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  • Police arraign wardens for alleged death of Civil Defence official

    The Nigeria Police said two traffic wardens, TW GII Idoko Sunday and TW GII Katdel Dabit, have been arraigned for alleged complicity in the death of an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogah Jumbo

    Their arraignment followed investigation by the

    police, which indicted them for assault and excessive use of force on the deceased after his arrest.

    A statement by Force spokesman Frank Mba in Abuja yesterday said the wardens have also been dismissed.

    He said a forensic analysis by a pathologist as seen in the autopsy report traced the cause of death to injuries inflicted on the deceased during his encounter with the wardens.

    Details of the update into the cause of the death of Ogar read: “In keeping with the assurances by Ag. Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu to ensure a transparent, accountable, comprehensive and speedy investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ogar Jumbo, an Assistant Superintendent of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Police has today arraigned in court, the traffic wardens, TW GII Idoko Sunday and TW GII Katdel Dabit, for complicity in the unfortunate death of the NSCDC officer.

    “The arraignment of the former wardens is sequel to the outcome of investigation into the case of alleged discreditable conduct and unlawful exercise of authority reported against them on March 20.

    “The former traffic wardens had been subjected to the internal disciplinary procedures of the Force – tried in an Orderly Room and dismissed before the arraignment.

    “Police investigations indicted them for assault and excessive use of force on the deceased after his arrest.”

    On the outcome of the autopsy, Mba said: “For avoidance of doubt, the autopsy report states in part that the death was due to blunt force injury to the head, multiple skin and soft tissue injuries on the forehead and face, and that there was no natural disease in the body to sufficiently explain the sudden death.”

    He also said the two traffic wardens have been remanded in Kuje Prisons pending the next adjournment of the case.

    The IGP urged the public not to lose faith in the Force, saying under his watch, no form of impunity or man’s inhumanity to man will go unpunished.

    He warned that like the indicted traffic wardens, any police officer found wanting for unlawful use of force and other sundry offences would be publicly named, shamed and brought to book to deter others.

  • Senate aborts bill to phase out petrol vehicles in 2035

    THe Senate yesterday threw out a bill for an Act to phase out petrol vehicles in 2035.

    The bill, sponsored by Senator Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East), proposed the introduction of electric cars to replace petrol vehicles in the country by 2035.

    Contributors to the debate on the bill underscored the impossibility of mandating Nigerians to stop the use of petrol vehicles by 2035 without sufficient preparation.

    Murray-Bruce was forced to withdraw the bill following the opposition by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Barau Jibrin.

    Ekweremadu, who congratulated Murray-Bruce for introducing the bill, noted there was no need for a law to be passed for Nigerians to switch from use of petrol vehicles to electric vehicles.

    The Enugu West senator recalled that people moved from the use of animals as a means of transportation to bicycles, motorcycles, cars and other advanced means of transportation.

    He added that the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which provide for freedom of movement, should suffice for the time being.

    Ekweremadu said: “I congratulate Ben Murray-Bruce for his uncommon common sense and brilliant ideas in the lead debate. But what is not common is the need to introduce a law to mandate the use of electric cars.

    “If we go into history, donkeys were used as means of transportation, and there is no law that caused people to begin to use cars.

    “This is ancillary to Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires freedom of movement. So, he should consider taking back the bill.

    “Besides, in economic sense, we are an oil producing country. So, we should do everything possible to frustrate the sale of electric cars in Nigeria to enable us sell our oil.”

    Barau Jibrin (Kano North) noted that while electric vehicles would be friendly to the environment and health, making its use mandatory was not feasible.

    “We have to look at individual’s net worth. Not all Nigerians can afford the vehicles at a given time.

    “We all know the importance of vehicles in our daily activities. So, banning the use of fuel cars will cause hardship, particularly for those who may not be able to acquire electric cars,” he said.

    Before he withdrew the bill, Murray-Bruce raised a Point of Order to insist that posterity would judge him right for the necessity to embrace electric vehicles in the country.

    The senator said it was obvious that in no distant time, combustible vehicles would be phased out by their manufacturers.

    He added: “The earlier Nigeria buys into the change, the better. I can never quarrel with my leaders and friends but I want them to close their eyes and know they are in the 21st century.

    “I own an electric car that I have been using for the past five years. It is cheaper to maintain and durable. So, the fears put forward by my colleagues are highly debatable.

    “I will withdraw the bill but I want my colleagues to know that they do not belong in the 21st century. They should close their eyes and assume that they are in the 21st century.”

    Murray-Bruce noted that one of the major advantages of electric vehicles is that it solve the problem of ozone layer depletion.

