TodayPrice

Author: Chisom OZ

  • 10 Bayelsa cult leaders sign undertaking as Police secures ‘ceasefire’

    10 Bayelsa cult leaders sign undertaking as Police secures ‘ceasefire’

    Following the ongoing cult-related killings in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, authorities of the State Command of the Nigeria Police Force have reportedly initiated a conflict resolution mechanism to enforce ‘ceasefire’ from warring cult group leaders in the State.

    The Command warned that further conflict and killings would lead to automatic arrest and prosecution of the identified leaders.

    Cult-related clashes had resulted in the killings of seven persons in the last week along the Igbogene, Amarata, Swali and Ekeki suburbs of the state capital. Three youths of the same parents were shot dead in the bloodshed.

    Cause of bloodshed

    The cause of the crisis is the struggle for control of the share of revenue from the newly established State Transport Terminal located at Igbogene.

    It was also gathered that the Igbogene axis, where the Bus terminal is located is under the control of the Greenlanders Cult group, but other cult groups such as Icelanders, Vikings, Bobos and Dee-bams were struggling to have a share of the expected revenues.

    It was learnt that the State Commissioner of Police, who is angry with the rising cases of killings, ordered the tactical team of Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo to invite all the leaders of the cult groups for a meeting to resolve the matter.

    It was also gathered that the leaders of the cult groups, after declining an earlier invitation out of fear of the tactical team, approached the top echelon of the police to meet with the State Commissioner of Police over the issue.

    At the meeting, which started on Monday and ended on Tuesday, it was gathered that about ten heads of cult groups in the state agreed that “forthwith, all cases of violence and killings must stop”.

    They also agreed to send messages to all their foot soldiers on the agreement.

    They further submitted that the police should hold any leader of any cult group identified in any further violence responsible

    A reliable security source said the undertaking was signed to bring a halt to the killings and bloodshed but that investigation into individuals responsible for the killings is ongoing and they will be brought to book.

  • N8bn is for advocacy against vandalism, not bill payment awareness – Adelabu, Power Minister

    N8bn is for advocacy against vandalism, not bill payment awareness – Adelabu, Power Minister

    Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, has said that N8 billion in the 2025 budget of the ministry is for advocacy against vandalism and challenges in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry, NESI.

    Read Also: Power Ministry’s N8bn budget for electricity bill sensitisation is wastefulness, corruption — NLC

    The minister made the clarification in a statement, Thursday, by Mr Bolaji Tunji, his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, in Abuja.

    Tunji quoted Adelabu as saying that the N8 billion in the 2025 budget appropriation of the ministry was specifically meant for advocacy, education, enlightenment and provision of technology to protect power infrastructure.

    Recall that mixed reactions followed claims that the ministry was spending N8 billion on electricity bill payment awareness.

    Reacting in the statement, the minister said that the ministry had no such need to preach to Nigerians about the need to pay for electricity consumed.

    According to him, the budgetary amount is meant to sensitise Nigerians on the need to show patriotism in their attitudes and conducts towards national assets, especially power infrastructure.

    ”It is also to enlighten Nigerians on the need to protect and take ownership of the power infrastructure and other national assets.

    ”This is contrary to claims in some quarters that the money is meant for sensitisation on payment of electricity bills,” he explained.

    The minister added that the various Distribution Companies (DisCos) were capable of recovering debts owed them by those who enjoy their services.

    He added that far from  what was being canvassed, the Federal Government was deeply worried about acts of sabotage that have continued to erode the gains made in the last one and half year in electricity supply to Nigerians

    ”It is important to correct the impression that N8 billion is being proposed for sensitisation on electricity payment.

    ”We are all aware that in the last few months, acts of vandalism have continued to throw different parts of the country into darkness with vandals planting bombs under power towers, carting away power lines and cables.

    ”The recent one is the vandalism of underground cables that has thrown many parts of Abuja into darkness. It is therefore important to protect power infrastructure, ” he said.

    Adelabu further clarified that the ministry’s advocacy programme would entail sensitisation across the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), the 36 states and the FCT.

    He said the programme would also entail the use of electronic platforms such as radio and television; the social media, newspapers, billboards to re-orientate Nigerians on the implications of vandalising power infrastructure.

    ”It will also require the engagement of the different community stakeholders across the geo-political zones in town hall meetings; engaging local security men to protect such assets.

    ”This will also involve the deployment of technology to safeguard these assets.

    ‘The ministry will alos embark on some Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects across many of the host communities to our power installations to motivate and encourage them on the protection of power infrastructure by local hunters and security personnel.

