Nigerian govt extends phone registration deadline

The Nigerian government has extended the period for phone users to link their SIM numbers to their National Identification Numbers (NIN).

The exercise will now continue till April 6, the government announced.

The eight-week extension was announced by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, at the ministerial taskforce meeting on NIN-SIM registration on Tuesday.

Mr Pantami said the extension is to give Nigerians and legal residents more time to integrate their NIN with the SIM.

The meeting was chaired by the Mr Pantami and attended by the CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), DG/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).

Others include the MD/CEOs of MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, Ntel, Spectranet and SMILE, as well as the COO of Globacom.

A total of 56.18 million NINs have been collected by the mobile network operators, a statement issued by spokespersons of NCC and NIMC Ikechukwu Adinde and Kayode Adegoke​​ respectively.

This number of NINs collected represents a significant increase when compared to the 47.8 million reported by the technical committee on January 18.

Also, 1060 registration centres for NIN have been activated and made operational by NIMC across the country, while mobile network operators have opened hundreds of centres and are rapidly deploying resources to open thousands of other NIN enrolment centres across states of the country, the statement said.

“This is in line with the policy of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to enhance security and make the process of obtaining NINs easier for Nigerians,” Mr Pantami said.

Mr Pantami reiterated the need for Nigerians and legal residents who are yet to register for the NIN to take advantage of the extension and enroll for their NIN and link with their SIMs.

Mr Pantami faced criticisms after he initially directed phone users to complete the registration within few weeks at a time of COVID-19 pandemic or be disconnected. This is the third time the government is extending the deadline.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria applauds all Nigerians and persons of other nationalities for their understanding, cooperation and for enthusiastically participating in the exercise,” he said.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his satisfaction with the progress made regarding the NIN-SIM linkage and commended the Honourable Minister and all stakeholders for their roles. He encouraged citizens to take advantage of the extension to fully participate in the process,”.

“Mr Pantami implores applicants to follow the safety guidelines at all the NIN enrolment centers and ensure compliance with the booking system in place.

Trump and RNC Raise $86 Million for Election Investigations

Trump and the Republican Party have raised $86 million allegedly to investigate the 2020 election. In this live Q&A with Crossroads host Joshua Philipp we’ll be discussing this story and others, and answering questions from the audience.

FG Partially Reopens Third Mainland Bridge

 

The Federal Government has partially reopened the Third Mainland Bridge following a 72-hour closure by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

Following the reopening of the bridge, Channels Television observed that vehicular activities resumed on Monday after rehabilitation work was done on the three expansion joints at the Adekunle end of the bridge.

While vehicles heading to the island wait out the gridlock occasioned by the interchange created to manage the partial closure, bike riders held sway over every available space,  dangerously maneuvering their way through regardless of the direction of travel

The impact of the total closure still resonates with some residents of Lagos State who want to see the rehabilitation work completed as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, for those heading back to the mainland, it’s a longer route that requires lots of patience due to the gridlock often experienced on the Carter Bridge, Eko Bridge, Funsho Williams Avenue and the Ikorodu road.

This comes six months since repair work began on the third mainland bridge.

With February 15 set as the new date for the full reopening, Lagos residents are hopeful there will be no more postponement and will no doubt appreciate having full access to the bridge once again.

Imo recovers 41 vehicles allegedly stolen from ITC

 

The Imo State Government says it has recovered 41 vehicles allegedly stolen from its transport company known as Imo Transport Company (ITC) by the company’s previous managers and officials in the government of the past administrations.

Chairman of the management committee of ITC, Ibezim Onyekachi, told journalists that the vehicles were recovered from Mass Transport Network (MTN) Company, Imo Travels and Tours, and some other transport companies owned by the former chairman of ITC and others who managed the company in recent past

“We have recovered about 41 vehicles and still counting, from people who are with ITC properties.

