The Nation Newspaper

Category: News

  • Funeral tomorrow

    Funeral tomorrow

    A community leader,Pa Reuben Ayoola Olaifa, aka Engineer id dead. He died on April 28 at 77.

    A spokesperson for the family, Pastor Bolatitio Olaniyan, said there would be a Christian wake today at 9, Temidire Street, Adekile, Ibadan (Ile Gate), at 5pm.

    A funeral service will hold  tomorrow at Cathedral of St. Peter’s Church, Aremo, Ibadan from 10 am.

    His remains will be  interred at St. Peter’s burial ground. Guests will be entertained at Olubadan High School, Adekile, Ibadan.

    He is survived by children, among who are Gbenga Olaifa, Kunle Olaifa, Muyiwa Olaifa and many grandchildren.

     

  • NSCDC officials invade JAMB office

    NSCDC officials invade JAMB office

    Some Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers in Kogi State attacked  workers of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Lokoja yesterday.

    The armed NSCDC officials stormed the office at 10am, dragged out guards and took them away on the allegation that JAMB refused to engage their services.

    The NSCDC claimed that SPITEC, the security outfit contracted by JAMB to guard its office, was not registered with the organisation.

    The invasion was led by RSM Jegede, who allegedly ordered his men to shoot any worker who refuse to ‘cooperate’.

    When the JAMB state coordinator, Daniel Agbo and some workers pleaded that the issue was being handled by the headquarters, the officials attacked them.

    They were said to have shut the office after beating up some workers, including an expectant mother.

    Another worker, Miss Victoria Tachio, was reportedly beaten up and her clothes torn.

    Agbo condemned the “commando-like manner officers of the corps”, saying it was crude and uncivil.

    Showing reporters bruises on his body, Agbo said he fell three times, even as “one of them pointing his rifle” at him.

    He said cash from sales of scratch cards and forms, mobile phones and other personal effects were carted away by the attackers.

    When reporters approached the NSCDC state commander, Dayo Adesuyi, his men barricaded the road, shouting abuses.

    One of the officers, Akusebio T. O, threatened to deal with them.

    The Sun correspondent, Emmanuel Adeyemi, was attacked.

  • APC flays PDP over opening of Maiduguri Airport

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised the opening of the Maiduguri International Airport by the Federal Government for former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sherriff.

    The Defence Headquarters a fortnight ago claimed that the restriction on the facility at the airport was due to military use in line with the operations against Boko Haram insurgents.

    The “military use” led to the denial of 286 pilgrims, who were going for the lesser Hajj (Umrah), access to the airport.

    APC’s National Secretary Mai Mala Buni, who spoke in Damaturu, Yobe State, accused the  Federal Government of being bias.

    “It is unfortunate and unacceptable for government to employ selective justice through politics in the use of public institutions and infrastructure built with public funds.

    “Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima and Senator Ali Ndume were denied take off from the airport but the authorities reopened the airport to Sherriff to facilitate his defection to PDP.

    “This is a repeat of what happened during the Ekiti governorship election where APC governors were refused landing at the Akure Airport,” he said.

    Buni noted that the PDP government was orchestrating primitive politics, which does not speak well for the development of democracy.

    “I think government must  stop this dirty politics and concentrate on issues that will improve the lives of Nigerians, instead of these brazen abuses of public office with impunity.”

    The national secretary said instead of the PDP to get serious about the insecurity, collapse of institutions and infrastructure, corruption and unemployment, the party is receiving those who have failed to actualise their selfish goals in the APC.

    “We are happy that politicians with personal interests have realised the APC’s commitment to national agenda and are leaving the party.

    “Let me assure you that in the APC there are no vacancies for political jobbers who do not have the interest of the people at heart.

    “We are happy Nigerians have seen these politicians and will decide next year.”

     

  • ‘Pay Kogi workers’

    A group, Kogi State APC Restoration, has called on the Peoples Democratic Party-led administration to pay the backlog of salaries owed teachers and workers.

    The teachers are on strike to protest the non-payment of their salaries by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

    In a statement by its coordinator, Mohammed Abubakar, the group said: “We call on the PDP leadership to pay the salary arrears of teachers and also allow continuous payment of full salary at the councils.

    “The PDP government should correct the abnormalities, because the people are yearning for development and change of leadership. We have seen the light at the end of the tunnel and God is about to set us free.”

  • Suspected kidnappers’ den demolished in Anambra

    Suspected kidnappers’ den demolished in Anambra

    Anambra State government demolished yesterday two buildings belonging to suspected kidnappers at Okija in Ihiala Local Government and Uruagu in Nnewi North Local Government.

    The buildings were allegedly used for kidnap by the suspected abductors.

