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The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday ordered the remand in Kuje Prison of Andrew Yakubu, former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The court also fixed March 21 for ruling on bail application.
Yakubu was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a six-count charge bordering on non-disclosure of assets and fraud, charges to which he pleaded not guilty.
Yakubu was alleged to have, as "Group Managing Director of NNPC, between 2012 and 2014, within the jurisdiction of this court, with intent to avoid lawful transaction, transported to Kaduna $9.7million and €74,000.''
He was also accused of failure to disclose the sum of $9.7 million and €74,000 to the EFCC in his asset declaration form, a crime which contravened Section 27 (3) of the EFCC Act.
Andrew Yakubu
Counsel to Yakubu, Mr Ahmed Raji (SAN) in applying for bail for his client, prayed the court to admit him to bail either on self-recognition or on liberal terms.
Raji argued that the offences Yakubu was charged with were bailable, adding that he did not wait to be arrested, but surrendered himself to the anti-graft body when he was invited.
The lawyer also urged the court to order an interim release of his international passport to enable him travel abroad for three weeks to complete a medical procedure he was undergoing before he was invited.
"He suspended the treatment to attend to the EFCC invitation and he needs to go back and complete it so that he can be healthy to stand trial.
"He was about to commence a procedure related to prostate cancer in the United Kingdom and requires further urgent attention.
"I urge the court to consider the fact that he has no prior criminal record and he was invited by the EFCC while abroad and he voluntarily surrendered himself.''
Raji said that the subject matter of the six-count charge was already in EFCC custody and could not be moved by Yakubu or anyone else.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Ben Ikani, urged the court to dismiss the application on the grounds that some of the prayers were "putting the cart before the horse.''
"We are talking of an application for bail and not a trip to anywhere. It is our submission that we are not yet where we will talk of the issue of traveling.
"We agree that his health is important, but the EFCC is a 21st century law enforcement agency and since he has been in our custody, we have been monitoring and taking care of his health.''
Ikani maintained that the EFCC had the necessary facility to take care of Yakubu's health, adding that there were good medical facilities in Abuja.
The prosecutor, however, held that in the event that the court was disposed to admitting Yakubu to bail, very stringent conditions should be applied to compel him to attend his trial.
The judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, adjourned the case till March 21 to rule on the bail application.
The EFCC raided a bungalow belonging to a relation of Yakubu in Sabon Tasha in Kaduna and recovered $9,772,800 and another £74,000.
Yakubu was subsequently invited by the anti-graft agency and detained.
He filed a N1 billion suit against the EFCC, claiming damages and compensation for violation of his fundamental human rights, a suit still pending in court.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, on his victory at the just-concluded Confederation of African Football (CAF), Executive Committee elections.
Pinnick defeated the incumbent, Benin Republic's Moucharafou Anjorin, by 32 votes to 17 in the election held on Thursday in Addis Ababa.
With this win, Pinnick becomes the third Nigerian to serve on the executive seat of CAF.
In a statement signed by Nnake Anibeze, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, the minister said he was happy that a Nigerian was now in the inner caucus of CAF after many years.
"When I became Minister, I asked why there was no Nigerian representative in the executive committee of CAF.
"With a population of over 170 million people, there is no way the CAF executive committee will be constituted without Nigeria as a stakeholder.
"I encouraged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to ensure that they are represented, hence our support for the president of the federation.
"This is a big achievement for Nigeria as we stage our return into African football politics", Dalung said.
The Federal Government also congratulated Ahmad Ahmad following his election as President of the Confederation of African Football but maintained its support for regional interest.
"Nigeria's position remains in favour of our national interest but we congratulate them all", he said.
Dalung also advised the elected board to be magnanimous in victory and to run an all-inclusive government.
Mr Daniel Danladi, a detective with the Special Task Force of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday at an Ikeja High Court exposed judges and judicial officers, who allegedly received bribes from Dr Joseph Nwobike, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Nwobike is being tried by the EFCC before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi for allegedly offering gratification to a public official and perverting the course of justice.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday, Danladi, led in evidence by EFCC lead counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, displayed a document entitled: "Extraction Report" on the screen in the courtroom.
In his testimony, Daladi named four judges who were allegedly involved in the gratification scam as Justice Mohammed Yinusa, Justice H.A Ngajiwa and Justice Musa Kurya, all of the Federal High Court, Lagos and Justice James Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court, Lagos.
He said the report contained details of 14,317 text messages from Nwobike's Samsung Galaxy Note 4 mobile phone, seized from him by the anti-graft agency during investigations in the alleged corruption case.
According to him, some of the text messages in the report contained details of bank transactions as well as messages allegedly sent by Nwobike to the judicial officers and judges.
Danladi testified that "the result of the extraction report clearly showed that the defendant was conveying money to judges of the various the courts.
"He also wielded influence over which judge should hear his cases.
"This is contrary to the statement that the defendant gave to the EFCC that the only judicial officer he gave financial assistance to was Hon. Justice Yinusa."
Danladi further gave details of judicial officers who Nwobike was allegedly in contact with.
"The defendant was in regular phone contact with one Mr Jide and Mr Baruwa of the Federal High Court and one Mrs Helen Ogunleye, who is the registrar to Justice Musa Kurya.
Pointing to the screen in the courtroom, Danladi revealed details of how Nwobike influenced the adjudication of the cases he was handling in which the EFCC was a party.
"On Nov. 5, 2015, the defendant sent a text message to Mr Jide stating he wanted his matter which was Mrs Timi Akpobolokemi and others Vs the EFCC with suit number FHC/L/CS/1665/2015 to go before Hon. Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia.
"He acknowledged receipt of the text message and some days later the matter was assigned to Ofili-Ajumogobia.
