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Family Of Shuaibu, Allegedly, Tortured To Death At Airforce Reference Hospital, Demands N550 Million Compensation

June 29, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The family members of Yusuf Shuaibu, allegedly killed by a Nigerian Airforce, NAF, personnel have slammed a N550 million suit against his suspected killer and the NAF .

The Source reports that Shuaibu, 23, a casual employee of the Nigerian Airforce Reference Hospital Kano died on May 1, 2024 after he was, allegedly, severely tortured by one Sergeant Aminu Ibrahim.

In an originating summon filed at the National Industrial Court, Kano Division, the deceased family is seeking a declaration by the Court that “the severe physical assault, battery and torture of Yusuf Shuaibu by Sergeant Ibrahim, in the course of of Shuaibu’s employment on May 1, 2024, at 465 NAF Hospital Kano by several punches ,head-butting and marching him to unconsciousness, actions medically established to have caused traumatic blunt head injury ,cerebral oedemic and diffuse axonal injury, thereby leading to the deceased’s untimely death constitute a violation of the deceased’s fundamental rights to life as guaranteed under section 33 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( as amended).”

In the originating summon filed by A. A. Hakima and Co. the deceased family is also seeking a declaration that the Respondents’ act of forcefully subjecting the deceased to compulsory duty/work at the 465 NAF Hospital Kano after the deceased’s working hours amounted to forced labour outlawed by section 34 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( as amended).

Respondents’ act of preventing the deceased from leaving and exiting the premises of the 465 NAF Hospital Kano ,after the deceased’s working hours amounted to a flagrant violation of the deceased’s right to freedom of movement protected by sections 35 and 40 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( as amended).

Based on the above reasons, the deceased’s family is, therefore, seeking” an order of the Court awarding it the sum of N5 ,000,000( five hundred million ) payable by the Respondents jointly and severally as compensation and damages for the violation of the deceased’s rights as enshrined in sections 33,34,and 40 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999( as amended).

“An order directing the Respondents jointly and severally to pay the sum of N50 million as exemplary damages to deter similar acts of violence and abuse of power in the future by the Respondents .

“An order directing the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) to subject the 1st Respondent to disciplinary action in strict accordance with the laws and regulations governing the 1st Respondent’s instant action.

“An order directing the Respondents to issue a public apology to the deceased’s family, and any further order as the Honourable Court may deem fit to grant in the interest of justice”.

Supreme Court Affirms Francis Atuche’s Conviction Over N29.5bn Fraud

Akinwale Kasali

June 28, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

After years of trial, the Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction of former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB Plc, Francis Atuche, over a-N25.7 billion fraud.

In a unanimous decision, the Apex Court held that Atuche, the Appellant, failed to dislodge the finding of the trial Court which convicted him and the Court of Appeal which affirmed the conviction.

The verdict of the Supreme Court brings the criminal charge to finality after over a decade.

Justice M.A.A. Adumein, who gave the lead judgment stated that the Supreme Court relied on its previous decisions that where the judgment of a trial Court on the demeanour of a party or witness is supported by the documentary evidence tendered, an Appellate Court has no business in tampering with the decision of the Court.

In conclusion, the Court held that the Appellant did not give it any reason to tamper with the concurrent finding of the two lower courts.

Atuche, his wife, Elizabeth, and the bank’s former Chief Financial Officer, Ugo Anyanwu, were in 2011 arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Okunnu of the High Court of Lagos State

They were prosecuted by EFCC prosecutor, Dr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) on a 27-count amended information for their involvement in a N25.7 billion fraud.

The fraudulent activities of Atuche and Bank PHB was exposed by former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, during the N25 Billion recapitalization of Banks in Nigeria.

This also led to the sack of Erastus Akingbola as MD of defunct Intercontinental Bank and Cecilia Ibru, MD of defunct Oceanic Bank.

