STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS NEW LEADERSHIP IN ARTS, CULTURE, AND CREATIVE ECONOMY SECTOR

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of eleven (11) new Chief Executive Officers for agencies under the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy:

(1) Tola Akerele — Director-General, National Theatre

(2) Dr. Shaibu Husseini — Director-General, National Films and Censors Board

(3) Mr. Obi Asika — Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture

(4) Aisha Adamu Augie — Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Culture

(5) Ekpolador-Ebi Koinyan — Chief Conservator, National War Museum

(6) Ahmed Sodangi — Director-General, National Gallery of Art

(7) Chaliya Shagaya — Director-General, National Institute of Archeology and Museums Studies

( Hajiya Khaltume Bulama Gana — Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria

(9) Otunba Biodun Ajiboye — Director-General, National Institute for Cultural Orientation

(10) Ali Nuhu — Managing-Director, Nigerian Film Corporation

(11) Ramatu Abonbo Mohammed — Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments

The President mandates the appointees to discharge their duties in accordance with the highest standards of professionalism, diligence, and patriotism with a view to making the creative sector more vibrant and robust.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
January 12, 2024

The Supreme Court has affirmed Governor Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru (APC) as duly elected and returned as Governor of Ebonyi State in the 18th March Governorship poll.[/b]

The tribunal and Appeal Court had earlier dismissed the petitions and affirmed INEC's declaration of the APC Candidate.

Justice Tijani Abubakar JSC who read the lead judgment held that the appeal filed by Chukwuma Odii of the PDP is unmeritorious.

The court noted that a petition alleging non-qualification must be brought on grounds of section 177 of the Constitution.

When a candidate is sponsored by his party, he is qualified to contest an election

The Supreme Court has re-affirmed Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (PDP) as duly elected and returned as Governor of Bauchi State in the 18th March Governorship poll.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Mohammed winner with 525280 votes against All Progressives Congress (APC)'s Sadique Abubakar who scored 432272 votes.

The tribunal and Appeal Court had earlier upheld Mohammed as Governor.

I like to add my voice with most Nigerians concerned about accountability in government and judicious use of public funds, I welcome the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Ms. Betta Edu, and subsequent directives for her investigation.

While the action of the government is a welcome development, the investigation must be comprehensive so that all those culpable are brought to book.

The suspension of the Minister should not be a window-dressing action but should be a peg to get at all those who are deserving of blame and punished just like the Minister. By a sad coincidence, the alleged fraudulent diversion of N585 million of public money by Ms. Edu broke almost at the same moment that the Minister who held the same portfolio in the last administration is being investigated for a whopping N37bn misappropriation. The Ministry may have been created by the system as a conduit pipe to siphon public funds while using the poor as a face. Equally worrisome and disgusting is the fact that the missing funds are meant for poverty alleviation in a time of severe suffering among the people.

Unfortunately, a ruling elite that can shamelessly convert, divert, or misappropriate such huge sums meant for the poor cannot be trusted to address the severe poverty ravaging the people.

It is not only immoral but also insensitive for those entrusted with funds for public welfare to literally steal from the poor. I call on the administration to use these cases to initiate a thorough system-wide and systematic investigation of all reported cases of fraud and corruption among high government officials in the country. I join all Nigerians in calling on the government to accord the problem of public sector corruption the severe urgency it deserves. -PO

The Central Bank of Nigeria has dissolved the board and management of four banks in a move that is seen as the implementation of the report of the Special Investigator on Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Related entities, Jim Obazee.

The banks are Titan Trust Bank, Union Bank, Polaris Bank, and Keystone Bank.

The decision to dissolve the boards was taken after a meeting between Yemi Cardoso, Obazee, and the board and management of the four banks.

The dissolution is coming after the investors in Titan Trust Bank refused to honour the invitation to a meeting with the Special Investigator.

All the four banks are involved in the special investigations on how the CBN was run under Godwin Emefiele, the former governor who was ousted soon after President Tinubu took office last May.

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and Titan Trust Bank (TTB), is facing an uncertain future following the special investigation report on the activities of the central bank under Godwin Emefiele.

President Tinubu directs cost-cutting measures on official travels affecting his office, VP's and office of the First Lady.

President Bola Tinubu has slashed by 60 per cent the travel expenditure of government officials in his administration.

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the decision was part of cost-cutting measures of the Presidency.

He said that the decision will affect the office of the President, Vice President, First Lady, Ministers and heads of agencies.

He said, “Tinubu has directed that all state entourages be drastically reduced. This is not a request. It is a directive. The office of the president and staff will be affected. VP, appointees are affected.

“By this directive, there will be a slashing of expenditure on official travel by 60 per cent.”

He said consequently the President is limited to 20 number of staff outside the country.

He also said every minister is limited to having just four members of staff on any foreign trip while heads of agencies are limited to just two.

Ngelale said Tinubu has also said that he will no longer travel with huge security delegations to any state in the country.

The presidential spokesman also added that if the president travels to any state, the security in the state will take care of his security and the same applies to the vice president and other top government officials.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT @officialABAT DISMISSES TWO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

In conformity with plans to restructure and reposition critical agencies of the Federal Government towards protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers and providing a strong basis for enhanced contributions to the nation's economy by key growth-enabling institutions, President Bola Tinubu has dismissed the following Chief Executive Officers:

(1) Mr. Babatunde Irukera —EVC/CEO, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)

(2) Mr. Alexander Ayoola Okoh— Director-General/CEO, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)

The two dismissed Chief Executives are directed to hand over to the next most senior officer in their respective agencies, pending the appointment of new Chief Executive Officers.

By this directive of the President, their removal from office takes immediate effect.

