The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Lagos impounds motorcycles plying roads illegally

    Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Agency (Task Force) have begun a clampdown on illegal commercial motorcyclists plying restricted routes, including inner streets.

    Agency Chairman Mr. Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said in a statement that the clampdown began yesterday, adding that 125 motorcycles had been impounded for flouting traffic regulations around Ejigbo and Cele bus stops.

    He said the agency embarked on the clampdown following complaints by the public about crimes being perpetrated by illegal commercial motorcyclists early in the morning and late at night.

    Egbeyemi said: “We will ensure compliance with the traffic regulations by commercial motorcyclists in our local governments and local council development areas.

    Read Also: Lagos urges property owners to perfect title documents

    “In accordance with the traffic laws, every motorcyclist must wear crash helmet, be above 18 years, not ride on kerb/median/road-setbacks, avoid restricted routes, must not carry more than one passenger/expectant mother/adult with baby/child below 12 years, must not install any musical gadget, must wear an apron, must not operate beyond 10pm, must have a rider’s permit and have their motorcycle registered with the government.”

    He said investigation by the government showed that most illegal commercial motorcyclists are not from Nigeria, but from neighbouring countries, noting that some of them are involved in crimes.

    Egbeyemi warned okada riders to ensure that their motorcycles are registered with the government, “as anyone caught will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”

  • Suspected robbers cart away valuables in Oyo schools

    Suspected robbers have destroyed property and carted away valuables belonging to public primary and secondary schools in Oyo State, following the inability of the schools’ management to pay for the services of security guards.

    There are 324 secondary schools and 1,576 public primary schools in the state.

    Governor Seyi Makinde, had, while deliverying his inaugural speech on May 29, directed that all forms of payment in public primary and secondary schools ceased with immediate effect.

    This left the schools without running funds to pay their bills.

    Tales of incessant attacks on schools’ properties were narrated by senior officials in the affected schools, who pleaded anonymity.

    It was learnt that if nothing is done by the government to inject funds into the school system before pupils’ resumption in September, the public schools may witness very low academic activities.

    It was gathered that the public schools became the target of attacks by hoodlum following the forced withdrawal of security guards.

    Besides, it was gathered that most private teachers hired through the contributions of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) were still owed salaries since June.

    The night guards were said to have been relieved of their jobs after Makinde announced the abolition of payment of the fees.

    Read Also: Car snatchers arrested with 150 phones

    When contacted, the Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adediran, blamed the immediate past administration  for the problems in the education sector.

    He said the Makinde administration, having inherited the problems, “is working to fix them”.

    Although he was furious with the question on the invasion of schools by suppected robbers, Adediran said the government has pledged to give running grants to public schools.

    According to the SUBEB Chairman, the grants would have to be factored into the budget to enable the concerned agencies disbursed it.

    Before now, pupils in public schools paid N1000 per term each under the education policy of Schools’ Governing Boards (SGBs) of Senator Abiola Ajimobi administration. The N1000 fees were domiciled in the accounts of the schools for their smooth-running.

    A teacher, who spoke in confidence, narrated how the principal’s office was invaded four times within a month in a secondary school at Moniya, Ibadan.

    The source stated that such a case had never happened in the history of the school when it was enjoying the services of security guards.

  • Traffic diversion on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway begins Monday

    THE Director, Federal Highways, Southwest, Mr. Funsho Adebiyi, yesterday appealed for patience and understanding of road users and residents along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as massive reconstruction continues on the highway.

    Adebiyi, during an inspection of the highway, said there was the need to sensitise motorists on upcoming major diversions on sections between Berger and Kara Bridge, where reconstruction will begin on Monday.

    The director, who led a delegation of Federal Ministry of Works and Housing officials as well as traffic regulatory agencies, appealed to road users to comply with diversion and traffic rules.

    He said major lanes had been rehabilitated to curb gridlock and construction on the section would begin on September 2.

    According to him, major construction works on the highway will be completed latest by December 15.

