The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Court awards over N5.5b damages against Customs over unlawful seizure of rice

    Federal High Court in Abuja has awarded damages of over N5.5 billion against the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Chairman of Nigerian Customs Service Board (NCSB) for their unlawful seizure of 90 containers of rice imported by a firm, Maggpiy Trading, Tinapa Free Trade Zone (TFZE).

    In its suit filed on March 18, 2017, Maggpiy accused officials of the NCS of invading and sealing up its warehouse in the Tinapa Free Trade Zone (TFTZ), Calabar, the Cross River State capital, containing over 90 containers of rice stored in air-tight containers.

    The plaintiff said officials of the NCS also allegedly stole part of the seized rice and detained its 40 trucks, containing 317 transit containers of rice destined for the TFTZ without lawful justification for 120 days on Onne-Port Harcourt road.

    In a judgment on Wednesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo upheld the plaintiff’s claims and held that the first and second respondents – NCS and the Chairman of NCSB – acted unlawfully and without any justification in law.

    Justice Ekwo rejected the defence raised by the NCS and the Chairman of NCSB and their attempt to justify their actions.

    He said: “I have studied the document. I cannot find anywhere it is made applicable to free trade zones, which both parties have agreed is a country within a country.”

    The judge also rejected some circular tendered by the NCS to justify their action.

    Read Also: Apapa Customs revenue hits N203b

    Justice Ekwo held that not only were most of the circulars made after the plaintiff’s rice consignment was seized on March 18, 2017, the defendants failed to show the law and orders pursuant to which the circulars were issued.

    “The circular made on March 30, 2017, declaring free trade zones as land borders cannot apply to this case because it does not have a retrospective effect.

    “Therefore, the circulars, made after the plaintiff had imported the rice and relied upon by the first and second defendants do not apply to this case,” the judge said.

    Justice Ekwo also faulted the first and second defendants’ argument that they were exempted, under the Customs and Excise Management Act, from any liability and prosecution while applying the provisions of the law.

    The judge said such exemption only applies where officials of the NCS are exercising the power granted by the law – the Customs and Excise Management Act,

    He added: “It has not been shown to this court the provisions of the said Act that authorise any of the Customs officials to enter and seal a business premises in a free trade zone.

    “In that case, the foray of the first and second defendants into the territory of the Tinapa Free Trade Zone and Resort, which is not a territory of the first and second defendants, and which was not to enforce the provisions of the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Act or any regulation thereof, was illegal and unlawful.

    “The argument by the first and second defendants that the plaintiff was importing its rice through the land border was questionable, because the containers they seized were merely being transported on land – from Onne Sea Port to the Tinapa Free Trade Zone and Resort.

    “The containers were, therefore, in transit between one sea port and another. And, being in transit, they cannot be interpreted as land border importation.”

    The judge described as infantile the argument that the plaintiff, in importing rice, acted outside its operating licence which was for the plaintiff to trade in food and beverages in Tinapa Free Trade Zone.

    He said: “Another intriguing part of the defendants action, during the course of this proceedings, is the discovery that, when stocks were taken, upon the unsealing of the warehouse by the first and second defendants, 19,421 of 50 kilogrammes bags and 1,639 of 25 kilogrammes of the seized rice consignment have been pilfered by officers of the first and second defendants.

    “The first and second defendants offered no defence on this issue nor countered the evidence of the plaintiff.

    “This, in my opinion, is a brazen act of treating the proceedings before the court with contempt, apart from the reprehensible theft that the act of the first and second defendants represents.”

    The judge granted all the reliefs by the plaintiff and awarded specific and general in damages in favour of the plaintiff, and against the first and second defendants, in the amount estimated at N3,805,638,950 and $4,796,550.

    Although the National Security Adviser (NSA) was sued as the third defendant, Justice Ekwo said the plaintiff made out no case against him.

  • Osinbajo to military: defend Nigeria with your lives

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has urged military officers to take pride in defending the country as they take pride in adorning their beautiful uniform.

    He said the military career, which is meant to defend the territorial integrity of the country, is the most civic service to the nation.

    The Vice-President noted that it is beyond just earning salary and getting a chance to wear the coveted uniform.

