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Ashanti NPP Deploys Communicators To Media Houses

The Ashanti Regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has introduced a new policy of deploying its communicators to television and radio stations to defend the party in Kumasi.

The deployment exercise commenced on Monday, September 7, 2026, under the Ashanti Regional NPP Communications Officer, Dr. Keskine Owusu Poku.

The DAILY GUIDE has seen a copy of the list of recognised party communicators in the Ashanti Region and the stations they have been assigned to.

The list, authored and signed by Dr. Poku, contains the names of the communicators and their assigned stations.

The policy is aimed at streamlining the party’s communications in the region, ensuring a common language, promoting discipline and enhancing monitoring.

The Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, announced the policy a few weeks ago, saying it will improve the party’s communications.

He recounted how the party’s communications had suffered in the past due to lack of control over its communications wing.

According to COKA, the era where people visited radio and television stations on their own to speak on behalf of the NPP in Kumasi is over.

‘You can’t just go to a radio and television station in the Ashanti Region, especially in Kumasi, on your own to talk on behalf of the NPP. This will not be tolerated,’ he said.

‘Now, it is only the Ashanti Regional NPP Communications Officer, Dr. Keskine Owusu Poku, who will assign party communicators to speak for the NPP in the media in Kumasi,’ he added.

GSI cost expected to surge beyond pound 1.9 billion, warns Finance Minister

The final cost of the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection, the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), is expected to be significantly higher than the pound 1.9 billion currently estimated capital expenditure (capex), according to Finance Minister Makis Keravnos. The Minister stressed before the Parliamentary Committee on Energy on Tuesday that the project’s financial viability and final cost are still to be determined.

Keravnos said that the pound 1.9 billion relates primarily to the cable, pointing out that there are significant additional construction works and other expenses, such as insurance coverage, storage facilities and maintenance requirements, which will need to be reflected in the updated studies and are expected to substantially increase the project’s overall cost.

According to the Finance Minister, the Government cannot take a final decision without updated financial data and a clear picture of the investment’s viability. As he explained, the state needs to know the actual cost and how it will be financed, particularly because any assumption of the cost by the Republic would affect public finances and the spending margins arising from the European economic governance framework.

He argued that, if the cost is passed on to consumers, it would not directly burden public finances, but it would create a significant issue for consumers in a country where electricity costs remain high. An earlier estimate by the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) in 2017 put the cost to consumers at approximately 3.7 cents per kilowatt-hour, depending on the use of the cable and the repayment of part of the cost through its use.

The Finance Minister also referred to a feasibility study commissioned to a US company by a previous Cabinet decision, noting that its findings were not encouraging regarding the project’s viability. For this reason, an updated study was requested, the results of which the Government is awaiting before deciding on the next steps.

He added that the European Investment Bank (EIB) had already expressed concerns at an earlier stage about the project’s financial viability, while in July 2023 it had recommended that energy storage also be examined as an alternative solution. In February 2024, the Cabinet recognised the geopolitical importance of the GSI, but made the completion of due diligence, updated cost estimates and a business plan prerequisites.

The Finance Minister said that Cyprus, as an EU member state, must be interconnected with the other member states so that it does not remain energy-isolated, while noting, however, that the current energy crisis has prompted concerns and discussions among EU Finance Ministers, and it was concluded that electricity interconnections had not provided solutions to the problems currently being faced.

At the same time, Keravnos expressed reservations about whether the interconnection would lead to a reduction in energy costs, stressing that ‘we are not certain that the price of energy will decrease,’ while noting that it is a particularly costly project.

Both the Finance Minister and Energy Minister Michalis Damianos rejected the suggestion of ‘mixed messages’ from within the Government, stressing that it cannot be said that the project will proceed regardless of cost. Damianos said that if the cost proves to be high, investors and other financing methods will have to be found.

Damianos described the GSI as more a project of energy adequacy and security than one aimed at reducing electricity costs. He noted, however, that the Government has a responsibility to ensure technical soundness, financial viability and benefits for consumers. The engagement in the project of French company Meridiam, he said, adds new momentum to the project, but the participation of additional investors is also required.

Regarding the Republic’s existing commitments, it was recalled that the previous Government had included the project in the Recovery and Resilience Plan with pound 100 million, on the condition that European funding for its construction was secured. At the same time, since 2021 there has been a government decision for Cyprus to participate in the project, a fact which, as was pointed out, must be taken into account. Whether previous commitments can be amended is, according to the Energy Minister, a ‘very complicated legal question.’

