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An Abuja High Court on Thursday granted the first defendant, Mike Ozekhome, permission to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment for six weeks.

Ozekhome and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, were arraigned on February 27 by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on a 12-count charge bordering on forgery and impersonation arising from a disputed property ownership case in the United Kingdom.

Ruling on Ozekhome’s application for the temporary release of his international passport, Justice Chizoba Oji ordered him to return the passport to the court on or before August 26.

The judge had earlier been informed on Tuesday that the prosecution had failed to deposit the defendants’ passports with the court, contrary to the bail conditions granted in February. Consequently, the court directed the prosecution to produce the passports during Thursday’s proceedings.

In compliance with the order, the prosecution presented the international passports of both defendants.

After Ozekhome confirmed ownership of the passport, Justice Oji asked the prosecution counsel, C.L. Asonta, whether there was any objection to its temporary release.

Although Asonta raised no objection, he requested that Ozekhome be directed to return the passport within three working days of his return to Nigeria.

Granting the application, the judge said: “Having considered the motion and noting that there is no objection, I hereby grant the request for the temporary release of the first defendant’s international passport to enable him to embark on his medical trip.”

Justice Oji ruled that the six-week period would run from July 9 to August 20 and ordered Ozekhome to return the passport to the court on or before August 26.

The court subsequently adjourned the trial until September 28 for continuation.

Ponfa Useni, the second defendant, is the son of the late Lt.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni, who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the military administration of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

According to the prosecution, the defendants conspired in 2020 to procure a false Nigerian international passport, No. A07535463, in the name of Tali Shani.Geographic Reference

The prosecution further alleged that Ozekhome assisted Useni in impersonating Tali Shani and that both defendants also created a forged irrevocable power of attorney to facilitate Ozekhome’s claim to the disputed property in the United Kingdom.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

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The Federal Government’s revised vehicle import levy regime has officially come into effect, raising expectations of possible reductions in automobile prices.

However, auto dealers seek clarification on the newly introduced Green Tax before determining the overall impact of the policy.

Implemented under the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures, the new arrangement reduces the import levy on brand-new vehicles from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, while the levy on used vehicles has been slashed from 15 per cent to five per cent.

The policy is intended to lower import costs, stimulate economic activities and provide relief for businesses and consumers in the automotive sector.

In addition to the levy cuts, the government introduced a Green Tax surcharge on selected categories of imported vehicles as part of its environmental sustainability agenda.

However, stakeholders in the automobile industry say uncertainty surrounding the exact structure and cost implications of the Green Tax makes it difficult to determine whether consumers will eventually benefit from lower vehicle prices.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, President of the National Association of Motor Dealers and Chief Executive Officer of Mitchel Automobile Limited, Prince Ajibola, described the levy reduction as a welcome development but stressed that the full impact would depend on the magnitude of the Green Tax.

“We don’t know what the surcharge is going to be. If they reduce the levy on vehicles and then introduce another surcharge, we need to know how much it is before we can say there will be any considerable change,” he stated.

Ajibola noted that although the reduction in levy on used vehicles from 15 per cent to five per cent represents a major concession, the benefit could be neutralised if the Green Tax is substantial.

“If the surcharge is far less than what has been reduced, then it’s a plus. But if it is the same or even higher, then it has not really changed anything,” he explained.

According to him, import duties remain one of the major reasons behind the high cost of vehicles in Nigeria, alongside foreign exchange pressures.

He added that the revised policy could help reduce vehicle prices, especially for commercial vehicles where the tariff adjustment is more significant, provided the Green Tax remains relatively low.

“The development is a very good one. There’s no doubt about that. But to know exactly how it will affect prices, we need to know what the Green Tax is. If it is very little, then the reduction in levies will still be significant and consumers will feel the impact,” Ajibola said.

Industry stakeholders said they would continue monitoring the implementation of the fiscal measures as the Nigeria Customs Service rolls out the revised tariff structure.

They noted that clearer details on the Green Tax would ultimately determine whether the reduction in import levies leads to meaningful price relief for vehicle buyers across the country.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, directed the immediate expansion of road infrastructure to more communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), declaring that his administration would continue to extend development to underserved areas while ending the era of abandoned projects in the nation’s capital.