    ”All these will cost so much. More specifically, the advocacy will take us to all the nooks and crannies of the country. We will hold meetings with the leaders, stakeholders and youths,” he said.

    ‘Vandals use dynamites’

    The minister said that those concerned would be reached in their local languages and dialect, adding that this would help address the issue of vandalism.

    According to him, this is essentially what this budgetary allocation is meant for.

    ”It cost the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) more than N9 billion, to bring back the transmission towers and lines destroyed by the terrorists on the Shiroro-Mando-Kaduna line, which threw parts of northern Nigeria into darkness in 2025.

    He disclosed that dynamites were used to bring down the towers and the lines, adding that this was just one of many of such attacks across the nation.

    Adelabu said that till date, the job  of bringing back the transmission towers and lines destroyed, had not been  completed due to activities of bandits who have continued to stagnate efforts to repair some of the lines.

    ”It is our belief that the advocacy we are proposing will be able to redirect the minds of those who are bent on taking us backward in our effort to provide efficient, effective, and uninterrupted electricity to Nigerians.

    ”Only last weekend, almost half of Abuja was thrown into darkness as a result of the activities of vandals. The history of vandalism of the nation’s power infrastructure is legendary.

    ”However, in the recent years, it has escalated and in the over one year, it has continued to increase  at an alarming rate. We have suffered sustained and more violent attacks on our infrastructure.

    Adelabu however said that the power industry, had received support from the nation’s security agencies to address attacks on power infrastructure, adding that it still had not abated.

    According to him, the power ministry does not have a police or army of its own to secure these infrastructures and this informed our decision to seek the National Assembly approval to embark on this advocacy to community leaders.

    ”As well as stakeholders, youths, and all Nigerians on the need to take ownership of the power infrastructure located in their areas and communities.”

    Grid collapse

    The minister further said that efforts were continuing to tackle the problem of incessant grid collapse, as it was a known fact that over the years, the infrastructure had been neglected and allowed to decay to a state of dilapidation.

    He said that the Siemens project was one of the ways of tackling the incessant grid collapse.

    He disclosed that the pilot stage of the Siemens project was to ensure the installation of 10 power transformers and the mobile substations across the country, adding that it was about 95 per cent completion.

    ”So far, we have installed eight  power transformers and five mobile substations in Okene, Kogi; Amukpe, Delta; Ihovbor, Edo; Apo, Abuja; Maryland, Lagos; Potiskum, Yobe; Ajah, Lagos; Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi; Jebba, Niger; Kwanar-dangora, Kano; UI, Oyo; Sapele, and Ogun.

    ”The 2nd phase will see the construction of 14 brown field substations and 20 green field substations. Agreement has been signed for the construction of five substations starting first quarter of 2025.

    ”This will further strengthen the grid capacity and reduce instances of grid collapse. Not only that, the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) project is still on-going,” he disclosed.

    The minister noted that when the present administration came on stream, the generation stagnated at about 4000 Megawatt (MW), adding that within that period till date, over 1000 megawatts had been added to the grid reaching 5,528 MW.

    He said that the increase in MW was in line with the campaign promise of President Bola Tinubu that electricity remains a fundamental right of Nigerians, and the power ministry would work to achieve that.

  • Interior Minister orders deployment of passport printers in Atlanta, New York Consulates

    Interior Minister orders deployment of passport printers in Atlanta, New York Consulates

    ABUJA: The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to immediately deploy new printers to the passport offices in the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta and New York, United States of America.

    This is coming a few days after Vanguard Newspaper published a petition by a group of Nigerians in the Diaspora.

    The petitioners had appealed to the minister to act after detailing challenges being faced by Nigerians in dire need of consular services in the two cities.

    In response, Tunji-Ojo in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, acknowledged receipt of the petition while announcing his directive to the NIS.

    The Minister’s response is reproduced below:

    RE: NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA PETITION INTERIOR MINISTER OVER PRINTER CRISIS

    The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has acknowledged the receipt of a petition concerning an appeal for passport printers in Atlanta and New York Consulates in the United States of America.

    To address this issue, the Minister has since approved and directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to immediately deploy new printers to the passport offices in both cities. These printers are ready for installation. This short-term solution aims to resolve the current challenge promptly.

    The Minister hinted that there is a new solution being implemented as a long-term plan that will usher in a streamlined passport regime, enabling Nigerians to apply for their passports with more ease.

    Part of this plan includes the activation of the Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja, which is scheduled to start in the next few weeks while also opening up more countries for the already-deployed contactless solution.

    The Ministry of Interior under the Minister is working round the clock, and none of the agencies is left behind. At the Nigeria Immigration Service, for instance, there has been an end-to-end automation of the passport application process and the introduction of the contactless application process, which has since been launched in Canada.

