Author: The Nation

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has urged the new Aren Eggon, retired Justice Ahmed Ubangari, to rule his people with the fear of God in the interest of peace and national development.

Sule made the call while receiving the new Aren Eggon with his entourage on a “Thank You” visit in Lafia on Wednesday.

The governor said that the importance of unity and peace to the development of any community and state would be an understatement.

“I want to urge you to lead your people with the fear of God as your selection process was widely accepted by the entire Eggon Nation,” the governor said.

Sule appreciated the Aren Eggon and his entourage for the visit and assured of his administration’s commitment to the rule of law and due process for the overall development of the state.

The governor emphasised that the selection of the new Aren Eggon was carried out in line with the strict policy of transparency under his administration.

Sule prayed for good health, wisdom and long life for the paramount ruler.

He also called on the Eggon nation and other people of the state to support his administration to succeed and to enjoy more dividends of democracy

The governor pledged to continue to provide an inclusive leadership in the state.

Earlier, the new Aren Eggon, who was a  former Chief Judge of the state, explained that the visit was to appreciate the governor for approving his selection as new Aren Eggon.

Ubangari appreciated the governor for providing good leadership to the entire state.

The first class traditional ruler however called on his subjects and other residents of the state to support the governor to succeed.

Speaking with newsmen after the visit, Mr David Abuluya, the President, Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA) Worldwide, assured the Aren Eggon of his continued readiness to support him to succeed.

“We are in Government House in solidarity of our Aren Eggon, Justice Ahmed Ubangari (rtd), who came to thank the governor for the selection of Aren Eggon.

Read Also: The forgotten tribe of Eggon hills (2)

“I want to assure that I will continue to work with Aren Eggon, stakeholders of Eggon nation and other people in promoting peace and unity in the state,” Abuluya said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit had in attendance Amb. Isaac Kigbu, President, Eggon Youth Movement (EYM); title holders, stakeholders, youths and women.

NAN recalls that on May 5, Gov. Abdullahi Sule approved the appointment of Ubangari as the new Aren Eggon.

Sule gave the approval shortly after being presented with the report of the committee saddled with the responsibility of conducting the selection of the new Aren Eggon.

(NAN)

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said that the hike in the price of products due to abrupt removal of subsidy was threatening the survival of their businesses.

Mr Chinedu Anyaso, Chairman of IPMAN Enugu Depot Community said average sales had dropped by about 50 percent from May 30 to date.

Anyaso, whose depot serves Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States, said marketers were facing existential challenge as low profits as a result of reduced sales was affecting their abilities to meet their operational cost and obligation with banks.

He said if the negative development was not urgently challenged, many operators would shut down, adding that it would result in the collapse of the downstream sector and loss of numerous jobs.

According to him, marketers are worse affected by this policy of subsidy removal, profitability has reduced because average sales has reduced by about 50 percent.

Read Also: IPMAN exonerates PTD from N200,000 extortion

“Most marketers are finding it difficult to remain in business because increasing cost of operation, payment of workers and meeting bank obligations is becoming difficult.

“We appeal to the Federal Government to save downstream operations from collapsing by working on reduction in pump prices,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Premium Motor Spirit now sells for between ₦630 and ₦640 in Awka, the capital of Anambra and its environ.

(NAN)

Senate has urged Employers of labour in the country to de-emphasise age requirements as pre-condition for employment in Nigeria.

Senate resolution was sequel to consideration and adoption of a motion at plenary on Wednesday.

The motion titled “Age Requirement Pre-condition for Employment in Nigeria, Urgent Need for Intervention” was sponsored by Sen. Abba Moro (PDP- Benue).

Moro, in his debate, said age limit as precondition for employment violates Chapter 4, section 42(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantees every citizen the right to freedom from discrimination.

Moro said the provision of the International Labour Organisation(ILO) had defined employment discrimination in economic terms , as a violation of human rights that entails a waste of human talents with detrimental effects on productivity, economic growth.