Chief @AjuriNgelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

January 8, 2024

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of an FCT High Court on Monday awarded N100 million in damages to suspended former governor of the central bank of Nigeria, CBN, against the federal government and Economic and financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for violations of his rights.

The embattled Emefiele had dragged the Federal Government, Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, EFCC to enforce his fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, fair hearing and freedom of movement.

Mr Emefiele sought a declaration of the court that his continued detention by the agency of the first and second respondents since June 10, 2023 and subsequent transfer to the custody of the third and fourth respondents on October 26, 2023 without being arraigned in court is unlawful.

He said the respondents in deviance of several valid subsisting court orders for his release amounts to a grave violation of his fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He, therefore, among others sought an injunction restraining the respondents from further arresting and or further detaining him up on his release by the court without proffering a criminal charge against him.

He also sought damages of N1 billion in his favour for the violation of his fundamental rights.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Federal Government has total control of all waterways in the country, including the right to levy and license operators in the sector.

The apex court in its ruling declared that states attempting to regulate the sector and impose levies on businesses operating in the nation’s inland waterways were acting wrongly, unlawfully, and illegally.

In an appeal marked SC/CV/17/2018, the court held that States lack the constitutional right to impose levies on businesses operating in the nation’s inland waterways.

The appeal was filed by the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, and the Nigerian Maritime Standard and Safety Agency, NMSSA, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, as well as the Minister of Transport.

According to the supreme court, the existing legal framework exclusively assigns control over activities within the nation’s inland waterways to the Nigerian Government, executed through its agencies – the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigerian Maritime Standard and Safety Agency (NIMASSA) – without any provision for involvement by other tiers of government.

The appeal filed in 2018 was prosecuted for the appellants by a team of lawyers led by Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), now the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice.

The Supreme Court agreed with Fagbemi’s argument that NIWA is the only agency saddled with the responsibility to levy, impose, and charge utilization rates along the declared waters of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority.

It stressed that

“NIWA is the rightful and legal agency of the Federal Government with the powers to exclusively manage, direct and control all activities on the navigable waters and its right of way throughout the country for inland navigation, under Sections 8 and 9 of NIWA Act.”

Backstory

The Supreme Court restored the judgment delivered on March 28, 2014, by Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Lagos. It reversed July 18, 2017, judgment of the Court of Appeal (Lagos division), which set aside the Federal High Court judgment.

The Court of Appeal had, among others, held that the inland waterways within Lagos State, not captured by the National Inland Waterways Act, are within the legislative competence of the state’s Legislature and that the state could collect taxes/levies on businesses on waterways which start and terminate in the state.

Confronted with a regime of multiple charges by the agencies of both the Federal and Lagos governments, ATBOWTN and DAN in 2012 filed a suit, marked FHC/L/CS/543/2012, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, to determine which tier of government was empowered by extant laws to license and levy business operators on the nation’s inland waterways.
In his judgment on the case, Justice Tsoho held, among others, that NIWA and NMSSA are the proper and lawful agencies with authority in matters relating to the commercial activities of ATBOWTN and DAN, who are involved in water tourism, water transportation, and sand dredging within the national inland waterways.

The decision of Justice Tsoho was, however, set aside by the Court of Appeal in its July 18, 2017 judgment on the appeal, marked CA/L/886/2014, filed by the Governor of Lagos State and three others.

NIWA and three others challenged the Court of Appeal’s decision at the Supreme Court, which in the January 5, 2024 judgment reversed the decision of the lower court and affirmed the March 28, 2014 judgment by Justice Tsoho of the Federal High Court.

OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION

Press Release

January 6, 2024

*OAGF DOES NOT MAKE PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF MDAs*

The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Dr Oluwatoyin Madein, has clarified that the OAGF does not make payments on behalf of MDAs for projects and programmes implemented by the MDAs.

The AGF was reacting to media reports concerning a request from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to pay grants to vulnerable groups in some States of the Federation.

She stated that allocations are released to self-accounting MDAs in line with the budget, and such MDAs are responsible for the implementation of their projects and payments for such projects.

In a statement in Abuja, the AGF explained that although her Office received the said request from the Ministry, it did not carry out the payment. The Ministry was, however, advised on the appropriate steps to take in making such payments in line with the established payment procedure.

The AGF noted that in such situations, payments are usually processed by the affected Ministries as self-accounting entities and no bulk payment is supposed to be made to an individual’s account in the name of Project Accountant.

She added that such payment should be sent to the beneficiaries through their verified bank accounts.

Dr. Madein reiterated her determination to uphold the principles of accountability and transparency in the management of public finances. She advised MDAs to always ensure that the requisite steps are taken in carrying out financial transactions.

Bawa Mokwa
Director (Press)

The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has raised an issue of lack of fair hearing against the Court of Appeal in its judgment sacking him as the state governor.

Mutfwang, who raised the issue in his brief at the Supreme Court represented by an eight-man team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) led by Kanu Agabi, said “The law is settled that wherever there is a wrong, there must be a remedy.”

He said he presented eight points to the Court of Appeal to prove the validity of his election but only one was determined, adding that ignoring the seven other issues he raised by the Court of Appeal was against the directive of the Supreme Court that intermediate courts should pronounce on all issues placed before them.

He, therefore, urged the apex court to declare him as the validly elected governor of Plateau State.

The hearing of his brief by the Supreme Court is on Tuesday.

Mutfwang insisted that since he was not given a fair hearing, the Supreme Court should dismiss the judgment of the Court of Appeal which invalidated his election.

He added: “It is our further submission that having denied fair hearing to the appellant, with respect to the Notice of Preliminary Objection as well as a motion to strike out the incompetent grounds of appeal, the decision of the lower court to dismiss same is, with all due respect manifestly flawed.

