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  • NJC abstains from considering allegations against Onnoghen, Muhammad

    The National Judicial Council on Wednesday abstained from considering allegations relating to assets declaration that were levelled against the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    The decision which is contained in a statement, issued by Mr Soji Oye, Director, Information, NJC.

    Oye said the council took the decision at an Emergency Meeting to consider the Report of the Five-Man Committee constituted to investigate the allegations of misconduct made against Onnoghen and Justice Tanko Muhammad.

    “Council decided that the allegations relating to assets declaration that were levelled against Onnoghen, were subjudice and therefore abstained from considering them.

    “Council reached a decision on the petitions written by economic and Financial Crimes Commission and others and conveyed its decision to President Mubammadu Buhari, GCFR.

    Read also: Breaking:NJC concludes probe of Onnoghen, Muhammad, silent on findings

    “Council also resolved that, by the nature of the decision reached, it would be inappropriate to publicise it before conveying it to President”, Oye said in the statement.

    NAN reports that on Feb 11, the council set up a preliminary complaints assessment committee to review the responses given to it by Onnoghen, and Muhammad who is acting in his stead.

    Onnoghen is accused of failing to fully declare his assets, while Muhammad is facing allegations of misconduct.
    The NJC said it reconvened and resolved to constitute into the Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee in accordance with Regulation 17 of the National Judicial Council Judicial Discipline Regulations, 2017. (NAN)

  • Zamfara Assembly extends tenure of LG chairmen

    The Zamfara State House of Assembly on Wednesday extended the tenure of all the 14 local government chairmen in the state by three months.

    The chairmen, whose three-year tenure expired on Jan. 2, would remain in office till April 2, 2019.

    The assembly however removed from office the vice-chairmen of Zurmi, Birnin-Magaji and Gummi Local Governments.

    The extension was confirmed by the Speaker of the house, Alhaji Sanusi Rikiji, during the house plenary.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the decision followed a request by the state government to that effect.

    Rikiji said the house accepted and ratified the request in line with Section 15, Sub Section 4 of Zamfara State Local Government Law.

    According to him, the law grants the state governor the right to appoint local government administrators with the confirmation of the house.

    Earlier, the House Leader, Alhaji Isah Abdulmumin, who read the state government’s request in a motion, urged the assembly to approve the request, as the tenure of the chairmen had expired on Jan. 2, 2019.

    The lawmaker representing Maru South constituency, Alhaji Abdullahi Dansadau, had opposed the replacement of the three vice-chairmen, asking the assembly to also allow them continue in office.

    NAN

  • Ambode swears in Muri-Okunola as HOS

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday swore in Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola as the 21st Head of Service (HOS) in the state.

    Ambode in his remarks at the ceremony held at the Lagos House, Alausa, described the appointment as a new chapter with a high expectation to inject youthful vibrancy in the state’s civil service.

    He tasked the new HOS to adopt creative thinking and growth mindset in the discharge of his new role.

    Ambode expressed strong optimism in the ability of Muri-Okunola to effectively take charge on account of his capacity, knowledge, exposure, experience and youthful energy.

    He, however, urged him to lead by example and encourage accountability and professionalism in the service.

    “Following the swearing in of the new Head of Service, a new chapter has just been opened in the history of the Lagos State Public Service.

    “It is a new chapter with high expectations for the injection of new energy and vibrancy that will move our Public Service to new heights.

    “As the number one Civil Servant in Lagos State, you must demonstrate leadership and lead by example for others, including the Body of Permanent Secretaries, to follow.

    “You have a responsibility to provide direction and encourage accountability, transparency, professionalism and high sense of discipline.

    ”Your actions must be based on sound and objective judgment with consideration for merit and proven record of competence and loyalty,” Ambode said.

    The governor, who underscored the strategic role of the civil service, said the success of government policies and programmes largely depended on the quality and orientation of the civil service.

    Read Also: Ambode’s aide: Sanwo-Olu will deliver

    “Hence the need for the new leadership to implement necessary measures and initiatives to foster growth and development,” he said.

    Responding, Muri-Okunola thanked Ambode for the confidence and trust reposed in him.

    He assured that the public service would improve on all well-known traditions for speedy, efficient and effective implementation of government policies and initiatives.

    46 years old Muri-Okunola is the youngest Lagos HOS ever.

    He was appointed as the Executive Secretary, Land Use and Allocation Committee, a position he held between 2005 and 2011.

    Until his appointment, he was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

    Meanwhile, Ambode also swore in six new permanent secretaries into the Lagos Body of Permanent Secretaries.

    NAN

  • Police uncover ‘illegal’ drug factory in Lagos

    The police have uncovered an alleged illegal factory where medications are produced.

    The factory located at 2, Okunnenye Street, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, was said to have been uncovered by operatives of the Inspector General of Police (IG) Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

    According to the police, the factory was raided by IRT on November 23 and four suspects Emeka Madu, 47 (alias Cabara), Eze Young, Chijioke Umunna and Kingsley Obilo were arrested.

