The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • DPR seals 12 filling stations in Sokoto, Kebbi

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), says it has sealed 12 filling stations in Sokoto and Kebbi states for under dispensing and operating without valid licence.

    Mr Muhammad Makera, the Zonal Operations Controller of DPR in charge of Sokoto and Kebbi states, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Sokoto .

    Makera said the erring stations were sealed during unscheduled inspection by the department’s officials between Tuesday, Sept. 17 and Thursday, Sept. 19

    He said that five filling stations were sealed for under dispensing of petroleum products while the remaining seven were sanctioned for operating without valid licence and non-adherence to required safety precautions.

    According to him, the DPR officials visited no fewer than 99 filling stations in Sokoto and Kebbi staes within the period.

    Makera expressed dismay that most of the stations’ managers feigned ignorance of the regulations of the Department.

    Read Also: DPR seals five Adamawa petrol stations for under-dispensing

    He warned petroleum marketers to desist from such sharp practices, saying severe sanctions awaited offenders.

    According to him, fuel stations ought to update their operational licences and regularize their operations promptly to avoid clampdown.

    He called on consumers to report any suspicious or sharp practice noticed in any fuel station to the department for necessary action.

    Makera said that current trend of short-changing customers by filling stations was unacceptable.

    According to him, the department’s surveillance team is working to ensure availability of petrol at regulated price of N145 per litre

    He cautioned marketers against flouting government regulations and customers against panic buying.

  • Falana to FG: Propose Money Bill before implementing increase in VAT

    Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to propose a Money Bill to the National Assembly before the implementation of the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT).

    Falana told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja, said that the National Assembly (NASS) erred by inviting the Minister of Finance and the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to clarify issues of VAT increment.

    According to him, provisions of the constitution states that the President ought to have presented a money bill to be passed by the NASS before the increment.

    “It’s illegal, under a democratic dispensation you cannot impose tax or increase tax without a law made by the National Assembly or the State Assembly as the case may be.

    “In this case, it has to be realised that we are not under a military dictatorship.

    “By virtue of section 59 of the Nigerian Constitution, any increase, levy or tax will have to be presented to the National Assembly by way of money Bill by the President, it has to be passed into law.

    “The Senate erred in law by inviting them to come and clarify, the National Assembly has invited the Minister of Finance and the Federal Inland Revenue Services to come and clarify.

    Read Also: VAT: What you need to know about ‘proposed increase’ from 5% – 7.5%

    ” No, the National Assembly must insist on its powers under Section 59 to pass a law to increase VAT or any tax, there can be no taxation without a legislation.

    “The Federal Executive Council has no power under the Constitution to increase VAT or any tax in the country,” Falana said.

    NAN recalls that the Federal Executive Council had last Wednesday approved the increment of VAT from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent.

    The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had explained that the increase would only begin after the VAT Act was amended by the National Assembly and after consultations with the state and local government areas as well as the Nigerian populace.

    According to her, our projection is to finish consultations early enough so that it takes effect in 2020.

    She further disclosed that the FEC approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategic Paper, MTEF/FSP for 2020 to 2022, which will guide the 2020 Budget.

    The Minister also said the next step was to present the document to the National Assembly for consideration.

  • A/Ibom: I won’t impose a successor – Gov Emmanuel

    Amidst political speculations and postulations against 2023, Governor Udom Emmanuel has diffused plan to seek third term using a surrogate as a successor.

    The Governor cleared the air while interacting with the leadership and some members of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, foremost socio cultural organization of the Ibibio youths, that stormed Government House gate to herald his arrival following his victory at the Governorship petitions tribunal.

    “I usually hear people saying he has anointed someone who will take over from him so that he can be able to manipulate the person to do his bidding after leaving office, I want to assure you that it is not true”

    “As I Speak, it is only God who knows who my successor will be. When He presents him, we will support him to also succeed,” the Governor said.

