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  • JAMB gives update on 2019 UTME exams process, results

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said it would ensure a smooth and successful conduct of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    Dr Fabian Benjamin, the board’s Head of Media and Publicity, disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Bwari.

    He said that as of April 13, over 1.2 million have successfully written the examination scheduled to end April 17.

    NAN reports that over 1.8 million candidates are expected to sit for the board’s UTME that commenced nationwide on April 11.

    Benjamin said the process of the examination has so far been successful, adding that the board was addressing some of the challenges that came up during the exercise.

    He also said that the board was still investigating those who were unable to be verified through its biometric process and would come out with a stand on the matter.

    Speaking also on the issue of results, Benjamin said that no results have been released yet.

    He explained that the board was still screening the results as the examination was ongoing and also because more fraudulent activities were being identified in the process.

    Read Also: Candidates urge JAMB to upgrade computers for calculations

    He said: “We have to keep screening these results because there are lots of issues we discovered like multiple registrations, impersonation and the likes, so we are still fishing them out.

    “Some have been arrested and those yet to be arrested, we have their records, we will fish then out. However, candidates should expect their results very soon.”

    He added that the board’s suspension of some Computer Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide has not affected the candidates.

    Benjamin explained that adequate examination centres was provided to all who registered for the examination.

    The board in its weekly Bulletin of the Office of the Registrar for April 15 said that it uncovered and arrested ‘Professional Examination Writers’ who writes examination for candidates for a fee.

    According to the bulletin, 50 of such fraudulent persons were apprehended in centres across the country as a result of various intelligence gathering.

    The bulletin also said that the board suspended 49 CBT centres from participating in the ongoing exercise.

    The suspended centres which are spread across the country were suspended for failing to live up to expectations in ensuring a seamless examination.

    30 of the exam centres were suspended during the start of the exam on April 11, while the other 19 were blacklisted during the registration’s exercise; 10 of the centres are located in the FCT.

    NAN

  • Carpenter jailed for cheating bride-to-be

    An upper Area Court I, sitting in Kaswan Nama in Jos, on Tuesday sentenced a 25-year-old carpenter, Salisu Sani to 18 months in prison for  cheating a bride to be of N24,000.

    The Judge, Lawal Suleiman, gave Sani with an option to pay a fine of N15,000.

    Suleiman also ordered the convict to pay the complainant, Ummi Abdulsalam  N240000 as a compensation.

    Read Also: Carpenter pleads guilty to raping 18-year-old daughter

    The judge ordered that if Sani failed to pay the money to Abdulsalam, he will be sentenced to another five years in prison.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Ibrahim Gowat, told the court that the case was reported on April 10, at the Laranto Police station by the complainant who resides at Fatimah Street, Jos.

    Gowat said that the complainant gave the convict N240000 to make a bed, dressing mirror and a wardrobe in preparation for her wedding and he used it for his personal needs.

    The convict pleaded guilty to the offense.

    The offence, the prosecution said, contravened the provisions of sections 296 and 306 of Plateau State Penal Code law.

    NAN

  • Court remands man for defiling a minor

    An Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court, in Lagos State,on Tuesday  ordered that an unemployed man, Abayomi Adebayo, who allegedly defiled a six-year-old girl be remanded in prison.

    The police charged Adebayo, 42, whose address was not provided, with indecent assault.

    Chief Magistrate F.A Azeez, did not take the plea of the defendant.

    Azeez,ordered the police to duplicate the case file and send it to the office of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

    Read Also: 20-year-old man remanded for defiling minor

    She adjourned the case until June 6, for mention.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt John Iberedem, told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 4, at No.26 Adekunle Ojo str, Ori-Okuta Agric area in Ikorodu.

    Iberedem alleged that the accused unlawfully had canal knowledge of the minor.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provision of  Section 137 of criminal law of Lagos State, 2015 as amended.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendant is liable to life imprisonment if found guilty of the offence.

    NAN

  • Group advises Imo governor elect to ignore sychophants

    Mr Kingsley Onwubiko, Secretary to the Committee on Volunteer/Support Group (CVSG) of PDP in Imo, on Tuesday advised Chief Emeka Ihedioha, the Imo Governor-elect, to ignore sycophants.

    Onwubiko told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that political sycophants were the cause of bad leadership in Nigeria.

    He condemned the manner some sycophants had misled many leaders in the country to the detriment of the masses.

    “Many leaders in the past with laudable roadmap for the people have been either deceived or hijacked by these sycophants.

    “The irony is that many of these sycophants did not even support Ihedioha when we were campaigning, but today they are mounting billboards in praise of him,” Onwubiko said.

