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Tag: Nigeria newspapers

  • Guard kills colleague, shoots Korean staff

    An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) guarding the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL) Free Zone, Mr. Innocent Oshemi, has shot and killed another NSCDC personnel.

    He also wounded a Korean staff working at the fabrication and integration yard of the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) located in the free zone.

    The armed security guard went on a rampage around the SHI-MCI yard on Monday, killing his colleague during an argument and shooting a Korean SHI-MCI employee operating a crane within the yard at the time

    According to eyewitness report, the severally wounded Korean was not involved in the original argument between the gunman and his colleague.

    After killing his colleague at about 1.53 pm, the NSCDC officer made his way towards the exit of the SHI-MCI yard but was confronted by guards and other Korean SHI-MCI employees, who prevented from leaving the yard.

    Their bravery prevented the gunman from inflicting further harm on other employees within the free-zone.

    The gunman was taken into custody by Apapa police.

    The gunman, who was supplied to LADOL Free Zone by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, was tasked with the responsibility of defending the Samsung yard from any external attack.

    The Korean employee, who was taken to hospital, underwent several hours of surgery, having suffered serious and life-changing injuries.

    Some workers at the free zone, who witnessed the incident, blamed it on poor management of LADOL as the Free Zone operator.

    Read Also: Insecurity:Police arrest five suspected kidnappers in Ondo

    “LADOL armed guards are supposed to be properly trained to protect Nigerian and foreign workers.

    ‘’SHI-MCI had previously argued against having armed guards at the yard as it posed unnecessary risk to employees due to insufficient training of guards,” said a female employee who asked not to be named.

    “It is vital that those responsible for such a serious failing that has resulted in death and serious injury are held to account.

    “This was a violent act in a free zone, which is supposed to be a safe zone for foreign nationals, investors and Nigerian workers conducting their daily business.

    “Zone operators like LADOL should have measures in place to ensure the safety and security of all their subleases at the zone and if those measures fail there should be contingencies,” another eyewitness said.

    In a statement on Tuesday, Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria confirmed one of its Korean employees has been critically injured after being shot by a guard, adding that it has arranged expert medical care for this employee.

    “We give thanks to the quick-thinking and bravery of its employees who apprehended the security operative.

    “Samsung will conduct a full investigation and demands answers from LADOL as to how this employee was screened, and what protection they can offer to workers within the LADOL Free Zone who are now extremely concerned for their safety and welfare.

    “Samsung is working with the International SOS service and the Korean embassy in Nigeria to ensure that proper medical care is provided to its employee and that his family has all the support they need.

    ‘’We have already started our own investigation into what happened. We will be encouraging the Nigerian authorities and the Korean embassy to commence a full and thorough investigation into this terrible incident,” the statement added.

    Meanwhile, SHI-MCI excused all its employees for work from yesterday and until further notice.

    “SHI-MCI plans to issue a claim of damages and will request compensation on behalf of the victim as well as commercial loss,” the company added.

    Reacting in a statement, the Head of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Gana, explained a Civil Defence officer opened fire ‘in error’ at the logistics base, ”leaving multiple casualties”.

    He later clarified that the officer, who was not immediately identified, shot and killed one of his colleagues at the base.

    “Also a Korean man who was present sustained gunshot wounds and is currently hospitalised.”

    Gana who sympathised with the victims, promised the incident would be investigated and legally handled.

  • Edo debunks fake recruitment exercise

    The Edo State Government has debunked an advertisement of a purported recruitment exercise by Edo State Civil Service Commission, noting that the information was fake and the handiwork of unscrupulous elements out to defraud hardworking Nigerians.

    In a statement by Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the government urged the public to disregard the information, as the state government was currently not recruiting.

    Read Also: Edo to demolish illegal structures on moats, river banks, others

    According to him: “The state government’s attention has been the drawn to a recruitment advertisement purportedly put out by the state government. I want to clarify that the Civil Service Commission is currently not recruiting. Members of the public are advised to disregard the message.”

    He called on members of the public be wary of the antics of those peddling the advertisement as they are out to defraud hardworking Nigerians.

  • Police identify those behind Rivers cult killings

    The police in Rivers on Tuesday said that cultists and thugs that had lost patronage from politicians were behind the upsurge in killings in the state.

    DSP Nnamdi Omoni, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt.

    Omoni said the police were aware of the upsurge in crime in the state, stressing that the command had put in place adequate measures to tackle this.

