A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday granted N100, 000 bail to a boxer, Bashiru Ali (a.k.a.Bash Ali) docked for alleged criminal trespass.
The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, ordered the defendant to provide one surety in like sum that must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
He adjourned the case till June 15 for hearing.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that the defendant was arraigned on April 3, on a four-count charge bordering on criminal trespass, intentional insult, inciting public disturbance and refusal to make statement.
The judge had adjourned ruling on the defendant’s bail application after the defence counsel, Mr Tajudeen Adegbite, applied for his bail on self-recognition.
The prosecutor, Oyeyemi Adeniyi, had told the court that the defendant criminally trespassed into the office of the Honourable Minister of Sport and Youth Development, Federal Secretariat, Abuja, on April 3.
He said the defendant forcefully entered the office without the minister’s invitation and intentionally insulted the minister.
Adeniyi said the defendant’s action attracted crowd and disrupted the activities of the ministry before the police within the premises intervened.
He said that the defendant refused to make statement to the police when he was arrested.
He added that the offences contravened Sections 348, 399, 114 and 143 of the Penal Code.
The defendant denied committing the offences.
Tag: Abuja
-
Bash Ali docked for alleged criminal trespass, granted bail
-
ICIR trains journalists on investigative reporting
The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) on Monday commenced a 4-day training to enhance the capacity of Nigerian journalists.
The $5 million project which focuses on “Strengthening the Capacity of the Nigerian Media to Investigate and Report Procurement Process” is a three-year development plan supported by MacArthur Foundation.
ICIR Executive Director, Mr Dayo Aiyetan, at the opening in Abuja said that the training was designed to improve the capacity of Nigerian journalists especially in the area of investigative reporting and issues regarding public procurements.
He said public procurements in the country had been one of the conduit pipes to syphon public funds at the detriment of the masses.
According to him, the responsibility lies on the journalists to make public the ills in the procurement processes in order to promote transparency and accountability in the system.
He said the training would equip journalists with the necessary skills to deliver on their mandates, hold public officers accountable stressing that after the training, the journalists would be placed for
mentorship under the Public and Private Development Centre, PPDC, a non-governmental organisation that does a lot of works on open contracting, where they would observe and learn how the PPDC monitors public procurement.Aiyetan explained that after the PPDC mentorship participants would be supported to produce investigative stories on public procurement.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of PPDC, Seember Nyager disclosed her readiness to engage the journalists through mentorship, to the process of public procurement.
She explained that the participants would also be enlightened on how PPDC tracks projects and contracts executed by government institutions.
“By the end of the mentorship, the journalists would be better equipped to monitor the procurement process. This will no doubt increase transparency and accountability in governance,” she added.
The Deputy Director, McArthur Foundation, Dayo Olaide, in his remarks disclosed that the fund was aimed to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian media in the fight against corruption.
He listed eight of the benefitting news organisations to include ICIR, Premium Times, Daily Trust, Sahara Reporters, The Cable, among others.
He noted that the fight against corruption should not be left alone with the Federal Government as the media has a pivotal role to play.
According to him, by end of the three-year grants, the capacity of Nigerian media is expected to have improved to exposing corrupt practices in the system.
-
North-East at risk of famine – World Bank
- Presidency spends over N1bn on reconstruction project
The World Bank has warned of imminent famine and food shortage in the north-eastern part of Nigeria.
World Bank Country Director, Rachid Benmessaoud gave the warning at the dashboard launch of Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative (PCNI), held on Tuesday in Abuja.
Benmessaoud disclosed that as a result, it will focus its $775-million financial intervention to solve problems relating to health, education, social protection as well as livelihood deficits.
His words: “North East Nigeria is currently faced with a confluence of humanitarian development and security- related crisis, a situation which calls for strengthened humanitarian development and security collaboration to deliver a comprehensive and strategic response across the short-medium and long term.
“The World Bank’s $775-million financial support to the North East Nigeria focuses on addressing service delivery gaps in health, education, social protection as well as livelihood deficit, youth, unemployment and social cohesion issues created by the protracted crisis. The North East is also facing a credible risk of famine and food scarcity which is amplified by the conflict.”
