By Henry Umoru & Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari
said yesterday that if Nigeria must sustain its democracy that should be
emulated by other countries in Africa, there had to be the evolution of
moral leaders who would not steal the common wealth meant to provide
services to the people.
Declaring open a two-day National Political Summit yesterday in
Abuja, President Buhari said he was worried by the revelations over the
money meant for the purchase of arms to address the security challenge
in the North East, following the activities of members of Boko Haram.
He said Nigeria’s democracy required help if it must be nurtured and
sustained as well as attain the promise of justice and human dignity,
adding that it could only be achieved if the country had moral elite, a
leadership prepared to make the sacrifice of self, with interest for the
good of the people.
Represented by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, President Buhari said
the moral leaders must be ready to offer exemplary moral leadership in
the shape of a strong ethical compass and place the nation and the
people above selves.
Meanwhile, all the governors boycotted the summit, which took place
at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abuja, even with their
pictures on the 50-page programme.
The summit, themed; 2015 6eneral Election: The Gains and Building Positive Political Culture for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria.”, was organized by the Save Democracy Group Africa.
The President said: “The theme of the summit 2015 elections;
consolidating the gains and building positive and sustainable democracy,
indeed, came at a very good time. Every step to the balance of a stable
democracy is worth it, even as we celebrate.
‘’My support for sustained dialogue among political stakeholders and
key actors in our country will help in speeding up the political
evolution of our country, grow our politics, building understanding and
definitely help our people.”
Monday, 25 January 2016
Landlord docked for breaking into tenant’s apartment
LAGOS—A 56-year-old landlord,
Suleiman Ahmodu, who allegedly broke into his tenant’s apartment and
stole property worth N1.1 million, was docked at an Igbosere
Magistrate’s Court on Lagos Island, yesterday.
The landlord pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful damage and stealing preferred against him.
Ahmodu was, however, granted N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sergeant Okete Ejime, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on August 15 at 3p.m., at 17, Ajeniya Street, Obalende, Lagos.
He said the accused damaged the entrance door, windows and roof of the apartment of his tenant, Mr. Abdul Elemoro and stole some valuables.
Items stolen, according to him, include clothes valued at N35,000; gold hand chains, N170,000 and N435,000 cash.
Others are gold earrings, N120,000; gold rings, N150,000; a parrot, N150,000 and two phones worth N100,000, totalling N1.1 million.
In her ruling, Magistrate U. A. Ugbemegu adjourned the case to February 10.
The landlord pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful damage and stealing preferred against him.
Ahmodu was, however, granted N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sergeant Okete Ejime, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on August 15 at 3p.m., at 17, Ajeniya Street, Obalende, Lagos.
He said the accused damaged the entrance door, windows and roof of the apartment of his tenant, Mr. Abdul Elemoro and stole some valuables.
Items stolen, according to him, include clothes valued at N35,000; gold hand chains, N170,000 and N435,000 cash.
Others are gold earrings, N120,000; gold rings, N150,000; a parrot, N150,000 and two phones worth N100,000, totalling N1.1 million.
In her ruling, Magistrate U. A. Ugbemegu adjourned the case to February 10.
Renewed rumpus in Niger Delta
WE are deeply disturbed by what appears as the renewal of conflict
in the Niger Delta between the so-called militants and the armed forces
after over seven years of peace and calm in our oil-rich region.
On Friday January 15, shortly after a Lagos High Court presided by Justice Ibrahim Buba ordered the arrest of Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) for failure to appear before him in a case of fraud and stealing of N34 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), militants blew up pipelines in Escravos in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The damage done to the gas pipelines which belong to the Nigeria Gas Company has affected the flow of gas to electricity power plants and prevented the flow of crude oil to refineries in Warri and Kaduna. The Federal Government says that the damage has led to the loss of N79 million daily of crude oil. In addition, it will cost N120 million to repair the damaged pipelines before normal power generation can be restored.
The armed forces and security agencies are on a manhunt for the culprits, with the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Pulo Shield Commander, Major General Alani Okunlola, warning that community leaders and chiefs would be held responsible for attacks on oil and gas facilities in their areas.
Coming at a time the nation is reeling from the free-fall of oil prices due to oil glut in the international market, any upsurge in militancy in the Niger Delta will greatly affect efforts to repair our damaged economy. Certainly, it is bound to thwart the grand intentions of the 2016 national budget which will depend heavily on oil and gas revenues to be successfully implemented.
Apart from the economic implications, Nigeria cannot afford to engage a new front for military confrontation just when victory against Islamist insurgency appears to be in sight in the North East. We cannot afford to keep spending our lean resources on security operations while we face daunting challenges in high unemployment, infrastructure deficit, educational backwardness and outbreaks of infectious diseases which need lots of financial resources to solve.
