorsed the second term agenda. i5IF NBKPS BHFOEB GPS EJTDVTTJPO BU that meeting was the controversy that followed the recent suspension of Major General Charles Airhiavbere,â€? the Oredo APC ward leader stated.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͷ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 08152252325

Impactful Social Intervention Schemes Rebecca Ejifoma writes that Stanbic IBTC has taken its corporate social responsibility drive a notch higher by providing impactful interventions for flood victims at relief camps in Jigawa, Katsina, Delta, Rivers and Ogun States, as well as transforming the lives of 20 indigent children who have suffered limb losses, among other initiatives

Stanbic IBTC staﬀ presenting relief materials to a beneﬁciary

lobal climate change affects countries differently. The negative consequences such as flooding are usually more pronounced in developing countries, where they create a source of major concern and challenge for governments most of which arealready saddled with problems ranging from infrastructure deficit, insufficient power, prevailing economic challenges, high rate of unemployment to mention but a few and are then faced with the responsibility of sheltering and rehabilitating thevictims amid funding constraints and a myriad of other factors. Poor urban planning, population growth and poor regional cooperation in the use of natural resources such as rivers and lakes are also factors that contribute to incidences of flooding, for instance, in Nigeria. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in 2018 had earmarked 12 states as frontline states to be affected by flooding in that year and by September 2018, a national disaster had been declared in the four worst affected states, while the others were flagged under red alert. Flooding in Nigeria often leaves devastating consequences in its wake. NEMA in one of its reports in 2018 revealed that 327,052 people were directly affected in the 12 flooded states of which 77,460 were displaced. The number of houses destroyed amounted to 3,544 while 60,208 hectares of agricultural land was either destroyed or damaged. Sadly, there were 70 recorded cases of loss of life and 151 injuries. Displaced individuals also faced a higher risk of contracting diseases such

Some of the relief materials

as malaria and cholera on account of living in makeshift/temporary shelters and poor water supply. Stanbic’s Intervention Along with the efforts of the federal and state governments, succour came to the victims of the 2018 floods in the form of support from notable corporate organisations, who responded as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives. One of such organisations was Stanbic IBTC Holdings, which made

a timely intervention to ameliorate the plight of the flood victims. The institution donated relief materials to victims in five of the affected states namely Jigawa, Katsina, Delta, Rivers and Ogun States. However, what is also commendable about Stanbic IBTC’s intervention is the manner and strategy adopted in ensuring that it's donations comprised the most critical of relief materials for the respective states and that such items were delivered to the victims who were in dire need of them.

Upon selecting the states that would benefit from the relief materials, Stanbic IBTC immediately deployed staff on ground in these states/ regions to conduct thorough impact assessments of the affected locations as well as living conditions in the relief shelters. Major considerations included; food, potable water, health/ hygiene and comfort. The institution also identified and partnered relief agencies in the respective locations. Therefore in meeting the need for potable water for instance, boreholes

T H I S D AY ˾ ͷ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

FEATURES were provided in shelters for which potable water was lacking; a major boost to the prevention of water borne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. In addition, ample supply of water also fosters the attainment and maintenance of better hygiene levels. For the comfort of the victims, Stanbic IBTC provided mattresses with blankets and bed sheets, treated mosquito nets were also provided to prevent the scourge of malaria. The financial institutions also provided soaps and detergents among other essentials. For the displaced victims, for many of whose sources of livelihoods had either been completely damaged or destroyed, adequate feeding was a major issue. For these non-perishable food items (in packets, tins, etc) were provided and distributed. Indeed, Stanbic IBTC showed that it gleaned useful lessons from its earlier intervention in 2017 for flood victims in Benue State during which sundry items including mattresses and beddings; food items such as bags of rice and wheat flour, packaged noodles, vegetable oil, tomato paste; mosquito nets among other relief materials were donated. Together for a Limb Indeed for Stanbic IBTC, Corporate Social Investment is ingrained in its corporate philosophy and DNA, which is just as critical as adhering to the highest corporate governance principles. It is viewed as part of its business operations. This partly explains why its flagship CSI initiative, tagged Together for a limb checks all the boxes on novelty, innovativeness and multidimensional approach to transforming the lives of indigent children who have suffered limb loss(es). Beneficiaries are offered prostheses and educational trust funds of N1.5m each. They are thus provided quality education along with the improved quality of life that the prostheses provision engenders. The beneficiaries being young growing children also get a replacement of their prostheses as they grow and as required until they turn 18 years of age. Therefore the beneficiaries receive regular health checks as their usage of the prostheses is monitored and additionally get a comprehensive medical check every time replacement prostheses are to be fitted. Stanbic IBTC goes further to bring attention to the plight of citizens with limb losses through an annual charity walk that is incorporated in its annual events calendar. In fact, the launch of the Together for a Limb initiative in December 2015 was preceded by the charity walk on November 14 of that same year and the charity walk has been held every year ever since, usually preceding the unveiling of beneficiaries for the year to further raise public awareness for the cause. Accurate figures are not available of the number of Nigerians, especially children that are missing limbs however, since inception; Stanbic IBTC’s Together for a Limb has provided prostheses for 20 young Nigerians and has profoundly raised public awareness of this health problem through the charity walks and other associated initiatives. Improving Learning Conditions Being an institution that is very keen on education, Stanbic IBTC CSI efforts on this sector are also very notable. For instance in Surulere, Lagos, the institution rehabilitated a group schools comprising Primary, Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary Schools, known now as Lagos Progressive Schools. To improve the quality of education and conditions of learning in these schools, Stanbic IBTC renovated blocks of classrooms along with the library which was thereafter equipped with furniture, books and other study materials on relevant subjects,to complement the schools’ efforts and also promote a culture of reading. Also, staff of Stanbic

Presentation of relief materials to another beneﬁciary in Benue

Some of the medical and non-medical relief materials

IBTC regularly provide mentorship to students of the schools. However the footprints of Stanbic IBTC CSI initiatives are nationwide as it continues to make donations and contributions towards improving quality and conditions of learning. Borehole and toilet facilities have been donated to several schools across Nigeria for instance. In addition, several students that are inclined towards the arts and crafts have also benefited by having their works exhibited during corporate events. An ICT laboratory, fully equipped with personal computers, backup generator sets, inverters, multimedia facilities was donated to a public school in Abuja. Promoting Volunteerism As its tagline, “Moving Forward” suggests, the organisation has a desire for a nation with prosperous citizens but also understands that beyond corporate CSI, a lot more mileage will also be covered by the active involvement of individuals. Therefore it has encouraged and actively promoted a staff volunteer scheme for all its employees. Volunteering enables individuals to

connect better with their communities to make them better places while offering a lot of benefits to the volunteers themselves. Expert opinions that outline the many benefits of volunteering are replete in health and business journals. According to the Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr.Yinka Sanni, the staff CSI and volunteer scheme has seen staff contribute and invest over N100 million towards various charitable courses that cover health, education and economic empowerment, which are the core CSI pillars of Stanbic IBTC. Employees with similar interests are encouraged to form groups and raise funds to address respective causes that each group has identified with. Consequently, the staff volunteer scheme has donated classrooms, libraries, health facilities, boreholes and other social interventions over time across Nigeria. The passion and benevolence of some staff groups created a memorable yuletide season in 2018 for several beneficiaries. In December 2018, the internal audit team commissioned a renovated dining room, fully furnished with brand new chairs, while also

donating wheelchairs, overhead water storage tank with water treatment facility to the Special Children Centre at Ketu, Lagos. In the same spirit, the information technology team donated a water borehole facility to Farayibi Community in Bariga. The Finance team also made donations to Harvey Road Health Centre and the Ifako Ijaye General Hospital. Prior to the bumper December, the operations team in Personal and Business Banking had in September 2018 donated renovated classrooms, newly constructed classrooms, sanitary facilities (toilets) and other projects at African Bethel Primary School, Ikorodu. And only recently on February 13, 2019, the card operations team commenced a volunteer mentorship program at Ilupeju Senior Secondary School. Along with carrying out its core business operations, Stanbic IBTC has consistently promoted deliberate social investment programmes to improve the lot of individuals and communities across Nigeria. Its 360 approach which has birthed the employee volunteer scheme is further extending the frontiers of and giving a new meaning to CSI in Nigeria.

09.04.2019

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

2019 NBA-SLP CONFERENCE: FOCUSING ON IMPROVING LEGAL SERVICES IN NIGERIA

Ayodele Akintunde, SAN Ayode

2/DASHBOARD

09.04.2019

Ownership of Property Acquired during the Subsistence of a Marriage PAGE 4

Nigerian, UK Lawyers, Collaborate on Cross Border Legal Services PAGE 5

Law Students Mentored in Acts of Law Practice PAGE 5

Nigeria Set to Commercialise Gas Flaring PAGE 6

QUOTABLES ‘It is unfortunate that, after 20 years of civilian rule or democratic rule, we are still involving armed soldiers in the conduct of elections....To now have a situation, where soldiers will be present or take over collation centres, as has been reported in one State....clearly, we are in trouble.’ – Femi Falana, SAN, Human Rights Activist

‘It is generally thought that corruption has no victims, and there is no opportunity cost of corruption. But, there is an opportunity cost of corruption.....Corruption, virtually cost Nigeria her territorial integrity, when Boko Haram seized a number of territories in the North Eastern Part of Nigeria, because the money that was meant to keep soldiers and buy equipment, was diverted by top military brass....’ – Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission

COLUMNIST DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN, OFR, FCIARB, PH.D, LL.D Constitutional Democracy, means a system of government, in which political and governmental power, is deﬁned, limited and shared by a grundnorm called the Constitution, which provides inbuilt checks and balances. This column seeks to ﬁercely discuss constitutional, legal and political issues, with a view to strengthening, deepening and widening the plenitude and amplitude of democracy and good governance, without fear or favour. The writer of this column, Dr. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is a Constitutional Lawyer, Human Rights Activist, Pro-Democracy Campaigner, Notary Public and Motivational Speaker. He co-founded the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Nigeria's pioneer human rights league, on October 15,1987, the Universal Defenders of Democracy (UDD), in 1992, and with Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others in 1998, the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), to push out the military. In his early days, he lectured at the University of Ife. Dr. Ozekhome is an author of many books. He is also a Special Counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague.

‘A Lawyer must Study Continually and Network Consistently’ PAGE 6

CAMA Bill Needs Presidential Assent, to Enhance Ease of Doing Business PAGE 7

Celebrities in Celebrated Sex Cases PAGE 12

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE EDITOR JUDE IGBANOI DEPUTY EDITOR AKINWALE AKINTUNDE REPORTER TUNDE BUSARI GROUP HEAD OCHI OGBUAKU II ART DIRECTOR

Kolade Johnson and Police ‘Kill and Go’

Kolade Johnson t is only appropriate, that I express my condolences to the family of Kolade Johnson, who was senselessly murdered by operatives of the Nigeria Police Anti-Cultism Unit on Sunday, March 31st, 2019. May his soul rest in peace. Amen. I watched the murder suspect, Inspector Olalekan Ogunyemi (who has since been dismissed from the Nigeria Police, and been handed over for prosecution), on ARISE TV last Wednesday, lying through his teeth about the incident that led to the murder of Kolade. Ogunyemi claimed that, they had received a signal that there were some cultists in Kolade’s area, Onipetesi Estate, Idi Mangoro, and so they proceeded there in search of cult suspects. Indeed! The truth is that, Kolade only went down the road he lives, to their neighbourhood viewing centre, to watch football. He was not involved in any altercation with anyone, and was simply watching the Anti-Cultism Police harassing another young man from a safe distance, across the road. The man who was with late Kolade, stated that he was shocked when he heard shots being fired, and then realised that, Kolade had been hit by the bullets of the Anti-Cultism Police. I know that Section 33(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitution) permits people, including law enforcement agents, to use reasonable force (which may result in death), to apprehend suspects etc, but surely, this certainly cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be extended to opening fire indiscriminately on unarmed people. Reasonable force is defined by the Legal Free Dictionary as, “The amount of force necessary to protect one’s property. Reasonable force is a term associated with defending one’s person or property from a violent attack, theft or other type of unlawful aggression.... If one uses excessive force, or more than the force necessary for such protection, he or she may be considered to have forfeited the right to defence. Reasonable force, is also known as legal force. A person is generally justified in using force that is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm, if the person reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent the commission of a forcible felony....”. Pray, tell, what kind of threat could unarmed people pose (especially someone watching from across the road like Kolade), to law enforcement agents bearing arms? I submit that, whether it was a stray bullet or not that hit Kolade, Ogunyemi used excessive force, which resulted in the reckless murder of Kolade. SARS and Ferry Gberegbe It was the same with late Dr Ferry Gberegbe in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the March 9 elections. Similarly, I extend my condolences to his family. The pain of loss that his family and that of Kolade Johnson are presently experiencing, must be unimaginable, especially as the killing of their loved ones, was reckless, senseless, needless, and unlawful. May God comfort them all. Amen.

Dismissed Inspector Ogunyemi, late Kolade Johnson

In a television interview, Senator Lee Maeba, who was on the scene of the dastardly incident at Bori, Khana Local Government, Rivers State, when Ferry Gberegbe and others were shot, had sighted the Commander of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Rivers State, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Akin Fakorede, at the collation centre, shortly before the shooting commenced. SARS operatives opened continuous fire on unarmed, de- fenceless people, as if they were engaged in a fierce gun battle. It is no wonder that, Segun Awosanya, Convener ‘End SARS Reform Police NG’ said in a Channels television interview last week, that the Nigeria Police is on the verge of being declared as a terrorist organisation! Isn’t it ironical, that the Police which was established to maintain and secure public safety and public order, is the one killing us (Section 4 Police Act, Section 215(3) and (4) of the Constitution)? SARS was established to fight armed robbery, and kidnapping related cases, only. Last year, the Rivers State Government, published a damaging report on Akin Fakorede, in several daily newspapers, bordering on allegations of misconduct during the 2015 elections. Nothing came out of the report. This year, in the 2019 elections, Akin Fakorede’s name has reappeared again, like a recurring decimal. What will come out of it? It is not enough for Government or the Police, to only bring the erring rank and file Policemen or members of the armed forces, like Inspector Ogunyemi to book. High ranking officers who commit offences, or who direct their subordinates to commit these atrocities, are not above the law, and must also be held accountable for their actions. They must also be prosecuted for their crimes, if not how will this cancer of extra-judicial killing be curtailed? I watched the video of Dr Gberegbe’s shooting more than once, and as far as any reasonable person is concerned, his murder comfortably falls within the purview of the definition of the crime of unlawful homicide, as provided by Sections 315 and 316 of the Criminal Code Act 2004 (CCA), punishable by death (Section 319(1) CCA). Likewise, the case of Kolade Johnson, would, if not murder, at least, qualify as another grave offence, manslaughter, as provided for by Section 317 of the CCA; it carries a punishment of life imprisonment (Section 325 CCA). Fear of the Police and Armed Forces I was unsure of how to react, whether to laugh or cry, when Maupe Ogun Yusuf of Sunrise Daily, Channels TV, last week, during one of their segments, said something to the effect that, she is cautious about how she interacts with Police personnel at checkpoints/on the road. She echoed the sentiments, of majority of Nigerians. In USA, many black people are scared of white Policemen, because of racism. What is the reason for our own fear here, when we are all of the same race? We are scared

of anybody in military type uniform! So much so that, many fraudsters have been arrested for impersonating men in uniform, taking advantage of the knowledge of our fear, and using their uniformed positions to oppress and extort money from unsuspecting Nigerians. Is it not strange that, we are scared of the very people who have the duty to protect us? That, we are afraid that, they can, without a second thought, shoot and kill us, if we irritate them, or make utterances that annoy them, or do not go down well with them? How can the response to a shouting match, in an argument with no threat of violence, be shooting a fellow participant in the altercation, because one person involved, is a law enforcement agent, bearing arms? When an individual encounters the Police for example, there is usually more than one Policeman on the scene. Are two or three Policemen, not able to physically overpower one individual and contain them, without shooting them? My friend told me that, in Nigeria, in practice, people are generally permitted to own double barrel guns/rifles, but a licence to bear such a firearm must be given by the Inspector General of Police. He confirmed that, to be able to get the licence, one of the prerequisites, is a certificate confirming the applicant’s mental capacity to own such a weapon. But, my friend commented that, owning a weapon which is hidden away mostly, and will only be brought out, if for example, the owner hears that there are armed robbers operating on his street, and fears that they may invade his house, is different from carrying an AK 47 on the street everyday in the blazing sun, frustrated about the paltry salary you receive, and all the financial problems that you are facing, while you watch people drive past in droves, in their fancy airconditioned cars, which you may never be able to afford – could already be a recipe for disaster! My friend and I concluded that, psychological assessments for people who bear arms for a living, must be regular and continuous, not just a one-off precondition, when the person makes an application to join the Police or the Armed Forces. Assessment and Trainning Aside from making all members of the Forces undergo continuous psychological assessments, there must be continuous training for them to. It must be a requirement, for them to keep abreast with the times. For instance, these days, worldwide, it is common to see men with their hair in dreadlocks and twists. It is negative profiling and stereotyping, to think that such a man must be a criminal or homosexual (homosexuality is a crime in Nigeria). A young man who was harassed by Inspector Ogunyemi and his group the day that Kolade was killed, had some sort of twisted hairstyle. He said that, the operatives jumped out of their vehicle when they saw him, and started to harass him, and when he asked a simple question, they

ACP Akin Fakorede, SARS Commander, Rivers State

Late Dr Ferry Gberegbe

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

THE ADVOCATE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com onikepob@yahoo.com

“IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE, THE MORE OF A COLD BLOODED KILLER YOU ARE, THE MORE YOUR CAREER AS A SENIOR OFFICER IS LIKELY TO FLOURISH, IN THE NIGERIA POLICE!” descended on him, and started to beat him. It was this incident, I believe, that Kolade and the eye witness he was standing with, were watching from across the road. Again, when women go to the Police station, to make a report of domestic violence from their husbands, it not not unusual to hear the Policemen tell the victim that, “Madam, dat na family matter, we no fit interfere. Wetin you sef do? Go beg your husband”. Unbelievable! Domestic violence is assault, and by virtue of Section 351 of the CCA, Assault is a misde- meanour attracting one year imprisonment, while assault occasioning harm, attracts three years imprisonment (Section 355 CCA). It is time that, the standards are raised, regarding those who are admitted into the Forces. A situation in which the populace is scared of Police and the Armed Forces, is unhealthy and unacceptable. A situation in which law enforcement agents, whether Police or Armed Forces, whether rank and file, or high level officers, have made extrajudicial killing a habit, is also unacceptable. A situation in which these erring officers, especially the senior ones, are allowed to escape justice and get away with their crimes, is even more unacceptable, and sends a bad signal about our justice system. It’s beginning to look like, the more of a cold blooded killer you are, the more your career as a senior officer is likely to flourish, in the Nigeria Police! The Apo Six Have we forgotten about the case of the ‘Apo Six’, who were murdered in cold blood when they were returning from a nightclub in Abuja in 2005? The Deputy Commissioner of Police who was involved in that incident, was found ‘not guilty’, by the court, reinstated by the Police Force, his back salaries paid, promoted, sent on course, and was even elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police last year! It looks more like an incentive, than a deterrent - at least for senior officers! Only two junior officers, who confessed that they shot the victims on the instruction of the Deputy Commissioner, were sentenced to death..... A lot of food for thought.

4/LAW REPORT

09.04.2019

Ownership of Property Acquired during the Subsistence of a Marriage

dissolution of the marriage, inevitably made her a Tenant-at-Will, who only requires Seven Days Notice, to recover possession.

Facts

he Claimant was married to the Defendant under Native Law and Custom, in 1997. There were four children of the marriage, who were all minors at the time of instituting this claim. The union was subsequently dissolved by an Order of the Grade “C” Customary Court in Iyana-Offa, Lagelu Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, at the instance of the Defendant. The Claimant averred that, during the marriage, parties contributed to jointly build a two (2) flat property (comprising three (3) rooms each) at Ayedun, Akure, Ondo State in the year 2004. This property which was under construction was, however, sold by the Defendant in 2006, without her knowledge and for his personal benefit. The Claimant stated further that, in 2012, she jointly purchased another property with the Defendant, being a plot of land at No. 7, Fadama, Biala Estate, Olodo, Ibadan, Oyo State, for the purpose of erecting a residential house. This building was completed and inhabited by the family, while another storey building was being constructed in the premises. The Claimant posited that, the purchase price of N400,000.00 for the property was paid for in three (3) installments, and she made a contribution of N150,000.00 of the said purchase sum. She stated that, her request for a Purchase Agreement to be drawn up showing the joint purchase of the property and receipts for other contributions made by her in respect of the construction of buildings on the property, was disregarded by the Defendant. She was however, able to lay her hands on a few receipts in her custody, though they do not reflect her contribution of about N2,000,000.00 towards the purchase and construction of the property. It was the Claimant’s case that, the Defendant had moved out of the matrimonial home in 2014, just before the dissolution of the marriage between the parties; but he returns to the house regularly in a bid to evict the Claimant and children from the house, in order to sell the building. The Claimant alleged that, on one of such visits by the Defendant in the company of four hefty men, who molested and harassed the her and the children, one of the children was injured and the sum of N530,000.00 belonging to her, was made away with. It was The Defendant subsequently, got the Claimant arrested and detained by the Police; she was served with the Seven Days Notice of Owner’s Intention to recover possession, during the arrest. Consequent upon the foregoing, the Claimant instituted this action claiming among others, an order of joint ownership, and an order that the property be sold, and the proceeds of the sale divided equally between the parties. At the trial, the Claimant testified and tendered documents. The Defendant on his part, testified and called three other witnesses. He also tendered documents, to the effect that the Claimant did not contribute to the purchase and construction of the properties in issue, and that she had been a full time house wife, who depended on what he gave her. The Defendant testified that, the Claimant, upon dissolution of the marriage, started making attempts at assassinating him, which informed the complaint made to the Police. The Defendant stated that, his current accommodation was not conducive; hence, his decision to evict the Claimant from the property, following the divorce proceedings and counter-claim for recovery of the premises. Issue for Determination The sole issue considered by the court as germane for the determination of the Petition is: Whether from the facts and evidence before the honourable court, the Claimant and the Defendant are joint owners of the one plot of landed property, the three bedroom flat and the uncompleted storey building erected thereon at No. 7, Fadama, Biala Estate, Olodo, Ibadan, Oyo State, which property was acquired during the subsistence of the marriage (which produced four children). but was subsequently dissolved on 2nd July, 2014. Arguments Counsel for the Claimant posited that, the property was jointly acquired by parties from their resources, and owned jointly by the parties during the seventeen years of marriage. Reliance was placed on the various receipts of purchase tendered by the Claimant, in support of her case of joint ownership and contribution towards the construction of the buildings on the land. On the issue of forgery of the receipt of purchase tendered by the Claimant, counsel argued that, it is only the maker of the document (who was listed, but not called by the Defendant), that could have testified if the receipts were issued by him or otherwise. For the Defendant, it was argued that the Claimant failed to discharge the burden placed on her by law, to establish joint

Hon. Justice M.L. Abimbola, CJ Oyo State

In the High Court of Oyo State In the Ibadan Judicial Division Holden At Ibadan On Thursday, the 28th day of February, 2019 Before His Lordship M.L. Abimbola Chief Judge, High Court of Oyo State Suit No:I/169/2015 Between Mrs. Toyin Arajulu (formerly known and referred to as Mrs. Toyin James)...... Claimant And Mr. James Monday...... Defendant

ownership of the property as alleged. He submitted that, the Claimant failed to tell the court how she came about the receipts tendered in evidence, or call the person who issued the receipts, and this was fatal to her case. Counsel argued further that, the receipts were forged by the Claimant to fraudulently confer joint ownership of the property in dispute on the parties, and he had been able to prove this beyond reasonable doubt. He compared the sole evidence of the Claimant without calling any other witness, to the evidence led by the Defendant who called other witnesses and testified to the effect that, the Defendant single handedly purchased the property and built on it. In support of the counter-claim, counsel posited that, the refusal of the Claimant to pack out of the property in dispute after the

“....A HUSBAND WHO MARRIES A WOMAN AND BUILDS A HOUSE DURING THE SUBSISTENCE OF THE MARRIAGE, STANDS THE RISK OF LOSING THAT HOUSE, IF HE SUBSEQUENTLY DIVORCES THE WOMAN WHO HAD CHILDREN WITH HIM AND LAYS CLAIMS TO JOINT OWNERSHIP, UNLESS SUCH WOMAN, OF HER OWN VOLITION, LEAVES THE MATRIMONIAL HOME”

Court’s Judgement and Rationale In resolving the issue, the court noted that, though the claim relates to ownership of property between the parties, the question that calls for determination however, transcends the mere claim of ownership. It is a question involving the right of a wife as to the matrimonial home, the right to proprietary interest, the right of occupation during the marriage, and the right to the maintenance of children after dissolution of the marriage. It was common ground that, the property was purchased during the subsistence of the marriage under Native Law and Custom, between the parties. It was also not in dispute that, the parties and the four children of the marriage were living in one of the buildings on the property, while the other one was under construction before the dissolution of the marriage. Where a husband or a wife acquire a property by his/her own efforts before the marriage, then the other party cannot lay a claim to any share of the property by reason of subsequent marital relationship – Section 16 of the Married Women Property Law of Oyo State, 2000. By the provisions of Section 20 of the Law however, the application is limited to women married under the Marriage Act. The facts of this case, showed that the property was purchased and developed during the marriage (albeit under Native Law and Custom). If a party leads credible evidence in support of a claim, such party should not be denied the remedy/relief, merely because he failed to state the law under which such relief is claimed. Where there is a wrong, there is a remedy. Thus, if a wife claims joint ownership of a property with her husband on the ground(s) that she contributed one way or the other towards erecting a building, though most contributions are not documented; that she paid school fees of the children, and even performed wifely duties such as taking care of the children (which are unquantiﬁable in monetary funds), such claim cannot be determined by strict rules of ownership or proof of title, but by equitable principles and the discretion of the court about what is fair, having regard to the interest of the children. In AMADI v NWOSU (1992) 5 NWLR 273, the court held that, the provisions of the Married Women Property Act of 1881 (which is a Statute of General Application), is not applicable. Nonetheless, the principles of the Act can be of persuasive guidelines, especially as Native Law and Custom can be applied, if it is not repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience. The Native Law and Custom is very dynamic; the influence of English legal jurisprudence on rules of Customary Law, cannot, therefore, be ignored. The Act and Section 17 of the Married Women Property Law of Oyo State, 2000, recognise the validity of Customary Marriages and rights therein; hence, the court would be guided by the principle of natural justice as enunciated in the Act, when interpreting the provisions of family ownership of property, where fairness is enjoined as guiding the reasoning of the court. Given the foregoing, the court found that, the Claimant established intention to create joint ownership of the property when it was acquired and actual joint ownership of the property, so as to raise a presumption of beneficial interest on her and the children of the marriage. The court therefore, granted the claims of the Claimant, declaring joint ownership of the property, and making an order of possession and occupation of the completed three bedroom by the Claimant and her children as the matrimonial home, and that the four children are entitled as beneficial owners by way of presumption of a resulting trust created by the parties. The uncompleted storey building was ordered to be sold, and the proceeds divided in equal portion, with half of the share to the Claimant for maintenance of the children of the marriage and the other half to the Defendant. The court rationalised the findings above on the principle that a husband who marries a woman and builds a house during the subsistence of the marriage, stands the risk of losing that house if he subsequently divorces the woman who had children with him and lays claims to joint ownership, unless such woman of her own volition, leaves the matrimonial home. Claims upheld; Counter-claim Dismissed. Representation: Parties absent. Mr. Victor Adewole for the Claimant. Mr. K.A. Oyesola for the Defendant/Counter-Claimant. Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited (Publishers of Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR))

09.04.2019

NEWS/5

L-R: Chairman, NBA Section on Business Law, Mr. Seni Adio, Chairperson of the ﬁrst penalists, Mr. George Etomi and Partner, Squire Patron Boggs, Mr. Jeremy Cape, at the NBA-SBL Seminar on Building UK & Nigeria Legal Sector Collaboration jointly organised by the NBA-SBL, the UK Legal Service and Great Trade Mission in Lagos, last week

L-R: Partner, Primera Africa Legal, Mr. Israel Aye, Hon. Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Lagos State High Court, Mr. Sylva Ogwemoh, SAN, Partner, Primera Africa Legal, Mrs. Boma Alabi and Deputy Diretor General, Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Mr. Nasiru Tijani at Nigerian Law School Annual Mentoring Session organised by Primera Africa Legal, in collaboration with GE Interational Operations Nigeria Limited at Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos

Nigerian, UK Lawyers, Collaborate on Cross Border Legal Services Stories by Akinwale Akintunde The Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Business Law, last Wednesday, brought together Lawyers from Nigeria and the United Kingdom, for a collaborative seminar at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The seminar was as engaging and interactive, as Lawyers from both jurisdictions had a full day to meet and exchange ideas/legal work. With the theme ‘Building UK & Nigeria Legal Sector Collaboration’, participants examined issues in the sub-themes, including ‘The Future of Regional Integration: Lessons from the EU for the Prospective African Continental Free Trade Area – A Conversation’. Other sub-themes the seminar engaged participants on included, ‘New Challenges for Lawyers & their Clients: Navigating

Data Protection Regimes & Cybersecurity’; ‘Facilitating Future UK/Nigerian Trade & Investment (Regulatory Issues; Risk Management; Ease of Doing Business; Business Immigration; Beyond Oil & Gas)’ and ‘Facilitating Future UK/Nigeria Trade & Investment (Accessing Capital; FDI; Project Finance)’. The program opened with welcome remarks by the International Trade Adviser, UK Department for International Trade, Elizabeth Fehnrich. The first plenary session, which was chaired by NBASBL pioneer Chairman, George Etomi, had as panelists, Senio Adio, SAN and Jeremy Cape, a Partner in Squire Patton Boggs, London. They engaged on the issue of cross border legal services, and how Nigerian and UK Lawyers can work more closely together.

