The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • NDIC Boss elected as new Chairperson of IADI

    The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Umaru Ibrahim, has been elected the new Chairperson of the Africa Regional Committee (ARC) of the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI).

    The NDIC made this known through a statement by its Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Mohammed Kudu Ibrahim.

    According to the statement, “Ibrahim was elected during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the IADI-ARC which was a prelude to the IADI Technical Assistance Workshop being hosted by the Corporation in Lagos.

    “The election was a unanimous decision of the body following the expiration of tenure of the current Chairperson and former Chief Executive Officer of the Deposit Protection Corporation of Zimbabwe, Mr John Chikura.

    “Also elected as the ARC Vice-Chairman during the AGM was Mohamud A. Mohamud, the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC).”

    Read Also: NDIC to host IADI workshop in Lagos

    The election of Ibrahim marks the second time that Nigeria will lead the IADI-ARC. The immediate past MD/CE of the Corporation, Alhaji Ganiyu Ogunleye was earlier elected as Chairperson of the body.

    It further added that, “According to members, the unanimous decision to elect the NDIC Boss was in recognition of his achievements, requisite knowledge and experience in the Deposit Insurance System (DIS) which they belief will impact positively on the other members from Africa. They expressed optimism in his qualities and wealth of experience to effectively provide the desired leadership for the ARC. With the election of Ibrahim, the secretariat of the body effectively relocates to Nigeria until the end of his tenure.

    “The AGM also discussed other important issues relating to the growth of the DIS in the African Region and financial system stability.

    “Updates from African countries that recently established DIS and as well as those currently in the process of setting up the scheme were also presented at the forum.

    “Apart from Nigeria, the host country, other nations in attendance at the AGM include Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Swaziland, Rwanda and the West Africa Monetary Union Deposit Protection Board (WAMUDPB) based in Senegal.”

    It would be recalled that Umaru Ibrahim was elected twice into the Executive Management Committee of the IADI. His second term is yet to expire.

  • 2019: Buratai warns military against showing sympathy for any party

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai on Tuesday warned Officers and men of the Nigerian Army not to show any sympathy to any Political party, religious or ethnic group as the nation commence activities for the 2019 general elections.

    Lt Gen Buratai who advised military officers and personnel to shun politicians who are likely to approach them during the elections, said a Special Court Martial has been established by military authorities to try defaulters of the code of conduct guiding the military.

    Lt Gen Buratai sounded the warning at the opening of the 2nd and 3rd Quarters Chief of Army Staff Conference held at Command Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, on Tuesday. He said any military personnel interested in partisan politics should resign forthwith.

    He also warned that necessary steps should be taken by army commanders to prevent any act that is inimical to the corporate existence, unity and stability of the country, maintaining that any lapse in this regard would not be condoned.

    At the Conference which was attended by GOCs, Field Commanders, Corps Commanders as well as Commanders of Army Schools and Institutions, Lt Gen. Buratai said “as political activities unfold towards the 2019 General Elections, GOCs and Field Commanders at all levels are enjoined to continue to remind officers and soldiers under their command to remain non-partisan and be guided by the stipulated code of conduct in the discharge of their duties.”

    The COAS further said: ” As professional soldiers, none of us should be sympathetic to any political, religious or ethnic cause. Any personnel of the NA who is interested in politics should voluntarily retire from the NA to pursue his / her political passion.

    “Furthermore, I wish to remind all on the prohibition of NA personnel from any form of worship outside the established barracks worship areas, except those permitted for wedding and some peculiar social functions.

    “I want to reiterate that the Special Court Martial to try defaulters is already in place. I enjoin you all to observe the codes of conduct guiding military personnel and thus refrain from any occult, ethnic, political or religious extremism as these would distract us from our enshrined constitutional responsibility as professional soldiers”.

    Lt. Gen Buratai explained that the conference was meant to appraise the performances of the army in the past few months in line with set objectives and to chat a course forward on how to deliver on various activities and operations in the remaining months ahead.

    “The ongoing operations in different part of the country to curtail the activities of Boko Haram Terrorists, farmers/herdsmen clashes, armed banditary, cattle rustling, Kidnapping, pipeline vandalism and militancy among other crimes have witnessed tremendous achievements.

    “I want to emphasize that these successes must be sustained and consolidated. I therefore urge you to bring your ingenuities to bear on your duties,” the COAS stated.

    Regarding military operations across the country, Lt Gen . Buratai said : “The NA has launched Op LAST HOLD in the North East to completely degrade the Boko Haram Terrorist group around Lake Chad region and to facilitate the return of the internally displaced persons to their homes.

