The Nation Newspaper

Tag: The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

  • Ex-first lady Patience Jonathan sighted at Skyebank in Abuja

    Ex-first lady Patience Jonathan sighted at Skyebank in Abuja

    Former first Lady, Patience Jonathan was on Monday sighted at the Maitama branch of the Skye bank in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this may not be unconnected with her  5.9 million dollars which was recently unfrozen by a court order.

    NAN also reported that the former first lady was at the bank until 4:05 p.m. when she departed but declined to speak to hordes of reporters who sought to know why she was at the bank.

    A source, however, told NAN that while at the bank, Jonathan briefly met an Executive Director of the bank.

    One of her aides, who declined to disclose his name, told newsmen that “everything was okay”.

    A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Thursday vacated its order which in 2016 froze the Skye Bank account of the ex-first lady.

    The account had a balance of 5.9 million dollars at the period.

    The Judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, set aside the ‘No-Debit Order’ which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission earlier placed on the account on allegations that the money found in it was a proceed of crime.

  • Woman arraigned for assaulting neighbour

    Woman arraigned for assaulting neighbour

    A 35-year-old trader, Helen Ogochukwu, on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly beating her neighbour, Mr. Dotun Shomoye, to a pulp.

    Ogochukwu, who resides at No. 5, Adekoya St., Oshodi, Lagos, pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of assault, willful damage and breach of peace.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Eruada Victor, told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 4 at her residence.

    Victor said the accused assaulted her co-tenant, Mr Dotun Shomoye, by beating him to a pulp.

    He said the assault followed an argument between the accused and the complainant, Shomoye.

    He said the accused tore the complainant’s T-shirt valued at N2,000, while the case was reported to the police and the accused was arrested.

    The offenses contravened Sections 166, 171 and 337 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sections 171 and 337 prescribe three-year jail term for assault, and damage.

    The Magistrate, Mrs G.O. Anifowoshe, granted the accused bail in the sum of N2,000 with one surety in like sum, one of who must be gainfully employed and show evidence of a two-year tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    Further hearing in the case has been fixed for April 12.

  • Umahi replaces deceased aide with son

    Umahi replaces deceased aide with son

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has replaced his late aide, Mr Emmanuel Anaga, who died in a fatal motor accident last Friday, with his son, Emmanuel (Jnr).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Anaga, who was the governor’s Technical Adviser on Agriculture, hailed from Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu Local government Area of the state.

    The deceased’s Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) collided with a commercial bus at about 8.30 p.m., leaving him and three other persons dead.

    Confirming the governor’s pronouncement to NAN in Abakaliki on Tuesday, Chief Clement Nweke, the Governor’s Principal Secretary, said it was a way of appreciating his efforts in the development of the state.

    “The governor earlier announced that he will be made the Vice Chairman of the Local Government but we opted for a position that will be more continuous, to create the desired impact in the family,” he said.

    Mr Mark Onu, Chairman, Forum of Technical Advisers to the governor, also confirmed the pronouncement, noting that the forum appreciated the governor for the action.

    “Anaga, popularly called Chico, was energetic and resourceful while alive and above all, lived a life worthy of emulation.

    “He was humble to a fault and this endeared him to political stakeholders in the council, state and even the governor.”

    Onu remarked that the governor’s action showed that he was responsive to peoples’ needs, especially those at the grassroots.

    “The forum of technical advisers will appreciate this gesture by re-dedicating ourselves to the service of the state and support the governor in delivering dividends of democracy to the people.”

    He remarked that the forum would continue to support Anaga’s family and ensure that his son was duly integrated into the fold in the execution of its activities.

    “I urge my colleagues to exemplary lives worthy of emulation as Anaga’s life on earth made political stakeholders in the state extol his virtue and identify with his family in this moment of grief,” he said.

    Chief Clement Odaa, Caretaker Chairman of Ohaukwu local government, commended the governor for the action and described Anaga as `a political icon’.