He said that it also generated socioeconomic inequalities that undermined social cohesion, solidarity and acted as a brake on the reduction of poverty.

He said it was pathetic for a graduate in Nigeria who could not get a job upon graduation and decided to go back to school with the hope that a higher qualification, vis-a- vis a second or Masters Degree could give him a better employment opportunity.

“It is ironical that a graduate in this country can serve in the National Youth Service Corps programme at age 30 but cannot be gainfully employed ,thereafter on the fact that he/ she is now above 30 years, a situation that is a flagrant breach of his fundamental rights.

Read Also: Senate raises alarm over erosion menace in Edo, Anambra

“The circumstances described in the foregoing presents the predicament of the Nigerian youth who has the requisite qualification, knowledge, skills and is ready to work but disqualified or excluded on the sole and unjustifiable ground that he/she is above the age limit by reason of his/ her birth.”

Moro said the sad situation had led many to commit age fraud by going all out to falsify their age to remain within the age limit of employability in to the Nigerian Civil Service, and all other employers of labour in the country.

Senate, in its further resolution, urged the Federal Ministry of Labour , Employment and Productivity, other relevant agencies to restrict and discourage public and private employers from depriving millions of job seekers employment opportunities merely for not meeting age requirement.

It urged the ministry to immediately draw up policies that relate to equality of opportunity and treatment in access to employment at all levels.

(NAN)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday closed its case against Mr Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party (LP) without calling any witness at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu.

The tribunal is hearing the petition filed by Mr Chijioke Edeoga of the LP against the election of Gov. Peter Mbah of the PDP.

Edeoga is praying the tribunal to disqualify Mbah over alleged NYSC certificate forgery and manipulation of election results.

When the matter came up for hearing, the INEC counsel, Mr Humphrey Okoli told the tribunal that after thorough review of their case, they decided not to put in any witness.

“Today, the first respondent is mandatory to open their defence, I wish to inform the court that after thorough review of the case, we have decided not to put in any witness,” he said.

Opening his case as was ordered by the court, the counsel to Gov. Peter Mbah of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu, called on the first defence witness, Uzo Amaechina, a medical doctor residing in Enugu to testify.

Responding to the LP counsel, Mr Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, the witness said that the election was conducted according to the provision of the law and the electoral guidelines.

Answering questions from Mr S. T Hon, (SAN), the witness said that he did not tender what he used for the preparation of his report for the court to verify because the petitioners witnesses had already tendered them while testifying.

He added that there was no over voting in Akpofu, Isienu, Amagunze and Umuokwu polling units.

He said he was aware that Mbah engaged in NYSC programme in 2002.

The PDP subpoena witness, Mr Yahaya Muhammed, Deputy Director, State Security Service, Abuja through the counsel to PDP tendered an investigation report to the court on the alleged certificate forgery by Gov Mbah.

Awomolo objected to the admissibility of the document, saying that they would address the point of law in their final address.

During cross examination, Awomolo said that the witness did not have a letter authorising him by the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) to come and give evidence in the Tribunal as the subpoena was addressed to the witness personally and not as an institution.

He said that there was no stamp of Director General of the State Security Service on the report, adding that the report was not written on the letter head of the institution as it did not carry the authority of the SSS.

Read Also: JUST IN: INEC fails to present witness to defend Mbah’s election victory

He added that his report, which was marked exhibit 63, had no attachment of all the documents in the report, saying that the report was his personal report.

Responding to the counsel, the witness said that in their findings, they discovered that Mbah served in NYSC for six months and went to Law school and later completed the service.

According to him, Mbah wrote an application for leave to go for Law school through the Lagos State NYSC office.

“The correspondence has a reference number and the letter was replied permitting him to go to Law school and he replied through the same means as a corps member,” he said.

The Chairman of the three-member Tribunal, Justice M.K Akano adjourned the matter until July 20 for continuation of defence.

