The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nasarawa

  • Two men jailed for phone theft

    Two men jailed for phone theft

    A Masaka Upper Area Court in Nasarawa State on Monday, sentenced two men to 16 months imprisonment each for stealing cell phone.

    The convicts are Michael Onazi, 26 and Joseph Ali, 28.

    The convicts, who live in Angwan Police area, Masaka, had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and theft, but begged the Judge for mercy.

    ”We are sorry, please forgive us; we promise not to repeat such act again,” Onazi pleaded.

    The Judge, Mr Yakubu Ishaku, sentenced the men, but gave each of them option of fine of N13, 000.

    Ishaku said the punishment would serve as a lesson to anybody who would in the future, indulge in such act.

    He also ordered the convicts to collectively pay compensation of N65, 000 to the nominal complainant and N20, 000 as expenses incurred during the prosecution.

    Ishaku directed that the money should be paid within two weeks and held that in default of payment, the convicts would spend additional one year in prison.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Mr Frank Swem, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on Nov. 22, 2017 at Masaka.

    Swem said that one Usman Awudi, who resided in the same address as the accused, reported the matter at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Masaka.

    He said that on the same day, at about 10 a.m., the complainant gave his daughter, Karlija, his cell phone to charge in their neighbour’s shop.

    He said that Onazi overheard Awudi sending his daughter on the errand and alerted Ali, who stole the cell phone from the girl and immediately sold it.

    The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 97 and 288 of the Penal Code.

    NAN

  • Court jails labourer 30 days for mischief

    Court jails labourer 30 days for mischief

    A Masaka Chief Magistrates’ Court in Nasarawa State, on Thursday, sentenced a 28-year-old labourer, Abdullahi Ibrahim, to 30 days imprisonment for mischief.

    Ibrahim, a resident of Kauchikau in the state, faced a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, assault and mischief.

    However, the accused pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.

    The Prosecutor, Mr Ibrahim Salisu, had told the court that one Harrison Adejo of Masaka in Nasarawa State, reported the matter at the Divisional Police Station, Masaka on Nov. 16.

    Salisu said that on the same day, the complainant received a call from an unknown person, asking him to meet him at the Road Safety Junction, Kauchikau.

    He said that the caller told Adejo that he was calling him in respect of his friend’s phone that was in his possession.

    Salisu stated that when Adejo arrived at the place, he met the accused and three others now at large, who beat him up and made away with the items in his possession.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes Sections 97, 266 and 327 of the Penal Code.

    The Magistrate, Mr Victor Manga, sentenced Ibrahim to 30 days imprisonment with an option of N2,000 fine.

    Manga warned the accused to desist from committing crime and urged him to be of good behaviour.

    NAN

  • Court remands three men over alleged cheating

    Court remands three men over alleged cheating

    An Upper Area Court sitting in Masaka, Nasarawa State, on Thursday ordered the remand of three men, David Boyi, Bulus Dio, and Ibrahim Sure for alleged cheating.

    The defendants are facing a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and cheating.

    The Prosecutor, Frank Swem, told the court that on Nov. 15, one Ehis Erabhahilemen, of Jeun Masaka reported the case at the Masaka Divisional Police Station.

    Swem said on October 26, the first defendant Boyi, conspired with the other two and one Emmanuel Sure, now at large to commit the crime.

    Read Also: Drama: Judge compels accused to lead own defence witness

    He alleged that the defendants sold a piece of land measuring 50 by 100 ft, located at the same address to the complainant, at the rate of N1 million

    The prosecutor added that it was later discovered that the said piece of land did not belong to any of them.

    He said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 97, 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

    The plea of the defendants was not taken by the presiding court judge.

    The Judge, Yakubu Ishaku, ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison to serve as deterrent to others and adjourned the case until December 17 for hearing.

    NAN

  • Police arrest SP, others over vandalism

    Police arrest SP, others over vandalism

    The Police Command in Nasarawa State on Monday said it had arrested a Superintendent of Police (name withheld) and four others over alleged vandalism of electrical installation.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Kennedy Idirisu, told newsmen in Lafia that the suspects were arrested on Nov. 17 by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) based on intelligence information.

    Idirisu said that the suspects allegedly vandalised a transformer at Obi junction in Obi Local Government Area of the state.

    He said items recovered from them included four rolls of cable and tools used in vandalising the transformer.

    The PPRO said that the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) had begun investigation into the matter, while disciplinary procedure against the officer had started.

    He said the command was determined to purge the force of ‘bad eggs’ in line with the Inspector-General’s Policy of zero tolerance for corruption and unprofessional conduct.

    “In view of this, the case will be diligently investigated and all persons found culpable will be prosecuted,” Idirisu said.

