A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
After an initial grant in 2013 from Microsoft's 4Afrika initiative and the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. Government's development finance institution, has committed a $4.1 million loan to support Mawingu Networks, a provider of solar-powered wireless Internet across rural Kenya.
It would be recalled that Mawingu Networks was able to establish its current operating model using an initial grant in 2013 from Microsoft's 4Afrika initiative, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Mawingu had received equity funding from Angel Investor Jim Forster, Paul G. Allen's Vulcan Inc., and Microsoft Corporation two years after their first phase of support.
Using a network of solar-powered "nomadic" wireless internet stations, Mawingu provides last-mile connectivity access to areas that cannot economically access the internet.
With Mawingu's initial pilot operations, OPIC's loan will allow a commercial expansion of a proven model to utilize existing technology of TV White Space (TVWS) connectivity for off-grid internet access.
Speaking on the new development, Elizabeth L. Littlefield, OPIC's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are excited to announce during this week's Africa U.S. Business Forum an additional round of OPIC support for a highly-developmental investment in Africa," adding that, "Mawingu's technology and ingenuity will make it possible to provide affordable, solar powered wireless internet to communities throughout rural Kenya. It's extensive reach will connect many of these developing communities to the world wide web for the first time, and we look forward to the growth and unlimited potential that this project will unveil with OPIC financing."
Also speaking, Amrote Abdella, Regional Director 4Afrika Initiatives, said that, "Ultimately, the expansison will build Africa, said that, "As a partner of the Mawingu project since its inception in 2013, it is exciting to see it reaching the next stage of commercial roll-out. Our studies show that Mawingu's business model is affordable for consumers even in the least developed areas," , adding that, "Ultimately, the expansion will build Africa's knowledge economy by connecting more people to educational and advancement opportunities."
For Tim Hobbs, Director Mawingu Networks Limited, "Mawingu is proud and honored to be working with the support of OPIC and the American government. We see this as a tremendous opportunity to build upon our successful pilot project, and this funding will help us to accelerate the roll out of our network in rural areas across Kenya and beyond.
"It is becoming increasingly clear that affordable access to the internet is a powerful driver of economic growth and Mawingu is committed to making sure that this opportunity is available to as many Kenyans as possible."
Similarly, Catherine A. Novelli, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, U.S. Department of State, said that, "This partnership is a perfect example of how stakeholders can come together from government and industry to bring those online who might not otherwise be connected.
"The State Department commends OPIC and Microsoft for this important step toward bridging the digital divide and supporting the goals of the Global Connect Initiative to help bring an additional 1.5 billion people online by 2020."
"Paul G. Allen's Vulcan Inc. believes in the untapped potential and persistence of Africans to develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of their communities," Lauren Kickham, head of Vulcan Inc.'s Impact Investing program, said, adding that, "That's why he's supporting Mawingu, whose scalable model holds promise for deep social impact in Kenya and beyond. Our work is focused on finding those local entrepreneurs who can provide African communities sustainable opportunities to develop and grow."
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, who failed in an attempt to buy the North London club in 2010 is sure of buying the outfit before 2020
The business mogul who is worth over an estimated $10.9 billion – which makes him Africa’s richest man - had his approach rejected having explored the possibility of purchasing the club in 2010.
Dangote, 58-year-old, who has made his fortune through various operations including cement manufacturing, sugar supply and oil investments, says that he will wait for investments in gas pipelines to play out before making the acquisition.
"There's no doubt,” Dangote told Bloomberg Television. “It’s not a problem”
"Maybe three to four years. The issue is that we have more challenging headwinds. I need to get those out the way first and start having tailwinds. Then I'll focus on this.
"It's not about buying Arsenal and just continuing with business as usual. It's about buying Arsenal and turning it around.
"I've run a very successful business and I think I can also run a very successful team. Right now, with what we're facing, over $20 billion of projects, I cannot do both."
Nigerian governors today passed a vote of confidence on the minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and her finance counterpart, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, saying they were not responsible for plunging the country into recession.
The governors' position rubbishes the National Assembly's call for the removal of the two ministers, whom they accused of not knowing what to do in order to bail the nation out of the economic straits.
The governors, who passed their implicit confidence on the two ministers, absolved them of any blame in the declining economy during the meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, presided over by Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, at the State House.
The state governors reasoned that if anything, the two ministers should be commended for their sagacity in reviving the ailing economy occasioned by failing oil price, Nigeria's major income earner, over the years.
Following calls by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote and Senate President, Bukola Saraki, advising the Federal Government to sell-off some public utilities to bail the country out of the biting economic recession, the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, has disagreed, saying such a call was absolutely uncalled for and worrisome.
The CLO in a statement on Thursday, by its Executive Director, Ibuchukwu Ezike, warned the National Assembly against such move, stating that politicians must not take the patience of agonizing, wailing and impoverished Nigerians for granted.