We plead with all Nigerians to cooperate with the Federal Government in its efforts to recover stolen public funds and rein in the scourge of corruption. It is in the greater interest of individuals and that of the nation at large to obey the law and answer to allegations of criminal conducts.
We are against any resort to militancy. It will only delay, but not stop, the course of justice. It will lead to avoidable human suffering and expensive environmental devastation in the region. No one can benefit from it.
On Friday January 15, shortly after a Lagos High Court presided by Justice Ibrahim Buba ordered the arrest of Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) for failure to appear before him in a case of fraud and stealing of N34 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), militants blew up pipelines in Escravos in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The damage done to the gas pipelines which belong to the Nigeria Gas Company has affected the flow of gas to electricity power plants and prevented the flow of crude oil to refineries in Warri and Kaduna. The Federal Government says that the damage has led to the loss of N79 million daily of crude oil. In addition, it will cost N120 million to repair the damaged pipelines before normal power generation can be restored.
The armed forces and security agencies are on a manhunt for the culprits, with the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Pulo Shield Commander, Major General Alani Okunlola, warning that community leaders and chiefs would be held responsible for attacks on oil and gas facilities in their areas.
Coming at a time the nation is reeling from the free-fall of oil prices due to oil glut in the international market, any upsurge in militancy in the Niger Delta will greatly affect efforts to repair our damaged economy. Certainly, it is bound to thwart the grand intentions of the 2016 national budget which will depend heavily on oil and gas revenues to be successfully implemented.
Apart from the economic implications, Nigeria cannot afford to engage a new front for military confrontation just when victory against Islamist insurgency appears to be in sight in the North East. We cannot afford to keep spending our lean resources on security operations while we face daunting challenges in high unemployment, infrastructure deficit, educational backwardness and outbreaks of infectious diseases which need lots of financial resources to solve.
We plead with all Nigerians to cooperate with the Federal Government in its efforts to recover stolen public funds and rein in the scourge of corruption. It is in the greater interest of individuals and that of the nation at large to obey the law and answer to allegations of criminal conducts.
We are against any resort to militancy. It will only delay, but not stop, the course of justice. It will lead to avoidable human suffering and expensive environmental devastation in the region. No one can benefit from it.
assa fever: Lagos issues quit notice to street traders, hawkers
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
Lagos State Government, yesterday issued quit notice to street traders and hawkers in the state.
Commissioner for Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, who gave the warning, said the measure became necessary following the recent outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of the country and Lagos in particular, as well as the coming rainy season.
Adejare said street traders were not only degrading the state’s environment in total disregard to extant laws, but engaging in armed robbery, child abuse, and compounding the traffic gridlocks and vandalising valuable infrastructure in the state.
According to him, the state government had given the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, Brigade and the Task Force, assisted by other law enforcement agencies, the directive to clamp down on all violators of its environmental laws.
He lamented: “It is regrettable that the illegal hawkers and street traders have not heeded the enlightenment and advocacy messages from the ministry on the need to keep the state’s environment clean and safe to attract more investors and boost the economy of the state.”
Adejare explained that all the agencies of the ministry, the Private Sector Participant, PSP, operators and non-governmental partners, had been fully mobilized with men and equipment to ensure a 24-hour monitoring and enforcement for a sustainable environment.
“To halt the spread of Lassa fever, Lagosians must maintain personal hygiene, proper sanitation in their environment, especially, clean-up of the vegetation in their premises, and proper bagging and disposal of waste to keep off the wild vector rats spreading the virus,” Adejare said.
He advised residents experiencing symptoms of headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain to seek the medical help immediately.
Lagos State Government, yesterday issued quit notice to street traders and hawkers in the state.
Commissioner for Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, who gave the warning, said the measure became necessary following the recent outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of the country and Lagos in particular, as well as the coming rainy season.
Adejare said street traders were not only degrading the state’s environment in total disregard to extant laws, but engaging in armed robbery, child abuse, and compounding the traffic gridlocks and vandalising valuable infrastructure in the state.
According to him, the state government had given the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, Brigade and the Task Force, assisted by other law enforcement agencies, the directive to clamp down on all violators of its environmental laws.
He lamented: “It is regrettable that the illegal hawkers and street traders have not heeded the enlightenment and advocacy messages from the ministry on the need to keep the state’s environment clean and safe to attract more investors and boost the economy of the state.”
Adejare explained that all the agencies of the ministry, the Private Sector Participant, PSP, operators and non-governmental partners, had been fully mobilized with men and equipment to ensure a 24-hour monitoring and enforcement for a sustainable environment.
