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Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the FCT High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja on Wednesday, warned Ex- Taraba State governor, Jolly Nyame, other parties, agents and surrogates to stop interfering with prosecution witnesses. The judge gave the warning at the resumed trial of Nyame, following complaints from the EFCC's prosecution team that the defendant was interfering with its witnesses. Nyame is standing trial on a 41-count charge of money laundering, criminal breach of trust and gratification to the tune of N1.64bn. The case which had earlier been slated for hearing today could not go on as counsel to the EFCC, Henry Ejiga, told the court that the prosecution had a challenge in presenting its witnesses due to interference from the defendant. "We encountered constraints in bringing our witness to court because the defendant had been interfering with our witnesses", Ejiga lamented. He added that, "we are bringing this information to the notice of the court in case we decide to take any action as we intend to conduct an investigation.'' Justice Banjoko, who frowned at the act, also said that a staff member of the court had been receiving messages in her mobile phone. "All this interference should stop; nothing but the truth will carry the day,'' Justice Banjoko warned. Thereafter, the case was adjourned to November 1, 2016 for continuation of trial.
ABUJA- The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Wednesday, narrated before the Federal High Court in Abuja, how it paid N2.1billion to Chairman emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, before the 2015 presidential election.
The bank, through its Manager, Payment Section, Mr. Mukaddas Aliyu Mohammed, said the fund was released to Dokpesi in four tranches, through his firm, DAAR Investment and Holdings Limited.
Mohammed who testified as star witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, told the court that the funds were sequentially withdrawn from account the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, operated with the CBN, between January 21 to March 19, 2014.
He identified four payment mandates that were okayed by the detained former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, retd, and a former Director of Finance in the Office of the NSA, Mr. Shuaibu Salisu.
The court on Wednesday admitted and marked the payment mandates as Exhibits A1 to A4.
According to the witness who was led in evidence by EFCC lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacob, SAN, said whereas the apex bank, on three occasions, transferred the sum of N500m to the defendant, it also released another N620m on February 9, 2014.
“The purpose of the payment was for media campaign”, the witness stated, even as he insisted that the entire transaction followed due process.
He said: “The four mandates were paid by our office. In the Form, it is written that all due process must be followed, it is the due process from our office”.
Under cross-examination by Dokpesi’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, the witness said CBN verified the signatories to the account before all the mandates were paid.
He told the court that though Dasuki and Salisu are no longer signatories to the account, the CBN is still releasing funds to the present NSA the same way it did when Dasuki was in office.
“The signatories to that account now is the present NSA and his Director of Finance. I know that the present NSA is Mr. Mongonu but I can’t remember the name of the Director in office now.
Dokpesi
“Even though the signatures for the account has changed, the procedures for payment are still the same.
“We are still following the same procedure. In the same way we received the mandates and honoured them under the past Administration, we have also received several mandates under this government and we also honoured them.
“The account of ONSA is funded by office of the Accountant General of the Federation. It is by funds appropriated in the National Budget by the National Assembly.
“On the same Exhibit A1, there was N500m payment to Dalhatu Investment Ltd. The narrative was for supply of security equipment.
“On Exhibit A2, we paid N60, 616, 000. 00 to Presidential Air Fleet. Makmag General Enterprises Nigeria Ltd also got N13, 680.000.00, which was payment for supply of rice to IDPs. The C-in-C Security Department was paid N75m.
“There are five narrations in Exhibit A3. We have Onile Nigeria Ltd which got N200m payment for consultancy services.
“The second one is Vibrant Resources Limited- N450m payment for security services.
“No.3 is Jawaz Multi-purpose E-Venture Limited, the payment is N148m, payment for supply of security equipment.
“The last narration is to A.R. Security Solution Limited, the amount is N2bn only. It was payment for personnel support and logistics.
“In Exhibit A4, the first narration is General Hydro Carbon Limited- N100m, being payment for Energy consulting. The other one is to DPA office of the NSA- The amount is N239, 500. 000, payment for funding of Nigeria de-radicalisation project.
“The last narration on the document was to Cosse Ltd, the amount is N400m, being payment for supply of security equipment.
“My lord I can confirm from the document before me that after the signatories had signed, there is a column for confirmation where an officer will sign and put date “.
