The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Benin City

  • Man docked for phone theft

    A middle-aged man identified as Tochukwu Ugbodo has been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court in Bénin City, Edo State, for stealing an Infinix phone worth N40,000.

    The phone was said to belong to one Esther Iyoha Ehigiator.

    Ugbodo was arraigned on two- count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    He pleaded not guilty the charges.

    Read Also: Man in court over alleged cult membership

    Police prosecutor, Insp. M.S Shaibu, told the court that the offence was committed on June 12, 2018 at Upper Lawani Street in Oredo local government area of the state.

    The offence is punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol II Laws of the defunct Bendel State now applicable on Edo State.

    Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. V.E Oyekpen granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 and a surety in like sum.

     

     

  • Man gets death sentence by hanging for killing son

    An Akwa Ibom High Court sitting in Ikot Ekpene has sentenced one Christopher Udoh to death by hanging for killing his 11-year old son, Gabriel over suspicion of being a witch.

    Udoh, a native of Obot Akara local government area, reportedly murdered his son after accusing him of using witchcraft powers to frustrate him for years.

    The Court held that the convict, who had already admitted to committing the offence, deliberately killed his 11-year-old son for allegedly being behind his many years of unsuccessful stint in his business in Benin City, Edo State.

    According to Udoh, his son used witchcraft to stop him from succeeding in his business.

    “After my inability to have a serious breakthrough in business, I discovered that my son could have been responsible. When I could no longer carry on with the business, I was stranded in Benin. I had to return home with nothing”, he recalled.

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    He added that every attempt to break even in life became too difficult, even to get married “since his mother was no longer with me following years of hardship that she could not bear”.

    “For me to free myself of such spell, I had to kill him, burnt his body and dumped the remains in a pit”, he explained and pleaded for the Court to be lenient and for God to have mercies as he was only being used by the devil”, he said.

    Handing down the judgment yesterday, the presiding judge, Justice Joy Unwana, said he passed the ruling after finding the accused guilty of murder in line with section 316 (1) of the criminal laws of Akwa Ibom State

     

  • Why private universities have low students enrollment – NUC

    The National University Commission (NUC) has attributed low students enrollment in Nigeria private universities to the basic programmes offered by the institutions.

    It said it many parents would not be inclined to paying the kind of fees being paid in the private universities only for their children or wards to read the same basic programmes that are obtainable in the public universities at little or no cost.

    The NUC noted that it was wrong for private universities to insist on commence with basic programmes before mounting programmes like engineering, medicine, law and the likes

    Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Abubakar Adams Rasheed, stated this in Bénin City while delivering the 14th convocation lecture of the Benson Idahosa University.

    Professor Rasheed said private universities would not be adding any value to the higher education landscape beyond increasing access if they are coming up with the same programmes being offered by existing older universities.

    Read Also: NUC approves 20 academic Progs. Of Fed. Varsity Dutsin-Ma

    Rasheed who was represented by NUC’s Director of Accreditation, Dr. Noel Salihu, said the NUC is working towards allowing the private universities to be more innovative in their programme offerings for their growth and development and for the benefit of the country.

    He noted that the low students enrolment in many private universities in Nigeria  is posing a serious threat to the survival of the universities.

    The NUC boss said the private sector could deliver quality university education if they maintain focus and stick to the regulations that are already in place to guide their growth and development.

    According to him, “The violation of the governance structure by the organs of some private universities has continued to constitute a source of friction to the smooth running of the universities.

    “While it is important to respect the recognized governing structure and academic culture and tradition of the university, it is also important to state that management owes the promoters of private universities the obligation to run the institutions with every sense of responsibility in order to earn the trust of the proprietor and not jeopardize their huge investments in the establishment of the universities.”

  • Man arraigned for stealing N330,000 copper

    A 23-year old man identified as Umaru Mohammed has been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court for copper wires worth N330, 000 after vandalising a transformer belonging to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    Umaru was said to have committed the offense on June 29, 2018, around Ogbe-Ibuya quarters in Bénin City.

    He however pleaded not guilty to the two count charges preferred against him.

    Police Prosecutor, Inspector David Akigbe, informed the court that the offence are punishable under section 516 and section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap Vol. II of the defunct Bendel State laws as applicable in Edo.

    Read Also: Man bags five months imprisonment for stealing motorcycle

    Counsel to the accused, Mr P. A. Ugheoke, applied for bail and for a proof of the evidence to be made available at the next adjourn date.

    Presiding Magistrate V. E. Oyekpen led granted the accused bail to the sum of N50, 000 with a surety in like sum.

    She subsequently adjourned the case to July 31 for hearing.

