The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • We retrieved damning fraud evidence from Naira Marley’s IPhone, laptop – EFCC

    By Agency Reporter

    The prosecution on Wednesday, tendered as exhibit before a Federal High Court Lagos, an IPhone and Laptop belonging to Nigerian Musician, Azeez Fashola, a. k. a Naira Marley facing fraud charges.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had preferred an 11-count charge against the musician bordering on conspiracy, possession of counterfeit Credit Cards, and Fraud.

    Also mentioned in the charge is one Yad Isril, who is said to still be at large.

    The Popular “Is a goal” singer was arraigned on May 20 before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, but he denied the charges.

    Following a bail application by defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo, (SAN), the court had granted Fashola bail in the sum of N2 million with sureties in like sum.

    When trial resumed on Wednesday, an investigator with the EFCC, Mr Nuru Buhari, narrated how the commission retrieved “damning evidence of credit card fraud from Naira Marley’s IPhone and laptop.

    Buhari, told the court that he works in the EFCC’s Forensic Department.

    Read Also: ‘Stolen UK, US banks’ credit card info found on Naira Marley’s laptop’

    He said that an analysis of Marley’s laptop showed that he frequented top five most-visited websites which dealt in buying and selling stolen credit cards.

    Responding to questions from the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness said that during analysis, the cache file and history file revealed that the most frequently visited sites by the user of the computer included:

    “arder007.org, Zuni.sa, nationwidecheckbalance.co.uk, ferunshop.net AMD cocoa.co.uk,”

    According to him, analysis of the websites revealed that:

    “Web 1 is where stolen card information is being sold to intending fraudsters, web 2 is for stolen credit cards specifically for the UK, whereas web 3 is an online website designed for UK cardholders to check their balance wherever they are around the world.

    He continued: “Web 4 is a dark web meaning an underground tunnel in the Internet where stolen credit card information are sold and traded, web 5 is an online shopping mall where members are given discounts for shopping from certain shops.”

    The witness told the court that his team also found a file named, Select BIN 101.txt and .txt., and after opening the file they discovered it contained “stolen credit card information with special status that allows transaction up to 12,000 dollars without a pin or physical card.

    “When we ran the BIN code search for the first six digits of the cards, it revealed they are Visa cards issued by Barclay’s bank, Sandander UK plc,” he sajd

    He said that analysis of installed apps on Marley’s laptop showed that two of them, IP VANISH and TOR Browser, enabled the owner of the computer to disguise his identity and location.

    “The TOR Browser is sometimes called the Onion; most of the criminals cover their tracks with various layers just like an onion using this app to make it near impossible for a tracker to track their location.

    “The IP VANISH is a virtual private network, which provides that the actual computer and location of usage cannot be identified. It also gives the user the ability to change their location.” he said

    According to the charge, the defendant allegedly committed the offences on different dates between Nov. 26, 2018, Dec.11, 2018, and May 10,

    The charge alleges that Fashola and his accomplices conspired to use different Access Bank ATM Cards to defraud their victims.

    It said that the defendant allegedly used Access Card number 5264711020433662 issued to another person’s, in a bid to obtain fraudulent financial gains.

    He was said to have possessed these counterfeit credit cards, belonging to different cardholders, with intent to defraud, which also amounted to theft.

    The offences contravenes the provisions of Section 1, 23 (1) (b), 27 (1}, 33, 33(9) Cyber Crime (Prohibition) Prevention Act, 2015.

    The judge adjourned the case till Oct. 24 for continuation of hearing (NAN)

  • Suspected African swine fever breaks out in Sierra Leone

    By Agency Reporter

    Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation on Wednesday warned the public against eating of dead pigs following the recent outbreak of suspected African swine fever in four communities of its capital, Freetown.

    Mohamed Vandi, the Director, Directorate of Health Security and Emergencies in the country’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation, while addressing newsmen said that the ministry was concerned about the sporadic occurrence of suspected swine fever in Freetown.

    Vandi reiterated that there was no cause for alarm as there had not been any proof as to whether the suspected African swine fever could cause illness in humans.

    Read Also: FG to carry out national control of Swine Fever across states

    “African swine fever affects pigs and it cannot transfer to the human population because it is not classified as a zoonotic disease,” Vandi said.

    He, however, revealed that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry had intensified surveillance in the affected communities and samples were taken out of the country for testing.

    (NAN)

  • People thought I was wasting my time – Niger Assembly only female rep

    By Hannah Ajakaiye and Justina Asishana

    Before seeking to contest election to represent Gurara constituency in the Niger House of Assembly elections in 2015, Hon. Binta Mamman, a graduate of business administration was a full-time housewife.

