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Tag: Popular Nigeria News

  • Breaking: Why we settled for Lawan as Senate President, by APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday said that it settled for Senator Ahmed Lawan as the next Senate President after wide consultations with the President and other leaders of the party.

    It said the choice followed consideration of all available options.

    The party also said the stand of the party not to share power in the National Assembly with the Peoples Democratic Party (APC) is borne out of the fact that it has a clear majority and does not need the PDP to run successful government.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, told reporters on Wednesday in Abuja that having settled for Lawan as Senate President, the party is working out an acceptable zoning formula for other positions in the Senate and House of Representatives.

    This, he said, includes the position of Speaker of the House.

    Onilu said that the party is not unaware of the fact that there are other senators interested in the position.

    He pointed out the party has ranking Senators from all zones of the country eminently qualified to contest the position, but only one of them can be Senate President.

    He said the party will not allow what happened in 2015 to replay, adding what the leadership of the 8th Senate did was treachery and not democracy.

    Details shortly…

  • 3 employees docked for allegedly setting IBEDC office ablaze in Ilesa

    Three staff of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) on Wednesday appeared before an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court for allegedly setting ablaze the IBEDC office in Ilesa.

    The defendants, Bidemi Adebisi, 39; Philip Sunday, 17 and Adeyemi Sunday, 19, are facing a six count-charge bordering on conspiracy and arson.

    They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Elisha Olusegun, told the court that the trio committed the offences with some other persons still at large from March 14 to March 17 at 8:30pm at Ilesa.

    Olusegun said the defendants who set the office ablaze also assaulted some other members of staff of the electricity company.

    He said the defendants also unlawfully damaged windows and doors in the office as well as vehicles belonging to the company.

    “They conducted themselves in a manner that led to the breach of public peace, ‘’ he said.
    He said the offence contravened Sections 516, 443, 451, 355, 70 and 76 of the Criminal Law of Osun, 2002.

    The Defense Counsel, Mr Allo Emmanuel, urged the court to grant his clients bail in the most liberal terms.

    In his ruling, the Magistrate, Mr Olusegun Ayilara, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with one surety each in the like sum.

    Ayilara said the sureties should reside within the court’s jurisdiction and show evidence of tax payments to the Osun Government.

    He said the sureties should also be civil servants in the state and adjourned the case to May 3 for mention. (NAN)

  • 4 feared dead, 8 injured in Anambra auto crash

    Four persons were feared dead and eight others sustained injuries in a multiple accident along Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Awka, Anambra state on Wednesday.

    The accident, involving an articulated tanker and a Mercedes Benz 608 bus, occurred at about 2am at the Immigration junction, Agu-Awka.

    The Nation gathered the articulated vehicle, loaded with fuel was coming from the Onitsha axis when it suddenly lost control following a brake failure.

    It was also learnt the truck while descending the slope rammed into the bus loaded with yam tubers from the opposite direction.

    “The truck ran into the bus because of the inability of the bus driver to speed off.

    “I suspect that it developed some fault before it got there,” a man who claimed to have witnessed the accident said.

    When our reporter visited the scene of the accident, one of the occupants of the bus was still trapped in the vehicle while men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Police, Fire Service and Civil defence were on ground to control traffic.

    Confirming the incident, Staff Officer to the Sector Commander, FRSC, Ejem Ufiem, said two persons trapped in the vehicle died instantly while two others were taken to hospital for medical attention.

    He said: “The crash scene has been cordoned off, while operatives of the NPF, FRSC and NSCDC are combining efforts to control traffic.

    “The Anambra State Fire Service is also on ground, cooling the tanker occasionally to prevent explosion.

    “Efforts are being made to transload the fuel to another tanker while awaiting FRSC Asaba tow truck to remove the tanker off the road.”

    He advised motorists plying on the Enugu/Onitsha expressway to be careful and cooperate with traffic officers on duty.

  • INEC presents Certificate of Return to Niger governor

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Niger on Wednesday commended eligible voters in the state for their peaceful conduct during the 2019 general elections.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Samuel Egwu, made the commendation after presenting Certificates of Return to Gov. Abubakar Bello and his deputy, Ahmed Ketsu, in Minna.

