The Nation Newspaper

Tag: boss

  • Court summons prison boss for refusing to produce ex-Mint chief, Okoyomon

    Court summons prison boss for refusing to produce ex-Mint chief, Okoyomon

    A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo, has summoned the Deputy Comptroller of Prison, Kuje, Abuja, for refusing to produce detained former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPM), Emmanuel Okoyomon  in court.

    Justice Valentine Ashi had, by an order in relation to a motion by Okoyomon, ordered the defendants in a suit he (Okoyomo) initiated – Deputy Comptroller in Charge of Medium Security Prison, Kuje and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) – to produce him in court and show cause why he should not be granted bail.

    Yesterday, rather than obey the court’s order, the Deputy Comptroller of Medium Security Prison, Kuje wrote directly to the judge, informing him that Okoyomon was being held in Kuje prison by virtue of a remand order by the Court of Appeal.

    The prison officer insisted that Okoyomon could only be produced in any court with the permission of the court that ordered his remand, a position that infuriated Justice Ashi, who described the prison official’s conduct as a contempt of court and disobedience to a valid court order.

    “The procedure adopted by the 1st respondent (Deputy Comptroller in Charge of Medium Security Prison, Kuje) is reprehensible and contemptuous of the court,” the judge said. He added that the decision by the prison officer to write directly to him (the judge) was disrespectful of the institution of the court.

    The judge consequently ordered the prison official to attend court on the next adjourned date to show cause why he should not be imprisoned for contempt of court. Lawyer to the AGF, Muslim Hassan however, apologised on behalf of the prison official and assured that the defendants held the court in high esteem.

    Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on May 4 this year, granted Okoyomon’s extradition to the United Kingdom where he was accused of complicity in the bribery allegation involving officials of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN NSPM and Securency International Pty of Australia between 2006 and 2008.

    Okoyomon appealed the High Court decision at the Court of Appeal, Abuja. He applied to the court for bail and stay of execution of the decision by Justice Chukwu. But, in its ruling on June 26, the appellate court rejected his (Okoyomon’s) application for bail on the ground that it was unmeritorious.

    The appellate court however granted Okoyomon’s request for stay of execution of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja directing the Federal Government to proceed with his extradition.

    Rather than pursue his pending appeal, Okoyomon went before the FCT High Court with a fresh suit, challenging his continued detention.

    The Office of the Attorney General has faulted his new suit and accused him of misleading Justice Ashi into assuming jurisdiction on the case. In the counter-affidavit and notice of preliminary objection filed for the AGF, it was argued that Okoyomon, having been detained on the order of the Court of Appeal, ought to either proceed to the Supreme Court or pursue his pending appeal. It urged the court to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction to hear it.

    Justice Ashi has adjourned to August 12 to hear the objection filed by the AGF and for the prison official to attend court and show cause why he should not be imprisoned for contempt.

  • Council boss advises residents.

    The Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Opeyemi Salami, has advised the people not to allow themselves to be deceived by selfish politicians.

    He urged the people to pray for peace in the state and the country. Salami spoke at the inauguration of a transformer donated to Gospel Faith Mission International Church (GOFAMINT) by the wife of the governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi.

    Salami said: “We are urging Nigerians to pray for peace. The people should not allow selfish politicians in the opposition deceive them. They failed when they were given the opportunity to serve and that is why we should all vote for Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

    Mrs. Ajimobi said: “You have supported my husband in the last three and a half years. I urge you to please support him again by voting for him. You should also vote for all the APC candidates.”

  • West Brom boss blasts Ideye

    West Brom boss blasts Ideye

    West Bromwich Albion head coach has hit out at some of his players whom he believed under perform in Tuesday night’s shock 2-1 loss to AFC Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup.

    Irvine who made 10 changes to his side that played in the Premiership game against Crystal Palace at the weekend says he clearly feels some players didn’t justify their inclusion.