NBA President, Paul Usoro, SAN, said of the seminar “its always a great pleasure, getting to meet our colleagues from other jurisdictions. We get to interact and partner with them, on a number of issues. It also creates opportunities for developing partnerships and collaborations”. On the vexed issue of outsourcing legal work to foreign law firms, Usoro said “I have always maintained that, there is no aspect of legal practice that we can’t find Nigerian Lawyers who are versed in those areas. I actually believe we should use the skills that we have in Nigeria, primarily. However, Nigeria is part of a global system, and therefore, it is not impossible that we should have partnerships”. There were complaints by Nigerian Lawyers, that there are multinationals in Nigeria who

brief foreign Lawyers, and pay them higher fees. Usoro said, “it would be good for these parties not to underestimate the capabilities of Nigerian Lawyers. It is rather unfortunate. In the field of advocacy, you don’t allow Lawyers from other jurisdictions to come. Those skills are there in transactional legal work”. As the largest Bar in Africa, how can Nigeria lead the rest of the continent? Usoro had this to say, “we will continue to work on providing the necessary leadership, for Lawyers in Africa. In my first year in office, I am trying to establish systems that work for the Nigerian Bar Association, and to sanitise the entire Bar. I have to then move on to broader issues, after the Annual General Conference in August. Of course, we do have a leadership role to play in Africa, and we are gradually taking steps to do that”.

Court Fixes May 8 to Hear Pending Applications in Media Worth N1bn Suit against JCDecaux A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has fixed May 8, 2019 to continue hearing in a suit instituted by a Nigerian Outdoor Advertising firm, Media Worth, against an acclaimed world’s biggest advertising firm, J.C Decaux Nigeria Outdoor Advertising Limited, for allegedly hijacking an approved outdoor site of the local firm. Justice Saliu Seidu fixed the date last Wednesday, March 3, 2019, to enable him hear all pending applications filed by parties in the suit. These pending applications include, JCDecaux’s Preliminary Objection to the suit, arguing that the act of LASAA, revoking the approval granted to Media Worth, ought to have been challenged within three months, when the revocation was purportedly done. Also, Media Worth’s response to JCDecaux’s objection amongst other applications, will be heard on the next adjourned date. Media Worth had sued JCDecaux, to seek redress for alleged usurpation of its approved billboard site, by JCDecaux. In the suit, Media Worth is asking the court to award it a whopping N1 billion as damages, for the alleged infringement on its billboard

site by JCDecaux. Joined in the suit along JCDecaux, are the Federal Ministry of Works and Lagos State Signage & Advertising Agency (LASAA), as 1st and 2nd Defendants, respectively. Media Worth had in its statement of claim, stated that the illegal incursion of JCDecaux, a French multinational agency, on its space has caused disruption on its operations, resulting to loss of businesses. The Nigerian outdoor company also blamed JCDecaux’s incursion for its recent decision to disengage 22 members of its staff, as it could no longer meet up with overhead expenses in the face of dwindling revenue. Media Worth, in its statement of claim, stated that sometime in 2012, it went on strategic site hunting, and found the Oworoshoki end of the Third Mainland Bridge suitable for a proposed digital electronic billboard, and approached, LASAA, the regulatory body for approval. According to Media Worth, LASAA had in a letter dated October 18, 2011, advised it to approach the Federal Ministry of Works, which is statute-

empowered by the virtue of Federal Highways Act, to grant approvals for right of way on Federal roads. Consequently, an application was made on February 22, 2012, by the local advertising firm to the Federal Ministry of Works, and on March 12 2012, approval was granted amongst other requirements which included payment of N2 million to the Federal Government coffers. The approval fee was paid, according to court documents. Strangely, as soon as Media Worth mobilised men and materials to site, there was a stop work order from Lagos State Ministry of Environment, and later, Ministry of Town Planning and Urban Development, citing public safety concerns. This interference, according to the outdoor agency, breached normal laid down procedures for regulation of billboards in Lagos State. While Media Worth was reaching out to get the order lifted, it was gathered that, LASAA revoked the approval initially granted. At this stage, Media Worth claimed it had invested over N150 million. In

court documents, Media Worth claimed it is still indebted to the tune of $100,000, to its technical suppliers. Media Worth claimed that, after the alleged illegal revocation of its site, armed policemen were drafted to the site, to destroy its erected structures. Media Worth also claimed that, the site which was illegally hijacked from them under the nebulous guise of public safety, was handed over to JCDecaux to construct an LED board similar to what Media Worth was erecting, before demolition. JCDecaux in an affidavit deposed to at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, initially claimed to have got necessary approvals from the relevant government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Works. However, when the Federal Ministry of Works, which is the First Defendant in the case denied issuance of approval to any advert firm other than Media Worth, JCDecaux recanted in an another affidavit, claiming it had made the claim in error, and therefore, did not have the approval from the Federal Ministry, to construct any structure on the said location.

Law Students Mentored in Acts of Law Practice It was a day of excitement at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, last Friday, when the students were taken on a mentoring program, by senior members of the Bar and Bench. The event, which is in its 10th year, is the initiative of Primera Africa Legal, and this year’s edition was held in collaboration with General Electric International Operations, Nigeria Limited. There were five speaking sessions:A Day in the Life of a Judge Hon Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Lagos State High Court, spoke to the students on what career paths are open to them on being called to the Bar. Ipaye J, who had a glowing career in active legal practice and the academia before joining the Bench, told the students that the legal horizon in Nigeria is quite broad, as they could engage in litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, academics, and as In-house Counsel for corporate entities. On a typical day in the life of a Judge, Ipaye J said a Judge’s life is reclusive, and all about hard work. A Judge, according to her, goes about her work with care and caution, as they hardly appear on social media. She advised the students that, if they desire a career on the Bench, they must ensure that they avoid impropriety at all times. Dispute Resolution A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Sylva Ogwemoh, SAN, took the over 1,400 students, through the rudiments of Alternative Dispute Resolution. The learned silk said there is enough for every Lawyer to do, that all that they would need, is to remain focused. Ogwemoh said that, disputes are bound to arise in every day life, and transactions and Lawyers are needed to resolve these disputes. He identified Arbitration as an attractive choice of parties who desire a quicker resolution of their disputes. He encouraged the students,

to ‘start now!’, explaining that, there are platforms and opportunities for young Lawyers to be involved in arbitration. He further pointed out that, under the Lagos New Rules, ADR is given priority, as it is not compulsory to give 7 days notice to the other party for ADR and a further 7 days before litigation can commence. If this provision is not complied, with the suit will be dismissed. He admonished the students, to ensure they prepare themselves for practice, deepen legal skills, dispute resolution skills, and be innovative. To be a good litigation Lawyer, Ogwemoh told the students that the five things they would need include, facts of the case, knowledge of the law, knowing the Judge and to be always prepared. A Day in the Life of an In-house Counsel Okezi Uwede-Meshach of General Electric, told the students the basics of what they would need to make a career as In-house counsel. Narrating his own personal career path, Okezi said a career as company secretary, can be quite challenging and fulfilling. Senior Partner at Primera Africa Legal, Mr. Israel Aye, gave an in-depth analysis on ‘Transitioning from In-house Counsel to General Law Firm Practice’. The occasion also witnessed the introduction of a lawapp, MyLaw.ng. In closing, Managing Partner of Primera Africa Legal and former President Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Mrs. Boma Alabi, addressed a vital aspect of getting a job after call to Bar. She urged the students, to ensure that they look beyond their CVs, while applying for jobs. She advised the students, on how to couch the coverings mails to the CVs.

PALU President Calls on Bar Associations, to Regulate the Legal Profession or Lose Control The President of the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), Chief Emeka Obegolu, has called upon the National Bar Associations and Law Societies, to effectively regulate the legal profession or lose control to

agencies of government. Obegolu made this call in his comment, during the International Lawyers Forum of the German Federal Bar. He

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

09.04.2019

Nigeria Set to Commercialise Gas Flaring Akinwale Akintunde Efforts to outlaw gas flaring in Nigeria had hitherto failed, as the nation had lacked the political will to put in place the required laws and regulations to actualise this. But, all that is set to change, with the recent enactment of the Flare Gas (Prevention and Waste) Regulation (2018). At a 2-day Oil & Gas workshop held at the Astoria Hotel, Lagos, experts including government officials, deliberated on the various issues to regulate and commercialise gas flaring in Nigeria. The workshop was organised by Syncrest Energy Limited, in partnership with George Etomi & Partners and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The Workshop was facilitated by energy experts from the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP), Wycliffe Advisory & Consulting Services, George Etomi & Partners, Tranergy & Co, Primera Africa Legal, and Pioneer Energy. Industry players, investors, representatives of the Ministry and Regulatory bodies in the oil and gas sector, were in attendance. The Workshop touched on the Gas Industry, in terms of gas monetisation strategies, gas

dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa and other regional markets, the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, the Gas Flare Regulation, transnational and commercial structures, Project bankability, etc. At the workshop, Mr. Justice Derefaka (Programme Manager of the NGFCP) stated the importance of eliminating gas flaring: "flaring gas is a waste of natural resources...only 12.5 million out of 180 million people have access to electricity". While giving an overview of the gas industry, Abimbola Olufore (Wycliffe Advisory & Consulting), highlighted that, "with respect to commercialisation of gas, there is a nexus of gas with virtually all sectors of the economy, from the power sector to the healthcare sector, the agriculture sector and the textile industry". Ann Norman (Pioneer Energy), extensively showcased the benefits of various remotely operated modular flare gas processing solutions. Abolaji Femi-Ishola (Tranergy & Co.), in discussing the gas-energy nexus, stated that, "as gas prices come close to market prices, there will be an increase in gas deals", and "the core of gas production, goes to power consumption, to ensure that power plants are not stranded and have enough gas as feedstock".

L-R: Mr. Jide Loye (Syncrest Energy), Mr. George Etomi (George Etomi & Partners), Mr. Justice Derefaka (Program Manager, Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Program), Mrs. Abimbola Olufore (Wycliﬀe Advisory & Consulting), Mr. Wale Ogunbufunmi (Syncrest Energy), Mrs. Ivie Ehanmo (George Etomi & Partners) and Mr. Abolaji Femi-Ishola (Tranergy & Co.)

Israel Aye (Primera Africa Legal), enlightened participants about the legal and regulatory expectations within the Regulation, while Ivie Ehanmo (George Etomi and Partners),

PALU PRESIDENT CALLS ON BAR ASSOCIATIONS, TO REGULATE THE LEGAL PROFESSION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 stated that, nations and the general public are at a crossroad between national security concerns and Lawyer/client confidentiality, leading to different legislations in some jurisdictions that are designed to subvert one of the pillars of the administration of justice and rule of law. Speaking to the theme of the Conference which was, “Confidentiality - A Lawyers Issue”, the PALU President called upon the National Bar Associations, to design a robust regulatory mechanism that addresses the concerns of the general public and other stakeholders, while

and International security concerns. The President of the Law Society of England and Wales, Christina Blacklaws, advised that Lawyers must not hide under attorney privilege to compound crimes or withhold information on the likelihood of commission of crime. She urged the legal profession, to continue to interrogate the issues surrounding clients privilege, and where the privilege ends versus where the National security starts. The Conference was attended by Bar leaders, from over 35 countries and regional Bars

balancing the need for confidentiality with National security concerns. He stated that, it is only where the Bar fails to effectively regulate, that the security agencies find justification in proposing legislation that subverts the duty of Lawyers. The President of the International Bar Association, Horacio Bernadres-Neto, in his own intervention, observed that the privilege belongs to the client and not counsel, and the legal profession must continue to ensure the protection of the privilege, while balancing it with the National

discussed the legal, regulatory, transactional and commercial structures and strategies for flare gas commercialisation and sale to off-takers. The Flare Gas Regulations had been signed into law by President Muhammed Buhari, in July 2018.Gas flaring in Nigeria is a tremendous waste of scarce natural resources and fuel. It also contributes, to climate change. The Gas commercialisation programme, seeks to provide a framework to eliminate gas flaring through gas utilisation projects, which are technically and commercially sustainable. These projects would be developed by competent third-party investors, who are being invited to participate in a competitive and transparent bid process. The first stage of the bidding process, commenced in January 2019. The NGFCP hopes to attract investment of about $3Billion USD, creating over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs, and reducing CO2 emissions by over 20,000MT yearly.

Legal Personality of the Week Adaora Nwajiaku

‘A Lawyer must Study Continually and Network Consistently’ Please, give a brief introduction of yourself My name is Adaora Nwajiaku. I obtained my Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) from the University of Ibadan, and in further pursuit of knowledge, I proceeded to the University of Lagos for my Master of Laws (LL.M) degree. Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer, and if so, what were the main challenges? Certainly. As a Lawyer, I have encountered innumerable challenges which have presented themselves in personal, academic and professional forms. One typically finds oneself in complicated situations, whose solutions always require wisdom, expertise and many times, God’s intervening grace. I find that as a Lawyer, I mainly have to prove myself as a sound, astute and knowledgeable person, regardless of the area of law being dealt with. A Lawyer is a learned fellow, and whilst this appears dignified in title, in reality, it requires a lot of work, focus and dedication. I have to constantly remind myself that, learning cannot be dissociated from law practice. It is impracticable for one to excel in law practice, except they continually study literally, everything- books, news, every form of text, sound and visual source of information. Law is hugely practical. It revolves around life and the machineries that make it work: disputes, commerce, industry, development, governance, financial matters, and so on. As a result, every piece of information is vital to a Lawyer, especially one in active legal practice. It’s a constant challenge to try and find the right balance between learning and working, however, one cannot afford to relent. Thankfully, perseverance, dedication, and of course wisdom, are necessary little helpers, to assist one achieve goals.

Adaora Nwajiaku

What was your worst day as a Lawyer? To date, my worst day as a Lawyer, would be the day I went to the State High Court while undergoing the National Youth Service Corps Program. I had recently been called to the Bar, and I went for a matter which was not supposed to require any protocol. Usually, I would be accompanied by a senior Lawyer, but everyone was occupied on this day, necessitating my sole appearance in court. When the matter was called, I confidently stood up, donning my shiny wig and gown, and announced my appearance as required. I expected a summary disposition of my matter, but the Judge noticed some issues which she believed required further attention. These issues required reference to the High Court Rules, and I had unfortunately, neglected to bring mine to court.

This was the beginning of my ordeal, and embarrassment. The Judge asked me pointed questions, and when it became obvious that I did not have my rules, she found it most interesting and entertaining. My confidence vanished, and I stuttered my way through this ordeal with the kind assistance of other Lawyers by my side (some without their Rules too), who shared a copy of the Rules with me. Miraculously, I was able to survive the ordeal, but left court ashamed and in tears, hoping no one in the court would recollect my name or face. I also learnt an invaluable lesson which I have always remembered, and that is, to never go to court or a meeting, unprepared. This requires thorough acquaintance with the file/matter in issue, and a perusal of every document involved. This also requires that, I carry all relevant materials to court- regardless of weight or size. I always carry large totes, big enough to shove volumes of books in. What was your most memorable experience as a Lawyer? I have had too many to recount, but it would probably be the day I received my Law School results. There are honestly no words, that can describe the sheer joy I felt. I cannot process further words to describe this event. Who has been most inﬂuential in your life? Unarguably, my mother. There are no qualifications, as to her influence in my life. She is simply the reason, why I am who I am today. She’s an academic, a Doctor of English Language, and is arguably one of the strongest, most determined, hardworking persons ever. I saw and learnt integrity, assiduousness, and kindness from her.

While others have been quite influential in my life (and I am constantly grateful to have learned and continue learning from them), my mother has maintained the top position. Why did you become a Lawyer? I became a Lawyer, because I love being a peacemaker and my young mind persuaded me that this calling best fit my description. “Defend the poor”, “deliver the oppressed”, I saw Lawyers as helpers. I also have always been considered as quite fluent, and I love to write; what other attributes do Lawyers need? These mainly influenced my early decision, to study law. Although, these perceptions have been largely expanded, not much else has changed. What would be your advice to anyone wanting a career in law? Study continually...constant learning is vital; Network consistently ...I have been saved from many tough situations, because I knew someone who knew someone who could help/advice; Hold God steadfastly- because what is greater or more important? I have been helped in ways I can never explain or understand, because I relied on my faith. Sometimes, the result is instantaneous, sometimes it takes a bit longer. Regardless, when I call, He tends to answer. If you had not become a Lawyer , what other career would you have chosen? I would have become a Journalist. Where do you see yourself in ten years? I see myself, ahead. I find that I want a bit of everything, and so, I cannot process my thoughts in one direction. Today, I am in a leading Nigerian law firm; tomorrow, I might be in a University classroom. One thing is certain, its forward ever.

09.04.2019

CAMA Bill Needs Presidential Assent, to Enhance Ease of Doing Business

President Muhammadu Buhari

Akinwale Akintunde The journey to amend the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 (CAMA), began in 2017, when on May 8, the Senate President inaugurated a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to review and analyse the Bill for an Act to amend. The proposed Companies and Allied Matters Bill (CAM Bill) 2018, according to experts, is the largest business reform bill in over 28 years. This is so, because it speaks to all matters affecting a company, from incorporation all the way to winding up, and very recently, insolvency. The Bill also directly affects the influx of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Nigeria, because of its relevance to the ease of doing business and the ease of investing in Nigeria. As a result, the need for a repeal and re-enactment of the existing CAMA, in line with current economic realities, became extremely important.

Dr. Jumoke Oduwole

The Bill just passed the third reading at the House of Representatives last month, having passed by the Senate in 2018. However, the questions on lips of many Nigerians amongst others are, what has changed, how do they stand to benefit from the proposed amendment etc? Speaking on this positive development, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Secretary of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, stated that, “this is a significant hurdle crossed, in our efforts to help businesses grow in Nigeria, and in driving our Ease of Doing Business ranking, as a nation. “We congratulate every Nigerian on this achievement, and we applaud the several partners that came together in partnership to make this work. We look forward to receiving the Bill for Mr. President’s assent, and we are confident of the benefits this will bring to businesses, to drive exponential growth

in the next few years”. On the benefits of the Bill, Dr. Oduwole said, “The CAM Bill signifies meaningful progress towards aligning business practices, which had been heavily constrained by several provisions in the old 1990 Act, with global standards as it speaks to all matters affecting a company, from incorporation to winding up and insolvency. The Bill directly affects the influx of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Nigeria, due to its relevance to the ease of doing business and investing in Nigeria. “According to the legislative brief of the new Bill, it has new features that will make doing business in Nigeria, a lot easier. In order for Nigeria to improve its standing in World Bank Doing Business (WBDB) Ranking Index, it needs to improve on its ease of establishing and running businesses, and bring its business legal regime in tandem with modern advances”, the legislative brief explained. “A key thrust of the Bill, is therefore, aimed

Law Firm asks SEC to Stop MTN from Listing its Shares pending Outcome of Ongoing Litigation Akinwale Akintunde The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has been urged to immediately stop telecoms firm, MTN, from listing it shares in the Nigerian stock market. The law firm of Charles Mekwunye and Co, made this appeal in a letter dated March 18, 2019. According to the law firm, MTN cannot list its shares in the Nigeria stock market, due to an ongoing suit before the Supreme Court over the massive divestment of its assets. The firm noted that, MTN had been unfair to the Nigerian public and regulators, by not disclosing the pendency of a civil matter over its shares, when it recently announced its proposed initial public offer. In the letter to SEC, the law firm said: “We are disappointed that you have refused and/ or failed to call MTN to order, in light of recent publications relating to its proposed Initial Public Offer (IPO), without any reference whatsoever, to the appeal pending before the Supreme Court

involving the massive divestment of its assets. “We consider the move by MTN as unfair, misleading, and calculated attempt as usual, to defraud the Nigerian economy and the Nigerian investing public. “Please, be advised that, under Nigerian law and jurisprudence, MTN cannot disrespect the Supreme Court, by interfering with the subjectmatter of litigation before the Apex Court in the land.” Dr. Charles Mekwunye, had in 2008 dragged MTN, Lotus Capital, and Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, IHS Holding LTD and INT Towers Ltd before the Federal High Court, over alleged breach of contract in the massive divestment of MTN assets. Mekwunye claimed at the lower court, that MTN through its appointed nominee, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management and LOTUS Capital, defaulted in a share investment agreement with him. He urged the court then, to restrain MTN from listing its shares in the stock market, pending the determination of the suit.

But ruling on a preliminary objection raised by MTN on the competence of the suit, the trial Judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, was asked parties in the suit to explore the arbitration clause embedded in the contract. Dissatisfied with the ruling of the lower court, Mekwunye filed a motion on notice on February 26, 2018 at the Court of Appeal, arguing that an arbitration clause in the agreement between him and MTN cannot be used to determine the suit involving IHS Holdings Ltd and INT Towers Ltd, who are not parties to the arbitration clause. The Court of Appeal in its ruling, also asked parties in the suit, to pursue arbitration earlier pointed out by the lower court. Still not satisfied with the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Mekwunye took the matter to the Supreme Court, insisting that, the crux of the matter was the failure of the Respondents to list MTN shares in NSE in 2011 as agreed by the parties, and that, until the suit is properly determined, MTN ought not to be allowed to list its shares on the stock market.

at simplifying the process of starting and growing a business in Nigeria, by abolishing the requirement for a company to have authorised share capital, enabling a single person to form a private company, introducing for the first time, a business rescue process, and introducing the concept of limited liability partnership”, she explained. To further address some of the question on the need for the amendment, the Senior Special Assistant to the President noted that, the CAM Bill also ensures more appropriate regulation for micro, small and medium scale enterprises, by making it optional for smaller companies to have a company secretary, comply with accounting requirements, and for one-man and small companies to hold an annual general meeting, as well as introducing separate models of articles of association for private companies. Apart from the already stated benefits, some other benefits of the landmark reform Bill, according to Dr. Oduwole, include the promotion of policies that will enhance the regulatory environment for growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), reduce entry barriers for smaller businesses, enhance transparency and shareholder engagement, align regulatory frameworks with international best practice for competitiveness, and increase the efficiency of the regulatory process in line with today’s realities. Further benefits are, faster and cheaper registration of companies limited by guarantee, easier authentication of documents, prevention of asset shielding, and combating money laundering, terrorism financing or other illicit or criminal activities using companies as vehicles; among others. In line with Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) mandate, this re-enactment is a strong demonstration of the Administration’s commitment to improving the business environment, and ultimately Nigeria's competitiveness. The passage of the Bill was promoted by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and was made possible through the collaborative efforts of several public and private sector stakeholders, supported by the Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES), including the Senate, the House of Representatives, the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER), the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, and a number of leading commercial law firms in Nigeria.