    Governor Willie Obiano has since assumption of office demolished nine buildings suspected to be used for kidnapping.

    He vowed to rid the state of kidnappers and other criminals and inaugurated “Operation Mkpochapu”.

    A source said Police Commissioner Usman Gwary and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Chikodi Anara, led the demolishing team to Okija and Nnewi.

    At Umuatuegwu, Uhuobo village in Okija, the team pulled down a storey building and a bungalow belonging to the late Chief Pius Osuchukwu,  which was allegedly used by two of his sons to keep abducted victims.

    The source said one of them called “Akwaa” is still at large, while his elder brother is now in police net.

    The Nation learnt that the two suspects are the sons of the deceased’s first wife, Mrs. Rosaline Osuchukwu, who is also late.

    Her funeral will hold tomorrow.

    Gwary alleged that the gang kept kidnapped victims, including the Access Bank manager and cashier, in the buildings.

    “Others kept in the buildings included the manager of Julius Berger Plc, who was on holiday, a member of the House of Assembly, Dr. Emeka Aniebonam, the manager of CCC Construction Company, among others.”

    Gwary and Anara hailed the officer in charge of the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS), James Nwafor, for his efforts in fishing out criminals.

    The police commissioner said the gang used the building to make over N200million from the victim.

    At Uruagu Nnewi, he said the demolished bungalow belonged to a kidnap suspect, Jude Okeke, who was killed in gun battle with the police last year.

    Gwary said the deceased was one of the suspected kidnappers, who trained other notorious abductors in the state.

    He said the building was used to keep kidnapped victims, including the Chairman of Emeka Offor Foundation, Sir Tony Obi, the Chairman of Nnewi Parts Dealers called Iroko, the former chairman of Nnewi North Local Government, Mr. Ernest Obiora, among others.

  • 27 killed in Boko Haram attack

    No fewer than 27 people were killed when some suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Sabon Gari village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

    Sources said the attack took place at 6pm on Tuesday. Seven others also died in an attempt to bury their dead yesterday morning when the terrorists regrouped and opened fire on residents at the Sabon Gari cemetery.

    Fleeing residents said many people were injured during the attack.

    A relative of one of the deceased, Mallam Iliyasu Ibrahim, said his cousin was among those killed on Tuesday.

    Ibrahim said two of his sisters were missing.

    Police spokesman Gideon Jubrin could not be reached but a top security source said:” More than 20 people were killed on Tuesday and Wednesday twin attacks on Sabon Gari village by suspected terrorists.”

     

  • Nyako vows to fight his impeachment in court

    Nyako vows to fight his impeachment in court

    Speaker sworn in as acting governor

    Governors, Saraki, Atiku, Balarabe, condemn action 

    An acting governor mounted the saddle yesterday in Adamawa State after Governor Murtala Nyako’s controversial impeachment.

    Speaker Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri took the oath of office in Yola, the state capital, at a hurriedly organised ceremony witnessed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains.

    Lawmakers impeached Nyako shortly after the “hawks” in the ruling PDP forced Deputy Governor Bala Ngilari to resign.

    There were plans to arrest Nyako, who was said to have left Yola late Monday.

    After deliberating on the report of the Investigative Panel headed by Buba Kaigama, 18 of the 25 members of the Assembly opted to remove Nyako.

    The Assembly actually needed the consent of 17 members to remove the governor.

    Shortly after the impeachment, the Assembly wrote the acting Chief Judge of the state to inaugurate Speaker Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri as the acting governor.

    The letter, signed by the Clerk of the House, Francis Gbanisenso, reads: “The Honourable House during its sitting on Tuesday, 15th July 2014 resolved and directed you to swear in the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri as the Acting Governor of Adamawa State today 15th day of July 2014.

    “This is in pursuant to Section 191(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(As Amended).”

    According to sources, PDP leaders in the state opted for “arm-twisting” when they discovered that they could not initially secure the majority to remove Nyako.

    But to push the impeachment proceeding through, the “hawks” prevailed on Ngilari to resign.

    A source said: “The resignation of Ngilari was the joker which was used to convince pro-Nyako lawmakers that the game was up.

    “Those against Nyako queried the rationale of leaving the governor untouched when the deputy has quit.

    “The game-plan is to compensate Ngilari with a juicy appointment.”

    Ngilari wrote: “Pursuant to Section 306(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), I kindly notify you of my resignation from the office of the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State forthwith on personal grounds.

    “I want to thank you immensely for the opportunity to serve Adamawa State and wish you and the good people of the state well in the remaining period of your administration.”

    It was gathered that to intimidate the Assembly members, those against Nyako in the Presidency mobilised troops, policemen and security agents to Yola.

