The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Militant leader charged for gas plant siege

    United States prosecutors have charged militant Islamist leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar over a deadly siege at an Algerian gas plant in January.

    BBC reports that he faces charges including hostage-taking, kidnapping and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction.

    Belmokhtar remains at large and the U.S is offering a $5m (£3.2m) reward for information leading to his arrest.

    Three U.S citizens were among at least 37 hostages killed when Algerian troops stormed the Tigantourine plant.

    Days earlier, gunmen had seized local and foreign workers at the complex.

    “Belmokhtar brought terror and blood to these innocent people and now we intend to bring Belmokhtar to justice,” said Preet Bharara, U.S attorney for the Southern District of New York, in a statement.

    The charges unveiled on Friday said Belmokhtar had appeared in an online video the day after the siege ended, claiming he had carried out the attack on behalf of al-Qaeda.

    George Venizelos, head of the FBI’s New York office, said the charges “describe a fanatical jihadist leading an extremist vanguard of an extremist ideology.”

     

  • Akindele confirms separation from husband

    Akindele confirms separation from husband

    Star actress, Funke Akindele, whose marriage has been a subject of speculations for days has finally announced her separation from her husband, Kehinde Oloyede.

    Her Principal media consultant, Ayo Ola-Mohammed, in a statement on Friday evening confirmed that she took the decision after due consultation and consideration.

    ” She hereby urges her fans and all concerned to pray and wish her the best as she moves on in her career. Kindly note that this is the first and only official statement from Funke Akindele on the matter and will be glad if her wish is respected, ” Ola-Mohammed stated.

  • Vilanova resigns as Barcelona manager

    Barcelona have confirmed that head coach Tito Vilanova has stepped down with immediate effect as he continues his battle against cancer.
    Club president Sandro Rosell and director of football Andoni Zubizarreta called a press conference at Camp Nou on Friday evening, where they confirmed Vilanova must undergo further cancer treatment which would make it “impossible” for him to continue in his role.
    The Barcelona squad, including Lionel Messi, were present in the front two rows of seats of the press conference as Rosell delivered the news.
    “After looking at routine tests, there is [now] an option to continue treating his disease which means it will be impossible for him to continue as first-team coach of FC Barcelona,” Rosell told reporters. “I want to ask for the maximum respect for him and his family.
    “We have got together with all of the players and the coaching staff and we have decided not to play tomorrow in Poland [in a friendly against Lechia Gdansk].
    “It is a very big blow, a huge blow. But Barcelona has overcome many obstacles in its history and this will be no exception.”
  • Nigeria wants U.S, others to join ICC

    Nigeria wants U.S, others to join ICC

    Foreign Affairs Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, on Friday in Abuja called on more countries, including the United States to accede to the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    Ashiru made the call at a briefing session for members of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the minister briefed the diplomatic community on the recent visit of President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan to Abuja for an African Union special summit, among other issues.

    He defended Nigeria’s decision not to arrest Al-Bashir, who is under an ICC arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity.

    On ICC membership, Ashiru said, “Nigeria became a State Party to the Rome Statute out of its own independent and sovereign decision to demonstrate our total revulsion against impunity, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

    “Nigeria will, therefore, not take any action to undermine respect for the rule of law and international criminal justice system.

    “To ensure the effectiveness of the court, it is essential that more countries accede to the Rome Statute.

    “I, therefore, call on all states who are not yet parties to join in the overall interest of international justice, peace and security.”

    NAN reports that currently, 122 states are parties to the Statute of the Court, including half of the 54 countries in Africa.

    The membership of the ICC includes all countries in South America, nearly all of Europe and most of Oceania.

    A further 31 countries, including Russia, have also signed but have not ratified the Rome Statute.

     

     

  • Varsity workers threaten strike over 2009 agreement

    Varsity workers threaten strike over 2009 agreement

    University workers under the aegis of National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff of Nigeria Universities (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSNNU) may resume their strike following the non-implementation of the agreement they signed with the Federal Government in 2009.

    Unless the federal government invites the unions for a negotiation, they may join their counterparts in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which has been on strike since last month, thereby paralysing academic activities in the nation’s universities.

    The three unions are pushing for proper funding of the universities, earned allowances and non-representation in the membership of the committee which produced Needs Assessment report for the Nigerian universities.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja on Friday, the NASU President, Comrade Mrs. Ladi IIiya, called on well meaning Nigerians to prevail on government to implement the agreement it freely entered into with the workers to avoid plunging the nation’s universities into another round of needless crisis.