Damianos also stressed the project’s major geopolitical importance for Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the wider region, noting that if the cost changes, the involvement of investors or other sources of funding should be explored to cover it, so that Cypriot consumers are not unreasonably burdened. Regarding the surveys being carried out in the field, he said that the issuance of the NAVTEX by the Greek side is expected in the coming weeks to allow the continuation of seabed surveys, with the French government also supporting the French research vessel.

On the other hand, CERA stated that the pound 1.9 billion is the current capex estimate, with 63% corresponding to Cyprus and 37% to Greece, while the remaining expenses are divided 50%-50%. CERA has also raised questions regarding the final role of the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) and whether it will remain the project implementation body following Meridiam’s entry.

CERA Chairman Polys Lemonaris said that the Cyprus-Crete-Israel electricity interconnection is an EU Project of Common Interest and that CERA has a regulatory obligation arising from European legislation. He noted that CERA was informed on 11 August about the IPTO-Meridiam agreement and, on 28 August, together with the Greek competent authority, sent a joint letter with questions, to which it has not yet received a response.

The issue of ownership and control of the cable also remains open. CERA Vice Chairman Alkis Philippou said that, based on the current situation, control and management of the cable would be 100% in non-Cypriot hands, raising the question of whether the Republic of Cyprus should have a stake. CERA member Neophytos Hadjigeorgiou estimated that the project is currently approaching pound 3 billion and that its completion is expected to take place after 2030.

The MPs expressed strong concerns about the cost, financial viability, transparency and geopolitical risks of the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection project. They questioned whether the project would ultimately reduce electricity prices for Cypriot consumers or instead add to their financial burden, and criticised the lack of clarity over the project’s total cost, ownership structure, governance and investment terms.

A better world?

‘What matters most is how we respond to what we experience in life.’-Stephen R. Covey

IF one would sift through all the news and highlights of posts on social media, the following may end up to be the most written about or talked about issues on an international level:

Nepal flash floods

US-Iran maritime tensions

Russia-Ukraine war

Middle East violence

Rising global food prices

The energy shock and currency plunge

China, North Korea and Russia

Global bond market stress

Geo-economic fragmentation

On the domestic level, the counterpart list may include the following:

Hollywood Walk of Fame star for Lea Salonga

phenomenal rise and rise of Alex Eala

impeachment trial

flood control scandal

impact of the typhoons and habagat

‘devaluing peso’ vs the US dollar

‘legal issues’ of Vice President Sara Duterte

dangers confronting overseas Filipin workers in the Middle East

Barmm elections

The list may be longer depending on one’s take on developments. It seems like it is, indeed, a very chaotic world with uncertainties.

On the international concerns, Juan dela Cruz may just try to understand things but cannot do anything. He may not even mind the issues.

On the other domestic issues, if one would spare time to read the opinion columns, watch the talk shows, and the different posts on a number of electronic sites, nothing is wanting on analyses and offered solutions including expected end games on the issues. At times, it could be a pointing of fingers play. The stories may go on and on with many comments/critiques given.

There are, however, a couple of unusual good developments: the first is Alex Eala! She is now seeded at age 21; a first and the pride of the Filipino people.

And the second, Lea Salonga! Last September 4, Lea became the first Filipina honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: a tremendous tribute to the immense talent of Filipino artists in theater and film.

Still, we hope more good news will come! Aren’t we entitled to a better world to lift our spirits up?

Conchita L. Manabat is an incorporator and president of the Development Center for Finance, an incorporator and Trustee of San Carlos School of Cebu. Inc. and Trustee at the Coalition of Services for the Elderly. She is also an incorporator of and Lifetime Fellow at the Institute of Corporate Directors, a member of the Stakeholder Advisory Council of the International Federation for Ethics and Audit and chairperson of the Advisory Council of the International Association of Financial Executives Institutes. The views and opinions she expressed herein do not necessarily represent the BusinessMirror’s.

SteelAsia project in Batangas gets nod

The Philippines is set to establish its first manufacturing facility for medium steel sections, which it sources from other countries, after the Board of Investments (BOI) approved a P19.82-billion SteelAsia project in Lemery, Batangas.

