The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • Seven feared killed in Ondo bank robbery

    There was panic yesterday at Ido-Ani, in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, as seven persons were reportedly killed by armed robbers.

    The hoodlums were said to have attacked a commercial bank at Isewa quarters.

    The robbery, which started around 2pm, lasted for about one hour.

    At the end of the attack, five bank officials, a vice principal, who was a customer and a policeman, were feared killed by the robbers, who carted away an undisclosed amount of money.

    The hoodlums, it was learnt, drove a sport utility vehicle (SUV) to the bank and went to the banking hall after using dynamites to blow off the security doors.

    Sources said attempts were made to alert soldiers at Isua Akoko military checkpoint and the police in the vicinity, but the robbers fled before they arrived.

    The Nation learnt that a victim shot in the stomach was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo.

    Read also: Two new mini-grids for Ondo

    Other persons said to be on danger list, have been admitted at the Ido-Ani General Hospital.

    Sources said one of robbers was, however, unlucky, as he was arrested by a soldier and is now in police net.

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who confirmed the incident, said he could not give details of the incident last night.

    A community leader, who is the Balogun of Ido-Ani, Chief Olatunji Oshati (aka Maxima), described the incident as shocking.

    He symphatised with the bereaved families and urged the appropriate authority to tighten security at Ido-Ani and its environs.

    Another prominent indigene of the community, who is a former supervisor in Ose Local Government, Mr. Isaac Obiniran, said he alerted security agents immediately the hoodlums invaded the town, but their response was not timely.

    He prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims, especially the young bankers.

     

  • Fed Govt okays N195b for EEG debt settlement

    The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) yesterday said the Ministry of Finance has directed the Debt Management Office (DMO) to make N195 billion available for  the settlement of Export Expansion Grant (EEG) debt.

    The debt covers backlog of 10 years from 2007 to 20016 for 270 companies.

    The Executive Director/CEO, NEPC, Olusegun Awolowo who spoke at a stakeholders forum on the framework for the issuance of promissory notes for the settlement of outstanding EEG claims (2007-2019), said the payment will bring succour to the export sector in particular and the economy in general.

    He said there is also a positive signal from the National Assembly as it will soon pass the second batch of approval for the remaining 39 companies with a total value of about N124 billion.

    According to him, the settlement of the  debt by the government will pave way for the revival of the non-oil export sector of the economy, adding that it will in no small measure enable financial institutions, inject funds for further export activities, generate more foreign exchange as well as employment for the teeming youths of the country.

    Awolowo said: “Statistics from the pre-shipment inspection agents and the National Bureau of Statistics analysed by the Council showed that, the country’s export earnings for 2017 and 2018 experienced an upward trend. There was a growth of 48.43 per cent from $1.204billion in 2016 to $1.787billion in 2017; it further went up by 27.22 per cent equivalent to $2.274billion in 2018. It is our sincere believe that exports for 2019 will grow by about 40 percent in view of the settlement of the exporter’s debt through the promissory note programme.”

    He said in line with government policy on  Ease of Doing Business and in order to complement these efforts, the NEPC has developed an online, real time portal for the processing and management of EEG claims.

  • Rainstorm victim to Akeredolu: pay my gratuity

    ONE of the affected victims in the last weekend rainstorm that ravaged Akoko communities in Ondo State is in despair.

    The man, Abudu Umar, a pensioner from Afin-Akoko, told The Nation that only the assistance from the Ondo State government could give the required succour him.

    No fewer than 20 houses were ravaged by rainstorm at Afin in Akoko Northwest Local Government.

    The victim, a septuagenarian, meritoriously worked in the state local government service for almost 25 years and retired on level eight about nine years ago.

    However, his gratuity of about N2 million is yet to be paid by the state government.

    Read also: Over 500 buildings affected as rainstorm wreaks havoc in Ondo

    The rainstorm that blew off his house has added to his predicament.

    Umar said: “Myself and family members have since the devastating rainstorm been squatting in a neighbour’s house because of unaffordable cost of building materials. I can’t afford the re-roofing of my ravaged house.

    The senior citizen, who was in tears, urged Akeredolu in his usual trait of showing passion for the downtrodden to order immediate payment of his unpaid gratuity to avail him the opportunity of putting his house back in shape.

