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Tag: Abuja

  • 2010 Abuja bombing: Court sets March 7 for judgment in Okah’s trial

    2010 Abuja bombing: Court sets March 7 for judgment in Okah’s trial

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed March 7 this year for judgment in the over seven-year old trial of Charles Okah and Obi Nwabueze.

    Okah and Nwabueze are being tried for their alleged complicity in the October 1, 2010 bomb incident at Eagle Square, Abuja, in which about 12 people died and many others were injured.

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole chose March 7 for judgment after parties adopted their final written addresses yesterday.

    Adopting his address Wednesday, Okah’s lawyer, Emeka Okoroafor argued among others, that the prosecution was unable to lead sufficient evidence to warrant his client’s conviction.

    He faulted the evidence led by the prosecution and insisted that it failed to link his client with the alleged offence.

    Okoroafor prayed the court to discharge and acquit his client.

    Lawyer to Nwanbueze, Oghenevo Otemo argued in similar vein. He contended that the prosecution did not place anything before the court to warrant his client’s conviction.

    Otemo accused the prosecution of concealing some relevant materials from the court.

    He said his client made different extra-judicial statements voluntarily and that one of such statements was made at the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) on October 18, 2010.

    Otemo claimed that the prosecution refused to tender the statement his client made at the DSS headquarters before the court.

    The prosecution’s alleged refusal to tender the statement, Otemo argued, amounted to concealment of evidence, which according to him, is against the law.

    He urged the court to hold that the statement, which the prosecution allegedly refused to tender, is that which is favourable to the defendant.

    Otemo prayed the court to set Nwabueze free.

    In a counter-argument, prosecution lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN) urged the court to hold that the prosecution has proved its case against the defendants.

    He said evidence led by the prosecution conveniently reflected the involvement of the defendants in events leading to the October 1, 2010 bomb incident.

    Izinyon, who dwelt extensively on the case against Okah, described him as a schemer and the facilitator of the act of terrorism.

    “The first defendant is head, neck and toe deep in the act of terrorism”, Izinyon said.

    He said the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants were responsible for the 2010 Independence Day multiple bomb blasts in Abuje, which claimed several lives and left several others injured.

    Iziyon urged the court to convict the defendants as charged and sentence them accordingly.

    Earlier, Justice Kolawole over-ruled the defendants’ objection to the prosecution’s application dated January 29, 2018 for the court’s permission to regularise some of the exhibits it tendered.

    The judge, who faulted the defence’s argument against the application, allowed the prosecution to regularise the document on being satisfied that it has paid the necessary penalties.

    Okah, Nwabueze, Edmund Ebiware and Tiemkemfa Francis-Osvwo (aka General Gbokos) were initially arraigned before the court on December 7, 2010 in relation to the alleged offence.

    Francis-Osvwo later died in prison custody, while Ebiware, who had his trial conducted separately, is serving life sentence upon his conviction in 2013, leaving Okah and Nwabueze to jointly stand trial on a charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/186/2010.

  • Fusion showcase opens at Abuja

    Award-winning interior design company, Rosemary’s,The Soft Furnishing Company, has announced that its 2018 Fusion Showcase will hold from February 23 to 24 on Third Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

    The Group’s MD/CEO, Ezinne Kufre-Ekanem, said Fusion Showcase is our way of bonding with our discerning clientele in Abuja and celebrating ultra violet – the 2018 colour of the year.

    She added: “Ultra violet is a dramatically provocative and thoughtful shade of purple. It inspires creativity and invites us to think outside the box. These characteristics of Ultra Violet, the 2018 Colour of the Year, further reinforces the five elements of our core values at Rosemary’s: creativity, accountability, newness, drive and openness. They communicate originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking that point us towards the future. And where there is a future, there is a hope. All of these and more will be on display through our items and hospitality during the two-day 2018 Fusion Showcase”.

