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CBN to Blacklist Bank Accounts Linked with Textile Smugglers Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has said the apex bank is currently gathering data about, and investigating the accounts of individuals and corporate organisations

involved in smuggling and dumping textile materials into Nigeria.

Emefiele warned that after the investigation, the names of the individuals and companies involved would be publicised, stressing that persons or organisations found culpable

would be blacklisted and all the banks in Nigeria shall be barred from conducting any banking business with the companies, their owners and top management.

The CBN governor said this yesterday when he launched the commencement of the

distribution of cotton seeds and other inputs to over 100,000 cotton farmers in Katsina State for the 2019 farming season, with the aim of reviving Nigeria’s cotton, textiles and garments sector and also increasing cotton production from 80,000

tonnes produced in 2018 to over 300,000 tonnes by 2020.

He said the investigation would also be extended to the 43 other items restricted from forex in Nigeria.

“Today, Nigeria currently spends about $4 billion annually on imported textiles

and ready-made clothing.

With a projected population of over 190 million Nigerians, the needs of the domestic market are huge and varied, with immense prospects for growth of the domestic textile Continued on page 6

Again, Aiteo Shuts 150,000 bpd Nembe Trunk Line... Page 8 Tuesday 7 May, 2019 Vol 24. No 8793. Price: N250

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Insecurity: No Special Treatment for Daura, Says Presidency 50 killed in fresh attacks on Zamfara communities Arewa youths protest over incessant killings Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The abduction of the District Head of Daura, Alhaji Musa Umar, who is also the husband of President Muhammadu Buhari’s niece, Hajiya Bilki, has shown that security agencies

are not giving any town, including the president’s, preferential treatment, the presidency said yesterday.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, stated this in an interview on

Kakaaki, a breakfast television programme of African Independent Television (AIT).

He said: “Well, that has happened but I think that brings the message home that it is a national problem and that because the President

comes from Daura, is not to say there cannot be crime in Daura or Daura will be specially treated.

“The Army said two days ago that there are clear pointers that these problems are beyond criminality.”

Shehu, however, scored the Buhari administration 98 per cent in the fight against insurgency.

He said: “If you ask me about the biggest security (challenge) we met on the ground, it is Boko Haram

terrorism and I will score this administration 98 per cent coming this far because Boko Haram is now confined to the fringes of Lake Chad. As a matter of fact, they jump in Continued on page 6

75 Political Parties Pass Vote of Confidence on INEC Chairman Blame military, police for electoral shortcomings It's a welcome devt, says commission

Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja At the end of a two-day national roundtable, which brought together political stakeholders, 75 political parties, excluding the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday in Abuja, passed a confidence vote on the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, saying the 2019 general election met the expectation of majority of Nigerians.

However, some chairmen of the parties, who spoke at the two-day roundtable, which ended yesterday at the International Conference

Centre, blamed operatives of security agencies, particularly the military and the police for whatever shortcomings that might have been witnessed in the election.

Speaking through its spokesman, Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said the vote of confidence on INEC was an ‘’indirect endorsement’’ of APC and President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, which he said had done well in terms of providing the right environment for INEC to conduct a credible election.

He said: "APC is never against the IPAC even though Continued on page 8

See Four-Year Report Card of Team Buhari (2015-2019) – Part 3... Page 18-21

MOVING COTTON FARMING TO NEXT LEVEL...

L-R: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh; Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari; Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; and CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, during the distribution of cotton seeds and other inputs to cotton farmers for 2019 farming season in Katsina… yesterday

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APC Yet to Tell Me Not to Run, Says Ndume Nseobong Okon-Ekong A former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, yesterday stated that there was no time the All Progressives Congress (APC) officially asked him not to run for the position of Senate President, saying he joined the race to win as he has the support of his colleagues and party leaders to content for the position.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Lagos, Ndume expressed optimism that he would emerge as the Senate President in the ninth National Assembly, adding that he is not in the race to bargain for juicy position.

According to him, he has consulted widely with a lot of party leaders in the ruling APC and none has asked him to withdraw for anyone.

He said even the National Chairman of APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, said the party leaders only recommended Senator Ahmad Lawan as their preferred choice and were not trying to impose him on the senators. “The party has endorsed Ahmed Lawan. I am very loyal to the party. But I only go with the party to extent that the party has followed the constitutional provisions

on any matter. I also believe that power belongs to God and He gives it to whoever He likes. I consulted widely before I made my intention public. I consulted President Muhammadu Buhari; the National Leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other leaders of our party and they gave me their blessings. I am in Lagos in continuation of that consultation. I am encouraged by the feedback. I wrote a letter to the party to inform them of my intention. So far, nobody has told me to suspend my aspiration because they know that doing so will amount to denial of my constitutional rights. Nobody should be imposed on the senate. I am insisting that democracy should prevail,� he explained.

Ndume described President Buhari as “father to all.� “I don’t expect the president to take sides with anybody.

The president has never interfered in the electoral process. The party has only recommended Lawan. If the party decides wrongly, I will not follow the party. Nobody has said to me ‘don’t do it’.

I have not heard otherwise.

The National Assembly is my second home. I have been there long enough. I know the rules that guide choice of leadership

of the National Assembly. It is senators that will choose one of them to supervise their affairs. That person will be ‘one among equals, not one above equals’ as we currently have.�

According to Ndume, he has the backing of his constituents and it may amount to a betrayal of their trust if he shelved his ambition. “It is better for me to pursue this to a logical conclusion. I am not in the race to bargain for any other position. The party is supreme only to the extent of the legality of its decision. The party has not said it is depriving me of my right. The party has never appointed anybody, even the position of the president was contested. It was the same for the National Chairman of the party - people expressed interest, forms were sold and elections held. The party’s constitution recommends; consensus, direct or indirect primary.� “We have 109 senators and each of them has one vote. If you are contesting to be the senate president, you have to reach out. But at the beginning, I was cautious because I am a party man. So, when the party said don’t go there, because if you do, you

will be disciplined, I stayed back. But the party came out again and said ‘you can reach out to them now, and so, I reached out to them. So far, I thank God that the response I am getting from my colleagues from the other party is very encouraging - the same thing from my colleagues in APC. I am in this race to win. So, I am talking to everybody. I have all the numbers of the 109 senators-elect and I call them’. “I have written the party, indicating my intention to contest. Even my national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole publicly said they only recommended Lawan and they are not stopping anybody. As I speak with you, nobody has consulted me to say ‘don’t run for Senate President’. Everybody has the constitutional right to do that,� he said.

Speaking on his nine-point agenda, Ndume, who currently represents Borno South, promised to improve upon the performance of the 8th Senate, adding that he will make the Office of the Senate President less attractive by reducing the unnecessary privileges attached to the office.

While promising to uphold the independence of the

legislative arm of government, the third-time Senator promised to “work harmoniously and inter-dependently with the executive without undermining the principle of Separation of Powers�. “I want to halt the drift of the Senate and return it to the independent institution that is supposed to be, while serving creditably its useful function of stabilising the polity by performing its check and balance role. Currently the office of the Senate President has become personalised. With a comfortable majority of 65 senators, the APC leadership in the senate should not have any problems. I want to restructure the office of the Senate President. Another thing I will like to do is to see to the speedy passage of the Constituency Project Bill, which I sponsored.

Constituency projects have been mismanaged for a long time. But the truth is that we have 774 local government areas, some of which will never feel the presence of the federal government without these constituency projects.�

The lawmaker, who said that the North-east deserves an articulate representative as Senate President, added that the region had suffered huge

devastations with property worth over N2 trillion destroyed by insurgents.

He said there was need for an articulate candidate from the North-east geo-political zone as a Senate President to galvanise global support for the restoration of the North-East.

He said he was qualified to play that role, adding that his record in the National Assembly could attest to that.

The ranking lawmaker who said if given the opportunity, he would not compromise the independence of the legislature, added that his chances of becoming the next Senate president are bright, adding that he enjoys robust relationship with his colleagues (senators-elect).

Ndume said he had been engaging his colleagues, assuring them that he wants to be President of Senate and Senators' President.

He maintained that God has been so kind to him as a "son of nobody that became somebody without knowing anybody,"adding that the onus is on him to reciprocate God's favour by serving mankind. “The 9th senate will do things differently. And that’s why I set out my nine-point agenda of what I want to do to reposition the senate�.

had ended.

When contacted the State Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Muhammed Shehu, however, confirmed the attack and disclosed that only 10 persons were killed.

Also, armed bandits on Friday stormed a village in Magami District, Gusau Local Government Area of the state, killing about 20 people while about 15 sustained injuries and sacking more than 20 communities.

Four military personnel sustained various injuries as soldiers engaged the bandits who were said to have invaded the community in motorcycles around 10 a.m.

Confirming the attack, Acting Director, Force

Information, Operation Sharan Daji, Major Clement Abiade, disclosed that the four soldiers who sustained injuries were quickly evacuated and taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau for treatment.

He said soldiers successfully repelled an ambush by bandits on their way to defend the community under attack.

Meanwhile, five people were also killed in bandits’ reprisal over the killing of their six leaders by a mob on Saturday.

Six leaders of the bandits who went to the hometown of Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Brig. Gen. Mansur Dan Ali to negotiate with the villagers over cows they claimed belong to them, were killed in the process.

a virgin market that must be tapped. If we are serious or determined in our drive to create jobs on a mass scale and reduce youth restiveness in Nigeria, the cotton, textiles and garments industry cannot be ignored,� Emefiele added.

He, therefore, urged all hands to be on deck to harness the potentials in the agricultural sector.

In his remarks, Masari said the federal government’s initiative to promote cotton production under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the CBN was a welcome development as such would support the textile industry in the country by encouraging local production.

Also speaking on behalf of other state governors in the North-west geo-political zone, Ganduje equally commended President Buhari for the administration’s effort in agricultural development.

While lauding the CBN for its initiatives, Ganduje stressed the need for strong institutions to complement monetary and fiscal policies aimed at developing the Nigerian economy.

Continued on page 8

INSECURITY: NO SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR DAURA, SAYS PRESIDENCY and out and mainly occupy communities that have not been re-occupied by their owner.�

Responding to a report by the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu’s, claim that 1,071 persons lost their lives in crime-related cases across the country in the first quarter of 2019, Shehu said despite the recent spike in killings, banditry and kidnapping, the statistics was still better than that of the previous administration.

Shehu said although he would not want to compare figures, the facts remain sacred.

He said: “Yes, there has been a recent spike (in attacks)

but this is not to suggest that this has never happened in the country and they are beginning just now because President Buhari is out of the country. “You mentioned the numbers but I want to say from our own point of view in the presidency, we have avoided comparing numbers because it will lead to the same criticisms that some people have made of being insensitive because even if it is one life of a Nigerian that is lost, it is important, it cannot be justified, it cannot be defended. “But anybody who takes the trouble to check the presidential website; at some point, Femi (Adesina) had

done the numbers and the staggering numbers put on display coming from the past are nothing comparable to these numbers but we will not take it lightly.�

50 Killed in Fresh Attacks on Zamfara Communities Bandits at the weekend attacked some communities in Zamfara State, killing more than 50 people and injuring 31.

The attackers invaded communities under Dangurgu, Kunkilai, Birnin Magaji, in Maru, Gusau and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.

The bandits on Saturday morning, according to a reliable source, unleashed their terror on Kunkilai village when villagers were attending a naming ceremony.

The bandits armed with sophisticated weapons started shooting sporadically immediately they stormed the community, killing 31 and wounding six in the process.

The wounded persons are said to be currently receiving treatment in Dansadau General Hospital.

The attack, according to a source, went unchallenged before the bandits went back to the forest they came from, adding that no security operatives came to their rescue until after the attack

CBN TO BLACKLIST BANK ACCOUNTS LINKED WITH TEXTILE SMUGGLERS industries. “One quick example that highlights the potential of this local market, includes the need to support provision of uniforms and clothing apparels for students, military and paramilitary officers as well as workers in the industrial sector. In addition, when we consider the amount spent on outfits for religious and social events such as weddings, naming and funeral ceremonies on a weekly basis, the potential market size is well over $4 billion,� the CBN governor added.

Emefiele, who was supported at the ceremony by the Governors of Katsina State, Hon. Bello Masari, and Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, as well as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, also reiterated that the forex restriction on finished textiles and other 43 items remained in force.

He said the CBN had identified insufficient cotton seeds as one of the major challenges facing cotton farmers, hence the apex

bank sought to change the narrative on the cotton and textile industry in Nigeria through the distribution of high yielding cotton seeds to farmers.

According to him, the provision of seedlings to more than 100,000 farmers cultivating over 200,000 hectares of farmland, along with extensive training on proper farming techniques, will boost production of high grade cotton lint at much improved yields of up to four tonnes per hectare, from the current cultivation rates of less than one tonne per hectare.

He further disclosed that the choice of Katsina was based on the immense potential of the state as the leading cotton producing state in Nigeria. He also noted that CBN was committed to the revamp of the cotton and textiles industry, given its immense potential to Nigeria’s growth objectives as well as the apex bank’s efforts at creating jobs for a large number of Nigerians.

Recalling the glory days of the textile industries in

Nigeria in the 1970’s and early 1980’s, Emefiele noted that Nigeria was home to Africa’s largest textile industry, with over 180 textile mills that employed over 450,000 people, representing about 25 per cent of the workforce in the manufacturing sector.

He also recounted that the industry was supported by the production of cotton by 600,000 local farmers across 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states, thousands of ginnery workers who processed the cotton from farmers, and a large number of distributors that sold the finished cloths to consumers.

He, however, expressed regrets that farmers and processors have had to deal with low quality seeds, rising operating cost and weak sales due to high energy cost of running factories, poor access to finance and smuggling of textile goods, which he estimated cost Nigeria over $2.2 billion annually. He lamented that only 25 textile factories were currently operating in Nigeria with a workforce of less than 20,000 people, stressing that a large proportion of clothing

materials were now being imported from China and countries in Europe.

While acknowledging the support and leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, he said the bank had placed considerable emphasis on addressing impediments to the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors, as both sectors represent over 52 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP. “If we are able to drive productivity gains in these sectors, it will undoubtedly translate to higher growth rate for the broader economy, result in increased rural incomes, and improvements in living standards for a majority of Nigerians,� he noted.

On the restriction of foreign exchange to 43 items, Emefiele said the measures taken by the CBN were yielding the desired results and had helped in driving interest by potential investors who are seeking to make investments to support improved production of textiles in Nigeria. “With a population of over 190 million people, Nigeria clearly stands out as

TOP GAINERS NEM COURTVILLE CHAMS PLC REGENCY SOVETRUST TOP LOSERS UPDC IKEJHOTEL GOLDINSURE

NGN NGN 0.22 2.43 0.02 0.24 0.04 0.49 0.02 0.25 0.02 0.23 NGN 0.15 1.53 0.15 1.60 0.03 0.33 JAPAULOIL 0.03 0.36 CCNN 0.55 15.30 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,580.00 Volume: 271.075 million shares Value: N1.389 billion Deals: 3,814 As at yesterday 6/5/19 See details on Page 35

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Again, Aiteo Shuts 150,000 bpd Nembe Trunk Line Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Nigeria’s oil exports have suffered another setbacks as Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company has again shut down its 150,000 barrels per day- capacity, Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) less than 24 hours after reopening the facility.

The company said yesterday that after repairs of identified leak points occasioned by activities of oil thieves, two new leak points were reported along the same line near the Awoba Riser Manifold.

"Our emergency response process was immediately activated, and containment boom deployed to limit oil spread on bodies of water

whilst efforts to identify cause of the incident/repair have been initiated.

"Consequently, all injectors have been advised in accordance with NCTL shutdown procedure to shut-in production into the NCTL immediately.

Appropriate Oil Leakage/ Spillage Notification Report will follow shortly to DPR/ NOSDRA" the company said in a statement issued by its spokesman, Mr. Matthew Indiana.

Hours before the latest incident, the indigenous oil giant, had restated its commitment to its host community after a section of the Nembe Community, Bayelsa State converged, without prior notice, and barricaded the

CEO Aiteo Group, Benedict Peters entrance to the company's logistics base.

Ndiana said the incident interrupted normal work operations even after the intervention of the state’s security task force.

He said that following a protracted engagement

with them, they agreed to disband, while leaving behind representatives to present their demands to the company.

"These disturbances disrupt our operations and lead to production deferment, which affects not just the company but revenues accruing to the government and people of Nigeria.

"Aiteo reiterates her commitment to continuing to work with her host communities to achieve an amicable relationship. Moreover, the Nembe community provides most of the supply, logistics and security contracts going into our local operations.

"Apart from encouraging community participation in this manner, the company

has, in addition, continued to provide considerable amenities and services directly to the community in a most beneficial and impactful way.

"Hence, we remain open and are committed to constructive dialogue for the development of both the nation and the community" the company added.

Aiteo reiterated that it takes several layers of engagement to get key deliverables to the community as the asset is operated under a joint venture with NNPC, noting that key decisions must be made upon due consultation with all stakeholders.

"We appeal to our host communities, our partners in development, to patiently await

the final outcome of ongoing processes initiated to implement sustainable development for all parties" the company added.

The Aiteo-operated NCTL and the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) are the two major pipelines used by oil companies operating in the eastern Niger Delta to evacuate crude oil to export terminals.

Aiteo had shut down the NCTL located around Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 on April 21, following a fire outbreak, and Shell declared force majeure on exports on Bonny Light grade of crude oil on April 25 due to the closure of the pipeline.

The pipeline was reopened on Friday before the latest incident occurred.

solid foundation for national development, peace and progress.

The party said the result is apparent in the "strengthened economy, improved electioneering, refocused value system, waning corruption, social investments, massive infrastructure drive, better standing and influence in the comity of nations, in line with the promises contained in our Change Agenda for Nigerians".

It said: "We are set to consolidate on work done so far and do more as we gear up for the Next Level of our renewed mandate.

It said Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement, sacrifice and increased devotion and worship.

In the statement, APC implored Muslims to follow and apply the teachings of

Islam in our relationship with our neighbours- Muslims and non-Muslims, adding that they should remember and cater for the less-privileged in our midst, stay humble and abstain from all bad deeds.

"It is our inalienable right as humans to safely go about our daily activities and to live in peaceful coexistence with our neighbours. Hence, in our places of worship, educational institutions, socio-political gatherings, markets, social media and all other public spaces, we must resist divisive agents and their equally divisive messages and actions.

"We must report to relevant authorities agents of destruction who disguise as ethnic or religious champions to achieve their diabolic, selfish and heinous agenda by exploiting our perceived differences," it said.

Election Security (ICES) and the non-partisan deployment of security personnel to all the polling units to ensure peaceful conduct of polls. ‘’The roundtable calls on the National Assembly to immediately re-present to President Muhammadu Buhari the amended electoral bill and calls on Buhari to do the needful to ensure that the amended Electoral Bill is signed into law’’, the roundtable recommended.

It also demanded for the establishment of Electoral Offences Tribunal to try electoral offenders, which should be structured to take off less than a month after election petition tribunal hearings have concluded.

It also advised political parties and young people to leverage on the provisions of the ‘’Not Too Young To Run Act’’ to increase political participation in subsequent elections.

It further recommended, ‘’In order to address dwindling turnout of voters after the first election and increase the zeal to elect credible leaders, the roundtable recommends the conduct of the three principal elections: Presidential/ National Assembly election, Governorship/State Assembly elections and Chairmanship/ Councillorship elections on the same day. ‘’This will save cost, ensure emergence of quality leadership, the integrity of the ballot, large voter turnout and guarantee improved security on election day. While scheduling election time table,

dates for possible run-off, re-run or inconclusive polls should be included. ‘’There is need for more regular interaction and engagement of stakeholders with INEC to fashion out ways of managing elections and development therefrom.’’ The roundtable also stressed the need for the political parties to maintain internal democracy and engage in transparent primaries to select their candidates with less rancour, and minimize defections. ‘’Parties are equally requested to review their manifestoes to strengthen their ideologies and loyalties and stem intra-party conflicts that bedevil the nation’s polity. ‘’Freedom of Information Act should be given life so that media outfits and journalists would be adequately protected while carrying out their legitimate duties during elections’’, it further advised.

The Roundtable recommended the event to be organised in the geopolitical zones and states to bring down to the grassroots, the experiences and recommendations of the conference.

Some of the political parties that attended the event include, Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), Advanced Allied Party (AAP), All Blending Party (ABP), Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Labour Party (LP), Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and others.

INSECURITY: NO SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR DAURA, SAYS PRESIDENCY

Arewa Youths Protest over Incessant Killings

Following the attacks on the state, Arewa Youths Federation yesterday held a peaceful protest over alleged incessant killings by bandits in the state.

The peaceful rally was held in Gusau the capital of Zamfara.

The President Arewa Youths Federation, Mr. Adamu Matazu, said the protest was to highlight the level of insecurity in Zamfara and the entire North-west zone, so as to elicit positive action to contain it.

Matazu said: “This breach is now extending from killings to targeted abductions that are intended to be high-profile; these crimes are also beginning to spill into neighbouring

states. “In spite of the well intended steps so far taken by the federal government and implemented in part by the nation’s security and military services, the situation remained unabated. “This has confirmed our earlier fears that the criminality is orchestrated by political elites and traditional rulers in some parts of the country. “The crux of the matter is that these elites are operating illegal gold mines‌.knowing fully well that the practices violate local and federal laws. “They are also aware that their activities which thankfully have been stopped by the federal government are detrimental to the state economically, environmentally, security-wise and socially. “The Arewa Youths Federation hereby calls for

an end to killings in Zamfara and the whole of the North West Nigeria.�

APC Expresses Worry over Spate of Kidnapping, Banditry Meanwhile, the ruling APC has described the cases of kidnappings, banditry and ethno-religious crisis in the country as a source of concern.

The party advised Nigerians to avoid divisive messages and actions.

In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu, the party said President Muhammadu Buhari has given marching orders to relevant security services to deal with these security threats and bring back normalcy to the affected areas.

It said: "The cases of kidnappings, banditry, ethnoreligious and resource-fuelled crises and other violent crimes recorded in some parts of the country are undoubtedly serious sources of concern.

While the President Buhari administration is adopting multifaceted approach to permanently tackle the conflicts and crimes, the president has equally given marching orders to relevant security services to deal with these security threats and bring back normalcy to the affected areas.

In the message marking the commencement of this year's Ramadan fasting, APC urged Muslims to use the holy month to pray for the peace, security and development of our dear country.�

According to APC, the President Buhari-led APC administration has laid a

75 POLITICAL PARTIES PASS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON INEC CHAIRMAN it is not a statutory body.

But APC is not against the organization and so we have no reason not to be there. May be our absence was due to communication gap.

"As a party we have stated our position on the conduct of the general election. As a ruling party, we believe that we have provided a conducive environment for INEC to do well and if 75 political parties are passing a vote of confidence on INEC, then it is indirect endorsement of APC and what President Buhari-led government has done in terms of providing the right environment for INEC to conduct a credible election.�

In a swift reaction INEC described the vote of confidence passed on the commission’s chairman as a welcome development.

Reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the acknowledgment by the political parties would spur the commission to pursue objectives that will improve the electoral system.

"This is indeed a welcome development and I thank the political parties for this important acknowledgment.

This recognition will spur the Commission to continue to pursue lofty objectives that will improve our electoral system," the electoral body stated.

With a theme, "The role and Performances of Stakeholders in the 2019 General Elections, Issues, Challenges and Prospects," the event brought

together strategic and key players in the Nigerian political landscape, including, state chairmen of political parties in Nigeria, INEC, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), tertiary educational institutions, security agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and foreign/local observers that monitored the electoral process.

The event was graced by immediate past Vice President of Sierra Leone, Alhaji Sam Sumana, and chaired by Prof.

Remi Aiyede.

In her address, the Acting Executive Director, Centre for Transparent Advocacy (CTA ), co-organisers of the event, Ms Faith Nwadishi, said that INEC as the umpire of the general elections proved quite independent in the way and manner it responded to the unexpected challenges thrown its way by the stakeholders in the process and other unforeseen circumstances during the last general election.

"Of note is how it bravely prevented the ruling party from fielding candidates in Zamfara in its determination to follow the rules no matter whose ox is gored. ‘’More crucially, on the ground, during election and voting day, it refused to be intimidated by threats and violence unleashed on its officials and ad-hoc staff leading to some certificates of return being withheld by INEC though this is now subject to litigations", she

stated.

In a communique read by the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Chief Jeff Ojinaka, at the end of the well-attended conference, the group explained that the decision to commend the INEC Chairman was anchored on his commitment to ensure that things were done in a transparent manner.

"The roundtable after a comprehensive review of the conduct of the 2019 general elections passes a vote of confidence on the National Chairman of INEC, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, for the successful conduct of the election, and notes with satisfaction the transparency in communication and regular engagement of stakeholders at the national, state and local government levels which, ensured that everybody was carried along in the process.

"The roundtable indicts the security agencies for the lapses in the election due largely to their collusion with unscrupulous politicians and negligence to do their jobs", the communique added.

Reviewing some of the challenges encountered during the election, the roundtable deplored the role played by the military and other security agents, as well as the activities of thugs who they said were used by desperate politicians.

The roundtable also noted with satisfaction the role played by the international and local observers, who had offered useful suggestions for the improvement of the electoral process.

It also commended the Nigerian media for the publicity, shaping and moderating political activities and behaviours, particularly private owned media that helped to balance and forestall electoral fraud and irregularities during the elections.

Condemning the ‘’hypocrisy’’ of the leadership of the security agencies, which the group said manifested in the ‘’partisan deployment of police and security personnel’’ to polling stations/voting points, the roundtable noted that INEC executed the election within its mandate in terms of monitoring campaigns by political parties, distribution of electoral materials, polling and counting of ballots but had pitfalls at the collation stage and announcement of results.

Making some recommendations, the group asked INEC to strengthen the capacity of its polling staff through training and retraining particularly on the handling of the card readers, assisting voters as well as other electoral procedures to ensure transparency and credibility during future elections. ‘’INEC should consider, recruiting permanent staff whose schedule should be collation of results, train them thoroughly for the assignment to save the nation the embarrassment of ad hoc collation officers. ‘’Efforts must be intensified to ensure proper coordination of Inter Agency Committee on

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NEWS

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

PDP Raises Concerns over Adeleke’s Arrest, Detention

Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday condemned the arrest and detention of its governorship candidate in the Osun State governorship election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, saying it was in total disregard for the extant order of the Federal High Court.

The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said Adeleke was arrested yesterday by the police in Abuja.

“This is highly provocative, an invitation to anarchy and recipe for a very serious crisis not only in Osun but also in the judiciary and our polity as a nation. The arrest and detention of Senator Adeleke is a direct act of violence against our laws, the institution of the judiciary and the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” PDP said.

The party stated: “This is part of the grand plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to coerce Senator Adeleke to relinquish the mandate that was freely given to him by the

Tackle Insecurity before Agriculture, Katsina Emir Tells FG Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Emir of Katsina, Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, yesterday admonished the federal government to find a lasting solution to the killings of innocent Nigerians by bandits before embarking on any agricultural project.

The monarch said many farmers in the northern part of country have abandoned their farms for fear of being kidnapped or killed by bandits, urging the federal government to devise workable means to end the menace.

Usman stated this yesterday when he received the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, in company of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, at his palace in Katsina.

The traditional ruler described the menace as not only worrisome but unacceptable, saying: “The government must ensure it put all measures in place to stop the killings.”

The Emir accused politicians of aiding the current banditry in some parts of the country, alleging that “there are politicians who are perpetrating this killings and they are within the government. What will

you gain from kidnapping and killing people?”

According to the monarch, “I have not seen a country like this. How do we live like this? We are living like animals. Nobody is safe. Magaji Garin Daura was kidnapped four days ago. We don’t have resources to fight the bandits, but the government has all the resources to fight them.

“Many farmers and herdsmen have abandoned their farms; so, minister please tell the president that we need security in this country. All these projects you are initiating will not be sustainable if there is no security. So, for me, security is paramount than any other project for now.”

He explained that those who pose obstacles, which are hindering Nigeria’s progress must not be tolerated, saying matters like insecurity are matters that should be accorded national priority, as he noted that security “must be handle with all seriousness.”

Responding, the minister told the Emir that the government was working hard through job creation, especially on agriculture to reduce and ultimately eradicate the threat for the survival of the country.

UN President Arrives Nigeria Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Her Excellency, María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, has arrived Nigeria on a three days offiicial visit.

The UN bigwig was received by top officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Office.

A statement by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa of the Crises Monitoring and Public Communications Division, Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the “Minister of Foreign Affairs will on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 (today) receive in audience the visiting President of the United Nations General Assembly, Her Excellency, María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, at 10.00 a.m. The meeting will be followed by a Joint Press Conference at 11.00 a.m.”

According to Ebienfa, Garcés and her delegation will be received by the senior officials of the ministry.

“The President of the United Nations General Assembly and her delegation will be received on arrival by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Office in Abuja”, the statement said.

The key issues to be discussed during the meeting are: Nigeria’s transition to the 74th Presidency of the General Assembly; upcoming highlevel meetings; strengthening multilateralism to respond to global challenges; Nigeria’s role in regional peace and security; and Nigeria’s regional initiatives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

She is expected to have bilateral meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa.

people of Osun State, which was further established by the election petition tribunal.”

It added that the plot is to drag Adeleke before an “ostensibly compromised magistrate court,” over the same issues of alleged forged school testimonial that is already before the Federal High Court, with a view to using such corridor to secure a stampeded trial and hurried conviction, and put him out of circulation, over trump-up charges.

The main opposition party further stated that the “heinous calculation” by the APC is to

ensure that Adeleke is not free to be sworn in as governor of Osun State as the ruling party knows that he will surely obtain justice and retrieve his stolen mandate at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

PDP added: “The police arrested Senator Ademola on the guise of an invitation despite the direct orders of the Federal High Court, restraining it or its agents from arresting and detaining him on account of statement of result and testimonial duly issued by the Ede Muslim Grammar School, Ede, pending the determination of the originating summons

pending in the court.

“Senator Adeleke, as a lawabiding citizen, honoured an invitation by the police only for him to be arrested and detained in a dingy facility in Maitama, in direct affront to the order of the Federal High Court.”

The PDP said that any arraignment of Senator Adeleke in a magistrate court, for a matter that is already being heard by the Federal High Court, is a calculated plot to cause crisis in the judicial system, enmesh the matter in unnecessary controversy as a pathway to truncate the course of justice in his matter.

The PDP therefore demanded forthwith, the immediate and unconditional release of Senator Adeleke by the police, saying its demand is predicated on fears already in the public space that there are plots by certain elements to poison him in detention.

The PDP cautioned those playing the script of the APC with regard to Senator Adeleke to retrace their steps and allow the people of Osun State to move ahead with their preferred governor, adding that “nothing, not even these heinous plots, will subvert this reality.”

TAKE HEART...

LR: Senator representing KogiWest senatorial district, Dino Melaye; President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; Senator representing Enugu North, Chukwuka Utazi; Senator representing Taraba South, Emmanuel Bwacha; and Senator representing Bauchi Central, Isa Hamma Misau, during a condolence visit to Senator Melaye who recently lost his mother, Deaconess Comfort Melaye, in Abuja ...yesterday

Acting CJN’s Appointment: Court Orders Service on Buhari, NJC, Others Orders release of Adeleke’s international passport Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the service on President Muhammadu Buhari and six others, the court processes of a suit against the appointment of Justice Tanko Muhammad as acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The judge gave the order yesterday shortly after a human rights lawyer, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo, argued his exparte application, seeking to stop the appointment of Muhammad as substantive CJN. Justice Ekwo also ordered the release of the international passport of Senator Ademola Adeleke to enable him travel to the United States of America (USA) for medical check-up.

The Board of Incorporated Trustees of Malcolm Omirhobo Foundation had, in an exparte motion filed on April 15, 2019, asked the court to stop Justice Muhammad’s appointment as CJN, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the foundation.

The plaintiff also asked for

an order of interim injunction restraining the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (7th defendant) from confirming the appointment of Justice Muhammad, pending the determination of the substantive suit challenging his appointment.

Justice Ekwo, in a ruling on the exparte application however, ordered the plaintiff to put the defendants on notice, stressing that “none of the prayers made on this motion exparte can be granted in the absence of the defendants.’’

Defendants in the suit to be served with the hearing notice include, the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), Justice Muhammad, the Federal Government of Nigeria, President Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and the Senate.

Justice Ekwo, in addition ordered Buhari and the other defendants to upon receipt of the process, appear before the court within seven days to show cause why the application

of the plaintiff should not be granted.

Justice Ekwo then adjourned till May 13, 2019, for the defendants to appear in court to show cause.

The plaintiff in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/420/2019, prayed the court to declare that the Acting CJN, Justice Muhammad, having made himself available as a tool that was used in the violation of the constitution, especially with regards to the alleged illegal removal of the former CJN, is therefore not a proper and fit person to be recommended for appointment to head the judiciary.

The rights activist further prayed the court to declare that the suspension and/or removal of a CJN from office, is a shared responsibility of the 1st Defendant (NJC), the 5th defendant (Buhari), and 7th Defendant (National Assembly).

He argued that President Buhari lacked the constitutional powers to unilaterally suspend and/or remove a sitting CJN from office, as was done in the case of Justice Walter

Onnoghen.

Besides, he prayed the court to declare that by combined interpretation of sections 1(1 )(2), 231(4), 292(1)(a)(i)(b), 153(1)(i), 158(1) and paragraph 21 (a)(b) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, “it is unlawful and undemocratic for the 4th and 5th Defendants (federal government and President Buhari), to declare the office of the CJN vacant on January 25, 2019 and consequently appoint and swear in the 3rd Defendant as the acting CJN. In another development, Justice Ekwo also ordered the release of the international passport of Senator Ademola Adeleke to enable him travel to the United States of America (USA) for medical check-up.

Granting the order in an exparte application filed on April 30, 2019 by the senator, the judge directed the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to release Adeleke’s travel documents to enable him travel abroad between the period of May 2nd and 9th, 2019.

T H I S D AY Ëž TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019

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EDO STATE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA

EDSG, Obaseki cannot be distracted by divisive politics and propagation of falsehood

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e are delighted to welcome our Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki back from his annual vacation.

The governor conveys his heartfelt appreciation to Edo people for the sturdy support they gave to his able, dependable and very competent Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu and other government functionaries during his vacation.

Once again, Edo people have demonstrated their unalloyed faith in the Obaseki-led administration that has put the wellbeing of the people above all other considerations.

While the governor was away on vacation, a section of the media was inundated with contrived and unfounded speculations and fake news.

Although it is not our style to dissipate our creative energy to comment on fake news, however, as a responsible and responsive government, we owe millions of our supporters the true position regarding developments within our government and the state chapter of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The tactic of crying wolf where there is none is prevalent among a small, dishonourable segment of our political class, and their sole aim is WR GLVWUDFW WKH JRYHUQPHQW IURP GHOLYHULQJ WKH GLYLGHQGV RI GHPRFUDF\ WKURZ VSDQQHU LQ WKH ZRUNV DQG SURÂżW IURP WKH UHVXOWLQJ FULVLV %XW WKHLU SHGHVWULDQ VWUDWHJ\ KDV SURYHQ LQHIIHFWLYH DQG LQVXIÂżFLHQW WR VZD\ (GR SHRSOH ZKRVH GDLO\ UDWLQJ RI *RYHUQRU 2EDVHNL LV DW DQ DOO time high.

As a government, our focus and commitment is to strengthen the pillars of growth and development across all sectors of the state and in the three senatorial districts, and we cannot be distracted by irresponsible, concocted stories and contrived controversy that have no place in actual existence.

The Edo State gubernatorial election is almost a year and half away and Governor Obaseki’s focus is to work for Edo people who gave him the mandate and no form of distractions will dissuade him.

There is no gainsaying that there is a general acceptance of Governor Obaseki and his approach to governance. All that is needed to gauge public opinion is to walk through the streets in any part of the state. The revolution in basic education, transparency in governance and huge LQIUDVWUXFWXUDO SURMHFWV DUH VXI¿FLHQW WR HURGH WKH HIIHFW RI DQ\ IDNH QHZV RU FRQWULYHG FRQWURYHUV\ Edo people restated their faith in Governor Obaseki when they voted en masse for the APC in the last House of Assembly election in the state, with the APC coasting to glory in all 24 state constituencies, a feat, never before achieved in our recent political history. The message was clear: Edo people want an APC-controlled Assembly to support the governor’s vision for the state.

Meanwhile, the robust relationship between Governor Obaseki and his brother, friend, predecessor, and National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is waxing stronger daily.

No amount of speculations, hate statements and fake news can erode the friendship built over the years on mutual trust and respect, which has translated to good governance in Edo State. $OVR WKH JRYHUQRUÂśV UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK WKH OHDGHUV RI WKH VWDWH FKDSWHU RI WKH SDUW\ LV H[WUHPHO\ FRUGLDO DQG VROLG $ UHFHQW YRWH RI FRQÂżGHQFH passed by all leaders and executives of the party on the 14th of April, 2019 attests to this fact.

However, only a handful of individuals whose insatiable greed the governor has refused to entertain at the expense of the peoples’ collective patrimony have decided to employ malfeasant tactics to blackmail him, the government and the party. They have since been advised to DFFHSW WKH IDFW WKDW WKH SHRSOHVœ LQWHUHVW WDNHV SUHFHGHQFH RYHU WKHLU DYDULFH DQG WKDW LV RXU ¿QDO ZRUG WR WKHP ,W LV LPSRUWDQW WR ZDUQ WKHVH IHZ EDG HJJV ZKR KDYH WXUQHG WKHPVHOYHV LQWR ¿IWK FROXPQLVWV PRRQOLJKWHUV DQG SROLWLFDO LPSODQWV WKDW WKHLU feeble attempts to derail the moving train being piloted by Governor Obaseki and his lieutenants will continue to fail as Edo people are familiar with their devilish plot.

These bad elements who also worked against the APC in the presidential election know they have to face the inevitable consequences of their ignoble actions hence their attempt to muddle up the political environment, hoping that by so doing they can escape justice. But we want to assure them that their actions shall surely be visited with the adequate retribution at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, Edo people should continue to disregard these detractors and their planted stories and hogwash as we are more than ever, committed to their wellbeing.

Our aspiration to create a state where all Edo people and residents can realise their dreams and place Edo State where it rightly belongs as a center of development is now within reach. So, for us as a government, we will continue to emphasise development, peace and unity to ensure a secured, prosperous future.

SIGNED:

OSARODION OGIE ESQ SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT (SSG).

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍľËœ 2019

COMMENT

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

WHEN HELP IS NO LONGER FORTHCOMING The cybercrime act should be enforced, writes Adewale Kupoluyi

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enerally speaking, Nigerians are known to be friendly to one another despite what divides us as a nation. The massive population, ethnicity, tribes and religions are factors that keep many people apart because of their different values, beliefs and cultures. At times, recreational activities such as football draw our people together, most especially, when the country is slugging it out with other teams across the globe. In that sense, we are always united, even though temporarily.

In the times past, whenever a fellow country man or woman is in dire need, people offer help at all costs. At this point, nobody cares whether you are a Moslem, Christian, traditional adherent or even an atheist.

We see unity in diversity. You get the assistance you needed during child-birth, road accident, abduction, building collapse, inferno, flood or robbery attack. The sense of belonging was massive. Today, what comes the way of people in times of serious need is misery, amusement and pity. Why? Thanks to technology and devices like mobile telephones, i-pads, video cameras and tablets.

It is saddening that many people are terribly addicted to these electronic media that makes one to wonder whether we have been enslaved to modernity. From homes, to places of worships, offices and the roads, people are addicted to these devices that paint life to appear not to matter much to them unlike what it used to be in the past. When road accidents happen, fire razes or buildings collapse, people rush down to such scenes in a jiffy. Is it to render assistance? Far from it! While few persons desire to provide the succour by reducing the calamity and rescue victims, majority of the sympathisers are onlookers that are just there to take photographs and videos for posting in the social media.

All manners of atrocities are now committed using electronic devices, especially among youths and sadly, some elderly persons, too. Girls and ladies are sexually molested, abused, recorded and posted on the Internet. Such illegality is used to blackmail innocent people and exploit them. Kidnappers engage the use of mobile handsets to trace and attack innocent persons, who are held captive for the payment of heavy ransom. Therefore, there is an urgent need to pay a closer attention and tame this monster and social problem that is out-of-hand by the day.

Violators intrude into their victims’ privacy. Unauthorised posting of people’s predicament causes psychological depression and trauma that may be extremely difficult to overcome. It is for these reasons that people should not be permitted to worsen the plight of others in the social media. Various media accounts have confirmed this growing and ugly trend: “Immediately I saw the men and women walking towards us after the accident happened, I thought they were coming to help and rush us to the hospital. I felt so relieved. But I was wrong. The people, who rushed to the scene of the accident, were not interested in our plight.

Rather than flag down a vehicle and rush those of us who were still alive to the nearest hospital, they just brought out their phones one after the other and started taking our pictures and recording the incident. I was crying for help but instead, the people just stood there and watched as life gradually go out�, stated a traumatised victim.

Another eye witness said, “I heard voices around our vehicle and within me, I was happy that help had come at last. But even from my dying state, all I saw was just people taking our photos on their phones and murmuring to themselves. None of them made any attempt to rescue us�. Feeling terribly embittered, another eye source recounted that “Shortly after a plane crashed, thousands of people residing in the area rushed to the scene, however, instead of rescuing the people in a plane crash, people began using their phones to take images of the dying plane

WESTERNISATION SHOULD NEVER BE AN EXCUSE TO DUMP OUR CHERISHED HERITAGE OF COMMUNAL LIFE, CARE AND BEING OUR BROTHER’S KEEPERS

crash victims and recording the scenes. For me, it is a sad commentary of the harm that this technology has and will continue to cause us, except we put our humanity first�. “The people just stood around our car, I could hear their voices even though faintly while my children shouted for help. In fact, it was the shutter of their phones’ cameras that brought me back to life. I have never seen such a heartless bunch of individuals like that in my life. They were more satisfied by posting the accident on the social media and I don’t know what they stand to gain when they should have made efforts to rescue accident victims�, recalled an angry road accident survivor. “As I screamed, the only thing the people around me did was to simply bring out their mobile phones to take pictures of the burning vehicle, my only source of income. What hurt me the most was seeing all the people who could have helped just standing there taking photographs with their phones. I don’t know if I can ever forgive them�, said another fatal accident victim.

Recounting a similar experience, “I saw people gathered on the other side of the expressway and were using their phones to snap and record a guy who was rolling on the ground. Two hours, later when I was coming back, I saw the guy lying there and covered in blood, he was dead. I later learnt that he was knocked down by a bus while trying to cross the road. I bet you, if all those who gathered around him that morning had rushed that guy to a hospital, he could have survived. But many of them just stood there, filming him and watching him die�.

We can still go on and on. To stem the tide, there is need for attitudinal change by those concerned. They should ask themselves this key question: how would I feel, if another person uses my plight or misery to entertain others? On the other hand, there is need for better enforcement of the Cybercrime Act, even though it appears inadequate to curb this menace. For instance, Section 24 of the act only deals with cyber-stalking and prescribes punishment for “Any person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other matter by means of computer system or network which, among others, he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or cause such message to be sent�.

Without delay, our legislators at both the national and state assemblies should fill this vacuum by putting in place the necessary laws that would outlaw such practices with the corresponding punishment to discourage this continued criminality. Court trials and prosecution of offenders should be through exparte applications, to avoid time wasting and fast dispensation of justice. Indiscriminate posting on the social media should be given more global attention than ever before.

No doubt, the advent of the New Media has contributed immensely to technological advancement for man. However, security breaches have become a major setback in addition to the abuses associated with the use of social media.

Criminally-minded persons not only use the social media to commit atrocities and get away with them without much ado, as tracking of culprits have not been easy. Nations need to collaborate with a view to controlling abuses in social media use without losing its potency, as a tool of communication. Lending a helping hand to others in need remains a cherished African tradition. Westernisation should never be an excuse to dump our cherished heritage of communal life, care and being our brother’s keepers. Never. It should not be.

Kupoluyi wrote from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

MONEY LAUNDERING: MUZZLING THE LEGAL PRACTICE Osa Director argues that the trial of Paul Usoro, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, is baseless

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he decibel of noise that accompanied the arrest of Paul Usoro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), was deafening and thunderous. Usoro was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an allegation of money laundering, having been accused of receiving N1.4billion from the Akwa Ibom State Government.

Although several subterranean plots might have engineered the buzz that trailed the NBA President’s arrest and consequent trial, not a few believed in Usoro’s innocence until proven guilty.

His election as the NBA President also happened on a controversial note. Some even averred that being part of the defence team for the embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki and his affinity for taking briefs from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors contributed immensely to the decision of certain forces in high places to move against him.

All these conjectures and conspiracy theories amount to mere politics, full of sound, fury and hubris, signifying nothing tangible or specific. What is of significance, however, is whether the case against Usoro can be sustained by the EFCC in the light of existing legal precedents and extant laws.

And this is without prejudice to the ongoing trial as the matter is sub judice.

Since the war against corruption took a new intensity under the present regime, many Nigerians had hoped for conviction of the so-called powerful elite and high- profile cases. But in truth, nothing

significant has been achieved in that direction.

