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NLC directs state councils to commence strike mobilisation

By Bukola Adewumi

Abuja, Sept 26, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its 36 state councils to commence mobilisation of workers in readiness for its nationwide strike, schedule to commence on Sept. 27.

The General-Secretary of the NLC, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, gave the directive in a bulletin on the planned strike, issued in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NLC resorted to the strike option, due to what it described as the apparent lack of faith by the Federal Government to negotiate a long overdue minimum wage with workers.

“Effective from midnight of Wednesday, 26th September, 2018 all industrial unions and all state councils are hereby directed to commence mobilisation immediately,’’ Ozo-Eson stated.

He noted that the decision to embark on strike, followed the resolve reached by the central working committee of orgnaised labour on the issue on Sept. 12.

The NLC had repeatedly, cautioned the Federal Government against foot-dragging on the wage issue and to allow the tripartite committee set up by government to conclude its assignment on the matter.

It will be recalled that the NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, had said that the committee was not pleased with comments attributed to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige on the wage issue.

Ngige was reported as directing the committee to adjourn indefinitely, to give room for further consultations with government on the matter, a directive regarded by labour as showing disregard to the plight of workers.

The government had previously assured workers that it would announce a new minimum wage this month, to show its commitment to addressing the plight of workers over poor pay.

Public sector workers in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation have been contending with slave-wage salaries over the years.

But political office holders, including members of the bicameral parliament have been collecting some of the biggest wages in the world, according to analysts. (NAN)

BOL/SN

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Edited by Silas Nwoha

Appeal

By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) A Federal High Court, Lagos on Wednesday adjourned until Dec. 4, a 69 million dollars suit filed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, against Chevron Petroleum Nigeria Ltd, seeking to recover oil revenue.

The Federal Government filed the suit against Chevron Nigeria Ltd, and Chevron Petroleum Nigeria Ltd, as first and second defendants, respectively.

The case, which was adjourned for a report of proceedings at the Court of Appeal, could not proceed on Wednesday as the appellate court failed to sit.

The case was therefore, further adjourned until Dec. 4 for a report of proceedings at the appellate court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suit is one among other suits by the Federal Government seeking to recover almost 12 billion dollars in missing crude oil revenue from some international oil companies.

At the last adjourned date of March 1, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun had dismissed a preliminary objection by the second defendant (Chevron Petroleum Nigeria Ltd) challenging the jurisdiction of the court on grounds of service of court processes.

The court had awarded a cost of N100,000 against the second defendant.

In its objection, the defendant had urged the court to set aside a purported service of an amended writ of summons and amended statement of claim on the second defendant for being incompetent.

Defence counsel had argued that the second defendant was not served with the amended processes in accordance with the provisions of the law, and had urged the court to so hold.

In its ruling, the court had dismissed the objection and held that service of originating processes was fundamental to the jurisdiction of the court, adding that such service must be personal, except where personal service was not possible.

The court further held that where a party undertakes to accept service, he cannot deny same, adding that from records it could be recalled that the processes were served.

Consequently, the court had dismissed the objection and expressed displeasure that since 2016 when the case was brought to court, there had been so many applications which had stalled progress in the suit.

Dissatisfied with the ruling of the court, the defendant had filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal challenging the said ruling.

At the last adjourned date, defence counsel had informed the court that there was already an appeal pending before the appellate court, adding that there was also a motion for stay of proceedings in the suit pending the determination of the appeal.

The court had consequently adjourned the case for a report of proceedings at the court of appeal.

The suit was filed through the Federal Government’s Counsel, Prof Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) in 2016, against some International Oil Companies (IOCs) to recover lost revenues arising from undeclared and under-declared crude oil shipments from Nigeria to different parts of the world.

The  government had also sued Total E&P Nig. Plc, alleging that the oil company under-declared the volume of crude oil it shipped out of the country between January 2011 and December 2014.

The case against Total is also adjourned until Dec. 4.

The Federal Government accused the oil company of short-changing it to the tune of 245 million dollars, by allegedly shipping several barrels of crude oil out of Nigeria without making due remittance to the government.