    He appealed to motorists to observe speed limits around the construction zones, obey diversion signs and bear the temporary inconvenience that comes with the construction.

    Read Also: Lagos-Ibadan expressway closes Sept. 2

    Adebiyi explained that work was ongoing simultaneously on various sections of the highway beyond Lagos to fast-track construction on the important highway.

    He said arrangements had been made for adequate towing vehicles with all relevant traffic agencies for speedy clearance of breakdowns, to avert gridlock on the highway.

    “Work is starting on September 2 and by December 15, we should be through,” he said.

    Mr. Hygenus Omeje, Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) said the Lagos Command was coordinating and working in synergy with other traffic regulatory agencies to ensure free flow of traffic.

    Omeje said the section to be worked upon was just about 600 metres and was not enough to cause too much stress for road users.

    Mr. Clement Oladele, Ogun State Sector Commander of the FRSC, said security meetings were held concerning the highway to ensure safety of road users during construction.

    He warned miscreants to stay away, as the FRSC would not take it easy with criminal elements.

  • Ekiti Assembly summons Fayose, ex-Speaker, others over alleged financial impropriety

    THE Ekiti State House of Assembly has summoned former Governor Ayodele Fayose to appear before it to throw light on alleged misappropriation of local government funds while in office.

    Also summoned are former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Mr. Dapo Olagunju, former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs Mr. Kola Kolade and 16 former local government chairmen.

    The Assembly, in its plenary yesterday, took the unanimous decision sequel to the adoption of the recommendations of the joint committee of the House on Public Petition and Local Governments on a petition submitted to the Assembly by eight suspended PDP council chairmen.

    The Assembly had on December 18, 2018, suspended indefinitely the 16 council chairmen and 177 councillors to pave way for a forensic audit of the councils’ accounts over alleged fraud.

    Eight were reinstated in July, following a petition they filed, appealing for their reinstatement. Others were suspended for further forensic investigation.

    Presenting the report at yesterday’s plenary, the Chairman of the Public Petition Committee, Adegoke Olajide, said the remaining eight chairmen on suspension made a plea to the House for the review of their indictment and possible reinstatement.

    Read Also: APC, Fayose bicker over alleged plot to disrupt Udiroko festival

    Olajide said the suspended chairmen during an appearance before the committee confessed to have diverted funds of their councils on monthly the basis to an account, but said the action was in compliance with the directive of the immediate past governor.

    He said the council chairmen, who provided documents to back up their allegations, claimed that the instruction to withdraw the councils’ fund was often passed to them through Olagunju and Kolade.

    The assembly also summoned a former Speaker of the House, Kola Oluwawole, some suspended members of the Fifth Assembly as well as the former governor over the passage of a N10 billion revised appropriation law towards the end of the former governor’s tenure.

    The motion for the summon was moved by the House Leader, Gboyega Aribisogan, on the recommendation of the report of the ad hoc committee.

    But, Fayose’s media aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, was also directed to appear before the lawmakers for alleged un-remittance of revenue of above N13 million while serving as a supervisor at the state-owned broadcasting service.

    The summon was consequent upon a motion moved by the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Ayokunle Yemisi and seconded by Femi Akindele representing Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency 1

    The Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye, said the lawmakers would continue to do their best at sanitising the state and ensuring prudence in the management of its resources.

    Afuye urged the anti-graft agencies to freeze his account immediately.

    In a reaction, Fayose, through Olayinka, said: “Fayose will not dignify an Assembly of clowns, who are under the total control of a governor, who is desperately in search of ways to cover his electoral thievery and failure to secure the acceptance of Ekiti people.

    “If they have any evidence of financial impropriety against him (Fayose), they can ask the man who used SMS to appoint them to invite EFCC operatives and accommodate them in the Government House as he has done on many occasions. As for us, we are moving on.”

  • Tinubu condoles with Olukoya over mum’s death

    All Progressives Congress (APC) national stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has commiserated with the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Worldwide, Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, on the death of his mother, Mama Janet Olukoya. She was 95.