    The Minister assures that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians experience #RenewedHope laced with innovation and convenience while still enhancing national security.

  • Alleged 6bn fraud: Court grants EFCC permission to amend charge against ex-minister Agunloye

    Alleged 6bn fraud: Court grants EFCC permission to amend charge against ex-minister Agunloye

    Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the High Court of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday granted leave to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to amend charges against a former Minister of Power, Dr Olu Agunloye.

    The former minister is being prosecuted by the EFCC, on behalf of the Federal Government, in the suit, marked FCT/HC/CR/617/2023, on a seven-count charge bordering on forgery, disobedience of presidential order, and corruption in the Mambilla power plant project in Taraba State.

    The commission alleged that Agunloye on May 22, 2003, awarded a contract titled “Construction of 3,960 Megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on a build, operate, and transfer basis to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited without any budgetary provision, approval, and cash backing.

    It also, among others, alleged that it traced some suspicious payments made by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited to accounts of the former minister, who served in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

    Ruling on the defendant’s objection to the amended charge filed by the prosecution on June 25, 2024, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that having gone through the affidavit in support of the motion for amendment, the court is convinced to allow the amendment.

    He noted that the court may permit an alteration or amendment to a charge or reframing of a new charge at any time before judgment is pronounced.

    He further held that whenever the prosecution decides to amend the charge already before the court, it can proceed to do so without asking permission or leave to do so in so far as it is in line with the provisions of Sections 216 and 217 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

    The judge held that, contrary to the defendant’s submission that the attempt by EFCC to amend the charge was to overreach him, the amendment of the charge was not meant to overreach the former minister.

    “The stage at which the prosecution is amending the charge still gives the defendant an opportunity to put up his defence.

    ” The matter is still at the stage of examination in chief of the prosecution. The matter is yet to get to the defence stage.

    “It is my humble view that the amendment is not intended to overreach the defendant and cause injustice to him.”

    He then adjourned until Feb. 3 for the rearrangement of the defendant on the amended charge.

    Agunloye had, through his counsel, Adeola Adedipe SAN, on Nov. 13, 2024, while adopting his written address on his objection to the amended charge, told the court that the prosecution’s attempt to amend the charge was an overreach.

    Adedipe argued that the amendment sought is an overreach, submitting that Leno Adesanya, whose name is being imported into the amended charge by the virtue of the judgment of Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had acquired a declarative right in the realm.

    According to the senior advocate, that right was enforceable by the court by virtue of Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

    He, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the prosecution’s application to amend the charge by holding that no cogent and verifiable reasons have been adduced for such amendment.

    The prosecuting counsel, Abba Muhammed SAN, informed the court that the motion on notice seeking to amend the charge against the former minister was brought pursuant to Sections 216(1) and (2) and 217 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

    He then urged the court to grant the prosecution’s prayers, seeking an order granting leave to amend the instant charge against the defendant and an order seeing the amended charge filed on June 25, 2024, against the former minister, properly filed and served. (NAN)

  • We’ll not compromise your welfare, Tinubu assures soldiers

    We’ll not compromise your welfare, Tinubu assures soldiers

    President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, assured officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army that their welfare would not be compromised.

    The President gave the assurance at the inauguration of the newly constructed “Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks,” named after him, in Abuja.

    He said the barracks project aligned with the federal government’s commitment to enhancing troops’ welfare, including providing adequate office and residential accommodation.

    According to him, knowing that the federal government is always ready to meet the needs of troops to fulfill their mandates is essential for winning battles.

    “You are our heroes and I thank you for what you have been doing for this country.

    “I commend the Chief of Army Staff for his foresight in developing the remarkable barracks for our courageous men and women.

    “We appreciate the officers and personnel who contributed in various ways to the timely completion of this project,” said the President.

    He said the government would continue to commit resources to improve the welfare of soldiers.

    “What you all are doing for us is extremely remarkable, is appreciated and the only way we can show this is a continued support for men and women in our uniform,” he said.

    The president commended the leadership of the Nigerian Army for its foresight in initiating and completing the project in record time.

    He also commended the late army chief, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for his impactful contribution to the development of the Nigerian Army.

    In his remarks, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), reiterated the army’s commitment to upholding the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and supporting its flourishing democracy.

    Oluyede pledged the army’s unflinching support to the Tinubu administration in its effort to improve the country’s socio-economic and security fortune.

