The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Civil society groups protest at Lagos Assembly

    A coalition of civil society organisations yesterday stormed Lagos Assembly to complain about the perennial crisis in Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) and Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), calling for  urgent intervention of the government to salvage the institutions.

    In a letter submitted to the House, which was jointly signed by the United Action for Democracy (UAD), Sahara Education Development Initiative (SEDI), Workbond International Network (WIN) and Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), the coalition stated that the dismissal of ASUU leaders prompted the peaceful rally, they appealed for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s intervention.

    The group demanded the reinstatement of five ASUU-LASU officials “illegally dismissed by the Prof. Bayo Ninalowo-led governing council, and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Lanre Fagbohun.”

    Read Also: HMO denies diverting NHIS fund

    They further requested the governor to constitute a visitation panel to the institution as a matter of urgency.

    Other demands of the coalition included: immediate reinstatement of ASUU-LASU check-off dues illegally stopped by Lanre Fagbohun since January, 2019, immediate promotion of union officers and loyalists who were said to have been denied promotions by the university administration.

    They urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to “investigate N198 million pension funds of LASU staff used to buy exotic cars, and immediate investigation of the N1.3billion NEEDs funds mismanaged by Prof. Obafunwa and Fagbohun.”

    One of the leaders of the group, Mr. Kunle Wiseman Ajayi, said, “We will continue the protest until our demands are met. Nigerians are suffering, the country is rich yet our people are suffering.

    “Why are we suffering, is it that we are poor, no, a few people just sit on our money. They are wasting our resources, they are even using our resources to fight us,” he said.

  • HMO denies diverting NHIS fund

    Health Management Organisation (HMO) Clearline has denied allegations by an ex-employee that it was involved in over N60 million fraud against the federal government.

    An arrested former employee Funmilayo Oyelaja had alleged that the company was in the habit of diverting money paid by the National Health Insurance Scheme for onward transfer to hospitals and clinics that rendered services to beneficiaries.

    Oyelaja, who was arrested alongside her live-in partner Tunde Ogunseye by the Lagos State Police Command after two years on the run, had indicted both Clearline and two other senior employees of the company in the alleged fraud.

    She claimed she diverted over N60million with the consent of the bosses and that N38million was her personal share which she used to buy properties.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze youths to Customs: stop extorting traders

    Clearline denied the allegation describing it as the claim of a drowning man looking for others to drag along.

    At a briefing on Monday, acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Clearline Dr. Tunde Ladele said the other employees she mentioned have been handed over to the police for investigation, adding that it was the firm that uncovered the fraud while she was on vacation and reported same to the police.

    He said, “We discovered the fraud and reported to the police. We went ahead to declare her wanted and placed a N2million bounty on her head, which worked very well. The moment she was seen, we were called on the phone numbers provided and we contacted the police who arrested her and her lover.

    “To tell you that we are serious, we have handed over the three staff she indicted to the police. We do not cheat the system. We do not cheat the government and it is even impossible to cheat. Individuals could try, but we must find out as we did in Fumilayo’s case.

    “We are willing to cooperate with the police to get to the root of the matter.”

  • Western Naval Command to illegal operators: steer clear

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Oladele Daji, on Wednesday warned illegal operators to stay off the Western Command maritime domain.

    The FOC gave the warning after the successful completion of “Ategun Alafia,” an exercise aimed at creating a crime-free maritime environment within the Command’s areas.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise began on September 29 and ended on October 2.

    Daji said that the Nigerian Navy would not hesitate to resist any defiant that does not adhere to the warning

    “My warning to those who carry out illegal activities is that they have no space within the Western Naval Command maritime area of operation to operate.

    Read Also: Navy begins recruitment for graduates, HND holders

    “For those of them that are stubborn, we will match them and defeat them at their own game,” he said.

    The FOC also commended those who participated in the exercise, saying it had largely achieved its d esired aims and objectives of sharpening the officers’ skills.

    “Let me say that the exercise has largely achieved its desired aims and objectives, which are to sharpen the skills of personnel, to validate the training that they have been given ashore and to ensure that their professional skills are put to test at sea.

    “The various exercises that were conducted had generally given sea-farers within Western Naval Command area of operation the assurance that the sea is safe.

    “It is conducive for them to carry out their legitimate activities,” he said.

    He also thanked the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, for providing logistics for the successful exercise.

    NAN reports that board, search and seizure exercise, as well as vertical replenishment at sea, among other exercises were conducted.

  • Two arrested for Oyo Assembly ‘theft’

    Two people have been taken into custody for allegedly stealing electrical appliances and other gadgets at the Oyo State House of Assembly Complex.

    The suspects were picked up following police investigations of the invasion of the generator house of the Assembly complex from where the items were taken away.

    At a briefing, the Clerk of the House, Mrs Felicia Oyediran said the invasion was reported to the police because of its recurrence.

    Oyediran was accompanied by the Vice Chairman, House Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Mr Francis Adetunji, the Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Mr Gabriel Olatundun and the Director, Administration and Supply, Mr Ojo.

