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Nigeria still losing 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily – Nuhu Ribadu

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The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Saturday, said Nigeria is still losing 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily to local and international thieves despite efforts to end the menace.

Ribadu disclosed this when he led a presidential delegation to inspect oil and gas facilities at Owaza in Abia and Odogwa in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.

According to him, the activities of oil thieves and pipeline vandals had impacted negatively on the nation’s economy and were partly responsible for the rising cost of living in the country.

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Aggrieved Police Officers Demand PSC Compliance with Court Judgment on Appointment Regularization

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By: Zagazola Makama

Aggrieved police officers from Courses 33, 34, and 35 of the Police Academy have kicked against any attempt to forcefully retire them from service and called on the Police Service Commission (PSC) to immediately comply with the judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), which ordered the regularization of their first appointment dates.

It would be recalled that the PSC at a meeting in Abuja earlier this month ordered the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have either exceeded 35 years in service or are above the age of 60.

The spokesman of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, recalled that the Commission at its 24th Plenary Meeting of 27th and 28th September 2017, approved that the Force Entrants should have their date of appointment in the Force against the date of their enlistment.

The Commission revisited their decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision in its intent and purpose contradicted the principle of a merger of service in the public service, and it is in violation of Public Service Rule No 020908 (i & ii) which provides for retirement on the attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.

“Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held today, Friday, 31st January 2025, approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age,” Ani had said.

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But the aggrieved officers argued that, Despite the April 19, 2022, ruling and subsequent reinforcement of the judgment on February 4, 2025, the officers alleged that the PSC has failed to implement the directive, thereby denying them their rightful ranks, promotions, and entitlements.

Recalled that in 2021, The officers, led by CSP Egong Egwu Egong, CSP Omeh Felix Okechukwu, CSP Paul Obot Umoh, and SP Galadima Bello, won a legal battle in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/281/2021, in which the court ruled that their first appointment date should be the date they entered the Police Academy, not when enlisted as recruit constable.

The National Industrial Court, presided over by Justice O. A. Obaseki Osaghae, reaffirmed in its latest sitting that the PSC and the Nigeria Police Force must recognize the officers’ first appointment dates as follows: Course 33 – June 10, 1994, Course 34 – August 6, 1996, Course 35 – May 1, 2000

The court also ordered that: The decision of the PSC at its 24th Plenary Meeting regularizing the officers’ appointment dates remains valid and binding. The officers’ records must reflect their correct first appointment dates as per the court ruling. The premature retirement of some affected officers must be reversed, and they should be paid their full entitlements.

The PSC and the Police Force are restrained from unlawfully retiring officers of Courses 33, 34, and 35 before their actual due dates.

However, During a recent court proceeding, counsel for the officers, Adeleke Agbola (SAN), informed the court that the PSC had issued a circular contradicting the judgment by insisting that the officers’ first appointment date would be based on their commissioning date, not their academy entry date.

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Agbola argued that this action amounted to contempt of court, as the judgment had not been appealed and remained binding on all parties. He urged the court to maintain the status quo and proceed with committal proceedings against the PSC for non-compliance.

In response, counsel for the PSC, Ade Adedeji (SAN), assured the court that the defendants intended to comply with the judgment, stating that there was no pending appeal challenging the ruling. He also noted that steps had been taken to post the affected officers accordingly and that the PSC had no intention of undermining the court’s decision.

The court adjourned the matter to March 18, 2025, for a report on full compliance or hearing of contempt proceedings against the PSC.

Following the court session, the aggrieved officers have urged the PSC to immediately implement the judgment, update their service records, reinstate unlawfully retired officers, and grant them their due promotions and benefits.

They warned that continued delay would amount to willful disobedience of a valid court order, which could lead to legal consequences for the PSC and police authorities.

The officers further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney General of the Federation to intervene and ensure that justice is served in line with the rule of law.

Background to the Dispute

The case dates back to longstanding grievances by police officers of Courses 33, 34, and 35, who argued that while their colleagues in similar categories had their appointments regularized, they were denied the same recognition.

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The PSC is now asking for their retirement despite the National Industrial Court ruling which was disobeyed or delayed by the concerned authorities. This delays in implementation have left the officers frustrated and seeking further legal enforcement.

With the next court hearing scheduled for March 18, 2025, all eyes are on the PSC and the Nigeria Police Force to see whether they will comply with the judgment or face contempt proceedings.

