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  • Teenager raped to death in Enugu

    A teenage girl, Ngozi Eze, has been allegedly raped to death by unknown persons at Imufu community, Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    The deceased’s body was found in a bush behind Community Secondary School, Imufu.

    She had gone for her JAMB lessons in preparation for the forthcoming UTME.

    The body was found several hours after her family declared her missing.

    The deceased’s father, Jonathan Eze, had earlier dropped her with his motorbike at the lesson centre.

    Eze told the crowd that gathered in the bush where his daughter’s corpse was found that he took her on his motorcycle to the Township School, Ogrute, Enugu Ezike, where she went for JAMB lessons in the evening of Tuesday.

    According to him, he went back later to pick her only to be informed that somebody had given her a lift.

    “I left Township School, Ogrute and went home straight, hoping to see her but she wasn’t there. We waited till 8 pm and started looking for her.

    “She was not the type that normally socialise. We did not sleep as her telephone number was switched off. It was only this morning (Wednesday) that we got information that her corpse was found here.

    Read Also; 3 employees docked for allegedly setting IBEDC office ablaze in Ilesa

    “She was to enter the university last year when she completed her secondary education but we prevailed on her to exercise patience for her elder brother to graduate, because we cannot afford to train two persons in the university.

    ‘’Since then, she has been working hard to gain admission this year, but this is what has now happened.”

    Rev Father Johnson Nwanonenyi, the parish priest of the area, who said a short prayer for the repose of her soul at the scene, amid wailing and sobbing by sympathisers, shortly before a team of police detectives took the body away for further investigations, said that human beings would always reap the bad seeds they sowed while on earth.

    “The perpetrators of this heinous crime will be exposed. God will not allow His creation to be humiliated this way, without punishing them adequately,” the priest said.

    The police who arrived the scene said a close observation of her corpse showed lacerations around her neck and ankles, suggesting she must have been strangled by her rapists.

    Her books and writing materials, handkerchief and shreds of her clothings were scattered around the scene.

    Spokesman of Enugu state command of the Nigeria police, Superintendent Ebere Amaraizu said they were yet to receive full report of the incident.

  • Photos: Makinde receives Certificate of Return in Oyo

    The governor-elect of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde has received the certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    He was given the Certificate of Return on Wednesday in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

    Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner,Barr.Mutiu Agboke;Wife of Deputy Governor Elect,Mrs.Bola Olaniyan her Husband Engr.Rauf Olaniyan;National Commissioner Prince Adedeji Soyebi;OyoState Governor Elect,Engr.Seyi Makinde and his Wfe Omini during the Presentation of Certificates of Return held at Premier hotel Ibadan
    Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner,Barr.Mutiu Agboke;Wife of Deputy Governor Elect,Mrs.Bola Olaniyan her Husband Engr.Rauf Olaniyan;National Commissioner Prince Adedeji Soyebi;OyoState Governor Elect,Engr.Seyi Makinde and his Wfe Omini during the Presentation of Certificates of Return held at Premier hotel Ibadan
    Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner,Barr.Mutiu Agboke;National Commissioner Prince Adedeji Soyebi;OyoState Governor Elect,Engr.Seyi Makinde and his Wfe Omini during the Presentation of Certificates of Return held at Premier hotel Ibadan

     

  • ‘APC may boycott Thursday’s supplementary election in Adamawa’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa has threatened to boycott the supplementary governorship election if INEC insisted on conducting it on Thursday.

    The State Organising Secretary of APC, Alhaji Ahmed Lawan, made the party position known on Wednesday in Yola.

    Lawan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the party had rejected the Thursday’s date and communicated its position to the electoral body.

    NAN reports that INEC had announced Thursday for the supplementary election in 44 units.

    This followed the vacation of an interim injunction that stopped it from conducting the election last Saturday.

    “We are not going to participate in the election, if INEC is going to conduct it on Thursday.

    “I don’t know why INEC is rushing, as conducting this election on Thursday will disenfranchise many voters, particularly workers and students who need to go to work and schools,” Lawan said.

    The PDP Chairman in Adamawa, Mr Tahir Shehu, whose candidate (Ahmadu Fintiri) is leading with a difference of over 30,000 votes, said they were ready for the election.

    When contacted, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Adamawa, Mr Kassim Gaidam, said that the commission would hold the election as scheduled on Thursday.

    Gaidam urged all the parties involved to work toward a hitch-free poll.

