Blog

Robbery
By Deborah Akpede
Ikeja, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) Amidu Oseni, a 21-year-old man, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly
robbing three people of their valuables worth N143,000 at cutlass-point.

Oseni, a resident of Oke-Aro in Ogun, is standing trial on charges of conspiracy, robbery and stealing.

The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, said the accused and others, who are yet to be apprehended, committed the offences on Sept.
15 at Iju-Ishaga in Agege, a Lagos suburb.

According to him, Oseni and others robbed three people — Mr Ibrahim Lawal, Mr Lukmon Afolabi and Mrs Moronkola Muritala  —
of their property valued at N143,000 with a cutlass.

“The accused robbed them of three phones valued at N104,000 and cash of N39,000 totalling N143,000.”

Awase said that the complainants were in a taxi when the accused attacked them with cutlasses and bottles, demanding their phones
and money.

“The complainants were on transit when the accused waylaid them with dangerous weapons, threatening to stab and machete them
if they refused to surrender their valuables.

“The accused forcefully collected those items from the complainants and took to their heels.

“One of the complainants, who sighted the accused, living in same area with him among the people that robbed them, led the police to
his house and he was arrested ,” the prosecutor said.

The offences contravened Sections 287, 297 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes three years jail term for stealing while Section 297 prescribes
21 years for robbery.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mrs F.F. George, granted him bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

George said the sureties should be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State
Government.

She adjourned the case until Oct. 23 for hearing. (NAN)
DOA/OSA/DA
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Dele Akinsola

2 charged with stealing 4 cell phones,N70,000 cash

By Deborah Akpede

Ikeja, Sept. 20, 2018(NAN)Two men, Rasaq Olatunde and Kazeen Malik, were on Thursday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly stealing

4 cell phones, and N70,000 cash

Olatunde, 25, a tailor, and Malik, 30, an unemployed, both residents of Agege, Lagos, were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing, offences they denied committing.

The Magistrate Mrs F.F. George, granted them bail in the sum  of N200,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum and adjourned the case until Oct. 10 for mention
The prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, alleged that the defendants committed the offences on Aug. 24 at Ogba, Lagos.
He said that the accused persons and others still at large, conspired to steal the bag of one Marvelous Brown, containing four cell phones worth N164,000 and N70,000 cash.
“The complainant was sent to the bank by his employer to deposit N70,000, he put the money in the bag that contained his employer’s cell phones.
“On his way, the accused persons approached him and asked him for direction, the complainant told them he does not know the place and they engaged him in another conversation.
“Before the complainant knew what was happening, he found himself in an unknown place.
“They asked him his age, he told them he was 17-year-old, they collected the bag from him, told him to count 17 poles, which he complied.
“After he finished counting the poles and returned to the place, they had ran away with the bag.”
The prosecutor said that the complainant sighted one of the defendant’s after 12 days and  alerted the police and the accused was arrested.
The offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 attracts three years jail term  while Section 411 attracts two years imprisonment. (NAN)
DOA/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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Burglary
By Tomisin Erogbogbo
Lagos, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) A 21-year-old unemployed man, John Olaje, who allegedly burgled a shop and stole a laptop worth N120,000 and N20,000 cash, was on Thursday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court.

The accused is facing a two-count charge of burglary and theft.

The Prosecutor, ASP. Fidelis Dike, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 3 at about 5:30a.m. at Oluwaseyi Plaza, Pump and Sell, Addo Road, Ajah.

Dike said that the accused burgled a shop and stole one HP laptop valued at N120, 000 and N20, 000 cash property of Mrs Elizabeth Umana.

“The accused was sighted by a security guard as he was about leaving with the loots.

“The guard called the attention of others and Olaje was caught,” he said.

The offence contravened Sections 287 and 307 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 carries three years imprisonment, while Section 307 (1) stipulates seven years imprisonment for anyone found guilty.

The Magistrate, Mr Omolaja Kazeem, granted the accused N50, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

Kazeem said that one of the sureties must be a relative of the accused and the other a civil servant.

Further hearing on the case has been fixed for Oct.3 for hearing. (NAN)

TME/GOK

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Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

NYSC explores new strategy for credible mobilisation–Official

NYSC
By Emmanuel Acha
Enugu, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure says efforts were on towards evolving strategies to ensure credible mobilisation of corp members.

Kazaure said this on Thursday in Enugu during the 2018 Batch ‘C’ Pre-mobilisation Workshop.

