GOVT BEGINS PROSECUTION OF INEC OFFICIALS, OTHERS FOR ELECTORAL FRAUD

The Federal Government through the Nigerian Bar Association has commenced the prosecution of some staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission and political party members indicted for various electoral offences during the 2023 general elections.

Electoral offences remain a major threat to credible, free and fair elections in Nigeria, as they often heighten political tension and trigger violence.

Following the February 25, 2023, presidential and National Assembly elections, the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, said over 700 offenders were arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force for violating electoral laws.

INEC had on May 2, 2023, said it would prosecute 215 handed over to it out of the 774 persons arrested for various electoral offences by the NPF during the polls.

The commission said it was partnering with the NBA, which offered pro bono legal services for the effective prosecution of the electoral offenders.

Out of the 215 case files received by the commission, 196 cases are electoral offences and are being handled by INEC and the NBA.

The National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Habeeb Lawal, told our correspondent on Friday that 196 suspects, including INEC officials and members of political parties, were being prosecuted for various electoral offences such as vote-buying, arms possession, and others committed during the 2023 poll.

Lawal noted that the prosecution was being carried out in magistrates’ courts and the high courts of the states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He explained, “A total of 196 suspects are being prosecuted for various offences by volunteering members of the Nigerian Bar Association, who are handling the cases pro bono.

“The offences range from dereliction of duty, criminal conspiracy and disorderly conduct at election venues, unlawful possession of arms on election day, snatching and destroying of INEC materials, electoral malpractices, unlawful possession of election materials, voter inducement and vote-buying, malicious damage and assault, and electoral violence.

“Some of the suspects are INEC officials, while others are political party members and people without determinable political affiliations.

“The magistrates’ courts and the high courts of the states and the FCT have jurisdiction over electoral offences by virtue of the Electoral Act.

“Therefore, the offences are being prosecuted by our members in these different courts all over the country, as there is hardly anyone state of the federation that the prosecution is not ongoing.”

When asked what impact the prosecution would have on future elections, the publicity secretary noted, “We believe that successful prosecution of electoral offenders will deter people desperate to assume political offices.

“We are hopeful that this modest effort will positively impact and sanitise our electoral system and culture.”

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, stated that the commission would not condone bad behaviour, adding that future offenders would be held accountable for their actions.

Oyekanmi said, “By engaging in the commendable collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association to jointly prosecute electoral offenders, the Independent National Electoral Commission is reinforcing its resolve not to condone bad behaviour.

“It is also our strong message to aspiring offenders that they will be held accountable for their actions.

“While we have achieved some measure of success in prosecuting electoral offenders in the past, the NBA’s offer to assist us pro bono will further widen the scope and serve as a deterrent to others.”

The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Rafsanjani, stated that Nigeria would be free from election violence and corruption if electoral offenders were dealt with.

He stated, “As a way of sanitising the electoral process, there must be sanctions or penalties for people who break our law.

“Political parties will warn their members and supporters to stay off violence to avoid rubbishing the image of the parties once they are aware of the consequences of committing electoral offences.

“Nigeria will be free from manipulation, election violence, and corruption.”

A legal practitioner, Victor Giwa, said prosecuting electoral offenders would discourage election irregularities and produce credible leadership.

Giwa explained, “People prepare for rigging elections. They budget money for getting thugs, and bribing security agencies and INEC officials because these offenders are not prosecuted.

“But when Nigeria starts prosecuting electoral offenders, it will discourage election irregularities and reduce electoral offences. It will help to provide proper and credible leadership.

“When electoral offenders are not prosecuted, it reduces confidence in the electoral process.”

Reacting to the development, a rights activist and Chancellor, International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, Jackson Omenazu, said since it had become the norm for electoral offenders to rob the citizens, deny them their rights as stated in the Electoral Act, and violate the electoral laws of the country, the arrested offenders should be severely punished irrespective of their personality.

According to him, electoral offenders have gone scot-free over the years, adding that their proper prosecution would deliver a balanced electoral process in the country.

