Blog

Dasuki: Court consolidates cases,adjourns to Nov. 16 for re-arraignment

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Dasuki

By Ikenna Osuoha and Edith Nwapi

Abuja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) An FCT High Court on Friday consolidated, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki’s two cases pending in different courts to one court.

Dasuki is the former National Security Adviser (NSA) to former President Goodluck Jonathan,

The FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, had approved the request of counsel by consolidating and transferring the matter before Justice Peter Affen’ to Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf’s court.

The trial has been streamlined by the court following the movement of the two case files to one.

Dasuki was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 19-count charge bordering on diversion of about N13.6 billion in Baba-Yusuf’s court.

He is being tried alongside Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the NSA, and Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former NNPC Executive Director.

Also being tried were two firms, Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital limited.

In Affen’s court, Dauski, the second defendant, was arraigned on a 22-count charge bordering on conspiracy, bribery, abuse of office and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N28, 31 million

Bashir Yuguda is the first defendant, while others were Salisu, Dalhatu Investment Ltd, Sagir Attahiru and Attahiru Bafaarawa, former governor of Sokoto State.

At the last hearing, Mr Joseph Daudu (SAN) counsel for Dauski), had prayed the court to consolidate the two cases against his client.

Daudu sought for an order directing the prosecution to amend charge No FCT/HC/CR/43/ 2015 pending before Baba-Yusuf, to include the counts in suit No FCT/HC/CR/43/2015, before Affen.

He said that his prayer was pursuant to sections 6(6)(a), 35(5) and (9) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, and sections 1(1); 208; 396(3); 401and 492(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Mr Rotimi Jacobs also said that the consolidation would facilitate the quick trial of the case.

At the resumed hearing of the consolidated case, Jacobs urged Baba-Yusuf to adjourn the matters for trial or further direction.

Baba-Yusuf held that the implication of this consolidation was that the prosecution should re-arraign the defendants who were not included in the matter before him. (NAN)

IMO/NEO/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-65

Rehabilitation
By Carol Utulu
Asaba, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Delta State government has approved the immediate rehabilitation of some dilapidated roads and construction of drainage in some communities across the three senatorial districts of the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, made the disclosure on Friday in Asaba while briefing newsmen on the outcome of Thursday’s meeting of the state executive council.

He said: “several resolutions were reached at the meeting; among them is the construction and rehabilitation of some roads in the state.

“The construction works which would be carried out under the State Ministry of Urban Renewal, is expected to cover selected roads cutting across the three senatorial districts.“

The commissioner listed some of the affected roads to include, Ozoro/Oleh road in Isoko North and Isoko South LGAs of the state.

He said that Charles Street in Boji Boji, Agbor in Ika South LGA, would also be rehabilitated with the construction of drainage system.

Ukah said that Oha-Orerokpe Oviore road in Okpe, Okpe LGA would also be rehabilitated, adding that a bridge would be constructed on the road.

He said that Amawha Layout-Ideze road in Oleh, Isoko South LGA would also be rehabilitated with drainage system.

He added the meeting also approved the construction of township roads in Burutu town, Burutu LGA to cover 19 kilometres.

He said that Obutobo II – Obutobo I – Sokebolou – Yokri link road in Burutu would be rehabilitated and covered with asphalt overlay.

The commissioner announced that the state would host the 46th conference of the National Council on Information in Asaba, coming up on Oct. 25 to 27.

He said that Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa had approved N16.5 million for hosting of the the event, expected to attract information managers and the media across the nation. (NAN)
CVU/AMM/AEA
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Archibong Asuquo

Albino Foundation wants school teachers tutored on knowledge, practices of albinism

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Albinism

By Talatu Maiwada

Abuja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Albino Foundation (TAF), an NGO, has called on Federal Government to train teachers on knowledge, attitude and practices of albinism to enable students living with albinism strive in their educational pursuit.

Mr Jake Epelle, President of the foundation, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

He said teachers play an important role in the educational pursuit and general productivity of their students especially children that are physically challenged.

Epelle said wrong attitude towards children with albinism takes a negative toll on their emotional state and productivity in life.

