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NBA-SPIDEL asks IGP to stop demanding, issuing CMRIS certificates
The factional leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA- SPIDEL) has warned the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun not to foist a fait accompli on the court by going ahead to implement its Electronic Central Motor Registry (E-CMR) policy.
The Nigeria Police Force had in a statement warned that it would commence enforcement of the e-CMR policy on 29th July, 2024. The policy is the subject of a lawsuit brought by the factional NBA-SPIDEL leadership which challenged it on the ground that it would cause more financial hardship to Nigerians.
In a statement dated July 13, 2024, the leadership called on the Inspector-General of Police “to quickly retrace his steps on this issue and await the decision of the Federal High Court on the legality or otherwise of the policy.
“NBA-SPIDEL maintains that Nigeria is a constitutional democracy anchored on the Rule of Law, which integral component is respect for the judicial powers and authority of the courts, hence the need for the Nigeria Police Force not to take any action that may give the impression of impunity and high handedness on the part of it’s authorities.”
Below is the full text of the statement.
13th July, 2024.
PLANNED REVIVAL OF THE E-CENTRAL MOTOR REGISTRY POLICY BY THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE DURING THE PENDENCY OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS CHALLENGING THE LEGALITY OF SAME: A DEMONSTRATION OF IMPUNITY AND CRASS DISREGARD FOR THE RULE OF LAW AND THE NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION.
By a Press Release dated the 13th July 2024 and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police Force informed the Nigerian Public of the planned commencement of the implementation of the Electronic Central Motor Registry (E-CMR) Policy which policy would impose on Nigerian vehicle owners additional financial obligations and fulfillment of stringent procedures for registration and validation of vehicle particulars.
Recall that the Nigeria Police Force had sometimes in July 2023 introduced the E-CMR policy and upon it’s introduction, the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA- SPIDEL) wrote to the Inspector General of Police to stop the implementation of the policy entirely given that same is outside the constitutional duties and powers of the Nigeria Police Force having been adequately covered by the scope of duties of the Federal Road Safety Commission, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services otherwise known as VIOs in the Federal Capital Territory and Motor Licensing offices in various states of the Federation.
NBA SPIDEL subsequently submitted the question regarding the legality of the policy for determination in the court of law by instituting in February 2024 Suit No: FHC/ABJ/247/2024 between: John Aikpokpo-Martins & Anor (for themselves and on behalf of members of NBA-SPIDEL) v. Inspector General of Police & Anor before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division seeking determination of questions concerning the legality of the policy.
Despite the fact that the Inspector General of Police has been duly served with the Originating Summons, the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force who are both defendants to the action have failed to file any process to contest the case. Being convinced that the IGP and NPF have been served, the court further adjourned the suit to the 29th May 2024. On that day, the Nigerian Bar Association led by Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN brought an application to discontinue the said suit.
Consequent upon this development, the Honourable Court adjourned the case to the 18th July 2024 for hearing of the application. NBA SPIDEL has since filed processes in opposition to the application by the Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN-led NBA to discontinue the suit.
It therefore begs the question while the Nigerian Police Force and it’s Chief Executive, the Inspector General of Police who are both defendants to the pending suit have chosen to taunt the court and demonstrate high disrespect and impunity by attempting to revive the policy which is currently a subject of litigation before a court of competent jurisdiction. This is to say the least unexpected of the Nigerian Police Force which is the major law enforcement agency in Nigeria.
It is based on these premises that we hereby call on the Inspector General of Police to quickly retrace his steps on this issue and await the decision of the Federal High Court on the legality or otherwise of the policy.
NBA-SPIDEL maintains that Nigeria is a constitutional democracy anchored on the Rule of Law, which integral component is respect for the judicial powers and authority of the courts, hence the need for the Nigeria Police Force not to take any action that may give the impression of impunity and high handedness on the part of it’s authorities.
News
Stop importation of fake fuel to Nigeria, professionals in Europe tell Tinubu
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE), has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgent national importance, stop the dumping of tainted Petroleum Products, otherwise known as fake fuel, being imported into the country.
Tinubu is the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources of the most populous African country, Nigeria, and a major player in oil production in the world.
Despite being major oil producer, Nigeria still battles with importation of refined products, which over 150m end users largely depend on. The nation’s refineries – Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt have remain in comatose, despite the many interventions of the present administration in billions of dollars.
Aside the allegation of frustrating the only viable local refinery, Dangote, the oil cabals have also been accused of encouraging importation of off-spec and adulterated products into the country, the allegations National Assembly Joint Committee is currently investigating.
In a press statement signed on Wednesday by the Global President of ANPE, Mr. Solomon Ola, the Nigerian Professionals in Europe are calling on President Tinubu to cause an urgent investigation of the recent trend of infiltrating the Nigeria’s market with product capable of putting lives of the people in great jeopardy.
