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Akufo-Addo Sticks Neck Out For Bawumia

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MAXWELL OFORI
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Bawumia and Akufo-Addo

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has vouched for the capabilities of his right-hand man, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to succeed him.

According to the president, he, like any other president, is particular with who takes over from them and the only person he was confident to continue after him is the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Bawumia.

“I can vouch for his capabilities and his ability to lead the country and I will not leave Ghana for someone who can’t do the job. God will not allow that to happen,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo said this on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 during his tour of the Ahafo Region.

He emphasised that Dr. Bawumia possesses the qualities needed to elevate Ghana to an advanced level, reinforcing his belief in the vice president’s vision and leadership.

According to President Akufo-Addo, Dr. Bawumia is committed to Ghana’s future, and he is motivated to ensure that the country’s progress continues in the hands of someone capable.

He recalled that Dr. Bawumia, who is the presidential candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), proved his mettle even when they lost the two elections in 2008 and 2012.

“Dr. Bawumia was the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana when I brought him into politics. When I first picked him in 2008, even though we lost the polls, I kept faith with him for the 2012 election, which we also lost, but God being so good, we won the 2016 election and I have not seen any bad thing from him since I first met him,” he stated.

TRACK RECORD

President Akufo-Addo, who is on a tour to say thank you and good bye to Ghanaians, remarked that only Dr. Bawumia, with his dedication and track record, has the right experience to guide Ghana’s development trajectory.

He argued that the competence of Dr. Bawumia is in sharp contrast with the presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.

President Akufo-Addo referred to Mahama’s 2012–2016 administration and argued that the former president’s record showed limitations in leadership and economic management.

According to President Akufo-Addo, Mahama’s tenure was marked by challenges that demonstrated his inability to deliver the kind of growth and stability Ghana needs.

Urging the residents of Ahafo Region to rally behind Dr. Bawumia, President Akufo-Addo called on them to support the vice president’s vision by voting decisively in his favour.

He stressed that Bawumia’s leadership would ensure continuity in Ghana’s development path and called on Ghanaians to back this vision for the country’s advancement.

“As I am about to leave, I have one plea. As you all know, if every president is about to leave office, he cares about who is succeeding him. My plea is that the only person who can continue the work I have done and move Ghana forward and take Ghana to the advanced stage, I believe, is my Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and this is my plea. It is that you people should support Dr. Bawumia to be elected as the next president of this country.”

Soldier, 4 others granted bail in Dutch National kidnapping, robbery case

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Accra Circuit Court

The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah, has granted bail to a military officer and four other individuals charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping and robbery of a Dutch national.

The accused, including W.O.1 Elorm John Ahiakpor, a 50-year-old military officer stationed at Burma Camp, all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The other accused are; Silas Amewonye, a 25-year-old farmer; Farouk Nuodio, a 32-year-old trader; Daniel Kwesi Obiri Yeboah, also known as ‘Aljazeera’, a 49-year-old trader and Michael Nana Addo, a 25-year-old carpenter.

Bail was set at GH¢150,000 with three sureties for Amewonye, while Ahiakpor, Nuodio, Yeboah, and Addo each received bail set at GH¢100,000 with two sureties.

The case is adjourned to November 18 for further proceedings.

Charges and Allegations

The accused faces charges including conspiracy to commit kidnapping, actual kidnapping and conspiracy to commit robbery, under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act of 1960 (Act 29).

Prosecutor ASP Kofi Anane presented that the victim, Lodewijk Marinus Frederikus, a Dutch national, arrived in Ghana on October 17, 2024 to meet Silas Amewonye, with whom he reportedly had a personal relationship.

According to the prosecution, the accused, including Nuodio and Addo, allegedly lured Frederikus to Alexis Lodge in Afienya, before taking him to Amewonye’s residence.

On October 20, 2024 Frederikus reportedly became suspicious of Amewonye and his accomplices and expressed a desire to leave the country.

However, he was allegedly confined by the group.

Ransom Demands and Police Intervention

The accused, including W.O.1 Ahiakpor, allegedly demanded a ransom of €15,000 from Frederikus, later reducing the amount to €8,000 after negotiation.

They forced Frederikus to withdraw GH¢6,000 from a Stanbic Bank ATM at gunpoint, while awaiting the €8,000 transfer.

Frederikus managed to alert the police, who promptly intervened, leading to his rescue and the arrest of the accused.

