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What’s Happened Since NLC’s Announced An Indefinite Strike?

On Monday, June 3, 2024, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) declared an indefinite strike after negotiations with the Federal Government about a new minimum wage broke down.

Background

Following President Tinubu’s decision to scrap fuel subsidy payments in May 2023, the labour unions vowed to go on strike if the government didn’t increase the minimum wage. Talks started between both parties, working with an 8-week timeline to raach an agreement. But this didn’t happen.

A year later, the trade unions intensified their efforts to get the government to agree to their demands. The unions initially proposed a new minimum wage of ₦615,000, but reduced this to ₦495,000. However, the government argued that the number was unsustainable and offered the unions ₦57,000 instead.

The negotiations broke down on Friday, May 31, after the government increased its offer to ₦60,000. On the same day, organised labour announced that it would commence a nationwide indefinite strike on Monday, June 3, 2024.

Did the labour union cut off the country’s electricity supply?

Multiple news reports confirmed that the striking union shut down the country’s power grid. According to a statement published on NTA, the shutdown happened on Monday morning.

GRID SHUT DOWN : UNION DELIBERATELY SHUT DOWN THE NATIONAL GRID.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby informs the general public that the Labour Union has shut down the national grid, resulting in black out nationwide. The national grid shut down occured at about 2.19am… pic.twitter.com/Z9IT2S5Psa
— NTA News (@NTANewsNow) June 3, 2024

“At about 1:15 a.m. this morning, the Benin Transmission Operator under the Independent System Operations unit of TCN reported that all operators were driven away from the control room and that staff that resisted were beaten while some were wounded in the course of forcing them out of the control room and without any form of control or supervision, the Benin Area Control Center was brought to zero.”

While the Transmission Company of Nigeria mentioned that a fix is underway, it’s unclear when the national grid will be back up.

Have banking and airport operations been halted?

Banks and airport employees were also expected to join the strike. At the time of writing, bank operations hadn’t been halted.

However, the labour unions blocked all entry points to the Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, disrupting flight operations.

This is Abuja airport. NLC strike nationwide so everyone is stranded right now. Doors shut, flights grounded. pic.twitter.com/igUvznMFK8
— Psychosis 💀 (@Cindy_Ihua) June 3, 2024

Did the academic unions join the strike?

Yes. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has also decided to join the strike. On Monday, ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke asked the academic staff across Nigerian universities to join the strike.

His statement read, “The NLC has declared an indefinite strike action beginning from Monday, 3rd June 2024, as a result of the failure of the Government to conclude the renegotiation of minimum wage for Nigerian workers and reversal of hike in electricity tariff.

Our branches are hereby enjoined to join in the strike action as an affiliate member of Congress.”

Is the National Assembly complex out of water?

True. The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), an affiliate of NLC, has cut off the water supply at the National Assembly. Multiple reports also state that other services within the complex were disrupted, as the workers have discontinued all official activities.

Have the FG and Organised Labour reached an agreement?

Representatives of the government invited the leadership of the unions to a meeting on the evening of Monday, June 4, 2024. Following hours of negotiations, the parties reached a few resolutions.

The agreement lol pic.twitter.com/rjXAlOt8mo
— Deborah Tolu-Kolawole GenZ (@DeborahToluwase) June 3, 2024

i. The Federal Government is open to agreeing to a new minimum wage number that’s higher than ₦60k.

ii. The unions will meet every day for the next week to figure out a number that works.

That said, the unions maintained that the strike hasn’t been called off, pending meetings with its decision-making bodies to discuss the government’s offer.

Organised Labour temporarily suspends industrial action

On Tuesday, June 4, the leadership of the organised labour announced a suspension of the industrial action for five days, following an agreement reached with the FG on Monday, June 3.

“The President of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is committed to establishing a National Minimum Wage higher than ₦60,000; and the Tripartite Committee will convene daily for the next week to finalise an agreeable National Minimum Wage,” the agreement stated.

The industrial action had halted economic and government activities across the nation for two days.

