The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • Abuja Airport Closure: FG assures 24 hours security

    Abuja Airport Closure: FG assures 24 hours security

    The Federal Government has said that it will ensure that road; rail and air space between Abuja and Kaduna are water-tight during the closure and repairs of Abuja airport runway.

    Abuja airport runway will be shut for repairs between March 8 to April 18, 2017.

    During the six weeks closure, Kaduna airport will be used for passenger operation

    This was disclosed in Abuja Thursday by the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika during the inauguration of the Security Sub-Committee on the Abuja airport runway closure.

    Highlighting the functions of the Committee, he said: “you will note that there is so much hype in our media recently over the proposed closure and repair works to be carried out on the Abuja runway and the perceived security threats on the roads, and rails to Kaduna.

    “You are to provide security at the Abuja and Kaduna airport including road, air and rail transportation, monitor traffic movement from Abuja to Kaduna airport, and provide security to passengers and cargo between Abuja to Kaduna.

    Continuing, he said: “You are required to ensure the safety of lives and property of passengers and other citizens during this period by enhancing your security activities.

    “I hope that this committee will live up to its bidding by making sure that with six weeks period of closure, security should be water-tight for the massive movement of passengers, cargo, luggage and other logistics to and from Kaduna”.

    Sirika also charged members of the Committee to be proactive on any security challenge.

    The committee will be Chaired by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Alkali Baba and has Director of Safety and Technical Policy, Office of the National Security Adviser, Department of State and Security Services, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration, FAAN Aviation Security and department of Air Transport management as members.

    Responding, the chairman of the Sub-Committee, AIG Baba assured: “there will be air surveillance, motorised patrol, and we will provide the rail tracks with necessary security from Abuja to Kaduna.

    On logistics needed to ensure the desired security, he said: “We require patrol vehicles and the vehicles will need to be fueled, serviced and we require dry ration for officers who will be on special duty and other things.

    On the present security situation in Southern Kaduna and on whether it will pose threat to passengers, Baba said: “we are assuring Nigerians that we will provide adequate security throughout the movement? We are going to provide security 24 hours throughout the period”.

  • Army makes ‘unprecedented’ arms recovery

    Army makes ‘unprecedented’ arms recovery

    • As three soldiers die in operation
    The troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on Wednesday made contacts with ‘fleeing Boko Haram terrorists during a clear out operation at Dulsa and Buk, Damboa local government area of Borno state.
    The soldiers from 25 Task Force Brigade, 7 Division Nigerian Army recovered Armoured Fighting vehicle, trucks, arms and ammunition.  However, three soldiers died while five were wounded in the operation.
    Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Sanni Usman told The Nation that a large number of Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised in the operation.Army arms recovery
    Usman said: “At Dulsa this morning, the troops cleared the hideout of the terrorists during which they neutralised six Boko Haram terrorists, recovered 1 Light Machine Gun, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tubes and 1 Extra Anti-Aircraft Gun Barrel.
    “The troops also encountered Boko Haram terrorists camp at Buk where they were engaged by the terrorists.”During the encounter, the troops
    “During the encounter, the troops neutralised large numbers of the Boko Haram terrorists and wounded several others. They also made an unprecedented recovery.
    “The items recovered include 9 AK-47 rifles, 3 Fabrique Nationale rifles, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 1 Mortar Tube, 1 Shilka, 1 Gun truck mounted with Anti-Aircraft Gun and 2 Hilux vehicles.
    “Unfortunately, however, 3 soldiers paid the supreme price, while 5 others were wounded in action. Similarly, 1 Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected vehicle belonging to the Brigade was badly damaged.”
    The Army spokesman said the bodies of the late soldiers and those that sustained injuries have since been evacuated while the wounded soldiers are in stable condition.
  • Arms deal: Court rejects Obadina’s request

    Arms deal: Court rejects Obadina’s request

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday rejected an application filed by Olugbenga Obadina, a businessman, standing trial for alleged money laundering to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    Obadina was alleged to have received over N2 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser under retired Col. Sambo Dasuki without a contract award.