The statement read: “The attention of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has been drawn to the call by the President of the Senate, Dr. Olusola Saraki, on the Federal Government to sell off public utilities in their search for an answer to bail the ailing economy.
“The Senate President made the call in his welcome address to the Senators on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at the Senate Chambers, Abuja.
“Earlier, Mr. Aliko Dangote had made similar call before the Senate President. As the National Assembly reconvenes and resumes discussions on the alternative to the current economic recession bedeviling Nigeria, CLO cautions the NASS and the entire national government to completely reject this call.
“CLO urges the NASS to pass a Resolution directing President Buhari not to sell any public utilities built with tax payers' money. The call for the sale of public utilities is absolutely uncalled for and worrisome.
“We warn the politicians not to take the patience of agonizing, wailing and impoverished Nigerians for granted.
“CLO urges the law makers and, indeed, the national government to look elsewhere for the solutions to the economic crisis facing Nigeria. In view of the above, we recommend the following options:- Huge cut in the cost of running government, including reduction of aides, wages/salaries and allowance packages for both politicians and workers in the executive and legislative arms of government and across all the tiers of government.
“Implement the Recommendations of the Nigerian Labour Movement on the boosting of the National economy.
“Begin immediate debate and implementation of the Report of the 2014 National Conference that points the positive way forward for Nigeria in all sectors and directions.
“Running Nigeria like a cult in lopsided fashion does not stimulate patriotism and encourage citizens to give their best. It takes after a process where "monkey dey work and baboon de chop."
“Doing this will make the states financially buoyant as they would exploit resources that abound in their territories and powers and resources to the federating units devolved. This will make our states financially stable and stop a process of states running to Abuja caps in hands begging for bailouts and all that.”
The statement further advised government to “revisit the prodigal 2016 National Budget which provides more for the thieving politicians and their associates than for the country and her citizens.
“Drop the war song in the Niger Delta and initiate immediate peaceful discussions with the justly aggrieved youth whose environment has been grossly polluted, denigrated and despoiled. A genuine plan of radically rehabilitating, rebuilding and developing the region made. We are sure that if peace is restored in the region, Nigeria will mine the oil and raise money to address the recession and put Nigeria back to life.
“Invoke and strengthen the Oversight function mechanisms and adequately monitor true and honest execution of the 2016 budget to ensure absolute compliance with the Appropriation Law.
“Open our borders to allow the importation of essential foods for domestic uses pending when Nigeria has been able to produce enough food to feed our people.
“Revisit the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and either modify it to help address the crisis it has created or suspend it pending when our ugly situation improves, and;
“That government stops anchoring the success of Nigeria on the misleading reports and praise of foreign leaders and imperial institutions and media but on the happiness of the Nigerian people.”
The CLO said it salutes the statesmanly speeches of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and other Senators who opposed the call by the Senate President on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday.
Adding that “We condemn, in its entirety, Dangote and Emir of Kano, Ahaji Sanusi Lamido's, support for the sale of our hard earned property to themselves and allies and warn that CLO and other civil society organisations in alliance with the labour movements will mobilise Nigerians against any such attempt to sell our national utilities to selves and fronts.
“We note that it is regrettable that while Nigerians are committing suicide, wives are running out of their matrimonial homes against their wishes as a result of unbearable hardship, intelligent pupils from indigent homes are being withdrawn from schools for lack of money to assist them run their programmes and citizens are feeding from the refuse dumps and dieing of curable ailments as a result of poverty, our politicians are living ostentatious lives.
“Lastly, CLO shares with the excruciating pains and hardship of the Nigerian masses and ask them to gear up for mass actions in the event that the rulers of our country refuse to take immediate genuine actions and steps to restore hope to our people. May a stitch in time save us nine.”
Senators on Thursday opposed their President, Dr Bukola Saraki, kicking against the call for the sale of some national assets.
Many of the senators, who contributed as the debate on the recession in the country continued in the upper chamber, blamed the elite, including some lawmakers, for the economic problems of the nation.
SENATE CHAMBER
Some called for the restructuring of Nigeria's federalism while others called for a review of some fiscal policies, including the Single Treasury Account (TSA).
Leading the debate, Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala Na'Allah, called on the government to reconsider its policy on TSA and its policy on domiciliary accounts.
He admitted that the intention for making the policies may have been germane, they were unfortunately affecting the economy adversely.
He said that the TSA policy had stifled the banks and as such, money was no longer circulating in the economy through loans, mortgages and other means.
"The President has good intentions but we have a few people who are not thinking correctly.
"I recall that I complained when the CBN stopped operation of domiciliary accounts within and outside Nigeria.
"These two decisions must be revisited and redirected to ensure that there is a platform for redistribution of income.
"The two critical decisions of fighting corruption should be revisited," he said.
Sen. Andy Ubah decried the call for sale of national assets, describing it as wrong.
