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Senate Flays FG For Spending N11tn On Subsidy In Six Years

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The Senate on Thursday flayed the payment of N11tn to oil marketers as subsidy in the last six years, stressing that the development, if not halted, could kill the nation’s economy.

The upper chamber took the decision while considering the report of its Committee on the Downstream Petroleum Sector.

The Chairman of the committee, Kabir Marafa, had while presenting the report, told his colleagues that Nigeria spent over N11tn to pay outstanding subsidy claims in the last six years.

The development came just as the upper chamber, on Thursday, approved the payment of additional N129bn subsidy claims to 67 petroleum marketers.

The Senate had earlier on Tuesday approved the payment of N68.9bn as subsidy claims to 20 petroleum marketers.

Marafa’s report read in part, “That due to the scarcity of forex within the period, oil marketing companies were allowed to source forex outside the CBN rate to enable them to meet the country’s petroleum products demand.

“That NNPC Retail get their petroleum product allocation directly from PPMC at an already subsidised rate and so does not require forex to transact its business.”

Some of the oil marketers and the amount approved for them include Total Nigeria Plc, N13.7bn; Northwest Petroleum, N11.4bn;  Masters Energy, N10bn;  MRS Oil Plc, N8.8bn;  and Sahara Energy, N8.4bn.

Others are MRS Oil & Gas Limited, N6.3bn, Nipco Plc, N4.2bn; Forte Oil, N3.9bn; DEEJONES Petroleum & Gas, N4.1bn; and Emadeb, N4bn, among others.

The senators, before approving the payment, berated the Federal Government for paying subsidy to oil marketers over the years without the Senate’s approval.

Senator Barnabas Gemade wondered why the Federal Government and the anti-graft agencies had failed to convict any of the oil marketers who were indicted in the illegal subsidy claims.

He noted with regret that the government had not done enough in bringing the owners of the affected 50 oil firms to justice many years after their prosecution.

He said, “What has happened to those who defrauded the nation? I believe that the 9th Senate will do justice to know what has happened to this money.”

Gemade also reminded the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government of its pledge to stop subsidy payment when it came into power in 2015.

He said, “The government should stand by its words. If the government fails to end the subsidy regime, it will kill the Nigerian economy.”

Others who contributed and condemned the subsidy payment were Senators Bassey Akpan, Victor Umeh and Mathew Uroghide.

Umeh said, “If we continue to hope that one day this subsidy will end, we are deceiving ourselves. What would Nigerians face after this payment of arrears?”

“People in government have refused to face the problem. Everyone is depending on oil revenue and yet no functional refineries have been set in place.

“The government should be able to plan to build five refineries; why can’t we use the money we get from the sale of our crude to build refineries?

“The government should give us a programme to enable us to have four functional refineries in five years.

“Exchange rates are not the problem, but our inability to do what others are doing is the main issue.”

Uroghide, in his  contribution, said, “Government should be serious in their policies and not be directionless in executing these policies.”

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said, “I hope that the next Assembly will be able to sit with the Executive to address this issue and resolve it without creating unnecessary tension.

“The NNPC needs to also caution itself so that it does not encroach on the appropriation responsibility of the National Assembly.

“We need to do something about the provisions of refineries in our country – it is not rocket science. Even if it does not resolve the issue of subsidy, we would have gone a long way in addressing it.”

The breakdown showed that N10.8bn was approved as subsidy claim to Tanzila Petroleum Company, while N58.1 bn was okayed for 19 oil marketing companies.

Meanwhile, the Senate has adjourned till June 6 for its valedictory session.

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Take the Battle to Bandits, Criminals, IGP Disu Charges Police Officers

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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has charged officers to take the fight directly to criminals, stating: “It is far better to strike first and stay on the offensive than to remain only reactive.”

The IGP, who spoke on Wednesday in Kano during a strategic meeting with officers of the Kano State Command, noted that “when bandits know we fire back decisively, they will think twice. Keep pushing hard, stay sharp, and sustain this momentum”.

Represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the North-West region, Suleiman Abdul, the IGP announced the establishment of six core administrative pillars designed to strengthen the internal security framework.

Notable among the pillars is the operationalisation of “Handshake Patrols” between contiguous states to deny criminals jurisdictional escape routes.

IGP Disu also announced a renewed commitment to intelligence-led and technology-driven security management, adding that the police are moving away from purely conventional, reactive methods towards evidence-based law enforcement powered by data analytics, digital forensics and a centralised information framework.

The IGP further committed to restructuring elite tactical units, with operations governed by strict rules of engagement and civilian oversight.

He stressed that modern urban policing cannot be achieved through physical presence alone; it must be powered by timely, accurate and actionable information.

“Kano Command must fully leverage data analytics, digital forensics and centralised information frameworks to map out urban crime hotspots and track illicit financial flows that sustain gang activities,” he stated.

“Compliance with the Suspects’ Information Capturing Process within the Nigeria Police Force Incidents and Crime Database (NPF-ICD) must be enforced across all divisions and tactical offices without exception,” he said.

“This will enable you to build comprehensive criminal histories, trace syndicates and systematically isolate repeat offenders,” he added.

“The administration demands absolute professional discipline and has zero tolerance for personnel high-handedness, corruption or extortion, which alienates the public,” he said.

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Appeal Court Halts Execution of Judgment Deregistering ADC, Four Others

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered a stay of execution of the judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties.

In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, a three-member panel led by Justice A. B. Mohammed condemned Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja for flouting a May 22 order that directed him to suspend proceedings before him, describing his conduct as the gravest form of judicial misconduct.

“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution,” the panel held.

The appellate court went further, invoking a Supreme Court precedent to characterise Justice Lifu’s conduct in the harshest terms available to it.

“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is the highest form of judicial impertinence,” the panel declared, adding that the Supreme Court had previously held that a judge who acted in such a manner “is unfit for the bench as it amounts to judicial rascality.”

The court said it had a duty to assert its supervisory authority over lower courts and protect the integrity of the judicial hierarchy.

“Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This court has supervisory authority over the trial court. This court has the duty to invoke its powers in ensuring that its orders are obeyed. The application for stay of execution is hereby granted. The enforcement of the judgment is stayed,” the panel ruled.

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Deregistration: Mark Advises Party Faithful Not to Despair, Says ADC Will Be on Ballot Paper

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Deregistration: Mark Advises Party Faithful Not to Despair, Says ADC Will Be on Ballot Paper

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called on party members, supporters, and candidates on the platform of the party not to despair over the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which purportedly ordered the deregistration of the ADC and some other political parties.

Senator Mark, in a swift reaction while receiving a delegation of the party’s candidates who paid him a visit in Abuja on Monday, according to a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media & Publicity, Kola Kola Ologbondiyan, described the judgment as “an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy,” assuring party faithful that the decision would be overturned by superior courts.

He recalled that the Court of Appeal had earlier ordered a stay of proceedings in the matter and adjourned further hearing to October 27, 2027. He therefore questioned how a judgment could validly be delivered while the subsisting order of the appellate court remained in force.

“The judgment cannot stand. It will be set aside because it does not pass the test of law and due process. Our democracy must be protected from actions that seek to undermine the constitutional rights of political parties and the choices available to Nigerians,” Senator Mark stated.

He urged ADC candidates and supporters across the country to remain calm, focused, and committed to the party’s mission, stressing that there was no cause for alarm.

“The ADC will be on the ballot in 2027. I assure all our candidates, members, and supporters that this temporary setback will be overcome through the judicial process. We remain resolute and confident in the rule of law,” he added.

Senator Mark further reaffirmed the party’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and providing Nigerians with a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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