The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says charges will now apply anytime customers use the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) of banks other than theirs.
This was contained in a circular dated February 10, 2025, and addressed to all banks and financial institutions, the apex bank’s acting Director of Financial Policy and Regulation Department, John Onojah.
“The three free monthly withdrawals allowed for remote-on-us (other bank’s customers/not-on-us consumers) in Nigeria under Section 10.6.2 of the Guide shall no longer apply,” the circular partly read.
The CBN directed banks and other financial institutions to apply the following charges with effect from March 1, 2025.
The apex bank said while customers withdrawing at the ATMs of their banks and financial institutions won’t be charged, customers withdrawing from the ATM of other banks would now be charged A100 per every N20,000.
The CBN said for off-site ATMs — automated teller machines not on a bank’s premises – like those at shopping malls, eateries and other public places — a surcharge of not more than A500 per every N20,000 will apply in addition to the statutory #100 fee for withdrawals by customers of other banks’ ATMs.
The apex bank attributed the reviewed charges to rising costs and the need to improve the efficiency of ATM services in the country.
“This review is expected to accelerate the deployment of ATMs and ensure that appropriate charges are applied by financial institutions to consumers of the service,” the circular stated.
The Nigerian Senate has taken steps to prohibit the movement of articulated lorries, tankers, and trailers during daytime hours across the country.
A bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, 2007, to Restrict the Daytime Movement of Heavy-Duty Vehicles and for Related Matters” was introduced for its first reading yesterday.
Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC, Delta North), the proposed legislation seeks to confine heavy-duty vehicle operations to the hours between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 am, except in cases of emergency. The bill proposes penalties of N500,000 for individual violators, N5,000,000 for corporate offenders, and vehicle impoundment for up to 30 days.
However, exceptions will be made for vehicles transporting essential goods, such as medical supplies, or those involved in emergency public service operations.
The bill aims to curb the high rate of accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles, ease traffic congestion, and enhance road safety. According to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), tanker and trailer accidents caused 3,200 deaths between 2015 and 2018, with losses exceeding #39 billion in 2018 alone due to related incidents.
Senator Nwoko emphasized the dangers posed by fuel tankers, cement trucks, and trailers carrying hazardous cargo, which compete for road space with passenger vehicles, particularly during peak hours. He noted that these conditions contribute to frequent fatal accidents and significant economic disruptions.
The bill will now proceed to its second reading, where lawmakers will debate its general principles before it advances to a public hearing stage.
The chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area in Enugu State, Hon. Sydney Okechukwu Edeh, has announced his administration’s plan to establish farm estates across all 14 political wards in the council area.
Hon. Edeh, who also serves as the chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu chapter made this commitment on Tuesday, 10th February 2025, during an on-site assessment of the Amafor Ugbawka Ward Farm Estate Project at Uhuona, Ugbawka, Nkanu East LGA.
Farm estates initiative is a key part of Barrister Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s agricultural transformation programme for the 260 wards in Enugu State, which will be spearheaded by the council chairmen.
The project aims to promote year-round farming, enhance food security, and stimulate economic growth within the state.
Speaking at Nvenne Waterfall, Hon. Edeh emphasised that the farm estate is an essential component of Mbah’s strategy to ensure sustainable agricultural production in the state.
He noted that significant progress has already been made at the Akpawfu farm estate, the first location of the project in Enugu.
He expressed gratitude to the community leaders for not only donating the land for the project but also for turning out in large numbers to join him for the inspection.
In his remarks, the PDP State Treasurer, Hon. Patrick Okoh, a community native, thanked the Chairman for choosing to site the project in his area and urged his fellow citizens to support the Governor and Chairman’s efforts to bring development to the community.
The PG of the town, Chief Sir Osita Ogbu Nwonovo, also thanked the Chairman and his team, pledging their continued support for the success of the project.
The Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025 (Agunechemba Law) contains specific provisions affecting religious leaders and religious institutions, particularly regarding their involvement in crime and supernatural activities. Below are the explicit sections that address religious leaders and their responsibilities:
1. Use of Religious Places for Crime (Section 19)
This section criminalizes the use of religious places for unlawful activities and gives the Governor the power to shut down any religious establishment involved in crime.