"If we sell our assets now to recover from this recession, what would we sell in the future if we ever slipped into another recession?
"We must seek an alternative way of recovering from this recession but sale of our assets is not the way out," Ubah said.
The Majority Whip, Sen. Olusola Adeyeye, insisted that the nation must be restructured along the line of true federalism.
According to him, the states cannot keep coming to the federal to collect money while ignoring available resources and potentials in their states.
"Many have asked that we must restructure and I agree that we must restructure.
"If we restructure properly at least there will be a few places where stealing will not be going on at the same time. There will be some modest of exception that we can say what have they done right.
"I want us to look at this current constitutional review, the various exclusive lists and the various concurrent lists; let us look where we have over-burdened the Federal Government.
"If we must revitalise the economy, we must have jobs and projects going in every local government, every federal constituency and every senatorial district of this country.
"Let us begin to implement the zonal intervention projects,'' he said, adding that the bitter truth was that people in government also contributed to the problems.
"If we will save Nigeria we must reduce the cost of governance. Nigeria's estacode is the highest in the world; we must slash it to 50 per cent.
"Obafemi Awolowo campaigned in 1978 that he was going to slash it and it has now grown into five times what it was in those days; we must slash it.
"When you go to our airports and you park your car, you pay N300; that is 75 cents, but in all modern economies you pay per hour.
"If we are going to find money we must become creative.
"All of you with houses in Asokoro, Maitama and Apo and you don't pay tenement rate; all of us must pay," he said. On his part, Sen. Sunny Ugboji, supported the need to restructure Nigeria "to enable it to operate true federalism'', saying that states could not continue to come to Abuja to share the national treasure without producing something.
He condemned all persons who kicked against the past administrations when they wanted to save money for the country.
"When the last administration wanted to save money, many of the people who kicked against it are now part of this present administration.
"We must restructure Nigeria: restructuring doesn't mean disintegrating but just to help every state to tap their potentials and this will help Nigeria too.
"Naira should be allowed to float, floating the Naira would make it impossible for people to get waivers to buy dollar at 197 when it is higher in the open market," Ugboji said.
Kicking against call for sale of the nation's assets, he said that there was need to cure the systemic corruption in Nigeria.
He, however, warned that Nigerians must not be portrayed as thieves as corruption was not peculiar to the country. "Those who are canvassing that we should sell our assets are getting it wrong; we have sold some of them yet we are still here,'' the lawmaker said.
A group, Brotherhood Across the Niger (BAN) has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal government of calculated attempts to dent the reputation of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and contain his rising international clout.
EFCC boss Magu and Patience Jonathan
The group made the allegation in an open letter signed by its division leaders in Nigeria,
Northern Division Lead, Hassan Musa Abd'l ; Southern, Ojugbo Clifford; Eastern, Igwechi Chukwuka; Western, Kunle Coker, on Thursday following the frozen account of former first lady, Patience Jonathan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The group made the allegation following the frozen account of former first lady, Patience Jonathan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Recall that the EFCC Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Mustafa Magu, had publicly confirmed that Mrs Jonathan is being investigated for money laundering, but no case has been instituted against her in any court in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world. BAN said EFCC is yet to substantiate the allegations of money laundering, "which have led to an unprecedented opprobrium and damaging public spectacle of the former first family.
It claimed that Mrs Jonathan never claimed ownership of any $ 31 million and that "it is a clear fabrication by the EFCC and by extension the Federal Government of Nigeria to inspire an unwholesome campaign and media trial against her and by effect, her husband, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who has been living a quiet and peaceful life since he conceded defeat to President Muhammadu Buhari." The group, in its letter made available to Naij.com said; "Mrs Jonathan's claims ownership of the monies lodged in 4 accounts in the name of Pluto Property and Investment Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited and Globus Integrated Services limited all lodged in Skye Bank, but not the ownership of the said companies.
"Her claim of the monies in the said accounts is based on instructions and monies given to an aide, Mr. Waripamo Dudafa, to open card-bearing accounts for her and her dependants use, especially during foreign trips for medical and related ancillary matters, rather than the recourse to the use of cash. The said instruction was carried out by Mr. Dudafa but with companies allegedly belonging to him. "The cumulative value of the monies in the four accounts that Mrs. Jonathan claims is less that ten million dollars (below $10 million), the report credited to the EFCC that the monies were in excess of $30 million is completely false, malicious and misleading.The EFCC is challenged to provide public evidence of its claim of $31 million lodged in Skye Bank The group also asked Skype bank to openly and officially clarify on the raging controversies.
"We are left with the reasonable conclusion that authorities within the bank, if not the entire establishment, is compromised to rubbish and undermine the reputation of the Jonathans. This further raises questions on the integrity of bank's business principles against the protection its customers no matter how lowly or highly placed they are in society. "By its conspiratorial silence on the matter with its attendant damaging effect on the reputation of the Jonathans, Skye Bank has not only compromised its fidelity to its customers but its very brand and integrity. If Mrs. Jonathan can be conspired against by the bank, which customer is protected?