“It is a fact that the former chairman here converted a lot of ITC vehicles to establish his own private transport company. Before he became chairman of ITC, he never owned a transport company. But, immediately he became ITC chairman, he became a transporter.

“Also, when he was exiting as the chairman of ITC, a lot of vehicles belonging to ITC went missing from various loading bays across the nation. The question is, what happened to all those vehicles? We later traced some of the vehicles to his private transport company”, he said.

Ibezim noted that part of the mandate given to his management committee by Governor Hope Uzodimma, was to recover both movable and immovable properties of the company.

According to him, “the state government already in court to get the individuals involved to be prosecuted, despite the fact that some Nigerians think that the safest place for criminals to run to and hide from punishment is the court”.

Apart from the stolen vehicles, Ibezim disclosed that his management were also recovering ITC vehicles that were impounded in Lagos and other states as well as company vehicles that were littered in police stations across the country.

“Even in ITC premises, we have recovered 35 vehicles abandoned by past managements of this company”, he added.

as insurgents destroy electricity tower

Residents of Maiduguri and environs have been thrown into lingering blackout following the destruction of one of the towers supplying electricity to the city from the national grid.

The blackout, which has lasted for one week, has grounded many businesses that are relying on power.

Those operating on generators are managing to render skeletal services.

Some residents, who spoke not only condemned the action of the insurgents but lamented the continued inability of the authorities concern to restore the power.

“It’s now one week and most people don’t know why there is no electricity in Maiduguri.

“We need to know what caused it and efforts by the power company to address the matter.

“You can’t leave people in darkness without explanation,’’ a resident, Ibrahim Abubakar, said.

Also, a welder, Moses Bala, said the development has grounded his business because he solely depends on electricity from the national grid for his work.

“Because of steady supply over the months, I solely depend on power from government and now that there is no power for one week; I remain out of business.

“I can’t afford a generator as I am still young in this business,’’ Bala said.

He appealed to the authorities concern to expedite action to restore the electricity.

Musa Idris, Sahabi Abdulrahman, Amina Bello and Talatu Musa who also lamented on the power outage on their small businesses said they do not know the cause of the power outage.

They said that they would want something to be done urgently to ameliorate their plight.

When contacted, the Corporate Communication Manager of Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) in charge of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Taraba states, Mr Kingsley Nkemneme said he could not comment because the problem has to do with Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

“The TCN is in a better position to comment on this as the problem is not about distribution but transmission,’’ Nkemneme said.

This is the second time in three months that insurgents will be attacking the power transmission line to Maiduguri.

Court fixes Feb. 15 to hear suit challenging NIN registration amid COVID-19

 

A Federal High Court Lagos on Monday, fixed Feb.15 to hear a suit challenging the ongoing process of linking the National Identification Number (NIN) with Mobile lines.

Justice Mohammed Liman fixed the date for notices to be served on all parties in the suit after the plaintiff Chief Malcolm Omirhobo had informed the court of his process.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Omirhobo sued the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) alongside others over alleged coercion on citizens to link their NIN within a stipulated time frame, without adherence to Covid 19 protocols.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); the DG NIMC, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Other defendants are: MTN Nigeria Communications Plc; GLOBACOM Ltd; Airtel Networks Ltd (Airtel Nigeria) and the Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd, EMTS 9 Mobile.

The applicant who is suing for himself and on behalf of the Nigerian public, brought his suit under the provisions of the fundamental rights enforcement rules enshrined in the 1999 constitution.

When the case was called on Monday, Omirhobo announced appearance as appearing in person, and informed the court of his ex parte motion as well as an affidavit of urgency attached.

He told the court that in the midst of the prevailing Covid 19 pandemic it was too risky to proceed with the process, adding that further steps should be stopped, pending determination of the suit.

Justice Mohammed Liman then. asked the plaintiff if he had any written document specifying the deadline for the registration and the plaintiff told the court that there were online publications to the effect that the new deadline extension was Feb. 9.

