Blog

NAN-H-81

Trial

By Sandra Umeh

Lagos Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday heard how a former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, acquired a bulletproof car for his personal use.

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Orji Chukwuma, made this known during his testimony on the matter.

Akpobolokemi is standing trial on a five-count charge of allegedly defrauding NIMASA of N2.6 billion between March and June 2014.

He was arraigned alongside, Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan, Blockz and Stonz Ltd. and Al-Kenzo Logistics Ltd. before Justice Ibrahim Buba on Dec. 4, 2015, and they all pleaded not guilty.

At the resumed hearing, Chukwuma tendered documents how he acquired the car and also paid for his rented apartment situated in Ondo Street, Banana Island, Lagos.

Led in evidence by EFCC lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness said “the first accused (Akpobolokemi) brought a document to us in relation to how he paid for his rented apartment on Ondo Street, Banana Island, Lagos.

Chukwuma also attached a document from an estate surveyor on payments of his house rent.

He further told the court that Akpobolokemi also submitted to the commission a receipt for the purchase of a bulletproofed car.

Consequently, EFCC lawyer tendered the documents and urged the court to mark them as exhibits.

But, M M Ajuwa, Counsel to Akpobolokemi, objected to the admissibility of the documents on the grounds that he was not served with the documents.

Ajuwa argued that the documents sought to be tendered ought to have been front-loaded in line with section 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

In his ruling, Justice Ibrahim Buba, held that “it is sacrosanct that every accused person shall be given opportunity to defend himself and must be served with necessary documents including documents he (accused) submitted to the EFCC”.

Buba subsequently adjourned the case till Oct, 26 for continuation of trial.

EFCC had alleged that Akpobolokemi and others converted for private use N2.6 billion belonging to NIMASA.

The offences contravened Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition/Amendment) Act of 2012

The prosecution said that on or about February 2014 in Lagos, the accused persons conspired among themselves to converted N437 million belonging to NIMASA.

They were alleged to have on Jan. 9, 2014 converted to their private use N66,800.000 property of NIMASA and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (3)of the Money Laundering Act, 2012.

The accused were further alleged to have between April and August, 2014 converted to their own use N21,802,000 and additional N53,749,000.00 respectively.

When the charge was read to them, they all pleaded not guilty to the charge. (NAN)

UNS/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Auto crash kills 3, injures 11 at Kugbo – FRSC

NAN-DS-10
Crash
By Angela Atabo
Abuja, Oct.14, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Friday said three people had been killed in a road traffic crash along Kugbo- Karu – Nyanya road, Abuja.

Mr Bisi Kazeem, FRSC’s Head of Media Relations and Strategy, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the crash occurred at Kugbo, opposite the Army check point, before Karu Bridge.

Kazeem said that five vehicles and 11 people were involved in the crash.

“Three people died in the crash and their bodies had been deposited at the Asokoro General Hospital, while two injured ones are also at the same hospital,’’ he said.

He said other injured persons had been taken to the National Hospital, Abuja for treatment. (NAN)
ATAB/AK/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Alleged sack: Court fixes Dec.1 for adoption of address

NAN-H -80

Address

By Doris Esa

Abuja,Oct.14, 2016 (NAN) The National Industrial Court on Friday fixed Dec1 as the final written addresses between Rebecca Kwasau and Union Bank of Nigeria till Dec. 1

Kwasau sued the bank for the termination of her appointment for alleged gross misconduct and non-payment of her entitlement from 2009 to date

The claimant, who had worked for the respondent bank for 25 years, is also asking the court to exonerate her of any blame in the matter.

The judge, Justice Peter Lifu fixed the date after the claimant’s counsel, Mr Eloka Okoye closed his case after cross- examining the respondent’s witness, Sally Dagun.

Dagun , a supervisor in the bank, had told the court that Kwasau was dismissed for gross misconduct.

She told the court that any action that made the bank to lose money was a misconduct, adding the the claimant did no exercise due diligence in the performance of her duty..(NAN)

ORD/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Speed Limiting Device: FRSC issues warning tickets to 41,381 commercial drivers’ defaulters

NAN-DS-9
Compliance
By Angela Atabo
Abuja, Oct.14, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Friday issued warning tickets to 41,381 commercial drivers nationwide who defaulted in the implementation of the Speed Limiting Device.

