Blog

Edo 2016: INEC denies allegation of ballot box snatching, gunshots
By Kevin Okunzuwa
NAN-H-104
Denial
Benin, Sept.28 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has denied report of ballot box snatching and gunshots in some polling centres during the Edo governorship election on Wednesday.

Gov. Adams Oshiomhole had earlier said he received a report  that some thugs allegedly snatched ballot boxes at Opoji in Esan North-East Local Government Area during the election.

Oshiomhole also alleged that the suspected snatchers shot sporadically before taking away the ballot boxes.

Mr Nick Dazang, INEC Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity, made the denial in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Wednesday.

“I just called Mr Solomon Soyebi, who is the National Commissioner supervising the election and has denied the allegation of gunshots and ballot box snatching at Opoji in Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state,” Dazang said.

On the reported accident involving a youths corps member serving with INEC, Dazang said he had not heard “any such sad news”, but promised to get back to our Correspondent “if there is anything like that’’. (NAN)
KOO/AMY
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Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Court admits Oronsate’s statements to EFCC

NAN-H-96

Oronsaye

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) An FCT High Court on Wednesday admitted in evidence, the statements made by Steve Oronsaye, a former Head of Service of the Federation, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Oronsaye was alleged to have deposited money meant for the Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force which he chaired into a fixed bond in Access bank known only to him.

At the resumed sitting, Oransaye’s Counsel, Dr. Abiodun Layonu (SAN). opposed the sixth prosecution witness, Hamma-Adama Bello, tendering the statement.

Layonu had urged the court not to admit the document because the witness was not the one that signed and therefore not the originator citing Sections 83(1) sub 1 and 4 of the Evidence Act.

He told the court that since Bello did not counter-sign the statement he could not be cross-examined on the statement.

According to him, Bello is not the appropriate person to tender the document in evidence.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr Offem Uket, urged the court to allow the witness to tender it and cited Sections 52 of the Evidence Act.

He said that the witness was a member of the team that investigated the petition and was present when the defendant made the statements

Uket further informed the court that the standards practice was that only one person administers cautionary word and counter-sign at a time which PW 1, Ms Ngunnan Kakwagh, did being the leader of the team.

He said that even though Bello was present at the time the statement was made, only one signature was necessary on the statement made by the defendant.

Justice Olasunmbo Goodluck, in her ruling, held that the witness who was part of the investigation team could tender the document.

The court therefore admitted the document in evidence.

Goodluck also held that Bello having worked under Kakwagh for nine years could identify her signature and also being a member of the team who investigated the petition.

The court also held that caution would be applied by the court in attaching weight to the statement.

Bello,was member of the team who investigated the matter, he told the court that no other member was aware of this second account.

The witness, led in evidence by tUket, said the rule was that ministries or agencies could not invest fund without the approval from the office of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).

He said that the committee presented a request of N164 million and it was paid into the committee’s official account with the Zenith Bank by the presidency.

He said that Oronsaye also presented the same request to Central Bank of Nigeria and was also paid.

Bello said also that when Oronsaye wanted to open the account, the account officer raised question of number of signatory and letter of approval from AGF office.

He said that the rule was that at least there must be two signatory to such account but Oronsaye told them that they should go ahead.

The witness told the court that there were 26 investments into the account, four in-flows of N50 million, N90 million, N45million and 100 million.

Bello told the court that the first N50 million was withdrawn remaining less than N500, 000.

The witness said that out of this amount, N45 million was from the office of National Security Adviser (NSA) and it came in nine million naira each time.

He said the rule was that any idle money in the ministries or agencies should be invested in treasury bills and that only AGF could give approval for opening of government accounts.

Bello went further to say that Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force was not a permanent committee and should not have idle funds.

Goodluck adjourned the case till Sept. 29, for continuation. (NAN)

NEO/OFN

Edited by felix Nwadioha

Project Information Board now mandatory  – Perm. Sec.

NAN-H-101
Project
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed that henceforth, all construction sites must have Project Information Board. displaying detailed information on projects.

The FCTA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye gave the directive at a meeting with Directors of FCT Development Control Department on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the directive was aimed at ensuring that construction activities in the FCT met international standard.

Ajakaiye expressed optimism that enforcement of the construction information board would help the FCT administration to eliminate quackery in the construction industry within the city.

“This will also improve the FCT database on major project sponsors and financiers in the territory and reduce cases of unapproved development.

“This new policy would also reduce cases of building collapse, corrupt practices and indolence in the entire building and construction industry.”

He added that the construction Project Information Board was expected to be erected on every site before the commencement of actual project.

He further added that the board should contain such information as title and nature of the project in terms of height, composition and services.