"In FRN Vs Dr Oluwafemi Thomas and others, he suggested that that matter should go to Hon. Justice Saidu with Mr Jide confirming receipt of the text.
"In a matter in which EFCC was a party, the defendant sent a text to Mr Baruwa of the Federal High Court stating that he wanted the matter to be assigned to Justice Abang's court.
"Investigations revealed that the matter was assigned to Justice Abang as agreed between them," Danladi said.
Danladi further revealed how the defendant unduly influenced matters that the anti-graft agency had at the Federal High Court in which he was counsel for the opposing party.
"In text message exchanges with Mr Jide the defendant influenced a number of cases including; Simon Adomene V the EFCC with suit number FHC/L/CS/1471/2015 anf Dr Oluwafemi Thomas V The EFCC with suit number FHC/L/CS/1445/2015.
"He suggested that these cases as well as some others should be assigned to Justice Yinusa, our investigations revealed that they were assigned to the judge.
"On March 20, 2015, the defendant paid N750,000 into the UBA account of Hon. Justice Yinusa and a few days later a court order was granted by the judge in the defendant's favour.
"Our investigations revealed that the defendant paid money into the First Bank Account of Hon. Justice James Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court.
"We wrote to First Bank where the judge operates three different bank account and they confirmed such payments.
"On Dec. 29, 2015, payment of N100,000 was made into the Justice Agbadu -Fishim's First Bank account with number 2006900216.
"On Dec. 2, 2015, N150,000 and N100,000 was paid into the judge's account with number 3008199491 and on Sep. 10, 2015, N100,000 was paid into that account by the defendant.
"Our investigations revealed that the defendant gave Mrs Helen Ogunleye, the registrar to Justice Musa Kurya N250,000 as well as undisclosed sums to her boss the judge.
"Investigations revealed that money was also paid to Justice H.A Ngajiwa by the defendant through a company account owned by the judge," he added.
The witness proceeded to read aloud the text messages which were allegedly exchanged between the defendant and the registrar.
"The text message sent on March 25, 2014 revealed the registrar asking for financial assistance from the SAN for her brother who wanted to study medicine in Russia.
"A text message sent on Dec. 15, 2014 the SAN told the registrar that a sum of N250,000 was for her while some undisclosed money in an envelope was meant for her boss Justice Musa Kurya."
Danladi further testified and read out a text message in which Ogunleye acknowledged receipt of the money.
The witness also testified that Justice Agbadu-Fishim was invited by the EFCC and he admitted receiving the funds from the defendant.
"We invited Justice James Agbadu-Fishim to our office sometime in late 2016, he made statements confirming that the defendant paid money into his account."
Danladi told the court that Mr Jide was also invited by the commission where he admitted exchanging text messages with the SAN.
Earlier during the trial, counsel to Nwobike, Mr O. Akanni (SAN), opposed Danladi's evidence.
"This evidence does not have any relevance to this case, the test of admissibility is relevance and there is not a single charge before this court that relates to payment of money to judges.
"The charged relate to payment of money to specific individuals and Section 1 of the Evidence Act is very clear.
" it states that evidence has to be relevant to the fact in issue," he said.
Responding to Akanni, Oyedepo said:"The payment of monies to judges is the basis of our case in counts one to eight while counts nine and ten border on the attempt to pervert the course of justice.
"The evidence of the witness is to sustain counts nine and ten and the Evidence Act doesn't only refer to the facts in issue but also facts remotely relevant to the facts in issue."
In his ruling, Justice Adebiyi said:"The testimony of the witness is relevant to the case.
"The prosecution should direct the witness to incidents that occurred within the Federal High Court."
The case was adjourned to March 28 and March 31 for continuation of trial.
The Federal Government on Thursday renewed its commitment to restoring peace and sanity in all parts of the country.
The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. AbdulRaman Dambazau, said this at the Ooni of Ife's palace after a visit to the Sabo area of Ile-Ife.
This followed a crisis that ensued between Yoruba and Hausa communities on March 8.
He said: "I am part of Ile-Ife. Even late Oba Okunade Sijuwade who was the closest friend of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, confirmed that I schooled in South West.''
The however said that he was shocked and confused when he learnt of the dispute between Ife and Hausa communities, saying it has not been so from ages past.
"I know Ile-Ife as a land of peace, accommodating strangers, friendly and loving other ethnics, so I wonder how such incident could occur," Dambazau said.
Dambazau attributed to the crisis to criminals and not the Ife or Hausa communities, adding that the strife had no tribal or religious coloration.
He called for a peaceful coexistence, saying "all we want in all communities is peace, for without peace, we cannot sleep nor slumber, for without peace, there cannot be any development".
While urging all to join hands and fish out the perpetrators, the minister said the bad eggs, once identified, would not go unpunished to serve as a deterrent to others.
Dambazau commended the efforts of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and host Gov. Rauf Aregbesola, over the matured way they managed the crisis.
He also appealed to other Nigerians to desist from acts likely to lead to violence and loss of lives and properties across the country.
Earlier, the President, Ife Progressive Forum, Mr Olajide Awowoyin, had welcomed the minister while acknowledging his good posture towards the cradle of the Yoruba.
Awowoyin also described Ile-Ife as a land of peace and love, assuring the minister that no more war or crisis would occur in the land.
He however condemned what he described as one-sided arrests, saying that justice needs to be upheld in solving the crisis in the area.
Also, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who was represented by his second-in-command, Oba Idowu Adediwura, the Obalufe of Ife, lauded the minister for coming to share in Ife's agony and pains inflicted by miscreants.
Ogunwusi described the incident as saddening and regrettable not just for Ife indigenes but the entire Yoruba race.
