The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Mother, son convicted for assaulting police officers

    An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court on Friday sentenced a mother and her son to nine years imprisonment for resisting arrest and assaulting police officers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the mother, Ayodeji Abdullahi (50), was sentenced to seven years, while Lukman Bolakale (27), bagged two years imprisonment with 20 strokes of cane.

    However, the Magistrate, Mrs. Silifat Sambo, gave the accused persons an option of N3, 000 and N2, 000 fines, respectively, in addition to 20 lashes for the son.

    Prosecutor Isaq Yakub told the court that they assaulted Ajayi Alice, a constable, attached to ‘D’ Division, Adewole Estate, Ilorin, who was on duty at Gari-Alimi Roundabout, Ilorin on September 17.

    Yakub said that the convicts disobeyed traffic law and resisted arrest.

    He said the police entered the convict’s car and she drove to her house where her son, Lukman ran out assaulted the police officer.

    The prosecutor also said the convict slapped the Divisional Police Officer, tore his clothes valued at N8, 000 and dragged him, while shouting on top of her voice.

    He said the convicts were arraigned on a six-count charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal force, assault, resisting arrest, kidnapping and obstruction of lawful duty.

    He said the offences were contrary to Sections 97, 265, 172, 273 and 149 of the Penal Code.

    The accused persons pleaded guilty to all the charges.

     

  • Court to PDP, INEC: Remove Oyinlola’s name as Nat. Sec

    Court to PDP, INEC: Remove Oyinlola’s name as Nat. Sec

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the name of former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola from their records as the party’s National Secretary.

    Justice Abdulkadir Abdul-Kafarati in a ruling on Friday ordered the PDP and INEC to replace Oyinlola with Prof. Adewale Oladapo, nominated by the Southwest PDP extra-ordinary zonal congress held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on July 13 this year.

    The judge also extended to July 13, the time limit he had granted, in the court’s January 11 judgment, for the conduct of the zonal congress.

    He also deemed Prof. Oladipo’s nomination by the congress as replacement for Oyinlola “as proper and due compliance with the January 11 judgment.”

    The ruling was on a motion on notice filed by Adebayo Dayo (Chairman) and Semiu Sodipo (Secretary) for themselves and the Ogun State chapter of the PDP.

    Listed as defendants were Oyinlola, PDP and INEC.

    The court had in the January 11 judgment ordered the removal of Oyinlola from office and the conduct of a fresh congress by the Southwest PDP for the purpose of nominating a replacement for Oyinlola.

    In granting the applicants’ prayers on Friday, Justice Abdul-Kafarati discountenanced arguments by Oyinlola and PDP that the court was funtus officio, having earlier delivered a judgment in the case.

    The judge held that the fresh application was neither meant to reopen the case nor to effect changes in the earlier judgment, but to regularise the steps taken in compliance with the judgment.

    On Oyinlola’s argument that the court could no longer consider the application because he had appealed the judgment, the judge held that the application would have no effect on the judgment and the appeal filed.

     

  • Uduaghan, Ogunseye, Omawummi for ‘Future Award Africa’

    Uduaghan, Ogunseye, Omawummi for ‘Future Award Africa’

    The daughter of Delta State Governor, Orode Uduaghan-Okpu, music star, Omawunmi, Chief Executive Officer, Bella Nija, Uche Pedro,the Sunday Editor of The Punch Newspaper, Toyosi Ogunseye and Africa’s  youngest billionaire, Ashish J. Thakkar have been listed  for the 2013 Future Award Africa.
    The Executive Director of The Future Projects, Chude Jideonwo, made this known on Thursday while unveiling the lists of nominees for the awards slated to hold on  29 September and 6 October.
    He said, “after the nominations, there was a period of intense research and verification of nominees before the final selection process, but thanks to the Independent Audit Committee and the Board of Judges.  They worked tirelessly over two months and are proud of the process.”
    The members of the committee are – Chief Executive of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu; a former Governorship aspirant in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje; Stanbic IBTC director Yemi Osindero; and LEAP Africa founder Ndidi Nwuneli amongst others.
    “All the nominees deserved to win and we are immensely inspired by them as the vetting process has been daunting, and the intense scrutiny that successful nominees have gone through has been illuminating for them as well. We stressed the importance of a combination of structure, quantifiable measures of success and impact, to get the most inspiring and worthy to rise to the top,” he added.
    Jideonwo said the decision to move the award to continental level was taken after visiting Ghana, South Africa and Ethiopia.”Seeing the great synergy and impact an Africa-wide awards would have on Africans, especially youths who have distinguished themselves in their various endeavors is captivating, ” he stated.