    Providence pushed her into politics when the APC law maker contested in a PDP stronghold and won. Reelected in 2019, Hajia Mamman is the only female lawmaker in the house with 27 men.

    Despite making up 49.4% of the total population, women have been marginalised in Nigeria’s political space. According to data from the Centre for Democracy and Development, women formed 4.17% of elected office holders in the 2019 elections, a decline from 2015-19 where women formed 5.65% of elected office holders.

    Violence, political thuggery, money politics, culture and tradition are factors which often dissuade women from seeking political office. Hajia Mamman confessed to experiencing enormous challenges when she initially set out in 2015 and even in 2019 when she sought reelection for a second term.

    “Finance and male domination are the main challenges I encountered when I set out to contest in 2015. People also thought I was wasting my time because I was seeking election in a PDP strong hold.

    “The experience was slightly different in 2019 and I have the good people of Gurara to thank for their collective effort. I just came out of litigation a week ago. I went through a lot of trauma but power belongs to God and He gives to whom he wills at his own time,” she told The Nation.

    Speaking on how women can increase their chance in politics, she admonished women seeking public office to have a strong determination in order to survive threats and intimidations.

    Read Also: Nasarawa gov wins digital award initiative

    “If you want to get to the height of it, try to discipline yourself. As a woman, all eyes are on you. A man can do any stupid thing and get away with it but as a woman, it’s not the same. Self-respect first and then you’ll gain the respect of other people and that will keep you going in the system,” she advised.

    Mamman, who further said it’s only fair for women to contest public office owing to their immense contributions during campaigns, was quick to add that women are often their own enemies in politics.

    “Some women don’t want me to say that, but it is the reality. If men are seeking positions, they come together and negotiate but women would watch you carry your cross alone instead of supporting you. We need more women collaboration among women,” she admitted.

    Women and children are often the face of poverty in Nigeria but in a political culture where women often do not vie for public office; it leaves room for social benefits marginalisation.

    “There were places I visited during my campaign and I had to secretly shed tears. Women were asking for potable water and classrooms for their school children. Some schools had no structure and students had to sit on bare floors.

    ‘’Those situations gave me the courage and zeal to intensify my efforts. I made a vow during the campaign that if I win, I’ll make a difference and I’m doing that.”

    Speaking on her reform programmes for education, she said: “In my first tenure, I dug 47 boreholes and hand pumps in different wards and villages. I secured the construction of classrooms and renovations of schools in different wards.

    ‘’I supplied schools with furniture because there are schools where pupils don’t have chairs to sit. I also made available exercise books and school bags for those in primary schools”.

    Her empowerment programme for women saw to the training of 180 women, who were also supported with starter packs in different skills.

    “Poverty level among women is very high. One of the women I empowered gifted me a bag with a purse saying she has never spent one day without money in her pocket since the day I gave her a sewing machine.

    ‘’If I get allocation for constituency projects and I refuse to use it for the good of my people, I will be accountable to God on the day of judgement,” she told The Nation.

    Reporting commissioned by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abuja.

  • Army adopts spiritual warfare to counter insurgents’ propaganda – Buratai

    By Agency Reporter

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the Army has engaged in spiritual warfare to counter Boko Haram propaganda.

    Buratai, represented by Brig.-Gen. Timothy Olowomeye, the Director Civil Military Affairs, stated this at the 2019 Chaplains annual Training Conference and Retreat on Tuesday in Sokoto.

    ”We were involved in a joint seminar on Spiritual Warfare as an effective means against insurgency and other forms of restiveness.

    ”Boko Haram and the likes cannot be defeated by kinetic military warfare alone.

    ”Finding appropriate counter-narratives against these violent extremist sects will immensely be a big push towards eradicating their negative activities in Nigeria,” he said.

    Buratai said Nigeria and the world at large was grappling with the harsh reality of restiveness mostly shrouded in religious, economic and political undertones.

    Read Also: Buratai urges troops on frontline to sustain offensive against insurgents

    ”These tendencies have caused disorder and wanton destruction of lives and property of many innocent citizens who have continued to look unto the government for solace.

    ”President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to offer succour and renewing the hope of the country’s citizens through the relentless efforts of our Armed Forces and other security agencies.

    ”We, therefore, must call to mind always that the noble task of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation while also being proactively involved in aid of our civil authority is our prime responsibility,” Buratai said.

    He said the Army had continued to engage with the religious directorate on possible proactive measures to help in winning this fight against the various forms of restiveness in the country.

