A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Ile-Ife (Osun) – An Ile-Ife Magistrates' Court in Osun on Friday remanded a 27-year-old man, Oluwafemi Adeniyi, in prison for allegedly abducting, raping and impregnating a teenage girl.forcing me for sex
Adeniyi, who lives at No. 5, Ajibiowu St., Ile-Ife, is being tried for a two-count charge of abduction and impregnating a teenager.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Olalekan Ijiyode, who gave the ruling, did not grant the oral bail application of the accused's lawyer person, but asked him to come with a written application.
Ijiyode, therefore, ordered that the accused should be remanded in prison pending the consideration of the bail application.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. Emmanuel Abdullahi, told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 14 at No. 5, Ajibiowu St., Ile-Ife.
Abdullahi said the accused also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace by impregnating a 17-year-old without the consent of her parents.
"The accused abducted the girl and kept her in his house without the knowledge of her parents."
The offences contravened Sections 249 (d) and 361 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2003.
The Defence Counsel, Mr S.O. Salami, had applied for the bail of the accused, saying he will not jump bail.
The case was adjourned until Sept. 4 for hearing. (NAN)
Nigerian motor manufacturing company, Innoson Motors, is set to export made-in-Nigerian cars to Mali. The Charge'd Affair of Nigera in Mali, Yara Abdulsalam, says an indigenous motor manufacturing company, , has signed an MoU with a Malian firm to export 400 locally made vehicles to Mali.
Abdulsalam made the announcement on Friday in Abuja when he led a delegation of businessmen from Mali to visit the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama.
He said that during the week, Innoson Motors signed Memorandum of Understanding with Taxi Plus VIP, a Mali based transport company for the expansion of transport business in that country.
He said the development was the outcome of "Made-in-Nigeria products exhibition" held in Bamako in 2016.
He said the exhibition was facilitated by Ginco Group, a Nigerian firm based in Mali to showcase Nigeria's potentials.
Innoson motors
Abdulsalam said: "from the exhibition, Taxi Plus VIP approached the embassy that they wanted to import vehicles from China but, we told them that we have indigenous company in Nigeria that manufactures vehicles.
"They started talking with Innoson through Nigerian Export Promotion Commission (NEPC) and the deal was later finalised.
"Mali is the centre of Francophone countries and has boundary with eight countries.
"If the MoU materialises, it will positively affect all other countries and will increase Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria."
In his remarks, Geoffrey Onyeama expressed delight at the development and described it as "the beginning of industrial revolution in Nigeria.''
He said it was a good development that would enhance job creation and stem the rate at which youths embark on dangerous adventure to Europe in search of greener pasture.
"So, what you are achieving can be the beginning of revolution in our country; the longest journey has to start from somewhere.
"What you are doing represents a giant leap for Africa because it involved trading among ourselves.
"What I found so interesting is that we are trading at the highest technology level with the export of automobile, cars and buses to one another.
"As we are now laying the foundation, the sky is the limit for Africa; it means we have broken that glass ceiling that is holding us down," he said.
Onyeama commended the Nigerian embassy in Mali for providing the institutional support for the MoU.
"This is what the ministry wants Nigerian embassies around the world to be doing; to serve as small hub to promote trade relationship.''
He said one of the ministry's goals was to be a hub to promote Nigerian export.
"We have many offices around the world and we want to leverage on that to promote Nigerian goods."
The Managing Director of Ginco Group, Mr. Godwin Oguzie, said the 2016 Made- in-Nigeria exhibition in Bamako, was to enable Nigerian manufacturers know that opportunity awaited them in Mali to sell their products
He said he led Taxi Plus VIP to sign the historic MoU with Innoson Motors to export 400 vehicles to Mali.
"We sign an MOU with Innoson Manufacturing Company to enable Taxi Plus increase its capacity to provide urban transportation system in Bamako.
"This is the first time a country in Africa is exporting locally manufactured vehicles to another country," he said
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA – The Nigerian Prisons Service has launched a probe into the fire incident that engulfed the Kuje Medium Prisons on Friday.
While some reports had said the incident occurred in the morning, prison authorities said the fire occurred at about 4:30pm.
“Minor fire was detected in Kuje Medium Security Prison hospital at about 4.30pm.and was immediately put out by security personnel manning the beat.
“No one was hurt as neither the medical staff nor inmates were around the building as at the time of the incident.
“Although the cause of the fire is not immediately known, it is suspected that the smoke may have emanated from faulty electrical equipment stored in an adjoining building. The equipment were used for teaching inmates handworks.
Detailed investigation has however commenced as instructed by the controller of prisons FCT command, SN Nwakuche mni.
The prison yard is calm and peaceful and everyone are going about their business”, said spokesman of the FCT command, Humphrey Chukwuedo.
Earlier reports indicated that a group called Prisoners Against Injustice in Nigeria PAIN had claimed responsibility for the fire via a handwritten statement posted on the prison notice board before it was hurriedly removed by the prison authorities.
PAIN said the attack was meant to draw the attention of the world to the pathetic state of prisons and corruption within prison services.
“Corrupt politicians who have looted the treasury only spend a few days in prison and are given special treatment while the poor man who stole a mobile phone is awaiting trial for years without bail. While corrupt judges have never stepped their foot into the cells as inmates, their trials are speedy and they have not been made to face the same fate they have subjected so many others too," the group had stated.
