The Nation Newspaper

Tag: houses

  • ‘Herdsmen still destroying our crops and houses’

    ‘Herdsmen still destroying our crops and houses’

    •Soldiers arrest suspect with bullet-proof vest

    Farmers in Tiv land have lamented that despite the presence of soldiers in their settlements, Fulani militia still destroy their crops and houses.

    A military exercise, Operation Cat Race, is on in Logo and Guma Local Government areas of Benue State.

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who launched the exercise in Gbajimba, Guma council, said it is to flush out killer herdsmen and restore peace so that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) can return home.

    However, when The Nation visited Asege, Tse Gbeleve, Agboko, Anyibe, Tse Dzungwe and Ibor, in Tombo ward, Logo council, most villages were deserted.

    The villagers said the Fulani militia seem to have returned with more force.

    A victim, Unande Utor, said Fulani militia have looted their property and destroyed their yam seeds.

    Another victim in Anyibe, Terzungwe Azua, alleged that the destruction of crops had increased since soldiers came to the area.

    Azua said they were better under the police, who responded to attacks on their farmland and crops.

    They alleged that the soldiers looked the other side while the Fulani destroyed their houses.

    Chairman of Logo council Richard Nyajo said he would report to the military to step up operation in abandoned settlements.

    Police spokesman Moses Yamu said he was yet to get the report.

    Troops in Benue State have arrested a herdsman with a locally-made bullet proof vest and cutlass at Chegba, Logo Local Government Area.

    A statement by Col. Aliyu Yusuf yesterday said the suspect had been handed over to the police.

    Yusuf added that troops in Taraba State intervened in a clash between hunters and herdsmen in Obi Local Government Area, and seized a locally-made pistol with live cartridge at Gidan Kiya, Ibbi Local Government Area.

    He urged residents to cooperate with troops by providing information and report any suspicious movement to security agencies.

  • Director loses N28.5m, houses

    Director loses N28.5m, houses

    A Lagos Federal High Court yesterday ordered that the N28.5million seized from   Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) Director of Accounts Mr Anifowoshe Alade be forfeited to the government.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  had told the court that the money “is reasonably suspected to be proceeds of stealing.”

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa ordered the forfeiture of the cash and other properties  the recovered  from Alade to the Federal Government.

    He directed the Federal Government to transfer the assets to the Lagos State government.

    The judge held: “I hereby order that the Federal Government shall take such administrative steps and with reasonable dispatch to ensure that the funds and the properties forfeited to the Federal Government are transmitted to the Lagos State government in view of the evidence before me.”

    Justice Aikawa noted that Alade did not not controvert the allegations against him.

    “The applicant (EFCC) made averments and exhibited documents which have not been controverted by the respondent in the form of a counter-affidavit. These averments are therefore by law deemed admitted.

    “I hold that the applicant has met the test for the grant of the application for an order of final forfeiture,” the judge held.

    The property include six flats of three bedroom, six flats of two bedroom, six flats of one Bedroom at Adewale Osiyeku Street, Offin-Ile Igbogbo, Ikorodu, and four flats of three bedroom duplex at 6, Tunde Gabby Close, Dopemu Area Pako Bus Stop Agege, all of which EFCC said were “reasonably suspected to have been acquired with the proceeds of theft”.

    Others are a plot of land at Queen’s Garden Estate, off Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a semi-detached three bedroom flat and one unit of three bedroom terrace at Cranbel Court, Citiview Estate Arepo, Ogun State.

    EFCC said Alade, being a Director of Account in LSPWC, was “the custodian, initiator, first authoriser and final authoriser of the corportation’s internet banking system”.

    Alade allegedly incorporated a company,  MAJ Anny International Limited, of which he is a director and the sole signatory to its account.

    In a supporting affidavit, an official of EFCC, Zayyanu Halliru, said: “We traced to the respondent the sum of N106,095,960, which sum he fraudulently stole from LSPWC to his personal account No. 0015893001 domiciled in Guaranty Trust Bank and converted same to his personal use.

    “We traced to the respondent the sum of N223,373,475,  which sum he fraudulently stole from LSPWC to MAJ Anny International Limited being his company account domiciled in Zenith Bank.

    “The respondent used part of the proceeds of crime allegedly stolen from LSPWC to purchase and acquire properties

    “Out of the stolen funds highlighted above, the respondent purchased two properties from a company called Property Mart Real Estate Investment Limited in the sum of N37,740,000. Out of the above, we have recovered the sum of N28,500,000.