    He stated that the killings were not strange to the police as politicians who had armed the cultists and thugs had now turned their backs on them.

    “The issue is these boys have lost patronage from their paymasters, so they want money via crime by asking for royalty and all manner of payments from residents of the community.

    “We cannot allow that to fester, we will arrest them and bring them to justice.

    “This has really put the boys into some kind of confusion, and we are capitalising on that.

    “We have penetrated into their ranks, and I can assure you that in no time, they will be rounded-up, arrested and brought to justice.

    Read Also: Police tear-gas INEC Ad-hoc staff protesting nonpayment of election allowances

    “ They will be overtaken and made to account for their evil,” he said.

    Omoni stated that normalcy had already been restored in Mgbuodia community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state after the killing that took place there.

    “When we got the information, we mobilised our men to the community, men of the Nigerian Navy were also there, so we were able to put the situation under control.

    “We restored normalcy, and even those that left, we spoke with them, and asked them to return,” he added.

    He said 10 persons were arrested in the wake of the development, adding that they were currently helping the police.

  • Buhari condemns latest violence in Kaduna

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the recent violence in Kaduna State, which led to the death of 20 members of the Adara community.

    These unfortunate deaths are the latest incident between the Adara and Fulani peoples in the state, who have a long history of mistrust between them.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also condemned the resurgence of cultist killings in Rivers State and ordered for increased community and law enforcement action against its escalation.

    He appealed for peace and decries the on-going culture of ‘an eye for an eye’ that has fuelled a number of attacks and reprisal attacks, with the two communities at different times, suffering casualties in Kajuru and Kachia local governments in Kaduna States.

    The President also appealed to indigenes of Kaduna and other Nigerians to refrain from comments in the traditional and social media, especially by people who have little knowledge of the history of the longstanding conflict.

    Such comments, he noted, can fuel further conflict in the area and between the two groups.

    Read Also: ASUP to Buhari: sign Polytechnic act into law

    Buhari made a special appeal to traditional and religious leaders to be cautious with their comments on the conflict, insisting that whatever words they share publicly should not be inflammatory but be inspired by an interest in peace.

    The President condoled with those who lost loved ones in the attacks: “The entire nation grieves with you. The Nigerian army and police are already in the area to ensure that peace and security are restored.”

    In response to reports of the resurgence of cultism leading to loss of lives in Rivers State, President Buhari called on law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts to end the menace before it further escalates.

    The President urged quick and effective intervention by community and civic leaders in support of law enforcement efforts, in all such areas bedeviled by cultist attacks and inter-communal violence.

  • Court to open hearing in N50b suit against INEC, two others

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled hearing for May 27 this year in a suit seeking to among others, bar the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from further use of transparent ballot boxes, permanent voters’ card and related devices for elections.

    The suit, filed by a firm – Bedding Holdings Limited – is intended, among others to enforce two pending judgments given by the Federal High Court on June 5, 2012 and January 28, 2014 which affirmed the firm’s exclusive patent rights over some inventions that formed the core of INEC’s electoral operations.

    Bedding identified the inventions on which it has patent rights to include: “the Transparent Ballot Boxes (TBB), Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes (ECI’BB), Direct Data Capturing Machines, Electronic Card Reader (ECR), its derivable Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) and Proof of Address System Scheme (PASS) Embedded with the Concept of the Coded Metal Plate and the Process and Application of these products to produce the Voters’ Register respectively.”

    The suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1537/2018, has Bedding listed as the sole applicant, with INEC, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Registrar of Patents, Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry, listed as respondents.

    The applicant wants an order, compelling the respondents to abide by the judgment of the court delivered on June 5, 2012 in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/82/2011 and on January 28, 2014 in suit: FHC/ABJ/CS/816/2010.
    Bedding is also praying praying the court for an order, directing the respondents to pay it N50billion “as exemplary damages for the continued use of the Transparent Ballot Boxes, Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes and Direct Data Capturing Machines for the registration of voters and or the collation/compilation and production of the voters’ register” without its prior and express consent.

    It equally seeks an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from using its inventions and anything derived thereof, without the prior and express consent, and “to declare any action or actions whatsoever and however or purported to have been taken in connection thereto, as illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and null.”

    On December 18, 2018, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba (also of the Federal High Court, Abuja) restored the judgment given by Justice Adamu Bello on July 5, 2012 and gave Bedding the permission to commence the process of enforcing the judgment.