  • Two dead, others injured in Anambra auto crash

    Two persons died and two others were injured in an accident involving a petrol-laden tanker and a Mercedes Benz Bus at Agu-Awka Junction, Awka, Anambra.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the scene of the crash gathered that the tanker which was Enugu-bound ran into the bus loaded with food items.

    The bus was trying to join the Expressway from the junction leading to Old road.

    The accident occurred at about 1.10 a.m. on Wednesday.

    A combined team of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Fire Service personnel was seen cordoning off the area, diverting traffic and ensuring that fire did not inflame again.

    Mr Andrew Kumapayi, Sector Commander of the FRSC told NAN that his team arrived the crash scene 10 minutes after the incident was reported for rescue.

    Kumapayi said four persons were involved including three males and one female.

    He blamed the crash on speed violation and loss of control.

    “About 1.15 a.m. this morning, we got a report of a crash involving a petrol tanker marked YLA 170 XM with product and a Mercedes Benz bus with Reg. No: BKL 80 XA at Immigration Junction, Agu Awka.

    “Four persons were involved; two died on the spot and two including a man and a woman have been taken to Chukwuemeka Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital for medical attention,’’ he said.

    Kumapayi called on drivers and owners of articulated vehicles plying the Anambra route to maintain their vehicles and observe traffic rules and regulations at all times.

    He warned that his command would not fold its arms and watch motorists waste the lives and property of innocent citizens on the highway

    NAN reports that the sector commander alongside other stakeholders in traffic management held a town hall meeting with truck drivers in Onitsha on Monday on ways to curb carnage.

    The command had decided to commence strict enforcement of articulated vehicle driver’s compliance with rules in the state from April.

  • Buildings collapse: Offenders’ll face full wrath of the law, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday warned that those who cut corners that resulted in building collapse in the country will face the full wrath of the law.

    He gave the warning while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the recent building collapse demands urgent adherence to quality standards.

    He said “However, the recent tragic incident in Lagos and many others across the country, reminds us of the need to strictly adhere to quality standards when it comes to construction projects.

    “Young innocent lives must never be lost due to incompetence and greed. Simply put, no corners must be cut.

    “l want to assure you that those responsible for such incidents of professional negligence will feel the full wrath of the law,” he said

    Stressing that his administration remain committed to the Change Agenda, he said that the dark days of impunity are gone for good.

    He said “As a Government, we remain focused and committed to ensuring we create an inclusive and diversified economy. This simply means National growth must impact the silent majority.

    “This is why in the past three years; we focused on key job creating sectors such as Agriculture and Infrastructure Development.

    “You will all recall that our Agriculture and Infrastructure programs contributed to our exit from the recession. This is a clear example of how, if we push “inclusive” job creating policies, growth will follow.

    “We will remain committed to these and other programs, to ensure the success of our nation is felt by the majority of Nigerians.

    “With our significant infrastructure deficit, your sector has the potential and the bandwidth to create impactful jobs across the country. Both urban and rural areas.”

    Towards commencing dialogue, he urged them to make formal submission to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing as soon as possible.

    “Like you mentioned in your remarks, many of your members are currently working in Government and I am confident we can commence these reforms within the shortest possible time.” he added

    The President of NIQS, Obafemi Onashile congratulated the President on his well-deserved re-election as the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “And pray that Allah will continue to grant you good health, the grace and the strength to achieve your good intensions and aspiration for the Nation and to deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

    “Your re-election is indeed a confirmation of the support for your policies on anti-corruption, rule of law, transparency which is magnified in your TSA (Treasury Single Account) Policy which all past administrations shied away from as well as your Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

    “Your Excellency, you can count on the NIQS to further push these programmes and much more on your behalf as they are sincere and meaningful for our Country.”

    “Your Excellency Sir, we are here on a visit, not to only felicitate with you but to express our total confidence in your administration and leadership direction, which have brought hope, progress and stability to our Nation.”

    He said “It is obvious that your government is listening government that is committed to improving the plights of the Nigerian citizens. Your recently signed Executive Orders No.5 and No.7 aptly exhibit a government interested in professional handling of governance. Your open war on corruption is also a testimony of sincerity of purpose and transparency of your government.

    He said that construction projects are usually high capital intensive and could be readymade platforms for large scale corruption in any economy if not professionally managed with requisite discipline.

  • Court strikes out murder case against ex-policeman

    Justice Sunday Aladetoyinbo of the FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, on Wednesday struck out a case of murder filed against a former police officer, Gabriel Achimi, for lack of diligent prosecution.

