Global Naija Info

Late Rasheed Gbadamosi Foremost industrialist and Co-Chairman, Lagos @50 Planning Committee, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi is dead. He died at the age of 72. Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde announced the death of Gbadamosi on Wednesday night on his twitter handle @stevoree. Ayorinde said “the Lagos State Government mourned the passing of a leading industrialist, art patron, former minister and Co-Chairman of Lagos@50, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, 72. “Chief Gbadamosi will be remembered for being a true Lagosian, a nationalist and art aficionado. His remains will be interred at 2pm tomorrow.” Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor, Habib Aruna also confirmed the death of Gbadamosi, saying he died in Nigeria. Gbadamosi had been suffering from multiple strokes since last year and had recently gone abroad for medical treatment. Gbadamosi, former chairman, Bank of Industry, and one-time Director, National Sports Lottery Plc was named co-chairma

The Lagos State Government has shutdown the popular 10 Degrees event centre, the Haven and four other event centres and night clubs in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture stormed the 10 Degrees on Billingsway on Wednesday and shut it down for non-compliance with statutory process of registration and payment of annual permits. The government had begun clampdown on tourism and hospitality establishments with record of non-compliance with government’s law. The Cave Hall sealed The Ministry officials led by the Head of Hotel Licensing Directorate, Ms Barbara Wey, sealed 10 Degrees event Center on Billingsway, Balmoral and Yard 158 party halls situated at Kudirat Abiola Way, all in Oregun area of the state. The team also sealed Haven Event Centre situated at Ikeja GRA for refusal to register the party and event centre after several notifications and contravention notices served by the State Government since 2012. The team carrie

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State In what could be described as outrageous, the Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday amended the state pension bill to provide for a N200m house for former governor Adams Oshiomhole who already has a multi-million naira mansion which he built while in office. If assented to by Governor Godwin Obaseki, the new amendment provides for residential buildings worth N200 million for the past governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Pius Odubu, N100m, as part of their pension benefits. Adams Oshiomhole and Pius Odubu last Saturday completed two tenures of eight years as governor and deputy governor of the state respectively. The bill titled, “A bill for a law to amend the 2007 Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor Law” was approved by the House at the committee of the whole. The only amendment to the pension rights of the governor and the deputy governor was for the duo to enjoy residential buildings worth N200 million

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III has just celebrated the 10th anniversary of his ascendance to the revered 200-year-old throne of his ancestor, Usman Dan Fodio. Amidst praises and pomp, (former) heads of states, traditional rulers, dignitaries, well-wishers, admirers and ordinary citizens trooped en-mass to the historic city of Sokoto from Thursday, November 3, 2016 to celebrate the 10th year of the glorious reign of the 20th Sultan of a vast Caliphate. The Sokoto Caliphate, an independent Islamic Caliphate that stretched from present-day Burkina Faso in the west, to Cameroon in the east, was the most important empire in 19th century Africa and, at its height, it linked over 30 different emirates of over 10 million people. The sheer number of those who attended the events, their diverse background, the caliber of the dignitaries, their p

Chief Michael Ajayi The Federal Government has congratulated Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative (ARP) to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Dikko Bala, over his election as the Chairman, International Mobile Satellite Organisation (IMSO). The General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Michael Ajayi, said in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, that the election was conducted on Tuesday in London, during the 24th Assembly of the IMSO. The statement said Bala, who was unanimously elected, would occupy the prestigious position for two consecutive years. “The commendation was given on behalf of the Federal Government by the Head of Nigerian Delegation to the International body, Ms. Hadiza Usman,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes the statement as saying. Usman, the Managing Director of NPA, described the election of Bala as a big achievement for Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. Speaking on behalf of the Federal G

Osun-pensioners protest The Osun State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) on Wednesday said that it would continue to disrupt activities of the state government until their gratuity and pensions were fully paid. Mr. Ilesanmi Omoniyi, a former Chairman of NUP in the state, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after a rally to protest their plight in Osogbo. Omoniyi alleged that Gov. Rauf Aregbesola intentionally excluded them from benefiting from the N34 billion bailout released to him by the Federal Government. He said he was dismayed by the poor condition of members and which the state government had refused to attend to. According to him, some of the pensioners cannot afford money to take care of themselves and this has led to the death of many. Omoniyi called on the state government to come to their aid by paying their pensions and gratuities on a continuous basis. Mr. Ojo Afolabi, a retiree who spoke to NAN, said the government