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Toheeb Lanlehin

June 3, 2024

Citizen
Learn The Nigeria We Hail Thee Lyrics

We’re back to the basics with our Nigerian national anthem. The “Arise O compatriots” era which started in 1978 has come to an end as of today, May 29, 2024. The newly approved national anthem is the first anthem ever adopted after independence “Nigeria We Hail Thee”.

It was written by Lillian Jean while the music was composed by Frances Berda in 1959. Nigeria used this anthem for 18 years (1950-1978) before adopting “Arise O compatriots”, and now we’re back to it.

Lyrics of ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’

Nigeria, we hail thee,

Our own dear native land,

Though tribe and tongue may differ,

In brotherhood, we stand,

Nigerians all, and proud to serve

Our sovereign Motherland.

Our flag shall be a symbol

That truth and justice reign,

In peace or battle honour’d,

And this we count as gain,

To hand on to our children

A banner without stain.

O God of all creation,

Grant this our one request,

Help us to build a nation

Where no man is oppressed,

And so with peace and plenty

Nigeria may be blessed.

Unlike the anthem we’re used to, this one seems shorter, and we can bet that the students in schools are already learning the new anthem. You should get on board too.

RELATED POST: Alté Songs That Could Replace Our National Anthem

Raymond Temituro

May 29, 2024

Citizen

Bill, Bola Tinubu, national anthem, Nigeria
A Year In Review: President Tinubu’s One-Year Anniversary

After a highly controversial election in February 2023 and the heated post-election drama, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in on May 29, 2023, as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

From student loans to cybersecurity taxation, we take a stroll down memory lane to highlight how events have unfolded in the past year under the Tinubu-led administration.

May 2023

At his inaugural speech, President Tinubu’s first official decision was to remove the fuel subsidy, stating that Nigeria needed to redirect the subsidy funds to nation building. This led to a sharp increase in petrol prices from ₦195 to around ₦660 per litre, and a resultant increase in inflation in the months that followed.

Read: Fuel Subsidy: Tinubu Went off Script, and Nigerians Are Facing the Brunt

June 2023

As the war for access to fuel raged on, the President added a twist with foreign exchange. The CBN announced that the exchange rate will be unified, merging all forex market segments into a single window determined by market forces. The Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was also suspended. This came following his decision to redesign the naira notes which influenced the disastrous cash scarcity of January 2023.

In the same month, President Tinubu introduced the student loan bill and signed the Nigeria Data Protection Bill 2023 into law to establish a legal framework for safeguarding personal information.

The story: Tinubu Wants Obazee to Investigate CBN. But He Has a Dark Past

July 2023

President Tinubu shifted his focus on infrastructure development to create jobs, and address housing and road deficits.

As the newly appointed chairman of the ECOWAS, he was also a core part of the decisions regarding the Niger Junta, which changed Niger’s political climate. Tinubu received backlash for his initial suggestion of a military response. Subsequently, the ECOWAS resorted to placing bans on the Niger Republic.

Let’s not forget that he promised us palliatives in this month too. We’re still waiting for our credit alerts.

The story: Tinubu Has Gifts for Nigerians. What Are They?

August 2023

President Tinubu announced a rollout of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses to cushion the impact of high transportation costs after the fuel subsidy removal. The President also released his ministerial nomination list which saw some reshuffling and an increase in youth leaders. They were inaugurated on August 21, 2023.

The story: Nigeria’s Ministers and Their Portfolios in 2024

September/October 2023

These were the twin months of drama and vindication for the President who had been facing court challenges over his victory as Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar accused him of electoral manipulation. The tribunal started in September but somehow dragged into November.

In October, allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering against him were also declared null and unfounded.

In what seemed like a hope sparker, the president declared a cash transfer program for the poor and an N-Power program for unemployed graduates. Both of which, much like the palliatives of July, are now non-functional.

On October 1, 2023, President Tinubu released a statement awarding ₦35,000 provisional wage for all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months. He also announced that it will commence payment of ₦75,000 to ₦15 million households at ₦25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023 among other financial schemes.

