The Nation Newspaper

Tag: release

  • Oyo gets order to release allocations

    The Oyo State government has got a variation order, which  allows allocations for its 33 local governments to be paid directly to them.

    Commissioner for Information Toye Arulogun, in a statement yesterday, said Justice John Tsoho of an Abuja High Court gave the order in a ruling on February 7 in the suit between 15 chiefs from Oyo Town, the government and nine others on the conduct of local government elections.

    Arulogun explained that the order expressly states: “It is hereby ordered that following the understanding reached by the counsel representing the principal parties as communicated to court, Order 4 on the drawn up order of this court dated January 20 is varied as follows: that there shall be no more warehousing of monies and or allocations meant for the 33 local governments by the second, third, fourth and fifth defendants.

    “That such monies and or allocations shall be released directly to the said local governments as constitutionally mandated and that this matter is adjourned till March 22 for report of settlement.”

  • Ex-convict re-arrested after release from prison

    Ex-convict re-arrested after release from prison

    •Suspect caught vandalising Toyota cars

    Six weeks after his release from prison, a 33-year-old ex-convict Oluwasegun Oladimeji, has been rearrested by  Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives.

    He was arrested for allegedly vandalising Toyota cars on Victoria Island.

    According to the RRS, he said he was released from prison last November after a three-month term for removing Toyota parts from a garage in Apapa in July.

    The RRS said he named a spare parts dealer in Ladipo International Market as the one who gave him the specifications of cars to vandalise.

    The suspect was said to have vandalised some vehicles around Lekki before he was arrested on Victoria Island.

    Some Toyota Corolla parts and mobile phones, which he allegedly stole from the garage guards, who were sleeping when he broke in, were found on him.

    RRS quoted him as saying: “Oga Dona (auto parts dealer) gave me the type of vehicle parts that are on high demand in the market. I have been working for him now for eight years. I steal different vehicle parts, particularly, Toyota products. I remove Toyota Corolla brain box, headlight, rearlight, buttons, etc.

    “Since I came back from prison in November, I have stolen brain-boxes of 47 cars. My targets are Toyota products.

    “Whenever I am going on operation, he is the one that gives me transport money. Most times, he tells me the specifications of the car he wants me to operate on.

    I live in Marwa, Victoria Island. I had surveyed the company earlier in the day. And I knew those cars belonged to that company. At about 4am after operation, I had removed all I need to remove. The security sighted me and raised the alarm. They were chasing me. Unfortunately for me, RRS officers were patrolling. They sighted me, pursued me with their vehicle and arrested me.

    “I usually break one of the small side glasses at the back seat to gain entrance. After I might have gotten all those parts, I would call Oga Dona who would tell me where to meet any of his boys for the collection of the parts.”

    He mentioned Chidozie, 32 and Ananyor, 33 as those that collect the stolen items on a Dona’s behalf.

    “At times, I take it to them in Boundary in Ajegunle and most times in Toyota Bus Stop, Oshodi. I sell Toyota Corolla brain box for N30,000; N25,000 or N20,000. The least of the parts is N2,000”.

    Chuwku said: “Our boss, Oga Dona, usually gives me N30, 000 to N35, 000 to give Segun and collect the goods in his hand. He asked me to wait for him at Toyota bus stop or any other place to collect the stolen car parts.”

    Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), said the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

  • Ortom: release abducted journalist

    Ortom: release abducted journalist

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has urged abductors of the News Editor of Radio Benue, Mrs. Yuadoo Tor-Agbidye, to release her.

    Ortom made the call in Abuja yesterday shortly after he arrived from the United Kingdom.

    He described the incident as unfortunate, and sympathised with the Tor-Agbidye family, on behalf of the government people of the state.

    The governor stressed the need for the people to volunteer information to security agencies to help in the rescue of Mrs. Tor-Agbidye.

    He promised that the joint efforts of the government, police and other security operatives to free Mrs. Tor-Agbidye would yield success.