Key Provisions:
1.Crime by Religious Leaders – and Penalty:
“ANY person who uses any religious place for the commission or to aid the commission of any crime, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 6 years with an option of fine of ₦20 million or both.” (Section 19(1))
2.Sealing of Religious Places:
“ANY religious place suspected of being used to commit or aid the commission of any crime may be sealed by the order of the Governor pending the conclusion of investigation.” (Section 19(2))
3.Criminal Prosecution for Religious Leaders:
“If after the conclusion of investigation, there exists a prima facie case of the commission or aiding the commission of any crime in such place, any person found culpable shall be charged to court.” (Section 19(3))
4.Duration of Closure:
“Where a person is charged to court under this section, the property or place involved shall, where sealed, except unsealed by the order of the Governor, remain sealed until the determination of the charge or unless otherwise ordered by the court.” (Section 19(4))
Implications for Religious Leaders (of all and any religion):
~ Religious leaders must ensure their places of worship are not used for criminal activities.
~ The Governor can seal any church, mosque, or shrine suspected of harboring criminals.
~ If a religious leader is found guilty of aiding a crime, they face 6 years imprisonment or a ₦20 million fine.
2.Use of Supernatural Powers for Crime (Section 18)
This section criminalizes the use of supernatural powers, charms, or rituals for criminal purposes. Many traditional and spiritual leaders who perform supernatural rituals are affected by this provision.
Key Provisions:
1.Banning Rituals for Wealth or Crime:
“Any person who under the practice of ‘okite’ or ‘ezenwanyi’ or under any other guise, administers any substance or charm on or for any other person for the purpose of commission of any offence or for the purpose of accumulation of wealth by supernatural means other than by any known lawful means of livelihood or who publicly propagates the accumulation of such wealth other than by any known lawful means of livelihood, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 6 years with an option of fine of ₦20 million or both.” (Section 18(1))
2.Ban on Ritual Sacrifices in Public Places:
“Any person who performs any sacrifice or dumps on any road or throws into any water body in the State, any charms, substance or items of sacrifice in furtherance of the commission of any offence under sub-section (1) of this section, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 6 years with an option of fine of ₦20 million or both.” (Section 18(2))
3.Punishment for False Claims of Supernatural Powers:
“Any person who misleads the public by purporting to wield any supernatural powers which he is found not to possess or who obtains any reward from any person in furtherance thereof, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 6 years with an option of fine of ₦20 million or both.” (Section 18(3))
4.Proof of Supernatural Claims:
“For the purpose of ascertaining whether or not a person possesses the supernatural powers under sub-section (3) of this section, any such person suspected of misleading the public under sub-section (3) of this section shall at the stage of investigation, be subjected to proof that he possesses such powers.” (Section 18(4))
5.Investigation by Attorney General:
“An investigation made by the police in respect of any offence under this section shall be forwarded to the Attorney General of the State for review and advice before the prosecution of any person suspected of having committed the offence.” (Section 18(5))
Implications for Religious Leaders:
*Pastors, native doctors, and spiritualists who perform rituals for wealth or protection linked to crime could be prosecuted.*
False prophets or traditional priests claiming supernatural powers without proof risk 6 years imprisonment or a ₦20 million fine.
Public sacrifices, charms, and occult practices in roads or rivers are banned and criminalized.
3.Crimes Involving Human Rituals (Section 20)
This provision targets ritualists and human parts trading, affecting religious leaders involved in ritual sacrifices.
Key Provision:
“Any person who performs or requires of any person the performance of any rituals involving human parts, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 25 years without an option of fine.” (Section 20)
Implications for Religious Leaders:
Ritual killings and human sacrifices are now capital offences.
Any pastor, native doctor, or cultist involved in human rituals faces 25 years in prison.
4.Governor’s Oversight Powers Over Religious Leaders & Traditional Authorities (Section 12)
This section gives the Governor the power to dissolve town unions and remove local leaders, including traditional rulers and religious leaders, if they are linked to security threats.
Key Provision:
“Where there is a breakdown of law and order or likelihood of breakdown of law and order in any community, the Governor may for security reasons suspend the activities or operation of the leadership of the town union or bar the leadership of the town union from operating and shall appoint a Caretaker Committee for the community.” (Section 12(2)(a)-(b))
Implications for Religious & Traditional Leaders:
If a religious leader or traditional ruler is linked to a security crisis, the Governor can dissolve their leadership or appoint a caretaker committee.
Any person who continues to act as a leader after being barred faces a ₦20 million fine or 6 years in prison. (Section 12(5))
CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
The Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025 imposes strict regulations on religious institutions, pastors, native doctors, and traditional leaders.
