The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied declaring a sit-at-home exercise for October 21 and 22 in Igbo land. The group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, emphasized that IPOB always makes public announcements for such directives and urged the public to ignore what he described as an “obnoxious order” from individuals attempting to undermine the group.

Despite IPOB’s denial, a sit-at-home declared by suspected pro-Biafra factions has caused significant disruptions in Aba, Abia State. Schools, banks, markets, and other businesses remained closed, while major roads such as Azikiwe, Faulks, and Ngwa were largely deserted. In response to the situation, joint teams of soldiers and police were seen patrolling key areas to maintain order. This highlights ongoing tensions in the region regarding pro-Biafra sentiments and their impact on daily life.

In a significant development in the procurement fraud case against former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, prosecution witness Mr. Stephen Gana testified in an Abuja High Court on Monday about preferential treatment given to Emefiele’s companies during vehicle procurement contract bidding.

Key Testimonies

Gana, who served as the former Head of the Procurement Department at CBN, confirmed under cross-examination by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, that he was present when contracts for vehicles, detailed in Exhibits F4 to F45, were approved.

1. Preferential Treatment: Gana stated that two companies linked to Emefiele received favorable conditions in the bidding process. He detailed that the CBN acquired Toyota vehicles for a total of N99,900,000 from April “1616” Company Ltd through direct procurement.
2. Selective Bidding: He also testified that two Toyota Hilux vehicles were procured for N23,100,000 each through selective bidding. Gana explained that April “1616” Company Ltd was awarded the contract after submitting the lowest bid, which matched the CBN’s in-house estimate.
3. Procurement Process: Gana elaborated on the procurement process at CBN, stating that contracts could be awarded either through direct procurement or selective bidding, guided by the Director of Procurement, Deputy Director, Head of Procurement (himself), and the procurement officer.

After Gana’s testimony, the prosecution requested an adjournment for the case, proposing a new date different from the previously scheduled date of October 22.

Implications

This testimony adds weight to the allegations of procurement fraud against Emefiele, highlighting potential irregularities in the vehicle procurement contracts that could have implications for the integrity of CBN’s procurement practices. The ongoing case is closely monitored as it unfolds in the courts.

Commercial and social activities in Enugu State came to a halt following a sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The two-day sit-at-home was announced as a means to hoist the Biafra flag and to demand the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently detained in a Department of State Services (DSS) facility.

A correspondent monitoring the situation in Enugu noted that while some residents ventured out, they faced a lack of transportation options. Confusion and fear permeated the atmosphere as the sit-at-home order effectively paralyzed commercial activities.

Security operatives were deployed at key roads and junctions throughout the city. Schools and offices remained closed, while markets and major streets were largely deserted. Only a handful of residents, along with a few tricycles and private vehicles, were observed on the roads.

Trader Obumneme Okolo, from Ogbette Main Market, expressed his frustration, stating that despite his efforts to open his shop, he found all shops and banks in the area closed. “Yesterday evening, I heard that Governor Peter Mbah claimed the two-day sit-at-home would not hold in Enugu. But when I came out this morning, there were no buses available to take me to my shop. I was fortunate to get a ride from a neighbor, but upon reaching the market, only a few traders were present, and we were too afraid to open our shops for fear of attacks,” he explained.

Two weeks into the industrial action initiated by staff of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Director-General Prof. Christianah Adeyeye has urged the striking unions to return to work for the sake of the nation.

The strike, which commenced on October 7, 2024, has disrupted critical regulatory functions, raising concerns about public health and safety.

Despite multiple meetings between management and union leaders, the issues prompting the strike remain unresolved. In a press statement titled “Ongoing Strike Action In NAFDAC by The Medical & Health Workers Union Of Nigeria (MHWUN): Need To Return To Work,” Adeyeye emphasized the agency’s crucial public health responsibilities and the adverse effects the strike has on NAFDAC’s reputation and revenue.

She also raised concerns about the potential impact on staff allowances and outlined the key issues raised by the unions. Adeyeye noted the management’s efforts to address these concerns, including:

• Promotions: The management has contacted the Head of Service to expand vacancies for promoting all candidates who scored 60 marks and above in the 2024 promotion exercise.
• Implementation of the 2022 Agreement: The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has written to the Minister of Finance to approve hazard, productivity, and regulatory allowances for NAFDAC staff funded by user fees.
• Training School: Adeyeye assured staff that management is committed to revisiting the on-site training school in Kaduna.
• Outstanding Benefits: She promised that all pending payments for benefits, including claims for repatriation, burial expenses, and life insurance, will be addressed.

