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Reverse Latest Petrol Price Hike Pending Court Verdict, SERAP Tells Tinubu

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) is demanding an immediate reversal of the latest increase in the price of petrol.

The organisation urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to immediately reverse the second increase in petrol prices in one month, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja challenging the legality of the powers of the NNPCL to increase petrol prices.”

The latest increase has seen NNPCL outlets in Lagos sell a litre of petrol for ₦998 from the initial price of ₦855, while in Abuja, it went to ₦1,030 from ₦897.

In other filling stations, the price of the product goes for as much as ₦1,050 in some parts of Lagos State.

SERAP had last month filed a lawsuit against the president and NNPCL “over the failure to reverse the apparently unlawful increase in the pump price of petrol, and to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL.”

In its open letter dated 12 October 2024 and signed by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said, “The latest increase in petrol prices makes a mockery of the case pending before the Federal High Court, and creates a risk that the course of justice will be seriously impeded or prejudiced in this case.”

In the letter made available to Channels Television on Sunday, SERAP said, “One of the fundamental principles of the rule of law is that it applies to everyone, including presidents and CEOs of public institutions.”

According to SERAP, “It is in the public interest to keep the streams of justice clear and pure, and to maintain the authority and integrity of the court in the case.”

The organisation also said, “Allowing the Federal High Court to hear and determine the case would be entirely consistent with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], your oath of office and oft-repeated promises to uphold the rule of law.”

The letter read in part: “SERAP notes that since assumption of office in May 2023 you have repeatedly promised, including in your inaugural speech, that ‘Nigeria will be impartially governed according to the Constitution and the rule of law.’”

“Increasing petrol prices while the Federal High Court case is pending would prejudice and undermine the ability of the court to do justice in the case, damage public confidence in the court, prejudice the outcome of the case, as well as impede the course of justice.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken following the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP shall consider contempt proceedings and/or other appropriate legal actions to compel your government and NNPCL to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“If not immediately reversed, the latest increase in petrol prices would seriously undermine the integrity of the Nigerian Constitution and have serious consequences for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Nigerians and the public interest.”

“Protecting the right to a judicial recourse and due administration of justice is of utmost importance, being the cornerstone of an ordered society.”

“The only way in which SERAP can have a fair and effective access to justice in this matter is to allow the court to decide, one way or the other, on the merits of the case before it.”

“Reversing the latest increase in petrol prices would allow the court to render a decision on the central issues in the case, and protect the applicant’s rights and interests.”

“The latest increase in petrol prices while the Federal High Court case is pending constitutes an interference with the right of SERAP to fairly and effectively pursue a judicial challenge to the decision by your government and NNPCL regarding the first increase in petrol prices.”

“According to our information, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited recently increased the price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, across its retail outlets.”

“The retail price of petrol was increased from N897 to N1,030 per litre. This is the second increase in one month, and followed the increase in September from N600 to N855 per litre, and in some instances above N900 per litre.”

“The two increases followed a scarcity caused by the reported refusal by suppliers to import petroleum products for the NNPCL over a $6 billion debt.”

“According to the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit over USD$2 billion and N164 billion of oil revenues into the Federation Account. The Auditor-General fears that the money may have been diverted into private pockets.”

“The NNPCL reportedly failed and/or refused to remit N151,121,999,966. The NNPCL without any justification deducted the money from the oil royalties assessed for 2020 by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) now Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).”

“The NNPCL has failed to account for the missing public funds. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered and remitted into the Federation Account.”

“The NNPCL also failed to remit USD$19,774,488.15 collected as government revenue to the Federation Account. The Auditor-General wants the NNPCL to account for the money, recover and remit it into the Federation Account, and to hand over those suspected to be involved to the ICPC and the EFCC.”

“The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Ltd also reportedly failed to account for USD$2,021,411,877.47 and N13,313,565,786.49 of royalties collected from crude oil and gas sales and gas flare.”

“The Auditor-General wants the public funds fully recovered and remitted into the Federation Account and for those suspected to be responsible for the missing public funds to be handed over to the ICPC and the EFCC.”

