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Senate Moves To Repeal Proceeds Of Crime Bill 2022

Published

4 years ago

March 15, 2022

The Senate, on Tuesday, moved to re-amend the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Bill, 2022, passed by the chamber on March 9, 2022.

The decision to re-amend the bill followed the consideration of a motion for re-commital sponsored by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North).

In his presentation, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, relied on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders 2022 (as amended) to move for the amendment of the bill.

He explained that the re-amendment of the bill became imperative in view of the amendment that was made to Clause 74 which placed the burden of proof on the investigating agencies but not on the defendant as recommended by the Joint Committee in its report.

According to him, the amendment runs contrary to the provision of Article 12(7) of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC).

Article 12(7) of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime provides that, “States Parties may consider the possibility of requiring that an offender demonstrate the lawful origin of alleged proceeds of crime or other property liable to confiscation.”

On the need to amend the Clause 74 of the bill, Abdullahi said, “the implication of the amendment is that civil forfeitures would be a thing of the past in Nigeria as there would not be final forfeitures without a conviction.

“Implying that all property seized are included in the clause, even those that may be incidental to an arrest and may contain evidence needed for investigation of the crime.

“For example, phones, computers, documents, photographs etc recovered from suspected kidnappers, drug barons, human and child traffickers, cyber criminals, terrorists and the like would also wait for convictions before they can be seized, even in situations where the suspects are at large and the properties can be recovered for the benefit of the victim and Nigerians where applicable.

“Another example of a conundrum, is the “Ikoyi Loot” case, where no one has yet come to claim ownership of the funds and since there are no suspects to convict, the status of the funds would by virtue of this amendment remain in perpetual limbo, pending trial and conviction when the owner can be found if ever.

“The amendment also runs contrary to our International commitments, obligations and best practices as contained in those Conventions, Treaties and Protocols to which we are signatories and have as well domesticated”, the Senate Leader added.

Accordingly, the chamber in a resolution rescinded its decision on Clause 74 of the bill as passed.

The Senate, thereafter, recommitted the bill to the committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters; and Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes to engage the relevant agencies with a view to exploring safeguard against abuse.

The Proceeds of Crime Bill seeks to provide for the restraint, seizure, confiscation and forfeiture of properties derived from unlawful activities.

The bill, when signed into law, would expand the mandates of existing statutory institutions to manage proceeds of crime, and facilitate the establishment of departments in relevant organisations to manage forfeited assets as well as provide for effective legal framework for the recovery of proceeds of crime.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on a Tuesday also referred President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to confirm the appointment and renewal of Members of the the Monetary Policy Committee in the Central Bank of Nigeria to the Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions.

The nominees who are to appear before the Committee for screening include: Professor Mohammed Adaya Salisu and Dr. Mo’ Omamegbe (new appointment).

Others who are for renewal are Prof. Michael Obadan, Prof. Festus Adeola Adenikinju, Prof. Aliyu Sanusi Rafindadi, Dr. Robert Asogwa and Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed.

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News

NiMet Predicts 3-day Sunshine, Haziness Nationwide

Published

21 minutes ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has predicted sunshine and haziness from Sunday to Tuesday across the country.

‎NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Saturday in Abuja, envisaged sunny skies in a hazy atmosphere over parts of Katsina, Yobe, Kano, and Jigawa states in the northern region on Sunday.

‎The agency anticipated the remaining parts of the region to be sunny during the morning hours.

‎”Later in the afternoon or evening hours, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of southern Taraba.

‎” For the central region, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the area during the morning hours.

‎”In the afternoon or evening hours, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Benue and Kogi,” it said.

‎According to NiMet, a cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Ebonyi, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Abia, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.

‎The agency predicted thunderstorms with moderate rains over most parts of the region later in the day.

‎According to NiMet, sunny skies are expected over the northern region during the morning hours on Monday.

‎It anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of southern Kaduna and southern Taraba later in the day.

‎”For the central region, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the region during the morning hours.

‎” In the afternoon or evening hours, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of southern Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, and Nasarawa.

‎”For the southern region, cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom,” it said.

‎The agency forecast thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Enugu, Ogun, Oyo, Abia, Imo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River later in the day.

‎NiMet envisaged sunny skies over the northern region during the forecast period on Tuesday, and sunny skies with patches of clouds over the central region during the forecast period.

‎It predicted a cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Ogun, Lagos, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom.

‎The agency anticipated thunderstorms with moderate rains over parts of Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River, and Lagos States later in the day.

‎The agency urged the public to drive with caution in the rain and farmers to refrain from applying fertiliser and pesticides right before the rains to avoid leaching nutrients.

‎”Ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collision. Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets. Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.

‎”Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet
‎for effective planning in their operations.
‎
‎”Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website ‎www.nimet.gov.ng” it said.

NAN

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ALGON Orders Edo Council Officials To Wear Tinubu’s signature Caps

Published

4 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

The Edo State chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Sunny Ekpetika Ekpeson, has ordered all 18 local government chairmen in the state to ensure their officials wear caps branded with President Bola Tinubu’s insignia during official meetings.

A statement released by his media aide, Agbukor Apeakhuye, said the instruction applies to supervisory councillors, senior special assistants (SSAs), and special assistants (SAs).

According to the statement, the move was meant to “visibly demonstrate grassroots solidarity with President Tinubu’s administration and political vision in Edo State.”

Apeakhuye said the decision followed Governor Monday Okpehbolo’s recent call for political alignment across the state.

He noted that displaying political symbols at the local level is a way to strengthen support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

“The pledged 3.5 million votes for President Tinubu from Edo State must not remain a mere aspiration,” Ekpeson said.

“We must begin to build that momentum from the grassroots now, and this includes symbolic acts that reflect our political commitment.”

He urged all local government leaders to take the directive seriously, saying a unified show of support would send a strong political message.

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Ebonyi Auto Crash Kills Six, Injures 14

Published

4 hours ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

Six persons have been confirmed dead, while 14 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a ghastly motor accident that occurred along the Nkalagu axis of the Abakaliki–Enugu Expressway on Saturday morning.

The tragic incident happened near the Nkalagu Flyover Bridge at about 9:30 am, throwing the busy highway into confusion as emergency responders raced to the scene.

Confirming the accident, the State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr. Henry Igwe, revealed that 22 people were involved in the crash. He attributed the accident to dangerous overtaking involving a commercial Toyota bus and a truck.

Igwe explained that some of the injured victims were immediately evacuated to a hospital in Enugu by FRSC personnel and Red Cross officials, while others were taken to the General Hospital, Ezzamgbo, Ebonyi State, for urgent medical treatment.

The FRSC official also urged motorists to exercise caution and avoid dangerous driving, especially during peak travel periods, to prevent further loss of lives on the highways.