The Nation Newspaper

Tag: evidence

  • ‘No evidence as to status of hostages’

    The Federal Government has insisted that it was not ready to rush into conclusion on the kidnapped seven foreign nationals, who were reported to have been killed by one of the terrorist groups in the North, Ansaru.

    According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru, there is no conclusive evidence on the status of the hostages.

    The minister yesterday noted that there must be evidence to prove that the foreigners were killed. This is coming 24 hours after the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, was quoted as saying their killing remained unconfirmed.

    Ashiru, who was responding to questions from reporters on the status of the seven foreign nationals reported to have been killed by Ansaru, said: “You see, before you announce that the hostages are either dead or alive, you must have evidence. I believe our security agencies are working hard to ensure that we either find the bodies or we release them alive. For now, there is no conclusive evidence on the status of the hostages.”

     

  • Evidence of further marginalisation of core Southwest

    Evidence of further marginalisation of core Southwest

    As is often the case when there are matters of great moment, this column is being yielded today to Chief S.B Falegan, Economist and Banker, former CBN Director of Research, and governor Kayode Fayemi’s deliberate pick for the Chairmanship of the Ekiti State Sure-P Committee, who takes a deep and dispassionate look at other areas of South-West marginalisation by the Jonathan administration. Happy reading.

    I hope and believe those who are speaking about the marginalisation of southwest Nigeria are not limiting their comments to human capital alone, but should look also at structural capital especially infrastructural development. The recent announcement by the Federal Government to construct 10 new rail lines as appeared in PUNCH of Monday December 24 2012 page 26 (business and economy) further confirms and reinforces the discrimination by the Federal Government against the Southwest of Nigeria especially the Core south west of Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Oyo States. The information as contained in page 26 of that paper is partly reproduced below

    The Federal Government has announced plans to construct 10 new rail lines to cover other parts of the country currently not linked by rail. The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, said on Friday that already feasibility studies had commenced on seven of the proposed railway lines. Umar, who spoke in Lagos at the inauguration of the Lagos-Kano train service and resumption of fuel haulage by train from Lagos to Offa, said that the feasibility studies on three other planned rail line would be done in 2013 . He gave the total distance of the areas to be covered by the seven rail lines as 3,421kilometeres. The minister said that at the completion of the feasibility studies, the railway development project would be undertaken through public private partnership arrangement. “Upon final construction of these lines, it will improve mass movement of Nigerians and open windows for rapid economic development and regional interaction,” he said Umar stressed that all the new rail lines would be constructed as standard gauge track for the movement of fast trains. According to him, the new lines will cover Lagos-Sagamu-Ijebu Ode-Ore-Benin (300km); Benin-Agbor-Onitsha-Nnewi-Owerri-Aba, with additional line from Onitsha-Enugu-Abakaliki (500km).

    It also included a 615km-high-speed rail track from Lagos to Abuja, passing through Lagos, Oshogbo and Baro. The minister listed Ajaokuta (Eganyi) – Obajana-Jakuru-Baro-Abuja, with additional line from Ajaokuta to Otukpo (533km); Zaira – Kaura Namoda-Sakoto-Ilela-Birnin Koni (520km) as other areas to be covered. Others are costal rail line linking Benin-Sapele-Warri-Yanogoa-Port Harcourt – Aba-Uyo- Akampa-Ikom-Obudu Cattle Ranch (673km); and Ajaokuta- Eganyi- Lokoja Abaji-abuja line (280km). The other three lines, whose feasibility contracts would be awarded next year, are Port Harcourt Unuahia-Enugu-Makurdi-Lafia-Kaduna-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri; Ikom-Ogoja-Kastina Ala-Wukari-Jalinhgo-Yola-Maiduguri and Kani-Nguru-Gashua-Damaturu-Maduguri-Gamborun-Ngala.