    “His legacies will remain indelible in the minds of people. We will participate actively in his burial programmes and support his family tremendously to assuage their pains,” he said.

  • SON seizes N40m substandard electric cables in Anambra

    SON seizes N40m substandard electric cables in Anambra

    The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it has confiscated five truck-load of substandard electric cables, worth over N40 million in Obosi, near Onitsha, in Anambra.

    Dr Romanus Isife, Acting State Coordinator, SON, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Awka.

    Isife said the seizure was made on March 27, following a petition on the imported substandard electric cables, written against the fake producer, by the original patent of the cables.

    He said two persons attached to the distribution firm where the items were recovered from were also arrested by the organisation.

    “The operation, which was carried out after an investigation, was part of our zero tolerance and enforcement, to rid the country of substandard products.

    “Nigeria, being a developing country and emerging market for all products, is no yardstick for life-threatening substandard products in the country.

    “Our core mandate is to elaborate and enforce the application of standards for all products,” Isife said.

    According to him, the confiscated electrical cables are life-endangering products, adding that they cannot resist fire.

    Isife, who said that enforcement would be a continuous exercise, warned those indulged in counterfeiting to desist from such act or risk arrest.

  • Court dissolves marriage over incompatibility

    Court dissolves marriage over incompatibility

    A Jos High Court on Tuesday dissolved a four-year-old marriage over what the couple described as their “incompatibility”.
    The couple, Dorcas Alimi and AkeA Jos High Court on Tuesday dissolved a four-year-old marriage over what the couple described as their “incompatibility”.
    The couple, Dorcas Alimi and Akeem Alimi, residents of Jos, whose marriage on Sept. 7, 2013, told the court, via a document containing terms of out-of-court settlement, that their union had collapsed beyond redemption.
    “We can no more accommodate each other; we want this marriage dissolved,” the couple told the court.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the wife, Dorcas, had dragged her husband before Justice Christine Dabup, of High Court 8, on Oct. 7, 2016, seeking a dissolution of the marriage.
    She prayed the court to dissolve the marriage on the ground that the marriage had broken down irretrievably.
    When the case came up for hearing on Dec. 13, 2016 the counsel to the wife, Mr Sunday Lekshak, and that of the husband, Fwangshak Pwul, asked for time to explore the possibility of out-of-court settlement, which was granted.
    On their return on Tuesday, the respondent’s counsel, Pwul, told the court that they were able to settle the matter out-of-court, via terms that both parties had consented to.
    “My Lord, we have been able to settle the couple out-of-court; we have with us the terms of the settlement, which we wish to present to the court for consideration.
    “The terms of settlement, dated March 13, 2017 were filed before this court on March 14, 2017 and I hereby call the attention of your Lordship to it.
    “The parties have amicably agreed to part because they have both agreed that that they cannot stay together any longer.
    “The two of them have also agreed that the marriage is beyond redemption,” he said.
    Lekshak, in response, consented to Pwul’s statement and also asked the court to look at the terms of settlement and give its judgement.
    Justice Dabup, in her judgement, declared the marriage dissolved based on the terms of agreement reached by the couple.
    “According to the terms of settlement before this court, it is clear that the marriage is broken as posited by the couple.
    “I hereby declare the marriage dissolved, ’’ the judge ruled.
    Dabup, however, commended the two lawyers for settling the couple in the presence of their witnesses.

