The Nation Newspaper

Tag: RAMALAN YERO

  • Court grants bail to ex-governor Yero

    The Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Wednesday granted bail to former governor of Kaduna State, Ramalan Yero and three others standing trial over alleged money laundering.

    Yero was arraigned alongside a former minister, Nuhu Wya, ex-PDP chairman in the state, Abubakar Gaya-Haruna and former secretary to the state government, Hamza Ishaq.

    They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) on a four-count charge bordering on laundering over N700 million in 2015.

    The Newsmen reports that when the case came up on May 30, all the four defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The court had remanded them in prison custody and fixed today to consider their application for bail.

    At the resumed sitting on Wednesday, counsel to the defendants, Yunus Ustaz ( SAN ) asked the court to grant his clients bail, saying they would not interfere in any way to thwart the trial.

    “The defendants were early in 2016 invited by EFCC and at no time were they found wanting when they were granted administrative bail as they did not default.

    Read Also: Court sentences 35-year-old to two years jail term for rape

    “If granted bail, the defendants would not jump bail nor commit any offence and would not tamper with EFCC investigation.’’

    The prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi, however opposed the application for bail, saying that the defendants may use their influence to tamper with investigation and prayed the court to remand the defendants.

    The Judge, Justice Mohammed Shua’ibu after listening to the arguments of both sides granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each with two reliable sureties each in like sum.

    He said that the sureties should have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

    The judge also ordered that the defendants should surrender their International passport to the Registrar of the court.

    The case has been adjourned till Sept. 26, for hearing.

    Meanwhile, one of the lawyers for Yero has said that the former governor would sue the EFCC for releasing his mugshot on the social media.

    NAN

     

  • I’m interested in second term – Yero

    I’m interested in second term – Yero

    Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State on Tuesday said he would seek re-election in 2015.

    Yero said this in Kafanchan, Kafanchan local government area of the state, through his deputy, Mr. Nuhu Bajoga.

    The deputy visited some traditional rulers in Southern Kaduna on Tuesday.

    Yero said he had since obtained nomination form from the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

    He urged the people to disregard any insinuation that he would be stopped from contesting in the election, saying such speculations were aimed at misleading the public.

    The governor also urged the people to support the PDP in the next election, saying it remained the only party with the ability and willingness to deliver on the dividends of democracy.

    On the ongoing projects inherited from late Governor Patrick Yakowa, Yero reassured the people of the state that none of them would be left uncompleted.

    He said it was the responsibility of all and sundry to ensure that there was no security breach in the state.

    He cautioned youths against reprisals and urged them to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness to stem the menace.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the traditional rulers visited were – the Chief of Moro’a, Mallam Tagwai Sambo; the Chief of Kagoro, Mr. Ufuwai Bonet; the Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Muhammadu Muhammadu, and the Kpop Ham, Danladi Maude.

     

  • Yero to revoke contracts

    Yero to revoke contracts

    Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero has threatened to revoke all non-performing contracts awarded by the government.

    The governor, who inspected the 28.8 kilometres Soba-Ikara Road, said the government would soon begin a  review of all projects across the state.

    Yero said the state would take action against contractors, who have abandoned their projects.

    He noted that the review was to ensure the completion of projects earmarked in the budget before December.

    “I can see that the first coat is completed, the second coat which is the laying of asphalt should begin immediately. I want this road completed and I want the 1.6 kilometre Soba township section to be completed also.

    “There is no outstanding payment on this project, so I urge you to complete the work so that you can be paid the balance.”

     

  • ‘Stop denigrating Yakowa’

    ‘Stop denigrating Yakowa’

    A group of southern Kaduna Professionals under the auspices of Concerned Southern Kaduna Professionals have accused Governor Ramalan Yero of “prosecuting” the late Governor Patrick Yakowa.

    The group also accused Yero of abandoning projects initiated by the late governor.

    The group’s convener, John Danfulani, said what the governor was doing was trying to create confusion in southern Kaduna to pave way for his election in 2015.

    Danfulani said: “Last year, we all saw a document which stated that the government should create confusion and insecurity in southern Kaduna and use that to win election.

    “That is exactly what has been going on. The government has been acting out that script.

    “For every follower of polity unfolding in Kaduna State, the governor’s series of promises have turned out to be lies, deceit and mischief shrouded in hypocrisy. There is clearly persecution of Yakowa even in death.

    “The governor returned to Nigeria from United Kingdom on his way to United States because of the killing of 148 people and was yet to visit the affected communities.”

  • Palliatives for motorcyclists

    Palliatives for motorcyclists

    Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero has said the government was taking steps to provide tricycles and other palliatives for motorcyclists, following the May 21 ban on commercial motorcycles.

    Receiving a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) delegation in his office, Yero said the government has concluded arrangements to buy additional tricycles and was ready to provide skill acquisition training for motorcyclists willing to change trade.

    The governor said his administration was committed to human capital development, noting that there was need for the apex bank to review its Trust Fund Model (TFM) aimed at assisting small scale farmers and businesses with funds.

    “I am ready and the state is ready to revive the TFM but the CBN needs to come up with a reviewed model. The present model needs to be looked into critically so that it can work for Nigerians.”

