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Police arrest 18 suspected criminals, recover 11 stolen cars

The Ebonyi Police Command on Tuesday said it arrested 18 suspected criminals terrorising the state and also recovered 11 suspected stolen cars from them.

The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Titus Sumba-Lamorde, told journalists in Abakaliki that the suspects were arrested within and outside the state.

Samba-Lamorde said they were arrested at different times and locations while engaging in nefarious activities.

He said five of the suspects vandalised some communication equipment belonging to one network providers at Isu in Onitcha Local Government Area of the state.

The CP said the arrests were as a result of adequate security measures put in place by the command in collaboration with other security agencies in the state.

Read also: Police arraign banker for ‘reckless driving’

The police boss said the command also recovered 23 locally-made pistols, five Dane guns and one assault Beretta rifle from the suspects.

Others items recovered were some quantities of live ammunition and cartridges of different brands, two AK-47 and four pump action rifles as well as some suspected charms.

He said law enforcement agents were ready to combat crimes in the state, especially this yuletide, adding that monitoring of crime spots and surveillance would be intensified.

“The police command has put in place adequate security measures to checkmate the nefarious activities of criminals in the state. The efforts of the police are yielding results.

“We are warning criminals to steer clear Ebonyi because it is not a safe haven for them; all criminally-minded persons had better turn a new leaf or meet their waterloo.

“We are ready and determined to rid the state of criminal elements and I wish to appeal to members of the public to always volunteer useful information to the police.

“We also wish to assure the public of adequate protection of lives and property of every citizen during the festive period,” he assured.

He said all the 18 suspects would soon be charged to court.

NAN

December 12, 2017
FAO expresses satisfaction with food security in North East

The Food and Agricultural Organisation ( FAO ), on Tuesday, said the threat to food insecurity in North Eastern Nigeria, had reduced due to improved security and increased agricultural activities in returnee communities.

Mr Suffyan Koroma, the FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, made this disclosure on in Katarko, Yobe, at the official distribution of agricultural inputs to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

According to him, the gesture is to support no fewer than 26,000 households engaged in irrigation farming.

Suffyan, who was represented by the FAO Deputy Country Representative, Mr Nourou Makital, said “there is positive news about food security in the North east”.

He said the number of people estimated to be facing food insecurity had reduced from 5.2 million in July to 2.6 million in December”.

FAO in collaboration with Maigoje Foundation, began the distribution of assorted seeds, fertilizer, water pumps, small ruminants and bulls to vulnerable persons for irrigation farming.

Read also: Food and water poisoning: How to tame the widespread killers

The country representative said the irrigation farming and livestock support programme was to provide the beneficiaries with durable means of livelihood.

Gov. Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe, said the irrigation support programme was in line with his government’s policy on irrigation farming.

Gaidam who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Mustapha Gajerima, said his administration had developed four irrigation sites to promote dry season farming.

“The significance of dry season farming was in tandem with our administration’s drive to harness the irrigation potential at Mugura, Boloram, Nguru and Jumbam.

“Our overall target is to develop about 1,000 hectares of land for irrigation farming before the end of 2018,’’ Gaidam said.

Dr Usman Abba, the Executive Director, Maigoje Foundation, FAO implementation partners in Yobe, said a thorough assessment was conducted to ensure that only eligible persons benefited from the programme.

He said the foundation had fashioned out effective monitoring strategy for the materials to be used for the intended purpose of providing sustainable means of livelihood to the beneficiaries.

NAN

December 12, 2017
Kano approves amendment of 1999 constitution

Kano State House of Assembly has approved the amendment of some laws in the 1999 Constitution which include financial autonomy to States’ Houses Assembly among others.

The approval followed series of deliberations by the lawmakers following the adoption of the National Assembly bill on the amendment.

The Speaker, Alhaji Abdullahi Ata said at the plenary on Tuesday in Kano that the house had approved eight out of the 15 alterations as requested by the National Assembly.

Ata said the alterations included financial autonomy for States’ House of Assembly, the removal of force from the Nigerian Police Force ( NPF ) and the provision of an independent candidate during the general elections in the country.

According to the speaker, the house will deliberate on the remaining seven areas as requested by the National Assembly which included the autonomy for Local Government among others.

Read also: Kano spends N9b monthly on salary payment, says Gov

NAN

December 12, 2017
BOI, Unity Bank in court over N150m loan

Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Unity Bank Plc on Tuesday were at the FCT Court, over non performance of N150 million loan granted to Valentino Project Ltd. by BOI.

Valentino Project Ltd. had in 2012 secured a loan of N150 million for the construction of water treatment factory and production in Kuje, FCT, while Unity Bank acted as its guarantor.

Mr Toluwaseun Alabi, the Counsel to the plaintiff, Valentino, said that Unity Bank acted as the guarantor for Valentine Project Ltd. to secure the loan.