  • Physically-challenged donates N120,000 for Makinde’s defend at tribunal

    A physically-challenged in Ibadan,  Oyo State and convener of “Disables for Oyo Progress”, Wasiu Nurudeen, has donated N120,000 in support of the legal representation for the  Governor-elect, Mr. Seyi Makinde, at Election Petitions Tribunal.

    Makinde, who was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, was declared  winner of the keenly contested election after polling 515,621 votes to defeat Adelabu, who had 357,982.

    Nurudeen, a graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan and an athlete in the employment of the state, told reporters at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, that he was doing it in recognition of Makinde’s philanthropic gesture to the vulnerable over the years.

    Read also: Oyo PDP accuses Ajimobi of laying ‘economic landmine for Makinde’

    He said it was obvious that the mandate given to Makinde at the last governorship election was the true wish of the people.

    According to him, he took the decision to defend the votes of the people, especially the physically-challenged, who despite their challenges, went out en-masse to vote for the PDP candidate.

    “To prove my support for the governor-elect in our dear state, I have donated N120,000 to support our governor. The only thing we are expecting from the governor-elect is good governance. Every group, organisation, individual and the traditional institution should feel the presence of government in the state,” he said.

  • Axxela, NGMC joint mini-LNG project get purchase order

    The Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN) has given a gas purchase order (GPO) to the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC) for the development of a joint mini-liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, with Transit Gas Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Axxela Limited.

    With gas supply assured, the project considered as a milestone, will help commercial and industrial businesses across Nigeria adopt the LNG solution for their power and process needs and achieve over 40 per cent in cost-savings compared to alternative fuels.

    The liquefaction plant is located in the middle of the country to enable easy access of the LNG trucks to the north’s stranded gas market and other parts of the country.

    LNG storage facilities will also be installed at customer locations to ensure continuous gas supply.

    Natural gas is an environmentally friendly fuel that burns cleaner than other fossil fuels. Gas-fired equipment are more efficient and have significantly contributed to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across the world. The LNG plant is expected to be completed by next year and will boost the productivity of existing industries, attract new investments into the country, and also create jobs for Nigeria’s growing populace.

    In 2017, Axxela’s Managing Director, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, when the company was known as Oando Gas and Power (OGP), said the project would be implemented as joint venture with the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), which has been split into two – the Nigerian Gas Processing and Transmission Company (NGPTC) and the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC).

    According to Osunsanya, the mini- LNG plant will be liquefying 20 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) of gas. He told The Nation in Abuja that the essence of building the Ajaokuta mini-LNG is to create other ways of bring natural gas to industrial and commercial concerns because pipeline vandalism was taking a toll on their operations.

    He said: “OGP is developing LNG facility via its newly-created Transit Gas Nigeria Limited (TGNL) subsidiary in partnership with Nigerian Gas Company (NGC). The facility aims at meeting the gas supply requirements for captive power plants, embedded generation, and industrial clusters in the Northern region, as well as stranded customers in the South, adding that the firm has developed over 260km of gas pipeline distribution network, and pioneered the development of gas infrastructure and solutions across the south.

    According to him, the company is increasing gas sales levels, complete and inaugurate Greater Lagos 4 (GL4) project and the Central Horizon Gas Company (CHGC) expansion as well as regional expansion opportunities into Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Senegal.

    Osunsanya said the firm’s five critical flanks were to ensure gas supply security, develop virtual pipelines asset stable and gas processing infrastructure and expansion of last mile distribution infrastructure with focus on regional growth, among others.

  • GOtv Boxing Night: WABU President urges support for boxing

    President of the West African Boxing Union (WABU), Remi Aboderin, has called on corporate organisations in the country to emulate pay television service provider, GOtv’s support for Nigerian boxing.

    Aboderin, who is also the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) made the call in Lagos yesterday at the offices of Flykite Promotions, organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, which has been sponsored by GOtv since 2014.

    He noted that the intervention of GOtv in Nigerian boxing has revived the sport, adding that there was a need for many more organisations to support boxing to ensure a speedier return to health.

    “Nobody connected to Nigerian boxing can fail to see the strides being made by the sport since GOtv intervened in 2014. Their intervention, which has seen them invest huge sums, time, organisation, logistics, especially the live broadcast of the event by SuperSport, has rescued our beloved sport from irrelevance. I can tell you that we at the NBB of C are happy, boxers are happy, sub-regional and continental boxing bodies such as the African Boxing Union are also happy for GOtv’s support. The fans, who are crucial to the sport, are similarly delighted,” he said.

    To sustain the momentum, the WABU President urged other corporate organisations to take a leaf out of GOtv’s book, as doing so will ensure Nigerian boxing’s return to full health will be quicker.