    At the resumed hearing, counsel to Obadina, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) made the application for the temporary release of his passport to enable him to travel for medical treatment abroad.

    Uche said that the medical papers testifying to the need for the defendant to seek treatment were attached to the affidavit that was deposed to by the applicant himself.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr Larry Aso, opposed the application on the grounds that the medical papers emanated from the clinic of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, which was not related to the applicant in any way.

    Aso maintained that the prosecution still held onto its earlier stand that the defendant was a flight risk, adding that ulcer, the ailment the defendant was seeking treatment for could be handled in Nigeria.

    He added that the prosecution was relying on the records of the court of Jan. 27, where the defendant’s surety, Mrs Maryam Sagir applied to withdraw her suretyship.

    In his ruling, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba said that in applying the discretion of the court, he was not minded to grant the application.

    “I have considered carefully the application of the defendant for the release of his passport to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    “Traditionally, the court has always maintained a liberal approach in releasing passport for medical treatment based on the presumption that the defendant is innocent until proved otherwise.

    “Also, going by what transpired on July 15, 2016, during his arraignment where he refused to present his bio data and the happenings of Jan. 27, where questions were raised concerning his suretyship.

    “Even though the issue of the surety has been resolved, I am not minded to grant the application in favour of the applicant.”

    He dismissed the application, adding that the court might take a different view in a subsequent application if compelling evidence was presented.

    Dimgba adjourned the matter to March 22 for the continuation of hearing.

    Earlier, Mr Victor Agunzi, counsel to Sagir who had applied to withdraw her suretyship told the court that the parties had met and sorted out their differences.

    Agunzi said, as a result, Sagir would continue as Obadina’s surety.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sagir had applied to withdraw her suretyship on the grounds that Obadina had not kept to the conditions they agreed on.

