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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • APC, Fayose bicker over alleged plot to disrupt Udiroko festival

    The Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor Ayodele Fayose on Monday exchanged verbal attacks over alleged plot to cause havoc in the state.

    The party alleged that Fayose has perfected plans to tinker with the state’s peaceful ambience by hiding under the celebration of the annual Udiroko cultural festival scheduled to hold today.

    But, the former governor denied the claims, describing the allegation as baseless and figment of the critics’ imagination.

    In a statement signed by the APC Director of Media and Publicity, Elder Sam Oluwalana, said: “We have it on good authority that a former governor of the state wants to hide under the Udiroko festival to attempt to launch himself back into the politics of the state, having failed woefully to achieve this through the ballot.

    Read Also: Police confirm three dead as festival turns violent In Ogun community

    “The former governor and his cohorts, having been traumatised by the gale of unprecedented achievements of the present administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, are now attempting to make a return to the politics of the state through the backdoor.

    Elder Oluwalana, who doubles as SSA Media (Party Matters) to Fayemi, advised the people not to allow themselves to be used by political marabouts in their quest to portray themselves as friends of the masses.

    But Fayose’s media aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, said: “We are not in the habit of dignifying lowlife and people living with guilt of forcing themselves on Ekiti.

    “It is obvious that almost a year after manipulating themselves to power,  they are still afraid of the shadow of Ayo Fayose, a man whose footprints will remain on the sands of Ekiti forever.

    “Rather than jumping up and down spinning lies against Fayose, who is moving on with his life after serving Ekiti diligently, Governor Fayemi and his APC election riggers should concentrate on making meaningful impacts in the state.”

  • Why Lagos Assembly dropped three commissioner-nominees

    The three commissioner-nominees, who were not confirmed on Monday by the Lagos State House of Assembly, were victims of high-wire politics, it was learnt.

    Three nominees are: Prince Olanrewaju Sanusi, Mr. Obafemi George and Ms Adekemi Ajayi-Bembe.

    A party source said the Assembly could not resist the pressure to deny them clearance, owning to the weight of allegations against them.

    According to the source, the politics of confirmation overwhelmed the Assembly, adding that “the matter was beyond the control of the lawmakers”.

    “It is now evident that nominations and screening were not final. Post-screening hurdles may arise from familiar and strange quarters,” the source stressed.

    The source, who sympathised with the dropped nominees, said the governor may still represent them, if they overcome their challenges.

    Asked to shed light on what he described as “high-wire politics”, the source said: “I suspected that the outcry against them arose from their people; from their constituencies where leaders and critical stakeholders, who cannot be ignored, kicked.

    “I don’t think it was due to poor performance at the screening, although we heard that a particular nominee did not measure up during the exercise and the House  Committee that screened them noted the non-display of competence.

    “They were not confirmed because of politics of preference and rejection. The influence of powerful people, who didn’t want them, dwarfed those of their supporters in their respective constituencies. They did not play their cards well at home. It can happen because it is politics.”

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu to inaugurate Omotoso, Igbokwe, Elegushi, others as exco members

    But, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, also said the governor was at liberty to represent them to the House.

    The Assembly, however, at plenary, confirmed 35 of 38 persons Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu nominated as commissioners and special advisers after the final screening by the whole House.

    The nominees were cleared after the adoption of the recommendations of the ad hoc committee constituted by the lawmakers on the screening.

    The committee’s report, which was read by the chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Chief Whip, Rotimi Abiru, recommended that the nominees be confirmed by the whole House, according to section 192 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    Obasa, however, cautioned those confirmed that the House would not hesitate to pass a vote of no confidence on any member of the state exco found wanting after they assume office.

    The 38 nominees had before yesterday been screened by a 16-man ad hoc committee set up by the Assembly for the exercise.

    They were, however, called individually on Monday to appear before the whole House at plenary to introduce themselves fully.

    The speaker told the nominees that the House would not fail in its oversight to ensure that each performed his or her responsibility to the people.

    The Speaker added that the House was not concerned about the academic qualifications and oratory prowess of any of the nominees, but readiness and commitment to serve the state.

    “Even after the confirmation, we will continue to monitor whatever offices you are assigned to ensure value for public fund. We will continue to oversight your activities.

