The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspapers

  • Buhari support groups kick against Emefiele’s reappointment

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been strongly advised to reverse the reappointment of Godwin Emefiele as the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

    Buhari support groups, made up of all Buhari 2019 campaign support organizations expressed disappointment at Emefiele’s reappointment saying that his antecedents, especially the periods prior to 2015 general elections did not merit being rewarded with a new tenure in office.

    Speaking on behalf of the groups on Wednesday in the National Assembly, a member of the House of Representatives from Jigawa state, Muhammed Gudaji (APC) advised the President to henceforth take personal interest in all appointments in the next dispensation.

    He said the Buhari support groups, after series of meeting that ended on Tuesday believed that the President must have been misled about the reappointment by trusted people close to him.

    Saying that the reappointment defied all logic, Gudaji recalled that Emefiele management of the CBN and the resultant effects on the nation’s economy was disheartening.

    Read Also: Reappointment: Emefiele arrives Senate for screening

    He said: “The reappointment was very surprising and we are against it because we believed Emefiele did not deserve it.

    “It is our believe that some trusted people, very close to President Buhari must have misled him by painting a positive picture of Emefiele while hiding the many wrong things that occurred under the man’s watch.

    “These people that Buhari trusted and very close to him only took advantage of the fact that once he trusts you, there is no going back.

    “But looking at Emefiele’s performance during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, today Diezani Allison-Madueke, former NSA Sambo Dasuki and former Finance Minister Nenadi Usman among several others are under one investigation or another bordering on looting.

    “Emefiele as the governor of CBN was there when those people were doing all they wanted with the dollar, looting the treasury under his supervision.

    “What are we saying, if Emefiele is reappointed, then all those accused of looting the treasury should be set free too.

    “This is a CBN governor that met the exchamge rate at N180 to a dollar, what do we have now, it’s N360 to a dollar and he could not do anything about it for almost four years.

    “There is no confidence that the rate would come down after four years, and he has not shown any capacity to turn things around.

    “The support groups are not convinced about the capacity of Emefiele to turn the economy around “.

    While he expressed fears that the President might be deceived into making such mistake in future as his next tenure nears, Gudaji advised that the President take keener and deeper interest in people shortlisted for future appointment in order to avoid the mistake of Emefiele.

    Saying that the integrity of Mr President is never in doubt, Gudaji added, “We say this because we are afraid that if this persists, it is a signal that incapable people might also be returned or chosen in the next dispensation.

    “It is next level we are going to not back level,” he added.

  • Alleged corruption: EFCC re-arraigns Ofili-Ajumogobia, Obla

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday brought a former Judge of the Federal High Court, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Godwin Obla, for alleged money laundering.

    Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla were re-arraigned on 18 counts of conspiracy, unlawful enrichment, retention of crime proceeds and money laundering before Justice Rilwan Aikawa.

    Each defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Following an application by his counsel, Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, Justice Aikawa granted Obla a N10million bail, among other conditions.

    Ofili-Ajumogobia is already on bail on similar terms having taken her plea to the same charge on April 18, 2019.

    The EFCC had earlier arraigned the duo on a 30-count charge bordering on corruption before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court.

    During their trial, the 30-count charge was later amended to 31 counts on February 23, 2018.

    Justice Oshodi, on April 16, 2019, struck out the charge against Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia and Mr Obla on the ground of a lack of jurisdiction.

    The former judge was, however, re-arrested by operatives of the anti-graft commission as she made to leave the Ikeja High Court premises.

    The prosecution preferred the same charges against the defendants on April 18 before Justice Aikawa.

    While Ofili-Ajumogobia took her plea, second defendant (Obla) was absent.

    On Wednesday, Obla arrived in court and was re-arraigned alongside Ajumogobia.

    They pleaded “Not guilty” to a charge marked FHC/L/139C/19.

    Her counsel, Messrs Robert Clarke, SAN, and Orbih, announced appearance for the both defendants.

    Prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to give a trial date, while the defendants be remanded in custody.

    But Orbih informed the court of Obla’s bail application filed on April 24, adding that same had been served on prosecution.

    In response, Oyedepo described the bail application as “strange” on the grounds that the charge had not even been served on the defendant before his bail application was filed.

    He said the charge was only served on Obla in court yesterday morning and so, he could not have filed an application for bail while the charge had not been served on him.

    But Orbih opposed him. He informed the court that he got wind of the proceedings on the pages of newspapers, following which he approached the court to get a copy of the charge even before receiving same from prosecution.

    Read Also: Court to EFCC, DSS, CCT, others: stop fresh probe of Saraki

    He told the court that the defendant was desirous of attending court and defending the allegations against him, rather than evading.