    The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment not to surrender Benue to hoodlums, emphasising that the state is not home for robbers and kidnappers.

  • Release of girls signals hope for Nigeria, says IBB

    Release of girls signals hope for Nigeria, says IBB

    Former military President Ibrahim Badamasi  Babangida yesterday described the release of the 21 girls as signaling a hope for the nation after moments of despair the abduction of the over 200 schools girls brought to the family, the country and the global community.

    Gen Babangida, military president between 1985 and 1993, rejoiced with the families, people of Nigeria and the federal government over the release of  21of the  abducted Girls. He said their release is an indication that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is committed to ensuring safe release of all the abducted girls.

    “It is a thing of joy for the girls to have been reunited with their families after being taken away in such painfully and abrupt manner for  two and half years.”

    Speaking at his residence in Minna yesterday, Gen. Babangida said; urged the federal government, security agents and other  partners to hasten negotiations to free the remaining girls and rehabilitate them from psychological trauma they might have encountered in the last two and half years.

    The former military President reaffirmed his belief in the professional capability of the armed forces and other security agencies in ensuring that an end is put to the activities of the Boko Haram sect completely. He said the armed forces had the training and the professional background to end all forms of security threat to the nation such as   kidnappings, armed robbery, cattle rustling, farmers/herders clashes and other forms of vandalism.

    He called on all Nigerians to offer assistance to the  released Chibok girls in order for them to overcome the mental, physical  and psychological trauma they must have gone through.

  • Coalition pleads for release of Chibok Girls

    The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has appealed to Ahmed Salkida, a journalist, and activists Aisha Wakil and Ahmed Bolori, to help secure the release of the Chibok Girls from Boko Haram insurgents.

    CATE also appealed to the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group, which has been in the vanguard of the release campaign, to direct its planned protest at Salkida, Wakil and Bolori.

    A statement yesterday by its National Coordinator Gabriel Onoja said the trio possibly knew more about Boko Haram than the security agencies believed.

    The statement reads: “We want the abducted girls back now that their captors have released a video to convince the world that many of them are still alive. The abduction is evil and the girls’ travails are felt by Nigerians. This is why it is painful that after more than two years and despite several operations, promises, failed negotiations and dashed expectations, the girls are still captives.

    “We must note that despite the girls still being held captive, we appreciate efforts by the military in defeating the terrorists; the way they degraded the group’s fighting capabilities. This imminent defeat is likely the reason Boko Haram is now using the girls as a bait to stall further military operations against them and to have time to regroup.

    “We have also seen something the country overlooked since the abduction – there are Nigerians that have the information about the girls, and who possibly know more about Boko Haram insurgency than the security agencies once had cause to believe. They declared Ahmad Salkida, Aisha Wakil and Ahmed Bolori wanted in connection with the information they have about the whereabouts of the girls and Boko, considering the unfettered access they have to the terrorists.

    “The refreshed leadership of Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group has also been reported to have similar information and some measure of access to the terrorists.

    “Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism, therefore, appeal to the trio and other persons with direct link to Boko Haram to prevail on them to release the girls unconditionally. The girls, their families and the country have suffered enough.

    “We extend the same appeal to BBOG; it should use its connections to appeal to Salkida, Wakil and Bolori to help end the nightmare that has become the daily lives of these children. “Nigerians should please beg the trio and BBOG because time is running out and the defeated terrorists are becoming increasingly more desperate. This has been exacerbated by the knowledge that their contacts in the outside world are now known to the authorities. We should all appeal to human conscience of those involved as time is no longer on our side.”

  • $15b arms deals: Court orders panel members release

    $15b arms deals: Court orders panel members release

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered immediate release of a member of the Presidential Committee on the Procurement of Arms and Equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence Sector, Air Commodore Mohammed Umar.

    The committee has been probing alleged $15 billion arms deals in the armed forces.