The board, he added, should also contain financiers and sponsors of projects, development permit number and date as well as names and addresses of relevant consultants. (NAN)

KM/EEM/NKO

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Edited by Emmanuel Mogbede/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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Speed Limiter: Rehabilitate roads to enhance compliance — Drivers

NAN-H-100

Roads

By Taiye Edeni

Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) Ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline for the commencement of enforcement of the speed limiting device, commercial drivers in the FCT have appealed to the Federal Government to rehabilitate roads, to enhance compliance with the new policy.

Some of the commercial drivers, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday,  accused the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) of apparently focusing more on revenue generation  rather than safety.

Alhaji Abubakar Ustaz, the Chairman, Jabi Long Journey Taxi, advised the government to focus on how to repair bad roads in the country, than using drivers as an avenue for revenue generation.

Ustaz also claimed that FRSC was always introducing products to extort drivers.

According to him, some drivers faced a frustrating situation as they spent weeks at various parks waiting for their turn to load and still had to make returns, pay school fees and feed their families.

“FRSC should drop the idea of enforcement of this speed limit device because it might generate chaos from drivers that are already frustrated with the state of the economy.

“Government should focus more on rehabilitating the bad roads in the country then the possibility of compliance will be guaranteed.

“Ninety per cent of accidents involve private vehicles; just 10 per cent are commercial because we are conversant with the bad roads unlike private cars that don’t travel often.’’

Another driver, Sunday Adegoke, said that FRSC should drop the implementation of the speed limiter, insisting that the increase in road mishaps was caused by bad roads.

According to him, FRSC has always introduced new things to extort drivers.

“They introduced new number plate, reflector, decoder and now speed limiter which is above N30, 000.

“We will not accept that speed limit device; none of the drivers here have bought that device because we were told it is N40, 000; how much do we make in a week?

“We can barely feed; our children are still at home because we are yet to pay their school fees, and the country’s situation is frustrating.

“The device will damage our engine, except they want to kill us,” Adegoke said.

However, Olaolu Iroko, a long journey driver, said that they would comply, if the roads were good.

He noted that the bad roads had always limited their speed.

He said installing the device in their vehicles would further damage their engines because they would spend more days on the road, citing especially Jebba road.

According to him, the device will give armed robbers the advantage to rob them on the roads because it will limit their chances of escape.

NAN learnt that none of the long journey vehicles had installed the speed limit device. (NAN)

TY/COO/NKO
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(Edited by Cecilia Odey/Nkechi Okoronkwo)

NAN-ELS-16

Celebration

By Dorcas Elusogbon and Victor Adeoti

Ile-Ife (Osun), Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has described King Sunny Ade (KSA) as a living legend worth celebrating.

Ogunwusi made the remarks at a public lecture to mark King Sunny Ade’s 70^th birthday at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the theme of the lecture was “Nigeria music Industry; the falling standards”.

The Ooni said that King Sunny Ade experience in the Nigerian music industry was worth emulating by upcoming artists.

“We are all here today to celebrate another leader in the music industry; I personally took it upon myself to be part of this event when the organiser came to me,’’ he said.

His royal majesty lamented that Nigerians were yet to imbibe the spirit of celebrating Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in various disciplines in the country.

Ogunwusi also decried the inability of experienced hands in the industry to mentor the younger ones.

“It is sad that mentoring school is no longer in this country.

“There is a sharp disconnect between the older ones and the youth, and this is getting wider by the day; when last did the youth get in contact with their legend,” Ooni asked rhetorically.

Ogunwusi urged King Sunny Ade and other stakeholders in the music industry to mentor upcoming musicians’ as well as the youth for a better tomorrow.

In his remarks, King Sunny Ade said he was happy to be alive to celebrate his 70th birthday.

Sunny Ade, who said that he was lucky to clock 70 years, noted that he was happy to be honoured by Oba Ogunwusi.

“The late Ooni Okunade Sijuwade made me to be closer to him while alive, and now the new Ooni Adeyeye Ogunisi is moving closer to me, I think I am one of the luckiest to be close to the royalty,” KSA added.

The legend also commended the Ooni’s efforts in reuniting Yoruba monarchs.

NAN reports that King Sunny, who celebrated his 70th birthday on Sept. 22, was born on 1946 in Osogbo. (NAN)

VE/ESAN/EEE

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Edited by Abiodun Esan/Ese E. Ekama

IATA records 10,854 unruly passenger incidents in 2015

NAN-H-93
Passengers
By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says it recorded a total of 10,854 reports of unruly passenger incidents on board aircraft worldwide in 2015.

In a statement issued by its Corporate Communication office on Wednesday in Abuja, IATA disclosed that the figure represented one incident for every 1,205 flights.