    “The sums and the building highlighted above are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities stolen from LSPWC.”

  • 110 Isheri Olofin houses under demolition threat

    Residents of Isheri-Olofin, Lagos have protested against a quit notice served on them last Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

    They described the notice as illegal, following a 2005 Federal High Court ruling that ordered both parties to stay action on the land.

    They urged Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, to intervene.

    The notice gave the residents 14 days to vacate the land, described as Federal Government Site and Services Scheme, and “reinstall same to its original position.”

    It was signed by the Zonal Town Planning Officer, Urban and Regional Department, Ipaja, Mrs B. O. Akele.

    The notice reads in part: “However, if you have any documentation from the Federal Government or its agency allocating the parcel of land to you, as a proof of your ownership, please, meet the Zonal Town Planning Officer at the above address urgently at the Lagos State Field Headquarters, lpaja for immediate clearance to avoid embarrassment.

    “Please note that failure to act promptly within the stipulated time will leave this ministry with no option other than to remove illegal structure to reclaim and at your expense.”

    According to the residents, about 110 homes were served the notices by ministry officials protected by armed policemen.

    The traditional ruler of Isheri-Olofin, Oba Wahab Ayinde Balogun and the Oba-in-council, who spoke through the spokesman of the palace and Baaroyin of Isheri-Olofin, Chief Jide Osokoya described the ultimatum as “an abuse of the rule of law.”

    The monarch said another suit on the matter, marked ID/5401/LMW/2017, is pending before Justice O. A. Olayinka of the Ikeja High Court, Lagos.

    According to a statement made available to The Nation, the community said they “were shocked by the action of the Zonal Town Planning Officer, who authorised the pasting of the notice and the threat to demolish the houses.

    “They had been warned against such action by Justice Abdullahi Mustapha of a Federal High Court in the initial suit No: FHC/LCS/676/05.

    “He told them to desist from tampering with lands that belong to Isheri-Olofin people until the outcome of the litigation.”

    “We have written the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, who himself is a lawyer, to intimate him about the illegality being perpetrated by officials of his ministry, who apart from disobeying the rule of law, are also constantly threatening and intimidating our people with armed policemen in an extra-judicial manner.”

    The residents said their suit at the Federal High Court arose following the alleged refusal of the Urban and Regional Department “to return its bona fide land after it was not used for the purpose it was earmarked for (which was a national  cemetery), in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.”

     

  • 86 cars, houses: Govt files charges against director, APC chief

    86 cars, houses: Govt files charges against director, APC chief

    The Federal Government has filed a charge against the Director of Finance and Account in the Federal Ministry of Power, Works, and Housing, Ibrahim Tumsah and his brother, Tijani Tumsah, a member of the Presidential Committee on North East Initiative and ex-Interim National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The two-count charge was filed yesterday before the Federal High Court, Abuja by the Okoi Obono-Obla-led Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property (SPIPRPP).

    The two are charged with failure to declare  their assets “without reasonable excuse and upon the notice to declare” them before the SPIPRPP.

    Their alleged offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under section 3(3)(1)(a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act 2004.

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), presided over by Justice Muawiyah Idris had, on December 6, 2017,  granted a temporary foefeiture order on some assets allegedly traced to the two brothers.

    The assets included 86 luxurious vehicles, four houses and a quarry plant in Abuja.

    Detectives attached to SPIPRPP had, upon the discovery of the assets last year, said 23 of the 86 vehicles were brand new.

    Of the four houses, two are said to be located in Wuse II, one in Wuse Zone 7, and the other in Jabi, all in Abuja. The quarry plant is located at Kuje in Abuja.

    Also confiscated by virtue of the December 6, 2017 order are eight containers with household items also seized by the panel from Tumsah were also affected by the court order.

    The 86 vehicles, the landed assets, and the other items were said to have been discovered by detectives on November 17, 2017, in a warehouse inside house 22, Igbani Street, Jabi, Abuja.

    The charge filed yesterday was signed on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) by a Chief Superintendent with the SPIPRPP, Celsus Ukpong.

    Counts in the charge accused the duo of refusal to declare their assets without reasonable excuse .

