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  • 4 docked for allegedly stealing pumping machines, cables, others

    Stealing
    By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
    Ibadan, June 11, 2024 (NAN) A 63-year-old man, Moses Sodeinde, and three others were on Tuesday arraigned before an Ona-Ara Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, over alleged stealing of pumping machines, cables and others items.
    The defendants, whose addresses were not provided, were charged with conspiracy, burglary and stealing, to which they, however, pleaded not guilty.
    The Prosecutor, Insp Folarunmi Adeshina, told the court that the defendants committed the offences between July and October 2023 at Oilfem Plantation Ltd. and Oyo State Small Scale Industries premises at Iyaganku area of Ibadan.
    Adeshina said that the defendants broke into the offices at the aforementioned area and stole valuables worth N3,458,800.
    He listed the valuables to include: pumping machines, installation pipes, wedding set equipment, hydraulic cutting machines, compressors, cables and others.
    According to him, the offences contravene Sections 516, 413 and 399(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
    The Magistrate, Mr Ayorinde Ayo-Alagbe, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
    Ayorinde, thereafter, adjourned the case till Sept. 10 for hearing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    CC/FAT/WAS
    Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi and ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Hoteliers laud FG’s ban on lodging of underage girls

    Eze Patrick Anyanwu, National President, Nigeria Hoteliers Association and Chief Jamiu Talabi, President of Lagos Hoteliers Association

     

     

    Hoteliers laud FG’s ban on lodging of underage girls

    Ban
    By Taiye Olayemi
    Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Nigerian Hoteliers Association (NHA) on Tuesday lauded the Federal Government’s ban on lodging of underage girls in hotels across the country.
    The association described this as  a step in the right direction.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, on June 8 in Abuja announced the federal government’s plan to ban lodging of underage girls in hotels across the country.
    The minister said the ban will  take effect from June 20.
    Kennedy-Ohanenye cautioned hoteliers nationwide against accommodating underage girls in their facilities, as defaulters will face sanctions.

    She mandated them to put up a ‘No Lodging of Underage Girls’ signage outside their facilities.

    Eze Patrick Anyanwu, National President of NHA, while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview said “encouraging underage girls access into hotels is a way of promoting prostitution and must be discouraged”.
    Anyanwu said that hoteliers would cooperate with the federal government to implement the ban and ensure full adherance.
    “Accommodating underage girls in hotels is not good, we are in support of federal government’s decision and I will also seize this opportunity to tell fellow hotel operators to begin to reject lodging of underage girls even before the implementation begins.
    “Lodging underage girls will continue to promote prostitution, these are girls who are supposed to be in school or be positively engaged somewhere.
    “We will make sure we assist government in implementing this, to have a sane society and raise responsible girls,” he said.
    Anyanwu noted that there were also other important issues government needed to wade into as it relates with hoteliers’ operations.
    “I urge the federal government to encourage hoteliers by way of giving out grants, tax exemptions and waiver as the case may be.
    “Hoteliers are only straggling to remain in business considering the current economic hardship, hike in fuel and diesel prices as well as electricity tarrif.
    “We are only struggling to stay in business, we do ridiculous things to remain in business.
    “We want government to look in our direction and take positive steps to help us just the way the ban of lodging of underage girls will be done.
    “We have not enjoyed government support at all, we are the ones who accomodate their guests, we create employment and contribute maximally to boosting the nation’s Gross Domestic Product,” he said.
    Also,  Chief Jamiu Talabi, President, Lagos Hoteliers Association (LHA), commended the government’s decision.
    Talabi said that LHA at various organised forums usually emphasises to its members to stop lodging underage persons.
    “Any hotelier in his or her right senses should know this is wrong, we have been reiterating this in our conferences, seminars. So, it is something we have always paid cognisance to.
    “It is also against the ethics of our profession,” he said.
    Talabi called on the Lagos State Government to expedite action in streamlining the multiple taxes given to hotel operators to pay.
    He also appealed to the state government to help in cushioning the effect of economic hardship on hoteliers, by giving grants.
    “Lagos state came up with series of money driven agencies who are also supposed to be carrying out corporate social responsibilities like LASEPA, LASTMA and the safety commission.
    “When they come for enforcement, they usually come with lorry loads of security men and this scares our customers. This is not normal in a civilised society.
    “The state is always after revenue collection, they should also be concerned about business survival.
    “Many of us are living from hand to mouth. We cannot even afford to pay N60,000 to our staff,  which is being proposed as minimum wage by government.
    “Government is not encouraging us, we are not lazy, we will be happy if we gain access to grants. Taxes should come with human face,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)
    PTB/FAA
    ========
    Edited by Folasade Adeniran

  • Man, 29, in court for allegedly dealing in cannabis, codeine

    Cannabis
    By Sandra Umeh
    Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday arraigned a 29-year-old man, Michael Ishola, before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged drug trafficking.