    Osinbajo said it is about putting their lives on the line for the safety and welfare of millions of Nigerians.

    The Vice-President stated this as the Reviewing Officer at the passing out parade of 187 new officers who were commissioned at this year’s Direct Short Service Course 28 at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Kaduna.

    He told the new military officers that Nigeria was still grappling with several security challenges.

    He said: “As you already know, this profession you have chosen requires absolute discipline, loyalty and hard work. It is much more than just securing a job or earning a salary. It is more than just getting the chance to wear a coveted uniform or wield coveted weapons.

    “This is the ultimate form of civic service to defend the territorial integrity of your country and to put your life on the line for the safety and welfare of millions of your country men and women. There is no nobler occupation than this one you have chosen.”

    “You are passing out at a time our nation is grappling with an insurgency in the Northeast and the challenges of kidnapping and armed banditry in other parts of the country. You will, therefore, have come to terms with the fact that the days and weeks and months ahead of you will be extremely busy as you fulfil your responsibilities to the military and the nation.

    Read Also: Osinbajo: we need alliances to destroy extremism

    “While the Armed Forces have effectively contained the territorial ambitions of the Boko Haram terrorists by substantially degrading their capacity to attack and wreak havoc, they remain intent on shedding blood and sowing fear. There is also the threat of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad Islands and part of Southern Borno.

    “Also, more often these days, these insurgents are focusing on soft targets, opportunistic attacks on isolated military units, as well as on increasingly sophisticated propaganda aimed at making them to look more organised and lethal than they really are.”

    “This ever-increasing reliance on propaganda is a reminder that this is not only a ‘battleground’ war; it is just as much an information-and-narrative war. Winning hearts and minds has always been important in military warfare; it is even more so in a century defined by information and communication technologies.

    “As 21st century military officers, how you project your strength and confidence to your enemies and the world, especially using social and digital media tools, is as important as the sophistication of the conventional arms and ammunition that you wield.

    “But to do so effectively also means that you must take the time and trouble to fully understand the nature of the threats that confront us, the narrative and philosophies that underlie those threats.”

    Osinbajo said the President, in collaboration with governors, had been reviewing the security architecture of the country.

    He added: “This initiative involves the recruitment and training of policemen in each local government and ensuring that such new policemen remain in their local governments, working with local and traditional authorities to maintain peace and security.

    “As the President has said, security is a 24-hour occupation involving continuous investments in strategy and innovation. We will continue to take all necessary measures to tackle all forms of criminality across the country and safeguard lives and property of all Nigerians.”

    The Vice-President also spoke about the need for the NAF to be part of government efforts to secure the lives and property of Nigerians.

  • Don’t carry drugs to holy land, Dabiri-Erewa warns pilgrims

    The Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has warned pilgrims to this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia to resist any temptation to carry hard drugs to the holy land.

    Speaking on the heels of the inaugural flight of intending pilgrims, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa reminded them that Saudi laws prescribe death penalty against such act.

    In a statement by the NIDCOM Head of Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the commission chairman said it was disheartening that some Nigerians still ran foul of Saudi Arabia authorities’ law, despite repeated warnings and workshops for intending pilgrims.

    She recalled that some Nigerians caught with hard drugs in the last few years were still on death row in Saudi Arabia.

    Read Also: Excitement as Lagos announces refunds of N315 million to pilgrims

    The NIDCOM chairman pleaded with pilgrims to shun the shameful act.

    Mrs Dabiri-Erewa also reminded the pilgrims that kolanuts and prescription painkillers in large quantities have been banned in Saudi Arabia.

    The commission chairman warned that if found on anyone, the offence attracts severe penalties according to new Saudi Arabia regulations.

    She said the Federal Government, through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and various state boards, had made arrangements to attend to the medical needs of the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

  • COZA: Investigating team will unravel hidden issues, says CAN

    The Acting General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Joseph Daramola, has said several hidden issues need to be unravelled in the rape allegation against the senior pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo.

    He promised that the investigating team will carry out proper investigation without fear or favour.

    Daramola spoke with our correspondent yesterday in Abuja, while giving an update on the rape saga.

