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The Supreme Court Holds Judgment as States Contest Attorney General Over LG Funds: A Saga of Justice, Power, and Accountability

In a dramatic turn of events that has captured the nation’s collective consciousness, the Supreme Court has chosen to withhold its judgment on a deeply contentious issue that strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s democratic ethos. The legal battle between various state governments and the Attorney General over Local Government (LG) funds has ignited a firestorm of debate, revealing underlying tensions and igniting fervent emotions across the nation.

The case, shrouded in layers of legal complexity and political intrigue, delves into the intricate relationship between federal and state authorities, particularly concerning the disbursement and management of funds allocated to local governments. At its core, the dispute centers on the autonomy of local governments and the extent of control exerted by state governors versus the federal oversight spearheaded by the Attorney General.

For months, this high-stakes courtroom drama has unfolded with each party presenting compelling arguments. State governments argue vehemently for the sanctity of their constitutional rights to manage and disburse funds as they see fit, championing the cause of decentralization and local governance. They contend that the Attorney General’s attempts to dictate the flow of LG funds encroach upon their jurisdiction and undermine the principles of federalism.

Conversely, the Attorney General’s office, wielding the weight of federal authority, asserts that the intervention is crucial to ensuring transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of resources. The federal government posits that without stringent oversight, the risk of financial mismanagement and corruption at the local government level looms large, threatening the very fabric of grassroots development.

As the legal teams sparred within the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court, the nation watched with bated breath. This case has not only become a litmus test for the judicial system’s integrity but also a reflection of the broader struggle for power and resources within Nigeria’s federative structure. The courtroom proceedings have seen impassioned pleas, intricate legal maneuvering, and moments of palpable tension, underscoring the profound significance of the outcome.

The decision to withhold judgment has left the populace in a state of heightened anticipation. Legal experts and political analysts speculate that the court’s reluctance to deliver an immediate verdict suggests a deep contemplation of the far-reaching implications this case holds for the nation’s governance framework. The Supreme Court, in its wisdom, seems to recognize that its ruling will set a precedent with lasting repercussions on the balance of power between federal and state entities.

Amid this judicial suspense, the emotional stakes for everyday Nigerians are soaring. Local government areas, often the most direct point of contact between the citizenry and their government, hang in the balance. The efficient functioning and financial integrity of LGAs are vital for delivering essential services, fostering development, and nurturing democracy at the grassroots level.

For many, this case embodies a larger struggle for justice and equitable governance. It has galvanized civil society groups, activists, and ordinary citizens who yearn for a system where local governments can thrive, free from the shackles of bureaucratic overreach and financial opacity.

As the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s eventual judgment, the overarching sentiment is one of hope mingled with trepidation. Will the court uphold the principles of federalism and local autonomy, or will it side with the need for centralized oversight and fiscal discipline? Whichever way the scales of justice tilt, the ramifications will undoubtedly reverberate through Nigeria’s political and administrative landscape for years to come.

In this poignant moment of judicial limbo, the nation stands at a crossroad. The ultimate verdict will not merely settle a legal dispute; it will resonate as a defining chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing quest for a just, accountable, and effective system of governance. The Supreme Court’s forthcoming decision, when it finally arrives, will echo with the aspirations and anxieties of a nation fervently striving towards a brighter, more equitable future.

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71% of households affected by food price hike – NBS

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the most prevalent shock affecting households across Nigeria is the price increases on major food items.

The NBS said 71 per cent of households reported this shock.

The NBS disclosed this in its General Household Survey-Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 2023/2024 unveiled in Abuja.

The report said urban households experienced the shock of food price increases at 75.5 per cent more than rural households at 68.9 per cent.

It said the issue was most pronounced in the South-East and South-South zones at 83.6 per cent and 79.3 per cent, respectively.

“In general, the data indicate that price hikes on essential goods are a major concern for households nationwide.”

The report revealed the other top most common economic shocks were increase in price of oil and fuel at 52 per cent, and increase in prices of other fuels at 32.2 per cent.

“This was followed by increase in price of farming/business inputs at 28.8 per cent, floods at 8.8 per cent, droughts at 5.8 per cent, and pest and plant disease at 5.7 per cent.

“Shortage/scarcity of petrol at 5.3 per cent, irregular rains at 4.7 per cent and very high temperatures (>40°C) at 4.7 per cent.”

It said these households dealt with shocks in a variety of ways, but the main coping mechanism was reducing food consumption at 48. 8 per cent.

“To cushion shock effects, some households also received assistance from friends and family at 36.1 per cent and reduced purchased quantities compared to the last at 32.6 per cent.

“In contrast, a significant proportion of households did nothing to deal with the shocks at 28.3 per cent.”

The report revealed that only 4.0 per cent of households nationwide received safety-net assistance, a decline compared to GHS-Panel Wave 4 at 10. 4 per cent.

The report showed that households in the urban areas had a higher coverage of receiving assistance at 5.2 per cent compared to rural areas which has a coverage of 3.5 per cent.

“Also households in the urban areas had a stronger reliance on cash assistance at 60.5 per cent compared to the rural areas at 49.6 per cent.”

The report said at the zonal level, the South-South and North-West zones recorded the highest share of households with safety nets at 6.7 per cent and 5.6 per cent, respectively.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the GHS-Panel is Nigeria’s nationally representative longitudinal household survey which commenced in 2010 and the NBS has implemented five waves of the survey.

The panel nature of the data enables tracking household-level changes in critical areas of welfare, work, and socio-economic outcomes over time, yielding insights for policy. 

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Supreme Court nullifies National Lottery Act

The Supreme Court has nullified the National Lottery Act 2005 enacted by the National Assembly, declaring it unconstitutional.