Key Takeaways for Religious Leaders in Ukpor:
1. Avoid using churches, mosques, or shrines for criminal activities to prevent closure and legal prosecution. (→ Section 19)
2. Do not engage in rituals, charms, or supernatural claims linked to crime or unexplained wealth. (→ Section 18)
3. Ritual sacrifices involving human parts attract a mandatory 25-year prison sentence. (→ Section 20)
4. If involved in security crises, religious leaders risk removal by the Governor. (→ Section 12)
Recommendations for Compliance:
Churches, mosques, and traditional temples in Ukpor should establish internal compliance measures.
Religious leaders should publicly denounce ritual killings, “money rituals,” and supernatural fraud.
Community leaders should report any suspected violations early to avoid state intervention.
Failure to adhere to these provisions could lead to arrests, heavy fines, long-term imprisonment or government takeover of religious institutions.
MRS Oil Nigeria Plc has announced a reduction in the retail price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, across its stations nationwide.
The oil marketing firm disclosed on Monday, February 10, through its official X (formerly Twitter) account, that its stations in Lagos will now sell petrol at N925 per litre.
The move follows a similar price adjustment by its partner, Dangote Refinery, which recently lowered the ex-depot price to #890 per litre.
Beyond Lagos, MRS outlined region-specific pricing, with petrol selling at A935 per litre in the South West, A945 in the North, and N955 in the East.
A Legal Practitioner and community leader in Owerre-Ezukala, Orumba South Local Government Area, Barr Nonso Madu has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the giant strides his administration has recorded in Anambra State, stressing that the massive infrastructural development currently going on in the state has turned Anambra state into a big construction site.
Speaking to newsmen in Awka, Barr.Madu noted that the recent positive initiatives taken by the Soludo administration in the area of security by setting up the operation Udo Ga Achi Security Outfit to rid the state of the menace of insecurity, kidnapping and wanton loss of lives and property is highly commendable and urged Ndi Anambra to support the soludo administration in its efforts to sanitize the State.
Barr Madu who was a 2017 Gubernatorial Aspirant in Anambra State under the All Progressives Congress, lauded the recent successful raids on criminal hideouts and camps in Umunze, Ogbunka and Owerre-Ezukala and called for its sustenance, while urging affluent individuals to set up a security trust fund and make meaningful donations to help government in tackling insecurity in the State, assuring Governor Soludo of his continued support to his administration.
He pleaded that the raids on criminal hideouts and camps in Orumba South be intensified, noting that 70 percent of the criminal activities in Anambra State can be traced to criminal camps in the named three border communities in Orumba South.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has indefinitely suspended the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This follows a heated courtroom exchange where Kanu openly rejected Justice Binta Nyako’s authority to preside over his case.
The adjournment came after Kanu insisted that Nyako had no jurisdiction over his trial, after her earlier decision to withdraw from the case.
In September 2024, Nyako recused herself following Kanu’s oral request.
However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, later reassigned the case back to her, arguing that Kanu needed to formally apply for reassignment through a motion on notice.
Despite this, Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, maintained that the judge’s withdrawal remained valid.
He requested that the case be transferred to another judge, preferably in the South-East, if no judge in Abuja was willing to preside.
At the February 10 hearing, prosecution lawyer Adegboyega Awomolo informed the court that all necessary documents had been submitted, and they were ready for trial.
However, Ejimakor disagreed, insisting that the issue at hand was Nyako’s jurisdiction, not trial proceedings.
As legal arguments continued, Kanu interrupted, demanding to speak for himself.
When asked if he wanted to take over from his lawyer, he replied affirmatively, stating that he was only present in court out of respect but did not recognize Nyako’s authority.
Kanu accused the court of manipulating the legal process and claimed that the chief judge’s directive could not override Nyako’s previous decision to recuse herself.
He further criticized the prosecution, alleging bias and unlawful interference in his case.
In response to the escalating tension, Nyako clarified that she did not wish to handle the case but was instructed to continue unless a formal application for reassignment was filed.
She then ruled that, given the circumstances, the case would be adjourned indefinitely.
Kanu rejected this ruling, stating that Nyako had no legal power to make any decisions regarding his case.
He declared that he would not recognize any further proceedings under her authority.
With the case now on hold, the next steps remain uncertain, as Kanu’s legal team may be required to formally request a new judge before proceedings can resume.
This is what is killing our young men today in Igboland.
Okeite! If you see any yahoo boy spending money lavishly, this is what he’s into. Ordinary yahoo no longer pays. To get big pay, they now go into this. The least an experienced native doctor can charge a person to prepare this charm is N1.5 million. Some native doctors charge as high as N3million.
Some don’t charge; what they do is to collect percentage of whatever you realize from time to time. Traders also do this charm. This charm is what’s called money ritual (ogwu ego).
