The Nation Newspaper

Tag: trails

  • Controversy trails funding of Anambra gov’s wife’s pet project

    The funding of Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE), the pet project of the wife of Anambra State governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, is presently marred by controversies, following allegations that it is being funded by the state government.

    But, in a swift reaction yesterday in Awka, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Willie Obiano, Hon Emeka Ozumba, debunked the claim, describing it as the ranting of those who do not wish Anambra well.

    He said the NGO founded by the wife of the governor was being managed with the husband’s salary and donations from supporters.

    Ozumba said that the clarification became necessary in order to douse insinuations and suggestions in certain quarters to the contrary, and to ensure that the people of the state and discerning members of the public were adequately informed on the sources of funding for the laudable programmes of the charity.

    According to him, “Most of you know that the governor started supporting CAFE with his salary long before other public-spirited donors added their contributions.

    “Anambra does not have a First Lady and there is no statutory budget or allocation for such an office by the legislature.

    “Thus, being conscious of the provisions of the law and the need to ensure that his wife continues with charitable works she is known for all her life, the governor staked his monthly salary which hitherto had gone to churches as contributions.”

    The Senior Special Assistant stated that the governor and his wife had clear understanding of the importance of ensuring that the welfare of the average Anambra woman was not neglected.

  • Controversy trails polls in Cross River

    Controversy has continued to trail the conduct of the Saturday’s election in Cross Rivers State, following speculations that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intends to tamper with the results.

    The Labour Party (LP) seems to be winning in the senatorial and House of Representatives elections in some areas.

    Results for the presidential elections were mostly in favour of the PPD.

    But in other polling units, results had not been not announced as at yesterday evening.

    Results for Abi/Yakurr were not announced, as voters said security agents took the Returning officer away.

    There were speculations  that Governor Liyel Imoke, who hails from Abi, hijacked the results.

    Reacting, the governor’s media aide, Christian Ita, said the governor did not hijack any result.  He said: “The governor is in his house at Itigidi. How can a governor do such a thing? Hoodlums blocked the highway so the police stepped in to maintain law and order.

    “If elections had been won and lost, people should learn to accept defeat. The collation in the north and central districts were done there. Nothing was brought to Calabar.”

    Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council, Mr Goddie Akpama, said the election was inconclusive, as no results were announced.

    His words: “Elections in Abi/Yakurr were inconclusive. It took the security agents to save the crisis.  The Returning officer, who compromised, has absconded without anyone knowing his whereabouts.

    “The CRS REC cannot reach him. We are calling on the Returning officer to come out and do the needful. Elections were inconclusive and IPAC has condemned the attitude and style of the don. Let him return to the federal constituency headquarters in Ugep, Yakurr, as prescribed by law to announce the results.”

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Sylvester Ezeani, said the Returning officer absconded and the police are looking for him.

    As at press time yesterday INEC had not announced any result.

  • Controversy trails Enterprise Bank’s payment deadline

    Controversy trails Enterprise Bank’s payment deadline

    The payment for the acquisition of Enterprise Bank Limited elicited contoversy yesterday between the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and HBCL Investment Services Limited (HISL).

    While AMCON said the firm has not paid as at 8.45pm yesterday, a source close to the bank insisted that the lender paid at about 8pm.

    The source said the lender paid the 80 per cent balance needed to fully acquire the bridged bank.

    HBCL Investment Services Limited (HISL) is sponsored by Heritage Banking Company Limited to acquire Enterprise Bank Limited.

    AMCON Head of Communications and Strategy, Kayode Lambo who spoke on phone,  however said the bank still has up till 12 midnight to pay.

    However, in this era of e-payment, payment could still be done even after end of normal banking hours.

    While the clock ticks for Heritage to pay up, Fidelity Bank Plc, the reserved bidder, is patiently waiting to step in, should the payment arrangement fail.

    The payment deadline, initially slated for October 13, ended yesterday, following a two-day Sallah public holidays observed last week.

