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Tag: Nigeria newspapers

  • Obaseki sets up N10m education fund for late Okoniba’s children

    Obaseki sets up N10m education fund for late Okoniba’s children

    …assures relatives of proper investigation, justice

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has set up a N10 million education fund for the training of two children of late David Okoniba, whose death was allegedly caused by an exchange with a police officer at Upper Igun, Third Junction area of Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    Obaseki disclosed this when he led some members of his cabinet on a condolence visit to the family of the deceased at Urora community, in Benin City.

    The governor said he was at the victim’s home to assure his relatives that the government of Edo State share in their grief, assuring them that those culpable in the killing will be brought to book.

    “I am here today to get the details of what happened. Listening to you, I am heartbroken. I can feel your pain and appreciate your pain and anger. I want to assure the family that the case will not be swept under the carpet.

    “It will be followed to a logical conclusion as a reputable retired Judge of Edo State High Court, Justice Olubo has been selected to head the panel of enquiry which will investigate what truly happened on the said date of the incident that led to the death and consequent fracas between the youths and the police,” he said.

    According to him, “I learnt that the deceased has two children. I have released N10 million fund to be used for their education, to reduce the pain of the absence of their father and ensure their education does not suffer much because of this incident.”

    Obaseki also assured the family that government will support in the burial of late David Okoniba and advised the family to take the wife of the deceased to the hospital for medical attention at government expense, as she was still traumatised from the incident.

    Earlier, Spokesperson for the family, Mrs. Aremu Roseline, expressed appreciation to the governor and the state for the visit to the family, noting that the presence of the governor has given them hope for justice.

    She also thanked the Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, who visited the family and showed concern over the death of David, thanking him for promising to get to the root of the mater.

    “We appeal to the governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki to help the family ensure David gets Justice. His death must not be in vain as he was the pillar of the family. He had two children and his formal wedding was to be in two-week’ time. His wife who was an eyewitness of the incident is psychologically affected and seriously traumatised,” she added.

     

  • Several feared dead in Adamawa communal clash

    Several feared dead in Adamawa communal clash

    Several people are feared dead in a communal clash in Libbo ward of Shellenge Local Government Area of Adamawa.

    Confirming the incident to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, the Councillor representing the ward, Shuaibu Waleed said the clash started when the alleged body of a man from Gomba community of neigbouring Demsa Local Government Area was sighted and the people of Gomba claimed he was killed by a Fulani.

    “The bodies of two Fulani were later seen in what looked like a reprisal leading to further attacks.

    “I can’t actually say the number of people killed but I knew that we buried five dead bodies and I saw one other dead body burnt beyond recognition inside a mosque while about 200 houses were burnt,” Waheed said.

    He said normalcy had been restored and already soldiers and policeman had been drafted to the area.

    The Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), Mr Haruna Furo, said six communities were affected by the crisis.

    “I don’t have details of the incident; all I know is that about six communities were affected.”

    Furo said already the agency had dispatched relief materials to the area.

    The spokesman of Adamawa Police Command, SP Othman Abubakar, said a unit of MOPOL had been deployed to the area.

    “I am yet to get details of casualty but normalcy has been restored to the area. A unit of MOPOL had been sent to the area to maintain peace,” Abubakar said.

  • Panel seeks overhaul of Human Rights Commission

    Panel seeks overhaul of Human Rights Commission

    The Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement on Friday recommended that the Federal Government should examine the present state of the National Human Rights Commission.

    The review is to enhance the Commission’s ability to promote and protect the rights of all Nigerians.

    The panel also recommended that practical steps be taken to make the Nigerian police more professional in fulfilling their constitutional role of providing security to all Nigerians, irrespective of financial status, ethnicity, gender or religious inclination.

    These were contained in the report of the findings and recommendations of the panel received by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

    The Eight-man Investigation Panel, headed by Justice Biobele Georgewill of Court of Appeal, was set up in August 2017 to investigate allegations of human rights violations and non-compliance with rules of engagement in local conflicts and insurgency leveled against the Nigerian armed forces.

    Osinbajo said “I think that it is absolutely important, because of the sanctity of the rights of our people and the sanctity of their lives and livelihoods, that we ensure that we are finding out when the occasion arises whether their rights are being respected or violated, especially in situation where you have light conflicts or even serious conflicts and situation where you have security concerns in different parts of the country,”

    He said President Buhari, being a soldier himself, was keen to “know the content of the report” and was “interested in knowing what the panel’s findings were.”