The Story: The Presidential Election Tribunal: What You Should Know

November 2023

Nigerians dragged their president over alleged national budget padding and a plan to buy a presidential yacht. The president denied this and claimed that the demand was made by the Nigerian Navy.

The NLC, TUC and other associations went on strike in response to a physical assault on their leader, Comrade Joe Ajaero. The Federal Housing Authority also embarked on a demolition spree in the Festac area of Lagos state.

The Story: Key Takeaways from President Tinubu’s ₦2.1 Trillion Supplementary Budget

December 2023

The President announced the commencement of a feeding programme for primary school pupils. The program has been in a hiccup state from the start.

January 2024

The Vice President, His Excellency, Kashim Shettima, commissioned a 37-man committee to review the 2019 Minimum Wage. Prior to this, On October 1, 2023, the president had awarded a ₦30,000 relief fund to treasury-paid workers. This marked the beginning of a thread of tension-laced discussions with no end in sight.

The story: About Nigeria’s Plan to Increase the Minimum Wage

February 2024

The NLC went on a two-day strike because of the minimum wage and general economic difficulties. In a bid to solve this, the 37-man minimum wage committee finally convened for the first time in March.

March 2024

Under the leadership of President Tinubu, the ECOWAS lifted the sanctions placed on Niger Republic, while minimum wage discussions continued as the NLC proposed ₦615,000. There was also a massive blackout in parts of the federation as the national grid fell, and underwater submarine cables were compromised leading to a four-day internet downtime. The Federal Government announced the commencement of a 700 km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway construction through the minister of works, David Umahi.

The story: Why the ECOWAS Lifted All Sanctions on the Republic of Niger

April 2024

Tinubu’s whereabouts were unknown for over a week after returning from a trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024. The vice president was also out of the country at the time, causing a stir.

Fuel scarcity made a comeback, with prices going as high as ₦1000 per litre at fuelling stations. NNPCL dispelled rumours of trying to increase fuel prices and stated that the hike was as a result of logistics issues. However, VOA stated that the scarcity was a result of debts. The ministry of power implemented theElectricity Tariff Hike, another policy that saw mixed reactions from Nigerians.

The story: Yet Another Fuel Scarcity: How Are Remote Workers Coping?

May 2024

The Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA) entered the limelight for a Cybersecurity levy CBN imposed on electronic transactions. This sparked outrage on social media until it was eventually suspended. Landmark Beach and other businesses on the Lekki coastline were demolished for an interstate highway project under the direction of the minister of works, David Umahi for a coastal highway project but the demolished sites were eventually mapped out of the plan in a bid to avoid damaging submarine network cables.

The President also set out to commission road and infrastructure projects such as the remodelled third mainland bridge, apapa bridge and national library among others, to mark his first year in office.

The NLC gave the minimum wage committee a May 31 deadline to reach an agreement and implement a new minimum wage.

The story: Is NLC Winning The Minimum Wage Negotiations?

With the many trials and tribulations Nigerians have faced in the past year, one can only imagine how the next three years of President Tinubu’s administration will go.

RELATED POST: The Year in Review: These Events Drove The Hottest Conversations in 2023.

Raymond Temituro

May 29, 2024

Citizen

Nigeria, Nigerians, President, Tinubu
Tony Asekhuno: The UNIBEN Lecturer Was Accused of Sexual Harassment in 2019 Too

It wasn’t up to a year ago when Cyril Osim Ndifon, a professor of law at UNICAL was called out for sexually assaulting and being a general terror to his female students for years.

This revelation and a 2023 of back-to-back sexual harassment exposures led us to put together a timeline that went back to the early 2000s with more than 20 high-profile cases, mostly students as victims of their lecturers’ inappropriate advances and often ending in silence.

Another sex-for-grades situation

On May 26, 2024, X user CHIKAMMA (@AlexVivyNnabue) called out her former UNIBEN philosophy lecturer, Dr Tony Asekhuno, accusing him of rape. Her tweet opened the floodgates of accusations from the lecturer’s other alleged victims.

According to their tweets, he’d fail his victims if they refused to date, get intimate with him or follow him to the “staff club”. And sometimes, he’d rape them.