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09.04.2019

2019 NBA-SLP Conference: Focusing on Improving Legal Services in Nigeria

Ayodele Akintunde, SAN Photos: Kolawole Alli

Following the runaway success of its 2018 Conference in Port Harcourt, the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice, is set to ‘wow’ Lawyers again, with a world-class Conference. This time, the Ondo State Capital, Akure, will play host to Nigerian Lawyers from May 7-8, when the Section will hold its 2019 Annual Conference, with the theme‘Value-Added Legal Services’. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi met up with the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Mr. Ayodele Akintunde, SAN to discuss the highlights of the upcoming Conference, and what Lawyers should look forward to in Akure

ou are the Chairman of the NBA Section on Legal Practice Conference Planning Committee of the 2019 Annual Conference, which is scheduled to take place on May 7-8 in Akure, Ondo State. Kindly, give us an overview of the Conference. How do Members register? Will it be online like last year? What are the Conference highlights? The NBA Section on Legal Practice Annual Conference, is one of the major events on the calendar of the NBA Section on Legal Practice every year. The 2019 Annual Conference, is a two-day Conference, which will take place in the beautiful city of Akure, Ondo State, at the prestigious Dome International Culture and Events Centre, from the 7th to the 8th of May, 2019. The Conference is being hosted by His Excellency, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo

“THE 2019 ANNUAL CONFERENCE, IS A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF AKURE, ONDO STATE, AT THE PRESTIGIOUS DOME INTERNATIONAL CULTURE AND EVENTS CENTRE, FROM THE 7TH TO THE 8TH OF MAY, 2019”

Akeredolu, SAN, the Governor of Ondo State, and the entire Ondo State Government. The theme of this year’s Annual Conference is “Value Added Legal Practice”. During the two-day conference, participants will share their views on the future of legal services in Nigeria, the opportunities and threats, how the legal profession should adapt to the changing landscape, how legal practitioners can improve the quality of their legal services, attract clients and boost their revenues. Panel discussions will critically examine issues around justice reform, and how to improve service delivery in the justice sector, to enhance the value of legal practice. The conference will examine several topical issues in legal practice today, and give practical solutions. On the first day, there will be a dinner. Participants will be treated to cultural displays, by various cultural troupes from Ondo and Ekiti States. In addition to the presentations on the second day, a visit will be organised to the Idanre hills, where participants can take on the Idanre

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hills. The Idanre hills, is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Nigeria. Golf enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to play on one of the most beautiful golf courses in Nigeria, the Smoking Hills Golf course located at the outskirts of Ilara Mokin. Like last year, registration for this year’s annual conference will be online and members and non- members of the NBA Section on Legal Practice, can go to the website: www.nba-slp.org to register. The website, is very user friendly. Once you get on the website, follow the link, fill the online form and make payment. The website also has a link, to enable non-members join the NBA Section on Legal Practice. We welcome new members, and assure them that there are lots of benefits for members of the Section on Legal Practice, including discounts on conference registration fees. The array of eminent panelists invited to the 2019 Annual Conference of the NBA Section on Legal Practice, will highlight strategic solutions and discussions taking place within the legal industry to improve legal services in Nigeria. The Conference will provide participants with an opportunity to enjoy Ondo State, its culture and people, and visit tourist destinations in Ondo State. The Conference is accredited by the Nigeria Bar Association, and CLE points will be awarded to participants. The Conference promises to be, a memorable one. What provisions have you made for older members of the NBA-SLP who are not internet savvy, and may not be able to register for the Conference online? Will there be provision to register at the Conference venue, or what plans have you put in place to ensure that they are not excluded from the Conference? Deliberate consideration has been given to the registration of older members of the NBA- SLP, who are not tech savvy. There are also members in areas with no, or patchy internet service. The Conference Planning Committee recognises this, and is working with various NBA Branch Chairmen in the regions. We have distributed hard copy registration forms, for dissemination to members. Payment can then be made, directly to the NBA-SLP Bank Account. We also have a helpline, 08166413698, which people can call. The early bird registration ends on the 19th of April, 2019. We encourage members, to take advantage of it. They can also pay, scan and send their tellers with their names, SCN numbers, phone numbers and Branch to info@nba-slp.org. We will make provision for on-site registration at the venue on Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th of May, 2019, for delegates who are unable to pre-register, but that will be at our regular rate. I want o assure our members that, the online registration portal is very user friendly and the registration process on the website is seamless. However, we urge intending delegates to pre-register, as the interest is very high and we already have about one-quarter of our expected slots taken by on-line early-bird registrants. The Conference Planning Committee is doing all it can, to ensure that nobody is excluded from the Conference. Akure is not as cosmopolitan as places like Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. What informed the decision to make Akure the venue of the Conference? Obviously, a large number of Lawyers are being expected at the Conference. What is the CPC’s plans regarding accommodation for Lawyers? Why not Akure? The Council of the NBA Section on Legal Practice chose Akure, Ondo State as the venue of its 2019 Annual Conference, for several reasons. Firstly, Akure, is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in South West Nigeria. Akure boasts of world class conference facilities, and hotel accommodation. For instance, the Dome International Event Centre, the venue of the 2019 Annual Conference, is a state-ofthe-art world class all-purpose conference centre. Akure is a city that allows an easy life, for business

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“ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, NOW POSES A HUGE THREAT TO THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF LAWYERS, AND THE INFLUX OF FOREIGN LAWYERS INTO THE NIGERIAN PRACTICE SPACE, IS AN EYE OPENER TO THE RESULTING DANGER OF STAYING STATIC AND BEING LAX” and pleasure. Akure is safe. Secondly, Ondo State is one of the top States in Nigeria when it comes to tourism, and some its tourist attractions include the Cave of Ashes Isharun, Idanre hills and the Smoking Hills Golf course located on the outskirts of Ilara Mokin. Idanre hills is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes, in Nigeria. The conference will afford participants to explore the rich culture of Ondo State, and its tourist destinations. Thirdly, during our NBA Section on Legal Practice Conference on Election Law and Practice in Nigeria, which held in Port Harcourt in November, 2018, Mr. Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, indicated his willingness and that of the Ondo State Government to support the hosting of the 2019 NBA Section on Legal Practice Annual Conference in Akure, Ondo State, to make the conference a memorable one. Mr. Governor will deliver the keynote speech, at the opening ceremony. Lastly, the NBA Section on Legal Practice, is being responsive to the yearning of its members to have such a conference in the region. Hosting the conference in Akure, Ondo State, will afford delegates the opportunity, to experience the hospitality of the government and people of Ondo State. With respect to hotel accommodation for Lawyers attending the conference, the CPC has negotiated discounted rates with several hotels in Akure, Ondo State. How will NBA-SLP ease the ﬁnancial burden of the Conference for young Lawyers? The 2019 NBA-SLP Conference Planning Committee is putting in place several measures, to ease the financial burden of the Conference for young Lawyers. Firstly, the conference registration fees for young members, is heavily discounted. The early bird registration fee for young Lawyers who are NBA-SLP members is N3,000, while the early bird registration fee for young Lawyers who are non-members, is N10,000. Young lawyers should kindly take advantage of the early bird period, which ends on the 19th of April, 2019. Also, we are partnering with various Branches in the State, to provide free transportation to and fro the Conference venue for their members – especially for young Lawyers. We have appealed to some of our senior Lawyers, to sponsor young Lawyers to the Conference, and their response has been positive. I want to use this opportunity, to appeal to our senior Lawyers and Branch Chairs, to sponsor many of their young Lawyers to attend the Conference. Other NBA Sections, have young Lawyers forums. When will SLP create such a platform, for its young members? The importance of creating a platform for young Lawyers and encouraging them to participate in the activities of the Section, cannot be overemphasised. Sections and other Associations that have vibrant young members forums, have benefitted tremendously from

the valuable contributions of their young Lawyer’s forums. The NBA Section on Legal Practice Chair, Mrs. Miannaya Essien, SAN, is passionate about actively involving young members in the activities of the Section. The NBA SLP is just bouncing back, and the Council will always do what is in the best interest of the Section, and legal practice as a whole. Since its comeback in 2018, NBA-SLP has not disappointed Lawyers in the extremely useful and informative conferences and workshops it has hosted. The theme of this year’s Conference is ‘Value added Legal Practice’. Which other Speakers, apart from Governor Akeredolu who is the keynote Speaker, have been lined up to speak to this topic? What informed your choice of topic? We have a line-up of experienced speakers, which include serving Judges, eminent Lawyers, Academics, and even non-Lawyer subject-matter experts. The 2019 conference theme - “Value-Added Legal Services” - was birthed from the realisation of the need to promote excellent service delivery in the legal profession in Nigeria, to make it at par with international best practices. The legal profession is radically evolving, and the impact of disruptive innovations and technology, cannot be ignored. Artificial Intelligence, now poses a huge threat to the traditional role of Lawyers, and the influx of foreign Lawyers into the Nigerian practice space, is an eye opener to the resulting danger of staying static and being lax. Against this background, there is an imminent need for legal practitioners to consciously and constantly increase knowledge and skills, learn new technologies, and add value to themselves, towards ensuring excellent service delivery. Thus the 2019 conference theme, was informed by the need to bridge the gap between outdated practices and evolving best practices. The global trend in the legal profession today, is towards Artiﬁcial Intelligence. There has been the apprehension that, almost all traditional legal work will be taken over by AI. The profession in Nigeria doesn’t seem quite prepared for this, as many Nigerian Lawyers lack basic computer literacy. Do you share in this fear? I do not share, in this fear. Artificial Intelligence has taken the front seat in virtually every industry, from manufacturing to health services. More resources are being channeled by corporations, into AI research and development. Therefore, it is inevitable that AI will make its foray into the legal profession, as well. While AI has spread its reaches through several fields, I do not see it as a competitor. Rather, I view it as a useful assistant, in navigating through the often gruelling, monotonous and repetitive tasks Lawyers have to perform, and by extension, freeing up time and resources for more specialised tasks. Artificial Intelligence is particularly useful, when there is a need to parse large amounts of data, which is a major bane of legal work. Artificial Intelligence has shown promise in several areas of legal practice, such as conducting research on cases and statutes autonomously, generating forms, contracts and agreements for clients’ transactions, administrative legal support and law office organisation, performing due diligence in complex transactions like mergers and acquisitions (where there are often truckloads of paperwork to sort through). AI can also be used to discover patterns, and in turn, use this information to predict outcomes of litigation battles by calculating the probability of success/failure. The opportunities for utilising AI in legal practice are endless. However, technology has been shown, to have a slow permeation rate in Nigeria. This slows down development and progress in every facet of life, legal practice included. In order not to be left behind, it is CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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2019 NBA-SLP CONFERENCE: FOCUSING ON IMPROVING LEGAL SERVICES IN NIGERIA imperative that Lawyers in Nigeria embrace technological tools, for more effective service delivery. AI is not a threat to Lawyers, as long as we keep abreast of technological advancements and harness them for a more successful legal practice. You will be shocked to know that many Lawyers in Nigeria, are embracing technology much quicker now, so that they are not left behind. Also, encroachment into the legal profession has continued to be on the increase. A sizeable number of work which had erstwhile been the exclusive preserve of Lawyers, is now being taken over by non-Lawyers, Accountants, Surveyors and other professions, who now prepare legal documents for companies and individuals. What role can the SLP play, in ensuring that this trend is reversed? These non-Lawyers are only able to carry out the unauthorised practice of law, with the help of Lawyers. The Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers 2007, prohibits the unauthorised practice of law by a nonLawyer, while the Legal Practitioners Act metes out punishment to Lawyers guilty of infamous conduct. The NBA should go a step further, and detail out what it considers to be unauthorised practice of the law, and give real examples, so that there are no grey areas. With the changing landscape of legal practice, the NBA has its work cut out for it, to specify unauthorised practice of law and how Lawyers can aid such unauthorised practice. The NBA, and particularly, the Section on Legal Practice, has a duty to continuously sensitise its members, on the need to protect the legal profession from encroachment by other professions. The NBA should constantly be researching and developing strategies, to plug all the loopholes. The general public and other professions, should be well informed on the criminal implication of the unauthorised practice of law by a non-Lawyer, while Lawyers need to be aware of the risk of having their names struck off the roll, if they aid a non-Lawyer in this nefarious practice. The NBA through the LPDC, should make examples of legal practitioners who are engaging in such activities with non-Lawyers, and enforce the rules of professional ethics. Non-Lawyers engaged in authorised law practice, should be prosecuted. In recent times, one has observed the gradual, but steady inﬂow of foreign Lawyers into our jurisdiction, in one guise or the other, including some companies actually using foreigners as their company secretaries. How do we stem this tide, to protect the incomes of Nigerian Lawyers? The influx of foreign Lawyers to provide legal services, where there are local Lawyers who can do the job, has greatly reduced revenue for Lawyers in Nigeria. It is an unfortunate development. It is important to remember that, the law as it stands now, is such that, only persons called to the Nigerian Bar can practice law in Nigeria. However, a lot of times foreign Lawyers do not do so directly, they are able to access the Nigerian legal market, in cahoots with local Lawyers and company executives. Foreign Lawyers practicing law in Nigeria under any guise, without any regulatory approval, should be found out, and company’s hiring them should be appropriately sanctioned. We need stronger regulations, and enforcement

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of the regulations, to curb this unhealthy trend. No jurisdiction opens its legal space to foreign Lawyers, without clearly defined regulations and a clear licensing regime. We need to consciously take steps , to protect the incomes of Nigerian Lawyers, for now and the future. Again Nigerian Lawyers will be neck deep in election litigation, as the 2019 general elections have just been concluded. The elections threw up a lot of complex issues, including those which INEC described as inconclusive, and areas where elections apparently didn’t take place, but results were declared. SLP’s Conference in Port Harcourt last December, sensitised Lawyers towards these challenges. Kindly, comment on this. Would you support the call for a special court for electoral offences? I support the call for a special court, for electoral offences. Electoral irregularities, have become a regular feature of Nigerian elections. Electoral offences are serious offences, and the effect of these offences can affect the nation as a whole, and as such, they should be dealt with as swiftly as possible. After every election cycle, the courts are inundated with cases, stemming from the concluded elections. This bogs down, the already backlogged court system. A special electoral offences court, will go a long way

“THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND OTHER PROFESSIONS, SHOULD BE WELL INFORMED ON THE CRIMINAL IMPLICATION OF THE UNAUTHORISED PRACTICE OF LAW BY A NON-LAWYER, WHILE LAWYERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE RISK OF HAVING THEIR NAMES STRUCK OFF THE ROLL, IF THEY AID A NON-LAWYER IN THIS NEFARIOUS PRACTICE”

in relieving the courts, and simultaneously ensuring the speedy administration of justice. What social events and entertainment should Lawyers look forward to, at the Akure Conference? (Laughs) The NBA-SLP platform encourages Lawyers to learn, network, share ideas, and relax, so that they can be more productive. This year, the 2019 Conference Planning Committee, has put together a number of social and fun events. Delegates will be welcomed with a networking cocktail, on Monday evening. There will be a spectacular dinner on Tuesday night, and an after-party with a rave artiste. You don’t want to miss that. Chief A. Adedipe, SAN, is sponsoring the dinner holding on the 7th of May, 2019. We are making arrangements to invite Ondo State's star artist, Teniola, who sang "Uyo Meyo" to entertain guests during the closing event. We will also be having an Idanre Hills Challenge, with very attractive prices for participants and winners. Golf enthusiasts, can also play golf at the magnificent Smoking Hills Golf Course at Ilara Mokin. It promises to be a good mix of learning and fun. What is your opinion of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, resigning from his position? Some believe that he was rail-roaded nto resigning, while others argue that, he should have resigned the moment the allegations of false declaration of assets, were levied against him. Which school of thought do you belong to, especially since you are a member of the Section on Legal Practice, which is concerned about every aspect of the ethics of our profession? Unfortunately, I do not have the details as to why he decided to resign, although I read that, he retired. The Constitution gives everyone a right to a fair hearing, and until the allegations are proven and pronounced upon, as a Lawyer, they remain allegations. These are my personal views. I believe that, the Section’s views can only be aligned with the views of the NBA national.

09.04.2019

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TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN, OFR, FCIARB, PH.D, LL.D

SMS only to 08098898888

Can Presiding Ofﬁcers be Externally Imposed on NASS by the Ruling Party? (Part 2)

in the media, criminalised, humiliated. The Bench, kept mute (as usual). The Bar became lily-livered. Lawyers whispered in hush tones. Some even supported Onnoghen’s excoriation, as if that massaged their over bloated egos. So, Onnoghen, faced with the reality of the situation, knew that his fate had been pre-determined by the cabal, signed, sealed and delivered. Otherwise, how can NJC hold that it decided not to delve into the allegations, relating to assets declaration levelled against Onnoghen because they were “subjudice”, yet convicted him on “the petitions” written by EFCC and others, when the said petitions remained in the realm of mere unproven allegations? It was simply a case, of working from the answer to the question.

Introduction

oday, we continue and conclude our discourse on the thorny topic, “can presiding officers be externally imposed on the National Assembly by the ruling party?”.

Bizarre Postulation Perhaps, the most bizarre argument as to how the Senate President emerges, came from the APC spokesperson, Mr Lanre Isa-Onilu. He told a shocked nation that, Senators elected on the platform of the PDP opposition party, had no say on the decision of who becomes the Senate President. He said it was also an aberration, for opposition Senators to take part in the election that would produce the Senate President and others. The party’s National Publicity Secretary said in an interview that, in the presidential system of government, there was no need for election of principal officers to be held on the floor of the National Assembly. According to him, once decisions on those who will occupy positions that belong to the party with majority have been taken, what is left is for the announcement to be made on the floor. He continued in a most curious manner: “The PDP leaders and their Senatorselect, are ignorant. If they are not ignorant, they will know that they don’t have a say on who becomes the President of the Senate. The positions that belong to the party with the majority, belong to the party with the majority. The positions that belong to the party with the minority, also belong to the party with the minority. “That is what is being practiced, in the proper presidential system of government that we adopted in this country. So, it is not for the PDP Senators, to come and vote for who becomes the Senate President. If that has been happening before, it is an aberration. This position, belongs to the APC. We have won the majority, and once you win the majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives, you determine those who are going to occupy those positions that belong to the party with the majority. That is what is obtainable, in the United States. You don’t even see them come to the ﬂoor, to come and vote for the Senate President. Once they determine who will occupy those positions that belong to the party with the majority, they will just come to the ﬂoor and announce.” This is most illogical. It is Mr Isa-Onilu, that is actually ignorant of the provisions of the Constitution, and their effect. He seems to suggest that, on the day of election of principal officers, only APC will rubber-stamp the party’s nominees. Other opposition members will be mere spectators, nodding “yea”, like agama lizards. Perhaps, Mr Isa-Onilu does not remember that, the APC had, in the past, benefited from the provisions of Section 50, with the defection of the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, from the PDP to the APC, in October, 2014, without relinquishing the Speakership of the House, to the PDP. This deft move, was applauded by then candidate Muhammadu Buhari, as the then opposition leader. The APC, through its then National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, had also welcomed the decision. For the record, the former Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, had also equally echoed the constitutional provisions that

“the Constitution requires only that the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be elected by members of that House from among themselves”. This is, the correct constitutional position. What has changed? It is ludicrous in the extreme, for the APC leadership to see the leadership positions, presiding officers and committee chairmanship positions of various committees, as the exclusive preserve of the APC party. The NASS belongs to Nigeria, not to APC. It exercises its powers, through its members. By Sections 50 and 92 of the Constitution, it is clear that no political party, whether ruling or opposition, has any role to play in the election of principal officers of the NASS, except those exclusively reserved for the parties, e.g Majority Leader, Minority Leader, etc. To ignore these historical and constitutional realities, will lead to a ready recipe for the PDP to contest the elections for the various positions, and even emerge winners. Read my lips. Position in the United States of America In the United States of America, from where we borrowed our presidential system of government, the provisions of electing the Senate President and the Speaker, House of Representatives, are in pari materia with ours. The American Constitution provides thus: Senate Section 3. “The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof. No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen. The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided. The Senate shall choose their other

Ofﬁcers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Ofﬁce of President of the United States.” House of Representatives Section 2. “The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature. No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen. When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment”. Concluded. Onnoghen: The Metaphor for a Fractured Nation (Part 1) Introduction I knew it would come, sooner than later. When Justice Walter Onnoghen’s travails started in January, I predicted that the cabal was out to rubbish him. They desired to bespatter him with the paintbrush of shame, odium and obloquy, in such a way as to make him visibly unfit for the position of the CJN. They went after his jugular, using the CCB/CCT. The CCT was unrelenting: it discarded its earlier precedents; ignored court rulings barring it from trying Onnoghen. It was the case of, the falcon not hearing the falconer. The Court of Appeal became complicit. It refused to deliver judgements in Onnoghen’s cases argued before it, over six weeks ago. Nigerians watched Onnoghen being mob-lynched. Onnoghen was tried

“IT IS MR ISA-ONILU, THAT IS ACTUALLY IGNORANT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION, AND THEIR EFFECT. HE SEEMS TO SUGGEST THAT, ON THE DAY OF ELECTION OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS, ONLY APC WILL RUBBER-STAMP THE PARTY’S NOMINEES. OTHER OPPOSITION MEMBERS WILL BE MERE SPECTATORS, NODDING “YEA”, LIKE AGAMA LIZARDS”

Any Options for Onnoghen? So, Onnoghen did the reasonable thing under the circumstances. He invoked Section 306(1) of the Constitution. He resigned. The section provides as follows: “Save as otherwise provided in this section, any person who is appointed, elected or otherwise selected to any office established by this Constitution may resign from that office by writing under his hand addressed to the authority or person by whom he was appointed, elected or selected. (2) The resignation of any person from any office established by this Constitution shall take effect when the writing signifying the resignation is received by the authority or person to whom it is addressed or by any person authorised by that authority or person to receive it”. By resigning, Onnoghen removed the wind from the sail of his traducers. He shamed them. He disallowed them from humiliating him to the last, dragging his name further in the mud. Those who are guffawing and backslapping each other, should bury their heads in shame. Onnoghen even saved the spin doctors in the Presidency, from bothering about the nightmare of the impossibility of garnering two-third majority votes of a rabidly independent Senate, to remove Onnoghen. That would have been, the 8th wonder of the world. This is because of the provisions of Section 292 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, which states: “a judicial ofﬁcer shall not be removed from his ofﬁce or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances – (a) in the case of – (i) Chief Justice of Nigeria... by the President acting on an address supported by two-third majority of the Senate.” To be sure, Onnoghen who was suspended from office on January 25, 2019, had pointedly accused the EFCC of levelling “malicious and speculative” allegations against him, concerning alleged car and monetary gifts, some as far back as 2008! It did not matter to Onnoghen’s traducers, that there was no way Onnoghen could receive gifts to pervert the cause of justice in two cases (mentioned by the EFCC), that involved eminent Justices such as Musa Dattijo Muhammad, Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, Kudirat Motonmori Kekere- Ekun, Ejembi Eko, Sidi Bage, Katsina-Alu (then CJN), Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (Ag CJN), John Afolabi Fabiyi, Olufunlola Adekeye, Suleiman Galadinma and Bode Rhodes-Vivour. (To be continued). THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “Democracy, good governance and modernity, cannot be imported or imposed from outside a country”. (Emile Lahoud).

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09.04.2019

Celebrities in Celebrated Sex Cases This article by Emmanuel Onwubiko, discusses the recent celebrity sex abuse cases in USA, involving musician R-Kelly, and Producer, Harvey Weinstein, leading to the formation of the Advocacy Group, the “MeToo” Movement, clamouring for the sanctity of respect for the sexual rights of all genders, noting that there is a deafening silence on the African continent, on this vital issue

T UDHR

he codification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) became imperative prior to its writing in 1948, when humanity suffered some of the worst cases of mass killings and wars that led to the wanton killings of millions of members of the human race, through the deployment by men of weapons of mass destruction. The First and Second World wars, perhaps, occasioned the evolution of the universal principles

of human rights. The advent of these global human rights' instruments and several other affiliate international laws, have revolutionised the way we approach the issues of human rights and human developments. The bringing into being of the UDHR, can also be linked to the widespread practices of racial segregation in some societies, and even the alienation of women from participation in electoral activities in their countries. The outcomes of global wide campaigns against racism, and the marginalisation of the female gender, led to political freedoms of diverse dimensions, just as these new found freedoms have now opened a new frontier globally. The latest frontier, is the ongoing global wide conversations around the issue of sexual rights of minorities and women, especially in the work places. With the exception of much of Africa, including the largest black nation in the world which is Nigeria, celebrities from around the world, and especially in the Western Societies, are battling the different dimensions of accusations by ladies, bordering on the sensitive and emotive thematic issue of sexual violations. In Britain, for instance, a prominent official and parliamentarian was forced to resign, due to a proven case of sexual violation of a lady who brought up allegations. The United States of America is in the news constantly, over many cases of sexual violations of women. Top rated musicians and movie makers, have been named and shamed. But, other commentators have blamed racism, for the overwhelming volumes of allegations directed at hitherto iconic black celebrities, by ladies who alleged that they were sexually violated as children. This line of argument is shallow, because even the most powerful Catholic clerics in USA and Australia who are both Whites, have also been convicted of sex offences against children. ‘MeToo’ Movement The emerging realisation and clamour for respect for the sanctity of respect for the sexual rights of all genders, has even led to a formation of a group of global wide advocacy movement known as ‘MeToo’ Movement. The following sources are rich in learning about these cases, and they are; 'Chicago Tribune's piece on Prosecutors who revealed sordid details of sex abuse cases against R. Kelly; Harvey Weinstein Sexual harassment claims case from Yourtango.com; the complex list of sexual abuse allegation against Michael Jackson written by Molly Olmstead and from metoomvmt.org. Specifically, the ‘MeToo’ movement was founded in 2006, to help survivors of sexual violence, particularly Black women and girls, and other young women of colour from low wealth communities, find pathways to healing. The vision from the beginning, they said, was to address both the dearth in resources for survivors of sexual violence, and to build a community of advocates, driven by survivors, who will be at the forefront of creating solutions to interrupt sexual violence in their communities. In less than six months, because of the viral #MeToo hashtag, a vital conversation about sexual violence has been thrust into the national dialogue, they recorded. In the eyes of observers, what started as local grassroots work, has expanded to reach a global community of survivors from all walks of life, and helped to de- stigmatise the act

“NIGERIA MUST NOT CONTINUE TO PRETEND, THAT HER GIRLS ARE NOT BEING SEXUALLY ABUSED BY MEN HOLDING INFLUENTIAL POSITIONS, BOTH IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS”

R-Kelly

Harvey Weinstein

of surviving, by highlighting the breadth and impact of a sexual violence worldwide. From the website of the Metoo movement, we are told that, their work continues to focus on helping those who need it, to find entry points for individual healing, and galvanising a broad base of survivors, to disrupt the systems that allow for the global proliferation of sexual violence. Their goal is also, to reframe and expand the global conversation around sexual violence, to speak to the needs of a broader spectrum of survivors. Young people, queer, trans, and disabled folks, Black women and girls, and all communities of colour. According to the movement, “We want perpetrators to be held accountable, and we want strategies implemented to sustain long term, systemic change”. The MeToo movement started in earnest or went viral in 2017, when some big celebrities were implicated and accused by a retinue of ladies, of sexually molesting or violating their human dignity. These celebrities are mostly based in the United States of America, and they cut across all races, classes and status. They include:

in the case. He also banned the singer, from contact with anyone younger than the age of 18. Kelly's Attorney, Steven Greenberg, sought a lower bond, telling the Judge that, Kelly's finances were in disarray, his record label had dumped him, and that he posed no threat to flee. "He's lived here his whole life," Greenberg said, before making a reference to Kelly's hit "I Believe I Can Fly”. "Contrary to the song, he doesn't like to fly”, he said. "He doesn't travel, unless he absolutely has to." Greenberg called the $1 million bond, “exceedingly reasonable” and said he believed that, Kelly could raise the necessary 10 percent — $100,000 — to win his release. “He’s trying to get it together,” Greenberg said. “... He doesn’t have it sitting in the bank, sitting in a shoe box, sitting anywhere.” As of 9 p.m. Saturday, February 23, the deadline to post bond, Kelly was still in custody at the Cook County Jail. As this writer puts pen to paper, R. Kelly procured the bail, but, subsequently, he was again locked up once more, for failing to pay child care of over $160,000. Media reports say Kelly, 52, who has been dogged by accusations of sexually predatory behaviour for years, was indicted on a combined 10 counts charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, for alleged misconduct between 1998 and 2010. He reportedly turned himself in at the Central District station, emerging from a dark cargo van with tinted windows, into a scrum of photographers and reporters. He was handcuffed, and led into a lockup with a concerned look on his face. The counts each carry a maximum seven years in prison upon conviction, but could also result in probation. Kelly faced a 17-minute hearing, in which several relatives of the alleged victims, stood in the courtroom throughout the hearing. Kelly’s appearance at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, comes more than a decade after his acquittal on child pornography charges, following a sensational 2008 trial at the same courthouse. Three of the new indictments, allege Kelly sexually abused three underage victims. The fourth indictment charged that, Kelly sexually abused an adult in February 2003 – while he was free on bond on the then-pending child pornography charges. The singer, whose legal name is Robert S. Kelly, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Kelly was scheduled to return to the courthouse, so that a Judge could be assigned to oversee his case, and he could plead not guilty to the 10 counts. He gave an emotionally charged interview to a US television channel, denying all the allegations.

