The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • I got illegal firearms to protect myself, says fourth-year medical student

    A fourth-year student of Medicine and Surgery in the University of Calabar (UNICAL) arrested for alleged cultism and illegal possession of firearms and military uniforms, Ikezue Nnamdi Kingsley, on Thursday said he acquired the guns for his protection.

    Kingsley, who was paraded by the Cross River State Police Command along with 24 other suspects for various crimes ranging from armed robbery and kidnapping to fraud, said he got the firearms from a friend.

    The 27-year old said, “I was a student of the Nigeria Military School Zaria and deserted in 2014 before I came to do Medicine in UNICAL. That is where I got the military uniform. The firearm is what I used to protect myself. I got it from a friend. It is not licensed. I know it is wrong to own an unlicensed firearm. I owned it because I am a cultist. I am a black axe member. It was the devil. It was not my intention. My intention was to be a good boy. I have never shot anybody,” he said.

    Commissioner of Police, Austin Agbhonlahor, earlier told reporters that the Command was not unmindful of the recent cult clashes in the state especially in Calabar and incessant communal crisis at the border areas, presently receiving attention in partnership with the state government.

    Read Also: Accident claims 8 lives on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

    He said they have “assiduously strategized an onslaught on these cultists and criminals across the state and will never renege no matter whose ox is gored.”

    The Police Commissioner said the Command will continue soliciting the support of traditional institutions, religious leaders, youth/community leaders, judiciary and political class to join hands with the police to fight crime in the state.

    “At this juncture, I want to reiterate that part of the Command’s challenge in dealing with criminal element may not be unconnected with peoples reluctance to give information as to the whereabouts of these cultist/criminals, it is on this note that I still crave the indulgence of the general public that information is key to solving security issues in any society. Everyone should see himself as a stakeholder in security business,” he said.

    Items recovered from the suspects include firearms, vehicles, ammunition, cartridges and cash.

  • Senate appoints committee for office allocation, adjourns till July 2

    The Senate at plenary on Thursday set up a 12-member ad hoc committee to liaise with management of the National Assembly for seat and office allocation to lawmakers.

    The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, made the announcement after an hour closed-door session.

    He gave the committee two weeks to work, to enable the lawmakers have permanent seats in the chamber as well as permanent offices.

    “I want to thank the committee in advance because the rest us will go on recess while they remain to liaise with the management on the allocation.

    “Two weeks will be dedicated to the activities and other senators can make suggestions where necessary,” he said.

    Lawan further announced that a one-page document from National Assembly Directorate of Finance and Administration had been circulated for lawmakers to fill appropriately to complete their documentation process.

    Read Also: 9th Assembly: Senate to officially inform Buhari, international bodies of commencement

    Lawan thereafter announced Abubakar Kyari(APC-Borno) as Chairman of the committee, while members are senators Aisha Modibbo(APC-Adamawa), Gabriel Suswan(PDP-Benue), Abdullahi Sabi(APC-Niger), Betty Apiafi(PDP-Rivers), Bassey Akpan(PDP-Akwa Ibom).

    Others are Barau Jibrin(APC-Kano), Ibrahim Gobir(APC-Sokoto), Nicholas Tofowomo(PDP-Ondo), Solomon Adeola(APC-Lagos), Chukwuka Utazi(PDP-Enugu), Stella Oduah(PDP-Anambra).

    The senate then adjourned plenary till July 2, after the motion for adjournment was moved by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo Agege and seconded by Sen. Philip Aduda(PDP-FCT).

  • Photos: Buhari receives Weah in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with the Liberian President, George Weah.

    The meeting started around 11.35a.m when Weah arrived the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Weah was in Abuja for the June 12th 2019 Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration.