(NAN)

The Senate has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate alleged indiscriminate use of firearms by some personnels’of Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), resulting in killings  in Kastina state.

Senate resolution was sequel to the consideration and adoption of a motion at plenary on Wednesday.

The motion titled” Urgent Need to Investigate the Abuse of firearms by officers of the NCS in Kastina State was sponsored by Sen.Abdulazize Yar’adua(APC-Kastina).

The committee, which has Sen.Francis Fadahunsi (PDP-Osun) as Chairman, has six weeks to present report of its investigation to plenary.

Other members are Senators Shuaibu lau(PDP-Taraba) Kawu Sumaila(NNPP),Tony Nwoye(LP Anambra),Umar Sadiq,(APC-Kwara) Akpan Samson, (PDP-Akwa-Ibom)Solomon Adeola,(APC-Ogun) Abdulaziz Yar’adua(APC-Katsina),Olajide Emmanuel (APC-Ondo), Mohammed Muntari (APC-Katsina) and Napoleon Bali (PDP- Plateau)

Earlier, Yar’adua in his lead debate said it remained a fact that officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) were authorized to carry firearms while discharging their duties.

This,he said was aimed at assisting the service to effectively counter activities of smugglers, who have recently become emboldened in their attack on customs personnel in many cases using sophisticated weapons.

He, however, expressed worry that some officers of the NCS, who should be civil and professional in their engagements and handling of firearms have had a series of shootings of innocent citizens.

According to him on August 14, 2021, the former Governor of Katsina state,  Aminu Masari, threatened to sue the NCS over the killing of residents during border drills in the state.

He said during same period, the House of Representatives invited the former Comptroller General of Customs retired Col. Hameed Ali  to appear
before it to explain the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident.

He said given the recurring killings of innocent people by customs operatives in Katsina, the House of Representatives on Feb. 3, 2022 ordered the NCS to pay N390 million as compensation to families of 10 victims that were killed and 13 others injured in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

“Further disturbed that on July 13, , the Chief of Staff to the Katsina state. Governor Alhaji Jabiru Tsauri had a narrow escape from a harrowing assault from NCS officials.

“Worried that officers of the NCS at a location near Gorar Yammama highway shot indiscriminately at the vehicle conveying the Chief of Staff to the governor with other aides and close family members.”

He expressed concerned that officials of the NCS were yet to apprehend or arrest the erring officers or bring them to book for the unfortunate incident.

Yar’adua also said in Sept 2021, personnel of the NCS shot at the convoy of former Katsina State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy,Alhaji Umar Gwajo-Gwajo while driving from Daura to Mia’adua Government Area of Katsina State.

Yar’adua further expressed worry that the inability to checkmate the recurring abuse of firearms by officers of the NCS, might lead to loss of innocent lives and possibly reprisal attacks by angered civilians.

Contributing, Senators Ahmed Lawan, Solomon Adeola, Abdulaziz Yari among others commended the sponsor for the motion and decried the alleged killings of Nigerians by the NCS.

Adeola, who said part of his constituents were resident in the border communities of Ogun state decried the killings.

He said Senate must take the matter seriously, saying that the killings had become recurring.

However,Sen.Francis Fadahunsi (PDP-Osun) said the NCS in the last seven years has been militarised, while urging the new administration to begin the de-militarisation of the NCS.

He said his committee during the 8th Senate had raised the matter of militarization of NCS officers, saying that their compliant was not considered.

Read Also: Senate to unveil Tinubu’s Ministerial nominees today

Senate further in its resolutions condemned the indiscriminate shooting by officers of the NCS on July 13. in Katsina State.

It urge the NCS to fish out the erring officers and investigate the incident that led the custom operatives to open fire on unarmed civilians.

It urged the NCS to improve on the training of its personnel in handling of firearms, especially fire discipline when dealing with Nigerian citizens.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio in his remark, said the senate must look at the issue holistically, given the submissions of lawmakers on the motion.

