COURT REFUSES TO GRANT FRESH ORDER AGAINST ORGANISED LABOUR’S PLANNED STRIKE

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday rejected a request for a fresh order stopping the organised labour from embarking on its planned indefinite strike scheduled to commence Tuesday.

The court which was presided over by Justice Sanusi Kado also refused to grant a prayer for an order to compel the government to immediately commence the process of adopting N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

Justice Kado said it would be unnecessary to make another order stopping labour from embarking on the planned strike having earlier made a similar one in a case brought to the court by the Federal Government last Friday.

The Federal Government had filed its suit following the threat by the organised labour, comprising the National Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, and the United Labour Congress, to embark on strike if its demand for increase in the national minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000 was not met.

Contrary to the labour’s demand, the Federal Government said it could only pay N24,000 as minimum wage and the state governors under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, had stuck to N22,500.

The lingering dispute between government and the labour prompted the Federal Government to seek and obtain the court order stopping the strike last Friday.

But the fresh ex parte application seeking to stop labour from embarking on the strike and to also compel government to commence the process of paying the N30,000 minimum wage was filed by a civil society group, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International.

The group’s lawyer, Mr. Okere Nnamdi, at the Monday’s proceedings, informed the court that he had filed his client’s ex parte motion alongside other processes on November 1.

He urged the court to grant the prayers, including the one seeking an order of substituted service of the court processes on the governors joined as the 10th to the 45th defendants in the suit.

But the judge immediately cut in, asking the lawyer if it would still be necessary to proceed to hear the application, in view of the Friday’s order made by the same court.

Okere conceded that he was aware of the order made by the judge on Friday.

But he insisted that his ex parte motion was different from that of the Federal Government, save for the prayer seeking an order stopping the planned strike, which is contained in both applications.

He said two prayers contained in his motion seeking an order of substituted service of the court processes filed in the case on the 36 state governors and the one seeking an order compelling the federal and state governments to commence the process of paying the N30,000 minimum wage differentiated his motion from that of the Federal Government.

Responding, Justice Kado said an order of interim injunction could only be granted if there was an urgency, there was the need to preserve the subject matter of the dispute and the defendants could not be served.

The judge noted that the court having, on Friday, granted an order stopping the strike, it was no longer any form of urgency in the matter, and as such, it was not necessary to compel the government to start the process of adopting the N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

Following the judge’s explanation, the plaintiff’s lawyer applied to withdraw two of the prayers having to do with the request for an order stopping the planned strike and the other seeking to compel the government to pay N30,000.

ATIKU SUPPORTERS WARN OBI EZEKWESILI

Ezekwesili

A group of Atiku Abubakar’s supporters, under the aegis of Atiku for Better Nigeria, has warned a former Minister of Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, to desist from using derogatory remarks against Atiku and the Peoples Democratic Party.

The Atiku supporters advised Ezekwesili, who is a presidential candidate for 2019, to concentrate on her campaign and stop tagging other contestants and political parties as fraudsters.

The Atiku for Better Nigeria, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Benita Dike-Israel, made available to our correspondent, advised Ezekwesili to learn the ropes in politics so as to avoid “falling into the abyss”.

The group argued that by painting Atiku and the PDP black, Ezekwesili was indicting herself and bitting the fingers that fed her since she was a minister under the PDP regime.

The group said, “Oby should learn not to be rude to Atiku or bite the fingers that fed her.

“For her to say that the PDP and Atiku lack knowledge in economy and (are) into 419 politics, is self-indicting. That means her period as Minister of Education and Solid Minerals added no value to the party that appointed her and to Nigeria as a whole; that also means that her immense credential amounts to nought and (she) has nothing new to offer. After all, a river is as good as its source; for whatever is built on void is void.”

The Atiku supporters argued that by joining politics, Ezekwesili, who had been spearheading the campaign for the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls through the #BringBackOurGirls movement, had “diluted her fame and goodwill among ordinary Nigerians and friends of Nigeria”.

According to the group, people will now begin to see Ezekwesili’s campaign for the release of the Chibok schoolgirls as “a mere ruse, smokescreen and cheap opportunity to feather her own political nest.”

“Whereas it is her constitutional right as an eligible Nigerian to contest the election, yet she should understand politics as a game of persuasion and lobbying rather than (using) pressure group tactics of brick batting and (using) foul language.

“She can politicise without being rude and judgmental,” the Atiku supporters said.