     

  • Loverboy docked for allegedly setting girlfriend’s house ablaze

    Loverboy docked for allegedly setting girlfriend’s house ablaze

    A 27-year-old man, Ifeanyi Ede, on Thursday appeared in a Kubwa Grade I Area Court for allegedly setting his girlfriend’s house on fire.

    Ede, who lives at Pipeline Kubwa Village, Abuja, pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of criminal trespass, causing mischief by fire and criminal intimidation.‎

    Prosecutor Idowu Lawal had told the court that ‎Esther Yahaya of Kubwa, Abuja, reported the matter at the Kubwa Police Station on Feb. 5.

    Lawal said the accused criminally trespassed into the complainant’s house and set the house on fire on the said date.

    He said the complainant lost her valuables worth N94,000 in the fire.‎

    Lawal also said the accused while in police custody, threatened the complainant.

    Read Also: Man accused of raping 12-year-old, tells court she’s girlfriend

    He said the offence contravened sections 342, 337 and 397 of the Penal Code.

    After taking the accused’s plea, the judge, Mohammed Marafa, granted him bail in the sum of N150,000 with one surety in like sum.

    Marafa ordered that the surety must produce evidence of means of livelihood and identification.

    He adjourned the matter until March 5 for hearing.

    NAN

     

  • Expert tasks FG to utilize rising oil price for economic growth

    Expert tasks FG to utilize rising oil price for economic growth

    A financial expert, Dr Samuel Nzekwe, has advised the Federal Government to utilise the rising oil price in the international market to achieve sustainable economic growth for the country.

    Nzekwe, who was the former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), gave the advice on Thursday in Ota, Ogun.

    He made the comment while reacting to the increase in the nation’s external reserves.

    Mr. Isaac Okorafor, the Director of Communication, CBN, on Monday in Abuja, said the nation’s external reserves increased from 38.2 billion dollars in December to 40.4 billion dollars in January.

    According to Nzekwe, the increase in the reserves due to rise in the price of oil at the international market is encouraging because it will support the country’s export for some time.

    The former ANAN president also said the international community would now be willing to do business with the country because it now had adequate financial back up.

    Read Also: Oil price slips below $65/bbl

    Nzekwe, however, warned that the nation’s external reserve was still fragile because any volatility in the petroleum sector would negatively affect it.

    “Any informal shock in the international market would hit the country, and the external reserves would not be able to move forward, rather it would decrease,” he said.

    The expert urged the Federal Government to focus on massive infrastructure development to support the productive sector.

    He said investment in infrastructure would attract more revenues.

    “The ability of the Federal Government to leverage on this development would attract foreign investors as well as achieve sustainable economic growth for the country.

    NAN

     

  • Nigeria name Coaches for National teams

    Nigeria name Coaches for National teams

    The Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ) on Monday in Abuja formally released the names of coaching crews of five national teams.

    The federation, in a statement by its Communications Department, however said the development did not relate to three other national teams.

    These three are the senior men’s team, the Super Eagles, the under-20 women’s team, the Falconets, and the under-17 women’s team, the Flamingoes, whose contracts are running.

    The statement quoted the Chairman of NFF’s Technical and Development Committee, Yusuf Ahmed, as saying the appointments were with immediate effect.

    “Our committee has done due diligence on all the names and approved the constitution of these technical crews,’’ it quoted him as saying.

    Ahmed, who is also Vice-Chairman of NFF’s Strategy Committee, said all the coaches would be unveiled at a later date, alongside the coaching crews of the Falconets and Flamingoes.

    The technical crews of the Falconets and Flamingoes were appointed earlier as a result of their World Cup qualifying campaigns.

