The Nation Newspaper

Tag: fight

  • Khan to fight Alexander or Guerrero in December

    Khan to fight Alexander or Guerrero in December

    Former IBF/WBA light  welterweight champion Amir Khan (29-3, 19 KOs) has said he’ll be back in the ring in December against possibly Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (32-2-1, 18 KO’s), Devon Alexander (26-2, 14 KOs) or another opponent.

    Khan said that his adviser Al Haymon is working on the date for the fight to be televised in the United States on Showtime in December. Khan said he wants a big name that will get him a fight against WBA/WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.

    He also said he’s open to fighting Manny Pacquiao in the future now that Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions are willing to work with each other now.

    “I’m looking at fighting in December, maybe the second week,” Khan said to BT Sport.

    “I talked to Al Haymon a couple of days ago. Hopefully we can get that finalised for TV in America. There are a few names like Alexander, Robert Guerrero. I want to fight the top guys again to get into the position to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr and some of the big names.”

    Khan hasn’t given up on his pursuit of Mayweather even though he’s not fought anyone even remotely good enough for him to share the ring with the talented champion.

    Khan was on the verge of naming a third name but he was interrupted by one of the talking heads on the show, who stepped on his attempts to name the third guy. But obviously Alexander and Guerrero are the two top guys that Khan is looking to fight next, so I don’t expect a third option to come up that would move ahead of one of those guys.

    Khan obviously knows that he can’t fight anymore old timers like he’s done in his last two fights again Julio Diaz and Luis Collazo and expect to get a fight against Mayweather. That’s not going to work, especially with Khan having unfinished business with Danny Garcia, Lamont Peterson and Breidis Prescott.

  • Politician, ex-lover fight over love-child

    Politician, ex-lover fight over love-child

    A member of the Delta State Waste Management Board, Hope Ajibor, is enmeshed in a messy legal battle with his ex-lover, Success Makeleme, over the paternity of a love-child.

    Besides doubts over the paternity of the love-child, the former lovers are also fighting over custody of the six-year-old  Emmanuella.

    The former lovers, who both hail from Oghara in Delta State, were said to have started an affair in 2007, which supposedly resulted to the birth of Emmanuella in 2008.

    In a suit filed at the Oghara Magistrate Court, Ajibor is seeking the court leave to grant him custody of the child; while in another suit, he also sought the court leave for a DNA test of Emmanuella to determine her paternity.

    It was gathered that trouble started between the former lovers when the mother of the child picked her up from the Nigerian Navy Primary School, Oghara, in April when the school was about to go on vacation. It was allegedly done without the knowledge of the school authorities.

    It was learnt that the action of Success infuriated Ajibor, who had earlier informed the school authorities that the child was in his custody pending the determination of a suit filed at the Oghara Magistrate Court.

    Ajibor was said to have petitioned the Naval authorities at Oghara alleging that his daughter was missing from their school.

    In a counter petition to the Divisional Police Headquarters at Oghara, Success alleged that Hope refused to provide necessary and essential basic needs for the baby’s education but that she forgave him when he surfaced to accept the baby.

    In the petition, she explained that she was in custody of her daughter and wondered why the naval authorities were still searching for her daughter.

    She disclosed that she decided to take her daughter from the school because Ajibor allegedly refused to return Emmanuella to her following a five-day temporary visit she granted him to be with the child.

    Backing her daughter’s assertion, Success’ mother, Dora, in a chat with our reporter, said her daughter had the baby outside wedlock after being promised marriage by Ajibor and  wondered why he would want custody of a child he is doubting the paternity.

    She said: “This man deceived my daughter. He impregnated her and I did not know him. I did not see the man again even after she delivered. The man did not come. It was my daughter that named the daughter. We don’t know anything about the man called Hope.

    “We were surprised that the man came and said he wanted the child after five years. My daughter gave him the girl for mid-term holiday but he did not return the girl. The police should release our daughter. This man has disrespected our family,” she added.

