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Customs impounds 88 packs of cannabis sativa in Ogun – Official

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Command, has seized 88 packs of Cannabis sativa also known as weeds and 42 compressed packs of books on Ihunbo-Okeodon, Idiroko road.

Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS Public Relations Officer, made the disclosure in a statement made available to our reporter on Monday in Ota, Ogun.

Maiwada said that with the help of credible intelligence the NCS officials also seized four bales of second hand clothing and shoes suspected to have been used to conceal compressed packs of cannabis.

According to him, Mr Seni Madugu, the Area Controller of NCS, has directed that the seized items should be handed over to the NDLEA, Idiroko command, for investigation in line with the synergy between sister security agencies working at the border.

Read Also: Customs seizes four containers of fake drugs

“The NDLEA, Idiroko Special Command, field tested the aforementioned items using the United Nations Test Kit and confirmed that the items were positive for Cannabis Sativa and weighed 77 Kilogrammes,” he said.

He also described as disturbing the rate, desperation and determination by smugglers to exploit all avenues to smuggle such unhealthy items into the society.

Maiwada, however, appealed to all patriotic Nigerians to cooperate and support the security agencies in the fight against smugglers in order to be ahead of them.

February 26, 2018
See Church where Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and resurrected

Christian leaders took the rare step on Sunday of closing Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built where tradition holds Jesus was buried, in protest at Israeli tax measures and a proposed property law.

It was not clear how long the closure of the church, announced by Christian officials at a news conference and which began at around noon (1000 GMT), would last. Church officials said only that it would be until further notice.

The church is considered the holiest site in Christianity, built where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected, and is a major pilgrimage site.

“As a measure of protest, we decided to take this unprecedented step of closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic and Catholic leaders said in a statement read out in front of the church’s large wooden doors.

They said recent Israeli measures seemed to be “an attempt to weaken the Christian presence in Jerusalem”.

The decision to close the church was extremely rare.

In 1990, Christian sites including the Holy Sepulchre were closed for a day to protest the installation of Jewish settlers near the church, located in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

Christian sites were shut again for two days in 1999 to protest the planned construction of a mosque near Nazareth’s Church of the Annunciation, where tradition holds the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary she was to become the mother of Jesus.

Christian leaders have been angered over attempts by Israeli authorities in Jerusalem to enforce tax collection on church property they consider commercial, saying exemptions only apply to places of worship or religious teaching.

Separately, Christian leaders say legislation being considered by Israel’s government would allow church property to be expropriated.

“This reminds us all of laws of a similar nature which were enacted against the Jews during a dark period in Europe,” the statement said.

An Israeli ministerial committee on Sunday delayed action on the bill for a week.

Confused tourists stood in front of the church’s closed doors in Jerusalem’s Old City after the announcement, as tour guides sought to explain why they could not visit.

One man knelt and prayed as workers began putting metal barriers around the entrance.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said in a statement that the city was due 650 million shekels ($186 million/152 million euros) in uncollected taxes on church properties, which he called “illegal and irrational”.

Barkat stressed that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and all other churches were exempt from the taxes and would remain so, with the changes only affecting establishments like “hotels, halls and businesses” owned by the churches.

Christian leaders say the measure jeopardises their ability to conduct their work, which includes not only religious but also social services to those in need.

According to Israeli media, the foreign ministry has been critical of the Jerusalem mayor’s decision on church taxation, with officials saying the move was harmful to a decades-long status quo.

A separate bill seeks to allay fears of Israelis who live in homes on lands previously held by the Greek Orthodox Church and which were sold to private developers, according to Rachel Azaria of the centrist Kulanu party, who is proposing the legislation.

Recent land sales by the Greek Orthodox Church — a major landowner in Jerusalem — to unknown buyers have drawn fire from both Israelis and Palestinians.

Palestinians fear the sales will favour Israeli settlement construction in east Jerusalem, while Israelis are concerned over private developers’ intentions for the land.