    Following is the list of the coaches in the technical crews:

    Super Eagles B/Olympic Men’s Team: Salisu Yusuf (Head Coach); Imama Amapakabo; Kennedy Boboye; Fidelis Ilechukwu (Assistant Coaches); Alloy Agu (Goalkeepers’ Trainer)

    Under-20 Men (Flying Eagles): Paul Aigbogun (Head Coach); Abdullahi Maikaba; Abubakar Bala; Hassan Abdallah (Scouting); Suleiman Shuaibu (Goalkeepers’ Trainer)

    Under-17 Boys Team (Golden Eaglets): Manu Garba (Head Coach); Nduka Ugbade; Jolomi Ali; Bunmi Haruna (Scouting); Abideen Olatunji (Goalkeepers’ Trainer)

    Under-15 Boys Team (Future Eagles): Danladi Nasidi (Head Coach); Haruna Usman; Ahmed Dankoli; Patrick Bassey (Scouting); Ernest Salolome (Goalkeepers’ Trainer)

    Under-13 Boys Team: Jolomi Ali (Head Coach); Jude Agada; Abdullahi Tyabo; Adewale Laloko (Scouting); Adeoye Onigbinde (Goalkeepers’ Trainer).

    NAN     

     

  • Illegal maternity, baby factory sealed in Abuja

    Illegal maternity, baby factory sealed in Abuja

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said it had sealed an illegal maternity and baby factory in Nyanya, Abuja.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the NAPTIP spokesman, Mr Josiah Emerole, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.

    Emerole said that the acclaimed Chief Medical Director of the baby factory was arrested few weeks back by NAPTIP for allegedly swindling several women who were in dare need of babies.

    He said that the sealing of the illegal medical outfit, Akuchi Herbal Concept, located on Old road, around Pure Water area, New Nyanyan, Abuja, was part of the ongoing investigation into the case.

    According to him, the case had already generated public concern among Nigerians especially relations of the victims.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the operatives of NAPTIP last week arrested a 38-year-old herbalist, (names withheld) for allegedly deceiving women into thinking they are pregnant and thereafter giving other people’s babies to them having collected lots of money.

    The suspect, who is from Enugu State is the owner of Akuchi Herbal Concept, located at New Nyanya, Abuja, was arrested after weeks of diligent surveillance by combined team of Officers of the agency and those of the Department of State Services.

    The spokesman said that the latest operation was coordinated by the Director, Investigation and Monitoring Department, Mr Greg Esele on the directive of the Director – General, Ms Julie Okah- Donli.

    He said the agency recovered local herbs used by the suspect to stimulate ovulation for women, some soaked black-coloured leaves and concoction, among others.

    Emerole explained that contrary to the suspect’s claim as displayed on the signpost, the Clinic was virtually empty thereby raising question on how the women were able to believe his claims.

    The spokesman quoted the director general of NAPTIP as saying, investigation was ongoing to determine the level of crime allegedly committed by the suspect.

    “Investigation is ongoing to clearly establish level of the unwholesome activities of the suspect and we are not leaving any stone unturned in getting to the roots of the crime.

    “This is also in line with our determination to ensure that Nigerians are not exploited in any way, ” she said. (NAN)

  • ‘Senate to deliberate on state police’

    ‘Senate to deliberate on state police’

    The Senate majority leader, Ahmed Lawan on Friday said that the upper legislative chamber will deliberate on the possibilities of the country having state police.

    He spoke with State House journalists after observing juma’a at service at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the senate is currently looking towards reviewing the country’s security architecture and will be open to any suggestion that will it achieve the objective.

    He commended Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for suggesting state and community policing, adding that the Senate would bring it on board.

    He said “Well, I’m not a legislature as such because I am only one member of the legislature. But as a committee member of the adhoc committee on security and the review of security infrastructure in Nigeria, I believe that the suggestion by the Vice President that we should go the way of state Police and even consider community policing, is very good suggestion and we are going to take it on board in the National Assembly

    The senator also hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s  appointment of the former Governor of Lagos state Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to reconcile warring factions within the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    Read Also: Senate rejects report linking Fulani herdsmen, Benue militia to killings

    While pointing out that the committee is coming late, he said that it is expected to add value to APC which he said is plagued by some internal issues.

