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All posts by Kevin Okunzuwa

General news

Coronavirus: Obaseki goes into self-isolation, sends in samples for testing

Coronavirus: Obaseki goes into self-isolation, sends in samples for testing

Self-isolation

By Kevin Okunzuwa
Benin, March 25, 202 (NAN) Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has gone into self isolation, following his close contact with the Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Muhammed and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, who both tested positive for coronavirus.

In a statement on Wednesday in Benin, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said the governor had sent his samples for testing.

Osagie said, “The governor has gone into self-isolation after the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, tested positive for coronavirus.

“The governor had met Senator Mohammed at the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and National Economic Council (NEC) meetings. He also visited Mr. Kyari.”

Osagie said although the governor was not showing any symptoms of the virus, “he has taken the necessary precaution to self-isolate to protect people that may otherwise come in contact with him”.( NAN)

KOO/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Judiciary

22-year-old in court over alleged sale of 180g hemp

22-year-old in court over alleged sale of 180g hemp

By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, March 20, 2020 (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday charged a 22-year-old trader, Haruna Abba, with peddling 180g of cannabis.

In the charge marked FHC/L/95c/2020 and pending before Justice Maureen Onyetenu of the Federal High Court in Lagos,  NDLEA alleged that Abba committed the offence on Feb. 21.

The prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, told the court that the defendant was arrested at Agboju Bolla in the Ajaba area Lagos, while selling hemp.

He noted that hemp like heroin and cocaine was a hard drug listed in the NDLEA’s prohibited schedule.

He said the drug trafficking contravenes the provisions of Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, 2004, which provides for up to life imprisonment for convicted offenders.

No date has been fixed for arraignment of the defendant. (NAN)

UNS/KOO/IGO
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Ijeoma Popoola

Defence/Security

Insecurity: LG supports Vigilante group with 20 motorcycles

Donation
By Obinna Unaeze

Borgu (Niger), March 20, 2020 (NAN) Borgu Local Government Council in Niger, has donated 20 Bajaj motorcycles to members of the Vigilante group in New Bussa, to support their efforts in tackling insecurity in the area.

Alhaji Adamu Usama, the council’s Vice Chairman told newsmen on Friday at the local government headquarters in New Bussa, that the motorcycles were distributed to the local security outfit on Monday.
“The council decided to distribute the motorcycles to the vigilante members in order to fight armed banditry in our area,” he said.
Usama said that the measure would go a long way in ensuring security of lives and property in the area.
The vice chairman said, before now, the council had sponsored a joint police and army patrol in the area to secure lives and property.
He assured the people of the area of the council’s commitment to ensure their safety at all times.
Usama lauded the support of the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Mohammed Kitoro IV in tackling insecurity in the area.
“I want to thank the Emir for being part of the community policing patrol team, patrolling New Bussa in the night,” he said.
The vice chairman enjoined the people of the area to desist from harbouring criminals, saying that anyone caught would be made to face the law.
He advised people of the area to always report criminals in their midst to security agencies for prompt action. (NAN)
OCU/KOO/MZA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Maharazu Ahmed
General news

Palm oil company appeals to Edo Govt. to call hosts communities to order. 

Palm oil company appeals to Edo Govt. to call host community to order

Appeal

By Kevin Okunzuwa

Benin, March 16, 2020( NAN) The management of Okomu Oil Palm Plc, has called on the Edo Government to quickly intervene in the disruption of its operations by alleged aggrieved members of some of its host communities.

The  company made the call in a statement issued by its Communications Officer, Mr Fidelis Olise and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Benin.

Olise alleged that some aggrieved persons from Inikorogha, Asamara, Udo and  Hassan Camp in Ovia South Local Government Area of the state, had violently disrupted the operations of the company.

He, however, noted that the company and the state government had an understanding on the desire to improve the economic fortunes of the state.

“But this lofty goal of Godwin Obaseki-led government appears to be under threat as a result of some illegal acts by some local communities.