    Read Also: Police nab suspect operating with master key

  • I will enforce PDP Constitution, implement reform reports – Dokpesi

    I will enforce PDP Constitution, implement reform reports – Dokpesi

    The founder of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, says he is ready to enforce the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Constitution and implement various reports aimed at repositioning the party, if elected its national chairman.

    Dokpesi made the pledge during his national chairmanship campaign meeting with the PDP Nasarawa and the North-Central Executives and party leaders, on Monday in Lafia.

    He said that the party was still facing some of the challenges that made it to lose elections 2015.

    According to him, the PDP, as a strong political party, needs bold and committed leaders to address the issue of imposition, impunity and disrespect for its constitution.

    “I am committed to enforcing the basis of the PDP Constitution. I am committed to reversing the mistakes we had made over the years contained in various reports.

    “PDP cannot say it did not know, but the courage to really implement what has been recommended has been our major problem ,” Dokpesi said.

    He promised to work with the zonal and state leaders for PDP to regain power in the North-Central states in future elections by going into the field with them.

    Dokpesi said that the PDP recorded a lot of achievements in its 16 years of administration.

    “There is no need for us to have lost elections in Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa, if not for impunity, disrespect for party constitution and regulations, refusal to obey our zoning principle which is popular in our constitution and government.

    “It affected us not only at states level, but also up to the national level.

    “This is the time for us to elect the right leaders to correct the mistakes and challenges.

    “We must elect people who are ready to admit those mistakes that we had made and are ready to correct them.”

    Dokpesi urged delegates to the December convention to vote for the future of the party by electing credible people, who could rebrand the party to win in  2019.

    The Director-General of Dokpesi Campaign Organisation, Mr Baba Kachalla, described Dokpesi as a strong leader who could build a new PDP.

    “We need a strong and credible leader to lead the party as a departure from the past mistakes, and we have that in Dokpesi,” Kachalla said.

    The PDP North-Central National Vice Chairman, Mr Theophilus Shan, stressed the need for PDP to make a decision it would not regret.

    Shan described Dokpesi as a leader who had made much sacrifice for the party, saying: “we in the North-Central know that you have all it takes to lead PDP.”

    The PDP Nasarawa State Chairman, Mr Francis Orogu, said that the party members were watching and listening in electing PDP national leaders by themselves.

    Orogu, who prayed for the success of Dokpesi, said that he had all it takes to win the election.

    “You cannot lose election in these states of the country, except if God decided otherwise.

    “We are still talking and pleading with those that matter that irrespective of whom we have in our minds we should allow the right person to emerge.

    “This is important so that the party can move forward, and by extension, the country will have democratic leaders that will give us a better future president that will be accepted,” he said.

  • IBBU, RMRDC complete mapping of raw materials in three states 

    IBBU, RMRDC complete mapping of raw materials in three states 

    The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University ( IBBU ), Lapai, has completed mapping and characterization of industrial mineral deposits in Nasarawa, Kwara and Niger states.

    This is contained in a press statement signed by the Vice Chancellor of IBBU, Prof. Muhammad Maiturare, made available on Thursday in Minna.

    Maiturare said the university was commissioned to undertaken the project by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council ( RMRDC ).

    He said that the full report of the project had been submitted to the Director General of RMRDC, Dr Hussaini Ibrahim.

    The vice chancellor commended the council for supporting the project through a research grant to the university, stressing that the gesture was in line with current focus on developing solid minerals to diversify the economy.

    He said, the study mapped and geochemically characterized five strategic industrial minerals, namely, Clay, Marble, Barite, Talc and Feldspar.

    ” The results showed that cosmetic, jewellery, cement, battery, paint, ceramics, pharmaceutical and building materials industries could be developed and sustained in these areas using the mapped industrial minerals.”

    Maiturare noted that sustained mining of solid minerals would generate employment, reduce poverty, create wealth and empower women and youth in the country.

    The Director General of RMRDC, Dr Hussaini Ibrahim, said when he received the report that the council would be commissioned to undertake similar study in the remaining states of North Central zone.

    NAN

  • Nasarawa to train information officers on modern journalism

    Nasarawa to train information officers on modern journalism

    Nasarawa State Government said on Monday it would train information officers in the state on modern trend of journalism for effective service delivery.

    Mr bdulhamid Kwarra, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, made this known in an interview in Lafia.

    He said that the training was to sharpen the skills of the information officers for optimal productivity and efficiency in the discharge of their responsibilities.

    The commissioner said that Gov.Tanko Al-makura’s administration was media-friendly and would continue to engage the media at all times.

    “The ministry is planning to organize in-house training for information officers in the state in order to meet up with modern trends of journalism.

    “This is part of the commitment of the state government to improve journalists and workers’ capacity,” he said.

