1. In Nigeria, 29 youngsters aged 14 to 17 face treason fees—and doubtlessly the dying penalty—for taking part in protests towards poor financial circumstances. They’re amongst 76 individuals charged with treason, property destruction, disturbing public order, and inciting revolt. Bail has been set at 10 million naira (about $5,500). Lawyer Akintayo Balogun famous that the Little one Rights Act prohibits minors from legal trials or dying sentences. Nigeria has seen widespread protests for months, with residents demanding higher jobs and dwelling circumstances. Regardless of its oil wealth, Nigeria stays one of many poorest nations globally, grappling with corruption, inflation, and meals insecurity. The treason fees towards minors have sparked issues about human rights compliance.
2. The Presidency responded to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s financial insurance policies, which Atiku referred to as “trial-and-error.” Atiku, who misplaced the 2023 presidential election to Tinubu, argued that the federal government’s financial strategy, together with simultaneous reforms on alternate charges, electrical energy tariffs, and gas costs, was extreme and {that a} gradual subsidy elimination, as performed in Malaysia and Indonesia, would have been more practical. He additionally proposed an Financial Stimulus Fund (ESF) of $10 billion to assist MSMEs and stated his administration would have relied on a well-prepared, strategic reform agenda outlined in his coverage doc, My Covenant with Nigerians. In response, Tinubu’s Particular Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, claimed Atiku’s proposals lacked element and reminded Nigerians of Atiku’s historical past with the controversial privatization program throughout his vice presidency beneath Olusegun Obasanjo, which allegedly led to cronyism. Onanuga argued that Atiku’s criticisms have been unfounded, noting that Tinubu’s reforms are exhibiting optimistic, albeit difficult, financial outcomes.
3. Dangote Refinery defended its gas pricing, stating its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is cheaper than imported alternate options and of upper high quality. The Impartial Petroleum Entrepreneurs Affiliation of Nigeria (IPMAN) had claimed Dangote’s gas was costlier, however Dangote responded that its costs—N960 per liter for ships and N990 for vehicles—are aggressive and primarily based on worldwide benchmarks. Dangote accused some entrepreneurs of importing substandard gas, doubtlessly dangerous to Nigerians, and warned that current misinformation by IPMAN and others aimed to discredit its high quality. The refinery criticized Nigeria’s lack of correct lab amenities to detect low-quality imports and urged Nigerians to assist home refining to guard jobs and scale back dependence on imports.