    But Umar was arrested by the Department of State Security Service (DSS) about three weeks ago after $1,030,000 was found at his residence in Maitama District, Abuja.

    The DSS has been working on clues that Umar  might have taken “advantage of his membership of the Arms Panel” to extort suspects.

    Umar insisted that the money was payment to his company, Easy Jet Integrated Service Limited for cargo flights to  Houston and Hong Kong .

    According to him, the payment was made on May 12 for  services rendered by Easy Jet  as follows: Cargo flight (Ilyusin II-76 Cargo plane from Nairobi-Houston) at $520,000 and drop off from Nairobi-Hong Kong at $510, 000.

    The DSS was however pushing on with its probe of the Air Commodore as at the time of filing this report, a development that forced Umar to seek judicial redress at the Federal High Court to secure his bail.

    In a Motion on Notice filed on the July 21, Umar prayed sought for the following reliefs:

    *An order of the court admitting him to bail in charge No. FHC/ ABJ/CR/145/ 2016 pending trial and determination of this case.

    *And for such order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.

    In his ruling, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, after hearing Umar’s counsel Hassan Liman (SAN) with Ibrahim Bawa and prosecution counsel E.A. Orji,  granted bail to Umar.

    Justice Dimgba said: “Bail is hereby granted to the 1st Defendant/Applicant in the sum of N100 million and two sureties in the sum of N50 million each of which must enter  a bail bond for this sum.

    “The sureties can be private businessmen or professionals or be in the civil service of thevFederation. And where in the civil service, a surety must be in the rank of a director.

    “The sureties must be owners of developed landed properties in any of Abuja metropolis excluding the satellite towns.

    “The sureties must provide evidence of their payment of income tax for the past three years.

    “The applicant must deposit his international passports with the Registry of this court and must not travel out of the country without the court’s permission.

    “The registry of this court shall verify the satisfaction of the above bail conditions and are free to call on the assistance of the prosecution whenever they deem it necessary.

    “The case is hereby adjourned to 26th and 27th of October for trial.

    Justice Dimgba also berated the DSS for flouting an order of the court to remand Mr. Usman in prison.

  • Monarch hails Ugwuanyi for release of 76 farmers from detention

    Monarch hails Ugwuanyi for release of 76 farmers from detention

    The traditional ruler of Ugwuleshi community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Godwin Nwobi, has hailed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for ensuring the release of 76 farmers from prison custody.

    The farmers were granted bail on Friday by an Umuahia Magistrate’s Court, following an altercation between them and some Fulani herdsmen, which led to their arrest and arraignment.

    The monarch said the farmers safely united with their families and loved ones after getting bail.

    He urged the Federal Government to resolve the perennial confrontation between the Fulani herdsmen and indigenous farmers over the grazing of cattle on farmlands.

    Igwe Nwobi, who spoke on behalf of the residents and political stakeholders, said the cattle had always led to the destruction of crops.

    The monarch noted that a lasting solution would ensure an end to the clashes and promote peace among the villagers and Fulani herdsmen.

    On Ugwuanyi’s efforts at calming frayed nerves and reducing tension on the matter, Igwe Nwobi said the governor’s intervention made it possible for the farmers to be granted bail for their freedom.

    He said: “I am happy that they are back. I thank the Government of Enugu State for its efforts in making sure that my subjects come back. I appreciate the efforts of Governor Ugwuanyi, who visited my community over this matter. That shows he is a man of the people. We pray God to grant him wisdom to continue to pilot the affairs of Enugu State. I also thank my community for their understanding.”

    The member representing Awgu South Constituency in the House of Assembly, Nelson Uduji, said the residents went through arduous tasks to get the bail for the 76 farmers.

  • How food ration led to release of abducted girls

    Fresh facts emerged yesterday that the release of the three abducted girls from Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary (BMJS), Ikorodu was made possible by shortage of food in the kidnappers’ den.