    Orbih added: “My Lord, the defence is a senior member of the Bar, he was called to Bar in 1984, he became Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2013. I urge my Lord to grant bail on liberal terms. In a bench ruling, Justice Aikawa also granted Obla a bail of N10 million with two sureties in the like sum, who must be landed property owners in Lagos.

    The judge added: “The surety must not be below Grade Level 16 in the federal or state civil service. The defendant must deposit his international passport with the deputy chief registrar of the court. The defendant shall endeavour to fulfill the conditions within 10-days or the bail will be revoked. The defendant shall be released to his lead counsel, chief Ferdinand Orbih SAN, pending the expiration of 10 days.”

    Clark also informed the court of a pending motion filed on May 13, challenging the court’s jurisdiction from entertaining the charge.

    He said the substance of the charge had been decided by Justice Oshodi who, he argued, struck out the charge based on the Appeal Court’s decision in Nganjiwa’s case, “where it was decided that no judicial officer can be tried unless the NJC has sanctioned such judge. The position is still playing here.”

    But Oyedepo opposed him, arguing that the position changed on November 7, 2018 when President Muhammadu Buhari approved the NJC recommendation for Justice Ajumogobia’s dismissal.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned till May 23, for argument on the preliminary objection.

  • Breaking: North East commission not Buhari’s idea- Clark

    The idea of the North East Commission was never that of President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Edwin Clark has said.

    Reacting to the comment attributed to President Buhari that the North East commission was his compensation to the region’s massive electoral support in the just concluded February 2019 presidential election.

    Read Also; FG, 8th NASS relationship not the best – Buhari

    But the elder statesman said that the National conference and the 8th National Assembly should take the credit for the establishment of the North East Commission.

    He, therefore, noted that it was wrong for the president to tie development programme to political patronage.

    He warned that if development is tied to political patronage then the country is doomed.

     

    Details shortly…

  • Edo APGA chairman gets vote of no confidence

    Members of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA ) have passed a vote of no confidence on its Acting Chairman, Chief Isaac Iria over alleged highhandedness and inefficiency.

    The party passed the vote of no confidence at a general meeting held at the weekend in Benin City, Edo State capital

    Deputy State Chairman, Prince Eddy Omoregbe Elema, said the members were unanimous in the decision to remove Chief Iria.

    Prince Elema said Chief Iria’s was removed due to inability to coordinate the party activities as well as the use of thugs in harassing members

    Read Also: APGA lawmaker joins APC in Anambra

    He said, “On the strength of foregoing, the general house of APGA, Edo State Chapter after serious deliberation came to the conclusion that a vote of no confidence be passed on you.”

    “All APGA properties with you should be returned to who be appointed as the acting Chairman of APGA Edo State until the next general Congress.”

    Chief Iria could not be reached for comments as calls to his phone were not picked.

  • ‘Migraine increases risk of pregnancy complications’

    A recent study conducted at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, has revealed that migraine is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy -related hypertension disorders in mothers and newborns.

    According to the lead author of the study, Nils Skajaa, Epidemiologist Department of Clinical Epidemiology,

    “Migraine is a disabling condition, common among women of reproductive age.

    “Accumulating evidence shows that migraine in pregnancy may lead to several adverse outcomes in the mother and child, but treatment may alleviate these risks”.

    Read Also: Teenage pregnancy: Tackling social malaise through skills acquisition

    The study further revealed that maternal migraine was associated with an increased risk of a variety of adverse outcomes, including low birth weight, preterm birth, Cesarean delivery, respiratory distress syndrome and febrile seizures.

    The research team, however, noted that treated migraine was not linked with higher risks of adverse outcomes compared with untreated migraine.

    “This suggests that migraine itself, rather than its treatment, is associated with pregnancy complications,” the author said.

  • Money laundering: Court vacates bench warrant for A/ Ibom commissioners

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Friday vacated a bench warrant issued for two Akwa Ibom State commissioners and other officials.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa had on March 1, 2019 ordered the arrest of Commissioner for Finance Nsikan Nkan and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Uwemedimo Nwoko.

    He also ordered the arrest of Akwa Ibom Accountant-General, Mfon Udomah and an account officer Margaret Thompson Ukpe.

    The bench warrant followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which said they were “at large”.

    They were named in a charge against Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), who was accused of laundering N1.4billion state funds.

    But the officials, through their counsel Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), filed a March 4 application asking that the bench warrant be set aside.

    He argued the court had no jurisdiction over his clients as no charge was yet to be filed against them by the EFCC as they were not named as defendants.

