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Old naira notes : DSS asked to arrest Emefiele, Malami over disobedience to Supreme Court’s ruling

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has been called upon to immediately arrest the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami for their disobedience to a ruling of Supreme Court ordering that old N200, N500 and N1000 notes remain valid till December 31, 2023.

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) made the call on Sunday.

The rights group, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, claimed that the failure of the AGF and the CBN governor to expressly comply with the ruling of the Supreme Court of March 3, 2023 is treasonable and a direct attack on the supremacy of Nigeria and this affront should not be swept under the carpet.

Already, over one week after the Supreme Court delivered its final ruling in the lawsuit on the old banknotes and extended their validity to December 31, 2023, the scarcity of the currency still persists across the states of the federation even as many Nigerians have refused to accept the old notes following the failure of the CBN to make a pronouncement to that effect.

Nigerians who thronged banks said they were given old N500 and N1000 notes, but lamented that spending the money has not been easy as traders refused to collect them. State governments like Kaduna, Kogi, Kano, amongst others have since warned that those who reject old naira in contravention of the Supreme Court order will go to jail.

Meanwhile, some state governments are planning to initiate contempt proceedings against Malami and Emefiele over their refusal to implement the Supreme Court judgment on the naira redesign policy of the Federal Government.

Reports have it that the Federal Government was served with the enrolled order and Certified True Copy of last week’s Supreme Court judgment, which also ordered that the old N1,000, N500 and N200 should be in circulation alongside the new notes till December 31, 2023.

The silence of President Muhammadu Buhari on the judgment of the apex court had fuelled the rejection of the remaining old N1,000 and N500 as legal tender. On Monday, some banks commenced paying customers the old notes in partial compliance with the Supreme Court judgment, but by Wednesday the banks stopped disbursing the old notes as the CBN insisted that it had not given any directive to that effect.

HURIWA’s Onwubiko, however, said, “The flagrant disobedience and arrogance of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami after the Supreme Court order is condemnable and treasonable.

“No individual is greater than the Nigerian State and those who think they are should be met with resistance and the punishment that they deserve. For Section 37 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria provided that any person who levies war against the State, in order to intimidate or overawe the state (here being Nigeria) is guilty of treason, and is liable to the punishment of death.

“Now that cash had dried up in most banks in states due to what senior bankers described as the inability of the CBN to supply them with new naira notes, protests have started to break up in the country. This can threaten the security of the entire nation and the Department of State Services should not fold its arms and watch while Malami and Emefiele plunge Nigeria into chaos and untold hardship.

“HURIWA demand the arrest of CBN governor, the AGF Malami and their trial for treason for failing to comply with the judgment of the highest court in Nigeria. HURIWA also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to be democratic and obey the Supreme Court because the apex court on March 3 also pronounced that the February 16, 2023 declaration by the President is dictatorial.”

 

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Nigerian transparency watchdog demands Immediate release of Amb. Dr. Otunba Adejare Adegbenro, public apology from police

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The Nigerian Transparency and Accountability Watch Group, a non-partisan organization dedicated to upholding transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, has issued a fervent call for the immediate release of Amb. Dr. Otunba Adejare Adegbenro, who has been detained by the Nigeria Police under unclear circumstances.

 

Amb. Dr. Otunba Adegbenro, a distinguished diplomat and grandson of renowned figures in Nigeria’s history, including Pa Alfred Rewane and Alhaji Aloye Dauda Soroye Adegbenro, was taken into custody on 26th April 2024. Despite his significant contributions to social justice and security in Nigeria, the reasons behind his detention remain shrouded in mystery.

 

In a public statement issued today, Comrade Zakari Hashim, the National Coordinator of the Nigerian Transparency and Accountability Watch Group, condemned the arbitrary his detention as a violation of his fundamental rights.

 

Hashim emphasized the importance of upholding due process and ensuring fair treatment for all individuals, regardless of their status.

 

“As an organization dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability within Nigeria, we strongly condemn any actions that undermine the fundamental rights of individuals,” stated Hashim.

 

“The arbitrary detention of Amb. Dr. Otunba Adejare Adegbenro without clear justification is a blatant violation of his rights and is inconsistent with the principles of democracy and the rule of law.”

 

The Nigerian Transparency and Accountability Watch Group has called upon the relevant authorities, including the presidency, the Inspector General of Police, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), to intervene and secure the immediate release of Amb. Dr. Otunba Adegbenro.

 

Additionally, the organization has demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding his detention to ensure accountability for those responsible.

 

Comrade Hashim reiterated the group’s commitment to monitoring the situation closely and advocating for justice and accountability in Nigeria. “We remain steadfast in our pursuit of transparency and accountability,” he affirmed.

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Former education minister, Kenneth Gbagi dies at 62

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A former Minister of Education and industrialist, Kenneth Gbagi, has died at the age of 62.

Gbagi was the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the last election in Delta State.

He was reported to have died on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

This was confirmed in a statement released by his family.

The statement, signed by his eldest son, Chief Emuoboh Gbagi, read, “It is with profound sadness but gratitude to God that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, husband, and brother.

“Olorogun Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, former Minister of Education, departed this life on the 4th of May 2024 at the age of 62.

“We take comfort in the fond memories of his life, his achievements, and the impact he made on the lives of countless individuals and communities.

“We kindly request your thoughts and prayers for our family during this challenging time of loss.

“May his soul rest in perfect peace.”

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Ex Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Wife, others To Be Arraigned April 17 Over Dollar Video…..

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The Kano High Court is set to arraign Kano State’s immediate previous governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on April 17, 2024, on charges of bribery, diversion, and theft of money, including the alleged acceptance of $413,000 and N1.38 billion in bribes.

Haruna Dederi, Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, confirmed the situation, saying Ganduje would be charged with his wife and six others.

The accused individuals named in the summons are Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.

The Kano State Government, which initiated the criminal suit against the eight respondents, has declared its readiness to present 15 witnesses to testify before Justice Usman Na’aba of State High Court number four.

“It is very true. We have filed the case and it’s going to hold on the 17th of April, 2024. What I cannot confirm is whether he is served or not, but he will definitely be served,” he said.

Dederi further highlighted the significance of accountability in governance, remarking, “What he (Ganduje) doesn’t understand is that you cannot run away from the evil day, it will definitely come to you, and this will even serve as a deterrence to all of us that are also in government now.”

The commissioner also addressed the jurisdictional aspect of the case, asserting,
“He was saying that we can’t prosecute him, forgetting that the offence also falls under the category of the state offences,” he said.

“It’s not totally a federal affair and we have even appealed to Justice Liman ruling on that.”

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