The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Reps seek ‘proper management’ of seized assets

    Reps seek ‘proper management’ of seized assets

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, said the House would ensure that assets seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission were properly managed.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Tambuwal made this known at a three-day investigative hearing on Monday in Abuja.

    The hearing organised by the Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, was to unravel the status of assets seized and sold by the EFCC since its establishment.

    The speaker said the House had a responsibility to ensure that the assets seized and sold through forfeiture court orders were prudently managed.

    “My dear colleagues, we cannot allow a situation whereby over 400 cars seized through the diligence of the EFCC for instance continue to waste away.

    “We have a vicarious responsibility to ensure that the assets seized through forfeiture, court orders are prudently and carefully manage.

    “This is to avoid waste and to ensure that the assets are maximally disposed of for the benefit of the public,” he said.

    According to him, this is why the House has resolved to carry out this investigative hearing, as it is not enough to just seize assets.

    “We need to ensure that they are quickly utilised as part of the restitution for the original crime,” Tambuwal said.

    Earlier, Jagaba Adams (PDP-Kaduna) Chairman of the Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, said the investigation was premised on a mandate given to the committee.

    He said the committee had earlier in the “spirit” of giving a fair hearing called for memorandum from the general public.

     

  • Gunmen kill two policemen in Gombe

    The police in Gombe State has confirmed the killing of two of its men by gunmen during an attack at a filling station in the state capital on Sunday night.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Fwaje Atajiri, confirmed this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Gombe.

    He said the gunmen attacked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega filling station on the Gombe-Biu road at 7.20pm with the intent of robbing the station, but failed.

    He said the two policemen were killed by the robbers while some members of the gang escaped with bullet wounds.

    Atajiri told NAN the police had started investigation on the incident with a view to find out where the wounded robbers were being treated.

     

  • Only Supreme Court can determine Al-Mustapha’s fate – Sagay

    Only Supreme Court can determine Al-Mustapha’s fate – Sagay

    Prof. Itse Sagay said the Lagos State government can go to the Supreme Court over the appellate court’s discharge and acquittal of Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan.

    Sagay, a constitutional lawyer, said this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

    The constitutional lawyer, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the state government reserved the right to appeal if it was not satisfied with the judgment.

    According to him, in spite of the fact that the Court of Appeal in Lagos has discharged and acquitted them, only the Supreme Court has the final say.

    “I have not seen the judgment, but I have seen what the press summarised and basically what I deduce from what was published is that the evidences are contradictory.

    “I cannot question it because I have not seen the details of what was in favour and what was against.

    “I have not read the details of the contradictions, but Lagos State Government can appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court.

    “It does not matter whether they have been discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal in Lagos,” he said.

    Sagay expressed fears that the judgment might encourage the culture of impunity in the society.

     

  • Why Nigeria is hosting al-Bashir – Presidency

    Why Nigeria is hosting al-Bashir – Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday defended welcoming Sudan President Omar al-Bashir to the country for an African Union health summit despite war crimes charges against him, saying it cannot interfere in AU affairs.

    The Sudanese leader arrived Abuja on Sunday for the summit on HIV/AIDS, turberculosis and malaria despite being wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

    AFP reports that the summit is due to take place on Monday and Tuesday.

    Rights activists in Nigeria planned to go to court on Monday to force al- Bashir’s arrest.

    “The event that is taking place is an AU summit,” Reuben Abati, spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan, told AFP.

    “Nigeria is just hosting it. It’s not Nigeria that invited him. He’s not here on a bilateral visit. He’s here to participate in an AU summit, and Nigeria is not in a position to determine who attends an AU event and who does not attend … Nigeria is just providing the platform for the meeting,” Abati added.

    The ICC had issued two warrants against al- Bashir over the conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region, where government forces and local Arab militias have been pitted against rebels drawn mainly from non-Arab populations.

     

  • Appeal Court affirms Umeh as APGA chairman

    Appeal Court affirms Umeh as APGA chairman

    Chief Victor Umeh was on Monday affirmed as the authentic national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) by the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu.

    There was a tumultuous jubilation within the premises of the court as Umeh supporters sang and danced as soon as the news of the judgment filtered out.

    Incidentally, most supporters of the factional chairman of the party, Maxi Okwu, who were in the court immediately, swayed their support to Umeh’s camp with some of them stripping off the T-shirts given to them by Okwu.