During police interrogation, the accused reportedly admitted to the offences, resulting in the charges being filed.

81 Modern Classrooms Ready … Adutwum Tells The Clergy In Kumasi

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Education Minister
Some of the School blocks

The Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has disclosed that 81 new classrooms are going to be inaugurated across the country in the next two weeks.

According to him, the move forms part of the government’s pragmatic policies to change the face of education in the country.

The Minister announced this in Kumasi on Monday, October 28, 2024 at a forum with the clergy.

The Minister for Education had decried the situation where school children study in dilapidated classrooms in this era.

In order to deal with that situation, he said the government is providing modern classrooms suitable for effective academic work, as part of measures to transform basic education in Ghana.

The Minister for Education, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe, said it was important to change the situation by investing in infrastructure for conducive learning environment to meet the 21st Century.

“We cannot educate 21st Century children in 19th Century buildings and expect 21st Century outcomes,” he told the clergy.

Giving the opening remarks, Dr. Adutwum cited how the Asian Tigers like Singapore and South Korea leveraged education to turnaround their fortunes, saying that without deliberate steps to improve infrastructure in our education system, Ghana will lag behind.

INTERVENTION

The forum provided a platform for the Minister to walk the clergy through the journey of Ghana’s education since 2017, by highlighting policy interventions transforming the sector.

As part of his speech, the Minister showcased several modern classrooms being built across the country to replace outmoded ones that are not fit for purpose.

The architectural designs of the new classroom blocks shown on large screens by the Minister drew thunderous applause from the audience, who were obviously amazed by how beautiful they look.

Beginning his remarks, Dr. Adutwum said he was not there to tell them about projects that are in the pipeline or far advanced, but to present to them evidence of completed projects throughout the country.

AFFILIATE

The Ministry, according to the Education Minister, has adopted a strategy to affiliate under-performing schools to Grade A schools, so they can be mentored by exposing such schools to best practices, underpinning their successes.

He argued that the situation where private individuals are able to build and manage modern schools better than public ones, which are funded with the taxes of the people, should be a wake-up call to transform public schools to deliver quality education to the Ghanaian children.

REFORMS

Dr. Adutwum also spoke about reforms seeking to incorporate critical thinking into curriculum at the basic and senior high school levels, saying that it is the way to go as a country confronted with a plethora of challenges.

He said that the ministry has been engaging the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to set questions on critical thinking for both BECE and WASSCE, adding that students may struggle initially, but it would serve a good purpose by five years.

The Minister said the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and TVET education is targeted at producing the needed human resources who can compete in the fourth industrial revolution.

Zoomlion Wins Heart Of Museveni …Ugandan Prez Directs KCCA To Hand Over Landfill Site ToGhanaian Conglomerate

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni (right) interacting with officials of Jospong Group of Companies

Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies, is expected to take control of the Kiteezi landfill site in Uganda.

An order from the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to speed up the handover of the Kiteezi landfill to Zoomlion Ghana Limited demonstrates his trust in the expertise of the Ghanaian waste management company.

The president’s directive follows reports of delays from KCCA officials over legal concerns surrounding the landfill handover.

Earlier in the week, Minister Kabanda had urged city authorities to proceed with the transfer of the site to Jospong, stressing the urgent need to engage the surrounding community and commence operations by March 2024.

This project takes Ghana’s leading waste management company, Zoomlion, to East Africa, as it had landed a juicy deal in Uganda.

The directive to KCCA to quickly handover to Zoomlion was issued during a high-profile meeting at the State House in Entebbe.

The order will allow the Ghana-based company with “vast experience in waste and landfill management” to begin decommissioning works at the landfill site.

The Jospong Group of Companies has been contracted by the Ugandan government to decommission the 39-acre Kiteezi Landfill in the Wakiso District, near Kampala, and transform the site into a modern ecological recreational facility.

In addition to this, the Ghanaian conglomerate is also planning to invest in integrated composting and recycling systems, as well as transfer stations.

This will provide comprehensive waste treatment and disposal solutions to improve environmental sanitation in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.

The system will also produce organic compost for agricultural and horticultural applications, while recovered plastics will serve as raw materials for a new bin manufacturing facility.

The initiative is expected to create over 2,000 direct jobs for Ugandans.

CONFIDENCE

The Ugandan President, Museveni, speaking to a delegation from the Jospong Group led by its Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, expressed his unwavering confidence in the Jospong brand.

