The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Alleged fraud: Court adjourns Ojikutu, son’s arraignment

    Alleged fraud: Court adjourns Ojikutu, son’s arraignment

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday adjourned indefinitely the arraignment of Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu and her son, Samson, for alleged complicity in a N130 million fraud.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ojikutu, a former deputy governor of Lagos State and her son, were to be arraigned on three counts of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa adjourned the arraignment sine die, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s counsel, Mr. Bukola Durojaiye, informed the court that the suspects were absent in court, due to the inability of the police to secure their arrest.

    Durojaiye had then prayed the court to adjourn the arraignment indefinitely.

    Yunusa, consequently adjourned the case indefinitely.

    “The application of prosecution is hereby granted, and the case is hereby adjourned sine die, to enable the prosecution make necessary arrangement for the arraignment of the suspects,” Yunusa ruled.

    Earlier, Durojaiye told the court that the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) was making frantic efforts to ensure that the suspects were produced for trial.

    Durojaiye, therefore, prayed the court to adjourn the case sine die, to enable the prosecution put its house in order and produce the accused for arraignment.

    NAN reports that in the charge sheet, the suspects were alleged to have committed the offense in September 2011.

    They were alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N130 million from one Cajetan Okekearu, under the pretext that they possessed a plot of land to sell at Lekki phase 1, Victoria Island Lagos.

    It was further alleged that the suspects obtained the said sum of money from the complainant, who later discovered that their claim of ownership of the land was false, as there was an already existing title to the land.

     

     

  • UBA university educational grant for students

    UBA university educational grant for students

    The Corporate Social Responsibility,(CSR),  arm of the United Bank for Africa,(UBA) has announced the commencement of the 2013 edition of the National Essay Competition amongst secondary school students in Nigeria.

    Winners will get educational grants to study in any African university of their choice.

    According to the announcement by the  bank, the winner will  get N1million. The first runners-up will go away with N750,000 while the second runners-up takes N50,000 all in the  local currency equivalent towards university tuition/fees and a laptop. Consolation prizes will be given to the finalists.

    The essay competition titled: ‘How reading has impacted my knowledge’ is a follow up of the Read Africa Initiative of the Foundation which involves giving out literature books to secondary school students to help rekindle the reading culture amongst the youth in Africa.

    To enter for the competition, applicants must attach photocopies of their original birth certificates or photocopies of international passport data page. It is open to students of  senior secondary schools in Nigeria. Handwritten essay of not more than 750 words on the competition topic should be submitted along with their complete contact information, (school name & address, residential address, phone number and email address)

    All entries should be sent latest before November 1 to the UBA Foundation, UBA House, 3rd Floor, 57 Marina, Lagos – Nigeria.

  • Nigerian wins ‘Muslimah’ pageant

    Miss Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola of Nigeria has been named World Muslimah 2013 during the third Annual Award of World Muslimah in Jakarta held on Wednesday.

    The annual pageant, held exclusively for Muslim women, assessed not only contestants’ appearance but also their piety and religious knowledge.

    There was no shortage of sparkles, high heels and sashes when Miss Nigeria was crowned the pageant winner.

    She dropped to her knees and shed tears of happiness.

    The contest was for Muslims only, and the contestants wore scarves and floor-sweeping gowns that covered their chests and shoulders.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that top 10 finalists for the World Muslimah on Wednesday shared their thoughts on the importance of motherhood, dangers of the Internet and the value of Islamic finance.

    They were vying for the “crown of modesty,” a golden statue of a woman giving thanks to Allah and an all expenses paid trip to Mecca.

    The event took place for three years now but this year’s happened at the same time and in the same country as the Miss World competition, a pageant that raised angry protests from Islamic hardliners who described it as pornographic and demanded it be stopped.

    The founder of the World Muslimah Pageant, Eka Shanti, said “the pageant is aimed at showcasing women who are smart, stylish and display good Islamic morals.

    “It is an international event to appreciate women who have talent, dedication and a reputation in their communities for being young, but also giving back to others.

    “The pageant is based on Sholehah, an Islamic term for someone who is pious, has good morals and observes Islamic rules and codes.

    “It is an antidote to the Miss World pageant, which is taking place this week just 730 miles away on the resort Island of Bali, also in the Indonesian capital.

    “It is also a formula for understanding the ideal woman, regardless of her religion.’’

    Shanti said the pageant was not intended to challenge the Miss World pageant, but as a way of expelling negative stereotypes about Muslim women.

