NERC Probes Alleged Power Rejection by Discos

TCN, electricity distributors renew brickbats over poor supply

Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and
Chineme Okafor in Abuja
The Nigerian Electricity
Regulatory Commission
(NERC) has launched an
investigation into the frequent
claims by the Transmission
Company of Nigeria (TCN)
that the 11 electricity
distribution companies (Discos)
frequently reject volumes of
electricity sent to them for
distribution to homes and
offices.
A chief executive officer
of one of the Discos told
THISDAY that the regulatory
agency was probing the
allegations that they were
rejecting electricity allocated
to them.
“We complain of poor
supply and someone is saying
that we reject supply. If I don’t
have power to sell, how do
I make money? What will I
present to my shareholders to
justify the huge investments
they have made? We don’t
have power because TCN
facilities are very weak, among
other factors. But the TCN
has repeatedly accused us of
Continued on page 6

Atiku Asks S’Court to Quash Tribunal’s Affirmation of Buhari’s Election... Page 6

Tuesday 24 September, 2019
Vol 24. No 8933. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com
TR N
UT H
& RE A S O

TODAY'S WEATHER ABUJA 25°C-33°C MAIDUGURI 31°C-31°C ENUGU 25°C-28°C KANO 27°C-33°C LAGOS 24C-27°C PORT HARCOURT 20°C-30°C

Nigeria, Foreign Legal Team Plot

Strategy to Stop P&ID’s $9.6bn Award
Malami, Emefiele, in London, renew battle for more royalties from oil majors
Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja
and Ejiofor Alike with agency
reports
Ahead of Thursday’s legal
fireworks in London between
Nigeria and Process and
Industrial Developments
Limited (P&ID) over the $9.6
billion arbitral award a British
commercial court affirmed
for the company against
the federal government, the
Nigerian delegation to the
court session and the foreign
legal team have held a strategic
meeting on how to stop the
claim.
The Nigerian delegation,
which included the Attorney
General of the Federation
and Minister of Justice, Mr.
Abubakar Malami (SAN);
Inspector General of Police, Mr.
Continued on page 6

Supreme Court Won’t

be Subservient to
Anybody, Says CJN
Makes case for financial autonomy for
judiciary Three years after, Ngwuta
resumes Supreme Court sitting
Alex Enumah in Abuja
The Chief Justice of Nigeria
(CJN), Justice Ibrahim
Muhammad, yesterday assured
Nigerians that the Supreme
Court under his watch will
never be subservient to any
person in Nigeria or another
arm of government.
He also warned government
at all levels and their agencies
against the continued
disobedience to court judgments,
saying it is time for them to
obey the rule of law and court
judgments.
The declaration of the CJN,
who spoke yesterday in Abuja at
PROMOTING AFRICAN VALUES...
a special session of the Supreme L-R: President, Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chairman and Founder, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Dr. Mo
Ibrahim and Principal Founder of Microsoft Corporation, Mr. Bill Gates, at the inaugural forum of The African Center in New
Continued on page 8 York… yesterday

Climate Change: World Heads Towards Catastrophe, Buhari Tells UN... Page 8
2 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY
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4 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY
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T H I S D AY
PAGE SIX
Atiku Asks S’Court to Quash Tribunal’s Affirmation of Buhari’s Election
Alex Enumah in Abuja
The candidate of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) in the
last presidential election, Atiku
Abubakar and his party have
formally filed their appeal against
the judgment of the Presidential
Election Petition Tribunal at the
Supreme Court.
A senior lawyer in the legal
team of Atiku and PDP, Chief
Mike Ozekhome (SAN), who
confirmed the filing of the appeal
to THISDAY yesterday, said the
appeal was predicated on 66
grounds, which outlined how
the tribunal erred in its verdict
on Atiku and PDP's petition
against the election of President
Muhammadu Buhari.
The five-man tribunal, led
by Justice Mohammed Garba,
had in its judgment delivered
on September 11, dismissed
the petition filed by Atiku and
PDP for being incompetent and
lacking in merit.
The panel in dismissing the
petition, held that Atiku and PDP
were unable to substantiate their
NERC PROBES ALLEGED POWER RE JECTION BY DISCOS
rejecting electricity allocated to
us. Their accusations are in the
public domain. And you know
that we receive the bashing
because we are the only ones
in the electricity value chain that
deal directly with consumers.
To get to the root of the
matter, NERC is carrying out
investigation,” the source stated.
Also, the Chairman of NERC,
Prof. James Momoh, confirmed
to THISDAY yesterday that the
regulatory agency had set up a
six-man panel, which included
NIGERIA, FOREIGN LEGAL TEAM PLOT STRATEGY TO STOP P&ID’S $9.6BN AWARD
Mohammed Adamu and
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele,
which left Nigeria for Britain on
Saturday, met for five hours on
Sunday with the foreign legal
team to brainstorm on steps to
quash the judgment of the British
court affirming the $6.5 billion
arbitral award to P&ID, which,
as at the last computation, had
ballooned to $9.6 billion due to
accretion from interest payment.
Besides Malami, the IG and
Emefiele, other members of the
delegation are the Minister of
Information and Culture, Alhaji
Lai Mohammed and the acting
Chairman of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.
Malami, in a text message
yesterday, said the Nigerian
delegation met with their local
and international legal team at
the Nigerian High Commission in
London and took briefings from
the teams in Nigeria and UK on
how to develop strategies targeted
at setting aside the $9.6 billion
judgment in favour of P&ID.
Malami’s message came on
the same day REUTERS reported
him and Emefiele as renewing
Nigeria’s battle to get more
royalties from crude oil from
International Oil Companies
(IOCs).
While Emefiele said Nigeria
could have earned more from
crude oil royalties if the oil majors
had been more cooperative,
Malami stated that Nigeria
was claiming “colossal” sums
of money from the oil majors
under the Production Sharing
Contract (PSC) agreement that
allows the government to revisit
revenue sharing from petroleum
sales if crude exceeds $20 per
barrel.
In addition, Malami,
Mohammed, Emefiele and Magu
took turns, in their engagement
with foreign media, to analyse the
implications of the British court
giving the nod to P&ID to seize
Nigeria’s assets to recoup the
over $9.6 billion arbitral claim.
The attorney general said
Nigeria would do whatever it
allegations that the election was
rigged in favour of Buhari and
his party, the All Progressives
Congress (APC).
The tribunal further held that
the petitioners did not produce
relevant witnesses to convince
them that Buhari did not possess
necessary educational qualification
to be president.
Though Ozekhome did not
list any of the 66 grounds on
which the appeal was predicated,
findings revealed that the appeals
are centered on issues bordering
on the qualification of Buhari in
the election and the controversial
Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC), server
among others.
Earlier, another lawyer to the
appellants, who had over the
weekend spoken to THISDAY
in confidence, had said: “We
will file latest on Monday,
September 23, and at most,
due to any unforeseen reason,
by September 24. Bear in mind
that the deadline for submission
is Wednesday. We won’t file on
Wednesday for tactical reasons.”
independent external industry
operators, to investigate the claims.
He said from the preliminary
observations of the investigative
team, the country could retrieve
up to 3,800 megawatts of
electricity for distribution to
end-users.
Momoh’s disclosure came
just when the TCN and Discos
resumed their war of words
over poor electricity supply
with the Discos accusing the
TCN of spending $1.6 billion
on transmission projects without
could to stop the claim.
However, giving an update on
the main mission of the delegation
to Britain yesterday, Malami said:
“The meeting started at around
6p.m. and concluded at around
11p.m. yesterday, being September
22, 2019.
“We had series of press
sensitisation engagements today
with REUTERS and FINANCIAL
TIMES, among others, where we
elaborated on the antecedent
relating to the contract and
entertained questions from the
media.”
As to whether the Nigerian
delegation have the mandate to
file a new case based on the new
realities of the contract or would
build on the previous judgment,
Malami said: “All cards are on
table but it all depends on the
beneficial that has potency for
setting aside the award, having
regards to the applicable law in
the circumstances.”
Malami said no possibility was
ruled out including, “possibility of
filling new case or using existing
proceedings to seek relief of
setting aside the award of the
contract cannot be ruled out.’’
FG: We’ll Take Any
Step to Protect Nigeria
from $9.6bn Payment
The attorney general also told
REUTERS that Nigeria will do
“whatever it takes” to protect its
economy from the $9.6 billion
arbitral claim.
He, however, added that the
federal government would not
rule out a settlement with P&ID.
“We will do whatever it
takes to ensure the protection
of the interests of the Nigerian
government and the Nigerian
people,” he stated.
Asked if the country would be
open to an out-of-court settlement,
Malami said he was not ruling out
any possibilities, though Nigeria
had not been approached formally
by P&ID.
The company said earlier this
month that if the government
would “come to the negotiating
table, P&ID is ready for serious
Among the grounds he listed
included claims that the judgment
of the tribunal was not based
on the issues canvassed by the
petitioners, especially in relation
to the respondent’s academic
qualifications.
He said: "Take, for instance,
one of the respondent’s witnesses,
Major General Paul Tarfa (rtd),
called by President Muhammadu
Buhari’s lawyers said that they
did not give their qualifications
to the Military Board. Tarfa’s
testimony is against the claim
by Buhari that the Nigeria military
is in possession of his certificates.
“Secondly, Buhari said that he
was recruited into the military
in 1961 and Tarfa said in 1962,
so what is the correct date of
his recruitment into the army?
Somebody is not telling the truth.
"The issue in question is who
entered the different grades for
him from both the Cambridge
and the West African School
Certificate results? This is the first
time that the court will say that
the documents are admitted in
the interest of justice. So, who
visible results.
The TCN, however, fired back,
saying it has not spent $1.6 billion
on transmission projects.
It equally claimed that the
Discos were ignorant of the
procurement processes for its
transmission infrastructure.
Momoh, while shedding light
on the recriminations between
the two key players in the power
sector, said: “The commission
initiated a fact-finding initiative
on load rejection because we had
engaged them regularly on this
talks.” It did not immediately
respond to a request for comment
on Monday.
“One of the arguments we are
putting up is that the court is not
supposed to grant the application
of P&ID relating to the attachment
of Nigerian international assets,”
said Malami.
The judge’s decision had
converted the arbitration award
to a legal judgment and the sum,
including interest accrued since
2013, soared to more than $9
billion.
Once the court issues a ruling,
P&ID could start targeting assets
such as real estate, bank accounts
or any kind of moveable wealth.
However, it has to prove the
property is unrelated to Nigeria’s
operations as a sovereign state.
The information minister also
said he expected most assets
would not be affected, adding that
the government was, however,
assessing for vulnerabilities.
Last week, one former
petroleum ministry official was
charged with accepting bribes
and failing to follow protocol,
while two men linked to P&ID
pleaded guilty to charges of fraud
and tax evasion on behalf of the
company.
“Investigations are ongoing,”
Magu also said.
On his part, Emefiele warned
that seizing Nigeria’s assets worth
$9.6 billion or more would have
ramifications well beyond the
economic impact on Nigeria.
“You can imagine what sort of
refugee situation it will create as
Nigeria has the largest populated
country in Africa. This should
not be allowed to happen. If it
happens... what you’ll see with
refugees through Libya will be
a small thing,” he said.
The federal government had
recently served notice that all
government officials and others
connected with the process
through which P&ID got the
Gas Supply and Processing
Agreement (GSPA) with the
federal government and later
secured the arbitral award
following Nigeria’s alleged
default, would not escape the
entered the different grades for
him and if he did it, why?
Another reason for the appeal
is that the president’s Chief of
Staff, Abba Kyari, brought the
Cambridge documents dated
July 18 and testified on July 20.
“The point here is that it was
not pleaded, when the respondent
replied to the petition of Atiku
and PDP. The position of the
appellants is that in law, you
don’t speak on documents not
pleaded,” the source added.
The appellants are also claiming
that the WAEC documents
contradicted the Cambridge
documents, describing it as a
case of forgery and inconsistency
in documents.
The lawyer added, “On the
INEC server, the judgment of
the PEPT said the INEC server
was hacked and we then asked,
which of the servers was hacked?
“The tribunal judgment was
based on the Electoral Act section
52 (1) (B), but this aspect of the
law has since been deleted in
2015. It is no longer in existence.
This was the case in Wike Vs
issue without any results.
“We organised a team of six
and set them up with a specific
mandate to call a meeting with
all the Discos and TCN. They all
came and we met them for five
days to discuss the bottlenecks
at the interface and they opened
up and at the end of the day, we
put them in a room to negotiate
a resolution to the challenges.
We enumerated about 25 points
that are the challenges and they
were able to agree on common
challenge and how they will
ongoing probe into the incident.
Malami, Emefiele, in
London, Renew Battle
for More Royalties
from Oil Majors
As part of their engagements
yesterday in London, Malami
and Emefiele fielded questions
from REUTERS during which
they made a case for why oil
majors should pay more royalties
to Nigeria.
Their campaign for more
royalties from international oil
companies (IOCs) to beef up
declining revenue came amidst
fiscal crisis occasioned by falling
revenue from oil, Nigeria’s major
source of foreign exchange
earnings.
Emefiele said the country could
have earned more from crude
oil royalties if the oil majors had
been more cooperative.
He accused the oil majors of
shortchanging Nigeria by not
triggering a process to review
the royalties to be paid by the
IOCs when oil price exceeded
$20 per barrel as stipulated in
the PSC agreement signed with
the federal government.
According to him, the oil
majors have been delaying the
process rather than initiating a
review once oil prices crossed
the $20 per barrel threshold as
provided in the PSC.
He said: “You think it should
be forgotten and we shouldn’t
revisit it given that it resulted in
substantial loss of revenue to the
government? “It stands for me to
reason that the IOCs deliberately
did not trigger event for review
because it benefits them - and
that is something that we kick
against.”
On his part, Malami said
Nigeria was claiming “colossal”
sums of money from the oil
majors under the PSC agreements
that allow the government to
revisit revenue sharing from
petroleum sales if crude exceeds
$20 per barrel.
Malami said yesterday that
a number of court cases were
already underway.
Peterside.
“If the judgment said INEC
server was recklessly hacked,
then, there is a server and,
therefore, a criminal offence.
Yet, INEC did not claim so or
that its documents were stolen.
How come the judge reached
this scandalous decision?
“The appellants are therefore
praying the apex court to hold
that the tribunal erred in its
decision and consequently set
the tribunal's judgment aside
and go ahead to grant all the
reliefs sought.”
Atiku and PDP had sued INEC
before the tribunal for declaring
Buhari winner of the February
23 presidential election.
Sued along the electoral umpire
include Buhari and APC.
In the petition filed on March
18, the petitioners, amongst other
things, alleged that INEC in
connivance with agencies of the
ruling government manipulated
the outcome of the poll in favour
of Buhari.
They further alleged that
Buhari at the time of contesting
resolve them.
“They all signed and we were
very happy that they had finally
agreed on how to resolve the
issues. We subsequently wrote
them letters to intimate them we
will be monitoring their progress
on the issues.”
He added that the meeting
was to address the technical
challenges identified as reasons
for the load-shedding while the
next phase of the investigation
would be the commercial aspects.
He said: “We were about to go
The PSC signed in 1990s allows
the federal government to review
revenue sharing once the oil price
rises above $20 per barrel.
Asked about the government’s
demands to recover revenue from
the IOCs, Malami said the sums
in question were “huge”.
“We are taking steps to
recover what we feel is due,”
said Malami, adding he could not
give a precise figure as multiple
actions and suits were underway.
“One thing I can say is that
the amount is substantial and
colossal, there is no doubt about
it,” said Malami, not naming the
companies.
Earlier this year, industry
and government sources told
Reuters that Royal Dutch Shell,
Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Eni, Total
and Equinor were each asked
to pay the federal government
between $2.5 billion and $5 billion.
A spokesperson for Shell in
Nigeria told Reuters yesterday:
“We do not agree with the legal
basis for the claim that we owe
outstanding revenues and the
matter is pending before the
court.”
Exxon declined to comment.
Eni, Total, Equinor and Chevron
did not immediately respond to
requests for comment.
Oil majors are keen to get
involved in developing and
operating Nigeria’s giant offshore
fields.
Malami is in London as part
of a delegation of Nigerian
policymakers who will meet
stakeholders and investors as
well as attend a court hearing
on a $9 billion arbitration case
the government disputes.
The federal government had
earlier given the IOCs operating
in Nigeria’s deep offshore and
inland basin an ultimatum to
pay all outstanding revenues
on PSCs.
The government had said the
revenues are in compliance with
the Supreme Court judgment last
October.
The judgment noted that the
IOCs are in default of adjusting
the revenue accruals in accordance
with the provisions of section
the poll was not qualified having
not possessed requisite academic
qualification and as such all votes
credited to him in the election
be regarded as wasted votes.
Atiku and PDP in the petition
therefore urged the tribunal to
nullify the emergence of Buhari on
grounds of alleged irregularities,
rigging and substantial non-
compliance with the electoral
provisions, amongst others.
Among the grounds the
petitioners were seeking the
nullification of Buhari's election
was that the president lied on
oath in his Form CF001 submitted
to INEC for his clearance for the
election.
The president had claimed that
he possessed three certificates
namely, Primary School
Certificate, West African School
Certificate (WASC) and Officers
Cadet Certificate but unlike others
did not attach copies of any of the
certificates to support his claim.
They therefore prayed the
tribunal to declare them winner
of the February 23 presidential
election.
on site visits to inspect the extent
of their work but I stopped that
because we need to also be abreast
with the commercial issues so we
can engage them comprehensively
and that is where we are.
“We know the issues are also
commercial, but we are putting
our hands first in the technical
challenges. But all these challenges
we will get into them fully and
our staff will find out why the
MYTO allocations are different
Continued on page 8
16(1) of the Deep Offshore and
Inland Basin Production Sharing
Contracts Act, Cap D3, Laws of
the Federation, 2004.
The government had also
threatened to file a complaint
against such defaulting oil firm
at international fora under the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
in the United States of America
and other related international
protocols for failing to observe
the mandatory obligations under
Section 16(1) of the Deep Offshore
and Inland Basin Production
Sharing Act.
Following a suit filed by the
Attorneys-General of Rivers,
Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States,
the Supreme Court in a landmark
judgment on October 17, 2018, had
ordered the federal government to
adjust its share of proceeds from
the sale of crude oil whenever
the price exceeds $20 per barrel.
Malami confirmed yesterday
that several cases are in court.
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TOP LOSERS NGN %
PRESCO 4.45 40.35 9.9
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See details on Page 31
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY 7
8 TUESDAY, 
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T H I S D AY
Climate Change: World Heads
Towards Catastrophe, Buhari Tells UN
Unveils Nigeria's plan to achieve 30% energy efficiency in 2030
Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari
yesterday echoed the Secretary-
General of the United Nations
(UN), Antonio Gutteres, that
the world is heading towards
a climate calamity.
Speaking at the UN Climate
Action Summit at the ongoing
74th UN General Assembly
(UNGA) in New York, with
the theme, 'A Race We Can Win,
A Race We Must Win,' Buhari
who said he shared the sentiment
earlier expressed by Gutteres,
described climate change as a
global phenomenon.
A copy of the president’s
speech, which he delivered at the
occasion, was sent to THISDAY
by e-mail.
He said: "I share the sentiment
expressed by the Secretary
General that the world is on
the verge of climate catastrophe.
Undeniably, climate change is a
human-induced phenomenon."
SUPREME COURT WON’T BE SUBSERVIENT TO ANYBODY, SAYS CJN
Court marking the 2019/2020
Legal Year, came against the
backdrop of the growing
perception by many that the
judiciary, including the Supreme
Court, have been cowed by the
executive could not effectively
discharge its functions.
The perception was fed
by the perceived underhand
tactics allegedly employed by
the presidency to oust Justice
Muhammad’s predecessor, Justice
Walter Onnoghen.
The highlight of yesterday’s
event was the inauguration
of 38 new Senior Advocates
of Nigeria (SANs), amongst
whom are the Solicitor-General
of the Federation and Permanent
Secretary, Federal Ministry of
Justice, Dayo Apata; wife of
a justice of the apex court,
Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, and
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.
However, standing out among
those who graced the occasion
was Justice Sylvester Ngwuta
who returned to the Supreme
Court three years after he
stepped aside to face trial for
corruption.
But Muhammad, in his speech
on the state of the judiciary
delivered yesterday, said though
he might have assumed office
as CJN, "after the unfortunate
events that shook the Nigerian
judiciary to its foundation," he
was determined to leave behind
a justice system that would be
the pride of all.
Speaking on the independence
of the judiciary, Muhammad
said: "The Nigerian judiciary, to
a large extent, is independent in
NERC PROBES ALLEGED POWER RE JECTION BY DISCOS
from the daily nominations.”
According to Momoh, the
NERC has “no choice and we
will get into it.”
But the timeline for resolving
the challenges would depend on
the project timeline the Discos
and TCN presented to NERC.
“We discovered that if the
interface challenge is resolved,
we will be able to release 3,800
megawatts of the stranded power
to the grid,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Discos through
their trade association – the
Association of Nigerian Electricity
Distributors (ANED), said the
TCN still used analogue system
to run the grid.
ANED in a statement from its
Reiterating Nigeria’s
commitment to the Paris
Agreement, Buhari acquainted
the summit with Nigeria's plans
to combat climate change, saying
that in the energy sector for
instance, Nigeria is set to achieve
30 per cent energy efficiency and
renewable energy by 2030.
"In the energy sector, Nigeria is
presently diversifying its energy
sources from dependence on
gas-powered system to hydro,
solar, wind, biomass and nuclear
sources. Specifically, Nigeria is
progressively working to realise
30 per cent energy efficiency and
renewable energy mix by 2030.
This is envisaged to lead to 179
million tonnes of carbon dioxide
reduction per annum by 2030."
He expressed Nigeria’s plan
towards developing what he
described as "a more robust
sectoral action plan," to enlarge the
frontiers of the country's sovereign
green bonds.
He also spoke on the country's
conducting its affairs and taking
decisions on matters before it
without any extraneous influence.
"At the Supreme Court, like I
have always said, we are totally
independent in the way we
conduct our affairs, especially
judgments. We don't pander to
anybody's whims and caprices.
If there is any deity to be feared,
it is Almighty God.
"We will never be subservient
to anybody, no matter his
position in the society."
The CJN, however, admitted
that the judiciary cannot enjoy
or know true independence if it
has to beg for funds to run its
office, as the current situation
portrays.
He said: "It is like saying a
cow is free to graze about in
the meadow but at the same
time, tying it firmly to a tree.
Where is the freedom?”
The CJN appealed to
governments at all levels to "free
the judiciary from the financial
bondage it has been subjected
to over the years.”
"Let it not just said to be
independent but should, in
words and actions, be seen to
be truly independent. We would
not like to negotiate our financial
independence under any guise,"
he said.
The CJN also used the
occasion to stress the need for
all to adhere to the tenets of the
rule of law at all times to avoid
a situation of anarchy and also
preserve the nation's democracy.
"The rule of law, which is the
bastion of democracy across the
world, will be strictly observed
Executive Director, Research and
Advocacy, Mr. Sunday Oduntan,
said the analogue system of the
TCN had caused inefficiencies
and 5,311 interface disruptions
in the first 18 days of September.
It also added that despite $1.6
billion multilateral funding of
TCN, its equipment has caused
over 100 electricity grid collapses
since privatisation in 2013 and
nine collapses this year.
ANED said it was responding
to a recent TCN report that the
Discos misrepresented crucial
power evacuation and distribution
data, adding that contrary to
TCN’s claims, the Discos have
not rejected energy load.
It also accused TCN of
Buhari
plan in the water sector, including
the federal government's plans
on irrigation, water supply, solid
and liquid waste management.
The president also told the
summit on the plan of the federal
government to develop a shelter
belt across 11 states covering
1,500 kilometres and beyond
as well as the implementation
of hydrocarbon pollution
in our dealings and we must
impress it on governments at
all levels to actively toe that
path. The right of every citizen
against any form of oppression
and impunity must be jealously
guided and protected with the
legal tools at our disposal.
"All binding court orders must
be obeyed; nobody, irrespective
of his or her position, will be
allowed to toy with court
judgments. We must collectively
show the desired commitment
to the full enthronement of the
rule of law in the land.
"As we all know, flagrant
disobedience of court orders
or non-compliance with judicial
orders is a direct invitation to
anarchy in the society", he stated.
While stressing that such acts
are antithetical to the rule of law
in a democratic environment,
Muhammad said the Supreme
Court under his watch would,
however, not tolerate it.
Also, President of the Nigerian
Bar Association (NBA), Paul
Usoro (SAN), decried the poor
remuneration of judicial officers,
noting that "we betray our
vaunted fight against corruption
in the judiciary and public
sector when we remunerate our
judicial and public officers most
inadequately as we currently do.”
He appealed to stakeholders to
review upward the compensation
packages of the judicial officers
at all levels as a step towards
eliminating corruption in the
judiciary.
Usoro similarly tasked the
judiciary not to relent on efforts
at ridding itself of any corrupt
falsifying data that conflicts
with the data presented to Discos
by the National Control Centre
(NCC) which is under TCN and
coordinate power allocation to
Discos.
“While TCN headquarter data
published on September 20th,
2019, shows 19,173 megawatts
(MW) of energy was delivered
to Discos between August 22nd
and 24th of 2019, the NCC data
actually shows it was 13,963MW,”
ANED stated.
It said there was a difference of
5,208MW data within the same
company.
It said: “It raises questions as
to the veracity and accuracy of
TCN’s response in terms of
remediation programme in
Ogoniland.
"In the water sector, Nigeria will
issue a Green Bond for irrigation
and construct multi-purpose dams
for power, irrigation and water
supply. We will strengthen solid
and liquid waste management
systems to attract more private
sector investors.
"We will take concrete steps
to harness climate innovative
ideas by including youths in
decision making processes as
part of our over-all climate
governance architecture. We
will mobilise Nigerian youths
towards planting 25 million trees
to enhance Nigeria’s carbon sink...
"In addition, our administration
intends to develop a shelter
belt across 11 states of the
federation spanning a distance
of 1,500 km and 15km across
through the Great Green
Wall initiative. Furthermore,
the federal government has
commenced the implementation
elements amongst them.
He, however, suggested
that in doing so, the judiciary
must deploy the self-regulating
processes within the NJC and
in line with constitutional
provisions.
He condemned the process
that culminated in the retirement
of Justice Onnoghen.
According to the NBA
president, the process "showed
a brazen external intrusion and
interference in the disciplinary
processes of the judiciary in a
manner that undermine its
independence and by extension,
the rule of law.
"The process was not only
contrary to the provisions of
our law but also degraded and
desecrated the hallowed dignity
that is attached to the office of
Chief Justice of Nigeria."
Also speaking, the Attorney
General of the Federation (AGF)
and Minister of Justice, Abubakar
Malami (SAN), called on justices
of the Supreme Court not to
bow to the pressures of different
political actors, irrespective of
any irregularity that might
have occurred in the course of
dispensing justice by different
election tribunals.
“It is important that this court,
as a final arbiter, remains just and
resolute in resolving all issues
presented before it.
He said, in the last legal year
the administration of justice
received boosts in the areas of
Anti-Corruption Policy Drive
(which successfully introduced
zero tolerance to corrupt practices
and entrenched integrity and
the energy that it delivered to
the Discos. How could TCN’s
supposedly sent-out or delivered
energy exceed that recorded by
its control centre, the singular
source for such information?”
While urging the TCN to focus
on improving its network, ANED
said except for February 1, 2016,
when TCN wheeled 4,557MW,
it has never wheeled sufficient
energy to meet the Disco’s energy
off-take assumptions specified
under Multi Year Tariff Order
(MYTO) 2015.
“Despite TCN saying it is
implementing its Transmission
Rehabilitation Expansion
Programme (TREP) with the
$1.6 billion fund, the reality is
of the Hydrocarbon Pollution
Remediation Programme in
Ogoniland, to recover the carbon
sink potential of the mangrove
ecosystem of the one thousand
square kilometers (1,000 KM2)
polluted site in the affected area,"
he said.
Buhari added that the country
has introduced what he termed
climate smart agricultural
practices to serve as a platform
for unlocking 74 million tonnes
of carbon dioxide per annum
through the use of technologies,
advocacy and best practices.
He also spoke passionately
about the state of the Lake Chad
and called for effective partnership
of the international community in
the effort to recharge the lake and
restore the livelihood of no fewer
than 40 million people whom
he said depended on the lake
for survival.
"As you are aware, the Lake
Chad Basin, which used to be
a region of productivity, food
ethical conducts in the task of
governance).
Three Years After,
Ngwuta Resumes
Supreme Court Sitting
Meanwhile, three years after
he was suspended from sitting,
Justice Ngwuta, who faced trial
for corruption, has resumed his
official duties.
Fully dressed in the official
robe, Justice Ngwuta was sighted
yesterday among other justices
of the court at the inauguration
of new SANs in the Supreme
Court’s ceremonial courtroom.
Justice Ngwuta, now one of
the most senior Justices of the
Supreme Court, has not sat in
open court since November 4,
2016 following a directive by
the National Judicial Council
(NJC) that judicial officers being
investigated on corruption-
related allegations should
cease to perform their judicial
functions until the conclusion
of investigation.
He was one of the two
justices of the Supreme Court
whose houses were raided by
operatives of the Department
of State Services (DSS) between
October 7 and 8, 2016.
He is the third most senior
judge on the bench of the
apex court behind Justice Bode
Rhodes-Vivour.
The DSS had claimed that it
found hard currencies believed
to be proceeds of corruption in
his residence.
He was asked to step aside
from his duties, though his salary
otherwise. The Nigerian Electricity
Supply Industry (NESI) continues
to deal with, largely, a TCN
that finds it difficult to move
away from a PHCN-legacy of
uncleared equipment containers,
analogue-based and informal
communications systems and
frequent explosions and burnings
of transmission sub-stations and
transformers,” it added.
But in a swift response, the
General Manager, Public Affairs of
the TCN, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, said
ANED was ignorant of the TREP
procurement processes and that
the TCN had not spent $1.6 billion
as claimed by the association on
transmission infrastructure.
Mbah said: “We have not
NEWS
security and wealth for an
estimated 40 million citizens
living around the Chad Basin,
has shrunk significantly from
its original size due to climate
change.
"We will continue to lead in
efforts to have solid partnerships
for the ecological restoration and
recharge of the lake. We are
confident that this would improve
the living conditions of the diverse
nationals living in the area,
promote inter-state cooperation,
strengthen community resilience,
as well as assist in addressing
the environmental and security
crisis that threaten the region, its
resources and inhabitants.
"Finally, permit me to add that
the 40 million citizens in the Lake
Chad area expect this summit
to take into consideration their
concerns. They anticipate that the
outcomes of this meeting would
include solutions to address the
climate change impact in the Lake
Chad area," he stated.
was not stopped, to face charges
of money laundering brought
against him at the Federal High
Court, sitting in Abuja.
He was first arraigned before
the Federal High Court in Abuja
on corruption-related charges and
later arraigned before the Code
of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over
his alleged failure to declare some
of his assets.
Both charges were filed by the
office of the Attorney General
of the Federation (AGF).
On March 23, 2018, the Federal
High Court upheld his challenge
of the competence of the charge
and discharged him.
Justice John Tsoho, in a ruling,
relied on the Court of Appeal
decision in the appeal by Justice
Hyeladzira Nganjiwa (of the
Federal High Court) and held
that it was wrong to subject
Justice Ngwuta to trial before
his court without first subjecting
him to the disciplinary procedure
of the NJC.
On May 15, 2018 the CCT also
ruled in a similar manner and
struck out the charge against
Justice Ngwuta.
Since the last decision by
the CCT, Justice Ngwuta has
not resumed normal judicial
functions. He has not been
sighted sitting as a member of
any panel of the court either.
However, the CCT overruled
itself on this precedence in the
case of Justice Onnoghen.
Onnoghen was found guilty
and convicted of false asset
declaration in April – without
discipline or recommendation
by the NJC.
spent $1.6 billion. Words are
usually cheap, and anybody
can say things to their desire
but let the Discos show prove
that we have spent $1.6 billion.
“Let them prove the
expenditure and numerous
collapses. It is ignorant of them to
make such claims and that shows
they actually do not know how
the procurements for transmission
infrastructure is done in the
TREP. The multilateral funds
have been secured but we have
to go through procurement on
each of the transmission projects
that they cover and so far, we
have only done that for the
Abuja project. These processes
take time.”
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 ˾
T H I S D AY
NEWS
Briefing You Publicly Jeopardises Security
Operations, Defence Chief Tells House
Service chiefs give update of security situation
Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS),
General Gabriel Olonisakin has
told the House of Representatives
that the top hierarchy of the
Nigerian security architecture
is not favourably disposed to
divulging military strategies
so as not to compromise its
operations and endanger the
lives of troops on the battle field.
Also the Speaker of House
of Representatives, Hon. Femi
Gbajabiamila, has told the Service
Chiefs that the giant strides
they had recorded in the war
against insurgency seem to be
retrogressing.
Olonisakin made the
clarification yesterday when
the Service Chiefs eventually
honoured the invitation of the
leadership of the House.
However, the service chiefs
briefed the lawmakers on the
efforts to tackle insecurity in
the country.
The obviously miffed
Gbajabiamila, had postponed
a meeting with the Service
Chiefs slated for last Friday
following the non-appearance
of the Security Chiefs.
In his speech at the meeting
held in Room 301, House of
Representatives wing of the
National Assembly, Olonisakin
CJN Swears in 38
Senior Advocates
Alex Enumah in Abuja
The Chief Justice of Nigeria
(CJN),
Muhammad,
Justice Ibrahim
yesterday
inaugurated 38 Senior Advocates
of Nigeria (SAN) with a charge
on them to display a high sense
of integrity always and be good
example to junior lawyers in
the country.
The CJN reminded the
SANs that the rank of Senior
Advocate of Nigeria comes with
immense prestige and greater
responsibilities and as such
should not be taken for granted.
In a speech at the inauguration
of the new senior advocates at
the Supreme Court complex
Abuja, Muhammad, however,
warned that the apex court
would however not tolerate
conduct and attitudes that seem
to put the legal profession in a
negative light.
Among the newly inaugurated
include Solicitor General of the
Federation and Permanent
Secretary of the Federal Ministry
of Justice, Dayo, Apata; wife of
Supreme Court Justice, Adedoyin
Rhodes-Vivour and Ebun-Olu
Adegboruwa amongst others.
Muhammad congratulated
the conferees, noting that it is
a well-deserved honour, having
emerged successful from among
the 117 that applied for the
position in 2019.
He disclosed that 80 applicants
emerged after the preliminary
screening while the list was later
pruned down to 38 after the
conduct of specified screening
carried out by justices of the apex
court, Nigerian Bar Association
(NBA), Body of Senior Advocate
of Nigeria, general public and
the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges
noted that: “It is understandable
that there must be some concerns
about the security situation in
the country. We are here to listen
to those concerns that you have,
that you need to express to us
and address, of course with your
support.
“However, I need to state
that military and operational
strategies are not usually
discussed in open forums
such as this, because we may
inadvertently be giving valuable
information to the adversary
through such discussions.
This could compromise our
ongoing operations, put the
lives of our troops at greater
risk and jeopardise future plans.
“I will therefore crave the
indulgence of the House
leadership to allow us to listen
to your concerns, observations
and suggestions, and get back
to you in a more appropriate
forum. I thank you for your
time and your support.”
“I need to add that as the
Chief of Defence Staff, my
inability to be here in person
last week Friday was due to
an equally urgent interaction
at the Presidency, while the
Chief of Army Staff was out
of the country at that time. That
notwithstanding, our various
chiefs of operations were here
Committee amongst others.
“As Senior Advocates of
Nigeria, you carry on your
shoulders a lot of responsibilities.
From this moment, your
behaviour and general conduct
will now be publicly criticized
by all those who come in contact
with you. There is nothing like
private life for you anymore, as
everything you do or say will be
openly displayed and dissected
in the public domain.
“Watch what your utterances,
watch your actions and watch
your company because you have
already assumed the role of
Ministers of the Court as you
are now expected to assist the
court to attain justice, equity
and fairness in all ramifications.
“You must display enormous
integrity, self-discipline and
high standard of advocacy as
custodians of justice”, he said.
The CJN further advised them
not to feel that they have arrived
and thereby become casual
visitors to courtrooms, warning
that the leadership of the apex
court would not tolerate any
form of misconduct.
“I have stated severally
that lawyers must desist from
the practice of filing needless
appeals at the Court of Appeal
and Supreme Court. Let it be
known that the Supreme Court
will henceforth be unsparing
in punishing blatant abusers
of court processes.
“I need to state clearly that any
lawyer who does not adhere to
the time-honoured dress code
of legal practitioners will not be
allowed to appear in court. Such
attitude is capable of eroding the
prestige and respect accorded to
lawyers worldwide”, the CJN
added.
to represent us. These are
senior officers who coordinate
all operational matters at the
various service headquarters
and are adequately qualified
to respond to to your questions.
“I wish to put on record that
contrary to insinuations, our
inability to be here on Friday
was not a deliberate act to
disrespect the institutions of the
National Assembly but due to
YOUR LORDSHIP…
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (left), with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, during the Supreme Court’s
Special Session for 2019/2020 Legal Year in Abuja...yesterday
Fire Guts Unity Bank Headquarters in Lagos
Chiemelie Ezeobi
An early morning fire
yesterday gutted some floors
of Unity Bank headquarters
in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Although no life was lost,
THISDAY gathered that
the fire emanated from the
bank’s network server, which
triggered an electrical surge.
Banking activities were
said to be going on when the
smoke was detected and sent
everyone into panic mode.
The staffers were quickly
Police Arrest Seven Dismissed Soldiers, 81 Others
for Robbery, Cultism
Chiemelie Ezeobi
The Lagos State Police
Command has arrested 88
suspects for various acts of
criminality, including seven
dismissed soldiers, who
allegedly raided and robbed
in military uniforms.
According to the police
command, a breakdown of
the figure signified that 40
were armed robbery suspects,
29 were cultists and 19 were
murder suspects, just as 19
firearms and 51 rounds of live
ammunition were recovered
while 31 armed robbery
attempts were foiled.
The state Commissioner of
Police, Zubairu Muazu, who
Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268
the reasons I have earlier stated.
We hold the National Assembly
in the highest regard and wish to
express our appreciation for your
support and encouragement.
“With respect to the security
situation in the North-East,
especially Borno State, we
are all aware that the Armed
Forces in collaboration with
other security and intelligence
agencies have been contending
evacuated and emergency
response was activated, a
move that helped to limit
the extent of the damage.
With the help of the
Federal Fire Service, Lagos
State Fire Service, the Lagos
State Emergency Management
Agency (LASEMA) and other
responders, the fire was
contained, but not before it
had burnt the last four top
floors of the 10-storey building.
THISDAY gathered that
Lagos State Fire Service did
the first and second damping
paraded the suspects at the
Police Officers Mess in Ikeja,
said the soldiers were arrested
after the command received
distress calls from residents
of Ijegun and environs about
their illegal activities.
The dismissed soldiers were
identified as Ndidi Oluchukwu,
30; Owolabi Adeyemo, 42;
David Olufemi, 47; Samuel
Iseyin Israel, 41; Emeka Ibeh,
29; Samuel Anochime, 36, and
Ebedo Stephen, 27.
According to him, “One of
such incidents happened on
February 18at about 4.35p.m.
where a commuter, who was
traveling to Ibadan from Ijegun,
was accosted by the said armed
robbers who dispossessed him
Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike
with insurgency and terrorism
for many years now. Indeed, the
counter-terrorism and counter-
insurgency operations in the
North-East predate the current
administration of His Excellency,
President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Despite the challenges
we are facing, we have
made appreciable progress.
The Armed Forces continue
to re-strategise to address
to impede the spread of fire
through walls, floors and
partitions.
Reacting to the incident on
their Twitter handle, the bank
said: “We regret to inform the
public that there was a fire
incident on one of the floors
of our Head Office building
early this morning.
“The cause of the fire
incident is yet to be ascertained
but the fire service has
intervened and has brought
the situation under control.
“While the extent of damage
of his black Lexus car RX330
at gunpoint.
“It was on the strength
of those complaints that
we tasked our Special
Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)
operatives to identify the gang
and apprehend them.
Members of the robbery
gang were arrested at Ijegun,
Baruwa Estate, Ipaja, Iyana-
Ipaja, Isashi and Ikotun areas
of Lagos State.
“Investigation revealed that
the suspects are dismissed
soldiers, and items-12 pairs of
military camouflage uniforms,
two cutlasses, ATM cards,
military ID cards, jackknives, a
female pant, and locally-made
ring-were recovered from them.
9
the changing operational
situation and tactics of the
insurgent terrorists. We have
achieved better integration of
our land and air power, as
well as greater coordination
with other security and
intelligence agencies through
regular, strategic meetings at the
highest level of commands and
down to the chains of
commands.”
is being assessed, we are
happy to note that there was
no casualty or loss of life as
a result of the incident. From
current observations, however,
the banking hall and other
strategic business areas were
not affected.
“We are grateful to all
the agencies and volunteers
that supported in bringing
the incident under control.
Further developments
regarding the incident will
be communicated as it
unfolds.”
“The suspects confessed to
be responsible for series of
robberies within Ijegun and
its environs; and the suspects
will be charged to court.”
In another development, the
CP said the command arrested
18 notorious traffic robbery
suspects, who specialised in
snatching phones, money
and other valuables from
unsuspecting members of
the public, mostly in traffic
gridlocks.
The suspects, who operated
mostly on motorcycles, were
arrested, and one locally-made
pistol, one tricycle, five Bajaj
motorcycles, two cutlasses and
two phones were recovered
from them.
10 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 ˾
T H I S D AY
NEWS
Zamfara Gov Accuses Politicians of
Recruiting Boko Haram to Attack State
Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
The Governor of Zamfara State,
Bello Mohammed Matawalle,
has raised the alarm that
politicians in the state were
recruiting Boko Haram fighters
in order to destabilise the state.
SGF: Buhari Working
Hard to Improve Lives
of Nigerians
The Secretary to the
Government of the Federation
(SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has
assured Nigerians of President
Muhammadu Buhari’s
commitment to improving
their lives.
Mustapha gave the
assurance yesterday in Abuja,
at a news conference organised
by his office to highlight some
of the key activities to mark
Nigeria’s 59th Independence
Day Anniversary.
Represented by Mr. Gabriel
Aduda, Permanent Secretary,
Economy and Political Affairs
Office, SGF office, Mustapha
said the struggle for Nigeria’s
independence from its
inception was not an easy one
According to him, it was as
a result of intellectual prowess,
patriotic zeal, as well as the
love of country that enabled
our forebears to succeed in
their struggle.
UN Appoints Dangote,
Adesina to Battle Global
Malnutrition
The United Nations has
appointed Africa’s richest man
and President of Dangote Group,
Aliko Dangote, and President of
the African Development Bank,
Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, as part
of 27 global leaders to combat
malnutrition across the world.
The appointment was made
by the Secertary-general of
the United Nations, António
Guterres, as part of the
Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN)
Movement committed to
fighting malnutrition in all
its forms.
According to a statement
You ‘ve Nigeria’s Strong Backing,
Buhari Tells UNGA President
Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja received by the whole world. It
President Muhammadu Buhari
yesterday in New York paid a
courtesy call on the President
of the 74th United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA),
Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-
Bande, assuring him of
Nigeria’s backing.
The president, according to
a statement by his spokesman,
Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari
told Muhammad-Bande that
he bore a heavy weight on
his shoulders, adding that
Nigeria was solidly behind
him in the onerous task.
“I sincerely congratulate
you. Your election was well
This is coming as the
clampdown on fleeing terrorists
in the North-east paid off
with the arrest of five fleeing
insurgents and their logistics
suppliers.
Matawalle said the politicians
were planning to destabilise the
“Nigeria’s leaders since
then have made varied
contributions to building our
nation state.
“Above all, efforts have
been made to ensure that
the country remains united
despite diverse challenges,
which are not unexpected in
a multicultural society such
as ours.
“Independence Day for
us is a joyous occasion, but
also a sobering one because
we are beset with a lot of
developmental challenges
looking at how far we have
come.
“Ideally, we should be far
ahead of where we are right
now as a people, but never the
less President Muhammadu
Buhari’s administration is
not sitting on its oars. “But
working to ensure better
livelihoods for the Nigerian
people, “ he said.
released by SUN to this
effect, the leaders will meet on
September 24 to take a decision
on the continuation of the SUN
Movement into its third phases
(2021-2025).
The leaders will also make
commitments to achieve its
objectives – looking toward
the 2020 Tokyo Nutrition for
Growth Summit.
The Cable reported that one
in three people suffer from
malnutrition the world over
and 149 million girls and boys
are stunted, a trend the group
is set up to stop and reverse
Gunmen Abduct 13 Persons in Kaduna
was a unanimous support, and
the global community received
you well. That support puts
heavy weight on you, and I
wish you well,” Buhari was
quoted as saying..
According to the statement,
in his response, Muhammad-
Bande said he was delighted
to receive the Nigerian
President, “along with your
team of professionals and
politicians.”
He quoted him as saying,
“Your nominating me for this
position is the greatest honour
I can have. The support from
Africa and the world has been
outstanding so far.”
state by using Boko Haram to
launch attacks on seven local
governments of the state.
He said intelligence reports
indicated that the attacks
were targeted at seven local
government areas and other
strategic places in the state.
A statement signed by the
Director of Press, Idris Gusau,
said two important personalities
were targeted for elimination.
He said the recruited terrorists
were to launch attacks between
September 23 and 25.
“Zamfara State Government
under the leadership of His
Excellency, Governor Bello
Mohammed wishes to announce
that it is in possession of credible
intelligence reports suggesting
that some disgruntled politicians
of the state origin are making
clandestine moves to destabilise
CELEBRATING A SENIOR LAWYER…
L-R: Recipient of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Paul Harris Adakole Ogbale; Governor Aminu Waziri
Tambuwal of Sokoto State; wife of a former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam; and her husband, during a reception
organised in honour of the new SAN in Abuja...yesterday
Tribunal Reaffirms Sanwo-Olu’s Victory,
Dismisses LP’s Petition
An Election Petition Tribunal
sitting in Lagos State yesterday
dismissed a petition filed by the
Labour Party and reaffirmed
Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the
duly elected Governor of Lagos
State in the March 9 polls.
The tribunal described
the petition as a “futile and
wasteful exercise”, noting that
the petitioners (LP and Ifagbemi
Awamaridi, its governorship
candidate in the election) could
not prove their allegations of
John Shiklam in Kaduna
Thirteen people were reportedly
abducted in two communities
on the notorious Kaduna-Abuja
road.
The two communities namely:
Begiwa-Kaso and Dutse were
said to have been raided by
the bandits last Saturday and
yesterday respectively.
A community leader in
Begiwa-Kaso, who spoke on the
incident in his village, said the
incident occurred last Saturday
at about 10:00p.m., adding that
they were in a large number.
He said the hoodlums started
the state.
“They are intending for
sinister and personal gains,
collaborating with dispersed
elements of Boko Haram, to
launch series of attacks on
innocent and peace-loving
people of the state in order
to scuttle the relative peace
being currently enjoyed as a
result of the peace and dialogue
process initiated by the present
administration,” the statement
said.
He added that the governor
had decried the unpatriotic
disposition of some politicians
who plot to visit the state with
destruction.
“According to the
intelligence report, the cruel
and mischievious elements
have perfected plans to launch
the attacks in seven local
mental incompetence against
Sanwo-Olu in their evidence
before the tribunal.
The News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) reported that the
three-man panel of judges
led by Justice TT Asua, in its
three-hour judgment, held
that the petitioners also failed
to prove their allegations of
election malpractice against
Sanwo-Olu and his party,
the All Progressives Congress
(APC).
shooting sporadically which
caused pandemonium, as people
were running helter-skelter for
safety.
“They came at about
10:00p.m. on Saturday and
started shooting. People
started running for safety. They
abducted seven people while
some others were injured in
the process,” he said.
In Dutse village, the bandits
were said to have invaded the
community in the early hours
of yesterday.
An eyewitness said the
community was awoken by
sounds of gunshots at about
3:00a.m., leading to fear and
government areas of the state
and in other strategic places
within the state capital.
“According to the report
two important personalities
of the state are also targeted
for elimination should this
dastardly act succeed”.
It said the targets of attack
include Gusau which doubles
as the state capital, Tsafe, Talata
Mafara, Anka, Zurmi, Maru and
Maradun.
Other strategic places targeted
are Gusau Central Mosque and
Gusau Mammy Market where
soft targets are known to gather
both at day and night.
The governor appealed
to the people of state not to
panic as security measures were
already in place to forstall such
eventuality.
He specifically appealed to
It held that its earlier decision
to dismiss the petition, which
was later appealed by the
petitioners, was still valid
because the petition was not
filed according to the laws
governing the electoral laws.
“The petitioners have failed
to meet the requirement of
the law. The petitioners have
failed in our humble view to
discharge the onus of proof
which would have been placed
on the Respondents.
confusion as people started
running for safety.
He said at the end of the
attack, which lasted for less
than 10 minutes, the bandits
abducted six people from the
communities.
According to the eyewitness,
several communities on the
Kaduna-Abuja road are being
terrorised by kidnappers on a
daily basis.
He added that many people
have abandoned their farms
for fear of being abducted by
gunmen, noting that many
others have relocated to other
places.
The source, therefore,
11
drivers of commercial vehicles
and motorcyclists in the state
to be more security conscious
and vigilant while carrying out
their legitimate businesses and
report any suspicious movement
of persons, groups or goods to
the security agencies in the state.
In another development,
an update on the war against
insurgency released by the
Nigerian Army, said five key
terrorists and logistics suppliers
were apprehended in the
course of “Operation Positive
Identification,” launched to track
down fleeing insurgents from
the North-east.
The operation required
residents and travellers in the
North-east to identify themselves
using valid identity cards,
international passport, voters’
card and national identity card.
“We confirm the return of
Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the duly
elected Governor of the State,”
Asua said.
Earlier, the tribunal had
struck out the names of the
fourth to seventh respondents
(The Resident Electoral
Commissioner for Lagos State
INEC, Returning Officer for
Lagos State Governorship
Election, the Commissioner
of Police in Lagos State and
the Nigeria Army).
called on the Kaduna State
Government and security
agencies to come to the aid
of the communities before
they are dislodged by bandits.
Spokesman of the state police
command, Mr. Yakubu Sabo,
did not respond to telephone
calls and text messages sent
to him.
Kaduna is one of the states
facing serious security challenges
occasioned by high rate of
kidnappings and banditry,
especially on the Kaduna-Abuja
road and the Kaduna-Birnin
Gwari road as well as endless
attacks on many communities
in the state.
12 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY 13
14 T H I S D AY ˾
˜

