By Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado Ekiti

The Ekiti state government on Monday set machinery on motion to implement the Supreme Court’s judgement which relocated the headquarters of Ilejemeje local government from Iye Ekiti to Eda Oniyo.

This is coming more than 10 months after the Apex Court ordered the government to immediately restore the headquarters of the local government to Eda-Oniyo from where it was relocated to Iye-Ekiti shortly after the state was created on October 1, 1996.

Following the pronouncement of Iye Ekiti the headquarters against Eda Oniyo that was contained in the federal government’s gazette, the Eda Oniyo people had gone to court to contest what they described as “politically motivated relocation” of the headquarters by the then military governor, Col. Inua Mohammed Bawa.

But the Supreme Court had in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour on 14th December, 2018 ordered the relocation of Ilejemeje council headquarters from Iye to Eda Oniyo ending a 19-year battle which began at the State High Court.

The apex court held that the relocation of the headquarters of the Local Government to Iye-Ekiti was null and void, noting it wasn’t backed by statute.

Addressing a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Monday, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, said the government has no option than to align with the Apex Court’s decision.

Egbeyemi said decision was taken following the advice of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Fapohunda and the report of a fact finding committee, which advised that by virtue of the supreme Court’s pronouncement, that it will be “illegal , irregular, unconstitutional, null and void”, to recognise Iye Ekiti, as the headquarters of the council.

He said sequel to the judicial decision, the government proclaimed that “the decision of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land is sacrosanct and inviolable and is binding on the government.

“That by virtue of the judgement, Eda Oniyo is the only legally recognised headquarters of Ilejemeje local government.

“That the headquarters of Ilejemeje local government and its machinery are hereby relocated by Ekiti State Government from Iye Ekiti to Eda Oniyo Ekiti”.

The Deputy Governor said by virtue of the pronouncement, all government departments, institutions, organisations, public functionaries, corporate bodies and others are expected to cooperate with government to facilitate smooth relocation.

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The Deputy Governor directed the Chairman of the council, Hon Sunday Awolola and the commissioner for local government, Prof Adio Folayan to prepare a schedule for the relocation of the council to the new town.

The Eleda of Eda Oniyo Ekiti, Oba Julius Awolola, applauded the government for relocating the council to his domain and for obeying the judgement of the court.

“I want to appeal to my people not to be over joyous. They should maintain peace. We have not fought for 23 years. The day they even took it forcefully, we did not fight. We appreciate the government for this gesture”

The Chairman of the Council, Hon. Sunday Awolola appealed to people of the two towns to be peaceful and be law abiding, saying adequate security will be provided by the government to avert unnecessary communal clash.

By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja has insisted that former Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Abdullahi Dikko must be arraigned on a criminal charge pending against him.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu ordered on Monday that Dikko must attend court on November 10, 2010 for the purpose of his being arraigned on the 10-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/21/2018 in which Dikko and two others are accused of defrauding the Managing Director of Cambial Limited, Yemi Obadeyi of N1.1bilion.

Justice Ojukwu gave the order while ruling on an application for adjournment made by Dikko’s lawyer, Abubakar Magaji (SAN) when the case was called and the judge asked why the first defendant (Dikko) was absent in court.

When the judge asked why Dikko was not in court, Magaji said: “He is in the hospital and undergoing medical examination.” He said the problem has to do with his client’s kidney.

Magaji then applied for an adjournment to enable his client attend to his health and return on a later date for arraignment.

Lawyer to the prosecution, Ephraim Otti objected to an adjournment.

Otti said from what he saw in the medical report tendered by Magaji, “the first defendant is not sick, but just require routine medical check -up. This is a ploy to further delay the hearing of this case.”

Ruling, Justice Ojukwu granted Magaji’s prayer, but insisted that Dikko must attend court on the next date for the purpose of his arraignment along with the other defendants – Garba Makarfi (a former Assistant Comptroller in charge of finance at the Nigeria Customs Service) and Umar Husseini (a lawyer) – who were in court on Monday.

In the charge filed since last year by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Dikko, Makarfi and Hussain are accused of defrauding a real estate firm, Cambial Limited to the tune of N1,100,952,380.96, using their offices.

In 2010, the NCS was said to have bought a housing estate in Kuje, Abuja, comprising 120 units of duplexes from Cambial Limited at N4.8billion.

Beside allegedly deducting N819,047,619.04 as legal fees, agency fees, Value Added Tax (VAT) and Withholding Tax, Dikko and Makarfi were said to have asked Cambial Ltd to pay the N1,100,952,380.96 into Hussain’s law firm’s account in Stanbic-IBTC:7200057379 as “security for the completion of works in the estate,” before the firm could access what was left of N4.8billion paid by the NCS into its (Cambial’s) Zenith Bank account.