The apex court in a unanimous decision delivered by a seven-member panel on Friday held that the National Assembly lacks the authority to legislate on matters related to lotteries and games of chance, as such powers reside exclusively with state Houses of Assembly.

Justice Mohammed Idris, who delivered the lead judgement, ordered that the National Lottery Act 2005 should no longer be enforced in any state except the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to make laws.

This judgement arises from a suit filed in 2008 by Lagos State and several other states, challenging the constitutionality of the Act.

The court’s decision reinforces the federal principle of states’ autonomy over certain legislative matters.

Details later.

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How DSS arrested fake NGO leader

Officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) Thursday in Abuja arrested one Kennedy Tabukoi for allegedly leading an unregistered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), the Niger Delta Development Initiative (NDDI), to blackmail certain high-profile officials of government.

According to security sources, when such government officials fail to meet Tabukoi’s demands, he resorts to organising other unsuspecting groups to lead protest marches against government officials.

One such protest march was held Thursday morning at the National Assembly gate, where Tabukoi led several groups to protest against what he claimed were moves by the federal lawmakers to stall a probe of the petroleum sector.

The sources confirmed that, unknown to Tabukoi, security operatives had been on his trail after certain officials of government reported the several attempts he made to allegedly blackmail them into parting with huge sums of money and contracts, “or risk being embarrassed.”

A security source said, “That man Tabukoi had been boasting to friends and members of his syndicate that, as a Niger Deltan activist, he would use his NGO to deal with any government official who didn’t do his bidding.

“Unknown to him, it was the same people he had been intimidating with claims of how much he would make from top government officials in Abuja that tipped off the DSS that he had no NGO and that he was merely using impersonation to blackmail such government officials.”

“When we invited Tabukoi, he didn’t waste time in corroborating the claims of his so-called friends. He said he was aware that several Niger Deltans made money from activism, reason he was in the process of raising money to register his own NGO.”

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IPOB disowns Simon Ekpa

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has disowned Simon Ekpa

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday disowned Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE), who was arrested in Finland alongside four others over terror-related activities.

According to the Finnish Police, Ekpa was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while the four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime”.

In a statement released on Friday, IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, accused Ekpa of recruiting violent criminals to destabilize the South East Region.

IPOB also disowned Ekpa, stating that he has never been a registered member of the group.

“Contrary to the deliberate and malicious misinformation from the Neo colonialist news agency, the BBC, that Simon Ekpa is an IPOB leader. Simon Ekpa has never and is not an IPOB member, let alone being a leader in IPOB,” Powerful said.

“IPOB has some family units in Finland, and Simon Ekpa is not a registered member of any IPOB unit in Finland or any other IPOB unit globally. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu established IPOB as a peaceful movement to seek Biafra Independence via a supervised UN referendum.

“IPOB is a peaceful global movement that has never taken to violence or arms struggle in two decades of our self-determination struggle. Even though the various murderous government regimes in Nigeria have provoked us, we have remained resolutely peaceful.

“It was unfortunate that some innocent Biafrans being passionate for the restoration of the stolen sovereignty of the Biafran Nation, thought that Simon Ekpa was genuinely sympathetic to the Biafra course. Sadly, they had to learn the hard way that he was a destructive agent paid to infiltrate and destroy the IPOB peaceful movement for Biafra self-determination.

“He recruited violent criminals to destabilize the South East Region in 2021. He is a self-acclaimed prime minister of a small, criminally minded group called the Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE). The infamous BGIE, led by Simon Ekpa, created a violent group that called itself the Biafra Liberation Army.”

Powerful accused Ekpa’s BRGIE group and the Nigerian Army of being responsible “for many kidnappings, rapes, forceful disappearances, killings, and burning of homes in the South Eastern region.”

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NEC sets up National Electrification Committee to end grid collapse

NEC has set up a National Electrification Committee to end the frequent collapse of Nigeria’s power grid

The National Economic Council (NEC) has in its resolve to end the frequent collapse of Nigeria’s power grid set up a National Electrification Committee.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima who is the chairman of NEC disclosed this in a post he shared on his official X account on Thursday night.

“The National Economic Council (NEC) has resolved to reinforce implementation of the National Electrification Strategy in a bid to end the collapse of the nation’s power grid,” the post read.

“This is just as Vice President, Kashim Shettima who is the chairman of NEC told members of the council that access to energy is a fundamental right and not a privilege because electricity is the oxygen of economic growth.”

Accordingly, the council has constituted a committee on National Electrification to help address the challenges in the power sector.

The formation of the committee was among decisions taken by NEC at the end of its 146th meeting on Thursday chaired by Shettima at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The committee headed by Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu is to work towards deepening states’ engagements within the Electricity Reform Act 2023 and the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan.

VP Shettima added that the private sector distributed renewable energy generation is vital to increasing electricity access across Nigeria.

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Delta approves N713m for 2024 students bursary payment — Official

Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has approved the sum of N713 million for the 2024  bursary award for 32,028 students in tertiary institutions in the country.

The Executive Secretary of the State Bursary and Scholarship Board, Dr. Godfrey Enita, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Asaba.

According to Enita, the governor’s approval for the year 2024, the bursary award will cover students of state origin in public and private universities.

“It also covers students in polytechnics, mono-technics, colleges of education, schools of nursing science, and other tertiary schools, including military and paramilitary institutions.

He described the governor’s gesture as rare and uncommon and should be applauded.

“The governor demonstrates his magnanimity and goodwill towards the well-being of the Delta students and youths in general.

“It also underscores his commitment towards educational advancement through financial assistance to students in diverse forms and through massive infrastructural development in schools across the state.

“It is hoped, as always, that beneficiaries of the state’s financial assistance schemes will continue to be worthy ambassadors of Delta wherever they find themselves,” he said.

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