In the light of the failure of anti-graft bodies, EFCC inclusive, to secure decisive victories in high-profile cases involving prominent Nigerians, it has become pertinent to evaluate the prosecutorial tactics and strategies of the anti-corruption agency.

Usoro is being tried for money laundering by receiving payment for his legal services to the Akwa Ibom State Government. He is being tried for laundering to the tune of N1.4billion.

And by the way, Usoro had been counsel to the Akwa Ibom State government, handling several briefs for the state government, right from the time of Obong Victor Attah to Godswill Akpabio as governor where he is being owed billions of naira.

Several sums of money totalling N1.1billion were paid into Usoro’s law firm account by the government of Akwa Ibom State between 2015 and 2016. Another N300 million was paid in cash into the law firm account of Usoro by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Now, he is facing trial for laundering the total sum of N1.4billion paid to his chambers’ account by the government of Akwa Ibom State.

Can the EFCC sustain a case of criminal trial against Usoro, based on these allegations? When accused persons, especially public figures, are standing trial in Nigeria today, any act done by anyone that tends to favour such accused persons is usually interpreted as being induced financially.

In essence, it is a risky business to offer defence in the public sphere on behalf of any prominent

Nigerian accused of corruption without a mob response and lynch mentality from the largely illinformed, who are unwilling to analyse issues based on verifiable facts, legal precedents and extant laws.

Without sounding apologetic, let me state from the outset that I have never met Usoro in my life. As a lawyer, I also confess that he was not my candidate for the NBA Presidency. I vigorously campaigned for my friend, a consummate law teacher, Professor Ernest Ojukwu, SAN. But what is fair is fair, irrespective of tribe, religion, ideological differences and persuasions. Only recently, another legal practitioner, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, had his account frozen by the EFCC for receiving N75 million as a legal professional fee from a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose. Ozekhome had challenged the action at the Federal High Court in Lagos, saying the money paid was his professional legal fee. Not surprisingly, Ozekhome won his case, as the EFCC action was declared illegal, null and void, and consequently, of no effect by the court.

According to Justice Anka of the Federal High Court, “the funds are monies paid for the services rendered by the respondent/applicant in prosecuting various actions before various courts. I find it very doubtful if the objection of the EFCC can be lawfully sustained.�

Justice Anka’s decision is certainly not unrelated to the judgment of Justice G.O. Kolawole, of the Federal High court, Abuja, delivered on December 14, 2015, in the case of THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION AND CENTRAL

BANK OF NIGERIA Suit No: FHC\B5\173\2014.

In that matter, the Registered Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, sued the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), seeking inter alia “whether in light of the provisions of Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 192 of the Evidence Act, 2011 and rule 1a(i) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007, the provisions of Section 5 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, in so far as they purport to apply to legal practitioners, are not unconstitutional, ultra vires the National Assembly and therefore void.�

Also, the Registered Trustees of the NBA sought to know “whether the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering Act 2011, SCUMUL and/or is empowered by any law to require the registration of legal practitioners or otherwise regulate the conduct of legal practice and legal practitioners.�

The suit also sought to know the legal status of the Federal Minister for Commerce (now Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment) in making rules that regulate the operations of legal practice and legal practitioners in Nigeria.

Another contentious issue, which the Registered Trustees sought a legal definition was whether the provisions of Section 5(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 contravene the doctrine of lawyer-client confidentiality.

Director, a journalist and lawyer, wrote from Lagos

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T H I S D AY TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019

EDITORIAL The Essence Of Ramadan The holy month holds lessons for all Nigerians

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uslims all over the world yesterday commenced the holy month of Ramadan, an annual spiritual battle against the flesh and the pleasures of unchecked consumption and mindless gratification. It is one of the five pillars of Islam which compels adherents of the faith to re-evaluate how they can be better in their stewardship to man and their creator by fasting and praying to Almighty Allah.

There is indeed a lot to be said for a religious practice which is aimed at bringing about healing, repentance and renewal. And we believe that the essence of such exercise in self-denial should not be limited to Muslims alone, especially in this season. All Nigerians recognise the fact that there are many things that are not right in our country today. We should therefore, as a people, use the opportunity of this Ramadan to examine our hearts, take individual responsibility for our failings and misdeeds, and IF ONLY OUR LEADERS pray for the courage CAN CURTAIL THEIR and determination to MATERIALISTIC do better and change TENDENCIES AND PAY our ways for the collective good of all MORE ATTENTION TO Nigerians.

THE YEARNINGS OF THE It is indeed instrucPEOPLE, THE COUNTRY WILL CERTAINLY BECOME tive that Ramadan this year coincides A MUCH HAPPIER PLACE with the second TO LIVE IN term inauguration a re-elected President Muhammadu Buhari and the 20th year of uninterrupted democratic rule in Nigeria. With ethnic uprisings and sectarian violence threatening to tear the country apart and a mindless crave for materialism that has witnessed a rise in crimes across the country, there can be no better time for reflection.

These are infractions frowned at by Almighty God and vehemently discouraged by Ramadan fasting, the essence of which is to expose the faithful to their spiritual roots while teaching them that true humanity

Letters to the Editor

does not equate to mere material possessions, passions or physical cravings.

This, we believe, is the real meaning of sharing with, and caring for, the needy and the less privileged that is common during this season. It is especially important at a period our country is going through economic turbulence that has made life difficult for the greater majority of our people. If this spiritual essence of Ramadan is imbibed, it could lead to a positive change in our perspective on life: there would be no room for senseless materialism, greed and primitive accumulation of wealth. Rather, there would be greater concern for the poor.

R 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 TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

amadan fasting is a leveller of sorts, as both the rich and poor are exposed to hunger and thirst at the same time without any exception. Thus, after such self-denial, expectations are that the wealthy should become more empathetic to the plight of millions of their less fortunate compatriots and those in positions of authority should make policies that would alleviate the sufferings of the people.

The Ramadan fast, like the other four pillars of Islam, is aimed at promoting both the spiritual and material wellbeing of man. When he is able to rein in the impulse for self-gratification and greedy accumulation of wealth, man is more liable to make his society a better place to live in, not only for himself but also for his neighbour.

The nation’s political leaders have much to take from the lessons of Ramadan. If only they can curtail their materialistic tendencies and pay more attention to the yearnings of the people, the country will certainly become a much happier place to live in. There is much greed in our polity and it has all but ruined the nation.

The Ramadan offers such a great opportunity and we hope our leaders would avail themselves of the lessons of this season. We also hope that the outcome of this annual spiritual exercise will be of immense benefit to the nation.

Ramadan Kareem to all our Muslim brothers and sisters.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

YAR’ADUA: NINEYEARS WITHOUT SERVANT LEADER

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ll human beings will live until a certain day and then die; God in the Quran gives an account of the attitude commonly shown towards death in the following verse: “The death from which you flee away will truly overtake you: then you will be sent back to the Knower of things secret and open: and He will tell you (the truth of) the things that you did!” (Suratul Al-Jumu’ah:8).

It is exactly nine years on Sunday 4th May 2019 since the demise of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He became the first civilian president to replace another since independence in 1960. Another unique feature about President Yar’Adua was that he was the first president with a university degree –a degree in chemistry, masters in analytical chemistry and proud teacher of reputable standing. He came into office after a hotly contested election marred by fraud and violence.

He took office as president promising to pursue electoral reforms and listed the seven-point agenda including improving power supply, boosting agriculture, reducing food insecurity, fighting corruption and raising education standards.

Yar’Adua also proposed government of national unity where two opposition parties, the ANPP and the PPA agreed to join his government.

The late president’s frugality and incorruptibility are well known. Here is a man who won election with 70% of votes cast in a fraudulent poll but promptly declared it flawed. He is the first Nigerian president both military and civilian to publicly declare his assets on assumption of office unlike some who preached transparency and accountability but later proved to be cesspool of sleaze. The declaration showed that he had N856,452,892 in assets ,N19 million belonging to his wife, and N88,793,269 in liabilities .

He also cancelled the sale of Kaduna Refinery to a company largely owned by business moguls Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedol as well as inaugurated Justice Muhammad Uwais –led electoral reform committee to purify the electoral

system.

Yar’Adua, no doubt, performed creditably both as Governor of Katsina and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Even though, he could not achieved all the seven-point agenda, all that could pass for his legacy is the creation of the Niger Delta Ministry and the amnesty he offered militants in the restive Niger Delta which restored peace and stability in the oil-rich area.

Late President Umaru exuded discipline, humility and simplicity not readily associated with Nigerian politicians. Under his presidency, extensive banking reforms were introduced under Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (now Emir of Kano). In these reforms, the rot in the industry become apparent.

Powerful and influential names in the banking industry found to have abused customer confidence and mismanaged depositors funds were fired and prosecuted for their role in various alleged scams in the industry.

To the credit of President Yar’Adua was the bold step in approving a long standing government plan to dredge the River Niger. The project with huge economic potential for the country had been on the drawing board of successive administrations but no concrete decision was taken to advance it.

Yar’Adua’s greatest strength was his love for peace in Nigeria and Africa. As president he chose dialogue, peace and worked to resolve the lingering crisis in the Niger-Delta region, the same way he chose peaceful method in resolving other political crises in parts of the West African sub-region.

His 30 months tenure was marked by a sense of national rebirth and development as a committed patriot and true servant of the people who believed strongly in peace and equity as key panacea for national development. His commitment to vision 20:2020 was aimed at giving Nigeria and Nigerians a new lease of life.

Ahmad Muhammad Danyaro Danyaro, Abuja

A DOG GONE IDEA

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rom the world of stupid ideas comes a stunningly stupid idea, not vaccinating pets because they may get autism. Not vaccinating pets is not only wrong, it’s actually animal cruelty and should be treated as such.

The science of vaccination has been proven again and again and yet people still refer to one disproven, faulty research paper. They make climate change deniers look like amateurs. The consequence of not vaccinating is easy to spot with a recent breakout of measles and its spots.

For most of us past a certain age measles were a nuisance but let’s not forget it also killed some people. There are now laws mandating vaccinations as the welfare of the community outweighs the concerns of a mistaken few.

Pets are also subject to a number of illnesses that can be easily prevented with vaccinations and yet some people refuse to protect their pets’ health. Although Autism has a broad range of indicators, the ones often mentioned are a lack of communication skills and repetitive behaviour, descriptions that match my cat’s behaviour most of the time.

It is clear who should be muzzled, and if they don’t vaccinate their children, who should be neutered.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

T H I S D AY Ëž TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019

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PRESCO PLC (RC174370)

Presco

Benin, Edo State, May 2, 2019 DELAYED SUBMISSION OF: 1.

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (AFS) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018 2.

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UFS) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2019 Further to our announcement of 1 April 2019, notifying the general public that Presco Plc ( or the Company) will not be able to file its 2018 Audited Financial Statements within the regulatory timeline of 31 march 2019 the Company hereby advises its esteemed shareholders and other stakeholders that it was unable to submit the 2018 audited financial statements by 30 April 2019 as contained in the earlier announcement. Consequently, the Company was not able to file its 2019 first quarter unaudited financial statements to The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) within the time frame required by the regulatory agencies.

This was not anticipated as the Company has expected to finalize and publish its 2018 audited financial statements on or before the extended timeline of 30 April 2019 and its 2019 unaudited financial statements for the first quarter ended 31 March 2019 on or before April 30 2019. The delay is as a result of issues relating to biological assets valuation. The biological assets valuation experts engaged to value our biological assets have not concluded the peer review of the valuation. Consequently, Presco Plc require a couple of weeks to finalize all actions required to sign off on the biological assets valuation as at December 31, 2018 and as at March 31, 2019.

The expected filing date for both financial statements is on or before May 31, 2019.

This publication can also be found on the Company's Website: www.presco-plc.com

By Order of the Board Patrick Uwadia, Esq. Company Secretary FRC/2013/ICSAN/00000004864

PRESCO PLC HEAD OFFICE: OBARETIN ESTATE Km 22 Benin - Sapele Road P.O.BOX 706 Benin City Edo State Nigeria T +234 803 413 4444 E presco@siat-group.com Rc174370 www.presco-plc.com

Pierre Vandebeeck, Chairman (Belgian) / Felix O, Nwabuko, Managing/CEO/ Oso/ Osunde/ Engr J. B. Erhuero. OON / Dr. Shettima Mustapha. CON Mrs. Marie William Vandebeeck (Belgian) / Chief (Dr.) Bassey E. O. Edem. MFR / HRH (Prince) Aiguobasinmwin O. Akezua / William Kenneth Crockett (Irishh) Thor Eivind Bakken (Norwegian)

T H I S D AY ˾ ͵˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

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TUESDAY, ÍżËœ ͺ͸͚Π˞ T H I S D AY

FOUR–YEAR REPORT CARD OF TEAM BUHARI: (2015 – 2019) PART 3

Ahmed: Economy Still in the Doldrums Since her emergence as Finance Minister about eight months ago following the sudden resignation of her predecessor, Kemi Adeosun, over certiďŹ cate forgery, not much has happened under Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, reports Ndubuisi Francis

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n spite of the economy exiting recession, there had been a subdued economic outlook, with downside risks persisting.

During the recent Article IV consultation in Nigeria by a team of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) economists to assess economic and financial developments and discuss the country’s economic and financial policies with government and central bank officials, many things stood out.

The IMF observed that although the Nigerian economy exited recession (real GDP increased by 1.9 per cent in 2018, up from 0.8 per cent in 2017), however growth is still too weak as a result of persisting structural challenges.

Among the team's observations include large infrastructure gap, low revenue mobilisation, governance and institutional weaknesses, and banking sector vulnerabilities, which according to the IMF, are dampening long-term foreign and domestic investment and keeping the economy reliant on volatile oil prices and production.

The IMF also noted that the current economic expansion is below where it ought to be to reduce poverty and improve human development indices, such as healthcare and education.

For the IMF, policy choices such as continued foreign exchange restrictions, and petrol subsidies are the major culprits.

It noted that over the medium term, absence of strong reforms, growth would hover around 2½ per cent, implying no per capita growth as the economy faces limited increases in oil production and insufficient adjustment four years after the oil price shock.

Asphyxiating Debt Burden There has been growing apprehension over the nation's burgeoning debt burden. This concern was again reinforced by the IMF during the recent Article IV Consultations.

Acccording to the IMF, interest payments by the

federal government on its outstanding debt will remain elevated at unsustainable levels of 63 per cent of FGN revenues for 2019, and falling slightly to 50 per cent of FGN revenues by 2020.Total FGN debt, it added, will also rise to 26.8 per cent of GDP in 2019, and 27.7 per cent of GDP by 2020.

Reforms Recommended The position of the IMF on the need for economic reforms further lend credence to the fact that the flagship Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) which Zainab Ahmed was a major facilitator when she was the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning has failed to meet most of its targets The IMF urged the authorities to reinvigorate implementation of structural reforms to diversify the economy and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Fund alluded to the importance of improving the business environment, implementing the power sector recovery programme, deepening financial inclusion, reforming the health and education sectors, and implementing policies to reduce gender inequities.

It also emphasised the need to strengthen governance, transparency, and anti-corruption initiatives, including by enhancing Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) and improving accountability in the public sector.

Gauging Her Performance So Far There is still not much to applaud over budget implementation and revenue generation.

However, the minister made a major drive to boost government income with the launch earlier in the year, of the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiative (SRGI) to generate more revenues to finance national development.

According to the minister, the SRGI will be

Ahmed implemented in the areas of achieving sustainability in revenue generation to optimally collect revenues to maintain fiscal buoyancy and resilience.

But the move to improve revenue generation is coming with a proposal to increase Value Added Tax (VAT) as well as the removal of subsidy on fuel, two critical areas which have created serious apprehension in the land.

Under Ahmed's watch, the Excess Crude Account (ECA) has been drawn down from over $2.5 billion to about $183 million, leaving the economy with little or no fiscal buffers.

Usani: Torn Between N’Delta Needs and Political Ambition Although there are some achievements, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, who prefers the prefix 'Pastor,' cannot lay claim to realising much of the dream programmes he envisaged for the region, writes Ndubuisi Francis His Political Foray and Controversies

spite of several assurances to evolve innovative funding initiatives to ensure completion.

Only last month, the minister told a delegation from oil and gas producing areas in the Niger Delta that the federal government had approved N100 billion to complete sections 1-4 of the critical project.

One of the minister's achievements was to bring the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under his ministry's supervision.

S

ince 2003, Usani Uguru Usani had thrown his hat into the ring, contesting the governorship seat of his native Cross River State.

Each time, he did, mother-luck had remained reluctant to smile at him.

In the desire to govern, 2019 was not an exception. In deed, his contest generated several issues as the All Progressives Congress (ACP) in Cross River State became factionalised, with one of the factions accusing the minister of working against the party and causing its massive defeat during the general elections.

But his reaction to these allegations were simply that they were not strange to him. In an interview with a national daily, he had said: "You can cross-check everything I am going to say because they are verifiable. From 1999 to 2015, I have had reason to dine with the PDP. It was a political fallow season.

"You will probably be surprised to hear that when I contested for governorship in the opposition in 2003, there was an attempt in broad day light to assassinate me and I ran out of the country to return after two years. At that time I was asked to join the PDP and contest for the senate but I declined.

"In 2012, when I contested against the PDP candidate, offers were made to me and I declined.

If you talk to Cross Riverians, they know us by character. So, when I had a political fallow season, I did not accept overture from them, what will now attract me now as minister? If for 16 years, I declined everything that tended to be offered to me, now that I am minister, what do I intend to gain? Is it that if I support them, I will become president?

"This is a crafted blackmail intended to decimate my reputation. Thank God as journalists, you have the capacity to verify what you get or the

Empowerment Programmes/Skills Acquisition Centres Although the minister executed a couple of empowernent programmes for women and youths in the region, most of the skills acquisition centres he inherited from the previous regime, especially in the South-east are yet to be completed.

Failed Dreams

Usani information you receive."

Programmes for the Niger Delta Since his emergence in 2015 as the minister overseeing the Niger Delta Affairs, the ministry has not recorded a quantum leap. The flagship project---East-West road is yet to be completed in

In 2016, the minister unveiled a lot of initiatives, which looked wonderful on paper. Some of them included common economic and communication projects for all the oil-producing areas. Among them was a fibre optic project. The dream projects which were unveiled with funfare in Akwa Ibom State with some governors in attendance, suffered death before arrival.

The same fate also befell a proposed trust fund for the region. Alhough the minister did not divulge much information on the proposed trust fund, it was configured in a way that donor agencies, international oil companies (IOCs), local and multilateral international financial institutions and corporate entities would contribute to a pool of funds that would be deployed in developing the Niger Delta.

Usani however oversaw a technical audit report of projects from the ministry’s inception and how funds were frittered away.

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˾ TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019

FOUR–YEAR REPORT CARD OF TEAM BUHARI: (2015 – 2019) PART 3

Udoma’s ERGP Battling with Growth Constraints Obinna Chima writes on the performance of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning in almost four years

Udoma

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lthough the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udoma was appointed in November 2015, it took him 17 months to introduce the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), a medium term all-round developmental initiative focused on restoring growth, investing in people and building a globally competitive economy.

Specifically, the ERGP which was launched in April 2017, is a three-year programme which would terminate in 2020. The economic agenda of the ministry is completely hinged on the plan.

The vision of the ERGP is one of sustained inclusive growth. It is aimed at increasing national productivity and achieving sustainable diversification of production, to significantly grow the economy and achieve maximum welfare for the citizens, beginning with food and energy security. It also provides a blueprint for the type of foundation that needs to be laid for future generations, and focuses on building the capabilities of the youth of Nigeria to be able to take the country into the future.

The ERGP has three broad strategic objectives that would help achieve the vision of inclusive growth and they include restoring growth; investing in people and building a globally competitive economy.

Interestingly, the ERGP in the past two years (2017 and 2018) missed its economic growth

projection as the country continues to battle growth constraints.

The ministry conducted an ERGP Focus Labs to develop solutions to some of the challenges in the economy identified by the plan. The focus labs were designed to identify projects that can drive economic growth and create jobs through mobilising private investments in three vital sectors of the economy. The initiative took place over a six-week period between March and May 2018 and involved 180 organisations including ministries and government agencies. The labs had set a target of $9.25 billion for private sector investments into manufacturing and processing which would create over three hundred thousand jobs across the six geo-political zones by 2020.

However, in line with the plan, the drive by the federal government to promote activities in the non-oil sector appears to be gaining traction.

This is evident in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures being released by the National Bureau of Statistics, which have always indicated an uptick in non-oil activities.

For instance, the non-oil sector contributed 92.94 per cent to real GDP in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2018, slightly higher than the 92.65 per cent recorded in Q4 2017. The sector grew by 2.70 per cent in real terms within the review period. This was 1.25 per cent higher than the growth rate recorded in Q4 2017, and 0.38 per cent higher than the growth rate recorded in Q3

2018.

But some commentators have argued that implementation of the plan partly supported the recovery of the Nigerian economy since it slumped into recession in 2016.

In their assessment of the ERGP, analysts at Deloitte, one of the leading professional services firms in the country identified challenges such as funding, budget implementation, security challenges (specifically in the North-East and North-Central), fluctuation in global oil prices and increasing use of alternative sources of energy (e.g., shale oil), as factors that have continued to affect the plan.

However, while some of the target metrics in the plan appear overly ambitious, the fact remains that the citizens are yet to feel the impact of the policies of the Ministry of Budget under Udoma since his appointment.

Another downside to the performance of the ministry under the leadership of Udoma is the fact that he has been able to work with the National Assembly to tackle the issue of budget delay, which appears to have become a norm in the country. This has necessitated the call for the country to return to a January- December budget cycle to allow for effective planning by businesses as well as to promote investment.

Finally, the ministry which is also saddled with the responsibility of budget monitoring and evaluation cannot be said to have efficiently carried out this task.

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˾ TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019

FOUR–YEAR REPORT CARD OF TEAM BUHARI: (2015 – 2019) PART 3

Onu: Still Searching for Landmark Breakthrough Most Nigerians would have really wished that the country’s scientific and technological breakthroughs move from theories to practical inventions, writes Davidson Iriekpen

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s a first class Chemical Engineering graduate and with a PhD in the same field, when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Ogbonnanya Onu as Minister of Science and Technology, many did not consider it as a mistake.

Since his assumption of office, he has tried to lay emphasis on the patronage of indigenous goods and services especially as the ministry was considered one of the 13 ministries critical to the actualisation of the federal government’s programmes on sustainable growth of the Nigerian economy.

Though the ministry is not saddled with the implementation of substantial projects, it is at the forefront of the diversification drive towards science, technology and innovation.

This has led to the new policy document on National Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmap (2017-2030), vital to the diversification of the Nigerian economy.

Based on this, President Buhari recently issued Executive Order No 5 which seeks to promote self-reliance and enhance industrial capacity, especially in new and emerging technologies.

The ministry also launched National Strategy for Competitiveness in Raw Materials and Products Development in Nigeria in September 2017. It is believed that owing to the paucity of funds and low funding of the ministry, implementation of the ministry’s projects under Ogbonnaya’s watch has not been encouraging. Nevertheless, he has encouraged all the agencies under the ministry to try and fulfill their mandate. First was his directive to all the 17 agencies under the ministry to patronise Innoson vehicles as well as other local manufacturing companies. His administration began the National Science and Technology Week which first held successfully in April 2017 and then March 2018 to showcase inventors and inventions. The maiden edition of the expo which held between April 13 to 17, 2017 in Abuja, according to the minister, was productive as he noted that various products from research institutes under the ministry displayed at the event.

These products were later commercialised by investors which later led to a second edition to further drive the need to develop the country’s technology.

Notwithstanding, efforts to promote indigenous products and the advocacy has not been very effective as there is still low patronage from Nigerians and encouragement from the government.

Onu signed a Memorandum of Undertaking (MOU) with three international companies to export indigenous technologies and food and another one with NASCO to kick off commercial production of High Nutrient Density biscuits.

The minister fulfilled his promise to encourage and empower youth in science and technology when in 2016, the ministry commenced a process to encourage youth in all 774 LGAs of the country to participate in science and technology in a programme tagged: “774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential award (774-YONSPA)”.

The award is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology held

Onu annually. It is aimed at effectively encouraging and developing the interest of Nigerian youth in science, technology, and innovation (STI).

The competition is organised at the 774 local government areas across the country and the best 37 students are selected to represent each state of the federation, including the FCT. Participation in YONSPA awards cuts across all senior secondary schools (private and public) through competitive examinations.

Under the minister also, 19 new high yield crop varieties were released by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to enhance agriculture.

The National Variety Release Committee (NVRC) approved the release at its 26th meeting held at its secretariat, National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan.

The varieties include: one soybean (SC-SL01), five maize hybrids (P4226, P3966, P4063, WE3205 and DKB350) and two maize varieties

(AMANA-1 and AMANA – 2), one sweet potato variety (Solo Gold); three groundnut varieties (SAMNUT 27, SAMNUT 28 and SAMNUT 29); and three sorghum varieties (SAMSORG 47, SAMSORG 48 and SAMSORG 49).

Almost four years on the saddle, with no renowned scientific and technological breakthrough, in spite of the role science and technology play in country’s development, many Nigerians believe that the ministry has not achieved much.

Nigeria’s automotive industry, for instance, is yet to compete favourably with foreign companies. The minister blames this on the absence of research and development.

A year after the federal government signed an agreement with the Russian state-owned nuclear energy corporation to build and operate a nuclear power plant, the first of its kind on the continent, as well as a research centre that would house a nuclear research reactor, nothing has been done so far.

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˾ TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019

FOUR–YEAR REPORT CARD OF TEAM BUHARI: (2015 – 2019) PART 3

Bello: Remarkable Turnaround in FCT Projects Execution FCT under Muhammed Bello has witnessed a turnaround in projects execution reports, Wale Ajimotokan

Bello

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efore he joined the cabinet as the FCT minister four years ago, Malam Mohammed Musa Bello was the Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) from 2007 until May, 2015.

But his stint witnessed remarkable turnaround of several projects inherited from the previous administration in spite of budgetary constraints.

For instance the FCT administration proposed budget for 2017 was N222 billion but from the outset it confronted with drastic shortfall in its statutory budget. The National Priority Budget which in 2016 stood at N109 billion, fell to N30.4 billion in 2017 and N40.3 billion in 2018 and N30.7 billion in 2019.

More so, of the N30.4 billion appropriated in 2017, it could only access N12,198,561,435.40.

In addition, the monthly statutory allocation slumped from about N5 billion to about N2.7 billion against a wage bill of over N4 billion.

The realisation of over N21 billion by the newly reconstituted FCT Internal Revenue Service in the first quarter is one of the untiring efforts of FCT Administration to shore up its revenue profile and wean itself from statutory revenue of federal government.

The board anticipates a revenue of over N130 billion in 2019. This has been described by

experts as landmark.

In addition, it is also leveraging technology through a digital infrastructure to stem revenue leakage in the collection and monitoring of payments at FCT's main revenue sources.

The generated revenue and statutory budget allocation, enabled FCTA to complete several key road and national projects in the past four years. They include: Kubwa – Zuba Expressway, known as the Outer Northern Expressway; Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Expressway – (Airport Expressway), Bill Clinton Interchange/bridge which connects Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The Aso Villa Roundabout Bridge, which was initiated and completed by the administration, Constitution and Independent Roads (Roads B6 and B12), running from the National Stadium to the Three Arm Zone and back.

Inner Southern Expressway (Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Expressway). The east portion and west end of this road have been substantially done. Bill Clinton Drive: The Federal Executive Council (FEC) last year approved N1.95 billion for the reconstruction and rehabilitation works on the road. Built more than 20 years ago, it has since exceeded its lifespan and is currently in serious state of disrepair.

Southern Parkway traversing the Central Bank, NTA and Muhammadu Buhari Way. Karshi-Apo Road:This road is designed to create alternative route to the city from that axis.

Apo-Wasa Road Dualistion Project was also designed to pull up the Karshi Apo Road to the heart of the city. While the NyanyaGbagarape Road, measuring 1.9km is 88 percent completed and has rekindled the economic and social lives of the community.

Kuje-Gwagwalada bypass road traversing major agricultural firms and farmlands is complete. In Karu Satellite Town Infrastructure, FCTA has secured approval of the sum of N2.6 billion by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for massive construction of infrastructure within Karu Phase 2.

In the Abuja Light Rail project, the FCT Administration has met the two packages of the project at an average of 60 percent completion and has driven it to 98 percent completion. The rail transport would open the corridor of 12 modern stations, for tourism, commerce, investment and job creation.

1.2MW Lower Usuma Dam Solar Power Project. N46.5million was paid out to the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as counterpart funding for the project designed to improve FCT water supply.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019

POLITICS

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

TRENDING NEWS

Inside Fayemi’s Appointment of Consolidation Raheem Akingbolu writes that with the representation of the diversity of Ekiti State in his cabinet, Governor Kayode Fayemi has addressed a pressing concern that subtracted from the gains of his first tenure

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ne point that is sacrosanct about politics is that it is majorly about interest. In this regard, interest could be of religion, senatorial district, community and pressure group within or outside the party.

Politicians believe that the moment one of them is appointed; their constituency’s interest can be protected.

That is why an average governor of a state or the president of a country, who wants to stand the test of time, strives, despite all odds, to factor in various interests in his appointment.

Of all the criticisms thrown at President Muhammadu Buhari, the most severe centres on his choice of appointees who are generally believed to come from a certain part of the country, to the detriment of the rest.

Despite all efforts by his handlers to offer an explanation, the matter remains a sore point among the political elites outside the Hausa/ Fulani’s geo-political zone.

From whatever angle one chooses to look at it, the current governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, appears to have given a studious thought to the issue. Placed side-by-side the approach of his predecessor, and many governors across the country, Fayemi is determined to pass the test of narrowmindedness. Though, former Governor Ayodele Fayose was popular on the streets of Ekiti because of his populist approach to governance, many groups, within and outside his government remained embittered throughout his reign because they were side-lined.

These aggrieved parties cut across ethnic, religious and professional groups.

During Fayemi’s first term in office, he also received a lot of knocks for his appointment. He was not criticized for not reflecting the diversity of the state in his appointment. Critics of his government argued that he gave preference to ‘Ekiti abroad’, otherwise tagged ‘ipad politicians’. To support this argument, they mentioned scores of Fayemi’s friends, who were not with them during the struggle but were invited home from their comfort zones abroad to become commissioners or special advisers.

Fayemi appears to have learnt from the seeming mistake of his first tenure.

It is a different ball game today. From his current appointments which were done in bashes, Fayemi has displayed a high level of maturity by going local, as well as, trying to pacify all the warring parties, including the supporters of those who contested last year ’s governorship primaries with him. Since last month when he concluded the list of the advisers and commissioners, political pundits have not stopped reviewing and accessing some of the personalities who constitute his cabinet.

Mrs. Mojisola Fafure: A local politician based in Ikole Ekiti, Fafure, who is popularly known as ‘Eye Meje’ is the current Commissioner for Women Affairs. Before her appointment, the woman, who is believed to be a thoroughbred politician had also served as Ekiti North Senatorial Women leader. It is believed in many quarters that her appointment would boost participation of Ekiti women in politics.

Adio Folayan: In the Efon Alaaye political space today, there is hardly any politician that parades the kind

Fayemi (r) swearing in the new appointees

of resume that Prof. Adio Folayan is bringing to the table. When it comes to understanding the nuances of local politics and blending it with scholarship, Folayan comes tops.

His appointment was greeted with deafening applause because of his loyalty to the party, having remained in the progressive camp since the days of Alliance for Democracy.

During Fayose’s term when the All Progressive Congress was nearly reduced to insignificance, Folayan still contested the Efon Alaaye Local Government Chairmanship position against the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Due to his popularity, the State Independent Electoral Commission had to shift the Efon local government election, alongside two other local governments, to another date. Though he eventually lost, the result of the election remained a subject of controversy till today. For his loyalty and commitment to his people, Fayemi appointed him a Local Government Caretaker Chairman and later Commissioner for Agriculture during his first term in office. He is currently the state Commissioner for Local Government.

Afolabi Ogunlayi: Alhaji Afolabi Ogunlayi wears many caps; a politician, religious leader and technocrat.

A native of Ikole Ekiti, Ogunlayi, who served as Chairman, Civil Service Commission during Fayemi’s first term, had twice served as commissioner; first in Ondo State, prior to creation of Ekiti State and later in Ekiti. As the current Senior Special Adviser, Economic Matters and Chair, Economic Development Council, there is no gainsaying the fact that his appointment alongside other Muslims in the cabinet, would give the Muslim community a sense of belonging.

Gbenga Agbeyo: A former Ido-Osi Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Agbeyo is also a home-based politician.

For over a decade, Agbeyo, who was a close ally of the late former deputy

governor, Adunni Olayinka, has been living in Ekiti State. He is the current Commissioner for Environment.

Wale Ojo-Lanre: A native of Usi Ekiti, Wale Ojo-Lanre, who was recently appointed as Director General of Ekiti State Council of Arts and Culture personifies culture and tourism, having reported on these sectors for the better part of his career as a journalist. He is also a proud Ekiti ambassador. A consummate journalist and authority in culture and tourism matters, OjoLanre’s appointment didn’t come as a surprise to many people because of his belief in the Fayemi project and the area he has been appointed to oversee. Having served as Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Segun Oni, pundits believe his appointment like the Senatorial ticket ceded to Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, Segun Oni’s kinsman from Ifaki, who also led Fayemi’s transition committee, has confirmed Fayemi’s magnanimity.

Ayodele Jinadu: Apart from the fact that Jinadu’s appointment as Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration is a reward for loyalty, settling for him also serves the interest of Ado Ekiti and the Muslims in the State. Like most of the appointees, Jinadu is a home based politician, who has remained in Ado Ekiti, where he runs a stationery shop for over 40 years.

Sola Salako-Ajulo: Though a Lagosbased communications expert and consumer rights advocate, SalakoAjulo’s appointment can be said to be strategic for effective communication of government activities. She is bringing huge experience garnered over the years in the field of Public Relations to the table to complement the efforts of the Governor ’s Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode and Segun Dipe, who manage social media and other related communication channels.

Dr. Sikiru Eniola: Beyond taking care of the interest of those in academics among Fayemi supporters, the ap-

pointment of Dr. Sikiru Olugbenga Eniola, a former Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ekiti State University chapter, also serves other interests. His appointment serves the interest of the human rights community, Muslims and Ado Ekiti, the state capital and most populous political constituency.

Other appointees who have been described as perfect choice and grassroots politicians, include; the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Febisola Adewale, (Emure), who was a former House of Assembly member; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Femi Ajayi (Ise Orun) a Chartered Accountant who had also served as Local Government Caretaker Chairman and the commissioner in charge of Investment, Trade and Industries, Olusoga David (Moba), who was also a former local government boss.

A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Ado Ekiti, Dr. Mike Omilusi, commended the governor for the spread and quality of the appointees, but urged him to deliver on his electoral promises by providing basic infrastructure for indigenes of the state.

“Much as I agree that provision of basic infrastructures and services is one of the most important functions of government, appointment of credible individuals to various ministries and parastatals of government is also key to enhance effective administration, especially in a democratic setting.

Having said this, I urge the governor to keep to his electoral promises by providing basic infrastructure and services in the interest of the masses.”

The university don, who also commend the speed at which the appointments were made after the general election, called on President Buhari and the incoming governors in other states to take a cue from Fayemi to enable the machinery of government function fast and smoothly.

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T H I S D AY ˾TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019

TRENDING NEWS

That Governors’ Forum Warning on Looming Economic Crisis Onyebuchi Ezigbo writes that despite the cheerless moment when accredited journalists were prevented from coverage of the main event of the induction programme for governors-elect organised by the Nigeria Governors Forum, the organisers succeeded in setting the mood for a smooth transition to the incoming administration

Yari

Osinbajo

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he ambiance of the gathering at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja suggested that things are no longer rosy. There were tell-tale signs the dire situation in which the country currently finds herself at the venue of the induction programme organised by the management of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). The usual broad smiles and joyous expression that adored the faces of the governors about to ascend the glorious position were missing. The opposite played out at Presidential Villa that fateful Monday.

The restrained atmosphere pervaded the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

The key issues that dominated discussions during the event centred on the economy, insecurity and implementation of the new minimum wage. Apparently aware of the serious challenges that lie ahead of the incoming administration in many states, the newly elected governors chose to be more reserved in order not to be swept off by the surprises and challenges of their new office.

On the whole, 29 governors were elected at the March 9 governorship election, while elections in seven other states are expected at the expiration of the tenures of the governors. Out of the 29 governors-elect, 12 were re-elected as chief executives in states while the other 17 are new on the job.

The Zamfara state governor and outgoing chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari became the man to fire the first salvo at the event and did so in a very succinct manner. The two-time governor presented the good, the bad and the ugly situation of things to the incoming governors in order to get them prepared for the onerous task ahead.

The Looming Economic Crisis Yari got his colleagues on the edge when he warned that Nigeria stands the risk of serious economic crisis, if nothing was done to diversify her economy. Yari told the governors-elect that it has become imperative that all the tiers of government must work hard to increase their revenue base so that they would be able to meet the demands of the people. Yari who spoke from his experience as governor of Zamfara state in the last eight years said that it has been a challenging experience managing state economies that are totally

dependent on accruals from the federation account. According to Yari, many states are facing financial difficulties due to poor internally generated revenue. He therefore told the incoming governors to learn from the challenges of the past administration in their various states and work hard to expand the revenue.

Yari spoke of the stabilizing role played

by President Muhammadu Buhari who was able to assist the states’ economy through offer of bailout fund. Yari also took up the issue of overburdening loan which he said no longer offered solution to economic problem facing the country. He told a bewildered audience that the states and federal government have resolved to discourage borrowing since it offers no solution to the present economic situation.

According to him, “It is imperative to note that the governors’ forum under my chairmanship and the National Economic Council under the chairmanship of the Vice President have agreed that borrowing is never a reliable alternative to solving our economic problems.” The Zamfara State governor, said that in order for states to meet their obligations, tax laws must be strengthened to bring in more revenue.

Another issue raised by Governor Yari in his speech was the challenge faced by states over the payment of the N30, 000 new minimum wage. Yari said the federal government should ensure that key revenue earning agencies like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Custom Service and other sister agencies are made to function efficiently and optimally to increase revenue returns.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo further made the new governors more uncomfortable when he advised them to look inwards for ways to generate internal revenue to enable them pay the new minimum wage. For those who thought that the federal government was about to offer new bailout funds to states to pay the minimum wage, the Vice President’s was a kill-joy.

Osinbajo said states should not continue to expect that the federal government can do more interventions because that may not necessarily offer much hope. He said the federal government has intervened in the financial crisis affecting states in the last three years through loans, bailouts and Paris Club refunds to the tune of over N1.1trillion. Giving details of assistance to states, Osinbajo said the FG had in the past three years, intervened through

loans, bailouts and Paris Club refunds to the tune of well over N1.1trillion. He said the figure “represents the highest amount of federal government’s extra statutory allocations and interventions to states in Nigeria’s history and we are proud to say that there were no discriminations along party lines. “Speaking on the complaint by some state governors over the difficulty in meeting the demands of the N30,000 minimum wage, Osinbajo advised the states to devise a means of improving on their internally generated revenue (IGR) in order to cope. According to Osinbajo, states must strive in the next few years to earn more in internally generated revenue.

He said states must leverage their most advantageous agricultural produce, and working with the federal government’s initiatives in agricultural credit and the recently launched Green Imperative, with the Brazilian Government, adding that it was possible for states to generate significant revenues from agriculture.

He said, “We must more effectively collect Value Added Tax and increase our agricultural output, work with the federal government to make broadband infrastructure available all over the country, so our young people anywhere in the country can do jobs from anywhere in the world, from their villages in any corner of Nigeria.” Osinbajo, however, cautioned states against going on the over-drive in the effort to raise revenue from taxation.

For instance, he said, “If a state is charging for right-of-way from communications companies and is hindering the laying of cables and other broadband infrastructure as an IGR measure, permit me to say that that will be penny wise and pound foolish. To tap into the millions of jobs in technology and other services that a country like India, for example, has tapped into, requires broadband infrastructure across the country.” Speaking on the federal government’s new policy outlook, Osinbajo said the president has made it clear that government will be focusing attention on human capital development and physical infrastructure. He said, “We will be working with the states on education, especially the education of girls, and we have begun some deep diving in this respect at the National Economic Council. We are doing the same with healthcare. We have already started to implement the one per cent of CRF in the Health Act and that was implemented in the 2018 budget and we intend to do so with the 2019 budget.”

Tackling Security Challenge Osinbajo solicited collaboration between the states and federal government in designing more creative ways of decisively addressing the country’s security challenges. The vice president told new governors that one of the very critical issues that will take priority at the National Economic Council (NEC) is how to fund security more effectively.

Osinbajo informed the gathering that the new thinking is collaboration between states, the federal government and the private sector on management of security in the country. He was full of praises for the governors for their support to the law enforcement agents through security votes. He reiterated the need for more effective collaboration of the federal government with the states, particularly in the area of community policing and involvement of citizens, civil groups, traditional institutions and the police.

Osinbajo told the participants that, “As Mr. President has said, maintaining security is the first order of business for us as Chief Security Officers at the federal and state levels. We must work together and seek even more creative ways of making our country completely safe for its citizens. I must commend the excellent support that governors have been giving the Police and Armed Forces posted to your various states. I know that large amounts of money are voted practically every month in support of law enforcement and security.

One of the very critical things that the National Economic Council will have to do in its next meetings is to look at how to more effectively fund security. This has to be collaboration between states, federal government and the private sector. I know that several private sector organisations and individuals are keen to contribute in one way or the other to funding law and order and security infrastructure in our country and I am sure working together with NEC, we can do a lot more than we are doing at the moment.” Beyond insecurity, Osinbajo said the country was facing a myriad of other challenges in the areas of human capacity development, education, healthcare and unemployment, noting however, that as huge as the challenges may be, they are not insurmountable.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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FEATURES

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

Reshaping the Mindset of the Nigerian Youth Sunday Ehigiator reports that the 2019 Youth Empowerment Programme of the Rose of Sharon Foundation was tailored towards ‘Reshaping The Mindset of The Nigerian Youth’

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here is a close interdependency between a person’s mindset and his or her behavior. Each reflects an important component to the change process. Mindsets can either be intellectual or emotional elements that affect our perceptions, interpretations, and actions. They guide what we think and how we feel about people and things.

Mindsets are formed by a combination of organising models, values, beliefs, preferences, and attitudes.

Because actions are typically based on a person’s thoughts, feelings, and priorities, most behaviours have a mindset behind them that is used to justify the person’s perspective at the moment.

This premise recently gave room for discussion for all entrepreneurs; including aspiring entrepreneurs, to have the right mindset of possibilities in their quest for growth and success.

The event was the 2019 Youth Empowerment Programme organised at Yaba College of Technology Lagos, by the Rose of Sharon Foundation (RoSF), which was themed ‘Reshaping The Mindset of The Nigerian Youth’.

The event which recorded a massive attendance of over 2000 entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs, likewise provided a window of opportunity for all in attendance as IT experts and other successful entrepreneurs took turns to orientate all present, accordingly.

Step in the Right Direction In her welcome address, the Founder, RoSF, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija noted that with the growing rate of unemployment today among the youth, and pressure from friends to take shortcuts to attain success, it was imperative for all concerned to begin to focus discussion on their mindsets. According to her, “the youth are our future, hope and also those we would be handling the success baton to. But a lot of things have continued to decay in our present day society. “Impatience seems to have become a norm among our youths. We need to start talking about this because these are our future leaders. The future of this great nation belongs to them. As you all know, this event used to be exclusive to youths registered under our foundation before now, but we realised that this is something that would be very beneficial to everyone; hence we decided to throw it open to all. I specially welcome you all in attendance to this great event. As an entrepreneur or aspiring entrepreneur, you need the right mindsets to excel.

You need quality mentoring and don’t have to follow shortcuts, because it would only lead to destruction. “The theme for today’s programme is ‘Reshaping the Mindset of The Nigerian Youth’. It is step towards the right direction and a better future.

The United Nation regards youths as a person between the ages of 15 and 24 without prejudice to other definitions by Member States. This is so because this age bracket is considered to be when we are most active as humans. We need to begin to work on the mindsets of our youth especially in this age and time when they are exposed to several societal vices like prostitution, cultism, drug trafficking, hooliganism, examination malpractices, rape, drug abuse; the list is endless.

Participants at the event

L-R: RoSF ambassadors, Dr. Stella Mofunanya, Mrs Gladys Ifeozo and Mrs Tope Olusola

“We must begin to instill the right mindset of education, hardwork, entrepreneurship, tenacity, patience, contentment in our youths so they can attain the future they best desire.