    A market survey in Akoko area revealed high prices of building materials. Artisans are also charging exorbitant prices for workmanship due to emergency demands by victims of rainstorm.

    For example, a bag of cement jumped from N2,300 to N2,600 and a packet of roofing nails increased from N1300 to N1500. Roofing sheets and planks are on the high side and unaffordable.

    The Chairman, Akoko Northeast Local Government, Rafiu Eniayewu, who affirmed that he had gone round and saw the impact of the damages, urged the Federal Government through National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) to assist the affected victims.

  • Fire guts arrival terminal of Imo airport

    Passengers and workers at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Imo State, were thrown into panic yesterday afternoon after fire broke out at the arrival section.

    The cause of the fire was still unknown as at last night. Sources said the arrival hall, which was being renovated, was completely razed.

    It was gathered that the fire started about 2pm and raged for about one hour. It took men of the Fire service and airport workers to quell the fire.

    The source said: “It was a mysterious fire. It happened at the arrival department of the airport where renovation work was being done.

    “It would have caused a bigger havoc but for the arrival of men of the fire service. It started about 2:10pm and raged for 50 minutes. The fire damaged equipment and infrastructure but the rescue workers helped to salvage the situation.”

    Read also: Osinbajo: govt to partner investors on IPP, airports concessioning  

    Police spokesperson Orlando Ikeokwu said he has not being officially briefed.

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which confirmed the fire, said some parts of the terminal building were affected.

    According to the spokesperson, , the incident happened about 1400hours.

    She said the fire was however curtailed by officers of the Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services Department of FAAN. There were no casualty and normal operations has since resumed at the airport.

    Mrs. Yakubu added that preliminary investigations into the cause of the incident has begun.

     

  • Speaker: Ajimobi mobilises Oyo lawmakers for Gbajabiamila

    THE support for the ambition of the House of Representatives Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, as the Speaker of the Ninth Assembly got a boost over the weekend.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) members-elect from Oyo State pledged their loyalty to Gbajabiamila with a promise to abide by the party’s decision on the choice of the leadership position.

    It followed the intervention of Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who hosted the nine APC members-elect in his Ibadan home on Sunday.

    He advised them to toe party line by following the decision reached by the leadership of the party in determining the leadership of the Ninth Assembly and to support Gbajabiamila’s aspiration as the next Speaker.

    Read also: Why we’re sticking to Gbajabiamila on House leadership, by Kaduna Rep

    In a statement yesterday by Akeem Adeyemi, who is  the APC Southwest Coordinator of Gbajabiamila Speakership Campaign Council, the members-elect assured the governor of their loyalty and determination to ensure that the House Leader succeed as the Speaker of the next Assembly.

    The statement said: “The nine members-elect appreciated the governor for providing a sound leadership and positive direction for the party, and; however, promised the governor their full cooperation, after each member had spoken in acceptance of the governor’s endorsement of Gbajabiamila.”

  • Ex-UN chief urges Buhari to cleanse Judiciary

    A Lawyer and multilateral diplomat, Dr Babafemi Badejo, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to cleanse the Judiciary of corrupt elements.

    He said Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen’s resignation should kickstart the cleansing process in the President’s second term.

    According to him, if anti-graft agencies beam searchlights on other judges and Justices, there would be more ‘voluntary resignations’.

    Badejo, a former Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, said Onnoghen should have resigned earlier in view of the sensitive office he occupied.

    He believes Onnoghen should be given the chance to defend himself in court while Buhari must prove that he is not selective in his anti-graft war.

    Badejo said in a statement: “The throwing in of the towel by Chief Justice Onnoghen came too late than should have been the case.

    “As I repeatedly said after the news broke on him, a prima facie case being made on the occupant of a post as high as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) should lead to the honourable next line of action: a stepping aside, even if temporarily, in the interest of the high office.

    “But he got goaded on by some of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs). Some of these SANs have since abandoned him and returned to the side of the government for lucrative legal briefs while others, who had initially thought they could use foreign embassies and the media to intimidate the executive, have gone quiet.”

    According to him, some of the 100 SANs who thought they could shout loudest in the media and thereby cover their own tracks are gradually being exposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Badejo said: “In fact, I would repeat that a honourable CJN should have cared about the exalted office he was occupying and should have resigned.