Similarly, the Federal Government filed also suits against Agip Oil Company Ltd, Shell Western Supply & Trading Ltd among others. (NAN)
UNS/KTO/PDE
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(Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Peter Ejiofor)

Organisation trains 1,000 prison officials on human rights
By Awayi Kuje
Rights
Keffi (Nasarawa State), Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) An Abuja-based Prisons and Human Rights Group, Uchefem Consult, says that the organisation has trained not less than 1,000 prison officials on human rights protection in the last two years.
The Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Mr Uche Owete, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ongoing five-day training organised for 30 police, prisons and judicial officers on the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJA) on Wednesday in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Owete explained that the training was organised to effect serious and durable changes in the sector for the overall benefit of prison and justice systems.
He also said that the training was to bring together the police investigation and prosecution segment, the lower courts, particularly Magistrates, where the bulk of criminal cases are tried and the prisons where persons are held for a long time without trial.
“We developed the Human Rights training manual and Guide in 2015 for officials of Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS).
“We started the training in 2016 on human rights based on the manuals conducted for officials of NPS in all training institutions in Lagos, Enugu, Owerri, and Lagos and also the Prison Academy in Ijebu-Igbo.
“In 2017, same training was conducted at Zonal commands of NPS comprising of group of states such as Oyo, Rivers and Kaduna, among others.
“So far, almost 1,000 officials of NPS have benefited directly or indirectly from our training on human rights protection.
“Now in 2018, a combined training on the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJA) and Human Rights for 30 police, prisons and judiciary in order to avoid human rights violation,’’ he said.
Owete added that the training is expected to increase the cross-sectorial coordination, competences and capacities of major criminal justice actors to effect serious and durable changes in the sector for the overall benefit of the Nigerian Prison Service and the justice system.
“Assured of shared responsibilities by these actors with a view of changing justice landscape and reduce human rights violations.
“Ensure police observance of human rights standards during interrogation, detention and trial would be reduced drastically and high light the major innovations in criminal administration in Nigeria, among others objectives,” Owete said.
He commended the Swiss Government through its embassy in Nigeria for its support and funding for the training.
NAN reports that the training was organised with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland and German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). (NAN)
AKW/FF/MST
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

2019: Onu’s aide, Obasi joins Ebonyi governorship race

Race
By Douglas Okoro
Abakaliki, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) Mr Ogbonnaya Obasi, the Personal Assistant (PA) to Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, has joined the governorship race in Ebonyi ahead of 2019 general elections.

Obasi formally declared his intention to run for the Office of Governor of Ebonyi on Wednesday in Abakaliki during a meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that Obasi’s boss, Onu was the first Executive Governor of Abia, from February 1992 to December 1993.

“Let me use this opportunity to inform you all that I am in the race for the coveted office of governor of Ebonyi state come 2019.

“I have nursed this aspiration for some time now but it has become more manifest as a result of fortuitous combination of very negative acts of bad governance, narrow-mindedness, lack of genuine fear of God, brazen impunity of present regime.

“Despotic tendencies; manifest insult to elders, particularly the genuine founding fathers of our dear state, neglect of the civil and public service and general maladministration of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in Ebonyi.

“Ebonyi needs a new style of leadership anchored on righteousness, discipline, genuine fear of God, development/people-oriented and respect for human dignity; this is what I am promising to do if elected governor of Ebony,” Obasi said.

The governorship aspirant, who wooed the SWC members ahead of the governorship primary said that he would deliver good governance.

He promised to foster peace, create job opportunities through industrial development anchored on innovative science and technology and to make agriculture more attractive if given the mandate.

Obasi, who briefed newsmen after the meeting with the APC SWC at the party’s secretariat, said his decision to run for the plum job was to bring progressive governance, expand the frontiers of governance.

He also listed youth empowerment, civil service reform, prompt payment of pensions and gratuities to retired workers, security and agriculture as critical areas of intervention if elected.

“We will rebuild our civil service, restore the local government administration and make it more functional and more service-driven to meet the yearnings of the people at the grassroots.

“We will rebuild ailing industries and our moribund factories through adequate funding and putting competent hands in order to create employment opportunities and revenue generation,” he added.

Obasi, who hails from the same Uburu community in Ohaozara Local Government Area with the incumbent governor, Chief Dave Umahi promised to serve for one tenure if elected governor in 2019 to complete the tenure of Ebonyi South Senatorial District.

He debunked alleged claims that he was being foisted on the party by the minister and other powerful politicians within the APC.

“Contrary to claims that I am being sponsored by Onu and powerful elders and leaders of our party, my decision to run for the governorship is personal.

“This is based on my conviction that I posses the requisite experience, capacity and capability to rescue our people from bad governance.

“Serving as PA to the first class and international personality of Dr Onu, the size and importance of the office of the national chairman of defunct All Nigerians People’s Party (ANPPP), coupled with serving as PA to the minister entails a great deal of experience.

“The raising of memos, the workshops and seminars involved foreign trips which took me to not less than 25 countries of the world, including America, Russia, China, Japan among others makes me see myself qualified for any political assignment.

“I served as the chairman of the 2015 Kebbi state APC governorship appeal panel and in addition to so many other positions I have held which have given me enough experience to lead the state.

