HEDA Petitions EFCC To Investigate CBN’s Request For Concession On Import Duty For Sonia Foods
SaharaReporters had reported that the move by Emefiele was against the tomato sector policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has written a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to initiate a probe into activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria over concession granted a private company for the importation of consumable items.
In the petition, HEDA raised suspicion of bias in the import concession granted Sonia Foods Ltd to import tomato concentrate.
CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The petition followed a report that Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, had recommended import duty of five per cent and levy waiver to Sonia Foods, a company owned by one of his relatives, Nnamdi Nnodebe, to import tomato concentrate for the next two years.
SaharaReporters had reported that the move by Emefiele was against the tomato sector policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
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CBN Governor, Emefiele, In Import Duty Scandal, Offers Waiver To Family Member Against President Buhari’s Directive
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Buhari had in 2017 through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment banned the importation of tomato paste, powder or concentrate and increased the tariff on importation of tomato concentrate among others from five to 50 per cent in order to revive the tomato sector.
Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of HEDA, stated that all parties indicted are yet to deny the allegation including how the CBN governor made the request to the minister appealing for him to advise the Comptroller-General of Customs, and Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service accordingly.
“It was also conveyed in the report that the CBN governor allegedly pads his pockets through his cronies by sabotaging all policies of the Nigerian Government against food importation. For instance, exclusivity for his friends being sole importers of powdered milk into the country under the guise that they are investing in setting up cattle ranches which is reported to have resulted in the explosive rise of prices of powdered milk by more than 300 per cent,” he said.
The group referred to another allegation against Emefiele that he gives his business associates exclusive waiver to import thousands of tons of maize to curtail maize shortage without a single ton given to the Nigerian Poultry Association and without the knowledge of the Minister of Agriculture or approval of the President.
Suraju said Emefiele’s action circumvents the law and potential should be sanctioned.
He cited Section 9 of the Code, which covers that a public officer shall not do or direct to be done, in abuse of his office, any arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights of any other person knowing that such an act is unlawful or contrary to any government policy.
“The allegations contravene the Code of Conducts for Public officers, Part 1, of the fifth schedule in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Altered), Rule 1 of the code states: that a public officer shall not put himself in a position where his interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.
“The above allegations is in contravention of the code of conduct and the said governor of the apex bank holds a position that requires a high level of transparency and accountability, however with the above relayed, his accountability and transparency in the office is questionable and should be probed with immediate effect,” Suraju added.
The group requested the EFCC to invoke its powers as vested in Section 6(h) and Section 7(1(a)) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004. Section 6(h) of the Act to probe the CBN.
“Also, Section 7 (1(a)) of the Act states that the commission has the power to cause investigations to be conducted whether any person, corporate body or organisation has committed an offense under this Act or other law relating to economic and financial crimes.
"We write for an investigation to be carried out into the above relayed allegations against the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in relation to the above allegations with aim of uncovering and ridding the nation of corruption, abuse of office, sharp practices and breakdown of law and order,” Suraju added.
#saharareporters
Thugs Attack NAFDAC Office, Cart Away Fake And Expired Drugs
The drugs were seized from illicit drug dealers and meant for destruction.
Suspected thugs have attacked the office of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control in Kaduna State, carting away seized fake and expired drugs and beverages.
The drugs were seized from illicit drug dealers and meant for destruction.
ChannelsTV
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has warned of health risk from drugs and beverages looted from the NAFDAC office and other warehouses in the state capital.
Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement said the looted items including expired, prohibited and dangerous drugs, posed a great danger to the health of the people and therefore warned that persons, who consume such drugs are at great risk of serious illness and death.
Aruwan also disclosed that the management of a food processing company whose store, was looted in the Kakuri area in Kaduna South Local Government has also disclosed that the stolen grains had been treated with chemical preservatives, which render them unsafe for consumption.
#saharareporters #endsars
People who looted shops apprehended in Ilorin, Kwara state.
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Enugu govt lifts 24-hour curfew in Enugu metropolis effective from 7am on Sunday, October 25 and Announces 13-hour curfew (6pm to 7am) daily until further notice
The Enugu State Government has announced an adjustment on the 24-hour curfew imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas of the state.
According to a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, the adjustment was following the hardship occasioned by the 24-hour curfew imposed in Enugu metropolis in the face of the #endsars protests.
Consequently, Aroh stated that “the 24-hour curfew imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas stands lifted with effect from 7am on Sunday, 25thOctober, 2020”.
He added that “in its place, a 13-hour curfew (6pm to 7am) daily, is imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas, with effect from 6pm on Sunday, 25thOctober, 2020 until further notice”.
