The Nation Newspaper

Tag: businessman

  • Businessman gets six months for stealing stove

    A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja has sentenced a 20-year-old businessman, Abdulreman Yusuf, to six months imprisonment for stealing stove and other cooking utensils.

    The Judge, Mr Abubakar Sadiq, sentenced Yusuf after he pleaded guilty to a three-count charge bordering on brake-in and stealing.

    Sadiq ordered the convict to pay N40, 000 as compensation to the complainant.

    He, however, warned the convict to be of good behaviour and desist from committing crimes after serving his punishment.

    Yusuf, living at Angwan Shehu by Zango village at Life Camp in Abuja, was charged under sections 349, 356 and 288 of the Penal Code.

  • Businessman slams Fed Govt’sagric policies

    An Ibadan-based businessman and former General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORDBA), Dr. Lalekan Are, hascriticized the Federal Government’s approach to agriculture.

    He advised the government to implement a land use map for agriculture as well as desist from giving farmers cash loans.

    Are, who is also the chairman of UP PLC, said this at the ninth edition of the Authors’ Forum of the University Press Plc, on Wednesday at Kakanfo Inn, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    It had as its theme, “Agricultural policies, programmes and small-holder farming system vis-à-vis food security in Nigeria”.

    “There is no land use map in this country,” said Are, who revealed he prepared a paper to the government on land use map in 1978 while he was at OORDBA, but  government  said it was not a “priority”.

    The aim of the land use map is to know the suitability of various lands in the country for various crops. He faulted the application of the same type of fertiliser on different soil types across the country.

    “If you don’t have a land use map, you don’t know what fertiliser you should even put in that place but people like fertilizer because they are making money.”

    He also faulted government’s policy of giving cash loans to farmers.

    “They should give loans mainly in kind,” he said.

    Are added that government could loan farmers in terms of providing seeds and services such as clearing and harvesting with farm machines at a “reduced rate”.

    Are said, aside from food security, agriculture can be a source of income for the country and warned of the consequences of not heeding.

    Delivering the lecture, Prof. Charles Asadu, who specialised in pedology/soil survey/resource management and agronomy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said the government policies were not farmer-friendly.

    “Many agriculture policies did not emphasised food crop production and subsequently neglected small-holder farming system,” Asadu said.

    Asadu advised that small-holder farmers must be improved upon and not abandoned.

    He called for farm mechanisation to remove drudgery of farming so as to attract youths.

    According to him, government should rethink the removal of subsidies on fertilisers and the implementation of alley cropping, which farmers can lean on in event of arable crop failure.

    Present at the event included Eze Prof. Vincent Chukwuemeka Ike, Emeritus Prof. Ayo Banjo, Emeritus Prof. Ayo Bamgbose, Prof. Femi Osofisan, Prof. Niyi Osundare, Prof. Akachi Ezigbo as well as some of University Press’ authors.

  • Court sentences businessman to 7 years imprisonment

    Court sentences businessman to 7 years imprisonment

    An FCT High Court, Jabi, on Friday sentenced a 64-year-old man, Alhassan Umar, to seven years imprisonment for issuing a dud cheque to his business associate.

    Umar, the Managing Director of WAHDA Globalised Business Ltd, was convicted on a three-count charge bordering on cheating and intentionally deceiving his business associate,late Luke Udom.

    Justice Yusuf Halilu in his judgment, said that the prosecutor, Mr Okon-Efut Rugbere (SAN), had proved his case beyond all reasonable doubts.

    Halilu sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment without an option of fine for the offence of issuing dud cheque.

    He sentenced the convict to additional three years for the offence of cheating including, N100, 000 fine.

    The judge further sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment, but with an option of N100, 000 fine for the offence of deliberate deceit.

    Halilu held that in line with the provision of Section 319 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the convict should refund N3.3 million to the family of his late business associate.

    According to the judge, the convict is to pay N3.3 million to the court’s registrar for onward transmission to the family of the deceased.

    The convict was arraigned before the judge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sometimes in May 2015.

    The prosecution counsel, Mrs Aishatu Ibrahim, had told the court during the hearing stages that the convict, sometimes in April 2012, had a business transaction with the deceased, the owner of Lubonex Investment Ltd.

    Ibrahim alleged that the convict had ordered on credit from the deceased, 370 bags of 50kg rice.

    The prosecutor said the complainant on the directive of the convict, paid in N300,000 into the account of one Hassan Baba-Umar, for the purchase of additional 30 bags to complete the 400 bags needed
    The prosecutor said that the convict however, gave the complainant a post-dated cheque of N4 million to be cashed in two months.

    Ibrahim said that when the complainant approached the bank for his money, it was discovered that there was no sufficient money in the convict’s account.

    He said several attempts made by the complainant to recover his money from the convict months after the transaction proved abortive.

    He added that the convict could only make N700, 000 payment with a balance of N3.3 million.

    The prosecutor told the court that the complainant later reported the matter at the EFCC.

    Ibrahim said that it was on the process of recovering his money that the complainant died and prayed the court to do justice to the matter.

  • Businessman arraigned for punching woman to death

    A businessman, Kingsley Oshiegbu, was Wednesday arraigned before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly killing one Ifeoma Ndidi with his fist.

    State prosecutor, Mr. M.T Adewoye, the incidence occurred on April 1, 2015 at No 7, Majaro street, Agege, Lagos.

    Oshiegbu, who was arraigned on a one count charge of involuntary manslaughter contrary to and punishable under section 222 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

    When the charge was read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor told the court presided by Justice Hakeem Oshodi that Oshiegbu allegedly killed Ndidi by giving her a blow on her head.

    He alleged that the defendant had a misunderstanding with the deceased which led to exchange of verbal words and abuses.

    He said that the situation became so intense that defendant, out of annoyance, gave the deceased a fist blow on the head.

    Ndidi was said to have collapsed immediately and later died.

    Counsel to the defendant, Mr Shaw Jason, told the court that the defence had filed an application dated March1, 2015, praying the court to grant bail to his client on liberal terms.

    “I wish to also notify the court that the defendant has been in prison custody for the past two years” Jason said.

    The trial judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi however adjourned the matter till June 26, 2017 for ruling.

     

  • Businessman docked for alleged issuance of dud cheques

    A businessman, Sunday Ukabia, was on Monday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly issuing four Diamond Bank dud cheques to the tune of N5 million to one Mr Henry Ebuka.

    Ukabia, of Banex Plaza Wuse II, is facing a count charge of cheating.

    The prosecutor, Mr Fidelis Ogbobe, had told the court that one Mr Henry Ebuka, of Suite 25, Emas Plaza, Wuse II reported the matter at the FCT Police Command on March 21.

    He said during police investigation, it was discovered that the defendant issued the complainant with four Diamond Bank cheques amounting to N5 million.

    The cheques were dated Dec.14, 2015, Nov. 10, 2013 and Feb.11, 2014 respectively.

    Ogbobe said when the cheques were presented in the bank, they were all dishonoured for lack of funds in the account.

    He also said that during police investigations, the defendant admitted issuing the cheques.

    He said the offence was contrary to Section 322 of Penal Code.

    The accused however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N5.5 million, with one surety in like sum.
    He adjourned hearing till May 24.

  • Businessman, charged with raping 11-year-old twin sisters

    A Kano Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday remanded in prison a 30-year-old businessman, Lawan Zubairu, over alleged rape of 11-year-old set of twins.

    Zubairu, who lives at Hotoron Fulani Quarters, Kano, is facing a charge of rape to which he pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Muhammad Jibril, who gave the order, said the accused should remain behind the bars pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Rufa’I Inusa told the court that the complainant, Ibrahim Musa, of Hotoron Fulani Quarters reported the case on March 18.

    Inusa alleged that the accused lured the complainant’s daughters into his room and defiled them.

    The offence contravened Section 283 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation.

    The case was adjourned until April 27 for mention.

  • Gunmen kidnap businessman’s wife in Delta

    Gunmen on Tuesday night kidnapped a middle-aged housewife of a businessman, Mrs Christie Orakeme, at her family home in Asaba.

    Family sources told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Asaba that Orakeme was kidnapped in her car at about 10.25 p.m. while waiting for her son to open the gate for her.

    The source, who is a son of the victim, simply identified as Junior, narrated how the gunmen shot into the air as they drove off in high speed with their victim.

    “My mother went out at about 9 p.m. to attend to some urgent matters in the church. She returned and was waiting at the gate for us to open the gate for her, when some armed men attacked her.

    “They forced her out of her car and put her in their own car, a Mercedes Benz car, and zoomed off. I gave them a chase on foot, and was shouting for help, but no one came out,”Junior said.

    NAN further gathered that the kidnappers had called the family last night with the victim’s cell phone demanding a ransom of N60 million, but later reduced the amount to N25 million.

    Husband of the victim, Mr Osita Orakeme, who arrived from his base in Oghara, near Warri , also confirmed to NAN that the kidnappers called him twice, and have reduced their ransom demand to N25 million.