The witness said his role was to verify and confirm mandates before payments are made.
He said all the payments were legitimate in as much as his own office was concerned.
“We followed all the due process and it was complied with. From our own side in CBN, the payments were legitimate”.
Meantime, trial Justice John Tsoho has adjourned the matter till November 18 for continuation of trial.
Dokpesi is answering to a six-count criminal charge alongside his firm, DAAR Investment and Holdings Ltd, owners of African Independent Television, AIT, and Raypower FM.
According to the charge which was signed by the Deputy Director, Legal and Prosecution at the EFCC, Mr. Aliyu Yusuf, the N2.1bn was transferred from CBN to a First Bank account owned by DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited
EFCC maintained that the transaction was in breach of section 58 (4) (b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and punishable under section 58 (6) and 7 of the same Act, as well as under section 17 (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004.
Dokpesi who was initially docked before the high court on December 9, 2015, was re-arraigned by the anti-graft agency on February 17, 2016.
The anti-graft agency earlier told the court that it has lined up 15 witnesses that will testify against the defendants.
My dear children. This is a happy moment for me and for all Nigerians. I welcome you back to freedom. It is a moment your parents, the Nation and the International Community have been eagerly waiting for, since your abduction on 14th April 2014.
We must from the onset, thank Almighty God for this day that 21 of the Chibok girls have again breathed the air of freedom and are reunited with their parents. We are equally prayerful, that God in his infinite mercies and benevolence, will see to it that the girls remaining in captivity will be freed and returned to us soonest.
All Nigerians recall, sadly the night of 14th April 2014, 276 young female Nigerian students were abducted from the Government Secondary School in Chibok Borno State by the Boko Haram.
Fortunately, 57 of the kidnapped school girls were able to escape, leaving 219 in captivity. One of the abducted girls, Amina Ali was found in May 2016. And today we are here celebrating the freedom and return of another 21 girls that regained freedom on Thursday 13th October. We are equally as hopeful as we are praying, that the remaining girls will be freed and returned to us without further delay.
The release of these 21 girls followed a series of negotiations between Government and the Boko Haram group, brokered by our friends both local and International. Since this Administration assumed office, we have been working towards the safe release of the girls. The Nigerian DSS, Military and other Security Agencies have spared no effort to secure our girls. These 21 girls are the manifestation of our doggedness and commitments to the release and return of the Chibok girls.
While joining their parents to rejoice and praise the Almighty, we shall redouble efforts to ensure that we fulfill our pledge of bringing the remaining girls back home. Already, the credible first step has been taken and Government will sustain the effort until all the remaining girls return safely
These 21 girls will be given adequate and comprehensive medical, nutritional and psychological care and support. The Federal Government will rehabilitate them, and ensure that their reintegration back to the Society is done as quickly as possible.
Aside from rescuing them, we are assuming the responsibility for their personal, educational and professional goals and ambitions in life. Obviously, it is not late for the girls to go back to school and continue the pursuit of their studies.
These dear daughters of ours have seen the worst that the world has to offer. It is now time for them to experience the best that the world can do for them. The Government and all Nigerians must encourage them to achieve their desired ambitions.
The Federal Government appreciates the patience and understanding of the parents of all the abducted Chibok girls. We equally thank Nigerians and the International Community for their support and prayers, and for never losing confidence in our ability to secure the safe release of our girls.
Once again, I congratulate the 21 released girls, their parents, the Chibok Community the security agencies and all Nigerians on this day of delight and rejoicing.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said it was “time to say goodbye” to the US during a visit to China on Wednesday, as the combative leader reconfigures his country’s diplomatic alliances.
Philippine-President-Rodrigo-Duterte
Duterte is in China for a four-day trip that is expected to confirm his tilt away from Washington and towards Beijing’s sphere of influence.
During a speech addressing the Filipino community in Beijing, the firebrand president said the Philippines had gained little from its long alliance with the US, its former colonial ruler.
“Your stay in my country was for your own benefit. So time to say goodbye, my friend,” he said, as if addressing the US.
“I will not go to America anymore. I will just be insulted there,” he added, before once again referring to US President Barack Obama as a “son of a whore”.
Duterte, who took office in late June, said he was fed up with the Philippines’ foreign policy being dictated by a Western agenda.
