The hottest and most trending news articles for this week in all categories are captured in one shot. Find articles ranging from News to Sports, to Politics, to Entertainment, to Economy, to Metro plus, and many other categories. See below the top news for the week:
NEWS
- ASUU Suspends 8-Month-Old Strike Conditionally
The Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) has suspended its eight-month-old industrial action conditionally, a member of the union’s National Executive Committee told newsmen early Friday. The union decided to suspend the strike during a meeting of its leadership that started on Thursday night and lasted into the early hours of Friday. The meeting was called by the union to determine its next line of action after its state branches met over the Court of Appeal ruling last week.
The Court of Appeal had ordered ASUU to suspend the strike before its appeal of the ruling ordering lecturers to resume work can be heard. Members of the union’s National Executive Committee, which comprises the chairmen of the state chapters and members of the national executive, attended the meeting at the ASUU National Secretariat in Abuja. ASUU has been on strike since February 14 this year.
- Alleged Terrorism: Appeal Court Discharges Nnamdi Kanu
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday upheld the appeal of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. The court also discharged and acquitted the embattled leader of the proscribed group. Kanu had in his appeal dated April 29 and marked CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022 applied to be discharged and acquitted. Kanu was first arraigned on December 23, 2015, and was later granted bail on April 25, 2017.
However, the Court of Appeal on Thursday declared as illegal and unlawful, the abduction Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria and quashed the entire terrorism charges brought against him by the Federal Government. The Appellate Court held that the Federal Government breached all local and international laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria thereby making the terrorism charges against him incompetent and unlawful.
The Appeal Court in a judgment by Justice Oludotun Adebola voided and set aside the charges by the Federal Government against Kanu. The Appellate Court proceeded to discharge Kanu from the alleged offences. Justice Adebola held that failure of Nigeria to follow due process by way of Extradition was fatal to the charges against Kanu. The Appeal Court further held that the failure of the Federal Government to disclose where and when the alleged offences were committed was also fatal to the terrorism charges and made them liable to dismissal.
Reacting to the judgment, Kanu’s lawyer and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on his Facebook page on Thursday, said Kanu won at last. “Appeal allowed, Oyendu Mazi Nnamdi KANU, discharged and acquitted. We have won!” he wrote. When contacted, the prosecuting counsel for the Federal Government, David Kaswe, told newsmen that he did not have anything to say about it. “I don’t have anything to say about it. I am not the proper authority to speak on it,” he said.
- Nnamdi Kanu’s Release: Family Reacts, Says it is Win-Win day, thanks FG
Following the Appeal Court victory that discharged and acquitted the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the family has expressed their excitement and gratitude to all who stood by them, including the Federal Government.
Speaking with newsmen, his younger brother, Emma Kanu said, “The victory is for all of us. I am thanking all, men, women, pastors, journalists, IPOB media warriors, those we know and those we do not know all over the world, especially the Appeal Court judges that handled the case, even the dead. “I also thank the Federal Government who understood and I know will abide by the Appeal Court decision. This is a win-win day.” He expressed his hope that the Federal Government will abide by the court decision.
Also reacting, the senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe thanked God that justice has been done by the judgment, stating “Peace will now return to the Southeast.” According to Goodluck Ibem of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), “The Court of Appeal judgement that discharged and acquitted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is an indication that the Judiciary is the last hope of the common man. “It confirms that we have judges who will look at matters based on their merits and not based on sentiments. The Judiciary has shown that there is hope for the common man.
- Nnamdi Kanu Only Discharged, Not Acquitted – Malami
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Thursday reacted to the decision of the Appeal Court to discharge leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. In a statement signed by spokesperson, Dr. Umar Jibril Gwandu, Mr Malami said the appeal court only discharged Kanu and did not acquit him.
“The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has received the news of the decision of the Court of Appeal concerning the trial of Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement said. “For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the Court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted. Consequently, the appropriate legal options before the authorities will be exploited and communicated accordingly to the public.
“The decision handed down by the court of appeal was on a single issues that borders on rendition. Let it be made clear to the general public that other issues that predates rendition on the basis of which Kanu jumped bail remain valid issues for judicial determination. The Federal Government will consider all available options open to us on the judgment on rendition while pursuing determination of pre-rendition issues.”
- Ohanaeze Advises FG Against Appealing Kanu’s Victory
Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has appealed to the Federal Government to resist the temptation of appealing the Court of Appeal’s verdict on the illegality associated with the abduction of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu in Kenya, and his illegitimate extradition to Nigeria.
Ohanaeze stated this in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, on Thursday, in reaction to the appellate court’s decision to quash the charges of treason and terrorism preferred against Kanu by the Federal Government.The Igbo socio-cultural group then urged the Federal Government to reconcile with the Biafra agitator through dialogue.
“FG should be mature enough to know that the Kanu’s victory is no victor no vanquished status quo, the best way for FG to reconcile with Biafra agitators should be through dialogue, they will kick off the process of reconciliation by not appealing to the Kanu’s victory over FG, this should be the guarantee’s offer for IPOB to dialogue with FG. “This is the rarest chance in history to end insecurity challenges in the Southeast.”