    “We will not hesitate to pass vote of no confidence any time anyone is found wanting,” the Speaker said.

    Those cleared as commissioners and special advisers are: Mr. Oladele Ajayi, Mr. Oluwatoyin Fayinka, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, Mr. Kabiru Abdullahi and Mr. Joe Igbokwe.

    Others are Mr. Bonu Solomon Saanu, Mrs. Lola Akande, Prince Anofi Elegushi, Mrs. Solape Hammond, Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, Mrs Shulamite Adebolu, Mr Tokunbo Wahab., Mr. Rabiu Olowo Onaolapo, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Dr. Idris Salako, Mr. Tunji Bello, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka and Mrs. Bolaji Dada

    Included are: Mr. Lere Odusote, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN), Mr. Hakeem Fahm and Mrs. Ajibola Ponle.

    Also confirmed are Aramide Adeyoye, Mr. Segun Dawodu, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, Mr. Sam Egube, Ms Ruth Bisola Olusanya, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, Mr. Tunbosun Alake and Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo.

    The rejection and confirmation were done through a voice vote supervised by the Speaker.

    However, the swearing-in and inauguration of the cleared nominees has been fixed for today at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja by 10a.m.

  • AbdulRazaq locks out workers for late coming

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday locked out scores of civil servants outside the main gate of the old secretariat in Ilorin, the state capital, for late coming.

    The governor told them that late coming was unhelpful for government’s business in the 21st century.

    Many of the affected workers were still locked outside at the time AbdulRazaq left the secretariat a few minutes before 10a.m.

    Read Also: NGO laments high rate of illiteracy, out-of-school children in Kwara

    Spokesman for the governor Rafiu Ajakaye, in a statement following the unscheduled visit, said: “The governor is not happy that he got to the Government Secretariat at about 7:55a.m. Monday (yesterday) and for over one hour, only a few workers were at work. Most offices were still locked as at 9a.m. He feels very unhappy about such an attitude and calls for change.

    “Late coming and poor attitude to work certainly will not be tolerated. The civil service should be business-like and efficient in service delivery. As we try to support the civil service to deliver on its mandate, we expect a drastic shift from old practices that have taken our state nowhere.”

    AbdulRazaq also hailed the staff of the Children’s Hospital at Igboro for their dedication to work.

    “The governor wishes to specially commend the staff of the Children’s Hospital for their exemplary service beyond the call of duty. He appreciates them and urges them to continue that way,” the statement added.

  • Philanthropist dedicates Award to Senator Akpabio

     

    Renowned philanthropist and Chief Executive Officer of Joelitic Big Corazon Charity Foundation, Engr Joseph Akpan has dedicated the first ever Young Leadership and Achievers Award  presented to him by “United Youth Leadership for Development Initiative (aka Global Youths Representative)” to Senator Akpabio at an award ceremony which held on August 31st, 2019 in Abuja.

     

    Engr Akpan while responding after receiving the award, dedicated this year’s award to the newly sworn-in Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Distinguish Senator Godswill Akpabio because of selfless leadership the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State has rendered to the country.

     

    The year 2019 United Youth Leadership For Development Initiative award recipient described Sen. Akpabio as a distinguished Nigerian and trailblazer who has recorded tremendous success in all his endeavours, adding that the Minister has created unprecedented records in all his public outings, which  according to him have spurred him to dedicate his award to the Minister, Niger Delta Affairs.

    Read Also: Kaduna Imams tackle CAN Chair over kidnap of Christians

     

    Engr Akpan also said that Sen. Godswill Akpabio track records are very unique and emulating especially for the upcoming generations on areas like human and infrastructural developments. He added that during eight years of Sen. Akpabio as the Governor of the Akwa Ibom State, the current Minister of Niger Delta Affairs brought uncommon transformation to the State, saying that Sen. Akpabio is his role model.

     

    In a press statement made available to newsmen indicates that United Youth Leaders for Development Initiative is a non-governmental and non-profit making organization, commonly known and addressed as Global Youth Representatives, located at No.3 AEDC office close, behind Chief’s Palace Aleyita Airport , No.8 Regina Street GRA, Onitsha, Anambra State.