BAN described the case as victimization and political witch-hunt with the complete cooperation of Skye Bank. "The conspiracy is further heightened by the action of the EFCC in producing fake directors of the said companies, unknown to known Secretaries, to plead guilty just to nail the Jonathans. Never in the history of the country has an agency with such high stake, act like a criminal syndicate rather than an agency saddled with the critical duty of tackling corruption.
"To this end, we are compelled, given the dangerous dimensions of this conspiratorial matter and many others of its kind targeted at either the Jonathans or associates of theirs, to draw the attention of the Federal Government that Nigerians will not sacrifice Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his entire concerns, on the altar of vindictive politics," the group said.
A 29-year-old businesswoman, Odor Oyinyechiwho, who allegedly poured hot water on her 14-year-old niece, Esther Ariserekwu, is facing trial at a Surulere Chief Magistrates' Court in Lagos.
The court, however, granted her bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties, the court said, must be a blood relation of the accused with evidence of tax payment to the state government.
The accused, a resident of No.139, Adetola St., Aguda in Surulere, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault.? Earlier, Prosecutor Anthonia Osanyade, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 5 at No.139, Adetola St., Aguda, Surulere.
?"The accused poured hot water on her 14-year-old niece, Esther Ariserekwu, who has been with her for more than a year for mistakenly pouring dirty water into her pot of soup that was stored in the freezer." ? The offence contravened Section 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ipaye Nwachukwu, adjourned hearing to Oct. 13.
The senator representing the largest senatorial district in Nigeria, Senator Solomon Adeola (Lagos West, APC) has warned that the nation may slip into economic depression if urgent measures are not taken to get the nation out of the present economic recession that the nation is going through.
Contributing to the debate on the state of the economy during plenary on the floor of the Senate, the senator said “we need to ask the question if we are serious about exiting recession or preparing to go into depression” stressing that at this point that the economic team of the Federal Government should be presenting the Legislature with policies to get us out of recession, they are giving out contradictory monetary and fiscal policies as reflected in the disagreement between the CBN Governor and the Minister of Finance.
Senator Adeola who argued that hunger in the land is automatic with a minimum wage of N18, 000 at the exchange rate of a dollar to over N400 when the minimum wage was determined when dollar was about N150 adding policies should come out as palliatives to the downtrodden of Nigerians going through excruciating period.
The Senator supported the sale of some assets of the nation to raise finance, particularly those that are moribund like refineries and still consume resources of the country adding that this could be done with the option of a buy back in the future.
"Our economy should be private sector driven. As it is, it is predominantly public sector driven as reflected in the outcome of the TSA policy which is giving the banking sector major challenges and by extension the private sector. I suggest the CBN assist the banking sector in buying back some bad loans of the commercial banks so that the banks can be free to boost private sector financing" Senator Adeola argued.
He said for a long time we had paid lip service to diversification of our economy from its reliance on a single product stressing that the government should as a matter of urgency devote at least 1% of funds for oil exploration to other minerals like gold, copper and others that are in commercial quantities in Nigeria.
Senator Adeola called on the Senate to take its oversight responsibilities seriously as many MDAs of government that generate funds are not being properly monitored to ensure that they generate funds for government adding that much funds generated by these agencies goes unaccounted for.
An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates' Court on Thursday, remanded Tobi Aremu ,23 in prison Custody over an alleged rape of a 5-year-old girl.
The Police prosecutor, Sgt. Bankole Olasunkanmi told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Sept.20, 2016 at Efon-Alaaye -Ekiti.
He alleged that the defendant on the said date, unlawfully defiled the 5-year-old girl (name withheld) which led to her being hospitalised due the bruises sustained in the process.
According to him, the offence contravened Section 218 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 16, Laws of Ekiti State. 2012.
He informed the court that he had forwarded his case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.
The plea of the defendant was not taken as his Counsel, Mr Chris Omokhafe sought for short date of adjournment pending the advice from DPP office.
Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo who frowned at the high rate of minor rape, consequently remanded the defendant in prison Custody till the outcome of advice from DPP.
He however, adjourned the case till Nov. 4 for hearing.
Martin Schulz, European Union President, said on Thursday in Berlin that Britain must leave the EU before parliamentary elections in the bloc in mid-2019.
He said that negotiations on the Brexit could take as longer as two years.
Schulz said that as a result of this, Britain would have to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which sets the rules for a two-year negotiating process for a nation leaving the EU by the middle of next year.
The EU president said that considering the highly complex modalities of a British exit from the bloc, he could understand that the British government wanted to take its time over the decision.
However, he added that it would be impossible for Britons to take part in the election, which sees member states elect deputies to represent them in the legislature in Brussels, and that Brexit needed to be completed before then.