    Osinbajo said that he was pleased that a full report of the panel’s findings and recommendations has been submitted.

    He noted that in most of the places visited by the panel, people said they were comfortable with military presence, pointing out that “it shows the confidence people have in the Nigerian military.”

    He said the findings would be referred to the relevant agencies for action.

    “Whatever the findings are not only will they be referred to the necessary or to the relevant agencies but also to the military, especially where there is a need for disciplinary action or for any type of action, they will certainly be referred to the military for action, and if there is need for civilian authorities or the courts to take action, that will also be done and where there is a need to commend we will also do so,” the Vice President said.

    He commended the members of the panel for their diligence and for the timely and thorough job they did.

    Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Biobele Georgewill, said “building a culture of respect for human rights and accountability depend largely not only on existing law, but also on a strong and well-funded, equipped and empowered National Human Rights Commission,”

    He said the commission should play an important role in taking forward most of the recommendations.

    Georgewill also said many of the allegations of human rights violations against the Nigerian armed forces were largely the direct result of increased visibility of the Nigerian armed forces in almost all the 36 states of the federation.

    “Indeed, the Nigerian Army is increasing taking on the role of policing many communities across Nigeria,” the jurist stated, calling for steps to be taken to make the police more professional.

    He said the members of the panel visited the six geo-political zones of Nigeria; listened to petitions of the people; heard the response of the three arms of the Nigerian Armed Forces within its mandate; and evaluated and analyzed all they saw and heard before putting their report together.

    Also present at the event were other members of the panel, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Olanisakin, and other top government officials.

     

  • Only fit, proper judges will preside over courts – Buhari 

    Only fit, proper judges will preside over courts – Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commenced the process of ensuring that persons, Judges and Justices recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for appointment into various Courts of Record in the instant are fit and proper, and are not under any disability to function as Judicial Officers.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that the President’s position is in furtherance of the executive powers vested in him under Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows him as the appointing authority to exercise same reasonably, taking all relevant factors into consideration.

    “Nigerians are assured that President Buhari will issue his approval or otherwise as soon as the process of the background verification is completed,” it stated.

  • Wife to court: My hubby wants to kill me with sex

    Wife to court: My hubby wants to kill me with sex

    A 32-year-old businesswoman, Adenike Bolarinwa, has urged an Agege Customary Court, Lagos, to dissolve her eight-year-old loveless marriage, citing sexual harassment and constant battering.

    Adenike, an indigene of Abeokuta, Ogun, told the court on Friday there was no more love between her and the husband, Abiola Bolarinwa.

    The mother of two, who resides at Obawole, Okeira in Aguda-Ogba area of Lagos, said: “My husband constantly beats me and no longer cares for me and our children.’’

    The woman, who described her husband as irresponsible, said he often demanded sex amid harassment and blackmail.

    “He calls me unprintable names in the presence of the children.

    “My husband often makes uncomplimentary utterances about me while forcefully having sex with me; he calls me a harlot,” she said.

    The petitioner accused her husband of threatening her life, adding that he had turned her into a punching bag.

    “I had to run away from the house when it became unbearable.

    “There was a time my husband beat me severely and l was in coma for three days and admitted in the hospital for weeks.

    “He is irresponsible, I want the court to separate us as I am no longer interested in the union.’’

    She asked the court to grant the custody of their children to her.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the woman was fighting back tears in his passionate plea to the court to dissolve the marriage.

    “I want to live comfortably and in peace.”

    The respondent, Abiola, a surveyor, however, denied the allegations, describing his wife as wayward and arrogant.

    “My wife is stubborn, rude and has no respect for me as her husband.’’

    The 38-year-old husband, however, told the court: “I still love her; I do not want the marriage dissolved.

    “l promise to resolve whatever disagreement and conflicts we are facing.”

    The court’s President, Mrs Ibironke Elabor, who advised the estranged couple to keep the peace, adjourned the case until March 1 for the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to take over the case.