    He noted that in February 2017, Akwa-Ibom government sued the EFCC at a Federal High Court in Uyo over the harassment of its officials by the anti-graft agency.

    Read Also:  Appeal Court faults ex-parte order used to remove Onnoghen

    Ozekhome alleged that despite a subsisting order asking the anti-graft agency to cease all action pending the conclusion of the case, the officials are still being harassed by the EFCC.

    “The Attorney-General of Akwa-Ibom was the one personally conducting the Uyo case. The court later asked parties to stay all action pending the conclusion of the case.

    “Initially the order was obeyed by the EFCC, but it later summersaulted and commenced a new wave of harassment of the officials.

    “The Attorney-General later went physically to the Abuja office of the EFCC to lodge complaints but when nothing changed, contempt proceedings were commenced against EFCC,” Ozekhome said.

    The SAN faulted EFCC for asking for his clients’ arrest when there was no record that they ignored lawful summons.

    While urging the court to vacate the bench warrant, Ozekhome undertook to ensure that the officials were available to answer to any charge that may be filed against them.

    Prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo said in view of Ozekhome’s undertaking, he would not oppose the application.

    Justice Aikawa consequently vacated the arrest warrant.

    Arguments on another motion by Governor Emmanuel Udom challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the case were taken.

    Udom’s lawyer Dr. Charles Mekwunye said EFCC was wrong to name the governor in the charge since he still enjoys immunity as enshrined in Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Opposing the motion, Oyedepo said the court’s power to hear and determine money laundering related offences against all persons is not in doubt.

    He insisted that Governor Udom is not a party to the case.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned until May 30 for ruling.

    EFCC alleged that Usoro conspired with others to commit the offence within the court’s jurisdiction on May 14, 2016.

    He was alleged to have conspired to convert N1.4 billion, property of Akwa Ibom State Government, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity.

    The prosecution said the unlawful activity included criminal breach of trust, which contravened sections 15 (2), 15(3), and 18 (A) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

    Usoro pleaded not guilty.

  • New NYSC DG assumes office, sets 5-point agenda to improve scheme

    Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, the newly appointed Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
    officially assumed duty on Friday as the 18th director general, with a five-point agenda to improve the scheme.

    Ibrahim, while receiving the mantle of leadership from the former NYSC boss, Maj.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, at the NYSC Headquarters, Abuja, said top on his agenda is utilising the potential of corps members.

    The new director general assured that he would continue to build on the successes and achievements of the former director general by continuing to pursue a technologically-driven organisation.

    Ibrahim said he would ensure the welfare and security of corps members and staff, adding that while in office, he would strengthen existing collaboration with stakeholders.

    The new NYSC chief assured that he would restructure NYSC ventures, in line with the NYSC Act.

    He added that “it is an honour and privilege that I stand before you here to express my sincere and profound gratitude to God for making today possible.

    “My ardent appreciation goes to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, Minister of Defence and Chief of Army Staff for finding me worthy to be appointed D-G of this scheme.

    “The outgoing director general has done extremely well to have lifted the scheme to a higher level. I want to assure him that I will strive to sustain the achievements and take the scheme to another pedestal.

    The new director general urged staff to remain committed to work, shun malpractice, corruption and ensure team work and fairness in all activities.

    The former director general, in his handover address, thanked the management of the scheme, staff and the media for their cooperation, support and committment.

    Kazaure urged the staff of the scheme to accord the new director general the same support and cooperation and assured that he would continue to remain loyal and committed to the service of the nation in his new posting.

    He said “I thank his excellency, Mr President, for giving me the opportunity to serve the nation as NYSC director general.

    “I also thank the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, the NYSC National Governing Board, stakeholders and the media for the support given to me in the discharge of my responsibilities.”

    Kazaure was appointed director general of the NYSC on April 18, 2016, and served as the 17th D-G of the scheme until his redeployment to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre on April 26, 2019.

    Until his appointment, Ibrahim, the new NYSC boss was the Registrar, Nigerian Army University, Biu in Borno.

    Ibrahim hails from Nasarawa State and has a Bachelor and Masters Degree in History from University of Jos,
    with a PGDE from Tai Solarin University of Education and PhD in History from University of Abuja.

    The new NYSC director general served in various military postings around the country, attended series of courses
    since his commissioning into the army and is a member of various professional organisations including the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN).

    Ibrahim received various military decorations including the Distinguished Service Star in 2018 and a recipient of series of awards including promotion from Senior Lecturer to Associate Professor at Nigeria Defence Academy 2017/2018.

    The new D-G is married with children.