Recall that a narrow majority of British voters opted to leave the EU in a referendum on June 23.
Prime Minister Theresa May has said she would not trigger Article 50 before the start of 2017.
Lagos, Kaduna and Edo State are among other states listed most indebted states of the federation with a combined profile of $1.84bn.
Ambode and Oshiomhole
According to statistics from the Debt Management Office in Abuja on Wednesday, the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory owe $3.65bn in foreign debts as against the $7.61bn owed by the Federal Government as of June 30, 2016; bringing the country's total foreign debt to $11.26bn.
Lagos, which is the nation's commercial hub, retained its topmost position as the most indebted state of the federation with a total of $1.43bn in foreign debts. Thus, the state holds 39.17 per cent of the country's total subnational foreign debts.
Kaduna State, with total foreign debt of $225.28m, comes in the second position. It holds 6.16 per cent of the subnational foreign debts.
Edo State, with a total of $179.52m as of June 30, holds 4.91 per cent of the country's subnational foreign debts.
Other owing states in the subnational foreign debts include Cross River, $141.47m or 3.87 per cent; and Ogun, $103.55m or 2.83 per cent.
Bauchi owes $97.23m or 2.66 per cent; Osun, $78.93m or 2.16 per cent; Adamawa, $77.14m or 2.11 per cent; Enugu, $74.46m or 2.04 per cent; Katsina, $68.99m or 1.89 per cent; and Oyo, $67.56m or 1.85 per cent.
Some of the least indebted states of the federation are Borno, $21.89m; Taraba, $23.01m; Plateau, $29.24m; Yobe, $29.28m; Jigawa, $32.62m; Kogi, $33.56m; Benue, $34.26; FCT, $34.8m; Zamfara, $35.07m; and Delta, $42.21m.
The external indebtedness of the subnational governments as of December 31, 2010 stood at $2bn. However, by December 2015, it had risen to $3.37tn.
BY FRANCIS IGATA ENUGU – The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Thursday, declared full blown war with the Federal Government to press for the unconditional release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other Biafra agitators detained in various prisons nationwide and in Diaspora.
A palpable anxiety pervades Enugu State over the would-be clash between pro-Biafra groups of MASSOB, Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and security agencies following the Friday sit-at-home order, to protest the continued detention of their members in detention.
Vanguard monitored the mood of the people within the metropolis and found out that many parents may have decided to withdraw their wards from school even as they were apprehensive of going to their various places of work.
There was copious presence of security personnel at strategic places within the metropolis especially at the three-arms zone housing the Government House.
At the Okpara Square, a detachment of Mobile Policemen numbering over 200 were seen rehearsing crowd and combat techniques as early as 9.30AM. Unusual siren blaring police vehicles patrolled the streets intermittently while Police authorities had earlier assured the public of adequate safety, advising them to go about their lawful businesses.
FULL BLOWN WAR WITH FG
A statement signed and made available to Vanguard by MASSOB Leader, Uchenna Madu read,” MASSOB in the spirit of Biafranism and brotherhood among Biafra agitators have declared full support for the call for civil disobedience against Nigeria state on the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other Biafra agitators detained across Nigeria and in Diaspora.Members of the Movement for the Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) during their rally to mark the 17th anniversary of the movement, yesterday, in Awka, Anambra State.
“In the spirit of collaboration and for Biafra sake, MASSOB will engage positively in every steps, programs and activities that will draw Biafra closer to actualization. We shall continue to collaborate and partner with every positive move and steps that will affect the release of our Comrades in different Nigeria prisons and detention camps.
“The call for stay at home tomorrow which has been our recalling measure and steps for effective civil disobedience is totally voluntarily, this exercise has always been the life wire of the Biafran struggle which boomed the potency and acceptability of the Biafra struggle. The request for closure of Markets, public / private motor parks, schools and other public business premises is voluntarily, not by force, it is a mark of respect and love for our fatherland. As a non violence organization, Biafrans shall not be compelled, pressurised or forced to observe the stay at home exercise.
“MASSOB, IPOB and other pro Biafra groups will not molest, compel or intimidate anybody to observe the stay at home exercise as all our members shall stay indoors, there shall be no physical demonstration, street march, procession or any other public functions tomorrow in Biafra land.
“The heavy presence of armed Nigeria Army, Mobile police, SSS operatives, Navy, Civil Defence in major cities of Biafra land since yesterday are all signs of Military jittery, fear and cowardice, it is mesmerization of President Buhari’s soldiers. The security panic, the presence of Soldiers has created in Biafra land will assist immensely and positively on the people to comply to our demands.
“The Nigeria security agents are complimenting and justifying the Biafra struggle. MASSOB is demanding the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi kanu and others detained in Nigeria prisons. The Biafra struggle will continue to unfold more confusing nature to Nigeria state until they realize their fruitless efforts in the unjust detention of Biafran Jews.