ͰͲ˜
Ͱͮͯͷ

COMMENT Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA

Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

PCA: WHY SENIORITY SHOULD PREVAIL

Judicial precedence favours seniority in appointments to high offices, writes Juliana Adekwagh

H
on. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem is the
next most senior judicial officer in the Court
of Appeal. As Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa’s
tenure as President, Court of Appeal (PCA)
comes to an end in a few months, judicial
precedence dictates that the most senior
Justice, Court of Appeal, Justice Dongban-Mensem will be
nominated by Justice Bulkachuwa to the National Judicial
Council for the position. Surprisingly, the reverse appears to
be playing out. Insider accounts reveal schemes to block her
from ascending the top position. If Justice Dongban-Mensem
goes to the Supreme Court as is being speculated, it means
she is totally ruled out of contention as PCA and Justice
Bulkachuwa can then anoint who she pleases to the office.
This will be standing judicial precedence on its head which
favours seniority in appointments to high offices. One is left
to wonder why the PCA is hell bent on side stepping her
second-in-command and a fellow woman for that matter to
step into her shoes!
Feelers however reveal that since she was made PCA,
Bukachuwa uses command and control leadership style,
leaving little or no room for the judicial officers to operate
freely.
Curiously, Justice Bukachuwa, a model of women eman-
cipation while recusing herself from the Presidential Appeal
panel rather than nominate the Justice next in rank (who is a
female) as a way of keeping faith with her gender, skipped
the number two person and brought on board a male, Justice
Mohammed Garba.
The judiciary is a profession that gives much consideration
to seniority. Hon. Justice Tanko Mohammad is Chief Justice
of Nigeria (CJN) today because he was the next most senior
jurist at the time the erstwhile CJN Walter Onnoghen resigned
from the office. Clumsy as the whole affair was, Muhammad
had to be CJN because of the seniority factor.
For 41 years, no Christian has been PCA. Since the late
Hon Justice Daniel Onuorah Ibekwe (PCA 1976-1978), it has
been Muslims from North-east and North-west heading the
appellate court. Can we call this a coincidence? I suspect there
is a thick plot designed to make only a particular group of
people to occupy that position. The Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN) must look into this.
The CJN should investigate how the name of Justice
Monica Dongban-Memsem that was not on a list prepared
by the National Judicial Council (NJC) appeared overnight
for consideration for appointment to the Supreme Court.
It should be known that twice, Justice Dongban-Mensem’s
name was picked for elevation to the Supreme Court but
powerful forces did not allow her to enter the Supreme
Court. It therefore, becomes suspicious, the recent love for
her and desire to make her a justice of the Supreme Court.
It will be quite unwise for her to go to the Supreme Court
to be Number 18. Her juniors in the Court of Appeal had
been promoted to the Supreme Court at her expense years
ago.
Justice Ayo Salami who Justice Bulkachuwa took over
from was the most senior in his time. Justice Umar Abdul-
lahi was equally the next in command when he became
PCA.
So seniority has always been the deciding factor over the
decades across the diverse judiciary strata in ascending the
highest office.
That of Justice Dongban-Mensem of the Court of Appeal
should not be different. Indeed, she is one of the finest
justices this country has ever produced and a woman of
great wisdom and sterling character. Over the decades,
she has demonstrated great commitment to service. The
judiciary and indeed Nigeria as a whole will suffer a huge
loss if regional, tribal and religious sentiments are allowed
to affect her elevation.
My advice to Justice Bulkachuwa is to have consideration
for the Court of Appeal and entrust it in the best of hands
available as she takes her bow. She should let the process
of succession the judiciary is known for take its course.
Needless for her to stir the hornet’s nest.
The judiciary is the only institution that gives Nigerians
hope. It is the last hope of the common man. It should not
THE JUDICIARY IS THE LAST HOPE OF be desecrated by power mongers who are imbued with
THE COMMON MAN. IT SHOULD NOT BE petty jealousy, sectionalism, bigotry, animosity and ill-will.
DESECRATED BY POWER MONGERS WHO The CJN must critically watch what is happening under
ARE IMBUED WITH PETTY JEALOUSY, him. He should get to the bottom of how Justice Dongban-
Mensem’s name found its way onto the list of justices
SECTIONALISM, BIGOTRY, ANIMOSITY AND nominated for appointment to the Supreme Court.
ILL-WILL Adekwagh works in a law firm in Makurdi

VYING TO PREVAIL
Diyyam Warru writes that the PDP’s Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar should join hands with others to build the nation

D
emocracy provides avenues
for citizens to choose their
leaders among those who
rose to leadership status
and present themselves for
election into political offices
at various levels. The judicial arm of the
government seamlessly creates opportunities
for the review and adjudication of disputed
election results to conclude the electioneering
process. Thereafter, the spirit and ethics
of democracy, with a fixation for good
governance and the overriding interest of the
polity, requires leaders and the led, elected
and unelected, to revert to common ground
of good citizenship, where all and sundry
rally round the government of the day, in
service to the nation, irrespective of parochial
affiliations.
With the successful conduct of the 2019
general elections and the emergence of
President Muhammadu Buhari as the choice
of the electorate, the main loser and PDP
Candidate, former Vice President Atiku
Abubakar, who sought fulfilment of his
ambition by judicial process, where a panel
of judges replaces the electorate, abandoned
the democratic process. The justices
unanimously found no basis in his petition
to confer on him by judicial fiat what the
electorate denied him through the ballot box.
Though the judicial process leaves the
petitioner with the option of seeking the
Supreme Court’s final intervention, political
wisdom counsels sober acceptance of the
unanimity of the justices’ decision that
the validity of President Buhari’s election
outweighs the gravity of the petition by the
defeated contestant, Atiku Abubakar. It calls
for a conscientious refocusing of attention
and resources towards consolidating the
peoples expressed desire for common resolve
to strengthen the capacity of the elected
government of the day to deliver more
dividends of democracy by endorsing its
entitlement to a second term.
While it lasted, the protracted legal tussle
over the declared outcome of the presidential
elections witnessed declining interest of
the generality of Nigerians, especially the
majority pre-occupied with daily struggle for
livelihood, even as the detached constituency
of urban elite, mainly politicians, lawyers
and media managers, busied themselves
prospecting proceedings for isolated group
interests. Several months after the Buhari
administration was firmly on ground and
forging ahead, the whole election petition
saga paled into insignificance as reflected
in the widespread public indifference to
the verdict of the election petition tribunal.
Public interest and concern had definitely
shifted to the unfolding highlights of the
much-anticipated “next level” of the re-
elected administration, away from what had
become another misstep in the ambitious
strides of former VP Atiku Abubakar.
As a veteran politician and presidential
contestant with a widely acknowledged
keen interest in the unity, peace, progress
and development of Nigeria, former VP
Atiku Abubakar’s political astuteness ought
to preclude falling prey to opportunism or
the ingratiating overtures of “loyalists”. He
has done the needful to the extent of putting
up a robust effort to exercise his right to
seek lawful redress of perceived election
“injustice”. This is a mark of mature political
leadership that sets the right example in
an arena frequently infested with warlords
instead of statesmen, pushing the frontiers
of political ambition to the realm of empire
building.
The logical next level in the former VP’s
legitimate quest for political fulfilment as an
elder statesman eager to provide leadership
should be in the re-evaluation of the way
forward. His compass should be pointing
ahead to 2023, but his mind must be fixed
on today and now because his future
prospects are critically rooted in current
political dynamics. It must be obvious that
the pursuit of legal entitlement to seek
post-election presidential anointment was a
wild goose chase and a frittering away of
precious strategic avenues to a softer 2023
landing. Approaching the Supreme Court is
still the same post-election effort to become
a president by court declaration that the
Presidential election petition tribunal judges
wisely found to be unmerited.
The question is: what is Atiku Abubakar’s
political status today? For this question to
arise at all amounts to a candid indication of
how the mighty have fallen! A presidential
candidate is on a higher pedestal than a
defeated presidential candidate who is still
a caliber higher than a defeated presidential
candidate who also lost his election petition.
Merely looking around his environs depicts
the certainty of diminishing turn out of all
but the most tenacious of hangers on, out
for more to hang onto. That Atiku Abubakar
had to hang out in Dubai while the fate
of his supposedly embattled presidential
“victory” was being decimated in Abuja
was itself a departure from his VP days of
“gallantry” in face-to-face exchange of hostili-
ties with his famous boss who, incidentally,
elevated him from a governorship candidate
to presidential running mate!
The former VP is clearly in no shape to
contemplate 2023 except perhaps as a keen
onlooker. What is best for him is to devote
what remains of his physical energy and
political reputation to redeem his hitherto
tenable claim to political astuteness and elder
statesmanship, so that he might rewrite what
is already in the political domain. That will
entail shaking off his ill-fated 2019 presi-
dential bid and all its figments of political
futility. He should henceforth be devoted
to the noble intent of the ethics and spirit of
democracy, whereby failed political leaders
revert to the common ground of exemplary
statesmanship and rally round the popularly
re-elected President Muhammadu Buhari and
his administration in service to the people of
Nigeria.
The former vice-president now has a
rare opportunity to earn the redeeming
reconsideration of the people of Nigeria that
his entire political career was not motivated
by an inordinate ambition to be President of
Nigeria by ballot or gavel! He cannot con-
tinue to distance himself from constructive
contribution to the continuing task of moving
the nation forward to overcome prevailing
challenges impeding peace, progress and
development, as mature political leaders and
patriotic elder citizens have always done.
Warru wrote from Jimeta
T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 15

EDITORIAL
CHILDREN IN MILITARY DETENTION
Children detained without criminal offence should be released

T
he recent allegation that the Nigerian However, the accounts by some former children
military confined and abused thou- detained in military facilities in the north-east seem
sands of children who had fled from to corroborate the human rights body. The victims,
their Boko Haram captors was both particularly women, alleged being subjected to serious
awful and shocking. The said abuse, forms of abuse by guards in the camp. They also
according to the United States-based described the environment where they were held as
Human Rights Watch (HRW), took unsuitable for human habitation as they were made
place between January 2013 and to sleep in crowded, hot rooms without bedding or
March 2019. Nigerian soldiers were alleged to have mosquito nets.
detained over 3,600 children, including 1,617 girls,

for suspected link with Boko Haram. The inhuman
treatment is thwarting the goal of protecting and de-
radicalising these young people and is now reportedly
breeding resentment.
In response, the military authorities have dismissed
the 56-page report as false. In the rebuttal made by
the Acting Director Defence Information (DDI), Col
Onyema Nwachukwu, the military said that only
profiled terrorists belonging to the Islamic State for West
Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram were held in
its detention facilities
THE MILITARY and not children.
AUTHORITY SHOULD “Apprehended
RESPECT THE RIGHTS children are kept in
OF THEIR SUSPECTS, secured places, where
they are adequately
ESPECIALLY WOMEN fed, profiled and
AND CHILDREN de-radicalised before
their release,” Nwa-
chukwu said, adding, “the children are provided with
regular feeding, clothing, requisite medical attention,
in-house spiritual and educational tutoring and other
welfare needs.”
The military said troops arrested some of the children
while attempting to detonate and provide subterranean
support for insurgents as mole that gather intelligence
GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE,
on troops’ movement and deployments. It added
that terror suspects were held in detention facilities
pending prosecution since the armed forces was not
vested with the power of prosecution. It also added that
apprehended children were kept in secure places where
CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI
they were fed, profiled and de-radicalised before being
released.
T H I S DAY
EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI
DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI AJAYI, 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
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
DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO
TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
M
ost of the allegations in the HRW report
have also been confirmed by a story in
Washington Post where seven children,
held in some of these military facilities in
Borno State, described the abuses to which they were
subjected. Some of them alleged spending close to 15
months in military custody before being released to
internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri
last year. They also gave account of how no fewer than
200 people were crammed into one expansive room filled
with human waste. Some alleged inability to eat as a
result of seeing maggots crawling in their soup.
We are not unmindful of the challenge faced by the
military as it battles attempts by the ISIS remnants. In
the face of pushback from its present areas of operations,
the extremist group is looking for territories where it
could establish a base to further carry out its dastardly
international terror. The militant group with perhaps the
most brutal version of Islamic rule must not be allowed to
gain a foothold in Nigeria or anywhere on the continent
littered with angry millions of youths bereft of opportu-
nities. But fighting ISIS or their affiliates should not be an
excuse to subject innocent children to brutalities.
The scale of the abuse reported by HRW is both
disturbing and unhelpful. It can engender poor relations
between the military and the local population and by
extension compromise the effort to battle insurgency
in the north-east where thousands of Nigerians have
been killed and more than two million people displaced.
We call on the military authority to respect the rights of
their suspects, especially women and children. We also
implore that those detained without any criminal offence
should be released.

TO OUR READERS
Letters to the Editor 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 (950-
1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ARBITRATION IN USE OF TYPEWRITERS IN SCHOOLS

TODAY’S WORKPLACE

A
t a just concluded Education Summit that “Education must keep up with the changing

A
frican arbitration practitioners are
greatly under-represented in a
number of arbitration matters in
the African region. However, all is
not lost; arbitration is undoubtedly
growing as a mechanism for the
resolution of domestic and cross-border commercial
disputes in Africa. The process of dispute resolution
outside the state-sponsored system of litigation is not
new, and indeed was the norm in pre-colonial times.
The modern-day arbitration regime is usually backed
by the state through legislation and enforcement
by national courts, and it is fair to state that there
has been considerable growth in Africa’s arbitration
industry. In the workplace disputes are likely to arise
between the employer and the employee, employees
amongst themselves. In my experience as an arbitra-
tion practitioner, I have come to understand the
benefits of utilising this mode of dispute resolution
in the workplace.
The 2018 SOAS Arbitration in Africa Survey
unveiled some of the key benefits of the practice
in different environments. Solving disputes in the
workplace by the use of attorneys and courts is
not only time-consuming, but also very expensive,
for both parties. The speed and informality of the
arbitration process represent the key reasons, by
businesses, for selecting arbitration over litigation.
In many cases, arbitration is far shorter a process,
and without the use of attorneys, generally less
costly. The two parties involved in the dispute have
control over the selection of the arbiter - this is a
different case altogether when dealing with a court
case where the judge and jury selection is out of the
hands of the parties involved. Arbitration hearings
are private, and the results are not part of the public
record, which is beneficial for both parties (especially
with regard to future employment as public records
of such a matter could negatively influence some
employers). Emotional intelligence has proven to
be one of the vital ingredients for creating a healthy
workplace. The term “emotional intelligence” was
coined by Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer who
described it as “a form of social intelligence that
involves the ability to monitor one’s own and others’
feelings and emotions, to discriminate among them,
and to use this information to guide one’s thinking
and action”.
Ajibola Dalley, Chairman, Aviation Committee
of the Bar Association’s Section on Business
Law
tagged “The Future of Education
Summit” which held in Oyo State
20- 21 September and where I
was a Speaker, school owners and
representatives in attendance brought
to participants’ attention a most distressing trend
in our nation’s education curriculum and schools
accreditation practice. It was reported that regarding
the teaching of the subject of Business Studies for
the fulfilment of the current NECO requirement, the
decision of accreditation of schools by the Ministry
of Education is premised on whether schools own
a pool of typewriters for students use and practice
rather than on whether there is an equipped
functional ICT Lab in the school. Several schools at
this summit alleged that they have been continu-
ously denied accreditation to teach Business Studies
because they do not maintain typewriters for
students use and it is irrelevant to the said accredita-
tion exercise that these schools offer modern ICT
facilities and resources for their students use.
The world over, business in the 21st century
is entirely driven by modern Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) as well as
the Internet of Things (IoT). In its 2016 Global
Education Monitoring Report, UNESCO mandates
face of work and aim to produce more high skilled
workers.” In the transition towards sustainable
economies, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the
report emphasizes that the role of education in
innovation primarily concerns the dissemination of
new technologies for higher education systems and
countries must do more to promote high value skills
within secondary education. Dear Hon. Minister,
it is therefore essential for today’s learners to be
empowered with a 21st century relevant education
that ensures actual future readiness. Typewriters no
longer drive the world of business and ceased to
do so a long time ago. Schools should be required
to be equipped with current operative tools in
business and work systems. Accreditation standards
by your ministry must therefore be adapted to the
changing face of work. An insistence on typewriters
as a precondition for business subject accreditation
cannot yield future readiness amongst the current
generation of school children and indeed amounts
to a social injustice. I hereby call for the immediate
overhaul of the use of typewriters as an accredita-
tion standard for schools in the subject of ‘Business
Studies’.
Edem Dorothy Ossai, Executive Director,
MAYEIN
16 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY 17
18
POLITICS
Governance is on the Upswing in Kaduna
Jameelah Sanda writes that the Kaduna State government under the leadership of Governor Nasir el-
Rufai is trying to bring about a shift in the perception of the public regarding governance in the state
C
all him ‘unsung’ hero of Kaduna
transformation, you will not be far
from the truth, but throughout his
campaign and until May 29, 2015
when he was sworn-in as the as the
Governor of Kaduna State for his first term,
Nasir el-Rufai never minced words. He vowed
to do all that was humanly possible to move
the state forward, and that is exactly what he
has been doing.
The Governor el-Rufai administration, which
came into power against the background of
promise to change the state positively, has a
lot to show as evidence of its working to meet
peoples’ expectations of its “restoration agenda.”
Some of the major promises he made to do
things differently; including putting the people first
and to deliver excellent public services to them.
The government pledged to do this by battling
waste and fraud, reducing the cost of running
government and growing Internally-Generated
Revenue (IGR) as ways to free the state from
over-dependence on federal allocation.
Armed with these vision, mission and direction,
El-Rufai hit the ground running in 2015. He
introduced state-wide reforms aimed at cutting
the cost of governance and achieving efficiency
in public service. First, El-Ruiafi and his deputy
announced a 50 percent slash on their salaries
and allowances. Next government ministries
were trimmed from 19 to 14. The number of
commissioners were also reduced from 24 to 15.
Though the cabinet was shrunk, it proved
highly effective. According to the governor, the
initiative freed up resources used in running
the government for public good. For instance,
while the budgetary allocation for running
government House was around N3 billion in
2015 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
it but was reduced to about N600 million in
the first budget ever prepared by the El-Rufai
administration in 2016.
Kaduna’s public service was gulping N2.7 billion
monthly when El-Rufai came on the saddle in
May 2015, it was brought down to N2.2 billion.
A biometric exercise to verify employees in the
state payroll eliminated ghost workers and saved
the state N500 million monthly.
In August 2015, at the onset of this administra-
tion, Kaduna State pioneered the implementation
of Treasury Single Account (TSA) regarded as a
policy tool that helps reduce waste and leakages.
The government directed its bankers to close all
government accounts and remit the balances to
the state’s TSA at the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN). There had been 470 accounts from which
N24.5 billion were remitted to the state’s TSA.
Kaduna State adopted zero-based budgeting
because budgets were not based on realistic
estimates of revenues and thus did not deliver
results. Hence, every expenditure item must be
justified based on necessity, cost, and availability
of funds, vis-a-vis other competing needs before
it can be inputted in the budget.
The passing of the Public Procurement Law, 2016
and the creation of Kaduna Public Procurement
Agency (KADPPA) guaranteed transparency in
public procurement, audited financial accounts
are published annually on its official website and
the national dailies so citizens are free to scrutinise
the state’s accounts. The state also adopted the
International Public-Sector Accounting Standards
(IPSAS) aimed at improving transparency and
accountability in public finance management and
reporting, and the step attracted the commendation
of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.
Still to ensure transparency, Kaduna signed to
the Open Governance Partnership (OGP). It was
on record that it was the first sub-national in the
world to do so. Kaduna therefore committed itself
to permit citizens participation in governance
and to run an open and transparent governance.
The El-Rufai administration moved to save
the local governments from the huge burden
of carrying over-bloated civil servants and
traditional rulers, whose burden hindered them
from rendering services to the grassroots, a major
constitutional mandate of the local government
Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG
Email nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com (08114495324 SMS ONLY)
TRENDING NEWS
el-Rufai
councils by ordering a Staffing Order for LGAs
in November 2017. This saw to the reduction
of the staff strength of the 23 local government
councils of the State to 6, 896, excluding primary
school teachers and health workers.
The government restructured the traditional
institutions reverting to pre-2001 status of 77
districts and 1429 village units, down from
390 districts and 5882 village units created in
2001. This decision relieved the 23 LGAs of the
heavy burden of paying 4766 staff. Presently,
all the LGAs have become solvent, able to pay
salaries monthly and execute projects without
encumbrances.
The need to implement the Restoration Pro-
gramme, which is the All Progressives Congress
(APC) Kaduna version of APC Manifesto on
a sustainable basis led to the development of
Kaduna State Development Plan (SDP 2016-
2020), which serves as a medium-term goal of
APC change platform which reflects the state
government’s desire to restore Kaduna State to
its lost glory through a planned, orderly and
coherent development of the state.
This five-year plan outlined the aspirations of
There have been efforts
to reverse the decay
in the educational
sector. Fifteen
secondary schools
selected from the three
senatorial zones of
the state benefited
from the “Whole
School Renovation
Programme”, which
include renovation of
all existing classrooms,
hostels, laboratories and
staff quarters
T H I S D AY ˾
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
Kaduna Peace Commission, Kaduna Investment
Promotion Agency (KADIPA), Kaduna Facility
Management Agency (KADFAMA), Kaduna
Water Service Regulatory Commission among
others, Kaduna State Power Supply Company
(KAPSCO) and Kaduna Contributory Health
Insurance Authority.
On May 12, 2018, the people of Kaduna State
made history when they chose new leaders for
its local government councils using electronic
voting. The commission has also fixed Wednesday,
6th June 2018 to conduct rescheduled elections
in some of the local government areas.
Coming at the time when insecurity and violent
clashes became recurrent in some parts of the
state such as Birnin Gwari and parts of Southern
Kaduna, Governor el-Rufai committed time and
resources to providing security for lives and
property and peace building in the state. He
had inherited some security challenges including
ethnic and religious conflicts, urban gangs, cattle
rustling and rural banditry, armed robbery and
kidnapping. El-Rufai has really tried to stop all
these in Kaduna
Education, which is known as the greatest leveler
among all classes of people in the society, and
a ladder for social mobility has become elusive
for children of the poor in Kaduna State due to
decades of neglect by successive governments
in the state. Public education has deteriorated
so much that only children of the poor attend
public schools and to get a decent education,
one must patronise private schools which only
children of the rich can afford.
This was the sorry condition for more than 4000
primary schools and more than 1000 secondary
the state government to restore Kaduna to its schools in the state before 2015 when Governor
former glory, including a strategic framework to El-Rufai assumed leadership of the state. The
realize the vision, resource projections to guide state was performing as poorly as four percent
and prioritize expenditure, and an implementation in West African Examination (WAEC) in 2010
plan to deliver results and monitor progress. The and 10 percent in 2011.
goals were linked to the budget through the Sector There have been efforts to reverse the decay in
Implementation Plans (SIPs) with strengthened the educational sector. Fifteen secondary schools
budget and expenditure management systems selected from the three senatorial zones of the state
and processes. benefited from the “Whole School Renovation
The El-Rufai administration sets to address Programme”, which include renovation of all
the dysfunctional infrastructure that fraught existing classrooms, hostels, laboratories and
the state. This led to the development of the staff quarters. It includes provision of teaching
Kaduna Infrastructure Master Plan (KADIMP equipment and provision of water and electricity.
2018-2050), a 32-year plan aimed at addressing Beds, mattresses, furniture and books were also
the state’s infrastructure deficits. supplied to the schools.
Implementing Kaduna State Infrastructure Governor El-Rufai pledged to improve access
Master Plan requires the sum of $65.6b (N20 to healthcare and to improve health outcomes
trillion) from government spending, private sector for our people. And achieving this with the
investment and support from development partners support of the healthcare workers. The state
was anchored on a long-term perspective, 2018- won First Prize in two editions of the Maternal,
2050, in the hope that government, the private Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week for
sector, communities and external partners will testing more than 200,000 pregnant women,
work together to achieve the ambitious targets set. which showed HIV/AIDS prevalence of less
As part of efforts to make government more than 0.3%. implementing free healthcare for
efficient, some government agencies were re- children under five, pregnant women and the
structured and new ones driven by innovations elderly, as promised. Recently, the state cabinet
and technology were created to provide services agreed to provide cash cover for the treatment
using best global practices. Some of such were of elderly diabetics and hypertensives, starting
the Kaduna Geographic Information Service from age 70.
(KADGIS), created to digitised land registry In the area of agriculture, he encouraged farmers
ending a regime of land racketeering, fraud, through several initiatives. They know they have
and maladministration. a ready route to market and have the assurance
r
5IF
,BEVOB
*OUFSOBM
3FWFOVF
4FSWJDF
of a price support programme. Fertiliser subsidy
(KADIRS) was created to replace the old Internal has been eliminated, but farmers still got 50,000
Revenue Service, serving as the sole agency col- tons of fertilizer in 2016 at N4000 per bag. The
lecting tax and revenues for the state and the state government accomplished this by refusing
23 local government councils. In its two years to award fertiliser contracts, and by convincing
of operations, KADIRS has eclipsed previous a private company to sell fertiliser directly to
records of revenue collected in the state without farmers.
having to increase revenues for taxpayers. In Land administration reforms have advanced
2016, Kaduna’s IGR rose from N11 billion (2015) significantly. El-rufai established the Kaduna
to N23 billion. This was further raised to N28 Geographic Information Service (KADGIS)
billion in 2017. KADIRS is moving towards which is digitizing the land registry. The body
achieving complete automation and has since has also commenced the recertification programme
banned cash transactions in revenue collections, to convert old, unreliable paper Certificates of
blocked leakages and eliminated multiple taxations Occupancy into digital titles, while launching the
which were discouraging businesses in the state. systematic land titling and registration to give
There were other bodies such as KASTELEA, opportunity to farmers and other untitled land
which handles road traffic control, state vigilante owners to get valid title at a fee of N5000. The
service, Drugs and Substance Abuse Control security of title, the transparency of land search
Agency, Kaduna State Transport Regulation and the ability to transact in land without undue
Authority, Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA), hassles are vital to running a modern economy.
T H I S D AY ˾TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
Battle for the Soul of Kogi Begins
Ibrahim Oyewale writes that with the successful completion of the primaries of various
political parties, all is now set for the governorship battle in Kogi State on November 16
Bello
T
he political landscape
in Kogi State has been
a beehive of activities
following the official
release of the time table
for November 16th governorship
election by the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC), the
electoral umpire in accordance with
provisions of Electoral Act 2010
as amended.
The commission had also called
on eligible voters who have duly
registered and have not collected
their Permanent Voter Cards in
the Confluence State to use this
opportunity to do so to enable them
exercise their franchise during the
forthcoming governorship election.
At at a recent stakeholders meet-
ing at INEC State Headquarters
in Lokoja, the Resident Electoral
Commissioner, Professor James
Apam disclosed that no fewer than
170,664 PVCs are unclaimed since
2010 and those who registered before
2019 general elections. He told the
stakeholders that the the commission
would commence distribution of
PVCs to assist the owners in their
localities across the three senatorial
districts of the State.
With the successful completion of
the various primaries and emergence
of gubernatorial candidates of vari-
ous political parties, all is now set
for the battles ahead as political
gladiators who had withdrawn into
their cocoon after the general elec-
tions in the country are now back
to their trenches plotting to win
the November 16th gubernatorial
election.
The electorate in the Confluence
State, no doubt will be filing out
once again to elect who will governor
the state in the next four years.
The just concluded governorship
primaries have produced no fewer
that 69 candidates from various
political parties jostling to occupy
the Lugard House- Seat of Power
in Lokoja.
The battle for the soul of Kogi
State will be very interesting as the
opposition parties candidates vow
to unseat the incumbent governor,
Yahaya Adoza Bello who is seeking
a second term in office.
Among those eyeing Lugard House
are the incumbent governor, Yahaya
Bello of All Progressive Congress
(APC) seeking another fresh term.
Mr. Musa Wada will be slugging
it out with Bello as the candidate
of the Peoples Democratic Party (
PDP). The emergence of the two
as flag bearers of their parties has
not only rekindled the old rivalry
between the PDP and APC, but also
the battle line may have been clearly
drawn.
Others are Samuel Alfa Audu of
the Action Alliance (AA), Ibrahim
Jubrin of the All Progressives
Grand Alliance (APGA), Dambo
Dantelle of the Allied Progressives
Movement (APM) , the Amazon,
Natasha Akpoti (Social Democratic
Party (SDP), Joseph Idachaba of
the (PPN), Godwin Atawodi of the
Democratic Alliance, Mrs Justina
Political observers
and concerned
citizens have
expressed fears
that as witnessed
during the last
general elections,
if stringent
measures are not
put in place, the
November election
may end up a
charade, except
security agencies
are challenged
to live up to
expectexpectations
Wada
Abanida of the African Democratic
Congress (ADC) ,Jimoh Ahmadu
of the MAJA, Ibrahim Itodo of the
Labour Party and several others
whose names are yet to be made
public .
The All Progressive Congress APC
and its candidate will rely so much
on the massive votes garnered for
the President Buhari in the 2019
national elections. The party posted
other impressive results, winning 7
out of 9 House of Representatives
seats from Kogi State. The APC also
won two of the three senatorial
seats as well as clinching all the
25 seats in the state Assembly.
Speaking shortly after picking
APC ticket Governor Yahaya Bello
told journalists in Abuja that his
numerous achievements are dotted
across the three senatorial districts
and he also announced that the
government has established in-
frastructure in each of the 21 local
government areas of the state.
The Bello administration is still
basking in the euphoria of tackling
insecurity which was the greatest
problem of the state as citizens sleep
with their eyes closed. Businesses
have returned and visitors pass
through the state unmolested.
Meanwhile the PDP on its part
dismissed all the claims of the
ruling APC, claiming that existing
infrastructure in the state were
projects initiated and completed
when PDP governors ruled the
state and the party was poised
to return to power based on that.
The PDP in Kogi claims that there
is no way its achievements in 13
years of governing the state could
be compared to the four years of
alleged maladministration by
Governor Bello.
The opposition party alleged that
since coming to office the APC
administration, it has never won
any election genuinely, alleging that
the use of force, intimidation and
thuggery gave power to the APC
and not popularity.
Political observers and concerned
citizens have expressed fears that
as witnessed during the last general
elections, if stringent measures are
not put in place, the November elec-
19
TRENDING NEWS
tion may end up a charade, except
security agencies are challenged to
live up to expectation.
They alleged that in the last
national elections, incumbency was
fully utilised as all the security
apparatus in the state received
instructions and directives from the
governor who is the Chief Execu-
tive and Chief Security Officer of
the state. Security officials openly
participated in rigging and snatching
of ballot boxes, they alleged.
The PDP also accused APC of
intimidating voters on the orders
of top government house officials
who led the operations.
According to reports government
house officials used by both fake and
conventional police to chase away
voters and even arrest prospective
voters on trumped up charges. Scores
of agents of opposing political par-
ties were arrested and detained in
the government house guard room.
Patriotic citizens who reported
cases of electoral malpractices were
either ignored or arrested. Senior
security officers deny or encourage
malpractices committed by their
juniors.
Another area of concern is the
suspected mercenary role played
by the Federal Government to state
elections especially in favour of
the ruling party.
Accusing fingers were pointed
at the INEC for either feigning
ignorance or outrightly supporting
and even participating in electoral
malpractices.
There are also allegations that
during the last general elections,
vote shops were created not far
from polling stations where agents
of parties and contestants buy votes.
While security agents were used to
arrange and organise voters who
collected money were directed on
how to vote and who to vote for.
Despite allegations and counter
allegations, realignment of political
forces have continued unabated
toward the gubernatorial polls.
Many youth groups are on the
match everyday in the major cities
of the state, particularly the state
capital, Lokoja drumming support
for their preferred candidate.
20 T H I S D AY ˾



ͰͲ˜
Ͱͮͯͷ

FEATURES Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi

Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 08152252325

Increasing Rice Yield through Japan’s

GGP in Nasarawa
Igbawase Ukumba writes that Nasarawa State government recently entered into partnership
with the Japanese government to supply 25 per cent of total rice production in Nigeria

R
ice is one of the staple crops
grown in Nasarawa State. This
is plus given that the state has
about 140,000 hectres of land that
is suitable for rice cultivation.
The state also has the capacity
to produce over 350,000 metric tones of rice,
which was one of the reasons that prompted
the government to go into collaboration with
the Japanese government to improve the quality
of rice and perhaps enable it supply 25 per
cent of the total rice production in Nigeria.
The partnership between the Nasarawa
State government and the Japanese govern-
ment dates back to the year 2011 when the
rice post harvest and marketing pilot project
was conceived. Through this project, 442 rice
farmers were empowered and built to improve
the rice production technology of parboiling,
milling, marketing and business management.
Similarly, 35 frontline extension agents have
been trained on good agricultural practices
for dissemination to other farmers.
In addition, 11 extension agents were trained
in Japan on improved rice cultivation technology
and research method. It is in this connection
that the collaboration had resulted to the
establishment of the 1.5 tones per hour capacity
rice incubation plant for the production and
marketing of improved quality rice that could Some of the treshers donated by the Japanese government
compete with imported rice in Nasarawa State.
The plant is currently leased out to rice millers
and dealers who are producing good quality
rice called ‘Mama’s Pride’ . In the same vein,
27 destoners were also given to the rice millers
in Lafia for the improvement of quality rice
which they produce.