He said lack of proper knowledge on the part of the children hinders them from living better lives.

He stated that children with albinism experience skin cancer, body and mouth odour, and short sightedness.

He said the role of teachers was very important because they interact with the children daily and should be well equipped on proper care and best techniques to transfer knowledge to them.

“Schools should be engaged in control and persuasion techniques, because children lose self-confidence and self-esteem and also fall victim of bullies in school.

“They struggle with visual impairment, feeling of inferiority, shyness and are withdrawn because they are few in school and the larger population is made up of children with the normal skin colour.

“Teachers should protect them from name calling and abuses, exonerate and discourage them from hard labour and playing in the sun to avoid skin infection.’’

He added that the children should always be seated in front of the class because of their sight and more time to write their exams and school tests.

Besides, Epelle urged the government to promote and provide simple instructional and educational materials that could advance their learning interest.

He said a white board and a black pen should be provided in all schools for better viewing and understanding for the children.

He said the government should also provide scholarship and free health care services to examine their sight while creating an enabling environment for free education at all levels.

Epelle further advised teachers to love and care for all children, treat them equally and make them have a sense of belonging. (NAN)

TIM/AK/MST

Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-S-19
Mourinho
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Jose Mourinho will always have a place in the hearts of Chelsea’s faithful but his former charges are hoping to make him suffer when he returns to Stamford Bridge as manager of Manchester United on Sunday.

Two days before being sacked in December a doomed Mourinho spoke of a “betrayal” of his work by some of the players who had propelled Chelsea to the Premier League title the previous season.

Fingers were pointed at Diego Costa among others, and the Spain striker’s huge dip in form was a contributing factor to the Portuguese tactician’s bitter exit.

Costa has started this season like the marauding forward Mourinho signed from Atletico Madrid, scoring seven goals in eight Premier League games, and he will be relishing the highly-charged atmosphere expected on Sunday.

Others in the peak of their forms are Nigerian winger, Victor Moses and Belgian’s Eden Hazard, among others.

The visit to Stamford Bridge could hardly have come at a worse time for a United side, who have won only one of their last five Premier League games.

This has indeed somewhat stalled what had been a promising beginning to the Mourinho reign.

Fifth-placed Chelsea have also had a whole week to prepare following their demolition of champions Leicester City last weekend while United have been working overtime.

Mourinho’s new team drew 0-0 at Liverpool on Monday and also played Turkish club Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday and now have just three days to fully focus on the visit to west London.

No wonder Mourinho, whose side are seventh on the table, said it was a time for digging in.

“This is not the week where we were expecting to close the distances to the top of the league.

“This is the week we have to keep contact with them,” he told the club’s website (www.manutd.com).

“Then we will arrive at the moment where we win three, four or five matches in a row and we will be there fighting with almost everybody for the title,” he said.

It is not the first time Mourinho, who won two Premier League titles for Chelsea before his first sacking in 2007, will sit in the away dugout at Stamford Bridge.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that he masterminded a 1-0 win for Inter Milan over Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea in 2010 on the way to winning the Champions League.

Former Italy coach Antonio Conte, the man now sitting in Mourinho’s old office, has made a steady enough start and the victory over Leicester was the ideal confidence-booster after defeats by Liverpool and Arsenal.

North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have the chance to leapfrog leaders Manchester City on Saturday.

Tottenham will go top if they win at Bournemouth in Saturday’s early kickoff although Arsenal can respond later at home to Middlesbrough. (NAN)
VO/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-56

Kidnappers

Lagos, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) To tackle repeated cases of kidnapping in Lagos State, a private member bill sponsored by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, seeks death penalty for kidnappers.

Titled ‘A bill for a Law to provide for the prohibition of the act of kidnapping and for other connected purposes,’ the proposed legislation went through public hearing in Lagos on Friday.

The public hearing, which attracted stakeholders, took place at the Lateef Jakande Hall within the Assembly premises.

It comes on the heels of two cases of kidnapping of school children in the state, who were abducted after gunmen stormed their schools.

The children in both incidents, have however, been since released by their abductors.