    He used the opportunity to commend Mboho for the role it has played in maintaining peace in our dear state. The peace of Akwa Ibom State will never be shaken” Mr. Emmanuel added

    Mr. Emmanuel whose arrival from Abuja was greeted by different crowds of supporters right from the airport through to the city center, thanked all Akwa Ibomites and the Association for their surprise welcome

    He appreciated the Mboho for uniting in support to him, despite all odds, during the election, and urged them to continue supporting his administration to achieve the completion agenda.

    Read Also;  Tribunal upholds Emmanuel’s election

    Earlier, the President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akpawara Patrick Edwin Udofia said the association came to register their goodwill to the State Chief Executive on his second term confirmation by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

    Meanwhile, thousands of youths, women groups, members of the political class and the state executive council members thronged the Victor Attah International Airport to celebrate with the Governor on the victory at the Election Petition Tribunal.

    Among the dignitaries to receive the Governor who arrived the state from an official function in Abuja, were the Deputy Governor Mr Moses Ekpo, the chairman PDP Obong Paul Ekpo,Secretary to state govt. Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Head of service, Elder Effiong Essien among other Exco members.

    Reacting to the verdict, Governor Emmanuel dedicated the Victory to Only God and Akwa Ibom people for the love demonstrated at the polls and affirmed by the Judiciary.

    He said that his administration is committed to deliver on the Campaign promise of an economic and socially viable state bonded in love and unity.

    The State chief executive said he is passionate about youth employment, industrialization, Education and infrastructure across the length and breadth of the state.
    He thanked the people for the show of love and the judiciary for being the last hope of the common man by upholding the Truth.

     

    NAN

  • Fatoyinbo never raped Busola, says COZA

    The leadership of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), on Saturday officially broke its silence over the lingering alleged rape by it’s Senior Pastor, Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo.

    COZA authoritatively disclosed that Fatoyinbo never raped Busola, wife of celebrity musician, Timi Dakolo, who claimed that Fatoyinbo raped her in 2002 when she was 17 years old.

    The church said: “We see this ugly development fuelled by envy and sheer jealousy as an unnecessary distraction and a fight from the pit of hell against the ministry that God gave Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo, as well as a declaration of war against the Church of Christ to which COZA is a flourishing branch under God’s grace.”

    A statement issued in Abuja by the Executive Senior Assistant to the Senior Pastor of COZA, Ademola Adetuberu said: “As a result of the recent unprovoked satanic campaign of calumny orchestrated against the leadership and members of our church, Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) by agents of darkness, the church would like to break its silence and clear certain misconception and misinformation being churned out in order to misguide members of the church, public and relevant authorities that we do not support rape.

    Read Also: Alleged rape scandal: COZA pastor Fatoyinbo fights back

    “We stand with anyone who has been a victim of rape. We stand by our Founding and Senior Pastor, Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo, who has been at the receiving end of organized blackmail and all sorts of attacks because of his innocence and we are sure that our faithful and unfailing God will vindicate him very soon.

    “As for Busola Dakolo, justice will soon be served. We would like to, again, for the record reiterate that our Senior Pastor, Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo has never had anything personal to do with her. Busola was not raped by Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo and she had never been in a relationship with him either.

    “We are not unaware that certain pastors that felt threatened by the unprecedented growth of COZA and the grace of God upon His Servant are after some of our members, just making every effort to cash in on the attack against God’s servant. There was nothing they had not done behind the scene until this rape scandal. They are accusing our Pastor of snatching their members. Some are even asking why he couldn’t remain in Ilorin. Our focus is the Kingdom of God and winning souls for Christ. COZA is home to those who have sold out to Jesus. At COZA, we believe that every sent servant of God has his or her harvest field given to him or her by God and not by poaching souls or believers of another ministry.”

    COZA urged: “those sponsoring these evils to desist however if they do not, the God of vengeance will visit them. They should let Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo continue freely with his divine mandate that our Lord Jesus Christ gave him. It is ungodly and sinful to be used by satan against the anointed.”