Harare – Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Friday called on his supporters to "kick and punish" groups of people he accused of committing acts of political violence in the name of his ruling ZANU-PF party.
The 92-year-old Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, on Thursday in Harare maintained that even though is party would choose a successor, he planned to contest the next election in 2018.
The 93-year-old leader's comments could fuel political violence in the ZANU-PF party as the southern African nation gears up for elections in 2018, which Mugabe said he wished to contest.
Opponents had repeatedly accused ZANU-PF of using violence to win past elections and cling to power, charges the party denied.
Addressing a youth rally in Lupane, 450 km southwest of Harare, Mugabe said ZANU-PF should confront groups of people pretending to be ruling party members.
The veteran leader has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980.
"You should not allow those small groups to spoil our name. Wherever you see them, come on, seize them and get them out of the road and give them good punishment.
"You don't need to have to wait for the police, they are doing harm, they are committing crime, come on, hold them and kick them.
"Give them the punishment they deserve and call the police afterwards,'' Mugabe said at the end of a speech broadcast on state television, amid cheers from the crowd.
Mugabe also urged the youth wing of his party to ensure that young voters were registered for elections as the ageing leader bids to extend his long rule by another five years. (Reuters/NAN)
Lagos – Security has been beefed up around the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) headquarters in Yaba ahead of Saturday's council polls in the state.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who was at the office on Friday reports that scores of security personnel were stationed around the office. Security men
At the junction of Birrel Road, which leads to the office, heavily armed men of the force stood by an Armoured Personnel Carrier that was stationed there.
No fewer than 12 heavily armed policemen were also seen beside a patrol van with the inscription, "Anti-Terrorism Squad" by the entrance of the LASIEC office,
Some security personnel were seen preventing people who had no business in the office from entering into the premises, while several other policemen were within the premises.
The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr Fatai Owoseni, who also visited the LASIEC office on Friday, told newsmen that the police had put in place all measures to guarantee a hitch free election.
"Let me warn any person or groups who might want to cause trouble or violence during the polls to have a change of mind.
"This is because the force will deal ruthlessly with anybody or group caught engaging in, or sponsoring violence during the election.
"Whoever tests our will or attempts to do so, will surely have the full weight of the law brought on them.
"Anybody who impedes our officers from carrying out their duties would be dealt. We will not allow any acts of lawlessness," he said.
Owoseni warned politicians against inciting people to violence and also appealed to parents to counsel against trouble during the poll.
He also restated that there was no provision in the Electoral Act for VIPs or any other unauthorised persons to move about on monitoring during the time of election.
The police commissioner also warned police officers attached to VIPs against exhibiting overzealous acts during the election.
He said the force would not be kind to any officer found conducting himself in manner that could undermine the peaceful conduct of the election.
The commissioner said a security appraisal of all the areas of the state, especially flashpoints, had been carried out for effective security.
The police commissioner said no fewer than 30,000 officers, apart from hundreds of personnel from sister agencies, would be deployed for the election.
He said the Marine units of the force had been reinforced to provide security on the waterways during the election.
Owoseni however said there would be a few inconveniences hours before the election and urged residents to show understanding.
"Yes, there will be a few inconveniences in some areas from 9pm today, like stop and search, checkpoints and all of that.
"I want residents to show understanding and comply with what is required of them, all is for the success of the poll," he said.
The commissioner urged residents to dial 08063299264 and 08033040870 to report cases of violence during the election for prompt intervention of the force.
He described the media as central to the success of the election and appealed to journalists not to write reports that would incite people to violence.
NAN reports that the Chairman of the commission, Justice Ayotunde Phillips (Retired) had urged residents to conduct themselves peacefully during the election.
She said LASIEC had enlisted the support of security agencies to ensure the polls were violence free.
Lagos residents will, at the polls on Saturday, elect chairmen and councillors in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state.(NAN)
Abuja – The Charge'd Affair of Nigeria in Mali, Yara Abdulsalam, says an indigenous motor manufacturing company, Innoson Motors, has signed MoU with a Malian firm to export 400 locally made vehicles to Mali. Innosson Motors, Made in Nigeria care assembly plant Abdulsalam made the announcement on Friday in Abuja when he led a delegation of businessmen from Mali to visit the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama.
He said that during the week, Innoson Motors signed Memorandum of Understanding with Taxi Plus VIP, a Mali based transport company for the expansion of transport business in that country.
He said the development was the outcome of "Made-in-Nigeria products exhibition" held in Bamako in 2016.
He said that the exhibition was facilitated by Ginco Group, a Nigerian firm based in Mali to show case Nigeria's potentials.
Abdulsalam said: "from the exhibition, Taxi Plus VIP approached the embassy that they wanted to import vehicles from China but, we told them that we have indigenous company in Nigeria that manufactures vehicles.
"They started talking with Innoson through Nigerian Export Promotion Commission (NEPC) and the deal was later finalised.
"Mali is the centre of Francophone countries and has boundary with eight countries.
"If the MoU materialises, it will positively affect all other countries and will increase Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria."
In his remarks, the Minister expressed delight at the development and described it as "the beginning of industrial revolution in Nigeria.''
He said that it was a good development that would enhance job creation and stem the rate at which youths embark on dangerous adventure to Europe in search greener pasture.
"So what you are achieving can be the beginning of revolution in our country; the longest journey has to start from somewhere.
"What you are doing represents a giant leap for Africa because it involved trading among ourselves.
"What I found so interesting is that we are trading at the highest technology level with the export of automobile, cars and buses to one another.