February 25, 2018
Ganduje Orders Probe of Former AG

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has directed a full scale investigation into financial management and other government transactions by the former Accountant General Hajia Aisha Bello

The state Commissioner for Information Mallam Mohammad Garba, said in a statement in Kano on Friday that the Governor ordered the state anti-corruption commission to investigate contract payments, salary payments and salary deductions, among others.

Ganduje however applauded Hajia Aisha Bello for her service to the state while accepting her resignation.

The Governor appointed the Director Treasury in the Ministry of Finance, Malam Shehu Abbas Mu’azu, as the Acting Accountant General.

February 23, 2018
Festus Iyayi: Kogi Govt. house driver sentenced to seven years imprisonment

A driver with the Government House, Lokoja, Kogi State, Danladi Baba has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for reckless driving and causing the death of Prof. Festus Iyayi, in a car crash in November, 2013.

Iyayi, a former Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) national President, died in an auto crash involving one of the cars in the convoy of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada.

Alhassan Husaini of Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court II, in his judgement in one-count charge of causing death by dagerous and reckless driving preferred against the driver, found him guilty of the offence and thereby convicted him.

Husaini said that the penal clause under section 5 of the Federal Highway Act CAP F. 13 of 2004 being mandatory position coupled with the severity of the offence tied the hands of the court.

“I have no option than to sentence you, Danladi Baba, to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine”, the Chief Magistrate ruled.

He used the occasion to caution VIP drivers on recklessness, especially while in convoys, saying, “What is regrettable in this case is the serious abuse of privilege of late, by VIP convoys.

Read Also: Why we’re not shutting premises – Kogi revenue service

“These siren-blaring convoys force on-coming and other categories of vehicles off the roads in a manner that exposes law-abiding road users to hazards”.

The convict, Baba, who burst into tears upon the pronouncement of his sentence, was said to have committed the offence at about 11.30am, on November 12, 2013 on the Federal Highway, in Banda area of Lokoja.

According to the prosecution, Baba, while driving a Toyota Hilux pick-up van, belonging to the Kogi State government, on the convoy of the then governor of Kogi, Capt. Idris Wada, drove dangerously and recklessly without regard for other road users.

The action, according to the prosecution made him to have a near head-on collision with the Toyota Hiace belonging to UNIBEN local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), traveling to Kano.

The bus, in an attempt to swerve and and avoid a head-on collision, skidded and rolled over several times leading to the death of Prof. Iyayi, and as well injured Dr Mrs Ngozi Iloh and Dr Enchanted Anthony.

According to the prosecution, Iyayi who was held down by the seat belt, holding some papers, lost his life as all attempts to revive him failed.

“He was called several times but couldn’t answer. He was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja and later, the Specialist Hospital, Lokoja where he was confirmed dead.

February 23, 2018
Kaduna APC crisis: El-Rufai slams N2bn defamation suit on Sani

The crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna State on Friday took a twist after Governor Nasir El-Rufai dragged Senator Shehu Sani before the state High Court in a defamation suit.

El-Rufai wants N2billion as damages from Sani – N500million for each of the four attacks the defendant allegedly launched against him.

Sani represents Kaduna Central in the Senate.

Read Also: Outrage as El-Rufai pulls down senator’s building

He is a fierce critic of the governor.

El-Rufai is seeking compensation for the injury allegedly suffered as a result of “the malicious statements” made by Senator Sani through the mass media to humiliate him and defame his integrity by calling him a drunk, loose cannon and an embarrassment to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Among other reliefs, Governor El-Rufai is seeking a declaration that the derogatory remarks made against him by Senator Sani are totally false and injurious to his person in the eyes of the public.

February 23, 2018
State House to complete on-going projects in 2018 – Permanent Secretary

The Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr Jalal Arabi, on Friday said the 2018 budget proposals of the State House will focus on completing all on-going projects.

He spoke while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Special Duties to defend the 2018 budget proposals and the utilisation of the 2017 budget releases.

Arabi, in a statement by the Deputy Director (Information), Attah Esa, noted that several ongoing projects have been stalled or delayed due to funding constraints.