    The defendant is facing a two-count charge bordering on illegal dealing in 500g of cannabis and 0.9 litres of codeine.

    The NDLEA Prosecutor, Ms N.J. Erondu, said that the defendant committed the offences on May 7 at Mushin area of Lagos.

    Erondu said that Ishola was found in possession of 500g of cannabis and 0.9 litres of codeine, which was unlawful.

    She said the drugs, which were later recovered from him, had been classified as psychotropic substances, similar to cocaine and heroin.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene the provisions of Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no date has, however, been fixed for arraignment of the suspect. (NAN) (www.nanews.ng)
    UNS/CEO/WAS
    Edited by Chidi Opara and ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Scholz urges more air defence for Ukraine at Berlin conference

    Scholz urges more air defence for Ukraine at Berlin conference
    Defence
    Berlin, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for the further strengthening of Ukraine’s air defence against Russian attacks.
    Scholz made the call at the start of an international reconstruction conference for Ukraine which is being held in the German capital of Berlin..
    He called on allies to support a German initiative to bolster Ukraine’s air defences “with everything possible.”
    “Because the best reconstruction is the one that doesn’t have to happen in the first place,” Scholz said.
    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also attending.
    Scholz held out the prospect of far-reaching and long-term commitments for reconstruction in the country, which has been severely scarred by more than two years of costly all-out war and years of simmering conflict before that.
    Scholz said he would push for those kinds of commitments at an upcoming summit of the G7 group of wealthy democratic countries, which begins in Italy on Thursday.
    The chancellor pointed out that the World Bank estimates that 500 billion dollars in reconstruction aid will be needed over the next decade.
    He also called on private companies to participate in investments: “Given the scale we are talking about here, private capital must be added.”
    Hundreds of German companies continue to do active business in Ukraine, with automotive firms alone employing about 35,000 people in Ukraine, Scholz emphasised.
    Inspite of the war, there was no reduction in German investment in Ukraine, Scholz said, and the volume of trade had increased significantly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
    “All of this shows me that the business sector understands the potential Ukraine has,” Scholz said. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/YEE
    ========
    (Edited by Ummul Idris/Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Mechanic jailed 8 months for stealing customer’s vehicle parts

    Jail
    By Patience Yakubu
    Kaduna, June 11, 2024 (NAN) A Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday sentenced a 38-year-old mechanic, Samson Dogo, to eight months imprisonment for stealing his customer’s vehicle parts.

    The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, jailed Dogo, of Malali, Kaduna, without an option of fine.

    Emmanuel said that the sentence followed the convict’s guilty plea to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    He said that the punishment would have been more severe if he had not pleaded guilty and saved the court the pains of prolonged prosecution.

    The magistrate warned the convict against taking to crimes again and ordered him to restitute the sum of N503,000 to the complainant, Michal Edward.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Chidi Leo, said that the defendant committed the offences on June 4 at Malali, Kaduna.

    Leo said that the defendant collected the sum of N398,000 from the complainant and promised that he would buy a new engine for his Toyota Camry car and fix it, a representation he knew to be false.

    The prosecutor said that the defendant did not buy the engine or fix it but converted the money to his personal use and stole some parts of the car.

    “The defendant also stole two of the car tyres, valued at N83,000 and the front bumper, valued at N22,000.

    “All efforts made by the complainant to get his money back failed,’’ Leo said.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    PMY/FAT/WAS
    Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi and ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Guard docked for allegedly stealing employer’s gold jewelry worth N1.9m

    Guard docked for allegedly stealing employer’s  gold jewelry worth N1.9m

     

    Theft
    By Patience Yakubu

    Kaduna, June 11, 2024(NAN) A 30-year-old security guard, Mustapha Ahmed, was on Tuesday docked in a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing his employer’s gold jewelly worth N1.9 million.

    Ahmed, who resides in  Kawo area of Kaduna is charged with three counts of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and theft..

    The Prosecution Counsel, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant and two others at large, on June 4 committed the offence at the Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna.

    According to Leo, the defendant and his accomplices also N450, 000 cash from his employer .

    “Other items stolen are: a Iphone valued at N430,000 and one HP Laptop worth N200,000, laptop adaptor and one webcam worth N17, 500.

    The prosecutor further stated that the defendant was caught on CCTV committing the crime.

    He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, admitted Ahmed to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Emmanuel ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and should reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

    He further ordered the sureties to provide evidence of tax payment to Kaduna State Government.