    In a supporting affidavit, deposed to by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sylvester Odigie, Beddings claimed that the respondents have continued to disregard the judgment of June 5, 2012 and a subsequent one of January 28, 2014 which further confirmed its (the firm’s) exclusive patent rights over the said inventions.

    Bedding stated that its core speciality is in the fabrication and manufacture of steel metal products such as transparent ballot boxes, electronic transparent boxes, among other products.

    It added that: “On 12th January, 1998 the applicant (Bedding) was issued with Certificate of Registration of Patent Rights No. RP 12994 and Registration of Industrial Designs Rights No. RD 5946 in and over the invention named Transparent Ballot Boxes (“TBB”) by the 3rd respondent (Registrar of Patents).

    “Also on 27th November, 2006, the applicant registered and was issued with the Patent Rights No. RP 16642 and Copyright Designs No. RD 13841 in and over the invention named “Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes”, an improved derivative of TBB, which integral features include the Electronic Card Reader (ECR) and it’s derivable Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) thereof and Patent Rights NORP NG/P/2010/202, Proof of Address System/Scheme (PASS) (Embedded with the concept of the Coded Metal Plate) the process and application of which is used to produce the voters’ register.

    “The above-stated Patent and Industrial Designs Rights of the applicant is still valid and subsisting till date having been extended at various times by the 3rd respondent upon the application of the applicant.

    Read Also: INEC to release timetable for Bayelsa, Kogi governorship elections this week

    “By virtue of the above and the applicant being the exclusive and bona fide patentee of the said Patent and Design Rights over the inventions named Transparent Ballot Boxes (TBB),, Electronic Collapsible Transparent Ballot Boxes (ECTBB); Direct Date Capturing Machines, Electronic Card Reader (ECR), Permanent Voter’s Card, (PVC) and Proof of Address System Scheme (PASS) Embedded with the Concept of the Coded Metal Plate and the Process and Application of these products to produce the voters’ register respectively, the applicant and the 1st respondent (INEC) executed a license agreement on the 29th day of January 2003 wherein the applicant granted to the 1st respondent license over Transparent Ballot Boxes (“TBB”) till 29th of March 2003.

    “Further to the above, the 1st respondent, in issuing out award letters to its agents and contractors with respect to the transparent ballot boxes, included a clause informing them of the applicant’s right to the patent.”
    Bedding further stated that despite the subsistence of its patent rights over the inventions, the 3rd respondent, on October 14, 2010 issued similar certificates to three other firms in relation to the inventions over which it already had exclusive patent rights.

    The firm stated that upon the its “discovery of the multiple registrations and

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  • Breaking: Police dismiss nine officers for misconducts

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved with immediate effect the dismissal of nine senior Police Officers for gross misconduct.

    The Commission said it also approved the reduction in rank of six officers for different cases of misconduct.

    According to a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by the Commission’s Spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, the decisions were part of the outcome of its 5th plenary meeting which held in Abuja on 26th and 27th of March, 2019 and presided over by its Chairman, Musiliu Smith.

    Ani said the Commission also approved the punishment of severe reprimand for ten officers while one officer, CP. Austin Agbonlahor was exonerated.

    The Commission said one of the dismissed officers, SP Adamu Damji Abare will also be prosecuted while SP Abdul Yahaya Ahmed and another SP who also had his promotion from SP to CSP withdrawn before his dismissal.

    Read Also: Police nab man with ‘human parts‘

    The Commission said it has requested the IGP to provide it with information on the punishment awarded to other officers mentioned in the Police Investigation Reports involving SP. Abare with regards to irregularities in the conduct of the 2011 recruitment exercise.

    Others officers dismissed are; DSP Osondu Christian, DSP Samson Ahmidu and DSP Pius Timiala who will be prosecuted and whose promotion from DSP to SP was withdrawn. Four Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASPs) were also dismissed for various wrongdoings. They are; Agatha Usman, Esther Yahaya, Idris Shehu and Usman Hassan Dass.

    Those whose ranks were reduced are; Oluwatoyin Adesope and Mansir Bako were reduced in rank from SP to DSP while Gbenle Mathew; Tijani Saifullahi; Sadiq Idris and Alice Abbah were reduced from the rank of DSP to ASP.

    Ani said the commission’s decisions have been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Mohammed Adamu for implementation in a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Commission, Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri.

  • Family of five, 3-month-old killed in Ebonyi boundary crisis

    The Police in Ebonyi state have confirmed the death of eight persons, including a three- month baby in resumed boundary dispute between two communities in Ebonyi state.

