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  • Court docked man for N.26m fraud

    Court docked man for N.26m fraud

    A 49-year-old man, Ademola Adelesi, who allegedly collected N260,000 under false pretences to supply  three trucks of granite to one Olaide Oduwole was on Thursday docked  in an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun.

    Adelesi, who lives in Tolani Street, Iyana-Ilogbo, Ota, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.

    The prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on July 27 at Canaan Land, Living Faith Church, Ota.

    Mustapha said that the defendant collected N260, 000 with the pretext of supplying three trucks of granite to Oduwole.

    He said that the offences contravened Sections 383(1) and 419 of the Criminal Code Vol.1, Laws of Ogun, 2017.

    Read also: Two men appear in court for fraud in Ekiti

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The chief magistrate, Mrs B. B. Adebowale, granted the defendant bail of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.

    Adebowale also ordered that the sureties should provide evidence of tax payment to Ogun State Government and submit four recent passport photographs to the court.

    She adjourned the case until January 15, 2018 for hearing.

    NAN

  • Lagos shuts hotels over N354.75m tax evasion

    Lagos shuts hotels over N354.75m tax evasion

    The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service ( LIRS ) on Thursday shut 11 hotels, restaurants and event centres over alleged failures to remit their taxes under the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Laws of Lagos State 2009.

    Mr Seyi Alade, Director, Legal Services of the LIRS, said this after a state-wide tax law enforcement exercise in Lagos, adding that the firms owed the state government N354.75 million in unpaid taxes.

    Alade said that the government had started full enforcement of all aspects of tax laws on defaulting taxpayers.

    He further warned that failure to file Annual Tax Returns, false declarations in returns filed and evasion of taxes were criminal offences punishable by severe fines and jail terms upon conviction by a court.

    “Any failure to deduct and remit taxes as and when due in Lagos State will now attract very serious monetary penalties.

    “These penalties include sealing of the company, seizure of the goods and chattels and criminal prosecution of principal officers of recalcitrant entities.

    “We are presently prosecuting 52 high net-worth personalities and 20 entertainment celebrities before the State High Court for offences ranging from failure to file Annual Tax Returns, false declaration in Returns and tax evasion,”he said.

    He added that over 200 corporate bodies were currently being prosecuted before the High Courts for failure to file returns and remit their taxes to the government.

    Alade advised that taxpayers should take advantage of the window of opportunity created by the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), to regularise their tax status relating to previous tax periods.

    Read also: Ambode orders census of worship centres in Lagos

    “In exchange for full and honest disclosure of assets and income, such taxpayer will benefit from the forgiveness of overdue interests and penalties till the 31st December 2017.

    “Declarations made from 1st January 2018 will attract interest but no penalties up to the end of the scheme on March 31, 2018,” he said.

    He appealed to all taxable individuals and business entities operating in the state to ensure prompt remittance of their taxes to avoid the additional payments of interests.

    Alade added that business entities and taxable individuals who failed to remit their taxes promptly would also suffer penalties and disruptions to their businesses as a result of tax evasion.

    He listed Regia Luxuria hotel, Golden Hope hotel, Westown hotel, Liberty Hall, Seven Eagles Spur and El Shaddai Margvee hotel among others as some of the affected companies.

    NAN

  • Adamu selects 10 players for COPA Lagos

    Adamu selects 10 players for COPA Lagos

    Ten players have been selected at the Brinin Kebbi camp of the Super Sand Eagles for the COPA Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament, opening in Lagos on December 8.

    The Head Coach of the team, Audu Adamu, said in Lagos on Thursday that the new team would represent Nigeria at the CAF Beach Soccer tournament, billed for Egypt next year.

    “These selected players will represent us at the World Cup qualifiers in Egypt. I have so much hope in them and I’m confident that they will deliver.

    “Our performance in COPA Lagos will further reveal to us where we need to work on and improve on,’’ Adamu said.

    The players selected are Paul Danjuma of Kastina United, Arome Isah of Sambrin FC Kogi, Victor Tale (Captain) of Kogi United FC, Emmanuel Oweferia and Taiwo Adams both of Owibeseb FC Ojo.

    Others are Ekujumi Eganosi and Emeka Ogbonna both are of Lead UTD FC in Ojo, Lagos, Abu Azizz of Rangers FC Enugu, Suleiman Muhammed of Ifeanyi Uba FC and Bulangi Umar of Kebbi Beach Soccer.

    The four new players, who made the team are Muhammed, Umar, Eganosi and Ogbonna.

    The Managing Director of Kinetic Sports, Samson Adamu, the organizers of COPA Lagos, said that this year’s event would be huge because of the partnership with the Lagos State Government.

