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Tag: Abuja

  • Army inaugurates court martial, tries 20 soldiers

    Army inaugurates court martial, tries 20 soldiers

    The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the Nigerian Army,  Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, on Wednesday inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) in Maiduguri, Borno State.
    The GCM would try four officers and 16 soldiers accused of different offences under the Operation Lafiya Dole. The offences were allegedly committed within the theatre of operation of operation Lafiya Dole.
    Brig. Gen Ezugwu said the GCM was set up following a directive from the Army Headquarters. (AHQ).
    The Acting GOC said the GCM was convened to try four officers and 16 other ranks of the Nigerian Army who have committed various offences.
    “As you are all aware, discipline is the bedrock of the military profession and to have a disciplined body of officers and men, there must be justice because it is when there is justice that discipline can be achieved.
    “Justice implies that infractions of the law must be promptly reported, investigated and the accused persons prosecuted within a reasonable time through the laid down rules, regulations and procedures,” Ezegwu said.
    He warned that both prosecution nd accused person and their counsels must shun all forms of antics such as request for frivolous adjournments which could lead to unnecessary delays in the trial processes.
    He called on the President and members of the GCM to dispense their duty in accordance with the appropriate extant laws and ensure that  decision on all the cases  is not in  beclouded with bias, external pressure or by extraneous factors.
    While assuring the accused of fair hearing and adherence to their fundamental human rights, he pleaded with the members of the GCM to ensure that the judgement passed on the accused persons will stand the test of appellate court, public opinion and above all, that of the Almighty CreatOr
  • Buhari swears in Special Advisers, permanent secretary

    Buhari swears in Special Advisers, permanent secretary

    President Muhammadu Buhari has administered oaths on four Special Advisers and one permanent secretary at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    They include the Special Adviser on Social Investment, Mrs. Maryam Uwais; Special Adviser on Political Matter, Senator Babafemi Ojudu; Special Adviser on Economic Matters, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu; Special Adviser on Planning, Tijani Abdullahi; and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Rafiu Enikanolaye.

    While Abdullahi was assigned to the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Uwais, Ojudu and Dipeolu were deployed to the Office of the Vice President.

    The brief ceremony, which took place before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, was presided by President Buhari.

  • My wife demands money before love making- Husband

    My wife demands money before love making- Husband

    A middle-aged man, Simon Akor, has told a Nyanya Customary Court, Abuja, that his wife, Patricia, demands money before allowing him to make love to her.

    Simon said this when he testified in a divorce petition against his wife on Tuesday.

    “My wife always says I must give her money before I enter inside her buttocks, sometimes when I have money, I give her.

    “Whenever am angry about it and talk to her about it, she will say that all her friends collect money from their husbands before their husbands can get into them,” she claimed.

    According to him, Patricia rubs juju on her private part before making love to me.

    The petitioner said when he confronted her, Patricia said it was the native doctor that gave it to her.

    “That the native doctor instructed her to always rub it before making love to me, so that even if I drive her out of my house, I will not be able to perform with another woman.

    “Whenever my wife rubs that oily substance in her private part and I make love to her, my penis will become very weak. I will not be able to do anything again,” he said,

    He said that his wife invited the native doctor to live with them without his permission.

    Simon said Patricia told him that the native doctor saw “darkness in our home’’ and had come to dispel it.

    The petitioner also told the court that his wife was into human trafficking, adding that she used to bring girls to people in Abuja.

    He told the court that his wife chased him out of the house, adding that he was no longer interested in the marriage.

    Patricia, a businesswoman, denied the allegations, adding that they pull resources to buy the house.

    The presiding officer, Everyman Eleanya, advised the couple to reconcile.

    “You can’t force the court to divorce you, this is a court of justice, we are going to give you room for reconciliation.

    “This is not because of you or your wife but because of your children.

    “You should consider your children before you take certain decision in life,” Eleanya said.

    He urged the petitioner’s sister, Mary Akor, who was also present in court to try and reconcile his brother and his wife.

    He further advised her to “explore every possible means, including her church to bring peace and love between them”

    He adjourned the case till Sept. 5, for the report of settlement.

  • No petrol price increase now- NNPC GGM

    No petrol price increase now- NNPC GGM

    The Group General Manager (GGM) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru on Tuesday ruled out possibility of imminent increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

    There are online reports suggesting that the Federal Government will soon increase the price which was increased in May from N86 to N145 per litre.

    But speaking with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Baru said that he has not received any directive for increase.

    Noting that the request for forex for importation of petrol has been met, he declared that the supply situation for fuel is the country is robust and won’t push price increase.

    He said: “I have not been directed to increase pump price, even the other price was based on recommendation from the regulated body. I’m not aware that they are planing to do any increase, you know there are several factors that necessitated that especially the issue of exchange rate that has moved and we don’t expect any serious changes.