“SERAP last month filed a lawsuit asking your government and NNPCL challenging the lawfulness of the increase in the pump price of petrol, and the failure to probe the allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the NNPCL.”

“Joined in the suit as Respondents is the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. The suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1361/2024 was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja.”

“Increasing petrol prices would compromise the interest of the Applicant in the Federal High Court case filed against your government and the NNPCL, as the second increase in one month directly touches on the central issues and the legality of the first increase, which the court is set to determine and rule upon.”

“The core of the principle of judicial independence is the complete liberty of the judge to hear and decide the cases before them on the basis of facts and in accordance with the law, without any improper interference, direct or indirect.”

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Sex Scandal: “I Want To Confirm If He’s Truly Good In Bed’ –Says Nkechi Blessing, Storms Equatorial Guinea In Search Of Baltasar Ebang

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Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing is hunting for Baltasar Ebang as she storms Equatorial Guinea.

It was reported that Baltasar Ebang Engonga, the Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), was caught on tape engaging in sexual activities with multiple women, including his brother’s wife, cousin, and the sister of Equatorial Guinea’s President.

The scandal came to light during an investigation into alleged fraud, where authorities discovered over 300 tapes of Baltasar with various women, including married women, on his computer.

Taking to her Instagram page, Nkechi shared photos of her arriving in the country as he urged people to find the man for her.

“Gunniea NBS is here.
Find that man for me”.

Via her comment section, her boyfriend, Xxssive had questioned what she was doing in the country. He wrote, “Wetin u dey find u go soon see am”.

Nkechi replied that she wanted to confirm if he was indeed good in bed. She wrote, “Baby, that man say he sabi, I want to confirm.”

Ruth Kadiri wrote, “You and trouble

One Ife Unusual122 wrote, “If you see am finish, Mama transfer am to me too

One Manarisia wrote, “Please make space for me

One Inem Peter wrote, “When u see him, met me know

One Ayokunumi_1124 wrote, “Me sef need an

One Maara Baby wrote, “I dey your back

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Edo PDP Inaugurates Caretaker Committee, Confident Of Reclaiming ‘Stolen Mandate’

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The Edo State’s chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated the Caretaker Committee Members set up by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to run the party’s affairs pending the election of new executives.

The Committee is chaired by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, with Hon. Henry Duke Tenebe as Secretary.

Other members of the caretaker committee are Hon. Harrison Omagbon, Hon. Fidel Igenegbale, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, Tony Anenih Jnr, Arch. Bishop Anthony Okosun, Hon. Segun Saiki, Adezat Kuburat Ibrahim and Augustine Edosomwan.

The Committee set up in pursuant of Section 29(2)(b) of PDP’s Constitution (2017 as amended), is charged with the responsibility of running the affairs of the Party in Edo State, as stipulated in Section 21(2) (a-b) of the Party’s Constitution for a period not exceeding 90 days (3 months) or till a new Executive Committee is elected.

Speaking at the inauguration at the PDP Secretariat in Benin City, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, expressed confidence that the party will reclaim its mandate stolen by the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the September 21 governorship poll.

Addressing party leaders, local government chairmen, party chieftain, and other party stakeholders, the governor charged for unity and cohesion as the party explores the judicial process to reclaim its mandate.

He said, “We want a cohesive party as we fight for our stolen mandate and I am sure we will get it back. Our mandate was stolen in broad daylight; everybody saw how they stole the mandate of the people.

“We have evidence to show how our mandate was stolen and by the grace of God, we will recover it. It will be difficult for them to go away with this stolen mandate. We have a process in government, they stole our mandate, yes but we have laws, and there is a way things are done. We are inaugurating a new government in Edo State and the Edo State Government is not involved.

“People behave as if there is no law, forgetting that we are guided by constitution and law; there are procedures to handle things. They are doing an inauguration and the governor is not even invited. It is like they are starting a brand new government and a brand new State.”

