The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • UNILAG inaugurates panel to investigate randy dons

    By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has constituted a panel to probe Dr Boniface Igheneghu and Dr Samuel Oladipo for sexual harassment allegations.

    A statement by the Principal Assistant Registrar (Communication Unit), Mrs Taiwo Oloyede, also noted that Oladipo of the Department of Economics had been suspended.

    The panel, headed by Dean Faculty of Law, Ayodele Atsenuwa, would investigate the allegations of sexual harassment against the two lecturers exposed by a BBC Africa Eye documentary, “Sex for Grades”.

    The statement reads: “The University of Lagos Management has set up a Panel headed by Professor Ayodele V. Atsenuwa, a Professor of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos and the incumbent Dean of the Faculty.

    “The Panel will probe into the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu of the Department of European Languages and Integrated Studies, Faculty of Arts and Dr. Samuel Oladipo of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences as well as other related cases.

    Read Also: Corruption and sex: Nigerian university education at a moral crossroads

    “As previously announced in the University’s Press Release dated Monday, October 7, 2019, Dr. Samuel Oladipo who was featured in the full version of the BBC broadcast has been suspended from work with immediate effect and barred from the University academic areas until conclusion of the Panel’s assignment.”

    The statement also noted that a pending investigation against another unnamed lecturer was still on, urging students with information to come forward.

    “The University wishes to inform the general public that the panel set up to investigate another allegation of sexual harassment involving a Professor in the University in June 2018 still subsists and awaits further information that will aid in concluding the investigation.

    “Students and members of staff who have relevant information are encouraged to come forward.

    “Their protection is assured.

    “We firmly reassure all our students, staff, alumni, parents and guardians that this matter will be tackled with every sense of responsibility, and the seriousness it deserves.

    “The whole process will be transparent and appropriate sanctions will be meted out to anyone found culpable.”

  • INEC to publish Bayelsa, Kogi voters’ registers on Monday

    By Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on Monday, November 14, officially publish the voters’ registers in Bayelsa and Kogi states.

    This was contained in a statement by the Commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye.

    According to the statement, the registers would also be presented to all the political parties sponsoring candidates for the November 16 governorship election in the states on Monday as well.

    The Commission also appealed to candidates of the various political parties to desist from making comments and insinuations capable of inciting violence and instill fear in the hearts of the electorate in the states.

    The statement also reminded the parties the submission of names of Polling Agents would close on November 2, while all forms of campaigning are expected to end on November 14, two days before the election day.

    “In line with Section 20 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on Monday, 14th October, 2019, officially publish the Register of Voters and present same to all the political parties sponsoring candidates for Bayelsa and Kogi governorship elections, scheduled for 16th November, 2019.

    Read Also: Kogi 2019: INEC to list 23 political parties on ballot papers

    “The events will take place at the Commission’s offices in Yenagoa, for Bayelsa State, and Lokoja for Kogi State, and will be presided over by the Supervising National Commissioners and assisted by the Resident Electoral Commissioners of the respective states.

    “From our records, a total of 45 political parties will take part in the govemorship election in Bayelsa State, while 23 will contest in Kogi State, being those who are sponsoring validly nominated candidates.

    “As we continue the countdown to the elections in the two states, the Commission wishes to remind the political parties that 2nd November, 2019 is the last day for submission of names of Polling Agents for the election to the Electoral Officers in the two states while 14th November, 20l9 is the last day for campaigns.

    “We appeal to all candidates to avoid comments capable of inciting violence and instilling fear during their campaigns,” INEC said..

  • Abuja residents to enjoy free surgeries

    By Gbenga Omokhunu and Jennifer Obasuke, Abuja

    Selected residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are to enjoy various forms of free surgical procedures from February 9 to 17, 2020 courtesy of the Free Medical Outreach of the West African College of Surgeons.

    The free medical outreach programme is part of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS)’s 60th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference which will hold in Abuja from February 17 to 20, 2020.

    This was disclosed on Wednesday when a delegation of the Local Organising Committee from the College led by its Immediate Past President, Professor King-David Teina-Yawe, paid a courtesy visit on the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello.

    Speaking further on the proposed surgical procedures a Fellow of the College and Acting General Manager of the FCT Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Francis Alu, said that the surgical procedures will involve both minor surgeries such as cataracts and hernia and major ones such as fibroids.