     

  • Eight die in security agents, Boko Haram clash in Abuja

    Eight die in security agents, Boko Haram clash in Abuja

    Eight people were feared dead and 16 injured in Friday’s early morning raid of suspected Boko Haram hideout in Gudu District of Abuja by security agents.

    While the injured are being treated at Asokoro General Hospital, about 12 others were arrested by security agents.

    The clash with the insurgents was directly behind the Apo Legislative Quarters, which houses some Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

    The incident sent panic with some Senators and House members in Zone E part of the Legislative Quarters temporarily relocating their families.

    The hideout was still being combed by soldiers and intelligence operatives

    But independent investigation revealed that the uncompleted twin-duplex at Sabo Barkin Zuwo Street in Gudu was being occupied by about 200 migrant and menial workers, suspected to be members of Boko Haram.

    Many commercial tri-cycles (aka Keke NAPEP) belonging to some f the victims/ suspects were seen littering the embattled street.

    While neighbours claimed that the incident happened at about 12am, the State Security Service (SSS) said the raid on the hideout took place at about 12.30am.

    A statement by the Deputy Director, Public Relations of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, said: “In the early hours of 20th September, 2013, about 0030 hours, a combined security team went for an operation behind the Apo legislative quarters.

    “The operation was sequel to information obtained from two (2) Boko Haram elements Kamal Abullahi and Mohammed Adamu, who had earlier been arrested for terrorist activities.

    “They led the security team to uncompleted buildings where arms were purported to have been buried underground.

    “No sooner had the team commenced digging for the arms, than they came under heavy gunfire attack by other Boko Haram elements within the area, which prompted immediate response from the security team.

    “As a result, some persons were injured and twelve (12) others have been arrested in connection with the incident, and are making useful statements.

    “Normalcy has returned to the area. Members of the public are advised to go about their normal businesses, as appropriate security measures have been emplaced to ensure the safety of citizens in the FCT.

    “We want to reiterate the need for all Nigerians to be vigilant of their immediate environment and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies. Our National security must remain the collective responsibility of all Nigerians.”

    But a reliable source, who recorded the aftermath of the clash on video, gave different insights into the incident.

    The source said: “We started hearing gunshots at about 12 am and most of us along the street and Zone E part of the Apo Legislative Quarters could not sleep throughout the night.

    “I think the exchange of shots lasted for about one and a half hours. This morning when I visited the uncompleted duplex, I video-taped nine dead persons and I am aware that about 15 had been taken to Asokoro General Hospital for treatment.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “The security agencies may have had their facts, but the truth is that more than 200 migrant and menial workers had been living in the duplex in the last two years. They included homeless labourers and commercial tricycles drivers.

    “These migrant workers mostly from Northern parts used to pay N200 per week to the security guard manning the duplex, who was not on duty when the security agents or gunmen as known to us came around.

    “We did not suspect them to be Boko Haram members because many people in the neighborhood have had contact with them in one way or the other.”

    Asked if there was any sign of a likely raid of the duplex, the source added: “Actually, we learnt that the duplex is allegedly owned by a top military officer who was uncomfortable with how the uncompleted building had been turned into a hostel overnight.

     

  • Police detain youths in Rivers

    About 500 youths including members of the Rotary club were on Friday detained in Port Harcourt, Rivers State by the police.

    The youths heading for the government house for an inspection programme of projects by the state government were asked to write an undertaken that they were not organizing a demonstration over the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    They were later released to go and given approval for the inspection program organized by District 9140 of the Rotary club.

  • Mexico’s storm death toll rises to 97

    Mexican authorities said 97 people have been killed by storms that hit the country earlier in the week.

    In the village of La Pintada, near the Pacific coast, a landslide partially engulfed the town.

    At least 15 bodies have been recovered and almost 70 residents are missing, the authorities said.

    A helicopter involved in the rescue effort in the area has disappeared with three crew on board, according to Mexican media.

    Officials are hoping that the helicopter had to land amid bad weather conditions and that the crew had been unable to update their base on their location.

    Police and navy teams are looking for the helicopter early on Friday when visibility improves, the Excelsior newspaper reports.

    Meanwhile, President Enrique Pena Nieto has announced in a statement that he is cancelling a planned trip to the United Nations in New York next week to focus on relief efforts.

    BBC reports that Tropical Storm Manuel, which on Thursday briefly became a hurricane, has now moved north, forcing hundreds from their homes in Sinaloa state.

    As it hit land, Manuel brought torrential rain and winds of up to 120km/h (75mph) and caused flash floods in Sinaloa.