  • Justice Ademola’s ‘agent’ demanded N25m bribe – Witness

    Justice Ademola’s ‘agent’ demanded N25m bribe – Witness

    • Fails to link judge with the bribe request
    A former Director, Pension Accounts, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Sani Teidi on Tuesday insisted that Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court demanded N25million bribe from him.
    Teidi, who is being tried for alleged diversion of N4.5billion pension fund, stood trial before Justice Ademola in 2013, during he was granted N1b bail, which conditions he could not meet.
    Testifying yesterday, as the 6th prosecution witness, at the resumed trial of Justice Ademola and two others, Teidi said the judge made it difficult for him to get bail because he failed to part with a N25 bribe allegedly demanded by the judge.
    The witness was, however, unable to link the judge to the demand of the bribe as he merely claimed the judge’s agent, who he identified as Keneth O., acted for the judge.
    Justice Ademola, his wife, Olabowale and a lawyer, Joe Agi (SAN) are being tried before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on allegation of acceptance of gratification, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
    Led in evidence by prosecution lawyer, Segun Jegede, Teidi said the judge’s refusal to vary his bail condition informed why his (Teidi’s) wife petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing the judge of misconduct.
    Teidi said the judge’s  agent met him and left an account number into which he was to pay the bribe.
    Teidi said the judged initially refused to grant him bail, but that after being persuaded by his lawyer to grant bail, the judge kept giving excuses for not signing the documents to facilitate his release.
    He said, “My sureties were one Chief Okey and the second one Igbelimeta Farm Project Limited. They now perfected the bail.
    “After it was perfected, my lawyer, S.I Ameh (SAN), reminded Justice Ademola that our bail conditions had been perfected and the judge said he was aware.
    “But the judge said my case was like Boko Haram, kidnapping and terrorism and so, he would take his time to study it before he would append his signature. Then the case was adjourned.
    “The next time we met in court Justice Ademola, said rain fell on my file so there was no way he could look at it until the file was dry.
    “I appeared before him not less than seven times. I was arraigned around April 2013. I know why my bail was not approved. I got to know around November/December (2013).
    “I got to know that I would not be allowed to go out because the account sent by the agent, Kingsley . O, was not credited.
    “We applied for variation since my remaining surety, Igbelimeta, was unable to meet the N1bn condition. But Justice A.F.A Ademola said N1bn was not too much and that I should go and perfect it.
    “Then we went on appeal. I was in prison for one year and two months before I went on appeal. The appeal succeeded and I was granted bail.
    “The bail condition given by the Court of Appeal was one surety with a property worth N100m within the FCT. It was perfected.
    “The Appeal Court also ordered that I deposited my passport and produced a surety with property worth N100m, that must be resident in Abuja.
    “The Appeal Court also ordered that I should produce the tax clearance of the surety for three years
    “The Court of Appeal also ordered that the case be transferred and that the case should be heard by other judges of the Federal High Court but not Justice A.F.A Ademola,” the witness said.
    He said while in custody, Justice Ademola issued an order of permanent forfeiture of his properties earlier temporarily seized by an order made by the judge before whom he was earlier standing trial, Justice Adamu Bello.
    He identified the properties as Brifina Hotel and Homo Filling Station, AY TED Filling Station.
    Jegede later tendered a certified true copy of the Court of Appeal’s judgment granting bail to Teidi, and the document was admitted by the court as an exhibit.
    Under cross-examination, the defence confronted Teidi with a report issued by the  NJC after investigating the witness’ bribery allegation against the judge in a petition by his wife, Fatimah.
    The report, containing the findings of the NJC’s panel which investigated the petition, was read to the witness by Justice Ademola’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN).
    The report revealed that the findings of the NJC panel showed that, as against Teidi’s claim, the judge only issued a bench warrant against the witness after he failed to appear in court on two different occasions despite being duly notified.
    It also revealed where the panel noted that, although the prosecution did not ask for the bench warrant, the judge, as a master of his court, made the order for Teidi’s arrest in accordance with his power.
    The report also said the alleged “onerous” bail conditions which the judge  imposed on the witness, fell within the discretion of the judge and there was no evidence that the judge acted in “reproach”.
    The report also revealed that the NJC’s investigative panel accepted Justice Ademola’s explanation to the effect that the bail sum was commensurate to the N4.6bn Teidi allegedly stole.
     The panel said the granting of bail was a matter within a judge’s discretion and that the judge was not bound by the decision of another judge.
     Th panel found, in the report,  that Teidi’s wife was unable to provide the identities of numerous “anonymous calls” from persons asking her to pay N25m bribe for her husband’s release, and so linking the callers to the judge was “a mere suspicion” that could not be legally relied on “no matter how strong the suspicion is”.
    The defence also confronted Teidi with a report of the investigation conducted by the police on the issue, which revealed that one of the sureties produced by Teidi, in fulfilment of the bail granted him, presented a forged Certificate of Occupancy to the court.
    When asked by one of the defence lawyer, Robert Clarke (SAN) how he, a defendant in a criminal case,  suddenly became a “friend” of the Department of State Service (DSS), the witness was silent.
    Clarke accused Teidi of serving “as a tool in the hand of DSS to do what they wanted you to do”.
    The trial continues on Wednesday.

  • Joint Task Team grabs 89 sex workers in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Joint Task Team for the Cleansing of Abuja has arrested 89 prostitutes. The  team which was constituted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also impounded 104 tricycles and 114 unpainted taxis.

    Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary FCT Muhammad Sule made the disclosure in a press statement.

    According to him, the Acting Director FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Mr Wadata Bodinga informed the Minister of the arrests in Abuja.

    He stated, “The Joint Task Team for the Cleansing of Abuja City recently reconstituted by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has impounded 114 unpainted taxis within the first one week of its operations.

    “The Acting Director of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Mr. Wadata Aliyu Bodinga made this disclosure when he visited the Minister’s office.

    “The Director disclosed that 104 Keke Napep (Tricycles) were also impounded and riders prosecuted at the Mobile Courts during the same period.

    “Mr. Bodinga further disclosed that during the one-week operation of the Task Team, 8 commercial motorcycles (Okada) were also impounded, noting that in the subsequent weeks special attention would be given to impounding and arresting of Okada.