“What kept us from China was not our own making. I will charter a new course,” he said.
Foreign policy under Duterte has dramatically shifted from that pursued under predecessor Benigno Aquino, who took Beijing to an international tribunal over its extensive territorial claims in the South China Sea and won a resounding victory.
The move infuriated Beijing. But Duterte, who took office in June shortly before the tribunal ruling, has made a point of not flaunting the outcome.
He has also suspended joint US-Philippine patrols in the South China Sea, and has threatened an end to joint military exercises.
– Manila ‘a pawn’ –
The South China Sea is of intense interest to Washington and it has repeatedly spoken out on the various territorial disputes between China and its neighbours over the strategically vital waters.
Tensions have risen between the US and China over Washington’s so-called “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific, a move that Beijing says is intended to contain it.
Duterte will meet top leaders including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang during his stay.
Hours before he spoke, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular briefing that Beijing was pleased to move towards resolving the territorial dispute “through consultation and dialogue”.
“Anyone who truly wishes for peace, stability, development and prosperity in the Asia Pacific” should welcome Duterte’s visit, she said.
In an editorial Wednesday, China’s nationalist Global Times newspaper said Washington had treated Manila “as a pawn”, adding Duterte was now “redesigning Philippine foreign policy based on Philippine interests”.
Duterte has said his China trip will focus on promoting economic ties.
The Philippines is hoping, among other things, that Beijing will repeal a ban on imports of its bananas — an economic sanction intended to punish Manila for its South China Sea stance.
Hua said Wednesday announcements on infrastructure cooperation and economic development projects could be expected during the Philippine leader’s visit.
– Drug war –
As Duterte has cosied up to Beijing, he has repeatedly denounced the United States for criticising the deadly war on crime he instigated upon taking office.
Last month Duterte sparked a diplomatic storm when he branded Obama a “son of a whore” after being told the US president would raise the rights concerns at an Asia meeting.
Beijing, meanwhile, has enthusiastically endorsed Duterte’s war on drugs, which has seen more than 3,700 people killed and led the International Criminal Court to warn that those responsible could face charges.
Hua said Wednesday that the two sides were already in close communication about cooperating on drug control and anti-crime issues.
China has also offered to train some Filipino cadets in “anti-illegal drug and VIP security protection”, according to Ramon Purugganan, deputy director of intelligence with the Philippine National Police.
ABUJA-THE Surveyor General of the Federation, Ebisintei Awudu, has warned that Nigerians should expect more tremors in some parts of the country at any time after the recent one in Kaduna State.
Awudu, who spoke at a special meeting with the House of Representatives committee on works, said however that the tremors would not be as dangerous as the ones happening in other parts of the world.
Awudu who was represented by a coordinating director in the office, Mr Barde Jatau, the surveyor general said: “From my own understanding, you are bound to have tremors here and there, but it won’t be dangerous in any way.”
“We confirmed that Kwoi is located at the boundary of three-rock formation, and each time you have that kind of situation, there’s bound to be some kinds of movement. We’re still collating data, and at the end of the day, we’ll know what actually happened. We need extra time to be able to finish and know what really happened. Before the end of this year, the report will be ready.
“We have placed some equipment at the rock there and we’ll go back to observe what really happened. The tremor is not that dangerous because it’s an intra-plate movement.
Members of the committee, headed by Rep Toby Okechukwu ,PDP, Aniri/Oji River Fed Constituency of Enugu, asked if there were signs before the occurrence of the incident, to which Jatau said: “Nobody will tell you for sure when it comes to titanic activities. What I can tell is that there are fault lines.
“Strangely, it is only animals that can see the signs of any such occurrence. When they notice it, they run. Animals like goats, snakes and the rest see the signs,” he added.
He said the history of tremor occurrence in Nigeria dated back to 1939, and since then, it has been happening from time-to-time in states like Oyo, Bayelsa, Rivers and Kaduna.
Asked when the report of the Kaduna incident would be ready, Jatau said: “We ought to get the report ready when the other agencies are ready. We wouldn’t want to release something that wouldn’t stand the test of time. The report will be ready before the end of this year.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his heartfelt condolences to the Saro-Wiwa family as well as the government and people of Rivers State on the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr.