    Success was arrested by the police following complaints by naval officials that a pupil was abducted at their school.  The Head Teacher of the Navy Primary School, Oghara, Lt E. J Envuladu said the child was taken by the mother without the knowledge of the school authorities and that they needed to return her to the father.

    The court has, however, granted leave for the conduct of a DNA test to prove the paternity of Emmanuella but Success, in a counter-affidavit, dropped a bombshell saying, Ajibor is not the father. She said Ajibor should not dissipate his energy or money to find out about a child that does not belong to him.

    Success, in the petition, said Ajibor lacked the right to press charges against her since he was not the biological father of the child.

    In his reaction, Hope explained that he was responsible for the care of the child since birth.

    He said he decided to take custody of the child because the mother was using her to extort money from him and for him to provide quality education for the daughter.

    Ajibor stated that he opted for DNA to be sure that the child was his biologically.

    At the time of this report, the embattled mother had been released from police custody.

  • NNPC needs foreign assistance to fight crude oil theft

    NNPC needs foreign assistance to fight crude oil theft

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said it requires the assistance of the international community to stem crude oil theft.

    The corporation’s Head of Strategic Planning, Mr. Jimoh Okon, while interacting with the National Conference Committee on Power, also explained that a dedicated pipeline protection unit to tackle vandalism is required to stem the twin evil of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

    Okon’s position was contained in a statement by the Conference’s Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications, Mr Akpandem James, who expressed concern over the activities of itinerant crude oil refiners that degrade the environment.

    It reads: “He hinted that crude oil traders are a veritable link between oil thieves and legitimate businessmen.

    “Stolen crude, according to him, goes through the creeks and such

    activities take place at night with the aid of small vessels that transfer crude into large ships anchored on international waters.

    “Okon lamented that the issue cannot be tackled in isolation (by Nigeria alone) because of its international dimension, and therefore called for international collaborative efforts that may involve the use of helicopters and gunboats on international waters.

    “He however offered, that to stem the twin evil of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, a dedicated pipeline protection unit as obtained in Russia must be in place.

    “The NNPC chieftain said there are six main creeks in which barges operate and suggested the procurement of six coastal vessels to effectively police those creeks.

    “He added that the recent meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and the US Assistant Secretary of Defence was part of government’s efforts to curtail crude oil theft.

    “He insisted that Nigeria was suffering from energy crisis because the country exports primary energy sources and imports processed Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    “For Nigeria to reach the level of South Africa, he said the nation needed to generate 50,000 megawatts as opposed to the current 4,000 megawatts.

    “The Gas Master-plan by the federal government suffers a set back because international oil companies did not see Nigeria as a viable market, he said.

    “He spoke at length on the nation’s over reliance on its natural resources as income, especially oil and gas.

    “Emphasis, according to him, should be more on the utilization of oil and gas at home as these constitute about 15 per cent of the nation’s GDP, even though  it constitutes about 85 per cent of government revenue.

    “While suggesting ways that government can generate revenue, he warned of a situation where there is complete reliance on a product whose price cannot be determined or controlled locally.

    “He suggested the removal of subsidy on oil saying it was a two trillion naira drain on the nation’s resources.

    “He also suggested that the production of 300,000 barrel of crude oil per day be differed; and advocated the payment of environmental sub-charge, inclusion of pipeline tax of about six naira into the cost of PMS, as well as the implementation of the five per cent road maintenance charge.

    “He stressed the need for the use of energy to create wealth for the people rather than as a means of rent collection.

    “He doused fears about the possible non availability of kerosene in an event of subsidy removal and expressed firm belief that the product will be available.

    “While indicating that the unit cost of producing a barrel of crude oil was approaching 39 dollars, Okon said Nigeria currently exports 22 million tons of gas per annum from six trains.

    “International gas demand, he said, stands at 992 million tons and Nigeria is the fifth gas exporting country with about 7.5 per cent of the international market.”

  • How to fight cancer naturally

    There is no one drug, herb, or treatment that will kill cancer.

    Cancer has to be treated by building the body’s immune system.

    There are some natural ways to help build the immune system.