    The REC also presented certificates of return to the 27 winners of the state assembly election of which APC won in 26 constituencies and PDP in one.

    Egwu said that the political maturity demonstrated by the voters paved way for the peaceful electoral process in the state.

    He also lauded the efforts of INEC officials for ensuring smooth implementation of the electoral process during and after the elections.

    Speaking after receiving his Certificate of Return, Bello commended INEC for providing a level playing ground for all the political parties during and after the elections.

    He said that the commission provided a great opportunity for eligible voters to elect leaders of their choice.

    The governor also commended the security agencies for ensuring peaceful atmosphere during and after the elections in the state.

    He promised to initiate policies and programmes that would enhance the wellbeing of residents.

    “We will initiate and implement people oriented programmes in the areas of water supply, education, healthcare delivery and provision of modern farming implement affordable to farmers,” Bello said.

  • Zone Deputy Senate President to South-East, Kalu tells APC

    A former Abia governor, Dr Orji Uzo Kalu, has indicated interest to contest for the position of the Deputy Senate President in the soon to be constituted 9th National Assembly.

    Kalu also wants the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone the position to the South-East in the interest of equity and justice.

    The Abia North Senator-elect made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    He noted he was aware that the APC, which had the majority in the Senate, had zoned the senate president position to the North-East and the Deputy Senate President to the North-West.

    Kalu said: “I am a very loyal party man. The party has zoned the senate presidency position to the North-East and I want to respect the party’s will but the second position is what we are not going to allow to leave the South-East.

    “So, as far as I am concerned, in the South-East, I am going to run openly on the floor of the House for the position of Deputy Senate President.

    “I am not going to listen to the party neither will I listen to anybody. Nobody that wants to be the Deputy Senate President is more loyal than I am to the party.

    “I have suffered for the party and have been called by Nigerians to come out.

    “I want the party to respect the will of every other person and I am committed to democracy and contesting on the floor of the House.”

    According to him, Article 50 of the Constitution and Article One of the constitution make it clear that the members of the National Assembly in-House can elect their principal officers.

    He said it was only fair the position was retained in the South-East, stressin President Muhammadu Buhari and APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, were well aware of this.

    “So, if justice must prevail, you have to bring the Senate President from the North-East and you bring the Deputy Senate President to the South-East.

    “The chairman of the party is from South-South. The President is from North-West. The Vice-President is from South-West and also the Senate President will come from North-East.

    “Whether it is Senators Ahmed Lawal or Alli Ndume, this will be decided on the floor of the House.

    “So, for me, the tripod in Nigeria is Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa and we are going to get the deputy senate president and I will fight on the floor of the House like no other person has fought.

    “That is not challenging the party but this is about looking for justice.

    “Buhari said recently after the elections that he will be addressing issues of injustice and this is part of the issue,” Kalu said.

    He further maintained he was qualified for the position having being a former member of the Federal House of Representatives from 1991 to 1993 and also a two-time governor.

    Kalu said: “I know the nook and crannies of how legislators operate.

    “I have dealt with them and I am not a new comer. So, it is going to be impossible to edge me out or edge a whole zone out by claiming we are new comers.

    “What I am fighting for is justice, fair play and for Nigeria to continue to be one. I have suffered in fighting for the unity of the country. They cannot use National Assembly or petty House officers to divide the country.

    “I have sweated. All my investments are in the North, in the West and the South and we must protect these things and leave in peace.”

    He, however, warned that he would be forced to contest for the position of the Senate President if the APC failed to do the needful.

    “I have the capacity for lobbying. I am well known in East, West and North.

    “If the party continues this way, I will run for the Senate President if justice is not done to say South-East brings the Deputy Senate President.

    “I can assure you that there are over 56 Senators in my kitty now for either the Senate President or the Deputy Senate President that have already signed to what I believe in.