“To halt the spread of Lassa fever, Lagosians must maintain personal hygiene, proper sanitation in their environment, especially, clean-up of the vegetation in their premises, and proper bagging and disposal of waste to keep off the wild vector rats spreading the virus,” Adejare said.
He advised residents experiencing symptoms of headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain to seek the medical help immediately.
LASSA: 3 infected, one dead in A-Ibom
By Chioma Onuegbu & Monsuru Olowoopejo
Akwa Ibom State government, yesterday, disclosed that it has recorded three suspected cases of Lassa Fever with one confirmed case of a 53-year-old female crayfish seller, who died before her test result came out.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, who disclosed this at the inauguration of a task force on the eradication of Lassa Fever in Akwa Ibom, said that one of the suspected cases absconded, while the second case happened to be someone who has been undergoing treatment for HIV.
Meanwhile, as the battle to curtail the outbreak of Lassa Fever continued in Lagos, no fewer than 7,243 rats have been killed since the outbreak of the virus in the state.
This is just as Lagos State government has directed its environmental officers to embark on a massive sensitisation campaign across the state on the need to de-rat the state.
These were disclosed, yesterday, evening at the sensitization and awareness programme on Lassa Fever outbreak, organised by the state government for environmental health workers at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa secretariat, Ikeja.
President Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, EHOAN, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Samuel Akingbehin, said that over 7,243 rats had been killed at eight major markets in the state under its de-rat market programme.
Akingbehin, in an interview with Vanguard, said that the affected markets were Onigbongbo, Oshodi, Oke-Odo, Ikotun Idanwo, Ojuwoye, Mile 12 and Alaba-Rago markets.
He noted that eradication of rats in the markets was part of the association’s efforts to curb the spread of Lassa Fever in the state since its outbreak in January 14, 2015.
On the Akwa Ibom situation, Dr. Ukpong said: “The situation is that Akwa Ibom is no longer free, and since rat meat is not so much a delicacy in the state, I appeal to those that eat rat to please stop it. We advise that you keep cats if you can, because cats drive away rats.”
He charged the constituted Response Committee on Lassa Fever to ensure the state kicks out the disease.
Akwa Ibom State government, yesterday, disclosed that it has recorded three suspected cases of Lassa Fever with one confirmed case of a 53-year-old female crayfish seller, who died before her test result came out.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, who disclosed this at the inauguration of a task force on the eradication of Lassa Fever in Akwa Ibom, said that one of the suspected cases absconded, while the second case happened to be someone who has been undergoing treatment for HIV.
Meanwhile, as the battle to curtail the outbreak of Lassa Fever continued in Lagos, no fewer than 7,243 rats have been killed since the outbreak of the virus in the state.
This is just as Lagos State government has directed its environmental officers to embark on a massive sensitisation campaign across the state on the need to de-rat the state.
These were disclosed, yesterday, evening at the sensitization and awareness programme on Lassa Fever outbreak, organised by the state government for environmental health workers at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa secretariat, Ikeja.
President Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, EHOAN, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Samuel Akingbehin, said that over 7,243 rats had been killed at eight major markets in the state under its de-rat market programme.
Akingbehin, in an interview with Vanguard, said that the affected markets were Onigbongbo, Oshodi, Oke-Odo, Ikotun Idanwo, Ojuwoye, Mile 12 and Alaba-Rago markets.
He noted that eradication of rats in the markets was part of the association’s efforts to curb the spread of Lassa Fever in the state since its outbreak in January 14, 2015.
On the Akwa Ibom situation, Dr. Ukpong said: “The situation is that Akwa Ibom is no longer free, and since rat meat is not so much a delicacy in the state, I appeal to those that eat rat to please stop it. We advise that you keep cats if you can, because cats drive away rats.”
He charged the constituted Response Committee on Lassa Fever to ensure the state kicks out the disease.
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Two die in pro-Biafran agitators, soldiers’ clash
Chukwudi Akasike, Tony Okafor and Ogbonnaya Kalu
AT least, two persons were feared dead
in Aba, the commercial capital of Abia State, on Monday following a
protest by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The pro-Biafran supporters had defied
several warnings by the state government and security agencies against
protesting the continued detention of the Director, Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.
It was gathered that the group marched
through major roads in the city, chanting solidarity songs in support of
their detained leader.
But the protest, it was learnt, turned
violent when members of the group attempted to block the Aba-Enugu
expressway and were stopped by a combined team of military and police
operatives.
According to an eyewitness account, the
protesters reportedly regrouped around Saint Michael Road to make
bonfires, which attracted the presence of soldiers and policemen again.
It was gathered that the soldiers tried
all means to disperse them but they failed. Two persons were reportedly
hit by stray bullets in the process of dispersing them.