If you are here, you are in the right place at the right time and in the right hands. Among other people that would be sharing vital information, that you need to succeed, with you all today is the Head of Department, Marine Science Department, University of Lagos, Dr Onyema Ikenna Charles; Certified Value Chain Expert, Agribusiness Development Coach, Adeniyi Solabunmi and Certified HR Consultant, Motivational Speaker and Life Coach, Gbobaniyi Olushola. “Always know that you can be a successful entrepreneur without

getting involved with crime if you endeavour to get skilled, educated, and cultivate a right attitude and have the mindset.�

K.E.Y Speaking on the theme of the event ‘Reshaping the Mindset of The Nigerian Youth’, Gbobaniyi decried the trend of impatience and lack of discipline among the Nigerian Youths.

According him, “I laugh when I hear some youths speak in some kind of ways. I say a guy who hasn’t taken time to learn the craft of music and master it, just want to go into music because according to him, he wants to be like Davido, and have all the money to spray about. It doesn’t work that way.

“Know that everything is a gradual process. You can’t just be a master without first being an apprentice. You must begin to change that mindset of shortcuts. Fine, I hear youths saying they want to leave the country for America or other European countries and I ask them, when you get there, what will you be doing? What is that skills you have acquired that you think it is enough to provide for your needs there. It is never easier out there, ask some of us that have been there. “In fact, the cost of living over there is very expensive and that is why you see people working round the clock just to keep up. Isn’t it better you remain in your country and solve a problem that would fetch

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FEATURES you wealth till eternity, than go there and begin to live as a second class citizen in penury? We must begin to change that mindset. And as youths, always know that there is no easy way to success. You must work for it. I am sure some of you may think Madam Alakija just all of a sudden became the richest in Africa; No. Go and check her history. There must have being a time she conceived in her mind that this is who she want to be, and she began to take steps towards it. But it all began with her mindset. So work on your mindset.

If you can think it, you can have it. “And you all must know that you are Nigerian for a reason, and it wasn’t your decision. You had no control over who your parents should be nor the country you should be born in. But you must have control over your mindset by firstly re-engineering your mindset that you can make it in Nigeria and be great here. Secondly by learning from the mistakes of our fathers and avoiding a repetition.

Thirdly by applying what I call KEY; meaning, Keep Educating, Yourselves.

Fourthly, by finding your purpose, and stop living other peoples life.

And lastly by starting small but thinking big.�

Monetary Doctrine Adding his voice, Real Estate Merchant, Mr. Onifade Olarotimi said, “One mistake most entrepreneurs make and why they crumble even before starting is that they borrow to start business. Don’t ever borrow to start a business you are just beginning. When you do that, you have already killed the business even before you started. No matter how well you thing you have learnt about the business, start with your money. You can borrow to grow the business, but never to start it.

Even the bible makes it clear that the borrower remains a slave to the lender, so save up to start it. Start with your own money. But another problem we have among our youth is that they don’t know how to save.

They don’t have a savings habit. Let me teach you my monetary doctrine of five jars. “Once you earn any money, open five jars. The fist jar is your 10 per cent tithe if you are a tither. The second is for charity; hence whenever anyone asks you for help, it is from there you touch, and once it is finished be disciplined not to touch other jars to solve other people’s problem. I know there may be some exceptional cases, but they are rare.

So be disciplined and learn to say you don’t have when you don’t have and not wanting to please people, thereby going to touch money from other jars. “The third jar is your savings. It is biblical that at least 20 per cent of whatever you earn should be saved. So save your 20 per cent on any income. The fourth jar is for investment. Note that investment is different from savings. Investment is that money you input into a business to make more money while your savings is stagnant, and only grows by adding more savings or when you get interest from your bank on what you save. So invest your money even as you also saving. Then the the fifth jar expenditure. That one you can use to take care of your personal expenses and bills.�

Principles Also speaking, Life Coach, Mrs. Oluwadamilola Coles expressed her delight with the turnout of young entrepreneurs to the event especially, female entrepreneurs. According to her, “I am so happy to see a lot of women in this hall because I am a living testimony of self dependency.

By my family history, none of my parents has a divorce history but when mine happened, I took it as fate

L-R: Onifade Olarotimi, Mrs Cole Oluwadamilola, Michael Salami, Mr Shola Gbobaniyi and Mr Okewale Oluwaseyi

L-R: Doyinsola Popoola, Dr Opeoluwa Akinyemi, Hammed Mabadeje and Dr Antonio Moturayo

but it was easy for me to cope with it because I had something doing. I had a job to feed myself and children and take proper care of them more than I could ever had imagined. So you all must be equipped mentally. “I know for those born in this part of the world they have tendency of looking down on themselves a lot, but you have to fight yourself out of that notion that you can’t make it here in Nigeria. There are several things you can do and several genuine business you can go into and start with less capital. But first you must have a mindset of wealth creation.

Remember that you are attracted to what your mind sees. In this country, it is either you have money or you have the right people. If you don’t have either of the two, then you are out of the game. “Don’t do business as if you are doing someone a favour. Know that business is about solving problems, so factor in the people’s financial power, age, sex, and needs before deciding on what business to venture

into. Then when you go into the business, study your competitors, know what they aren’t doing too well and improve on it. Also work on your packaging and delivery; very important. It all begins with the mind, but also pay attention to your health. To these ends, I will also add to what was earlier said by one of the speakers; keep a jar for your health because it is only when you have good health that you can work.�

Maximising ICT Speaking on how ICT can be maximised by entrepreneurs, ICT Expert, Michael Agboola said, “ICT can be utilised in numerous way.

Aside deploying it for branding, marketing, and the rest, you can likewise acquire several skills on it free of charge. You can learn for instance how to do online marketing yourself, and some other skills free of charge on www.g.co/digitalskills and would be certified. So maximise ICT as much as you want to grow,�

he said.

Another high point of the event was the introduction of three orphans; Doyinsola Popoola, Dr Opeoluwa Akinyemi, Hammed Mabadeje and Dr Antonio Moturayo, who were sponsored through school by the Rose of Sharon Foundation, as they had a brief chats with the participants, where they shared their inspiring experiences through life with participants to motivate them to be a success.

Of a truth, participants were inspired from the experiences of Doyinsola Popoola, who graduated with a first class from University of Lagos, and went to win an internationally funded project, to that of Hammed Mabadeje, who lost his both parents at a very tender age and had to drop out of school, till he encountered RoSF who saw him through a foreign university, where he later graduated with a second class upper and now an entrepreneur who deals in exotic cars, among other experiences as shared.

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WEEKLY PULL-OUT

‘LAGOS HAS THE ONLY CERTIFIED DNA LAB IN AFRICA’

07.05.2019

Adeniji Kazeem, SAN

2/DASHBOARD

07.05.2019

Effect of Domiciliation Arrangement in Banking Transactions: Whether Translates to Assignment of Chose-in-Action PAGE 4

HURILAWS Seeks Reform of Non-Custodial Provisions of Lagos ACJL 2015 PAGE 5

Lagos CJ Launches Practice Directions for ACJL, Restorative Justice PAGE 5

4th ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration to hold in Lagos

QUOTABLES ‘We are now confronted again, with a new increase in the minimum wage, and the same problems that increases in minimum wage mean....We must confront the problem, not by merely hoping that the Federal Government can do more, because that may not necessarily offer much hope. Already, our deficit is close to N2trillion, while debt service to revenue, is somewhere in the order of 54%....’

– Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, Professor of Law, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria ‘The National Union of Journalists, will have to organise Nigerian Journalists, to fight for the decriminalisation of anti-media laws, in our country. And, we must stop deceiving ourselves as a people, by saying that Nigeria has the freest press in Africa. Which Africa are we talking about?’

– Femi Falana, SAN, Human Rights Activist

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.

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‘Money should never be a Lawyer’s First Consideration’ PAGE 6

Supreme Court Declares AMCON’s Application to Appeal as an Interested Party, Incompetent PAGE 5

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

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Public Officials, Greed is Thy Surname!

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Professor Isaac Adewole’s Designer y now, most of Nigeria knows that, the ‘agbadas’ (traditional robes) adorned by the Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Adewole, are designed and made by a Medical Doctor. The first time I heard Prof ‘proudly’ share this snippet of information, was at a lecture which I attended last year, hosted by the Pro-Chancellor of University of Lagos. I must say that, I didn’t quite know what to make of the statement, when I heard it. I wasn’t sure whether to consider it as a ‘faux pax’ or gaffe, on the part of Prof, or whether to be intrigued about how a Doctor became more interested in making clothes, after spending so many years slaving through medical school - was sewing really his/her passion? Certainly, there is nothing wrong in being a Clothes Designer, or deciding that the career path you have chosen to follow, is absolutely different from the discipline you took at University (my Clothes Designer, ‘Toju Foyeh’, is a British trained Lawyer with an LLM, who subsequently became a Italian trained Designer), but, because, unlike Toju Foyeh who is a Designer by choice because clothes making is her passion, most of our Nigerian professionals these days, are jobless, and are therefore, constrained to either find alternatives, sometimes extremely demeaning, or starve to death! Or maybe I was concerned that, in a country that fails rather badly, to meet the WHO recommendation of a Doctor to Patient ratio of 1 Doctor to 600 Patients, having a ratio of 1 Doctor to 6,000 Patients, should we be happy that much needed Doctors are making clothes and other things instead? At least, in the case of Lawyers, some people believe that there’s a glut - that too many Lawyers are being churned out, annually.

In Nigeria, you make lots of money in salaries and ‘lagniappes’ (perquisites), with basic secondary school education as a Politician, for example, in the National Assembly, than a Medical Doctor working in a Government Hospital. It just seems somewhat bizarre and inequitable, that a Doctor, who is a life saver on a daily basis, who spends a minimum of five years in University, not adding Housemanship and the years spent specialising, ends up having to work in less than satisfactory, harsh conditions, earning peanuts as salary, while those with basic, incomplete educational qualifications, earn fabulous salaries! And, for doing little or nothing, I might add. It just seems illogical to me. Where is the equity and fairness, that the preamble of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) (the Constitution) guaranteed Nigerian citizens?

Even from a basic point of view, it is unjust and warped, for a person to spend so many years and funds acquiring tertiary education, and end up earning so much less, than someone with such low qualifications - and this is now the norm in our society.

Petroleum Industry Bill Yes, I repeat, earning exorbitantly, for doing little or nothing at the National Assembly. I remember several years ago, I attended an Oil and Gas Summit organised by the House of Representatives (the Summit), when Dimeji Bankole was Speaker. The main topic of discussion, was the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The PIB was introduced in the 2000s, and over 10 years later, it is yet to be passed into law, whether by the 6th National Assembly, or subsequent ones. Something so crucial, concerning where the majority of Nigeria’s revenue comes from? I remember that part of the thrust of that Summit, was gas flaring – that is, “the burning of natural gas that accompanies crude oil when it is pumped from the ground”. Gas flaring is seriously toxic to the environment, and to the people who are exposed to it. It causes cancer, pneumonia, birth defects and a host of other sicknesses, because of the emission of methane and greenhouse gas, during the process. It has been identified as a cause of global warming, and it also prevents nighttime - there’s always daylight. In short, gas flaring is a killer, not just of the vegetation that is located in close proximity to where the process occurs, but of people too, namely

the Niger Deltans, who live in the vicinity of oil exploration activities.

One would imagine that, passing the law to prohibit this murderous process, to protect the lives of our people in the Niger Delta, would be the priority of any up and doing, right thinking National Assembly. That our people would be seriously studying Norway’s model, of how to eliminate gas flaring. Sadly, several Assemblies later, the PIB remains unpassed, with the much criticised 8th National Assembly, passing some minuscule portion of it. At the time of the Summit, the Oil Majors were paying a pittance of N10 per 1,000 cubic feet of gas flared, as penalty to the Nigerian Government, when as of 2007, the USA Constant price per 1,000 cubic feet of natural gas, was $6.39.

Of course, it is cheaper for the Oil Majors to flare gas, and pay paltry penalties to the Nigerian Government, than to actually store and harness it. So, they are said to be one of the clogs in the wheels of passing the PIB, which has since witnessed many revisions and alterations.

FGR I guess it is only apt for me, to acknowledge President Buhari’s Government’s initiative – the Flare Gas (Prevention of Waste and Pollution) Regulations 2018 (FGR) – “ a legal framework to support the policy objectives of the Federal Government for the reduction of Green House Gas emissions through the flaring and venting of natural gas”, in order to protect the environment (and in so doing, protect the lives of the Niger Deltans), and prevent the waste of natural resources. Apparently, Nigeria loses over $1 billion in revenue annually, from gas flaring.

One of the key provisions of the FGR, is that it has increased the penalty per 1,000 cubit feet of gas flared, from N10 to $2.0 for companies which produce 10,000 barrels of oil or more, and $0.50 for those who produce less than 10,000 barrels of oil. This is certainly a step in the right direction, though inadequate. The average price of natural gas in USA per 1,000 cubit feet, is $8.87. The Nigerian Government

John F Kennedy 35th President of USA

needs to rapidly work towards the eradication of gas flaring and turning it into a lucrative venture, but in the meantime, make gas flaring less attractive, by imposing stiffer penalties on malefactors. The FGR provides for installation of meters to collect flare gas data, and $2.50 per 1,000 cubic feet additional payment for failure to produce accurate flare data.

Of course, since we have numerous obscure and unintelligent people with minimum educational qualifications, who are certainly not the “brightest and the best” running the show, it is not surprising that, they do not understand the import and urgency of these issues, and would rather spend valuable time discussing trivialities, like which clothes the Controller of Customs wears to work!

Bayelsa State Was it therefore, shocking, that lawmakers in Bayelsa State would seek to secure for themselves, life pensions, after doing little or nothing for four years, fully aware that it is unjust and they certainly do not deserve it, when old Pensioners who have served this country for 35 years, are left to rot and die, without timeous payment of their pensions?

No! Most Nigerian Politicians, are motivated by an unprecedented level of greed, lust for easy money, and a sense/culture of entitlement to the ‘national cake’, from the time they enter office, till Armageddon! I doubt whether, even in nearby Ghana, talk less of Singapore, anyone would confidently and publicly conceive and attempt to push such a selfish and useless idea, as the Bayelsan lawmakers have done.

I was unpleasantly surprised, when I was watched a show on Channels TV last Friday, and Honourable Chris Azubogu, the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, justified an increase in the 2019 budget, to accommodate severance allowances and the like, for the National Assembly members, since it is the end of the 8th Assembly. With their fat, unjustifiable salaries, what do they need a severance pay for? Hon Azubogu said that,

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

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

“MOST NIGERIAN POLITICIANS, ARE MOTIVATED BY AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF GREED, LUST FOR EASY MONEY, AND A SENSE/ CULTURE OF ENTITLEMENT TO THE ‘NATIONAL CAKE’, FROM THE TIME THEY ENTER OFFICE, TILL ARMAGEDDON!”

that has always been the law. Then change the law! The incredibly outrageous, inflated cost of governance, plays a big role in what is killing this country.

Even the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution, specifically Section 4 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, requires urgent amendment, so that retired public officers like Governors, must either stick to their old pensions or suspend receipt of same, while they are receiving another salary from another public office. It is just so wrong and immoral, for an ex- Governor who has used his offices to secure a fat and juicy pension package via his State House of Assembly, to retire to the Senate (to sleep, mostly), to receive another fabulous, unjustifiable salary, while old Pensioners die in penury, and current workers are not paid a living wage, but a pittance, which they are usually owed for months on end.

Kogi State Recently, I watched a television programme, where two Politicians from Kogi State, were arguing about how many months salary Kogi State workers, are being owed by the State Government. While the PDP Politician claimed that, workers were being owed 38 months salary, the representative of the Kogi State Governor, one Mr Fanwo, sheepishly claimed that, it was four months salary arrears. When they were then asked why the Governor should seek re-election (given his seemingly purposeless and inefficacious performance), Mr Fanwo answered on a gleeful note, that Governor Yahaya Bello, was the adopted political son of President Muhammadu Buhari!

If that is the benchmark for securing political positions, whether or not you perform below par, then I really do not see much light at the end of the tunnel, for Nigeria.

“Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country” - the historic words of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States of America, in his inaugural address. What a better place Nigeria would be, if our Politicians were concerned with how to ameliorate the situation in the country, rather than how to milk Nigeria dry!

4/LAW REPORT

07.05.2019

Effect of Domiciliation Arrangement in Banking Transactions: Whether Translates to Assignment of Chose-in-Action

T

962) 438 to submit that, the Appellants invented the issue of domiciliation to mislead the court.

Facts

he Respondent financed two Local Purchase Orders (LPO Nos. 4747 and 48303), issued by the 1st Appellant to a certain Pit-a-Pat International Nigeria Limited (“Pit-a-Pat”) sued as the 2nd Defendant at the trial court.

By a letter (Exhibit D) from Pit-a-Pat to the 1st Appellant, Pit-a-Pat gave an irrevocable mandate that payment for LPO No. 4747 should not be released to it, without the prior knowledge of the Respondent.

Also, by another letter (Exhibit G) from Pit-a-Pat to the 1st Appellant, it gave an irrevocable mandate, that payment for LPO No. 48303 should be made to the Respondent. In response to these letters, the 1st Appellant wrote two letters to the Respondent, informing the Respondent that it only pays the company mentioned on the LPOs. The 1st Appellant, subsequently paid Pit-a-Pat, and the Respondent instituted an action against the Appellants, claiming the payments for the LPOs, as well as interests and damages. The Appellants raised a Preliminary Objection, on the grounds that - there was no privity of contract between them; the 1st Appellant acted as an agent of a disclosed principal and the suit disclosed no reasonable cause of action against them.

The trial court, however, dismissed the objection raised, and entered judgement in favour of the Respondent.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the trial court, the Appellants appealed to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the trial court in respect of the Respondent’s claim on LPO No. 48303, on the ground that Exhibit G was an assignment of a chose-in-action by Pit-a-Pat to the Respondent.

Nonetheless, the court set aside the decision of the trial court in respect of LPO No. 4747, on the ground that Exhibit D only stated that payment should not be released without the knowledge of the Respondent.

Still dissatisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal, the Appellants further appealed to the Supreme Court, and the Respondent filed a Cross-appeal. The Respondent also filed a Preliminary Objection against some of the Appellants’ grounds of appeal, but same was discountenanced by the court, as there were other grounds, capable of sustaining the appeal.

Issues for Determination In resolving the main appeal, the Supreme Court considered the following issue: Whether the Court of Appeal was right to have held that, there was an assignment of the proceeds of the contract in respect of LPO No. 48303.

For the Cross-appeal however, the Supreme Court considered the following issue: Whether the Court of Appeal was right to hold that, there was no assignment in respect of LPO No. 4747.

Arguments The Appellants argued that, the contract between Pit–a-Pat and the Respondent was for the domiciliation of payment, and not an assignment. The Appellants submitted that, in banking transactions, domiciliation is not the same as an assignment, as banks do not use it to create an assignment, but as a way of reducing its risks and to be assured that its customer is not paid directly. They further argued that, the issue of assignment is not borne out of the contract between the said parties, and they are bound by the terms of their contract. They relied on the case of PETER TIWELL (NIG.) LTD v INLAND BANK (1997) 3 NWLR (Pt.1103) 111. The Appellant stated that, it was during the pendency of the Respondent’s case at the trial court, that it introduced the concept of assignment in its Amended Statement of Defence to stretch the content of Exhibit G, which simply referred to the arrangement as domiciliation.

The Respondent, on the other hand, argued that the Court of Appeal was right in holding that there was a valid legal or equitable assignment of the benefit of LPO No. 48303. Citing TOKINGTON v MAGEE (1902) 2 K.B. 427 and other authorities, the Respondent submitted that, the conditions for a valid assignment were present, as the assignment was absolute, in writing, and the Appellants had notice of the assignment.

Further, the Respondent argued that, the letter was not prepared by a Legal Practitioner, and the main object of interpretation of documents, is to discover the intention of the parties which is deducible from the language used. They argued that, the letter contained an irrevocable mandate which the 1st Appellant understood, but refused to comply with. Further, the Appellants argued before the lower court that, the consent of

Hon. Amina Adamu Augie, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 18th day of January, 2019 Before Their Lordships Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili Amiru Sanusi Amina Adamu Augie Ejembi Eko Justices, Supreme Court SC332/2009 Between 1. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc 2. Mr. Peter Nwachukwu ..........Appellants And Toki Rainbow Community Bank Ltd.........Respondents (Lead Judgement delivered by Hon. Amina Adamu Augie, JSC)

the 1st Appellant was necessary before there can be a valid assignment, but they turned around at the Supreme Court to argue otherwise. The Respondent urged the Apex Court, not to permit the Appellants to blow hot and cold at the same time. It cited the case of FBN PLC v ACB LTD. (2006) 1 NWLR (Pt.

“THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DOMICILIATION ARRANGEMENT AND AN ASSIGNMENT, IS THE RIGHT TO SUE. A DOMICILIATION ARRANGEMENT, IS BETWEEN THE BANK AND THE BORROWER; IF THE BORROWER FAILS TO PAY BACK THE LOAN, THE BANK HAS NO RIGHT TO SUE A THIRD PARTY. HOWEVER, WITH A LEGAL ASSIGNMENT, THE BANK WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUE THE THIRD PARTY, IN ITS OWN NAME”

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding the main issue, the Supreme Court considered its earlier pronouncement in the case of PETER TIWELL (NIG) LTD v INLAND BANK (supra) on domiciliation, and described the term as an arrangement between a bank and a borrower to domicile payment due to the borrower from a third party with the bank. An assignment, on the other hand, is a legal term used in the context of the law of contract and property, which means a right to transfer “choses in action.” Further, the Court described a chose in action, as all personal rights of property which can only be claimed or enforced by action, and not by taking physical possession; it is essentially the right to sue. Choses in action were not originally assignable at Common Law to enable the Assignee sue in his own name, because debts or choses in action were regarded as personal – LAMPET’S CASE (1613) 10 CO-REP 46B, 48. An attempted assignment was seen as an intrusion by a third party, into a dispute between two parties.

Conversely, choses in action, which may be legal or equitable, were assignable in equity. Where the chose in action is legal, the Assignee can only sue in the name of the Assignor; if equitable, he could sue in his name. With the coming into effect of Section 25 of the Judicature Act 1873, legal choses in action were made assignable by law, and with the Law of Property Act 1925, the usual way of assigning the benefit of a debt or other legal chose in action, is as set out in Section 136 thereof. An assignment which fails to comply with the formalities set out under Section 136 of the Law of Property Act, will be effective as an equitable assignment. Thus, the effect of a legal assignment is to put the Assignee in the same position as the Assignor, in respect of the benefits (not burdens) arising from the original transaction with the debtor.

The difference between a domiciliation arrangement and an assignment, is the right to sue. A domiciliation arrangement is between the bank and the borrower; if the borrower fails to pay back the loan, the bank has no right to sue a third party. However, with a legal assignment, the bank would have the right to sue the third party, in its own name. The Court of Appeal had opined that, the condition for the enforcement of a right by an Assignee, is to join the Assignor in the claim against the debtor, which the Respondent satisfied by joining Pit-a-Pat along with the Appellants at the trial court.

The Appellants however, posited that there was no tripartite agreement between the Respondent, Pit-a-Pat and the Appellants. Therefore, the Respondent cannot elevate a domiciliary arrangement between the bank and the 2nd Defendant, to the status of an assignment.

The Supreme Court held that parties to an agreement retain the commercial freedom to determine their own terms – NIKA FISHING LTD v LAVINA CORP (2008) 16 NWLR (Pt. 1114) 509; where there is a contract regulating an arrangement between the parties, the main duty of the court is to interpret the contract, to give effect to the wishes of the parties as expressed therein. The directive in Exhibit G referred to in this case, when read holistically with other documents relied on in this case, show that parties never intended to create an assignment.

What the Respondent and Pit-a-Pat clearly agreed to, was a domiciliation arrangement for payment to be made by the 1st Appellant, and not an assignment of the benefit of proceeds of the contract.

As regards the Cross-Appeal, the Supreme Court held that, there was no mention of domiciliation or assignment in Exhibit D, wherein Pit-a-Pat gave an irrevocable mandate, that the payment cheque in respect of the said LPO should not be released to it without prior knowledge of the Manager of the Respondent.

Exhibit D did not convey any transfer of benefits of the contract, from Pit-a-Pat to the Respondent.

Appeal Allowed, Cross-Appeal Dismissed.

Representation: A.A. Osara, Esq. and J. Oche, Esq. for the Appellant/ Cross Respondent.

Ngozi Ogbomor, Esq. and Fidelis Mbadugha, Esq. for the Respondent.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited (Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR))

07.05.2019

NEWS/5

Lagos CJ Launches Practice Directions for ACJL, Restorative Justice Akinwale Akintunde

PUBLIC LECTURE L-R: Litigator & Arbitration Practitioner, Funmi Iyayi, Guest Speaker and Head, Sport, Entertainment and Tech Practice, Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL), Beverly Agbakoba-Onyejianya, Organising Chairman, Dr. Agaga Ifowodo at a Public Lecture & Special Awards to mark World Intellectual Property Day at National Stadium, Lagos

HURILAWS Seeks Reform of Non-Custodial Provisions of Lagos ACJL 2015 Wale Taiwo A Human Rights Advocacy group, Human Rights Law Services (HURILAWS), has called for the urgent reform of the non-custodial provisions of Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2015.

Mr. Collins Okeke, Senior Legal Officer at HURILAWS, made the call last week at a press briefing held in Lagos.

Okeke said the reform should be done, in a way that would make the non-custodial provisions of the ACJL 2015 bring about a better use of fines, community service and probation, as alternative punishments to sending offenders to prison.

In his presentation titled: ‘Reinvigorating Non-Custodial Provisions of the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2015’, Okeke noted that, there is a growing shift from Custodial to Non-Custodial sentencing, and urged the Lagos State Judiciary to make better use of non-custodial punishments

for minor offences, as part of measures to address the worsening problem of prison congestion in the State.

According to him, the non-custodial punishment options are provided for in the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, which has been in existence for over 10 years; the court had yet to fully explore those options.

The HURILAWS Legal Officer advocated that, as opposed to the current practice where the courts only use community service for juvenile offenders, the option should be extended to adult offenders too.

He called for a review of the fines stipulated by the law, to make them realistic and commensurate with the offences.

Okeke also urged the Lagos State House of Assembly, to complement the sentencing guidelines and restorative justice introduced by the Chief Judge of the State, by extending probation and community

service in the ACJL to adult offenders, and by making the fines prescribed in Lagos laws commensurate with the offences and the offenders.

“There is a growing shift from Custodial to Non-Custodial sentencing.

Experts around the world, are developing new NonCustodial measures and improving on existing ones.

The Lagos State ACJL 2015 makes provision for NonCustodial punishment. The challenge is that, what the Lagos ACJL 2015 provides, does not go far enough to significantly reduce prison population in Lagos State.

“There is an urgent need to reform non-custodial provisions of the Lagos ACJL 2015. The Lagos State Chief Judge has introduced sentencing guidelines, and trained Magistrates on the application of restorative justice.

“The Lagos House of Assembly should complement the Judiciary, by extending probation and community service in the ACJL 2015

to adult offenders. Fines prescribed in Lagos laws, should be commensurate to the offence and offenders.

“The Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law 2003, which prohibits street trading and illegal markets, prescribes the following fines: N90,000 or six months’ imprisonment for a first offender; N135,000 and nine months’ imprisonment for a second offender; and N180,000 and one year’s imprisonment for a third offender.

“These fines are excessive, and fail to take into consideration, the nature and condition of offenders who are mostly poor. Although, the Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law prescribe other non-custodial measures like seizure and forfeiture, in practice, the Lagos State sentencing policy, appears to favour fines. The result is that, most offenders cannot pay the fines and will end up in prison, further congesting the prisons”, Okeke said.

Lagos State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke, has launched two new practice directions for the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) and the Restorative Justice System.

The two new practice directions were launched yesterday, at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja premises, as part of efforts to ensure an effective justice system.

Justice Oke, while presenting the two practice directions, said the documents mark a historical era in criminal justice administration in Lagos State.

The Chief Judge said some of the highlights of the ACJL Practice Direction, includes tightening the Pre-Trial Remand procedure, to address the challenge of Awaiting Trial inmates, introduction of the Plea Bargain Protocol to encourage Plea deals and decongest the Criminal Division docket, and introduction of Case Management Protocol to ensure that the Prosecution and Defence are properly prepared before trial opens.

According to her, criminal justice administration in the country has been beset by a myriad of challenges, ranging from ineffective or incomplete investigations, delays in criminal trials, congested court dockets, the awaiting trial syndrome, and the attendant congestion of our prisons, to name a few.

“Today in Nigeria we have seen countless cases, where Defendants are arrested for minor offences like burglary, wandering, two fighting and so on; they are locked up in our prisons for the flimsiest reasons, and join the teeming population awaiting trial.

In fact, the Awaiting trial inmates account for more than 75% of the inmates, in our prisons today.

“They are in our prisons with hardened criminals, and by the time they come out, they have been initiated into a life of crime and are ready to spread terror, death and destruction in their postprison escapades. Lagos State has been at the vanguard, in terms of Criminal Justice

Reform, when it passed the ACJL in 2007, and amended it in 2011. Other States followed suit, adopted and improved upon it. Now Lagos State is going further with these new Practice Directions, to realise the goal of expedited trials, improvement in the case disposal rates, and hopefully, this will culminate in the decongestion of our prisons.

“These Practice Directions are being launched today, in keeping with my vision to ensure speedy resolution of our criminal cases, and the entrenchment of restorative justice in the administration of justice in Lagos State, to create more avenues for access to justice, and a holistic approach to criminal justice administration.

“Once the Practice Directions come into operation on 3rd June, 2019, minor offences will be diverted to these Centres, and Restorative Justice outcomes applied, to ensure that persons who commit minor offences will no longer end up in jail. So long as they are prepared to take responsibility for their actions and the harm they have caused, the Centres and the Magistrates Courts will focus on reconciliation with the victim and community at large, rehabilitation, restitution and repair of the harm done, and will as much as possible, under the law, impose non-custodial sentences including fines, restitution orders, community service orders, and so on”, Justice Oke stated.

Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke

Police Arraigns Producer of Adulterated Alcoholic Beverages, Liquors Akinwale Akintunde The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned a businessman, Samson Sunday Offia, before a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Sagamu, Ogun State, for allegedly producing and distributing adulterated alcoholic beverages and liquors.

The Defendant, 43, who is a father of six children and a driver with Inner City Mission (ICM), a School owned by Christ Embassy Church, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Adebayo Alebiosu.

The Police, in the Charge marked MSH/110c/2019, slammed Offia with a three-count

charge of unlawful production of fake drinks, distribution and unlawful possession of the same product.

According to the Police, the Defendant was arrested on April 6, 2019 at about 4am, after a search was carried out on his residence at 2, Shomade Asese Bus Stop, Mowe Ogun State, and discovered a local factory where he was producing different brands of adulterated alcoholic beverages and liquors.

Some of the fake wines and gins retrieved from the Defendant’s residence were: products labels, drinks property of distillery companies, and

other adulterated alcoholic beverages and liquors.

According to the Prosecutor, Sgt. Edeh Cletus, the offences committed by the Defendant, are contrary to Sections 516, 243(2) and 430 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria 2006.

The Defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and following his plea, Magistrate Alebiosu granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in the same sum.

According to the court, one of the sureties must be a property owner, and show evidence of occupying same.

The Defendant, who claimed to be a year-three National Diploma (ND 3) student of Food Technology at the Yaba College of Technology, after being arrested, had confessed to have committed the crime, but blamed his criminal act on economic hardship.

He also confessed that, he started the business not too long ago and pleaded for forgiveness.

He said, “there’s no point lying about this again, it is true I committed the offence”.

“And it is due to economic hardship. I am a father of six children, and a driver with Inner City Mission (ICM) School.

“I’m also a part time student

of Food Tech at Yaba Tech. I’m in ND 3, I just wrote my final exams.

“I suddenly saw Policemen in my house with a Search Warrant, and after the search, they found all the equipment I was using to produce the drinks. The things found include various brands of hot drinks suspected to be adulterated, empty bottles and labeled bottle corks of different types of drinks.

“But it’s not that I specialise in it, I just do it once a while. I don’t have a standard factory or produce in large quantities.

In fact, I only produce just six bottles anytime I decide to. And I sell to just one customer.

On how much he sells per bottle, Offia said sells a bottle of his adulterated gin, for N300.”

The suspect, however, said he was sorry for his action, adding that the economy pushed him to such crime.

He also appealed to the companies, whose products he was faking, to forgive him.

“I just plead with the companies, whose product I’ve been faking, to please forgive me. The economy is not encouraging at all; that’s why I had to do this. Just forgive me, and I promise I won’t do it again”, Offia pleaded.

6/

07.05.2019

4th ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration to hold in Lagos Akinwale Akintunde The 4th International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Africa Regional Arbitration Conference, will hold from June 18 to 19, 2019 in Lagos.

The theme for this year’s conference, which starts with training on “Drafting Enforceable Awards” on June 17, 2019 at the Civic Centre, Ozumba, Victoria Island, Lagos, is ‘Africa: Open for Business?’

Speaking yesterday at the press conference to herald the event, the Conference Planning Committee Chairman, Mr. Mike Igbokwe, SAN said there was no gainsaying the fact that, the Conference is very strategic for the Nigerian arbitration community, to the extent that it keeps creating a growing awareness of the importance of arbitration in the dispute resolution processes.

According to Igbokwe, Africa is a huge continent which is currently very attractive as an investment destination, adding that, Foreign investors often insist on efficient international arbitration, as the dispute settlement mechanism to be adopted in the settlement of any dispute which may arise from their investments. gbokwe noted that, a stellar panel of Speakers led by the Secretary General of International

Chamber of Commerce, Mr. John Denton, and the President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Mr. Alexis Mourre, with other renowned experts in the field of International Arbitration from around the world, have been put in place by the Planning Committee to ensure the success of this Conference.

“Without gainsaying, arbitration is gaining increasing acceptance in many parts of Africa.

It is now relatively common, to see arbitration clauses in contracts involving corporate bodies in Africa. While the cost of resolving disputes by way of arbitration may no longer be said to be cheap, the relative speed with which issues are resolved by arbitral tribunals, makes it particularly attractive to the business community which considers time to be money.

“As a demonstration of our commitment to the growth of Arbitration in Africa, the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris, and the International Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, are co-organising the 4th ICC AFRICA REGIONAL CONFERENCE scheduled to hold from 18-19 June, 2019 at the Bell Campbell Centre, 62, Campbell Street, Lagos Island, Lagos. This is the 4th in the series of this Conference which started in 2016, since when it has continued to be a yearly event.

L-R: Oluwaseun Yesufu, Head, Programmes/Training, International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria, (ICCN), Funke Agbor, SAN, Member, Planning Committee of the 4th ICC Africa Arbitration Conference, Chairman, Planning Committee, Mike Igbokwe, SAN, Secretary General, ICCN, Olubunmi Osuntuyi, Members, Planning Committee, Josephine Akinwunmi and Allen Ikumamuyi at the press conference, yesterday

“The theme for this year’s Conference is, “Africa: Open for Business?” The Conference starts with training on “Drafting Enforceable Awards” on June 17, 2019 at the Civic Centre,

Ozumba, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“A stellar panel of Speakers led by the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Legal Personality of the Week Vincent Ejike Anigbo

‘Money should never be a Lawyer’s First Consideration’ to support his claim. On his part, the tenant denied that he was served any such notices at all, and added that, the time of the alleged service, was when he usually went to the market to buy items for his shop. I submitted that, in the circumstances, the burden of proving that the landlord served him the notices rested with the landlord, and that the landlord had failed to discharge that burden. Well, I was shocked when the Magistrate ruled that the landlord had discharged that burden of proof, and entered judgement for the landlord. I was emotionally downcast, because the tenant felt I was his only hope, but I failed him.

Please, give a brief introduction of yourself My name is Vincent Ejike Anigbo. I come from Eke town, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. I attended my primary and secondary schools at various times in Abia State, Enugu State and Edo State. I read law at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, and attended the Nigerian Law School, after which I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989.

I spent about the first 14 years of my legal practice, in the chambers of Dr. J N Nwodo & Co and had a brief stint at the corporate world, before I returned to private practice. I have a law practice. I am married to Nneka Anigbo, and we are blessed with two children.

Have you had any challenge in your career as a Lawyer, and if so, what were the challenges?

Of course, I have had challenges, just like any other Lawyer. The first challenge was with my early period in legal practice, where remunerations were below your expectation. While a lot of our colleagues, especially the female colleagues, were jumping into the Banks and corporate world where salaries were seemingly better, we who opted to remain in private practice, were wondering if we made the right choice.

Don’t forget that, that was the period of the emergence of the “new generation” banks when “mouth watering” salaries were paid by the banks. Little did I know that, the reward for legal practice comes over time, and that it was truly worth waiting for.

So, the first challenge I faced was the question of adequate remuneration.

The second challenge, arose from the nature of practice of the law firm of Dr. J N Nwodo & Co where I spent the whole of my formative life as a Lawyer. Perhaps, out of rigid adherence to the code of professional conduct of the legal profession, our chambers was very reactive, rather than proactive about billing clients. Our firm hardly billed clients, when receiving the briefs. We always felt that the most important thing was to get the job done, to the satisfaction of the client. Bills would come later and indeed bills were usually prepared and paid much later, after the jobs were done. So, I grew up with this mentality of placing little or no emphasis on preparing my professional bills, before the jobs were done or almost done. I paid dearly for this, when I started my practice. I would get a brief and would start work immediately without discussing fee, and even where I discussed fee,

Vincent Ejike Anigbo

I would not conclude with the client, before commencing the job. It turned out that, in most cases, when I finally forwarded my bills, the clients refused to pay, and would only offer to pay paltry amounts. This got me so frustrated. It took a very long while before I adjusted, and began to present my bills before I commenced work on any brief. Of course, there still are exceptions to the rule.

What was your worst day as a Lawyer?

It is difficult to identify, my worst day as a Lawyer. I think an event that could count as my worst day as a Lawyer, was when, as a very young Lawyer, I lost a Landlord/ Tenant case in what I believed was an unfair judgement. I represented the tenant, a poor trader who rented a small shop from the landlord. The landlord made all the tenants pay, even his own monthly electricity bills.

On a certain day during a landlord/tenant meeting, this tenant unwittingly complained that the landlord’s bill was getting too high, having quadrupled over a short period. For daring to raise this issue, the landlord took him to court to recover his shop, without even giving him any notice. At the hearing, the landlord merely said he served the tenant the mandatory statutory notices required, before he commenced the suit. The landlord did not produce either a witness or any document

What was your most memorable experience as a Lawyer?

It’s interesting how, although I have handled remarkable briefs, it is still the little cases that I handled at the early part of my practice, which have made lasting impact on me; and they usually involved the underdogs. One experience that I would term remarkable, happened when I was barely six months old as a Lawyer. A lady, who was the Personal Assistant to the European MD of a multinational company client of ours, was accused of forging the MD’s signatures on several cheques, and cashing the cheques for her use. The lady’s duties included cashing company cheques made out in her name by the MD, almost on daily basis, and handing over the money to the MD. The bank staff were already accustomed to paying her cash, upon her presentation of these cheques. She was arrested and detained at the Lion Building Police Station for two weeks, when I was instructed to handle the matter. When I met the Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) at the Lion Building, he said this was a hopeless case, and that I should advice the lady to confess. He added that, the cheques were already verified as forged, and that the lady would be charged to court the next day. Somehow, I believed the lady’s account of what happened, which was that the cheques were genuine cheques signed by the MD, and that she cashed the cheques and handed the monies to him, as usual. I asked the CSP why he needed a confessional statement from the woman, if he had verified that the cheques were forged. I requested for a forensic signature analysis, to be carried out on the cheques. My request was delayed for about a week, but upon my insistence, the cheques were taken for analysis. When the result came out, the lady was completely

exonerated. It was discovered that, the cheques were genuine cheques signed by the MD. It turned out that, the MD appropriated all these monies and during audit enquiry, he falsely accused this lady of forging the cheques. The MD was eventually dismissed, and deported to his country in Europe. What I found baffling, was that after the CSP found that the lady was innocent, he demanded for “settlement” from me, to abandon the criminal prosecution of the lady.

Who has been most influential in your life?

My late father, Mr. Ferdinand Maduche Anigbo. He was a loyal husband, a committed father and our moral compass. He thought us honesty, forthrightness, hard work and the fear of God. He was a Police officer. I saw in him a Police Officer, who refused to engage in any corrupt practices when it was the norm, although he paid dearly for it.

Why did you become a Lawyer?

I discovered that I had the flair to be a Lawyer. I was a voracious reader, as early as my primary school days. At the risk of sounding immodest, I believe I had a sharp intellect and a sound analytical mind. I am also a good communicator.

What would be your advice to anyone wanting a career in law?

Be honest to yourself. Ask yourself, if you have the flair for it. Money should never be, your first consideration. Then, determine what type of legal practice, you want to engage in.

The profession is now very much specialised; so determine what area of specialisation will satisfy your passion, and suit your aspiration When you have made up your mind, pursue your dream. Work very hard, and be focused; but by all means, have fun while you ride the rollercoaster.

If you had not become a Lawyer, what other career would you have chosen?

I would probably have been in the Ivory tower. I like sounding professorial. I admire intellectualism a lot.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I plan to remain in legal practice in ten years time and beyond; no retirement, no surrender at all. I love this job. I do, and will always do, ancillary activities along the line.

07.05.2019

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

SMS only to 08098898888

Nigeria’s Presidential System: An Unruly Bull in a China Shop (Part 4)

L Introduction

ast week, and in the weeks before, we thoroughly discussed the presidential system of government, its definition, structure, advantages, and disadvantages. We concluded that, the view of majority of Nigerians is that it is too expensive to run. It drains the nation of its meagre resources, to develop.

Today, we shall commence our discourse on the parliamentary system of government to decide if Nigerians’ newfound love and nostalgia for it, after it failed us in the sixties, is misplaced or well informed. Why the sudden yearning for the parliamentary system of government?

Let us start analysing this concept.

The History and Structure of the Parliamentary System of Government A parliament is a legislature, especially in countries whose system of government is modelled after the Westminster system that operates in the United Kingdom. Parliament emanates from the French word, ‘parlement’, the act of parler (to speak). A ‘parlement’ is a discussion. It later came to represent a congregation or a meeting, at which such a discussion took place. In modern terminology, it is now used for the entire body of people (in an institutional sense) who regularly meet to discuss state affairs, as one of the three arms of government.

The parliamentary system is touted as the first ever form of representative government, which accommodates common subjects (not necessarily from the nobility) in the decision-making forum of the State.

Origin Most governments that existed in ancient times were autocratic, and limited representation to only members of the nobility. No direct representation by the common people, was ever countenanced.

There emerged agitation by the common people, to have a greater say in the decision-making process of their societies. Rulers incrementally and by installments, reluctantly acquiesced to these genuine demands, thus, allowing commoners’ representation. This has so expanded that, in modern times, in various democracies, the authority to rule now rests on a Legislature, rather than on a single ruler.

Modern parliamentary system of government, originated in England in the late 19th century. It was later formalised by King Edward I of England at a meeting held in 1295. At the said meeting, representatives of rural landowners and common townsmen were invited as members of commons, to participate in the King’s Council (Curia Regis).

A Modern Theory of the Parliamentary System Consistent with its historical antecedents discussed above, under a parliamentary system of government today, the official Head of State, is sparsely involved in the business of actual governance.

Major decisions are taken by a legislative body, which comprises persons who are known collectively as the Parliament. Individually, such persons are members of Parliament (MPs).

The structure of a parliament itself, may take different forms.

It may be composed of two chambers, or just one. The MPs are persons elected, to represent various delegations of the electorate.

In consequence of the vast representation of interests by the MPs, the authority who shall be identified as the Head of Government, is often extracted from their numbers. Accordingly, executive powers are vested in the leader of the Parliament, in many cases a ‘Prime Minister’. The Prime Minister, in turn, sets up a cabinet (usually

“....UNDER A PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT TODAY, THE OFFICIAL HEAD OF STATE, IS SPARSELY INVOLVED IN THE BUSINESS OF ACTUAL GOVERNANCE. MAJOR DECISIONS ARE TAKEN

BY A LEGISLATIVE BODY, WHICH COMPRISES PERSONS WHO ARE KNOWN COLLECTIVELY AS THE PARLIAMENT”

President Muhammadu Buhari

comprising members of his/her party), to be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the government. In this way, the Prime Minister and his/her cabinet members, form the de facto executive arm of government.

This unique harmonisation of the Parliament on the one hand, and the Prime Minister and his cabinet on the other, tends to blur the dividing line between the executive and legislative arms of government. To the naked eye, it would often appear that, the decisions are taken by the same set of persons.

In order to prevent an abuse of powers and tyranny, most parliamentary democracies incorporate certain methods checks and balances, such as fixing term limits for Prime Ministers, and the system of passing a vote of no confidence.

Parliamentary System in Nigeria On 1st October, 1960, Nigeria broke free bonds of British colonialism and was formally rebranded as a sovereign, independent State.

In the same manner as the French colonisers, who bequeathed their own system of government to their former colonies at their independence, the British, in 1960, handed down to our newborn nation, a Westminster-modelled Parliamentary system of government.

