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  • NSCDC arrests 12 suspects, secures 2 convictions in Edo

    NSCDC arrests 12 suspects, secures 2 convictions in Edo

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ), Edo Command, said it arrested 12 suspects for various crimes between July and September.

    Mr Makinde Ayinla, State’s Commandant of the Corps, disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin, while briefing newsmen on achievements of the command within the period under review.

    Ayinla said the suspects were arrested for offences like fraud, illegal oil bunkering, rape, illegal mining and cultivation of cannabis among others.

    According to him, two suspects were arrested for stealing, two for illegal mining, three for rape, four for suspected cannabis cultivation and one for fraud.

    He added that the rape suspects, allegedly gang raped a 14 year-old SS 1 student, twice each in one night.

    He further said that the fraud suspect allegedly defrauded his unsuspecting victims of N4.5 million.

    Ayinla added that the command had prosecuted and secured two convictions for some of the suspects within the period under review.

    The Commandant said that the some of the suspects would be handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation and prosecution.

    He assured residents of the state of adequate security of lives and property as the yuletide approaches, saying that officers and men of the Corps were combat ready to ensure hitch free yuletide in the state.

    Meanwhile, some of the suspects who spoke  confessed committing the crimes and pleaded for mercy.

    NAN

  • Man in court over alleged sexual assault on step daughters

    Man in court over alleged sexual assault on step daughters

    A 50-year-old step father, David Ekong, who allegedly had carnal knowledge of two of his step daughters was on Wednesday charged before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused, a brick layer, who resides at 30 Abule Oki St., Iyana Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos, is being tried for defilement, rape and assault.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu told the court that the offences were committed on Sept. 2 and 4 at the accused residence.

    Ogu said that the accused, who married the mother of the two girls, raped the first girl, 16, and defiled the second girl,12, on different days.

    “The accused threatened to kill them if they tell their mother,” the prosecutor said.

    Ogu said that when the first girl resisted his advance some weeks after he raped her, the accused beat her to stupor.

    “It is then that the girl told her mother what the accused had been doing with her and her younger sister.

    “The mother reported the matter at the police station and the accused was arrested,” he said.

    The offences contravened Sections 135, 171 and 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni committed the accused to a bail of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Akanni adjourned the case till Nov. 21, for mention.

    NAN

  • Qatar hails Kuwaiti emir’s parliament speech on Gulf crisis

    Qatar hails Kuwaiti emir’s parliament speech on Gulf crisis

    Qatar highly appreciates Kuwaiti emir’s speech about the ongoing Gulf dispute at the opening session of the Kuwaiti parliament, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.

    “Doha hails Kuwaiti emir’s call to preserve the rights of the future generations in the countries,’’ an official statement issued by the ministry said on Wednesday.

    In an address to parliament on Tuesday, Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah said that Kuwait’s mediation efforts should be seen through the lens of the family of Gulf nations.

    “We are not a third party in this crisis. Rather, we are a party of one in this crisis.”

    The Saudi Arabia-led Arab quartet, which also includes the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5.

    It also imposed an air, sea and land embargo against the Gulf state, citing Doha’s support to terrorism and extremists.

    Qatar has strongly denied these charges and has been seeking diplomatic and economic support from Turkey and Iran, which is Saudi’s arch rival to break the blockade.

    Kuwait has been acting as a mediator since the Gulf crisis.

    NAN

  • Polio: Yobe vaccinates 1.1m children

    Polio: Yobe vaccinates 1.1m children

    Dr Hauwa Goni, the Executive Secretary, Yobe Primary Healthcare Management Board, said over 1.1 million children under age five have been immunised against polio virus this year.

    She disclosed this on Wednesday at a press conference in Damaturu to mark the World Polio Day.

    Goni said that the state recorded its last case of this virus three years ago, stressing “precisely, since 14th April, 2014, no case was recorded in Yobe state”.