    “We have come a long way and with our partnership with Lagos State, we know things will only get better.

    “Already because of this partnership, one of the most renowned coaches in the world Tehina Rota of Tahiti would help train our home-based coaches,’’ he said.

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode was partnering with the tournament organizers as part of his commitment to making Lagos a centre of attraction.

    Read also: Arsenal Beach Soccer Team Arrives Today as Lagos State Supports COPA Lagos

    “Tourism, arts and sports are sectors that our amiable governor understands to be the oil sector, we have seen Kinetic Sports manage COPA Lagos and the tournament has all these traits.

    “We believe in the future of COPA Lagos and we are ready to continuously work harder to ensure that we tap into every area this tournament comprises of.

    “Talking about sports, fashion, music, tourism, all these and more are embedded in COPA Lagos and will keep our youths engaged during the festive period,’’ he said.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports, Deji Tinubu, said that Lagos State was proud to be a part of the success story of Kinetic Sports.

    “Samson is a Nigerian youth that has single-handedly organised a tournament of this magnitude for almost a decade now; because of his consistency he is a success story.

    “I want our youths to challenge themselves, nothing is too small as long as you have passion for it and you have a vision that sees beyond your challenges.’’

    The COPA Lagos tournament is to hold from December 8 to December 10 at Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island, Lagos.

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  • Two policemen, NSCDC staff probed for abduction in Jigawa

    Two policemen, NSCDC staff probed for abduction in Jigawa

    The Police Command in Jigawa says it is interrogating two policemen, a personal of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) and one civilian over alleged abduction of fake money producer.

    The command’s Spokesman, DSP Abdu Jinjiri, confirmed this to newsmen in Dutse on Thursday.

    Jinjiri said that the suspects (names withheld) were arrested in Hadejia Local Government Area of the state after they allegedly abducted the victim, Malam Ahmad Muhammad, also known as “Akrami’’.

    He explained that the suspects allegedly conspired and abducted the victim at his residence at Mahucin Sarki quarters, after they learnt that he produced fake money.

    The spokesman added that they suspects allegedly took the victim to the bush and demanded that he produced money for them.

    “On December 26, we received a report from Hadejia division that two policemen, one personal of NSCDC and one civilian allegedly conspired and abducted one Malam Ahmad Muhammad from his residence in Mahucin Sarki quarters, Hadejia town.

    “They kept the captive for one day insisting that he must produce money for them.

    “This is very unprofessional, as they were supposed to take him to station for interrogation but they decided to keep him with them,’’ the spokesman said.

    He said investigation into the case had begun, and that the suspects would be charged to court if evidence was established against them.

    NAN

  • Restructuring: Northern senators, governors to meet in Katsina

    Restructuring: Northern senators, governors to meet in Katsina

    The Northern Senators’ Forum and the 19 Northern governors would on Monday converge in Katsina for a three-day retreat to deliberate on the agitations for restructuring of the country.

    Chairman of the forum, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, said in Abuja that the retreat would also focus on how to improve the security situation in the country.

    Adamu said that the Forum had written letters of invitation to the 19 governors, leading traditional rulers, top politicians and ex-senators from the region to make presentations at the retreat.

    He said that the gathering would enable the senators, as the peoples’ representatives, to take a common position on restructuring.

    “Northern governors will be attending in solidarity and very eminent traditional rulers, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, will attend.

    Read also: Masari presents N211.4bn appropriation for Katsina

    “Essentially, we will be discussing the impact of budget in the north, the issue of restructuring which is now the main issue in politics.

    “The issue of restructuring that the Senate can develop a position on. It is part of preparing ourselves to face that challenge.

    “The issue of security will also be discussed,” Adamu said.

    He pointed out that as representatives of the people, it would be expected that with the retreat, they would be better educated, better placed to consider issues related to the subject-matter.

    “We will be better prepared to face the matter and legislate and make laws over them for the good governance of Nigeria.

    “We believe we are there to educate ourselves to be better informed, to exchange ideas on the subject matter, because we make laws, we don’t make laws out of ignorance.

    “We have to be better informed on anything we are talking about,” Adamu said.

    He explained that meeting in Katsina was not necessarily because of the economic impact it would have on the city and state or how it would energise Nigeria’s politics, “but for some sort of our presence will make’’.

    “There hasn’t been this retreat over time. We are trying to bring back the culture.

    “It makes us have touch with our bases; people who elected us and feel our pulse, we will relate with them in a better way,” he said.