Apart from the incidents, other cases of kidnapping have also been recorded in the state in recent times.

The bill prescribes that any person, who kidnaps, abducts, detains or captures, or takes another person by any means, or tricks his or her with intent to demand ransom, is liable on conviction to death sentence.

Also, attempt to kidnap, in the bill, attracts life imprisonment, while false representation to release a kidnapped or abducted person, under section 4, attracts seven years imprisonment.

Among others, it also provides that any person, who knowingly or wilfully allows or permits his premises, building or a place belonging or occupied to which he has control of, to be used for the purposes of keeping a person kidnapped is guilty of an offence under the law.

Such a person is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of 14 years without an option of fine.

The bill attracted divergent views at the public hearing.

Mr Richard Komolafe, from the United Action for Change (UAC), commended the move for stiffer penalty for kidnappers, but said that death sentence was no longer fashionable all over the world.

Komolafe, a lawyer, said hanging itself is inhuman by conventions as against life imprisonment.

Mrs Yejide Kolawole, the Director of Legal Drafting, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, said it was essential that the element of conspiracy to kidnap be added in the bill.

“I suggest 21 years imprisonment for conspiracy to kidnap, depending on the level of involvement.

“However, seven years penalty for section 4 is too mild; I suggest 20 years to deter those who would want to engage in the crime.

“On section 5, anyone who instigates kidnapping should be given a stiffer penalty of 25 years, though the person does not participate overtly in the act.

“On section 7, owners of a building used to aid kidnapping should have a higher punishment than mere forfeiture of property,” she said.

Also, a Chief Magistrate in Lagos State, Mrs Seri Sholebo, said it was fundamental to add conspiracy to kidnapping, as the ministry had not been able to convict offenders on conspiracy since 2011.

Sholebo suggested 180 days window for trial of offenders rather than the stipulated 60 days, due to anticipated delay in handling the cases.

The legal adviser of the Lagos command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mrs Adebimpe Bada, said the bill was impressive and called for the protection of whistle blowers.

Mrs Idowu Alakija state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), said that there were challenges which would not make 60 days trial possible.

According to her, some victims and witnesses are unwilling to appear in courts for kidnapping cases.

Alakija also said that death sentence was no longer popular, and had not been effective in serving as a deterrent, suggesting life sentence.

Mr Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petition and LASIEC, whose committee handled the public hearing, said that the bill was necessary to curtail kidnapping in the state.

Tejuosho commended the sponsor of the bill, Obasa, saying that stiffer penalty was needed to nip the trend of kidnapping in the bud.

“We need laws to safeguard the citizens. We looked at the law on kidnapping and we felt that it should be amended to curb the crime.

“Criminal act has become lucrative and it is thriving today and this is worrisome. There must be a deterrent law to make the crime unattractive. The punishment should be severe and harsh,” she said.

In his keynote address, Obasa condemned the trend of kidnapping in the state, stressing that the act should be punished by the death penalty.

Obasa, who was represented by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Sanai Agunbiade, said that those who engaged in the crime were not fit to live.

“The best we can do is to elaborate and increase the penalty to deal with the menace,” he said.(NAN)
AKA/SOA

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Christian leaders urge women to play active role in mitigating recession

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Recession
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Nkasiobi Okoh, Wife of the Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has called on women in the country to play active role in mitigating the effect of recession in the country.

Okoh, who is also the President, Mother’s Union/Women’s Guild, Church of Nigeria, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen at the 2016 Diocesan Women Conference on Friday in Abuja.

She said the current economic situation was an opportunity for every woman especially in the church to bring out their best, urging them to make effort to provide for their families.

According to her, women should make effort to provide food for their selves by growing it, planting it and process it to be able to put food on their families’ tables.

The wife of the Primate also advised women to make sure too that we prepare the right type of food for our families, explaining that most families don’t eat the right type of food.

“I believe that we mothers can cut down on certain things because we have to refocus on the other areas.

“We have been talking about agriculture but I don’t know how many of us know where we get yam from; I don’t know how many people know how we get the different types of vegetable we eat.