“Ohanaeze advises the FG to extend the hands of fellowship to southern agitators in line with President Buhari’s commitment to end insecurity and handover a more United Nigeria in 2023 ” Dialogue should be the next phase and options for the Federal Government to achieve peace in Southeast, Igbo leaders are ready to accompany Kanu to Buhari for genuine dialogue, it’s up to Federal Government to do the needful,” the statement reads.
- Kanu: Jubilation in South-East, FG may appeal judgment
There was wild jubilation in the South-East on Thursday following the Court of Appeal judgment which quashed the terrorism charges preferred against the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. Across parts of the South-East states, people celebrated openly on hearing the reports that the court had discharged Kanu who has been in custody since June 2021 when he was arrested in Kenya and brought to Nigeria to face prosecution for leading an outlawed organisation and clamouring for the Republic of Biafra.
However, there are strong indications that the Federal Government may appeal the judgment of the Court of Appeal. A senior official in the Ministry of Justice confided in newsmen that the government would study the ruling and take a decision on it. “All options are on the table; we will study the order but we will likely appeal it. The court only discharged him, it did not acquit him,’’ the director stated.
Reacting, the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, in a statement said, “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has received the news of the decision of the Court of Appeal concerning the trial of Nnamdi Kanu. For the avoidance of doubt and by the verdict of the Court, Kanu was only discharged and not acquitted.
Newsmen observed celebrations and parties at Imo state University Junction area, Ikenegbu, Amakohia, Orji, Okigwe Road and flyover junction. At the flyover junction, a commercial driver was seen shouting and honking that Nnamdi Kanu has been freed at last. He said, “Victory at last. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been freed. It is victory for Biafra.”
At IMSU junction, groups of youths were seen at different locations shouting and singing following the development. The situation was also the same in Enugu as there was spontaneous celebrations when news filtered in that the court had ordered Kanu’s release. Many youths took to the major streets as they discussed the development in groups.
- Ortom Gives FG One Month Deadline To Approve AK-47 Licence
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has given one month deadline to federal government to approve his letter to procure AK-47 license or will seek the advice of his people on way to go. The governor stated this on Thursday during the passing out parade of second batch of the State Volunteer Communty Guards held at IBB Square, Makurdi. Ortom said that he had applied for approval of AK 47 riffles license but regretted that over three months he was yet to get response from federal government.
According to him, “I have on behalf of the Benue State Government applied to the responsible Federal Government Agency for approval to procure automatic weapons particularly AK47 assault riffles to further strengthen your logistic support base and your defense capability. I am still awaiting approval from the Federal Government to deal accordingly, If there is no reply in the next one month, I will revert to my people to give advice on what to do because federal government is complicit on the issue of herders attacks on the state.
While stating that state governments and federal government were working towards moving from community policing to State Police, the governor said that when this happens, the personnel will automatically transit to the state police. Ortom admonished the personnel to remain apolitical, conscientious, courteous, vigilant and strong to stand firm and protect the people. To effectively combat crime, the governor said his administration had procured motor vehicles and motorcycles as well as other tools to ease their operation. One thousand, five hundred personnel have so far been trained under the State Volunteer Communty Guards while the governor promised to up the figure to 10,000 before he leaves office in 2023.
- Arming Amotekun: El-Rufai tackles Akeredolu
Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State said yesterday that local security outfits and vigilantes do not possess the necessary firearms to fight bandits. He particularly said arming Amotekun is a simplistic way of fighting banditry and other crimes, insisting ”they are not up to scratch.” The governor described the Ondo’s governor’s plan as a simplistic approach to combating bandits.
Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, had called repeatedly on the federal government to approve for the security outfit the right to bear assualt rifles, such as AK-47, to confront violent criminals as bandits, herders, among others.But Governor el-Rufai said the vigilantes are no match for the “sophisticated” non-state actors. He said: “Local security networks can only provide local intelligence. They do not have the firearms to face these guys (bandits).
POLIICS
- PDP Has Not Suspended Its Presidential Campaign – Tambuwal
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday said it has not suspended its presidential campaign. Reports had emerged that the main opposition party shelved its campaign at the instance of Atiku to pacify some aggrieved governors in the party. But the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, in a statement, dismissed the rumours.
The train “is continuing, by the grace of God on Monday in Kaduna,” Tambuwal said.
That is far from the truth. In fact, it is fake news. People are looking forward to our coming to states, capitals and villages because PDP is the party to beat in 2023,” the Sokoto state governor added. Other parties are afraid because they have not started (their campaigns). None of them have composed their campaign councils, not to even talk of starting. They are trying to throw spammer at our works.
“They will not succeed. It is one of those shenanigans when you see a party doing well and its candidate is better than yours. What you begin to do is to cause mischief. It is not going to work. We’ll run our campaign, as I said before; it is going to be issue-based. We believe there are sufficient problems bedeviling our country. I believe in the candidature of Atiku and Okowa. I also believe that when we get there we shall do better for Nigeria; and, we hope we are able to convince Nigerians to vote for Atiku/Okowa come February 2023.”