    Achimi, 37, was charged with the murder of Ishaku Musa, a commercial motorcycle rider, at Gishiri junction, Abuja.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Aladetoyinbo, frowned at the inability of the Ministry of Justice to retrieve the case diary from the Police.

    ” I do not believe that the Ministry of Justice cannot retrieve the case diary from the police.

    ” This case is struck out and the defendant discharged and if the case file is finally retrieved, the defendant can be re- arraigned,” he held.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judge said that the case had recorded eight adjournments already without the defendant taking his plea.

    Aladetoyinbo said that he was forced to grant bail to the defendant as a result of the shoddy prosecution of the case.

    Earlier, Mr. Abubakar Musa, the prosecuting counsel, told the court that the prosecution had not been able to collect the case diary of this case from the police as directed by the court.

    Musa told the court that several contacts were made to retrieve the document, but the police refused to release the case file up to date.

    Responding, the defence lawyer, Mr. Akin Akintan told the court that the case had suffered many adjournments due to the nonchalant attitude of the prosecution.

    ” The Registrar of this court on my lord’s instruction had to write to the Ministry of Justice more than two times.

    ” On Feb. 19, this court made a definite pronouncement by giving the prosecution one more adjournment to put its house in order,” he said.

    Akintan, therefore, urged the court to discharge the defendant and allow him to go pending when the prosecution was ready to prosecute him.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police on Feb. 27, 2018 alleged at the arraignment of the defendant said that on May 10, 2017, at 8 p.m., near Gishiri Junction in Abuja, Achimi shot Musa; allegedly causing the latter’s death.

    The police in the charge said that the action contravened section 224 of the Penal.

  • Polls: Domestic observers rate Plateau high in peaceful, orderly conduct

    Civil Society Organizations in Plateau state and Coalition of Domestic Observers has rated Plateau state high in peaceful and orderly conduct during the just concluded 2019 general elections.

    The group comprising of 2,500 members said Plateau state is the most peaceful and orderly based on individual member’s observations during the elections.

    The CSOs/ Domestic Observers made their observations known Monday in a press conference held at the state secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Jos.

    Leader of the Group Godwin Okoko who read the text of the briefing said, “Our observations were collated from the reports of our members stationed at various polling units spread across the 17 LGAs of the state.

    “Generally, elections in the Plateau state was the most peaceful, orderly and fair from our assessments

    “We commend CSOs, security agencies, the media, observers groups, religious groups, traditional institutions, political parties and other stakeholders for their conducts during the elections.

    ”We also commend the electorate for their involvement in the process and peaceful conducts before, during and after the elections. As we look forward to a more peaceful, transparent and credible future elections, we use this medium to once more appeal to the Plateau State Government to ensure the strengthening of peace and security structures in the states through the promotion of peace and strengthening of community cohesion structures, provision of good governance, inclusive participation, accountability, increase youth empowerment programs, employment opportunities and youth/women development.

    ”We also appeal to the Governor-elect Barr Simon Bako Lalong as a leader of the state to begin the healing of wounds, closing of gaps, division and polarisation through the processes of reconciliation irrespective of party affiliation We also encourage all good sons and daughters of the state to give a supportive hand to the Governor-Elect towards a stronger, developed, peaceful and united Plateau State.

    ”We urge all good people of the state and residents of the state to continue to imbibe the culture of peace and tolerance. The Observers groups however recommend that INEC improves on the general conduct of the elections specifically; Smart Card Readers should be further enhanced.

    “We recommend that Collation Centres be more accessible to observers. We recommend that further delineation of voting points be carried out so as to make PUs more accessible to electorates.

    “Improve on logistics for INEC officials and ad-hoc staff to perform their duties optimally.

    “INEC and political parties should engage on sensitisation of the electorates and party members’ supporters.

    “Enhance capacity training for security agencies that will be involved in future conduct of election exercise.

    “We recommend that INEC should make information/data available on cancelled Polling Units where supplementary elections will be conducted.

    “We recommend that INEC should ensure prosecution of all her staff involved in electoral mal-practice

    “We recommend that voters should be more actively involved in subsequent elections. We recommend enhance capacity training for security officers that will be involved in future elections

    “We recommend capacity training for political party agents for future elections.”

  • Court adjourns indefinitely trial of El-Zakzaky, wife

    A Kaduna State High Court on Monday adjourned the trial of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi’ites, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zinat indefinitely.