The Permanent Secretary said the budget proposals were anchored to deliver on Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Recovery Plan (EGRP) 2018-2020, adding that the budget ‘‘will maximise scarce resources in a manner that we function optimally and ensure that security of the State House is not compromised.”

Read Also: Swearing-in newly appointed permanent secretary

He urged the Committee to note that the State House administration caters for the offices of the President, the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, the Chief Security Officer to the President, the State House Medical Centre and the State House Liaison office in Lagos.

The State House budget proposal for 2018 is N15,479,178,778 for capital and recurrent expenditure.

The Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties, Hon. Nasir Sani Zangon-Daura, described the State House as the nerve-centre of the nation, adding that there is need to be fair in the allocation of resources so that it can effectively service the strategic offices located therein.

He assured that the committee will be open-minded in its recommendations without compromising quality.

February 23, 2018
Ex-deputy speaker House of Reps lied against Amaechi

The Inter-ethnic Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (INCRA) has accused a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibodum Nwuche, of lying against the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, an ex-Governor of Rivers State.

It also described as really unfortunate, Nwuche’s Wednesday’s statement during the inauguration of 8.4-kilometre Edeoha-Ikata-Ochigba Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers state.

INCRA, through a member its Interim Management Team, Gift Elenwo, declared that the former deputy speaker did not act as a statesman.

Construction of the strategic road, which was started by Amaechi’s government, was completed by the Nyesom Wike’s administration and inaugurated on Wednesday by a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’abba.

Nwuche, who is from the area, during the road’s inauguration, alleged that Amaechi abandoned the project because of him (Nwuche), while claiming that Wike was not just a politician, but a statesman.

The ex-deputy speaker noted that the incumbent Rivers governor released funds for the construction of the road, despite the fact he (Nwuche) is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Read Also: APC accuses Wike of lying against Amaechi

Nwuche said: “I tell people that politics is about the people. People love Wike for his good works. They love him for the roads he has constructed for Ahoada people. I urge Governor Wike to keep being the good person that he is.”

INCRA, however, said: “Nwuche’s statement is not only misleading, but fraught with falsehood. We are at a loss as to why the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives chose to sacrifice truth on the altar of politics. It is disheartening that a statesman in his mould would deliberately distort facts to suit a momentary political interest.

“The Edeoha-Ikata-Ochigba Road was awarded by former Governor Amaechi, with the Ikata-Ochigba section of the road fully completed, while the Edeoha-Ikata section was not fully completed before the expiration of his tenure on May 29, 2015, but the drainage and earthworks were fully done. Nwuche deliberately evaded the truth to misinform unsuspecting members of the public and impress his NEW (Nyesom Ezenwo Wike) benefactor, who merely asphalted the road.

“Rather than fault Amaechi, we had expected Nwuche to have apologised to his people over his inability to influence the construction of the road, while he was the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and the number six citizen of the county, between 1999 and 2003, during which period Amaechi was the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Nwuche’s spurious allegation was made maliciously and in bad faith to discredit the genuine efforts Amaechi made as a governor to bring social and infrastructural developments to the Ahoada region. It is not contestable that Amaechi as governor, constructed many roads in the area, including 13-kilometre internal roads in Ahoada Town, with drainages on both sides and the 9-kilometre Cohisa By-pass/Abuja Road, with drainages.

“It is our firm belief that Nwuche’s position on the road was informed more by his disinclination towards Amaechi than by the truth. It is on record that Amaechi embarked on massive construction of roads across the 23 LGAs and major towns in Rivers State. It is pertinent to point out that it might have been impossible for Amaechi to have constructed all the roads in the state, within the period he served as governor.”

The group also stated that the former deputy speaker was one of the top politicians in Rivers state that opposed the emergence of Amaechi as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in early 2007 and that when Amaechi became governor on October 26, 2007, through the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court the precious day, he turned around to support the then governor (Amaechi).

It noted that in the build up to the 2015 general elections, Nwuche joined forces with President Goodluck Jonathan and Wike to fight Amaechi out of the PDP, believing that the then President Jonathan would retain his seat and banish Amaechi from the political spheres.