“The implication of denial of fair hearing renders proceedings null and void.

“We respectfully urge the honourable court to invoke its powers in Section 22 of the Supreme Court Act by upholding the Notice of Preliminary Objection of the appellant embedded in his brief before the lower court and also granting the Motion of the Appellant filed on 2nd November, 2023 before the lower court by striking out grounds 1 – 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21 and 22 of the Notice and Grounds of Appeal of the 1st and 2nd respondents.”

He said he has attached enough evidence to prove that the Court of Appeal should not have cancelled his election.

He said: “The issue of nomination and sponsorship which underpinned Ground 1 of the petition is not only a pre-election but within the internal affairs of the 4th respondent and as such the 1st and 2nd respondents lacked the locus standi to canvass it.”

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are currently probing 52 companies over forex transactions.

According to reports on Thursday, the anti-graft agency was conducting a investigation on forex allocations to the companies during the tenure of Godwin Emefiele as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

LEADERSHIP recalls that President Bola Tinubu during a trip to Paris, France, described Nigeria’s financial system under Emefiele “rotten.”

Big companies including Dangote Group, BUA Group and 50 others were under the searchlight of the EFCC.

Former Anambra State Governor and ex-Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has launched a scathing attack on state governors, blaming their misuse of security funds for the continued insecurity situation across Nigeria.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Ojoto Ofala Festival in Anambra on Wednesday, Ngige levelled accusations that governors “erroneously believe security votes are pocket money for them,” and divert them from their intended purpose, thus contributing to the current security crisis.

“Security votes are meant to be spent by state governors to stabilize security in their different states,” Ngige emphasized, dispelling the notion that such funds are personal slush funds.

“They are not pocket money, but some governors have converted them to personal money,” he declared, drawing a direct link between misappropriation and the deteriorating security situation.

“Security is like information, publicity, when you are spending money on publicity, you won’t see it, it is not tangible, but you will see the effect. If you put stability in your security, you will see prosperity following it, because there will be economic activities.

“Insecurity has made economic activities to be destabilised in the South-East zone in the past 18 months, coupled with the sit-at-home; and all these activities by non-state actors who hide under the camouflage of Nnamdi Kanu to perpetrate criminality.”

Ngige’s remarks, delivered to journalists, represent a bold critique of state leadership and raises critical questions about accountability and resource allocation in tackling insecurity. His assertion that diverting security funds weakens the fight against crime and violence challenges governors to prioritize their responsibilities in ensuring public safety.

The issue of security vote usage has long been shrouded in opacity, with concerns about lack of transparency and oversight persisting. Ngige’s intervention, coming from a figure with experience in both state and federal administrations, adds fuel to the debate and demands a serious examination of how security resources are managed at the state level.

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, on Wednesday, shunned an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission probing the N37.1bn allegedly laundered during her tenure in office through a contractor, James Okwete.

Umar-Farouq kept interrogators waiting for over eight hours on Wednesday without an official communication to the commission as to why she didn’t honour the invitation.

The PUNCH reports that the former minister was asked to appear before investigators at the EFCC headquarters, Jabi, Abuja on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at about 10:00 am, to give an account of the alleged fraud that took place under her watch, a document exclusively seen by our correspondent on Saturday revealed.

However, our correspondent who was at the EFCC headquarters from 9 am to 6.30 pm confirmed that the former minister did not show up at the anti-graft agency’s office for interrogation.

An interrogator, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the interrogation team had to close from work at about 6pm when they were certain that the former minister was not going to show up.

“We just closed from work now because she didn’t show up today, and it’s 6pm already. It’s certain that she’s never going to show up today,” the source said.

Our correspondent who monitored development at the EFCC headquarters reported that journalists besieged the office in expectation of Umar-Farouq’s arrival.

The PUNCH had earlier exclusively reported that the EFCC invited the former minister to answer questions concerning an ongoing investigation into an alleged ₦37.1bn fraud uncovered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

The document partly read, “The commission is investigating a case of money laundering involving the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during your time as Minister.

“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly report for an interview with the undersigned. Scheduled as follows: Wednesday, January 3, 2024. 10:00 am. This request is made pursuant to Section 38 (I) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and Section 21 of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.”

The ex-minister could not be reached for comments on Saturday.

Also, when our correspondent contacted her former media aide, Nneka Ikem, over the development, she was evasive.

“As you’re asking me I’ll be asking you too, where did you learn from that the EFCC had invited her?” Ikem asked before ending the call.

Meanwhile, Umar-Farouq had earlier denied knowing the contractor, Okwete, who is still being held by the EFCC.

Responding to the development in a tweet on Monday, Umar-Farouq said, “There have been a number of reports linking me to a purported investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission into the activities of one James Okwete, someone completely unknown to me.

“James Okwete neither worked for, nor represented me in any way whatsoever. The linkages and associations to my person are spurious. While I resist the urge to engage in any media trial whatsoever, I have however contacted my Legal Team to explore possible options to seek redress on the malicious attack on my person.

“I remain proud to have served my country as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and would defend my actions, stewardship and programmes during my tenure whenever I am called upon to do so.”

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, declined comments.

“I’m not around at the moment, and I can’t speak on that, please,” Oyewale said.

Sunday PUNCH reported that the EFCC arrested Okwete in connection with the ongoing probe into the N37.1bn allegedly laundered by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development under the former minister, Umar-Farouq.

A top EFCC official, who confided in our correspondent on Sunday, said the contractor had made useful statements concerning Umar-Farouq and former director-generals of the ministry.

The development coincides with the probe of three other ministers, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, for graft estimated at N150bn.

