Senate To Investigate Frequent Jailbreaks, Invites Interior Minister

The Senate has directed its Committee on interior to start an investigation to uncover reasons behind the frequent jailbreaks in the country.

The lawmakers during plenary on Tuesday directed the committee to invite the Minister of Interior, the Comptroller General for the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), and the Attorney General of the Federation to investigate the status of correctional centers nationwide.

Minister of Interior, Raif Aregbesola said biometrics of all inmates in the country have been captured, and it is the hope of the Federal Government that this exercise will aid the tracking and rearrest of the escapees.

According to Senate, this is to also prevent future recurrence of jailbreaks.

#EndSARS Panel Reports: Our Decisions Will Be Based On the Law -Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday said that his administration will be based on the law and truth as regards the EndSARS Panel Report.

The panel submitted its report on November 15, although the state government is yet to make its contents public with a White Paper expected today (Tuesday).

A leaked report which the governor said was regrettable, indicted the Nigerian Army and the Lagos state government in the killing of unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate and a subsequent cover-up.

In his words he said: “Our decisions and actions will be based entirely on the law, the weight of evidence, and an unblemished respect for the truth.”

Court Declares Sanusi’s Banishment As Unlawful

Justice Anwuchi Chikere of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday declared the banishment of the deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

The court held that the restrictions placed on Sanusi after his deposition on March 9, 2020, on allegations of insubordination are a clear arbitrary violation of his right to freedom of movement and personal liberty granted by the Nigerian constitution.

A sum of N10 million was awarded to the former Emir as damages to be paid to him by the respondents.

The court also issued an order directing the respondents to tender a public apology to Sanusi to be published in two major national dailies for the embarrassment caused him by breaching his fundamental human rights.

FG Condemns Murder Of Policemen, Says Perpetrators Will Face Justice

The Federal Government has condemned the recent murder of two police officials in the South-East part of the country.

FG also warned that those who carried out the killings will be apprehended and made to face the law.

The two officers killed in were attacked over the weekend and their bodies burnt afterward.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, gave the assurance during a press conference in Lagos on Monday. He condoled with the families of the slain officers, praying that God will comfort and strengthen them.

Judiciary Will Not Rest Until Corruption Is Carved Out Of Nigeria – CJN

Tanko Mohammed, The Chief Justice of Nigeria has vowed that the Judiciary will not rest until corruption is carved out of the country.

Tanko said this during the third National Summit on Diminishing Corruption in the Public Sector in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Tuesday.

He mentioned that from January to November this year, 1,144 suspects were convicted of various corruption offences and financial crimes including hundreds of millions of cash forfeitures, alongside eight aircraft, seven fuel stations among others.

He further stated that for any nation to prosper, the judiciary must remain independent and disassociated from any form interference.

Muda Yusuf Backs Subsidy Removal, Says It Has To Happen for Nigeria Economy To Stand

Muda Yusuf, Former Director-General of the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry has backed the removal of fuel subsidy, saying that it is needed for the Economy of the nation to stand.

Yusuf mentioned this while speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily. He condemned a situation, whereby the Federal Government spends N3 trillion annually on fuel subsidies.

Recall that, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had announced that the government would remove fuel subsidy and replace it with a monthly N5,000 transport stipend to about 40 million poor Nigerians last week.

He opines that the current administration should channel the money being spent on subsidies to primary healthcare, basic education and rural roads.

Governor Ayade Hold Off 2021 Calabar Carnival

Ben Ayade, the Governor of Cross River State has put on hold the 2021 annual edition of the Calabar Carnival.

This was disclosed on Monday at the State Executive Council Chamber attended by carnival band leaders, members of the State Executive Council and local government chairman from the 18 Council areas of the state.

Ayade explained that the health concerns arising from the outbreak of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, as well as the prevailing security situation, are his reasons for the suspension.

The Governor further emphasized that the lives of people are paramount and he would compromise the lives and safety of the citizens for the fleeting excitement of the carnival.

FG Issues New COVID-19 Directives To Travelers

The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 on Tuesday, issued new directives to travellers as measures to contain the newly discovered Omicron variant.

This was contained in a press statement issued by Dr Mukhtar Muhammad, the National Incident Manager of the PSC, following the discovery of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron.

Passengers arriving in Nigeria are now required to conduct a PCR test, 48 hours before embarking on their trips to the country and another day two and day seven PCR tests on arrival, and also expected to self-isolate for seven days.

Passengers leaving Nigerian on the other hand will be required to either show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or provide a negative PCR test taken 48 hours before departure.

NCC To Embark On Second Re-trial Of 5G In Nigeria

In order to confirm the “National Policy on 5G for Digital Economy”, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to embark on the 2nd trial of 5G in Nigeria.

According to the commission, the supervised trial of the 5G would be conducted by Airtel Networks Limited and its Original Equipment Manufacturer ria on Thursday, 2nd of December, 2021.

Recall that MTN Nigeria Communications had held the first 5G trial in Nigeria in 2019.

According to the NCC, the key parameters it was looking out for include: Throughput, latency and jitter measurements; Co-channel interference impact on QoS; Handover performance between access points (as applicable); Type/models of 5G terminals used for the test; Types of services (voice, data, video, etc.) and; Health and safety (EMF radiation level).

Akintoye Steps Down As Ilana Omo Oodua Pulls Out Of Southern, Middle-Belt Alliance

Prof Banji Akintoye, has stepped down as Chairman of the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS).

NINAS is the joint body of self-determination groups in the South and Middle Belt Regions of Nigeria with Ilana Omo Oodua representing the Yoruba bloc; Lower Niger Congress representing the South East and South South; and the Middle-Belt Renaissance Movement representing the Middle-Belt Region.

In a statement on Tuesday, Akintoye and 44 other leaders said it is very important for the Yoruba bloc to quit the alliance in order to preserve the integrity and reputation of the Yoruba Nation agitation for self-determination.

Akintoye, who accused some leaders of NINAS of having objectives which conflict with self-determination, tendered his resignation was with immediate effect.