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Tag: Popular Nigeria Newspapers

  • Surety jailed 2 months over missing defendant

    An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan on Friday sentenced one Goddy Nwode, 45, to two months imprisonment for failure to produce the woman he stood surety for.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Mercy Amole-Ajimoti, ordered that Nwode should spend two months in Agodi prison for perversion of justice.

    ” He is sentenced to two months imprisonment for his failure to produce the defendant in court and trying to pervert the cause of justice following three adjournments, ” the magistrate said.

    Read Also: Court sentences man to 12 years in prison for kidnapping women in Ekiti

    She, however, gave him an option to pay N25, 000 as fine in lieu of the bail bond he entered.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwode stood in as surety to one Angela Awoke,38, in a case of unlawful assault.

    According to the prosecutor, Insp Sunday Ojeleye, Awoke allegedly assaulted one Margaret Zakariah by tearing her cloth and pouring water on her while arguing over N150 change.

    Ojeleye said the defendant committed the offence on Sept. 2, 2018 at 7:30p.m. at Podo area of Ibadan.

    The offence, the prosecutor said, contravened Section 355 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

  • Court sentences man to 12 years in prison for kidnapping women in Ekiti

    An Ado-Ekiti High Court on Friday sentenced an unemployed man, Olumide Ogunrinde to 12 years in prison for kidnapping.

    Justice Cornelius Akintayo sentenced the convict after the court had listened to to the arguments and submission of both prosecution and defence counsel.

    The court however, dismissed the convict of murder and armed robbery.

    Ogunrinde is charged with 11 counts of conspiracy, murder, kidnapping and armed robbery.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Read Also: Court dismisses suit challenging Adamawa gov’ship election

    According to the charge sheet, the incident occurred between May 3, 2015 and May 15, 2015 at Epere Ekiti, Ido Ekiti, Ipere Ekiti, Ado Ekiti, Eyio Ekiti etc.

    The victims who testified in court, alleged that they were kidnapped on Ido-Ilogbo Ekiti road and taken to an unknown place.

    To prove his case, the Prosecutor, Mr Idowu Adelusi called five witnesses while the defence called for witnesses.

  • Comedian Helen Paul bags PhD

    Popular Nigerian actress and comedienne, Helen Paul has bagged a Ph.D in Theatre Arts from the University of Lagos.

    Paul is also a stand-up comedian, popularly known as Tatafo, characterized by a voice range that makes her sound like a child, is the first among her Nigerian colleagues to bag a Ph.D.

    The comedian, who is also a singer announced the news on her Instagram handle, @itshelenpaul on Friday, March 29, 2019.

    “Can’t wait to wear my beautiful gown on Thursday. Special thanks to the University of Lagos, for finding me worthy of this great position as the first Nigerian stand – up comedian to have a PhD (Please argue with the gods) #helenpaul #drhelenpaul.

    “ MIGHTY Thank You to God almighty for using my mentor and teacher as my supervisor (Prof. Osita Ezewanebe), mama tough no be small, days of crying, fasting, waking up at midnight to pray and even swearing, then asking myself questions like Helen Paul Who send you?

    “To my husband, Papa thank you for your encouragement, your words are sweet ( do it jor, babe face that fear, I can’t wait to see a doctor as my wife every morning).

    “ You are all invited to the University of Lagos as my convocation is on the 4th of April. (Positive minds only) @officialbunmidavies thank you for all the free food, my roommate is also grateful and now we are missing our rooms. (Back to the wife and mummy duties fulltime) POST DOCTORATE NEXTTT!!!!!” she wrote.

    Paul has worked as both a freelance and full-time presenter at several media houses in Nigeria including Lagos Television (LTV 8), Continental Broadcasting Service (CBS), and MNet (where she currently co-presents “JARA” on Africa Magic).

    She broke out as a naughty comic character on a radio program known as “Wetin Dey” on Radio Continental 102.3FM, Lagos and popularly known on the programme as “Tatafo” – a witty kid that addresses and lampoons societal issues in a satirical manner.

    She is a recipient of several awards including the 2012 African Film Awards, 2012 Exquisite Lady of the Year Award , 2014 Female TV Presenter of the Year, TV Presenter of the Year (Jare, Africa Magic), 2014 Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) – Outstanding TV presenter (Female) (Entertainment/Talk Show.