Anambra: Pastor Defiles 7-Year Old House Help

Ayodele Oni

June 28, 2024

Francis Ogwu - General Overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church in Awka

By Ayodele Oni

Anambra state government has confirmed the arrest of a pastor and General Overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church in Awka, Francis Ogwu, for allegedly defiling his seven-year-old house help.

It was gathered that the General Overseer was arrested following an alarm raised by concerned residents of Awka.

The media aide to Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

Ikeanyionwu explained that the pastor, who hails from Imo State, has been living in Anambra State with his wife and children for over 30 years.

She stated that Ogwu confessed to the Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, that he “just fingered the girl once”.

The General Overseer was said to have denied allegations of penetration as against what the seven-year-old victim said.

Ogwu attributed his action to temptation, saying his wife usually denied him sex and that she made excuses of fasting whenever he desired her.

The seven-year-old girl, who narrated her side of the story, said the pastor had carnal knowledge of her over three times.

She informed the commissioner that Ogwu usually gave her money ranging from N500 to N1,000 after each experience saying at some point, she was accused by the pastor’s wife of snatching the pastor from her.

The girl noted that what prompted her to leave was the beating she got by the suspect’s daughter at any slightest mistake.

Speaking, the mother of the victim, a native of Awka, Destiny Nwabueze, stated that she handed the daughter over to the General Overseer’s family due to their cordial relationship over time.

Nwabueze said she was shocked when her daughter returned and told her of the alleged defilement.

She revealed that she quickly called the pastor, who upon arrival denied the allegations, which prompted her to involve other people by raising the alarm.

Reacting to the incident, Obinabo said she would ensure the seven-year-old gets justice.

The commissioner advised women to always be vigilant over their husbands’ behaviours.

She also enjoined women to stop starving their husbands sex, saying that could lead to bad behaviour for some men.

Obinabo, who urged women to always protect their girl child at all costs, noted that defilement was no longer an excuse in Anambra State.

JAMB Releases Results Of 28,835, Candidates

Ayodele Oni

June 28, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Candidates that were biometrically shut out and those caught cheating during the unified examination of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB ) in April now have cause to smile.

The students, numbering 28,835 were unable to write the qualifying examination for admission into tertiary institutions, as they failed the biometric test of the body.

They were however offered another opportunity by JAMB to sit for their examination last week.

JAMB has released the results of candidates, who participated in the supplementary Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted between Friday, 21st and Saturday, 22nd June, 2024.

A statement signed by spokesman of JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, on Friday, said the supplementary examination was conducted for 28,835 candidates, who were unable to be biometrically verified during the main 2024 UTME and were, therefore, unable to take their examination.

Similarly, the other category of candidates were those suspected to have been involved in examination malpractices during the main UTME, but who were given a second chance to sit the examination.

The exercise, which recorded a huge success nationwide, was marked by heightened security measures put in place by the Board to preclude any instance of examination infractions.

“As such, some nefarious characters, who had attempted to impersonate bona fide candidates were apprehended and handed over to law enforcement agencies for further investigation and prosecution.”

The examination body assured of its readiness to ensure that no candidate benefit from any acts of infractions through the deployment of state-of-the-art technology before, during and after its examinations.

“Candidates are, therefore, urged in their own interest to refrain from engaging in any form of irregularities during their examinations.

“They are also enjoined to desist from soliciting score upgrade from fraudsters or engage in the mutilation of their result sheets while trying to generate fake result sheets with higher scores.”

Cholera Outbreak: Rivers State Records Two Deaths, 16 Survivors, Currently, No New Cases – Dr Oreh

Akinwale Kasali

June 28, 2024

Dr Adaeze Oreh - Rivers Commissioner for Health

By Akinwale Kasali

Rivers State Government has announced the death of two people as a result of cholera outbreak in the country.

Dr Adaeze Oreh, the State Commissioner for Health, in a Press Statement she personally signed clarified that two people were confirmed dead, while 16 survived the recent cholera outbreak in parts of Rivers State.

Oreh added that at the moment, there were no cases of cholera in the State.