    NAN

  • FG identifies 2,778 Nigerians in Libya’s detention camps

    FG identifies 2,778 Nigerians in Libya’s detention camps

    The Federal Government says it has a record of 2,778 Nigerian migrants registered in “accessible” detention camps in Libya, ready for repatriation.

    The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by the Spokesperson Mr Tiwatope Elias-Fatiile on Tuesday, said the country’s embassy in Libya had been visiting detention camps to identify Nigerians for registration.

    The ministry stated that those registered were issued Emergency Travel Certificates.

    The ministry also explained that the embassy in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) repatriates 250 migrants weekly and had returned 3,000 of them so far.

    “From the 2,778 registered Nigerians who are still in detention camps, another set of 250 Nigerian migrants will be arriving today at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos at 7.00.p.m. to be received by NEMA officials.

    “The Embassy, in collaboration with the IOM repatriates 250 Nigerian migrants by flight to Lagos weekly – each flight can accommodate only 250 passengers.

    “The repatriation is a continuous exercise and the Embassy routinely issues the requisite travel documents to the migrants.

    Read also: FG to fly home stranded Nigerians in Libya

    “The Embassy will continue to engage the legitimate government in Libya and other stakeholders in addressing the plight of Nigerian migrants in that country.”

    The Ministry further said that the Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama had invited the Nigerian Embassy’s Head of Mission, Mr Iliya Fachano, to Abuja for consultations.

    “He is in Abuja already and during the period of the consultations, arrangements have been made for him to address press conferences on the issue.

    “This would afford the Nigerian public the opportunity to hear from him directly.”

    The ministry, however, advised intending Nigerian travellers to “avoid Libya at this period, because of the dangers they may encounter in the process of their journey”.

    The ministry also urged citizens to reach the Nigerian Embassy in Libya for assistance through these emergency numbers: +218910144487, +218925099384 and +218917953365.

    “The contact email addresses for the embassy and the ministry are: nigeria@nigeriantripoli.org and help@foreignaffairs.gov.ng.

    It said that the embassy had received requests for intervention from some relations of the victims based in Nigeria through these contacts.

    While condemning the slave market in Libya, the ministry said it would engage the UN, African Union, European Union and other stakeholders to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.

    “It violates the fundamental human rights of the victims and it is unacceptable to the civilised world.”

    NAN

  • Mission plans census of Nigerians in South Africa

    Mission plans census of Nigerians in South Africa

    Nigeria High Commission in South Africa says the mission will carry out a comprehensive census of Nigerians living in that country for improved service delivery.

    The High Commissioner, Amb. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, said in Pretoria, South Africa on Tuesday that the exercise would cover the nine provinces of that country.

    “ The mission plans to have a comprehensive data of Nigerians in South Africa. We want to know their locations in each province.

    “ My intention is to have a comprehensive census of knowing the citizens of Nigeria residing in South Africa.

    “ I have made it very clear that it doesn’t matter if they have the correct papers or travel documents,” he said.

    Ibeto said that the mission’s aim was to have a data that would make it easy to know the number of Nigerians and their locations in each province.

    Read also: South Africa urged to end hostility towards Nigerians

    The envoy said that the exercise would assist the mission to know how to track the citizens and provide services to them.

    “ If we achieve that, we can provide services, we can track them, we can easily take care of their welfare. So, without this comprehensive data, there is no way we can take care of our nationals.

    “And I told them that with what I have in mind, in terms of having an interactive website, where the citizens can interact with the mission,” he said.

    Ibeto said that  Nigerians could use the website to access consular services from their locations.

    “ This will lessen expenses of traveling to Johannesburg or Pretoria for such services,” the Nigerian envoy said.

    NAN

  • Liverpool draw Everton in FA Cup 3rd round

    Liverpool draw Everton in FA Cup 3rd round

    … Arsenal meet Nottingham Forest

    Liverpool will welcome Merseyside rivals Everton in the English FA Cup third round while holders Arsenal face a trip to second-tier Nottingham Forest following Monday’s draw.

    English Premier League leaders Manchester City are at home to Burnley, 12-times winners Manchester United host second-tier Derby County while Chelsea are away at Norwich City.

    Brighton & Hove Albion were pulled out of the hat at home to arch rivals Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough entertain Sunderland in a mouth-watering north-east clash.

    The third round, to be played from January 5 to January 7, sees teams from the Premier League and second-tier Championship join the competition.

    Read also : Henderson admits Liverpool played below par

    Non-league side AFC Fylde could potentially land a lucrative encounter at top-flight Bournemouth should they upset third-tier pacesetters Wigan Athletic in their second round replay.

    Fleetwood and Hereford will battle it out in their replay to face 2016 Premier League champions Leicester City.

