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Slash N344bn NASS 2024 budget – SERAP Asks Akpabio, Abbas

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has asked the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to reduce the 2024 National Assembly budget of N344.85 billion.
Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP Deputy Director, made this call in a statement on Sunday.
According to SERAP, the call is necessary following the current economic realities in the country and the need to cut the cost of governance.
SERAP faulted the arbitrary increase of the 2024 Budget by the National Assembly.
The group said the National Assembly should ask President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to present a fresh supplementary appropriation bill to reflect a reduced National Assembly allocation.
“The arbitrary increase by the lawmakers of their own budgetary allocation if not cut would have significant fiscal consequences and exacerbate the country’s debt crisis.
“SERAP urges you to clarify why N225 million is budgeted for the National Assembly E-Library and N3 billion is budgeted to buy books for the National Assembly Library while the ‘take-off grant’ for the National Assembly Library is N12.1 billion.
“The budget of N344.48 billion by members of the National Assembly is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations.
“According to our information, the National Assembly increased its own allocation in the 2024 budget to N344.48 billion. The new budgetary allocation to the National Assembly is over 70 per cent of the N197 billion proposed by President Bola Tinubu for the lawmakers in the budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly.
“The N344.48 billion National Assembly budget, which is an increase of about N147 billion, is reportedly the highest-ever budgetary allocation to the National Assembly,” SERAP said.
Recall that the lawmakers had raised the N27.5 trillion 2024 budget proposed by President Tinubu to N28.7 trillion.
News
Policeman remanded for allegedly raping teenager inside Lagos office

An Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos State, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of 56-year-old policeman Owolabi Akinlolu at the Maximum Correctional Centre Kirikiri for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in his office.
Owolabi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Ogudu Police Station in Lagos, allegedly raped the survivor in his office after promising to help recover her phone, which was stolen by one-chance robbers while she was returning from Ikeja with her grandmother and siblings.
Akinlolu reportedly summoned the teenager to his office on June 29, claiming they had apprehended the suspect who had stolen her phone two weeks earlier.Upon arriving at the police station, the senior police officer allegedly locked his office door behind him and raped the teenager.
In July 2024, the survivor’s mother, Mrs Aramide Olupona, accused the police of attempting to cover up the case, revealing that the suspect’s wife and family had pleaded with her to drop the charges, as Akinlolu was set to retire in December 2024.
At the Magistrate Court 11 on Tuesday, the prosecution counsel, backed by a seven-paragraph affidavit, urged the court to remand the defendant, stating that the offence of defilement violates Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.In response to the prosecution’s request, Magistrate O.O. Fagboun ordered the defendant’s remand at the Maximum Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until March 11, 2025, for trial and further proceedings. Punch
News
Saudi Arabia releases new 2025 Hajj rules, bans children, updated visa policies

Saudi Arabia has announced new changes to the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, including a new restriction barring children from participating.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that the move aimed to protect children from potential dangers posed by heavy crowds during the pilgrimage.
The decision is part of broader efforts to ensure a safer and more seamless Hajj experience.
According to the ministry, the large crowds during Hajj pose serious risks to children, making this precautionary measure necessary.
Additionally, priority for the 2025 Hajj will be given to first-time pilgrims to allow more Muslims the opportunity to undertake this religious obligation at least once in their lives.
● Changes in visa regulations
Starting February 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia will issue only single-entry visas for pilgrims from 14 countries, including India, to prevent unauthorized Hajj participation.
Authorities noted that unauthorized pilgrimages had contributed to overcrowding at key sites, making crowd management and safety more challenging.
The updated visa policy aims to improve the overall Hajj experience by controlling the number of attendees.
Saudi authorities continue to refine Hajj regulations to make the pilgrimage safer and more organized.
Pilgrims are encouraged to register through official channels and follow the new guidelines to avoid complications.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia had also introduced significant changes to its visa policy, effective February 1, 2025, limiting travellers from 14 countries to single-entry visas.
This move aims to address concerns over unauthorized Hajj pilgrims entering the country on long-term visit visas.
● Affected Countries
The new regulations target travellers from the following nations: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. As part of the policy shift, the Saudi government has indefinitely suspended the one-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits from these countries.
●¡Hajj registration and new payment options
Saudi citizens and residents can register for the 2025 Hajj season via the Nusuk app or the official website. Applicants are required to verify their personal details and register their travel companions.
A new instalment-based payment plan has also been introduced for domestic pilgrims. Payments can be made in three stages: a 20% deposit within 72 hours of booking, followed by two 40% instalments due by Ramadan 20 and Shawwal 20. The ministry clarified that reservations will only be confirmed once the final payment is received.
News
Troops rescue three kidnap victims in Plateau

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have successfully rescued three kidnapped victims along the Barkin Ladi-Mangu road in Mairana village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources said the rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, following intelligence on the abduction.
The sources said that the victims were kidnapped at approximately 7:45 a.m. on February 11, 2025.
In response, troops from Sector 8 of Operation Golden Peace swiftly mobilized to the scene, where they discovered a red Ford Space Bus parked along the roadside.
Troops immediately conducted a search operation in the surrounding bushes, leading to the successful rescue of the three victims unharmed.
The kidnappers had abandoned them and fled upon sighting the advancing security personnel.
The victims were reunited with their vehicle and continued their journey safely. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing criminals.
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