He praised its expertise in waste management, particularly in recycling and composting, emphasising that Jospong’s Integrated Recycling and Composting initiatives represent a bold and much-needed approach to tackling Africa’s long-standing waste management challenges.

The President called for greater unity among African nations to pursue self-sufficiency in crucial sectors, declaring that “Africa must be a unified force, building its own capabilities and not relying on others for its development. Our self-reliance will drive our success.”

ATTENDANCE

The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials of the group, including Mrs. Florence Larbi, Chief Operating Officer of Jospong’s Environment and Sanitation (E&S) cluster, Mr. Haidar Said, Executive Director of E&S, and Mr. Peter Dagadu, Project Lead for Zoomlion Uganda. Also present at the meeting were key Ugandan government officials made up of the Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Ms. Minsa Kabanda, Minister for Kampala, Joseph Kyofatogabye Kabuye, and acting KCCA Executive Director, Frank Rusa.

GRATITUDE

Dr. Joseph Agyepong expressed his profound gratitude to the President’s for the warm reception accorded him and his team, remarking that this “signals Uganda’s commitment to addressing waste management challenges through strategic partnerships with African enterprises.” The Jospong Group’s involvement marks a pivotal moment in Uganda’s quest to modernise its waste infrastructure, given its track record of successful waste management projects across the continent.

The collaborative project comes on the heels of a devastating waste slide on August 10, 2024, which resulted in 23 fatalities and significant property damage.

Recall of Parliament: Cool heads must prevail; Speaker must uphold Supreme Court order – Gary Nimako

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The Director of Legal Affairs for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and lawyer in private practice, Gary Nimako Marfo has called on the Majority and Minority Caucuses in Parliament to allow cool heads to prevail while calling on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin to uphold the orders of the Supreme Court that stayed his Thursday, 17 October 2024 ruling which declared four seats in Parliament vacant.

Gary Nimako Marfo made the call in his submission on Joy FM’s Newfile on Saturday, 26 October 2024. Addressing the specific issue of the recall of Parliament following an indefinite suspension of the House by Speaker Alban Bagbin, Mr Nimako Marfo indicated that the House can reconvene immediately but much depends on the Speaker’s willingness to fully accept the directives of the Supreme Court delivered on Friday, 18 October 2024.

“[Recalling the House] will work if the Speaker of Parliament is willing and ready to accept that in this country, there is something called the rule of law and there is something called constitutional supremacy and not parliamentary supremacy and that there is only one body that gives orders which is the Supreme Court. When the Supreme Court gives orders, failure to obey the same will amounts to high crime. The Speaker must therefore show that he is ready to respect and obey the orders of the Supreme Court.

“When you call Parliament, there is a gray line here, where would the Majority sit and where would the Minority sit? At my last check, NDC is saying they are the Majority. I think the Speaker should be bold and tell them that I am the Speaker of Parliament, this is my Chamber, this is my House, I have to regulate all of you and what you are doing,” Gary Nimako Marfo said.

“The courts of Ghana and the Supreme Court for that matter have stayed my ruling and so I am ordering that Majority, be at where you are or where you were, Minority, be at where you were so we can conduct business until the court determines the matter. For all you know, the court may be able to deal with this matter quickly and this matter will come to an end. I think the issue for me is both legal and political and the tempers must come down,” Mr Nimako Marfo added.

Background

On Thursday, 17 October 2024, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin in a ruling following an application by the Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, declared four parliamentary seats vacant. The legislators and seats affected by the Speaker’s ruling were; Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, MP for Amenfi Central in the Western Region, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, MP for Fomena, Ashanti Region (Independent), Kwadjo Asante, MP for Suhum, Eastern Region (NPP) and Cynthia Morrison, MP for Agona West, Central Region.

The Speaker’s ruling effectively reduced the numerical strength of the Majority Caucus to 135 members and the Minority numbers to 136 which by implication, would turn the Majority into Minority and the Minority to Majority. However, lawyers of the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin proceeded to the Supreme Court on Friday, 18 October 2024 with an ex-parte application praying the apex court of the land to stay the enforcement of the ruling of the Speaker.

A five-member Supreme Court panel presided over by the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, granted the ex-parte motion and ordered the parties to file their statements of the case within seven days to allow the court to deal expeditiously with the substantive application before them seeking interpretation of Article 97 (1) (g) and (h) of the 1992 constitution which formed the basis upon which the Speaker made his vacant seats pronouncement.

