The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Popular Nigeria News

  • Aggrieved candidates file 17 cases before Oyo election petition tribunal

    Arising from the just concluded elections, no fewer than 17 petitions have been confirmed to be before the Oyo State Election Petition Tribunal

    The petitions include four senatorial and 13 house of assembly cases

    The revelation was made on Wednesday by the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Mutiu Agboke at the presentation of certificates of return to the governor-elect, deputy governor-elect and house of Assembly members-elect.

    Read Also: Oyo calls on boundary commission to mediate in dispute with Osun

    The event presently ongoing at the Banquet Hall, Premier Hotel, Ibadan is been attended by many party stalwarts, religious leaders, security chief, amidst heavy security presence.

    Details shortly…..

  • Three die in Ondo auto crash

    Three persons have reportedly lost their lives in a fatal road accident along Ode Aye – Okitipupa road in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Sources said the carnage occurred when a motorcycle with two passengers, which was alleged to be on a top speed, rammed into oncoming vehicles.

    Read Also: Man to die by hanging for killing girlfriend in Ondo

    The crash also led to serious injury sustained by one of the passengers in the vehicle.

    It involved a Golf Volkswagen car marked CH 978 GGE, driven by one Wasiu Ojeyemi and a diesel truck with number plate AKD 28 LG driven by Taiwo Olowojulo.

    The victims were said to have been thrown off the bike in different directions with one of them crushed by an oncoming vehicle.

    Police report said the injured passenger was immediately taken to a private hospital in Ode-Aye for urgent treatment while the corpses of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue.

  • Bandits abduct North Korean doctor in Zamfara

    A North Korean doctor attached to Tsafe local government general hospital in Zamfara state, Dr Jen Sunail, has been kidnapped.

    Sunail, a physiotherapist, was abducted by suspected armed bandits on Monday.

    Residents stated the bandits cordoned the town at around 9:00 pm and went straight to the staff quarters of the hospital where the expatriate doctor was whisked away.

    Findings revealed that Dr. Sunail was posted on contract between North Korea and Zamfara state.

    The abductee has been stationed in Tsafe general hospital for over three years.

    Bandits have been constantly terrorising Tsafe, Danjibga, Yan doto, Yan waren Daji, Kwarin Ganuwa and Keta for weeks.

    A resident of the local government, Mustafa Mu’azu, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to do everything within his powers to curtail activities of the bandits.

    He said they have been kidnapping, raping women, looting and killing in Zamfara state.

    He said without troop intervention, the insecurity in Zamfara state may escalate to uncontrollable level.

    Police Public Relation Officer of Zamfara State, SP Muhammad Shehu, confirmed the incident when contacted.

    He revealed the abduction has been reported to the DPO attached to Tsafe local government headquarters by Dortor’s colleague Dr. Li Dong.

    Shehu, in a statement, explained: “On the 26/03/2019, around 945hours, Dr. Li Dong reported to the police that his colleague Dr. Jeng Sunail was not seen in his room inside the staff quarters he shared with other three persons working in the hospital.

    “The Commissioner of Police, CP Celestine Okoye had directed the state criminal investigation and intelligence department (CIID), state intelligence bureau (SIB) and anti- kidnapping squad team to commence investigation and search and rescue and unveil the circumstances behind the missing of the expatriate doctor.”

  • VAT designed to support the poor, says Fowler

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has stated the Value Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax primarily designed to support poor people, and not to create hardship for them.

    Executive Chairman of the FIRS Babatunde Fowler allayed fears that the increase in VAT may cause hardship for the poor, stating that VAT is charged on consumption and capacity to consume.

    A statement by the Service on Tuesday quoted the FIRS Chairman as saying: “When you don’t consume certain categories of goods and services, you are not liable to pay VAT charges on those items.

    “VAT is not charged on all medical and pharmaceutical products. It is not charged on basic food items.

    “It is not charged on books and educational materials. It is not charged on baby products, fertilizers, locally produced agricultural and veterinary medicine.

    “VAT is not charged on farming machinery and farming transportation equipment.

    “VAT is not charged on all exports, plant machinery and goods imported for use in Export Processing Zones and free trade zone: Provided that 100 percent production of such company is for export.