    Eliminate sugar and Junk food

    Eating white sugar will paralyse and hinder people’s white blood cells from fighting off an infection.

    By taking 25 teaspoons of sugar will paralyse 92 per cent of people’s white blood cells for approximately five hours. Most people, especially in developed countries such as the United State, eat about 42 teaspoons of sugar daily. For example: A banana split has 24 teaspoons of sugar. A 12 oz coke has approximately 8-10 teaspoons, a piece of white bread two teaspoons.

    It should be remembered that sugar or empty calories and junk foods interfere with the working of the body’s immune system.

    Eliminate high fat diet

    Diets high in refined fats have long been associated with increased cancer risk. Breast cancer is more frequent in women on diets high in both saturated fats, (whole milk), and in animal fat. (2) A low fat diet not only prevents breast cancer but increases the survival of women who already have breast cancer.

    Eat raw diet

    This is about the hardest thing to do, but it is very important.

    Only raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and sprouted grains are what people  will be eating until their cancer is in remission. Nothing should be cooked. No cooked beans, bread and potatoes, etc.

    This may sounds tough, but it is much easier then having chemotherapy, which make people hair fall off and subject them to vomiting and being weak, etc.

    Chemotherapy usually tear down the immune system.

    Raw food is live food and possesses the highest nutrition.

    It is full of vitamins, mineral and enzymes, phytochemicals, etc.

    Cooked food is dead food, plant any seed and it will grow.

    Cook the seed and then plant it and it will not grow, because it’s life principle has been destroyed.

    Place cancer cells in a cooked medium and they will proliferate.

    Now place the cancer cells in a raw matter and they will disappear!

    This astounding fact is known to the Cancer society, but the public doesn’t  know this.

    Some raw food recipes

    Raw foods recipes can be tasty and delicious.

    The base of preparation to “functional food” is very simple.

  • Women to fight sexual harassment, child labour

    Women to fight sexual harassment, child labour

    THE Women’s Wing of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday said it was mobilising to fight sexual harassment against women, child labour, and under-age marriage.

    Ms Olubunmi Abikoye, the chairperson of the Lagos wing of the congress, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    She said: “We are working on a programme to move against women’s sexual harassment and child labour, including under-age marriage, before the year runs out.

    “We are mobilising to show that we are not in support of sexual harassment is going on in the public and private sectors.”

    “We also frown at child marriage and say no to it.”

    The NLC chief said the union was partnering some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and women’s groups in various organisations, market women and the grassroots.

    She urged the federal and state governments to revert maternity leave for women to 84 working days, instead of the current 84 days, which included weekends.

    Ms Abikoye said: “The 84 days with weekends are not enough for a woman who has carried a pregnancy for nine months to take care of herself and her baby after birth.

    “The government should, therefore, revert to the 84 working days maternity leave.”

    She advised women in the private sector to watch out for clauses that peg maternity leave at one month and reject them, while signing employment contracts.

    According to her, the wing was working with various women’s groups to identify other areas where women’s rights were being violated and how to tackle them.

    She expressed concern about the violation of women’s rights in the banking and insurance sectors and vowed that the union would tackle them.

    The NLC chief also said the union had identified some local and international firms which employed children.

  • China to spend $275b to fight air pollution

    China will spend $275 billion over the next five years improving air quality — roughly the same as the gross domestic product (GDP) of Hong Kong, and twice the size of the annual defence budget.

    According to report by Wahington Post, there’s an old hypothesis, known as the environmental Kuznets curve, that suggests that countries will sacrifice clean air and water in favor of economic development — but only up to a certain point. Once they get rich enough, the calculus shifts, and countries start spending more on environmental goals. China appears to have reached that point.

    There are plenty of reasons for the about-face. Not only is China’s air pollution triggering angry protests, but it appears to be hurting the economy, too. One recent MIT study suggested that coal pollution in northern China had shaved as much as 5.5 years off life expectancy. (Some statisticians, like Andrew Gelman, have criticized that precise estimate, though everyone agrees coal pollution has a sharply negative effect on health.)