The director general was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mrs Victoria Okakwu.

He said that the scheme was constantly faced with new challenges due to the changing times and the management saddled with the responsibility of improving performance.

He said that such challenges had made it imperative for stakeholders to regularly meet to exchange ideas for the improvement of their respective roles.

Kazaure said that the workshop would also dwell on issues aimed at correcting observed lapses as well as chart a new way forward for the scheme.

“The pre-mobilisation workshop has remained a vital platform for stakeholders in the scheme to interact and come up with strategies for credible mobilisation through appraisal of our performances in previous exercises.

“It is my firm belief that this workshop will proffer sustainable solutions to these challenges,” Kazaure said.

In his address, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State said that the current situation in the country had made it imperative to expand the frontiers of the scheme.

Ugwuanyi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Chief Josef Udedi, said that the state government would continue to support the ideals of the NYSC.

“There is no doubt that the scheme has come a long way in the 45 years of its existence. It gladdens my heart to note that the NYSC has lived up to the expectations of its founding fathers,” Ugwuanyi said.

Earlier in a speech, the Director, Corps Mobilisation, Mrs Nnnenna Ukonu, said that the workshop was aimed at reviewing the performances of previous mobilisation exercises.

Ukonu said that such review was done through cross-fertilisation of ideas with stakeholders, identifying challenges and proffering solutions to them.

She said that the management of the scheme was determined to ensure a seamless, hitch-free and a mobilisation process devoid of irregularities always.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop was “Evolving Strategies to Overcome New Challenges in the NYSC Mobilisation Process.

The workshop was attended by representatives of corps producing institutions, the National Universities Commission, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and others.(NAN)
EOA/EAL
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Battery

Kaduna, Sept 20, 2018(NAN) A nursing mother, Fatima Aliyu ,on Thursday dragged her husband one Haruna Usman to a Sharia Court at Magajin Gari, Kaduna for alleged battery.

The complainant told the court that their union was 15 months old adding that her husband had been beating her ever since she got pregnant.

“He started beating me few months after marriage and he does not provide enough food for me even when I was pregnant,” she said.

The complainant claimed that there was no elder in her husband’s family whom she could report to, a situation, she said made her to confide in her mother who advised her to be patient.

She said that after she delivered her baby, the husband had never given her anything for their upkeep and always threatened to take the baby away from her.

“My father said I would not return to my matrimonial home until my husband brings his people,” she said.

The complainant prayed the court to assist her in getting a divorce from her husband as she was no longer interested in the marriage.

In his defense, the defendant claimed to have still loved his wife saying that he had always provided what she and the baby needed except for last month which he did not.

“How can a marriage take place without elders from the two parties? She knows my relatives,” he said.

He prayed the court to give him more time to reconcile with his wife

The Judge, Dahiru Lawal, after listening to both parties, ordered the husband to give the complainant N10, 000 for the one month he mentioned not to have given her anything.

“Women are to be treated with kindness not harshness, as such the court has given Usman two weeks to try and reconcile with his wife”, he said

Lawal adjourned the case until Oct 4. (NAN)

AMG/HS/MNA

Edited by Halima Sheji/Maureen Atuonwu

Maiden Offa Economic Summit will accelerate growth, devt. – Olofa

Summit

Offa (Kwara) Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi, says the maiden “Offa Economic Summit 2018,” scheduled for November 2nd and 3rd, would fast track and accelerate socio-economy transformation of the community.

Gbadamosi said this at the unveiling of the summit’s logo and souvenir at his palace in Offa, headquarters of Offa Local Government Area, Kwara.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit themed: “Transformation of Offa as an Emerging City – Prospect and Challenges,” is being organised by Offa Club 80, an Indigenous association.

The monarch said the community was richly endowed with the enabling economic platform to succeed, and that the execution of such laudable project was long overdue.

Gbadamosi, while soliciting the assistance of wealthy individuals and groups for the project, expressed the support of the traditional institution toward achieving its aims and objectives.

“This is a laudable initiative that has the capability to impact positively and accelerate the socio-economic development of our community and I must commend the organisers for their foresight,” he said.

Prof. Adegboyega Olatunji, President Offa Club 80, remarked that the unveiling of the summit logo at the palace was purposely to seek the desired royal blessing for its implementation.

He said the project was basically informed by the desire to facilitate structures and institutions that would accelerate economic growth for the community and it’s inhabitants.

