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A Federal High Court Lagos has concluded trial-within-trial in the alleged N5.1billion fraud charge brought against Warampo Owei-Dudafa, an ex-aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Dudafa alongside Joseph Iwejuo on 23 counts bordering on conspiracy and concealment of crime proceeds.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
EFCC
The judge had ordered the conduct of the trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements written by Dudafa and his co-accused, Iwejuo Joseph Nna, at the commission's office were voluntarily made or not.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, Dudafa's co-accused, (Iwejuo Joseph Nna), concluded his evidence, insisting that his statements at the EFCC's office were written under duress.
Under cross-examination by EFCC's lawyer, Mr Idris Mohammed, the accused said that even though he was granted administrative bail by the commission while in its custody, he was never allowed to go home.
He said: "On the second day of my detention at EFCC's office, I was told I will be given administrative bail and I asked my family to arrange for a lawyer for me to hasten the process.
"One lawyer, Mr Johnson, eventually came and he had some discussions with an EFCC's investigator, Mr Orji, on how to perfect my bail, but Orji told him that I can never be released because I will run away if I should regain my freedom and the lawyer eventually left in annoyance".
A request by Nna's lawyer, Mr Sunday Abumere, for an adjournment to allow him invite his last witness was turned down by the court which fixed April 6, for parties to adopt their written addresses.
Dudafa was arraigned alongside Iwejuo Joseph Nna, a. k. a. Taiwo Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah by the EFCC on a 23-count charge of alleged N5.1 billion fraud.
Some of the companies allegedly used by the duo in committing the offences include Seagate Property Development, Investment Ltd, Avalon Global Property Development Company Ltd, Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd and Rotate Interlink Services Ltd.
Others are Ibejige Services Ltd, DE Jakes Fast Food, Restaurant Nigeria Ltd and Ebiwise Resources.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has prayed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) resolved its leadership crisis soon to enable it take up responsibility as a viable opposition.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, in Abuja on Tuesday, the party said there was need for PDP to be vibrant to provide the critical opposition.
It said, "we pray for them to put their house in order soon because we believe that democracy is better served when the opposition is alive.
"However, we also know the PDP can only begin to take steps towards recovery if they stop peddling conspiracy theories and blaming imaginary enemies.''
APC-PDP
It recalled that Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the party had alleged that the APC instructed the Police to prevent its members from meeting at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.
Makarfi, according to it, had also alleged that the APC had somehow influenced the Appeal Court decision which ruled against him as the PDP National Caretaker Committee Chairman.
"Neither of these allegations is true in any respect, the Police does not take instructions from the APC.
"The police have explained why they stopped the Makarfi group from meeting at the ICC.
"If the factional PDP is dissatisfied with the police explanation, they could seek further clarifications from the police or pursue alternative means of redress,'' the APC said.
It added that so far, the Makarfi faction of the PDP had not faulted the police or provided any proof for its allegations against the APC, a development that was surprising.
It said that this was "especially so considering that Makarfi and his group had in their ranks, individuals who are experienced to know that without evidence, such allegations can easily be dismissed as baseless.
"Such allegation without evidence can, therefore, be ignored by all right thinking members of the public, including the APC.''
The APC added that Nigerians should be worried by the behaviour of PDP factions which was capable of eroding the confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary.
It added that even as the PDP battled for survival, Nigerians should observe restraint in the interest of the country`s democracy, saying that APC had no interest in the internal crisis of PDP.
John Cross, Chief Mirror(UK) Football writer believes Alexis Sanchez's "mind is made up" and that the Arsenal star will leave the north London side this summer.
The Chilean's contract runs out at the end of the 2017/18 season and the Gunners are still yet to agree a new deal with the 28-year-old.
Arsenal’s Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez vies with Bournemouth’s English defender Steve Cook (R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 27, 2016. AFP
Sanchez has arguably established himself as Arsenal's best player over the past two seasons and has relished in the central striker role this term.
The Gunners star has already netted 17 Premier League goals this campaign, eclipsing his totals from the past two seasons. If Sanchez were to leave, it would be a massive blow for Arsene Wenger and his men, and according to John Cross, it's not looking good.
If Sanchez were to leave, it would be a massive blow for Arsene Wenger and his men, and according to John Cross, it's not looking good.
"I think Sanchez will go," said John Cross. "His mind's made up. I think there's a big clubs in for him – PSG, Juventus as well." However, Cross does believe there's positive news for Mesut Ozil. The German playmaker is in an similar contract situation to that of his teammate. John Cross added: "But I do think Ozil is much more likely to stay and sign a new deal than Sanchez."
……we’ve no case to answer, defendants insist By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – A lead investigator with the Department of State Service, DSS, Mr. Babatunde Adepoju, on Tuesday, revealed before an Abuja High Court at Maitama, that a lawyer that represented President Muhammadu Buhari during his certificate saga, offered N500, 000 to Justice Adeniyi Ademola who is facing corruption charges.
