The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Man allegedly kills friend over ram betting 

    A man identified as Yusuf Isiaka was allegedly stabbed to death by his friend, Segun Banji, over ram betting.

    The incident occurred at Oke Oko in Isawo, Ikorodu, Lagos around 12pm.

    Banji, a resident of 15, Araromi Street, Oke Oko was alleged to have stabbed Isiaka, 25, on his left chest, leading to death.

    Trouble was said to have started after the duo had a N500 bet on ram fighting, but the one whose ram lost the fight refused to give the money to the other.

    Although it was not clear who was the defaulter, an argument reportedly ensued between them, which led to a fight.

    Banji was said to have allegedly broken a bottle during the fight and stabbed Isiaka on the left chest.

    As soon as he realised that his friend was dead, Banji, it was gathered, fled the scene. He went into hiding, but was eventually fished out by officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps Safety Corps (LNSC) with the help of Owutu community members.

    A source said while the suspect was being moved to the agency’s office at Bolade, Oshodi for onward handover to the police, a military officer in Ikorodu stopped the team and directed that they should stay back for the police to come and take him.

    Read Also: Businessman arraigned for allegedly receiving stolen property

    “We took the suspect in our patrol vehicle, but the military base in the area said we should wait at their checkpoint till the police arrive.

    “On arrival of the Owutu anti-robbery squad, the captain directed that we should handover the suspect to the police and we all moved down to the station. A woman inspector was detailed as the Investigating Police Officer (IPO),” he said.

    A relative of the deceased said the suspect was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), adding that he had been begging for forgiveness.

    “The deceased’s mother is mourning. It is very painful. Isiaka’s body is still in mortuary because the police are investigating the incident,” he said.

    LNSC spokesman Olawale Afolabi confirmed the incident.

    He said the suspect had been handed over to the police.

  • Ogun APC thanks Buhari, governor for pastors’ rescue 

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has thanked men and officers of the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism Unit of Ogun State Police Command for rescuing five members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) kidnapped on the Benin-Sagamu Expressway last Friday.

    A statement by the Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, praised the courage, intervention and professionalism of the policemen, led by the Commissioner, Bashir Makama, which ensured that the victims were rescued unhurt.

    The party also praised Governor Dapo Abiodun for his ”commitment and determination to rid Ogun State of crime and ensure peace and normalcy, which necessitated his swift intervention and plea to President

    Muhammadu Buhari to which the Inspector General of Police (IGP) responded by providing an helicopter that has since remained in Ogun and has helped in rescuing the victims at Ogunmakin and Ogbere”.

    The statement reads: “We endorse the recently expressed intention of Governor Abiodun to relaunch, reactivate and reenergise the Ogun State Security Trust Fund, and urge him not to leave any stone unturned to make the state very safe for residents and travellers. We urge the police and other security agencies not to rest on their oars; it is not over until it is over. Security of lives and properties demands eternal vigilance.”

  • Akpabio’s lawyer faults claim on constituency project diversion

    Mr Leo Ekpenyong, the lawyer to former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, has faulted claims of alleged diversion of constituency projects by the former governor.

    The lawyer noted that the claims were politically motivated by those he called desperate politicians.

    Ekpeyong, who is the Managing Director of De-bongos Media, made the clarification in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

    He was reacting to calls by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that the senator should be invited for questioning by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related offences commission (ICPC) over the projects.

    SERAP had petitioned the Chairman of ICPC, Bolaji Owasanoye, and the Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Akpabio and Isa Misau over alleged diversion of constituency projects.

    The statement reads: “Senator Akpabio was neither the contractor nor was he involved in the contract execution process.

    Read Also: SERAP to ICPC: invite two senators over ‘diversion of constituency projects’

    “The supplies of hospital equipment, provision of solar-powered boreholes, VIP toilets, construction of markets across the 10 local government areas of Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District, donation of skills acquisition/recreational centres are all eloquent expressions of Senator Akpabio’s stellar performance just in four years.

    “Shortly after Senator Akpabio’s uncommon defection on August 8, 2018, he empowered his constituents with N250,000 each, and about 450 farmers benefited from this gesture, which was in collaboration with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

    “It is noteworthy to also state without any fear of contradiction that 1,200 men and women received N100,000 cash gift each for entrepreneurship development of various vocations geared towards poverty alleviation and development of the local economy on June 8, 2019 in a closing ceremony of his exit from the Eighth Senate.