    According to the manager, the game on the south coast was an ideal platform for some players to stake a place for Saturday’s Barclays Premier League game at Leicester but not enough performed to the level expected of them.

    Record signing Brown Ideye was one among the numerous changes made by the Baggies boss who failed to impress on his return from injury and was replaced in the 55th minute by his Nigerian compatriot Victor Anichebe.

    “I was disappointed by the performances of some players,” said Irvine after the game.

    “We did enough to get back into the game but we needed to do more to win the game.

    “I have to look after the players who have played a lot. And I also have go to give players who were desperate to play a platform to impress.  Some of the players did, but not enough of them. I don’t regret the 10 changes.”

  • Police: ex-council boss freed

    Police: ex-council boss freed

    The police in Ondo State at the weekend said the kidnapped former Chairman of Irele Local Government Area, Nicholas Akinbiola, has been released by his abductors.

    He was released before his relatives were about to meet the N20million demand of the kidnappers.

    Commissioner of Police Isaac Eke said this while parading 13 suspects at his office in Akure, the state capital.

    He said the family failed to carry along the police in the negotiation process.

    Eke said nine of the suspects were arrested for robbery and four for cultism.

    The commissioner said the four cultism suspects -Sunday Osunmadewa, Samson Balogun, Muritala Olawale and Imoleayo Akinlami -were arrested at Ife garage roundabout in Ondo town.

    He praised residents for giving useful information to the police

  • Ex-Mint boss detained ahead extradition to UK

    Ex-Mint boss detained ahead extradition to UK

    Former Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) Managing Director Emmanuel Ehidiamhen Okoyomon is to be extradited to Britain for trial.

    Attorney-General of the Federation Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN) has filed extradition papers in the Court in Abuja as a precondition for Okoyomon’s relocation.

    An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Okoyomon has been arrested and detained by the anti-graft agency in preparation for his presentation to the court for extradition.

    Britain is seeking Okoyomon’s extradition over his alleged role in the bribery allegation involving officials of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Security, Minting and Printing Company (NSPM) and Securency International Pty of Australia between 2006 and 2008.

    “The AGF will argue the application for the extradition in court and once it is endorsed by the judge, we will extradite Okoyomon to the UK,” the source said.

    Okoyomon was the chief executive of the NSMPC until November 2013 when he was suspended by the Board of the CBN in the wake of the N1000 notes disappearance scandal.

    According to some sources, the extradition was approved by the Federal Government, following substantial investigation into the scam by the EFCC in collaboration with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the British National Crime Agency (BNCA).

    It was learnt that the outcome of the investigation revealed a “kind of international network and the diversion of the bribe sums into slush accounts in the UK and Canada”.

    Okoyomon has been under investigation since 2012, following a request by the British National Crime Agency.

    “The request for extradition also followed the discovery by the Australian authorities that some CBN and Mint officials received bribes and kick backs from Securency Pty Limited, a polymer substrate producing company for the contract to produce N20 polymer notes for the CBN between 2006 and 2008.

    Another source gave some insight into the findings of the EFCC and international agencies involved in the probe.

    The bribes were routed through offshore accounts in the UK and other jurisdictions

    The EFCC investigation uncovered a web of forgery, identity fraud and money laundering running into millions of naira.

    The erstwhile Mint boss allegedly used the names of his driver and clerk to open bank accounts in which he diverted funds without their knowledge.

    He allegedly forged a driver’s licence with the photograph of his driver but bearing a different name belonging to his official clerk to open the account in which N368million proceeds of laundered bribery funds were traced, with Okoyomon as the sole beneficiary.

    “Over N750million is alleged to have exchanged hands between officials of the CBN, the NSPMC and Securency International Pty of Australia (now Innovia Security Pty Limited).

    President Umaru Yar‘Adua launched the N5, N10 and N50 polymer notes  on September 30, 2009 at the Presidential Villa.

  • Council boss many headaches

    His victory during the local governments’ election did not go unchallenged by the opposition party at the election tribunal. On swearing-in, Dr Augustine Arogundade, the chairman of Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area in Lagos, met a debt of N97.9m from his predecessor.