He was called out five years ago

But CHIKAMMA’s call-out started years ago when she posted a thread of screenshots in 2019. The screenshots appear to be WhatsApp messages sent from a male friend who was forced to drop out. The same lecturer insisted on sex for grades, hinting that his harassment wasn’t limited to his female students.

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The long thread also details his inclination to spike students’ drinks. And apparently, the UNIBEN management was aware of his bad behaviour but did nothing.

Many more accusations

In the last three days, multiple X users have shared their experiences of varying levels of abuse from the lecturer. The public has called for further investigation by the relevant law enforcement and justice for the victims.

We have contacted the original accuser, CHIKAMMA, for more details to increase the chances of legal action. This is a developing story.

YOU SHOULD READ THIS: A Timeline of Silence: Why Does Sexual Violence Have Little Consequence?

Lolade Alaka

May 28, 2024

Citizen

Nigerian Universities, Nigerians, sexual harassment, Tony Asekhuno, UNIBEN Lecturer
Why are Canopies on Gbagada Expressway?

If your trip cuts through Gbagada expressway or involves the Apapa-Oshodi-oworonshoki bridge, you may need to find an alternative because of the traffic caused by canopies that have been set up on the expressway.

What’s happening?

President Bola Tinubu scheduled the commissioning of the refurbished Third Mainland Bridge among other infrastructural projects for Sunday, May 26, 2024.

The purpose is to mark the one-year anniversary of his tenure by highlighting his achievements in this period.The road commissions and inauguration started in Lagos on May 26, and are expected to last till May 31, 2024, but the resultant roadblocks are taking their toll on Gbagada road commuters already.

These projects include the Apapa and Tin Can Island roads, Southern parkway at Abuja, National Assembly Library Complex, the Abuja Light Rail Project and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Public Response

Nigerians on X (FKA Twitter) have expressed their disapproval of the canopies at Gbagada and the resultant traffic. They have also relayed that they believe the commissioning is unnecessary, and has not been properly carried out, as it did not put the interest of road users at heart.

However, this is just the first of many commissions and traffic may continue in other parts of the nation until May 31, 2024 when the president completes this exercise.

Read: What You Should Know as Third Mainland Bridge Rehabilitation Commences

Raymond Temituro

May 26, 2024

Citizen

Nigeria, President, roads
Emir Sanusi Makes A Comeback

On Thursday, May 23, 2024, Muhammadu Sanusi II, Ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and former Emir of Kano, was reappointed as the Emir of Kano, four years after being deposed by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. This decision follows the Kano State House of Assembly’s repeal of the 2019 law that created four additional emirates and led to Sanusi’s removal in March 2020.

The kingmakers formally selected Sanusi as the sole Emir of Kano at the Government House on Thursday, after sitting Governor Abba Yusuf signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law, dissolving the five emirates created under the previous administration.

The four emirs appointed by Ganduje are expected to vacate their seats within 48 hours and submit all properties to the commissioner of local governments. Sanusi has been officially reinstated as the Emir as at Friday, May 24, 2024.

Why was Sanusi taken off the Emir seat in 2020?

Lamido Sanusi was sacked after six years as Emir of Kano in March 2020 by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. The official reason given for his removal was “total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the State Governor and other lawful authorities, including his persistent refusal to attend official meetings and programmes organised by the government without any lawful justification, which amount to total insubordination.”

Ganduje later claimed that Sanusi’s removal was because he broke the law and it was a calculated move to save the system and culture.

Sanusi’s outspokenness against some state policies, and his political beef with Ganduje, was believed to be a factor in his removal. His criticism of the government for taking a foreign loan to build a railway was said to have upset Ganduje.

Sanusi challenged his removal as Emir and the state government’s allegations in court but failed. He also challenged the creation of the new Emirates following his deposition, but the court did not rule in his favour.

Why does Lamido Sanusi’s appointment as Emir of Kano matter?

The reinstatement of Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, with the official name, Muhammadu Sanusi II, holds significant political and historical importance.