    In a condolence letter yesterday to Pastor Olukoya, Asiwaju Tinubu urged the General Overseer and other children Mama left behind to take solace in the fact that she lived a life of service to God and humanity and died at a ripe old age.

    In the letter he personally signed, the APC leader said: “Please, accept my deepest sympathy and condolences on the death of your mother, Mama Janet, at 95.

    Read Also: Buhari condoles with Olukoya over mum’s death

    “The loss of any of our parents is always a painful thing. I know how it feels because I have experienced that before. But we must always take solace in the lives our parents lived and recall memories of the times we shared together.

    “I understand Mama was a devout Christian who lived a life of service to God and humanity. We must thank God that she lived to a ripe old age and left behind good children.

    “My condolences also go to other family members and all worshippers at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries over the demise.

    “My prayer is that God Almighty accept her soul and grant her everlasting rest. May He also grant you and all the children Mama left behind the strength to carry on with her good deeds.”

  • Final forfeiture of Diezani’s N14.4b jewellery adjourned till Monday

    A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday adjourned till September 2 a suit seeking the final forfeiture of jewellery valued at $40 million (about N14.4 billion) recovered from a former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.

    Justice Nicholas Oweibo fixed the date to give the parties time to respond to pending applications.

    The court, on July 5, ordered the temporary forfeiture of the 2,149 pieces of jewellery and a customised golden iPhone recovered from Mrs Alison-Madueke’s home.

    According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which obtained the order, the items were suspected to be bought with illicitly acquired funds.

    When the matter was called yesterday, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo informed the court that he had just been served a counter-affidavit by the defence and would need time to respond.

    The lawyer said an adjournment would ensure that the court could entertain all responses to the application at the same time and deliver the necessary ruling.

    A representative of counsel to the defendant, Prof Awa Kalu (SAN), also informed the court that they would appreciate an adjournment as the chambers’ resources were overstretched.

    Read Also: Diezani again – the flamboyant female former minister wants all her bling-bling back!

    Upholding their prayers, Justice Oweibo adjourned further proceedings till September 2.

    Mrs Alison-Madueke is the defendant in the application filed pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act Number 14, 2006.

    The EFCC said it found and recovered the jewellery and the customised golden iPhone “on the premises of the respondent”.

    The anti-graft agency added that it reasonably suspected that the former minister acquired them with “proceeds of unlawful activities”.

    According to a schedule attached to the application, the jewellery, categorised into 33 sets, include “419 expensive bangles and 315 expensive rings”. Others are: 304 expensive earrings, 267 expensive necklaces, 189 expensive wristwatches and 174 expensive necklaces and earrings.

    The rest are: 78 expensive bracelets, 77 expensive brooches and 74 expensive pendants.

    The EFCC said: “The respondent’s known and provable lawful income is far less than the properties sought to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

    But the former minister is praying the court to order that the items be returned to her.

    She accused the EFCC of illegally gaining access to her apartment and taking the items without a court order.

    Besides, Mrs Alison-Madueke averred that seizing her jewellery was a violation of her fundamental right to own property under sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution and “to appropriate them at her discretion”.

    The ex-minister, who is said to be under investigation in the United Kingdom (UK), urged the court to reject EFCC’s prayer to permanently forfeit the jewellery and the golden iPhone to the Federal Government.

    She contended that the court lacked jurisdiction to grant the interim forfeiture order.

    According to her, EFCC did not charge her with any crime or serve her with any summons.

  • Lawyer, client sue EFCC over N20m ‘property fraud’

    An Ilorin, Kwara State lawyer Olarewaju Aluko and his client, Taiye Na’Allah, yesterday sued the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) at a Kwara State High Court for alleged defamation of character.

    The duo are seeking redress and asking for N20 million damages from the commission.

    The Ilorin Zonal office of the commission, on Wednesday, accused the lawyer of defrauding Pastor Adetunji Adedoyin of his property valued at N20 million. The commission also claimed that Aluko was on the run, following invitation and interrogation of other lawyers reportedly involved in the matter.