R-Kelly Prosecutors alleged that, Kelly sexually abused one woman and three underage girls, in separate attacks over a span of a dozen years. Prosecutors said Kelly's 24-year- old hairdresser, came to braid his hair on Chicago’s Near North Side in 2003, but instead, he greeted her with his pants down, and tried to force oral sex on her. When she resisted, Kelly ejaculated on her and spit in her face several times, Prosecutors alleged. DNA recovered from the alleged victim's shirt, matched Kelly, Prosecutors said. Prosecutors alleged that, Kelly also sexually abused one underage girl who had sought his autograph, while attending his 2008 trial in Chicago on child pornography charges. The girl had sex with Kelly multiple times, between May 2009 and January 2010, according to Prosecutors. At times, he spit on her, slapped her in the face, and choked her, they alleged. She saved a shirt from one encounter, and gave it to police in suburban Olympia Fields, where Kelly had a residence. Preliminary testing results showed a DNA match to Kelly, Prosecutors said. Kelly met another victim, as she celebrated her 16th birthday at a restaurant, Assistant State's Attorney, Jennifer Gonzalez, said in court. The singer’s associate gave her Kelly's business card, but her mother intervened. However, the girl took the card from her mother's purse, contacted the singer, and began having regular sexual contact with him, Prosecutors alleged. Prosecutors also have a videotape, purportedly showing Kelly having sex with yet another girl, who was 14 at the time. High-profile Attorney, Michael Avenatti, has said he recovered the tape, and turned it over to Prosecutors last month. In ordering that bond be set at $250,000 for each of the four separate indictments, Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr., called the allegations against Kelly “disturbing” and barred him from contact with the alleged victims or any witnesses

The next celebrity is Harvey Weinstein. Mr. Weinstein, now 65, is being taken to court, to face accusations of sexual harassment of women, who worked with his company. These accusations, go back for decades. While there are some who believe these allegations are false,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

09.04.2019

THE LIGHTER SIDE/13

LEGAL HUMOUR Protesting Too Much Arrested on a robbery charge, our law ﬁrm’s client denied the allegations. So, when the victim pointed him out in a lineup as one of four men who had attacked him, our client reacted vociferously. “He’s lying!” he yelled. “There were only three of us”.

We Hold Your Brief JUDE IGBANOI jude.igbanoi@thisdaylive.com Dear Counsel, In light of recent developments, I crave your indulgence, to shed more light on what constitutes forgery. Many people I know, including my humble self, have had instances to obtain all sorts of documents in extreme urgency, without bothering to ascertain how genuine or otherwise, such documents are. For instance, each time I travel, I am always reminded at the airport to get a Yellow Card, and I pay N5,000 to someone, who claims to have the connection to obtain the card, and I get it within five minutes. I know it may not be genuine, but, because I don’t want to have problems with Immigration, I pay and get the card. Each time I want to renew my vehicle particulars, someone comes to my office, and I pay him. He gets my papers renewed, within 48 hours. I don’t know, if the particulars are genuine or not. Now, I am worried, because I graduated at the age of 39, and did not take part in the NYSC programme. I didn’t think it was necessary, to get the so-called

exempt certificate. With the Kemi Adeosun dilemma of last year, I am now worried. Please, let us know what forgery is. C.K. Lagos. Dear C.K., With regard to NYSC Exempt Certificate, I addressed it in this column a few months ago. As for what constitutes forgery under Nigerian law, both the Criminal and Penal Codes which apply in the Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria respectively, prohibit forgery. Section 463 of the Criminal Code provides for three years imprisonment for forgery, while Sections 362 to 364 of the Penal Code, deal with forgery, with punishment of up to 14 years imprisonment, with an option of fine or both. The fact that, majority of the populace carry out activities in breach of the law, doesn’t make it right, and I advice that, as much as possible, refrain from being persuaded to do anything illegal, as the consequences may be dire.

Usual Suspect While prosecuting a robbery case, I conducted an interview with the arresting officer. My first question: “Did you see the Defendant at the scene?” “Yes, from a block away,” the Officer answered. “Was the area well lit?” “No. It was pretty dark.” “Then how could you identify the Defendant?” I asked, concerned. Looking at me as if I were nuts, he answered, “I’d recognise my cousin anywhere.” Running the Show I am a Deputy Sheriff, assigned to courthouse security. As part of my job, I explain court procedures to visitors. One day, I was showing a group of ninth-graders around. Court was in recess and only the clerk and a young man in custody wearing handcuffs were in the courtroom. “This is where the Judge sits”, I began, pointing to the Bench. “The Lawyers sit at these tables. The court clerk sits over there. The court recorder, or stenographer, sits over here. Near the Judge is the witness stand, and over there is where the jury sits. As you can see,” I finished, “there are a lot of people involved in making this system work”. At that point, the prisoner raised his cuffed hands and said, “Yeah, but I’m the one who makes it all happen.” Guilty as Charged In Fort Worth, Texas, I was hauled before the Judge, for driving with expired licence plates. The Judge listened attentively, while I gave him a long, plausible explanation. Then, he said with great courtesy, “My dear Sir, we are not blaming you—we’re just fining you”.

CELEBRITIES IN CELEBRATED SEX CASES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 since it has taken twenty years for them to come to light, the women in question are telling quite a different tale, and explaining it simply as a man in a ridiculously powerful position, using his role to suppress their claims. A-list actresses like Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan, are prominent in this case. While Ashley Judd has come forward to put her remarks against the Producer “on the record,” Rose McGowan has been fairly silent, only tweeting support from her personal account, every so often. Though McGowan hasn’t come forward and publicly made claims, the Times uncovered the fact that, Weinstein paid her $100,000 after something “happened” between her and Weinstein, in a hotel room. At the time, McGowan was only 23 years old. Ashley Judd, on the other hand, said that years ago, Weinstein invited her to the Peninsula hotel for a “meeting.” While there, she was directed to his room where he “appeared in a bathrobe, and asked if he could give her a massage or [if] she could watch him shower”. She left, as quickly as possible. According to Judd, “Women have been talking about Harvey amongst ourselves for a long time, and it’s simply beyond time to have the conversation publicly”. Weinstein has allegedly paid out settlements to at least eight women, since 1990. In the same report released by the Times, some of the accusations by these women, included “sexual harassment and unwanted physical contact”. These allegations come from many women—assistants, colleagues, models—and each of them was paid small sums of what was likely “hush” money, to keep their silence, anywhere from $80,000 to about $150,000 a piece. One of the women, Lauren O’Connor, even wrote a memo regarding the harassment to executives at his company, in 2015. Nothing was done. Known sexual harassment victims’ Lawyer, Lisa Bloom, is his Attorney. He is being represented, quite shockingly, by Lisa Bloom—a litigator, famous for her representation of sexual harassment victims and oppressed women. This news came as a surprise to many, including Bloom’s own mother, Attorney, Gloria Allred. Allred, a prominent feminist Attorney, known for her work as a victims’ rights advocate, also well

known for representing many of Bill Cosby’s accusers, said that she would not have chosen to work for Weinstein, in light of his charges. Something important to note, however, is that Weinstein recently optioned the rights to Bloom’s book about Trayvon Martin, ‘Suspicion Nation’, in March of 2017. Many people believe that, this is the reason that the woman most famous for representing people like Blac Chyna, Mischa Barton, and even many of the women from the Bill O’Reilly harassment case, chose to represent a man who clearly has a significant history with sexually harassing women. After Bill O’Reilly was fired in April, Bloom had famously tweeted, “When women speak our truth, the old order shatters. We slayed the dragon”. The biggest of them all is no more, but, the matter is nevertheless, sensational. His daughter and estate, have vigorously defended him. Be that as it may, Michael Jackson is a subject of a controversial documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’, whereby two men accused Michael Jackson of molesting them, when they were children. Wade Robson and James Safechuck are not the first to accuse Jackson. Recall that the singer paid out about $25 million in a settlement with the family of one accuser in 1994, and was tried and acquitted on separate charges of sexual abuse in 2005. In total, Jackson has now been publicly accused of abusing five boys. Jackson maintained his innocence until his death, in 2009, and his estate has continued to fight the allegations, announcing recently that it was suing HBO for $100 million over charges that, the documentary had violated a non-disparagement agreement. The lawsuit called the documentary a “posthumous character assassination” and “a one-sided hit piece,” and Jackson’s family said the attacks on Jackson, amount to a “public lynching.” Here are the details about allegations against Jackson. Jason Francia, who was 24 at the time of the trial, testified that Jackson had molested him on several occasions, while tickling him. Francia's mother was employed by Jackson, as a maid. Francia said that "every time I was being tickled, there was some sort of exchange of money", with the understanding that he would not tell his mother. Jordan Chandler, the alleged victim in the 1993 child abuse allegations, left the country, rather than appear as a witness

Gavin Arvizo was 15, when he testified. He claimed that, after ‘Living with Michael Jackson’ aired, Jackson had begun serving him and his younger brother wine, and making sexual advances. He said that Jackson had masturbated him to ejaculation after they drank alcohol, and then told him that if men do not masturbate, they might rape a girl. Gavin's younger brother, Star, told the court that, he had twice seen Jackson molest Gavin. He also said that, Jackson had displayed his erection and masturbated in front of them, telling them that "everyone did it", and encouraging them to try it. Star testified that, Jackson had given the boys alcohol, sometimes in soda cans, and which Jackson called "Jesus juice". Star also said, Jackson had showed the brothers internet pornography on his computer. The Guardian described Star as a "hapless witness for the prosecution, forgetting crucial details that he had revealed to the grand jury, even when prompted by the prosecution”. Africa: Deafening Silence on Sex Abuse The question we need to ask is, why the African Continent is so silent about these vital issues, even when the continent is a notorious hub of sexual violations of women and children? Why are there no movements, strong enough to evolve a continental wide conversation, so the sexual rights of African women are comprehensively highlighted and the predators named, shamed and prosecuted? In Nigeria, there is a clear legal framework of human rights litigation. The National Human Rights Commission is severely weakened by Government, any way. But, there is a large pool of organised civil rights movements. But, they don't care about this global trend of awareness of women, to defend their sexual rights. There is also the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015, which has abridged time within which cases can be done. Sadly, Nigerian laws on sexual offences, are archaic, and are in urgent need of reforms. This must be done. Nigeria must not continue to pretend, that her girls are not being sexually abused by men holding influential positions, both in the public and private sectors. We need to embrace civilisation. Emmanuel Onwubiko, Head, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and Blogs

14/TRIBUTE

09.04.2019

Tribute to Late Chief Frank Odunayo Akinrele, SAN A Tribute at the Lagos High Court Special Valedictory Court Session in Honour of the Late Chief Frank Odunayo Akinrele, SAN on Wednesday the 9th day of January, 2019 at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, Lagos

A Statement “in limine” take this unique opportunity to extend my appreciation to the family for the gracious invitation extended to me, to render this Tribute to a most deserving learned friend of the Silk. I confess that I have three reasons, for accepting the invitation. They are: My personal relationship with the eternally beautiful Mrs Ibidun Kofoworola Akinrele (nee Moore) — a younger sister of the equally beautiful Mrs Oladunni Rotimi Williams (nee Moore), the late wife of the late legendary Chief F.R.A. Williams, SAN. Permit me to say that Chief Frank Akinrele, SAN and Chief F.R.A. Williams, SAN had good eyes for beauty, in the choice of their spouses. I spent part of my pupillage years in the law chambers of Chief Williams in Ibadan before he moved to Lagos, and I was paid a salary. The first part of my pupillage was in the law chambers of my brother-in-law, the Hon. Justice M.A. Odesanya as he later became, and I was paid a salary. Thus, because of my relationship with the Rotimi Williams family, Ibidun still calls me “Sisi Folake.” My second reason, is professional. In the absence, for valid reasons, of Chief R.O.A. Akinjide, SAN, Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN, Professor Alfred B. Kasunmu, SAN, my learned seniors of the Silk, it has become my professional duty to perform this important professional role on behalf of my learned colleagues of the Inner Bar. Senior Advocates of Nigeria have a critical leadership role to play, in uplifting the learned profession. My third reason, is my great respect for Chief Akinrele, SAN himself — a gentleman of gentlemen at the Bar. He was a genuine Senior Advocate, who wore the professional Silk robe with tremendous dignity, integrity, erudition and legal scholarship. His appearance was always impeccable. He was an acknowledged criminal law Lawyer, with prodigious knowledge of the criminal law which he applied passionately for the defence of his clients, even as “pro bono” practice in many cases. Chief Akinrele also had formidable pedigree credentials, and he so conducted himself, both in life and in law, in a manner that has perpetuated the laudable and exemplary attributes of his family. His Superb Advocacy in the Courtroom Chief Akinrele, SAN practiced law within the legal parameters of the profession, to wit: according to the ethics and tradition, and the rules of professional conduct. He was a cerebral advocate of justice, and laboured to protect the rights of even the condemned criminal. His brilliant advocacy in the courtroom, earned him a high level of judicial approval and commendations. I give three examples out of many. Onuka v State 1988 (1) NWLR 563 Craig JSC said: “I should like to

commend Chief Akinrele (SAN) on the research made in this case, and the refreshing submissions addressed to this court, on what appears to be the elusive and fast diminishing legal rights of a condemned man”. Amusa Popoola & Anor v The State 1986 NWLR (Pt 24) 581 Oputa JSC said: “Chief Akinrele (SAN) for the Appellant, in this Court, had a lot to urge that is very commendable”. Ozaki v State 1990 All 11 LR 94 Obaseki JSC said: “Chief F.O. Akinrele, SAN dealt with the issues raised in this appeal, in an admirable manner. He was brief and to the point, in his submissions”. It is amazing and somewhat paradoxical that, with such accolades for his enviable professional reputation, he retired at the young age of 56 years, to engage in different intellectual and other pursuits, such as teaching himself the French language which he mastered and spoke fluently, boating and going on cruises, which he enjoyed with his friends. A Season of Iniquity with Impunity in the Polity In view of the foregoing, I am constrained to say that, I mourn his loss during these perilous times of our beloved nation, when iniquity with impunity in the polity is now commonplace and endemic. Chief Akinrele, SAN was incorruptible, and yet he scaled magnificent heights, in the one and only legal profession. His life and professional style, reflected the best in a sane society, and the young both inside and outside the profession, should emulate his attributes. His successors in the firm of F.O. Akinrele SAN & Co, are hereby challenged to work on his biography. His Love for the Legal Profession He loved his profession, and demonstrated this by his unyielding support for the NBA. I remember that during the 2016 annual NBA Conference held in Lagos, he was the Chairman of a Session, and his impressive leadership attributes were on full display. Nigerians, particularly the legal profession, need to follow the staggering example of the awesome professionalism of Chief Akinrele, SAN.

Chief Frank Akinrele, SAN

Chief Akinrele was extremely mindful of his responsibility, as the leader of the learned juniors. We have visible and physical evidence, in the fact that he nurtured two of his own children to the point of attaining the Silk. Praise God. Alleluyah! The Current Poor Standard of Nigerian Graduates including Lawyers In this day and age, there is widespread lamentation, over the poverty of the quality of our graduates. Chief Akinrele, SAN was able to reach the apex of his profession, because of his prodigious educational achievements. He proved his stupendous brilliance in the University of Hull, UK, where he won the the Andrew Maxwell Jackson prize as the best graduating student in the Faculty of Law in 1953, and later undertook the Masters Degree in law in the same university, which was rather unusual at that time. Now in Nigeria, what do we have? The universities were closed down for months, because of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)

“CHIEF AKINRELE, SAN PRACTICED LAW WITHIN THE LEGAL PARAMETERS OF THE PROFESSION, TO WIT: ACCORDING TO THE ETHICS AND TRADITION, AND THE RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT. HE WAS A CEREBRAL ADVOCATE OF JUSTICE, AND LABOURED TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF EVEN THE CONDEMNED CRIMINAL”

strike, as a result of a disputation with the Federal Government. Although the universities, when they re-open, will try to adjust their calendar to deal with the loss of precious time, yet it is certainly not the way to produce knowledgeable graduates who are employable in the real world, outside the universities. Scandals Which Damage the Quality of Our University Education In addition to the incessant closures of universities, there are other scandals which now undermine the integrity of universities. I identify two of them, which are: 1. The acceptance by universities and colleges of passmarks of 40%, 45% and 48%. I am of the unyielding view that, those percentages below 50% are failures. Surely, pass marks are from 50% upwards. Even the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) fixes 120 out of 400 as a passmark— that is 30%. That is scandalous and outrageous. Educational authorities, including the Law School, should uplift the students’ poor standard, and NOT descend to the low standard of lazy students. As a former teacher of Latin and Mathematics in England and Nigeria in the last century, for me, 50% and above remain pass marks. 2. The other scandal, is cheating in examinations, which I understand is prevalent in our educational institutions. If you cheat your way out of the Law School or any other educational institutions, your knowledge will be poor and shallow. The Authorities are urged to attend CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

09.04.2019

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Letter to President Buhari

Dear President Buhari,

Re: Leah (Liya) Sharibu ongratulations on your various efforts, to make Nigeria more liveable for the forgotten poor. However, I am forced by conscience to bring to your attention many forgotten girl citizens abducted by terrorists, one of them in particular, Miss Leah (Liya) Sharibu. February 19, 2019, 3 days after the general elections in which you are offering yourself for re-election, will make it one year to the day, that 14 year old Miss Leah Sharibu, now 15, was abducted. Many were abducted before her, with her and after her, but what makes her case particularly pathetic, is that all her schoolmates abducted together with her were released except for her and about five others who died in the course of the abduction, in her case, because it managed to get into the public domain that her refusal to renounce Christianity for Islam, is the reason for her continued incarceration! Your Excellency, I plead Sections 34 (2), 35 (1), 38 (1), and 42 (2) of the 1999 Constitution you swore to uphold for Leah (Liya): S. 34 (2) – Dignity of the human person (in particular, not to be held in slavery or servitude); S. 35 (1) – Right to personal liberty; S. 38 (1) - Freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and S. 42 (2) - Freedom from discrimination, disability or deprivation on account of circumstances of birth. Mr. President, you were born into Islam by virtue of it being your parents’ religion, and as you matured, you took a conscious decision to remain a Muslim, in keeping with your fundamental rights.

Citizen Leah (Liya) was born into Christianity, and at a yet tender age of 14, was confronted by gunmen with choices many of us could not contemplate at that age, and in keeping with her constitutional right, has made her choice. And, to the best of our knowledge and belief, has been deprived of her liberty for making that constitutional choice. Mr. President, you swore to uphold our Constitution. It is not enough that you are doing your best, we need to see you to be doing your best. Perception is reality. Get this child released, before election day February 16. Mr. President, you campaigned for the presidency on the footing of security. Four years on, we ask you to free this child who is the age of some of your grandchildren, and younger than my four daughters, before February 16. Mr. President, give a hundred men in exchange for her life, if need be, but do not allow her remain in captivity, and if she is dead, do let us know, so we may mourn her. As Commander-in-Chief, you are Mournerin-Chief, so, mourn her publicly. Let us see your tears flow, so we may know that you care for all, Muslim and Christian, Igbo, Bachaba and Fulani alike. Mr. President, it will be impossible for me as a citizen, to approve of your remaining President for another four years, while Citizen Leah (Liya) remains in custody. Conversely, the release of this child who has become a metaphor for whether Nigeria is all-inclusive or not, before election day, will inspire confidence in your commitment, Mr. President, to our multi- ethnic, multireligious status as a nation, a confidence which is in dire jeopardy. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thank you. Yours faithfully, Ikeazor Akaraiwe (Citizen) ikeazor@gmail.com

TRIBUTE TO LATE CHIEF FRANK ODUNAYO AKINRELE, SAN to these scandals; so should the public, particularly the parents. Well, as we celebrate the life and virtues of Chief Akinrele, SAN, a stellar student, and an honest examinee, I urge students, particularly in the Nigerian Law School, to follow the Chief’s admirable example, as a student and as a legal practitioner. The Forthcoming General Elections and the Law Now, the nation is in the choking stranglehold of election fever for the forthcoming general elections next month. Certainly, in any democracy, election is a symbol of an orderly and democratic governance. Having regard to the observance of the rule of law in any democracy, Lawyers are engaged by politicians, in their struggle to win election petitions. Suffice it say that, as far as the Lawyers are concerned, “as officers in the temple of justice,” their first duty is to the law, while pursuing the concerns and litigations of their clients with professional zeal. Cancer of Corruption I now agonise over the cancer of corruption, which has infected the Bar and the Bench. In my fifty-five years as a Lawyer, with thirty-seven of them as the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, I have never been so heart-broken, as I am now. Let me assure the good and the great here present, that not all the Judges and Lawyers, are corrupt. There are learned gentlemen like Chief Frank Akinrele, SAN, who still labour on the Bench and at the Bar, to practice law according to the ethics and traditions of the profession and their oaths of office.

Leah Sharibu

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

Again, last century, the beginning of my legal career in 1963, there was no rumour or allegation or accusation of corruption against the Judiciary. As Lawyers, you prepared your case based on the facts and the law, and you expected the Judge, to decide the case purely on the evidence presented and the applicable laws, without extraneous considerations. However, now, the credibility of the judicial process has been so battered, that many have lost faith and confidence in the Judiciary. This is a calamity, and a tragic and dangerous threat to our national security and development, because when the law fails, the nation fails. May Nigeria never become a failed State. “Deo Volente”. A Plea to the Professional Defaulters I can only appeal again, to the professional defaulters to please stop polluting the stream of justice. Their egregious conduct inflicts mud on, and taints the innocent with corruption. However, not only the erring Lawyers or Judges are to be blamed, the people who corrupt them, must also share in the infamy which now engulfs the profession. Sadly, the Legislature and the Executive are also tainted with corruption, so are the Private Sector, the Civil Society and the Police. If the law enforcement agencies are tainted with the mud of corruption, there will be a situation of “quis custodiet ipsos custodes” (meaning: who will guard the guards)? What a colossal tragedy, that would be for the nation. However, I am comforted that the NBA, in collaboration with the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria,

have the capacity to enter into an interrogation, to find solutions to the epidemic. Now, we have petty corruption in places like ministries, police stations, registries, et cetera. There is also grand corruption, as confirmed by the Vice President of our nation — our learned friend of the Silk — Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, which occurs at the highest levels of government. Corruption stifles progress. We certainly do not need any kind of corruption — be it petty or grand. Petty corruption, can easily escalate to grand corruption. As Lawyers are the custodians and defenders of the rule of law, corruption among Lawyers, is more damaging for the nation. The Lawyer is so important, that the position of the Attorney-General is a constitutional office. Thus, we Lawyers must be true to our high calling — a vocation of trust to serve God and humanity. Unemployment of Lawyers Currently, there is a contentious matter, which has to be addressed by the profession. It is the unemployment of qualified Lawyers. In November 2018, over five thousand law students, were called to the Bar. Many of them, and many more in previous years, cannot find employment. The profession has to give serious consideration, to this problem. It is frustrating for new wigs, after many years of study in the University and the Law School, can only join the band of unemployed Lawyers doing odd jobs. The NBA must interrogate this problem, and initiate policies to deal with it. The situation is unacceptable, as it diminishes the dignity of the profession. Should there be a limit to the

number of students of law per year? Peroration In peroration, it is true to say that Chief Frank Akinrele, SAN lived his life according to the true meaning of his first name, Frank. He was frank with the law. He was frank with his clients. He was frank with his profession. He was frank with the cause of justice. Above all, he was frank with his family. He has left an imperishable legacy of nobility, wisdom, honesty, ethics, industry, courtesy, decorum, compelling advocacy, and total commitment to the rule of law, and the defence of the rights of the citizenry. May the family, particularly the widow, and the profession be comforted. Finally, let me quote the eternal words of St. Paul the Apostle in 2 Timothy 4: 7-8: 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. To my learned friend of the Silk — Chief Frank Odunayo Akinrele, SAN — “Resquiescat in pace”. May the angels, lead him into paradise. “Deo Volente”. I thank you all, for your kind attention. I rest. Chief Folake Solanke SAN, OON, CON B.A., Dip.Ed., FNIALS, LL.D (h.c) HLF, D.Litt (h.c.), D.Lit (h.c.), D.Litt (h.c.)

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09.04.2019

5 ) * 4 % ": t TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

T H I S D AY ˾ ͷ˜ 2019

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

A S

A T

REPO 16.14% 15.29%

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

13% 13.25% 13.88%

A P R I L 5 , S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

2 0 1 9

384.92% 0.04% -0.43%

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

-0.43% 7.83%

EXCHANGE RATE N307/1US DOLLAR* ̩

Quick Takes MTN Partners StarTimes

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

L-R: Deputy Director/Head Programme Management, International Maritime Organisation,(IMO), Juvenal Shiundu; Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala- Usman and Director, Maritime Safety Division, IMO, Heike Deggim, at the opening of the Third World Maritime University Conference on Empowering Women in the Maritime Community in Malmo, Sweden…recently

N205bn Worth of Petroleum Products Lost to Vandals in 10 Years Stories by Chineme Okafor in Abuja Between 2008 and 2017, Nigeria lost a total of N205.4 billion worth of petroleum products to vandals who hacked into petroleum products pipelines of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), a report from the state-run oil company has disclosed. The report – NNPC Annual Statistical Bulletin (ASB) for the period 2017, was obtained by THISDAY. It showed that the total monetary losses were from the siphoning of about 2,046.62 metric tonnes of petroleum products from the NNPC’s pipelines by the vandals.