Under this system of government, the Executive and Legislative arms of government, are in a close relationship. The former invariably enjoys the endorsement of the latter, demonstrated by a vote of confidence. I use the word ‘invariably’, because the members of parliament, the legislative arm, usually double as members of the executive arm of government. So, the relationship between the Executive and Parliament is almost always cordial, for as Jesus Christ once said, a house divided against itself cannot stand.

The doctrine of separation of powers, may therefore, become a bit blurred under a parliamentary system of government. That is not to say that the system is devoid of any checks and balances. On the contrary, unique methods are employed as countermeasures, to prevent against one arm of government from overreaching the other.

In most cases, there is an authority identified as the ‘Head of Government’, who exercises the real executive powers, as distinct from a merely emblematic and ceremonial ‘Head of State’. In Britain, the Head of Government is the Prime Minister, while the Head of State is the royal British monarch, the Queen or King, as the case may be. The British parliamentary system, sometimes referred to as cabinet government, revolves around Members of Parliament (MPs) who are the elected representatives of the people, and exercise sovereign powers on behalf of the people.

Similarly, under the parliamentary system that was practiced in Nigeria, the Prime Minister was the Head of Government.

The Head of State was an elected president. The Prime Minister and his cabinet (constituted mostly by leading members of the majority party), oversee the actual governance.

The Ministers are usually individually and collectively held responsible to the parliament, for the activities of the government, which is referred to as “the doctrine of ministerial responsibility

and accountability,” a fundamental part of the British parliamentary system.

It is this system of government that the British colonial masters bequeathed, on the emerging Nigerian State at independence in 1960. However, perhaps, because of the peculiarities of the new born nation, certain aspects of the system she inherited from her colonial masters, were abandoned along the way. For example, between 1960 and 1965, the Nigerian parliament sat for only about 38 days per annum, as against the British parliament which sat for average 160 days per annum. This simply implied that, unlike their British parliament, the Nigerian parliament no doubt preferred other preoccupations other than the one they pledged to, and for which the Nigerian citizens entrusted their mandate to them.

Parliamentarianism in Nigeria was replete with history of ethnic squabble, conflict and confusion, until it was suddenly terminated in January 1966.

The Western region comprising of present day Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo and Delta states, was later dismembered with the carving out of the Mid-Western region in 1963; the Northern region comprises of the present 19-State structure of the North East, North West and North central geopolitical zones, while the East was populated with the present day Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers States.

The North adopted the Westminster parliamentary system, with a Premier as head of government and chief executive, while there was also a ceremonial Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. It also had a bicameral legislature, made of the Northern Region House of Assembly, comprised of elected representatives, and the House of Chiefs, made up of Emirs and Chiefs.

The Western Region, which seemed the only homogeneous region with predominantly the Yoruba people and was granted self-rule in 1957, also had similar structure of government to the Northern region; also with an elected Premier, who was the Head of Government and Chief Executive Officer overseeing the day to day running of the government of the region. There was also a ceremonial Governor, who was more or less a figure head in charge of ceremonial functions. It was the same story for the Eastern region, which also had an elected premier, who was also the head of government and Chief Executive Officer in charge of the running of the affairs of the region; with a Governor who was also ceremonial like the Northern and Western regions Governors.

Both the West and the East, also had bicameral legislatures, like the North, but the East did not have strong and influential traditional institutions like the North and the West.

The regional governments of the early 1960s, laid the foundations for the developmental strides of the respective regions, and it has been argued in many quarters that, the country would have fared better, if the regions had not been dissolved and the country balkanised into the present States system.

At Independence, there were three dominant political parties, founded along regional and ethnic lines: the Northern Peoples Congress, NPC; the Action Group, AG in the West and the National Council of Nigeria and the Camerouns, NCNC, which was predominantly peopled by the East. By 1962, the NPC was in control of the Federal Government, with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the first Prime Minister and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe emerging the second and third Governor-General of Nigeria, first from 1960 to 1963 and again from 1963 to 1966. Chief Obafemi Awolowo opted to be the leader of opposition, when the NCNC teamed up with the NPC to form a coalition government. The faulty foundation of the First Republic, characterised by ethnic chauvinism and rivalry, led to the death of that Republic on January 15, 1966, when Nigeria experienced the first military incursion into her political journey. This military interregnum, lasted till October 1, 1979, when Nigeria returned to democracy with the United States of America’s presidential system of government, as the adopted model. Recall that, there are basically two systems of government, the parliamentary, which has been tested in the First Republic and the presidential system, which has since October 1999, to date, been the system of government in operation, except for a period of another military interregnum between December 31, 1983 and May 29, 1999.

Advantages of Parliamentary System of Government The parliamentary system of government, has the clear advantage of speed and efficiency in passing legislation. The reason is simple.

It is the same persons, who make up both the executive and legislative arms of government. (To be continued) THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “It is impossible to practice parliamentary politics without having patience, decency, politeness, and courtesy.” – Khaledia Zia

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07.05.2019

COVER/9 “CERTAINLY, PLEA BARGAIN IS BEING USED EXTENSIVELY. AS AT 16TH APRIL, 2019, ABOUT 105 CASES HAVE BEEN DISPOSED THROUGH THE PLEA BARGAIN SYSTEM”

‘Lagos has the Only Certified DNA Lab in Africa’ After four years in the saddle as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, SAN looks back at those years with nostalgia and recounts to Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi, his challenges and humble successes. With over 400 Lawyers in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Kazeem says he is proud to have led a team of highly motivated and welltrained Lawyers in the dispensation of justice in Lagos State, and to have been a part of numerous innovations which put Lagos State in the forefront of administration of justice, not only in Nigeria, but throughout Africa

Y

our tenure as Attorney-General of Lagos State saw quite a number of innovations hitherto unseen, not just in the State, but in Nigeria, particularly the Crime Offenders’ Register creating the Criminal Data Base. How successful has this initiative been, in combatting crime in the State?

This has now been re-formatted and re-christened as, the Lagos Criminal Information System (“LCIS”), which serves as an electronic repository of all defendants awaiting trial, as well as suspects who pass through the criminal justice process and are convicted for crimes in Lagos State. It is robust, because it contains biometric details such as fingerprints and photos of defendants, categories of offences, the geographical spread of the offences, victim information and other relevant classification. The LCIS keeps track of the suspect, until he or she exits the criminal justice system. It has become an indispensable tool, in the administration of criminal Justice in Lagos State, and its information now heavily relied upon in the implementation of reforms in the Justice System.

So far, it has managed to enrol and take inventory of over 12,000 existing inmates, in all the prisons in Lagos State. A major dynamics, is its capacity to assist in planning and statistics purposes.

The Audit and census taken in the prison in its first phase, revealed some astonishing facts from; number of Awaiting Trial Inmates in the prisons, to the current grossly overstretched prison capacity. Also, through the information gathered so far, we have been able to identify prevalent offences, and notorious crime areas in the State. It is a sustainable system that can always be enhanced to collect more crime data, even for suspects that are not undergoing trials at the Criminal courts.

A recidivist can be easily identified, especially for sentencing purposes. Criminal records of convicts are now accessible with precision, confusion over the identities of inmates are now a thing of the past.

Consequently, stakeholders have more confidence in the system.

The DNA Forensic Centre and Crime Lab have been received by Lagosians with so much enthusiasm. To what extent has the Police and your Ministry used it in criminal prosecution?

Would you say the project is worth the expense?

The DNA Forensic Centre and Crime Lab, is a capital intensive investment that will enhance the quality of evidence and adjudication of cases in our criminal courts. The DNA Centre is fully functional, and has continued to advance in time.

It is important to state that, the Government of His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, took that giant step to use technology in solving problems, in the administration of criminal justice in Lagos.

The project has proved worthy of its expense, but will require continued patronage. This science based approach to proving crime, has been adopted in some of our criminal cases. There are also plans to expand the Centre as soon as possible, to cover toxicology and other areas. DNA evidence now forms part of expert evidence that can be admitted by the court, once the necessary foundation is laid. Recently, the DNA Forensic Centre got ISO certification, and became the only Centre in Africa to obtain an ISO certification, so that several tests hitherto done out of the country, can now be fully handled by the Centre.

DNA results can be adduced where necessary; even the defendants are at liberty to provide it, to exonerate themselves. It exists to easily identify and indict offenders, as well as exclude suspects without culpability.

The DNA Forensic Centre and Crime Lab will ultimately assist the Police in easy detection of crime, rather than embarking on guess work, and will help in reducing the time to be spent in investigating crime, with the use of technology to ascertain the offender.

The project is worth the expenses incurred, because it has grown Lagos to the level of being relied upon by other States, embassies and individuals. Presently, we have various embassies trying to partner with the Centre.

The Centre also assists in quick and easy dispensation of justice, since it produces required evidence linking a suspect to a crime.

The Mobile Court initiative which you commenced in conjunction with the Lagos State Judiciary has seen a sharp reduction in street trading, traffic congestion and other social vices on Lagos roads.

There have been reports that, some officials of the Task force sometimes confiscate goods from these traders and unjustly convert them to their personal use, especially consumable items. How have you dealt with that?

Indeed, this is worrisome, but we are yet to confirm the authenticity of this allegation, and we have our team working to ensure that this does not occur. I am aware that, during enforcement of the law and goods are confiscated; they are sent to orphanages, remand homes and prisons. The importance of the Mobile court cannot be overemphasised, in the enforcement of traffic law and free movement of vehicles in Lagos State. The alleged negative press is regrettable, and we should look at the larger picture of enhancing and sustaining the administration of law in Lagos State.

Let us also appreciate that, there has been a level of sanity in the State through the effectiveness of the task force and mobile court. However, what the Government seeks to achieve with the task force, is to curb to the barest minimum, the number of environmental offences and avoidable accidents on our roads. It is to keep the society sane and safe, but the most important thing, is for citizens to be law abiding.

Adeniji Kazeem, SAN Photos: Kolawole Alli

It has been observed that your tenure as A-G saw a rather sharp improvement in the services of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), with so many cases speedily disposed of professionally and efficiently. For a department that basically offers pro bono services to the public, how were you able to deal with the challenges and run it so efficiently, these past four years?

The operation of criminal justice in Lagos State, is founded on the tripod of justice for the victim, defendant and the larger society. We need to ensure that, we continuously provide access to justice for

“RECENTLY, THE DNA FORENSIC CENTRE GOT ISO CERTIFICATION, AND BECAME THE ONLY CENTRE IN AFRICA TO OBTAIN AN ISO CERTIFICATION, SO THAT SEVERAL TESTS HITHERTO DONE OUT OF THE COUNTRY, CAN NOW BE FULLY HANDLED

BY THE CENTRE”

those who do not have money to engage Lawyers, but are facing charges. The reforms carried out at the OPD since inception of this Government, has contributed to ensure that, our less able citizens have access to legal representation in criminal courts. OPD also undertakes other defence work, on behalf of employees.

Of course, every project has its challenges; the Office of the Public Defender is no exception. In addressing its challenges, the OPD created the Criminal Defence Unit, Civil Claims Unit, as well as the Child and Family Justice Unit, to enhance its efficiency and functionality. Law Officers are now assigned to specific units, to handle cases relating to such units. State Counsel have also been exposed to several trainings on Trial and Advocacy, organised by NITA (National Institute of Trial Advocacy), Colorado, USA who visit Nigeria at their own cost to train Counsel. Counsel are exposed to mediation trainings, yearly.

The Office of the Public Defender, is represented by Law Officers at all Magistrate Courts in the State, all Criminal Divisions of the State High Court, National Industrial Court, as well as Family Court. In addition to the Toll Free numbers provided in order to afford members of the public the opportunity of calling the Office, the direct lines of the Director and Deputy Director have also been made available to the public.

As we are all aware, the Office also has a very active social media presence.

It is on record that, you successfully midwifed 13 Bills and saw them passed into law. Kindly, mention some of these bills, and how you were able to achieve this feat.

Yes. You are right. As a matter of fact, there are several Bills that are presently undergoing Legislative process which I believe will be passed into law in the near future. However, some of the Bills already passed into law include : - Environmental Management and Protection Law, enacted to provide a clean, safe and healthy environment for all residents of the State.

- Lagos State Cooperative College Law, the College was established to provide courses of instruction leading to degrees, diplomas, certificates and other distinctions in corporative and such related studies.

- Lagos State Electric Sector Reform Law, enacted to provide for the development and management of a sustainable power supply in the State.

- Sports Trust Fund Law, enacted to provide for the establishment of the Lagos State Sports Trust Fund.

- Lagos State Mental Health Service Law enacted to establish the Mental Health Service and provide for the protection and care of persons suffering from mental disorders.

- Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Law; Lagos State Tourism Promotion Agency Law, Sports Commission Law, Customary Court Law, to mention a few.

I can only attribute this achievement, to the cordial

working relationship between the Executive and Legislative arms of Government, as both arms have the best interest of the masses at heart. As such, it was not difficult to come up with laws that will positively impact the lives of the residents of the State.

It is also on record that, the Government has a vision to build and operate habitable prisons in Lagos, which will decongest prisons and give reformation of criminals a human face. What have been the obstacles, to bringing this laudable project into fruition?

The final approval from the Federal Government, for the State Government to build the new state of the art prison and relocate the Ikoyi prisons, has not yet been granted.

Many looked forward to bringing to book, the culprits in the Otedola Bridge fire incident which claimed many lives and resulted in the loss of many vehicles. This didn’t happen. What is the state of that case?

What I can say is that, Police investigation is still very much ongoing. There are theories that the tanker driver got burnt in the inferno, but the absolute veracity of that, is yet to be confirmed. However, investigation by the Police so far, reveals that the registered owner of the truck has been traced to Kano State. The owner cannot be held criminally responsible, unless it can be proved that the truck was in a state of disrepair or had electrical or mechanical fault, which caused the accident. Preliminary facts available to Ministry of Justice would indicate that, the accident was due to human error. The Owner can however, be liable in a civil suit, for class action by victims and their families. The Ministry of Justice is determined to prosecute, if the Police can make available to it evidence of culpability on the part of the owner of the truck. As we all know, investigation is pivotal to criminal prosecution, and investigation by the Police in the Otedola Tanker fire incident, as much as we can say, is still ongoing.

Also, the incident of collapsed school building in Lagos which resulted in the deaths of many school children. Kindly, shed some light on the state of building laws in Lagos, which made it so easy for property developers to get away with such uninhabitable structures. Or is it just that, those responsible for these atrocities get away with them? Like the Synagogue Church for example. Nothing seems to have come out of that case, even though over 100 lives were lost in that unfortunate incident.

To be frank I think our building laws are significantly robust, but our monitoring and enforcement will need further improvement, to identify and prosecute offenders.

The Synagogue case is ongoing, and has reached the defence stage. It is interesting to note that, under the application for a No Case Submission, the court held that, the defendants have a case to answer, and invited the defendants to open their case. We are certain that, the matter will be completed in earnest. The Ministry is also currently prosecuting the suspects in the Lekki Garden building collapse, so the public should await the outcome of the trial.

Investigations are still ongoing in the recent Lagos Island building collapse, and will shall take a position once a case file is received from the Police.

You have elevated Plea Bargain to a new level, and several cases have been disposed of through this system. Has this served the course of justice to the offenders and to the people?

Certainly, plea bargain is being used extensively.

As at 16th April, 2019, about 105 cases had been disposed through the Plea Bargain system. I set up a standing committee in the Ministry of Justice, headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions to receive and review all plea bargain applications, and make recommendations to my office for approval. This system has worked brilliantly, and I am confident that many defendants will begin to see it as an opportunity for closure, so they can have another chance at being productive and law-abiding citizens in society.

You have continued to receive commendations on the introduction of the Land Grabbers aka ‘Omo Onile’ Law, as the menace has been reduced to a large extent. But, sadly, these miscreants CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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‘LAGOS HAS THE ONLY CERTIFIED DNA LAB IN AFRICA’

still operate freely in some places. What plans have you put in place to see that this evil is eradicated, if not before the end of your tenure, then in the nearest possible future?

The mischief to be cured under the Lagos State Properties Protection Law 2016, is the lawlessness in terms of taking possession of land. Prior to the passing of the Law, Land grabbers resorted to the use of all means, to take possession of land even when there is evidence of prior or adverse possession. It therefore, became necessary to regulate land owners/ occupiers taking possession of land and criminalise certain activities carried out in taking possession of land. The Law also criminalises, illegal sale of land without title. A task force Unit was established, to enforce the provisions of the law. Several offences were created under the law, all of which attract penalties of either imprisonment or payment of fine.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Prohibition of forceful land take over, attracts 10 years imprisonment, prohibition of entry by violence, illegal occupation of property, use of law enforcement agents to execute judgement of a court in respect of landed properties, encroaching on a land with a weapon attracts 10 years, sale of property without Authority, demand for fees and imposition of fee or levy in respect of construction activities on any property or disruption or obstruction of construction works, attracts a fine. The task force is receiving petitions on a daily basis, and prosecuting cases at the Special Offences court.

How has the opportunity to serve your State in such an important capacity been, these past four years? What legacies are you leaving behind?

In addition to my earlier response which forms part of our legacies, we are leaving a legacy of better Staff welfare, expansion of the frontiers of access

“THE LAGOS JUDICIARY, IS UNARGUABLY THE BEST IN THE NATION, BUT, IS CURRENTLY STILL OVERSTRETCHED AND OVERWORKED, AND THE WELFARE OF THE ENTIRE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, FROM THE CUSTOMARY COURT JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES, TO THE HIGH COURT JUDGES, INCLUDING RETIRED JUDGES, MUST THEREFORE, NEVER BE COMPROMISED”

to justice, better working environment, additional career path opportunities for State Counsel to become leaders and heads of other MDA’s, other than the Ministry of Justice, use of technology to improve the services of Ministry of Justice online laws, DSVRT short SMS code, establishment of Lis Pendens Registry, to mention a few.

How would you describe your relationship with the Judiciary of the State, and what would you say is the most important factor for its sustenance?

I will describe my relationship with the Judiciary, as excellent. I think this has been helped by the fact that, I am a child of a judicial officer who had served in practically all the levels of the justice system, before he retired as a Supreme Court Justice. It therefore, made it easy for me to act as a bridge, and understand the peculiar challenges of the Judiciary, especially the need to recognise it as an independent arm of Government, that is extremely crucial for sustenance of society and our democracy. The Lagos Judiciary, is unarguably the best in the Nation, but is currently still overstretched and overworked, and welfare of the entire judicial system from the Customary Court Judges, Magistrates and High Court Judges including retired Judges, must therefore, never be compromised. Happily, HE Governor Akinwunmi Ambode fully recognised this critical arm of Government, and ensured that its needs were substantially met, based on available resources. I expect that with more support, the Lagos Judiciary will continue to retain its pre-eminent place, as the most virile and independent Judiciary in the entire Federation.

07.05.2019

THE LIGHTER SIDE/11

LEGAL HUMOUR

We Hold Your Brief JUDE IGBANOI jude.igbanoi@thisdaylive.com Dear Counsel, I am a member of a coalition of NGOs, involved in the protection of women’s rights.

The recent raid on night clubs in Abuja where many girls were arrested, has been of serious concern to many of us. While trying to secure the release of the girls, a Lawyer we contacted, told us that the girls didn’t commit any offence known to Nigerian law. That the Police didn’t have any right to arrest them, and that they dare not take them to court.

He said prostitution is not a crime, under Nigerian laws. Although, we didn’t pay the Lawyer to handle the case, many people share this same view. Kindly, shed more light on this, because, for as far back as I can remember, the Police has always been arresting girls on the streets and in hotels, for prostitution.

R.E. (Mrs.), Abuja Dear Mrs. R.E., The raid and arrest of girls in the Abuja nightclubs last week, created quite an uproar.

Arguments have continued to rage, as to whether the prostitution is a crime in Nigeria.

Prostitution in Nigeria, is illegal in all Northern States that practice Islamic penal code. In Southern Nigeria, the activities of pimps or madams, underage prostitution and the operation or ownership of brothels are penalised under Sections 223, 224, and 225 of the Nigerian Criminal Code.

While the law does not specifically say prostitution is a crime, it provides in the sections mentioned above, that any act related directly or indirectly to prostitution, is a crime.

An Engineer dies and reports to hell. Pretty soon, the Engineer gets dissatisfied with the level of comfort in hell, and starts designing and building improvements. After a while, they've got air conditioning, flush toilets and escalators, and the Engineer is a pretty popular guy.

One day God calls Satan up on the telephone and says with a sneer, "So, how's it going down there in hell?"

Satan replies, "Hey, things are going great. We've got air conditioning, flush toilets and escalators, and there's no telling what this Engineer is going to come up with next".

God replies, "What??? You've got an Engineer?

That's a mistake -- he should never have got down there; send him up here”.

Satan says, "No way. I like having an Engineer on the staff, and I'm keeping him”.

God says, "Send him back up here or I'll sue”.

Satan laughs uproariously and answers, "Yeah, right. And just where are you going to get a Lawyer?" ˾˾˾ A defending Attorney was cross examining a Coroner. The attorney asked, "Before you signed the death certificate had you taken the man's pulse?"

"No," the Coroner replied.

The Attorney then asked, "Did you listen for a heart beat?" The Coroner said, "No." "Did you check for breathing?", asked the Attorney.

Again, the Coroner replied, "No." The Attorney asked, "So when you signed the death certificate, you had not taken any steps to make sure the man was dead, had you?"

The Coroner, now tired of the brow beating said, "Well, let me put it this way. The man's brain was sitting in a jar on my desk, but, for all I know, he could be out there practicing law somewhere”. ˾˾˾ What's the difference between a lawyer and a boxing referee? A boxing referee doesn't get paid more for a longer fight.

Ten Years After, Court Orders Lagos State Government, Police to return land to Badagry Communities Evictees Akinwale Akintunde Ten years after, relief came the way of the evictees of some communities in the Badagry area of Lagos, as a Lagos High Court sitting in Badagry, has ordered the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police to return their land wrongfully acquired from them.

The affected communities - Atiporomeh, Araromi Ale and Mowo Phase II, woke up to the gory sight of over two hundred and fifty fully armed police officers with heavy duty evacuating machines on their communities, forcing them to scamper for their lives, without any opportunity to evacuate their household items.

The affected residents have argued that, a letter from the Police authority specifically mentioned Agemowo and Agelado Mowo, Badagry, and not their own communities They also alleged that, they were not allowed to pick

anything from their houses before the demolition, while scores of residents and youths were indiscriminately arrested.

For these reasons, the affected residents of the communities dragged the Lagos State Government and the Police to court, to challenge them over their forcible eviction and the demolition of their properties.

The Police had claimed that, the land was legally acquired by the Lagos State Government for general public use.

Delivering judgement in the case last week, Justice Serifat Sonaike faulted the entire exercise, and ordered that the evictees be returned to their land.

Justice Sonaike held that, the demolition of the houses in the Araromi Ale and Atiporome Communities by the Police and the Lagos State Government, was unlawful and against the Constitution of Nigeria.

The Judge said the evidence available, showed that the Lagos State Government had wrongfully acquired the land

4TH ICC AFRICA CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION TO HOLD IN LAGOS Secretary General of International Chamber of Commerce, Mr. John Denton and the President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Mr. Alexis Mourre, with other renowned experts in the field of International Arbitration from around the world have been put in place by the Planning Committee to ensure the success of this Conference.

“This year’s conference which coincides with the centenary anniversary of ICC, starts on 18 June, 2019 with ‘ICC: Centenary Celebration’. A top rated line-up ofSpeakers from Egypt, Rwanda, Paris, Mali, Tanzania, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Nigeria, etc will thereafter, discuss topics titled ‘Presenting Damages in Construction Arbitration’, ‘Dispute Resolution under the AfCTA: A new look at the Calvo Doctrine’, ‘Blockchain, Smart Contracts & Arbitration’, ‘Arbitration of Banking & Financial Disputes’, ‘Diversity and Disqualification: Recent Trends in Domestic and International Arbitration’ and ‘Oxford Style Debates’ .

initially occupied by the Claimants, and also sold it to the Police.

She described the act as wrong, and to all intent and purposes, amounting to a situation of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Justice Sonaike found the demolition exercise to be illegal, and not in compliance with the existing laws of the country.

According to the Judge, without prejudice to Government’s right to acquire properties, “I find that, the acquisition cannot be said to be for an overriding public purpose.

“It is not for public purpose, as it is restrictive acquisition.

The Lagos State Government actually sold the land to the Nigeria Police, which to all intent, amounts to robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The Judge, therefore, ordered the Lagos State Government and the Police, to return the 12.13 hectares of land, to the displaced residents.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

“The ICC Conferences in the last three years attracted from within and outside Africa, the participation of seasoned arbitrators, academia, legal practitioners and users of arbitration, parties and persons interested in arbitration, who had the opportunity to critically analyse a lot of the issues facing arbitration in Africa. There is no gainsaying the fact that, the Conference is very strategic for the Nigerian arbitration community, to the extent that it keeps creating a growing awareness of the importance of arbitration in the dispute resolution processes.

“The desires to determine whether Africa is ready for investments by both foreign and local investors, and to explore possible ways of making arbitration work in Africa, are the focal points of this year’s discussion. A cursory look at the topical issues that will be discussed at this Conference, leaves one in no doubt that the Conference promises to be intellectually stimulating and productive in sharpening knowledge and skills in arbitration, which is fast becoming a veritable alternative

to litigation in resolving local and international commercial disputes. The Conference fees, have been made affordable.

Intending participants are encouraged to make use of the cheaper ‘early bird’ rates, by registering for the Conference within the early bird rate window.

“International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the largest, most representative business organisation in the world. Its global network, comprises over 6.5 million companies. Our members include many of the world’s largest companies, SMEs, business associations and local chambers of commerce, in more than 130 countries. We work to promote international trade, responsible business conduct and a global approach to regulation, through a unique mix of advocacy and standard setting activities—together with market-leading dispute resolution services. More than 2,000 experts drawn from ICC’s member-companies feed their knowledge and experience, into crafting the ICC stance on specific business issues”, he stated.

12/CASE REVIEW

07.05.2019

Supreme Court Declares AMCON’s Application to Appeal as an Interested Party, Incompetent Akinwale Akintunde

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Bi-Courtney Ltd v The Attorney-General of the Federation & AMCON SC.770/2014 n 5th April 2019, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in a unanimous decision, overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal, which had hitherto, granted the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), leave to appeal as an interested party, against the Order of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division coram Olotu, J. Background The facts of the events resulting in the present appeal, are quite elucidating and fascinating. Sometime in the year 2000, the domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja was engulfed by fire, which totally destroyed the terminal and brought to a halt, further aviation operations thereat. Consequently, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), shut down the terminal. Subsequently, a Concession Agreement dated 24th April, 2003, was executed between Bi-Courtney Limited (BCL) and the FGN, as the Concessionaire of the MMA2, to design, build and operate the terminal and provide ancillary services thereat for 36 years. An affiliate of BCL, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), was incorporated to manage the operations of MMA2. It is to be noted that, various changes and improvements were made to the design initially contemplated for the project; this in turn, increased the initially estimated cost of the project. It was therefore, agreed that a Consultant be appointed to ascertain the cost of the project, with a view to determining the appropriate Concession period to enable BCL recoup its investment in the project.

Following various and recurring breaches of the terms of the Concession Agreement by the FGN and its agencies (especially the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and its management), BCL wrote a letter to the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF), requesting the constitution of the Coordinating Committee provided for under the Concession Agreement, to resolve the disputes between parties, including the determination of the question of “the length of the Concession period granted to the Concessionaire by the Grantor.” Upon conclusion of deliberations by the Coordinating Committee, it was unanimously resolved that, all the issues raised by BCL were meritorious, including the resolution that “the length of the Concession period is thirty-six (36) years from the anniversary of the Start date, as defined in the Concession Agreement”.

The above decision of the Coordinating Committee notwithstanding, the breaches of the Concession Agreement by the FGN and its agencies persisted; BCL was thereby, constrained to institute an action at the Federal High Court against the FGN in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/50/2009. BCL urged the court to make an Order, compelling FGN to give full effect to the express terms of the Concession Agreement.

The AGF, being the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, was the Defendant in the action, and he represented the interest of the FGN and its relevant agencies.

In its judgement delivered on 3rd March, 2009, the Federal High Court, (Coram CHIKERE J.) granted all the reliefs sought

by BCL. The court directed that the FGN (represented by the AGF), should immediately render an account of all such revenues that has accrued to it from scheduled domestic flights operations conducted from any terminal other than MMA2 in Lagos State, after MMA2 became operational on 7/5/2007, and that all such revenue shall be remitted to the

“THE LEARNED JUSTICES OF THE APEX COURT, IN A UNANIMOUS DECISION, STATED THAT THE APPLICATION OF AMCON SEEKING LEAVE TO APPEAL AS AN INTERESTED PARTY, WAS INCOMPETENT, ON THE GROUND THAT, THE APPLICATION OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN FILED AT THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT, RATHER THAN THE COURT OF APPEAL”

Concessionaire (BCL). This binding and subsisting judgement of court, informed the special meeting convened on 7th July, 2009 by the then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – Late Mallam Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, GCFR, in respect of the issues pertaining to MMA2. At the forefront of the deliberations at the meeting, whereat the representative of BCL was present and participated, was the concession period under the Concession Agreement, and the President affirmed its validity as a period of thirty-six (36) years.

The foregoing nonetheless, the FGN and its agencies, particularly the FAAN, refused to comply with the valid judgement of court, directing it to render account and remit revenue accruing to the FGN as a result of its violation of the terms of the concession.

Legal Proceedings: Federal High Court BCL therefore, invoked the inherent judicial powers of the Federal High Court by an application dated 5th April, 2012, wherein it sought inter alia, an order of the court endorsing the account computed at the instance of BCL, as well as an Order directing the FGN to pay to BCL the sum of N132,540,580,304.00 (One hundred and thirty-two billion, five hundred and forty million, five hundred and eighty thousand, three hundred and four Naira only), being the total sum plus interest which has accrued and payable by the FGN between the period of 7th May, 2007 and 6th May, 2011.

The Federal High Court (Coram OLOTU J), granted the Orders as prayed, including an Order directing the FGN to set-off from the above computed sum (i.e. N132,540,580,304.00), any claims agreed with BCL, to be due from BCL to any agency of the FGN, including but not limited to AMCON. AMCON, being an agency of the FGN, in a purported attempt to express its dissatisfaction with the above Order of the Federal High Court, approached the Court of Appeal by way of an application dated 30th October, 2012, seeking leave to appeal as an interested party, against the decision of the FHC. BCL opposed the said application by way of filing a counter-affidavit, wherein it challenged the competence of the application, which was filed directly at the Court of Appeal, in contravention of the Rules of Court; as well as the merit of the application, on the basis that the Order made by OLOTU J. was specifically directed at the Attorney-General of the Federation (a statutory representative of FGN). By implication, it is only the Attorney-General of the Federation, who can file an appeal with respect to the said Order of court on behalf of the FGN and its agencies.

More so, AMCON did not disclose any interest whatsoever, or show how its interest was negatively impacted by the Order of court.

Court of Appeal The Court of Appeal heard arguments in respect of the application, and in its ruling of 29th November, 2013, granted AMCON leave to appeal against the Order of the trial court as an interested party, notwithstanding the fundamental and credible objection raised to the competence of the application. The foregoing necessitated the appeal to the Supreme Court by BCL.

Supreme Court At the Supreme Court, BCL raised two germane issues for consideration by the Court to wit: (1)Whether the 2nd Respondent’s (AMCON) application for leave to appeal as an interested person, was competent; and (2) Whether the 2nd Respondent (AMCON) disclosed any independent interest to justify the grant of its application for leave to appeal as an interested person, within the meaning of Section 243(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Arguments BCL argued at the Supreme Court that, the application filed by AMCON was incompetent, in that it did not fulfill the condition precedent for making the application for leave to appeal as an interested party, and that the reliefs sought in the application were ambiguous, nebulous and at large.

Further, it was argued that, the application did not comply with constitutional procedure governing an application of this nature. In its response, AMCON contended that, it was interested in the matter of how its funds are applied, and that the grant of the application by the court below necessarily implies that the conditions precedent for granting leave to appeal as an interested party, were fulfilled.

The Apex Court, after listening to arguments of counsel and considering the relevant and applicable laws, reached an unassailable conclusion, adjudging the appeal filed

by BCL challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal granting the application of AMCON, as meritorious. The Learned Justices of the Apex Court, in a unanimous decision, stated that the application of AMCON seeking leave to appeal as an interested party was INCOMPETENT, on the ground that the application ought to have been filed at the Federal High Court, rather than the Court of Appeal. Their Lordships held that, the right of appeal to the court below is required by the Constitution to be exercised in accordance with any Act of the National Assembly or Rules of Court guiding the practice and procedure of the court below. Apparently, AMCON brought the application under Order 7 Rule 4 of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2011, which stipulates that when an application may be made either to the High Court or the Court of Appeal, the application shall be made in the first instance to the High Court, except where there are special circumstances which made it impracticable to apply first to the High Court.

The only reason adduced by AMCON, as special circumstance for filing the application directly to the Court of Appeal in flagrant violation of the Rules of Court, was that time for appealing against the ruling of the Federal High Court had lapsed. The Supreme Court held that, in the face of the litany of judicial pronouncements that neither the Constitution nor the Court of Appeal Act or Rules prescribe any period within which an interested party may bring an application for leave to appeal as a person having an interest in the matter, it follows that AMCON laboured under a misconception of law, that time runs against an applicant seeking leave to appeal as an interested party.

The Supreme Court thereby, allowed the appeal filed by BCL and struck out the application filed by AMCON.

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‘The General Aviation Terminal belongs to Bi-Courtney Limited’ This article by Yemi Olayinka, discusses the long-drawn-out differences between Bi-Courtney Limited (BCL), Ministry of Aviation and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on the Airport Terminal (MMA 2) built by BCL, and the extremely negative consequences which arise from the actions of public officers, who create huge financial burdens for the Federal Government, as a result of their lawlessness and failure to adhere to contractual obligations How Public Officers create massive financial burden for the Federal Government, through lawlessness. he time has come for the Federal Government to sanction officers who through ignorance, negligence or malice, cause the Federal Government a lot of financial losses.

For example, the international community is discussing the judgement obtained against NNPC or the Ministry of Petroleum for over $8billion dollars, in arbitration in England.

T

Questions The first question the Government must investigate is, who are the officers that were to implement the contract and failed to do so? The second is, what was the level of diligence applied during the dispute resolution process? Did the corporation or official responsible for handling the dispute display the level of knowledge and consciousness required, to defend the dispute at the Arbitration panel? Arbitral awards must be taken very seriously, because the Courts are very reluctant to set aside the decisions of an Arbitral Panel. Rightly so, because they are essentially dispute resolution processes set up by the disputing parties, and thus, binding on them.

It is in this context that, it is very important to highlight the lawlessness being perpetuated by the Ministry of Aviation and FAAN. When the Murtala Mohammed Domestic Airport got burnt, Government left the place in its burnt state for a long while, and the place became a public embarrassment.

Bi-Courtney responded to a public advert from the Ministry of Aviation, seeking interest to come and build the Terminal on a Public Private Partnership (PPP). The project was ultimately awarded to Bi-Courtney Limited, when the preferred bidder failed to deliver on the project. Bi-Courtney built a masterpiece on the site, which is still the most well thought out Terminal in Nigeria today. It is to the great credit of Bi-Courtney that, twelve years after the completion of the Terminal, FAAN has not managed to build a comparable Terminal in Nigeria.

For the past eleven years, FAAN has been struggling to complete the new Abuja and Lagos Terminals which have gulped more than $800million, and are still yet to be completed. Information reaching the stakeholders is that, the project is a failed project. The design was wrong, and it requires another $400million to complete the Terminals. It would be very unfortunate, if the Federal Government does not investigate the colossal loss of money on the construction of the Terminal. We cannot continue to lose money, when the private sector can do the project better and in a more efficient manner than FAAN, as shown by Bi- Courtney Limited.

Complete Lawlessness As soon as MMA 2 was completed, Government began to violate the express terms of the Agreement, including its commitment to ensure that the Airport revenue from all domestic traffic operating in Lagos be paid to Bi-Courtney Limited. It was this Agreement and the revenue expected from the transaction, that Bi-Courtney pledged to the banks. FAAN took away 60% of the revenue of Bi-Courtney, unlawfully. How could this happen in a nation governed by laws? How could FAAN be a party to an Agreement, and from the onset, proceed to breach the terms of the Agreement, so

MMA2 Aiport Terminal

fundamentally?

Bi-Courtney after appealing to the Federal Government and FAAN for almost two years, to honour the Agreement they had signed, appealed to the Attorney- General of the Federation to look into the matter, as Bi-Courtney was bleeding profusely financially.

The Attorney-General, in line with the Concession, set up a Committee of three members form the Government, and Bi-Courtney Limited also nominated three members. The Arbitral Panel found in favour of Bi-Courtney Limited and directed as follows: a. The Concession period, is 36 years; b. AllrevenuedetailedintheAgreement,whichinclud esrevenuefromall domestic flights and surcharge on fuel consumption, belongs to Bi- Courtney Limited; c. That the General Aviation Terminal belongs to Bi-Courtney Limited, and must be immediately handed over to the Company.

According to the Court: “The Defendant, the Federal Government, is to immediately deliver up possession of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) at its Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos to the Plaintiff for the purpose of extending operations at MMA 2 as contemplated by the Agreement.”

“IN ADDITION TO FINANCIAL LOSS, THIS SORT OF ACTION, PREVENTS INVESTORS WHO HAVE A CHOICE OF COUNTRIES TO INVEST IN, FROM COMING TO NIGERIA. CAPITAL IS VERY SENSITIVE. IT PREFERS ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE STABLE, AND OPERATE IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE RULE OF LAW”

The position of the Coordination Committee, was further confirmed by the Federal High Court on the 3rd day of March, 2019.

The Ministry of Aviation and FAAN, have tried severally to upturn the judgement of the Court. All attempts have failed. The Attorney-General’s cases were dismissed twice, in the following suits: a. CA/A/221/M/2012 on 13th of June, 2012; b. CA/A/361/M/2012 on 25th of September, 2018. FAAN’s appeal was dismissed in: a. CA/A/236/2010 on 8th July, 2010 Despite this very clear situation, FAAN continues to disregard the Laws and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which state very clearly that, all Nigerians must be governed by a system that is anchored on the Rule of Law. Through the lawlessness of certain officials of the Ministry of Aviation and FAAN, a certain debt of N132billion, has been awarded against the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Consequences A further sum of about N300billion, has further accrued since 2011. This debt, will have to be paid by the Federal Government and FAAN. The officials of Government that created this massive debt, are likely to go unpunished. This is the bane of Nigeria. There is no penalty, for causing massive losses to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In addition to financial loss, this sort of action, prevents investors who have a choice of countries to invest in, from coming to Nigeria. Capital is very sensitive. It prefers environments that are stable, and operate in a manner consistent with the Rule of Law. Little wonder that, despite the massive potential that Nigeria offers, very little investment comes into the Nigerian infrastructure.

The action of these officers of Government, is an embarrassment to all Nigerians. There are a lot of well-educated and exposed Nigerians whose businesses suffer, because of the image created by careless officers like the officers of FAAN, for example.

Yemi Olayinka, Legal Practitioner, Lagos

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07.05.2019

Understanding Garnishee Proceedings through the Eyes of the Nigerian Courts Matthias Dawodu thoroughly examines Garnishee Proceedings, one of the methods of enforcing a judgement, drawing a distinction between enforcement of a judgement by a writ of execution and by garnishee proceedings, comparing previous and recent case law, to buttress his points

G Introduction

enerally, the judgement of a court is the fruit of every legal battle, and the outcome of every legal dispute in Court. In Ogboru v Uduaghan [2012] 11NWLR (Pt. 1311) pg. 357, the Supreme Court defined judgement as the official and authentic decision of a court of law, upon the respective rights and claims of the parties to an action or suit, which were litigated and submitted for the Court’s determination. Enforcement of a judgement is usually the last stage of a judicial process, after the legal right, claim or interest has been converted into a judgement or order, which remains to be enforced. The process of enforcement, is an initiative of the successful party. It is worthy to note that, every process of enforcement constitutes a fresh, separate independent proceeding, to give effect to the judgement.

Garnishee proceedings, is one of the methods of enforcing a judgement.

Meaning of Garnishee Proceedings The word “garnish” as a noun, connotes money extracted from a new prisoner by other prisoners, or as a jailer’s fee. The term “garnish” as a verb, is to subject (a property) to garnishment; to attach a property held by a third party, in order to satisfy a debt; to notify a person, a bank etc, of a pendency of a garnishment proceeding that has been undertaken, and that he (it) may be liable as stakeholder or custodian of the defendant’s property.

Garnishment is an inquisitorial proceeding, affording a harsh and extraordinary remedy. It is an anomaly, a statutory invention sui generis, with no affinity to any action known to common law. It is a method of seizure; but it is not levy in the usual acceptation of that term.

The Court of Appeal in Fidelity Bank Plc. v Francis Okwuowulu & Anor [2013] 6 NWLR (Pt. 1349) pg.197, defined garnishee proceedings, as a means of collecting a monetary judgement against a judgement debtor by ordering a third party to pay money, otherwise owed to the judgement debtor, directly to the judgement creditor.

In garnishee proceedings, the third party indebted to the judgement debtor, is called the garnishee. The judgement creditor, on the other hand, is referred to as the garnishor. Undoubtedly, both the garnishor and the garnishee, as well as the judgement debtor, constitute the parties to the proceedings.

In summary, it can be said that, a garnishee proceeding, is a process of enforcing a monetary judgement by the seizure or attachment of the debts due to the judgement debtor, which form part of his property available in execution. It is therefore, a species of execution of debts, for which the ordinary methods of execution are inapplicable. By this process, the Court has power to order a third party to pay directly to the judgement creditor, the debt due from him to the judgement debtor or as much of it as may be sufficient, to satisfy the amount of the judgement and the costs of the garnishee proceedings.

Procedure for Garnishee Proceedings The procedure for the attachment of debts by garnishee proceedings, are provided for under Sections 83-92 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, Cap S6, Laws of the Federation 2004 (“the Act”). By virtue of Section 83 of the Act, the Court may, upon the ex parte application of any person who is entitled to the benefit of a judgement for the recovery or payment of money, either before or after any oral examination of the debtor liable under such judgement, and upon affidavit by the applicant or his legal practitioner that judgement has been recovered and that it is still unsatisfied and to what amount, and that any other person is indebted to such debtor and is within the State, order that debts owing from such third person, hereinafter called the garnishee, to such debtor, shall be attached to satisfy the judgement or order together with the cost of the garnishee proceedings, and by the same or subsequent order it may be ordered that the garnishee shall appear before the court, to show cause why he should not pay the person who has obtained such judgement or order the debt due from him to such debtor or so much thereof as may be

sufficient to satisfy the judgement or order together with the cost aforesaid.

From the provisions of the Act as highlighted above, applications for garnishee proceeding are made to the Court by the judgement creditor, and the orders of the Court usually come in two stages. Whilst the first stage is obtaining the garnishee order nisi, the second stage is when the Court makes the order nisi to become absolute. For the purpose of this paper, these two stages will be discussed in details.

First Stage This deals with the process of getting the garnishee order nisi. Nisi is a Norman- French word, and it means “unless”. The order nisi directs the garnishee to appear in Court on a specified date, to show cause why an order should not be made upon him, for payment to the judgement creditor the amount of the debt owed to the judgement debtor. In essence, the Court makes an order directing that the sum covered by the application be paid into Court or to the judgement creditor within a stated time, unless there is some sufficient reason why the party on whom the order is directed, is given why the payment ordered should not be made. The application for the garnishee order nisi, is made ex-parte. For the Court to grant the application, the Applicant in his affidavit must establish the following: a. There has been a valid and subsisting judgement in favour of the judgement creditor, and against the judgement debtor, b. The judgement sum has not been satisfied, c. The garnishee is indebted to the judgement debtor, d. The garnishee is resident within the jurisdiction of the Court, e. The monies in the hands of the garnishee, is such that can be recovered by the judgement debtor through the Court proceedings.

“.... A GARNISHEE PROCEEDING, IS A PROCESS OF ENFORCING A MONETARY JUDGEMENT BY THE SEIZURE OR ATTACHMENT OF THE DEBTS DUE TO THE JUDGEMENT DEBTOR, WHICH FORM PART OF HIS PROPERTY AVAILABLE IN EXECUTION”

The order nisi must be served personally, on the garnishee and judgement debtor. Failure to serve the order nisi where service is mandatory, is a fundamental omission which renders the garnishee proceedings void, because the Court has no jurisdiction to entertain the next stage in the garnishee proceedings (See Tubonemi v Dikko [2006] 5 NWLR (Pt. 974) pg. 565). It worthy to note that, upon the granting of the order nisi, the Court gives a return date for the garnishee to show cause on why the order nisi should not be made absolute. Section 83(2) of the Act stipulates that, the order nisi must be served at least 14 days before the date of hearing for the garnishee to show cause. The service of the order nisi, binds or attaches the debt in the hands of the garnishee.

However, the mere service of the order nisi, does not necessarily operate as a transfer of the ownership of the debt to the judgment creditor. Conversely, it merely creates an equitable charge on the debt in his favour, and the garnishee cannot pay debt to anyone until the Court directs otherwise.