    “Other services exempted from VAT are Medical services, Services rendered by Community Banks, People’s Bank and Mortgage Institutions, plays and performances conducted by Educational Institutions as part of learning and all exported services are exempted from VAT.”

    Fowler said he understands “that some people misunderstand what the VAT is. VAT is a consumption tax.

    “If you don’t have money to purchase certain categories of goods and services and you don’t consume them, then VAT is not your problem.

    “The VAT is used to assist the needy. VAT provides support for the needy, not a hardship on them.

    “85 percent of VAT collected is shared among states for them to provide free education, free health services, provide basic amenities among others.

    “We can see what the Federal Government is doing with the tax money. Look at the rail system, the Abuja-Kaduna rail is complete.

    “Look at the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, look at the education system, the school feeding program among others.

    “If at the state level, your government cannot justify the taxes you pay to them, you have the right to vote them out in the next four years,” Fowler said.

    Fowler said that if countries like United Arab Emirate (UAE), Saudi Arabia who are rich in oil resources would be laying emphasis on taxation, Nigeria should also emulate them.

  • Yobe PDP gov candidate concedes defeat, rules out court action

    Almost a month after his defeat, governorship candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe state Amb Umar Damagum has congratulated the governor-elect Mai Mala Buni.

    The PDP candidate told reporters after his party’s review meeting of their performance in the last election.

    He called on the governor-elect to be fair and just to every Yobe reside irrespective of their party affiliation.

    Damagum said the time for politics was over, urging the business of governance should be put in the front burner instead of petty politics of victimisation.

    He also disclosed his party will not be heading to the tribunal over outcome of the polls in the state.

    “Even though, there are so many things that have bedeviled the elections but winner has been announced.

    “We have no option but to accept the will of God, and move forward to do what is important for me and my supporters,” he noted.

    Damagum expressed reservation with the electoral body but noted such issues would not stop him from congratulating the winner.

    He urged the governor- elect to use his mandate for the good of those who elected them.

    “I congratulated our Governor Elect, Mai Mala Buni with his deputy, Idi Barde Gubana. I call on him to look at Yobe as his entire constituency knowing that God has given him this opportunity that every other person living in Yobe is his responsibility.

    “He should be just and fair to everyone and should mix petty politics with governance. The time for politics is over. It is now the time to build Yobe. I wish him all the best,” Damagum said.

    Asked whether he will be heading to the tribunal, he replied: “I cannot go into what I am uncertain about. I can’t go to the tribunal.

    “All I know is that I had a good running battle but with what is happening in the country and the judiciary itself, I don’t think I would go into an uncertain venture. I accept the will of God and the wishes of Yobe people.”

    Asked if he would accept an opportunity to be part of the APC- led government if given the opportunity, Damagum said: “Until he contacts me, I will decide that.

    “Like I call on this people for this meeting, if he contacts me, I will also call them together, discuss and give him an answer.”

    He thanked his supporters and expressed optimism that bright and better future is awaiting the party ahead.

  • UPDATED: RTEAN member to die for killing colleague over ‘loading’

    An Ekiti State High Court on Tuesday sentenced a member of the Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) Abednego Ajibola, to death for killing his colleague over scuffle on loading arrangement.

    Justice Lekan Ogunmoye found Ajibola, 40, guilty of the one-count charge of murder of fellow union member, Ojo Ogunsakin, on 10th March, 2017 at Akure Motor Park along Ikere Road, Ado Ekiti.

    The judge held that ingredients of the offence of murder has been established against the convict who, he said, committed an offence contrary to Section 316 of the Criminal Code Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    According to his confessional statement made to the Police, Ajibola said a disagreement ensued between him and deceased on loading arrangement on the said date.

    The convict, in his statement, said he was slapped by the deceased, which provoked him to retaliate in the heat of the melee.

    Ajibola in his testimony said he hit the deceased with a stone which led to his death as confirmed by other witnesses.

    Read Also: Court remands businessman for alleged N218m ‘property scam’

    To prove the case of murder, prosecution counsel, Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola, called six witnesses including the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Sgt. Kamaru Momoh.

    Other witnesses who testified against the convict are the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Ogunsakin and Dr. J.A. Omotayo of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), who conducted the post mortem on the body of the deceased.