He assured that the campaign team will replicate the kind of scenario it had in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state and where thousands of party supporters turned up for the kick-off of its presidential rally. The main opposition flagged off its campaign on Monday in Akwa Ibom State. However Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia; Seyi Makinde, Oyo; and Samuel Ortom, Benue, were absent at the event.
- PDP crisis: I’ve accepted Atiku, Okowa, says Wike
Ahead of the 2023 elections, Governor Nyesom Wike says he has accepted Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, but will never ever accept party national chairman, Sen Iyorcha Ayu to remain in office before the elections.
Wike who asserted this while hosting Cross River State PDP governorship and all state and national assembly candidates along with local government chairmen of his private residence in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Wednesday night, also said genuine efforts to amicably resolve the impasse in the PDP were being frustrated by rent-seekers in the party.
Addressing his guests with South-South National Vice Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, present, Wike fingered perceived “hyenas and rent seekers,” as remaining obstinate and averse to justice, fairness and equity in the party. He said, “We’ve finished presidential primaries. We have a presidential candidate. Is Wike saying remove the presidential candidate? Is Wike saying remove the vice presidential candidate? So, what are you begging me for?
“All I am saying, will continue to say is you have taken president, give us national chairman. Nobody wants to speak the truth. If I am saying remove the presidential candidate, remove vice presidential candidate, then you will say why is he doing this. He (Ayu) said, if the presidential candidate comes from the north, he will resign, which means he has had this in mind. Now, the thing has come to reality, now resign, he says no. And people are saying go and talk to Wike.
“I’ve accepted the presidential candidate, accepted the vice presidential candidate, what’s the problem again. You, fulfil your part. Let the South have something, that is all I’m preaching. You cannot have presidential candidate, national chairman, director general of the campaign.” The governor described as hypocritical, PDP members criticising APC Muslim/Muslim ticket while supporting a particular region of the country to retain the presidency for another eight years.
- Wike reviews appointments of special assistants to 50,000
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has reviewed the appointment of Special Assistants on Political Units from 28,000 to 50,000. This was contained in a statement issued by Media Aide to the Governor, Kelvin Ebiri, and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Thursday. The statement said the appointments take immediate effect.
- 2023: Ayu raises alarm over alleged APC pressure on INEC
The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, has again raised the alarm over alleged undue pressure by the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government, on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to compromise the 2023 general elections. He advised the government against compromising the integrity of the 2023 general elections, noting that the nation’s major opposition party does not want to be short-changed again.
Ayu also appealed to the European Union to send a high-level and large-sized observer mission to Nigeria to observe and monitor the 2023 general elections, especially given that Nigeria remained a very populous country with a very large landmass. The PDP National Chairman spoke in Abuja, while receiving the European Union Election Exploratory Mission to Nigeria, led by Mrs. Mette Bakken, at the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja, on Thursday,
- #EndSARS: Labour Party to review campaign council list
Barely 24 hours after, Labour Party, on Thursday, promised to review the list of members of its Presidential Campaign Council and make necessary corrections. The party was reacting to criticisms generated by the appointment of a former Army spokesperson, Major General John Enenche (retd.), into the Presidential Advisory Council of its PCC. Enenche, a former Director of Defence Information, who made the 1,234-man Obi-Datti campaign team as a member of the PAC from the North-Central, had claimed that the killing of #EndSARS protesters in 2020 at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos was false.
The ex-General had reportedly claimed that the Instagram live footage of DJ Switch, which showed #EndSARS protesters dying from bullets of soldiers from Nigerian Army was photoshopped. The video of his claims had surfaced again on Twitter nearly two years after the gruesome incident where men in military uniform invaded the venue of the protest in Lekki and shot at people.
Reports have it that controversy had trailed the list of Presidential Campaign Team of Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, with allegation of marginalisation of other ethnic groups in favour of the South-East. For instance, critics faulted the choice of appointment of Igbo as state coordinators for Lagos and Sokoto states. Also, a United States-based Professor and social commentator, Farooq Kperogi, had faulted the Labour Party campaign list, saying the party was not different from the All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party.
But responding to the allegation, chief spokesperson for the LP Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday that the party had taken cognisance of the observations and would make necessary adjustments. Speaking on the choice of Igbo as state coordinators for Lagos and Sokoto, Yunusa said many people complaining about the list never showed interest.
ECONOMY
- World Bank, IMF to assess Nigeria’s debt sustainability
The President of the World Bank Group, David Malpass, has said that the bank will work with the International Monetary Fund to assess Nigeria’s debt sustainability.
Malpass said this during the 2022 annual meetings opening press conference in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. He said, “We will work with the IMF on an assessment of the debt sustainability of Nigeria but it will be up to Nigeria itself to interact with the various creditors, which include bond holders, official creditors, that are engaged in Nigeria.”
Earlier, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, had disclosed that the Nigerian government was in talks with the IMF and the World Bank to restructure the country’s debts. She said: “It is a fact that Nigeria’s debt has increased over the last three to four years and this increase in debt was occasioned by the different kinds of exogenous shocks that the country faced which is not unique to Nigeria.
