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  • Police arrest 18 suspected criminals, recover 11 stolen cars

    Police arrest 18 suspected criminals, recover 11 stolen cars

    The Ebonyi Police Command on Tuesday said it arrested 18 suspected criminals terrorising the state and also recovered 11 suspected stolen cars from them.

    The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Titus Sumba-Lamorde, told journalists in Abakaliki that the suspects were arrested within and outside the state.

    Samba-Lamorde said they were arrested at different times and locations while engaging in nefarious activities.

    He said five of the suspects vandalised some communication equipment belonging to one network providers at Isu in Onitcha Local Government Area of the state.

    The CP said the arrests were as a result of adequate security measures put in place by the command in collaboration with other security agencies in the state.

    Read also: Police arraign banker for ‘reckless driving’

    The police boss said the command also recovered 23 locally-made pistols, five Dane guns and one assault Beretta rifle from the suspects.

    Others items recovered were some quantities of live ammunition and cartridges of different brands, two AK-47 and four pump action rifles as well as some suspected charms.

    He said law enforcement agents were ready to combat crimes in the state, especially this yuletide, adding that monitoring of crime spots and surveillance would be intensified.

    “The police command has put in place adequate security measures to checkmate the nefarious activities of criminals in the state. The efforts of the police are yielding results.

    “We are warning criminals to steer clear Ebonyi because it is not a safe haven for them; all criminally-minded persons had better turn a new leaf or meet their waterloo.

    “We are ready and determined to rid the state of criminal elements and I wish to appeal to members of the public to always volunteer useful information to the police.

    “We also wish to assure the public of adequate protection of lives and property of every citizen during the festive period,” he assured.

    He said all the 18 suspects would soon be charged to court.

    NAN

  • FAO expresses satisfaction with food security in North East

    FAO expresses satisfaction with food security in North East

    The Food and Agricultural Organisation ( FAO ), on Tuesday, said the threat to food insecurity in North Eastern Nigeria, had reduced due to improved security and increased agricultural activities in returnee communities.

    Mr Suffyan Koroma, the FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, made this disclosure on in Katarko, Yobe, at the official distribution of agricultural inputs to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

    According to him, the gesture is to support no fewer than 26,000 households engaged in irrigation farming.

    Suffyan, who was represented by the FAO Deputy Country Representative, Mr Nourou Makital, said “there is positive news about food security in the North east”.

    He said the number of people estimated to be facing food insecurity had reduced from 5.2 million in July to 2.6 million in December”.

    FAO in collaboration with Maigoje Foundation, began the distribution of assorted seeds, fertilizer, water pumps, small ruminants and bulls to vulnerable persons for irrigation farming.

    Read also: Food and water poisoning: How to tame the widespread killers

    The country representative said the irrigation farming and livestock support programme was to provide the beneficiaries with durable means of livelihood.

    Gov. Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe, said the irrigation support programme was in line with his government’s policy on irrigation farming.

    Gaidam who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Mustapha Gajerima, said his administration had developed four irrigation sites to promote dry season farming.

    “The significance of dry season farming was in tandem with our administration’s drive to harness the irrigation potential at Mugura, Boloram, Nguru and Jumbam.

    “Our overall target is to develop about 1,000 hectares of land for irrigation farming before the end of 2018,’’ Gaidam said.

    Dr Usman Abba, the Executive Director, Maigoje Foundation, FAO implementation partners in Yobe, said a thorough assessment was conducted to ensure that only eligible persons benefited from the programme.

    He said the foundation had fashioned out effective monitoring strategy for the materials to be used for the intended purpose of providing sustainable means of livelihood to the beneficiaries.

    NAN

  • BOI, Unity Bank in court over N150m loan

    BOI, Unity Bank in court over N150m loan

    Bank of Industry (BOI) and the Unity Bank Plc on Tuesday were at the FCT Court, over non performance of N150 million loan granted to Valentino Project Ltd. by BOI.