    She said the unions had exercise restraints in embarking on strike in the interest of the students, government and in protection of good academic standard the Nigerian universities had come to be noted for in recent time.

     

  • SAN: Panel lists Thisday Editor, UNIBEN lecturer, 15 others

    The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) on Friday approved the appointment of 17 lawyers as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) for this year.

    The committee’s Secretary and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Sunday Olorundahunsi, said the appointment of the 17 was approved at the LPPC meeting held on Friday.

    He said no date has been fixed for the swearing-in of the new senior advocates.

    The 17 were chosen from the 44 invited last week for interview.

    The new SANs are – the Law Editor of Thisday newspapers, Olufunke Aboyade (Ms); a Professor of Law at the University of Benin, Lawrence Asekome Atsegbua; Godwin Odumu Obla; Adele Eberechi; Olumide Olusoga Sofowora and Uko Essien Udom.

    Others include – Anthony -kechukwu Ani; Suraj Sa’eda; Anthony Chukwuemeka Anaenugwu; Joe Ad’ojo Abrahamd; Akinlolu Timothy Kehinde; Biriyai Dambo and Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume.

    Also listed are Olalekan Fatai Yusuf; Moyosore Jubril Onigbanjo; Aliyu Maitasamu Abdullahi and Victoria Olufunmilayo Awomolo.

     

  • Keshi rues Dike’s injury

    Keshi rues Dike’s injury

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has regretted the injury that knocked Bright Dike out of the team before the Confederation Cup held in Brazil in June.

    The Big Boss, who spoke in Abuja, said the MLS player would have been a perfect replacement for Emmanuel Emenike, but unfortunately, he was also injured.

    He said, “Bright Dike’s injury was pathetic, and it came almost the same time with that of Emenike. Bright would have been a perfect replacement for Emenike but it is unfortunate that he was injured too.

    “But the good news is that he has recovered and has started gradual training. I’m hopeful that by September when we have our series of qualifiers, he would be fit enough to be part of the team. It is not always the best for any coach to lose almost his best options at the same time.”

     

     

  • Ex-Abuja Chief Judge Gummi guilty of “gross misconduct”

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has  found the immediate past Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi guilty of “gross misconduct.”
    The council, rising from its 63rd meeting on Thursday, found that Justice Gummi breached professional ethics when he interfered in a judgement given against his state governor, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, a former National Assembly member and current Governor of Zamfara State.
    NJC described Gummi’s action as as “most unethical and highly reprehensible.”
    The council said it would have recommended his sack, but for the fact that he had voluntarily retired from office before now.
    NJC, in a statement issued after its meeting held between July 17 and 18 warned that it would  come down hard on any judge that engage in such practice in future.
    The council, in the statement signed by the Acting Dorector, Information, Soji Oye “warned”  Justice M. A. Onyetenu of the Federal High Court for engaging in wrongful conduct.
    Justice Onyetemu granted ex-parte order without hearing the pending motion on notice and applications in a suit before him.
    The NJC “deliberated on the report and recommendation of its committee that investigated the petition forwarded to it by Nestello Gateway Group in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/486/10 against Hon. Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, OFR, the former Hon. Chief Judge of High Court of FCT, Abuja.
    “At the end of deliberation, council accepted the findings of its committee that Hon. Justice Gummi, OFR, interfered with execution of the judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Jude Okeke of the FCT High Court, Abuja in the Suit between Nestello Gateway Group and Alhaji Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, a former National Assembly Member and the current Governor of Zamfara State in which execution had already been levied in favour of the petitioner.
    “Council found the interference by Hon. Justice Gummi in the execution of the Judgment as most unethical and highly reprehensible.
    “Council also accepted the recommendation of its Investigation Committee that Hon. Justice Gummi was guilty of gross misconduct contrary to Rule 1(i) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which would have led to his removal from office.
    “Council, however, took cognizance of the fact that Hon. Justice Gummi has already voluntarily retired from service and consequently decided not to recommend his removal from office.
    “Council decided that henceforth, any similar misconduct by any judicial officer in the federation will be visited with severe sanctions.
    “Council also warned Hon. Justice M. A. Onyetenu of the Federal High Court for granting ex-parte order without hearing the pending motion on notice and applications in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/236/2012 between Evangelist Charity O. Akah V. Alpaca Price Nigeria Limited and another” the NJC said.
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  • NDLEA finds Cocaine in ceramics, buttons

    Suspects says they could not resist the monetary offers to carry the drug

    Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have discovered cocaine industrially concealed inside ceramics meant for interior decoration and buttons.