    While six of the victims said to be from the same family were burnt to death in a bus they were traveling in, two others were also killed from bullet wounds they sustained from the attacks.

    The attack happened along the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike road near the border between the two communities.

    Police spokesperson in the state, Loveth Odah confirmed the incident.

    She said the incident happened on Saturday.

    According to her one of the victims is a wife of a Police officer serving in the state but who is on secondment to Borno state to fight insurgency in the Northeast.

    Read Also: Kidnapping: Police deploy IGP squad in 8 troubled Katsina LGs

    “It is a longstanding dispute between Ndiagu Alike community in Ikwo loal government area and Enyibichiri community in Abakaliki local government area that erupted the on Saturday.

    “A vehicle was seen burning on the road allegedly set ablaze by warriors from one of the communities.

    “The victims were coming from Abakaliki where they attended a matriculation of their son.

    “Five of them were from the same family including a little baby and one is a neighbour who joined them. They were burnt to ashes.

    “Also three other persons were also attacked and two of them were killed. One of them a woman was the wife of a police officer deployed to Borno state”.

    The communities have been battling an intractable land tussle for decades.

    All attempts to settle the dispute by successive administrations in the state have proved abortive.

    Details shortly…

  • Asian-African Leadership Forum honours business leaders

    The impact of the Asian-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACII) Intercontinental Leadership Forum held in New Delhi, India  will linger on for a very long time.

    The forum, which drew diplomats from various countries, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Korea, Mallawi and South Africa with over 250 professionals and many industrial sectors, had its theme dedicated to the United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals 2030.

    Leadership awards were conferred on leaders and organizations that have shown exceptional pace-setting performances in developing businesses.

    In his opening address, the Founder and Chairman of AACCI, Dr. G.D. Singh, called for collaboration between African and Asian countries for the development of business in Asia and Africa.

    He described the forum “as the first of its kind which gave an open platform which amalgamates the most brilliant talents and empowers the leaders of tomorrow.”

    In his own contribution, Mr. Chris Eze, Nigerian High Commissioner in India, highlighted the existing relationship between India and Nigeria in various areas, including agriculture, defence, trade, capacity building, health care, infrastructure and socio-cultural relations.

    He added that “India is a developmental partner of Nigeria with emphasis on strong knowledge and experience with a view to improving capacity building in diverse areas.”

    In his own contribution, Mr. Maxwell Ranga, Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe in India, emphasized the need to tap natural synergies between India and Zimbabwe and scope for engagement in health care, agriculture, hospitality, infrastructure and SME sectors.

    The Asian-African Chamber of Commerce (AACCI) and Indian Importers Chamber of Commerce signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will strengthen business relations and develop reciprocal cooperation to establish a practical framework to facilitate the development of stronger business relations between the two chambers.

    All dignitaries at the event emphasized the role of Africa in the next economic boom and chambers like AACCI would be elemental in catalyzing this boom.

  • Onnoghen’s resignation: Buhari is vindicated, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) said on Friday that the resignation of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen has vindicated the action of the President and the stand of the party who earlier called for his resignation.

    Justice Onnoghen’s resignation is coming few hours after the National Judicial Council reportedly recommended to the President Muhammadu Buhari to retire him with full benefits.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu told newsmen in his office that the resignation of the suspended CJN would have been the first step for him to take when it became obvious that he made a mistake of not properly declaring his assets as required by law.

    He said with the CJN standing trial for none declaration of assets and the previous trial of the Senate President for the same purpose, it is gradually becoming clear to public office holders that there is nobody above the law in the country.

    Onilu said a time is coming when a President who misbehaves will also be docked for wrong doing, stressing that all those who criticised the President for obeying the ruling of the Code of Conduct Tribunal will now realise that their action was not in their interest of the country.

    Onilu said: “The issue we have in this country is that, many people, especially those who have been part of the impunity of the past are struggling badly to adjust to the reality of rule of law. That is the major issue we are facing in this country.

    “There are so many struggles to allow the past. It is not good enough for us as a country to allow it go. All of us must rise and face the future; a future of promise and a future of change, so that we can move to the ‘Next Level’.

    “When this happened, the PDP and some of their allies in the Civil Societies read the barometer of politics and we do know that, until we rise above sentiments, no matter what part of the divide you find yourself, we must realise that this as an issue that has to do with our country. That is the only way we can progress.