    According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the FCT minister, Anthony Ogunleye, Dr. Alu also said that the general hospitals in Kubwa, Bwari and Kuje will be available for minor surgeries while major surgeries will be carried out at the Federal Medical Center Jabi, Garki Specialist and National Hospitals.

    A private eye specialist hospital, Rachel Eye Center will also be involved.

    He further revealed that 45 volunteer doctors will be available in each of the hospitals while the target is to treat 1000 patients across the 7 hospitals.

    While shedding more light on the 60th AGM and Scientific Conference, Professor Teina- Yawe said that the delegates are expected to come from all over the world and that the FCT was selected because of the availability of world class conference facilities that can accommodate such a large delegation.

    Read Also: Tsoho steps in as Federal High Court’s Acting Chief Judge

    Professor Teina -Yawe said that plans were underway to establish an Advanced Surgical Skills Training Hub in Abuja, adding that WACS has trained 7000 surgeons, many of whom have trained other surgeons in Nigeria.

    In his response, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello said that some of the best surgeons in Nigeria were proud members of the West African College of Surgeons and have performed exceptionally well in their chosen profession.

    Bello said that he is looking forward to having the delegates in the FCT, adding that plans were underway to make Abuja a destination of choice for Conference tourism.

    He also revealed that the FCTA plans to prioritize the provision of facilities in hospitals during his second tenure as FCT Minister.

    Also, at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, and the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bashir Mai-Borno.

  • Kogi 2019: SDP’s Natasha not validly nominated- INEC

    By James Azania, Lokoja

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied disqualifying Kogi governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Barr. Natasha Akpoti.

    National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter Education Committee, INEC, Barr. Festus Okoye, told reporters in Lokoja said that the commission did not receive any valid nomination from the party.

    Akpoti has however said that the electoral umpire has no right to deny her of the right to be voted for, adding that she was already in court to challenge her disqualification by INEC.
    Akpoti, during an interaction with our correspondent, called on her supporters to remain hopeful, asserting that the SDP logo will be on the ballot papers on the day of election.
    “I am in court for an injunction. If the court fails in upholding my civil right to contest, then I alongside patriotic Nigerians shall peacefully protest.

    “I still consider myself being in the race, because INEC has no authority to reject nor disqualify my candidacy/SDP from contesting, for whatever reasons; section 31(1) of the 2015 Electoral Act.

    “I urge everyone to keep the spirit of positivity up, and trust enough to utilize the citizens’ powers in themselves to reject any systemic manipulation to disenfranchise our candidacy. SDP’s logo shall be on the ballot come November 16 and the good people of Kogi State shall have a chance of electing (me) a credible and capable leader.”

    Giving an insight for its decision, the INEC National Commissioner said the SDP deputy governorship candidate did not meet up to the 35 years of age as specified by the Construction, and as such not eligible to be nominated.

    He said that by law, the SDP was deemed not to have submitted a candidate’s name for the November 16 Kogi governorship election, since at the close of nomination, the party’s deputy governorship candidate was not validly nominated.

    He said that the SDP deputy governorship candidate in a sworn affidavit contained in his form CF001, which he deposed to on 6th September 2019, indicated that he was born on 5th October 1985, while his attached state of origin form showed he was born on the 5th of October, 1987.

    “She (Natasha) submitted her nomination without valid submission of deputy, and therefore did not submit any valid submission,” he explained.

    He expressed surprise why it was only in the case of Kogi State that the issue was being overflogged, saying that that between Kogi and Bayelsa states, three out of four SDP candidates were disqualified for similar reasons.

    He added: “You have not heard them talk about Bayelsa, only here (Kogi). How then do you speak of conspiracy?”

    Read Also: Akpoti rejects Kogi central results, heads for tribunal

    He said that following the invalid nomination of the SDP deputy governorship candidate, on grounds of age, and by virtue of his status, which the Constitution says must be deemed to be same with that of the governorship candidate that nominated him as running mate, the party was deemed to have submitted nothing, as at the close of nomination, and ad such “could not build something on nothing,” through their planned substitution.

