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One Emmanuel Opoku, who allegedly poured hot water on his wife’s two breasts, has been remanded by a magistrate’s court sitting in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The accused was charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm on his wife, who is nursing a child at the time of the incident.
According to the charge sheet, No: MES/ 226 c/ 20, Mr. Opoku unlawfully poured hot water on Mrs. Opoku’s two breasts, which caused her grievous bodily harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 290 of the Criminal Code Cap 30 Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.
It was gathered that the legal team of Women Aid Collective, WACOL, and other pro bono lawyers, led by WACOL’s Head of Legal Unit, Mrs Ijeoma Ezeude, Onyeonagu and Dr. Nick Agbo, worked in conjunction with the police prosecutor, Inspector Innocent Otibe, to vehemently oppose the bail application.
The magistrate, who refused the bail application on the ground of public interest remanded the man who poured water on his wife’s breasts person in Enugu police custody.
AWAY from its seeming confrontational posture, the University of Jos, UniJos Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has added value to education as the union donated a 1,000 capacity twin lecture theatre to the university as part of its efforts at addressing infrastructural problems in the institution.
The lecture theatre built and furnished at the cost of over N60 million was done through contributions by members of the Union who said they needed to contribute their quota to alleviate the plight of students.
Presenting the keys of the lecture theatre to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Sebastian Maimako, ASUU President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, said the commissioning and handing over of the building was an historic event as it was the first of its kind and a demonstration that the unfounded accusation that ASUU always makes selfish demands from government was untrue.
According to him “To the best of our recollection, this is the first time in the history of university education since 1948 that a campus-based union would conceive, implement and deliver a project of this magnitude for the use of staff and students of a university in Nigeria. Even the most virulent critics of ASUU cannot deny that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, an offshoot of the Education Tax Fund, ETF which is a product of the FGN-ASUU Agreement of September, 1992, is what currently support infrastructural development of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.”
Earlier, the UniJos Chapter Chairman of the Union, Dr. Lazarus Maigoro noted that, “The overriding motivation for the sacrifice and intervention made by our members to resolve to contribute N63.2million from their hard earned and meagre salaries to construct the building donated to the University and by extension, the federal government of Nigeria rests on the fact that the Nigerian University Education system is bedeviled by gross infrastructural deficit which the government seems to show very little concern.”
He added that the Union decided to embark on the project because “Government has not lived up to its responsibility of funding education. The situation is so bad that it is lecturers in the University who are erroneously perceived as strike mongers and very recalcitrant people that are using their salaries to build classrooms to assist the government and students.”
Receiving the keys, the VC represented by Professor Tanko Ishaya expressed gratitude saying the “remarkable” edifice shows that indeed ASUU struggles have been justified.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is seeking legal powers to enable it to expand options available to it in resolving failing banks and managing systemic crises without recourse to the public treasury.
To this end, and in line with international best practices, the CBN is seeking for the establishment of what it called ‘a resolution fund’ to pool together resources for managing banking sector distress.
CBN made the appeal Wednesday to members of the Senate committee on banking, insurance, and other financial institutions at the Senate Committee public hearing on its Bill for an Act to repeal the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2004 and re-enact the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020.
The CBN also recommended “the adoption of additional resolution tools such as bail-in -which ensures that losses are absorbed by shareholders and creditors; sale of business – which allows the resolution authority to sell all or part of the failing bank to a private acquirer; and asset separation – which entails isolating the “bad” assets of the bank is an asset management vehicle for an orderly wind-down if immediate liquidation is not justified in current market conditions.
CBN Director Legal Services, Kofo Salam-Alada made the submissions to the Senate at the public hearing.
“We noticed that the powers of the CBN to intervene in the process of managing a failing bank and Reinstatement of a bank in a grave situation and bring it back to sound financial health was omitted in the Bill.
“The omission erodes the powers of the CBN and creates a huge gap in the regulatory and resolution framework. Therefore, we propose that the extant provisions should be reinstated” , the bank submitted.