However, when Parliament resumed on Tuesday, 22 October 2024, the NDC caucus (Minority) arrived in Parliament early and took the side of the floor for the Majority Caucus inspite of the stay orders of the Supreme Court. The NPP caucus (Majority) to avert any form of confrontation decided to stay award from the House in anticipation that the Speaker would come and acknowledge the decision of the Supreme Court and return the House to its previous state before the Speaker’s ruling of 17 October 2024.

The Speaker after taking his seat in the House decided to adjourn the sitting sine-die (indefinitely) because even though per Article 102 of the 1992 constitution, there was a quorum for Parliament to do business, per Article 104, the House did not have the required numbers to take a decision.

Recall request

Following the decision of the Speaker, the Majority Caucus has in a memo to the Speaker, signed by the Second Deputy Majority Chief Whip and dated 22 October 2024, requested the Speaker to reconvene the House on the strength of Article 112 (3) of the 1992 constitution and order 53 of the standing orders of Parliament. The memo indicated that there are urgent government business and other matters for consideration.

“We respectfully request that, upon recall of the House, the following urgent Government Business be deliberated upon and transacted including any other business that comes before the House: Request for Tax Exemptions for designated beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory Programme, Ghana Financial Stability Fund, an International Development Association facility of Two Hundred and Fifty Million United States Dollars ($250,000,000),” the memo of the Majority Caucus read.

The following Bills are also to be considered by the House upon its resumption to continue its third meeting of the current session of the 8th Parliament. They are; “the Environmental Protection Agency Bill, 2024, Social Protection Bill, 2023, Customs (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Budget Bill 2023, Ghana Boundary Commission Bill, 2023, and the Intestate Succession Bill, 2022.”

We cannot downplay global factors in economic analysis – Dr. Bannor

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Development Economist and Head of Research at the Danquah Institute (DI), Dr. Frank Bannor, has cautioned against downplaying or ignoring the influence of global economic forces in discussions about the current economic landscape in Ghana.
In an interview on the ADOM TV BADWAM Show on Monday, October 28, 2024, he emphasized that dismissing the impact of exogenous factors—external forces such as COVID-19 and the Russian-Ukraine war, which caused global market shifts, affected international trade policies, and geopolitical dynamics—is not only misleading but, in his words, “political propaganda.”
Dr. Bannor underscored the global economy’s interconnected nature, noting that worldwide economies are increasingly affected by issues that transcend national borders. According to him, any comprehensive economic analysis must account for these external influences, as they significantly affect everything from inflation rates to currency stability.
“In a globalized world, local economies do not operate in isolation. When we say that exogenous factors did not affect the global economy, then we are doing political propaganda. Economic policies cannot be effectively crafted or understood without acknowledging the broader global economic dynamics,” he stressed.
Referenced cases
He referenced a report by Reuters, headlined “Volkswagen Weighs Wage Cuts, Bonus Reductions,” to illustrate how the global economic climate is impacting even industry giants like Volkswagen. As Handelsblatt reported, Volkswagen is exploring a series of cost-cutting measures for its core brand to save an estimated 4 billion euros, including a proposed 10% wage reduction and a two-year wage freeze. Volkswagen’s leadership has reportedly also considered capping bonuses for top-tier employees, reducing additional payments tied to anniversaries, and potentially closing some German production sites.
He explained that the reasoning cited in these reports points to the intense economic challenges and global market dynamics, reiterating that any suggestion of exogenous factors not affecting economies worldwide would be, in his view, “political propaganda.”
He further drew a parallel to recent developments in China, where the central bank has introduced loans at a low rate of 2.27% to encourage local business investments, a clear response to the ongoing global economic shifts. As an economist, he noted, “This could be seen as essentially free money to stimulate growth amid turbulent global dynamics.” Such moves, he argued, reinforce that Ghana’s economic challenges cannot be viewed in isolation but are tied to wider global economic patterns.
Management under NPP
Dr Bannor pointed out how the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government inherited an economy that grew at 3.4% in 2016 under the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He mentioned that by the close of 2017, growth had surged to 8.3%. He highlighted the marginal rate of change under previous governments as a basis for comparison. For instance, under President Kufuor in 2006, the economy grew just over 6%, a trend that continued until President Mills’ administration, with growth hovering at similar levels.
He indicated that by 2011, when oil production commenced, Ghana recorded a peak growth rate of 14%, which declined to 8.4% in 2012. However, by 2013, under President Mahama, growth had dropped to around 7.2% and 2.8% in 2014, eventually hitting 2.12% in 2015. He emphasized that, despite no global crises like COVID-19 or the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the economy was forced into an IMF program by 2015, in part due to declining commodity prices and ineffective economic management.
In his view, the introduction of oil production in 2011 temporarily lifted Ghana’s GDP growth rate to an impressive 14%, but by 2012, it had dropped to around 8.3%. “Under Mahama’s administration, the economic challenges deepened, with GDP growth falling to as low as 2.8% in 2014. By 2015, economic growth had dipped to 2.12%, leading to the government’s decision to seek support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a controversial move, ostensibly for “policy credibility.” In his assessment, this was “financial assistance” rather than credibility.
He stressed that under President Akufo-Addo, from 2017 to 2019, Ghana’s economy maintained an average growth rate of 6% before COVID-19 struck. He said per data from the IMF, Ghana’s economy was projected to grow by 7.2% in 2020, an indication of prudent fiscal policies. However, he noted that the pandemic caused a major setback, shrinking growth to 0.5%.
By 2021, the economy rebounded to 5.1%, one of the most rapid recoveries in the Global South, according to IMF data. While the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 introduced further external shocks, Ghana, since 2023, has maintained a relatively robust economic performance. He emphasized that the Ghanaian economy’s resilience, despite global turmoil, is evidenced in its second-quarter growth rate of 6.9%, among the highest in Africa, outperforming larger economies like Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa. He pointed out that inflation had fallen to 7.9% in 2019, the lowest in decades, reflecting solid economic management before the onset of global crises.