    Struggling West Ham United travel to Shrewsbury Town, who are currently second in England’s third tier.

    The pairings:

    Ipswich Town vs Sheffield United

    Watford vs Bristol City

    Birmingham City vs Burton Albion

    Liverpool vs Everton

    Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace

    Aston Villa vs Woking or Peterborough United

    Bournemouth vs AFC Fylde or Wigan Athletic

    Coventry City vs Stoke City

    Newport County vs Leeds United

    Bolton Wanderers vs Huddersfield Town

    Port Vale vs Bradford City

    Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

    Brentford vs Notts County

    Queens Park Rangers vs MK Dons

    Manchester United vs Derby County

    Forest Green Rovers vs West Bromwich Albion or Exeter City

    Doncaster Rovers vs Slough Town or Rochdale

    Tottenham Hotspur vs AFC Wimbledon

    Middlesbrough vs Sunderland

    Fleetwood or Hereford vs Leicester City

    Blackburn Rovers vs Hull City or Crewe Alexandra

    Cardiff City vs Mansfield Town

    Manchester City vs Burnley

    Shrewsbury Town vs West Ham United

    Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Swansea City

    Stevenage vs Reading

    Newcastle United vs Luton Town

    Millwall vs Barnsley

    Fulham vs Southampton

    Wycombe Wanderers vs Preston North End

    Norwich City vs Chelsea

    Gillingham vs Sheffield Wednesday or Carlisle United

    NAN

  • Police arrest three over murder of cattle dealers

    Police arrest three over murder of cattle dealers

    The Police Command in Bayelsa says it has arrested three suspects linked to December 2 assassination of a prominent cattle dealer, Alhaji Jibril Abdulkarim and three others.

    The Police Commissioner in the state Mr Asuquo Amba made the disclosure in an interview in Yenogoa on Monday.

    Amba said that the suspects were being profiled while their telephone communication was also being scrutinised.

    “We have so far taken three suspects into custody and we are profiling them and their communication.

    “We are looking at their phone communications and from facts before us, it is an assassination done on close range and the people must have been known to them.

    “We are equally looking at the leadership issues and election of the Fulanis.

    “We are following the clues we have and I am hopeful we shall be able to have a breakthrough,” Amba said.

    Read also: Gunmen kill cow dealer, three others in Bayelsa

    It was recalled that the cattle dealer and three of his aides were shot dead at his private abattoir in Yenagoa on Saturday, December 2.

    Abdulkarim was a member of the Bayelsa Committee for the Management and Control of Ranches, and Chairman, Cattle Breeders Association (CBA) in the state.

    The Bayelsa government had on Sunday tasked the Police and security agencies to fish out the culprits.

    The government pledged to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure that those behind the heinous act were arrested and brought to book.

    NAN

  • Amnesty: militants laud Buhari, Akeredolu

    Amnesty: militants laud Buhari, Akeredolu

    A militant group in Ondo State, the United Sea Wolf Avenger, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for incorporating militants in the state into the Federal Government Amnesty programme.

    The group, in a statement by its leaders, General Deji Ehinmowo and General Secretary, Akinfemi Raymond, appealed to the Federal Government not to extend its Amnesty programmes.

    The state Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, had on November 9, during the proclamation of Amnesty armed youths issued a 21-day ultimatum to ex-militants in the state to surrender their arms.

    The group also commended Akeredolu for his commitment to the Amnesty programme and the development of the riverine community of the state.

    It appealed to the governor not to extend the Amnesty programme, claiming that the “21 days window’’ was enough to the militants in the various camps to surrender their arms.

    Read also: Amnesty: Epe kidnappers surrender arms in Ondo

    “Following the 21 days ultimatum for the submission of arms by militants in the riverine area of Ondo State which ended on November 30, the United Sea Wolf Avenger appeal to the governor not to extend the date because people have turned the exercise to trade.

    “It is regrettable that people who cannot handle ordinary cutlass have suddenly become militants through the amnesty window.

    “Twenty-one days is more than enough to move arms from camps to submission centres within the state.

    “The truth is that anybody that is complaining of time should be asked, what had he doing for 21 days. Most camp leaders that are complaining now waste their time looking for arms to purchase to fortify their newly born camp.

    “Further extension will make a mockery of the whole exercise and also belittle the brilliant flag off speech of Mr Governor, that after 21 days; anybody found with arms will be dealt with according to the law.

    “The real militants have already submitted their arms and captured, those left behind are amnesty traders, those that pay N100,000 and above to camp leaders,’’ it said.

    The group equally commended the Amnesty committee headed by the state Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi, “for the diligent way it handled the programme.’’

    NAN