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Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • ‘My wife pushed, slapped my mother’

    A carpenter, Chijoke Okonkwo, on Friday prayed a Customary Court in Nyanya, accused his wife, Ifeoma of ill-treating his mother and prayed the court to dissolve the one-year marriage.

    Okonkwo the petitioner, who resides in Jikwoyi pleaded with the judge, Jemilu Jega, saying, “I cannot leave with a woman who lacks home training.

    “I took my wife to the village for my mum to teach her good values and how to be a good wife.

    “Instead of my wife to learn, she became worse. She snatched my mother’s phone from while making a call, pushed and slapped her,” he said.

    The petitioner also told the court that his wife also disrespected him after she gave birth to their first child.

    Read Also: We’re ready to prove our popularity in Bayelsa guber poll, says PDP

    “After my wife had our first baby, she started behaving too badly. If I say any little thing, she will slap me and threaten to leave the marriage.

    “Then, I was the one begging her not to leave me,” Okonkwo said.

    The respondent, Ifeoma, who was present in court, denied all the allegations and begged the court to dissolve the marriage.

    She said, “I have gone through a lot in this marriage, I don’t want to continue, I want to go back to school”, she said.

    Justice Jega, in his ruling, advised the couple to explore other means of settlement and adjourned the case until May 21, for judgement.

  • BREAKING: Appeal Court faults ex-parte order used to remove Onnoghen

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has faulted the ex-parte order issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on which President Buhari acted in suspending former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    A three-man panel of the court, led by Justice Stephen Adah, held that, since Onnoghen was not yet arraigned as at January 23, 2019 when the ex-parte order was made, it was wrong for the prosecution to have secretary went behind him to obtain an order for his removal from office.

    Despite its observation, the court declined to set aside the order, noting that the ex-parte order was no longer of any use since the substantive trial has been concluded.

    It advised parties in the case to pursue the appeal in relation to the judgment in the substantive trial.

    Read Also: Southwest APC greets Oyetola on Appeal Court victory

    The court made the pronouncements on Friday in its judgments in four interlocutory appeals by Onnoghen, against some decisions of the CCT, while his trial lasted before the tribunal.

    The Appeal Court equally faulted the CCT for refusing to be bound by the orders made by four High Courts, restraining it from proceeding with Onnoghen’s trial.

    It said, rather than closing its eyes to valid and subsisting court orders made against it, the option opened to the CCT when confronted with the orders, was to appeal them.

    The court, while noting that events have overtaken most of the reliefs sought in the appeals, dismissed them.

    Details later.

  • Ngige to workers: disregard NLC’s call for protest on Monday

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has asked workers to disregard the call by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for a one- day national protest on Monday.

    Ngige made the call in a statement issued by Mr Nwachukwu Obidewe, his Special Assistant on Media, in Abuja on Friday, saying the directive by the NLC President, Mr Ayuba Waba, that workers protest on Monday, May 13, 2019, was unlawful.

    “The calling out of workers on a flimsy and selfish excuse of non-inauguration of the board of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) with Comrade Frank Kokori as the Chairman did not constitute a trade dispute as contained in the Labour Act.

    “The issue in question is political. It is about the exclusive right of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make an appointment.

    “This is clearly outside the purview of the Trade Union and Trade Disputes Act, hence imperative for workers to go about their normal businesses.

    “ It is important to state here that every worker is supposed to put in eight hours of work per day for five days in a week in line with the ILO Convention.

    “Therefore, using the office hours for such protest without the approval of the employers is unlawful, ‘’the minister said.

    Read Also: Ngige seeks apology from Labour over ‘invasion’

    He added that the 40 hours a week which the Nigerian workers subscribed to should be used for productive ventures, especially in view of the new National Minimum Wage and the consequential financial adjustments.

    The minister said that the directive by the NLC to workers to attack him and his family members anywhere they were sighted was a criminal offence.

    Ngige said he was already taking necessary legal action regarding the labour leader’s threat.

    He stressed that the minister remained the competent authority in all issues concerning labour in Nigeria.

    Ngige added that this included external relations in line with the ILO Convention and pointed out that that internationalising what was clearly the exclusive right of the president on political appointment was unpatriotic.

    The minister and labour leaders have been quarrelling over the appointment of Kokori, a labour leader, as Chairman of NSITF board.

    While labour insists that Kokori must chair the board based on an earlier announcement, the minister thinks otherwise.