    The Economist, meanwhile, wonders whether China’s anti-pollution binge will curtail the nation’s coal use and carbon pollution quickly enough to help the world avoid drastic global warming. (Since 2000, China has accounted for about two-thirds of the growth in the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions.) That’s a much trickier question.

    On one hand: Several Chinese cities are beginning to experiment with cap-and-trade policies that will set hard ceilings on the amount of greenhouse gases that factories and power plants may emit. But the targets themselves can often get weakened in negotiations between state-owned firms and local officials. What’s more, the Chinese government has been cracking down on and jailing environmentalists, the sort of outsiders who would typically help ensure these policies are actually working at the local level.

    This follow-up Economist article suggests that China has plenty of reason to care about climate change: “China will suffer as much as anywhere. Already its deserts are spreading, farmland is drying out and crop yields are plateauing. Climate change may make matters worse. It has 80 million people living at sea level who are vulnerable to rising oceans and higher storm surges.”

    But that, in itself, isn’t reason to think that a sharp reduction in emissions is inevitable — even with all those billions.

     

  • Abacha’s son, Etete fight over Malabu oil’s N34.4b cash

    Abacha’s son, Etete fight over Malabu oil’s N34.4b cash

    The last may not have been heard of the controversial Malabu oil deal. Mohammed Sani, one of the children of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, is locked in a battle with a firm owned by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Dan Etete, over N34.4billion ($215m) which accrued from the sale of Oil Block 245 to Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited and Shell Exploration and Production Company Limited.

    The row between Mohammed Sani and Etete, who was a minister in the Gen. Abacha, has underscored the personal intrigues behind Malabu oil deal and how it is rubbing off on the nation.

    The $215million is, however, stuck in an Escrow Account with JP Morgan Chase.

    The Federal Government had on April 29, 1998 granted an Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL 245) for oil block 245(Block 245 to Malabu Oil and Gas, owned by Etete.

    But on 30th March 2001, Malabu and Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited (SNUD) entered into a Farm-in Agreement and a Deed of Assignment under which Malabu assigned 40 per cent equity interest in OPL 245 to SNUD.

    The Federal Government on 2nd July 2001 revoked OPL 245 and by a letter dated the 23rd May 2002, awarded the oil block to SNUD on the basis of a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) following a competitive bid with another international oil company – on the invitation of the Federal Government.

    Based on the re-award of the oil block, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) December 22, 2003, executed a PSC with SNUD( hereinafter referred to as the 2003 PSC ) granting SNUD the right to exclusively operate Block 245 as contractor for a term of 30 years.

    The revocation of the oil block led to various law suits involving FGN, Malabu, and SNUD.

    According to records, the Federal Government on 30th November 2006, executed a settlement agreement with Malabu “without admission of liability for any alleged wrongful, unlawful, unjust or any like conduct agreed to re-allocate Block 245 to Malabu in consideration of Malabu discharging and releasing the FGN from all claims and suits filed by Malabu against the FGN in connection with the revocation of Malabu’s interest on 2nd July 2001.”

    The out-of-court settlement letter, dated December 2, 2006 was signed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Edmund Daukoru.

    Following international arbitration, the Federal Government agreed to pay $1.092, 040,000 to Malabu Oil and Gas in full and final settlement of any and all claims, interests or rights relating to or in connection with Block 245.

    The cash was paid into a depository account with J.P Morgan Chase Bank NA, managed from London.

    But following issues raised by Abacha’s son, Malabu Oil and Gas could only access $801, 092, 000. 000 of the $1.092.040.000 billion.

    The two parties (Mohammed Sani Abacha and Malabu Oil and Gas) had taken their dispute over $215million to the Federal Government.

    The government may not dabble in the cash row, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    A source said: “The $215million in dispute is in an Escrow Account, it is not the business of the government to settle personal disputes.

    “It is a sad development, in view of the challenges the nation had experienced during the military regime between 1994 and 1998.

    “What the government did in 2006 was only to resolve the dispute over OPL 245 through international arbitration or else we will not be able to explore the oil. We acted in the best interest of the economy because OPL 245 is important.