"As we are now laying the foundation, the sky is the limit for Africa; it means we have broken that glass ceiling that is holding us down," he said.
Onyeama commended the Nigerian embassy in Mali for providing the institutional support for the MoU.
"This is what the ministry wants Nigerian embassies around the world to be doing; to serve as small hub to promote trade relationship.''
He said that the one of the ministry's goals was to be a hub to promote Nigerian export.
"We have many offices around the world and we want to leverage on that to promote Nigerian goods," he said
The Managing Director of Ginco Group, Mr Godwin Oguzie, said the 2016 Made- in-Nigeria exhibition in Bamako, was to enable Nigerian manufacturers know that opportunity awaited them in Mali to sell their products
He said that he led Taxi Plus VIP, to sign the historic MoU with Innoson Motors to export 400 vehicles to Mali.
"We sign an MOU with Innoson Manufacturing Company to enable Taxi Plus increase its capacity to provide urban transportation system in Bamako.
"This is the first time a country in Africa is exporting locally manufactured vehicles to another country," he said. (NAN)
Ikeja – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday at an Ikeja High Court gave more incriminating evidence to establish a case of offering of gratification by Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) to some judges. Joseph Nwobike Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC's prosecuting counsel, confronted the lawyer with more evidence, this time connecting the timelines the text messages were sent by Nwobike before he appeared in court to argue cases at the court of some judges of the Federal High Court.
Nwobike is being tried by the EFCC on an 11-count charge bordering on perverting the course of justice and offering of gratification to public officials.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the anti-graft agency alleged that Nwobike offered gratifications to some judges of the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court to influence them to act contrary to their official capacities.
The EFCC also claimed that Nwobike engaged in sending illegal text messages with four registrars of the Federal High Court in a bid to unduly influence his cases being tried by some judges.
Nwobike, however, denied all the charges.
Oyedepo had on July 2 and July 4 while cross-examining the SAN, confronted him with evidence of the alleged text messages from an Extraction Report showed by a projector in the courtroom.
During proceedings on Friday, Oyedepo said:"On page 4356 on column 1158 shows that in Sep. 21, 2014 you sent this text to Mr Jide which is suit no — FHC/L/CS/1133/2014 Dana Group of Companies and two others V Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Kunle Ogunba (SAN) and two others, this is a suit you filed.
"Your colleague, Mr Kunle Ogunba (SAN), was also a party to the suit and this suit was assigned on Sep. 23, 2014, and Justice Yinusa heard this suit. Can you confirm to the court who heard the suit ?"
Responding Nwobike said:"Mr Kunle Ogunba was sued in his capacity as a receiver/manager.
"I cannot remember give judge heard the suit because there were six suits filed by me which involved Dana Motors Ltd."
Continuing Oyedepo said:"On column 1157, on Sep. 21, 2014, you sent this text to Jide 'Good afternoon Sir, Wafa and another V Diamond Bank and two others, Kurya J, thanks so much.
"On June 30, 2014 you sent the details of that suit again to Jide and you sent this text; 'Thanks, please help me with this one, it has urgency, I will show tomorrow, goodnight, My Lord.
"On the same day of June 30, 2014 at 5.26 pm, you forwarded the suit details of Lanre Olaoluwa Vs Federal Ministry of Power and Steel, Yinusa J, very important.
"I can tell you that this suit was instituted on the same day (June 30, 2014) and your firm paid N56,040 and Yinusa J ended up adjudicating in the matter.
"On June 26, 2014 you forwarded this text to Mr Jide 'Nestlé Vs FIRS, FHC/L/CS/940/2014, Yinusa J, thanks.'
"Jide, responding to your text said, 'I did it last week, it is there already'.
"Earlier on that day you received a text message from Collins one of the counsel in your chambers on the same day.
"The text from Collins communicated to the name of the parties and suit number of the Nestlé matter.
"The text from Collins was received by you at 7.16 am and you forwarded that text message to Jide suggesting Yinusa J at 7.31am."
Denying the allegations, Nwobike said: "I don't know how much my firm paid for the filing of the Lanre Olaoluwa suit.
"As at the time I sent the text message regarding the Olaoluwa suit, I thought the matter was already assigned.
"For the Nestlé suit, I think it was Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia that heard the suit and not Justice Yinusa."
The EFCC prosecutor also revealed details of more text message communications between the SAN and the Federal High Court registrar.
He told the court:"You sent a text message on March 13, 2014 containing the suit number FHC/L/CS/347/14 and the parties Professor Emmanuel Adegbeyemi and six others Vs Mr Biodun Agbaje and 15 others and you suggested Justice Yinusa.
"On Nov. 3, 2013 you received and read a text message from Mr Jide asking you to remind you of a case with the suit number FHC/L/CS/960/13.
"The same day, you sent another text to Mr Jide responding, Thanks my dear brother, I will do so, thanks.
"On Nov. 1, 2013 you sent this text 'Premier Plant Leasing Nigeria Ltd V Diamond Bank Plc suit number FHC/L/CS/960/2013, writing dated and filed July 9, 2013, Kurya J, please my bro, Nwobike.
"The response from Jide to remind you was in reply to this text and this was close to the annual vacation, the suit was eventually handled by Justice Kurya."
Justice Raliatu Adebiyi adjourned the case until July 26 for continuation of trial. (NAN)
White House press secretary Sean Spicer resigned Friday in protest at a major shake-up of Donald Trump’s embattled administration, as pressure mounts from a broadening investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia.