    The disagreement caused labour leaders to invade the residence of the minister on Wednesday.

  • We’re ready to prove our popularity in Bayelsa guber poll, says PDP

    The Bayelsa State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has boasted that the November 2, 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa State would provide another opportunity to prove its popularity and acceptance among the people of the state.

    The Chairman of the party in the state, Cleopas Moses in a statement in Yenagoa said the PDP was ready for the election and confident of a resounding victory provided the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would conduct a free and fair poll.

    He noted that the just-concluded general elections in the state also showed that the PDP was on ground despite the anti-party activities by some senior members of the party and the alleged subversion of the will of the people by federal agencies especially in Bayelsa East Senatorial Zone.

    Cleopas debunked insinuations in some quarters that the PDP lost a senatorial seat, two federal constituencies and a few state constituencies in the state because of the refusal of the leadership of the party to allow some elders, especially from the East to handpick their cronies as PDP candidates for the elections.

    The PDP chairman insisted that persons peddling such faleshood were deformed minds who seized every opportunity to run Governor Seriake Dickson and the party down for no reason other than “eye service, done to curry favour from their patrons.”

    He said the so-called god fathers and senior citizens who claimed not to have been carried along in the PDP primaries fielded their godsons in the ADC and still lost.

    He noted that if the godfathers were to be popular, their anointed candidates would have won.

    The Chairman maintained that Bayelsa remained a PDP state stressing that the party won in all constituencies where elections actually took place alleging that in some places like Brass and Nembe/Bassambiri elections did not hold at all but results were declared in favour of the opposition.

    He said such development was a charade that prompted the party to approach the tribunal to seek redress.

    Read Also: Why we arrested Naira Marley, by EFCC

    The PDP boss expressed confidence that the tribunal would do justice to the matter because of the overwhelming evidence of electoral malpractice perpetrated by some politicans, officials of INEC, security agents and hired hoodlums.

    Cleopas commended Governor Dickson for his giant strides and for always leading the party to victory and appealed to all members of the party not to dance to the drum beats of disgruntled politicians but rally round the governor to ensure the PDP retained the state for the people.

    He said: “It is disturbing to hear some people say that certain leaders of our party were denied the opportunity to make inputs in the choice of our candidates in the just concluded National and State Assembly elections. The story is unfortunate and lacks any iota of truth.

    “As a party we embarked on wide consultations and allowed relevant stakeholders to make their inputs before conducting free and fair primaries which produced our flag bearers! So those who are saying the choice of candidates was a one man show are been mischievous.

    “The truth is that Bayelsa is PDP and PDP is Bayelsa and where ever elections actually held, we won. Wherever INEC declared the opposition party winner, know that it was either there was no elections and results were produced or there were elections but results were manipulated.

    “This was why we are in the tribunal and we are confident of victory because of the iron-clad evidence of manipulation we have.”

  • Roadside bomb kills six civilians

    Six civilians were killed when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Afghanistan’s central province of Daikundi on Friday, local officials said.

    “Five others were injured in the incident, which took place in Nawmesh district at 5 am (0030 GMT),’’ a statement from the provincial governor’s palace posted on Facebook said.

    Report says civilians bear the brunt of Afghanistan’s long-running war.

    Read Also: Modern slavery still prevalent in Nigeria – Osinbajo

    According to a quarterly report by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), explosive devices killed 53 civilians and left 269 others injured in the first three months of this year, a 21-per-cent increase on the same period in 2018.

    The figures do not include casualties from suicide bombings.

    UNAMA has said it is “very concerned’’ by the increase in civilian casualties from the use of non-suicide improvised explosive devices or IEDs as they are known.

    The bombs are laid by militants to hamper the movement and progress of Afghan forces. However, they frequently harm civilians.

  • Modern slavery still prevalent in Nigeria – Osinbajo

    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday launched Nigeria’s initiative to end the worst form of child labour, slave labour and human trafficking in the country adding that there were clear indications that modern slavery was still prevalent in Nigeria.

    The Vice President disclosed that available figures from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) revealed that about 25 percent of the 80 million Nigerian children under 14 years (about 20 million) are engaged in form of economic activity or the other.