“It is not only Umar-Farouq we are investigating. Three other former ministers are also under probe. They were allegedly involved in graft to the tune of N150bn,’’ a credible source in the EFCC had confided in our correspondent.

Umar-Farouq was the pioneer Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

She was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2019.

President Bola Tinubu on Monday afternoon signed into law the 2024 Appropriation Bill at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu signed the N28.7tn budget document earlier approved by the National Assembly hours after he arrived in Abuja from Lagos where he spent the past week holidaying.

The budget is N1.2tn higher than the budget he proposed to a joint session of the National Assembly on November 29, 2023.

Then, the President had pegged the budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year at N9.18tn.

He stated, “The N9.18tn deficit is lower than the N13.78tn deficit recorded in 2023 which represents 6.11 per cent of GDP.

“The deficit will be financed by new borrowings totalling N7.83tn, N298.49BN from Privatisation Proceeds and N1.05 trillion drawdown on multilateral and bilateral loans secured for specific development projects.”

He also emphasized the need to maintain the January-December implementation cycle saying “Our goal is to ensure that the Appropriation Act comes into effect on January 1, 2024,”

On Friday, December 29, 2023, the Senate increased the 2024 budget by N1.2tn, moving the budget from N27.5tn to N28.7tn.

According to the report submitted by the Appropriation Committee led by Senator Solomon Adeola, aggregate expenditure was pegged at N28,777,404.073.861; statutory transfers at N1,742,786,788,150; recurrent expenditure at N8,768.5330,852; capital expenditure at N9,995,143,298,028 and GDP at 3.88 per cent.

The former governor of Osun state and erstwhile minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has blamed lost of power of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun state on refusal of his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola to follow his dictate and precepts.

Aregbesola berated associates of Oyetola for nursing animosity against him without any reason and refusal to respect all the reconciliatory agreements sanction by President Bola Tinubu.

The ex-minister speaking in Yoruba language at end of the year party of his faction named Omoluabi caucus held in Osogbo capital of Osun state, stated that he begged Oyetola for three years but he refused which led to his lost at the 2022 gubernatorial election.

He said: “God spoke in Osun but people did not see what God did in Osun state. Three politicians including myself in Yoruba land, God made us to be successful. Awolowo started it, he finished his tenure and handed over to the person that he wished, the person did not do well until he lost the power. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu did 8 years tenure and he handed over to the person he wished, those he handed over to did the wish of the party and his wish, the party still retain power till date.

“The third person is myself… I was in government for 8 years, I handed over to the person I felt will do my biddings and follow my dictates but he betrayed me and the party, you can see the consequences.

“Those that are not patient, they are saying rubbish, when I endorsed Sheu. I begged for three years that we must not lose the state. I never fight anybody in the past, I don’t know the reason why they are fighting me.

He added: “They met us in the party. I told my people to support the government of my successor. In August 26th 2021, our overall boss told us to do a meeting with his representatives in Abuja, 31 people from my group met with the representatives. They agreed that they should consider our faction in government by giving us one-third of appointment. I agreed with it. I gave them conditions that will make me campaign for them for gubernatorial election, but nothing came out of it.

“We embarked on several journeys to ensure we have a formidable house to the poll but their spokesman said on OSBC that anybody who is not invited should not come. So I have to stay away.

“They organised several campaign of calumny against me, when things failed they started pushing blames on me for losing the election. We are here to enjoy the festive season. I can assure you that with our plans, by this time next year, you will know our next moves.”

Earlier, Aregbesola led his caucus including ex-secretary to the state government, Moshood Adeoti, Ex-Speaker, Najeem Salam, ex-APC chair, Lowo Adebiyi, Ex-Information Commissioner, Lani Baderinwa and others to the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun for courtesy visit.

Oba Olanipekun speaking in Yoruba said, “Osogbo will never forget Aregbesola. The ex-governor played prominent role in enthroning the incumbent government in Osun state. I believe that Aregbesola still have more influence and power in the politics of Osun state.”

1. Bauchi
2. Bayelsa
3. Benue
4. Borno
5. Cross River
6. Delta
7. Ebonyi
8. Edo
9. Enugu
10. Gombe
11. Imo
12. Jigawa
13. Kaduna
14. Kano
15. Katsina
16. Kebbi
17. Kogi
18. Kwara
19. Nasarawa
20. Osun
21. Oyo
22. Plateau
23. Rivers
24. Sokoto
25. Taraba
26. Yobe
27. Zamfara

𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐂𝐓 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝟑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

1. Lagos: $308.83m
2. Abuja: $194.66m
3. Abia: $150.09m
4. Ogun: $1m
5. Akwa Ibom: $65,000
6. Ekiti: $12,750

Throughout 2023, Nigeria’s business environment grappled with unprecedented challenges, chiefly influenced by the complexities of an election year.

Uncertainties surrounding election outcomes and policy directions led investors to adopt a cautious stance, influencing significant long-term investment decisions.

The year kicked off with artificial cash scarcity and a botched currency note redesign, initially hampering consumer spending.

Economic recovery in the second quarter was marred by the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange market, resulting in soaring inflation and considerable depreciation of the naira.

These macroeconomic hurdles, compounded by longstanding national issues, triggered a notable departure of companies from Nigeria in 2023.

Here’s an overview of significant exits:

Jumia Foods: A mobile app-based platform for restaurant discovery and ordering.
– Exit Date: December
– Reason: Pulling out of the food delivery business across African countries, citing the difficulty of the sector and a desire to focus on profitable ventures.

Procter & Gamble: An American multinational consumer goods corporation.
– Exit Date: December
– Reason: Dissolution of ground operations, reverting to an import-only business model due to Nigeria’s macroeconomic challenges and forex difficulties.