    Defence counsel, Mr. Kayode Oyeyemi, called two witnesses and the accused person in defence of the convict.

    Delivering the verdict, Justice Ogunmoye ruled: “The ingredients of the offence of murder had been established against the accused person and he is convicted accordingly.

    “The accused person is hereby sentenced to death by hanging on the neck till he be dead. May the Almighty God have mercy on your soul.“

  • Court remands businessman for alleged N218m ‘property scam’

    An Mpape Magistrates’ Court in Abuja has remanded a businessman, Mike Wasiu Adamu, in police custody following his alleged involvement in a N218m property scam.

    It made the remand order on March 25, following an application by the Police in a suit marked MT/19/2019.

    The “Warrant of commitment of prison of remand” directed the “official in charge of prisons at the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT)”, Abuja, to keep Adamu in its custody until Monday, April 1, 2019.

    He may then be brought before the court at the expiration of the order, the order stated.

    Mike, the son of Amos Adamu, former Director-General of the Nigerian National Sports Commission and ex-FIFA 24-man executive committee, was arrested following petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the IGP.

    One petition was written by a firm, NISL Ventures Ltd, on November 1, 2017.

    It was titled ‘Conspiracy to defraud, obtaining by false pretence, fraudulent deceit and fraudulent conversion of funds and issuance of dud cheques by Messrs. Mike Adamu and Kolawole Adewale of Eureka Heritage Properties and Consultant Ltd.’

    It alleged that Adamu and Adewale received N218m from 14 tenants in respect of NVL’s property without lawful authority and “without remitting same to NVL’s designated accounts.”

    Read Also: Court orders EFCC to charge lawyer, ex-senator by March 28

    The sums were allegedly received between 2014 and 2016.

    One of the tenants said the property comprised of a Shopping Plaza at Plot 109 Adetokunbo Ademola, Wuse II, Abuja.

    Another petition was written by a law firm, Paschal Legal, on behalf of a firm, Zuruhills Integrated Services Ltd, last July 17.

    It was titled ‘Petition against one Mike Adamu and Reform Sports West Africa Ltd for Issuance of dud cheques and criminal breach of trust’.

    The petition alleged that “Mike Adamu, in the bid to offset the sum of N139, 500,000 owed our clients by him and captured in a Terms of Settlement document … issued a dud cheque to our client. Attached is the Dud Cheque.

    “Every effort to get Mike Adamu to make good his financial obligation to our client has been to no avail.

    “Consequently, we respectfully request that you use your good office to ensure that Mike Adamu is brought to book.”

  • Crisis rocks Ijaw Youths Council in Bayelsa

    Crisis has hit the Central Zone of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) following moves by some stakeholders to replace the incumbent Chairman, Mr. Tare Porri.

    It was gathered that the plot to replace Porri thickened after he was elected as a lawmaker for Ekeremor Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly in the last general elections.

    The Vice-Chairman of the council, Amiebi Turner, was said to be nursing the ambition and scheming to take over from Porri, who had insisted that he was not under any constitutional obligation to resign his appointment.

    It was learnt that the Chairman of the Elders’ Advisory Council, Mike Wenibowei, was working with Turner to undermine the interest of Porri.

    But Porri on Tuesday announced the dissolution of the advisory council and removed Wenibowei from his position saying the elder stepped beyond his bounds.

    Porri said the position of central zone chairmanship of IYC was zoned to the western part of the state adding that if he decided to resign voluntarily someone from the west would take over from him and complete his tenure.

    Read Also: Bayelsa mourns as literary icon, Okara, dies at 97

    He insisted that Turner, who hails from Ogbia, the eastern part of the state, was not qualified to replace him in the spirits of the zoning arrangement.

    He expressed disappointment at Wenibowei for trying to sow a seed of discord in the council saying that his tenure would elapse in 2020

    He said: “For the first time in Ijaw Nation, a serving high ranking officer is now a member-elect in the legislative arm. The least I expected was a congratulatory message from my people, most especially my executives, stakeholders and elders, because this is not just a victory for me, but a victory for Ijaw Nation.

    “I am rather shocked that while l am still alive, yet to be inaugurated and barely few weeks after my emergence, those who had proclaimed so much love for the struggle have turned themselves overnight into a tool of disintegration.

