Barely five months after publishing its 2018 Audited Financial Statement, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has released its 2019 Audited Financial Statement with a 99.7% reduction in its loss profile from ₦803bn in 2018 to ₦1.7bn in 2019.

A statement by the Corporation’s spokesman, Dr. Kennie Obateru, quoted the NNPC Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr. Umar Ajiya, as saying that the 2019 Audited Financial Statement, which was concluded five months after the release of the 2018 Audited Financial Statement, will be published on the Corporation’s website for all to see in keeping with Management’s commitment to transparency and accountability and in consonance with the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) of which it is a partner.

Giving further insight into the 2019 AFS, the CFO disclosed that general administrative expenses also witnessed a 22% dip from ₦894bn in 2018 to ₦696bn in 2019.

According to Ajiya, majority of the subsidiaries posted improved performance namely, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC) which recorded ₦479Billion profit in 2019 compared to ₦179Billion in 2018 representing 167% increase; the Integrated Data Sciences Limited (IDSL) recorded ₦23Billion profit in 2019 compared to ₦154Million in 2018 representing 14966% increase; the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) recorded ₦14.2Billion profit in 2019 compared to ₦9.3Billion in 2018 representing 52% increase; while the Refineries have maintained the same level of losses as in 2018 but which will reduce significantly in 2020 due to cost optimization drive.

The CFO explained that the improved performance in the 2019 financial year was driven mainly by cost optimization, contracts renegotiation and operational efficiency. He said “the 2019 AFS goes further to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the principle of Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE) while the outlook for 2020 looks promising in view of the Management’s strong drive to prune down running cost and grow revenues.”

It would be recalled that the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, had promised to sustain the publication of the Corporation’s Audited Financial Statement as part of efforts to deepen transparency and accountability and keep stakeholders abreast of NNPC operations.

The consumer price index (CPI) which measures inflation increased by 13.71 percent (year-on-year) in September 2020.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed this on its “CPI and Inflation Report September 2020,” on Thursday.

It said the CPI is 0.49 percent points higher than the rate recorded in August 2020 (13.22) percent.

According to the report, increases were recorded in allClassification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yielded the Headline index.

The report added: “On a month-on-month basis, the Headline index increased by 1.48 percent in September 2020. This is 0.14 percent rate higher than the rate recorded in August 2020 (1.34) percent.”

NBS said the percentage change in the average composite CPI for the twelve months period ending September 2020 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve months period was 12.44 percent, showing 0.21 percent point from 12.23 percent recorded in August 2020.

The report reads in part: “On a month-on-month basis, said thr report, the urban index rose by 1.56 percent in September 2020, up by 0.14 from 1.42 percent recorded in August 2020, while the rural index also rose by 1.40 percent in September 2020, up by 0.13 from the rate recorded in August 2020 (1.27 percent).

“The urban inflation rate increased by 14.31 percent (year-on-year) in September 2020 from 13.83 percent recorded in August 2020, while the rural inflation rate increased by 13.14 percent in September 2020 from 12.65 percent in August 2020.

“The corresponding twelve-month year-on-year average percentage change for the urban index is 13.07 percent in September 2020. This is higher than 12.85 percent reported in August 2020, while the corresponding rural inflation rate in September 2020 is 11.86 percent compared to 11.66 percent recorded in August 2020.

“On a month-on-month basis, the Headline index increased by 1.48 percent in September 2020. This is 0.14 percent rate higher than the rate recorded in August 2020 (1.34) percent.
Increases were recorded in all COICOP divisions that yielded the Headline index.

“The consumer price index, (CPI) which measures inflation increased by 13.71 percent (year-on-year) in September 2020. This is 0.49 percent points higher than the rate recorded in August 2020 (13.22) percent.”

Mr Kwajafa, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service Thursday program, said SARS was formed when the then military head of state Muhammadu Buhari ordered the then Inspector-General of Police, Etim Inyang, to come up with a strategy to fight rampant armed-robbery incidents in the country.

A retired police officer, Fulani Kwajafa, who championed the formation of the now-disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) has said that he regrets creating it.