    They are also accused of neglecting to declare their assets before the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Abuja, contrary to and punishable under Section 3(3)(1) (a) of the Recovery of Public property (special provision) Act 2004.

  • Court seizes N6b, $222,000 N2bn shares, 12 houses from Jonathan’s cousin, ex-aides

    Court seizes N6b, $222,000 N2bn shares, 12 houses from Jonathan’s cousin, ex-aides

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered interim forfeiture to the Federal Government of the sums of N6,584,785,000; $222,000 and Aso Savings Limited shares valued at N2,028,800,000 allegedly derived fraudulently from  proceeds of the sale of Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

    Justice Dimgba also ordered an interim forfeiture of 12 houses and some plots of land located in Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja allegedly bought with part of the loot.

    The judge gave the orders while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The EFCC accused some former aides and a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan of diverting about  N27,188,232,208.20 proceeds of the PHCN Severance Insurance Premium.

    The judge heard and granted the motion in chambers yesterday after it was moved by EFCC’s lawyer Ben Ikani.

    Justice Dimgba also directed  the EFCC to publish the orders in any national daily within 14 days, following which any interested persons or organisations interested in the assets would be entitled to challenge the court orders.

    He adjourned further hearing in the case to February 6.

    In the ex parte mtotion, EFCC named top government officials involved in the said  scam to include then Chief of Staff to the then President Goodluck Jonathan, Brig.-Gen. Jones Arogbofa,  then Accountant-General of the Federation Mr. Jonah Otunla, and the then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Dr. Godknows Igali.

    Others also named in the scam were a cousin to Jonathan, Robert Azibaola; a  former Director-General of Bureau for Public Enterprises, Mr. Benjamin Dikki; and a former Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil.

    It alleged that Arogbofa got N150m through proxies; Dikki, N1 billion; the ex-Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Igali N475 million; Otunla N3.6 billion; Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola N2.5bn and Wakil, N118m.

    The EFCC also alleged that, of the N27,188,232,208 allegedly misappropriated by government officials, N6,584,785, $222,000, and N2,028,800,000 worth of shares of Aso Savings Ltd had been recovered from the suspects.

    The seized properties include two units of 4-bedroom detached duplex (Houses 12 & 14) at Alexander Miller Estate, Lekki-Lagos; one unit 4-bedroom semi-detached terrace duplex (block C11, Unit 7) at Lekki Garden Estate Paradise 3, Lekki, Lagos; one unit of 4-bedroom semi -detached(House 4b) at Olive Court, Agodi, GRA, Ibadan, Oyo State; and two units of 3-bedroom flat with 1-room boys quarters at 6a & b, Ogedengbe Street, Apapa, Lagos.

  • Jonathan’s ex-campaign chief forfeits 38 houses

    Jonathan’s ex-campaign chief forfeits 38 houses

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has traced 38 choice houses to a former Chairman of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. Ngozi Olojeme.

    Mrs Olojeme, Deputy Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Goodluck Campaign Organisation in 2015, is being investigated by the EFCC for alleged diversion of $48,485,127 from the accounts of the NSITF.

    Of N62.3billion fraud discovered in NSITF, $48,485,127 is allegedly credited to Mrs. Olojeme.

    The anti- graft agency has secured a court order to place the assets under interim forfeiture, pending Mrs. Olojeme’s trial.

    Besides, EFCC has obtained a warrant from the court to detain the suspect for two weeks to complete the first round of the investigation and her arraignment.

    Mrs. Olojeme, who is said to have taken ill, is at a private hospital in Abuja where EFCC detectives are keeping an eye on her.

    EFCC detectives uncovered 40 houses, 38 of which are believed to be Mrs Olojeme’s.

    Of the 38 houses, detectives rated the mansion at No. 51, Kainji Crescent in Maitama, as a “multi-billion naira piece with some foreign leaders occasionally staying there when they come visiting”.

    The golden mansion was at the weekend sealed off by the EFCC.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “EFCC  recovered over 40 properties out of which 38 belong to the ex-NSITF chairman, including the property at No. 51, Kainji Crescent, off Lake Chad Crescent in Maitama District.

    “The Kainji Crescent property is said to have housed some foreign leaders when they came visiting. It is a multi-billion naira mansion.

    “We have invoked sections 28 and 34 of the EFCC (Establishment Act) 2004 and Section 13(1) of the Federal High Court Act, 2004, which empower the agency to apply the Interim Assets Forfeiture Clause.”