    “I want to use this opportunity to plead with corporate organisations to join in the efforts to take Nigerian boxing back into the big time. With more corporate support, it will happen faster. The fact is under five years of sponsoring GOtv Boxing Night and GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, Nigerian boxing has regained prominence on the African and Commonwealth scenes. Our boxers are sought after, as many champions have been made. We need to go a few notches higher and that will happen if others show similar commitment,” he stated.

    GOtv Boxing Night is approaching its 18th edition, which is scheduled to hold at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty), Ibadan, on Sunday. The eight-fight show will feature two international duels, the ABU lightweight title clash between Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph of Nigeria and Ghana’s Success “Brave Warrior” Tetteh and an international light middleweight clash between Akeem “Dodo” Sadiku of Nigeria and Ekpresso Djamihou of the Republic of Benin.

  • Ex-lawmaker killed in Anambra

    A former lawmaker in Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Anthony Igboka, was on Tuesday night killed by gunmen.

    Igboka was reportedly shot dead at Oye Nimo village market square in Njikoka Local Government while returning from a meeting.

    The Nation gathered that the incident might not be unconnected to a lingering

    chieftaincy tussle in the community, following the death of the last occupant of the seat years ago.

    Confirming the incident, police spokesman Haruna Mohammed said the deceased was shot in his car near Nimo Market.

    Read also: Ohaneze youths condemn killings in Anambra community

    He said Commissioner Mustapha Dandaura had ordered investigation into the matter.

    Said he: “At about 8:18pm on April 16, there were sporadic gunshots around Nimo Market in Njikoka Local Government Area.

    “Police patrol team attached to Nimo Division rushed to the scene and discovered Chief Frank Anthony Igboka on the driver’s seat of his Chevrolet Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) lying unconscious in a pool of blood.

    “His body was riddled with bullets. The victim was taken to Beke Hospital, Nimo, where he was confirmed dead by a doctor. The body was later deposited at the hospital morgue.”

    Mohammed said preliminary investigation showed that the victim was shot at close range by four armed men, who escaped in a pickup van towards Abacha-Eziowelle Road.

    He said 25 expended 7.62 mm ammunition were recovered on the scene.

    “Commissioner Dandaura has visited the scene and ordered investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Mohammed added.

    He appealed to the public to avail the command of information that could help in arresting the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

    Governor Willie Obiano has announced N5million reward to any person who can provide information on the identity of the killers.

    A statement by Information and Public Enlightenment Commissioner Don Adinuba said the governor had directed the police commissioner to lead a team to apprehend the killers.

    The deceased, until his death, was the president-general of Nimo Town Union.

  • Team Nigeria wins 2 gold medals

    Despite arriving a day before the start of the tournament, Team Nigeria made a winning start at the African U-20 and U-18 championship taking place in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, with two gold medals and a bronze on day one of the competition.

    In the U-18 Men’s High Jump event, Best Erhire Omamuyovwi jumped 2.08m to win the gold medal and also recorded a new Personal Best from his previous record of 2.05m he jumped to win the bronze medal at the National Sports Festival in Abuja in December.

    Onaara Obamuwagun jumped a personal best of 12.78m to win the gold medal in the U-20 women’s triple jump event, while Grace Oshiokpu jumped 11.87m to win the Bronze medal at the U-18 women’s triple jump event.

    Read also: Zone 3 Volleyball Club C’ship: Nigeria Customs face Ghana Police in final

    In Wednesday events, Praise Oforku returned a time of 12.14s to win Heat 2 ahead of Charlize Eilerd of South Africa in the Girls’ 100m semis.

    Anita Taviore was second in the Girls’ 100m semis Heat 1 while Nigeria’s Shedrack Akpeki dominated his 400m semis with a time of 47.31s.

    Nigeria’s Enoch Adegoke won the men’s 100m semifinals Heat 1 in 10.59s while Gershon Omubo and Alaba Akintola placed 3rd & 4th respectively in Heat 2. Luke Davids from South Africa won Heat 2 with a time of 10.55s.

  • BUA mulls investment in Rwandan mining sector

    BUA Group is looking at the Rwandan and regional mining sector for viable opportunities, its Executive Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu has said.

    According to Rwandan’s leading newspaper, The New Times, Rabiu stated that with the growth of the company in West Africa, there were considerations to expand into other parts of the continent, especially in the advent of increased integration and growth of business opportunities.

    He said this had spurred his interest to study Rwanda and other East African countries to exploit investment opportunities.

    He said his interest in the mining sector is to ensure sustainable and valuable practices that create more value in the continent as opposed to exporting raw materials.