    “His conscience should have guided him to seek a soft landing as the National Judicial Council (NJC) is reportedly recommending.”

    Badejo was of the view that the idea of a soft landing for Onnoghen, which will guarantee his retirement benefits and a seat of honour at the National Council of State, “makes Nigeria a huge joke”.

    The statement reads: “If it indeed made such a recommendation (and what we are reading is not fake news), then the NJC condones corruption and this raises a lot of questions in my mind.

    “However, the simple question for the Executive is whether President Muhammadu Buhari would confirm that he is, indeed, selective on which allegations of corruption he chooses to prosecute.

    “In my view, given the situation as it is, the honourable path for President Buhari should be to accept the so called voluntary resignation and leave the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and EFCC to continue with their respective jobs on the allegations on Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    “President Buhari would, by so doing, be helping the country to get to the bottom of the case for the sake of probity in our national life.

    “Importantly, the outgoing CJN would also have the opportunity to clear his name in open court on the allegations that the EFCC is levelling against him.

    “Finally, the outcome of such open court trial will make it clear to all as to whether the outgoing CJN should receive benefits, including sitting in the Council of State.”

    Badejo, a former University of Lagos (UNILAG) don who consults for the African Union (AU), urged the President to do more in cleansing the Judiciary.

    “He has institutions to direct to interfere in the Judiciary towards totally cleaning up the Augean stable at our Supreme Court. With incontrovertible evidence, there would be more ‘voluntary resignations’.

    “Not to do so is to confirm that he, Mr. President is also corrupt. To be quiet and condoning of corruption is to be corrupt.

    “The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been condoning allegations of corruption on many politicians and had turned a blind eye on glaring cases having to do with the ruling party’s major financiers.

    “Equally, some principal members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have also been sacred cows under President Buhari’s first term in office.

    “Cleaning up our Judiciary presents an opportunity for the President to do well and not follow the APC pattern with politicians on the situation of our Judiciary.

    “The Judiciary is far above our dishonourable politicians. President Buhari should show that his second term will not be business as usual and move towards justice in the land would be an appropriate point of commencement.

    “He should not be persuaded by compatriots who want all cases of corruption caught and brought before the law before allowing our Judiciary to handle the allegations against the outgoing CJN.

    “By the same token, he should nudge the CCB/ICPC/EFCC to look into all outstanding cases, including those very close to himself as the President. It would be injustice to make the outgoing CJN the only case to be examined.

    “His successor in waiting should be scrutinised properly. This is more so when the outgoing CJN had reportedly argued that some of the alleged wrong doings had been the practice/convention at the Supreme Court.

    “I do not buy this as defence (if indeed he made it), because if he found wrongs, CJN Onnoghen had enough time to undertake reforms.

    “The point is that outgoing CJN should have his days in open court and not only before an opaque NJC as President Buhari makes transparent effort to clean up the Judiciary.

    “Nigeria must have clean Judges left who can occupy the exalted position of being the ultimate judicial leaders.”

  • Herdsmen attacks: security personnel deployed in Anambra community

    Security operatives have been deployed in Mmiata, Anambra West Local Government Area, following Saturday’s alleged herdsmen’s attack.

    Police spokesperson Haruna Mohammed said the security agencies comprised the Army, police and local vigilance members. Two units of mobile policemen and other regular officers were also deployed.

    Mohammed, however, said three persons were killed in the attack as against the six earlier reported.

    He said: “The Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura, has ordered an investigation of the incident to bring the perpetrators to justice. We are working with other security agencies in the operation.

    “Three persons were killed in the attack. We are on top of the situation and I can assure you that normalcy has returned to the place.”

    Mohammed was however silent over any arrest, but promised that the outcome of the investigation would be made public at the appropriate time.

    “I wouldn’t want to speak on issues that would jeopardise investigations,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Governor Willie Obiano, who is currently on a trip abroad, may likely cut short his trip following the attack, the Commissioner for Information and enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba said.

    Read also: Herdsmen killing: security beefed up in Anambra community

    He said: “A report of the incident has been sent to the governor who may return to the country earlier than his scheduled date of return in view of the seriousness of the attack.”

    Adinuba urged the people to remain calm, promising that the government would do everything possible to end the frequent attacks .

