Blog

NAN-HE-3

Electricity

By Maureen Ojinaka-Nwanosike

Enugu, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has cautioned customers against tampering with their pre-paid meters.

Mrs Patience Ezeagu, EEDC’s Communication Manager, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Friday that the company had incurred huge losses due to pre-paid meter by-pass.

Ezeagu said the company would soon commence a house-to-house exercise to fish out customers who had by-passed their pre-paid and post-paid meters to avoid recharging them.

She called on the public to help in giving out information to EEDC about customers who tamper with their facilities.

According to her, a penalty of N50, 000 awaits anyone who disobeys the company by indulging in meter by-pass.

“I want to inform members of the public and our customers that there is a penalty for meter by-pass and tampering of EEDC equipment.

“A penalty of N50, 000 awaits anybody that tampers with our pre-paid and post-paid meters.

“It is in the best interest of the customers to re-charge instead of by-passing,’’ she said.

She said the trend had become worrisome to the company and any consumer found guilty of by-passing the meter would be sanctioned.

The manager also warned the public to desist from reconnecting their electricity whenever it was disconnected by the EEDC, rather paying the connection fee.

She said that whoever failed to pay would be arrested by law enforcement agencies. (NAN)

OJI/FF/SOA

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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Oluwole Sogunle

NAN-H-23
Ladoja
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday refused to issue a warrant for the arrest of a former governor of Oyo State, Sen.Rasheed Ladoja, following his presence in court.

At the last adjourned date on Nov. 21, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had urged the court to issue a bench warrant against Ladoja for failing to appear in court, to answer to a N4.7 billion money laundering charges preferred against him.

Ladoja’s counsel, Mr Bolaji Onilenla in his reactions to the application for a warrant of arrest, had told the court that he was not aware that the business of the day was for arraignment.

He had argued that this was so because there was a pending appeal before the Supreme Court.

Onilenla informed the court that after the decision of the Court of Appeal, Ladoja had changed his counsel, and then, filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.

He said that neither the accused nor their counsel was served with any court summons to appear in court.
Onilenla had also challenged the prosecutorial powers of the prosecutor on the grounds that the fiat to prosecute was exclusively given to Fetus Keyamo.

He said that such a fiat could not be transferred to any other person in his chambers.

The counsel also disclosed that the Supreme Court had earlier dismissed Ladoja’s appeal pursuant to Order 6; Rule 3 of the Procedure Rules, but that the application had been filed to restore the appeal.

He added that to continue with the trial would amount to showing disrespect to the apex court and it would be an infringement on the rights of the accused.

The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, delivering his ruling on the issue on Friday, held that he would not make any orders as to arrest since the accused was present in court.

The judge also turned down the request of defence counsel for a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of an appeal challenging the prosecutorial powers of the commission under the Money Laundering Act.

According to the judge, the request was against the provisions of Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 which allows speedy hearing of criminal cases.

Similarly, Justice Idris also dismissed the objection of defence counsel, challenging the appearance of the prosecution’s counsel, Olabisi Oluwayemi (from Festus Keyamo’s chambers).

The court, thereafter, fixed Dec. 14 for arraignment.

The EFCC had in November 2008 arraigned Ladoja along with his former aide, Chief Waheed Akanbi, before Justice Ramat Mohammed, who was then serving at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the two men conspired to convert properties and resources derived from an alleged illegal act, with the intention of concealing their illicit origin.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that Ladoja used N42 million out of the proceeds to purchase an Armoured Land Cruiser Jeep, and remitted about 600,000 pounds to one Bimpe Ladoja in London.

Ladoja and Akanbi had both pleaded not guilty to the charges at the trial court, and had urged the court to quash them.

The lower court had refused the prayer to quash the charges.

Dissatisfied, Ladoja had appealed against the decision of the Federal High Court.

But, the Appellate Court in its judgment delivered by Justice Sidi Bage had disallowed the appeal and ordered the former governor to continue his trial at the lower court.