    Others are 2012 National Institute for Cultural Orientation, 2009 Exquisite Lady of the Year Award, Female Comedian of the Year, 2012 Effizie Style and Effects Awards, 2012 Sacramento Productions – Children’s Entertainer of the Year.

  • INEC presents Certificates of Return to governor-elect, 25 others in Gombe

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) on Friday presented Certificates of Return to Gombe State Governor-elect, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, his deputy, Mr Manassah Jatau and the 24 elected members of the State House of Assembly.

    Alhaji Baba Arfo, the INEC National Commissioner Supervising Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe States who presented the certificates to the elected officials in Gombe, congratulated them.

    Arfo said the outcome of the elections in the states under his supervision had shown that democracy had developed, adding that every vote counted during the elections.

    He commended the security personnel, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for partnering with INEC for the success of the elections and all the international partners and observers for their technical supports.

    “I congratulate the elected officials. The presentation today is a constitutional requirement.

    “ The outcome of the elections has shown that democracy is developing and every vote now count. This is due to the high level of awareness by all stakeholders and we appreciate that,” he said.

    Arfo, while reassuring the commitment of the commission to free and fair elections in the future, requested the elected officials to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people by developing the state.

    Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Alh. Umar Ibrahim, thanked all the stakeholders for the success of the elections and the people for conducting themselves peacefully during the elections.

    Ibrahim thanked the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar III, who he said, personally “recorded sound bites to encourage electorate to come out to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)”.

    The governor-elect thanked the people of the state for conducting themselves peacefully throughout the elections, adding that his election was a product of true democracy.

    Yahaya extended his hands of fellowship to all who contested and conceded defeat, adding that: “We have no other place, but Gombe and the aim of contesting is to take Gombe to the next level.”

    He sought the understanding of all citizens of the state to develop and make it a shining example in the North-east sub-region.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that certificates of return were given to 22 elected members who were present at the venue out of the 24 elected members scheduled for the presentation.

  • Breaking: Tribunal to decide whether or not Onnoghen defends charges

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has scheduled ruling for 1.30pm on Friday in the no-case submission made by suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Wanter Onnoghen.

    Onnoghen is being tried for non-declaration of asset, in a six-count charge instituted by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar announced, after taking arguments from parties this morning, in relation to the no-case-submission, announced that ruling would be delivered this afternoon.

    Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) who argued for Onnoghen, urged the tribunal to discharge and acquit his client on the grounds that the prosecution was unable to establish a prima facie case against him.

    Awomolo faulted the entire evidence led by the prosecution and exhibits tendered and urged the tribunal to hold that it is not worth it calling on Onoghen to defend himself.

    He said the entire proceedings have become a nullity because the process leading to the commencement of the trial did not comply with the procedure provided for in the CCB’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 2017.

    Prosecution lawyer, Aliyu Umar offered a counter-argument and urged the tribunal to reject Onnoghen’s no-case-submission and order him to enter defence.

    Umar said the prosecution’s case was simple and relates mainly to the defendants failure to declare his assets.

    He said; “We are not accusing him of having $300m in his accounts. What we are saying is that he failed to declare his assets on his appointment as Justice of Supreme Court and that he operated domiciliary accounts since 2009 and 2010 without declaring them.”

    Details shortly…

  • Former Sports Minister Adedoja, dumps PDP for APC

    A former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, has dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    While addressing newsmen on Friday in his Ikolaba residence in Ibadan, Adedoja said he had submitted his letter of resignation from PDP to the party’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus.

    Adedoja explained that his aligning with the APC at this period of Nigeria’s political dispensation was to contribute his best to the needed unity of Nigeria, having built bridges of unity among various socio-political groups in the country.

    “I want to align with the Federal government of Nigeria to contribute to the good governance the country deserves for our people and for my followers across the country,’’ he said.

    Read Also: PDP, APC all square in Sokoto House of Assembly

    When asked what his relationship with the Oyo State Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde is, Adedoja described Makinde as his brother whom he maintains cordial relationship with.

    He said that he had congratulated Makinde to wish him God’s guidance in the newly-onerous task of governing Oyo State.