Additionally, regarding the demand to casualize drivers, she confirmed that management is working towards absorbing all casual drivers as recruitment approvals are received.

Adeyeye’s appeal highlights the urgency of resolving the ongoing strike to restore normalcy within the agency.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced a new recruitment exercise to hire young graduates as Tax Officers (Officer I and Officer II). This was shared through a post on the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, October 21, 2024.

The FIRS indicated that more information regarding the application process, including deadlines and submission requirements, will be available soon on its official website.

Public Notice 📣📣

Join us! We’re hiring for Officer I and II.

If you are eager to make a difference in public service and contribute to national development as a Tax Officer, stay tuned for more details.

The announcement read: “We are looking for candidates with integrity and a strong desire to excel professionally, as well as those who possess strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage all eligible candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background, to consider applying.”

Keep an eye out for further updates, and thank you for your interest in joining the FIRS team!

The investigative panel set up to review allegations that convicted cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, received special treatment during his six-month prison sentence has submitted its findings.

The panel dismissed claims that Bobrisky was housed outside the custodial center but confirmed that he enjoyed various privileges while incarcerated. According to the report, Bobrisky was kept in a specially furnished single cell that included a humidifier, had frequent visits from family and friends in the office of the custodial center’s in-charge, and had access to comforts such as a floor rug, a designated inmate to run errands, a fridge, and a television. There were also indications he may have had access to his phone.

The panel identified issues regarding the documentation of Bobrisky’s transfers between custodial centers, revealing violations of the Nigerian Correctional Service’s regulations. It was also noted that Abdulrasheed Maina’s son transferred money into the personal account of Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Kelvin Iloafonsi Ikechukwu for Maina’s welfare, a practice viewed as unethical.

Panel Findings

Chaired by Uju Agomoh, Executive Director of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), the panel confirmed that Bobrisky served his sentence from April 12, 2024, to August 5, 2024, moving from Ikoyi Custodial Centre to Kirikiri Medium Security and later to Kirikiri Maximum Security Custodial Centres. The investigation found no evidence that Bobrisky spent nights outside the custodial facilities during his sentence.

However, it noted that the transfers violated the Nigerian Correctional Service Act due to improper documentation at the time, which was backdated and filed much later, breaching established protocols.

Special Privileges

The panel highlighted the numerous privileges Bobrisky received while in custody, including enhanced living conditions and preferential treatment. It recommended further investigation to determine if these privileges were motivated by financial incentives or corruption among correctional officers. The panel also called for the establishment of clear guidelines to prevent discriminatory practices based on socio-economic status in the future.

Nasarawa State’s anti-kidnapping squad early Monday morning successfully thwarted an attempt to kidnap the family of Dr. Leon Usigbe, Abuja Bureau Chief of the Nigerian Tribune.

The incident occurred at about 12:50 am at Dr. Usigbe’s residence on Kurape Road in Karshi, near the Federal Capital Territory. During the attack, the assailants shot and injured a neighborhood vigilante on guard.

According to local sources, one of the attackers managed to scale the perimeter fence and unlocked the gate, granting the others access to the compound. Once inside, the assailants vandalized windows with stones and attempted to break down both the front and back doors but failed to gain entry.

The anti-kidnapping squad, which had been deployed recently due to a surge in abductions in the area, was alerted and arrived promptly. The assailants opened fire upon their arrival, injuring three soldiers. The squad returned fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee before they could enter the building.

Dr. Usigbe was not at home during the attack, but his wife and children, who were present, were left traumatized. This marks the third kidnapping attempt in the area in three months, with two other families having paid ransoms for the release of abducted loved ones.

Survivors of the suspected rival cult attack that claimed 12 lives in Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have shared their harrowing experiences, attributing their survival to divine intervention. The attack, which occurred during the community’s annual Ọnwa Asaa festival celebrating the new yam, shocked residents and left many mourning.