  • Okonjo-Iweala cautions WTO members against tit-for-tat tariffs

    Okonjo-Iweala cautions WTO members against tit-for-tat tariffs

    Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has cautioned nations against escalating tariff conflicts, warning that a retaliatory trade war could have “catastrophic” consequences for the global economy.

    Speaking on Thursday at a panel discussion during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala urged calm amidst rising tensions following threats of tariffs by US President Donald Trump against China, the European Union, Mexico and Canada.

    “Please let’s not hyperventilate. I know we are here to discuss tariffs. I’ve been saying to everybody: could we chill, also? I just sense a lot of hyperventilation,” she said, emphasising the need for measured responses.

    She drew parallels to the economic turmoil caused by the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 during the Great Depression which led to widespread retaliation and deepened the global crisis.

    Okonjo-Iweala advised WTO member nations to explore alternative avenues for dispute resolution rather than resorting to retaliatory measures. “Even if a tariff is levied, please keep calm, don’t wake up and without the necessary groundwork levy your own,” she said.

    The WTO chief warned that a full-scale trade war, with escalating tariffs of 25% to 60%, could result in double-digit global GDP losses.

    “If we have tit-for-tat retaliation, whether it’s 25 per cent tariffs, 60 per cent, and we go to where we were in the 1930s, we are going to see double-digit global GDP losses, double-digit. That’s catastrophic,” she said.

  • Man beheads, buries father’s head in Abia

    Man beheads, buries father’s head in Abia

    UMUAHIA- A man, identified as Ogeoma Ogbonna, has beheaded his father, Azubuike Ogbonna, in Umuomei community, in Obingwa council area of Abia state.

    Today Price gathered that after beheading his father, Ogeoma later dug a hole where he buried the severed head before neighbors were attracted to the incident.

    The father’s body lay in a pool of blood as sympathizers thronged the compound and expressed shock over what could have led Ogeoma to kill his father.

    Community sources told Vanguard that Ogeoma who is a palm cutter, has been showing signs of mental illness and was always threatening to harm people.

    He was alleged to have earlier threatened to kill his father before executing the evil act, few hours later.

    “Ogeoma has been showing signs of mental illness. He was always threatening to harm people. But nobody in this community knew that he will get to the extent of cutting off his father’s head.

    “We are still in shock on how he could kill his father. Before neighbors were called in to see what happened, he had already buried the head in a shallow grave in the compound. He took people and showed them the grave,” a native of the community, said.

    As at the time of filing this report, Police Public Relations Officer,Abia State Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, did not respond to calls and a text message sent to her mobile number.

    UMUAHIA- A man, identified as Ogeoma Ogbonna, has beheaded his father, Azubuike Ogbonna, in Umuomei community, in Obingwa council area of Abia state.

    Today Price gathered that after beheading his father, Ogeoma later dug a hole where he buried the severed head before neighbors were attracted to the incident.

    The father’s body lay in a pool of blood as sympathizers thronged the compound and expressed shock over what could have led Ogeoma to kill his father.

    Community sources told Vanguard that Ogeoma who is a palm cutter, has been showing signs of mental illness and was always threatening to harm people.

    He was alleged to have earlier threatened to kill his father before executing the evil act, few hours later.

    “Ogeoma has been showing signs of mental illness. He was always threatening to harm people. But nobody in this community knew that he will get to the extent of cutting off his father’s head.

    “We are still in shock on how he could kill his father. Before neighbors were called in to see what happened, he had already buried the head in a shallow grave in the compound. He took people and showed them the grave,” a native of the community, said.

    As at the time of filing this report, Police Public Relations Officer,Abia State Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, did not respond to calls and a text message sent to her mobile number.

  • Junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to launch common passport in coming days

    Junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to launch common passport in coming days

    Junta-led allies Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger on Thursday announced that their own common passport will come into effect from January 29, the date of their departure from regional bloc ECOWAS.

    After overthrowing civilian governments between 2020 and 2023, the military leaders in the three west African countries have teamed up to form the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).

    On January 28 last year, the trio announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, which they accused of being subservient to former colonial ruler France and failing to support them in their fight against jihadist violence.

    They said their departure was immediate, but under the bloc’s rules, their withdrawal takes effect a year after the announcement.

    The president of the AES “informs confederal and international opinion that the AES passports will be put into circulation from January 29”, said current head and Malian junta chief, General Assimi Goita, in a statement read out on state television.

    “However, the old passports remain valid until their expiry date,” the statement added, referring to ECOWAS passports.

    The three countries will also join forces to create a 5,000-strong unit to fight the jihadist violence that has for years plagued the nations, officials said earlier this week.

    Since seizing power, the three juntas in the volatile Sahel region have cut ties with France, turning politically and militarily towards Russia and other partners.

