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Wright’s audio 1Audio Attached

NAN-H-60

Judgements

By Temitope Ponle

Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice said it held 89 sessions, received 46 new cases and delivered 34 judgements and 13 rulings in its 2015/2016 Legal Year.

The Vice President of the court, Justice Micah Wright, made this known at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday ahead of the inauguration of the 2016/2017 Legal Year.

Wright added that the court had held 694 sessions and delivered 136 judgements and 100 rulings since its inception in 1993.

Cue in audio 1 (Wright)

“Between January 2001 when the judges were sworn in and January 2005, only two cases were filed.

“However, by the end of 2005, the number of cases had increased by six, a trend that remained in the ascendancy with an exponential increase in the number of cases filed before the court mostly for human rights violations.

“In statistical terms, the court has since inception held 694 sessions, received 271 cases, delivered 136 judgements and 100 rulings as well as delivered four advisory opinions and 17 decisions for the revision of decisions as at Sept. 26, 2015.

“Specifically, since the last legal year, the court has held 89 decisions, received 46 new cases, delivered 34 judgements and 13 rulings and dealt with two applications for the revision of its decisions.’’

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The court’s vice president said that the number of cases handled by the court was an indication that the citizens recognised and appreciated the role the court was playing in promoting human rights, transparent democracy, and good governance.

He further said that the court relied on and applied the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in discharging its human rights mandate.

He added that the court also included other instruments to which member states were signatory to because of the absence of a regional human rights instrument.

Responding to questions from newsmen, the Chief Registrar of the court, Mr Tony Anene-Maidoh, said that the non-implementation of the decisions of the court by member states remained a challenge.

Anene-Maidoh, however, said that 21 decisions of the court had so far been complied with while the court was awaiting response from member states on the implementation of 34 other decisions.

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“There are some judgements that do not require enforcement because maybe the court just pronounces the law – i.e says something to that effect – but they do not require that member states give us returns regarding such cases.

“We can tell you definitely that 21 (decisions) have been complied with or enforced and on 34 other judgements, we are still waiting to hear from the member states information regarding the status of implementation of those 4 decisions.

“Part of the problem is that most of the member states have not appointed the competent national authority responsible for the enforcement and it is only that body that should give us information regarding the compliance or enforcement.”

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The chief registrar said that the Republic of Guinea, Nigeria, Mali, and Burkina Faso were the only member states that had appointed the relevant authorities to implement the decisions of the court.

He, however, added that efforts were being made to sensitise member states to the need to appoint designated authorities to ensure implementation of the court’s judgements.

He added that the appointment of such authorities would enhance cooperation between member states and the court.

The 2016/2017 Legal Year would be launched on Friday.

The theme for the year is: `The Contributions of the ECOWAS Court of Justice in the Fight against Terrorist Financing and Money Laundering within the West African sub-region: the perspective of GIABA’.

GIABA is the French acronym for the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa. (NAN)

TOP/YEE

Edited/Controlled by Emmanuel Yashim

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NAN-H-51
Training
By Aaugusta Uchediunor
Lagos, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Lagos District of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) on Wednesday said it had trained 20 officers in the administration of First Aid to tackle emergencies on board trains.

Mr Jerry Oche, the NRC Lagos District Manager, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the training was aimed at improving train services.

“In the past, many people lost their lives due to lack of immediate health attention.

“At times, people including commuters venture out without knowing the status of their health.

“Now, if there is any emergency on board the train, our officers should be able to handle it before arrival at the next station where proper healthcare can be sought,’’ he said.

According to him, the heads of departments, train officers and senior officers in the district participated in the exercise which was conducted by St. John’s Ambulance Services, Lagos.

He gave the assurance that the corporation would install First Aid boxes aboard coaches on its Mass Transit Trains, including long distance trains.

“The safety and security of our passengers is very important to us.

“I believe the training will not only be useful in the trains, but also to staff members,’’ Oche said. (NAN)

ANU/FF/IGO
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(Edited by Fela Fashoro and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-H-63
Funding
By Lizzy Agbaji
Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) says poor funding is a major challenge hindering its functions.

Mrs Margaret Essien, the outgoing Acting Federal Commissioner, said this an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Essien said that the commission relied solely on appropriation funds, which when released, was inadequate in addressing the needs of refugees and IDPs as well as tackliing other critical issues.

According to him, rebuilding, rehabilitating, and reintegrating properties and persons affected by the insurgency require proper funding.