He said the contributions by senators revealed that people have been shot at different times, hence the need to holistically investigate the matter.

(NAN)

Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara on Wednesday condoled the Chairman of Max Air, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, over the death of his wife, Hajiya Aishatu.

The governor ‘s  condolence is contained in a  statement signed by his media aide, Mr Sulaiman Idris, in Gusau.

Lawal  described the deceased as  a great mother ,saying  she would be missed not only by the family, but everyone whose lives she had impacted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hajiya Mangal died recently in Abuja after a brief illness.

Lawal prayed to Allah to accept the good deeds of the deceased and forgive her shortcomings as well as grant her Jannatul Firdausi.

Read Also: NCAA suspends Max Air Boeing 737 operations

“This is a difficult moment for the family, good people of the  state and Nigeria in as a whole, may Allah provide her children, husband and family the strength to bear the loss.

“On behalf of my family and entire people of Zamfara, I am using this medium to extend our condolence to Mangal and people of Katsina state over this great loss,’’ he said.

(NAN)

The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an Ad hoc Committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the increment of pump price of Premium Motor Spirt (PMS) from from N537 to N617.

The resolution was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu (PDP-Imo) at planet on Wednesday.

Moving the motion earlier, Ikeagwuonu said that section 88 (1) and (2) of the Constitution empowers the National Assembly to conduct investigations into the activities of any authority executing or administering laws made by the National Assembly.

He said that Section 32 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 saddles the Petroleum Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority with the task of regulating and monitoring technical and commercial midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.

“Tuesday July 18, 2023 Petrol Pump Price was increased from N537 to N617 by Petrol marketers, without conferring with the relevant agencies of government.

Read Also: Fuel pump price hits N300 in states despite DSS ultimatum

“Disturbed that in view of the current socio-economic challenges being faced by Nigerians, a hike in the price of fuel will heap great suffering and hardship on Nigerians,” he said.

The house resolved to invite the General Managing Director of the NNPCL to explain the hike in PMS price.

The lawmakers, however, rejected a call by Rep. Zakaria Nyampa (APC-Adamawa)  to stay implementation of the new price pending the outcome of the investigation.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu mandated the committee, when constituted to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.

(NAN)

Mr Sylvester Turner, Mayor of Houston, United States of America, says he is engaging with the Nigerian government for the establishment of a Consular Office in Houston and direct flight to expand trade, relations with Nigeria.

Turner made this known while addressing some Nigerian journalists in Abuja on the outcomes of his meeting with some government ministries and business community on his business trip to Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Turner led a delegation from diverse sectors in Houston to meet with their Nigerian counterparts, to mull ways of expanding trade, investment, and bilateral relations between Nigeria and Huston.

Turner said that Houston hosts the highest number of Nigerian Diaspora in the U.S, with Nigeria and the city’s largest trading partner in Africa, hence the need to strengthen policies that would enhance the already existing relations.

The mayor said it was looking at expanding ties and businesses in aviation, agriculture, energy, maritime, technology and innovation, medical tourism, among others, to ensure an environment of certainty where businesses could thrive.

“It is about enhancing the relationship that currently exists and we are meeting with business leaders and also governmental leaders.

“Bearing in mind that the president is yet to put in his cabinet, but we are meeting with a number of permanent secretaries in various sectors, trade, business, investment, aviation.

“There are sole priorities for us and one is dealing with a direct flight from Nigeria to Houston, Houston to Nigeria.

“Because when you start talking about trade and investment, you need to make it as easy as possible for persons to go from one place to another. That has been a top priority.

“One of the largest Diaspora outside Nigeria is in Houston. There are more Nigerians in Houston than they are in New York, L.A, Atlanta, and so we need a consular office in the area of Huston.

“So, we are hoping to encourage the Nigerian government to set up a consular office.

“When I came to office eight years ago, that was one of the biggest requests from the Nigerian community in Houston so we want to enhance that.