INCRA reiterated that shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari was declared winner of the 2015 election, the former deputy speaker defected to the APC from the PDP, ahead of the governorship election of 2015, declaring that the group was not surprised that Nwuche would at this time of seeming political wilderness in Rivers, gravitate towards Wike to seek pecuniary and alimentary gains over political integrity.

It said: “While we may understand Nwuche’s rationale for hobnobbing with Wike and the PDP, we do not seem to understand his reasons for withholding the truth from the public. Eventhough Nwuche was awarded a contract by Wike to renovate a section of the Western Ahoada County High School – a contract below his status and fit only for up and coming politicians – should that be enough reason to have smothered the truth?

“Has Nwuche suddenly lost faith in the APC, as a result of the slight delay in inaugurating the newly-appointed board chairmen and members of some Federal Government’s parastatals, of which he was appointed a board chairman?

“A man, who appears to have failed to reflect the kind of focus, commitment and tenacity expected of someone who once occupied the exalted office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, must not be taken seriously.”

The group also urged Nwuche to be bold enough to define his political interest and pursue it openly and boldly, without fear or favour, rather than hiding under the guise of politicking beyond partisan limitations.

February 23, 2018
Three herdsmen jailed for open grazing in Benue

Three herdsmen are to spend the next one year in jail after a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court on Friday found them guilty of violating the Benue State Anti-Open Grazing Law, 2017.

Jailed are Iliya Garba, Hassan Abdullahi, and Lanshak Lonfalk who were all charged with criminal conspiracy and open nomadic livestock rearing and grazing.

The offences are punishable under Sections 97 of the Penal Code and 19 (2) of the Open Grazing Prohibition Ranches Establishment Law of Benue, 2017.

Prosecutor Michael Iorundu told the court that the joint patrol team of `Operation Zenda,’ led by Sgt. Edward Shinyi, arrested the herders on February 18.

He said that they were brought to the State Criminal and Investigation Department, Makurdi.

Read Also: Herdsmen: Oba Ewuare II holds Special Security meeting

“The team reported that the three herders and others now at large, were openly grazing their cattle along Yeluwata Road in Guma Local Government Area of Benue.

“When the case came up for mention, the herders pleaded guilty to the charge against them, saying that they were not aware that open grazing had been prohibited in Benue,’’ he said.

The Magistrate, Mrs Lillian Tsumba said that the herders were first offenders who were also illiterates and not even aware that open grazing has been prohibited in Benue.

Tsumba said that a law such as open grazing prohibition required massive exposure and education of persons at the grassroots.

She, however, said law is law and must be obeyed in spite ignorance.

The magistrate sentenced the herders to a year imprison each, with N500, 000 option of fine each.

February 23, 2018
Ozubulu Massacre: Witness alleges threat to life from Ghana

One of the witnesses in the Ozubulu church massacre case, Chief Osita Okosieme, has alleged that he is receiving death threats from Ghana

The Man who is the third prosecuting witness in the case, told the Nnewi High Court on Friday, that his life was under threat by unknown persons.

He raised the alarm while being led in evidence by the Prosecuting Counsel, Jay Jay Ezeuko (SAN) .

It would be recalled that on August 6th, 2017, unknown gunmen invaded St Philip’s Catholic Church in Amakwa Ozubulu, where they killed 13 persons, while injuring 29 others.

Okosieme said he received calls from unknown persons from Ghana three days to his appearance to the court warning him not to come to court to bear witness.

He said the unknown callers said they would kill him if he ventured to appear in the court.

According to him, “My Lord, I got text messages and I got calls from Ghana, they said they will kill me if I attend to court today to give evidence”

“They sent the threats through text messages and I also got calls from Ghana”

“I urge the court to give me protection today and henceforth.”

In his reaction, the Defence Counsel, Mr. Festus Keyamo, asked Okosieme to be free to disclose the identity of those that threatened him and he would take it up from there.