The security director and commander of the community vigilante group, Wadada, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, noting that the festival, a cherished event for Nibo natives, was tainted by bloodshed. He recalled, “The attackers arrived in two vehicles, a Lexus Jeep and a Sienna, both without license plates. They passed through police checkpoints and the Governor’s Lodge, before opening fire on a group of people in a shop.” Among those killed was one of his vigilante members, Uchenna Obiekwe, a young unmarried man.

Wadada revealed that several others were injured, including the shop owner and his six-year-old daughter, who sustained gunshot wounds to their legs. He remained uncertain about the identity of the attackers, whether they were cultists, unknown gunmen, or armed robbers. Reflecting on his own survival, he said, “It was by God’s grace I left the scene before they arrived.”

Another survivor, Ichie Oku, who works at the Anambra State Ministry of Information, recounted his narrow escape from death. “I was at a joint on Sunday when they arrived. One of them pointed a gun at me, but another gang member intervened, saying I wasn’t their target. The shooter still pulled the trigger, but his colleague pushed him, and the bullets hit the wall behind me.” Oku witnessed the killing of three people beside him, and moments later, the attackers returned to claim five more lives.

In less than five minutes, the assailants had killed 12 people, with Oku mourning the loss of two family members. Governor Chukwuma Soludo visited the community to console grieving families and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Soludo reiterated his commitment to combating cultism in Anambra, as the attack cast a shadow over the city of Awka, with commercial activities coming to a halt due to the Monday sit-at-home order.

The National Examination Council (NECO) is committed to eliminating all forms of examination malpractices and has implemented several measures to combat impersonation in its examinations.

According to NECO’s spokesperson, the council has introduced various strategies, including the use of Biometric Data Capturing Devices, customized answer booklets, and the embossing of candidates’ photographs and dates of birth on original certificates.

Additionally, Sani mentioned the launch of the NECO e-verify platform in 2023, which allows for online confirmation and verification of NECO results to reduce instances of fraud. He emphasized that any certificate claimed to have been issued by NECO that cannot be verified through this platform is considered fake.

Sani urged the public to ensure that only the personal details of genuine candidates are used for registration in all NECO-conducted examinations, reinforcing the integrity of the examination process. He also noted that candidates found guilty of impersonation in the recently released 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) internal have had their results withheld.

These actions form part of NECO’s robust policy to address and mitigate examination malpractices effectively.

The Federal Government has declined to approve Shell’s $2.4 billion divestment of its onshore and shallow water assets to the local consortium, Renaissance. The assets in question include an estimated 6.73 billion barrels of crude oil and condensate, as well as 56.27 trillion cubic feet of gas.

Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), announced the government’s decision and noted that while five divestment applications were processed, only four received approval. One of the notable deals that gained approval was ExxonMobil’s sale of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to Seplat Energy.

During an event celebrating the NUPRC’s three-year anniversary, Komolafe did not disclose the specific reasons for blocking the Shell-Renaissance deal. However, he emphasized the government’s dedication to ensuring that all transactions adhere to the regulatory standards outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

He stated, “We have processed four of the transactions, and four of them have received ministerial consent.” The approved transactions include the Equinor–Project Odinmim deal, which was also approved in accordance with the PIA and granted ministerial consent.

Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was accused by Turkey of orchestrating a failed coup in 2016, has died in exile in the United States at the age of 83. Gulen had lived in Pennsylvania since 1999, where he led the Hizmet movement, once responsible for operating thousands of schools across Turkey and around the world.

Once a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the two became adversaries in 2013, and by 2016, Erdogan accused Gulen of masterminding the failed coup attempt that left around 250 people dead. The Turkish government dubbed Gulen’s network the “Fethullah Terror Organisation” (FETO), accusing his supporters within the military of trying to overthrow the government.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, confirmed Gulen’s death, stating, “The leader of this dark organisation has died,” and vowing that Turkey would continue its fight against Gulen’s “terrorist organisation” and its followers.

Gulen was stripped of his Turkish nationality in 2017 and remained a controversial figure in Turkey, widely disliked for his alleged role in the coup and the behind-the-scenes influence of his movement. The main opposition leader, Ozgur Ozel, commented, “We had wanted him to be held accountable in Turkey… we need to be on guard against this insidious organisation.”

Gulen’s death in a U.S. hospital was confirmed by his nephew and a website close to him.