  • Justice Olubor heads 5-man panel on Youth/Police clash in Edo

    Justice Olubor heads 5-man panel on Youth/Police clash in Edo

    The Edo State Government has appointed a five-man administrative panel of inquiry headed by Justice J. O. Olubor to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the death of one David Okinabo, which consequently led to a clash between some Police officers and youths in Upper Igun area in Oredo Local Government Area of the state which occurred on Tuesday, February 6.

    Besides, another panel to investigate a gas explosion in Ugbor Road axis of Benin City, has also been constituted.

    In a statement on Friday, the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, Esq., explained that the administrative panel of inquiry on the clash between police officers and youths in Upper Igun will be chaired by Hon. Justice J. O. Olubor. Other members of the panel include, “former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Joseph Okpoloa (Rtd); Osagie Obayuwana, Esq.; Retired Colonel David Imuse and Mr. Dupe Ojo.

    “The panel will among other things, examine the circumstances that led to the fatal clash between some men of the Mobile Police and angry youths at Upper Igun area in Benin City, Edo State capital. It will establish the number of persons who died or sustained injuries during the clash and the culpability of any person or group in bearing responsibility for the incident,” he said.

    The state also constituted a five-man administrative panel of inquiry to unravel the immediate and remote cause of a gas explosion in the Ugbor road axis of Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    According to the SSG, the panel is to “determine if the requisite statutory and regulatory conditions precedent were complied with in the siting, construction and operation of the said gas facility leading up to the reported explosion.”

    Members of the panel include a Professor of Thermo-fluid mechanics, Prof. Asalor James; Professor of Environmental Sciences, Prof. Anthony Ogbeibu; Eng. John Odorido; Mrs. Oduwa Ajese, and a representative of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

    Ogie said that the panel would also establish the full extent of death(s) and or injury arising from the incident and the effectiveness or otherwise of the response of the Emergency Response Law Enforcement Agencies and Health Service providers to the incident and treatment of victims.

    He said the panel would also “establish the culpability of any person, group, corporation or entity in bearing responsibility for the incident. They are to also make recommendations to government on measures to be taken to avoid a repetition of similar tragic incident in future.”

  • Court orders PDP to obey judgment on Ogun leadership 

    Court orders PDP to obey judgment on Ogun leadership 

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Friday ordered the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to recognise the Adebayo Dayo-led executive in Ogun State.

    Justice Mohammed Idris held the executive’s tenure will not expire until May 2020.

    The PDP in Ogun has been embroiled in leadership tussle, leading to factions and crisis.

    The suit was filed by a member of the PDP National Working Committee, Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, Ogun State Youth Leader Femi Alao, “national delegates” for Sagamu and Ijebu North Local Government Areas Idris Muniru and Chief Tuke Omotara, chairman of Ijebu East LGA Badejo Abiodun and chairman of Sagamu LGA Kola Akinyemi.

    They sued for themselves and on behalf of “PDP Ogun State Delegates to the National Convention”.

    The defendants include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Tunde Odanye, and others.

    The plaintiffs urged the court to hold that there was a subsisting and binding judgment and orders of the Federal High Court in Lagos and Abuja delivered and issued on June 24, 2016 and on August 10 last year.

    The plaintiffs said by virtue of the court verdicts, only they were entitled to attend and participate in PDP conventions.

    They urged the court to restrain the PDP Caretaker Committee in Ogun State from usurping the plaintiffs’ functions as “authentic officers of the Ogun PDP Executive Committee” led by Chief Adebayo Dayo.

    Justice Idris, in his verdict, dismissed the defendants’ objection on the ground that the plaintiffs are beneficiaries of the judgement delivered by Justice Ibrahim Buba in a suit no FHC/L/CS/636/2016.

    Justice Buba had held that the tenure of the Adebayo Dayo led executive subsists until May 2020.

    Affirming the judgment, Justice Idris directed INEC and the PDP (first and second defendants) to obey Justice Buba’s orders.

    The court also nullified the congresses which were held in defiance to Justice Buba’s judgement and orders.

    “The decision of a court of competent jurisdiction is binding on all parties concerned until set aside by either Court of Appeal or the same court that made the order if found that it was made in error.

    “I am not in agreement that the decision of my learned brother Justice Buba is in conflict with the decision of the learnt law lords of the Supreme Court.

    “All objections are overruled. Parties are bound by the judgement of this court delivered by Buba J. and everybody should obey a judgement of court until set aside,” Justice Idris held.

