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  • Accident victims die as a result of poor handling, says FRSC

    Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kwara state, Uchechukwu Wihioka on Monday said many have died due to poor handling by road users rendering assistance to accident victims.

    He said that proper enlightenment among road users can save lives of accident victims on Nigerian roads.

    Mr. Wihioka said this in Ilorin, the state capital at the second emergency and first responder trauma training programme among officers and selected members of the public.

    He said that the training was organized by the FRSC in conjunction with Australian agency which specialized in trauma management.

    He added that it was aimed at training people on safety measures to take when accident occurs and which will not make them cause more harm to injured victims of road accidents.

    “Safety requires a collective measure. It is not for road safety officials alone. It’s for everybody. So, we should be knowledgeable on what to do when on the road. With this, we’ll reduce deaths from road crashes and know the right thing to do not to damage what had already been damaged.

    “When you find yourself at scene of a road crash, don’t be in a hurry to leave the scene. Stop. The moment you stop, you may save a life. With the knowledge already garnered from a seminar like this, you can always package the victim to safety. We should all be safety conscious and be willing to render informed assistance”, he said.

    The FRSC boss, who said that road accidents had been reduced in the state by 45 per cent in the first quarter of the year, added that the record was achieved in collaboration with assistance of members of the press and public.

    Read Also: FRSC pledges to reduce traffic crashes on highway

    “We’ve also intensified on high powered monitoring on our highways, for instance, Oloru-Bode Saadu-Jebba road. We’ve also introduced camp measures with our officials always there to calm down traffic and road users among other safety measures.

    In a remark, the state commissioner for Works and Transport Aro Yahaya, said that the state government had partnered FRSC in carrying out road safety activities aimed at reducing crashes on the road.

    He said that road safety activities can only be carried out in collaboration with other concerned stakeholders, hoping that the seminar would help make road safer and reduce carnage on the roads by 20 per cent.

    He said that the state government was committed to improving on road infrastructure in the state, particularly, the ongoing Gerin Alimi Diamond Underpass and Sango-UITH dualization road, Ilorin, among all other critical ongoing road projects in the state

    “In the event that we’re unable to complete these ongoing projects, I call on incoming administration to complete and put these unique and strategic projects in the state to use for benefits of Nigerians and Kwara”, he said.

     

  • ‘INEC hired el-Rufai’s personal lawyer to defend case at tribunal’

    Senator representing Kaduna Central senatorial district on the platform of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Shehu Sani has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of alleged conspiracy by hiring Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai’s personal lawyer as her counsel at the tribunal.

    According to the Senator, hiring Governor el-Rufai’s personal lawyer in a case the governor himself is a party is an attempt to truncate justice.

    Speaking with newsmen at his Kaduna residence, the Senator who is challenging the National Assembly result of the 9th March election in which he was a contestant, averred that A.U Mustapha has been Governor el-Rufai’s personal lawyer in all of the court cases of the governor including four cases of defamation filed against him by the governor.

    “The same lawyer is the one representing el-Rufai in a case between the governor and the Union newspapers, and another case between the governor and the Ahmed Datti of Baze University “.

    Read Also: INEC: Atiku spreading fake election results

    The Senator said, “The NASS election was rigged, fraudulent and marred by massive irregularities and it was geared towards removing some of us and replacing us with their stooges.

    “Leaders cannot claim to be men and women of integrity once they impose themselves in position of power fraudulently. Election in Kaduna State was neither free, fair nor credible.

    “INEC using el-Rufai’s personal lawyer as their counsel is not only suspicious and my counsel has petition the commission, even though we are not challenging it in court because it will eat into the 90 days widow of the tribunal.

    “We have presented documents to INEC to proof that A.U Mustapha is a personal lawyer to Governor el-Rufai. Why should INEC hire el-Rufai’s personal lawyer if the commission knows that all that was done is fair and just.

    “My votes at the election was not counted, my votes were surpressed against the principle of fairness and transparency and I will not remain silence to allow injustice prevail. I can tell beyond reasonable doubt that I am the winner of the election.