    Read Also: Fire guts arrival terminal of Imo airport

    The PDP chieftain reiterated his call on the Governor-elect to avoid the sycophants whose stock in trade was to create a gap between the leader and his people.

    He explained that many of them were propelled by selfishness and greed.

    According to him, they are the true enemies of the people with anti-people advice if allowed.

    He, however, expressed total confidence in the Governor-elect, describing him as a man of the people.

    Onwubiko said that Ihedioha would not allow political jobbers to distract him because of his genuine love for Imo people.

    NAN reports that leadership in Africa generally has been plagued by sycophancy leading to political and economic downturn.

    NAN

  • Court sentences student to two years imprisonment for stealing microphone from church

    An upper Area Court I sitting in Kasuwan Nama, Jos, on Tuesday sentenced a student , Hamisu Abubakar to two years in prison for stealing a wireless microphone from a Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church .

    The Judge, Lawal Suleiman, who sentenced Abubakar, 20, gave him an option to a pay a fine of N20,000 for stealing and one year imprisonment for trespass with an option of N10,000 fine.

    He said that the judgment would serve as deterrent to those who would want to indulge in such act.

    Read Also: Man drags brother to court over nudity, Indian hemp smoking

    Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Daniel Longwal, told the court that the case was reported on April 9, at the Anglo-Jos Police station by one Pastor Nathan Abiodun of Mountain of Fire and Miracles, Sparkling Junction who is the complainant.

    The prosecutor said that while the pastors were having their prayer meeting in the afternoon, the accused went to the altar and disconnected the wireless microphone worth N35,000.

    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 334 and 273 of Plateau State penal code law.

    The convict pleaded guilty to the offence.

    NAN

     

  • Police to prosecute motorists with tinted vehicles, siren in Enugu

    The police command in Enugu says owners of vehicles with tinted glasses and sirens without authorization will be prosecuted in the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Ebere Amaraizu, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu.

    “The command is reminding members of the public that the clampdown on vehicles with tinted glasses without permit; those covering their vehicle number plates and the use of siren without authorisation is still in progress.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Mr Sulaiman Balarabe, has directed security operatives for diligent prosecutions of offenders,’’ Amaraizu said.

    Read Also: Harvest of murders in Enugu

    The command also reminded residents of the state that the ban on the use of commercial motorcycles in Enugu metropolis was still in effect, calling on them to be law abiding.

    “The commissioner has also directed police and security operatives to fish out those in the violation of the ban.

    “While impounding their motorcycles and ensure diligent prosecutions of persons involved,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • FAAN threatens to withdraw services

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it has concluded plans to withdraw security and aerodrome rescue as well as fire fighting services to some state/private airports over huge debts owed it.

    In the absence of aviation security and aerodrome rescue and fire fighting services, no flights can either take off or land in any airport in line with standards and recommended practices of global industry regulator, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    FAAN is the government agency saddled with statutory responsibilities of providing such services.

    FAAN and some private/state airports have been having a running battle for some years on either how to reconcile or recover the billions of naira owed it by operators of the facilities.

    Read also: FAAN seeks N101b in 2019 budget

    To be affected by the withdrawal of services include Osubi Airport near Warri, Delta State and Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2 ), which are the two  private airport terminals in the country.

    Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Delta State Airport, Asaba, Bayelsa International Cargo Airport, in Ammassona; Gombe State Airport, in Gombe; Jigawa State Airport, Dutse; Kebbi State Airport, Birnin Kebbi and Taraba State Airport, Jalingo are among the state airports to be affected.

    To make good its plan, FAAN on Monday issued a notice of intention to sanction the affected private/state airports over their indebtedness.

  • Man kills lover over infidelity

    A 28-year-old man, Munado Tomworio, has allegedly killed his lover, Victoria Ekalamene, at Oluasiri in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    The suspect allegedly shot dead his girlfriend after accusing her of infidelity.

    He was said to have queried the deceased at gunpoint about an unknown man and suddenly the gun went off, shattering her face.

    It was gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 11pm on Sunday, caused panic.

    Following the sound of the gun, residents were said to have rushed to the scene, overpowered and apprehended the suspect.

    Sources said he was handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.

    Read also: SORROWFUL DAY IN BAYELSA

    An eyewitness, who spoke in confidence, wondered why a man would kill a girl he had not paid her dowry, on suspicion of cheating.

    Police spokesman Asinim Butswat confirmed the incident, saying the suspect was being detained at the command’s headquarters in Yenagoa.