    Heritage had up till yesterday to balance about N44.8 billion, representing 80 per cent of the N56 billion bid price.

    Heritage Bank CEO, Ifie Sekibo had assured stakeholders that the lender will beat the deadline. He told reporters at a joint news conference organised by Heritage and HBCL Investment Services Limited (HISL) in Lagos that plans are ongoing for the post-Enterprise Bank era, outlining strategies that would transform the new entity to a mega bank.

    He confirmed that the lender paid the 20 per cent or N11.2 billion of the N56 billion bid prices before the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) was signed in Abuja last month.

    The Heritage Bank boss confirmed that the bank had already paid the initial 20 per cent of the total bid price for Enterprise Bank pointing out that efforts were already in place to ensure the payment of the final 80 per cent within the time frame stipulated by AMCON.

  • Controversy trails SSS invasion of Lagos company

    Controversy trails SSS invasion of Lagos company

    State Security Service (SSS) operatives yesterday invaded the premises of a Lagos-based research and marketing company, TNS RMS, in Ojodu and whisked away some of its staff.

    The SSS men stormed the company’s premises about 11a.m and left about 2.pm.They were said to have ransacked its office and carted away materials from past research activities carried by the company.

    It was not clear at press time the reason for the invasion as initial online media reports linked the invasion of the company to an opinion poll currently being conducted by the company on the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State.

    An impeccable source who spoke in confidence, however, said that the invasion of the  company by SSS operatives may not be unconnected with a recent assignment carried out by the firm in Enugu State.

    “Some officials of the company had allegedly taken photographs of a military facility in Enugu during field research and were trailed by security operatives to the company’s head office in Ojodu, a Lagos suburb.”

    TNS RMS is a research company that engages in business, marketing and political research and surveys. The company has conducted election polls in Edo, Ekiti and is currently handling the pre-election poll for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.

    When our correspondents visited the company about 3pm yesterday, many of its employees were seen going about their normal duties while a patrol van was parked at the main gate of the company.

    Attempts to speak with some members of the staff of the company proved abortive as many of them declined comments.

  • Outrage trails Ozekhome’s abduction

    Outrage trails Ozekhome’s abduction

    There was outrage yesterday following weekend’s abduction of Lagos human rights lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, on the Benin-Auchi Highway in Edo State.

    Four policemen were killed as the kidnappers seized their victim, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    Senior lawyers have called for his release.

    Edo Police sources said a contingent of crack detectives is combing the bushes in the state and in neighbouring Delta and Ondo states for the hideout of the kidnappers.

    Police Commissioner Folunso Adebanjo said: “This is a security matter. We will ensure that they are freed unhurt.”

    He was also referring to the primary school teachers and three children abducted last Sunday.

    It was learnt that the spouse of one of the victims, Mr. Nathaniel Elebe, an engineer, has been hospitalised following the kidnap of his wife.

    The teachers were abducted at different locations when going to church.

    Family sources said the kidnappers are yet to demand a ransom.

    Ozekhome’s kinsmen, Afenmai Youth Coalition, said it was regrettable that he was kidnapped after struggling over the years for good governance, equality, justice and accountability in governance.

    They said: “He has fought for the poor and has fought for the rich. He has defended the defenceless and has offered probono legal services to the disadvantaged in the society.”

    Some prominent lawyers in Lagos condemned Ozekhome’s abduction. They described the spate of kidnappings across the country as worrisome.

    Some of the lawyers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), expressed grave concern about security situation in the country and urged security agencies to intensify their efforts toward apprehending the kidnappers.

    Mr. Onyekachi Ubani, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, said: “It is very appalling; both low and high profile individuals are being kidnapped across the country. It shows that there is a problem.”

    Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) described the situation as unacceptable.

    “A situation where innocent, hard working and law-abiding Nigerians are regularly kidnapped for ransom is absolutely unacceptable. Government must work hard to improve on the situation.”

