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Mass Trial Of #EndBadGovernance Protesters To Begin  In Abuja, Kano, Others As Falana-Led Legal Team Prepares Defence

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The mass trial of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters is scheduled to commence on Monday, September 2, 2024 in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Borno courts.

SaharaReporters learnt that those detained over the #EndBadGovernance protests in Abuja will be tried in Justice Emeka Nwite’s court.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) will be leading a team of lawyers to defend the protesters.

Amnesty International Nigeria had said that over 2,000 protesters were arrested across the country during the 10-day protests against hunger and misgovernance tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.

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It demanded the unconditional release of those arrested, insisting that instead government should begin to address the issues that led to the protests in the first place.

Specifically, Amnesty International said out of the 2,111 suspects arrested across the country, 1,403 had been arraigned in various courts.

It lamented that the suspects were ordered to be remanded in prison custody due to a lack of legal representation.

Last Sunday, SaharaReporters reported that Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had granted the police’s request to remand 124 protesters in custody for 60 days, pending the completion of investigations.

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The court’s interim order was issued in response to separate ex-parte motions filed by police counsel Ibrahim Mohammed, allows for the suspects’ continued detention.

Notably, the court directed that minor suspects be held at the Borstal Home of the correctional centre until the conclusion of investigations.

The affected protesters include minors, who were accused of terrorism and treasonable felonies.

In two ex-parte applications obtained by SaharaReporters, the Inspector-General (IG) of Police sought an interim order to remand the suspects until the conclusion of the investigation, which was granted by Justice Emeka Nwite.

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The applications were brought pursuant to Section 66(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) ACT 2022, Section 35 (1) (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 299 the Administration of Criminal Justice ACT 2015 and under the inherent jurisdiction of this honourable court to administer justice.

In the first motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1154/2024, between Inspector General of Police as Complainant/Applicant and 75 protesters; the police alleged they committed acts of terrorism, treason, and treasonable felonies, including arson and terrorism.

The police said the offence was contrary to Sections 2(1) and (3), 24 and 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022; Sections 41 and 42 of the Criminal Code Act; Sections 410, 411, and 412 of the Penal Code Act; and Section 4 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and other enabling statutes.

In the second ex-parte motion with Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1223/2024, the police also sought an order to remand another set of 49 defendants for 60 days pending the conclusion of the investigation.

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The defendants include Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo, Michael Adaramuye, Musiu Sadiq, Buhari Lawal, Love Angel Innocent, Suleiman Yakubu, Yunusa Aliyu, Ahmad Nasir, Muhammed Sani, Iliyasu Anas, Abdullahi Sani and Gaddafi Muhammed.

Others include Abubakar Ibrahim 18 Years, Abubakar Adam 19 Years, Suleiman Ali 16 Years, Mubarak Mas’ud 23 Years, Umar Musa 19 Years, Aminu Hussaini 20 Years, Umar Muhd Kabir 23 Years, Ibrahim Aliyu Musa 24 Years, Aminu Muhd 24 Years, Abba Usman 30 Years, Usman Muhd 20 Years, Umar Inusa 18 Years, and Tasi’u Lawan 17 Years.

Others include Ibrahim Rabi’u 16 Years, Jamilu Haruna 16 Years, Muktar Yahaya 17 Years, Usman Surajo 18 Years, Musa Adam 22 Years, Usman Yusuf 22 Years, Usman Yunusa 20 Years, Bello Abdullahi 23 Years, Abba Adamu 22 Years, Isma’il Yunusa Abdullahi 28 Years, Abdullahi Suleiman 17 Years, Haruna Suleiman 22 Years, Suleiman Dauda 17 Years, Abbas Hamza 26 Years, Abubakar Abdullahi 18 Years, and Umar Muhd Sani 26 Years.

Among them are Yusuf Haruna Lawan 21 Years, Yahaya Musa 18 Years, Yahaya Sani 20 Years, Abdullahi Sani 21 Years, Abdulbasit Abdulsalam 34 Years, Muktar Ishaq Alhassan 16 Years, Sani Aliyu 17 Years, Mahmud Mustapha 16 Years, Umar Muhd 24 Years, Umar Abdullahi 17 Years, Tasi’u Muhd 18 Years, Habibu Sani 17 Years, Auwalu Abdullahi 21 Years, Abdulmalik Auwal 19 Years, Umar Ahmad Umar 25 Years, Abubakar Muhd 22 Years, Mustapha Abubakar 17 Years, Umar Ahmad Muhd 24 Years, Sani Hassan Idris 17 Years, Abdulrahaman Ibrahim 17 Years, Kabiru Sani 25 Years, Sammani Ali 25 Years, Abba Ahmad 23 Years, Sa’idu Usman Usman 25 Years, and Salisu Adamu 16 Years.

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On Monday, SaharaReporters reported that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had found support from Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja to suppress opposition to its policies, which critics argue are harmful to the people and democracy.

These policies, implemented over the past 15 months, have led to widespread poverty and a surge in the cost of living, with basic food items like beans and rice reaching record prices of N400 and N300 per cup, respectively.

However, the government’s policies have targeted dissenting voices and media practitioners, with Justice Nwite’s recent rulings legitimising the crackdown on critics of the administration.

Opponents argue that these policies, introduced within the first 15 months, have had devastating consequences for the nation. The court’s decisions have been perceived as aligning with the government’s position, fueling debates about the delicate balance between governance and the freedom to express dissenting opinions.

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SaharaReporters reported that Justice Emeka Nwite was the judge who gave an ex-parte order freezing accounts of some alleged #EndBadGovernance protesters.

SaharaReporters last Sunday reported that a Federal High Court in Abuja had issued an order freezing the bank accounts of 32 individuals and companies allegedly linked to the #EndBadGovernance protests that took place across Nigeria between August 1 and August 10.

The protests were meant to highlight the challenges Nigerians faced with increasing hunger, misgovernance and exacerbating insecurity that have forced residents to abandoned their farms, leading to food insecurity.

The order also directed banks to detain account holders or anyone found transacting business on the affected accounts, pending investigation and prosecution.

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The account numbers affected include 4010073491 (Fidelity Bank), 1255130019 (Access Bank), 0006084167 (Abbey Mortgage Multipurpose Bank Plc), 0821931299 (FCMB), 1012007655 (FCMB), 0000575573 (A AG Mortgage Bank Plc), 1007871587 (UBA), 2037117333 (UBA), 5421031104 (ECOBANK), 0024541201 (Union Bank), 1022899050 (UBA), 8755008491 (Branch International Services Ltd), 5630208636 (Fidelity), and 4936992542 (Fairmoney Microfinance Bank).

Others are 8755008499 (Branch International Financial Services Ltd), 2088228208 (UBA), 2115678044 (Zenith Bank), 3041823452 (First Bank), 1011828445 (New Edge Finance), 3024402748 (First Bank), 0161502459 (GTBank), 0040580047 (Access Bank), 0250291788 (Wema Bank), 6112464260 (Branch International Financial Services Ltd), 1000774097 (Sparkle Microfinance Bank Ltd), 3434649965 (Fairmoney Microfinance Bank), 2013556714 (KUDA Microfinance Bank), 3104962864 (Polaris Bank), 6112464267 (Branch International Finance Services Lit), 8137051249 (OPAY) and 8137051249 (PALMPAY).

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SEE Black Market Exchange Rate: USD to NGN

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As of Friday, December 20, 2024, the exchange rate for the US Dollar to the Nigerian Naira at the Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) stands at:

Buying Rate: ₦1,656
Selling Rate: ₦1,660
These rates reflect the prices at which players in the Bureau De Change (BDC) sector are buying and selling US dollars.

It is important to note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market, as the official directive encourages individuals wishing to engage in foreign exchange transactions to approach their respective banks for the official rates.