    “They are trying to create problems where there are none, calling for my resignation even when no law or conventional practice says so, this is truly undeserving considering how far we have come”.

    Porri called for unity in the council and said the leadership resolved to dissolve the Wenibowei-led advisory council, on the grounds of insubordination and disrespect for constituted authority.

    Citing some precedents, he said: “Those clamouring to be acting chairman should wait for the turn of their senatorial district. I contested as chairman with people from my district, there can’t be acting chairman while l am still chairman.

    “In the immediate past leadership, Bobo was Chairman of central zone at the same time Chairman Bayelsa Physical and Development Planning Committee, a government parastatal. He manned the two offices and performed his best

    “In Mike Wenibowei tenure, after the untimely demise of his deputy, the leaders from that zone sat down amongst themselves and nominated Ablacky, who became the deputy and started acting from that time

    “In the time of Elder Jon Jon, his replacement came from his zone and no other place after due consultation. Even if there is a vacancy, the acting chairman would come from my Senatorial district.”

  • FG flags off 2019 school census

    The Federal Government has flagged of the 2018/2019 annual school census (ASC) for schools in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who flagged off the exercise, said the ASC signaled the simultaneous commencement of the enumeration of all schools, pupils, teachers and facilities in the Basic and Post Basic School levels.

    The minister said mobile technology would be used for the exercise to generate credible, reliable and timely data from remote site/schools in the 36 states and the FCT.

    He said the data from the census would be used for enhanced educational planning and research, decision-making, national and global reporting.

    Adamu said: “This is an important event in the ASC cycle which signals the simultaneous commencement of the enumeration of all schools, pupils, teachers and facilities in the Basic and Post Basic School levels and the introduction of a mobile technology to generate credible, reliable and timely data from the remote site/school in the thirty-six (36) States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for enhanced educational planning and research, decision-making, national and global reporting.

    “In keeping up with the tempo, I will like to implore all those involved in the ASC exercise to take this particular activity with all diligence so that we can build on the achievement recorded in the last two years.

    “In this regard, I call on all stakeholders especially head teachers and principals who are the custodians of school records and the main drivers of the process to accurately complete the Annual School Census forms using the Mobile Technology.

    “It is my hope that this year’s ASC exercise will provide reliable and timely data so as to ensure proper planning, management and administration of education in Nigeria for enhanced learning and productivity.”

    He said the ministry has conducted a geo-positioning of schools in some states which would help in getting the exact and accurate number of schools to validate the ASC data.

    “Schools in Imo, Edo, Ondo, Kogi and Taraba states at both basic and post basic levels have already been mapped and placed in the website for accessibility by all.

    “The basic schools in the states have been mapped by the personnel audit exercise. We hope all the states will key into this exercise so as to map the remaining post basic schools,” he added.

     

  • Adopting new tax culture’ll transform economy – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja said the Federal Government will continue to sensitise and encourage Nigerians to cultivate the culture of paying taxes by ensuring fair implementation policy and effective utilisation of resources.

    The President, who received the leadership of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) at the State House, said the National Tax Policy document had been reviewed with the aim of institutionalising a tax payment culture within the Nigerian workforce.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said the progress made in diversifying the economy, providing social security and securing the country can be further improved with enhanced and expanded revenue base.

    “We have made some progress in the past four years. However, a lot more can still be done. A key step is to enhance and expand government’s revenue base.

    “Today, we still rely on oil as our main source of income. This simply is not enough to meet our infrastructure, social services and security needs,’’ he said.

    Describing Nigerians as hardworking and entrepreneurial, the President said a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of tax on the economy by the populace and fair administration will help in improving government’s revenue shortfalls.

    President of CITN, Chief Cyril Ikemefuna Ede, congratulated the President for winning his second term in office, assuring him of the institute’s support for a successful tenure, especially in the area of using tax to improve government’s revenue.

    Ede said some higher institutions in the country had started offering taxation as a course, hoping it will also be taught in secondary schools.

    He said nations can only achieve development with mobilisation of resources through taxation.

    The President of CITN said political leaders must set a good example for compliance on tax payment by ensuring that presentation of tax certificates remains one of the central requirements for those who want to contest elective positions.