    He pointed out that eight political parties submitted invalid nominations for the Kogi State governorship election, while 18 others withdrew their nomination, adding that 23 political parties will participate in the November 16 governorship poll in the state.

    He said that 6,139 Ad-hoc staff will be deployed for the Kogi governorship election, and that the exercise will hold in the 21 LGAs of the state, in 2,548 polling units and 3,508 voting units.

    He said that there are 1, 646, 35 registered voters in Kogi, but that not all of them have collected their permanent voters card (PVC).

    I urge everyone to keep the spirit of positivity up and trust enough to utilize the citizens powers in themselves to reject any systemic manipulation to disenfranchise our candidacy . SDP’s logo shall be on the ballot come Nov 16 and the good people of Kogi State shall have a chance of electing a credible and capable leader … me.

  • Ikeja electric assures of improved services on customer week

    By Agency Reporter

    Ikeja Electric Plc has reassured customers of improved experience and commitment to providing exceptional service delivery.
    In a statement by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Anthony Youdeowei, the Ikeja Electric brand stated it is driven by an endless desire and resolve to offer customers an extraordinary experience as the company will stop at nothing to ensure that each interaction across all its touch points culminates in something more for the customer.

    “As a responsible customer centric organisation, we are determined to ensure that provision of quality, reliable and improved services to our esteemed customers remain our priority,” he said

    Youdeowei said the 2019 Customer Service Week theme “The Magic of Service” underscores the company’s acknowledgement of the strategic importance of its customers, which according to him is the reason why Ikeja Electric will continue to creating sustainable initiatives that will foster improved customer services.

    Read Also: Magodo residents praise Ikeja Electric for improved supply

    At the Corporate headquarters in Alausa, the company used the opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate customers around, while customers were also provided the opportunity to share useful insights on their experience with the services of Ikeja Electric.

    The Disco CEO also pointed out that the company has embarked on optimisation of its network for improved power supply while employees are also undergoing various training that ensures strict adherence to the company’s values for excellent service delivery.

    The company recently commissioned its franchise centres at Olowora, Ikosi, Arepo, Bariga, Ketu and Ogudu as part of its strategy to extend its customer footprint and provide ease of access to services.

  • Ancient Afro-Brazilian building turns tourist hub in Lagos

    By Agency Reporter

    An ancient Afro-Brazilian building located in Onikan area of Lagos State has been converted to a tourist hub and renamed `Loving Lagos’ by a tourism enthusiast, Mr Lawon Adams.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the place reported that the duplex was transformed to a tourist site that would showcase Lagos history such as : art, craft, slavery, fashion, culture, music, and festivals.

    Adams told NAN that he decided to transform the edifice into a tourist hub because of his interest in tourism.

    He said that he had observed there were no museums exclusively showcasing the history and culture of Lagos State.

    Adams also said Lagos State as a cosmopolitan city/state with diverse rich cultural practices and history across all fields of life is capable of attracting tourists from across the globe.

    According to him, the tourists’ site referred to as `Loving Lagos’ will be opened to the public next month to promote the beauty and culture of the state.

    He said that the building was constructed by a Nigerian, the late Mr Joseph Akanni Olumilade Holloway in 1939 who had also been immortalised.

    Adams referred to Holloway as a skilled draughtsman whose design was highly influenced by the Brazilian/Portuguese style, imported into colonial Lagos at that time.

    “Sixty per cent of Nigerian population is completely disconnected from history; this is what propelled me into doing what I am doing today.

    “We need to create a repository of the history of Lagos where different things are exhibited to tell the story of the state across ages.

    “This is also a platform for everyone living in Lagos to come and tell their stories; being a Lagosian is unique because everyone has a root that can be linked somewhere.

    “Tracing the history of Lagos to a lot of ethnic background makes it unique and beautiful for people to indicate interest in visiting the state.

    “People from different places can hold exhibitions within the premises based on their cultures and history.

    ”I have retained the structure of the building but renovated it, putting safety into consideration,” he said.

    Adams said the tourists’ hub would be loaded with a lot of contents to educate people on the history of the state.

    Read Also: ‘Travel, tourism boost Africa’s GDP by 8.5% ’

    He said the hub had 400 books but with plans to increase to 10,000 with focus on the history of Lagos, Nigeria and Africa before it becomes operational.