    He said: “We do not want to limit the investigation because it is very wide. We all know that there is something hidden in this issue. Without sentiment, nobody is condoning any criminal act. I am a lawyer, and before you can prove the offence of rape successfully, you have to consider so many things. You have to prove beyond every reasonable doubt before you can establish any rape case.

    “One cannot easily have his way into a woman; it is not possible, and here we are talking about rape. If you look at the entire story, one has to do proper investigation.

    “For example, if the court wants to look into it, a lot of things will be considered. Church elders will interrogate Fatoyinbo without fear or favour. There is no pastor that people don’t tempt. We have got to a place where our thinking faculty has to be sharpened. And we have to reason like human beings. The investigation will be concluded soon but it has to be properly conducted.”

    Bishop Peter Ogunmuyiwa, the coordination Chaplin of the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, who is also the Bishop African Church, Diocese of Abuja, said the church must conduct proper investigation.

    He added: “We are on the same page on this matter. The truth is that the ministry of Jesus Christ is to save and not to destroy. And if our ministry is to save when even there is a member who has done wrong, the first thing that is to come into our mind is: how do we face the situation? Then, you deal with it in accordance with the scripture. Generally, the ministry of Christ is to redeem mankind…”

    Read Also: Busola Dakolo Vs COZA Pastor: 5 Reasons Why Busola Didn’t Speak Up Earlier

    Also, CAN has defended the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s presumed silence on prevailing national issues.

    The umbrella Christian body said Adeboye is a member of CAN as well as Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), adding that the two Christian bodies had taken their stand on current national issues.

    CAN said no one should expect the RCCG overseer to speak on the same issues that had been addressed by the two prominent Christian bodies.

    CAN’s reaction is coming on the heels of alleged protest by a group of musicians on the refusal of Adeboye to comment on national issues.

    A statement yesterday in Jos, the Plateau State capital, by CAN’s National Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Evangelist Kwamkur Samuel, said: “The attention of CAN has been drawn to the news of a protest led by some secular musicians  against one of our highly respected leaders of the Church, not only in Nigeria but worldwide, namely, the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, over his purported silence on some unpleasant national issues and the call for his suspension from the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

    “While we appreciate the concern of the protesters over the issues they raised and the call for a better nation, we strongly believe, as the umbrella body for Christians and churches in Nigeria, to which the Redeemed Christian Church of God and Pastor Adeboye belong, that to single out one of our leaders and members, to say the least, is unfair. The entire exercise, in our view, was ill-motivated.

    “The people who staged this insulting protest against a highly revered servant of God in the person of Pastor Adeboye are totally ignorant of the operations of CAN. It needs to be known to all that for more than once, Pastor Adebayo has addressed the press and said that as a ‘man under authority’, he cannot speak over issues that CAN or PFN have spoken about, unless by the express permission of these two bodies.

    “Our highly respected Pastor Adeboye is an unusually humble man and a man of the spirit, who has learnt to operate under authority in line with scriptural injunctions as a servant of God. He has said more than once that he cannot say anything again after CAN and PFN have spoken about issues.

    “Any protest against Pastor Adeboye will be seen by us as a systematic insult against the leaders of the church in Nigeria. Why should any group of people think that it is their right to protest and demand that Pastor Adeboye should speak over the issues they listed when CAN and PFN have spoken on them?”

    “…For emphasis, if we go the memory lane, for not less than three occasions, CAN has taken many of the issues which the protesters were mentioning to President Muhammadu Buhari, requesting the government to do more to get the people in captivity released, such as the remaining Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu, the captive of faith and Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, the Islamic preacher who is still kept in detention against the ruling of the court…”

    The PFN also berated protesters against Pastor Adeboye.

    Its President, Dr. Felix Omobude, addressed reporters yesterday in Benin, the Edo State capital.

    He said: “The PFN notes with concern reports of a protest at the Redemption Camp of RCCG, said to have been organised by some musicians, asking our leader, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, to speak up against injustice.

    “The group is also said to have called on the PFN to suspend Pastor Adeboye for alleged complicity in a matter completely outside his brief.

    “For the avoidance of doubt and confusion that might have precipitated the unfortunate action embarked upon by this group, the PFN wishes to set the record straight with respect to the following.

    “The RCCG is a founding member of the PFN and has remained loyal, active and supportive of all its actions and activities.