    Valentino Project Ltd. had in 2012 secured a loan of N150 million for the construction of water treatment factory and production in Kuje, FCT, while Unity Bank acted as its guarantor.

    Mr Toluwaseun Alabi, the Counsel to the plaintiff, Valentino, said that Unity Bank acted as the guarantor for Valentine Project Ltd. to secure the loan.

    Alabi said a loan of N150 million was given to Valentino to set up a water treatment factory and production line in Kuje, adding that “it did just that, while Unity bank acted as the guarantor to Valentino.’’

    He said in August 2013, Valentino received a communication from BOI that the transaction had been terminated.

    He however argued that since the loan was for five years and still operational; it would amount to a breach of agreement if it was terminated.

    Read also: Court directs respondent to pay 60% cost of maintaining his three children

    “Valentino Project Ltd. has built the water treatment factory and production in Kuje and bought the needed equipment, in fact everything is on ground,“ he said.

    Alabi said Valentino had refused to commence work because of the problem it had encountered, adding that the project was stalled because the N150 million had not been fully disbursed.

    “It was just remaining about N5million to complete the loan and finish the project because the company has built the factory and set up everything.

    “But because the Relationship Manager of Unity Bank and the people handling the facilities on behalf of BOI and Valentino Project Ltd. were not having the best of times, it just cut off as guarantor without recourse to the investment.’’

    He said there was a project appraisal before the BOI gave out the loan, adding that based on Valentino’s performance, the loan was given to the company.

    Peter Inegi Counsel to the defendant, Unity Bank said before the loan facilities was given out to Valentino, there were conditions and some obligations attached to it.

    He said Valentino was supposed to perform based on those conditions and obligations, adding that 100 per cent  performance was expected before any intervention.

    “Unity Bank acted as Valentino Project Ltd. guarantor for  N150 million to BOI, but BOI had to act by withdrawing from Valentino Project Ltd. for non performance of obligations.’’

    Justice Peter Affen of the FCT High Court, Maitama, however, reserved judgment until a date to be communicated to both parties.

    NAN

  • Court directs respondent to pay 60% cost of maintaining his three children

    Court directs respondent to pay 60% cost of maintaining his three children

    An FCT High Court in Maitama on Tuesday directed a respondent in divorce cross petition to pay 60 per cent cost of maintaining his three children.

    Mrs Olachi Okafor had on Octomber 5, 2017, filed a cross petition against her husband Abedego Okafor.

    She sought for an interim order of the court to compel her husband to pay N100,000 monthly for the maintenance of their three children, pending the determination of the petition.

    In his ruling, Justice Jude Okeke held that the cardinal question was whether the applicant had made out a case to justify the grounds of the application.

    He held that from the records of the court, the applicant left the matrimonial home on March 27, 2016 and the children had been with her since May 19, 2016.

    Okeke noted that the applicant claimed that since then the respondent had refused to contribute to the upkeep of the children.

    He noted that the respondent in his counter affidavits claimed that the applicant took away the children from the matrimonial home on her own volition and denied him access to them.

    He added that the applicant also changed the children’s school and no address to locate them.

    The judge held that under sections 1 of the Child Rights Act of 2003 and 71 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 2004, the court had been given wide impression with regard to the custody of children in a marriage.

    “The cardinal requirement is that the court must bring the best interest of the children to its paramount consideration in any order it makes.

    “In Section 73 (1) and (2) of the Matrimonial Causes Act, the court has discretion pending the determination of the petition to make an order for the maintenance of children of a marriage.

    “The court will have regards to the earning capacity, conduct of the parties and other relevant circumstance.”

    He added that Section 71 (1) of the Act provided that the court has power to make an order for payment of lump sum weekly, monthly or yearly for the maintenance of the children of the marriage.