In counts six, seven and eight, Hussain was said to have “entered a deal with Dikko and Makarfi” to transfer N250m to Abys Motors Ltd’s account in GTB, N486m to Hasbunallah BDC Ltd and to withdraw N260m from the N1,100,952,380.96, which they allegedly obtained from Cambial by false pretense.

Makarfi was, in count nine, said to have received “an aggregate of $3m which was delivered to you in cash by Abdullahi Usman Musa, a representative of Hasbunallah BDC Ltd,” which formed part of the N1,100,952,380.96

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He was, in count 10, accused of making false statement to ICPC’s investigator by claiming that he agreed to receive the N1,100,952,380.96 into his firm’s account “as a favour to Dikko and Makarfi, because he believed the money was death benefit on behalf of an unnamed deceased family friend.”

Dikko, Makarfi and Hussain. were said to have “on or about the 6th of April 2010, by false pretence and with intent to defraud, conspired with each other to induce one Mr. Yemi Obadeyi, Managing Director of Cambial Limited, to pay the sum of N1,100,952,380.96 into the account of Capital Law Office, a private law firm owned by Umar Hussain under the pretext that the said sum was required as a refundable ‘completion security deposit’ in respect of the contract for the purchase of 120 units of duplexes as residential accommodation for of the Nigerian Customs Service.”

The offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

By Nicholas Kalu, Abuja

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of six Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIG) with two to proceed on pre-retirement leave.

According to a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations, of the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani in Abuja, the remaining four are to replace the four retired DIGs and also form part of the IGPs Management team made up of seven DIGs.

The statement reads: “The new DIGs are; Abdul Dahiru Danwawu; Lawal Shehu; Adeyemi Samuel Ogunjemilusi; Peter Babatunde Ogunyanwo, all former AIGs and Alex Okpara and Celestine Okoye, former CPs. DIG Ogunjemilusi and DIG Okpara are to proceed on pre-retirement leave.

“The Commission also approved the promotion of 14 Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

“They are: Yunana Babas; Dan-Malam Mohammed; Mua’zu Zubairu Halilu; Rabiu Yusuf; Sanusi Nma Lemu; Ahmed Iliyasu; Mohammed Uba Kura; Zaki M. Ahmed; and Gwandu Haliru Abubakar.

“Others are: Zama Bala Senchi, presently CP, Jigawa State Command; Bello A. Sadiq; Austin Iwero Agbonlahor; Lawan Ado, former CP, Kwara State Command and currently Commandant Police College, Kaduna and Bashir Makama.

“The appointments and promotions were the highpoints of the Commission’s 6th Plenary Meeting held in Abuja on Friday, October 18th and chaired by Musiliu Smith, Chairman of the Commission.

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“The Commission also approved the promotion of 230 Superintendents of Police to Chief Superintendents, eleven Deputy Superintendents of Police to Superintendents and two hundred and eleven (211) Assistant Superintendents to Deputy Superintendents. Forty one Inspectors were also promoted to ASP1.

“The new CSPs include: Kabiru Ishaq; Sufi Salisu Abdullahi; Dattijo Abdullahi; Bisiriyu Akindele; Faloye Folusho; Ngozi Faith Nwosu; Shehudden Yusuf Baba; Ibrahim Bashir; Benjamin Nlemchukwu Ugwuegbulam; Remigius Nnaemeka Ekpe; Tope Adewunmi Oparinde; Esther Ifeoma Nwaiwu, Victoria Olayinka Mulero and Ogbonnaya Nwota.

“Chairman of the Commission, Smith, said the Commission will continue to closely monitor the performance of these Officers and enjoined them to rededicate themselves to the service of their fatherland. He reiterated that promotion in the Force will continue to be based on merit, seniority and availability of vacancies.”

By Sanni Onogu, Abuja

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday denied that bandits allegedly shot at a Kaduna bound train about a week ago.

Amaechi, who was answering questions from members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Marine Transport, during budget defence.

He said that the Ministry has prioritised the safety and security of its coaches and tracks to forestall any such occurrence.

Amaechi said: “The first thing we addressed about railway is safety because once it happens a lot of persons will die.

“Each coach for now contains 87 persons, if we multiply it by 10 coaches, imagine the amount of persons that will die.

“No driver will move if there is a safety problem. It is the same thing with our tracks. We watch our tracks.

“Someone told me that he saw on social media that they shot at the train. I didn’t reply because that is not true.