    With ten new railway lines, that exclude the core southwest, pray does the phrase “other parts of the country currently not linked by rail” include Oyo-Ekiti-Ondo? Pray why is such planned railway not extended between Oyo State (Ibadan) and Ekiti State (Ado-Ekiti) to Ondo State (Akure)? Pray how will these economic benefits extend to those neglected states? Pray how do they benefit from economic integration so orchestrated? Indeed, this deliberate policy has further shifted the operations of companies like Lafarge Wapco Cement, Dangote Cement etc who operate enormously heavy duty trucks and trailers to the neglected states to further destroy the few federal roads and those being reconstructed by these neglected states from their meager funds. You need to travel Ilesha-Akure-Owo-Benin road to see the daily carnage. Ekiti State is completely caught off between Akure and Ado—Ekiti unless you go via Akure-Igbara Oke-Igbaraodo-Ado in a circular way. Why should Okitipupa-Ondo-Akure-Benin road not be dualised? Or the Akure-Ado-Ekiti-Omuaran road from the same SURE-P? More questions are begging for answers.

    The Role of SURE-P As an instrument of nation-wide intervention development strategy.

    In its decision to remove oil subsidy, the Federal Government set up a subsidy withdrawal organ (SURE-P) which is to use the proceeds for financing development projects nationwide While each state is free to use its own share for projects of its choice, the federal share is to cover the whole federation in key areas. SURE-P, in concept, coverage, and policy implementation discriminates against the Southwest, especially the Core Southwest as shown in SURE-P documentation.

    Item 2.9 List of Road Projects: of the 1,326km roads, the 295km allocated to SW/SS covers Benin-Ore-Sagamu dual carriage way. It should be observed that the Benin-Ore-Sagamu dual carriage way has always been in the annual federal budget for the past 20 years. The NATION of Saturday 16th February 2013 page 6 has the story that the Federal Government has obtained fund from the SURE-P to construct the dualisation of Abuja-Benin Road. Yet the federal authorities are aware of the appalling state of federal roads in middle and core S/W (Ondo-Ekiti-Osun): Akure (Ondo State) to Ilesha in Osun State. The same is true of Iyamoye (Kwara State) to Omuo, Ikole, Ogotun in (Ekiti State) to Osun State. Ekiti State has the shortest federal roads in the federation and yet not one km of these roads is considered worthy.

    Item E1:33 Irrigation Projects: 19 irrigation projects are listed with 4 going to NE, 3 for NW, 3 for SE and 3 for SS. The two listed for SW go to Ogun and Oyo State as if those are the only states in SW. The Ero Water Dam and Lake, covering 11kilometres in Ekiti State is one of the largest water/irrigation projects in Nigeria established at the same time as those listed above in other parts of the country which are to benefit from SURE-P. Why should it not qualify for SURE-P like others listed above?

    Item E2:34 Rural and Urban Water Supply Projects: The little Osse mentioned in Ekiti State is put there merely to demonstrate federal presence and involvement. The Ero Water dam mentioned above can combine both irrigation for agriculture and water supply while Arinta Water falls should quality for tourism under the federal scheme. Item 36&37: Selected Power Projects: What is needed here from the Federal Government is a second 132/33KV power substation project in the northern part of Ekiti and the urgent completion of the on-going one which is no more adequate for the state capital not to talk of its adequacy for the whole state. If the Federal Government can embark on all these projects with or in addition to SURE-P funds, why is none of the federal roads as shown earlier in these core southwest not receiving federal attention?While our legislators must continue to be vigilant and alive to their responsibility to the electorate, they must not underestimate the power of policy formulators who deliberately and mischievously plan and execute such policies of discrimination to their sectional advantage. That is why I appreciate the action and vigilance of Senator Femi Ojudu (Ekiti Central) in detecting the fraud in the 2013 budget proposal for road construction where one or two roads in other states were shown as Ekiti State roads.

    Senator Femi Ojudu should go and take a critical look at the Dredging and Canalisation work at Ureje River under the Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja. The contract was awarded for N1.2billion and reported to have been completed and paid for in 2010 whereas no work has been done on the site which is already overgrown with weeds. The contractor who quoted for N890 million for the job lost out.

    I have at my disposal a list of 44 Water Pump Projects by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for Ekiti Local Government areas in the 2012 appropriation act which a detailed examination shows are mere repetition of previous years’ appropriation. Yet there is the impression that the projects for the bore holes have been executed and completed. That brings into question the role of Benin-Owena River Basin authority in Ekiti State development.