Bolt Food: The food delivery arm of the Estonian ride-hailing company, Bolt.
– Exit Date: November
– Reason: Strategic decision to optimize resource utilization and streamline overall efficiency.

Equinor: An international energy company.
– Exit Date: November
– Reason: Divestment from Nigeria’s petroleum industry, selling its stakes to Chappal Energies, aligning with a focus on international oil and gas portfolio.

Sanofi-Aventis Nigeria Ltd: A French pharmaceutical company.
– Exit Date: November
– Reason: Ceasing operations in Nigeria and adopting a third-party distribution business model, similar to GSK and P&G.

MABISCO Biscuit: An indigenous Nigerian biscuits company.
– Exit Date: October
– Reason: Shutdown of the multimillion-dollar plant in Ogun state, with plans to sell the company and focus on other business areas.

54Gene: A Genomics startup.
– Exit Date: September
– Reason: Closure after a tumultuous year marked by leadership changes, staff complaints, and legal issues, despite raising $45 million in funding.

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria: A British multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company.
– Exit Date: August
– Reason: Forex challenges disrupting operations, leading to a transition to a third-party direct distribution mode.

Lazarpay: A web3 and crypto payment company founded by 21-year-old Emmanuel Njoku.
– Exit Date: April
– Reason: Inability to raise funds, leading to the shutdown of the web3 and crypto payment company, operational for only two years.

The year underscored a tumultuous landscape for Nigerian businesses, showcasing exits across various sectors. From tech startups to multinational corporations, the exodus highlighted the profound impact of macroeconomic hurdles on the nation’s business community.

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), died on Wednesday after months of battling illness reported to be leukemia.

Family and top government sources confirmed the death of the former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, who died at 67.

With his death, Akeredolu became the third Nigerian governor to die while in office after the former Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa and ex-Governor Mamman Ali of Yobe State.

ROTIMI AKEREDOLU

On November 27, 2016, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) announced Akeredolu as the winner of the Ondo State governorship election having polled 244,842 votes to defeat his closest rivals, Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 150,380 votes and Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) who got 126,889 votes. He was sworn in as governor on February 24, 2017.

He won the battle to re-contest for the 2020 Ondo State governorship election after beating Olusola Oke, D.I. Kekemeke, Jimi Odimayo, Segun Abraham and others in the APC primaries.

On Saturday, October 10, 2020, Akeredolu was re-elected after polling 292,830 votes against his major opponents from PDP and the Zenith Labour Party, Eyitayo Jegede and Agboola Ajayi respectively. He was sworn in for a second term in office on February 24, 2021 alongside his new deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Akeredolu had been out of office at least since June 2023 when he officially transferred power to Aiyedatiwa and proceeded on a 21-day medical leave in Germany.

The leave, which was supposed to end on July 6, 2023, was later extended indefinitely as the governor continued to receive treatment in Germany.

He later returned to Nigeria on September 6 and resumed at his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, to recuperate amid lingering crisis bordering on governance faraway in Ondo.

From Aiyedatiwa’s running battle with the state Assembly members who moved to impeach him, to the sacking of his media aides by the governor, the political crisis in the Sunshine State has headlined the dailies on a regular basis. It took the intervention of President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the lawmakers.

There were repeated calls from different quarters, asking Akeredolu to either resign or resume office, but his handlers continued to give an impression that things were under control.

It became abundantly clear that all was not well when Kayode Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, raised the alarm in November that some commissioners forged Akeredolu’s signature to approve documents. The claim was confirmed a few days later by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Rasaq Obe.

On December 11, Akeredolu wrote to the state Assembly that he was proceeding on another medical leave. Although he handed over to his deputy, many have argued he should have resigned instead of transmitting power to Aiyedatiwa in acting capacity.

PATRICK YAKOWA

Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa served as governor of Kaduna State from 2010 to 2012 when he died in a helicopter crash. He was appointed deputy governor in July 2005, and returned as Kaduna number two citizen in the April 2007 election. He was sworn in as governor on 20 May 2010, succeeding former Governor Namadi Sambo who had been sworn in as vice president the day before.

Yakowa, 64, successfully ran for election as Kaduna Governor in the April 2011 poll and won. On December 15, 2012, Yakowa died in a helicopter crash along with the former National Security Adviser, General Owoye Andrew Azazi (rtd), while flying from Bayelsa State to Port Harcourt. They were returning from the funeral of Oronto Douglas’ father in Beyelsa when the incident occurred.

Others in the ill-fated helicopter crash were Dauda Tsoho and Mohammed Kamal, both aides, as well as the two pilots: Muritala Mohammed Daba and Adeyemi Sowole.

Yakowa’s deputy, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, was consequently sworn-in the following day as the state’s new governor by the state Chief Judge, Justice Rahila Cudjoe.

MAMMAN BELLO ALI

Mamman Bello Ali represented Yobe South Senatorial District between 1999 and 2007 and was the chairman senate committee on public account. He contested and won the governorship election in Yobe in 2007 under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and was in office until his death in 2009. He died of leukemia while receiving treatment at a hospital in Florida, United States.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU TO GOVERNORS: WE HAVE SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE NIGERIA’S PEACE AND STABILITY

President Bola Tinubu says the federal and sub-national governments of Nigeria have the mutual responsibility of ensuring the country's peace and stability.

Speaking during a meeting with the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) at his residence in Lagos on Tuesday, the President reiterated his condemnation of the latest killings in Plateau State.

Addressing the governors, the President issued a stern directive to security agencies to halt the carnage in Plateau State and intensify the pursuit of those responsible for the recent tragic events in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas.

Condoling with the victims, President Tinubu emphasized the sanctity of human life and called for a paradigm shift among those with contrary beliefs, cautioning them about the inevitable consequences of their actions.