Alabi said a loan of N150 million was given to Valentino to set up a water treatment factory and production line in Kuje, adding that “it did just that, while Unity bank acted as the guarantor to Valentino.’’

He said in August 2013, Valentino received a communication from BOI that the transaction had been terminated.

He however argued that since the loan was for five years and still operational; it would amount to a breach of agreement if it was terminated.

Read also: Court directs respondent to pay 60% cost of maintaining his three children

“Valentino Project Ltd. has built the water treatment factory and production in Kuje and bought the needed equipment, in fact everything is on ground,“ he said.

Alabi said Valentino had refused to commence work because of the problem it had encountered, adding that the project was stalled because the N150 million had not been fully disbursed.

“It was just remaining about N5million to complete the loan and finish the project because the company has built the factory and set up everything.

“But because the Relationship Manager of Unity Bank and the people handling the facilities on behalf of BOI and Valentino Project Ltd. were not having the best of times, it just cut off as guarantor without recourse to the investment.’’

He said there was a project appraisal before the BOI gave out the loan, adding that based on Valentino’s performance, the loan was given to the company.

Peter Inegi Counsel to the defendant, Unity Bank said before the loan facilities was given out to Valentino, there were conditions and some obligations attached to it.

He said Valentino was supposed to perform based on those conditions and obligations, adding that 100 per cent performance was expected before any intervention.

“Unity Bank acted as Valentino Project Ltd. guarantor for N150 million to BOI, but BOI had to act by withdrawing from Valentino Project Ltd. for non performance of obligations.’’

Justice Peter Affen of the FCT High Court, Maitama, however, reserved judgment until a date to be communicated to both parties.

NAN

December 12, 2017
One dies in Bayelsa auto crash

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ) in Bayelsa, Mr Ikechukwu Igwe, said on Tuesday that a middle-aged woman had died and more than five persons were injured in an accident in Yenagoa.

Igwe confirmed this in an interview in Yenago

The incident involved a tipper lorry and a Toyota bus which collided at the Swali Market.

Igwe said the accident was caused by reckless driving, saying the corpse of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary of a hospital in the state.

“Those who sustained injuries, including the affected drivers of the tipper and bus, are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state capital.

“The incident was unfortunate; the FRSC is warning roadside traders in the state to stay off the road; stop spilling trading activities to the road because our personnel will not take it lightly with anyone caught selling wares on the roads.

“We are going to mobilise our special marshals to monitor the Swali axis, especially the market area in order to curb roadside trading in the area.

“The FRSC officers will work with the Bayelsa Government to ensure that all the roads blocked by traders in the state are reclaimed,” he said.

NAN

December 12, 2017
Court directs respondent to pay 60% cost of maintaining his three children

An FCT High Court in Maitama on Tuesday directed a respondent in divorce cross petition to pay 60 per cent cost of maintaining his three children.

Mrs Olachi Okafor had on Octomber 5, 2017, filed a cross petition against her husband Abedego Okafor.

She sought for an interim order of the court to compel her husband to pay N100,000 monthly for the maintenance of their three children, pending the determination of the petition.

In his ruling, Justice Jude Okeke held that the cardinal question was whether the applicant had made out a case to justify the grounds of the application.

He held that from the records of the court, the applicant left the matrimonial home on March 27, 2016 and the children had been with her since May 19, 2016.

Okeke noted that the applicant claimed that since then the respondent had refused to contribute to the upkeep of the children.

He noted that the respondent in his counter affidavits claimed that the applicant took away the children from the matrimonial home on her own volition and denied him access to them.

He added that the applicant also changed the children’s school and no address to locate them.

The judge held that under sections 1 of the Child Rights Act of 2003 and 71 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 2004, the court had been given wide impression with regard to the custody of children in a marriage.

“The cardinal requirement is that the court must bring the best interest of the children to its paramount consideration in any order it makes.

“In Section 73 (1) and (2) of the Matrimonial Causes Act, the court has discretion pending the determination of the petition to make an order for the maintenance of children of a marriage.

“The court will have regards to the earning capacity, conduct of the parties and other relevant circumstance.”

He added that Section 71 (1) of the Act provided that the court has power to make an order for payment of lump sum weekly, monthly or yearly for the maintenance of the children of the marriage.

“In this case, this discretion shall be applied judicially and judiciously, putting into consideration the earning capacity of the parties and other relevant circumstance as well as in the best interest of the children of the marriage.

“The court has a duty to make such order that will be in the best interest of the children of the marriage, irrespective of what either of the party requires to provide for the children.”

Read also: Breaking: Appeal Court orders Saraki to return to CCT for trial

He noted that “it is against this backdrop that the court in exercise of its discretion to granting this application, taking into cognisance of earning and income of the parties.”

