The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian news

  • Two killed as angry ‘Okada’ riders set police vehicle ablaze in A’Ibom

    The attrition war between the police and commercial motorcyclists otherwise called ‘Okada’ over government’s regulation of motorcycle operations in Akwa Ibom state is yet to abate.

    This is as the police and the ‘Okada’ riders clashed on Tuesday in the oil city of Eket resulting in the death of two commercial motorcyclists and the burning of a Volvo station wagon car used by the police for surveillance.

    Police spokesman, Odiko MacDon SP confirmed the incident and said that 19 suspects have been arrested in connection with the fracas in Eket.

    MacDon said the suspects arrested had defied government’s restriction order which allows Okada riders to operate between 6 am and 6 pm.

    He insisted that the police cannot be intimidated to stop the enforcement of government’s directive.

    Saturday’s incident happened just a week after the police allegedly killed an ‘Okada’ rider in Uyo which sparked off wild protest resulting in the torching of the NTA station and massive destruction of properties in the capital city.

    The Nation gathered that tension in Eket reached a breaking point following an order placed by Eket local authorities restricting the operation of Okada riders to 6pm and 6am. The government had said the decision was to check the upsurge in crime in the area.

    It was gathered that some okada riders did accept the restriction order and went ahead to operate beyond the government time limit.

    An eyewitness Emman Okposin said the police surveillance team chased them away from the road from 5:30pm as against the 6pm deadline and that they beat his colleagues and impound their motorcycles.

    Okposin said , last Sunday night one their members was shot dead by the police while chasing the operators from road.

    ” Last Sunday our member was shot dead in the night and the corpse has been deposited in mortuary at Immanuel General hospital , Eket.

    Continuing, Okposin said the incident that caused them to revolt occurred yesterday when a policeman beat a motorcyclists and he collapsed on the spot before the victim was rushed to hospital.

    He said the victim identified as Udo from Idung Udoe in the area died previous night while receiving treatment at Immanuel General Hospital , Eket.

    Read Also: Police confirm killing of wanted kidnapper, ‘Lucifer’ in Rivers

    ” Our member udo from Idung Udoe in Eket died last night from injuries he sustained in the hands of police so we revolted.”

    He said the youths and all motorcyclists operators took the corpse to Eket local government council and later to the area police station as the council chairman Frank Archibong was not available to address them .

    Okposin said the police prevented them from entering their station and they returned the corpse to the mortuary.

    He said all the cyclists and the youths regrouped and moved to police checkpoint along James Town road and burn down their patrol vehicle as policemen at the checkpoint escaped.

  • Alleged rape: Submit yourself to court, Dakolo tells Fatoyinbo

    Busola Dakolo, wife of Nigeria’s inspirational singer Timi Dakolo has urged the FCT High Court in Abuja to discountenance Preliminary Objection filed against her case by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, Founder and Senior Pastor, Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA).

    Busola Dakolo, made the plea while responding to the preliminary objection by Fatoyinbo insisting that she sued the pastor because of the continuous emotional injuries she had suffered as a result of the rape he committed.

    She, therefore, asked that he (Fatoyinbo) should submit himself to court to ensure justice.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Dakolo dragged Fatoyinbo to an FCT High Court for allegedly raping her on different occasions when she was a teenager about 20 years ago.

    Dakolo in her suite claimed that the incident had continued to hunt and traumatize her and as such required justice to be discharged through the law court.

    The court in a writ of summons dated Sept. 6 had ordered the Pastor to appear before it within 14 days of the service or judgment may be given in his absence.

    However, the Pastor through his lawyer Mr Alex Izinyon, SAN, tried to discharge the suite by filing a preliminary objection dated Sept. 20, saying that the case was filed out of time and the court cannot long hear the matter again.

    Read Also: COZA: Fatoyinbo not ready to be helped, says ex-spiritual father

    Responding to Fatoyinbo’s preliminary objection, Busola Dakolo through her Lawyer Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi argued that the action was not statute-barred (filed out of time) and that it is predicated on continuous injury which is an exception to the Statute of Limitation.

    She noted that the argument that her suit was filed out of time was misconceived and an attempt to hoodwink the court from the main issue and evade justice.

    “My cause of action is predicated on a continuing injury which I have continued to suffer over a long period of time,” she said.

    Busola Dakolo urged the court to discountenance Pastor Fatoyinbo’s Preliminary Objection to the case and asked that he submit himself to court to ensure justice.

    She prayed the Court not to allow the defendant run away from justice by hiding under the cloak of statute of limitation, noting that emotional distress is a tort that cannot be quantified by time

  • Poll: EFCC grills INEC accountant, three others over diversion of N84.6m allowances

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and quizzed four officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for alleged diversion of N84, 696,000 meant for the payment of ad hoc staff engaged for Presidential and Governorship elections.