Mr Bisi Kazeem, FRSC’s Head of Media Relations and Strategy, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the compliance level for 43,433 vehicles was checked nationwide, out of which 2,273 vehicles complied, while 41,381 were yet to comply.

Kazeem said that tickets were issued to the 41,381 yet to comply with the implementation, adding that the corps had recorded above five per cent compliance level nationwide within two weeks.

He said the corps had commenced the advisory enforcement of the device which was more of subtle force, on Oct. 1, 2016

“Like we explained, subtle force is a sought of enforcement approach that entails us stopping commercial vehicles and finding out whether they have installed the speed limiting device.

“If they have not, a ticket is issued to that offender, it is called free safety check and it is to warn that you have been verified not to have installed the device.

“Progressively as at now, 43,433 vehicles have been checked and the number with the device is 2,273, unfortunately, this is low, though in some sought, it is encouraging .

“ So far, Cross Rivers is leading in the compliance list with 277 installation record; Enugu State is second with 227; Akwa/Ibom has 184; while Kogi has 172 and Lagos came fifth with 145,’’ the FRSC spokesman.

Kazeem said the implementation process was categorised into 36 states and the FCT, and as at Oct.14, five states were leading in the compliance level.

He said Cross Rivers, Enugu and Akwa/Ibom ,however, increased the number of states that had begun the implementation of the device order given by the FRSC.

NAN recalls that Rivers and Kogi had last week begun the implementation and are leading other states in the compliance level.

Kazeem said that the corps would continue to check and give warning tickets to commercial vehicles that defaulted as well as encourage them to do the right thing.

He advised fleet operators that had installed the device already to calibrate it and upload it with the FRSC so as ensure full compliance .

He also urged the unions to continue to support the scheme and comply with it fully before February 2017 when the corps would begin strict enforcement.

“No going back on punishment of defaulters, so it is a clarion call to install to comply before before 2017, ’’ the FRSC spokesman said (NAN)
ATAB/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-88

Conference

By Akin Makanjuola

Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi, said the current fight against corruption should be embraced by all Nigerians to save the nation from collapse.

Utazi stated this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, on a two-day National Anti-Corruption Conference scheduled to hold on Tuesday in the Federal capital.

NAN reports that the conference is being organised by the National Assembly in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Utazi affirmed that the national assembly was on the same page with the Federal Government on the war against corruption.

He said that in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s body language, well-meaning Nigerians should join in the anti-graft fight

According to the lawmaker, the corruption fight informed the synergy between the senate and the presidency in organising a conference on anti-corruption to help to secure the future of our nation.

Speaking in same vein, Utazi’s House of Representatives counterpart, Mr Jide Akinloye, told NAN that the national assembly could not sit on the fence while the country’s destiny was being hijacked by greedy and unpatriotic people.

“The conference, therefore, signposts our common resolve to align with like minds to put an end to all corrupt tendencies, impunity and financial recklessness in our public life.”

Similarly, Consultant to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Anti-Corruption, Mr Victor Oluwafemi, said that the conference was a clear signal that the presidency and national assembly were on the same page in fighting corruption.

“Buhari, like the Biblical Moses, needs the support of Aaron and Hur to succeed in the war against corruption.”

“The only obstacle before Nigeria can assume its proper role as an emerging power in the world is corruption,” Oluwafemi said.

NAN reports that the conference, which will hold at the Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre, will be declared opened by President Muhammadu Buhari. (NAN)

AK/DO/OPI

Edited by David Onilede and Olisa Ifeajika

NAN-HE-16
Recession
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) A Lagos-based financial expert, Mr Bismarck Rewane, on Friday expressed optimism that Nigeria would get out of recession by 2018 with the right economic policies.

Rewane, also the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Ltd., said this  at the 2016 Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) Triennial Delegates Conference/Gala Night in Lagos.

The financial expert said that the Federal Government must embrace the best economic policies urgently to addressing the recession.