    “The operation is still ongoing and is achieving the set objectives. Additionally, the security situation in the North West and North Central particularly around some parts of Kaduna, Zamfara, Benue, Plateau and Taraba states have necessitated the deployment of troops by the NA, sister Services and other security agencies to put a stop to wanton destruction of lives and properties.

    Read Also: Aisha Buhari’s ADC in SSS custody over N2.5 billion fraud

    ” I want to urge the field commanders not to relent on their efforts to ensure effective synergy amongst the security agencies Within their respective Area of Responsibility to achieve desired end-states.

    “As part of efforts to complement the defence and arrangements put in place to Checkmate the security challenges in the country, I directed the establishment of 17 Bde in Katsina. I also directed the establishment of the NA Cyber Warfare Command to explore the cyber dimension to warfare and other military operations.

    “Others are the reestablishment of NA Special Project under the office of the COAS and establishment of FOB in Epe among others. Furthermore, Headquarters 8 Div and 1 Bde have been relocated to their permanent headquarters in Sokoto and Zamfara States respectively as provided in the NA ORBAT 2016 while 123 SF Bn has also been established to complement the efforts of 707 SF Bde.

    “The NA must continue to be proactive and decisive to ensure safety of Nigerians wherever they may reside.

    ” It is imperative to note that the unity and territorial integrity of Nigeria lies With the military and the NA in particular. Therefore, we must brace up to this onerous task which can only be borne with effort. Let me remind all commanders that, as a command responsibility, necessary steps must be taken in all circumstances to prevent any act that is inimical to the corporate existence, unity and stability of the country. I must add that any lapse in this regard would not be condoned.”

    Lt. Gen Buratai lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the support and understanding his administration has shown to the military so far and assured that the military would continue to give their best to protect the territorial integrity of the country and ensure that the country is safe and secure for economic growth and development.

  • Ekiti tribunal chooses Abuja as sitting venue

    …BEGINS WORK ON TUESDAY

     

    The Election Petition Tribunal hearing the dispute arising from the July 14 governorship election has shifted base to Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    The tribunal chaired by Justice Sulaiman Belgore had on Monday ordered the relocation of its sitting from Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Monday owing to insecurity at the Ekiti State High Court, the former venue.

    The action followed alleged violence by some party members at the inaugural sitting which put the lives of lawyers, litigants and court workers in jeopardy.

    People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, are challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, before the three-man jury.

    Lawyers to all parties at the tribunal demanded the change of venue to Abuja but the panel in its ruling promised to communicate a new venue to them within 48 hours.

    Read Also: Ekiti: APC elders urge Oni to withdraw suit against Fayemi

    Counsel to Dr. Fayemi, Chief Rafiu Balogun and Ekiti PDP Legal Adviser, Mr. Sunday Olowolafe confirmed the change of venue in a telephone chat on Wednesday.

    The Nation reporter saw a copy of the hearing notice communicating the change of venue to Abuja on Wednesday which was signed by the Tribunal Secretary.

    Although the date on the hearing notice read September 24, a member of the Tribunal Secretariat who asked not to be quoted said pre-hearing will commence on Tuesday, September 25.

    It reads: “Take notice that the above-named petition is slated for pre-hearing and will be heard at High Court No 17, Apo FCT High Court, Abuja, before Shoprite Apo, FCT Abuja on Monday, the 24th day of September, 2018 at the hour of 9.00 am forenoon or soon thereafter on such other day as the Tribunal may determine.”

    Balogun had disclosed that the change of the date of commencement of pre-hearing might have been necessitated by the fact that it falls on the day of the opening of a new legal year and swearing-in of the new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs).

  • Offa robbery: IGP directs service of summons on Saraki

    *Court fixes Oct 3 for report of service

     

    The Inspector General of Police ( IGP ), Ibrahim Idris has directed that court summons and other processes issued by a court in Abuja in relation to a criminal complaint brought against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki be served on him.

    To this end, the IGP has detailed a unit within the Nigeria Police Force’s Legal Department, Force headquarters, Abuja to ensure the prompt delivery of the court processes on Saraki before the next date, October 3 this year.

    A lawyer, E. S. Marcus, disclosed this development on Monday at the resumed proceedings in a criminal complaint made against Saraki by an Abuja-based lawyer and rights activist, Oluwatosin Ojaomo, in relation to the ongoing investigation by the police into the April 5, 2018 bank robbery incident in Offa, Kwara State.

