News

Reps To Probe Banks, Other Financial Institutions Over Non-compliance With CBN Directives

Published

2 years ago

February 7, 2024

Editor

The House of Representatives has resolved to conduct an investigative hearing on the non-compliance by banks and financial institutions with Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, directives on the Net Open Position Limits.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance on the need for banks to implement CBN’s policies on holding excess long foreign exchange and net open position limits, moved at the plenary on Wednesday by Hon. Babajimi Benson.

Moving the motion, Benson explained that CBN is saddled with the responsibility of regulating the monetary policies of the country as provided for by the CBN Act.

He said in the performance of this duty, the CBN is empowered to make regulations and give directives for commercial banks and certain financial institutions to implement.

The lawmaker added that Section 8 (4) and (5) of the CBN Act requires that the CBN Governor is expected to brief the relevant Committees of the National Assembly during the semi-annual hearings as well as provide periodic reports on the performance of the economy to the National Assembly.

He expressed concern that there had been a steady rise in the exchange rate of the Dollar in comparison to the Naira, adding that it rose to N1,520 in the last week.

Benson expressed worry that the astronomical rise has been caused by diverse market forces and certain economic policies adopted by the government, including the liberalisation of the Dollar.

He also lamented that commercial banks and certain financial institutions in Nigeria usually hold back a large part of forex they obtain, either through purchase, borrowing or allocation from the CBN, rather than lending to their customers, with a view to selling it when the exchange rate is high.

Benson noted that this speculative activity by commercial banks and certain financial institutions has further exacerbated the harsh economic situation in the country and led to difficulty by legitimate businesses to obtain forex for their business transactions.

He emphasised that the CBN has intervened by introducing new monetary policies to check the rise in the rate of the Dollar among which are the Net Open Position Limits and holding excess long foreign exchange.

The lawmaker stated: “We are also aware that commercial banks and certain financial institutions are reluctant to implement the monetary measures put in place by the apex bank to check this unwholesome practices by banks and other financial institutions in the country.”

Benson was of the opinion that unless drastic legislative measures are taken to enforce the implementation of these directives, the country would continue to experience dire economic hardship as a result of continuous rise in foreign exchange rates.

The House resolved to “mandate the House Committees on Banking Regulations and Banking Institutions to conduct an investigative hearing on the non-compliance by banks and financial institutions with CBN directives on the Net Open Position Limits”.

It further mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure full implementation.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

54 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.