Second Stage This commences, on the return date stated on the order nisi. If on the return date, the garnishee does not attend, or does not dispute the debt due or claimed to be due from him to the judgement debtor, the Court may subject to certain restrictions, make an order absolute under which the garnishee is ordered forthwith to pay to the judgement creditor, the amount of debt due from him to the judgement debtor, or so much of it as is sufficient to satisfy the judgement debt together with the cost of the garnishee proceedings (See Fidelity Bank Plc. v Francis Okwuowulu [supra]).

The garnishee cannot pay the judgement debt directly to the judgement creditor, until the order nisi has been made absolute. The second stage involves all the parties (judgement creditor, garnishee and judgement debtor), and this is because, on the return date, all the parties must have been served and given opportunity to dispute liability, or pray that the order nisi be discharged for one cause or the other.

Where the garnishee disputes the proceedings, he shall file an affidavit to show cause stating the grounds of his objections, and giving reasons why the order nisi should not be made absolute against him. Under Section 87 of the Act, where a garnishee disputes liability, the Court may then order that any issue or question necessary for determining his liability may be heard in any manner in which any issue or question in any proceedCONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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UNDERSTANDING GARNISHEE PROCEEDINGS THROUGH THE EYES OF THE NIGERIAN COURTS ings may be tried or determined, and may refer the matter to a referee (See Nigeria Hotels Ltd v Nzekwe [1990] 5 NWLR (Pt. 149) pg. 187). The onus placed on a garnishee would only be discharged, if he successfully establishes that the account referred to in the order nisi does not exist, or the garnishee does not have any funds of the judgement debtor in his custody (See Citizens Int’l Bank Ltd. v SCOA (Nig.) Ltd. [2006] 18 NWLR (Pt. 1011) pg. 332).

It should be noted that, it is only monies standing to the credit of the judgement debtor as at the time the order nisi is served, that is attachable. The order nisi will not attach any money paid into the bank account of the judgement debtor after its service, nor will it affect the money of other people standing in the bank account of the judgement debtor which he has no right to dispose of (See Sokoto State Government v Kamadax Nig. Ltd. [2004] 9 NWLR (Pt. 878) pg. 345). It is crucial to note also that, where the judgement debtor has funds in excess of the amount of the judgement debt and costs, he is still entitled to the balance, and is at liberty to withdraw or operate his account, notwithstanding the order nisi. However, this is subject only to if the amount is in excess of the judgement debt and cost of the garnishee proceeding.

Where a garnishee fails to file an affidavit to show cause, and the Court proceeds to make the order nisi absolute, the only remedy for a garnishee who has an objection to the garnishee proceeding at this stage, is to file an appeal against the order absolute before the Appellate Court, particularly more so that the order absolute is a final order of the Court (See Union Bank Plc. v Boney Marcus Ind. Ltd. [2005] 13 NWLR (Pt. 943) pg. 654).

Once the garnishee order nisi is made absolute, it brings to conclusion the garnishee proceeding, as the Court thereafter, becomes functus officio as far as the matter is concerned, in that, the Judge who decided the matter, is precluded from again considering the matter, even if new evidence or arguments are presented to him.

Finally, it should be noted that, whilst there can be no appeal against an order nisi, an appeal against the order absolute, can be made before an Appellate Court.

Recent Developments Status of the Judgement Debtor In the past, there have been several conflicting decisions by the Courts, as to whether the judgement debtor is a party to the garnishee proceeding. Several authorities (N. A. O. C. v Ogini [2010] 2 NWLR (Pt.1230) pg; NITEL Plc. v I. C. I. C. (Directory Publishers) Ltd. [2009] 16 NWLR (Pt. 1167) pg. 356; and Denton-West v Muoma, [2008] 6 NWLR (Pt. 1083) pg. 418) have held that, a judgement debtor is not a necessary party to a garnishee proceeding, and he is only a nominal party whose duty is to watch the proceedings. In U. B. A. Plc. v Ekanem [2010] 6 NWLR (Pt. 1190) pg. 207, the Court of Appeal held that, a judgement debtor has little or no role to play in garnishee proceedings, he is a nominal party whose money in the custody of the garnishee is being recovered by the judgement creditor, in satisfaction of the judgement debt owed to the judgement creditor.

The judgement debtor is not the one requested to appear before the Court, to show cause why the order nisi should not be made absolute.

In sharp contrast to what was decided by the Courts in the past, recent decisions of the Courts have held that, whilst the judgement debtor cannot be heard during the first stage of the garnishee proceeding as the granting of the garnishee order nisi is strictly between the judgement creditor and the garnishee, however, after the service of the order nisi on the judgement debtor, subsequent hearing envisages a tripartite proceedings in which all the three parties (judgement creditor, garnishee and judgement debtor) must be heard. In short, from the commencement of the second stage, the judgement debtor becomes a necessary party to the garnishee proceeding, and can be heard before the order nisi is made absolute. In the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Nigerian Breweries Plc. v Dumuje [2016] 8 NWLR (Pt. 1515) pg. 536, it was held that, by virtue of Section 83(2) of the Act which makes it mandatory that the judgement debtor must be served with the order nisi, and in line with the constitutional provision of fair hearing, the judgement debtor is a necessary party, who should be heard before the Court makes a garnishee order absolute.

The decision of the Court of Appeal was further given judicial weight, in the very recent decision of the Supreme Court in Jenkins Duvie Giane Gwede v Delta State House of Assembly (SC/595/2018 - judgement delivered on 15th February, 2019) which held that, upon the service of the order nisi, the judgement debtor becomes a necessary party, and can be heard before the order nisi is made absolute. However, it is worthy to note that, in this case, the Supreme Court made it clear that, the judgement debtor can only be heard if or where he observes irregularities or suppression of material facts in what is presented before the Court, by the judgement creditor. Thus, where the judgement sought to be enforced is certain, in terms of the parties, the judgement sum and the party adjudged the debtor, then the

“ONCE THE GARNISHEE ORDER NISI IS MADE ABSOLUTE, IT BRINGS TO CONCLUSION THE GARNISHEE PROCEEDING, AS THE COURT THEREAFTER, BECOMES FUNCTUS OFFICIO AS FAR AS THE MATTER IS CONCERNED, IN THAT, THE JUDGE WHO DECIDED THE MATTER, IS PRECLUDED FROM AGAIN CONSIDERING THE MATTER, EVEN IF NEW EVIDENCE OR ARGUMENTS ARE PRESENTED TO HIM”

judgement debtor has nothing to say in the garnishee proceeding, and would not be allowed to interfere in the proceeding.

In Nigerian Breweries Plc. v Dumuje (supra) the Court held that, a judgement debtor can challenge the order nisi through the following methods, and for any of the following reasons: a. File an application to the same Court to set aside the order nisi, for want of jurisdiction where the computation of the money sought to be recovered had been done unilaterally and not based on a specific order of Court.

In other words, when the actual total judgement debt, is being challenged. This is because, a garnishee order can only be made upon a sum certain or liquidated amount, which cannot be varied. b. File a motion to vacate the order nisi supported by an affidavit to show the Court that there has been partial execution of the judgement, or that part of the judgement debt filed by the judgement creditor, is not factually correct. c. File a motion supported by affidavit, to show that proper parties were not before the Court. d. File an affidavit supported by exhibits, that there is a motion for stay of execution of the judgement before the Court, and an appeal had been lodged by the judgement debtor against the said judgement or ruling.

In summary, and based on the above recent decisions of the Appellate Courts, whilst it can be concluded that a judgement debtor is only a nominal party at the first stage of the garnishee proceedings, he becomes a necessary party at the second stage and he is entitled to be heard, before the order nisi is made absolute, and can appeal as of right against the order absolute. It would defeat the ends of justice and the right to fair hearing as guaranteed by the Constitution, if the judgement debtor is seen as a nominal party, who cannot be heard before the garnishee order nisi is made absolute.

Distinction between Enforcement of Judgement by a Writ of Execution and Garnishee Proceedings Another recent development worthy of mention, is that in the past, the Courts have held that, the existence of an application for stay of execution of the judgement, does not preclude a judgement creditor from seeking to use garnishee proceedings to enforce the judgement, on the basis that a garnishee proceedings is sui generis and is totally different from enforcement of judgement by a writ of execution. In Purification Tech. (Nig.) Ltd. v A. G. Lagos State [2004] 9 NWLR (Pt. 879) pg. 665, the Court held that “there is a distinction between the enforcement of a judgement by a writ of execution, and by garnishee proceedings. This is made manifest by the exclusion of garnishee proceedings from the definition of Writ of Execution under Section 19 of the Act; and

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

by the fact that, Order VIII rule 7 of the Judgements (Enforcement) Rules, clearly provides that execution could be issued against a garnishee. In other words, if there is no distinction between the enforcement of a judgement by a writ of execution and by garnishee proceedings, the provision enabling execution to be issued against a garnishee, would be superfluous. Consequently, the existence of an application seeking for an order of stay of execution of a judgement, does not preclude a judgement creditor from seeking to use garnishee proceedings to enforce the judgement. In the instant case, the contention of the Respondent that the Appellant was not entitled to enforce the judgement in its favour by garnishee proceeding, because the Respondent had filed an application for stay of execution, is untenable.” This decision was also followed by the Court of Appeal in NITEL Plc. v I. C. I. C. (Directory Publishers) Ltd. [2009] 16 NWLR (Pt. 1167) pg. 356; U. B. A. Plc. v Ekanem [2010] 6 NWLR (Pt. 1190) pg. 207; and P. P. M. C. v Delphi Petroleum Inc. [2005] 8 NWLR (Pt. 428) pg. 488.

Recent decisions from the Courts, have shown a clear departure from the above position. In Nigerian Breweries Plc. v Dumuje [supra], the Court of Appeal after listening to several amici curiae held ,that “Section 19 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act defines writ of execution to include writ of attachment and sale, writ of delivery, writ of possession and writ of sequestration.

The use of the word “includes” in the definition, means that the modes of execution in which a writ can be used are not exhaustive, and do not allow for the operation of the maxim expression unis est alterius, the express mention of one thing is to the exclusion of the other.

Consequently, the phrase “writ of execution” as defined in Section 19 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, is not limited to the processes mentioned in the section. The definition is expansive and can be enlarged, to include garnishee proceedings, because the definition does not expressly exclude it.” The Court further held that, “Order VIII rule 7(1) of the Judgement (Enforcement) Rules, provides that execution against the garnishee under Section 86 of the Act, shall be by a writ of execution in Form 27. The effect of the provision is that, garnishee proceedings is one of the forms of execution of judgement, at the end of which a writ of judgement can issue. Accordingly, where there is a pending application for stay of execution of judgement, especially in a Superior Court, a party cannot execute the judgement by a garnishee proceeding on the premise that it is an independent proceeding which is not an execution of judgement, and does not require the attention of the judgement debtor. This is so, because, the execution of the judgement will impose a fait accompli on the Appellate Court.” It is pertinent to note that, this decision of the Court of Appeal greatly influenced the judgement of the Supreme Court in Jenkins Duvie Giane Gwede v Delta State House of Assembly [supra], on why the Court should hear a judgement debtor, before the garnishee order nisi can be made absolute.

Finally, on this issue, it is worthy to note that, execution means the process for enforcing or giving effect to the judgement of the Court, and it is completed when the judgement creditor gets the money or other thing, awarded to him by the Court. Consequently, there is no difference between execution of judgement and garnishee proceedings, because both are aimed at recovering the fruits of a judgement.

Therefore, it is wrong to allow garnishee proceedings continue in the face of a pending application for stay of execution. Based on this, one can conclude that, the existence of an appeal coupled with an application for stay of execution of the judgement, shall apply to restrain the execution of a judgement through garnishee proceedings.

Conclusion The purpose of executing a judgment, is to obtain the fruits of the judgement. A garnishee proceeding, is one of the methods by which monetary judgement can be enforced. It is a judicial proceeding in which a creditor asks the Court to order a third party who is indebted or a bailee for the debtor, to turn over to the creditor any of the debtor’s monies held by that third party. Application for garnishee proceedings are made to the Court by the judgement creditor, and the orders of the Court usually come in two stages. The first is the garnishee order nisi, and this involves only the judgement creditor and the garnishee, as the judgement debtor is only a nominal party at this stage. The second stage commences after the service of the order nisi on all the parties, and this is when the judgement debtor, becomes a necessary party. The order nisi is made absolute, when the Court is satisfied that there is no objection from any of the parties as to the amount the garnishee is to pay, in satisfaction of the judgement sum. Finally, it is worthy to note that, recent authorities have confirmed that a judgement debtor is a necessary party to the garnishee proceedings once it is served with the order nisi, and an application for stay of execution of a judgement can stop the hearing of a garnishee proceeding.

Matthias Dawodu, Senior Associate, S.P.A. Ajibade & Co., Lagos Office

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26

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍľË&#x153; 2019

BUSINESSWORLD

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

Ͳ Ë&#x153; Í° ÍŽ ÍŻ ͡ MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

REPO 5.93 % 5.29%

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

6.50% 9.00 % 9.75%

S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

387.13%% 0.08% 0.11%

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

0.14% 8.45%

EXCHANGE RATE N306.95/1US DOLLAR* ĚŠ

Quick Takes Ruzu Receives ISO CertiďŹ cation

TheWorld Quality Alliance has presented Ruzu Herbal Products and Services Limited with International Organisation for standardization (ISO) certiďŹ cation. The Country Director of World Quality Alliance, Mr Desmond Esorougwe, during a forum in Lagos, disclosed that RUZU Herbal products has been legally sanctiďŹ ed after reaching the climax of good and quality products. Esorougwe said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;ISO does not regulate products and services but spells out the procedures and put it in a document to help companies like RUZU bitters to manufacture reliable products and provide good services. â&#x20AC;&#x153;During our research to send companies around the world to be recognized by ISO, out of forty-eight companies that we sent, sixteen companies were actually recognised and RUZU was one of them.â&#x20AC;?The Chief Executive OďŹ&#x192;cer of RUZU Herbal Products and Services Limited, Dr. Robert Onyemaechi, expressed gratitude and thanked ISO for the certiďŹ cation.

Operators Set for Engineering Conference

MOU SIGNING

L-R: Divisional CEO, Interswitch Group, Akeem Lawal; United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt and CEO, Bekoz, Jack Dangoor, at the signing of a partnership agreement to drive cashless multi-modal transportation in Nigeria, that took place in Abujaâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

Manufacturers Seek Stable Gas Price to Enhance Production Jonathan Eze The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources to immediately address challenges encountered by manufacturers with the pricing of gas.

The association noted that the average price of gas globally ranges between $2.5per scm, whereas in Nigeria, it is $7.45per scm.

The President of MAN, Mr. Ahmed Mansur, made this call during an interactive session on gas pricing.

Acccording to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is worrisome and with this kind of differential, Nigeria manufacturers cannot and may never be competitive.â&#x20AC;?

Mansur, who was represented by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of

ECONOMY Flour Mills, Paul Gbededo, noted that the price of gas has become a major source of conflict between manufacturers and gas franchisers.

He pointed out that the persistent increase in the price of natural gas used by our members to power their plants and machineries has reached a crisis dimension. MAN also noted that the continued denomination of price of gas in US Dollars has made the product perpetually exorbitant and gradually getting outside the reach of majority of the manufacturers, particularly the SMIs. The MAN president added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are areas we hope to critically look into and address in order to help the competitiveness of our members and the concerted efforts to improve

the current contributions of the manufacturing sector to boost the Gross Domestic Product of the country.â&#x20AC;?

He, however, explained that necessary technical advice should facilitate the process of moving towards a fair price of gas for the manufacturers for the interest of the economy, with a call on government and oil stakeholders to initiate a functional policy within the government, especially in the resolution of the oil gas pricing issue.

Mansur noted that, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;it is imperative and incumbent on government to clarify the recent confusion over the amendments of the Federal Government Official Gazette No.2, Vol. 106 dated 4th January 2019. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A new Gazette in the Gas Pricing Framework for Textile Industries surfaces without the inclusion of manufacturing sector

as previously indicated in the earlier Gazette vide; Federal Government Gazette No.2 of 4th January 2019, Vol.3: Gas Pricing for Textile and Manufacturing Sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our members earnestly seek official clarification of the latest position of Government and the operational Gazette they should rely upon to plan their operations and make their business projections,â&#x20AC;? he added â&#x20AC;&#x153;Particularly, we hope the outcomes of our engagement will include a definite gas price and a price mechanism that supports industrial production, competitiveness, wealth and job creation, with the accompanying positive multiplier effect on the economy.â&#x20AC;?

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman Gas Users Group, Continued on page 24

FG, P&G to Launch SME Academy James Emejo in Abuja The federal government and Procter and Gamble (P&G) Nigeria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a public-private partnership initiative to launch the SME Development Academy.

The agreement was signed between the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, on behalf of the Federal Government while P&G Director, Government Relations, Africa, Temitope Iluyemi signed on behalf of the company. The strategic partnership was expected to leverage the ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SME Academy Programme, which aims at delivering structured skills training, advisory and

ECONOMY mentoring activities and services for selected Nigerian owned SMEs within the academy scheme in order to enable better outcomes for communities, households and the country in general.

The minister said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today is an important day for us and for SMEs across the country.

Today we signed an MoU with Procter and Gamble who has shown a lot of interest in giving back to society especially the Nigeria society. And they have been in Nigeria for over twenty years and they felt it necessary to support SMEs because they believe these are the people who are also their vital customers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For us on the side of

government, of course we have over 38 million SMEs and the number is growing everyday as our children are graduating from universities looking for jobs that we are not able to provide: the best thing to do is to develop SMEs by giving them enabling environment and of course, to expand our private sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This partnership is one that we hope will open up the space for SMEs to contribute to the development of this country and for them to also become employers of labour.â&#x20AC;?

According to her: â&#x20AC;&#x153;SMEs have proven to be an important part of our economy, hence the need to help them scale up and achieve more. This partnership with P&G could not have come at a better time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ministry is pleased that

this public private partnership will support the programme of the government to train SME Academy participants on key financial management principles and expose them to financial literacy, improve their access to finance and promote business ethicsâ&#x20AC;?.

However, Iluyemi said the objective was to give back to the country by enhancing the skills of SMEs to more competitive as well as able to operate on the global stage, being employers of labour, thereby contributing to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development.

She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This partnership demonstrates P&Gâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to be a force for good and a force for growth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are committed to Continued on page 24

The sixth edition of the BCW(Building and Civil engineeringWorks) and Infrastructure Conference will be held Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the 10-11 October 2019.The conference aims to explore how to develop public and private partnerships, promote infrastructure development in a more adapted and dynamic way, as well as position Africa as a destination of choice for investors by highlighting various investment options. Achieving Africa statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; aspiration for growth, development and transformation rely on the eďŹ&#x20AC;ective implementation of innovative policies ensuring their continental and global integration.

The BCWand Infrastructure Conference would see approximately over 300 delegates from across the continent.

Spear-headed by Kaizene International, a London and Abidjanbased ďŹ rm, organisers of the Annual Conference on Infrastructure and Public works, capacity building through training and coaching, and corporatesocialresponsibility.â&#x20AC;&#x153;WomeninAfricaneedtobecomemore representativeinmostspheres,includingininfrastructuresectors,they need to become more involved in the decision-making and planning of infrastructure projects and programmesâ&#x20AC;?, said the afro-optimist and realist, Kaizeneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founder, Lynda Aphing-Kouassi, who is well known to be particularly passionate about the contribution of women and youth to the growth and development of the continent, she has identiďŹ ed the areas above as her sphere of inďŹ&#x201A;uence.

ZimbabweCentralBankGovernorReappointed

Zimbabweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sPresidentEmmersonMnangagwaonFridayappointed John Mangudya for a second and ďŹ nal ďŹ ve-year term as central bank governor, a government oďŹ&#x192;cial said. Mangudya was ďŹ rst appointed to the post in 2014 but his term was marred by the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to introduce the surrogate bond note currency two years later in a bid to end a severe shortage of U.S. dollars and cash. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The extension takes eďŹ&#x20AC;ect from 1 May 2019 for another ďŹ ve years,â&#x20AC;?

Misheck Sibanda, chief secretary to the president and cabinet said in a statement. According to Reuters, Mangudyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment had been largely expected after Mnangagwaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spokesman George Charamba said the governor would get a second term. Zimbabwe is gripped by a severe shortage of dollars that has seen the country struggle to import food and medicines for hospitals.

Total, Occidental Seal Deal

French energy major Total said on Sunday it had reached a binding agreementwithOccidentaltoacquireAnadarkoassetsinAlgeria,Ghana, Mozambique and South Africa for a consideration of $8.8 billion. The ďŹ rm said the transaction was contingent upon Occidental entering into and completing its proposed acquisition of Anadarko and approval of relevant authorities.The deal, according to Reuters, was expected to close in 2020. Total said the assets represented around 1.2 billion barrelsofoilequivalent(boe)of2Preserves,ofwhich70percentisgas, plus 2 billion boe of long term natural gas resources in Mozambique.

It added that despite the capital investment in Mozambique LNG, the acquisition is expected to be free cashďŹ&#x201A;ow positive from 2020 even at a Brent price of less than $50 per barrel and to generate more than$1billionayearoffreecashďŹ&#x201A;owfrom2025onwardsafterstart-up of Mozambique LNG.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe that in the course of the year, at some point, the issue of oil subsidy, has to be addressed. I am a believer in the fact that capitalism must have a human face and that any government that must care for its people must think of the less well-off in the societyâ&#x20AC;?

MD/CEO, FSDH Merchant Bank,

Mrs. Hamda Ambah

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BUSINESSWORLD MANUFACTURERS SEEK STABLE GAS PRICE TO ENHANCE PRODUCTION

MAN, Michael Adebayo, said benchmarking of the price of gas to the US dollars had made the process very volatile and was responsible for the various increases in the price of gas witnessed. Adebayo further noted that benchmarking the price of gas to the dollar exchange rate was not in consonance with the CBN directive of transacting businesses in Nigeria in the local currency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unfortunately, gas franchisers saw this adjustment as an opportunity and used it as the basis to increase prices thereby undermining the Gas Sale Purchase Agreement (GSPA), which was collectively signed

by MAN members,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Adedayo further stressed that gas franchisers should be advised to stop their unwarranted threats of disconnection and issuance of outrageous invoices, which he said was in defiance of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;gentleman agreementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; being currently worked out by the federal government on the appropriate gas pricing in Nigeria.

FG, P&G TO LAUNCH SME ACADEMY

empowering SMEs and helping them get adequate skills for the success of their business. Our ultimate aim is to see small businesses grow and contribute to the overall growth of our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lack of organisational capabilities is a major factor that can limit development in SMEs and we believe this is an opportunity to offer unique value towards the most pressing issues encountered by business owners. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe very much that SMEs are the bedrock of any economy, so if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t develop them, then we are doing a disservice to our people. The passion comes from the fact P&G itself started up with two SMEs in the US and today has grown into a conglomerate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We see the same vision for SMEs in Nigeria and we realise that we need to equip them with the right skills, knowledge and to upscale their skills to enable them be more competitive not only in Nigeria but also be competitive enough to operate on a regional as well as on a global scale.

NEWS

Allegation of Fraud Tears Anambra Market Apart David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Allegation of embezzlement of N80 million by the leadership of Bridge Head Market Traders Association has torn the market apart, pitting the executives and board of trustees of the market against each other.

The board of trustees of the market, led by Mr Emma Ilonze and Chukwudi Ekwueme as chairman and secretary respectively in a petition to the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano described the chairman of the market, Mr Sunday Obinze, as a corrupt official having been accused of using fake receipts to embezzle N80million illegally collected from traders in the market.

The board of trustees of the market in a press briefing in Onitsha recently sent a note of warning to Obiano, saying that bloodshed, disorderliness and doom was in the air as the traders were planning to take laws into their hands if Obinze was not prosecuted.

Our correspondent gathered from a source in the market that the traders plan to block the Niger bridge to force the governor to take action against Obinze.

Part of the petition by the BOT which was made available to journalists read, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is an unfortunate and shameful discovery of fraud, diversion of

government revenues through printing and dispensing of fake receipts by Mr Sunday Obinze. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The board of trustees of this market therefore deem it necessary to raise concern and bring to the notice of relevant authorities these endemic atrocities that would never stop except by your(Obiano) intervention. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Wealth Creation, Dr Christian Madu-

buko, during a visit to our market announced that record showed that our chairman, Mr Sunday Obinze diverted the sum of N80 million accruing to Anambra government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since then, he has not been prosecuted, and is rather warming up to contest for second term in the market, and we can not allow this kind of character to return as our chairman.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, Obinze has denied that he was indicted by

the commissioner, nor was he involved in the embezzlement of the said sum.

Obinze, who spoke to THISDAY in his office, said he was aware that the members of board of trustees of the market were fighting him, but the fight was about his refusal to share monies belonging to the market amongst them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are lying, the commissioner never indicted me, and he(commissioner) is still

alive and you can ask him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since my election in 2015, they have been pestering me for me to share among them monies belonging to the market association, but I said no, and that is their main grouse. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are doing this because they know that our association is going to hold election soon, and they want to use this allegations to stop me, because they know I am popular among traders,â&#x20AC;? Obinze said.

PRODUCT LAUNCH

L-R: Senior Brand Manager, Feminine Care Category, WECA, Kimberly Clark, Christopher Waithaka; Head of Marketing, Kemi Saliu; Manufacturing Operations Director, EMEA, Raffaella De Medici and GBA Director, West Africa, Balaji Koushik, at the official launch of Kotex range of sanitary pads and tampons into the Nigerian Market, in Lagos...recently ABIODUN AJALA

Baru Applauds Total on Egina FPSO Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru, has commended Total Group for delivering Egina Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel below the budget of $14.9 billion, as against the $16 billion budget forecast.

The NNPC helmsman stated that Total was the only integrated company operating in Nigeria that ensured that more than 75 per cent Nigerian Content footprint was registered in the project from inception to completion.

He gave this commendation, while receiving the Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, Total Group, Patrick Jean PouyannĂŠ and other top management of the Group, in Abuja. Baru, was quoted to have said this in a statement by the corporationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division NNPC, Abuja Ndu Nghamadu.

According to Baru, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also congratulate you on the efficiency you brought to bear on that project as it was delivered below budget and with very high Nigerian Content. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The integration yard of Egina FPSO is there to stay and many

other FPSOs will be constructed from that yard.â&#x20AC;?

The GMD commended Total Group for the support extended to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project, stressing that it would further bolster the development of other fields that would lead to the takeoff of NLNG Train 7.

The NNPC boss, applauded Total Group for its proposal on a renewable energy solution joint venture between NNPC and the Group, adding that the corporation would expeditiously set up a team to work with Total Group with a view to boosting the electricity supply in-country.

On the downstream, Baru

praised Total Group for the collaboration with the corporation in ensuring steady supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to thank you and your leadership for your pragmatic approach to resolving all issues as it relates to Joint Ventures and Production Sharing Contracts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This strategy has further strengthened our business relations and deepen our commitment to our goals of adding value to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hydrocarbon resources for the benefit of Nigerians and other relevant stakeholders,â&#x20AC;? Baru posited. Earlier, PouyannĂŠ, said Nigeria was very important to

the Total Group, reiterating that the Egina FPSO was delivered below budget with a lot of Nigerian content.

He reassured that Total would continue to invest in more deep water projects in Nigeria and described the NLNG project as a very important asset that his company was deeply committed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria has the largest potential for oil and gas exploration in Africa. Total Group is looking ahead into the future and we would continue to collaborate with Nigeria and NNPC in Oil and Gas Exploration, NLNG and Renewable energy,â&#x20AC;? PouyannĂŠ added.

Ikeja Disco Inducts 32 Young Engineers Peter Uzoho and Esther Oluku 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)

The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) has inaugurated the 2019 Young Engineers Programme (YEP) in the company, made up of 32 fresh graduates from different universities across the country.

They are expected to undergo a-12-month training on power sector as well as to understudy the culture of the organisation.

The 2019 inductees are the third batch of the discoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internship programme which began in 2014, as a strategic response to the immediate talent requirement to inject young and vibrant engineers into the power sector.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;These young engineers were selected after going through written assessment tests and a series of one-one interview sessions which involved over 2, 500 applicants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have been hired because we recognise their talent and potential and we are confident that they will go on to build a successful career at Ikeja Electric,â&#x20AC;? the Chief Executive Officer, Ikeja Electric, Mr Anthony Youdeowei, said at the induction ceremony in Lagos recently.

Youdeowei added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The intensive 12 month programme is designed to immerse our young engineers in the processes, procedures and operations of

the Nigerian power industry.

During the programme, they will go through a number of classroom-based learning sessions followed by hands-on and on-the-job work experience with rotations to different units and departments within the organisation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The training will also incorporate power generation and transmission, thereby providing them with exposure to the entire energy value chainâ&#x20AC;?.

The CEO, however, disclosed that since the YEP programme commenced, the organisation has produced 66 young engineers including the newly-inducted participants.

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is our belief and expectation that the story of this set of young engineers

will be even more successful.â&#x20AC;?

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Human Resources and Administration Officer, Ikeja Electric, Mr. Henry Ajibola, explained that the programme was aimed at, â&#x20AC;&#x153;converting formal engineering qualifications into work based knowledge centered upon power industry work; allow young engineers to better understand the processes that support the activities performed in field operations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teach young engineers how to function in a multidisciplinary organisation and promote a common goal and objective; improve young engineersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; problem-solving capability and ability to handle new situations; and improve

their personal, interpersonal and communication skills.â&#x20AC;?

Also, while congratulating the inductees, Ajibola charged them to be driven and motivated by the desire to contribute to their country, saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;You need to have that determination to succeed, that courage to question the status quo. You need to take this as a project, not a jobâ&#x20AC;?.

Also, the Chairman of Ikeja Electric, Mr. Kola Adesina, enjoined the inductees to use the opportunity offered them to write their names in gold.

He equally urged them to use the opportunity to give Nigerians a better life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Work with sense and balance. Have focus. Work together as a team,â&#x20AC;? he said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ENERGY

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Deji: Better Project Financing Driving Off Grid Power Market Ayodeji Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Deji, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Protergia Energy, an indigenous renewable energy outfit which has designed and implemented a number of high capacity solar-based energy solutions for homes, industries and offices. In this interview with Chineme Okafor, he speaks about development in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s off grid and renewable energy market. Excerpts: It is amazing how Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s renewable energy and off grid power sector is gaining traction. I guess few people expected this to be the case at this time, howâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it so, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really driving this positive traction?

The renewable energy and off-grid power sector is gaining traction even with few peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expectation because of there is an increased enlightenment on the technology locally and international due to the green and clean energy revolution as demonstrated by the commitment of over 195 countries at the Paris climate conference of 2015 and African Union. This fostered the national acceptance of renewable energy technology and its application.

To also bridge the energy and power demand gap created by inadequate power supply from the national grid and the operational cost of using generators, it became imperative for homes and businesses to embrace sustainable renewable energy solutions. For example, in September of 2018, we commissioned 150 kilowatt power (kWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) grid-tied power system to the energy mix of the Gateway plant of International Breweries Plc. (ABInBev) located in Sagamu, Ogun State. The project is phase of a planned clean energy adoption by ABInBev. Also, the positive traction could be as a result of improved project financing or funding by international donor and development agencies, and even project financiers especially in the commercial and industrial (C&I) energy market.

and her credit worthiness.

Has the government in anyway changed its posture on the sector as it used to be complacent about helping the market attain its potential, especially between 2017 and 2018?

Yes, the government has changed its posture on the renewable and off grid energy and sector as evident with the adoption by it of the National Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) of 2015 and the Nigerian Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEP) 2015. With support from the Nigeria Eenergy Support Programme (NESP) of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂźr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the ministry of power is leading this charge. However, there is more work to be done especially in terms of the political will to pursue the implementation of the policy.

Also, in 2017 and 2018, there was an increased government activity through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) as seen with the Energising Education Programme (EEP) and Energising Economies Initiative (EEI).

Do you think there are enough commercial solar projects now being closed out or achieving FID in Nigeria quickly, are operators posting good business results from these?

Yes, we can see that evidently in Nigeria and from the Bloomberg reports there has been significant increase in the number of pipeline projects being implemented by operators in Africa, especially Nigeria.

A couple of people do think renewable energy cannot power industries or heavy economic outďŹ ts, but now you told me your company did provide a solar-based energy solution for a brewery, can you shed more light on that?

Renewable energy sources have the same electric charges as your conventional power from the grid or generator sets. Therefore, it

So, from your interactions, what is the business scenario for commercial and industrial solar PVs in Nigeria, would you say companies are considering or turning to it for their energy needs yet, and how so?

Usually, commercial PV Installations are targeted at reducing fuel cost and eventual operational expenditure. However, there are exceptions where Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) are provided for night operations or essential daytime and night time loads. Due to the efficiency of installed commercial PVs for the two options as tested in Nigeria, gradually, in many ways businesses in Nigeria are subscribing to renewable energy power option because they are beginning to see these evident results.

Do renewable energy operators in Nigeria still contend seriously with taxes and import duties? This was a combative issue largely in 2017 and 2018.

Yes, we do every day. We hope the government could contribute more by reducing import and custom duties on system components in the interim to further help in developing the RE sector in Nigeria. This is because duties factor in the cost of installation materials and planning of the project and we are looking to start manufacturing some of these materials locally.

O â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Deji can power any electrical device or equipment as long as the renewable energy system is adequately engineered or sized. Most people are used to seeing small scale solar power systems which can power maybe a bulb or two, a fan and a television, and jump to an incorrect conclusion that solar can only power small appliances. But, the fact is that a solar system with any capacity will power anything within that capacity.

Bringing home this point, just as an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I pass my neighborâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; generator cannot power an air-conditioner due to its capacity, a diesel generator has the capacity to power a whole estate. This simply means that the higher the installed capacity of a solar system, the higher equipment and appliances it can power.

And, a proof of this is in our project with International Breweries Plc. (Anheuser-Busch InBev), they are the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest brewer.

The company committed to solar powered brewing operations in order to reduce cost and carbon emission footprint and as such, Protergia Nigeria Limited completed a 150kWp PV installation at its Sagamu plant which energises the engine and control room of the plant. International Brewery Plc looks to increase renewable energy power genera-

tion and eventually energise the whole two megawatts plant with sustainable energy in future phases of the project.

It is interesting to know this because I read recently about another brewery saying it was the ďŹ rst to deploy renewables in its operations in Nigeria, but now youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re telling me you actually did the ďŹ rst for another, is that correct?

As evident from my previous answers, we commissioned the project in September of 2018.

This means the plant has been operational for eight to nine months already. So, the solar PV project at the Gateway plant of International Brewery Plc (ABInBev) is the first operational solar system installation in a brewery in Nigeria which Protergia Nigeria Limited is proud to be a part of.

How was the payment or ďŹ nancing plan structured for the brewery project?

This particular project was financed by International Breweries Plc (ABInBev) as part of their plant building project finance.

However, we at Protergia Nigeria Limited can offer tested, reliable and proven financing or payment models; depending on the client

There are thoughts that Nigeria would get nothing in terms of local content from the RE sector, and this is mostly informed by the fact that the technologies are foreign.

Where lies the local content opportunity for Nigeria in this market?

Like I said earlier, we are looking to having a robust RE component manufacturing drive locally through technology transfer; well, it takes a while to have a fully functional manufacturing sector but we hope to begin with fabricating mounting structures, MC4 connectors, amongst others while we work towards a time when we can assemble key components.

Would you give a forecast of the sector for the next three quarters in 2019 as there seems to be a lot going on especially within the REA? Well, I would simply say that it is going to be a productive year.

FMN Reorganises Cassava Processing Business Jonathan Eze Thai Farm International Limited (a subsidiary of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc - FMN) and a major stakeholder in the industrial production of Garri - Golden Penny Garri, has announced the change of its corporate name to Premium Cassava Products Limited (PCPL) effective April 1, 2019.

The name change which was part of a larger group-wide restructuring program by the management of FMN for its businesses in agriculture sector was intended to improve not just the efficiency of its various businesses in that sector, but to greatly increase the synergy within the group while creating more value addition opportunities. Speaking on the change of

identity, the Chief Operating Officer of the Agro-allied Division, Nassib Raffoul said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This change was borne from the overall mandate to adopt a common identity across the Agro-Allied businesses under the division. Other than the change of identity, our existing policies on products, customer relations, quality commitment, management and directions

shall remain as it is. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our customers, consumers and other stakeholders will continue to get the best of services that they have become accustomed to while partnering Thai Farm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the new brand identity, Premium Cassava Products Limited is now truly revitalised to deliver on its core focus of producing quality products to its customers. Admittedly, the

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Farm,â&#x20AC;? in the old name was a little confusing to some of our first-time customers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, it is important to now clarify that the company is primarily, a processor and famed producers of high-quality cassava flour and the popular golden penny garri,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The new brand identity includes a top-to-bottom redesign of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s logo,

graphics, communications and correspondence.

PCPLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new brand assets include a fresh, simplified, logo that features the new name in light grey, and in green, the new 3-leaves insignia, that has been adopted and incorporated in the logos of all the business units under the FMN Agro-Allied division, symbolising uniformity and consistency of purpose.

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Bank-Anthony: Govts in Africa Must Diversify from Crude Exports The Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, Mr. Bank-Anthony Okoroafor, who is also the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of two oil service companies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CB Geophysical Solutions Limited and Vhelbherg International Limited, in this interview urges economies in Africa to develop refining capacity to eliminate smuggling. He also speaks about preparations ahead of the 2020 Sub Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference. Peter Uzoho presents the excerpts: will create wealth and value in our region.

The oil & Gas industry needs to become an enabler for Africa economic growth and not just a revenue earner. An economy powered by adequate electricity & petroleum products.

We need to build enough entrepreneurial capacity in Africa. Africa need about a 100 Dangoteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Tony Elumeluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Africa. Our priority should be to eliminate poverty while preserving our environment. Africa is under explored with a huge hydrocarbon potential and a readily available market. The continent has the opportunity to use its oil and gas reserves to boost its economic and social development.

The future prospects look brighter than before.

Investors have changed their perception of Africa as a risky jurisdiction to a jurisdiction of enormous opportunities. With the enablers in place, the oil & gas industry will finally become a source for Africa economic growth and not just a revenue earner. Regional collaboration requires government and industry working together because of the complex issues involved.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the idea behind rebranding WAIPEC to Sub-Saharan Africa International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference?

It is no longer West Africa focused, but the focus is now on sub-Saharan Africa For SAIPEC 2020, what will you be presenting to industry stakeholders that will be different from your previous editions?

Oil & Gas as an Enabler for Economic Transformation in Sub-Sahara Africa. We will be discussing critical issues affecting the oil and gas industry in sub-Saharan Africa today and how to create value and use energy as an enabler for economic transformation, industrialisation and growth instead of as rent.

We will assemble seasoned industry stakeholders and experts who will dissect this theme from their perspectives and experiences.

From your experience so far and in your opinion, what are the challenges in the region?

Collaboration and economic diversification - Economic diversification needed now; most especially diversification from crude export to in-country refining for more value addition; inter-country trade cooperation and tariff harmonisation across adjoining countries to minimize or eliminate smuggling. There is also the challenge of integration â&#x20AC;&#x201C; No economic or fiscal integration in sub-sahara Africa. In terms of capacity, for the sub-Sahara African sub-region to compete favorably and overcome the negative effects of the cyclical crude oil price trends, we need to increase our refining capacities to sustain our in-country needs and then trade excess more with other Sub Sahara â&#x20AC;&#x201C;African countries. This will be more cost effective than imports from Asia, Europe or America. It is imperative that we need to balance high crude output with high refining capacities to reduce imports costs and charges, export charges, subsidy payments etc.

This will effectively position us to get more value from the crude fractions as opposed

Bank-Anthony to a single price value for the crude alone. It will also ensure that we are less exposed to market fluctuations and then give us control of products marketing and supply. As we reduce reliance on imported refined products, we would be more competitive.

What are your plans about strengthening SAIPEC throughout the region, with emphasis on your action-plans to use the event as a platform to create opportunities for Indigenous companies operating in the region?

We have huge resource base in Africa, 128 billion barrels or 7.5 per cent of world proven

oil reserve, 503.3 Tcf (86.8 billion BoE) or 7.6 per cent of worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proven gas reserves and 26 Billion barrels (Libya 5th globally) of shale oil. Shale gas potential Algeria third globally 707 Tcf or 121.9 billion BoE. It is estimated that Africa oil & gas will increase by 74 per cent by 2050. We need to collaborate, learn, and establish common economic interest. If common economic interest is not created, we are wasting our time.

Electricity to Africa should be the starting point of development. Without access to electricity correlates with poverty. How can we build Sub-Sahara African content? The type of regional collaboration needed is that that

What are the success stories so far from your previous editions?

Great network opportunities created with delegates from Uganda, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Gambia, Liberia, Ghana, Angola, Mozambique. Each country shared opportunities and learning points from their different countries and areas open for exploitation and cooperation. It was great and well attended What are the available services in your organisation for companies who have business enquiries or seeking opportunities?

We provide services that cover the entire oil & gas value chain from exploration to the tank farm. From Seismic Acquisition, Processing, Interpretation, Drilling, Logging, Completion, Engineering, Stimulation Services, Pipelines, Pipe coating, Marine Vessels, Sub-sea services, Training, coiled tubing, sand control, cementing, slickline, well head, fabrication, installation, operation & Maintenance, FPSO etc.

Pan Ocean Completes Gas Plant, Other Projects

Baobab MFB Disburses N30bn to 120,000 Customers

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Pan Ocean Oil Corporation (Nigeria) Limited has announced that it has completed three key projects.

These include a crude oil pipeline, a gas processing plant and a production facility.

The company said the projects would significantly boost infrastructure in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The technical start-up and unveiling of the projects, namely Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline Project, Ovade-Ogharefe Gas Processing Plant Phases I and II and OML 147 Early Production Facility at Owa-Alidinma, are scheduled for June, according to a statement.

Pan Ocean is the contractor for Oil Mining Lease 147 in production sharing contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

According to the statement, the Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline is a 67-kilometre X 20 inch, a low-risk underground pipeline that will evacuate crude oil from Amukpe to Escravos Export Terminal, with the capacity to deliver 160,000 barrels of oil per day. Pan Ocean said the pipeline was designed to minimise vandalism and mitigate the loss of revenue to the Nigerian government and oil and gas companies operating in the northern fringe of the Niger Delta, describing it as the longest of its kind in Africa.

It said the Ovade-Ogharefe Gas Processing Plant would supply lean gas to the NIPP power plant located at Ihovbor, Edo State, and liquefied petroleum gas to households across Nigeria with a processing capacity of 200 million standard cubic feet per day and 29 storage tanks.

The OML 147 Early Production

Facility is expected to process 11,000 barrels of crude oil and 90 million standard cubic feet of gas daily when fully operational, according to the statement.

The General Manager, OML 147 Asset, Mr Collins Akinkugbe said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the support of our joint venture, financial and technical partners, our team delivered these world-class projects safely and with the highest consideration for environmental impact. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We set out to deliver infrastructure that will bring operators in the northern fringe of the Niger Delta closer to zero gas flare, monetisation and commercialisation of their gas resources, the stability of revenue from the location of the Amukpe-Escravos pipeline, improved power supply and the attainment of the national gas plan. We are proud of our achievement.â&#x20AC;?

Baobab Microfinance has disclosed that it disbursed N30 billion as loans to 120,000 customers operating micro, small and medium scale businesses in the last 10 years.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Dr. Olanrewaju Kazeem disclosed this in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of an interactive forum with customers of the bank in Kaduna. He said, over the years, the bank had grown 70 per cent of its customers from small business owners to multi-million naira business owners. Kazeem, added that microfinance banks should thrive better in the face of economic downturn, as many people would drop from the top to the bottom and would need loans to finance small businesses He said the bank presently

has 20 branches across the country with six in Kaduna, three in Abuja and 11 in Lagos.

He also disclosed plan to expand its branch network later in the year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a Microfinance Bank, we render financial services, covering loans and advances, savings and deposit, insurance and fund transfer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We render financial advisory services to our clients not withstanding that they are microâ&#x20AC;? he said. Responding to questions on the challenges in the financial sector, he said like any other financial institution, the bank has its challenges, stressing that the financial institutions has continued to serve its customers despite the challenges. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have faced so many challenges, but that notwithstanding, we have been able to serve 120,000 customers. We

have 30,000 on our loan book.

We have been able to disburse in excess of about N30 billion in the last 10 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Really, this is not up to what we had planned to do.

The challenges are the limiting factors. Before now, we had a state license and we were only operating from Kaduna, it is just in 2016 that we were able to get the national license to enable us have branches outside Kaduna.

So, today, we are present in Kaduna Lagos, Ogun states and FCT. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of the challenges are just related to common challenges of infrastructure, power supply and others things that would have reduced our cost of doing business, that were not really there. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But generally, we have adapted ourselves to the environment and we are trying to overcome the challengesâ&#x20AC;? he said.