The judge further held that the court reckoned with its records which showed that the applicant was working with ECOWAS, while the respondent was a level 15 officer with Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The parties are persons of means, either of whom can provide for the maintenance of the children.

“Against this backdrop, the court in its discretion under Section 1 of the Child Rights Act directs that the N100,000 needed for the maintenance of the three children be funded in proportion of 60 per cent by the respondent and 40 per cent by the applicant, pending the determination of the petition.

“In respect to the school fees paid by the applicant for the 2026/17 academic year, the parties shall also share in the same proportion.

“In other words, the respondent shall refund the applicant only 60 per cent of the sum.”

Okeke then adjourned further hearing in the case until February 5.

NAN

December 12, 2017
NHRC begins public hearing on hate speech, electoral violence

The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC ), on Tuesday in Jos, began public hearing on hate speeches and electoral violence, witnessed during and after the 2015 general elections in North-Central states.

Mrs Oti Ovrawah, the NHRC’s Acting Executive Secretary, who declared the event open, said the public hearing was necessitated by a myriad of complaints received by the commission against persons or parties.

Ovrawah said those people and parties were alleged to have been involved in promoting hate speech and electoral violence.

According to her, the public hearing is also to deepen Nigeria’s democracy and promote issue based campaigns, as against speeches that would divide Nigerians and engender electoral violence.

“As you are aware, reports of violent incidents and the spread of hate and dangerous messages were widely recorded in the events that preceded the 2015 general elections.

“Hate speeches and electoral violence have become more frequent in the past because there was no political will to hold the perpetrators accountable.

“So the essence of this public hearing is to seek for accountability, where there is evidence that any person has been involved in hate speeches and election related violence in relation to 2015 elections.

“This is also to deepen our democracy and encourage election campaigns that would be based on issues rather than the use of hate speeches capable of causing election violence,” she said.

Read also: Boko Haram: NHRC denies indicting Presidency, others in report

The acting Executive Secretary added that the exercise would ensure better future elections that would be devoid of rancour and hate speeches.

She explained that the hearing would be based on complaints received and the preliminary investigations and analyses already carried out by the commission.

Ovrawah noted that those, who would be indicted at the hearing would be recommended to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for prosecution.

“In addition to this, a register of persons involved in hate speeches and election violence will be opened to serve as a reference point in future election related matters,” she added.

She enjoined all parties involved to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

Similar exercise will be held in other geo-political zones across the country.

NAN

December 12, 2017
Senate urges FMBN shareholders to pay up equities

The Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development has urged shareholders to pay up their equities in order to actualise the planned recapitalisation of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by FMBN Managing Director, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa said the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Barnabas Gemade made the call while on an oversight visit to the bank.

Gemade listed the shareholders to include the Federal Government, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

He observed that the CBN had vital role to play in making the FMBN function effectively by exercising its statutory roles, especially in the areas of funding and regulation.

“There is no way FMBN can address the plethora of daunting challenges in the mortgage industry without being supported by the CBN and the Federal Government.

“The N5billion capital base of the FMBN is abysmally low and the shareholders should hasten up by increasing the capital base to reflect current realities.

“CBN should sanction commercial banks that defaulted in remitting 10 per cent of their loan portfolio to FMBN as investment to the development of a virile mortgage industry as required by the law.’’

He promised that the committee would also ensure amendment of both the FMBN and National Housing Fund (NHF) Acts to make the bank function effectively.

Read also: Senate plans to pass 2018 budget this month

Gemade said N100 billion was approved in 2017 budget as intervention fund to support mortgage activities in the country.

He directed the bank to follow up the matter with its supervisory ministry, adding that the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing should contact the Federal Ministry of Finance to secure release of the fund.

In his remarks, Dangiwa said the bank had not received budgetary allocation from the Federal Government since its establishment.

“Therefore, we rely solely on income generated from contributors under the NHF scheme to finance our activities,” he said.

He lamented that the current N5 billion capital base of the bank was grossly inadequate, in view of the magnitude of its mandate to bridge the housing finance gap in Nigeria which was in the region of trillions of naira.

According to him, FMBN has commenced strategic partnership with the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc for the management of mortgage–related transactions to reduce loan repayment default to the barest minimum.

NAN

December 12, 2017
Army denies suicide bomb attack in IDPs camp, ambush on soldiers

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday dismissed as ‘misleading’, reports of a suicide bomb attack at an Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) camp in Pulka community of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.

The military also described as ‘fictitious’, the purported killing of six soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents in an ambush on Damboa Road.

Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, gave the clarifications in an interview in Maiduguri.

Nwachukwu disclosed that two suicide bombers infiltrated Pulka town on Monday, one of the bombers was neutralised by the troops, while the other one detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) in the town, killed two persons and two others sustained injuries.