  • Edo engages 45 Waste managers for a clean Benin City

    Towards making Benin a clean and healthy city, the Edo State Government said it has engaged 45 waste managers to evacuate refuse from homes and market places.

    It said the engagement of the waste managers was part of the restructuring being done under the Project Clean up Edo and the process of revamping the entire environmental structure of the state.

    General Manager of the State Waste Management Board, Mr Charles Imariagbe, who disclosed in a chat with newsmen in Bénin City, said more waste managers would soon be engaged

    Imariagbe said the board decided the carry out street sensitisation of the public on the need to have attitudinal change towards management of waste before applying sanctions.

    He explained that the state is taking a holistic process towards efficiency and effectiveness of the waste management including the dumpsites.

    Read Also: Edo defrays LG pension arrears

    According to him, “There is a long term plan to revamp and restructure the dump sites as well as having a system in place where we can recycle these wastes; it is a whole lot of activities.

    “What we are doing now is to sensitize the people to change their attitude to waste management generally; we need to change for a cleaner and healthier society.

    “People dump waste indiscriminately on roads, empty space or empty plot of land. It is a friendly sensitization programme for now but with time, we will start applying sanctions. We are just employing everybody to key into this process for now.

    “We are also talking to the waste managers to do their bits because; they are the first point of contacts with the households that generate these wastes.

    “We are also strengthening the enforcement units by ensuring that the households comply by registering with the waste managers and also make those who are already registered to pay the monthly stipulated amount.”

    “We are also in talks with the market people on the need to always bagged their waste and dispose properly at designated places for the registered waste managers.

  • Obaseki converts Ethiope Publishing House to Pension Office

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that Ethiope Publishing House, located in the heart of the state capital, Benin City, will accommodate the Edo State Pension Bureau as soon as his administration completes the ongoing renovation of the building.

    According to Obaseki, the new pension office will be fitted with modern technology that will enable staff of the pension bureau to respond to pensioners’ enquiries faster.

    Obaseki disclosed this when he inspected ongoing reconstruction work at the Ethiope Publishing House in Benin City, and said that the central location of the building and its proximity to the major bus terminal at Ring Road, will eliminate the troubles pensioners used to experience in accessing the pension office.

    “We are refurbishing the building and relocating the Pension Bureau here. It is going to be a modern office that will be driven by technology so that we can manage our pensioners and issues relating to pension effectively from this location,” the governor said.

    Read Also:Obaseki partners ANAN on capacity building for Edo civil servants

    He explained that the Ethiope building was chosen because of its central location and accessibility and added “We don’t want our pensioners to spend much money to get to the Pension Bureau.”

    The governor also inspected ongoing reconstruction work at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and told journalists that his administration embarked on the total overhaul of facilities in the stadium to raise its profile to a world class stadium that will be hosting international sporting events.

    He explained that the construction work is in phases, with the first phase scheduled for completion in December 2018, while the other phases would expand to 2019.

    “We want to build a world class facility that will attract world class events. I am impressed with the quality and pace of ongoing work at the stadium.”

    He also inspected the desilting of the drainage system in Akenzua axis, behind the Benin Airport, which he said was constructed during the late Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia administration.

    Obaseki said his administration has completed the manhole desilting work, cleared the drains, as part of plan to connect the drainage system to 12 streets around the area, affected by flooding and added, “We are also constructing the 12 roads in the area affected by flood.”

    While inspecting the ongoing project at the ministry of infrastructure, the governor assured that his administration is committed to improving the working condition of civil servants in the state for better service delivery.

  • Appeal court refuses ex-policeman’s bail application

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Bénin City has thrown out the fundamental human right bail application filed by a dismissed police officer, Adedeji Adeleke.

    Adedeji and four other policemen were arraigned for allegedly torturing and killing a car dealer, Benson Obode, in Benin City in 2015.

    The dismissed policemen, who were serving in the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State, were also accused of collecting the sum of N330,000 from late Benson’s bank account from an ATM in Port Harcourt.

    Names of other policemen are Constable Joseph Omotosho, Oniyo Musa, Abena John and Henry Shobowale.

    Read Also:My brother-in-law deflowered my daughter at age four, woman tells court

    In the bail application supported by a two paragraph affidavit filed by his counsel, Matthew Oghogho, Adedeji urged the court to grant him bail to enable him sought proper medical attention.

    He said he may not be alive when the lower court will deliver.

    But Justice J.O Bada in his ruling said the bail application was immature.

    He said the application lacked merit.

  • Ease of doing business in Edo receives boost

    …resolves 194 cases, takes 13 to court    

    The Edo State Private Property Protection Taskforce headed by  former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, on Wednesday,  presented a positive outlook for economic and social activities in Edo State in its committee’s first year report.