    “It is only just to unveil it on the floor of the House,” Kalu added. (NAN)

  • Money laundering: Absence of counsel stalls trial of lawyer Dele Belgore

    Absence of Mr Ebun Shofunde, SAN, defence counsel to Mr Dele Belgore, SAN, has stalled his trial in the N450 million money laundering charge filed in a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Belgore is standing trial by the EFCC for allegedly benefiting N450m from the sum of $115m which a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, allegedly doled out to influence the outcome of the 2015 general elections.

    The EFCC had alleged that himself, and his co-defendant, a former Minister of National Planning, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, went to a branch of Fidelity Bank in Ilorin on March 26, 2015, to sign for and collect the N450 million.

    The defendants had each pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.

    The case which was earlier slated on Wednesday, for continuation of trial, could not proceed as planned, as the court was informed that counsel to Shofunde was indisposed.

    Counsel, who appeared on behalf of Shofunde, prayed the court for an adjournment on this ground, after informing the court of the position.

    Read Also; No Debit Order: Court fixes May 22 to hear suit filed by Patience Jonathan

    The prosecution did not object to the oral application.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa, consequently, adjourned the case until April 10 for continuation of defence.

    The EFCC had since closed the case for the prosecution, after calling several witnesses and tendering exhibits.

    The defence had accordingly, opened his case, and is still leading evidences.

    At the last adjourned date, the court had viewed electronic evidences in the case, which included two video clips, and the court adjourned for continuation of trial.

    In the nine-count charge, EFCC accused the defendants of making cash payments to a Kwara State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

    The commission said that they made cash payments without going through any financial institution.

    EFCC said they “directly took possession of the sum N450 million,” which they allegedly indirectly spent, adding that they “reasonably ought to have known (that the money) forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act.”

    The sums, the commission said, exceeded the amount authorised by law and violated the provisions of sections 1(a) and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, of 2012.

  • No Debit Order: Court fixes May 22 to hear suit filed by Patience Jonathan

    A Federal High Court Lagos on Wednesday, fixed May 22, for further mention of a suit filed by former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, challenging a “No Debit Order” placed on her accounts.

    Patience had filed the suit in 2016, to challenge the order’ placed on four Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank Ltd) accounts harbouring a total of 9.8 million dollars.

    Joined as defendants in the suit are: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Polaris Bank Ltd, Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd, and Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd.

    The plaintif is seeking a declaration that she is the owner of the funds in the accounts opened in the names of the third, fourth and fifth defendants, and so, entitled to access to the funds for her use and benefit.

    When the case was called on Wednesday, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) announced appearance for the Plaintiff.

    On the other hand, Messrs Mohammed Idris, Abayomi Arole, and Chimaobi Onuigbo announced appearances for the second, third and fourth defendants respectively.

    There was no representation for the fifth defendant.

    Read Also: Patience Jonathan’s $5.7m, N2.4b forfeiture case adjourned

    Adedipe then informed the court that the case which was first before his brother judge, Justice Mohammed Idris (who has been elevated to the Court of Appeal) was for mention.

    He said that the matter was coming up before Aneke for the first time, and will be commencing afresh.

    According to him, plaintiff had to amend her statement of claim to correctly reflect the name of Skye bank as now Polaris Bank, adding that the change in nomenclature necessitated the amendment.

    Other counsel confirmed the position to the court, adding that their respective amended processes will also be filed and served.

    Consequently, Justice Aneke adjourned the case until May 22, for further mention.

    Jonathan is seeking an order, restraining the EFCC or any other person, from preventing the plaintiff access to the said funds contained in the third to fifth defendant’s account with Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank)

    Plaintiff is also seeking an order, discharging the “No Debit’Freezing Order” placed on the accounts of the third to fifth defendants.

    She seeks an order, directing Polaris Bank to release forthwith, the sum of 9.8 million dollars standing to the credit of the plaintiff, as at March 29, 2016, or any such other funds in the account.

  • Three more parties dispute Buhari’s victory

    The number of political parties, challenging the outcome of the last presidential election has risen to four, with three more depositing their petitions before the Presidential Election Tribunal in Abuja.

    Beside the one filed on March 18 this year by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the election, Atiku Abubakar, three other parties have also filed.