The Acting Commissioner said that the commission received less attention unlike other sister agencies, adding that this had stalled its activities.

However, she said that the commission had effectively utilised the little funds available to it in tackling the critical challenges of IDPs in the FCT and North-East, including reintegrating the returnees from Cameroon.

“We are not moribund as people have been insinuating.

“We have a lot of plans on paper which we cannot actualise because of inadequate funding, and it is actually disheartening, because providing durable solution requires huge capital.

“Our budget for last year was cut down by 50 per cent, which limited our activities, and this year, the case is not that different.

“But as soon as the little money allocated to us was released three weeks ago, we kick-started our plans and have started awarding contract letters to those handling different projects.

“Recently, some staff of the commission went on a three-month training organised by the UNHCR in Borno; they are hardworking and ready to go to the field; so, we are not moribund,’’ Essien said.

According to her, the commission has carried out a needs assessment on the IDPs, including profiling to identify those who want to return and those not willing to return.

Essien said the profiling and assessment would also be done in the North-East to enable the commission to have a focused solution plan.

She said that the commission was abreast of the IDPs situation in the FCT and had visited the settlements, providing them with relief materials.

According to her, the commission also works in collaboration with NGOs in providing the IDPs with drugs and medicare, books for out-of-school children, food and non-food items, among others.

She said that the commission should be given the attention it deserved, including adequate funding, as a key agency to the Federal Government’s plans of rebuilding the North-East. (NAN)
LIZ/NKO/NKO

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(Earlier Nkechi Okoronkwo)

Workers protest as AMCON closes Aero Contractors

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Airline
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) Hundreds of employees of Aero Contractors Airline on Wednesday staged peaceful protest over the closure of the airline by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest was organised by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE).

The workers, who began the protest at about 8.45a.m, marched round the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, carrying various placards expressing their grievances.

The placards had inscriptions such as, “Don’t Allow Aero to Die“, “Save Aero from AMCON“ and “Aero must not go the way of Nigeria Airways“, among others.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mrs Frances Akinjole, the Secretary, ATSSSAN, condemned the “illegal closure’’ of Aero Contractors by AMCON, adding that they would resist the plan to liquidate the company.

Akinjole accused AMCON of running the airline aground after it took over majority shares in 2011 by approving bogus salaries and allowances for its representatives.

“Before AMCON took over, the airline had 11 operational aeroplane. They claim to have injected N12 billion in the company, but today, the airline has only three aircraft.

“This is calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to please come to the aid of Aero at this crucial time in her life.

“Aero should not be allowed to die from the strangle of AMCON,’’ she said.

She said that the threat to liquidate the airline would render its over 800 staff unemployed which would have negative effects on the already sick Nigerian economy. (NAN)
ASO/FF/TA
Edited by Fela Fashoro, controlled by Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-H-62

Forgery

By Martins Odeh

Abuja, Sept.28, 2016 (NAN) The FCT High Court, Jabi on Wednesday fixed Oct.7 for the Federal Government to open its case on the allegation of forgery instituted against the  President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Sarki, at the instance of  the prosecution.

At the resumption of the trial, the Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Aliyu Umar, (SAN), prayed the court for a short adjournment in order to be fully availed of the matter.

Umar had told the court that his application was predicated on the fact he had yet to be handed over the case-file by the Attorney General of the Federation.

“My lord, I am aware of the need to expeditiously dispense this case for the interest of justice but I have just been enlisted to take over this matter.

“I am yet to be handed over the case file and, therefore, it will be impossible for me and my team to open our case as required of us today.

“Consequently, my lord, I shall be asking for a short adjournment to enable me put the house in order,’’ he said.

He added: ‘’the adjournment is also imperative as we shall use the period to file responses to all pending motions.’’

However, all the defendants opposed the application.

Others standing trial are the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, former Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, and his deputy, Mr Benedict Efeturi.

They are being tried for allegedly using a forged Senate Standing Rules to appoint the Principal Officers of the Senate on July 9, 2015.

The prosecution said both Saraki and Ekweremadu participated in altering the document for the purpose of being elected as President of the of Senate and Deputy President of the Senate respectively.

Mr Paul Erokoro, (SAN), counsel to Saraki, in raising objection to the application, argued that the prosecution had embarked on delay tactics to frustrate his client.

He said the prosecution was no longer diligent in the handling the trial, adding that the motion seeking to quash the charge filed by his client had over stayed.

“My lord, it is indeed disheartening to see this unfolding happening. It is in the record of the court that this motion was served on the prosecution since June 22.