The Ooni also said that normalcy has returned to the land and that peace would follow.
In the same vein, Aregbesola, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, observed that the Hausa people had been living in Ife since 1824 and that several generations of them were actually born there.
The governor condemned a section of the media for misinterpreting the misunderstanding between two individuals as a fracas between Hausa and Yoruba.
He therefore appealed for peaceful coexistence in the land, promising that with the crisis over, the state government will provide succour to the victims.
*Meets with NURTW, RTEAN to address use of commercial buses by kidnappers
By Evelyn Usman
The era of policemen entering commercial buses in Lagos state, claiming to ‘be staff ‘ in order to avoid paying their fares may be over, following a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Fatai Owoseni to all commercial bus drivers to collect their fares from them.
This directive was given during a meeting between Owoseni and members of the major transport unions: National Union of Road Transport Worker, NURTW and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN at the command’s headquarters, Ikeja.
The meeting, came on the heels of report of the use of commercial buses and tricycles by ritualists and kidnappers to perpetrate heinous crimes.
*A Lagos bus conductor on the beat.
For instance victims of these crimes who managed to escape, had recounted their ordeals in the hands of these criminals, verbally to the police and through the social media.
Addressing leaders of the unions and their members at the crowded conference hall, Owoseni said " our concern here is using commercial buses to kidnap for ritual purpose or ransom. There are cases where some people said they boarded commercial vehicles in Surulere but found themselves in Ikorodu. In some cases they said once they entered the bus, the driver or conductor would bring out a handkerchief and the moment it is waved, victims would fall asleep.
In essence, they are accusing some of your members of using charms to convey them to these strange destinations. Some of the evidences we got was that they were taken to uncompleted buildings where victims were either used for ritual purpose or kidnapped for ransom
" Criminal also use your buses to steal, robbers use your garages to keep their arms , some of your members beat traffic regulations while some of your drivers pick passengers at any given points that are not bus-stops.
Everything government is doing is to change the narrative and to change the phase of things for good. Therefore, let the change begins with RTEAN and NURTW. Let us join hands together to stop one-chance and kidnapping for ransom or ritual . Let us join hands to ensure that passengers are picked at designated motor parks and also ensure they are safe "..
Pay your fare Assuring the unions members of police full support in the fight against kidnapping and all forms of criminality through the use of commercial buses in the state, Owoseni directed them to always collect their fares from any policeman who boarded their buses, irrespective of his rank.
He said : " Don’ t allow yourself to be oppressed by a policeman. There is nothing as ‘ staff ‘. They are paid their transport allowance. Besides, some of them are not genuine policemen . Some of them have either been dismissed or are Supernumerary Police otherwise known as SPY" .
He also directed the unions members to stop giving any policeman monetary returns, be it to the Divisional Police Officers under which their garages are located or policemen on the road.
Responding, chairman, Lagos branch of RTEAN, Mohammed Musa, informed that the union had instituted a task force as well as sensitization and disciplinary committees to checkmate excesses of its members under its zones.
He assured the CP that his members would work with the police in ensuring that miscreants who used commercial buses to perpetrate heinous crimes in the state were arrested and handed over to the police.
He however, lamented that the major problem being confronted by the union was from the police, noting that from Mile-Two to Seme border , there were over 10 police checkpoints , where drivers from his zones were allegedly extorted at will.
On his part, chairman of the NURTW, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede ,who described the meeting as a right step in the right direction towards addressing the worrisome trend, disclosed that plans were ongoing to ensure that all vehicles operating in parks within the state were registered and given particular numbers for easy identification in the event of any crime.
He also revealed that Close Circuit Televisions had been mounted in some of the union’s garages, calling on passengers to always board buses at garages to avoid falling victims of kidnap or any other crime.
Aero Contractors Airline, which is under the management of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), has sacked about 900 workers representing 60 per cent.
Letters of redundancy were issued to the affected employees during the week.
Media Consultant to the 58 year-old airline, Mr Simon Tumba, who confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos, said the workers would be paid their pension and gratuity.
Aero as at last September had about 1,500 workers on its payroll before it suspended flights. AMCON had taken it over in 2013.
Tumba said the airline had been grappling with huge and unrealistic personnel cost as well as other operational challenges, worsened by lack of enough aircraft to keep all the workers meaningfully engaged.
Aero
"The issuance of notification of redundancy is a business decision that will ensure Aero's survival.
"The current situation where over a thousand people are basically not engaged due to lack of serviceable aircraft is not sustainable for the airline.
"The huge monthly salary associated with a bloated workforce will eventually kill the airline, which is not the intention of the current government," he said.
According to him, Aero Contractors currently has aircraft-to-employee ratio of 1:500, which analysts believe is perhaps the worst in the history of global airline industry.
Tumba said government's intervention in Aero was to save it from total collapse. Therefore, he said, all steps such as this (issuance of redundancy letters) to ensure its survival must be put into effect to save the airline.
"This decision will immediately reduce the whopping operational cost, which has been stifling Aero, enable the management bring in more aircraft through savings from overheads and pay for C-checks.
"It will also enable Aero have a more manageable and committed workforce in line with international best practices of 50 to 60 personnel to one aircraft unlike what obtains in Aero at the moment."
He, however, added that those in Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and other essential staff in critical departments would not be affected.
Tumba said Capt. Ado Sanusi, the Chief Executive Officer of Aero, had also assured the workers that they stand a chance of being recalled as soon as the airline increases the number of aircraft in its fleet in the near future.
One of the redundancy letters made available to newsmen read:, "Following the operational challenges of Aero culminating in loss of business opportunities that adversely affected company finances vis-à-vis operations, we are constrained to place you under redundancy pending a possible future review.
