Blog

NAN-DS-2
Warning
By Tukur Masanawa
Kano, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Police Command has warned the people of the state, especially those who organised and conducted religious processions, to desist from the act or face the wrath of the law.

This is contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Magaji Majiya, and made available to newsmen in Kano on Tuesday.

“The Kano State Police Command under the leadership of CP Rabiu Yusuf is sounding a warning, especially to people who organise and conduct processions in the name of religious rite.

“The commissioner of police boldly warned that the command would not relent in ensuring law and order prevail on any religious group or sect that is trying to become a threat to public peace and order,” Majiya said.

According to him, the Command would continue to respect the peoples rights to religion, but that it would not allow any group to abuse the rights by breaking the law and infringing other people’s rights.

“We hope the good people of the state will continue to cooperate with the Command to avert the criminal intent of some few elements in the state and its neighbourhood,” the police spokesman added. (NAN).
MTM/AMY
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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-DS-1
NAPTIP
Kano, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN)) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP), Kano Zonal Command, said it had rescued 57 victims of human trafficking in Katsina State.

The NAPTIP Zonal Commander, Mr Shehu Umar said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Tuesday, that the latest arrest raise the number of victims rescued to 263 this year.

He said the 57 victims were intercepted on Saturday, Oct. 8.

“The victims were intercepted in two separate groups by the Nigeria Immigration Service in Katsina state along Kongolom border in Mai’adua local area on their way to Libya.”

He said following the receipt of the report, the Zonal command went to Katsina and rescued the victims whose traffickers had since escaped.

“All the victims are here now with us pending the completion of the investigation currently going on.”

Umar said preliminary investigation had shown that the victims paid between N5, 000 and N250, 000 as fares to their traffickers to facilitate the journey to Libya.

He said the victims, aged between 12 and 38, had not travelling documents and were from Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Lagos and Ondo states.

According to him, the victims would be reunited with their families as soon as investigation is completed.

“With this achievement, the command has been able to rescue no fewer than 263 victims of human trafficking from January to date.

“Out of this number, 173 are female while the remaining 90 are male.

“The command had also secured conviction of eight suspects within the same period under review,” he said.

He commended the Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service for its effort in fighting human trafficking in the state. (NAN).
MTM/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-HE-11

Sanction

By Emmanuel Afonne

Abuja, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has sanctioned the Port Harcourt Distribution Company for not complying with the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry directives regarding submission of audited accounts.

A communiqué issued at the end of the sector’s monthly meeting held on Monday in Sokoto stated that Benin, Kano and Enugu Distribution Companies (DisCos) would also be sanctioned for non-submission of their financial statements.

The Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 established NERC’s authority to impose mandatory reliability standards on the transmission system and to impose penalties on companies that manipulate the electricity markets.

It also administers accounting and financial reporting regulations and conduct of regulated companies such as the DisCos.

NERC consequently directed that DisCos would be required to submit financial statements of their companies in accordance with the provision of their licences.

The communique reported the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), saying that the meeting was not meant to sanction operators but to find solutions to the electricity sector.

“Current reports indicated 3500MWh/h delivered by the national grid which represents a steady improvement over the past few months,” the communique said.

It noted that a recent performance report on the power sector reported an average of 3,166MW of power currently unavailable due to gas shortages caused by pipeline vandalism.

The meeting also noted that the remaining vandalised gas pipelines would shortly be repaired.

The communiqué further acknowledged improvements in response rates by Distribution Companies to customer complaints, notably resolving issues in Udu community in Delta State (Benin DisCo).

Improvements were also acknowledged at Rainbow College Ota (Ibadan DisCo) and other locations in other Distribution Companies around the country.

The meeting expressed anticipation of continued improvements in dispute resolution procedure with customers.

It recognised the need for the transmission system and the distribution companies to ensure that all incremental power added to national grid were evacuated by the grid and delivered to customers.

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) used the occasion to announce the completion of Alaoji to Ikot Ekpene 330kv DC line, as well as Calabar to Ikot Ekpene 330kv DC line.

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) informed the meeting of a promising outlook on gas by the end of the third quarter of 2016.

“The strategy for gas supply improvement involve restoring previous supply level by completing repairs of ELPS 24” pipeline by mid-November 2016, and incremental supply through new supply additions.

“The supply additions will come from the NPDC Oredo 2, Utorogu NAG2, Odidi, Giga gas and TEPNG.

“The meeting explained steps being taken to address the liquidity problem by government through previous approvals and payments, recognising that billing and payment are continuing occurrences in the business.

“The meeting was briefed about the plans of government to verify MDA debts by requesting DisCos to submit details of customers, while charging DisCos to reduce their own losses by increasing metering and also by furnishing their audited accounts.