    “Pastor Adeboye, founding father in his own right, is a past president of the PFN, having led the fellowship from 1992 to 1995.

    “He remains an active member of the national advisory council, the apex administrative organ of the fellowship.

    “Pastor Adeboye has been a part of the visioning and policy formulation process of the PFN, signing on to all the statements issued by the PFN on issues of national affairs.

    “On the issues of concern to the group, Pastor Adeboye’s positions are exactly as have been canvassed, on numerous occasions, by the PFN.

  • Reps urge Fed Govt to incorporate June 12 struggle into History curriculum

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Ministry of Education to incorporate the June 12 struggle in the History curriculum of schools across the country.

    This followed the passage of a motion by a member, Olumide Osoba, with the title: “Need to incorporate June 12 struggle in the history curriculum of schools in Nigeria.”

    Osoba said: “The House notes that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari recently recognised June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Kola Abiola cannot speak about Tinubu, June 12 – Ajomale

    “(We are) aware that June 12 has never featured in the History curriculum of Nigerian schools because it was never recognised by previous administrations.

    “Concerned that if the importance of June 12 struggle in the emergence of the Fourth Republic in Nigeria’s political history is not highlighted, the story could be distorted and the younger generations could lose the essence of the event.”

    The lawmaker stressed that incorporating the June 12 struggle in the History curriculum is desirable “to afford the younger generations information on its importance in Nigeria’s political history”.

    When Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila called for a voice vote, the motion was passed by majority lawmakers.

  • Lawan/Gbajabiamila: PDP probes members’ role

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a panel to probe its members role  in the outcome of the June 11 National Assembly leadership election.

    The main opposition is set to dig into how its members voted against its decision to back Senator Ali Ndume for the President of the Senate and Mr Umar Bago for Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    The results of the elections in the two chambers indicated that many PDP members voted for Dr. Ahmed Lawan as Senate President and Mr Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the House.

    The PDP yesterday inaugurated a 10-man committee to investigate why some of its members in the bicameral legislature failed to abide by its decision.

    The committee, which is chaired by a former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, also has Senators Ben Obi, Ibrahim Mantu, Stella Omu and Abdul Ningi as members.

    Other members of the committee are: Mr Yunana Iliya, Mrs Margaret Icheen, Mr Hassan Hyatt, Mr Austin Opara with Prof. Wale Oladipo as Secretary.

    The committee is also mandated to find out whether there was any influence of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the flouting of the directive of the PDP by the opposition lawmakers.

    Read Also: Rivers PDP to national leaders: don’t push us too far

    One of the committee’s terms of reference is to find out and recommend ways to checkmate such tendencies in the future and ensure that all members work together to defend the interest of the party at all times and circumstances.

    PDP’s Deputy National Chairman Elder Wole Akinwonmi inaugurated the committee on behalf of the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus.

    He said: “The National Executive Committee (NEC), the National Working Committee (NWC) and indeed the party have the highest confidence and optimism that you will work for the actualisation of the terms of reference with the intent of defending and moving the party forward.”

    Wabara said the assignment was a very serious one, promising on behalf of his team that the assignment would be diligently carried out to ensure that PDP members in the National Assembly remained intact and loyal to the party.

    The committee was given three weeks to submit its report.

    Also, a team of prominent members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, on Tuesday, raised a separate committee with a mandate to resolve the current leadership crisis rocking the party’s caucus in the House of Representatives.

    A Third Republic Senate President Dr Iyorchia Ayu is the chairman of that panel.

    Other members are: former Senate President David Mark, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Senator Ibrahim Mantu and a former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Austin Opara.

  • Buhari mourns Vice-Admiral Husaini Abdullahi

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family, the government and people of Nasarawa State on the death of Vice Admiral Husaini Abdullahi (retd).

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President also commiserated with military authorities on the passing away of the former governor of defunct Bendel State from March 1976 to July 1978.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns Prof. Ogundipe-Molara

    He affirmed that the late Vice Admiral Abdullahi’s life was defined by dedicated service to the nation and others, exemplified by his brilliant career in the military and numerous works in the private sector that resulted in the provision of gainful employment to many Nigerians.

    He prayed Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and comfort all who mourn.