    “In fact that that committee should have been constituted long time ago because APC is plagued by some internal issues and I believe that these are issues that are surmountable.

    “The Tinubu committee will definitely add value into reconciling the warring sides so to speak. Time is against us, we have to really kickstart these process of reconciliation immediately and I believe that as a family we should be able to come out very much much United that we were before.” he said

    The Senator also urged Nigerians to be positive and support government’s efforts at sumounting insecurity challenges in the country.

    He also commended the recent collaboration between the legislature and the executive particularly, the just concluded national security summit, towards tackling security challenges in the country.

  • AEPB to residents: don’t deface Abuja with illegal structures

    AEPB to residents: don’t deface Abuja with illegal structures

    The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) yesterday warned Abuja residents to desist from defacing the city with illegal structures or risk the demolition of such structures.

    Alhaji Baba Lawan, the Director of AEPB, who gave the warning in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said Abuja was a model city, whose original design ought to be preserved at all costs.

    He said that the erection of illegal structures in Abuja had negated the master plan for the nation’s capital, thereby defacing the city and distorting its development patterns.

    The director expressed concern over the growing number of illegal structures such as gardens, building block industries and carwashes by the roadside across the city.

    According to him, these structures are erected whereas there was no provision for them in the original plan of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “Abuja is a model city and you cannot just come in there and settle anyhow.

    “You see carwashes, block industries, illegal gardens along all the roads and expressways; these structures have distorted the original design of Abuja.

    “The detergent coming out from these carwashes is polluting the environment and there is no provision for carwashes by road shoulders.

    “These are expressway shoulders and the activities of carwashes are fast becoming a nuisance to the entire environment,’’ he said.

    Lawan encouraged residents living around such illegal structures to report them to the appropriate authorities for swift action and sanctions against the offenders.

  • AfDB hits highest annual disbursement of $7.67bn in 2017 – Adesina

    AfDB hits highest annual disbursement of $7.67bn in 2017 – Adesina

    The President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said that the Bank, 2017, achieved its highest annual disbursement ever of 7.67 billion dollars on supports.

    Adesina said this in a statement made available to our reporter on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that the Bank would continue to support African countries in ensuring stronger macroeconomic policies.

    “The Bank achieved its highest annual disbursement ever in its history, at 7.67 billion dollars.

    “Our investment in the energy sector in 2017 covered 31 operations in 23 countries and totaled 1.39 billion dollars, representing a 30 per cent increase over 2016.

    ” In 2017, the Bank maintained its AAA rating with stable outlook by all four global rating agencies.

    “The Bank’s AAA stable outlook rating is underpinned by sound financial and risk management policies, excellent liquidity and strong shareholder support,” Adesina said.

    He said that the Bank was working hard to be more efficient and become impact driven organisation; one that accelerated Africa’s development, holding itself to a higher standard of performance.

    The president said that it was only when the Bank became performance driven that it could meet Africa’s expectations.

    Adesina assured that the Bank intended to score a lot more development goals for Africa, adding that there was need for greater alignment, performance and accountability for results.

    He said that the Bank launched its largest bond transaction with 2.5 billion dollars three-year global benchmark followed by its largest ever five-year global benchmark for 2 billion dollars.

    According to him, the Bank continues to grow its income solidly, reversing its declining income when he started two years ago.

    He said that the net operating income of the Bank had declined from 589.3 million dollars in 2014 to 492.7 million dollars in 2015, when he took over, adding that ever since there had been a rapid turnaround.

    Read Also: AfDB portfolio in Nigeria over $6bn  – Adesina

    “In 2016, the net operating income rose to 556.6 million dollars and shot up to 855 million dollars in 2017, an increase of almost 54 per cent over 2016.

    ” To put things in context, this is also a 73 per cent increase over where we were in 2015.