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Revisiting the Export Expansion Grant Jonathan Eze reiterates call for the release of the Export Expansion Grant Policy summersaults and inconsistency do not promote confidence in the economy or its managers. That is the general view of over 270 companies that are owed Export Expansion Grant (EEG) arrears between 2007 and 2016.

Sadly, exporters are reeling under heavy environmental burden and frustrations from government agencies that should ordinarily key into support moves for export.

Some exporters who spoke with THISDAY are not comfortable with the attendant delay in releasing the grant.

The federal government had in 2017 introduced issuance of Promissory Notes under the EEG to exporters as incentive to encourage exportation and boost foreign exchange.

They blamed the Debt Management Office (DMO) over the delay.

An exporter, Hyacinth Nna Okoro, told THISDAY that the delay in releasing the funds by the debt office would dampen the spirit of exporters and the business.

Chief Blessing Osunla, an exporter in Lagos advised that government to meet its obligations to the exporters.

According to him, imposing further costs/ deductions through the Reserve Auction process for issuance of Promissory Notes, especially at this stage would create a question mark on the sincerity of government towards meeting its obligations to the exporters and this would seriously erode the investor confidence and dampen the appetite for fresh investment including much needed FDI into the non-oil export sector.

On his part, Director General, Association of Nigerian Exporters (ANE), and member, Board of Trustees, Institute of Export of Nigeria, Prince Joseph Idiong, said that most of the challenges in the non-oil sector were man-made.

Idiong traced one of the challenges to lack of political will by the government to operationalise the Dedicated Export Funding Incentives in the Export (Incentives and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 65 of 1992.

The Act, according to the ANE directorgeneral, provides for the levy of crude oil and other raw minerals to create a fund for non-oil export development.

Idiong said in paragraph 4 of the said Act, the provision states: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As from commencement of this Act, all raw or unprocessed commodities, whether mineral or agriculture shall be exportable on payment of a token levy as may be prescribed from time to time by order of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).â&#x20AC;?

The ANE boss stressed that since 1992 to date, crude oil which falls under this provision has not been levied, rather, agricultural product, like cocoa, is being levied per tonne.

He said if only a barrel of crude oil was levied one cent, there would be billions of dollars to drive the non-oil sector.

He recommended that government should therefore invoke the law and direct the NEPC Board to make necessary order through a bye-law for levying crude export.

Another challenge facing the non-oil sector, he said, was the non-release of the 10 per cent freight surcharge collectible by the Nigerian Maritime Safety Agency (NIMASA) as provided in the NEPC Act No. 64 of 1992.

He pointed out that NIMASA was said

to have been paying the 10 per cent freight surcharge to the Federal Ministry of Finance, not NEPC. He called on the finance ministry to make clarifications and facilitate the release of the fund for non-oil export development.

The EEG in a broader sense, aims to support active exporters expanding their international businesses. This could be via more exports of existing products in current and new markets.

It is a post-shipment incentive designed to expand export volumes and improve global competitiveness of Nigerian products.

This is done via: providing cost of production support to increase export volumes, creating job opportunities, value addition to products.

To complement its export promotion drive, the federal government, has over the years set up various incentive schemes for companies whose business is export focused. The incentives range from tax exemption to duty drawbacks as well as other forms of grants.

Some of the incentives were those set up in 1986, under the Export Incentives and Miscellaneous Provisions Act. These included: Export Development Fund, Export Expansion Grant and Export Adjustment Scheme Fund.

Out of the above schemes, the only one in operation till 2013 was the EEG. It was re-designed in 2005 and now administered by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The grant is issued to non-oil exporters to reduce production, distribution and logistics (production) costs which will enable them compete effectively in the international market since production expenses will naturally impact product price. It was expected that goods from other countries with cheaper production costs would ordinarily sell cheaper than those exported from Nigeria.

The grant ranges from 10 per cent to 30 per cent of the freight on board value of the products being exported with a confirmation

that the export proceeds have been repatriated.

The amount received by the exporter also depends on the categorisation of the exporter among others.

Prior to the 1999 fiscal year, the EEG was paid to beneficiaries in cash.

However, from 1999, the grant came in form of Negotiable Duty Credit Certificates (NDCCs) issued by the NCS. The NDCC is a negotiable instrument that can be used to settle or reduce import and Excise Duties.

Accordingly, it offers the following benefits to the exporter: Enhances the ability of such exporters to reduce overhead costs given the potential to reduce or eliminate incidence of import duties on products used by such exporters in their production, use of the NDCC as security to obtain loan from banks.

Given the negotiability of NDCC, an EEG can be transferred from the original beneficiary to third parties (up to a maximum of three transfers). Thus, where the exporter has no import duties payable, it could still benefit from the NDCC. This was how the EEG operated and/or administered between 2005 and 2013.

In 2013, the EEG was re-designed, thereafter suspended and reactivated again.

The Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Segun Awolowo, had said settlement of the outstanding claims owed exporters was one of government many efforts in diversifying the economy through non-oil exports. Awolowo commended over DMO the assistance rendered the council in access processes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to express our appreciation to the management and staff of the DMO for the cooperation and support it has so far rendered to us and our stakeholders as regards the promissory issuance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let me also use this medium to appeal to the DMO to ensure the completion of the program within the shortest possible time.

It is our sincere belief that the completion of this program will contribute a lot to the development of the non-oil export in particular and the Nigerian economy,â&#x20AC;? he stated.

Awolowo, explained further that, the present administration submitted a request to the National Assembly for approval of the Promissory Note Programme a few years ago.

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is our sincere believe that the assent in January 2019 by the National Assembly of the first batch of the request and the subsequent directives by the Minister of Finance to the Debt Management Office for the settlement of the EEG debt, covering claims backlogs of 10 years (2007 to 2016) for 270 companies with a total value of N195,089,234,808.64 only, will bring succor to the export sector in particular and the economy in general.â&#x20AC;?

In an interview recently, Ade Adefeko, a player in agribusiness said incentives are essential to cushion the impact of infrastructural disadvantages and high cost of doing business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Studies carried out by UNIDO and World Bank have shown that Nigerian exporters suffer a cost disadvantage of 30 per cent over other developing countries. Therefore, it is apparent that the Promissory Notes under EEG mitigates the cost disadvantages. Most developing countries, including China which is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest exporter, and India, give incentives to boost their production and exports. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Exporters borrow from the banks at 15-20 per cent interest and delay in reimbursement of EEG claims for several years has exposed their businesses to peril. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Non-oil export sector businesses are largely in the agro-allied sector and highly employment intensive. Protracted delay and uncertainty poses a risk to the Nigerian economy and aggravates the unemployment in the societyâ&#x20AC;?

IBEDC Raises Alarm over Vandals Jonathan Eze The Chief Operating Officer of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Commission (IBEDC), Mr. John Ayodele, has said activities of vandals tampering the discoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facility were affecting its operations.

He also condemned the building of houses, shops and relaxation spots under power

lines, bypassing of meters by 70 percent of Nigerians.

Ayodele, spoke in Ibadan at a stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; engagement and press parley to mark the commencement of safety week of the IBEDC and the World Safety and Health at Work day under the theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Safety and Health and The Future of Workâ&#x20AC;?.

He said people must be aware of the dangers of living under

power lines and breaching electricity cables to them and their family, adding that it was sad that most Nigerians willingly like to break the law than adhere to them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Safety is a factor in life and people must know this. We are dealing with peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives and we must provide safety for them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The power lines range from 11,000 volts to 33,000 to 333,000

volts and the key issue is that if you live under high tension wire, you are living under a death threat, which is as good as staying in Kirikiri awaiting the noose of the hangman and people who sleep and find it convenient under such lines to do trade should know that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dangerous and they should desist from it,â&#x20AC;? he asserted.

He attributed the practice of

lawlessness of most Nigerians to the loss of value system in the country, praising officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for being helpful at protecting some of their equipment across its five zones of operations.

He said the Disco was in various strategic discussions with different stakeholders on how to curb the destruction of

their properties and are ready to heighten protection.

The COO said the safety discussion was not for customers alone, but also for staff, as he said everybody must be safety conscious while working on the electricity poles, as the management has realised that staff also fail to follow isolation rules while on duty which most times cause fatal accidents.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Absence of Trust Threatens Investment in Nigeria’s Real Estate Market, Says Developer

C

hief Executive Officer, Photizo Properties, Patrick Oriyomi, has said some investors shy away from investing in real estate in Nigeria because of the lack of trust.

According to him, “real estate in Nigerian, especially in Lagos has been bastardised by lots of quacks that embezzle investors’ money, leaving the investors in misery.”

He noted that over-taxation on properties and difficulty in getting Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) were also part of the challenges disrupting investments in the real estate sector in Lagos.

Oriyomi said: “I have a property that is free and gazetted already but the process has taken us more than four years and yet, the C of O has not been gotten. This also shows that some C of O’s have not been gotten in Lagos.

“There should be a regulatory body in the real estate sector that would regulate how

things are done. Everything should not be left for the court to handle because some of these challenges can be handled without getting to court.

“In United Kingdom (UK), from the day you put in money into real estate, you can actually calculate your return on investment for the next 10 years but it’s not so in Nigeria.

In Nigeria, one can buy a property for N100 million and sell it the same day for N120 million and this is because we don’t have strong laws that regulate investors and investments in the sector.

“There should be a body that regulates realtors and property agents in Nigeria if quackery must be stemmed. There should be certain exams and training, which realtors should undergo and they should have the regulatory identity to distinguish professionals from quacks.”

He admonished realtors to undergo training

before they move on, to market real estate products to investors, noting that it would distinguish them from quacks.

However, he urged government to boost the business-enabling environment in order to encourage investments in the nation’s housing sector.

In her remarks, another real estate expert at Photizo, Maureen Okpoebo, noted that ignorance of some people to understand the importance of real estate was also a challenge facing the nation’s housing sector.

She maintained that Nigeria as a country has not properly harnessed the opportunities that could come from giving comfortable homes to its masses.

She said: “If you check in other countries, they no longer sell lands itself. They sell rooftops and spaces. Nigeria has not properly seen the importance of real estate and is yet to tap into its enormous benefits.

“A lot more needs to be done in terms of housing, lands and procurement of spaces.

The government should create awareness by educating people on the importance of lands, good environment and having convenient homes.”

Okpoebo urged the government to look into land laws in terms of land surveying, land registry and property taxation to enable low-income earners in Nigerians to benefit from investing in the nation’s housing sector.

In her remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Vivacity PR, Oluwakemi Areola, said the programme was aimed at inspiring Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the real estate sector to further improve their skills and ideas to grow Nigeria’s real estate sector.

She urged MSMEs in the sector to re-evaluate what they are doing and re-strategise to get better results.

Developer of The Allen, Texas’ High-Rise, Invites EB-5 Investors The Allen, Houston, offers unique opportunity to invest and naturalise in the U.S. 3INVEST has announced a unique real estate investment opportunity as they extend their partnership with Houston EB5 to raise capital for The Allen, a mixed-use luxury development along the most scenic drive in the heart of Houston, Texas.

Phase One of the $500 millionplus project, The Allen, is currently underway. The high-end, multi-use development includes the luxury brand Thompson Hotel, The Residences at The Allen, and a lifestyle pavilion which will include one of the nation’s most exclusive fitness clubs, two signature restaurants, and luxury retail spaces. The landmark development overlooking Buffalo Bayou Park will stand as a crossroads between downtown, the Galleria-Uptown area, Midtown and the Texas Medical Center offering the best of the city and outdoor lifestyle.

“The Allen will truly be a landmark project –redefining luxury living, working and playing at the middle meeting point between the central business district and the Galleria,” said Acho Azuike, COO and Managing Director of Houston EB5.

As the fourth largest city in the United States, Houston is the nation’s demographic future with more than 145 languages spoken and consistently ranked as the most diverse city in the US. Houston is home to the second most Fortune 1000 companies in the country, second only to New York City.

International trade directly or indirectly supports one-third

of all jobs in the Houston metropolitan area. Houston counts the largest Nigerian population outside of Nigeria, making Houston home to the largest Nigerian community in the US. Houston EB5, a subsidiary of DC Partners (an award-winning real estate developer), is an approved Regional Center by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services since 2010. Houston EB5 provides foreign investors the opportunity to obtain Permanent Residency (Green Card) in the United States through a qualified real estate investment.

Azuike said The Allen fits perfectly with 3Invest’s profile for high-quality EB5 investment funding. Like previous Houston EB5 projects, The Allen has received great support from the City of Houston. A Targeted Employment Area “TEA” designation has been assigned to the project, lowering the minimum investment amount from $1 million to $500,000.

“Through the marketing of previous projects and local partners like 3Invest, Houston EB5 has established strong investor pipelines in Latin America, Africa, and Asia helping assure complete capitalization of projects,” said Azuike.

To date, Houston EB5 has raised over $125 million in foreign investments.

“Because of 3Invest’s success in Nigeria with previous Houston EB5 projects, we are now looking to grow our partnership with Houston EB5 by expanding our investor reach into Ghana, where we are certain many investors

would like to take advantage of these immigrant investment opportunities for their families.”

Ruth Obih, CEO, 3Invest.

With more than 30 years of real estate experience, Houston EB5 works to develop highquality residential high-rise, mid-rise, mixed-use and suburban projects. Houston EB5 gives the opportunity to foreign nationals to receive Permanent Residency ‘Green Card’ for themselves and their immediate family through a qualified real estate investment.

“Houston EB5 has a proven success rate of Green Card approvals and return of capital to all its investors,” said Roberto Contreras, President & CEO Houston EB5. “We consistently deliver world-class investment projects and demonstrate longterm financial strength, as we help investors achieve their business and residency goals.”

Houston EB5 investors share in the project’s profits and receive an Annual Preferred Return in addition to the full return of their initial investment.

Moreover, Houston EB5 offers its investors a simple and safe exit through the sale or refinance of the project.

Houston EB5 provides a highly personalized and boutique-like experience to its investors during the EB-5 visa process. Obtaining a Green Card through the EB-5 visa program allows investors to enjoy similar benefits as U.S. citizens, excluding the right to vote and run for government office.

Houston EB5 has stayed committed to bringing developments of impeccable design and

elegance to Houston and San Antonio, and to sustaining the strong economic environment from which the cities have grown. Given that real estate investments remain much safer in nature than typical business

investments, compounded with the strong economies of Houston and San Antonio, participants in Houston EB5 projects can expect a more reliable, timely return on their investments.

Parties interested in the

EB-5 investment opportunity presented by The Allen can make further inquiries regarding project details on how to proceed by contacting 3Invest, the project’s industry partner in West Africa.

The Allen, a mixed-use luxury development

NCF Leads Waste Management, Sanitation Advocacy in Ijebu Markets

Organiser of Nigeria-China Trade Fair Confirm 250 Manufacturers

Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), the foremost environmental NGO in Nigeria dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable development, embarked on waste management advocacy campaign activities in six markets in Ijebu North Local Government Area, Ogun State.

NCF received, for the second time, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation grant to ad-

Two hundred and fifty manufacturers and over 200,000 products are expected at China Homelife exhibition, the largest sourcing platform from China.

Nigeria’s largest B2B exhibition, which takes place at Eko Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos from May 16th to 18th showcases products from various sectors, including furniture, appliances, leather goods, cosmetic, sporting goods, Auto-parts, Electricals and Electronics, Agriculture

vocate for actions that promote proper waste separation/sorting, management and disposal in selected markets of Ijebu North LGA, Ogun State, geared towards making our environment sustainable and habitable for future generation, according to a statement signed by the Director General, Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano.

As part of the objective of the project titled- Improving

Community-Market Sustainability in Waste Management in Ijebu North LGA, Ogun State, it hope to reduce the threat and health risk posed by dirty environment while empowering the beneficiaries to take responsibility for proper sanitation in the markets.

The six selected markets are Obada Station I & II, Ojowo Atikori, Awa, Mamu, Oru/ Awa, and Ago-Iwoye.

and Food Equipment, Textile and Garment.

The exhibition offers customers a chance to purchase the best Chinese products at competitive prices. These products have been sourced from over 250 Manufacturers from China, who are seeking to do business with Nigerian firms.

The Major highlight is the planned introduction of an SKD manufacturing of an electronic gadget which will be unveiled at the event. This means that

the Nigeria-China Trade-fair is tilted towards promoting the production capacity of Nigeria through Technical Partnerships.

The beauty of this is that we are reducing total reliance on importation, the cost of importation, the time it takes to fly to china, the fees our business men and women pay to agents, we are also cutting the time it takes to seek a supplier, and most importantly, we are creating jobs for the highly skilled and creative Nigerian populace.

33

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

UN Secretary General, AfDB President Agree to Strengthen Ties, Push Development in Africa Bennett Oghifo Development impact on the continent and security in the Sahel were among the top issues discussed in a recent meeting between United Nations Secretary General António Guterres and African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina in New York.

A statement by the AfDB said both leaders agreed that current efforts must succeed in Africa, or risk failing globally, and emphasized the need for deeper collaboration between their institutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Guterres signaled his strong support for the African Development Bank’s flagship ‘Desert to Power’ initiative, which is expected to provide electricity to

250 million people. He also offered to convene a special global meeting on Lake Chad, in consultation with Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari.

The “Desert to Power” program, a $10 billion initiative to build a 10 GW solar zone across the Sahel—the largest in the world, aims to develop and provide 10 GW of solar energy by 2025 and supply 250 million people with green electricity including in some of the world’s poorest countries.

According to Adesina, “Secretary General Guterres and I had a highly productive engagement and committed to enhance strategic and operational partnerships between the UN and the African Development Bank. I am encouraged by the Secretary General’s generous support

for the Bank’s development initiatives, which we are certain will bear fruit across the continent.”

The two heads of institutions met following Adesina’s trip to the United States for the World Bank’s annual Spring meetings held in Washington DC. Adesina also briefed the Secretary General about ongoing discussions on the Bank’s General Capital Increase (GCI-7), designed to address Africa’s growing lending demands. The Secretary General committed to advocate “for the mobilization of adequate resources in order to further the Bank’s development goals.”

Guterres and Adesina also discussed the Bank’s inaugural Africa Investment Forum, held last year in Johannesburg, South Af-

R-L: United Nations Secretary General António Guterres; and President, African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina in New York… recently

rica, where projects worth US$38.7 billion secured investment interest. The

Secretary General accepted the Adesina’s invitation to participate in the 2019

edition of the event, to be held in November in South Africa.

Renewable Energy: ‘Swarm-electrification could Be a Game-changer’ The electrification rate across Sub-Saharan Africa remains way too slow despite an observed willingness and ability to pay for better energy services. While there are many challenges to be addressed, one reason for the slow pace of rural electrification is related to the risks associated with inappropriate sizing of a standalone grid.

Swarm-electrification could be the right answer in the many cases where future demand is highly uncertain.

The sizing problem When visiting existing solar mini-grids in Africa, you often hear similar problems. The installation is either too big and not profitable, or too small resulting in unstable grids with frequent dropouts.

Attempts to recover from an

oversized investment generally includes a range of demandstimulating initiatives requiring extra investments and hence lead to an even bigger risk exposure.

Correcting the size of a too small grid often leads to the replacement of already installed components and is typically as complicated as starting all-over.

While correctly forecasting the immediate short-term energy demand is not so difficult, forecasting the demand evolution on the mid-term is very complicated. It largely depends on the take-off of productive use cases which in turn depends on numerous factors that - for a large part - are not yet fully understood and still require further research. Therefore, despite the availability of numerous forecasting models, a correct forecast of the energy

demand evolution remains one of the major risks that a solar mini-grid developer is facing.

The incertitude of future demand also leads many investors to require the presence of bankable anchor clients willing to purchase any surplus energy. All those elements lead to a sector that progresses at a very slow pace and that is focused around identifying rural areas with high growth potential, leaving many thousands of rural communities in the dark.

Demand-driven business model But what would happen if a solution existed that would allow the industry to move away from the current building-ahead-ofdemand strategy? A solution of which the profitability would no longer be conditional to a

strong demand-growth? Where the presence of anchor clients would no longer be required?

A mini-grid architecture where extra capacity could simply be plugged in, not requiring scarce engineering skills nor the replacement of any of the already installed components?

Such game-changing demanddriven business models are now possible and announce themselves as the future for mini-grids in all those villages where demand evolution is highly uncertain.

FlexGrid, an easy replicable and rapid-scaleable 230V AC-grid FlexGrid is a solar PV mini-grid system based on the award-winning Swarm Intelligence developed by the Swiss company PowerBlox.

FlexGrid proposes a demanddriven approach towards rural electrification. They focus on underserved areas and villages that are typically overlooked by conventional mini-grid developers.

“FlexGrid is a rapid scaleable off-grid solution. Our demand-driven approach uniquely minimises the typical demand-risk. The bottom-up model substantially lowers the up-front investment required to serve defined use cases. This way rural electrification can be done in a profitable way while using tariffs that are aligned with customers willingness and ability to pay.” explains Stefaan Debref, co-founder of FlexGrid.

“Our approach combines the AC-power of a mini-grid with the simplicity of a solar home system. A FlexGrid can be

installed fast and can be easily expanded by a local workforce when demand grows.”

The technical viability of the FlexGrid approach has been demonstrated in Zantiguila (Mail - inaugurated in May 2018) and in Ndego (Rwanda - installed in April 2019). Meanwhile the company already obtained financial close to equip another 5 villages in Mali in the coming months.

“We receive great support from public investors (ElectriFi, AfDB, the Swiss government, Get.Invest), but we also attract already quite some interest from private investors” says Servaas Van Den Noortgate (co-founder). “Once a stable cash-flow is proven from this portfolio, we are confident to be able to raise sufficient money for rapid scaling.”

Climate Change: Major new UN Report Calls for Overhaul of Global Financial System Sixty-plus international organisations, led by the United Nations and including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank Group and World Trade Organization, jointly sounded the alarm Thursday in a new report, warning that unless national and international financial systems are revamped, the world’s governments will fail to keep their promises on such critical issues as combatting climate change and eradicating poverty by 2030.

In their 2019 Financing for Sustainable Development Report, the international organizations find some good news: investment has gained strength in some countries and interest in sustainable investing is growing, with 75 per cent of individual investors showing interest in how their investments affect the world.

And yet, greenhouse gas emissions grew 1.3 per cent in 2017; investment in many countries is falling; and 30 developing countries are now at high risk or already in debt distress. At the same time, global growth is expected

to have peaked at around 3 per cent.

Changing the current trajectory in financing sustainable development is not just about raising additional investment, says the report. Achieving global goals depends on supportive financial systems, and conducive global and national policy environments.

Yet the report warns that creating favorable conditions is becoming more challenging.

Rapid changes in technology, geopolitics, and climate are remaking our economies and societies, and existing national and multilateral institutions -- which had helped lift billions out of poverty -- are now struggling to adapt.

Confidence in the multilateral system has been undermined, in part because it has failed to deliver returns equitably, with most people in the world living in countries with increasing inequality.

“Trust in the multilateral system itself is eroding, in part because we are not delivering inclusive and sustainable growth for all,” said António Guterres, Secretary-General

of the United Nations, in his foreword to the report.

“Our shared challenge is to make the international trading and financial systems fit for purpose to advance sustainable development and promote fair globalization.”

The international agencies recommend concrete steps to overhaul the global institutional architecture and make the global economy and global finance more sustainable, including: supporting a shift towards long-term investment horizons with sustainability risks central to investment decisions; revisiting mechanisms for sovereign debt restructuring to respond to more complex debt instruments and a more diverse creditor landscape; revamping the multilateral trading system; addressing challenges to tax systems that inhibit countries from mobilizing adequate resources in an increasingly digitalized world economy; and addressing growing market concentration that extends across borders, with impacts on inequality.

At the national level, the

report puts forward a roadmap for countries to revamp their public and private financial systems to mobilize resources for sustainable investment. It introduces tools for countries to align financing policies with national sustainable development strategies and priorities.

One example of the opportunities and challenges the report discusses is in new technologies and fintech (digitally enabled innovation in the financial sector). With more than half a billion people gaining access to financial services in recent years, the appeal of fintech

is clear. But as new players enter and rapidly change the financing marketplace, regulators struggle to keep pace. As fintech grows in importance, activities outside the regulatory framework, if left unsupervised, may put financial stability at risk.

Global Community to Ban PFOA, Water Pollutant Governments have agreed to place a global ban on PFOA, a chemical that does not break down and causes adverse health effects at background levels.

PFOA and other fluorinated organic compounds (PFAS) have widespread industrial and domestic applications. Fluorinated firefighting foams are believed to be a leading cause of water contamination with toxic chemicals that pollute breast milk and are associated with cancer, endocrine disruption, and harm to fetal development.

The ban agreement was signed at the 9th Conference of the Parties (SC COP9) of the Stockholm Convention, which took place in Geneva,

Switzerland, recently.

SC COP9 is one of the Meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) conventions holding back to back in Geneva.

They started on Monday, April 29 and will end on Friday, May 10.

Others are the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (BC COP14), and the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention (RC COP9). The theme of the meetings is: “Clean Planet, Healthy People: Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste.”

Governments at the SC COP9 also included several five-year

exemptions for PFOA use in semiconductor manufacturing, firefighting foams, textiles claimed to protect workers, photographic coatings for films, and medical devices.

China, European Union and Iran obtained additional wide-ranging exemptions for fluorinated polymers, medical textiles, electrical wires, and plastic accessories for car interior parts. All three countries participated in the evaluation process, but suddenly asked for the additional exemptions at the meeting. Even the fluorochemicals industry repeatedly opposed these additional exemption requests due to the wide availability of alternatives.

34

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍľË&#x153; 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Seven Banks Pay N144.99m as Fine in 2018 Seven banks quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) paid N144.99 million as fines to regulators in 2018 for various contraventions.

Investigations by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) indicated that the fines were paid to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Reporting Council and Corporate Affairs Commission.

The affected banks were Sterling Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith International Bank, GTBank, Access Bank, FBN Holdings and Fidelity Bank.

A breakdown of the figure as contained in the banksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; annual reports showed that FBN Holdings and its subsidiaries, First Bank of Nigeria, FBN Quest Merchant Bank and FBN Insurance Limited, paid the highest fine of N32.65 million during the period under review.

UBA came second having paid N30 million to the apex bank for various offences.

Similarly, GTBank was fined N24 million during the period under review, while Access Bank

paid N20 million.

Sterling Bank, Fidelity Bank and Zenith International Bank paid N15.33 million, N13.01 million and N10 million, respectively for various offences during the review period.

Commenting on the contraventions, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella of Economics department, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun, said the preference of banks to pay penalty instead of complying with CBN directive was an age-long problem.

Tella said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Banks weigh the cost of complying against paying penalty and decide to pay if the former is quite high.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was a time the banks would prefer to pay penalty than lend to the agriculture sector because of the failure of many farmers to pay back due to bad weather, long gestation period and possibly mismanagement,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Tella, also attributed the development to delay in responding to requests by some banks due to unnecessary bureaucratic measures. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Increasing the contravention fee may not be helpful but a

meeting of the stakeholders in the banking sector arranged by the CBN should also be helpful,â&#x20AC;? he noted.

The Publicity Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr Moses Igbrude, told NAN that shareholders were not comfortable with the various fines paid by the financial institutions.

Igbrude, said no company would decide to break the law in order to pay penalties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think any public company will deliberately flout the law in order to pay penalties unless such act must have brought some unseen benefit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Otherwise why would management do that when they know the reputational risk associated with it and queries from shareholders at Annual General Meeting? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We shareholders are not happy about these payments and we have been advocating that companies should employ compliant officers to monitor all regulatory requirements to avoid penalties and if such officers fail they should be the ones to pay the penalties for negligence.

Jaiz Bank Posts N428 Million ProďŹ t in First Quarter James Emejo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Jaiz Bank Plc recorded a profit after tax (PAT) N428.68 million in the first quarter (Q1) of the year, compared to the N124.58 million recorded in the comparable period in 2018.

Its three-month report for the period ended March 31, 2019, which was released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that gross earnings rose by 38.7 per cent while pre and post-tax profits jumped by 225.08 per cent and 244.19 per cent respectively.

Earnings per share also rose by 190 per cent. The bank recorded well-rounded performance as it continued to improve its cost efficiency and risk management.

Gross earnings rose to N2.59 billion in the review period compared to N1.87 billion in Q1 2018. Gross profit grew by 51.9 per cent increased from N1.39 billion to N2.11 billion.

Profit before tax also increased

from N146.57 million to N476.46 million while net profit rose to N428.68 million compared with N124.58 million in same quarter of 2018. Consequently, earnings per share increased to 1.45 kobo in Q1 compared to 0.50 kobo in corresponding period of 2018.

Commenting on its performance, Managing Director, Jaiz Bank, Mr. Hassan Usman, said the 2018 results further demonstrated that the bank has the capacity to grow sustainably in line with its strategic vision of becoming the leading non-interest bank in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2022.

He further assured that while maintaining steady focus on elements that contributed to improved performance in 2018, the bank will also work harder to optimise its potential in order to deliver better returns in 2019.

However, the balance sheet showed stronger underlying strength during the period. Total assets rose by 24 per cent, from

N87.31 billion to N108.46 billion.

Deposits also grew by 25 per cent from N68.12 billion in 2017 to N85.03 billion in 2018.

The non-interest bank expanded its financing and investment activities by 37 per cent to N69.36 billion in 2018 as against N50.79 billion in 2017.

As a non-interest bank, it makes profit basically from profit-sharing on investments and gains on trading activities.

Key underlying ratios showed improvements in returns and operational strength of the bank.

Return on assets rose by a quarter, from 0.6 per cent in 2017, to 0.8 per cent in 2018.

While cost-to-income inched up from 85.84 per cent to 87.28 per cent, return on equity improved from 6.54 per cent to 6.85 per cent. Capital adequacy remained considerably above regulatory threshold at 21.13 per cent while liquidity ratio increased by 50 per cent from 18.64 per cent to 27.94 per cent.

VFD Group Appoints Adewumi Executive Director The Board of Directors of VFD Group Plc has announced the appointment of Mobolaji Adewumi as an Executive Director, Finance.

The appointment is subject to the approval of shareholders at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Mobolaji holds a B.Sc. in Management and Accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife and an MBA specialising in Finance from the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. He is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) with over 10 years post-qualification experience.

Prior to joining VFD Group Plc, he worked with the Managing Director of First Bank of

Nigeria Limited. Prior to that, he was the Special Adviser to the Managing Director of Aso Savings and Loans Plc, while doubling as Head of Strategy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bolaji has deep financial services experience and expertise, having worked with regional and global leaders in the financial services sector, such as the United Bank for Africa and KPMG Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As Executive Director of VFD Group, Bolaji will be leading Strategic initiatives which includes our regional banking project, the proposed listing of VFD Group on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the floating of the proposed VFD Group Bond, etc and generally strengthening our board for

enhanced Governance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This appointment further underlines the ambition of VFD Group Plc to become the foremost financial solutions brand in Africa. We are delighted to welcome Mobolaji to the Board and we are optimistic that his extensive knowledge and experience in the financial services sector will be of considerable value and enhance stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interest,â&#x20AC;? the company stated.

The VFD Group is a financial services focused proprietary investment company that creates value by working within Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s informal financial sector to create innovative products and solutions that are accessible to everyday Nigerians and entrepreneurs.

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, CSR-in-Action, Bekeme Masade-Olowola; Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Group Chief, Sustainability and Governance, Dangote Industries Limited, Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, at the Access Bank Sustainability Summit held in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018 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)

18,990,400.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

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

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) 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&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ë&#x153; Í° Ͱ͎ͯ͡

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $70.61 a barrel on Friday, compared with $70.98 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

35

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍľË&#x153; 2019

MARKET NEWS

SEC Confirms Receipt of MTNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Application to Register, List Shares Goddy Egene The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has confirmed receipt of an application from MTN to register their existing securities and list the company by introduction.

Ahead of its planned listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), MTN Nigeria recently converted from a private company to a public company. It also appointed some new directors,

including former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

To this end, SEC said in a statement yesterday said it had received an application from MTN. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The SEC can confirm that we are in receipt of an application from MTN requesting for registration of their existing securities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have applied for listing by introduction which

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

will enable the company to be listed and allow shareholders sell their shares on the floor of the exchange. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Their application is presently receiving attention,â&#x20AC;? the capital market regulator said.

With the application, the coast is becoming clearer for the listing of MTN on the Nigerian bourse.

The Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ferdi Moolman had said but for the

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

disagreement the company had with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last year, it would have gone ahead with its listing plan.

According to him, they had done a lot of work on the listing and their target was to list in 2018.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are a private company at the moment and we need to change to a public company before we can list.

We need to send our directors

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

for training to comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Stock Exchange requirements to be able to list and a lot of work went on at the backend on the listing. Then, the CBN issue happened. The truth be told, if we had listed while the CBN issue was on, we would have been negligent. That is because we would have gone to offer our shares to the public when we had an issue at hand with

O F

the CBN that was substantial.

If I remind you, they (CBN) were talking about $8 billion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go and list and offer my shares to the public if I have this thing hanging over my neck. We thank God we were able to resolve this on 24th of December. So, we are working towards the listing and we plan to do the listing before the end of first half 2019 or probably before the end of quarter three.â&#x20AC;?

0 6 / 0 5 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019

36

Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Sheds 41bps

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Yesterday, the Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index shed 41bps to ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϭ͕ϯϵϯ͘Ϯϵ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů-ŽīƐ ŝŶ GUARANTY (-ϭ͘ϯйͿ͕ ZENITH (-Ϭ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ CCNN (-ϯ͘ϱйͿ͘ dŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϯϰ͘ϴй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

Local Bourse Opens the Week Bearish͙ ASI down 5bps

dŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ĞƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ŽŶ Ă ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ŶŽƚĞ ƚŚŝƐ ǁĞĞŬ͕ ĚĞĐůŝŶŝŶŐ ϱďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ Ϯϵ͕ϭϵϳ͘ϰϭ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞƐ ŝŶ GUARANTY (-ϭ͘ϰйͿ͕ ZENITH (Ϭ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ UBA (-ϭ͘ϰйͿ͘ ĐĐŽƌĚŝŶŐůLJ͕ zd ǁŽƌƐĞŶĞĚ͕ ƚŚŽƵŐŚ ƵŶĐŚĂŶŐĞĚ Ăƚ -ϳ͘ϭй͕ ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ Eϱ͘ϳďŶ ƚŽ Eϭϭ͘ϬƚŶ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

Price Previous Current Change Price Weightin YTD Change g

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

1,393.29

-0.41%

-5.1%

39.3%

18.2%

6.7%

5.1x

0.7x

5.9%

1 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

33.00

-1.3%

19.3%

-4.2%

-4.3%

33.1%

5.3%

4.9x

1.6x

8.3%

20.3%

2 Zenith Bank PLC

20.90

-0.5%

11.8%

-9.3%

0.8%

24.7%

3.2%

3.5x

0.8x

13.3%

28.5%

3 Dangote Cement PLC 4 Nestle Nigeria PLC

181.00

0.6%

9.0%

-4.6%

-2.7%

40.1%

21.8%

8.2x

3.0x

8.8%

12.2%

1,520.00

0.0%

8.7%

2.4%

3.1%

81.2%

27.4%

25.5x

19.1x

3.8%

3.9%

66.05

0.0%

4.9%

-22.7%

-13.7%

9.5%

4.4%

30.3x

3.0x

3.7%

3.3%

7.40

0.0%

5.2%

-6.9%

-7.5%

10.0%

1.1%

4.4x

0.5x

3.5%

22.5%

15.30

-3.5%

3.7%

-21.1%

-21.1%

4.7%

4.3%

4.4x

0.6x

2.6%

22.5%

6.70

0.0%

4.0%

-13.0%

-14.1%

15.5%

1.7%

2.8x

0.4x

12.7%

35.1%

5.6x

0.6x

3.1%

17.8%

7.2%

5 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 6 FBN Holdings Plc 7 Cement Co Northern Nigeria PLC 8 United Bank for Africa PLC 9 International Brew eries PLC 10 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

14.5%

20.00

0.0%

2.4%

-34.4%

-36.5%

-23.8%

-3.2%

579.90

0.0%

3.4%

-9.4%

-6.6%

10.1%

6.3%

6.95

0.7%

3.6%

2.2%

6.9%

22.2%

2.1%

1.8x

0.4x

10.00

0.0%

2.2%

-28.6%

-30.1%

15.3%

1.2%

2.8x

0.4x

11 Access Bank PLC

4.9x

-1.8%

56.5%

ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ Ϯϯ͘ϵй

12 Ecobank Transnational Inc 13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

43.50

0.0%

ĂŶĚ ϯϵ͘ϴй ƚŽ Ϯϳϭ͘ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ Eϭ͘ϰďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ dŚĞ

2.5%

-9.3%

-6.3%

30.3%

4.6%

6.5x

1.7x

3.4%

14 Unilever Nigeria PLC

31.00

0.0%

2.1%

-16.2%

-16.2%

12.7%

7.7%

17.3x

2.1x

4.8%

5.8%

15 Lafarge Africa PLC

11.00

0.0%

1.6%

-11.6%

-8.3%

-53.7%

-7.9%

0.7x

13.2%

-57.3%

ŵŽƐƚ ĂĐƟǀĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁĞƌĞ TRANSCORP ;ϱϴ͘ϲŵ

35.7% 15.3%

16 Guinness Nigeria PLC

50.00

0.0%

1.0%

-30.6%

-30.6%

6.8%

3.7%

16.8x

1.2x

3.6%

6.0%

ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ UBA ;ϯϳ͘Ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ĂŶĚ COURTVILLE ;ϯϬ͘ϳŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ

17 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

72.00

0.0%

1.3%

-5.5%

-5.5%

32.9%

24.4%

11.4x

2.2x

4.3%

8.8%

ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ ǁĞƌĞ UBA

18 Total Nigeria PLC

162.00

0.0%

1.1%

-20.2%

-20.2%

27.0%

6.6%

9.5x

1.8x

10.5%

10.6%

19 11 PLC

175.00

-1.1%

1.3%

-5.7%

-5.7%

38.0%

16.8%

5.8x

2.0x

4.7%

17.1%

16.15

0.0%

0.9%

-30.1%

-27.3%

6.6%

2.0%

7.5x

0.4x

6.2%

13.4%

21 Oando PLC

4.85

0.0%

1.2%

-3.0%

1.0%

14.3%

2.5%

2.2x

0.3x

22 Fidelity Bank PLC

1.90

-0.5%

1.1%

-6.4%

-6.4%

12.7%

1.4%

2.3x

0.3x

5.8%

23 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.25

0.0%

1.0%

-5.3%

-0.8%

19.3%

4.3%

4.7x

0.7x

2.4%

21.4%

24 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

14.00

-0.4%

0.9%

-8.2%

-5.4%

22.3%

12.6%

7.0x

1.6x

7.9%

14.2%

;EϮϰϰ͘ϴŵͿ͕

ZENITH

;EϮϭϵ͘ϭŵͿ

ĂŶĚ

GUARANTY

;EϭϳϬ͘ϮŵͿ͘

Mixed Sector Performance ^ĞĐƚŽƌ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ďŝĂƐ ĂƐ ϯ ŽƵƚ ŽĨ ϱ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ƚƌĞŶĚĞĚ ƐŽƵƚŚǁĂƌĚƐ͘ dŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁŚŝĐŚ ůŽƐƚ Ϭ͘ϳй ůĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ͕ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŽĮƚ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ GUARANTY (-ϭ͘ϰйͿ ĂŶĚ ZENITH (-Ϭ͘ϱйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƐŚĞĚ Ϭ͘ϱй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ ƌĞŇĞĐƟŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ CCNN (-ϯ͘ϱͿ͕ MOBIL (-ϭ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ JAPAULOIL (-ϳ͘ϳйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ͕ ƵƉ Ϯ͘ϲй ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ NEM

20 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

25 Diamond Bank PLC

2.42

26 FCMB Group Plc

1.90

-2.6%

27 UAC of Nigeria PLC

7.00

28 Sterling Bank PLC

2.65

29 Presco PLC

12.6%

-5.8%

-0.7%

12.0x

0.3x

0.5%

5.6%

8.8%

1.2%

2.4x

0.2x

7.4%

42.1%

0.0%

0.4%

-28.2%

-26.7%

-7.9%

-3.6%

0.3x

9.1%

-28.0%

0.0%

0.7%

39.5%

39.5%

9.2%

0.8%

8.2x

0.8x

58.00

0.0%

0.4%

-9.4%

-9.4%

37.0%

24.8%

2.3x

0.7x

3.4%

30 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

17.95

0.0%

0.4%

-0.3%

-0.3%

47.0%

17.5%

11.7x

4.2x

5.6%

31 Forte Oil PLC

34.95

0.0%

0.4%

21.8%

24.8%

48.9%

7.4%

32 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

7.00

-1.4%

0.4%

25.0%

25.0%

6.0%

1.1%

12.2x

0.9x

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

26.95

0.0%

0.3%

34.1%

21.9%

31.5%

3.6%

5.0x

1.1x

DANGFLOUR ;нϯ͘ϴйͿ͘

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĞĂŬĞŶƐ DĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ Ă ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞ ŽĨ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϭ͘Ϭdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘Ϯdž ŝŶ &ƌŝĚĂLJΖƐ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ϭϰ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ ϭϰ

ǁŚŝůĞ h -PROP (-ϴ͘ϵйͿ͕ IKEJAHOTEL (-ϴ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ GOLDINSURE (-ϴ͘ϯйͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ďŝŐŐĞƐƚ ůŽƐĞƌƐ͘ tĞ ĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĂŬ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƚŽ ďĞ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ƚŚŝƐ ǁĞĞŬ ďƵƚ ŶŽƚĞ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞƌĞ ǁŝůů be

ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƟĞƐ ƚŽ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ ŝŶ ĨƵŶĚĂŵĞŶƚĂůůLJ ƐŽƵŶĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ͘

2.7x

43.7% 8.5% -6.0% 8.2%

8.0%

20.1%

0.0%

0.2%

-26.0%

-27.2%

0.8x

1.7%

0.0%

0.2%

-2.4%

-2.4%

80.4%

35.8%

11.5x

8.5x

8.4%

8.7%

36 Wema Bank PLC

0.73

-1.4%

0.2%

15.9%

15.9%

7.3%

0.7%

7.6x

0.5x

4.1%

13.2%

37 Beta Glass PLC

57.00

1.8%

0.1%

-16.5%

-16.5%

21.1%

14.7%

5.3x

1.0x

2.3%

19.0%

38 Dangote Flour Mills Plc

17.75

3.8%

0.4%

159.1%

168.9%

-3.2%

-0.9%

2.6x

1.1%

-6.3%

39 Transcorp Hotels Plc

5.40

0.0%

0.1%

-11.5%

-9.2%

6.0%

3.2%

12.0x

0.7x

2.8%

40 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

2.00

0.0%

0.1%

9.3%

9.3%

10.7%

3.1%

8.8x

1.0x

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

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 %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

N EM

2.43

10.0%

J A P A ULOIL

58.6

-7.7%

0.24

9.1%

UB A

37.0

0.0%

CHA M S

0.49

8.9%

C OUR T VILLE

30.7

9.1%

SOVR EN IN S

0.25

8.7%

A C C ESS

23.6

0.7%

R EGA LIN S

0.25

8.7%

T R A N SC OR P

17.2

0.0%

WA P IC

0.39

5.4%

J A IZ B A N K

16.3

0.0%

UN ION D A C

0.25

4.2%

Z EN IT H B A N K

10.5

-0.5%

D A N GF LOUR

17.75

3.8%

D A N GF LOUR

7.2

3.8%

UC A P

2.58

2.4%

SOVR EN IN S

5.9

8.7%

57.00

1.8%

ET I

5.6

0.0%

B ET A GLA S

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er

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 %

T ic k er

Value

UA C -P R OP

1.53

-8.9%

UB A

244.8

0.0%

IKEJ A H OT EL

1.60

-8.6%

Z EN IT H B A N K

219.1

-0.5%

GOLD IN SUR E

0.33

-8.3%

GUA R A N T Y

170.2

-1.3%

J A P A ULOIL

0.36

-7.7%

A C C ESS

163.3

0.7%

CCNN

15.30

-3.5%

D A N GF LOUR

126.2

3.8%

FCM B

1.90

-2.6%

M OB IL

61.0

-1.1%

UB N

7.00

-1.4%

ET I

56.3

0.0% 0.0%

WEM A B A N K

M OB IL

8.3% 11.4%

C OUR T VILLE

GUA R A N T Y

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

12.2%

8.95

ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ǁĞƌĞ NEM ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ COURTVILLE ;нϵ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ CHAMS ;нϴ͘ϵйͿ

8.3%

34.00

35 Chemical and Allied Products P

;нϵ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ SOVRENIN ;нϴ͘ϳйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ŵĂƌŐŝŶĂůůLJ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ďLJ Ϭ͘ϭй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ

44.0%

0.7%

34 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

0.9%

45.4%

P ric e C hg %

0.73

-1.4%

N EST LE

49.1

33.00

-1.3%

FB NH

35.2

0.0%

175.00

-1.1%

F LOUR M ILL

27.3

0.0%

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

37

TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

May & Baker Shareholders Get N345m Dividend as Firm Posts Improved Results Goddy Egene Shareholders of Pharmaceutical manufacturing company, May & Baker Nigeria Plc will share N345.05 million as dividend for year ended December 31, 2018, following improvement the company reported in its financial results for the year.

