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  • Osinbajo urges journalists to expose corruption

    Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has urged Nigerian Journalists to continue to interrogate and expose corruption in the country.

    He said that in this age of social media and fake news which spreads like wildfire, the primary responsibility of media houses is accurate reporting.

    The Vice President made this plea on Monday in Abuja, at a two day editorial conference on legal and ethical issues in investigative reporting in Nigeria, organised by Dailytrust in collaboration with Daily trust foundation and MacArthur foundation.

    Prof. Osinbajo who was represented by his Special Assistant on media, Laolu Akande added that the level of fake news and unverified information which was shared on social media and media platforms during the general elections makes it important for investigative journalism trainings in the country.

    His words, “In the age of social media, where for pecuniary, political or whatever interests, fake news spread like wild fire, and facts are distorted by a few individuals leveraging on various media platforms to push outright misrepresentation into the public space.

    “Recent events, including the past general elections – where fake news and unverified information were shared by many on different media platforms, and on social media especially – have also put a spotlight on the importance of investigative journalism and why our country needs this aspect of the profession more than ever.

    Read Also: Osinbajo meets Blair in Aso Villa

    “Our country needs more of such brave, dogged and passionate investigative journalists, that can speak truth to power, with accuracy, without diluting the facts; journalists who can dig deep into the heart of a story that would enhance the common good and improve the life of the common man, and not the selfish interest of a few; journalists who would refuse the temptation of personal and political interests to rightfully investigate and expose corruption in every sector of society, and make our country and the world at large a better place for all of us.”

    Chairman, Daily Trust foundation, Mallam Wada Maida revealed that so far, the foundation has trained 200 Journalists in Nigeria in the art of investigative Journalism and is working towards training more.

    He added that worldwide, about 94 Journalists were killed last year in the cause of doing their jobs, he also said that any society that suppresses the voice of truth does not progress.

  • Man remanded in prison for alleged fraud

    A chief Magistrates Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has ordered the remand in prison custody of a 35-year-old man, David Dawari for alleged fraud.

    Dawari allegedly defrauded one Micheal Prosper of a cash sum of N520, 000 promising to get him a United States of America (USA) Visa.

    The suspect also allegedly forged the USA Visa for his victim without his knowledge.

    READ ALSO: EFCC nabs five internet fraud suspects in Uyo

    Court document obtained by the Nation in Port Harcourt alleged that the accused committed the fraud number 6 Okhoroma Street Rumuigbo, in Obio/Akpor Local government Area of the state, on February 6, 2029.

    The three-count charge of fraud was not read to him; hence, he did not take any plea.

    Presiding Magistrate, Sokari Andrew-Jaja, said the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter and ordered parties to address the court on the issue of bail.

    Jaja also ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.

    He adjourned till April 23.

  • Herdsmen killing: security beefed up in Anambra community

    Police in Anambra state on Monday said joint security operatives have been deployed in Mmiata, Anambra West local government area of the State following alleged herdsmen’s attack of the community on Saturday.

    The Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed who disclosed this to newsmen in Awka, said the security agencies comprised of the army, police and local vigilante.

    He also said the Command has deployed two units of mobile policemen and other regular officers to the area.

    Mohammed however disclosed that three persons were killed in the attack as against six earlier reported in some dailies.

    He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura had ordered full-scale investigation on the incident in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

    “We are working in conjunction with other security agencies in the operation.

    “Three persons were killed in the attack. We are on top of the situation and I can assure you that normalcy has returned to the place.”

    Read Also: Anambra most wanted criminal suspect remanded

    Mohammed was however silent over any arrest, but assured that the outcome of the investigation would be made public at the appropriate time.

    “I wouldn’t want to speak on issues that would jeopardise investigations,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the governor of the state, Willie Obiano, currently on a trip abroad, may likely cut short his trip following the attack, the Commissioner for Information and enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba has said.

    He said, “A report of the incident had been sent to the Governor who may come back to the country earlier than his scheduled date of return in view of the seriousness of the attack.”

    He urged the people of the area to remain calm; assuring that government would do everything possible to end the frequent attacks by herdsmen in the area.

    One of the residents, Mr. Orjiako Nnaluo (Ideh Anam), had told newsmen that the suspected herdsmen entered farm settlements in the area around 5:40a.m, killing people, burning houses and raping many women.

    He said, “Before we knew what was happening, six people were already dead, while about 30 were left with various degrees of injuries.”

    He said the injured were receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

    Nnaluo, who revealed that all the local farmers had fled the area following the attack, said they were still recovering from a previous attack which claimed three lives before the recent one.

    On his part, Anglican Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, Rt. Rev. Henry Okechukwu Okeke, had condemned the attack, describing it as unfortunate, obnoxious and inhuman.

    He regretted that the ugly incident would not only affect the state economy, but that of the country.

    Also speaking, Traditional ruler of Mkpunando Otu and chairman of Anambra East traditional rulers’ council, Igwe Alex Edozieuno, appealed to the state government to intervene in the settlement of herdsmen in the community.

    He regretted that their presence has continued to generate tension in the area.