  • Why we arrested Naira Marley, by EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of a rising Nigerian musician, Afeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley and others in relation to alleged advanced fee fraud.

    Acting Spokesman of the Commission, Mr Tony Orilade, made the confirmation to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

    According to Orilade, he was arrested in Lagos in the early hours of Friday.

    Read Also: EFCC to re-arraign ex-FCT minister, others over alleged N650m fraud

    “Yes, he is with us. He is not the only person; he had some other persons also arrested alongside (him).

    “They were arrested in relation to advance fee fraud, Internet-related cases and all of that.

    “We shall give details shortly,” he said.

  • Osun: PDP vows to challenge verdict at Supreme Court

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to challenge Thursday’s verdict of the Court of Appeal that upheld the election of Mr. Gboyega Oyetola as governor of Osun State.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had declared Oyetola who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election.

    But the Election Petition Tribunal had nullified Oyetola’s election and declared the candidate of the PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke, winner of the poll, consequent upon which Oyetola challenged the Tribunal’s ruling at the appellate court.

    The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, upturned the Tribunal’s ruling and affirmed Oyetola’s election.

    In a reaction however, the PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, vowed that Adeleke and the PDP will challenge the judgement of the Appeal Court at the Supreme Court.

    The party said it’s not in any way shaken by the judgment of the Court of Appeal, but rather stands with Nigerians in the confidence that justice and respect for the will of the people of Osun state will definitely prevail at the apex court

    The main opposition party insisted that it will not allow the will of the people, which it claimed was given to Senator Adeleke by the people of Osun, to be lost.

    Read Also: Davido reacts to uncle’s defeat, says Appeal Court’s judgement not the end

    The PDP noted that the fact the Court of Appeal had a split judgment indicated that justice was not fully served at the appellate court.

    The statement continued, “It is instructive to state that the Court of Appeal did not contest or invalidate the fact that Senator Adeleke won the election but only cited technicalities and speculations to arrive at its decision.

    “The PDP has also noted that the Court of Appeal failed to act on the full and substantial import of the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce the ballot papers and record of accreditation to disprove our position that INEC altered results and subverted the will of the people of Osun State.

    “Our party and candidate are therefore confident that the Supreme Court will look at the merit of the matter and ensure that justice is served by recognising Senator Ademola Adeleke as Osun State Governor”.

  • BBC fires presenter following chimpanzee tweet about British royal baby

    The BBC has fired a presenter who tweeted an image of a chimpanzee dressed in clothes with the caption “Royal Baby leaves hospital’’.

    Meghan, wife of Prince Harry, gave birth, in the early hours of Monday, to a baby boy, Archie, the first mixed-race child to be born into the top hierarchy of British royalty in recent history.

    “Just got fired,” Danny Baker, the broadcaster with BBC Radio 5Live, said on Twitter.

    The BBC also reported the news, though a spokesman for the BBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    The 61 year-old 5Live presenter was accused of mocking the duchess’ racial heritage.

    A BBC spokesperson said: “This was a serious error of judgment.”

    The corporation added that Baker’s tweet “goes against the values we as a station aim to embody.

    “Danny is a brilliant broadcaster, but will no longer be presenting a weekly show with us.”

    After an initial backlash on social media, Baker said: “Sorry my gag pic of the little fella in the posh outfit has whipped some up. Never occurred to me because, well, mind not diseased.

    “Soon as those good enough to point out its possible connotations got in touch, down it came; and that’s it.’’

    Prince Harry and his wife Meghan showed their son to the public for the first time on Wednesday.

    Harry and Meghan, whose mother Doria Ragland is African American, revealed on Wednesday their new son was named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

    Read Also: Harry, Meghan name son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor

    The royal couple announced the names on their official Instagram account, but did not say why they chose them or whether the infant will hold any royal titles.

    Archie, who is seventh in line to the British throne, is expected to hold dual citizenship of Britain and the U.S.

    Congratulations have poured in from well-wishers in Britain and other countries, including many celebrities, since Meghan gave birth to the boy weighing 3.26 kilograms.

    Harry, 34, is the second son of the heir to the throne, Prince Charles.

    Harry married former actress Meghan, 37, in a spectacular wedding at the royal Windsor Castle in May 2018.

    The queen and Philip now have four children, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

    Prince William, who has three young children with his wife Kate, the duchess of Cambridge, welcomed his younger brother to “the sleep deprivation society’’ on Tuesday.

    The queen’s grandfather, King George V, changed the royal family’s name from the German Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor – after Windsor Castle – in 1917 during World War I.

    Philip also changed his name during World War I after his grandfather, Prince Louis of Battenberg, adopted the family name Mountbatten.