Grassroots Scheme
It was against that backdrop that the Japanese
government, under its Grant Assistant for
Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP)
scheme, recently donated 20 units each of reapers
and threshers to some farming communities
of Awe, Obi and Keana Local Government
Areas of the state.
Flagging off distribution of the machines at
Azara, in Awe Local Government area of the
state, Governor Abdullahi Sule; in company
of the Japanese ambassador to Nigeria, Mr.
Yutaka Kikuta said the occasion was yet
another milestone in his determination to further
strengthen the collaboration and partnership
with the government of Japan towards achieving

This intervention
is in tandem with
the vision and Japanese Ambassador, Kikuta, in a handshake with Gov Sule at Azara
development
the desired import substitution of backward
objectives of this integration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The governor had therefore hoped that the
administration aimed partnership between the Nasarawa state govern-
at giving agriculture ment and Japan government will be sustained
because the state is indeed an agricultural state,
its right place as the hence he commended the government of Japan
for the choice of Nasarawa state farmers to
major mover of our benefit from the worthy collaboration considering
the comparative advantage the state has in
state economy...by the rice value chain.
“Let me assure Your Excellency, the ambas-
the time we finish sador of Japan, that Nasarawa State government
that, Nasarawa State will continue to seek areas of further collabora-
tion with the government and good people
should be producing of Japan in various sectors including health
and education geared towards improving the
at least 25 per cent economy and livelihood of our people. I want
to state that this intervention is in tandem with
of the total rice the vision and development objectives of this
administration aimed at giving agriculture its
production in Nigeria right place as the major mover of our state
economy.”
Frontline Rice Production
Sule continued that it was in furtherance
of his administration’s commitment that he
recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with IFAD/FGN for participation in
the Value Chain Development Programme
(VCDP) additional financing which he said
that he has already approved the release of
N88 million, which is the counterpart by the
state contribution to that effect.
Similarly, the governor told the ambassador
of Japan that Olam Group was currently having
over 10,000 hectres of land in Rukubi village
of Doma Local Government Area for the rice
value chain development, especially with the
out growers scheme beneficiaries.
Sule who was vividly convinced with the
Olam Group’s development said: “The manager
of the out growers scheme told me that he has
over 4,000 out growers at the moment, and that
to me, is really a huge achievement especially
with their target of between 10,000 to 12,000
out growers in this area. So I commend Olam
for this and call on all the other commercial
farmers who are coming to Nasarawa State
to copy from Olam so that we can continue
to empower our farmers in the state.”
“You will recall that some weeks ago, my
administration also signed an MoU with
Azman Group for cultivation and processing
of 12,400 hectres of land for rice in Toto Local
Government Area. This endeavour is aimed
at placing Nasarawa state on a global map as
a frontline rice producing state. In addition,
we are also in negotiations with the Dangote
Group to acquire 50,000 hectres of land; both
in Doma and Nasarawa Local Government
Areas, for further cultivation of rice. By the
time we finish that, Nasarawa State should
be producing at least 25 per cent of the total
rice production in Nigeria.”
T H I S D AY ˾



ͰͲ˜
Ͱͮͯͷ
Japan’s Goodwill
It is pertinent to note that the Japan’s govern-
ment development of Africa’s agricultural sector
is in line with the goals of the 7th Tokyo Interna-
tional Conference on African Development which
was concluded in Yokohama, Japan recently. The
Japanese ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yutaka
Kikuta, attested to this fact at the handing over
ceremony of the reapers and thresher to the
Nasarawa rice farming communities at Azara.
Kikuta added that at the TICAD7conference,
the government of Japan pledged to further
support the economic transformation in Africa,
particularly in agriculture to the promotion of
Japan’s private sector’s investment in Africa.
Kikuta affirmed that: “The project we are
commissioning today in Azara is one of the
embodiments of the Tichan 7 commitment. Let
me start by thanking Governor Sule for sparing
his time to attend these important events for
the commissioning and handover ceremony
for the provision of rice reapers and threshers
machines to farmers in Obi, Awe and Keana
LGAs of the state. I wish to congratulate all the
people of the communities and appreciate all
the stakeholders for their unflinching support
towards the process.
”Under the scheme of Grant Assistant for
Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP), the
embassy of Japan has so far in the course of the
two decades, executed 170 projects in various
regions and areas in Nigeria worth over S12
million. The project of provision of rice reapers
and threshers falls under the GGP scheme
and it is designed to provide mechanised rice
farming equipment to help rice farmers for
their work thereby fostering the social and
economic development of the communities.
“In your communities, local rice farmers
spend long time harvesting the rice incurring
additional costs with carrying their manual
labour in losing up to 20 per cent harvest rice
due to damage in operation process. Manual
operation is hard work, especially for women.
With the introduction of 20 rice reapers and 20
threshers, it is our expectation that this project
will reduce time and loss of rice from reaping
and threshing which will increase income for155
farmers and their families. It is expected that the
income increase will provide the opportunity to
invest more for rice yield so that socio-economic
wellbeing of the benefiting communities will be
further enhanced,” the ambassador maintained.
It is worthy to state that the gesture from
the Japanese government will, no doubt, let
the benefiting communities have mechanised
rice reapers and threshers that will reduce the
burden of the farmers. The mechanisation of
the rice production will change the communi-
ties significantly like change in quality and
productivity.
These envisaged benefits derivable from the
introduction of mechanised rice production into
the selected Nasarawa communities consequently
gladdened the heart of Ambassador Kikuta as
he disclosed to the mammoth crowd that came
out from the selected communities of the three
local governments m to witness the memorable
even saying that, “I am equally pleased to let
you know that this is a Public, Private Partner-
The project of
provision of
rice reapers and
threshers falls
under the GGP
scheme and it is
designed to provide
mechanised rice
farming equipment
to help rice farmers
for their work
thereby fostering the
social and economic
development of the
communities
Some units of the reapers donated by Japanese government
Cross section of dignitaries at the Azara event
Japanese Ambassador (l), Governor Sule (m) on their way to commission the Japanese
equipment
ship Project that the Olam Nigeria Limited
which will closely monitor the communities
by offering technical assistance. As you may
know, Olam Nigeria Limited is a company
that the Japanese company; Mitsubishi which
has a strong presence and working relation
with local farmers in Nigeria, is one of the
main shareholders.”
Kikuta maintained that the machines were
symbols and goodwill from the people of Japan
to the people of Nasarawa State, hence the
project will contribute to the better future of
Nasarawa State and further strengthen the
relationship between Japan and Nasarawa.
Suffice to acknowledge that the collabora-
tion between the Nasarawa State government
and the government of Japan in the area of
agricultural development dates back to the
year 2011 with the implementation of rice
post harvest processing and marketing pilot
project that promoted adoption of improved
rice technology along all the value chain, the
Permanent Secretary in the Nasarawa State
ministry of agriculture, Naphtali Dachor,
revealed during the commissioning of the
Japanese donated machines at Azara.
According to Dachor, “the collaboration is
aimed at improving the quality of domestic rice
and the state’s yearn for import substitution. The
collaboration had led to the establishment of 1.5
tonnes per hour capacity rice incubation plant
in Lafia that has already been leased out to the
Lafia Rice Millers and Dealers Association. This
was then followed by the donation of 27 rice
detoners for the improvement of rice quality.
Today we are witnessing another milestone
21
FEATURES
in our collaboration with the government of
Japan through the grant of 20 threshers and
20 rice reapers to Olam Rice out growers in
Awe, Obi and Keana Local Government Areas.
Nevertheless, the management of Olam Farm
could be the most excited participant because
the farmers who had gathered to celebrate
the epoch making event at Azara happened
to be members of Olam Farm out growers
programme. This was attested by the vice
president of the Olam Farm, Raji George, during
the commissioning of the Japanese donated
machines by Governor Sule, as he said that,
“it was a short journey that has grown into a
very big one. We are very excited and want to
seize this opportunity to thank the government
and the good people of Nasarawa State for the
peace and the enabling environment we have
enjoyed so far, and we urge the government
not to relent”.
With profound gratitude, George thanked
sincerely the good people of Japan for the kind
gesture through their GGP programme which has
really touched the lives of rural people positively.
He continued that it wouldn’t have come at
a better time when research has proven that
rice farmers are currently losing 25 per cent of
their produce during harvest and post harvest
activities as a result of manual harvesting. He
expressed optimism that with those equipment
donated by the Japanese government, that gap
will be significantly narrowed.
“To the farmers, to whom much is given,
much is expected. We hope and believe that
you will not let us down. Continue to do the
good work and more is yet to come. Just to
support you, Olam Farm, in collaboration with
NADP and GIZ green revolution centre, has
packaged a training that will speak to the need
of the farmer groups on the uses, repairs and
maintenances of these equipment. Already we
have kicked started the process of selecting 34
young farmers from these groups who will
be specially trained on the operation and
management of these equipment,” the Olam
vice president said.
The traditional rulers of the communities
selected as beneficiaries of the Japanese be-
nevolence could not hide their joy as they told
the Japanese ambassador that they were very
grateful for the reapers and threshers offered
to Obi, Keana and Awe Local Government
Areas in collaboration with the Nasarawa State
government. They assured them that their
subjects who are beneficiaries of the gesture
were going to make use of those implements
judiciously.
The words of appreciations from the royal
fathers were conveyed by the Sarkin Azara,
Dr. Kabiru, who told the ambassador that the
choice of his community (Azara) to flag off
the programme was not by mistake. “In Azara
alone, we roll out not less than 250 trucks of
rice yearly. And each truck is about 30 bags,
multiply by 250 will give the numbers of bags
turned out annually from this community. We
are very grateful because with manual harvest,
we lose a lot of the rice before it gets to the
point of consumption. However, with your
intervention with the mechanised implement,
there will be increase in the yield of the com-
modity,” the paramount ruler said.
A WEEKLY PULL-OUT 24.09.2019

‘THE BAR MUST

URGENTLY
ADDRESS SEXUAL
HARASSMENT’
Mrs. Miannaya
Essien, SAN
2/DASHBOARD 24.09.2019

Permissibility
of Ground
of Appeal,
Not Arising
from Court’s
Decision
PAGE 4

Malami Restates
FG’s Commitment
to Provide
Unhindered
Access to Justice
PAGE 5

U.S. Mission
Supports Intellectual
Property Rights
Protection in Nigeria
PAGE 5
Funke Adekoya,
SAN Wins Partner
of the Year at
the African Legal
Awards 2019
PAGE 5
QUOTABLES
‘The relationship between Nigeria and South Africa,
is asymmetrical. There is a large number of Nigerians Ensure Women, Children
over there, but not the same high number of South
Africans, in Nigeria. However, we have a lot of South have Unhindered Access
African investments in Nigeria.....It is the South
Africans, that ought to send delegations here to appeal
to Justice Anywhere in
to Nigeria......Nigeria should not give the impression
that it is begging South Africa for some consideration,
Nigeria, Women Lawyers
because we are the injured party.....’ tell Government
– Professor Akin Oyebode, Professor of
International Law and Jurisprudence PAGE 6

‘No Government, be it colonial or indigenous, military ‘A Lawyer

or civilian, will disobey a court order without the
connivance of the Attorney-General.’ must study,
– Femi Falana, SAN, Human Rights Lawyer and
Activist
as if his
last breath
depends on it’
PAGE 6
COLUMNISTS
DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN, OFR, FCIARB, PH.D, LL.D ABUBAKAR D. SANI
Constitutional Democracy, means a system of government, in which Abubakar D. Sani holds a Bache-
lors degree from the University of
political and governmental power, is defined, limited and shared by a Maiduguri, and has been in active
grundnorm called the Constitution, which provides inbuilt checks and private legal practice since he was
balances. called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987.
This column seeks to fiercely discuss constitutional, legal and political He is the Principal of Abubakar D.
issues, with a view to strengthening, deepening and widening the pleni- Sani & Co., which has offices in Abuja and Kano. "
tude and amplitude of democracy and good governance, without fear or favour. INSIGHT" aims to unravel, analyse and proffer so-
The writer of this column, Dr. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is a Constitutional Lawyer, Human lutions to numerous anomalies in Nigerian law and
Rights Activist, Pro-Democracy Campaigner, Notary Public and Motivational Speaker. He practice, particularly statutes, vis-a-vis the Consti-
co-founded the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Nigeria's pioneer human rights league, tution, International Treaties and Conventions to
on October 15,1987, the Universal Defenders of Democracy (UDD), in 1992, and with Chief which Nigeria is a signatory, Judicial Precedent and
other relevant statutes and issues.
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.

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE EDITOR JUDE IGBANOI DEPUTY EDITOR

AKINWALE AKINTUNDE REPORTER TUNDE BUSARI GROUP HEAD
OCHI OGBUAKU II ART DIRECTOR

Cashless Policy and
Other Matters
T
CBN’s Asinine ‘Cashless’ Policy
he Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN)’s latest ‘Cashless’
Policy, seems to be ill-advised,
ill-timed and absurd, to say
the least. We have a society
where people are still being
encouraged to move away
from being cash-oriented, to
move away from keeping
money under their beds at
home, for many reasons, including that of the
insecurity involved in holding large amounts
of cash, yet you want to ‘encourage’ us to
become ‘cashless’ by imposing punishment
on us by charging individuals 2%, for every
lodgement of cash into the bank, of N500,000
and above, and corporate organisations, 3%,
for every cash lodgement of N3 million and
above. How encouraging is it, especially in this
‘next level’ phase we are in, in which money is
extremely hard to come by - for my N500,000
to become N490,000 automatically, because I
deposit the money in the bank? Is the CBN
trying to be a commission of agent of everybody
and every business in Nigeria? Take for example
the petrol station retails, where most people
pay cash for their petrol and diesel purchases,
the CBN wants to become a shareholder by
force, by taking 3% of their deposits, when they
lodge in their cash everyday? In any event, this
new measure will certainly be a catalyst for
an increase in the crime rate, as thieves and
robbers will be aware that people are keeping
more money in cash, to avoid these punitive
charges.
Furthermore, Retailers will simply pass on
that cost, one way or the other, to consumers,
thereby, inflicting more pain on Nigerians, by
reducing their already severely diminished
disposable income. I submit that, this latest
asinine innovation by the CBN, is certainly
not in the national interest, contrary to Section
42(1)(c) of the CBN Act 2007. It sounds more
like some scam, that is meant to benefit some
‘other’ interests to me! I applaud the House
of Representatives, for instructing that the
implementation of this policy, be suspended.
I hope that the new economic team created
by the President, under the Chairmanship of
Professor Doyin Salami, will come up with
more ingenious ways to put Nigeria in a bet-
ter financial position, than simply doing the
same old thing, of further taxing the already
over-burdened populace, with uncountable
taxes. You have certainly not heard the last
of this, from me!
South African Xenophobia
I still have a little bit more to say on the
South African Xenophobia saga. A pertinent
question to ask is, where is the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama in all
this? Though by virtue of Sections 147(1) and
148(1) and (2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the
Constitution) which vaguely set out his role as
a Minister, one would imagine that he would
be in the forefront of it all, giving the President
direction on foreign policy, being a part of the
evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa et
al, alas! the Honourable Minister has remained
rather quiet and almost invisible, through it all,
except for a couple of press conferences! Mrs
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman/CEO of the
Nigerian Diaspora Commission, on the other
hand, certainly seems to be more up and doing,
in this regard. While it seems that Government
is confused about roles and the duplication of
efforts, as they appear to be at sixes and sevens
as to who should be doing what in this affair,
it certainly looks like, “what a man can do, a
woman can do better!”
Mr Allen Onyema: A Shining Example
I join all Nigerians, to thank Mr Allen Onyema,
the Chairman of Air Peace, who was kind enough
to expend his personal resources and lay on
his aircrafts, to evacuate Nigerians from South
Africa. Talk about Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR)! I do hope that organisations like MTN,
DSTV, Stanbic-IBTC etc, are contributing to this
laudable venture undertaken by Mr Onyema,
to help defray his expenses, or doing something
substantial, to give the Nigerian returnees, a
softer landing, because it would be shameful
and scandalous, if they are not. After all, they
are the ones reaping huge profits from here. I
hope for example, that DSTV does not think
that the advert campaign against xenophobia
which it is presently running, is adequate CSR,
because it is not. It is absolutely immoral, unfair
and unacceptable, for South African companies
to be happily and peacefully making all that
money here, while their people slaughter our
people, in their country.
I certainly second the motion of Honour-
able Namdas on the floor of the House of
Representatives last week, that Mr Onyema
be given a national honour.
The Way Forward:
Evacuation
Evacuation of our people from South Africa,
especially for reasons of xenophobia, is a good
decision, to the extent that it shows that
South Africans have a senseless intolerance
of non- indigenes, and this will, hopefully, be
a dampner on FDI (foreign direct investment)
in South Africa. It will make people think
twice about investing in a country, where
uneducated out- of-control citizens are allowed
to run amok, with the overt support of their
Police, and tacit support of their Government.
So, what, if President Ramaphosa apologised?
Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Xuma before him
also apologised, and their apologies achieved
nothing – it failed to stop the xenophobia. The
apology is simply, inadequate. As for Nigeria
running up and down to South Africa all
in the name of diplomacy, it should be the
other way around.
Economic Sanctions
Sometimes, a habitual offender needs to be
taught a good lesson, and to teach a person
an effective lesson, so that there will never
be a repeat of their undesirable behaviour,
one must hit them where it hurts the most.
For most people, depriving them of money
works like a charm!
Economic Sanctions, are economic measures
taken against an offending country, for example,
to force the country to change a negative policy,
or in the case of South Africa, to force the
government to take affirmative action, to stop
their people from their incessant xenophobic
attacks on Nigerians (and people of other
nationalities). Though some have argued
against the imposition of economic sanctions,
because they inflict suffering on the citizens
of the country which they are imposed upon
- usually, in those cases, the citizens are not
the ones wreaking havoc - it’s usually the
Mr. Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace
autocratic despotic ruler, for example, Iraq
and Saddam Hussein. In the case of South
Africa, the expression of sympathy of the
citizens is inapplicable, because the citizens
are the ones actively doing the damage, and
killing Nigerians, with gusto and aplomb.
Even the United Nations (UN), imposes
sanctions against countries. For instance,
targeted sanctions including travel ban and
economic sanctions - asset freezing, were
imposed by the UN on certain top government
officials in Democratic Republic of Congo,
for serious human rights abuses. The United
States and European Union, also imposed
sanctions on some Congolese government
officials, for the same reason.
Similarly, Nigeria can reduce the number
of flights that South African Airlines makes
to Nigeria, and give some slots to Air Peace;
sell some of the MTN shares to Glo, a wholly
Nigerian-owned company (‘tiwan tiwa’ - our
own is our own). That should serve as a
stern warning to South Africa, that Nigeria
will never tolerate the wanton killing of her
citizens, in their country. South Africa has all
types of businesses here – from the television
business to telecommunications, to banking,
aviation, and even something as basic as
the supermarket business - Shoprite - all
businesses that we Nigerians, can do, and
are in fact, doing ourselves.
Take telecoms for instance, MTN is enjoying
the benefit of servicing our huge population,
which is almost four times larger than theirs
- let Glo enjoy it, instead. MTN can never
make the profits which they are making in
Nigeria, in South Africa or anywhere else in
Africa for that matter, because they simply
do not have the numbers - Nigeria is the
most populous country in Africa. That, in
my view, must count for something. When
the huge revenue they make from here is
threatened or diminished, the South African
government will be constrained to curb the
nefarious activities of their people against
Nigerians, and instead of using the feeble
excuse that all Nigerians in South Africa are
criminals and deserve to be killed, they will
be forced to make the choice, to either clamp
down on their people, in order to put an end
to their xenophobic crimes, or loose a huge
chunk of their juicy income from Nigeria.
P.S.: National Livestock Transformation
Plan
Congratulations to the Federal Government
on the NLTP.
All the factories located on the road
where a factory in which I am a Director
in Ibadan is also situated, have shut down. In
/3
ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE
THE
ADVOCATE
onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com
onikepob@yahoo.com
Twitter: @TheAdvocateTD
“SOMETIMES, A HABITUAL
OFFENDER NEEDS TO BE
TAUGHT A GOOD LESSON,
AND TO TEACH A PERSON
AN EFFECTIVE LESSON,
SO THAT THERE WILL
NEVER BE A REPEAT OF
THEIR UNDESIRABLE
BEHAVIOUR, ONE MUST
HIT THEM WHERE IT
HURTS THE MOST. FOR
MOST PEOPLE, DEPRIVING
THEM OF MONEY WORKS
LIKE A CHARM!”
our case, our factory, Nigerian Gas Cylinders
Manufacturing Co. Ltd (NGCMC), as the name
connotes, manufactures different sizes of gas
cylinders and burner cookers, and maintains
them. It was the largest of its kind in West
Africa, and we were in partnership with one of
large companies, Total. At a point, every Total
gas cylinder that was used in Nigeria, Ghana
and other African countries, were manufactured
by us, because we were also exporting. We
even won a Government butanisation contract
in Ghana, which we had to bid for, against
some other European companies at the time.
Today, thanks to inconsistent government
policy, corruption, lack of electricity, scarcity/
high cost of LPG etc, the company has become
moribund, and we were constrained to sack our
500 or more strength staff. The last Managing
Director we had, was a British man, Chief
Roy Carrington, now of blessed memory. Yes,
unlike the South Africans, the Ibadan people
made him feel so welcome, that he was even
honoured with a chieftaincy title, in the bargain!
He always wore his ‘ileke’ (coral beads) on
his wrist!
I guess the best thing to do, is to gather
British Leyland and all the other factories on
that road, run riot, get violent, and wreak havoc,
so that the Government will also reward us, by
providing all the money we require to re-start
our businesses, like they have done in the
case of the Fulani Herdsmen. After all, the
preamble of the Constitution, says it’s essence
is to promote equality among Nigerian citizens.
Surely, if the Fulani Herdsmen deserve this
break, so do we. Hang on! I’m confused. I
thought Government said that, most of the
Herdsmen attacking and killing people all over
the place, are not Nigerian? Pray tell, why is
Government then using a whopping N100
billion of our extremely scarce resources, to
support foreigners’ private business? My dear
colleagues, maybe you can explain this to us.
4/LAW REPORT
Permissibility of Ground
of Appeal, Not Arising
from Court’s Decision
T
Facts
he Appellants were staff of the
Respondent, before they were declared
redundant. The Respondent had industrial
problem with its workforce in Abuja,
which led to the closure of its activities on
the 16th June, 1999. By a circular dated
28th June, 1999, the Respondent declared
its workers redundant, and informed
them that payment of salaries, wages and
redundancy benefits for the period ending
on 15th June, 1999 would be made on 30th June, 1999; 2nd
July, 1999; and 3rd July, 1999. By the circular, the workers
living in the Respondent’s quarters, were also informed that
they had to vacate the quarters within a period of two days
after payment.
The Respondent’s workers, who felt threatened by the
provisions of the circular issued, collectively took out a Writ
of Summons in a representative capacity, seeking inter alia,
an Order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the Respondent
and its agents from declaring any of the Appellants
redundant, without following the statutorily prescribed
due process of law; and an Order of Perpetual Injunction
restraining the Respondent from forcefully ejecting them
or any of their family members, from any of their official
quarters. The Writ of Summons, was not accompanied with
a Statement of Claim. The Appellants also filed an applica-
tion for Interlocutory Injunction dated 1st July, 1999, seeking
inter alia, orders restraining the Respondent and its agents
from interfering with any of the rights and privileges due
to the Appellants as workers of the Respondent; including
ejecting them from its official quarters, pending the final
determination of the substantive suit.
The processes were duly served on the Respondent, and
as a follow up, counsel for the Appellants wrote two letters
dated 1st July, 1999 to the Respondent, warning it of the
consequences of declaring any of the workers redundant,
during the pendency of the suit and application for
interlocutory injunction. The Respondent ignored the court
processes and letters, and went on to declare the Appellants
redundant on 2nd and 3rd July, 1999. The Respondent
paid their entitlements, which the Appellants received.
Further to the foregoing, the Appellants filed a Motion
on Notice dated 4th October, 2000 before the High Court
of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja seeking an Order
reinstating them to the employment of the Respondent
pending the determination of the substantive suit, and
an Order deeming the Appellants as employees of the
Respondent at all times material to the commencement of
the suit. The Respondent also filed its counter-affidavit. The
trial court delivered its ruling in which it made an Order
that the Appellants are deemed to be in the service of the
Respondent, until the final determination of the suit.
Dissatisfied, the Respondent filed an appeal against the
ruling of the trial court. The Appellants, who were also dis-
satisfied with part of the ruling, filed a Respondents’ Notice
of Appeal. The two appeals were allowed, and the Ruling
and Orders of the trial court were set aside. The suit was
remitted to the trial court, to be heard by another Judge.
Dissatisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal, the
Appellants appealed to the Supreme Court.
Issues for Determination
The three issues distilled for determination of the appeal
were:
1. Whether the Court of Appeal was correct in law, to
have dismissed the Appellants’ Preliminary Objection
against the Respondent’s appeal at the court below.
2. Whether the Court of Appeal was right, to have set
aside the decision of the trial court and ordered a retrial of
the substantive suit before another Judge, on the ground
that the learned trial Judge delved into substantive issues at
an interlocutory stage, when it made the order reinstating
the Appellants in the Respondent’s employ.
3. Whether the Court of Appeal was correct in the
circumstances of the appeal before it, to have held that the
learned trial Judge went beyond the reliefs sought on the
motion paper, thereby becoming a Father Christmas.
Arguments
On the first issue, counsel for the Appellants argued that,
the Respondent’s appeal at the Court of Appeal, which
challenged the jurisdiction of the trial court to determine
the substantive suit at an interlocutory stage, was incompe-
tent, as it was not hinged on the decision/pronouncement
of the trial court; hence, the lower court was wrong to
24.09.2019
Counsel for the Respondent countered the submission
above, stating that the Respondent’s 1st Ground of Appeal
before the Court of Appeal, disclosed a reasonable com-
plaint against the Ruling of the learned trial Judge.
Court’s Judgement and Rationale
On the first issue, the Supreme Court held that as a
general rule, a Ground of Appeal should challenge the
decision, particularly, the ratio decidendi of the lower
court. However, where a Ground of Appeal questions
the jurisdiction of a court, it is immaterial whet the
ground/issue constituted the ratio of that decision
or not; the competence of such a Ground of Appeal,
cannot be challenged merely because it does not arise
from the decision of the lower court. Once an issue of
jurisdiction is raised, the court is bound to examine
whether it is a spurious or genuine claim. In the instant
case, the Ground of Appeal against which the Appellants
hinged their argument, was on an issue of jurisdiction
raised by the Respondent, that the trial court had no
jurisdiction to decide substantive matters at interlocutory
stage. The lower court was therefore, right, when it over-
ruled the Preliminary Objection of the Appellants thereat, in
order to consider the complaint embedded in the Ground
Hon. Paul Adamu Galinje, JSC of Appeal.
On the second leg of the Appellants’ complaint that the
ground was vague and thus, incompetent, their Lordships
held that, the essence of a Ground of Appeal is to give
In the Supreme Court of Nigeria notice to the adverse party of what he is expected to
Holden at Abuja encounter at the appellate court, and once the ground
On Friday, the 17th day of May, 2019 is clear and fully understood by the opponent, it can-
not be declared incompetent. Relying on its decision
Before Their Lordships in LAGGA v SARHAUNA (2008) 16 NWLR (Part
Olabode Rhodes-Vivour 1114) 427 AT 471-472, Paragraphs H–B, the court
John Inyang Okoro held that, substantial justice should not be sacrificed
on the altar of technicalities, where such irregularities
Chima Centus Nweze have not occasioned a miscarriage of justice. The
Amina Adamu Augie Justices opined that, having read through the Respondent’s
Paul Adamu Galinje first Ground of Appeal before the lower court, it is clear
Justices, Supreme Court and unambiguous, and cannot be said to have misled the
SC.197/2011 Appellants. The Court of Appeal was thus, right, to have
dismissed the Appellant’s preliminary objection against the
Between Respondent’s appeal, at the lower court.
1. Okwara Agwu Deciding the second and third issues, the court held
2. Innocent Obinna that, in dealing with any interlocutory application, the
court should not delve into the substantive issues,
3. Charles Onumara as it is never proper for a court to make pronounce-
4. Oparaocha Luiz Garba ments in the course of interlocutory proceedings, on
5. Obiakor Edwin issues capable of prejudging the substantive issues
6. Ekeh Spear.........Appellants before the court - BARIGHA v PDP & 2 ORS (2012)
12 SC (Part V) 1 and MORTUNE v GIMBA (1983) 4
And NCLR 237 AT 242. Where the prayers in an applica-
Julius Berger Nigeria PLC ...........Respondent tion overlap with the substantive claims, it is safer for
the court to refuse such application, and order for the
(Lead Judgement delivered by Hon. Paul Adamu hearing of the substantive suit. In this case, the issue of
declaration of the Appellants as redundant by the Respon-
Galinje, JSC)
dent, was the subject-matter of the Writ of Summons and
the Interlocutory Application before the trial court. The
said issue, as well as the issue of reinstating them in the
have assumed jurisdiction to entertain the appeal. Counsel employ of the Respondent, were issues to be determined in
submitted that, an appeal must always be against the ratio the substantive matter, and not at the interlocutory stage as
decidendi of the decision, complained about. He contended done by the trial court. It follows that, the Court of Appeal
that, the 1st Ground of Appeal in the Respondent’s Notice was right to have set aside the Orders of the trial court.
of Appeal at the Court of Appeal, which the Respondent’s Further, the trial court went beyond the reliefs sought,
sole issue was predicated upon, was vague, and did not which was an Order of Injunction restraining the Respon-
arise from the decision of the trial court; therefore, it was dent from declaring the Appellants redundant. The power
invalid. of a court does not extend to compelling an unwilling
employer, to retain employees it does not need. The
only thing a court can do, is to order for payment of
all entitlements of the employees, based on the provi-
“.....AS A GENERAL RULE, A GROUND sions of the contract of employment. The Order made
by the trial court, deeming the Appellants as the employees
OF APPEAL SHOULD CHALLENGE of the Respondent, was beyond its powers, and the Court
of Appeal was right when it set the Order aside.
THE DECISION, PARTICULARLY, Appeal Dismissed.
THE RATIO DECIDENDI OF THE
Representation
LOWER COURT. HOWEVER, WHERE S.C. Peters with Hillary Ugwu Esq., Joshua Akor, Esq., Dirrine
Davies Esq, and E.B. Ezekiel Esq. for the Appellants.
A GROUND OF APPEAL QUESTIONS
THE JURISDICTION OF A COURT, IT IS L. Olaseinde Kareem, Esq. with Joseph Oche for the Respon-
dents.
IMMATERIAL WHETHER THE GROUND/
ISSUE, CONSTITUTED THE RATIO OF Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited
(Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports
THAT DECISION OR NOT” (NMLR))
 24.09.2019
L-R: Managing Director of Premier Records Limited, Mr. Toju Ejueyitchie, IP Chair NIALS, Professor Adebambo Adewopo,SAN, Executive Di-
rector NFVCB, Alhaji Adebayo Thomas, moderating the discussion, Director General of NCC, Mr. John Asien and Comptroller-General of the
Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammed Babandede at the Intellectual Property Symposium organised by the US Embassy in partnership
with the American Business Council held at Eko hotel & Suites, Lagos
Malami Restates FG’s Commitment to
Provide Unhindered Access to Justice
Ibrahim Oyewale in
Lokoja
The Minister of Justice
and Attorney-General of
the Federation, Mr Abubakar
Malami, SAN has restated the
commitment of the Federal
Government under the leader-
ship of President Muham-
madu Buhari, to provide
free access to justice and
a better life for the down
trodden Nigerians.
Malami who disclosed this,
while speaking at the opening
ceremony of a two-day retreat
themed "Repositioning the
Legal Aid Council for Better
Service Delivery", in Lokoja,
the Kogi State capital last
weekend, stated that the
retreat is coming at a time
when the country needs to
CEHEJ Report Reveals how General Electric,
other Electricity Contractors Failed Nigerians
Akinwale Akintunde
A new report released by
the Centre for Health Equity
and Justice (CEHEJ) has
revealed how fraudulent
contracts were awarded in
the Nigerian power sector.
The report titled, ‘Kept
in Darkness – Holding
Non-Performing Electricity
Contractors Accountable’,
specifically revealed how
a globally acclaimed giant
of electricity, General Electric
(GE) with long term pres-
ence in Nigeria and other
electricity contractors under-
performed and failed in their
contractual obligations to
Nigeria in the electricity
sector.
According to the Report,
which was presented to the
public in Lagos last Thursday
by the lead researcher and
an associate professor at the
Faculty of Law, University
of Lagos, Dr. Yemi Oke,
General Electric and other
failed contractors did not
give anything back to Nigeria
in exchange for the billions
of dollars taken out of the
ensure that every Nigerian
has unhindered access to
justice.
He explained that, the
Legal Aid Council has a
big role to play, and as
such, needs to be well
repositioned for the task
ahead.
The Attorney-General of
the Federation added that,
one of the services that
could be provided to the
people, is the unhindered
access to justice, of which
legal Aid Council stands for.
"As you are aware, the
Council was established
1976 with the promulgation
of the Legal Aid Decree
No. 56, with the mandate
to handle criminal matters.
With the passage of time
and upsurge of civil mat-
country other than general
darkness.
The 70-page report found
that the billions of dollars
spent by the Nigerian
Government in the power
sector have been paid to
contractors, most of whom
failed to deliver on their
projects and promises to
Nigeria.
The Report further
revealed that corruption in
the electricity sector mani-
fested by way of inflation
of contracts, fraud, bribery
and misappropriation of
funds, among others.
“GE, as a so-called
development partner of
Nigeria has collected more
money from Nigeria more
than any other entity and
has disappointed the most.
In x-raying the Kaduna
Power Plant that was
awarded to GE as Contrac-
tor in consortium with an
indigenous company, the
report reveals how GE has
been very deliberate and
systematic in disappoint-
ing Nigeria’s legitimate
expectations in salvaging
ters, the Act was repealed
in 2011, wherein the man-
date of the Council was
expanded to cover both
criminal and civil matters.
This has in no small mea-
sure, enabled the Council
to cover substantial ground
in the administration of
justice in the country",
the Attorney-General said.
Earlier in his address, the
Director General, Legal Aid
Council , Abubakar Aliyu
explained that, the Legal
Aid Council has a long his-
tory spanning over 40 years
of service to the indigent
Nigerians, stressing that the
place of the Council in the
administration of justice,
cannot be over emphasised.
"Together with other key
stakeholders, such as the
the power sector despite
claiming to be Nigeria’s
strategic development
partner.
“The report shows that
although the Kaduna
Power Plant contract
was awarded since 2009
as a turnkey project with
a term of 36 months, it
has not been delivered
till date, i.e. after over
10 years. Worse still, on
average each engineer
of GE on the project site
gulps from the Nigerian
Government purse a
daily sum in US dollars
that is way higher than
the monthly salary of a
permanent secretary in the
Government Ministries.
The report is convinced
that no foreign entity has
caused such financial
haemorrhage on Nigeria
as GE has done.
“In the Course of the
investigations culminat-
ing in this report, it was
discovered that some of
the Contracts awarded
were for purposes or
projects that were not
Nigeria Police Force and
the Nigerian Correctional
Service, and with support
of our parent Ministry, we
have been able to achieve
some level of success in the
discharge of our mandate
as contained in enabling
Act”, he stressed.
Also speaking, the Chief
Judge of Kogi State, Justice
Nasiru Ajanah, com-
mended the Legal Aid
Council of Nigeria for their
role in the administration
of justice in Kogi State.
Justice Ajanah noted that,
the Council has always
been a part of Correctional
Centre’s decongestion
exercise, saying that the
Judiciary will continue to
partner with the Legal Aid
Council.
feasible, while others
although feasible, were
awarded to fictitious, non-
functional or non-existent
companies which are in
other words referred to
as shell companies in
that they exist only on
paper. Of graver worry
is the fact that most of
the projects for which the
contracts were awarded,
up until now, remain unat-
tended to, either totally
unattended or inexplicably
abandoned half-way”, it
stated.
The report seeks to
ensure that those who
failed to perform or
deliver on contractual
obligations, duties and
responsibilities in the
power sector are held
accountable and punished
under the existing law;
contractual agreements,
and document.
Dr. Oke in his presenta-
tion stated that “of the
reported or documented
cases of under-performing
CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
U.S. Mission Supports
Intellectual Property Rights
Protection in Nigeria
Akinwale Akintunde
The U.S. Mission in
Nigeria and the Ameri-
can Business Council,
in partnership with the
Government of Nigeria
and members of the
private sector, launched
a two-day Intellectual
Property (IP) Symposium
in Lagos, last week.
The symposium held at
the Eko Hotels & Suites,
Lagos, with the theme,
‘The Bane of Counterfeit
Pharmaceuticals and
Piracy’, brought together
a broad range of stake-
holders, including senior
officials from Federal
Ministries, Departments
and Agencies, legislators,
Lawyers, business, and
technology leaders.
Businesses and organisa-
tions from various sectors
of the Nigerian economy,
such as the Pharmaceu-
ticals, Consumer goods,
Information and Commu-
nication technology (ICT)
and Entertainment sector,
were well represented.
U.S. Embassy Chargé
d'affaires, Kathleen
FitzGibbon, delivered
remarks highlighting the
importance of intellectual
property rights protec-
tion, which enables the
innovation and creativity
needed to bolster economic
growth.
Chargé FitzGibbon noted
that, strong intellectual
property rights protection
is essential to creating jobs,
and opening new markets
for goods and services.
“This is not just an
American issue, this is
a global issue and as
Nigeria moves ahead with
goals of diversifying and
shifting to a knowledge-
based economy, a strong
intellectual property
rights regime will help
attract investment and
protect Nigerian ideas
and Nigerian businesses”,
Chargé FitzGibbon said.
Funke Adekoya, SAN Wins
Partner of the Year at the
African Legal Awards 2019
Akinwale Akintunde
For her exceptional
achievement in Africa’s
legal services industry,