    em Alimi, residents of Jos, whose marriage on Sept. 7, 2013, told the court, via a document containing terms of out-of-court settlement, that their union had collapsed beyond redemption.
    “We can no more accommodate each other; we want this marriage dissolved,” the couple told the court.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the wife, Dorcas, had dragged her husband before Justice Christine Dabup, of High Court 8, on Oct. 7, 2016, seeking a dissolution of the marriage.
    She prayed the court to dissolve the marriage on the ground that the marriage had broken down irretrievably.
    When the case came up for hearing on Dec. 13, 2016 the counsel to the wife, Mr Sunday Lekshak, and that of the husband, Fwangshak Pwul, asked for time to explore the possibility of out-of-court settlement, which was granted.
    On their return on Tuesday, the respondent’s counsel, Pwul, told the court that they were able to settle the matter out-of-court, via terms that both parties had consented to.
    “My Lord, we have been able to settle the couple out-of-court; we have with us the terms of the settlement, which we wish to present to the court for consideration.
    “The terms of settlement, dated March 13, 2017 were filed before this court on March 14, 2017 and I hereby call the attention of your Lordship to it.
    “The parties have amicably agreed to part because they have both agreed that that they cannot stay together any longer.
    “The two of them have also agreed that the marriage is beyond redemption,” he said.
    Lekshak, in response, consented to Pwul’s statement and also asked the court to look at the terms of settlement and give its judgement.
    Justice Dabup, in her judgement, declared the marriage dissolved based on the terms of agreement reached by the couple.
    “According to the terms of settlement before this court, it is clear that the marriage is broken as posited by the couple.
    “I hereby declare the marriage dissolved, ’’ the judge ruled.
    Dabup, however, commended the two lawyers for settling the couple in the presence of their witnesses.

  • LASG begins training, accreditation of bus conductors

    LASG begins training, accreditation of bus conductors

    The Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) on Monday urged bus conductors in the state to be civil in their dealings with commuters and other road users.

    Mr Philip Ogunlade, the Chief Executive Officer of LASDRI, gave the charge in his address at a one-day training and accreditation of bus conductors in Lagos State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 55 executive members of the Bus Conductors Association of Nigeria (BCAN) participated in the exercise which began with medical checks.

    According to Ogunlade, the purpose of the exercise is to impart professional skills in the association’s members, as well as improve public confidence and perception among them.

    He said: “What we do at the institute is to train and re-train drivers, as well as re-certify them.

    “But for the first time in the history of the country, bus conductors are being trained to become better human beings on the road, and relate better with the commuters and other road users.

    “We are happy to be part of this noble invention because it will enable us take their data, identify whom they are and the vehicle they work with.

    “This will help the government in security areas, so the problem of ‘one-chance’ vehicles will be reduced to the barest minimum.

    “That is why we have started computing their data for easy identification,’’ he said.

    Ogunlade added that the institute would not rest on its oars at ensuring that bus conductors and transport unions in the state embrace the state’s traffic laws.

    “It is not going to be an affair of the executive alone; we will go all out to ensure that other members of the association undergo training at the institute.

    “We will work assiduously with the association and other unions to ensure that they bring their members for training.

    “On our part, we have begun an enlightenment campaign for the various unions; starting with the Iyana-Ipaja branch; and next week, we will be conducting the training going for the Mile 2 branch,’’ he said.

    Mrs Bola Tiamiyu, LASDRI’s Director of Training, in her reactions said that the roles of bus conductor were very important in the society.

    “This is why we have invited you to attend the training that will make you relate better with other members of the public and become better on the job.

    “We believe that at the end of the exercise you will become better conductors on the road,’’ Tiamiyu said.

  • Naira dips further against dollar

    Naira dips further against dollar

    The Naira on Wednesday depreciated further against the dollar, amid last minute perfection of documentation by Bureau De Change (BDC) operators, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    The Nigerian currency lost one point to exchange at N394 to the dollar at the parallel market; while it traded at N505 and N440 against the Pound Sterling and the Euro, respectively.

    At the BDC segment of the market, the naira exchanged at N393, N504 and N437 to the dollar, Pound Sterling and the Euro respectively.

    However, the naira appreciated at the official interbank market as it closed at N314.14 from N324.4 it posted in Tuesday.

    Traders at the market said that the perfection of documentation by BDCs was holding the naira from crashing further at the parallel market.

    Meanwhile, Mr Harrison Owoh, a BDC operator, said that few banks have begun the sale of forex to some BDCs.