    Presenting the Report at the weekly Executive Council meeting, headed by Governor Godwin Obaseki, Mr. Arase, said a total 1970 cases were reported to the Private Property Protection Taskforce, that was inaugurated on May 30, 2017.

    “Out of the 1970 cases, the committee has successfully resolved 194 of them using the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism,” Arase said.

    He added that the taskforce “is investigating 497 of the 1970 cases and set to take 13 of the cases to court.”

    Read Also: Edo monarchs at war over land

    The former police boss, who put the number of pending cases at 393, gave insight into the operations of the taskforce, which he said is gaining popularity across the country.

    The operations of the taskforce have sacked illegal youth groups that used to harass land owners and property developers across the state.

    The near elimination of their criminal activities has made land acquisition and administration easy, especially in Benin City, the state capital and other urban areas of the state.

    In his response, Governor Obaseki saluted the effort of the taskforce and assured of more support for its operations to eliminate all impediments to land ownership and administration.

    The taskforce according to the governor, was his administration’s response to the activities of the abolished Community Development Associations (CDAs) whose activities were retarding economic development in the state.

  • Obaseki decries vandalisation, defacement of infrastructures

    …orders removal of substandard, unauthorised projects

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has decried the defacement and destruction of the state government’s infrastructural projects across the state and has ordered the immediate removal of substandard and unauthorised road furniture and similar projects, on roads and other projects across the state.

    Obaseki gave the order after the state’s weekly Executive Council meeting, in Government House, Benin City.

    “It is not right to destroy roads, vandalise drainage system without government approval and erect substandard electricity poles that are either abandoned mid-way or lack sustainable maintenance plan and pose safety risk,” he added.

    “The state is littered with substandard projects that disrupt the infrastructure master plan and violate laid down rules for such projects.

    “The chaotic and indiscriminate execution of substandard and unapproved projects, which are not known to state government agencies and other tiers of government, is unacceptable. This ugly trend must stop,” the governor said.

    Read Also:NDDC, EDSOPADEC to reconstruct Benin-Abraka Road – Obaseki

    He explained that “the decision became necessary in order to streamline project execution across the state and eliminate the chaotic situation we are currently having.

    “We have a template for the wide array of developmental projects which are being implemented in every ward in the state and anyone who is executing any project in any part of the state should seek approval from the relevant government agencies.”

    He noted that several projects have been lined up for different parts of the state by his administration, and said that checks with the agencies of government would avail anyone embarking on a project, the insight into the plans of the state government for such areas, and the necessary approvals given.

    According to him, “The growing trend of executing projects without recourse to the agencies of government that give approvals and licences for such projects, in line with laid down rules is worrisome and must stop.”

    “The right thing to do is to run your projects through officials of government saddled with the task to give approvals for such projects and secure the necessary approvals.

    “Currently, consultation has reached advanced stage to have a dedicated electricity line that will feed government hospitals, the state secretariat complex and other government offices, to ensure regular power supply in those offices. You cannot disrupt such a plan with a project that the approving agencies are not aware of, and have not approved,” Obaseki stressed.

     

  • Honour for Abiola is boost for democracy – Oshiomhole

    A former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has described the post-humous award for the proclaimed winner of the June 12 Presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, as a boost for the nation’s democracy.

    Comrade Oshiomhole who is an aspirant for the National chairmanship position of the All Progressive Congress said democracy day was not the day people hand over power to their successors.

    In a press statement issued in Bénin City, Oshiomhole said the decision to immortalize Abiola is what many Nigerians have yearned for.

    According to the statement, “I am glad with the decision of the President especially by declaring June 12 as Democracy day because the real democracy is not the day that people hand over power to their successors but the day to celebrate heroes of our democracy such as Chief Abiola and Gani Fawehinmi.

    Read Also: APC should not be for all comers – Oshiomhole

    “It was as a result of the struggle by Gani and Abiola that some persons came to benefit as leaders later on. That is why I commend Mr President for this great wisdom; this is the best way to honour those that labour for this democracy.

    “We know some leaders who even though they came from the same zone with Abiola and Gani were resolute in ensuring that June 12 was not declared as a day we celebrate our democracy. These men are known for their struggle for a better Nigerian and the blood of those who fought and died for this democracy has been atoned for this great decision by Mr President.

    “I congratulate the families of late MKO and Gani, I congratulate APC for making this happen. This was what some of us has yearned for over the years but I am glad that God has used Mr President to achieve this and this will further strengthen our democracy and make us greater” he stated.