Official Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today:

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Highest Rate: ₦1,570
Lowest Rate: ₦1,532
Please bear in mind that the exchange rates at the black market or any other exchange point may vary based on market dynamics and fluctuations, so the rates you encounter might be different from those mentioned in this article.

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Tinubu condoles with NUJ , IPI over Rafat Salami’s passage

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) following the passing of Hajiya Rafat Onyeche Salami, the recently elected Treasurer of the International Press Institute (IPI).

Her loss has been deeply felt across the journalistic community and beyond.

Hajiya Salami also served as the Secretary of the NUJ, Abuja Council, dedicating her talents and passion to advancing journalism in Nigeria.

President Tinubu commiserates with the leadership and members of the IPI, the Voice of Nigeria (VON) staff, and the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), acknowledging Salami’s unwavering commitment to her profession and nation.

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In her career as a reporter, broadcaster, and producer, Hajiya Salami tried to keep the public informed on crucial developmental issues.

Her advocacy for women’s and children’s rights was a testament to her strong voice and compassionate spirit.

President Tinubu calls upon her colleagues, friends, and family to honour her by continuing the impactful work she championed as they bid farewell to the multilingual and multitalented journalist.

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Just in: Again, NNPC Reportedly Reduces Petrol Price

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has reduced its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly referred to as petrol, from N1,020 to N899 per litre.

This decision, coming days after the Dangote Refinery reduced its price to N899, was confirmed by the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria in a statement released on Saturday.

The statement signed by the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Dr Joseph Obele, and quoting a document released by NNPCL’s Commercial Department indicates a reduction based on the regional pricing scheme.

The price indicated that marketers would buy the product at N899 per litre, matching the price offered by the Dangote refinery a few days ago.

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Marketers purchasing from Warri, Oghara, Port Harcourt and Calabar will, however, pay N970 per litre to offtake products.

The statement read, “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has taken a significant step in response to the competitive impact of deregulation in the downstream sector.

“The company recently reduced the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit from N1,020 to N899 per litre.

“The price reduction by NNPCL is seen as a response to the competitive impact of deregulation, which has led to increased competition in the downstream sector.”

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Obele noted that the price reduction by the national oil firm is seen as a response to the competitive impact of deregulation, which has led to increased competition in the downstream sector.

He also expressed optimism that PMS prices will drop further before the end of January 2025, given the global decline in crude oil prices and the naira’s recent gain against the dollar.

Obele described the trend as a price war while he emphasized that the price reduction by Dangote Refinery and NNPCL demonstrates the benefits of competition and advocates for the immediate privatization of government-owned refineries.

The move is expected to spark a price war among oil marketers, ultimately benefiting consumers.

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However, the NNPCL spokesperson, Femi Soneye, is yet to confirm this development.

Reacting to this development, the National President of PETROAN, Billy Harry, said the price reduction is a welcome development that will bring relief to motorists and Nigerians during the holiday season.

He said, “The reduction in PMS price by NNPCL is a demonstration of the company’s commitment to making petroleum products more affordable for Nigerians.

“We commend NNPCL for responding to our call for affordable PMS prices.”

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He also listed the benefits of the price reduction to consumers, including “Reduced transportation costs: With lower PMS prices, motorists will spend less on fuel, leading to increased disposable income.

“Increased economic activity: Lower fuel prices will stimulate economic growth by reducing production costs and increasing demand for goods and services.

“Improved standard of living: The price reduction will lead to a decrease in the cost of living, enabling Nigerians to afford necessities and enjoy a better quality of life.”

Harry also commended Dangote Refinery for its earlier price reduction, which he said had helped to stimulate competition in the downstream sector.

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The PETROAN national official also hinted at a report submitted by PETROAN’s technical pricing team, warning that competitive pricing can lead to compromised product quality.

He further urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to ensure compliance with quality assurance standards.

“PETROAN is calling on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to ensure compliance with quality assurance standards which may arise due to competitive pricing,” he added.

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