He said, “No armed robber can rob 10,000 persons at a stretch. An INEC official with criminal intentions can rob one million people at a stretch and get away with it and one of the biggest problems we have in this country today is that electoral offenders have gone scot-free all these years.

“These things are criminal and honestly, until electoral offenders are punished severely, we will not get a balanced electoral process in this country no matter who is involved. My advice to the media is that they should escalate the matter so there won’t be any chance for them to sweep it under the carpet.”

Also commenting, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afam Osigwe, explained that the most important thing was to show Nigerians that there were consequences for all actions, adding that for the electoral process to have integrity, the arrested electoral offenders should be properly prosecuted.

He added that actions must be matched with words by ensuring that those who adhered to the electoral law and process had their gains in court, while offenders found culpable should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Osigwe said, “I do not know who is involved but the important thing for me is that Nigeria must show that actions must have consequences and that for our electoral process to have integrity, those who are apprehended for all manners of electoral malpractices or offences should be prosecuted. We should match action with words by ensuring that people who try to support the electoral process have their gain in court and that the full weight of the law is brought against those who are found culpable.

“We must show that we are a nation ruled by law and that the full weight of our law must be brought against those who breach them. For me, that is the important message that you will be passing if this prosecution is successfully carried out.”

Ekiti State Government is set to collaborate with Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) to bolster security measures and fortify disaster management strategies.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji disclosed this during a working visit to LASEMA Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend.

The Governor restated the resolve of his administration to safeguard the lives and properties of its citizens while fostering a secure and conducive environment for their daily endeavors.

Accompanied by the State Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Akintunde Oyebode, Governor Oyebanji was received by the Director-General of LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, who took him on a tour of the agency’s facilities.

Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu explained the pivotal roles played by various units within the Emergency Operation Center, stressing the significance of digitization in streamlining emergency information and coordination processes, often in collaboration with private entities.

“For the state Governor to be here to Partner with us at LASEMA speaks volume. This is the kind of commitment you expect from a good leader who is ready to secure lives and properties of his people. We are ready to address all the security challenges and emergency issues. We will partner with Ekiti fully, efficiently and effectively. We will share information and build capacity”, the LASEMA boss said.

Furthermore, Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu highlighted potential areas of improvement for Ekiti State in emergency and disaster management, including fire services, environmental stewardship, rapid response initiatives, and ambulance services. He emphasized the critical need for adequate funding and streamlined bureaucratic processes in optimizing emergency response mechanisms.

Expressing his satisfaction with the LASEMA team and their operational strategies, Governor Oyebanji expressed his readiness to adopt and adapt Lagos’ digitization approach to address security and emergency challenges within Ekiti State.

“I swore to defend ekiti people, they elected me to do certain things for them. Most states are grappling with security and emergency issues We have gotten to a point where we have to secure our territory because security is very key.

“As a state, we have a structure on ground but I have come to LASEMA here today to see for myself and seek collaboration with LASEMA who have walked the path and made their own mistakes but they are now doing well, for us, we don’t have the financial resources that Lagos has and we cannot afford to make too many faulty steps.

“We have discussed and the collaboration will start immediately. I am assuring Ekiti people that they are in for the best. I am excited and I must thank Lagos state for giving our Son, Dr Oke-Osanyintolu this platform to serve.”, the Governor added.

Yinka Oyebode
Special Adviser, Media to the Governor
03-04-2024

Meanwhile, indications emerged at the weekend that Nigeria’s efforts to raise crude oil production continued to yield results during the February circle, with output for the month rising by approximately 60,000bpd during the month.

Although the monthly oil production report by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), usually released in the second week of the month, had yet to be officially announced, a survey of shipping data by Reuters arrived at the additional volume.

“Among those with higher output, the second-biggest gain of 60,000 bpd came from Nigeria, the survey found, as some crude was processed in the new Dangote refinery and exports rose,” it said.

In January, Nigeria’s oil production increased to 1.42 million barrels per day, representing the highest production level since March 2021 when output was about the same 1.42 million bpd.

But with the addition of condensate, the commission said Nigeria’s oil production rose to 1.64 million bpd in January 2024, from 1.55 million bpd in December 2023.