    “So far the request for forex for importation of gasoline popularly called petrol has been met, and our own supply situation is robust.

    “We are meeting demands. We have over 1.4 billion liters on ground. So I don’t see any basis for increase.

    “However, the review could be done by the right body, you should contact PPPRA, that is the regulatory body as far as petrol pricing is concern.” He added

  • World will forget us if we balkanize Nigeria — Jonathan

    World will forget us if we balkanize Nigeria — Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the world will forget Nigeria if its citizens allow the country to be balkanized.

    Jonathan said this on Wednesday while addressing State House correspondents shortly after his brief meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said he had always stood for a united Nigeria not because of its oil wealth, but because of the greatness of its human resource and the uniqueness of its diversity.

    The former President said he was not the only one suing for peace in the Niger Delta and in other parts of the country as all the traditional rulers, elders and opinion leaders of the Ijaw ethnic nationality are with him.

    “You see, it is not just about me, but all the traditional rulers, elders and opinion leaders of the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

    “We have been in touch to see that peace reigns in the country because those of you, who were here when I was here, followed my thoughts.

    “The emphasis is that we need a united Nigeria and I always emphasise that Nigeria is great.

    “We are great because of our size, the human resources that we have, the diversity we have, and so, if we balkanize the country into small components, we will all be forgotten by the world.

    “And without peace, you can never reap development anywhere in the world.

    “So, we are all working collectively to see that these issues are resolved,’’ he said.

    On the fight against corruption by the Buhari administration, Jonathan declined to comment, saying that most of the cases of alleged corruption were in court.

    “There are too many cases that are in court and it will not be fair for me to comment.

    “I have always said that at the appropriate time, when most of these things have been resolved, we will (talk),’’ he said.

    Jonathan, who is leading the AU election monitoring team to Zambia, said he was at the Presidential Villa to brief Buhari on the activities of the team.

    He said: “I came to brief Mr President on some of my engagements in the immediate past and of course, the future.

    “Of course you are aware that I would be leading the AU election monitoring team to Zambia; normally you (need to) properly brief the President.

    “So, I came to brief the President on some of my external engagements; it is a tradition.’’

    The former president further said that he is a regular caller to the Villa, having served as the country’s President at a point in time.

    “One key thing is that having been the head of a government – a former president – you become a statesman.

    “That is the privilege you have, but every privilege has its own corresponding responsibilities.

    “And when you become a statesman, normally you brief the sitting president on most of your international engagements that have to do with public speaking and some other international assignments.

    “Even when I was here, the former presidents used to do what I have come to do.

    “I have been coming, but in most cases we used to meet at night.

    “That is why you don’t see me,” Jonathan explained.

  • I only stole from late Ambassador’s home—Suspect

    I only stole from late Ambassador’s home—Suspect

    The suspect paraded as murderer of Ambassador  SundayYusuf said he only stole from the deceased.

    Abubakar Yau, while confessing that he was a common scavenger wh stole N200,000 from the Late Ambassodor’s house in Zone 6, Wuse, Abuja said he had nothing to do with the man’s death.

    The Ambassador was murdered in his home on the 13th of June, 2016.

    Explaining how the arrest was made, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Mohammad Mustafa said the breakthrough is a result of dedication, resilience and determination of the officers.

    Mustafa said: “The Command has recorded another feat in its fight against crime with the arrest of the principal suspect in connection with the murder of the former Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Late Ambassador Sunday Samuel Yusuf.

    “The principal suspect, Abubakar Yau was arrested at Daki Biyu after a discreet investigation. Some items belonging to the deceased were also found in his custody. The suspect has made useful confession that will lead to the arrest of his cohorts who are currently at large.

    On his part, the suspect, Yau said: “I went to his house around 2am, with the intention to steal. There was nobody in the house when I got there. When I got to his living room, I went round the house and discovered that nobody was around except him.

    “The man saw me and decided to go and hide.  I told the man that he should open the door of his room, else, I will break the door and enter. The man was afraid, he went behind the window to hide. As I broke into the room, I went to look for the man where he was hiding and I saw him hiding behind the window. I told him that if he does not want to die, he should leave the place because I was not after his life. I asked him to give me his hand because he was holding a pipe and he thought the pipe was strong but he later fell and died.

    “I only get N200,000 from the house. I didn’t know the man before I went there. It was stealing that led me to the house. I am a scavenger and I steal sometimes. I did not know if someone was in the house, all i wanted to do was steal.

    Yau said he feels terribly bad about the death.