    Parading the suspects at the factory on Friday afternoon, Force Headquarters spokesman Jimoh Moshood, an acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ag DCP), said Madu was the owner of the factory known as Cabara.

    Moshood said the operatives received credible intelligence and acted on it in uncovering the hidden alleged fake factory, where substantial production, packaging and distribution of suspected fake drugs to different parts of the country was being carried out.

    He said the IG, Ibrahim Idris was pleased with the IRT and the Lagos State Police Command for uncovering illegal manufacturing factories especially where food, drugs and drinks were produced.

    Moshood said the police recovered cartons of different fake drugs, large quantity of unprocessed chemical substances used in manufacturing drugs, machines for processing, manufacturing and packaging of these drugs as well as forged pharmaceutical papers.

    He said plastic buckets of different types suspected to be fake drugs were also recovered.

    He lamented that several people might have died as a result of complications and physical disabilities occasioned by the use of the alleged fake drugs.

    Read Also: Police arrest five-man robbery gang

    He said: “The IGP has advised members of the public to be weary of where they procure food, drugs and drinks as many of them are fake and may cause outright deaths or physical and mental disability. The premises has also been sealed and remained sealed till the determination of the law court.”

    He urged the public to avail police useful information on happenings around them.

    Madu said  “I am the owner of the factory. I am a school certificate holder. I learnt the trade from a friend of mine who is now late. I started my own business about four years ago. Although, I am not a pharmacist or a chemist but the medicine is not totally fake as I used quality chemicals to produce it.

    “My market is at Onitsha Anambra State. I do not supply in Lagos. I distribute only in Onitsha. I have not really made too much money. I am the owner of the place.

    “Yes, I can take the drug and give to my wife and children because it is not totally fake. I try to be genuine. Instead of 250mg I make it 180 mg. That is the only offence I have committed but really the medicine works.”

     

  • MTN sues FG for N3b over $1.3b withholding tax

    MTN Nigeria Communication Ltd has filed a fresh suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos to challenge the legality of N242 billion and $1.3 billion import duties and withholding tax demanded from it by the Federal Government.

    It is demanding N3billion general and exemplary damages and legal costs from the defendant.

    Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on Thursday adjourned the suit until December 3 for hearing after counsel confirmed that motions have been filed and served on parties.

    MTN, in the suit filed on September 10, is challenging the legality of the Attorney-General of the Federation’s assessment of its import duties, withholding tax and value added tax amounting to N242 billion and $1.3 billion.

    It is contending that the purported “revenue assets investigation” allegedly carried out by the Federal Government  for the period of 2007 to last year, and its decision conveyed through the Office of the AGF by an August 20 letter, violates the provisions of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

    The plaintiff sought a declaration that the AGF acted in excess of its powers by purporting to direct through its letter of May 10 a “self-assessment exercise” which usurps the powers of the Nigerian Customs Service to demand payment of import duties on importation of physical goods.

    MTN sought a declaration that the AGF acted illegally by usurping the powers of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to audit and demand remittance of withholding and value added taxes.

    It is praying the court to hold that the purported self-assessment exercise instituted by the AGF via its May 10 letter is unknown to law, and therefore null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

    It prayed for a declaration that the AGF’s demand of the sums is premised on a process that is malicious, unreasonable and made on incorrect legal basis.

    MTN prayed for an order vacating the AGF’s demand letter for N242 billion and $1.3 billion, and claimed N3 billion general and exemplary damages, as well as legal costs.

    But, the AGF, in his preliminary objection, argued that the plaintiff was statute-barred, having not filed the suit within three months from the date the cause of action arose.

    The AGF argued that the plaintiff commenced the suit in violation of Section 2 of the Public Officers Protection Act, which provides that any action commenced against a public officer must be made within three months from commencement of cause of action.

    AGF contends that the plaintiff’s failure to commence the suit within three months as stipulated by law robs the court of jurisdiction to entertain it.

    MTN earlier filed a separate suit against the AGF and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which is pending before Justice Saliu Saidu of the same court and will be heard December 4.

    In the suit, MTN is challenging the $8,134,312,397.63 demanded from it by the CBN over alleged forex remittance infractions.

    It is praying the court to restrain the CBN and the AGF from imposing punitive sanctions against it.

    The CBN accused MTN Nigeria of improper dividend repatriations and demanded that $8.1 billion be returned “to the coffers of the CBN”.

    The Federal Government also accused MTN of unpaid taxes on foreign payments and imports, asking it to pay approximately $2billion in relation to the taxes.

    According to the CBN, MTN and four banks – Standard Chartered Bank, Citi Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Diamond Bank – deliberately flouted the “laws and regulations…including the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995 and the Foreign Exchange Manual, 2006.”