“They recently took the law into their hands and prevented staff of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc from undertaking planned clearing of the company’s Extension 1 boundaries,” he said.

Olise explained that the planned clearing was in anticipation of the arrival of Edo State Geographic Information (EDOGIS) officials, who were to confirm the company’s boundaries as part of its re-certification process.

“Okomu workers who were about to commence work were attacked by a large group of people who had apparently assembled from different neighbouring communities.

“Not only were the workers assaulted on Okomu’s property, but members of these communities also damaged vehicles belonging to the company.,” he stated. (NAN)

KOO/EMO
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Edited by Ejike Obeta

General news

UNHCR wants increased awareness on migration

UNHCR’s senior Liaison officer, Mrs Amah Assiama-Hillgartner speaking with Journalists at a one day stakeholders’ meeting in Benin.
A cross section of stakeholders at the meeting

 

 

A cross section of stakeholders at the meeting.

 

UNHCR wants increased awareness on migration

Migration

By Kevin Okunzuwa

Benin, March 12, 2020(NAN) The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), has called for increased awareness on dangers inherent in irregular migration.

Mrs Amah Assiama-Hillgartner, UNHCR’s Senior Liaison officer in Nigeria, said this would help would-be migrants make informed decisions on their ‘life decision.’

Assiama-Hillgartner made a presentation entitled ‘UNHCR Nigeria Asylum migration strategy’, at a one-day ‘Telling the real story testimony dissemination meeting’ on Thursday in Benin.

While identifying Nigeria as a transit country, she noted that Edo was identified as mainly the state with 70 per cent of victims of returnees as at 2019.

She said UNHCR statistics showed that Nigeria also had over 8,000 returnees from Libya, with about 1.2 million people living in IDP camps.

She added that the country had “security issues with 64 per of the population live below poverty line.

“And since Edo seems to be where most of the people process their documents because of the basic presence of infrastructure for it, our purpose here is to partner with experts on ways to improve information dissemination about the risks involved in irregular migration.

“We are not against migration. But our purpose here is to make sure that if people must move   they should do so in safety and in dignity.

“We belief that the conditions in IDP camps in Nigeria can also put people at risk. Right now, we are in Edo because we have concerns.

“We also need to tell the real stories in IDP camps who are at risk to be manipulated by traffickers because of the harsh conditions and difficulties they are going through.

 

“We have looked at the vulnerability of the people and conclude that these are people likely to fall victims. And that is why we need to go there with the real message.”

 

The UNHCR official said the outcome of the meeting with the technical partners would be disseminated widely so that the people would be adequately informed about the dangers inherent in irregular migration.

 

” UNHCR is not against migration. We are saying through irregular migration; people should not put their lives in danger.

 

“Migrant, but not at the risk of losing your life. This is our message. We will continue to campaign and regularly come out with alternative strategies to drive our message home she said.

 

Earlier, UNHCR’ Senior project officer in Nigeria, Mr Markus Topp, said TRS was an awareness raising meeting among crucial partners including media, NGOs, governments, returnees and other relevant stakeholders.

 

“It is geared towards letting them know of some of the tools we are trying to use to ensure people who want to migrate do so with the correct understanding of the implications of their voyage,” he said. (NAN)

KOO/EAL

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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

 

Judiciary

Court sentences ”peacemaker” to death by hanging  for killing man

Sentence

By Edith Nwapi

Abuja,  March 11, 2020 (NAN ) An FCT High Court sitting in Nyanya on Wednesday sentenced a ”peacemaker”, Mohammed Tijani to death by hanging for killing a man who was fighting another in front of his barber shop.

The police charged Tijani , an 18- year old barber on a count -charge of culpable homicide in June 2017.

Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Kekemeke, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubts.

He held that the confessional statement made by Tijjani to the police established the commission of the offence by the defendant.

Kekemeke held that there is a piece of evidence in the confessional statement which point at the guilt of the defendant.

” The law is that there is no evidence stronger than a person’s own admission of confession.

” There is also the evidence of the PW1 outside the confessional statement which made it possible to believe that the confession is true ” he held.