She explained that the incident in the State was recorded in three communities within Andoni Local Government Area, and stated that the two people died of symptoms suspicious of cholera.

The Health Commissioner stated that all the cases were recorded within the past four weeks while the ailment was ravaging other states of the nation, adding that two people tested positive for the ailment.

She said: “Cholera remains a major public health concern, particularly in sub–Saharan Africa. Nigeria, and indeed, Rivers State, have not been spared from sporadic cases of, especially, short-lived rural outbreaks.

“Regarding the past four weeks in the State, we have had about 16 suspected cases of acute watery diarrhoea across three communities in coastal areas of Andoni Local Government Area, with two associated deaths.

“The scenario was rapidly resolved, and two samples tested positive for cholera by screening tool with a rapid diagnostic test (not confirmed by culture).”

Oreh opined that currently there are no known active cases of cholera in the State, but urged residents to maintain good hygiene.

She said, “So far, there are currently no active cases or any outbreak of cholera or acute water diarrhoea in the State. Using seasonal outbreak modelling, we have pre-positioned commodities around historical hot spots, built capacity of health personnel, and commenced community health education for safe hygienic practices.

“State surveillance is at an all high for triggers and suspected cases. The infectious disease treatment centre at Rivers State University, which is marked for upgrade to an Infectious Disease Institute, is ready and able to manage cases in the case of any eventuality.

“Let me assure you of the State Government’s commitment to adequately support, respond to, and contain these priority diseases”, she stated.

Kano Govt Moves To Check Environmental Degradation, To Plant Three Million Trees

Ayodele Oni

June 28, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

In a bid to reduce environmental degradation, the Kano State Government has unveiled a plan to plant three million trees within the next one year, dubbed the Three Million Trees Planting (3MTP) programme.

Speaking during a press briefing in Kano, Dr. Dahiru Muhammad Hashim, the coordinator for the ACReSAL project, emphasized the critical need to address climate change and environmental degradation in the region.

He said the initiative, driven by the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, aims to address climate change, environmental degradation, and deforestation in the region.

“Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, a strong advocate for environmental sustainability, emphasized the vital role of trees in maintaining ecological balance.

“The programme will involve avenue planting, afforestation projects, and shelter belt establishment, engaging community organizations, NGOs, and civil society groups. Training sessions will ensure effective tree planting and maintenance.

“Legislative measures are also being developed to prevent indiscriminate tree felling and enforce penalties for violations, ensuring the long-term survival of the newly planted trees.

“Early efforts under the initiative include the planting of 5,000 seedlings along key roads such as State Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, and BUK Road.

“The programme also plans to plant an additional two million trees through afforestation projects and the establishment of new shelter belts to combat desertification and promote food security.”

Dr Hashim added that Vovernment invites all Kano residents to participate in this historic initiative, contributing to a greener, more resilient Kano.

“EFCC Is Witch Hunting Kwankwaso” – NNPP

Akinwale Kasali

June 28, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Auwal Musa, National Youth Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has alleged that the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Party’s Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Presidential Election was masterminded by his political enemies to Witch hunt him.

Musa stressed that the action was instigated by some political rivals to tarnish Kwankwaso’s image, due to his political prowess.

Speaking in Kaduna, Musa said: “I challenge EFCC to come out with facts on the allegations, otherwise, we consider it as an attempt to witch-hunt and victimise him.”

He further argued that there was no justification for EFCC to commence investigation of Kwankwaso from 2015 to 2023 as a former Governor and leader of NNPP.

He went further to query the EFCC for waiting so long to investigate him, nine years after leaving office and wondered why it would, also, investigate Party affairs.

According to him, investigating an ‘honest and hardworking’ person like Kwankwaso will only amount to a waste of time.

“Go to Kano and see what he did as a governor, check his records as a Defence Minister, and a Senator,” he said.

Musa urged the EFCC to disregard any petition written against Kwankwaso by any politician or any associate, and added that the EFCC needs to do a thorough investigation to ascertain what he has said.