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BREAKING: Nigerian Customs Service has suspended the enforcement of the 4% percent Free-on-Board value on imported goods.

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By John Audu, Abuja

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has suspended the enforcement of the 4% Free-on-Board (FOB) value on imported goods, following consultations with stakeholders, including the Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun

This decision aims to allow for further discussions and refinement of the implementation framework of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.

The 4% FOB charge was introduced to drive the effective operation of the NCS, covering the value of imported goods, including cost and transportation expenses .However, stakeholders, including manufacturers and freight forwarders, expressed concerns and called for a suspension of the charge, citing its potential impact on businesses and the economy

During the suspension period, the NCS will focus on optimizing financial management to align with stakeholder interests and national economic objectives ¹. The service remains committed to implementing the NCSA 2023 in a manner that balances revenue generation with trade facilitation, addressing stakeholder concerns.

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Nigeria Police Force Orders Retirement of Officers Involved in Forgery and Age Falsification

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By John Audu.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has officially sanctioned the retirement of all officers implicated in serious infractions, including forgery, age falsification, and violations of service regulations aimed at extending their tenure beyond the mandatory retirement age.

A police wireless message dated February 10, 2025, addressed to all zonal commands and departments, confirmed the decision made by the Police Service Commission (PSC) during its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board. This meeting focused on the regularization of the appointment dates for Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) and Inspectors.

The memo, referenced as CH:8400/FS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.2/294, stated: “Re: Police Service Commission decision at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on the regularization of date of first appointment of Cadet ASPs/Inspectors force entrants. INGENPOL firmly directs you to proceed with full implementation of POLSCOM directives as conveyed in MYLET No. CH:8400/FS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.2/292, dated 01/02/2025. This signal supersedes MYSIG No. CH:8400/FS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.2/293 DTO: 051604/02/2025 for your strict compliance. Acknowledge receipt.”

On February 5, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun had halted the retirement of senior police officers who had either served for over 35 years or were above the age of 60. This directive contradicted an earlier communication from Egbetokun, dated February 1, 2025, that instructed the immediate retirement of the affected officers, which included notable figures such as Simon Lough, SAN, Head of the NPF Legal Section, and Benneth Igweh, former Federal Capital Territory Police Commissioner.

The February 1 letter emphasized the importance of implementing the PSC’s decision regarding the retirement of officers who had exceeded the service threshold. It referenced an earlier communication from the PSC dated January 31, 2025, that explicitly stated: “The Commission has approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age.”

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However, a subsequent police signal dated February 5, 2025, obtained by SaharaReporters, instructed a halt to all actions related to the retirement of these senior officers pending further directives. The signal stated: “POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION DECISION AT ITS 1ST EXTRA ORDINARY MEETING OF THE 6TH MANAGEMENT BOARD ON THE REGULARIZATION OF DATE OF FIRST APPOINTMENT OF CADET ASPS/INSPECTORS FORCE ENTRANTS X REF. MYLET CH:8400/FS/FHQ/AB3/VOL.2/292 DATED 1ST FEBRUARY 2025 X INGENPOL STRONGLY DIRECTS X YOU STAY ACTION ON LET UNDER REF X PENDING FURTHER DIRECTIVE X FOR YOUR STRICT COMPLIANCE X ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT X PLEASE X.”

Sources indicate that this latest directive was issued following an order from President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which instructed the police to cease the retirement of these senior officers. “The Villa told them to stop the retirement. Imagine, all this came after those affected have been given their retirement letters,” a police source revealed.

The implicated officers, based on their enlistment dates, should have retired but remained in service. For example, Simon Asamber Lough was due for retirement on January 8, 2022. Other officers listed include Benneth Chinedu Igweh (January 5, 2023), Akinbayo Olasukami Olasoji, Louis Chike Nwabuwa, Mukar Sule, Adamu Danjuma, Ajao Olusegun, and Iriemi Solomon.

This situation highlights ongoing issues within the Nigeria Police Force regarding adherence to retirement policies and the management of personnel implicated in misconduct.

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Just In: Tinubu orders ministers to submit their performance reports

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By John Audu,

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered all ministers in his administration to give account of their stewardship to Nigerians with immediate effect.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the presidential order at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

The minister said the briefing by the ministers is to enable Nigerians to know what the government has done and to ask questions.

There are 48 ministers in Tinubu’s cabinet. Notable among them are Nyesom Wike, minister of Federal Capital Territory; Adebayo Adelabu, minister for power; David Umahi, works minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, among others.

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