He held that from the evidence before the court,  death of a human being occurred and that the death was caused by the act of the defendant.

Kekemeke held further that Section 221 of the penal code in which the defendant was charged says culpable homicide is not punishable by death if the offender was provoked.

He held also that in that case, the offender lose power of control through the provocation of the victim or any other.

” The defendant knew that death would be the possible consequence or that great injury would occur when a knife is driven into the chest of a person.

” I have checked the evidence,  I am not satisfied that the deceased provoked the defendant to the extent that he lose self control.

” l have not found any sudden provocation, no particle of such provocation in evidence.

” In the circumstance of this case, it is my view and I so hold that the prosecution had proofed the one count charge against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt .

” I accordingly found the defendant guilty as charged,  the defendant is sentenced to death by hanging” he held .

The prosecution counsel, Mr Kufreabasi Ebong, alleged that Tijjani stabbed and killed one Samsudeen Abdullahi with a knife at Anguwan Hausawa, Karu, FCT in June, 2017.

Ebong said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 221 of the Penal Code which is punishable by death.  (NAN )

NEO/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

 

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Judiciary

Carpenter in court for allegedly stealing 4 bottles of wine exotic wine worth N107,200

Shoplifting
By Tomisin Erogbogbo
Lagos, March 11, 2020 (NAN) A 38-year-old carpenter, Biola Oni, on Wednesday appeared in  a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing four bottles of exotic wine from a supermarket, worth N107,200
The police charged Oni with conspiracy and theft.
He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution counsel, Insp Ajaga Agboko, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 4, at Hubmart Supermarket located at Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
He alleged that the defendant, who conspired with another person, now at large, pretended to be a customer, went into Hubmart Supermarket and each stole two bottles of Moet and Chandon wine valued at N107,200.
“Oni and his accomplice pretended to be customers, shopping for wine, after they put the wine in a shopping basket they hid somewhere and started stocking the bottles of wine into their trousers.
” A security guard who sighted them on the CCTV  monitor, stopped them as they were walking out of the store for a search; they caught the defendant while the other escaped,” he said.
Agboko said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Magistrate T.A. Anjorin-Ajose admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Anjorin-Ajose adjourned the case until April 30 for hearing. (NAN)
TME/ KOO/SH
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Sadiya Hamza
Judiciary

Man, 25, docked for allegedly stealing phone worth N60, 000 from truck driver

Man, 25, docked for allegedly stealing phone worth N60,000 from truck driver
Theft
BY Adenike Ayodele –
Ikeja, March 9, 2020 (NAN) A 25-year-old old man, Abdulahi Alimi, on Monday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’s Court for allegedly stealing a cell phone valued at N60,000 from a truck driver.

Alimi, a resident of No. 21 Emiloju St., Agege, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of  conspiracy and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Kenrich Nomayo alleged that the defendant conspired with others now at large and stole a Samsung phone worth N60,000 from the complainant, one Mr Dawood Shodeinde.

Nomayo told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Dec. 28, 2019 at about 5.00 a.m. in Agege, a Lagos suburb.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant forcefully opened the complainant’s truck and stole the said phone.

“The complainant, who is a truck driver, packed his truck to ease himself when the defendant suddenly opened the truck and stole the phone.

“The driver raised alarm and with the help of passers-by, the defendant was arrested while the remaining boys ran away,” the prosecutor said.

According to him, the alleged offences violate Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal laws of Lagos State 2015, (revised).

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. T. A. Ojo, granted the defendant bail to the sum of N60, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Ojo ordered that the surety must be gainfully employed and should show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The Magistrate adjourned the case until March 30 for mention.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stealing is punishable with three years imprisonment while conspiracy attracts two years jail term for convicted offenders under the criminal laws of Lagos State 2015(Revised).  (NAN)

OAR/KOO/IU

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Isaac Ukpoju

Science & Technology

NCC deactivates 2.2m improperly registered SIM Cards

Deactivation
By Jessica Dogo
Abuja, March 8, 2020 (NAN) The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has completely deactivated 2.2 million Improperly registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards across Telecommunication networks nationwide.