"This decision was communicated to the unions where their understanding was solicited in view of prevailing operational difficulties.
"Whilst Aero appreciates your contribution to the company and continues to regard you as worthy ambassadors, we solicit your understanding as we struggle to stabilise operations and rebuild the company."
However, the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) , have kicked against the move by the airline.
Mr Frances Akinjole, General Secretary, ATSSSAN, told newsmen that a notification had been sent by the unions to the affected workers not to accept the "purported letter of redundancy ".
"We are totally against it because in the first place, our members are still being owed salaries and we have not even negotiated the redundancy package.
"If they go ahead with this move then the unions are prepared to face them headlong," he said.
According to Wikipedia, Aero Contractors was founded in 1959 and officially registered in Nigeria in 1960. At that time, it was wholly owned by Schreiner Airways B.V. of the Netherlands.
It became a company with initially 40 per cent Nigerian holding in 1973 and subsequently 60% in 1976, anticipating the requirements of the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree of 1977, also known as the indigenisation decree.
In January 2004, Schreiner Airways was bought by CHC Helicopter (CHC), which acquired a 40% holding in Aero, while the 60% majority share remained within the Ibru family.
On 1 July 2010, CHC sold its interests in Aero for the consideration of 1 Nigerian naira, when Aero became wholly owned by the Ibru family.
In March 2013, industrial action grounded flights for 18 days, in a dispute over outsourcing and reduction in staff numbers. The strike, from 13–28 March, grounded Aero's active fleet of nine aircraft, and was reported to have cost the airline at least N10bn in ticket sales
After financial intervention, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), an arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria, held 60% of Aero, and in August 2013 AMCON took over the management of the carrier.
Hugh Fraser was named as CEO then.
The current CEO is now Captain Ado Sanusi, who himself replaced Captain Fola Akinkuotu, now managing director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
A 25-year-old man, Oyatokun Wasiu, who alleged robbed some people of phones and money with a toy gun, was on Thursday remanded in prison on the orders of an Abeokuta Magistrates' Court.
The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a three count charge of armed robbery, impersonation and unlawful possession of Army camouflage.
The prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Eigbejiale, told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 1 at about 5.00 p.m. behind the Railway Police Station, Lafenwa, Abeokuta.
Eigbegiale said that the accuse, armed with a toy gun, allegedly robbed a man, Abdullahi Ibrahim, of his Intel phone valued at N12,000 and N4,000 cash.
He alleged that on the same day and place at about 6.20 p.m. the accused unlawfully had in his possession a pair of army camouflage and shorts.
"The accused also impersonated a military officer by putting on an army camouflage."
The prosecutor said that the accused was arrested by a police officer in Lafenwa, Abeokuta.
The offences contravened Section 1 (2),(a) of the Robbery and Firearms Act. Laws of the Federation, 2004 and Sections 109 and 430 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
Magistrate Oriyomi Sofowora, who did not take the plea of the accused, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison pending his release on bail and legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Further hearing in the case has been fixed for April 14
The People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi has flayed the defection of six members of the state House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reacting to the defection executed on the floor of the legislative chamber at plenary on Thursday, Mr Bode Ogunmola, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, condemned the action.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the defection, Ogunmola said the legislators rode on the crest of the party into power and had only turned around to bite the fingers that fed them.
Ogunmola assured that PDP would reclaim the mandate through constitutional provisions and extant laws governing elections, advising the defectors to vacate their seats immediately.
The spokesman described the situation as "indeed disheartening" that rather than joins hands with the party to take control of the state in the next dispensation, the members chose to betray PDP.
On its part, the State Government, through Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Director-General, Media and Publicity to Gov. Yahaya Bello, said that APC was a revolutionary movement against poverty, underdevelopment and corruption.
Fanwo said that the administration of the governor was working hard to serve the people of the state and help defeat poverty and criminality with the ultimate goal of taking the state to the Promised Land.
"The governor's style of leadership must have attracted the legislators who defected to the party. Governor Yahaya Bello will continue to deliver on his promises and continue to strengthen the All Progressives Congress.
"Politics is about people and development. I am quite sure the constituents of the new defectors must have impressed it on them to join the Governor's party as the party is becoming the most popular as Kogites experience leadership extraordinaire.
"As the leader of the party in Kogi, the Governor welcomes them to the APC fold and wishes to assure them that all will be treated equally in the party," Fanwo said.
He restated Bello's administration to continue to work in the interest of progress and prosperity of the people.
The spokesman of the defectors and Majority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Matthew Kolawole, said: "The dynamism of politics as witnessed in recent times must be leveraged to reflect on our constituencies.
"This has been a pivotal factor that influenced our decision. Irrespective of the misconceptions and misrepresentation that our defection might elicit, we remain resolute in our quest to ensure a better life for the people of our various constituencies.''
John Abah from Ibaji; Adoke Bello, Adavi; Kolawole Matthew, Kabba-Bunu; Ahmed Mohammed, Ankpa 1; Victor Omofaiye, Ijumu, and Kekere Sani-Abdulkareem, Okehi of the PDP defected to APC at plenary on March 16.
The Ibrahim Badamasi Babaginda University Research Centre, Lapai, Niger, on Thursday said it has introduced a technology for quick crude oil discovery and drilling.
Prof. Nuhu Obaje, the Director of the centre, made the disclosure at the exhibition of raw materials and local products in the Manufacturing and Equipment EXPO Nigeria 2017, in Lagos.
"We have a technology that finds oil faster. We found crude oil at Bida Basin and we used our technology to locate more areas.
"We have communicated it to Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and the State Government.