    The banks allegedly colluded with MTN, using irregular Certificates of Capital Importation (CCI), to illegally remit foreign exchange abroad. The four banks were slammed a combined N5.87 billion fine.

    MTN denied the allegations and subsequently filed the suit.

  • I won’t take sides with politicians – Bayelsa police chief

    The new Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Mukan Joe, on Tuesday said he was in Bayelsa to fight crime professionally and not to play politics.

    Joe, who spoke at the state command Yenagoa, specifically assured all stakeholders that he would not take sides with politicians in the buildup to the 2019 general elections.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) including the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, expressed reservations over the recent posting of Joe to the state.

    But the police chief, who once served in the state as a Deputy Commissioner of Police, said stakeholders had nothing to be afraid of insisting that his mission was not politically-motivated.

    Joe vowed to adhere strictly to the responsibilities of the police, which he referred to as a call to duty.

    He maintained that his leadership would only provide a level-playing field by ensuring security for politicians to play their politics.

    He said: “We always strike a balance by playing a neutral role. We won’t be distracted by people trying to address us in a borrowed rope of supporting politicians. We are not politicians. 

    “We are here to maintain law and order and provide security for those who play politics. We must ensure that there is a level-playing ground by giving them the security needed. 

    Read Also: Bayelsa schools can’t open now, says Dickson

    “We are not here to take sides with anybody. If the police is to have have a political party our own political party is the Nigerian Police Force Political party.

    He added: “We know the responsibilities of the police. The police work is just like a call to duty and you are expected to be a professional. Our basic responsibility is the protection of lives and properties. That is my main mission in Bayelsa. 

    “Bayelsa is not a new terrain to me. I know the terrain very well because l was opportune to serve here briefly. I identified the issue of cultism in Bayelsa when l reported last week”.

    Joe further said that he had already mapped out strategies to deal tight the disturbing issues of cultism in different parts of the state.

    He said part of the strategies included being proactive to prevent crimes before their occurrence adding that his approach would be guided by intelligence.

    “I have already mapped out strategies to tackle it. We are going to be proactive in our approach to fight crime in Bayelsa. We will not wait for it to happen. We will take the war to their dens. 

    “We will smoke them out because we have already mapped out how we can go about it. We don’t wait for it to happen before we take action. It will be intelligence-driven. So, when we are taking the war to them we know exactly what we are going to do. We don’t take sides with politicians”.

  • Court remands four for allegedly stealing N1.301b from Police

    Four suspects, who allegedly stole N1,301,334,108 from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), have been remanded in Kirikiri prisons by an Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos.

    The suspects and two firms were yesterday arraigned at the court for alleged theft and diversion of N1,301,334,108 from the coffers of the NPF.

    The defendants, who were charged before Justice Sherifat Solebo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), include Olumide Odumosu, Sule Tegina, Helen Nwafor and Okpalugo Ifeoma.

    They were arraigned alongside two companies: Olu Osmond Nigeria Ltd and Jemmy Yus Investment Nigeria Ltd.

    The defendants are facing a 14-count charge preferred against them by the EFCC.

    In the charge, EFCC alleged that the defendants stole N1.3billion from the coffers of the Nigeria Police Force and fraudulently converted it to personal use between 2013 and 2014.

    The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants conspired with Ogbadu Joseph and Hassan Muhammed, who were said to be at large, to carry out the act.

    Prosecuting counsel for EFCC Rotimi Oyedepo said the defendants acted contrary to Section 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011 and were liable to be punished under Section 285(1) of the same Act.

    Attempt to arraign the defendants was stalled yesterday, as the third defendant, Nwafor, told the court that she did not understand English language.

    She requested that the charges be translated to her in Igbo language.

    Justice Solebo adjourned the matter till November 7 for arraignment to enable prosecution get an Igbo language interpreter.

    Defence counsel A.O. Osinfowora prayed that the defendants be returned to the EFCC custody.

    Justice Solebo, however, turned down his request and ordered that the defendants be remanded in the prison custody.

     

  • Munich, St. Petersburg bid to host UEFA Champions League final

    Munich and St Petersburg are the two candidate cities bidding to host the 2021 UEFA Champions League final match, the European football governing body said on Thursday.

    UEFA said the Russian and German federations had on their behalf sent declarations of interest in hosting the match by last Friday’s deadline and were the only ones to do so.

    Three others — Vienna in Austria, Tbilisi in Georgia and Seville in Spain —- expressed interest in hosting the Europa League final of the same year.

    Read also: Patrice Evra Fired, Banned from UEFA Club Competitions

     

    Prague in the Czech Republic and Gothenburg in Sweden were candidates for the women’s Champions League final, UEFA said.

    UEFA said the declarations of interest were not binding and the formal bids will have to be delivered with full dossiers by Feb. 15.

    It is no longer possible for national Football Associations (FAs) who have not declared an interest to bid for the finals, UEFA added.

    UEFA’s executive committee will choose the hosts in May or June.