Tinubu, who gave the directive while commissioning the rehabilitated over 16-kilometre Old Keffi Road, linking Kado Fish Market to Dei-Dei Junction through Life Camp, approved the construction of the Kaba – Kagini – Zaudna road, after residents displayed banners highlighting the poor state of access roads in their communities.

Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the ceremony held along the Gwagwa Rail Station Road in Abuja, the President said his administration remained committed to ensuring that every district and community benefited from the dividends of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We are not slowing down. Across the FCT, from the centre to the area councils, we are building for inclusion, for safety and for growth. Every district deserves access. Every citizen deserves to feel the impact of government where they are,” Tinubu said.

He declared that the completion of the Old Keffi Road signalled the end of abandoned infrastructure projects in the FCT.

“When we assumed office under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we told Nigerians the era of abandoned projects in Abuja was over. Some doubted. Today, doubt has no ground to stand on.

“From Saburi 1 and 2, to this corridor, and to many others we started unveiling last month to mark the third anniversary of this administration, the pattern is clear: we identify the pain, we fund the solution, and we deliver.”

The President described the newly rehabilitated road as a practical demonstration of government’s resolve to improve the daily lives of residents.

“It gives great honour today to open a road that restores dignity to daily movement.

“The fully rehabilitated 15-kilometre Old Keffi Road, from Kado Village through Life Camp to Dei-Dei Junction by the Outer Northern Expressway, is now open for use. This is not a promise on paper. It is asphalt you can drive on, lights you can trust after dark, and drainages that serve both homes and markets.”

Tinubu explained that the project was initiated after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, reported the deplorable condition of the strategic economic corridor serving Kado, Saburi, Gwagwa, Karmo, Idu and Dei-Dei.

“He brought the report to me. We acted,” the President said, adding that the Federal Executive Council subsequently approved the project and awarded it to Lubrik Construction Company Limited based on its proven capacity.

“Under this government, we do not reward patronage. We reward competence. If you deliver, you get more work. If you fail, you are out. Lubrik has delivered again.”

Tinubu also commended Wike for transforming the FCT through visible infrastructure development.

“Minister, you have turned the FCT into a site of visible results. You inspect, you decide, you follow through. You have matched development in the city centre with development in the districts and area councils so that no community is left behind.

“Mr. Projects’ is not a slogan. It is the record of roads opened, lights installed and deadlines met. I trust you. I rely on you. And Abuja is better because you are at the wheel.”

He equally praised the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, and the FCT Administration for delivering the project within schedule without compromising quality.

The President described the road as “an economic artery” that would reduce travel time, lower transportation costs and improve commercial activities by linking Kado, Saburi, Gwagwa, Karmo, Idu and Dei-Dei directly to the Outer Northern Expressway.

He added that the integrated streetlights under the Light Up Abuja initiative would improve security and support night-time economic activities.

Tinubu urged residents to protect the infrastructure by preventing vandalism of streetlights and keeping drainage channels free from refuse.

“This infrastructure belongs to you. Guard it. Do not vandalise streetlights. Do not block drains with refuse. Report any damage early.”

Earlier, FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike said the project fulfilled a long-standing promise made to residents and traders who had repeatedly appealed for the rehabilitation of the Old Keffi Road after the successful completion of the Saburi Road.

He recalled that during the Area Council election campaign, traders had appealed to him to tell President Tinubu that completing the road would earn their lasting appreciation.

“They told me, ‘Please tell Mr. President, if he completes this road for us, Mr. President should go home and sleep with his two eyes closed,’” Wike said.

The minister noted that the promise had now been fulfilled with the commissioning of the road.

In a dramatic moment during the event, Wike invited residents of Kaba, Kagini and Zaudna, carrying banners requesting another road project to come forward and announced that President Tinubu had approved immediate intervention.

“I have told the Executive Secretary of the FCDA to direct Lubrik Construction Company to move to this area immediately and construct the road,” Wike announced.

He said the decision reflected the true essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The whole essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda is to bring back hope where people have lost hope. Once Mr. President becomes aware of critical infrastructure needs that will improve connectivity and economic activities, he acts.”

Wike thanked Tinubu for approving the Old Keffi Road project and pledged that work on the newly approved road would commence without delay.