“The situation we have by our 2023 projection is that we will be needing to use about 65 per cent of our revenue to service debt. Unfortunately, the cost of debt service is rising because of the rising interest rate globally, which is resulting also in higher debt service costs. But our projection from the debt sustainability analysis is that Nigeria is able to cope with its debt service in 2022 as well as in 2023. We have been engaging financial institutions to look at the opportunity to restructure our debt to further stretch the debt service period to give us more fiscal relief.”
However, the World Bank Group president said that Nigeria was yet to request the common framework for debt restructuring. He said, “With regard to the debt restructuring, the World Bank works closely with the IMF on debt situation. Nigeria has not asked for the common framework under the G20 process. That process has been slow acting in Chad, Ethiopia and Zambia. There are some signs of movement in Zambia but still challenging. Nigeria and Ghana did not ask for common framework treatment.”
Malpass further noted that there was an ongoing discussion to ensure that this process could help a country to have a standstill on their debts and choose a path forward on debt restructuring, which means they will get a break on debt payment while they decide on how to restructure their debts.
- Sanwo-Olu gets FG’s approval for $2.5bn Badagry seaport
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has received approval to build the Badagry Deep Seaport which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in August. A statement signed by Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said the approval, which was given at the just concluded Lagos State Economic Summit (Ehingbeti 2022), authorises and provides the legal basis for the concession of the Badagry Deep Seaport following the issuance of the Full Business Case Certificate by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission last April.
According to the statement, the $2.5bn project, which would be funded through Public Private Partnership, would be built on approximately 496 hectares. It would have 2,470m quay length container terminal, 560m quay length break bulk terminal, 360m quay length OSB terminal and minimum of 18m depth. It was expected to generate 250,000 direct jobs, enhance government revenue and operate under a build, operate and transfer concession agreement.
Speaking on the development, Sanwo-Olu said the Seaport would boost Lagos State’s logistics and commerce capability. He said, “We are excited that Lagos is on the way to having another deep seaport on the Western side of the city. Before the end of this year, we will be commissioning the Lekki Deep Seaport on the Eastern side. What it means is that, what we have been suffering as a logistics and commerce hub of West Africa will be addressed when we increase maritime infrastructure that improves turnaround time in this sector.” With this, Lagos is assured to remain the economic and commercial nerve centre of the entire sub-Saharan Africa.
BUSINESS
- NNPC Declaring Profit Without Dividends, FG Should Get Out Of Oil & Gas – El-Rufai
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Thursday said the Federal Government has failed in the oil and gas business and should get out of the sector. The governor spoke on the occasion of the seventh edition of KadInvest, an annual event organised by the Kaduna State Investment Promotion Agency. Speaking on the theme of this year’s KadInvest, ‘Building a Resilient Economy’, El-Rufai said whatever the government manages turns out bad and noted that the sectors doing well in the country like entertainment, telecoms, fintech and others have no government involvement.
He said nothing has changed with the commercialisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company in July 2022, adding that NNPC is Nigeria’s biggest problem and should be privatised. The All Progressives Congress governor said though the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari is trying his best, the company has failed and has no business being in the sector.
He cited an example of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited which achieved nothing until the private sector came in and revolutionalised the telecoms business. “I am giving this example so that when I say government should get out of oil and gas, people should not think it is crazy; it is not. There is no reason why the Nigerian Government should still be in the oil and gas sector. It should just get out, it has failed. By every measure it has failed.
“This year, NNPC has not brought N20,000 to the federation account. We are living on taxes. It is PPTs, royalties, income tax and VAT that is keeping this country going because NNPC claims that subsidy has taken all the oil revenues. I don’t believe it,” El-Rufai noted. The governor further argued that the Federal Government should get out of the power sector and privatise it for the country to overcome the hydra-headed and decades-long challenges of the sector.
- NNPCL tackles el-Rufai as gov says FG has failed woefully in oil, gas business
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, yesterday faulted Kaduna State Governor Nasir, El-Rufai’s claim that the Federal Government has failed in the oil and gas business and should get out of the sector. It described his statement as confusing and contradictory. Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State had spoken on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, that whatever the government managed turned out bad.
According to El Rufai “nothing had changed with the commercialisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company in July 2022,” adding that “NNPC was Nigeria’s biggest problem and should be privatised.” El-Rufai maintained that though the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, was trying his best, the company had failed and had no business being in the sector.
The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPCL, Mr. Garba Deen Muhammad, said the governor got his facts wrong. He explained that the governor’s statements were contradictory and surprising because the facts were there for everyone to see. He said it was not true that NNPCL has not been remitting to FAAC, insisting that the revenue from PPT was from the oil industry.
“The confusion is where do the PPT, royalty and income tax come from? The PPT is the petroleum profit tax, have you seen anybody pay profit tax without making profit? Or pay Royalty without production? These things don’t just fall from the sky. These payments are possible because somebody is working hard to make it possible”, he added.