Lagos State University Lecturers of the Lagos State University (LASU) on Wednesday complied with the one-week nationwide warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Dr. Isaac Oyewunmi ‎, Chairman, ASUU, LASU Chapter, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that academic activities in the university had been paralyzed. Oyewunmi said that LASU lecturers’ compliance to the strike directive was total. He said that the chapter held a congress on Tuesday to discuss the strike and that a notice was sent to its members and the university management on the commencement of the strike. “There is no report of any infraction within the chapter; all members have complied as directed by the national body,’’ the chairman said. Miss Stella Nwachukwu, a student of the university’s Department of Microbiology, told NAN that the strike was unfortunate, saying that it would affect students. Nwachukwu urged the Federal Government to meet with the ASUU leaders a

Jigawa-Gov. Muhammad Badaru Jigawa Government on Wednesday refuted online media report that it was among states owing backlog of salaries of civil servants. Fielding questions from newsmen in Dutse, the state’s Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Muhammad Tahir, said no civil servant was owed salaries since the inception of the government. Tahir explained that at a critical time when most states could not pay salaries, Jigawa was among very few that paid entitlements of its workers as at when due. “The report is unacceptable and it a clear indication that the medium had no knowledge of happenings in the state” “Jigawa is one of the very few states that did not collect bailout fund, yet it pays salaries as at when due because of prudent of Gov. Muhammad Badaru in managing the scarce resources available to us,” he said. The Head of Civil Service said that in spite of the dwindling resources, the state government spent N3.8billion monthly in paying salaries of over 61,000 workers. Tahi

Nigeria-police The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested one Mr. Emmanuel Ishaya of Ushata village in Nasarawa Local Government area for allegedly killing Isaac Joshua, his friend’s seven-year-old son, for ritual. DSP Idrissu Kenedy, the Command’s Spokesman, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lafia. Kenedy said that the suspect was arrested following a report to the police by the father of the deceased, Joshua Ebini, on the disappearance of his son on Oct. 10. He said that information from the suspect led to the arrest of three other suspects while a fourth accomplice to the alleged crime was still at large. Kenedy said the suspects, during interrogation, confessed to the crime with each of them narrating his level of involvement. According to the spokesman, the prime suspect, Ishaya, confessed to having lured the boy away from the father’s house on a motorbike to a forest and killed him with a stick. Ishaya confessed that he removed the se

Buhari The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on Wednesday said it had recovered N4.2 billion in remittances from collecting banks into the federation account. Mr Shettima Gana, the commission’s acting Chairman, said this while inducting the lead consultants and other auditors on the verification and reconciliation of revenue collections and remittances by the collecting banks. The collecting banks collect excise duties and taxes on behalf of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). He said that the money was recovered during the exercise that was carried out on banks’ collections of these taxes and duties between January 2008 and June 2012. Gana said that there was about N20 billion that was still outstanding but had not been recovered from the banks. He also said that the success recorded in the first phase of the exercise made the National Economic Council (NEC) approve a second phase which would cover July

FAAN The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it had inaugurated three ultra-modern carousels and conveyor belts at the D-Arrivals of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. FAAN made this known in a statement by its Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, in Lagos on Wednesday. The statement said that the carousels were inaugurated by Mr Ephraim Nwodo, General Manager, Mechanical, of the agency, adding that installing the facilities was in conformity with global trends and international best practices. According to the organisation, the inauguration of these facilities will reduce delays and fast-track departure formalities of arriving passengers. The statement said: “The facility is one of many projects embarked by the Federal Government to facilitate passengers’ facilitation at the airports. “It is aimed at keeping pace with the growing traffic which has been on the increase since the commencement of the remodelling project, a

Trumps-gold-bracelet A gold bracelet worn by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump during a television appearance in the U.S. has fuelled a debate about how the president-elect will manage his dual roles of president and businessman. Ivanka, 35, wore a 10,800 dollar bracelet from her company Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry during the Sunday television interview for the programme “60 Minutes’’. She appeared with her father and other family members on the programme. On Monday, the company emailed a “style alert” accompanied by a photo of Ivanka wearing the bracelet on the programme which was watched by 20 million people. “Style Alert: Ivanka Trump wearing her favourite bangle from the Metropolis Collection on “60 Minutes”, the alert said. The email was also received by journalists, some of whom were unimpressed by the marketing strategy. “It is already happening: Trump family sees President of U.S. as a marketing opportunity,” New York Times journalist Eric Lipton wrote on Twitter. In