    “In this case, this discretion shall be applied judicially and judiciously, putting into consideration the earning capacity of the parties and other relevant circumstance as well as in the best interest of the children of the marriage.

    “The court has a duty to make such order that will be in the best interest of the children of the marriage, irrespective of what either of the party requires to provide for the children.”

    Read also: Breaking: Appeal Court orders Saraki to return to CCT for trial

    He noted that “it is against this backdrop that the court in exercise of its discretion to granting this application, taking into cognisance of earning and income of the parties.”

    The judge further held that the court reckoned with its records which showed that the applicant was working with ECOWAS, while the respondent was a level 15 officer with Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    “The parties are persons of means, either of whom can provide for the maintenance of the children.

    “Against this backdrop, the court in its discretion under Section 1 of the Child Rights Act directs that the N100,000 needed for the maintenance of the three children be funded in proportion of 60 per cent by the respondent and 40 per cent by the applicant, pending the determination of the petition.

    “In respect to the school fees paid by the applicant for the 2026/17 academic year, the parties shall also share in the same proportion.

    “In other words, the respondent shall refund the applicant only 60 per cent of the sum.”

    Okeke then adjourned further hearing in the case until February 5.

    NAN

  • NHRC begins public hearing on hate speech, electoral violence

    NHRC begins public hearing on hate speech, electoral violence

    The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC ), on Tuesday in Jos, began public hearing on hate speeches and electoral violence, witnessed during and after the 2015 general elections in North-Central states.

    Mrs Oti Ovrawah, the NHRC’s Acting Executive Secretary, who declared the event open, said the public hearing was necessitated by a  myriad of complaints received by the commission against persons or parties.

    Ovrawah said those people and parties were alleged to have been involved in promoting hate speech and electoral violence.

    According to her, the public hearing is also to deepen Nigeria’s democracy and promote issue based campaigns, as against speeches that would divide Nigerians and engender electoral violence.

    “As you are aware, reports of violent incidents and the spread of hate and dangerous messages were widely recorded in the events that preceded the 2015 general elections.

    “Hate speeches and electoral violence have become more frequent in the past because there was no political will to hold the perpetrators accountable.

    “So the essence of this public hearing is to seek for accountability, where there is evidence that any person has been involved in hate speeches and election related violence in relation to 2015 elections.

    “This is also to deepen our democracy and encourage election campaigns that would be based on issues rather than the use of hate speeches capable of causing election violence,” she said.

    Read also: Boko Haram: NHRC denies indicting Presidency, others in report

    The acting Executive Secretary added that the exercise would ensure better future elections that would be devoid of rancour and hate speeches.

    She explained that the hearing would be based on complaints received and the preliminary investigations and analyses already carried out by the commission.

    Ovrawah noted that those, who would be indicted at the hearing would be recommended to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for prosecution.

    “In addition to this, a register of persons involved in hate speeches and election violence will be opened to serve as a reference point in future election related matters,” she added.

    She enjoined all parties involved to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

    Similar exercise will be held in other geo-political zones across the country.

    NAN

  • Prices of tomatoes, pepper drop in Lagos

    Prices of tomatoes, pepper drop in Lagos

    Ahead of Christmas celebration, prices of tomatoes, pepper and onions have reduced by about 45 per cent in Lagos.

    Price checks at Mile 12, Whitesand, Iddo and Oko Oba markets in Lagos on Monday, revealed that the drop in prices was due to bumper harvest of agricultural produce.

    Report said a basket of tomatoes, which previously sold for N15, 000 now goes for N8, 000 while red pepper (tatashe) now cost N8000 compared to its previous price of N14, 000 a basket.

    A basket of chilli pepper (rodo) also reduced from N18, 000 to N10, 000 and a jute bag of onions, which previously cost N30, 000, now goes for N20, 000.

    A 25-litre of vegetable oil, which previously sold for N11, 500, now cost N10, 700, palm oil decreased from N11, 000 to N10, 300, while a measure of garri now cost N400.

