Category Nigeria News

Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court Abuja, has sent back to the Chief Judge, a motion filed by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, for reassignment.

Kanu, in the motion ex parte, is seeking an order of the court transferring him to the National Hospital, Abuja, for urgent medical attention.

In a short ruling, Justice Liman ordered the transfer of the case file back to the CJ of the Federal High Court, following an application by Kanu’s counsel, Uchenna Njoku, SAN, considering the fact that the annual vacation of the court will end on September 15 (today).

Counsel to the Department of State Services, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, did not oppose Uchenna ‘s application.

At the resumed hearing earlier, the judge hinted that there was no time for the vacation court to decide Kanu’s motion.

He said not less than 30 cases were listed for the day’s proceedings by the registrar, and since the court would be unable to take all, the cases were pruned down to six.

Justice Liman added that, in line with Section 46(8) of the FHC Rules, any case that could not be completed within the vacation period would have to be sent back to the CJ for reassignment.

He said that though Kanu’s motion was an urgent one in view of the health ground, it was filed late.

Responding, Awomolo said in case management, the court had the overriding decision on which case to go on and which is not to go on.

Awomolo said it was unfortunate that the matter was coming up rather late.

“Had it been that they filed the application earlier, it would have been taken during vacation. But we are ready to take the motion any time, any day,” he added.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has faulted the planned 5% fuel surcharge, urging the government to avoid worsening economic hardship.

The senior lawyer spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, insisting that Nigerians should not be asked to bear fresh taxes.

Falana said the government should first remit funds owed to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), estimated at one trillion naira.

“It is the Federal Government that is owing, not the Nigerian people,” the lawyer stated during the interview.

FERMA Funds,  Fuel Surcharge

Falana explained that Section 14 of the FERMA Act 2007 established a 5% user charge on fuel sales.

“The provision was clear: 40% for federal roads, 60% for state roads. Sadly, the government never implemented it,” he noted.

Falana noted that between 2007 and 2011, FERMA confirmed no funds were remitted despite deductions from fuel prices at source by regulators.

“We asked FERMA in 2011 how much was collected. They replied government never gave them a kobo,” he revealed.

READ ALSO: Early Campaigns: INEC Required To Charge Violators To Court, Says Falana

Following pressure, the government released ₦832 million in 2011, but the larger backlog remained unpaid, Falana recalled.

By 2022, Senator Gershom Bassey, then Senate Committee Chair on FERMA, disclosed government owed about one trillion naira.

He added that introducing a fresh surcharge could amount to multiple taxation, burdening already strained consumers.

“The money was deducted but not remitted. This new tax should first address those missing collections.

“By 2022, even the Senate confirmed that over one trillion naira was owed to FERMA,” Falana argued.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) urged authorities to explain why funds deducted for infrastructure vanished, stressing accountability before imposing fresh burdens.

“Before introducing new levies, the government must tell Nigerians what happened to the earlier deductions,” Falana said.

Total Subsidy Removal

Falana also warned against complete subsidy removal, describing it as economically unrealistic and socially insensitive.

“No country abolishes all subsidies. Even the US and UK subsidise electricity, agriculture, and key social services,” he said.

He criticised international lenders, stressing that Nigeria must resist IMF and World Bank prescriptions for blanket subsidy removal.

“You cannot devalue the naira, dollarise the economy, remove subsidies, and simultaneously raise politicians’ pay,” Falana cautioned.

He argued that government policies must be holistic and designed to protect vulnerable citizens from further economic shocks.

Government Clarifications

Meanwhile, Presidential Tax Committee Chair Taiwo Oyedele clarified that the 5% surcharge originated from the 2007 FERMA Act.

Finance Minister Wale Edun also confirmed no immediate plan to implement the tax despite its inclusion in the 2025 Tax Act.

Edun explained the measure aims to harmonise existing provisions and will not commence without due process and stakeholder consultation.

The Ogun State Government has warned residents of communities adjoining the Ogun, Ilo, Iju, Owa, and Yemule rivers, such as Isheri, Warewa, Akute, parts of Abeokuta, Ayetoro, Itele, Iju, and those of the coastline of Makun, Oni, Iwopin, Igele, Ifaara (Ogun Waterside), Ebute-Imobi (Ijebu East), Tungeji Island, and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area (LGA), to relocate to a safer environment. 