    In the complaint marked: CR/196/2018, filed under Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Ojaomo argued that Saraki’s alleged refusal to honour an invitation allegedly sent to him by the police, in relation to the Offa robbery investigation, amounted to the offences of “obstructing a criminal investigation and disobeying a public officer carrying out a lawful responsibility.”

    The judge handling the case at the Grade 1 Area Court, Aco Estate, Lugbe, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Justice Abdullahi Garuba Ogbede had, on September 10 this year, ordered the issuance of summons on the IGP following Saraki’s absence in court when the case, in which he (Saraki) is listed as the sole defendant, was called.

    The judge had summoned the IGP to attend court on September 17 to show cause why Saraki was absent in court and what efforts he had made to ensure his appearance.

    On Monday, Marcus, who is Ojaomo’s lawyer, told the court that although the IGP and Saraki were absent in court, he was informed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, identified as Mahmoud that the IGP has directed a unit to ensure the delivery of all processes in relation to the case on Saraki.

    He said: “The defendant is not in court. At the last date, the court issued a witness summons on the IGP to come and show cause why the police failed to effect service of the criminal summons, warrant of arrest and other processes on the defendant.

    “The witness summons was served on the Nigeria Police Force by the court’s registry.

    “However, we received a call from DSP Mahmoud of the Legal Department of the Nigeria Police Force headquarters, that the matter has been assigned by the IGP to a particular unit of the NPF to effect the service of the summons on the defendant and arrest him.”

    Marcus urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable the police effect service of the processes on the defendant.

    Justice Ogbede acceded to Marcus’ request and adjourned the case to October 3.

    The criminal complaint by Ojaomo reads: “Criminal complaint brought pursuant to Section 89(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. Please, cause a summons for a direct criminal complaint on the defendant on the following terms:

    “That you, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on or about the 24th day of July 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did refuse to honour the invitation of the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force to report at the police headquarters in FCT, Abuja to answer to an allegation involving the investigation of some criminal suspects involved in a case which the Nigeria Police Force is currently investigating, thereby obstructing a criminal investigation and disobeying a public officer carrying out a lawful responsibility .

    “You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 136 and 149 of the Penal Code Law. Whereas, the complainant is praying the court to charge the defendant accordingly.”

    Ordinarily, the service of the processes on Saraki ought to be effected by the complainant, but Marcus explained that when his client could not serve the defendant as ordered by the court, he applied, under Section 122 of the ACJA, to the IGP to help effect service on the defendant.

    He said the IGP was required, under the law, to either produce the defendant in court or attend court to explain why the defendant was absent, a position that informed the court’s September 10 order on the IGP.

  • NiMet predicts nationwide thunderstorms, rains for Saturday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted that thunderstorms and rainfalls would prevail over most parts of the country on Saturday.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Friday, predicted prospects of thunderstorm and moderate rains over the central states in the morning hours.

    It also predicted scattered thunderstorm over Abuja, Lafia, Jos, Minna, Bida, Ilorin and Lokoja during afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures of 25 to 30 and 16 to 24 degrees Celsius.

    The agency predicted thunderstorms over the northern cities with cloudy morning over Maiduguri, Dutse, Nguru, Potiskum and Adamawa axis.

    Read Also: NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains for Wednesday

    It further predicted that northwestern cities would be cloudy while thunderstorm was envisaged over the northeastern part with day and night temperatures of 27 to 32 and 20 to 23 degrees Celsius respectively.

    According to NiMet, thunderstorms and moderate rains over the southern region in the morning with light rains over southwest inland.

    “Thunderstorms are envisaged over southeast inland and moderate rains over the coastal cities in the afternoon and evening hours with day and Night temperatures of 27 to 31 and 20 to 24 degrees Celsius respectively,” NiMet predicted.

  • ‎Man docked for defecating on crops

    The Police on Friday‎ arraigned a 21-year-old man, John Danladi, in a Kubwa Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly defecating on crops.

    Danladi of Dutse, Abuja, was docked on charges bordering on criminal trespass and assault.

    The prosecutor, Babajide Olanipekun, told the court that one Bitrus Duguba reported the matter at the Kubwa Police Station on Sept. 11.

    He said ‎that the defendant criminally trespassed into the complainant’s farm and intentionally defecated on his crops.