Mr Francis Odesanya, Rivers State Commissioner of Police The police in Rivers State have paraded a 22-year old woman, Janet Okoro who masterminded her own kidnapping and extorted N5m from her relatives. The woman was among 52 suspected criminals arrested by policemen in different parts of the state. They were paraded before journalists at the Command headquarters in Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday. Among those paraded was a man accused of involvement in the murder of a Divisional Police Officer in Port Harcourt. The state Commissioner of Police, Francis Odesanya said 10 of the suspects were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, 30 suspected armed robbers and eleven suspects involved in cultism. Odesanya disclosed that his men also recovered eight firearms, two magazines, seven vehicles and large quantities of Indian hemp. Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Osun-pensioners protest The Osun State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) on Wednesday said that it would continue to disrupt activities of the state government until their gratuity and pensions were fully paid. Mr Ilesanmi Omoniyi, a former Chairman of NUP in the state, said this shortly after a rally to protest their plight in Osogbo. Omoniyi alleged that Gov. Rauf Aregbesola intentionally excluded them from benefiting from the N34 billion bailout released to him by the Federal Government. He said he was dismayed by the poor condition of members and which the state government had refused to attend to. According to him, some of the pensioners cannot afford money to take care of themselves and this has led to the death of many. Omoniyi called on the state government to come to their aid by paying their pensions and gratuities on continuous basis. Mr Ojo Afolabi, a retiree said the government had continued to promise retirees on payment of their gratuities and pension

The Kwara Council of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday commenced 10-day free medical tests targeting 4,000 workers in the state. Mr. Yekeen Agunbiade, the Chairman of NLC in Kwara, who disclosed this in Ilorin, said the programme was in collaboration with the National Action Committee on AIDs (NACA). Agunbiade said that the maiden programme was organized by the NLC to assist workers and students in the state to be medically sound and fit. “We are flagging off the programme today which we will eventually take to four local governments including Ilorin East, Asa, Ilorin West and Ilorin South,’’ he said. The NLC chairman said that there was a good relationship between the state government and the congress and urged the government to focus on teachers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitlements. Dr. Atolagbe Alege, the state Commissioner for Health, commended the NLC for the initiatives. According to him, what comes to mind when you hear labour is strike and money, but this time

School teachers Mr Bankola Sadipe, Coordinator, Early Child Educational Foundation (an NGO), on Wednesday said it would train teachers in all the 12 public primary schools in Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area. Sadipe said in Lagos that the training would focus on new teaching techniques, research and use of instructional materials to improve performance of pupils in primary schools. He said that the six course programme training would be certified by a reputable academy in February 2017. “It is always very easy to overlook the teachers; whereas, we realise that even the quality of the teachers will affect the quality of the students. “Training and retraining of teachers is very important to improve academic performance because what you do not have, you cannot give. “Over the years, we have organised quiz and debate competitions for pupils in the LCDAs and now we want to assist the teachers because they are important stakeholders. What we want to do next year is to orga

Boko Haram insurgents The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Wednesday, said that judging by the current activities of the Boko Haram terrorists, 60 percent of them are not Nigerians. Buratai said this in Maiduguri when he received the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, at the headquarters of the Theatre Command of Operation Lafiya Dole at the Maimalari Cantonment. “Your Excellency, I want to bring to your attention that while the Boko Haram (insurgency) can be said to have started in Nigeria, by and large as at today, I can say that almost 60 percent of the insurgents are from our neighbouring countries. “You can see that almost all of the recently surrendered insurgents are not Nigerians. “This is a challenge that impacts more on the Nigerian side than the other countries. But by and large, our military is up to the task and we will continue to do our best to ensure that our country is secured,’’ Buratai said. He said th

Missing-children The Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Wednesday announced that 260 children missing in the last six months, had been found. In May 15, the MPS launched “Tuanyuan,” or “reunion,” an app where police release information on missing children. MPS said that in the past six months, over 280 updates on missing children had been posted on the app and that 260 of them were found, among them, 18 who had been trafficked. MPS added that it also posted on app, 27 reported lost, 152 who had ran away from home, as well as 52 who had died through drowning or other causes. “The app helps to ensure efficient information sharing and collaboration between police in different regions and encourages witnesses to report the whereabouts of missing or trafficked children,’’ the MPS said. Meanwhile, a new version of the app was launched on Wednesday, which would expand its reach through cooperation with other popular mobile apps.

