The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagos

  • Court throws out contempt application against Lai Mohammed

    Justice Mohammed Aikawa of a Federal High Court, Lagos, on Friday dismissed a contempt application filed by a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenadi Usman, against Minister of Information Lai Mohammed over inclusion of her name in the ‘looters’ list.

    Usman is standing trial on allegations of money laundering alongside a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Yusuf Danjuma, and a company, Joint Trust Dimension Ltd.

    Usman had argued in the application that the inclusion of her name on the  list released during the pendency of her trial, was contemptuous.

    She,  therefore, initiated a suit against  Mohammed for alleged contempt of court, claiming that his action undermined the integrity of the court, and was aimed at poisoning the mind of the court.

    Read also: 2019: Buhari deserves to be voted for second term– Lai Mohammed

    EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo,  had urged the court to refuse Usman’s application, arguing that the applicant was never referred to as a looter by the minister.

    He said that what was published by some newspapers only bordered on allegations, and could not be said to be prejudicial to the applicant’s case in court.

    In his ruling,  Aikawa upheld the submission of the prosecution that the right parties to the contempt suit were not before the court.

    According to him, the publications, which the applicant complained of, were made by media houses and not Mohammed.

    He said that the right parties to be joined in the application were the media houses.

    The judge also held that a mere publication, which did not go to the substance of a case or directly affect proceedings before the court, could not be said to have interfered or influenced the mind of the court.

    The judge added  that the publication was not an advertorial from Mohammed, and that he could not be held responsible for what was published by media houses.

    The judge, therefore, ruled that the publication was not prejudicial to the applicant’s case in court.

    He dismissed it for lacking merit.

    EFCC had re-arraigned the accused on a 17-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful retention of proceeds of theft and money laundering.

    According to the EFCC, in January 2015, the accused unlawfully retained a total sum of N4.6 billion, which they knew formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act.

    The court has adjourned until Jan. 24 for continuation of trial. (NAN)

  • ‘Workers running out of patience over new minimum wage’

    Barely two weeks after submitting a committee report on the mew minimum wage to President Muhammadu Buhari, labour chiefs restated on Friday that workers were running out of patience with government over the slow action on issue.

    On November 5,  Buhari received the report of a tripartite committee he set up since last November, to fashion out a new minimum wage for workers.

    Nigerian workers have been voicing their frustrations over what they describe as the peanuts paid to public sector workers in a country where political office holders, including members of the parliament receive some of the biggest pay checks in the world.

    Speaking in an interview with our reporters in Lagos, the labour leaders vowed that there would be neither retreat nor surrender in the resolve of labour to ensure that workers were paid N30,000 as minimum wage.

    The Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress, Mr Musa Lawal, said that labour would not accept any sum less than what was agreed on by the committee.

    ”It is the tripartite committee decision for workers to be paid N30, 000 as minimum wage. There is no going back by labour on the amount.”

    He said that any governor, who would not pay the sum should have no place governing a state, noting that governors should respect agreements they entered into.

    Read Also: NLC dares governors over N30,000 minimum wage

    Lawal said that labour would not hesitate to return to Abuja for further dialogue on the issue if the need arose, rather than waiting endlessly on the matter.

    The Deputy General-Secretary of the United Labour Congress, Mr Chris Onyeka, said also that governors were bound to pay the N30, 000 because they were represented in the committee.

    Onyeka remarked that the apparent delay in resolving the wage issue was a cover up to frustrate workers on the matter.

    ”The delay is a cover up. Except President Muhammadu Buhari wants to say that the tripartite committee report submitted to him has become irrelevant.

    ”For now, the meeting between the president and the governors and threat by the later to sack workers are delay tactics on the wage implementation. We will not take it.”

    Onyeka told Buhari to hasten the new wage issue and forward the bill to the National Assembly to avoid a major labour unrest ahead of national elections early next year.

    NAN

  • Court remands two teenagers for theft

    An Ikorodu Magistrates’ court  in Lagos  on Friday ordered that two  teenagers, Ogunshina Kudus,19, Bashit Olalekan, 18, who stole electronics worth N154,000, be  remanded in prison until Dec. 6, for sentencing.

    Police charged Kudus and Olalekan,  with two counts bordering on felony and stealing.

    The accused pleaded guilty to the charges leveled against them.

    Following their guilty plea, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs F.A Azerz, remanded them in prison pending sentence.

    According to Police Prosecutor, Sgt. John Iberedem, the accused committed the offences on Oct. 20 at Liado area, Igbogbo Baiyeku in Ikorodu at 10.45 a.m.

    Iberedem told the court that the accused break into the residence of one Mr Ogunyemi Olabode  and stole a computer system valued at N50,000,  LG plasma TV valued N100,000 and three crates of egg valued at  N4,000.

    The offences contravened Sections 411 and 307(c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 (Revised).

    Our reporter also reports that section 411 stipulates seven years imprisonment for felonious offence while section 307(c) seven years for break in.