    The COAS described the theme, “The Non-Kinetic Strength in the face of Armed Banditry and other Security Challenges: The Role of the Military Chaplains”, as very relevant in this battle.

    He further noted that the choice of the Northwest for the event meant they were in tandem with the efforts of the government in quelling the teeming security challenges of banditry in the region.

    He called for more collaboration between the Directorates of Civil Military Affairs (DCMA) and the three Religious Directorates in the efforts to contain the security challenges.

    According to him, the Armed Forces have attained great feats in the fight against insurgents, breaking their ranks and degrading their will to fight.

    However, the insurgents’ belief in their ideologies remain the driving force thereby making ideological battle in some ways very necessary and timely.

    He expressed optimism that the conference would develop appropriate narratives required to counter the ideologies of the religious terror groups.

    Speaking also, the Coordinator, Brig.-Gen. Charles Chidebere, said the event was in furtherance of efforts to win the war not by blazing guns but through winning the hearts of all with profound messages of peace.

    Chidebere appealed to religious leaders, tribes, communities and people at large to uphold the true message of religion which included peace, tolerance and unity in words and actions.

    ” We must refute in strongest terms possible all forms of extreme religious fanaticism and its attendant security threat to the nation,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that series of activities were lined up during the conference which ends on Oct. 25.

    (NAN)

  • Why Nigeria must return to Jan-Dec circle – Gbajabiamila

    By Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja

    Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has explained the National Assembly is clamouring for the January- December budget circle to stimulate development in the country.

    The Speaker spoke at the National Budget Hearing on the 2020 Budget at the National Assembly on Wednesday.

    He said this circle will enable good planning and proper implementation of the Appropriation Act.

    According to him: “Many people have asked me why are we all pressed of returning the budget cycle to January- December? Its simple: because the Constitution stipulated it.

    “This allows for proper planning and proper Implementation as opposed to what is obtainable for sometime. It even as a way of suppressing it.

    “The budget speaks clearly for itself. What we are here to do is to basically present to the stakeholders the 10.3 trillion budget as presented by the President.

    “For the stakeholders to look at the document, to examine it. What we seek to do here is to get a buy-in from all stakeholders, from the Nigeria public.

    Read Also: FG didn’t budget N30b for SIPs in 2020 – Uwais

    “Because, I always believe that nobody is a fountain of knowledge. Even though we are given full authority by the constitution to appropriate, we cannot do it alone.”

    “Nation building is a joint task and this is the first exercising that we will be doing because the budget of any country is the blueprint of its economy.

    “It is a basis upon which everything else is built. And for that reason, we thought it proper to hold this joint public hearing”.

    He said the intended objective of the budget hearing is positive.

    “We are seeking an outcome that will reflect the thorough federal character of Nigeria at the end of the public hearing.

    “No lopsidedness, everybody had a part, everybody had an input. We are here to listen, to take in input and at the end of the day we will exercise our constitutional authority and powers,” he stated.

  • Sacked Mobil contract workers petition Buhari over N11.4B severance benefit

    By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

    One thousand four hundred and forty-four sacked contract workers with Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to compel the oil giant to pay N11, 400, 000 billion owed them since 2012.

    Secretary-General of the group, Mr. Ubong Eshiet in an interaction with journalists in Uyo Wednesday complained that MPN was showing lackadaisical attitude towards the payment of their severance package/welfare.

    Eshiet said that the delay in the payment of their severance entitlements for 7 years now negates the federal government’s road-map for sustainable peace in the Niger – Delta region.

    He also lamented that their plight was unbearable as many of them have been forced to live in dejection.

    The appeal is coming; a week after the Niger – Delta ex-militant leader, Asari – Dokubo had warned MPN to stop the continuous deprivation of the rights and privileges of former 1, 444 indigent service contract workers at Ibeno in Akwa Ibom.

    Asari – Dokubo’s warning, which was contained in a letter to the In – Country Lead Manager/Managing Director of MPN dated September 24, 2019 however condemned, the unwarranted refusal of the company to pay the N11, 400, 000B redundancy benefit as unacceptable.

    The matter, according to Mr Eshiet had failed to materialized, even after the former Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu and outgone GMD, NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru had assured during a meeting in Abuja with them that, severance would be paid. He commended the support of former militant leaders for ensuring; the deprived workers did not resort to arms but, urged appropriate authorities to take urgent steps to address the issue, as the group was running out of patience.

    He said, the House of Representatives committee on Public Petition during President Good-Luck Jonathan’s administration, was aware of this before it was allegedly swept under the carpet on the orders of the company.