    The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Northeast, Mr. Babachir David Lawal, described Nyako’s impeachment as “illegal”.

    Lawal said: “The whole process was characterized by a litany of illegalities. The constitution requires a direct service of impeachment notice on the governor and this was not done by the House of Assembly. The Assembly opted for substituted service but the Supreme Court has ruled that such a notice must be personally served.

    “But we know we are dealing with people who have no respect for law; we are dealing with members of the House of Assembly who have no respect for the constitution they have sworn to obey.

    “They are doing this because they have the assurances of their sponsors in Abuja that whatever illegalities they committed, they would assist them to sustain it.”

    The Assembly raised a seven-man panel to probe Nyako and Ngilari.

    Members of the panel, led by Buba Kaigama (Mubi Northern Zone), were Laraba Hassan (Michika Northern Zone), Njidda Kito (Song Central Zone), Joshua Abu (Hong Central Zone), Binanu Esthon (Guyuk Southern Zone), Sa’ad Lawan (Mayo-Belwa Southern Zone) and Esthon Gapsiso (Genye Southern Zone)

    The provision for the removal of a governor and his deputy is contained in Section 188 (1-11) of the 1999 Constitution.

    The section states: “A motion of the House of Assembly that the allegation be investigated shall not be declared as having been passed unless it is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of the House of Assembly.

    “Within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chief Judge of the State shall at the request of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, appoint a Panel of seven persons who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, investigate the allegation as provided in this section.

    “The holder of an office whose conduct is being investigated under this section shall have the right to defend himself in person or be represented before the Panel by a legal practitioner of his own choice.

    “A panel appointed under this section shall (a) have such powers and exercise its functions in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly; and (b) within three months of its appointment, reports its findings to the House of Assembly.

    “Where the Panel reports to the House of Assembly that the allegation has not been proved, no further proceedings shall be taken in respect of the matter.

    “Where the report of the Panel is that the allegation against the holder of the Office has been proved, then within 14 days of the receipt of the report, the House of Assembly shall consider the report, and if by a resolution of the House of Assembly supported by not less, than two-thirds majority of all its members, the report of the Panel is adopted; then the holder of the office shall stand removed from office as from the date of the adoption of the report.

    “No proceedings or determination of the Panel or of the House of Assembly or any matter relating to such proceedings or determination shall be entertained or questioned in any court.

    “In this section, ‘gross misconduct’ means a grave violation or breach of the provisions of this Constitution or a misconduct of such nature as amounts in the opinion in the House of Assembly to gross misconduct.”

     

  • Nyanya blast ‘mastermind’ repatriated from Sudan

    Nyanya blast ‘mastermind’ repatriated from Sudan

    •Police arrest Boko Haram kingpin

    •Sect ‘kills 2,053 civilians in six months’

    The police recorded a major breakthrough  yesterday in the battle against insurgents, with two arrests.

    A Boko Haram suspected  “chief butcher” was arrested in Bauchi State.

    INTERPOL, also yesterday, repatriated the suspected mastermind of the April 14 Nyanyan, Abuja bus station bombing from Sudan where he allegedly fled after the blast which killed no fewer than 71 people.

    Police spokesman Frank Mba said Ogwuche was handed over to the Interpol Unit  by the Sudanese authorities.

    Mba added that the suspect was flown into the country on a special flight from Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. The plane landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 3.00pm.

    The statement said: “Following the conclusion of tortuous legal and diplomatic processes between Nigeria and the Republic of Sudan, the co-mastermind of the Nyanya Motor Park bombing in which scores of citizens died and hundreds wounded, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, was Tuesday, 15th July, 2014 extradited to the country from Sudan where he had taken refuge.

    “It will be recalled that the terror fugitive who had long since been arrested in Sudan following an international red notice issued for his arrest by the Nigeria National Bureau of Interpol, had not been repatriated to the country before now due to some necessary processes involved in transferring suspects from one country to another.

    “Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, while commending the personnel of the Nigeria Police Interpol Unit for a job well done, noted that the successful repatriation of the terror fugitive to Nigeria shows that the global coalition against terrorism championed by Nigeria is beginning to yield the desired result.”

    Mba, also yesterday, said the police arrested Boko Haram “chief butcher” Mohammed Zakari, on Darazo-Baasrika road in Bauchi State.

    The 30-year-old suspect was arrested on Saturday while fleeing security bombardment at the Balmo forest in Bauchi.

    “The suspect, who hails from Kaigamari Village, Daptchari in Darazo Local Government Area, Bauchi State is the self-styled ‘chief butcher’ of the insurgent group at the Balmo forest camp and is linked with the recent slaughter of seven people, including women and children.

