The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Supreme Court adjourns for judgment in appeals by Sanwo-Olu, INEC

    The Supreme Court has adjourned for judgment in the appeals by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

    The appeals, three in all, are against the August 6, judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, ordering the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to reopen hearing in two petitions, challenging the election of Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Two of the appeals were filed by Sanwo-Olu. INEC filed one.

    Justice Mary Odili, who led the court’s five-man bench, announced after lawyers to parties adopted their briefs yesterday that “judgment is reserved” in the case.

    By the court’s pronouncement, its Registry is expected to write parties on a later date, communicating to them the date scheduled for judgment.

    On Thursday, the Supreme Court noted that the appeals were against the same judgment and that issues raised were similar.

    It directed parties to agree among themselves on which one of the appeals should be taken, for the other two to abide by the decision reached.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu launches LAWMA’s blue box

    The court stood down proceedings for a while to enable lawyers to the parties to agree among themselves on which of the appeals should be taken.

    When proceedings resumed about 30 minutes later, lawyers to the parties informed the court that they have agreed that the second appeal by Sanwo-Olu, marked: SC/1011/2019, be heard.

    The court proceeded to take appearance from lawyers in the three appeals, but allowed them to adopt their briefs in respect of the second appeal by Sanwo-Olu.

    The governor’s lawyer, Victor Opara, adopted both his appellant’s and reply  briefs and prayed the court to uphold the ruling by the election tribunal and set aside the judgment by the Court of Appeal, Lagos.

    Respondents’ lawyers, Bola Aidi and Adamson Adeboro adopted their briefs and prayed the court to dismiss the appeal and uphold the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

    Sanwo-Olu and INEC are appealing the August 6, 2019 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which directed the election tribunal in Lagos to resume hearing of the petitions by the governorship candidates of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Owolabi Salis, and that of the Labour Party, Ifagbemi Awamaridi.

    The Court of Appeal, in its August 6 judgment, upheld the appeals by Salis and Awamaridi and ordered the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to continue hearing of the petitioners’ petitions.

    “From the record, it is clear that the tribunal was wrong to have declared the petition as an abandoned petition.

    “The case is to be remitted to the lower court for expeditious hearing of the matter,” the court said in respect of Salis’ appeal, a position it repeated in its later judgment in the appeal by Awamaridi.

    The election tribunal sitting in Ikeja, Lagos had, on June 17, had dismissed a petitions by the AD and LP, challenging the victory of Sanwo-Olu at the March 9, 2019 election.

  • CDS links insecurity to proliferation of weapons

    Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin has linked insecurity in the country to proliferation of small and light weapons.

    Gen. Olonisakin spoke on Thursday at the 5th Distinguished Lecture and Award series of Ife Business School at the Obafemi Awolowo University Conference Centre, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    He said small and light weapons largely drive insurgency, militancy, banditry political thuggery, cultism and other crimes.

    Olonisakin, who was represented by the Chief of Defence, Civil-Military Cooperation, Rear Admiral Obed Ngalabak, said the spread of arms had made fighting insurgency very difficult.

    He maintained that a multi-dimensional approach must be adopted in fighting insurgence and armed banditry, acknowledging that the menace had affected the flow of foreign direct investment into the country.

    Read Also: Onaiyekan, CAN criticise Buhari over killing of priests, insecurity

    He said: “Shifting from core security actions of containing internal conflict and asymmetric warfare to evolving in-depth solutions to solving the root causes of these issues are necessary.

    “An all-inclusive security sector reforms involving the military, paramilitary and other stakeholders is expedient. More emphasis would be on improving strategic communications and information sharing to facilitate effective coordination of operations for a robust national situational awareness.

    “The military and other security agencies now operate in more dimensions which would require new skills set in line with international best practices. Security agencies would, therefore, need to ensure capacity building to cope with the ever-changing nature of national security requirements.”

    He said the military is working towards gaining the trust of Nigerians to understand the enormity of its task, adding that it would further enhance multi-agency cooperation in ongoing operations.

    The rector of the school, Dr. Makinde Adereti, said security cannot be separated from good governance.

    He said it was regrettable that Nigeria lately had been battling insecurity, which, he said, was alien to the country.

    He added that the issue of security is very important for a peaceful and united country.

  • Osun to celebrate Oyetola, Aregbesola tomorrow

    All roads will tomorrow lead to the Osun State Government House in Osogbo, where a celebratory banquet will hold in honour of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

    The banquet, according to the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ismail Omipidan, is meant to celebrate Oyetola’s triumph at the Supreme Court and to celebrate the appointment of Aregbesola by President Muhammadu Buhari as the Minister of Interior.

