Crime
CBN facility to FG: Senate demands details of N23.7tr
Following opposition to restructuring of the N23.7 trillion Ways and Means facility advanced the Federal Government by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the last 10 years, the Senate, yesterday, directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed and governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emefiele, to furnish its Special Committee with details within three days.
The hallowed chamber, which witnessed a rowdy session over the request last December, warned that in view of next month’s presidential and National Assembly elections, it would be forced to adjourn plenary this week, or next Tuesday at the most, to participate in the campaigns.
The warning followed a motion by its Leader and chairman of the special panel raised to interface with the minister and CBN Governor on the dedicated credit, Senator Ibrahim Gobir (APC Sokoto East).
Citing Order 40 of the Senate Standing Rules, the chairman informed the chamber that several attempts by the committee since December 28, 2022 to have an audience with the two officials had been unsuccessful.
He said: “As a special committee (raised) for an urgent and thorough assignment, we hit the ground running immediately after composition on December 28 last year.
“For details on the N23.7 trillion Ways and Means Restructuring, six vital questions were raised – five for the CBN governor and one for the Finance Minister – but their trips abroad prevented us from asking them the questions.
“Now that they are around, we request the Senate to give us additional three days for a thorough work and submission of the report.” Responding, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, noted that the request by President Muhammad Buhari remains a serious issue that must not be treated with levity.
He pledged the upper legislative chamber’s readiness to give approval after scrutiny. The President had, in the separate letters to both chambers of the National Assembly on December 21, 2022, seeking their approval, observed: “The Ways and Means advance by the CBN to the federal government has been a funding option to the Federal Government to cater for short-term or emergency finance to fund delayed government’s expected cash receipt of physical deficit.
“The Ways and Means balances as at December 19, 2022 were N23.7 trillion.
“I have approved the securitisation of the ways and means balances along the following terms – Amount: N23.7 trillion; Tenure: 40 years; Moratorium on principal repayment: three years; Pricing interest rate: nine per cent.
“Your concurrence and approval is sought to allow for the implementation of same.” But moves by the Senate to sanction the request during passage of the N21.83 trillion 2023 budget on December 28 last year failed, making it to set up the Senator Gobir-led special committee to seek vital information.
However, President Buhari, while reacting to the lawmakers’ objection, told the Senate during a meeting that should they continue with their resolve to block the plan to restructure government loans from the CBN, the country would be made to pay extra $4 billion to service its debt. He indicated that failure to grant the securitisation approval would also cost government about N1.8 trillion in additional interest in 2023.
An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan on Thursday ordered the remand of a 52-year-old man, Taiwo Olaniyan, in Agodi correctional facility for allegedly causing the death of his unborn child.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who did not take the defendant’s plea for lack of jurisdiction, ordered his remand in Agodi correctional facility, Ibadan.
Ogunkanmi held that the defendant would remain in custody pending receipt of advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
She, thereafter, adjourned the matter till Dec. 12 for mention.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Cpl. Akeem Akinloye, had arraigned the defendant, who resides at Apata area of Ibadan, on a three-count charge bordering on assault and causing death of an unborn child.
Akinloye told the court that the defendant had, on May 2018, assaulted his wife, Rukayat Babajide, by inflicting injury on her.
He said that the defendant caused the death of the foetus due to his assault on his wife during pregnancy.
The prosecutor said that the couple had been married for 14 years, with two children.
According to him, the offences contravene Section 316 and punishable under Sections 319, 328 and 355 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
NAN reports that if found guilty of the charges, the defendant maybe sentenced to three years imprisonment under section 355, while section 328 stipulates life imprisonment and section 319 death sentence for any convicted offender.
A 38-year-old driver, Farouq Babanle, was arraigned on Thursday before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing charcoal worth N730, 000.
The defendant, whose address was not provided, is facing two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Nov 12, at Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to Leo, the defendant was given charcoal worth N730, 000 to transport from Kachia to customers in Kawo Kaduna.
The prosecutor stated that the defendant stole the charcoal, sold it and diverted the proceeds to his personal use.
He added that after stealing the charcoal, the defendant ran to an unknown destination until he was seen and arrested on Nov. 20, at Rigasa Kaduna.
He said the offence contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Emmanuel said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must furnish the court with proof of tax payment to the Kaduna State Government.
He adjourned the case until Dec. 19, for hearing.
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, Akwa Ibom, has arrested three suspected drug dealers and impounded illicit drugs worth N500m.
The Commanding Officer of the Base, Capt. Uche Aneke disclosed this on Thursday while handing over the contraband drugs and industrial chemicals to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigeria Customs Service.
Aneke said the suspects were arrested in a boat on Monday at about 11:50 am during a routine patrol around the Bendero and Uta Uyata general area.
“The boat was laden with over 125 sacks of industrial chemicals (crystalline ammonia) and 62 cartons of different brands of contraband drugs.
“These included 820 tubes of Pethidine (containing opium) and 24,800 bottles of Codeine syrup, en route to Nigeria from the Republic of Cameroon with the intention of smuggling the controlled substances into Nigeria,” Aneke said.
He warned individuals or groups planning to engage in any form of criminality in Nigerian waters to desist or face the consequences.
Aneke said that under the current leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the FOB Ibaka remained resolute in ensuring that maritime crimes are effectively eradicated in the coastal areas of Akwa Ibom.
Receiving the suspects and contraband drugs, Mr Monday Jatau, the Deputy State Commander in charge of Operations and Training of the NDLEA in Akwa Ibom, said the agency would prosecute the suspects after further investigation.
Also receiving the industrial chemicals on behalf of NCS, Mr Abdulkadir Abubakar, a Deputy Superintendent, commended the Nigerian Navy for their sustained support in the fight against criminals.
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Court remands man for allegedly causing death of his unborn child
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