The dividend will translate to

20 kobo per share.

The company’s results shows a 6.08 per cent growth in turnover from N8.06 billion in 2017 to N8.55 billion in 2018. This was achieved despite the fact that in 2018, the company lost three key products which contributed over N3 billion in turnover for the 2017 business year.

Profit before tax stood at

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

N817.91 million while profit after tax from continuing operations was N342.7 million. With N242.5 million extra ordinary income from discontinued operations, the company made a comprehensive income of N585.20 million in 2018 compared to N336.62 million in 2017. At the same time, finance costs reduced by 33.67 per cent from N512.13 million in 2017 to

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 03May-2019, unless otherwise stated.

N339.72 million in 2018. The company ended the year with profit after tax of N548.2 million as against N336 million in 2017.

Managing Director, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor said the continuing growth in sales and the steady profitability of the company to its recent strategic initiatives which has made it resilient to challenges

in the operating environment.

“Our turnover has been growing despite the recent streamlining of our business into core healthcare business.

We have also maintained decent profit when compared to what obtains in our industry,” he said.

He said the impact of the recent recapitalization by the company will become visible

in the 2019 business year as the net proceeds of the rights issue would be invested in some key projects.

Meanwhile, the board of directors of May & Baker has appointed leading entrepreneur and philanthropist, Chief Samuel Onyishi as a non-executive director of the healthcare company.

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 N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A 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 13.14% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.29 2.31 2.99% 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 16.13 16.61 -2.81% ARM Discovery Fund 352.88 363.52 -1.05% ARM Ethical Fund 29.05 29.93 2.88% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.10% 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 98.94 99.64 -2.22% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.65% 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 13.53% Paramount Equity Fund 12.04 12.13 1.90% Women's Investment Fund 105.97 106.28 2.16% 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 1.00 1.00 11.95% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.84 0.85 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.18 1.18 5.40% 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 1,176.05 1,176.88 5.42% FBN Heritage Fund 144.06 145.06 0.45% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 0.00% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 119.48 119.84 4.91% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 119.38 119.74 5.08% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 144.27 146.34 -3.82% 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 Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.28% Legacy Debt Fund 3.38 3.38 4.09% Legacy Equity Fund 1.16 1.18 -5.16% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 1.59% 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 N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 100.00 100.00 12.17% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 109.25 109.53 1.24% 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 12.42% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.17 2.19 0.83% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.08% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 129.51 129.86 3.73%

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 1.53% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,090.47 1,090.47 4.50% 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 1.27 1.29 3.63% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.34 11.40 2.00% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 13.13% 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 121.48 121.97 0.59% 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 1.01 1.01 4.63% 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 2,361.76 2,374.62 2.04% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 199.09 199.09 4.71% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.93 0.94 -1.58% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 252.95 252.98 2.34% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 159.91 161.64 -2.00% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.72% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,226.82 8,320.29 -3.12% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 -0.09% 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 1.18 1.19 -1.03% United Capital Bond Fund 1.68 1.68 5.10% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.71 -2.38% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.17% United Capital Eurobond Fund 110.19 110.19 2.73% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.12 1.13 2.83% 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 10.67 10.83 1.53% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.13 12.27 1.75% Zenith Income Fund 21.67 21.67 12.40% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.60%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A 120.17 52.31

N/A 2.07% 1.10%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.91 105.07 84.74

10.01 107.30 86.29

-6.04% -10.43% -4.44%

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

3.79 6.67 13.73 10.91 153.32

3.83 6.75 13.83 11.11 155.32

-5.27% -12.40% -8.11% -11.66% 6.76%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

106.90

17.40%

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.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019

38

UTILIZATION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE AS AT 3RD OF MAY 2019 S/N CUSTOMERS 1

AMOUNT (US$) PURPOSE

DEBEM H. CHUKWUNONSO

2

RATE DATE

6,091.06 SCHOOL FEES

AKINDE A. ALICE

359.00 29-Apr-19

1,500.00 SCHOOL FEES

3

HASSAN OLATUNJI A

4

TOLORUNLOGO O. JEROME

359.00 29-Apr-19

1,143.90 UPKEEP ALLOWANCE 15,000.00 SCHOOL FEES

S/N

CUSTOMERS

46

ADEYEMI HELEN ABIKE

47

AMOUNT (US$)

PURPOSE

RATE DATE

4,000.00 PTA

ULU NNENNAYA EJIAKU

359.00 2-May-19

4,000.00 BTA

359.00 2-May-19

359.00 29-Apr-19

48

OKOH ONU HUDSON

4,000.00 BTA

359.00 2-May-19

359.00 29-Apr-19

49

NABENA MICHELLE EMBILAKPO

1,200.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

EKPOH UNYIME IMO

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

6

EROHON E. OMOIGIADE

8,147.16 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 29-Apr-19

51

ADEPOJU COMFORT OLURANTI

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

7

OSIGBEMEH J. OJOR

1,828.75 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 29-Apr-19

52

OKOSUN T. OMOTOHANMEN

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

5

NJOKU C. OBINNA

7,395.50 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 29-Apr-19

50

8

OKEKE S. IKECHUKWU

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 29-Apr-19

53

OLONISAKIN M. ADEBISI

3,000.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

9

SALAU-OLAOTI A. ADENIYI

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 29-Apr-19

54

KALU JOHN

3,300.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

10

OBIANUJU ANTHONIA

11

MMAKWE PATRICIA

12

ADERONMU F. ADUNNI

13

ADERONMU F. ADUNNI

14

CBN

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 29-Apr-19

55

OFULUE PRISCILLA C

1,000.00 PTA

359.00 29-Apr-19

56

APIRI BOSEDE

1,600.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

359.00 29-Apr-19

57

AGBAGU L. EDEWEDE-OKOEBOR

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

846.03 PTA

359.00 29-Apr-19

104,271.51 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

58

NWEKE UCHE INNOCENT

4,000.00 PTA

59

OBIEKWE A. IKECHUKWU

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

357.00 29-Apr-19

60

ANTAIH ARIT CAROLINE

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

989.76 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

15

CBN

29,828.03 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

CBN

90,452.18 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 29-Apr-19

61

ANTAIH O. ASUQUO

17

CBN

27,105.99 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 29-Apr-19

62

OLONISAKIN MODUPE ADEBISI

FCMB

1,300,000.00 INTERBANK

359.00 2-May-19

357.00 29-Apr-19

16 18

359.00 2-May-19

300.00 PTA 1,900.00 PTA

360.30 29-Apr-19

63

OMOGAFO RAFAT

19

OLOYEDE O. BABATUNDE

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 30-Apr-19

64

MADU NNAMDI EDOZIE

20

OYEDEJI TEMITOPE

1,500.00 PTA

359.00 30-Apr-19

65

CBN

21

OYEDEJI TEMITOPE

22

ORIOYE S. ADEBAYO

66

1,956.60 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

1,305.09 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

193,753.76 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 2-May-19 357.00 2-May-19

260.31 PTA

359.00 30-Apr-19

CBN

77,548.46 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

3,600.00 PTA

359.00 30-Apr-19

67

EMBASSY OF BELGIUM

51,125.23 CONSULAR FEE REMITTANCE OCT, NOV & DEC '18

AFRICAN WIRE & ALLIED INDUSTRIES LTD

5,000.00 INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY

360.75 2-May-19

AFRICAN WIRE & ALLIED INDUSTRIES LTD

5,000.00 INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY

360.75 2-May-19

360.75 2-May-19

23

IDIM ITA IDIM

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 30-Apr-19

68

24

FAKOLUJO V. OKORORIE

2,000.00 PTA

359.00 30-Apr-19

69

25

AJUYAH O CAROLINE

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 30-Apr-19

70

26

NEGEDU V. UTEWNOJO

1,000.00 PTA

359.00 30-Apr-19

71

VITALIS ONYEAGWARA

5,000.00 BTA

359.00 3-May-19

PROMISE U. ONYEAGWARA

5,000.00 BTA

359.00 3-May-19

AJEH ALICE

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 3-May-19

27

AYE Y. APREMU

4,000.00 PTA

359.50 30-Apr-19

72

28

AYANBODE OLUFEMI

1,119.78 PTA

359.00 30-Apr-19

73

NOVA BANK

5,080,000.00 INTERBANK

360.90 2-May-19

29

FAKOLUJO V. OKORORIE

1,305.00 PTA

359.00 30-Apr-19

74

EZE C. CLEMENT

3,000.00 PTA

359.00 3-May-19

30

LEPE A. ADETOKUNBO

4,956.72 BTA

359.00 30-Apr-19

75

ANYANASO HENRY CHINAEDU

3,500.00 PTA

359.00 3-May-19

31

76

MARY JOSEPH MICHIKA

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 3-May-19

ISONG R. NCHEWI

3,546.75 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 30-Apr-19

32

WAGBARA LUKE

2,700.00 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 30-Apr-19

77

OMAH E. CHUKWUNEDU

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 3-May-19

33

EBOHON E. OMOIGIADE

7,632.04 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 30-Apr-19

78

OKAFOR M. CHUKWUDILIM

3,000.00 PTA

359.00 3-May-19

INNOCENT E. UWAH

2,000.00 PTA

35

CBN

80,549.88 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 30-Apr-19

80

ADEYERI ABIODUN TAIWO

3,366.94 PTA

359.00 3-May-19

36

CBN

20,155.03 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 30-Apr-19

81

IKA CHRISTIAN

3,918.38 PTA

359.00 3-May-19

37

JUST FOOD

74,886.11 COMELLE CM ICE CREAM POWDER

360.75 30-Apr-19

82

FAGBHUNKA OLA JULIUS

38

NIGERIAN AGIP CPFA LTD

6,420.00 BNG PAYMENT FOR SUBSCRIPTION

360.55 30-Apr-19

83

BALA SULEIMAN

34

39

EKPENDU A. YOUNG

14,709.18 SCHOOL FEES

PLASTIMAT LTD

80,000.00 POLYPROPYLENE

40

PLASTIMAT LTD

41

INDUSTRIAL FLAVOURS & COLOURS LTD

42

359.00 30-Apr-19

360.75 30-Apr-19

7,250.00 INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY 30,000.00 MIXTURE OF ODORIFEROUS SUBSTANCES

AJUYAH ITSEORITSEWARAMI E

4,000.00 PTA

79

84

656.41 PTA

JOEL TEBRIMAM YAKUBU

85

NAIYEJU TITUS OLORUNSOLA

86

GLOBAL ORGANICS LTD

359.00 2-May-19

87

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

88

BSV INDUSTRIES

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

89

ETERNA

45

OKUNUGA O. GBOLAHAN

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 2-May-19

359.00 3-May-19

2,438.75 SCHOOL FEES

INDUSTRIAL FLAVOURS & COLOURS LTD

SULEMAN A. SHERIFATU KOMOLAFE J. BOSEDE

359.00 3-May-19

1,000.00 SCHOOL FEES

360.75 30-Apr-19

43

359.00 3-May-19

2,500.00 SCHOOL FEES

360.75 30-Apr-19

44

359.00 3-May-19

359.00 3-May-19

34,180.00 VETERINARY FORMULATIONS

360.99 3-May-19

30,000.00 MIXTURE OF ODORIFEROUS SUBSTANCES

360.99 3-May-19

50,000.00 PVC STABILIZER

360.99 3-May-19

500,000.00 INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL

361.90 3-May-19

SOURCE OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE AS AT 3RD OF MAY 2019 S/N

SOURCE

S/N

SOURCE

S/N

SOURCE

S/N

SOURCE

1

AUTONOMOUS

2,529.50

359.00 29-Apr-19

93

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

185

AUTONOMOUS

790.00

359.00 2-May-19

277

AUTONOMOUS

22,250,000.00

360.00 2-May-19

2

AUTONOMOUS

AMOUNT (US$) 81.97

359.00 29-Apr-19

RATE DATE

94

AUTONOMOUS

AMOUNT (US$) 100.00

357.00 29-Apr-19

RATE DATE

186

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

278

AUTONOMOUS

98.10

359.00 3-May-19

RATE DATE

AMOUNT (US$)

RATE DATE

359.00 29-Apr-19

95

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

AUTONOMOUS

1,241.35

359.00 2-May-19

279

AUTONOMOUS

165.00

359.00 3-May-19

4

AUTONOMOUS

375.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

96

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

188

AUTONOMOUS

83,970.00

359.00 2-May-19

280

AUTONOMOUS

182.63

359.00 3-May-19

5

AUTONOMOUS

2,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

97

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

189

AUTONOMOUS

1,888.00

359.00 2-May-19

281

AUTONOMOUS

220.00

359.00 3-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

2,480.00

300.00

359.00 3-May-19

3

AUTONOMOUS

33.79

187

AMOUNT (US$)

359.00 29-Apr-19

98

AUTONOMOUS

800.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

AUTONOMOUS

2,050.00

359.00 2-May-19

282

AUTONOMOUS

7

AUTONOMOUS

780.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

99

AUTONOMOUS

4,300.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

191

AUTONOMOUS

5,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

283

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

8

AUTONOMOUS

190.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

100

AUTONOMOUS

630.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

192

AUTONOMOUS

290.00

359.00 2-May-19

284

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 3-May-19

9

AUTONOMOUS

250.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

101

AUTONOMOUS

950.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

193

AUTONOMOUS

120.00

359.00 2-May-19

285

AUTONOMOUS

703.00

359.00 3-May-19

10

AUTONOMOUS

110.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

102

IMTO

137,469.41

355.00 29-Apr-19

194

AUTONOMOUS

35.59

359.00 2-May-19

286

AUTONOMOUS

600.00

359.00 3-May-19

6

190

359.00 29-Apr-19

103

IMTO

1,559.27

355.00 29-Apr-19

AUTONOMOUS

950.00

359.00 2-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

667.00

359.00 3-May-19

12

AUTONOMOUS

170.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

104

IMTO

39,264.64

355.00 29-Apr-19

196

AUTONOMOUS

5,951.68

359.00 2-May-19

288

AUTONOMOUS

4,565.00

359.00 3-May-19

13

AUTONOMOUS

246.20

359.00 29-Apr-19

105

IMTO

506.06

354.86 29-Apr-19

197

AUTONOMOUS

450.00

359.00 2-May-19

289

AUTONOMOUS

306.32

14

AUTONOMOUS

262.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

106

IMTO

119,250.29

355.00 29-Apr-19

198

AUTONOMOUS

1,669.00

359.00 2-May-19

290

AUTONOMOUS

90.00

359.00 3-May-19

15

AUTONOMOUS

319.50

359.00 29-Apr-19

107

IMTO

1,352.62

355.00 29-Apr-19

199

AUTONOMOUS

53.00

359.00 2-May-19

291

AUTONOMOUS

152.83

359.00 3-May-19

16

AUTONOMOUS

368.20

359.00 29-Apr-19

108

IMTO

35,673.57

355.00 29-Apr-19

200

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

359.00 2-May-19

292

AUTONOMOUS

117.88

359.00 3-May-19

11

AUTONOMOUS

160.00

195

287

359.00 3-May-19

359.00 3-May-19

359.00 29-Apr-19

109

IMTO

467.75

354.98 29-Apr-19

201

AUTONOMOUS

102.40

359.00 2-May-19

293

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

18

AUTONOMOUS

865.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

110

AUTONOMOUS

683,051.07

360.00 29-Apr-19

202

AUTONOMOUS

130.00

359.00 2-May-19

294

AUTONOMOUS

980.00

359.00 3-May-19

19

AUTONOMOUS

987.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

111

AUTONOMOUS

50,000.00

360.00 29-Apr-19

203

AUTONOMOUS

139.00

359.00 2-May-19

295

AUTONOMOUS

91.77

359.00 3-May-19

20

AUTONOMOUS

990.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

112

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

360.00 29-Apr-19

204

AUTONOMOUS

5,170.00

359.00 2-May-19

296

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

359.00 3-May-19

21

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

113

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

360.00 29-Apr-19

205

AUTONOMOUS

170.00

AUTONOMOUS

88.36

359.00 3-May-19

22

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

114

AUTONOMOUS

250,000.00

359.75 29-Apr-19

206

AUTONOMOUS

170.00

359.00 2-May-19

298

AUTONOMOUS

472.51

359.00 3-May-19

23

AUTONOMOUS

2,005.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

115

CBN

3,500,000.00

357.00 29-Apr-19

207

AUTONOMOUS

280.00

359.00 2-May-19

299

AUTONOMOUS

990.00

24

AUTONOMOUS

2,390.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

116

CBN

2,000,000.00

357.00 29-Apr-19

208

AUTONOMOUS

290.00

359.00 2-May-19

300

AUTONOMOUS

20.00

359.00 3-May-19

25

AUTONOMOUS

2,922.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

117

AUTONOMOUS

1,130.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

209

AUTONOMOUS

319.00

359.00 2-May-19

301

AUTONOMOUS

53.13

359.00 3-May-19

26

AUTONOMOUS

3,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

118

AUTONOMOUS

5,180.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

210

AUTONOMOUS

341.00

359.00 2-May-19

302

AUTONOMOUS

78.55

359.00 3-May-19

27

AUTONOMOUS

4,450.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

119

AUTONOMOUS

2,800.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

390.00

359.00 2-May-19

303

AUTONOMOUS

81.86

359.00 3-May-19

28

AUTONOMOUS

5,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

120

AUTONOMOUS

1,230.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

212

AUTONOMOUS

550.00

359.00 2-May-19

304

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

29

AUTONOMOUS

390.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

121

AUTONOMOUS

2,500.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

213

AUTONOMOUS

620.57

359.00 2-May-19

305

AUTONOMOUS

348.07

359.00 3-May-19

30

AUTONOMOUS

135.96

359.00 29-Apr-19

122

AUTONOMOUS

50.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

214

AUTONOMOUS

739.21

359.00 2-May-19

306

AUTONOMOUS

900.00

359.00 3-May-19

31

AUTONOMOUS

297.09

359.00 29-Apr-19

123

AUTONOMOUS

2,576.44

359.00 30-Apr-19

215

AUTONOMOUS

933.58

359.00 2-May-19

307

AUTONOMOUS

1,050.00

359.00 3-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

184.04

359.00 3-May-19

17

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

211

359.00 3-May-19

359.00 29-Apr-19

124

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

949.09

359.00 2-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

1,200.00

AUTONOMOUS

95.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

125

AUTONOMOUS

688.87

359.00 30-Apr-19

217

AUTONOMOUS

990.00

359.00 2-May-19

309

AUTONOMOUS

2,000.00

AUTONOMOUS

95.85

359.00 29-Apr-19

126

AUTONOMOUS

1,460.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

218

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

310

AUTONOMOUS

7,300.00

359.00 3-May-19

35

AUTONOMOUS

1,330.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

127

AUTONOMOUS

13.34

359.00 30-Apr-19

219

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

311

AUTONOMOUS

7,000.00

359.00 3-May-19

36

AUTONOMOUS

6,980.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

128

AUTONOMOUS

436.91

359.00 30-Apr-19

220

AUTONOMOUS

1,024.00

359.00 2-May-19

312

AUTONOMOUS

190.00

359.00 3-May-19

37

AUTONOMOUS

11,077.13

359.00 29-Apr-19

129

AUTONOMOUS

86.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

359.00 3-May-19

38

AUTONOMOUS

25,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

130

AUTONOMOUS

270.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

222

AUTONOMOUS

1,224.80

359.00 2-May-19

314

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

39

AUTONOMOUS

923.96

359.00 29-Apr-19

131

AUTONOMOUS

1,480.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

223

AUTONOMOUS

1,500.00

359.00 2-May-19

315

AUTONOMOUS

405.00

359.00 3-May-19

40

AUTONOMOUS

1,436.04

359.00 29-Apr-19

132

AUTONOMOUS

95.50

359.00 30-Apr-19

224

AUTONOMOUS

1,980.00

359.00 2-May-19

316

AUTONOMOUS

2,424.50

359.00 3-May-19

41

AUTONOMOUS

276.55

359.00 29-Apr-19

133

AUTONOMOUS

240.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

225

AUTONOMOUS

2,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

317

AUTONOMOUS

900.00

359.00 3-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

1,030.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

134

AUTONOMOUS

270.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

226

AUTONOMOUS

AUTONOMOUS

120.00

359.00 3-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

60.84

359.00 29-Apr-19

135

AUTONOMOUS

400.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

227

AUTONOMOUS

2,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

319

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

359.00 3-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

1,076.34

359.00 29-Apr-19

136

AUTONOMOUS

700.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

228

AUTONOMOUS

2,480.00

359.00 2-May-19

320

AUTONOMOUS

125.00

45

AUTONOMOUS

210.18

359.00 29-Apr-19

137

AUTONOMOUS

490.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

229

AUTONOMOUS

5,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

321

AUTONOMOUS

290.00

359.00 3-May-19

46

AUTONOMOUS

553.11

359.00 29-Apr-19

138

AUTONOMOUS

490.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

230

AUTONOMOUS

290.00

359.00 2-May-19

322

AUTONOMOUS

1,990.00

359.00 3-May-19

47

AUTONOMOUS

287.62

359.00 29-Apr-19

139

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

231

AUTONOMOUS

2,630.00

359.00 2-May-19

323

AUTONOMOUS

130.00

359.00 3-May-19

403.77

359.00 3-May-19

48

AUTONOMOUS

553.11

359.00 29-Apr-19

140

AUTONOMOUS

800.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

AUTONOMOUS

752.00

359.00 2-May-19

324

AUTONOMOUS

240.00

49

AUTONOMOUS

1,290.95

359.00 29-Apr-19

141

AUTONOMOUS

850.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

233

AUTONOMOUS

1,261.53

359.00 2-May-19

325

AUTONOMOUS

240.00

359.00 3-May-19

50

AUTONOMOUS

693.13

359.00 29-Apr-19

142

AUTONOMOUS

1,005.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

234

AUTONOMOUS

24.96

359.00 2-May-19

326

AUTONOMOUS

222.00

359.00 3-May-19

51

AUTONOMOUS

55.31

359.00 29-Apr-19

143

AUTONOMOUS

430.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

235

AUTONOMOUS

132.96

359.00 2-May-19

327

AUTONOMOUS

281.30

359.00 3-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

221.32

AUTONOMOUS

AUTONOMOUS

205.20

500.00

359.00 3-May-19

53

AUTONOMOUS

745.59

359.00 29-Apr-19

145

AUTONOMOUS

99.59

359.00 30-Apr-19

221.32

359.00 2-May-19

329

AUTONOMOUS

172.00

359.00 3-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

63.30

359.00 29-Apr-19

146

AUTONOMOUS

519.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

238

AUTONOMOUS

77.46

359.00 2-May-19

330

AUTONOMOUS

5,200.00

AUTONOMOUS

12.82

359.00 30-Apr-19

239

AUTONOMOUS

553.30

359.00 2-May-19

331

AUTONOMOUS

418.89

359.00 3-May-19

359.00 29-Apr-19

AUTONOMOUS

55.33

359.00 30-Apr-19

236 237

359.00 2-May-19

328

AUTONOMOUS

359.00 3-May-19

54

52

144

232

318

359.00 3-May-19

43

AUTONOMOUS

359.00 2-May-19

313

359.00 3-May-19

44

42

2,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

308

359.00 3-May-19

33

221

AUTONOMOUS

297

34

32

216

AUTONOMOUS

359.00 2-May-19

359.00 3-May-19

359.00 3-May-19

55

AUTONOMOUS

165.71

359.00 29-Apr-19

147

56

AUTONOMOUS

4,956.25

359.00 29-Apr-19

148

AUTONOMOUS

385.32

359.00 30-Apr-19

240

AUTONOMOUS

402.80

359.00 2-May-19

332

AUTONOMOUS

440.00

359.00 3-May-19

57

AUTONOMOUS

552.35

359.00 29-Apr-19

149

AUTONOMOUS

366.05

359.00 30-Apr-19

241

AUTONOMOUS

165.99

359.00 2-May-19

333

AUTONOMOUS

671.50

359.00 3-May-19

58

AUTONOMOUS

2,209.42

359.00 29-Apr-19

150

AUTONOMOUS

1,337.05

359.00 30-Apr-19

242

AUTONOMOUS

12,181.30

359.00 2-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

174.00

359.00 3-May-19

59

AUTONOMOUS

1,104.71

359.00 29-Apr-19

151

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

357.00 30-Apr-19

243

AUTONOMOUS

432.75

359.00 2-May-19

335

AUTONOMOUS

116.85

60

AUTONOMOUS

897.19

359.00 29-Apr-19

152

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

244

AUTONOMOUS

554.81

359.00 2-May-19

336

AUTONOMOUS

99.98

359.00 3-May-19

61

AUTONOMOUS

433.21

359.00 29-Apr-19

153

AUTONOMOUS

3,200.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

245

AUTONOMOUS

5,548.05

359.00 2-May-19

337

AUTONOMOUS

147.19

359.00 3-May-19

62

AUTONOMOUS

817.72

359.00 29-Apr-19

154

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

246

AUTONOMOUS

642.18

359.00 2-May-19

338

AUTONOMOUS

73.03

359.00 3-May-19

359.00 29-Apr-19

155

AUTONOMOUS

3,000.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

AUTONOMOUS

431.56

AUTONOMOUS

545.45

359.00 3-May-19

64

AUTONOMOUS

192.25

359.00 29-Apr-19

156

AUTONOMOUS

1,450.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

248

AUTONOMOUS

2,825.68

359.00 2-May-19

340

AUTONOMOUS

2,208.45

359.00 3-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

1,200.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

157

AUTONOMOUS

1,320.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

249

AUTONOMOUS

167.06

359.00 2-May-19

341

AUTONOMOUS

1,245.00

66

AUTONOMOUS

5,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

158

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

250

AUTONOMOUS

64.07

359.00 2-May-19

342

AUTONOMOUS

95.57

359.00 3-May-19

67

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

159

AUTONOMOUS

400.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

251

AUTONOMOUS

116.30

359.00 2-May-19

343

AUTONOMOUS

683.20

359.00 3-May-19

68

AUTONOMOUS

800.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

160

AUTONOMOUS

1,500.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

252

AUTONOMOUS

282.72

359.00 2-May-19

344

AUTONOMOUS

852.51

359.00 3-May-19

417.66

303.74

AUTONOMOUS

32.04

359.00 2-May-19

339

359.00 3-May-19

65

63

247

334

359.00 3-May-19

69

AUTONOMOUS

600.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

161

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

253

AUTONOMOUS

359.00 2-May-19

345

AUTONOMOUS

70

AUTONOMOUS

3,500.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

162

AUTONOMOUS

3,000.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

254

AUTONOMOUS

7.71

359.00 2-May-19

346

AUTONOMOUS

55.54

359.00 3-May-19

71

AUTONOMOUS

3,700.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

163

AUTONOMOUS

2,000.00

359.00 30-Apr-19

255

AUTONOMOUS

642.55

359.00 2-May-19

347

AUTONOMOUS

155.52

359.00 3-May-19

72

AUTONOMOUS

4,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

164

IMTO

106,035.63

355.00 30-Apr-19

256

AUTONOMOUS

2,775.81

359.00 2-May-19

348

AUTONOMOUS

226.07

359.00 3-May-19

73

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

165

IMTO

1,364.21

355.00 30-Apr-19

257

AUTONOMOUS

20,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

238.84

359.00 3-May-19

74

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

166

IMTO

26,489.84

355.00 30-Apr-19

258

AUTONOMOUS

112,197.41

359.00 2-May-19

350

AUTONOMOUS

1,110.89

75

AUTONOMOUS

1,600.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

167

IMTO

383.53

354.82 30-Apr-19

259

AUTONOMOUS

4,053.76

359.00 2-May-19

351

AUTONOMOUS

2,196.23

76

AUTONOMOUS

1,400.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

168

AUTONOMOUS

23,060.00

359.75 30-Apr-19

260

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

359.00 2-May-19

352

AUTONOMOUS

555.45

359.00 3-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

305.02

359.00 2-May-19

261

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

359.00 2-May-19

353

AUTONOMOUS

1,088.67

359.00 3-May-19

AUTONOMOUS

1,296.20

359.00 2-May-19

262

AUTONOMOUS

2,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

354

AUTONOMOUS

2,271.77

359.00 3-May-19

77

AUTONOMOUS

1,200.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

169

78

AUTONOMOUS

1,700.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

170

359.00 2-May-19

263

349

AUTONOMOUS

359.00 3-May-19

359.00 3-May-19 359.00 3-May-19

79

AUTONOMOUS

850.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

171

AUTONOMOUS

488.28

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

355

AUTONOMOUS

308.27

359.00 3-May-19

80

AUTONOMOUS

2,500.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

172

AUTONOMOUS

4,955.00

359.00 2-May-19

264

AUTONOMOUS

5,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

356

AUTONOMOUS

3,332.67

359.00 3-May-19

81

AUTONOMOUS

4,310.10

359.00 29-Apr-19

173

AUTONOMOUS

1,225.00

359.00 2-May-19

265

AUTONOMOUS

1,500.00

359.00 2-May-19

357

AUTONOMOUS

777.62

359.00 3-May-19 359.00 3-May-19

82

AUTONOMOUS

450.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

174

AUTONOMOUS

380.00

359.00 2-May-19

266

AUTONOMOUS

700.00

359.00 2-May-19

358

AUTONOMOUS

62.21

83

AUTONOMOUS

2,900.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

175

AUTONOMOUS

250.00

359.00 2-May-19

267

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

359

AUTONOMOUS

63.50

84

AUTONOMOUS

1,400.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

176

AUTONOMOUS

130.00

359.00 2-May-19

268

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 2-May-19

360

AUTONOMOUS

64.80

359.00 3-May-19

85

AUTONOMOUS

2,130.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

177

AUTONOMOUS

80.00

359.00 2-May-19

269

IMTO

130,723.63

355.00 2-May-19

361

AUTONOMOUS

194.40

359.00 3-May-19

86

AUTONOMOUS

375.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

178

AUTONOMOUS

158.00

359.00 2-May-19

270

IMTO

1,564.35

355.00 2-May-19

362

AUTONOMOUS

324.00

359.00 3-May-19

160.00

124,478.97

179

AUTONOMOUS

359.00 2-May-19

271

IMTO

388.80

359.00 3-May-19

88

AUTONOMOUS

814.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

180

AUTONOMOUS

19.70

359.00 2-May-19

272

IMTO

1,571.40

355.00 2-May-19

364

AUTONOMOUS

7,800.00

359.00 3-May-19

89

AUTONOMOUS

2,500.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

181

AUTONOMOUS

222.80

359.00 2-May-19

273

IMTO

57,841.51

355.00 2-May-19

365

AUTONOMOUS

97,558.42

359.00 3-May-19

90

AUTONOMOUS

530.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

182

AUTONOMOUS

400.00

359.00 2-May-19

274

IMTO

735.06

354.87 2-May-19

366

AUTONOMOUS

33,920.07

359.00 3-May-19

91

AUTONOMOUS

400.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

183

AUTONOMOUS

473.00

359.00 2-May-19

275

IMTO

44,233.62

355.00 2-May-19

367

AUTONOMOUS

2,211.40

359.75 3-May-19

92

AUTONOMOUS

6,400.00

357.00 29-Apr-19

184

AUTONOMOUS

680.00

359.00 2-May-19

276

IMTO

587.75

354.98 2-May-19

368

AUTONOMOUS

300,000.00

360.00 3-May-19

87

AUTONOMOUS

www.ubagroup.com

580.00

359.00 29-Apr-19

355.00 2-May-19

363

AUTONOMOUS

359.00 3-May-19

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40

TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

US Deploys Carrier, Bombers to Middle East to Deter Iran The Donald Trump administration is deploying a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East in response to troubling “indications and warnings” from Iran and to show the United States will retaliate with “unrelenting force” to any attack, National Security Adviser, John Bolton has disclosed.

With tensions already high between Washington and Tehran, a US official said the deployment has been ordered “as a deterrence to what has been seen as potential preparations

by Iranian forces and its proxies that may indicate possible attacks on U.S. forces in the region.”

However, the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States was not expecting any imminent Iranian attack.

Bolton - who has spearheaded an increasingly hawkish US policy on Iran - said the decision, which could exacerbate problems between the two countries, was meant to send a “clear and unmistakable message” of U.S. resolve to Tehran.

Though he cited no specific Iranian activities that have raised new concerns, Iran has recently warned it would block the Strait of Hormuz if it was barred from using the strategic

waterway. About a fifth of the oil consumed globally passes through the strait.

“The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or regular Iranian forces,” Bolton said in a statement.

It marked the latest in a series of moves by President Trump’s administration aimed at ratcheting up pressure on Iran in recent months.

Washington has said it will stop waivers for countries buying Iranian oil, in an attempt to reduce Iran’s oil exports to

zero. It has also blacklisted Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps, taking the unprecedented step of designating it as a foreign terrorist organization, which Iran has cast as an American provocation.

The Trump administration’s efforts to impose political and economic isolation on Tehran began last year when it unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal it and other world powers negotiated with Iran in 2015.

“The United States is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the U.S. Central Command region to

send a clear and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force,” Bolton said.

Bolton did not provide any further details.

A U.S. Navy statement issued early last month said the aircraft carrier and its accompanying convoy of ships had steamed out of Norfolk, Virginia, on April 1 “for a regularly scheduled deployment”, but it did not give any destination at the time.

While it is not rare for the United States to have aircraft carriers in the Middle East, Bolton’s language could increase

tensions.

The threat late last month from the IRGC to close the Strait of Hormuz followed a U.S. announcement that it would end exemptions granted last year to eight buyers of Iranian oil and demanding they stop purchases

by May 1 or face sanctions.

European governments have opposed Washington’s reinstatement of sanctions on Iran.

A senior Trump administration official said at the time that any aggressive move by Iran in the strait would be unjustified and unacceptable.

Iran has made threats to block the waterway in the past, without acting on them.

55 Persons Die as Tanker Truck Explodes in Niger At least 55 people were killed on Monday in Niger when a tanker truck exploded near a petrol station in the capital Niamey, Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum said.

The explosion happened as

some residents were trying to siphon fuel from the tanker near the airport, the minister wrote on Twitter.

At least 37 people were injured and taken to hospitals.

Prince Harry Welcomes Baby Boy The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has announced the birth of a baby boy.

Meghan Markle had gone into labour in the early hours of yesterday as royal fans desperately awaited news of her first child with Harry.

The couple made the announcement on their Instagram account Merghan Harry News on Monday “We are pleased to announce that Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their firstborn child in the early morning on May 6, 2019. Their Royal Highnesses’ son weighs 7lbs. 3oz,” it said.

Their royal highnesses have decided to keep details of the

birth secret.

Therefore, it is unknown if she is in hospital or at home – her preferred choice. The couple had previously announced their newborn would not be making his or her public appearance on its first day in the world, a step away from royal tradition.

“The Duchess and baby are both healthy and well and the couple thank members of the public for their shared excitement and support during this very special time in their lives “More details will be shared in the forthcoming days.”

Prince Harry was present in the hospital with the duchess at the time of delivery.

ICC Stops Referring Jordan to UN for Failure to Arrest Sudan’s al-Bashir The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Monday that it would not refer Jordan to the UN Security Council for its failure to arrest former Sudanese President Omar alBashir when he visited Amman in 2017.

In a split ruling, a five-judge panel said that while Jordan should have arrested al-Bashir, its failure to do so was not grounds for referral because the country had tried to consult with the court about the matter ahead of time.

The former Sudanese President, who was ousted in April after 30 years in power, is the subject of two ICC arrest warrants over his alleged role in war crimes including genocide in Sudan’s Darfur province.

Jordan had cited head of state immunity – which is customary under international law – as the reason for not arresting al-Bashir in 2017.

But the ICC court said immunity no longer applied to al-Bashir due to Sudan’s alleged war crimes.

“The appeals chamber confirms … Jordan had failed to comply with its obligations under the statute by failing to execute the court’s request for the arrest of al-Bashir and his surrender to the court, while he was in Amman on March 29, 2017,” presiding judge Chile Eboe-Osuji said.

But Eboe-Osuji said that referring Jordan to the UN for possible sanction went too far.

The ICC had noted in a statement in Dec. 2017 that it was Jordan’s fundamental duty to arrest al-Bashir and hand him to the court when he arrived to attend the Arab League summit in March of that year.

Under court rules, judges can use their discretion on whether a violation is serious enough to prompt a referral.

DISCUSSING MIGRATION…

R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Migration Adviser, Embassy of Switzerland, Jolanda Pfister Herren; Director, Federal Commission on Migration (FCM), Simone Prodolliet; and member, FCM, Martina Caroni (left), during a courtesy visit by a delegation on migration from Switzerland at the Government House, in Benin City....recently

Trump’s Former Lawyer, Michael Cohen, Begins Three-year Prison Sentence United States President, Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has left his home for a prison outside New York City to begin serving a three-year sentence.

Cohen pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2018 for lying to Congress and for campaign finance violations related to hushmoney payments he made to two women, in addition to financial crimes.

He previously accused Trump of telling multiple lies on his way to becoming president and after taking office.

The lawyer also took another swipe at his former client before leaving his home on Monday for the federal corrections facility in Otisville.

The prison is about 100 kilometres north of New York City.

“There still remains much to be told, and I look forward

to the day that I can share the truth,” Cohen said.

He added that he hoped that the country would be “in a place without xenophobia, injustice and lies at the helm of our country” at the end of his jail term.

The 52-year-old, whose relationship with Trump collapsed after an FBI raid on his home and office in 2018, provided damaging testimony to a congressional panel in March.

He told lawmakers that Trump used personal funds to repay him for the hushmoney payments made to adult film actress, Stormy Daniels and Playboy model, Karen McDougal.

Cohen also said that Trump was aware of the scheme to pay Daniels 130,000 dollars in exchange for her silence about the alleged affair and that cheques to reimburse him were written during his time in office.

South Sudan Agrees Oil Exploration Deal with South Africa South Sudan and South Africa will sign a production sharing agreement for an untapped exploration block in the East African country, South Sudan’s petroleum ministry said on Monday.

The ministry said in a statement in Jubai that Exploration Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) for Block B2 would be signed by Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, South Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum and Jeff Radebe, South Africa’s

Minister of Energy.

Blocks B2 and another, B1 were once part of a 120,000 square kilometre area known as Block B, which was divided into three licences in 2012 and is thought to be rich in hydrocarbons although very little drilling has been done there.

The untapped exploration block hampered by civil war lies in greater Jonglei State The world’s youngest country, which split from

Sudan in 2011, has one of the largest reserves of crude in sub-Saharan Africa, only a third of which have been explored.

The country lost many of its oilfields to a civil war that broke out two years after its independence. A September peace deal is largely holding.

In April, Awow Daniel Chuang, director general for petroleum at the ministry of petroleum, said production was expected to reach around

195,000 barrels per day by the end of the year, from 175,000 at present, and rise to 220,000 bpd by early 2020.

The government has said production would reach pre-war levels of 350,000 to 400,000 bpd by mid-2020.

More than 400,000 people died in South Sudan’s civil war, which displaced around a third of the country’s 12 million population and plunged parts of the country into famine.

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Alleged Corruption: NFIU Probes Revenue Allocation to LGs To sanction banks for violation of financial regulations James Emejo in Abuja The Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has commenced investigations into revenue allocations to local government areas across the states of the federation.

The main focus of the probe is the contentious State, Joint Local Government Accounts (SJLGA), which is said to pose the biggest corruption, money laundering and security threats at the grassroots levels as well as the entire financial system.

Consequently, the anticorruption unit said it has resolved to “uphold the full provisions of Section 162 (6) (8)of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended which designated “State Joint Local Government Account into which shall be paid allocations to the local government councils of the state from the federation account and from the government of the state.”

To this end, the unit has requested all financial institutions, other relevant stakeholders, public servants and the entire citizenry to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the guidelines already submitted to financial institutions and

relevant enforcement agencies including full enforcement of corresponding sanctions against violations from 1st June, 2019.

According to a statement by the Acting Chief Media Analyst for NFIU, Ahmed Dikko, the unit’s action has become necessary in order to avoid a possible isolation of the entire Nigerian financial system by other international financial systems “because of deficiencies in our anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing implementation.”

“Therefore, it is no longer possible to allow the entire system to suffer the deliberate and expensive infractions or violations by public officials and/or private business interests.

The statement warned that going forward, all erring individuals and companies will be allowed to face direct international and local targeted sanctions, in order not to allow any negative consequences to fall on the entire country.

The NFIU specifically stressed that effective from June 1, 2019, any bank that allows any transaction from any local government account without monies first reaching a particular local government account will

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be sanctioned 100 per cent, both locally and internationally.

The statement further noted that a provision had also been made to the effect that there shall be no cash withdrawal from any local government for a cumulative amount exceeding N500,000 per day, adding that any other transaction must be done through valid cheques or electronic funds transfer.

Essentially, the move by NFIU is meant to check abuses and embezzlement of funds meant for the local government development, which are often seized or siphoned by state governors.

The local government councils have severally protested to relevant quarters, including the National Assembly in order devise another means where such monies could get to them directly.

The NFIU particularly drew attention to a provision establishing the joint account that, “the amount standing to the credit of local government councils of a state shall be distributed among the local government councils of that state” and not for other unspecified purposes.

“Any state government that is willing to seek any expert

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economic advice in the unlikely event of these guidelines constituting an inconvenience to the management of the state can work with the NFIU and / or CBN”, the statement added.

The investigation reportedly

has the full backing of NFIU Boss, Modibbo Hamman-Tukur.

The NFIU also added that the complete guidelines has been released to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); the Chairman, Economic and

Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC); and chief executive officers of all banks and other financial institutions.

Ezekwesili Condemns Buhari’s Comment on IG Says it’s a callous joke about insecurity A former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has condemned President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment on the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, describing it as a “callous joke about insecurity.”

President Buhari had awarded a pass mark to the efforts of Adamu, saying the fact that the police boss has been losing weight is a strong indication that he is working very hard at securing the country.

Buhari spoke on Sunday on arrival from his 10-day private visit to the United Kingdom.

In a video tweeted by a journalist at the VOA, Saleh Shehu Ashaka, via his verified Twitter handle @AshakaSaleh, a reporter had asked the

President: “Are we likely to see a different approach in the fight against insecurity, especially kidnapping, which is a big issue now, Sir?” The President responded: “You know, I have just seen the IG, he is… I think he is losing weight; so, I think he is working very hard.”

But the former Education Minister took exception to the president’s response, noting that it was a “callous joke about insecurity after 10 days of Buhari leaving his country for some opaque private visit.”

In a series of tweets yesterday, Ezekwesili said, “Citizens of every country have the power to determine how their political class can treat them;” noting that, “Until we are collectively ready to end the joke that our political

class have turned Nigeria into, they’ll continue.”

She said she had frankly decided to never again waste her voice on a political class that has no redeeming prospect of caring about their citizens.

“But I could not hold back at this callous joke about insecurity after ten days of Muhammadu Buhari leaving his country for some opaque private visit.”

“And this is supposed to be funny? A President Buhari making a joke of the daily drenching of the country in the blood of his citizens who are killed daily without any consequence while he bears the title Commander-in-Chief?”

She then warned, “Carry on. Someday the citizens will be ready.

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Nigeria’s Taxpayers’ Roll to Hit 45m as Database Integration Nears Completion Esther Oluku The taxpayers’ roll of the country will soon hit 45 million.

This was disclosed in Abuja yesterday by the Executive Secretary of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Oseni Elamah. Elamah disclosed this while presenting a report on the new Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Registration System to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Tunde Fowler, who is also the Chairmann of JTB. Elamah stated that the leap

in taxpayer roll is the result of collaborative efforts between the (FIRS) and State Internal Revenue Services (SIRSs), part of which is the ongoing integration of databases that will fetch the nation a total of 45 million individual and corporate taxpayers.

The JTB Executive Secretary also stated that the JTB has completed the building of a new TIN Registration System, which is an integration of TIN numbers of various organisations, adding that the growth of the taxpayers’ database is a major flank of the

EFCC: Probe of Senate President Not Connected to IHRC Appointment Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday faulted media reports linking its probe of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki’s earnings as Governor of Kwara State and his recent appointment as the Ambassador of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).

The report raised the issue of the closeness between the appointment and the sudden, renewed inquest into his earnings as Governor of Kwara State from 2003-2011.

But the anti-graft agency said investigation into the former governor’s tenure predated the IHRC appointment.

A statement issued yesterday in Abuja and signed by the Acting Spokesman of the agency, Tony Orilade, said the agency sent the letter concerning the investigation

to Kwara State government before the appointment.

“For the avoidance of doubt, investigation into the Senate President’s activities while he held sway as the governor of Kwara State started long before his nomination and emergence as IHRC ambassador.

“In fact, the commission’s letter to the Kwara State Government House, which sought an inquest into Saraki’s earnings as the state governor, from 2003 to 2011 was dated Friday, April 26, 2019, predating his announcement as IHRC ambassador at large which came on Sunday, April 28, 2019 with two clear days.

