FG ignoring agreement, we’ll wait till Nov 3, says NARD by Deborah Tolu-Kolawole

The court hearing between the Federal Government and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has been scheduled for November 3, 2021. This is as the Association accused the Federal Government of failing to honour the agreement it signed with the association which led to the suspension of the NARD’s industrial action. The National President of NARD, Dr Godiya Ishaya, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja. Recall that NARD had suspended its 64-day old strike over the promise of the Federal Government to keep to the agreements it signed with the doctors. Some of the agreements included withdrawal of the court case against the association by the Federal Government and payment of August and September salaries, among others. However, our correspondent learnt on Monday that not only had the Federal Government failed to withdraw the court case, it also failed to honour other agreements. Ishaya said, “The agreement we signed in the Memoranda of Understanding was that we call off our strike and then they would withdraw the court case, pay our outstanding salaries and also pay the MRT. “As at today, the Federal Government has failed to withdraw the court case as we have been notified that our hearing is on November 3. Our salaries have also not been paid. How can we move forward if they fail to do these things? Some of our members didn’t want us to call off the strike initially because they felt the government won’t honour their side of the agreement. See what is happening now. “For the MRT, they will recommence the payment tomorrow, remember we told you they debited those that they paid earlier, they will start the payment again tomorrow. “We are giving them till November 3, which is the day of the court hearing. If they fail to withdraw the case then we will know their position.” PUNCH

E-Naira speed wallet disappears from Google Play Store after 100k downloads by Eniola Akinkuotu

The E-Naira speed wallet has disappeared from the Google Play Store barely 48 hours after its launch, The PUNCH has observed. However, our correspondent learnt that the eNaira merchant wallet, which is designed for businesses, is still running and has over 10,000 downloads on the Google Play Store made available to Android users. Checks on the Apple App Store showed that the eNaira speed wallet was still active but had been upgraded. Read Also Beware of fake eNaira social media accounts, CBN warns Nigerians eNaira app hits 100,000 downloads in 24hrs amid complaints Complaints as over 50,000 users download eNaira App in 24 hours To access the eNaira, users have to download the ‘speed wallet’, which allows them to conduct transactions with speed and ease. It is a digital storage that holds the eNaira and is held and managed on a distributed ledger. Before it disappeared, the speed wallet had a rating of 2.0 from 2, 150 reviews as of Tuesday evening with many complaining of glitches.

EFCC displays 51,933 pages, showing content of Naira Marley’s iPhone Agency Report