    He noted that over 76 per cent of mining operations in Africa are by western firms which often do little to work with local communities or process them from the continent.

    This, he said, had seen more value retained abroad as opposed to Africa where the minerals are extracted.

    The BUA chief said he was spurred by the will to see Africa retain her resources and creating wealth for her people unlike what is happening now where the continent is exploited by foreigners who give nothing in return.

    He argued that it is only Africans that could develop Africa, insisting that no foreigner could love Africa more than herself.

    He reiterated that this is the only way the continent can best provide better quality jobs; play a role in industrialisation, as well as improve the quality of life on the continent.

    “We are definitely looking at expanding. Rwanda is a good ground for investment. They have worked hard to have a strong economic growth, good leadership, and strong infrastructure base. There is so much opportunity here, mining is a big opportunity. There are lots of resources and opportunities in the region. There ought to be sustainable mining practices on the continent,” Rabiu added.

  • Akpabio accuses INEC of flouting inspection order

    Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom Northwest) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of denying his legal team access to election materials.

    Chairman of the Election Petition Tribunal, Justice W.O Akanbi, on April 2, granted Senator Akpabio, the petitioner and applicant, and his agents, including forensic experts, access to inspect and copy all electoral materials used for the Akwa Ibom Northeast senatorial election.

    But Akpabio’s lawyer, Patrick Umoh, said INEC has refused to obey the tribunal order to allow them inspect and copy the materials for litigation purposes.

    Umoh accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, of colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to frustrate the legal team.

    He said: “We learnt that on the instruction of Igini, Akwa Ibom INEC has consistently flouted the order and has refused the agents of Senator

    Akpabio and forensic experts access to the election material. INEC has been engaging in a hide-and-seek game.

    “We also wish to inform you that we had earlier reported for the said inspection on April 11 12 and 15, but our efforts to have access to the materials and inspect same did not yield any positive result.”

    Akpabio’s lawyer said the hide-and-seek by Igini may have been to tip off the PDP and give them sufficient time to oppose the move for the inspection of the materials.

    “INEC has colluded with PDP and advised the party to file a motion on April 16, which they cited as the reason they couldn’t allow the inspection as ordered by the court,” he added.

    But INEC has said it did not deny Akpabio’s legal team access to the election materials.

    Its Head of Legal Department, Mark Chukwu, explained that the inspection which was scheduled for 11am yesterday would have been done but for a Motion on Notice obtained from court and issued to INEC by one of the parties in the election.

    Chukwu added that despite the Motion on Notice, INEC still invited the legal teams of all the political parties to inspect the materials in the strong room.

    He, however, said the inspection was not possible because of the shabby arrangement of the materials which needed to be sorted out by Electoral Officers.

    He said: “It is not true that the commission stopped Akpabio’s lawyers from inspecting electoral materials. Despite the Motion on Notice served the commission by one of the political parties, the commission still granted the legal teams of the petitioners access to the strong room to inspect the materials.

    “We, however, noticed that the electoral materials were not properly packaged for easy sorting. So we have scheduled three days for the sorting to be done by the EOs.

    “We have also invited all political parties to participate so that the exercise will be open and free to all concerned.”

  • School celebrates Benin Kingdom with musical play

    S-TEE Schools in Festac, Lagos, has marked its 2019 cultural day with a musical play celebrating the ancient Benin Kingdom.

    The event featured a fusion of music, dance and drama with a cast of not less than 200 pupils from the primary and secondary arm.

    The play ‘Ovonramwen Nogbaisi/the musical’ was a narrative of Ola Rotimi’s book with the same title.

    The aim was to showcase the rich culture of the ancient Benin Kingdom during the reign of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, also called Overami, who was King until the punitive British expedition of 1897, the organisers said.

    This was the school’s first ever attempt at a musical play. Staff, pupils, parents and guests complimented the event by wearing the attires of country’s various ethnic groups to celebrate Nigeria’s cultural diversity.

    There were also several dance groups, including ballet, Hausa dance, Itsekiri dance, Benin dance, among others, while most pupils had to learn to speak or sing in Benin, and learn other “strange” lines.

    The organisers said they choose a musical, to, among others, re-enact the history of the ancient Benin Kingdom vis-à-vis develop students who would become global leaders of tomorrow.

    Founder and CEO Madam T. S. Lawal described pupils as wonderful for putting in all they did. She also praised the parents for releasing their children for the cumbersome rehearsas.

    “They are the pillars, without them, no children…their support cannot be measured,” she added.

    The production team was headed by the schools’ Head of Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Juliet Keshinro, who was the producer.