    The monarch who confirmed that five people were killed and several others wounded, however added that the herdsmen claimed that some of their men were killed along with their cows.

     

     

     

  • American Model, Amber Rose hospitalised

    American model and Talk Show Host Amber Levonchuck, a.k.a. Amber Rose has been hospitalised due to a condition, which is a form of extreme morning sickness.

    On April 3, the curvy model disclosed via an Instagram post that she was expecting a baby boy with his boyfriend Alexander `AE’ Edwards Def, Jam Record label executive.

    The curvy model cum actress who is pregnant with her second child is reportedly suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum.

    According to TMZ, the 35-year-old model, singer and dancer who is expecting a baby boy in October, had to be hospitalised due to the extreme morning sickness.

    The Philadelphia born model spent few days at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where she was given IV treatments because she is losing weight and throwing up constantly.

    Despite the medical woes, the mother of one and her boyfriend, are excited about having their first child together.

    This will be the model’s second child, as she also had son Sebastian, aged six, with ex husband, Wiz Khalifa.

    Other men she dated included, Kanye West and 21 Savaage

  • Why I want to go to Senate, by Okorocha

    Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, Monday gave hint why he wants to go to National Assembly as Senator representing Imo West Senatorial zone.

    He said he wants to build a strong political bridge between the Southeast and other geopolitical zones of the country.

    The governor also hinted that he would pursue the policy of Free Education at the National Assembly “so that the children of the poorest in the society would have hope of survival in Nigeria”.

    According to him, “I also want to use the opportunity in the Senate to rebuild the Political Bridge that has linked the South East with the rest of Nigerians. The Political Bridge is somehow faulty and it is dutifully incumbent on me to rebuild this bridge so that Igbos will play a recognized role in the Politics of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

    He continued that “I am going to the Senate top promote the course of ordinary Nigerians. These are some of the things I am going to the Senate to do. Otherwise, I have no business there”.

    Okorocha who spoke when he received the new Commander, 34 Field Artillery Brigade (FAB) Obinze Brigadier-General Yusuf Tukura when he came on Courtesy Call at the Government House Owerri, also disclosed that he is leaving behind a viable and secured State.

    He said  that his administration in the State from 2011 to 2019 saw the disappearance of kidnapping, armed robbery, ritual killings, baby factories, militancy and other organized crimes in the State, adding that he would not be happy to hear that these crimes are back to the State when he has left.

    Read Also: Buhari, Okorocha meet in Aso Rock

    He said “We have enjoyed a very good working relationship with all the past Army Commanders and we are hopeful it will continue. Imo is a peaceful State. It was made peaceful through the efforts of the rescue mission government, in partnership with other Security Agencies in the State.

    “The transformation you have seen in Imo State eight years down the line is as a result of Sacrifice. A leader who does not make sacrifices has no business with leadership. What you are seeing in Imo is a product of sacrifice. Sacrifice of self, Sacrifice of Comfort and personality, denial of yourself who you are, that you might serve your people well”.

    He continued, “I will advise you Brigadier general to set a target for yourself on what you want to achieve in Imo State as the Commander in the State. You have brought us message of peace and so we want you to maintain peace and tranquility. You should serve Imo people as your own home. Today you are in Igbo land as a Brigade Commander so you are automatically an Igbo man now; it is the attitude that will guarantee peace in Nigeria”.

    Earlier in his speech, the Army Commander, said he had come on the courtesy call to inform the governor that he has assumed the Command of the Brigade, and to familiarize himself with the governor.

    He informed that he was here in 2011 and is back to the State in 2019 and commended the governor for the transformation that has taken place in the State between 2011 and 2019.

  • NOSDRA fines oil firm for spillage

    The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency has fined the Python Engineering Company Ltd the sum of N260m for oil spillages caused by its vessel, MV Celine.

    NOSDRA sanctioned the oil company for spilling an estimated 250 barrels of AGO and two drums of lubricating oil which occurred at Escraves Breakwater, Delta State on April 19, 2018.

    READ ALSO: Aiteo: We didn’t hinder NOSDRA from investigating fire site

    Additional violations include failure to carry out the Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) as required by the Oil Spill Recovery, Cleanup, Remediation, and Damage Assessment Regulations and failure to clean up the spills as required by section 6 (3) of the 2006 NOSDRA Act.

    The Director General of NOSDRA, Mr. Peter Idabor, in a notification letter, directed Python to pay to the agency the N130m each within twenty-one days for the AGO and the lubricating oil releases as sanctions for violating Sections 6 (2) of the NOSDRA Act of 2006.

    NOSDRA also required the violating company to provide logistics within three days for a damage assessment visit as required by the Agency rules and regulations.

  • Breaking: Stampede as fire guts Imo Airport arrival terminal

    Passengers and Staff at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport were thrown into panic Monday afternoon as fire broke out on the arrival section of the Airport.

    The cause of the fire was not known as at the time of filling this report but a source at the Airport said that there was an going renovation at the arrival hall, which was totally razed.

    Our correspondent gathered that the inferno, which raged for about one hour, started around 2:10pm.