    He adjourned the case until July 18, for hearing. (NAN)
    PMY/FAT/SH
    ===========
    Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Sadiya Hamza
    07068270700

  • Women who value equality with men may qualify as refugees

    Women who value equality with men may qualify as refugees

    Equality

    Brussels, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Female asylum seekers who believe in equality between the sexes may qualify as refugees if that becomes a “motive for persecution” in their home country, the European Union’s top court ruled on Tuesday.

    Nevertheless, the case concerned two teenage Iraqi girls whose initial applications for asylum in the Netherlands were rejected.

    They then applied again, arguing that they had adopted Western customs during their long stay in the country.

    Their applications were rejected again, so they went to court.

    The EU Court of Justice ruled Tuesday that women and girls who “identify with the fundamental value of equality between women and men’’.

    This may qualify them for refugee status if the conditions in their home country make that a motive for persecution.

    The court also said a long stay in a member state, especially when it coincided with a period during which an applicant minor has forged his or her identity.

    This has to be mindful when determining whether they’re at risk of persecution for adopting Western values.

    The judges added that where an asylum-seeker is a minor, EU countries have to “determine concretely the best interests for that minor as part of an individual assessment.’’

    As the Court of Justice is the EU’s highest court, the judgment is final and cannot be appealed. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/YEE
    =======

    (Edited by Cecilia Odey/Emmanuel Yashim)

  • Police arraign 4 for allegedly stealing motorcycle

    Stealing
    By Raji Rasak
    Badagry (Lagos State), June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Police in Lagos on Tuesday arraigned four men before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a Haojue lady’s motorcycle.

    The defendants, Sodiq Sunday, 29; Azeez Monsuru, 19; Dada Musa, 43 and Bankole Agosu, 45, whose addresses are unknown, are standing trial on a two-count charge of felony and stealing.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Prosecutor, ASP Edet Ekpe, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on June 1, at about 5.30.a.m., at Aradagun area of Lagos.

    Ekpe said that the defendants conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit: stealing.

    The prosecutor said that they stole one Haojue lady’s motorcycle, valued at N1.5 million, belonging to one Nasiru Usman, the complainant.

    The offences, he said, contravened Sections 411 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr N.A. Layeni, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

    He said that one of the sureties must be gainfully employed while the other must be a civil servant.

    Layeni adjourned the case till July 17 for mention. (NAN) (www.nanews.ng)
    ROR/CEO/WAS
    Edited by Chidi Opara and ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Woman dies in Anambra accident

    Woman dies in Anambra accident
    Accident
    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
    Awka, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra said an accident involving two vehicles at Ukpo junction, along Nteje-Awka Expressway, claimed the life of a female adult on Monday night.
    The Sector Commander of the corps, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, said in Awka on Tuesday that wrongful overtaking was the likely cause of the crash.
    He said that there was a collision involving a commercial Toyota bus with registration number NZN116LK and a private Toyota Diana, with registration number ACA529XA.
    “Three male adults and three female adults were involved in the crash. Five of them were  Injured while one female adult was killed.
    “The injured victims were rushed to Boromi Mission Hospital, Onitsha by FRSC rescue team and one female adult was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
    “Her corpse was deposited at the morgue,” he said.
    The sector commander said that the vehicles had been towed to the  Command headquarters.
    While condoling with the family of the dead, he  urged motorists to avoid reckless driving, especially at night.
    “Watch and ensure the road is clear before overtaking. Drive to save lives on our roads,” he said.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
    LCO/SOA
    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

  • Israeli forces kill 4 Hamas militants in West Bank

    Israeli forces kill 4 Hamas militants in West Bank

    Militants

    Ramallah/Tel Aviv, June 11, 2024 (dpa/NAN) Four members of the armed wing of the Islamist Palestinian organisation Hamas have been killed in an Israeli military operation in the West Bank.

    The army said on Tuesday that Israeli security forces had entered a town near Ramallah on Monday evening, to arrest a suspect following an attempted attack.

    When the troops approached the building in which the suspect and three other Hamas members were hiding, they tried to flee in a vehicle.

    They then tried to drive towards the soldiers, according to the Israeli account.

    The soldiers then opened fire on them.

    A rifle and explosive devices were found in the vehicle.

    Hamas media reported that the four people killed were members of al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing.

    The situation in the occupied West Bank has worsened significantly since the war between Israel and the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip began on Oct. 7.

    According to the local Health Ministry, 516 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed in Israeli attacks.

    This included clashes on their own attacks since then.(dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    COO/AMM
    =========

    Edited by Cecilia Odey and Abiemwense Moru