    One of the abductors left the den to buy food and drinks when he was intercepted by a combined team of policemen from Lagos Police Command and Intelligence Response Unit from the Police Headquarters in Abuja.

    A dummy sold to the kidnappers that their parents and relations had been arrested and might be killed made them to hasten the release of the girls.

    It was also learnt that two of the abductors were from the same parents, signposting that they had turned kidnapping into a business in the family.

    The police are on the trail of some of the fleeing abductors.

    Besides the rescue of the girls, the police force stepped up investigation into the incident to stem the increasing tide of kidnapping in Ikorodu.

    A top security source,who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “Despite the heavy security build-up and surveillance in and around Ikorodu, the breakthrough for the release of the girls came when one of the abductors sneaked into the town to buy food and water for the hostages and the kidnappers.

    “With the tracking of all contact lines by the kidnappers, the food ration courier was intercepted and arrested by the police team.

    “The suspect admitted that he was a member of the ring and he came to replenish the stock in the den. He wasted no time in disclosing the location of the girls at Igbokuta area of Lagos State and how to get there.

    “But the police team was cautious in not invading the team based on the information from the arrested suspect.

    The police located one of the fathers of the abductors who was used as a bait to ask them to release the girls unharmed.

    “They were told that all their parents and relations had been arrested and might be killed if they don’t set the girls free.

    “They were shocked to hear that their parents and relations had been arrested and they had no choice than to ‘drop off’ the teenage girls.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The police team discovered that two of the abductors were from the same parents. We are probing whether or not they have been in kidnapping for long.

    “We have rescued the girls but we have not closed investigation. We will make sure all those connected with the kidnapping and their sponsors are arrested.”

  • Olaribigbe Sarumi set to release Adalute

    Olaribigbe Sarumi set to release Adalute

    Popular Yoruba actor cum producer, Olaribigbe Sarumi, who has featured in ndigenous flicks like Oke, Akobimi, Hadiza, Ogbon, Alase Odo, and others is set to release his latest movie, Adalute.

    The actor who attended New York Film Academy has concluded plans with reputable distribution company – Mercury Pictures – to churn out the film to his fans.

    According to Sarumi, Adalute is a movie filled with suspense as it tells a story of a wealthy family which despite the riches and fame bestowed upon them, have never failed to shed tears of pain and live in mystery.

    “This movie took me a while to produce, because it’s not like the regular Yoruba movies we always see on the street. Adalute has great stars like Yi nka Quadri, Mercy Aigbe Gentry, Jaiye Kuti, Ayoka Ologede, Leye Adeshile, Ajisa ,Lekan Oropo, Seun Omojola, Mercy Ebosede, Rafiu Bolagun, Saheed Spider and myself,” he hinted.

  • Shittu: Federal Govt to release ICT blueprint next month

    Shittu: Federal Govt to release ICT blueprint next month

    A new blueprint for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry will be out in January, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, said yesterday.

    In a statement in Lagos, he said the blueprint would transform and make the ICT industry a new cash-cow for the economy.

    “By the grace of God, in mid-January, I will be addressing the country on the blueprint for ICT development.

    “We have been receiving a lot of input from stakeholders across the country and from Nigerians in the Diaspora; some of which will form part of the details of the blueprint.

    “We have set up two days to do a retreat in Kaduna State in January after which the blueprint will be out.

    “Certainly, what you should be assured of is that you have a new minister, who is passionate about development.

    “A new minister, who does things the way they should be done, with a view to developing optimally the sector to generate a lot of employment in the economy,’’ he said.

    The minister said the planned ICT blueprint would bring about training and retraining of major experts and consequently, generate more revenue for Nigeria.

    According to him, government wants to put an end to the dependence on oil, even with the dwindling resources coming through oil.

    He assured stakeholders that the Federal Government would continue to encourage local investment in the ICT sector to enhance growth.