    There is the one filed by Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and Ambrose Owuru, who claimed to be the party’s presidential candidate. The petition, marked: CA/PEPC/001/2019 was filedonMarch7 this year, before that of the PDP and Atiku, marked: CA/PEPC/002/2019.

    The third, marked: CA/PEPC/003/2019was filed by the Coalition for Change (C4C) and Geff Ojinika, who claimed to be the party’s presidential candidate.

    The core contention of the authors of the third petition is that the election, held on February 23 this year, “was vitiated by substantial non-compliance with mandatory statutory provisions, which irregularity substantially affected the election, such that the 1st respondent (Buhari) was not entitled to be returned as the winner of the presidential election.”

    The fourth petition, marked: CA/PEPC/004/2019, was filed on March 19 this year by the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pastor Aminchi Habu, listed as the party’s presidential candidate.

    At a pre-hearing session conducted on Wednesday, the tribunal acceded to the request by the People’s Democratic Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar for permission to serve their petition of President Muhammadu Buhari through his party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Buhari, APC chiefs endorse Lawan for Senate President

    PDP and Atiku, who, by their petition, are challenging Buhari’s victory at the election, applied for leave to effect service of the petition on the President on the grounds that they were having difficulty serving him.

    The three-man tribunal, after listening to Chris Uche (SAN), who moved the ex-parte filed by the PDP and Atiku, granted them permission to serve through substituted means.

    Justice Abdul Aboki, who led the panel, ordered that Buhari, who is listed as the second respondent to the petition, be served through any senior official or an officer of the APC at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

    Justice Aboki, in his lead ruling, said “it is in the interest of justice” to grant the prayers in the petitioners’ motion.rant the prayers in the petitioners’ motion.

  • Baker in court for unlawful possession of Marijuana

    A baker, Salami Ahmed, 31, on Wednesday appeared in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly being in possession of Marijuana.

    The police charged Ahmed, who resides in No. 6, Balogun St., Orile-Agege, Lagos, with two counts of being in possession of marijuana and breach of peace.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Ishola Samuel, told the court that Ahmed committed the offences on Dec. 13, 2018 at No 11, Oyenuga St., Agege, Lagos.

    Read Also: Banker, 55, defiles girl, 8

    Samuel alleged that Ahmed also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by smoking the marijuana and disturbing the peace.

    He noted that the offences contravened Sections 327 and 168 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

    The Magistrate, Mrs A.I. Abina, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N5,000 with one surety in like sum.

    She adjourned the case until April 11 for hearing.

  • INEC presents Certificate of Return to Borno governor-elect, legislators-elect

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday in Maiduguri, presented Certificate of Return to Borno governor-elect, Babagana Zulum.

    The commission also presented similar certificates to the 28 elected members of the State House of Assembly.

    AVM Ahmed Mu’azu (Rtd), the INEC Federal Commissioner in charge of Borno, Adamawa and Taraba, assisted by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mohammed Magaji, presented the certificates to the elected political office holders.

    Mu’azu called on Zulum and other elected representatives to deliver on their campaign promises and work for the development of the state and country at large.

    “I congratulate eligible voters who voted you into power for being law abiding despite the security challenges facing the northeast region.

    To the elected candidates, it is pertinent on all of you to keep your campaign promises and work hard towards the development of the state and nation at large,” he said.

    Mu’azu also commended election workers, security agencies, political parties; observer groups and other stakeholders, over the peaceful conduct of the elections.

    In his response, Zulum, pledged to consolidate on the successes recorded by Kashim Shettima’s administration.

    Zulum said that he would accord priority to the Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement (RRR) programmes to fast-track restoration of peace and resettlement of displaced communities.

    He added that his administration would initiate sound programmes to address the root cause of Boko-Haram insurgency, provide job opportunities to the teaming unemployed youth as well as promote discipline and social rehabilitation.

    The governor-elect called for support of elected members of National and State Assemblies, to enable him move the state forward.

    NAN reports that the event was attended by Gov. Kashim Shettima, his deputy, Usman Durkwa, Senators Ali Ndume and Habu Kyari, as well as members of the National Assembly.