The 72-hectare facility of SteelAsia Lemery Works Inc. in Barangay Mataas na Bayan will have an annual capacity of 500,000 metric tons and is targeted to begin commercial operations in January 2027.

Once operational, the plant will produce H-beams, I-beams, C-channels, and equal and unequal angle sections used in buildings, bridges, power plants, industrial facilities and other infrastructure projects.

The project is the first High-Value Domestic Market Enterprise registered under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy Act, or CREATE MORE, according to the BOI.

It was approved by the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) under Tier II of the Strategic Investment Priority Plan, covering investments that address gaps in industrial value chains.

‘This is the kind of investment we want to encourage-one that helps us strengthen an industry that is critical to our infrastructure ambitions and long-term economic development,’ FIRB Chair and Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said.

The facility is expected to directly employ 656 workers by its third year of operations and generate an estimated P107.4 billion in sales during its first five years.

Government estimates also project the project to contribute P45.58 billion in additional economic output, generate P23.63 billion in household income and support about 102,029 jobs across the economy.

SteelAsia Chairman and CEO Benjamin O. Yao said the section mill project would help address the country’s dependence on imported structural steel.

‘As we accept this incentive package, we look forward to serving the needs of the Philippine market, start enabling downstream SMEs, and start saving billions of dollars through import substitution, reducing our huge trade deficit,’ Yao said.

The facility will use electric arc furnace steelmaking technology incorporating CONSTEEL Evolution technology developed by Italy-based Tenova. SteelAsia said the plant will run on renewable electricity and use locally sourced recyclable steel scrap. It will also employ wastewater treatment systems designed to recycle water and prevent wastewater discharge.

BOI said that the project is aligned with the Philippine Iron and Steel Decarbonization Roadmap, which seeks to promote more resource-efficient and lower-carbon steel production.

Former manager sues bank for pulling brother into office probe

Most employees expect a workplace investigation to stay at work. For Salimah Pirbhai, a former Diamond Trust Bank manager, it followed her home, bringing her family into a dispute that ultimately cost her job and raised an unusual question about the limits of an employer’s reach.

Ms Pirbhai’s fight over her dismissal has exposed a rare battle over how far an employer can go into an employee’s private and family life during workplace-related investigations.

She alleged that senior bank officers went beyond formal disciplinary procedures, summoned her brother and used family pressure during an investigation into suspected irregular transactions at the lender’s Parklands branch.

However, the Employment and Labour Relations Court has declined to decide that question, ruling that Ms Pirbhai had used the wrong route of litigation.

It struck out her case, finding that she filed a constitutional petition instead of an ordinary employment claim under the Employment Act.

She sued in January 2026, claiming that her brother’s involvement crossed from workplace discipline into her private and family life and breached her constitutional rights, including privacy, dignity, and fair labour practices.

Ms Pirbhai filed the petition seeking declarations that DTB violated her constitutional rights.

She also applied for a declaration that the bank subjected her to workplace harassment, intimidation and unfair labour practices, and unlawfully terminated her employment.

She sought general and aggravated damages, compensation equivalent to 12 months’ gross salary, Sh193,218, which she said had been unlawfully deducted from her terminal dues, unpaid leave days, costs and interest.

The dispute

She was terminated in October 2025. At the time, she was earning Sh649,900 monthly salary.

The legal dispute followed investigations into suspected fraudulent dealings and irregular banking transactions at DTB’s Parklands branch.

DTB told the court that the investigations, suspension, disciplinary proceedings and dismissal were connected to those transactions.

Ms Pirbhai said her problems began after she escalated concerns about suspicious withdrawals from a dead customer’s account.

She alleged that senior executives repeatedly summoned her to informal meetings outside official premises and normal working hours, including meetings at Ole Sereni and Serena hotels, without notice of purpose or procedural safeguards, exposing her to fear, uncertainty, and psychological pressure.

According to her affidavit, she was subjected to intimidation, coercion, threats of arrest and threats to damage her reputation. She also alleged pressure to change her account of events and sign statements favourable to the bank.

Blackmail and threats

The alleged breach, she said, was aggravated ‘when the executives at the meetings subjected the Petitioner to intimidation, blackmail, and threats of arrest leading to loss of her personal liberty and loss of reputation in an effort to blackmail the Petitioner to concede to the withdrawals.’

Ms Pirbhai told the court that DTB summoned her brother to an off-site meeting on August 15, 2025, allegedly to exert indirect pressure on her.

