The Federal High Court has adjourned ruling on the bail application filed by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to 18 and 26 May.
Kanu’s trial is to continue after the ruling is delivered.
Justice Binta Nyako of the court had earlier struck out 8 of the 15 count terrorism-related charges leveled against him by the federal government, leaving only 7.
Citing judicial authorities, Mike Ozekhome SAN , opined that “Until a person is tried and convicted, he should be allowed to walk free.”
He said because of the presumption of innocence, Kanu is innocent until proven otherwise.
“I humbly urge my lord to use your discretion to grant him bail subject to my lord’s condition.
“You can limit him to stay in my house and I will not allow him to move around,” he said jokingly.
But FG’s counsel, M.S. Labaran urged the court to refuse the application, adding that Kanu had allegedly violated the earlier bail granted him.
“My lord granted him bail on 2017 on health ground, but since then till date, no medical record was submitted to the court until he jumped bail.
“What we should be saying is contempt of court because he has flagrantly violated the orders of the court,” he said.
He urged the judge to be guided by her discretion vis-a-vis the circumstances of the case “and in the alternative, order accelerated hearing on this matter so that the defendant can know his fate one way or the other.”
“The case starts on 18 and 26 May, and I will deliver my ruling,” Justice Nyako said.
ZENITH BANK’S SHAREHOLDERS EXCITED AS BANK PAYS N97.33 BILLION DIVIDEND
Founder and Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia, CON (Centre) flanked by the Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu (Left) and the Deputy Managing Director, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji (Right) at the 31st Annual General Meeting of the bank held yesterday at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc,at the 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, unanimously approved the proposed final dividend, expressing delight at the final dividend payment of NGN2.80 per share which brings the total dividend for the 2021 financial year to NGN3.10 per share with a total value of NGN97.33 billion.
In his statement, the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Jim Ovia, CON, thanked the shareholders for their unflinching loyalty, which has enabled the bank to rise to the pinnacle of the nation’s financial services industry, and assured them of the bank’s commitment to consistently deliver superior value to them.
Speaking on the bank’s performance, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said: “if you look at the bank’s history over the years, Zenith Bank has always grown, and even within the pandemic, we have maintained a reasonable positive growth trajectory. Growth is coming from the fact that we are deploying our digital capability to grow more businesses, simplify our service processes, make our processes more efficient, and deal with customers’ complaints. Apart from developing new products, we are discovering new business verticals, especially within the retail segment, which have significant revenue.” He added that: “meeting the expectation of shareholders means we have to work harder. The team is dodged, hardworking, resilient, and above all, we have a very supportive board that comes with superior guidance”.
Commenting on the dividend payout, the Chairman Emeritus of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, expressed the delight of shareholders over the consistent payment of dividends by Zenith Bank, noting that the bank’s shares remain the toast of investors because the bank has never failed to pay dividends to shareholders.
Also speaking on behalf of shareholders, the President of the Association of the Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), Dr Faruk Umar, said: “The bank is doing very well. All the ratios and indices have gone up. And more importantly, while we were in the meeting, I got my alert of the credit of my dividend. This is very commendable. The leadership of the bank has been very effective; we thank Jim Ovia for the leadership he has been giving, he has increased the dividend in spite of the economic hardship in the country, and I believe the GMD is doing very well. I commend the management and staff of the bank, including the board, and I am very confident that this year would also be very good for the bank.” Dr Faruk Umar also commended the Group Managing Director for the numerous awards the bank received in 2021, especially the sustainability awards.
In spite of a challenging macroeconomic environment aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Zenith Bank Group achieved year-on-year (YoY) growth in gross earnings of 10% from NGN696.5 billion reported in the previous year to N765.6billion. This was on the back of a 23% YoY growth in non-interest income from N251.7billion to N309billion and a 2% YoY growth in interest income from N420.8billion to NGN427.6billion.
Profit before tax also grew by 10%, from NGN255.9 billion to NGN280.4 billion in the current year. The increase was due to growth in the top-line and very strong management of the treasury portfolio that increased efficiency, resulting in a drop in interest expense by 12% from NGN121.1 billion in 2020 to NGN106.8 billion in the current year. This further led to a 7% increase in net interest income of NGN320.8 billion in 2021 from NGN299.7 billion in 2020.
Customer deposits increased by 21%, growing from NGN5.34 trillion in the previous year to NGN6.47 trillion in the current year. The growth in customer deposits came from both corporate and retail customers. Retail deposits grew by NGN146 billion from NGN1.72 trillion in 2020 to NGN1.87 trillion in 2021. The Group’s continuous drive for retail deposits combined with the strategic rebalancing of its funding base helped to reduce the cost of funding from 2.1% to 1.5% in the current year. Although operating expenses grew by 13% YoY, growth remains below the inflation rate, and the Group improved its Earnings per Share (EPS) which grew by 6% from NGN7.34 to NGN7.78.