Buhari gave the condolence message on Wednesday through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
According to the message, the President also "commiserates with the people of Ogoni Kingdom over the passage of their illustrious son, author and environmental activist who was an ardent believer in the unity, progress and stability of his community." It said Buhari joins them in mourning the sudden and painful passing of a promising Nigerian whose willingness and dedication to the clean-up of Ogoni land inspired a healing process in Nigeria after the death of his father, Ken Saro-Wiwa. As the world mourns Saro-Wiwa Jnr, the President believes the commitment of the journalist in serving three Nigerian presidents in various capacities clearly exemplifies his patriotism, statesmanship and foresightedness. President Buhari, who has initiated the process of cleaning up the Niger Delta region, urges family, friends and associates to honour Saro-Wiwa's memory by making his dream of an environmentally safe, secured and prosperous Ogoni land a reality. The President prays that the Almighty God will comfort all who mourn the deceased and grant his soul eternal rest.
L-R; Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, President Muhammadu Buhari and the 21 Chibok School Girls as Vice President presents the released 21 Chibok School girls to the President at the State house in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. OCT 19 2016
L-R; Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, President Muhammadu Buhari and the 21 Chibok School Girls as Vice President presents the released 21 Chibok School girls to the President at the State house in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE
L-R; One of Chibok School Girls speaking on behalf of others to Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Alhassan and Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu listens as Vice President presents the released 21 Chibok School girls to the President at the State house in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE.
Cross Section of the Released 21 Chibok School Girls as Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo presents the Girls to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE.
Cross Section of the Released 21 Chibok School Girls as Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo presents the Girls to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE
L-R; Some Parents of the released 21 Chibok Girls thanking the President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo as Vice President presents the released 21 Chibok School girls to the President at the State house in Abuja. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE.
Some of the judges arrested by the Department of State Services in sting operations for corruption are fighting back to redeem their honour.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola, 63, who was appointed in 2014 as a Federal High Court judge has been throwing punches at DSS and the Attorney-general of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
Ademola and Dimgba
In one breath, he said he was being harassed because he once ordered the arrest of Malami, when he was a judge in Kano. In another, he said the DSS came for him because he gave judgement in favour of the detained former National Security, Sambo Dasuki, because he bribed him.
Ademola dramatised his defence further by asking Dasuki in open court whether the two of them ever met before or since his case came before him.
Ademola: Do you know me at all?
Dasuki: Before I came to this court, not at all.
Ademola: Did you at any time give me money?
Dasuki: None that I am aware of.
Ademola: Did you send your lawyers to give me money?
Dasuki: Not at all.
Ademola: Did you give money to any of my relatives?
Dasuki: Not at all, maybe the DSS is alleging that I did."
The DSS had on Oct. 8 raided Ademola's residence in Abuja and other judges' homes for alleged corruption.
The Service claimed it found money in local and foreign currencies in the sting operation.
Now Ademola claimed that the EFCC exaggerated the money found in his house.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, also on EFCC dishonour roll also claimed that he was stung by the agency because of the rulings he had delivered against the DSS.
The most dramatic response came from Justice John Okoro, who claimed he was being punished because he refused to sway justice in the electoral disputes involving candidates of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers and Akwa Ibom state.
He also mentioned the dispute in Abia State, which involved the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
Okoro claimed Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and Chief Umana Okon Umana, APC candidate in Akwa Ibom state offered him bribes and that he made a verbal report to the Chief Justice of Nigeria at the time.
Both Amaechi and Umana had debunked the claims as an after-thought.
Okoro's bribery claim was easily faulted by observers as the date he claimed Amaechi came to induce him came after the judgment had been delievered.
"Okoro claimed Ameachi visited him on Feb 1st to bribe him on Rivers state Election but the judgement was delivered 27th Jan. How?", asked one observer of the riveting corruption drama.
Malam Is'haq Modibbo-Kawu, the Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has assured that Africast 2016 conference would change any negative perceptions about the image of Nigeria at the international arena.
Modibbo-Kawu gave the assurance at the 11th Conference and Exhibition of African Broadcasters known as Africast 2016 on Wednesday in Abuja with the theme "Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting: the Imperative of Financing Quality Content."
The NBC boss said that the conference was another effort toward correcting the imbalance in the world information flow, being a platform of interaction between information practitioners from across the globe.