“The third is to simply enhance the trade and investment between the two. Right now, Nigeria is Houston’s largest trading partner.

“Annually about $1.6 billion as at 2022; that seems to be a large number but we think there is room for expansion and we want to push that,” Turner said.

Turner said that Nigeria was a growing economic market, which made huge sense for businesses in the United States and specifically Houston to be doing business in Nigeria.

Read Also: Akande-Sadipe congratulates first black elected Colorado Mayor

He, however, noted that Houston was not engaging to take way from Nigeria but pushing for businesses and engagements that would be a win-win and mutually benefitting.

The mayor also expressed optimism in the present administration, adding that the U.S was always ready to support the Nigerian government.

“We are certainly hopeful about the president and the policy he is putting in place.

“Houston wants to do business with you, we want more trade with you, we want to build on our cultural ties and you do not make that happen being at a distance with one another,” Turner added.

(NAN)

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, granted an application by the Federal Government to protect witnesses lined up in the prosecution of Tukur Mamu, who is being tried over his alleged relationship with terrorists that were involved in the 2022 attack on a Kaduna-bound train.

Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the application following an ex-parte motion moved by D.E. Kaswe, counsel for the Office of the Attorney-General for the Federation(AGF), to the effect.

Moving the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/96/2023, Kaswe said the application dated May 11, was filed on June 15.

He said the motion was brought pursuant to Section 36(4) , (A), (B) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 232 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, including Section 73 (1), (2) (C) and (4) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In the motion cited by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the FG prayed for four orders.

These include, “An order of this Honourable Court excluding persons other than parties and their legal representatives at the hearing of the above named charge except members of the accredited press.

“An order of this Honourable Court vacating the court room whenever the prosecution witnesses are coming to testify.

“An order of this Honourable Court shielding the physical identity of the prosecution witnesses by wearing facial masks and or the use of screen whenever prosecution witnesses are testifying.

“An order of this Honourable Court directing the use of pseudo names by prosecution witnesses and deleting the real names and addresses of prosecution witnesses throughout the proceedings of this case.”

Justice Ekwo granted the motion as prayed.

Earlier, when the matter was called, Mamu, who was the sole defendant in the charge, was not in court.

Kaswe then told the court that Mamu was still on his way with the security operatives.

“I urge this honourable court to stand down this matter as they are still on their way coming,” he prayed.

“Do you think this is a stand-down court? That application is refused,” the judge said.

It was at this point that Kaswe informed the court of the motion ex-parte already filed.

The lawyer then sought a permission to take the motion.

But Mamu’s lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, opposed the application, describing it as an attempt to stall today’s proceedings already scheduled for trial commencement.

Mohammed argued that in the last adjourned date, the prosecution was given three days but they failed to utilise it.

Justice Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until July 21 for trial commencement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Mamu, a former terrorists’ negotiator, was, on March 21, arraigned by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on 10 counts bordering on terrorism financing, especially on the recent Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court, on April 27, also declined to grant him bail on grounds of ill-health.

The judge, who held that the grounds were not cogent enough to grant bail to the defendant facing terrorism-related charges, also cited Mamu’s failure to debunk the claims contained in the counter-affidavit filed to oppose his bail application by the Department of State Services (DSS), the agency keeping him in custody.

Mamu was arrested on Sept. 6, 2022, on his way to Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj and was detained at Cairo International Airport before being repatriated to Nigeria.

Read Also: Absence of FG’s counsel stalls Tukur Mamu’s trial

In the charges, the Federal Government accused him of aiding and abetting Boko Haram terrorism attacks against innocent Nigerians.

He was accused of collecting various sums of money in various currencies on behalf of Boko Haram terrorists from the families of the train attack.

He was said to have collected $420, 000 from families of the attack, and another N21 million from other set of families of the train attack.

He is also accused of concealing the terrorism funds in his Kaduna residence in violation of provisions of the Terrorism Prevention, Prohibition Act.

Mama pleaded not guilty to the charge.

(NAN)