While disclosing that “the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command and other Security Agencies are hereby directed to ensure full compliance with this order” the Information Commissioner pointed out that “persons involved in delivery of essential services such as Health Care Workers, staff of Water Corporation, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Fire service, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency, etc, shall continue to attend to their duties”.
Full text of the statement reads as follows:
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Following the hardship occasioned by the 24-hour curfew imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas in the face of the #endsarsprotests, Enugu State Government hereby rejigs the curfew as follows:
1. The 24-hour curfew imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas stands lifted with effect from 7am on Sunday, 25thOctober, 2020.
2. In its place, a 13-hour curfew (6pm to 7am) daily, is imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas, with effect from 6pm on Sunday, 25thOctober, 2020 until further notice.
3. Persons involved in delivery of essential services such as Health Care Workers, staff of Water Corporation, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, Fire service, Enugu State Emergency Management Agency, etc. shall continue to attend to their duties.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Police Command and other Security Agenciesare hereby directed to ensure full compliance with this order.
Dated this 24th day of October, 2020
Nnayelugo Chidi Aroh
Hon. Commissioner for information
Enugu State is in the hands of God!
EndSARS Protest: We Feel Abandoned – Police Officers
While millions of Nigerians have been wondering why hoodlums have been given a free reign to run riot over Lagos, Ilorin, Jos and many other cities without being checked by policemen, some senior serving officers have explained that most of them are reluctant to intervene following the widespread bashing from the same people they have been trying to protect in the past.
His revelation has shed light on the fact that despite the order of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu for the deployment of Mobile Anti-riot units across the country – on the strength of the widespread destruction his order has largely been ignored.
However, clearly disturbed by the continued looting, Adamu yesterday gave fresh or- ders to the police hierarchy to reclaim the “public space’ and restore normalcy across the country.
However, one of the officers who will undoubtedly be one of those saddled with the responsibility of enforcing this latest directive and who spoke to Sunday Telegraph on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, also said that the #endsars protest has introduced a new dimension to policing in Nigeria. He said: “It is clear that people do not like an average policeman.
The general condemnation is overwhelming and not encouraging. You attack his wife and children. Those who live outside the police facilities were traced to their houses and maimed.”
Explaining the main duty of the policeman and his role in the society, the officer said: “You are making peace for the people and not for yourself, you ask yourself what is at stake for you, when the people you are doing it for do not value your life. “It is total abandonment.
Your employer abandons you, the people you are supposed to be safe guarding abandons you when it matters most. “While everyone visits victims of the protests which turned violent, how many policemen who sustained injuries were visited?
“Policemen are the most vilified in the society, while we celebrate criminals who are now roaming the streets with guns. What have the police done to warrant such condemnation and revulsion?
“A mobile policeman was going to work he was hacked to death all due to hatred. It is only a madman that will fight for a man who does not value your life. Let everyone become a policeman and let them safeguard their community!”
Another source also explained that the IG’s admonition that the police officer should show restraint by not shooting indiscriminately further compounded things.
“The hoodlums were aware that they (police) had been instructed not to shoot anyhow and this emboldened them to do what they did.
“The honest truth is that considering the situation on ground it would have been hard for the policemen not to be trigger happy especially with threats to their lives.
“If the order hadn’t been given they would have shot which would have led to a lot of casualties so rather than be put in a situation where the person in question would have to start answering questions as to why he fired, they opted not to show up,” explained the source.
#nairaland
Tinubu's Full Statement On Lekki Shooting
THE #endsars PROTESTS; A FUNDAMENTAL LESSON IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE
I heavily grieve for those who have lost their lives or been injured during the period of these protests.
2. My deepest sympathies go to their families and loved ones for none should have been made to pay such a dear price. My career as an active politician spans nearly three decades.
3. In that time, I have seen many things as Nigeria has struggled, sometimes against itself, to undertake the often painful yet inexorable push toward democratic government accountable to, and protective of, the people.
4. Here, let me directly address the sharp point aimed against me. I have been falsely accused of ordering the reported deployment of soldiers against peaceful protesters that took place at Lekki on 20 October 2020.
5. This allegation is a complete and terrible lie. I did not order this or any assault against anybody. I would never want such a vile thing to happen nor did I have any prior knowledge about this sad event.
6. It is my firm belief that no one should be harassed, injured or possibly killed for doing what they have the constitutional right to do in making their contribution to a better, more equitable society.
7. As a political figure, I am accustomed to people attributing to me all manner of indiscretions of which I have no knowledge and in which I played no role. I have usually ignored such falsities as the cost of being in the public eye.
8. This time, it is different. The allegation now levied against me is that I called on soldiers to kill my own people. This allegation is the foulest of lies.
9. The use of strong force against any peaceful protesters is indefensible, completely outside the norms of a democratic society and progressive political culture to which I aspire and have devoted my public life.