    “Earlier in January, 11,600 beneficiaries obtained N10,000 each alongside start-up packs in collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and Future Assured Programme, a pet project of the wife of Mr. President; again, not limited to the senatorial district of Senator Akpabio.

    “Available documentary evidence in the public domain revealed that the Border Communities Development Agency, saddled with the onerous task and responsibility of ensuring the execution of sustainable socio-economic and infrastructural development of border communities in Nigeria, handled some of Senator Akpabio’s constituency projects. In a letter dated, July 16, through its director in charge of Projects Development and Implementation, Mallam Farouk Maitarure, clarified unequivocally that the contractor had performed the supply of the said hospital equipment in full, as contained in the bill of quantities though payment by the agency had not been fully liquidated.

    “Against this background, we frown at SERAP’s orchestrated cheap blackmail and brazen display of infantile mischief.

    “Senator Akpabio, instead of vilification, deserves due commendation for his meaningful contributions to the growth and development of his people to encourage people-centred programmes and policies of government.

    “It needs not be over-emphasised that beyond all doubt, Senator Akpabio remains an uncommon performer with undying love for Nigerians, any day any time.”

  • ECOWAS meets on status of corruption fight

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament is meeting today over the status of implementation of the protocol on the fight against corruption in the sub-region.

    The meeting of the Joint Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and Gender, Women Empowerment, Social Protection, Legal and Judicial Affairs will hold from today till Saturday in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso capital.

    The theme of the meeting is: Status of Implementation of ECOWAS Protocol A/P3/12/01 on the Fight Against Corruption: ECOWAS Parliament’s Contribution Thereto.

    The protocol on the fight against corruption was signed in Dakar (Senegal) on December 21, 2001, and adopted by the Authority of Heads of State and Governments.

    Read Also: Fed Govt to utilise FoI Act in fight against corruption

    The protocol is to join the efforts of states in the fight against corruption by adopting preventive and suppressive measures against persons who engage in acts of corruption in the exercise of their public and private functions.

    The Head of Democracy and Good Governance Division of ECOWAS Commission, Mr Eyesan Okorodudu, said the meeting was part of the commission’s effort to talk to the parliament on the level of implementation of the relevant part of the protocol.

    He explained that there were many aspects of the protocol the commission would want to push for parliamentarians to implore the Executive arm of government to exercise more political will to make operational.

    Okorodudu said one key protocol was Article 5, which is the preventive measure.

    “Under the preventive measures, we are looking at measures that will ensure transparency, efficiency in procurement processes, disposal of goods, works and services, recruitment of personnel into public services that is very interesting to us,” he said.

    According to him, ECOWAS Protocol A/P3/12/01 on the Fight Against Corruption is designed toward preventing corruption within member states.

    “The protocol is actually designed to promote and strengthen our development among the state parties in their efforts towards preventing corruption and creating opportunity for state parties to have bilateral relations,” Okorodudu said.

    The ECOWAS Commission chief said the article aims “to harmonise efforts in promoting accountability and transparency around integrity governance processes”.

    He added: “Till date, we have nine member-states that have signed. It means the protocol has come into effect.

    “It’s gone beyond the threshold about eight, but when you have nine that have signed, it has come into force.

    “What should concern most of the member-states is that it’s already enforced, which means all the state parties in the region should start enforcing the contents provided in the protocol.”

  • Ekiti begins recruitment of teachers

    THE Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has commenced the process of recruiting Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Graduate Teachers into the public primary schools.

    It is in a bid to fill existing vacancies in the basic education sector.

    A statement made available to reporters in Ado-Ekiti by the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Prof. Francisca Aladejana, noted that the recruitment was sequel to the approval of Governor Kayode Fayemi that the board should fill vacancies in public primary schools.

    The statement noted that the application forms will be distributed  free of charge to applicants at the SUBEB Headquarters, Okesa, Ado-Ekiti from today and tomorrow from 8.00am to 4.00pm on both days.

    Read Also: Ekiti govt urged to tackle insecurity

    According to the statement, interested applicants with prerequisite qualifications are to come along to the SUBEB Headquarters with photocopies of their credentials as only applicants with verified credentials will qualify to collect the application forms.

    It stated that all prospective applicants are to submit their completed forms at the SUBEB Headquarters in person on or before Friday for processing  while the qualifying examination will hold on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Ado, Ikere, Ikole, Ido, Ijero and Ode-Ekiti.