    Owoh said that the increase in the forex allocated to BDCs by the apex bank was in the right direction.

    He said that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) decision was “a futuristic comment targeted at stifling the invisible hand of currency speculators”.

    He added that the increase was part of the CBNs decision to ensure a robust and sustainable forex supply in the market.

    NAN reports that the CBN rose from its bankers committee meeting on Tuesday and announced the increase in weekly forex sales to BDCs from N30,000 to N50,000 dollars.

  • Killing of soldiers on duty unacceptable- Buratai

    Killing of soldiers on duty unacceptable- Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has described the killing of some soldiers and airmen on lawful duty in Bosso, Niger State, by suspected gun runners as unacceptable.

    Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday shortly after addressing personnel at the 332 Artilery Regiment in Shendam, Buratai, however, said the incident would not deter the military from carrying out its lawful duties.

    “What happened in Bosso is highly unfortunate,’’ he said, noting that the troops were on a mission to recover arms hid in communities in the area when they were ambushed and killed.

    “But instead of them – gun runners to be law abiding, they took the law into their hands and attack the troops.

    “We have the mandate to bring the situation under control, we are working with the police to make sure that we keep our society free of criminalities,’’ the chief of army staff said.

    It will be recalled that the army in a statement on Saturday said that eight of its soldiers and two airmen were ambushed and killed in Bosso during raid on hideout of suspected gun runners.

    Spokesman of the army, Col. Sani Usman, however, said the military killed eight of the suspected bandits and arrest 57 others.

    On his visit to the regiment and other military formations in the state, Buratai said it was “routine’’ and to find out challenges of the troops in order to address them.

    “If you are not on ground to see them and know what their challenges are, you will not be able to appreciate and address them,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the chief of army staff announced the promotion of a Gunner in the regiment, Dantani Ibrahim, to Lace Corporal, for his bravery, dedication and hard work.

    Buratai, who later addressed wives of soldiers at the regiment, promised to give their welfare a top priority, adding that children of soldiers, who died in line of duty would be sponsored even up to university level.

    He also said that any of those children, who so desire to get enlisted into any of the military services would be given priority.

  • FG to reduce importation of items to by 201

    FG to reduce importation of items to by 201

    The Federal Government is targeting to reduce the costs of its annual importation of various items into Nigeria from N9.85 trillion in 2016 to N8.79 trillion by 2019.

    This is part of the proposal the Federal Government plans to make in the 2017-2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework to be submitted to the National Assembly in October.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) obtained the document from a source at the Ministry of Budget and National Planning on Monday in Abuja.

    According to the document, this shows a decrease of about N1.05 trillion in import bill from 2016 to 2019.

    NAN recalls that the country is heavily dependent on importation. Trillions of Naira is spent annually on importing processed meat, poultry, tomatoes, toothpicks and clothing, among others.

    This has led to the depletion of the nation’s foreign reserves.

    Statistics from the Central Bank of Nigeria shows that rice, wheat, fish and sugar account for the highest amount of food imports into the country.

    About N3.4 trillion is being spent annually on importing the food items.

    However, the document shows that the Federal Government is projecting that the level of importation into the country would rise slightly to N9.9 trillion in 2017 due to slow economic recovery.

    However, after the recovery, it is projected that the country would begin to see a significant reduction in the level of importation from N9.9 trillion in 2017 to N9.34 trillion.

    Accordingly, it is also projected that there will be a reduction in the level of importation to N8.79 trillion in 2018 and 2019 fiscal periods.

    The Strategy Paper shows that the government is determined to reduce the level of import by further diversifying the economy and focus on agriculture, solid minerals and manufacturing.

    It also stated that the government will focus on other areas where the country has comparative advantage.

    “The fiscal strategy for 2017 to 2019 builds on the framework of the 2016-2020 Medium Term Development Plan is designed to reflate the economy out of recession to a sustainable and inclusive growth path.

    “Government will support rapid development of Small and Medium Enterprises through increased funding and focus on value chain that will generate wealth and improve sufficiency,” the document stated.