    President Muhammadu Buhari receives the President of Liberia, H.E George Weah during a courtesy visit at the State House Abuja.
    President Muhammadu Buhari receives the President of Liberia, H.E George Weah during a courtesy visit at the State House Abuja.
    President Muhammadu Buhari with the delegation of President of Liberia, H.E George Weah at a bilateral meeting during a courtesy visit at the State House Abuja.
    President Muhammadu Buhari Receives the President of Liberia, H.E George Weah during a courtesy visit at the State House Abuja.
    President Muhammadu Buhari Receives the President of Liberia, H.E George Weah during a courtesy visit at the State House Abuja.
    President Muhammadu Buhari Receives the President of Liberia, H.E George Weah during a courtesy visit at the State House Abuja.

  • Iran’s supreme leader rules out negotiations with U.S.

    Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ruled out any future negotiations with the U.S. on Thursday, during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

    “Iran does not trust the U.S.,’’ Khamenei said in Tehran. “We have already had the bitter experience with the Americans over the nuclear deal and do not want to repeat this experience.’’

    The U.S. unilaterally withdrew in 2018 from the Iran agreement, which was aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear arsenal.

    Washington’s decision to begin implementing oil and banking sanctions has crippled Iran’s economy and placed the deal’s European signatories under pressure.

    No country in its right mind would negotiate under such circumstances, said Khamenei, who has the final say on all strategic policy in the Islamic Republic under Iran’s constitution.

    Abe has offered to serve as an intermediary, as Japan has amicable relations with Iran.

    Read Also: Iran slams new U.S. sanctions on petrochemicals

    Tokyo had long relied on Tehran for oil imports until the Trump administration ended its sanctions waivers granted to buyers of Iran’s crude oil.

    Khamenei commended Japan’s efforts. “But I don’t regard U.S. President Donald Trump as worthy of sending a message or an answer,’’ he said.

    The supreme leader added that his distrust lies in Trump’s goal to force regime change in Iran, which Khamenei said will not work.

  • 9th Assembly: Senate to officially inform Buhari, international bodies of commencement

    The 9th Senate, on Thursday, resolved to write an official letter to President Muhammadu Buhari informing him that a quorum of the Senate had assembled and its presiding officers had been elected.

    The upper chamber also resolved to inform the international parliamentary bodies, that a quorum of the Senate of the 9th National Assembly has assembled and ready to receive any communication.

    The decision followed a motion by Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, the Deputy Senate President, at plenary presided over by Senate President Ahmad Lawan in Abuja on Thursday.

    Moving the motion, Omo-Agege urged: ”that the Senate should send a message to Mr President C-in-C informing him that a quorum of the Senate has assembled and that the presiding officers of the 9th National Assembly of the Senate have been elected.

    ”They are Sen. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (Yobe North), Senate President; Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central), Deputy Senate President.”

    He urged the Senate to also send a message to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, and his Deputy, Mr Idris Wase, congratulating them on their election and informing them that the Senate had elected its president officers.

    Omo-Agege listed the international parliamentary bodies, which letters would be written to, to include the African Union (AU), Common Wealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

    Read Also: Lawan performs first plenary assignment as senate president

    Other are ECOWAS Parliament, Pan African Parliament and the Association of Senate, Shoora and Equivalent Council in Africa and the Arab World (ASSECAA).

    The lawmaker also urged the Senate to direct the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Muhammad Sani-Omolori, ”to advise the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that a quorum of the Senate has assembled and is ready to receive any communication from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    After some contributions by the lawmakers, Omo-Agege moved for a motion to go into a close door session for discussion of urgent matters.

  • Alleged contempt: Court fixes Sept. 23 for ruling in application to join Emefiele

    An FCT High Court in Kubwa has fixed Sept. 23, to rule on a motion seeking Unity Bank to join Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor in contempt proceedings against him by a businessman, Godwin Emmanuel.

    Justice Bello Kawu fixed the date after Unity Bank plc’s counsel, Emmanuel Udegbunam moved a motion seeking to join Emefiele in the contempt proceedings.

    Udegbunam had told the court that the applicant’s counsel, Maxwell Okpara had reacted to the said application and served him with reactions on June 11 and asked for an adjournment to reply.

