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  • Court fixes Oct.31 for Jonathan, Dasuki to appear

    Court fixes Oct.31 for Jonathan, Dasuki to appear

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday again fixed Oct.31 for former President Goodluck Jonathan to appear before it as a defendant witness in the N400 million criminal suit filed against Olisa Metuh.

    Metuh, a former National Publicity of PDP is seeking the appearance of the ex-president to open his defence in the N400 million fraud suit brought against him by the EFCC.

    Justice Okon Abang made the bench ruling when the ex-president was not in court to honour the subpoena of the trial court to testify.

    “It is clear that His Excellency, the former President Goodluck Jonathan is not in court in compliance with the Oct.3 order of the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

    “We have however, seen from the record that his absence could not have been his fault as the bailiff is unable to serve him with enrolment order to that effect.

    “In the light of that, the matter is adjourned until Oct.31 to enable this service to be made. However, if serving personally fails again, he would be served by substituted means.

    “After due diligence, the court would ensure that the law takes it course if the former president refuses to honour the subpoena,’’ he held.

    Ruling on retired Col.Sambo Dasuki’s absence also, Abang held that the court was aware that Dasuki was in custody of the Federal Government.

    He therefore, gave an order compelling the Director- General of the Department of State Service (DSS) to ensure Dasuki’s appearance in the court on the next adjourned date.

    Read: Maina: Senate seeks sack of Malami, Danbazau, others

    The judge held that the law frowned at subpoenaed persons who turned down the order to appear in court to testify in a matter for which such subpoena was issued.

    Abang said a deliberate violation of subpoena carried jail term of not less than two months and a fine of N10, 000.

    “Let me state here that this subpoena in question was not the contemplation of the court, rather the first defendant (Olisa Metuh) had applied for it. It was only issued by the court,’’ he said.

    In a related development, Abang had struck out the application by the former National Security Adviser to be discharged as a defence witness in the trial.

    The judge held that the application lacked merit and incompetent, adding that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain or review the pronouncement of the Appeal Court.

    “From the argument of the applicant (Dasuki), it seems he is dissatisfied with the judgment of  the Appeal Court, if this is so,  he knows where to go,  what to do, certainly not to come before this court.

    “This is legal impossibility. This court has no such jurisdiction. I agreed with the prosecution counsel who said it will amount to judicial anarchy if the application was granted.

    “I have no jurisdiction to entertain the application on its merit. There is no life in the application. It is incompetent and accordingly struck out’, Abang held.

    Abang had in his bench ruling on Oct.24 held that both the former President Jonathan and the former NSA should appear before the court on Oct.25 as defendant witnesses to Metuh.

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Oct.3 granted an application filed by Metuh, to compel the duo to testify in the N400 million fraud charge brought against the applicant.

    Read Also: Court insists Jonathan, Dasuki should testify in Metuh’s trial

  • Edo to revive farm settlements in Esan West LG – Obaseki

    Edo to revive farm settlements in Esan West LG – Obaseki

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo says his administration will revive the farm settlements in Esan West Local Government Area to boost agricultural production in the state.

    Obaseki said this at Ekpoma, headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area, on Tuesday night during his “Thank You Tour’’ of the area.

    The governor who said that land preparation in the farm settlements would start during the next planting season, urged men and women in the neighbourhood to key into the initiative.

    “We want to use the farm settlements for large-scale farming; we will register men and women to work there,’’ he said.

    Besides, Obaseki pledged that his government would establish more primary health centres and complete ongoing road projects in the local government area.

    The governor also visited Irrua, the headquarters of Esan Central Local Government Area, where Mr Anselm Ojezua, the State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) hails from.

    Obaseki thanked APC supporters in the local government area for their support during the 2016 governorship polls and assured them of more development projects in the area.

    “We have done some road projects here and we intend to do more.

    “We will also continue the agricultural initiative at Usogbenu, which will be a large-scale farm,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, Ojezua called on the people to support the Obaseki-administration, saying it would continue to provide good governance.

    The state APC chairman urged the people to attend the party’s weekly meetings and partake in APC members’ biometric registration programme which would soon begin in the state.

    NAN

  • PDP needs a gentleman with ideas – Adeniran

    PDP needs a gentleman with ideas – Adeniran

    A former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, says his gentle mien will not diminish his chances of becoming the next national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Adeniran told in a telephone interview on Wednesday that being a gentleman, he remained the best candidate in the race for the national chairmanship seat of the party.

    The party’s national elective convention, which will produce the national chairman and other executive officers, is scheduled for Dec. 9 in Abuja.

    Apart from Adeniran, former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George; former Minister of Sport, Prof Taoheed Adedoja, and former PDP governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr Jimi Agbaje, are also in the chairmanship race.

    Former governors of Ogun and Oyo states, Chief Gbenga Daniel and Chief Rasheed Ladoja respectively; media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and one-time acting chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, are also eying the party’s chairmanship.

    Adeniran said the perception that he is a gentleman is a good one, as the PDP needs such a person with ideas and vision to drive its progress.

    “Yes, I am a gentleman. The belief in some quarters that the party does not need a gentleman as leader is an insult not only to the party, but every member.

    “Leadership is not by thuggery, is not by violence, but by ideas, passion, vision and commitment.