He added that Africast 2016 was a forum where Africa's point of views were fully expressed, noting that the conference had since become the destination broadcast event on the African continent.
He explained that "Africast 2016 will afford the numerous participants coming to Nigeria for the first time, a chance to positively experience our country first hand in order to change any negative perceptions that have inhibited the nation's international acceptance."
Modibbo-Kawu said that the event was coming at a crucial time for the broadcasting industry in Nigeria as its march toward the final switch-over from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting date of June 17, 2017 drew nearer.
He said Africast was intended to leverage on the commanding position of Nigeria in the area of content production, to become the content hub for Africa.
The director-general expressed optimism that the conference would provide unique opportunity for contributions and ideas of experts from within and outside the country to drive policy implementation.
He added that the convention would chart the best way forward for Nigeria and Africa in the digital era.
The main activities of the event include plenary sessions, syndicate discussions, master classes, exhibition, content market and gala.
By Levinus Nwabughiou ABUJA-In a voice laden with emotions, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja said that the abducted Chibok girls have seen the worst of things the world had to offer.
The president spoke while formerly receiving the released 21 out of the over 200 of the girls at the presidential Villa, Abuja.
It will be recalled that girls were stolen from their school dormitory beds in Chibok community on April 14, 2014 and had been in the custody of Boko Haram insurgents in the north east.
The 21 only regained their freedom last week.
“These 21 girls will be given adequate and comprehensive medical, nutritional and psychological care and support. The Federal Government will rehabilitate them, and ensure that their reintegration back to the Society is done as quickly as possible.
“Aside from rescuing them, we are assuming the responsibility for their personal, educational and professional goals and ambitions in life. Obviously, it is not late for the girls to go back to school and continue the pursuit of their studies.
“These dear daughters of ours have seen the worst that the world has to offer. It is now time for them to experience the best that the world can do for them. The Government and all Nigerians must encourage them to achieve their desired ambitions”, President Buhari said.
The president also revealed that the girls’ release was a product of negotiations between the government and boko haram.
remaining girls will be freed and returned to us without further delay.
“The release of these 21 girls followed a series of negotiations between Government and the Boko Haram group, brokered by our friends both local and International. Since this Administration assumed office, we have been working towards the safe release of the girls.
“The Nigerian DSS, Military and other Security Agencies have spared no effort to secure our girls. These 21 girls are the manifestation of our doggedness and commitments to the release and return of the Chibok girls”, he said.
No fewer than 14 rural communities in the FCT benefitted from 37 micro-projects valued at N107 million under the World Bank-assisted Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) in 2015.
The figures were collated from a report on the CSDP made available on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the report signed by the FCT-CSDP Managing Director, Mr Arabi Tukur, the benefitting communities cut across the six area councils of the territory.
The projects cover road and drainage construction, provision of educational and healthcare facilities, skill development, water and sanitation, as well as rural electrification, among others.
While some of the projects, which were awarded between January and June, 2015, had been completed, others were ongoing as of the time the report was prepared.
The CSDP is a five-year project launched in 2013 and implemented in 27 states to stimulate growth and reduce poverty in rural communities across the country.
The project is co-financed by the Federal and the participating state governments with support from the World Bank to the tune of 380 million dollars.
"The FCT communities are being touched by our agency.
"Their lives are being turned around positively in line with the national goals of development in the rural areas,'' Tukur said.
Port Harcourt – Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has expressed shock over the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa (Jnr), the son of the late Rivers-born environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa.
A statement by the governor's Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, on Wednesday in Port Harcourt quoted Wike as saying that the death was a huge loss.
"This death is needless, untimely and a huge loss to Rivers, Nigerians and the whole of humanity,'' he said.
Wike said that the late Saro-Wiwa (Jnr) devoted his life to the service of humanity, adding "his transition to glory has left a vacuum that will be difficult to fill''.
He expressed his condolences to members of the deceased's immediate family, and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
The 48-year-old Ken Saro-Wiwa (Jnr), an Abuja-based journalist and author, died on Tuesday during a brief illness.
Abuja – The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), has expressed shock over the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr., son of late environmentalist, Ken Saro-Wiwa.