    “We are going to challenge the proof of massive fraud, rigging and malpractices that characterizes the election in Kaduna State.” He stressed.

  • Herdsmen kill 16 in Nasarawa Community

    Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias on Sunday attacked Numa village in Andaha community of Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State killing 16 Mada natives during a naming ceremony.

    The incident is coming barely three weeks after it was reported that some suspected herdsmen raped a Mada girl to death which had sparked off a faceoff between the herdsmen and the natives.

    Confirming the ugly incident to Journalists in Akwanga, the headquarters of Akwanga Local Government, the senator representing Nasarawa north senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Sen. Philip Aruwa Gyunka, said the celebrants made up of the father, mother and the son were killed during the attack.

    The Nasarawa senator describes the killings as unfortunate, barbaric and uncalled for.

    Senator Gyunka said: “The unfortunate thing is that both the celebrants- the father, mother and the boy were killed. A pregnant woman is involved in this attack. An aged person above 100 years is also involved in the attack.”

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap four women in Nasarawa

    “They did not spare women or children and this are the people that don’t have arms,” he explained.

    Gyunka continued that he recently moved a motion on the floor of the senate calling on the Federal Government to establish a military base in Akwanga as according to him “because Akwanga is a range for people from Calabar, Maiduguri etc meet in Akwanga to go to Abuja.

    “You can see that incidents of kidnapping and robbery on the Akwanga – Abuja road. This is as result of people moving with weapons unchecked,” Gyunka explained.

    Also, the Paramount ruler of the Mada nation, HRH Samuel Gamu-Yare, while speaking to journalists in his palace about the attack on his subjects, said’ this thing happened like a thunder strike in the night and the terrain was too accessible and when we informed the police, the perpetrators have vanished.”

    Gamu-Yare, who is the Chun Mada, confirmed that 16 people of Mada extraction died in the attack.

    “We have 16 deaths while several others were critically wounded. The militias attacked the celebrant during the naming ceremony before they suddenly resolve to sporadic shooting.”

    “Some of the assassins we’re identified and some names were mentioned and handed over to the security agents,” the monarch revealed.

    According to the Mada monarch, “the situation is quite unfortunate, devastating that a peaceful, law abiding and innocent community like mine, which over decades have never involved in skirmishes either internally or externally, would be attacked when in celebration mood of a naming ceremony by men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.”

  • Shaibu advocates more budgetary allocation for military

    Edo State Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, has called for more budgetary allocation for the Nigerian military to enable it effectively combat the security challenges confronting the country.

    The acting governor made the submission during a courtesy visit by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai, to the Government House, in Benin City, on Monday.

    He noted that the Nigerian Army has restored hope to Nigerians as a result of their role in sustaining peace and stability in the country, noting that their effort has contributed immensely to the peace enjoyed across the South-South.

    “Thank you for what you have done in the North-East and we also appreciate you for the peace in the South-South.

    “Your leadership has ensured a cordial relationship between the Army and civilians. You have reinforced the rules of engagement in our system and it has given us a good image in  the international community,” he said.

    On budgetary provision for the Army, the acting governor urged members of the National Assembly to increase funding for the military to enable them discharge their duties effectively.

    Read Also: Edo agog as Shaibu leads Buhari’s victory celebration

    “Edo State Government joins in the appeal to members of the National Assembly to increase the military budget so they can effectively deal with the security issues confronting the country,” he noted.

    He assured that the state government will contribute to ensuring a successful burial ceremony for late Gen. David Ejoor, who served as the sole administrator of old Bendel State (now Edo and Delta States).

    Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai, said he is on a visit to the state to deliver an inaugural lecture at the Center for Security Affairs, in Igbinedion University, Okada.

    He said he will also pay a condolence visit to the family of late Gen. David Ejoor, who served as Chief of Staff, Nigerian Army, between January 1971 to January 1975, adding, “The loss of late Gen. Ejoor is a sad moment not only for Edo and Delta states or the Army but for Nigeria. We request the full participation of the Edo State Government to ensure a successful burial.”