He also said that the police formation had derailed from what it was created to do at inception

Mr Kwajafa, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service Thursday programme, said SARS was formed when the then military head of state Muhammadu Buhari ordered the then Inspector-General of Police, Etim Inyang, to come up with a strategy to fight rampant armed-robbery incidents in the country.

Mr Inyang served as IGP between 1983 to 1986. He was preceded in office by Sunday Adewusi while Gambo Jimeta succeeded him.

How SARS was formed
Mr Kwajafa said there was an upsurge in violent criminal activities which prompted then military head of state, Mr Buhari, to direct Mr Inyang and his lieutenants to do anything to stem the tide of armed robbery incidents in the country or lose their job.

“The IGP called me that we should do something to save the country from armed robbery incidents; I accepted the offer and requested for time and materials. I then mobilised personnel for the task,” Mr Kwajafa recounted.

”Four months after the formation of SARS in 1984, the unit flushed out the criminals and there was peace all over following the successful operation,” he said.

Regrets
The retired police officer said he was disturbed by the stories he heard about how the disbanded SARS operatives violated the rights of Nigerians and even killed some of them.

“The stories I am hearing about the activities of SARS is damaging; I ruled that even among the SARS there are armed robbers,” Mr Kwajafa said.

“This is not the SARS we formed in the 80s, I use to be ashamed that I am the person that created the SARS because of their activities, had it been I knew such things will happen, I could not have created the unit, Mr Kwajafa added.

He said those that knew the activities of initial SARS will say it’s Mr Kwajafa that formed it.

he said the controversial police unit had derailed from its official rules of engagement and responsibilities.

Endless #EndSARS protests
There have been several protests across some cities in the country calling for extensive police reforms, end to police brutality, extortion, intimidation, harassment, among other vices, levelled against the Nigeria Police Force.

The protests have created some casualties. The Amnesty International conservatively put the figure of those who have died so far, at least as, 10.

In their separate reactions to the ongoing protests, the IGP, Mohammed Adamu, has disbanded SARS and replaced it with SWATS while President Muhammadu Buhari has acceded to the Five-Point Demand of the protesters.

Mr Buhari also promised extensive police reforms but yet to spell out the details of how the reforms will go and when.

As of the time of filing this report, the protests were still ongoing.

– The House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that Nigerians have a police force which lacks the trust of the people.

The Speaker, who stated this at the inauguration of the Special Adhoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, also called on the #EndSARS protesters to sheath their swords and allow the authorities to do what is required, just as they have promised.

Details later…

Falana Folarin also known as Falzthebahdguy has written an open letter to President Buhari on the issue of the reconstitution of the Human Rights Commission Governing Council.

This is contained in a letter written to the President which was made available to TheNigeriaLawyer, titled “REQUEST FOR RECONSTITUTION OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION FOR THE DISCHARGE OF ITS FUNCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO CASES OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN NIGERIA.”

Recall that President Buhari has, via the statement of his Special Adviser on Media, Femi Adesina, accepted the 5-point request of the #ENDSARS protest including setting up an independent panel to investigate human rights abuses.

Falz said the panel is unnecessary. He said, “Section 5 of the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act 2010 empowers the Human Rights Commission itself to receive complaints and investigate all alleged cases of human rights violations in Nigeria and make appropriate recommendations to the president.

“The detailed and concise provisions of this Section adequately empower the Human Rights Commission to look into these cases by itself. The Commission need not set up another panel for the exercise of its functions.”

Furthermore, Falz quoted section 2 of the Human Rights Commission Act, saying that the Commission ought to have a Governing Council to include:

“(a) a chairman who shall be a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria or the Court of Appeal or a retired judge of the High Court of a State;
(b) a representative each of the following Federal Ministries—
(i) Justice;
(ii) Foreign Affairs;
(iii) Internal Affairs;
(c) three representatives of registered human rights organisations in Nigeria;
(d) two legal practitioners who shall not have less than ten years post qualification experience;
(e) three representatives of the media, at least, two of whom shall be from the private sector;
(f) three other persons to represent a variety of interests; and (g) the executive secretary of the Commission.”

According to him, the Commission has been without a Governing Council since 2015 contrary to the above provision leading to “the aggravation of human rights abuse.”

Falz added that by section 7(3) of the Act, the Executive Secretary lacks the power to Act without a Governing Council.