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, made this known in a statement signed by Dr Henry Nkemadu, Director, Public Affairs in Abuja.

Danbatta said that the Commission’s efforts in this regard was in line with one of the key agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen security of lives and property for all Nigerians.

“We have since initiated the second phase of SIM deactivation based on the Ministerial directive and as at today, we have completely deactivated the remaining 2.2 million lines on the networks.

“This is contrary to reports by a section of the media, suggesting that nothing has been done with respect to the issue of improperly registered SIM cards.

“Following the September 2019 Ministerial directive, however, the NCC, within a week, intensified efforts by reducing the number of improperly registered SIM cards from 9.2 million to 2.2 million,” he said.

He, however, said that over the years, the NCC had worked with determination and through various policy initiatives, to rid mobile networks of improperly or invalidly registered SIM cards.

The EVC explained that this was to ensure that all the current over 184 million registered SIM cards across Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) networks had valid data that were traceable and not anonymous.

According to him, our efforts received a boost, following the implementation of a Sept. 12, 2019 Ministerial directive that the NCC should compel service providers to block all improperly-registered SIM cards, pending when their owners regularise their registration.

“As at the time the Ministerial order was issued, the Commission, through its Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement team, had reduced the number of improperly-registered SIM cards on mobile networks in the country to 9.2 million.”

He recalled that the Commission had, in June 2019, commenced the second round of comprehensive verification audit of MNOs’ SIM card registrations as part of the Commission’s ongoing regulatory interventions.

The EVC said that the regulations were the setting up of the SIM Registration Industry Task Force, which led to several resolutions including the Industry Working Group (IWG) on harmonisation of SIM registration process.

He also said that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) was inclusive to ensure a clean SIM database, adding that the audit exercise was concluded in August 2019.

“The audit was specifically to ensure strict adherence by telecom operators to the provisions of the Telephone Subscribers Registration Regulations 2011,” he said.

The EVC assured all stakeholders that the Commission would continue to aggressively pursue the national objectives of delivering an accurate database of telephone subscribers in Nigeria.

He also stated that stated that the SIM data submitted to the Commission was constantly validated for higher efficiency to support the national security objectives of the SIM registration exercise through NCC’s zero tolerance for deviations from the proper registration process.

“I also use this opportunity to restate the Commission’s commitment to the periodic SIM data audit, continuous compliance monitoring exercise on the MNOs, as well as constant consumer education and engagement against using improperly-registered SIM cards.

“We will be able to, collectively, address national security concerns, especially kidnappings, banditry, armed robberies, cattle rustling and other crimes associated with SIM cards across the nation.

This will ensure that all SIM cards are traceable to their real owners,” he added. (NAN)
JEZ/ KOO/SH
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Sadiya Hamza

Judiciary

Court remands man for allegedly kidnapping woman, 6-month-old baby

Kidnap

By Teniola Ibitola

Lagos, March 6, 2020 (NAN)An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, ordered that a 20-year-old  man, Jerome Yonweli, who allegedly kidnapped a woman and her six-month-old baby be remanded in Ikoyi Correctional  Centre, pending legal advice.

The police charged Yonweli with conspiracy, kidnap and demand for ransom.

The Magistrate, Mr Adeniyi Ajiferuke,  remanded the defendant at the  pending legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He adjourned the case until April 21 for DPP advice.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Dooney Raphael,  told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Feb. 16, at about 4 a.m., at Alogba Estate, Zone D, Ikorodu.

He alleged that the defendant,  abducted Mrs Oluwatoyin Makinde and her six-month-old baby and kept them in his custody for three days and demanded  N1 million ransom from her husband before their release.

Raphael said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 2, 2(i), and 3 of the Kidnapping Prohibition Laws of Lagos State, 2017 which stipulates life imprisonment for convicted offenders

(NAN)

OAT/ KOO/SH

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Sadiya Hamza

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