The court consequently, ordered that all parties be served with the processes and he fixed Feb. 15 to hear both the motion for interlocutory injunction as well as the substantive suit, while he struck out the ex parte motion.

The plaintiff wants the court to declare that Nigerians are entitled to the fundamental right to life, dignity of human person, right to private and family life, freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association and the right to moveable property.

The lawyer is asking the court to declare that the respondents’ coercion of the applicant and Nigerians without themselves first complying with the COVID-19 guidelines is a violation of the fundamental right to life of Nigerians .

According to him, the threat by the respondents to disconnect the telephone lines of Nigerians, who fail to link their NIN to their SIM cards within a timeline is a violation of the fundamental right to life of the applicant and Nigerians.

He argued that the directive led millions of Nigerians besieging the various NIMC offices nationwide in breach of COVID-19 protocols, while trying to comply with the said directives and in the process exposed themselves to the likelihood of contracting Corona virus.

Omirhobo, therefore, prayed the court to declare such decisions illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

He said that the directive to make the presentation of NIN a condition-precedent for the retrieval of lost and/or damaged telephone lines is a violation of the fundamental right of Nigerians and therefore illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

He asked the court to make an order for the enforcement of the fundamental right to life, dignity of human person, right to private and family life, freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association and the right to moveable property of Nigerians.

He is also praying the court to compel the respondents to resume the sale of new SIM cards, replace lost or damaged sim cards to Nigerians as well as issue a public apology to the applicant and the public.

Mompha named in fresh N157m fraud charge against 606 Autos’ boss

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has named internet celebrity, Ismail Mustapha, alias Mompha, in its amended N157.1million fraud charge filed against an auto dealer, Sarumi Babafemi, alias 606.

Mompha has since November 25, 2019 been facing a separate 14-count N32.9 billion money laundering charge before Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court (FHC) in Lagos.

Babafemi is the Chief Executive Officer of 606 Autos Ltd; 606 Music Ltd and Splash Off Entertainment Ltd.

He and his firms have since November 1, 2019 been on trial a five-count charge before Justice Chuka Obiozor of the FHC for allegedly laundering N207.1million.

Babafemi was accused by the EFCC of being an agent of fraud suspects named by the United State’s Federal Investigation Bureau (FBI), an allegation he denied.

But, Monday, the EFCC brought an amended nine-count charge of January 22, 2021 against Babafemi, Mompha and two others, before Justice Chukwujeku Aneke.

The others listed in the charge marked FHC/L/CS/374c/2019, are: Ridwan Momodu Allison, a.k.a. Osama said to be at large and Richard Ogbah.

Babafemi, Mompha, Ridwan and Richard, were alleged to have laundered N157.1 million.

The beneficiaries of the said funds are: Omojadesola Shittu Allison; Olandewaju Oriyomi; Abiola Kayode Ayorinde; Bartholomew Oluchukwu Ezeudoka and Amobi Uchenna E., who were said to have received the sums of N37.6 million; N93 million; N1.5 million and N25 million respectively.

Babafemi and his firms were also accused of concealing and disguising the origins of the funds he allegedly laundered for Mompha and others.

The offences, according to the EFCC, contravened sections 15(2)(b) and 15(3)(a) and were punishable under section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

But the scheduled re-arraignment and trial of Babafemi and his firms on the fresh charge could not go on.

EFCC counsel, Ayanfe Ogunshina, prayed the court to allow the charge to be read to the defendants for so they could take their plea.

He sought permission to proceed with the trial, as one of his five witnesses was in court and ready to testify.

But defence counsel, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), opposed the application, on the ground that the amended charge was served on them while they were in court.

Banire also told the court that in the event that it was inclined to take his clients’ plea, he would need to study the charge before trial proceeded.

In deciding the parties’ submissions and with their agreement, Justice Aneke adjourned till April 21, 22 and 23.

U.S. threatens action against Myanmar coup leaders

 

Myanmar's military has detained the country's president and declared one year-state of emergency.

