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NIN: MTN, Others Barred From Deactivating Lines
In a pivotal legal decision, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an injunction restraining telecom operators in Nigeria from deactivating or blocking any line or SIM card that remains unlinked to the National Identification Number (NIN) by subscribers.
The ruling comes in response to a suit filed by lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje, who asserts that such actions infringe on fundamental rights.
The case, identified as FHC/L/CS/667/23, lists the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, and Airtel Networks Nigeria Limited as respondents.
Ogungbeje specifically requested the court to grant an injunction pending appeal.
This injunction would restrain all respondents collectively or individually, along with their agents, outlets, agencies, privies, officials, servants, men, parastatals, units, organs, or any entity, from taking any action enforcing the judgment or outrightly barring, deactivating, or restricting any SIM cards or phone lines, whether belonging to him or any Nigerian Citizen.
The requested restraint applies to actions slated for February 28, 2024, or any other scheduled date, until the hearing and determination of his appeal at the Court of Appeal of Nigeria against the judgment delivered on May 8, 2023, by this Honourable Court.
During the court’s recent session, it was revealed that none of the respondents had filed their counters to the motion in the suit.
Following the applicant’s presentation of the motion, a lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice requested additional time to respond to the motion, pleading with the court for an extension.
The applicant strongly objected to the request for more time, emphasizing that all parties were duly served with the necessary processes and the hearing notice, yet failed to file counters.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa, upon reviewing the case file, granted the lawyer’s request.
As a result, he issued a restraining order against telecom operators in Nigeria, prohibiting them from barring, deactivating, or restricting any SIM cards or phone lines, whether belonging to the lawyer or any Nigerian Citizen, scheduled for February 28, 2024.
The ruling stipulates that this order remains in effect until the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the lawyer.
Ogungbeje had informed the court that his motion on notice is based on Order 26 Rule 1 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), Section 6 (6)(B) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
He listed ten grounds for seeking the application, which include; “That sometimes in April 2022, the Appellant/Applicant herein took out an Originating Summons against the Respondents challenging the action of the Respondents in undermining the judicial powers of the Court and the Nigerian legal system and thus infringing on the applicant’s fundamental rights.
“That this Honourable Court, in a well-considered Judgment delivered on the 8th of May 2023, dismissed the appellant/applicant originating summons.
“The appellant/applicant, dissatisfied with the Judgment, has exercised his constitutional right of appeal by lodging a Notice of Appeal against the Judgment of this Honourable Court on the 26th of July 2023 by the lower Court.
“That the Appellant/applicant’s appeal is against the whole decision contained in the Judgment of this Honourable Court.
“That the Respondents are aware of the appellant/applicant’s appeal to the Court of Appeal of Nigeria as the Respondents have since been duly served with the Appellant/Applicant’s Notice of Appeal.”
The pull of market forces which moved the hands of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to N880 per litre in Lagos and N935 in Abuja appears to be a source of torture to independent markets.
Biztellers reports that the latest price review on Easter Monday saw NNPC retail outlets in Lagos drop from N925 to N880, while those in Abuja adjusted from N950 to N935.
The NNPC Ltd’s price reduction came barely a week after the Dangote Refinery lowered its ex-depot price from N865 to N835 per litre.
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In addition, the $20bn refinery also directed its partners like MRS, Heyden, and Ardova to sell a litre of petrol at the rate of N890 instead of N920 in Lagos, N900 in the South West, N910 in the South-South, and N920 in the North East.
Consumers can smile because with the reaction, the NNPC Ltd’s new price in Lagos is N10 lower than what the Dangote Refinery is selling at, which might lead to another reaction, as the price war between the two companies.
Though some NNPC Ltd’s retail outlets were observed selling at the old rate in Lagos, it was gathered that they were given the liberty to exhaust old stock before adjusting to the new prices.
Market sources are of the view that the current price war was ignited by the Federal Government’s implementation of the Naira-for-crude policy.
Gold soared to a record high of $3,500 an ounce on Tuesday, as mounting fears over a potential U.S. recession and escalating tensions between President Donald Trump and the Federal Reserve drove investors toward the traditional safe-haven asset.
The precious metal briefly touched an all-time high of $3,500.10 an ounce before retreating slightly to trade at $3,467.87.
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The rally marks the latest in a string of record-breaking gains for gold, fueled by a weakening U.S. dollar, sharp declines across global stock markets, and growing concerns over the health of the world economy.
Market sentiment took another hit this week after President Trump ramped up his trade war with China, slapping fresh tariffs on the world’s second-largest economy and intensifying fears of prolonged economic disruption.
Gold has surged more than 30 percent since the start of the year as investors seek refuge from mounting market volatility.
“The rally reflects ongoing recession fears in the U.S. economy and heightened political tensions, especially as President Donald Trump continues to attack Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell,” said Rania Gule, senior market analyst at trading group XS.com.
Concerns about the Fed’s independence were further stoked Monday, when Trump publicly lashed out at Powell on social media, branding him a “major loser” for not cutting interest rates — a move the president has repeatedly demanded.
The sharp criticism follows Trump’s recent suggestion that he might attempt to remove Powell from his post.
Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF), announced his resignation from the board on Monday, marking a significant moment in the organization’s history.
Schwab, who has been at the helm of the WEF for over five decades, confirmed he was stepping down from his position as Chair and leaving the Board of Trustees with immediate effect.
“I have decided to step down from the position of Chair and as a member of the Board of Trustees, with immediate effect,” Schwab said, noting that the decision comes as he approaches his 88th year.
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His resignation follows his stepping down as executive chairman in 2024, when former Norwegian foreign minister Borge Brende took over the day-to-day operations.
In response, WEF appointed Vice Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe as interim chairman while a search committee was formed to find a permanent successor.
The WEF board lauded Schwab’s immense contributions, acknowledging his “outstanding achievements” over his 55-year leadership tenure.
“At a time when the world is undergoing rapid transformation, the need for inclusive dialogue to navigate complexity and shape the future has never been more critical,” the WEF stated.
“Building on its trusted role, the Forum will continue to bring together leaders from all sectors and regions to exchange insights and foster collaboration.”
Schwab, originally from Ravensburg, Germany, founded the precursor to the WEF, the European Management Forum, in 1971.
The first meeting drew fewer than 500 participants, but over the years, Schwab expanded the gathering into a prestigious platform that now attracts thousands of influential figures.
The Davos summit has become synonymous with global power brokers, offering opportunities for high-level networking, discussion, and collaboration on issues affecting the world.
Under Schwab’s leadership, the WEF grew to include regional meetings and established centers dedicated to pressing global topics such as cybersecurity, climate change, and financial systems.
The organization continues to uphold its mission of “improving the state of the world” by fostering dialogue and cooperation.
However, the WEF and Schwab have not been without their critics. Many argue that the forum has become a venue for corporate elites to exert influence over governments, with the term “Davos Man” often used to describe the affluent attendees.
Schwab has also faced the ire of conspiracy theorists, particularly following his promotion of the “Great Reset” following the COVID-19 pandemic.
These theorists have spread misinformation, alleging that Schwab and the WEF are part of a global elite aiming to control the world, with even Elon Musk weighing in on social media, claiming Schwab “wants to be emperor of Earth.”
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