    Kwarra advised information officers in the state to be cautious of the dangers posed by the social media and brace up to the challenges it posed to factual information transmission.

    He also called on journalists in the state to ensure balance in their reports “in the interest of peace and for the socio-economic development of the state.”

    The commissioner urged journalists to adhere strictly to the ethnics of their profession, to guarantee fairness, accuracy and balance.

    NAN

  • Nasarawa gets new Prison Controller

    Nasarawa gets new Prison Controller

    Alhaji Aliyu Achor has assumed duty as the new Controller of Prison in Nasarawa State, a statement by the command said on Friday.

    The statement signed by Mr Stephen Abene, the command’s spokesman, said Achor took over from Mr Ekanem Ekwere who was posted to Owerri Zonal Command.

    Read Also: 500 Nigerians in Chinese prison

     It added that Achor had been the Controller of Prison in Kano and Gombe commands before the deployment.

    “The officers and men of the Nasarawa command wishes to express their profound appreciation to the outgoing controller for his exemplary leadership qualities and services to the command and wishes him well in his new posting,” the statement added.

    Read Also: Nasarawa State Assembly confirms list of LG interim committee’s

  • Nasarawa seals 10 bank branches over non-remittance of taxes

    Nasarawa seals 10 bank branches over non-remittance of taxes

    The Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service (NSIRS) has sealed off 10 branches of three banks over alleged failure to remit taxes deducted from customers in the state.

    Alhaji Usman Okposhi, Chairman of NSIRS, told journalists in Lafia on Wednesday that four branches each of Skye Bank and Unity Bank, and two branches of Keystone Bank were affected by the closure.

    He said that the action was backed by Section 104 of the Personal Income Tax Act that mandates tax authority to reconcile with the banks the level of compliance of the tax payers.

    “The recent closure hinges on the failure on the part of the banks to comply with appropriate directive as provided by the law.
    “In the matter at hand, banks are not our tax payers. The customers in the banks are our tax payers.

    “But they are the agents empowered by law to make deductions but they are withholding tax on dividends, withholding tax on fixed deposits and other relevant taxes.

    “When we demanded for documents to review their level of compliance, the banks refused,” the NSIRS chairman said.
    Okposhi said that NSIRS was compelled to use legal means in sealing the banks since the institutions failed to comply with the law after several demand notices.

    He said that the state got a motion ex parte order from the State High Court to seal all the branches of the three banks in the state until they complied with NSIRS directive.

    Read Also: Fitch says T-Bills’ yields helping banks maintain margins

    “After giving them several notices, we gave them reminders, we gave them warnings, we even served them an ex parte order from the court but they still refused.

    “So, we had to go to court again to get another order to seal up their branches in the state.

    “I don’t know what they are hiding. They are supposed to open their documents for us to verify what they deducted from customers and should remit to the state government.

    “By refusing, they are sending us signal that they have something to hide,” the NSIRS boss said. Okposhi appealed to customers of the three banks to exercise patience while the matter was being resolved.

    “It is unfortunate the customers are on the receiving end but it’s not our fault. We are doing it statutorily.

    “The law allows us to take this step and statutorily the banks are supposed to comply but once they fail to comply, the law descends on them,” he added.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all efforts to speak to managements or staff of the affected banks in Lafia proved abortive.

  • Monkeypox hit Abuja as FG confirms six fresh cases

    Monkeypox hit Abuja as FG confirms six fresh cases

    The Federal Government has confirmed six new cases of the MonekyPox virus in the country, with one case recorded in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of State for Health, made this known in a statement by Mrs Boade Akinola, Director of Media and Public Relations, Ministry of Heath.

    Akinola said apart from the one recorded in Abuja, two cases were confirmed each in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom while Enugu State had one case.

    Ehanire also said investigations were ongoing to see if any of the new cases has a link with the Bayelsa cluster, where the outbreak started.

    He further called for calm among members of the public, adding that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is working with all affected states to ensure case finding and adequate management.

    He added that as frightening as the manifestation of the ailment might seem, no fatality has been recorded to date. As of Oct. 25, a total of 94 suspected cases have been reported from 11 states, (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Rivers and Abuja).

    He said patients of the newly confirmed cases were already being managed by public health authorities and have been receiving appropriate clinical care.

    He said Ministry, through NCDC, was in close contact with all State Epidemiology Teams, and the health facilities providing clinical care to both suspected and confirmed cases.

    He added that State Commissioners of Health have been advised to place all health care facilities and Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers on alert, to ensure early case detection, reporting and effective treatment.

    Read also: Monkey Pox victim commits suicide in Bayelsa hospital

    The minister said a National-level Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) led by the NCDC with support from our development partners, was coordinating outbreak investigation and response across affected states.

    He added the EOC included the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as experts from partner agencies.