He added, “We thank the Almighty God that Offa has succeeded in slowing down the rural-urban migration which was the trend decades ago in Offa and environs.

“Today, our major concern is about the future of the next generation; about how Offa can move to the next level where various activities that can enhance the nation’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) are entrenched.

He listed the Club’s past projects to include construction and management of Offa township library and donation of N1 million to Offa Security Trust Fund.

Dr Ahmed Raji, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the summit, on his part, said it’s implementation was designed to facilitate the roadmap for economic rejuvenation using modern trends as a yardstick.

According to him, it is people that make nation’s to be great, greatness cannot be achieved without having genuine productive activities.

“We are blessed with people in the business world, in academia, in political cycle, renowned engineers, scientist, noble technocrats and public servants.

“While this does not automatically translate into development, the human capital needs be tapped along with other resources to achieve the desired goals,” Raji said.

Mrs Wosilat MaCharthy, Secretary, Offa Descendant Union (ODU), expressed the support of the association toward making the project a reality. (NAN)

ISHO/SA

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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More reactions trail FG’s suspension of Air Nigeria project

Reactions
By Adekunle Williams and Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) Aviation stakeholders have continued to react to the Federal Executive Council’s decision to suspend the new National Carrier Project planned to take off in December, saying government should have involved them.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, had announced on Wednesday that the government had decided to suspend the Nigeria Air Project in the interim.

Some aviation stakeholders, who spoke with NAN on Thursday in Lagos, however, advised the government to return to the drawing board by engaging all stakeholders in the project.

Mr Frances Akinjole, the Deputy General Secretary, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), said that the project failed to materialise as planned due to lack of consultations by the government.

According to him, the unveiling of the name and logo of the new national carrier at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK on July 18 was done without the input of critical stakeholders.

Akinjole said that if the national carrier was to be named Nigeria Air, then other major aviation stakeholders must partake in its formation.

He said that the unions in the sector had earlier raised some concerns with the way and manner the minister was approaching the implementation of the national carrier.

“We have raised serious concerns about the way and manner the minister was approaching the implementation of the national carrier.

“The minister wanted it done at all cost but the way he was going about it was not the approach he ought to have taken because it was like a decision he took single handedly.

“The minister has a good intention for the project which we all support but he was doing it without considering every other stakeholders in the industry about how a national carrier should be carried out,” Akinjole said.

He said that the issue of national carrier cannot be successful without settling all the entitlements of the former Nigeria Airways workers still clamouring for their N45 billion severance package.

“There are still serious issues on the ground about the liquidation of Nigeria Airways.

“We have told the minister that if the payment of the former Nigeria Airways workers is not settled, the government should forget about the issue of the national carrier.

“However, the minister was doggedly pursuing the project thinking that nothing could truncate it but is now obvious that our position on it has now come to pass,” he said.

Akinjole said that after the unveiling of the logo and name, Sirika had made mention that the government was going to invest only five per cent in the Nigeria Air project.

He said that it was therefore unclear to Nigerians the stake the government would hold in the carrier when compared with the funds it had planned to invest on the project.

Also, the President, Aviation Round Table (ART), Mr Gbenga Olowo, said that ART was not surprised about the suspension of the project.

“We saw the abortion coming right from conception.

“We issued all professional advice on questions bordering on the need, start up process, government and private ownership.

“Others are the competing need for limited funds on aviation infrastructure and the unpaid entitlements of ex-Nigerian Airways workers.

“I congratulate government on the bold move to stop now and cut its losses rather than start, embarrass the flag for a while and disappear like others in less than 10 years,” Olowo said. (NAN)
WAC/ASO/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

NAHCON to build pilgrims hotel in Kaduna

Hajj

By Mohammad Tijjani

Kaduna, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Thursday said it would to upgrade the Hajj Transit Camp in Kaduna, including the construction of a hotel for  pilgrims.

This is contained in a statement signed by Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Board Public Relations Officer, Yunusa Abdullahi, issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

It said that NAHCON Chairman, Abdullahi Mukhtar made the commitment when he visited the state pilgrims agency office in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

According to the chairman, plans for the building of the hotel and conference hall at the hajj transit camp have been concluded.

Mukhtar had announced that funds generated from the N5, 000 development levy charged each pilgrim will be used in providing the facilities in Kaduna and other pilgrims’ shelters across the country.

He said pilgrims will be accommodated free during hajj operation, while the facilities would be commercialised after operation.