President Muhammadu Buhari
Adepoju testified as the sixteenth prosecution witness, PW- 16, in the ongoing trial of Justice Ademola, his wife, Olabowale, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Joe Agi.
The defendants are answering to an18-count corruption charge the Federal Government preferred against them.
The embattled Judge who hitherto served at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court before he was asked to temporarily step down from the bench by the National Judicial Council, NJC, was among other allegations, accused of receiving gratifications from Agi to the tune of N38.5m, including a BMW Saloon 320i car gift valued at N8.5million.
The Judge allegedly received the car which was purchased from Coscharis Motors Ltd on January 5, 2015, through his son, Ademide.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, the PW-16, told the trial court that investigation by the DSS showed that the N8.5m car was not the only gift the first defendant received from persons whose cases were pending before his court.
While being cross-examined by Agi’s lawyer, Mr. Jeph Njikonye, the witness, told the court that the security agency uncovered that President Buhari’s lawyer, Mr. Kola Awodehin, SAN, also gave the accused Judge N500, 000 as gift.
He told the court that the monetary gift was handed to Ademola during the wedding of his daughter.
The DSS operative said the issue came to the limelight during interrogation of the 3rd defendant, Agi, SAN, which took place on two separate dates, December 13 and 23, 2016.
He said Agi maintained that N30m gift, which was paid into Mrs. Ademola’s account in three tranches of N10m, was based on instruction of his clients, adding that it was not the only wedding gift the judge received.
The witness said that Agi told him that as at the time Awodehin, SAN, gave the gift to Justice Ademola, the suit seeking to sack President Buhari from office over his alleged none possession of requisite educational qualifications, was still pending before the judge.
Adepoju said the DSS did not investigate Agi’s claim.
Nevertheless, Agi’s lawyer, Mr. Njikonye, tendered the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the record of proceedings in the certificate saga suit between Chukwu Okafor vs General Muhammad Buhari.
Trial Justice Jude Okeke admitted the document into evidence and marked it as Exhibit FFF.
Going through the exhibit, the witness confirmed that the third counsel for Buhari in the suit was Mr. Awodehin, SAN, as well as the fact that it was handled by Justice Ademola.
Asked if President Buhari was bribing the judge to win the case against him by presenting a wedding gift to the judge incharge of the case, Adepoju said:
"No my lord. In my opinion, it would be speculative to say the gift by President Buhari’s lawyer was a bribe to Justice Ademola. It is not a bribe."
He further dismissed as speculative, any insinuation that gifts Justice Ademola got from friends through Mr. Agi, during the wedding, amounted to bribery.
It will be recalled that over 10 different suits querying the educational qualification of President Buhari suffered natural deaths shortly after the All Progressives Congress, APC, took over power in May 29, 2015, including the one filed by Okafor.
Justice Ademola had on June 30, 2016, struck out a similar suit by Mr. Nnamdi Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe after the defendant, without adducing any reason, filed a withdrawal notice.
All the plaintiffs had applied for an order invalidating the Certificate of Return issued to President Buhari by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe specifically sought for “an order directing INEC to issue a new Certificate of Return to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, being the candidate who came second in the 2015 Presidential Elections".
President Buhari had engaged a consortium of lawyers, comprising of 13 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANS, to defend him.
Buhari equally went before the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge a ruling Justice Ademola delivered on May 26, 2016, wherein he held that the suit was properly served on the defendant by the plaintiff.
Meanwhile, FG, on Tuesday, closed its case against the defendants after it called a total of 19 witnesses.
The defendants, through their respective lawyers, told the court that they are ready to make a no-case-to-answer-submission, regarding all the allegations against them.
They are contending that FG failed to establish a prima-facie criminal case capable of warranting them to enter their defence to the 18-count charge.
Justice Okeke adjourned the case till March 15 for adoption of written addresses on their no-case-submission.
In the charge, FG alleged that Ademola had in the course of his official duty, collected bribe from the senior lawyer through a Guarantee Trust Bank, GTB, account number 201/110160/1/1/0, operated by his wife who as at then was the Head of Service in Lagos State.
Trial Justice Jude Okeke had earlier admitted into evidence, bags of cash, both foreign and local currencies which were allegedly recovered from the official residence of the Judge.
FG brought the cash totalling about N39.5m in three Ghana-Must-Go bags and tendered it in evidence through an exhibit keeper at the DSS, Mr. Umar Ahmed, who testified as the 11th prosecution witness.
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday began trial-within-trial to test whether the statements obtained from a former acting Director General of NIMASA, Haruna Jauro, facing N304.1 million fraud charges were voluntary.