BREAKING: SOLDIERS KILL ONE AS YOUTHS PROTEST FLOODING IN RIVERS

Report reaching our news desk have it that some soldiers on Monday shot and killed one Aleruchi Woko during a protest against flooding by youths of Nkpolu Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the Rivers State.

A policeman, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, was alleged to have been seriously injured by the angry youths, while four other protesters were said to have also sustained gunshot injuries.

Our correspondent learnt that a policeman, who probably had come to maintain peace, allegedly lost his rifle during the clash.

It was gathered that the deceased was died on the spot after being hit by the bullet from one of the soldiers.

The incident resulted in a gridlock on the Choba-Rumuokoro axis of the East-West Road, leaving many commuters stranded for hours as the angry youths blocked the Nkpolu point of the road.

The spokesman of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, dismissed the claim that anybody was killed by soldiers.

“It is cheap blackmail to say that soldiers killed anybody. They smashed the windscreens of our vehicles, including that of the escort. The mob threw stones and other objects at them (soldiers and the government officials).

“For them to extricate themselves and because of the blockade, they (soldiers and government officials) had to turn back to base. In this era of social media, if somebody was killed, you would have seen it all over the social media,” Iliyasu said.

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the clash between the soldiers and the youths, but could not confirm whether anybody was killed or not.

Omoni disclosed that 15 suspects had been arrested in connection with the breach of peace within the area, adding that those arrested were helping the Police in their investigation.

GOV GANDUJE OF KANO STATE AGREES TO PAY N30,600 MINIMUM WAGE

The Government of Kano State has said it is ready to pay the new minimum wage of N30,000 with additional N600.

According to the state Head of Service, Auwalu Naiya, the decision to pay the N30,000 naira new minimum wage was adopted at the State Council meeting which has the governor and his Deputy in attendance.

Auwalu Naiyya reminded that Governor Ganduje gives much priority to the welfare of Civil servant’s a reason Kano is among the few State that has no payment of monthly salary problems.

Similarly, Naiyya hinted that apart from the monthly salary of over N8 Billion the State always was in the forefront in the payment of Pension and Gratuity.

“Therefore it is as easy as anything for us to pay the N30,000 monthly salary this is because welfare of our workers is Paramount to anything and will always gives it preference”, Naiyya added.

However, the state Labour Union Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Minibir said they have not received any formal communication on the state readiness to pay the new minimum wage.

Kabiru Minjibir who spoke to a local Radio notes that as soon as they received formal communication they would sit on the matter and discuss.

The government also pleaded with the Labour to spare some strategic places like hospitals, banks, filling stations, markets and other areas.

BREAKING: FG, LABOUR IN CLOSED-DOOR MEETING OVER MINIMUM WAGE

Ngige

The federal government is currently in a closed-door meeting with the National Tripartite Minimum Wage Committee members over the demand by labour union for an increase in the national minimum wage from N18,000 naira to N30,000 naira.

This is coming just hours after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared an indefinite nationwide industrial action over what it described as poor funding.

Following a meeting of leaders of the union on Sunday at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, the Ondo State capital, ASUU National President, Professor Abiodun Ogunyemi, had said that the union took the decision due to the poor funding of universities.

However, leaders of the organised labour had failed to attend the meeting convened by the Federal Government to continue negotiations on the national minimum wage for workers in the country. The labour union insisted that its members would also commence on strike tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the government continued the earlier on scheduled dialogue with the organised private sector at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, on Sunday in Abuja.

Following the appeal by Dr. Ngige for all stakeholders to attend today’s meeting for the interest of the nation, members of the committee are currently in the meeting at the SGF’s office alongside federal government’s delegates.

The meeting is expected to find a solution to the minimum wage impasse.

Details later…

MINIMUM WAGE: NNAMDI KANU BACKS LABOUR, REVEALS NEW STRATEGY

Kanu

Ahead of the proposed nationwide strike by organised labour over the new minimum wage crisis, the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has thrown his weight behind the labour unions.

Kanu told Nigerian Workers how to get their demand on minimum wage without much ado.

Nigerian Workers had been at loggerheads with the federal and state governments in the country.

They are clamouring for an increase in the current N18,000 minimum wage to a paltry N30,000.

Initially, the organised labour pegged their demanded increase at N66,500 but later succumbed after much negotiation and agreed to go with N30,000 which state governors have refused to pay proposing theirs at N22,500.

The workers led by various labour unions in the country have decided to embark on an indefinite strike on November 6 despite a court order preventing them from going ahead with the planned industrial action.

For the separatist leader, the workers should boycott the 2019 general election to press home their demand which he said they will get if they adhere to his advise.