Total assets increased by 11%, growing from NGN8.48 trillion in 2020 to NGN9.45 trillion in 2021, mainly driven by growth in customer deposits. With the steady recovery in economic activities, the Group prudently grew its gross loans by 20%, from NGN2.9 trillion in 2020 to NGN3.5 trillion in 2021, with moderated NPL ratio from 4.29% to 4.19% YoY. The Group recorded impressive liquidity and capital adequacy ratios of 71.6% and 21.0%, which remained above regulatory thresholds of 30% and 15%, respectively.
In recognition of its track record of excellent performance, Zenith Bank was voted as Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria in the World Finance Banking Awards 2021, Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020, and Best in Corporate Governance ‘Financial Services’ Africa 2020 and 2021 by the Ethical Boardroom. Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in the “2021 Top 1000 World Banks” Ranking by The Banker Magazine and the Retail Bank of the year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards 2020 and 2021.
Similarly, Zenith Bank was honoured as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020 and emerged winner in four categories at the Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2021, carting home the awards for “Best Company in Reporting and Transparency”, “Best Company in Infrastructure Development”, “Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”, and the coveted “Most Responsible Organisation in Africa.
The embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has sued the Federal Government for N50 billion over alleged human rights violation.
Kanu filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022 on Thursday through his counsel, Mike Ozekhome.
Defendants in the suit are the federal government and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
In the suit, the IPOB leader told the court that he was kidnapped from Kenya and brought back to Nigeria to stand trial, asking the court to award the sum of N100 million to him “as the cost of this action”.
Kanu wants the court to order his release from Department of State Service custody, and he is also seeking a ruling restraining the federal government from taking any further step to prosecute him over criminal charges.
Kanu asked the court to determine “whether the way and manner in which the plaintiff was abducted in Kenya and extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria is consistent with extant laws particularly the provisions of Article 12 (4) of the African charter on human and peoples rights (ratification and enforcement) Act Cap A9 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Article/Part 5 (a) of the African Charter’s principles and guidelines on human and peoples’ rights while countering terrorism in Africa”.
The IPOB leader also wants the court to determine “whether by the operation of Section 15 of the Extradition Act Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the plaintiff can be competently/legally tried for offences stated in counts 1 to 14 of the 15-count amended charge in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, which are not the offences for which he was surrendered or extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria”.
Kanu also wants the court to rule on “whether by the operation of Section 15 of the Extradition Act Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the defendants have the enabling powers to detain the plaintiff or subject him to be tried on charges later amended after he was extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria”.
After the questions have been decided, Kanu prayed the court to give judgment on various declarations relating to the circumstances surrounding his extradition and ongoing trial.
“A declaration that the plaintiff’s abduction and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria without being subjected to extent extradition proceedings/hearing in Kenya where he was abducted, is a clear violation of Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act CAP A9, LFN 2004,” the document reads.
“A declaration that the detention and continued detention of the plaintiff on the strength of an amended charge filed after his extraordinary forceful rendition to Nigeria, are illegal, ultra vires the powers of the defendants and a violation of the 1st defendant’s rights under Nigerian municipal laws, African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention against Torture, its operational protocol, and constitutional rights of the Plaintiff; and the UN Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), 1948.
“A declaration that the forcible abduction of the plaintiff in Kenya on the 19th of June, 2021, and his consequent forcible extraordinary rendition to Nigeria without due compliance with extant laws, were done in blatant breach of Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act CAP, A9, LFN 2004, Section 15 of the Extradition Act CAP E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, Part 5 (A) (Transfer of Individuals) Principles and Guidelines on Human and Peoples Right while countering terrorism in Africa; and Article 13 of the UDHR, 1948.
“A declaration that the plaintiff shall not be subjected to any form of criminal trial or further detention upon his illegal and unlawful rendition to Nigeria, particularly with reference to the newly introduced amended charge filed in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, between F.R.N. V. Nnamdi Kanu, after he was illegally, forcibly and unlawfully renditioned to Nigeria.
“A declaration that pursuant to Article 12(4) of the African Charter on Human & Peoples Right (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, CAP A9 LFN 2004, the forcible abduction, expulsion or extraordinary rendition of the plaintiff from Kenya to Nigeria by the defendants without a decision taken in accordance with the laws of Kenya is illegal, unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional and amounts to a gross violation of the international human rights of the plaintiff.”
Former Burkina Faso President, Blaise Compaore has been handed life imprisonment over the alleged murder of his predecessor, Thomas Sankara.