     

    The Founder and President of the Global Youth Representatives, Comrade Victor Okwudili who doubles as the award coordinator also disclosed that the award, which is the first of its kind is aimed at recognizing, honouring, promoting and encouraging outstanding young people and elders who have not only made great impacts in the society, but have also helped in creating economic and leadership opportunities for the current and the next generation of youths.

     

    According to him, “the award is to recognize and honour those who have played meaningful roles in the prosperity and development of Africa at large as well as youths who have shown exceptional success in areas of creativity, leadership and politics, entrepreneurship and social development”.

     

    Comrade Okwudili, in the statement, further disclosed that the award ceremony  featured many outstanding young people, as well as some top stakeholders in the country, including Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu; Sen. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State; the youngest speaker in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Edward Ogundoyin; the youngest Deputy Governor in the country and Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mr. Mahadi Aliyu Gusau, amongst 14 others.

     

    Okwudili, also disclosed that other awardees include Anambra-born writer, Izunna Okafor who is also a staff of National Light; Nancy Iloh of African Independent Television (AIT); Human Capacity Builder and Founder, Joelitic Big Corazon Charity Foundation, Engr Joseph Akpan; Founder of Discourse Forum and Alamajiri Child Right Initiative, Mr Yusuf Usman.

  • Court restrains AGF, ICPC from seizing ex-Zamfara governor Yari’s assets

    Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from seizing or interfering with the assets and properties belonging to former Zamfara State Governor Abdulazeez Yari.

    Justice Taiwo Taiwo, in a ruling on Monday, in an ex-parte motion for interim injunctions, argued on Friday by Yari’s lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), also restrained the ICPC and AGF from interfering with Yari’s enjoyment of the rights enshrined in sections 34, 35, 37, 41 and 43 of the constitution.

    Justice Taiwo also directed parties in the case to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

    The judge said the orders made are to subsist pending the determination of the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the ex-governor.

    Read Also: ‘Banks should not invest in public assets’

    Justice Taiwo, who on Friday granted the ICPC’s request to freeze Yari’s accounts  in Polaris and Zenith banks, said the orders made yesterday do not affect the earlier one relating to only accounts in the two banks.

    The orders granted in the judge’s ruling on Monday are:

    *an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from seizing, impounding, taking over, confiscating or otherwise forfeiting the assets and properties of the applicant wherever they may be located within Nigeria or anywhere else in the world pending the hearing and determination of the hearing and determination of the motion on notice;

    *an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from unlawfully interfering with the applicants’ rights to Sections 34, 35, 37, 41 and 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) until the hearing and determination of the substantive suit; and

    *an order of this honourable court directing the parties to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

    The ex-governor, in seeking the orders granted yesterday, stated that he has been subjected to various forms of intimidation, arrest and detention based on spurious allegations by some powerful elements of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against him to the agents of the 1st and 2nd respondents (AGF and ICPC).

    “These individuals thus decided to carry out a vendetta and revenge against the applicant, including instigating the respondents against the applicant upon their spurious conclusion without evidence that the applicant was guilty of corrupt practices as former governor of Zamfara State and was in breach of the Code of Conduct Act.

    “This witch-hunt is clearly politically-motivated, baseless and has been designed only to discredit and humiliate the applicant in a bid to decimate him politically and this court is statutory empowered to protect any violation against the applicant’s fundamental rights.

    “The 1st and 2nd respondents are determined on a follow up attack upon the applicant and his family by the use of allegations of wrongdoing, which had been concocted against the applicant in 2019 immediately the Supreme Court decided all elected officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) should step aside for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as an excuse to arrest the applicant and his wife and to arraign them on trumped-up charges,” Yari said.

  • NYSC Batch ‘B’ Stream II orientation to begin today

    This year’s Batch ‘B’ Stream II orientation course of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will begin today across the country and end at midnight on Wednesday, August 21.

    In a statement on Monday, NYSC Director General, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim felicitated with prospective Corps members of Stream II, Batch ‘B’ on their successful mobilisation for the service year.

    He advised them to make the best use of the opportunity as they are on the threshold to begin a new phase of life.

    The NYSC director general stressed that life is precious and must be treated with great circumspection.

    Read Also: NYSC only stable workforce in Nigeria, says DG

    Ibrahim enjoined prospective corps members to make adequate travel plans “as every successful journey starts with a good plan”.