He revealed that the over N2 billion realised from the development levy has been deposited with the Central Bank.

In his remarks, the Overseer of Kaduna state pilgrims board, Imam Hussaini Ikara thanked NAHCON for the initiative and in making the 2018 hajj operation a huge success.

He assured NAHCON of the board’s continued support and commitment towards making future hajj operations more successful.(NAN)

TJ/MZA

Beating
By Deborah Akpede
Ikeja, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) A 27-year-old tenant, Aliyu Mohammed, who allegedly assaulted landlord’s wife and his son was on Thursday docked before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Mohammed, a businessman, residing in Dopemu area of Agege in Lagos, is being tried for conspiracy and assault.

The Prosecutor, ASP. Clifford Ogu, said that the accused committed the offences on Aug. 3 at his residence.

Ogu said that the accused and two others still at large conspired to assault the wife and son of Mr Kehinde Onatayo, the complainant.
“The accused brought his friends to the house to assault the complainant’s wife, Mrs Eunice Onatayo and his son, Mr Akinkum Onatayo.

“Mohammed earlier had a disagreement with the complainant; he came home with his accomplices to deal with him, but did not meet him, instead he descended on his family through beating.

“The accused severely caused injuries on their bodies,” the prosecutor said.

He said that the complainant reported the case and the accused was arrested.

The offences contravened Sections 173 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 173 prescribes three years jail term for assault, while Section 411 attracts two years for conspiracy.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the offences and he was admitted to a bail of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mrs J.A Adegun, said the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidences of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Adegun adjourned the case until Oct. 4 for hearing. (NAN)
DOA/MO/GOK
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Edited by Omolade Michael/Olagoke Olatoye

Games

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) The state directors of sports have commended the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for the successful organisation of the just-concluded 4th National Youth Games (NYG) at the University of Ilorin.

The directors gave the commendation while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the end of the Games held from Sept. 7 to Sept. 17 in the ancient city of Ilorin.

Some of the directors, however, called for improvement in the areas of screening and accommodation of athletes in subsequent editions of the Games.

Ezekiel Ordu, Director, Rivers Sports Commission, noted that a more scientific method should be employed in ascertaining the age of the athletes.

“There should be an improvement in screening because we should not be talking about ascertaining age through physical examination of the athletes in this age.

“The Federal Government should get a scientific method to screen the athletes because it will help us in case of protests by disqualified athletes.

“Such measure will help us to ascertain the real age of the athletes instead of having cases of age forgery,” Ordu said.

The Benue Sports Director, Philip Nondo, said that the method of screening adopted at the event in Ilorin should be discouraged in subsequent Games.

“I congratulate the sports ministry for the organisation of the Games.

“No one is perfect; from what we have seen so far, the screening was okay initially by us except for some states that wanted to win medals by all means, and injected athletes that are ineligible to take part in the competition.

“They should stop discouraging the younger ones as the first screening was perfect, but the re-screening was what spoilt the whole exercise.

“So, if you give people some work to do, allow them to do so without interference,” Nondo said.

Deji Shawon, General Manager, Ekiti Sports Council, advised the organisers to fine-tune the accreditation and accommodation arrangements in subsequent Games.

“We ought to have a system to be able to register childbirth so that we don’t always have cases of age cheats.

“There were so many fake birth certificates presented; so, the system should be upgraded so that when we have children right away from birth, they will be registered and won’t have to go through the nitty-gritty such as this.

“There is need to improve on accommodation because these are young children from good homes, sleeping on good beds and from good environment at home.

“For them to come here and sleep anyhow isn’t encouraging; it is something that can be improved upon.

“So, when we come for the next edition, most of these things will be put right.

“There is also the need to improve on feeding because putting little accompaniments on food isn’t the best,” Shawon said.

On his part, Baba Sheshi, Director of Sports in Niger, said that the hostels should be renovated before the next edition of the Games.

“Even the children have derive maximum satisfaction from the Games, and this will go a long way in uniting us.

“But, there is room for improvement in terms of logistics and accommodation though we were told that the university management was ready to start the renovation of the hostels to be used for the just-concluded event.”

Mrs Chizotam Aresola from Imo, expressed the hope that the hostel would be renovated before the 2019 edition of the Games.

“There is room for improvement in the area of accommodation because the plan was to renovate the hostels before the competition.

“So, we hope that by the next edition, they will renovate everything that is due,” the Imo sports chief said. (NAN)
BAY/FLP
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(Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Peter Ejiofor)