    The statement warned that late submission of Application Forms(s) will not be accepted by the board.

  • Ogun Assembly urges ex-local govt chairs to submit reports

    The Ogun State House of Assembly yesterday urged chairmen of the 20 local government councils and 37 local council development areas suspended by the eight legislature to submit detailed report on their tenure between October 2016 to May, 2019 before Friday, August 16.

    The Assembly, through its Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs led by Jemili Akingbade,  issued the directive while playing host to the chairmen at the Assembly Complex at Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta.

    Akingbade said the report was expected to include details of capital projects executed since assumption of office, the bidding processes of contracts awarded, revenue heads and full disclosure of revenues and expenditures for scrutiny by the lawmakers.

    The House Committee Chairman, who was with his colleagues, assured the chairmen of justice, fairness and equity in the examination of petitions against them.

    Read Also: Ogun Assembly seeks safety of graders

    He said the meeting was an avenue for the local government helmsmen to exonerate themselves of allegations levelled against them.

    Akingbade added that the leadership of the Assembly would liase with the appropriate government agencies to ensure that the suspended chairmen have access to relevant records required to prepare their reports, adding that the Assembly would step up plans to resolve the issues concerning the suspended chairmen within three weeks.

    Deputy Speaker Oludare Kadiri, Minority Leader Ganiyu Oyedeji and a  member representing Abeokuta South I, Yusuf Adejojo, as well as his Ijebu North- East, Abayomi Fasuwa, promised that the Assembly would ensure holistic consideration of the allegations bordering on misappropriation of fund and abuse of office levelled against  the chairmen.

    They hinted that the Assembly would come up with its findings based on the reports from the chairmen in response to the petitions earlier submitted to the 8th Legislature with a view to promoting accountability and transparency in the running of the councils.

    In their separate submissions, the representative of the Chairmen from Ogun East, Bayo Osikomaya and Kafaru Femi Felix; West, Mr. Obafemi Edun and Saheed Alagbe as well as that of Ogun Central Senatorial Districts, Taofeek Olabode and Mr. Kunle Folarin, appealed to the leadership of the Assembly to ensure speedy consideration of the issues raised as their tenure would lapse in October.

  • Residents protest suspension of council chief

    RESIDENTS in Auchi, headquarters of Estako West Local Government of Edo State are protesting suspension of the council Chairman, Yakubu Musa, popularly known as Yakson.

    The protesters blocked entrance to the secretariat to prevent workers from resuming duties. They stormed streets with placards, bearing inscriptions, such as “Yakson is prudent”; “Estako people say no to oppression.”

    Some protesters linked the suspension to the supremacy battle between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Adams Oshiomhole.

    They said Yakson was removed following his closeness to Oshiomhole.

    It was claimed  that Yakson was suspended because he uncovered fraud in the payroll perpetrated by powerful individuals and reported to the authorities.

    Read Also: Arase resigns as Edo PPPTF chief

    But the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Monday Osaigbovo, described the protest as unfortunate.

    He said the protest was uncalled for except the people do not want development.

    Osaigbovo said the suspension was not connected to the quarrel between Oshiomhole and Obaseki, but that the governor uncovered salary fraud.

    The commissionner said: “It was discovered that salaries were going up every month when new workers were not employed.

    ‘’The ICT discovered that over 80 ghost workers were receiving N6 million monthly. Another N46 million fraud was uncovered and the governor had to suspend the chairman for two months, to allow diligent investigation. It is not true that the chairman reported any fraud; it was the governor who uncovered the fraud.”

     

  • Arase resigns as Edo PPPTF chief

    EX- Inspector-General of Police Dr Solomon Arase has resigned as the chairman of Edo State Private Property Protection Task Force (PPPTF).

    Arase, who served for over two years as chairman, said he could no longer combine the task with other national and international engagements.

    In his resignation letter dated August 1, Arase thanked Governor Godwin Obaseki for appointing him as the inaugural chairman of PPPTF, following the proscription of community development associations by Oba of Benin Ewuare II.

    It was gathered that despite the administrative and operational challenges since May 2017, Dr Arase had served without any remuneration or allowances.

    He, however, appealed to the governor to enhance his commitment to the committee to strengthen its operations.