  • NBA, others condemn Edo judge’s abduction

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Friday condemned the recent abduction of Justice Daniel Okungbowa of the Edo State High Court, saying the development called for serious attention.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okungbowa was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on September 25 at Ekpoma, Edo State.
    The President of the NBA, Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), told NAN that the development was “worrisome” and that urgent steps should be taken to arrest it.
    Wali said it was incomprehensible why gunmen have suddenly resorted to abducting members of the judiciary.
    “The situation is really disturbing. I do not understand why their acts are now directed at members of the judiciary; this is indeed a source of serious concern for our nation,” he said.
    He, therefore, urged the government to ensure that a more efficient security network was provided for judges in the country.
    The chairman, NBA Lagos branch, Mr. Alex Muoka, also condemned the act, expressing dissatisfaction with the state of security in the country.
    Muoka said that lawyers and judges were members of the larger society, and that the spread of kidnapping should be checked.
    He urged the government to be decisive on matters touching on security, in the interest of public safety.
    Mr. Nelson Ogbuanya, a Nigerian representative of the American Bar Association (ABA), and first Vice Chairman, NBA Lagos, described the incident as a  “bad omen.”
    According to Ogbuanya, the abduction of a member of the bench only deposits fear and anxiety in the minds of members of the bar and bench.
    “The recent development is very unfortunate as it will only succeed in making other judges feel threatened to carry out their statutory duties.
    “I wonder if lawyers and judges are now being abducted because of the position they occupy. It is a bad omen which calls for urgent remedy,” Ogbuanya said.
    He called on security agencies to take drastic steps in forestalling future occurrences.
    A Lagos based lawyer and social critic, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, also condemned the act, saying that it was “barbaric.”
  • Iwuanyawu finds love again

    Iwuanyawu finds love again

    … Marries 26-old girl

    Two years after the death of his wife, one of Nigeria’s billionaires and publisher of the Champions Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu,  has  found love again in the heart of 26- year- old   Frances Chinonyerem Enwerem.

    The white wedding which took place last weekend was preceded by a traditional wedding on September 14 in Owerri, Imo State.

    Contrary to the views of many that the girl might just be after Iwuanyawu’s wealth, sources claimed that Chinonyerem is also from a wealthy home and her decision to get hooked to the businessman-cum politician was borne out of genuine love.

    Sources also said  the 72- year -old business mogul is madly in love with his new heartthrob.

     

  • Messi in tax fraud hearing

    Messi in tax fraud hearing

    Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and his father have arrived at a Spanish court for tax fraud hearing.

    The four-time FIFA World Player of the Year and his father Jorge Messi are accused of defrauding the authorities of more than 4m euros ($5.4m; £3.4m).

    BBC reports that they are suspected of using companies abroad – in Belize and Uruguay – to sell the rights to use Messi’s image.

    They both denied the allegations, which dated back to 2007-09.

    The striker responded to greetings as he arrived at the court in Gava – the affluent Barcelona district where he lives.

    Messi and his father are being questioned in a closed-court session. They are accused of three counts of defrauding the Spanish state of taxes.

    The income related to Messi’s image rights with Banco Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Proctor and Gamble, and the Kuwait Food Company.

     

  • Agents lied about Arsenal switch – Oboabona

    Agents lied about Arsenal switch – Oboabona

    Super Eagles defender, Godfrey Oboabona has lifted the lid on speculation that he was poised to join Barclays English Premier League club, Arsenal in the summer.

    Several reports had claimed that the 23-year-old was poised to join the Gunners in the summer but the centre half has now exclusively told supersport.com that agents made up stories about the purported transfer.

    “A lot of agents out there want Oboabona Godfrey as their player. I would not run after an agent that is close to a club like, say, Real Madrid just because it’s a big club,. Those (stories that I was on my way to Arsenal) were stories of agents and I don’t know anything about that,” he told supersport.com.

    Oboabona, who has already been capped 27 times at international level with Nigeria, is however not having much joy at Turkish Super Lig club, Rizespor following his switch from Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Sunshine Stars in the summer.

    He has yet to play a single minute for Rizespor in the 2013/14 Super Lig season which is already five weeks old.

    “So far I have played two games for the club and even scored in one of the test matches.

    “ I did not do pre-season with the club and the manager (Riza Calimbay) is trying to see my potentials before he throws me in but so far they have been very professional in the way they treat me,” he said.

    Rizespor will face Galatasaray in the Super Lig on Saturday but it appears highly unlikely that the Nigerian will make his league debut against the star-studded Cimbom at the Türk Telekom Arena.

     

  • Kenya seeks UK woman’s arrest

    Kenya seeks UK woman’s arrest

    International police body Interpol has issued a wanted persons notice for Briton Samantha Lewthwaite, at Kenya’s request.