    Read Also: Oyetola and the policy of all-inclusive governance

    It is the first time such a deserving celebration will be organised by the state to honour the duo since Oyetola’s victory of July 5 and Aregbesola’s appointment.

    The occasion is expected to be attended by eminent personalities and stakeholders from across the country, all of whom have been invited to honour the two great political icons.

    Aregbesola had on July 6, a day after the Supreme Court’s judgment while addressing Osun citizens, revealed that a day would be set aside to celebrate Oyetola’s victory.

  • Ogun govt inaugurates ICT hub

    The Ogun State government on Thursday inaugurated an Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub in Abeokuta with a vision to develop and export technological solutions to meet challenges.

    Governor Dapo Abiodun, at the event, said recent events had shown that the people of the state possess high technological capacity toward solving some challenges.

    “Although latent, Ogun has long had a great capacity to be a leading driver of innovation and technology in Nigeria.

    “This Ogun Tech Hub, therefore, is a demonstration of our commitment to position Ogun as a key centre for innovation in the country.

    Read Also: Gbajabiamila: ICT tool to fight poverty in Africa

    “We intend to make Ogun the One-Stop-Shop for Innovation in Africa, thereby making our dear state one of the most conducive places to build a start-up company on the continent.

    “Our administration is committed to further drive our dream of being a globally recognised technology base by investing heavily in research and development.

    “This is with the aim of identifying and developing local talents and indigenous social innovations to solve our local and national challenges,” he said.

    Abiodun said, by this, Ogun would stop being importers and consumers of foreign technologies.

    He said the state would become solution creators by harnessing the combined power of technology, high concentration of academia and a youthful population.

  • Road repairs: MFM relocates monthly PMCH programme

    The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) has temporarily relocated its monthly “Power Must Change Hands” programme from the Prayer City on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to its international headquarters at Onike, Yaba, Lagos, with effect from the September edition.

    The programme is held in the morning of the first Saturday of every month.

    According to the Assistant General Overseer in charge of Administration, Pastor Gbesan Adebambo, the relocation, approved by the General Overseer of MFM Worldwide, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, is an interim arrangement.

    Read Also: MFM lifts 314 first class graduates with N500,000

    Adebambo said it was informed by the current road reconstruction and the partial closure of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    “Consequently, all MFM Lagos regional headquarters are directed to hook up to international headquarters for live streaming of the programme by 7a.m prompt.

    “Accordingly, you are required to disseminate this information adequately at the regional headquarters, zones and branches in the region under your supervision,” the statement said.

  • Sanwo-Olu launches LAWMA’s blue box

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu said on Thursday that the state could longer rely on the old waste disposal method, which stood at 10,000 tonnes yearly.

    He spoke at the Simpson Transfer Loading State, Sura, Lagos Island, at the launch of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) blue box.

    He said the launch was being held to minimise waste and create a green economy that would provide jobs and make the people healthier.

    Sanwo-Olu said the programme would start from Victoria Island, Surulere and designated estates under the health and environment programme.

    He hailed LAWMA for the launch and promised to give out the boxes free for now in the pilot programme.

    The governor urged Lagosians to take ownership of the programme and ensure the green environment generates enough fund, especially from donors.

    He said if successfully implemented, it would ensure the production of fertilisers that would help farmers to generate enough food for the citizenry. Sanwo-Olu advised traders, women, men and children to own the programme to make it work.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu inaugurates 492-unit estate

    LAWMA Managing Director Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin said the blue box programme is a single stream recyclable collection programme that will encourage separation of recyclable materials from the general waste at the point of generation.

    He enjoined Lagosians to endeavour to have two containers – a black container for waste and a blue container for recyclables.

    Gbadegesin said: “To kick-off the blue box programme, we are distributing these colour-coded recycling bags to each household through franchised recyclers for separation of recyclables. The bags will be collected on designated dates by the assigned recycler and transported to the sorting hubs within the area at designated days of the week. Recycling companies, who are franchise holders, will come to pick up the boxes.”

    He said the colour-coded bags would be distributed by recyclers and environmental volunteer corps, who would educate and encourage participation, as well as collate data on the field.

    The managing director said the collected recyclables would then be transported to the community recycling centre in the area for further sorting and sale to off-takers.

    He added that as a way of encouraging compliance, LAWMA would promote the sorting culture with a reward system. Participatory households would accumulate coupons distributed by the franchisee, which would be exchanged with several redeemable options that included, but not limited to reduction in the amount paid for waste bills.

    Gbadegesin said the state is moving towards a green economy where citizens will be empowered, children used as change agents and cart pushers shown how best to make a living.

    Commissioner for the Environment & Water Resources Mr. Tunji Bello said the launch was a good beginning to reduce waste, encourage recycling, create jobs and have a healthier environment.