10. That people were angered by the reports of violence and death is acutely understandable.
Understandably outraged, people sought to hold someone accountable.
11. For various reasons, I became the most available scapegoat. Some people don't like me because they believe the false rumours uttered about me over the years. Some maligned my name because they hide ulterior motives & harbour unrequited political scores they intend to settle
12. A week ago, such people tried to bring enmity between me and the state and federal governments by contending I was sponsoring the protests.
13. When that did not work, they then sought to sow enmity between me and the people by saying I ordered soldiers to quash the very same protests they first accused me of organising.
14. My opponents have every right to oppose me politically but let them have the courage to do so in the open, above board and to employ facts not evil fiction in their efforts against me.
15. They have no right to slander and defame anyone with the terrible and vile fabrications now cast at my feet.
16. Those who have decided to hate me will hate me regardless of the truth. Again, they have the right to think as they may and I am not troubled by their unfounded animus. Today, I speak not to them. I leave them to the workings of their own conscience.
17. The slander aimed at me is based on the untruth that I own the toll gate concession. The hate mongers prevaricate that I ordered the Lekki assault because the protests had caused me to lose money due to the interruption of toll gate activity.
18. I ask people to thoroughly investigate the matter of my alleged ownership of the toll gate. By seeking facts, instead of being swayed by gossip, you will find I have no ownership interest or involvement in the toll gate.
19. At bottom, the toll gate is a public asset. If it is reopened, revenues should be donated to the confirmed victims of the Lekki attack as well as to other identifiable victims of police brutality in Lagos.
20. Let government use the money to compensate and take care of those who have lost life or limb in the struggle for all citizens to go about the quiet, peaceful enjoyment of life without fear of undue harassment at this or that checkpoint.
21. On the other hand, I am, indeed, a promoter and financial investor in The Nation and TVC. It was widely known and circulated through social media that certain malevolent elements were going to take advantage of the situation to attack the Nation newspaper facilities & TVC.
22. These elements, mostly hirelings of my political opponents, wreaked their havoc and destroyed those buildings and facilities and I thank God that the employees of these two media institutions managed to escape largely unharmed.
23. There is no rationale that can adequately explain why I would order soldiers to repel peaceful protesters from the toll gate where I have no financial interest, yet, choose to do nothing to protect my investments in the Nation and TVC.
24. The good and creative people of Lagos have worked hard over the years to build it into the dynamic economic and cultural focal point it has become. Lagos has enjoyed over two decades of sustained, uninterrupted growth.
#nairaland
#endsars Protests: Lagos will need N1trn for reconstruction — Gbajabiamila
Aftermath of wanton destruction of lives and properties during #endsars protests, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed that Lagos State required a minimum of N1 Trillion to reconstruct the wilful extensive damage of properties across the metropolis.
This happened as South West Governors have alleged that there were some elements keenly anxious to annihilate the South West and destroy it common heritage.
Also, the Ministers from South West condemned the violence, saying proper investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the violence and prevent future occurrence.
They spoke during a commiseration and solidarity visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at Lagos House, Marina, after an the spot assessment of some structures burnt by hoodlums who hijacked the #endsars protests last Wednesday and Thursday in Lagos Island.
Gbajabiamila, with some South West Governors such as: Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, and Lagos States’, Kayode Fayemi, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, Seyi Makinde, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, respectively, with Ministers from south west such as: Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Mines and industries, Olamilekan Adegbite; Niyi Adebayo, Trade and Investments; and Olorunnibe Mamora, Health, state.
Also the deputy governor of Lagos State, Dr Femi Hamzat, and Nigerian Bar Association President, Olumide Apata, were in attendance.
The team visited the burnt Nigeria Port Authority, NPA, building, Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, located in CMS, and the popular Lekki Toll Gate, Admiralty Circle.
Gbajabiamila, speaking with state house correspondents, said,” We stand in solidarity with Lagos state government and the people of the state This is indeed a difficult period. This is not Lagos of our dream. Its indeed very sad.
“I don’t want to take ethnic dimension but I urge us to shut our ears to ethnic conspiracy theory. Nation building is a joint task.”
While commending the northerners from not joining in the violent protests, Gbajabiamila said, “I don’t know where Nigeria will be standing today if the north had been a part of this. that’s why I commend by brothers and sisters from the north.
“The House of Representatives will do all it can to compensate all those who suffered brutality including policemen that lost their lives in the process.
“Also whatever the house can do in rebuilding Lagos and other states it will do. We are now in a state of reconstruction. What must be done will be done.
“You have fought a good fight, government, National Assembly have listened. Its time to take stock and ensure it never happened again. What has happened has happened.