When contacted, the state Police Public
Relations Officer, Mr. Onyeke Udevito, said the combined team of the
police and soldiers only dispatched protesters with tear gas.
Udevito, however, denied the knowledge of any casualty and added that 26 protesters were arrested by the police.
The state police spokesperson warned members of the pro-Biafran group to desist from further protest in the city.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police
Command has warned any secessionist group against engaging in activities
that could endanger the lives and property of residents of the state.
The Rivers State Police Public Relations
Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, warned that the command would not tolerate
any form of protest, procession or demonstration that could jeopardise
the peace being enjoyed in the state.
Mohammad spoke in a telephone interview
with one of our correspondents while reacting to reports that
pro-Biafran protesters were planning to stage a protest in Rivers State.
“We will not fail in our duty to ensure
that lives and property are protected in the state. Therefore, we are
warning against any protest, procession or demonstration that will
endanger the lives and property of law abiding citizens in the state,”
Mohammad stressed.
He, however, warned that the state
police command would not hesitate to arrest any member of a group
involved in activities that could lead to the breakdown of law and
order.
The state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike,
had on Saturday directed security agents to arrest and prosecute any
member of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of
Biafra or the Indigenous People of Biafra who flouted the ban on illegal
processions and demonstrations in the state.
Wike condemned the acts of criminality
perpetrated by the pro-Biafran agitators, who capitalised on their
protests to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens of the state.
The governor had placed a ban on all
forms of street protests, procession and demonstration in November 2015
after two persons were feared killed in Oyigbo and Eleme areas of the
state.
In a related development, Reverend
Father Samuel Aniebonam, who was last week named as the Chairman of
Biafra Independent Electoral Commission by Ralph Uwazuruike for the
purpose of conducting and supervising election for offices in his
newly-formed Biafra Independent Movement, has rejected the appointment.
He described the purported announcement linking his name with the organisation as “a spurious publication.”
In a statement in Awka, Aniebonam said
he was surprised that Uwazuruike could publish such an appointment
without seeking his approval and urged the general public to disregard
it.
BREAKING NEWS: Lawyer withdraws suit seeking Metuh’s release
Ramon Oladimeji
Lagos-based lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, says he is withdrawing the suit he filed on Monday to challenge the continued detention of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Metuh has been in the EFCC custody since January 5, 2016, where he is being questioned over his alleged involvement in the diversion and sharing of the $2.1bn arms funds by a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
Metuh was said to have pocketed N400m out of the said funds earmarked for the purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgency.
But on Monday, Adegboruwa, who claimed that Metuh’s arrest and detention was part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s grand plan to silence the opposition, approached the Federal High Court in Lagos and asked that Metuh be immediately released from custody.
The lawyer had argued that Metuh’s fundamental rights enshrined in sections 33, 34, 35, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 of the Constitution were being violated.
But in a statement made available to our correspondent on Thursday morning, Adegboruwa, however, said he had reviewed the situation and had filed a notice to the court to discontinue the suit.
He explained that since filing the suit on Monday he had been inundated with calls from across the country by people who wondered whether he was against Buhari’s anti-graft war.
He, however, said he was not against the anti-corruption war but only that it must be fought within the ambit of the rule of law.
He said he filed the suit in consonance with his unwavering belief that the rule of law must be obeyed, adding that he had neither never met Metuh before nor received instruction or money from him to file the suit.
The statement read in part, “Since filing this suit, I have received several telephone calls from colleagues, friends and well wishers, some congratulating me for the ‘fat’ brief, some criticising me, some seeking explanations and some others commending and encouraging me.
“The truth is that I have never met Chief Metuh before and I did not receive a dime from him, or from anyone else, to file the suit. I did so based upon my conviction, that it was wrong to arrest a citizen of Nigeria, lock him up in custody and be boasting that he will not be released or charged to court.
“My intervention on behalf of Chief Metuh, is not to shield him from his trial, if found wanting, but rather that as the voice of the opposition in Nigeria, he should not be cowed or silenced, without following due process.
“Through Chief Metuh, Nigerians have had the benefit of hearing the other side of the sweet stories of change, that the Buhari regime has been feeding us with.”
Adegboruwa added that he later discovered that Metuh himself had earlier filed a similar suit in Abuja.
He said he was not a Metuh’s crony, adding that if Buhari himself left office and is being unfairly treated he would equally defend him.
“It would seem now that Chief Metuh is finding a common ground with the EFCC, in the light of the revelations coming forth, in relation to his case and the promise to arraign him in court.
“I support the anti-corruption war of this administration, when it is done in accordance with the rule of law.
My intervention in securing reprieve for victims of human rights abuses, is not novel to Chief Metuh’s case,” Adegboruwa said.
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