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Destruction of Beer Bottles Economic Sabotage, Court Rules, Directs EFCC to Intervene
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the destruction of bottles of beer in some parts of the country is an economic sabotage.
The verdict of the court followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/275/2021 filed by Sesugh Akume, an activist, against the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
There have been seizures and destruction of alcoholic beverages by Hisbah, the Islamic police, in the northern part of the country—mostly in Kano state.
In 2022, the Kano Hisbah destroyed over three million bottles of assorted beer as part of the state’s efforts “to address drug abuse, intoxication, and other social vices”.
In the verdict delivered by Emeka Nwite, a judge of the federal high court in Abuja, on May 20, it was held that the EFCC should prevent, investigate and prosecute destruction and wasting of alcoholic beverages.
TheCable sighted some parts of the certified true copy (CTC) of the judgment on Friday.
The judge said the EFCC is bound to put a stop to any act that constitutes economic sabotage.
“It is the contention of the applicant that the 2nd respondent (i.e. EFCC) ought to investigate the common act of Kano State Government in seizing, breaking, and extravagantly pouring away the liquid content of bottles, which forms part of the value-added tax being shared by the federal government between it, the state(s) of the federation, and the local government [system] inclusive of Kano state,” Nwite said.
“Now, economic sabotage is one which Nigeria as a ‘nation’ must not tolerate and must be frowned at indeed. The 2nd respondent is duty-bound to put a check and stop any act of economic sabotage to the nation.
“However, such must be done according to laid-down rules and procedures.
“This case (possibly) for the very first time in Nigeria establishes that breaking bottles of alcoholic beverages and wasting its content is an act of economic sabotage (along with its consequences) and further establishes the duty of the EFCC to prevent, investigate, and prosecute such actions.”
TheCable
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Equatorial Guinea’s Randy Official Denies Sex Tapes, Claims They’re AI Generated
Baltasar Ebang Engonga, a top government official in Equatorial Guinea, has finally spoken regarding the sex scandal involving hundreds of private recordings with high-profile individuals in the country.
The country’s Director General, National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, was arrested for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes of the wives of notable people in the country.
The scandal emerged in the course of a fraud investigation against the 54-year-old Economist, which resulted in the search of his house and office on impromptu notice by ANIF officials who came across several CDs that later revealed his sexcapades with different married women.
The leaked recordings said to have been consensually filmed, have sparked widespread public outrage and intense scrutiny of the government’s top anti-corruption official.
However, responding to the allegations, Engonga via the microblogging platform, X on Tuesday, denied the authenticity of the videos, attributing the scandal to what he described as the work of “enemies” intent on tarnishing his reputation.
The 54-year-old official also refuted reports connecting one of the supposed victims to a recent suicide, labeling them as untrue.
The scandal has shaken Equatorial Guinea’s political landscape and raised questions about privacy and misconduct among top officials.
Engonga, who was taken into custody following the revelation, continues to deny any involvement as authorities proceed with their investigation.
“I want to tell the People of Equatorial Guinea that those videos are AI edited. My enemies are trying so hard to bring me down
“Ignore the rumours about someone’s death linked to the leaked videos. They’re unfounded,” he said.
Engonga said he has only one wife and six children, adding that she is his hero.
“I only have one wife and my 6 children. They keep me going. We are a happy family. They are my everything.
“If anything ever happens, you are strong enough to guide our children through anything. I trust you completely. You are not just my wife, but my hero,” he added.
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US Polls: Tinubu, UK PM Starmer Congratulate Trump
President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Donald Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.
A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, said President Tinubu looks forward to strengthening the relations between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.
Donald Trump claimed victory on Wednesday and pledged to “heal” the country as results put him on the verge of beating Kamala Harris in a stunning White House comeback.
President Tinubu said: “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”
According to President Tinubu, Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership. He congratulates them on their commitment to democracy.
President Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.
Acknowledging the United States’ influence, power, and position in determining the trend and course of global events, the Nigerian leader trusts that President Trump will bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.
Meanwhile, the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has congratulated Donald Trump on his “historic election victory”, adding that the UK-US special relationship would “continue to prosper”.
“As the closest of allies, we stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise. From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come,” he said.
News
NASU, SSANU Suspend Strike for Four Weeks
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have announced suspension for a month, of the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike over withheld salaries.
The unions, in a joint statement on Sunday, said the suspension of the indefinite strike will take effect on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
The statement was signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, National President of SSANU.
The strike was commenced on the Monday, October 28, 2024 as a result of what the unions called “government’s insensitivity to the plights of our members in respect of our legitimate demands.”
The statement read: “The National leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU acknowledges and commends our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres for their unwavering resolve, unrelenting determination and steadfast support for the ongoing strike action.
“You will recall that the ongoing strike action foisted on us commenced on the Monday, 28th October, 2024 as a result of government’s insensitivity to the plights of our members in respect of our legitimate demands
“During this industrial struggle, we have had several extensive and exhaustive deliberations with the officials of the Federal Government of Nigeria including the new Minister of Education, the Minister of Finance, the outgoing Minister of State for Education, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, the Accountant-General of the Federation and the leadership of the Department of State Services
“These high-level engagements culminated into extracting an irrevocable commitment from the Federal government that the 2 months of the 4 months withheld salaries would be paid in staggered form. One month by the end of October, 2024 (which has largely been done), then the second month to be paid by the end of November, 2024.
“Arising from the above and in view of the level of commitment exhibited by the new minister and the leadership of the Department of State Services, the leadership of JAC, after several contacts and other patriotic considerations, hereby directs that the ongoing indefinite strike be suspended for one- month effective Tuesday, 5th November, 2024.
“Branch leaders of both NASU and SSANU are hereby directed to convene a joint Congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 4th November, 2024 and intimate members of these development and urge them to resume work on Tuesday, 5th November, 2024.
“We wish to also reiterate that discussions on the remaining 2 months, the N50 billion Earned Allowances, Arrears of 25/35 per cent and the Wage Award have been revisited and are undergoing deliberations.
“Thank you for your usual understanding and cooperation in this regard; we appreciate your total commitment and resoluteness during this struggle.”