    The court nullified the appointment of Odanye and others as Ogun State PDP Caretaker Committee, saying their appointment was contrary to Justice Buba’s judgment which affirmed Adeboyo Dayo led exco.

  • Armed smugglers butcher Customs operative in Ogun

    Armed smugglers butcher Customs operative in Ogun

    An Operative of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Muhammed Maigari, has escaped being killed by armed smugglers but not without inflicting life threatening injury on him.

    The Nation gathered that Muhammed Maigari was assaulted at Ibeji River around Idogo-Ifoyintedo axis in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state, by smugglers who almost severed one of his hand following deep cut inflicted on him.

    It was learnt that the Operative attached to the Federal Operations Unit but posted to the  Idiroko border area, was said to have been beaten thoroughly last Wednesday while on patrol with colleagues.

    Maigari and his colleagues were said to be responding to an intelligence report that some smugglers were coming with a smuggled Toyota highlander toward the Ibeji River but a fierce battle ensued when the Operatives ran into the smugglers.

    In the ensuing fight, the armed smugglers attempted to disarm Maigari but when he resisted it, they cut his left upper arm and left it with a deep gash.

    The Customs’ Public Relations Officer, Ogun Area Command, Abdullahi Maiwada, who confirmed the attack, said though the vehicle was intercepted but the smugglers harmed the operatives.

    According to him, the smugglers attempted to disarm Maigara and slash his head with the machete but he blocked it with his arm, which resulted in the life-threatening cut on his left upper arm.

    “One of our operatives was savagely attacked with a machete on Wednesday at Ibeji River around Idogo-Ifoyintedo axis in Idiroko.

    “The cut was life- threatening. The smugglers were armed and they confronted our operatives. But since we did not want any loss of lives, our operatives successfully intercepted the Toyota highlander being smuggled through the forest.

    “It is currently in the command’s custody at sentry, Idiroko border. The command will not relent in curbing smuggling activities around Idiroko border and Ogun State as a whole,” he said.

    He said Maigari was first taken to the General Hospital, Idiroko, for treatment, later moved to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos for comprehensive treatment.

  • Minister: Rich can no longer evade tax

    Minister: Rich can no longer evade tax

    It will be difficult for the rich to avoid paying taxes given the plans by the government to widen the tax net and capture all those who should be paying, Finance Minister  Kemi Adeosun said yesterday in Enugu.

    She expressed regret that no fewer than 56 million Nigerians, who should be paying taxes, are not paying.

    Mrs Adeosun spoke in Enugu during a sensitisation programme on the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS). It was  hosted by the Enugu State Government.

    The minister said huge sums of money had been moved out of Nigeria without the owners paying any tax. She said such people would be fished out.

    ”The good news for government, which is bad news for the tax evaders, is that globally, nations have agreed to share data under the Automatic Exchange of Information. This means that sitting at our desks in Abuja, we are getting information about assets that the owners thought were well hidden from the tax authorities.

    “As you know, Nigerians are entitled to keep their wealth anywhere in the world, including under their mattress, but what the law requires is that they pay tax on their income as they earn it,” Mrs Adeosun said.

    The event was attended by Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Deputy Governor Cecilia Ezeilo; Speaker. Edward Uchenna Ubosi; Commissioner for Finance Eucharia Uche Offor, members of the State Executive Council, members of the House of Assembly and traditional rulers, among others.

    The minister said: “Payment of taxes is a fundamental requirement for our growth story. Nigeria has a very poor scorecard in tax payment. When oil came, we abandoned the old system of tax collection that provided most of our infrastructure since colonial days.

    ”Currently, we have just 14 million tax payers out of 70 million who are economically active. So, many people who should be paying are not paying anything. It is the development of taxes that will help the states and the Federal Government to achieve their true potentials.”

    She explained that payment of taxes had become imperative to avoid the recent collapse in oil prices and the resultant recession.

    Mrs. Adeosun recalled that after years of neglect, the Federal Government has revived some road projects, including the 9th Mile – Ngwo – Milken Hill – New Market.

    “Indeed, the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration has completely transformed road expenditure. In 2015, the figure was N19 billion for the whole nation; in 2016, we increased it to N220 billion and we plan to do much more.