The U.S. has threatened to take action against those responsible for the detention of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as President Win Myint in Myanmar.

“The United States is alarmed by reports that the Burmese military has taken steps to undermine the country’s democratic transition, including the arrest of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials in Burma (Myanmar).

“President (Joe) Biden has been briefed by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan,” White House Spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Earlier, Western media reported that Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint were detained along with other members of Myanmar’s ruling party in an early morning military raid on Monday.

“We continue to affirm our strong support for Burma’s democratic institutions and, in coordination with our regional partners, urge the military and all other parties to adhere to democratic norms and the rule of law, and to release those detained today.

“The United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition, and will take action against those responsible if these steps are not reversed,” Psaki said.

The U.S. State Department has also expressed concerns over the detention of multiple civilian government leaders in Myanmar.

“We call on Burmese military leaders to release all government officials and civil society leaders and respect the will of the people of Burma as expressed in democratic elections on Nov. 8.

“The United States stands with the people of Burma in their aspirations for democracy, freedom, peace, and development.
“The military must reverse these actions immediately,” the State Department said in a statement.

The Australian government has also issued a statement on Myanmar, saying that Australia is a long-standing supporter of Myanmar and its democratic transition.

“We call on the military to respect the rule of law, to resolve disputes through lawful mechanisms, and to release immediately all civilian leaders and others who have been detained unlawfully,” Australia’s foreign ministry said in a Monday statement.

Later in the morning, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined international leaders in condemning the actions of Myanmar’s military.

“I condemn the coup and unlawful imprisonment of civilians, including Aung San Suu Kyi, in Myanmar.

“The vote of the people must be respected and civilian leaders released,” Johnson wrote on Twitter.

According to media reports, Myanmar’s military announced a state of emergency on Monday morning, in a declaration signed by First Vice President Win Myint Swe, who will now be serving as Myanmar’s acting president.

According to the declaration, state power is being handed over to Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing.
The announcement came after Myanmar’s government leaders and members of the ruling National League for Democracy party were detained.

In January, Myanmar’s military raised the prospect of a coup d’etat after what they believed was widespread voter fraud during the November 8 election, which was the country’s second general election since the end of military rule in 2011. (Sputnik/NAN)

Larry King Dies at 87

King died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Ora Media, the studio and network he co-founded, tweeted. No cause of death was given in the statement.

King, whose career spanned more than six decades, had Type-2 diabetes and had suffered from lung cancer, angina and heart attacks in recent years.

Image:Former US president Bill Clinton (R) speaks with Larry King on CNN in September 2002

Image:With Tom Cruise (R) in 2001

"For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television and digital media, Larry's many thousands of interviews, awards, and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster," said the statement by Ora Media.

Biden to tear up Trump work on first day

 

Biden to sign executive orders rejoining Paris climate accord and rescinding travel ban on first day.

President-elect Joe Biden plans to sign roughly a dozen executive orders, including rejoining the Paris climate accord and ending the travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries, on his first day in office, according to a memo from incoming chief of staff Ron Klain.

He'll also sign orders halting evictions and student loan payments during the coronavirus pandemic and issuing a mask mandate on all federal property in an effort to either roll back moves made by the Trump administration or advance policy in a way that was impossible in the current administration.

One of Biden's most common campaign trail promises was to tackle an issue on his first day in office -- a pledge he usually made to either contrast himself with President Donald Trump or highlight just how important he believed an issue to be. These promises were made on everything from climate change to immigration to foreign policy, and many are reflected in Klain's Saturday memo, which was first reported by the New York Times.

"During the campaign, President-elect Biden pledged to take immediate action to start addressing these crises and build back better," Klain writes. "As president, he will keep those promises and sign dozens of executive orders, presidential memoranda, and directives to Cabinet agencies in fulfillment of the promises he made."