    Section 28 of the EFCC Act reads: “Where a person is arrested for an offence under this Act, the Commission shall immediately trace and attach all the assets and properties of the person acquired as a result of such economic or financial crime and shall thereafter cause to be obtained an interim attachment order from the Court.”

    The EFCC source went on: “As I am talking to you, we have placed all the over 40 assets under interim forfeiture based on the approval of our application by the court. The assets will be temporarily forfeited until the end of the trial of all the affected suspects.”

    “We have also secured a court order to detain her for two weeks in preparation for Dr. Ngozi Olojeme’s arraignment in connection with the alleged diversion of $48,485,127 from NSITF’s account. We have charges already prepared and we will be arraigning her soon.

    “But she sought for medical attention in a private hospital for an undisclosed illness. We accorded her the right to seek medical aid and deployed in detectives and sentry guards to the hospital.”

    The EFCC has already arraigned a former Managing Director of NSITF, Umar Munir Abubakar, and four others for alleged diversion of N18billion.

    The others are Henry Ekhasomi Sambo, Adebayo Adebowale Aderibigbe, Chief Richard U. Uche and Aderemi Adegboyega.

    The cash was said to be the Federal Government’s contribution to the take-off grants and Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS) for Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    EFCC’s report on preliminary investigation said in part: “That through this process, Dr. Ngozi Olojeme, the then NSITF board chairman, has collected a total sum of $48,485,127 from Mr. Chuka Eze (her account officer at FBN), which cash he collected on her behalf being the dollar equivalent of monies paid to BDCs by NSITF contractors.

    “She and others also diverted huge cash allocated for allowances of its staff and compensation to contributors. Detectives actually traced some of the NSITF funds in the personal accounts of Olojeme and the former MD, Umar Abubakar.

    “For instance, Abubakar and others dishonestly converted to N18billion, being contribution from the Federal Government of Nigeria as take-off grants and Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS) for MDAs.

    “The said sum was diverted into personal accounts by an e-payment mandate jointly signed by Umar Munir Abubakar and Henry Ekhasomi Sambo.”

    The report added: “It was discovered that the NSITF accounts in First Bank of Nigeria and other banks have witnessed a total turnover of over N62, 358,401,927 between 2012 and 2015 from the Employee Compensation Scheme contributions.

    “That out of the N62bn, the Federal Government contributed N13,600,000,000 while the sum of N48,758,401,927.80 was contributed by the private sector. That there were several payments to individuals and companies from the NSITF bank accounts for purported contracts or consultancy services.

    “That some individuals and companies that received these payments, in turn, transferred part of the monies directly to the NSITF officials while others transferred huge sums to bureau de change operators who changed them to dollars.”

  • Why ‘ghost’ houses exist, by don

    Why ‘ghost’ houses exist, by don

    What are ‘’ghost houses’’? This issue caused a major stir in Abuja during the maiden Nigeria Housing Finance Conference, with the theme: Financing affordable housing: realities, necessities and possibilities.

    The guest speaker, Prof Oyebanji Oyeyinka, started it all when he spoke of what he called ‘’ghost houses’’ in Abuja, Ikoyi and Victoria Island.

    According to him, these are empty houses built with looted funds. He said nobody would build choice properties with his hard earned money and allow them to lie fallow.

    Oyeyinka urged the government to tax “big houses’’ in Abuja, whether occupied or not, as another way of raising money for affordable housing.

    “I call them ghost houses because they are empty; they’re based on awuf economy. If you use your hard earned money to build a house, even if you have to half the rent, you will do it just to pay back your mortgage or loan.

    ‘’But when someone leaves a house of eight-bedroom empty for three to 10 years, then something is wrong.

    “On the one hand, we are in a democratic government, so you can’t just go and seize someone’s house but there are creative ways government can put some sort of levy on these houses.

    ‘’I know some people would not like this but I have to say; in a country where majority of the people don’t have shelter, it’s a problem. In most of the countries, they put some tax and even levy them by space, say per square metre.

    “Of course, government is doing a lot on anti-corruption, but there is something wrong for empty houses to be everywhere in Abuja, Ikoyi, among others,” Oyeyinka said.

    He suggested the use of about 30 per cent of pension fund for affordable housing as done in many countries.