The gavel of justice The Police in Oyo on Wednesday instituted a criminal charge against a 20- year old youth, Collins Obi, for allegedly sexually abusing a 10 year-old son of his neighbour. Obi, a teacher with Capstone Mission Academy, Owowaye, Agbokojo, Ibadan, was arraigned before an Iyaganku Senior Magistrates’ court on a one – count charge of unlawful carnal knowledge of a boy. The Police Prosecutor Cpl.Oluseye Oyebanji told the court that Obi had unlawful carnal knowledge of the boy (name withheld),aged 10, on November 6, at about 6pm at his resident No. 10 Oredeyin street, Oke-Ado,Ibadan. “Obi serves as Lesson Teacher to other children in the neighbourhood who pay N30 daily for the lesson” “On the fateful day, Obi allegedly called the boy to his room and asked him to remove his trouser, after which he had unlawful carnal knowledge (through anus) of the little boy,” he narrated. The prosecutor said Obi thereafter warned the boy not to mention it to anyone, but, the boy to

Prof. Abdalla Adamu, Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria. The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), is working to set up a website to handle complaints from its students, staff and clients, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdalla Adamu, has said. Adamu made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the institution’s’ Service Chapter and Complaints Policy. The Service Charter was produced by SERVICOM Unit, Office of the Vice-Chancellor. SERVICOM is a Service Compact Agreement between the Federal Government including all its organs and the Nigerian people. According to Adamu, the website, NOUNsupport.com will take complaints meant for the vice-chancellor. “On the left side of the website will be-talk to my vice-chancellor-for my complaints. “On the other side will be-rate my centre—for issues concerning our study centers. “We have to strengthen our SERVICOM interface with our students; we will include a SERVICOM link in the webs

A former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Victor Edoror, has been suspended for three months, over an alleged financial impropriety levelled against him while in office. Speaker of the House, Justine Okonoboh, announced the suspension of Edoror on Wednesday during plenary. He said the suspension of the APC lawmaker who represents Esan Central Constituency, was sequel to recommendation of the ad-hoc committee report on the allegations of financial impropriety levelled against the former Speaker and his failure to appear before the committee to defend himself. Edoror was impeached by members of the House on May 3, 2016, over alleged financial recklessness, high-handedness, dictatorial tendencies amongst others, but was later lifted on May 9, 2016, by the then Speaker of the House, Mrs. Elizabeth Aitive. Jethro Ibileke

APC Mr Abayomi Adesanya, the Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, on Wednesday raised the alarm over threats to his life by unknown persons. Addressing journalists in Akure, Adesanya said he had been receiving strange calls from some private numbers on his cell phone threatening to “teach him a lesson’’ by silencing him from being a consistent critic. He said apart from the strange calls, some armed men in police bullet-proof uniform, had in the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 9, discreetly came to his house in Akure. Adesanya said the armed men asked one of his neighbours for his apartment in the storey building. “I was not at home when the armed men came to my house, but they met one of my neighbours, a heavily pregnant wife of a police officer, who relayed the message when l came back from an early morning exercise. “My neighbour said the three uniform men discreetly gained entrance into the compound and began searching into the storey building to

One of the dead victims being evacuated by rescue officials Three people have been burnt to death in the multiple accident involving six vehicles on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday. General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Mr Adesina Tiamiyu said the agency received a distress call at about 3.08am concerning a tanker fire accident resulting to multiple accident with fatalities. “Investigation carried out at the scene of incident revealed that the tanker fully laden with AGO (diesel) 33,000 litres caught fire and ran into a truck carrying brewery products (beer) while on high speed. “The driver was said to have abruptly applied brake at the Kara Bridge outward Lagos resulting in multiple accident and fire outbreak with colossal loss,” he explained. He said the agency’s Emergency Rescue Team, ERT alongside the Lagos State Fire Service, Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Nigerian Police, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforce

President-Buhari The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) says it supports Federal Government’s request to borrow the 30 billion dollars if only it will be used correctly for what it is meant for. Mr Tony Ejinkeonye, the President of ACCI, said this on Wednesday in Abuja. “There is nothing wrong for the Federal Government to borrow money and spend it correctly to develop basic infrastructure in the country, ACCI will support it. “But if the borrowing is to provide for food or pay salaries, the association will not support this,’’ Ejinkeonye said. The Federal Government recently sought the approval of the National Assembly for external borrowing plan of 29.960 billion dollars to execute key infrastructure projects across the country between 2016 and 2018. The cost of the projects under the borrowing plan of is 29.960 billion dollars, made up of proposed projects and programme loan of 11.274 billion dollars. Others are Special National Infrastructure projects, 10.686 bi

NSCDC operatives The Borno Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Wednesday said it had arrested three suspected members of the Boko Haram sect at the Maiduguri cattle market. The Commandant of the NSCDC in the state, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Maiduguri. Abdullahi said that two of the suspects were drivers of the insurgents’ groups, while one of them was their agent who was based in Maiduguri. “You will recall that we had raised an alarm that there are some agents of Boko Haram who are aiding activities of Boko Haram, especially at the Maiduguri cattle market known as “Kasuwar Shanu”. “They normally transport cows from Boko Haram and sell them for the insurgents. The bad elements will then transport the proceeds to Boko Haram in their hideouts,” the commandant said. Abdullahi said that the command was working with other security agencies to curtail all Boko Haram activities, their sympathizers and collaborators

APC Mr Abayomi Adesanya, the Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, on Wednesday raised the alarm over threats to his life by unknown persons. Addressing journalists in Akure, Adesanya said he had been receiving strange calls from some private numbers on his cell phone threatening to “teach him a lesson’’ by silencing him from being a consistent critic. He said apart from the strange calls, some armed men in police bullet-proof uniform, had in the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 9, discreetly came to his house in Akure. Adesanya said the armed men asked one of his neighbours for his apartment in the storey building. “I was not at home when the armed men came to my house, but they met one of my neighbours, a heavily pregnant wife of a police officer, who relayed the message when l came back from an early morning exercise. “My neighbour said the three uniform men discreetly gained entrance into the compound and began searching into the storey building to

Rotimi-Amaechi On Wednesday The bill for establishment of Nigerian Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Delta State, scaled second reading at the Senate, months after Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, announced scrapping of the project. The bill sponsored by James Manager (PDP-Delta) was unanimously supported by the senators after the mover’s lead debate, making case for the establishment of the university. The groundbreaking of the proposed school at Okerenkoko in Warri south-West local government area was done by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 and, according to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, physical asset were on site. However, there has been no law backing the establishment of the university. Addressing the senate committee on maritime on January 19, Mr. Amaechi had announced the scrapping of the project, which was to be financed by the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration Agency, a parastatal under his ministry. Mr. Ama

Protesters at the National Assembly The main entrance of the National Assembly on Wednesday remained shut as youth protest against corrupt politicians enters day two. This has affected movement of vehicles through the main gate as lawmakers and staff can only access the complex through alternative routes. The protest, led by a socialite and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, is seeking a downward review of salaries and benefits of politicians in the country by about 70 per cent. The protesters are also clamouring for the sentencing to death of public officials found guilty of stealing public funds. They are also seeking a cessation of state and local government joint accounts. One of the protesters, Miss Joy Amadi, described the protest as a welcome development. Amadi said the need for accountability in governance prompted her to join the protest. “Occupy NASS is a protest against corruption, political criminality, and a long period of bad leadership. “Ho

Denmark’s Minister Counsellor in Nigeria, Mr. Jacob Erikstrup, on Wednesday said his government and some Danish companies’ planned to support Nigeria in boosting her local milk production. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that in spite of the large importation of milk produce from Demark to Nigeria, local production of milk needed to be increased in Nigeria. Erikstrup said that Danish Company, Arla Foods, had, therefore, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture to increase local milk production in the country. “As a way of encouraging local milk production in Nigeria and other West African countries, a Danish Company – Arla Foods – has introduced `The Milking Way to Development’ to Nigeria’s Ministry of Agriculture. “The Milking Way to Development is a programme aimed at making Nigerian local farmers become better milk producers for local consumption and even for export. “We are actually looking at the possibility of se