IATA said that the 2015 figure showed an increase of 1,538 from the 9,316 incidents reported in 2014 which represented one incident for every 1,282 flights.

It explained that majority of the incidents involved verbal abuse, failure to follow lawful crew instructions and other forms of anti-social behaviour.

The association said that a significant proportion (11%) of reports indicated physical aggression towards passengers or crew or damage to the aircraft.

It added that alcohol or drug intoxication was identified as a factor in 23 per cent of cases, adding that the consumption took place prior to boarding or from personal supply without knowledge of the crew.

“Unruly and disruptive behaviour is simply not acceptable. The anti-social behaviour of a tiny minority of customers can have unpleasant consequences for the safety and comfort of all on board.

“The increase in reported incidents tells us that more effective deterrents are needed. Airlines and airports are guided by core principles developed in 2014 to help prevent and manage such incidents.

“But we cannot do it alone, that is why we are encouraging more governments to ratify the Montreal Protocol 2014,’’  the statement quoted IATA’s Director-General Alexandre de Juniac as saying.

De Juniac called on member states of ICAO to ratify the Tokyo Convention modernised with the Montreal Protocol 2014.

He said that the protocol would help to close the gaps in the international legal framework dealing with unruly passengers.

According to de Juniac, more is needed in order to have a consistent global approach to this issue.

“Also in 2014, the airline industry set out core principles for a balanced, multi-stakeholder strategy for tackling unruly behaviour, based on enhancing the international deterrent and more effective prevention and management of incidents.

“In some countries, there has been a focus on the role of alcohol as a trigger for disruptive behaviour, while airlines already have strong guidelines and crew training on the responsible provision of alcohol,’’ he said.

De Juniac said that IATA would support initiatives such as the code of practice pioneered in the UK, which included a focus on prevention of intoxication and excessive drinking prior to boarding.

He added that staff in airport bars and duty-free shops should be trained to serve alcohol responsibly and to avoid offers that encourage so-called ‘binge drinking’.

“Evidence from an initiative by Monarch Airlines at London’s Gatwick Airport has shown instances that disruptive behaviour can be cut 50 per cent with this proactive approach before passengers’ board.

“The industry believes that adopting this cooperative voluntary approach is preferable to heavy-handed regulation and licensing.

“The industry’s core principles can help to manage the small percentage of passengers who abuse alcohol.

“It must be balanced with efforts by governments taking advantage of all their deterrence mechanisms, including those provided through the Montreal Protocol 14,” De Juniac said. (NAN)
OYS/FAT/NKO
(Edited by Fatima Sule/Nkechi Okoronkwo)
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Speed limiting device implementation: FRSC assures transport unions of lenient approach
NAN-DS-4
Device
By Angela Atabo
Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal, FRSC, on Wednesday assured transport unions and commercial drivers of lenient approach to the final implementation the speed limiting device on Oct.1,2016.

Oyeyemi gave the assurance at the final stakeholders’ forum prior to the commencement of enforcement of the device in commercial vehicles in Abuja.

According to him, begining from Oct.1, all commercial vehicles will be subjected to guided compliance in the mode of the corps free vehicle safety checks.

“This time around it will be speed limiter installation checks, the exercise shall therefore be known as Speed Limiting Device Verification Checks and shall continue to January 2017.

“The exercise will be executed by patrol operatives nationwide where commercial vehicles will be stopped, with compliance or defiance to installation confirmed and status of vehicle entered in the FRSC data bank for record.

“Carrying through this phase, the individual commercial operators will be separated from those operating fleet.

“The data will enable the corps further steps in the right direction towards the final and strategic persuasive enforcement.’’

Oyeyemi said from October, FRSC would commence the advisory enforcement for the device and have a build up to the full enforcement.

He said that after commencing this gradual enforcement on an advisory level, installment of the device would pick up and within the next six months at least 90 per cent compliance level by all the commercial vehicles would occur.

He said the plan remained that all the intercity buses on the highways would be fitted with the device for safety on the roads.

He said the corps would continue to recognise that communication remained a vital part to retain common understanding and the need to balance various stakeholders’ handicaps especially with the economic challenges .

He thanked the unions for their support in the implementation of the device and assured them that FRSC would not rest relent on its efforts till road safety was attained fully.

Mr Kassim Bataiya, the President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), who spoke on behalf of the unions, thanked FRSC for adopting the advisory enforcement method.

Bataiya said the method would afford them the time to further talk to the drivers and enable them to comply gradually.

“FRSC will commence advisory enforcement on the speed limiting device as from Oct. 1, 2016 with one month grace within which there would be two weeks advice-giving and two weeks warning.