“However, we want to know what exactly happened at the Lekki Toll Gate. The judicial panel must reveal this. However, I want to encourage Nigerians to allow peace to reign.
“I learnt from the governor of Lagos State that it will take N1 Trillion to rebuild what had been lost and asked him whats the budget size of the state he said about N1,Trillion. You can see we are moving backward.
“Hence, we must consider the consequences of our actions before embarking on any venture. I therefore, appeal to the youths to allow peace to reign henceforth. I still believe in unity of Nigeria.”
Also in his address, Chairman of the South West Governors, Akeredolu stated, “We are indeed surprised at the extent of damage to lives and properties in Lagos. We will be right to say Lagos was turned into a war zone because what led to this we can.
“We commiserate with the families of victims of violence and slain policemen. We pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
”We note with pain and sadness which had spread across our society coming at the heels of vast destruction of properties belonging to the state and notable individuals.
“We commiserate with Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu I, with the level of sacrilege committed on the palace. We also condemn in no mistaken terms the vile attack on Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and destruction of businesses where he has interest.
“This regression into savagery exposes our land as not only vulnerable, but susceptible to vile manipulations by elements keenly anxious to annihilate the South West and destroy our common heritage. This must be condemned and we condemn it.
“We are deeply concerned with the ease with which public buildings, utilities, police stations and Investment of our people have been burnt despite the proximity of security agencies In those areas.
“We call on the heads of all security agencies to be alive to their obligations to defend the country. We charge the relevant security agencies to investigate all cases of violence with a view to identifying the culprits.
“We are particularly worried that 48 hours, after the unfortunate incident at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos by persons in military camouflage there has been no definitive statement from the military authorities on the Incident
“Our anxiety becomes heightened by the categorical denial of the Governor of Lagos State concerning the deployment. No Governor has power to authorize deployment of military personnel in Nigeria.
“We note, with great relief, the confirmation by the Governor that no fatality was recorded at the Lekki Toll Gate incident based on visits to hospitals, mortuaries, both private and public. There were no doubt different levels of injury to persons arising from the incident at the Lekki Toll Gate.
“Consequently, we insist that full investigation be conducted to ascertain the veracity of the news items liberalIy circulated by some local media.
“It is becoming very clear that the conflagration may have been caused by deliberate deployment of weapon of mass confusion” apology to Dr. Ope Banwo. The attendant damage was extensive and massive.
“The selective application of jungle justice raises suspicion as regards the real motive of the arsonists and vandals.
“We use this medium to appeal to the youth, especially those of South West extraction, to be circumspect lest they lend themselves to the evil schemes of those who want to destroy our land.
“The protests started off as genuine, demanding reforms and restitution. The current happenings across the South West, especially Lagos State, have exposed dubiousness and complicity evidencing malice.
“We enjoin our youths to rise up to defend our land and people against the diabolical incursions ravaging our space.
“What do we stand to gain destroying ourselves. We cannot continue to fold Our hands and watch our heritage destroyed and our people suffer.
“We must engage, constructively, all those whose dubious solutions to a social problem is athe descent to anarchy. We appeal to them to ‘CALM DOWN’.
According to Fashola, “We were instructed by the President and Federal Government to express our deep sympathy to the government and people of Lagos State over the tragic events that have played out in the last few days.
“Though, words can not describe the level of lives destroyed and properties. However, we are sure all will be well for this to happen.
“We urge for peace and calm. We urge Nigerians from walks of life, be it Igbo, Hausa to do their businesses without any fear.
“We should therefore, refrain from provocative statements because some people are trying to set us against one another but they will not succeed.”
Earlier, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Kazeem Alogba has said that all exhibits and files tendered for various cases in the Lagos State High Court are safe and not destroyed when miscreants set the court on fire.
Alogba, revealed this on Sunday, when he received some South West Governors and Ministers who stopped over to have on the spot assessment of the court during a tour of structures burnt by hoodlums who hijacked the #endsars protests last Wednesday and Thursday.
Also, while responding to the total number of government’s buildings burnt among others, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso told Vanguard, “We are still counting. The state is still taking inventories of all that happened and not until all that is concluded we can’t not ascertained for now the total number of burnt structures. But I can’t tell you its very huge.
#vanguard
Anthony Okechukwu: Mother Whose Son Died In The Lekki Shootings Speaks
A woman whose son died in the Lekki shootings has spoken up to counter the claims that no one died.
Shortly after peaceful protesters were shot at on October 20, 2020, pictures started flying around of a young man named Anthony Okechukwu, who died in the shootings.
Anthony's mother, who lives outside Nigeria, has now spoken out. She said she found out about her son's death online when she saw his photo being circulated.
She added that no one from the government has called to commiserate with her on her son's death
Watch video here.
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