LEX partner, Mrs.
Funke Adekoya, SAN,
has bagged, Partner of
the Year Award at the
African Legal Awards
2019.
The scoring criteria
include the contestant’s
track record of exemplary
leadership, strong legal
skills, resourcefulness
which has led to suc-
cesses, upright client
management practices,
and measurable con-
tributions to the wider
community.
Funke in over 40 years
of practice has received
considerable recognition
NEWS/5
She urged stakeholders,
government, consumers, and
businesses, to join forces in
ensuring the protection and
enforcement of intellectual
property rights.
Also, speaking at the
opening of the symposium
were Robert Bowman from
the U.S. Department of
Justice’s Office of Overseas
Prosecutorial Development
Assistance and Training, as
well as Professor Adebambo
Adewopo, SAN, a leading
intellectual property scholar
and the IP Chair at the Ni-
gerian Institute of Advanced
Legal Studies.
In his keynote address,
Professor Adewopo, SAN
noted that, the increasing
role of Intellectual Property
Rights (IPRs), as a strategic
resource for economic
growth, has continued in
its ever-growing significance
to the core values of human
enterprise and development
goals.
According to him, in an
increasingly borderless world
of the 4th Industrial Era,
marked by rapid advances
in digital technologies, the
role of IPRs remain assured.
“The opportunities and
challenges of the global
economy, can only leave
an unconnected country
behind. As the opportuni-
ties are opening new pos-
sibilities, the challenges are
cutting new paths for future
progress, for the society to
benefit from new ideas.
“In this wise, the role of IP
has been historic, as it has
been multidimensional. It
cuts across many productive
sectors of the economy and
development disciplines.
“It promises to assist in
harnessing the enormous hu-
man resources that abound
everywhere, and in every
field of human enterprise. In
Nigeria, we often speak of
the rich Human Resources,
as one of our greatest natural
endowments. In reality, that
CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
and numerous awards for
excellence in the commercial
litigation and corporate
dispute resolution areas.
She leads a team at
LEX
that represents businesses
in various sectors.
The awards ceremony
took place this month in
Johannesburg, South Africa.
Funke Adekoya, SAN
6/ 24.09.2019

Ensure Women, Children have Unhindered Access to Justice

Anywhere in Nigeria, Women Lawyers tell Government
Akinwale Akintunde
African Women Lawyers Association
(AWLA), has implored government at all
levels, to be more deliberate and intentional
towards ensuring that women and children
have unhindered access to justice, anywhere
in Nigeria.
In order to achieve this and protect the
rights of children, prevail over violence
to abuse them, the group advocated for
a one stop justice system for women and
children, with special Federal courts with
one jurisdiction and power to deal with
any matter involving abuse of women and
children, anywhere in Nigeria.
AWLA also called for an adequate sup-
port structure for victims of abuse, adding
that, they must not be subjected to double
jeopardy for reporting.
“They must be supported and protected,
all the way. Compensation for victims of
abuse, and especially, child defilement. They
are victims of, a failed society.”
AWLA made this call through its President,
Mrs. Mandy Demechi-Asagba, at the annual
celebration of AWLA Parley with the theme,
‘Zero Tolerance Towards Child Abuse’
AWLA Parley is a programme which
brings together everyone, including Lawyers,
women, children, other NGOs and likeminded
stakeholders, to discuss on common ground,
in order to raise awareness and collaborate
on the way forward for women and children.
Speaking at the Parley, AWLA President,
Demechi-Asagba, said the 2019 theme was
apt because it is centred on the leaders of
tomorrow.
She expressed serious concern, at the
alarming increase of women and child
abuse across the country.
“It is so glaring, as every day in the media,
whether offline or online, we know how
child abuse has reached an alarming rate,
which takes place in different circumstances
and settings. Child abuse and molestation
keeps evolving from child labour to child
prostitution, child marriage, child sexual
violence, child trafficking, child abduction
or kidnapping, domestic violence, child
torture, indecent treatment of boys and
girls, procuring abortion for children, and
many more child-related crimes. Even the
physically disabled children, are not exempted.
“What about children who are stigmatised
for their colour, sex, race, tribe and medical
condition? Sadly, these abusive acts are per-
petrated by parents, guardians, neighbours,
friends, strangers, teachers, and persons in
positions of trust and power.
“Instances of child abuse vary, which
includes narratives such as when a woman
was arrested by the gender unit desk of
the Nigeria Police, for locking an orphan
child in a dog cage. Another sad instance,
was when a woman killed her daughter
for stealing the sum of N350. What about
endless torture on children, employed by
housemaids?
“Child neglect, is also an instance of child
abuse. Depriving children of education and
quality healthcare, is a disservice to children
and the nation. Some parents and family
members, starve their children. They go
further to inflict bruises and lacerations, on
children. They murder disabled children. L-R: Coordinator, AWLA Cross River State, Mrs. Theresa Ibas, Guest Speaker, Her Honour Magistrate Fo-
They sell their children, and commit other larin Williams, Bukola Akinloye, representing the Wife of Lagos State Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs.
crimes against the child. Homeless children Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, AWLA President, Mandy Asagba, AWLA Regional Coordinator (South South), Mrs. Efe
are roaming the streets, with no hope for the Etomi, Guest Speaker on Plea Bargain, Mr. Akin George, representing RoLAC and Lagos State Attorney-
future. Abused children, do not have access General and Commissioner for Justice and NBA Vice President, Foluke Dada
to shelter and justice. So, what is the role of
the African Women Lawyers Association, in
all these sad pictures being painted here?
“At this stage, and as we strive to protect
the rights of children and prevail over violence
to abused children, we implore the Govern-
ment at all levels, to be more deliberate and
intentional towards ensuring that women and
children have unhindered access to justice
anywhere and everywhere in Nigeria, as we
propose a one-stop justice system for women
and children with special Federal courts with
one jurisdiction, and power to deal with any
matter connected to, or relating to women
and children anywhere in Nigeria; adoption
of a monistic approach to applicability of any
international convention, treatise and protocol
pertaining to, and or relating to women and
children, thus, automatically incorporating
ratified international Conventions, Treatise
and Protocols into our National corpus juris,
in order not to shut out women and children
from non-compliant States from justice, using
the model of Section 245 C (2) of the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mrs. Efe Etomi, receiving the Award of Excellence on behalf of the First Lady of Edo State, Her Excellency Mrs Betsy
(third alteration as amended 2010), in relation Obaseki for her selfless and outstanding commitment and contributions to the welfare of the Nigerian Woman
to Labour matters; adequate support structure
for victims. They must not be subjected to and compensation for victims of abuse “If we must end the spate of terror unleashed
double jeopardy, for reporting. They must and especially, child defilement. They are on children and women, we must take decisive
be supported and protected all the way, victims of a failed society. steps”, Demechi-Asagba stated.

Legal Personality of the Week James A James Esq.

‘A Lawyer must study, as if his last

breath depends on it’
Please, give a brief introduction
of yourself.
My name is James A James Esq, a
native of Nkoro town in Opobo/Nkoro
Local Government Area of Rivers State.
I attended Springfield Nursery School,
Borikiri and proceeded to State School
1, Township School Moscow Road, Port
Harcourt for my primary education.
Subsequently, I attended Enitonna High
School, Borikiri, where I had my secondary
education. After my SSCE and JAMB, I got
admission to study law at the University
of Calabar in Cross River State, where
I obtained my Bachelor of law degree.
Thereafter, Iproceeded to the Nigerian
Law School (Kano Campus) for my BL,
and was called the Bar in 2011. I did my
compulsory NYSC in Abia State, at the
Judicial Service Commission, Umuahia. I
got married to a colleague in 2015, and
we are now blessed with a son.
I started my legal practice with Chief
M.B.R Urombo of Metong & Metong
Fulfillment Chambers, and later, I moved
to A. A. Brown & Co. Currently, my
wife and I practice in our Chambers,
St. James Legal Consult, within Port
Harcourt metropolis.
James A James Esq
Have you had any challenge on your
career as a Lawyer, and if so, what
were the main challenges ?
Yes, I have had challenges as a Lawyer.
As a new-commer into the profession,
working under a principal who was
conservative with knowledge, my legal
practice was extremely limited.
What was your worst day as a
Lawyer?
My worst day as a Lawyer, was
actually my first day in court, where
I personally conducted a matter before
Hon. Justice B.A. Georgewill, now Justice
of the Court of Appeal. He threw so
many questions at me, that even the
senior colleagues sitting beside me in
court that day, could not be of help.
To put it mildly, that day that I first
appeared in court on my won to conduct
a matter, I was judicially baptised!
What is your most memorable
experience as a Lawyer?
My most memorable experience as
a Lawyer so fat, was the day I cross-
examined a Senior Advocate of Nigeria
in the witness box.
Who has been most influential in
you life?
My darling wife, has been the most
influential person in my life.
Why did you become a Lawyer?
I became a Lawyer because I grew up
in a neighbourhood where there was so
much oppression of the poor, and this
consequently, heightened my passion to
stand for the oppressed, indigent and
the voiceless.
What would be your advice to anyone
wanting a career in law?
Becoming a Lawyer is an exciting and
noble dream, but one must be prepared,
to study as if your last breath depends
on it. Aspiring Lawyers, should not be
discouraged by the legal challenges ahead.
If you had not become a Lawyer,
what other career would you have
chosen?
I would have chosen to be a footballer.
I feel fulfilled when I use my experience
and skills, to make people happy and
relax.
Where do you see yourself in ten
years?
I see myself at the echelon of legal
practice, and a frontline human rights
activist, celebrated across the globe.
24.09.2019
TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY
DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN SMS only to 08098898888
The $9 Billion Judgement Debt
Brouhaha: Legal Issues Arising (Part 3)
W
Introduction
e shall now continue with the
third part of our submission,
on this topical and extremely
important issue, which has
kept Nigeria on tenterhooks,
with the more recent develop-
ments, and then fall back
again to look at some of the
issues arising.
The Federal High Court
in Abuja on 19th September, 2019, convicted and
subsequently, ordered the winding up of Process and
Industrial Developments Ltd and its Nigeria affiliate,
P & ID Nigeria Ltd.
The order was made by Justice Inyang Ekwo, when
some alleged representatives of P& ID pleaded guilty
to an 11 count charge of fraud, money laundering, tax
evasion and other sundry offences, in connection with
the 2010 controversial judgement by a British court. The
court had empowered P&ID, to seize about $9.6 billion
worth of Nigerian assets.
The judgement also ordered that the “assets and
properties” of the two companies, be forfeited to the
Federal Government of Nigeria. Through this process,
Nigeria hopes to lay a solid foundation that the entire
$9.6 judgement debt is rooted in fraud and corruption,
and so, cannot stand the test of judicial enforceability.
This, Nigeria hopes, will enable her apply to set aside
the judgement liability.
The foreign P & ID incorporated in the British Virgin
Island, was said to have been represented in court by
its commercial Director, Mohammed Kuchazi, while
P & ID Nigeria Ltd was represented by one Adamu
Usman, a Lawyer and Director of the company. They
were both said to have pleaded guilty to the 11 count
charge on behalf of the company, bordering on advance
fee fraud (419).
However, P & ID, through its counsel, Andrew
Staffort, Q.C, of
Kobre & Kim, based in London, has already
denounced and
Page 1 of 7
repudiated the Federal High Court judgement. He
described the trial and judgement as a “sham and
entirely illegitimate”. He accused the Buhari adminis-
tration of targeting innocent individuals associated with
the companies with detentions, using the EFCC, and
vowed to “continue to identify and seize Nigerian
assets”.
The Nigerian Government order obtained from
Federal High Court, Abuja, is no doubt a good
response from the domestic angle, but it appears to me
that, the best way out for us as a Nation, for now, is
to first attack the main judgement and the award, and
immediately file an appeal and stay of execution of the
judgement. The reason is that, the Federal High Court
in Abuja does not have extra-territorial jurisdiction over
the UK court that okayed the award, and the arbitral
tribunal in the UK that initially made the $9.6 billion
award. The Federal High Court in Nigeria, can only
prevent execution of the award from being effected
against government properties and monies domiciled
in Nigeria, but not against such properties and monies
domiciled within the 28 EU countries and 60 countries
that make up the New York Convention, to which the
“HOWEVER, GOING BY THE RULE
IN TURQUAND’S CASE, IT MAY BE
DIFFICULT FOR NIGERIA TO RELY ON
ALLEGED NON-APPROVAL OF THE
CONTRACT WITH P & ID, ON THE
GROUNDS THAT IT DID NOT FOLLOW
DUE PROCESS IN NIGERIA, OR THAT
IT WAS NOT APPROVED BY THE
FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL”
President Muhammadu Buhari
arbitral award is subject to execution against Nigeria. I
had earlier on posited my legal opinion, pro bono, to
the Federal Government, as a Nigerian patriot.
More significantly, the conviction and winding up of
the P&ID were carried out, after the arbitral award had
been made and entered by aBritish Court. Rights, duties
and obligations had already accrued and inured, and
same cannot be abated or cancelled retroactively, by a
futuristic order as just done by the Federal High Court,
Abuja. We should also note that, the company, though
limited, has human beings running it as Directors
and alter egos, since the P&ID as a corporation, is an
inanimate object that acts through the instrumentality
of living human beings. This is a trite principle of law,
established in the case of Salomon v Salomon.
The Rule in Salomon VS Salomon & Co. Ltd
(1897) AC 22.
The principle of Corporate Separate Personality has
since been firmly established in common law, since
the decision in Salomon v Salomon & Co. Ltd. It
is to the effect that, a corporation has a separate legal
personality, rights and obligations, totally distinct from
those of his shareholders. Legislation and courts never-
the- less sometimes pierce the corporate veil, so as to
hold the shareholders personally liable for the liabilities
of the corporation. Courts may also lift the corporate
veil in the conflict of laws, in order to determine who
actually controls the corporation, and thus, to ascertain
the corporations through contracts and closest and most
real connections. When a company receives a certificate
of incorporation, it has a separate legal personality. In
law, the company becomes a legal person, in its own
right.
The global consensus therefore, is that courts of law
in certain circumstances can pierce the veil if there is
an abuse by the Shareholders or Directors, or where
there is an apparent impropriety. In addition, pundits
and legal scholars have also advocated the possibility
of holding shareholders liable for the company’s debt,
as well. For the veil to be lifted, four conditions must
however be met, to wit:
1. A loss must have occurred.
2. A limited liability company must have been used in
an artificial and reprehensible way, as a means to avoid
a payment liability for its shareholders.
3. There must be a casual link between the loss and
the cause and
4. It must be possible to identify the shareholders in
the limited liability company.
The above prerequisites must co-exist simultaneously,
for the corporate veil to be pierced. This alter ego
theory was applied by the Nigerian court in Fairline
Pharmaceutical Industries Limited v Trustadjusters
Nigeria Limited (2012) LPELR 20860 (CA).
The Nigerian Apex Court, gave credence to this
/7
façade theory in
ALade v Alic (Nig. Ltd) ( 2010) 19 NWLR (PT
1226) Pg 111 @ 127 (paras E-F), where it held
thus: “it must be stated that, this court as the last
court of the land, will not allow a party to use his
company as a cover to dupe, cheat and or defraud
an innocent citizen who entered into a lawful
contract with the company, only to be confronted
with the companies legal entity as distinct from
his directors’’.
Thus, the federal government may ask that the veil of
incorporation of the now dead company be pierced to
exhume the real human beings behind it whilst it was
alive as a legal entity.
The Rule in Turquand’s Case
However, going by The Rule in Turquand’s case,
it may be difficult for Nigeria to rely on alleged
non-approval of the contract with P & ID, on the
grounds that it did not follow due process in Nigeria,
or that it was not approved by the Federal Executive
Council (FEC), or that it breached Sections 2 & 3 of the
Infrastructural Regulatory Commission Act. The reason
is traceable to The Rule in Turquand’s Case.
The Principle as laid down in Royal British Bank
v Turquand (1856) 6 E & B 327
This is a very famous company law principle, which
held that people transacting with companies are entitled
to assume that internal company rules are complied
with, even if they are not. This (Indoor Management
Rule) or The Rule in Turquand’s Case is applicable
in most of the Common Law World, including Nigeria.
It originally mitigated the harshness of the constructive
notice doctrine and in the UK, it is now supplemented
by the Companies Act, 2006 Section 36-41.
The indoor management rule has been applied in
the Nigerian case of Metalimpes v A.G Leventis &
Co. Nigeria Limited (1976) 2 SC 91, (1976) 1 ALL
NLR (Part 1) 94.
The Court held in that case, that, a person dealing
with a company is entitled to assume, in the absence of
facts putting him on enquiry, that there has been due
compliance with all matters of internal management
and procedures required by the Articles, and is not
required to enquire into the internal workings of the
Company.
Similarly, in the case of Trenco Nigeria Limited
v African Real Estate and Investment Company
(1978) 3 SC 9, (1978) 1 LRN 146, the Supreme
Court also held, applying this rule, that the Defendants
were entitled to assume that the Chairman of the
Plaintiff’s company, had the authority to enter into a
binding contract with a Defendant’s company on behalf
of the Plaintiff’s company.
Way out for Nigeria
The best way for Nigeria to move forward therefore,
is for the Federal Government to further arraign,
prosecute and convict the brains behind the company,
who are currently abroad. The Administration of
Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) allows this sort of trial in
absentia, if it is shown to the satisfaction of the court
that the suspects were duly served with the criminal
charges and the date of arraignment communicated
to them, but that they refused to make themselves
available for trial. A bench warrant will have to first be
issued. See Sections 352 (4) of Administration of
Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. See also Sections
113, 131, 134, 177, 382 and 399 0f ACJA.
See the Cases of Apugo v FRN (2017) lpelr-41643
(CA); Cadbury Nig Plc v FRN (2004) LPELR- 5422
(CA); Chukwu v IGP (2018) LPELR-45249 (CA);
Glencore Energy UK Ltd v FRN (2018) LPELR
43860 (CA).
Last week, we had continued with our discourse on
the legal issues arising from this $9 judgement debt,
wherein, we had considered the legal concept of the
“nullus commodity capere protested injuria sua
propia”, meaning, ‘no one should be permitted
to profit by his own wrong or default’. Today, we
shall take a look at other concepts as advanced by
pro-government advisors to arrive at a just opinion.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
8/COVER 24.09.2019

Mrs. Miannaya Essien, SAN

Photos: Kolawole Alli

‘The Bar Must Urgently

Address Sexual Harassment’
She gave her male colleagues, a run for their money. As Chairperson of the Section on Legal
Practice (SLP), Mrs. Miannaya Essien, SAN raised the standards of SLP to enviable heights, far
beyond where she met them, despite her initial humongous challenges, including the Section being
suspended for two years. In a rare feat, her two-year tenure, not only saw the Section’s finances
quadruple, Lawyers were opportune to attend very meaningful workshops and mini-Conferences
organised by she and her team. Recently, Mrs. Essien, SAN spoke to Onikepo Braithwaite and
Jude Igbanoi on her milestones, and how she achieved them. She also expressed her views on
the burning global issue of bullying and sexual harassment in the workplace, and why she does
not believe that the Nigerian Bar Association, has lost its voice

T
he NBA Section on Legal
Practice which you chaired
for two years, experienced a
phenomenal bounce back after
two years in limbo, when its
activities were suspended. But,
within a very short period of
24 months, you took the Section
to greater heights, and made it
even better and more relevant
in the scheme of things, than it was before you
took over as Chairperson. How were you able
to accomplish this?
“BETWEEN BOMA ALABI, WHO WAS THE
TREASURER, AND I, NOTHING WAS SPENT
THAT WAS NOT IN THE BUDGET, OR COULD
NOT BE JUSTIFIED. WE HAVE NO APOLOGIES
WHATSOEVER, FOR THAT, AS THAT IS HOW IT
SHOULD BE. ALTHOUGH, I HEARD FROM THE
GRAPEVINE THAT PEOPLE DID NOT WANT TO
WORK WITH ME, BECAUSE I WAS NOTORIOUSLY
TIGHT FISTED, WHATEVER THAT MEANT”
It was less than 24 months, because due to the
peculiar situation the Section had been in, we needed
NEC approval before we actually took over. We
got that approval on the 23rd of November, 2017
at the NEC meeting which held on that date.
I was able to achieve this with teamwork, passion,
and the need to contribute towards the repositioning
of the Bar as a tool towards improved legal services.
When you are the lead in a team, you must
remember that your accomplishments are only as
good as the team you lead. I therefore, could not
have done it alone. Some people feel they need to
be a lone star. That is not necessary. In our case, I
24.09.2019
am proud to say we had a committed Exco, made
up of Seun Abimbola, Boma Alabi OON and Bunmi
Ibraheem. Not to mention our Council Members
including, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, Mr.
E.C. Ukala, SAN, Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN and DC.
Denwigwe, SAN, Charles Adeogun Philips and Prof.
Augustine Agom. There are also senior members of
the Bar, like J. B. Daudu, SAN and Mallam Yusuf
Ali, SAN, to mention a few who were passionate
about SLP. Of course, we had the support of the
past President, A. B. Mahmoud, SAN, the current
President , Paul Usoro, SAN (and their respective
Excos) who were instrumental in our achieving the
herculean task we had, of rebuilding the Section
from the scratch and repositioning it.
Passion for the Section and the need to contribute
towards the development of the Bar and Legal Practice,
were other drivers. All members of the Exco and
Council members, were just as passionate about the
fundamental role the Section plays at the Bar. As I keep
saying, the Section on Legal Practice encompasses all
aspects of Legal Practice, irrespective of your area of
specialisation. Recognising it’s importance, the Exco,
was committed to revamping and repositioning the
Section to bring it in tune with the current realities
of legal practice, bringing knowledge and practice
tips to members’ doorsteps, or should I say, devices.
Our website was revamped, with members ability
to log on and access various resources. We also held
two Annual Conferences, a one-day conference, as
well as several other activities of which members are
aware. We also had our quarterly newsletter and the
Section on Legal Practice Journal, which was made
available to members. For the newsletter, I ensured
we had top-notch, cutting edge articles. I still get
calls or messages from colleagues and members of
the Judiciary, asking me to forward copies to them.
We had dedicated Committee chairs, who were
square pegs in square holes, and derived satisfaction
in spreading knowledge from their areas of expertise.
I can say that, one thing that has been consistent
is that, throughout my tenure, members of the Bar
were overwhelmingly happy the Section was back
on track, and we are grateful for that. Hopefully, at
least now, when I call my friends and colleagues,
they won’t think I am just calling to ask for financial
support for the Section!
Our tenure has ended, and it is now for our new
Exco, made up of Seun Abimbola, Chief Ferdinand
Orbih, SAN, Folashade Alli and Tonye Krukrubo, to
continue from where we stopped. I have no doubt
that they will do an exceptional job.
Kindly give us an overview of your steward-
ship which you just completed; what policies the
Section was able to drive during your tenure,
and whether you were actually able to get some
of these policies implemented by the public and
private sectors.
We had two Annual conferences. One in April, 2018
in Port Harcourt, and the other in May, 2019 in Akure.
I make bold to say that the Akure conference will
also be remembered by most delegates for the Idanre
hills hike, which to the best of my knowledge, was
the first of its kind at an NBA conference. Delegates
still talk about it. As an avid hiker, I can tell you it
was an awesome experience hiking a 500-million-year
batholith that is listed as a UNESCO World heritage
tentative site. I am looking forward to other trails
one can explore in Ondo State, as I hear there are
several.
We also had a one-day mini conference in Port
Harcourt, which was held by the Democratic and
Electoral Litigation Committee of the Section (chaired
by Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN). We held a breakfast
meeting with In-house Counsel in Lagos, and took
part at the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers’
Conference in 2018, which was held at Abuja. Save for
the Law Teachers’ Conference, I personally sponsored
dozens of young Lawyers to those conferences,
including the Annual General Conference which just
held. That is the least I could do for my younger
colleagues, and I personally paid because it was not
in the Section’s budget. Our Annual Report, details
what we did in my tenure.
Historically, the Section is proud to have over
the years pioneered many professional develop-
ment initiatives at the NBA, many of which have
been absorbed by other Sections and the National
Executive. In 2008, the SLP pioneered the Law Firm
Management Committee, as a virile committee of
the NBA. We set the discussion on professional
practice development, standards, etc. for law firms
and operations. Again, the SLP initiated the Young
Lawyers Mentoring Scheme in 2009, a project other
Sections and the Bar have also adopted. In recent
times, under my Chairmanship, we partnered with
the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers in Abuja.
I am also aware that, the SLP has initiated such
partnerships with other institutions and organisa-
tions which you will see unveiled in the coming
months, and I believe they may have a plan for
young Lawyers.
From the just circulated records of the parent
body, the NBA, your SLP Exco met N23 million in
its kitty, but records show that, you are leaving
over N85m for the incoming Exco. Other Sections
would be appreciative, if you shared the tips of
your prudence, in managing the SLP treasury.
First, let me correct the figures. When we took
over in 2017, we met the sum of N21,120,677.00 in
the Section’s various accounts, and as at the 31st
of July, 2019, we had a cash and bank balance of
N80,471,453.00. We circulated our Annual Report and
Accounts for 2019, at our Annual General Meeting held
on the 29th of August, 2019. Our audited accounts
were also circulated by NBA, as an Appendix to the
NBA’s audited accounts for 2019, so our financials
are a matter of public knowledge.
When we came on board, there was overwhelming
support for the Section, and senior members of the
Bar, our friends and colleagues, were very comfort-
able donating to the Section. We also had immense
financial support and donations from the Governor
of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,
SAN, the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom
Wike, CON, as well as the Oyo State Governor, Engr.
COVER/9
“AS YOU ARE AWARE, AT THE
ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE,
THE IBA PRESIDENT, HORACIO
BERNARDES NETO, LAUNCHED
THE IBA REPORT ON BULLYING
AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE
LEGAL COMMUNITY, WHICH SETS
OUT IN UNSETTLING DETAILS HOW
ENDEMIC THE PROBLEM IS WITHIN
THE LEGAL COMMUNITY”
Seyi Makinde (prior to his becoming the Governor
of Oyo State).
Between Boma Alabi, who was the Treasurer, and I,
nothing was spent that was not in the budget or could
not be justified. We have no apologies whatsoever,
for that, as that is how it should be. Although, I
heard from the grapevine that people did not want
to work with me because I was notoriously tight
fisted, whatever that meant.
Exco and Council members, as well as Committee
Chairs, spent their own money on travel and other
related expenses. We all believed it was a sacrifice we
needed to make, to grow the Section and to leave a
legacy. We were also all committed to raising funds
for our various events, and as much as possible,
ensured that we did not dip our hands into the
money we met on resumption, and I am happy we
achieved that.
The SLP policy for committee events, is that each
committee is responsible for raising money for its
events. This was adhered to in all cases, so the Sec-
tion never funded a committee event, no matter
how small.
Another way we managed our costs, was by, as
much as is practicable, using the local talent, thereby
reducing costs and ensuring the money remained
in the city we were, in which helped to empower
the local service providers.
Ultimately, other than salaries, rent and running
expenses, we basically did not spend money, except
on the conferences, breakfast session and other
partnerships we undertook. The costs of which,
are clearly captured in our accounts.
We are quite pleased that we improved upon what
we met, and I am hopeful that the new Exco, will
do even better.
During your tenure as SLP Chairperson, we have
seen Lawyers, including SANs being sanctioned,
one even being convicted of a criminal offence.
What really is the problem in the legal profession
today, so much so that, cases of professional
impropriety seem to be on the rise? What steps
can be taken to stem this negative tide?
In my opinion, there are four key problems - the
perception that a Lawyer must always win his case,
the inordinate quest for quick money, a failure to
adhere to the Rules of Professional Conduct, and
the delay in the resolution of disciplinary matters.
To address these issues, I believe there is a need to
refocus on knowing appropriate ethical behaviour,
professional conduct, and a review of the disciplinary
process. During my tenure, we started a publication
of the Committee on Professional Ethics (headed
by Folashade Alli), which was the “RPC at a Glance
(Know Your Rules Series)”, which we circulated by
social media and email. Through that medium, we
were able to highlight areas that were of the most
concern, and draw Lawyers’ attention to them.
You will be surprised, at some of the feedback I
got. For instance, somebody told me he was not
aware that he had to have a different account, for
his clients’ money. Something that basic. You can of
course imagine that, the person is clearly in breach
of Rule 23(2).
When you check the law reports, you find that
most of the cases of misconduct have to do with
Lawyers breaching Rule 27(1) which provides that
“A lawyer shall not do any act whereby for his personal
benefit or gain he abuses or takes advantage of the confidence
reposed in him by the client”.
Based on 31 cases reported in the Nigerian Weekly
Law Reports between 2006 and 2017, it was observed
that, cases that dealt with Lawyers converting clients
property were the highest, at 48%; Not carrying
out client’s instructions within the confines of the
law – 16%; Lack of diligence in carrying out clients
instruction- 14%; Harassment/ Exploitation of client
- 6%; Engaging in business inconsistent with that
of a legal practitioner - 6%; False allegation against
a Judge - 3%; Conflict of interest- 3%; Sharing of
legal fees with a non-Lawyers - 3%; Use of indecent
language unbecoming of a legal practitioner -3%;
Communication with a Judge - 3%.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
10/COVER
‘THE BAR MUST URGENTLY ADDRESS SEXUAL HARASSMENT’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
What tends to happen is, when Lawyers
are reported, they quickly refund the
money or property to the client, who,
subsequently (more often than not)
withdraws the petition. I am of the view
that, there is a need for the Rules to be
changed, such that, once there is such an
allegation of misconduct in a petition, it
cannot be withdrawn by the Petitioner, as
misconduct brings the entire profession
into disrepute. We need to guard our
reputations jealously, as when there are
allegations of that nature, we are all
tarred with the same brush. This leads
to a loss of confidence in Lawyers, by
the public. However, where the allega-
tions are frivolous, there should also be
sanctions against the person who made
the false allegations. I am therefore, of
the view that, there is a need to review
the disciplinary process to make it more
robust, efficient, and time sensitive.
This was also one of the outcomes of
the Annual General Conference, and is
reflected in the communique.
I believe, if the NBA can declare an
emergency, drive this return to ethical
conduct and prompt resolution of com-
plaints, we will definitely see a change,
and we will all be the better for it. I
have also advocated adding ethics as
a course, at the undergraduate level.
I know it exists in some universities,
but not all.
Your Conferences in Port Harcourt
and Akure have become a reference
point for organising law conferences.
The topics, resource persons, and
venues were A-class. The excite-
ment for young Lawyers was that,
the Conferences were affordable and
within their reach, despite the excel-
lent quality. What are you leaving
in place, to ensure that SLP future
conferences are not priced out of
their reach?
Our model in SLP, is to ensure our
conferences are affordable. That way,
a significant number of our members
who may face some financial or other
challenges, can attend. We always seek
sponsorship from corporate organisations,
governments etc. and senior members of
the Bar - that way, the SLP can absorb
the cost, and we significantly reduce
the costs for all Lawyers, and not just
younger Lawyers. We also encourage
senior Lawyers to specifically sponsor
younger Lawyers, apart from donating
to our conferences. That is our model,
and I am hopeful future SLP conferences
will not be priced out of reach.
Some of the issues that flowed out
of the recently concluded 2019 NBA
General Conference, were quite deep
and engaging. The issue of sexual
harassment in the workplace, is one
that is still resonating across the
Bar. Some have argued that, both
genders could be equally guilty of
this malaise. What is your take on
this? How can juniors be protected
without losing their jobs?
The discussion on sexual harass-
ment and bullying in the workplace,
was the focus of one of the General
Interest Sessions, at the just concluded
Annual General Conference. It was a
very heated session, and it was obvious
to all who were there, that it is an issue
that needs to be addressed by the Bar,
and urgently.
As you are aware, at the Annual
General Conference, the IBA President,
Horacio Bernardes Neto, launched the
IBA Report on Bullying and Sexual
Harassment in the Legal Community,
which sets out in unsettling details how
endemic the problem is within the legal
“I AM AWARE THAT BOTH THIS PRESIDENT, PAUL USORO,
SAN AND A. B. MAHMOUD, SAN, HIS PREDECESSOR, HAVE
SPOKEN OUT ON NUMEROUS ISSUES, ON BEHALF OF
THE BAR. REPORTS ABOUND IN THE DAILIES AND THE
SOCIAL MEDIA OF SUCH STATEMENTS, AND STEPS TAKEN
TOWARDS THOSE ENDS. I THEREFORE, THINK IT IS WRONG
TO SAY THAT, NBA HAS LOST ITS VOICE”
community.
It is correct as you have said, that
sexual harassment cuts across both
genders, but, it is clearly more prevalent
against women than men, and various
reports attest to this. It is a very serious
problem that needs to be addressed
urgently, and thankfully, it was addressed
in the communique that was issued at
the end of the Annual General Confer-
ence under Legal Practice and other
Stakeholders. It was noted therein that,
there is a prevalence of sexual harass-
ment and bullying, and that it should
24.09.2019
be specifically addressed in our Rules
of Professional Conduct of the legal
profession. It was also suggested that,
serious consideration should be given,
to Lawyers signing a code on bullying
and sexual harassment. Some of the
stories one hears are horrendous, and
the perpetrators can easily be charged
for criminal offences.
Unfortunately, unless it is a large
firm, the likelihood is that, if a junior
complains, he or she is likely to lose
his/her job, and there is not much
anybody can do, except it can be proved
that termination was on grounds of
sexual harassment, in which case,
one can file an action at the National
Industrial Court. However, if it is a
large firm, with clear laid out policies
and a Human Resources Department,
it is highly likely that, once a report is
made, if it is not frivolous, the senior
Lawyer will most likely be shown the
way out. Nobody wants to be around
a vile predator. The victim may also
seek legal redress, on such grounds.
I will also encourage victims to report
to the appropriate law enforcement agen-
cies, and to press charges. Allegations
cannot be frivolous, and must meet
the relevant onus of proof.
I advocate that the NBA should
set up a helpline and help desk, to
confidentially handle such allegations.
One thread that runs through studies
on the matter, is that the victims always
feel helpless and fear reprisal. With
such resources, at least, they know
where they can report such matters.
I urge the NBA to consider these,
as a matter of urgency.
Some Lawyers, including your
brother Silk, Femi Falana, are of
the opinion that the NBA seems to
have lost its voice and focus, and
no longer plays the role expected
of a Bar Association. Is this a fair
assessment?
It is not a fair assessment, to say
that NBA has lost its voice and focus.
I am aware that both this President,
Paul Usoro, SAN and A. B. Mahmoud,
SAN, his predecessor, have spoken out
on numerous issues, on behalf of the
Bar. Reports abound in the dailies and
the social media of such statements,
and steps taken towards those ends.
I therefore, think it is wrong to say
that NBA has lost its voice.
Each executive and administration has
its focal areas, projects, and approach
to various issues that have arisen in the
past. That approach, may influence the
perception you have expressed. However,
it is not how loud a person shouts that
is material, it is what the person does
and achieves, that is relevant. There
are lots of people who shout, and after
a while, you do not hear from them
anymore.
President Buhari just constituted a
new Federal cabinet, and sadly, again,
only a few females were appointed
as Ministers. This doesn’t meet the
mandatory United Nations require-
ment of ratio 45/55. How can this
perpetual imbalance be ameliorated?
This is 2019, and the President needs
to recognise that there are numerous
competent and confident women in
all fields, who will make exceptional
Ministers. It however, seems to me
that, because ministerial positions
are primarily political, there is still
the perception that women do not
play in that terrain, but the reality is
that, they do.
The NBA has had only one female
President in its history, Dame
Priscilla Kuye. 27 years after she
held office, our Association is still
dominated by men. Is it not time
for the women to step up, not just
because they are playing the gender
card, but because they are up to
the task? Some are of the opinion
that, you will be a good candidate
for NBA President. What are your
thoughts on this matter?
Ha ha! There are lots of exceptional
women I know that are up to the task.
However, for myself, I have not given
it any thought. But then, who knows...
24.09.2019
INSIGHT
ABUBAKAR D. SANI xL4sure@yahoo.com
Legality of CBN’s Charges on
Cash Deposits/Withdrawals
T
Introduction
he recent announcement
by the Central Bank
of Nigeria (CBN), that
cash withdrawals and
deposits by individuals
in commercial banks in
excess of half a million
Naira, will henceforth
attract charges of 3%
and 2% respectively, has
elicited generally negative reactions from
the banking public, particularly the said
individual account holders. Even though
corporate entities are also affected (they
will have to pay 5% and 3% on cash
withdrawals and lodgements respectively,
in excess of N3 million), their response
has been relatively muted.
CBN hinged the measures on its so-
called ‘cashless policy’, which is scheduled
to go into full force across the country at
the end of March, next year (the present,
presumably pilot, phase of the scheme
is restricted to only six States – Kano,
Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Anambra and Rivers).
The policy has taken the banking public
in those States, unawares. Should they
have been consulted prior to its sudden
introduction? Do their views matter? Do
they have any such right under the law?
In any event, does CBN have the right
to impose such levies in those circum-
stances? Does any law empower CBN to
dictate to bank customers, which medium
to adopt in dealing with their own funds
in a bank? Granted that currency notes
are, by law, the property of the apex bank,
its face value in any given case – either
in a bank account or otherwise – belongs
to the owner or account-holder, as the
case may be. Should such a person be
penalised for preferring a particular
mode for accessing/dealing with his/
her (or its) funds over another, that is,
presumably, more convenient to the apex
bank, perhaps in terms of management,
handling, etc.? In this apparent clash of
interests, which ought to prevail? As, ever,
it depends on the law. Let’s investigate .
..
Overview of the Role of CBN under
the Law
The Central Bank of Nigeria was
established by the Central Bank of
Nigeria Act, 2007, which repealed and
re-enacted the Central Bank of Nigeria Act
(formerly Decree) of 1991. The principal
objectives of the bank as stated in Section
2 of its enabling statute, are as follows:
(a)“To ensure money and price stability;
(b)Issue legal tender currency in Nigeria;
(c)Maintain external reserves to safeguard
the international value of the
legal tender currency;
(d)Promote a sound financial system in
Nigeria; and
(e)Act as banker and provide economic and
financial advice to the Federal Government”.
Beyond these express powers, however,
Section 32(1) of the Act provides, inter
alia, that the apex bank may, “subject as is
expressly provided in this Act, . . . do all such
things as are incidental to or consequential
upon the exercise of its powers or the discharge
of its duties under this Act”. Also relevant
are the provisions of Section 42 of the
CBN Act, which stipulate that:
“The bank shall, wherever necessary,
seek the cooperation of and cooperation
with other banks in Nigeria to:
a. Promote and maintain adequate and
reasonable financial service for the public;
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele
b. Ensure high standards of conduct
and management through the banking
system; and
c. Such further policies not inconsistent,
in the opinion of the bank, with the
national interest”
Is the Policy Valid?
This is the million-naira question, of
course. This question is pertinent, in
the light of the provisions of Sections
36(2) and 44(1) & (2)(a) of the 1999
Constitution. The former provides that
no law which affects the civil rights and
obligations of a person is invalid, if it
affords a right of hearing to that person
or, alternatively, does not provide that
the decision being impugned, is final and
conclusive. The latter provides that, no
one may be compulsorily deprived of
his or her property or compelled to part
with same, unless in pursuance of, inter
alia, a law which provides for the imposi-
tion or enforcement of any tax, rate or
duty. Is the CBN’s ‘cash-less’ policy, a
general law within the contemplation of
this constitutional provision?
“ACCORDINGLY, IN MY
OPINION, TO THE EXTENT
THAT THE PENALTY
PRESCRIBED IN THE CBN
POLICY IS NOT DIRECTLY
PRESCRIBED IN ANY
LAW, IT IS ULTRA VIRES,
INVALID, NULL AND VOID”
By no stretch of the imagination can
the policy, in and of itself, be regarded as
a ‘law’, within the popular meaning of
that term. It was never touted, as such.
To that extent, unless the policy can be
justified as one of the principal objectives
of the bank pursuant to Section 2 of
the CBN Act, or can be reasonably
construed as incidental or consequential
upon CBN’s exercise of its powers
or discharge of its duties within the
contemplation of Sections 32 and 42
of the Act, as aforesaid, the bank would
have exceeded its remit.
A cursory look at Sections 2, 32 and
42 of the CBN Act, would appear
to validate the policy under review. I
however, submit that such an interpreta-
tion would negate the intention, if not
the express provisions, of Section 44(1)
& (2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution. It will
be recalled that those clauses stipulate
that, only a law passed by either the
National or a State House of Assembly
can validly prescribe “the enforcement
or imposition of any tax, rate or duty”.
Accordingly, in my opinion, to the extent
that the penalty prescribed in the CBN
policy is not directly prescribed in any
law, it is ultra vires, invalid, null and
void. The Constitution is supreme.
Solution to CBN’s Policy?
Any solution in sight? Section 52
of the CBN Act appears to preclude
a legal challenge to the policy, as it
provides that:
“Neither the Government nor the bank
nor any officers of the government or
the bank, shall be subjected to any claim
or demand by or liability to any person
in respect of anything done or omitted
to be done in good faith, in pursuance or
in execution of, or in connection with the
execution or intended execution of any
power conferred upon that government,
/11
the bank or such officer, by this Act”.
This provision evidently shows that,
the policy is intended to be final and
conclusive, thus certifying it unambigu-
ously as invalid within the contemplation
of Section 36(2) of the Constitution.
See BAKARE v L.S.C.S.C (1992) 10
SCNJ 173. More importantly, however,
this apparent ouster clause is prohibited
under Section 4(8) of the Constitu-
tion, which provides thus: ’’the National
Assembly or a House of Assembly of a
State shall not enact any law that ousts or
purports to oust the jurisdiction of a court
of law or of a judicial tribunal established
by law’.’
. . . The Small Matter of ‘Remita’
If CBN appears to be audacious in
imposing the said charges pursuant
to its cash-less policy, it was probably
emboldened by the public’s seeming
acquiescence in the bank’s prescription
of the ‘Remita’ platform, for the purpose
of collecting bills payable to the Federal
Government. It will be recalled that, prior
to the full implementation of this par-
ticular policy, bills payable to the Federal
Government by members of the public,
were done through a multiplicity of
bank accounts operated by its Ministries,
Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
For reasons best known to the Federal
Government/CBN (publicly touted as
a desire to exercise ‘control’), they ap-
pointed a number of banks as agents for
collecting such bills from the public. That
arrangement was evidently a contract,
as it had all the trappings of same,
especially consideration (said to be 1%
or thereabout, of the amount collected).
However, obviously motivated by a
desire to transfer this cost to the public,
the government ‘secretly’ re-negotiated
the contract with its agent-banks directing
them to, henceforth (since November,
2018), collect the said commission,
hitherto paid by the Government for their
services, from the hapless public.
In my view, to the extent that the
public was not consulted prior to being
saddled with this burden, it is unjust, as
even natural justice demands that those
whose interests may be directly affected
by an act or decision, should be given
prior notice and adequate opportunity to
be heard: F.R.N. v ABIOLA (1995) 7
SCNJ 283.
At any rate, to the extent that the
public (as a class) was not a party to
those negotiations, it ought not to be
bound by any deal struck between the
Government and its agent-banks. This
is the well-known principle of privity
of contract, which prescribes that only
parties to a contract are bound by it, even
if it was expressed to have been made for
the benefit or on behalf of a third party:
BASINCO MOTORS v WOERMANN
LINE (2009) All FWLR pt. 485 pg.
12634 @ 1654, S.C.
Conclusion
For similar reasons to the CBN’s
unilateral policy of imposing bank
charges on cash withdrawals and
deposits, this unilateral transfer of ‘Remita’
costs by CBN to bill-payers, is illegitimate
and unwarranted in law. Accordingly,
it is ultra vires, invalid, null and void.
CBN ought to continue to bear those
costs, as the policy was designed and
implemented, for its sole benefit and
convenience.
12/ 24.09.2019