“The FRSC has promised to soft pedal the enforcement and initiate gradual compliance from October to January 2017 and we are glad.

“All the unions, including NARTO, Petroleum Tankers Drivers and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have aligned and agreed with this arrangement.

“Since this concept has started, we have accepted and agreed to it; it is a very good concept to save lives beginning with commercial vehicles as the pilot exercise.” (NAN)
ATAB/IA

(Edited by Idris Abdulrahman)

NAN-H-91
Assault
By Ife Akintola
Enugu, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) A filling station manager, Innocent Aja, was on Wednesday arraigned before Enugu North Magistrates’ Court for allegedly beating a lawyer, Eze Nwakeze for parking in the station.

Nwakeze told the court during cross examination that the incident occurred in Jan. 6, 2015 at a filling station near the Holy Ghost Park, Ogbete Market in Enugu.

The complainant said that he parked his car at the filling station to buy a ticket for a trip to Lagos and left his brother inside the car.

He added that when he came back to collect his luggage from the car, he saw the defendant deflating his tyres.

Nwakeze said that when he queried Aja to ascertain the reason for the action, the defendant stood up and punched him.

“I tried to call the police but before I could give them the location of where we were, the defendant took the phone and smashed it on the ground.
“As he tried to sneak away, I ran after him and he continued punching me.

“My brother was helpless as other touts joined the man in beating me before the arrival of the police.

“I did not fight him while he was beating me; all I did was try to get the attention of the police for intervention and assistance,” Nwakeze said.
The complainant claimed that his black berry Z10 and National ID card were stolen while his shirt was torn into shreds.

He said that the cost of the damage was N63, 000.

In his testimony, brother of the complainant Theophilus Eze said that he witnessed mob attack on his brother but could not do anything because of their number.

“I parked the car following the directive of one of the female attendants in the filling station and had just gone to inquire about transportation across the road,” Eze said.

He said that by the time he came to help his brother with his luggage, he saw the mob beating him until two men who claimed to be soldiers intervened and rescued his brother.

However, Defence counsel, Mr Edmund Ukoha dismissed Nwakeze’s testimony as false and unreliable.
Ukoha explained that the scuffle began when Nwakeze saw Aja deflating his tyres; the complainant pushed the defendant and he fell down.

He accused Nwakeze of acting like a motor park tout by engaging in a fight with a man at his place of work.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr Lawrence Ukpai adjourned the matter till Oct.11 for continuation of hearing. (NAN)
IOA/MNA/AEA
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(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo)

NAN-H-92

Re-election

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika, has assured Dr Bernard Aliyu, the President of the Council, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), of success in his bid for re-election.

The minister gave the assurance in a statement by Mr James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The statement said the minister gave the assurance when he visited Aliyu in Montreal, Canada, where he attended the 38th ICAO Assembly.

The minister assured him that Nigeria was mobilising the support of other member nations for him due to his sterling achievement during his first tenure.

Briefing the ICAO President on developments in the aviation sector in Nigeria, Sirika said that his areas of focus included ensuring air safety, security and comfort of passengers in the country.

According to him, it is in line with the recent resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on Civil Aviation Security.

Sirika also intimated him of government’s decision to concession some airports, explaining that government could no longer afford the resources to develop and maintain them to meet ICAO standards.

On the issue of aviation fuel (Jet A1), he said that efforts were currently on to ensure local refining of the product.

Responding, the ICAO president expressed delight at visit of the minister and the Nigerian delegation and assured them of fulfilling time in Canada.

While expressing his gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for granting him audience during his visit to Nigeria, Aliyu further thanked the minister for his efforts to ensure his re-election. (NAN)

OYS/ESAN/NKO

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(Edited Abiodun Esan/Nkechi Okoronkwo)

Rotary club partners Kwara Govt. on surgical outreach
NAN-HG-16
Surgical
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Sept 28, 2016 (NAN) The Rotary International says it is partnering with the Kwara Government to carry out a surgical outreach in the state.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Alhaji Mahmud Ajeigbe announced this in Ilorin on Wednesday while speaking with newsmen.

Ajeigbe said a team of doctors are coming from India to perform surgical operations free of charge for patients in five hospitals across the state.
According to him, the doctors will treat diseases, which include eye cataract, cervical and cancer screening, tuberculosis screening and polio immunisation.

Others were blood pressure check, malaria screening and treatment and HIV testing and counselling.

“The patients will present their cases and doctors will decide the kind of treatment they need.

“The treatment is free even for those that would need surgical operations,” he said.

The commissioner asserted that the doctors would start to come into the state from Thursday. (NAN)
AUO/ESAN/AFA
Edited by Abiodun Esan/Felix Ajide
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