    The appellate court quashed the February 8 judgment of the Enugu State High Court delivered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, that sacked the entire National Working Committee of APGA on the ground that their tenure expired in 2010.

    In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Tom Yakubu, the appellate court granted all the four reliefs sought by the applicant (Umeh) and resolved all the issues set out for determination in his favour.

    The other two judges – Justices Paul Galinje (Chairman) and Modupe Kwasami aligned themselves with the verdict.

     

     

  • Police recovers textile machines, arrests seven in Kaduna

    The Kaduna State Police Command on Monday announced the recovery of textile machines worth millions of naira and the arrest of seven gang members vandalising textile companies in the state.

    The state Commissioner of police, Mr. Olufemi Adenaike, disclosed this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

    Adenaike said the machines were recovered at a store in Tirkania area of the city, where the gang usually kept stolen items.

    According to him, the police also recovered dangerous weapons, drugs and charms at the site, following a tip-off by the Kakuri community.

    “Seven suspects were arrested, large quantity of vandalised and stolen textile machines worth millions of naira were recovered.

    “ One locally made single barrel short gun, various dangerous weapons, a bag containing bunches of various charms and a bag containing dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were also recovered,” the police commissioner told NAN.

    Adenaike said the suspects would be charged to court as soon investigation was completed.

    The commissioner reiterated the commitment of the police and other security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property of people in the state.

     

  • Late NANS Senate president buried

    Late NANS Senate president buried

    The late Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Donald Onukaogu was last Friday buried in his home town in Ezehinnitte Mbaise, Itu, Imo State.

    Onukaogu died in a ghastly motor accident on June 13while on his way to the University of Uyo on a national assignment to intervene in the crisis that erupted in the institution after four students of the university were killed by policemen.

    He died along with  four others, Comrades  Jeremiah Sorkaa, Abdulazeez Oladimeji, Japheth Duru, and Asa Ejieta, who were also on the peace-keeping mission.

    According to a statement by the Association of Campus Journalists,  the burial was well attended by top government functionaries, student leaders, traditional rulers, captains of industry, technocrats, civil servants, activists, and religious leaders.

    Some of the dignitaries included President Goodluck  Jonathan who was duly represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Student Matters; Hon. Ethel Amadi, the President Pan-African Parliament; Governor Rochas Okorocha was represented by Imo Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Kenneth Emelu; National Assembly member representing Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnanna Igokwe and  Prof. (Mrs) Viola Onwuliri, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

    In his tribute, Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senenator Chris  Anyanwu  said Donald”s  death “is a monumental loss”.

    “I urge you all to endure with faith. Therefore, you must pick up the spirit and courage to forge ahead having solace that your colleague died in active struggle for your good, believing that God who knows all will surely lighten your emotional burden”.

    The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha described Donald as a strong comrade whose impact in NANS and National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) would be missed. He also acknowledged his humility and patriotism.

    Former Gov. Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State said: “For those who know Donald, he was a vibrant, creative and smart young man”.

    Hon. Ekennia Obioma of Imo State House of Assembly said: “His sudden death is another monumental loss to the Mbaise nation, and indeed Imo State, given the strategic position he was occupying even at his very young age”.

    The Imo State Commissioner for Public Utilities, Public Safety and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Iheanyi Nwachukwu described Donald as a beloved friend and brother.

    Sen. Salihu Ibrahim said: “Donald was a very noble person; he was committed to the course and welfare of Nigerian Students and he didn’t compromise against the interest of the students”.

    Comr. Momodu Daniel, the Secretary General of NANS said “Donald was more than a friend, he was a brother. I find solace in what he had achieved at his tender age. He made himself a sacrificial lamb for the interest of the students he served. He was just the best”.

    The leadership of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ezinihitte Mbaise Chapter where Donald was also the Chairman until his untimely death said: “Donald was a leader per-excellent. His uncompromising attitude to the plights of every Ezinihitte youth was overwhelming and as such cannot easily be forgotten”.

  • OAU Post-UTME result out, four top candidates emerge

    Less than three hours after the conduct of its Post-UTME  screening exercise of  the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the result has been released.

    The Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, in a release, stated that out of the 12,200 candidates that wrote the examination, 44 scored 300 marks and above  while 5,691 got 200 marks and above.