“We have to make an effort to provide food for ourselves to grow the food, plant the food, process it and put it on the table,’’ she said.

According to her, this is not the first time the country is going into recession and neither is it the first time other parts of world is going into recession.

“So the best thing we can do as mothers is to go back to the one who created us, the God almighty and tell Him what we are going through and He will help us.

“God will show us the way out of the recession because we know that the word of God says, when there is a casting down, there is a lifting up.

“He created this world, he knows what is going on and he show us the way out,’’ she added.

Okoh also called on Christian women to teach and train their children in the way of God so that their actions could be guided by those values at all times.

Prof. Andrew Igenoza, Rector and Bishop, Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, said the theme of the conference, “Fan into flame the gift of God in you’’, was a reawakening call on the women.

Igenoza said that every Christian had a God given gift in him or her that should be used constructively for the benefit of the church and the society at large.

He added that every human being, whether Christian or Muslim, had been made in the image of God with special talents to be used in the interest of humanity for constructive purposes.

“If we all use our gifts, the country will certainly be better off.

“It is not good for one to just wake up in the morning and be roving around doing nothing expecting manna to fall from heaven or just scheming how to get money without working.

“It is hard work that can make the economy better, no other way,’’ he said.

Igenoza, while condemning the alleged forceful marriage of a 14 year old girl in Katsina, urged Christian parents to ensure that their wards were given proper and adequate education.

According to him, forceful marriage is not a good thing; marriage has to be through consent on the part of the parties concerned and the age of consent starts from 18 not less.

“Again, it bothers on education; teaching your children and the parents living by example’’.

Ven Festus Nwafifli, Vicar, Bacilica of Grace, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Gudu, said the conference would give the participants the opportunity to rediscover their God given gifts and put them to work.

According to him, this conference will help them to have a rethink, reassess themselves and go back better Christians and people who would be more useful to the church.

“It is my prayer that every participant in this conference will encounter God and go home as a different person,’’ he said. (NAN)
OYS/MST/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-64
Tourism
Lokoja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Grace Olayemi, a tourism expert based in Lokoja, has urged Kogi Government to take full advantage of the tourist and cultural heritage in the state.

She made the call at a seminar on culture and tourism held in Lokoja on Friday.

According to her, Kogi is blessed with many potential that if adequately harnessed, it can improve the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), create jobs and improve the peoples’ life style.

She said that Kogi had better advantage over other states, noting that the confluence of rivers Niger and Benue was enough to generate revenue for the state.

She explained that all the state needed to put in place was a platform to showcase her tourist centres and ‎wealth would be created.

Olayemi advised the state’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism to scout round the state and take records of tourist sites so that government could do the needful to revive them.

She said government should rise to its responsibility at making sure that no stone was left unturned by taking over every tourist site.

She added that tapping into tourism could help to curb challenges of unemployment in the state.

She then appreciated the organisers of the Obangogo tourist centre kabba, adding that it was a great feat they achieved.

She, however, appealed to the state government to support the programme as it would help at encouraging other communities. (NAN)
WAL/HA
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(Edited by Gregory Mmaduakola/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-H-63

Partnership

By Constance Athekame

Abuja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology, on Friday in Abuja said the Federal Government would partner the European Union to develop its science and technology sector.

Onu said this when Dr Michel Arrion, Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria paid him a visit.

He said that the ministry would support the EU’s call for the expansion of existing partnership in science and technology, adding that it will be beneficial to both parties.

“We feel very happy that you have taken this very important decision to expand beyond the traditional roles in your relationship with the country.

“Your expansion should include transport, energy, climate change, education, agriculture and science and technology. Improvement in any of these areas will be very beneficial to both parties.”

“We will work very closely with all other ministries as science and technology is directly involved in every aspect of the economy.

“I believe very strongly that the EU will benefit from this stronger relationship with Nigeria because we are trading partners.’’

The minister also assured the delegation that the country’s research institutes will work with their counterparts in the EU on the upcoming conference scheduled to hold in Lagos with the theme, “Horizon 2020”, organized by the EU.

