Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), has warned that ongoing criticism of Aliko Dangote and his refinery could harm Nigeria’s investment climate. Adesina emphasized that no prudent investor would undermine a $19.5 billion investment, as alleged by importers against Dangote. The criticism arises from a dispute between Dangote and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and petroleum regulatory authorities over alleged substandard diesel production by Dangote’s refinery.

Adesina noted that such controversies paint Nigeria negatively on the international stage and dismissed accusations of Dangote monopolizing the manufacturing sector. He highlighted the significant barriers to entry and high capital costs involved in large-scale projects like railways and refineries, pointing out that Dangote’s investments are exceptional due to these challenges.

Adesina’s comments were echoed by business mogul Femi Otedola, who posted a statement on X, emphasizing the risk and expense involved in manufacturing in Nigeria’s challenging business environment. Otedola criticized the disparagement of Dangote, calling it self-defeating and harmful to Nigeria’s attractiveness to foreign investors. He argued that undermining the country’s largest investor sends a negative signal, discouraging potential investments in the nation.

The five corps members kidnapped on Ifon/Owo road in the Ose Local Government area of Ondo State have recounted their harrowing experience. The victims, Oluwaseun Adewole, Feranmi Oluwadara, Patience Andrew, Taiwo Oribamise, and Lekan Ajayi, were abducted after completing their mandatory orientation at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent camp in Abia.

One of the victims, Patience Andrew, explained that the kidnappers attacked their vehicle shortly after passing a military checkpoint in Ifon. The driver, mistaking the kidnappers’ flashlight for another checkpoint, stopped the vehicle and was immediately shot dead, along with a woman in the front seat.

Andrew described how they were forced out of the vehicle and trekked through the bush from night until morning. She noted that the kidnappers, mostly in their 20s and one dressed in a military uniform, communicated mainly in Hausa, with only one barely speaking English. They used one of the victim’s phones to demand a ₦5 million ransom from their families, which was eventually paid along with drinks and cigarettes to secure their release.

The Police Spokesperson for the state, Fumilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, claimed the victims were abandoned by their assailants due to police pressure, but the victims maintained that the ransom payment was the actual reason for their release.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the current administration’s attempts to suppress citizens’ rights to peaceful protest. He argued that a responsible government should ensure a “safe and secure environment” for citizens to exercise their rights to peaceful assembly, as guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.

Atiku emphasized that these rights are “enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and affirmed by our courts,” and criticized the government’s focus on identifying and targeting individuals behind planned protests, calling it an “exercise in futility.” He noted that the widespread discontent among Nigerians transcends political affiliations, including supporters of President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku has continued to critique the economic and socio-political policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, attributing the “hunger, anger, and hopelessness” experienced by Nigerians to the government’s “incompetence and cluelessness.” He highlighted the irony of the situation by recalling how current government officials were once protest leaders themselves in 2012.

He argued that any attempt to suppress these rights is not only unconstitutional but also a direct affront to democracy, underscoring the essential role of peaceful protest in a healthy democratic society. Atiku’s remarks come at a time of heightened tension and increasing public dissatisfaction with the government’s performance, highlighting the crucial need for protecting democratic freedoms in Nigeria.

In a formal demand, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general elections, has called on Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the president’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, to retract an allegation linking Obi to an impending mass protest. Obi’s counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme of MADIBA Chambers, issued the demand following Onanuga’s July 20, 2024, post on his X handle (@aonanuga1956), which suggested that “Peter Obi’s supporters are the people planning mayhem in Nigeria and that Obi should be held responsible for anarchy.”

Obi’s legal team claims the statement, widely circulated on social and mainstream media, has damaged Obi’s reputation, depicting him as someone who condones violence despite his well-documented history of non-violence, even under provocation. The letter from Obi’s counsel states, “It’s our client’s conviction that the publication was a calculated plot to demean, ridicule, humiliate, and embarrass him by the estimation of every right-thinking member of society.”

The letter demands a retraction and a public apology in four national dailies (Vanguard, THISDAY, Punch, and The Cable) and on Onanuga’s verified X account. Furthermore, Obi is seeking ₦5 billion in damages for the embarrassment caused to him and his family. Should Onanuga fail to meet these demands within 72 hours, Obi’s legal team has threatened to pursue defamation and libel charges in court.

Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Olukayode Egbetokun has assured the public that the Nigeria Police will handle the planned protest on August 1 in a professional manner. During a meeting in Abuja with Strategic Police Managers, which includes officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police and above, Egbetokun emphasized the police’s commitment to providing security for those engaging in peaceful protests.

He stated that the meeting aimed to share and analyze intelligence from various Police Commands across the country to ensure national security. Egbetokun reiterated the police’s stance on peaceful protests, asserting, “If the protest is peaceful, you will see us protecting the protesters as long as they remain peaceful.”