Bosch logo German-based multinational, Bosch Group (www.Bosch.com), is set to bring the BPB concept to African artisans, the informal sector, often the driving force of African economies. This is a revolutionary initiative designed to create, up-skill and grow small businesses and bring them into the formal, mainstream economy. It is a long-term project designed to foster entrepreneurship and ensure a smooth transition for small businesses from the informal to formal sectors. Each BPB has managers, technical staff and trainers, all of whom have received dedicated training from Bosch. In essence, Nigerian artisans will now be able to buy, lease or rent the very latest power tools developed by the world’s market leader and to be used at Bosch Power Boxes. This will contribute a significant improvement in the quality of the products manufactured, while increasing efficiencies. This will assist Nigerian artisans in growing their businesses. Bosch Group has ambitions and plans of estab

A 26-year-old nanny, Joy Amachi, who allegedly stole her employer’s gold jewelry worth N10 million, on Wednesday appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. The accused, who is facing a two-count charge, however, pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor, Insp Philip Osijiale, told the court that the accused connived with some others still at large to steal the property on Sept. 21, on Carlton Gate Estate, Lekki, Lagos. He said that the accused absconded with the jewelry three months after she was employed. “Amachi left her employer’s house without any explanation on Sept. 21 and she came back on Oct. 1, claiming that she was kidnapped. “The complainant later discovered that all the gold jewelry in her box had disappeared,” he said. Osijiale said that the offence contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The Magistrate, Mrs. Memunat Folami, granted Amachi bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum. Folami said that th

The Falconets of Nigeria on Wednesday salvaged their pride with a 3-1 defeat of their Canadian counterparts in their second Group B game at the ongoing U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea. The Coach peter Dedevbo tutored women came from a goal down to win after Canada’s Gabrielle Carle opened scoring in the 15th minute to put her team in the lead. Nigeria’s Chinaza Uchendu, however, got the equalizer at the 45th minute through a penalty. At the blast of the whistle for the second half, Joy Bokiri gave Nigeria her second goal in 40 seconds. Chiwendu Ihezuo sealed the victory for Nigeria in the 73rd minute after defying the Canadian defence to give Falconets their third goal. Nigeria now has three points from two matches, having endured a 6-0 spanking by Japan in their opening game. Nigeria will now face top-of-the-table Spain in Group B, while Canada will take on Japan on Nov. 20 in their last group games. The tournament which started on Nov. 13 is expected to end on Dec.

Sambo Dasuki arriving the court premises The trial of retired Col. Sambo Dasuki and others was adjourned till Dec. 7 for further hearing following a concession agreed upon by all the counsels concerned. The trial which came up at an FCT High Court Maitama before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf could not go on. However, all counsels had chambers meeting with the judge and agreed on the date. All the defendants were in court except Dasuki. Dasuki lost his father, the 18th Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki. Dasuki, a former National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, was arraigned before Justice Baba-Yusuf by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on a 19-count charge bordering on diversion of about N13.6 billion. He is being tried alongside Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser, and Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former NNPC Executive Director. Also being tried were two firms, Acacia Holding Ltd., and Relian

A former Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, Prof. Adamu Ngaski, is dead. The renowned Professor Emeritus of History died on Tuesday at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, at the age of 77. The remains of the late Ngaski were buried in Sokoto on the same day according to Islamic rites. The deceased served as a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and was Vice Chancellor at UDU Sokoto between 1982 and 1989. The late Ngaski was also a presidential aspirant under the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) as well as the Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Uganda from 1994 to 2004. In retirement, the deceased served as Council Chairman of Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. The late Ngaski is survived by one wife, 19 children and many grandchildren.