"Nigeria needs peace and stability to move forward. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we have to take care of it," he said.

President Tinubu acknowledged the presence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State at the meeting, commending him for his efforts to peacefully resolve the political challenges in the state.

"I thank you for your statesmanship. I listened to your broadcast and your emphasis on peace. It is only with peace that effective governance can thrive, and governance has commenced in earnest under my watch," he said.

On the 2024 Budget proposals before the National Assembly, the President informed the governors that he had a review meeting earlier in the day on certain elements in the Appropriation Bill, with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu.

He emphasized the need for joint responsibility and closer collaboration between the federal and sub-national governments to foster rapid infrastructural development in every part of the nation.

"I want us to discard federal, state, or rural road classifications. We must regard development as a joint responsibility. Let us prioritize our children. The school feeding programme must return quickly, beginning from the local government to the state and federal governments.

"We must be ready to protect our children and prepare them for the future," the President firmly stated.

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) and Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq expressed solidarity with the government and the people of Plateau State.

"May God be with the souls of the departed and bring peace to Plateau State. The Governor of Plateau State, we are with you; stay strong," the NGF Chairman said.

Governor Abdulrazaq reaffirmed state governments' support for the bold decisions and reforms initiated by President Tinubu's administration.

"These are challenging times. It is not a walk in the park. Removing fuel subsidies had a great structural effect on the economy of the states. But we are confident that we will overcome these challenges and bounce back better," he said.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

December 26, 2023

Former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele has said the Naira redesign programme was approved by former President Mohammadu Buhari.

Emefiele stated this in response to the publication of the report of the Private Investigator into the affairs of the CBN, Mr. Jim Obazee, which claimed that there was no presidential approval for the Naira redesign programme.

In a statement titled, “Re; Emefiele, other stole billions, illegally kept Nigeria’s funds in foreign banks”, former CBN Governor, said that the presidential approval for the Naira redesign programme was handed to Obazee in front of senior CBN officials and members of the Private Investigator’s team.

Emefiele also averred that most of the content of the report of the special investigator cited in the media publications are false, misleading and calculated to disparage his person, injure his character and to serve the selfish interest of the private investigator.

Emefiele said: “After my release on bail from the correctional centre, Kuje, my attention was drawn to publications released by the Punch Newspaper and Premium Times online news platforms.

“The sources of the information published by both media houses were credited to a certain report prepared by Mr. Jim Obazee, who was appointed by the President as a private investigator.

“I have gone through the publications, and I say boldly that the contents of the said publications are false, misleading and calculated to disparage my person, injure my character and to serve the selfish interest of the private investigator.

“Because of my present situation, I have been advised by my lawyers not to say anything in respect of the matters which have been submitted to the court for adjudication. However, I need to address some of the issues raised in the publication which are barefaced lies told by the investigator in order to achieve his satanic agenda.

“First, it was reported that, contrary to the provision of the CBN Act 2007, there was no presidential approval for the Naira redesign. I wish to state unequivocally that there was indeed a presidential approval, and the said approval was handed over to the same Jim Obazee during the process of his investigation in the presence of senior CBN officials and his own investigative team.

“Moreover, the former President Muhammadu Buhari has stated on a number of occasions that he authorised and approved the Naira redesign. I am therefore at a loss as to why Mr. Jim Obazee will mislead Nigerians that there was no presidential approval.

“The report also claimed that the sum of $6.23 million was withdrawn from the CBN vault based on a false presidential directive bearing the signature of the former President Buhari and that of the former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha.

“About two weeks ago, Jim Obazee in company of a certain Deputy Commissioner of Police from Force CID came to Kuje to ask me questions in respect of the said document in the presence of my lawyers.

“I stated verbally and in writing that I have no knowledge of such directive from the former president and the former SGF. In fact, I told them that was the first time I would be seeing the documents. On this, I challenge Jim Obazee to publish the said documents and also the statements that I made to them.

“The final issue that I will like to respond to is the issue of the 593 accounts which were purportedly opened in different parts of the world. I state categorically that I am not involved in the opening of these accounts and I do not have knowledge of their openings. The fixed deposits in those foreign accounts are definitely outside my knowledge.

“However, let me state clearly, that the relevant departments of the CBN have the authority to carry out such activities in line with their lawful mandate within the CBN.

“I therefore join well-meaning Nigerians who have spoken on this matter and have demanded a thorough and transparent investigation of all these alleged frauds. Meanwhile, I have instructed my lawyers to immediately commence legal process to clear my name from the defamatory statements contained in the report and by extension the publications.”

A former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has denied granting an interview in London recently where she allegedly indicted the current Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal.

A newspaper had reported that the ex-minister, who served during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, spoke with journalists in London during which she begged to be allowed to return home.

Mrs Alison-Madueke fled Nigeria in 2015 and has been in the United Kingdom (UK). She faces corruption charges in Nigeria and the UK.

The purported London interview sparked diverse reactions with Mr Lawal’s allies saying the reports were to disparage him.

The newspaper that reported the fake interview has since pulled down the story.

An unverified screenshot has also been in circulation alleging that the EFCC amplified the controversial publication on it’s Instagram account. This newspaper has yet to independently verify the allegation.

In a bid to confirm the veracity of the report, PREMIUM TIMES reached out to Mrs Alison-Madueke.

The former petroleum minister, in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, described the report as “fake” and “concocted.”

“I did not grant an interview to anyone and therefore did not say any of the things attributed to me. It is fake news concocted for reasons I do not know,” Mrs Alison-Madueke told PREMIUM TIMES in the brief interview Saturday evening.

In the earlier viral interview, Mrs Alison-Madueke was reported to have implored President Bola Tinubu to permit her to return to Nigeria “to confess to her financial misconduct during her tenure.”

