The Nation Newspaper

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  • 30-yr-old killed for making advances to married woman

    A 30-year-old man, Abubakar Muhammadu has been killed by a 21-year-old man, Audu Umar for making advances to his wife.

    Audu who is currently in the custody of the Niger State Police Command said that he did not regret killing Muhammadu because he is fond of making advances to married women in the village.

    He declared that he was satisfied with executing judgment upon the victim insisting he is ready to face the consequence of his action.

    “I do not regret killing him because Mohammadu decided to die like a chicken. In his next world, he will not make advances to married women in this village.

    “I am ready to bear the consequences, so let the law take its cause. I am fulfilled Mohammadu will never see my wife again, Allah will judge him.”

    Audu and Muhammadu hail from Wawa village in New- Bussa in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger state.

    Read Also: Nigeria’ll overcome security challenges soon, IBB assures

    It was learnt that the suspect’s wife, Hassana Audu, reported to her husband that the deceased had disturbed her for relationship which she refused but he continued disturbing her.

    The suspect claimed he had warned the deceased several times to desist from making advances to his wife which refused and provocated beyond reason, he attacked him with a machete, inflicted deep cuts on his head which resulted to his death.

    The Command Public Relations Officer, Mohammad Abubakar, said that the matter would be charged to court after investigation.

  • Looted Abacha’s £211m seized by British Court

    A British court has seized 211,000,000 million pounds looted by the former Nigerian dictator and military head of state, General Sani Abacha.

    According to report by the UK Metro, the said money was seized from a Jersey bank account that belonged to General Abacha.

    The money was put in accounts held in Jersey by Doraville Properties Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company.

    The money worth £211,000,000 was laundered through the U.S. into the Channel Islands but eventually discovered and recovered.

    The report said, “Money to the value of £211,000,000 has been seized from a Jersey bank account that belonged to a former dictator.

    “General Sani Abacha was a Nigerian army officer and de facto president between 1993 until his death in 1998.

    “He laundered money through the U.S. into the Channel Islands and now that money has been recovered.

    “The money was put in accounts held in Jersey by Doraville Properties Corporation, a British Virgin Islands company.

    “The money is now being held by the government until authorities in Jersey, the U.S. and Nigeria come to an agreement on how it should be distributed.

    “Any money that Jersey does keep will be put into the Criminal Confiscation Fund, which is used to pay for a variety of projects. In the past the fund has been used for the new police station and developments at La Moye Prison.

    “It is expected that even more money held by Doraville is likely to be seized and paid into the Civil Asset Recovery Fund in the future.”

    Attorney General Robert MacRae said: “In restraining the funds at the request of the United States of America, through whose banking system the funds were laundered prior to arriving here, and in achieving the payment of the bulk of the funds into the Civil Asset Recovery Fund, Jersey has once again demonstrated its commitment to tackling international financial crime and money laundering.”

    It would be recalled that in 2014, at the request of the U.S. authorities, the Island’s Attorney General applied for, and the Royal Court granted, a restraining order over the Jersey bank account balance of Doraville.

    The purpose of the restraining order was to preserve the money until a final civil asset recovery order could be registered in the Royal Court.

    Doraville applied to the Royal Court for the restraint order to be discharged, but the Royal Court dismissed the application in 2016.

    Then in 2017, Doraville challenged the Royal Court’s decision, taking the case to Jersey’s Court of Appeal. That challenge was again rejected.

    Read Also: ICYMI: $22m Abacha loot spent on SIP, says Presidency

    Finally, following the decision of Jersey’s Court of Appeal, Doraville made an application to appeal against the restraint order before the Privy Council – Jersey’s ultimate appellate court.

    In February 2018 the Privy Council announced its rejection of this final legal challenge.

    Last week, Solicitor General Mark Temple gave a presentation in Vienna, Austria, about Doraville at a UN conference on corruption.

    He said: “The conference of the States Parties to the United Nations convention against corruption is an important international forum concerned with anti-corruption measures and asset returns.

    “The conference was a good opportunity to demonstrate progress with the Doraville case, as well as Jersey’s determination to deal with international financial crime more generally.”

    NAN

  • Fayemi signs eight bills into Law

    The governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Tuesday assented to eight bills for the development of the State.

    The bills include Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency Law 2019 , Ekiti State Administration of civil justice Law 2019, College of Agriculture and Technology Reenactment Law 2019.