Sean Spicer
Spicer quit in opposition to Trump’s naming of Anthony Scaramucci, a Wall Street financier and longtime supporter of the billionaire investor-turned-president, as the new White House communications director, a White House disclosed.
“It’s been an honor & a privilege to serve @POTUS @realDonaldTrump & this amazing country. I will continue my service through August,” Spicer tweeted.
“I am grateful for Sean’s work on behalf of my administration and the American people,” Trump said in a statement read to a packed briefing room by the new White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Spicer’s former deputy.
“We have accomplished so much and (been) given credit for so little,” Trump added.
Scaramucci, who took the podium for the first time, dismissed reports of infighting, telling reporters: “I think the White House is on track.”
Spicer’s departure nevertheless appeared to escalate the tensions within the administration, with a knock-on effect as to how the White House is responding to an investigation into possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia.
In another blow, Mark Corallo — who coordinated the Trump legal team’s public response to the crisis over a probe into possible campaign collusion with Moscow — said that he too had stepped down.
No reason was given for Corallo’s departure, and Spicer so far has remained publicly silent about his motive.
But the moves come after Trump waded into potentially perilous legal territory by warning investigators not to look into his family finances.
In an expansive interview with The New York Times earlier this week, Trump appeared to make that a red line for special counsel Robert Mueller.
Mueller is examining whether Trump or his aides colluded with Russia’s apparent efforts to help tilt the 2016 presidential election in Trump’s favor.
Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, but has struggled to explain why his eldest son and key aides met Russian operatives who promised dirt on Hillary Clinton.
– ‘Fundamental line’ –
With the investigation apparently extending to financial transactions, US media reported that Trump allies were looking into issuing presidential pardons and for ways to discredit Mueller’s investigation.
Trump himself has suggested that Mueller -— a widely respected former FBI director —- may have a conflict of interest.
“There is NO basis to question the integrity of Mueller or those serving with him in the special counsel’s office,” said former attorney general Eric Holder.
“Trump cannot define or constrain Mueller investigation. If he tries to do so this creates issues of constitutional and criminal dimension.”
The White House has pointedly refused to rule out the possibility that Trump would fire Mueller — an act that would prompt a political firestorm and perhaps a constitutional crisis.
Trump has already fired his FBI director James Comey over the Russia investigation and lashed out at his own attorney general Jeff Sessions for recusing himself from the probe.
Adam Schiff, the leading Democrat on a House of Representatives intelligence committee that is separately investigating Russian actions around the time of the election, also warned that Trump was wandering into dangerous territory.
“There is no doubt that Mueller has the authority to investigate anything that arises from his investigation into the Trump campaign’s ties to Russia, including financial links,” Schiff said.
The top Democrat on the Senate’s intelligence committee, Mark Warner, warned that pardoning anybody who may have been involved “would be crossing a fundamental line.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, at an Ikeja High Court, gave more incriminating evidence to establish a case of offering of gratification by Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) to some judges.
Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC's prosecuting counsel, confronted the lawyer with more evidence, this time connecting the timelines the text messages were sent by Nwobike before he appeared in court to argue cases at the court of some judges of the Federal High Court.
Nwobike is being tried by the EFCC on an 11-count charge bordering on perverting the course of justice and offering of gratification to public officials.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Nwobike offered gratifications to some judges of the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court to influence them to act contrary to their official capacities.
The EFCC also claimed that Nwobike engaged in sending illegal text messages with four registrars of the Federal High Court in a bid to unduly influence his cases being tried by some judges.
Nwobike, however, denied all the charges.
Oyedepo had on July 2 and July 4 while cross-examining the SAN, confronted him with evidence of the alleged text messages from an Extraction Report shown by a projector in the courtroom.
During proceedings on Friday, Oyedepo said:"On page 4356 on column 1158 shows that in Sep. 21, 2014 you sent this text to Mr Jide which is suit no — FHC/L/CS/1133/2014 Dana Group of Companies and two others V Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Kunle Ogunba (SAN) and two others, this is a suit you filed.
"Your colleague, Mr Kunle Ogunba (SAN), was also a party to the suit and this suit was assigned on Sep. 23, 2014, and Justice Yinusa heard this suit. Can you confirm to the court who heard the suit ?"
Responding Nwobike said:"Mr. Kunle Ogunba was sued in his capacity as a receiver/manager.
"I cannot remember give judge heard the suit because there were six suits filed by me which involved Dana Motors Ltd."
Continuing Oyedepo said:"On column 1157, on Sep. 21, 2014, you sent this text to Jide 'Good afternoon Sir, Wafa and another V Diamond Bank and two others, Kurya J, thanks so much.
"On June 30, 2014 you sent the details of that suit again to Jide and you sent this text; 'Thanks, please help me with this one, it has urgency, I will show tomorrow, goodnight, My Lord.
"On the same day of June 30, 2014 at 5.26 pm, you forwarded the suit details of Lanre Olaoluwa Vs Federal Ministry of Power and Steel, Yinusa J, very important.
"I can tell you that this suit was instituted on the same day (June 30, 2014) and your firm paid N56,040 and Yinusa J ended up adjudicating in the matter.
"On June 26, 2014 you forwarded this text to Mr Jide 'Nestlé Vs FIRS, FHC/L/CS/940/2014, Yinusa J, thanks.'
"Jide, responding to your text said, 'I did it last week, it is there already'.
