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Tag: Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

  • Senate Invasion: Court restrains police, SSS from arresting Senator Omo-Agege 

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja has ordered the police and the State Security Service (DSS) to desist from arresting Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) over Wednesday’s disruption of the Senate’s proceedings during which its mace was allegedly stolen.

    Justice Isahq Bello, who is the court’s Chief Judge, gave the order Thursday while ruling on an ex-parte motion by the Senator.

    Justice Bello said the order is to subsist pending the hearing and determination of the Omo Agege’s motion on notice seeking similar prayers as contained in the ex parte motion.

    Justice Bello, in his ruling, retrained the four respondents from arresting Omo-Agege pending the hearing of the senator’s motion on notice.

    The judge granted all the applicant’s prayers, which included:

    *An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents, their agents and/or servants arresting and/or detaining the applicant either in their custody of any other law enforcement agency, or its servants, agents or privies or through any person working in concert with the respondent as its agents, by whatever means or however described pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this suit.

    *An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents, their representatives, agents or privies, howsoever described from any attempt or threat to violate the applicant’s fundamental right to personal liberty and right to freedom of movement pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this suit.

    *An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from taking any or further steps detrimental to the applicant’s aforementioned fundamental rights to the applicant’s rights in connection with the facts stated in this matter pending the hearing of the motion on notice filed in this suit.”

    Upon granting the Senator’s prayers, Justice Bello adjourned further proceedings to May 7 for the hearing of the motion on notice.

    The judge equally re-assigned the case to Court 30 which is being presided over by Justice Usman Musale in the Jabi Division of the FCT High Court, where subsequent proceedings would take place

    The main suit is marked: FCT/HC/CV/1522/2018 and the ex parte motion marked: M/5050/18.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN); the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris; the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Sadiq Bello, and the Director-General of SSS, Lawal Daura are listed as respondents.

    Read Also: Senate probes police invasion of National Assembly

  • PDP calls for inquest into Shiite/security clash in Abuja 

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded for an immediate inquest into the violent clash between security forces and members of the Shiite movement, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    The party expressed grave worry over the handling of security in the nation’s capital and the near breakdown of law and order, which resulted in stampede and disruption of public and private businesses in the city center.

    In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP noted that the clash was as a result of protests by the Shiites over the continued detention of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

    The Shiites leader had been granted bail by the court but the government has continued to keep him in custody, a development the PDP described show of force and infringement on citizens’ rights.

    “Furthermore, the PDP and indeed all lovers of democracy across the country are deeply concerned by the continued erosion of democratic tenets by the APC administration, resulting in avoidable crisis in various parts of the country.

    “The PDP sues for calm while demanding for an immediate inquest into the cause of this clash.

    “We also urge security high commands to ensure that this matter is nipped in the bud with the highest level of professionalism,” the statement added.

    Read Also: Police disperse Shiite protesters

  • Nasarawa Internal Revenue Service will generate N15b in 2018

    Ahmed Yakubu, the Chairman of Nasarawa Internal Revenue Service, has expressed optimism that the board will generate N15 billion this year to enhance the revenue profile of the state.

    Yakuba expressed the zeal on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the North Central Zonal headquarters of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria ( FRCN ) in Lafia.

    According to him, Gov. Umaru Al-Makura during the inauguration of the service, set an annual target of N12 billion for it.

    “But we have decided to review the target upward to N15 billion annually in order to boost the revenue profile of the state,’’ he said.

    He said the agency would to take advantage of the state’s proximity to the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ), to maximally harness the revenue sources of the state.

    He added that the revenue service would focus more on four areas: Stamp Duties, Pay as You Earn ( PAYE ), Withholding Taxes and Land Fee.

    Read Also: Nasarawa speaker denies snatching ballot box

    Yakubu promised that the internal revenue service would work in synergy with the state task force on land which was constituted in 2017, to generate more revenue for the state.

    The chairman added that the agency would also collaborate with security agencies to enforce the existing revenue laws of the state.

    He appealed to media organisations in the state to support the agency through appropriate sensitisation of the residents on the need fulfill their financial obligations to the state.

    Responding, Sylvasnus Namang, Director, FRCN, North Central Zone, gave the assurance that the station would support the service to achieve the set target.

    Namang added that FRCN would introduce quality programmes and carry news on the activities of the service as a way of supporting the it to achieve the set goal.

    NAN

  • Tax evasion: Fed Govt, States, go after property owners

    Tax evasion: Fed Govt, States, go after property owners

     

     

    The federal government on Monday extended its searchlight on tax evaders with properties in highbrow areas of the country.

    The federal government had on July 1, 2017 granted tax payers a nine months grace period to regularize their tax statuses under the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS).

    Monday, an informed source in the Presidency told journalists that the federal government through its data mining agency “Project Lighthouse” had received documents on property owners across the country from state governments.