Jauro, who assumed leadership of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is charged and prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He is standing trial alongside Dauda Bawa and Thlumbau Enterprises Ltd on 19 counts bordering on fraud.
The accused, who were arraigned on April 12, 2016, had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court had admitted them to bails in the sum of N5 million each with two sureties each in like sum.
At the last adjournment, the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, had called the first witness, Mr Orji Chukwuma, who testified before the court how sums of monies were converted by the accused.
Oyedepo had sought to tender the written statement of the accused as evidence in court, but his moved was objected to by the defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo, who argued that the statements were not voluntarily obtained.
Ojo had urged the court to order a trial-within-trial to ascertain if the statements were voluntarily obtained by the commission.
Justice Mojisola Olatoregun had accordingly adjourned the case for a trial-within-trial.
EFCC operatives
When the case came up on Tuesday, the prosecutor commenced the trial-within-trial and called the first witness, Mr Augustine Anosike, who is the Head of Forensic Unit at the EFCC.
The witness informed the court that he personally took video coverage of the endorsement of the statement of the first accused.
He said that his statement was endorsed at the EFCC on March 30, 2016, at about 2.50 p.m. by Mr Akeem Lasisi, an operative of the commission.
The prosecutor then applied for a video tape showing the endorsement of the statement of the accused to be played in the open court.
A video tape was then played in the open court with the aid of a projector, showing how the statement of the accused was endorsed by the EFCC operative (Lasisi).
After showing the video which lasted for about 35 minutes, the defence counsel (Ojo) began his cross- examination, and asked the witness whether he was present in the room at the time the statement of the accused was endorsed.
In response, the witness told the court that he personally video-recorded the endorsement process, adding that there was no demarcation in the room where the statement was endorsed.
The witness also agreed with the observation of defence counsel that the video recording did not disclose the date of the endorsement as well as the commencement and termination time.
On whether the accused was informed that the endorsement process will be video recorded and whether the recording was edited, the witness answered that it was not showed that the accused was so informed and that the video was not edited.
The Defence counsel then asked the witness to state the process and duration of the recording as well as to inform the court of his qualification.
The witness told the court that the video recording took place on March 31, 2016, using a DV mini-digital video cassette which was eventually burnt into a DVD, adding that same was handed over to the commission on Feb. 14.
On his qualifications, the witness told the court that he was trained by a group from Netherlands in digital forensic and also obtained a training from Sweden in mobile phone forensic.
He also informed the court that he holds a certificate in Cinematography.
On whether the video recording depicted the circumstances under which it was done and if it showed the interaction of the accused with the commission, the witness answered in the negative.
On his part, Mr Akeem Lasisi, who was called as second witness in the trial-within-trial, agreed that he was not part of the investigation team.
He also said that he could not remember seeing the duration of the video recording.
On whether he was aware that the EFCC first visited the accused in his NIMASA office, the witness also replied in the negative.
After listening to the witness, the court adjourned the case to March 3 for continuation of the trial-within-trial.
The EFCC had accused Jauro and others of conspiring to defraud NIMASA to the tune of N304.1 million between January 2014 and September 2015.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the accused converted the money to private use, an offence which it said contravened the provisions of Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.
It can be very uncomfortable – even agitating – to get dressed, looking all smart and appealing, only for something as little as sweat under your arms to ruin it all. There is something unarguably embarrassing about having the underarm of your dress, blouse or shirt drenched in sweat, and it gets worse if it's the only sweat-stained part of your clothing. Asides this, there is also the unpleasant odour resulting from such underarm sweating to deal with. It could all be a frustrating experience indeed.
Jumia Travel shares 8 ways to help you deal with sweaty armpits and avoid such uncomfortable situations.
Use the Appropriate Product for Your Problem
You can't stop your body from perspiring because if your body stopped excreting sweat and toxins through the skin, you would die. You thus can only manage and try to control your bodily perspiration. One of the ways to do this is to use deodorants and topical anti-perspirants. Deodorants do little or nothing to stop underarm sweating; but they help to mask the odour. Deodorants that use gentle and natural ingredients will work well.
To avoid sweat stains, you can use commercial anti-perspirants that use aluminum chloride hexahydrate. They are effective in controlling the amount of sweat your armpits produce. Also, consider seeing a dermatologist to discuss possible prescription anti-perspirant products that can be advised for your use.
NOTE: It is important you apply these products properly for them to be effective. Deodorants or anti-perspirants should be applied to clean underarms, not already sweaty ones. It is best to apply these products first thing in the morning after your bath, and any other time after bathing. Always wash your underarms with clean water and soap (be thorough about it and dab with a towel until dry), then apply a thin layer of anti-perspirant or deodorant to your dry underarms. If you can't wash your underarm with soap and water, alternate the use of a wet and dry cloth to clean your underarm until it's dry.
