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  • Osun ‘s change of name illegal – Court

    Osun ‘s change of name illegal – Court

    An  Osun State High Court  sitting in Ilesa  has  declared  that the change of  name to  “State of  Osun” by Gov. Rauf Aregbesola  is illegal, null and void.

    Delivering  the judgment  on Thursday, Justice Yinka Afolabi  ruled that the law and its makers  were unknown to the 1999 Constitution.

    Delivering judgment which lasted more than one hour,  the judge chided Aregbesola for deliberately and singlehandedly renaming the state,  contrary to the known norms and the nation’s constitution.

    He also declared that the makers of the law, who are currently serving as members of the State House of Assembly, were not sworn in as members of the “State of Osun House of Assembly” but as members of Osun State House of Assembly going by the seventh schedule  of the constitution.

    The judge said that since the creation of the state in 1991, previous governments used the constitutionally  envisaged name of  Osun State.

    All the other 35 states of the federation, he added,  had  not deviated from the constitutional names given to them.

    “The executive governor of the state changed the name in 2011. The renaming of a state goes further and deeper for anyone to singlehandedly do.

    “To re-order the name of Osun State  as “State of Osun” is hereby declared  as illegal, null and void.

    “On the oath of allegiance, I want to state that the Seventh Schedule is part of the law.

    “It is not a mere draft or mere oath. It does not give room for any alteration. After deposing to an oath of office, you cannot turn around to do otherwise,’’ Afolabi stated.

    The judge threw out all  the arguments by the State Attorney-General, Dr Basiru Ajibola,  who stood in as counsel for the  governor and the state government.

    He, however, granted all the seven prayers of the plaintiff.

    The case was instituted by a human rights activist, Mr Kanmi Ajibola, who had challenged  the legality of the “State of Osun Land Use Charge Law.’’

    Ajibola had gone to court in 2016, asking for certain reliefs after being served a notice by a private company known as “Interspatial Limited.”

    The notice was christened “State of Osun Land Use Charge Annual Demand Notice”  and signed by one Mrs. A. Ogunlumade, Permanent Secretary in the  Ministry of Finance.

    According to him, the notice was addressed to him as the property owner of No. 42, Onigbogi Street off Ibala, Ilesa West,  and  served on August 15,  2016.

    Some of the reliefs he sought for included a declaration that the “State of Osun Land Use Charge Law 2016, ” having being enacted by a  legislative body that is not known to the constitution and  the state not known to the 1999 constitution,  be declared  illegal and unconstitutional.

    Ajibola also asked the court to set aside the “State of Osun Land Use Charge Law, 2016” having been  enacted by a  legislative body that is not known to the constitution and the state not known to the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

    The Attorney-General, however, said  the judgment would be appealed.

    NAN

  • Two arraigned over theft of church property

    Two arraigned over theft of church property

    Two men, who allegedly burgled a cleric’s residence and stole church property, on Thursday appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court on a three-count charge.

    Aladejare Adekunle, 29, and Agbetiloye Olaoluwa, 24, whose addresses were unknown, were charged with conspiracy, burglary and stealing.

    According to the prosecutor, Insp. Johnson Okunade, the accused and others at large burgled the residence of Rev. Michael Olukayode on July 19 and December 1 and stole church property worth N221, 500.

    He said that the accused committed the offences at the Christ Shekinah Ministries premises, Igbaletoro, Oke-Ila in Ado-Ekiti.

    The prosecutor said stolen items had been recovered from the accused.

    According to him, the offences contravened Sections 411, 145 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Adesoji Adegboye, granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each.

    Adegboye ordered that one of the sureties must be a senior civil servant.

    He adjourned the case until January 17, 2018, for substantive hearing.

    NAN

    Read Also: Court docks man for allegedly defiling teenager

  • Bauchi to distribute kits worth N1.5bn to women

    Bauchi to distribute kits worth N1.5bn to women

    The Bauchi State Commission for Youths and Women Rehabilitation ( BACYWARD ) says it will distribute empowerment kits worth N1.5 billion to women in Small and Medium Scale businesses across the state.

    The commission Chairman, Mr Ahmed Faruq, made this known on Thursday during the graduation ceremony of 800 women and youths in skill acquisition programme in Bauchi.

    The programme was organised by the Future Assured Initiative for Youths and Women.

    Future Assured is the humanitarian pet project of Mrs Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The initiative has trained women and youths in various trades including Tie and Dye, Pastry making, Spaghetti and Couscous making among others for a duration of one week.

    Faruq said that the initiate was aimed at boosting the economic activities of women in such businesses.

    “The commission has received approval of the governor for partnership with Jaiz Bank under which more than N1.5 billion worth of empowerment kits will be distributed to women across 20 local government areas.

    “This is in realisation that 80 per cent of small businesses are carried out by women, and no economy will wax stronger without the active participation of small businesses,’’ he said.