    “We don’t need a violent person in PDP as chairman. We need a man with ideas to drive the party‘s vision. I am that man. I am that gentleman,’’ he said.

    The former minister said with God on his side and the support he was enjoying across the party, he was sure to clinch the post.

    He insisted that he had all it required to lead and reposition the party, being a founding member with the requisite experience.

    “PDP needs a leader with the right vision, passion for good leadership qualities and a leader with right experience.

    “I am passionate about repositioning the party and I am brimming with ideas and vision to return the party to winning ways,’’ he said.

    Adeniran said his academic and political background as a political science professor and former minister had enriched his suitability for the seat.

    He acknowledged that other aspirants had great attributes, but said his kind of vision to salvage the PDP at a critical moment was unmatched.

    The National Caretaker chairman of the party, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi had said at the end of the party’s National Executive Council ( NEC ) meeting on Tuesday that the chairmanship seat was zoned to the entire South, and not micro-zoned to the South-West.

    He said the party’s non-elective convention zoned the presidency to the North and the chairmanship to the South.

    Read Also: Chairmanship: Again, PDP walks a tight rope

  • Association urges Buhari to reshuffle cabinet

    Association urges Buhari to reshuffle cabinet

    The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria ( ASCSN ) on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reshuffle his cabinet.

    The call followed the controversy generated by the reinstatement of a former Chairman of Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina.

    The Association’s General Secretary, Mr Alade Lawal, made the appeal in a statement in Lagos.

    He said it was regrettable that Maina, who was sacked in 2013 for about N2 billion pension funds fraud, was “smuggled back” into the Federal Civil Service by key government officials.

    “Information made available shows that the Attorney-General of the Federation ( AGF ) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami ( SAN ) and the Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahaman Dambazau know about the issue.

    “The information shows that they cannot be entirely extricated from the conspiracy that led to the illegal re-absorption of Maina into the Civil Service,” he said.

    Lawal commended the President for sacking Maina, but urged the Nigerian leader to  to also sack those who were bent on ruining his reputation as a man of integrity.

    He said that the consistent and persistent acts of impunity by some individuals in the cabinet had continued to embarrass the government.

    “If the President does not replace some of his personal aides that are besmearing the image of his government, the impression will continue to be created that he may be privy to their actions,” he said.

    Lawal said that it was absurd that somebody that was declared wanted by the EFCC and the International Police (Interpol) could arrive in the country and resume duty as a an Ag.Director in the Ministry of Interior without being apprehended.

    He said it was unfortunate that such impunity had continued to give the country a bad image in the comity of nations.

    Lawal said that those who conspired to reinstate Maina and gave him double promotion should be disciplined to serve as deterent to others.

    He cited the Public Service Rule 030413 which stated that any officer who abandoned his or her duty post would be dismissed from service.

    NAN

  • Army Brigade renovates Oloibiri Oil Well 1 to drive tourism

    Army Brigade renovates Oloibiri Oil Well 1 to drive tourism

    The 16 Brigade of Nigerian Army, Yenagoa, on Wednesday said it had renovated and opened to tourists, the Oloibiri Oil Well No. 1, where commercial oil production commenced in 1958.

    Captain Jonah Danjuma, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations and Spokesman of the Brigade, said that the Army would provide free bus rides for tourists to Oloibiri from its base in Yenagoa for the next three days.

    Danjuma explained that the gesture was a community relations and confidence building component of the ongoing military training operation to build the combat readiness of troops deployed to the Niger Delta region.

    “In line with the ongoing Operation Crocodile  Smile II, 16 Brigade Nigerian Army has undertaken a renovation of the iconic Oloibiri Oil Well.

    “This is part of the Brigade’s Community relations activities aimed at enhancing effective civil-military relations in its Area of Responsibility.

    “The oil well is located at Otuabagi in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, which has set the trajectory for oil economy in Nigeria, hence the Brigade is signposting the tourist value of this iconic Oil Well to the public.

    “The historical site will be opened to members of the public from Oct. 25 to Oct.28 , 2017. The general public is enjoined to visit and appreciate the historical value this oil well has ushered to Nigeria.

    “The public may wish to visit on their own or take advantage of the buses provided at the Brigade Headquarters to transport potential tourists to the site.

    “The expected time of departure from the Brigade Headquarters to Oloibiri is 10 a.m. daily,” he said.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, launched the operation which involved intensive patrols, movement of troops with heavy military hardware in the Niger Delta region on Oct. 13.

    The Army Brigade had also donated medical equipment to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, as well as conducted environmental sanitation in some neighbourhoods in Yenagoa as part of the military exercise scheduled to last for one month.

    NAN

  • NSCDC arrests 12 suspects, secures 2 convictions in Edo

    NSCDC arrests 12 suspects, secures 2 convictions in Edo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    NAN

  • Man in court over alleged sexual assault on step daughters

    Man in court over alleged sexual assault on step daughters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    NAN

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

    Qatar hails Kuwaiti emir’s parliament speech on Gulf crisis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    NAN

  • Polio: Yobe vaccinates 1.1m children

    Polio: Yobe vaccinates 1.1m children

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    NAN

  • Three men in court for alleged assault

    Three men in court for alleged assault

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

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

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

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

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

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

    NAN