The government vs Everyone
This edition was written by Adetomiwa, kept company by a giant migraine.
A bit of a life update: I typically would attempt to be funny here, but woke up today and realised that I have been gasping for air in the middle of my burnout ocean. I realised that I am tired from trying to swim to sore while simultaneously swimming deeper. I’m like 5 minutes away from becoming a fulltime conspiracy theorist just to give my brain a moment to do something else.
Anyway! That New News is an independent self-funded project by me (Adetomiwa). Share, like and/or donate. Thank you, beautiful 😘
Light update: the national grid has collapsed 11 times in the last 10 months. We’re in double digits now
In this edition
Nigerians getting targeted by Libyan authorities
The government fucks over 93 students in Cyprus
Minors free from custody
Terrorists in Sokoto
Child marriage still alive and thriving
This edition is 2,200 words. Approx 4 min read
Nigerians abroad
Nigerians getting hatecrimed by Libyan authorities
Following CAF's ruling against Libya in a football dispute with Nigeria, Nigerians in Libya are reporting that there have been retaliatory actions against them - Punch
Backstory: the incident began when Nigeria's Super Eagles team was stranded for over 20 hours at Al-Abraq Airport after their flight was diverted from its intended destination of Benghazi.
The Nigerian Football Federation filed a complaint with CAF, which ruled in Nigeria's favour. The disciplinary committee awarded Nigeria three points and three goals for the abandoned match, while also fining the Libyan Football Federation $50,000.
In response, Libyan media outlets began calling for action against Nigerian workers in the country. Wild
According to local sources, including community leader Peter Omoregbie, Libyan authorities are targeting Nigerians indiscriminately, even those with valid passports or residence permits.
The Nigerian Embassy in Libya has not responded to requests for comment, while the Libyan Embassy in Abuja has requested formal written inquiries.
Former Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, has advised the Federal Government to investigate the situation and potentially report Libya to the African Union, while suggesting that Nigerians in Libya maintain a low profile or consider leaving if conditions worsen.
The government fucks over 93 students in Cyprus
93 students from Zamfara state who are at the Cyprus International University on a Zamfara government scholarship, are going through it because the government has refused to pay their fees. 5 students have already been forced to withdraw from the school - The Cable
The students were part of the 2020 scholarship program initiated under former governor Bello Muhammed Matawalle's administration.
According to Education Commissioner Wadatau Madawaki, the program was poorly structured: there was no clear legal agreement between the university and state authorities regarding student accommodations and fees.
The state stopped paying their tuition, accommodation, and feeding allowances in 2022.
Records show that a consultant only negotiated admission processing and travel documents, despite claims of a "full package" deal including accommodation and meals.
The current governor, Dauda Lawal, has directed the state government secretary to assess the debt situation. However, disputes have arisen over the university's billing practices, including charges for accommodation and meals for periods when students weren't receiving these services, and for the five students who had already left.
The state government has made partial tuition payments while contesting some charges they believe are dubious.
This situation adds to a pattern of defaults in Nigerian government-backed scholarship schemes.
Courts
Walter Onnoghen is free
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the 2019 conviction of former Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen for asset declaration breaches. The reversal came after a settlement agreement between Mr. Onnoghen and the federal government - Premium Times
The court also opted to unfreeze Mr. Onnoghen's bank account and lifted the 10-year ban on holding public office.
The agreement, signed by Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi and Mr. Onnoghen's legal team, acknowledged that the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) should have allowed the National Judicial Council to conduct disciplinary proceedings before the trial.
Backstory: The case started in January 2019. Onnoghen was accused of not declaring assets between 2005 and 2016, including five domiciliary bank accounts.
Then-President Buhari suspended Onnoghen during the lead-up to the 2019 elections, leading to accusations that the case was politically motivated. Onnoghen resigned before the CCT convicted him in April 2019.
Mr. Onnoghen's lawyer praised President Tinubu and the AGF for resolving the case amicably, stating that the ruling restored his client's dignity and reinforced judicial independence. He expressed hope that such executive interference in judicial matters would not recur.
Minors free from custody
After everybody and their mum spoke out against it, the FG has decided to pardon the minors who were arrested for protesting hunger in Nigeria - BBC
We reported last week that over 30 minors were arrested in Abuja and Kano for their involvement in the End Bad Governance protests in August.