    Others are Ekiti State Logo Reenactment Law 2019, Ekiti State Local Government Administration Law 2019, Ekiti state property protection and anti Land Grabbing law 2019, Ekiti State Security Trust Fund Amendment Law 2019, Ekiti State Waste Management Authority Repeal Law 2019.

    The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeniran Alagbada, accompanied by the Clerk and other members of the House presented the documents to the Governor for his assent.

    Speaking after signing the bills to law, Governor Fayemi emphasised the significance of each of the new laws to the overall development of the state.

    He added that they were aimed at repositioning the state towards delivering the superlative services desirable from democratic governance to the people.

    Governor Fayemi said the robust relationship between the executive and the legislature was unparalleled in the history of the state, adding that their legacy of service would stand the test of time, even as they bow out of office in less than 24 hours.

    The Governor said: “It gives me great pleasure to be at this altogether valedictory ceremony of the Ekiti State House of Assembly. History is made in different form, but I consider the partnership between the executive and the legislature in our state as a historic partnership. I have a lot to thank the honourable members for their extra-ordinary cooperation. I always say that the Ekiti party is quite different from the traditional party and you are all exemplary of the party.

    “This is also unprecedented, I cannot recall any occasion in the last twenty years of our democratic experience where at one go we are signing into law eight bills at an occasion, we may have done four or five but not eight.

    “Some believed that the two parties can’t have point of engagement, but this was not so. I always talked about belonging to Ekiti and that is what you have done.

    “I cannot recall anytime in the last 20 years when eight bills were signed into laws, so this is significant and these are laws that are important to our state.

    “The Administration of Civil Justice law was pioneered by Ekiti. Some of the laws like land grabbing law will help us tackle some of our challenges with land owners.

    “As you have rounded off today, this is not the end of the road for you with the way you have demonstrated your love for this state. That culture of belonging to Ekiti party, you are all exemplars of it and I commend you”.

    Read Also: Fayemi congratulates Buhari, Osinbajo, governors

    Speaking earlier, the Speaker of the House, Hon Ebenezer Alagbada, said the assembly had been able to pass ten bills since Fayemi took over last year October.

    Alagbada lauded the Governor cordial relationship that exists between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state.

    He said Governor Fayemi had demonstrated the spirit of statesmanship in handling the affairs of the state, adding that the governor provided conducive atmosphere for them to perform their statutory duties, hence their massive support for the administration.

    “We also thank his Excellency for the South African trip. This journey had enriched our knowledge of legislation and I know the Clerk will relay such knowledge to our successors to guide them in their duties.

    “We must learn how to separate politics from governance, by doing our best and operate with love in whatever capacity we find ourselves.

    ” The last four years have been so eventful. We have come, we saw and we have conquered “, he said.

  • Buratai visits troops in war fronts during Sallah

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai has visited troops of Operation Hadarin Daji at their headquarters in Gusau , Zamfara state as part of efforts to boost their morale.

    The visit, according to Army spokesman, Col Sagir Musa was undertaken to felicitate with the troops as they marked the Eld El Fitri in war fronts against bandits and kidnappers.

    Col Musa explained in a statement that the COAS was represented by the Chief of Training and operations at the Army headquarters, Major Gen. Lamidi Adeosun.

    Col Musa said: “The Chief of Army Staff represented by the Chief of Training and Operations of the Nigerian Army, Major General Lamidi Adeosun had joined other muslim faithfuls to this years’ Eid Fitr prayer at the Force Headquarters, Operation HADARIN DAJI in Gusua, Zamfara state.

    “Maj Gen Adeosun delivered the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai’s goodwill message to the Offficers and Soldiers of the Nigerian Army (1 Brigade & HADARIN DAJI) shortly after the prayers.

    “He commended the troops for their dedication, sacrifices and loyalty to the Nation.

    “He urged them to remain steadfast in the ongoing efforts to checkmate insurgency, banditry and other associated insecurities in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Buratai warns against cultism in Army varsity

    “The Chief Iman of 1 Brigade, Capt A Kado, offered prayers for peace and security in Nigeria. Prayers were offered for the repose of those who lost their lives in the struggle to ensure peace and security in our country.

    “Dignitaries that attended the prayer session included the Force Commander, Operation HADARIN DAJI Maj Gen JJ Ogunlade, Principal Staff Officers, community leaders, soldiers and their families.

    “At the end of the prayer session, Maj Gen Adeosun and his entourage visited Forward Operation Base in Kauran Namoda where he also conveyed the goodwill message of the Chief of Army Staff to the troops and other security agencies. “

  • Nigeria’ll overcome security challenges soon, IBB assures

    Former military President Ibrahim Babangida has expressed confidence that Nigeria would soon overcome its security challenges.