    The Vice President who was represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Prof. Stephen Ocheni spoke at the national consultation and launch of the Alliance 8.7 in Nigeria said consultation and launch was aimed at prioritizing the areas of focus as a nation, develop projects and programs for immediate implementation towards the achievement of Alliance 8.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    The Vice President also disclosed that according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, about 43 percent of Nigerian children under the age of 17 are engaged in one form of economic activity or the other, an indication that modern slavery is still prevalent in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Osinbajo, Ambode task media on professionalism

    Statistics from the ILO indicate that about 152 million children are engaged in child labour across the world, while 40 million persons are in modern slavery with another 25 million and 15 million engaged in forced labour and forced marriage respectively.

    Nigeria adopted the protocol on ending modern slavery and child labour at the world conference on child labour held in Argentina in 2018, while also seeking to be a pathfinder country in the fight to end child labour in the country.

    The Alliance 8.7 also known as Target 8.7 is an aspect of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) which seek to “take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination f the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025, end child labour in all its forms.

    Osinbajo said “the Federal Government of Nigeria joined other countries of the United Nations to adopt the global Sustained Development Agenda in September, 2015.

    “In 2016, following this adoption, leaders from around the world launched Alliance 8.7, a global partnership committed to take immediate and effective measures to accelerate action towards the eradication of forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms everywhere.

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  • Edo pastor denies sending assassins to kill fellow pastor

    Popular cleric in Edo State, Prophet Emeka Onu, founder of the Land of Solution Prophetic Mission İnternational, has denied sending assassins to kill Pastor Isaac Abraham of the Building Faith Prophetic and Deliverance Ministry.

    A viral video had shown one Oseni Ogbiti who was tied down confessing that Prophet Onu sent him to kill Pastor Abraham.

    But Prophet Onu who spoke to newsmen in Jattu, Estako West local government described the allegation as a tissue of lie and a calculated attempt to bring down his growing ministry.

    Prophet Onu admitted that Ogbite is a member of his church but denied sending him to kill Pastor Abraham.

    Onu said he was still in shock that his image has been dented.

    He said his mission is to win souls for the kingdom of God and not to kill other people or destroy lives.

    His words, “How can I send assassins to somebody I can handle personally? I was not contacted to state my side before the news went viral and in social media.

    Read Also: ‘Why I forgave man who raped my 9-yr-old daughter’

    “Of what I saw on the video, the man mentioned my name to save his life. In the video, I saw him said a lot of things that did not make sense, he spoke under duress because he was almost been nailed in the head.

    “I do not know Abraham nor do we have anything to fight over; what is probably happening is an attempt to tarnish my image, it was a set up.

    “I personally went to see the police on the matter without any invitation, to lodge complain on it because I must see to the end of this matter.

    Ogbite, who confessed in the video that Onu sent him to assassinate Abraham, denied going there to kill anybody.

    He said he only went to see Abraham to tell him to stop denigrating Prophet Onu.

    Ogbite stated that he mentioned Prophet Onu’s name when the mob wanted to kill him even though he went there with a soldier friend who is also a member of the church.

    According to him, “When I told my friend that I was going to warn Abraham for running down my prophet at every giving opportunity, my friend said it will not be right for me to go alone, that he will go with me.

    “When we got to the church and asked to see the pastor, we were told by his Personal Assistant that he was not around. I actually started to explain our mission to see him when my friend said I should allow him to do the talking.

    “It was after I told them about my mission they started beating me. They tied me up with a rope and forced me to drink urine. They attempted to knock a nail into my skull. I was under duress when I mentioned the name of Apostle Emeka to save my life.”

  • 36 killed in Edo, Delta, Anambra auto crashes

    No fewer than 36 persons have been reported dead in road traffic crashes in Edo, Delta and Anambra between January and March this year, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    Mr Kehinde Adeleye, FRSC Commanding Officer for the Zone 5 comprising the three states, disclosed this in Benin on Friday at the second quarter zonal retreat for commanding officers, zonal heads of departments and units.

    Adeleye said that the figure was against the 34 deaths recorded within the same period in 2018.

    He also said that within the same period, 57 road crashes were recorded against 47 in 2018, while 170 persons were involved against the 173 recorded in 2018 in the same period.

    He stressed that the retreat was a capacity building programme targeted at commanding officers in the zone in view of the increase in road crashes and fatalities in the first quarter.

    Read Also: 12 killed in Edo cult war

    He said it was, therefore, necessary to put heads together and come up with new initiatives to ensure that the major goal and objective of the “Decade of Action on Road Safety” was achieved.

    He explained that the FRSC had less than one year to achieve the basic objectives of the Decade of Action on Road Safety, adding, “there was the need for personnel in the zone to work hard and smart to achieve the goals.”