    “This row is purely a personal matter which the parties can resolve in court. But the cash is in an Escrow Account with JP Morgan Chase.

    “You can see how personal interests rub off on the nation’s economy. This is why a systemic review is being done.”

    The details of the row between Abacha’s son and Etete’s firm are captured in some documents obtained by our correspondent.

    In a letter to the Federal Government, through his counsel, A.A. Umar, the son of the late Head of State alleged “unauthorised alterations of Malabu Oil and Gas Limited ownership structure.”

    The letter said Pecos Energy and Sani “have discovered that, without their consent or knowledge, one Mr. Dan Etete has disposed of the interest of Our Clients to Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited and Shell Exploration and Production Company Limited”.

    “The above named companies bought from Mr. Dan Etete an oil block known as OPL 245 for the sum of $1.3 billion US Dollars (One Billion, three hundred million U.S Dollars). Our clients’ investigation further reveals that Mr. Dan Etete has already received the sum of $801, 092, 000. 000 (Eight hundred and one million, ninety two thousand U.S Dollars) and will receive the balance as soon as a consulting dispute with International Legal Consulting Limited is settled by a sole arbitrator in London.

    “It is our clients’ view and it is also our advice that, you be informed of this development so as to enable you intervene and solve this matter amicably between the parties. It is our view that the consequences of litigating this matter will be negative to the image of our great country.

    “On behalf of Our Clients, we ask you once more to intervene and call a meeting of all the disputing parties with a view to achieving a just and reasonable settlement.”

    But a letter by James Maton of a law firm in the UK, Edwards Angell Palmer and Dodge for Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, said Energy Venture Partners Ltd (EVPL) “alleged that it is entitled to US$200 million from Malabu by reason of an oral variation to an Agreement entered into between Malabu and EVPL in January 2010 under which EVPL was appointed to find buyers for Oil Production Licence 245.

    “It is said by EVPL that this fee is payable as a result of the separate resolution agreements entered into on 29 April 2011 between (a) FGN, NAE and SNEPCO, and others; (b) FGN and Malabu; and terms of settlement between the Malabu and the Shell companies. Malabu considers the claim to have no merit whatsoever.

    “Malabu understands that, as a result of the resolution between FGN, NAE and SNEPCO, the FGN holds US$1,092,040,000 in a depository account with J.P Morgan Chase Bank NA, managed from London. It also understands that FGN intends to pay that sum to Malabu as payment of the settlement sum under the Resolution Agreement (and indeed has issued various payment instructions)

    “EVPL has obtained a freezing injunction in England in support of its claim. Initially, that freezing injunction purported to freeze the entire US$1,092,040,000 billion held in the FGN’s depository account with JP Morgan.

    “As a result of a hearing on Monday 18 July, the injunction was varied with the effect that payment to Malabu was permitted, provided that US$215 million of the sums owing to Malabu were paid into court. The payment into court will discharge the injunction.

    “As a result, and in part satisfaction of FGN’s obligations under the settlement, Malabu has asked the FGB to pay US$215 million into court, with US$801,540,000 being paid to Malabu. That, Malabu understands, will leave about US$75.5 million in the depository account (being an amount to Malabu under the resolution agreement).

    “Malabu is seeking to obtain an Order in the proceedings that the US$215 million is released from court and paid to it, on the basis that EVPL has no good arguable case and made serious non-disclosures to the court when obtaining the injunction.”

    In a June 3, 2013 separate letter to President Goodluck Jonathan, Malabu Oil and Gas insisted on its right to the $215million.

    The letter obtained from a source close to the firm said in part: “We send your Excellency our sincere compliments and thank you for providing the environment and inspiration for a new and dynamic Nigeria through your transformation agenda.

    May we also use this medium to once again express our gratitude to your administration for being able to resolve the issues concerning our oil block OPL 245.