"They will use our research and produce oil faster and in abundance. Already, the Niger State Governor, Bello Sani, has written to the presidency.
"We are aware that they have acted on it. The ball is in the NNPC's court because we are waiting for them", Obaje said.
The director said his team was at the exhibition to showcase their products.
"We have moved to another level of application, innovation and domestication. We are here to demonstrate the research we have been doing over the years.
"We have developed a new technology of using clean coal for electricity generation, smokeless fuel production and power generation.
"We are using clean coals to stop the generation of fumes that are dangerous, so that people can use it without it being injurious to their health.
"Ordinarily, coal emits green house gases that negatively affect the climate but at IBB University Research Centre, we have had that dangerous part of the coals removed", he said. The director also spoke about the exploration of solid mineral deposits in the state and other parts of the country.
"We are hoping that solid minerals and agriculture will complement crude oil as we are keying into the Federal Government's policy of diversification", Obaje said.
Deputy Director of the centre, Dr Naomi Dadi-Mamud, said the centre was using oil and dead plants to generate bio-gas.
"My research on bio gas renewable technology was to convert such invasive plants on water bodies, like water lilies, and turn it to something useful.
"We cut the water lilies and dry before we convert them to either cooking or chemistry gas. Soon, we will begin to bottle the biogas and sell it commercially.
"Already, with a ton of water lilies, we produce 10,000 cubic meters of bio-gas daily and our goal in the future is to increase capacity."
Chicago Bulls star Dwyane Wade will miss the rest of the NBA season after suffering a fractured elbow, the team confirmed Thursday.
Wade damaged the elbow on Wednesday in the fourth quarter of Chicago’s 98-91 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Dwayne Wade
A scan on Thursday revealed the extent of the injury, which means the 35-year-old shooting guard will play no further part in the Bulls campaign.
“Dwyane Wade’s MRI showed a sprain and a small fracture in the elbow. Wade will be out the remainder of the regular season,” the Bulls said on Twitter.
Chicago are currently 32-36 for the season, languishing just outside the Eastern Conference playoff spots in 10th place overall.
Wade has averaged 18.6 points, 3.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds a game this year.
Mr Pius Dashe, Chief Administration Officer, Plateau Government House, Jos is dead.
According to Mr Emmanuel Nanle, Director of Press Affairs, Dashe died on Thursday, after a brief illness.
His death came less than one month after the demise of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Yusuf Hawaja, who died on Feb. 19.
Hawaja'mother, Habiba, died six days after her son.
Gov. Simon Lalong, who paid a condolence visit to the deceased's family house in Jos, described Dashe's death as "very shocking and most unfortunate".
Lalong, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Chief John Dafa'an, said that the deceased died when his services were most needed.
"He was a very fine officer and will be remembered for his diligence, simplicity and courage.
"As mortals, we always love to have our loved ones around, but we can't question God's decision," he said.
Mr Toma Dalok, Permanent Member I, Civil Service Commission, who responded on behalf of the family, thanked the governor for the show of love and solidarity.
"The entire staff of government house are here to commiserate with us; it shows that Dashe lived well," he said.
On a day Colonel Hameed Ali, who heads the Nigerians Customs Service faced the wrath of the Senate for not wearing uniform, his agency became the subject of another probe at the House of Representatives.
The House on Thursday in Abuja mandated its Committee on Customs and Excise to investigate the failure of the agency to auction confiscated goods.
This followed the adoption of a motion on the "Need to Investigate the Failure of the Nigerian Customs Service to Auction Confiscated Goods''.
The sponsor of the motion, Rep. Prestige Ossy (Abia-PDP) said that ban on the auction of goods seized by the NCS had resulted to the forfeiture of such goods to the Federal Government.
Ossy expressed worry that since the ban took effect in 2015, "it had resulted to the proliferation of seized goods at various formations of the Nigerian Custom Services''.
He said that goods seized in large numbers from different parts of the country included vehicles, consumables, clothing materials and containers of assorted household goods.
The lawmaker said that instead of auctioning the seized items worth billions of naira, the service left them to degrade.
He said "most of these goods, especially the vehicles with Duty Paid Value (DPV) worth over N6 billion, are rapidly depreciating .
"The Customs service will eventually spend huge amount of money in disposing them when it ought to have generated huge revenue for the government by auctioning them before they wither away,'' he said.
Ossy said that the service had announced the establishment of an auction sale website in 2015, but said two years on, the website had not materialised.
"The failure to auction goods in its custody had denied the Federal Government over N1 trillion which ought to accrue to it from the auctioning of those goods,'' he said.
After the adoption of the motion, the house passed it to the Committee on Customs and Excise to investigate and report back in eight weeks.
The European Parliament rejected a call to ban Arctic oil and gas exploration on Thursday, in a symbolic vote seen as a barometer for future moves by Brussels to regulate to protect the region.
The lawmakers, who backed the ban which had drawn the ire of Norway, say the European Union needed a strategy for future developments in a region being transformed by climate change.
The lawmakers voted 414-180 to reject the non-binding motion calling for the European Commission and member states to work with international forums towards "a future total ban on the extraction of Arctic oil and gas".
The European Parliament did, however, endorse a call to ban oil drilling in the region's "icy" waters
Norway, which on Monday announced plans to nominate a record number of blocks for oil and gas exploration in the Barents Sea, says it only allows drilling in the Arctic away from the area that is vulnerable to sea ice in winter.
The motion to ban exploration in the Arctic was brought by Estonian liberal lawmaker Urmas Paet and Finnish centre-right lawmaker Sirpa Pietikainen.
But even Paet said that, while there was a need for cautious management of the environment, oil and gas extraction in the Arctic was "a decision of sovereign states".