    The suspects, who were grilled by the Sokoto Zonal Office of the anti –graft agency, are from Zamfara State office of INEC.

    The suspects are the Administrative Secretary, Hassan Sidi Aliyu, the Head of Operations, Hussain Jafar, the State Accountant Abdullahi Yusuf Abubakar and Abdulmumin Usman.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said the suspects were grilled for “alleged case of conspiracy, breach of trust and criminal diversion of Ad Hoc staff allowance to the tune of N84, 696,000”

    The statement said: “The petitioner, one Abdullahi Nasiru, who wrote on behalf of all presiding officers that worked for INEC during the 2019 Presidential and Gubernatorial elections in Zamfara State, alleged that the Ad hoc staff were denied payment of their N6,000 movement allowance each for the two elections.

    Read Also; I have sold over 30 children, says suspect

    “He further alleged that what the INEC officials in Zamfara paid to them was different from what other states paid their Ad hoc staff. The INEC office in Zamfara allegedly paid its staff N9000 while in other states like Sokoto State, the electoral commission paid N12000 each.

    “Investigation by the EFCC revealed that none of the 10,500 presiding officers who participated in the elections were paid their entitlements cumulatively put at N84, 696,000

    “Efforts are being made by the Commission to recover the money criminally diverted by INEC heads of department and Electoral Officers of the 14 local governments in Zamfara State namely; Abdullahi Sambawa (Zurmi LGA); Aliyu Jafaru Goronyo( Maradun LGA); Balarabe Ahmed S Gobir (Gummi LGA); Amadu Ibrahim (Gusau LGA); Mohammed Bashir Musa (Kaura Namoda LGA); Dalhatu Usman Musa (Birnin Magaji LGA); Abdulmumin Usman (Maru LGA); Muhammad Nasir Saidu (Talatu Mafara LGA); Abdullahi A. Ukashatu (Tsafe LGA); Tukur Garba Kaita (Bungudu LGA); Salihu Musa Abdullahi (Bukuyun LGA); Sadiq Abdullahi, Fari (Anka LGA); Lawali Muhammed, Argungu (Bakura LGA); Jafaru Gide, (Shinkafi LGA); Tanimu Muhammad (Shinkafi LGA); Hassan Abdullahi (Shinkafi LGA).

    “The suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is completed.

     

  • Kwara workers yet to receive N18,000 minimum wage – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kwara Council has said that workers in the state have never enjoyed full implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage since 2011.

    Mr Saheed Muritala, the state acting Chairman of NLC, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Ilorin while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Muritala said that workers on Grade Level 07 and above were being paid what he described as ‘amputated wage’ which, he said, was different from what was contained in the approved table.

    He urged Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to fulfil his pledge of ensuring full implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage ahead of the circular on the modalities for the implementation of the new N30,000 minimum wage.

    “What we know as it affects us in Kwara state here is the need to act fast on the implementation of N18,000 minimum wage across board.

    “We don’t enjoy the regular minimum wage here. The payment on ground now is an amputated wage which does not follow the national table, especially from Grade Levels 07 and above.

    Read Also : ‘Minimum wage non-payment is forced labour’

    “The present governor gave a promise that if voted in, he would pay full N18,000 minimum wage for all categories of civil servants in the state.

    “I so much believe that if this is done, whenever the circular for the new wage is out, we will not be cheated”, he said.

    The labour leader also urged the governor to approve the request for a meeting with labour leaders so that he could be briefed on the challenges facing the union in the state.

    Muritala stated that the union was ready to work with the present administration to serve the interest and welfare of the workers.

  • 161 Nigerians arrive from Libya on Independence Day

    As the nation celebrates her 59th independence anniversary, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received another batch of 161 stranded Nigerian returnees from Libya.

    Alhaji Idris Muhammed, the Coordinator, NEMA Lagos Territorial Office, confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Muhammed said the Nigerians arrived at the Cargo Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5.35 a.m. on Tuesday.

    He said the returnees were brought back aboard an Al Buraq Air aircraft with registration number 5A-DMG from Misrata City, a 200-kilometer distance from Tripoli, Libya.

    Read Also: LG Chairman pays WAEC/NECO fees for 500 students in Nasarawa

    He added that the returnees were assisted home by the International Organisation for Migration and the European Union under the Assisted Voluntary Returnees Programme which started in April 2017.

    Muhammed said the stranded Nigerians were received on behalf of the Federal Government by NEMA and other agencies, including the Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

    He said “at the end of profiling of the returnees, there were 48 female adults, one female child and seven female infants, 93 male adults, five male children and seven male infants, totalling 161.”

    The coordinator said three male adults who had medical issues were immediately evacuated to the hospital for medical treatment.

  • LG Chairman pays WAEC/NECO fees for 500 students in Nasarawa

    Alh. Abdulrahman Maigoro, Chairman, Keffi Local Government area of Nasarawa State, has paid the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) fees for 500 secondary schools students from the council area.