She said the conduct imported workplace allegations into her family life and caused emotional distress and damage to family relationships.

She argued that this raised an independent constitutional issue because Article 31 protects privacy and the Employment Act does not authorise employers to intrude into family relationships.

‘The said conduct caused me severe emotional distress, humiliation, psychological trauma, fear, reputational injury, and profound interference with my dignity, autonomy, and personal relationships,’ she said.

DTB disputed that position. It argued that the petition merely repackaged an ordinary employment dispute as a constitutional case. It said that investigations, suspension, disciplinary proceedings and dismissal were governed by the Employment Act.

‘All the allegations pleaded by the petitioner, including summons and interrogation of her family members, investigations, questioning by senior officers, meetings, suspension, disciplinary proceedings, alleged intimidation, procedural unfairness and termination of employment, arose directly from and are inseparably connected to the employment relationship and the respondent’s internal disciplinary processes,’ its advocate said.

The bank also said allegations of confinement, confiscation of Ms Pirbhai’s mobile phone, intimidation and deprivation of liberty were disputed facts unsupported by contemporaneous documentary, electronic, medical or independent evidence.

Justice Jemimah Keli agreed with the bank on the question of the proper forum for resolving the dispute. The judge found that the grievances, including the alleged privacy violation, were tied to the employment dispute and could be addressed under the statutory employment framework.

‘It is apparent to the court that all the grievances have been pleaded and placed under Article 41 of the Constitution,’ Justice Keli said in the ruling dated August 20, 2026.

She added: ‘I find the issue of constitutional avoidance could be ascertained from the pleadings without much inquiry.’

The ruling

The judge held that the Employment Act provided sufficient remedies for the dispute concerning termination.

‘As such, this matter ought to have been filed as an ordinary claim as opposed to a Constitutional Petition,’ the court said, striking out the petition for offending the doctrine of constitutional avoidance.

The ruling did not determine whether allegations such as intimidation and threats of arrest, pressure to alter her account, off-site meetings outside working hours, and the summoning of her brother to exert pressure on her and intrude into her family life were true.

The court did not also determine whether DTB followed a fair disciplinary process.

In June this year, Ms Pirbhai and two other people were presented at criminal court in Milimani, Nairobi and charged with 68 counts linked to alleged theft, conspiracy, money laundering and forgery involving more than Sh149.3 million. They denied the charges.

The prosecution alleged that funds were fraudulently withdrawn from a Great Britain Pounds account belonging to a bank customer between 2016 and 2020. The criminal allegations remain unproved.

Foundation mobilises disabled persons ahead of 2027 general elections

The All-right Foundation (TAF) Africa has commenced the mobilisation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the country ahead the 2027 general elections, urging them to prepare to participate fully in the elections as it is their right to do so.

This was as TAF Africa said it is liaising with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to ensure that the safety of disabled persons is secured in polling units across the country.

Speaking during a one day sensitisation programme tagged ‘Able to Vote’, organised for PWDs in Warri South, Andrew Adaji, the Programme Manager, urged them to come out en masse to cast their votes in the 2027 General Elections.

He said the programme was specially designed to create awareness for PWDs to exercise their franchise during the forth coming election, emphasizing that their votes would count.

Adaji stated that disabled persons should be able to vote like every other person as it is in tandem with INEC Electoral Act, adding that TAF Africa is engaging INEC officials at the national level to ensure polling units are assessable to disabled persons.

He also disclosed that TAF Africa was in Delta State to tour six communities with this sensitization programme in order to urge disabled persons to cast their votes in the forth coming election and also teach them on how to conduct themselves during elections.

Adaji stated that TAF is seriously engaging INEC to ensure that the votes PWDs counts.

He told participants that after casting their votes, they should ensure that the INEC officials capture their details in a form called ‘E C 40H’

He said the reason TAF is insisting on the ‘E C 40H’ is because after election, TAF collates the number of PWD that voted and sends a message to the elected Governor, requesting that PWD should be considered for political appointments.

He also mentioned that during elections, there’s priority voting (special queue) for old people, visibly pregnant women and PWD.

In an interactive session with participants, Fatai Onifade, the Chairman of Joint National Association of People with Disability (JONAPWD), Warri South Chapter, stated that one of the main challenges for PWD during elections is transportation to the various polling units, knowing fully well that disabled persons cannot walk fast.