    The first set of property owners that will come under scrutiny for tax compliance are owners of properties in Maitama, Asokoro, Garki ll, Wuse ll in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and those in Banana Island and its environs, Magodo, Lekki, Ikoyi in Lagos state.

    The source revealed that tax records and bank account details of these property owners are being reviewed by the team of “Project Lighthouse.”

    The source revealed that “the extension of the searchlight on these property owners is not unconnected with Illicit Financial Flow (IFF). Most of these people are diverting their incomes to properties and are not paying taxes.”

    It was further disclosed that some state governments in collaboration with the federal government have provided electronic searchable data base for both individual and corporate property owners with the following key information: Name of owner, plot number, location and Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) number.

    It was also revealed that the federal government is also extending the searchlight to the other northern states, the south east and the south-south regions.

    The decision to go after highbrow property owners the source said is because “it has been observed that most of the tax payers life style does not reflect in their tax payment.”

    Last week, the federal government vowed to name, shame and prosecute tax evaders from April 1, 2018. Under the VAIDS programme, state governments will be major beneficiaries of the programme because after the recovery, the money will go to the states, which is why the states are cooperating with the federal government on the scheme.

  • Dasuki loses bid for freedom

    Dasuki loses bid for freedom

    Detained former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki Friday lost his bid for freedom as the Supreme Court rejected his request to that effect.

    Dasuki had filed two appeals at the apex court, challenging his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) and prayed for the suspension of his trial pending his release by the government,

    In it unanimous judgments Friday, a five-man panel of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Dattijo Muhammad,  dismissed Dasuki’s appeals for lacking in merit.

    The court described the appeals as an abuse of court process and a ploy by the appellant to delay his trial.

    It noted that the trial initiated in 2015, has been frustrated by various interlocutory applications and appeals.

    Justice Ejembi Eko, who read the lead judgment, said Dasuki’s continued detention was not a violation of any order for bail granted the ex-NSA by both the Federal High Court and High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) before which he is standing trial for separate criminal charges.

    The court said Dasuki’s detention was not at the instance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that put him on trial.

    It further said the bails granted Dasuki in respect of criminal charges brought against him by EFCC have been obeyed having been implemented by the Controller of Prison Kuje on December 29, 2015.

    The court affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which earlier upheld the FCT High Court, where it said the EFCC was not liable for the detention of Dasuki by DSS.

    Justice Eko, who upheld the argument by respondent’s lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), noted that Dasuki merely used fair hearing as his “weeping principle to filibuster all the way to this court”.

    The judge said: “I have considered all the issues in the appeal. It is my view that the central issue, both at the trial court and the Court of Appeal, is whether the first respondent (the prosecution) did in fact, disobey, the order made on December 18, 2015, admitting the appellant (Dasuki) to bail pending his trial.

    “That central issue was the substance of the three issues formulated by the appellant and the sole issue formulated by the first respondent at the Court of Appeal.

    “The central or the core issue was not missed by the Court of Appeal. It was, in fact, firmly considered that the appellant in this interlocutory appeal has merely made fair hearing a weeping principle to filibuster all the way to this court.

    “The appellant’s diatribe on the Court of Appeal for expeditious determination of his own appeal is clearly symptomatic of malafide or the type ulterior purpose of this appeal.

    “An appeal brought not bona fide but merely to delay a pending action or to gag other prospective actions is clearly an abuse process. Regarding so, it is clearly an abuse of court process.

    “The appeal lacking in merit, being clearly an abuse of court process is hereby dismissed in its entirety.

    “The case is remitted to the learned trial judge, Honourable Justice H.B Yusuf of the FCT High Court for hearing with further directive that it shall be given accelerated hearing.”

    Justices Dattijo Muhammad (presiding), John Okoro; Centus Nweze and Amina Augie, who were also on the panel, agreed with the lead judgment.

    In one of the charges against Dasuki at the High Court of the FCT, he is being tried with former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, his son, Sagir Bafarawa, a former Director of Finance and Administration in the office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda an Sagir’s firm – Dalhatu Investment.

    They are accused, in the 22-count charge of, among others, diverting about N13bn allegedly meant for the purchase of arms.

    In the second charge of 19 counts, Dasuki, Salisu, Aminu Baba-Kusa and his (Baba-Kusa’s) firms – Acacia Holdings Ltd and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited – are accused of diverting N32bn meant for purchase of arms.

    Dasuki is being tried alone before the Federal High Court, Abuja on charges of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms.

    Read Also: Dasuki’s aide under probe over diversion of N36.4b

  • AEDC requires $150m to install meters for customers – MD

    AEDC requires $150m to install meters for customers – MD

    Abuja Electricity Distribution Company ( AEDC ) says about 150 million dollars is required to finance metering of  electricity customers  in its coverage areas of Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ).