  • JUST IN: Gunmen kidnap ASUP chair, four others in Oyo

    The Chairman Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology Igbo-Ora, Mr. Opadijo Olujide, his secretary, Gbenga Alayande and three others have been kidnapped.

    It was gathered they were returning from a union meeting on Thursday in Saki when the incident occurred.

    A source said that four kidnapped comrades are members of the school chapter of ASUP while the other victim is one of their wives.

    “It is true. It happened on Thursday. They were returning from a union meeting in Saki. Five of them were kidnapped. Four of them are staff members of the school. The other one is wife of one of the victims.

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap rescuers of Bayelsa accident victims in Rivers

    “The school authorities have been making frantic effort to secure their freedom. The police are monitoring the situation. The Commissioner of Police was in Igbo-ora in the morning (Friday).The school is being careful. But the school may update the public when it gets updates,” a source said.

    Police Public Relations Officers(PPRO) of Oyo State Police Command Olugbenga Fadeyi confirmed the incident.

    The PPRO said:”Some lecturers were abducted at the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-ora. The police is on the top of the situation.

    The Commissioner of Police went there in the morning for on-the-spot assessment. Other developments will be unveiled.”

  • Abidoun suspends controversial N3,700 school levy

     

    Ogun Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has ordered the suspension of the N3, 700 education levy inherited from the previous administration.

    The Governor, who decried the public outcry generated by the fee, said his administration did not introduce it, stating it was a proposal by Parents Teachers Association (PTA) accepted and implemented by the previous administration.

    Abiodun made this known at a day stakeholders forum with the theme “Repositioning education for outstanding performance” in Abeokuta.

    He said that the fee which was an initiative of the PTA was approved under the last administration.

    He however said he was suspending it to make good his promise of free, universal and qualitative education in public primary and secondary schools in the state

    “I have been criticised in the media about the N3,700 PTA fee. I did not introduce the fee.

    “It was proposed by the PTA and accepted by the previous administration. The fee negates the free education policy of this administration. It is like payment through the back door.

    READ ALSO:Abiodun blames Amosun for failure of Ogun Trust Fund

    “I hereby suspend the payment in all our schools. We will also look into the issue of Principal and Headmaster Generals,” he declared.

    Abiodun announced the restoration of the running costs for all primary school head teachers and principals of secondary schools.

    While looking at the items on the list of what necessitated the introduction of the levy, Governor Abiodun said he had told his team to critically look at insurance, caps, inter house sport wears and some other things.

    “I have told them to go and look at and how we can make it work without having to charge anybody because we promised we are going to offer free education, “he said.

    He said his administration has embarked on the rehabilitation of 236 primary and secondary Schools just as some of the non-functional model schools would be converted to TechHUB, technical and vocational centres.

     

  • Girl commits suicide 3 months after boyfriend killed self

    An apprentice at a tailoring shop in Lagos, Adenike Fatai, reportedly committed suicide just three months after her boyfriend identified as Bayo Atanda also killed self.

    The 25-year-old indigene of Kwara State who lived with her mother at Igbekele Street, Iyana Cele bus stop, Shibiri area of Lagos State has reportedly been battling depression since her boyfriend died and she took a poisonous substance suspected to be ‘sniper’.

    Though she left no suicide note, a quick check on her Facebook page revealed that she engaged in posts which centred on death and depression.

    It was further learnt that her trauma was heightened by her late boyfriend family and friends’ allegation of causing his death.

    Tawa, Adenike’s mother who confirmed her death told Punch that she met her dead after she returned home from evening prayer.

    She said, “That day, she finished cooking around 7pm and ate. She was outside after eating while I went to the mosque. Around 8pm, she came to the mosque to collect the key to our apartment and I told her to check the shop.