    Walls have ears, windows have eyes.

     

    MUYIWA IT’S YOUR DAY.

    With thanks to the Almighty God, here’s wishing my dear friend and brother, Chief Olumuyiwa Runsewe of Singafrique Engineering Ltd, Lagos, happy birthday as he celebrates the 65th of his glorious and chequered life today. Long may you live in great health, my brother.

  • Terrorism: Suspected Al-Qaeda member denies evidence by SSS

    Terrorism: Suspected Al-Qaeda member denies evidence by SSS

    A Suspected member of Al-Qaeda, Mohammed Suleiman Ashafa, has denied a statement tendered in evidence against him by the State Security Service (SSS).

    He is arraingned before Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over allegations of being a member of the group and also involved in training members in terrorism.

    At the resumed trial yesterday, Ashafa insisted that the statement, though carrying his signature, didnt emanate from him.

    Speaking through an interpreter when asked by his lawyer, N.CNwachukwu to verify the statement before the court, Ashafa said: “I wrote my statement in Hausa language while the present document is in English and I do not understand English”.

    The accused who told the court that he deals on Islamic books, told the court how he was forced by some officers of the SSS at gunpoint to sign the present statement carrying his signature.

    “I was tortured, humiliated, severely beaten, and was striped naked by SSS officials in their bid to make me succumb and sign their own version of the statement. One of them even held my manhood and was mocking it “ Ashafa told the court.

    He went on: “When I refused to sign the statement written in English language, a superior officer brought out a pistol and threatened to shoot me dead if I refuse to sign the document. After the torture and treatment metted out on me, at that point, I had to sign in protest”.

    Answering questions from the prosecution counsel, Thompson Olatigbe, the accused said he has been with the SSS since 2003 till 2006, when he was charged to court.

    Ashafa admitted before the court that he wrote two statements in Hausa language on two occasions he was questioned by the SSS in relation to the statement he was opposed to.

    More so, he maintained that, “This document shown to me in court today is not my statement”.

    Justice Adamu Bello granted Ashafa’s counsel 10 days to file a written address in trial within trial just as he gave the prosecuting counsel, two days to reply the said address.

    The matter was adjourned till March 25, when both parties are required to adopt their written addresses.

  • Court admits car as evidence in Boko Haram trial

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday admitted in evidence a car, which was allegedly used to carry explosives by six suspected Boko Haram members.

    The State Security Service (SSS) tendered the evidence in the ongoing trial of the six suspects.

    They were accused of bombing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Suleja, Niger State, on April 8, 2011. Sixteen persons died in the incident.

    The accused, who are facing a five-count charge on sundry acts of terrorism, are: Shuaibu Abubakar, Salisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana Umar, Mohammed Ali, Musa Adam and Umar Ibrahim.

    At the resumed hearing yesterday, the prosecution counsel, Thompson Olatigbe, called his last witness, Mr. Olaoye Obafemi Kehinde, an SSS exhibit keeper.

    Kehinde tendered a black Honda Civic car, with registration number, (Borno) AG94MNG, as an exhibit.

    Two hundred pieces of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which were admitted in evidence at the last sitting, were said to have been recovered from the car after three of the suspects were arrested in Kaduna State.

    The suspects confirmed the car belonged to them.

    After an inspection of the car by Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, the counsel and the suspects, the car was admitted in evidence since there was no objection by the defence counsel, Mr. Nureni Suleiman.

    The defence counsel told the court that he would file an application for a no-case submission.

    Justice Bilikisu gave the defence two weeks to file the application and serve the prosecution in writing on the no-case submission.

    The prosecution has two weeks from the date of service to reply to the application.

    The matter was adjourned till February 6 and 7, when the application for a no-case submission would be heard.

    The accused allegedly conspired with others at large to prepare, plant and detonate IEDs at various public places.

    Other offences they allegedly committed include the death of three persons at a political rally in Suleja, Niger State, on March 3, 2011; ailing the death of three Peace Officers on May 23, 2011, at Dakwa Village in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and aiding the death of three persons at the All Christian Fellowship Church, Suleja, on July 10, 2011.