However, he warned against violent protests, stating that the police have a duty to protect lives and property and will not tolerate any actions that lead to the destruction of facilities. “No civilized society will tolerate violent protest. Violent protest is criminal, but peaceful protest is a right,” he remarked.

Egbetokun also urged Nigerian youths to ignore any incitements to violence, emphasizing that the right to protest must be exercised peacefully.

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, has publicly addressed allegations linking NNPC employees to a blending plant in Malta, following claims by Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group. Dangote suggested that the establishment of such a plant impeded the procurement of locally produced petroleum products.

Kyari categorically denied any involvement, stating, “I do not own or operate any business directly or by proxy anywhere in the world, with the exception of a local mini-agricultural venture.” He further clarified that he is unaware of any NNPC employee operating a blending plant in Malta or elsewhere globally.

Emphasizing the integrity of NNPC’s operations, Kyari asserted, “A blending plant in Malta or any part of the world has no influence over NNPC’s business operations and strategic actions.” He reassured stakeholders that any employee found involved in such activities would face strict compliance sanctions.

Kyari also emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, urging that individuals implicated in these allegations be publicly identified and reported to government security agencies. “I strongly recommend that such individuals be declared public and be made known to relevant government security agencies for necessary actions in view of the grave implications for national energy security,” he stated.

Kyari’s statement aims to dispel the concerns raised by Dangote Group’s President and reinforce NNPC’s commitment to maintaining robust operational standards and national energy security.

The hearing of a fundamental rights suit filed by Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso and seven others was stalled on Tuesday due to the inability of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to file necessary processes. The EFCC’s counsel, Idris Ibrahim-Haruna, requested an adjournment to file responses, citing service in Abuja and apologizing for the inconvenience.

Robert Hon, counsel for the applicants, opposed the adjournment request, arguing that the EFCC had ample time to file their responses since being served on June 10. He urged the court to proceed with the hearing, noting that the EFCC was out of time.

Justice Yusuf Ubale directed the EFCC counsel to file their responses and adjourned the matter to October 24 for a definite hearing. The court had previously granted an interim order on June 10, preventing the EFCC from arresting Kwankwaso and the other applicants, who include the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, Dipo Olayanku, Ahmed Balewa, Chief Clement Anele, Folashade Aliu, and Buba Galadima.

The Appeal Court in Abuja has rejected an appeal aimed at nullifying the PDP primary election that selected Asue Ighodalo as the party’s candidate for the upcoming Edo Governorship Election. The court, led by a three-member panel under Justice A. M. Lamido, dismissed the appeal filed by the embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu.

Shaibu, who was previously impeached but later reinstated, challenged the outcome of the PDP primary election, claiming it was not conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act and the PDP Constitution. He sought to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing Ighodalo as the PDP candidate and requested a new primary election.

The appellate court upheld the Federal High Court’s decision, which had earlier ruled that Shaibu lacked the standing to challenge the primary election because he did not participate in it. The court found no merit in Shaibu’s appeal and awarded a ₦1 million cost against him.

The Federal High Court had also noted that there was no evidence showing Shaibu’s participation in the primary election held on February 22 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, and affirmed that Shaibu did not meet the legal requirements to challenge the election’s outcome.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has proposed a ₦6.2 trillion supplementary budget aimed primarily at implementing the new minimum wage and stimulating economic growth through infrastructural projects.

Key Points:

• Minimum Wage: ₦3 trillion of the budget will be allocated to cover the newly proposed national minimum wage. President Bola Tinubu has indicated that the bill for this wage increase will soon be presented to the National Assembly.
• Infrastructural Projects: The remaining funds will be directed towards various projects, including:
  • Rail Projects: Funding will support several major rail projects, such as the Port Harcourt Main Bridge, Badagry-Tin Can Port, Lekki Port, Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge, and Kano-Marada Standard Gauge. A total of ₦530 billion is requested for these rail developments.
  • Water and Irrigation: ₦522 billion will be invested in water, irrigation, and dam projects.
  • Road Projects: Key road projects include the Lagos-Calabar road, requiring ₦150 billion, and Sokoto-Badagry road.
• Equity Contributions: The ₦3.2 trillion renewed hope infrastructural fund will provide equity contributions for these projects.

Details:

• Budget Breakdown: The supplementary budget is designed to complement the ₦28.7 trillion Appropriation Act approved for the 2024 fiscal year.
• Committee Oversight: Rep. Abubakar Bichi, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, emphasized the need for transparency and detailed information on the budget allocations.
• Security and Infrastructure: The budget also aims to address infrastructural deficits and improve security, with ongoing efforts to secure lives across the country.

The proposed supplementary budget reflects a commitment to addressing pressing economic challenges and enhancing the nation’s infrastructure to support long-term growth and development.