    “This government has recognised that infrastructure is the key to creating jobs, growth and wealth. We have already released N1.2 trillion in capital so far for the 2017 Budget, which commenced in June 2017 and most of this was applied to roads, bridges, rail, power, our airports and other key infrastructural projects.

    “How will this capital investment translate to jobs? Not only do we get the direct jobs with construction companies and others but there is indirect opportunity for suppliers of building materials and aggregates.

    “In the longer-term, efficient infrastructure reduces the costs of doing business and makes many ventures viable and profitable. We are seeing young entrepreneurs springing up to replace imported items with locally made goods of the highest standards. We are seeing export of foods and finished goods into international markets,” Mrs. Adeosun said.

    On VAIDS, the minister said the scheme was initiated to provide an opportunity for tax payers to regularise their tax status relating to previous tax periods.

    She maintained that tax defaulters who failed to take advantage of the programme would be subjected to tax investigations as well as made to face criminal prosecution for tax offences.

    Ugwuanyi lauded Buhari and the minister for their “resourcefulness and dynamism” in the establishment of VAIDS.

    He enjoined all tax payers to take advantage of VAIDS to regularise their tax liability.

    The governor urged the President and the minister to prevail on federal agencies in the state to pay their taxes.

    He said the state government was committed to growing its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which had increased from N14 billion in 2016 to N22 billion in 2017.

  • Air Force tackles herdsmen/farmers clashes in Taraba, Benue, others

    Air Force tackles herdsmen/farmers clashes in Taraba, Benue, others

    The Nigerian Air Force Thursday said it would be involved in the operations in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa to tackle incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar made the disclosure in Abuja at a lecture to participants of Course 26 of the National Defence College, (NDC).

    He explained that the intervention of the NAF would be through the establishment of Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Taraba state and Quick Rsponse Wing along Benue and Nasarawa axis.

    In a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, the Air Chief said the developments were part of elaborate efforts to address the security challenges facing the country.

    The statement reads: “The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Thursday disclosed plans by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to establish a Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Taraba State, as part of plans to further tackle the incessant herdsmen-farmers clash in the country.

    “The CAS, who disclosed the plans while delivering a lecture to participants of National Defence College (NDC) Course 26 in Abuja, also announced plans to establish a Quick Response Wing along the Benue-Nassarawa Axis.

    “The title of the lecture, which lasted one hour, was ‘The Nigerian Air Force – Challenges and Future Perspectives’. Participants of the Course are drawn from senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and those of sister African countries, senior officials of other security agencies in Nigeria as well as those of Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

    “The lecture afforded the CAS to share thoughts with the participants on how the National Defence Policy prescribes that the NAF should be employed, out of which the mission statement of the NAF was coined.

    “Air Marshal Abubakar also spoke on the current and likely threats as well as contingencies from the perspective of air operations. He then elucidated on his vision for the NAF while also highlighting current efforts at actualizing it.

    “Some of the initiatives included but are not limited to the establishment of new commands and some units, improvement in human capacity development, improved aircraft serviceability and logistics support as well as enhanced personnel welfare.

    “He also spoke about the efforts being made in the area of research and development towards improved self-sufficiency, as a result of which the NAF is currently making great savings in foreign exchange.

    “Thereafter, he discussed the current NAF Force structure, doctrine, current capabilities and equipment holding in response to threats alongside the NAF’s strategic plan before looking at NAF future perspectives.

    “The CAS equally examined the challenges and constraints to the NAF’s air power effectiveness before concluding the lecture by discussing the strategies to countering the challenges enumerated. The lecture was followed by a stimulating interactive session.

    “In his closing remarks, the Commandant of NDC, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, declared that “You cannot win any war today without an effective and virile Air Force”.

    “He then added that there was no doubt that the current NAF leadership is taking a lot of laudable and unprecedented steps, especially in the area of technological development, in a bid to reposition the NAF for greatness.

    “He particularly cited the recent feats by the NAF in locally designing and producing an operational Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, among many other breakthroughs in the area of research and development. He then seized the opportunity to congratulate the CAS on the recent passage of the bill establishing the Air Force Institute of Technology Kaduna, which he believed would further enhance technological growth in the NAF.

    “It is recalled that the NAF had also earlier announced plans to establish FOBs in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, as part of its commitment to combatting emerging security challenges in those parts of the country”.