    He said the high level crime was a reminder to the rich that they could not enjoy their wealth in a desert of poverty and want, adding that it was high time the government changed a policy that declared economic growth without development and mass prosperity.

    Appealing to Ozekhome’s kidnappers to release him without delay, he said Ozekhome had a track record of human rights activism aimed at protecting the vulnerable in the society, adding that it was ironic that the same Ozekhome would fall victim to kidnappers.

    Akintola said governments at all levels must tackle youth unemployment that breeds crimes, such as armed robbery and kidnapping.

    He, however, appealed to youths, saying crime is no solution to economic privation.

    Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni said Ozekhome’s abduction was a reflection of the security situation in the country.

    He said: “Until socio-economic injustices are tackled, we may continue to have these security challenges.

    “Kidnapping is now rampant because of the limited opportunities available to Nigerians due to poverty and unemployment.”

    Another human rights activist, Fred Agbaje, said it was regrettable that Edo had become a hotbed of high profile kidnappings. The wife of Supreme Court Justice Bode Rhodes Vivour and his daughter were also recently kidnapped in Edo State.

    Agbaje urged government at all levels to ensure that citizens had access to adequate welfare packages in line with the social contract theory in governance.

    Second Republic Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN) and former Kwara State governorship candidate, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), also lamented the kidnapping.

    Akinjide described the situation as unfortunate and appealed to Ozekhome’s abductors to release him immediately.

    He said: “It is really an unfortunate situation. I am appealing to those involved that he should be released immediately and in good condition.

    “I pray for his safe release and good health.”

    To Belgore, Ozekhome’s abduction is “sad and regrettable” especially because he has dedicated his practice fighting for the down-trodden and the oppressed.

    “It is an indication of failure of government to provide security for life and property of Nigerians. It just could happen to anyone.

    “This shows we are near a state of anarchy because most of these kidnappers go without being arrested.

    The Raymond Dokpesi Centre for Media Development also appealed to the kidnappers to release Ozekhome.

    The Director- General of the Centre, Mr. Chris Ebuetse, urged “all spirited Nigerians to join hands to see to the release of Ozekhome.”

  • Controversy trails INEC’s decision on Imo

    The decision to blacklist Imo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the recent violence and ballot box snatching in the rerun election for Oguta has been greeted with mixed reactions.

    In a statement yesterday, the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Eze Duruiheoma (SAN), lauded the decision to suspend further elections in Oguta, blaming the Imo State government for the violence that marred the election.

    He urged INEC to investigate the role of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), which he said was suspicious.

    “In my opinion, INEC has taken the appropriate decision and the blame for the botched election should be placed at the door of the Imo state government, which imported thugs into the state.”

    The PDP boss dismissed calls for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate to be sworn in as the winner of the election.

    “How could the governor be calling for the APGA candidate to be sworn in and the question is with which result? The APGA candidate lost his ward and even at his own polling booth yet the government is calling for him to be sworn in.”

    Another PDP chieftain, Zeek Martins Nnadozie, said: “I support INEC’s decision because we cannot continue with the culture of impunity.”

    But a former state Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Vatalis Ajumbe, blamed INEC for what happened in Oguta, saying the people should not be denied representation.

    He noted that the decision was not in line with the Electoral Act, which stipulates that only in situations where electoral malpractice is established can the election result be cancelled and an outright ban of further polls in the area contemplated.

    “The decision of the leadership of INEC is an indication of the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob, except INEC is saying that it is not capable of concluding the election,” he argued.

    Another politician, Bethel Nzimako, flayed INEC’s decision, stating that it cannot deny the people their rights simply because there was rigging and violence.

    He said the people of Oguta are being denied their right to representation.

    “Is INEC saying it cannot conduct election in just one local government? What it needs to do is to enforce restriction, which means that only those from the wards and the accredited electoral officials should be allowed.

    “So, I don’t want to believe that INEC does not have the capacity to conclude the election,” he noted.