Bage in his lead judgment, which was unanimously adopted by two other justices, had held that the EFCC had statutory powers to prosecute under Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2004. (NAN)
UNS/PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada

NGO hails Senate on Peace Corps bill
NAN-H-7
Bill
By Ajibola Olaniyi
Osogbo, Nov. 25, 2016(NAN) Advocacy for Advancement of Peace and Harmony in Africa Initiative, an NGO, on Friday hailed the Senate for passing the Peace Corps Bill into law.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Mr Ajibola Owolabi made the commendation in Osogbo, while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the development.

He said that the commitment of the upper chamber towards the passing of the bill was worthwhile and commendable, noting that the action would promote youth development.

Owolabi said current security challenges in Nigeria required an organisation of that nature to provide “subtle” support to  security agencies in tackling the menace.

According to him, aside its peace building obligation, the corps would provide employment to cushion current economic hardships.

“The Nigerian Senate has made it clear to everyone by its action on the passage of the Peace Corps bill that it recognises the youth as the most productive segment of the society.

“The present security challenge in Nigeria requires a complementary body like peace corps to add more humanitarian dimension to the fight against insurgency.

“Obviously, the men and women of the corps should be ready to serve the nation patriotically without fear or favour, and for the good of all, ” Owolabi said.

The peace advocate enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the bill without hesitation. (NAN)
DOO/FAT/MZA
Edited by Fatima Sule/Maharazu Ahmed
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Jos Metro Board earns N119m revenue in 2016
NAN-H-22
Revenue
Jos, Nov. 25 2016 (NAN) The Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) on Friday says it generated N119 million revenue from January this year to date.
Mathias Hata, JMDB General Manager, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that the amount was 54.5 per cent higher than its N77 million revenue target for 2016.
According to him, most of the earnings are receipts from building plans approval and other property belonging to the board in various parts of the state.
Hata acknowledged that the year was very challenging for the board, with so many of its projects unaccomplished due to lack of funds.
“It has been so bad that even some of our major road projects have been left with pot-holes and so many others totally abandoned.
“But all outstanding projects will be tackled in 2017, ‘’ he said.
He said that the board would embark on a lot of beautification, road construction and repairs, including maintenance works, around the state next year. (NAN)
OIZ/ECN/WOJ
(Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye / Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-34
Petition
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) Newly employed staff of the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, have petitioned the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu over the suspension of their appointments by the new NTI management.

The News Agency Nigeria (NAN) recalls that no fewer than 150 employed staff of the institute were suspended by the newly appointed Director-General of the institute, Prof. Dahuwa Garba-Azare.

A copy of the petition issued on Friday by the spokesman of NTI, Malam Tanimu Aliyu-Magaji, said the suspension had disorganised the staff.

It said: “The suspension of the 150 new staff was effected at the point of capture of their data at the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) at the office of Accountant General in Abuja.

“The suspension was allegedly on the orders of the new DG of the institute, Garba Azare,” it added.

The affected workers said they were employed by the institute, sequel to approval granted the institute for staff replacement exercise.

They said the approval had been granted by the minister of education as the final part of the process, through a letter dated March 9, with reference no. NTI/D/HME/315/127.

NAN reports that the petition was copied to the Presidency, the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Head of Civil Service,  the Chairmen of Federal Character Commission, National Human Right Commission, Public Complaints Commission and the  President of Nigeria Labour Congress.

They said the NTI had also secured approval for their appointments from the Federal Character Commission (FCC), through a series of correspondence between the two organisations.

According to the petitioners, representatives of the FCC were also present at their recruitment interview conducted on March 23 and 24, after which the commission issued certificates of compliance to the institute over the recruitment process.

They said it was upon receipt of the certificates that the institute issued them letters of offer of appointment, to which they had duly conveyed their acceptance.

The petitioners said: “Individual files were opened for each new staff and file number issued thereto, (both open and secured file) and staff number issued.

“Account details were collected and registration with various insurance companies duly perfected.

“Moreover, the new staff were requested to go to Treasury House (Office of the Accountant General, Abuja) for IPPIS exercise between Aug. 4 and 8, 2016. The exercise had already started with biometric capturing of some of us.

“To our utter dismay, the exercise was abruptly suspended on Aug. 5, 2016 for no reason and since then we were left to continue wallowing in financial turmoil and economic quagmire,” the petitioners added.

They expressed regret  that a significant number of them are married  who had already left their former places of employment.

In his reaction, the NTI Acting Registrar, Mahmoud Usman, who confirmed the suspension said the new director-general  ordered suspension of the exercise because it was not included in the handing over note by his predecessor.

“The new D-G came in and the exercise took place as you rightly said in April 2016, while he was appointed on the 1st of August and resumed duty.

“In the handing over given to him, there was nothing in respect of employment.

“FCC invited us for an interactive session with the new DG. We discussed thoroughly, and FCC itself wrote us back saying that they have withdrawn whatever waiver they had given.

“So I believe when he got wind of it, he consulted with the Honourable Minister and then the D-G gave a directive that the purported exercise of the enrolment of the IPPIS should stop”, he said.

Commenting on the petition, the registrar said he was not familiar about it, adding that the institute did not receive the letter of petition.

On his part, the former DG, who is an Associate Professor, Ladan Sharehu confirmed that he had contacted the new DG over the matter and he told him that the stoppage was not from him but he would try to find out.

On why the exercise was not included in his handing over note, Sharehu explained that the exercise had already been concluded and the candidates had been employed, hence there was no need to include it in the handing over note.

“You put in a handing over note something that is ongoing and not what had already been completed.

“FCC had certified, so, as far as I am concerned, we thought it is a concluded exercise, so there was no need to include it in our handing over note.

“If I had known it is a precondition, why not? I would have included it and everything we had done in the past in the handing over note.

“Even the FCC commended the exercise, because about 32-35 states were captured across the country. To the best of my ability, I can defend this exercise anywhere,” he added.

The affected staff, however, pleaded for amicable resolution of the issue, describing it as an “illegal disengagement”. (NAN)
KLM/OSA/YEE

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Emmanuel Yashim
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NAN-H-21
Suit
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday, struck out a suit by Mr Godwin Obla (SAN) seeking the enforcement of his rights against alleged unlawful detention.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had preferred a 30-count charge against Obla and a judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia.

The charges border on conspiracy to pervert the cause of justice.

The commission had detained the duo in its custody, pending the conclusion of its investigations.

Obla had through his counsel, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), brought an application, praying the court to declare as unlawful his continued detention in custody, as well as the seizure of his mobile phones.

Adedipe had argued that the action of the anti-graft agency constituted an infringement on his client’s rights to personal liberty and ownership of property.

He had, therefore, urged the court to issue an order declaring Obla’s continued detention in custody as being unlawful and a gross infringement on his rights.

In addition, Obla claimed the sum of N1 billion against the EFCC, as damages for the alleged infringement.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Mohammed Idris, held that fundamental right cannot in any way be construed as meaning an absolute right, since it can be curtailed.

“I cannot find my way clear in holding that the detention of the applicant is not in conformity with the provisions of the law.

“It is not in dispute that the mobile phones of the applicant were listed as one of the exhibits which the respondent intends to tender in the charge number LD/367/C/16

“There is doubt that the reliefs sought do not have direct bearing with the case at the Lagos High Court, and so, this court should not make an order that will strike at the heart of the charge.

“This is a case in which the court should not make any such orders, as this court and the Lagos State High Court are courts of concurrent jurisdiction.

“To make any order which will have effects on the pending charge will be to lend a helping hand in causing confusion in our courts.

“In the circumstance, I cannot find my way clear in granting any of the reliefs sought.

“On the whole, I find that this application cannot succeed, and it is hereby struck out,” he said.

Earlier, in his argument on the application, Adedipe had urged the court to hold that the continued detention of Obla, as well as the seizure of his mobile phones constituted an infringement on his rights.

He told the court that the applicant, who was also a one-time prosecutor for the EFCC, was invited to the commission on Nov. 8 and was unduly detained, till date.

According to him, the phones of the applicant were also seized, contrary to constitutional provisions to own property.

He submitted that the detention of Obla from Nov. 8 till when the EFCC obtained a magisterial order for further detention was a gross violation of his rights to personal liberty.

In response, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, had urged the court to dismiss the applicant’s processes for lack of merit.

Oyedepo had argued that the steps taken by the EFCC were allowed by law in the dispensation of its duties.

According to him, intelligence reports showed that the applicant had a company known as Obla & Co. Ltd, from which a sum of N5 million was transferred to Hon. Justice Ajumogobia via a company known as Nigel & Colive Ltd.

He said that also following intelligence reports, Ajumogobia was discovered to be sole signatory to Nigel & Colive Ltd.

The EFCC counsel also said that the said sum of money was transferred to the judge, during the pendency of a case before her court with suit numbered FHC/L/CS/482/10.

He argued that the mere transfer of the said sum to the judge during the pendency of a case before her clearly showed a mind set to unduly gratify her.

Oyedepo, therefore, urged the court to hold that there existed a reasonable cause for suspicion by the commission. (NAN)
UNS/AOS/PIO
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(Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Idonije Obakhedo)

NAN-H-35
Campaign
By Christian Ogbonna
Yenagoa, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has urged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Bayelsa to extend its campaign against overloading to the rural communities in the state.

Mr Abiodun Ibrahim, Union’s branch Chairman, Port Harcourt Line, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa on Friday that taking the campaign to the areas was necessary as it would help to reduce road traffic accidents.

Ibrahim condemned the way commuters carrying market women to rural markets were indulging in overloading.

“We are urging the FRSC to take the campaign to the commuters who are plying roads in the areas; take it to the market women and educate them that they should not allow their buses to be overloaded.

“Yes, the market women are the major factors to vehicles overloading because they always want their goods to be carried at once.

“It’s not that we do not normally see people overloading vehicles here in the city, but I must tell you that here in this major park, Ekeki, the percentage is below 25,” Ibrahim said.

Mr Wobin Gora, the Bayelsa FRSC Sector Commander said that overloading was one of the major traffic offences “ and as it was unlawful to disobey the rule.

Gora said that FRSC was committed to safer roads across the country, noting that the corps had been holding town hall meetings in the communities to enlighten them on safe driving.

“We have held series of stakeholders meetings to educate them on the need to obey the traffic rules and regulations.

“I am urging the people (commuters) to abide by the rules of safe driving because the corps will not allow any offenders to go unpunished,’’ he said. (NAN)
OOC/FAT/GY
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Edited by Fatima Sule/Grace Yussuf

NAN-H-20
Centre
By Justina David Auta
Abuja, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) A gynecologist, Dr Ado Zakari, on Friday advised pregnant women to desist from patronizing prayer houses for delivery to avoid complications.
Zakari, also the Director, Public Health, Kaduna State Ministry of Health and Human Services, gave this advice in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
The medical expert decried the increasing cases of pregnant women who patronised prayer houses and faith- based centres to assist them during deliveries.
He said this usually resulted into complications such as the Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF), excessive bleeding and death.
“ There is an increasing belief in our country that is taking over the minds of some pregnant women that it is better to deliver in prayer houses or some faith-based centres, where a pastor will pray for you and you deliver there.
“ This mindset has brought a lot of complication to pregnant women because these persons do not have any technical knowledge about delivery process and what to do when the labour is prolong or obstructed.
“ So most of the pregnant women eventually end up having complications such as fistula, bleeding and may even cause damage to some of their organs and even death, ’he said.
Zakari, therefore, stressed the need for pregnant women to register at government approved hospitals for ante-natal care to ensure safe delivery.
They should discountenance delivering at home or prayer houses with the assistance of unqualified persons, he said.
According to him, deliveries in most government hospitals or centres are usually free or a small token is charged for some drugs.
Meanwhile, Mrs Grace Timothy, a housewife told NAN that she was advised by some of her relatives and friends to patronise a prayer house to enable her conceive after 12 years of marriage without a child.
Timothy said that she was able to conceive a child, but was advised by the pastor at the prayer house not to visit any medical institution for her ante-natal or scan to show the condition of her child.
“ I almost lost my life when labour started and I was rushed to the prayer house for delivery and it got to a point that I was bleeding extensively, and had to be rushed to the hospital, but I lost the baby.’’
She expressed regrets for her action, advising other women to always seek medical assistance from trained persons to enable them have a safe and uncomplicated delivery.
“ It is good to pray, but there is also the need for one to seek medical help when the need arises from trained persons. Because God will also use those trained nurses and doctors to ensure a hitch-free delivery,’’ she said.
On her own part, a marriage counselor, Mrs Esther Bako, advised women to always seek assistance from medical centres to enable them have a safe delivery.
“ I don’t see any reason why a woman would risk her life by going to unqualified persons for delivery all in the name of prayers.
“ Women should go through the right channel like the hospitals, and consult medical teams God had given the wisdom, knowledge and skills to cater for our health.’’
Bako also recalled the story of a pregnant woman who went to a prayer house for delivery but had complications.
The pregnant woman was rejected at the hospital when she was taken there and died as a result of complication, Bako said.
She, therefore, appealed to the government to take action against hospitals that rejects emergency patients that were not duly registered in such hospitals.
She stressed the need for them to proffer medical attention to such victims first rather than rejecting them. (NAN)
JAD/HS/PAD
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Edited by Halima Sheji, Peter Dada

NAN-H-18

Projects
By Mohammed Nasir Bashir
Dutse, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Birninkudu Local Government Council in Jigawa has awarded N22 million Naira contracts for the drilling of  boreholes, purchase of hand pumps, electrical repairs and completion of the District Head’s Palace.

The Information Officer of the local government, Alhaji Mustapha Namadi, made this known in an interview with  the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Friday.

According to him, the council’s Caretaker-Committee Chairman, Malam Adamu Garba, disclosed this shortly after the council’s meeting in Birninkudu on Thursday.

He explained that the projects included the drilling of boreholes worth N6.6 million, purchase of hand pumps worth N2 million and the repair of the Bigidin-Dumus-Babaldu-Wirno electrical lines at N3.7 million.

The spokesman added that a balance of N2 million was also paid to a contractor for the completion of the District Head’s Palace at Iggi.

According to him, N2 million has been paid for continuation of work at the Kwangwara health facility earlier awarded at N18 million, adding that the contractor was given N5 million as mobilisation.

Namadi further said that the council paid N1.5 million as rent for NYSC members and other personnel of federal agencies’ working in the council. (NAN)
MNB/OSA/PIO
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Idonije Obakhedo

NAN-H-33
Corruption
Maiduguri, Nov. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Chairman, Senate ad hoc Committee on the Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East has pledged to unravel massive corruption allegedly perpetrated by public officers in the management of Boko Haram crisis.

Alhaji Shehu Sani made the pledge during a courtesy visit to Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno in Maiduguri on Friday.

Sani said that the committee was constituted following reports of alleged mismanagement of scarce resources by those in charge of managing the crisis.

“We are here as a result of a motion tabled on the Senate on Oct. 4, raising concern on the humanitarian crisis in the North-East.

“Our mandate is to investigate how millions of tax payers’ money pumped in through Federal Government Committees and agencies here failed to impact positively on the living conditions of Internally Displaced Persons.

“We have documents on the ways and manners federal funds disbursed for the upkeep of displaced persons have not been spent well.

“We are deeply concerned that the huge money government has been spending has not been producing positive results.”

Sani alleged that some public officers had been feeding fat on the resources meant for the welfare of the victims of the crisis.

“Our concern is that tax payers’ money meant to alleviate the suffering of widows, orphans and other vulnerable persons have ended up in private pockets.

“The Senate was embarrassed by reports coming from both local and foreign media, alleging mass stealing of funds.”

Sani commended the state government for striving hard to cater for Boko Haram victims, in spite of its limited resources.

“This committee has been tasked to investigate how and why things should happen that way.

“It is disgusting to us that a humanitarian crisis that should attract positive intervention and support to the victims has turned to an opportunity for some people to milk the country dry.”

Responding, Shettima thanked the committee for the visit and promised to facilitate the performance of its assignment. (NAN)
ABI/DUA/NKO

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Edited by Dada Ahmed/Nkechi Okoronkwo
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