    “Your Excellency will recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited executed the “BLOCK 245 MALABU RESOLUTION AGREEMENT” of the one Part, Federal Government of Nigeria and Shell executed “BLOCK SNUD RESOLUTION AGREEMENT” on the Second Part, Federal Government of Nigeria, Shell Nigeria Agip Exploration and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation executed “BLOCK 245 RESOLUTION AGREEMENT” on the third Part. All the agreements were execute din April 2011 to formally bring all issues in dispute concerning OPL 245 to a close.

    “Your Excellency will recall that by our letter to you dated 17 June 2011, we sought your approval to authorize the Federal Ministry of Finance to direct J.P Morgan Chase (“the Escrow Agents”) to pay the moneys due to Malabu Oil and Gas Limited under the Resolution Agreements in the sum of US$1,092,040,00 (One billion, ninety-two million and forty thousand US dollars) by wire transfer direct to Malabu’s designated accounts in Nigeria.

    “Your Excellency graciously granted the said approval. However, before the Federal Ministry of Finance could carry out the said directives, Malabu Oil and Gas Limited and J.P Morgan Chase were served with two freezing (injunctive) orders from the High Court of Justice in England on the Application of: ENERGY VENTURE PARTNERS LIMITED (a British Virgin Island Company) which sued Malabu Oil and Gas Limited for the sum of US$ 200, 000, 000 (Two hundred million US dollars) together with damages and cost of US$15,000,000 (Fifteen million US dollars) and;

    International Legal Consulting Limited (a Russian company) which commenced an Arbitration proceedings against Malabu Oil and Gas Limited at the London Court of International Arbitration suing for US$75,000,000 (Seventy-five million dollars).

  • How to fight insecurity, by Shema

    Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema and a Professor of Criminology at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Femi Odekunle, have suggested ways of combating the growing problem of security.

    Shema advocated a concerted effort by all Nigerians towards evolving a united front to combat insecurity and other social problems. Prof Odekunle suggested a redistribution of the nation’s wealth for the benefit of the people as against the current practice where the country’s wealth is held by a few that constitute the elite class.

    They spoke in Abuja at this year’s edition of the Ahmadu Bello Universitys (ABU), Alumni Association, Abuja branch’s annual lecture and dinner/award.

    Shema, an alumnus of the institution, said more than ever before, the country now requires unity among its citizens as shown over the years by the university, which has established itself as a symbol of unity in line with the legacies of its founding father, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

    “This type of unity is particularly relevant and worthy of note against the background of current challenges.

    “For me, what is urgently required is a re-orientation and inculcation of sound moral values in our youths. We must begin to orient them towards embracing peace and working for the unity of our great country,” Shema said.

    He appealed to all alumni of ABU to assist the university to develop its infrastructure and others at learning facilities with a view to returning the school to its position as a foremost centre of learning in the country and the West African sub-region.

    Speaking on the topic: “Peace and security: A panacea for national development,” the guest lecturer, Prof Odekunle linked the country’s security problem to what he described as the unjust and lopsided distribution of the nation’s wealth.

    He argued that security and development were interlinked, and that one could not exist without the other.

    Prof. Odekunle, who frowned at the unhealthy exhibition of wealth by the few in a society populated by a mass poor, argued that the current insecurity could not be divorced from the disenchantment among the deprived majority.

    He said a reversal in the current socioeconomic arrangement to allow an even distribution of the nation’s wealth; enthronement of accountability among public office holders and application of law were among ways of combating the nation’s many challenges, particularly security.

    The association’s Chairman, Mrs Salamatu Suleiman said the choice of the lecture’s theme was informed by the association’s realisation that the “worst challenge confronting us today and which threatens the fabric of our nation-hood is that of insecurity.”

    She said the association chose to provide a forum for a close examination of the nation’s security problem as its contribution the Federal Government’s on-going peace initiative.

    Among those at the event are former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, former General Manager, Peugeot Automobile Limited, Isa Ozi Salami, Commandant, National Defence College, Rear Admiral Thomas Lokoson, ABU Alumni National Chairman, Mrs Henrieta Ogah and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs Fatima Bamidele.

  • ‘We’ll continue to fight piracy’

    The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to stamping out the crime of piracy in the country.