“For us, this application is simply an attempt to abuse the process and our sensibility. I am urging the court to dismiss it.

“Consequently, I urge the court to quash the charge and discharge my client for want of diligent prosecution,’’ Erokoro said.

He further said the charge was vague and did not disclose any offence against his client.

Erokoro also said the trial constituted a gross abuse of the judicial process.

The counsel to Saraki said that the issues raised in the charge were currently subject matter of litigation before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Delivering ruling, Justice Yusuf Halilu expressed dissatisfaction over the disposition of the prosecution.

“I do not allow parties to stall trial before me. These motions have been pending for the past 90 days, yet they were not attended to by the prosecution.

“However, for the interest of justice and the circumstances the prosecution counsel have found himself, I oblige to adjourn this matter till Oct. 7 for definite hearing’’, the Judge held.

Halilu ordered that all pending preliminary objections and motions would be heard along with the substantive matter.

NAN recalls that the court on June 27 granted the defendants bail after they pleaded not guilty to the charge instituted against them.

The prosecution had maintained that the defendants allegedly committed an act punishable under Section 97 (1) and 364 of the Penal Code Act. (NAN)

OMO/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

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Admission
By Abdulfatai Beki
Ilorin, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 31, 260 candidates have applied for admission into Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, for the 2016/2017 academic session.

The Rector of the institution, Alhaji Moshood Elelu, disclosed this in llorin on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Elelu, however, said that the polytechnic could only admit 4, 380 candidates into both the National Diploma(ND)  and Higher National Diploma(HND) programmes.

This, he said, was  in accordance with the carrying capacity of the institution as approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the regulatory body for polytechnics and monotechnics.

The Rector said a total of 12, 149 candidates applied for HND part time and full time programmes, while 19, 111 candidates applied for ND part time and full time courses.

He said the institution would continue to contribute its quota to the technological advancement of the nation. (NAN)
BEKI/ESAN/OJO
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(Edited by Abiodun Esan and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-HE-6
Seizure
By Mohammad Tijjani
Kaduna, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) seized 2,370 substandard products from Kaduna markets in the past three months, an official said on Wednesday.

The SON Coordinator in the state, Mr Danlami Datti, gave the figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

According to Datti, the seized products are: 936 cables, 794 tyres, 500 gas cylinders, 61 trays of insecticide, 60 trays of liquid detergent and 19 packs of tooth paste.

“The mop up is going on quietly because we facilitate businesses; we do not kill business.

“If we are to make noise about the enforcement, we will spoil business for authentic business people, and cause customers to shy away from genuine products.

“We are particular about ridding the nation of products which do not meet our required standards,’’ he said.

The coordinator said that SON would ensure that all substandard goods were out of Nigerian markets.

“We conduct market survey and surveillance with our team; once a product is suspected to be substandard, we take it to the laboratory for confirmation.

“If we find it to be truly substandard, we mop it out of the market.’’

Datti said that SON officers collaborated with stakeholders and other informants to trace the route through which substandard products got to markets.

“Once every quarter, we go on factory inspection to ensure that factories meet the required standard and quality of products in their production,’’ Datti said. (NAN)
TJ/COF/IGO
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

NBRRI partners Hydraform Company on block making machines

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Block
By Constance Athekame
Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) and Hydraform International, a South African company are partnering in the fabrication of high standard interlocking block making machines.

The statement is issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Mr Peter Mashem, the Public Relations Officer of NBBRI.

The statement said that the two organisations agreed to partner when the Chairman, Mr Robert Platter and the the company, and Managing Director, Mr Abdulhakeem Huthman visited the Director-General of NBBRI, Prof. Danladi  Matawal .

The agreement was for NBBRI to perfect its interlocking block making machines to create jobs for the teaming jobless Nigerian youths.

The statement quoted Platter as saying that the company was  ready to partner with NBBRI in the areas of machine fabrication and job creation.

He called on NBRRI to take the lead in tackling the challenges in the area of housing affordability in the country.

The Hydraform boss said that both organisations would be able to handle technological transfer, training and export interlocking block making machines to other Africa countries, especially within the West Africa coast.

Platter said that his company had built over 5,000 housing units using the alternative building material and over 4,000 housing units in Abuja alone.

He said that the company had worked in Jigawa, Anambra, Enugu, Yobe, Lagos, FCT and some other states in Nigeria.

Similarly, the Managing Director of Hydraform, Huthman said that NBRRI-Hydraform collaboration “is a relationship that will bring so many good things to the country as both  companies will also benefit from the numerous researches of the institute.’’