Missing Magic Wand: Development Law

Policy to Transform the Nigerian Economy
In this article, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN shares his views about development law,
a public policy tool that intersects law and economic development, as the magic wand
(along with the Keynesian expansionary fiscal policy) that can achieve and sustain
double-digit growth of at least 10% over 10 years, and lift at least 200 million Nigerians
out of poverty, if properly applied to vital sectors like, financial services, maritime and
aviation, national trade policy, legal and justice, amongst others

N
Introduction
igeria is in a parlous state. GDP
is a miserly 1.9%, population
exploding past 200 million; debt
overhang may strangulate the
country. So, to turn this around,
it is commendable that the
Federal Government has em-
panelled an Economic Advisory
Council of proven experts. My
recommendation is that, the
Federal Government should adopt the Keynesian
expansionary fiscal policy, to achieve and sustain
double-digit growth of at least 10% over 10 years,
to pull at least 200 million Nigerians out of pov-
erty. But, the magic wand that can achieve this feat,
is the concept of development law, a public policy
tool that intersects law and economic development.
Development law scholars, agree that there is a
strong linkage between law, regulatory institutions,
governance, economic development and national
welfare. It is argued that, the Nigerian legal and
judicial framework is hopelessly outdated, and
needs an urgent review to meet current challenges.
Yet, governments generally fail to notice the
links between legal policy, economic develop-
ment, governance, institutions etc. The late Prof.
Mansur, was the leading scholar on this linkage. A
sound nation depends on vital legal institutional,
regulatory and governance frameworks. The links
unfortunately between legal institutions, political
economy and development, have often, and in our
case, been completely overlooked or missed, hence
under-development.
De Soto gives a striking example of law as a key
primer of development, using just one index; prop-
erty law. Property consists of two values, physical
and conceptual. The physical value may be fixed
in say, a house. The abstract or conceptual value,
is fixed in property law systems. In developed
nations, property law allows owners of housing, to
represent their value in the conceptual realm. This
possibility allows easy access to credit, that in turn
generates capital for development. In Nigeria, with
a very weak legal regime, conceptual representa-
tion of property to create value, is absent. Yet
the housing assets inventory of Nigerian housing
exceeds six trillion Dollars. But, this is dead capital.
If the housing value is indexed to the banking Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN
system by massive legal reform of the property
law system, we can create an instant credit market tional Trade Policy, Maritime, Aviation and Space, converted to goods and services that are sold on
with major impact on development. In this way, we Legal and Justice Sector, Land Administration, to consumers. The economy will benefit from the
wake up dead capital for development. Corruption, Social Security Administration etc., it establishment of the National Credit Guarantee
It is important therefore, that policymakers must, will transform the economy, create millions of jobs, Agency.
consider that although macro policies are unques- and pull 200 million Nigerians out of poverty. The third FSS institution, is a Development Bank
tionably important, there is a growing consensus to lend to the vital sectors of the economy. The
that the quality of business regulations and the Financial Services Sector Development Bank of Nigeria is undercapitalised,
legal institutions that enforce it, are a major The Financial Services Sector (FSS), is the oxygen and so the CBN plays a distorted role. The
determinant of development. If development law and lifeblood of a strong economy. The FSS ought Development Bank of Nigeria needs to be properly
is applied as a public policy tool in the following to consist of the following key institutions: the capitalised, so it can support the economy.
areas, for example, Financial Services Sector, Na- Banks, the National Credit Guarantee Agency, a The CBN is the fourth FSS institution. The CBN
Development Bank, and the CBN. The banks lend as presently constituted, is overburdened with
to the real sector of the economy and consumers, far too many things – monetary policy, banking
and ensure that the economy is stimulated. In supervision, and banking. The major role of the
Nigeria, it is doubtful if the banks have performed CBN is monetary policy stability, and so, the CBN
optimally, delivering on cash to the real sector and may benefit from streamlining and strengthening
“......THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT consumers. They seem to be engaged in short term its legal framework. A new policy and legislation
lending, including treasury bills. The result is that, can unbundle the CBN and create a new agency to
SHOULD ADOPT THE KEYNESIAN the economy is anaemic. A banking policy that regulate banks, by ensuring they deliver on core
EXPANSIONARY FISCAL POLICY, TO delivers resources to the economy, is needed. In
the US, the Glass – Steagall Act and Frank-Dodd
mandate. In England, they have the Prudential
Regulatory Authority.
ACHIEVE AND SUSTAIN DOUBLE- Act, focused banks on the proper role to lend to
consumers at low-interest rates. National Trade Policy
DIGIT GROWTH OF AT LEAST 10% The second key FSS institution, is the National Tied to the FSS, is the need for a National Trade
Credit Guarantee Agency. This is absent, in Ni- Policy to stimulate local industry, grow export
OVER 10 YEARS, TO PULL AT geria. The National Credit Guarantee Agency, and reduce dumping of foreign goods. The CBN
LEAST 200 MILLION NIGERIANS supports viable business proposals. When viable
business proposals are guaranteed, the economy
recently stated at the launch of its vision and

OUT OF POVERTY” gets stimulated and expanded, and that gets CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
24.09.2019
MISSING MAGIC WAND: DEVELOPMENT LAW POLICY TO TRANSFORM THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY
policy thrust for the next 5 years, that it will
target unscrupulous individuals and businesses
that embark on massive smuggling and dumping
of goods that can be produced in the country,
thus, leading to the demise of our agriculture and
manufacturing sectors. This needs to be supported.
There is a need to strengthen the National Office
of Trade Policy. This Office, has to be at ministerial
level. Trade laws have import substitution, as their
main goal. This means to reduce imports, and
create local industries. The National Assembly can
pass legislation to establish the Trade Remedies
Agency, devoted fully to fair trade issues. This will
support our local industries around rice, maize,
cassava, cotton, cocoa, tomato, oil palm, poultry,
fish, etc. Trade policy on Fly Nigeria will grow
Nigeria Airlines, a strong Cabotage Act will grow
shipping lines, oil and gas, legal, banking, insur-
ance, shipping etc. If trade legislation is favourable,
Trillions of Naira will flow with job creation in the
millions.
Review of Nigeria’s Bilateral Investment
Treaties
Flowing from the discussion on trade policy;
there is a need to review Nigeria's Bilateral
Investment Treaties (BITs). BITs, are part of a
countries trade policy. Nigeria is a signatory to
over 30 bilateral investment treaties. The recent
arbitration award secured by a company, Process
and Industrial Developments Limited (P&IDL),
has raised the question of how fair it is for Nigeria
to have an arbitration clause, with a foreign seat.
We understand that, an Executive Order is cur-
rently under contemplation to make Nigeria the
seat of arbitration, and require parties to choose
an arbitration institution in Nigeria. While the
proposed Executive Order is laudable, it is our
opinion that, the Order might be confronted by
challenges that might defeat the essence of enacting
it. It will be recalled that, Arbitration Agreements
are embedded in Bilateral Investment Treaties
(BITs) which Nigeria has signed and ratified with
many countries. An Executive Order, may conflict
with the BITs. This is so because, BIT’s provide
that disputes arising between Nigeria and foreign
investors will be determined in foreign institutions
of arbitration, and seeking to alter this position
simply by an Executive Order, might generate
significant opposition by concerned interests.
Furthermore, the Executive Order might conflict
with the underpinning principles of arbitration
that are premised on the notion that, parties to an
arbitration have a right to determine the arbitration
institution and arbitrators that will undertake the
arbitration proceedings.
Given the above, we would rather suggest that,
an Executive Order should create a National Work
Group that will be authorised to review the scheme
of the arbitration provisions currently incorporated
in the BITs, and the task of proposing how Arbitra-
tion connected to Nigeria, will have Nigeria as seat
of Arbitration.
Maritime Matters
This is potentially the largest economic sector,
outside of hydrocarbons. Nigeria's maritime sector,
is estimated to be capable of generating Seven
Trillion Naira Annually and Four Million Jobs
over Five Years. However, to tap revenue from
this sector, there needs to be an overhaul of policy,
institutional, regulatory and legal framework. For
instance, the Government needs to immediately
implement the policy for Inland Container Depots
(ICDS). We have six ICDS spread across the geopo-
litical zones, that can generate at least 15,000 jobs
for different levels of manpower. Due to the lack of
infrastructure to support business and operations
by concessionaires, these depots have not been
optimally utilised. 80 per cent of Nigerian trade,
is diverted to ports in Cotonou and other West
African ports. Further to this, is the need to review
our cabotage regime to stem capital flight and
boost capacity for Nigeria's Shipowners. Despite
the enactment of the Coastal and Inland Shipping
Act 2003, Nigeria loses an estimated Seven Trillion
Naira in the shipping sector. Foreign vessels, trade
in violation of the Cabotage regime. This is respon-
sible for capital flight.
There is a need for immediate enactment of
several critical bills, pending before the National
Assembly. This would facilitate the legal frame-
work to move the maritime sector to the next level.
Such bills as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the
Ports and Harbour Bill, Maritime Zones Bill, Ocean
Bill etc. are yet to be passed into law. There is also
an urgent need, to review the Nigerian Shipping
Policy of 1987.
Aviation/Space
The Aviation Sector, requires major reform.
Nigeria has no presence, in the Aviation business.
Nigeria Airways has been long comatose. Foreign
President Muhammadu Buhari
aircrafts dominate the Nigerian airspace and
earn well over a trillion Naira, to our exclusion.
A trillion Naira, is about a quarter of our entire
national budget. A Fly Nigeria Bill, will ensure that
every government Naira used to purchase a ticket
must originate and terminate on a Nigerian carrier.
This Fly Nigeria Bill will create an instant market,
for our national carrier.
On Space, it has been said that, the future of
mankind is in Space. Space has many major ap-
plications, for developing our economy. We will
mention at least three examples. First, space can be
applied to the energy sector, as remote sensing can
tell us the quantum of our hydrocarbons. Second,
it is the value of space applications to the Maritime
sector. Third, it is the link between space and
national security. Satellite technology intelligence,
gives us vital footprints in the national security
infrastructure. The growing threat of terrorism
and the adverse impact on economic stability, can
only be checked by intelligence provided by space
satellites. We must upgrade our space legislation.
Legal/Justice Sector Issues
The legal and judicial system, has experienced
legal failure. The judicial system, has never really
been reformed. The Nigerian judicature, is based
on the 1875 Judicature Act. The consequence
is that, cases take too long to resolve. It takes
between 5 to 20 years, to resolve simple contractual
disputes. Investors, whether local and interna-
tional, will not invest in a country where there
is no sanctity of contract, and simple contractual
disputes take between 5 to 20 years to resolve.
We must give urgency to this sector, and reverse
legal failure. A speed of justice policy, will reduce
delays. In this regard, the National Assembly can
consider introducing the Administration of Civil
Justice Bill, to ensure efficient administration
of civil disputes. Also, new methods of dispute
resolution should be considered, such as Alterna-
tive Dispute Resolutions, small claims courts,
traditional and customary arbitration. Finally,
quasi-judicial administrative tribunals can be
established by sector, following the UK example. In
England there exist many administrative courts to
cover Telecommunications, taxation, transportation,
Insurance, Education, Financial Services, Trade,
Investments, etc.
Land Administration
The Land Use Act created a framework for
“SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY
INTELLIGENCE, GIVES US VITAL
FOOTPRINTS IN THE NATIONAL
SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE. THE
GROWING THREAT OF TERRORISM,
AND THE ADVERSE IMPACT ON
ECONOMIC STABILITY, CAN ONLY
BE CHECKED BY INTELLIGENCE
PROVIDED BY SPACE SATELLITES.
WE MUST UPGRADE OUR SPACE
LEGISLATION”
/13
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,
Abubakar Malami, SAN
ascertaining title, and therefore, it became easy to
determine title. It also meant that, landholding was
major collateral for investment and financing. In
doing this, the State Governors play an administra-
tive role, issuing consents, licenses, permits etc.,
which has become overwhelming. The process has
become clogged, and as a result of this clog, the
impact of land collateralisation on lending and
borrowing, is affected. A recent study shows that
the housing asset inventory of Nigerian property,
exceeds six trillion dollars. Most of this, is dead
capital and is not fungible. There is a need to wake
up, this six trillion dollars' worth of dead capital.
A Land Use Administration Commission Bill, will
make the Land Use Act and consent rules more
efficient, and instil confidence in financial institu-
tions. This will impact positively, collateralisation
lending and borrowing within the financial system.
Anti-Corruption
The war against corruption, requires an effective
strategy. In addition to the strategy of prosecution,
it is suggested to consider a 2-year moratorium
from criminal prosecution. So, legislation may be
considered on immunity from criminal prosecution
(Moratorium) Act. The Abacha case has now been
going 20 years, with little result. This may be
controversial, but it is worth considering.
Social Security Administration
The Federal Government has committed trillions
of Naira to administer social security to the elderly
and vulnerable, like the school feeding programme
and Trader Moni, but there is no legal framework.
The standard operating model around the world,
is the creation of a benefits agency as it is called
in England, and a social security agency as it is
known in the US, to cater for those who are unable
to look after themselves. The government will gain
more, by giving a legal framework for these ben-
efits. Enacting a Social Security Administration Bill
pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Constitution, will see
to the progressive realisation of rights contained in
Chapter 2 of the Constitution.
Fourth Branch of Government
This was developed by FDR in the 1930s, and is
why the US came out of the recession rapidly. The
fourth branches are regulators, who implement
decisions of the Executive branch, which is the first
branch. They are called the fourth branch, because
they exercise executive, legislative and quasi-judi-
cial powers. In Nigeria, regulators like NAFDAC,
SON, NERC etc. are part of the fourth Branch of
government. They can make regulations, enforce
them, and impose penalties. Unfortunately, there is
no standard operating model for these regulators.
Most of them lack a basic understanding of their
role, as the fourth branch of government. It may be
worth doing a high-level training workshop, on the
role of the fourth branch of government. A strong
fourth branch of government, will improve the
efficiency of government.
Conclusion
Development law policy has succeeded, wherever
it has been applied. It has not been applied, in
Nigeria. If applied, it will result in double-digit
growth, more revenue and will pull millions of Ni-
gerians out of poverty. It is strongly recommended
that, the government should adopt a development
law policy, as one of its economic policy tools.
Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN
14/ 24.09.2019

ACAS Law Mentors NBA Young Members

A selected number of young members of the
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch,
were hosted and mentored by the founding
Partner of Adepetun, Caxton-Martin, Agbor
and Segun ACAS-Law firm last Tuesday, at
their offices.
The programme is one, in the series of
mentoring sessions by senior Lawyers of
younger members of the profession, for
which the Tobenna Erojikwe Continuing Legal
Education Committee has continued to receive
commendations.
Hosting the young Lawyers in their offices,
Mr. Adesola Adepetun, one of the founding
Partners of ACAS-Law, kept his mentees in
rapt attention, as he narrated to them, his
challenging rise to the top of legal practice.
Mr. Adepetun told the young Lawyers that,
the secret of the success of ACAS, is that the
partnership has a culture built on maintaining
sustainability in business, through the consistent
provision of technically excellent and creative
legal solutions, in conformity with the highest
standards of integrity.
While welcoming the young Lawyers to the
session, NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr.
Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, said the evening
was the actualisation of one of the core themes
of his administration, which include investment
in human capital in the legal profession, and
in particular, the continued professional and
personal development of young wigs.
A graduate of law from the University of
Lagos, Adepetun also holds an LLM from L-R: (Standing): Joy Harrison-Abiola, Practice Administrator (ACAS-Law), Yemi Akangbe, Chairman of NBA Lagos Branch, Oyindamola Johnson, Associate
the University of London’s London School Counsel (ACAS-Law), Nonyelum Izu-Obi, Business Development Manager (ACAS-Law), Tobenna Erojikwe, Chairman of the CPD Committee of the NBA Lagos
of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Branch, Iyunola Adekanye, Senior Counsel (ACAS- Law), Kayode Lawrence-Omole, Senior Counsel (ACAS-Law); L-R (Sitting): Felicia Kemi Segun, Managing
Managing Partner of ACAS, Mrs. Kemi Partner (ACAS- Law), Sola Adepetun, Senior Partner (ACAS- Law)
Segun, was also on hand to mentor the young
Lawyers on what they should look out for, in integrity. He advised them to read, and to In his remarks to bring the session to a to Mr. Adepetun and ACAS-Law for hosting
their quest for success at the Bar. ensure that they cultivate a reputation for close, the Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch the event, and pledged the CLE Committee’s
Adepetun told his mentees that nothing, integrity, ‘and the right people will invariably Continuing Legal Committee, Tobenna Erojikwe, continued commitment to the professional and
apart from life itself, is of greater value than gravitate towards you’. expressed the gratitude of the Premier Branch personal development of young Lawyers.

The Continuation.....
Brutalisation of Mr. Destiny Arogunyo by a Nigerian
Air Force Officer: Matters Arising
You will recall that, the above subject story,
was first made public in the edition of This
Day Lawyer published on 24 July, 2018.
In the said edition, the Editor of this publication,
had written about an incident in which Mr
Destiny Arogunyo was assaulted by a Nigerian
Air Force Officer (AFO); how the Nigerian
Air Force (NAF) had shielded the AFO, from
being arrested by the Nigeria Police; and the
deplorable financial, as well as the permanent
damage to the health of Mr Arogunyo, as a
result of the injuries inflicted on him by the AFO.
Since then, over a year later, no appreciable
progress had been made in this matter.
You will recall that the NAF had referred Mr
Arogunyo’s petition to its Provost Investigation
Group (PIG) for investigation, and the PIG was
delaying in conducting an identification parade,
to be carried out to purportedly identify the
AFO. The identification parade was eventu-
ally conducted, on December 6, 2018, and the
eyewitness to the incident, identified the AFO.
Inquiry by Mr Arogunyo’s family at the
PIG, revealed that the PIG had concluded its
investigation and sent its report to the appropriate
office in Abuja.
One would have thought, especially in
the circumstances of this matter (where Mr
Arogunyo has lost it all - financially and physi-
cally), that the NAF would act speedily and
make known its report, and what further action
will be taken in Mr Arogunyo’s matter, in a
manner that is characteristic of our uniformed
institutions, but, instead the NAF has kept
mute, maintaining a deafening silence, having
discovered that it was one of its officers, who
was responsible for this dastardly act.
Mr Arogunyo has written several letters
to the NAF through his Solicitor, Messrs.
Mike Igbokwe [SAN] & Co., requesting to
know the outcome of NAF’s investigation
into the matter, but, to date, the NAF is yet
to respond to any of the letters written by
Messrs. Mike Igbokwe [SAN] & Co. on behalf
of Mr Arogunyo.
Update on Mr Arogunyo’s Health
Mr Arogunyo’s health has not improved
at all, from what it was last year when the
matter was made known to the public. Mr
Arogunyo had been taken abroad where he is
undergoing speech therapy and physiotherapy,
as a result of the injury that he sustained in the
left hemisphere of his brain, from the attacks
of the AFO on him.
The medical expenses being incurred by Mr
Arogunyo and his family, have totally liquidated
their finances. Life for Mr Arogunyo and his
family, has taken a suffering dimension.
Bearing in mind the magnitude of the offence,
and the trauma that Mr. Arogunyo and his
family are going through, it is disappointing
that the NAF has failed or neglected to do the
needful, despite having identified the AFO
about nine months ago, which is more than
enough time for NAF to act.
Appeal
It is time to make a public appeal to the
Chief of Air Staff, to rise up to the occasion
and use of his good offices to intervene in
this matter, with a view to ensuring that the
appropriate and deserving justice is meted
out to the AFO, and to Mr Arogunyo and
his family.

THE $9 BILLION JUDGEMENT DEBT BROUHAHA: LEGAL ISSUES ARISING (PART 3)
State Immunity
This is another argument, advanced by
pro-government Advisors. They claim
Nigeria enjoys State immunity against
enforcement of such awards.
What is State Immunity
State immunity, or sovereign immunity
as it is often referred to, is a principle of
international law that has become part
of the national law of many States. It
derives from the theory of the sovereign
equality of States, as a consequence of
which one State has no right to judge
the actions of another by the standards
of its national law. It protects an entity in
two ways: by conferring immunity from
adjudication (also known as immunity
from suit) and by conferring immunity
from enforcement and execution.
If a party is immune from adjudica-
tion, the court will be prevented from
considering claims against that party
and awarding a judgement or declaring
rights and obligations against it. If a
party is immune from enforcement and
execution, the court will be prevented
from recognising a foreign judgement or
an arbitral award against the immune
party and from making and executing
orders or injunctions against it.
International attitudes towards State
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
immunity, vary. In general, there are two
approaches: the absolute doctrine and
the restrictive doctrine.
The Absolute Doctrine of State
Immunity
Initially the first and only approach,
the absolute doctrine still applies in
some jurisdictions, notably China and
Hong Kong. Under this doctrine, any
proceedings against foreign States are
inadmissible, unless the State expressly
agrees to waive immunity
The Restrictive Doctrine
The increasing involvement of the
States in world trade activities led to
the development of a more restrictive
approach to State immunity, where a
distinction is now drawn between acts
of a sovereign nature and acts of a
commercial nature. Under the restrictive
approach, immunity is only available in
respect of acts resulting from the excesses
of a sovereign power. As such, States
may not claim immunity in respect of
commercial activities, or over commercial
assets. (To be continued).
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“A government is for the benefit of all
the people.” (William Howard Taft).
24.09.2019
We Hold Your Brief
JUDE IGBANOI
jude.igbanoi@thisdaylive.com
Dear Counsel,
Kindly, assist.
I need your advice, on the issue of company
income tax.
Tax officials came to our offices recently,
and demanded that we provide them with our
tax receipts. Because we had always paid our
taxes, we had no problem in making our receipts
available to them for inspection. Surprisingly,
they then requested that we come to their office,
for an assessment, because according to them,
we should have been assessed by them, before
commencing payment.
When we visited the tax office a few days
later as requested, they gave us a sheet showing
an exorbitant and outrageous assessment, and
requested that we pay up within 28 days. It is
very clear that, they over-assessed us. What do
I do? They are just not prepared to listen to me.
L.E.,
Lagos.
U.S. MISSION SUPPORTS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTION IN NIGERIA
resources in context, should be referring to knowledge
assets that are the products of creativity and innovation,
that constitute the hidden wealth of nations today.
“The main difference between the developed and
lesser developed countries, is the gap in the human
resources constituted in the production of knowledge
assets, and the accompanying technologies that have
continued to drive the engine of development and
global welfare. Any kind of resources, whether human
and natural, is meaningless without the knowledge
to harness it for the benefit of the society. That is
why human and natural resources, no matter how
abundant, are limited without the creative and innovative
capacities to turn them into knowledge assets, that
are protected by the well-known mechanism of IPRs
for global competitiveness.
“IP has never been more economically and politi-
cally important than it is today, particularly, in the
multidimensional drive towards development. More
than before, the global IP system has assumed in-
creasing complexity, which in itself, calls for a better
understanding of the dynamic interaction between
IP systems and sustainable development goals”, the
Senior Advocate said.
A highlight of the ceremony, was a performance by
CEHEJ REPORT REVEALS HOW GENERAL ELECTRIC, OTHER ELECTRICITY CONTRACTORS FAILED NIGERIANS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
contracts awarded by the Federal Government of
Nigeria in the power sector, those awarded to the
contractors General Electric (GE and Rockson) with
the Client (Federal Ministry of Power) for the 215MW
Kaduna Power Plant appear most suspicious, shoddy,
and reckless.”
The associate professor reiterated that GE has brought
general darkness to Nigeria and should like all other
failed contractors be held accountable and recommended
to the Federal Government, the Economic and Financial
Dear L.E.,
The law permits you to object to the tax
assessment of your company by the Federal
Inland Revenue Service, where you are con-
vinced that the assessment is wrong.
First, you must give notice to them, that
you strongly object to their assessment, and
state the reasons why. This must be done,
within 30 days of the purported assessment.
The Tax Appeal Commissioners are bound
to hear your complaint, and decide within 30
days. Where you are not satisfied with their
decision, you are permitted to appeal to the
Federal High Court, which will determine
the case, accordingly.
You must therefore, secure the services of a
Lawyer, to write a strong objection letter to
the Federal Inland Revenue Board, to register
your objection. If they refuse to reassess your
company; your Lawyer may have to file a
suit at the Federal High Court, on behalf of
your company.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
students of the Caro Favored Schools of Ajegunle. Their
dramatic sketch, was designed to raise awareness among
young Nigerian consumers, about the importance of
trademarks, brands, and the dangers of counterfeit
products.
In addition, the opening day of the symposium featured
panel discussions, exhibitions, and the screening of the
documentary “Fishbone.” The Nollywood-produced film,
highlights the menace of counterfeit pharmaceuticals
and their effect on both Nigerian citizens and the local
economy.
Panelists at the symposium included, DG of National
Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control
(NAFDAC), Prof. Christiana Mojisola Adeyeye, DG of
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Com-
mission (FCCPC), Babatunde Irukera, DG of Nigeria
Copyright Commision (NCC), John Asien, CEO of the
American Business Council, Margaret Olele, David
Lossignol of the International Trademark Association
(INTA) and Charles Igwe, Principal Consultant/CEO,
The Big Picture LLC, Gabriel Ogunyemi of Janssen
Pharmaceuticals, Isioma Idigbe of Punuka Solicitors,
Chinwe Ohanele of Biaya Consult, to name a few.
They shared insights on issues, and the way forward.
Key addresses were made by Tanya Hill, International
Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt
Practices Commission (ICPC) to bring to book those
found wanting in the failed contracts.
He recommended that the bidding and awards
of contracts processes and power sector should be
streamlined and made more transparent.
Present at the Public presentation of the report were
the representatives of the office of the Attorney General
of the Federation, the Director, head of FOI, Federal
Ministry of Justice (Abuja), Mr. Ichibor Gowon, the
THE LIGHTER SIDE/15
LEGAL HUMOUR
Protesting too Much
Arrested on a robbery charge, our law firm’s
client denied the allegations. So, when the victim
pointed him out in a lineup as one of four men who
had attacked him, our client reacted vociferously.
“He’s lying!” he yelled. “There were only three of
us.”
˾˾˾
Usual Suspect
While prosecuting a robbery case, I conducted
an interview with the arresting officer. My first
question: “Did you see the Defendant at the
scene?”
“Yes, from a block away,” the officer answered.
“Was the area well lit?”
“No. It was pretty dark.”
“Then how could you identify the Defendant?” I
asked, concerned.
Looking at me as if I were nuts, he answered, “I’d
recognise my cousin anywhere.”
˾˾˾
Running the Show
I am a Deputy Sheriff, assigned to courthouse
security. As part of my job, I explain court
procedures to visitors. One day I was showing
a group of ninth-graders around. Court was
on recess, and only the clerk and a young man
in custody wearing handcuffs, were in the
courtroom. “This is where the Judge sits”, I began,
pointing to the bench. “The Lawyers sit at these
tables. The court clerk, sits over there. The court
recorder, or stenographer, sits over here. Near
the Judge is the witness stand, and over there
is where the jury sits. “As you can see”, I finished,
“there are a lot of people involved in making this
system work”.
At that point, the prisoner raised his cuffed
hands and said, “Yeah, but I’m the one who makes
it all happen.”
˾˾˾
Guilty as Charged
In Fort Worth, Texas, I was hauled before the
Judge for driving with expired licence plates. The
Judge listened attentively, while I gave him a long,
plausible explanation.
Then he said with great courtesy, “My dear Sir,
we are not blaming you—we’re just fining you”.
Computer Hacking & Intellectual Property (ICHIP)
Attorney Adviser, Sub-Saharan Africa; United States
Department of Justice/OPDAT, Hon. Femi Fakeye,
Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, and
Professor Adebambo Adewopo, SAN of the Institute
of Advanced Legal Studies.
The American Business Council, is the affiliate
of the US Chamber of Commerce, and the voice of
US businesses in Nigeria. The Council works with
critical stakeholders - US Embassy and other critical
stakeholders, to improve the business environment.
On his part, President of American Business Council,
Dipo Faulkner said, “Intellectual Property Rights, creates
an incentive for innovation and investment in research
and development. Both are critical to the future of
any business, and the economic growth of a country.
IP protection is of key interest to US companies, as
issues of innovation and respect for knowledge assets
constitute our intrinsic culture”.
The exhibitions at the symposium, provided a platform
to stress the importance of strengthened intellectual
property laws, and showcasing products and services
of interest to public and private stakeholders. It was an
opportunity, to meet an array of prospective Nigerian
buyers and partners.
National Coordinator of Open Government Partnership
in Nigeria, Mr. Benjamin Okolo, Representatives of
the Special Assistant to the President Justice Reform,
Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu and Mr. Ibrahim Magu
Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) who was represented by Mr. Osita Nwajah,
Director Public Affairs EFCC.
Others at the events are Mr. Abiodun Ajayi, President,
African Women Lawyers’ Association (AWLA), Mrs.
Mandy Demechi-Asagba.
16/ 24.09.2019

WORDS OF
WISDOM

(Culled from the Internet)