    BBC reports that Ms Lewthwaite, 29, is the widow of one of the four suicide bombers who attacked London on July 7, 2005.

    Known colloquially as the “white widow”, she has been linked with Somali militant Islamist group al-Shabab.

    Interpol did not link the warrant to the Nairobi shopping complex attack that left at least 67 dead.

    However, it comes after much speculation linking Ms Lewthwaite to events there.

    Al-Shabab was behind the attack and subsequent four-day siege at the Westgate shopping complex in the Kenyan capital.

    An Interpol statement said she was “wanted by Kenya on charges of being in possession of explosives and conspiracy to commit a felony dating back to December 2011.”

    The Interpol alert, known as a “Red Notice,” requires member countries to detain the suspect pending extradition procedures.

    Ms Lewthwaite – who is believed to use the alias “Natalie Webb” – had previously only been wanted for the alleged possession of a fraudulently obtained South African passport.

    She is the widow of Germaine Lindsay, one of the four bombers involved in the July 7 terror attacks in London in which 52 people were killed and hundreds more injured.

    The BBC says Interpol’s red notice acts like a global wanted poster, but it’s also a concession by the Kenyan security forces that she is an international danger, not just someone who should be regarded as a passport fraudster.

     

  • Fashola apologises to Igbos over deportation saga

    Fashola apologises to Igbos over deportation saga

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday offered an unreserved apology for the misunderstanding generated by the alleged deportation of some destitutes to Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The state government was accused of dumping 70 beggars at Onitsha Bridge on July 24, a situation that generated public outcry and bad blood.

    The government had said it relocated the 14 people to Onitsha after rehabilitating them, but the explanations did not appease the aggrieved Igbos, who felt they were being badly treated and hated

    Fashola, who spoke at the silver jubilee of the Igbo socio-cultural think tank, Aka Ikenga held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, insisted he has no problems with the Igbos.

    He noted that the largest herds of cattle he received when his father died was from the Igbos.

    At the event were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Ayim, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan; House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Chief Emeka Ihedioha; Catholic Bishop, Mathew Kuka; former Minister, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu; President Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike; former ambassador George Obiozor and President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Gary Enwo-Igariwey.

    Others included the former President Aka Ikenga, Chief Chris Asodoka; Director, Lagos Business School, Prof. Pat Utomi; Captain Emma Iheanacho; Nollywood artistes, Onyeka Onwenu and Kanayo O. Kanayo.

    Fashola said: “I came here to say to say thank you for the honour done to my family and the memory of my late father.

    “People who clearly do not understand the actions taken and words spoken are those I owe an explanation. I cannot take the Igbos for granted because we have built a relationship based on tolerance, mutual respect, love and trust. That relationship was built by our ancestors and I put a lot of value in that relationship.

    “I offer an unreserved apology if the actions taken had been misunderstood.

    “But I think the basic issue Aka Ikenga must address is why people feel compelled to immigrate from one part of the country to the other? Is it the case that some lack the resources to develop or perhaps some parts are endowed with enormous resources but not adequately managed?

    “How can development be so difficult from the zone that has produced people like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alex Ekwueme, Ike Nwachukwu, among others?

    “As political storm gathers, there are contact spots but like in football, contact spots have rules. Those who are victims of our shortcomings as professionals in and out of government should not be pounced.

    “A day like these calls for deep reflection about issues of our loyalties. Are we more Igbo than Nigeria or we are more Nigeria than Igbo?”

    Fashola called on residents in the state to embrace Residence Registration Scheme (RRS) to enable the government meets its obligation to them.

     

  • ‘It’s a national disgrace if Shekau is alive’

    The Director of Advanced Centre for Sustainable Development, Dr. Bode Olaonipekun, on Thursday declared that it will be a national disgrace to Nigeria and the military if the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau is still alive.

    The military had claimed few weeks ago that Shekau died from wounds sustained during troops’ raids on the sect’s hideout in the northeast.

    But Shekau in a video released on Wednesday said he is still alive and kicking.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Olaonipekun said the military was too quick to speak on the issue when it didn’t recover the dead body or had enough evidence to show that the leader was actually dead.

    He said: “The Federal Government has not done too badly in the fight, but I will quickly add that not too well. There are two aspects to this issue of terrorism, from my own point of view. Firstly, I think our attitude of talking too much is taking its toll on the issue of security. Before anything happens everybody is talking, the security chiefs are talking, the special advisers to the government are talking, meanwhile these are issues that should be regarded as security information.

    “Handling security information is not just saying everything, because when you give all the information to your enemy, the battle is as good as lost. They might have the strategies they are reserving, but giving hasty or too much information might not help matters and now if not a disgrace to us as a nation, with all apologies to the security operatives it might be a disgrace to them on the long run if truly Shekau is alive.”