    However, the price of a 50 kilogramme bag of rice ranged between N13, 500 to N17, 000, depending on the brand while a measure of beans cost N1,500.

    Mr Femi Odusanya, spokesman for Mile 12 Market Traders Association, attributed the price drop to the ongoing harvest season for most of the produce.

    Read also: FG has no intention to increase fuel pump price

    “Over 20 per cent of the annual four million metric tonnes of tomatoes produced in the country is supplied to Mile 12 Market annually and redistributed to over 400 markets in Lagos and Ogun State and six ECOWAS countries.

    “About 200, 000 metric tonnes of the 800,000 metric tonnes of tomatoes annually supplied to Mile 12 Market get wasted due to postharvest losses.

    “Presently, the supply of the produce is more than the demand because farmers commenced harvest in December and there would be surplus in the market till April when the harvest season would end.

    “That is why we have been advocating for increased investment in tomato processing plant to mop up the excess and reduce waste, create jobs and increase contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” Odusanya said.

    He urged the three tiers of government to create an enabling environment toward attracting more investors to tomato processing in the country.

    NAN

  • Ensure positive impact, Amosun urges NYSC members

    Ensure positive impact, Amosun urges NYSC members

    Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun on Monday called on the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) members to ensure positive impact in  their host communities.

    The governor made the call on Monday in Sagamu at the closing ceremony of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2017 Batch ‘B’ orientation course for corps members.

    Amosun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Afolabi Afuape, also urged them to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

    “It is your responsibility as an individual or as a group to collectively contribute your quota to the development of Ogun State through selfless service to your host communities.

    “Let me remind you that you are treading a path which thousands of youths before you have passed through, yet there is always that room to make a difference.

    “I urge you to move out today to your various places of primary assignment with a determination to make an impact.

    “My advice to you is to leave an enduring imprints through meaningful community development projects in the host communities in the next one year,” Amosun said.

    Read also: Amosun: Homeowners’ Charter has achieved its objectives

    The governor said his administration had provided the necessary security and ambience for the corps members to have a peaceful and rewarding service year.

    He said government would continue to evolve strategic methods in mapping out a direction for future growth and expansion of the socio-economic well being of the state.

    In a similar vein, Mr John Okpo, the NYSC Coordinator in Ogun, appealed to employers and community leaders to warmly accept the corps members  to enable them discharge their duties.

    Okpo explained that postings to places of primary assignments for the corps members were done in line with the peculiar needs of the various local government areas and their communities.

    A total of 2,442 corps members registered for the orientation exercise which started on Nov. 21.

    NAN

  • Ajimobi commends army as Buratai visits Oyo

    Ajimobi commends army as Buratai visits Oyo

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Monday commended the army for its support in ensuring security of lives and properties in the state.

    The governor gave the commendation in Ibadan while receiving the Chief of Army Staff,  Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, who visited him in his office.

    Report said Buratai had led other senior army officers to Ibadan for the week-long Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference.

    Ajimobi said the Nigeria Army had released some of its men to lead a special task force set up by his administration to restore peace and order  in the state.

    “The state before our assumption of office in 2011 was popularly known as a garrison where brigandage, thuggery and other criminal activities were the order of the day.

    “When we assumed office, we set up a special task force known as ‘Operation Burst’ which involved the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and  Nigeria Air Force which was  led by the Nigerian Army.

    “Today, Oyo State is one of the safest states in the country. We want you to help us commend your personnel for their support,” he said.

    The governor also described Buratai as a worthy leader who epitomises professionalism in status and character.

    Read also: Army restates commitment to protection of human rights

    Earlier, Buratai had said he was in Ibadan for the COAS Annual Conference where  senior officers meet to brainstorm.

    “The conference is an annual ritual where top brass of the Nigeria Army gather to brainstorm on what transpired during the year, analyse and focus on activities of the following year,” he said.