    The scribe said the task force on polio immunisation under the leadership of the state Deputy Gov. Abubakar Aliyu, has sustained the campaign to ensure complete eradication of the virus across the state.

    “The success recorded in polio eradication in Yobe state is due to sustained efforts and political commitments of Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam by providing the necessary resources for polio eradication at all levels,” she said.

    Goni said the task force on this virus eradication was collaborating with ministries of education and religious affairs, school authorities and traditional rulers to create more awareness on polio eradication.

    She said the task force was also liaising with parents and all stakeholders to clear rumours on alleged strange injection on heads and abdomen of primary school pupils.

    “There is no truth in the baseless rumour and not a single case of the strange injection has been established anywhere in the state.

    “We have made parents to disregard this, take note of announcements on radio on the vaccination exercise and present their children for vaccination,” Goni said.

    She advised residents to seek information and improve their health behaviour to prevent diseases.

    NAN

  • Three men in court for alleged assault

    Three men in court for alleged assault

    Three men who allegedly injured one Bamigbade Kamoru, by hitting him on the head with planks were on Wednesday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court .

    The defendants – Nwazufu Francis, 25; Nwode Ogechi, 20, and Ndubueze Egbara, 27, of no fixed addresses, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and assault.
    ‎
    The Prosecutor, Insp. Eruada Victor, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on Sept. 20 at Ajegunle Market, Alagbado, Lagos.

    Victor said that the defendants conspired and assaulted the complainant by using planks to inflict injuries on his head over an argument. ‎

    “Kamoru has been treating his injuries at the hospital and was present in the court,’’ he told the court.
    ‎
    The offences contravened Sections 173 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).‎

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

    The Magistrate, Mrs G. O. Anifowoshe, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case until Nov. 7 for mention.

    NAN

  • Police arraign carpenter for alleged attempt to defile neighbour’s daughter

    Police arraign carpenter for alleged attempt to defile neighbour’s daughter

    The Police in Lagos have arraigned a carpenter, Jimoh Oribamise, 24, before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged attempt to defile his neighbour’s 8-year-old daughter .

    The accused, who resides at 9, Owonikoko St., Ayobo, a suburb of Lagos is also accused of causing breach of the peace.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu told the court that the offences were committed on Sept. 16, at the residence of the defendant.

    Ogu said that the accused called the victim into his room on the pretext of sending her on an errand.

    “The accused gave the girl N30 and was about defiling the girl when one of the neighbours who heard the girl cry peeped through the window.

    “The accused ran away from the house immediately and the case was reported at the police station,” he said.

    Ogu added that the accused was later sighted at a different location and was arrested.

    The offences contravene sections 168(d) and 406(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Akanni adjourned the case till Nov. 13, for mention.

    NAN

  • West Ham’s Bilic says pressure spurs him on to improve

    West Ham’s Bilic says pressure spurs him on to improve

    West Ham United manager, Slaven Bilic admits he is one of many Premier League managers facing speculation over their futures, but the Croat said the pressure makes him more determined to improve results.

    Everton’s Ronald Koeman became the third managerial casualty of the Premier League season on Monday.

    And Bilic is at risk of suffering the same fate if he does not turn things around after last Friday’s 3-0 home loss to Brighton and Hove Albion.

    West Ham are 16th in the table with eight points from nine games, but Bilic said he would not walk away from the challenge.

    “You ask me about Koeman, there are always three, four, five managers in those positions and I‘m definitely one of them,” Bilic said ahead of the League Cup fourth round clash at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

    “Does it make me lose my focus? No, it gives you even more. I never gave up in my career, no matter in which way of life, as a parent, as a friend, as a manager.

    “I am never, never, never walking away… It is my job and a job I like to do especially in a place that I feel, after my hometown, is like few other places, you are treated special.”

    British media reports said West Ham’s owners have given Bilic the next two games to turn things around and save his job, but the 49-year-old is not worried.

    “That’s my biggest strength, to be strong in hard times. Now I‘m having a hard time, yes I am. That doesn’t scare me.”