The motion also called for greater cooperation among Arctic states to safeguard indigenous people in the region from the worst impacts of global warming; protect the environment from fossil fuel exploration and reduce military tensions.
Oil majors are resuming their search for giant offshore fields in the region after a two-year lull as a recent stabilisation in oil prices revives appetite for exploration – alarming environmental groups.
The Arctic is estimated to hold more hydrocarbon reserves than Saudi Arabia and governments including Russia, Norway and Denmark are keen to stake their claim over the icy waters.
A prosecution witness in the on-going trial of Supreme Court judge, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, on Thursday told a Federal High Court Abuja, that the judge received N103 million as salaries and allowances from 2011 to 2016.
The witness, Mr Ahmed Saleh, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, testified as the second prosecution witness. According to Saleh, he oversees the finances of the Supreme Court and met the defendant in 2011 when he became a Supreme Court justice.
Led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Mrs Olusegun Fakunle, the witness said that the defendant received N751,047 as monthly salary from 2011 to September 2016.
According to him, the defendant also collects N710,000 as allowances, gets 10,000 pounds annually for medical check-up and another $1,300 per night as estacode.
Saleh said that the defendant had collected a little over N103million on allowances and salaries while in service between June/July 2011 and September. 2016.
He also said that the defendant travelled five times for medical check-up amounting to 50,000 pounds.
He said that the defendant was also paid a little above N8million for air tickets in addition to $196,000 as total estacode. During cross-examination by the defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), the witness said that he did not receive any report of the defendant being engaged in a business other than that of the court.
He also said that he did not receive any report challenging the defendant's competence as a justice of the Supreme Court. When questioned on the issue of justices owning properties, the witness said that there werer no rules governing or restricting them from owning properties.
The trial judge, Justice John Tsoho, adjourned continuation of trial till March 17.
Earlier, at the resumed hearing, the prosecutor informed the court that she wished to re-examine the PW1, Mr Linus Nwaba, tender some exhibits and as well as amend some charges filed against the defendant.
When the amended charges were read to the defendant, who was present in court, he pleaded not guilty to the 11 new charges. On re-examination, Nwaba said he could identify the three bags containing the sum of N27million which he removed from the defendant's house in Abakiliki.
Nwaba also said that he spent N23million out of the N27million, which he took from the defendant's house, as directed by him. He said that the balance was taken by the officers of Department of State Service (DSS), when he was invited to their office for questioning.
The court admitted the three statements made by the witness in the office of the DSS as exhibit 4a, 4b and 4c. Ngwuta was arraigned on a 16-count charge, bordering on corruption-related offences, money laundering and other financial matters.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has issued 202 queries to its staff members in connection with election malpractices.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the commission, made this known while briefing Civil Society Organsiations under the umbrella of Situation Room on INEC's preparations for 2019 elections Thursday in Abuja.
INEC LOGO
According to him, the commission will not tolerate violation of the Electoral Act no matter who is involved. "So far, we have issued 202 queries to the staff mentioned in the interim EFCC report covering election in 16 states but we have finished work on 14 of the 16 states; whatever action we need to take will be taken. "We will ensure that there is no more violation of the electoral act and we will spare no one who is perpetuating it." He said after what happened in Rivers, the commission had to set up its own administrative inquiry which indicted a number of staff members.
"Whoever is charged to court for that kind of offence is interdicted, meaning the staff would be suspended and placed on half salary until proven otherwise and that is what we have done.'' Yakubu said the staff remained innocent under INEC's law until proven guilty, adding that the commission had begun to plan immediately for the 2019 elections, with a draft likely to be presented to major stakeholders in a few weeks' time. He said budget wise, INEC was considering breaking the budget over a two year period. He said the early preparation would also afford INEC the opportunity to ensure that political parties did the right thing with regards to selection of candidates. According to Yakubu, reviewing cases of the 80 elections nullified the last time, INEC's scrutiny of the judgment led to the discovery that many were due to improper conduct of party primaries beginning from nomination of candidates. "Somebody has not gone through the primaries but the name is presented to INEC.
"The electoral act says any candidate whose name is forwarded to the commission cannot be rejected.'' He said there was need to continue to engage with parties. He said INEC had conducted 167 elections since the last general elections and a little over 20 per cent did not meet the threshold/
"So, they were declared inconclusive and yet people who did not understand the antecedent resorted to bashing INEC.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-In a country of about 180 million people, only 214 individuals pay their taxes, Federal government lamented on Thursday.
It also regretted that many multinational companies evaded tax payments.
The government also expressed concerned over the growing rate and the effects of deforestation in the country even as it received briefings on the current security situation.
Revealing that Nigeria has the lowest non-oil tax to GDP at 6%, the government has however enacted a new tax policy which it hoped would block all the loopholes and generate at least $1 billion to government.
The new tax scheme which was approved by the National Executive Council, NEC, at its meeting held at the Presidential Villa and presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday was sequel to a presentation made by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.
Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, Mr. Babatunde Fowler who was joined by Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu and the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Bala Bantex said that the new tax regime subsumed under Nigeria Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) would commence May 1.
He said: “Under payment of tax via the use of Tax Havens and other evasion strategies has not been helpful to Nigeria. This practice has been principally perpetrated by multinational companies and high net worth individuals. Nigeria has the lowest non-oil tax to GDP at 6%
“The proposed Nigeria Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) will capitalise on the considerable international goodwill built by President Buhari in his mission to rebuild Nigeria.
…In Benue state, over 500 people died, 30, 000 displaced as group insists there is no land for grazing in the state …In Nasarawa, Helicopter supplies arms to attackers, over 200 killed, 500 injured, rapped and kidnapped
By Joseph Undu
The renewed Fulani Herdsmen attacks on several Benue communities have resulted to the death of over 500 people, 30,000 displaced persons and properties worth billions of naira destroyed.