    The clerk said those in custody, including two night guards, have been invited for interrogation by the police, adding that the management of the complex still awaits the findings of the police on the matter before deciding on the next line of action.

    Read Also: Three Ghanaians among suspects held for ‘illegal’ fishing

    Oyediran said the issue has not in anyway disrupted legislative duties of the lawmakers who are on recess.

    While calling for a better working relationship with the media, the Clerk assured that the management will get to the root of the matter.

    The clerk assured workers and visitors to the complex that additional security measures have been put in place to ensure their safety.

  • Councilor assassinated in Delta

    A councilor and Majority Leader of Sapele Local Government Legislative Arm, Chief Venture Kagbude has been shot dead by suspected assassins.

    It was gathered that the tragic incident occurred about 6pm on Tuesday along the Sapele/Effurun/Warri Road, The Nation learnt.

    Until his death, Chief Kagbude was the Chairman of Okirighre community in Sapele council area, as well as the chairman of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), in the local government area.

    According to reports, the deceased was returning from Okuoke community where he had gone to inspect a house under construction for his mother.

    He had no inkling that his would-be killers were waiting for him. They emerged from their hiding place and shot him dead.

    Director of the Asaba and Osubi International Airport, Austin Ayemidejor, while reacting to Kagbude’s death, said, “It is A sad news; a young man dreams to build a better society and is cut short by gunmen. He will surely be missed”.

    Read Also: Group leader killed in Adamawa

    A source related to the victim claimed that the late lawmaker was a frontline campaigner against cultism and ritual activities in the area, adding that his demise must have something to do with his crusades.

    “I am sure his death must have come from there,”

    A senior police officer at the Sapele Police Area Command, name withheld, confirmed the development, stating that a search for the killers has commenced.

    But efforts to get official comments from the Delta State Police Command proved abortive, as repeated calls to the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adeyinka Adeleke, mobile phone were not answered as at the time of filing this report.

  • 15 suspects paraded in Enugu

    The police in Enugu State have paraded 15 suspected criminals involved in various heinous crimes in the state.

    The command in three weeks recovered four locally-made guns, four live cartridges, 13 handsets, three vehicles, one tricycle and an English sword.

    Parading the suspects in Enugu yesterday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmad Abdurrahman said the arrest of the suspects followed intelligence as well as collaboration with sister security agencies.

    Abdurrahman noted that the command arrested the suspects within three weeks in various locations within and outside the state.

    He said that within the period, the command through painstaking intelligence was able to bust a seven-man robbery gang in the country.

    “This group, whose members were arrested in Lagos, Port Harcourt, FCT, Aba and Enugu, has been terrorising and snatching vehicles all along within the state and move them to other parts of the country for sale.

    Read Also: ‘Internet fraudster’ remanded in Kwara

    “The Command through its intelligence operatives and the Independence Layout Police Division travelled most parts of the country to round up this well networked criminal group.

    “The recovered items from the suspects included a Toyota Corolla; a Toyota Spider Camry Car, one Honda Odessey, one locally-made pistol and one English sword,” he said.

    The commissioner also said three suspects were arrested for conspiracy and armed robbery as well as disturbing the peace of Umuebi community in Udi Local Government Area of the state.

    Abdurrahman said that police operatives also arrested one Pastor Chukwuemeka Ezeh for allegedly murdering his girlfriend and church-member within the Railway axis of Enugu metropolis.

    He noted that Ezeh allegedly murdered the girl and carted away all her belongings and N2 million cash.

    “The command also arrested a 75-year-old man, one Boniface Onoja, for allegedly defiling a 11-year-old girl within the premises of Community Secondary School, Ogbunite in Igboeze North Local Government Area,” he said.

    The commissioner solicited the cooperation of residents in prompt reporting of suspicious persons and objects within their neighbourhoods to the nearest police station.

  • ‘Security is a collective responsibility’

    The newly-installed monarch of Ayetoro-Budo community in Ayetoro, Ogun State, Oba Adewumi Adeniji has stated that government alone cannot tackle insecurity in the country.

    Speaking at a press briefing in his palace, the monarch noted that the issue of insecurity remains the concern of everybody, hence government should be supported by all agencies and stakeholders involved to put an end to it.

    Oba Adewumi Adeniji stressed that insecurity in the country has become alarming, urging citizens to be security-conscious.

    He said, “The security challenge in the country is mind-boggling, to say the least. You get to hear different frightening stories of murder and kidnap on a daily basis. However, it is the business of every citizen to ensure that the country is safe and secure. Everybody needs to come together to proffer a lasting solution. We should not leave it for the government alone.”

    Read Also: Man arraigned for ‘false information’

    He praised the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari for his sustained efforts towards tackling the scourge of insecurity in the land.

    The monarch disclosed that if everyone supported government in fighting insecurity, the country would experience peace and harmony.

    He said, “If we all rise up to support government in tackling insecurity, we will all benefit from it. Everyone will move freely without fear of being kidnapped, murdered or raped.”