Another participant, Christian Ogbonna also stated that security is a serious challenge for them during elections because in the advent of election violence, it’s difficult for disabled persons to escape.

Adaji assured participants that their safety would be guaranteed.

How good can you go?

Alex Eala’s coach, Joan Bosch, recently shared a powerful thought about the Filipina tennis star: ‘Alex is very good. The question of how good she can be nobody knows.’

His focus was not simply on rankings, trophies, or one outstanding tournament, but on how consistently she would continue giving her best and becoming better.

The same thought should challenge every sales leader. At some point, you will reach a milestone you once worked hard for-a quota achieved, an award received, a promotion earned, or a level of success that once seemed beyond you. Will you turn that achievement into your comfort zone-or use it as the starting point for something greater?

So, how good can you go? Here are five ways to keep finding out.

Do not turn a milestone into a ceiling

Celebrate what you have achieved, but do not allow it to define the highest level you can reach. A milestone proves what you were capable of producing at one point in your journey. It should build confidence, not create complacency. Yesterday’s breakthrough can quickly become today’s comfort zone. Let success become evidence of your potential-not a boundary around it.

Do not let the ranking fool you

You can be the team’s top seller and still fail to achieve your target. Ranking first only means that you performed better than everyone else; it does not necessarily mean that you performed well enough. Compare your results with the required standard, the value created for customers, and your own previous performance. Recognition should affirm progress without hiding the gaps that still need attention. Do not merely ask, ‘Am I better than the others?’ Ask, ‘Am I becoming better than I was?’

Find the next performance gap

Success can make weaknesses easier to ignore. After every achievement, examine what still needs improvement, what nearly failed, and where performance remains inconsistent. Review the numbers, customer outcomes, conversion rates, lost opportunities, and processes behind the result. Excellence grows when people keep identifying the next gap that must be closed. The moment you believe there is nothing left to improve, your progress may already be slowing.

Choose consistency over occasional brilliance

One exceptional month, major account, or successful campaign deserves to be celebrated, but it cannot carry an entire career. Excellence requires the ability to produce strong results repeatedly across changing conditions. Build the routines, skills, discipline, and recovery practices that make outstanding performance less accidental.

Brilliance may create memorable moments, but consistency builds a trusted reputation.

Choose consistency over occasional brilliance-and work toward making brilliance consistent.

Remain Coachable as You Become Successful

Success can make people more confident-but it can also make them harder to teach.

Remain humble enough to listen, question your assumptions, and learn from people who see what you cannot. A coach, mentor, colleague, customer, or team member may recognize an important lesson before you do. Being good should never make you defensive about becoming better. The more you achieve, the more intentional you must become about remaining teachable.

No ranking, quota, award, or position can determine the highest level you can reach.

That answer is gradually revealed by how consistently you choose to learn, improve, and give your best. Keep growing, keep pursuing excellence, and never allow your current success to become your final standard-because sometimes, good can become the enemy of your best.

God bless!

Alexey ‘Coach Lex’ Rola Cajilig is the President and CEO of ARCWAY Consultancy Inc., a recognized Sales Leadership Coach, Strategic Sales Operations Consultant, Christian Motivational Speaker, and Human Ecologist. As the author of The Effective Seller and Solving the Sales Puzzle, Coach Lex empowers leaders and sales professionals to turn knowledge into action, and action into measurable results. He is also the creator of ARCH Styles, a cutting-edge behavioral and personality discovery tool that helps individuals and teams unlock their true potential and perform at their peak. Connect and collaborate with Coach Lex at arcway.ph.

Prosecutors mull putting Duterte on witness stand

THE House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte has announced its intention to call Duterte herself as a witness after it finishes presenting evidence for all four Articles of Impeachment.

The move was disclosed by private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan during the 23rd day of the trial, signalling a major shift in the prosecution’s strategy as it seeks to place the Vice President’s own explanation at the center of the proceedings.

Kapunan clarified that the prosecution was not immediately requesting the Senate Impeachment Court to subpoena Duterte. Instead, the panel intends to complete its presentation of evidence first before deciding on the formal request for her appearance. She emphasized that Duterte’s testimony would be considered at the conclusion of the presentation of all impeachment articles.

‘At the end of all of these articles, we reserve the right to present the Vice President herself,’ Kapunan told the court.

