Month: March 2024

 

Flowerbudnews

The detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has sued the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged violation of his fundamental rights.

Gambaryan, in the originating motion dated and filed March 18 by his lawyer, Olujoke Aliyu, from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, sought five reliefs before Justice Inyang Ekwo.

Also, Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance’s Africa regional manager who escaped from lawful custody March 22, filed a separate right enforcement suit before Justice Ekwo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, had sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents.

They sought same reliefs.

Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, in his application, sought a declaration that his detention and seizure of his international travel passport, contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of 1999 Constitution (As Amended).

He said the act amounted to a violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by the constitution.

He also sought an order directing the respondents to release him from their custody and! return his international travel passport with immediate effect.

Gambaryan equally sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and agents from further detaining him in relation to any investigation into or demands from Binance.

The official, who sought an order for the respondents to issue a public apology to him, also prayed for the cost of thie action on a full indemnity basis.

In a statement in support of the suit, he said he is an American citizen who visited Nigeria on Feb. 26 February, along with fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla, as a representative of Binance, to honour the invitation of the ONSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria.

Giving 11-ground argument why his application should be granted, he said that he and his colleague, Anjarwalla, dutifully attended the meeting.

He said after the meeting the two of them were detained by the respondents and had remained in detention since then.

He said he did not commit any offence during the meeting, and neither was he informed in writing of any offence he personally committed in Nigeria at any other time.

“The only reason for his detention is because the government is requesting information from Binance and making demands on the company,” he said, adding that he was not a member of the Board of Directors of Binance.

When the two suits were called on Thursday, T.J. Krukrubo, SAN, appeared for Anjarwalla and Gambaryan

Krukrubo, told the court that though the respondents were served two days ago, they were not represented in court.

The senior lawyer, however, drew the attention of the court to their notice of withdrawal of legal representation for Anjarwalla filed on March 26.

Although Krukrubo did not give details of why they were withdrawing their legal representation, this might not be unconnected to the disappearance of the applicant in custody.

Justice Ekwo said having withdrew their legal representation, “it means that the applicant has no legal representation and requires that the matter be adjourned for the applicant to seek legal representation and for the respondents to be given an opportunity to come to court.”

The judge adjourned the matter until April 8 for further mention.

Also, upon resumed hearing in Gambaryan’s suit, Krukrubo said though the processes had been served on ONSA and EFCC, they were still within time to respond.

He therefore sought an adjourned date, saying the respondents time to file their applications would expire next week Thursday.

Justice Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until April 8 for further mention.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Taiye Olayemi

Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, has called on the Lagos State Government to put the state’s theatres to use to impact the society and engage the youth meaningfully.
Silva made the call during a conference organised by the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) in commemoration of the World Theatre Day, on Wednesday, in Lagos.
The theme for the conference is: “Unbundling Nigeria’s Creative Economy for a Sustainable Future”.
The actress decried the neglect of the theaters located in the five divisions of the state, describing it as a sad development.
According to her, to fully unbundle the Nigerian creative economy for a sustainable future, formidable structures must be in place.
“The creative industry needs a lot of structures-intellectual and physical, for the industry to thrive better. We should have physical structures of theatres across each local government in the federation.
“I can remember Lagos state did well by building five theatres and all have not been put to use in recent times, this is a sad development. They did this because they said government is not making money from it.
“Structures like that and the Freedom Park are cultural places and assets government need to be funding, these structures are impacting on the society, bringing the young people off the streets.
“These theatres and some other cultural places need take-off grants for a long time from government because they impact the society so the Lagos state government need to make these theatres work again,” she said.
Silver noted that government did not need to create more cultural centres but rather revamp, renovate and refurbishe the existing ones across the nation.
“One of such cultural centres to be revamped is the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture in Abuja.
“Training is also another important thing needed, this relates with the intellectual structure needed in the creative space.
“I can observe series of microwave training the younger ones are engaged with, which makes our people sub-standard to the global standard. We need to get it right,” she said.
Speaking on the importance of data gathering to unbundling Nigeria’s creative economy for a sustainable future, renowned filmmaker, Femi Odugbemi, advised on engaging the right kind of technology for data gathering.
Odugbemi spoke extensively on reasons government at all levels must priotise data gathering and uphold accuracy.
“Every number I have heard is a guess and this is usually used to make ridiculous plans, there must be a shift to the normal,” he said.
Advising his colleagues, Odugbemi said, “To engage government we need to make a shift from individual talent to building institutions, like building art studios, look at providing work and not looking for work.”
Also, Dr Ikenna Nwosu, Vice President, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, said that to get it right in the creative sector, addressing the absence of a national policy on the creative economy was quite germane.
“We must address the draft national policy on intellectual property in the sector, also, mitigating the risks associated with investing in the creatives sector would have to be examined.
“Government must also think of addressing the absence of a Nigerian creative economy bill that creates a creative economy.
Earlier, Mr Israel Eboh, NANTAP National President, noted that the theme of the conference was carefully picked to enlighten people on the broad nature of the creative industry.
Eboh urged theatre arts practitioners to take deliberate efforts in understanding the demands of playing actively in the creative space.
“The era of creative exhibitionism must end, we must step onto the field of creative business. As practitioners, we must reinvent ourselves; we must be willing to collaborate; we must understand the business of risk sharing and mitigation.
“Above all, we must be engaged in constant capacity building and understanding the workings of the many components that make the creative economy one of the largest growing economies.
Ngozi Obigwe-Kunuji, Head of Operations, Africa Philanthropy Forum, enlightened theatre practitioners on how they could seek for funds for filmmaking.
She listed the British Council, Fort Foundation, and Mastercard Foundation among many other organisations they can approach for funds. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.

