Author: Isah Mukhtar

NAN-H-7
Sentence
By Moji Eniola
Ikeja, Jan. 26, 2017 (NAN) Ada Ugo-Ngali, the Managing Director of Ontario Oil and Gas Ltd, is to spend 10 years in jail for defrauding the Federal Government of N754 million in oil subsidy transactions, a court declared on Thursday.

The Chairman of the company, Walter Wagbatsoma and co-defendant in the matter, although absent in court, also got the same sentence in which each of the accused was sentenced to a cumulative 69 years imprisonment.

Justice Lateefa Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court handed down the verdict, the first conviction since the massive oil subsidy fraud trial  perpetuated by oil marketers began in 2012.

Wagbatsoma is currently being held in the UK on charges relating to a £12 million National Health Insurance Scheme Trust fraud.

The judge sentenced Wagbatsoma and Ugo-Ngadi to a minimum of 10 years imprisonment for the six-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“For each of the counts of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences, the defendants are sentenced to 10 years in prison.

“For each of the counts of obtaining money by false pretences, the defendants are sentenced 10 years in prison.

“For the count of conspiracy to commit forgery, the defendants are sentenced to seven years in prison, for the offence of forgery, the defendants are sentenced to eight years in prison,” she said.

The judge noted that the total sentences passed were 69 years for each of the defendants but that the sentences would run concurrently.

On Ontario Oil and Gas Ltd, Okunnu said:“I hereby give an order of restitution to Ontario Oil and Gas Ltd.

“The N754 million which was defrauded by the company should be returned to the Federal Government.”

After the sentence was pronounced,counsel to Ugo-Ngadi, Mr Y.A. Kadiri, made an attempt to complain to Justice Okunnu about the treatment given his client by the EFCC.

“For the record, the conduct of the prosecution has been unethical.

“The second defendant has been in hospital though her situation had improved slightly, the prosecution mounted tremendous pressure on the hospital management to discharge her,” he said.

Okunnu, however, refused to listen to the complaint of the defence.

“I am now `functus officio’, if you have any complaint of ethical conduct, go to the appropriate authorities,” she ruled.

Ugo-Ngadi, who was on a wheelchair while the sentence was read, remained stoic and expressionless.

She had earlier on Jan. 13 slumped in the dock when the sentence was about to be passed by Okunnu and was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Her family and well-wishers had escorted her to the court from the hospital.

As soon as the court rose, a white Kirikiri Female Prison van drove into the court’s premises and immediately conveyed her to the facility to serve her term. (NAN)

MAE/DA/JCE
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Editing by Dele Akinsola/Chukwudi Ekezie

Note to subscribers:

This story, with the headline, Enraged ex-lover kills 2 lovers with petrol bumb at beer parlour, was first published unedited. It has now been reworked. We apologise for the error.

Man kills ex-female friend, lover by setting them on fire(Re-issued)

NAN-H-112

Lovers

By Moses Omorogieva and Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

Lagos, Jan. 25, 2017 (NAN) A 51-year-old businessman, Ayobami Oyedutan, and his extra-marital lover have been killed by the estranged boyfriend of the woman.

The scorned man attacked the duo at a beer parlour in Ijaiye area of Lagos State. He reportedly sprayed them with petrol and set them on fire. reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Witnesses told NAN that the incident happened on Sunday at the woman’s beer parlour located at Americana Street, Jankara, Agbado-Ijaiye, Lagos State.

The woman died at the bar, while her friend, Oyedutan died on Monday at Gbagada General Hospital following severe burns sustained in the fire.

Sources told NAN that the attacker, who is now at large, was the estranged lover of the woman who owned the beer parlour, where the petrol attack occurred.

She was simply identified as ”Mama-Corner”.

According to a witness: ”The ex-lover of the woman, who was not happy over her unfaithfulness to him, became angry and went to the beer parlour, sprayed the man and woman with petrol and lit them up.

”The man, who lit the fire, got his cloth burnt as he was running out. The woman died in the beer parlour, the lover man died on Monday at Gbagada General Hospital,” a source told NAN.

The businessman was buried on Tuesday at his house in Ajasa Village, Command area of Ipaja, Lagos.

NAN learnt that the trio involved in the love triangle were married to different spouses.

The wife of the late businessman, Mrs Tolu Oyedutan, described his death as a “painful loss’’.

She told sympathisers that she was with her late husband until he gave up the ghost at about 11 pm on Monday.

”My regret now is that my five-year-old son won’t live to see his father when he grows up,” the bereaved wife said.

The police spokesperson in Lagos, ASP Dolapo Badmus, told NAN that the command was yet to be officially informed about the incident.
. (NAN)

MIL/MIO/WOJ
(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

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NAN-H-101

Speed
By Kola Adeyemi
Lokoja, Jan. 25, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kogi State has asked commercial vehicles without the speed limiting device to stay off the Lokoja–Abuja highway and other roads in the state as from Feb. 1.

The state Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Olusegun Martins, who gave the order on Wednesday in Lokoja said that such vehicles would be impounded and the owners prosecuted.