    “The suspect who investigation reveals was tutored in the art of insurgency at Gombe Forest under the leadership of a fleeing insurgent, one Abba Taura and moved to Balmo Forest only three months ago, is discovered to have actively participated in the April attack against Customs officers at Kari Town, along Maiduguri Road, Bauchi State.

    “Findings as well as disclosures from the suspect will assist the law enforcement agencies in tracking down some other members of the terror cell,” the statement added.

    The police have called on residents in the affected areas in the state to be on the look out for any suspicious or strange character fleeing from Balmo Forest.

    The police also sought for the understanding and support of members of the public in the counter terrorism campaign embarked upon by the security agencies.

  • APC alleges murder plot against Aregbesola

    APC alleges murder plot against Aregbesola

    •I can’t wish him dead, says Omisore

    OSUN State All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to use Israeli snipers to assassinate Governor Rauf Aregbesola during his campaign rally.

    The party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi,  accused two chieftains of PDP as the masterminds of the plot.

    The APC urged the Israeli Embassy to check on its citizens, who might have been contracted “to nip the evil in the bud” before the Middle East country gets itself negatively involved in an explosive situation in Nigeria that could affect relationship between the two countries.”

    It also called on elders not to fold their arms and watch the PDP set Nigeria ablaze, since, according to APC, “that is what assassination of Aregbesola would spontaneously cause.”

    The APC said PDP sources informed it that “there is great consternation within the party that for as long as Aregbesola is present and visible, there is no way the PDP can rig the election. So, their last option to ‘win’, according to sources, is to take out completely the governor.

    The APC recalled that it had alerted Nigerians and the international community to PDP’s plans to militarise the state one week to the election and terrorise the APC leadership and assassinate some of them.

    “We also alerted the nation that the PDP has brought into Osun, fake police and army uniforms which their thugs will use to terrorise voters at polling units and possibly snatch ballot boxes.”

    Also yesterday, the APC said that “lying is a trademark of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from top to bottom.”

    The party was reacting to a statement credited to PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, that “while its candidate and members had been campaigning and seeking the support of the people, the APC had been engaging in political gallivanting, rigmarole and ineffective propaganda…”

    But, in a reaction to the alleged murder plot, the governorship candidate of the PDP, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has denied the allegation.

    Omisore, who spoke through his Director of Media, Prince Diran Odeyemi, said he would not want Aregbesola dead, but alive to congratulate him after he might have defeated him at the poll.

    Omisore said he was sad that what pre-occupied Aregbesola and APC were not serious issues, but allegations.

    He advised the APC and Aregbesola to focus on development issues instead of “unsubstantiated” allegations.

     

  • Nyako recommended Umaru for deputy before removal

    Nyako recommended Umaru for deputy before removal

    Impeached Governor Murtala Nyako remained defiant till the end yesterday. He appointed Hon. Adamu Kamale as deputy governor.

    Nyako wrote the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ahmadu Umaru before the Assembly removed him from office.

    The letter was in response to Nyako’s former Deputy Governor Bala Ngilari’s resignation.

    Dated 15, July, 2014, the letter notified the Speaker as follows: “Pursuant to Section 191(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the powers vested in me as Governor of Adamawa State, I hereby nominate Honourable Adamu Kamale as my Deputy Governor to replace Hon. Bala Ngilari who resigned this morning (Tuesday’s).

    “Please accept the assurances of my highest regards and esteem.”

    Ngilari resigned to stave off impeachment.

    In his July 15, 2014 letter referenced as DGO/GHY/PER/60/75, Ngilari said: “Pursuant to Section 306(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), I kindly notify you of my resignation from the office of the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State forthwith on personal grounds.

    “I want to thank you immensely for the opportunity to serve Adamawa State and wish you and the good people of the state well in the remaining period of your administration.”

    Nyako’s security aides were withdrawn at about 1pm shortly after his impeachment.

    These included the Aide-de-Camp, the Chief Security Officer, State Security Service (SSS) details and policemen in pilot vehicles.

    Although a new set of security agents was deployed to arrest Nyako, who was in his Asokoro, Abuja have at the time of the controversial impeachment, the team could not locate his whereabouts.

    A source close to the governor said: “Some plain-clothe security agents came to look for Nyako but he had left his Asokoro residence.

    “These agents were looking so desperate to effect his arrest in connection with a letter he wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan on the security situation in the North, especially Northeast.

    “The plot is to arrest him and arraign him for sedition.”

    Asked of the governor’s  whereabouts, the source said: “Only God and his family could tell now.

    “We even learnt that if they cannot locate him, they might declare him wanted. Nyako is a military man; he would only insist on due legal process, even if he has to face trial.”