He said, “What you are doing is in line with the law, you are trying to help the court to unravel those involved in the heinous killing, if they are from our side (defence) we shall personally take it up. ”

But the Prosecuting Counsel, urged the court to ensure that all the witnesses were protected because, according to him, “this is having a chilling effect on our witnesses.”

The presiding judge, Justice F. I. Aniukwu, said every effort was to bring the truth in the matter, hence there was no need to threaten anybody, stressing that the court would not take such threats lightly.

In his evidence in-chief, Okosieme said one Opanga saw him in a hotel in Awka and said it had been long he had been looking for him and would want to tell him something about the Ozubulu killing.

Okosieme said, “When I asked him what he wanted to tell me, he said Bishop added his name in the list of people who carried out the shooting at Ozubulu”

“That he would want me to link him with Bishop so that he would tell him that he was not among the people that carried out the shooting”

Read Also: Sahara Group renovates Ghana school’s workshop

“That he would want to tell me the truth that somebody told him about the job but he declined to join”

“When I asked him who was the person that told him about the job he said Nwa Atani who was previously in South Africa but came back to Nigeria because of problem”

He said he and Nwa Atani was previously arrested before he, Opanka was granted bail”

“Opanka was so desperate to see Bishop but I told him that Bishop travelled but after four days Bishop returned and went to the Police cell and saw Nwa Atani and confirmed that he knew him as Dog.”

In his own evidence the fourth prosecution witness, Mr. Leonard Ndulue said he was in the church on the fateful day.

He said he sustained injury on his right hand from one of the gunmen who he pointed to the court among the four accused.

“The event happened during the consecration of the Holy Communion, I had a gunshot, and when I looked up I had an eye contact with the gunman and shortly after I got a gun wound and fell down as if I was dead. From the floor, I was observing the gun man”

“The gun man tried to change his magazine and it fell and while picking the magazine, his face cap fell”

“I managed to crawl out and on the floor I heard a voice saying Dog, Dog, let’s go and the gun man came out and followed the one calling Dog and they left.”

After the cross examination, Justice Aniukwu adjourned the matter to March 2 and March 16 for continuation of hearing.

Meanwhile, some youths from Egbema Ozubulu mobilized to the court asking for the release of one of the suspects, claiming he was innocent of the matter.

February 23, 2018
Herdsmen: Oba Ewuare II holds Special Security meeting

The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has convened a special security meeting to help tackle herdsmen menace, kidnapping, human trafficking and illegal migration.

Part of the decision reached at the meeting was the need to set up a task force at each of the three senatorial districts as well as forming monitoring units at both the local and state levels to check the activities of herdsmen and other criminal activities.

It was also agreed at the meeting that a committee headed by the Commissioner of Police should be set up to help develop a template that would be used by the State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in achieving the desired peace and tranquillity in the state.

Various security agents present at the meeting agreed to implement the decisions reached it it would bring peace and tranquillity to the state.

The security agents however requested for adequate logistics to enable them tackle security challenges in the state.

They also demanded for the provision of enough vehicles and communication equipment to enable them respond to emergency or distress calls.

Village heads were requested to provide security agents with useful information that would enable them track down these criminal elements in the society.

The Benin Monarch told the gathering that the purpose of the meeting was to hear from the security agencies on the way out of the security challenges in the state.

Oba Ewuare II who expressed worries over crimes rates disclosed that he started putting plans together since 2015 on how to tackle the problems.‎

He assured security chiefs present at the meeting that required logistic requested to ensure effective security of the state would be communicated to the State Government for immediate action.

Leaders of the Hausa, Fulani and Nupe communities in Edo State who spoke separately blamed cattle dealers for security problem and stressed the need for concerted efforts to ensure that herdsmen who destroy farms were made to pay for them.

They promised to hold meetings with village heads in the various local governments to sensitize them on how to handle the issue of cattle herdsmen.

The meeting was attended by the various heads of security agencies in the state including the Police, the Army, the Directorate of State Security, the immigration, Prisons and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp.

February 23, 2018