    “Citizens of the AES confederation who hold old passports bearing the ECOWAS logo may have them replaced by new AES passports,” the statement said.

  • Why billionaires prefer me to baddies – Bobrisky

    Why billionaires prefer me to baddies – Bobrisky

    Crossdresser Bobrisky has given two reasons why he thinks billionaires allegedly prefer sexual relationships with him than with “baddies”.

    “I don’t have a womb,” the controversial personality said, as his first reason, in an Instagram post on Thursday.

    “No matter how much the guys keep filling me up I will never get pregnant. A lot of these billionaires and CEOs have serious relationships.

    “They are married but they want to have fun at the same time. Dating someone like me is the best because a lot of you girls are greedy and selfish you want to keep unwanted pregnancy.”

    Stating the second reason, Bobrisky said: “I don’t get jealous. I wait for my time. I don’t call married men, they call me because I’m pretty.”

    On Tuesday, the crossdresser reacted to United States President Donald Trump’s recent executive order recognising only two genders: male and female.

    He dismissed concerns, asserting confidence in her identity as a woman.

    “I don’t have business with Trump. Trump said we have only two genders, right? And I said I am now a woman who has undergone everything. If they ask for evidence, I will show them, simple,” he wrote on Instagram Stories.

  • Alleged N400m Fraud Senator Uba, others evading trial, police tells court

    Alleged N400m Fraud Senator Uba, others evading trial, police tells court

    ABUJA–The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, on Thursday, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, praying for permission to paste a copy of a two-count charge it filed against a former lawmaker for Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Andy Uba, at the gate of his Abuja residence.

    In an ex-parte application, brought before the court, police, through its lawyer Mr M. C. Anthony, accused the ex-lawmaker and his two co-defendants of evading service of the charge on them.

    Police said its request for substituted service of the charge on the defendants, was predicated on Order 6, Rule 5(b), d(I), 5(e), and 8 of the FHC (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

    However, trial Justice Inyang Ekwo noted that the application ought to have been filed under the relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.

    Consequently, he directed the prosecution to go back and put its house in order, even as the court adjourned the matter till February 18 for the arraignment of the defendants.

    Police had in the charge that was filed in the name of the Inspector General of Police, alleged that the defendants were involved in a N400million fraud.

    It told the court that the defendants defrauded one Mr. George Uboh, whose petition led to the charge.

    Those cited as 2nd and 3rd defendants in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024, which was filed before the court on October 10, 2024, are; Crystal Chidinma Uba and Benjamin Etu.

    Specifically, police alleged that the defendants, alongside one Hajiya Fatima who was said to be at large, had sometimes in 2022, conspired and defrauded the complainant.

    The former lawmaker and his co-defendants were accused of obtaining by false pretence, by making a presentation to Mr Uboh that they had perfected a way to secure the position of the Managing Directorship of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for any person that could afford the sum of N400 million.

    The prosecution told the court that the defendants knew that the claim they made in the presentation was not true.

    They were said to have committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

    More so, in count two of the charge, the IGP alleged that the defendants and Fatima (at large), had in 2022, conspired amongst themselves to defraud, and induced Uboh with a presentation that they had perfected a way to give an appointment of the post of MD of the NDDC to who could afford the N400m.

    The defendants were said to have obtained the money and converted it into their personal use, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (2) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

    Processes before the court indicated that Uboh had in a letter dated April 5, 2023, and addressed to the IGP, detailed how he was allegedly defrauded.

    The petition was said to have been supported by both documentary evidence and voice recordings.

    According to Uboh, “Andy Ubah stated unequivocally to me that he has perfected a way to give NDDC Managing Directorship to any candidate who brings N400,000,000.

    “That if the appointment does not occur, he will refund the money.

    “I nominated my sister, Honourable (Engr.) Doris Uboh, who by profession is qualified to be NDDC MD.

    “Andy Ubah provided two accounts and instructed a transfer of N200,000,000 each into the accounts.

    “I instructed another sister of mine, Princess Engr. Ify Akanmode, who is a business partner and whose account I had some funds, to do the transfers.

    “Till date, Andy Ubah has promised to pay and has not,” the petitioner alleged.

    The prosecution said it has lined up more than six witnesses to testify in the matter.

    The prosecuting counsel told the court that the defendants, who are currently on administrative bail, could not be charged to court since 2023 owing to a fundamental right enforcement suit they filed to halt their trial.

    He said the instant charge was filed after a restraining order that was obtained by the defendants, was vacated.
    mutual understanding of the operations of the two agencies and work towards collaborative synergy.