  • Wike: we’ll follow due process to implement report on council audit

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said his administration will follow due process in implementing report of the committee, which investigated and audited financial transactions of the 23 local governments.

    Wike insisted the government would abide by the Supreme Court’s judgment that governors cannot dissolve elected councils, adding that the report exposed a rot in the local government system.

    A statement yesterday by the governor’s media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, said Wike spoke yesterday when he received report of the committee at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The statement reads: “The Supreme Court has said you cannot dissolve elected councils. We will obey the Supreme Court judgment on that matter. But we shall take action on the areas where we are empowered by law to act. All the treasurers, Head of Personnel Management and civil servants involved in illegal financial transactions will be sanctioned.

    Read Also: Heavy rain, police, Wike’s warning prevent RevolutionNow protest in Rivers

    “I have read the preliminary report; it is bad; the report is scandalous. Tomorrow, they will say that I don’t remember those who fought for me. Did you fight for me so that you can destroy the system?

    “I am quite satisfied with what the committee has done. It is not political and things must be done the right way. We cannot continue to play; the problem with this country is that we take things for granted. As a local government chairman, I created record as a performer. I did projects and worked for our people; I won all the awards.

    “If I was going to them to bring money, I wouldn’t get to set up the committee. They would have indicted me. Some councils take up to N2 billion annually and there is a council that gets up to N5 billion annually, yet no project.”

    The governor urged council chairmen and top government officials to develop their communities and leave worthy legacies.

    He praised the committee for working with their terms of reference, saying they focused on the task without attracting scandal.

    The governor reiterated that he was not out to witch-hunt anyone, but was committed to the development of Rivers and entrenchment of due process.

    Committee Chairman and Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry-Banigo thanked Wike for his commitment to the state’s development .

    She said to ensure professionalism, the committee engaged three auditing firms to achieve results.

    According to her, council chairmen and relevant officials participated in the probe and the committee worked in line with best practices.

  • Miyetti Allah asks Appeal Court to order rehearing of suit against Benue open grazing law

    A GROUP, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Social-Cultural Association, has urged the Court of Appeal in Abuja to reverse the July 4, 2019, judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which rejected their request to void the Anti-Open Grazing Law passed by the Benue State House of Assembly.

    The group, in a notice of appeal it filed with Alhaji Abdullahi Bodojo and Saleh Alhassan, also wants the court to order the Federal High Court to re-assign the case to another judge for it to be re-heard.

    Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja had on July 4, 2019, judgment dismissed the suit earlier filed by the group on the grounds that they had no valid originating summons before the court.

    Justice Abang awarded N100,000 cost in favour of each of the 14 defendants in the case, which, he said, must first be paid by the plaintiffs before they could take any further steps.

    In their notice of appeal filed on July 30, 2019, the appellants raised 10 grounds of appeal.

    The appellants argued that the lower court was in error in holding that they had no valid originating summons even when they filed an amended one.

    The grounds also include: “The appellants filed an irregular and voidable amended originating summons on May 31, 2019, without payment of the default fees.

    Read Also: Miyetti Allah fails in bid to void Benue’s law banning open grazing

    “Yet the lower court held that the originating summons is invalid and a nullity.

    “It is trite law that a mistake of counsel cannot be visited on the litigant, especially when it is pardonable and the irregular amended process filed on  May, 31, 2019, is before the court and the lower court has the duty to ensure that the suit of the appellants is heard on the merit.

    “The lower court ought not to shut out a litigant by dismissing his claim when the process of court is amended in error without seeking an extension of time to amend same.

    “More so, all the respondents have filed their various counter-affidavits against the originating summons.”

    Others are: “The failure to pay the default fees or filing fees for the amended originating summons filed on May 31, 2019, only made it at worst a voidable and not void or a nullity.

    “The lower court can order the payment of the default fees pursuant to the relevant rules of the lower court.

    “The under assessment or failure of payment of default filing fees cannot be a basis of punishing the litigant with an order of dismissal of the suit.

    “The non-compliance with order 17 rule 6 of the lower court civil procedure rules have nothing to do with the jurisdiction of the lower court.

    “The lower court determined the substantive suit at the interlocutory stage of the suit by holding that the 4th defendant IawfuIIy enacted the Grazing Prohibition ad Ranches Establishment Law 2017 and further held that the law was duly assented to by the Governor of the Benue State in a ruling tagged as judgment.”