    Adedoyin is also joined as respondent in the suit, which has been assigned to Justice Hammed Gegele, of the State High Court.

    Aluko and his client prayed the court to restrain the EFCC from inviting, arresting or prosecuting them pending the determination of a motion on notice filed at the court.

    Read Also: Alleged N7.2bn fraud: ‘EFCC persecuting me for not implicating Kalu’

    The applicants urged the court to compel the EFCC to enforce an order on the agency and to tender unreserved public apologies through national dailies to them.

    They also urged the court to institute N20 million damages against the commission for what they called illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional online publication against their reputation.

    The applicants averred that the circulation of the online publication against them prior to invitation to react to the petition or arraigning them before any competent court is illegal, unconstitutional and against their fundamental rights.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, Aluko expressed disappointment over the operation of the anti-graft agency.

    The lawyer insisted that he was not on the run, as the EFCC allegedly claimed, adding that he was neither called nor invited for interrogation before the publication went viral on the social media.

    He added: “I was highly surprised and disappointed over the EFCC operation. Many people have been calling me that I have been declared wanted over allegation of fraud on which some lawyers were arrested.

    “I have never in my life been involved in fraud. The EFCC has never called me on phone or invited me personally or given me notice to come to their office in respect of the allegation by Adedoyin, who is a pastor.

    “I read it online and heard from friends that I was at large. Honestly, this is defamation of character and I am not going to take it lightly.”

    Aluko explained that the purchase of the landed property by his client followed due process, as there was a court judgment to back it up.

  • Customs impounds N501.6m contraband in Owerri

    The Federal Operations Unit’s (FOU’s) Zone C of the Nigeria Customs Service (NIS) has impounded 16 exotic vehicles and other items valued at N501.6 million.

    The items include an armoured Land Cruiser, 4,338 bags of foreign rice and fake drugs with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N501,650,065.00.

    The Zonal Comptroller Olusemire Kayode said the seizures were made between June and August.

    He said the interception of the contraband at various points within the zone was a continuation of the relentless clampdown on smuggling activities by men of the NCS.

    The Comptroller said one truckload of unregistered and fake pharmaceutical drugs (Chakarain xtra tablet) with a DPV of N57 million was also intercepted by Customs officials on Benin-Ore Expressway.  He said seven suspects were arrested in connection with seizures.

    Olusemire gave the list of the seized items as bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser (2013); Toyota Land Cruiser (2012); Lexus IS 250(2006); Mercedes Benz MLS (2012 model); four Toyota Venza; three Toyota Hilux (2018, 2017, 2016 models), among others.

    Also impounded were 595 bags of foreign rice, which were allegedly concealed in a cement truck to beat Custom checkpoints.

    Read Also: Scores protest against Customs seizure of 700 bags of rice in Ilorin

    The others are bales of used clothing and used tyres.

    Conducting reporters round the impounded items, Olusemire advised Nigerians to desist from wasting their hard-earned resources on smuggling, which they erroneously perceive as a business.

    The Comptroller said smugglers lose a lot of money as the NCS continues to decimate their ranks. He advised those buying cars to patronise reputable car dealers and always insist on seeing the Customs certificate before buying any car.

    Olusemire said: “Look at these cars that people bought from abroad. They should know that they are supposed to pay Customs duty on the cars, but they will rather prefer to cut corners, and at the end, the cars are impounded.

    “Many people complain that the dealers they bought their cars from in the country scammed them. To that, I say, please, endeavour to buy your car from a dealer who will not scam you.

    “This is because it’s our duty to pick up goods that are smuggled into the country. We have the statutory duty to do this. So, taking us to court won’t help you.”

    The Comptroller described the smuggling of foreign rice into the country as economic sabotage.

    He added: “We have arable lands across the country where rice can be grown in commercial quantity: Abakaliki, Kebbi, Anambra, Ofada, Lagos, Adamawa states; just name them. We have rice there and the rice is in the markets. The local rice is far more edible than foreign rice.