He said that his men will be on the road and other roads in the state to enforce the speed limiting device on all commercial vehicles as from Feb. 1, saying that the period of advisory enforcement was over.

The Sector Commander who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting on the speed limiting device appealed to commercial drivers to comply with the law as it was a means to curb carnage on the roads.

According to him, the commission has no control over the sale and installation of the speed limiting device but advised them to guide against buying fake gadgets.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Marabash Global Trading Company, one of the 42 speed limiting device vendors licensed by the Federal Government, Mr Abdulhakeem Williams, expressed the readiness of his company to make the gadget available in the state.

Williams, who took time to educate the stakeholders present on how the gadget works,  said that the machine doesn’t prevent accidents from happening but only control’s the speed of vehicles.

He advised drivers to abide by traffic codes and join hands with other stakeholders to stop carnage on the highways.

Mr Lawrence Mokikan and Mr Hassan Yusuff both of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), appealed to the vendors to make the gadget affordable and easy to operate.

Both Mokikan and Yusuff expressed the readiness of commercial vehicle operators to comply with the new directive but pleaded with the FRSC to handle its enforcement with a human face. (NAN)
KKA/PIO/PIO
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(Edited by Idonije Obakhedo)

NAN-H-55
Registrar
By Modupe Seriboh
Ibadan, Jan.25, 2017 (NAN) The Registrar, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Mr Niyi Fehintola, has advised the students of the college to shun `evil associations.’

He gave the advice on Wednesday during a 3-day orientation programme organised by the institution for the fresh students in Igboora.

Fehintola, who congratulated the students on their admission, further urged them to strive for academic excellence which he said would determine their all round success.

He also urged the students to be law abiding, disciplined and obedient.

The registrar said: “Face your studies squarely and never be lazy because no lazy man has a position in the society.

“I wish to state that any student that does not perform to expectation is always shown out of the institution.’’

He assured that teaching and non teaching staff were always eager to help students attain academic and moral excellence.

The Dean, Students Affairs Division, Mr Akinsola Olapegba, also appealed to the students to be good ambassadors of the institution.

Some of the students thanked the management for organising the programme which they described as educative.(NAN)
MAM/FF/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

NAN-HE-20
Ships
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, Jan. 24, 2017 (NAN) Two ships laden with petrol and diesel are waiting to berth in Lagos ports, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says on Tuesday.

According to NPA’s publication, “Shipping Position’’, one other ship will berth with bulk fertiliser.

The NPA said that 25 ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos from Jan. 24 to Feb. 25.

NPA said that the expected ships contained buck wheat, soya bean, containers, base oil, ethanol, general cargoes, frozen fish, sugar, bulk salt and petrol.

NAN reports that 16 other ships are at the ports discharging general cargoes, buck wheat, empty containers, bulk sugar, frozen fish, bulk gas soya beans and aviation fuel. (NAN)
AIC/WOJ/GY
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Edited by Wale Ojetimi/Grace Yussuf

3 Ships arrive Lagos ports with bulk gas, diesel, other commodities
NAN-HE-7
By Aisha Cole
Ships
Lagos, Jan. 24, 2017 (NAN) Two ships laden with petrol and diesel are waiting to berth in Lagos ports, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said on Tuesday.
According to NPA publication, Shipping Position, one other ship would berth with bulk fertiliser.
The NPA said 25 ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports in Lagos from Jan. 24 to Feb. 25.
NPA said that the expected ships contained buck wheat, soya bean, containers, base oil, ethanol, general cargoes, frozen fish, sugar, bulk salt and petrol.
NAN reports that 16 other ships are at the ports discharging general cargoes, buck wheat, empty containers, bulk sugar, frozen fish, bulk gas soya beans and aviation fuel. (NAN)
AIC/WOJ
(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)
=================

NAN-S-9

Federation

By Kemi Ajayi

Lagos, Jan. 24, 2017 (NAN) Ojo Adelusi, a former President of the Nigeria Wushu Kungfu Federation on Tuesday urged stakeholders to elect worthy individuals into the board of the body to  revamp the sport.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that election into various sports federations in the country holds every four years.

The sports ministry has yet to release a date for the elections but some interested candidates are already strategising on how to win various positions up for grab.

Adelusi told NAN that those in charge of the sport had performed below average, resulting to the poor state of the sport.

“We want someone who has passion and good intension for the sport as president and not someone that wants to add the position to his CV.

“As the former president, I was not a rich man when I was in charge of the sport but I was able to organise regular national competitions and the records are still there.

“No more regular wushu kungfu competitions and I don’t know what the people in charge are doing to turn the sport around.

“So, am making a passionate plea to stakeholders in wushu to put sentiments aside and elect the right president and executive members.”

He added that imposition of candidates was also responsible for the poor performance of some federations.

“When a person doesn’t deserve a position and the position is given on a platter of gold, the passion and zeal to perform will not be there.