The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) The Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Mr. Olusola Amore, has called for a pragmatic synergy between the Police and the University of Ilorin to check crime and forestall breakdown of law and order in the community. Amore made the call during a visit to the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, on Wednesday in Ilorin. He said an effective partnership on policing would serve as an effective antidote to insecurity in the land. Accompanied by the top brass of the state’s Police Command, the commissioner observed that his visit to the university “was long overdue”. He explained that the task of providing security was a collective responsibility, which cannot be left to the Police alone. “There is no community without the police and there can never be a police without a community because the police is existing for the sake and because of a community. “The job of the police is to protect life and property of members of the

Russian president, Vladimir Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a decree declaring that his country will not become a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC). In his decree, Putin ordered Russia’s Foreign Ministry to inform the UN of his decision. Earlier this week, the court released a statement saying it was considering Russia and Ukraine to be involved in an armed conflict, with Crimea as occupied territory. In 2000, Russia signed a treaty to establish the court, but the country did not ratify an agreement to join. Countries that have withdrawn from the ICC include The Gambia, Burundi, South Africa and Kenya

The gavel of justice The police in Ogun on Wednesday arraigned two men, Osamudiamen Odigie, 24, and Esoeosa Odigie, 31, for assaulting a police officer. The accused, whose addresses are unknown, are facing a two-count charge of assault and conspiracy before a Sango-Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun. The Prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha told the court that the accused committed the offences on Oct.10 at about 11.00 p.m. at No.17, Baba Elewa, Iloye,Ota. Mustapha said that the accused assaulted Insp. Monday Abegunde while performing his duty and inflicted injury on him on the right side of his face. He said that the offences contravened Sections 355, 356(2) and 516 of the Criminal Code Vol.1, Laws of Ogun, 2006. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Funke Odubanjo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum. Odubanjo said that the sureties must be resident within the jurisdiction of the

BRT The operator of the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Scheme, Primero Transport Services, on Wednesday, donated classrooms to Majidun Junior Grammar School, Ikorodu. Mr. Fola Tinubu, the company’s Managing Director, who addressed a gathering at the groundbreaking ceremony held within the school’s premises, said the gesture was to impact the host community. That the gesture is coming as the company marks the first anniversary of its operations in Lagos. Primero began operation in November 2015 and currently has 434 buses in its fleet and more than 2,000 staff. According to Tinubu, the project which will gulp N30 million will consist of a block of seven classrooms, six toilets, library and staff rooms. He also said that the company would adopt the school for five years to ensure that a good learning environment was provided. “All the books for the library will be supplied before the building is completed. “We will look after this school and do everything in our power to m

Apapa/Tin Can Island road The Senior Staff Union of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to fix the bad roads leading into the Tin-Can and Apapa ports. The President of the union, Mr. Benson Adegbeyeni, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He said the poor state of most port access roads in Apapa had greatly impeded easy movement of people and consignments as well as undermine economic activities at the ports. “Most of the ports access roads are in bad state and the situation is affecting business at the ports as well as the economy. “I mean, people cannot move in and out of the ports freely because of this problem; consignments fall off from articulated vehicles, leading to great losses in goods and lives. “The roads are strategic to the economy as the ports are one of the cash cows of the nation. So, the government should muster enough will to fix the problem to boost activities at the ports,” he

Scene of the accident involving five articulated vehicles on kara bridge along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway Photo NAN Scores of commuters were subjected to trekking long distances on Wednesday morning following a multiple accident involving about five articulated vehicles on the Kara Bridge of the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. A speeding trailer loaded with petrol, witnesses say, caused the accident when it rammed into others, exploded and caught fire which extended to the others. The accident, which occurred on the Lagos outbound lane of the bridge, forced several drivers to park, turning the scene into a spectacle. A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who passed through the scene observed that some of the vehicles were still burning on the bridge. NAN also saw officials of the Federal Fire Service making frantic efforts to put out the fire. Also, officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) cordoned-off the area to prevent other losses but they, however, did not confir

court A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday sentenced three men to 22 months imprisonment for stealing from a church. Magistrate Helen Danboyi convicted Mathew Daniel, 38; Monday Garba, 32; and Peter Chris, 38, of a three-count charge of conspiracy, theft and mischief, following their guilty plea. Danboyi sentenced Daniel to four months jail term with an option of N1,000 fine; Garba, six months with an option of N1,500 fine; and Chris, the ring leader, 12 months with no fine option. The prosecutor, Cpl. Yange Terzungwe had told the court that the three men stole items valued at N281,360 from the Grace and Light Ministry in Dong Kasa. He said that the crime took place on Oct. 1. According to him, the trio broke into the church auditorium through its burglary proof and stole a laptop worth N250,000,;a telephone valued at N20,000; nine MTN recharge cards worth N750 each and a cash sum of N4,560. He said that the offences were punishable under sections 97 and 345 of the Penal Code