    “One of the problems associated with foreign rice is that most of them are expired. If you must import foreign rice, you must go through the ports. Why would anyone even go through the ports to bring rice when we have very arable lands all over the country that produce this food in abundance?”

  • Emergence of the really(i)-on

    The political atmosphere in the oil-rich Bayelsa State is already charged ahead of the November 16 governorship election. Since 1999, Bayelsa has remained the stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The All Progressives Congress (APC) has been dazed, following its failed attempt at installing a democratic government in the Southsouth state.

     

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State appears  nervous and fidgety about the state of affairs as at today. In fact, Southsouth has remained a no-go area for other political parties. Even APC’s fragile hold on Edo State may not continue in the near future, if the supremacy battle going on among the APC gladiators in the state is anything to count on. Oil states are regarded as trump cards, paying the piper and dictating the tune, a big question for the ruling party at the centre.

    But, at the same time, since the governorship race began in the state this season, “many lions” have been appearing on the stage. They appear and disappear suddenly, still leaving the stage in want of the most fit. A closer look at the list simply reveals that those were imaginary lions. Recent developments point to the truth that the real Lion may have emerged in the person of David Lyon. Is this lion from the tribe of Judah? Is he of the root of Jesse of Bethlehem? Yes! Apart from a Ly(i)-on, he bears David also. He is the eventual right aspirant, enjoying the blessings of party elders.

    There were mixed reactions in some parts of Bayelsa, following the decision by the renowned philanthropist and politician, Chief David Lyon, to join the governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 16 poll.

    While many indigenes of the state from the largest local government area, Southern Ijaw, were thrown into wild jubilations, with friendly gun shots along the creeks and waterways, most of the aspirants on the platforms of the APC and the PDP were reported to have expressed optimism over the possibility of Lyon emerging his party’s flag bearer and winning the governorship election.

    Even one of the PDP aspirants was said to have confessed that Lyon’s emergence and the rising squabbles within the PDP may secure victory for the opposition.

    For astute and very critical minds, it is interesting to note that there is something in the offing. The making of King David, the man after God’s heart, took a quiet, unnoticed process by kingmakers. While Saul was being celebrated, the preferred was up-coming, a decision of those that really matter. Even Prophet Samuel would have wasted the vial of oil on the likes of Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah etc, the sons of Jesse, following human judgment. But, God would not let that happen. APC sons, the likes of Frankland Briyai, Preye Aganaba, Deseye Poweigha, Chief CK Amgbare and former Minister of State for Agriculture Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, have appeared on stage. But, the pendulum is now swinging in the direction of Lyon himself, the real Lion, from the chosen tribe, a man after God’s heart as well as after the people’s heart, the man after Sylva’s heart, the man David Lyon a key player in the oil and gas industry and major financier of the party in the state.

    Read Also: Wasted edifices

    APC’s interest in the Bayelsa governorship poll, presents a titanic brawl between PDP and APC, a fight to finish for the soul of the state on November 16. It means that the APC needs to field a master strategist for the battle, knowing that the PDP, which is already an entrenched colossus in the state, is ready to resist it. An interesting angle to it is the presence of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who coincidentally hails from Bayelsa and Governor Seriake Dickson, another Goliath who has continued to boast and claim that Bayelsa remains a no holds-barred for the APC. But, there is nothing to fear in this fight. For every Goliath, there is a David, then, it was a David Jesse, today it is David Ly(i) – on. The battle must be won internally first, then out there.

    So, the political coast is clear for Lyon to clinch the party’s ticket. Analysts, political watchers and insiders maintain that the odds favour this “Man after God’s heart”, the man after the heart of king makers. A clear indication that everything is going well for David was the recent appointment of Chief Timipre Sylva, a former governor of the state, as Minister of State, Petroleum by President Buhari. Sylva would have posed the greatest rival to David, if not for the appointment. But, what would have worked against David the Lion, obviously now exists for his favour.