He said a military vehicle stepped on an IED device planted on Damboa Road on Sunday, noting that two soldiers lost their lives in the incident.

“The incident in Pulka occurred inside the town and not at the IDPs camp. The gallant troops neutralised one of the attackers even before causing harm to any one, while the other suicide bomber detonated the explosive killing two persons and injuring two others.

“There was no ambush by the insurgents on our troops. The soldiers were involved in an IED explosion accident when their vehicle stepped on the device planted on the road.

Read also: Army kills Three insurgents in Borno

“Two soldiers were involved in the incident; there was no ambush, no ammunition carted away or six soldiers killed, as being erroneously reported. It is a misrepresentation of facts,” he said.

Nwachukwu said the military authorities had sympathised with the victims of the suicide bomb attack in Pulka, and reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property.

The army spokesman also called on the people in the region to be vigilant and provide useful information to the military on suspicious activities in their respective communities.

“Security and peace building is a collective responsibility; I call on community and religious leaders to mobilise their people and cooperate with the military in the fight against insurgency.

“Boko Haram insurgents do not wear uniform to easily identify them. People must be vigilant to report suspicious persons and contribute to the restoration of peace in the region,” he said.

NAN

December 12, 2017
Stakeholders urge FG to penalise National Housing Fund Act violators

Some stakeholders in the housing sector on Tuesday in Abuja called for stiffer penalties against violators of the National Housing Fund (NHF) Act.

They made the call at a two-day public hearing on a motion on the need to ensure full compliance with the National Housing Fund Act for effective housing delivery in Nigeria.

Mr Oluseyi Lufadeju, a trustee at Real Estate Development Association of Nigeria (REDAN), accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and some commercial banks of not contributing to the fund in violation of the law.

According to him, Section 5 of the NHF Act stipulates that commercial or merchant banks shall invest in the fund 10 per cent of its loans and advances.

“The loan or advance will be at an interest rate of one per cent above the interest rate payable on current account by banks.

“Also, every registered insurance company shall invest minimum of 20 per cent of its non-life funds and 40 per cent of its life funds in real property development.

“Of this, not less than 50 per cent shall be paid into the fund through the Federal Mortgage Bank (FMB).

“Section 11 of the NHF Act provides that the CBN shall collect from commercial and merchant banks at the end of every year and not later than one month after, the percentage of their contribution to the fund.’’

Lufadeju, however, said that without full capitalisation, the FMB could not fulfil its obligation of providing affordable houses to Nigerians.

“This non-compliance by the financial sector is hampering efforts to address housing deficit in the country and it should be made to be enforceable that anybody that fails to comply with the law should face stiffer penalties,’’ he insisted.

Executive Partner, Nord Consult, Mr Mohammed Khalil, said since the enactment of the NHF Act, deposit banks and insurance companies had not invested in the fund, in flagrant violation of sections 5(1) and 11 (1) of the NHF Act.

Read also: Stakeholders seek special intervention fund for housing

“Figures of loans and advances by Nigerian banks from 2011 to 2016 from the CBN amount to N67 trillion for the six-year period.

“At 10 per cent investment of their loans and advances into the NHF, about N6.7 trillion should have been invested in the fund by the banks over the period,’’ Khalil said.

He added that an analysis of total loans and advances by the commercial and merchant banks in 2016 was N15 trillion.

“At the rate of 10 per cent, the CBN pursuant to Section 11 is supposed to have credited the NHF with the sum of N1.5 trillion by March 2017,’’ he added.

Khalil said if the Federal Government was to create at least one million new homes through a national mortgage single digit interest rate, it would require N6 trillion.

“It follows, therefore, that at the current official figure of 17 million housing deficit, the Federal Government will require a staggering N102 trillion,’’ he said.

Also, Mr Emmanuel Atama, Executive Secretary, National Cooperative Financing Agency of Nigeria (CFAN), stated the need for regulatory bodies, government agencies and other stakeholders to facilitate the funding for providing houses in Nigeria.

He called for constant supply of loans to Nigerians for the purpose of building, purchasing and improvement of residential houses.

Mrs Hannatu Fika, Executive Secretary, Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB), said providing incentives for the capital market to invest in property development was crucial in proffering sustainable solutions to housing deficit in the country.

She urged the Federal Government to encourage the development of specific programmes that would ensure effective financing of housing development, particularly low-cost housing for low income earners.

Mr Victor Uchendu, representative of the Nigeria Law Reform Commission, called for severe punishment for violators of the NHF Act, to serve as deterrent to others.

“Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the NHF Act must be carried into effect and all those in violation ought to be brought to book and answerable for their act of violation before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Uchendu urged members of the committee to champion the efforts to re-enact a Bill to establish a Fund that will meet the expectations of Nigerians on housing and other related matters.

NAN

December 12, 2017