    He observed the challenge of the state as that of having a small land space compared to the millions who migrate to Lagos on a daily basis in search of greener pasture.

    The commissioner encouraged residents to key into the modern way of waste management to create wealth.

  • Governor hands over 120 patrol vehicles, 35 patrol motorcycles to security outfits

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the state will remain safe, as security will never be taken for granted.

    He spoke on Thursday at the Lagos State House, Alausa, Ikeja, when he presented 120 security patrol vehicles and 35 patrol motorcycles to security personnel.

    Read Also: LSACA screens 6,000 for HIV to mark Sanwo-Olu’s 100 days

    The governor said although security was everybody’s concern, his administration would, however, take the lead by supporting security operatives with equipment and tools for effective performance.

    He assured security organisations that his government would engage them, saying: “We have all been working tirelessly and we must continue to work and ensure security of life and property.”

    Sanwo-Olu promised to raise the bar, re-strategise and introduce innovation soon in security infrastructure.

  • Lagos begins implementation of e-tendering, e-bidding

    The General Manager of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (PPA), Mr. Fatai Idowu Onafowote, has said the agency has begun the implementation of e-Tendering, e- Publishing/Notification, e-Bidding and e-Award modules of  e-Procurement Solution.

    The implementation of the four new e-Procurement Solution Modules, he said, began with three ministries – Health, Education and Works and Infrastructure.

    Read Also: HoS urges MDAs to comply with procurement law

    Onafowote added that the introduction of the e-procurement solution modules was aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability and contributing to the ease of doing business by existing and potential contractors of the government and its MDAs.

    With the implementation of the e-Procurement Solution Modules, registered and would-be contractors, he said, no longer have to visit the ministries for papers submission, “because a platform for official communication and interaction to facilitate the procurement process has been provided online.”

    Onafowote said some of the procurement officers had undergone the requisite training to ensure a seamless implementation of the new policy, while others would also be exposed to similar training in due course.

  • Court remands man for alleged robbery

    An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, on Thursday remanded a 40-year-old man, Adeshola Alao, at Kirikiri Prisons for allegedly robbing a man of his car and an iPhone, with a gun.

    Alao, of no fixed address, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Mrs. M.I. Dan-Oni on charges bordering on attempted robbery and armed robbery.

    Prosecuting Inspector Victor Eruada said the defendant and others at large committed the offences on April 1 at Igando, Lagos.

    Read Also: Suspects arrested for ‘one-chance robbery’

    He alleged that the defendant robbed Adeshola Fatola of his Toyota Corolla car with number plate AKD-195 ES at gunpoint.

    Eruada alleged that Alao unlawfully had in his possession a pistol with six rounds of ammunition with which he carried out the robbery.

    He added: “The defendant robbed Fatola of his car valued at N2 million and an iPhone worth N80, 000.”

    Mrs. Dan-Oni did not take the defendant’s plea.

    She ordered that he be kept at Kirikiri Prisons pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and adjourned the case till October 3.

  • Welders remanded for ‘destroying SON’s seal, stealing cables’

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday remanded two welders, who allegedly broke into a sealed warehouse and stole substandard electric cables confiscated by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    The welders are: Chukwuma Nwodo, 31, of 8, Tobi Close, Mosafejo, Ojo-Alaba, Lagos and Abor Ikechukwu, 21, of 1, Collins Street, Alaba International Market, Lagos.

    Vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo, made the order following their arraignment by the Federal Government on a two-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful destruction of SON’s seal and stealing.

    Read Also: Man gets one year for stealing microwave

    Chief State counsel Mr. Babatunde Alajogun, who represented the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), told the judge that the defendants committed the offences on or about August 21, at a warehouse behind Bengass motor park, Ojo-Alaba.

    “They conspired to destroy the seal of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria that was used to seal off the warehouse, which contained substandard cables and welding equipment,” he said.

    The court heard that both men carried out the destruction, using welding equipment and gained entrance into the warehouse “to cart away the substandard electric cables.”

    Nwodo and Ikechukwu pleaded not guilty.

    Alajogun prayed the court to remand both defendants pending trial.

    He said: “We humbly make an application that the defendants be remanded in prison custody and for the court to fix a date for trial.

    “We have two witnesses and we can finish this case in a few weeks.”

    Defence counsel S. I. Onyema did not oppose him.

    Onyema, who told the judge that he had only just seen the case file, said: “We shall be asking for a date so that we can bring the necessary applications.”

    In a bench ruling, Justice Oweibo upheld Alajogun’s prayer.

    He said: “We’ll take a date for hearing. Any time you (Onyema) bring your application, we’ll hear it. The case is adjourned till October 24 for trial. The defendants are hereby remanded in prison custody.”