He, therefore, called on President Buhari to immediately re-constitute the Governing Council without bias so as to restore the confidence of young Nigerians in his proposed police reform. According to him, failure to do that will force young Nigerians to believe that his efforts to reform the police is not genuine.

“in the light of the foregoing, I hereby call on Your Excellency to immediately re-constitute the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission and to do so publicly as well as transparently in order to restore the confidence of young Nigerians in your proposed police reform process.

“Failure to do this would force young Nigerians to believe that the continuous refusal to re-constitute the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission is a deliberate attempt to mislead us into thinking genuine efforts are being made at reforming the Nigerian Police when in truth the opposite is the case.

“I am confident that Your Excellency will grant my humble request to guarantee the protection of the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians.” the letter reads

In view of the recent threat by the Nigerian Army against the EndSars protest, the Open Bar Initiative (OBI), a voluntary advocacy and justice initiative for lawyers, has set up a team to provide legal support to the protesters should anything happen

This is contained in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL) signed by the Convener, Sola Joseph Onu.

“We have considered the challenges faced by our frontline protesters as many are now facing a real danger of being physically harmed and or indiscriminately arrested. Also, we have considered the threat released by the Nigerian Army to deal with peaceful protesters at all cost.

“Therefore, we have set up a legal and Logistics team to support our frontline heroes with legal services where required and other forms of logistical support.” the statement reads

According to the Onu, the immediate past NBA National Secretary, Jonathan Taidi, shall be the National Coordinator of the intervention.

For protesters in Abuja, the legal team lead is Mojirayo Ogunlana, @⁨Moji⁩ who will work with the following lawyers

1. Clinton Biragbara @⁨Clinton Biragbara⁩

2. Amedu, member, @⁨Amedu⁩

3. Donald @⁨Ayibiowu Donald⁩ , Member.

4. @⁨Barr Maxwell Opara⁩, member.

For Lagos:

1. @⁨Monday Ubani⁩ Team Lead

2. @⁨John Austin Unachukwu⁩ member

3. @⁨Chukwuma Ezeala⁩ member

4. @⁨Tee Lawson Akpata⁩ Member.

5. @⁨Mayowa Owolabi⁩

Port Harcourt:

1. @⁨Frank- Briggs PAST CHAIR PH⁩ Team Lead.

2. @⁨Joe Zabi⁩ member

3. @⁨Leo Okey⁩ member

4. @⁨Barr Ifediba⁩ member

5. @⁨Ogbom⁩ member.

The Open Bar Initiative also called on other lawyers who wish be involved in their state of residence to indicate so on its Twitter platform, so that he or she can be captured you in their database.

Open Bar Initiative announced @⁨Chioma Unini⁩ as the press liason of the team while the following as consultants for the team:

@⁨Prof Chidi Odinkalu⁩
@⁨Prof Alubo, SAN⁩
@⁨Prof. Dankofa⁩
@⁨Dr Akin Onigbinde SAN⁩
@⁨Mike Ozhokeme SAN⁩
@⁨Chris Uche SAN⁩
@⁨Alex Obodo Ejesieme SAN⁩

“Kindly note that all we desire to achieve is to protect the Constitutionally guaranteed rights of all Nigerians to peaceful protest,” Onu said

His Lordship, Hon. Justice Nelson Ogbuanya of the National Industrial Court Lagos Judicial division has ordered the Nigerian Bottling Company to take full responsibility of the medical treatment of its staff Abifarin Elijah, and ensure that his health condition does not deteriorate due to lack of adequate medical attention over his life-threatening severe spinal cord injury sustained at workplace, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Justice Ogbuanya held that Mr. Abifarin has set out a case deserving urgent intervention by the court, warranting granting of an interim measure by way of an interlocutory mandatory injunction against the firm, ordered and directed that the enrolled order be served on any Principal Officer/Management of the Company for compliance.

From facts, the claimant- Abifarin Elijah had filed Motion on Notice averred that while on duty on May 16, 2020, he was asked to carry a heavy object that posed a health hazard to him and, in the process, he incurred an injury that affected his spinal cord and after series of tests at the hospitals, it was discovered that he had suffered an injury, requiring major medical treatment by surgery.