Use Natural Remedies
Though there are all-natural commercial deodorants and anti-perspirant products at your disposal, you can create your own natural ones. One of such natural remedies is to mix equal parts of baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply the paste on both of armpits and let it sit for 20 – 30 minutes, before rinsing off the mixture.
Another remedy to consider is using apple vinegar, or other malt vinegar, on your armpits to neutralize the armpit's natural odour-causing bacteria. This helps to create a drying effect in your underarm, which helps you sweat less and stay dry. A mixture of lemon juice and tomato pulp can also be considered. You mix them together until a paste is formed, then you apply the paste in your underarms and allow to sit for 15 minutes.
Practice Good Hygiene
Asides using products and remedies, managing and controlling underarm sweating require the practice of good body hygiene to aid the effectiveness of such products and remedies. It is important to shower regularly to keep your body clean and dry. You should shower your body, or at least your underarms, once or twice a day. If you are someone who remained active throughout the day, it is advisable to add to your morning shower and shower before bed so you can wash off the sweat produced during the day's activities.
You should also shave your armpit hair regularly. This will help to prevent sweat from collecting in your armpits which helps to make sweat stains less pronounced and odours less prevalent. In addition, you should try to wash your shirts and dresses after every use or as often as possible. This will greatly help those dealing with underarm body odor. Washing your shirts and dresses often will keep bacteria from building over time and acting on the dried sweat to produce unpleasant odours.
Let Your Body Cool Down Before You Put Clothes On
It is important to let your body cool down before you put clothes on, if not you may immediately start sweating. Even after you have just had a bath, you should learn to relax and let your body cool down before you put on clothes. Regardless of where you are rushing to, remember that it is better to take a few seconds to calm yourself down than skip that step and rush to your destination with an unsightly underarm sweat stain.
Be Selective About Your Clothing
Go for clothing made of natural, more breathable fabrics like cotton, wool, hemp, silk or linen, because of their looser weaves. The fibers of these fabrics help to absorb moisture well, make it possible for accumulated moisture to evaporate easily and are less inclined to trap heat and make your body sweaty. Some man-made fabrics like banbook, lyocell, modal and some microfiber fabrics can be considered because they function similarly to natural fabrics.
Consider Changing Your Clothes Often
You can also consider changing your clothes often, or avoid wearing the clothes you intend to use for an outing around the house. You can keep a change of clothing handy from time to time.
Layer Your Clothes
You can consider layering your clothes so sweat won't come through to your outer cloth easily. It is important to choose the right clothing material for this. Breathable fabrics are the best choice. You should also keep these inner wears washed and cleaned regularly to avoid unpleasant odours.
Manage Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety tend to lead to excessive sweating and effusive underarm sweating. Practicing relaxation techniques, deep breathing and meditation exercises can help produce the calming effect needed to manage this situation.
Britain’s “Brexit” minister responsible for managing its departure from the European Union on Tuesday denied reports his government was planning to pay eastern EU states to support it during negotiations with Brussels.
David Davis described as “implausible” recent British media reports that money would be diverted from development projects in Africa and Asia to the Baltic states and other eastern EU countries.
“I didn’t recognise the story I saw in the papers the other day. It seemed to me to be wholly implausible. We have not started the negotiation yet but that is not the way I think it’s going to go,” Davis told reporters after talks with Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics in Riga.
Demonstrators hold up pro-Europe placards in Parliament Square as thousands of protesters take part in a March for Europe, through the centre of London on July 2, 2016, to protest against Britain’s vote to leave the EU, which has plunged the government into political turmoil and left the country deeply polarised. Protesters from a variety of movements march from Park Lane to Parliament Square to show solidarity with those looking to create a more positive, inclusive kinder Britain in Europe. / AFP PHOTO / Niklas HALLE’N
“It’s not a divorce, it’s a new relationship… it’s very modern in that respect,” Davis added.
Davis told reporters later Tuesday in Vilnius, Lithuania, that he was “confident that we will trigger (Brexit) by the end of March.”
Britain’s House of Lords, an unelected chamber where British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party does not hold a majority, could delay a bill empowering her to trigger Brexit as planned by the end of next month.
Davis told Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis it was in Britain’s “interest” to see the “European Union succeed when we leave”.
The British Brexit minister added that London wants cooperation in justice, home affairs, interior matters, counter-terrorism and information exchange with EU members “to continue quite similarly as they are now.”
“On the economic side, we would like to see an overarching free trade agreement,” Davis added.
He also assured Baltic leaders that Britain wants to preserve equal rights for EU citizens living there following Brexit.
“We want a generous outcome” for both EU citizens living in Britain and Brits in the EU, Davis told Lithuania’s Skvernelis.
Hundreds of thousands of EU citizens living and working in Britain, a majority from eastern EU states like Poland, are demanding that their rights be protected despite Brexit.