“No amount of security intimidation, mesmerization, killings, detention, oppression, incarceration etc will ever stop the will power of an indigenous people for self determination. MASSOB also condemned the brutalities, unlawful subjection and detention of Uchenna Inya (Abakiliki correspondent of New Telegraph Newspaper) on the day of MASSOB anniversary, the use of force can never stop the inflow of the spirit of Biafra”.
Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye Of an Ikeja High Court in Lagos, on Thursday sentenced two persons to death for robbing a supermarket manager of N5 million.
The convicts, a 20-year-old salesman, Charles Friday, and Chidiebere Ani, 21, were convicted for the crime.
"I have no doubt that the defendants are misguided youths like millions in the country.
"They are found guilty of the offences of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery.
"The defendants are to be hung by the neck until they are dead, and may the Lord Almighty have mercy upon your souls," the judge ruled.
Earlier, during the proceedings, counsel to the convicts, Mr C.C. Ezebube, in his allocutus pleaded for mercy on behalf of the convicts.
"I plea that the court considers the age of the defendants, as they are young people who deserve another opportunity in life to contribute meaningfully to society," Ezebube said.
However, the prosecution, led by Mr Akin George, told the court that the convicts committed the offences on Sept. 9, 2011 at Elobus Supermarket, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Ikeja, Lagos.
"Friday, a salesman, who worked at Elobus Supermarket, conspired with Ani, a trader from Alaba Market, to steal money from the supermarket.
"On the day of the robbery, based on the insider information given to Ani by Friday, Ani laid in wait underneath the stairs of the storey building housing the supermarket.
"The Manager, Mr Kingsley Obasi, between 9.00 p.m. and 9.30p.m. uses the stairs to take money to the director's office.
"When Obasi was heading to the director's office, he was hit at the back of the head with a metal object by Ani, who made off with N5 million belonging to the supermarket as well as the manager's phone," he said.
The prosecutor said that when the manager regained consciousness, he had no recollection of the robbery but the convicts were caught when Ani was overheard discussing the robbery.
"Friday was overheard discussing the robbery with Ani on the phone by his colleagues at the supermarket, who confronted him and searched his phone where messages to his accomplice were discovered," George said.
George said that Friday led the authorities to Ani, who still had the manager's phone in his possession as well as some of the stolen money.
According to him, the offences were in violation of Sections 295 (2)(a) and 297 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
ABUJA – The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, declined to annul the election of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.
The court, in an unanimous judgement by a five-man panel of Justices, dismissed joint appeal the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Timipre Sylva, lodged against Dickson.
The appellate court panel led by Justice Rotimi Olukayode Bada, held that the appeal lacked merit, even as it upheld the July 26 verdict of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which declared Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the bona-fide winner of the gubernatorial contest.
The appellants had through their lawyer, Mr. Sebastine Hon, SAN, prayed the appellate court to set-aside the decision of the tribunal, sack Dickson and order fresh governorship election in Bayelsa State.
Sylva who is a former governor of the state and his party, among other things, contended that the tribunal misled itself, misapplied the law and came to wrong conclusion in its verdict when it declined to void the election which they said was fraught with manifest irregularities. They argued that the tribunal erred in law when it held that the reasons INEC gave on why it cancelled election result in some parts of the state was within the provision of section 26(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010.Sylva and Dickson
They argued that Section 26(1) of the Electoral Act made no provision for “cancellation” of election, but “postponement” of election.
According to the appellants, “The phrase ‘other emergencies’ under section 26(1) of the Electoral Act is limited to the action of INEC ‘postponing’ an election and not ‘cancelling’ one that had already taken place”.
They further argued that the tribunal Judges, “misdirected themselves in law when they held that the appellants failed to prove and or tender any documents showing that election results had been uploaded on the database of INEC before the cancellation of the election and that such failure not only meant abandonment of pleading, but withholding of evidence, which if tendered, would be fatal to the appellants”.
It is their argument that the tribunal erred in law when, in its haste to dismiss the appellants’ case in respect of Southern Ijaw LGA, deliberately refused to judicially evaluate the evidence called by the appellants in proof of their case in that LGA.
It was position of the appellants that no election or collation or results, known to law, took place in Southern Ijaw LGA.
They also faulted the tribunal for failing to void Dickson’s election when it found that the combined result of election recorded by both candidates was 48,146, less than over 120,000 total registered voters in Southern Ijaw LGA.
“The trial tribunal erred in law and thereby occasioned a miscarriage of justice when it failed to make definite pronouncement on the effect of the cancelled votes being more than the difference between the PDP and APC”, the appellants added.
It will be recalled that the tribunal which conducted its proceedings in Abuja, dismissed a joint petition Sylva and APC lodged against the election.
A three-man panel tribunal led by Justice Kazeem Alogba, held that the petitioners failed to by way of credible evidence, prove their allegation that the election was marred by irregularities.