Sanusi’s removal in 2020 was widely criticised as a political move by Ganduje. His reinstatement by Yusuf is seen as a restoration of justice.

The Kano Emirate has a long history, dating back over 1,000 years. Splitting it into multiple emirates in 2019 was compared to a similar controversial emirate split by Governor Abubakar Rimi in the late 1970s, which was later reversed.

His reinstatement suggests a shift in the relationship between the emirate and the state government under the new administration.

How did the Emirate officials react to this?

The reinstallment was met with mixed reactions, one of which included a lawsuit and court order restricting his reinstallment.

Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate, filed the application at the Federal High Court in Kano and the court has issued an order stopping the Kano State Government from enforcing the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law. Justice Mohammed Liman granted this order on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

What does this imply?

The lawsuit which was presented as a fundamental rights case is directed at the Kano State Government, the House of Assembly, the Speaker, the Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the State Security Service.

The judge ruled, “That parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage and assent of the bill into law pending the hearing of the fundamental rights application.

“That in view of the constitutional and jurisdictional issues apparent on the face of the application, parties shall address the court at the hearing of the fundamental rights application which is fixed for the 3rd of June 2024.

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“That in order to maintain the peace and security of the state, an interim injunction of this Honourable Court is granted restraining the fifth to eight respondents (CP, IGP, NSCDC and DSS) from enforcing, executing, implementing and operationalising the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law.

“That parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage and assent of the bill into law pending the hearing of the Fundamental Rights application.

“That this case is adjourned to the 3rd day of June 2024, for hearing of the fundamental rights application.”

“Status quo ante” refers to previously existing state of affairs. This means that the repealed law, known as the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, which had created Rano, Karaye, Gaya and Bichi Emirates in addition to Kano, and also deposed Lamido Sanusi, are still in order.

The High court order contradicts the validity of Sanusi’s appointment as sole Emir of Kano, however the state government has officially installed him. It is unclear what will happen next.

Public Response

The new Emir has garnered a number of supporters on social media who believe that he is a good man deserving of his post after his initial sack. However, several individuals believe that he may soon be dethroned again if the next political administration does not like him.

Catch up with: Emir Sanusi Banished. Ado Bayero Crowned. Here’s What’s Happening In Kano State.

Raymond Temituro

May 24, 2024

Citizen

Emir of Kano, Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi
Is NLC Winning The Minimum Wage Negotiations?

The National Labour Congress (NLC) must’ve taken the “no gree for anybody” theme of the year seriously with their minimum wage negotiations. They’ve still not settled, following meetings between the minimum wage committee and labour unions in Abuja on May 15 and 21, 2024.

The federal government proposed a wage increase from ₦35,000 to ₦48,000 per month at the first meeting. The organised private sector (OPS) settled for ₦54,000 while labour unions maintained their stance of ₦615,000 to cope with the high cost of living.

In the second meeting on May 21, 2024, the federal government and the OPS maintained ₦54,000 because the government is short of funds. After a 30-minute break, they proposed the sum of ₦57,000. The final proposal from labour was ₦497,000. The meeting was then adjourned till Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

The major concern of the NLC is that the newly proposed amount will do nothing to help workers survive the current economic conditions, considering the electricity tariff hike, housing rates and inflation. The labour unions have given the federal government until May 31, 2024, to conclude negotiations and announce a new national minimum wage, threatening industrial action if their demands aren’t met.

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The federal government has stated that although the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage is yet to conclude negotiations, the new minimum wage, whatever the final amount may be, will be backtracked to May 1, 2024, regardless of when negotiations end.

READ: About Nigeria’s Plan To Increase The Minimum Wage.

Raymond Temituro

May 23, 2024

Citizen

FG, minimum wage, Nigeria, NLC
Everything We Know About IMSU’s Trailer Accident

Around 8 pm, on May 18, 2024, a trailer crashed into at least three buses and groups of students heading home from late exams at Imo State University junction, Owerri. The accident was reportedly caused by a brake failure, and the driver of the truck is missing and allegedly on the run.

The trailer allegedly belongs to the Dangote Group.

Is this the first time we’re seeing something like this?