    The CP noted that investigation is ongoing and they will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

  • Buhari, Jonathan meet in Aso Rock

    Buhari, Jonathan meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday met behind closed doors with former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The former President arrived the State House in black Range Rover SUV around 1:57pm.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Nigeria working hard to stabilize power, says Buhari

    Nigeria working hard to stabilize power, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday assured that Nigeria is working hard to resolve the power problem facing the country.

    He noted that the problem is also affecting other neighboring countries who are depending on Nigeria for their power supply.

    Buhari spoke while receiving the Togolese President, Faure Gnassingbe, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said: “They say seeing is believing, you can see the efforts private investors are making. We are also building pipelines but it is not as formidable as what Dangote is doing, we are improving on it. We also have the LNG that is helping us to liquidify the gas and then turn it into gas with modern technology and modern technology is making it flexible.

    “And if you will recall, I made mention to President of Benin, We have power problem and Benin has power problem because they depends on us and we are working very hard to stabilize the situation. The resources are available, the technology is available we are trying to stabilize the situation.

    “If ‎we improve power which means our productivity can be competitive and God’s willing we are going to achieve our objectives.

    He also said that they discussed the unfortunate incidents in South Sudan, Burundi during the closed door meeting.

    “It is an agonising situation, several citizens are living under primitive conditions, we hope at the AU meeting we will be able to stabilise‎ the situation in South Sudan and Burundi with the efforts being made.” He stated

    ‎The Togolese President said that he was impressed by the Dangote investment which brought him to Lagos State.

    He said: “Because we have been talking of Socio-economic integration and promoting trade among African countries. If you want to promote trade you have investors that are very competitive and will contribute to reduce import from non-African countries.

    “I was told the gas pipeline that will be built will be buried under the sea‎ to make it. It means if you want to promote blue economy, our ocean needs to be very safe. We need security,” he said.

    According to him, he was also in Abuja to invite President Buhari for the maritime summit billed for Togo on the 15th of October, 2016.

  • Police arrest three suspected fraudsters

    Police arrest three suspected fraudsters

    The Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday in Abuja said it had arrested three suspected fraudsters who specialised in duping prominent Nigerians.

    The suspects are: Abdulrahamn Shuaibu, 21, gang leader, Isiaku Zambuk, 47, and Hassan Haruna, 35.

    Presenting the suspects to newsmen, the Force Spokesman, Deputy Commissioner of Police Don Awunah, said they were arrested on Aug. 1 in Abuja.

    He said that the suspects were arrested by operatives attached to the Inspector-General of Police intelligence Response Team, following complaints from prominent Nigerians.

    Awunah said the suspects specialised in sending text messages and calling highly placed individuals like ministers, senators among others, demanding huge sums of money.

    He said the arrest of Shuaibu led to the arrest of Zambuk and Haruna who were also key members of the syndicate.

    The spokesman said the suspects all confessed to the crime and explained the various roles they played.

    He said items recovered from them included, cell phones containing the SIM cards and numbers used to threaten their victims.

    Others are: copies of letters of threat addressed to highly placed Nigerians, letters of fraud and list of names and phone numbers and contact of important personalities in Nigeria.

    He advised members of the public to be vigilant and report promptly any threat of this nature to the nearest police station.

    Awunah said the suspects would be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

  • FIRS shuts more firms in Lagos, Abuja over tax debt

    FIRS shuts more firms in Lagos, Abuja over tax debt

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) continued its tax compliance exercise in Abuja and Lagos, shutting the premises of defaulting companies.

    In Abuja, the FIRS team, led by Chinazor Edeh, shut down the office of Taleveras, an energy firm operating from the Maitaima area of the city.

    A warrant of distraint presented by the team indicated that the company is owing over N667 million in tax liabilities.

    Before sealing off the company, Edeh told its the Chief Security Officer (CSO), the highest ranking official available, the firm has failed pay the balance of its tax liabilities after it paid N50 million, following the sealing off of its premises in May.

    Edeh explained that the FIRS was not interested in sealing off the company, but to ensure that the tax is paid.

    But the CSO said the company is incapable of defraying the liabilities, as it has not been able to pay salaries. Consequently, the enforcement team ordered the staff to vacate the premises and proceeded to seal off the company.

    Also sealed by the enforcement team is Jardin Nigeria Limited, a landscaping/ project management company, with an office at Abuja’s Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

    The company owes over N129million in taxes. An official of the company, who identified himself simply as Mr. Olu, admitted that the company owes, but argued that some state governments owe the company over N2 billion.

    Edeh advised the company to pay 50 per cent of its tax liabilities and reach agreement with FIRS on a structured payment of the balance.

    In Lagos, two companies were shut in the Ikeja area by the FIRS team, led by Anita Erinne.

    First to be shut was Guarantee Petroleum Company, located at 21 Salvation Road, off Opebi Road.