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Supreme Court Judge Says Minister Behind Corruption Allegation

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Supreme Court Judge Says Minister Behind Corruption Allegation
Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi
Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi

More revelations have continue to come up with regards to the arrest of seven senior judges by the DSS, as one of the Judges, Inyang Okoro, of the Supreme Court, has accused the minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi as being behind his arrest.

Justice Okoro, in a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed, said that Amaechi set the DSS against him because he had refused to do the minister’s bidding with regards to the election cases of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Abia States.

“I strongly believe that my travail is not unconnected with the verbal report I made to you on 1st February, 2016 about the visit to my official residence by H/E Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State and now Minister of Transportation,” Okoro’s letter to the CJN read.

“In that report, I told you, my Lord, that Mr. Amaechi said the President of Nigeria and the All Progressives Congress mandated him to inform me that they must win their election appeals in Rivers State, Akwa Ibom and Abia State at all costs.”

Okoro said he declined the request and made sure that he was not in charge of the Akwa Ibom tribunal, but that Amaechi and others in the APC believed that his presence in the Supreme Court made the APC lose its challenge against the Akwa Ibom governorship election at the apex court.

He insisted that the money found in his house were legitimately earned, urging the NJC to ignore all allegations against him as they were lies.

Meanwhile, the transport minister’s media office released a statement on late Tuesday, denying ever approaching Justice Okoro and promising to take legal actions against the Supreme Court judge.

Amaechi described the allegation as a figment of Okoro’s imagination, asking him to respond to the corruption allegations against him.

The statement read: “This accusation from Justice Okoro against Amaechi is a figment of his imagination, concocted to obfuscate and politicise the real issues for his arrest and DSS investigation of allegations of corruption against him.

“The claims by Justice Okoro against Amaechi are blatant lies, bereft of any iota of truth or even logic.

“Amaechi did not, and has never approached Justice Okoro in respect of the cases Okoro mentioned or any other case.

The statement described Justice Okoro’s actions as “a cheap attempt, albeit,  political move to drag the name of Amaechi into something he knows nothing about.”

“Justice Okoro should face his issues and leave Amaechi out of it.  He will be hearing from our lawyers,” the statement concluded.

Recall that another of the Judges, Adeniyi Ademola, of the Abuja Federal High Court had also written to the CJN, alleging that his own ordeal was being masterminded by the Attorney General of the Federation and minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Ademola cited an incident that took place some years back in Kano State, in which he had ordered Malami’s arrest, as a reason for the vendetta moves against him by the AGF.

As the days go by, one can be sure that the controversy surrounding the ongoing corruption investigation of members of the judiciary is anything but over.

Soldier Jailed Two Years For Brutalizing Ten-Year Old

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Soldier Jailed Two Years For Brutalizing Ten-Year Old

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A Nigerian Army court martial has sentenced a Staff Sergeant, Umar Sule, to two years imprisonment for brutalizing ten-year old Mohammed Saleh in Maiduguri.

The soldier was accused of tying the minor to a pole and beating him severally for about seven hours after he caught him stealing his N2,000.

The little boy was said to have sustained serious injuries which led to one of his arms being amputated as a result of the brutality.

The matter was reported to the National Human Rights Commission, which took the matter to the army authorities.

Sule, aside being handed a jail term, was also demoted to the rank of Private.

President of the court martial set up by the Nigerian Army at the 7 Division Maiduguri, Olusegun Adeniyi, said the court arrived at the decision after considering so many factors.

Adeniyi stated that the court took into consideration the fact that the accused was a first offender and had been in the Nigerian Army since 1999, as well as served in various conflict missions at home and abroad.

He said the defence counsel also argued that the accused was deployed to Operation Lafiya Dole and was willing to serve the Nigerian Army and the country dedicatedly and that he has never committed any offence.

The defence had equally argued that Sule had shown sign of remorse and had pleaded guilty.

Adeniyi noted that the accused person was sentenced based on the Nigerian Army rules and laws of 1972 and 1974 respectively on two count charges subject to confirmation by the confirming authority of the Nigerian Army as required by the law.

All the parties in the suit appeared satisfied with the ruling.

An officer of the National Human Rights Commission, North east Zone, Jummai Mshelia, said the proceedings of the court were fair and transparent  and in compliance with the rule of law and human rights violation consideration.

She commended the Nigerian Army and Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai for constituting the Court Marshal, adding that she would forward the verdict of the court to the NHRC headquarters Abuja for perusal.