    Babangida, who spoke with newsmen on Tuesday in Minna, expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would tackle and end the skirmishes in some parts of the country “very soon”.

    “What is required now is for Nigerians to rally round the President to enable him provide adequate security and good leadership.

    “The people’s support will help the President to succeed; he needs everyone’s cooperation to trudge on to success,” he said.

    Read Also: Buhari hails Osinbajo, urges him to remain exemplary

    He stressed the need for Nigerians to remain peaceful and pray for peace to reign in the country, noting that no meaningful development could take place in a chaotic environment.

    “Peace remains a pre-requisite for any meaningful development. We must all seek it, crave for it and work for it,” he said.

    NAN

  • Breaking: Muhammad-Bande emerges UNGA President

    Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, has emerged President of the 74th UN General Assembly.

    Muhammad-Bande, the sole candidate for the position, was elected through acclamation at the 87th plenary meeting of the Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

    He is the second Nigerian to hold the office after Joseph Garba, a retired military officer and diplomat, who led the organ between 1989 and 1990.

    He will be inaugurated in September.

    Details later

    NAN

  • 5 lessons from Naira Marley’s trial

    Popular musician, Naira Marley, who was arrested by the EFCC for internet fraud also known as yahoo-yahoo, has been in the news lately for supporting internet fraud telling Nigerian youths that it’s never a crime to scam.

    However, Naira Marley did not stop on social media he also went ahead dropping a new song that his currently trending titled it “Am I A Yahoo Boy“

    In the video, he showed how he got arrested by the police and that came to reality.

    The whole thing started when he said on Instagram: “If you know about the history of slavery, you go know say, Yahoo no be crime“.

    That generated controversies with several celebrities weighing in their opinions on the issue of Internet fraud.

    Weeks after, Naira Marley is cooling off in Ikoyi Prison.

    ·        Always Mind Your Business

    If Naira Marley had focused on his career and stop talking too much, this whole issue would have been averted.

     Majority of the consequences we are facing now are results of the actions or choices we’ve made in the past.

    If Naira Marley had made that Yahoo statement and stopped at that, EFCC would not have come for him.

    But the singer went on attacking everyone, who disagreed with him, always on Instagram live to say all sorts as regards such sensitive issue of National importance.

    The singer did not stop there. He hit the studio to record a song titled “Am I A Yahoo Boy“. At this point the whole country was already aware of Naira Marley and possibilities of him being a yahoo-boy with musical talents.

    In fact, most of his actions made it look like the country had no laws.

    If the singer did not take the issue of Yahoo boy as personal business, he would not have been locked up in prison.

    Read Also: 14 facts about Naira Marley’s trial

    ·       Never Do Anything Bad For Fame

    At the beginning, Naira Marley looked like he was enjoying the fame and the attention he was getting from every of his comments on yahoo-yahoo so he feels he was above the law.

    What profits Naira Marley to gain fame and lose his own freedom?

    He’s been to prison, got his name tainted, embellished in the mud, got negative attention to his career. Yeah, he might pull through with this eventually and be free.

    What if he had decided to mind his business and kept quiet, the moment he felt he is about to be treated like Fela, Mandela and President Kennedy who were even fighting for the right cause.

    EFCC just had to utilise the whole scenario to prove a point so people won’t say they are afraid of entertainers.

    Naira got the fame, got the clout, fed from the popularity of Internet fraud to his advantage. At the end of the day, it got him into trouble for him he was mentoring other Nigerian youths who wants to pay attention to him Naira Marley.

    ·       Don’t Listen To The Crowd

    In this life, we just have to be careful about advice we take. Some are harmful, few are beneficial. Naira Marley would have learned from how other top celebrities behave, they don’t make noise even if they maybe into Yahoo-Yahoo business using their music to cover up.

    ·       There Are Consequences For All Our Actions

    Naira Marley‘s ordeal teaches us that whatever we are going through now is as a result of the choices and actions we’ve done in the past.

    If Naira Marley had focused on next big music project after having successful Marlian Concert, God knows he wouldn’t have been detained.

    Whatever actions you take now, know that there are going to be consequences for it later. So, always do what is right.

    Naira Marley did not only give himself bad reputation, he has jeopardized his career.

    ·       Never Support Internet Fraud

    As a popular singer, Naira Marley would not have stood so low to take to his verified social media handles preaching to the world that internet fraud is a legit Business.