    According to him, there will be choreographic displays of Lagos history from the 18th Century for all to see.

    He identified some tricycles and unique commercial buses peculiar to the state as some of the attractions the hub would capitalise on.

    “It is important to harness history before people who remember them die totally. At the end of the day, this place will be a place to really explore when it comes to Lagos history.

    “Our ‘Keke Marwa’ and ‘Danfo’ buses are some of the things the Europeans want to explore and that is why I am training people on how they can convey tourists with our ‘Keke’ and ‘Danfo’ buses to tourist sites in Lagos.

    “We all need to tell our stories to enliven our history and culture.

    “We all have a duty to groom tourism well enough to be able to generate revenue from it because it is a good money spinner for all and a veritable tool for job creation,” he said.

    NAN reports that the Onikan area accommodates tourist sites such as the Tafawa Balewa Square, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Musical Society of Nigeria, City Mall, Onikan Stadium and the Freedom Park

  • Obiano launches CCTV cameras, 109 vehicles

    By Nwanosike Onu, Awka & Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano will on Friday launch super smart closed-circuit cameras (CCTVs) in major cities of the state.

    Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Mr. C.Don Adinuba, in a statement on Wednesday, said the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, was expected to lead the commissioning.

    He said the technology-driven security initiative, known as the second phase of Operation Kpochapu (Operation Wipe out Crime), would first be installed in Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha, before being extended to other parts of the state.

    Adinuba revealed that 109 vehicles have been procured and equipped with state-of-the-art electronic devices to work in unison with the super smart gadgets.

    He said selected police officers had in the last two months been undergoing training on how to operate both the CCTVs and the equipment in the vehicles.

    The statement partly read, “The Smart City Security Project was inspired by the governor’s visit to Massachusetts, United States, in October, 2018, when he toured places like the Cambridge Innovation Centre, Boston University and Industrial Video and Control in Boston.

    “He was struck among other things, the sophisticated surveillance cameras from Industrial Video and Control, developed in conjunction with researchers at the Cambridge Innovation Centre and other research centres in Massachusetts.

    “These products proved effective in helping the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to identify the two brothers from originally Kyrgyzstan, Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, that on April 15, 2013, bombed participants in the annual Boston Marathon, killed three persons and injured many others, including 16 who lost their legs”.

    While reiterating Obiano’s commitment to using advanced technology to fight crime and protect lives and property, the commissioner maintained that the cameras were not yet in some American cities and states.

    Read Also: Obiano proposes 137.1 billion for 2020

    He explained that the governor opted for the solar-powered type of gadgets to ensure 24 hours daily effective operation in view of the nation’s erratic power supply.

    “Governor Obiano felt that they should be installed in Anambra State so that it will remain Nigeria’s safest state and as a result attract considerable investments.

    “In the more developed countries of the world, technology has proved immensely useful in crime detection and prevention.

    “We have already cited the example of how FBI’s use of the latest surveillance cameras from the Cambridge Innovation Centre assisted to unmask the 2013 Boston Marathon bombers,” he added.

  • Woman bags 10-year imprisonment for killing fiance during a fight

    By Agency Reporter

    A 27-year-old woman, Blessing Edet, was on Wednesday sentenced to 10 years in prison for stabbing Edet Ebong, her 33-year-old fiance, to death during a fight over her refusal to wear an engagement ring he had given to her.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Edet was originally charged with a count charge of murder. The sentence was, however, commuted to voluntary manslaughter by the trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.

    “By stabbing the deceased in the lower part of his abdomen, she did not intend to cause grievous harm to the defendant. The defendant has established factors necessary to prove self defence.

    “I find that the defendant acted in self defence as she was a victim of unprovoked assault. The defendant is not guilty of murder, but I find her guilty of the involuntary manslaughter of Edet Ebong.

    “Section 227 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State prescribes life imprisonment for the offence of involuntary manslaughter. This is a clear case of recklessness on the part of both the deceased and the defendant.

    “I hereby sentence the defendant to ten-years imprisonment with no option of fine. The sentence will take effect from the month of August 2015 which is when she has been on custody,” Justice Taiwo said.

    The prosecution, led by Mr F. Oyedale had alleged that Edet committed the offence at 12.15 am on Aug. 18, 2015 at her residence located at No. 1, Falana St., Ogombo, Lekki, Lagos.

