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Security Debarment Allowance: Minister Of Defence Inaugurates Committee

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The  Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd) has inaugurated a 9-man Committee to look into the demands of the retired members of the Nigerian Armed Forces for payment of Security Debarment Allowances, (SDA).

 

General Magashi said the inauguration of the Committee is in fulfilment of his promise made when he met last month with the leadership of all veteran groups over their demands at the Ministry of the Defence.

He said members of the Committee are carefully selected based on their pedigrees and in compliance with the principles of fairness, balance and justice to look into the areas of agitations regarding Security Debarment Allowance and other related issues.

 

While tasking the Committee to be above board in the discharge of their onerous task, the Defence Minister said the welfare of the Military retirees is dear to the heart of the Commander-in-Chief of the  Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.

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He put on record what he called the unprecedented welfare initiatives of the Federal Government aimed at improving the living standards of serving and retired members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

According to the Minister of Defence, the implementation of the Manual of Financial Administration (MAFA) which came into effect on 9th November 2017 and Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service 2017 are testimonies to the sincerity of President Muhammadu Buhari to improve the livelihood of the serving and retired Military personnel.

 

General Magashi (rtd) who challenged the Committee to be guided by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Manual of Financial Administration and other relevant documents gave six terms of references. They include the determination of the level of implementation of MAFA with respect to the payment of SDA and other welfare issues affecting the Veterans.

 

The Committee is also to determine whether or not the SDA should be paid to any category of retirees outside the scope of the specified policy approval date of 9th November 2017 considering all the attendant implications.

 

Others include determining the effective date of the payment of the SDA where the option of payment is reviewed and adopted and to determine the applicable annual total enrolment(ATE) to be used for each benefiting retiree with respect to past  Federal Government’s salary reviews as well as its financial implications to the government based on ATE and to suggest to the Ministry any other ways the Committee deems fit towards the resolution of the grievances of the Veterans over the implementation of the SDA and other welfare matters.

 

In a statement by Muhammad Abdulkadir, the Special Assitant to the Minster on Media said after the inauguration the Chairman of the 9- man Committee Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile assured that National interest will not be compromised in the discharge of their assigned task and that members will work with the fear of God.

The Committee had its inaugural session immediately after the inauguration ceremony.

 

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Kano Gov’t Meets Lawyers, Approves 75% of Demands, Orders Salary Payments

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has approved 75 percent of the demands put forward by the state’s lawyers’ association, following their recent industrial action.

The decision is part of the government’s broader efforts to address challenges within the judiciary sector and enhance the welfare and working conditions of government-employed legal practitioners.

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As part of the measures, the governor also directed the immediate payment of two months’ outstanding salaries owed to newly recruited lawyers who had yet to receive their entitlements. The directive was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs.

The lawyers’ association has welcomed the development, describing it as a clear indication of the administration’s responsiveness and commitment to addressing their concerns.

The resolution is expected to bring the industrial action to an end and pave the way for the full resumption of legal and judicial activities across Kano State.

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FG Amends Charges Against Malami, Withdraws Terrorism Financing Allegation

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The federal government has amended charges filed against Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF), and his son Abdulaziz, removing the allegation bordering on terrorism financing.

At the court session on Wednesday, Akinlolu Kehinde, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), informed the court about the amendment and applied to substitute the former charge.

The amended charge borders on illegal possession of firearms.

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Shaibu Aruwa, counsel to the defendants, confirmed that his clients were served with the amended charge and agreed that the fresh charge be read to the defendants.

Consequently, the amended charge was read to the defendants, to which they pleaded not guilty.

Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding judge, allowed the defendants to continue on the bail terms and conditions granted to them on February 27.

The case has been adjourned to May 26 and June 15 for trial.

In the amended charge, the prosecution alleges that arms and live cartridges were found in Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi.

Malami and Abdulaziz were first arraigned by the DSS on February 3 on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.

The DSS accused Malami of refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to the office of the attorney-general for prosecution.

On February 27, the ex-AGF and his son were each granted bail of N200 million with two sureties in like sum.

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Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Climbs to 15.38% in March

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a rise in Nigeria’s headline inflation rate, which increased to 15.38% in March 2026, up from 15.06% recorded in February.

According to the NBS’s latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released on Wednesday, the 0.32 percentage point increase marks the second consecutive monthly rise in inflation this year. The March figure also represents a significant jump compared to the same period last year, underscoring persistent price pressures across key sectors.

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Analysts point to rising food and energy costs, coupled with lingering supply chain disruptions, as primary drivers of the uptick. The NBS noted that food inflation remained elevated due to higher prices of staple items such as bread, cereals, and vegetables, while core inflation excluding volatile agricultural produce and energy also edged upward.

The development puts additional pressure on households and businesses, and may influence the Central Bank of Nigeria’s monetary policy stance in the coming months.

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