No. In January 2021, a dangote truck loaded with cements claimed about 18 victims on its path when it crashed into shops and properties in the Akungba-Akoko area of Ondo state. Eight of the victims were students of Adekunle Ajasin University at Akungba-Akoko.

The resultant tension from students led to a temporal shutdown of the university. The company paid ₦500,000 to each family that was affected by the incident.

What is the public response to the accident at IMSU?

Social media is abuzz with condolences and agitations regarding the absence of laws that guide trailer activities and drivers’ accountability on the road.

Others have said that the junction is notorious for accidents and the government should build a flyover bridge to prevent a repeat in the future.

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Meanwhile, the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, released a press statement sharing his condolences and stating that investigations were underway, and the Ministry of Health would actively help in providing medical services.

Read: Who Has to Die Next Before Something Is Done About the Ojuelegba Bridge?

Raymond Temituro

May 19, 2024

Aluta and Chill, Citizen

Accident, Dangote, Nigeria, Nigerians, trailer
Why Does Niger State’s House of Assembly Speaker Really Want to Marry Off 100 Orphaned Girls?

On Friday, May 10, 2024, the Niger State Speaker of the House of Assembly announced that he planned to “assist” young victims of banditry attacks in his constituency by marrying them off.

What is the genesis of this issue?

The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, said that he only came up with these plans because he had been approached by religious leaders in Mariga LGA regarding how the orphans were helpless after the banditry attacks that took their parents.

Sarkindaji stated he would pay the dowries for the bridegrooms during a mass wedding ceremony scheduled for May 24. He described the initiative as an empowerment project to alleviate the suffering of the orphans.

Although local religious leaders supported this idea, it didn’t sit well with the Minister of Women Affairs and members of the public who took to social media to air their grievances.

What did the Minister of Women Affairs do about this?

The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, expressed reservations about the legality of the wedding, questioning whether the girls had reached the age of consent and marriage as defined by Nigerian laws, including the Child Rights Act. Subsequently, Kennedy-Ohanenye filed a complaint to the police and sought a court order to halt the plan for further investigations on the girls’ consent, ages, and marriage arrangements.

She said, “I have filed for an injunction to prevent him from doing whatever he intends to do on May 24th, until a thorough investigation is conducted on those girls, to determine whether they gave their consent, their ages, and who is marrying them”.

What was the speaker’s reaction?

On Wednesday, May 15 2024, Honourable Sarkindaji announced his withdrawal from the planned mass wedding of orphans after the intervention of the Minister of Women Affairs.

However, Sarkindaji later defended the initiative, insisting that the minister had misunderstood it. He said his intention was humanitarian and the planned marriages would not violate the Child Rights Act, contrary to the minister’s concerns.

Sarkindaji emphasized that the girls, despite “being ripe for marriage”, don’t have the means to wed because they are orphans or from impoverished families. He urged the minister to visit his constituency to better understand the situation of the girls and see how she could assist them directly.

The Speaker also stated that the preparations he made for the wedding, including paying bride prices on behalf of the grooms, remained in place, but the decision on whether to proceed with the wedding or not would be taken by traditional and religious leaders in the area.

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How is the public reacting to this event?

The public’s reactions were divided, with support rising from the Imams and residents within Niger state. In contrast, members of the public in other areas of the country continue to raise concerns about the mass marriage.

A petition circulating online has garnered thousands of signatures, with citizens expressing shock and dismay over what they perceive as a misuse of public funds, a violation of the rights and dignity of vulnerable children.

The Niger Imams council, represented by Umar Abudullahi states that the girls were not being forced into marriages.

The council maintained that the Minister had overstepped her bounds and would have the whole Imams in the country to battle with, if the weddings do not hold as planned.

They also asked that the Minister of Women Affairs tender an apology for her actions and words which have misrepresented their intentions and to retract her petition otherwise a lawsuit would ensue. The council also petitioned that her appointment be retracted and declared her unfit for the position of Minister.

“The planned weddings have the blessing of all the religious and traditional leaders from the area. The sponsor of the wedding consulted widely before accepting to take the responsibility and we are strongly behind him.