    NAN

  • Osinbajo directs Julius Berger to hasten work on Ijora Bridge

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said he has directed Julius Berger, the contractor handling the repair of Ijora Bridge in the Apapa area of Lagos State to hasten work on the bridge and re-open it to traffic as soon as possible.

    The Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup recently alerted the nation that closure of a section of the Ijora Bridge, outbound Apapa, is worsening the already chaotic traffic situation in the Lagos port community.

    Speaking on a Lagos-based television station, Wazobia TV, on Thursday, Vice President Osinbajo explained that the reopening of the bridge is vital to the free flow of traffic in Apapa and its environ.

    He said, “So while we are fixing the roads, if you stand in front of the port, the bridge Julius Berger is building, they opened one half of the bridge and closed the other half, so it is not being used. That bridge must be completed and opened. So one of the things we have done is telling Julius Berger about two weeks ago that they must complete and open up the bridge. Even when the construction of Wharf Road has been completed and the bridge has not been opened, we will still experience the same problem.”

    The Vice President blamed congestion on the Lagos port access roads on bad roads and increased cargo volume. He accused past administrations in the country of abandoning the roads to deteriorate to their present state. 

    He said, “The Apapa port was built to handle 38 million metric tons of cargo and now it is handling 84 million metric tons. So it is too small for the volume that it is handling and has resulted in too many trucks going into the port.

    “When we had the problem the first time and I came to Lagos, we noticed that all the roads around Apapa were bad and we agreed that we will fix the roads. We agreed to fix the Wharf Road down to Mile 2. We have almost completed the road around the port now; then move all the way to Mile 2. We must fix the roads, if those roads are not fixed, we will continue to have the problem.”

    He however identified road repair, revival of the rail network, and revival of ports outside the Lagos area as long-term solutions to the Apapa gridlock.

    Read Also: No form required for TraderMoni, says Osinbajo

    “But for long term solution; three things must be done. The first is that now we are building Lagos-Kano Railway and the first phase is Lagos-Ibadan starting from Apapa Port. So many of the goods will be evacuated by rail. The Lagos-Ibadan phase should be completed by January 2019 and hoping to finish construction to Kano in about two and a half years.

    “The second is that we have other ports. We have Calabar, which we are dredging to about 10 meters. So we have to make sure we can divert some traffic there. If we can divert some traffic away from Lagos ports it will help but it will not solve the problem completely because 60 percent of business is being transacted in Lagos. So when people import goods to Nigeria they will want to use it in Lagos, which is the problem we have.

    “So we do the railway, we will finish the roads and then we fix the other ports; it will definitely make things much better. Once we have completed the railway across the country: Port Harcourt-Maiduguri, Lagos-Calabar, Lagos-Kano; once we fix the railway; railway is the best way to transport goods all around the country, inland port, dry port, that is what we should do.

    “Once we fix the infrastructure, the Apapa issue is a small thing because it will boost business, manufacturing activities and people can easily move their goods from one part of the country to another,” Osinbajo added. 

  • Asoju Oba Cup: Lagos, Okoya-Thomas family plan big for 50th event

    Lagos State Government and the family of the late Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas are planning a big celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the annual Asoju Oba Table Tennis Cup scheduled to hold late this month.

    According to the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Kweku Tandoh, plans are afoot make the golden jubilee of Nigeria’s longest running sporting event a memorable one.

    “We are really planning to make the 50th anniversary of the yearly Asoju Oba Cup memorable particularly considering the immense contribution of the late business mogul to Lagos and specifically sports. Even after his demise in 2015, the family still continues his legacy and this for us deserves accolades and we are hoping that this year will be eventful. Late Chief Okoya-Thomas contributed immensely to Lagos as a philanthropist who used his resources to impact lives of so many youths in Lagos positively,” Tandoh said.

    For Deji Okoya-Thomas, this year’s tournament promises to be colourful as plans are on to make it unique, being the 50th anniversary.

    “The family intends to mark the 50th anniversary in a big way. A mouthwatering star prize for the winners in the men and women singles final. The grand finale will be the most colourful since the 45th edition and will attract, we hope a several notable dignitaries who will attend to honour our late father with their presence,” he said.

  • Lagos okays hijab on school uniforms

    •Muslim students laud gesture

    Lagos State Government yesterday lifted its ban on the use of the hijab on uniforms in schools.

    This was contained in a circular, signed by A.O Olukoya for Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, entitled “Re-The Use of Hijab in Lagos State Public Schools.”

    The circular reads: “Since the case of the use of hijab i n Lagos State is still pending in the Supreme court of Nigeria, status quo be maintained, to avoid contempt of the court, that is students be allowed to wear hijab on school uniforms but same must be short, smart, neat and in the same colour of the uniform (skirt).

    “Furthermore, schools management are advised to downplay comments and disciplinary actions on the use of smart hijab until the final determination of the case by Supreme Court.

    “No student should be discriminated against in any form on the basis of religion.