    According to him, the Task Team would hit the Okada riders from all angles from Airport Road, Gishiri village, Wuye, AYA and Asokoro area, warning that all those arrested would be prosecuted.

    “On the menace of commercial sex workers, he said that the Task Team has so far arrested 89 of them who have been prosecuted and handed over to the Social Development Secretariat for rehabilitation to enable them learn useful skills.

    “The Director, however, urged the residents of the Federal Capital Territory to assist the FCT Administration by not patronising the unpainted taxis, Keke Napep, Okadas as well as the commercial sex workers.

    “He warned that their existence have security implications because they are veritable channels being used by the criminals which is in nobody’s interest.

    “The Director while saying that the Task Team is chaired by the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Mustapha Mohammed assured that the Task Team is prepared to carry the mandate of the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello to its logical end.

    “The reconstituted Task Team which has the mandate to deal with traffic problems, environmental nuisances and any social menace within the Federal Capital City, commenced operation on January 15, 2017.”

  • University matriculates 1,569 students

    University matriculates 1,569 students

    Federal University, Kashere (FUK) has matriculated 1,569 students for 2016/2017 Academic Session.
    The matriculating students who cut across different segments of the country took the matriculation oath to abide by the rules and regulations of the University.
    In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Alhassan Gani, said the university is destined for higher education owing to the interest shown by applicants who sort admission.
     He said; “Our past performances in terms of student output, quality of teaching and conducive learning environment earned us this attraction. We must, therefore, sustain efforts in providing quality education. This puts us on the watch academic excellence.”
    The VC further charged the students to take their studies seriously by promptly attending lectures, reporting all assignments and participating in all other academic activities enshrined in the curriculum.
    He stated his determination to see that the institution becomes a centre of learning, adding “since our motto is ‘Education for Global Citizenship’, we must strive hard not to only be current with trend of events that sustain life while preserving the environment but being participants and major contributions in all endeavours in a sustainable environment.”
    He enumerated achievements recorded within the short period of its establishment to include, accreditation of its programmes and the expansion of the University Clinic into a health Centre.
    “The University has four Faculties, 19 Academic Departments and 34 Academic programmes.
    “Out of the 22 Degree programmes presented to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for accreditation, all the five programmes in Faculty of Science and four in Faculty of Humanities secured full status while the rest were given interim.
    “It is important to note that none of our programmes was denied accreditation. This year 12 programmes will be presented for accreditation and we are making efforts to ensure they all scale through.”
    Speaking on building projects, Gani thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for allocating funds for the construction of buildings for faculties of Agriculture and Education and Chancellery for administration in the University.
    He also acknowledged the contribution of the Federal Government in its drive to adequately fund the institution of higher learning.
    The Don disclosed that FUK will soon commence Remedial and Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) programmes in Gombe state and appealed for support from all stakeholders.
    He added that the National Centre for Remote Sensing, Jos and FUK signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the University to host its North East Zonal Laboratory.

  • Abuja airport runway, disaster waiting to happen, Minister warns

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, has warned that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, runway has totally failed and is a disaster waiting to happen.

    Sirika gave the warning when he received the Coalition for Civil Society Group on Friday in Abuja.

    He said the government was determine to ensure safety and avoid disaster in the sector, adding that closure of the airport for six week remained the only viable option.

    The minister said that many critical stakeholders in the industry including Council for the Regulation of Engineering (COREN) had agreed with the decision of the government.

    According to him, the Nigerian Society of Engineers was the only body that had opposed the decision.

    Sirika, however, said that the aerodrome engineers in the society agreed with government’s decision to close the airport to avert disaster.

    “The Abuja airport runway is completely damaged, the entire structure and the architecture is gone and the runway has failed and it is just a disaster waiting to happen.

    “No matter what it is, I will not sit back and fold my arms and watch disaster unfold while I superintend.

    “I believe that it is an executive function which should be carried out and I believe also that we should be responsible for our actions and inactions.

    “If I don’t do anything it becomes inaction and will be equal to disaster.

    “If I act appropriately to save it, I will be meeting the expectations of the person who appointed me and of course the expectation of the Nigerian people that we serve,’’ he said.
    The minister asked the members of civil society groups with engineering background to examine the runway and possibly carry out integrity test on it to ascertain its condition.

