For the next 90 days, business registration will cost N5,000

…cuts business registration cost to N5,000

The Federal Government has approved a 90-day special window to
register businesses at a reduced rate of N5,000 in a bid to further
ease the process of registering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
in the country.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who made the disclosure on Tuesday
at the launch of the 19th edition of the National MSMEs Clinics in
Enugu, Enugu State, said the special window of 90 days was from
October 1 to December 31, 2018.

Osinbajo was quoted in a statement made available by Senior
Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office
of the Vice-President, Laolu Akande, as saying, “It was observed
during some of the earlier editions of the MSME Clinics that a lot
of MSMEs were finding it difficult to register their businesses as
a result of cost.

“The practice since we began the MSME Clinics is that most
agencies offer price reductions, especially for registration and
all other pre-investment approvals during the clinics.

“So, I am pleased to announce that the Federal Government,
through the Corporate Affairs Commission, has approved a special
window of 90 days from Monday, October 1 to December 31, 2018, to
register businesses at a considerably reduced rate of N5,000 only,
down from as much as N10,000 previously. This will afford more
MSMEs an opportunity to formalise their businesses.”

Speaking on other initiatives by the Federal Government designed
to consolidate the gains of the MSMEs Clinics, Osinbajo said, “We
will be establishing shared facilities for MSMEs based on a
partnership between the Federal Government, interested states, the
Bank of Industry, NEXIM Bank, FIRS, NAFDAC, SON and interested
private sector partners, as part of our efforts at deepening the
impact of the clinics.

“The purpose of these shared facilities is to have a
fully-equipped place with machinery and equipment required for
various trades and businesses. The MSMEs can then do their
businesses at those locations at a reasonable cost.

“This way, MSMEs are spared the financial burden of having to
buy their own equipment in order to be able to do business. Where
possible, these shared facilities would have been pre-certified by
relevant agencies, removing the need for the MSMEs to pursue these
certifications by themselves.”

He also announced the Federal Government’s willingness to
partner state governments in establishing more one-stop shops to
further enhance business registration and facilitate seamless
interaction between owners of small businesses and the relevant
regulatory agencies.

He added, “We are also aware that some states have gone on to
set up one-stop shops after the clinics. These one-stop shops bring
all the relevant agencies together in one place so as to enable the
MSMEs access their services on an ongoing basis.

“The Federal Government is also willing to partner your state
government to immediately set up one such place for the good use of
MSMEs in Enugu State.”

Osinbajo also stated that there were follow-up plans to “ensure
that all the finalists from the maiden edition of the MSME Awards
are supported with publicity and media exposure to enable them to
reach even larger markets at home and abroad.”

He added that the ongoing disbursement of collateral-free loans
to petty traders under the GEEP TraderMoni programme would soon be
launched in Enugu.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu said
the state government had already keyed into some of the social
investment programmes initiated by the Federal Government, adding
that the state would continue to cooperate with all federal
authorities to improve the well-being of the people.

He thanked the Federal Government for the launch of the National
MSMEs Clinics in the state, noting that they would greatly improve
the lives of many youths, especially those seeking employment
opportunities.

Saraki, Senate Floor Police Boss Idris over
Summon

… Court says IGP must honour Senate Summon.

A Federal High Court in Abuja struck out the suit filed by the
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris challenging the
power of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Senate to
summon him over National issues relating to his office.

In a judgment delivered by Justice John Tsoho, the court held
that the IGP’s suit constituted an abuse of court process.

The court agreed with the arguments canvassed by Saraki and the
Senate that the suit, as filed by the Police Chief is
subjudice.

Justice Tsoho said he did not see any harm that would have been
caused if the Police boss had honoured the invitation of the
Senate.

“I hold that the Inspector-General of Police ought to have
honoured the invitation of the Senate, instead of running to the
court to stop the Senate from investigating him.

“The action of the Plaintiff amounts to an abuse of court
process and, it is hereby struck out”, Justice Tsoho held, adding
also that the IGP ought to have honoured the second invitation of
the Senate on him, having failed to respond the first one as he was
on an official assignment to Bauchi state with President Muhammadu
Buhari.

Justice Tsoho returned another suit the IGP filed against the
Senate and its President to the Chief Judge of the Federal High
Court, Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati for re-assignment to another
Judge for hearing and adjudication.

“This suit is similar to the one I just delivered judgment on
and it will be in the interest of justice if this suit is returned
to the Chief Judge for re-assignment to another Judge.

“Consequently, this suit is hereby returned to the Chief Judge
for re-assignment to another Judge”, Justice Tsoho held.

IGP had, in his suit prayed the court to restrain the Senate and
its President, Dr. Bukola Saraki or their agents or any committee
from insisting that he must appear before the upper legislative
chambers in person, to the exclusion of any of his subordinate
officers.

The IGP also explained to the court why he could not honour the
Senate invitation in person, saying he was “directed by the
President to be among the presidential entourage embarking on a
two-day official trip to Bauchi State and therefore on the said
April 26, 2018, he was in Bauchi State on an assignment.

He added, “as a result of the above development, he then
directed and delegated the Deputy Inspector General of Police,
Operations, an Assistant Inspector General of Police and the
Commissioner of Police, Kogi State, who had adequate knowledge of
the two subject matters which the Senate required briefing, to
appear before the Senate on April 26, 2018 on his behalf”.

However, the Police Chief told the court that the Senate refused
the appearance of the aforesaid officers.

Also, in the suit filed by his lawyer, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN)
the IGP urged the court to declare that the letters inviting him by
the Senate dated April 25, 2018 and April 26, 2018, relating to
pending criminal proceedings against Senator Dino Melaye in court
of law is beyond its powers under section 88 of the 1999
Constitution and same is contrary to the Senate Standing Order,
2015, and the provision of section 6(6) (b) of the 1999
Constitution, and, therefore null, void and of no effect.

In an 11-paragraph affidavit in support to the suit, the IGP
said in the letter dated April 26, 2018, with the heading,
“Invitation to brief the Senate on the inhuman treatment of Senator
Dino Melaye over a matter that is pending in Court,” it clearly
showed that the Senate is aware that the said Senator Dino Melaye
is facing criminal charge in a court of law and that he is not
answerable to the Senate but to the Judicial arm of Government
trying the matter.

The deponent, Lukman Fagbemi, averred that the said Senator Dino
Melaye is facing a charge of criminal conspiracy and illegal
possession of firearms before a court of competent jurisdiction in
Kogi State.

The IGP argued that once the charge is before a court of
competent jurisdiction, it is only the Judicial arm of Government
that adjudicates and disposes of the matter one way or the other
and not subject to oversight functions of the Senate under section
88 of the 1999 Constitution, as claimed by the Senate.

He further argued that the Senate Standing Order prohibits any
reference to any matter in which any judicial decision is pending,
in this case the charge before the court in Lokoja, Kogi State is
still pending.

In addition, the IGP submitted that there is no way the
discussion on Dino Melaye’s case by the Senate will not relate to
or impact on the matter in court, that under the 1999 Constitution,
and the Police Act, the holder of his office (IGP), can delegate or
direct the carrying out of its functions by the Deputy Inspector
General of Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police and
Commissioner of Police.

By PRNigeria