    If a friend is trying to lure you into such act, you should be bold enough to say No to internet fraud because when you steal from someone is a big sin before God.

    Anything you steal or take by force won’t last. Say No to evil, Say no to fraud. Avoid destroying your image before the world because you can never turn the hand of time.

    If you don’t fight the law, the law won’t fight you. Nigerian youths don’t want to work anymore. They prefer keeping sleepless nights, hunting for white clients to scam while some have gone to the extent of engaging in rituals for Yahoo Plus also known as “Do Like I Say.”

  • APC aggrieved members to Osinbajo: accommodate us

    The one hundred and eighty-one aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress(APC)who obtained nomination forms to contest for the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly primary in Ondo State last year has urged Vice President Yemi Osinbajo(SAN) to accommodate them in the ruling party.

    The group had late last year approached the Federal High court in Akure challenging the party for failure to conduct the party primary elections of 2018 /19 election year.

    The crisis was almost consuming the party as key leaders spread across the state felt disenchanted with the non-conduct of the primary elections in the state.

    However, early this year, a reconciliatory committee was set up by the national body of APC comprising the Governors of Borno, Lagos, Kaduna and DG-NIMASA, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti Prof. Mrs Adelabu, and the Secretary (woman) from Kano State.

    They reportedly met with the Ondo APC aggrieved Aspirants at the Ekiti State Governor’s office where recommendation were made.

    But the group in a letter sent to the Vice President and signed by the former Speaker of the State Assembly,Kenneth Olawale said up till now, the recommendation has not seen the light of the day.

    The same situation was said to have been applicable to the reconciliation committee set up by Ondo APC leadership.

    It said” Subsequently, a meeting was held in Akure chaired by His Excellency, the vice – president of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo (SAN) and attended by other National leaders of the Party with the aggrieved aspirants that went to court,where it was agreed upon, that the pre-election suit pending in the Federal High Court be withdrawn.

    Read Also: Osinbajo to inaugurate W/Africa’s largest LPG cylinder manufacturing plant

    “The VP then urged the aggrieved aspirants to work for the party’s victory with a promise to compensate them. Consequently the case was withdrawn and the aggrieved aspirants worked assiduously for the party in the State.

    “We were expecting the team led by the vice president to fulfill its part of the agreement which included but not limited to compensations in lieu of costs incurred by these aspirants in the buildup to the primary elections that was never allowed to take place in the State.

    ” However, we were surprised that the leadership of the party has not deemed it fit to allow further communications between us since we fulfilled our own part of the agreement inspite of several letters we wrote to the appropriate authorities”.

    The group pleaded with Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo and his team to promptly take appropriate action in the interest of the party, stressing that the same disruptive pattern was already playing out in Imo, Rivers, Osun and Zamfara States.

    The letter further reads”We beg you to please honour the understanding, we sought from the Aggrieved aspirants in Ondo State since the case in court is withdrawn, the presidency has the capacity to accommodate all 260 aggrieved APC aspirants from Ondo State”.

  • Buhari to Abuja residents: I’ll secure you despite not voting for me

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, that his administration will do everything possible to protect them despite Abuja residents voted against him during the February 2019 Presidential election.

    He gave the assurance while receiving residents of the FCT that paid him Sallah homage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Jokingly describing the Abuja residents as unnecessary evil for not voting for him in the February election, he said that he would continue to protect the seat of power because any negative thing that happens to the place would also affect him and the entire residence.

    The President also pleaded with political leaders especially his supporters not to complain against his administration in order to avoid sending negative signals that would make his government unpopular.

    He said “I want to appreciate the number two man of the country (Vice President Yemi Osinbajo) because he knows what we are going through very quietly. I am very pleased that you came with this very powerful constituency…

    “I Appeal to you to remain exemplary so that those under you will know that the country is doing very well. If you break down and complain, the impact will reverberate all over and then, government will not be popular and whatever efforts we are making will not be appreciated.

    “I have just spoken to the senator on my left (Philip Aduda) and I told him that his constituency did not vote for me. So I was very pleased that when they made the arrangement they put him very far way from me. I have all the results of all constituencies.

    “I am not threatening FCT because to make FCT secure is to make myself secure and the Vice President. I think they are necessary evil that that was why they decided to vote for PDP.”

    Reflecting on his three earlier attempts to win the Presidential elections, he said,” During my long journey to this place, 2003, 2007, 2011, those were interesting political developments that enabled me visit all the local governments in this country, all 774 local governments.