    The governor blamed commercial banks for the challenges being faced by the TFM, lamenting failure by beneficiaries to pay back loans.

    “You know we are in democratic period and people see government money as free money. The beneficiaries hardly pay back.”

    The governor suggested that the CBN should come up with a TFM that will take care of the peculiarities of each state

  • Gunmen kill five in southern Kaduna village

    Unknown gunmen have attacked a southern Kaduna village, Fadan Karsi, in Sanga local government area of the state, killing five people.
    The victims, according to eyewitnesses include two policemen.
    But the state police spokesman, DSP Aminu Lawal, who initially denied knowledge of the incident, said security agencies were investigating the incident.
    He, however, failed to confirm whether or not some policemen were among the dead.
    Confirming the attack, Kaduna State governor, Mukthar Ramalan Yero, described the act as a “provocative attempt by hoodlums to throw the state into confusion.”
    The governor called on the people of the state to continue to live in peace with one another and to be more vigilant in observing happenings in their areas.

     

  • Sultan, CAN, others condemn the killings

    Sultan, CAN, others condemn the killings

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji  Sa’ad Abubakar III, has condemned the explosion at Nyanya park, Abuja, and called for collective efforts toward addressing insecurity in the country. He made the remarks yesterday during the Central Council meeting of the Jama’atu  Nasril Islam (JNI) meeting in Kaduna. The Sultan condemned the act, commiserated with families of the bereaved and prayed to God to grant eternal rest to the departed souls. He said, “We never thought that such things will ever come to Nigeria some years back, but they are with us right now. It is left for us to wake up from our deep slumber and face the challenges. We condemn what happened this morning in Nyanya, Abuja, and we pray that almighty Allah will expose whoever is behind it and all other mayhems in this country fast.”

    The Sultan urged Nigerians to discard ethno-religious sentiments and strive toward promoting peaceful coexistence and harmony. “All hands must be on deck to find a lasting solution to this problem. It is high time we put sentiments  aside, sentiment of religion, sentiment of ethnicity and see how we can take our country out of these killings.’’ He, therefore, reiterated the commitment of religious and traditional leaders toward promoting peace, urging governments at all levels to put more efforts toward addressing the security challenges facing the nation.

    Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State also urged Nigerians to follow the tenets of their religion, which preached peace and sanctity of human lives. He called for fervent prayers and urged citizens to shun vices. The governor urged religious organisations to assist government toward tackling poverty, insecurity, unemployment and high rate of illiteracy among the people by initiating programmes that would address the problems. Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also condemned the bomb blast, describing it as inhuman. Pastor Simon Dolly, National President of the Youth Wing of CAN, made the condemnation in Abuja. He urged the Federal Government to avoid a recurrence of such unfortunate incidence, saying “it is a threat to national unity.” Dolly advised government to take more proactive security measures to protect lives and property, adding that “such bomb blasts can only stop if the sponsors are exposed and adequately punished.” He urged government to curtail the influx of illegal immigrants in and around Abuja, adding that efforts needed to be done for their arrest and speedy repatriation. Also reacting to the blast, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Mike Omeri, said those behind the incident would forever be hunted by the repercussion of their action. He condoled with the bereaved families and those who were injured in the explosion.

     

     

  • Mu’azu cautions PDP officials against careless statements

    Mu’azu cautions PDP officials against careless statements

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has cautioned officials of the party against making careless statements while defending the party’s position.

    He spoke yesterday while hosting Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero, who led a delegation of party faithful to the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

    The party chair described some statements by the PDP officials as fruitless and pedestrian, saying their statements and arguments must focus on the issues relevant to Nigerians.

    Said he: “You must discuss issues, which matter to the people and affect the life of the common man.

    “Do not drag yourself into argument with people, who do not know what they are doing, who talk about trivialities, ethnicity, religiosity and regionalism”.

    Mu’azu urged members from the state to cooperate with Yero, stressing the need for good and purposeful leadership.

    He enjoined the faithful to join the governor in building on the legacy of his predecessor, the late Patrick Yakowa, who died in a helicopter crash in December 2012.

    The PDP chairman pledged fairness and a level-playing field for contestants during the primaries, warning that they should desist from seeking nominations through the back door.

    Said he: “Ensure that you convince the people on issues at hand. Tell them what you and your party stand for and what you intend to do for them.

    “If they vote for you, you are my man, you are my candidate. Internal democracy will not only be run well and properly, it will also be deepened.

    “We will not hand-pick our candidates. Forget what you used to do in the past. This is a new era. Our best products will be presented to the electorate and they will surely be the winners.”

    Yero assured of fairness and justice in his dealings with members, saying that was the only way to ensure sustainability.

    “We will bring fairness, equity and justice to the party in the state. We are hoping to set example in the country,” he added.

    The governor pledged the loyalty and commitment of the Kaduna chapter to the chairman and other leaders, saying this would guarantee the success of PDP at the polls next year.

    The governor was accompanied by the chairmen of the 23 local governments, members of the state’s legislature, among others.

  • 2nd joint meeting of NDPHC and NCP at Presidential Villa

    2nd joint meeting of NDPHC and NCP at Presidential Villa