    Adedoja thanked his well-wishers, friends and colleagues across the country, who in the course of his academic, professional and political life in different parts of the country had provided him the needed support and encouragement.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adedoja was the governorship candidate of Action Congress (AC) in the 2007 Governorship election in Oyo State.

    NAN reports that Adedoja, a former Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, also contested for the post of National Chairman of the PDP at the National Convention of the party in 2017.

  • Court dismisses suit challenging Adamawa gov’ship election

    The Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola has dismissed a suit asking it to nullify the governorship election in the state.

    The case failed because the plaintiff tendered documents not properly certified and because he failed to prove his case by not tendering a document that was vital for the determination of the case, the trial judge, Justice Abdulaziz Waziri, ruled Friday morning.

    The candidate of the Movement for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRDD), Rev Eric Theman, represented by his counsel, Bar Mustapha Ibrahim, had gone before the court to allege that he was deprived the right to be voted for in the March 9 election because the logo of his party was not on the ballot paper even after he had been recognised as a gubernatorial candidate.

    But the judge said the plaintiff failed to tender the ballot paper indicating that the logo of his party was omitted from it.

    “The fundamental document that would have proved the point was never brought before this court. The burden of proof lies on the plaintiff. This burden was not properly discharged,” he said, stressing that the reliefs sought by the plaintiff had therefore failed.

    Justice Waziri advised him or any other party wishing to appeal the judgement to do so within 90 days at the Yola Division of the Court of Appeal.

    The judgment of the court came Friday morning, hours after the state supplementary gubernatorial election was concluded and Rt Hon Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared winner, having scored the highest votes in both the March 9 main election and the Thursday return

  • APC’s Cole calls for fresh governorship poll in Rivers

    Rivers State All Progressives Congress(APC) governorship candidate Tonye Cole on Friday called for fresh a governorship election.

    He said many controversies have trailed the March 9 exercise, urging the umpire to organise a corrective poll.

    Affirming the lack of confidence in the system by the two major parties involved in the contest, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Action Congress (AAC), he said any result emerging from the March 9 will not be acceptable to the losing party.

    Cole was silent on what will be his own involvement in a fresh election in his statement titled: “A plea for righteous intervention in Rivers State.”

    Noting the mutual suspicion between the two parties and the acrimony triggered by the contest, Cole pleaded for a fresh start under heavy security to guarantee the will of the people.

    He said: “If there is one thing that I am certain of, it is that the entire election of March 9th is totally and completely compromised from head to toe. There are no results that would be announced today that would reflect the will of the people in any form or manner.

    “There are just as many people who do not trust and will not accept an election that delivers PDP today because of the belief that the umpire has granted unfettered access to the result sheets and a yeoman’s job has been done on the collated results that is guaranteed to withstand any scrutiny through the Election Tribunals or any court of law thereafter just as there are as many people who will not accept a result that delivers the AAC because of the belief that the election day results were structured to favour them by the direct involvement of the military as insinuated by the PDP.

    “INEC must therefore declare the entire elections of March 9th null and void and set out a new date for fresh elections.

    “This time around, there are no distractions left and every eye is upon Rivers State now. The violent elements can be caged and neutralized so they are ineffective on the day of election. We have seen this happen.

    “The people can come out to vote without the fear of intimidation and harassment. We know this is possible.

    “The electoral officials can carry out their duties without compromise or fear of terror. We know this is achievable.

    Cole added: “The security agencies can provide the environment that enables them operate professionally and efficiently without fear of being shot at or killed in the line of duty.

    “We know this is desirable. The party agents and politicians can carry out their duties without the fear of being killed or maimed for their affiliations. We know this is progress.

    “This is a clarion call to the good men out there to conduct fresh elections in Rivers State where the entire focus of the world at large is upon our activities and us.

    “Let us give this land and its people something to cherish and be proud of, a solid foundation to build upon; a democratically elected government that is chosen by her people, freely and fairly, whether or not the chosen candidate is one who just entered politics yesterday or a veteran. Let us allow the people to choose and let their voice be heard loudly and respected completely.”

  • Electricity: Aso Villa becomes eligible customer

    In furtherance of the Next Level Agenda of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration, the Federal Executive Council has given several approvals aimed at achieving more improvements in electricity supply and distribution in the country.