    “First port of call whenever I visit any local government was to visit the community leader for understanding and support. I am very pleased that Nigerians understand me that although I was a governor, minister of petroleum and one time head of state, people know I don’t have a lot of money to give.

    “So when I went round, I smiled and greeted them and I think it has helped. Because by the time I went to campaign for my second and last term constitutionally, I visited all the states this time around, some two states in a day, I thank God for giving me the stamina to do it.

    “What impressed me most was the turn out in all the states and FCT. The number of those who turned out are more than what anyone can afford to pay or force to come and listen. So I am very pleased that a lot of Nigerians have voted me, sympathized with me for what I went through between 2003 and 2019.

    Read Also: President Buhari at OIC: Facts Nigerians need to know, by Garba Shehu

    “I went to court up to Supreme Court and in 2011, I went to court for eight months. And in the last one, God answered our prayers and gave us victory, and brought in technology through the permanent voters card, (PVC) And INEC said whoever is aggrieved should go to court.

    “You all know as much as I know that most of my supporters are looking for the next day’s meal, we don’t have money to give. In 2011, I said God dey, in 2015 God brought technology PVC and that is how we won.

    “I thank you very much for those of you who suffered very much to support me. And I congratulate you for being happy that I made it and I assure you that I will continue to do my best in spite of the toughness of my neighbours.”

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo insisted that Nigeria was on the threshold of greatness, noting that the security and religious challenges facing the nation was evidence that something great is on the way.

    He said,” First let me congratulate you on this very solemn occasion that marks the end of the Ramadan.

    “I want to say that God Almighty has been extremely good to you and to our government. I recall about two years ago when I had to host this particular event because you were away on medical leave at the time.

    “But God has been so good, not only did he bring you back healthier than when you left, but has also been gracious enough for you to have a second opportunity to lead our great. I thank the Almighty God for you and for all of us who have been a part of your government and who have been a part of what God has done in our midst.

    “The period of the fast is always a very good time because first of all, usually all of my friends who are usually very badly behaved, behave themselves much better. I pray and hope that the good behavior that they maintain during the fast will continue even for the next four years and beyond because I think we all need that.

    “Our country as it is today is at a threshold of greatness, you have said so many times. Any situation where something great and something important is about to happen, usually you will have very many and negative opposing voices that want to keep that thing from happening.
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  • Katsina, firm at war over N66.268b Paris Club refund

    The Katsina State Government and a financial consulting firm, Mauritz Walton Nigerian Ltd are currently locked in legal battle before a Federal High Court in Abuja over the state’s alleged failure to honour its contractual agreement to pay the firm 20 per-cent of the $217.3m (N66.3b) due to it from the Paris Club refund by the Federal Government.

    Mauritz Walton, in its suit, before Justice Inyang Ekwo, claimed that it was appointed by Katsina State, by a letter dated August 18, 2014, with reference No: MOF/STAFF/409/1/31 to ascertain and recover the excess deductions by the Federal Government from its account to service its external debt between July 1995 and March 2002.

    The firm stated, in its statement of claim that, it was agreed between it and the Katsina State Government that it would be paid 20 per-cent of what was due to the state from the excess deduction, which is commonly referred to as the Paris Club refund.

    Mauritz Waltson’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Maurice Ibe stated, in his. witness statement that, through his firm’s efforts, it was ascertained that Katsina State was entitled to $217,274,991.01 (estimated at N66,268,872,258.00 calculated at an exchange rate of $1 to N305) as Paris Club refund.

    Ibe added his firm’s efforts yielded further results when President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2016 directed the payment of the first tranche of the Paris Club refund to states, including Katsina.

    Read Also: PENGASSAN to set up trust fund for late President’s children

    He stated that, although almost all the amounts due to Katsina State has been paid into the state’s account, marked: 1019265062, in the United Bank for Africa (UBA), the state has refused and failed to pay his firm the 20 per-cent fees agreed between parties.

    Ibe further stated that despite the pendency of the suit and existing interim orders by the court, restraining further payment to Katsina, the 2nd defendant (Central Bank of Nigeria), on the instruction of the 1st defendant (Finance Minister) recently paid N35,364,610,435 to the 4th defendant (Kastina State), through the 5th defendant (UBA).

    The plaintiff, whose legal team is led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), is praying the court for several declaratory reliefs, particularly a declaration that it is entitled to N13,253,774,451.60 being 20 per-cent of the total N66.3b refund due to Katsina, by virtue of the agreement between parties.

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