    “On getting home some minutes after, I saw her lying on the floor with a bottle of sniper beside her. I called for help but it was late.

    “She was learning tailoring in her sister’s place in Ikorodu. All of a sudden, her boss sent her away. She told me she had got another place to learn the vocation in Orile and that she would be living with a friend. I asked her to come and learn it at my place but she refused.

    Read Also; Alleged rape scandal: COZA pastor Fatoyinbo fights back

    “Whenever I asked to see the friend, she would say she was not around. It was when I threatened to disown her that she told me she was living with her boyfriend. I tried to convince her that what she did was wrong, but she said the man’s (Bayo’s) house was close to where she was learning tailoring. I met with the man and he said he really wanted to marry her. He looked very gentle. We were planning the introduction when he died.

    “On a Sunday around 11pm, my daughter called me and started crying on the phone. She said Bayo drank sniper. They took him to the Lagos Island General Hospital, but he died the following morning. That time, she said she would follow him and I tried to caution her.”

    Tawa admitted that Adenike got depressed after her boyfriend’s death and even relocated to Ikorodu area of Lagos state. She however said she (Adenike) returned after her condition improved.

    “I never thought she was thinking of suicide because she looked happy. Some clerics warned us that death was hovering around her and I prayed over it.

    “I learnt she called somebody that evening and told the person that she wanted to go and meet Bayo and that she would drink sniper. I don’t know the kind of love she had for him.

    “There was a day a friend of Bayo called her and accused her of killing him. I told her to ignore them. The mistake I made was that I should have changed her SIM card,” she added.

    Also confirming the death of his daughter, Adenike’s father said he never knew she was battling depression. Idris said he only spoke to her on the phone since he separated from her mother.

    NAN

  • FG charges Sowore with money laundering, treasonable felony

    The Federal Government on Friday charged the convener of #RevolutionNow protest,  Omoyele Sowore, with treasonable felony and money laundering.

    Sowore, promoter of an online media platform – Sahara Reporters, who was also  presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in the last presidential election, is charged along with Olawale Bakare, also known as Mandate,  in a seven-count charge filed by the office of the Attornery General of the Federation.

    Sowore is currently being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) upon an order of the Federal High Court, Abuja given on August 8, 2019, permitting  the DSS  to detain him for 45 days in the first instance, following the security agency’s claim that he was involved in acts of terrorism and plotted to topple the government; allegations he has since denied.

    The charge filed yesterday was signed on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), by Aminu Alilu, a Chief State Counsel in the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federal Ministry of Justice.

    Read Also: Where are Sowore, Ohimai, Dadiyata?

    The two defendants are, in the charge, accused of committing conspiracy to commit treasonable felony in breach of section 516 of the Criminal Code Act by allegedly staging “a revolution campaign on September 5, 2019 aimed at removing the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    They are also alleged to have  actually committed  the offence of reasonable felony in breach of Section, 4(1)(c) of the Criminal Code Act, by using the platform of Coalition for Revolution, in August 2019 in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, to stagedthe #RevolutionNow protest allegedly aimed at removing the President.

    Sowore was, in the charge, accused of involvement in cybercrime offences in violation of section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, by “knowingly” sending “messages by means of press interview granted on Arise Television network, “which you knew to be false, for the purpose of causing insult, enmity, hatred and ill-will on the person of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    The state aso accused Sowore of money laundering offences in breach of section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 by allegedly transferring by means of swift wire various sums of money from his United Bank of Africa Plc account with number 3002246104  into Sahara Reporters Media Foundation’s account with Guaranty Trust Bank in order to conceal the origin of the funds.

    He was alleged to have allegedly transfered $19,975 on April 2, 2019; $20,475 on May 21, 2019, $16,975 on June 27, 2019, and another $16,975 on July 16, 2019.

    Listed as exhibits to be relied upon by the prosection are Sowore’s written statement, transcripts of his statement, video recordings, audio recordings, statements of bank accounts, media publication and “any other exhibits the prosecution may later supply in its additional proof of evidence.”