    Mr Ben Anafa, FRSC Corps Commandant, Monitoring and Evaluation, delivered a paper titled “An Overview of Assessment Criteria for 2019 as Aligned with 2019 FRSC corporate strategy Goals”.

    Anafa said that positive work outlook, improve funding, enhance funding, embracing technology and avoiding distraction on duty were some ways towards achieving the set goals of the Corps.

  • ‘Why I forgave man who raped my 9-yr-old daughter’

    Ibrahim Mohammed, father of a rape victim, has explained why he forgave the man who raped his nine years old daughter.

    The suspect, Abdullahi Bala, aged 33, had pleaded not guilty to the offence when he was arraigned.

    He was said to have committed the offence by having unlawful carnal knowledge with the victim on February 8th and 9th, 2019 at Aduwawa Quarters in Ikpoba-Okha local government area.

    The victim told the Edo Family Court that she was raped twice.

    Read Also: Husband from hell: ‘He raped my daughter and bathed me with acid’

    Ibrahim said he opted to leave vengeance for God because he is a man of peace.

    He assured that his daughter would be given the best education.

    Presiding Magistrate, D.I Adamaigbo, cautioned the accused person to stop lying by insisting he did not sleep with the victim.

    Adamaigbo warned Abdullahi to desist from the act.

  • Extradition: Court adjourns till May 23 suit filed by Kashamu

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday, further adjourned until May 23, to reopen hearing in a suit by Sen. Buruji Kashamu, seeking to stop his extradition to the U.S., to face alleged drug-related charges.

    Kashamu, who is Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, had in his suit labelled FHC/L/CS/930/2018, joined the following as respondents:

    The Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police Lagos Police Command, Director General State Security Service (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF)

    He is urging the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from arresting or detaining him, in any manner whatsoever, or interfering with his right to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

    Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke had taken arguments in the suit from respective parties and had reserved his judgment until April 29.

    On April 29, judgment could not be delivered in the suit as the period fell within the Easter vacation, and the court did not sit.

    The matter was consequently, adjourned until May 10.

    When the case was called on Friday, Mr Ichakpa Oigoga, was the only counsel who appeared on the side of the defence, and he announced appearance for the NDLEA.

    The court then asked him if he was aware of a letter written by applicant, and when he replied No, Justice Aneke asked the registrar to show him copy of the letter to the court.

    After reading the letter, Oigoga informed the court that defence would file its counter affidavit in opposition.

    The judge said that since a letter had already been written, the Court had a duty to hear every party.

    Read Also: Kashamu hails Abiodun on election

    The Court consequently, adjourned the case until May 23, for hearing.

    NAN subsequently, learnt that in its letter, the applicant is seeking to reopen argument in the case which had already been concluded and adjourned for judgment.

    n a supporting affidavit, the applicant averred that by a newspaper publication, the Attorney General of the Federation was reported to have said that the US Government had been told to make fresh request for his extradition after the former proceedings were dismissed.

    He averred that, in a proceeding instituted in England by the US authorities between 2002 and 2003, it was established that he was not the one implicated in the alleged narcotics offence committed in the US in 1994.

    He said that consequently, he was not the person sought after by the US authorities.

    Kashamu, is therefore, urging the court to restrain the respondents and their agents from arresting or detaining him, in any manner whatsoever, or interfering with the applicant’s right to personal liberty and freedom of movement

    Meanwhile, in a preliminary objection, deposed to by one Kareem Olayinka, the NDLEA averred that authorities of the United States are currently seeking to extradite the applicant to their country, to answer charges relating to Heroine trafficking.

    He said that the U.S. government then made a request to the Nigerian government, for the applicant to be extradited sometime in May 2015.

    The Agency said that since Kashamu got wind of the extradition request, he has filed multiplicity of law suits relating to the issue.

    He averred that in all these actions the basic relief sought, is a restraining order against the NDLEA, from arresting and extraditing him to the U.S.

    According to the NDLEA, this suit does not disclose any cause of action against the respondent, adding that the multiplicity of the action by the applicant against the NDLEA, is intended to divert its energy and attention from discharging its mandate to the nation.

    He, avers therefore, that the NDLEA needs the protection of the court to stop this trend, as the applicant is only engaged in shopping for a forum that will grant his desired reliefs.

    The anti-graft agency, therefore, asked the court to dismiss the suit.