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, displayed before a Federal High Court in Lagos, a virtual projection of a Compact Disc with 51,933 pages analysis of the iPhone of popular Nigerian singer, Azeez Fashola a.k.a Naira Marley. The EFCC projected the virtual, through its second witness, Mr Augustine Anosike, a forensic analyst. Anosike was still leading pieces of evidence in the trial of the defendant, who is facing 11 counts, bordering on conspiracy, possession of counterfeit credit cards as well as fraud. The anti-graft agency preferred the charges on May 14, 2019, on Naira Marley, who sang the popular song: “Am I a Yahoo Boy”. He was consequently, arraigned on May 20, 2019, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, but he pleaded not guilty. The court had accordingly, granted him bail in the sum of two million naira, with two sureties in like sum. The trial had since commenced in the case and the second prosecution witness who began his testimony shortly before the covid 19 lockdown in 2020, continued his evidence on Wednesday. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the witness who resumed his testimony on Tuesday concluded his evidence after the virtual display. The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, had told the court at the last adjourned date, that the prosecution only printed out hard copies of relevant portions of the exhibit, which it considered key to its case. He had told the court that a full version of the total analysis was contained in a compact disc. The printed copies of the exhibit is labelled ‘exhibit F’ while the CD containing full analysis is ‘exhibit F1’ The court had granted prosecution leave to display the CD in a projector, in order to discharge its burden of proof as required by law. Also on the last adjourned date, the witness had narrated, how different text messages and chats containing credit card details, were exchanged between the defendant and another recipient identified as Yadd. When the trial resumed on Wednesday, the witness, again reiterated portions of his earlier testimonies of October 26, and indicated the visual spots of those testimonies, on the screen of the projected CD. For instance, the witness showed visual displays of the credit card numbers, chats, as well as incoming and outgoing short message services, which were analysed from the defendant’s iPhone. The witness typically identified the “message trafficking” between the numbers +447426343432 and +447548061528. On the whole, he told the court that the CD contained a total of 51,933 pages of the analysis conducted on the defendant device. After the CD was displayed for about 45 minutes, the prosecutor then asked the witness to confirm if exhibits A and D, were vital elements of his analysis, and he replied in the affirmative. Exhibit A is the Forensic Report Form, while exhibit D is the iPhone of the defendant. Oyedepo then indicated to the court, that he had concluded the examination of the witness, adding that whatever remained was left for his address During cross-examination, defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), first sought leave of court to apply for a variation of its order and prayed that the court takes custody of the iPhone of the defendant who had been in the custody of the prosecution. According to him, the Federal High Court is well capable of keeping the exhibits in its custody, adding that it would also create ease for the defence to apply for the exhibits if needed. The court noted the requested. Fielding questions from Ojo, the witness confirmed to the court that he had confined his analysis within the compass of his forensic reports. When the defence counsel asked the witness to confirm if his analysis had also covered the possible number of persons that had used the said iPhone of the defendant, the witness replied that the number of persons was not ascertained. The defence asked, “As an experienced operative, are you aware that it is possible for a person other than the owner of a phone to have access to the use of that phone?” The witness replied, “That will only be possible where the owner grants access.” When the witness was asked who supplied him with the password to the iPhone, he told the court that the defendant provided the password to the investigating operatives who consequently, transmitted the same to him for his analysis. He told the court that he only had knowledge of the period the iPhone was brought to him for forensics and not when it was taken from the defendant. When asked to confirm the number on the iPhone the witness told the court that the registered number on the phone is iCloud +447426343432. Meanwhile, when the defence counsel reminded the witness that he had told the court during the examination, that the telephone number of the defendant was 07426343732, the witness replied that any sim can be inserted into a device. When asked to confirm if there is a difference between the owner and user of a device, the witness answered, “The names on a phone can be changed depending on what the owner chooses to use.” The defence then asked the witness to show to the court from the two pages of his analysis summary, where he had indicated that there was a change of names in the device. The witness replied that although it was not captured, the content of his report also reflects the content of the device as recovered therein. Justice Oweibo adjourned the trial until November 30, December 13, and December 14. According to the EFCC, the defendant committed the offence on different dates between November 26, 2018, and December 11, 2018, as well as May 10, 2019. The commission alleged that Naira Marley and his accomplices conspired to use different Access Bank ATM cards to defraud their victims. It alleged that the defendant used a bank credit card issued to another person, in a bid to obtain fraudulent financial gains. The EFCC also said that the defendant possessed counterfeit credit cards belonging to different people, with intent to defraud which amounted to theft. The alleged offence contravenes the provisions of sections 1 23 (1) (b), 27 (1) and 33(9) of Cyber Crime (Prohibition) Prevention Act, 2015.

Your picture of Nigeria selective, unfair to readers, envoy slams The Economist by Segun Adewole

The Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, has described the article about Nigeria published by London-based magazine, The Economist, as unfair. The news magazine’s article titled, ‘Insurgency, Secessionism and Banditry Threaten Nigeria,’ accused the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), of ineptitude, while lambasting the Nigerian military over the insurgency in the country. In a letter to the news magazine, the Nigerian envoy to the UK stated that the issues confronting Nigeria have been long-standing, adding that the regime of President Buhari is achieving tremendous results in tackling them. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘Your Picture Of Nigeria Is Selective And Unfair To Your Readers, Nigerian Envoy To Uk Tells The Economist Magazine,’ issued on Wednesday. Shehu quoted Isola as saying, “The Economist is correct to point out the multiple security and governance challenges that Nigeria presently faces. But the picture that you present is selective and unfair to your readers. The decay of agencies and institutions has gathered momentum for decades. There is no quick or simple fix. It is unwise to pretend otherwise.” Isola reminded the news magazine that President Buhari had been elected twice in national elections and was indeed making progress by working with international partners: “There has been progress. Nigeria works closely with partners in the Sahel region, Europe and the US on security and intelligence. It is not an accident that the leadership of militant groups is weaker than it has ever been. You highlight the need for police reform: this is a process that President Buhari’s administration has led, including the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). We are already working with the UK and others on training and equipment.” Shehu said the High Commissioner described Nigeria’s COVID-19 response as well as the President’s battle to provide stable energy for the country as noteworthy. “Nigeria has led the region in a robust response to COVID-19 that has helped keep infection levels well below many parts of the world, while also helping to mitigate the economic shocks from the global downturn for the most vulnerable. President Buhari has also championed reforms to the energy sector, the cradle for corruption, in the teeth of fierce resistance from the old, business-as-usual brigade,” the envoy said. Isola pointed out that progress being made by the administration in agriculture, creative arts and technology sectors among others does not sit well with corrupt-minded individuals in the country. He said, “Nigeria is far from being the only country that faces the challenge of trying to deliver overdue change in a political culture that tilts towards special interests that are often selfish and short-term. Optimism in sectors as diverse as agriculture, creative arts and technology point to the opportunities that are already being realised. It will be a long haul: a corrupt cabal will say we are not doing enough: what they mean is that we have already done too much, in terms ending the impunity enjoyed by the few and helping to enfranchise the many.” He concluded that President Buhari is also working with international partners to diminish problems associated with extremism and climate change and leave the country more united. “Nor indeed is this simply a Nigerian project. We are on the frontline of the international struggle against violent extremism, climate change and a host of other issues. These are common but complex challenges that require common and complex solutions. President Buhari, like millions of Nigerians, rejects the identity politics that has polarised so many other countries. Our diversity is our strength,” he said.

Missing journalist: IG reveals what the police know so far By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr Usman Alkali, has assured the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) that the police is making progress in its efforts to unravel disappearance of Mr Tordue Henry Salem, a reporter with the Vanguard Newspapers. The I-G gave the assurance when members of NUJ, FCT Council, carried out a peaceful march to his office on Monday in Abuja to express displeasure with the silence of the police on the matter. Alkali, represented by Mr Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed that Salem’s case was with them, explaining that it was officially reported to the National Assembly Police Station on Oct. 15. He said from their investigation, Salem slept in the house of his sister some where around Life Camp on Oct. 12, woke up on Oct. 13, took a Bolt Taxi to National Assembly, where he worked for Vanguard. “After close of work, he was last seen at the National Assembly between 4pm and 5pm on Oct. 13, and thereafter his colleagues never saw him again. “On Oct. 15, the matter was formally reported at the National Assembly’s Police Station. “The attention of the FCT Commissioner of Police and IG were drawn to the case. The IGP gave a firm instruction that all materials and human resources should be deployed at locating and understanding the rationale behind Salem’s disappearance. “As I speak to you, we have made significant process in investigation. “However, I am glad that the Chairman of NUJ, FCT Council, understood the significance of confidential briefing and because of that request, I would rather do more of confidential briefing. “But, we were able to trace when he left the National Assembly. We were able to interact with a young lady who spent time with him that night. “We have the recordings of the last call he made. Also, we were able to speak with six different persons he spoke to that night. “So, there are a lot of efforts behind the scene taking place. The Police intentionally kept quite on the case. “We call it ‘Technical Silence’, because, we want to get to a comfortable altitude before we talk to the public,” Alkali said. He said that the suspects or whoever had a hand was still out there, adding that the police would not want to provide too much for the suspects to know how much or how far the police had gone. “So, I just want to give a strong assurance that everything, humanly and operationally possible, would be done to solve this case. “We see the media as integral part of what we do. We appreciate Journalists’ collaboration and support.” Speaking earlier, the Chairman of NUJ, FCT Council, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, submitted a petition to Alkali signed by himself and Secretary of Council, Mr Ochiaka Ugwu. The petition is titled “Demand to expedite action for the locating of Mr Tordue Henry Salem, Journalist and Correspondent with the Vanguard Newspaper Who has Been Missing for 12 Days”. Ogbeche said the FCT Council was optimistic that with adequate funding, up-to-date deployment of technology, a well-motivated personnel and proper synergy, the Nigeria Police Force would be positioned to rise up to the task of securing our country alongside other security agencies. “The IG, Sir, as you are aware, a colleague of ours and a journalist of note, Mr Tordue Henry Salem of the Vanguard Newspapers, went missing on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, right in front of the Total Filing Station less than a 100 meters from the Force Headquarters. “Some 48 hours after, fellow colleagues who cover the House of Representatives realised he had disappeared, a report was immediately incidented at the National Assembly Police Division. “This was followed by a petition to both your office and that of the Director-General of the Department of State Service by his employers, Vanguard Media Ltd. “This was outside calls by the leadership of the NUJ to senior officers of the Police. “It is regrettable to note that 12 days after Salem disappeared, nothing much has happened to indicate whether he is alive or dead, whether he is captive of the State, a non-state or an alien.