ENERGY Beside the products lost to the vandals, the NNPC also reported that between 2013 and 2017, a period of five years, Nigeria lost crude oil worth N74.073 billion to either oil line vandals or production inefficiencies. It stated that within this period, the number of pipeline vandalism it recorded was 13,486 while ruptures were 242. According to the NNPC ASB, Nigeria also flared up to 4,624,635,819 cubic feet of gas within 10 years, which was between 2008 and 2017, just as over 295 million barrels (mb) of crude oil were supplied to the corporation’s three refineries in Warri; Port Harcourt and

Kaduna for refining. The ASB which is a reflection of activities of the NNPC within the year under consideration, explained that between 2008 and 2017, Nigeria produced about 7.8 billion barrels of crude oil, with Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) accounting for about 2,973,652,993 barrels of the production volumes. It added that about 2,923,974,780 barrels of the oil volumes were exported to north American countries, while 2,745,747,041 barrels were sent to Europe; 1,736,403,788 barrels to Asian and far eastern countries; just as 1,050,167,528 barrels were sold to African countries. Furthermore, the report explained that while a total of

76 wells were drilled in 2017 comprising 66 development wells and 10 exploratory wells, Nigeria however planned to have a 3.180.68 million barrels a day (mbd) production capacity in 2018, which would be expanded to 3.590.34mbd by 2019. This production levels, it said would further be expanded to 4mbd in 2020; 4.4mbd in 2021 and 4.8mbd in 2020. Turning to the refineries maintained by the NNPC, the report indicated they had an average production efficiency of 18.7 per cent, with the Warri refinery recording an average efficiency level of 25.615 per cent; Kaduna – 17.879 per cent Continued on page 24

Oil Producers Bank on Kachikwu for $1bn Investment Fund Africa’s oil producers will be looking up to Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to help them attract as much as $1 billion they intend to invest in building energy infrastructure across the continent. A statement from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources disclosed this. Signed by the Deputy Director of press at the ministry, Olujimi Oyetomi, the statement noted that this was one of the reasons why the continent’s oil producers on the platform of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO), re-elected Kachikwu in Equatorial Guinea as its president until the end of 2019.

ENERGY The re-election was the first any member country of APPO was allowed to provide its president for two consecutive years. The statement noted that the decision of the organisation was to allow Kachikwu conclude the ongoing reforms and restructuring he initiated. Nigeria has held the presidency of APPO for three years out of the four years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, with the only gap being when Chad led the organisation in 2017. Kachikwu’s reelection was done at the 36th ordinary session

of the Council of Ministers of the APPO in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The session had in attendance APPO ministers from 13 member countries namely, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya, Niger, and Nigeria. The statement said between 2015 and 2016, when Kachikwu first led the organisation, APPO embarked on a major reform aimed at sharpening its focus; enhancing professionalism and strengthening the capacity of its secretariat to conduct studies that will enhance the productivity of the African oil and gas industry, especially investing in trans-national infrastructure like

pipelines and refineries and the development of local content. It explained that in addition to reforming APPO, Kachikwu was also mandated to reform and recapitalise the Cotonoubased APPO Fund for Technical Development, adding that he submitted far-reaching proposals to the ministerial council in this regards and it was approved for implementation. According to the association, among the major changes approved by the ministerial council was a change in the name of APPO Fund to African Energy Investment Corporation (AEICORP), and that unlike the APPO Fund whose shareholdContinued on page 24

StarTimes Nigeria has partnered MTN to offer mobile internet subscribers on the network a special data bundle known as ‘StarTimes ON mobile app.’ With the video streaming bundles on StarTimes, subscribers can enjoy unlimited entertainment and video on demand (VOD) service at a cheaper data price than any other network in Nigeria. Speakingonthedevelopment,theGeneralManager,Data&Devices, MTN, Abiodun Ajayi, noted that “With a data bundle of N150, subscribers can enjoy up to 60 minutes of streaming time on StarTimes ON by simply sending ST1 via SMS to 131 while for N400 customer gets up to 180 minutes of streaming time by sending ST3 via SMS to 131.” Also commenting, the OTTDirector at StarTimes Nigeria,TonyTuo, said all MTN subscribers would also enjoy five premium channels that offer news, music, religion, movies and other entertainment content forfreeonStarTimesON,aservicewhichusersofothernetworkshave to pay to gain access to. According to Tuo, “StarTimes ON currently boasts of 3.5 million users in Nigeria and over 12 million across Africa, making its partnership with MTN the latest in an industry where it has become a common trend for telecoms and video operators to partner towards an effective delivery in a market where VOD and live streaming is on the rise.” StarTimes ON has more than 70 channels with over 40 of them free to users.There are 40+ self-owned channels, with more than 100 hours of programming each day in sports, news, movies, music, Telenovela & Bollywood content, religion and general entertainment.

Ecobank Storms Mushin

Ecobank Nigeria has launched an Ecobankpay zone at the Amu market, Mushin Lagos. The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan, wholaunchedthedigitalpaymentzone,explainedthattheEcobankPay zones in various market clusters across the country was to facilitate easy, secure and convenient transactions in the market place, adding that it would boost business activities in the country. Akinwuntan, said customers and non-customers of the bank who patronise the market would now have quick access to the bank’s digital paymentoﬀerings,stressingthatitwouldremovethetraumaassociated with delays in paying for goods in the market. According to him, EcobankPay’s unique oﬀering is that anyone from any bank in Nigeria can pay with MasterPass, mVISA and mCASH with any phone by scanning QR code or using USSD. Hesaid:“Ifthepersonthatwishestobuygoodsiscomingfromabank that has MVisa and wishes to pay, the same QR Code would accept MVisa payment and vice versa. “That creates interoperability and convenience for the merchants. The QR Code is much cheaper than having a point of sale (PoS).”

IFAD to Improve Farmers’ Income

About 10,000 cocoa smallholder producers in Liberia will benefit from a new US$47.6 million project that aims to improve their food and nutrition security and raise their incomes by modernising cocoa farming, increasing production and developing markets. The financing agreement for the Tree Crops Extension Project II (TCEPII)wassignedbycorrespondencebythePresidentofIFAD,Gilbert Houngbo and the Minister of Finance and Development Planning of the Republic of Liberia, Samuel Tweah. Project financing includes a $11.9 million loan and $11.9 million grant fromIFAD.Theprojectwouldbeco-financedbytheprivatesector($3.4 million), the Government of Liberia ($2.5 million) and the beneficiaries themselves ($1.8 million). IFAD is working to fill the financing gap of $16.2 million with climate financing and additional co-financing for rural roads in the project area. “TCEPII will focus on enabling poor rural women and men to overcome poverty,” the Director of IFAD’sWest and Central Africa Division, Lisandro Martin said. “Itwillpromoteeconomicempowermentthatprovidesruralwomen withequalopportunitiestoparticipatein–andbenefitfrom–profitable economic activities in the cocoa value chain.”

“Efforts to increase VAT compliance and block leakages may increase VAT revenue by N8.25 trillion between 2019 and 2023 without increasing the VAT tax rate from five per cent. In addition, FSDH Research recommends the sale of government assets that are not currently profitable and are draining government’s meagre resources”

Head of Research, FSDH Merchant Bank,

Ayodele Akinwunmi

T H I S D AY ˾ ͷ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

BUSINESSWORLD N205BN WORTH OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS LOST TO VANDALS IN 10 YEARS

and Port Harcourt – 12.692 per cent. For petrol importation within the 10-year period, the ASB said the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) of the NNPC imported about 54,839,875 metric tonnes of petrol for distribution. The corporation also recorded about 227 cases of fire outbreaks at its facilities in Warri; Port Harcourt; Kaduna, Gombe and Mosimi. The NNPC last week said it would deepen its search for oil in the north. Group Managing Director of the corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru said this. Speaking in an interview with journalists at the 40th Kaduna International Trade Fair, Baru said a deeper search for oil will enable the NNPC make extensive appraisal of the gas reserves discovered in the region in 1999. He added that the NNPC was working on the Kolmani River ii with hope and expectations, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari had personally urged the corporation to go back to explore the Kolmani River ii. OIL PRODUCERS BANK ON KACHIKWU FOR $1BN INVESTMENT FUND

ers were limited to sovereign governments, AEICORP shall be open to sovereigns as well as institutional and private investors. It indicated that AEICORP has targeted to raise $1 billion in investment capital to fund energy infrastructure on the African continent. “This recent reelection will see Dr. Kachikwu complete the ongoing reforms that will emplace APPO towards leaving a lasting legacy that will ensure that Africans benefit from the continent’s hydrocarbon resources,” said the statement. Kachikwu, it explained had in his acceptance remarks, said he was delighted with the support he got from members of the council, and affirmed his commitment to making deep and sustained reforms that will guide member countries to make the best returns in their energy businesses.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Eromosele Abiodun (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor ((Energy) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)

NEWS

Creative Industry Can Boost Economic Growth, Jonathan Eze The federal government has urged Nigerians to take advantage of the abundant opportunities that abound in the creative industry for sustainable economic growth in the country. The Minister of State, Trade, Industry and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, made the disclosure in Lagos at the Creative Entrepreneur Summit organised by the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University tagged “Cashing in on your creativity” The minister revealed plans by the President Muhammadu Buhari- led administration to drive the country’s creative industry by supporting and creating the enabling environment through partnership with private sector and the global community to attain its full potential. Abubakar, who was represented by Dr. Adewale Bakare, stated that the Nigerian creative industry was the fastest growing in the world and had seen a period of rapid growth spurred by emerging digital trends of technology which support content creation, digital learning and creativity. She said, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), “Nollywood is the second biggest employer in Nigeria engaging over a million persons. The significance of the Nigerian film industry came into focus after the rebasing of the national economy in 2013. “The film sector was seen to contribute 1.42 per cent to the economy and by 2016, the film industry sector contributed 2.3 per cent (N239 billion)

of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “As a result of the industry’s financial potential and job creation capacity, the industry became a focus for interventions, investments, and partnerships.” However, she recalled that 2018 was marked by two international partnerships which involved Sony Pictures Television and Netflix, with the former entering into an agreement with Ebony Life Television to develop three African TV series while the latter acquired the worldwide rights of Genevieve Nnaji’s Lion Heart for US$2million. That was Netflix’s first acquisition of Nigerian content since

its entry into the Nigerian film and TV market in 2016. She highlighted three major areas of comparative advantage to the Nigeria creative industry to be music, film and information technology. She also added that the industry has urged the citizens to take advantage of the opportunities that abounds in the sector. This was inclusive of providing business advisory services for SMEs within the sector. These services include structuring of business plans to increase access to funding and FDI and establishing equipment-leasing outfits. In addition, providing training and capacity building for industry

actors and improving the use of technology platforms. On the music industry, the minister said the cultural wealth of Nigeria’s entertainment industry remains dominant in spite of westernisation and urbanisation which had made the country a major entertainment hub in Africa. “The musicians in the industry intertwine African cultural themes by infusing traditional styles into modern music creation and production. “This has generated a unique profile for the industry and fueled its popularity, giving the Nigerian music world-wide recognition.

“The lucrativeness of the industry, as well as the enabling environment it provides for all genres to thrive, is noteworthy.” Speaking on the Nigerian Information Technology (IT) industry, she said that Nigeria continued to grow exponentially in digital adaptation and technology use. With a mobile penetration of 84 per cent, the Nigerian tech market is yet to be fully exploited. She numbered the opportunities in the Information Technology Industry to include providing business-advisory services to industry players by designing industry-specific funding opportunities for the sector.

BREAKFAST MEETING

L-R: President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mr Bernard Bankole; Pioneer Chairman, Agency Investigation Panel, Mrs Fatima Gorbati; MD/CEO, Med-View Airline\Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Muneer Bankole; President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Dr Gabriel Olowo; former Minister of Aviation, Captain Benoni Briggs and Manager Corporate Sales, British Airways, Mrs Adetutu Otuyalo, at the 2019 Quarterly Business Breakfast meeting of Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative held in Lagos ...recently KOLAWOLE ALLI

Lawmakers Lament Liquidity Crisis in Electricity Market Stories by Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Mr. Daniel Asuquo, has expressed concern over what he described as the deepening liquidity crisis in Nigeria’s electricity market. Asuquo, expressed his dismay over the challenges in the sector when he led members of the Committee on an oversight visit to Kaduna electricity distribution company (Disco). His worries followed the pledge of the committee to support all participants in the electricity market to attain their

full potentials. According to a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications of Kaduna Disco, Mr. Abdulazeez Abdullahi, Asuquo, stated that the committee was worried by the financial challenges of the power Discos. He said: “The Committee is highly disturbed by the huge financial liabilities against the distribution companies across the country which is adversely affecting the pace of development in the electricity market.” He, however, charged the Discos to step up their operations and ensure significant improvement in their monthly remittance to the market, adding: “The Discos must build strong

partnership and synergy to attract real investment to the industry; that you cannot have without building confidence of investors on the market.” The lawmaker also lent his voice to repeated calls for the emergence of a full-fledged contract market, saying it, “will enable participants in the market freely enter into fair and competitive contractual agreements among themselves.” The statement noted that the Managing Director of Kaduna Disco, Mr. Garba Haruna, who was represented by a member of the Technical Team from Tata Power, Delhi-India, Mr. Rahul Kumar, had earlier emphasised the need for a review of the

wholesale and retail pricing methodology in the market to allow for more transparency and fairness to all market participants. Haruna said: “The current practice where wholesale pricing changes almost on monthly basis while retail tariff is frozen is largely responsible for the huge shortfall being experienced in the market today and unless this is addressed quickly, the liquidity crisis in the market will continue to hunt us.” He further appealed to the Committee to continue to exert necessary pressure on relevant agencies in the sector to offset the huge outstanding electricity bills owed by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of govern-

ment, especially the military and para-military formations. Haruna, disclosed that in an effort to ensure that all meters-related complaints by customers of the Disco are addressed promptly, the company recently commissioned its ultra-modern meter laboratory. The statement indicated that other issues discussed during the one day working visit of the Committee included the eligible customers’ regulation of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC); how to bridge the huge existing metering gap in the sector; allegations of load rejection by Discos and other operational challenges affecting Nigeria’s power sector.

EU to Launch €30m Power Finance Scheme in Nigeria The European Union (EU) and All On – an impact finance outfit, would launch a €30 million worth of electrification financing initiative for off-grid and commercial and industrial captive power projects in Nigeria, organisers of the upcoming fourth Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF 2019) have disclosed. According to a statement by the NEF organisers, the funding window would help upscale investments for sustainable energy development in Nigeria. They noted

that the event would hold his week in Lagos, with the former National Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), Mr. Adekunle Makinde, delivering the keynote address. Also to speak at the event are the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Prof. James Momoh; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of All On, Dr. Weibe Boer and a representative of the EU, Mr. John Funso-

Adebayo. The Chairman of the Forum, Dr. Oluwole Adeuyi said in the statement that: “This year’s forum will focus on how to facilitate local and foreign investments in sustainable electrification, grid modernisation and digital energy technologies for economic growth in Nigeria.” According to him: “The forum is supported by All On, a leading impact investor in Nigeria’s off-grid energy market and co-organised with GET. Invest, European multi-donor

programme and will feature over four top-class hands-on capacity building workshops by key local and international energy experts.” He explained the hands-on workshops would be centered on making bankable energy projects to be delivered by the Sterling Bank; Electrification Finance Initiative (ElectriFI) Nigeria Window Launch, which is an European multi-donor programme managed by EDFI Management Company; digital energy management for com-

mercial and industrial facilities to be facilitated by Schneider Electric and empowering young African women in energy. The statement also quoted Boer, to have said: “The funding from All On will support the event with a view to increasing capacity, the quality of speakers, stakeholders, participants and discourse. “All of these are geared towards fulfilling All On’s charitable mandate of building an enabling environment for the off-grid energy sector in Nigeria.”

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BUSINESSWORLD

ENERGY

Evaluating NLNG, NIMASA Row Chineme Okafor writes on the legal tussle between the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and its likely impact on the country’s push for higher market share in the global liquefied natural gas trade On Friday, March 29, 2019, a judgement delivered by Hon. Justice Garuba Lawal of the Court of Appeal, had directed that the case between Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on whether the gas company should pay the NIMASA certain freight-related levies, be revisited by the Federal High Court which had earlier determined the matter. Indeed, the quarrel between both parties came from NLNG’s alleged rejection of a three per cent payment for the gross freight on all international outbound and inbound cargo carried by ships chartered by it and its wholly-owned subsidiary company as contained in the NIMASA Act 2007. There was also the NLNG’s reported rejection of the two per cent surcharge on cabotage trade undertaken by its vessels within 200 nautical miles of the baselines and Nigerian coastal and inland waters as contained in the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, amongst others which resulted in the court case after lots of weights were thrown around on the issue. How the case got to the court room As was reported, on May 3, 2013, Global West Vessel Specialists Limited which was said to be acting on the directives of NIMASA, deployed a tug boat to stop chartered vessel of the NLNG, LNG Adamawa, from continuing its operations. Allegedly done as a self-help effort by NIMASA to extract levies which it alleged NLNG owed it and which included shipping levies based on gross freight on exports and imports, the action was condemned by the NLNG which claimed its Act exempts it from paying levies such as the Sea Protection Levy; three per cent freight levies on cargo exports shipped by NLNG; and two per cent Cabotage Levy. Even though the NIMASA lifted the blockade on May 5, 2013, after a meeting between the management of both parties reportedly resolved that they should reach for amicable settlement, NIMASA was alleged to on June 21, 2013, overlooked a subsisting court order barring it from further blockade of the Bonny Channel and effected another blockade on Channel thus preventing NLNG vessels and those of its buyers from entering or leaving the NLNG terminal. So, after about a three-week blockade, during which NLNG was compelled to start making the disputed payments so it could continue with its operations, NIMASA ended the blockade, and NLNG reported revenue loss of $355 million within the period. To further protect itself, the NLNG in June 2013, filed a case at the Lagos Federal High Court seeking judicial interpretation on the legality or otherwise of the various levies imposed on it by NIMASA. The case ran through its course and on October 27, 2017, the court under Honourable Justice Idris delivered judgment in favour of NLNG against NIMASA, over applicability of the NIMASA levies. In its ruling, the court noted that the NLNG was not liable to make the said payments to NIMASA, and all such payments already made by NLNG to NIMASA ‘under protest’ should be refunded to NLNG forthwith. It further held that NIMASA was wrong in blockading the Bonny Channel for the purpose of enforcing the payments against NLNG and went further to restrain NIMASA from taking or continuing any steps to block, restrain, seize, detain or restrict NLNG or its shareholders or subsidiary vessels or chartered vessels. This, however did not go down well with NIMASA which appealed and on March 29, 2019, the said Judgment of the Federal High Court was reversed, with the Court of Appeal directing that the case between the two parties be remitted to the Federal High Court for a re-hearing, thus giving the parties rights to either go back to the Federal High Court for a re-hearing or appeal the decision to the

Supreme Court. Following judicial precedents, experts noted that though the case would be heard afresh, the position of the parties would however revert to what it was as at the time the case was filed, in which case it was expected that no payments of the levies in dispute would be made by NLNG to NIMASA, pending the re-hearing and determination of the suit. On the other hand, the experts noted that if the right of appeal to the Supreme Court was exercised by the parties, the status quo as of the date of the Court of Appeal judgment would be maintained, which in this case as well is to the same effect, that is, no levies would be paid by the NLNG to NIMASA. Legal Tussle and Train-7 FID Coming just when the NLNG has stepped up its expansion drive to take more shares from the global LNG marketplace, with new 8 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) Train-7 gas plant which final investment decision (FID) is scheduled for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2019, the renewed legal tussle evokes some apprehension. Currently, the International Gas Union (IGU) said that Nigeria through the NLNG sits as the fourth largest supplier of LNG to the world with about 7.3 per cent shareholding of the market after Qatar which has 27.6 per cent; Australia – 19.2 per cent; and Malaysia – nine per cent respectively. But to grow above this, the NLNG has stepped its expansion plan which though lingering for years, now has some very good commitment from its key stakeholders including the federal government which maintains the largest shareholding in its board through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Recently at a meeting in Abuja where the local content plan for the Train-7 project was approved by the Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCDMB), the Managing Director of NLNG, Mr. Tony Attah, told journal-

We are here to enable gas. It is time for Nigeria, and I am even challenged that Nigeria has ridden on the back of oil for more than 50 years, it is now time to ﬂy on the wings of gas

ists that the project’s FID would be taken by Q4-2019. He also indicated that funds for the project were being expected, adding that its shareholders - NNPC; Shell; Total and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC)- were supportive of the Q4-2019 FID. “We are not far off as a matter of fact, when you start a project of this nature, you will have estimates in mind. In the course of the presentation, the Executive Secretary (of the NCDMB) mentioned that this particular project is in the region of $4 to $5 billion. “But when he referenced the value network, it is beyond the $4 to $5 billion that we will be spending in Bonny. “It is also about the upstream development which is the real gas that will come to us. That also is a huge investment of $5 to $6 billion. So, potentially, the full value network is almost $12 billion. We have gone to market to raise that fund and we are very positive,” said Attah.nHe then added: “This is the biggest opportunity I will say for Nigeria today. We have 600tcf (trillion cubic feet) of gas which puts us as number nine in the world, but we are very aware of the 600tcf scope that would be proven. “The issue with gas is the receiver and that is what the NLNG represents today as the receptacle for gas. “We are here to enable gas. It is time for Nigeria, and I am even challenged that Nigeria has ridden on the back of oil for more than 50 years, it is now time to fly on the wings of gas. With the Executive Secretary saying this FID is here and here for real, my biggest shareholder – NNPC says I support you as a company, go and get this FID, we have the support of government and shareholders, the market is waiting.” Now, with the renewed legal quarrel, industry experts said they were worried about its potential impacts on the planned Train-7 project which was reportedly expected to increase its plant production by 35 per cent; attract huge Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of $2 billion in upstream oil and gas investment and $5 billion in construction; as well as create over 10, 000 jobs during the construction phase. The 35 per cent production capacity increase is equally expected to significantly impact on the gas firm’s revenue, dividends, taxes profiles and corporate social responsibilities (CSR) contribution in Nigeria. But assuring of its commitment to Nigeria and perhaps by extension to the Train-7 project, a statement from the company’s Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Mr. Andy Odeh, said the: “NLNG as a good and responsible corporate citizen remains committed

to conducting its business in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to abide with all applicable laws including those that confer exemptions on and grant fiscal incentives to businesses, as a way of sustaining their operations and growing the economy.” It added that it, “also reasonably expects that all persons, institutions, agencies and authorities in the country would equally be subject to these laws,” noting that, “the company has contributed – and continues to contribute – significantly to the development of its host communities in particular and the nation in general, in line with its corporate vision of helping to build a better Nigeria.” A good corporate citizen? Despite the challenges, the NLNG indicated in its books that it has remained a good corporate citizen in Nigeria, remitting statutory payments expected of it and supporting local host communities to grow and stabilise. In its annual operational records – NLNG Facts and Figures, the gas firm said it has so far monetised over 6.37 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of associated gas to LNG and Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs), thus helping to reduce gas flaring by upstream companies in Nigeria from over 60 per cent to well under 20 per cent. From the monetisation of gas that were previously flared, NLNG said it has generated over $100 billion revenue since inception; paid over $36 billion to its shareholders including Nigeria as dividends, of which 49 per cent has gone to the federal government by virtue of its shareholding stake. It equally paid $28 billion to Joint Ventures (JVs) feed-gas suppliers, with about 60 per cent of that amount gone to the federal government on account of its stakes in the JVs. Similarly, it indicated that in 2018, the corporate income tax it paid to the federal government amounted to about $864 million, suggesting it is one of the highest CIT paying firms in Nigeria. With regards to CSR, the report equally disclosed that the gas firm has spent over N25 billion on community projects over the years; about N2 billion on building worldclass engineering laboratories in six Nigerian universities through its University Support Programme; and currently spending N120 billion on the construction of Bonny-Bodo Road in Rivers State. It added that it a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bonny Island community to provide N3 billion each year for 25 years to comprehensive develop the island kingdom, thus suggesting that the legal quarrel between it and NIMASA must be considered on its merit.

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Adamu: Govt Intervention Required to Make Housing Accessible The Chief Executive Officer, Hared Properties Limited in Abuja, Hassan Adamu, in this interview speaks on the opportunities and challenges in the real estate sector. Jonathan Eze brings the excerpts: One thing we noticed is that most real estate operators do not have plan for low income earners. Is there any plan on ground to satisfy them? Yes, there is. Like anywhere in the world where government is a major player in that kind of sector. For example, everyone wants to live close to where he or she is working. If you want to build in Abuja as a driver, secretary or civil servant working in the Central Area and live in Maitama without proper transportation or proximity, it is going to be an issue for you. That is why you see people struggling to get a piece of land around the town. And for the real estate developers who want to build low income houses around the town must firstly consider the cost of land, you have to buy the land. Then, cost of construction, and the overheads which will equally add up to the cost of the unit. At the end of the day, you will see that it is not going to be as low income you want it to be. But if you go to the outskirts where the land is cheap, it may still be far from the buyers to get to their place of work. At the end of the day, even if he or she owns private mobility, by the time you calculate what he spends on transport, both service or others, it will also close to the total sum of a unit in the town. At the same time, if you have many units in the piece of land, the price can reduce as much as possible. By the time you have a 10 -20 storey building without lift, maybe in the morning when you are going to work, you have the energy to come down, but by the time you come back from work around 6 or 8pm in the evening, you are tired and you have to climb the next ten storey building. No doubt, our environment does not support such buildings. That is what is affecting lower income projects. Where you see that happening, there you see work being done shabbily because you just have to cut cost to do it. People are now wise. Before, they buy houses just like that, but now, if you tell them you have some square metres of house somewhere, you will see them coming with a tape to measure it and ensure that the house is complete. Now, people are now going for houses that have value. As it is, there will be natural segmentation. If you donâ€™t do what is right, you will just find your place within the segment. We have so many estate developers around Abuja here, what makes your company stand out? We want to be known for quality. What we are doing most especially is that we are not building as if we are in Europe with a tiny room, where if you put a bed, you donâ€™t have a space again. Our houses are big and very spacious. We build homes not just houses. A home where you will want to run to and relax. Within the areas we have our facility presently, we have places of relaxation, exercise and very good serenity, such that when you are home, you will relax and have the necessary space. We also work with people to finish their houses when it gets to finishing stages. By the time we hand over your keys to you, you will be sure that this is what you want. Building collapse is becoming a trend now, especially in Lagos and other parts of the country. What do you think is responsible for this? Building collapse is not only peculiar to Lagos alone. Abuja had its own share sometimes ago. I believe that what usually causes it are in tripod. One, the developers, materials and the authorities. Now, there are so many materials you find in town . Assuming you go to the market to buy iron rod and they give you 16mm, test the gauge, you will see that it is eight 14 or 14.5. The buildings are calculated with the strength of the iron rod. That will show you that the strength of the building is

Adamu not commensurate with what is being used. Two, we donâ€™t have good pricing mechanism. Anybody just wake up in the morning, increase or decrease what pleases him. For example, there was a project we started and when we started, a bag of cement was N1,000. When we finished the project, a bag of cement was N1,850. We had already pegged the price of that house to a particular amount. If for whatever reasons, maybe the time frame of that project becomes elongated, if you donâ€™t have good conscience, you may have to find ways to cut

Government should help in the area of infrastructure. If the authorities consider that, it will bring down the cost of houses so that people can have options. The cost of building houses in Maraba or Kuje may be the same, but the cost of lands will be different. That is what makes the difference where this one will be higher than another

corners. Also, quarries will just wake up in one day and tell you that we have increased our product. The same with cement and other materials. We are at the receiving ends. You want to give people their houses, if you are not careful and have a good conscience, you will just do what you want to do and give people their houses, make your money and leave people at the mercy of death. What role do you think the authority can play to forestall future occurrences of building collapses? They are supposed to inspect these buildings at every stage. They are supposed to check your reinforcements whether you are using the right quantity, whether you are using the right workmanship and in the first place from the design, whether the design will hold. It is not only the aesthetics that matters, but really, whether the design can stand on its own. I have seen engineers complaining. They usually abuse the Architects that they will sit at the comfort of their offices and design very beautiful house without thinking whether it can be built or not. What do you expect from the clients? I think clients should know that Nigeria of yesterday is not the one of today. Money is hard to come by. It is not only about what you see around alone. They need to dig deep and see what they are buying. The value they are buying, the functionality. Because, buying a home is one of the emotional and hardest decisions one makes in life. There are many people that have bought houses especially here in Abuja during the real estate boom. They are now seeing the house as liability. It is their own house, but it is as if they in there paying rent because they are constantly repairing the house, constantly paying some certain charges.