- CBN restricts foreign banks from ‘banking businesses’
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has barred foreign banks operating representative offices in Nigeria from providing services designated as ‘banking businesses’ among other aspects of services. The apex bank disclosed this yesterday in its Guidelines for the regulation of representatives offices of foreign banks in Nigeria. The guideline, according to the CBN, complements its regulation on the scope of banking activities and ancillary matters.
Listing the non-permissible activities for foreign banks operating in the country, the guideline stated: “Approved Representative Offices shall not engage in the following services/activities; Provision of services designated in Nigeria as banking business; Provision of any commercial or trading activity that may lead to the issuance of invoices for services rendered; and Acceptance of orders on behalf of the foreign parent; and engage directly in any financial transaction.’’
However, the CBN guideline added: “Representative offices of foreign banks serve an important purpose of showcasing the brand and services of its parent company. It can also stimulate foreign direct investment to the host country by connecting capital to various investment opportunities.
- LCCI recommends alternative deficit financing window
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has recommended the option of equity financing to tackle the nation’s budget deficit instead of embarking on unending borrowing spree. President, LCCI, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, who gave the charge in Lagos, yesterday, at the Chamber’s fourth quarterly media briefing on the state of the economy, also called for the trimming down of tax and duty waivers, and blockage of revenue leakages.
According to him, Nigeria’s ability to source foreign debts is already diminished, making it even more imperative to consider alternative sources of funding. “It is obvious that we may not even be able to source debts from foreign investors as in the past. Many factors have diminished our debt ratings, which should push the government to consider immediate issuance of wholesale equity investment at home and abroad to fund idle assets to finance the deficits instead of borrowing more.”
Also recommending revenue option, he said, “We must immediately block revenue leakages by curbing oil theft, pipeline vandalisation, trimming excessive fuel, power, gas, and forex subsidies, and massive tax and duty waivers to lift revenue to N20 trillion to N30 trillion thresholds from the present N6 trillion to N10 trillion thresholds.”
- Apple fined $20m for selling iPhones without chargers
A Brazilian judge fined Apple $20 million Thursday for selling iPhones without chargers, calling it an “abusive practice” that forces customers to buy an additional product. The decision, which can be appealed, came after Brazil’s justice ministry slapped a separate fine of nearly $2.5 million on Apple in September over the same issue and barred the US tech giant from selling its iPhone 12 and 13 models without chargers. The new fine, 100 million reais, was awarded by a Sao Paulo civil court judge as damages in a lawsuit filed by the Brazilian Consumers’ Association.
Apple stopped including outlet chargers with new iPhones in October 2020, saying it wanted to help reduce electronics waste. But the move effectively “requires consumers to purchase a second product in order for the first to work,” Judge Caramuru Afonso Francisco wrote in his ruling. He ordered the California company to supply chargers to all consumers in Brazil who bought iPhone models 12 or 13 in the past two years, and begin including them with all new purchases.
Apple is also facing charger-related headaches across the pond. Last week, the European Parliament passed a law requiring all smartphones, tablets and cameras to use USB-C ports as the single charger standard from late 2024, which will force Apple to change its phone designs.
HEALTH
- Cholera kills 231, NCDC warns against poor hygiene
A total of 2,187 confirmed cases of cholera, including 233 deaths have been recorded in 31 states from January to September 25, 2022, in the country. This is according to the public health advisory published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on its website on Thursday. The advisory titled, ‘Stop Cholera: Strengthening Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Nigeria,’ noted that the outbreak of cholera had been exacerbated by limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities, open defecation, and poor hygiene practices.
The advisory read in part, “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is leading the national response to an ongoing outbreak of cholera in affected states in Nigeria. A total of 2,187 confirmed cases of cholera have been reported from 31 states and 233 deaths were recorded from January 1 to September 25, 2022.
“The outbreak has been exacerbated by limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities, open defecation, and poor hygiene practices. In response, NCDC and its partners have supported the affected states with commodities for case management and laboratory diagnosis, materials for risk communications, and response guidelines among other things. However, medical interventions alone are not sufficient to address the root causes -water, sanitation, and hygiene – of cholera outbreaks.”
The centre added that unsafe practices such as improper disposal of refuse and open defecation endangered the safety of water used for drinking and personal use, leading to the spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera.
EDUCATION
- ASUU Suspends 8-Month-Old Strike Conditionally
The Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) has suspended its eight-month-old industrial action conditionally, a member of the union’s National Executive Committee told newsmen early Friday. The union decided to suspend the strike during a meeting of its leadership that started on Thursday night and lasted into the early hours of Friday. The meeting was called by the union to determine its next line of action after its state branches met over the Court of Appeal ruling last week.
The Court of Appeal had ordered ASUU to suspend the strike before its appeal of the ruling ordering lecturers to resume work can be heard. Members of the union’s National Executive Committee, which comprises the chairmen of the state chapters and members of the national executive, attended the meeting at the ASUU National Secretariat in Abuja. ASUU has been on strike since February 14 this year.