  • Houses, pharmacy go for Pen Cinema Bridge

    Houses, pharmacy go for Pen Cinema Bridge

    TO pave the way for construction of the Pen Cinema Bridge in Agege, the Lagos State government yesterday embarked on the construction of houses on its  path.

    The demolition started on Oba Ogunji Road,  the bridge’s take off point. But the area mostly hit was around Pen Cinema. Many buildings, including those housing banks,   a popular pharmacy, mobile phone shops and other business premises were pulled down.

    The affected premises were marked in August. A stakeholders’ forum was held for all Agege residents in September to ensure their buy-in into the project.

    About eight groups working on both sides of the road carried out the exercise. They were assisted by policemen.

    Scavengers and hoodlums flocked the scene, rummaging through the rubble of the demolished houses. The development caused a traffic gridlock around Pen Cinema.

    Many were seen removing zinc roofing materials, doors,  frames, beddings and other items from the debris.

    Some Hitech Construction Ltd workers were seen   directing the exercise.

    Several of the buildings, especially the business premises, were almost empty at the time of the demolition.

    Those affected  were seen trying to salvage their properties  before the bulldozers moved in.

    No one was willing to speak with reporters as they were busy packing their properties.

    A government official, who pleaded not to be named, said the contractor undertook the exercise. He said the government had no hand in the demolition.

    The government said in September that the bridge would be ready in December 2018.

    Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development Adebowale Akinsanya said the government  had created alternative routes to ensure  seamless traffic flow during the bridge’s construction

  • Over 100 people displaced by flood in Benue, houses, others affected

    Over 100 people displaced by flood in Benue, houses, others affected

     The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said over 110,000 people in 24 communities including Makurdi were displaced by flood.

    The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Boniface Ortese, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Wednesday that over 2, 769 households were also affected.

     Achusa, 200 houses were affected with 5,125 persons displaced

    Idye, 217 houses were affected while 5,200 persons were displaced.

    Wurukum Market, 218 houses were affected with 1,000 persons displaced

    Genabe, 200 houses were affected with 5,021 persons displaced

    Industrial Layout, 69 houses were flooded and 4,310 persons displaced

    Demekpe, 111 houses were affected while 7,820 persons displaced

    Wadata Market, market150 houses were affected and 4,300 persons were displaced.

    Agboughul-Wadata 201 houses were affected and 5,728 persons displaced

    Katungu, 6,031 persons displaced, 137 houses were flooded

    Behind the Civil Service Commission, 200 houses were submerged in flood and 5,777 persons were displaced.

    Meanwhile, the state commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Mr Joseph Utsev has urged the Federal Government to include Benue among states to benefit from the N1.6 billion ecological intervention fund.

    Utsev said that since 2013, the state had not received any ecological assistance from the Federal Government.

    He said that if adequate budgetary provisions were made, many disasters may be mitigated since natural disasters could only be controlled.

    The commissioner said that dredging the River Benue would provide permanent solution to the recurring flood in the state.

    “Benue Government is looking for ways in which River Benue can be dredged; this is because by dredging the river, majority of the water can be accommodated and thus, prevent future overflow.

    “The ongoing research so far, shows that the preliminary study would cost about N8 billion while the main project would gulp about N300 billion.

    “And this is where we need Federal Government financial intervention to execute the project, since the funds are much,’’ he said.

  • Flood submerges houses in Makurdi

    Flood submerges houses in Makurdi

    Rains, which lasted for over three hours, have submerged houses and rendered residents homeless in Makurdi, Benue State capital.

    Areas affected are Wurukum, Idye village and end of Vandeikya Street, all in Makurdi.

    Schools, hotels, markets and motor parks were taken over by water.

    Property worth millions of naira were destroyed at Wurukum market on Makurdi-Gboko Highway.

    Commercial vehicle operators at Wurukum motor park moved out of the place to Makurdi- Gboko highway, where they can easily carry and drop passengers.

    A commercial driver told The Nation they would carry and drop passengers by the side of the road until water dried up at the park.

    Yesterday, worshippers at Living Faith Church waded through flood before they entered the church, as its gate at Wurukum was flooded.

    Residents said they discovered their homes were flooded at night.

    They appealed to the government to assist them, as flood had displaced them.

    Governor Samuel Ortom, through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, urged for calm, saying the government directed the Water and Environment Ministry to prepare relief packages.

    Akase advised people not to dump refuse in drainages.