"Earlier on that day you received a text message from Collins one of the counsel in your chambers on the same day.
"The text from Collins communicated to the name of the parties and suit number of the Nestlé matter.
"The text from Collins was received by you at 7.16 am and you forwarded that text message to Jide suggesting Yinusa J at 7.31am."
Denying the allegations, Nwobike said: "I don't know how much my firm paid for the filing of the Lanre Olaoluwa suit.
"As at the time I sent the text message regarding the Olaoluwa suit, I thought the matter was already assigned.
"For the Nestlé suit, I think it was Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia that heard the suit and not Justice Yinusa."
The EFCC prosecutor also revealed details of more text message communications between the SAN and the Federal High Court registrar.
He told the court:"You sent a text message on March 13, 2014 containing the suit number FHC/L/CS/347/14 and the parties Professor Emmanuel Adegbeyemi and six others Vs Mr Biodun Agbaje and 15 others and you suggested Justice Yinusa.
"On Nov. 3, 2013 you received and read a text message from Mr Jide asking you to remind you of a case with the suit number FHC/L/CS/960/13.
"The same day, you sent another text to Mr Jide responding, Thanks my dear brother, I will do so, thanks.
"On Nov. 1, 2013 you sent this text 'Premier Plant Leasing Nigeria Ltd V Diamond Bank Plc suit number FHC/L/CS/960/2013, writing dated and filed July 9, 2013, Kurya J, please my bro, Nwobike.
"The response from Jide to remind you was in reply to this text and this was close to the annual vacation, the suit was eventually handled by Justice Kurya."
Justice Raliatu Adebiyi adjourned the case until July 26 for continuation of trial.
Jos – The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed announced on Friday in Jos that the revived Zuma Film Festival will hold in Abuja in December.
The minister disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Plateau Governor, Simon Lalong.L-r: Prof. Hyginus Ekwuazi , Dr. Chidia Maduekwe and Chief Eddie Ugbomah
The minister is in Jos, the Plateau capital to attend the Extraordinary Meeting of the National Council on Information.
Mohammed called on the governor and his colleagues from other states to lend full support to the revived festival.
Zuma Festival, a foremost platform for the celebration of motion picture, was last held in 2014, with the theme; "Nationalism and Patriotism''.
The minister also disclosed that the Ngeria Film Corporation (NFC) was partnering with the Plateau Government and Nollywood Nigeria International to establish the concept of Nigerian Film Parliament.
He said the partnership would also give birth to the rock of fame arena and the rock of fame awards.
According to him, the projects will further consolidate the state's arranging as the preeminent film and tourism destination.
The minister appealed to the State Government to complete the construction of the access road to the NFC's permanent site.
He also appealed for the erection of perimeter fencing of the Corporation's permanent site and the settling of the issues of compensation to the community.
Mohammed congratulated the First Lady of Plateau, Mrs Regina Lalong, for the honour recently bestowed on her by NFC, by naming the Female Hostel of the National Film Institute after her.
He appreciated the kind gesture of the First Lady who promised to build more female hostels for the Institute.
Mohammed also updated his host on the efforts by his ministry to boost the Creative Industry in view of its importance to the film and tourism sectors.
The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Sonny Tyoden commended the minister for his passion and commitment to developing the culture, creative and information sectors.
He said the theme of the Extraordinary Meeting of the National Council on Information, which centred on Hate Speeches and Fake News were apt.
The governor restated the commitment of the State to continue to support NFC.
He called on the minister to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NFC and the state at inception to the effect that some management position in the corporation should be reserved for indigenes of the state. (NAN)
Contrary to reports trending on social media, PPP Fluid Mechanics Ltd, a company that was later acquired by Ocean Marine Security Limited through share purchase agreement, said it secured the contract for the transportation of crude oil by marine vessels from Escravos Terminal to Warri Refinery through an open international competitive bidding in which 13 other companies participated.
In a press statement made available to journalists, the OMS debunked the claim that the contract was awarded without due process.
OMS, an offshore assets protection company, promoted by corporate titans, Tunde Ayeni and Hosa Okunbo, had come under media searchlight in respect of the crude oil transportation by marine vessels contract which it executed for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in recent past, with two online publications grossly misrepresenting the terms of the contract.
For instance, while the reports claimed that the contract was awarded at the cost of $15.4 per barrel, the company disclosed that the contract cost never exceeded $5.68 per barrel while it lasted, and that was inclusive of provision of dedicated security posts in addition to the transportation of crude oil to the refineries.
The statement said "If only the journalists who did these stories had been a bit more painstaking and crosschecked their facts with NNPC, they would not have come up with this inaccurate and false report."
The statement further noted that OMS delivered a total of 65, 597, 698 barrels of crude oil to refineries between 2011 and 2015, the exact figure that was made available at the drilling terminals.
"Such media claim that OMS delivered less than what it received from drilling terminals is an embarrassing demonstration of ignorance by the section of the media that came up with the report. NNPC has its records of what each vessel loaded and discharged. In any case, if that was true, wouldn't the present government have summoned the company to come and account for the alleged shortage?"
Also, contrary to the false claim in the reports that crude oil transportation through pipeline was deliberately circumvented to yield way to transportation by marine vessels, the facts on ground, according to the company, indicated that if NNPC did not resort to the vessel option at the time, the refineries would have shut down completely owing to non-supply of crude oil.