“Nigerian workers are on a minimum wage of N18,000 per month which is roughly $48 equivalent,” Mr Kanu said in a radio broadcast on Sunday believed to have come from Isreal.

“Recently they have been begging the government to increase it to N30, 000 about $85 per month.

“So, far the government have refused. This demand can be met with minimal fuss before presidential elections of next year if the workers remain resolute and determined not to vote.

“We call on all labour unions in Nigeria to join IPOB in election boycott campaign,” he said.

Mr Kanu who is believed to be in Isreal left the country last year September when the Nigerian Military staged an ‘Operation Python Dance’ around his residence.

The federal government in a move to curb IPOB’s growing influence across the country declared the group as terrorists.

Since his group was proscribed Kanu has not been publicly seen until recently when video of him allegedly shot in Isreal went viral on the social media.

BREAKING: EFCC SET TO PUSH FOR FORMER PETROLEUM MINISTER, DIEZANI’S EXTRADITION FROM BRITAIN

Diezani

A former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke is to be extradited from Britain. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is to approach Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami( SAN) this week with a request to file charges against Mrs Alison-Madueke based on its findings.

As part of its investigation, the EFCC has traced N47.2 billion and $487.5million to the ex-minister, it was gathered.
Besides, about N23,446,300,000 and $5milion (about N1.5billion) have been located in various Nigerian banks. But only about $37.5 million Banana Island property has been finally forfeited by the ex-minister.

Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, ordered the final forfeiture of the property.

According to reports, the EFCC has concluded the investigation of the allegations against Mrs Alison-Madueke. More than 50 suspects in some of the cases linked with her have been arraigned in court, especially the alleged N23.29billion 2015 poll bribe.

The EFCC review team felt it will be “in the interest of justice to extradite the ex-minister to Nigeria for trial”. She is believed to be in Britain.

Some of the investigated allegations against the ex-Minister, with substantial evidence, include the following:
Release of $1.3b NNPC cash to the Office of the national Security Adviser (ONSA) in 2014 to fight kidnapping in Niger Delta; whereabouts of $18.5billion earnings by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC);
$15.8billion NLNG dividends between 2000 and 2014 (especially about $9b component between 2010 and 2015); $1.7billion oil contracts involving Mrs Alison-Madueke and two business associates;
N23.29b 2015 poll bribery scam;
$37.5m property on Banana Island; and acquisition of many properties at home, in Britain, and in the UAE

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The EFCC has reached a convenient bend to request for the extradition of Diezani from the UK. Most of the cases against her have reached maturity level for her trial at home. “The commission will formally approach the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami( SAN) to assist it to invoke the extradition treaty between Nigeria and the UK against Diezani. “Through the office of the AGF, appropriate charges will be filed in court to commence the process for the extradition of the ex-Minister.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The extradition process is without prejudice to the ongoing investigation of Diezani in the UK.
“The US end of Diezani probe has been done. The EFCC has also hauled evidence to the UK to assist the authorities. Some detectives from the UK have visited this country too.
“For the Nigerian flank of the probe, it is necessary to extradite Diezani to answer allegations against her.”

The source, however, added that the AGF has the final say on whether or not to initiate the extradition process. He stressed that all the allegations against the former minister are within the extradition treaty between Nigeria and the UK.
The laws guiding extradition in Nigeria include:
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) with extradition matter within the purview of the Federal High Court.

The Extradition Act, Cap E 25, Laws of the Federation, 2010
The Immigration Act, Cap 11, Laws of the Federation, 2010
Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
The Evidence Act, Cap E14, Laws of the Federation, 2010.
Twice, the embattled former minister has defended some of the allegations against her.

On the N23.29m poll bribery cash, she said: “In the face of the obvious falsification of facts and misinformation, it is only right and proper that the EFCC should publish the details of the $153.3million lodgements, the bank account numbers and the account beneficiaries, showing proof of my link to them.
“Having also alleged that the said $153.3million was ‘wired’ from NNPC, the EFCC should also publish details of the NNPC accounts from where the said $153.3 million was taken, with proof that I authorised such a transaction/transactions, acting either in my private capacity or as The Honourable Minister of Petroleum.

“Let me state for the record that as Minister of Petroleum, the operation and management of NNPC finances were outside my purview as outlined in both the Petroleum Act and the NNPC Act.
“The only involvement I had in NNPC finances was in terms of statutory matters, where the Petroleum Act prescribes that as minister, there were certain duties or actions which I had to perform or take in relation to NNPC.”
The ex-Minister said also that she acted on the instructions of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to release $1.3billion to the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA).