WORLD
- UK Finance Minister, Kwasi Kwarteng, Sacked
British Prime Minister Liz Truss on Friday dismissed her finance minister, forcing Kwasi Kwarteng to carry the can for turmoil sparked by her right-wing economic platform as restive Conservatives plotted her own demise. The chancellor of the exchequer was dismissed in person by Truss after he rushed back early from international meetings in Washington, and before she was due to hold her first Downing Street news conference at 2:30 pm (1330 GMT).
Former foreign secretary and former Tory leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt was appointed as Kwarteng’s replacement, making him Britain’s fourth finance minister this year. “You have asked me to stand aside as your chancellor. I have accepted,” Kwarteng wrote in a letter to Truss, who only succeeded Boris Johnson on September 6.
But he insisted that their economic programme was needed because “the status quo was simply not an option”.
In reply, Truss wrote that Kwarteng had “put the national interest first”. “I know that you will continue to support the mission that we share to deliver a low-tax, high-wage, high-growth economy that can transform the prosperity of our country for generations to come,” she said.
Financial upheaval sparked by the new government’s September 23 plan to slash taxes — financed via billions in more borrowing — has subsided somewhat since the Bank of England intervened in bond markets. But the central bank was adamant it would end its bond-buying spree on Friday, and market analysts said only a bigger climbdown by Truss following Kwarteng’s disastrous budget announcement last month would avert fresh panic.
Tony Travers, from the London School of Economics, told AFP Kwarteng had been made “the fall guy for the government’s mistakes” — but that the sacking had not taken the pressure off Truss or calmed the Tories. “It’s very hard to see them coming back from this” by the next election, he added.
Kwarteng was due to have stayed in Washington this weekend to conclude annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, after earned a rebuke from IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva on the need for “coherent and consistent” policies. Speaking in Washington on Thursday, Kwarteng had insisted that his job was safe. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said.
But UK broadcasters showed live footage of Kwarteng’s British Airways plane landing at Heathrow airport a day early, after Truss held hurried meetings with her own financial advisors on Thursday in his absence. Speculation was rife that Truss would row back on planned changes to corporation tax, having already changed her mind about cutting income tax for the highest earners.
- UK To Supply Ukraine With Air Defence Missiles
Britain on Thursday said it would supply Ukraine with air defence missiles to defend itself against Russian assaults and will for the first time provide rockets capable of shooting down cruise missiles. The announcement comes after Western allies on Wednesday vowed to rapidly deliver new air defences to Ukraine to bolster protection against Russian aerial attack.
Russian President Vladimir Putin unleashed a barrage across Ukraine on Monday following a blast at a bridge to the annexed Crimea peninsula. “The AMRAAM rockets… will be provided in the coming weeks for use with the NASAMS air defence systems pledged by the US,” the British defence ministry said in a statement. The rockets will help to protect Ukraine’s critical national infrastructure,” it said.
Britain said it would also send hundreds of drones to support Ukraine’s intelligence services as well as 18 howitzer artillery guns, in addition to 64 already delivered.
“These weapons will help Ukraine defend its skies from attacks and strengthen their overall missile defence alongside the US NASAMS,” British Defence Minister Ben Wallace said.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky had on Tuesday called on the G7 club of wealthy nations including Britain to help Kyiv create an “air shield”. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the “top priority” of Ukraine’s Western backers was to provide Kyiv with more air defences to protect against Russia’s “indiscriminate” attacks.
Defence ministers from the Western military alliance are meeting on Thursday in Brussels.
- Mali Bus Blast Kills At Least 11 People – Hospital Source
At least 11 people were killed and 53 injured when a bus hit an explosive device in central Mali on Thursday, according to a hospital source. The explosion occurred on the road between Bandiagara and Goundaka in the Mopti area in the early afternoon, a security source said. The region is known as a hotbed for jihadist violence.
Earlier, police and local sources gave a provisional toll of 10 dead and many seriously injured. “We have just transferred nine bodies to the clinic. And it’s not over yet,” said Moussa Housseyni of the local Bandiagara Youth Association, adding that they were all civilians.
Mali has long struggled with a jihadist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes. Mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are among the jihadists’ weapons of choice. They can explode on impact or be detonated remotely.
A report by MINUSMA, the UN mission in Mali, found that mines and IEDs had caused 72 deaths in 2022 as of August 31. Most of the victims were soldiers — but more than a quarter were civilians, it said. Last year, 103 people were killed and 297 injured by IEDs and mines.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Osinachi thought her abusive husband would change – Neighbour
A neighbour of the late gospel singer, Osinachi, Grace Nnaji, on Thursday told a Federal Capital Territory Court in Abuja, that the singer, on many occasions begged her not to report her husband, Peter Nwachukwu’s abuse. Nnaji, a tailor, told the court that she met the singer when her husband approached her to make a dress for her. While giving her testimony led by the prosecution counsel, Aderonke Imana, she said she became close to the deceased as her Aco Estate, Airport Road, Lugbe, Abuja’s shop and residence were close to the Nwachukwu’s house.