The bank further restated its commitment to support humanitarian organisations to achieving the goal of addressing immediate needs of the people and providing long-term socio-economic solutions.
In his remarks, PCNI Chairman, Mohammed Danjuma disclosed that the initiative has so far spent about N1 billion for the north east reconstruction project.
He added that about N7 billion was still needed for the entire rehabilitation project.
The platform according to him was setup to coordinate interventions from all stakeholders and integrate all partners to realising the reconstruction process.
“There are multiple actors in the region – international development partners, international non-governmental organisations, state governments, local non-governmental organisations, individuals, faith-based organisations – and bringing everyone aboard would help us identify gaps.
“So far, the Federal Government has expended over N1bn on the region and by way of assessment, we need N7bn to rebuild the region. We are not trying to hijack efforts already in play; we are just trying to know who is doing what, where and how, while putting the welfare and protection of the IDPs uppermost on the agenda of this government, via the Buhari Economic Plan,” Danjuma said.
He added that about 21, 000 projects have been listed for execution and such projects will be implemented by relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as soon as the 2017 budget proposal is passed into law.
Explaining the significance of the dashboard, he explained that it would enable real-time monitoring on activities of relevant stakeholders, such as international donors, faith based organisations, non-governmental organisations among others.
“So far, over 21,000 projects have been planned for the North-east by the Buahri administration and, as soon as the budget is passed, we’ll be seeing projects championed by a number of MDAs in the region,” he added.
-
Aisha Buhari seeks action against hearing loss
The Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari on Tuesday called for concerted action against hearing loss in the country.She made the call during the World Hearing Day organised by the State House Clinic in Abuja.Aisha, who was represented by the Wife of the Nasarawa state governor, Hajia Mairo Tanko-Almakura, charged medical authorities in the country to ensure the provision of adequate diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative services in hospitals in order to reduce the number of Nigerians with hearing disabilities.She also spoke of the need for the populace to be informed about the availability of such services as loss of hearing does not signify an end to life as interventions on hearing loss are available and cost-effective.She said: “The populace must be encouraged to prevent themselves by going for regular screening, and rehabilitating themselves through hearing devices,”In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Jalal Arabi called on everyone “to see today, the World Hearing Day as a wake-up call for us all to value and guard this special organ called Ear, to strive to maintain a healthy hearing health.“Since most of the hearing impairment is preventable, we should strive not to fall a victim. Everyone should do all to improve maternal and child health to keep at bay, preventable childhood diseases that lead to hearing loss.”Arabi assured that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would equipment the ENT department of the State House Clinic.President of the Oto – Rhino – Laryngological Society of Nigeria (ORLSON), umbrella organization for Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists, Prof. OGB Nwaorgu has advocated that Neonatal Hearing screening should be made mandatory in all health facilities to ensure that babies with hearing loss or predisposed to hearing loss are identified early.He also identified noise as an increasing source of hearing loss, citing chronic exposure to moderate sounds as very dangerous to the ear.He, therefore, called for regulation on noise emission, control and abatement, to preserve and maintain public health; specifically citing noise originating from industrial, commercial, domestic, sport, recreational, transportation or similar activities.The meeting was attended by representative of Minister of Health and Chief Medical Director National Hospital, Dr Jack Momoh, Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr Femi Adesina and Emir of Borgu, among others. -
Buhari, Gowon meet in Aso Rock
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Gowon said that he was in the Villa to welcome the President back from his leave.
He said “Let me tell you the honest truth, my coming here today is to thank and welcome Mr. President back from his health issues and problems and to thank God for what He has done for him to have his health back, for him to be able to return back to work.
“The other thing also is to thank him very much indeed for ringing me from London when he was in London to commiserate with me on the death my sister.
“This was really very gracious of him; I should have rang to speak to him but of course since I know that he was in hospital I could not do that. But when he rang to condole with me on my sister’s death I was very touched and that also help Nigerians to rejoice especially those who were sending all those very unfortunate message about him and about whatever it is.