  • Shi’ite protest: Lawan, IGP visit hospitalised policemen

    Senate President Ahmed Lawan and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu have visited policemen who were injured the invasion of the National Assembly by members of Ibrahim El-Zakzakky’s Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) on Tuesday.

    Lawan and his team reportedly visited the injured policemen around 10 p.m on Tuesday.

    The IGP was accompanied yesterday by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Ibrahim Lamorde, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Commissioner Bala Ciroma and others to monitor the health of the affected officers.

    The IGP, who arrived the hospital premises around 12:28 p.m, was taken round the ward to speak with each of the policemen on admission by the Trauma Surgeon, Dr. Apollo Kanati.

    Those affected include Umar Ndabrana, a Sergeant; Samuel David, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), as well as Mohammed Seriki and Joseph Abutu, both Corporals.

    The invasion left nine policemen injured but five are on admission at the hospital.

    The police also debunked the claim that one of the policemen died during the attack.

    IGP Adamu, who also had a stop at the office of Chief Medical Director (CMD) to assure him of payment of the bills, urged the doctors to give the patients the best treatment.

    On the outcome of the protest, Adamu said: “In the course of protecting our citizens and giving rooms to people to express themselves, a group of people went overboard and attacked police officers …performing their duties, and you see the result. Our officers have been shot.

    “I have just seen them. They are carrying bullet wounds, and some were attacked with clubs and stones. We showed restraint in terms of not going the same way the protesters went, but it is an act that is not tolerated. It is an act we will not take again.

    Read Also: Senate seeks tighter security at National Assembly

    “The right to express yourself does not mean the right to trample on other people’s rights to the extent of causing a lot of havoc and sufferings on other people.

    “We will make sure that we prosecute those people who have been arrested and those who are yet to be arrested. We will go after them and make sure that they are arrested and justice is done.”

    On the threat by the group to continue their protest, Adamu said: “We are ready for them. We will not explain our strategy, but we will make sure we don’t allow them to disrupt the peace of the city.

    “We have arrested 40 members of El-Zakzakky’s Islamic Movement of Nigeria and we will make sure that those on the run are also arrested.”

    The IGP said the policemen were in stable condition.

    He added: “All the policemen you have seen here, the doctor has assured us, are in stable condition and they are doing well. As you know, the police as an institution will take care of their bills, welfare and insurance. So, for now, everything is in order. The rest of the actions are left to us in terms of how to handle El-Zakzakky’s Islamic Movement of Nigeria.”

    The CMD Dr J. A. F. Momoh said the hospital workers started treatment of the injured officers without asking for money.

    He said: “We want to ensure that Nigerians get the best of treatment, once they are brought here, before discussing the bill. For all emergencies, that is how it is, no matter the time.

    “Before we start discussing bills, it may be 24 hours more because the priority is to save life. Once we have saved and stabilised the life, we can then ask for their relations, where they come from and ask who will be responsible for their bills, while we continue the treatment and management.

    “Even this morning, we discussed the only case that needs further management. My deputy talked about how we are going to get the implants to fix the problem that he had around his mouth. We know that this was an emergency.”

    He added: “Several people have come. The Senate President with his team were at the hospital around 10 p.m on Tuesday to check the patients.

    “We want to commiserate with you on this because we know they were on duty when this happened. It is the responsibility of government to take care of them.

    “We want you to rest assured that they will be given best of treatment by a team of consultants across various departments that need to see them. They are being seen accordingly. What we want to say is that we will coordinate our colleagues in terms of bills that need to be paid later. We will not delay any treatment.”

     

  • Senate seeks tighter security at National Assembly

    The Senate on Wednesday expressed anger over the invasion of the National Assembly by members of Ibrahim El-Zakzarky’s Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).

    It directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abubakar Mohammed Adamu to tighten security in and around the complex.

    The Upper Chamber said the perpetrators “of this dastardly act” should be fished out, with the law taking its course.

    The invaders were protesting their leader’s continued detention.

    A confrontation between security agents and members of the group led to a bloody clash.

    Two policemen were said to have been shot by the invaders.

    Cars were destroyed while glass windows were smashed by the protesters.