Before NNPC embarked on the marine vessels option of transporting crude oil, a report commissioned by the corporation indicated that it was no longer economical to transport crude oil from Escravos to Warri Refinery through the pipeline as a result of unsustainable expenditure of about $121million for the maintenance and repairs of the Escravos-Warri broken crude oil pipeline. Even at that, this huge expenditure became a regular one which still did not solve the problems associated with transporting crude oil to the refineries through pipelines.
The report further indicated an estimated 40-60 percent loss of crude oil pumped through the Escravos-Warri pipelines owing to ceaseless pipeline vandalisation and oil theft.
Another indisputable fact is that before the engagement of PPPFM, the Warri and Kaduna refineries had been shut down for about 48 months owing to non-supply of crude oil feedstock to keep the refineries running.
OMS said: "It is important to state that with our company's intervention, it is estimated that the nation has been saved over $2billion based on NNPC's admittance of an average loss of about 40-60 percent of crude oil pumped through the Escravos-Warri pipeline due to vandalisation and crude oil theft.
This saving is definitely more if the analysis were to be based on the additional loss recorded while pumping crude oil through the Port-Harcourt-Bonny-Okrika pipeline."
It must be stated for public records and without fear of contradiction that OMS is a projects solution providing corporate concern and not a trading company. For 30 years, we have offered value-driven services to our clients and we were never found wanting.
NNPC, as a performance driven corporation, has never found us wanting in delivering quality service and the records are there to attest to this.
We are not a trading company, we have never traded in one barrel of crude oil or one litre of product whether legally or illegally.
Even at the risk of sounding repetitive therefore, OMS, wishes to state that we remain totally committed to transparency, efficiency and global best practices in all our ventures.
Abuja – The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to mandate political parties to include tax agenda in their manifestos ahead of 2019 elections. Executive Director of the organisation, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Rafsanjani said that the call was part of an eight-point communiqué issued at the end of a Stakeholders' Interface on the National Tax Policy.
He said that the meeting was organised in collaboration with the Tax Justice Network-Africa (TJN-A) with support from the Open Society Foundation (OSF), to assess the new tax policy.
According to him, the need for political parties to articulate their tax agenda is to ensure fairness, equity, progressiveness and effect on investments, inequality, transparency and accountability.
The director said that the measure as required in the new tax policy ought to be carried out before the commencement of election campaigns in 2018.
"The Federal Government is commended for adopting a consultative approach in the development of the new policy and reflecting inputs from stakeholders, including the National Tax Justice and Governance Platform.
"The review of the National Tax Policy was long overdue considering the challenges identified in the tax system under the previous policy.
"The new policy emphasises the ability to pay principle, focus on progressive tax rates, promoting equality, avoidance of multiple taxation, explicit grievance mechanisms, transparency and accountability frameworks.''
Rafsanjan regretted that in spite of recognising the lack of robust framework for taxation of informal sector as a challenge of the Nigerian tax system, the new policy was silent on how to address it.
He said that the focus on indirect taxation was a concern to tax justice campaigners, because it is easier to collect and difficult to evade.
According to him, this is because of its tendency to be regressive and potentially in conflict with the policy's emphasis on progressive rates.
Rafsanjan added that the proposed review of Value Added Tax (VAT) law in line with international practices portended danger for citizens' welfare and standard of living, if not properly managed in timing and implementation.
He said that the participants recommended that government at all levels should sensitise citizens on the new National Tax Policy by producing simplified versions and circulating it for citizens to understand and engage with.
He urged all stakeholders to identify their roles as outlined in the policy and immediately commence action for holistic and effective implementation of the policy.
The director said that with the introduction of the Voluntary Assets and Income Disclosure Scheme and Tax, aspects of the policy were already being implemented.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Finance to commence the computation of revenue forgone from tax incentives or concessions and quantify them against expected benefits as the new policy required.
He said the ministry should also commence annual reporting to Nigerians from the 2018 fiscal year, and should develop a framework for taxation of the informal sector and net-worth individuals.
This, Rafsanjani said, was to ensure that the guiding principles of fairness and equity enshrined in the new tax policy were upheld.
He called on government at all levels to place tax payers at the centre of tax administration.
He said that there was need for the levels of government to work together to streamline tax types and agencies to eliminate multiple taxation and unfair burdens on citizens.
The director stated that the meeting also urged the government to adopt a consultative approach in its shift towards indirect taxation and review of the VAT law.
He said that the synergy would ensure that the interest and welfare of the poor and vulnerable were protected and the inequality gap not widened in the drive for increased revenue and ease of tax collection.
He said civil society organisations and all non-state actors were also advised to study the policy so that they could sensitise the public and hold the government accountable for its implementation.(NAN)
Lagos – Mr Fatai Owoseni, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, on Friday warned residents especially politicians, against carrying firearms during and after the Saturday local government elections.
Owoseni gave the warning at a meeting he held with all stakeholders at the POWA hall, Oduduwa, Ikeja.Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi; State Commissioner for Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Caster Bade-Ajibade during a media briefing on the thousands of impounded motorcycles (Okada) at Olusosun Dumpsite, Ojota, on Monday, February 27, 2017.
He said that flouting of the rules meant `suicide' for the carrier.
Owoseni, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations, DCP Edgal Imohimi, addressed parties chairmen, agents and supporters where they were made to sign an undertaking not to cause violence during the polls.
"If you want to commit suicide, come out with your firearms because the police will use proportional force against such persons," he warned.