    The prosecution also listed six specific witnesses to be called.

    They are Paul Clement, Moses Amadi, Cyril Odawn, Paul Okafor, UBA employee, GTB employee and “any other witness or witnesses to be supplied later in the additional proof of evidence.”

    The DSS arrested Sowore in Lagos on August 2, 2019, following his call for revolution in a protest he organised to take place in some major cities on August 5, 2019.

  • Confusion in PDP over Wike threat

    The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in a fix on how to handle Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State who they believe is currently a threat to the party’s unity.

    Party sources cited the governor’s action which forced it to hold its National Convention last year in Port Harcourt as against its initial plan to hold it in Abuja; his recent criticism of the panel set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the emergence of Mr. Ndidi Elumelu as the PDP minority leader in the House of Representatives ahead of the governor’s personal choice, Mr Kingsley Chinda; and the governor’s congratulatory message to President Muhammadu Buhari following the verdict of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal which upheld the outcome of the February election.

    The party and its candidate are displeased with the verdict and have vowed to go to the Supreme Court to seek redress.

    Party sources yesterday described Wike’s actions as conflicting with PDP’s interests.

    They said his actions were threats to the unity and cohesion of the PDP.

    One source said although the governor has bailed the party out of many financial difficulties, he seems to be setting out on a collision course with the party or sees himself as untouchable with some of his recent utterances.

    Party sources admitted that though some of the governor’s utterances were indeed not in the best interest of the party, it was imperative to manage the situation with all the necessary tact so as not to rock the boat and in view of the strategic importance of Rivers State to the party.

    Sources recalled how Wike pressurised the party leadership to concede the position of House of Reps minority leader to his candidate as compensation for his contributions and the loss of his candidate in the presidential primaries, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal.

    Read Also: Wike urged to be humble in governance

    However, Elumelu outsmarted both Wike and the party to get the position.

    Bid to appease Wike fails

    To appease the governor’s feelings, the PDP had summoned Elumelu and some of his loyalists in the House for explanations on why they went against the party’s directive, but they spurned the summons and were subsequently suspended for one month.

    Also affected by the suspension order were Lynda Ikpeazu, Wole Oke, Anayo Edwin, Gideon Gwadi, Toby Okechukwu and Adekoya Abdul-Majid.

    While the controversy raged, the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), on July 9, raised a five-man committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the Reps’ act of “recalcitrance”, with the committee given three weeks to submit its report.

    A former President of the Senate, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, was chairman of the committee.

    Other members were Senator David Mark, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Senator Ibrahim Mantu and a former Deputy Reps Speaker, Austin Opara who served as secretary to the committee. However, Opara resigned from the committee before it concluded its assignment.

    But while the report of the committee was being awaited, Governor Wike openly accused members of the committee of corruption, saying they had compromised their integrity.

    “The Committee set up by the PDP on the illegal emergence of Ndudi Elumelu is the most corrupt committee ever set up by the party,” he said.

    “We thank our worthy son, Rt Hon Austin Opara, for withdrawing from that committee, so that he is not entangled in the illegal activities of the tainted committee.”

    He warned the PDP not to toy with Rivers State, saying it was not in the interest of the party to do so.

    “We are warning PDP to be careful not to toy with Rivers State. Rivers State has all it takes to withstand the PDP and fight the party to a standstill.

    “The Rivers State Governor is not one of those governors that anyone can cajole. The Rivers State governor is not one of those governors that will kowtow to their illicit activities,” Wike had declared.

    A jolted Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party quickly responded to the governor’s outburst by calling several meetings to deliberate on the report of the Ayu committee.

    Confusion over Ayu committee’s report

    What followed its last meeting held at the party’s Abuja secretariat on Thursday was a drama that put the entire BoT and the NWC in a fix.

