The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

Ocholi’s driver may face prosecution

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal on Wednesday could not rule out the possibility of the driver that drove the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi, from facing prosecution for over speeding and not owning a driver’s license.

Ocholi, his wife and son had died in a car crash on Sunday on Kaduna-Abuja road.

An interim report of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) had claimed that the driver of the car, James Elegbede, was over speeding and had no driver’s license.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the SGF said that the final report on the accident will determine if Elegbede will be prosecuted.

He said: “As to the issue of whether we would prosecute the driver, Yes, Nigeria is not short of laws, the problem is that Nigerians find it very difficult to obey the laws.

“There is a speed limit in place and so if anybody chooses not to obey the traffic laws, of course, it is subject to prosecution by the agencies concerned. But as to this particular incidence, I think we will leave it until the final report of the investigation comes out.

“But of course as we say accident is accident and nobody goes out deliberately to summersault and die, but as to allegations you claimed from the family, we are not aware and anybody who has anything to the contrary, that they didn’t die in an accident is free to report to the law enforcement agencies who will appropriately take it up.” He added

He explained that the Federal Government did not extend automatic employment and scholarship benefits to the driver’s relative and other surviving victims because they are alive and still on government payroll.

He said: “The government decided to give employment to the children of the late minister because he was the breadwinner and the children are now orphans. On the other hand, the driver survived and the government is taking care of their medical bills at the National Hospital and they are also government workers as some of them are policemen, SSS and others.

“So they are on salary and are treated free, but God forbid that had any of them suffered the same fate as those who died, the President would have willingly included them in the list of beneficiaries,” he stated.

March 9, 2016
Reps take over Kogi House of Assembly

The House of Representatives has taken over the legislative functions of the Kogi State House of Assembly until the political crisis is resolved.

The Federal lawmakers have also declared as null and void, the impeachment of the Speaker, Momoh Lawal by five lawmakers , while describing the action of the five as embarrassing to the institution of legislature.

The Federal lawmakers have also asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase to seal the Assembly complex.

This is in addition to the condemnation of the roles played by the Nigeria Police for providing cover for the five lawmakers against 15 to commit the illegality of impeaching the Speaker.

The decision of the House followed the adoption of the report of Pally Iriase-led ad hoc Committee that was mandated to investigate the matter today at Committee of the Whole House chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun.

March 9, 2016
Dasuki’s aide begs Abuja court for bail
- Court to rule Monday
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi has fixed March 14 for ruling on an application for bail brought by Colonel Nicholas Ashinze, former Special Assistant (SA) to ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.

Justice Yusuf Halilu gave the date on Tuesday after listening to Ashinze’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) argued his client’s application. The respondents, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Chief of Army Staff (CAS) and Nigeria Army were not represented.

Ashinze, in his fundamental rights enforcement application, wants the court to, among others, declare illegal, “his arrest and continued detention from 23rd December, 2015 till date, by combined operatives of the EFCC and the Nigeria Army, without being given any reason and without granting him administrative bail within 24 hours, or 48 hours of his arrest and detention.

He wants the court to order the respondents to release him, his personal effects, including documents and other items, which he claimed were unlawfully seized from him without any warrant, during his arrest and continued detention since 23^rdDecember.

Alternatively, Ashinze is seeking an order granting him bail on self-recognizance or in the most liberal terms as the court may deem fit in the peculiar circumstances of this case. He also wants the court to direct the respondents to tender a public apology to him and pay him N500million as exemplary damages for the alleged violation of his rights.
March 8, 2016
Seven confirmed dead in Lagos building collapse

About seven (7) persons were confirmed dead by the management of the Lekki Gardens Estate on Tuesday following a building collapse in the estate.

The uncompleted building which collapsed Tuesday morning attracted interventions of government agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Government, Fire Service and
Lagos State Police to speed up rescue efforts.

According to a statement issued in Abuja, management of the orgnaisation said the uncompleted project was meant to house a number of apartment units, but construction work had been suspended in January 2016 over reported structural defects.