Obaseki continued, “Illegality parades the land and we have to be patient for a while as our democracy must work. We know how they stole our mandate; we have evidence of how they stole it but let’s see how they get out of this.

“Our people came out to cast their votes for our party, we are challenging that result and we know victory will be ours. Let’s play our parts as politicians. We know these people are great liars and good at deception. We have to be out there talking and never allow their lies to take over.

“The tribunal hearing will start by December and we want the people to be alert. The people are asking questions; it shows they are interested. The greatest thing we need now is harmony in the party and we need to talk to our people more now. The party must be in touch with the local government chairmen on a weekly basis. The party must be in touch with the House of Assembly members; let the people know what is going on.

“In this holiday period, they will want to spend as much money as possible to confuse the people. They are going to struggle to change their perception. We have almost N27 billion to pay for projects and obligations, but they have started blowing it, and they have gone to borrow money for the inauguration which is going to cost them N2 to N5 billion. That is the money they will first take from the treasury.”

The governor assured the people that he will not be far away from the party as he will never leave the party but remain in the party to give advice.

He added, “This our stolen mandate, we will get it back, for the sake of Nigeria because if we allow the APC to go with our stolen mandate, it will mark the end of democracy in Nigeria. This fight is not for our candidate but for the people of Nigeria and our nation’s democracy.”

On his part, the party’s candidate in the September 21 guber poll, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, charged the party to be ready for a tough battle and the journey to reclaim the stolen mandate.

He thanked the governor for his focus, determination and for leading the people right, charging the people to be focused on the project of reclaiming their stolen mandate.

Ighodalo noted, “We expect them to reply to our petition next week. We also have five days to reply to their petition. This will take us to about the 19th of November 2024. We will then start what is called the pre-hearing before the major hearing which may start by the end of November.

“Our lawyers are working and are ready to reply to their petition. Times are hard and we are in difficult times; we should stand firm and be strong as we navigate the journey to reclaim our stolen mandate.”

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Nigeria At War, Says Fmr DSS Operative As Terror Group Emerges In Kebbi, Sokoto

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In light of the emergence of a new terrorist group known as LAKURAWA, former DSS Operative, Seyi Adetayo said that Nigerians need to declare that they are at war.

The former DSS Operative made it known on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday that Lakurawa, despite being a new face is the same as the ISWAP, Boko Haram and splinter bandit cells ravaging most parts of the North East..

“Lakurawa will be another name that will dominate our public space in terms of terror for a long time until we decide to declare that Nigeria is at war and as such, there are certain measures to be put in place to allow the military and intelligence service to be able to do their work better’,’ Adetayo said.

In November, the Director of Defense Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba disclosed that “Troops are confronted with Lakurawa in the Northwestern states of Sokoto and Kebbi respectively.”

Lakurawa according to Buba are affiliated with terrorists from the Sahel region in the Republics of Mali and Niger that have moved to the North-West in Nigeria as a result of instability in the area.

Their base of operation is said to be in Kebbi and Sokoto states.

Security experts have blamed the indigenes of the two states for welcoming them rather than reporting them. They settled in until they gained a stronghold and began terrorizing the states.

On what the military and government should do to resolve the situation, Adetayo said that massive recruitment into the army should be done because the current number of soldiers in Nigeria is not enough.

“If we do not do anything about extinguishing this fire, lots of young boys will continue to join these terror groups and soon, Nigeria will be a country where you can’t move around anymore.”

Also speaking on the show was the military strategist, Maj. Gen. Pat Akem (Rtd.) shared that there was no need to fret over the emergence of the terror group as President Tinubu was putting in place proactive measures to mitigate the situation.

Akem said, “I do not think war should be declared. The president has already given a broad mandate to the armed forces to execute the bandits.”

He stated that declaring war will be futile if the resources were not in place, laying emphasis on the demystification of the military in the country.

He further stated that the armed forces should not be seen the way they are seen in Nigeria as they do things they aren’t supposed to do like policing work, anti-kidnapping and banditry operations and as such, it diminishes them.

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