The CBN is further seeking for powers in the impending amendment to the BOFIA to freeze accounts link to criminals, while also canvassing for the creation of a credit tribunal – a special court- that would help address the perennial problem of non-performing loans in the country.
Salam-Alada said fraud and finance crimes would be checked if the CBN Governor has powers to apply to the court for orders to freeze accounts which are deemed to be linked with criminal and other civil infractions.
He lamented that this power was omitted in the Bill inadvertently in the current Act.
“As part of measures to address the role of non-performing loans, we propose the creation of a Credit Tribunal. The Overarching objective is to create an efficient regime for the recovery of eligible loans of banks and Other Financial Institutions (OFls) and enforcement of rights over collateral securities.
The CBN further thinks it is important for the new BOFIA to allow the apex bank Governor to designate systemically important banks based on clear parameters and prescribe additional supervisory requirements for them considering their size, complexity, and the risk they pose to the entire banking system and the economy.
Salam-Alada said the amendment of BOFIA had become important considering that
Several new types of licensed institutions have entered the Nigerian financial services sector since the Act was enacted in 1991.
These include the non-interest banks, credit bureaux, payment system service providers, among others. “There is a compelling need to introduce new provisions in the Bill to address the unique peculiarities of these institutions”, he affirmed”.
The CBN commended the senate committee for proposing more stringent fines and penalties regime in the bill in comparison with the Extant Act but noted that the revised fines and penalties may not be sufficiently deterrent in some instances given current economic conditions.
For instance, the bill does not clearly differentiate between criminal and administrative sanctions, and the CBN view is that the bill should be made to empower it ti impose administrative sanctions or penalties.
“We suggest an upward review of all financial penalties stipulated in various sections of the bill to align with current realities. They should be stated as minimum amounts to allow for flexibility to impose higher penalties to address any future diminution in money values,” Salam-Alada noted.
The CBN however kicked against a provision of the proposed law which mandates it to pay all uninsured portion of private deposits of a bank upon revocation of its license, saying the provision would encourage moral hazard in the banking system and undermine the purpose of deposit insurance.
The CBN, moreover noted that the obligation to settle the private deposit liabilities of a bank whose license has been revoked lies with the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which is statutorily charged with the responsibility of administering deposit insurance scheme in the country.
At the public hearing, Managing Director, NDIC, Umaru Ibrahim said the repeal and re-enactment of BOFI Act were most appropriate considering the current challenges facing the economy.
“A lot has happened since 2004 to the banking sector. A lot has been put in place to make it efficient, a lot has taken place by a way of introducing new products, agent banking; mobile banking. All these speak to the need to have a harder look at BOFIA”, he said.
Bellema Taribo, NDIC Director, legal department, in his presentation said there was a need for legislation to tackle insider abuse dealings in banks. The corporation is also seeking the re-enact BOFIA ACT, to recognize NDIC along with CBN as a co-regulator of banks.
He also canvassed against appointing another liquidator for banks since NDIC is already the sole liquidator of banks.
“NDIC is the sole liquidator of banks. The issue of appointing another liquidator never arises. We need to look at that in the re-enact BOFI Act”, he submitted.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, who was represented by the Deputy Senate Leader, Robert Ajayi Boroffice described the banking sector and other financial institutions as strong pillars for the country’s growth and development.
He assured inputs will be incorporated into the new law.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Uba Sani said the bills were critical to the economic stabilization of the country and commended the committee members for their efforts thus far.
The co-sponsor of BOFIA, Betty Apiafi said the Bill aims to reshape the financial sector for greater efficiency and growth, as she was optimistic that when passed into law will
help reduce NPLs.
“It will also help watch list chronic defaulters who are responsible for the NPLs. It’s a big problem of the financial institutions”, she added.
Wife of the President of China, Xi Jinping, Prof. Peng Liyuan, yesterday donated medical equipment to the Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari.
The medical supplies, according to the Chinese First Lady, were in support of Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19 in the country.
The medical items donated included disposable masks and infrared thermometers.
Making the presentation on behalf of Peng in Abuja, the Chinese Deputy Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr Zhoa Yong, said solidarity, cooperation and mutual assistance among countries were highly essential in order to defeat the virus.