    The Secretary – General further, lamented the breaching of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Mobil signed with the workers on July 10, 2010 and called on President Buhari to order a thorough investigation into the delay in the payment of N11, 400, 000B severance benefits to 1, 444 sacked service contract workers since 2012 by the company.

    A group of ex – service contract workers with Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the delay in payment of N11, 400, 000 Billion owed to 1, 444 sacked workers of the company since 2012.

    Secretary-General of the group, Mr. Ubong Eshiet made the call in an interaction with newsmen in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Tuesday.

    He said, they decided to bring the matter to the attention of Mr. President for intervention, since MPN was showing lackadaisical attitude towards the payment of their severance package/welfare after the sack adding that, such delay was at variance with the federal government’s road-map for sustainable peace in the Niger – Delta region.

    Mr. Eshiet also disclosed that, for 8 years since the company denied them what he described as, ‘‘End – of – Service – Benefits’’ life was unbearable as many were forced to live in dejection.

    The appeal is coming; a week after the Niger – Delta ex-militant leader, Asari – Dokubo had warned MPN to stop the continuous deprivation of the rights and privileges of former 1, 444 indigent service contract workers at Ibeno in Akwa Ibom.

    Read Also: Buhari’s second tenure will be better for Nigerians, says Oshiomhole

    Asari – Dokubo’s warning, which was contained in a letter to the In – Country Lead Manager/Managing Director of MPN dated September 24, 2019 however condemned, the unwarranted refusal of the company to pay the N11, 400, 000B redundancy benefit as unacceptable.

    The matter, according to Mr. Eshiet had failed to materialized, even after the former Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu and outgone GMD, NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru had assured during a meeting in Abuja with them that, severance would be paid. He commended the support of former militant leaders for ensuring; the deprived workers did not resort to arms but, urged appropriate authorities to take urgent steps to address the issue, as the group was running out of patience.

    He said, the House of Representatives committee on Public Petition during President Good-Luck Jonathan’s administration, was aware of this before it was allegedly swept under the carpet on the orders of the company.

    The Secretary – General further, lamented the breaching of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Mobil signed with the workers on July 10, 2010 and called on President Buhari to order a thorough investigation into the delay in the payment of N11, 400, 000B severance benefits to 1, 444 sacked service contract workers since 2012 by the company.

  • Dangote Foundation empowers about 24,000 women in Sokoto

    By Agency Reporter

    The Aliko Dangote Foundation, on Wednesday empowered no fewer than 23, 990 women with N239.9 million in Sokoto state.

    The foundation Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President Dangote Group of Company, said the gesture is part of its Micro Grant Scheme.

    “The Micro Grant Scheme is one component of the economic empowerment programme of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, aimed at complementing efforts of government.

    “The programme was launched some few years ago and has been systematically rolled out nationwide to reach 1,000 women in each local government area of the country.

    “To ensure inclusiveness, the programme is executed in partnership with state governments in order to complement their drive for economic empowerment and poverty reduction,” he said.

    Dangote added that the foundation had in the last Ramadan distributed more than N300 million worth of food to 106,000 beneficiaries across Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara states.

    “As a follow up to that intervention, we are here today to flag up the second phase of our intervention of the micro grant scheme.

    Read Also: Buhari condoles Aliko Dangote over family members’ death

    “In Sokoto we are empowering 23, 990 women including 990 eligible women from the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Rabah Local Government Area of the state.

    “The 23, 990 vulnerable women identified by the state Zakkat and Endowment Commission will be provided with the unconditional cash grant of N10, 000 each.

    “This is in order to burst their house hold income, which we believe will reduce by half the vulnerability and meet their lively hood need,” he added.

    Dangote, while appreciating the state government, assured of more partnership with the state’s Zakkat Commission and donated N80 million to the commission’s N21.1 million non-interest loan for women and vulnerable persons.

    In his address Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, commended Dangote and the foundation for the continued collaboration with the state in many other areas of human development.

    He expressed optimism that the beneficiaries would make judicious use of the funds to reduce poverty and allow others to benefit in the subsequent programme.

    “However, I believe that the gesture is one of the best ways to address poverty in the society, as such the state government will continue to support such programmes.

    “We will continue to welcome each and every individual, corporate bodies and organisations who are willing and ready to partner with the state in this endeavour,” he said.

    The Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad-Mera, commended Dangote for his support to the needy across the country.

    Abubakar the beneficiaries to use the funds in raising their standard of living, as well as making their families’ lives better.