“The girls are not underage and they are not being forced into marriage as the minister has made the public believe. This is what the minister failed to investigate,” the council added.

Before this, the Take It Back Movement called on the Speaker to rescind his decision to marry off the 100 female orphans.

What happens next?

It’s unclear if the girls will be married off or not. The Imams council awaits a response from President Tinubu.

This is a developing story.

Raymond Temituro

May 16, 2024

Citizen

Law, ministers, Nigeria, Nigerians
10 Nigerian Laws You’ve Probably Never Heard About

Some of the laws on this list have never ever been enacted, either because Nigerians don’t know them or because they just sound like page fillers in the Criminal Code Act of the Nigerian Constitution.

By the end of this piece, all you’ll wonder is “Who even thought of these laws?”

Witchcraft and juju

According to Section 210 of the Criminal Code Act of the 1990 Nigerian Constitution, if the accused confesses to being a witch or is confirmed to own or to have used charms on someone else, they get jail time. We all know village people are real, so if you have proof of their existence in your life, you can actually have them imprisoned. But if your accusation turns out false, you might be the one to spend ten years in jail.

One of the rare witchcraft cases to make it to court happened in Bauchi state in 2011. The case was settled amicably between the two witches, and it’s unclear if they served the two-year jail term.

Promising and failing to marry

In the case of Egbe v. Adefarasin (1987) NWLR (Pt. 133) 594, the Nigerian Supreme Court held that breach of promise to marry is actionable. The court insists there must be proof of this promise, like letters, a ring or pictures. In the absence of this, witnesses can testify.

One Ms Mabamije received ₦20 million in 2016, among other things, because her fiance broke his promise to marry her. The law applies to both men and women, so if your longtime partner misbehaves or has broken their promise to marry you, you know what to do.

Motivating or challenging others to fight

According to Section 84 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria, anyone who challenges another to fight a duel, or attempts to provoke another to fight a duel, is guilty of a felony and could be imprisoned for three years. The next time someone challenges you to throw hands, get them arrested immediately.

Aiding or committing suicide

Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria states that any person who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to one year imprisonment. Anyone who aids suicide gets life imprisonment.

But this law has been under review since October 2023, because it’s baffling that the government really thought one year of imprisonment was the best way to help suicidal people who actually need therapy and counselling.

Using fake gold or silver coins

The consequence of dealing in fake gold or silver coins is two years in prison according to Section 148-151 of the Criminal Code. Imagine what the lawmakers of the ’90s must’ve been through for something like this to make the Criminal Code.

If like Peter in the bible, you don’t have silver or gold, you’re safe for now.

Disrupting religious service

We have questions here. Does it count if the disruption is from the offering queue, or because members are busy staring at a fine Christian brother or sister? It probably does.

This also means if Muslims have to use the main roads for Jumaat prayers, it is illegal to disrupt them because you want to drive to your destination. Find this in Section 206 of the Criminal Code.

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Insulting religions

Considering how much this happens on social media, we have mixed feelings about this one.

Section 204 of the Criminal Code says the punishment is two years in prison. However, Sharia law considers it blasphemy, which has been used to justify the killing of people alleged to be blasphemers.

Selling bad meat

If Mr Shola who sells meat at Iba is reading this, your days are numbered, sir.

The next time you get bad meat, no need to shalaye or return it. Take it to the police station. You and the meat seller will discuss this in court. Outside food safety laws, Sections 243 & 244 of the Criminal Code specifically state a two-year sentence for people who sell diseased meat.

Street begging

Lagos state banned street begging in 2023 and said defaulters would spend two to three months in jail if caught. A few people have faced the music in court for this, but many still roam the street in ignorance.

Cheating in business

Section 421 of the Criminal Code spells out two years in prison for a trader who sells overpriced or stolen products to customers.

If this law were implemented, many Instagram vendors would be behind bars for their overpriced products, but that’s an article for another day.

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Raymond Temituro

May 15, 2024

Citizen

Law, Nigeria, Nigerian lawmakers, Nigerians