    Maigoro disclosed this on Tuesday during the independence anniversary and inter-primary schools march past and quiz competition, organised by the council in Keffi.

    He said that the gesture was aimed at reducing the burden of school fees on the parents of the affected students and improving the standard of education in the area and the state at large.

    The chairman said that he decided to organise the independence anniversary celebration, considering the importance of the day in the life of the country.

    “The political independence by our country on Oct. 1, 1960 was a result of many years of struggle by the people of Nigeria against the colonial rule.

    “Those heroes who made sacrifices and got imprisoned in order that this country might be independent should not be forgotten,” he said.

    Read Also: Sokoto releases N300m for WAEC, NECO exams fees

    Maigoro also disclosed that he had enrolled 8,000 pupils into various primary schools towards achieving basic education and for the overall development of the council area.

    “We also purchased and distributed school uniforms and other materials to pupils to reduce the sufferings of parents, most of whom are less-privileged.

    “It may also interest you to know that considering the cries of most of our students and parents, my administration also registered and paid WAEC/NECO, NABTEB and JAMB fees for over 500 students.

    “I, therefore, want to appeal to the beneficiaries and other students to take their studies seriously in order for them to excel in their academic pursuit,” he said.

    The chairman advised parents and guardians to see education as the only investment that they should give to their children.

    Earlier, the Education Secretary of the council, Mr Emmanuel Barau, lauded the chairman for his efforts at improving the standard of education in the area.

    He called on the political class and other stakeholders to join hands with the chairman towards providing an enabling environment for teaching and learning.

    (NAN)

  • Withdraw Discos’ licence in December, protesting groups tell FG

    Members of the Edo State Civil Society of Organizations (EDOSCO) have urged the Nigeria government not to renew licence of Discos especially that of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) when it expires in December this year.

    The groups who protested against poor electricity supply said the Discos have failed to meet targets and needs of millions of electricity consumers.

    Spokesperson and President of EDOSCO, Comrade Omobude Agho, picked holes in claim by the BEDC that it planned to distribute 190, 000 meters to customers in Edo state.

    Omobude said “They said today is Democracy Day but for us today is Electricity Democracy Day. Our leaders and governors have abandoned us.

    “In any country where there is no electricity, corruption and crime will not end.

    Some of the placards carried by the protesting groups read; “No going back on December deadline, Ekiti, Ondo, Edo and Delta people reject BEDC; BPE has compromised, BEDC has failed woefully”.

    But Management of the BEDC said its licence would not expire in December.

    Read Also: Be patient over bad roads, Sanwo-Olu appeals 

    Executive Director (Commercial), of the BEDC, Dr. Abu Ejoor described the protest as a disturbance to public peace.

    Dr. Ejoor urged customers to disregard the protest and such deliberate misrepresentation as there is no expiration of the license BEDC in December as alleged by the protesters.

    He “The licenses issued to BEDC and other discos is 15 years, with a renewal of extension of another ten years, after the expiration of same.

    “We are presently in court with them on two cases. BEDC took some suspects including EDOSCO members to court in March 2017 at a Benin Federal High Court for alleged tampering with electrical fittings – a crime punishable under section 3 (6) of the miscellaneous offenses Act cap M.17 Laws of Nigeria 2004.”

  • Benin Enterprise Park Mgt rolls out plan for infrastructure, power, others

    The Benin Enterprise Park Limited has rolled out plans to build the needed infrastructure, including roads, industrial plots, gas-fired power plant, water system and modularised accommodation, among others, on 93 out of the 997 hectares of its premises in the first phase development of the park.

    The park is among the big-ticket projects of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State and is expected to drive industrialisation in the state.

    The company said “it is in the process of developing the 997 hectares Benin Enterprise Park (BEP) which is located in Edo State, Nigeria. The first phase of the BEP occupies a footprint of 93 hectares and is the subject of this request for expression of interest by prospective Engineering, Procurement Construction (EPC) contractors.

    Read Also: Emerhor predicts landslide victory for apc, Godwin Obaseki

    “BEPL intends to hire the service of one or more engineering, procurement and construction companies (the “EPC Contractors”) with experience in delivering large scale complex projects.”

    The management of the company said the appointed EPC Contractors will be responsible for the primary infrastructure at the park, to include: “Roadworks; storm water drainage; borehole water supply; domestic sewage collection and treatment; power distribution at 11 and 0.4 kV; street lighting; cable conduit system for ELV (Extra Low Voltage); and boundary wall and fences.

    It added that the EPC contractors will also carry out works on “power generation to include: 40MW gas-fired open cycle power plant; 6km gas spur line; hot tap into gas trunkline; and PRMS (Pressure Reducing and Metering Station).