    He also advised them to shun night travels, saying such journeys would make them susceptible to falling in harm’s way.

    The NYSC chief advised the prospective corps members to avoid edibles from strangers as they could be laced with sleep-inducing substances that could make them become victims of kidnappers, robbers, ritualists and rapists.

    “While in the vehicle, never get involved, either actively or passively in discussions that border on religion, politics and tribe. Just mind your business.

    “Ensure that you board a registered vehicle from approved park. Doing otherwise could spell danger. Please, ensure that the vehicle you want to board is roadworthy.

    “When you arrive the orientation camps, abide by all the rules and regulations guiding the camp, which is a regimented environment,” Ibrahim said.

  • Driver held for ‘robbing man of vehicle, phones valued at N3.3m’

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday remanded a 33-year-old driver, Nureni Kazeem, at the Kirikiri Prisons for alleged robbery and illegal possession of firearm.

    Kazeem, a resident at Meiran, Lagos, is facing charges bordering on conspiracy, robbery and possession of a pistol illegally before Magistrate S. K. Matepo.

    She did not take his plea.

    The magistrate ordered that he be remanded in prison pending the receipt of legal advice from the state Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

    Prosecuting Sergeant Innocent Odugbo had told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offences on February 13 at Meiran, Lagos.

    According to him, Kazeem unlawfully had in his possession a pistol with which he robbed Olufemi Essenyi of his Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) valued at N3million and two phones worth N300,000,  totalling N3.3million.

    He said the complainant came down from his SUV to open his gate when the defendant and others swooped on him.

    Read Also: Commercial driver held for allegedly stealing Evans’ exhibits

    He alleged that they pointed a gun at him, ordered him to surrender his car key and phones and threatened to shoot him if he refused to comply.

    Kazeem said the defendant and his accomplices forcefully collected the complainant’s car, phones and drove away.

    He said the complainant lodged a complaint at the police station, which led to the arrest of the defendant after investigation by the police.

    The case was adjourned till September 19.

  • Abdulsalami, others seek full financial autonomy for Judiciary

    Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello have appealed to the government at all levels to give the Judiciary full autonomy to enable it carry out its duties on unbiased and independent grounds.

    The trio spoke in Minna, the Niger State capital, at the opening ceremony of a training of magistrates and District Court judges of the state.

    Tambuwal said granting full autonomy to the Judiciary would curb corruption in the system.

    The governor stressed that the independence of the Judiciary is paramount to the administration of justice and development in Nigeria.

    “I want to appeal to my colleagues in all states to grant full autonomy to the Judiciary. If we do not do that, we cannot get an independent and impartial Judiciary. For Nigeria to grow, we need to have an independent and corrupt-free Judiciary.

    Read Also: Corruption will be tackled in the judiciary, says acting CJ Tsoho

    “We should not expect our magistrates moving around and looking for help from wherever and expect them to administer justice without some kind of bias. For us to ensure that we have a corrupt-free Judiciary, there is need for us to do the needful.

    “The Judiciary is the last hope of the common man and we just have to do everything humanly possible, as leaders, to ensure that the Judiciary is fairly treated. If we do not give them training and funding, we should not expect them to perform magic because they are not magicians,” he said.

    Abubakar said the Judiciary needs to be encouraged through effective welfare.

    He said: “People need to be well trained to dispense justice because without justice, there will be no peace and what we need is peace in this country.

    “I add my voice to that of Sokoto State governor that the judicial workforce needs to be encouraged in terms of welfare and uplifting working conditions,” he said.

    Governor Bello said he granted the state Judiciary financial autonomy to make it independent in the dispensation of justice.

    The governor said the financial autonomy had enhanced the rehabilitation of some magistrates’ and Sharia courts across the state.

    He added that allowances were being given to the judges to enable them perform their duties optimally.

    Niger State Chief Justice (CJ) Aliyu Mayaki said the tier-four courts in the judicial system are closer to the people and are more accessible.

    He added that their decisions are felt more by the people.

    “These courts, being courts of summary jurisdictions, handle larger percentage of criminal cases in our state. Decisions emanating from these courts affect the security, peace, harmony and stability of the community they operate in.”

  • Developer charged with defrauding 251 people of N65m remanded 

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday remanded a developer, Alabi Tesleem Idowu, who allegedly defrauded 251 prospective accommodation seekers of over N65 million.