Responding, the DG of NBRRI told the delegates that housing had become a very critical issue in Nigeria; hence the collaboration with Hydraform international was a welcomed development.

Matawal said that the relationship would among other things tackle poverty through provision of housing using Malawi experience.

“Nigeria should be ready to use the technology using bricks blocks to replace mould houses all over the country,’’ he said.

He said that the collaboration should be a win-win thing, urging both organisations not to see themselves as rivals but instead they should complement each other for the benefit of the country. (NAN)
COA/GY
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Edited/Controlled by Grace Yussuf

NAN-HE-13

Petroleum

By Kingsley Okoye

Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016(NAN)The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take the lead and infuse urgency into the process of passing a new law for the nation’s petroleum industry.

NEITI’s Director of Communications, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said in a  statement in Abuja on Wednesday that the appeal wascontained in theagency’s latest policy brief.

The policy brief is titled: “The Urgency of a New Petroleum Sector Law.”

According to Orji, the process of enacting a new law for Nigeria’s petroleum sector has gone on for far too long and at enormous costs to the country.

“More urgency and better coordination are needed on the passage of this very important bill.

“The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) ship should be rescued from a start-stop, unhurried and uncoordinated mode and brought swiftly ashore.”

According to Orji, the PIB is one of the most important bills to be contemplated in Nigeria’s history and has taken more time and generated the most activity without legislation.

He said that NEITI, as an agency, was set up to enthrone transparency and accountability in the extractive industries.

Orji said that the agency had legitimate interest in the enactment of a petroleum law for the country.

He explained that the setbacks suffered by the bill were not due to poor understanding of the problems but largely due to disagreements among stakeholders on the regulatory frameworks.

Other disagreements among stakeholders, according to him, include the place of the power of the Minister in the bill, ownership and control of the resources, host community benefits, environmental concerns.

The director of communications said every successive administration had produced its own PIB draft, adding that none of them had succeeded in enacting the law.

NEITI, therefore, recommended that an inclusive task team be urgently constituted with the President as the head to build a consensus among stakeholders.

He suggested that the task team should establish a clear and well-communicated roadmap to fast-track the passage of the law.

Orji said NEITI expressed dismay at the inability of successive governments to enact a law for a sector that accounted for over 80 and 90 per cent of its revenue and exports earnings respectively.

“NEITI, therefore, calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to make the passing of the PIB a priority by putting in place mechanism for rallying the stakeholders to a consensus.

“The president should use the law as one of the pillars to bridge the much needed economic recovery,’’he said. (NAN)

KC/MO/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Audio Attached
NAN-ELS-2
NAFEST
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) says organising multiple national festivals of art and culture every year can provide job opportunities for youths including women.

The Director-General of the council, Mrs Dayo Keshi, said this when she featured at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Wednesday.

Keshi stated that the organisation of multiple festivals within a year will help sustain the country’s creative industry by keeping the enterprising public busy.

“It’s not necessarily only those who are exhibiting art and craft, you have a lot of people who even sell outside that.

“So if that is so, you begin to see the economic value that is embedded in such a festival, and then moving forward you begin to see the multiplier  effect of holding a NAFEST at about five different locations within one year.

“In Edinburgh I am told that they have 300 festivals per annum; so that means festivals are held there almost every day.

“Nigeria has the size and it has the creative industry enough to push the same feat as having at least five to six more, so that eventually it becomes a part of the people.

“This is a key area that Nigeria should support because it empowers the youths, women, (and) it provides jobs.

“It also sustains our indigenous creative industry, ensures continuity and above all, it provides for the rich, the poor and the middle class.”

Keshi said the art and craft sector could yield massive income for the country with minimum investment.

The director-general, therefore, underscored the need to expose younger generations of Nigerians to the diverse and rich cultures of the people in the country.

“We must face the reality of what is on (the) ground.

“This is the one area in our festivals – our art and craft – that we can easily make a small investment in.

“We don’t need billions of naira to invest in an art and craft business; we need only a little amount and the impact this will have on wealth creation at the grassroots will amaze you because it will create jobs and empower people.

“NAFEST needs to be sustained so that children can appreciate the diverse and rich cultures of the Nigerian people.”

NAN reports that the annual NAFEST is scheduled to hold from Oct. 2 to 9 in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state. (NAN)
CMY/OSA/YEE

Edited by Shittu Obassa/Controlled by Emmanuel Yashim
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