The Publicity Secretary of MOSOP, Mr Felago Nsuke, said on Wednesday that the movement "is deeply pained by this tragic incident, the loss of our dear Ken Jr. – son of our celebrated hero, Ken Saro-Wiwa."
"We express our deepest condolences to the family of Wiwa in particular and the Ogoni nation in general."
Ken Jr., 47 died in London after suffering stroke, according to his family.
His late father Ken was executed by late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha for leading protest against environmental degradation of Ogoniland caused by multinational oil companies.
Football's world ruling body, FIFA, has appointed respected Gambian official Bakary Papa Gassama as referee for next month's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Algeria, scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
The Matchday 2 encounter between two of the fiercest rivals in African football will see Jean-Claude Birumushahu from Burundi as assistant referee 1, Marwa Range from Kenya as assistant referee 2 and Gassama's compatriot, Maudo Jallow as fourth official.
FIFA has also appointed Jean-Olivier Mbera from Gabon as referee assessor, Ghanaian Anthony Baffoe as match commissioner and Nicholas Chumba Musonye from Kenya as security officer.
Gassama, 37, and who has been an international referee since 2008, is one of the most respected referees in Africa. He has already been appointed as referee for this year's CAF Champions League final, second leg clash between Zamalek of Egypt and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, taking place in Alexandria on Sunday, 23rd October. Birumushahu and Range will also be part of the officiating crew for that match, at which Nigeria's Paul Bassey will serve as General Coordinator.
Group B leaders Nigeria welcome the Fennecs to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday, 12th November in one of the most anticipated matches of the Matchday 2 of the African qualifying race.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has won a protest it quietly launched following the release of the official match appointment, which set the kick –off time at 5.30pm.
"The information we sent to FIFA was that we wanted the match to start at 5pm; we were surprised when the match appointment was released and the kick –off time was set at 5.30pm. The NFF immediately protested and eventually, on Wednesday morning, FIFA agreed that the match will start at 5pm," NFF's Director of Competitions, Bola Oyeyode, told thenff.com.
LOKOJA – An appeal has gone to Kogi State Government to construct the Felele – Sarkin-Noma – Ahubena – Mawoji Township Road, in Lokoja Local Government area of the state.
Member representing Lokoja 11 constituency, Idris Ndakwo made the appeal yesterday while presenting a motion of urgent public importance at the assembly plenary session.
Ndakwo said the construction of these roads which link Lokoja 1 and 11 constituencies, will go a long way in alleviating the problems of farmers and generate more revenue to government.
He described the road as an important key to socio-economic development of the area
His words, “It is an all-important facility that will bring about the reduction of distance between the people, markets, services and knowledge, and makes possible the idea of getting them connected.
“The road is a factor to the economic growth, especially to farmers who resides in these areas.
“I appealed to the State Government to link the people of Felele – Sarkin-Noma – Ahubena – Mawoji Township Road, which consist of five (5) communities from both Lokoja I and II constituencies. These communities host some government establishment such as, Federal University Lokoja (permanent site), mining sites and other private companies.
“Those living within these communities include; farmers, artisans and traders; linking the communities with a good road network will make it more easy for them to bring their goods and services to market while the State in turn improves on its revenue”
Ndakwo appealed to his colleagues to support him in appealing to the state government to come to the aid of the people of these constituents; “Therefore, resolved by this Honourable House in session that an appeal be made to the State Government to construct Felele – Sarkin-Noma – Ahubena – Mawoji Township Road in Lokoaj Local Government Area of the State. I urge my distinguished Hon. Colleagues to support this Motion for His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, timely intervention
Cross section of the 21 Chibok Girls recently released from Boko Haram during a Presidential reception for them at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi ADESHIDA 19/10/2016
Cross section of the 21 Chibok Girls recently released from Boko Haram during a Presidential reception for them at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi ADESHIDA
Cross section of parents of the 21 Chibok Girls recently released from Boko Haram during a Presidential reception for them at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi ADESHIDA
Cross section of parents of the 21 Chibok Girls recently released from Boko Haram during a Presidential reception for them at the State House, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi ADESHIDA
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday effected a reshuffle of his cabinet, with the dropping of the Commissioners for Tourism- Mr Folorunsho Folarin-Coker; Finance, Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi and Transportation, Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola.