    Former member of the House of Representatives Uche Onyeagucha also slammed the leadership of INEC and urged the electoral body to declare APGA candidate winner, if it does not have the ability to conclude the election.

    He blamed the PDP for the problem, noting that Oguta has been a haven of thuggery for years.

  • Controversy trails varsity’s expulsion of 28 students

    The expulsion of 28 students by Redeemer University for allegedly failing drug tests has sparked a big row.

    The tests, The Nation learnt, were conducted last November for 42 students, who were asked to go for “routine tests”.

    After resumption this year, some of them were told that they “tested positive” and last Friday, some of those who “tested positive” got expulsion letters; others got theirs on Monday.

    The institution’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, said the decision was taken in line with the school’s values and philosophy “to raise godly children”, but the students are alleging unfairness.

    Adeleye said: “A student was caught with an illicit drug. He mentioned others involved and we took them to the school clinic for tests. Some of them tested positive.”

    But some of the affected students said the university authority never told them the purpose of the test and did not show them the results.

    “I only saw in the expulsion letter that I tested positive to hard drugs. I asked for the result of the test, but they didn’t show me. Even if they won’t show it to me, they should at least show my parents the result,” said one of the expelled students, who preferred anonymity.

    The affected students complained about the expulsion and the fact that they were not given a fair hearing.

    “They should have at least set up a panel of enquiry and if the panel finds us guilty, so be it,” another student said.

    On the results of the tests, Mr. Adeleye said: “There is no need to show the students the results because the university cannot conspire against them.”

    Adeleye defended the institution’s decision, saying the expelled students are guilty–in line with the school’s religious norms.

    He said: “Nobody should think anybody hates those students. It’s not spurious. In fact, it is even painful for us because we are losing revenue by sending them away. But it’s a painful decision we must take in our quest to raise students that will transform the world. The expelled students are those that refused the university’s lifeline of a second chance.

    “We wanted to help them. The university has a programme designed to help them live a normal life, but they rejected the offer. A few of them accepted and they are undergoing the programme.”

    Adeleye was evasive when asked if the school’s clinic was capable of testing urine samples for hard drugs.

    On why the students were not handed over to the narcotics agency since their offence was a criminal act, Adeleye said the school was neither the police nor the narcotics agency and had no reason to do so.

    He later told The Nation that the Vice-Chancellor was considering a review of the matter.

  • Controversy trails return of schools in Abia

    Controversy has trailed the return of some public schools to the mission in Abia State.

    On September 14, the state government handed over 19 secondary schools to their original owners.

    Governor Theodore Orji, at the ceremony, said the return of schools to their original owners would be gradual.

    Orji said the certificates issued to the mission for the takeover of the schools were temporary and the government would watch how they run the schools for one year.

    Workers at the school are apprehensive of what their fate would be.

    Some teachers at the Holy Rosary Girls Secondary School in Umuahia North Local Government Area said they were afraid of losing their jobs.

    The situation is worse at Girls High School, Umueze, where the Methodist Church is insisting on an immediate and complete take-over.

    It was learnt that delegates from the church came to the school last Wednesday and told the headteacher to handover to them.

    An eyewitness said: “The headteacher told them to give her some days to prepare her handover note, but they refused. They even came with a mason, who started working on a part of the school fence that had collapsed.”

    A new signboard, which reads: “Methodist Church Nigeria School System, Methodist Girls High School”, has been mounted in front of the school.

    The headteacher, Mrs. J.E. Iroham, refused to comment on the development.

    She said: “I have already spoken to your colleague from the state radio station and will not speak again except I get clearance from my employers.”

    Commissioner for Education Mrs. Monica Phillips confirmed the incident at the school.

    She said: “We have heard of the confrontation by the Methodist Church. Such is expected and we are equal to the task. We are looking out for such problems and will tackle them as they come.

    “There is no ambiguity in the handover policy of the schools. The terms are clear. If they do not want the headteacher, let them bring whoever they want. We shall continue to pay the staff.”