    The Chairman of Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Adedayo Adeyeye, said: “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria condemns the desecration of the sacred National Legislative Institution of Nigeria on Tuesday by the members of El-Zakzakky’s Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) with its forceful invasion into the premises.

    “The unruly mob overpowered the security apparatus of the National Assembly through its main entrance, known as MOPOL Gate.

    “They forcefully seized one of the security operatives’ gun, shot two security personnel, unleashed terror on others, vandalised the gate and burnt three vehicles of innocent individuals. Many other cars were equally vandalised.

    “This unwarranted affront on the Federal Parliament led to abrupt adjournment of the House of Representatives plenary.

    “Although the IGP has ordered speedy and diligent investigation into this unfortunate and unwarranted desecration of the Federal Legislative house, the Senate hereby urges all law enforcement agencies to rise up to their billing and urgently fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act with the law taking its full course.

    “It should be drummed into the ears of perpetrators of this heinous act that the National Assembly is a place of serenity and sacred legislative institution. It should be respected and allowed to concentrate on its mandate of legislation for good governance, security and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.

    Read Also: Anger in Senate over murder of Nigerian in South Africa

    “While the National Assembly is a public place for Nigerians, citizens must follow proper channels and protocols if they have causes to access its premises.

    “Senate hereby calls for security beef up within the National Assembly and other institutions henceforth.”

    Also, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to engage members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in discussions to amicably address their grievances.

    This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance by Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu.

    He said:“This has exposed the lapses in our security system, and that is critical. Protection of life and property is a primary function of government. But where that is not forthcoming, would people have to resort to arming themselves?

    “It is very important to ask why the group invaded the National Assembly. Is it that they felt the National Assembly failed them or that the Executive failed them and as a result they have to vent their anger on the legislature?

    “There is a need to address that as a matter of urgency.

    “There’s is also a need to ensure the security of the National Assembly because most times, you see strange people approaching and hassling lawmakers. The Sergeant-at-Arms must be empowered to carry out their job,” he added.

    Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta) supported the need for an interface with the Executive on the security for the National Assembly.

    He reminded his colleagues that the House had a law for its Sergeant-at-Arms to bear arms.

    Chief Whip Muhammad Monguno (APC, Borno) warned that immediate solution must be sought to prevent the IMN turning into an insurgent group.

    Luke Oniofik (PDP, Akwa Ibom) said the IMN issue needed serious handling.

    He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to solve the problem.

    Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) said the Federal Government should be futuristic in its approach to solving the problem and nip the brewing insurgency.

    “The root cause of the problem must be addressed once and for all,” he said.

    The House urged the government to ascertain if the police officers were insured under group, personal, accident scheme and workmen compensation.

    It noted that, if not, the House Committee on Police Affairs, when constituted, should incorporate it in the national budget.

    The House said security officers affected during the invasion should be compensated.

    The motion was unanimously adopted after a voice vote.

  • Woman ‘dupes Bureau de Change operator of N4.2m’

    A woman, Laura Inmanze, who allegedly defrauded a Bureau de Change operator, Nura Mustapha, of N4.2 million, was on Wednesday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Inmanze, 24, was arraigned by the police before Mrs A. M. Olumide-Fusika on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and theft.

    Prosecuting Inspector Ben Ekundayo alleged that the defendant committed the offences at about 2:30pm on June 21, at 7, Kalama Street, Lagos Island.

    Ekundayo said the defendant and her husband, Tony (who is at large), obtained £9,000 Pounds from Nura Mustapha, a Bureau de Change operator, with the pretext of sending him the naira equivalent of N4.` million.

    Read Also: Man dupes woman of 4,800 euros, forges divorce certificate

    “Tony, a client of Mustapha, called him to send £9,000, that he had sent the naira equivalent to his wife’s account, who was on her way to Lagos from Owerri.

    “Mustapha called the defendant to know if N4.2 million was truly sent to her account and she confirmed that her husband sent the money to her, so Mustapha forwarded the money to Tony’s account based on self-recognition.

    “When the defendant arrived in Lagos and was asked for the money, she started giving excuses, tried to escape and was arrested,” he said.

    According to Ekundayo, offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

    Magistrate, Mrs Olumide-Fusika granted the defendant N1 million bail with two sureties in the like sum, among other conditions.

    The case continues on August 7.