At the end of the day, you calculate how much you are spending; it will look as if you are still paying rent to another person. For us, we are looking at those avenues. We are looking at modern day living and we are giving choices. We donâ€™t just come and give package and corner you that you must pay for this. Our houses have internet server, DSTV and other packages. Although, we are not forcing people to own a smart home, but we are giving you the basic and whatever you need, we will upgrade you to the level you can afford. What roles do you think government can play to help the sector? In term of costing, although I donâ€™t know how the government is going to do it, but they should find a way of getting genuine real estate developers and partner with them so that the developers can get lands almost free, so that it will also affect the cost of the houses. Because in doing that, they have eliminated a major cost in the process of building houses for the people. They can even work with the developers to determine certain design and the cost of the houses. That will also help the clients themselves. At our present location now at Katampe, we have to construct a road. We are now working hard to bring electricity and water to the area. So, if you add all these cost to the cost of the building, you will see that it will jack up the price of the houses. Government should help in the area of infrastructure. If the authorities consider that, it will bring down the cost of houses so that people can have options. The cost of building houses in Maraba or Kuje may be the same, but the cost of lands will be different. That is what makes the difference where this one will be higher than another. So government needs to regulate land pricing and even intervene to make housing accessible.

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PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT GEF, UNDP, Collaborate with ECN, Others to Build Capacity in Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Sector Nigeria has a huge dependency on fossil fuel for energy that is worrisome, little is generated from hydro with no on-grid supply from renewable/solar energy sources because of lack of technical capacity in its development, and management. Now, there is a grand project by development agencies in collaboration with the government to train technicians for sustainable development and management of renewable energy in the country. Bennett Oghifo reports

he Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) and other stakeholders worked recently on a project titled “De-Risking Renewable Energy NAMA for the Nigerian Power Sector.” As part of the activities of the project, an international Consulting firm, Renewables Academy (RENAC) was engaged to carry out a “train the trainers programme for technical Staff of Lagos Energy Academy, National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN), the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) and other relevant stakeholders. The programme took place from March 25–April 6 at the Lagos Energy Academy, Ikeja, Lagos. The UNDP-GEF De-risking Renewable Energy NAMA for the Nigerian Power Sector Project was done in collaboration with Lagos Energy Academy, ECN and NAPTIN. Train – the – Trainers programme was on Design, Installation, Operation and Maintenance of Grid-Connected Solar- PV for Renewable Energy (RE) Development in Nigeria. According to Engr. Isaac

Ierve, National Project Coordinator/Manager, UNDP-GEF De-risking Renewable Energy Project, this was to enhance their capacity to deliver renewable energy (RE) trainings on the installation of medium to large-scale grid connected PV systems to independent power producers (IPPs), Undergraduate students and public institutions on a cost-recovery basis. Ierve said the Nigerian Electricity Industry (NEI) is dominated with fossil –fuel power plants and less than 30% of large-scale hydropower plants. Currently, there is a strong drive by Nigeria to improve electricity access and reduce GHG emissions through the exploitation of renewable energy sources, like solar. He said one of the challenges militating against large-scale grid-connected renewable energy development is the limited local human and institutional capacities to build, operate and maintain large-scale grid-connected renewable (like, solar) power plants. As a result, renewables have not been able to compete with fossil fuel – based generators. It has therefore become necessary to create the enabling environment through building technical capacity of key players across board.

Some participants with RENAC trainer Frank Robens

“Currently, there is limited human capacity in the planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating renewable energy projects; hence, the project (UNDP-GEF De-risking Renewable Energy NAMA for the Nigerian Power Sector) seeks to address the challenge

of limited human capacity in the area of renewable energy development. “To start with, the Lagos Energy Academy (LEA), the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN), the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), as well as the representative of

a private solar developer were identified to have the potential to deliver renewable trainings to Independent Power Producers (IPP), undergraduate students and public institutions on cost recovery basis.” He said, “It is believed that when technical officers from

these institutions are trained, they will in-turn gradually take over the responsibility of providing technical assistance (installations, operation & maintenance), training and advice to IPPs to ensure that the project is sustained after completion.”

AfDB Launches Pan-African Urban, Municipal Development Fund The African Development Bank has launched the Urban and Municipal Development Fund, a multi-donor trust fund to scale up interventions in urban development and drive sustainable growth in cities across the African continent. The launch event, held recently at the Bank’s Abidjan headquarters, was attended by members of the business and diplomatic community in Cote d’Ivoire, development partners and donors, senior management of the Bank, representatives of municipalities from several African countries,

and key players and stakeholders in the urban development space. His Excellency Mr. Hugues Chantry, Ambassador of Belgium in Cote d’Ivoire, led the Belgian delegation to the event. Pierre Guislain, the Bank’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization; and Karin Isaksson, Executive Director for Nordic countries and India and the incoming Managing Director for the Nordic Development Fund, also attended the ceremony. Senior Bank officials at the launch described it as a timely response to the challenges of rapid

urbanization in Africa and the strong need for integrated city planning expertise. They also thanked the initial donors - the Nordic Development Fund (NDF), Wallonia Export Investment Agency (AWEX) and the Secretariat of Economic Affairs of the Swiss Confederation - for their commitment to the fund. Discussions and presentations centred around how the UMDF could assist cities in drafting their master plans for urban development, support dialogue between national and local governance structures and create learning

opportunities between cities. The first oversight meeting between the partners was also held after the launch event, to discuss practical implementation of the fund and the eligibility of cities for accessing the fund. The UMDF is designed to improve resilience and better manage urban growth, by means of tailored technical assistance to municipalities and urban entities in the areas of urban planning and mobility, project preparation, and municipal governance and finance. The fund will focus on areas identified as being detri-

mental to accessing finance, the main ones being the preparation, management and implementation of bankable projects by municipalities, updates to master plans, the review of the regulatory environment to facilitate access to market financing and the use of tools to manage and deliver municipal services During the presentation session, the fund’s initial partners presented their stake in the fund and their focus areas for sustainable investment in urban development. Stefan Atchia, Officer in charge of the UMDF at the Bank, gave

a presentation on how the fund would provide integrated city planning expertise and technical support for municipalities. Aage Jorgenson, Country Program Manager at the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) spoke about priority interventions in Africa in the fund’s focus area of climate change resilience. Patrick Heinrichs, Export Finance Manager of AWEX presented the importance of a combined academic and technical approach to solve the challenges of urban development in Africa.

Oak Homes Plans Unique Smart Housing Estate in Lagos Fadekemi Ajakaiye

L-R: Managing Director, SPUD Consultancy and Services, Mr. Charles Anajemba; Chief Engr. NPDC Drilling, Mr.Yibudonga Yikarebogha; Chief Geologist OML 13 Asset NPDC, Mr. Mammadu E. Gadzama; Business Development Manager SPUD, Eunice Okoro and the Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Timothy Okon during a presentation by SPUD at the recently concluded SPE “Field Optimization and Economics Symposium (FOPES) 2019” at the Best Western Hotel (Homeville), Benin... recently

Oak Homes, promoters of a sturdy piece of real estate known as ‘The Oak Place’, have promised to deliver what they said would be “the first of its kind smart housing estate in Nigeria.” Oak Homes, a forefront real estate development organisation playing in the high-end luxury category of the real estate sector in Nigeria, said “The Oak Smart Home seeks to take luxury a notch higher, as it performed a groundbreaking ceremony recently in preparation for the development of

its smart homes. The Oak Place, they said “is the pilot scheme of these series and it is designed to achieve full home automation. Home automation is that extra which gives your home its identity, it reflects your personality and enhances your comfortable existence within your refuge after a long and hard day at work. “Intelligent, luxurious, beautiful design and energy conscious are all criteria that defines a well-planned and implemented home automation system.” On what prospective buy-

ers should expect from “The Oak Place”, they said there would be “a home automation system which controls: air-conditioning, lighting, security, energy management, safety and many other aspects, making your home smart and intelligent. “We at Oak Homes are in partnership with the most prominent manufacturers to plan, design and implement the home automation system that will turn your dream house into a haven that fits and adapts to your needs. Welcome to the future of luxury living.”

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

World Bank Ranks Nigeriaâ€™s Economy Low Obinna Chima The World Bank has categorised Nigeria among economies that have not recorded improved performance since 1995. The bank stated this in the latest edition of its Africaâ€™s Pulse released yesterday. Nigeria was categorised among Angola, South Africa and 16 other countries. The report compared the average annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rates of the countries between during 1995â€“2008 and 2015â€“2018. â€œThese countries did not show any progress in their economic performance from 1995â€“2008 to 2015â€“18,â€? the report read. â€œThese thresholds correspond to the bottom and top terciles of the annual average growth rates across 44 Sub-Saharan African countries between 1995 and 2008 (that is, 3.5 and 5.4 percent, respectively). â€œIf a countryâ€™s economic performance declined from

1995â€“2008 to 2015â€“18, the country is categorised in the bottom tercile, which includes â€œfalling behindâ€? and â€œslipping,â€? it added. The Bank downgraded growth in Sub-Saharan Africa to 2.3 per cent for 2018, down from 2.5 per cent in 2017. It noted that economic growth remains below population growth for the fourth consecutive year in the continent, adding that although regional growth was expected to rebound to 2.8 per cent in 2019, it would have remained below three per cent since 2015. â€œ This issue of Africaâ€™s Pulse also looks at how fragility is holding back sub-Saharan Africa, and how the digital economy can help the continent move forward. â€œThe digital transformation can increase growth by nearly two percentage points per year and reduce poverty by nearly one percentage point per year in sub-Saharan Africa alone. This is a game-changer for Africa,â€? said Albert Zeufack, World Bank

Chief Economist for Africa. According to the Bank, the slower-than-expected overall growth reflected ongoing global uncertainty, but increasingly comes from domestic macroeconomic instability including poorly managed debt, inflation, and deficits; political and regulatory uncertainty; and fragility that are having visible negative impacts on some African economies. It also belies stronger performance in several smaller economies that continue to grow steadily, it stated. â€œIn Nigeria, growth reached 1.9 per cent in 2018, up from 0.8 per cent in 2017, reflecting a modest pick-up in the non-oil economy. South Africa came out of recession in the third quarter of 2018, but growth was subdued at 0.8 percent over the year, as policy uncertainty held back investment. Angola, the regionâ€™s third largest economy, remained in recession, with growth falling sharply as oil production stayed weak,â€? it added.

Branch International Secures $170m Financing Oluchi Chibuzor Branch, a quick loan application platform and one of the most downloaded finance app in Africa, has announced a new global partnership and investment from Visa. Also, the company yesterday announced the close of its Series C financing, a $ 170 million round of investment led by Foundation Capital and Visa. Also, existing investors, Andreessen Horowitz, Trinity Ventures, Formation 8, the IFC, CreditEase, Victory Park as well as new investors, Greenspring, Foxhaven and B Capital took part in the investment. A statement yesterday explained that Visaâ€™s investment in Branch would help expand financial access across the African continent, while fuelling new expansion in India and Latin America. In addition, Branch and Visa would team up to offer virtual prepaid debit card numbers to customers around

the world. This was expected to enable unbanked Branch customers have the option to receive credit at any physical ATM, bypassing the need for a bank account. â€œWe started Branch in Kenya, where M-Pesa gives anyone with a phone -- including the unbanked -- access to digital credit. Unfortunately, mobile money isnâ€™t available in most countries. â€œWith the help of Visa, now we can send cash to any ATM and reach the underserved around the planet,â€? the CEO and co-founder of Branch, Matthew Flannery said. Traditional barriers such as a credit score and bank account make financial accessibility a challenge for over two billion people in the world. Yet many in underserved markets have a financial tool right in their pocket -their mobile phone. By tapping into the rise of mobile technology worldwide, Branch aims to radically

expand financial access, making full global inclusion a reality in our lifetime. â€œAt Visa we believe financial empowerment is an essential passport out of poverty,â€? Executive Vice President of Strategy at Visa, Bill Sheedy said. â€œOur partnership with Branch provides Visa a key distribution mechanism to reach people that were previously out of reach and help shape the future of microfinance. â€œIâ€™ve known the Branch team since right after the company was founded,â€? said Charles Moldow of Foundation Capital, who will be joining the Branch Board of Directors. â€œAfter tracking them for years, it has become clear to me that emerging markets are one of the biggest growth areas for fintech. â€œOur history of successful fintech investments is evidence that we know how to spot true innovators, like Branch. The team has executed incredibly well and is poised to become the cross-border financial super-app.â€?

Representative of Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria Limited (SHIN), Mr. Chul Jeong, displaying the Nigerian Content Award won by SHIN in Yenagoa, recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS Money Supply (M3)

31,794,803.44

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

6,333,064.28

Money Supply (M2)

25,461,739.17

-- Quasi Money

14,773,076.98

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,688,662.18

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,711,763.59

---- Demand Deposits

8,976,898.59

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

12,804,402.66

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,062,986.22

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,980,229.66

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

7,093,619.43

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-4,144,571.43

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,082,756.56

--Other Assets Net

13,258,583.57

Reserve Money (Base Money

6,811,192.37

--Currency in Circulation

2,100,129.91

--Banks Reserves

4,366,259.05

March 2018

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR)

Peter Uzoho Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria Limited (SHIN) has been recognised by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) for its contribution to local content development since 2017 to date. The recognition was conferred on the organisation at the NOGOF 2019 awards ceremony held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State recently. The award was presented by Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Barrister Kemela Okara, to the representative of SHIN, Mr. Chul Jeong. SHIN said in a statement at the weekend that the award was a proof of its philosophy that responsible investment, powered by a belief in people, unlocks potential that can drive

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

Samsung Heavy Industries Wins Nigerian Content Award within local companies and the local workforce.â€? According to him, the award is also a proof of SHINâ€™s vision for, â€œa future where the combination of Korean efficiency and expertise, fused with Nigerian talent and passion, presents limitless possibilities. â€œThat is why this award is so important to me and to everyone at SHIN. I thank you, and we accept this award with honour and pride.â€? According to the statement, the Egina project proved that Nigeriaâ€™s local content rules work. â€œThey are not an obstacle to overcome: they are a platform from which to deliver shared economic success for ordinary Nigerians, for the country as a whole, and for international companies who believe in the potential of this incredible nation.

18,990,400.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

Inter-Bank Call Rate

real change. The company disclosed that it invested significantly in human capacity development to meet the high demands of constructing the Egina Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) unit, a flagship offshore project which will produce close to 10 per cent of Nigeriaâ€™s total oil production. According to the company, the Egina project included more than 560,000 man-hours of training provided to local Nigerians who never had training in the shipbuilding or welding industries and 9.7 million man hours of labour, which were carried out on Nigerian soil. Speaking while receiving the award, Jeong said,â€œthis award is proof of our vision for a future of extraordinary growth and opportunity - a future, which builds capacity and capabilities

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018

15.16

Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ÍŻÍąĎą

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ Íł Í°ÍŽÍŻÍˇ

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $69.02 a barrel on Friday, compared with $68.76 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela) SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͷ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

MARKET NEWS

NSE All-Share Index Hits 52-Week Low on Continuing Bear Run Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index hit a 52week low yesterday, falling by 1.53 per cent to close at 29,162.24, while market capitalisation shed N170 billion to close at N10.953 trillion. The bearish trend has persisted as investors continued to ignore corporate results and dividend announcements by companies, leading to a decline of 4.6 per

cent last week. It was expected that some investors may come in for bargain hunting following the low valuation of most stocks. \The week opened on bearish note as 29 stocks depreciated, compared with only 13 that appreciated. Losses by Dangote Cement Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc contributed to the negative close of the market. Market analysts at Cordros Capital said in the absence of a positive catalyst,

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

investors should trade cautiously in the short term. “However, stable macroeconomic fundamentals and compelling valuation remain supportive of recovery in the mid-to-long term,” they said. Fidson Healthcare Plc led the price losers with 10 per cent, trailed by Tripple Gee and Company Plc with 9.0 per cent. Fidson Healthcare is currently in the market shopping for additional capital of N3 billion to enhance

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

its operations. The capital raise, which is through rights Issue, is expected to help reduce the company’s cost of finance, which affected its performance in 2018 financial year. According to the company, about 60 per cent of the net proceeds of the issue would be applied towards taking out expensive short-term debts, thereby reducing finance cost by about 50 per cent on an annualised basis going forward. The company also intends to

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

take advantage of the fund raise to inject fresh working capital into the business in order to maximise the opportunities that exist in the market. Although the NSE ASI declined yesterday, activity level increased as volume and value traded rose 13.4 per cent and 50.6 per cent to 454.7 million units and N5.3 billion respectively. Sterling Bank Plc (93.4 million shares), Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (78.3 million shares) and

O F

Tripple Gee(60.0 million shares) were the top trades by volume while GTBank (N2.7 billion), Zenith Bank (N540.7 million) and Double One (N327. million) led the top trades by value. In terms of sectoral performance, three of the five tracked sectors fell. The NSE Banking Index led with 2.5 per cent, trailed by the NSE Industrial Goods Index, which shed 0.9 per cent. The NSE Consumer Goods Index went down by 0.4 per cent.

0 8 / 0 4 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Declines 1.42%

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Yesterday, the Thisday Afrivnest 40 index declined by 1.42% ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϭϯϵϱ͘ϭϲ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů ŽīƐ ŝŶ GUARANTY (-Ϯ͘ϵйͿ͕ ZENITH (-Ϭ͘ϳйͿ ĂŶĚ DANGCEM (-ϭ͘ϵйͿ͘ dŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůǇ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϰϬ͘ϰй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞǆ͘

ŽŵĞƐƟĐ ŽƵƌƐĞ KƉĞŶƐ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĞŬ ŽŶ Ă EĞŐĂƟǀĞ EŽƚĞ͙ ASI

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

today͛Ɛ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ƐŚĞĚĚŝŶŐ ϭ͘ϱй ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ Ϯϵ͕ϭϲϮ͘Ϯϰ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ ďĞůůǁĞƚŚĞƌ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ - DANGCEM(ϭ͘ϵйͿ͕ ^d E / (-ϲ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ GUARANTY (-Ϯ͘ϵйͿ͘ Ɛ Ă ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ƐŚĞĚ EϭϳϬ͘ϲďŶ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ Eϭϭ͘ϬƚŶ while YTD loss worsened to -ϳ͘Ϯй͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚǇ ůĞǀĞů ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ϭϯ͘ϰй ĂŶĚ ƚŽ

ϰϱϰ͘ϳŵ

ƵŶŝƚƐ

ĂŶĚ

Eϱ͘ϯďŶ

ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůǇ͘ STERLING ;ϵϯ͘ϰŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ GUARANTY ;ϳϴ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ĂŶĚ TRIPPLEG;ϲϬ͘Ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞƐ ďǇ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁŚŝůĞ GUARANTY ;EϮ͘ϳďŶͿ͕ ZENITH;EϱϰϬ͘ϳŵͿ and DK /> ;EϯϮϳ͘ϬŵͿ ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞƐ ďǇ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

Mixed Sector Performance WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁĂƐ ŵŝǆĞĚ ĂůďĞŝƚ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞůǇ

ƐŽƵƚŚǁĂƌĚƐ͘ dŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ͕ ƐŚĞĚĚŝŶŐ Ϯ͘ϱй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϵй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůǇ͕ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƐĞůů

ŽīƐ

^d E /

(-ϲ͘ϲйͿ͕

GUARANTY

Ϯ͘ϵйͿ͕ DANGCEM (-ϭ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ FIRSTALUM (-ϯ͘ϬйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞǆ ĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂƚĞĚ ďǇ Ϭ͘ϰй ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƐĞůů ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ ŝŶ GUINNESS (-ϯ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ DANGSUGAR (-ϭ͘ϭйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞǆ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ

ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŝŶ ETERNA ;нϲ͘ϯйͿ ĂŶĚ DK /> ;нϭ͘ϬйͿ͘

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĞĂŬĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďǇ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ƐŽŌĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϰǆ ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘Ϯǆ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ůĂƐƚ &ƌŝĚĂǇ ĂƐ ϭϯ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ ϯϬ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ͘ dŽƉ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ D E &/d ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ NEIMETH ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ and

LEARNAFRICA

;нϴ͘ϵйͿ

ǁŚŝůĞ

&/ ^KE

39.5%

20.5%

7.5%

5.2x

0.7x

5.8%

-1.3%

-1.4%

31.2%

5.5%

5.2x

1.8x

8.0%

19.2%

2 Zenith Bank PLC

20.20

-0.7%

11.4%

-12.4%

-2.6%

22.6%

3.2%

3.5x

0.8x

13.9%

29.0% 12.3%

185.50

-1.9%

9.2%

-2.2%

-0.3%

44.6%

23.2%

8.1x

3.2x

8.6%

0.0%

8.3%

-2.4%

-1.7%

90.4%

27.8%

26.7x

22.9x

4.0%

3.7%

60.00

0.0%

4.5%

-29.8%

-21.6%

11.3%

5.0%

24.4x

2.9x

4.1%

5 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 6 FBN Holdings Plc

7.30

-0.7%

5.1%

-8.2%

-8.8%

6.6%

0.8%

5.2x

0.4x

3.4%

19.1%

17.00

0.0%

4.1%

-12.4%

3.3%

3.1%

4.2x

0.7x

2.4%

23.7%

8 United Bank for Africa PLC

6.00

-3.2%

3.6%

-22.1%

-23.1%

15.2%

1.7%

2.7x

0.4x

14.2%

36.7%

9 International Brew eries PLC

23.50

0.0%

2.8%

-23.0%

-25.4%

-23.8%

-3.2%

590.00

0.0%

3.4%

-7.8%

-4.9%

9.4%

5.7%

6.4x

0.6x

3.1%

15.6%

8.8%

59.1%

3.5%

16.4%

7 Cement Co Northern Nigeria PLC

10 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C 11 Access Bank PLC

5.7x

-1.5%

5.60

-1.8%

2.9%

-17.6%

-13.8%

19.1%

2.1%

1.7x

0.3x

12 Ecobank Transnational Inc

11.25

-3.0%

2.4%

-19.6%

-21.3%

15.3%

1.2%

3.0x

0.5x

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

43.20

-6.6%

2.5%

-9.9%

-6.9%

34.5%

4.7%

6.1x

1.9x

14 Unilever Nigeria PLC

35.00

0.0%

2.4%

-5.4%

14.7%

9.0%

17.2x

2.4x

4.4%

5.8%

15 Lafarge Africa PLC

11.55

0.0%

1.6%

-7.2%

-3.8%

-53.7%

-7.9%

0.8x

12.6%

-54.5%

16 Guinness Nigeria PLC

60.00

-3.9%

1.2%

-16.7%

8.5%

4.5%

16.8x

1.5x

3.1%

5.9%

17 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

80.00

0.0%

1.4%

5.0%

39.3%

29.7%

9.0x

2.6x

4.0%

11.1%

18 Total Nigeria PLC

196.00

0.0%

1.3%

-3.4%

27.0%

6.6%

8.4x

2.2x

8.7%

12.0%

19 11 PLC

171.00

0.6%

1.2%

-7.8%

38.0%

16.8%

5.7x

1.9x

4.8%

17.5%

6.6%

2.0%

7.9x

0.5x

5.9%

2.5x

0.3x

20 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

33.8%

17.00

-1.7%

0.9%

-26.4%

-23.4%

21 Oando PLC

5.00

1.0%

1.2%

0.0%

4.2%

22 Fidelity Bank PLC

1.94

-2.5%

1.1%

-4.4%

11.6%

1.5%

2.5x

0.3x

5.7%

40.8%

23 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.14

-1.7%

0.9%

-13.6%

-9.5%

19.3%

4.3%

3.7x

0.7x

2.6%

26.9%

24 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

13.75

-1.1%

0.9%

-9.8%

-7.1%

32.6%

16.4%

7.4x

1.6x

8.0%

25 Diamond Bank PLC

2.42

0.0%

0.9%

12.6%

-5.8%

-0.7%

26 FCMB Group Plc

1.87

1.1%

0.7%

-1.1%

3.9%

8.0%

1.1%

27 UAC of Nigeria PLC

7.15

-2.7%

0.4%

-26.7%

-25.1%

0.4%

0.2%

0.3x 2.5x

12.7% 39.3%

13.5% -29.0%

0.2x

7.5%

40.0%

0.3x

9.0%

-32.8%

2.59

-0.4%

0.7%

36.3%

10.6%

1.1%

8.0x

0.7x

29 Presco PLC

62.75

0.0%

0.4%

-2.0%

37.0%

24.8%

2.5x

0.8x

3.3%

40.4%

30 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

20.00

0.0%

0.4%

11.1%

47.0%

17.5%

12.0x

4.7x

5.0%

8.3%

31 Forte Oil PLC

26.95

-1.6%

0.3%

-6.1%

-3.8%

52.2%

5.8%

98.6x

2.1x

1.0%

32 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.50

-7.1%

0.4%

16.1%

6.0%

1.1%

11.4x

0.9x

8.8%

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

27.50

0.0%

0.3%

36.8%

24.4%

31.5%

3.6%

4.3x

34 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

9.80

0.0%

0.2%

-19.0%

-20.3%

35 Chemical and Allied Products P

12.5%

1.1x

7.3%

0.9x

1.6%

23.1%

33.70

0.0%

0.2%

-3.3%

94.3%

36.3%

11.6x

8.2%

8.6%

36 Wema Bank PLC

0.69

0.0%

0.2%

9.5%

6.6%

0.8%

8.0x

0.5x

4.3%

12.5%

37 Beta Glass PLC

5.4x

1.0x

2.2%

18.6%

1.1x

2.4%

-2.7%

11.0x

0.7x

2.8%

9.1%

9.5x

1.0x

3.0%

10.6%

58.35

0.0%

0.1%

-14.6%

21.1%

14.7%

38 Dangote Flour Mills Plc

8.50

-0.6%

0.2%

24.1%

28.8%

14.9%

4.2%

39 Transcorp Hotels Plc

5.40

0.0%

0.1%

-11.5%

-9.2%

40 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

2.00

0.0%

0.1%

9.3%

T o p 10 G a i n e r s T ic k er

11.6%

3.5%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

M B EN EF IT

0.22

10.0%

N EIM ET H

0.56

9.8%

ST ER LN B A N K

93.4

-0.4%

GUA R A N T Y

78.3

LEA R N A F R C A

1.34

-2.9%

8.9%

T R IP P LEG

60.0

CHA M S

-9.1%

0.26

8.3%

Z EN IT H B A N K

26.6

-0.7%

ET ER N A

4.25

6.3%

A C C ESS

24.9

-1.8%

N IGER IN S

0.21

5.0%

FB NH

21.6

-0.7%

R EGA LIN S

0.23

4.5%

UB A

19.4

-3.2%

LA SA C O

0.29

3.6%

SOVR EN IN S

15.3

0.0%

C A VER T ON

2.60

3.2%

CHA M S

13.7

8.3%

A IIC O

0.65

1.6%

T R A N SC OR P

11.4

-1.7%

T ic k er

T o p 10 L o s e r s

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

ƚŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ŶĞĂƌ ƚĞƌŵ͕ ǁĞ ĞǆƉĞĐƚ ƚŽ ƐĞĞ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ

4.05

-10.0%

T R IP P LEG

0.70

-9.1%

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

13.6%

1,450.00

F ID SON

ĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ƌĞĨŽƌŵƐ ƚŽ ĂƩƌĂĐƚ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ͘

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

-4.9%

T ic k er

ŵĂǇ ďĞ ƐŚŽƌƚ-ůŝǀĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĂďƐĞŶĐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŵƵĐŚ ŶĞĞĚĞĚ

P/BV

19.8%

ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ TRIPPLEG (-ϵ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ EW&D Z& (-ϴ͘ϳйͿ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ

ĨƵŶĚĂŵĞŶƚĂůůǇ ƐŽƵŶĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ͕ ĂůƚŚŽƵŐŚ this

P/E

-2.9%

ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĂƩƌĂĐƟǀĞ ĞŶƚƌǇ ƉƌŝĐĞƐ ŽĨ ƐĞǀĞƌĂů

ROA

-1.42%

gains recorded in D E &/d ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ NIGERINS ;нϱ͘ϬйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞǆ ƌŽƐĞ ďǇ Ϭ͘ϭй ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ

ROE

34.00

28 Sterling Bank PLC

ƐŬĞǁĞĚ ĂƐ ϯ ŽĨ ϱ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ƚƌĞŶĚĞĚ

Price Change Index to Date

1,395.16

4 Nestle Nigeria PLC

dŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ĞƋƵŝƚĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ŽŶ Ă ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ŶŽƚĞ ŝŶ

Price Previous Current Change Price Weightin YTD Change g

1 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

3 Dangote Cement PLC

ŽǁŶ ϭ͘ϱй

ϱϬ͘ϲй

Ticker

T ic k er GUA R A N T Y Z EN IT H B A N K

Value

P ric e C hg %

2660.4

-2.9%

540.7

-0.7%

NP FM CRFB K

1.36

-8.7%

M OB IL

326.9

0.6%

C H IP LC

0.25

-7.4%

ST ER LN B A N K

242.2

-0.4%

M C N IC H OLS

0.63

-7.4%

224.6

0.0%

UB N

6.50

-7.1%

N EST LE

188.4

0.0%

43.20

-6.6%

ST A N B IC

167.3

-6.6%

ST A N B IC H ON YF LOUR

1.10

-5.2%

FB NH

159.3

-0.7%

C OR N ER ST

0.21

-4.5%

A C C ESS

140.1

-1.8%

UN ION D A C

0.22

-4.3%

D A N GC EM

124.2

-1.9%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Ola Belgore | obelgore@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com Oluwarotimi Ashimi | oashimi@afrinvest.com

Jolomi Odonghanro | jodonghanro@afrinvest.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Vitafoam Organises Competition to Nurture Children Investors A leading manufacturer of rigid foams and allied products, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc recently organised its annual entrepreneurship competition among primary schools in Nigeria on innovation and creativity as part of efforts to nurture future investors. This year’s competition, in line with the national financial inclusion strategy of the federal government , was jointly organised by Vitafoam and The I Create Club.

