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May 9, 2024 House of Representatives Suspends Enforcement of Cybersecurity Tax

House of Representatives Suspends Enforcement of Cybersecurity Tax

On Thursday, the House of Representatives instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to cease the enforcement of the cybercrime levy, aligning with the Cybercrime Act's provisions. This decision came after Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, representing PDP Rivers, presented a motion of urgent public importance.

Chinda highlighted Section 44 (2a) of the Cybercrime Act, which specifies that GSM and telecom companies, internet providers, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, and stock exchanges are liable to pay the prescribed fees. He expressed concerns over the apprehension stirred by the CBN's circular, suggesting that it implied Nigerians were to bear the levy's burden amidst ongoing economic challenges, including rising petroleum prices.

Consequently, the House urged the CBN to retract its initial circular on levy enforcement immediately and issue a new circular consistent with the Cybercrime Act's provisions.

May 9, 2024 Fubara Arrives Rivers Assembly Quarters Amidst Crisis

Fubara Arrives Rivers Assembly Quarters Amidst Crisis

Governor Siminalayi Fubara made an unexpected visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters on Thursday, amidst the ongoing political turbulence in the state.

With tight security in place, Governor Fubara entered the premises where the Martin Amaewhule-led legislators convened. Though he emphasized his presence as the state's governor, he briefly walked around the area before departing.

His visit coincided with a fresh crisis erupting within the Rivers State House of Assembly. A faction of lawmakers aligned with the governor elected Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing the Bonny constituency, as their Speaker during Wednesday's plenary session. Oko-Jumbo's election, conducted following the House's Standing Order, marked a notable shift in the Assembly dynamics.

READ ALSO: New Conflict Emerges in Rivers Assembly as Pro-Fubara Legislators Elect Oko-Jumbo as Speaker

Previously, during the onset of the political crisis, Oko-Jumbo was among the four legislators loyal to Governor Fubara. Initially, they had elected Edison Ehie as Speaker. However, Ehie subsequently resigned from the State Assembly and assumed the role of Chief of Staff to the Governor.

The precise number of lawmakers present during Oko-Jumbo's election remains unclear.

Fubara Arrives Rivers Assembly Quarters Amidst Crisis
Fubara Arrives Rivers Assembly Quarters Amidst Crisis
May 9, 2024 Umahi Affirms Tinubu’s Dedication to Finishing Abuja-Kaduna, Katsina-Kano Highway

Umahi Affirms Tinubu’s Dedication to Finishing Abuja-Kaduna, Katsina-Kano Highway

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope administration to swiftly completing the Abuja-Kaduna-Katsina-Kano Federal Highway. This pledge was emphasized during a meeting with Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, at the Ministry's headquarters in Abuja.

During the discussion, Senator Umahi stated that he had received a directive from President Tinubu to devise a plan to expedite the project's completion within the next twelve months. He assured Governor Sani that the project, which was inherited from the previous administration, would commence in three phases as soon as possible.

Senator Umahi commended Governor Sani for the peace and progress observed in Kaduna State under his leadership, despite existing challenges. He also mentioned the President's directive to design a 1000-kilometer Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which aims to revitalize the ancient African trade route spanning Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos States, connecting to Badagry.

Governor Sani praised the President's visionary approach to revolutionizing road infrastructure, acknowledging the transformative impact such projects have on the nation's socio-economic landscape. He also lauded the Minister of Works for his dedication, which has reshaped the narrative surrounding road development in Nigeria.

Additionally, Governor Sani expressed appreciation for the President's initiatives to construct the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry roads, recognizing their potential to enhance the country's socio-economic prospects upon completion.

He emphasized the significance of Federal Government intervention in projects like the Eastern Bypass in Kaduna State and the Mando-Benigwari road, stressing their critical role in supporting agricultural programs and linking rural areas to markets in the North.

His full statement; “We are going to have the first section of 38 kilometers by 2, (which is 76 kilometers,) done by Dangote Group of Companies on Tax Credit and it’s going to use concrete to do it. We will allow the next 82 kilometers for Julius Berger to handle. And then the last 20 kilometers by 2, (which is 40 kilometers) for BUA to handle and to also use concrete to do that. And I can assure you that the job will start in these three sections within this month of May.”

May 9, 2024 Court Grants Sirika, Daughter, and Son-in-Law N100 Million Bail Each in N2.7 Billion Fraud Case

Court Grants Sirika, Daughter, and Son-in-Law N100 Million Bail Each in N2.7 Billion Fraud Case

In a session held at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, bail was granted to former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, alongside his daughter, Fatimah Hadi Sirika, and son-in-law, Jalal Hamma.

The trio, along with Al-Duraq Investment Ltd., faced charges related to an alleged N2.7 billion fraud linked to the Nigerian Air project, as filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Before Justice Sylvanus Orji, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the six-count amended criminal charge presented against them.

Prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, informed the court of an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7 and filed on May 8, which went uncontested by the defendant's counsel.

Lead counsel for the defendants, Kanu Agabi (SAN), representing Sirika, presented his client's bail application dated May 6. Similar bail applications were made for the other defendants, with pleas for leniency in the bail conditions.

Jacobs, in response, stated that all defendants were on administrative bail and urged the court to ensure bail conditions that would guarantee their appearance for trial.

Justice Orji, after considering the arguments, granted bail to each defendant in the sum of 100 million, requiring two sureties each. One surety must possess a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory, and all sureties must provide an affidavit of means. Additionally, the defendants were prohibited from traveling outside the country without court permission.

The judge warned that failure to meet bail conditions would result in detention in a correctional facility.

Furthermore, the trial was scheduled for June 10, 11, and 20.

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