    Sylva’s loyalists, supporters, foot-soldiers and followers who worked for Lokpobiri to deliver Bayelsa to APC have naturally switched over to the Lyon side.

    The latest decision of Sylva was a turning point that altered political permutations. Other APC aspirants and the leadership of the PDP were said to be reviewing their earlier strategies. This is a clear sign that a lion, indeed, has emerged in the jungle to be the king and that even the grasses have begun to feel the presence. The APC knows that this is not a time for trial and error. It needs an expert to shoot right at the target. So, the choice of Lyon must have been borne out of the strong desire to win the forthcoming election.

    “Lyon has the popularity. His descent is Southern Ijaw and he is liked not only by people from Southern Ijaw but also by people in other local government areas where he had built bridges through his philanthropy”, said the popular Bayelsa grassroots politician, Adolphus Owoupele.

    Besides, the APC must present a popular and acceptable candidate to withstand the PDP stronghold in the state. Lyon is the candidate and I know he will win the ticket soon, concluded Owoupele.

    Lyon became Sylva’s choice after wide consultations and marathon meetings with his political group, party executives and followers. So, his fronting Lyon is actually a consensus, with the structures and followers of  Sylva being directed to queue behind Lyon ahead of the governorship primaries of the party.

    One thing is very sure: for every Goliath that may rear its head, there is a David. And one thing too is  clear, that the Davidic strategy has always worked through the ages, neither will it fail in this.

  • Wasted edifices

    Gazing at what remains of the structure today, it is hard to believe that the Old Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi was a sightseer’s delight once upon a time. In the eighties, after taking in the grandeur of the Atlantic at the Bar Beach or the ambience of the National Theatre at Iganmu, there was one other sight to behold: the magnificence of the Secretariat complex sitting on prime land in the choicest part of Lagos.

    Rising to its 15-storey height on sprawling premises, the then seat of federal bureaucracy left the visitor with lasting memories. You must wonder how much work went into the structure, the cost implication, and how many people earned their wages in its offices. Everyone loved the breathtaking complex.

    That was then. Today, the structure is forlorn, desolate and dead. Lush weeds have gained a life of their own on its stripped, grey walls. It is also safe to imagine that all manner of crawling creatures and perhaps four-footed beasts call the edifice home.

    Blame the relocation of the federal capital to Abuja for the structure’s misfortune. Until December 1991, the complex housed Nigeria’s Ministries and their staff who alongside sundry visitors and lobbyists, went up and down its stairs or shuttled on its lift.

    Blame also a fire which burnt the complex in March 2004. It was a mystery blaze said to have started from the very top of the building.

    But there were other more telling reasons why the once magnificent secretariat is a pitiable sight. The federal government led by military president Ibrahim Babangida seemed to be more interested in moving the national capital away from Lagos than in contemplating what to do with the gigantic secretariat in Ikoyi after the movement. It did not take long before wear and tear set in. What Abuja gained in the relocation, it would seem, Lagos lost.

    In time, Wale Babalakin, a lawyer and investor, saw gold mine, and acquired the edifice, intending to turn it into residential apartments. That would have brought him handsome dividends and helped to mop up accommodation deficits plaguing Lagosians. But litigations and squabbles soon set in, first between Babalakin’s firm Resort International Ltd and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), and then a spat with the Lagos State government over permits, among other things. The result is that the Old Secretariat is wasting away while Nigerians grapple with huge housing challenges.

    The old secretariat valued at well over N40 billion is not the only edifice rotting away, though. The Independence Building, from where the Ministry of Defence once operated, is also wasting away. So is the Glass House by Okesuna Street, once the home of the Ministry of Works and Housing. The National Assembly Complex at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and other federal structures in other parts Lagos are also abandoned.

    Nor is the wastage restricted to Lagos. Across the country, carcasses of giant structures stand. They are a sad reminder of what they once were, and a loud protest of a culture of waste for which the country is now famous.