    Justice Nicholas Oweibo made the order following Idowu’s arrangement on a 251-count charge of obtaining under false pretence.

    The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) Ikoyi, Lagos, alleged that the defendant perpetrated the fraud between January and June.

    He allegedly obtained money from 251 accommodation seekers for a room self-contained and a room and parlour self-contained apartments in a renovated building at Karimu Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos.

    Among those allegedly scammed by the developer and the sum received from them, according to the prosecutor, are: Mohammed Akeem, N400,000.00; Philip Obinna, N320,000.00; Folorunsho Ridwan N835,000.00; Mrs. Owodunni Dorcas Adetutu, N240,000.00; Abdulraham Hamed, N170.000.00; Folakemi Amosun, N220,000.00; Theresa Amazi, N175, 000.00; Samson Emmanuel, N195, 000.00; Salau Wasiu, N180,000.00; Khadyat Sanusi, N140,000.00; Ishola Matthew,  N240,000.00.

    Read Also: Startimes marketer allegedly defrauds customers of N2.1m 

    Others are: Michael Bashoru, N150.000.00; Akinshola Samuel, N100, 000.00; Olaleye Bisola, N260.000.00; Emmanuel Agbakwuru, N270, 000.00; Ayedun Oluwatobi, N200,000.00 and several others.

    The offences, according to the prosecutor, Mr. Chukwu Agwu, contravened sections 1(2) and 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Agwu prayed the court to remand him in prison custody pending the filing, hearing and determination of his bail application.

    He said the defendant had been in police custody since he was arrested, following a court order obtained to prevent him from truncating police investigation of the alleged scam.

    But the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Jilji Jinrin, opposed him.

    Jinrin told the court that he was just served with the charge and that he needed a short adjournment to file his client’s bail application.

    In a bench ruling, Justice Oweibo remanded Idowu in prison custody, pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

    He adjourned till September 3, for hearing of the bail application.

  • DHQ on Taraba killings: Arrest of principal suspect key to investigation

    Military and police detectives have widened their search for Taraba kidnap suspect Hamisu Bala Wadume beyond the boundaries of the land, The Nation learnt on Monday.

    This was as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) gave reasons for the extension of the time given to the Joint Investigative Panel (JIP) to submit its report.

    It noted also that the arrest of Wadume as a principal suspect would not only accelerate the work of the panel but was very important to the investigations.

    Security operatives were said to have extended their search for the kidnap kingpin to border towns in the Northeast and Southeast.

    Read Also: Taraba killings: Families of slain officer, civilian seek independent probe

    Wadume is on the run, more than 10 days after he escaped in controversial circumstances that led to the killing of three police detectives and a civilian when soldiers attached to the 93 Battalion in Takum, Taraba State, fired gunshots at the vehicle conveying them on Ibi-Jalingo road.

    Wadume, who was in handcuffs, was allegedly set free by the soldiers who, Army spokesman Col. Musa Sagir said, were acting on a distress call by a kidnap victim.

    Sources at the DHQ yesterday said that Wadume had not been apprehended by detectives and intelligence personnel combing the nooks and crannies of states in the Middle Belt, the Northeast and Southeast.

    It was gathered that besides the efforts of the security agents in combing likely hideouts of the kidnap kingpin, the services of Interpol might have been enlisted to tighten the noose on him.

    The source expressed optimism that Wadume would soon be arrested as the security agencies are aware of the onerous responsibility placed on them to ensure the arrest of the principal suspect.

    The DHQ source also confirmed the time frame given to the panel to investigate the circumstances leading to the death of three police personnel.

    The source said: “We could not give the panel a time frame because we were not sure of the magnitude of the problem. But as events unfolded, we realised they could not finish up with the work within a week or two. So, I can tell you that the time has been extended. But still, there is no time frame.

    “What we are concerned about is that the panel will do a thorough job the outcome of which will be commendable. And if you look at the composition of the panel, you will know that these are officers who have distinguished themselves professionally over the years in their various services.”

    The Nation further learnt that the panel was reviewing the preliminary evidence obtained in the past few days from various sources, while police and military personnel as well as civilians connected with the matter were facing various levels of interrogations and grilling.