The statement reads, “The Management of Lekki Gardens has confirmed an unfortunate incident today, Tuesday, March 8th 2016 where a building collapsed at about 4a.m. in the morning, at one of its residential estate projects in Lekki.

“Rescue work started immediately and so far 7 people have been reported dead and others injured. The exact cause of the incident is not known at this time.

“All of our incident response procedures have been initiated, our support services have been mobilized and relevant authorities have been advised.”

However, the firm stated that investigations had commenced to ascertain the cause of the collapse.

March 8, 2016
International Women’s Day: Buhari greets Nigerian women

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with all Nigerian women as they joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day.

The day was set aside by the global community to encourage and celebrate women’s social, cultural, economic and political achievements.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, President Buhari reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the promotion of women’s rights and the well-being of women in all geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

The President noted that the theme of this year’s International Women’s day, “Pledge for Parity,” is consistent with the promise by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remove all impediments to the realization of equality by Nigerian women and he assured them that his administration will continue to do all within its powers to fulfill that pledge.

Accordingly, President Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to move quickly to identify critical issues militating against the well-being and progress of Nigerian women, with a view to rapidly devising adequate plans, programmes and strategies to address them.

He wished all Nigerian women a happy International Women’s Day.

March 8, 2016
Buhari, Zuma in closed door meeting in Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met with President Jacob Zuma of South Africa at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Zuma is on two-day official visit to Nigeria.

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

After the meeting, there will be joint press conference by the two leaders while Zuma will later return in the evening for a presidential dinner in his honour fixed for 8 p.m.

More photos below.

President Muhammadu Buhari receives the President Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma on arrival at the State House in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari receives the President Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma on arrival at the State House in Abuja

President Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma inspecting the Guards of Honour parade on arrival at the State House in Abuja.

President Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma inspecting the Guards of Honour parade on arrival at the State House in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari being introduced to his delegationby the President Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma on his arrival to the State House in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari and President Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma at the State House in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari and President Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma at the State House in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari and President Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma on arrival at the State House in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari and President Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma on arrival at the State House in Abuja

March 8, 2016
Biafra: Court refuses Kanu’s prayer to dismiss charges

*Agrees to shielding witnesses from public glare

A Federal High Court in Abuja Monday rejected a prayer by pro-Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu and two other for an order dismissing the charges against them.

Justice James Tsoho, who rejected the prayer in a ruling, also elected to allow the shielding of prosecution witnesses from public glare in view of complaints by the prosecution that its witnesses were being threatened.

Kanu, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu – are being tried on a six-count charge of treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and other offences bordering on their agitation for secession ‎of the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.

The defence lawyer, Chuks Muoma (SAN), argued that the prosecution has shown high level of impunity since since clients were first taken to court in October last year, and has been unserious with the prosecution of the case.

Muoka urged the court to dismiss the complaint by the prosecution about its inability to proceed without its witnesses being shielded.

He contended that the request by prosecution for the court to vary its earlier order to allow for the shielding of witnesses was an invitation to the court to reverse itself having earlier ruled on the issue of witness protection.

Muoka, who recalled the history of the case, accused the prosecution of being unserious and not being diligent in its handling of the case.

He asked the court to apply the law by being guided by the provision of Section 351(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 in dismissing the charge against the defendants.

“It is not that the court is not prepared to hear this case, not that the defendants are not ready for trial, but that the prosecution is not ready.

“I most humbly apply that the charge against the defendants be dismissed and they be discharged and acquitted. And nd the prosecution not giving an opportunity to disregard the court, the court should specifically make an order, restraining the prosecution from further arraigning or arresting the defendants based on this or similar charges.”

Before his submission, Muoka invited one of his junior colleagues, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who told the court that some men of the Department of State Service (DSS), with whom he had altercation before the commencement of court proceedings, had threatened to kill him. He urged the court to take note of the alleged threat to his life.