She said the deceased confided in her that the defendant was always hitting her at the slightest provocation. She said, “Ekwueme, as I used to call her, came to my shop one day with injuries on her daughter’s head and she told me that the defendant pushed her and the child against the wall. “The daughter had fever at the same time and I was the one that gave Ekwueme money to buy drugs from the pharmacy to give her daughter. Another time, she came and showed me injuries on her back and told me that Peter kicked her on her back and she slammed into the wall with her chest.
“One day, she ran to my house at about 5am and said the previous night, she locked her door and he kicked it open with his leg and proceeded to hit her on her chest. She fell on the floor and remained there, crying until she slept off.” She further said the defendant was in the habit of locking his wife out whenever she went to church and she would be at the gate knocking for hours and at times it would take the intervention of neighbours before she would be allowed in and that she slept in her house for two days on one of the occasions that he refused to allow her into the house.
Nnaji also said the defendant threatened that he was going to destroy the deceased’s reputation and kill her brother and that was the reason she was afraid to tell anyone about her ordeal. She said when she told the singer to report the abuse to the police, her family, church and also a human rights radio, she refused. “When I told her that I was going to report to the church, she begged me not to, saying that her husband will change,” she added. Nwachukwu, who is standing trial on a 23-count charge bordering on domestic violence and culpable homicide, is accused of being responsible for the death of the late gospel singer who was popularly known for her song “Ekwueme.”
- BBNaija star, Rico Swavey is dead
Big Brother Naija reality star Patrick Fakoya, popularly known as Rico Swavey is dead. Fellow ex-housemates, Alex Unusual and Tobi Bakare confirmed the report on Thursday via social media. Similarly, Tobi shared a picture of himself and Rico, with the caption: “This is how I will remember you brother.”
Recall Nigerian entertainers launched a fundraiser for the late housemate following his accident. Tobi made the announcement on the fundraising via his Twitter page on Wednesday. Sharing a picture of hospitalised Rico, Bakre tweeted, “Please help save Rico. He had a really bad car accident.
“We have to keep him on life support and continue to pay the rising medical bills while we pray for God’s miracle. (We) can’t do it alone. Please click on the link to donate at ricoswavey.com.”
- Lagos govt probes nurses over footage of Rico Swavey’s last moments
The Lagos State government has commenced an investigation on the unethical filming of the late ex-Big Brother Naija housemate, Rico Swavey, by persons suspected to be nurses in the hospital. The former Big Brother Naija housemate was reportedly filmed by one of the nurses on duty as he battled for life. After an unconscious Rico was placed on oxygen while on a chair, the nurses can be heard chatting. One urged them to carry Rico onto the bed. “You people should stop making the video. Somebody is dying, you people are making video”, she scolded her colleagues.
The footage sparked anger on social media, with members of the public demanding a probe. Some share similar experiences of negligence in Nigerian hospitals. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, announced that the authorities had commenced an investigation. “That hospital is not a government hospital; we have started an investigation into the unprofessional conducts of those who appeared in that video,” Omotoso said.
- Adekunle Gold meets Asa after thrilling fans in Paris show
Afro-fusion singer and songwriter, Adekunle Gold headlined another stellar concert at the Salle Pleyel Arena in Paris on Wednesday, 12th October 2022. The singer was elated to meet Nigerian legendary singer, Asa who came to support Gold at the Paris concert. He thrilled the Paris fans alongside Nigerian Alternative act, Wurld, and French singer-songwriter, Tayc.
The award-winning singer Gold thrilled the audience with a couple of songs from his 2022 hit album ‘Catch Me If You Can’ as well as some of his notable hit songs- both old and new. This comes a few days after headlining the iconic O2 Brixton Academy which was a sold-out crowd at the 4921-capacity venue.
Adekunle Gold who is currently on tour in Europe had an electrifying performance at London Academy over the weekend. He appreciated the music stars who joined him on stage including his wife and Afrobeats superstar singer, Simi, Afrobeats ace Davido, Lucky Daye and other artistes who thrilled the audience with energetic performances of their hit songs.
Adekunle Gold’s Europe tour continues at the Colosseum Arena, Stockholm Sweeden on October 13th, followed by The Albert Hall in Manchester, United Kingdom on October 14th, Paradiso in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 23rd October as well as Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria on December 18th.
- American actor Jamie Foxx denied entry to Cardi B’s 30th birthday party
American actor, Eric Marlon Bishop popularly called Jamie Foxx was denied entry to American rapper, Cardi B’s birthday party. The rapper, Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar professionally called Cardi B celebrated her 30th glamorous party held at Poppy in LA with a multitude of stars in attendance on Tuesday night. According to TMZ, Foxx who appeared at the venue late was turned away from the party due to a miscommunication with the doorman at the location after he showed up with too many guests with him.
In the viral video, the Oscar winner could be seen switching out his Nike Air Force 1s sneakers for a fresh pair before walking to the venue. As he approached the door with his entourage and security, the actor was held up by a doorman who wouldn’t let him in. After a few minutes, Foxx made his way back to his Rolls Royce where paparazzi asked why he was rejected, moments later, the door guy came running after the star to let him know that he was actually cool to go inside.