This comes as some relief for Nigeria which is currently in the middle of a foreign exchange shortage crisis, partly occasioned by the country’s prolonged inability to raise oil output from where it gets up to 90 per cent of its FX earnings.

If the 1.42 million bpd is added to the tentative 60,000 bpd shipping data figure, this would total 1.48 million bpd and Nigeria could be just about 20,000 bpd away from meeting the 1.5 million bpd Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota for 2024.

But it is still below the daily oil production benchmark of 1.78 million barrels in Nigeria’s 2024 budget, although that also includes condensate, which is exempted from OPEC calculations.

OPEC gave Nigeria the 1.5 million bpd quota last November after intense negotiations that lasted several days, but it was significantly lower than Africa’s largest oil producer had hoped for. Angola left the group after disagreement with OPEC in its own quota at the time.

The Plateau Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service says it has not reduced the quantity and quality of food rations for inmates.

Spokesman of the command, Mr Godfrey Longdiem, stated this in Jos on Saturday while reacting to media reports that inmates at the Jos Custodial Centre protested over shortage of food on Friday.

He added that instead, the command was planning to change inmates’ menu because of current hike in prices of foodstuffs.

“The command wishes to clarify that it has no intention or plan to reduce the quantity or quality of inmates’ ration, but to supplement their meals as a result of the hike in prices of foodstuffs.

“Inmates are normally served rice four times in a week.

“Contractors, however, complained about incessant increases in prices of food items, particularly that of rice and consequently, they requested to serve rice twice a week and supplement with another food.

“This request did not go down well with the inmates, but the situation was later brought under control without harm or injury to anyone,’’ he stated.

Longdiem called on Plateau residents and Nigerians in general to disregard media reports that suggested an attempted jailbreak at the Jos Custodial Centre.

The Federal Government has threatened to sanction foreign airlines that fail to comply with the directive to release low inventory tickets within weeks.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority had met with airline operators, the NCAA, foreign airlines, and the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies in Abuja last week where the directive was handed down.

During the meeting, the foreign airlines pledged to enhance transparency in air ticketing processes by releasing low inventory tickets, making them significantly more affordable for the Nigerian middle class.

This followed the release by the Federal Government of part of the $700m trapped air ticket funds to foreign airlines.

However, findings by Sunday PUNCH showed that not all the foreign airlines had complied with the directive.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Michael Achimugu, said in an exclusive with Sunday PUNCH that defaulting airlines risked sanctions.

The NCAA public affairs director stated in an interview with one of our correspondents on Saturday, “The meeting between the NCAA and the foreign airlines had NANTA present.

“They confirmed the opening of those low inventory tickets. During our discussions with the airlines, we allowed them into the meeting one after the other and some claimed that in their agencies, low inventories were opened.

“We had NANTA confirm this in the meeting and discovered that some of the airlines were not being truthful about it. Consequently, we instructed them to open those low-inventory tickets.

“A majority of them are reported to have complied by opening low-inventory tickets. For those that are yet to do so, we have given them a week or thereabout. I will need to check with the chairman to confirm the exact number of weeks given to them to comply.

“Within the scope of the NCAA, there will be sanctions applicable to airlines that do not comply with these directives. We made that very clear. However, I need to confirm the deadline to comply with the committee.”

Investigations by Sunday PUNCH showed that airlines had initiated the release of low-inventory tickets, however, there are concerns as certain carriers have yet to offer their lowest inventory tickets.

Airline operators, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, confirmed that the NCAA directive had not fully expanded the availability of economy-class tickets.

A reliable source in the industry told our correspondent that some of the airline operators were yet to fully open up the lowest inventory tickets, which cater significantly to the Nigerian middle class.

The source claimed that some of the operators withheld the lowest inventory tickets in a move to compel Nigerians to utilise their dollar cards to purchase air tickets.

“Some airlines did a partial opening, meaning that they didn’t release all of the low-inventory tickets. For example, if they have 10 economy class tickets with different fares, they will release around five,” the source revealed.

The Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, had called out Air France for non-compliance with the directive.

In response to this, Najomo set up a 10-member committee chaired by the Director of Special Duties at the NCAA, Horatius Egua.

The committee’s primary task is to oversee the full compliance by foreign airlines with the government directive regarding the unblocking of low-inventory tickets.

The committee is expected to propose suitable pricing strategies for tickets in Nigeria compared to other markets in the West African sub-region.

The President of the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria, Kingsley Nwokoma, confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that some airlines had chosen to open their low-inventory tickets, while others were yet to follow suit.

The AFARN president believes this move will benefit everyone, as airline operators navigate market dynamics and competition by strategising accordingly

Nwokoma stated that making decisions for airlines was challenging due to numerous variables that needed consideration.

According to him, the decisions by the airlines to open up inventory involve evaluating both commercial and technical aspects to determine the most suitable course of action.

The AFARN president explained that the increase in ticket prices was attributed to the high exchange rate and the challenge of accessing trapped funds.

He added that airlines were keen to recover these funds.

Nwokoma emphasized the ongoing conversations between the foreign airlines and the NCAA, shedding light on the complexities involved.

“The foreign airlines are having a conversation with the NCAA. So I’m sure as soon as that is sorted, they will look at all the dynamics,” he said.

Nwokoma added that it was important to resolve regulatory matters before proceeding with ticket releases, underscoring the need for alignment between industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

Regarding the timeline for the release of low-inventory tickets, he expressed uncertainty, noting, “It is ongoing; we can’t give any timeframe as to when the release of low-inventory tickets will start.”

Price checks by our correspondents revealed significant discrepancies in ticket prices. While some tickets are sold at over N1m, others exceed N3m.

A round-trip economy class ticket from Lagos to London with Air France costs N2,482,138, while for Lufthansa, it is priced at N1,966,165. Qatar Airways offers the same ticket for N2,016,824, and KLM prices it at N2,448,740.

From Lagos to Canada, Delta Air Lines economy tickets cost N1,982,017. United Airlines charges N3,188,672; Qatar Airways, N2,511,041; and Air France, N2,660,376.

Nigerian passengers are grappling with challenges stemming from fluctuating exchange rates, resulting in increased travel costs and unpredictability.

The surge in Jet A1 fuel price further compounds the issue, with airfares across various airlines experiencing an increase in recent weeks.

The airlines have voiced their concerns about the detrimental impact of these factors on their operations, urging the government to intervene to avert the potential collapse of some of the carriers.

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, Susan Akporiaye, told Sunday PUNCH that the non-release of the low-inventory tickets was due to the problem of high foreign exchange rates.

Akporiaye said there was no need for the airlines to block the lower inventory tickets anymore as the prices were becoming exorbitant.

She stated, “Before the release of inventory, the economy-class ticket was going for N6m; that’s why you can see tickets priced at less than N2m. We can obtain fares as cheap as we used to before because of the exchange rate when it was $1/N400.

“Due to the reopening of the inventory, passengers can still purchase tickets at the rate of N1.6m and N1.8m, as opposed to what we used to have before.”

An agent at Travel and Tours Limited, Maureen Chimaobi, expressed the hope that all airlines would comply with Nigerian authorities by opening up their low-inventory tickets.

She told Sunday PUNCH that the tickets might not always be available on airlines’ websites, with some airlines selling them to IATA agents at a lower cost.

Chimaobi stated that occasionally, these tickets can be found on the airline’s website.

She added that despite this availability, the prices remained high due to the exchange rate.

Another travel agent, Effiom Martins, said there were persistent high costs of airfares.

“As of yesterday (Friday), ticket prices remained exorbitant, even doubling in some cases, compared to just two weeks ago,” he said.

Martins emphasized that exchange rates played a significant role in determining ticket prices, but lamented the lack of immediate action by airlines following the directive by the NCAA.

He expressed frustration over the opacity of airline policies, noting the absence of clear communication regarding plans to lower fares.

“The foreign airlines won’t even give some of us any information on plans to reduce airfares. It will just be shown on their websites. Yesterday’s airfares and today’s fares are still the same,” Martins added.