    Buratai noted that he will use the opportunity to tour some military formations and units in the South-South region to review their general administration and operational capabilities.

     

  • Cook jailed 14 years for beating brother to death over meat

    A Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Monday sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, a cook, Janet James, who beat her eight-year-old brother Saviour Effiong James to death for stealing meat from a pot of soup on August 10, 2009.

    Justice Adedayo Akintoye convicted James, 34, following her plea of guilty to an amended one-count charge of manslaughter.

    The judge said the 14-year imprisonment will take effect from August 21, 2009 when the James was remanded by a magistrates’ court.

    She noted that the defendant entered a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution last Monday at the high court, where the case was transferred to in 2013, and that she pleaded guilty to an amended charge of manslaughter.

    She said: “The sentence and plea bargain agreement states as follows:

    1. Defendant has shown remorse for the offence of manslaughter committed on the 10th day of August 2009 against the person of one Saviour Effiong
    2. The defendant pleads guilty to the offence as charged.
    3. The defendant has agreed to serve 14 years jail term from the date of remand by this honourable court.
    4. The defendant gives an undertaking to be of good behaviour, upon the completion of the jail term

    “In view of this therefore, the defendant, Janet James, is hereby found guilty of manslaughter contrary to Section 317 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003, and is accordingly convicted of same.

    Read Also: Malian jailed two years for Tramadol trafficking

    “I have taken into consideration that this is a 2013 case. I have also been guided by the plea and sentencing agreement entered into by the prosecution, the defendant Janet James and the defence counsel.

    “I note also the fact that the defendant has been in remand custody for many years. As a result therefore, the defendant Janet James is hereby sentenced to a term of 14 years. The term of imprisonment is to run from the date of remand, which is August 21st 2009. This is the judgment of the court.”

    During the trial, prosecution counsel Mrs Abiola Gbadamosi told the court that James committed the offence at about 8pm on August 10, 2009 in the Ilupeju area of Lagos State

    Gbadamosi said the convict killed Saviour James by beating him with a turning stick after accusing him of stealing meat from a pot of soup. She then dumped his body in the premises of an insurance company in Ilupeju.

    In his confessional statement to the police, admitted in court following her plea, James said: “I carried him (the deceased) on my back and walked a long distance before throwing him across the fence. I decided to dump him there because the offices had long been closed.

    “He used to steal. I even warned him when I went to the village to pick him. I beat him on Monday night at about 8pm after several warnings not to steal meat from the pot failed. I hit him with this little pestle (turning stick). But he did not die on the spot. At about 11pm, he woke up to urinate.

    “But when I woke up at about 2am, I discovered he was foaming at the mouth. I called him but there was no response. I tried opening his mouth and even hit him yet there was no movement.

    “Then I waited until about 5am before carrying him on my back and dumped him inside the premises of insurance firm and returned home.”

  • Unlawful detention: Two suspects sue FG, STF

    Two suspects being detained at the Military Special Task Force (STF) Headquarters in Jos, Plateau State have sued the Federal Government and the task force in High Court, demanding N1 billion as general damages for breach of their fundamental human rights.

    Zakka Dung and Joel Sunday also prayed for an order restricting the FG and the STF, their privies and representatives from further arresting and detaining them for no just cause.

    Dung and Sunday, were allegedly arrested by members of the task force on Jan. 26, while playing football at Sabon-Barki, in Jos South Local Government without been told of their offence.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Jos that ever since, they have been in the custody of the STF.

    On March 5, Justice Daniel Longji, of Plateau State High Court IV, had ordered the STF to release the suspects on bail.

    Longji said, “My heart bleeds for this country. It is scary. It is sad to see people or agencies that are supposed to be responsible for protecting the laws of the land, breaking the laws.’’

    “I granted this bail to the two suspects because the task force has refused to charge them to court or release them. That situation forced them (suspects), to file a case against their continuous detention without trial, ’’ he explained.

    Read Also: Why Buhari won Nassarawa, by Al-Makura

    Consequently, the two suspects instituted another court action, this time against the federal government and the STF over what they described an “enforcement of fundamental rights ‘’ under the African Charter on Human rights (Ratification and enforcement Act).