    Oba Adeniji who built a police station in his community, wants community leaders to borrow a leaf from him as a way of demonstrating support for  government.

  • ‘Internet fraudster’ remanded in Kwara

    Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital, on Wednesday remanded a-36 year old re-arrested suspected internet fraudster Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned the accused Abolarin Kayode before the court over offences bordering on internet fraud and other fraud related offences.

    The accused was first arraigned in February 2019 before Justice Babagana Ashigar of a Federal High Court in Ilorin but absconded after he was granted bail.

    He ran out of luck in August this year when operatives of the commission traced to G.R.A, Ilorin and got him arrested.

    At yesterday sitting, EFCC arraigned Abolarin on seven count charge before the court presided over by Justice Sikiru Oyinloye.

    Read Also: Man arraigned for ‘false information’

    One of the count reads “that you,  Abolarin Kayode (Alias Lauren Saint) on or about the 6th day of February 2019, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kwara state, with intent to defraud, had in your possession a document containing false pretence, to with; a gmail titled paid to drive initiative by your budweiser which you sent to one Chad Bakichan American citizen through your acclaimed email laurensaint345@gmail.com, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 6 read along with section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1 of the same Act.”

  • Man arraigned for ‘false information’

    Ondo State Police Command has arraigned a 39-year old man, John Abiodun before a Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital, for allegedly providing false information on his sworn affidavit before the Commissioner for Oaths to mislead the general public in the state.

    Abiodun was arraigned before Magistrate Ruth Olumilua by the police on allegations of providing false information and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.

    The accused was said to have committed the offence on March 28.

    The charge sheet reads, “That you John Abiodun on the 28th day of March, 2019 at Chief Magistrate Court, Akure did falsely swear to an affidavit on oath before the Commissioner for Oaths knowing fully to be false with intent to mislead members of the public and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under section 188 of the criminal code cap 37, vol 1 laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.

    Read Also: Group leader killed in Adamawa

    “That you John Abiodun on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magistrate court made a false statement on oath knowing fully to be false and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under section 191 of the criminal code cap 37 vol 1 laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.

    “That you John Abiodun did insult the religion of the Church of God, Promised land Prophetical Ministry, Shasha Area, Akure in order to prevent free officiating and worship of the Church and thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under section 204 of the criminal code cap 37, vol 1 laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.”

    The prosecuting counsel, Inspector Martins Olowofeso told the court that the accused person has committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under sections 188, 191 and 204 of the criminal code cap 37, vol 1 laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.

    Inspector Olowofeso however prayed the court to adjourn the case for him to study the case file, adding that he had about four witnesses to call on the matter.

    The accused who was represented by Mrs. Maria Bolorunduro pleaded not guilty to the three count-charge leveled against him.

    Mrs. Bolorunduro urged the court to allow her client to be bailed on liberal terms, saying the offence he was charged with is bailable.

    According to her, the accused person would not jump bail if passionately granted bail, stressing that he is ready to provide a credible surety.

    Magistrate Olomilua granted the accused person to bail on the sum of N500,000 with two sureties who must resident within the court jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.

    Magistrate Olomilua  adjourned the case till October 18 for hearing.

  • Group leader killed in Adamawa

    Suspected assassins have gunned down the Adamawa State Chairman of Tabital Pulaaku International, Alhaji Abdu Balli.

    Tabital Pulaaku International, known fully in local parlance as Tabital Pulaaku Joondie Jam, is a pan-Fulani group.

    The state government has strongly condemned Balli’s killing, pledging to use every legal instrument and resources available to the state to track down the killers and bring them to book.

    The attackers who struck at the group leader’s residence in Yola town on Tuesday night, also killed a man who was identified as a visitor, and left another visitor critically injured.

    Our correspondent gathered Tuesday morning that three gunmen stormed the Tabital Pulaaku chairman’s house in Lakare area of Yola town about 8:30 pm on Tuesday and opened gunfire on the man and his visitors, killing him and one of his two visitors and injuring the other.

    A source said, “Alhaji was inside the house with two people who were on a visit when three armed men came shooting sporadically and entering the house. They killed Alhaji and one of the visitors while the other visitor was left badly injured.”

    The Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Sulaiman Ngurore, confirmed the incident Wednesday morning.

    Read Also: Traditional ruler killed in Lagos

    He said, “When we were alerted, we rushed there and found the Tabital Pulaaku chairman and his visitor lying in pools of blood. We took them and another visitor who was injured to the hospital where the chairman and his other visitor were confirmed dead.”

    The PPRO added that men and officials from all relevant police units had been deployed to fish out the killers and have them prosecuted.

    Responding to the killings, the state governor, Rt Hon Ahmadu Fintiri, said Wednesday afternoon that he was deeply touched that precious lives had been taken to cast a dark pall on the celebration of Nigeria’s 59th Independence Anniversary.

    In s press statement released from Government House Yola and signed by the Director General, Media and Communications, Solomon Kumangar, Governor Fintiri condoled the families of the deceased and wished those injured quick recovery.