This is due to the expected impact of overflow from rivers and sea water rise/tidal lock in their communities owing to expected high rainfall and arrival of flow from the northern part of the country and neighbouring nations like Benin to Ogun and Lagos State on the downstream.

That of the Ogun River may be compounded by the release of water from Oyan Dam, according to a statement on the midterm flood alert issued by the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya.

“That of the Ogun River may be compounded by the release of water from Oyan Dam,” he said

According to him, the overflow, which will last for two weeks, usually happens as part of the second phase of flooding, which usually happens from September through November every year.

READ ALSO: NiMET Issues September Weather Outlook, Warns Of Flood

The commissioner added that the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has predicted that September will have the highest rainfall of 204mm, followed by October at 190mm, while by November the intensity of the rainfall would have gone down to 93mm.

Oresanya assured the residents of these communities that the Ogun State government through its State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is on red alert incase of any emergency evacuation and relocation to temporary emergency camps spread across the state while the Ogun Ministry of Environment is also working closely with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority on the release of water from Oyan Dam to reduce its impact to the barest minimum.

He also urged residents in these communities to avoid the usage of their boreholes and well waters during this period, as they are subject to contamination due to the expected flooding and tidal variations.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has conducted its ward congresses across the 21 local government areas of Kebbi State, electing new executives and delegates in various wards.

At Gwangwadija Ward in the Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, members of the Ward Congress Election Committee from the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, led by the PDP Chairman in Sokoto State, Bello Goronyo, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

READ ALSO: Edo PDP Elects New Leaders, Eyes 2027 Comeback

“Sincerely speaking, I am happy with what I saw. The turnout was encouraging, and it is a testament that the PDP is still accepted by the people,” Goronyo told reporters.

He said that despite the challenges facing the party, the PDP remained a formidable opposition force in Nigeria.

The national delegation also held a meeting with security agencies and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), commending them for their roles in ensuring a hitch-free exercise, particularly in areas prone to insecurity.

Also, the Chairman of the PDP Ward Congress in Kebbi State, Sani Dododo, who serves as the party’s publicity secretary, affirmed the unity and strength of the party in the state.

“Kebbi PDP is one. The turnout was a clear demonstration of the determination of our members and a sign that the party remains strong in the state,” he said.

In Sauwa Ward, located in the Argungu Local Government Area, over 500 people reportedly turned out for the congress.

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State on Saturday defied a heavy downpour to participate in the party’s ward congresses, electing new executives and delegates across all 192 wards.

At Oredo Wards I, II, and III in Benin City, where journalists monitored proceedings, the exercise was marked by enthusiasm, orderliness, and a large turnout of party faithful who braved the rains to cast their votes.

State Caretaker Committee Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, led the monitoring team alongside members of the Ward Congress Electoral Committee from the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

He described the event as a clear signal of the PDP’s resilience and renewed strength in Edo.

“The ward congresses were very peaceful. Members of the PDP were vibrant, very active, and elected the 17-member executives in the wards we attended,” Aziegbemi said.

He admitted he was initially uncertain about the turnout but was “pleasantly surprised” by the dedication of party members, many of whom arrived at the polling grounds as early as 7:30 a.m. despite the downpour.

“I was jittery at first, not knowing what to expect, but I was moved by the enthusiasm. We think PDP is rising, and we believe we will give the APC a run for their money,” he declared.

The PDP chairman further expressed confidence that the “abysmal failure of the government at both the federal and state levels” would pave the way for the PDP to reclaim Edo State in the 2027 elections.

Also speaking, Chairman of the PDP Ward Congress Electoral Committee, Mr. Tariga Tulagha, commended members for their unity and peaceful conduct during the exercise.

“We went out to conduct elections for officers and delegates across all wards, and so far, it has been peaceful with full compliance with the law. Despite the rain, people turned out massively, and we are impressed,” Tulagha noted.

He dismissed speculations of an internal crisis within the PDP in Edo, stressing that the voting pattern reflected harmony.