Blog

Court jails man 4 months for housebreaking
NAN-H-58
Jail
By Ugochi Ugochukwu
Abuja, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Tuesday  sentence a 25-year- old man, Abubakar Lawal, to four months imprisonment for housebreaking and causing hurt.

Lawal of Kuchigoro village, Airport Road, Abuja, had pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of housebreaking attempt to commit
theft and causing hurt.

The Area Court judge, Sadiq Abubakar, did not give the convict an option of fine, and said that the punishment would serve as deterrent to others.

He warned the convict to desist from committing crime after his prison term.

Prosecutor Dalhatu Zannah told the court that Rita Bisong of Jabi Daki Biyu reported the matter to Life Camp Police
Station on Oct. 4.

Zannah said that the convict broke the complainant’s bathroom wall and enter her bedroom at about 4:30 a.m. .

He said that in the process of entering the room the convict was caught by the complainant’s neighbours, Tochukwu Nnodu, and Nnodu
Austin.

He stressed that on the process of blocking the convict he brought out knife and scissors, stabbed Austin on his leg and inflicted injury on Tochukwu.

Zannah told the court that they were rushed to the hospital and the complainant spent N35, 000 for their treatment.

He said that the convict made a confessional statement, the knife and scissors were recovered

The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections, 346, 95 and 244 of the Penal Code. (NAN)
UGO/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Reverse brain drain to develop Africa, NGO urges

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Development
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Peoples Movement for a New Nigeria (PMNN), an NGO,  on Tuesday said reversing the brain drain in Africa was the surest way to ensure the continent’s development.

The PMNN President, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that Africa’s brain drain dilemma had become more worrisome.

NAN reports that PMNN is involved in the promotion of African development and unity.

“Africa’s brain drain dilemma is becoming ever more worrisome as the continent is getting poorer while its experts and intellectuals are drifting out to swell its populations in the Diaspora.

“With responsible leadership in Africa, we can create conditions that will nurture and equitably share wealth in a way that can retain our professionals.

“The top brains, skilled nurses, medical doctors, technologists, engineers and other professionals that are lured away by the glitter of the developed economies.

“Our academic and research institutions as well as health facilities and the material conditions of intellectual workers must be improved, otherwise we will remain mere buyers and consumers of knowledge,’’ Ndu said.

According to him, Africa has paid an extraordinary price for her lack of domestic technological knowledge.

The PMNN president said the lack of technological knowledge made Nigeria export crude petrol, only to import refined petroleum.

He added that it was this same lack that made the country export raw steel, only to import cars that were essentially steel products.

“Knowledge is the engine that drives economic growth, and Africa cannot eliminate poverty without first nurturing and retaining its intellectual capital.

“Reversing the brain drain will increase Africa’s intellectual capital as well its wealth,’’ Ndu said.

He lamented that, 56 years after independence, Nigeria had yet to gain technological independence, adding that this is why affluent Africans flew abroad for medical treatment.

The NGO chief noted that African medical schools were in fact serving America and the rest of the world as a production line for such professionals.

He said this could be deduced from the significant percentage of African doctors and nurses who practice in the Diaspora.

“A recent World Bank survey shows that African universities are exporting a large percentage of their graduating manpower to the United States.

“In a given year, it is estimated that 70,000 skilled Africans migrate to Europe and the United States.

“While these 70,000 skilled Africans flee the continent in search of employment and decent wages, 100,000 skilled expatriates who are paid wages higher than the prevailing rate in Europe are hired to replace them.’’

Ndu said that the more important issue was to reduce poverty by creating wealth, not by these intellectuals sending money home.

“Real wealth cannot be measured by money; money cannot teach your children but teachers can, money cannot bring electricity but engineers can, money cannot cure sick people but doctors can,’’ he stressed. (NAN)
EPA/COF/MST
Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-28
Speed
Katsina, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Katsina State says it has so far issued warning tickets to 1,227 commercial motorists for failing to install the Speed Limit Device (SLD).
The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Alhaji Abdu Bagadawa, disclosed this in Katsina on Tuesday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said that of the 1,229 vehicles checked across the state, only two had complied, while the remaining 1,227 were yet to install the devise.
‘’It is unfortunate that only two drivers complied with the directive in the state.
‘’That will not deter us from continuing to enlighten members of NURTW, NARTO and Katsina State Transport Authority on the importance of complying with the directive,’’ he said.
According to him, subtle enforcement was conducted between the Oct. 1 and Oct 17, 2016 and this would continue until Jan. 1, 2017 when the actual enforcement would commence.
Bagadwa advised all commercial drivers to install the devise in their vehicles to avoid sanction.
He also called for more companies to supply the devise for motorists in the state.
SDL is an instrument that controls the speed of a vehicle so as to reduce road accidents in the country.(NAN)
ZI/MNA/TA
(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Tajudeen Atitebi)

NAN-H-55

EFCC

by Tukur Muntari Masanawa

Kano, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zone, said it had recovered over N54.5 billion from fraudsters and politicians in the last ten months.

The commission also said it recovered 622, 200 dollars, eight houses, nine plots of land, three trucks and a car from January to date.