    Schools in the region have been closed and a fishing village of Yameto was evacuated as Manuel approached.

    More than 100,000 were affected by the hurricane, the State governor, Mario Lopez Valdez told reporters.

     

     

  • Yobo fined $10,000 for lateness to training

    Yobo fined $10,000 for lateness to training

    Super Eagles’ skipper, Joseph Yobo, has been slapped a $10,000 fine by Turkish club Fenerbache after he reported late to training.

    Yobo, who trained with the rest of the team for the first time on Thursday after being sidelined with knee injury for over three weeks, was reported to have showed up at the team’s training ground late and that did not go down well with the management and so the hefty fine, according to fanatik.com

    Otherwise, Yobo, who is wearing a new bearded look, was superb at training, a performance that was applauded even by his team mates.

    In the meantime, compatriot and Fenerbache teammate Emmanuel Emenike has been honoured by the Turkey Golf Club.

    MTNFootball.com reports that Emenike with that development has entered the history book in Turkey as one of the first set of Fenerbahce players to be hosted by the prestigious Golf Club.

     

     

  • Nasarawa governor confirms death of 31 people in crisis

    Nasarawa governor confirms death of 31 people in crisis

    Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on Thursday said 31 people were killed and 1,300 houses burnt during the September 13 militia attack in the state.

    Al-Makura made the disclosure when he visited the area to assess the level of damage caused by the crisis between the Eggon and Alago ethnic tribes.

    “From the briefings I had, about 1,300 houses were burnt and 31 were people killed in the crisis,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the governor as saying during the visit.

    He promised that government would provide logistic support to victims of the crisis in refugee camp to enable them to return to their homes.

    The governor said that a battalion of soldiers sent by the Federal Government to restore peace were on their way to the area.

    He said that on arrival, the soldiers would strategise on the next line of action.

    Al-Makura, who promised to make the state ‘crisis-free area” for all inhabitants, pledged that government would bring those behind the crisis to book.

    He warned those instigating violence in the state to desist or face the full wrath of the law and accused those instigating the violence of distracting his administration.

    “No responsible government will fold its hands and watch some disgruntled people unleash hardship on the people,’’ he said.

    The governor appealed to the people of the state and Nigerians in general to be united and live in peace with one another.

     

     

  • Senate defers debate on £3,000 visa bond

    Senate defers debate on £3,000 visa bond

    The Senate on Thursday postponed debate on the proposed imposition of £3,000 “Visa Bond” on Nigerians traveling to the United Kingdom.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Matthew Nwagwu, had brought a motion urging the Senate to condemn and reject the proposal.

    Nwagwu noted that Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) expressly forbids discrimination against any Nigerian for whatever reason.

    He also noted that Article 5 Paragraph (m) of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 to which both Nigeria and Britain are signatories specifically forbids “a sending state party to the Convention from performing functions objected to or prohibited by the laws and regulations of the receiving state party.”

    He added that Nigeria and Britain are signatories to the 1979 Lusaka Declaration of the Commonwealth on racism and racial prejudice.

    The lawmaker said that he is aware that the two countries are signatories to the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination 1963, as well as the UN Convention on Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination of 1966.

    Nwagwu expressed his dismay that in spite of the laws and Conventions to which the UK is signatory, the same UK Government has announced the imposition of a £3,000 “Visa Bond” on Nigerians citizens traveling to Britain for the first time.

    He described the imposition as selective, discriminatory, obnoxious, vexatious and unprecedented.

    He said it is capable of negatively affecting the existing relations between the two countries.

     

     

     

  • SSS parades suspects in foiled kidnap of Yar’ Adua’s daughter

    The State Security Service (SSS) on Thursday paraded two suspects alleged to have plotted the abduction of one of the daughters of late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

    According to SSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, the suspects, Hamza Abubakar (27) and Dennis Okoro (43) on August 21 attempted to abduct the unnamed daughter of the late president at a construction site at Kado, Abuja, said to be owned by the lady.

    Ogar said having cultivated the friendship of a security guard at the construction site, Abubakar co-opted Okoro and other accomplices to carry out the operation but the attempt was foiled in the nick of time.

    Similarly, one Nicholas Eze was also paraded for document counterfeiting and extortion of various sums of money from five illegible candidates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for whom he succeeded in securing postings for national service in different states.

    Eze collected a total sum of N530, 000 from his five female undergraduate “clients”, with which he produced call up letters and other documents that enabled them enlist at the NYSC.

    The female undergraduates claimed to be students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and they enlisted the services of Eze to enable them join other qualified graduates for the compulsory national service.