Speaking on the ongoing measures put on ground to profile the party leaders and have their biometrics taken, the commissioner said such move would help the police to discharge their duties, especially in the eventuality of breakdown of law and order.
"We have profiled you and have taken your biometrics. We have also interfaced with you personally and we will tell you what to expect from us.
"During this election, we don't want political thuggery like we have witnessed in certain elections from different camps, which have caused mayhem.
"Arrests have been made and a special team at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Yaba, is investigating the cases.
"If any of the hoodlums are traced back to you, it will jeopardise your chances.
"Talk to your supporters not to be overzealous because we will not hesitate to write an intelligence report to your party and the government.
"Already, we have gotten some intelligence reports that some are ganging up somewhere and of course, we have sent our police team there.
"Also talk to your party agents that will represent you at the polling units. They must be patient and not cause problems, especially where materials are delayed due to logistic problems," he said.
On other measures put on ground, the commissioner said the police in conjunction with other security agencies had for two days conducted a Show of Force in some parts of the state.
He said the security operatives deployed for the exercise were also drawn from the military, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Corps and the Department of State Services (DSS).
"Also, we will today carry out overt and covert operations geared toward picking up the few remaining hoodlums that have been billed to cause trouble.
"The police will not interfere with the electoral process as stated in the electoral laws and if they flout it, call the attention of the LASIEC," Owoseni advised.
Edo Government says it is partnering with the Niger Delta Power Holding Co Mpany (NDPHC) on a bulk power supply arrangement to boost electricity distribution to industries around the state.
Gov. Obaseki disclosed this when he received the executive management team of NDPHC on courtesy/ business visit at Government House in Benin on Friday.
The governor said he was optimistic that about 2000 mega watts of power could be generated from the NDPHC plant and Azura Plant located in the state within the next few years.
He said that what was of immerse concern was the utilisation of power that would be generated by the power plants and how to make the Sapele axis an electricity generating site for the proposed industrial hub.
''Now that we have found electricity, what are we going to do with it? Is there no opportunity for us to think on working with you directly?
'How we can bring in people who will buy bulk and distribute it close by so that we can use it for production around the state?''
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Power Holding Company, Mr Chinedu Ugbo, said Edo was a major stakeholder in power generation in country.
Ugbo said the Edo governor, being a member of the new board to be inaugurated by the company soon, necessitated the visit to strengthen areas of collaboration.
He said that the company had planned to seek the state's approval in the bulk power supply arrangement, but since the company had received the government's support, it could now explore the opportunity.
Ugbo expressed satisfaction with cooperation of the host community where its plant is located in the state.
He commended the residents for ensuring peaceful environment for the company to work.
The company boss listed some constraints affecting the company in the state to include irregular gas supply and electricity uptake, which he said, affected electricity distribution to consumers.
Premier League champions Chelsea completed the signing of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata on a five-year-deal on Friday in a deal reported to be worth up to 80 million euros ($92.2 million).
Morata
“I am so happy to be here. It's an incredible emotion to be part of this big club. I am looking to work hard, score as many goals as I can and to win as many trophies as possible,” the 24-year-old told Chelsea’s club website.
Morata put pen to paper with the London giants after undergoing a medical and he is now expected to link up with his new team-mates, who are preparing to play Arsenal in a pre-season friendly in Beijing on Saturday.
He could make his debut against Bayern Munich in Singapore next Tuesday.
Morata, who scored 20 goals in 43 appearances for Real last season on their way to the Champions League and Spanish title, also has nine goals in 20 appearances for Spain — including three at last year's European Championship.
Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo said Morata can make a huge impact domestically as well as in the Champions League.
“We are delighted to complete Alvaro's signing and welcome him to the club. We believe he can make a great impact for Chelsea and look forward to seeing him in action,” said Emenalo.
“Alvaro has proven class at the highest level and his quality will be a huge asset to Antonio and the squad.”
Earlier Friday, Chelsea coach Antonio Conte marvelled at the “crazy” transfer fees demanded for players, though he praised Morata as a young but experienced striker with a bright future.
“He’s a good striker. He’s a player with the right prospect for Chelsea. He’s very young and for sure he can improve a lot,” Conte told a press conference on the eve of the game against Arsenal.
Chelsea had long been linked to a move for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, but they signed Morata after the Belgian international joined Manchester United instead for a reported 85 million euros.
Asked whether the price paid for Morata was fair after he had previously warned about the spending power of Chinese clubs, Conte acknowledged that “for sure this transfer market is crazy”.
“I think if you want to buy a simple player, okay, a normal player, you have to start to think to spend 40-50 million euros, and I think this is incredible,” he said.
Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in strict adherence to Rules of Engagement and international conventions on armed conflict especially as it relates to prisoner of war have rescued a Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT). Troops
The terrorist, Abba Mustapha who was injured, was abandoned to his fate by his colleagues in the heat of heavy fire fight with Nigerian Army troops in one of the remote Forward Operating Bases in Ngala Local Government Area.
Abba was captured during a counter attack operation launched by the troops following an attack at their location.
As narrated by Abba, 8 of his BHT colleagues were killed.
Also recovered from the BHTs were 3 AK 47 rifles, 2 AK 47 magazines, 2 FN rifle magazines and 3 PKM link belts.
The surviving terrorist, who was full of joy for his survival, thanked the Nigerian Army for sparing his life and taking care of his wounds.
He said that he and his other BHT colleagues were subdued by superior fire power of the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.