    (NAN)

  • Edo sets up C’ttee of Inquiry on Santana Market inferno

    By Agency Reporter

    The Edo State Government has assessed damages caused by the fire that ravaged parts of Santana market along Sapele Road, Benin City, and has raised a committee of inquiry to unravel the immediate and remote cause of the inferno.

    Commissioner for Cooperatives and Wealth Creation, Hon. Felix Akhabue, said this during an on-the-spot assessment of the scene of the incident, noting that the government delegation was in the market on a fact-finding mission to ascertain what caused the inferno.

    He said the state government is concerned about the welfare of every citizen of the state, including traders who were affected by the incident.

    Akhabue explained that a committee of inquiry has been set up to look into the root cause of the inferno, adding that the findings will be communicated to the state governor for the necessary line of action within record time.

    The Women Leader of the Market, Mrs. Giegbefumwen Patient, said the damage caused by the fire incident was heartbreaking. She added that the incident, said to have happened between 9 pm-10 pm, was allegedly caused by electrical surge based on information from the security guard on duty.

    Read Also: Ex-aide commiserates with Obaseki over convoy accident, market fire

    She noted that criminals took advantage of the incident to break into stores and carted away goods.

    She appealed to the state government and other well-meaning Nigerians to assist the affected traders, adding that most of the those affected were trading with loans they borrowed to expand their businesses.

    One of the affected traders, simply identified Mr. Louis, urged the state government to help the traders in reviving their businesses, even as the panel of enquiry commences its work, to cushion the effect of the incident, as two traders have already lost their lives as a result of the fire.

    PHOTO CAPTION:

    DSC_0607:

    Commissioner for Cooperatives and Wealth Creation, Hon. Felix Akhabue (middle) addressing traders affected by fire incident at Santana market along Sapele Road, Benin City.

  • Parents lament children’s addiction to gambling

    By agency Reporter

    Some parents in Ilorin, Kwara, have lamented the rate at which children trooped to bet centres to gamble, in the area and the country at large.

    The parents expressed their views in separate interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Wednesday.

    Mrs. Gbemisola Abiona noted that many children now preferred to hang in bet centres, gambling than being in library reading.

    “Children derive more pleasure now in rushing to bet house to stake games than to save money to buy books,” she said.

    Mr. Segun Ariyo said children now patronised bet centres than the adults.

    “I observe that most bet agents don’t mind the age of the people that patronise them. They only care about the money they make from the business,” he said.

    Mrs. Munirat Ahmed said gambling was gradually becoming a norm in the society, adding that it might ruin the future of the children, if not checked.

    “Nigerian government must critically look into the increase number of bet centres in the country.

    “Most under-age children now hang in bet house to relax. They turn bet centres to their home,” she said.

    Mr. Femi Abolaji said most bet centres were being patronised mostly by children.

    “Go to many bet centres and see how children are going in and out. Even some schools never witness the kind of crowd patronising gambling centres,” he said.

    Read Also: Internet fraudster jailed six months in Kwara

    A parent who pledged anonymity said her son spent almost eight hours in one of the bet centres every weekend.

    According to her, the boy most times, forget about food and spends hours in a bet centre, adding that on one occasion, she has to go the centre to shout on him for him to leave the place.

    “He spent good eight hours there before I went and disgraced him,” she said.

    Mrs. Folusho Awe called on the Federal government to be strict on bet agents who allowed under age to gamble and legislate a law that would ban children from gambling.

    Awe advised parents to monitor the movement of their children, with a view to dissuading them from patronising bet centres or gambling.

    (NAN)

  • Buhari greets former NABTEB Registrar Prof Aina at 80

    By Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extended warm wishes to Prof. Olu Aina, former Registrar/Chief Executive, National Business and Technical Examinations Board, (NABTEB) on the joyous occasion of his 80th birthday on October 24.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, saluted the octogenarian for his trail-blazing and shining example in promoting training in vocational and technical education, which is essential to fostering sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction in the country.

    From a humble beginning as a primary and secondary school teacher in South-West Nigeria to a teaching assistant in the United States, lecturer in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and Professor of Vocational and Technical Education, President Buhari believed that Prof Aina has always been at the forefront of impacting excellence in technical education that helps Nigerians acquire the right skills and training needed to succeed in the labour market.

    Read Also: Buhari greets folk musician, Tunji Oyelana at 80

     

    As family, friends, former students and well-wishers gather to celebrate the former Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council, Igbinedion University, Okada and former Executive Member, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, the President prayed almighty God to grant the senior citizen more years of health, happiness and fulfillment.