    He said the army had chosen the state after considering its strategic importance.

    “We are also here to rub minds and interact with stakeholders in the academia, civil society and government functionaries to have a very good background for subsequent years.

    “This would help us a lot in terms of training, operations and general administration,” he said.

    Buratai acknowledged the support received by the army, hinging this on the cordial working relationship with the state government.

    The programme featured exchange of gifts by the governor and the army chief.

    NAN

  • Trader seeks dissolution of marriage to lazy husband

    Trader seeks dissolution of marriage to lazy husband

    After 10 years of marriage to a completely lazy husband, a trader, Mrs Awawu Oseni, wants an Igando Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve the marriage because of the man’s refusal to work.

    Awawu pleaded with the court on Monday to dissolve the marriage because her husband, Ibrahim Oseni, has refused to work, to make himself useful to the family.

    She said that Ibrahim, with whom she had a child in the marriage, was completely lazy and not useful to the family.

    “My husband has refused to work. He sleeps at home from morning till night, snoring.

    “When he wanted to marry me, he claimed that he had accommodation problem and he pleaded to move in with me for him to get another apartment.

    “I accepted but he has refused to search for an accommodation ever since.

    “My mother has been the one paying our house rent and feeding us since the inception of our marriage.

    “And, I dare not fail to give him food to eat. He would beat the hell out of me.”

    Awawu said that Ibrahim had also been accusing her of infidelity repeatedly.

    “Whenever I go out, my husband always accuses me of going to see another man. He would beat me and asked me to tell him the name of the man I went to see.

    “He embarrasses me in public by beating and calling me a dog, bastard and prostitute.

    “All the scars on my body were due to his constant beatings.”

    The 30-year-old mother pleaded with court to divorce the union forthwith, saying that she was no longer interested.

    “Please, save me from the cruel hands of Ibrahim. He may beat me to death one day if I continue with the marriage,” Awawu said.

    Read also: Woman seeks divorce over husband’s constant battery

    However, Ibrahim said that Awawu was having extra- marital affairs.

    “I always have the feeling that my wife is seeing another man and whenever she returns and I ask her to tell me the man she visited and she refuses, I beat her.”

    Ibrahim said that he was paying their house rent and was also caring for their only child.

    The 42-year-old man also denied the allegation of being lazy.

    “Although, I stay in the house from morning but I leave with my motorcycle to work in the evening,” he explained.

    He begged the court not to grant his wife’s wish for the dissolution of marriage, saying that he was still in love with her.

    The President of the court, Mr Moses Akinniyi, adjourned the case until Dec.18 for further hearing.

    NAN

  • IBB varsity raises fees for non-indigenes-VC

    IBB varsity raises fees for non-indigenes-VC

    The management of the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University, Lapai have increased fees of new students of the institution who are non-indigenes, for the 2017/2018 session.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Mohammad Maiturare, confirmed this in Minna on Monday.

    He said the management of the institution reviewed the fees from N52, 000 to N93, 000, saying that the increase was inevitable.

    The fees for Niger indigenes, however remains at N52, 000, according to him.

    He said that returning students were expected to pay N27, 000 and N55, 000 for indigenes and non-indigenes.

    The vice-chancellor  explained that the increase in fee was necessitated by the high operational costs affecting the smooth running of the institution.

    He further explained that the management was mindful of the fact that some students might not be able to meet the new obligation.

    Read also: Saraki intervenes in Kwara poly fee hike crisis

    He said to that effect, the varsity had thought out the possibility of loan facility for students, which would be paid on instalment basis.

    Maiturare also said that the state government had agreed to avail indigent students the opportunity of an incentive to meet their fees obligation.

    He said that the management had in a meeting with the Student Union Government agreed to extend the resumption date to give parents and guardians apple time to prepare for the new session.

    The vice-chancellor said the old fees been maintained for the last five years, adding the university could no longer operate on that fee.

    NAN