    Read Also: Man docked for stealing phone

    Olanipekun said that when the complainant challenged the defendant, he used a plastic chair to assault him.‎

    Olanipekun added that the complainant sustained severe body pains, adding that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 342 and 265 of the Penal Code.‎

    The defendant pleaded not guilty, while the judge, Abdulwahab Mohammed, granted him bail in the sum of N100, 000, with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case until Oct. 8 for hearing.

  • Mimiko declares for presidency

    The former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has declared his interest to contest for Presidency in the 2019 general election.

    Mimiko made his declaration at the National Headquarters of the Labour Party with all LP National Executives and smaller political parties present in Abuja.

    The two-term former Governor is contesting under the platform of the Labour Party.

    He vowed to frontally attack corruption, end killings, injustice and restructure the country with great support from the youth.

    Read Also: My presidential ambition a rescue mission – Donald Duke

    According to him, “Restructuring is not about about North vs South, Muslim vs Christian. Restructuring will empower every parts of Nigeria. Development will be unleashed in every part.”

    He added that, “There is enough landmass to feed Africa.”

    Mimiko assured women of inclusion and promised to work with any other party willing to join his political ambition.

  • WAEC to candidates: Beware of fraudsters

     The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has cautioned candidates in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) against fraudsters, who are bent on jeopardizing the performance of the examination.

    Mr Demianus Ojijeogu, Head of Public Affairs, WAEC, gave the warning in a statement in Abuja.

    He said the attention of the council had been drawn to the recent activities of these fraudsters.

    Ojijeogu said the past questions were being posted through some social media platforms by the fraudsters claiming that “they are the papers to be written by candidates.”

    Read Also: WAEC boss elected VP of assessment body

    The attention of WAEC has been drawn to the activities of fraudsters that are capable of jeopardizing the performance of gullible candidates in the ongoing WASSCE for Private Candidates, 2018-Second Series in Nigeria.

    “The council has observed with dismay that past questions are being posted via WhatsApp and criminal websites by fraudulent individuals, which they claim are that of yet to be written papers.

    “For instance, the question paper for Principles of Cost Accounting that was written in Sierra Leone and Gambia on Thursday (today) are being circulated by these criminally-minded elements.

    “ The paper is circulated for candidates in Nigeria as Financial Accounting, slated for tomorrow (Friday).

    “The success of our candidates is our major concern and the council wishes to advise all candidates not to fall prey to these fraudsters but rather concentrate on their studies.’

  • Abuja Airport runway reopens after hours of closure – FAAN

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ), has announced the reopening of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following an incident involving a Gulfstream four aircraft being operated by Skybird on Wednesday night.

    A statement by Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, on Thursday disclosed that the aircraft overshot the Runway while landing and consequently got stuck on the Runway End Safety Area (RESA).

    Read Also Osun wins three gold in weightlifting

    Yakubu said that FAAN had reopened the Runway to take arrivals and departures, subject to a reduced threshold of 3000 metres.

    She assured airlines and passengers that the airport was safe for normal operations, adding that FAAN was committed to her core values of safety, security and comfort.

    “This is following the partial closure of Runway 22, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 2200hours, on Wednesday night.

    The closure was due to an incident involving a Gulfstream four aircraft being operated by Skybird that overshot the Runway while landing and consequently got stuck on the Runway End Safety Area (RESA),” she said.

  • Police nab 22 armed robbers, criminals in Abuja

    The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) has arrested 22 suspects for various crimes.

    The suspects are: Michael Okafor, 27, Ogbonnaya Nwosu, 28, Julius Uche, 38, Ike Ugwuke, 36, Christain Nwite,28, Lucky Nwakona,22, Joy Hagba,34, Aliyu Ahmed, 20, Bala Mohammed , 19, among others.

    The DCP in charge of Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Salisu Gyadi-Gyadi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing newsmen on the arrest.

    Gyadi-Gyadi said that the suspects were arrested for murder, armed robbery, impersonation and electricity cable vandalism at various locations in the territory.

    Read also: Police arrest Ifa priestess, two sons over alleged kidnapping

    He said that items recovered from them are: three firearm, two live cartridges, seven cutlasses, four daggers and two hammers.

    Others are: two axe, one scissor, wrap of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and three torch lights.

    He said that the arrest followed the renewed commitment of the command to rid the territory of the activities of criminals.

    The DCP said that the newly-created Anti-one chance squad arrested three notorious members of one chance robbery gang and recovered their operational vehicle.

    He attributed the successes recorded by the command to the proactive measures deployed and the support of members of the public and spirited individuals.

    Gyadi-Gyadi said that the suspects who had confessed to the various roles they played in the commission of the crimes, would be arraigned on completion of investigation.