It is estimated that at least 1.2 million British citizens currently live and work in the 27 other EU member states. They, too, are lobbying to preserve their rights post-Brexit.
Earlier in Riga, Latvian Foreign Minister Rinkevics insisted the EU member states would not be divided when it comes to Brexit talks between Brussels and London.
“We will negotiate according to the solidarity of the 27 EU member states which means there will be a common position,” Rinkevics said.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG in charge of zone 2, Onikan, Kayode Aderanti, has charged management of schools in Lagos and Ogun states to mount functional Close Circuit Televisions ,CCTV cameras that would effectively cover their facilities, with a view to assisting the Police in the fight against kidnapping.
Handing down the charge at a security lecture with parents/guardians and management staff of Corona school, Victoria Island , Aderanti also called for the need for schools to carry out a background check on teaching and non teaching staff before employing them.
Kayode Aderanti
He explained that the stakeholder meeting on security in schools became necessary, following invasion of schools by kidnappers and subsequent abduction of students, citing the Nigerian Turkish International College and the Lagos state Model College cases as examples.
He assured that Police would always be at schools beck and call, by deploying the services of the Central Criminal Registry, CCR, for background checks on prospective employees.
The AIG further called on school managements to interface with the nearest police division, by conducting regular drills in preparation for emergencies, as well as participate actively in the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC and the recently launched Eminent Persons Forum.
On the part of government, Aderanti, advised that "security should be made one of the requirements in the issuance of licences to schools".
Responding, one of the school’s management staff, Funmi Olorunisola , described the meeting as apt, adding that it also afforded stakeholders opportunity to be abreast with burning issues on kidnapping in particular and security in general.
The Ministry of Women Affairs has blamed consistent blackout at the Federal Secretariat for delay in submitting necessary documents for the 2017 budget defence to the House of Representatives.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, disclosed this before the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development on Tuesday in Abuja.
"The challenge we had is that, sometimes at the secretariat, we stay for three, four, five weeks without light; right now, this is the third week that we have stayed without light.
"The permanent secretary and I had to raise money personally to buy diesel at the Women Centre to do it.
"At the time, because there was no light we couldn't retrieve data from the desk top computers.
"Unfortunately, we did not have the data in flash drives, so it was partly our fault and partly not ours.
"But all I can say is that, honourable chairman, we sincerely apologise. We are very sorry for that and it will not repeat itself.''
Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Stella Uchenna (Enugu-PDP), decried the lateness of the submission by the ministry despite the several notice.
Uchenna said there is the need for more cooperation between the MDA's and national assembly committees.
"On Jan. 30, we requested that you send to us the budget implementation of 2016, the document didn't reach us. Then on Feb. 9, we wrote a reminder and still we did not get a reply.
"And because we were short of time, we now wrote requesting for the budget performance for 2016 and the proposal for 2017, and we got the centre and the ministry yesterday.''
Uchenna noted that an early submission of documents would have availed the committee time to understudy them before budget defence.
The ministry presented the 2016 budget performance but the committee noted numerous errors and requested that the document be reproduced and sent back to it.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday meet with some for ministers of the People Democratic Party in Abuja.
Among those he meet with are Chief Femi Fani Kayode, Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Taminu Turaki, Mrs Fidelia Njeze and Aminu Bashir Wali.
Jonathan meets Former PDP Ministers : From left, former Minister of Information , Senator Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, former Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, former Minister of Aviation , Femi Fani Kayode, former Minister of Special Deities Taminu Turaki, Former Minister of Aviation Mrs Fidelia Njeze and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Bashir Wali. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.Jonathan meets ex PDP Ministers : From left, ex Minister of FCT Bala Mohammed, ex of Aviation Minister , Femi Fani- Kayode, ex Minister of Special Deities; Taminu Turaki, ex Minister of Information , Senator Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, President Goodluck Jonathan, King A .J Turner , ex Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Bashir Wali and ex Minister of Aviation; Mrs Fidelia Njeze in Abuja Office. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan. Jonathan Former PDP Ministers Jonathan meets Former PDP Ministers : From left, Former Minister of FCT Bala Mohammed, Former of Aviation , Femi Fani Kayode, Former Minister of Special Deities Taminu Turaki, Former Minister of Information , Senator Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, Former President Goodluck Jonathan, King A .J Turner , Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Bashir Wali and Former Minister of Aviation Mrs Fidelia Njeze during Meeting of Former PDP Ministers with former President Goodluck Jonathan in his Abuja Office. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.
The Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to review its foreign policies in the interest of Nigerians abroad.
The call was at the backdrop of recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, which the Senate condemned as barbaric and unfortunate.
Addressing newsmen on the issue in Abuja, Spokesman of the upper chamber, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, said that the development was capable of endangering the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.
