Nigerian Youths Threaten Showdown With Lawmakers Over Exclusion of #NotTooYoungToRun Bill

Nigerian youth organizations across the country have given 48 hours to the leadership of the National Assembly to include the 'Not Too Young To Run' bill in the report of the ongoing constitution review process or face mass action.
The demand was contained in a press statement signed by 53 youth organizations. Representatives of the groups held a press conference in Abuja. Several members of the #NOTTOOYOUNGTORUN coalition were at the press conference.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Maryam Laishi said that the youths across the country would commence picketing of the National Assembly and embark on a series of other mass actions against legislature if the leadership of the constitution review committees failed to give an account within 48 hours of the #NOTTOOYOUNGTORUN bill.
Ms. Laishi noted that there were indications that the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives constitution review committee had excluded the 'Not Too Young To Run' bill from the ongoing constitution review process.
She added that the bill was the only proposed constitutional amendment that promotes youth participation in the political process through the removal of age limits for running for office.
The group maintained that the bill had passed the first and second readings in both Houses in fulfillment of the constitutional amendment procedure.
"Their arguments against the bill are an affirmation that most of our lawmakers are not committed to youth empowerment, intergenerational dialogue, and civic participation. The arguments include the fact that there is palpable fear that most legislators in the 8th Assembly will be unseated in the 2019 elections by young people if the bill is passed."
The youth organizations added that since the return to democracy in 1999, Nigerian youth had been pushing boundaries and involved in promoting transparency and accountability.
The group has declared Tuesday, July 25 as National Day of Action, noting that the youth in Nigeria plans to occupy the National Assembly and commence recall processes of the senators in their various constituencies.
"We will petition the International Parliament Union (IPU) to relocate the venue of the forthcoming regional conference scheduled for September 2017 away from Nigeria and finally a one million people march in Abuja and across  the Federation," Ms. Laisha said.
She urged Nigerian youths to remain resolute in their demand and stay committed to mobilizing fellow youth and citizens to make their voices heard beyond the din of politics in order to pursue the passage of the 'Not Too Young To Run' bill into law.

$793.2 million TSA Funds: Skye Bank Confirms Holding $41 million, Denies Hiding From CBN

The management of Skye Bank on Friday confirmed holding about $41 million (about N12. 9billion) belonging to the Nigerian Investments Management Services, NAPIMS, allegedly kept away from the Treasury Single Account, TSA account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The money is part of about $793.2 million (about N249.9 billion) allegedly kept illegally in the custody of seven commercial banks.

The management of Skye Bank on Friday confirmed holding about $41 million (about N12. 9billion) belonging to the Nigerian Investments Management Services, NAPIMS, allegedly kept away from the Treasury Single Account, TSA account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
The money is part of about $793.2 million (about N249.9 billion) allegedly kept illegally in the custody of seven commercial banks.
This was in violation of the directive by the Accountant General of the Federation that effective September 15, 2015, all such funds be transferred to the TSA account domiciled with the CBN.
The affected banks include Skye Bank, United Bank for Africa, UBA; Diamond Bank Plc; First Bank Limited; Fidelity Bank Plc; Keystone Bank Limited and Sterling Bank Plc.
The funds allegedly kept by the banks include revenues, donations, transfers, refunds, grants, taxes, fees, dues, tariffs, etc by different government ministries, departments, parastatals, and agencies.
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday ordered the banks to remit the various amounts sum into the TSA account at the CBN.
Justice Chuka Obiozor had in the case brought by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation ordered the seven banks to immediately remit the various amounts allegedly kept illegally in their custody to the designated Federal Government’s Asset Recovery dollars account with the CBN.
Details showed about $367.4million was concealed by three government agencies in UBA, while about $41million belonging to NAPIMS, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, subsidiary was placed on fixed deposit account with the Skye Bank.
Others included $277.9million in Diamond Bank, $18.9million in First Bank; $24.5million in Fidelity Bank; $17million in Keystone Bank; and $46.5million in Sterling Bank.
But, Skye Bank, in a statement on Friday, confirmed the $41 million in its custody, but denied keeping same illegally or concealing the transaction.
“The management of Skye Bank hereby states that it neither colluded nor unilaterally hid the reported sum or any other funds in its custody.” it’s spokesperson, Nduneche Ezurike, said in the statement.
“On the contrary, the said funds are held with the full knowledge of the relevant agencies of government, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the DSS, the National Assembly and the Inspector General of Police’s Special Investigation Panel, with whom we have engaged extensively over same,” he explained.
As a law abiding institution, Mr. Ezurike said Skye Bank would not conduct itself in breach of the laws or policies of the government, including the TSA policy.
He said the bank would take appropriate legal steps to respond to the ruling of the Court come August 8 when the substantive hearing is scheduled.