“I am in the race as a full-fledged aspirant; everything I have done all my live is to learn obedience, loyalty and integrity and these are the virtues I will deploy to the service of my people,” he added. (NAN)
ODO /CHOM/GY
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Grace Yussuf

Court remands mechanic over alleged house break, theft

Mujidat Oyewole
Remand
Ilorin, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday ordered the remand of a 19- year- old mechanic, Jimoh Mustapha over alleged theft of properties belonging to one Saliu Mustapha.
The defendant, a resident of Babaloagboro Tegbesun, Ilorin is standing trial before Magistrate Jubril Bio on a two- count charge of house break and theft.
The prosecutor, Insp. Abdulkadir Bello had told the court that on Aug. 22, one Saliu Mustapha reported the matter at the llorin police station.
He said that when the complainant went to the Mosque for an early morning prayer, his house was burgled by an unknown person.
According to him Bello later discovered that some of his properties were stolen, among which were two Infinix Hot 5 cell phones, valued at N76, 000, and a Tecno T350, valued at N4, 300.
He said during police investigation, one of the stolen phones was tracked and recovered from the defendant.
The prosecutor said that in the cause of investigation it revealed that the defendant broke into the complainant apartment and stole his valuables, contrary to section 346, and 288 of the penal code.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence.
The magistrate ordered that he be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till Oct.3 for mention. (NAN)
MOB/HS/ABI
Edited by Halima Sheji/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Court discharges man charged with causing hurt, assault
Discharge
By Ugochi Ugochukwu

Abuja, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday discharged a 30-year-old man, Emmanuel Nwachinedu, charged with causing hurt and assault.
The judge, Alhaji Inuwa Maiwada, discharged the defendant following an application by the prosecutor, Mrs Ukagha Ijeoma, who told the court to strike out the case because the parties had settled.
“Having heard the prosecution’s application to strike out the suit as a result of settlement reached by both parties in the matter, the case is hereby struck out.
“The defendant is also discharged of all criminal charges,” he said.
Nwachinedu of Apo Resettlement, Zone C Abuja, was arraigned on a two-count charge of causing hurt and assault, offences he denied committing.

The prosecutor had told the court that Saidat Abimbo and one Jacob Maurice reported the matter at the Uatko Police Station on Sept. 6.

Ijeoma said on the same date at Berger round about, the complainants were driving behind the defendant and suddenly he stopped his car and claimed that Abimbo smashed his car.

Ijeoma said that the defendant came out from his car and started insulting Abimbo, while Maurice came out to check the car.

She said that the defendant went into his car, brought out a horsewhip and violently flogged Maurice for no reason.

The prosecutor said that Maurice sustained serious injury, while the offence contravened Section 246 of the
Penal Code. (NAN)
UGO/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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Nigeria to partner Austria on renewable energy… Envoy

Energy
By Habiba Broger
Zurich, Sept. 26, 2018(NAN) Nigeria is set to partner with Austria on renewable energy as part of efforts to deepen bilateral trade between the two nations.

Mr Vivian Okeke, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Austria stated this in an Interview with the Europe correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at a conference in Zurich.

Okeke said that Austria was very strong in renewable energy- and that such partnership would ensure a transfer of technology to Nigeria.

According to her the partnership is in line with government’s effort in diversifying from the oil sector which accounts for a large percentage of the nation’s GDP.

The envoy also listed trade in machineries, agricultural produce and seedlings as new areas of partnership.

While speaking on the cordial relations between the two countries, Okeke said that the proposed areas of partnership would further boost the current trade volume which stands at 300 million Euros.

NAN reports that the trade volume is in favour of Nigeria with the bulk of the money being from sales in oil and gas.

Nigeria and Austria established formal diplomatic ties in 1962, but their relationship dated back to 1909 when the then Austria-Hungary opened a consulate in Lagos.(NAN)
HAB/ABI
Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

NNL

By Emmanuel Afonne
Abuja, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN) Bimo FC of Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday cried out over its expulsion from the Nigeria National League (NNL), describing the action as a witch-hunt and gang up against it by the league managers.

The club’s Team Manager, Iyke Igbokwe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that Bimo’s expulsion might not be unconnected to the match-fixing petition he submitted to the EFCC and Police against NNL managers.

NAN reports that NNL expelled Bimo from the league after it failed to honour two games consecutively on Match Day 9 and 10 which they say contravenes section 14 paragraph 10 of the NNL rule book.

But Igbokwe said the expulsion of Bimo was a calculated attempt to shut the door against the club from proving its match-fixing allegation brought against the managers of league.