    There will also be the development of industrial plots to include the construction of industrial buildings with a combined footprint of circa 30 hectares as well as temporary accommodation units, including modularised accommodation units for up to 500 personnel.

  • JUST IN: Kidnapped NSCDC operatives released

    The Edo State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed the release of two of its senior operatives abducted on Sept. 27.

    The Commandant, Mr Makinde Ayinla, confirmed the release in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Tuesday.

    Ayinla said the operatives were released early on Tuesday by their abductors at Ebelle community in the Igueben Local Government Area of Edo.

    He said, however, that no ransom was paid to secure the release of the operatives.

    Read Also; Kidnappers of Adamawa professor demand N10m ransom

    The commandant thanked the Nigeria Police, the vigilante in Ebelle town and the families of the abducted workers.

    Ayinla also commended other security agencies for their support and collaboration in ensuring the release of the two men.

    The two officials were abducted at about 2:30 p.m. at the railway bridge between Ebelle and Ewosa communities on the Ebelle-Agbor highway on their way to Benin.

  • French ex-president Sarkozy to face campaign finance trial

    A French court on Tuesday ordered Nicolas Sarkozy to stand trial for illicit campaign financing, adding to the ex-president’s legal woes as he also prepares to answer charges of exerting pressure on a judge.

    Sarkozy, 64, lost his final appeal to France’s highest criminal court, and risks a year in prison and a fine of 3,750 euros ($4,085) if found guilty.

    The ruling came the same day as another court ordered a trial for ex-prime minister Edouard Balladur on charges of campaign finance violations in an unrelated case.

    Sarkozy is not the country’s first former president to be prosecuted — Jacques Chirac, who died last week, was given a two-year suspended sentence in 2011 for embezzlement and misuse of public funds during his time as mayor of Paris.

    Prosecutors say Sarkozy spent nearly 43 million euros ($40 million) on his failed 2012 re-election bid — almost double the legal limit of 22.5 million euros — using fake invoices.

    He has said he was unaware of the fraud by executives at the public relations firm Bygmalion, who are among 13 others being pursued in the case.

    Sarkozy’s lawyer Emmanuel Piwnica called the appeals court ruling a “disappointment”.

    Since losing the election to the Socialist Party’s Francois Hollande and leaving office, Sarkozy has fought a barrage of corruption and campaign financing charges, all of which he rejects.

    The former Republican party leader faces another trial on charges of corruption and influence peddling over his alleged attempts to try to get information from a judge about an investigation focused on him.

    And he has been charged over accusations he accepted millions of euros from the late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi towards his first presidential campaign in 2007.

    – ‘Disappointment’ –

    Sarkozy will face a standard criminal court, while Balladur, 90, will be tried by the Court of Justice of the Republic, a tribunal set up to hear cases of ministerial misconduct.

    The court has no jurisdiction over heads of state, except in treason cases.

    Balladur and former defence minister Francois Leotard, 77, were charged in 2017 with “complicity in misuse of corporate assets” over the sale of submarines to Pakistan and frigates to Saudi Arabia when Balladur was prime minister, from 1993 to 1995.

    Read Also Ex- French President Sarkozy to face trial for corruption

    The kickbacks are estimated at some 13 million francs (almost two million euros in today’s money), which are suspected of including a cash donation to Balladur’s 1995 presidential campaign of a little over 10 million francs, prosecutor Francois Molins said in a statement.

    Balladur also has to answer to a charge that he concealed the crimes.

    The claims came to light during an investigation into a 2002 bombing in Karachi, Pakistan, which targeted a bus transporting French engineers.

    Fifteen people were killed, including 11 engineers working on the submarine contract.

    The Al-Qaeda terror network was initially suspected of the attack, but the focus later shifted to the arms deal as investigators considered whether the bombing may have been revenge for the non-payment of promised bribes after Chirac pipped Balladur in the vote and cancelled the payment of commissions.

    Balladur’s lawyers said Tuesday that he was “confident” he would be cleared of any wrongdoing, “given that he never committed any of the acts of which he is accused.”

    Six others facing trial in the case include Balladur’s campaign manager Nicolas Bazire; Thierry Gaubert, who worked for Sarkozy, who was budget minister at the time; and a Franco-Lebanese middleman, Ziad Takieddine.

    They will go on trial this month in a Paris criminal court.

    Other senior French politicians charged with financial misconduct include the former prime ministers Francois Fillon and Alain Juppe.

    Fillon crashed out of the running for the presidency in 2017 after being charged with using public funds to pay his wife for a fake job as his assistant.

    Juppe, a prime minister under Chirac, was given a suspended jail sentence in 2004 over a party funding scandal.

    On Monday, ex-justice minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas was given a suspended month-long sentence for passing on secret details of a tax fraud and corruption investigation to the politician targeted, the rightwing MP Thierry Solere.