“It is relevant that we remind you that the State owes every Nigerian, particularly a journalist, protection and assurance of safety,” Ogbeche said. The FCT NUJ Chairman explained that Nigeria had continued to fare badly on the Press Freedom Index for six successive years and it would be most unfortunate if the disappearance of Salem added to the poor rating. Ogbeche noted that in 2020, a report of Reporters Without Borders showed that Nigeria went five spots down the Press Freedom Index from 115 to 120 out of 180 countries, with the telling remark that Nigeria remained “one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists.” He further stated that a June 2021 report of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Media Foundation for West Africa revealed that the media industry recorded seven unresolved killings and 300 violations, affecting about 500 journalists, media workers, and media houses in Nigeria. “What all these underscore is that the prevailing environment is unsafe, suffocating and dangerous not just for journalists and other media workers but for the sustenance of democracy itself. “It is in this wise that we are here to demand that Mr Tordue Henry Salem not only be found, but that adequate protection be offered journalists going forward. That the culture of harassment, intimidation, brutalisation and disappearances ends. “Our demand is reinforced by the fact that as we approach 2023, a General Elections year in Nigeria, the political and economic elites become more desperate to hang on to power and because they will not want to be held accountable to the Nigerian people, the media become their major targets. “This culture of impunity should and must be arrested by the Nigeria Police as the primary security agency as well as other sister agencies,” Ogbeche stressed. Journalists during the March Meanwhile, some journalists who participated in the peaceful March spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria. Mr Olakunle Awoniyi of WE FM, Abuja said he was happy with what the IG said, adding that he was convinced that the Police would do the needful to find Salem. Miss Tina Olaitan of the ministry of Information said the disappearance of Salem was not the first of it kind in the country. “But it has to stop. It is not a crime to be a Journalist. Please the Police should look for Salem. “If he is dead, let us see his body. If he is alive, let is know what he did. We are worried,” she added. (NAN) CMY/KOO/DCU ============