He vowed that the club could not be intimidated into dropping the allegations against the league body.

“The referees that officiate NNL matches are either FIFA graded or Grade 1, so, there is a kind of officiating that will be dished out in a terrible manner that any sane mind will know that something transpired around the corner.

“A case in point was a situation where one referee, A. Mohammed from Bauchi, officiated in our match against Zamfara United, and in our next home match against Jigawa, the same person returned as Asafa Mohammed to officiate our game.

“We wrote petitions upon petitions, but there was no reply and they continued to give those bad referees matches to officiate. I can tell you that these match-fixing emanated from NFF Referees Committee that appoints these referees.

“The NNL management on June 7, 2018 wrote a circular to the clubs that they are placing the league on hold for poor officiating, and if you monitor football well, you will see that our referees are well graded.

“They came back from Russia and the 39 national league clubs held a meeting on Aug. 15, 2018 in Abuja and resolved that a notice of 21 days should be given to the clubs by the NNL secretariat before the resumption of the league.

“To our surprise, on Sept. 7, 2018, the NNL wrote the clubs that they are starting the league on Sept. 12 and the clubs immediately replied back that it was not what they discussed,” Igbokwe said.

He explained that the essence of the notice was to enable clubs recall their players to camp and prepare well for the league and that this resumption would be after the issue of bad officiating/match-fixing in the league must have been sorted out.

Igbokwe expressed disappointment over a situation where a sponsor of the league was allowed to feature a club in the same league it claimed to be sponsoring, noting that fair play would never be achieved in such situations.

“The NNL is malfunctioning also because they have a sponsor of a league (Bet Naija) that has a team — “Remo Stars”, playing in the same league.

“This is why they started that league in a hurry because they are already match-fixing Remo Stars to win promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

“They know that if they wait for all these match-fixing allegations to be investigated, they will be wasting the time of Bet Naija and Remo Stars.

“So, that is why they are restarting the league in a hurry, and I think it is unethical because you will not get fair play when a sponsor of the league is also playing in the same league and NFF is there watching,” he added.

The Bimo FC team manager insisted that Bimo could not be expelled overnight after spending N12.5 million for a slot in the league and another N50 million to prosecute its matches up to Week 8 before the purported expulsion.

He said: “We didn’t play the two matches not because we didn’t have money since we played as far as Adamawa, Sokoto and Kano.

“So, it is not a question of money but a question of some people as usual using their `agbero’ method to remove a good omen that has come to Nigeria football.”

Meanwhile, the NNL Secretary, Lawrence Katken, had told NAN that Bimo FC was expelled for not honouring two consecutive matches in the league.

He also said that a notice of 21 days was sent to the clubs before the restart of the league as agreed by the congress.

“Bimo FC was expelled from the league for missing two consecutive matches in NNL. The rule says if you miss two consecutive matches you will be expelled from the league.

“Furthermore, a notice of more than 21 days was sent to clubs before league matches commenced; go and ask anybody,” Katken said. (NAN)
EMAF/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

New Minimum Wage: Governorship aspirant backs NLC’s warning strike

Aspirant
By Bukola Adewumi
Abuja, Sept. 26, 2018 (NAN)  The governorship aspirant of the Labour Party (LP) in Kwara, Mr Issa Aremu, has declared support for a new minimum wage and warning strike called by the Organised Labour.

Aremu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the delay in implementing the new minimum wage was deliberate by the Federal Government.

Aremu said it was not too late to avert industrial crisis, if the Federal Government could offer leadership and conclude the year-long negotiation before the expiration of the deadline given by labour union.

He said if the Federal Government failed to do the needful, the labour union would not hesitate to mobilise its members in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for strike.

Aremu added that the mass protest by the organised labour would enjoy the support of all stakeholders unless the Federal Government goes back to the negotiation table.

According to the governorship aspirant, economic recovery would always elude Nigerians until the country put an end to what he called “persistent crisis of compensation of the working class.”

He said that workers must be compensated through enhanced purchasing power, which was only possible through prompt and adequate payment of minimum and living wage for the employed workforce.

The Kwara State LP governorship aspirant said the key to sustainable development is improved labour productivity in both public and private sectors.

This, he said, could only be made possible through motivated and well paid workers at work and after work through adequate pensions.

NAN reports that the organised labour had issued 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government from Sept. 12 or embark on strike if their demands were not met.

The NLC had demanded that the Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage should conclude its work within the stipulated time frame.

The oganised labour had concluded arrangements to commence strike from Midnight Wednesday, Sept. 26, following Federal Government’s failure to honour its ultimatum on the new minimum wage. (NAN)
BOL/FF/AFA
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Felix Ajide