BIG STORY

JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu Approves N5M Compensation For Uber Driver Attacked During EndSARS Memorial

Published

2 years ago

March 25, 2023

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has intervened in the face-off between the Ministry of Justice and Uber driver attacked during EndSARS protest, Clement Adedotun, approving that the N5 million approved by the court as compensation be paid to the victim without delay.

Sanwo-Olu said that his decision to intervene was to ensure that the state government under his watch continuously act in accordance with the rule of law especially complying with court orders in the state.

The governor’s approval came barely 24 hours after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Dr. Babajide Martins, filed an appeal against the judgement delivered by a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, ruled that the sum of N5 million be paid to the driver as compensation for the injuries and loses suffered during the attack in 2021.

In a statement released on his official social media handle on Saturday, the governor disclosed that he has directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, to convene a meeting with the victim and his counsel, to facilitate mode for collection of the approved compensation.

According to the statement, Good evening Lagos, as Governor, I’m committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights with empathy and authority.

“I recently became aware of the case involving Mr. Clement Adedotun and the judgement by the Federal High Court, and I understand the impact this legal battle has had on him.

“After reviewing Mr. Clement’s case, I’ve directed the Honorable Attorney General to set up a meeting and pay him the compensation awarded by the Court.

“Although the State Government has appealed the ruling, I’ve interceded in this instance in the interest of the public good, and requested that the State’s Attorney General comply with the court’s ruling.

“As a strong advocate for the rule of law, I commend all parties for seeking justice through the appropriate channels, and I remain committed to upholding the rights of all Lagosians”.

Clement was severely tortured on October 20, 2021 at the Lekki Toll-Gate during the first EndSARS anniversary.

Clement was carrying a passenger to Lagos Mainland when he encountered a gridlock at the Lekki Toll-Gate during a protest to commemorate the first anniversary of EndSARS. He was tortured and pepper-sprayed by officers of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency and policemen.

The attack on the Uber driver was captured on video and reported by television stations and newspapers, and attracted a nationwide condemnation.

A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, had filed a lawsuit against the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to seek redress.

Following the judgment, Effiong wrote a letter Governor Sanwo-Olu on March 16, 2023 demanding compliance with the judgment. However, the governor refused to act on the demand. The Lagos State Government has now filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Lagos against the judgment.

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BIG STORY

President Tinubu Submits Four Tax Reform Bills To National Assembly

Published

14 hours ago

October 3, 2024

PorscheClassy News

President Bola Tinubu has submitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for their consideration.

In a letter presented during the plenary sessions by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Thursday, the President outlined that the bills align with his administration’s goals.

The proposed legislation includes the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, designed to establish a comprehensive fiscal framework for regulating taxes.

The Tax Administration Bill aims to provide a clear legal structure for managing taxes in Nigeria, reducing disputes and improving efficiency.

Additionally, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill seeks to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service.

The Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill proposes the creation of a tax tribunal and an ombudsman to handle tax-related issues.

Tinubu emphasized that these bills are intended to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal institutions and support the broader development goals of his government.

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BIG STORY

BREAKING: Court Bars VIO From Stopping, Impounding, Confiscating Vehicles

Published

14 hours ago

October 3, 2024

PorscheClassy News

A Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO) from stopping vehicles, impounding or confiscating them, and imposing fines on motorists.

Justice Evelyn Maha issued the order in a judgment on fundamental rights enforcement suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023, filed by human rights activist Abubakar Marshal.

The judge upheld Marshal’s argument that “no law empowers respondents to stop, impound, confiscate, seize, or impose fines on motorists.”

Justice Maha declared that the respondents, under the control of the Minister of the FCT, are not empowered by any law to stop, impound, or confiscate vehicles or impose fines.

She issued an order restraining them from doing so, stating it’s “wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful.”

Additionally, Justice Maha made a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from violating Nigerians’ rights to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence, and right to own property without lawful justification.

More to come…

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BIG STORY

NELFUND Fixes BVN Verification Glitch, Urges Students To Reapply For Loans

Published

15 hours ago

October 3, 2024

PorscheClassy News

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the resolution of a technical issue that disrupted the BVN (Bank Verification Number) verification process for students applying for loans.

The issue, which began over the weekend and persisted through the public holiday, caused delays for many applicants.

In a statement posted on NELFUND’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, the organization confirmed that the issue had been fully resolved by Tuesday morning. NELFUND advised all affected students to log back into the portal, complete their BVN verification, and proceed with their loan applications.

“Dear Students,

“We have observed that many of you experienced issues with BVN verification while applying for the student loan over the last weekend, including the public holiday.

“We are pleased to inform you that the issue has been addressed and fully resolved as of yesterday morning.

“We kindly advise all affected students to log back into the portal, complete the BVN verification process, and proceed with your loan application,” the statement read in part.

NELFUND also expressed gratitude to students for their patience during the disruption and reassured them that the application process can now continue smoothly without further issues.

The revised Student Loan Act of 2024 was designed to eliminate financial barriers and make education more accessible to all Nigerian students, regardless of their economic background.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) receives its primary funding from a 1% allocation of the total revenues collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian Immigration Service, and Nigerian Customs Service through taxes, levies, and duties.

In August, President Bola Tinubu announced that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had transferred N50 billion in recovered funds to NELFUND, following his directive, to further strengthen the student loan program.

Students from across the country applied for the NELFUND loan, with the top 10 states having the highest number of applicants, in ascending order, being Taraba, Yobe, Adamawa, Oyo, Plateau, Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, Borno, and Kano, which ranks first.

Since the fund disbursement’s rollout, NELFUND has distributed N4.6 billion as tuition support to students in 59 approved tertiary institutions across the country.

This includes N2.5 billion disbursed in August and an additional N2.1 billion disbursed to students in 40 institutions earlier in September.

Furthermore, in August, NELFUND initiated the distribution of N20,000 monthly stipends to beneficiaries, with 20,371 students from six tertiary institutions successfully receiving their July payments.

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