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Party Appeals Abuja Court Ruling …Says Court Order Ineffective …Police Ready For Today’s Convention

Published

9 years ago

August 17, 2016

The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asked the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to vacate the order stopping it from going ahead with the planned National Convention of the party scheduled for today.
Already, the group has applied for stay of execution of the interim order of injunction that Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued against them on Monday.
Abang had ordered the Markafi-led National Working Committee (NWC), of the PDP to suspend the Convention which is billed to hold in Port Harcourt, pending the determination of an interlocutory motion the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party filed before the court.
Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing of the suit, yesterday, Markafi and six other members of the PDP NWC, informed Abang that they have already taken the matter before the Court of Appeal.
Markafi and the others, who are 3rd to 9th defendants in the matter, told the court through their lawyer, Mr. Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, that their notice of appeal was dated August 15.
Besides, they also filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of Abang to continue presiding over the matter.
“Most especially, my Lord, we are challenging the interim order of injunction restraining the holding of the 2nd defendant’s convention”, Orbih, SAN, added.
Nevertheless, Abang stressed that none of the applications have been transmitted to his court by the registry.
Even though Sheriff’s lawyer, Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, did not oppose Orbih’s plea for a stand down of the matter to enable him fetch the processes from central registry of the court, Abang, in a bench ruling, rejected the request.
The judge said he was only bound by processes before him, noting however that ordinarily, issue bordering on jurisdiction of the court ought to be resolved first.
“It is not the duty of the court to descend into the arena to assist any party”, Abang held, saying he would not take any of the processes into consideration since they were not in his file.
He said the 3rd to 9th defendants violently violated an order he made on July 28, by allowing Senator Obi to “slap the face of the court” when he secretly obtained an ex-parte order from another court despite the pendency of the suit.
Specifically, Sheriff and eight others had approached the court, praying it to stop the proposed National Convention of the party.
Other plaintiffs behind the suit are Prof. Wale Oladapo (National Secretary); Dennis Alonge-Niyi (Deputy National Youth Leader); Alhaji Bashir Maidugu (Deputy National Legal Adviser); Mrs. Hanatu Ulam (Deputy National Women Leader); Alhaji Lawal Dutsima Anchi (Deputy National Auditor); Chief Okey Nnadozie (Deputy National Organising Secretary) and Chief Olisa Metuh (National Publicity Secretary).
The plaintiffs are contending that allowing the Makarfi-led faction to proceed with the convention would affect the ‘Res’ of the substantive suit they filed on July 4, wherein they are contending that their tenure in office ought to expire in 2018.
The plaintiffs said they filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/464/2016, for themselves and on behalf of the Executive Committee/National Working Committee of the PDP.
Though only PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were initially cited as defendants in the case, however, despite opposition from the Sheriff-led faction, Abang, on Monday, joined Makarfi and six others as defendants in the suit.
Aside Makarfi, those allowed into the matter as 4th to 9th defendants were Senator Ben Obi, Odion Ugbesia, Abdul Ningi, Kabiru Usman, Dayo Adeyeye and Aisha Aliyu. Justice Abang joined them shortly after he issued the interim order of injunction suspending the planned national convention of the party.
However, the court is yet to commence hearing on the plaintiffs’ motion for interim injunction against the convention.
Remarkably, another division of the High Court in Port Harcourt had on Monday, okayed the convention.
The court presided over by Justice Ibrahim Watila not only directed INEC to monitor the convention, it also ordered relevant security agencies in the country to provide security to the delegates.
However, One of the aspirants seeking to emerge as the new spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabir Usman, a lawyer, has said that the order given by an Abuja Federal High Court postponing the party’s national convention is ineffective.
The Tide recalls that Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Monday granted an interim order suspending the August 17 National Convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, pending the determination of the application filed before him on July 20.
The judge gave the order after a lawyer representing the Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction had informed him that the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction’s National Secretary, Senator Ben Obi, had approached the Port Harcourt division of the Federal High Court to obtain an interim injunction.
The Federal High Court, Port Harcourt’s injunction had compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to take part in the convention.
However, Kabir, yesterday, said that the Port Harcourt order was “very specific and was given last week” while, the Abuja order was given only on Monday.
“Monday’s ruling was intolerable and unacceptable and cannot stand. It is the misconduct of the highest order,” he said.
The Makarfi faction had already said it would go ahead with the convention in line with the ruling of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.
Kabir, who served as the head of the legal unit of the Makarfi faction’s caretaker committee before he resigned to run for election, said that anyone opposed to the Port Harcourt court ruling has a right to go on appeal and “not a court of equal jurisdiction.
“In any case, everybody is in Port Harcourt already, so who are they going to serve? We only read about the order in the pages of newspapers,” he said.
On his chances in the election, Kabir said he was sure of emerging victorious after he was endorsed by the northern caucus of the party.
He is from Kogi State, in North-Central Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command said yesterday that it had made adequate security arrangements for the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni told newsme in Port Harcourt that the command had carried out necessary deployments for the convention.
“ The command is prepared for the convention; necessary deployments have been carried out and we are prepared for the convention,” he said.
Omoni said the command had made arrangements to protect lives and property in the state while the convention was on.
“ Remember, that there are other Nigerians living in the state.
“The command is aware of this fact and will provide security for all including those attending the convention and others living in the state,” he said.
The spokesman however declined to disclose the number of police personnel deployed for the convention.
Meanwhile, Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt, venue of the convention, is now wearing a new look.
Our Correspondent who visited the stadium, reports that workers were seen putting finishing touches to the podium and spectators stand.
Security was also tight as policemen and other security officials were seen screening people entering the stadium.
Some officials of the PDP were also seen at the venue inspecting final preparations by various committees charged with organising the convention.