Foxx on the other hand wasn’t having it, saying, “No, we not good. Nah ni**a, it’s all good! I love you, but it was too much.” It was also said that Foxx was ultimately turned away because there were too many guests with him, and Cardi had no idea what was going on in the front as she was enjoying her birthday bash inside.
SPORTS
- World Cup: Nigeria’s Flamingos Thrash New Zealand
Nigeria’s Flamingos bounced back from their opening game defeat against Germany, thrashing New Zealand 4-0 at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Friday. Goals from Amina Bello, Miracle Usani, Taiwo Afolabi, and Etim Edidiong ensured the Nigerian girls grabbed all three points on the plate in the Indian city of Goa. Hungry to make amends for the disappointment against Germany, the Nigerian girls went all out for an attack against New Zealand.
The first goal came as early as the 16th minute. The other goals followed in 34th, 75th, and 90th minutes to complete the rout. The win keeps the Flamingos’ hopes of qualifying for the quarter-final of the tournament alive. They will face Chile in their last group match with a win enough to take them to the quarter-final of the competition. Earlier, Chile defeated New Zealand 3-1 in their opening group game.
- La Liga Win Injunction To Freeze 50 Million Euros Of beIN Assets
Spain’s top football division, La Liga, has taken out a court injunction against the beIN Media Group to freeze 50 million euros ($48.5 million) of their assets after non-payment for television rights. The dispute is widely seen as the latest salvo in a feud between La Liga’s outspoken president Javier Tebas and beIN Group Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who is also the president of Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain.
The two men have been at loggerheads on a range of issues over the past few years.
A Spanish court placed a temporary hold on the 50 million euros pending a full hearing on the case, according to court documents issued on Monday that AFP has seen.
A La Liga spokesperson confirmed the Spanish league had sought legal remedies “to guarantee the payment of the amounts owed from the contracts for international TV rights following non-payment by beIN.”
The media group broadcasts La Liga football across three continents and in 35 countries, including France, Hong Kong and New Zealand, paying La Liga an estimated 1.5 billion euros over the past five years. “BeIN is one of the leading media groups in world sport and entertainment. Our reputation is founded on decades of significant investment, best-in-class broadcasting, long-term and trusted relationships with rights-holders, and a track record of payment,” a beIN Media Group spokesperson told AFP.
“We will not discuss publicly the private discussions we’ve been having with La Liga, or any rights-holder for that matter, regarding specific contracts. That is not how business should be conducted, certainly not by professional and dignified institutions. If we ran our operations reacting to certain executives’ comments on others within the sports industry, we wouldn’t be in business.”
METRO PLUS
- Soludo imposes N100,000 levy for pasting of burial posters, banners
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has announced payments by families burying their loved ones, before they can paste posters of the deceased. A letter by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency, Mr Tony Odili Ujubuon?u, communicating this to community leaders was sighted by newsmen. The letter stated a tax of N100,000 for display of burial banners across the state, and varying amounts for posters and other sizes of banners.
The letter to the national chairman of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) read: “The tariff below serves as a guide to what is payable; sizes, description, amount and duration of the taxes are: 4 X 6FT N5,000 for 2 weeks; 8 X 10FT N20,000 for 2 weeks; above 10FT square are N100,000 monthly; and N5000 for posters for 2 weeks. Addressing the national chairman of ASATU in the letter, Ujubuonu said: “We have written to you because we have always regarded you as progress partners in the development of Anambra State.”
“Note that directional signs leading to the venue which can come in 1x 2ft size will not be charged. It is also important to bear in mind that after the duration of this period, any such board that is left standing will attract a penalty in the sum of the amount initially paid. This penalty is paid weekly. The Agency, in fulfillment of its statutory obligation, is not unmindful of the menace associated with non-commercial adverts that have literally occupied our out-of-home space. These adverts come in the form of obituary, religious, wedding and sundry flex, banners and posters.”
The agency said the reason for this was to curb the level at which people deface the environment, which has become a threat to the aesthetics of communities. It said it will work with the town union to collect payment and also enforce it, adding that Soludo has the resolve of making Anambra a liveable city.” The agency said communities, villages, hamlets, kindreds, churches and town unions would be alerted of the latest development.
- Obajana: We Must seperate Acquisition From Asset-Grabbing, Kogi Replies Dangote.
The Kogi State government, on Wednesday, responded to Dangote Industries Limited’s insistence on 100 per cent ownership of Obajana Cement Company.
The state government, in a statement by Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said efforts by the company at making Kogi’s demand appear unreasonable had only justified the state’s protest against what it described as “callous and deliberate asset grabbing.”
The government maintained that Obajana Cement Company was solely founded in 1992 and owned by the state, which held 100 per cent of its shareholding in trust for its people, long before Dangote Industries Limited ventured into the state and longer still before Dangote Cement Plc came into existence.
In a detailed response to Dangote Group’s advertorial, titled, “Separating Facts From Fiction,” the Kogi State government noted that successive administrations had always invited Dangote Industries Limited and Dangote Cement Plc to prove that the group paid anything at all for the purported acquisition of Obajana and its alleged 100 per cent ownership, “but each time, DIL and DCP have woefully failed to do so.”