An agent with Untamed Travels and Tours, Adediran Adewale, disputed claims of inventory release by the international airlines, labelling it “a capital lie.”

He pointed out pricing disparities, particularly with airlines like British Airways selling tickets in dollars for passengers in Nigeria.

Adewale criticised Turkish Airlines for selective inventory release and the cessation of commission for agents, which he noted was adversely affecting travel businesses. He emphasized the unequal treatment faced by Nigerian travellers, citing restrictive baggage allowances and pricing schemes.

A Travel Agent at T & T Concierge Services, Juliet Abah, acknowledged partial inventory releases by some airlines like Lufthansa and Virgin Air but lamented the lack of action from others such as KLM and Air France.

“Not all but some airlines have released cheaper classes of seats. The likes of Lufthansa, Virgin Air, KLM and Air France have yet to do the same,” Abah stated.

She highlighted the intricacies of fare determination, citing fluctuations in IATA dollar rates and disparities between Nigerian and international markets.

One of the biggest tasks currently before the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is to ensure that more airlines do not suspend their operations from the Nigerian market.

Recently, the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Obiora Okonkwo, expressed worry that operators were on the brink of collapse as operating costs continued to worsen, especially due to the high cost of aviation fuel, which is currently sold at N1,300 per litre.

Okonkwo stated, “A Nigerian airline may meet their terms and all the standard criteria, but the aircraft owners consider country risk above other factors. Country risk supersedes everything and lessors have their obligations. So, there is nothing personal.

“Some airlines deposited money with the Central Bank of Nigeria, but they cannot provide us the needed dollars.

“We are not only faced with the problem of scarcity of dollars; even the aviation ecosystem is feeling the heat. Handling companies have increased the cost of their services, airports have increased their charges and those that service the aircraft have also increased the cost of their services.

“The funds for these payments are coming from the passengers who are already exhausted financially.”

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Security Limited, Captain John Ojikutu, said aviation fuel accounted for approximately 60 per cent of airlines’ operational costs.

He highlighted the need for Nigeria to resume producing aviation fuel, as it did in the past, to alleviate the ongoing impact on both operators and passengers.

“Fuel plays a crucial role in commercial aviation. Could you provide information on the fuel prices in 1999 and the current rates? In the mid-1990s, fuel refining occurred in Nigeria, but for over two decades, we’ve been importing fuel, which is now impacting ticket prices,” Ojikutu stated.

He said it was challenging for airlines to continue to pay in dollars while they collect naira from travellers.

The Federal Government holds the highest amount of airline-trapped funds in the world, with over 27 foreign carriers operating in the country, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Nigerian Veteran Actor – Mr Ibu reportedly passes away, aged 62.

RIP 💔

John Okafor (1961 – 2024) 🕯 🕊️ 💔 😭

Popular Nollywood actor, Mr Ibu is dead

Mr Ibu, Nollywood veteran has died. The actor whose real name is John Okarfor was 62.

According to multiple reports from sources close to him, the veteran comedian passed away at Evercare hospital.

Many fans have shared condolences on social media, reminiscing movies the late actor has featured.

The cryptocurrency giant said it was not in the mood to discuss paying the Nigerian government either to restore its services that were cut off recently or free its executives.

Binance Holdings Ltd said on Friday that it was not in any talks with the Nigerian government about potentially paying up to $10 billion in fines, contradicting a government spokesman’s statement to the BBC hours earlier.

“We recently discussed ways to resolve issues with Nigeria, but we did not hear any demand for $10 billion,” a Binance official told Peoples Gazette shortly after the BBC said Bayo Onanuga purportedly announced the enormous penalties.

“Our aim is to chart a good relationship with the government and the people of Nigeria. We want to see our services restored in Nigeria very soon, but we have no intention of paying fines for personnel or services,” Binance added.

Asked for comments about Binance’s position, Mr Onanuga said his statement to the BBC was misrepresented in the media, noting that he never said the company had been informed or that the fine had been concluded by Nigerian regulators.