“Steps are being taken to resolve interface issues that improve service to DisCos and the progress of transmission grid expansion programmes in Maiduguri, Damaturu, Mayo Balewa and Damboa which fall within the remit of Yola DisCo,” the communiqué added.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) briefed the meeting of the ongoing expansion projects in Sokoto, Kaduna, Zaria, Funtua, and Gusau within the territory of Kaduna DisCo. (NAN)

EMAF/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

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MMIA police command prosecutes 146 offenders in 9 months – Spokesman
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Prosecution
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Police Command on Tuesday said it prosecuted 146 persons for various offences between January and September 2016.
The command’s spokesman, DSP Joseph Alabi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that their offences included unlawful entry into the country and touting within the airport premises.
Alabi said the command secured 81 convictions within the period under review while 99 cases were still under investigation and trial.
He said that the command would continue to intensify efforts at making the airport a safer and more secured environment for travellers, airline operators and other users.
“Within the past few months, the Airport Police Commissioner, Victory Menta, mapped out some strategies that have increased security around the airport.
“Security agencies at the airport have distinct functions and the major thing we have done through collaboration is to reduce crowding in both the arrival and departure halls,“ he said.
According to him, this has drastically reduced the in-flow of persons with criminal tendencies into the terminal thereby making it safer. (NAN)
ASO/ECN/WOJ
(Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye and controlled by Wale Ojetimi)

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Protest

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Joint Workers Union of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) have staged a protest over the non-payment of their salary in full since January 2016.

Mr Joshua Ogunyado, the union Chairman, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that the salaries of the union members were being paid on percentage basis since the beginning of the year.

Ogunyado said that the protest became necessary following the failure of PCC management, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to address the problem after several meetings.

“The problem started in January when we began to have delay in the payment of workers’ salaries and when they started paying after two months, they began to pay in percentage.

“We have come to realize that the management of PCC, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning are responsible for this problem.

“Only N2 billion was approved for PCC in the 2016 budget and this represents 50 per cent of what is needed to run the commission.”

Ogunyado said the salaries were being paid piecemeal since January and vowed that the union would continue the protest until the outstanding arrears were settled.

In his reaction, Chief Emmanuel Ogbile, the Chief Commissioner of PCC, appealed to the union members to be patient with management, adding that efforts were being made to address the problem.

Ogbile said that the management was aware of the fact that the union members had been restive for the past two weeks but assured them that the challenge would soon be over.

He said that the annual budget of the commission was already receiving attention at the relevant ministries.

“The two concerns that we have — annual low budget and the shortfall arising from the 2016 budget —  are both being addressed  positively,” he said. (NAN)

IMC/DO/NKO

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Edited by David Onilede/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-H-102

Congress

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi said on Monday in Enugu that the government would continue to partner with any professional body in its efforts to revive the state’s economy.

Ugwuanyi made the pledge when the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the 6^th African Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) paid him a courtesy visit.

He, therefore, appealed to the association to leverage on the current economic challenges to increase livestock production in order to boost government revenue.

Earlier, the LOC Chairman, Prof. Denchris Onah, told the governor that the congress was being organised showcase the importance of food safety and that it would open up the state for investments in animal and agro-related industries.

“This congress is an opportunity to showcase the importance of food safety in the veterinary profession. The concept of food safety transcends the production of enough quantity of food for the populace.

“More important is that the foods produced must come to the populace in a wholesome manner such that the consumers are not going to be sick.

“We hope this congress will be one of the ways the association will help to attract investments to the state.”

Onah further said that the LOC was working in liaison with the World Veterinary Medical Association to ensure a successful ceremony.

According to him, the event, which will be a joint congress between AVMA and the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), will hold from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 and will attract participants from across Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event will also mark the 53rd congress of the NVMA. (NAN)

EOA/NKO/NKO

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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NEITI

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, Oct 10,2016 (NAN)The Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) on Monday in Abuja assured that the Senate would continue to support the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI ) through improved budgetary provision.

This information is contained in a statement issued by NEITI’s Director of Communications Orji Ogbonnaya Orji.

Orji stated that the Chairman, Senate Committee, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Sen. Omotayo Alasoadura, gave the assurance during an oversight visit to NEITI Secretariat.

According to Alasoadura, NEITI, as a special agency of government deserves special attention by way of adequate funding to ensure effective execution of its mandate of ensuring  transparency in the extractive industry.

He said that the issues raised in the NEITI’s audit reports were receiving the attention of the Senate and expressed dismay over poor funding of the agency.

He said that the Senate might need to review the law establishing NEITI to enable the agency retained a percentage of revenues recovered from the extractive companies to address the agency’s funding challenges.

He expressed satisfaction with the contributions of NEITI in the on-going reforms of the nation’s extractive industries.

The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mr. Waziri Adio informed the committee that NEITI was currently confronted with serious financial challenges.

He said that the financial challenges was capable of hampering NEITI’s core mandate and appealed to  the committee members to do everything within their powers to rescue the agency.