The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29 and Monday, April 1, 2024, as public holidays to mark the celebrations of 2024 Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively.

 

The declaration was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the federal government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Aishetu Ndayako, on Wednesday.

 

According to the Minister, Easter, beyond religious significance, promotes values of love, forgiveness and compassion which are essential for social cohesion and harmony.

 

He called on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they are capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development in Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.

 

He further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.

 

While wishing Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration, the Minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with President Bola Tinubu led Administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Presidential Economic Coordination Council, PECC, and the creation of the Economic Management Team Emergency Taskforce, EET.

 

statement issued to State House correspondents on Wednesday by the President’s spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, noted that the approvals is sequel to a strategic move to bolster the nation’s economic governance frameworks and ensure robust and coordinated economic planning and implementation.

 

The statement noted that the PECC has President Tinubu as its chairman and Vice President Shettima as its vice chairman.

 

Members of the council include the president of the Nigerian Senate, chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.

 

Others are Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Minister of Labour and Employment, and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

 

Other members of the council also include Minister of Power, Minister of State (Petroleum Resources), Minister of State (Gas), Minister of Transportation, and Minister of Works.

 

The statement explains that PECC will also comprise key members of the organised private sector, who will serve for a period not exceeding one year, subject to the President’s directive.

 

The incorporated members are Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr Tony Elumelu, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Ms Amina Maina, Mr. Begun Ajayi-Kadir, Mrs. Funke Okpeke, and Dr. Doyin Salami.

 

Others are Mr Patrick Okigbo, Mr Kola Adesina, Mr Segun Agbaje, Mr Chidi Ajaere, Mr Abdulkadir Aliu, and Mr Rasheed Sarumi.

 

According to the statement, the Economic Management Team Emergency Taskforce, EET, has the mandate to formulate and implement a consolidated emergency economic plan.

 

The taskforce, according to the statement, comprises key government officials and industry leaders in furtherance of the President’s collaborative approach towards achieving economic resilience and growth.

 

Accordingly, it is mandated to submit a comprehensive plan of economic interventions for 2024 to the PECC, covering the next six months, for immediate implementation within two weeks of its inauguration.

In a heartfelt gesture of support and solidarity, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday offered scholarships to the children of 17 soldiers killed in the Okuama community in Delta State.

 

Also, he said the Government will provide housing for the families of the military men.

 

Tinubu made the announcement while addressing the military, grieving families, and other sympathisers at the burial ceremony held in Abuja to bid farewell to the fallen heroes.

 

Expressing his deepest condolences to the military, Tinubu said: “I wish to also commend our Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks in Okuoma or its neighbouring communities.

 

We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuoma are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them.

 

Eulogises Armed Forces

“To the entire Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have a message for you.Do not let the death of your compatriots discourage you.

 

“There is no higher honour than the vocation you have chosen to pursue. We cherish you. We cherish your labour of love.

 

“We salute your daily sacrifice in protecting your fellow citizens from danger. We acknowledge your sacrifices to defend our nation.

 

“Within our continent, our sub-region and across the world, the Nigerian Military has remained a force for good, embodying a great example and keeping our democracy safe.

 

“It is now our duty to protect the families of our departed heroes.

 

Scholarships, housing

On the compensation for the fallen soldiers, President Tinubu said: “The Federal Government will provide a house in any part of our country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers.

 

The Federal Government has also approved scholarships to all the children of the deceased up to the University level.

 

“The Military must, within the next 90 days, ensure that all the benefits of the departed are paid to their families.

 

“May the families of the departed and all their loved ones find the strength to bear the pain of this loss. May God grant our heroes eternal rest.”

 

Roll call

In attendance are the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

 

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas are also present.

 

Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Abba Yusuf (Kano) are already seated at the burial site.

 

… March 4

 

Recall that 17 military personnel — comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers — were killed while on a “peacekeeping mission” in the Okuama community on March 14.

 

On March 18, the military authorities released the names and pictures of the 17 soldiers.

 

Below are the names of the dead soldiers

 

AH Ali Lieutenant Colonel (Commanding officer, 181 Amphibious Battalion)

SD Shafa Major

DE Obi Major

U. Zakari Captain

Yahaya Saidu Staff Sergeant

6. Yahaya Danbaba Corporal

 

Kabiru Bashir Corporal

Bulus Haruna Lance Corporal

Sole Opeyemi Lance Corporal

Bello Anas Lance Corporal

Hamman Peter Lance Corporal

Ibrahim Abdullahi Lance Corporal

Alhaji Isah Private

Clement Francis Private

Abubakar Ali Private

Ibrahim Adamu Private

Adamu Ibrahim Private