The newspaper reported that Mrs Alison-Madueke spoke to the press in London after a medical visit, and “expressed her readiness to disclose details of the funds she allegedly misappropriated while in office.”

The newspaper quoted the former minister as saying, “I am now a born-again Christian and currently grappling with the second stage of cancer, for which my United Kingdom-based physician has advised me to continue medication for the rest of my life. Yes, no one is flawless, but sometimes, God Almighty permits such occurrences.

“I’ve been accused of financial misconduct during my tenure as the petroleum minister, and it’s true. However, I would like President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians to forgive me, allow me to return home, and contribute because life is transient…”

Mrs Alison-Madueke, however, told PREMIUM TIMES that she did not grant the interview and that she did not say any of the things that were credited to her.

In its reaction, the EFCC also denied authoring the post on its Instagram handle

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, told THE PUNCH, “The report is not from the EFCC. Anything that is not signed by me is not from us (the EFCC).”

Zamfara PDP reacts
Despite the EFCC denying the Instagram post, the Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the anti-graft agency and demanded an apology.

In a statement its Publicity Secretary, Abba Oando, the PDP said Mr Lawal was acquitted of all corruption charges by Nigeria’s Supreme Court on 12 March 2021.

Mr Oando expressed disappointment with the EFCC for allegedly allowing fake news to be published on its platform.

The Zamfara PDP argued that “Pulling down the fake story is not sufficient. The anti-corruption body should issue a disclaimer and promptly apologise for this avoidable and costly unprofessionalism.”

The Federal High Court, Abuja, in January 2022, issued an arrest warrant against Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke over corruption charges against her.

Earlier, on 4 December 2018, a judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Valentine Ashi (now deceased), ordered the EFCC, the Nigerian Police Force, the States Security Service (SSS), and all other security agencies to arrest her within 72 hours.

Mrs Alison-Madueke, 63, is also facing bribery charges at a London court. She is alleged to have benefitted from at least £100,000 in cash, chauffeur-driven cars, flights on private jets, luxury holidays for her family, and the use of multiple London properties among others, by government contractors while she was minister. She was Nigeria’s petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015.

Embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has finally fulfilled his bail conditions and has been released from Kuje Prison secretly, THE WHISTLER has gathered on Friday.

A source in the prison who revealed the ex-CBN governor’s release via a text message said, “Emefiele was released quietly in Kuje prison at 3pm today after fulfilling his bail conditions secretly.”

The source further said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is still looking for him to arrest him,” and that’s “why he was released secretly.”

He said everything was done secretly in active connivance with the prison officials who perfected the plan and hid him from visitors who were visiting the facility.

The former CBN top man was unable to fulfil the bail conditions over fears that the government may come after anyone who would stand as his surety.

It’s not clear at the time of going to press who came to his rescue as one of his lawyers, Maxwell Opara told THE WHISTLER, “I can’t confirm that to you unless I speak with the brother.”

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court had granted the CBN bail on November 8.

He was re-arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on procurement fraud on November 18 and remanded in Kuje Prison.

He was accused of corruptly enriching himself as CBN governor by using Sa’adatu Yaro, a staff of CBN, to award a contract for the procurement of 43 vehicles worth N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020.

According to the charge sheet, the vehicles included 37 Toyota Hilux at the cost of N854.7 million, one Toyota Avalon at the cost of N99.9 million, one Toyota Landcruiser V8 at the cost of N73.8 million, two Toyota Hilux Shell Specification at the cost of N44,200,000.

After pleading “not guilty” to the amended charge, he was granted bail in the sum of N300 million with sureties who must have certificates of occupancy and titles of properties within the Maitama district in Abuja.

On Wednesday, Jim Obazee, the special investigator probing CBN and related entities, in a final panel report titled ‘Report of the Special Investigation on CBN and Related Entities (Chargeable offences)’ that was submitted to President Bola Tinubu accused the former CBN boss of using Ways and Means advances by the CBN to enrich himself.

Abubakar Umar, the spokesman of the Kuje Prison did not respond to inquiries made via calls and a text message.

'He Perfected His Bail’ – Prison Authority Confirms THE WHISTLER Report On Emefiele’s Release

The Kuje Correction Centre has confirmed THE WHISTLER report on the release of former governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele.

In a text message sent to our Correspondent hours after THE WHISTLER published how the ex-CBN boss was secretly released on Friday for fear of being rearrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the spokesman of the prison, Abubakar Umar, said Emefiele met the bail conditions set by the court.

Umar said, “He has perfected his bail condition, as such, no need to keep him more than necessary.”

Emefiele, who failed to meet temporary freedom weeks after the court in Abuja granted him bail of N300 million, is facing another severe scrutiny following a fresh indictment by the Special Investigator on the CBN and Related Entities, headed by Jim Obazee.

The report, which was submitted to President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday exposed how Emefiele ferried into his private onshore accounts millions of dollars of public funds.

The Obazee report, which recommended prosecution of Emefiele said the handling of the Ways and Means of the CBN was shady and fraudulent and was used to defraud the country billions of naira.

The ex-CBN boss who’s facing charges bordering on procurement fraud to the tune of N1.2 million was also accused of ignoring extant CBN laws to redesign the country’s currency, the naira, without the president’s approval.

A source in Kuje Prison had hinted that the former CBN topman colluded with prison officials to keep his release under wraps to avoid being rearrested by the EFCC.

It was gathered a few hours after THE WHISTLER broke the news of his release that he’s likely to go into hiding following the latest indictment.

The source said, “Emefiele may not be in Abuja by Saturday evening,” but failed to explain if the former top banker would fail to appear in court.