    The trial Judge, Justice Gideon Kurada, adjourned the case due to his appointment to serve as a judge in the Presidential and National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Yobe.

    The Nation recalled El-Zakzaky and wife, who have been custody since December 2015, were dragged to the state high court for culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, and disruption of public peace, among others.

    Speaking to newsmen shortly after the adjournment, lead counsel to the defendants, Femi Falana SAN said, the case was adjourned because Justice Kurada is serving as a judge in election petition tribunal.

    The Senior Advocate said, aside absence of the trial Judge, Sheikh El-Zakzaky and his wife Zinat, were in dire need of medical attention, the reason they could not appear in court.

    He alleged that the IMN leader and his wife had not been given adequate medical care since Dec. 14, 2015, when they were detained.

    According to him, “So the Court has adjourned Sine die, meaning indefinitely. My clients are yet to access any form of medical attention even after the court had ordered so.

    “The Case had to be adjourned as both my clients need time to attend to their health.” Falana said.

  • 9th NASS leadership: ‘Erring APC lawmakers will be punished’

    A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Jubrin Abdulmumin, at the weekend said that any erring member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) involved in foul play in the emergence of the leadership of the 9th National Assembly won’t go unpunished.

    In 2015, some members of the ruling party had connived with some opposition members in the emergence of the leadership of the 8th National Assembly to the detriment of the APC.

    But speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abdulmumin was optimistic that APC lawmakers will tow the line of the party for the emergence of the next leadership of the National Assembly.

    He, however, harped on the need for lobbying prior to the process.

    He said: “Well the position of our party and our leaders has always been that all elected members and of course, senators should exercise patience, work is going on, consultations are being carried out and I believe that no any elected senator or members of APC would allow himself to be used by the opposition like in the case of 2015.

    “In the case of 2015, there weren’t consequences but I am pretty sure that this time around, if anybody allowed himself to be used by the opposition party, there will certainly be consequences.”

    Asked if they will follow the wish of the party, he said: “Well, that is what is expected. But as you also aware, they are matured people, they are elected members, there is need for engagement, there is need for a lot of lobbying – that is what is obtainable all over the world.

    “And we have in the person of the President- our father who is reaching out to everybody and of course the party chairman and other leaders working day and night consulting with members and lobbying where they should, so that at the end of the day we can have a very smooth leadership election.

    “But of course, that is not to say that there is no elements of desperation as you can see, a lot of people coming out to indicate interest.

    “Personally, I have complained about that and the way and manner they are going about it it’s a bid unhealthy for the party, because at the end of the day only one person will become senate president and only one person will become the speaker and other principal officers.

    “So we need to start imbibing the culture of putting the country first or the party first before ourselves.

    “Personally, I have demonstrated that because I have indicated that I am not interested in running for the office of the speakership, deputy speakership or any principal office because of how chocked up the whole system is as regard the number of people that are contesting.

    “Just to open up space, and allow some of us to sit down and organise and ensure that the government and of course the party eventually have the kind of parliament or the kind of leadership of the National Assembly that they can work with harmoniously.” he said

  • Niger APC suspends Women Affairs Commissioner

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Niger state has suspended the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Barrister Amina Musa Gua’ar for alleged anti-party activities.

    The Paikoro local government APC local working committee accused the Commissioner of engaging in anti party activities during the general elections in the council and flaunting the orders of the party.

    The Party accused her of engaging in some anti party activities of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr Ishaya Azalolo who claimed to have acted based on Barrister Amina Gua’ar opinion, directive and support.

    The Party also accused her of mudslinging the party as she was said to have referred to the executive organ of the party as “bunch of thieves”.

    The local working committee stated that it invited the Commissioner for interaction but she refused to appear before the committee which resulted in her suspension.

    The suspended letter dated Friday 22nd March, 2019 and signed by the local government APC chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Kwanaread, “In reference to a letter dated 18th March, 2019, the local government executive working committee of the APC in Paikoro has resolved to utilize Article 21, Section A, Subsection 111 of the Constitution as amended “disobedience or negligence in carrying out lawful directive of the party.

    “Continuing, this is due to your refusal/disobedient to abide by the party’s directive within the stipulated time frame. Sequel to this, I hereby notify you of your suspension from the party until further notice”

    However, the State APC claimed it had not received any correspondence regarding the suspension.

    The letter was however copied to the APC stakeholders, Zonal chairman, APC State Secretary and Chairman as well as the Political Adviser to the Governor and Secretary to the State Government.