“It will take a minimum of 18 months for Nigeria to get out of recession, and signs of recovery will start showing in 2017 with the best policies.

“Nigeria will start showing symptoms of wellness in 2017 and by 2018, Nigeria will be well again,” Rewane said.

According to him, there is sense of urgency, honesty and desperation in addressing the country’s economic challenges.

The financial expert said: “If we fail this time as a country, everybody fails.”

He said that government must raise funds from multinational agencies, reduce interest rate and debt servicing to achieve the desired growth.

Rewane called for an expansion in credit supply and reduction of the Cash Reverse Requirement (CRR) for banks to lend to the real sector.

The financial expert insisted that redundant assets could be concessioned to bring the country out of recession.

Rewane said that public schools, hospitals and public hospitals needed to be more efficient and effective to reduce pressure on foreign exchange.

Rewane attributed the nation’s economic challenges to “policy disalignment,” external imbalances and internal imbalances that  led to low productivity.

Mr Arnold Ekpe, former Group Managing Director, Ecobank Transnational, in a keynote address, said that government needed to reflate the economy through infrastructure development to create economic activities.

Ekpe said that effective power sector was paramount for the growth and development of other sectors of the economy.

“A lot of countries had moved ahead of Nigeria. South Africa now is number one in Africa. We should try and regain our position, we have the people, we have oil and other things. We need to take an action now,” he said.

Ekpe said that government and regulators should work together to deepen the nation’s bourse.

Mr Ikechukwu Kelikume of the Lagos Business School, said that there must be a balance in monetary and fiscal policy for the country to move forward.

Kelikume said that government must promote the non-oil export sector to increase the country’s export revenue.

He also called for tax rebate and tax holiday for local industries to encourage local manufacturers.

Dr Erastus Akingbola, former Managing Director, defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, said that government needed to change the current foreign exchange policy to encourage people with dollars to bring them into the country.

Akingbola said that stringent policies should be curtailed in order to bring the country out of recession.

He said that government must encourage entrepreneurs and exporters because they were the only ones that would create the needed jobs.

Akingbola also called for reduction in the cost of governance, noting that Nigerian political system was very expensive.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference was “Financial turbulence & regulatory framework in a recession economy.” (NAN)
JNC/AOM/YAZ
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Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/ Yusuf Zango

NAN-H-85
Hosting
By Ekemini Ladejobi
Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) Nigeria and Algeria are to host the first ever regional office of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
WIPO is the United Nations specialised Agency tasked with global intellectual property services, information and cooperation.
Brazil, Japan, Russia and Singapore currently host its offices in the other regions.
A statement by Clement Aduku, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued on Friday in Abuja, said the Nigerian office would serve the sub-Saharan countries.
It added that the proposed office would be domiciled in a wing of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) office complex in Maitama, Abuja.
It said the decision was taken at the just-concluded 56th meeting of WIPO in Geneva, Switzerland, where it was adopted that the first external offices be established in Africa since the inception of the body in 1967.
The statement also said that the decision to establish the office “ will strengthen Nigeria and Africa’s creative and innovative industries by focusing attention on the promotion of innovation, creativity and intellectual property rights’’.
“It will be immensely beneficial to our multi-dimensional and fast growing creative industry, such as Nollywood.
“It will enhance the drive to diversify the economy as well as spur innovation and research in science and technology.
“It will enhance the development of patent rights vis-à-vis activities in agriculture as well as the science and technology sectors.
“It will enhance the level of awareness of Nigerians on the issue of intellectual property and enable people with talent to be justly rewarded for their efforts,’’ the statement said.
It said while African member states were at liberty to contest for the two external offices, at the end of the Intra-African election process, Nigeria with 33 votes and Algeria scoring 29 votes emerged victorious ahead of Kenya (12 votes), Egypt (7 votes), Morocco (7 votes) and Tunisia (92 votes).
NAN gathered that the Ministry through its Permanent Mission in Geneva had successfully deployed its diplomatic machinery, demonstrating commitment and constructively engaging member states to ensure that Nigeria emerged victorious in its quest to host the office. (NAN)
EAL/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-AE-13
Food
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has said that the nation’s $20 billion food import bill was unsustainable, saying Nigeria must be ready to take up the challenge of feeding its population.