The catch-them -young investor education, is also consistent with Vitafoam’s corporate social responsibility (CSR), which places premium on nurturing children investors and entrepreneurs while exposing investors across the board to the benefits of shareholding. Addressing participants at the event in Lagos, Vitafoam’s Group Product Manager, Mrs. Rachel Ogolo, explained that the

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

company was driven by creativity, innovation and the urge to give back to the society, at all levels. Ogolo noted Vitafoam’s support for the lofty vision of The I Create Club was informed by the need to expose our children to the relevance of innovation and creativity as necessary attributes of an entrepreneur. According to her, a good entrepreneur is also a good investor,

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 05Apr-2019, unless otherwise stated.

explaining that the role of mothers as building block of the nation could not be ignored as they play pivotal roles in the upbringing of children. She said: “Vitafoam as an organisation believes in creativity. It is part of our core values; we believe in family, we believe in giving back to our society. Our entire business relies on creativity and we know that when people have good rest, it enhances creativity.

And looking at our environment, the level of unemployment is increasing continuously and we felt that we should start teaching our kids at a tender age entrepreneurial skills so that when they graduate, nobody will be looking for jobs. This is one of the reasons for supporting The I Create Club. The vision to create things emanates from a very tender age. We also need to leverage this year’s Mother’s Day to celebrate

our mothers. That is the essence of the panel’s discussion.” Also speaking, an expert in financial management and former Chief Executive Officer of Chevron Close Pension Fund Administration, Mrs Obafunke Adeyefa who spoke on “Balancing your finances” advised mothers to have streams of income and intentionally cultivate good savings habits to support their family during a time of emergency.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors. Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return. NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.88 0.89 4.91% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 11.88% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.68% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.28 2.30 2.64% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 16.26 16.75 -1.97% ARM Discovery Fund 354.69 365.39 -0.55% ARM Ethical Fund 29.27 30.15 3.65% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.38% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 100.50 101.21 -0.68% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.70% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.33% Paramount Equity Fund 12.02 12.11 1.73% Women's Investment Fund 105.55 106.09 1.87% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A N/A CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,239.69 1,240.55 4.57% FBN Heritage Fund 143.01 144.20 -0.28% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.57% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 117.56 117.97 3.22% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 117.47 117.88 3.40% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 144.91 147.00 -3.39% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.16 1.18 -5.26% Legacy Debt Fund 3.35 3.35 3.13% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 1.22% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,952.86 2,983.84 -1.03% Coral Income Fund 2,851.10 2,851.10 4.08% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.91% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.12 2.14 -1.40% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.28% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 124.20 124.40 -0.57%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ﬁncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.16 1.18 1.34% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,107.52 1,107.52 3.50% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.25 1.27 2.12% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.41 11.45 2.50% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.78% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 121.88 122.48 0.97% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 0.20% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,359.17 2,372.60 1.94% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 197.42 197.42 3.83% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.94 0.95 -0.53% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 254.92 254.95 3.14% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 163.96 165.73 0.48% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.79% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,322.35 8,422.59 -1.96% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.13 1.13 1.61% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.98 11.14 3.68% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.24 12.39 2.15% Zenith Income Fund 21.49 21.49 11.46% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.53%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.40 119.90 52.08

-44.85% 1.84% 0.66%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.14 105.93 84.59

10.24 108.20 86.15

-3.83% -9.69% -4.60%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Grifﬁn 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.77 6.52 13.84 11.49 152.92

3.81 6.60 13.94 11.69 154.92

-5.63% -14.32% -7.40% -6.95% 6.49%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.24

17.42%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

TUESDAY APRIL 9, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Lottery, Betting Firms Now to Pay VAT Nume Ekeghe The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday said soon betting and lottery centres in the country would be made to charge Value Added Tax (VAT). The VAT payment would also be extended to automated collections. This was announced in Lagos at a stakeholders’ engagement session with lottery and gaming operators. The session, organised by the FIRS in conjunction with the National Regulatory Commission (NLRC), had in attendance top officials of revenue collection agencies led by the FIRS Chairman, Mr. Tunde Fowler; NLRC Director-General, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila; representative of the Senate Committee on

Sports, representative of the Chairman, House Committee on Governmental Affairs, and industry operators. The move would will see users of the services provided by firms in the aforementioned sector paying five per cent VAT on each transaction made. Speaking at the forum, the FIRS chairman said VAT is not a tax to be borne by operators, but their customers. “Tax has to do with law, and the law says that for every transaction that is subjected to VAT, five per cent should be charged. You have to be aware that we are automating collection in all industries. “This is not a tax on the business, but on the bettor who hopes to win. You also have to realise that 85 per cent of VAT goes to the state, which are supposed

to be closer to us. In this case, we are all winners,” the FIRS boss said. According to Fowler, additional revenue from VAT would aid provision of better social economic infrastructure for the country. He explained: “And I think that based on the understanding with the stakeholders, we are moving in the right direction, and the payment of tax would be more convenient, transparent and accountable to all Nigerians, and of course that would empower especially the state governments who get 85 per cent of VAT to do more for everyone. “This is an inclusive government, and it also means it should be inclusive when it comes to paying taxes.” On his part, the DG, NLRC alleged that lottery and gaming operators collect VAT from

customers without remitting same to the government, a situation he state resulted in revenue losses. Also, participants at the forum pointed out that betting slips issued to consumers do not indicate VAT as they should. Meanwhile, a presentation was made at the forum by Zurich Technologies, provider of the automated software solution for VAT collection. The process was done electronically in a way that computes the VAT payable by consumers on each operator’s platform by aggregating transactions for a 21-day period and the operator is given a bill for the VAT payable. However, industry operators at the meeting argued that automation has the potential of killing the industry, saying the five per cent VAT would

discourage customers from patronising their services. Speaking on behalf of lottery and gaming operators, founder of Nairabet and House of Representatives member-elect, Mr. Akin Alabi, said the potential reduction in hoped-for winnings, especially

on low-odds bets, would drive customers from regulated operators into the hands of unregulated ones. He argued that the FIRS should have consulted operators before taking the decision to impose VAT and the automation of collection.

TUESDAY APRIL 9, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Buhari in Dubai, Canvasses Safe, Inclusive Digital World Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), tasked world leaders to come up with proposals to create a digital world that is accessible, inclusive and safe to all. The president, according to a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, made the call while delivering a keynote speech at the 2019 Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) in Dubai, attended by world leaders in both the public and the private sectors Adesina who said the president noted that a certain level of regulation was needed to preserve the integrity of the digital economy, identified theme of the summit as: “Mapping the Future of Foreign Direct Investment: Enriching World Economies through Digital Globalization.’’ According to him, the president acknowledged that digital globalisation is transforming the world almost every day with innovations and transformative ideas. However, he said the Nigerian leader cautioned his counterparts on the threat inherent in leaving the digital world unregulated. The statement also said the president decried the use of cyberspace to manipulate elections, subvert the democratic rights of citizens and propagate violence. It lamented the steady rise in fake news and cybercrimes, particularly when platforms are hijacked and manipulated by criminals.

Buhari, the statement added, called for collective efforts led by both the public and the private sector leaders to address the emerging threats of digital globalisation. ‘‘Today, we have a cyber-world that is intangible but real. This borderless world is powerful, and it impacts the lives of billions of people, no matter how remote their physical locations are. ‘‘People work in it. People socialise in it. And people invest in it. This presents enormous opportunities. But it also remains a constant threat if left unregulated. ‘‘On the one hand, it has made the human race more productive and more efficient. Today, we have digital banking, virtual currencies and many social platforms that connect people and cultures. ‘‘On the other hand, we have seen platforms hijacked and manipulated as evidenced by the steady rise in fake news and cybercrimes. ‘‘More recently, we are also witnessing the use of the cyberspace to manipulate elections, subvert the democratic rights of citizens as well as propagate violence. ‘‘In effect, the digital world has become the new frontier for both good and evil. Therefore, the challenge for world leaders must be to ensure that this space is inclusive, accessible and safe,’’ the president said. Adesina said Buhari used the occasion to reflect on digital revolution in Nigeria, which he said was buoyed by impressive

statistics on mobile phone penetration, technology hubs and the advent of young entrepreneurs attracting investments of over 100 million dollars to the country. ‘‘In Nigeria, our mobile phone penetration exceeds eighty per cent. This means the majority of Nigeria’s one hundred and ninety million citizens are fully connected to this new digital world; especially our youth. ‘‘Sixty-five per cent or one hundred and seventeen million Nigerians are under the age of 25 years. These bright minds are the drivers of this emerging

digital sector. ‘‘Today, Nigeria has close to ninety technology hubs and every day, new ones are coming up and they are all developing solutions for Nigerian, and indeed global problems. ‘‘Already, these young entrepreneurs have attracted investments of over one hundred million dollars - a sizeable amount from overseas, including Silicon Valley. ‘‘As many of you from this region are aware, Nigerian startups always have a very impressive outing at the Gulf Information

Technology Exhibition (GITEX). Many have won prizes.’’ ‘‘When we came in 2015, we immediately agreed that any future economic growth must be inclusive. As the Nigerian youth population is fully digitalised, it is clear that the idea of having an inclusive economy cannot be achieved without digital inclusion.’’ The statement added: “The President announced that Nigeria was working on creating the largest digital database in Africa, with over thirty million Nigerians and legal residents already captured in the country’s

digital identity system. “Also, the President highlighted that Nigeria’s public sector reform programmes, from procurement to payroll to revenue collections, focus on digitising key operations. “He said the recourse to technology and digitisation reinforces the administration’s objectives of improving efficiency, accountability and transparency in governance. “On cybersecurity, President Buhari said Nigeria has taken the lead in cyber policing in West Africa, working with regional and global partners.”

Acting CJN Tasks Heads NEW LAWMAKERS... of Courts on Fair, Speedy WELCOMING L-R: Clerk, National Assembly, Mr. Mohammed Sani Omolori; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara; and Mr. Livinus Osuji, at the orientation programme for members-elect of the 9th National Assembly in Abuja...yesterday Justice Administration Alex Enumah in Abuja The acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad yesterday urged heads of courts in the country to put in place structures that would enhance the speedy and fair administration of justice. Justice Muhammad said judicial independence encompasses not only control and authority over legal decisions devoid of external influences, but also an array of administrative powers of courts and judicial institutions. He spoke at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of round table for heads of courts in Abuja. According to the acting CJN, the courts can be efficient in the discharge of its duties if there is an effective court management system, adding that the national judicial policy was formulated by the NJC in 2016 to put in place necessary strategy to achieve this. “The policy reiterates that strategies shall be put in place to achieve the goals of judicial administration vis-à-vis the inherent power in the courts under section 6(6) of the 1999 constitution. “The policy directs head of each judiciary to establish an efficient court management structure that will provide tools and support services in order

to ensure high performance, productivity, speedy and fair administration of justice, which will not influence on the independence of the judiciary,” he said. Justice Muhammad expressed the belief that the Presidential Implementation Committee on Autonomy of State Judiciary and Legislature will come up with recommendations that will bring about the full implementation of section 161 of the 4th alteration to the 1999 constitution (As amended). He called on each jurisdiction in the country’s judiciary to aspire to implement the guidelines provided by the Judicial Information Technology Policy (JITPO), adding that “there should be a tireless commitment to improving the quality of justice delivery in courts. “To this end, you should painstakingly make efforts to improve the process of your courts in ways that will promote confidence in the judicial system. Work hard, treat people fairly and the rest will take care of itself,” he said. The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Rosaline Bozimo, in a welcome address, charged heads of court to use wisdom, intelligence and perseverance in handling situations first as head of administration and second, as judicial officer.

Strike Looms as COEASU Kicks over Unpaid Allowances Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has threatened to resume strike over the failure of the federal government to keep to its side of the agreement it had with the union four months ago. The federal government had agreed to release N15 billion as palliative intervention to cushion the effects of decay of the colleges’ infrastructure. The union’s grouse is that beside government’s failure to provide the palliative intervention funds, other relevant government departments had equally failed in their obligations. Precisely, COEASU faulted

the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation on nonissuance of an awaited circular on a new cadre purportedly created to cater for HND; the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for refusing to remit to the union’s check-off dues and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for sustained bias against the colleges of education. In a letter to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, signed by COEASU President, Nuhu Ogirima, the union stressed that it reserves the right to seek redress on the persistent insensitivity to the plight of the colleges of education. Consequently, COEASU has threatened to resort to another

round of labour action, to seek a redress over the epileptic state of colleges of education across the country, should the government further default in fulfilling its promise. “The union is compelled by the prevailing atmosphere of non-commitment of the federal government (FG) to the fulfillment of the resolutions reached with the union on issues of industrial concern, relative to the colleges of education, to call for urgent redress. “The union suspended its industrial action on December 5, 2018, having accepted FG’s offer to release the sum of fifteen billion (N15 billion) as palliative intervention to cushion the effects

of the decay in the infrastructure in public colleges of education. “This, along with the other resolutions reached at the meeting of the Rapid Response Team, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, on the payment of Peculiar Academic Allowance (PAA); Dual Mode; implementation of CONTISS 15 on lower cadre; stalled renegotiation of 2010 COEASU-FGN Agreement; among others, informed the decision of the union at the time”, the letter read in part. The union said It is quite disheartening that more than four months after the resolutions, the status of the issues remains as they had been.

EFCC Clamps down on Train Ticket Racketeers Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abuja Zonal Office have arrested five suspected train ticket racketeers. They include, Clement Zakka, Udim Sunday Samson, Adams Danladi, Otitomoni Omobolanle and Hassan Dauda. In a statement by EFCC’s spokesman, Tony Orilade, the anti-graft agency was said to have swung into action after receiving an intelligence report alleging that

some group of people at the Idu and Kubwa train stations have been racketeering train tickets, thus making it difficult for passengers to have access to tickets and further sabotaging government efforts in ensuring easy transportation across the country. “The suspects were arrested during a sting operation at the stations. They will soon be charged to court,” EFCC explained. In the same vein, operatives

of the Kaduna Zonal Office of the EFCC, on Sunday, acting on intelligence report, also arrested ticket racketeers at the Rigasa Train Station. According to the commission, “Investigations revealed that some members of staff of the station in connivance with some touts were defrauding unsuspecting travellers and selling train tickets at a higher rate. “For economy ticket of N1,300 /N1,500 they were selling at a rate

of N2,000 to N5,000 and for First Class which goes for N2,500 was being sold for between N7,000 to N15,000. “Three persons, including a staff of the station and two touts have been arrested.” The Station Manager, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Parcel Booking Officer of the Kaduna Railway Station, according to the commission have also been invited for questioning.

TUESDAY APRIL 9, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Kogi Judiciary Asks Court to Nullify Assembly Resolution Yekini JimohinLokoja Kogi State judiciary yesterday approached the state High Court in

Koton-Karfe, seeking the nullification of the April 2 resolution of the state House of Assembly recommending the removal of the state Chief Judge,

INEC: We’ll Not Pre-empt Committee’s Report on Imo North Senatorial District To release timetable for Bayelsa, Kogi elections this week Deji Elumoye and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it would not pre-empt the deliberations and recommendations of the committee it set up to investigate the issue surrounding Imo North senatorial district election. The electoral body insisted that its inability to take any further action warranted the setting up of the committee. This is coming as the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday revealed that the timetable for governorship elections in both Kogi and Bayelsa states would be released this week. A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations had given INEC 24 hours’ ultimatum, to issue the Certificate of Return to Senator Ben Uwajimogu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or it would have no choice than to occupy the headquarters of the commission. The coalition claimed that Uwajimogu, was returned elected as a Senator representing Imo North on March 9, 2019, in a supplementary election, but subsequently denied a Certificate of Return by the commission. It added that INEC cannot be the umpire and at the same time usurping the function of the judiciary.

However, responding to THISDAY’s enquiry yesterday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye, recalled that the commission issued an official statement relating to the Imo North senatorial Election last week. He stated: “The commission determined that there are issues that need further inquiry. And based on this, the commission set up a committee to investigate it. “The committee is already sitting and will submit its report to the commission on or before April 10, 2019. It will be presumptuous to pre-empt the deliberations and recommendations of the committee. “The commission has not reached any conclusion on the issue and that accounts for the setting up of the committee. The commission will make its findings public,” he added. Meanwhile, the INEC’s chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu yesterday revealed that the timetable for governorship elections in both Kogi and Bayelsa states would be released this week. Yakubu, who made this known while defending the 2019 budget estimate of the commission before the joint national assembly committee on INEC, stated that before the end of this week, the timetable and schedule of activities for the gubernatorial poll in the two states will be made public.

Osinbajo, Others Urge Media to Hold Govt Accountable Ogheneuvede Ohwovoriole in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, media executives and civil society groups yesterday in Abuja challenged the Nigerian media to employ the instrumentality of investigative journalism to hold the government accountable to the people. Making a presentation at the Editorial Conference on Legal and Ethical Issues in Investigative Reporting in Nigeria, organised by the Daily Trust Foundation, the centre for Media Law and Development and the MacArthur Foundation in Abuja, the Vice President who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Mr. Laolu Akande, he said that the media by the virtue of its roles and functions was a genuine avenue to keep the government alive to its responsibility. “We are living in the interesting time. The free press has arrived at its best time. Every one of us can have access to our own media. This is the age of social and fake news can spread like wild fire. The

press can make government more accountable through investigative journalism”, Osinbajo noted. He added that with selfregulation, journalists can check fake news and address the failings of news reporting. “We should be careful of over regulation of the media. Self-regulation is the best mode of regulating the media. If this is enough, we would have less or no government regulation. The media should set for itself an ethical benchmark, by appointing an ombudsman that would be paid by the media organisations and not by the government. “This would help the media to hold itself accountable and ensure fair reporting. With self-regulation, media practitioners can check fake news and address the failings of news reporting,” Osinbajo further stated. The vice president added that the act of investigative journalism had been sacrificed on the altar of news reporting, noting that the resurgence of investigative journalism become more important with the spate of fake news during the last general elections.

Justice Nasir Ajanah. The motion was filed by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) leading 11 other lawyers, including five Senior Advocates of Nigeria on behalf of the claimants/applicants, Justice Ajanah, and Chief Registrar of the state High Court, Alhaji Yahaya Adamu. According to Awomolo, the motion on notice (Motion NO. HC/KK02M/201) was brought pursuant to Order 11, Rules 1 and 2 of Kogi State High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2006 to counter the action of the state assembly in defying the court order in the impasse between the legislature and the executive arms. The motion has the state House of Assembly; Speaker of

the assembly, Hon. Matthew Kolawole; Hon. Bello Hassan Abdullahi, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee; the state governor and the Attorney-General of the state. The claimants/applicants in the motion contended that the House of Assembly defied the pendency of suit no: HC/KK/11CV/2018 and the interim injunctive orders of the court to have sat and issued a resolution in respect of the matter. They prayed for an order of the court nullifying and setting aside the resolution purportedly passed by the assembly at its plenary sitting of April 2, 2019, in defiance of the pendency of the suit. The action of the state assembly also defied the interim injunctive Orders of Court by acting upon

a report submitted to it by its Public Accounts Committee and resolving that: “The Chief Judge of Kogi State (the 1st claimant/ applicant herein) be removed for alleged gross misconduct, and (ii) that the Chief Registrar of Kogi State High Court (2nd claimant/applicant herein) should be referred to the state Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for disciplinary action for misconduct.” The motion was based on the grounds that the purported resolution of the 1stto 3rd defendants was made during the pendency of this suit and a subsisting order of the court restraining the defendants from taking any steps in respect of the substantive matter. The motion also held that Orders of Court were meant to be obeyed by parties, adding that the said resolution

of the 1st to 3rd defendants violated the said Order of the Court and amounted therefore “to self-help which is deprecated by the law.” It also held that the said resolution having been made during the pendency of the suit and a subsisting Order of the Court was a nullity under the law and ought to be set aside. The High Court presided over by Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye would therefore on April 12 hear the claimants/applicants through their counsel. The motion was supported with a 15-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the Chief Registrar, Alhaji Yahaya Adamu, and also one of the claimants/ applicants.

BUDGET DEFENCE...

L-R: Chairman, House Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hon. Aishatu Dukku; INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu; and Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Suleiman Nasif, during the 2019 budget defence held in Abuja... yesterday JULIUS ATOI

Nuclear Energy Commission’s Workers Commence Strike Tomorrow Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Workers of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission have declared an indefinite nationwide industrial action with effect from tomorrow to demand for better working conditions. Following the breakdown of negotiations with the federal government, the workers under the aegis of the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutions and Associated Institutions, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, served the management

of the commission a strike notice. The chairman of SSAUTHRIAI, NAEC-Branch, Chukwuma Anyanwu, in a resolution he signed on behalf of the workers in Abuja said, “the strike is coming after several dialogue and consultation with the management of the commission failed to yield any positive result.” Anyanwu said the decision to embark on strike tomorrow was sequel to the expiration of the ultimatum today. NAEC is a focal agency of the federal government charged with the responsibility of

the implementing Nigeria’s nuclear power programme. The core mandate of the commission is the promotion of the development of atomic energy and all matters relating to the peaceful uses of atomic energy, including various applications of nuclear energy in electricity generation, agriculture, water resources management, medicine, industry, education and research. In the strike notice, Anyanwu said the staff of the commission had to embark on the action as a last resort. “The workers have been

demanding for high risk allowances due to radioactive source handled by worker in their assignments. It should be noted that the Nuclear Technology Centre, an agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology with offices near the Gamma Irradiation Facility operated by NAEC has been receiving high-risk allowance for the past seven years till date, while NAEC staff who are directly exposed to these hazardous work are deprived of the high risks/hazard and other related allowances as obtainable in Nigeria and the world over,” he said.

Insecurity: Travellers Abandon Kaduna-Abuja Highway, Patronise Rail Transport Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Following incessant kidnappings on the AbujaKaduna highway, travellers have abandoned the highway in preference for rail transport. The number of travellers on the ever busy route has declined significantly with most of the northern-bound travellers showing up at the

Abuja train stations at Idu and Kubwa to scramble for tickets. THISDAY checks showed that in spite of the joint security task force tagged: ‘Operation Puff Adder’ launched by the federal government at the weekend to address the menace of kidnappings and banditry in the North-west, travellers

have lost confidence in the government ability to ensure adequate security on the road. Most of the travellers, it was gathered, are northernbound passengers headed for Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States. A passenger, Luka Nquat, who spoke on the development, said commuters had no other option than to

travel by train. According to him, “We have no other option than to go by train. Government has taken many security measures, but has it stopped kidnapping on the road? In my area so many people have been affected by this scourge. Train is safer for now until the government demonstrates ability to provide security on that road.”

TUESDAY APRIL 9, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

PDP Queries FG, Buhari over N24.38tn Debt Profile Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has queried the All Progressives Congress (APC)led federal government and the presidency over alleged ‘unwholesome borrowings’ leading to the escalation of the nation debt stock from N12.12 trillion in 2015 to an overburdening N24.38 trillion in 2018.