March 7, 2016
Nigeria’s joining Islamic coalition not religious, says Minister

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama on Monday said that Nigeria’s membership of the Islamic coalition against terror under the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has nothing to do with giving Nigeria an Islamic identity.

He was reacting to reports which emerged at the weekend following a broadcast of an interview granted by President Muhammadu Buhari to Aljazeera where he disclosed that Nigeria has signed up to the coalition.

The Minister blamed the media for not being “responsible” enough in the presentation of their reports.

Rather than dwelling on the religious perspective, the Minister said that the media ought to be more interested in the objectives of the coalition.

Speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Onyeama observed that terrorism was a global phenomenon and Nigeria was ready to support any move to deal with it.

According to him, the Islamic countries were uncomfortable with the perception that terrorism was Islamic and consequently wanted to show that it was not the case.

He noted that the coalition was interested in demonstrating that terrorists were not speaking for Islam and there was nothing in Islam teaching that encourages terrorism.

On the reservation expressed by some Nigerians on Nigeria’s membership of the Islamic coalition, he said: “What I say first of all is that you guys in the media have to be more responsible in the way you present news. First and foremost, get your facts right.

“It has nothing to do with religion as far as Nigeria is concerned. We have to look at what the objective is. We face terror challenges and it’s a global phenomenon.

“Unfortunately, the problem we have today is that some of the terrorists groups are claiming some of the things they are doing is in the name of a particular religion and it is clear to everybody that this is not the case which is obviously a concern to people of Islamic faith and Islamic countries that their religion should be so abused.

“So, there is naturally a tendency to show that this has nothing to do with Islam. Terrorism has nothing to do with Islam. Islamic countries, Islamic people want to be seen as being in the forefront of the battle against these terrorists to show also that it has absolutely nothing to do with religion.

“That’s what this is all about. So, we are supporting every move to achieve this, to disabuse people’s minds that some of these terrorists are speaking in the name of Islam or are Islamic or that there’s anything about Islamic teaching that somehow condones these barbaric actions.

“I think it’s something we should all get together and we should all support whoever is working towards it. And that’s what this coalition is for, to show too that we are a Muslim country, we are Muslims and these people do not speak for Islam, have nothing to do with Islam.

“Most of the victims of these people are Muslims if you look at it. So, that’s what it is.

“It has nothing to do with Nigeria, Christianity, Islam. I think the media should really get the main message across”, he added

March 7, 2016
Photo: Badeh appears in court

Former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd), Arriving at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday

Former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd), Arriving at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday

Former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd), Arriving at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday

Former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd), Arriving at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday

Former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh(right),with National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP),Chief Oliseh Metuh at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday

Former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd), at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday

March 7, 2016
Court sends Badeh to Kuje Prison

A Federal High Court has ordered that former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Alex Badeh be remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja.

Justice Okon Abang made the order in a brief ruling he delivered shortly after Badeh was arraigned on a 10-count charge of criminal breach of trust and corruption brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Badeh, dressed in brown kaftan, brown shoes and a blue cap, pleaded not guilty to all counts of the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/46/2016.

He is accused among others, of diverting about N3.97billion from the account of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in 2013 while he served as the Chief of Air Staff.Badeh.

Charged with a company, Badeh and a firm, Iyalikam Nigeria Limited are alleged to have diverted the diverted funds to acquire choice property in different locations in Abuja.

The ex-CDS was equally accused of expending about N400m for the purchase, renovation and equipping of a duplex situated at No. 19 Kumasi Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, which he allegedly bought for his son – Alex Badeh jr.

Athough Badeh’s lawyer, Samuel Zibiri (SAN) objected to the application by prosecution lawyer, Adebisi Abdeniyi that the defendant be remanded in prison, the judge elected to send Badeh to prison.

He is to remain in prison until his bail application is determined.

The judge fixed March 10 for hearing of the bail application.

March 7, 2016