“There are Air Force planes following the train as it is going. There is a police vehicle on the side.

“There are policemen in the vehicle and when anything happens, they report to the Minister even when there is a stop.”

Amaechi disclosed that the Federal Government has sent 150 children to learn railway maintenance in China.

He added: “On maintenance and sustainability, if you check the picture of my trip to China, you will see some black men with the Chinese.

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“I told them they learnt from America and you copied the Americans in producing your coaches, because when I went there, they were teaching them leadership and managing resources.

“I told them, let’s not manage, tell us how you built these trains so that when it breaks down, we don’t have to make a telephone call for you to come down and fix it.

“So we have agreed to design a curriculum and train all these people out there.

“Secondly, we have sent over 150 persons, children, to two universities in China, funded by the Chinese government to go and read railway engineering.

“We hope that in four years they will graduate. Those who will do masters and PhD will do that.

“We are establishing a transportation University in Daura. We are making sure that we have manpower to take over from the Chinese. We are trying to localise railway technology,” he said.

By Agency Reporter

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says ” there is no gain without pain”, Nigerians must endure the temporary effects of the borders closure to reap the attendants benefits.

The minister stated this on Monday when he paid a working visit to the new corporate headquarters of “The Sun” Newspaper in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the minister, who said that the visit was part of his ongoing media tour, was received by the management of the newspaper led by Mr Onuoha Ukeh, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief.

Fielding questions from the editorial board, the minister reiterated government position that the borders closure was not indefinite and was as a result of the failure of the neighbouring countries to fulfill their obligations.

“What has happened is that there is an agreement among the ECOWAS member states that goods coming into Nigeria must be containerized and taken through the border where they can be assessed and attested that they are not smuggled items.

“However, this agreement has not been adhered to by our neighbours

“We know that the closure is inflicting some collateral damages to many people but in the overall interest of Nigerians, we need to persevere and bear with the government so that our neighbours would be responsible and responsive.

“You can not turn Nigeria to a dumping ground of harmful goods just because we are neighbours and share common borders.

“For instance the largest volume of the parboiled rice that come into Nigeria is smuggled through the borders.

“Nobody is paying any duty on the goods and they are disincentive to local industry,” he said.

On the gains of the closure, the minister said that apart from billions of Naira accruing to government purse from payment of duties, there have been a lot of testimonies of Nigerians in agricultural sector.

He said many poultry farmers have given testimonies of how the border closure had improved on their sales of eggs and birds while there has been high demand for local rice.

“For instance, there is a Dr Balogun who retired from Total and established poultry farms in Ibadan.

” He called to thank the government that before the border closure he was selling 4,000 birds today the demand is 15,000 birds. Market is elastic.

“But for the border closure, there would have been a glot in the rice market.

” This is because of the bountiful harvest witnessed this year,” he said.

The minister assured Nigeians that with the bountiful harvest the price of local rice will be crashed soon.

“Local rice is not only helping our economy and generating employment but it is also more healthy than the imported rice.

“I can assure you that it will not be forever, we are also engaging our neighbours so that they can do the right thing,” he said.

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Reacting to the question on whether Nigeria, with the border closure, has flouted the Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, the minister said that national security takes precedence over any agreement.

“First is the issue of national security and the survival of the country.

“A country must survive first before it becomes a member of an organisation and signatory to any agreement.

“For us, it is because there is a Nigeria that we can first talk of signing the AFCTA.

“We believe that there is an external threat to our economy that needed to be addressed first then we will resolve the issue of AFCTA,” he said.

The minister stressed that Nigeria had become a dumping ground for imported goods and losing massive revenue on daily basis.

NAN reports that President Buhari’s directive on limited closure of the country’s western border was effected to allow Nigeria’s security forces develop a strategy to curb smuggling.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), has also announced that the land borders will remain closed pending when Benin and other neighbouring African countries stop taking Nigeria for a smuggling destination. (NAN)

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Two persons, including a woman on Monday, sustained injuries when an iron container fell on them along Owerri road, Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State.

The Nation gathered that the victims were inside a vehicle when the container, which fell off from an articulated vehicle, landed on their car.

The incident, which witnesses attributed to deplorable road, came few days after two tankers fell separately in the commercial city, claiming lives and property.

“We’ll continue to experience this kind of calamity until the government decide to take their responsibilities seriously,” one of the witnesses said.

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Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed confirmed the incident, but said no fatality was recorded.

He said, “However a woman who was passing by sustained injury and was taken to the hospital but now responding to treatment.

“Scene was cordoned off by Police patrol teams and effort is ongoing to clear obstruction to enable free flow of traffic in the area.”