    It took efforts from men of the Fire service and airport workers to put off the fire.

    The source said: “It was a mysterious fire outbreak. It happened at the arrival department of the airport where the authority was carrying out renovation work.

    Read Also: Three killed, others wounded as cultists clash in Imo

    “It would have caused bigger havoc but for the arrival of men of the fire service.

    “It started around 2:10pm and raged for 50 minutes. It damaged equipment and infrastructure but the rescue work assisted in savaging the situation.”

    When contacted the Police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, said that he has not being officially briefed .

  • N29bn alleged fraud: Court admits more evidence against Nyako

    The Federal High Court Abuja on Monday, has admitted in evidence, documents tendered by the prosecution, through the 20th prosecution witness,  Mr Chris Odofin, in the N29 billion fraud trial filed against a former governor of Adamawa, Murtala Nyako.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nyako is being prosecuted alongside his sons, Sen. Abdul-Aziz Nyako, Abubakar Aliyu and Zulkifikk Abba on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering.

    Some of the documents admitted in evidence include a certified true copy of a document captured ‘Blue Opal Nigeria Limited and Blue Opal sales details.’

    The charge was preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

    Five companies, Blue Opal Limited, Sebore Farms & Extension Limited, Pagoda Fortunes Limited, Tower Assets Management Limited and Crust Energy Limited, were equally charged before the court as the 5th to 9th defendants.

    The witness was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    READ ALSO: After Nyako, what next for Adamawa?

    Odofin told the court that in the course of investigating the case, Mohammed Maji-Iro and Abdulmalik Dalhatu were invited by the commission to give statements, but that they both died before the matter was charged to court.

    He also told the court that Mr. Kobis Ari-Thumnu, former Secretary to the State Government of Adamawa and Mahmud Nyako also made statements to the EFCC, but when the matter was charged to court, all efforts to reach them were futile.

    The defence counsel in court led by Mr. Ibrahim Isiaku (SAN) prayed the court to adjourn the matter to enable them prepare to cross examine the witness.

    The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang adjourned the matter until April 10 for the defence to cross-examine Odofin.

  • Intending Pilgrim crushed to death in Lafia

    A female intending pilgrim from Nasarawa state, Malama Hafsatu, has been crushed to death by  fuel tanker at the gate of the Nasarawa State Muslim Pilgrims Board in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.

    Late Hafsatu, who hails from Bakin Chiyawa in Qu’an Pan local government area of Plateau State, came to the Muslim Pilgrims Board in Lafia to undertake medical screening ahead of the impending hajj operations.

    Read Also: Police probe Lafia market fracas

    The Public Relations Officer of the board, Abdul-razaq Muhammad, who confirmed the incident said: “the deceased was involved in an accident in front of the office premises of Nasarawa state pilgrims board by a Petrol Tanker while being conveyed on a motorcycle by her husband”.

    He added that the remains of late Hafsatu have been buried at the Muslim cemetery along Almakura street, Lafia, in the Presence of her Husband, the Police and some staff of the board.

     

  • Anti-oil theft war: Navy hands vessel, 8 suspects over to EFCC in Warri

    The Nigerian Navy has handed eight suspects and a vessel loaded with about 100,000 litres of diesel, suspected to have been illegally acquired, over to the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Speaking during the handing over formalities at the jetty of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, at its Warri base, the Commander of the NNS Delta, Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, warned those engaged in illegal businesses in the maritime environment of the country to desist or soon face the wrath of the law.

    Commodore Dewu, who was represented by the Executive Officer (XO) of the NNS Delta, Navy Captain Adeyemi Adewuyi, while performing the formalities and parade of the suspects, explained that the arrested vessel; MV Mama Elizabeth 1, was arrested for failing to obtain valid naval approvals.

    “MV Mama Elizabeth 1 was arrested on the 15th of March, 2019, around Escravos for carrying Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, around 100,000 liters, without valid naval approval. It may interest you to note that MV Mama Elizabeth 1 was arrested because it failed to obtain naval approval before carrying the product.

    “This morning, after our investigations, I have been directed by the naval headquarters to hand over MV Mama Elizabeth 1 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for further investigations and possible prosecution.

    READ ALSO: Nigerian Navy warns against fake recruitment exercise

    “At the time of their arrest, there were eight suspects on board, they were all crew members. They are all going to be handed over to the EFCC along with the vessel.

    My warning is for those people that are denting or committing maritime crimes to desist from it because the Nigerian Navy will not relent in her efforts to arrest perpetrators of maritime crimes”, he warned.

    Speaking after the handing over formalities, Principal Detective Superintendent with the EFCC, Benin Zonal Office, Mr. Richard Ogberaga, said the commission would carry out further investigations and ensure that all that would be found culpable face the law accordingly.

    “We are going to investigate; first we will look at the source of the product, the quality of the product. These are the things we are going to look at, if there’s any culpability of anyone, we are going to prosecute them.

    “We have started with taking samples, we are also going to see if the vessel can be sounded to get quantity and those are the things that we will do and get to know the extent of the involvement of the parties involved” he said.