“We have too many people, who do not have business in the sport in our federation and it has affected our sport over the years.’’ (NAN)

KOA/ENN/SN
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Silas Nwoha

NAN-H-2
Lecture
By Chinyere Nwachukwu
Lagos, Jan. 24, 2017 (NAN) Dr Kayode Fayemi, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has challenged Nigerian youths to explore and utilise their creative ability to develop the society.

Fayemi gave the challenge while delivering the 2016 convocation lecture at the University of Lagos.

He said that one of the failings of the society was its inability to give young people enough room to explore their creative abilities.

The theme of the lecture is: “Building a Successor-Generation: Reflections on Values and Knowledge in Nation Building.’’

According to him, there is need for young people to be given chance for self expression and make mistakes to avoid repeating same later in life.

He further said that young people did not optimally take advantage of opportunities where they existed.

The minister said that a university, being a “macrocosm and microcosms’’ of the larger society ought to be the ground for students to explore and make mistakes in a protected environment.

‘’Macrocosm and microcosm refers to a vision of cosmos where the part (microcosm) reflects the whole (macrocosm) and vice versa.

“The earlier we realise that no one owes us anything, the better for us and the more prepared we will be to face challenges of life.

“Do not think you are entitled to a job just because of your parents’ influence or what they have.

“Do not think things will be all rosy because you graduated from UNILAG with good grades.

“Be prepared for surprises and disappointments, because life is bound to hand you a couple of them.

“The only guarantee you have in this life is what you do for your selves with the grace God has bestowed on us all,’’ he said.

The minister said that some closest friendship he kept to date were those he made from his UNILAG days as a student.

He said his friends in the university were the people he trusted to surmount challenges and got things done.

Fayemi urged youths to be prepared to bend backwards and do those things they might consider to be beneath them.

“What you need to know, however, is that as a UNILAG graduate and a postgraduate student in the United Kingdom, I have driven taxis and worked as a security guard amongst other several menial jobs to survive.’’

Earlier in a remark, a retired Maj.-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, said there was the need for leaders of today to give the younger generation opportunity to lead and serve the country.

Nwachukwu, who is also a former Senator, however, said that for such opportunity to be effective, the younger generation, too, must be prepared to be mentored.

NAN reports that the lecture was part of activities lined up for the institution’s 2016 convocation.

The convocation proper begins on Jan. 24, with the award of degrees, certificates and prizes to students found ‘’worthy in character and learning.’’ (NAN)
CCN/AIB/DUA
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Dada Ahmed

NAN-S-27
AFCON
Lagos, Jan. 23, 2017 (NAN) Algeria on Monday crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations at the group stage after failing to win a single game in Gabon.

Th Fennecs of Algeria were held to a 2-2 draw by Group B winners, Terranga Lions of Senegal in a match they had to win to have any chance of avoiding an embarrassing early exit.

Islam Slimani scored both their goals, a two-yard volley and a scuffed effort that wrong-footed Algeria’s goalkeeper.

But Senegal twice equalised, with Papakouly Diop and then Moussa Sow both firing in efforts from the edge of the area.

Algeria went into the tournament as one of the favourites for the trophy but left with their reputation damaged by three under par performances.

After being held to a shock draw by Zimbabwe in their opener and then beaten by neighbours Tunisia, who booked their quarter-finals with a 4-2 win over Zimbabwe on Monday also, Algeria have had a tournament not to forget.

Their misery was compounded at the last group game by the fact they were held by Senegal’s second-string side, which featured 10 changes from their last game.

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse had taken the opportunity to rest his first-choice players given the Teranga Lions had already won the group ahead of their final fixture.

And Cisse will be pleased by the resilience of his reserves who fought back to hold their own against a full-strength Algeria and ensure Senegal ended the group stage unbeaten.

Algeria might have signed off with a win but Slimani missed a chance to grab his hat-trick and a modicum of consolation when he shot wide.

Senegal will play Cameroon in the quarter-finals on Saturday. (NAN)
ENN/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-S-10
Paralympian
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Jan. 23, 2017 (NAN) Paul Kehinde, a gold medalist at Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil, on Monday called on corporate organisations to consider the use of paralympians in advertisements.

Team Nigeria won 12 medals at the Rio Paralympic Games against their able bodied counterparts who won only a bronze medal in the football event.

Kehinde, who competed in the 56kg men’s class made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the National Stadium, Lagos.

He explained that the use of paralympians in advertisements would help to improve advert recall, build brand equity and project positive images for the brands and companies.

According to him, using Paralympians for adverts will resonate well with a wider audience, and make the ads stand out from the surrounding clutter.

“We have local and foreign companies in Nigeria and they do promotions and campaign across the media, so we will be glad to tap into such opportunities.

“Our participation and achievement in the Paralympics gave us fame because, a whole lot of people saw us receive medal as champions and famous athletes,’’ he said.

The Paralympian, who broke the African record in 56kg at the 2015 All Africa Games in Brazzaville Congo, said the opportunity would also provide additional source of income for the athletes.

NAN reports that Kehinde has broken the men’s 65kg world record and clinched gold medals for Nigeria in Powerlifting event at the 2015 Africa Games and 2016 Paralympics Games. (NAN)
MIL/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)