    This is coming on the heels of some major successes it recorded in its anti-piracy efforts.

    The commission, which launched two separate raids on some markets in Abuja, arrested about 10 suspects and seized pirated items worth over N7 million.

    In the first operation tagged: “Kubwa Cleansing” led by the Acting Director, Enforcement, Augustine Amodu and the commission raided Kubwa and Zuba markets where pirated optical discs and other items were recovered.

    Amodu said seven suspects were arrested during the raid, while 28,000 pirated copies of optical discs, including movies and musical works were retrieved from both markets.

    In the second raid at the Durumi 1 Market, three people were arrested in connection with their alleged involvement in the illegal distribution of DSTV signal.

    They include Godwin Onyuka, Samuel Nwabueze and Onyuka’s neighbour identified as Chima.

    DSTV’s Manager, Piracy, Gozie Onumonu, who led NCC officials and armed policemen on the raid, said the main suspect, Onyuka’s offence was that he was allegedly rebroadcasting DSTV channels to over 500 households in Durumi Community and in the market and allegedly collects N1,000 per shop monthly.

    Onumonu claimed that Onyuka also collects N500 from each household that he is not giving football channels.

    “And he only pays to DSTV about N13, 000 monthly. DSTV does not give commercial package to people who do cable piracy.

    “DSTV Collective package is meant for viewing centres and hotels. It costs N13, 000 monthly and it is called commercial bouquet.

    “DSTV does not and has never given anybody any licence to rebroadcast its channels via cables. Whoever claimed to have been so authorised should produce the licence issued to him or her by the company,” the DSTV official said.

    Onyuka denied the allegation, claiming that what he does in Durumi eating place is not illegal.

    “DSTV officials came to Durumi eating place and inspected the market sometime last year. The company gave me the right to do what I am doing. An official of DSTV known as Omafo knows about this. Omafo, who is the Assistant Manager, Piracy, came with some other officials of the company; they came in DSTV’s official vehicle to inspect every shop in the market.

    “I have all the documents relating to the transaction. I will provide them at the appropriate time. The transaction, in relation to my business, was carried out at the DSTV main office at Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.

    “My decoders are registered. That was why I could link up others that were registered. DSTV is fully aware of what I am doing. I pay DSTV over N30, 000 monthly subscriptions for this commercial service. I have linked over 40 people.

    “My contract with DSTV is called DSTV Collective. Under it, the company registers some decoders with which you are allowed to connect others for commercial purposes.

    “If they do their investigation and find out that my decoders are not registered for commercial, I should be indicted,” Onyuka said.

    Nwabueze, the chairman, Durumi 1 Market Traders’ Association, confirmed that the suspect distributes DSTV services to his association’s members.

    He said over 40 members are linked by the suspect, who charges N3, 000 for connection and N1, 000 monthly subscription from those he linked. Nwabueze denied knowledge that the suspect’s operation was illegal. He said his only involvement was to assist in the collection of the monthly subscription fee from his members to the suspect to avoid disputation.

    Also speaking, Amodu expressed delight that his commission’s efforts were yielding results with the arrest and confiscation of Onyuka’s operational tools.

    “We have warned severally that the NCC will not tolerate piracy in whatever form. We have said that piracy is a cankerworm that is biting deep into the fabric of the economy of this nation.

    “We have decided to either stamp out or reduce it drastically. The NCC wishes to warn all those engaged in this form of illegal business to stop.

    “If they refuse to stop, we will surely get them, no matter where they may be in this country. Onyuka, who was arrested in Durumi, will be taken to court soon. We are committed to zero-tolerance of piracy in the country,” Amodu said.

     

  • Group targets grassroots in fight against corruption

    Group targets grassroots in fight against corruption

    By its nature, the third tier of government is intended to provide the people with basic essential services, which is why it is referred to as the government closest to the people.

    Today, local governments in the country seem not to appreciate their responsibilities beyond paying staff salaries and serving as appendages of the state governments, a development that serves to further deprive the people the benefits of democratic governance.