    Joined in the suit are the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the federation, Chief of Defence Staff, and Maj. Gen. Augustine Chris-Chukwudi Agundu, STF Commander.

    The suspects, in an originating motion through their counsel, Mr Gyang Zi, had prayed the State High Court to for an order to enforce their fundamental human rights.

    They alleged that they were subjected to various tortures, severe inhuman and degrading treatment as “they are being fed only ones a day.’’

    They also prayed to court to declare their arrest, assault, torture and detention for over two months now without any just cause, despite a court order granting them bail,“ illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.’’

    The suspects also prayed the court to give an order directing and the respondents to release them from the STF custody or any other custody whosesoever forthwith as well as restraining them from further arresting and detaining them for no just cause.

    NAN reports that the case, which is before Justice S.P. Gang, Barkin Ladi High Court, has been fixed for April 18, 2019 for mention.

    However, Justice Daniel Longji, who had granted the suspects bail, said that the suspects had approached the court seeking for bail over a crime or crimes they claimed they did not know nothing about.

    “It has been difficult to have the task force accept service for this case until we routed it through substituted service. Even after that, the STF refused to show appearance before this court up till date.

    “Since the security outfit refused to appear before me and explain why the suspects are being detained for this long, I have no option than to grant them bail in accordance with section 35 (1)(4) of the 1999 constitution.

    “STF is a military outfit which thinks it is above the law. We don’t have arms, but we have mouths. Bail is hereby granted to the suspects in the sum of 100,000 and a surety each.

    “I hereby condemn the action and attitude of the STF and hope that such unconstitutional act won’t be repeated,’’ Justice Longji declared.

  • Ondo NYSC: CDS group mobilises support for camp clinic project

    Barely few hours after the foundation laying ceremony of the National Youths Service Corps, , Permanent Orientation Camp Clinic in Ondo State, the Camp Clinic Community Development Service group has embarked on massive mobilisation of resources to complete the project.

    The foundation laying ceremony which held recently in Ondo, was performed by the Ondo State Head of Service, Barrister Toyin Akinkuotu.

    The group which is made up of professionals in various fields mapped out strategies to ensure that the project does not tarry beyond the expected completion period of one year.

    The Camp Clinic CDS group has started to solicit for financial donations and materials.

    The group has as its members, two corps doctors- Gbenga Ijimoroti and Jane Ukwuoma.

    Other professionals in the group are Orji Onyeka, who is a Building Technology graduate; Inu Jamiu from Estate Management field; Asia Faith, an Electrical Engineering graduate as well as Onumajuru Blessing whose area of specialisation is Civil Engineering.

    The mobilisation team disclosed that Association of Permanent Secretaries in Ondo State through Pastor Gbenga Adelayi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance had supported the project financially.

    According to them, Ondo State Hospital Management Board under the supervision of Permanent Secretary, Dr. Niran Ikuomola, had pledged to support the project.

    Also, Dr. Durojaiye, Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Health, is said to have expressed the willingness of his ministry to partner NYSC on the project.

    The Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko through the Vice Chancellor, Professor Igbekele Amos Ajibefun made a commitment while the management of the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, through the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Lasisi Ahmed enlisted the support of the Principal Officers of the health institution to assist on the construction.

    The mobilisation train also called on the royal fathers in the Akoko Division of the state, namely Oba Akadiri Saliu Momoh, the Olukare of Ikareland; Oba Samuel Kolapo Adegbite Adedoyin, the Owa-Ale of Ikareland and Oba Yisa Olanipekun, the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko to seek royal blessings and their support for the construction of the edifice.

    Meanwhile, the NYSC management starting with the immediate family and staff of the State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio are not left out.

    The Assistant Directors as well as Chief Inspectors and other cadres have indicated their willingness not to be left behind.

    Meanwhile, the construction company handling Ikare Akoko- Akure Road has notified the NYSC of their intention to supply the laterite sand for the multi million Naira project.