Zhao also said the sudden onslaught of COVID-19 posed an enormous challenge to humanity, adding that for countries to defeat the virus, solidarity, cooperation and mutual assistance were of paramount importance.
“At the height of China’s battle against the virus, Nigeria gave solid support to China. This expression of profound friendship will always be remembered.
“Today’s donation is a token of friendship towards the Nigerian mothers, children and young people. China and Nigeria are strategic partners. China will continue to support Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19.
“With our hands joining together, we have full confidence to defeat this common enemy, ” Zhao said.
On her part, Buhari thanked Peng for the kind gesture and solidarity in the fight against COVID-19.
Buhari who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Women Affairs, Hajiya Hajo Sani, stated that the medical supplies were significant.
Sani also said the donation showed that the bilateral relations between both countries was growing stronger, even beyond international policies and extended to local issues concerning the welfare of Nigerians.
Noting that the items would support Nigeria’s efforts in the fight against COVID-19, Buhari assured Peng that the items would be judiciously expended to the benefit of the targeted audience.
“Today is a very important day for us and significantly, has shown that the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China is growing stronger and stronger. Not only on the policy, but on local issues that has to do with the welfare of Nigerians.
“On this note, we are very grateful, we are happy to receive like other African countries. We want to assure that her Excellency has been on the fight against coronavirus since the emergence. She he has done everything possible in donating palliatives, medications of different sorts, distributing to hospitals, face masks across the countries of Nigeria.
This is an added advantage, it is going to add to what Her Excellency is doing.
“Her Excellency assures that she will continue to do her best and ensure these items will get to the end users, it will go right to the grassroots, people in need, people that will make the best use of it and pray to see the end of the pandemic,” Sani said.
The EU suffered a major setback in its effort to curb profit-shifting as a European court annulled an order that Apple repay Ireland 13 billion euros ($15 billion) in back taxes.
The commission’s historic ruling against Apple was delivered in August 2016 by Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager in a shock decision that put Europe on the map as a scourge of Silicon Valley.
The iPhone-maker and Ireland had appealed the order, which Apple CEO Tim Cook slammed at the time as “total political crap”.
Vestager was derided as Europe’s “tax lady” by US President Donald Trump because of the case, as well as a series of antitrust fines she imposed on Google.
The clear cut decision by the EU’s general court could now face another appeal at the top European Court of Justice, with a decision expected no earlier than 2021, but Vestager said only that Brussels was studying the judgement.
The EU in 2016 accused Ireland of allowing Apple to park revenue earned in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and India and sparing it almost any taxation.
Brussels said this gave Apple an advantage over other companies, allowing it to avoid Irish taxes between 2003 and 2014 of around 13 billion euros ($14 billion).
EU officials argued that constituted illegal “state aid” by Ireland.
But the EU court said the commission “did not succeed in showing the requisite legal standard that there was an advantage”.
The commission “was wrong” to declare that Apple units based in Ireland “had been granted a selective economic advantage and, by extension, state aid.”
Apple welcomed the decision and reiterated that the profits in question were always intended to go to the United States and not Ireland.
“This case was not about how much tax we pay, but where we are required to pay it,” an Apple spokesman said in an email to AFP.
“We’re proud to be the largest taxpayer in the world as we know the important role tax payments play in society,” Apple added.
Irish Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said he welcomed the outcome in a case “that affected our reputation while this ruling was being pursued.”
It “has always been clear that the correct level of tax was charged and no state aid was provided,” he added.
Vestager said the EU would “carefully study the judgement and reflect on possible next steps,” which could include an appeal.
“The Commission stands fully behind the objective that all companies should pay their fair share of tax,” she added.
– ‘One percent’ –
Some observers have expressed doubts on the Apple case, wondering whether the EU was right to use antitrust law to crack down on tax optimisation strategies by multinationals.
In similar cases, the same EU court struck down an order by Brussels that Starbucks pay 30 million euros in back taxes to the Netherlands.
In a separate decision, however, it said Fiat must pay roughly the same amount to Luxembourg.