    Faruq said that the commission has also registered 2,000 youths and women for the O/level examinations, while another 2,000 were sponsored into various diploma and computer programmes.

    In his remarks, Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi, lauded the efforts of wife of the President on empowerment of women.

    Abubakar said that the state government has designed numerous programmes for women and youths to be self-reliance.

    NAN

  • Shopkeeper charged with theft of N350,000 footwear

    Shopkeeper charged with theft of N350,000 footwear

    A 26-year-old female shopkeeper, Rachael Omua, was on Thursday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for stealing 19 pairs of footwear valued at N350,000.

    The accused, who resides at No. 6, Wilmer Crescent, Apapa, Lagos, is facing a two-count-charge of conspiracy and theft.

    Omua, however, denied the charge.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Philip Osijiale, told the court that accused committed the offences on Sept. 22 at Shop 22/24, Abibu Oki Str., Lagos Island.

    He alleged that the accused conspired with two others, and stole 19 pairs of shoes valued at N350,000 from her employer, Mr Kingsley Ezeala.

    Osijiale told the court that the theft was discovered when the complainant, was taking the shop’s end-of-year stock.

    He said that the accused admitted that she sold the 19 pairs of shoes to two other footwear sellers in the market.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 287(7) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The Magistrate, Mr Omolaja Kazeem, granted the accused bail in the sum of
    N500, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    He said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and should be blood relations of the accused.

    Kazeem adjourned the case until December 20, for mention.

    NAN

  • Army to remain apolitical – Buratai

    Army to remain apolitical – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Thursday assured Nigerians that the army would remain responsive and apolitical in the discharge of its constitutional duty.

    Buratai gave the assurance in Ibadan at the closing ceremony of the 2017 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference.

    He appealed for  the understanding of Nigerians as the army continues to  perform  its responsibilities as enshrined in the constitution.

    The army chief  also promised that the resolutions  reached at the end of the conference would be judiciously implemented.

    “As we enter 2018, the Nigerian Army identified the core values  of discipline, professionalism and responsiveness as the benchmark to reposition the service.

    “There is the need for maintenance culture and  continuous infrastructural development and welfare of personnel in the performance of their operation.

    “I promise to use all available resources that would encourage all officers and soldiers perform optimally in their various command,’’ Buratai said.

    Read also: Buratai: we’ve degraded Boko Haram

    He  said that the objective of the conference had  been achieved as the army performed creditably  well in 2017.

    Buratai  also said that the Official Secrets  Act of 1962 would be applied strictly in the conduct of future army operations.

    He  expressed gratitude to  President Muhammadu Buhari for  the successes recorded by the army.

    Declaring the conference closed, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State commended  the participants, saying the forum  confirmed the patriotism and unity of the army.

    NAN

  • ISIS threatens U.S. over Jerusalem decision

    ISIS threatens U.S. over Jerusalem decision

    Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ( ISIS )has threatened attacks on U.S. soil in retaliation for the Trump administration’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

    One of the group’s social media accounts reported on Thursday without much details on one of its accounts on the Telegram instant messaging service titled: “Wait for us” and “ISIS in Manhattan”.

    The group said that it would carry out operations and showed images of New York’s Times Square and what appeared to be an explosive bomb belt and detonator.

    “We will do more ops in your land, until the final hour and we will burn you with the flames of war which you started in Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Syria and Afghan. Just you wait.

    “The recognition of your dog ‘Trump’ (sic) Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will make us recognise explosives as the capital of your country,” it said.

    Washington triggered widespread anger and protests across the Arab world with its decision on Jerusalem.

    The disputed city is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, and is home to Islam’s third holiest site.

    It has been at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades.

    Read also: UAE urges Arabs, Muslims to unite over U.S decision on Jerusalem

    Islamic State was driven out of its Iraqi and Syrian capitals this year and squeezed into a shrinking pocket of desert straddling the border between the two countries.

    The forces fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria now expect a new phase of guerrilla warfare there.

    Militants including people claiming allegiance to Islamic State have carried out scores of deadly attacks in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the U.S. over the past two years.

    NAN

  • Police rescue abducted boys, arrest 8 suspects

    Police rescue abducted boys, arrest 8 suspects

    The Police Command in Kebbi, said on Thursday that it had rescued two boys from suspected kidnappers who demanded N2.5 million ransom from their parents, resident in the state.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Kabiru, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the boys, aged 10 and 11 were rescued unhurt in Dakinkowa of Kontagora in Niger State.

    Kabiru said that eight suspects had been arrested in connection with the abduction and no ransom was paid before the boys were rescued.

    He said that on December 5, one Christopher Nnagbo of new prison area, Birnin Kebbi, reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Birnin Kebbi that his son, 10, had been missing since November 30.

    He said that the boy was on his way home from Anglican Church, Birnin Kebbi when he was abducted.

    “On the 5th of December, a hidden number called the victim’s mother, Mrs Angela Christopher with a view to negotiating for ransom and demanded N2.5 million before the child could be released.