    He also discovered that the roads in the council are in deplorable state. These and many more were the challenges Arogundade faced as council boss.

    Not deterred by the herculean task before him, the medical-practitioner turned politician did confront the challenges headlong.

    Today, Arogundade’s administration has repaired and tarred no fewer than 10 roads in the council.

    The council boss has also been able to impact positively in the lives of the people of the council through people-oriented programmes.

    With some of the roads in good shape, Arogundade has make business transactions and movement easy for the people.

    “This administration is the first in Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA to construct roads, tar them, build schools, health centres, vocational training centres, construct market and provide for all other needs of the people, so if you go round, you will see so many roads that have been constructed with our resources and assistance by the state government,” he said.

    Dr Arogundade spoke at a recent meeting with party leaders and youths to acquit them of his administration’s performance and give account of his stewardship.

    “We faced some undaunted challenges such as the one and half years litigation to reclaim our mandate and the continuous criminal case against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contestant. Today, we have not only weathered the storm, our policies have fetched us series of awards.

    Arogundade said: “We have won award for social/rural infrastructure development, we have also won award on peace and security as the most peaceful and secured council in West Africa,” he said.

    He said his administration will carry out a robust and all involving empowerment programme for the people of the council.

    “We will do empowerment programme for the aged, youth and women in our community, we will empower the youths and provide them with jobs.”

    The council boss said though he might not be able to do all, but said he would build on what he has done and provide more dividends of democracy to the people in each of the wards that make up the council.

    “I agree that it may not have been equally spread, but I use this medium to assure all that more dividends of democracy will be extended to all wards,” he said.

    One of the party leaders, Mr Adekunle Fayoyin, Ward G Agbado Oke-Odo and coordinator of the forum of ward chairmen in the council, said the council boss has performed more than his predecessors in office.

    “He has performed quite well, he is the first chairman to tar our roads and builds schools for our children,” he said.

  • How to find out if your boss is a coward

    At trainings, I have always had to point out that been appointed a manager does not automatically make you manager, in terms of required skills, knowledge, aptitudes and attitude. Neither does it make you a smart or effective or intelligent or compassionate nor influential manager.

    You are basically what you are before you were appointed, unless you make conscious effort to learn and improve. So guys, you will always have poor, smart, foolish, competent, incompetent, inconsiderate, selfish, incompetent, mean, compassionate, friendly, unfriendly, approachable, careful, careless, thorough, sloppy, unapproachable, etc managers. Subordinates will just learn to ‘live’ with them.

    In the same vein, there are coward bosses. How do you identify such bosses?  Here are the vital signs to identify coward bosses

     

    He has others fire his direct reports

     

    This probably is the most cowardly act of the cowardly boss. I’ve seen this first hand, and probably so have you. If your boss does this, he likes having the authority of his position, but not the responsibility. And, he does not deserve you.

     

    She will make a decision in private, and then fail to protect her people in public if it does not work

    Or sacrifices subordinate to safe his face or job or to avoid reprimand for wrong decisions he had made. This is the classic behavior of someone who lacks confidence and is afraid of making mistakes. And, she is someone you cannot trust.

     

    She really never says anything personal about herself

    She does not make personal connections with people, putting herself above all else – even the company. She build a firewall around her past and present personal and professional life. She is someone who doesn’t really want you to get to know her. She is afraid you will see are for what she is- a coward. And, if you think about it, why would you want to?

     

    He slips in a negative comment about one of your colleagues in every conversation

    You may think he’s complimenting you by confiding in you. But you can bet he does the same when speaking about you. Sharp the receptivity of your antennae once your boss talks negative about a pair-he has a negative tale about everybody around. Thrives on /creates mistrust and uncertainty. Sure, he is a jerk.

     

    He tells each person in private what the person “wants to hear,” which means he’s delivering different messages to each.