10 things to know about charges on eNaira platform by Sodiq Oyeleke

The Central Bank of Nigeria has released guidelines on charges on eNaira platform. This is after the launch of the application for the digital currency by the President, Major General Muhamadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday. Here are ten things you should know about the platform 1 – The charges for transactions that originate from the eNaira platform shall be free for the first 90 days commencing from October 25, 2021. 2 – Electronic Funds Transfer below N5,000 is charged N10; N5,001 – N50,000 is charged N25 and for above N50,000, a N50 charge is associated. 3 – Phone numbers without verified National Identification Number (Tier 0) will have a daily transaction limit of N20,000, while the maximum that the account can hold is N120,000. 4 – For phone numbers with verified NIN or Tier 1, CBN said they have a daily transaction cap of N50,000 and a maximum balance of N300,000. 5 – Tier Two accounts will have access to a daily transaction of N200,000, while N500,000 is the maximum balance that can be held. 6 – The Tier 3 account holder can transact a maximum of N1m daily, while the Maximum balance it can hold is N5m. 7 – Merchant accounts have access to unlimited transactions. Merchants are duly accredited individuals and non-individual (corporates) authorised to conduct business in Nigeria. 8 – eNaira Merchant speed wallets shall be used solely for receiving and making eNaira payments for goods and services. 8 – financial institutions were expected to maintain one treasury eNaira wallet to warehouse eNaira received from the CBN eNaira stock wallet. 9 – Financial Institutions (FI) may create eNaira sub-treasury wallets for branches tied to it and fund them from its single eNaira treasury wallet with the CBN and FI may create eNaira branch sub-wallets for its branches. 10 – To ensure security of funds, the eNaira has two-factor authentication and other measures.

World Bank blacklists 18 Nigerian firms, individuals for corruption –Report by Amarachi Orjiude and Sami Olatunji