  • Court sentences 66-year-old woman to five years imprisonment for drug trafficking

    The Federal High Court Abuja, on Monday, sentenced a 66 -year-old woman, Sikirat Adeyemi to five years in prison for exporting 1.340 kg of heroine.

    Adeyemi who was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) had pleaded guilty to the offence.

    When the matter was called on Monday, she pleaded for forgiveness, almost in tears, through an interpreter.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Florence Giwa-Ogunbanjo held that the crime she committed was a grievous one which the court could not forgive.

    “I have taken into consideration that she is a first time offender and has not wasted the time of the court. It appears that that is the first step to remorse.

    “I have heard her plea for leniency and the allocutus, unfortunately, the crime carries a life sentence and the court cannot forgive her, nonetheless, I’ll give her a reformatory sentence.

    “In view of this, the defendant is sentenced to five years in prison. The sentence is to commence from when she was initially arrested.”

    The judge said that she hoped that after Adeyemi completed her sentence she would not return to crime.

    Read Also: Woman drags neighbour to court for alleged assault

    She ordered that the convict’s international passport and the €1,000 found on her when she was arrested should be forfeited to the Federal Government.

    She further ordered that the drugs recovered from her should be forfeited to the Federal Government and destroyed 90 days after the judgment, if it was not appealed against.

    Earlier, Counsel to Adeyemi, Mr Adrian Amadi, by way of “allocutus” pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy and give the defendant a light sentence.

    Amadi said that the offence for which she pleaded guilty to, carried a life sentence but since she was a first time offender, had shown remorse and didn’t wast the time of the court, she should be shown mercy.

    “The convict is 66 years old with an aged mother of 98 years who she looks after. She was a successful business woman who lost her business which led her into this unfortunate situation.

    “The convict has shown remorse. The offence is punishable with life imprisonment but the court has the discretion to give a lighter sentence,” Amadi said.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr Mike Kasa also confirmed that the agency had no previous record where Adeyemi had been convicted, making her a first time offender.

    NAN

  • Used tyres: SON intensifies surveillance in Adamawa

    The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is intensifying its surveillance across markets in Adamawa, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Mr Sunday Galadima, the state Coordinator of the organisation, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Yola that the exercise followed reports of influx of used tyres in the state.

    Galadima said the state office embarked on the surveillance to rid the state of the dangers of used or second hand tyres and other substandard goods.

    “We conducted enforcement where we seized most of substandard and used tyres.

    “In fact, during the operations we seized new expired tyres from some shops,” Galadima said.

    READ ALSO: Firm’s MD remanded for allegedly dealing in substandard engine oil

    He said the state office was collaborating with Nigeria Customs Service and other sister agencies to checkmate the influx of substandard goods into the state.

    On the number of substandard goods seized, he assured the record would be made public as soon as it was ready.

    He therefore urged the general public to report any suspicious product to the state office for verification.

  • Man drags brother to court over nudity, Indian hemp smoking

    A 34-year-old man, Umar Yusuf, on Monday dragged his brother, Rabiu Abdullahi before a Sharia Court l sitting in Magajin Gari, Kaduna State for allegedly smoking Indian hemp and walking around the house half-naked.

    Yusuf told the court that he lives with Abdullahi, 32, in a rented apartment in Kaduna metropolis.

    He alleged that Abdullahi was in the habit of inviting his friends to smoke Indian hemp in the compound, adding that whenever he cautioned him he will argue with him.

    “He usually roams about the compound half-naked. I have a wife and kids. it’s not healthy for my family,” he said.

    The defendant, however, pleaded guilty to the offence.

    READ ALSO: Man drags siblings to court over land in Anambra

    Abdullahi said that he too had a grievance to settle with Yusuf’s wife over the aroma of the food she cooks.

    “The aroma of the food disturbs me. A thin wall separates my room from theirs,” he said.

    The Judge, Dahiru Lawal ordered the defendant to stop inviting friends to smoke and also roaming about half-naked in the compound.

    He advised the brothers to live in peace and to discuss what they like and dislike so that peace would reign between them.