    “We knew right from the beginning that what the allegations against the former Chief Justice of Nigeria were too serious to be swept under the carpet and we know that the President does not act on frivolities.

    “He must have done his background checks and must have gotten good information to have taken the action he took especially when there was basis for the action that can be legally proven.

    “Those lawyers, so-called Senior Advocate of Nigeria who had over the years dip their hands along with some of these judicial officers into the till of this country, continued to lampoon the President, lampoon the APC and blaming this government that is doing its best to right several of the wrongs that we have been used to.

    “We were actually the one trying to deepen democracy and this party rose in the defense of the President because we understand what the President was doing and that he meant well, and we know the real purpose that drives his actions.

    “Now, events have proven the President right. Events have proven the party, APC right. Events have proven those Nigerians who believe Nigeria first and any other things after – events have proven them right.

    “We all can only be hiding behind one finger, otherwise we knew Nigerians, reasonable Nigerians knew from the word go that those allegations were not cooked up and if they were real, the next thing for the CJN to have done was to have stepped aside. If he had done that, the question of, he wouldn’t be the only one, why he should not have arisen? There is nowhere in the world where judgment is passed on every sinner at once.

    “It is not every armed robber you can catch the same day. And even some you know, the slow pace of justice may not catch up with them immediately, but we must continue to see evidence that we are moving towards that sanity and that we are making progressive efforts and sending strong signals to people who think this country must continue as long as they are comfortable and the rest of Nigerians are suffering. We must send that signal to them that it is not going to be business as usual.

    Read Also: Suspended CJN, Onnoghen resigns

    “Now, you have seen the head of National Assembly, Senate President in the dock. Now, you have seen the CJN in the dock. So, one day, we will see a President that will also misbehaves, in the dock which now shows that nobody is above the law and that we are all equal before the law.

    “So, anybody who finds himself in any position should now begin to look closely at his own actions knowing fully well that today may protect him but tomorrow may expose him.”

    Also reacting to the development, the Buhari Media organisation the failure of Justice Walter Onnoghen (suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) to declare his assets and thus breaching the Code of Conduct expected from Judicial Officers, among several other malfeasances and breach of the Money Laundering Act, are too grave to be treated with kids gloves.

    In statement signed by Niyi Akinsiju and Cassidy Madueke, its Coordinator and Secretary respectively, noted that the offences that are being prosecuted and that have been petitioned against Justice Walter Onnoghen have tainted the sanctity of the judiciary and are not matters to be played with or treated with levity.

    “Justice Walter Onnoghen is alleged to have out rightly failed to

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  • Slain LUTH doctor received first salary day he was killed

    Dr Stephen Urueye received his first salary as a House Officer with Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH) the same day he was stabbed to death, his colleagues have disclosed.

    Urueye was among the 8,000 students that graduated at the 50th convocation ceremonies of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Wednesday.

    He died a day later.

    Two persons were on Friday arrested as his colleagues protested his killing by armed robbers.

    Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), who described those arrested as “hoodlums,” said they were arrested at the spot where the late Urueye was stabbed.

    According to his colleagues, he was the only child of his mother, who is a widow.

    The Nation learnt that he was stabbed near the teaching hospital’s gate, Idi-Araba, Mushin while returning to LUTH by armed robbers, who wanted to rob him of his valuables.

    With blood gushing out from his thigh, he ran into the LUTH compound where he was taken to the Accident and Emergency Centre (A&E).

    He was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

    There, his fellow House Officers and senior doctors battled all through the night to save him.

    Their efforts proved abortive when he gave up the ghost around 3am on Friday.

    The late Urueye’s remains, The Nation, learnt that have been deposited at the mortuary.

    Emotions ran high in LUTH, Idi-Araba on Friday as soon as news of his death broke with many medical students of LUTH embarking on a protest.

    The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions and calling for justice for the victim.

    According to them, Idi-Araba has been overtaken by armed thugs.

    They called on the government and security agencies to beef up security in the area.

    Read Also: LUTH doctor killed hours after graduation

    Some of his colleagues and other Nigerians took to Twitter to lament Urueye’s murder and also seek justice for him with the hashtag #JusticeForStephen.

    They lamented that they have complained severally to the management of the hospital as regards incessant attacks of fellow students in Idi-Araba by armed hoodlums.

    A 500-level Nursing student at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Harrison Udeh, said Urueye was stabbed around 9pm on Thursday.

    Udeh told The Nation that the late Urueye “was outside between 8 and 9pm along

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