The announcement came after discussions among public and private prosecutors regarding the direction of their case. Following their review, the prosecution decided to discontinue the presentation of the remaining witnesses originally planned for the article involving alleged misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds. The decision effectively shortened the prosecution’s planned witness presentation for that portion of the case.

Although no formal motion has been filed, defense lawyer Sheila Sison expressed opposition, invoking constitutional rights, after the prosecution expressed an intent to potentially call Duterte as a witness.

Sison quoted Section 17, Article 3 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, asserting that the respondent has a fundamental right against ‘testimonial compulsion’ or testifying against oneself.

She added that the prohibition against testimonial compulsion is designed to prevent the recurrence of oppressive practices.

10 of 27 witnesses

THE prosecution initially identified 27 witnesses for the confidential funds article. According to Kapunan, 10 witnesses had already appeared before the court, while agreements and stipulations involving two other witnesses made their personal appearances unnecessary. The remaining 15 witnesses, including those scheduled to testify on that hearing day, would no longer be presented.

‘After a long meeting last night and towards this morning, just before this hearing, the prosecution, both public and private prosecutors, have decided to… forego your honors, not only with the witnesses subpoenaed for today, but with all the remaining 15 witnesses,’ Kapunan said.

‘In lieu of presenting 15 other witnesses, we will be presenting the Vice President herself,’ Kapunan stated. However, she later clarified that this would not happen immediately and would only be considered after the prosecution completes the presentation of all four impeachment articles.

Among those affected by the decision were Police Maj. Jovelyn Magay, Sunshine Fajarda, and Bresilio Sabaldan, who had been scheduled to appear before the impeachment court. Kapunan confirmed that their testimonies would no longer be part of the prosecution’s presentation for the confidential funds allegations.

Explaining the change in strategy, Kapunan argued that the evidence already presented by witnesses and documents pointed towards the need to hear directly from Duterte. She stated that the testimonies and records introduced during the proceedings connected various issues under examination to the vice president, making her own response relevant to the case.

Kapunan used a chess analogy to describe the relationship between the witnesses and the subject of the allegations, comparing the different pieces of evidence to chess pieces that ultimately point towards one accountable individual. She also highlighted testimony from Land Bank of the Philippines witnesses, which the prosecution said established the existence and withdrawal of confidential funds.

Potential testimony

THE prosecution maintained that Duterte’s potential testimony would not be limited to the confidential funds allegations. Kapunan explained that her appearance could also be relevant to the other impeachment articles involving alleged grave threats, unexplained wealth, and bribery. These issues remain part of the broader accusations being considered by the impeachment court.

As the trial moves forward, the prosecution is preparing to present its case on unexplained wealth, which it expects to require more time compared with the bribery allegations. House lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro explained that the prosecution’s pre-trial planning showed a larger number of witnesses and documentary evidence would be needed for the unexplained wealth article.

‘I think it is reflected in our pre-trial brief that the prosecution requested more trial days for the unexplained wealth case compared to the bribery case,’ Luistro said, explaining that additional evidence would be required for the Article II charges compared with the bribery allegations.

The unexplained wealth allegation focuses on claims that Duterte accumulated assets allegedly disproportionate to her declared income and failed to fully disclose certain financial interests in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. The prosecution plans to examine financial documents, including bank records, tax-related information, and other materials, as part of its presentation.

Luistro emphasized that the decision to present unexplained wealth ahead of bribery does not indicate that one article is stronger than another. ‘These are four equally strong articles of impeachment,’ she said, explaining that the order was adjusted based on witness availability and other practical considerations.

The Senate impeachment court also reminded the prosecution that it would not immediately consider Article I completely closed because additional witnesses could still be called if necessary. The court explained that it would determine whether further testimony would be required after reviewing the evidence presented by both sides.

The prosecution accepted the court’s guidance while maintaining its reservation to call Duterte and an amicus curiae who could assist the court regarding constitutional issues involving impeachment, public officers, and public accountability.

FG tightens foreign travel rules for government appointees

The federal government has tightened controls on overseas travel by political appointees and senior public officials, requiring prior clearance from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) before they can embark on official foreign trips.

The new directive also requires the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to demand proof of approval from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s office before processing official travel documentation, including diplomatic, official and service visas for government appointees.

The measure was contained in a circular signed by George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and circulated to ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of government agencies and other senior officials.

The government said the directive was necessary because some officials had continued to travel abroad on official assignments without obtaining the required authorisation. The circular said officials were acting ‘contrary to extant government directives and established administrative procedures regulating official travels outside the country.’