    AEDC’s Managing Director, Mr Ernest Mupwaya, said this while making a presentation to House Committee on  Privatisation, who was on oversight visit to the company.

    Mupwaya said  the huge cost of metering was one of the challenges to mass metering of all the customers.

    He, however, said the company had a target of installing 120,000 meters yearly, adding that 146,000 meters had been installed so far.

    He told the  house committee  members that  AEDC was in the final process of  procuring another 320,000 meters  to accelerate  metering of  residential  customers.

    On Large Power Users (LPU), he said AEDC  had successfully  installed meter for all the 4,000 LPU customers; installed a technology to improve security and tampering detection on the equipment.

    He also said that the technology was designed to help monitor quality of power supply and power flow to the customers.

    According to him, the company has installed network capacity of about 870 MW above 710 MW peak power network received, adding that it has capacity to receive more power across its franchise area.

    He also said AEDC had also reduced its technical and commercial losses from 56 per cent at inception to 44 per cent in Dec 2017.

    Mupwaya further disclosed that the company had replaced and installed 630 faulty distribution transformers, totaling 208 MVA at the cost of N903 million to ensure improved services to its customers.

    He said that the company had consolidated its vending system into three separate systems.

    This, he said,  was designed to ensure increased payment tracking, flexible electronic solutions and convenience vending at any location, irrespective of meter type, brand or location.

    Earlier, House Committee Chairman on Privatisation, Ahmed Yerima, represented by Shadima Mutiu, said the committee was aware of the challenges faced by DISCOS  in the country.

    He, however, said the oversight visit was to ensure that objective of privatising the sector by  Federal Government was being  archived, especially in delivering power to Nigerians.

    Yerima said the visit was to ensure the DISCOS performed their duties and lived up to the terms of  the agreement  reached in the privitasation documents.

    According to him, part of the agreement is that AEDC reduces power theft, either technical or commercial.

    “We expect that you overhaul your obsolete equipment; we expect that you have metered majority of your customers.”

    He said it was important that Nigerians experienced the benefits of privatising the sector.

    He, however, said  the committee members were impressed  with the  level of achievements by AEDC  in its franchise areas.

    He urged AEDC to always present its operational challenges to the House for possible ways of resolving the issues.

    Yerima said the house would collaborate with the company, with the support of the executive, to help resolve challenges like energy theft, debts owed by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) through legislation.

    High point of the visit was the inspection of some of the facilities in the company by the committee members.

    NAN

  • 2019: Arewa Concerned youth beg Makarfi to run for president

    2019: Arewa Concerned youth beg Makarfi to run for president

    A group under the auspices of Arewa Concerned Youth and Development has begged former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi to run of the seat of President in the upcoming 2019 elections.

    Speaking at a conference which had in attendance representatives from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Monday in Kaduna, Chairman of the group, Ibrahim Suleiman said Arewa Youth uninanimously agreed to support Makarfi for President come 2019.

    He said the conference with the theme ‘Focusing on People: A Call for Mandate’ is aimed at highlighting the faint strides the senator made when he held numerous positions including governor of Kaduna state and senator.

    He said, “We are here to officially kick-off call for the candidature of Senator Ahmed Makarfi for the top job of the nation, and this conference is the first one we are having which I find symbolic. I want to use this opportunity to share with you first our priorities for the conference.

    “Makarfi as governor of Kaduna state from 1999 to 2007 experienced u precedented record of success when the state witnessed clashed over the introduction of Sharia law, most notably in 200 for which Makarfi has been widely acclaimed for his reforms to diffuse the situation through a tripartite legal system and promote dialogue while also improving service delivery in the state.

    “The reform of the traditional and cultural system which was a major issue as some of the traditional institutions have been struggling with boundary and identity problems for up to hundreds of years and the administration at that time saw evidences and resolved it by giving each ethnic group its independent identity and traditional establishment.”

    He added that the group in the spirit of brotherhood decided to give Makarfi an automatic opportunity to fly its presidential flag in 2019 saying, “If he does not answer our call, we will embark on mass protest o e month from this conference until he answers.”

    Read Also:PDP is alternative to APC, says Markafi

  • NPS raises alarm over influx of awaiting trial inmates

    Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) Controller General Ja’afaru Ahmed has expressed sadness over the rate of influx in population of awaiting trial inmates in prisons cross the country.

    Ahmed said the development if not checked would make mockery of present decongestion efforts of the Federal Government.

    2015 Administration of Criminal Justice Act, he said should be domesticated and implemented in states to pave way for alternative to custodial punishment.

    The prison boss spoke in Abuja during a facility tour of Dukpa Prison Farm Centre, in Gwagwalada Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command.

    He said as of December 15, there were 48,527 awaiting-trial inmates nationwide, representing 66 per cent of a total prison population of 72,384.