    Butswat, a Superintendent of Police, said:  “On April 14, at about 2245 hrs, Mr. Munabo Tonworio, male, 28, shot dead his lover, Victoria Ekalamene, female, after a quarrel, at the home of the deceased at Oluasiri in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    The murder weapon, a locally- made gun and an expended AA ammunition, were recovered from the scene. The suspect has been arrested and is being detained at the State Criminal and Investigative Department (SCID), Yenagoa. Investigation is on.”

  • Troops kill 27 Boko Haram terrorists, recover arms, ammunition

    Twenty-Seven insurgents believed to be  Boko Haram members were at the weekend killed by troops of Sector 1 of Operation Lafiya Dole and Cameroonian Defence Forces in Borno State, the army said yesterday.

    The terrorists, according to army spokesmam Col. Sagir Musa, met their waterloo when they clashed with the troops on clearance operations in northern parts of Wulgo, Tumbuma, Chikun Gudu and Bukar Maryam villages.

    Col. Musa listed the items recovered by the troops as five gun trucks, several motorcycles, five AK47 rifles, an automatic revolver galil rifle, a G3 rifle, two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), two anti-aircraft guns, four rocket-propelled gun tubes, a PK machine gun, an M21 rifle and locally made dane gun.

    Others include: five rocket-propelled gun tube bombs, 1,000 assorted rounds of different calibre ammunition, five AK47 Magasines, several links of 12.7mm, a Land Cruiser buffalo, a Nissan GT, a Land Cruiser destroyer as well as a flag and grinding machine.

    Read also: Boko Haram kills seven soldiers in Chad, says Army

    The Army spokesman said in statement: “There is no casualty on the part of the Nigerian and Cameroonian Forces.

    “Coordinated military operation is ongoing especially in the fringes of Gomboru-Ngala and surrounding areas to deal with the fleeing bandits running out from Multinational Joint Task Force’s (Op YANCIN TAFKI)  onslaught on their hideouts.”

  • ‘Corruption fight will be frontal in Buhari’s new administration’

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has assured the international community that President Muhammadu Buhari’s new administration will be more determined in the fight against corruption.

    Mohammed who gave the assurance in Washington D.C., in an interview with the Voice of America (VOA), said  the president will not compromise his anti-corruption programmes and policies.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Minister is in Washington to engage international media and think tank, promote and reiterate the successes of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    The interview anchored in English by Alhaji Aliyu Mustapha of the VOA Hausa service, the minister said that the anti-corruption fight would be frontal in the agenda of the government because corruption is one of the major causes of poverty and underdevelopment in the country.

    He recalled a saying by President Buhari that “if we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill us’ and reiterated the government commitment to the fight against the scourge.

    The minister also reiterated the discovery during the past administration, that 55 Nigerians shared a whopping sum of N1.3 billion equivalent to what the present administration had spent on infrastructure development in four years.

    “The President is committed to the fight against corruption and the administration will continue with it.

    “For example, the Treasury Single Account has instituted accountability in government‘s earnings and spendings and the whistle blower policy has led to the recovery of billions of Naira.

    “It takes more than four years to clean a country endemic in corruption. However, it is on record that this administration has driven corruption under the carpet in four years.

    Read Also: Osinbajo urges journalists to expose corruption

    “In the next four years, therefore, the government will consolidate on the achievements recorded particularly in the fight against corruption,” he said.

    Speaking on insecurity, the minister said that the administration would apply multi-dimensional approach besides deployment of forces.

    He said the government was not unaware of other remote causes of the crises in the affected areas including economic and social reasons, non-inclusiveness, lack of infrastructure and job opportunities.

    The minister noted that, by and large, the administration had performed well in addressing insecurity and the country is safer than it was in 2015.

    Specifically, he said the government had successfully secured the entire territory of the country from the Boko Haram while the farmers/herdsmen clash in Benue had been curtailed.

    Mohammed said that the fight against banditry, killings and banditry in Zamfara and Kaduna has been put under control in the last two weeks because of the synergy among the security forces.

    He assured that the government will continue to strengthen partnership on the regional and international levels in addressing the challenges.

    The minister also said that the administration has made progress in economy recovery with deliberate programmers of diversifying the economy through agriculture and other sectors as well as developing infrastructure.

    Speaking on the general elections, the minister said that President Buhari’s victory was well deserved and represented the triumph of the ordinary Nigerians over the elites.

    He said having delivered on his electoral promises, the people voted for Buhari and he won the elections fairly and squarely with about four million votes.

    Mohammed said with the wide margin of winning, the government did not envisage any attempt to delegitimize the will of the people.

     

    NAN