The native doctor prepares it with bat, other dangerous species of birds, bitter herbs, roots and barks of spiritual trees like the (ogilisi). The main ingredients are dog’s spare parts and human spare parts. They work directly with mortuary attendants. They need mostly parts of those who died through road accident and others who died at an unripe age.
They also go for the parts of women who had no children. Any native doctor who knows how to prepare this must be an occult native doctor, without being one, the vibration will sweep the native doctor’s within a period. The kickback is usually harsh on the native doctors.
In this category of charm is the powerful Ibobo isi atu. Ibobo is hung on the wall. Celebrities do it. Contractors, drug people, security heads who want to be feared do it. They do it to command respect and be feared and get attracted to important people’s admiration. It’s a very dangerous charm.
It’s almost more dangerous and costly than Okeite. Anybody who has Ibobo is feared for no reason. People listen when they talk. As a Contractor, your own bidding is first considered. It carries force of attraction. The glory of a person who has it holds people down.
Another one is udu ako mmili (a calabash that never lacks water). It’s more like okeite. It takes the same process to prepare. Another one under this category is Okeawele. Traders, transporters and farmers do this mostly. Another one is what is called aro agba aka (year will never go by without making a person wealthy). It’s a new discovery under this category and seems to be the deadliest.
These are some of the things you tap as grace in the lives of some people you think are rich.
Funny enough is that no stupendously rich person does any of these. Okeite Customers can only afford things like expensive cars , houses and money to spend on women and spray at events. That’s all. Nobody who does any of these stupid things is ever counted among wealthy men and women in the society.
The side effects are bigger than what they offer. You continue losing family members from time to time. They seize some people’s ability to give birth. Some may give birth, but the baby will die on delivery. Sometimes, the mother follows it. They destroy children. Some don’t live more than five years. But the money will be coming. On dying, the properties will collapse as they came.
Apart from the lethal effects, you will not have peace of mind while alive. You will not assist anyone with the money. As you feed the Okeite Pot, so your money will keep flowing. It booms more when the handkerchief used in cleaning a woman’s private part after sex is put in the pot. That’s when you see some young girls go mad or find it hard to give birth. The pot boils like never before. Some bring human parts, moreover those babies and young girls whose blood is still fresh.
The truth is that the native doctor doesn’t know the people the charms will take as sacrifice. The charms pick randomly. Sometimes, a family member or close friends can die without you knowing they died at your instance. The charms select and don’t tell the clients when and who they are collecting. This is why a rich person in a family suspected to be behind another’s death can come out boldly and swear with their life and nothing harms them. And once the pot stops working, the time for the person to go has come. That’s when you find some young boys die of road accident or go mad or die in mysterious ways. So, when you are tapping from a person’s grace just because he bought a new vehicle or built a new house, know it that you might be tapping from a strange force.
No yahoo boy who has voluminous money nowadays gets it outside this means.Ordinary Yahoo stopped paying some five years ago. It’s good that you know all these so that no one pushes you into regrettable living. So that you don’t envy people you are better than. So that you don’t think you are not working hard. Learn. Research. Ask questions. Don’t jealous. Don’t envy. Don’t be disturbed by the doings of some people who don’t have known sources of income.
Yes, there is Okeite in govt circle: it is even more complex and dangerous. There are some officials in Government who have accumulated so much wealth that would last for generations. There are some folks who have been feeding fat from Commonwealth since return of democracy in “99.
Also, the 10%percentiles on inflated contracts,single sourcing of projects/procurement in bidding process,frontloading of bidding( where one vendor/contractor uses 5 companies to out-bid others), Never ending variation on contracts and what usually happens to unspent funds in ministries etc are different forms of Ijeawele.
Let the truth be told, if the walls of offices in govt circles, their pen, Shell companies and bank accounts could talk; few (serving & ex) will walk the street of Anambra nay Nigeria free men; that is not to say there are not upright public servants.
The havoc of Okeite in Govt space is the prime source of the symptoms we are having today.
A renowned Anambra native doctor, Akwa Okuku Tiwara Aki, has been taken into custody as authorities investigate the authenticity of his alleged money ritual practices for clients and insecurity ravaging Anambra State.
In a video circulating online , the native doctor vehemently denied performing “Okeite” rituals, citing compliance with a newly implemented law in Anambra State that bans such activities.
Anambra Native Doctor, Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki
During the interrogation, a government official can be heard insisting that Akwa Tiwara Okuku accompany them to his shrine to demonstrate the effectiveness of the rituals he claims to perform.
The incident has sparked widespread discussions about the crackdown on certain traditional practices and the state’s efforts to enforce the law.