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Tinubu Signs Four Tax Reform Bills Into Law …Says Nigeria Open For Business

Published

1 day ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.

The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.

The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.

The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.

The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.

“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.

Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.

Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”

Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”

He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.

“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.

According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”

He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.

The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.

However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.

At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.

They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.

After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.

By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.

In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.

“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.

“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.

He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.

The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.

“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”

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Senate Issues 10-Day Ultimatum As NNPCL Dodges ?210trn Audit Hearing

Published

2 days ago

June 27, 2025

The Tide

The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.

Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.

However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.

Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.

A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.

It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.

The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.

“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.

“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”

But lawmakers rejected the request.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.

“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.

“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.

Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.

The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.

Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.

Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”

Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.

The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.

Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.

The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.

Featured

17 Million Nigerians Travelled Abroad In One Year -NANTA

Published

1 week ago

June 20, 2025

The Tide

The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) said over 17 million Nigerians travelled out between 2023 and 2024.

This is as the association announced that it would be organising a maiden edition of Eastern Travel Market 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital from 27th to 30th August, 2025.

Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.

Ehiogie explained that the event aims to bring together over 1,000 travel professionals to discuss the future of the industry in the nation and give visibility to airlines, hospitality firms, hospitals and institutions in the South-South and South-East, tagged Eastern Zone.

He stated that the 17 million number marks a significant increase in overseas travel and tours.

According to him, “Nigerian travel industry has seen significant growth, with 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023”.

Ehiogie further said the potential of tourism and travel would bring in over $12 million into the nation’s economy by 2026, saying it would be a major spike in the sector, as 2024 recorded about $4 million.

“The potential of tourism and travel is that it can generate about $12 million for the nation’s economy by 2026. Last year it was $4 million.

“In the area of travels, over 17 million Nigerians traveled out of the country two years ago for different purposes. This included, health, religious purposes, visit, education and others,” Ehiogie said.

While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s tourism, he said the hospitality industry in Nigeria has come of age, saying it is now second to none.

The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone further said, “We are not creating an enabling environment for business to thrive. We need to support the industry and provide the necessary infrastructure for growth.”

He said the country has a lot of tourism potential, especially as the government is now showing interest in and supporting the sector.

Ehiogie emphasized that NANTA has been working to support the industry with initiatives such as training schools and platforms for airlines and hotels to sell their products.

He added, “We now have about four to five training schools in the region, and within two years, the first set of students will graduate. We are helping airlines sell tickets and hotels sell their rooms.”

Also speaking, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTA, Stephen Isokariari of Dial Travels, called for more support from the industry.

Isokariari stated, “We need to work together to grow the industry and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

“With the right support and infrastructure, the Nigerian travel industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.”