The minors have been held in custody in adult prison since they were apprehended in August, and they were brought out to face trial last week
The judge tried it. They hit each minor with a 10million bail, but after both local and international communities condemned this decision, the president “out of the goodness of his heart” decided to pardon the minors
Bolt driver vs lawmaker: update
The law firm Deji Adeyanju and Partners has withdrawn from representing Stephen Abuwatseya, the Bolt driver who was assaulted by Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives from Abia State. (read about the incident in last week’s That New News)
The assaulted, Abuwatseya, interestingly released a video on November 7, 2024, apologizing to Ikwechegh.
In the video, Abuwatseya expressed regret for "provoking" the lawmaker and asked for forgiveness. *Note: This video was recorded in the lawmaker’s office. Hmmm...*
Following this development, Deji Adeyanju and Partners announced their withdrawal from the case to "protect their professional integrity."
Ikwechegh has also issued a public apology for his actions, stating that both parties have reached a "mutual and respectful agreement" through alternative dispute resolution.
Nigeria: a frog in boiling water
Child marriage rise
The National Human Rights Commission reported 3,099 child marriage cases in Nigeria between June and September 2024, with June recording the highest number at 1,345 cases. While July saw 884 cases and September 870, no data was available for August.
Although the geographical distribution wasn't specified, child marriage remains more prevalent in northern Nigeria.
A notable example is the mass wedding arranged by Zamfara lawmaker Abdul Malik Zubairu for 105 orphans whose parents were killed by bandits in July 2024, where he provided dowries and startup funds for the men.
Gerald Katchy, National General Secretary of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, attributes the high prevalence of child marriage in northern Nigeria to the failure to domesticate the Child Rights Act.
He explained that many northern states resisted implementing the Act due to perceived conflicts with Sharia law, which permits child marriage.
Katchy suggested that the National Assembly could introduce stricter measures, such as removing titles from local leaders in areas with high child marriage rates.
Insecurity
Another police officer killed civilian
A police officer, Inspector Sani Suleiman, from the Otuocha Area Command in Anambra State has fatally shot an unidentified commercial bus driver during a dispute over a ₦100 bribe at a checkpoint.
According to a witness, the incident occurred during an argument between the driver and police officers.
The state police command spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that Inspector Suleiman has been disarmed and detained pending investigation and disciplinary procedures.
Terrorists in Sokoto
About six years ago, a group of herders known as Lakurawa appeared in Sokoto's Tangaza and Gudu areas. - HumAngle
While police initially dismissed concerns about them as seasonal herders from Niger Republic, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters recently declared them a terror group linked to Sahelian jihadists.
The military has named nine wanted members of the group, which now operates in areas like Tangaza, Gudu, Ilela, Binji, and Silame.
The Lakurawas impose rules and levies on local communities and have established camps called Darul Islam along the Nigeria-Niger border. Their membership has grown from 50 to over 200 young men aged 18-35.
The group's origins trace back to the Malian crisis, when around 200 jihadis arrived in Sokoto in October 2018.
Surprisingly, they were initially invited by local authorities to help fight bandits in the region.
Some traditional rulers even helped fund their weapons purchases. However, the relationship soured when the group accused a local leader's son of misappropriating N63 million of their money.
The Lakurawas have since become more aggressive, attacking a military base in Sokoto and killing three soldiers.
While they generally spare civilians, they enforce radical Islamist beliefs and demand religious taxes (zakat). Their presence has grown significantly in various communities, where they preach and impose their interpretation of Islamic law.
The group's re-emergence is partly attributed to the recent coup in Niger Republic, which disrupted joint military border patrols.
Security analysts warn that the northwestern region, with its porous borders and limited government presence, is becoming increasingly vulnerable to jihadist infiltration from the Sahel.
This poses a significant threat to both security operations and local communities already suffering from terrorist activities in the region.
Government moves
Oop
Minister of Works David Umahi has announced that N18 billion has been allocated for property compensation related to section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
He promised that all affected property owners would receive payment within 10 days, with 50% of compensations already disbursed.
But property owners along that area have rejected the compensation offer. They say it does not match the value of the property
New ministers
Tinubu has sworn in seven newly-appointed ministers at the Council Chambers, Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja - Channels
Those sworn in include Nentawe Yilwatda (Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction); Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi (Minister of Labour & Employment); Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Minister of State Foreign Affairs); Jumoke Oduwole (Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment), Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Minister of Livestock Development), Yusuf Abdullahi Ata (Minister of State, Housing, and Urban Development), and Suwaiba Said Ahmad as the Minister of State Education.
The newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has already reversed the recently introduced 18-year admission benchmark for tertiary institutions
Background: In July, the FG directed JAMB, to admit only people 18 and up into tertiary institutions. When the minister of education at the time, Prof. Tahir Mamman announced this at a conference, the crowd chanted “no” - Vanguard
The minister then reversed it saying that the 18 years threshold will start from the next school year.
But the new minister has reversed the whole thing, you can continue to throw your kids into uni from 16 years old. Yay
Street sweepers aren’t workers?
Although minimum wage in Lagos State has been increased to 75,000, street sweepers are still earning N30,000 per month, which is barely enough to cover their basic needs.
They walk long distances to work, sometimes scavenging for recyclables to supplement their income. Many struggle to afford food, healthcare, and education for their children.
The government has taken some steps to improve their welfare, such as providing medical checkups and insurance coverage, but why havent they been included in the minimum wage conversation?
Blackout in Jigawa
Residents of Jigawa State are facing mass disconnections from the power grid by Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), despite a directive from the Minister of Power to exempt customers affected by the recent national grid collapse from billing during the blackout period - Punch
The blackout lasted for three weeks and many are struggling to cope with the financial burden of its impact
Still, KEDCO thinks its wise to disconnect their electricity, despite not providing them with electricity for almost a month
KEDCO claims that the disconnections are for unpaid September bills, not for the blackout period. However, residents argue that they should not be penalized for circumstances beyond their control.
Experts and residents alike are urging KEDCO to reconsider its approach and engage with customers to find a mutually beneficial solution. They also call on the government to intervene and ensure that the rights of consumers are protected.
Prayers up for health care fund
The Nigerian government has disbursed N45 billion to primary healthcare centres nationwide through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund - Nairametrics.
According to Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, 17,600 primary healthcare centers will be revitalized.
Currently, 2,600 centres are being upgraded, and another 2,000 are scheduled for improvements.
This plan requires the Federal Government to disburse additional funds. Fingers crossed
Inflation
Petrol
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) criticized Dangote Refinery for setting a high price for petrol. PETROAN argues that the price is excessive, especially considering the significant government concessions received by Dangote Refinery during its construction.
The association claims that imported petrol is cheaper than the Dangote’s price. They say imported petrol is N978/litre, while Dangote’s is N990.
The association plans to start importing petrol to sell at a lower price. They further accused Dangote Refinery of plotting to dominate the market and set prices.
In response, Dangote Refinery has accused PETROAN and IPMAN of planning to import substandard petroleum products. Both associations have denied these allegations.
Meanwhile, Dangote is set to start exporting petrol to other African countries
Electricity
Power distribution companies in Nigeria have increased the price of meters again. This is the second price increase in four months
Consumers are concerned about the affordability and accessibility of meters, especially given the current economic hardships.
The new prices vary across different distribution companies and meter models:
Eko Disco is selling its single-phase meter between N135,987.5 and N161,035, while a three-phase meter is between N226,600 and N266,600.
Ibadan Disco is selling meters between N130,998 and N142,548 for a single-phase meter and N226,556.25–NN232,008 for a three-phase-meter.
Abuja Disco: N123,130.53 – NN147,812.5 for single-phase meters and N206,345.65 – NN236,500 for three-phase meters.
Kano Disco is charging N127,925–N129,999 for a single-phase meter and N223,793–NN235,425 for a three-phase meter.
Kaduna Disco is charging N131,150 — N142,548.94 for single-phase meters and N220,375 — N232,008.04 for three-phase meters.
Meanwhile, the government has allocated N5 billion naira to renovate the VP’s lagos house in Lagos
In November 2023, the Federal Government had budgeted ₦3 billion for this renovation, along with an additional ₦2.5 billion for the Vice President’s residence in Abuja.
However, records reveal that ₦5.034 billion was spent on the Lagos residence renovation between May and September 2024.
Other news
President Bola Tinubu directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country, to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja - Punch
Lagos sanctions Julius Berger after engineer’s death at site - Punch
The Lagos State Command has confirmed that it confiscated the three dogs that allegedly killed a security guard in Pinnock Estate, Ilasan, Lekki area of the state - Punch
EFCC arrested a former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, over the alleged diversion of N1.3tn derivation fund - Punch
President Bola Tinubu announced that Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio has decreased from approximately 97 per cent when he assumed office 17 months ago to 65 per cent currently. - The Cable (The revenue is coming from your pocket, reader so shout out to you)