According to a letter submitted to the leadership of the National Assembly by Vanguard against Tiv Massacre (VATIM), during their peaceful demonstration at NASS Abuja, Thursday, the group called on lawmakers to take urgent steps against the massacre.
Vanguard gathered that, thousands of protesters took part in the protest. The protest kicked off from Unity Fountain, Maitama through the Federal Secretariat before it climaxed at NASS.
Protesters were carrying different placards with inscriptions such as, “stop the killings in Benue", "food basket not bloodbath state", "we want end to farmers killing among others”.
The letter which was titled, "Stop the Killings in Benue by Herdsmen and their Hired Machineries" reads in part.
"We observed with dismay and great disappointment the continual failure of security agencies to prevent attacks by armed herdsmen which have led to loss of lives, livelihoods and property in Benue State.
"These attacks have been incessant, predictable, and preventable. In the last two weeks, the following villages have been attacked by herdsmen, Mkovur, Ortese all in Gboko LGA. We have also Jingir, Agwabi, Gbanyam and Tyogbenda in Buruku LGA and Gbodi, Nzaav, Mbaav and Anyase in Kwand LGA. In all cases, however, security agencies have been lackadaisical and slow to respond.
"The recent crisis has so far resulted in over 500 reported cases of deaths in several communities in Buruku, Kwande, Agatu, Gwerwest, Guma and Gboko the worst hit been Buruku and Kwande LG areas with 30,000 persons displaced and properties worth billions of Naira destroyed. The displaced have been left with no other options than to take refuge in primary schools, market places and other open-air spaces in the neighbouring towns.
"The numbers of deaths and displaced persons have continued to rise daily as the attacks on villages have continued unchecked. Despite the conspicuous nature of these attacks, no one person has been apprehended by the security agencies. In the last five years, no single person has been investigated or prosecuted for the attacks and killings carried out by the herdsmen in the affected communities even where some persons have come out to claim responsibility for such attacks.
"This inaction by the government with regards to the attempted genocide on Tiv, Idoma and other ethnic groups living in Benue directly contravenes the primary responsibility of the government which is to protect lives and property of its citizens."
The group thereby called on government and all other concerned stakeholders to "Take speedy action to prevent further loss of lives and property in the state" as it also urged the government to provide urgent humanitarian relief to the victims of the attacks, carried out investigation and prosecution of the culprits, provide appropriate security to the communities, compensate farmers and other displaced people for their losses and most importantly, enact and implement appropriate legislation to curb the menace of the herdsmen.
Tiv people would take steps to defend themselves-Utoo Speaking on behalf of the group, the spokesman, Barrister Franc Utoo while addressing journalists at the NASS gate said the protest was to draw the attention of government and other relevant stakeholders to liaise with security agents to stem bloodshed in Benue.
Utoo who regretted the killing said it is unbecoming as the lawmakers are yet to come up with a position that would bring reprieve to Benue warning that, if urgent steps are not taken to stop these wanton killings of innocent indigenes of the state, Tiv people would take steps to defend themselves adding that, there is no land for grazing in Benue state."
In Nasarawa, Helicopter supplies arms to attackers, over 200 killed, 500 injured, rapped and kidnapped In a related development, another group from Nasarawa state under the umbrella of Ajiri Afo National Youth Development Association in their letter to NASS during their peaceful protest Thursday over the incessant killings, kidnapping and rapping of their women by suspected Fulani herdsmen said they are dying as a result of the destruction of their economic activity by herdsmen in the last five years.
The letter signed by the president of the group, Engr. Aminu Suleman and titled, "Incessant Attack of Fulani Herdsmen and Kidnapping of Ajiri Afo Farmers and Villages of Nasarawa LGA, Kokona, LGA, Agwada, Udege and Loko Development Area" reads; "We are in pain and distressed, we are dying as a result of this destruction to our economic activity in our lands. Most of our farms and villages are now deserted due to insecurity.
"The herdsmen with their cattle would forcefully invade a farm land eating up and destroying it. Any form of protest by farmer result to attacks. These attacks have left more than 200 dead and 500 with several matches wound, while most of the surviving victims are suffering from emotional stress."
According to the letter, "Herdsmen have attacked the following communities in the state namely, Udeni Magaji, Ogeni, Oshugu, Odeni Gida, Odu, Oseni, Ogufa, Ogapa, Gwende, Ajaga"
They called on federal government to investigate the ungodly activities of the herdsmen especially in Kokona LG where they alleged to have seen the attackers being supplied with arms and ammunition and other logistics on top of a mountain in one of the communities.
"We want government to also ensure the security of the affected communities against further attacks.
NASS to provide lasting solution to herdsmen massacre-Sen. Saraki Addressing the protesters, Senator George Thompson Sekibo (PDP Rivers) who represented the senate president Senator Bukola Saraki said the killing of farmers by Fulani herdsmen was a worrisome issue which must be addressed with all sense of seriousness.
He said "The Senate had received three bills in respect of the menace and was doing it best to ensure that herdsmen are provided with a reserve area that would be meant for grazing.
"The senate pledged the commitment of the both chambers of National Assembly to work relentlessly in providing a lasting solution to the massacre, not only in Benue but the entire country."
The Presidency says it is yet to receive the National Assembly's final decision on the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, stated this on his twitter handle on Thursday in Abuja.
According to the presidential aide, the presidency will respond to the disqualification of Magu if it receives official communication in writing from the senate.
He said: "The Presidency will respond to the non-clearance of Magu as EFCC boss, after it receives official communication in writing from the senate.''