    A resident, Mr Orjiako Nnaluo (Ideh Anam), told reporters that the suspected herdsmen entered the farm settlement about 5:40am, killing people, burning houses and raping women.

    He said: “Before we knew what was happening, six people were already dead, while about 30 were injured.”

    The injured are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, he added.

  • Cart pusher steals N10.9m items

    A cart pusher, Musa Umaru, 20, who allegedly broke into a company and stole 26 desktops, five LG television sets, two pieces of Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) and one Central Processing Unit (CPU), all worth N10.9 million, yesterday appeared at an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    Prosecuting Inspector Raphael Donny said Umaru with others at large, on March 29, broke into Telecom Satellite Limited (TSTV) at 11, Adekunle Fajuyi Way, Ikeja, to steal the items.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate B. O. Osunsanmi admitted the defendant to N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She said the sureties must be employed and show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government

    The case was adjourned till June 26.

  • Kogi Chief Judge asks court to set aside Assembly’s sack resolution

    KOGI State Chief Judge Justice Nasir Ajanah has approached the High Court, Koton-Karfe Division to nullify last week’s resolution by the state House of Assembly, which recommended his removal.

    The Assembly, at its plenary sitting on April 2, 2019, recommended to Governor Yahaya Bello to remove Ajanah from office for alleged misconduct.

    The motion was filed on April 5, 2019, on behalf of the chief judge and the Chief Registrar of the High Court, Mr. Yahaya Adamu, by their counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).

    The plaintiffs predicated their application on the ground that the purported resolution was made in violation of a subsisting order of the court, and during the pendency of the action before the court.

    The chief registrar, in the affidavit he deposed to in support of the motion, stated that he was aware that at the resumed sitting of the court, on February 2, 2019, counsel to the applicants, Muhammad Abeni (SAN), had “pointedly informed the court of the ceaseless and clandestine moves by the defendants, particularly the 1st to 3rd defendants (Kogi State House of Assembly and its principal officers), to flout the interim orders of this court”.

    He said contrary to assurances given to the court by counsel to defendants and the subsequent reminder sent by his counsel to remind the House of Assembly of the pendency of the suit before the court, when the applicants got the wind of the Assembly’s move to sit over the matter on April 2, 2019, the defendants “utterly disregarded” the reminder.

    He said instead, the House went ahead at its sitting “to consider and adopt in-toto, a report of its Public Accounts Committee,” which recommended to the governor, to “remove the Chief Judge of the High Court of Kogi State for gross misconduct”.

    He said the committee recommended that in the alternative, “the Chief Judge of Kogi State steps aside pending his appearance before the House Committee on Public Accounts to defend the indictment against him in the Auditor-General’s report,” and “the chief registrar should be referred to the Kogi State Judicial Service Commission for disciplinary actions for misconduct.”

    The chief registrar asserted that he honestly believed that the House of Assembly “decided to act on the purported report by its Public Accounts Committee (and not the anticipated report from its earlier Ad-hoc Committee) to circumvent or sidetrack the orders of this honorable court.”

    Defendants in the matter are the Kogi State House of Assembly, the Speaker, the Chairman, House Ad hoc Committee on the matter between the judiciary and the executive; the governor and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    The motion was fixed for hearing on April 12, 2019.

  • Priotise Ekiti interest, Fayemi tells boundary commission members

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has inaugurated the State Boundary Commission Committee and Boundary Technical Committee, advising them to always consider the best interest of Ekiti people above personal interest.

    The governor, who restated that the loyalty of his government is to the people of Ekiti State, whom the administration is out to serve, urged the committees to discharge their duties without fear or favour, but with strict adherence to the rule of law.

    Fayemi, who inaugurated the committee at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office yesterday, said there are series of boundary disputes both interstate and intra-state waiting for the attention of the committees.

    He advised the members to adopt Alternative Dispute Resolution method without resort to court.

    “I like to implore members of the inaugurated commission to see your appointment as a call to service, a call to etch your name on the sands of time in Ekiti and a call to be a part of history. You must discharge your duty without fear or favour but with strict adherence to the rule of law.

    “In whatever you do, always consider the best interest of Ekiti State and Ekiti Kete far above your personal interest. Collectively, we can build the society of our dreams and make Ekiti State the pride of all. We can only achieve this through selflessness,” he said.