Blog

NAN-H-47

Election

By Nabilu Balarabe

Jalingo, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission [TSIEC], on Friday said it had lifted the ban on campaigns and other political activities in the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

Dr Philip Duwe, Chairman of the commission, who made the announcement in a statement issued in Jalingo, said the order takes effect from Oct. 28.

He said that the election would hold after 90 days.

“ I Dr Philip Duwe, the Chairman and Chief Electoral Officer of Taraba, by the powers conferred on me under section 6 of the TSIEC Law no. 6 of 2002 and other relevant provisions of the law and enactments there off;

“Do hereby pursuant to sec. 30 of the Electoral Act 2010 declare 90 days notice beginning from the 28 October, 2016 for the conduct of local government elections in the state.

“By this notice, the ban on political activities on local government elections in the state is hereby lifted,” Duwe said. (NAN)
NB/JPE/MZA
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Maharazu Ahmed
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NAN-H-41
Cart
By Sylvester Thompson
Abuja, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) A Gudu Upper Area Court on Friday sentenced a 33-year-old man, Stephen Yainfo, to six weeks imprisonment for stealing a car.

Yainfo had pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of theft and begged the court to temper justice with mercy.

The Upper Area court judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, gave the convict an option to pay N6,000 as fine.

Kagarko told the court he gave the light sentence due to the convict’s plea for leniency and his promise not to repeat the act.

The Prosecutor, Mr Umoh Inah, had told the court that Jonathan Okpoza of Life Camp, Abuja, had reported the matter at Garki Police Station on April 11.

Inah said that the convict criminally removed the complainant’s Toyota 4 Runner Jeep, GG 222 MD, black in colour packed in the premises.

“He did this with the intention of selling it before the car was recovered in Kaduna State,’’ Inah said.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened section 288 of the Penal Code. (NAN)
SET/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

I acted with plaintiff’s power of attorney – witness
NAN-H-45
Witness
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) A witness, Mr Robert Okonyia, in a land dispute,  on Friday told an FCT High Court that Graf Consultants Ltd., gave him the Power of Attorney to act on its behalf.

Okoniya made this known when he testified before Justice Salisu Garba in he matter.

The plaintiff, Graf Consultants Ltd., sued the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Minister of the FCT and Mrs Olushola Idowu for alleged revocation of the its property.

The disputed land is located at the Asokoro District of the FCT.

Counsel for FCDA Betty Umegbulem had told the court that it was a practice to revoke any not developed with two years.

Umegbulem said this land had taken more than 15 years and not developed and was allocated to another person.

At the resumed hearing, Okoniya told the court during cross examination by by Umegbulem, that the plaintiff gave him the power of attorney in 1999.

“I have been issued with the power of attorney by the plaintiff to handle the matter regarding the land.

“The plaintiff was informed by the people in charge of the central location Office of Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) because it is system information shown to any land owner in Abuja“ he said.

Okonyia said that he did not know the address which the plaintiff supplied to the defendant when he was applying for land.

He told the court that the fencing and the erecting of the security post at the land did not require any approval from FCDA.

“When the land was revoked and the FCDA refused to withdraw the revocation letter, the plaintiff reported to the Senate on March 28, 2008.

“ The two other matters before the court in relation to the same land came after the plaintiff’s report to the Senate,” he said.

He said he had no relationship with the 3^rd defendant, Idowu, a former deputy governor of Osun and Minister of state for Defence.

NAN reports that Idowu’s name was struck out from this suit.

The witness said that there was a consent agreement between the plaintiff and Idowu and that N90 million was paid by her for the inconveniences created by acquiring the land from the bank.

He said the meeting in this transaction was called by the legal unit of the FCDA, the plaintiff accepted the offer and gave the power of attorney to the witness.

Objecting, Mr Ikoro Ikoro, Counsel for the plaintiff, drew the attention of the court to the power of attorney.

Okoro urged the court to allow him tender the copy of the power of attorney before the court since the issue of it had occurred at each stage.

He informed the court that the document was pleaded and relevant, adding that the defendant counsel had asked for this document as well as proof of the directors.