He recounted Nigeria's contributions and sacrifice to liberate South Africa from the clutches of apartheid, saying that enormous resources were spent by Nigeria to set that country free.
"It doesn't tell well about our relationship with South Africa dating back to history.
"The government of South Africa should rise up to the occasion and call these young people to order, and let them know what Nigeria contributed in their quest for freedom.
"We have our own problems to cater for. Nigerians deserve better treatment," Abdullahi said.
Supporting the spokesman, Sen. Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi) urged the government to have a citizens-based foreign policy.
"Citizens' diplomacy should be the focus of our foreign policy. Nigeria must defend Nigerians anywhere in the world," he said.
There are businesses or stores that are skeptical about using a Point of Sale Machine because of trust issues, the bank charges, and the expenses involved in getting one. Regardless, what they don’t know is that there are so many advantages to using a POS machine especially if you are doing a business that involves cash.
Therefore if you are any doubts about using a POS machine, Jumia Travel, the online travel agency gathers 5 reasons your business should have a POS machine.
It is safe and secure
It is very risky to have physical cash in your store because you never know what will happen. It is better to be safe than sorry. In addition to this, it is very safe and secure because the likelihood of theft is very low.
pos
Attracts more customers
Nigerians have largely embraced the idea of using ATM cards for transactions. Consequently, not many Nigerians carry cash around. Your business should move with this trend so that you will not lose your customers.
For example, what will you do if a customer who booked Epe Resort on Jumia Travel and wants to pay with her ATM card? The fact is with your POS machine, you will no doubt attract more customers.
Simplify accounting process
With a POS machine, you can easily give an account of your turnover. Also, you will get receipts and alerts for every transaction made via the POS. With these receipts, you can balance your account without wasting too much.
Better customer experience
Customers will all return if they have a wonderful experience. Imagine if you go to a store and want to pay with your ATM card and there is no POS machine, you definitely not be happy. Some customers will gladly go to the ATM machine to withdraw, others. In addition to losing customers, they are a bad customer experience.
Your business will appear serious
Businesses that have an ATM machine will arguably be taken seriously compared with the one that does not own one. Note that there is nothing wrong with collecting cash, but your business will appear more professional and serious if you accept payments via POS.
Misfiring Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy insists the time has long gone for the Foxes to gloat over their incredible Premier League triumph as they face up to the reality of a relegation battle.
The story of Vardy’s rise from non-league to Football Writers’ Player of the Year honours last season was transformed into a movie script as his 24 goals fired Leicester to the most unlikely of title triumphs.
However, Vardy has struck just five times this season as Claudio Ranieri’s men lie a single point above the relegation zone.
“I don’t think about the (movie) script, I have nothing to do with the script,” said the England international ahead of Leicester’s Champions League last 16, first leg away at Sevilla on Wednesday.
vardy
“We just have to completely forget what happened last year.
“I wish I could put my finger on it myself to change that round, but obviously it’s not been that easy.
“We just need to make sure every single player is giving their all for each other and hopefully it turns around.”
Leicester’s awful form has even seen Ranieri’s future subject to speculation.
However, the Italian believes Leicester’s status as underdogs against a high-flying Sevilla, who have also won the Europa League in each of the past three seasons, could relieve the pressure and spark his underperforming title winners back into form.
“My priority is always the next match and tomorrow is my priority,” said Ranieri.
“Tomorrow could be the turning point. If we lose nothing happens, but if we win something inside could change and we need one match like this.”
By Soni Daniel The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has concluded arrangements to prosecute a Deputy Director of the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, in Akwa Ibom State, and former Electoral Officer in Rivers State, Gogo Anderson Waribo for bribe taking.
Waribo allegedly collected N16 million out of the N23 billion slush fund linked to Diezani Allison-Madueke allegedly paid out by the former Petroleum Minister with a view to influencing the outcome of the 2015 general elections.
Gogo Anderson Waribo
He was arrested by EFCC operatives following intelligence report that some INEC officers conspired with some staff of Fidelity Bank to defraud the Federal Government of several billions of Naira.
Although he denied the allegations, investigation revealed that the INEC Deputy Director's name was on the list of the “bribe takers”.
It was revealed that he received N16 million through his First Bank account on March 27, 2015 and gave N5 million to Peter Popnen, an ex- INEC official.
He will be arraigned as soon as investigation is completed.
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA on Tuesday set ablaze over 40 illegal refineries earlier uncovered in Jones Creek, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta.
Commodore Ibrahim Dewu, Commander, NNS DELTA, disclosed this to newsmen at the Warri Naval Command shortly after the operation.
Dewu said the suspected crude oil had to be set ablaze so that the offenders would not come back and evacuate the product.
Nazy personnel
"Burning illegal refineries with the crude was our last option so that the people will not come back and evacuate them. "However, they cannot even evacuate them because it is in a very large quantity.