    “On receipt of the report, the police swung into action. The principal suspect was arrested and the victims rescued,” Kabiru narrated.

    He said the second boy was also rescued along with the victim.

    “Effort is now underway to locate the parents of the second boy who was rescued in the operation,” he said.

    Read also: Police arrest 18 suspected criminals, recover 11 stolen cars

    The commissioner said the victims were immediately taken to Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi, for necessary observation and medical treatment.

    According to the police commissioner, the principal suspect said he was pushed into the act by the desire to settle his debt.

    Kabiru advised against people borrowing more than they could repay to avoid similar incidents.

    NAN

  • One dead in Bayelsa fresh attack

    One dead in Bayelsa fresh attack

    Another ferry operator has been killed by gunmen on the Yenagoa-Akassa waterway in Bayelsa, NAN reports.

    The incident occurred barely 24 hours after the killing of a boat operator on the Sangana- Igbemotoru waterway on December 13.

    Community sources told a correspondent that the latest killing took place at Okobotuo, near Akassa in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa early on Thursday.

    The victim of the attack was identified as the former chairman of the Akassa Unit of the Nigerian Maritime Workers Union.

    His name was given simply as Mr Suku.

    Confirming the development, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Nigerian Maritime Workers Union, Mr Lloyd Sese, said the deadly attacks were crippling economic activities in coastal communities in the state.

    He described the death of the former union leader as regrettable and a painful loss to the labour movement in Bayelsa.

    Sese pleaded with security agencies to intensify security patrol on waterways to check the recurring killings.

    A source, who claimed to have witnessed the latest killing, said the assassins shot sporadically to scare away onlookers before killing Suku.

    The source, who pleaded, anonymity said that the killers did not collect anything from the victim after the killing.

    On December 14, the commissioner of police in Bayelsa announced that the command had taken steps to ensure the safety of citizens, following frequent killing of residents of the state.

    No fewer than five people have been shot dead in Bayelsa in recent weeks, according to records.

    A female journalist survived an armed robbery attack in Yenagoa a few days ago.

    Bayelsa, which is rich in oil and gas, has been a hotbed of militancy and abductions of mainly oil workers for decades.

  • Court jailed 19-year-old for criminal intimidation

    Court jailed 19-year-old for criminal intimidation

    A Jos Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday sentenced a 19-year-old man, Shuaibu Abdullahi, to one imprisonment for criminal intimidation.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Jovita Binjin, convicted Abdullahi of Bauch Road, Jos, after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of criminal intimidation and criminal force on arraignment.

    On count one, Binjin sentenced Abdullahi to four months imprisonment but with an option of N2, 000 fine, and six months imprisonment on count two, with N3, 000 fine option.

    After the conviction, the magistrate said, “I hope this will serve as deterrent to others wanting to commit such crime.’’

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Gushe Michanan, had told the court that the case was reported to Nassarawa Gwong Police Station by one Shuaibu Babale of Bauchi Road.

    Michanan said that the convict threatened to kill the complainant’s brother with a knife and in the process, picked a stick and hit him on the head.

    “During police investigation, damaged five Airtel, two MTN and one Glo sim cards were recovered from the convict, and he could not give any satisfactory account of the sim cards in his possession,” he said.

    He told the court that the offences contravened sections 263 and 390 of the Penal Code.

    NAN

  • Girl docked for rice, vegetable oil theft

    Girl docked for rice, vegetable oil theft

    A sales girl, Sylvanus Blessing, who allegedly stole bags of rice and vegetable oil valued at N793, 000, was on Thursday docked before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court.

    Sylvanus, 21, who works at No. 21, Ogudu Road in Ojota area of Lagos, and resides at Ogba, is facing a charge of stealing.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Ihiehie Lucky, told the court that on December 11, the complainant, Mrs Nnamdi Francisca, owner of the shop, reported the case at Ogudu Police Station.

    Ihiehie said that the complainant discovered that her shop had been broken in and goods worth over N700, 000 were missing.

    “The sales girl has been working with the complainant for over four months and has been with the shop keys since then,’’ he said.

    Ihiehie said on December 10, the accused dropped the keys with the second sales girl and disappeared.

    In the process, the complainant discovered that many bags of rice and a gallon of grounding oil were missing during the period the accused was in charge of the shop’s keys.

    “In all, 30 bags of 50kg rice, 20 bags of 25kg of rice, 10 bags of 12 kg of rice, 15 bags of 5kg rice and 25 litres of vegetable oil were missing in the shop.

    Read also: Guard in court over alleged theft in church

    “The total value of the items stolen in the shop is N 793, 000,’’ he said.

    The offence contravened Section 285 (7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

    According to reports, The accused risks seven years imprisonment upon conviction.

    The accused, has however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O. Sule Amzat, granted the accused bail of N100, 000 with two sureties, who must be gainfully employed.

    The case was adjourned until January 29, 2018.

    NAN