Journalists recall that the Senate rejected Magu's re-nomination as substantive chairman of the EFCC via a voice vote at plenary session on Wednesday, after a letter from the Department of State Services (DSS), indicated that he failed another integrity test.
Ibrahim Magu
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital territory (FCT), Sen. Dino Melaye, had brought to the notice of Magu that the Senate on Tuesday received a letter from the DSS, stating that he failed the integrity test.
However, Magu said the accusations against him were unfounded, stressing that the DSS did not give him fair hearing before writing to the Senate.
He said that the credibility of the DSS was at stake in view of the fact that besides not giving him fair hearing, two varying letters were sent to Senate on the same day.
President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the Senate had played its constitutional role as an arm of government.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to send the name of another nominee to fill any vacuum that might be created in the commission
Newsmen also reports that the DSS report, dated March 14, contained several accusations of Magu flying first class against the directive of President Buhari and associating with people being investigated by the commission.
It further alleged that Magu lived in a N20 million per year apartment rented for him by an individual being investigated by the commission.
Newsmen recall that the Presidency had in 2016 written to the Senate, seeking the screening and confirmation of Magu as substantive chairman of EFCC.
The rejection of the first nomination necessitated President Buhari to re-submit the name for re-consideration which had again been rejected by the Senate.
Amaju Pinnick, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Thursday won a place on the CAF Executive Committee for the 2017 to 2021 cycle.
Pinnick won 32-17 to beat the President of the Football Association of Benin Republic, Anjorin Moucharafou, to the West B Zone seat.
Pinnick's election makes him the third Nigerian ever to sit on the CAF Executive Committee.
Amaju Pinnick
Earlier at the elections, Madagascar's Ahmad Ahmad had beaten incumbent Issa Hayatou of Cameroon 34-20 to emerge new CAF President.
Both elections were part of the elections held in the Nelson Mandela Hall of the African Union (AU) building in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The elections were held at the 39th CAF Ordinary General Assembly.
The elections were witnessed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, and were declared open by President Mulatu Teshome of Ethiopia.
Also elected into the CAF Exco was Fouzi Lekjaa of Morocco who thumped incumbent Mohamed Raouraoua of Algeria 41-7 for North Zone.
Musa Bility of Liberia defeated Amadou Diakite of Mali 26-22 for West A Zone, while Adoum Djibrine of Chad was elected unopposed from the Central Zone.
For the Central-East Zone which had four candidates, Suleiman Hassan Waberi of Djibouti polled 20 votes to win after Sudanese Magdi Shams El Din withdrew before the second round of voting.
In the first round, the incumbent El Din had got 12 votes, while Juneido Basha Tilmo of Ethiopia got nine and Moses Magogo of Uganda got seven.
After the Southern Zone election, Ahmad and Suketu Patel of Seychelles were replaced by Danny Jordaan of South Africa (35 votes) and Rui Eduardo Da Costa of Angola (25 votes).
Frans Mbidi of Namibia could not make it in spite of getting 24 votes, while Patel withdrew from the election.
In the election for the female slot, Isha Johansen of Sierra Leone got 35 votes to beat Lydia Nsekera of Burundi who had 12.
In the election of the African representative for the FIFA Council for the cycle 2017 – 2021 (Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish Category), Tarek Bouchamoui of Tunisia was successful.
This was after Hani Abo Rida of Egypt had withdrawn from the contest.
In the Francophone Category, Omari Constant Selemani of DR Congo got 35 votes to beat Augustin Sidy Diallo of Cote d'Ivoire who had 19 votes.
The Anglophone Category election saw Kwesi Nyantakyi of Ghana polling 33 votes to beat Leodegar Tenga of Tanzania who had 20 votes.
In the Open Category, where there were three positions to fill, Almamy Kabele Camara of Guinea and Nsekera were elected
The World Bank Group says Nigeria will soon recover from economic recession.
Mrs Eme Essien-Lore, Country Manager in Nigeria, International Finance Corporation, a member of the group, made the observation in an interview with journalsits in Lagos on Thursday.
"In our perspective and with the numbers that we have seen coming from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Nigeria's economy has recorded about one per cent real growth.
"That is a bit lower than government's expectation which is about 2.2 per cent growth for 2017.
"It is a bit modest, but we certainly expect that the economy of Nigeria will rebound and recover from last year's recession, " she said.
Essien-Lore commended Federal Government`s new economic plan, but said that there was need to set priorities for implementation of the plan by the year 2020.
According to her, the plan is very comprehensive, ambitious and thoughtful.
She said that the World Bank had been consulting with the Nigerian Government on the plan, saying that the bank was happy that the plan had been published.
"Now we can sit down and look at it to see how we will align our objectives around what the government wants to do.
Essien-Lore said that the plan was an opportunity to look at the priorities and what the World Bank could do for the Nigerian government as 'it comes up with its development agenda'.
"The plan is for 2017 to 2020, it is a relatively short period, but we need to know what the priorities are and collectively work with government on how to achieve them, " she said.
On the high rate of unemployment in the country, Essien-Lore urged the Nigerian government to partner with the private sector to create more quality jobs to reduce poverty and prevent social unrest.
She said that Nigeria was growing very fast and would soon become the third largest country globally, after India and China.
This, she said, would increase unemployment rate if adequate job were not provided for the expected huge population.
"A World Bank reports stated that between 2010 and 2030, there will be a need for 40 million additional jobs.
"This will mean that 40 million Nigerians will need to enter the workforce within that period to boost the nation's economy.
"The government needs to consider this by creating more jobs, especially for youths. Nigeria has the financial and entrepreneurial resources to create those jobs, " she stressed