He said he could tender it from the bar.

Umegbelum objected to the tendering of the document, saying that the document was not pleaded nor uploaded.

Ikoro insisted that the document was a certified true copy from the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The judge after listening to counsel submissions adjourned till Nov. 22 for ruling on the tendering of the document. (NAN)
NEO/OFN

Court slams car dealer N500,000 bail over N2.5m fraud

NAN-H-43
Fraud
By Umul Idris
Abuja, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) A Wuse Zone 2 Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday in Abuja, slammed a N500,000 bail on a car dealer, Jafaru Musa for fraudulently obtaining N2.5m to import car.

The senior magistrate, Fatima Bukar, who granted him bail, also gave him the order to produce a reasonable surety within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the case till Nov. 14, for hearing.

The defendant is facing a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.

According to the prosecutor, John Simon, one Mohammed Manko of the Jahi, Abuja, had reported the incident in a petition to the Police Area Command Maitama, FCT, on Oct. 10, 2016.

Simon said that in June this year, the complainant entrusted the defendant with the sum N2.5 million to buy a car for him from United States of America for him.

He said that the defendant assured the complainant that the car will arrive the country in the next two months.

He said that after the two months elapsed, the defendant kept on giving the complainant flimsy excuses and failed to keep them to the terms of agreement.

Simon said that when Manko threatened to report him to the police, the defendant confessed to have invested the money in another business to yield him profit before purchasing the car for the complainant.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him. (NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

NAN-H-42
Amenities
Takum (Taraba), Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) Taraba state government will soon upgrade amenities in border communities across the state, Mr Mark Joshua, Director, Border Development, Taraba Boundary Commission, has said.

Joshua made the statement on Friday in Shibong Abang in Takum Council Area while inspecting amenities in border communities.

According to him, the inspection tour is aimed at ascertaining the challenges faced by border communities with a view to addressing them.

He gave an assurance that the abandoned clinic at Shibong Igban would soon be renovated.

The director appealed to the community to live in peace with one another, saying that without peace, there could never be meaningful development.
The care taker chairman of the council, Mr Shiban Tikari, said he had directed his staff to clear grasses around the clinic, doctors and nurses quarters to give the area a face lift.

He urged the people to support the “rescue mission agenda” of Gov. Darius Ishaku to enable them benefit from the dividends of democracy. (NAN)
NB/AEA/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-DS-7
Telephones
By Inuwa Ali
Maiduguri, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Army has inaugurated internet protocol desktop telephones at the 8 Task Force Division in Northern Borno to enable troops communicate with their families with ease.

Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Department, stated this on Friday in Maiduguri.

Nwachukwu said in a statement that the facility was inaugurated by Brig.-Gen. Abu Nani, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Division in Monguno.

“The Nigerian Army has inaugurated the first set of internet protocol desktop telephone in some locations of the 8 Task Force Division in Northern Borno.

“The essence is to alleviate the sufferings of troops who spend two to three hours travelling to Maiduguri to communicate with their families on phone.

“The telephone system, which comprises of a very small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) and a Grand Stream handset, were installed at the headquarters of the taskforce in Monguno, in 7 Brigade Baga and 153 Task Force Battalion in Marte.

“Each of the call centres provides five terminal points for officers and soldiers to communicate with their families from the front lines,’’ he said.

Nwachukwu said that the provision of the facility had resolved the nightmare of troops being cut off from their families and friends.

“It has mitigated the rigour of travelling several hours by troops to Maiduguri to access telecommunication facility to communicate with their loved ones,’’ he said. (NAN)
ABI/JEY/OJO
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(Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-F-18
Development
By Mike Mbonye
Cape Town(South Africa), Oct. 28, 2016(NAN) Prof. Edwin Ijeoma, a Nigerian don based in South Africa, on Friday called for synergy between the three arms of government in order to boost  economic development.
Ijeoma, a professor of Public Policy and Public Sector Economics, University of Forte Hare, Eastern Cape, South Africa, made the call in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Cape Town, South Africa.

He said economic development thrives with articulated leadership and sound institutions of democracy.

“ Economic development is contingent on having a well articulated leadership and government that can put a lot of effort into developing and creating a platform that will make democracy to thrive,” he said.

According to Ijeoma, institutions of democracy and three arms of government in Nigeria should have strong ties to ensure economic development and strong democracy.

“ When the three arms of government and institutions of democracy are not working together, a state of economic uncertainty is created.

“The foreign investors will begin to de-invest in Nigeria and potential investors will not be able to muster the courage to enter the country because of economic uncertainty,” he said.

The don said that for democracy to  thrive, there was need to have a link between democratic institutions and the three arms of government.

“ Separation of powers and respect for the constitution is very paramount. If they are not there, uncertainty will continue to persist in the system.

“ Peace and security, institutions of democracy are pre-conditions for economic development in any country, including Nigeria,” Ijeoma said. (NAN)
MEMO/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-DS-6
Wedding
Daura (Katsina State), Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) The ancient city of Daura in Katsina state, witnessed tight security on Friday as President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Fatima, weds.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was heavy deployment of security personnel in and around the residence of the president on Mai’adua road in Daura town.

Security personnel were also deployed in strategic locations to protect lives and property during the wedding.

Amoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was stationed at the junction linking to the residence of the president.

The venue of the wedding, Low Cost Jumu’at Mosque, also witnessed heavy presence of joint security personnel, who surrounded it.

However, worshipers, who trooped to Mosque, had unhindered access to observe their religious obligation.

While that was going on, security personnel were seen patrolling the town to guard against any eventuality. (NAN)
ZI/SUD/JEY/AEA
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Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Archibong Asuquo

NAN-F-17
ICT
By Mike Mbonye
Johannesburg, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) Mr  Fidelis Igbokwe,  a South Africa-based Nigerian ICT expert, on Friday called on the Federal Government to encourage youths to study Information Technology.

Igbokwe, the founder of Trippins Application, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg, South Africa, that this would produce youths with relevant knowledge to excel in the area of Information and Communication Technology(ICT).

He also urged government to set up ICT hubs in different locations to assist youths create  solutions that could meet the needs of the people.

“ Information Technology creates a lot of jobs. IT is about providing solutions and if a young person can provide solution to a need, he already has a job because people are willing to pay for that service,” he said.

Igbokwe, who developed a travel and tourism application with safety and security features, said Nigeria was blessed with intelligent youths capable of contributing to the technological development of the country.

He said that such talented youths could use Information technology to develop solutions for services like mechanical activities, business, marketing, tourism and security.

“ There are lots of ways that jobs can be created through Information Technology.

“ All our youths need is encouragement and they will contribute positively to our quest for technological advancement,” he said.

Igbokwe urged the Federal Government to create a platform that would make citizens benefit from information technology-related services at little cost. (NAN)
MEMO/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-F-16
Reversals
Johannesburg, Oct. 28, 2016 (NAN) Nigeria`s Consul General in South Africa, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, said on Friday that some measures had been put in place to check payment reversals for passport and visa processing in that country.

Ajulu-Okeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg, South Africa, that the Federal Government had lost revenue due to payment reversals by some Nigerians who paid for passport processing.

According to her, an audit report for May and June this year indicated that government lost more than $37,000 (N11.3 million) due to payment reversals.

“ South Africa has a credit law that if you swipe your credit card on a Point of Sale (POS) machine, you can go back within 30 days to complain if there is a problem in order to reverse the payment.

“ These agents, after collecting their visas and passports, go back to reverse the payment, thereby defrauding the Federal Government of huge revenue,” she said.

The consul general said that the mission had introduced some  measures among which was making it  mandatory to keep the passport for 30 days to coincide with the number of days required for such reversals.

“ The mission now insists that each applicant pays for the credit card, signs receipts after payments and such signature must match the one in the passport.

“ That makes it impossible for the applicant to go back to the bank to complain because the consulate has a copy of the receipt,” she said.

Ajulu-Okeke also said that the mission had requested the Federal Government to withdraw the passports of such Nigerians who defrauded the government.(NAN)
MEMO/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)