    This is referred to as “divide and conquer.” Rather than having a consistent message and leading by example, he tries to control everyone around him. Manipulate is a better word, really. And everybody includes, bosses, peers, suppliers, etc. And, he is a truly terrible leader.

     

    She will not have face-to-face meetings to resolve conflicts

    This behavior goes hand in hand with delivering different messages to each person. If she gets everyone in the same room to resolve differences, or expose and deal with problems, she can’t divide and and conquer. And, she has blown her cover. Hides behind meetings, mails, unclear official policies, politics, ‘business’, silence, ambiguities, etc

    As a consultant, I have worked directly with, and observed, people who are bosses. The best are genuine, expose their own weaknesses, deal with controversy directly, and do not sweep issues under the rug so they become larger problems.

    The worst are cowards – and the way they go about trying to hide their insecurities have just the opposite effect. You can see their fear a mile away.

  • Ideye has to wait, says West Brom boss

    Ideye has to wait, says West Brom boss

    WesT Bromwich Albion manager Alan Irvine has said he does not expect record buy Brown Ideye to start playing for the EPL club immediately.

    Irvine said except he surprises him, Nigeria striker Ideye needs to work more with the squad before he will make his debut for ‘The Baggies’.

    “I don’t see him being involved in the early stages of the season because he still needs to work with the rest of the squad,” Irvine said.

    But the manager was also quick to point out that with the small size of his squad, Ideye may well be thrown into the deep-end earlier than anticipated.

    The former Dynamo Kiev star, who has also played in Switzerland and France, was held back by a late issuance of a visa and work permit by the British Home Office.

    The Nigeria international became West Brom’s most expensive signing ever when they reportedly splashed 10 million pounds on him last month.

    West Brom’s opening league game is on August 16 against Sunderland at home.

  • Champions League defeat: Celtic boss blasts Efe Ambrose, teammates

    Nigeria defender Efe Ambrose and his Celtic teammates have been heavily criticised by manager Ronny Deila following their embarrassing 4-1 loss to Polish side Legia Warsaw in a UEFA champions league qualifying match on Wednesday night.

    The Super Eagles defender got the marching order just before half time in Poland, as his teammates failed to get anything from the game despite opening scoring in the eighth minute and Deila hasn’t hidden his disappointment at his team’s display on the night.

    “It was a very poor performance and worst of all was the commitment, the energy, I need much more energy in the game.We didn’t stay together for 90 minutes.

    “We started well and got the first goal but then gave way to pressure and we lost our heads and started giving the ball away in midfield so many times and mistakes in the back four, some were high, some were low, instead of being together.

    “But what is done is done, we have to learn from this very quick, we got the away goal and we still have a chance,” he told the Scottish media after the game.

    Deila however remained confident the Hoops can still progress to the group stages of the Champions League.

    “It is possible to win 3-0 again – like we did last year in the play-off – with the help of the supporters and we will do everything we can to do that. But we have to learn from this week.We need a whole different attitude and discipline in our play.”

    Ambrose has hardly had a rest since helping Nigeria to a round of 16 finish at the World Cup in Brazil, where they lost 2-0 to France. He will miss the return leg against the Poles, but should be available for the start of the group stages, should Celtic progress.

  • Shooting Federation boss blames insurgency

    Gradually it is becoming clearer as regards the reasons why the Nigeria Shooting Federation (NSC) did not participate in the ongoing Commonwealth Games despite the fact that the shooters and their officials all made the trip to the Glasgow venue of the competition.

    The President of the Nigeria Shooting Federation (NSF) has revealed exclusively to SportingLife that the rampant insurgency in the country is one of the factors that caused the ‘no show’ of Shooting in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

    Speaking on the allegation that the present insurgency in the country contributed to the bottleneck which prevented the agency that supposed to authorize the moving of the weapons out of the country for the Nigeria Shooting Federation and this hindered the equipments from reaching Glasgow, venue of the ongoing Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.