My Election Is A Win For Ghana -Ayorkor Botchwey

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MAXWELL OFORI
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Newly elected Secretary General of the Commonwealth Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey shaking hands with Ghanaians who throng the airport to welcome her

The newly-elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who takes office in April 2025 has described her election as a victory for the nation, Ghana. The position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth is for a duration of 4-years, renewable for another term only.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration arrived in Ghana on Monday, October 28, 2024 to a rousing welcome, as some Ghanaians had thronged the Jubilee Lounge of the Kotoka International Airport to celebrate her.

She addressed the media at the airport, where she expressed her gratitude to God for victory, calling it a triumph not just for Ghana but for Africa and the Commonwealth as a whole.

“This indeed is a win for Ghana, Africa and the whole of the Commonwealth family,” she said.

President Akufo-Addo sandwiched by the Chief of Staff, Osei Opare (right) and newly-elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Ayorkor Botchwey

She continued that “Let me begin by thanking God for this great victory. My team and I have crossed the length and breadth of five continents campaigning and the Almighty has kept us safe and sound. The labour has not been in vain.”

She singled out President Akufo-Addo, whom she called Mr. P, for taking center stage of her campaign.

She said President Akufo-Addo campaigned among all the member states and “even non-Commonwealth members,” a revelation that caused laughter.

Ayorkor also thanked her campaign team, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, her staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ghanaians as a whole, for their contributions.

ELECTION

The election took place last Saturday, October 26, 2024 in Apia, the capital of Samoa, where heads of government from the 56-member Commonwealth voted decisively in favour of Ghana’s candidate.

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey is the second consecutive and first African woman to be elected to the prestigious role, taking up the office as successor to Patricia Scotland, whose term concludes in March 2025.

COMMITMENT

The former Member of Parliament for Anyaa/Sowutuowm said she was taking on the role with a clear vision for the Commonwealth. She outlined her commitment to making the association relevant to its 2.7 billion people, 60% of whom are youth.

Her priorities include promoting trade, advancing education and skills training for the youth and addressing climate change. She also mentioned that she has plans to leverage artificial intelligence.

“I shall harness opportunities for transformation and enhance our global voice,” she stated, pledging to work closely with member states and multilateral institutions to address these pressing issues.

As she prepares to assume office on April 1, 2025 Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey called on Ghanaians and Commonwealth members alike, for their support and prayers in this new chapter.

COMMONWEALTH

The Commonwealth, originally formed in 1949, is a political association of mostly former British Empire territories that champions shared values, democracy, and human rights. Ghana was the first African nation to join the Commonwealth upon gaining independence in 1957.

HAPPY DAY

President Akufo-Addo, who arrived in Ghana yesterday with his appointee, the Foreign Affairs Minister, also spoke to the press at the Jubilee Lounge.