    The discovery was made at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos when officers broke the ceramic ornaments.

    Two suspected drug traffickers who were arrested in connection with the illegal import from Brazil said that they could not resist the offer made to them by their sponsors.

    According to the NDLEA Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, the suspects that imported the narcotics are Ogbonna Chukwuemeka Moses, 38 years old and Otum Godgive Osundu, 45 years old.

    In his words, “both suspects were found to have concealed cocaine in their luggage on their way from Brazil. Ogbonna Chukwuemeka had 1.435kg of cocaine hidden in ceramics and buttons while Otum Godgive packed 1.180kg of cocaine also in ceramics. They have given us useful information and investigation is in progress”.

    Ogbonna who hails from Enugu State had lived in Brazil for two years. He said that he was asked to bring samples of the ceramics and buttons to Nigeria for marketing.

    “I am married to a Brazilian woman who is pregnant for me. I agreed to bring the drugs because I need money to take care of my pregnant wife. They promised to pay me 10,000 dollars. It was a good offer and I had planned to use the money to take care of my family” Ogbonna stated.

    Otum Godgive who had lived in Brazil for five years said that he needed the money to settle down in Nigeria with his wife and four children.

    “I went to Brazil in search of greener pastures since 2007. I have tried my best but life has been difficult. They promised to pay me one million naira and I agreed to bring the drugs. I did not imagine that the drug will be detected but unfortunately the officers broke the ceramics and found the drug” he stated. He hails from Abia State.

    Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade said that the Agency is prepared to uncover the tricks drug barons adopt in smuggling drugs.

    “The Agency is prepared to uncover various tricks that drug barons adopt in concealing drugs. This seizure will serve as a warning to the cartels that they are running out of tricks” Giade stressed.

    The suspects will soon be charged to court.

  • Oil theft ; N7.35bn loss recorded daily- FG

    Due to oil theft and shortfalls in oil production in the country, the Federal Government says  it is losing 400,000 barrels per day.

    Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo.
    The NEC, which comprises the 36 state governors, ministers of National Planning, Finance, FCT, CBN governor, also took steps on Thursday  to curtail the rising incidences of oil theft in the country including immediate prosecution of oil vandals and thieves.
    The daily loss of 400,000 barrels of oil per day at an international price of $117 per barrel, converted to naira at the exchange rate of N157 to a dollar gives N7.35 billion total loss per day.
    Uduaghan, who was appointed to head the Oil Theft Committee at last month NEC meeting, said that the Committee was working on providing both long and short term strategies.
    On the interim measures being taken, he said: “A technical level meeting involving key stakeholders has been held, where concerned agencies including security outfits have made useful submissions, with more submissions expected from other stakeholders, especially from the oil producing states.”
    “The Committee has moved to address the issue of the 400, 000 barrels per day production shortfall. The Governors of Bayelsa and Delta have been mandated to meet with the concerned oil majors and the JTF to work out modalities for the effective repair of the Nembe and Trans Niger pipelines which are currently shut.”
    “The Committee also mandated Akwa Ibom Governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio, CON, Secretary to National Planning Commission, the NEITI chief executive and a representative of the Inspector-General of Police to meet with the Attorney-General of the federation towards strengthening the extant deterrence policy by ensuring more arrests and convictions of the oil thieves.”
    “In this regard, a meeting of the Governor Akpabio-led Committee with the AGF this morning, agreed on the following resolutions: A legal task force, headed by the AGF to be set up immediately to commence prosecution of proven cases, using relevant laws; particularly the miscellaneous offences Act which carries a sentence of 21 years without option of fine.”
    According to him, the legal task force, which is to be in force for one year with effect from July, 2013, is to be made up of representatives from the NNPC, the Armed Forces, Civil Defence, Police, SSS and other related agencies.
    While prosecution of established cases will continue and all convictions to be given wide publicity, he said that the members of the task force would be announced by the AGF on Monday 22 July, 2013.
    “The Council commended the efforts of the Committee and further urged it to ensure that the bid to repair the shut pipelines is achieved within the targeted period of six to eight weeks.” He stated