The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspaper

  • 15 people bag 10 years over protest in Egypt

    15 people bag 10 years over protest in Egypt

    A court in Egypt on Thursday sentenced 15 people to 10 years in prison for  inciting riots and protests and assaulting security forces in 2013 in the southern province of Minya.

    The convicts are supporters of the currently outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group of former President Mohamed Morsi, who was ousted by the army in early July 2013 in response to mass protests against his one-year rule.

    The prosecution also charged them with joining a banned group and calling for protests in response to Morsi’s ouster and the later security crackdown on his loyalists.

    One of the 15 is in custody while the rest were sentenced in absentia.

    Morsi’s angry supporters attacked many security men and churches of the Coptic minority in several provinces nationwide, particularly in Upper Egypt.

    This followed the deadly security dispersal of two major pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo and Giza in mid-August 2013 that left hundreds dead and thousands arrested.

    On December 24, 26 defendants were similarly sentenced up to 10 years in prison over committing violence and sabotage and storming a police station in January 2014.

    Most Brotherhood leaders, members and supporters, including Morsi himself and the group’s top chief Mohamed Badie, are currently detained.

    Many of them have been handed death sentences which can be appealed and lengthy jail terms over charges varying from inciting violence and murder to espionage and jailbreak.

    (Xinhua/NAN)

  • Musician in court over Christmas Day attack, theft

    Musician in court over Christmas Day attack, theft

    A 30-year-old musician, Peter Chinedu, was on Thursday arraigned in an Ojo Magistrates’ Court for allegedly attacking a pedestrian and dispossessing him of his Samsung phone and money with a total value of N86, 000.
    Chinedu, whose address is unknown, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and theft.
    He, however, pleaded innocence of the offences.
    The Prosecutor, Insp. Uche Simeon, told the court that the accused committed the offences on December 25, at about 3:30 a.m. at First Gate, Festac Town, Lagos.
    He said that the accused and two others presently at large attacked the complainant, Mr. Chikezie Nwakwo, who was returning home from a party, and dispossessed him of his phone and money.
    He said that the accused and his accomplices waylaid Nwakwo and collected his Samsung phone and money.
    “While Nwakwo was struggling with the accused, his other two accomplices fled with the phone and money.
    “But the complainant held on to one of his attackers and raised  the alarm, while people around came to his rescue, which led to the arrest of the accused,” he said.
    Simeon said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
    Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment, while violation of section 411 carries two years imprisonment.
    The Magistrate, Mr A. A.  Adesanya, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two responsible sureties.
    He said that one of the sureties must be a relative of the accused and the other a well known musician in the country.
    The magistrate adjourned the case until February 13, 2018 for hearing.
  • Delta lost property worth N11bn to fire in 10 months

    Delta lost property worth N11bn to fire in 10 months

    Mr. Ernest Ogwezzy, the Delta Commissioner for Bureau for Special Duties, said the state lost property worth N11 billion to fire outbreaks between January and October this year.

    Ogwezzy disclosed this in an interview with the newsmen on Thursday in Asaba.

    The commissioner said that the property lost included factories, shops, markets and houses.

    He said the Delta fire command was able to save property worth N65.4 billion during the period.

    The commissioner also disclosed that the command received a total of 175 fire calls, adding that out of the 175 distress calls, 12 were false calls.

    Read also: Lady burnt to death in Delta fire

    Ogwezzy said that in the course of responding to the calls, the command was able to rescue six persons alive and three other persons dead.

    He said that the highest calls received by the command came from Asaba with 69 fire calls, adding that it was closely followed by Warri which recorded 38 fire calls.

    “Ughelli was next with a total of 17 calls and Sapele with 16 calls.

    “Some of the specific fire incidents recorded during the period include Beta Glass factory, Ughelli, which occurred on July 8, followed by another fire incident which occurred at Upper Agbarho, off Isoko Road, Ughelli on April 6,’’ Ogwezzy said.

    The commissioner however noted that the cases of fire incidents reduced slightly compared to what it used to be in the previous years.

    Ogwezzy said that the directorate had been enlightening the people of the state through the media on how to avoid fire outbreak.

    He said that the directorate had also designated some telephone numbers with which it could be contacted in case of fire outbreaks.

    NAN

  • Three docked for beating up police officer

    Three docked for beating up police officer

    Three men,  who allegedly assaulted a police officer,  appeared on Thursday in  an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    The accused – Ahmed Olaiya, 19; Nurudeen Alarape, 25; and Sodiq Adesina- all residents of  Akute in Ogun, are facing a two-count charge of assault and conspiracy.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Eruada, told court that the accused committed the offences on November 30 at Olowora Junction, Isheri Road,  Lagos.