Records have it that Compaore assassinated Sankara who was the first Burkinabe president during a coup on October 15, 1987.
The case had lingered for decades until today when a verdict was delivered in absentia of Campaore.
Naija News understands that it is 35 years already since Sankara was killed, he, however, remains one of the iconic figures in West Africa for his sweeping socialist figures and speeches.
He is called the “African Che Guevara”, referring to the Marxist revolutionary and one of the icons of the Cuban Revolution.
He changed the name of the former French colony from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, which means “the land of the upright”.
During the ruling, two of Compaore’s former top associates, Hyacinthe Kafando and Gilbert Diendere, were also sentenced to life imprisonment, Naija News understands.
It was gathered that military prosecutors in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, had requested a 30-year sentence for Compaoré, who was being tried alongside 13 others.
After Compaore was unseated following an uprising in 2014, he fled to the neighbouring Ivory Coast where he was given citizenship.
The military tribunal that presided over the case handed jail terms ranging from three to 20 years to eight other suspects while acquitted three other defendants.
The management of Bet9ja has revealed that its website has been hacked by the Russian Blackcat group.
This was disclosed by Bet9ja in a statement in which it identified the perpetrators as the Russian Blackcat group, who are famous for several attacks on huge companies around the world.
The gaming site said that the group has already demanded ransom but it insists it will not accept the conditions of the hacker group.
What they are saying
Part of the statement reads, “The entire Bet9ja system has been under attack by the Russian Blackcat group who are famous for several attacks to huge companies in the world. It is a huge hacker attack by this Russian group but our people are working from yesterday without stopping for a minute to restore all the services but it is not easy.
“They are asking for ransom already but we will never accept their conditions. it is important to let you know this so that we are all on the same page. They have hit us hard but of course they cannot kill us. We will stand our ground and come back even much more stronger.
“Please do not be discouraged, we will surely restore things as soon as possible and provide update on the progress.”
Bet9ja acknowledged in an earlier social media post that user funds and winnings are safe as it is working to resolve the issue.
What you should know
According to reports, the Russia-linked cybercrime gang, BlackCat, was behind the ransomware attacks that took down a swath of and hindered payments at some German filling stations in January
It was reported that hackers using a strain of ransomware known as “Black Cat” infected computers at Mabanaft GmbH and Oiltanking GmbH Group.
BlackCat (also known as ALPHV) is a relatively new ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation, which has been aggressively recruiting affiliates from other ransomware groups and targeting organisations worldwide.
Leke Adeboye who is one of the sons of the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, was on Wednesday, April 6, made to face a three-man panel over his recent comment describing some pastors of the church as Goats.
On Tuesday, April 5, Leke shared a post on his Instagram page where he criticised Pastors who deliver their own sermons on the first Sunday of every month after his father must have delivered one that had been broadcasted across all parishes in the country.
Reacting to this development, Leke in his post wrote;
“Why would you go and preach another sermon after Daddy GO (General Overseer) had just finished speaking and preaching? You are not a son, you are a goat sir. Next Thanksgiving service, just do altar call, then Thanksgiving”
Sahara Reporters reports that Leke was made to stand before a three-man panel on Wednesday which included his father-in-law, and was asked never to repeat such again after he had vehemently and arrogantly said he would not apologize for the insulting comments made against senior pastors of the church.
“Leke Adeboye was made to face a panel today (Wednesday) for insulting pastors and calling them goats. The three-man panel, unfortunately, did not punish him or ask him to apologise. One of the members of the panel is his father-in-law.
He arrogantly told off the panel that he cannot apologise. And what did they do? They only told him to not repeat it again”sources within the church were quoted as saying
Leke has since deleted the post from his IG page and has not also tendered a public apology to the pastors.
Lagos State Government has appointed an ex-chairman of the state’s chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Musiliu Akinsanya popularly called MC Oluomo, as the chairman of its Parks Management Committee.
Also, a former Assistant Inspector General of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, was appointed as the Liaison Officer between the government and the committee.
This was contained in a press statement by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, titled, “Lagos govt sets up Parks Management Committee”.
An ex-Permanent Secretary, Dr. Taiwo Salaam, was also appointed as the secretary of the committee while Sulyman Ojora was appointed as the Deputy Chairman.
The appointments were announced less than four weeks after the Lagos State Governmrnt denied plans to appoint MC Oluomo chairman of the parts committee.
The PUNCH reports that the Lagos State government suspended the activities of NURTW in all parks and garages across the state after MC Oluomo was suspended by NURTW national body.
The statement read, “The Lagos State Government has set up a committee to oversee the affairs of all motor parks and garages in the state.