“So I think it was a good thing that was done and Nigerians knew he is still well for him to be able to ring. This is really the purpose of what brought me here.
“And then also to encourage him to continue to do his work to the best of his ability dealing with all the problems. Day in day out you read in the press of all sorts of things happening, God will give him continued strength and energy to be able to deal with the problems of the country for the good of Nigerians.
“I’m delighted to be here, to welcome him back and to see him in reasonable good health and able to do whatever he is able to do,” he stated.
-
Wife seeks divorce of marriage over husband’s irresponsible behaviour
A housewife, Abubakar Hauwawu, on Tuesday asked a Lugbe Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, to dissolve her 25-year-old marriage to Abdulahi Adamu, on grounds of alleged ‘irresponsible behaviour’.
Hauwawu told the court that her husband was irresponsible, uncaring and fond of insulting her over the years in the public.
She told the court that she was tired of her husband’s attitude, adding that ‘he has refused to change’.
According to the complainant, for two years Adamu, abandoned her and their children for no reason.
“Adamu is in no way responsible as he does not cater for the welfare of our children, and does not take responsibility for our medical care.
“He does not show concern especially when it has to do with our children or when I take ill.
“If I complain of his irresponsibility, he descends on me by unleashing all manners of insult on me,” she said.
She told the court that she was tired of her husband’s waywardness, saying that he had brought indescribable shame on her as a result of his incompetence in handling family matters.
She further told the court that her husband had failed in his matrimonial obligations and pleaded that the marriage be dissolved because she was no longer interested.
The President of the court, Mr Garba Ogbede, however, ordered Hauwawu to provide more evidence to substantiate her claims.
He adjourned the case till April 25, for further mention, and also ordered that a hearing notice be served on Adamu.
-
Two jailed for assault, stealing
A Grade 1 Area Court, Karmo, Abuja, on Tuesday, sentenced one Chigozie Ogene and Michael Ade to two months imprisonment for assault and stealing of I-pad valued N38,500.
The presiding judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, said they must serve the sentence and warned them to desist from committing crimes.
Sadiq said the sentence would serve as deterrent to others.
The convicts, residents of Jabi, Abuja, faced a two-count charge of joint act and extortion.
The convicts pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy and promised to be of good behaviour.
The prosecutor, Zannah Dalhatu, had told the court that one Lawson Richard of Bwari, reported the matter at the Utako Police Station, Abuja, on March 29.
Dalhatu said the convicts, and one other now at large, on March 28, accosted the complainant on Utako Street, dragged and showed him a sharp knife and threatened to stab him if he does not cooperate with them.
Dalhatu said they collected his Techno C7 iPad valued N38, 500 and a cash of N7,000.
The prosecutor said the iPad was recovered by police during investigation adding that the offence was punishable under sections 79 and 292 of the Penal Code. -
Man docked for stealing clothes
A 37-year-old man, Ameachi Ekwealor was on Tuesday arraigned in a Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing clothes worth N60,000.
The defendant who resides at Zuba, Abuja, is standing trial on a count charge of stealing, which he denied committing.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Zannah Dalhatu, told the court that one Samirat Sani of Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, reported the matter at the Gwarimpa Police Station on Nov. 25, 2016.
Dalhatu said that the complainant alleged that on that same date, the defendant came to her shop at the above address, on the pretence to buy clothes.
The prosecutor said he allegedly stole the following items, five designer jeans and one chinos trousers, all valued at N60, 000.
The prosecutor also said that the offence contravened Section 288 of the Penal Code.
The judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, granted him bail in the sum of N30, 000 and one surety in like sum and adjourned the case till May 9, for further hearing.
-
Customs set N50m cap for bonded vehicle terminals
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said that it is set to commence the operation of Bonded Vehicle Terminals in the country, stressing that the players have to secure a bank bond of N50 million for eligibility and operation of a terminal.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the Acting Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joseph Attah said that the essence of the fund is to ensure that government revenue is secured.