22 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY
T H I S D AY ˾

ͰͲ˜ 2019
BUSINESSWORLD
R A T E S
MONEY MARKET
OVERNIGHT 7.57
OBB 6.43



YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
L-R: Nollywood Actor/Producer, Richard Mofe-Damijo; Chief Executive Officer, House of Tara, Mrs Tara Fela-Durotoye; Co-Founder/Former
Group Executive Director, Sahara Group, Tonye Cole, and Managing Director/CEO, Custodian Investment Plc, Mr. Wole Oshin, during
Custodian mentors’ conference, held in Lagos...recently
‘Why Nigerian Cargoes are Diverted
to Neighbouring Countries’
Dike Onwuamaeze
The Managing Director of
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)
Hadiza Bala-Usman, has identi-
fied four major causes of the
diversion of cargoes meant for
Nigerian market to ports located
in the neighbouring countries
around Nigeria.
These, she listed to include
the desire to escape payment
of high import duties on the
cargoes, the non-availability of
deep sea ports in the country
to welcome larger vessels, slow
and frustrating cargo clearance
due to 100 per cent physical
examination of cargoes in the
Nigerian ports as well as the
facilitation of smuggled contra
banned goods
According to the NPA boss,
who spoke during a forum
hosted by the Lagos Chamber
of Commerce and Industry
(LCCI), consignees divert
NEITI:FGPaidN303.4bnBridgingClaimstoOilMarketersinFiveYears
Chineme Okafor in Abuja
The Nigeria Extractive Indus-
tries Transparency Initiative
(NEITI) has disclosed that
the federal government paid
out a total of N303.4 billion
to petrol marketers in five
years – between 2012 and
2016, as financial claims for
trucking of petrol to various
parts of the country under
the bridging claims scheme
of the Petroleum Equalisation
Fund (PEF).
NEITI in its latest Fiscal
Allocation and Statutory Dis-
bursement (FASD) audit report
explained that PEF got N382
billion as bridging allowance
within the period under review
and paid out N303.4 billion to oil
marketers as claims for products
A S A T S E T E M B E R
REPO
CALL 9.50
1-MONTH 74
3-MONTH 11
MARITIME
banned cargoes or those with
high import duties such as rice
and vehicles to neighbouring
ports and smuggle them into
Nigeria.
According to her, another
reason that accounts for the
diversion of cargoes meant for
Nigerian market was the absence
of deep sea ports in the country,
to accommodate larger vessels
in an era when the shipping
lines were embracing the use
of larger vessels that offer them
economies of scale.
This, according to her, “is the
reason they go to neighbouring
countries to berth and bring them
into Nigeria in smaller vessels.”
She also identified the
inefficiency of cargo clearance
in the country as a source of
frustration that constrained
Nigerian importers to prefer
neighbouring ports. “Currently,
ENERGY
bridging.
“A total of N499 billion
was received by PEF within
the review period. Besides,
PEF also realised N382 billion
bridging allowance. NEITI report
revealed that most of its expense
totaling about N303.4 billion was
expended on claims.
“The report noted that the
Fund does not impose penal-
ties promptly on defaulting
independent and major oil
marketers that did not pay
their required contribution.
It also noted that utilisation
of the Fund is not separated
between the core activity and
administrative purposes,” said
the NEITI report which was
S & P INDEX
INDEX LEVEL
1-DAY
MONTH-TO-DATE
Nigeria does not have scanners
in its sea ports and therefore
subject every cargo to 100 per
cent physical examination in the
port. Automatically there will
be a delay and I will leave you
to imagine how efficient that
could be.
“The need to introduce
scanners is very urgent and
must fast track its procurement,
which is the responsibility of
the Nigerian Customs Service
(NCS),” Bala-Usman said.
Moreover, government
agencies that operate in the
port process are not connected
through the single window
system, which enable them to
carry out their functions through
a common electronic, she noted.
“The single window needs to
be restored because it is one of
the trade facilitation processes
for ports efficiency. The absence
of scanners and the single win-
dow mechanism create longer
recently released.
According to the PEF, the
bridging scheme was originally
introduced as a temporary
measure during the turn-around
maintenance (TAM) of refiner-
ies operated by the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC), wherein government
sought to encourage and sup-
port marketers in transporting
petroleum products nationwide.
The PEF explained that
although bridging was meant
to be a temporary solution until
the refineries were producing
back at full capacity, the state
of the refineries has worsened
over the years.
In addition, it noted that
pipeline vandalism by militants
and economic saboteurs have
been on the increase, to the point
2 0 ,
S & P INDEX
411.73% 1/4 TO DATE
0.25% YEAR TO DATE
0.41%
turnaround time and frustrate
importers, which form the basis
for cargo diversion.
“Port’s efficiency means
that shorter time is required
for consignments to get to the
consignees’ warehouse after
arriving at our port,” she said.
The NPA boss also shed
more light on the reasons traffic
congestion had become the norm
in the Apapa area of Lagos.
According to her, the situation
has been around for a much
longer time because 95 per cent
of the cargoes that arrived at
Apapa ports were being evacu-
ated by road.
The resultant effect of this
procedure, she stressed was
that the roads would be bad
and congested.
Therefore, “we must have
inter-model transportation
system for cargo evacuation
Continued on page 24
where trucks have become the
major source of distributing
petroleum products in recent
times in Nigeria.
According to the PEF, the
initial projection was to have
a maximum of 10 per cent of
total petroleum products bridged
while the remaining portion
would be pumped through
the pipelines.
However, trend analysis indi-
cated that bridging of products
has consistently increased over
the years to about 40 per cent.
It explained that there were
also noticeable trends whereby
products were bridged from
Lagos to the South-east and
South-south areas of the country,
to address products unavail-
Continued on page 24
23
Group Business Editor Obinna Chima
Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com
08152447875
2 0 1 9
EXCHANGE RATE
2.86% N306.95/1US DOLLAR*
15.34% ̩


Quick Takes
African Alliance Sponsors Conference
African Alliance Insurance Plc recently championed the course of
promotingleadershipandfinancialindependenceamongNigerianyouths
throughsponsorshipoftheHiveAfrica’sGlobalLeadersConference(GLP).
The conference, which was held in Lagos between September 11 – 14,
2019, at Lekki, gathered young global leaders and influencer.
Speaking at the conference, Head, Group Life for African Alliance
Insurance, Mr. Azuka Ochonogor, X-rayed the value of Life Insurance
and the role it plays in community. He emphasised the importance of
Nigerianslivingahealthylifeandmakingprovisionfortheirdependents
while alive. He also stressed the need for making the right investments
and tying this to life insurance.
African Alliance recently embarked on campaigns to demystify life
insurance across digital channels, promoting its importance in building
a healthy relationship and ensuring continuation in life and business.
The Hive Africa GLP was a 3-day program on leadership community,
integrating elements of entrepreneurship, purpose, life design, well-
ness, authentic relating, personal development, and global systems
thinking for mission-driven leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs
held around the world African Alliance Insurance said its interest in
sponsoring the conference was to support the growing community of
youthful leaders on a quest to serve and make an impact in creating a
safe and secured world. African Alliance had unveiled a new interactive
website that boasts of personalised features and ease of transaction.
IEI Anchor PFA Grows Assets
IEI Anchor Pension Managers said it has grown Pension Fund Assets
underitsmanagementby35percent,fromN68.2billionin2017,toN92
billionin2018. Speakingatthe2018AnnualGeneralMeeting(AGM)ofthe
company in Abuja recently, the company’s Chairman, Senator Jonathan
Zwingina, said, it maintained its growth trajectory, as its Retirement
Savings Accounts also grew from 117,031 in 2017 to 131,047 in 2018.
Operations of the company, he added, ran smoothly, thereby, leading
to a general growth in the company.
According to him, “Our Assets Under Management with a 34.96
percent increase from N68, 231, 022, 724 Billion to N92, 081, 663,
564 Billion between January 2018 and December 2018. Operations
of the company ran smoothly thereby leading to a general growth in
the company.” He, however, said Retirement Savings Accounts of the
PFA, grew from 117,031 in 2017 to 131,047 in 2018.”
“ThemanagementofthePFAiscommittedtoensuringthatstrategies
putinplacearedriventocontinuallygrowthecompany,wewillcontinue
to engage our customers constantly and ensure their satisfaction
as well as working tirelessly on delivering to our shareholders and
stakeholders,” he added.
MFB Gets New Executives
AdvansLaFayetteMicrofinanceBankhasannouncednewexecutive
leadership appointments to drive its ongoing transformation into a
growth-oriented, customer-centred institution following its national
licence status upgrade.
Accordingtoastatement,theManagingDirectorofthebank,Gaëtan
Debuchy is charged with the task of repositioning the bank.
The statement explained that the new MD was expected to deliver
expertservicestotransformthebankintoanexpandedfinancialservices
organisation that drives customer satisfaction, Small Medium Scale
Enterprise(SME)growthandbecomeareferenceinthebankingindustry.
ThestatementaddedthatChiefExecutiveOfficer,ObinnaUkachukwu,
is expected to combine marketing and communications, risk, back
office operations, business development management and strategy
into one combined function. “Completing the list is Jean-Luc Nzoubou,
alsoappointedasaDeputy/Chiefexecutiveofficer,Nzoubouisbacked
with solid experience in the launching and rapid growth of affiliates, in
Cameroon and Ivory Coast, with an absolute knowledge of the Advans
Group,andcomestoAdvansLaFayettewithaprovenexpertiseinpeople
management and microfinance operations. “This is a building block in
Advans La Fayette Microfinance Bank transformational journey, as
the organization is moving quickly to structure for faster growth and
also to ensure they are positioned to respond to the needs of SMEs,
customers, and partners focusing on strategy, governance and vital
strategic initiatives.”
“Since the policy was first launched,
currency management costs have
continued to increase year-on-year at
an average annual growth rate of 33
per cent. Notwithstanding, electronic
transactions have increased within
the economy. We have provided
alternative channels and people have
embraced it”
CBN Governor,
Godwin Emefiele
24
BUSINESSWORLD
‘WHY NIGERIAN
CARGOES ARE DIVERTED
TO NEIGHBOURING
COUNTRIES’
to enable us have efficiency
in cargo clearance.
“This is the reason the min-
istry of transport is constructing
a rail line into Apapa ports to
facilitate rail evacuation of
cargoes. But this is not what
that can be done in two months.
“We are also talking with AP
Moller to set up inland water
ways that can move cargoes
from the port to such places
like Epe to further facilitate
speedy cargo clearance and
decongestion of Apapa roads.
“The other issue is the need
for us to have trailer parks
and mandate truck drivers
to use them. We are currently
discussing with the Lagos and
Ogun State’s governments on
the establishment of trailer parks
to deploy these trucks.
“Our stand at NPA is that
every truck coming to the port
must come from a designated
truck park so that they can come
to the port only when they are
needed. “We want to set up a
large truck park in Ogun, then
another one in Lagos where they
can be situated and a create
space in Lilypond where they
can wait to take their consign-
ments,” Usman explained.
NEITI: FG PAID N303.4BN
BRIDGING CLAIMS TO OIL
MARKETERS IN FIVE YEARS
ability from the refineries in
Port Harcourt and Warri.
Furthermore, in its FASD
report, the NEITI explained
that the natural minerals sector
of Nigeria contributed N805
billion of N993 billion paid to
the Tertiary Education Trust
Fund (TETfund) within the
period to support its education
intervention job.
NEITI however stated that
the TETFund lacked sufficient
accounting processes to track its
use of funds for its operations.
According to it: “The fund
received a total of N993 billion
with N805 billion from mineral
revenue while N188 billion was
received from non-mineral.”
However, the NEITI report
noted that the fund does not
have a comprehensive accounting
and operational manual; hence,
there was insufficient guide for
accounting and operations’
processes.
Group Business Editor
Obinna Chima
Capital Market Editor
Goddy Egene
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)
REA Connects 3000 to 98.8KW Solar Electricity
Stories by Chineme
Okafor in Abuja
The Rural Electrification
Agency (REA) has disclosed
that about 3000 inhabitants
of Kare-Dadin Kowa com-
munity in Kebbi State have
been connected to a 98.8
kilowatt (KW) solar power
system built with funds from
its Rural Electrification Fund
(REF).
It noted that it recently
commissioned the 98.8KW
solar hybrid mini grid power
plant at the community in
line with its commitment to
provide equitable access to
electricity across regions in
Nigeria.
According to a statement
from the REA, the REF strives
to maximise the economic,
social and environmental
benefits of rural electrification
grants, to promote off-grid
electrification, and to stimu-
late innovative approaches
to rural electrification.
It stated that the solar
hybrid mini grid system
would provide clean energy
to 483 residential buildings, 82
commercial buildings as well
as serve over 3,000 inhabitants
of Kare-Dadin Kowa.
A total of 565 high grid
solar panels, it explained
were installed to power
homes, businesses, places of
worship, schools, and health
centers in the community.
The statement quoted the Olatoregun of the Federal High Court, and Dr. Francis Chuka Agbu, Lead partner at Lexavier Partners, at a one-day seminar for AMCON’s external
Governor of Kebbi state, solicitors and Asset Management Partners (AMPs) held in Lagos…recently
Rosatom: We’re Committed to Raising Nuclear Experts for Nigeria
Russia’s state-run nuclear
energy corporation, Rosatom,
has said it is committed to
raising the next generation
of nuclear energy technology
experts in Nigeria.
In this regard, it invited stu-
dents and young professionals
in the country to partake in
the next edition of its annual
online video competition.
Nigeria had signed an
agreement with Rosatom for
the construction of nuclear
power plants and a nuclear
research center in the country.
The process was however still
underway.
Notwithstanding, Rosatom
stated in a statement that the
competition which is dubbed
Abuja Disco Secures $1.06m to Support Building of 1,370
Solar-Powered Mini Grids
The Abuja electricity
distribution company (Disco)
has secured from the United
States Trade Department Ad-
ministration (USTDA), up to
$1.06 million with which it
will use to begin the process
of expanding electricity services
to underserved communities
within its networks.
The fund according to the
Managing Director of Abuja
Disco, Mr. Ernest Mupwaya,
would be deployed first to
undertake studies on optimal
locations within its network
for complimentary mini grid
deployments. Speaking at
the recent signing ceremony,
Mupwaya explained that the
decision of the Disco on this
was informed by its plan to
ensure stable electricity sup-
Abubakar Bagudu, to have
said at the commissioning of
the project that: “The solar
hybrid mini-grid will expand
and transform the economic
landscape of Kebbi state. Small
businesses like welders, cold
rooms, as well as processing
mills can now operate more
effectively with reliable and
clean electricity as a result
of this project.”
Similarly, Executive Di-
rector of REF, Dr. Sanusi
Ohiare stated that: “Kare-
Dadin Kowa community
is the second of twelve
communities earmarked
to benefit from REF grants.
This is due to following and
attaining legal, regulatory
MIND-RUBBING
L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr Ahmed Lawan Kuru; Justice C.M.A.
‘Atoms for Africa’ would also
be facilitated by EnerConnect
as well as the African Young
Generation in Nuclear and
South African Young Nuclear
Professionals Society.
It explained that it would
run up until September 30,
2019, adding that the edition
would be devoted to supporting
interests in nuclear research
and capabilities among young
Nigerian and African scientists
at large.
According to the corporation,
participants would be required
to research how innovative use
of nuclear technologies can assist
in achieving the United Nations
(UN) Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) in Africa, adding
ply to consumers within its
network. According to him,
parts of the strategic plan to
provide power every day in
Abuja were tied to the 1370
solar-powered mini grid it
hoped would be deployed
as soon as possible.
He stated that the oppor-
tunity represented another
visible effort for the Disco to
explore available solutions
for the provision of stable
electricity to customers within
its franchise area of Abuja,
Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi
States. “Electricity no doubt
is one of the key parameters
used in measuring the extent
of development of any nation.
There’s evidence backed by
research which demonstrate
correlation between electricity
and procurement compliance
and no objection from the
federal government.”
The statement added that
in line with REF’s Public Pri-
vate Partnership (PPP) model,
it ensured that private sector
participation and investment
was involved to guarantee
success for the project.
It quoted the Managing
Director of Nayo Tropical
Technology Limited which
executed the project, Mr.
Anayo Okenwa to have
said that: “The installed
solar hybrid mini grid was
constructed in line with
international standards
and best practice. As an
indigenous firm, we are
that potential participants would
have to make a short video
about their findings on the
topic and share on Facebook.
It said a two-stage judging
process would be used to select
the winning teams, ad that an
independent jury made up of
nuclear professionals and experts
on sustainability topics will
select the top 10 videos, with
the public invited to vote for
the best video on the Rosatom
Africa Facebook page.
“The award ceremony will
take place within two African
Nuclear Youth Summits to be
held in Johannesburg, South
Africa in early October 2019.
Competitors who created the
top two videos will win an
consumption and GDP growth.
“According to the 2017 report
by International Energy Agency,
while many of the developed
countries have already attained
100 per cent electrification access,
scores of developing nations
particularly those in sub-Saharan
Africa have remained behind
and are recording low access
rates that are characterized
by poor reliability. The report
estimates 1.1 billion of people yet
to be connected while another
1 billion is being supplied with
poor quality of electricity,” said
Mupwaya. He noted that to
address the energy poverty
challenge, different actors have
consensually agreed that what
was required was a pragmatic
approach that accounted for
various options in addressing
T H I S D AY ˾

ͰͲ˜
Ͱͮͯͷ
proud to have leveraged the
skills and capacity of our
host community, in addition
to providing the enabling
environment for skilled
labour and job creation.”
The Minister of Power,
Mr. Saleh Mamman, who
congratulated parties in-
volved in the project, stated
that: “Under my leadership,
the ministry of power will
continue to provide requisite
policy interventions to ensure
that transformative projects
like this will have the de-
sired impact of electrifying
Nigeria.”
The REA reiterated that
it was saddled with the job
of implementing the federal
all-expenses paid trip to Russia
in November 2019.
“The trip to Russia for win-
ning teams will include visits to
well-known Moscow landmarks,
Russia’s state-of-the-art nuclear
facilities, top nuclear universities
as well as other scientific and
technological facilities.
The winners will also meet
African students currently study-
ing various nuclear disciplines
in Russia,” said the statement.
It explained in 2018, a Ni-
gerian, Ugenyi Igbokwe, was
among the finalists - beating
other participants from across
Africa in the competition.
Underscoring Rosatom’s
commitment to nurturing
young African professionals
the electrification gaps.
According to him, the options
available to bridge the energy
gap were main grid extension
to capture new customers,
improvement of quality of
supply by augmenting grid
supply with other alternative
sources, and off grid solution
for far flung areas.
“In our environment for
instance, there is a huge disparity
in the level of electrification
between urban and rural areas
where access to electricity is
higher in urban areas compared
to rural areas. “As a company,
we have designed a strategy
which seeks to holistically exam-
ine how the obvious huge gaps
in the level of electrification can
be narrowed. In addition, we are
developing and implementing
NEWS
government’s policy on elec-
trification of unserved and
underserved communities.
It added that the REF
provides equitable access
to electricity across Nigeria
to maximise the economic,
social and environmental
benefits of rural electrifica-
tion grants, promote off-grid
electrification, and stimulate
innovative approaches to rural
electrification.
The REF projects, it
explained are administered
using PPP model, with its
first call for project proposal
expected to provide electricity
to 12 communities and deploy
19,000 Solar Home Systems
(SHS).
in nuclear energy and its other
adaptations, the corporation’s
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
for Central and Southern Africa,
Dmitry Shornikov, said: “One
of our key missions at Rosatom
is to assist the brightest young
minds from across the globe to
work together in solving global
challenges that will shape the
future of energy and the world
as we know it.”
Shornikov explained that:
“This is a great opportunity
for young people from very
different walks of life who share
a common passion to build a
bright and sustainable future for
Africa to discover more about
various nuclear applications and
their vast benefits for the region.
initiatives to improve the quality
of supply in urban areas. We are
also considering how we can
close up the gaps in rural areas
where the challenges, some of
which include the affordability of
electricity, long distances which
require extensive network remain
unique to these areas,” he said.
He further noted: “We
are grateful that the United
States Trade Department and
Administration has com-
mitted funding to help the
Abuja electricity distribution
company provide electricity
to underserved communities
through the implementation
of up to 1,370 solar-powered
mini-grids with energy storage
systems. Colorado’s Rocky
Mountain Institute will carry
out the study.
T H I S D AY ˾

ͰͲ˜
Ͱͮͯͷ
BUSINESSWORLD
Fresh Hope Beckons on Nigeria’s Ailing Refineries
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has set a 2022 date for its three refineries in
Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt to come back fully to operation, writes Chineme Okafor
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC) has said that repair works on its
three refineries located in Port Harcourt,
Warri and Kaduna, which have remained
decrepit for years would begin in January
of 2020, raising hopes Nigeria could yet
again locally refine most of the petroleum
products it needs to run her domestic
economy.
The corporation has repeatedly made
promises of repairing the refineries which
efficiency have significantly dropped and
often constituted a huge loss-making centre
in its financial books.
However, it has never fulfilled any of
these promises.
This has also ensured that Nigeria imports
most of the petroleum products it uses,
an unpleasant development that once
pushed the immediate Minister of State
for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu,
to disclose he would resign his ministerial
portfolio by May 2019 if Nigeria continued
to import petrol.
Refineries’ conditions
In terms of capacity utilisation, in August
2015, when Kachikwu first made a public
declaration that the refineries would be
repaired and their production levels revived,
the NNPC in its monthly operations report
had stated that their capacity were col-
lectively on 24.08 per cent utilisation level.
They also recorded huge financial deficits
in their operations with N1,940.12 billion
recorded in January; N5,768.40 billion in
February; N2, 893.56 billion in March;
N6,234.59 billion in April; N5,596.15 billion
in May; N5,899.34 billion in June; N3,211.34
billion in July; N139.12 million in August;
N8,841.63 billion September; N1,445.06 billion
in October; N7,211.38 in November; and
then N7,824.40 in December.
By January 2016, the NNPC announced
that the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries
had been shut down because of breaches
on their crude supply lines. It had also
explained the supply interruptions were
huge setbacks to its plan to get the refiner-
ies fully working, adding that it would
subsequently start a comprehensive recovery
of their capacities.
Their capacity utilisation in 2017 was
further reported by the corporation to be
17.56 per cent in 2017 before they dropped
to 8.02 per cent in 2018.
For 2017, the NNPC report showed that
all through the year, the Warri refinery
managed a 9.56 per cent capacity utilisation
record; Port Harcourt made efforts with
24.14 per cent; while Kaduna recorded
14.10 per cent.
They also did not do so well financially,
and recorded profits only in January – N3,
356.14 billion; March – N3,399.07; April –
N1,577.79 billion; May – N2,678.88 billion;
and June – N3,343.19 billion, and then posted
deficits of N522.82 million in February;
N8,517.78 billion in July; N4,636.29 billion
in August; N3,518.60 billion September;
N7,762.25 billion in October; N11,144.81
billion in November; and N11,095.28 billion
in December.
In 2018, when the refineries’ utilisation
dropped to 8.02 per cent, they equally posted
deficits of N13,586.11 billion in January;
N8,055.05 billion in February; and N11,889.51
billion in March, before making a one-off
profit of N6,321.63 billion in April, and
then resumed its losses in May with a huge
N20,081.80 billion deficits.
Similarly, in June, they posted a deficit
of N14,510.02 billion; N10,449.19 billion in
July; N10,793.03 billion in August; N6,972.98
billion in September; N9,326.32 billion in
October; N9,585.04 billion in November;
before ending the year with another
remarkable deficit of N17,317.03 billion
in December.
Even as the year 2019 turned in, the
refineries according to NNPC’s records
equally started the year with a loss of N8,
Mele Kyari
362.02 billion, to underpin their inefficiency
levels.
Cost of dilapidated refineries
Due to the failures of the refineries,
Nigeria through the NNPC resorted to
importation of petroleum products with
which it runs its domestic economy.
This development as explained by industry
operators meant the country relies solely
on imported petroleum products to run
on. It, in fact, also subsidises petrol thus
spending billions to keep the pump price
at a fixed price.
For instance, in 2018, the NNPC indicated
that it imported 21,100,118,126.30 (21 billion)
litres of petrol which translated to 57.8
million litres daily, into the country. In 2017,
it said it was 14,430,373,377.03 (14 billion)
litres; in 2016, it was 9,264,855,130.33 litres;
while it was 6,179,719,852.27 litres in 2015.
And, because they were all imported, it
thus implied that the country outsources or
exports jobs in its midstream oil industry
to other countries from where it buys its
refined petroleum products.
Apart from the job losses, the government’s
subsidising of petrol consumption also meant
that the country’s scarce financial resources
which should fund the provision of socially
beneficial and optimal infrastructure like
roads, hospitals and schools are less and
often cut down in the national budget.
This equally leaves the country struggling
year-on-year with fixing her widening public
infrastructure gap.
Furthermore, on what the country losses
to the decrepit refineries, a report of the
World Bank, had indicated that Nigeria spent
N731 billion subsiding petrol consumption.
The report had also stated that most of
the volume of petrol Nigeria spent money
subsidising in 2018 were inflated as daily
consumption rose to 54 million litres per
day (ml/d) from 40ml/d in 2017, ostensibly
due partly to out-smuggling.
It specifically stated that with regards to
the country’s revenue from oil that: “The
oil revenues continue to underperform both
relative to the budget targets and their
realistic potential due to the unbudgeted
fuel subsidy (Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) ‘cost under-recovery’),
which amounted to N731 billion in 2018,
among other discretionary deductions,
and the dollar-naira conversion using an
exchange rate lower than that prevailing
in the convertible IEFX window.
“The NNPC financial reports indicate
that about $2 billion (equivalent to 0.6 per
cent GDP) were deducted from the gross
oil revenue prior to the transfer to the
federation account for the unbudgeted fuel
subsidy (cost under-recovery).
“The calculations for the fuel subsidy are
based on heavily inflated fuel consump-
tion estimates, with the fiscally severely
constrained Nigerian government effectively
subsidising neighbouring countries’ petrol
consumption as some of the fuel is informally
re-exported through the porous borders,”
the World Bank report had explained
. The statement similarly noted that the
Immediate past repair attempts
The NNPC had also recently made efforts
to repair the refineries and attempted to
get private investors to fund the repair on
terms that would have been beneficial to
both parties, but the arrangement collapsed
eventually when both could not agree on
terms.
The model which would have had inves-
tors come in to finance the repairs under
mutually agreed business terms failed after
negotiations reportedly broke down between
25
ENERGY
the corporation and the investors who were
initially interested.
It was reported that within the proposed
model, the preferred investors would have
brought in funds to repairs, run the facility
for a period of time after which they would
have recouped their investment.
After the breakdown of negotiations, the
NNPC then announced it would now use
its own money and debt financing from
the financial markets to fix the refineries,
starting with Port Harcourt, followed by
the Warri and Kaduna.
It explained that the new strategy would
involve the original builders as well as in
phases. According to the corporation, at the
end of the first phase, the Port Harcourt
refinery would have attained a 60 per cent
capacity utilisation level before shooting
up to a minimum of 90 per cent upon the
completion of the repair work.
It equally announced that Italian oil firm,
Eni/NAOC was engaged as the technical
advisor for the exercise and disclosed the
first phase would run for six months within
which detailed integrity check and equipment
inspection of the refinery would take place
before JGC of Japan which built it and
Tecnimont would be invited to undertake
the repair on an Engineering Procurement
Construction (EPC) basis.
New date for refineries’ to come back
However, in a recent statement from the
corporation, its Group Managing Director,
Malam Mele Kyari, reportedly said that the
refineries would again be able to refine
crude oil at optimum capacity by 2022.
Signed by its Group General Manager,
Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, the
statement quoted Mele Kyari, to have
disclosed the latest promise of restoring
the full refining capacities of the refineries
during a facilities tour of the Port-Harcourt
Refining and Petrochemical Company
(PHRC).
Mele Kyari explained that that full reha-
bilitation of the plants would commence in
January of 2020, and that he was committed
to ensuring the refineries deliver real-time
value and address the petroleum needs
of Nigerians.
According to him: “We will stick to time;
we will deliver this project by 2022. We
will commence actual rehabilitation work
in January. We will do everything possible
between October and December to close out
all necessary conditions for us to deliver
on that project.
“I believe that with the support that we
have from the shareholders - government of
this country, the entire staff of this company
and the contractors, I believe it is doable
and we will deliver the project.”
Tasking the contractors on the need to
consider their reputation in the repair work,
Mele Kyari, said: “It’s no longer about
business now, but a reputational issue.
For the original builders of the refinery,
Tecnimont, Eni/NAOC and NNPC, let us
be conscious of the fact that our reputation
is at stake as far as this project is concerned.
“The NNPC leadership has promised this
country that our refineries will work, therefore,
we must work not to disappoint over 200 million
Nigerian stakeholders.”
He equally noted that the repair would include
indigenous workers in the corporation’s bid
to help build local capacities and save cost
in the process.
Tecnimont Project Manager, Mr. La Mattina
Carmelo, in his presentation on the progress
of work on the first phase of the repair work,
informed that the inspection aspect of the project
had progressed to 91 per cent while final report
and Engineering Procurement Construction
(EPC) proposal was on 75 per cent.
Carmelo, noted that his company would
deliver the first phase of the rehabilitation
within three weeks from now and assured
there were no challenges to a timely delivery
of the task.
26





Kerani: Energy Access Gap in Nigeria Frightening
Deep Karani, is the Exhibition Director for Power Nigeria, West Africa’s power and renewable energy trade
exhibition. In this interview with Peter Uzoho, ahead of the eighth edition of Power Nigeria Conference
commencing today in Lagos, he speaks about challenges of Nigeria with respect to energy accessibility,
what participants should expect at the conference, among others issues. Excerpts:
What do you see as the major challenge
confronting Nigeria?
The main issue Nigeria is facing is the rapidly
increasing population which clearly results in much
higher demand of energy needs. Infrastructural
investments, regulatory and policy limitations
are a major challenge hampering growth of the
power sector. Considering how large the Nigerian
economy is, it is imperative to invest in energy
infrastructure. As modern as we have become
today, there are still many people across the country
who are forced to use outdated power systems
that aren’t as efficient as we would like them to
be. While there are off-grid sustainable solutions
available, Nigeria also needs good governance;
proper regulations and policies that need to be set
and enforced for the sector to experience growth.
Multiple government organisations are tirelessly
working towards achieving higher energy efficiency
and encouraging change in regulations, however
the lack of consistency and clarity makes it difficult
for developers to invest in the country
As an expert in the power sector, what
progressive trends have you seen that Nigeria
needs to urgently adopt?
Industry sources indicate that the country will
need an additional 26.6 GW generation capacity to
meet demands through 2020. This will comprise
30 per cent capacity from coal, about 2,200 MW
from the NIPP projects (1,896 MW), IPPs (296
MW) and FGN legacy assets [installed - Thermals
5.6 GW, Hydro 1.3 GW and Wind {pilot} 10MW].
In addition, the government of Nigeria is also
investing heavily to boost generation through the
large, medium and small hydrostatic power plants
with total capacity of over 6,024 MW. Despite
the various challenges in Nigeria’s power sector
today, the decision of the government of Nigeria to
privatise the sector provides multiple opportunities
for international and local investment.
What are your predictions for the power
and energy sector in Nigeria within the next
10 years?
Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, and it also
has one of the widest energy gaps in the world.
With a rapid growth in population and escalating
energy demand, it is paramount for Nigeria to
improve its power sector. The country’s current
P & ID Fraud Conviction, EFCC and Malami’s Legacy
Wale Solomon
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commis-
sion, EFCC, introduced an interesting twist to the
relationship between Nigeria and Process and
Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited- the
company that secured a $9.6 billion judgment
against Nigeria at a British court in August.
The anti-graft agency had brought a case of
fraud against directors of P&ID Limited, Virgin
Island and its Nigerian affiliate, P&ID Nigeria
Limited.
The two firms were found guilty on the 11-count
charge of tax evasion and money laundering brought
against them and were convicted accordingly
by the court. In his judgment, Justice Inyang
Ekwo held that the firms having admitted to
the crime, he had no option than to convict them
accordingly. Relying on provisions of section 19(2)
of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011,
and section 10(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and
other related offences Act, 2006, the court ordered
the federal government to wind up the two firms
and confiscate all their assets in the country.
The firms were linked to the controversial Gas
Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA) the
company signed with the Ministry of Petroleum
Resources on behalf of the federal government that
led to the British Court’s judgement ordering the
seizure of Nigeria’s foreign assets worth $9.6billion.
Wednesday judgment was a significant step
towards untangling the web woven around the
Kerani
installed capacity is reported at 12,500 megawatts,
but in practice it is only 3,200 megawatts. The
government’s aim to boost electricity access to 90
per cent by 2030 will drive even more demand.
Credible sources have stated that in order to achieve
universal access to electricity, Nigeria will have to
connect between 500,000 to 800,000 new households
to electricity every year between 2018 and 2030.
Both grid extension and off-grid solutions will be
needed to provide quality services to the unserved
and underserved households and businesses in
a timely manner.
My personal prediction is that renewables will
play a very important role in Nigeria’s power
generation model. It is only a matter of time
before we see more clarity in policy & regulations.
However, given the size of the market, Nigeria
will continue to be a strong energy market in
the next 10 years.
What are Informa’s future plans for Nigeria
in the coming years?
Informa has embarked on a long-term journey
in Nigeria with a hope to expand heavily in the
region. Our plan moving forward is to diversify
from the electricity niche and add more parallel
sectors to the show, which is why we have made
the decision this year to rebrand to Nigeria Energy
from 2020 onwards, in where we plan to fully
incorporate all aspects of energy, not confining to
only conventional power generation, transmission
& distribution. We aspire to bring together more
Kerani
neck of Nigeria by P& ID by the judgment of
the British court. As observed by human rights
lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi
Falana, the Abuja court ruling has shown that the
contract was a “package of fraud.” And Nigeria
can now execute it abroad against P&ID and use
it to set aside the judgment of the British court.
In his reaction also, Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, said the
Abuja court judgment was a judicial proof that
fraud and corruption were the foundation of the
T H I S D AY ˾

ͰͲ˜
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international companies with newer technologies to
the show from 2020 onwards, and will be promoting
the Nigerian energy event through our plethora
of events across the EMEA region.
The Power Nigeria Exhibition and Conference
is currently in its eighth year, what does this
year’s agenda entail?
As organisers, we are very excited about the
exhibition and conference. This year, the exhibition
is supported by renowned industry brands such as
Skipper Seil, Cummins, Eaton, Caterpillar-Mantrac,
Jubaili Bros, Total, Lucy Electric, Phillips, Kirloskar,
and many more who will be joining us on the show
floor to display their latest product lines. We are
also looking forward to welcoming key colleagues
from AfBD, Federal Ministry of Power, Works
and Housing (Power Sector), Dangote Industries,
Central Bank of Nigeria and many more, who will
be presenting technical papers highlighting critical
topics at the conference. The conference is CPD
certified and focuses on key themes broadly ranging
between Finance, Technology and Procurement.
In the past few weeks, we’ve received hundreds
of registrations from industry professionals who
have confirmed their attendance for the event and
as organisers, we are very excited to welcome
them to the exhibition and conference.
How do you select speakers and exhibitors
for Power Nigeria Conference?
Each year, we urge state ministries, regulatory
authorities and policy makers to speak about subjects
that are most important in the year, educating
attending industry professionals about latest
developments & future plans in the Nigerian
energy sector.
Going beyond governments, we also provide a
platform for developers, consultants and system
integrators who present technical papers on best
practices in energy management. Adding to the
selection, we invite a few case studies from key
manufacturers or innovators who can speak about
latest systems and technologies available from
which the country could benefit. On the whole,
our objective is to bring together a good mix of
international and local industry pioneers who are
qualified and have the experience which can help
young engineers learn from. Attendance to these
presentations activate CPD points for electrical
relationship that gave rise to the alleged contract,
and noted that a “liability that is rooted in fraud
and corruption cannot stand judicial enforceability.”
Nigeria. According to Malami, now has a cogent
ground for setting aside the liability imposed on
her by the London court. The new twist would
now also lead Nigeria to review its strategy in
handling the British court judgment.
The development is certainly good news for
Nigeria and rekindles hope that there may indeed
be a way to fend off the execution of the London
judgment. But it also signposts a noticeable trend
in the operations of the EFCC which has of recent
turned into an effective anti-corruption investigation
and prosecution machine.
Only last week this writer celebrated EFCC’s
successes in the operations against internet fraud-
sters called “Yahoo Boys” which encouraged a
partnership with the United States Federal Bureau
of Investigation, FBI. Within the space of one
month, the agency was able to complete a clean
sweep of cyber criminals across the country in
a coordinated operation with the FBI tagged:
‘Operation Rewired’.
The operation was commendable in its swiftness
and success as it led to the arrest of 167 suspected
cyber criminals and recovery of 169,850 dollars as
well as N92 million. In addition, exotic cars, plots
of land in choice areas of Lagos and a property
in Abuja were recovered during the operations.
The verdict by Justice Inyang Ekwo followed
the conviction of P&ID Nigeria Limited and

engineers.
How would you assess the impact of Power
Nigeria Conference over the years it has
been taking place?
Power Nigeria has organically grown to becoming
West Africa’s largest power exhibition and hosts
a wide variety of electrical and renewable energy
products on display annually. Through our platform,
we aspire to create value for all participating and
attending stakeholders who have a vested inter-
est in the growth of West Africa’s energy sector,
particularly in Nigeria. We are fortunate enough
to be backed by Informa, the largest exhibition
management company in the world, which also
hosts energy events across the globe. Connected to
thousands of energy professionals worldwide, we
are able to bridge the gap between international
investors, developers, manufacturers by linking
them with regional consultants, contractors, system
integrators and end users.
Specifically, what contribution would you
say the conference has had on the Nigerian
power sector?
Our ultimate objective is to build Power Nigeria
into the largest technology sourcing, knowledge
sharing and networking platform connecting local
and international companies, assisting them to
explore business opportunities, in turn driving
growth into future investment opportunities for
West Africa. Power Nigeria today is seen as one
of the strongest networking arenas for the energy
sector in Nigeria, involving various colleagues
across multiple cities who attend the exhibition &
conference to learn, network & explore business
opportunities.
How are participants able to earn the
Continuing Professional Development (CDP)
certification from attending the conference?
We offer free CPD points across all our energy
events in the Middle East and Africa. Visitors who
register and attend the conference are further guided
by our helpful staff onsite who will verify their
attendance by simply scanning their badges to
send their contact details to the CPD certification
body in the UK who then provide the certificate
of attendance and allocate the relevant points.
Automation, Green Buildings & Sustainability.
its parent company incorporated in the British
Virgin Islands on an 11-count charge bordering
on economic sabotage, money laundering, tax
evasion amongst others, which the EFCC preferred
against them. According to the EFCC, the firms
fraudulently claimed to have acquired land from
the Cross-River State Government in 2010 for the
gas supply project agreement that resulted to the
$9.6bn judgment debt.
The directors of the companies admitted and
pleaded guilty to allegation of fraud and that they
did not even acquire any land in Calabar for the
project in the first place. It says a lot about the
quality of investigation the EFCC is now able to
carry out that it could get a positive court judgment
in such a timely version. This is exactly where I
think the legacy of the Minister of Justice would
be found long after he has left office.
Malami has instituted a deepening of investigation
by prosecuting agencies of government to avoid
losing cases and help them get more convictions.
He has raised the bar and standard of criminal
investigations for government prosecutorial agencies,
including the Nigerian Police Force and the EFCC.
A stickler for detailed and meticulous investigations
before prosecution, the Justice ministry under
Malami had insisted on diligent investigations
by prosecuting agencies before charges are filed
in court.
Solomon wrote in from Gwarimpa Estate,
Abuja
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY 27
28
PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT
Alaro City’s First 3.5km Four-lane Asphalt Road Sets
Unique Standard
r Voted Emerging Project of the Year
Bennett Oghifo
G
ood roads drive a
city’s sustainable
development
and this is the
importance of
the high standard being
applied by the promoters
of the iconic Alaro City in
the development of the city’s
first 3.5km road, a four-lane,
asphalt thoroughfare with a
four-metre median.
Alaro City is an inclusive,
mixed-use city-scale develop-
ment in the Lekki Free Zone
that has adopted innovative
infrastructure building systems
that serve as a benchmark for
new cities in Nigeria, said
officials of constructing the
new city.
Also, Alaro City has been
awarded “Emerging Project
of The Year” at the Africa
Real Estate Awards (AFRECA)
organised by PropertyPro.ng,
a property portal in Nigeria.
Alaro City’s developer
has adopted modern best
practices and delivered an
efficient drainage system
Nigerian, Australian Builders Sign MoU on Improving Method,
Technology of Construction
Bennett Oghifo
The Nigerian Institute of
Building (NIOB) said it
has signed a memorandum
of understanding with its
counterpart in Australian
to collaborate in effort to
Tobi Bakre Becomes Novarick Homes Brand
Ambassador
Novarick Homes and Proper-
ties Limited has signed an
agreement with ex-BBnaija
Housemate, Tobi Bakre as
its Brand Ambassador.
The Oyo born Investment
Banker who has over the years
become one of Nigeria’s most
sought after entrepreneur and
influencer shared his delight
after another cutting-edge
progress in his career.
Expectedly, as Brand ambas-
sador, Tobi Bakre embodies the
brand identity in every appear-
L-R: Tobi Bakre and Chief Executive Officer, Novarick Homes Noah Ibrahim
of the road currently being
constructed.
The city’s Construction
Manager, Bailey Ligtas told
journalists during a tour of
the city, recently, that the
road, designed by leading
engineering firm Arup, is
the first of four major access
points from the Lekki-Epe
Expressway.
“Alaro City is also develop-
ing an independent power
plant solution by connecting
to a nearby gas pipeline.
Water supply for the first
phase is also at an advanced
stage,” he said.
Launched in January
2019, Alaro City is planned
as a 2,000-hectare new city
located in the North West
Quadrant of the Lekki Free
Zone. The city will include
industrial and logistics
locations, complemented
by offices, homes, schools,
healthcare facilities, hotels,
entertainment and parks and
open spaces. The project is
a joint venture between the
Lagos State Government and
Rendeavour, the largest new
improve on the methodology
and technology of building
construction.
The memorandum, signed
with the Australian Institute
of Building (AIB) in Sydney,
Australia, recently is aimed
at making the NIOB and AIB
ance, demeanor, values and
would help to create awareness,
influence and drive sales.
Speaking to newsmen at the
signing of the deal, the CEO,
Novarick Homes, Noah Ibrahim
introduced Novarick Homes as
a reputable real estate company
championing the drive for the
development of greener and
smarter communities across
Nigeria.
He noted that by signing
Tobi Bakre, as the company’s
brand ambassador, Novarick
city builder in Africa.
In building Alaro City,
Rendeavour has provided
solutions to urban planning
and city-building problems
unique to Lagos. According
to Ligtas, to ensure effective
flood management, Rendeav-
our have adopted a rain
garden drainage system that
not only provides a unique
landscaping opportunity but
ensures the development is
not afflicted by open drainage
systems.
Green areas, parks and open
spaces at Alaro City total over
150 hectares and form part
of the drainage strategy of
the city via five “greenways”.
These are designed to provide
an area for leisure activities
and also carry surface water
to the lagoon.
Alaro City has gained
increasing recognition for its
world-class master plan and
the innovation it represents in
modern city building. In July,
the city’s master plan won
the international Architizer
A+ Popular Choice Award,
besting prestigious projects
have a shared commitment to
become a stronger professional
institute and educator within
the building construction
industry, said a statement
by the National President
of NIOB, Kunle Awobodu.
The MoU, he said was
Homes was rightly positioned
to reach and attract millenni-
als and younger audiences,
encouraging them to key into
early investment in Real Estate.
The vision of Novarick
Homes “is to strengthen its
position as the premier real
estate development firm in
Africa, by building green and
clean residential communities,
as well as creating innova-
tive and secure investment
opportunities in real estate,”
Ibrahim said.
such as the Amazon HQ2
supersite in Dallas and the
5M project in San Francisco.
In September, Alaro City was
voted “Emerging Project of
the Year” by PropertyPro.
ng at the Africa Real Estate
Awards.
Chief Executive Officer of
Alaro City, Odunayo Ojo said
the city has already sold out
phase one of its residential
“buy-and-build” plots, with
phase two well underway,
adding that several Nigerian,
regional and multinational
companies are building com-
mercial and industrial facilities
in the city. “Alaro City lies in
the growth path of Lagos and
aims to serve as a model for
what a modern mixed-use city
looks like,” he said. “We have
partnered with renowned
experts in various fields to
ensure that our culture of
high standards is sustained.”
Commenting on the award,
Ojo said: “We are honoured
by this latest recognition of
Alaro City’s innovation and
success. It is a demonstration
of the professionalism that
characterises our work at
signed during a construction
event, ‘Constructing Our
World’, jointly organised in
Sydney by the New-Zealand
Institute of Building, Aus-
tralian Institute of Building
and Singapore Institute of
Building, recently.
According to the National
President of AIB, Mr. David
Burnell, AIB and NIOB will
work together to raise the
level of professionalism in
the building construction
industry and education in
Australia and Nigeria.
Looking at this develop-
ment from an optimistic per-
spective, Awobodu explained
that the collaboration among
members of the two institutes
would promote research in
the field of construction
and also encourage greater
participation of members in
jointly organised construction
events for valuable Continuing
Professional Development
Local, Global Real Estate Issues Focus of
FIABCI Seminar in Lagos
Insightful discussions that will
touch on both local and global
real estate issues will be held by
knowledgeable consultants at
this year’s FIABCI International
Real Estate Consultants (FIREC)
programme this week in Lagos.
A statement by the President,
FIABCI-Nigeria Chapter, Adeniji
Adele, the resource persons are:
Bill Endsley, Principal at World
Citizen Consulting, and Thomas
Cardman, Director of Operations
and Finance at Michael Consults.
FIABCI, an acronym for
International Real Estate Federa-
tion, is an international real estate
organisation whose membership
cuts across 65 countries of the
world. It recognizes the import
T H I S D AY ˾