The main opposition party has called on the National Assembly to commence a system-wide investigation into the borrowings by the present administration, particularly the terms of the borrowing and the handling of the funds. The party in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, described as “saddening and devastating”

Supreme Court Judgment: Abe Commends Judiciary The Senator representing Rivers South-east senatorial district in the National Assembly, Magnus Ngei Abe, has commended the judiciary over the judgment of the Supreme Court, which struck out his appeals yesterday. Abe and other candidates of the Rivers APC had prayed the apex court to make a pronouncement on the propriety of the direct primary elections conducted by the APC in Rivers State for the nomination of its candidates for the 2019 general election. The senator said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Parry Saroh Benson that “while we prayed for a more positive outcome, we accept the final position of the Supreme Court in good faith”. Abe expressed his profound gratitude to the judiciary for offering the aggrieved members of the APC in Rivers State the platform and opportunity to challenge the injustice and impunity by the leadership of the APC in the state. He said it was gratifying to note

that through the judiciary, impunity and injustice within the party could be challenged, describing it as democracy at work. “We are grateful to the judiciary for the opportunity offered myself and other law-abiding members of the APC to challenge the injustice and fraud perpetrated by the leadership of the party in Rivers State. “We commend all those who fought for the course of justice through thick and thin, in the face of threats, intimidation, and inducement. “Our joy knows no bounds because we made our case without arming youths, plotting violence or assassinating anyone’s character. “We were able to hold on to our quest for justice without spilling blood. We were attacked severally and our offices vandalised by violent and vengeful politicians within the APC, in the course of our peaceful agitation, yet we never responded with violence. I am grateful to you all.

Otti Asks Tribunal to Nullify Ikpeazu’sVictory Davidson Iriekpen Following the outcome of the just-concluded March 9 gubernatorial election in Abia State, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Mr. Alex Otti, has filed a petition challenging the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and incumbent Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, as winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Governor Ikpeazu was declared the winner of the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state on March 10. Ikpeazu polled a total number of 261,127 to defeat Uche Ogah of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). A copy of the petition sighted by THISDAY yesterday quoted Otti as saying that, the governorship election was not free, fair and was characterised by non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act (as amended) and disregard of the 2019 guidelines for the conduct of the general elections issued by INEC. The APGA candidate asked the tribunal to cancel the results of 15 local government areas in the state, which he

(Otti) claimed, was marred by over voting. The petition named INEC, Ikpeazu and the PDP as 1st,2nd and 3rd respondents respectively. Otti’s petition read in part, “that the 2nd respondent, Ikpeazu, was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast in the Abia State governorship election held on March 9, 2019, which election was inconclusive by reasons of over voting, which rendered null and void, the result form 788 polling units in 143 wards spread across 15 local government areas of Abia State-namely, Aba North, Bende, Ikwuano , Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, Isiakwato, Obingwa, Ohafia, Osisioma Ngwa, Ugwunaogbo, Ukwa East, Ukwa West, Umunneochi, Umuahia North and Umuahia South. “That the Abia State governorship election held on March 9, 2019, is invalid by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the electoral guidelines for the conduct of the election and that the said election was violated by substantial non-compliance with the mandatory, statutory requirements which substantially affected the outcome of the said elections. That none of the candidates in the said election can be validly returned as having won the said election.”

that President Muhammadu Buhari administration, in its manifest incompetence and lack of initiative to stimulate and run a productive economy, relies on heavy borrowings and unbearable tax regimes, which have crippled productivity, caused untold hardship and mortgaged the economic future of the nation. He added that the Buhari-led administration therefore has a huge explanation to make to Nigerians for its borrowing spree, especially as it cannot point to any meaningful development project

into which the borrowed funds were invested. Ologbondiyan noted that this was particularly against the backdrop of allegations in the public space that the borrowed funds, which were taken as development funds, were diverted to 2019 general election campaign activities of the APC, a huge part of which ended in private pockets of corrupt APC leaders. He stated: “Since President Buhari assumed office in 2015, there has been a culture of unexplained borrowings leading

to a steep rise in the debt stock from N17.5 trillion in 2016 to N21.72 trillion in 2017 and a huge N24.387 trillion in 2018. “It is shocking and completely insupportable that our nation’s debt had risen from N21.72 trillion in December 2017 to N24.387 trillion in December 2018, showing an accumulation of a whopping N2.66 trillion in a space of one year. “This is in addition to direct frittering of public funds through the alleged N1.4 trillion sleazy oil subsidy regime, the looted

N9 trillion detailed in the leaked NNPC memo, the alleged N33 billion fraud in the handling of funds meant for the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East, among other sleazes. “The National Assembly should also save the future of our nation by restricting the Buhari administration from taking further loans on behalf of our country until explanations are provided on the terms and handling of the borrowed funds.”

CONGRATULATIONS...

Executive Director, Chartered Institute of Public Resources Management and Politics (CIPRMP), Ghana, Dr. Richard Kpoku (right), presenting CIPRMP Certificate of Fellowship to the wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi in Ibadan...recently

Education Crucial for Sustainable Peace, Security, Says Saraki Deji Elumoye in Abuja Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has stressed the importance of education in ensuring peace, security and rule of law in any country. Saraki stated this while contributing to the General Debate on the theme: “Parliaments as Platforms to Enhance Education for Peace, Security and the Rule of Law” at the on-going 140th General Assembly of the InterParliamentary Union (IPU) in Doha, Qatar. According to him “education is a fundamental human right - central to the development of citizens as well as what contributions they make to

society”. He emphasised that the National Assembly holds strongly that with the right education, Nigerian youths would be less susceptible to the radicalising influence of terrorist groups and other societal ills, thereby “helping to birth a more peaceful, secure and just society.” Saraki, however, regretted that the security challenges confronting Nigeria were traceable to or exacerbated by challenges in the nation’s education sector. He however stated that even though Nigeria has about 13.2 million Out-of-School-Children – the highest in the world – according to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC),

the 8th National Assembly has and would continue to work with the federal government to address the shortfall with combined strategies to enhance peace, security and the rule of law in the country. “De-radicalisation programmes for former militants or insurgents have a strong education component, and these have proven very effective for peace-building and security. “The Presidential Amnesty Programme for ex-Niger Delta militants involved free local and international tertiary education for former combatants. This is in recognition of the fact that education reduces youth restiveness, which in turn promotes peace.

“As part of parliament’s effort to ensure that education is built on solid foundation, we passed The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Amendment Act which guarantees free and compulsory education for all Nigerians up to secondary school level; while also increasing from two to three per cent the budgetary allocation to universal basic education. “The law also makes it easier for states to access UBEC intervention funds, as the benchmark for counterpart funding has been reduced from 50 per cent to 10 per cent. This and other legislative interventions will make all the difference, we believe, in basic education in Nigeria.

Abuja-Kaduna Rail: FG Orders NRC to Deploy Two Additional Coaches Kasim Sumaina in Abuja Worried by the sudden upsurge of passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna train service, due to the notorious activities of kidnappers along the Abuja-Kaduna road, the federal government yesterday ordered the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), to move two additional coaches from Itakpe-Warri rail lines to reduce the pressure. The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, gave the directive during the monthly inspection of the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan rail project at Ologueru, Ibadan.

The minister, while reacting to the ugly scene witnessed during one of the trip to Kaduna by passengers, where some had to stand, noted that anyone caught in the habbit of tickets racketeering will be arrested and dealt with. According to him, “We are going there to arrest anyone caught up with tickets racketeering. The long queue at that axis is because, coaches are not enough.” He said: “The reason we bought those coaches was for people to sit down. But, people are standing, they shouldn’t stand. But, I’ve directed that we should move two coaches from Itakpe-Warri

to Kaduna. Today is the first day that I will be given this directive.” “The first directive I gave was to move two coaches from Itakpe-Warri to Lagos. When we saw the problem, today, I told the MD, move two coaches to Kaduna from Itakpe-Warri because, there no much passengers in that axis.” Amaechi, informed that until there is a connection between Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri to Lokoja and Abuja, which according to him, “a plan is on for the connectivity and we are talking to someone who want to build a park at Itakpe to carry passengers by road to Abuja, pending when we get approval and

funding to link Abuja to Itakpe.” He stated that it would be difficult to manage and control passengers because of the upsurge and that, “even if two additional coaches is added, which is 150, and the long term plan is that we are going to China between 24th and 30th to expect the new coaches and locomotives we ate buying for Lagos-Ibadan. “We may be under pressure to put that on the Abuja-Kaduna route and if we do that, that would reduce the pressure and the moment there are more coaches and locomotives, the pressure will cool down,” he said.

T H I S D AY ˾TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Rangers, Enugu State Govt Did Not Abandon Chukwu, Says Owumi Enugu FA chairman says Chukwu in stable condition now at the hospital Duro Ikhazuagbe General Manager of Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, Prince Davidson Owumi has denied claims in a section of the sporting media accusing the club and the state government of abandoning a former captain of the team, Christian Chukwu in his present challenging health condition. Chukwu who also captained the Green Eagles to win the African Nations Cup on home soil in 1980 has been battling prostrate cancer. USA-based Patron of the Flying Antelopes, Benson Ezeomeogo Ejindu was the one who first posted on Facebook at the weekend asking Nigerians to help raise $50,000 (about N18million) for the surgery and treatment of the former Super Eagles coach fondly called Chairman. But in a swift reaction to the scathing remarks on how both Rangers and the Enugu State government have abandoned the ailing Chukwu, Owumi insisted the coach was not abandoned. “Rangers management and the state government under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi have been up and doing since coach Christian Chukwu (MFR) was hit with this health challenge,”

Owumi said in a statement yesterday. “We, Rangers, made the initial deposit for his admission for medical attention at Nike Clinic, GRA, Enugu and after informing the state government of his condition, the sum of One million, five hundred thousand naira (N1, 500, 000) only was made available to his family for treatment which has been carried out.” Owumi revealed further that it was Rangers FC that made the initial deposit of N200,000 for Chukwu’s admission and commencement of his treatment at the private hospital. “Christian Chukwu is a legend and our governor holds him in very high esteem and takes whatever concerns him with high regard. “So, it beats me hollow why some media channels would resort to unfounded stories that he was abandoned. “It is not true. Our legend, Chukwu has been assessed by medical personnel at the hospital and is gradually getting over the health challenge. “We did not want to make the efforts of Enugu State government and Rangers in this case public, because his family never wanted his condition a public affair,”

observed Owumi in the statement. However, a top Nigerian coach who did not want his name in print told THISDAY yesterday evening that he was disappointed with both Rangers and the Enugu State government for waiting till Chukwu’s case became a national embarrassment before intervening. “Chairman Chukwu has been down for sometime. I know attempts made to get help for him from the government that

fell on deaf ears. Beside, what is the N1.5million contribution from the state government out of a budget of N18million needed for his treatment and rehabilitation abroad?,” queried the former top coach. He pointed out that lack of care from those in authority for former sportsmen and women is the reason why the country has not been able to take her right place in global sports. “Those who toiled in sweat and tears to bring glory to this

country are usually not taken care of in their prime when they needed help most. The case of Chukwu is just one in several hundreds out there suffering in silence and penury,” concludes the bitter coach. Chairman of Enugu Football Association Chidi Offor Okenwa also confirmed last night that Chukwu was in a stable condition at the hospital with all necessary tests carried out. “I have spoke with Christian Chukwu today and is high in

spirit. Even the hospital has assured us that he his condition is stable now while all necessary tests have been carried out. The results of the tests will determine other necessary line of action to follow by the medical personnel,” stressed the Enugu FA boss who is also a member of the NFF board. Apart from Chukwu’s credentials as Nigerian coach, he was previously head coach of the Harambee Stars, the national team of Kenya.

PRE-WORLD CUP FRIENDLY

Oparanozie Scores as Canada Beats Falcons 2-1 Nigeria’s Super Falcons were beaten 2-1 by the fifth best team in the FIFA rankings, Canada at the Pinatar Arena in a pre-World Cup friendly on Monday afternoon. Manager Thomas Dennerby missed the services of talented Span-based duo of Sevilla’s Antoinette Payne and Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala for the high-profile game but it was the Nigerian Ladies that made a quick start in Murcia. Three minutes after Rita Chikwelu was denied by the Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod, striker Desire Oparanozie put Nigeria into the lead with a superb finish after Uchenna Kanu had teed her up in the 26th minute.

But the Canadians came roaring out of the blocks after the break, Beckie Janine restored parity in the 48th minute following a corner quick breakaway. And seven minutes shy of the hour mark, Sophie Schmidt rose highest to plant a terrific header past Tochukwu Oluchi in the Nigerian goal following a cross from Jayde Riviere to complete the turnaround for Canada. Kanu nearly grabbed an equaliser for the Falcons after getting onto the end of a pass from Ngozi Ebere but her effort failed to trouble McLeod. Nigeria Starting XI Vs Canada : Oluehi, Ohale, Michael, Ebere, Ebi, Imo, Ayinde, Chikwelu, Okobi, Kanu, Oparanozie

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Q’FINAL

Spurs Counting on the Aura of its New Stadium against Man City Tottenham Hotspur is hoping for a lift from its new stadium as quadruple-chasing Manchester City visits tonight for their UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg clash Spurs won last week in its first match at this new home, beating Crystal Palace 2-0 to move back into third in the Premier League after a disappointing run of results. However, Man City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne claims Tottenham’s new ground will not be a significant factor in the first leg of the tie but South Korean forward Son Heung-min said the atmosphere could help his team, who had been based at Wembley since the start of the

2017/18 season. “Of course,” he told reporters at the pre-match press conference. “We take these plus points for us because maybe the City players don’t realise, they always play at home. We’ve been nearly two years away from our home stadium. “What we’ve done in the last two years was very positive and I think we missed home a lot and maybe we can show them tomorrow night what is the difference between Wembley and our new stadium.”

TONIGHT @ 8PM Tottenham v Man City Liverpool v FC Porto

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) shortly after presenting the Gold Trophy to the Captain of Obule Boys Integrated School, Neye Jolomi as winner of 2018/2019 Edition of Zenith Bank/Delta State Principals’ Cup ﬁnal…recently

NBBF: Abuja High Court Strikes out Suit Challenging Kida’s Election A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice B.O Quadri has struck out a suit challenging the election of Musa Ahmadu Kida as Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President for the 2017-2021 term of office. The Suit No: FHC/ABJ/ CS/497/17 filed by one El Hassan Auwalu and Abdullahi Bello in 2017 in which they joined the Honourable Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) and the NBBF as defendants sought to challenge the authenticity of the election conducted under the auspices of the NOC with the Federal Ministry of Youths & Sports (FMY&S) as observers, which elected Musa Ahmadu Kida. The self-acclaimed stakeholders specifically prayed the court to hold that the elections, based on the Guidelines for Elections

into the boards of the National Sports Federations conducted at Grand Ibro Hotel, Abuja by the NOC for the NBBF should be set aside and declared null and void while submitting that only an election conducted by the NBBF as an “autonomous” body can regulate and conduct elections onto the NBBF Board. In his ruling, the Presiding Judge, Justice B.O Quadri said that the suit brought before the court was no longer live and amounts merely to an academic exercise since the matter was already before the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA), which the NBBF is an affiliate, in addition to its membership of the NOC. The eminent jurist further held that FIBA in its letter of 13th March, 2018, addressed to all the parties made it clear that in accordance with FIBA

Statutes any person being dissatisfied with the decision of FIBA has a right of Appeal against the said decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Switzerland, however, there is no evidence to show that this vital aspect of FIBA Statutes has been complied with. In his conclusion, Justice B.O Quadri concluded that the questions submitted by the plaintiffs for determination are therefore spent and will not confer any right or benefit on any successful party in the action and it will be an exercise in futility for the court to proceed with the matter when its utilitarian value has been stripped away by the decision of FIBA. In view of the above reasons given, the court ruled that there is nothing to decide as any decision would be

tantamount to labouring in vain. Speaking on the judgment yesterday, NBBF’s Vice President, Babatunde Ogunade said, “This landmark decision is an indication that FIBA and the NOC, along with the relevant sports authorities in Nigeria have the final say on this matter. “The ruling by his Lordship against the plaintiffs suit is indeed a big blow to Tijani Umar and his disciples who despite clear facts that abound continue to hold Tijani Umar out falsely as a factional President of the NBBF. “This is despite the fact that FIBA has through numerous correspondences made it clear regarding whom it is dealing with as President of the NBBF, a fact corroborated by evidence on the FIBA website,” Ogunade concluded.

AfricanTour: Mapwanya Out as FCT ClassicTees Off Visitor Mapwanya of Zimbabwe is a major absentee as the FCT Classic, the third event on the African Tour roaster, tees off today at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja. Mapwanya famously edged Vincent Torgah of Ghana in a tense playoff to win third version of the tournament on March

3, 2018. The main tournament will get underway with 40 players on the draw sheet after four players joined following the 18-hole qualifying round held on Monday. The three-ball of E. Ocheje, S. Okoromi and M. Musa will set the tone for the rest of the players when they file out at 8 a.m.

Tournament favourite Torgah, will play in the seventh group, which composes Friday Akpodiete, Francis Epe and U. Saater. They will hit the fairway at 9 a.m. Torgah has already won the first two events of the 2019 season-Eko Challenge Cup and the Memorare- and will be looking forward to extend

his winnings to three on the trot. This edition features international players from Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The FCT Classic is a 72-hole stroke play event contested over four days with a cut set after 36 holes. The winner will walk away with $4,000 Order of Merit points.

5 ) * 4 % ": t TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019

Tuesday April 9, 2019

UT H

& RE A S O

Price: N250

MISSILE PDP to Buhari “If the president is ﬁnding the job too diﬃcult to do, he should call for help or quit. We are tired of burying our children, wives and brothers. Our women should stop being made widows at young age” – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) advising President Buhari Muhammadu to take a strong stand to stop the incessant killings across the country.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

The Scandal from Zamfara

e owe our colleague and compatriot, Kadaria Ahmed a debt of gratitude for leading a group of Zamfara stakeholders to bring to local and international attention the mayhem and chaos going on in her home state of Zamfara State, which resulted in the killing of innocent Nigerians, the disruption of mining activities and the reign of what can best be described as sheer madness. The video on the Zamfara protest has since gone viral, with the intrepid journalist, daughter of Zamfara, Kadaria Ahmed calling out the Governor of the state, and the President of the Federal Republic. The image of Ms Ahmed, standing out there un-cowed, unbowed, courageous and outspoken, with an orchestra of men hailing her and urging her on is an image that will remain etched in my memory for a long time to come. I salute Kadaria’s courage and heroism. We need more persons like her. Persons who can stand firm in the face of tyranny. Persons who can lead citizens to positive action. Persons who can call a spade by its name. Courageous men and women who can expose the idiocy of executive arrogance. I am particularly proud that Kadaria is one of our own. Media men and women often get blamed for the malfeasances of others. All over the world, they are treated as victims and fall guys: it was refreshing seeing one of our own standing again at the barricades to defend in the field of action, one of the finest virtues of the journalistic trade: the capacity to speak truth to power. Thanks, Kadaria, for giving Nigerian journalism and the tradition of activism a necessary shot in the arm, at a time the push was most needed. This daughter of Zamfara, this beautiful daughter of the North West, had fought on behalf of the people of Borno, Benue and Plateau and the missing girls of Chibok and Dapchi. When it came to the turn of her own people, it was good to see her taking to the barricades and standing firm. She says she has not been able to visit home for about a year. She speaks for many Nigerians who are on exile in their own country. They can’t visit home because their homesteads have been turned into killing fields. It is not all the people in the Internally Displaced Camps in the country that represent the full population of displaced persons: there are many others who are stranded within this country who can not go home out of fear and despair, many of our compatriots from Borno, Benue, Plateau, Barkin Ladi and other parts of Southern Kaduna and Adamawa are stranded, they can’t go home, not anymore, and yet weekly or monthly, they receive sad tales about their relations who have been killed or abducted or their sisters who have been raped and murdered. In the video in which Kadaria Ahmed featured prominently, a distraught lady reported that her brother has been abducted in Zamfara and the villains are asking for a ransom of N200 million. Kadaria Ahmed adds that the Governor of Zamfara state is “the most useless Governor in the history of Nigeria”. This may be a very harsh assessment, which speaks to the depth of her feelings and anger. But many Nigerians can relate to that. There are many Nigerians who consider the Governors of their state, useless, irresponsible, and indeed, stupid. Ms Ahmed was drawing attention to a major Nigerian malaise: the failure of leadership which results in sundry social crisis and the over-prioritisation of politics over and above good governance and common sense. According to her, the Governor of Zamfara State, Abdullaziz Yari has since abandoned his responsibility as Chief Security Officer of Zamfara State. We we were told he gave up that function. He resigned. Candidly, what kind of

Yari man abandons his people to their fate? We were also told that Yari spends most of his time in Abuja. Many Nigerians can also relate to that. Nigeria is supposed to be a Federal system. But we have this unfortunate system where state Governors spend more time in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, shaking tins and begging for hand-outs from the Presidential table. Other levels of government in what is meant to be a Federation are at best beggars, seeking a share of the national cake. When a state gets a bad Governor, he practically relocates to Abuja, to promote the culture of sycophancy and slavishness. I may not agree that Abdullaziz Yari is the “most useless Governor in the history of Nigeria”- the word history is too ennobling- nonetheless, I can name at least two other Governors that I consider more useless who may not necessarily fall into the framework of “Nigerian history” but let me say that I know one thing: Kadaria Ahmed is very truthful and blunt. In that video that has now gone viral, Ms Ahmed also called out the President of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari. She reminded him that the buck stops at his desk and he has a responsibility and a duty to defend the interest of the people of Zamfara state. She told him that the people of Zamfara state voted for him in 2015 and gain in 2019, and they deserve his attention. This our sister sef? She was practically calling the President of Nigeria an ingrate! Kadaria! But the rhetoric worked. It had to take a protest by Kadaria Ahmed a few straggling men, and others, cowering behind an alpha female, calling out everybody for President Buhari to take notice of the crisis in Zamfara state. And what did he do? He issued a statement from Jordan, where he is attending a conference on the Middle East – how does that really concern us, the lazy wonks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not yet told us- but the President tells us that he is the “one of the unhappy leaders in the world.” How pathetic. Our President is “one of the unhappy leaders in the world!” Ha. Please fetch me tissue paper. I need to clean my tears. If the President is looking for the meaning of sadness, he should visit the families in Zamfara, Birnin Gwari and Kakangi who have lost their loved ones. He should go to Benue and Plateau states and find out what is going on, He should go to Southern Kaduna and feel the people’s pains. He should go to Sokoto and find out what has gone wrong. We are definitely not talking about his own happiness here. We are talking about the happiness of the Nigerian people and their

right to decent, safe and secure livelihood. It is the duty of the President to discharge that responsibility and lead all of us to what he himself and his campaigners call “the next level”- whatever that means. I have an idea: President Buhari is probably the only Nigerian President since 1999 who has curiously and surprisingly retained dead woods in his team for four years. He should as he seeks to constitute a new cabinet, sack all his service chiefs and re-jig his cabinet. They may be his kinsmen or friends, but they are not helping him. He needs to do something drastic about the Nigerian security architecture and the governance team as well. He The office of the President is not a place for a functioning Godfather and an avuncular presiding officer. President Muhammadu Buhari must think out of the box if he is serious about moving this country to “the next level”, and let us make this additional point, with due respect: some of the ideas and initiatives that President Buhari needs will not come from the compromised APC henchmen that he surrounds himself with. I don’t want to imagine how Kadaria Ahmed will describe these henchmen. She is so independent-minded she may just conclude that they are weak and incompetent, and there will be enough evidence to prove her right. But what the heck, Kadaria, these same men got the President a second term! And you too have been accused, most recently of being a Buhari promoter! But by the way, the Nigerian government has since taken notice of what is more popularly known as the #MarchforZamfara protest. The President has issued a statement. He needed to be prompted to do so! The security establishment and the Nigeria Police have also said that they are extending something they call “Operation Puff Adder” to Zamfara state. Whoever throws

up these names must be a comedian. We have heard of Operation Python Dance. Do pythons dance? We have heard of Operation Crocodile smile? Do Crocodiles smile? And now Operation Puff Adder. I beg. There is serious humanitarian crisis in the troubled states of the North East, the East and the North Western parts of Nigeria. It is about time the Nigerian government realised that we are talking about human lives. These days, when Nigerian authorities announce that 60 persons died in Sokoto and 50 were murdered in Zamfara and five others committed suicide in the South West, or five husbands killed their wives in the Mid-West, they make it sound like it is small number, out of 200 million, but hey, when will our government at all levels begin to realize that every Nigerian life matters? This is the strong message Kadaria Ahmed and her likes are putting across. Don’t tell them to bugger off. And I say: all the male chauvinists who have been attacking her on social media should go see a shrink. My take: Operation Puff Adder sounds like a knee-jerk response. As for Governor Abdullaziz Yari, he should just keep quiet. Whatever he says can be further used against him. And when President Buhari returns from the luxury trip to Jordan, he should visit Zamfara state and other troubled parts of Nigeria to publicly demonstrate his “unhappiness”. There has been so much talk about the role of foreign miners in the Zamfara crisis. Can we just be reasonable for once? The problem in Zamfara is not about foreigners. It is about us, about Nigeria – the failure of leadership, the idiocy of the governing class and the dividing lines that continue to make this country so pathetically vulnerable. As things stand, it looks like the government of Nigeria only responds to emergencies when people go out to protest. This is the ultimate take-away from the #MarchforZamfara protests.

INEC: Kogi and Bayelsa Gubernatorial Elections

he Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the commission will soon reveal the time-table for Governorship elections in both Kogi and Bayelsa states. He made this known while defending the commission’s 2019 budget estimates before the joint National Assembly committee on INEC. The elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states are termed end-of-year elections. But first, we are glad to hear that INEC was fully funded in 2017 and 2018, under the open envelope system. Many Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government that have appeared before the National Assembly have had cause to complain about poor funding, that is- the failure of government to respect the terms and provisions of the Appropriation Act. INEC wants more money and expects to be fully funded again in the 2019 budget. I have no problems with that. The Chairman of the Senate Committee and his counter part in the House of Representatives more or less commended INEC for a job well done in the 2019 General election. I don’t know about that. I certainly have a different opinion. But it is good to see that INEC, despite all its tribulations, and loss of face, is moving on and thinking ahead. But while doing that, INEC and its Chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmood may as well be reminded of a few points: 1. Not many Nigerians are pleased with the conduct and management of the 2019 general election, and before it, the elections in Ekiti and Osun states. 2. Most Nigerians are convinced that INEC as

it is, is heavily compromised. They do not believe that it is an independent institution. The coming elections and the outcomes of the litigation over the 2019 elections provide INEC an opportunity to restore public faith and confidence 3. We hope that INEC will take proper stock of the 2019 general election and learn and imbibe certain lessons and use its institutional framework to make appropriate amends. 4. NEC should be seen to be supporting the amendment to the Electoral Bill as proposed to ensure greater transparency and credibility in the conduct of elections. The failure of card readers and the spectre of vote-buying made the recent Nigerian elections look more or less like a clever contrivance with pre-determined outcomes. 5. Kogi and Bayelsa are very sensitive states, where the people have developed a high level of political consciousness. The only thing that INEC owes the people in those two states is to conduct free, fair and credible elections and refrain from “the scourge of in-conclusi-vity”. 6. INEC’s reputation is at stake. Professor Mahmood should begin to worry about how history will remember him and his tenure. He should pay some attention to that and may be he should start by paying attention to public perception. All the persons before him who boasted “ I don’t care” ended up in the dustbin of history. 7. There is the silence of the mortuary and anger in the land. INEC should not put fire to that anger. INEC is already looking ahead, the people are looking at the past and the present. All timelines may collide in the future, and all architects will be called to account.

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