- North West NLC proposes N485, 000 minimum wage, South West workers demand N794, 000
A forensic document examiner seconded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Bamaiyi Haruna, on Thursday said the analysis conducted on the documents used to release $6.2m from the Central Bank of Nigeria in February 2023 showed that they were forged.
The EFCC had alleged that on February 8, 2023, a former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, connived with one Odoh Ocheme, who is now on the run, to obtain $6.2m from the CBN, claiming that it was requested by the SGF “vide a letter dated 26th January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that Emefiele, in January 2023, forged a document titled: “RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS,” dated 26 January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.
At the last adjourned date, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, noted that the documents did not emanate from former President Muhammadu Buhari or his office.
Mustapha also told the court that the Federal Government had no business with foreign election observers.
Haruna, who is the sixth prosecution witness in the matter, stated that the real signatures of Buhari and the ex-SGF were analysed with the ones in the documents were not the same.
He said, “The conclusion from the analysis revealed that the disputed documents showed evidence of forgery and copying art as the pen movement form and formation of the signatures and the skill of execution were found to be different from that of the specimen signatures A to A2 and B to Bi
“The form and formation of the signatures marked x and the specimen signature marked B to B1 were found to be different in respect of pen movement impulses, skill of execution, loop formation, and presence of tremors, there were individual characteristics. This is a confirmation that the author of the specimen signatures marked B to B1 does not rhyme with the signature of Buhari on the disputed document marked X.
“Also, the form and formation of the disputed signatures marked X1 and Specimen signature A2 were also found to be different in respect to pen movement impulses. Initial and terminal strokes, loop formation, presence of tremors, and individual characteristics. This is also a confirmation that the author of the specimen signature marked A2 did not rhyme with the signature of Boss Mustapha on the disputed document marked X1.”
Counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), applied to the court to tender the forensic report dated January 25, 2024, and other documents attached as exhibits.
Emefiele’s lawyer, Mathew Burkaa (SAN), did not oppose.
Justice Hamza Muazu subsequently admitted as evident and marked them exhibits FDE.
During cross-examination, Burkaa asked how the court would determine whether two signatures are similar or dissimilar.
The witness urged the court to rely on the report.
When asked if Emefiele’s signature was analyzed, he said no.
Also asked if EFCC operatives submitted the materials analyzed, Haruna said, “Operatives of EFCC submitted the request to the department.”
Burkaa asked if they were the ones who pointed out the disputed signatures.
He said, “The submitting authority did”.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till March 11.
North West NLC proposes N485, 000 minimum wage, South West workers demand N794, 000
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has proposed N485, 000 as the new minimum wage for workers.
The proposal was contained in a position paper presented on Thursday at the North West Public hearing on the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.
The presentation was made by the Kano State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Kabir Inuwa, on behalf of the North West Leadership of the Congress.
He said the proposed minimum wage of N485, 000 was necessary considering the dynamics of the national economy.
“It is imperative to propose a new minimum wage that reflects the cost of living and ensures a decent standard of living for workers.
“The proposed new minimum wage per month should be determined through a comprehensive assessment of the current economic conditions, inflation rates, and the basic needs of workers and their families.
“The congress is of the opinion that for any minimum wage to achieve its purpose it must reflect the realities of the economic situation and accordingly assess the least income that would be sufficient for the survival of a family of six,” Inuwa said.
According to him, the estimated monthly expenditure is per Household (comprising father, mother and four children).
The NLC boss noted that the Minimum Wage Act has given all the protection required to ensure compliance.
“This may be initiated by an individual or trade unions. The lack of awareness of the existing laws constitutes rampant contravention of the law most especially by some state and local governments. If the labour unions can initiate a mechanism to explore the provision of the law, would record minimum defaults,” he said.
He, therefore, stressed the need for the intervention of the Federal Government to ensure compliance by withholding all allocations to any state or public institutions that contravened the minimum wage law.
“The removal of fuel subsidy and forex policy came at a time when Nigeria’s minimum wage is matured for review. The attendant effect of the current economic hardship propelled by hyperinflation renders workers vulnerable.
“The North West geo-political zone of Nigeria is facing a series of economic challenges due to banditry, high level of unemployment and hyperinflation.
“It is evident that the majority of people in the zone are affected by the recent removal of fuel subsidy and forex policy. Farmers find it difficult to irrigate their farms due to the cost of petrol. Prices of fertilizer are beyond the purchasing power of peasant farmers.
“To ensure that the minimum wage remains relevant and responsive to economic changes, a mechanism for regular review is essential. It is proposed that the minimum wage should be reviewed every two years taking into account inflation rates, cost of living adjustments, and other relevant economic indicators.
He suggested that the review mechanism should involve consultations with labour unions, government representatives, and economic experts to ensure a fair and transparent process.
Governors from the North West Zone were absent at the venue of the public hearing.
Only the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, sent representation, while the host governor was represented by his deputy, Abdulssalam Gwarzo
Also, the NLC has demanded N794, 000 as the new national minimum wage for workers in the South West geopolitical political zone.
The labour union in the South West, through the chairperson of the Lagos State chapter of the NLC, Funmi Sessi, made the demand during her presentation at the ongoing public hearing of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage in Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday.
Sessi noted that the demand was jointly agreed on by all the members of the union in the South West.
President Bola Tinubu, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, inaugurated a 37-member panel on the new minimum wage in the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja on January 30, 2024.