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
Alaro City, which serves as
a magnet for the numerous
international and local inves-
tors building their businesses
and homes with us.”
In July, Alaro City also won
the international Architizer A+
Popular Choice Award in the
masterplan category. The city’s
masterplan was shortlisted
from a range of large-scale
international projects and
was the only entrant from
the African region. Alaro City
was nominated alongside
prestigious projects such as
the Amazon HQ2 supersite
in Dallas and the 5M project
in San Francisco.
“Alaro City leaves no-one
in doubt that the model for
an inclusive satellite city is
finally here in Nigeria. This
award is well deserved,” said
Sulaiman Balogun, co-founder
of PropertyPro. “As this exciting
city takes shape, the property
market is delighted that it will
shape the future of real estate
in Nigeria.”
PropertyPro.ng, which
acquired Jumia House Nigeria
in 2017, has over 200,000
property listings of both
(CPD).
He said the two parties
have also agreed to exchange
information relevant to the
development of the building
construction management
profession in Australia and
Nigeria in order to facilitate
an understanding of each
other’s work.
As NIOB takes a giant
step into global activities,
expanding the scope of its
construction knowledge
and skills to overseas,
establishing opportunities
for academic and training
exchange programmes,
Awobodu has hinted that
there were ongoing discus-
sions on collaboration with
the New-Zealand Institute
of Building and Singapore
Institute of Building to create a
multilateralism for greater col-
lective drive to technologically
shaped construction products.
In his goodwill message
of ease of doing business as a
catalyst for attracting foreign
direct investment (FDI).
According to Adeniji Adele,
the organisation is a platform
for learning, networking as well
as harnessing immeasurable
experiences and opportunities.
It is expected that the
international speakers at the
FIREC programme will be
bringing global perspectives to
the endless search for solution
to the problems of this sector
in Nigeria.
“We were careful in the choice
of our speakers for this year’s
programme. Besides networking,
participants will be availed the
opportunity of gaining more
public and private property.
AFRECA is an annual gather-
ing of the industry’s finest
minds, top-level business
leaders and decision-makers
across Africa.
Alaro City has already sold
out phase one of its residential
“buy-and-build” plots, with
phase two well underway.
Several Nigerian, regional
and multinational companies
are building commercial and
industrial facilities in the
city. The construction of the
city’s first 3.5 km road is in
progress; with completion
of the first phase expected
this year.
The pedigree of the city’s
developers, Rendeavour,
has also been identified by
industry experts as a key
contributor to the growing
success of the satellite city.
Rendeavour is currently
building seven new cities
in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana,
Zambia and Democratic
Republic of Congo, with
over 60 industries already
building their businesses
at the cities and over 6,000
homes in development.
to the Nigerian Institute of
Building on the ‘Constructing
Our World’ event, the High
Commissioner of Nigeria in
Australia, Ambassador Bello
Kazaure Husseini hoped that
the bilateral relationship
would advance construction
innovations in Nigeria.
Recounting his experience
after a tour of building con-
struction sites in Australia, the
Vice Chairman of the Council
of Registered Builders of Ni-
geria (CORBON), Dr. Samson
Opaluwah commended the
compliance with standards,
which, of course, CORBON
would not relent at promot-
ing in Nigeria. The former
General Secretary of NIOB,
Mr. Fadil Elegbede expressed
his satisfaction on the new
value the Sydney event has
contributed to the construction
knowledge of NIOB members,
taking into consideration
cultural differences.
insights on how to the approach
the many complex challenges we
have in real estate in Nigeria,”
Adele assured
Adele pointed out that
FIABCI, as an association of
professionals, always takes
interest in what happens in
the economy, especially as it
affects the business environment
in which they operate.
He, however, canvassed public
private partnership in dealing
with the identified challenges
in the business environment,
contending that government
alone cannot solve the problems
because of other demands of
governance such as health,
education, etc.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY 29
30
BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE
CBN’s Manufacturing Index Sustains Expansion in September
Nume Ekeghe
The Central Bank of Nigeria’s
(CBN) Purchasing Manager’s
Index (PMI) for September 2019,
has shown an expansion in the
economy.
According to the PMI report for
September released yesterday, the
Manufacturing PMI stood at 57.7
points in the month under review,
indicating a slower growth rate,
compared to the month of August.
In all, 13 of the 14 surveyed sub-
sectors reported growth in the
review month in the following
order: cement; petroleum &
coal products; food, beverage&
tobacco products; transportation
equipment; printing & related
support activities; chemical &
pharmaceutical products; furniture
Access Bank, Barclays, Others Launch
Global Banking Principles
Access Bank Plc has launched the
Global Principles for Responsible
Banking.
The bank which is as one of
the founding signatories signed
alongside other global banks.
This move, according to a
statement, was a further com-
mitment to strategically align its
business with the Sustainable
Development Goals and the Paris
Agreement on Climate Change.
By signing the Principles, Ac-
cess Bank has demonstrated its
commitment towards using its
products and services to support
and accelerate positive changes
in both local and international
economies as well as promote
lifestyles necessary to achieve
shared prosperity for both current
and future generations.
The Group Managing Director
Custodian Investment Mentors
Young Professionals
Custodian Investment Plc,
recently hosted the second
edition of its mentors’ conference.
The event was designed to
connect young professionals with
mentors who could teach them
practical business lessons.
The one-day conference which
held in Lagos, was attended by
more than 150 professionals from
diverse academic background.
In his address of welcome,
the Group Managing Director
and Chief Executive Officer,
Custodian Investment, Mr.
Wole Oshin, was quoted in a
statement to have said, “Last
year we decided to influence
the thought direction of young
people in the country because
we realised that a lot of them
do not have role models they
look up to for direction even
United Capital Launches Nigerian DiasporaTrust
With an increasing number of
Nigerians living in the diaspora
who want to start and grow
investments back home, United
Capital Trustees has introduced
the Nigerian Diaspora Trust. The
˜
Ͱͮ



Ͱͮͯͷ
United Capital Nigerian Diaspora
Trust, a product designed to
meet the needs of Nigerians
living abroad, affords them the
opportunity to transfer respon-
sibilities and assets to reliable
Trustee who in turn represents
and protect their interest while
ensuring that their heart desires
and objectives are achieved.
According to the Managing
& related products; fabricated
metal products; non-metallic
mineral products; electrical
equipment; textile, apparel,
leather & footwear; plastics &
rubber products; and primary
metal. But, the paper products
sub-sector recorded decline in
the review period.
Also, at 58.5 points, the
production level index for the
manufacturing sector grew for
the 31st consecutive month in
September 2019. The index
indicated a slower growth in the
current month, when compared
to its level in August 2019.
Eleven of the 14 manufacturing
sub-sectors recorded increased
production level and one
remained unchanged.
The report further showed that
of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert
Wigwe, stressed the need for
continued collaboration and
long-term approach to sustain-
ability, recognising the benefits
of sustainable banking and the
positive effect it has on the Bank
and society. “There is a greater
need now, more than ever, to
promote sustainability in the
global financial sector. This
is therefore the right time to
launch the Global Principles
for Responsible Banking. “At
Access Bank, we are com-
mitted to setting standards
and engendering innovative
solutions that address social,
economic and environmental
challenges. We believe that the
Sustainable Development Goals
will be better achieved if we
can work together, using these
though they have many ideas.”
While narrating the story of
how he conceived the idea of
Custodian Investment as an
undergraduate at the University
of Lagos in the days of Structural
Adjustment Programme (SAP),
the GMD/CEO enjoined the
young professionals to believe in
the country, promising to monitor
their progress.
He said Nigeria was blessed
with abundant natural resources
waiting to be tapped, adding
that the youths must be focused
and determined if they were
to harness the opportunities
available to them in the country.
Earlier, in the first talk titled,
“Talk Business and Politics with
Tonye Cole,” the Co-founder and
Former Group Executive Director
of Sahara Group, noted that it
Director/CEO, United Capital
Trustees Limited, Tokunbo Ajayi,
“with an ever increasing size of
Nigerians in the Diaspora, spread
across countries like UK, USA,
Dublin, Dubai and Canada the
birth of the Nigerian Diaspora
Trust, comes at a time when
Nigerians living abroad want to
invest and build legacies back
home, but are often faced with
the fear of the credibility and
reliability of friends and family
to carry out their wishes”.
A statement from the firm
quoted Ajayi to have further said:
“Our Nigerian Diaspora Trust is
T H I S D AY ˾˜

ͰͲ˜ 2019
at 57.2 points, the new orders
index grew for the 30th consecu-
tive month, indicating increase in
new orders in September 2019.
The index grew at a faster rate,
when compared to its level in
August 2019. Nine subsectors
reported growth, 1 remained
unchanged, while 4 contracted
in the review month. On the other
hand, the non-Manufacturing
PMI report showed that busi-
ness activity, new orders and
inventories grew at a slower
rate, while employment level
grew at a faster rate in September
2019. The composite PMI for the
non-manufacturing sector stood
at 58 points in September 2019,
indicating expansion in the non-
manufacturing PMI for the 29th
consecutive month.
L-
L-R: Husband to beneficiary, Mr. Ede Solomon Adegahi; Food Vendor/beneficiary, Mrs. Josephine Adegahi,
and Category Development /Activation Manager, PZ Wilmar, Popoola-Dania Oluwatoyin, at the presenta-
in
N
tion of a mobile kitchen to Adegahi by Mamador Empowerment Initiative in Abuja…recently ti
on
Principles as a guide,” he said.
As expressed in the Global
Principles for Responsible Bank-
ing, Access Bank stated that it
MARKET INDICATORS
was convinced that humans and MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA)
businesses can only thrive in
an inclusive society founded NOVEMBER 2018
on human dignity, equality and Money Supply (M3) 31,794,803.44
the sustainable use of natural
resources. -- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors 6,333,064.28
The official launch of the Money Supply (M2) 25,461,739.17
principles which marked the
beginning of the most significant -- Quasi Money 14,773,076.98
partnership to date between the
-- Narrow Money (M1) 10,688,662.18
global banking industry and the
UN held at the start of the United ---- Currency Outside Banks 1,711,763.59
Nations General Assembly.
“The UN Principles for ---- Demand Deposits 8,976,898.59
Responsible Banking are a Net Foreign Assets (NFA) 18,990,400.78
guide for the global banking
industry to respond to, drive Net Domestic Assets(NDA) 12,804,402.66
and benefit from a sustainable -- Net Domestic Credit (NDC) 26,062,986.22
development economy.
---- 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)
---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)
-4,144,571.43
23,082,756.56
would take just one government --Other Assets Net 13,258,583.57
policy to negatively impact on
the fortune of a business and Reserve Money (Base Money 6,811,192.37
take it from a solvency level to
bankruptcy overnight. --Currency in Circulation 2,100,129.91
He advised the young
--Banks Reserves 4,366,259.05 ˾

ÙßÜÍÏ
̋


professionals to always make
their presentation as short as
possible anytime they are given
an opportunity to talk about their
Money Market Indicators (in Percentage)
businesses. Month March 2018
Also speaking, Mrs. Tara Inter-Bank Call Rate 15.16
Fela-Durotoye, Chief Executive
Officer of House of Tara charged Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR)
the young professionals not to
be afraid to start something new Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) 14.00
and to pay attention to their
Treasury Bill Rate 11.84
customers because sometimes
it is the customers that would Savings Deposit Rate 4.07
provide the impetus which
would propel the business to 1 Month Deposit Rate 8.82
the next level of growth and
3 Months Deposit Rate 9.72
development.
6 Months Deposit Rate 10.93
12 Months Deposit Rate 10.21
Prime Lending rate 17.35
a professionally managed fund
designed to generate competitive Maximum Lending Rate 31.55
returns while alive and upon
demise of the individual.
“With a confidentiality that ˾
ÙØÏÞËÜã
ÙÖÓÍã
ËÞÏ
̋
ͯͱϱ
is preserved, the trust will help
OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE 


carry the burden of being your
representative where they are The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $65.30 a barrel on Friday,
not physically present to oversee compared with $64.39 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.
and execute their investment and The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend
home-coming plans”. (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea),
United Capital Trustees Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export
Limited (UCTL) is a subsidiary
(Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE)
of United Capital Plc a leading
and Merey (Venezuela).
financial services group in Africa
focused on leveraging technology
SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna
to empower businesses.
T H I S D AY ˾˜

ͰͲ˜
Ͱͮͯͷ 31

MARKET NEWS

Linkage Assurance Seeks Shareholders’ Approval to Raise Funds

Goddy Egene
The board of directors of
Linkage Assurance Plc is
seeking shareholders’ ap-
proval to raise fresh capital
in order to comply with the
new share capital requirements
for insurance firms as stipu-
lated by National Insurance
Commission (NAICOM).
To this end, the company has
convened an extra-ordinary
general meeting (EGM) for
October in Lagos, where the
board would be authorised to
raise fresh funds. In a notifi-
cation to the Nigerian Stock
Exchange (NSE), yesterday,
Linkage Assurance Plc asked
shareholders to increase its
authorised share capital from
N7.5 billion to N15 billion by
the creation of additional 15
billion ordinary shares of 50
kobo each.
The shareholders were
also expected to authorise
the director to raise addi-
tional equity capital for the
company up to the maximum
limit of the authorised share
capital whether by way of
special placement or public
offer, rights issue or other
methods or a combination
of any of them either locally
or internationally and upon
such terms and conditions as
the directors may deem fit
in the interest of company
and subject to the approval
of regulatory authorities.
Only last week, WAPIC
Insurance Plc applied to the
NSE to raise about N5.932 bil-
lion from existing shareholders
through a right issue.
Specifically, WAPIC Insur-
ance applied to make a
right issue of 15,613,194,623
ordinary shares of 50 kobo
each at 38 kobo per share
on the basis of seven new
ordinary shares for every
six ordinary shares held.
Shareholders of WAPIC
Insurance Plc had last
June approved that the
authorised capital base be
increased to N15 billion
in the light of ongoing
recapitalisation exercise
in insurance industry.
Meanwhile, the stock mar-
ket opened for the week on
a negative note as the NSE
All-Share Index fell by 0.15
per cent to close at 27,657.27,
while market capitalisation
shed N20.2 billion to be at
N13.5trillion. Based on this,
the year-to-date decline has
worsened to 12 per cent.
Also, activity level
declined as volume and
value traded fell by 38.2
per cent and 85 per cent to
109.6 million units and N888.2
million respectively. The most
active stocks by volume were
FBN Holdings Plc (20.3 million
shares), Transcorp (9.8 million
shares) and Access Bank plc
(9.7 million shares) while FBN
Holdings Plc (N114.3 million),
Dangote Cement Plc (N102.9
million) and Zenith Bank
Plc (N84.5 million) led by
value.

P R I C E S F O R S E C U R I T I E S T R A D E D A S O F 2 3 / 0 9 / 2 0 1 9
MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET QUANTITY VALUE TRADED MAIN BOARD DEALS MARKET QUANTITY VALUE TRADED
PRICE TRADED ( N ) PRICE TRADED ( N)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 ˾
T H I S D AY 32

MARKET NEWS
FMDQ Boss Lists Benefits of Depository Subsidiary to Financial Markets
Goddy Egene This he said is one of the core central securities depository collateral caching, asset servicing risks in the nation’s financial partnerships and alliances
characteristics of a mature capital (CSD), FMDQ Depository and settlement services in the markets by linking securities formed by the FMDQ entities,
The Managing Director/Chief market and the depository and Limited last month. Nigerian financial markets, and cash in a way that enhances whilst engaging its critical
Executive Officer, FMDQ attendant custodial service is According to him, as a offering market participants delivery versus payment, thus stakeholders, including
Securities Exchange Plc, Mr. one of the key ingredients of strategically positioned CSD, an unrivalled opportunity to facilitating seamless settlement regulators and market
Bola Onadele.Koko has said that developed global markets. FMDQ Depository will experience enhanced straight- finality. participants, across the value
an effective and fully developed Onadele stated this against complement the clearing through-processing. Ahead of operationalising chain, on its operational
securities depository system is the background of the function discharged by He explained that FMDQ its business franchise, FMDQ readiness to implement value-
essential for maintaining and commencement of operations by FMDQ Clear by providing Depository is positioned to Depository commenced added product and service
enhancing market efficiency. the exchange’s wholly owned the requisite framework for significantly reduce principal leveraging on strategic offerings.
A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or
vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors.
Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors
Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF.
Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total
that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on
An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report
of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total
bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return.
etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 20- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate
shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Sep-2019, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com
AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888
Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.52%
Afrinvest Equity Fund 141.94 143.81 -9.80% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.17 2.19 0.49%
Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 12.64% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.81%
Nigeria International Debt Fund 273.36 273.36 0.05% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 130.92 130.81 4.68%
ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com
Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.88 0.88 4.41% Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.17 1.19 6.13%
ACAP Income Funds 0.77 0.77 34.95% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,119.69 1,119.69 9.73%
AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com
Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260
AIICO Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Equity Market Fund 9.81 9.89 -8.25%
ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.14%
Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632
ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A
ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Balanced Fund 1.29 1.32 5.13%
ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.97 12.08 7.34%
AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.38%
Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227
AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.72%
CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com SCM Capital Frontier Fund 123.06 123.12 1.72%
Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400
CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.86 1.86 11.05% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.03 1.03 10.45%
Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS
Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.60% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
Paramount Equity Fund 12.19 12.29 3.20% Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,368.42 2,379.85 2.30%
Women's Investment Fund 108.33 109.07 4.64% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 204.89 204.89 7.76%
CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.84 0.85 -11.05%
Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 266.26 266.36 9.76%
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.60% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 145.86 147.42 -10.61%
Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 96.37 97.06 Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.09%
Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 97.46 98.27 Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,567.64 7,649.75 -10.90%
CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.14 1.14 5.52%
Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 100.56 100.56 0.00%
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD
Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887
Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Balanced Fund 1.14 1.15 -2.54%
EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com United Capital Bond Fund 1.66 1.66 10.47%
Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281
United Capital Equity Fund 0.65 0.66 -9.83%
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 12.18% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.72%
EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.07% United Capital Eurobond Fund 109.29 109.23 8.15%
EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,108.53 1,114.73 11.55% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.04 1.05 5.15%
FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng
Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,242.54 1,243.32 11.03%
Zenith Equity Fund 9.96 10.13 -5.44%
FBN BALANCED FUND 140.74 141.67 -1.43%
FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.39% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.24 11.42 -6.35%
FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 119.89 120.27 8.45% Zenith Income Fund 22.28 22.28 10.19%
FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 120.19 120.57 8.98% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.68%
FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A
FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com
REITS
Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn
Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596
FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund 5.40 -44.85%
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
SFS Skye Shelter Fund 117.09 5.40%
Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.69%
Union Homes REIT 53.10 2.63%
Legacy Debt Fund 3.53 3.53 8.96%
Legacy Equity Fund 1.07 1.09 -12.55% EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.07 1.07 3.72% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 8.32 8.42 -16.33%
Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 SIAML Pension ETF 40 88.28 90.19 -24.73%
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund 70.89 72.24 -20.03%
Coral Growth Fund 3,008.59 3,039.95 0.83% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com
Coral Income Fund 3,005.84 3,005.84 9.69% Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697
FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 12.49% Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn
GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.42 3.46 -14.34%
Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.30 5.38 -30.35%
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 12.01 12.11 -17.79%
Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.08%
Nigeria Entertainment Fund 110.72 111.73 3.10% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 10.84 11.04 -12.24%
GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 148.79 150.79 12.63%
Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Fund Name NAV Per Share Yield / T-Rtn
GDL Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.39% Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund 108.34 17.40%
The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on
each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 ˾
T H I S D AY
INTERNATIONAL
After 178 Years, Thomas Cook Collapses
as Last-ditch Rescue Effort Fails
Chinedu Eze with agency report
After last minute talks to
save the 178-year old holiday
firm, Thomas Cook, it finally
collapsed yesterday with 150,000
travellers stranded.
According to BBC, the UK
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
said the tour operator had
“ceased trading with immediate
effect”, so its four airlines would
be grounded.
The company failed after it
was unable to secure emergency
funding.
The British government said
the return of the 178-year-old
firm’s 150,000 British customers
now in vacation spots across
the globe would be the largest
repatriation in its peacetime
history. The process began
Monday and officials warned
that delays are inevitable.
With the collapse of the
holiday firm, its 21,000
employees in 16 countries,
including 9,000 in the U.K., will
lose their jobs. The company
several months ago had blamed
a slowdown in bookings
because of Brexit uncertainty
for contributing to its crushing
debt burden.
The company had said last
Friday it was seeking 200 million
pounds ($250 million) to avoid
Brexit: UK Labour Rejects
Campaign to Remain in EU
Britain’s opposition Labour
Party descended into chaos
on Monday as it narrowly
rejected a grass-roots attempt
to force leader Jeremy Corbyn
to campaign to remain in the
European Union and reverse the
outcome of the 2016 Brexit vote.
The 119-year-old party’s
annual congress turned into
a showdown between its
irreconcilably splintered pro- and
anti-Brexit wings.
Opinion polls show Corbyn’s
efforts to unite the two by either
delaying a decision on departure
or putting it in hands of voters
in a likely early election have led
to a dramatic drop in support.
But a motion to force the party
to “campaign energetically for
a public vote and to stay in the
EU in that referendum” was
lost in a show-of-hands vote
that appeared too close to call,
to many watching in the hall.
“In my view, it was carried,”
congress chair Wendy Nicholls
announced after surveying the
hands of 1,200 delegates packed
into hall in the English south
coast resort city of Brighton.
“No, sorry, it was lost,” she
corrected herself a moment later.
Nicholls dismissed pleas
from one pro-EU delegate who
jumped on stage to ask for a
recount.
The results was a triumph
for the veteran socialist Corbyn
— the official leader of Britain’s
opposition since 2015 — and
a painful blow for a clutch of
leaders who broke ranks and
tried to turn Labour into an
unambiguously pro-European
party.
“We must fight with every
fibre of our beings to say
between now and 31 October,
and afterwards if there is
a general election, that any
terms of departure, from any
going bust and was in weekend
talks with shareholders and
creditors to stave off failure.
The firm, whose airliners were
a familiar sight in many parts of
the world, also operated around
600 U.K. travel stores.
The company’s chief
executive, Peter Fankhauser,
said in a statement read
outside the company’s offices
Monday morning that he deeply
regretted the shutdown.
“Despite huge efforts over a
number of months and further
intense negotiations in recent
days we have not been able
to secure a deal to save our
business. I know that this
outcome will be devastating
to many people and will
cause a lot of anxiety, stress
and disruption,” he said.
Britain’s CAA said it had
arranged an aircraft fleet for
the complex British repatriation
effort, which is expected to last
two weeks.
“Due to the significant
scale of the situation, some
disruption is inevitable, but the
Civil Aviation Authority will
endeavor to get people home as
close as possible to their planned
dates,” the aviation authority
said in a statement.
Describing the repatriation
plan, British Transport Secretary
Grant Shapps said dozens of
government, must go back to
the British public for the final
say,” Labour’s foreign affairs
spokeswoman Emily Thornberry
insisted in an impassioned
address.
“Because conference, we are
an internationalist party.”
The result means that Labour
will leave the conference in the
same position that it came in —
in favour of a second referendum
but against openly campaigning
for or against.
The strategy has not been
working with voters, who
appear to want clear options
as the country races toward an
October 31 exit from Europe
without a plan for future trade.
Two surveys published over
the weekend put Labour 15
percentage points behind Prime
Minister Boris Johnson’s ruling
Conservatives and in danger
of losing second place to the
pro-EU Liberal Democrats.
Grass roots activists spent
hours deep into Sunday night
trying to come up with a single
Brexit motion that could be put
up for a vote at the conference
on Monday.
They ended up with three.
They first passed a motion
proposed by Corbyn and backed
by the ruling executive in a secret
ballot that infuriated numerous
delegates over the weekend.
It sees Labour adopting no
official Brexit position in the
general election campaign.
But it promises to consider
coming up with one “through
a special one-day conference,
following the election of a
Labour government”.
Labour would then stage a
second referendum in which
voters would be given the choice
of either backing a new Brexit
agreement negotiated by Corbyn
or staying in the EU.
charter planes, from as far afield
as Malaysia, had been hired
to fly customers home free of
charge. He said hundreds of
people were staffing call centers
and airport operations centers.
“The task is enormous, the
biggest peacetime repatriation in
WELCOME MR. PRESIDENT…
L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; Nigerian Consul General, Mr. Ben Okoyen, Sales and Marketing Officer, Mr. Siddharth Kohli, and
Hotel Manager, UN Plaza, Mr. Thom Caska, when the president arrived for the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
in New York...Sunday
Seven Children Killed, 57 Injured after Classroom Collapses in Kenya
Kenyan Government on
Monday confirmed that seven
pupils were killed and 57 others
injured after a classroom at a
primary school in Nairobi
collapsed.
Cyrus Oguna, a government
spokesman, said at a press
conference that the classroom
at the Precious Talent Academy
in Nairobi’s western suburb of
Congo to Introduce Second Vaccine against Ebola in Mid-October
The World Health Organisation
(WHO) on Monday said Congo
would introduce a second
vaccine against Ebola from
mid-October, as the country
continues to battle the second-
worst outbreak of the disease
in history.
WHO Director-General
Tedros Ghebreyesus said
in a statement that the
DRC authorities have once
again shown leadership and
determination to end the
outbreak as soon as possible.
Ex-Zimbabwean President Mugabe Died of Cancer, Says Mnangagwa
Zimbabwen President, Emmerson
Mnangagwa, said on Monday that
former President Robert Mugabe
died of advanced cancer and had
already been taken off chemotherapy.
Mnangagwa told supporters of
Netanyahu Wins Majority of Votes to Head New Israeli Govt
Fifty-five members of the
Knesset parliament on Monday
called on Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, the head
of Likud party, to form the next
government, compared to 54
votes for the opposition Blue
and White political alliance,
according to media reports.
On Sunday, Israeli President
Reuven Rivlin began two-day
consultations with elected parties
to pick a politician with the best
chance of forming a coalition
U.K. history. So there are bound
to be problems and delays,” he
said.
British travel expert Simon
Calder told Sky News that
Thomas Cook’s problems started
in 1994 when the “open skies”
agreement allowed upstarts
Dagoretti, collapsed at 7.30 am
(0430 GMT).
A community leader said the
first casualties were evacuated
to a nearby Catholic clinic by
motorbike, because ambulances
took an hour and a half to arrive.
The Red Cross announced on
its Twitter account that it had
set up information and tracing
desk and would be offering
The haemorrhagic fever has
infected more than 3,000 people
and killed at least 2,000 since
an outbreak was declared 13
months ago in Congo’s volatile
eastern region.
The WHO declared it an
international health emergency
in July, after the disease spread
to Goma, a major urban centre
near the border with Rwanda.
The WHO said second
vaccine, manufactured by
Johnson & Johnson, will be
given to at-risk populations
the ruling party ZANU-PF in New
York that Mugabe had to be taken
off the chemotherapy because it
was no longer effective.
Mnangagwa is in the U.S. for
the 74th session of the UN General
government.
According to the Israeli
Channel 13, the round of
consultations at the president’s
headquarters ended with
Benjamin Netanyahu’s mandate
to form the government.
Netanyahu’s party Likud
and allies have secured 55
seats, while Gantz’s Blue and
White-led alliance won 54, the
channel reported.
The broadcaster added that
Netanyahu got the mandate
easyJet and Ryanair to flourish.
At the same time, he said, the
Internet became widely used
for travel bookings, lessening
the demand for Thomas Cook’s
travel agencies.
“There’s still of course a place
for travel professionals, there’s
psychosocial support services.
Distraught parents and
members of the public railed
at the school’s administration
for what they termed the poor
structural quality of the collapsed
building.
One parent told dpa that
the collapsed building was an
iron-sheet walled, one-storey
building, with the first floor
in areas that do not have
active Ebola transmission as
an additional tool to extend
protection against the virus.
Congolese authorities have
said they want to target small-
scale Congolese traders who
cross into Rwanda.
The current vaccine,
produced by Merck, has been
given to more than 223,000
people at high risk of Ebola,
including those who had
contact with an infected person.
Congo’s former health
Assembly.
Mugabe died in Singapore on
Sept. 6, and his body was brought
home on Sept. 11. A funeral service
attended by regional leaders was
held at the National Heroes Acre
after the National Democratic
Alliance (Balad party), an ally
of the Arab Joint List, said it did
not support the List’s position
to vote for Benny Gantz.
“The only government which
can be formed is a broad unity
government.
“The only way to reach such
a government is to sit down
and talk with an open mind,”
Netanyahu said on Twitter.
On its turn, the Yisrael
Beitenu political party led by
33
a place for the package already,
as companies like Jet2 and TUI
are demonstrating, but Thomas
Cook was behind the curve and
I’m afraid with high costs such
as those expensive high street
premises they simply couldn’t
cope,” he said.
built of a concrete slab.
The school’s manager, Moses
Ndirangu, said the collapse
could be the result of ongoing
sewer works on one side of the
classrooms.
Local lawmaker, John Kiarie
said the school is located in an
impoverished informal settlement
and the quality of the structures
may not be up to par.
minister, Oly Ilunga, had in
July criticised what he said
was pressure to use a new
Ebola vaccine to try to stem
the spread of the virus.
He is now under
investigation for allegedly
embezzling Ebola funds.
Curbing the spread of the
virus in eastern Congo has
proved difficult because of
the numerous rebel groups
operating in the area and a
local population are suspicious
of health workers.
on Sept. 14, now lying in state at his
home in Harare while a mausoleum
was built for him at the national
shrine. However, a family source
said they were now in charge of
the funeral.
former defense chief Avigdor
Lieberman refused to support
any of the elected candidates.
The final results of the election
will be presented to Rivlin on
Sept. 25.
The president will meet
with the leaders of the parties
elected to parliament to discuss
the nominee for the office of
prime minister.
After the nominee is chosen,
he will have 42 days to form a
viable coalition.
34 T H I S D AY ˾


ͰͲ˜
Ͱͮͯͷ

IMAGES Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ
ÔËÖË

Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

L-R: Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Mr Benaoyagha Okoyen; President, Africa Peace Support LLC, Mr Shola Omoregie; President, Go Africa LLC, Mr Dennie Beach and CEO Africa Diaspo, Mr Salim Soumbounou during the 2019
edition of the expo in New York, USA...recently

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, AFP Limited, Mr. Tope Agunbiade; Special Assistance to Ondo State Governor on
Investment, Mr. Boye Oyewunmi; General Overseer, Pavilion of Faith Global Church, Apostle Anthony Fasipe and L-R: Chairman/CEO, Blaugrana Group, Leslie Oghomienor; Parent/Special Guests, Children International School,
CEO, Rozet Limited, Prince Larry Adeyemo, at the Pavilion of Faith Global Church 5th Anniversary, in Lagos.... Lekki, Shiva Kumar; Mrs. Onwubuariri Elizabeth; Mr. Tayo Awosanya and Technical Director, Barca Academy, Mr.
recently PHOTO: KOLA OLASUPO Jorge Couto, at the Barca Academy Parents Forum in Lagos...recently

L-R: Daughter of the deceased, Adaoha Ubani; wife of the deceased, Ochuwa Ubani; President, Women Arise, L-R: Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor and Celebrant, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; his
Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin; Human Right Lawyer, Femi Falana SAN; and Chirman, NBA Ikeja Branch, Prince Dele wife, Oluremi; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa; his wife, Falilat Olusola; APC
Oloke, during the 14th remembrance anniversary of late Chima Ubani at NBA Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos... Chieftain, Chief Mutiu Are and the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Yetunde
recently PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI Arobieke, during the 55th birthday ceremony of the Deputy Governor in Lagos...recently PHOTO: KOLA OLASUPO