    After the clash against Tottenham at Wembley, West Ham travel to basement side Crystal Palace in the league.

    Palace have just one win in nine games so far.

    NAN

  • Court remands man for allegedly stoning woman to death

    Court remands man for allegedly stoning woman to death

    An Ota Magistrate’s Court in Ogun, on Wednesday, remanded a 51-year-old man, Preston Ogilo, in prison for allegedly stoning one Lynda to death.

    Ogilo of no fixed address is facing a charge of murder.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mrs A. F. Ojelade, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison, pending legal advice from the state’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Ojelade adjourned the case until Dec.1 for mention.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Rosemary Samson, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 11 at about 2.30 p.m., in front of Winners Chapel Church, along Idiroko Road, Ota.

    Samson said that the accused unlawfully killed one Lynda by stoning her to death.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    NAN

  • French spokesman gets Macron ’s backing to lead party

    French spokesman gets Macron ’s backing to lead party

    French government spokesman, Christophe Castaner, said on Wednesday that President Emmanuel Macron was backing him to lead the year-old Republic on the Move (LREM) party that brought the president to victory earlier this year.

    If Castaner wins a Nov. 18 election for the party’s leadership, it could trigger a minor government reshuffle as he is a cabinet member in charge of relations with parliament.

    LREM won a large majority in parliamentary elections in June, consolidating Macron’s presidential win in May.
    Like Macron, most LREM lawmakers had never previously held elected office.

    “If he chose me and supported my candidacy in the collective talks we’re having, it’s because I’ve got the support of the party’s rank and file,” Castaner said on RTL radio.

    Previously a Socialist lawmaker from southwestern France, Castaner joined Macron’s campaign early as his spokesman.

    Since Macron’s victory, Castaner has become a familiar face on national television defending the president’s reform agenda.

    Thanks to Castaner’s Socialist roots, Macron’s backing for him could help counter recent criticism of Macron as a president of the rich for partially scrapping the wealth tax, a symbol of France’s income redistribution system cherished on the Left.

    The french goverment spokesman said that for the moment, no one else had put forward their candidacy to lead the party.

    NAN

  • NGO provides shelter to 99 indigent children in Plateau

    NGO provides shelter to 99 indigent children in Plateau

    An NGO, Societal Socialize Children Villages International, established to meet the children’s needs and protect their rights, has given shelter to 99 indigent children in Plateau since 2010.

    The Programme Director of the organisation, Mr Stephen Davou, made this known in an interview on Wednesday in Jos.

    Davou said that the beneficiaries had either lost a parent or about to lose, and thus, had no economic and emotional stability to secure their future.

    He said that the children were selected from social development welfare offices across the 17 LGAs of Plateau with guardianship from the court of law.

    “The 99 children are in 12 family houses, with 33 in secondary school and 66 in the primary school.
    “We offer them parental care using family-based care model because the family is the best place for the child to grow.
    “We have a mother figure to care for them throughout their period with us. It is a long-term programme in which their education, health, morals are catered for.

    “They can stay with us till university level and leave the shelter when they are self-sustaining; then, we re-integrate them into the society,” he said.

    The official said that the organisation had also trained youths on entrepreneurial skills and secured their internship in various organisations.

    According to Davou, some of the youths eventually get employed in their places on internship.

    He urged the Plateau Government to gazette the Child Rights Law passed in the state since 2005, noting that child abusers were perpetrating the act because the law had yet to be operational.

    “We are pleading for functional family courts according to the provisions of the Child Rights Law because prosecution on issues affecting children’s welfare will be better handled there than in the conventional courts,’’ he said.

    He said that crisis in Plateau had rendered many children homeless.

    According to him, parents should be close to their children, know their friends, monitor where they go and sensitise them to the need to identify and report any form of abuse from anybody for appropriate actions.

    The organization, which has headquarters in Austria, has offices in seven states in Nigeria.

    NAN