    He said that different options recommended by different stakeholders were not good options to be considered based on the deplorable nature of the runway.

    According to him, the path we have chosen is a path that for us is the only way to rehabilitate that runway.

    “It is a job of six months with the procurement start to finish but within these six months, there will be six weeks closure of the runway.

    “We will close it and we will be working day and night to ensure that we deliver the project and it will be six weeks and six weeks no more.

    “We have done some study and found out that, 90 per cent of people who are coming into Abuja may probably travel only once within six weeks, and may be only one per cent travel every other day or daily.

    “Another two per cent who travel every week but some may not even travel at all in six weeks.

    “This statistic is generous enough to say that 90 per cent travel once in six week and this statistic is proven and we chose Kaduna as alternate airport,’’ he said.

    The minister also called on the civil society groups to always cross check their fact before commenting on important national issues.

    He refuted the claim by the Centre for Joint Action Against Poverty and Underdevelopment in Africa (CJAAPDA), a civil society organisation that he was one of the underperforming ministers in the country.

    Earlier, the President of the group, Mr Bassey Atuk, told the minister that their visit was to find out the happenings in the aviation sector, stressing that the sector was critical to the national development.

    Etuk said the group also demanded explanation on the basis for the N5.8 billion for the rehabilitation and repair of the Abuja airport runway and diversion of flight to Kaduna.

    He, however, pledged the group’s support for the government on the closure of the Abuja airport for the repair of its runway.

    “We came to find out because the Ministry of Aviation is critical to us and our people yearn to know what is happening in the sector.

    “Perhaps, the minister should educate, not just the civil society but the generality of Nigerian people on the controversial N5.8 billion for the repair of Abuja Airport runway.

    “We also need to know the programmes and projects of the ministry in 2017 budget about the deplorable state of our airports,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Police misconduct: Lagos, Abuja, Rivers score high

    Lagos, Abuja and Rivers States top the records of complaints of misconduct against the police, it was learnt yesterday.

    According to a report yesterday in Abuja by the Officer in Charge of Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU), ACP Abayomi Shogunle, Kebbi State has no record of misconduct among police officers.

    The report also showed a sergeant serving in Abuja was demoted to corporal after he was found guilty of extortion.

    According to the report: “In the fourth quarter of 2016, a total number of 822 complaints were reported from across the federation with Lagos State Command maintaining top on the chart with 153 cases representing 18.62% while Kebbi State command has no recorded single case since inception of the Unit.

    “FCT and Rivers Command closely followed Lagos with total number of 130 and 116 cases respectively. Kebbi and Jigawa State commands remained at the bottom with no case reported against them while Taraba and Katsina state commands recorded one case each in the period under review.

    “We have successfully resolved 636 cases reported against police officers nationwide between October and December, 2016”, the report states.

    The report also showed 156 of the reported cases were found to be false, which is the highest number of false cases so far recorded as against 96 in Q1, 35 in Q2 and 51 in Q3. 30 out of the reported cases are still under investigation and phone calls have continued to top the channels members of the public use in reporting cases.

    On the sanction meted on erring officers, Shogunle noted: “Out of the reported cases, a police sergeant serving in FCT who was proven guilty in a case of extortion was demoted to the rank of Corporal while eight other officers received varying degree of sanctions due to complaints made to the Unit.

    Shogunle also noted that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idri introduced a reward mechanism to reward commands with zero case of police professional misconduct.

  • ‘Abuja Airport closure’ll not affect NOG 2017’

    The Federal Ministry of Transportation has said the closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for repairs will not affect the Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) conference slated for February 27  and to end on March 2.

    In a notice to industry stakeholders, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Alh. Sabiu Zakari, said the essential maintenance works would commence on March 8, 2017, one week after NOG 2017 closes.

    Over 1500 government representatives and industry players have already confirmed their attendance to the 2017 NOG, including the Federal Ministry of Power, Arco, Century Group, Delta Afrik, Exxon, Honeywell and Oando.