L-R: District Governor 404B2, Lion Wesley Kafidiya; New President, Osun New Era Lions Club, Lioness Prof.
Olubukola Oyawoye and her Husband, Prof. Enoch Oyawoye, during the investiture ceremony of Oyawoye as 6th L-R: Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye and Chief
President of Osun New Era Lions Club, in Osogbo...recently PHOTO: FELIX ADEMOLA Ighoyota Amori, during the Governor’s Inspection of Sapele/Warri Express Road, Delta State…recently
36 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 ˾
T H I S D AY
NEWSXTRA
Tribunal Sacks Benue Assembly Deputy Speaker
George Okoh in Makurdi
A National and State Assembly
Election Petitions Tribunal
sitting in Makurdi, Benue
State capital has nullified the
election of the Deputy Speaker
14 Abducted Passengers
Rescued in Osun
Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
The police in Osun State
have announced the rescue
of 14 persons kidnapped by
suspected Fulani herdsmen
at Ajeokun junction, Otan Ile/
Imesi Ile road in Obokun Local
Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner of
Police, Mrs. Abiodun Ige, made
the announcement yesterday
evening while speaking with
THISDAY on the phone.
According to the police
commissioner, all the abducted
victims were rescued unhurt,
adding that she could not
confirm whether their abductors
were Fulani herdsmen or not.
The victims were passengers
of a commercial bus that
was attacked last Sunday by
kidnappers.
The passengers were
ambushed at Ajeokun Junction
between Otan Ile and Imesi Ile
in Obokun LGA of the state,
and later taken to a hideout by
their abductors.
It was gathered that the
kidnappers pointed guns at the
bus and ordered the passengers
to come out before they were
I’m Seeking Judicial Redress
against Faulty Primaries,
Says Alaibe
Segun James
A governorship aspirant under
the platform of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), in
Bayelsa State, Mr. Timi Alaibe
has declared his intention to
seek judicial redress in order
to correct the wrong done to
him in what he termed a faulty
party primaries conducted by
the PDP in the state, adding
that he had no intention to
dump the PDP for another
party.
Alaibe, in a statement signed
personally by him, said that
despite controversies arising
from the “inexcusable faulty
processes that preceded the
PDP governorship primary
election in Bayelsa State, it
was the collective decision of
those who believe in the future
of Bayelsa State, and indeed
the future of democracy in
Nigeria, that I, Ndutimi Alaibe,
an aspirant in that race, should
seek judicial redress over the
manipulated processes that led
to the unacceptable outcome of
that election. This was based
on the indisputable belief
that a faulty process cannot
produce a good and acceptable
result.”
He described going to court
as the obvious best option:
“Some people have questioned
the need for a court process.
The answer is simple: any
injustice that is not challenged
and corrected will surely be
repeated. And we will be
the victims. As an advocate
of peace and non-violence, I
decided to accept the advice
of the stakeholders and seek
justice through legal means.
of the state House of Assembly,
Mr. Chris Adaji of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP).
The Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC)
had declared Adaji as the
winner of the March 9 poll
whisked away to an unknown
destination.
The driver, according to the
information, would have escaped
but the deplorable state of the
road hindered him.
However, Osun State
Coordinator of the Oodua
People’s Congress (OPC), Chief
Aladesawe Adedeji, said all the
14 abducted victims have been
rescued.
Adedeji, who named Ganiyu
Waheed as one of the OPC
members who led the
operation to free them, said
the rescue was made possible
with the joint efforts of OPC,
vigilance group, police, DSS
officers among others.
He said they rescued the
victims unhurt after a gun duel
with the suspects before they
(the abductors) took to their
heels when they discovered
they could no longer bear their
fire powers.
The OPC coordinator
warned kidnappers to relocate
out of the state or surrender,
saying: “Very soon, we are
going to come out in full force
to fight them.”
“Although this was
misunderstood by some
people, I want to sincerely
thank my supporters and
indeed all lovers of democracy
and the rule of law for their
understanding and massive
support so far. I salute your
calmness and perseverance in
the face of great injustice. But
please understand that I need
you now more than ever.”
Alaibe disclosed that people
have suggested that he should
simply dump the PDP and
accept the various offers
by other political parties so
that “we would realise our
vision of implementing the
Blue Economy and Project
Dolphin in Bayelsa State.
That is indeed an excellent
suggestion. It demonstrates the
depth of confidence people
have in my capacity and
competence to deliver on
my promises no matter the
political platform.
“Others have also advised
that I remain in the PDP,
seek justice and contribute
to the complete reformation
of the party. This, also, is a
beautiful suggestion that must
be considered.
“There is no doubt that the
Bayelsa people want to know
the way forward after the huge
disappoint. I am as concerned
as you have been. Let me say
that I have diligently listened
to your suggestions and I have
decided to act appropriately.
In arriving at this decision
regarding the way forward,
I am conscious of the fact that
this is not about any political
party. It is not even about me
as an individual.”
with 397 votes and cancelled
1,056 votes in the two polling
units of Igbanomaje and Odega.
But delivering its judgement
yesterday, the Tribunal led by
Justice R. O. Odudu, held that
the margin with which Adaji
led Musa Alechenu Ohimini
of All Progressives Congress
(APC) was less than the
number of votes cancelled.
The Tribunal said INEC
ought to have ordered for a
rerun in the affected polling
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS…
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dipe Foluso Adebayo; Permanent
Secretary, Public Service Office (PSO), Mr. Ajibade Samson Olusegun; Director General, Office of Transformation, Creativity and Innovation
(OTCI), Mr. Toba Otusanya; and Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro, during a Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum on Ease
of Doing Business by Lagos State Office of Transformation, Creativity and Innovation, for Stakeholders in the Built Environment in Lagos
...yesterday
Community Leader, Two Others Killed in Plateau Attack
Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
Three days after a meeting
to broker peace between the
natives and Fulani herdsmen
in Bassa Local Government
Area of Plateau State was
convened at the instance of the
state Peace Building Agency, a
community leader and two of
his subjects have been killed
by gunmen suspected to be
Fulani herders.
Following previous persistent
clashes in the local government
area especially between the
Irigwes and the Fulani, the
Peace Building Agency in the
state last Saturday organised
a peace parley with the
stakeholders in the council on
the need to live in harmony.
The two groups agreed to live
in peace with each other after
the meeting.
But yesterday morning,
gunmen suspected to be
Fulani herdsmen pounced
Obi Berates Ngige over Comments on Road
Construction Controversy
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
The vice presidential candidate
of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) in the last election,
Mr. Peter Obi, has asked
the Minister of Labour and
Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige,
to always put his age into
consideration in all he does,
describing him (Ngige) as being
too old for mischief-making.
Obi further told Ngige to
focus his energy on how to
make Nigeria work rather
than continuing to engage
units or declared the election
inconclusive.
Justice Odudu held that the
declaration and return of Adaji
without a rerun in Otega and
Ogadagba ward is invalid by
reason of non-substantial
compliance with the Electoral
Act 2010 (as amended). The
Tribunal, therefore, issued an
order for the withdrawal of
certificate of return issued to
Adaji and an order directing
INEC to conduct a rerun in
on some farmers at Hukke
village and killed a community
leader identified as Elder Musa
Yelvuh, and Mrs. Ladi Wuh
and Mrs. Laraba Audu, who
were working in their farms.
Four other persons escaped
with various degrees of injuries.
Spokesman of Miango Youth
Development Association,
Mr. Lawrence Zongo, said
investigations revealed that
those who carried out the
attack were Fulani herdsmen
from the neighbouring village,
adding that the latest attack
was a surprise to the people
of the local government area
considering the recent peace
meeting held.
Also speaking, the National
President Irigwe Development
Association, Hon. Sunday
Abdul, said the attack clearly
portrayed that the herdsmen
did not want peace, adding that
with the meeting convened by
the Peace Building Agency last
in mischief.
The PDP vice presidential
candidate in the last election,
who spoke through his
Media Adviser, Mr. Valentine
Obienyem, in a statement made
available to journalists, was
reacting to statements allegedly
made by Ngige that he was
ashamed of the quality of roads
constructed by his successors.
Obi, through Obienyem,
wondered why Ngige loves
attacking him, who had not,
except during electioneering,
attacked him (Ngige), but
the two polling units where
elections were cancelled within
90 days.
Vincent Tortsugh, who
appeared for the petitioners,
described the decision of the
Tribunal as “reasonable,”
adding that “we didn’t expect
anything other than this.”
The APC candidate
described the decision as a
testimony of the wishes of the
people, saying by the decision,
the judiciary has reaffirmed
Saturday, it was least expected
that another killing would take
place three days after.
He said; “These people
don’t want peace; anytime
there is move for reconciliation
and peace, they strike. We
have become their prey, they
bounce on us any time they
want, and their plan is to
dislodge us from our ancestral
land. But one thing is certain,
we cannot become slaves in
our own land.”
Reacting to the incident,
Director General of the state
Peace Building Agency, Mr.
Joseph Lengmang, who
strongly condemned the
killings, said the latest attack,
in spite of the Saturday peace
meeting held in the area, was
a ploy by merchant of violence
to re-ignite clashes in the local
government area.
He said: “It is a
condemnable act; we are
devoted to peace building
rather compliments him on
his modest achievements on
roads.
According to the statement,
“What are most condemnable
in Ngige’s attacks are the lies
he tells just to bring Obi down.
How could he mention roads
such as Abatete-Nteje-Aguleri-
Otuocha Road, Igboukwu-
Ezenifite-Umunze and Iseeke
Roads, and deliberately forgot
that Obi did greater portions
of those roads?”
Obienyem said it was
instructive that over 90
35
that it remains the last hope
of the people.
“I want to appreciate the
Tribunal for the good job done.
Let me appreciate the people
of Ohimini for standing behind
me during the period of the
legal struggle,” Alechenu said,
while insisting that he would
win the rerun.
Adaji’s counsel, Ken Ikonne
said he would consult his client
before taking any further
decision.
KOLA OLASUPO
in this state. Though there
are peace spoilers among us,
their act would not deter us
from pursuing peace. The
plan of this set of people is
to undo whatever we are
doing to promote peace.
“However, we will not be
deterred because our target is
peace. All those who cherish
peace must team up with the
agency, as we are determined
more than before regardless
of what is happening. What
happened is discouraging but
we are not going to relent.”
Meanwhile, the state
Chairman of Miyetti Allah
Cattle Breeders Association
(MACBAN), Mallam
Mohammadu Nura, has
said he was not aware of any
incident in Bassa.
The state Police Public
Relations Officer, DSP Mathias
Terna Tyopev, could not
be reached on phone for
confirmation.
percent of the roads Ngige
mentioned were done in his
local government area.
He said though Obi used
local contractors in line with his
policy of supporting his own
people, just like he supported
Innoson and other industrialists
in the state, majority of the
roads Obi did, like the
Umueze-Anam-Nmiata Road
was done by RCC; Ayamelum
and Onitsha Roads done by
Nigercat; Head bridge-Upper
Iweka Road was done by the
CCC.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY 37
38
NEWSEXTRA
Buhari Mourns Chief Trade Negotiator
Francis Ndubuisi in Abuja
President Muhammadu
Buhari has condoled with the
family of Nigeria’s Chief Trade
Negotiator and Director General
of the Nigerian Office for Trade
Western Ijaw Threatens to
Fight Back over Denial of
NDDC Headship
Dike Onwuamaeze
The Western Ijaw Consultative
Assembly (WICA) has
threatened to resist the current
injustice being meted out
on the Ijaws in Delta State
by the federal government
with all the resources within
its possession, especially loud
and painful denial of its sons
and daughters the statutory
appointments and opportunities
that were due to them.
WICA warned those who
were still in doubt of what
the Ijaws could do to recall
that “if the Ijaws of the Niger
Delta sneezes, Nigeria shall
not only catch cold, Nigeria
will starve.”
The assembly said in a
press statement signed by
the Chairman and Secretary
of WICA, Mr. Ebipade Gbegha
and Mr. Ogbein Zidideke
respectively that the injustice,
marginalisation and oppression
meted on the Ijaws would no
longer be endured in silence
and humility so that it would
not amount to stupidity.
The WICA singled out what
it termed the deliberately
painful exclusion of the
Ijaw indigenes in the recent
provocative appointment of
another Urhobo national as
Managing Director of the
Niger Delta Development
Commission (NDDC), Mr.
Bernard Okumagba instead of
an Ijaw person as the height of
the oppression of the Ijaws by
the administration of President
Muhammadu Buhari.
The assembly stated that the
appointment of Okumagba
Oil Pipelines Threaten Completion
of Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project
Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
The federal government’s plan
to meet the December deadline
for the completion of the Ibadan-
Lagos standard gauge railway
project may be frustrated by the
hurdles of relocation of crude
oil pipelines, water pipes, and
electricity equipment along the
tracks at the Apapa seaports.
The Minister of Transportation,
Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, gave the
hint yesterday while briefing the
journalists yesterday shortly after
inspecting level of work of the
ongoing project at Ibadan, Oyo
State capital.
Though the laying of the
tracks from the Agbado-Ibadan
may have been completed,
the contractors- China Civil
Engineering Construction
Company (CCECC) are still
finding it difficult to relocate the
pipelines obstructing the rail tracks.
Amaechi disclosed that the
issues of water pipes, gas, and
fuel pipelines were major challenge
but, that of the bridges have been
settled.
Negotiations, Ambassador
Chiedu Osakwe.
The President’s condolence
message was communicated
through a statement by his Senior
Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu,
would be the third time an
Urhobo would be at the helms
of the affairs of the NDDC
at the expense of the Ijaws
in Delta State that had never
tasted the position.
“We are calling on all well-
meaning Ijaws to rise up and
protest against this robbery
and injustice. We are aware of
sycophants and traitors in our
midst playing selfish anti-ijaw
politics on this very important
issue, and we warn them
to desist. We are calling on
President Muhammadu Buhari
to correct this injustice as a
matter of urgency. Remember,
even thunder warns before
striking,” the assembly said.
Gbegha and Zidideke
regretted that the NDDC,
which was established to cater
for the oil bearing/impacted
communities of the Niger-Delta
and appointments to the board
was meant to be carried out
rotationally to foster fairness,
peace and harmony amongst
the various nationalities of the
region, has become a tool for
victimisation and oppression
the Ijaws in Delta State.
“From inception, the office
of the managing director of
the NDDC, has been occupied
twice by the Urhobos and one
Urhobo has also occupied the
Office of Executive Director,
whereas their Delta Ijaw
brethren has never been
considered for the MD position.
“Now, time and the principle
of rotation as enshrined in the
NDDC’s Establishment Act,
has offered the good people of
Delta State the opportunity to
produce at least another MD.
“From Iju to Apapa, there is the
problem of urbanisation. This has
to be dealt with,” Amaechi said.
According to the minister, flour
mills will not be a problem.
“We will talk with them; pay
them compensation and demolish
the portion we need.
“But there is a pipe they have
which is very dangerous, it comes
from Escravos and the moment
you shut that pipe, there will be
fuel scarcity.
“We can’t afford fuel scarcity; so,
we can’t afford to shut it down.
Of concern to the contractor is
the relocation of the Flour Mill
Factory constructed on the existing
narrow gauge track.”
Speaking further, he decried
the slow pace of work by the
contractor, CCECC, adding that the
company has not done too well.
“I used the phrase too well
because at a time, they did us
proud by trying to push this job.
They claim that at the end of the
last government, we were owing
them some money and we had
not given approvals for the extra
and additional jobs.”
in Abuja.
Osakwe passed on in a Swiss
hospital after a brief illness.
A separate statement issued
yesterday by the Head, Strategy
and Communications, NOTN,
Emenike Chibuzor said Osakwe
passed on in the early hours of
Sunday, September 22 2019, in
Geneva, Switzerland, where he
was receiving treatment.
The late Osakwe was
SERVICE TO MANKIND… …
L-R: Past President, Rotary Club of Lagos Island, District 9110 Nigeria, Rotary International, Rotarian Sanjeev Tandon; District 9110
Nigeria Governor, Rotary International, Dr. Jide Akeredolu; newly installed Charter President, Rotary Club of Eko Atlantic, Dr. Sunit
Deb Roy; and the Doyen of the past District 9110 Nigeria Governors, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, at the installation of Roy as the
Charter President of the club in Lagos…yesterday
FIRS Debunks Allegation of Supporting
APC with N90bn
James Emejo in Abuja i
The Federal Inland Revenue
Service (FIRS) has denied
allegations that it supported
the All Progressives Congress
(APC), through Vice President
Yemi Osinbajo with the sum
of N90 billion for elections.
Responding to reports
published by some online
platforms and daily newspapers
(Not THISDAY), which had
suggested that the Osinbajo
had been in trouble following
the controversy which had
trailed the election funds,
the FIRS described the reports
as “mendacious, wicked,
malicious and a calculated
Wike Lifts Suspension on Employment at Rivers University
Ernest Chinwo in Port
Harcourt
Rivers State Governor,
Nyesom Wike, has directed
the Governing Council of
the Rivers State University to
continue with the suspended
employment exercise for
academic and non-academic
staff.
While inaugurating the
University Students’ Union
building yesterday at the school
premises, Wike said he was
Sowore Alleges Maltreatment by DSS
The co-convener of
#RevolutionNow protest,
Mr. Omoyele Sowore, who
has been in the detention
of the Department of State
Services (DSS) since August
3, 2019, has accused the DSS
of maltreating him.
The National Legal Adviser
of African Action Congress
appointed as the pioneer DG
of NOTN on June 6, 2017.
The President noted that the
passing of Osakwe had created
a gulf in the Nigerian Office
for Trade Negotiations, which
he served as pioneer Director
General.
He said the deceased had
brought and exhibited invaluable
experience, knowledge and skill
in setting up and motivating the
attempt to smear the image
of the service and that of
Osinbajo.” The alleged media
reports had been attributed to
the former Deputy National
Publicity Secretary of the APC,
Frank Timi.
However, in a statement
made available to THISDAY,
the FIRS said:” this campaign
of calumny and vilifying false
claims are entirely, libellous,
unfounded in fact, irresponsible
and a brazen assault on the
integrity of the service as a
responsible and accountable
organisation and demonstrates
an abysmal ignorance of the
budgetary and expenditure
process of the FIRS”.
compelled to suspend the
exercise because of the negative
issues that bedevilled it.
The governor said: “I
suspended the process for the
employment exercise due to
the issues that emanated from
it. The committee that I set up
to investigate the process has
turned in its report, and I am
satisfied with the report of the
committee. Therefore, I have
informed the pro-Chancellor to
go ahead with the employment
exercise.”
(AAC), the political party
on whose platform Sowore
contested the presidential
race in this year’s general
elections, Inibehe Effiong
shared the “Transcript from
DSS Interrogation of Sowore
Upon Abduction – Excerpt
1,” on his Facebook page
yesterday.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 ˾
T H I S D AY
operations of the agency that
was established in 2017.
Buhari commiserated with all
friends, relations and professional
associates of the deceased.
He acknowledged that
Osakwe served the country
for many years as Foreign
Service Officer, before joining
the Word Trade Organisation,
and later accepting to return to
the country as a Trade Adviser
It explained that contrary
to claims by the report, the
agency had not received up
to N100 billion per annum
as cost of collection from the
Federation Accounts Allocation
Committee (FAAC) since its
current Executive Chairman,
Mr. Tunde Fowler assumed
office in the last four years.
The agency further explained
that it was from the remittances
from FAAC—which had never
grossed up to N100 billion per
annum, that FIRS pays the
salary and emoluments and
trains its over 8,000 staff, runs
over 150 offices and provides
for other needs of the service.
As a result, it argued that
Wike said unlike other
leaders, he has never interfered
with the admission and
employment processes of any
institution in the state. He said
his transparent approach to
administration gives him the
moral power to discipline any
erring official.
Also, the governor has
approved the construction
of an ultra-modern Senate
Building for the Rivers State
University. He said if the pro-
Chancellor and the acting Vice
According to the transcript,
Sowore was interrogated by
five DSS operatives in the
presence of his lawyer, one
“Barrister Sam.”
DSS operative identified as
Usman Usman, was said to
have told Sowore that, “we’ll
be asking you questions and
our advice is for you to be
to the Ministry of Industry, Trade
and Investment, and Director
General of NOTN.
The President affirmed that the
intellectual depth, fervour and
sense of patriotism that Osakwe
handled responsibilities would
be sorely missed, ”especially the
frontline and historical role of
chairing the Negotiating Forum
of the African Union (AU) from
June 2017 to March 2018.
“It is not plausible nor does
it make any sense that FIRS
will commit its resources to
a phantom campaign of N90
billion as suggested by Frank,
adding that FIRS does not fund
political associations.”
The statement added that
it was therefore “unthinkable,
malicious and irresponsible for
the said Frank to insinuate or
infer that N90 billion or any
part thereof could be spent
illegally and without budgetary
approval.”
The revenue agency,
therefore urged the public
to disregard the allegation
as it did not reflect the
truth.
Chancellor make the design
available on time, the building
would be completed by the first
anniversary of his second term.
He called on the Students’
Union leadership to use the
new facility to fight against
cultism, harassment of female
students and examination
malpractices.
Wike urged the acting
Vice-Chancellor to be firm
and ensure that the university
continues to move forward
academically.
truthful to the best of your
knowledge. We’ll not force
you to say anything. Whatever
question we ask and you have
a problem with or you don’t
have an answer to or you don’t
want to answer, there is no
compulsion, you simply tell
us you’re not going to answer
these questions.”
˜

ͺͼ˜
ͺ͸͹΁
˾
T H I S D AY
TUESDAYSPORTS
Messi Wins Record Sixth FIFA Best Player Award
Argentina and Barcelona
forward, Lionel Messi, won
Men’s Player of the Year at
the Best FIFA Football Awards
for a record sixth time last
night in Milan.
USA’s 2019 Women’s World
Cup star, Megan Rapinoe
emerged winner of the Best
Woman award.
Messi was voted ahead of
Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo
and Liverpool’s Virgil van
Dijk.
The 32-year-old Argentine
who helped Barcelona win La
Liga and reach the semi-finals
of the Champions League,
previously won the award
in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and
2015
Liverpool Manager Jurgen
Klopp won the men’s Coach
of the Year.
Klopp was nominated
for the award along with
two other Premier League
bosses - Manchester City’s Pep
Guardiola and Tottenham’s
Mauricio Pochettino.
Liverpool beat Spurs in the
Champions League final in
June and came second in the
Premier League in 2018-19.
The Reds have also won
THE BEST, IN FULL
Men’s Player:
Women’s Player:
Men’s Coach:
Women’s Coach:
Men’s Goalkeeper:
Women’s Goalkeeper:
Puskás Award:
Fan Award:
Fair Play Award:
Men’s World11: Alisson; Matthijs de Ligt, Marcelo, Sergio
Ramos, Virgil van Dijk; Frenkie de Jong, Eden Hazard, Luka
Modric; Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi
Women’s World11: Sari van Veenendaal; Lucy Bronze, Nilla
Fischer, Kelley O’Hara, Wendie Renard; Julie Ertz, Amandine
Henry, Rose Lavelle; Marta, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe
CHAN 2020
We are Sorry over the Loss
to Togo, Home-based Eagles
Beg Nigerians
Home-based Eagles have
apologised to Nigerians for
the poor result they posted
against Togo on Sunday in an
African Nations Championship
(CHAN) qualifying match. The
players led by goalkeeper
Ikechukwu Ezenwa apologised
to Nigerians for the shameful
outing and promised to repay
the Sparrow Hawks in bigger
coins in the second leg and
claim the Cameroon 2020 ticket.
Sparrow Hawks of Togo
thrashed the Eagles 4-1 in
a first leg, second round
qualifying match of the 2020
CHAN despite the Nigeria
being the first on the scoresheet
after only eight minutes.
Addressing a disappointed
Nigerian Ambassador to Togo,
Joseph Olusola Iji after the
match, Ezenwa said what had
happened on Sunday evening
had gone to the past as the
team would redeem itself in
the final leg of the fixture on
October 19.
“Sir, we have been truly
honoured by your fatherly
care for us since we arrived
in this country. The Embassy
has ensured everything worked
for our comfort here. We
are pained that we could
not reciprocate with a good
result from this match. As a
all six league matches at the
start of 2019-20.
“It is great, nobody expected
this 20, 10, five, four years
ago that I would be standing
here,” said Klopp.
“We know what an
incredible job you (Mauricio
Pochettino) did and what
Pep did. I have to say thank
you to my outstanding club
Liverpool FC.
“To the owners thank you,
they gave me an incredible
team. I have to thank my
team - as a coach you can
only be as good as your team
is. I’m really proud of being
manager of such an incredible
bunch of players.”
In accepting the award,
Klopp announced that he
is joining the Common Goal
initiative set up by Manchester
United midfielder Juan Mata.
It means the Reds boss will
donate 1% of his salary to
the charity, which pledges to
“generate social change and
improve lives”.
Liverpool goalkeeper
Alisson was also a winner
as he took the Best Goalkeeper
prize ahead of Manchester
City’s Ederson and Barcelona’s
Lionel Messi
Megan Rapinoe
Jurgen Klopp
Jill Elliss
Alisson
Sari van Veenendaal
Daniel Zsori
Silvia Grecco
Marcelo Bielsa
team we apologise for what
has happened. What we are
saying to you and Nigerians is
that we are sorry and that we
would make it up by securing
the ticket. Kindly exercise some
patience with us.
“What we are saying in one
sentence is that we will qualify;
it is not over yet.”
The Ambassador who had
promised the team dinner in his
residence kept to his promise
in spite of the result at Stade
de Kegue.
“We are all pained but I
understand how it works in
sports; sometimes you win and
sometimes you lose. I ask that
you put this result behind you
and work towards the ultimate
goal of qualifying. The only
way to make all Nigerians
happy again and give back our
voice to us in this country is
that you beat them well when
they visit Nigeria. And I am
sure that you can achieve that.”
The leader of delegation,
NFF Board Member Alhaji
Ganiyu Majekodunmi said:
“Your Excellency, I can tell
you that this is far from the
expectation of the Federation.
But these young ones have
truly shown remorse. They
were so dejected to leave their
hotel again.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa
won the Fair Play award
after he ordered his team
to allow Aston Villa to score
an uncontested equaliser
Lionel Messi (left) and Megan Rapinoe displaying their awards at the FIFA Best awards in Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, Italy…
last night
Amuneke Warns Rohr on Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori
England, Canada wait in the shades to cap them at senior level
Duro Ikhazuagbe
As Nigerians are clamouring
for invitations to be extended to
Chelsea stars, Tammy Abraham
and Fikayo Tomori, former
Super Eagles and Barcelona
winger, Emmanuel Amuneke
has called for caution, insisting
that Abraham in particular
should be critically examined
in view of options available to
the national handlers.
Abraham has been the major
talking point of the new English
Premier League season since his
impressive goal-scoring form for
Chelsea, where he has netted
seven goals in six games.
Although both Abraham
and Tomori have played age
grade competitions for England
and Canada respectively, the
are both qualified to play for
any country of their choice since
none of them have been capped
Sports Minister Tasks NBBF Board Members on More Laurels
The Minister of Youth and
Sports Development, Mr. Sunday
Dare, met with the Executive
Board of the Nigeria Basketball
Federation led by Musa Kida
in Abuja on Monday.
The meeting, according to
the spokesman for the NBBF
Board, Afolabi Oni, “is part
of the ongoing drive by the
CBN FC Beats Unity Bank FC 1-0 to Win 2019 AFIFC
The Central Bank of Nigeria
Football Club has won the
2019 All Financial Institutions
Football Club (AFIFC)
competition after defeating
Unity Bank Football Club
by a lone goal at the game
played at the Pa Ngele Oruta
Stadium, formerly known as
Abakaliki Township Stadium.
The only goal of the
pulsating match was scored
by Lazarus Ijale, via a spot
kick in the 63rd minute of
the game.
during their 1-1 draw in
their Championship match
in April.
Eighteen-year-old Daniel
Zsori won the Puskas award
for the best goal with his
in competitive tournaments in
line with FIFA rules.
But Amuneke who led
Tanzania to the last AFCON
2019 in Egypt before he was
relieved of the job due to the
inability of the Taifa Stars to go
beyond the group stage, insisted
that trying to lure Abraham to
play for Nigeria in the Brazil
friendly in Singapore next
month appears hasty.
The AFCON 1994 winner
/Atlanta ’96 Olympic gold
medalist told Soccernet.ng
Coach Gernot Rohr to focus
on building the confidence of
other strikers such as Victor
Osimhen and Henry Onyekuru
before extending an invitation
to Abraham.
“At this point in time, it
will be a distraction for the
team if the Nigeria Football
Federation and the Super Eagles
Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr
Minister to get all federations
on the same page ahead of the
2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.”
Preparations for the Tokyo
2020 Olympics and training
plan for the male basketball
team D’Tigers, who have
secured a ticket and the
women’s team D’Tigress,
with three more games in the
Speaking at the event, which
was graced by former Super
Eagles star, Victor Ikpeba, the
CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin
Emefiele, commended all the
teams that participated in the
competition, and stressed that
the tournament was one of the
Bank’s foremost and oldest
Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) functions.
Mr. Emefiele, whose remarks
were delivered by the Deputy
Director in the Corporate
Communications Department
Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe
Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com
0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY
spectacular 93rd-minute
overhead kick for Debrecen
against Ferencvaros, just after
he came on as a substitute for
his Hungarian league debut
in February.
continue to focus their attention
on Chelsea forward, Tammy
Abraham.
“Yes, Abraham has shown
that he’s a quality striker going
by the number of goals he has
scored for Chelsea this ongoing
season. However, trying to lure
him to play for the Super Eagles
Tammy Abraham
qualifiers were discussed at
the meeting.
“There were also discussions
on NBBF’s financial situation
with a view to exploring new
funding options as well as a
report submitted by NBBF in
response to a request by the
ministry,” stressed Oni.
Dare expressed excitement
of the Bank and Head of the
Public Relations Division, Mrs.
Veronica Aqua, noted that the
bank remained committed to
contributing to the promotion
and development of football
in the country, in addition to
its contributions in golf and
tennis.
He noted that the AFIFC
had become a very significant
tournament among financial
institutions in Nigeria,
particularly as it created
an opportunity for social
39
His strike beat Messi’s chip
from the edge of the penalty
area against Real Betis and
Juan Quintero’s powerful
30-yard free-kick for River
Plate against Racing Club.
against Brazil when he has not
made up his mind won’t be
the best choice at the moment.
“Besides, Victor Osimhen has
been impressive for his club,
Lille in the Ligue 1, scoring
goals at will. He should be
encouraged and not be
distracted.
Fikayo Tomori
over the qualification of the
D’Tigers for the Olympics and
pledged the ministry’s support
towards NBBF’s preparation for
the games.
According to Dare, “Nigerians
are now beginning to take note
of the excellent performance of
the various basketball teams and
are eager for more.”
interaction among financial
institutions and regulators
as well as facilitated the
promotion of harmony in
Nigeria’s financial system.
While congratulating
the winners of this year’s
competition, the CBN Governor
assured all stakeholders that
the apex bank would sustain
its sponsorship of the event,
even as he urged financial
institutions to continue
to uphold the spirit of
sportsmanship.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI
abati1990@gmail.com
Presidential Powers and the VP
P
resident Muhammadu Buhari recently
set up an Economic Advisory Council,
to replace the country’s Economic
Management Team. He also moved
some departments and agencies of
government to the new Ministry of Humanitarian
Affairs, Disaster Management and Social
Development. I don’t see why this should
become a source of agitation and frustration
for some Nigerians. The Economic Advisory
Council is chaired by Professor Doyin Salami, a
seasoned intellectual. The members are persons
of great technocratic ability with a track record
of achievement as economists and policy wonks.
The Council will meet every month and meet
with the President every quarter. The Nigerian
economy can certainly benefit from new ideas
and perspectives. It is also refreshing to see the
President put together a team that is not made up
of party members, dead woods, or sycophants.
Each member of the Economic Advisory Council
inspires confidence. There is a consensus that
the President got it right with the list. What
the Advisory Council needs is the President’s
support and an enabling environment for it
to be able to make a difference. How do we
achieve double-digit economic growth? What
are the fiscal and monetary policies that can
position the Nigerian economy differently, for
better performance? What do we need to do to
reduce unemployment? What kind of injection
does the real sector need? The Council can
also help generate robust discussions within
government on key issues that affect all of us.
It is also a good development that the President
is personally taking charge of the economy. The
Council will report to him directly. I don’t have
a problem with that.
I also like the idea of a new Ministry of
Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management
and Social Development. Such a sharply-focused
Ministry should serve as a strategic hub for the
management of the many disasters that keep
occurring across the country. The missing link in
existing efforts is the lack of co-ordination and
synergy among various agencies and between
the states and the Federal government. This
ministry could help send a signal that the
Nigerian government now intends to place a
higher premium on human lives. It is about
time the country took disaster management and
humanitarian care more seriously.
I expected many Nigerians to focus on the
value of these two initiatives. Instead, what I
hear is a disturbing conversation about how both
amount to an “enemy action” to whittle down
the influence and authority of the Vice President,
Professor Yemi Osinbajo. Previously, the Vice
President was the chairman of the Economic
Management Team and the National Economic
Council. The first is an ad hoc administrative
structure focusing on the economy; the latter is
a statutory, constitutional body. I do not share
most of the views that have been expressed,
or the obvious attempt to politicize what in
reality is within the authority of the President.
Afenifere says for example, that the “office of
the Vice President has been rendered useless,
impotent and irrelevant.” How? Just because the
President sets up an Economic Advisory Council
and created a new Ministry to ensure greater
service delivery in a critical area of national
concern? The Movement for the Actualization
of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) says Vice
President Yemi Osinbajo is being “maltreated”
and “that the unconstitutional stripping of Prof.
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UT H
Tuesday September 24, 2019
MISSILE
Catholic Bishops to FG
“We observe that our democracy is derailing from what it should be. The qualities
of accountability, transparency, independence of the judiciary, respect for
fundamental rights, observance of the rule of law, and fair and credible electoral
process, to mention only these, are still lacking”
– Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria declaring that living in Nigeria has become
precarious and that the country’s democracy is derailing.
Buhari
Yemi Osinbajo’s official attributes amounts to
…continuous humiliation of Christians in high
positions of current administration of President
Muhammadu Buhari.” There you go. Nigerians
are always quick to play the ethnic and religious
card. Some other commentators claim that they
see the hands of an anti-Osinbajo cabal in the
matter. At least one Pastor has prophesied
that the cabal will fail. Others have argued
that certain forces are determined to stop Vice
President Osinbajo just in case he is nursing a
2023 Presidential ambition. Persons have been
named who have been penciled down as the
VP’s likely replacement. The various conspiracy
theories seem suspicious.
Of course, I know that there is never a shortage
of mischief-makers in the corridors of power.
The relationship between Presidents and Vice
Presidents and between Governors and their
Deputies has also always been quite tricky in
Nigerian politics. Should the President become
incapacitated or he is removed from office, the
Vice President replaces him. He is thus just a
step away from the office. Deputy Governors
stand in the same regard to the Governors in
the states. With the kind of politics that we
play, Governors and their supporters always
keep an eye on the Deputy Governor. If he
shows any sign of disloyalty or ambition, all
the hawks within the system will go after him
and ensure that he is removed, marginalised
or humiliated. Presidential politics is worse.
The Presidency is clearly the highest office in
the land, it is the home of even more vicious
intrigues. And indeed we have had cases in the
past of conflicts within the Presidency, between
the President and the Vice President. Many will
recall how the relationship between President
Olusegun Obasanjo and then Vice President
Atiku Abubakar deteriorated rapidly after the
2003 Presidential election. The Presidential Villa
practically became a war zone. All kinds of
opportunists cashed in on this and there was
never a shortage of salacious tales emanating
from the Villa, from faceless persons casually
referred to as “sources within the Presidency.”
Those “sources” are at work again. But we all
need to learn from the past. A divided Presidency
short-changes the people. Many will also recall the
travails of President Goodluck Jonathan as Vice
President to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
There was a deliberate attempt to frustrate him
by those who did not want him as a successor
to the late President whose tenure was defined
majorly by the politics of illness and death.
When President Yar’Adua left the country for
N
& RE A S O Price: N250
medical treatment, there were persons within
and outside the Presidency who insisted that
VP Jonathan would not be allowed to act as
President. It took the intervention of men and
women of reason and the National Assembly for
the letter and spirit of the Constitution to take
effect. When VP Jonathan became President, he
chose Arc. Namadi Sambo, then Governor of
Kaduna State, as his Vice President. Arc Sambo
and President Jonathan had a good, rancor-free
working relationship, but that does not rule
out the fact that certain mischief-makers tried
to come between them.
My view is that Professor Yemi Osinbajo
would rank as one of the most influential and
visible Vice Presidents that Nigeria has had
since the return to civilian rule in 1999. With the
possible exception of Atiku Abubakar between
1999 and 2003, he has been able to engage the
public and connect with the people in a manner
no other Vice President before him, did. This
probably explains why there has been so much
concern about his place in the Presidency, and
his relationship with his principal. It also explains
why he may attract envy and criticism. I like the
fact that he has been very calm and dignified in
the face of it all. He has refrained from making
any statement that may convey the impression
that he also believes the narrative that some
persons, wielding long knives, are out for him.
He has not shown any desperation in the face
of speculations that he may be removed, nor
has he responded to any suggestion that he is
under pressure to resign. His media team has
not over-reacted. I commend him for his tact,
and for staying above the fray.
However, one person who is convinced that
the Vice President’s office is truly under siege
told me the other day that Professor Osinbajo
should go to court. Why would he allow the
President to take away his powers over the
management of the economy, including bodies of
which he is statutorily the Chairman? I laughed.
I told the person that the Vice President will
do no such thing. He has no special powers
of his own except powers delegated to him by
the President, and even that is entirely at the
discretion of the President. It is not impossible
that many of the persons who are protesting
that the Vice President is being marginalized
are also under the illusion that there is a power
sharing arrangement between the President and
the Vice President of Nigeria. No. There is no
such thing. Even the VP’s Chairmanship of the
National Economic Council, under Section 18
of the Third Schedule is at the pleasure of the
President; in any case, the Economic Council,
like the Economic Advisory Council, and many
such bodies is merely an advisory body. There
is only one President of the Federation. He
is granted so many powers under the 1999
Constitution, the Nigerian President is almost
a constitutional monarch. He is the country’s
chief economic manager. He is the “head of
State, the Chief Executive of the Federation
and Commander-in-Chief of the Federation”
(Section 130(2). Whereas in defining the powers
of the Federal Government, the Constitution
vests legislative (Section 4) and judicial powers
(section 6) in institutions and not individuals,
Executive Powers (section 5) are vested in the
person of the President. It is as follows:
“5(1): Subject to the provisions of this
Constitution, the executive powers of the
Federation –
(a) shall be vested in the President and may,
subject as aforesaid and to the provisions of
any law made by the National Assembly, be
exercised by him either directly or through the
Vice-President and Ministers of the Government
of the Federation or officers in the public service
of the Federation”
In other words, the Vice President exercises
executive powers only as delegated by the
President. The manner and extent to which
he does so is at the entire discretion of the
President as provided in Section 148 (1): “The
President, may in his discretion, assign to the
Vice President or any Minister of the Government
of the Federation responsibility for any business
of the Government of the Federation, including
the administration of any department of
government.” The operative phrase here is “may
in his discretion”. And for the benefit of those
wondering whether the President acted rightly
by setting up an Economic Advisory Council,
Section 151 of the Constitution refers - to wit:
“The President may appoint any person as a
Special Adviser to assist him in the performance
of his functions.”
This, to the best of my knowledge, is the
position of the Constitution on how the Vice
President stands in relation to Presidential powers.
In the eyes of the Constitution, the buck stops
at the President’s desk. His government fails
or succeeds strictly on the basis of the choices
that he makes. He is not first among equals.
He is the boss. The Vice President is at best his
number one aide and adviser. The circumstances,
however, under which the Vice President can
replace him or act on his behalf are properly
spelt out in the same Constitution. It is not for
nothing that the Presidential Election Petition
Tribunal in a ruling on the 2019 Presidential
election recently declared that the Vice President
is an ‘appendage.”
When I canvass this view, I am told that I
don’t understand the politics that is currently
going on in the Villa. My suspicion is that the
people who are playing politics are the people
latching on to the announcement of an Economic
Advisory Council or the revelation that the Vice
President must take directives from the President
(which is not a problem by the way), to project
their own fears onto the national screen- namely
their ethnic interests, religious sentiments and
personal interests. They do so in rather hyperbolic
terms. Just as there are persons threatening to
march on the Villa “to defend our VP”, there
are those who are seizing the moment to launch
personal attacks on the Vice President.
Those who claim to be defending him may
be expressing their admiration of him – it is
clear he has a followership and a constituency
behind him - but they should be careful not to
damage his politics and his relationship with
his principal. There is definitely also a lesson
here for the President and the Presidency.
Perception is everything. Given Nigeria’s politics
of suspicion, even the most innocent of gestures
could create wicked problems; hence, government
must always think ahead and communicate
with greater clarity. Flip side: it is definitely
clear that Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s followers
want him to be given more responsibilities,
not a demotion. They don’t want him to be
used and dumped, no matter what. Off the
books, beyond legalese: address this perception
problem. Above all, something must be done
about those so-called “reliable sources” in the
Presidency. I never liked them. They only make
things difficult for everyone.