    At a joint press briefing shortly after the meeting, the chairman of the BoT, Senator Walid Jubrin, and the Secretary, Wabara, openly disagreed over the status of the committee’s report on Elumelu.

    While Jubrin said that the BoT had received the Ayu committee report but was yet to submit same to the party’s NWC, Wabara countered him, saying: “We have considered the report and we have submitted the report on Elumelu to the NWC.”

    The foregoing was followed by muffled disagreement between the two elderly party chieftains, with the BoT chair raising objection to the Secretary’s statement even as the latter stood his ground.

    Although their verbal exchange was in hushed tones, it was audible enough for journalists to hear their voices.

    The disagreement dragged till the end of the press briefing, with the two board members frowning and mumbling at each other as they left the venue and walked through the drizzling rain into their waiting cars.

    It was gathered that Elumelu was able to impress it on the Ayu committee that it would be unfair and unjust for Wike to impose the national chairman on the party and also impose the Minority Leader from the same state.

    Curiously, while the BoT meeting was still ongoing, earlier in the day, the leadership of the party issued a statement regarding the disputed report.

    Spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the NWC had not received the said report from the BoT.

    The statement reads in full: “In the light of public enquiries and conflicting reports on the position of the leadership of our great party on issues related to the minority leadership of the House of Representatives;

    “The National Working Committee (NWC) hereby clarifies that it has not yet received any report from the Board of Trustees (BoT) concerning the outcome of the five-member committee it set up to intervene on the contentious matter.

    “Consequently, the NWC maintains that it has not taken any decision to review its subsisting stance on the minority leadership of the House of Representatives.

    “The NWC therefore urges critical stakeholders, party members and the general public to completely disregard any report to the contrary.”

    Party silent on Wike’s bombshell

    The party and its National chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who was sponsored for the position by Wike, have also been silent on Wike’s allegation that some PDP governors routinely pay homage to Buhari at night at the Presidential Villa.

    He was responding to criticism after he congratulated Buhari on the verdict of the tribunal.

    Some party members believe that Secondus does not want to offend Wike, his benefactor.

    But Secondus dismissed the insinuation, saying that there was nothing on ground to suggest that he was being influenced by the Rivers State governor.

    His media adviser, Ike Abonyi, who spoke with our correspondent yesterday, said there is the tendency for people to see the chairman in that light for the simple reason that Secondus and Wike are both from Rivers State.

    Regarding the governor’s congratulatory message to President Buhari and the chairman’s silence, Abonyi said the national leadership of the party had stated its position on the tribunal’s judgment and that the party’s position remained supreme.

    Asked to comment on what stakeholders described as disturbing trends in the PDP fold, Ologbondiyan had said: “It’s internal affairs of our party and we are resolving it.”

  • PDP governors meet in Port Harcourt

    Governors of seven states of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met on Friday in Port Harcourt, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    According to Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant (Electronic Media) to Gov. Nyesom Wike, the meeting was attended by Govs. Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); and Mohammed Mattawale (Zamfara).

    After the meeting, Tambuwal explained that the governors were in Rivers to commend Wike “for his sustained projects delivery’’.

    He said the governors urged him to continue to deliver quality projects and sustain good governance for the development of Rivers State.

    Read Also: How ex-PDP gov’s deal with Buhari’s men went awry

    Tambuwal also said that PDP remained strongly united in friendship and brotherhood.

    He said: “We are here as brothers and friends to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in the spirit of brotherhood and friendship.

    “We are here to encourage and support him for the good governance he has given to the good people of Rivers State.

    “The 100 days of the second term of Governor Wike is also why we are here.

    “The spirit in Port Harcourt and Rivers State is that of celebration and thanksgiving and gratitude to God for such a wonderful leadership by Governor Wike.

    “We are also here to join him and the good people of Rivers State in thanking God for his leadership and to thank God for giving the state a wonderful leader like him.”