The tribunal held that neither APC nor Sylva was able to substantiate their allegations beyond reasonable doubt, saying the petition was not backed by proof and required standard.
According to Justice Alogba, “The petitioners failed to prove that the second respondent (Dickson) did not score the highest lawful votes.
“Therefore the return of the second respondent by the Independent National Electoral Commission on January 10, 2016 was valid.”
The petitioners had on January 30, gone before the tribunal to challenge the declaration of Dickson as winner of both the December 5, 2015 and January 9, 2016, supplementary poll, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
They alleged that the election was characterised by malpractices, intimidation of voters, hijacking of electoral materials, non-voting and non-collation of results in substantial parts of Sagbama, Yenogoa, Nembe, Ogbia,and Ekeremor Local Government Areas.
The petitioners also argued that the Resident Electoral Commissioner REC, in the state, lacked the power to unilaterally cancel the supplementary election scheduled in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area for December 6, 2015 and rescheduled it to January 9, 2016.
Nevertheless, while dismissing the petition, the tribunal held that INEC had the power to cancel the scheduled supplementary election.
It said that contrary to contention by the petitioners, the decision to cancel the December 6, 2015, poll was not unilaterally taken by the REC, but was taken by INEC and “merely announced by the REC”.
A decision that was upheld by the appellate court on Thursday.
According to the appellate court, “where a party seeks declarative reliefs, the burden is on him to win on the strength of his own case and not on the weakness of the defence”.
It held that neither Sylva nor APC was able to discharge the burden of proof imposed on them by the law.
The court said the appellants failed to prove that there was substantial none compliance to section 139(1) of the Electoral Act in conduct of the Bayelsa State governorship poll.
A Badagry Chief Magistrates' Court in Lagos on Thursday granted N50,000 bail to an unemployed man who allegedly stole a carton of chicken and that of gizzard worth 7,700 Naira each.
Magistrate Abiodun Etti granted bail to Emeka Ifererike after he pleaded not guilty.
Etti also ordered the accused to provide a surety in like sum.
Ifejerike, whose address is unknown, was charged on one count.
The prosecutor, Insp. Innocent Uko, submitted that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 17 at Olowololowo Market, Morogbo, Badagry.
Uko said that the accused stole the items from Mrs Morenikeji Badmus, adding that they worth N7,700 each.
"The accused went to the shop and, when he noticed that no one was in the shop, he took a carton of chicken and gizzard.
"Before he could get away with them, the complainant caught him," he said.
Uko noted that the alleged offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Further hearing in the case has been fixed for Oct. 5.
The National Population Commission, NPC, has announced the cancellation of its recent recruitment and replacement exercise over non-adherence to extant regulation.
The NPC in a statement by Mr. Simon Otene, Director, Public Affairs in Abuja, explained the decision to cancel the exercise was taken by the Board of the agency.
According to it, ” The Board of the National Population Commission at its emergency meeting on 20th September 2016 cancelled in its totality the recent recruitment exercise in the Commission.
“This followed the recommendations of the Special Committee set up to review the exercise.
“It will be recalled that the Commission recently suspended the recruitment/replacement exercise due to non-adherence to extant regulations and set up a committee to review its procedures.
“The Commission hereby regrets any inconveniences caused by the cancellation. “
UGHELLI – HUNDREDS of women from Iwhre-Nene community in Ughelli North local government area of Delta State, yesterday barricaded part of the Ughelli axis of the East-West express road in protest over the alleged intimidation and arrest of indigenes of the community by officials of National Petroleum Development Company, NPDC and men of the 222 Battalion, Agbarha-Otor over the spate of pipeline vandalism in the area.
The protesters who carried placard with inscriptions such as; “Nigeria Army & NPDC know who vandalized their Pipeline”, “Do not drag our President General and our community image to the mud” and “Our President General is not the Chief security officer for oil Pipelines”, stormed the road at about 8a.m and stopped vehicular movement on the road for about two hours thereby causing traffic gridlock for road users heading towards Bayelsa from Warri.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Women Leader of the community, Mrs. Agnes Isheme said: “We are protesting because of the continuous intimidation of our husbands and sons by soldiers. Our men no longer stay with their families because of fear of arrest by security agents under the allegation that they are oil pipeline vandals.
“The people of Inene are peasant farmers who have nothing to do with pipeline vandalisation, this pipeline cuts across Ekiugbo, Inene and Afiesere communities, why is it that whenever there is anything that happens on the pipeline, their (soldiers) point of call is Inene community? She queried.
On his part, President General of the community, Mr Samuel Onosakpor while decrying the continuous intimidation on indigenes of the community by the soldiers, said: “We are innocent of the pipeline vandalization allegation being leveled on our community.
“For the records, we don't harbor criminals, or militants in our community and we have no reason to go and vandalize pipelines.