    Eruada said the accused beat up one Insp  Sunday Adu  who tried to arrest them for a traffic offence.

    “The accused and his accomplices  descended on him and beat him to a pulp,’’ he said.

    The prosecutor  said the offences contravened Sections 172 and 411 of the Criminal Laws  of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    Section 172 prescribes a three-year jail term for assault, while Section 411 provides two years for conspiracy.

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

    Read also: woman in court  for slicing neighbor’s head with razor

    The Magistrate, Mrs G.O. Anifowoshe, granted the accused  bail in the sum of  N 20,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Anifowoshe said the sureties should be gainfully employed and should show evidence of  two years  tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    He adjourned the case till  January 17, 2018 for mention.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests 240 suspected drug traffickers

    NDLEA arrests 240 suspected drug traffickers

    The Edo Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) says it arrested no fewer than 240 suspects for drug related activities in the state in 2017.

    Mr. Buba Wakawa, the State Commander of NDLEA, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Benin.

    He said that more than 45,000 kg of suspected Indian hemp were seized during the period, while 10 vehicles and three motorcycles were also impounded in connection with drug trafficking.

    The official said that 34 drug farmlands totaling more than 50 hectares and valued at N2.9 billion were destroyed between January till date.

    Wakawa said that the command arrested 29 suspects for various illicit drug activities with about 11,000 kg of suspected Indian hemp.

    Read also: NDLEA seeks Edo support to destroy illicit drugs

    The commander said that such a large quantity of drugs was of  great concern to the drug control managers.

    “For us as drug control managers in the state, this is a cause for concern.
    “You can imagine the amount of money we have taken away from drug traffickers.

    “And this is the one we were able to take out of illegal circulation.
    “The implication is that it is a huge problem that needs the urgent and active participation of all stakeholders.”

    Wakawa decried the lack of operational facilities including vehicles and bed spaces for the rehabilitation of persons with drug abuse disorders.

    NAN

  • We will continue to pray for Buhari ‘s son – PDP

    We will continue to pray for Buhari ‘s son – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), has said that it will continue to pray for the son of President Muhammadu Buhari ’s son, Yusuf for speedy recovery from his power-bike accident.

    A statement fromthe party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja on Thursday said the party was shocked by the news of the accident.

    “PDP as a family receive with shock, the sad news of the involvement of Yusuf Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari in a power-bike accident in Abuja on Wednesday.

    “The PDP as a family prays for Yusuf’s speedy recovery to enable him return to his normal life.

    Ologbondiyan said that the party was  reassured by reports from the Presidency that Yusuf was in a steady condition.

    Read also: Buhari ’s son ‘stable’ after bike accident

    “We also commend the prompt intervention by medics even as we value the concern of all well-meaning Nigerians for their prayers for Yusuf and the first family”.

    NAN

  • Apple faces lawsuits for slowing down aging iPhones

    Apple faces lawsuits for slowing down aging iPhones

    Apple Inc defrauded iPhone users by slowing devices without warning to compensate for poor-battery-performance, according to eight-lawsuits filed in various federal courts this week.

    Since the company opened up about the year-old software-change, the tweak may have led iPhone owners to misguided attempts to resolve issues over the last year, the lawsuits contend.

    All the lawsuits – filed in U.S. District Courts in California, New York and Illinois – seek class-action to represent potentially millions of iPhone owners nationwide.

    A similar  case was lodged in an Israeli court on Monday, the newspaper Haaretz reported.

    Apple did not respond to an email seeking comment on the filings.

    The company acknowledged last week for the first time in detail that operating system updates released since “last year” for the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone SE and iPhone 7 included a feature “to smooth out” power supply from batteries that are cold, old or low on charge.

    Phones without the adjustment would shut down abruptly because of a precaution designed to prevent components from getting fried, Apple said.

    The disclosure followed a December 18 analysis by Primate Labs, which develops an iPhone performance measuring app that identified blips in processing speed and concluded that a software change had to be behind them.

    One of the lawsuits, filed Thursday in San Francisco, said that “the batteries’ inability to handle the demand created by processor speeds” without the software patch was a defect.

    “Rather than curing the battery defect by providing a free battery replacement for all affected iPhones, Apple sought to mask the battery defect,” according to the complaint.

    The plaintiff in that case is represented by attorney Jeffrey Fazio, who represented plaintiffs in a 53-million dollars settlement with Apple in 2013 over its handling of iPhone warranty claims.

    The problem now seen is that users over the last year could have blamed an aging computer processor for app crashes and sluggish performance – and chose to buy a new phone.

    Meanwhile, the true cause may have been a weak battery that could have been replaced for a fraction of the cost, some of the lawsuits state.