She said it was not within the power or discretion of any minister to question or disregard the written directive of a president.
Although about $1.4billion was requested by the ONSA via three memos, for “Intervention for Urgent National Security Projects,” about $1.3billion was released from NNPC accounts.
But it was unclear what became of the $100million balance.
Documents revealed that ONSA had requested for $1.4billion between March 27, 2014 and May 5, 2014 when approval was given and cash backed.
About three memos were sent to ex-President Jonathan on March 27, 2014, 31st March 2014 and May 5, 2014.
But Diezani insisted that she could not be held liable for carrying out a presidential directive.

The statement said: “The attention of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum, has been drawn to a story in The Nation Newspaper of Monday 22nd January, 2018 as well as other print and online media titled “Diezani in trouble again over withdrawal of $1.3b from NNPC accounts”.

“Under Section 5 of the Constitution, all executive powers are vested in the President who may exercise it directly or through the Vice President or Ministers of the Federation. As Minister for Petroleum Resources Mrs. Alison-Madueke was an appointee and delegate of the President.

“Consequently, the Minister of Petroleum Resources acted on the basis of the written approvals and directives given by the President, which approvals were given after written requests from the relevant security agencies were made to the President.

“At such instances, as in fact the article clearly shows, a Service Chief or Intelligence Chief makes a written request/appeal to Mr. President outlining whatever urgent and critical security needs of the nation they consider imminently paramount, at any given point in time.

“If such a request received the approval of the President, the President may direct that the requested funds be drawn from a Security Budget maintained by NNPC, or that the funds be sourced from elsewhere.

“Where the President directs the Minister of Petroleum Resources, in writing, to make the payment from the NNPC, the Minister in turn, directs the GMD NNPC in writing to execute the directive of the President. NNPC then wires the funds from one of its major foreign bank accounts, or from the CBN, directly to the stipulated account of the particular branch of the armed services, or intelligence unit, or department, that initiated the request.
“It is not within the power or discretion of any serving minister to question or disregard the written directive of a president including that of the incumbent President

“The former Minister of Petroleum Resources in the statement stated that at no time, did she, or could she, as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, interfere with this process.”

The ex-Minister said since the disbursement of $1.3billion can be traceable, it was wrong to assume that it was diverted.
“It is, therefore, impossible and implausible, for any monies under such presidential directives to be diverted during the process, at least from the standpoint of the Minister.

“Any and all amounts approved and directed by Mr. President to be paid, were executed exclusively by NNPC, directly from NNPC’s foreign and or, Central Bank of Nigeria accounts, to the stated recipients.

“Therefore, let it be very clear, that all funds disbursed by these banking institutions on behalf of NNPC are easily and openly traceable, and the process cannot and should not be utilized for the distortion of facts.”

BAD NEWS FOR ATIKU AS U.S DELIVERS SHOCKING MESSAGE, AHEAD OF THE 2019 ELECTIONS

The United States Institute of Peace, USIP, has said that the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Presidential candidate, President Buhari is not likely to be defeated in 2019.

The news comes as a shock to many political analysts and in particular  the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who had hope to replace the incumbent next year.

The International body said that the report is based on its interactions with Nigerians from different sectors.

The report, which analysed the chances of violence marring the 2019 general elections, is contrary to two recent predictions by The Economist Intelligence Unit, EIU, the Research Unit of The Economist Magazine, that the incumbent government of President Muhammadu Buhari, will be unseated next year.

The USIP, stated that although many Nigerians feel that the current administration has not met their expectations, this is not likely to cost the All Progressives Congress government, its hold on power.

“Many Nigerians feel their hopes have not been met. Some respondents suggest the electorate is sufficiently disappointed that voter apathy will be greater in 2019 than in 2015, with the unifying narrative of change that helped elect the APC in 2015, much less compelling as a factor in mobilising the electorate, and perceptions that another defeat of the Presidential incumbent, is less likely to happen in 2019”, the report read.

Comparing the 2015 elections to the forthcoming one, the report revealed that there is a greater chance of the occurrence of election violence, listing Adamawa, Anambra, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers States, as 8 out of the 36 States with greater risks of election violence.

While it stated that it is up to the combined efforts of political parties, Security Agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to curb violence in the election, it said that the greater work lies with the Electoral body.

“Important shifts in Nigeria’s political and security context have occurred since the 2015 elections, presenting both evolving and new risks to the 2019 elections”, it read.

“Of all the State’s institutions, most respondents felt that peaceful elections in 2019, are contingent on the performance of Nigeria’s INEC.