The requirement applies to ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, members of government boards and committees and other federal appointees. It exempts cases where a different arrangement is expressly permitted by law or directed by the president.

The government said the policy was aimed at reinforcing control over official foreign engagements, improving accountability and limiting unnecessary public expenditure. It cited several previous directives issued between 2012 and 2023 governing foreign travel by ministers, agency heads, board chairmen and other public officials.

Despite those measures, the government said violations had persisted. ‘Despite these directives, instances of non-compliance continue to be recorded,’ the circular said.

The latest move comes as the government faces increased scrutiny over people and organisations claiming to act on behalf of the federal administration, including foreign engagements conducted in Nigeria’s name.

The controversy surrounding Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who described himself as Director-General of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), has intensified questions about how individuals can present themselves as government representatives without clear evidence of official authorisation.

The new rules, however, extend beyond such cases and apply broadly to federal government appointees travelling abroad on official business.

Under the directive, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to make evidence of valid approval from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation part of the documentation required for official travel-related requests. This includes applications for Notes Verbales, diplomatic facilitation and official foreign travel.

Foreign missions and embassies accredited to Nigeria are also to be notified of the requirement. Applications for official, diplomatic or service visas by government appointees are expected to carry the relevant travel approval where applicable.

The government said the move would give foreign missions an additional mechanism for confirming that officials seeking official travel documents had received authorisation from the Nigerian government.

The directive also places responsibility on the Auditor-General for the Federation to verify compliance during audits. Officials who travel abroad at public expense may be required to produce evidence that the trip had received the necessary clearance.

Public expenditure associated with unauthorised foreign travel will also face scrutiny, with the government warning that such spending could be reported under applicable financial and audit rules.

Accounting officers, permanent secretaries and heads of federal agencies have been instructed to ensure that public funds are not released for official foreign travel unless the required approval has already been obtained.

The circular said the requirement was intended to support ‘due process, centralised coordination of government business and prudent management of public resources.’

The SGF directed ministers, permanent secretaries, accounting officers and agency heads to enforce the policy immediately. It also said the new instruction would override administrative practices that conflict with the directive, while leaving existing laws and regulations on official foreign travel intact.

The circular was distributed to senior officials across the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government, as well as security agencies, financial regulators, revenue bodies, anti-corruption institutions and government-owned companies.

KCCA struggles continue as Bul, Blacks Power extend perfect starts

Kigezi Homeboys 0-0 KCCA

KCCA continued their slow start to the Startimes Uganda Premier League season after being held to a goalless draw away to new entrants Kigezi Homeboys.

While the result earned the Brian Ssenyondo coached side their first point, it is now three games without victory for the Lugogo based side who have not tasted league success since 2019.

The result will thus increase pressure on Ssenyondo who has come under increasing scrutiny since being elevated to the head coaching role in the off-season.

He made four changes from last week’s 2-0 loss to Express with Humphrey Oyirwoth replacing Mutwalibi Mugolofa in goal while Etienne Katenga, Ashraf Mugume and ismail Fahad were also handed starts but they rarely threatened home goalkeeper Norman Angunfindru.

Elsewhere, Bul and Blacks Power extended their perfect starts to the season with Bul thrashing Ntugasaze 4-1.

Swabir Mpasa, Martin Aprem, Reagan Kalyowa and Simon Achidi got the goals for the Alex Isabirye coached side who lead the table ahead of Blacks Power by virtue of a superior goal difference.

Defeat for Ntugasaze means they have lost their opening three games in their maiden topflight season and drop to bottom of the log having conceded eight goals in that sequence.

Another newly promoted side Blacks Power have no such worries after a third straight win that saw them come from behind to beat Maroons 2-1 at Wankulukuku.

Ali Ismael gave Maroons a 37th minute lead when he connected with a Brian Nkuubi corner and the Prison Warders should have been out of sight had Jackson Nunda placed the ball beyond the lone defender guarding the Blacks Power goal.

Marvin Oshaba also missed a one on one opportunity with Maroons paying the price for those misses when Andrea Ogwal turned defender Borris Onegi before beating goalkeeper Derrick Ochan with a hard shot five minutes after the break.

Richard Otim then rifled in Blacks Power’s second goal to hand maximum points to the Simon Mugerwa coached side enjoying their return to the top division.