Adio stressed the need for a new law for the petroleum sector, noting that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was one priority area the Senate needed to pay immediate attention.

He called for a piece-meal approach to the passage of the PIB, adding that there was need for the law to have robust transparency, accountability and efficiency measures.

According to him, NEITI has a legitimate interest in the bill.

He urged the Senate to work with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure that a new petroleum law was enacted and used as one of the strategies for economic recovery.

He thanked the Senate for providing the opportunity for NEITI to brief the Upper House on the findings of its 2013 oil, gas and solid minerals audit reports. (NAN)

KC/SYC
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Edited by Ismaila Chafe.

Lawyer decries invasion, judges’ arrest by DSS

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Arrest

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Abuja, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Mr Paul Oshiemomoh, has  decried the invasion and arrest of judges for alleged corruption by  the Department of State Services (DSS).

Oshiemomoh said this  in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, the DSS has no  powers under the National Security Agencies Act to arrest any judge, adding that the Act establishing the DSS does not empower its operatives  to investigate allegations that have  to do with economic crimes.

The lawyer said that the Police, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) were the only relevant institutions established by law to handle allegations of corruption.

He, therefore, cautioned the DSS  against  indulging in acts that could ridicule the Federal Government in the international community for failure to respect the rule of law.

Oshiemomoh advised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Judiciary to support any legitimate means used by government to fight corruption.

“Corruption is a deadly virus to our economy and whosoever is involved whether or not he is a judge, should not be shielded.”

The lawyer  emphasised that  effective synergy between the executive and the judiciary was the only way to  succeed in fighting corruption.

“Whatever evidence they  have against these judges, the DSS ought to have liaised with the head of the judiciary with their evidence and I believe the Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN) will oblige them to come for further questioning.

NAN reports that the DSS had on Oct. 8 arrested two justices of  the Supreme Court, three judges of the  Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court over allegations of corruption.

Meanwhile, a DSS statement made available to NAN late on Monday indicated that the judges had been released on self-recognition. (NAN)

AMU/OSA/NKO

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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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Gov. Wike urges new CTC chairmen to reside in council areas

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Councils

By Azubuike Okeh
Port Harcourt, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN) Rivers Gov. Nyesom Wike has urged the newly sworn-in Caretaker Committee Chairmen to reside in their respective area councils instead of the state capital.

Wike made the call in Port Harcourt on Monday while addressing the 19 newly sworn-in caretaker committee chairmen.

He decried the fact that council chairmen preferred residing in the state capital instead of staying close to their people.

According to him, not staying within the communities in the area councils will keep them far away from the people.

“The third tier government is the closest to the people; so, those in charge of the system must be close to the people.

“Not living among the people keeps you far away from the people; they need to be close to feel the challenges of the people.”

The governor further advised the chairmen to evolve networks to generate information that would help in tackling security challenges in the rural communities.

He expressed worry that many council chairmen were only interested in security votes and never bothered to liaise with security agencies.

“You are the eyes of the government at the grassroots; you must liaise with the security agencies and the people; that is what leadership is all about,’’ Wike stressed. (NAN)

AZU/ACO/NKO

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Edited by Oluleye Abiodun/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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Arrested judges: Allow justice take its course, MURIC tells NBA

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Appeal

By Suleiman Shehu

Ibadan, Oct. 10, 2016 (NAN)Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an NGO,  has advised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to stop its threat to  boycott the courts and allow justice take its course over the arrest of some judges by the Department of State Services (DSS).

MURIC’s Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, gave the advice in a statement issued on Monday in Ibadan  and made available to newsmen.

Akintola asked the NBA to look around the world and tell Nigerians where judges were allowed to get away with dirty deals.

He said that Nigerians could fold their arms while Nigerian judges corruptly enrich themselves.

“ MURIC welcomes the action taken by the Federal Government to curb corruption in the judiciary.

“Recent revelations have shown that judges collude with criminals and corrupt politicians to thwart efforts aimed at reducing the rate of crime and corruption.

“The judiciary, as the last hope of the common man, must be above board and therefore, the bad eggs must be dealt with.’’

He cited India, China and Ghana as good examples where judges were arrested and punished for corrupt practices, noting that 867 Indian judges were arrested and punished for corrupt practices in 2011.

“Two other judges were arrested in India in 2014 for collecting money to settle cases in favour of the givers.

“China’s lawyers did not pull down the Chinese sky. But in Nigeria, NBA wants us to rain praises on corrupt judges.

“In Ghana, about 34 judges were recently charged for corruption while 20 of them were dismissed on Dec. 8, 2015, and Ghanaians did not celebrate the corrupt judges.’’

According to Akintola, corruption cannot be eliminated or reduced, if we always want to defend the indefensible once the affected persons have the slightest affiliation to us.

“We all pledged unalloyed support to the Federal Government’s war against corruption,’’ the MURIC director said. (NAN)

SYS/NKO/NKO

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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

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