The World Bank has blacklisted 18 Nigerian individuals and firms for engaging in corrupt practices, fraud and collusive practices in its 2021 fiscal year 2021, a new report has revealed. A list of debarred individuals and firms was presented in a new annual report titled World Bank Group Sanctions System FY21. The debarments were made by the World Bank Sanctions Board, World Bank Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer and the African Development Bank. The debarments made by AfDB were recognised by World Bank, making the affected firms to be barred under cross-debarment policy. Based on the World Bank Sanctions Board’s decision, Mr. Elie Abou Ghazaleh and Mr. Fadi Abou Ghazaleh, alongside their firm, Abou Ghazaleh Contracting Nigeria Limited, were debarred for six months for collusive practices. Based on the decision of the World Bank Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer, a Nigerian firm, Swansea Tools Resources, was debarred for fraudulent practices for two years and 10 months. Referred to under Sanctions Case No 651, it was disclosed that the firm misrepresented its past experience in its bid for a road maintenance contract. The report read in part, “The SDO determined that the respondent, a Nigerian firm, engaged in a fraudulent practice by misrepresenting its past experience in its bid for a road maintenance contract under a state employment and expenditure project in Nigeria. The SDO imposed on the respondent a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of two years and 10 months. As a mitigating factor, the SDO considered the respondent’s limited cooperation with investigators, noting that the respondent produced documents and agreed to be interviewed but did not accept responsibility for the misconduct.” Another Nigerian firm, Juckon Construction and Allied Services Nigeria Limited, was debarred for corrupt practices for three years. Referred to under Sanctions Case No 649, it was disclosed that the firm made improper payment to a public official. The report read, “The SDO determined that the respondent, a Nigerian firm, engaged in a corrupt practice by making an improper payment to a public official in connection with the award and/or execution of two waste management and refuse collection contracts under a state employment and expenditure project in Nigeria. The SDO imposed on the respondent a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of four years.” A Nigerian, Ms. Okafor Glory, was debarred for fraudulent practices for four years, while the firm involved, Unique Concept Enterprises, was debarred for five years for same reason. Another Nigerian firm, Asbeco Nigeria Limited, was debarred for five years for corrupt practices. The matter which involved Ms. Glory and the firm, Unique Concept Enterprises, was presented under Sanctions Case No 691. It read in part, “The SDO determined that the respondents, a Nigerian firm and a Nigerian citizen, engaged in fraudulent practices by submitting false documents in connection with two refuse collection and disposal contracts under a state employment and expenditure project in Nigeria. In particular, the SDO found that: (i) the corporate respondent submitted a falsified income tax clearance certificate in its bids for the contracts; and (ii) both respondents submitted a falsified advance payment guarantee in connection with the execution of one of the contracts. “The SDO imposed on the corporate respondent a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of five years. On the individual respondent, the SDO imposed a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of four years. As aggravating factors, the SDO considered that (i) the corporate respondent engaged in a repeated pattern of misconduct, and (ii) the individual respondent was the managing director of the corporate respondent.” The matter which involved Asbeco Nigeria was presented under Sanctions Case No 675. It read in part, “The SDO determined that the respondent, a Nigerian firm, engaged in corrupt practices in connection with an erosion control contract under an erosion and watershed management project in Nigeria. Specifically, the SDO found that the respondent (i) made a payment of N2m (approximately $12,000) to the project’s engineer to influence his actions in connection with the procurement and/or execution of the contract, and (ii) made a facilitation payment of N50,000 (approximately $160) to the project’s cashier to influence her actions in connection with the execution of the same contract. Read Also Buhari’s govt incompetent, failed to curb corruption —The Economist Preach against corruption, Bawa urges religious leaders EFCC raises alarm over 'deep' corrupt practices among bankers “The SDO imposed on the respondent a debarment with conditional release for a minimum period of five years. In determining this sanction, the SDO considered as aggravating factors the respondent’s (i) engagement in a repeated pattern of corrupt activity and (ii) interference with INT’s investigation, noting in particular that the respondent engaged in acts intended to materially impede the exercise of the Bank’s contractual audit rights.” Based on the World Bank’s Sanctions Board Decision, A.G. Vision Construction Nigeria Limited, was debarred for fraudulent practices and collusive practices for four years and six months. Not included in the report is a recent debarment of a Nigerian consultant, Mr Salihu Tijani, who is a consultant for the National Social Safety Nets Project, a project designed to ensure cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households in Nigeria. Tijani was barred for 38 months for engaging in corrupt practices. Aside from the firms mentioned so far, there are some firms that were debarred by other multilateral organisations under cross-debarment, which makes them debarred by the World Bank. Sangtech International Services Limited, Sangar & Associates (Nigeria) Limited, Mashad Integrated And Investment Co Limited, and Medniza Global Merchants Limited were debarred by the AfDB two years under cross-debarment recognised by the World Bank. ALG Global Concept Nigeria Limited, Abuharaira Labaran Gero, Qualitrends Global Solutions Nigeria Limited, and Maxicare Company Nigeria Limited were debarred by the AfDB for three years under cross-debarment recognised by the World Bank. In his opening message in the report, the World Bank Group’s David Malpass, stated that the bank had granted over $157bn to assist developing countries, as he emphasised the need for integrity and transparency standards in public finance. “Since the beginning of the global pandemic, the World Bank Group has deployed more than $157bn in critical assistance to developing countries. The crisis has required us to be rapid and innovative in mobilising this historic support. “Yet, for these resources to have the needed development impact on the hundreds of millions of people who live in extreme poverty, we must ensure that resources are used efficiently, effectively, and for their intended purposes. And that means remaining vigilant to the scourge of corruption and ensuring that we promote the highest integrity and transparency standards in public finance,” he said. He further highlighted some of the consequences of corruption, which he said could be devastating. Malpass said, “The negative impacts of corruption on lives and livelihoods are well known. Corruption diverts scarce development dollars from the people who need them most and corrodes the systems and services that are integral for reducing extreme poverty. “Entrenched corruption also comes with greater economic costs for countries, as it distorts public expenditures and leads to inefficient allocations of financing away from productive investments toward rent-seeking activities. And corruption increases the costs of doing business and deters foreign investors from entering new markets. “As the world moves toward recovering from the pandemic’s damaging impacts, these costs can also restrict the private sector, which plays an important role in revitalizing economic growth and development in our client countries,” he added. PUNCH.