    Read Also:My husband killed our baby, wife tells court

    NAN reports that Edet’s trial commenced at the high court on July 5, 2017 with five witnesses including Esther Ebong, the sister to the deceased, a medical doctor and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) testifying for the prosecution.

    Edet testified solely in her defence on Feb. 7.

    According to Edet, the deceased came to her apartment at midnight and woke her up to request that she cook a meal for him, but she had refused because she was tired.

    “Upon hearing that I was tired, he went into the kitchen and saw the engagement ring he had given me beside the stove. He became angry and asked why I was not wearing the ring.

    “He broke a mirror and used part of it to stab me, I was bleeding and I was crying out to the neighbors for help,” she said.

    According to her, during the scuffle she stabbed Ebong in his abdomen with a kitchen knife.

    Earlier, before the sentence was passed, the Defence Counsel, Ms Favour Eboh-Mgbehoma, in her allocutus (plea for mercy) had asked that the court temper justice with mercy.

    ‘We plea to the honourable court to put into consideration that the defendant could have ended up being the victim.

    “She is a first time offender, a young woman who has her whole life ahead of her.

    “She has been in custody since 2015 when she was 23-years-old and she had learnt all the bitter lessons of life,” Eboh-Mgbehoma said.

  • Female banker jailed one year for fraud

    By Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

    A 51-year-old female banker, Yetunde Iyabo Adewunmi, was on Tuesday, sentenced to one year imprisonment for conspiracy, aiding and abating fraud.

    Adewunmi was convicted of the one-count amended charge instituted against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office, before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court 2, sitting in Osogbo, Osun State.

    Investigation conducted by officials of the Commission had revealed that the convict used her position as a staffer of a new generation bank in Ile Ife, Osun State to forge two identity cards for one Abayomi Samuel Onalaja, an internet fraudster, to enable him cash two Western Union transactions received from his foreign victims.

    She was said to have benefited N236, 736 from the illegal dealings.

    Read Also: BREAKING: FBI mum on Nigerians’ involvement in $1.2bn global fraud

    Owing to the findings, the Commission earlier filed against her a five-count charge bordering on money laundering, but later amended it to a one-count after agreeing to a plea bargain option with her.

    The amended charge professed her guilty of an offence contrary to Section 27(2) of the Cybercrimes (prohibition, prevention etc) Act, 2015.

    She pleaded guilty to the charge and was accordingly convicted.

    The prosecution counsel Shamusuddeen Bashir had earlier prayed the court to accept the conditions of the plea bargain which included restitution of the proceeds of the crime as well confirmed that the Commission had indeed received the sum.

  • Internet fraudster jailed six months in Kwara

    By Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

    Kwara state High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital on Wednesday sentenced another internet fraudster Akinbamidele Femi Johnson to six months imprisonment.

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had dragged the convict before the high court on a-three count charge that bordered on Internet fraud and other fraud related offences.

    The charge reads “that you, Akinbamidele Femi John (a.k.a BrendaJason) on or about 20th March, 2018 at Ilorin, Kwara state within the jurisdiction of this court attempted to commit an offence by pretending to be Brenda Jason, a female with a gmail account; jasonbrenda00@gmail.com and thereby committed an offence contrary to
    sections 95 and 321 of the penal code law and punishable under section 324 of the same law .”

    Akinbamidele pleaded guilty to all the three count charges levelled against him by the EFCC.

    In his judgement, presiding Judge Mahmood Abdulgafar said the court after evaluating the case found the defendant guilty of all the three count charges levelled against him by the anti graft body.

    Justice Abdulgafar said the evidence of the prosecution witness, Olamide Sadiq who is the Head, Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences of EFCC, Ilorin zonal office was strong and reliable.

    Read Also: Internet fraudster jailed in Kwara

    The judge added that “It was the evidence of the PW1 that an iPhone 7 was recovered from Akinbamidele and analysing of the phone indicated that the defendant was found possessing fraudulent documents in order
    to defraud the people.

    “I found you Akinbamidele Femi John guilty of all the three count charges brought against you and I hereby sentence you to six months imprisonment.”

    He said that the iPhone seven recovered from the convict should beforfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.