    Chief among the approvals, received over the last two FEC meetings from memos presented by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, is the Aso Rock Villa, the official residence of the President, which will benefit from the Federal Government’s Eligible Customer Policy as the Council approved a Distribution Expansion Programme to off-take part of the stranded 2,000 MW to provide dedicated power to the Villa.

    The Eligible Customer Regulation, which was issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in mid-2017, permits electricity customers to buy power directly from the generation companies in line with the provisions of Section 27 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 whereby Eligible Customers are permitted to buy power from a licensee other than electricity distribution companies.

    The approval, which was made at the FEC Meeting of Wednesday in Abuja, came as a response to a memorandum submitted earlier by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing seeking Council approval to include the Villa in the Distribution Expansion Programme earlier approved by the Council to enable 2,000MW of currently unutilized generation capacity to be distributed to targeted metered customers.

    The Minister’s Special Adviser on Communication, Mr. Hakeem Bello made this known in a statement today.

    The Ministry, according to the statement, had earlier obtained approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) following its letter to the Bureau intimating it of the Council’s approval of the Distribution Expansion Programme with the intention of the Ministry to procure civil works that would facilitate uninterrupted power supply to the Aso Rock Villa and curb the present erratic supply of power in spite of the availability of power by the Generation Companies (GenCos).

    The project to be executed by Messrs Dextron Engineering Limited, has a completion period of six months under the Distribution Expansion Programme. An arrangement has also been put in place such that a GenCo, North-South Power Company Limited

  • Revealed: Baby buried without autopsy on ‘doctor’s’ recommendation

    Fifteen-month-old Taye Adetunji, who died under curious circumstances at HJ CLAIROOWEN medical centre on Sunday, was buried without autopsy based on the clinic’s recommendation, the family has alleged.

    The child’s father Adeola Adetunji said Dayo Badmus told our correspondent on Thursday the private hospital contacted someone at a cemetery around Command Ipaja and also gave his brother the number of the person for them to bury the infant there.

    According to Adetunji, they were also given a medical report, which they took to the cemetery and gave the person Badmus linked them with to enable them bury the baby.

    “Before I came to Lagos on Monday morning, the nurse, Dayo (Badmus) spoke to my brother and gave a number from the cemetery to my brother.

    “Dayo directed us to the place to go and bury the baby. They buried the baby at Command, Ayobo, Ipaja.

    “When I came back, my baby was already dead. Yes, I saw the baby. The doctor (Badmus) told my family that he has gotten a place for them and directed them to the cemetery at Command, Ipaja.

    “I asked for doctor’s report and he wanted to write it on a plain paper but I refused that it should be on the clinic’s letterhead. He later brought out the letterhead and wrote the report and signed it.

    “We gave the cemetery attendant the doctor’s report before we were allowed to bury the baby there. We also paid N7, 000 at the cemetery.

    “We agreed to use the cemetery because my baby deserved her last respect. We did not know about autopsy and the doctors did not say anything like that.

    ‘’They were just telling us that we should go and bury the baby and since my family lives in rented apartment, it would not have been easy to get a burial place by ourselves and my house is in Ogun.”

    The revelation is coming just as the state government through the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) shutdown HJ CLAIROOWEN medical centre while investigations into all allegations continue.

    Director for Public Health, Mrs. Adeola Salako, confirmed the closure of the clinic to our correspondent on telephone.

    She assured the investigation would be thorough and findings made public.

    Commissioner for Health Jide Idris dismissed claims by the Medical Director that the doctor in the eye of storm (Dr. Joy) had been dismissed, stating investigations into the case were still on.

    Idris said he was still in Abuja and was yet to receive reports of the detailed investigation he ordered including the registration status of the private hospital.

    He said: “Nobody can terminate appointment like that. I asked them to investigate the registration status of that hospital. They have not gotten back to me.

    “I am still in Abuja. I will get everything when I come back to my office on Friday.”

    Idris also promised to detail someone to investigate fresh allegations against the clinic that it made the family bury the child without an autopsy.

    “This is serious. I promise you I will detail someone to investigate this allegation.

    “I will get all the findings of the investigation. I will also reach out to the father of the child. Thank you for the information,” he said.