The group warned that, “Importation of the sanctioned-tainted petrol into Nigeria would no doubt have diplomatic consequences, bearing in mind the sanctions that the Price Cap Coalition, comprising the European Union, the United States, the G7, and Australia, imposed on Russian-sourced crude and petroleum products”.
The statement read, “The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) has followed developments in Nigeria’s petroleum industry with concern, given the absurd positions being canvassed by some stakeholders regarding the safety of the country and citizens regarding the quality of products being retailed.
“ANPE has consequently decided to urge President Bola Tinubu, as a matter of national interest, to use his mandate as the country’s chief executive to halt the designation of Nigeria as a dumping ground for foreign-sourced tainted, adulterated, and questionable petroleum products.
“We are sad and alarmed by recent developments in Europe, from Russia to Malta and every part of Europe, our home country has become a lucrative destination for the dumping of adulterated petroleum products such as PMS popularly known as petrol, which industry experts have tagged as fake fuel.
“Our association is concerned that the petroleum products in question are still being dumped in Nigeria even after industry experts have warned about their substandard nature, which poses material and economic risks to Nigerians whose vehicles and equipment could be damaged by dirty fuel.
“Fake fuel also has negative implications for the environment in addition to the associated dangers that the fumes from these products pose to public health, a situation that the Nigerian government would find exceptionally challenging since such a health burden would further stretch already lean public finances.
“Importation of the sanctioned-tainted petrol into Nigeria would no doubt have diplomatic consequences, bearing in mind the sanctions that the Price Cap Coalition, comprising the European Union, the United States, the G7, and Australia, imposed on Russian-sourced crude and petroleum products. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Price Cap Coalition forbids transactions on crude oil and petroleum products of Russian Federation origin unless they are transacted at or below $60, a price band that the products imported into Nigeria routinely violate even when the products are of Russian origin.
“A third concern for our association is the absurdity of importing relatively pricier petrol into Nigeria when more affordable and quality options are available from local refineries. This insistence on flooding Nigeria with bad petrol is equally bad for the economy. It is actively sabotaging President Tinubu’s economic policy.
“Things have gone so awry that Nigeria has become the toast of European companies peddling these products, which cannot be sold in other African countries such as Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, South Africa, Angola, Kenya and others. The collaborators of these European firms back in Nigeria collude to force these products on citizens of our dear nation for the sole purpose of profit-making.
“ANPE is consequently alerting Mr President and calling for caution while demanding that he directs the relevant authorities to urgently investigate and stop this illegal trade that places the nation and citizens in jeopardy”.
News
Indicators of hunger: N200 Sachets Of Rice Now In Nigerian Markets As Bag Hits Over N90k
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a bid to make rice more affordable for Nigerians, sachets of rice have been reintroduced into the market, following the surge in prices of the staple food.
The media learned that a 50kg bag of local rice now costs between N78,000 to N90,000 in the country, depending on the location and brand.
These values are higher than the average Nigerian’s monthly earnings.
The country’s minimum wage is now set at N70,000, and many institutions, both private and public, have yet to adopt it.
This situation, among other reasons, is why eating rice has been a luxury in many Nigerian households.
The media has further learnt that an indigenous rice producing company, Big Bull, has started manufacturing sachets of their products to enable Nigerian populations to eat rice.
The company fixed the price at N200 per sachet.
In July, a publication by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed continual increase in prices of food items.
According to the release, as of June 2024 , the average price of 1kg beans brown (sold loose) stood at N2,292.76.
This represents a rise of 252.13% in price on a year-on-year basis from N651.12 recorded in June 2023 and a 14.11% rise in price on a month-on-month basis from N2,009.23 in May 2024.
Also the price of Tomatoes (1kg) increased on a year by year basis, with a significant price of 320.67% from N547.28 in June of last year (2023) to N 2,302.26 in June 2024.
295.79% from N 510.77 in June 2023 to N 2,021.55 in May 2024.
On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 52.87% from N 1,322.36 in May 2024 to N 2,021.55 in June 2024.
The highest average price of 1kg of Tomato was recorded in Abuja at N3992.61 while the lowest was in Kebbi State at N1200.
Also 1kg of yam tuber sold highest in Lagos state at N 3,376.54, while Adamawa recorded the lowest price at N1100.
Gombe recorded the highest average price of 1kg Garri white sold loose at N 1,619.27, while the lowest was reported in Taraba at N900.
News
Army Checkpoint attacked by armed men in Abia, Claiming Lives of Two Soldiers
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Gunmen attacked an army checkpoint early on Wednesday at Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area, killing two soldiers.
A military source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred around 6:18 am. The gunmen arrived in a white Lexus (350/400) model, although the exact number of attackers could not be confirmed.
Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by the irredentist group Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network.
During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”
The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.
The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.
(PUNCH)
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