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Supreme court verdict confirms Fubara has been a gross violator of our constitution – Speaker Amaewhule

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Martins Amaewhule has said that Monday’s Supreme Court judgement has proven that Governor Sim Fubara has been a gross violator of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution as amended.

He also declared that the end of what he described as Governor Fubara’s ‘rascality’ is near.

Apparently teacting to the Monday’s judgement that dismissed the Governor’s appeal, Amaewhule in a statement by His Special Assistant on Media, Martins Wachukwu traced the genesis of the Supreme Court’s judgement.

Amaewhule recalled that the Federal High Court presided over by Justice J.K. Omotosho, on January 22, 2024, delivered his judgement affirming the legitimacy of the 27 lawmakers.

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He said dissatisfied with the judgement, Fubara filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, where the judgement of the lower court was upheld.

Amaewhule said Fubara appealed the matter at the Supreme Court but the case was dismissed, bringing the legal battle to an end.

He said: “The Supreme Court has spoken, and the people of Rivers State are elated with this judgement,” the Speaker declared; commending the five-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court for upholding justice and reaffirming the rule of law”.

Amaewhule extended gratitude to leaders of Rivers State, who supported the Assembly throughout the period, especially the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike.

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He condemned Fubara’s refusal to provide the Assembly with its statutory entitlements for nearly a year, adding that the governor thought they would be starved.

He, however, warned that that all eyes were on the Governor to see whether he would disobey the Supreme Court’s verdict.

While addressing the issue of vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Amaewhule maintained that one former member passed away, another absconded from duty and three other seats were declared vacant following absenteeism.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections to fill the vacant positions.

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reminded Fubara of injunctive orders issued by Justice Omotosho, which barred him from withholding funds meant for the Assembly.

He said: “The end to this rascality is very near”, emphasising that the House remained committed to upholding the mandate given to them by the electorate.

Amaewhule said that Fubara had been spending taxpayers’ money for a year without appropriation, in clear defiance of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal Judgements.

Today’s judgment confirms that Governor Fubara has been in gross violation of the 1999 Constitution as amended,” he said.

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Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka Appointed Deputy Chief Whip of House of Reps

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has appointed Rep. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka as the new Deputy Chief Whip.

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Rep Isiaka who represents Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency of Ogun State under the All Progressives Congress (APC), steps into the role following the passing of the former Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, earlier this year.

Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, confirmed Isiaka’s appointment during Tuesday’s plenary session, stating that it followed consultations with the APC caucus and other stakeholders from the Southwest.

Prior to this appointment, Isiaka served as Chairman of the House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development. Since joining the House in 2015, he has held key positions, including Chairman of the Committee on Ecological Funds, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Governmental Affairs, and leadership roles in several Ad Hoc Committees.

In his remarks to members, Speaker Abbas emphasised: “Let’s take a moment to remember Honourable Onanuga’s invaluable contributions to this House, and to her nation. May her soul rest in peace. We congratulate Honourable Isiaka Ibrahim on this well-deserved elevation and trust that he will bring the same dedication and commitment to his new role as he has demonstrated in his service to this House and to his constituents.”
“We wish him success and God’s guidance as he undertakes this important responsibility. May we all continue to honour the memory of Honourable Onanuga by working together to serve the Nigerian people with diligence, integrity, and a sense of purpose.”
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More headache for Nigerians as CBN imposes N600 charge on every N20,000 withdrawn from another bank’s ATM

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The apex bank in Nigeria, CBN, has imposed a withdrawal charge of between N100 and N600 for every N20,000 worth of interbank ATM withdrawals.

The three free monthly withdrawals that customers enjoy on interbank ATM withdrawals.

According to a CBN circular, FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/001/002 with title, ‘Review of Automated Teller Machine Transaction Fee,’ dated February 10, 2025, the new fees would take effect March 1, 2025.

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The Apex Bank said, “In response to rising costs and the need to improve the efficiency of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) services in the banking industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reviewed the ATM transaction fees prescribed in Section 10.7 of the extant CBN Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, 2020 (the Guide)”.

The CBN said customers withdrawing at the ATM of their financial institution in Nigeria would not be charged.

“Withdrawal from another institution’s ATM in Nigeria (Not-On-Us): On-site ATMs (within bank premises): A fee of N100 per N20,000 withdrawal will apply,” the apex bank further directed.

For Off-site ATMs (outside bank premises), the apex bank said a charge of N100 plus a surcharge of not more than N500 for every N20,000 withdrawal would be applicable.

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It said that international withdrawals would be based on the exact amount imposed by the international acquirer.

The CBN said, “This review is expected to accelerate the deployment of ATMs and ensure that appropriate charges are applied by financial institutions to consumers of the service.

“Accordingly, banks and other financial institutions are advised to apply the following fees with effect from March 1, 2025.”

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Reps Urge FG to Stop Planned Telecom Tariff Increase

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has directed the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to put the planned increase in telecom tariffs on hold until service quality improves.

This resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance on the “NEED FOR THE NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION NOT TO APPROVE THE IMPENDING HIKE IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS TARIFFS”, by Rep. Obuku Oforji, member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma Opokuma Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State on Tuesday T plenary.

Rep. Oforji recalled that after a meeting with mobile network operators in Abuja on January 8, 2025, the minister hinted at an impending tariff hike. According to him, telecom companies have been pushing for an increase, with some proposing a 100 percent hike. However, Tijani clarified that while there would be an increase, it would not be as high as 100 percent, and the NCC would determine and announce the new rates.

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The lawmaker explained that telecom operators justified the planned hike by citing rising investment costs, the need for better network infrastructure, and the increasing demand for digital services in sectors such as education, banking, and healthcare.

Oforji expressed worries that “the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers has rejected the proposed increase in tariffs, describing it as insensitive and a further burden on consumers already grappling with economic hardship, and poor network service delivery.
“It is imperative that the telecommunications companies improve on their service delivery (poor network), which Nigerians have been yearning for in years, before embarking on the increase in their tariffs.”
He also expressed concern that the far reaching effects of these price hikes will deepen financial struggles for the average Nigerian, threaten the country’s vision of leveraging technology to drive economic revival, exacerbate poverty and widen existing inequalities, hitting lower income families the hardest.
“Affordable connectivity is a must for progress in critical sectors like digital banking, education, healthcare, agriculture and e- governance. Informal sector workers who depend on affordable mobile data to access gig work opportunities may find it harder to stay connected.
“Saddened that those small businesses, which rely heavily on affordable telecommunication for operations, marketing, and customer engagement, will face additional financial burden.
“Imagine a scenario where a 10 percent increase is approved. It is estimated that a 10 percent increase in telecommunications costs would reduce small business profitability up to 7 percent, potentially leading to closure of businesses,” he added.
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