The EFCC Zonal Head of operations, Mr Nnaghe Oboni-Itam made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in Kano on Tuesday.

According to him, the commission had recorded 214 cases out of which it secured 23 convictions whiles 24 other cases are pending in courts.

“The zone was directed by the Chairman in June to look into a complaint about diversion and fraudulent schemes involving the distribution of Petroleum Products during the last crisis in the country.

“Our investigation into the cyclical, bridging and retail schemes yielded a refund of over N54.3 billion to government by credit marketers who collected products, sold them but refused to remit the monies,” he said.

Oboni-Itam also disclosed the commission had recovered several millions of naira for the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

According to him, the EFCC in the zone is partnering with relevant stakeholders to ensure value is derived by the government through appropriate collection of taxes, rates and royalties.

He said the commission had intensified enlightenment campaigns on the ills of corruption.

The EFCC zonal head commended President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the political will to fight corruption and all forms of fraudulent manifestations in national life.

“On a daily basis, hitherto ‘untouchables’ and ‘sacred cows’ are being investigated and some undergoing prosecution.

“Our media department is liaising with states under the zone, using NYSC outreach programmes, to enlighten and foster the needed ant-corruption culture to build integrity among our citizens,” he added.

NAN reports that Kano zone comprises Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states. (NAN).
MTM/MZA
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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-H-54
Tragedy
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, Oct. 18, 2016(NAN) Tragedy struck on Tuesday morning at Ojaoba area of Ibadan metropolis when the driver of an articulated vehicle conveying cement lost control and crushed four persons to death.

An eye witness, Alhaja Amina Biobaku, told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Ibadan that the incident occurred when the brake of the vehicle failed and the driver lost control, crushing three tricycles as well as one micra taxi cab and ended up in a shop.

The incident, which happened at about 7.20 a.m., led to a traffic snarl in the ever busy commercial area.

Confirming the incident, the Sector Commander of the FRSC in Oyo State, Mr Yusuf Salami, said one male child, one female child as well as a male and a female adult were killed in the incident.

He said the four people, who were injured in the incident, had been taken to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for treatment.

Salami added that the corpses of those who died had been deposited at the New Adeoyo Hospital.

Also speaking to NAN, the police spokesman in the state, Mr Adekunle Ajisebutu, said the driver of the articulated vehicle had been arrested.

He also said all the vehicles involved in the multiple accident had been evacuated for inspection by Vehicle Inspection Officers while investigation was ongoing. (NAN)
SYS/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

AEPB arrests 589 hawkers, 25 cows, 51 sheep in 5 months – Director

NAN-AE-6
Arrest

By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) said on Tuesday that it arrested 589 hawkers, 25 cows, 51 sheep and nine herdsmen between May and September.

Mrs Omolola Olanipekun, Acting Director of the board disclosed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the herdsmen and the animals were arraigned in the FCT mobile court.

Olanipekun said that the board had embarked on strong sensitisation programme to educate the residents of the FCT on the dangers involved in street hawking.

She said that the board also had dialogue with the leadership of the herdsmen in the FCT to explain to them the implication of moving their animals into the city centres.

According to her, we have taken out time in the mass media to sensitise and educate the residents on the ban of street hawking.

“This sensitisation campaign took the board couple of weeks before the commencement of enforcement by prosecuting defaulters at the mobile court.

“Since my assumption, in May this year, about 589 hawkers have been arrested and prosecuted between the month of May and September.

“Also, within the five months, 25 cows, 51 sheep and 9 herdsmen were arrested and convicted with fines range from N3,000 to N7,000, accordingly,’’ she said.

She said that the board had identified illegal dumping of waste and provided roll-off bins in such strategies locations for effective management of waste in the FCT.

The acting director also noted that the board had collaborated with some communities and established community Sanitation Forum with such communities, for a sustainable waste disposal in the FCT.

Olanipekun said that the board wants to ensure that all the illegal areas for car wash in the FCT were closed down, adding that such activities have a negative impact.

She said that some of the challenges faced by the board are negative attitude by the residents towards keeping their environment clean and indiscriminate dumping of waste in unauthorised areas.

She appealed to the media as well as the residents to support the board in ensuring a sustainable and sound environmental sanitation practices.

“The board is making effort to ensure that it collaborates with  the media and other relevant agencies to promote a healthier and cleaner environment.

“The board has engaged in radio jingles for an aggressive somatisation campaign against street hawking.

“We move round the FCT with our vehicles announcing to the residents the dangers of living in dirty environment.

“We will keep silent until we achieve a healthy environment in the FCT,’’ she said. (NAN)
VOE/COA/AFA
Edited by Constance Athekame/Felix Ajide
==============================

NAN-S-6
Transparency
London, Oct. 18, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) The next England soccer manager will have to pass strict behaviour protocol tests, and vow 100 per cent commitment to the job, FA Chairman Greg Clarke told British MPs on Monday.

He would ideally be English and, if not, should be fully conversant with the game in England and have several years experience of managing at the top level.

Clarke, who has been Football Association Chairman since early September, was grilled by the Parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee following Sam Allardyce’s ill-fated 67-day reign as England manager.

“Sam was in breach of his duties as an employee … He let us down badly because in the end we want an England manager whose sole priority is winning for the team,’’ Clarke said.

Allardyce, given the job in July, left after the Daily Telegraph reported that he had allegedly offered advice on how to get round FA transfer rules.

He was in charge for one World Cup qualifier.

The committee, concerned about corruption in English football, questioned whether the FA had delved deeply enough into Allardyce’s past before appointing him.

They cited a TV investigation in 2006 into his transfer deals as a club manager.

Clarke, who for six years was chairman of the Football League which governs the professional game below the Premier League, said no wronging had been found.

The story by undercover reporters was published three weeks ago.

It included allegations that Allardyce, hired for a reported 3 million pounds ($3.7 million) a year, was offered 400,000 pounds, to represent a Far East firm interested in investing in the English game, if possible by circumventing rules. (Reuters/NAN)
ERO/PDE
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(Edited by Peter Ejiofor)

Expert says tourism can alleviate poverty

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Poverty

By Ebere Agozie

Abuja, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) Mr Manfred Nzekwe, the Senior Special Assistant on Tourism to Enugu State governor, says sustainable tourism development is a major tool for poverty alleviation.

Nzekwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that poverty was the most challenging problem facing the country.

He said that tourism could be harnessed as a significant force for alleviation of poverty and environmental protection if all stakeholders should give adequate attention to it.

“Tourism development is one of the few options we have for diversifying and stabilising the economy.

“If we properly develop our tourism sector, it will create millions of jobs and development opportunities for very poor host communities.

“We should therefore develop entrepreneurial capacities and managerial skills, especially in small and medium size enterprises, in order to improve the competitiveness of tourism products and services.”

He advised stakeholders to deliberately identify tourism strategies that could help in tackling the scourge of poverty and contribute to the international target of having the number of people in extreme poverty.

“There should be a partnership between stakeholders and host communities, and planning that will effectively empower and maintain the environmental, social and cultural integrity of host communities.

“A market for the labour and products of the poor should be created, as well as training and technical support to assist in raising the quality of locally produced goods and services.

“Most importantly, we must develop infrastructures such as roads, bridges, electricity, water supply and communication facilities,” he said. (NAN)
EPA/DE/MST
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAN-H-50

Name

Benin, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) Residents of Use in Egor Local Government Area of Edo turned out en masse to welcome the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Eheneden Erediauwa during his visit to Edigin N’ Use on Tuesday.

Edigin is the custodian of the shrine in Use where the crown prince will choose a name for his coronation and reign on Thursday.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the crown prince left Usama Palace to Use village where he will take a name ahead of his coronation at Urho-Okpota in Benin on Thursday.

Residents thronged strategic positions to get vantage view of the crown prince as he walked on the streets to Use.

The Odionwere (Head) of Use, Mr Samuel Ekhaguosa, told NAN that “today would remain historic in the life of those witnessing the event.’’
Ekhaguosa said that the crown prince’s visit to Edigin N’ Use to chose a name will remain memorable to the residents.

Security personnel were seen at strategic positions controlling both human and vehicule movements within the area. (NAN)
AJOM/KOO/IEA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Idahosa Asowata

NAN-H-18
Charms
Lagos, Oct. 18, 2016 (NAN) A 24-year-old resident of Gowon Estate, Lagos, Gbenga Kalejaiye, who allegedly charmed a woman before stealing her N125,000, was on Tuesday hauled up before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

Kalejaiye, who lives at Gowon Estate, Egbeda, is being tried for breach of the peace, stealing and unlawful possession of charms.

According to the prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, the accused committed the offences on Oct. 4 at Oremeji Street, Ilupeju, Lagos.

He said that the accused and others still at large conspired to attack one Mrs Mary Musa with charms and stole her N125,000 valuables and cash.

Ogu said that a company PNN Nigeria Ltd was owing the complainant N2 million, but when she came for her money, the company sent thugs to attacked her.

“The complainant and her husband supplied N2 million diesel to the organisation, but when the complainant’s husband died the company refused to pay the money.

“Anytime the complainant came for the money, the company would give one excuse or the other.”

The prosecutor said on the fateful day the complainant came as usual to collect her money, but the management refused to open the gate for her and she kept knocking.

“She kept knocking the gate and all of a sudden, a vehicle arrived with six thugs ordering her to leave and warned her not to come back to the company.

“When the complainant insisted on collecting her money, the accused and others brought out charms tied around their waists and hit her, and she fell.

“When she regained consciousness, she ran for her dear life and the accused pursed and snatched her bag.

“The accused ransacked her handbag and stole one iPad valued at N80,000 and a cash of N45,000, totalling N125,000.

According to the prosecutor, the complainant saw a team of policemen on patrol and narrated her story and the police rush to the scene.

“When the accused sighted the policemen coming toward them, they rushed back into their vehicle, drove off leaving the accused behind.”

The offences contravened Sections 166, 285, 327 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the accused risks a three-year imprisonment if convicted.

However, the accused pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N150,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mrs T. Akanni, adjourned the case to Dec. 5 for mention. (NAN)
DOA/DA
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Edited by Dele Akinsola