The case comes as the EU is trying to come up with ways to better ensnare digital giants to pay taxes where they do business, though this has been opposed by some European capitals.
“Today’s court decision illustrates how difficult it is to use EU state aid rules to collect tax,” said Tove Ryding, tax expert at the European Network on Debt and Development.
“If we had a proper corporate tax system, we wouldn’t need long court cases to find out whether it is legal for multinational corporations to pay less than one percent in taxes,” she said.
Talks to come up with a new global tax system at the OECD have been stalled due to opposition by the US.
The Apple decision came on the eve of another landmark case at the EU courts, this one a lawsuit brought by an Austrian activist against Facebook over data privacy.
Six months into COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have warned countries to stop the politicisation of COVID-19 pandemic, begin to reduce mortality and empower communities.
The scientists made the assertions during the 1st in series of Webinar lined up by the CommonWealth Medical Association, (CMA), entitled: “Regional Perspectives on Clinical Case Management of COVID-19; Current Realities, Best Practices, and Challenges” to address critical issues on the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his address at the webinar subscribed by over 1600 registered participants from over 42 countries of the world, the executive director of World Health Organisation (WHO) Emergencies Programme, Dr Mike Ryan, regretted the pollicisation of the virus.
Ryain said much attention has been focused on research to provide vaccines which will be vital to preventing and treating COVID-19 but there is much the world can do to save lives and this must be the focus for all countries. “We can do so much right now to reduce mortality, empower our communities, and provide better, clearer and more consistent governance and coordination to drive a well-coordinated, managed multi-sectoral and political leadership to respond to the pandemic,” he added.
He, however, acknowledged that the challenge with any emerging disease was the lack of proven counter-measures, such as therapeutic drugs, adding that accelerating research is essential to finding those life-saving antiviral drugs and treatment for this pandemic.
Noting that complication of the disease can be very difficult to manage, he said doing the basics such as early detection of patient whether moderate or developing complications, early application of intervention to reduce mortality, coping with the interventions and other forms of care interventions in the ICU to reduce second re-complication in terms of care was very essential.
He stressed the need for international collaboration between medical associations during the pandemic. “To show solidarity in the face of a common threat is something that we all strive for, we, unfortunately, exist in the world today with those values threatened and the values of solidarity, empathy are under threat and pressure,” he stated.
At the webinar chaired by the former Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Prof Akin Osibogun, Secretary-General, CommonWealth Nations, Mrs Patricia Scotland, said sacrifices of health workers and that of those who loved them have been great, but the debt the society owes them, must never be forgotten.
“We need approaches to help our well-being. We need good will, mutual support, knowledge and sharing of resources, so the input of ideas of those represented and convened by the CMA, is critical if we are to understand or fully respond more effectively to the disease.” Scotland urged the scientists to make their voices heard as their experiences from day to day interaction with patients and challenges would shape policies and planning interventions.
On his part, convener of the webinar and President CMA, Dr Osahon Enabulele acknowledged that the global community was facing one of the greatest afflictions in the last 100 years. Lamenting that the Commonwealth accounts for over 15 per cent of the world confirmed cases of COVID-19, he said CMA has made several interventions along the various pillars of the containment efforts.
Osahon explained that the webinar series was part of the interventional efforts, particularly, as it concerns patients care, safety, protection and motivation of healthcare workers across the region. He said the webinar was focused on clinical case management of COVID-19 with the presentation of various regional perspectives aimed at collating experiences and knowledge possibly driving by a consensus framework that would guide clinical case management in the CommonWealth.
“We are aware that some countries have been devising several approaches but we believe that as CommonWealth that it is time to connect and engage people, share experiences and knowledge and hopefully develop a consensus framework going forward.
“Apart from patient care, we have also paid due attention to the very issue of welfare and the wellbeing of our toiling health workers who are working very hard for patients all over the world and ensuring those affected are treated. While we pray for those who are affected to get well, we commiserate with families of health workers who have lost their lives while taking care of those affected with COVID-19 and other illnesses,” he added.