The governor said this on Friday during an interactive meeting with farmers at Otan-Ayegbaju in Boluwaduro Local Government Area of the state.

Aregbeaola, who noted that the era of crude oil had gone, said government must think on how to successfully diversify the economy.

“It is now glaring to us that crude oil has gone to base. We have seen the challenge facing our monolithic economy. Oil is no more sell able in the market as it used to be.

“We must all go back to farm because agriculture is the only way out to this economic mess.

“And we are so blessed in this part of the world with a weather condition that supports lucrative farming unlike some other parts of the world.

“But unfortunately, our craze for foreign taste is so huge that we put undue pressure on ourselves.

Today, Nigeria’s import bill stands at a staggering $20bn and this is unsustainable.”

Aregbesola, however, said his administration had prioritized agriculture with a view to turning the state to food basket of the nation.

He said as part of his administration’s six-point integral action plan was deliberately designed to banish hunger and enhance massive increase in food production through different agricultural intervention.

He urged the farmers to be more dedicated, proactive and proficient, especially at the time the economy of the country was yearning for diversification.

In his remarks, Owa of Otan-Ayegbaju, Oba Lukman Fadipe, commended Aregbesola on his support for the farmers through the provision of agricultural incentives.

Some of the farmers, who spoke at the meeting, also commended Gov. Aregbesola for his support for farmers in the state.

One of the farmers, Mr Muideen Abidoye, a pepper grower, said the timely support received from the state government had helped him to go on large scale farming.(NAN)
VE/AOM/AFA
Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Felix Ajide
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NAN-S-13
Tennis
By Franklin Ohaegbu
Lagos, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) Downpour on Friday did not stop the top male seed at the ongoing Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis tournament, Enrique Lopez-Perez from getting a ticket to the final.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) covering the championship reports that the downpour affected the clement weather experienced before.

The Spaniard defeated Egypt’s Karim-Mohamed Maaroun, seeded three, 6-4, 6-4 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

The match that lasted less than an hour saw the confidence with which the top seed delivered his balls deep into the half of his opponent.

Lopez-Perez told NAN after the game that he knew he would defeat his opponent because he had studied his last two matches and found his weakness.

“I saw myself winning the match; all I needed to do was to work on his weakness.

“I made sure I put more of my balls at the far left corner of the court where he would run to retrieve them.

“I don’t know if I will meet Sasi Mukund from India or the French man, Gainni Mina, but I am certain I’ll contain any of them,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Julia Terziyska of Bulgaria, seeded six, will settle scores with Switzerland’s Conny Perrin in one of the semi-final games in the women’s singles.

Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia, seeded two, and number five seed, Deniz Khazaniuk of Israel will fight for the final ticket.

The players came from 39 countries of the world and are fighting for ranking points and 50, 000 dollars prize money in the men and women’s events.

The finals of the first leg of the competition will hold on Sunday. (NAN)
FOE/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-AE-12

Agriculture

By Kabir Muhammad

Abuja, Oct. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, on Friday, urged prospective investors to take advantage of prevailing conducive environment in the territory to tap its huge agricultural potential.

Bello made the call in Abuja at an interactive session with participants of Course 25 of the National Defence College, Abuja.

According to him, agriculture is the in-thing that we are looking toward in Nigeria to bail us substantially out of the present economic situation that we have found ourselves.

Bello, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in his office, Dr Babatope Ajakaiye, said that every hand should be on deck in the development of the agricultural sector.

“We really believe that this is the time to do it right, to go back to the farms, to go back to what we know is the real sector of Nigeria’s economy.

“We are also strategizing to make sure that we harness the great potential that the FCT has in the area of agriculture, which you must have seen and we are ready for you to talk to us about.

“The FCT administration is prepared to harness all the potential in the agricultural sub-sector for the overall interest of the nation because that is the way to go,” he said.

The course participants were led by a Director of the College, Brig.- Gen. Adekola Bakare. (NAN)

KM/AOM/OPI

By Abdullahi Mohammed and Olisa Ifeajika