“We assure you that we support the conference and the ministry and other agencies in the ministry would participate to ensure that this conference is a huge success.

“We are working very hard in this ministry, to help move Nigeria away from a resource based economy that is solely depended on commodities by emphasising a knowledge based innovation driven economy.

Head of the EU delegation told the minister that they had come to expand and improve the relationship that existed between EU and the country..

“We want to expand our cooperation beyond the traditional field of development cooperation; we want to look at new avenues, new sector and new domains where we believe the partnership will make sense with country like Nigeria.

“ That is energy, climate change, transport and science and technology’’

He informed the minister that the EU was planning `Horizon 2020’ conference in Lagos on Nov. 9 and 10 to improve the awareness of research institutes in Nigeria.

He said a high level delegation was expected from Brussels and over 60 Nigerian institutions/universities will participate in the conference.

Dr Teresa Ribeiro, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Republic of Portugal also visited the Minister to discuss cooperation.

She said there was need to improve on the relationship in the areas that would be beneficial to both countries.

Ribeiro said Portugal was expected to host a “web summit on development of new technology’’ in Lisbon later in the year with about 50, 000 participants.

The minister promised that Nigeria will participate in the summit, “as the country welcomes new ideas in area of technology.”

COA/EAL/IEA
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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Idahosa Asowata

FRSC tasks personnel on diligence

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Promotion

Jos, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) has charged its personnel to be diligent in their service to the country.

Mr Oludare Fadogba, the Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO), Jos Zone, gave the task while decorating 32 newly promoted Corp Marshals across the zone on Friday in Jos.

The zone comprised Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa states.

Fadogba noted that the precarious condition of the roads posed serious challenge to commuters and therefore called for diligence on the part of the personnel.

He explained that their promotion to the next rank was an incentive and a wakeup call for them to work extra hard and diligently so as to make the FRSC and the nation better.

The ZCO also enjoined the officials to put more zeal into their work by obeying all rules and shunning corrupt practices that would tarnish the image of the Corps.

“I wish to congratulate each and every one of you on your promotion, but I want to tell you that life is a challenge, so also is promotion a challenge for more responsibility.

“This is a very huge challenge reposed on you, I want you to take this promotion as a wakeup call to work extra hard in ensuring that you discharge your duties diligently.

“This promotion should serve as a new chapter in your lives by your being obedient to all rules and by shunning practices that will tarnish the image of the Corps.’’

Fadogba further reiterated the commitment of the Corps to promote staff yearly to serve as motivation for them to do more.

Mr Crowford Oti, FRSC Jos Sector Commander, charged the promoted marshals to be good ambassadors of ‘change’ and be hard workers.

Oti urged them to use their new positions for good and not to flout the rules of the corps, noting that only hard work will ensure their future promotion.

Responding on behalf of her colleagues, Ms Esther Choji, decorated with the rank of Assistant Chief Inspector, thanked the Corps Marshal for the promotion and pledged to serve the country diligently. (NAN)

ADY/ECN/MST

Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-S-18
Sanction
Abuja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) The FCT Secondary School Board, will sanction any school that fielded overage players during the second edition of the FCT Principal Cup, Mr Kura Goro, Deputy Director, FCT Secondary School Board, has warned.

Goro made the warning on Friday in Abuja while addressing game masters and mistresses of schools ahead of the competition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the second edition of the FCT Principal Cup is scheduled to commence on Oct. 26.

Goro said that participation in the competition is mandatory for all schools in the FCT, adding that the competition is male and female students.

“We want the FCT Principal Cup to return back to its days of glory when the territory is known for football.

“The competition is for students that are under 17. No school should invite a player who is not a student.

“Any school that invites a player who is not a student or a player who is above 17 will be sanctioned.

“Any teacher who loses his or her job for not sticking to the guidelines should not complain,’’ he said.

The deputy director said that both game master and principal of erring school would be punished.

He said that 20 private schools had so far indicated interest to participate in the competition.

Only one private school participated in the competition last year.

NAN reports that draws for the competition could not hold as scheduled on Friday as the list of private schools that indicated interest to participate were not available. (NAN)
DE/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo