Blog

NAN-H-17
Re-arraignment
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos was on Tuesday constrained to adjourn taking the plea of a 53-year-old farmer, Yesiru Onajobi, facing charges of incest.

Onajobi is being prosecuted by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP).

He is a resident of Bogije Street, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, and is standing trial on two counts of unlawful carnal knowledge of his teenage daughter.

When he was to be re-arraigned on Tuesday, the accused who understands Yoruba Language and Pidgin, informed the court that he had no legal representation and would want to defend himself.

The prosecutor, Mrs Halimat Balogun, did not oppose the request.

However, when count one was read to the accused, he retorted in Pidgin, “I no understand.”

Following this development, Justice Muslim Hassan ordered that a Yoruba interpreter be provided for the accused on the next adjourned date to enable the court to take his plea.

Hassan consequently fixed re-arraignment of the accused for Dec.19.

Hassan took over the case following the transfer of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke before whom the farmer was arraigned on July 8, 2013

The farmer had pleaded not guilty before Aneke, who ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Prisons, pending his bail application.

The case was initially assigned to Justice Barbara Molokwu who was later transferred from the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.
In the charge, the accused was accused of committing the offences in 2010.

The prosecution had told the court that after the death of his wife, the accused sexually assaulted his only daughter many times.

NAPTIP said that the accused intimidated and repeatedly had forceful carnal knowledge of his daughter, who eventually became pregnant for him.

The agency said that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 13 (1) and 18 (a) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement Act, 2003. ‎(NAN)
UNS/ENN/IGO
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Ijeoma Popoola)

ABU appeals Court’s order to pay N2.6 bn to 110 illegally disengaged staff

NAN-H-7
Appeal
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, said on Tuesday it had appealed against an order of the National Industrial Court to reinstate 110 disengaged staff and pay them over N2.6 billion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the court gave the order in a judgement delivered on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016 in Abuja.

The institution’s Director, Public Affairs, Dr Nasiru Bello, said that the industrial court’s judgment was full of errors and that the university had filed an appeal challenging the order.

“It is surprising that the court had ruled to accept the case which had been concluded with a sound judgment against the claimants; this is absolutely an error in law.

“Until when the Court of Appeal passes judgment on our appeal, ABU would decide what to do.

“It is a legal matter, as such one cannot be certain on any action at the moment.

“We have all the evidences to prove that the action of the university was in the right direction and we shall not accept wrong judgment on whatever ground,” he told NAN in Zaria.

Also reacting to the judgement, the Chairman of the local branch of Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), Dr El-Mustafa Liman said: “ASUU is yet take any decision on the issue.

“Though the matter has affected some of our members, but it is left for the university management to respond to the court order. We are still studying the case.”

Similarly, the branch Secretary, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Malam Salihu Musa said: “It is a legal issue, and I think it is a right of every staff to pursue his right in accordance with the law.

“Equally, the employer has right to make case on any matter it deems necessary.

“So, appeal on the case is not an offence, but amicable resolution is the best thing in any labour conflict.

“As far as SSANNU is concerned, we are supporting our members who went to court to seek for justice.”

One of the disengaged staff, Malam Ibrahim Usman urged the university to sympathise with their condition.

“We have lost almost everything to get justice. The management would loose nothing by re-instating and paying us our entitlements,” he said.

He described the decision of the university to appeal the judgment as a delay tactic aimed at frustrating the efforts of the affected workers.

According to him, the affected workers will hold a peaceful rally in Zaria to express displeasure over the action of the university. (NAN)
KLM/EMO/MZA
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Edited by Ejike Obeta/Maharazu Ahmed

‪NAN-H-41
Strike
By Hilary Akalugwu
Nsukka (Enugu State) Nov 22, 2016 (NAN) Some students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) have appealed to the Federal Government to urgently look into grievances of striking lecturers to forestall incessant strikes in universities.

The students made the appeal in Nsukka on Tuesday while reacting to the ongoing warning strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The President of the Students Union Government (SUG) in the university, Mr Emmanuel Chukwu pleaded with President Muhammad Buhari to urgently address the grievances of the striking lecturers.

Chukwu said that this had become necessary in order to prevent disruption in the academic calendar of universities in the country.

Miss Amarachi Okafor of the Department of Psychology urged the Federal Government to dialogue with ASUU not to allow the strike snowballed into an indefinite one.

Okafor also pleaded with ASUU to consider the plight of students who would be spending extra years in the university, especially in this period of recession.

“The longer the strike lingers, the more the rate of crimes will increase and parents will be paying more for extra years spent in school,’’ she said.

Another student, Mr Emmanuel Ochi of Mass Communication Department pleaded with ASUU to consider the interest of students in order not to constitute a setback to their academics.

“I want the Federal Government and ASUU to resolve their misunderstanding amicably in the interest of students and tertiary education in this country.
“Students have suffered enough over incessant strikes and we do not want a repeat of what happened in the last administration by ASUU,’’ he said.

Academic activities have continued to be paralysed at the UNN over the warning strike by ASUU.

The chairman of UNN-ASUU chapter, Dr Ifeanyi Abada told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that academic activities grounded in the university in compliance of directive by the National Executive Committee of ASUU.

“NEC made efforts to resolve this issue with government but it remained unyielding because of its insensitivity to issues concerning education.

“Since government failed to do the needful, ASUU is left with no option than to proceed on a one week warning strike and failure to meet with our demands we will go on an indefinite strike,’’ he said.

Abada said that ASUU was not taking it lightly with government on issues raised, especially the demand that universities be exempted from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.

“The strike compliance in UNN is total, no lectures, no examinations no departmental and faculty meetings as members will not participate.

“UNN chapter will not renege on the directive of the national body till government addresses all the issues raised.

“Our monitoring team is moving round and any lecturer found teaching will be sanctioned accordingly,’’ he said. (NAN)
HOA/MNA/GY
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Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Grace Yussuf

NAN-HE-4
Export
By Simon Akoje
Lagos, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) Some business experts on Tuesday said that the resumption of Export Expansion Grant (EEG) by the Federal Government would make businesses boom as well as boost export.

The experts, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, noted that the reintroduction of grant would also enable exporters to cope with the current recession.

A confectionery, Mrs Precious Aremu, said that resuming the programmes would ensure that indigenous manufacturers produce commodities that would be of international standards.

Aremu, the Chief Executive Officer of Palinio Cookies, also said that bringing back the idea would enable businesses to expand and have good percentage of the market shares.

“The grant will boost businesses; our commodities have been on a high demand in Latin America but cannot cope with the needed financial requirement to expand.

“However, government should urgently help local manufacturers in this direction, as the grant will improve on their performances a lot,’’ he said.

An industrialist, Mr Muda Yusuf, said that resumption of the export expansion grant policy would serve as an incentive for domestic exporters.

Yusuf, the Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also said that the grant should be disbursed to citizens, who are qualified in order to avoid the mistakes of the past.

“This time around, they should be more transparent, so as to avoid any abuse of the process.

“If government can give N300 billion grant to exporters, the country’s  economy will move to the next level of development and gradually edge out of recession,’’ he said.

The government had said that it would resume the implementation of the EEG in 2017 with the settlement of outstanding claims to exporters.

According to the available figures obtained from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the grant is worth over N300 billion that are unclaimed.

The EEG is an initiative of the Federal Government, meant to encourage exporters of non-oil products, including agro-commodities.

The initiative is intended to cushion the effects of infrastructure deficiencies and reduce overall unit cost of production. (NAN)
STA/ENN/YEMI
(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN-H-39

Awareness

By Ajibola Olaniyi

Osogbo, Nov. 22, 2016(NAN) A rights activist, Mr Ibrahim Deokola, has suggested more awareness campaign on the usage and working of the smart Card Reader in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

Deokola made the suggestion on Tuesday in Osogbo, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said that there was the need for the voting populace to be properly educated about the working of the device to make the process less cumbersome.

“The major reason why some people were against the card reader, aside political interest, was because they are ignorant about its working and inherent usage.

“The election management body must increase the tempo of awareness campaign and do more to orientate the populace who are majorly non-lettered.

“We must all agree that every election is so important and sensitive at this point of our national history, everything must be done to get the confidence of the electorate about the process.’’

The activist, however, commended Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for improving the credibility of the electoral process through introduction of different technological innovations.

‘’I believe the commission has really lived above board in its quest to make the electoral process more credible and transparent, through different innovations.

“It is now incumbent on us as electorate to support them and repose our confidence in them,’’ he said.(NAN)

DOO/EAL/MO
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Morayo Omolade

NAN-AE-3
Routes
By Mamman Mohammed
Damaturu, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) Yobe Government on Tuesday said it had eliminated farmer/grazer conflicts through demarcation and beaconing of 1,344 kilometers of cattle routes in the state.