    “All principals and teachers must be sensitised to comply accordingly. You are enjoined to adhere strictly to these recommendations.”

    Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit hailed the State Government for upholding the rule of law.

    Its President, Dr Saheed Ashafa said the circular would stop harassment and victimisation of pupils for wearing hijab.

    He recalled that despite the Appeal Court judgement, the pupils were punished and denied entrance into classrooms for wearing hijab.

    By issuing the circular, Ashafa said the government has towed the path of honour.

    He said: “We extol this gesture and the resoluteness of the state government in ensuring that an avoidable strife does not find ways into the peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed in the state.

    “We are pleased with this development because the embarrassing way and manner that our members are being subjected to for wearing hijab would stop.

    “We have constantly told the state government that while a case on the hijab is awaiting final verdict at the Supreme Court, no teacher has the right to punish pupils for wearing hijab. The Appeal Court clearly states that wearing hijab by pupils within or outside the school premises was a fundamental human rights entrenched in the constitution.”

     

  • Awori neglected in Lagos, say leaders

    •Tinubu should come to our aid’

    Awori leaders in Lagos State yesterday complained about the alleged marginalisation of the sub-ethnic group.

    They urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to correct the alleged anomalies.

    The Awori leaders, under the aegis of Awori Welfare Association of Nigeria (AWAN) and Awori Concerned Elders (ACE), noted their ethnic group had been supporting progressive governments in the state since the Second Republic.

    According to them, “Lagos State cannot go the way of the Niger Delta before the imbalance is addressed”.

    Thanking Asiwaju Tinubu and his successors -Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Akinwunmi Ambode -for laying the foundation for infrastructural revival and economic development of Lagos State, the elders maintained that “largest indigenous stock” deserved more sense of belonging.

    AWAN President Solomon Ojo-Olowo complained that the Awori were not considered for senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly slots, despite giving the same privilege to some Southeasterners who now make laws for the state.

    He also regretted that the position of deputy governor, which was usually conceded to Awori, had become a tall order.

    Ojo-Olowo said: “Our fears are more pronounced now that we are not reckoned with in the scheme of things in the state. We are aware that nothing comes on a platter of gold. However, with the level of our support for the ruling party and because we have the largest voting population, we cannot be wished away.

    “Our support should not be taken for granted. We are critical stakeholders in our state and nobody can shut us out from the toil of our forebears. We remain resolute that our voice must be heard in the affairs of our state. We are not going to be second rated people.”

     

  • Lagos calls for memoranda on transport policy

    The Lagos State government has called for memoranda from the public to enable the state have a comprehensive, effective transport policy.

    The government said the new transport policy is aimed at strengthening its commitment towards re-energising the various modes of transportation across the state.

    The Lagos State government is currently collating input to enable iy arrive at a robust policy that would address transportation concerns of the state.

    The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation, Dr Taiwo Salaam, stated this in a statement by the Director of Press Affairs in the ministry, Mr Tunji Bakare.

    He expressed the government’s desire to involve all sectors in the new policy.

    Salaam said the state needs the support of all stakeholders, such as operators, the academia, transport unions, individuals and groups as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

    The permanent secretary said their contributions are important, adding that they would be considered in formulating the new transport policy.

    He said a stakeholders’ public hearing would be conducted before the policy is harmonised and submitted to the government.

    Salaam said submissions of the memoranda had begun, adding that hard copies of the memoranda could be submitted to his office or via the ministry’s online platforms, phone line and email address.

    He urged other persons or groups to forward their contributions as soon as possible.

     

  • Nigerian Navy hosts Prince of Wales in Lagos

    The Nigerian Navy hosted the Prince of Wales in Lagos on Wednesday in continuation of his three-day business and cultural tour of Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria  reports that the Prince of Wales, who arrived the Naval Dockyard in Victoria Island at 1:46 p.m., was received by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas.

    After being ceremonially received by the Naval chief, The Prince of Wales was taken on a tour around Lagos waters on the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) EKULU.

    The prince was piped on-board by the Commanding Officer NNS EKULU, Commander Andrew Zidon.

    Speaking with journalists after the departure of the prince, Ibas said that the visit was an encouragement for the navy.

    “The Nigerian Navy is an offshoot of the Royal Navy and he is also here to see by himself the progress being made with the cooperative support the royal navy has been giving Nigeria,” he said.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Buhari promised to study report, says Minister

    NAN reports that Prince Charles and his entourage had earlier arrived Lagos aboard a B737 aircraft with registration number CS-TFY, which landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport at 12.08 p.m.

    He was received by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Idiat Adebule, officials of the United Kingdom Consulate and security chiefs.

    The prince’s three-day business and cultural tour of Nigeria is also to mark the 75th Anniversary of the British Council in Nigeria.

    Charles had arrived Nigeria on Tuesday alongside his wife, Camilla and were received by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja.

    The prince also met with notable traditional rulers as part of efforts to build peace in the Middle Belt and other parts of the country.