Reacting to the internal crisis rocking the NNPP, the Youth Leader said the party has resolved all its internal crises including the power tussle among its officers at the Local, State and National levels.

“We have recently conducted elections into various offices in 13 states of the country successfully,” he said.

He added that the party has, also, made changes in its logo and structurally designed a method of campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.

“It is our hope that the NNPP will give a surprise outing and will win national and state seats in the coming elections.

“ Nigerian youths are ready to make serious changes in the national political scene.

“We will take over the government and salvage this country from maladministration,” he said.

“Vacate All Roads/Streets Or Face The Law”, Abia Govt Warns Traders/Business Operators

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 28, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Street traders, hawkers displaying wares on top of drainages and other public utilities in major Abia cities particularly Aba and Umuahia have been given up to July 1,2024 to vacate, or face the full weight of the law by the Abia state Government.

They are either to relocate to thousands of empty shops and other business premises available inside the various markets or close shop.

The Source reports that street trading and business activities outside of lawfully designated areas over the years have been the norm among many traders and business actors ,especially in Aba, the commercial hub of the State.

Efforts by successive administrations, though most times feeble, and usually over ridden by personal and political interests, to halt the ugly trend have been largely futile.

The result has not only been the destruction of public infrastructural facilities, but loss of humongous revenue by the Government.

While several thousands of taxable empty shops and business premises lay fallow in the markets, street business operators continue to oil the pockets of hordes of illegal levy/rent collectors.

From Etchie/Mosque/Old Court Roads Market ,Ngwa Road Market ,Good Morning Market to the popular Ariaria International Markets, all in Aba, illegal revenue collectors feeding on levies from roadside traders continue to smile to the banks.

Conversely, Government continues to reel under excruciating and often debilitating impacts of abysmal internally generated revenue.

While the Abia State Government and the market authorities at Etchie/Mosque Road Market get near zero revenue ,about six families, controlling over 2000 street traders, smile home with N100 Million annually.

The six families, The Source findings have authoritatively confirmed collect N50,000 from each of the 2000 traders under their bait.

Instructively, these street traders who occupy major streets, sanitary lanes and the entrance of the Abia State owned College of Health Sciences and Management Technology Aba, not only do not pay a dime to the State coffers ,but also not recognize the Government appointed leadership of the market.

Only last December, the Abia State Taskforce on Abuse of Public Infrastructure had after a two-month sensitization campaign, warned that effective January 2024, it will commence the enforcement of a total ban on street trading and other abuses of public infrastructures.

Yet, its operations have also been mired by the same age long problem- lack of political will.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday, June 27, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Izuchukwu Onwughara,the Abia state authorities, warned that they will no longer tolerate the wanton destruction of infrastructural facilities, under the guise of conducting business activities.

“Government is, by this announcement, reminding the general public that transacting businesses on the newly constructed and reconstructed roads in the state and other unwholesome activities like dumping of refuse in the drainages, channelling of borehole and sewage water into the asphalted roads and mechanics repairing vehicles along the roads are prohibited.

“Such activities will no longer be tolerated as they are detrimental to the life span of the roads.

“Consequently, Government is warning defaulters to stop forth with and those who display their wares on asphalted pavement, particularly along Owerri Road in Umuahia, Kent Road ,Jubilee Road ,Ngwa Road ,Port Harcourt Road ,Obohia Road and Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway by Ariaria market junction all in Aba, to vacate the roads within seven days of this announcement or be prepared to face the law.” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Traders in Aba on Thursday, held their periodic prayer section, aimed at seeking the face of God.

Speaking at the occasion held at the Eziukwu Road market Aba ,Chairman of All Chairmen of Aba Markets, urged traders and other business actors to always conduct their activities with the fear of God .

He appealed to the traders to refrain from unwholesome conducts and activities capable of undermining Abia state Government, the market leaderships and their personal characters.

Chief Udeigbo,who is also the President General of Abia State Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, particularly urged traders in the state to make efforts to pay their 2024 Abia State Government, statutory levies/rents .