    “They have called me twice, in fact they called to say I should give them N25 million, but I told them I don’t have such amount of money, and they hung up the phone,”he said.

    Contacted, spokesperson of the Delta Police Command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the incident to NAN on phone, and said the police had commenced investigations after the family reported the matter late Tuesday night.

    “I have been able to confirm the kidnap after the matter was reported to the ‘A’ Division of the State Police Command. Firstly, we have to do everything humanly possible to rescue the victim unhurt.

    “We also need every available information to help us to track down the kidnappers,“Aniamaka said. (NAN)

  • Akarigbo: Businessman calls for restraint

    Akarigbo: Businessman calls for restraint

    A prominent son of Ikenne and a business tycoon, Chief Olufemi Sosanya, has called for total restraint and caution on those writing about the stool of Akarigbo of Remoland to verify their facts and remain objective so as not to degrade the respected throne.
    He noted that the truth about the Akarigbo succession bid must be tabled not only to enlighten the sons and daughters as well as Ogun State in general but also “to refute some biased reports that have strong tendency to convolute the whole process with tension.”
    He criticised a publication, which stated or mentioned only five names of candidates contesting for the Akarigbo vacant stool, saying it tactically omitted or left out the name of one of the leading contestants, Prince Ibikunoluwa Ademuyiwa Adeniran Alayo, from the Famolu branch of Torungbuwa Ruling House.
    Sosanya noted that such purported scheme has not only predetermined the selection process but also harped on undertone voice of injustice.
    He warned that the process should not lead to upheaval, saying that the five ruling houses: Torungbuwa, Koyelu, Owarodo otutu bi osun, Anoko and Liyangu are not in crisis but that the current challenge confronting the process is brewing from Torungbuwa Ruling House which is to provide the next Monarch.

  • Businessman unveils new lounge on mainland

    Businessman unveils new lounge on mainland

    In his quest to cater for the entertainment needs of prospective clients within the Lagos mainland and its environs, Mr. Femi Bankole, a business mogul and returnee has set up Vibes Lounge.

    The lounge located at highbrow Ikeja, at Oregun, Lagos, according to the Managing Director/CEO of Vibes Lounge Nigeria Ltd, is to fill the yawning gap for revelers who desire a place to unwind after a hard day’s stress.

    Speaking on how he would make place the best among its contemporaries in Lagos, Bankole said Vibes Lounge is not going to be a lounge where segregation would be paramount.

    He noted that Lagos State is full of diverse people where everybody wants to have a good time and enjoy themselves. “Vibes Lounge is not going to be a lounge where segregation would be paramount. Of course, we’ll identify with corporate world, like-minded and professionals, but we are not going to limit it to that because Lagos State is a diversified cultural endowment.”

  • Police probe businessman’s death

    The police have began investigating the death of a Lagos businessman, Kelvin Uzozie, 42.

    Uzozie was allegedly killed on October 8, at his 7 Rasheed Yusuf Street, Onireke off Badagry Expressway home.

    His assailants were said to have broken into his three- bedroom apartment through the rear door.

    It was gathered that he lived alone; his wife, a teacher, who stays in Onitsha, Anambra State, visits occasionally.

    His death was reported by his neighbours at the Onireke Police Station. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

    According to his  neighbour, Kenneth, the assailants removed the burglar proof at Uzozie’s rear door.

    He said: “Kelvin was a good man and a peace-loving fellow. He would never allow you cheat anyone. Although he lived alone here, he never kept female company except for his wife who visits him from Onitsha. She was even in Lagos a week before the incident.

    “It was around 4am when I heard noise coming from the sixth flat of our building. The sound was quiet heavy like people fighting. I chose not to go out because I didn’t know what it was all about.

    “Around 6am, I heard other neighbours shouting outside. I later saw people gathered in front of Kelvin’s apartment. His body covered with blood from his nose and mouth and it was obvious he was dead.

    “I asked other neighbours if they heard the sound earlier and they said yes. One said he thought robbers had invaded the compound. And was praying all through. We went round his apartment for any clue as to why he was killed and if the suspected murderers had come to rob or just to end his life.

    “We discovered the burglar proof at the back door was cut off and that was how the killers gained entrance into his apartment and they possibly left through his front door because it was left wide open. The rooms were scattered. We even found a stick in his room lying close to him and covered with blood stains.

    “It was then we knew that those who came for the job had used a stick to perfect their act.

    “We are all still in great shock over the incident.  It’s been weeks now but the fear is still very much in us.  Some of us even fled our houses after the incident but only had to return about three days after.”

    According to a source, an autopsy has been conducted and Uzozie’s body released to his family.