    Ahmed, who was represented by the NPS spokesman, Francis Enobore, said: “The year 2017 has been a challenging period for the Service, largely due to the perennial overcrowding phenomenon among the pre-trial detainees. Managing this category of inmates has always been fraught with risks and myriad of problems even with the deployment of large toll of the Services’ human and material resources. For this reason the CGP in 2016 when he came on board promised to face the problem differently.

    “The feat was however not without some challenges. Although the population of inmates awaiting trial shows a considerable reduction but the rate of influx, if care is not taken, will sooner than later make a travesty of the present decongestion effort. Some state task forces arrest minor offenders like street hawkers and even those without proof of means of livelihood and send them to the prison without a corresponding mechanism for further care and support. We are of the opinion that the 2015 Administration of Criminal Justice Act should be domesticated and implemented in states so that alternative to custodial punishment can be used.

    “Also of significant concern is the rejection of ex-convicts by members of the society. It is sad that the sanctimonious attitude of some relations of offenders has remained a bane in ex-convicts reintegration back into the society. These offenders often return to crime due to continuous discrimination and unfriendly disposition of members of the society. We believe that ex-offenders that have served term in the prison have received due punishment for their wrongful behaviour and therefore should be forgiven so that the circle of criminality can be broken.”

    Ahmed disclosed that the investigation report of the jail break in Ikot Ekpene Prison in Akwa-Ibom State wil soon be made public adding assuring that any officer found wanting in the report will be sanctioned without fear or favour.

    The Dukpa Prison Farm Centre, operated by the FCT Command of the NPS, fetches the Federal Government N3 million annually, according to the officer in charge, Mr. Benjamin Jatau.

    Leading reporters on a tour of the facility, Jatau, an Assistant Controller of Prisons, said the revenue was generated from the sale of products of the farm.

    He stated that the facility, established in 2006, was one of the 17 integrated farm centres run by the NPS nationwide.

    According to him, the farm which sits on 27 hectres of land in Dukpa community, Gwagwalada Area Council, was designed to teach inmates vocation in poultry, cattle rearing, fishery and piggery.

    “Besides, we grow some crops, mainly rice and maize, and then we have some subsidiary crops like soya beans.

    “All these activities are done by the inmates under the supervision of staff and professionals.

    “The aim of the farm is to affect the communities around on cropping techniques and modern livestock farming methods,” he said.

    Jatau said that every season the farm produced between 40 and 6o bags of maize, including Quality Protein Maize, “which is good for diabetes patients”.

     

  • Police arraign 35-year old banker for cheating

    Police arraign 35-year old banker for cheating

    The police on Thursday arraigned one Daniel George, 35, at a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court in the Federal Capital territory  ( FCT ) for cheating.

    George, a banker and resident of Gwarimpa, Abuja, is standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and cheating.

    The Prosecutor, Otu Urom, said that Sanusi Saminu residing at Ishaka Close, Gwarimpa, Abuja, reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Abubakar Bello, on December 13, 2017.

    He alleged that sometime in July, 2017, the accused and two others now at large, conspired and deceived the complainant.

    Urom alleged that they deceived the complainant to invest N1.5 million in their company under name of Global Trust Multipurpose Cooperative Limited.

    He said that the accused and the others promised to pay the complainant his money in 90 days but they failed to do so after the stipulated period.

    Read also: Police arrest 14 over Ibadan violence

    The prosecutor alleged that they converted the money into their personal use.

    According to him, the offence contravenes the Penal Code.

    When the charge was read out, the defendant pleaded not guilty”.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mr. Musa Jobbo, granted the accused bail for N1 million with one surety in like sum.

    He said that the surety must be a civil servant residing within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case till February 5 for hearing.

    NAN

  • Sports administrator canvasses investment in other sports

    Sports administrator canvasses investment in other sports

    Chief Dili Onyedinma, Acting Director of Sports, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Friday called on sports-loving Nigerians to invest in the promotion of baseball, cricket and squash for job and wealth creation.

    Onyedinma made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja while speaking on ways of reducing over concentration on football by youths.

    She said that baseball, cricket and squash had the potential of not only transforming Nigerian youths into super stars but also guaranteeing financial security.

    The FCT sports boss appealed for sponsorship of other sports to mak them compete favourably with football in the country.

    “If you go to the stadium, you will see many youths hanging for football training and participation in matches.

    “These youths should be encouraged to develop interest and talent in other sports to make fame out of them,’’ Onyedinma said.

    She expressed the willingness of the FCT sports authority to continue to create enabling environment for the development of sports among youths in the territory.

    She said, ‘’We are ready to extend hands of fellowship to any person or persons or corporate bodies that have interest in developing sports through sponsorship or otherwise.’’

    Many Nigerian youths have always preferred football to other sports, thus making football very popular to the neglect of other sports.