     

  • Bombings: Court admits Honda Civic Car as evidence

    Bombings: Court admits Honda Civic Car as evidence

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday admitted in evidence the Honda Civic car the suspected Madalla and Suleja bombers allegedly used in transporting 200 explosives.

    Before admitting the car, in evidence, Justice Bilkisu Aliyu accompanied by the clerk of the court and counsel to the parties, inspected it.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the car bears a Borno plate No. AG 94 MNG.

    Salisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana-Umar, Mohammed Ali and Musa Adam, all suspected members of Boko Haram, were arrested on July 28, 2011 at Gumel Junction, Kachia in Kaduna State, in the car that contained the explosives.

    Others are Umar Ibrahim and Shuaibu Abubakar, who are standing trial for the alleged multiple bombings and killings in Suleja and Madalla, both in Niger State.

    Testifying, Mr. Olawoye Obafemi, an exhibit keeper with the State Security Service, said: “my organisation directed that I take custody of the car and explosives’’.

    Obafemi explained that four of the accused were caught in the car with the 200 explosives in Kachia, Kaduna State.

    NAN reports that at the last sitting on December 20 last year, the court admitted in evidence, the 200 explosives allegedly seized from the suspects.

    NAN also reports that with the appearance of Obafemi, the prosecution has concluded its evidence against the accused.

     

  • Okah:South African court may take evidence from Nigerian suspects

    •20 witnesses testify against MEND leader

    As the Federal Government tries to close its case against the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Henry Okah, there are plans for the Guateng High Court in South Africa to take evidence from three bomb suspects in custody in Nigeria.

    The suspects are on trial for the October 1, 2010, blast in Abuja.

    But it was unclear yesterday whether the court will relocate to Nigeria or the suspects will be flown to South Africa.

    It was gathered that written, oral, audio and video clips of the suspects might also be made available to the court.

    A source said more than 20 Nigerian witnesses, including four case officers from the State Security Service (SSS), testified against Okah in South Africa.

    The source said: “So far, more than 20 witnesses, including four case officers in SSS, have been to South Africa to testify against Okah.

    “There is no question of the Federal Government negotiating with the MEND leader.

    “Some of the witnesses included some serving ministers, security chiefs and even former MEND coordinators.

    “Depending on Okah’s defence, more witnesses might still go to South Africa. The last batch of witnesses came back about 11 days ago.

    “We are determined to conclude the case to prove that we are out to fight terrorism. It is left to Okah to open his defence.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The South African court might take evidence from some of the suspects in custody.

    “We are not sure whether the court will relocate to Nigeria or the suspects will be taken there.

    “The court might also choose to depend on written, audio and video clips of the testimonies of these suspects, who are also on trial at a Federal High Court in Abuja.”

    Four suspects were initially arrested in connection with the blast.

    The suspects are Edmund Ebiware, Charles Okah, Obi Nwabueze and Tiemkemfa Osuvwo, who later died in custody.

    Ebiware implicated the MEND leader in the explosions near the Government House in Warri on March 15, 2010.

    The source added: “From the hint at one of the trial sessions, the court might take evidence from some of these suspects.

    “It is left to the court to determine its modus operandi. We are, however, ready to cooperate with the court.”

     

  • Chelsea hand over Mikel evidence

    Chelsea hand over Mikel evidence

    UEFA Champions League defending champions, CHELSEA have provided the English FA with a dossier of statements to support the allegation that referee Mark Clattenburg directed “inappropriate language” of a racial nature at Super Eagles midfielder, John Obi Mikel, but dropped their complaint

    regarding Juan Mata due to insufficient evidence.

    Players and officials have had a series of interviews with external legal counsel since their 3-2 league defeat by Manchester United and, with that process completed, Chelsea confirmed their complaint in relation to Mikel.

    Signed witness statements — from Mikel and Ramires among others — were forwarded to the FA who, along with the Metropolitan Police, will now investigate the allegation. They will seek interviews with all relevant witnesses, including Mikel, Clattenburg and his team of officials, and will also request available video footage.

    Clattenburg has made no public comment beyond welcoming the chance to establish the facts but is known to vehemently deny the allegation against him.