    Okpara, however, withdrew his reaction and applied for the case to go on in order not to waste the time of the court.

    Udegbunam moved his motion dated April 16, filed on the 17th pursuant to Order 49 and 13, Rule 1 and 18 sub 1 and 3 of the Rules of the Court.

    He prayed for an order to join Unity Bank Plc into the suit supporting it with a seven-paragraph affidavit with 17 exhibits, written addresses and relied on its contents.

    He urged the court to grant his application in the interest of justice saying the essence is there are facts to be brought before the court on the matter.

    Read Also: CBN Act demands we defend Naira, says Emefiele

    Okpara, however, sought leave of court to make a reply on point of law saying a contemnor is one who has committed contempt of court and refused to comply with court order.

    ” The party seeking to join Emefiele is a company and they never disobeyed a court order, it is Emefiele that disobeyed. A criminal trial is personal,” he said.

    Udegbunam in response said the money sought is in custody of Unity Bank which is the party seeking to be joined and it should not be out because it is involved with the funds of the party in the suit.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Okpara, on behalf of his client Emmanuel filed a contempt proceeding against the CBN governor on April 4 for disobeying a court order to pay Emmanuel N52.5 million.

    The court gave an order for substituted service on the CBN Governor on the matter on April 10 as efforts made to serve him personally proved abortive.

    Okpara said judgement was given against Unity Bank to pay the said sum to Emmanuel by an FCT High Court, Gwagwalada sometime in 2015.

    He, however, applied for a garnishee proceeding against CBN in 2017 which was granted and Unity Bank did not appeal against the judgment.

  • JUST IN: Jigawa Assembly re-elects impeached Speaker

    A one time impeached speaker, Honourable Idris Garba Kareka has been re-elected as the new speaker of the 7th Jigawa state House of Assembly.

    Honourable Idris Garba Kareka who is a member representing Jahun state assembly constituency in the state has emerged speaker unopposed after been nominated by member representing Kanya constituency Hon Usman Haladu and also seconded by member representing Hadejia constituency Hon Abubakar Sadiq.

    The new speaker was elected as speaker of the house in 2015 but​ impeached in 3rd January​ 2017.

    Read Also: Imo Assembly elects new Speaker

    In his acceptance speech, Hon Idris Garba thanked all the members for finding him worthy to preside over the Affairs of the house, promised to give a purposeful leadership that will create enabling environment for discharging their legislative function effectively.

    However, Hon Suleiman Musa Kadara was also elected as deputy speaker after he was nominated by member representing Birnin Kudu constituency Hon​ Sirajo Muhammad Kantoga.

    Jigawa state house of assembly is 100 per cent controlled by All Progressive Congress with no single seat won by any opposition party.

  • Imo Assembly elects new Speaker

    The member representing Isiala Mbano Local Government Area in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Collins Chiji has been elected as the Speaker of the House.

    Hon Chiji from Okigwe zone, was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) but defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), shortly before the inauguration of the Ninth Assembly.

    Details shortly…

  • HDP prays tribunal to cancel Feb. 23 presidential election

    Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and its presidential candidate, Albert Oworu, on Thursday prayed the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) to cancel the Feb.23 presidential election, describing the exercise as a “referendum” and not an election. (NAN)

    Details soon….

  • Breaking: PDP, Atiku seek tribunal’s permission to inspect INEC’s server

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, prayed the Presidential tribunal to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to grant them access to inspect the commission’s saver.

    The PDP also prayed the tribunal to give it permission to inspect other electronic gadgets used by INEC in the Feb. 23 presidential election.

    Read Also: Atiku: June 12 soul of democratic Nigeria’s struggle

    NAN reports that in their petition before the tribunal, the PDP and Atiku are claiming that they won the Feb. 23 presidential election as per the results fed into INEC’s server, a claim the electoral umpire has consistently faulted.

    Details shortly…