Dr Mustapha Gaidam, Programme Manager, Yobe Livestock Development Programme, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu.

Gaidam said the routes had been surveyed, demarcated and beaconed to provide free movement of the animals and avoid trespass into farmlands.

“Currently, livestock officers in conjunction with surveyors from the state ministry of Land and survey are working on additional 344 kilometers to ensure every part of the state is covered.”

Gaidam said the livestock officers had also collaborated with community leaders to undertake periodic monitoring of the routes.

“The team ensures that grazing reserves are left for grazing of animals while the livestock do not go into farms. This has been very successful.’’

The programme manager said the state government had also provided water along the routes and in grazing reserves, making it easy for the animals to access water without passing through farmland.

He said the provision of exotic grasses and free vaccination for the livestock made grazing activities peaceful and successful in the state.

Gaidam said Yobe Government had also introduced free veterinary services, adding that it had vaccinated more than 7 million herds of cattle, sheep, goats and dogs in the last eight years.

He said the animals were vaccinated against trans boundary animal diseases such as Contagious Bovine Pluro Pneumonia (CBPP), Black Quarter (BQ), Pest Petit Ruminants (PPR) and dogs against Anti-Rabies (AR). (NAN)
MM/ADA/IM
(Edited by Deji Abdulwahab/Ibrahim Mammaga)

Rivers Deputy governor urges police to investigate rape of 15-year-old minor

NAN-H-16
Rape
By Azubuike Okeh
Port Harcourt, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Rivers Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Banigo has urged the Police to ensure thorough investigation of a recent rape case of a 15-year-old minor.

Banigo made the call in Port Harcourt on Tuesday while reacting to reports that the police had released the suspects apprehended n connection with the rape.

It was gathered that the girl was gang-raped by a group of five boys at Abirima Community in Oyigbo Local Government Area.

Reports say she was forced into the marathon sex by the boys, who had allegedly forced her to ingest an overdose of an analgesic known as Tramadol.

Meanwhile the deputy governor enjoined the police to promptly re-arrest the suspects and commence thorough investigation on the matter.

“Rape is an inhuman act, it is sinful; it is capable of leading to several illnesses and even death of the victim.

“ A full scale investigation into the matter is expected, in order to bring the perpetrators of the inhuman act to justice,’’ she said.

Banigo said it was wrong for suspects connected to such a crime to be released by the police without investigation.

“Such action is counterproductive; it will encourage rapists to be on the rampage in the state. We all need to do things that will discourage crime,’’ she said.

The Rivers Chapter Chairman of the National Association of Women Journalists, Mrs Lillian Okonkwo described the rape as `atrocious and inhuman’.

She said the association would join other civil society groups to ensure that justice was done in the matter.

“We cannot all sit and watch. We need to come out to ensure that justice prevails, at least to act as a deterrent to others’’. (NAN)
AZU/GOM/TON
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Edited By Gregory Mmaduakolam/Tony Nezianya

Unpaid salaries: Industrial court to hear suit by former employee of Newswatch  Dec. 1

NAN-H-61
Suit
Lagos, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) The National Industrial Court in Lagos has fixed Dec. 1 to hear a suit by a former employee of Newswatch Times Ltd against the company  over unpaid salary.
The claimant, Mr Francis Iwuchukwu, has dragged Newswatch Times Ltd (former Newswatch Newspapers Ltd) before the court over unpaid seven months salaries.
Iwuchukwu’s suit, numbered NICN/LA/200/2016, is now slated for hearing on Dec. 1
The hearing date was fixed after the claimant counsel had regularised his processes before the court.
In his Statement of Fact, filed by his counsel, Mr Yemi Omodele, Iwuchukwu averred that he was employed by the defendant by way of a letter of appointment dated October 1, 2012.
He averred that Newswatch did not issue a letter of confirmation of his appointment after he qualified for same in spite of constant demand for it.
He said that he was only told at the registry of Newswatch that “you have been employed; carry on with your work”.
Iwuchukwu averred that upon noticing the indifference of the company to workers’ welfare, especially the non-payment of outstanding salaries, he tendered a letter of resignation on May 28, 2015.
He also averred:
“That in spite of his constant visits and demand for his outstanding salaries, the defendant refused and neglected to pay same.
“This refusal prompted the claimant counsel, Mr Yemi Omodele (Esq), to write a letter, dated Aug. 17, 2015, to the defendant demanding for the payment of all outstanding salaries of the claimant.
According to the plaintiff, the defendant claimed that it deducted some money and remitted it to Leadway Pensure Ltd, a claim, which the plaintiff averred as false.
The plaintiff averred that he visited the office of the Leadway Pensure Ltd and requested for a copy of his Retirement Savings Account statement, but was shocked to realise that the defendant did not pay a kobo to the said account.
Iwuchukwu averred that the defendant’s action was fraudulent and constituted clear intention to defraud the claimant, adding that he had suffered great loss due to nonpayment of seven months salaries due to him.
The claimant is consequently praying the National Industrial Court for a declaration that the he is entitled to be paid salaries for the months of October, November, December 2014, as well as January, February, March and April 2015.
He also sought a declaration that the non-payment of the salaries by Newswatch amounted to breach of trust and willful intention to defraud him.
Iwuchukwu consequently sought an order of court  directing the defendant, its servants, agents and/or privies to pay forthwith the sum of N700, 000.00 to him, being salaries for the months in arrears.
He further sought an order directing the defendant to pay 21 per cent interest on the sum until judgment is delivered and executed.
The defendants are yet to enter a defence. (NAN)
UNS/TA

Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi
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NAN-S-7
Basketball
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) Some participants at the just-concluded Lagos State Basketball Association (LSBBA) Training the Coaches Programme on Tuesday said the exercise was a success.

The LSBBA in conjunction with the Lagos State Sports Commission organised the training to update the state’s coaches on the current trends and rules of developing basketball and handling elite duties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 33 participants attended the programme which began on Nov. 15 and ended on Nov. 18 at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Yaba.

The course was conducted by Ayo Bakare, a versatile former coach of the senior national men’s team D’Tigers, who took the participants on the rudiments of the game.

Other resource persons include Seyi Oyebode, a sports consultant and Peter Nelson, Deputy Director, Elite Athletes Development, the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports.

The successful participants were awarded certificates of recognition and certified them to work in the LSBBA.

Lai Alimi, who took part in the programme, told NAN that it was a loaded clinic that gave him the opportunity to see things that were ignored in the past.

“I have learnt so much over the past few days and sincerely, it is a successful clinic that will go a long way to structure how I handle things, especially training the beginners.

“It made me understand the reasons I must take bio-data seriously; also the health status of any player, especially the youth at the grassroots.

“We also learnt the psychology of working with young players, especially when setting up a clinic,’’ Alimi said.
Solo Alooma said that it helped upcoming coaches to understand leadership.

He said the programme also cuts across all sports and with his background he had a broader understanding of handling youths at grassroots.

“I really gained a lot and it was essential to grab information from people who are experienced in basketball.

“The fact that we can be called upon to train youths at the tertiary institutions and in the secondary schools makes the task even more interesting working under Lagos State.

“The programme also has structure where we get and share information under social platforms, so, in one way, we feel very connected to the LSBBA in the exchange of ideas,’’ Alooma said.

Abiodun Shofoluwe on his part described the opportunity as a privileged to learn more techniques from reliable sources.

“For me, it is like returning to the four walls of a classroom where we have learned and perfected new ways of doing things.

“It has redefined my understanding, and definitely, it will make me a better coach,’’ Shofoluwe said. (NAN)
BAO/PDE
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(Edited by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-DS-5
Committee
By Sunday John
Lafia, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Nasarawa State Chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBA) has setup a Peace and Security Committee comprising more than 2,000 people in the state.

Alhaji Mohammed Hussaini, the Chairman of the association, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lafia.

According to Hussaini, the committee has more than 150 members from each of the Local Government Areas of the state, and also has members in the 18 Development Areas of the state.

He said that the committee was to checkmate bad elements among the herdsmen and reports their activities to the leaders of the Fulani’s in the state for onward report to the law enforcement agencies.

“The terms of reference of the committee include combating cattle rustling, armed robbery, kidnapping, cases of rape by bad elements among the herdsmen.

“The committee is also mandated to ensure amicable resolution of disagreements between our people and farmers in respective communities in a way it would not lead to crisis.

“Since this committee was set more than two months ago, we have been able to achieve zero reports of cattle rustling, armed robbery and rape involving herdsmen in the state,” he explained.

The chairman attributed the cause of crisis between farmers and herdsmen in the state to the attitude of mischief makers and criminals who wanted to “paint our people black’’. (NAN)
SDJ/FAT/AMY
Edited by Fatima Sule/Abdullahi Yusuf