None of Emefiele’s lawyers could be reached as of the time of going to press.

Earlier, one of his lead counsels, Maxwell Opara sought to speak with Emefiele’s brother before making a comment on the development when contacted by our correspondent.

Oluwole Owoeye, a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) during the tenure of its suspended governor, Godwin Emefiele, has told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court that his embattled former boss was not responsible for making payments to contractors.

Owoeye, a deputy director, Banking Services and former secretary, Major Contract Award Committee (MCAC) at the CBN, was one of the witnesses presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday during the ongoing fraud trial of Emefiele.

Recall that after Emefiele’s suspension by President Bola Tinubu, the State Security Service (SSS), a federal government agency, charged him before the Lagos State High Court with illegal possession of firearms.

Subsequently, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice withdrew the charges and filed new ones at the FCT High Court Abuja.

In August, the federal government (FG) instituted 20 counts of procurement fraud charges against Emefiele and a CBN staff member, Sa’adatu Yaro, concerning an alleged N6.9 billion fraud.

However, their arraignment has been delayed since August 17 due to the illness of a female CBN staff member.

They were accused of diverting public funds for personal use, including alleged purchases of luxury cars.

But in a fresh suit number CR/577/2023, the FG amended the (now N1.2 billion) fraud charges (dated November to six counts, with Emefiele as the sole defendant.

During his cross-examination by Emefiele’s lawyer, Mathew Burkaa SAN, Owoeye was asked to inform the court if the CBN governor was responsible for paying contractors.

The witness’s response was that the Director of the Procurement and Support Services Department (PSSD) at the CBN had the responsibility of approving qualified contractors and that “all payments must pass through the Director of PSSD.”

The witness was asked if it would be inappropriate for a contractor who has completed their work to be paid for their services.

“It is not out of place,” the witness replied.

Murkaa further asked the witness to confirm that the CBN governor does not have the authority to unilaterally approve contracts for the central bank.

The witness said, “He does not.”

“Was the process of vetting vendors or companies to determine their qualifications the responsibility of the CBN governor or his deputy?” Murkaa inquired again.

The witness responded, “Neither of them.”

The witness further denied being familiar with the contents of the charges against Emefiele, adding that he was asked to appear in court to provide testimony on general procedures for awarding contracts at the CBN.

The court subsequently adjourned the trial until January 18 and 19.

The uncertainty over the representation of two senatorial districts is ended as the Senate eventually declares Umahi, Geidam’s seats vacant

The Senate has declared the seats of Senators Dave Umahi and Geidam Ibrahim vacant.

This announcement was made on Wednesday during plenary session by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio who presided over the sitting.

This is coming 126 days and 140 days since Umahi and Geidam left red chamber respectively. Both men held to their seats till now, fueling concerns in their senatorial districts and among political observers.

In the annoucement today, Akpabio said: “Declaration of vacancies in the seats of Ebonyi South Senatorial District and Yobe East Senatorial District. I hereby declare the seats vacant.

“This declaration is in accordance with section 68 subsection 1d, following the assumption of office as Ministers of the government of the Federation of Senator Dave Umahi and Senator Geidam Ibrahim. INEC therefore wishes to commence the process of bye elections immediately.”

Recall that in August, Umahi was appointed minister of works and Geidam minister of police affairs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Also recall that Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru (APC, Kwara South) in October was announced as the new Deputy Leader of the Senate to replace Umahi.

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a list of 11 new Supreme Court justices cleared by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) had on December 6 recommended the appointment of 11 justices to the Supreme Court.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, made the announcement while reading the letter addressed to the Senate by President Tinubu on the floor of the Red Chamber.

The NJC also recommended the appointment of one Justice of the Court of Appeal, six heads of court and 26 other judicial officers.

With this appointment, the apex court will have the full complement of 21 justices, as envisaged by the Constitution.

Those recommended for appointment to the Supreme Court are: Hon. Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey, OFR; Hon. Justice Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa; Hon. Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme; Hon. Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani; Hon. Justice Moore Aseimo A. Adumein; Hon. Justice Obande Festus Ogbuinya; Hon. Justice Stephen Jonah Adah; Hon. Justice Habeeb Adewale O. Abiru; Hon. Justice Jamilu Yammama Tukur; Hon. Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar and Hon. Justice Mohammed Baba Idris.

RVSG GOVERNMENT SET TO REBUILD THE ASSEMBLY COMPLEX

The Rivers State Government says the decision to demolish and rebuild the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex was due to the structural defects which arose mainly as a result of the recent explosion and fire incident which rendered the main building unfit for human use.

A statement issued by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information Mr Joseph Johnson said after the visit of the Governor to inspect the level of damage done to the building on the day of the fire incident, it became necessary to invite professionals to advice the government on the integrity of the building.

It would be recalled that on the night of the attack on the complex explosive dynamites were used to attack the complex which shook it to foundation. There were visible cracks on the walls afterwards, and the entire structure looked frail and unsafe for legislative business.

"After the assessment of the integrity of the complex, the experts warned the government that continuing to use the building in its present state would be disastrous", he said, noting that the government had tried all cost saving measures towards repair of the complex until it bowed to superior view of rebuilding the complex to a more befitting edifice.

In the interim, the Rivers State Government has provided an alternative venue for the House of Assembly to conduct their affairs pending the rebuilding of the complex.

Hon Joseph Johnson
Hon Commissioner for Information and Communications
Rivers State
13/12/2023

Rivers State House of Assembly, declares seats of 25 lawmakers who recently decamped to the other party Vacant in line with Section 109 (1) (g) and 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued a new directive to all banks, other financial institutions, and non-bank financial institutions, suspending the processing charges previously imposed on large cash deposits.