He said that any interested person has to apply through the Customs Area Command. Attah noted that: “So essentially that is, and then there is a bond, we call it bonded vehicle terminal, you will have to approach a bank and enter into a bond to the tune of N50 million.” He (terminal owner) has to secure a bank bond of N50million. You know I told you we move these vehicles without duty. So, these is just to make sure that government revenue is secured, so you won’t even play pranks.”
He stressed that the service is now ready to start the operation as he said that “As I have said, today custom is ready for this. And any interested person needs to start by writing application through the area controller. That is, through the area controller of the command where he wants to locate or site his bonded terminal.”
The spokesman recalled that when the policy banning the importation of cars through the land borders came into effect on the 1st January 2017, Nigerians complained that most of the dealers would lose their jobs.
Attah however submitted that “Little did they know that the Nigerian Customs Service studied situations that attracted some of our business men and women to our neighbouring ports and also why car dealers in Nigeria patronize car parks in other neighbouring countries are designed to rather strengthen the businesses of these car dealers. We had meetings then around ending January and the service promised to work out the modality to start issuing motor dealers or indeed any interested person licenses for the operation of bonded vehicle terminals in Nigeria.”
According to him, prior to the introduction of the bonded vehicle terminal, the there were container terminals.
He however explained that now whoever wants to operate a bonded vehicle terminal need to have an expanse of land that is wide enough to accommodate many vehicles in a fenced environment.
He said that owning a terminal means that the operator can import vehicles from any part of the world and stating from the beginning as vehicles destined to ‘AB&C bonded terminal in Abuja’, Kano or wherever it maybe, right from the beginning it is manifested like that.
Continuing he said that “On arrival at the sea port, without the pressure of him going to look for money or go and take loan to pay customs duty, customs officers will escort this vehicles to his bonded vehicle terminals, without payment of duty. And those vehicle will stay there for at least 28-30days without even payment of duty. Custom will also establish a small custom outpost within each of these terminals.
“Within these first 28-30 days, if a customer comes there to buy a vehicle, he simply buys the vehicle, walks into the customs outpost within that terminal, pays his duty and drive her vehicle confidently home, without the fear of running into any customs checkpoint or being asked to present the pass and all that.
“Eventually, it is our hope that when this thing is established, when this thing becomes the normal practice in Nigeria, gone will be the days when somebody will be driving a vehicle and be fearing to meet a customs checkpoint.
“Apart from this there are other multiplier effects, positively. Wherever there these bonded vehicle terminals commercial banks will begin to open branches there, because there is going to be volumes of commercial transactions, that is job opportunity.
“Where ever there is this bonded vehicle terminal spare part dealers will open their shops around that place, because they know when you buy these vehicles there might be one two things to change, that is job opportunity.
“In these vehicle terminals, food vendors will open restaurants and all that there. Even young people, some boys and girls who are strong enough to come and Wash these cars every day to get some money from the operators of these terminals.”
-
NDLEA arraigns driver for alleged possession cocaine
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday arraigned one Haruna Adamu, in a Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged possession and distribution of 1.2kg of cocaine.
The prosecution alleged that the defendant sometime in March, conspired under the bridge at Mabushi, Abuja, with one Safianu, now at large, to commit the said crime.
Adamu’s charge was read by an interpreter and he pleaded not guilty.
The defendant told the court that he only carried the said Safianu in his taxi and that he knew nothing about the cocaine.
Ms Hameedat Umar, the counsel to the defendant, prayed the court to grant her client bail on health grounds.
“I humbly apply that the court should consider the plight of the defendant and grant him bail.
“He is epileptic and even fell down recently and has not been able to use his right hand since then.”
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Mike Kassa, told the court that the NDLEA had wanted to release him based on his health condition, but no one to stand as surety for him.
Kassa further told the court that the defendant was taken to the National Hospital, but the agency could not afford the bill given by the hospital for his treatment.
The judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, admitted the defendant to bail on recognition of his counsel and adjourned the matter till May 16.