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May 31, 2024 Erisco Foods Controversy: Court Grants Chioma Okoli ₦5 Million Bail
IFMNEWS

Erisco Foods Controversy: Court Grants Chioma Okoli ₦5 Million Bail

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Mrs. Chioma Okoli bail of ₦5 million, with two sureties in the same amount, following allegations related to her online commentary on Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu specified that one of the sureties must be the defendant’s spouse or a blood relative with a verifiable source of income residing within the court’s jurisdiction. He also ordered the sureties to submit a passport photograph each and directed Mrs. Okoli to deposit her international passport, if she has one.

Justice Lifu accepted the arguments of Mrs. Okoli’s lawyer, noting that the charges against her are bailable offenses. He emphasized that under Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. He added that denying her bail would be a misuse of judicial discretion, equating to a pre-trial judgment and judicial overreach. The judge also considered Mrs. Okoli’s health status in his decision.

The case has been adjourned until June 13 for further hearings. Mrs. Okoli faces charges under the Cybercrime Act, 2015, related to her online comments about Erisco Foods Limited’s tomato paste. She was arraigned by the Inspector-General of Police on a two-count charge of cybercrime and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

May 31, 2024 Military Confirms Killing Of Five Soldiers By IPOB/ESN Terrorists In Abia
IFMNEWS

Military Confirms Killing Of Five Soldiers By IPOB/ESN Terrorists In Abia

The military has confirmed that five personnel were killed in an attack by terrorists from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Abia State on Thursday. According to a statement from Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, the attack occurred at the Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area, near Aba metropolis. Troops from Operation Udoka were stationed there to maintain peace and protect citizens.

The attackers launched a surprise assault using three-tinted Toyota Prado SUVs and other vehicles from nearby built-up areas. In the ensuing crossfire, six civilians were also killed. Major General Buba stated that investigations are ongoing and that the military intends to retaliate fiercely.

“The troops at Obikabia Junction Checkpoint in Obingwa were attacked by IPOB/ESN terrorists. Sadly, five armed forces personnel were killed. The attackers, arriving in tinted Prado SUVs and other vehicles, launched a surprise attack. The military mourns this loss deeply. Investigations are underway, and retaliation will be fierce. We will apply overwhelming military pressure to ensure the group's total defeat,” the statement read.

The attack coincided with IPOB's enforcement of a sit-at-home order across the southeast.

In response, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, distanced himself and detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu from the attack. He emphasized that Kanu did not order the sit-at-home and described the incident as saddening. Iwuanyanwu urged President Bola Tinubu to use his political power to free Kanu and called for the country's restructuring.

Last week, IPOB declared May 30 as a sit-at-home to honor those who died in the 1967–1970 civil war. This "Biafran Heroes Day" led to a shutdown of commercial and economic activities in parts of Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi States, with banks, schools, markets, motor parks, fuel stations, and other public places closed on Thursday.

May 31, 2024 Woman Sentenced to Six Months in Jail for Hawking Naira Notes
IFMNEWS

Woman Sentenced to Six Months in Jail for Hawking Naira Notes

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of Bilikis Adeyinka for hawking naira notes in Ikeja, Lagos State. According to a statement on the EFCC's Facebook page on Thursday, Adeyinka was apprehended with N897,900, violating Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2007.

Adeyinka was arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke at a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges of currency racketeering, to which she pleaded guilty. The prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie, presented Olagunju Abdul Malik, an EFCC operative, who reviewed the case details. Abdul Malik informed the court that Adeyinka was arrested on April 27, 2024, while hawking naira notes at the 10 Degree Event Centre on Billings Way in Ikeja, based on credible intelligence received by the EFCC. At the time of arrest, N897,900 was recovered from her, and she provided statements after being cautioned.

Justice Aneke sentenced Adeyinka to six months imprisonment, with an option of a N50,000 fine, and ordered the forfeiture of the recovered N897,900 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In a related incident, the EFCC's Maiduguri Zonal Command arrested five Bureau de Change operators on Tuesday at the Borno State Hajj Camp at Sir Kashim Ibrahim College of Education in Maiduguri. The arrests followed credible intelligence regarding their involvement in illegal foreign currency sales. The EFCC stated that the suspects would be prosecuted after the ongoing investigation is concluded.

May 31, 2024 Labour Threatens Possible Strike On Monday
IFMNEWS

Labour Threatens Possible Strike On Monday

There are strong indications that Organized Labour might initiate a nationwide strike starting Monday, June 3, over a new minimum wage. The tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage (NNMW) is reconvening today, after abruptly adjourning last week when labour representatives walked out, accusing government negotiators of being unserious.

There are allegations that state governors are conspiring to obstruct the ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government. The labour negotiating team walked out of the committee meeting on Tuesday for the second time in two weeks, after the Federal Government marginally increased its offer to N60,000 from N57,000, which was offered on May 22. Previously, on May 15, labour representatives walked out when the government proposed N48,000 and the Organized Private Sector (OPS) offered N54,000, against labour’s demand of N615,000.

Sources within organized labour indicate that a nationwide strike may commence on Monday, contingent on the outcome of today's meeting. Labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), are already mobilizing for the potential strike.

A labour leader, speaking anonymously, stated: “The outcome of today’s meeting will determine our next steps. If the meeting is fruitful, it benefits everyone. But if the government’s team continues its indifferent attitude towards workers’ welfare, we will go on strike starting Monday. We have been mobilizing for this strike. Everyone is aware that the one-month ultimatum we gave the government to conclude negotiations on the new national minimum wage ends today. We have shown patience despite the hardship and suffering caused by the government’s anti-poor policies. The old Minimum Wage Act ceased to exist on April 18, giving us over six months to work on a new wage. However, the government has not taken workers' issues seriously. Nigerians can attest to our patience. If the government wants to avoid a strike, its negotiators must present a reasonable offer that meets workers' expectations, or else a strike will be inevitable starting Monday.”

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