"My concern and worry is the effect these illegal acts are causing on the environment.
"We are going to sustain this operation so that we will be able to stop all these illegal activities within the creeks in line with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).
"This will enable the people in the communities to live a normal life because as we speak, aquatic life has been destroyed because the environment is polluted," the commander said. Journalists report that the illegal refineries and over 200 tanks carrying over 10,000 litres each were uncovered by the navy on Feb. 9, 2017.
This came barely 24 hours after the CNS, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, launched "Operation Tsare Teku IV" in Warri to further combat criminal elements operating in the nation's maritime domain.
The naval boss had warned those sabotaging the nation's economic assets to desist from the act before the law caught up with them.
Ezekiel Bassey has said he is quickly adapting to life at FC Barcelona even as he expects to start playing official games for the Catalan giants immediately he secures his work permit.
The Enyimba winger was signed on loan by the five-time European champions in January for an initial six months’ with the possibility of signing for an additional two years if he impresses at the club at the end of the current season.
In a chat with the npfl.ng, the former Akwa United winger revealed that life at the home of the Catalan giants is totally unique, while stating that he is adapting very quickly.
Ezekiel Bassey
“Life and football are totally different at Barcelona. I’m working very hard to quickly adapt because it is different. Already, there is that language barrier and all, so working hard is key to settling down very fast at the club. I have been welcomed and seen as a brother and a member of the Barcelona family since I joined them,” Bassey revealed.
He added: “Playing for Barcelona is a great privilege I’ll cherish for years to come. I’ll be playing soon, I’m actually back in the country to sort out issues regarding my work permit. I’ll resume immediately I’m done which should be in a few days. I can’t wait to play my first official game,” the former NPFL All-Stars winger stated.
A delighted Bassey also shared his experience so far at the club.
“It’s been a great start for me. I’ve had the privilege to train with some of the best players in world football. Yes, we’ve had a combined training of Team A and B, we do that twice a week. I’m already inspired and will work very hard to play with these very best players," said Bassey.
Bassey is expected to depart Nigeria for Spain latest Friday.
Mr Goji Mohammed, the 15th witness to testify in Badeh's trial, said he was part of the EFCC team, led by Mr Isyaku Sharu, that conducted the search in Badeh's house in Asokoro, Abuja.
Journalists report that the ex-Chief of Defence Staff is standing trial on money laundering offence he allegedly committed while serving as Chief of Air Staff.
The witness also said the team recovered some bank documents, land documents, tax documents and few other instruments.
Mohammed further said the commission received intelligence report on another property located at No. 6 Ogun River Street Maitama, which was found to be Badeh's property.
He said they accessed the building through the balcony by climbing, adding that they invited the security man of the neighbouring house to witness the search.
"When we climbed in, we were in the living area upstairs so we used the stairs and went to the living area downstairs and started our search from there.
"When we got to the biggest room in the house, we saw a wardrobe, on opening it, we saw a bag and on opening it contained foreign currency.
"We saw 16 bundles of 50 US dollars notes and two sealed bundles containing 100,000 US dollars which we estimated to amount one million US dollars.
"On further counting the money in our office we discovered it was exactly one million dollars,'' he said.
Judicial symbol
He said they also found a red box which he could not precisely remember what was inside, adding that they also found two way bills of furniture supplied to the building.
When the prosecution sought to tender the search warrant, the red box and the way bill as evidence, the move was objected to by the defence team.
Mr Lasun Sanusi (SAN), counsel for the defendant objected to the admissibility of the items, saying they were purportedly obtained from an illegal search.
Sanusi cited Section 115 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which states that the occupant of a place searched or a relation shall be at the house and see the items seized.
He said no provisions of law permitted state security agents to conduct search by looking for strangers on the street to witness it.
Sanusi said the law gave the owner of the property the impetus to nominate a representative to witness such search if he or she could not be present.
"My Lord, the witness had earlier confirmed that when they were to conduct search on the defendant's house at Asokoro, they took him along to witness the search, why was this other one different.
"It is on record that the defendant was still in detention when the purported search was done in his house at Maitama which is a clear violation of the law.
"My Lord, we are not against the court admitting the search warrant as evidence but we vehemently oppose to the admissibility of the other items,'' he said.
On his part, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), argued that Section 149 and 150 of ACJA which deals with house search warrant permitted the presence of two witnesses.
"This permission covers the person to whom the warrant is addressed and a neighbour within the neighbourhood the property is located,'' he said.
According to him, the provision allows the person to whom warrant is addressed to look for a witness in the neighbourhood.
He, therefore, argued that no provision of the law compelled the property owner to be present before a search warrant can be executed.
Justice Okon Abang, however, adjourned the matter till Feb. 22 for continuation.