“Given the relative success of the 2015 elections, they felt that INEC ought to be able to deliver credible elections again, in 2019. They feared, however, that any regression from the level of performance achieved in 2015, could lead to violence, because some would view the failings not as a result of incompetence, but as deliberate attempts to frustrate the will of the voters.

“INEC should at least match the standards it set in 2015, and any regression could set the stage for violence.”

The report further stated that despite the projections of violence, “there are signs of hope.”

“Yet, while the potential for election violence exists, there are signs of hope. Some States have developed successful election conflict-mitigation practices. In the short amount of time remaining, INEC and the Police should undertake a number of key reforms”, it said.

“The United States, along with other international supporters of the electoral process, should also intensify their efforts to reinforce the work of these key Nigerian Institutions.

“Beyond institutional support, rather than apply a conventional approach to electoral violence mitigation, donor programming should adapt to Nigeria’s current context, political shifts, and opportunities, and be sufficiently flexible to respond to the risks distinct in each of Nigeria’s States.

“In advance of the election, international diplomatic efforts to preempt electoral violence, need to be intensified. Regional and International actors should convey their expectations, that political parties effectively address their internal disputes, and be ready to put on notice, Politicians responsible for escalating these disputes.”

BREAKING: WAEC TO HOLD EMERGENCY MEETING!!! MAY SUSPEND NIGERIA OVER BUHARI’S CERTIFICATE SAGA

The West African Examination Council Executives may suspend Nigeria from the membership of the council over alleged illegal printing of WAEC Attestation certificate for the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.

WAEC LOGO

The Council is having an emergency meeting to discuss the unprecedented action on the National office in Nigeria last week, where they printed an attestation certificate President Buhari whom the Ghana headquarters has confirmed on a number of cases that he was never a registered candidate of WAEC in 1961.
Details shortly...

MINIMUM WAGE: WHY WE CAN’T MEET LABOURS’ N30,000 DEMAND – FG

The federal government on Sunday gave reasons why it cannot meet the demand of labour unions that the national minimum wage be increased to N30,000.

The labour unions, NLC, TUC and ULC, have vowed to commence a nationwide strike from Tuesday if government does not meet its demand.

The workers unions accuse the government of going back on a N30,000 decision reached at a tripartite meeting between labour, government, and private employers.

However, the federal government says no agreement was reached at the tripartite meeting and insists on a N24,000 minimum wage, while the state governors say they would only be able to pay N22,500.

On Sunday, the labour unions boycotted a reconciliation meeting called by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Speaking with journalist Sunday evening, the SGF, Boss Mustapha, said the meeting was part of the exercise that ought to be undertaken to ensure that there was a complete report to be submitted to the presidency on the issues relating to the minimum wage.

Boss Mustapha said that the tripartite committee has been working assiduously though there were outstanding issues that needed to be dealt with and that was the reason he called for the reconciliation meeting.

“Basically the only outstanding issue that needs to be dealt with is to harmonise the 5th chapter of the report and get the figures in for the purposes of submission to government,” he said.

REASONS WE CAN’T MEET N30,000

The SGF said President Muhammadu Buhari, while inaugurating the tripartite meeting, emphasised the need for a unanimous resolution at the meeting, something that was yet to be agreed to.

“Mr President went further to emphasise that the concern is not only for the welfare of the workers but also every other thing should be taken on board as it affects the country’s economy.

“So it is a balance of the welfare of the workforce with the effect of the new minimum wage and the economy,” he said

The SGF quoting Mr Buhari said, “We yearn to go above basic social protection for Nigerian worker but also tie to the ability to pay, because I know that a lot of states are even having difficulty meeting the basic minimum wage”.

He noted that 27 states were having difficulty in paying the current minimum wage of N18,000, while noting that he was not making any excuses for them.

He did not elaborate on why labour unions boycotted the meeting but said the tripartite meeting will continue tomorrow.

“I want to assure all of you that once the report is concluded and ready, I will personally ensure that Mr President sign immediately on it,” he said.

Earlier on Sunday, the General Secretary of the NLC, Peter Ozo-Esan, told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview why his union boycotted the Sunday meeting.

“We (NLC) are not aware of any meeting with the SGF over any matter. A government that gets an injunction against us without putting us on notice until we heard from the press has shown enough bad faith.

“Even if we were aware, we would not be interested to attend any meeting. The meeting we are aware of, which we are going to attend, is the tripartite committee meeting tomorrow in Abuja. That’s the one we plan to attend. That is the official position,” he said.