    The exercise was based on 400 marks.

    According to the PRO, “three candidates, whose performance were exceptionally outstanding, are: Durotoluwa Olumide Olanrewaju, who applied to study Chemical Engineering, tops the list after scoring 332 (the highest marks of the exercise) while Soile Olufunso Adetola, who applied to study Medicine, came second after scoring 327. However, two Candidates: Odimayo Taiye Moses and Nafiu Olaniyi Oluwadamilare, who both applied to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering, scored 323 each.”

    Commending the intellectual soundness of those that participated in the screening exercise, the Vice – Chancellor, Professor Bamitale Omole, applauded the academic excellence of those who scored Two Hundred (200)and above, particularly the Forty-Four(44) candidates who scored Thee Hundred (300) and above, and most especially the first three(3) best candidates.

    Candidates who took part in the excercise were advised  to check their results on the university website or where they registered for the screening.

  • Baby born with rosary round her neck in Niger

    Baby born with rosary round her neck in Niger

    Thousands of people trooped to a private maternity home in Kotaworo area of Bida, in Niger state on Sunday to catch a glimpse of a baby girl said to have been delivered with a Muslim prayer Rosary (Tasabih)  on her  neck.

    The middle aged mother of the baby,  Adijat was said to have been rushed to a local midwife home near the residence of Pa Mohammed Bello Masaba, the  Polygamist at about 2 pm on Sunday and after minutes of labour, she was delivered of the baby.

    According the owner of the local maternity home, Alhaji Abubakar Baiwa Shasha who took delivery of the baby, “I was shocked  when in the course of the delivery the baby came with a Chisbih on her neck. The baby was born with a black rosary at delivery point.”

    “But I was surprised  when after a while the rosary turned to white to the amazement of the few people around.”

    As soon as the news spread round the town, thousands trooped to the the maternity home shouting “Allahu Akibar; Allahu Akibar (God is Great) as they scrambled to see and touch the baby. ”

    Efforts to get the father of the baby, Isah, a native of Loma in Kwara State were fruitless as he refused to talk to our Correspondent.

    An Islamic scholar, Malam Idiris Ndajiwo said the delivery of the baby with the mysterious rosary “showed the greatness of Allah. The delivery of the baby today, in this town and this area (Kutaworo) is a big thing to us Muslims. This actually goes to show that Allah is in control of what happens to any one and in the whole world.”

    Another well wisher and the Personal Assistant to popular Islamic scholar, Pa Mohammed Bello Masaba, the octogenarian super polygamist, Alhaji Muktari Salau Bello said, “we have never witnessed such kind of miracle before in this town, but we thanked Allah for what He has done. In fact what happened is a miracle and we are very happy about it”.

    The baby was later taken to the Etsu Nupe’s palace where they were received and blessed by the royal father , Alhaji Yahaya Abubukar.

    Confirming the delivery of the mysterious girl when contacted on phone, the Emirate Secretary Alhaji Abdulmalik Usman said, “it is true. The baby was brought to the Palace and she was received and blessed by His royal highness, the Etsu Nupe and they have since left for their home. “

  • Abiola’s wife faults Al-Mustapha, Shofolahan’s release

    Abiola’s wife faults Al-Mustapha, Shofolahan’s release

    One of the wives of Chief Moshood Abiola, Mrs Modupe Onitiri-Abiola, has expressed her dissatisfaction with the acquittal of Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan by the Court of Appeal.

    The court on Friday upturned the death sentence passed on the duo by a Lagos High Court over their involvement in the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola on June 4, 1996.

    Al-Mustapha was the former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, while Shofolahan was an aide to Kudirat, wife of the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election.

    Abiola won the election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party.

    The appellants were set free from the Kirikiri Prisons in Lagos at about 5.30pm on Friday after spending over 14 years in detention for their alleged involvement in the murder of Kudirat.

    Onitiri-Abiola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday that the court’s decision was unfortunate.

    “I feel embarrassed for the justice system of Nigeria and also feel so much pain for the children of late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

    “How can the Court of Appeal discharge Al-Mustapha and Sofolahan, saying there is no evidence against them?

    “I do know that all those who planned and carried out the assassination of Alhaja Kudirat and my husband, M.K.O Abiola, would soon receive their judgment from God,’’ she said.