    “If it turns out that consumers would have replaced their battery instead of buying new iPhones had they known the true nature of Apple’s upgrades, you might start to have a better case for some sort of misrepresentation or fraud,” said Rory Van Loo.

    Loo is a Boston University professor specialising in consumer technology law.

    But Chris Hoofnagle, Faculty Director for the Berkeley Center or Law & Technology, said in an email that Apple might not have done wrong.

    “We still haven’t come to consumer protection norms around aging products,’’ Hoofnagle said.

    Pointing to a device with a security flaw as an example, he said, “the ethical approach could include degrading or even disabling functionality.”

    The lawsuits seek unspecified damages in addition to in some cases, reimbursement.

    A couple of the complaints seek court orders barring Apple from throttling iPhone computer speeds or requiring notification in future instances.

     

  • Xmas celebrations was crash-free – FRSC

    Xmas celebrations was crash-free – FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), Kuje Command, said that it recorded zero road crash during the Christmas celebrations in Kuje Area Council.

    The FRSC Unit Commander, Solomon Igbogbo, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kuje on Thursday.

    Igbogbo commended road users for adhering to traffic rules and regulations during the celebrations and urged them to continue with the manner always.

    According to him, the presence of the command’s personnel on major roads in the area has compelled motorists to desist from dangerous driving, overloading and unnecessary overtaking.

    He said that “road crashes are not mere occurrences; they are largely human but can be reduced through conscious effort by drivers by strictly adhering to traffic rules.

    All we need to do on our highways is to examine our driving attitude to stay clear of any unhealthy practices and to be promoters of road safety advocacy”.

    He also said that the command would continue to initiate techniques that would guarantee safety and security of lives and property of road users.

    Igbogbo said motorists found driving under the influence of alcohol were booked and arrested.

    According to the Unit Commander, stiff measures to tackle such offenders are being put in place to reduce accident during the festivities.

    “The command organised various enlightenment, training and awareness programmes for motorists to keep them informed on road signs.

    “We are determined to reduce accidents during the ember months, especially during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    “Motorists were warned repeatedly to drive safely on the roads during and after every celebration in the area,” he said.

    Read also: FRSC  assures travellers of free traffic on River Niger bridge, Onitsha

    He identified speeding, use of expired tyres, driving while on the influence of alcohol and over-loading of vehicles as the major causes of road accidents.

    Besides, he also warned on the dangers of operating unregistered vehicles as an offence punishable under the Road Safety Act.

    “Accidents do not just happen; they are caused by road users as a result of negligence and disobedience to traffic rules and regulations.

    “A registered car is a proof of evidence that a car owner has paid the taxes, fees and is a rightful owner of the registered vehicle,” he said.

    The unit commander also called for partnership with the transport unions to reduce road accidents to the barest minimum.

    He assured that the unit would continue to do its best to achieve zero road crashes in the area by putting the road marshals on their toes.

    NAN

  • Man bags six months for stealing car battery

    Man bags six months for stealing car battery

    A 26-year-old unemployed, Alex Godwin, is to spend the next six months in prison for stealing a car battery, an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, has ruled.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O.J. Awope, pronounced the verdict after the accused pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing on Thursday.

    Awope, who sentenced Godwin without an option of fine, said the convict should serve the sentence with hard labour.

    “You are hereby sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour and without an option of fine.

    “The sentence would serve as a deterrent to others who might want to engage in similar acts,” she said.

    Godwin, a resident of Alagbado in Ogun, had at his arraignment on December 4 pleaded guilty to the offence and was remanded in prison.

    Read also: Court remands farmer, 55, for defiling a boy

    When the case was called up for fact and sentence, he still admitted guilt but pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing him.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, ASP Ezekiel Ayorinde, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on November 27 at Iju Road, Agege, Lagos.

    He said that the accused stole a motor battery whose value and owner yet unknown.

    “The accused was caught with the battery by security guards on the street.

    “When he was questioned, he confessed that he removed the battery inside a commercial bus parked along the road,” he said.

    The offence contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    NAN

  • Ex army boss sworn in as Zimbabwe VP

    Ex army boss sworn in as Zimbabwe VP

    Retired army chief Constantino Chiwenga, who led a de facto coup in November that ended Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule, was installed as Zimbabwe ’s vice president in Harare on Thursday.

    Chiwenga, whose appearance on state television on November 15 preceded armed soldiers taking to the streets, paving the way for Emmerson Mnangagwa to become president, is the latest in a string of military leaders to be elevated to government positions.

    Read also: I saved Nigeria from being turned into another Zimbabwe – Atiku

    Mnangagwa has appointed several senior military officers to his cabinet and the ruling party’s top decision-making body, the Politburo.

    However, he is under pressure from opposition parties and the public to implement political reforms.

    (NAN)