    Many have attributed the inability of the local government to function for the benefit of the people to corruption. To them, the case is made worst because cases of official corruption at the third tier level of governance are hardly reported and also do not attract enough attention as is the case with the other two levels.

    Bothered by this state of affairs, a group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has commenced move aimed at directing public attention to corruption at the local government level. Within the last two months, it has launched two initiatives aimed at achieving this goal.

    The latest of such initiatives is a text message service, which it said is meant to encourage citizens and local residents, who witness corruption at local government level to anonymously alert it (SERAP) who, in turn, will report any such allegations to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    The group said the initiative, limited to Lagos, is part of its local government anti-corruption project in the state, being executed the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). Under the project, citizens or whistleblowers – mostly residents in local government areas of Lagos – who witnessed or has information about any corruption case, is expected to send text or SMS 08160537202 or other numbers contained in SERAP’s website – www-serap-nigeria.org.

    SERAP said the project was informed by the realisatgion that although local-level corruption is assessed to be much more widespread than corruption at the federal and state levels, most of the known cases of corruption are at the federal and state levels.

    The group said it also observed that allegations of corruption among local government officials frequently go unreported, with no actions taken to redress the problem.

    It said its investigations show that corruption at the local government level goes beyond outright theft of local resources, and often includes: bribing policemen, doctors, tax officers, council administrators for construction of permits or local market stall.”

    SERAP said it believes citizens and local residents will be more likely to report incidents of corruption in their communities if they are able to text details and know that their identity will be safeguarded and confidential, rather than openly speaking about this.

    SERAP’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni said the project is driven by the belief that many low-level cases of corruption that should be sent to the ICPC go unreported, with citizens and local residents being too scared to blow the whistle.

    He said to prevent abuse, his group will closely monitor messages on allegations of corruption and carry out appropriate checks to ensure that the allegations made are in good faith, in the belief that the information is true, and that the disclosure is in the public interest.

    Mumuni explained that once those conditions are satisfied, his group will send petition on any such allegations to the ICPC for necessary action and follow-up,”

    “The initiative is designed to encourage greater community involvement and participation in anti-corruption activities, which hopefully will contribute to improved public service delivery such as health, education and other utilities to local residents.

    “It is also to address the continuing exclusion of the poor and other marginalized communities or their lack of participation in their own governance. Addressing corruption at the local government level is critical to comprehensively tackling the endemic and ensuring effective management of Nigeria’s natural resources,” Mumuni said.

    Before now, SERAP, working with OSIWA, had launched a book – Citizens’ Guide to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) – meant to encourage Nigerians to report to the ICPC any reports of corruption whether or not it directly affect them.

    The book, the group said, was in line with the provision of Section 24 (e) of the Constitution. The section imposes a duty on every citizen to “render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order”

    To this end, every citizen is under a duty to report to the ICPC any form of action, activity, transaction, event, or phenomenon, that portends corruption under whatever guise.

    Mumuni said the book, written by written by Professor Oyelowo Oyewo former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, is a simplified document which aims to increase citizens’ awareness about the ICPC.

    The book, he added, contains practical information, including the very important points such as examples of typical incidences of corruption by local government officials, and how a citizen can lodge a complaint before the ICPC.

    He said the book seeks to complement the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, which confers on the citizens, the right to access public records under section one.

    “The book also seeks to encourages citizens to take on the role of “whistle-blowers” that can trigger investigations into corrupt practices that will lead to prosecution and conviction of corrupt public officials, in particular at the local government level. The ICPC Act in section 6(f) imposes a duty on the Commission to ‘to enlist and foster public support in combating corruption.’

    “Hence a citizen can make a report/petition about corrupt practices at any of the Offices of the ICPC, to enable any of the officers of the commission to investigate such report/petition as provided by the ICPC Act’.

    ”While the report (book) can be used by the citizens to lodge complaints before the ICPC on allegations of corruption generally, the report primarily focuses on local government level corruption in order to address the high level official corruption at this level, and as well as the impunity of perpetrators,” Mumuni said.