He insisted that the only way traders and business actors in the State can appreciate the good works being done by the Government is to be alive to their obligations, including prompt and regular payments of their levies and taxes .

He assured that ,there are enough spaces/shops inside the various markets to accommodate all genuine and interested traders and business actors desirous to relocate to the markets.

FAAN MD/CE: We Will Support Plateau State Become Leader In Agriculture

The Source

June 28, 2024

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has assured the Plateau State Government of the Authority’s support in the state’s ambition to become a major hub for agricultural products and improve Nigeria’s economy through airline cargo. She said this while receiving the Governor of Plateau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang. at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos.

The MD/CE who led top management staff to the meeting, described the state as rich in agrarian products worthy of trade locally and globally. She demonstrated the Authority’s readiness to collaborate with the state government in setting up its cargo terminal. Still, she advised that the state should not wait for major infrastructure before it can benefit from selling and marketing its farm products.

“Your Excellency, Plateau State is poised to stand as one of Nigeria’s leaders in producing and transporting agricultural products,” she said. “My team is willing to work very closely with you and the expanded aviance cargo team. While we may need to put up some major cargo infrastructure, I don’t think we need to wait. I will suggest that we make this modular. Let’s start within our immediate environments. We can start marketing some of your perishable items and creating market days when we invite people from across the country to fly in and buy these products. That will spur those who are willing to invest in testing, packaging, crating, storing and transporting these produce all across the country. The possibilities are endless.”

The Governor thanked Mrs Kuku for FAAN’s enthusiasm for the cargo business and promised to push on until the state’s ambitions are met.

The MD/CE spent the rest of her visit to the Jos Airport on a tour of the facilities and had a fruitful engagement with the staff.

Drügs & Money Laündering: List Of Private Jets Owners In Nigeria

James Orji

June 28, 2024

Some private jets owners in the Nigeria have been deploying their aircrafts for money laundering and drug trafficking, according to Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

The minister made the remark during the inauguration of the ministerial task force committee to curb illegal chartered operations in the country on Thursday, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Apart from drug trafficking and money laundering, Keyamo stated that private jets owners are also involved in other illicit crimes in the country.

Keyamo, however, did not mention the identities of those allegedly involved, but a few insist that ownership of private jets in the country cuts across private and public personalities.

According to checks by the magazine, there are more than 200 private jet owners in Nigeria as of January 2024.

These includes, politicians, businessmen, bankers and foreign firms, particularly, International Oil Companies, IOCs operating in the country.

Analysts however insist that most Nigerians claiming to own private jets are liars, that they only used hired private jets which they claim to be their own, to boost their ego and popularity.

Checks indicate that real private jets owners include, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, fromer Vice President Atiku Abubakar, fromer Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Ifeanyin Uba, Globalcom owner Mike Adenuga and Africa’s Richest Man Aliko Dangote.

Others include, oil mogul Femi Otedola, United Bank for Africa, UBA Chairman, Tony Elumelu, Chief Arthur Eze, Deji Adeleke, owner of Pacific Holdings and father of music star, David Adeleke aka Davido, amongst others.

They also include some General Overseers of Pentecostal churches in the country, including Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Christ Embassy, and Benin, Edo state-based Pastor Johnson Suleiman.

Speaking yesterday, Keyamo stated that the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, has alerted the federal government that the use of private jets to conduct illicit businesses has been on the rise, “unregulated and unchecked.”

The illicit use of private jet to commit crime, according to him, is done in conjunction with some unscrupulous aviation officials, the minister said, adding that a committee has been set up to tackle the menace in the country.

Keyamo said: “Last week, the National Security Adviser wrote to us, alerting us of the spike in money laundering, drug trafficking and other illegal activities through the use of private aircraft in the country.

“It appears that Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) operators have become increasingly emboldened, continuing their illegal operations with the assistance of Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders who collect tolls and list these illegal charters under their AOCs.”

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