    The document also shows that the Federal Government is determined to increase exports of locally manufactured goods and services in the next three years.

  • How woman dumped her son’s corpse in canal-  witness

    How woman dumped her son’s corpse in canal-  witness

    A police witness, Sgt. Adeola Lawal, told an Ikeja High Court in Lagos that a hairdresser, Funmilayo Odunlade, dumped the corpse of her 13-year-old son, Tunde Sunmola, in a canal after the boy died of an illness sometime in 2014.

    Lawal made the revelation on Thursday while being led in evidence by the prosecution led by Mr Adebayo Haroun.

    According to him, the defendant on Aug. 2, 2014 at 6.00 a.m. dumped the corpse of her son in the canal after he died from an undisclosed illness.

    “She dumped the corpse of her biological son in a canal at Mowe in Ogun on the  Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    “After she gave me her statement being a mother also, I immediately swung into action by trying to locate the corpse of the boy.

    “All efforts to locate Tunde’s body proved abortive and we charged her to court and thereafter forwarded her case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice,’’ Lawal said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 36-year-old Odunlade of No 17, Emmanuel St., Maryland, Lagos, is facing a charge of misconduct relating to corpses which is contrary to Section 163 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    Lawal, who is the Investigating Officer in the case,  said that on Aug. 7, 2014 the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba.

    “The complainant was one Mrs Wuraola Sunmola, the former mother-in-law to the defendant and we summoned the defendant who volunteered to give a written statement.

    `The defendant said the deceased had called her to say he was being beaten and maltreated by his father, her ex-husband in Ijebu-ode, Ogun, and wanted to come to Lagos for a holiday.

    “The defendant then brought the late Tunde to Lagos and kept him with her sister one Yemi Odunlade at Mowe, Lagos for the holiday.”

    Lawal said that while Tunde was at his aunt’s place he complained of pains in the leg which made his mother go to Ijebu-ode to inform her former mother-in-law and to solicit for financial assistance for medical attention.

    “Her mother-in-law gave her N3, 000 cash, drugs and some foodstuff for the deceased and she returned to Lagos,’’ Lawal said.

    Lawal further told the court that a few days after the trip, Oduntan received news from her sister that Tunde had died.

    “Immediately she heard the news, she made a trip to Ijebu-Ode to inform the complainant about the death of Tunde.

    “Her mother-in-law upon receiving the bad news got a bus and three men to go to Lagos with the defendant to retrieve Tunde’s corpse,” Lawal added.

    She said that the trip was terminated half way by the driver and the three men because of heavy traffic.

    “The driver and the men headed back to Ijebu-Ode leaving the defendant behind and she headed to Mowe, on her own.

    “She said when she got to her sister’s home, she was in a state of confusion and so she along with her sister hired a motorcyclist to convey the corpse from the house.

    “The motorcyclist conveyed the corpse of the deceased and his mother and on the way, she told the motorcyclist to drop her and the corpse at an undisclosed location where she dumped the body into a canal.

    “I and my team took the defendant to Mowe to retrieve the body, but our efforts were futile because the defendant claimed she could not remember the exact place where she dumped the body.’’

    After Lawal had given her testimony, the prosecutor sought to tender the confessional statement of Oduntan as evidence.

    The Defence led by Mr K.O Adebisi of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), however, objected to Oduntan’s statement being tendered as evidence because it was made involuntarily.

    “She was taken to the police station in handcuffs, threatened and not cautioned by the police as to her right to have a counsel present,’’ Oduntan said.

    The prosecution, however, maintained that the statement was made voluntarily.

    “We are ready to prove that the statement was made voluntarily and we are calling for a trial within trial to prove that the statement was voluntary.’’

    Justice Sedotan Ogunsanya agreed with the prosecution’s request and ordered that a trial- within-trial should be held on the next date of adjournment.

    The case has been adjourned to Oct. 27 for a trial-within-trial.