He further recounted that his other fleeing BHT colleagues abandoned him to his fate after he was hit by a bullet.
To worsen his situation one of his legs was crushed by their own vehicle as they scampered for safety.
He said, "If the troops had not taken him and administered first aid on him he would have bled to death".
He added that he owes his life to the good treatment received from the troops.
Abba Mustapha confessed though he lost a limb in the cause of the fighting owing to the heartless abandonment by his fellow terrorists, he thanked God that he is stable and recuperating in hospital.
Activists and journalists in new democratic Myanmar continue to be followed and questioned by state surveillance agents, a UN envoy said on Friday, at the conclusion of a visit she said was beset by official snooping and access restrictions.
Aung San Suu Kyi came to power in 2016 after a landslide in the landmark 2015 elections.
She does not oversee the police or the military, which ruled the country for decades and retains its powerful position under a constitution drafted by the former junta.
Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee told a news conference at the conclusion of her 12-day visit that she faced "increasing restrictions" on her access.
Lee said the government, citing security concerns, had prevented her from visiting parts of the northeast where the military is accused of abuses against civilians in its conflict with ethnic rebels.
"She was also not allowed to visit three journalists detained in June by the army and charged with contacting a rebel group, in spite of the site of their detention being a popular tourist spot,'' the human rights envoy said.
However, Suu Kyi's spokesman Zaw Htay was not immediately available for comment.
Myanmar regularly blocks monitors and journalists from traveling to areas near the conflicts citing concerns over safety.
Security officials say monitoring prominent people is a normal part of their work.
Lee said it was "unacceptable" that people meeting her were watched and even followed by agents she suspected to be from the police Special Branch that once stalked political opponents during almost half a century of dictatorship.
The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has taken possession of Gateway Portland Cement Ltd., factories over debt of nearly three billion naira.
The corporation in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday, said that the possession followed an injunction against Gateway Portland Cement granted by the Federal High Court Abeokuta Division, Ogun State.
The statement said that AMCON's Receiver, Mr Charles Adeogun-Phillips had formally and successfully taken possession of Gateway Portland Cement factories and facilities located in Abeokuta and Mowe areas of Ogun State.
It added that the debt had been a subject of litigation for some time now.
The statement said the court in the ruling restrained Gateway Portland Cement and the promoters whether by themselves, their agents, privies, or whosoever howsoever from moving, into the firm.
It also restrained them from withdrawing money from or with any bank or financial institutions that hitherto does business with the cement company excluding in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the suit to be filed by the applicants for recovery of its outstanding debts.
The order also restrained the company and the promoters by themselves, their agents, servants and, or their privies from interfering with or otherwise obstructing or frustrating the receiver appointed by AMCON in performing his duties.
It also directed the company and the promoters to deliver to the receiver appointed by AMCON all the charged assets of the company in their possession forthwith.
AMCON in the statement maintained that there would be no rest for recalcitrant debtors of the corporation like in the case of the promoters of Gateway Portland Cement Ltd.
The statement said that the only way AMCON mandate could be realised within the timeframe of the assignment and in the interest of the country's economy was to recover debts owed.
Abuja – Two unemployed men — Jalo Dutse, Kabir Danazumi — who allegedly attacked a man with a cutlass and stole his N20, 000, were on Friday brought before a Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates' Court, Abuja. machete The accused, who reside at Gwagwa, Abuja, are standing trial on a three-count charge of joint act, assault and theft.
Police Prosecutor Oyeyemi Adeniyi told the court that the complainant, Richard Tarfa of Best Life Church, Kado Village, reported the case at the Wuse Police Station on July 10.
He alleged that the duo committed the crime at the village when they attacked the complainant with a cutlass.
"They beat up the complainant and stole his N20, 000."
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 79, 265 and 288 of the Penal Code.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mr Muhammed Tahir, admitted the accused to a bail of N50, 000 each and a surety each in like sum.
Tahir said the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the case until Aug. 22 for hearing. (NAN)
The U.S. Government said it would ban Americans from travelling to North Korea due to "serious risk of arrest".
This is coming on the heels after an American student was jailed while on a tour and later died, the State Department said on Friday.
"U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson authorised a "Geographical Travel Restriction" on all Americans' use of a passport to the country,'' Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.
According to the spokeswoman, once in effect, U.S. passports will be invalid for travel to, through and in North Korea, and individuals will be required to obtain a passport with a special validation in order to travel to or within North Korea.
"The move was due to "mounting concerns over the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention under North Korea's system of law enforcement,'' she added.
North Korea has detained two Korean-American academics and a missionary, a Canadian pastor and three South Korean nationals who were doing missionary work there.
Japan says no less several dozen of its nationals are being held in the country.
"The State Department plans to publish a notice in the Federal Register next week, starting a 30-day clock before the restriction takes effect.
"Americans who want to travel to North Korea for certain limited humanitarian or other purposes can apply for a special passport to do so,'' Nauert said.
Young Pioneer, a company that arranges tours to North Korea, took American student Otto Warmbier to the country at the end of 2015.
He was arrested there and sentenced to 15 years of hard labour for an incident at his hotel where he was accused of trying to steal a propaganda banner.
North Korea released the 22-year-old Warmbier in June in a coma and he died days after getting back to the U.S.
The circumstances surrounding his death are not clear, including why he fell into a coma.
North Korea said through its state media that Warmbier's death was "a mystery" and dismissed accusations that he had died as a result of torture and beating in captivity.