“This is in fulfillment of the Government’s promise to ensure that events in the National Union of Road Transport Workers are not allowed to threaten law and order.
“The Government has, therefore, exercised its constitutional powers to ensure that no vacuum, which can disrupt the peace of our dear state,is allowed to exist in the parks. This is a duty we owe all Lagosians and visitors.
“Members of the committee, who have been selected following consultations with stakeholders in the sector, are:
Mr. Hakeem Odumosu (AIG Rtd) – Government Liaison Officer
2. Alh Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya – Chairman
3. Alh Sulyman B. Ojora – (Deputy Chairman )
4. Dr. Taiwo Olufemi Salaam (Secretary)
5. Comrade Olayiwola Lemboye
6. Alh Mustapha Adekunle
7. Alh Ganiyu Shittu
8. Alh Mukaila Runsewe
9. Alh Sulyman Yusuf
10. Alh Mufutau Mutiu
11. Alh Yinka Hassan
12. Alh Sunday Ogunleye
13. Alh Moshood Omojowa
14. Alh Ismaila Aigoro
15. Alh Ibrahim Yusuf. O
16. Alh Akeem Tijani
17. Mrs Omolabake Adelakun
18. Comrade Kazeem Hassan
19. Alh Wasiu Amole
20. Alh Ganiyu Ayinde
21. Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye
22. John Victor Owolabi
23. Saburi Salami
24. Ibrahim Onitiju
25. Odusanya Gbenga
“Members of the committee are to report to the Ministry of Transportation, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.
“The Government on March 10 suspended NURTW operations in all parks and garages, following the tension sparked by some events in the union.”
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan escaped unharmed in a ghastly auto accident that claimed the lives of two of his security aides.
The former leader expressed sadness at the development and commiserated with the families of the deceased. Speaking on the incident via a statement signed by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan wished the departed eternal rest.
The statement read; “Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has expressed deep sadness over the unfortunate tragic death of two police officers attached to him, in a road crash today at the vicinity of the Abuja airport, while on his way out of the airport.”
“The former President who described the incident as painful and heart-rending stated that the sudden death of the two security details has thrown him into deep mourning.”
“Dr. Jonathan noted with sadness that the deceased, Inspectors Ibrahim Abazi and Yakubu Toma, were fine officers who were dedicated to their duties and service to the nation.”
“Two other officers sustained injuries in the accident which involved a car conveying the security men. They were rushed to a hospital in Abuja where they are responding to treatment.”
“The office of the former President has offered condolences to the families of the bereaved and the Police High Command. Dr. Jonathan prayed God to grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and bless their families and the nation with the fortitude to bear the loss.”
The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, on Wednesday announced some individuals to address insecurity and the agitations by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the state and other southeast territories.
Top among those named are former Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu who is the Chairman of 15-member committee and Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the late Biafra warlord, Odumegwu (Secretary).
According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA, the committee would be inaugurated soon. They were also given six months to conclude their activities.
Others members on the list are Dr Joe Nwaorgu, Dr Udenta Udenta and Dr Uju Agomoh.
Also listed are Dr. Joe Abah, Rev. Fr (Msgnr) Jerome Madueke, Canon Dr. Okechukwu C. Obi-Okoye, Charles Oputa (Charly Boy), Dr. John Otu, Mr. Ngozi Odumuko, Ms Onyeka Onwenu, Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, Sam Egwuatu and Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu.
“Given the cross-border nature of the conflict, the focus goes beyond Anambra, and possibly covers the entire Southeast. Specifically, the Terms of Reference for the Committee are to identify the remote and immediate causes of the agitations, restiveness, violence, and armed struggle in the South East since 1999; and document victims/circumstances of death, brutality and incarceration.
“To identify stakeholders and groups who have played critical roles in the agitations and conflicts, their roles, capabilities and demands; address any other issue(s) that may be germane to unravelling the extent of the crisis and charting the roadmap for the future; and make recommendations for sustainable peace and security in Anambra state/Southeast. The Committee shall be free to draw up the methodology to accomplish its assignment,” the statement reads in part.
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Wednesday removed Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, from his position as Chairman of the Union in Lagos State.
MC Oluomo was recently suspended over misconducts and insubordination by the union at the national. The Lagos transport boss though dared the national body and announced the separation of Lagos NURTW from the national body.
The national union has now directed the State Secretary, Seyi Bankole, to take over the administration of affairs in Lagos, in order to avoid leadership vacuum.
The statement signed by Tajudeen Baruwa, the National President, obtained by this newspaper reads in part: “In view of the fact that nature abhors vacuum, the state secretary of the union, Comrade Seyi Bankole, is hereby directed to take over the running of the affairs of Lagos State council pending the constitution of a caretaker committee after consultation with relevant authorities.”