The claimant Learned counsel, Olusola Jegede, Esq. averred that the company informed Elijah through the hospitals that it could not continue to take care of his medical bill that he was no longer covered by the company’s medical policy, and the hospitals stopped his treatment that he resorted to personal funding of the treatment with the support of family and friends and was finding it difficult to cope, and his life was endangered urged the court to intervene urgently to save the life of the Applicant.

However, the Nigerian Bottling Company neither entered a defence nor offered an excuse for its absence, despite evidence of service of Hearing Notice.

Delivering the ruling, the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Nelson Ogbuanya held that whether the conduct of the defendant to abandoned the Claimant to his fate in the circumstance of the incident, on the alleged ground that he is no longer covered by the Defendant Company’s medical policy remain the fulcrum of the claims in the substantive suit, which are kept in abeyance at this interlocutory stage.

“From the record, I find that what is important at this stage, is that the life of the Claimant/Applicant is under threat due to the severe spinal cord injury he sustained while at work, and the Defendant, who has been put on notice of this application and the originating court processes, seems not to be interested on the arising issues, beyond sending the Claimant/Applicant to their hospitals and later directing discontinuance of his treatment on the alleged ground he was no longer covered by their medical policy.

“On the whole, I am satisfied that the Claimant /Applicant has set out a case deserving urgent intervention by this court, warranting granting of an interim measure by way of the interlocutory mandatory injunction against the Defendant/Respondent herein.”

The President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to hasten the implementation of the five demands of the #EndSARS protesters approved earlier this week by the federal government.

The Presidential Panel on Police Reforms had on Tuesday agreed to the five-points demand of protesters against police brutality which included halting use of force against protesters and unconditional release of arrested citizens.

Lawan, who spoke at plenary in the wake of #EndSARS protests at the National Assembly gate, urged the federal government to expedite action on the requests of the protesters.

His words: “I will urge the federal government, I mean we should push the executive arm of government to ensure that those demands are implemented as quickly as possible”.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking N130million as damages from the Federal Government and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for violation of the rights of ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo held among others that the applicant, DR. N.S Nwawka, filed the suit without Justice Onnoghen’s permission, thus he had no locus standi.

In his October 12 ruling, the judge held: “I have looked at the originating processes filed by the applicant herein, with due respect to him, I do not see any nexus between him and the respondents jointly or severally.

“I do not see his remote or immediate interest in the matter in which he has not been instructed to file by the former Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I pose a question to him and this is whether the Former CJN has told him that he is incapable of fighting his own battle or that he is even ready for any battle against anybody?”

The judge also declined to grant Nwawka leave to apply for a referral of some “constitutional questions to the Court of Appeal” for determination.

He held: “The applicant’s motion is incompetent as it is and I therefore dismiss same….

“My conclusion is that the NPO is meritorious and I therefore dismiss the action filed by the applicant. The action to say the least is a waste of the time of the court. If the applicant has time to file this type of unmeritorious action, the time of the court is valuable and should not be wasted. Case dismissed.”

Nwawka, who appeared in person, brought the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/16/2020 on January 7, 2020

At the hearing of the substantive case on July 15, he averred that that sometime in 2019, Immigration officers stationed at the international airport prevented the former CJN from travelling to Ghana and confiscated his international passport without any prior order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

He also alleged that the Federal Government has refused to pay Onnoghen his terminal benefit and that there is no pending prosecution of the former CJN to warrant such treatment.

Dr Nwawka said he approached the court as a concerned citizen to enforce Onnoghen’s fundamental rights to travel in and out of Nigeria unhindered and rights to freedom from inhuman, humiliating and degrading treatment.

Besides the N130m as general and exemplary damages, he also sought an order court directing the respondents to immediately release Onnoghen’s international passport Number A50445233 confiscated since November 11, 2019, as well as a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from any further foreign travel ban against the Fmr CJN.

But the government’s lawyer, Mrs Habiba U. Chime opposed him, on the ground among others that Nwawka did not disclose how his legal rights were affected by the acts complained of.

She argued that the applicant did not disclose any legal or equitable interest of his that was attacked and that the suit was wrongly commenced at the Federal High Court.

The 2nd respondent, was not represented nor filed any process.