This development comes exactly one year after the Governor constituted his Executive Council, precisely on October 19, 2015. In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, the Governor also directed the Special Adviser, Arts and Culture to take over as the Acting Commissioner for Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Special Adviser on Transportation will take over as Acting Commissioner for Transportation while the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance takes over as the Acting Commissioner for Finance pending the appointment of new Commissioners in the respective ministries.
The Statement adds that the Governor expresses his appreciation to the former Commissioners for their service to the State and wished them well in their future endeavours.
The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has pleaded with the leadership of the All Progressive Congress, APC, to call to order the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, VON, Mr Osita Okechukwu over comment capable of running down his government.
Okorocha made this appeal Yesterday in Owerri through a release made available to newsmen by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemedor.
According to the release, “The Imo State government has deemed it increasingly necessary to appeal to the National Chairman of All Progressive Congress, APC, Chief John Oyegun and the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to call the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) Osita Okechukwu to order, over his repeated and unprovoked media attacks on the governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.”
The release also alleged that, Osita has been presenting himself in the southeast as the spokesperson of the party in the zone.
Further more, ” the latest of such unwarranted and unprovoked attacks on the Imo governor was Tuesday night when Mr. Okechukwu was obviously aided to appear on AIT only to abuse the Imo governor and throughout the programme he said nothing to promote the APC as a party or the APC government at any level.”
” It pains that a man who has not made any tangible contribution to the growth of APC even in his Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State will be insulting a man who staked his life and even his second term bid for the sake of APC,”
Lagos – Worried by his wife's adulterous acts, Mr Kolawole Okeeyi, a businessman, on Wednesday approached the Igando Customary Court in Lagos to terminate his 31-year-old marriage.
Okeeyi, 51, accused his wife, Funmilayo, with whom he had five children of infidelity.
"My wife is having affair with my pastor, I got to know when I did not have credit on my phone and wanted to use her phone to call our pastor to report her for starving my mother of food.
"I picked her phone and I saw on the screen "sent message" I mistakenly press it and the message opened, I saw several love messages my wife sent and received from our pastor.
"I showed her the messages when she came in, but she begged me, I seized the phone and later confronted our pastor with those text messages, but he told me to do my worst.
"I also caught her with my brother in a hotel in Oyo State; I wanted to ignore them, but I later confronted them so that they will not deny later," he said.
The petitioner said that his wife was after his life and that he had been attacked on two occasions.
"In Aug. 20, 2013, I got to the front of my gate, as I horned for my children to open the gate, suddenly three men jumped down from a motorcycle, pointing gun at me.
"But for the timely intervention of the police, I would have been killed. When I entered my house, I told my wife what happened, but she did not say anything.
"Four months later, while coming from work, three men intercepted me, pointing gun at me to come down and enter the booth, I complied and they drove me off.
"But luckily for me, my phone rang, one of them picked it, the caller addressed me as pastor and said that I should come to the church early that I will be ministering, but I am not a pastor.
"One of the guys said that they should not kill me that I am a pastor; that in the bible God said that they should not touch his anointed or do his prophet harm.
"After a hot argument among them, they stopped the car, stripped me naked and absconded with my car.
"A good Samaritan gave me clothes to wear. When I got home, I told my wife again about the incident, but she said nothing.
"That same 2013, my only three buses that plied Port-Harcourt, Akure and Abeokuta were involved in accident and were condemned, I again informed my wife, but no response from her," he said.
Okeeyi said that because of these calamities and threat to his life, he ran away from the house he built same year to start squatting with friends.
He pleaded with the court to dissolve the union that he was no longer in love as his life was no longer safe.
However, Funmilayo, 43, trader, denied all the allegations. She said that she was not having affair with any man.
"Those text messages on my phone were forged; I never sent nor received any love messages from our pastor.
"My husband saw me and his brother in a hotel, but we are not dating, his brother just followed me to book for a room when I went for a burial in Oyo State.
She accused her husband's family of battery.
"When I was pregnant for our fifth baby, my husband's family stormed our house, accusing me of having an affair, they beat me to pulp, in fact, I don't know how I got to the hospital," she said.
The mother of five boys begged the court not to grant her husband's wish as she was still in love.
The Court President, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, adjourned the case to Nov.29 for further hearing.