Manchester City play host to Monaco in UEFA Champions League Round of 16 play today.It's the first time these teams have met in competitive play. Both teams are in the hunt to reach their second quarter-finals.
This is the first leg of the two-leg series. They'll meet again in Monaco on March 15.Monaco got this far after finishing first in Group E, while Manchester City comes in from the second spot in Group C behind FC Barcelona
Leonardo Jardim, Monaco Manager
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Pep Guardiola believes Monaco's free-flowing attacking style is the key ingredient in Radamel Falcao's late career resurgence ahead of his Manchester City side tackling the Ligue 1 leaders in the Champions League.
Leonardo Jardim's side will head to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday having topped a group featuring Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham, and buoyed by an astonishing 76 goals in 26 top-flight matches domestically.
"At Atletico Madrid he did an amazing job before his injuries. Always you need time for the tough injuries he had," Guardiola said at a news conference to preview the last-16 clash.
"The system, the way Monaco play now is perfect for him. They attack inside and cross a lot.
"Players like him need that. He is a good professional, a nice guy and I am happy he is back at his level scoring goals."
City have kept four clean sheets in their past five matches but Guardiola knows Falcao and his partners-in-crime Thomas Lemar, Bernardo Silva, Valere Germain and teenage protege Kylian Mbappe are likely to throw the defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued his side this season.
back under the microscope.
"A team that attacks with Lemar, Bernardo Silva and Falcao… they attack with a lot of people, which is why you cannot control the counter attack. They are so, so strong in that area," he added.
Ekiti state Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum, Ayodele Fayose has said that he would soon become Nigeria's Vice President and subsequently, the President of Nigeria.
Fayose made the statement during a live interview on African Independent Television, AIT on Tuesday.
"I will be the vice president of Nigeria, even the President very soon," he said.
Speaking on the emergence of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the party’s legitimate chairman as ruled by the High Court that sat in Port Harcourt, Fayose said that those supporting the Senator are political nonentities.
Ayodele Fayose
"Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is a general without soldiers not to talk of having a battalion. If he is sure of his stand and strength, let him go for a popularity contest with Senator Ahmed Markafi.”
"Without any gain saying, Markafi is high above Sheriff. Markafi has the state governors supporting him. The National Assembly caucus are backing Markafi. Former ministers, former governors, former members of the National Assembly are also in support of Markafi. "In quantity and quality of support, Markafi is shoulder high above Sheriff who is only deluding himself with the rent-a-crowd politicians that he goes to town with. All the organs of the party, including the Board of Trustees, are firmly behind Markafi," he said.
Ekiti State Governor, and Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors forum, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has described a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, as a general without soldiers in the party, and challenged Sheriff to go for a popularity test with his main contender, Senator Ahmed Markafi.
Speaking on a television programme on Tuesday, the governor said apart from Markafi having more members, the caliber of people posing as Sheriff’s supporters are political nonentities.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, Fayose, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, noted that the who-is-who in the PDP were solidly behind Markafi.
“Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is a general without soldiers not to talk of having a battalion. If he is sure of his stand and strength, let him go for a popularity contest with Senator Ahmed Markafi.
Apart from the fact that most of the PDP members are with Markafi, let Nigerians check out the calibre of people supporting them.
“Without any gain saying, Markafi is high above Sheriff. Markafi has the state governors supporting him. The National Assembly caucus are backing Markafi. Former ministers, former governors, former members of the National Assembly are also in support of Markafi.
“In quantity and quality of support, Markafi is shoulder high above Sheriff who is only deluding himself with the rent-a-crowd politicians that he goes to town with. All the organs of the party, including the Board of Trustees, are firmly behind Markafi,” he said.
Reacting to a question on last week’s Court of Appeal judgment that favoured Sheriff in the leadership tussle, Fayose opined that truth would prevail at the end of the day.
”The court cannot chose our chairman for us. This issue is about democracy and the people. It is the PDP members that can decide who their leaders are. This they have demonstrated in the Port Harcourt convention that was done in accordance with the constitution of the party.
“The party’s leadership is the National Caretaker Committee headed by Senator Ahmed Markafi and it shall remain so until we do our convention to elect our leaders,” he added.
On the possibility of working with Sheriff, Fayose described Sheriff as a political poison that should be avoided.
Clarifying his initial support for Sheriff, the governor said he backed out of supporting him when he discovered Sheriff ulterior motives and discrepancies in his attitude.
“I don’t have regret supporting him abinitio, but when we discovered his discrepancies, I backed out. I saw that he is unfit, he is a pariah. Sheriff is an agent of the All Progressives Congress.
He is a mole being used by the Federal Government to weaken and destabilise the PDP so that APC will not have any virile opposition,” the governor stressed. He said it was through Sheriff’s activities that the PDP lost the Ondo and Edo governorship polls.
He, however, gave the assurance that such tricks would not work in Ekiti State.
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