Beyond executive actions in his first days in office, the memo outlines that Biden plans to send Congress a large-scale immigration plan within his first 100 days in office. The plan would offer a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented immigrations currently in the United States.

Biden rolled out his first legislative priority this week, announcing a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package that included direct payments to Americans. Biden made clear during a speech on the plan that he wanted it to be the first issue Congress takes up after he is inaugurated on January 20.

The memo makes clear a key part of Biden's overall strategy includes getting Congress to act on his legislative priorities, something Biden ran on by highlighting his relationships with Republicans in the Senate. The focus is an acknowledgment that only so much can be done via executive order.

"Full achievement of the Biden-Harris Administration's policy objectives requires not just the executive actions the president-elect has promised to take, but also robust Congressional action," Klain wrote.

The day after Biden is inaugurated, according to Klain, he will "sign a number of executive actions to move aggressively to change the course of the COVID-19 crisis and safely re-open schools and businesses, including by taking action to mitigate spread through expanding testing, protecting workers, and establishing clear public health standards."

And on January 22, Biden will direct his Cabinet agencies to "take immediate action to deliver economic relief to working families bearing the brunt of this crisis," Klain writes.

The flurry of action is meant to show Americans that Biden is not wasting any time taking control of the coronavirus -- something the Biden transition has been intently focused on. But the scope and breadth of the topics Biden will address also highlights the extent to which Democrats believe the incoming administration will have to be focused on multiple issues at once to be successful.

From January 25 to February 1, Klain writes that Biden will issue orders on everything from directing his government to buy American products to beginning to fulfill promises to reform the criminal justice system.

During that week-long period, Biden will also order the federal government to determine how to reunite children separated from their families at the US-Mexico border, as well sign additional orders aimed at tackling climate change and expanding access to health care.

"Of course, these actions are just the start of our work," Klain writes. "Much more will need to be done to fight COVID-19, build our economy back better, combat systemic racism and inequality, and address the existential threat of the climate crisis. But by February 1st, America will be moving in the right direction on all four of these challenges — and more — thanks to President-elect Joe Biden's leadership."

Political pressure on Biden

Because Biden routinely promised to take action on "Day One" of his administration, hosts of interest groups and advocacy organization have put public pressure on Biden to live up to his promises.

"There is a lot riding on Biden ending the ban on the first day of his presidency because this is something he has campaigned on," said Iman Awad, national legislative director of Emgage Action, an advocacy organization for Muslim Americans. "With that, we understand that we are facing so much during this political moment: A current president making this transition nearly impossible, the insurrection, and the pandemic. Nevertheless, Muslim American communities are hopeful that the Biden Administration will fulfill that promise, despite the crises happening."

For climate change activists, Biden's promise to take swift action on an array of climate issues was a key part of why progressives rallied around Biden once he cleared the Democratic field, said Jared Leopold, co-founder of Evergreen Action, a group of former staffers to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who ran for president in 2020 focused almost entirely on climate change.

"Taking over the presidency from Donald Trump is like taking over the lease from a frat house: The cleanup task list is staggering," Leopold said. "The task for Biden is two-fold: first, clean up Trump's damage, then take action on the bold climate plan that science demands. Biden ran on the strongest climate plan in American history, and he has a clear mandate to enact it immediately by executive and legislative action."

And LGBTQ activists, like Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David, said it is critical for Biden to show clearly at the outset of his administration that he is committed to rewriting actions taken by the Trump administration.

"I do expect that the Biden-Harris administration will take affirmative steps within the first day or so of taking office to satisfy their campaign pledges," David said in an interview with CNN, highlighting the need to "ensure that the rights of LGBTQ students are enforced under Title IX."

"My goal is to make sure that the civil rights of LGBTQ people are protected, that Joe Biden meets his campaign promises and fulfills his campaign promises to the community," said David. "And all of my expectations lead me to conclude and based on conversations that I've had, that they are going to be taking those steps to make sure that they meet their campaign obligations and promises."