“We, therefore, urge members of the public to disregard the false connect the writer sought to establish between Saraki’s IHRC ambassadorial appointment and our inquiries into his earnings as a state governor”, he said.

Ogun Gov-elect Vows to Review Appointments, New Contracts Femi Ogbonnikan in Abeokuta The Ogun State Governorelect, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has vowed to review all appointments, installation of traditional rulers, award of contracts, commitments and other obligations entered into during the transition period, after the general election, saying his administration would not be liable for such arrangements.

Abiodun, through the Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye, in a statement made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital, yesterday, warned the public to be wary of the various shoddy appointments, installation of traditional rulers, award of contracts and other obligations entered into by the outgoing administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

According to Oladunjoye, “We hereby alert the public and those it may concern that all appointments, installation of traditional rulers, contracts, commitments and obligations entered into during the

transition period after the elections will be reviewed and may not be binding on the incoming administration.

“You will recall that our party, the APC, has in the course of the past few weeks, following our victory at the March 9 gubernatorial elections, issued statements cautioning financial institutions from granting loans, overdrafts and other financial instruments to the outgoing government of Amosun.

“Though a Joint Transition Committee of the outgoing and incoming governments has been set up, Amosun has however, made lastminute appointments and awarded contracts without due consideration to the incoming administration of Abiodun.

“While we accept that the term of this government expires on May 29, 2019, it is morally unacceptable that a governor with less than one month to the expiration of his office will make mass appointments and promotions, thereby committing the incoming administration to unsustainable financial commitments and obligations.”

goals of the JTB in collaboration with the FIRS. On his part, Fowler said the launch of the new TIN registration system will make tax payment easier for taxpayers.

“When the integration of the new TIN Registration System is launched, it will afford prospective taxpayers the opportunity to register for tax from the comfort of their homes and print their registration certificate,” Fowler said.

He expressed delight over the completion of the new TIN Registration System, which he said will encourage transparency, efficiency and convenience in

tax administration in Nigeria.

“I congratulate the JTB for finalising the new TIN Registration System in record time. We now have a consolidated database for all taxpayers in Nigeria. If you (a taxpayer) goes to any other country or visit another state in Nigeria and they want to check your tax status, what this means is that they can check your tax status by a touch of a button. We want to assure all taxpayers that we are ready to serve them more with technology, convenience and accountability,” Fowler stated.

On the benefits of the new

TIN Registration System, Elamah stated that the state revenue authorities are expected to enjoy immense benefits from the new TIN System.

“Among these are taxpayer information accessibility and accuracy. The registration and recording of taxpayer information is one of the fundamental functions of tax administration and to a great extent, this will drive how other core administrative functions operate. The timely and accurate collection and recording of basic identifying information of the taxpayer will permit the tax administrator to

understand its taxpayer base, staff itself accordingly and to effectively plan other core administration functions. The existence of an accurate taxpayer database will inevitably lead to effective compliance programmes observation,” he said.

Elamah added that the redesigned, development and deployment of a TIN system leverages on existing taxpayer data available from databases of multiple organisations like CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission, banks through BVN (Bank Verification Number), Identity Card Management Commission and other.

A VISIT TO NEWEST SHAREHOLDER…

L-R: Director of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Mrs. Adepeju Esan; Director and representative of Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Bello; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Group Managing Director/CEO of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Mr. Adewale Raji; and another Director, Chief Dele Okeya, during a courtesy visit to the governor by the Board of Directors of the company at the Government House, Alausa…yesterday

Kano Assembly Moves to Reduce Emir’s Influence, Creates Four Emirates Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Kano State House of Assembly yesterday initiated a move to create four additional emirate councils in the state that would elevate the current status of some District Heads to first class emirs.

The current debate came following a petition presented to the assembly by Salisu Ibrahim Chambers, seeking the nod of the legislators to accede to the demand, which was eventually presented on

the floor of the state assembly with the lawmakers giving their individual contribution for and against the debate.

They later adjourned its sitting to today for further continuation of the matter.

However, 13 legislators have already assented to the petition, while the former Speaker of the assembly, Alhaji Isiyaku Ali Danja of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vehemently resisted the prayer contained in the petition.

Danja, however, urged his colleagues in the assembly to maintain the status quo by allowing the existence of one emirate council.

It was however, the contention of the petitioner that the demand presented was in consonance with the Kano Emirate Council Amendment Law, which the assembly’s Majority Leader, Alhaji Baffa Babba Danagundi, agreed with the petitioners on the submission that the Emirate Council amendment

law exists.

However, as the clamouring for the creation of additional emirate councils in Kano State generates considerable interest, the leadership of the assembly adjourned its sitting to today to give ample time for the lawmakers to further deliberate on the issue with a view to arriving at a unanimous decision.

It could be recalled that there was such move by the then state Governor, the Abubakar Rimi’s administration.

Army Staged Coup against Rivers in 2019 Elections, Wike Alleges Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that the Nigerian Army staged a coup against the state in the 2019 general election, describing their actions as the worst in the country’s democratic history.

Addressing the Joint House of Representatives Committees on Army, Police, Human Rights and Justice at the Government House in Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said the Nigerian army acted illegally “because they were working to impose a pre-determined leadership on the state.

Wike said: “It is really

unfortunate as all of us know that there was a coup in this state organised by the Nigerian army. In the history of this country, it has never happened before where in an ordinary election, army would begin to kill people for no just cause.

“Because they believe a particular person or a particular party must win, it doesn’t matter how many people die. It was shown on national television. We watched how the army invaded the electoral commission.”

He regretted that the federal government has never worked to assist the Rivers State Government to fight insecurity.

“This is the only state the

federal government has never assisted to fight insecurity.

Instead of us to team up and fight insecurity, you politicise it.

“Even if you make recommendations, nothing will happen. I don’t know whether we are in a military regime or civil administration,” Wike said.

The governor noted that aside the army, the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) has been a major anti-democratic force in the state since the 2016 rerun elections.

He pointed out that the F-SARS murdered an academic doctor and a chartered accountant in cold

blood “simply because they wanted to subvert the will of the people.”

Wike wondered why the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian army is still unpunished despite the negative roles he played during the elections.

“The GOC here is a politician.

Nothing has happened to him because he was sent. If it was when Nigeria was a country, you cannot keep such GOC. He is sabotaging the security network,” the governor alleged.

He suggested that urgent measures be taken to rejig the security architecture of the country in view of the nationwide security challenges.

TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Lagos Sets up Committee to Probe Poisonous Pomo Urges FG to strengthen border control

Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos State Government has set up a monitoring and investigative committee to unravel the source of poisonous cow skin, popularly called pomo, and dislodge illegal abattoirs, where the products are produced and processed in the state.

The state government has also asked the federal government and its agencies in charge of border control and immigration to step up activities to prevent the importation of such poisonous foods and products into the country.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin

Suarau, disclosed the move in a statement he issued yesterday.

According to the statement, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya, will head the monitoring and investigative committee.

The State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit had seized 30 tonnes of cow skin presumed to be poisonous and unhealthy for human consumption at a skin hide processing factory located at College Road, Igando.

The taskforce had also arrested six persons connected with the poisonous cow skins in the raid.

According to the

commissioner, the suspects “are now in police custody helping with ongoing investigation and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.”

The commissioner added that investigation into the source of the poisonous cow skin had started, saying the state government had already set up a monitoring and investigation committee to unravel the source of the cow skin.

He explained that the committee would work with relevant government agencies to fish out any other illegal cow skin processing factory and illegal abattoir whose activities poses grave threat

to human health.

He, therefore, appealed “to relevant federal government agencies in charge of border patrol to step up activities to prevent entry of the poisonous foods and foods product into the country.

“We will not relent on our oars. We will also ensure that only hygienic meat and meat products are available in our abattoirs and market across the state for human consumption,” Suarau said.

The commissioner, equally, warned operators of illegal abattoirs and cow skin processing outlets “to desist from their criminal activities or risk facing

the full weight of the law.”

He urged Lagos residents “to be vigilant and report any suspected activities and sales of unwholesome foods and food products to the nearest local government office or the Ministry of Agriculture.”

He, also, advised the residents against purchase and consumption of foods which sources are doubtful or perceived to be harmful to human health and wellbeing.

He noted that the zero tolerance against distribution of unwholesome foods and all forms of food poisoning in the state was still in full force, saying the state government

was committed to food security.

He said the government “will always do the needful to ensure that only wholesome and healthy foods are available for consumption in the Lagos State. It is necessary and we will always monitor the whole process of food handling and distribution until it gets to the final consumers.”

He explained the special operation which led to the arrest of operators of the factory, disclosing that it was based on a tip off by concerned citizens, who suspected activities in the factory where harmful smoke and stench ooze out from during the processing and preservation.

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Ijaw APC Wants Kachikwu Re-appointed Minister, Hails Buhari’s Re-election Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The leadership of the Delta State members of the All Proagressives Congress (APC) of Ijaw ethnic extraction has passed a vote of confidence on the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, for his leadership qualities.

The group stated that Kachikwu has attracted numerous projects not only to Ijaws but the entire Niger-Delta region.

The group also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his election for a second term in office.

These were the resolutions contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a recent meeting of Delta State Ijaw APC/ Ex-militants held at Akugbene Town Hall, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to the group, ‘’For us, Delta Ijaw APC, in collaboration with the exmilitants, the benefits we have derived from the President’s appointment of Kachikwu as the minister cannot be exhausted. ‘’In his capacity, Kachikwu was a strong force in the establishment of the Maritime University,

Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom. ‘’It is a singular event that has been instrumental to the massive restoration of peace, the reduction of youth restiveness and social vices, while also revamping the economy of the state. ‘’The minister, who is well grounded and knowledgeable in the oil sector also embarked on other measure aimed at actively engaging and empowering the youths of Niger Delta by ensuring that licences were given for ten modular refineries to be built in Niger Delta areas. The purpose is to create jobs and put a stop to illegal refining thereby boosting the economy. ‘’Under Kachikwu as minister of state for petroleum, queues in our filling stations are no more as products are readily available.

He achieved this through accountability and transparency that has been lacking in the affairs of this very important sector of the Nigerian economy. ‘’ Kachikwu’s tenure has also witnessed an increase in the production of oil as he was able to quell the agitations of the Niger Delta Avengers thereby minimising attacks on

House Member-elect Seeks End to C’River, Ebonyi Communities Crises Ugo Aliogo Worried by the lingering communal crises between the Adadama people of Abi Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State and their neighbours of Amegwu, Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State, the member-elect of the House of Representatives for Abi/ Yakurr Federal Constituency in Cross River State, Dr Alex Egbona has again taken steps to end the crisis.

He has also called on the Adadama people to remain calm and avoid reprisals, as he was relentless in the moves to see to a permanent end to the crisis.

Already, some of the natives are said to have relocated from Adadama to either Calabar or some neighbouring communities, following constant attacks on them by their Ebonyi neighbours.

Last week, Egbona held a meeting with his colleague who represents the Ezza South/ Ikwo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, Mr. Ogbee Lazarus Nweru, the second in a row since he won the election into the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

At the meeting, the duo agreed to escalate the matter through consultation with their state governors, so that the major stakeholders can be made to sign peace deals.

They had also made efforts to trace the root cause of the clashes.

Coming out of the recent meeting, Egbona said it was worrisome that the people were killing themselves from time to time, not minding how precious the life of their neighbours were.

According to him, there was an urgent need to end the

clashes, so that development could get to them. The legislator-elect vowed to put in all within his disposal to ensure that peace returned to the warring communities.

He said he had already begun the peace processes through discussions with his state deputy governor and expressed the hope that the efforts would yield results.

“I have met twice with my colleagues from Ebonyi State.

I feel sad each time I hear that crisis had erupted in the area. What we are doing now is to try to identity the root cause of this crisis and then we will move from there to solving the problem.

“The last time I met with Hon. Nweru in his office in Abuja, we tried to trace the historical background of the crisis and discussed the latest clash which I understand has already resulted in the killing of some persons.

“Immediately we are inaugurated, we will take this effort to the next level. We will engage all the stakeholders.

What we want to achieve is permanent peace and I am so sure that it can be achieved.

“I regret that our people are being killed and property destroyed. Some have had to flee their homes. This cannot be allowed to continue. That is why I am calling on the federal and state governments to treat victims of this communal crisis from my constituency as IDPs,” he explained.

“A good number of them have lost their sources of livelihood. The government needs to do something about the situation and give them hope. For me, I will continue to do my best in the face of daunting challenges,” he added.

oil installations across the Niger Delta region. ‘’We are mindful of his contributions towards the progress of the party and the various moves he made to ensure that the APC in Delta State, though drawn apart by factions, still approached the elections as a united house. It is in line with these, amongst others that we, the APC card–carrying members that cut across the Ijaw speaking Local Government Areas of LGAs of Delta South

under the leadership of the LGA chairmen of both factions and the ex-militants resolved to pass a vote of confidence on Kachikwu on his achievements in the oil and gas industry.’’

They however, appealed to the President to re-engage Kachikwu in a higher capacity since he has distinguished himself to consolidate on his laudable achievements in line with the ‘’Next Level Agenda.’’

Meanwhile, in a congratulatory message, they described the

reelection of President Buhari at the February 23, 2019 presidential polls’’ as well-deserved, adding that it is their strong belief that Buhari deserved the second tenure ‘’to enable him consolidate on his various people-oriented policies and programmes that has immensely affected the youths of Nigeria and Niger Delta in particular. ‘’It is in pursuance of these people oriented programmes such as the N-Power that we are confident that your re-election

will further expand the fortunes of the youths of our state. We, therefore use this medium to reassure you of our unalloyed support to enable you take the country in general and Delta State in particular to the next level.

We want to use this medium to warn against ethnic campaign and those trying everything possible to blackmail the minister for the good works done to enhance the performances of this present administration,’’ they stated.

BREAKFAST MEETING…

L-R: Director, Brand and Marketing, Startimes Nigeria, Mr. Qasim Elegbede; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David Zhang; and Vice President, Commercial, Mr. Eric Wang, during the first CEO Media breakfast meeting of the company, in Lagos…yesterday KOLA OLASUPO

Court Orders ICPC to Unfreeze Firm’s Bank Accounts Tobi Soniyi A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to unfreeze bank accounts of Blaid Construction Limited and its Director, Mrs. Ochuko Momoh.

The court also said it was wrong for the commission to freeze the accounts because it was aware of a suit filed by the plaintiff against it (ICPC).

ICPC was said to have directed banks, including Union Bank Plc to freeze accounts owned

by Blaid and Mrs. Momoh, and also seized their properties, claiming to be investigating the plaintiffs businesses - actions, which Blaid and Mrs.Momoh challenged with the suit marked:

FHC/ABJ/CS/132/2019.

At the resumed hearing in the case on May 2, 2019 Justice Binta Nyako frowned at ICPC’s conduct, upon being told by plaintiffs’ lawyer, Ade Adedeji (SAN) that the defendant (ICPC) failed to comply with the order made by the court on March 5, 2019, directing it to reverse all its actions in respect of the plaintiffs’ assets and accounts.

Adedeji noted that, rather than comply with the court’s order, ICPC filed a notice of appeal, with the intention to tie the court’s hands and stall the hearing of his client’s case.

“What they did, that is regrettable, is that, after we filed this suit and they were served, they started taking steps to undermine the integrity of this court,” Adedeji said.

The counsel argued that the

mere filing of a notice of appeal by a party, did not act as a stay of proceedings or an avenue to hide to disobey the order of court.

“It is important that the court protects its integrity, by insisting that its order must be obeyed before it (ICPC) can be heard. It goes to the issue of rule of law.

“If the defendant had stopped at what it did before March 5, 2019 when the order was made, it would have been understandable, but it went further to ask other banks, on which the order were not served, to place no debit order on the plaintiffs’ accounts.

“For the past three months, over 270 employees of the plaintiffs, including those engaged in Blaid Farms, have not been paid. The plaintiffs are unable to access their accounts for the purpose of paying staff salaries.”

Adedeji, who noted that the ICPC Chairman is a Law Professor, accused him of encouraging the disobedience of court’s orders by his agency.

He alleged that the ICPC Chairman “is the one behind these atrocities. That is why we are praying this court to insist that the right thing be done, by directing that the order of court, made on March 5 be complied with.

“We apply, in the interest of justice, to direct the ICPC Chairman, who is the alter ego, to obey the court’s order before taking any further steps.

Responding, ICPC’s lawyer, E.C. Otti denied Adedeji’s allegations and insisted that his client was constrained in obeying the court’s order to release the money in the banks.

NECA Joins Global Debate on Management of e-Waste Peter Uzoho The Nigeria Employee Consultative Association (NECA), has joined the Global Dialogue Forum on Decent Work in the management of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste), which took place in Geneva recently, as part of ILO Centenary celebrations.

According to NECA, Nigeria’s representative at the forum, the discussion focused on current and emerging issues as well as opportunities relating to the promotion of decent work in the management of e-waste.

Nigeria’s NECA delegate and

Chief Human Resources Officer, Ikeja Electric, Ibiene Okeleke, explained that the forum was an eye opener to the environmental impact of e-waste.

“While there are clear and present dangers from e-waste, there are also huge opportunities.

It, therefore, requires the right framework, legislation and drive to ensure that proper sustainable action is carried out as far as e-waste management is concerned,” she explained.

The forum also aims to adopt points of consensus, including recommendations for future action by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and

its members, over rising concerns of environmental impact of e-waste, in view of global interest in building a more sustainable and circular economy.

Other talking points deliberated on at the forum include opportunities for employment in the e-waste management space, challenges of framework and guiding legislation in the space, with special case study focus on Nigeria, considered a major dumping ground for e-waste, as well as investment opportunities in the sector.

The intensive sessions comprised five employer group meetings and five tripartite

plenary sessions. The employers group was made up of eight members from the following countries Portugal, Columbia, Mexico, Romania, Iran, Japan, Belgium and Nigeria. The Workers (Labour) group also had representation from seven countries.

Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) is the umbrella organisation of employers in the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria, formed in 1957 to provide the forum for the government to consult with private sector employers on socio-economic and labour policy issues.

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NEWSEXTRA

EU Commits €155m to Fight Insecurity, Oil Theft, Piracy in Gulf of Guinea Alex Enumah in Abuja The European Union (EU) yesterday disclosed that it has earmarked the sum of €155 million in terms of support and other logistics towards the implementation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) important strategies in tackling

the high rate of crimes and other criminalities along the Gulf of Guinea, Africa’s most important sea route.

The Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Kurt Cornelis, who made the disclosure at the opening of a two-day information and coordination meeting on maritime security

APC, PDP Differ over Akeredolu’s Defection Rumours James Sowole in Akure The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State yesterday disagreed sharply on the rumoured defection plan of the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, over the controversies trailing his purported suspension from his party.

While the PDP stated that Akeredolu and any other person or group of persons wishing to join the party would be welcomed, the party, however, stated that nobody would be given a prefential treatment irrespective of the status.

But in a swift reaction, the APC in the state declared that there was no iota of truth in the defection rumour.

The APC said Akeredolu, who remained a progressive, had invested so much in the state and therefore cannot contemplate leaving the party for any reason.

The state PDP Director of Publicity, Ayo Fadaka, had in a statement said the party built by hard work and perseverance of leaders and members is not primed to be taken over by

anyone irrespective of his status.

He said: “We also declare that anyone who wishes to join our party will be welcome into our ranks provided such person or group recognises the fact that no special privileges will be accorded him/them upon joining the party.

“Should Governor Akeredolu desire to join our party today, he will be welcome as a fresh member with no special privileges of any kind.”

The publicity director said preparatory to the 2020 gubernatorial election in the state which many prominent members are showing interest, the party shall at the fullness of time organise a primary election to pick whoever will become its candidate in that election.

“It is important to again underscore the fact the party will maintain the tradition of picking its candidate through a free and fair primary election that will be rancour-free,” he said.

However, the state APC in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Muyiwa Kalejaye, said Akeredolu has no link with the PDP, stating that the rumour was a surprise to the party.

MTN Nigeria Appoints Rufai as Chief Technical Officer Emma Okonji MTN Nigeria has announced the appointment of Mohammed Rufai as its Chief Technical Officer.

He will be responsible for defining MTN’s Technology Strategy and roadmap; designing and planning all aspects of the business’ network operations; oversee continued implementation of aggressive network rollout schedules; development and maintenance of technology infrastructure, as well as policy formulation and review.

An industry veteran, Rufai brings with him almost two decades of experience in information and communication technology and telecommunications. He holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Science from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi as well as certifications from the General Management Programme at Cranfield University, the Global Advance Program at Duke Corporate Education, India and the Senior Management Programme at the Lagos Business School.

Prior to this appointment, Rufai worked with MTN Group where he was the General Manager responsible for Technology in the South-east Africa and Ghana region. He had a lengthy career within the MTN Group.

Rufai joined MTN Nigeria in 2002 as an RF/BTS Support Engineer in Kano. By 2009, he had risen to the rank of General Manager. He led a succession of high performing teams in network operations, access, planning and optimisation till late 2015 when he was appointed Chief Technical Officer for MTN Ghana.

While in Ghana, Rufai drove an expansion in network capacity that supported tremendous growth. During the period, voice traffic more than doubled, while data usage increased over 900 per cent. He was twice adjudged ‘CTO of the Year’ at the Ghana IT and Telecoms Awards (GITTA). Rufai also led the license acquisition and implementation of a newLTE network for which his team received the Engineering Excellence Award from Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE).

in Abuja, said increased security efforts was yet to deter piracy, armed robbery at sea, illegal fishing, smuggling and trafficking, which according to him, poses major threats to maritime security.

The Gulf of Guinea is said to be the most dangerous and notorious stretch of water around the world with 201 incidences of maritime piracy and armed robbery reported in 2018 alone.

According to reports, a total of six ships were hijacked, 13 shot at, while the same year also witnessed the taken of 130

hostages and kidnapping of 78 seafarers for ransome.

According to the ECOWAS report, the region loses an average of $2billion annually to theft of maritime resources and illegal fishing.

However, speaking to newsmen shortly after the opening of the workshop, the envoy said the region remains a priority for the EU, as it is committed to efforts by ECOWAS in building maritime security and safety along the Gulf of Guinea. “The Gulf of Guinea in recent times has been

one of the most dangerous in terms of maritime security. The numbers of kidnapping and robbery at sea is more than any other part of Africa and even the world.

“While there are several EU supported programmes committed to maritime security, the biggest right now is the SWAIMS. The EU has about €155m committed to fight against maritime insecurity which encompasses illegal trafficking of goods, illegal fisheries, and other aspects such as policing, information sharing in the Gulf

of Guinea,” Mr. Cornelis said.

In addition, he said the EU is committed to supporting regional efforts towards improving maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and development of local capacities of ECOWAS member states.

The support he noted covers not only implementation of key ECOWAS Strategies such as the Integrated Maritime Security but also the Regional Strategy to fight illicit drug trafficking and the Regional Policy for Fisheries supported by the PESCAO project.

RUBBING MINDS...

L-R: Rivers State Commissioner for Energy, Jon Damiete Miller; Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters and Strategy, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh; and Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Roseline Konya, at a function in Government House, Port Harcourt.....yesterday

NRC Charged to Avoid Train Accidents at Level Crossings Sunday Okobi Stakeholders in the railway transport subsector have called on the management of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to erect level crossing barriers in all railway level crossings in order to regulate movement of traffic and avert the incessant deaths recorded at railway level crossings in the country.

The call is coming against the backdrop of the recent death of four passengers in a tricycle killed by an Ijoko to Iddo bound Lagos Mass Transit trai at Iju railway level crossing.

A regular commuter of the Lagos Mass Transit Train service, Mr John Obot, the employment of flagmen to regulate traffic at railway level crossings is not enough to avert the unnecessary deaths recorded at regular intervals at railway

level crossings.

He urged management of the corporation to erect metal barriers that could be lowered to regulate traffic whenever a train is approaching.

Obot noted that when the Rail India Technical and Engineering Services (RITES) of India managed the corporation in late 70’s and early 80’s metal barriers were erected at both sides of the road to stop traffic whenever trains were approaching level crossings adding that during that period there were few cases of trains killing motorists at railway level crossings.

Also, the Managing Director, First Rit Nigeria Limited, a Transport and Logistics Company, Mr. Eric Umezurike, noted that the claim by officials of NRC that the communities, local and state governments

where rail lines intersect with roads should be responsible for maintenance of such level crossings is not tenable because the corporation generates revenue from the passenger and goods train services it operates.

Lagos District Manager of the corporation, Jerry Oche, had earlier said that most of the metal barriers used to regulate traffic at railway level crossings were damaged by motorists out of restlessness and disobedience.

He noted that at most of the level crossings there are gate keepers that stop motorists whenever a train is approaching adding that in spite of that some motorists often ignore the stop sign which led to the death of a Policeman alongside a commercial motorcyclist and recently four people inside a

tricycle at PWD and Iju railway level crossing respectively.

Oche averred that when approaching a railway level crossing motorists should endeavour to listen and watch before proceeding.

Another regular commuter of the Lagos Mass Transit Train service, Mr. Segun Esan, however posited that it better to use metal barriers to regulate traffic rather than allow people to die untimely.

While not supporting the attitude of some motorists who ignore traffic signs especially at railway level crossings, he however noted that it is better for the management of the corporation to install metal barriers that may be damaged at level crossing than to allow ignorant and reckless motorists to be killed by a moving train.

Fire Service Boss Threatens to Shun Emergency Calls over Staff Molestation James Emejo in Abuja The Comptroller General (CG) of the Federal Fire Service, Mr. Ibrahim Liman, yesterday warned that he may be forced to ignore emergency fire incident calls in areas where the safety of its personnel and firefighting assets are endangered by the people.

Commenting on the fire safety awareness level in the country, he said his officers had been subjected to all sorts of molestation, including stoning

and destruction of fire assets, whenever they responded to fire incidents.

Speaking to journalists at the unveiling/demonstration of new advanced firefighting equipment at its headquarters in Abuja, he said: “Anytime our men turn out to fight fire, they (people) don’t know which station they are coming from, they start stoning them, thereby injuring our staff in the process and destroying the equipment.”

He said: “But I have warned

before now and I am still warning again that any area that does not exercise restraint if there is fire, we will not respond unless the elders in that area talk to the youths because we cannot afford to lose our firemen and expensive equipment.

“So, I am appealing to the youths in these areas to please be friendly with our firefighters anytime they respond to firefighting calls.

“But where that is not achieved, honestly, I think I

may take the next action by not responding to emergency in such area.”

However, the fire service boss said the new advanced firefighting new technology manufactured by Advanced Firefighting Technology (AFT) in Germany entails the deployment of special pickup vans which are mounted with water pumps and unique liquid solutions to access area where its conventional heavy-duty trucks cannot access and put out fires more effectively.

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TUESDAY MAY 7, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 08111813083

PREMIERSHIP

Kompany Stunner Leaves Man City One Win from Retaining Title Manchester City know they will retain their Premier League title if they win on the final day of the season after Vincent Kompany’s wonder strike saw off a spirited Leicester side last night.

With 20 minutes remaining, the score goalless and nerves jangling at Etihad Stadium, the defending champions needed inspiration in a game where

only victory would maintain their initiative at the top of the table.

They got it from an unlikely source in their long-serving captain, who strode forward and let fly from 25 yards with a strike that arrowed into the top corner of the net.

City’s victory means they move back above Liverpool and hold a one-point lead as they go

Former Bendel Insurance Star, George Omokaro, is Dead

into the last round of fixtures on Sunday, when Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Brighton and the Reds host Wolves.

After they had to fight so hard to gain victory here, it is unlikely City will take anything for granted as a pulsating title race reaches its climax.

The lead at the top of the table has now changed hands 32 times this season, but for long spells on Monday night

it seemed Liverpool would be staying in top spot until the weekend at least.

Managed by former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who came so close to bringing the title to Anfield in 2014, Leicester were resolute defensively and posed a significant threat at the other end.

They restricted Guardiola’s famously free-scoring side to a handful of first-half chances,

with Sergio Aguero’s header against the bar the closest they came to breaking the deadlock.

City’s frustration on the pitch and in the stands continued after the break until Kompany stepped up in spectacular fashion to score his first goal of the season, and his side’s 158th. Leicester did threaten to ruin the party late on but former City striker Kelechi Iheanacho fired wide, and the final whistle

brought cascades of relief for the home players and fans as they moved to within one win of their sixth title.

If the defending champions beat Brighton in their final fixture they will amass 98 points and cannot be caught.

City would also become the first club to secure back-to-back Premier League titles since rivals Manchester United in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Edo Sports Commission, NFF mourn his passage Duro Ikhazuagbe George Omokaro, a member of the dreaded Bendel Insurance squads of the 1970s and early 1980s, has died on the morning of Monday, May 6, 2019 in Benin City.

Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Godwin DuduOrumen confirmed the death of Omokaro yesterday morning.

He described the death of the former Bendel Insurance midfielder as a tragic loss to the football family in Nigeria.

Dudu-Orumen, who said he received the news of Omokaro’s passing with shock, extolled the qualities of the former Bendel Insurance and Nigerian international.

“He belonged to that class of thinking players, footballers who played the game with their heads. On the pitch he could think quickly on his feet no matter the level of pressure.

In the midfield he was tireless and made the job of winning balls and circulating passes to his teammates look too easy.

“A key member of that glorious Insurance team of 1978-1979, which included players like Peter Egharevba, Kadiri Ikhana, David Adiele, Louis Boateng, Henry Ogboe, Felix Agbonifo, Agwo Nnaji, Ebenezer Badger, and many others and which titillated Nigerian football fans with their fluid and velvety brand of football, Omokaro with his tireless efforts in the midfield was pivotal to the successes of the

team. His death leaves us at the Sports Commission and indeed the whole of Edo State from which he hailed, diminished,” Dudu-Orumen mourned.

The Edo State Sports Commission boss commiserated with the family of the late Insurance star and prayed to God to equip them with the strength to cope with his passing.

Describing the departed former player as a dedicated and committed professional, he noted that he passed on those qualities to his son, Charles, who is presently captain of Bendel Insurance.

Similarly, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) described as deeply shocking the death of Omokaro. “We are shocked by the deaths of George Omokaro and Wilson Oboh, a other ex international, coming within a few days of each other. We remember Omokaro and his yeoman efforts in the midfield,” said NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

“We also remember Wilson Oboh and his contributions to the U20 National Team of 1995 which finished in third place in the then African Youth Championship, now known as the Africa U20 Cup of Nations.

“Our hearts are with those they have left behind. We pray that God will grant them eternal rest, and also grant those they have left behind the fortitude to bear the big losses,” concludes the NFF in the condolence statement issued yesterday.

Manchester City Manager, Pep Guardiola celebrating the wonder goal scored by his team Captain, Vincent Kompany during the English Premier League clash with Leicester City…last night

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Liverpool Targets Greatest Comeback against Solid Barca Tonight Suarez says no celebration at Anfield Although Liverpool emerged victorious from a bruising battle against Newcastle to remain in the hunt for the Premier League title, the Reds sustained too many wounds to summon a Champions League semifinal comeback against Barcelona tonight.

Coming from a late double from Lionel Messi last week in Camp Nou, that defeat has left Jurgen Klopp’s men with a mountain to climb to overturn a 3-0 first leg crushing if they are to reach a second consecutive Champions League final.

Liverpool have overcome such deficits before in the Champions League, most famously in the 2005 final against AC Milan.

But hopes of another famous European comeback at fortress Anfield were dealt a blow when Mohamed Salah was stretchered off with a head knock as Liverpool edged out Newcastle 3-2 on Saturday to move two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. That was before Man city’s clash with

Leicester City last night.

Salah watched a thrilling end to the match at St. James’ Park in the dressing room as his replacement Divock Origi headed home fellow substitute Xherdan Shaqiri’s free-kick four minutes from time.

However, with Roberto Firmino already ruled out due to a groin injury, few would give Liverpool any hope of overhauling a three-goal deficit without two of their prolific front three should Salah not start.

Despite a sensational season, Liverpool’s chances of winning either trophy are fading.

Barcelona will also not be complacent heading to Anfield a year on from letting a 4-1 first leg lead against Roma slip away in the quarterfinals.

Messi made it clear from before the season began that the Champions League was his and Barca’s primary target in his first campaign as club captain.

Moreover, while Liverpool toiled on Tyneside on Saturday night, Barca coach Ernesto Valverde had the luxury of

making 11 changes for an inconsequential 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo having already wrapped up the Spanish title.

Meanwhile, Luis Suarez insisted yesterday he ‘won’t celebrate in the same way’ if the Barcelona striker finds the back at the net against Liverpool at Anfield tonight.

The Uruguayan striker opened the scoring for Barcelona at the Nou Camp last week in the first-leg and raced off behind the goal before finishing with a knee-slide celebration.

When quizzed on his celebration and if he would hesitate to do it again back at Anfield, Suarez accepted he would do things differently from that first leg.

‘Celebrating the goal?

Everyone in football knows the importance of the goal I scored last week,’ he said.

‘I have all the respect in the world for Liverpool’s fans. I’m very thankful to them. If I score a goal here, I won’t celebrate it in the same way.’

Suarez, who spent four-and-a-

half years with the Reds, further antagonised the Liverpool supporters after he clashed with Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk during a thrilling first leg.

Reflecting on his ‘fond memories’ on Merseyside, Suarez said he is prepared for a potentially hostile reception after his first-leg exploits but is hopeful for ‘more applause than whistles’ when he takes to the pitch.

He said: ‘All the work I did here and the way I’m thankful for Liverpool.

‘The team had four or five years without being in the Champions League, the people here know the work I did here. I think there will be more applause than whistles for me.

‘Being at Liverpool helped me in some many ways, it made me more professional, it helped me mature. Having players here with great experience allowed me to be better even more.

‘Being captain of Liverpool was one of the proudest moments of my career. I won’t forget it.’

Villarreal’s Chukwueze Ranked Africa’s Most Valuable U-20 Player WORTHY CHAMPIONS…

L-R: Chima Maduakor and Tejumola Ogunlela, two of the victorious Special Olympics Nigeria athletes to the World Games in Abu Dhabi at the reception held by Globacom for the contingent at the company’s headquarters in Lagos last Friday. The company sponsored the two athletes to the Games

Nigeria and Villarreal super teen, Samuel Chukwueze, has been ranked as Africa’s most valuable Under-20 player in Europe’s top five leagues.

According to the study by CIES Football Observatory, the Switzerland-based organization, valued the Nigerian international to worth €35 million, which makes him the

12th most expensive Under-20 player on the planet based on transfer market valuations.

The 50 players on the list have been ranked according to their age, position, performance, contract duration, full international and other factors.

The 19-year-old Chukwueze is enjoying a breakthrough season at Villarreal, with 37

appearances under his belt in all competitions for the first team, scoring 8 goals and providing three assists.

The Diamond Academy product is on the radar of Liverpool and Manchester City ahead of the reopening of the transfer window on the back of his fine form for the Yellow Submarine.

Nigeria’s U20 and U23 coaches and manager Gernot Rohr are all competing for his services ahead of international games in May and June.

At €150.3m, Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho is the most valuable U20 player, followed by Arsenal’s Mattéo Guendouzi (€70m) and AS Roma’s Nicolò Zaniolo (€67m).

T H I S D AY ˾ ͵Ë&#x153; Ͱͮͯͷ

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Price: N250

MISSILE PDP to Buhari

“President Buhari’s inattention has emboldened insurgents and bandits to continue to over-run communities, unleash mayhem and bloodletting on citizens in Borno, Zamfara, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi and other states of the federation, including Mr. President’s home state, Katsina” – PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, calling President Muhammadu Buhari to use the remaining part of his first tenure to solve the security challenges facing the country.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI Buhari, Tonto Dikeh and Other Stories “T abati1990@gmail.com

hank God President Buhari is back in the country. I feel some kind of relief.”

“What is your own? Are you his son? And what is wrong in a man taking some time off work and returning 10 days later.”

“But you will agree with me that private visit to the United Kingdom more or less heated up the polity and generated considerable anxiety.

Too many people became lawyers. When some people quote the Constitution like this, you will think that they know it all. And then those ones who call themselves Constitutional lawyers…”

“I think I have told you this before. There is nothing called Constitutional lawyer. There is no such special category. No lawyer has special rights over the Constitution than other lawyers.

Every lawyer uses the Constitution. It is the basic law upon which every other law rests.

It is like a work tool, like a mason’s square. It is even like you saying there are stethoscope doctors. Every doctor uses the stethoscope. It is like saying someone is a public affairs journalist.

I am yet to see a private affairs journalist. If you know one, let me know.”

“Yes, I do. I definitely know some journalists who like to poke their noses into people’s affairs, whether public or private. It is about time someone began to give such journalists a bloody nose.”

“It is always so easy to blame the messenger, and preach to the media.”

“Well, someone you know very well, just did that. Femi Adesina has been busy mocking the opposition, saying the online journalists who wrote stories speculating that President Buhari could extend his stay in the UK have been put to shame and the hogwash that they fed the public has been exposed as fake news.”

“He was very specific. He talked about the online media.”

“What is the difference? In fact, you are likely to get more information from the social media these days than from the mainstream media.

Is that why Femi should be giving everyone a lecture on press freedom and the need for responsible conduct?”

“He has a point there. And I will advise you not to push the point too hard. Indeed, the kind of things some people write on social media in this country, if you are on the other side, working for either the President or any other high-level government official, you are likely to fight back, except that certain things are just not worth paying attention to.”

“So, are you now recommending censorship?”

“No. I am making a point about the nexus between freedom and responsibility” “I disagree. The people in government should also be told about that nexus. The President exercises the freedom to go on private visit, and then he comes back, and someone asks him about the security situation in the country and all he can say is that he noticed that the Inspector-General of Police has lost weight, so he must be working hard. Has anyone bothered to brief him about the kidnap of the traditional head of his own village and his Aide de camp’s father in law?”

“I actually thought the President displayed a good sense of humour there.”

“Humour? After how many persons have been killed across the North West within ten days?

Who cares whether or not the Inspector-general of Police loses weight or not. We want him to protect Nigerians and get the job done?”

“Try and be nice a little bit. The man has only spent 100 days on the job as Inspector-General of Police, and he has lost weight trying his best.”

Buhari “Okay, may be by the time he spends a year, he will have no weight left at all. Who is that doctor saying people lose weight when they work hard?” “ I think we should try to encourage people who work for this country. I disagree with you.

And you can’t blame the IGP for anything.

Nigeria’s security problem is far more complex than something anyone can solve in 100 days.

You should know that. By the way, the Katsina State Commissioner of Police has been asked to relocate to Daura. That is based on the Inspector General’s directive.”

“Eye service. Eye service. That is what we do in this country. The last time some persons were kidnapped in my own village, nobody directed the State Commissioner of Police to relocate there. The Inspector General of Police should consider himself lucky he is not from Sri Lanka. When people were killed in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday and it was established that the police chief and the defence Minister had failed to act on prior intelligence notice, they were both asked to resign, and the President didn’t crack jokes. Bet with me…”

“I don’t bet. I don’t gamble.”

“You don’t know what you are missing. Let’s bet…you will see that all these our service chiefs and heads of security agencies will soon be given National Honours by the Federal Government. Just bet with me.”

“You can’t punish a person for the failure of the system. I support the present InspectorGeneral of Police. Are you aware that one police officer has been redeployed from Lagos state to Ebonyi state, Abayomi Shogunle, the ACP in charge of Public Complaints Response Unit for publishing insensitive tweets on his twitter handle, calling some women prostitutes. ” “And the police told you he was transferred because of tweets? And how is transfer to Ebonyi state being interpreted as a punishment? Did he tweet on the official twitter account or his own private twitter account? Please don’t insult the people of Ebonyi State. Any police officer can be sent to any part of the country. What I condemn is eye service.”

“I am talking about freedom of expression and responsibility. Even when you are free to do private things, as a public officer, you must be responsible enough to make sure that your private choices do not violate your professional responsibilities.”

“I really don’t get your drift. You talk from every corner of the mouth. One day, you will say the President is entitled to a private visit, another day, you’d say a police officer cannot crack jokes on a private twitter account. Nobody

knows where you stand. If a President can do private things, then a security officer can also do private things.”

“You should be careful and stop comparing apples and oranges. You are too fond of it. And this is the problem with Nigerian democracy.

Every one likes to talk. If you talk like this about some Presidents, you’d see what will happen to you.”

“What will happen to me?”

“In Russia, for example, they passed some bills recently making it an offence for anyone to insult government or criticise President Vladimir Putin. You cross the red line, you either go to jail or pay a fine for spreading fake news, and you cannot just say what you like online.”

“We have rejected red lines in Nigeria.

Nobody can gag us. It can’t happen here. The people who spread fake news most are our government officials at all levels. We should gag government, not the people.”

“It is easier said than done. In Burundi, and that is here in Africa, three schoolgirls were recently detained for doodling on the President’s photo. In Uganda last year, Dr Stella Nyanzi, an academic, was charged to court for making comments about the right of President Yoweri Museveni to privacy. She was charged for cyber harassment and offensive publication. In Zimbabwe, it is also an offence to insult the President. Go and ask Terrence Mkhwananzi. What was his offence? He had the temerity to point at President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s portrait in public and accuse him of having a hand in the death of his father.

In Rwanda, Tanzania and Indonesia, if you insult the President, you go to jail.”

“I don’t see what are you trying to say. You want fascism in Nigeria? We can’t even make comments again about the affairs of state?”

“Nigeria is probably the only country I know where people will open their mouths and abuse the President. Your President comes back from a private trip, instead of you to welcome him, you are saying the President should stop cracking jokes about the IG losing weight and get down to serious work. While he was away, you were all busy asking whose money he was spending on a private trip. One opposition spokesperson even said President Buhari was wandering all over the UK. Very soon now some of you will come and say President Buhari should relocate to the North West or Sambisa forest to deal with the challenge of national insecurity. Wh-a-t?”

“Yes. I can even say it. Where were you when they told us the President can govern Nigeria from anywhere?”

“I have said my own.”

“Nobody can limit our freedom as Nigerians.

You keep citing countries where people cannot talk about the President. In case you have forgotten, in the United States, people abuse President Donald Trump and nothing happens.

The only reaction is that Trump also goes on twitter to abuse people.”

“Okay I have heard you. But just be careful and I hope you know we are now in the season of Ramadan. I will advise you not to go to Kano. You know you like to go about eating here and there.”

“I don’t get it.”

“You mean you haven’t heard that in Kano, the Commander General of the Sharia police has issued a warning that any Muslim caught eating in public during Ramadan will be arrested. You will only be released if you can prove why you must eat in public while others are fasting.”

“And how does that apply to me? I am

not a Muslim.”

“Okay, when they arrest you, you can go and prove that you are not a Muslim.”

“Even if I were a Muslim, you don’t force people. There is something called freedom of choice. In any case, I have no plans to visit Kano, except that I hear the Governor is giving out so many women as wives.”

“And the ones in your life, what have you done with them? During this period, just don’t post food anyhow on your Instagram page and keep saying you are a foodie. You may be guilty of encouraging people to eat.”

“I am not aware that people don’t eat at all during Ramadan. What I know is that you are required to fast and do everything in moderation, and to use the Holy Season to help the needy and seek the face of the Almighty and his blessings.”

“Oh, so you know. Fasting is very good for the soul and for the body. In fact I know some Christians who also fast along with Muslims during Ramadan. Some one like you will need to fast, so you can lose some weight and become hardworking.”

“That should be my private affair. I don’t like all this Godfather syndrome in Nigeria.

People want to tell you what to eat, what to think, what to wear, what to say. No.” “Well, I hear some Godfathers are being threatened too. Senator Saraki lost election in Kwara State. Governor Nasir el-Rufai who was in Lagos over the weekend was quoted saying he has retired all the Godfathers in Kaduna state politics and that is why he got a second term. He reportedly added that he can help the people of Lagos State put an end to the reign of Godfathers in Lagos politics.”

“I hope he knows who the Godfathers in Lagos are. He wants to come and do “O to gee” in Lagos. Has he heard of “O to ope”?

And I hope someone was quick enough to tell him to return to Kaduna state and concentrate on Kaduna because Lagos politicians don’t seem to be in a hurry to get rid of their own Godfathers.”

“But he has a point. Nobody should be allowed to run Nigerian politics as if it is a private affair.”

“There is politics in everything though. Even in marriages and in every space where you find one or two persons coming together. Have you not been following the Tonto Dike story?”

“Tonto Dike? Who is that?”

“You can’t tell me you don’t know Tonto Dike.”

“Does she know me?”

“She is a Nollywood star. Her story has been trending There is also Regina. And Tiwa Savage.

Okay, do you know Bobrisky?”

“Who is that?

“Bobo-to-risky! No wonder you are so uptight always. You don’t know what is going on at all levels. Who in this country has not heard what Tonto Dike said about her baby’s father and estranged husband?”

“I have not heard anything. I don’t do idle street gossip. I don’t talk about other people’s private lives.”

“These things are all over social media.”

“But wait a moment, how did we suddenly move so fast in this conversation to the disgraceful level of gossip?”

“It is not gossip. You should loosen up. Try and know your environment.”

“No. I won’t go there with you. I discuss ideas, not people. And I have been telling you: mind your own business in this country. And you should be selective about what you read online”.

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