    “The Bank is mobilising more resources for Africa. In 2017, we mobilised 9.73 billion dollars from the capital markets for African countries including 300 million dollars from the enhanced private sector facility for Africa.

    “I am delighted that in 2017, the Bank helped leverage 6 billion dollars for the landmark Japan-Africa Energy Financing Facility.

    “This will help accelerate efforts to light up and power Africa,” Adesina said.

    He said that the Bank was doing a lot on “Light Up and Power Africa agenda”, adding that in 2017 it invested 1.39 billion dollars.

    He added that the aim was to improve access to electricity to help generate an additional 1,400 MW of power and connect 3.8 million persons to electricity.

    On renewable engergy, the president said that the Bank was leading, adding that when he assumed office, the share of renewable energy in the Bank total power portfolio was just 14 per cent.

    “However, we increased that to 74 per cent in 2016 and in 2017; we achieved a record-breaking 100 per cent of our new lending in renewable energy.

    He said that with access to more funding, “we hope to provide electricity to an unprecedented 29.3 million Africans between 2018-2020”.

    The president said that the Bank was spearheading the development of the desert to power initiative to harness electricity from the sun all across the Sahel.

    He said that “our goal is to support the generation of 10,000 MW of power, connect 250 million persons to electricity, of which 75 million people will be through off-grid systems.

    “Africa needs to promote green growth. We are extremely conscious of our climate and environmental responsibilities and leadership role.

    Adesina said that the Bank would be tripling its climate finance to 40 per cent of its portfolio by 2020.

    On agriculture, he said that the Bank in 2017, invested 1.16 billion dollars in the sector – the highest ever in the Bank’s history.

    It also launched Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), a one-billion dollar initiative to take agriculture technologies to scale for millions of farmers.

    Adesina said that with adequate resources, between 2018-2020, the Bank expected to provide 29.2 million Africans with access to electricity.

    He added that the bank’s Integrate Africa High 5 would provide 50 million Africans with improved access to transport.

    Likewise, the Bank’s High 5 on Industrialising Africa would enable seven million people to benefit from investment projects.

    He added that High 5, on improving the quality of life would also provide 36.8 million persons with improved access to water and sanitation.

    Adesina said that the support of all shareholders was crucial for the general capital increase of the Bank.

    He said that the Bank would do more for Africa and “we are working extremely hard to revamp the Bank and put it in a much stronger position, with more highly capable staff and institutional capacity to deliver more, better and faster support.

    ” Our ability to deliver in the past and now is a good indication that you can depend on us to deliver more in the future.

     

    NAN

  • Power stations generate 94,627MWh in 2017 Q4 – NBS

    Power stations generate 94,627MWh in 2017 Q4 – NBS

    Nigerian power stations generated 94,627 megawatts per hour (MWh) of energy daily in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.

    The bureau’s website on Thursday in Abuja showed that daily energy generation attained a peak of 105,152 megawatts on Dec. 8.

    The website was tagged: “Power Sector Report: Energy Generated and Sent Out and Consumed and Load Allocation for Fourth Quarter, 2017.’’

    The report said the thermal stations generated 84,026 MWh while the hydro stations generated 21, 126 MWh out the total power generated.

    The report, however, stated that the lowest daily energy generation was 73,246MWh and was attained on Oct. 18.

    According to the report, on Oct. 18, thermal stations generated 55,941 MWh out of the 73,246MWh  while the hydro stations generated the remaining 17,305 MWh.

    It stated that metering data for all discos reflected that 3.45 million consumers, representing 46.16 per cent of the total 7.48 million consumers captured had been metered.

    The report stated that Benin Disco had the highest percentage of consumers metered because 69.49 per cent of the them had so far been metered.

    It said that the figure was closely followed by Eko Disco with 60.73 per cent and Ikeja Disco with 55.95 per cent.

    According to the report, Yola and Enugu Discos recorded the least percentage of consumers metered with 23.61 per cent and 27.72 per cent.

    NAN