“Today is a very happy day for all Ghanaians, irrespective of political affiliation. This achievement shows the respect and recognition Ghana has earned on the world stage.

“The Commonwealth, as you know, is an association of 2.7 billion people – a third of mankind,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo recalled the historical role of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, in establishing the Commonwealth Secretariat, alongside Uganda’s Milton Obote and Trinidad and Tobago’s Dr. Eric Wialliams and added that “today, the same Secretariat will be led by a Ghanaian.”

 

Petrol Marketers Lament Low Patronage At Filling Stations

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A man holds jerrycans as he rides his motorbike past a fuel station

With the price of a litre of petrol now above ₦1,000 in most filling stations across Nigeria, petrol marketers have lamented low patronage at their retail outlets nationwide. The marketers said they are now cutting their workforce and work shifts because of high pricing and low returns on investment.

The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, was on the Monday edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief breakfast programme.

The PETROAN boss was on the programme with a spokesman for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN),
Ukadike Chinedu.

Gillis-Harry said, “Marketers, retail outlet owners, all of us in the industry are finding it difficult to cope with the current situation, we used to buy 45,000 litres of fuel a couple of months ago for less than 8.5 million naira but today, we have to cough out about 49 million naira to buy the product.

“Financial institutions are not coming to our rescue. The cost of money is so high, it is so difficult to even sell, what we get to our retail outlets is not quickly bought because Nigerians also have the challenge with their buying power.”

On his part, IPMAN spokesman Ukadike Chinedu said filling stations nationwide have become ghost places as middle-class Nigerians have abandoned their vehicles and embraced public transportation.

“Most of the money we use in investing is bank money. It’s being borrowed and the interest rate is also high. There is no return on investment because the more we sell, the more we make profits,” Chinedu said.

The two unions urged President Bola Tinubu to provide ₦100bn as a seed fund for oil marketers to stay afloat, just like the aviation and agricultural sectors.

Credit: channelstv.com

Court grants Saraki’s plea to amend suits against EFCC, ICPC, others

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Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday, granted a motion filed by the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, seeking to amend his two separate suits filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and others.

Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the application after it was moved by Saraki’s counsel, Tunde Afe-Babalola, SAN, and was not opposed by the defence lawyers.

Justice Ekwo had on January 25, struck out the two suits filed by Saraki against the anti-graft agency and others for lack of diligent prosecution.

The ex-Senate president had filed the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/507/2019 and FHC/ABJ/CS/508/2019 at the FHC on May 10, 2019.

In the suits, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and State Security Service (SSS) are 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

Others are EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as 4th to 6th respondents respectively.

But after the suits were struck out on Jan. 25, the ex-Senate president, through his lawyer, approached the court for a relisting of the cases to the cause list of the court.

Saraki had filed a motion on notice dated Feb. 1 and filed Feb. 3 pursuant to Order 19, Rule 1 and 3, Order 26, Rule 3 of FHC Civil Procedure Rules, 2019 to urge the court for the relisting of the suits and his prayers were granted by the judge.

However, upon resumed hearing on the cases on Monday, Afe-Babalola informed the court that a motion to amend their originating motion was filed on July 29 and that all the respondents were served on July 31.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Police arrest Abia lawmaker Ikwechegh over assault on Bolt driver

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Abia lawmaker Alex Ikwechegh

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command on Monday said it has arrested a lawmaker for assaulting a driver in the nation’s capital.

Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the Abuja Command, confirmed that Alex Mascot Ikwechegh has been arrested.

She said Ikwechegh is “at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning”.

The Police spokesperson explained in the statement that the cab driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, reported the matter to the Command.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Hon. Ikwegh when a dispute arose concerning the method of delivery. During this altercation, Mr. Abuwatseya was reportedly physically assaulted.

“The FCT Police Command expresses grave concern over Hon. Ikwegh’s dismissive attitude toward the office of the Inspector General of Police following the incident.

“After allegedly slapping the victim, he reportedly remarked with contempt, ‘You can go ahead and call the Inspector General of Police,’ demonstrating a troubling disregard for the authority of law enforcement.

“Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning,” the statement read.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Olatunji Disu, has mandated a thorough investigation into the matter.

“The Command is committed to conducting an impartial investigation and ensuring justice in all cases. Upon completion of the investigation, appropriate legal action will be taken.”

Credit: dailypost.ng

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