“Am using this opportunity to appeal to the Nigerian army to always confirm and verify their information before they invade our community under the guise of arresting vandals as we would not hesitate to take legal action against anybody that wants to tarnish the image of our community.”
A 23-year-old, self-acclaimed pastor, Nkechinyere Ndukwe, on Thursday appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates' Court for allegedly stealing jewellery valued at N10 million.
Ndukwe is facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and obtaining under false pretence.
When the charge was read out to the accused, she entered a plea of not guilty.
The Magistrate, Mrs Helen Omisore, granted Ndukwe bail in the sum of N1 million with two responsible sureties in like sum.
The magistrate ordered that one of the sureties must possess land property within the court's jurisdiction.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Cousin Adams had told the court that the accused and others now at large committed the offence on March 9, at GRA, Ikeja.
He further told the court that Ndukwe had asked the complainant, Ifeoma Isiuwa, to bring all her jewelry valued at N10million for her to commence prayers on behalf of Isiuwa.
"When the complainant asked that her jewelry be returned to her, the accused was unable to produce them," he said.
The prosecutor said that rather than return the jewellery to Ndukwe, the accused told her that she had converted them into her own personal use.
Adams said that the offences against the accused contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Section 285 prescribes three year jail term while 409 states two years for offenders.
The court has adjourned the case till Oct. 17, for mention.
ENUGU-The Enugu State House of Assembly yesterday nullified the concluded recruitment of 2,000 Primary School Teachers in 340 schools over acute irregularities that marred the exercise conducted by the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board,ENSUBEB.
The House had last Tuesday,summoned the Chairman,ENSUBEB,Ikeje Asogwa,and the Permanent Secretary,Mrs. Roseline Chiama,to appear yesterday,to explain why the concluded recruitment of 2,000 teachers for the Primary Schools will not be nullified or extended to accommodate very qualified persons who applied.
Also,the House has backed the moves by the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority,ECTDA, to demolish illegal structures built on waterways,drainage channels and on top of public utilities which has caused Lagoons to spring up in parts of the metropolis even as the entire city has been tipped over the cliffhanger for flood disaster.
MELODRAMA AT THE HOUSE
House members and the entire public who thronged the Assembly Complex to witness the grilling of Ikeje Asogwa and Rose Chiama were rudely shocked when Chiama, revealed that,”Ikeje ran the recruitment exercise as his private dynasty. He never consulted or carried the Board(ENSUBEB Board) along from onset; right from the planning stage till he concluded the exercise.
“The Board was denied opportunity to make contributions weather foolish or otherwise. Ikeje is Mr. Know all. I am calling for a cancellation of the exercise”.
House members and the entire public who were at the gallery erupted in thunderous exclamation over the revelation as Ikeje’s head dropped in shame while he mopped his face with his soaked handkerchief.
Speaker,Edward Ubosi,realizing that Mrs. Chiama was simmering for more damning revelations over Ikeje’s conduct on the recruitment,quickly told her to take a bow and go.
RESOULTION NULLIFYING RECRUITEMENT
Ubosi then announced after all the members had expressed dismay over the recruitment,that,”the House through a unanimous resolution thereby nullify the concluded recruitment exercise. That a fresh exercise should be conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education,ENSUBEB,all the 17 Local Government Areas, and other stakeholders”.
A 12-year-old girl, Blessing, reportedly died when she fell into a pit toilet at Asin-Ekiti, in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
A witness, Mrs Ruth Bamidele, told newsmen on Thursday that the deceased was running an errand for her parents on Monday evening when the incident occurred.
Bamidele said the girl mistakenly stepped on rusty and weak concrete that covered the pit latrine and fell inside with nobody around to rescue her.
She said her parents raised alarm on Monday night when she did not return home and the search for her whereabouts continued till Tuesday morning.
"One of the neighbours in search of the missing girl noticed the collapsed lid of the pit toilet in a residential building situated behind the Alasin palace.
"A lifeless body was sighted inside the pit and was later brought out; it was the missing girl and the incident threw the entire community into mourning,'' she said.
It was learnt that the deceased was in happy mood when her parents sent her on errand on the day of the incident, unknown that it was a journey of no return.
Many residents of the community were seen sympathising with the deceased parents, Rotimi and Helen, who were wailing uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, the Ikole Local Government Council has warned all landlords in the area with uncompleted or damaged pit latrines to, as a matter of urgency, put them in good shape.
Mr Tunde Famuyisan, Head, Environment Department in the council area, gave the warning on Thursday when reacting to the unfortunate incident that claimed the life of the innocent girl.
Famuyisan said that all sanitary inspectors in the area have been directed to move from house to house to ensure that every residential building in the council area has functional toilets, as well as demolish life-threatening pit toilets.
He appealed to residents to give useful information to the council workers, so as to detect houses with unsafe pit toilets.
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