Respect Court Rulings, Saraki Tells Law Enforcement Agencies

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Respect Court Rulings, Saraki Tells Law Enforcement Agencies
Senate President, Bukola Saraki
Senate President, Bukola Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki has condemned the alleged disregard for court rulings usually displayed by law enforcement agencies, stressing that every authority under the constitution must obey court orders.

Saraki was speaking at the National Anti-Corruption Summit held in Abuja on Tuesday, adding that law enforcement agencies must be free from political interference as it compromises the credibility of the agencies.

He also called for the respect of the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers.

“I will not end my remarks without commenting on the need for every authority under our constitution to abide by decisions of courts made within jurisdiction,” Saraki told his listeners at the summit.

“This is the only way to preserve law and order and maintain the rule of law as an essential ingredient for the survival of our nascent democracy.

“As emphasised earlier, anti-corruption does not start or end with the ICPC, or the EFCC, the Police or the DSS.

“This fight is all-encompassing. This fight can only be fought and won by all of us – the people and their government – working in sync and playing our own part in the process within the ambits of our defined powers,” he said.

The senate president stressed that there is no way a corruption-free Nigeria would be achieved if institutions of the law were continually treated with disdain.

He stated: “We must work to ensure that there is order in all that we do. Unless there is order, we will not get the right results.

“Unless the anti-corruption war is underpinned on due process, the respect of the rule of law, and a clear acceptance of the separation of powers – with our constitution as our guiding law, we will not achieve lasting and sustainable results.”

Kano Police Arrests 11 From ‘Kidnappers Forest’

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Kano Police Arrests 11 From ‘Kidnappers Forest’
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Items recovered from the kidnappers’ camp

The Kano state police command said its efforts to deal with the crimes of kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry in the southern part of the state, has led to the arrested of 11 suspected kidnappers and freeing of 12 victims inside the Falgore forest believed to be the den of kidnappers.

Speaking with Journalists on Tuesday in Kano, the state Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Yusuf, disclosed that the command’s rejuvenated anti-kidnapping squad had on Tuesday 11th October, 2016, launched a major offensive into one of the biggest and notorious criminal camps located inside Falgore forest.

According to him, “fierce gun duel for almost one hour ensued at the first and second gates before the main camp was penetrated.”

The arrested suspected kidnappers are, Bello Shano , Debo Ibrahim, Lawal Shuaibu , Adamu Abubakar and Nura Salisu.

Others are , Zubairu Mua’azu , Umar Bello , Ibrahim Bashir , Adamu Gainaku  , Abdulrasak Isyaku  and Maharazu Yahaya.

He however stated that some of the suspected kidnappers escaped into the thick forest with bullet wounds, adding that some of their victims, including women, were rescued during a mop-up operation.

The rescued victims include: Bello Salleh, Mohammed Sani, Halima Sa’adu, Rabi Idri, Amos Yakubu and Jacob Ibrahim.

Others are, Hajara Yakubu , Maimuna Abubakar , Sule Maigoro , Ibrahim Umaru , Musa Idi and Ibrahim Hamisu.

Items recovered from the kidnappers’ camp include, “one AK 47 Riffle, two loaded magazines, 250 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition, eight Bajaj motorcycles, criminal masks and personal belongings, among others.”

The police commissioner noted that the victims had undergone post-traumatic counseling and medical examination, and would soon be formally handed  over to their respective families.

N1 Trillion Needed To Revive Aviation Sector

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N1 Trillion Needed To Revive Aviation Sector
n1-trillion-needed-to-revive-aviation-sector-hadi-sirika
Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has disclosed that about N1 trillion will be need in order to revive Nigeria’s ailing aviation sector.

The minister made the disclosure during a four-day public hearing put together by the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation with the aim of turning around the country’s aviation industry.

Sirika noted that there were no plans by the government to sell off the country’s airports as is being rumoured in certain quarters, adding however that infrastructure at the airports needed to be improved on.

“One trillion naira will be needed to turn around our aviation sector, we will not sell the airports and nobody is carrying any structure to anywhere,” he said.

“In fact, what we intend to do is to put them into better use.”

The minister noted that the aviation ministry had set-up a 9-man delivery team to discuss with stakeholders in the sector on concession of the airports.

He said that the team is expected to work together with concerned labour unions to oversee the day to day running of the concession, assuring that the whole process would be conducted in a very transparent and effective manner.

“We have to improve upon what the Nigerian Ports Authority has done to ensure there is more efficient and transparent process and ensure that government also makes more money,’’ Sirika said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yusuf Lasun, has describe domestic flights as unsafe, saying he does not fly them.

Lasun said he would opt to travel 12 hours by road from Abuja to Oshogbo than to fly.

“If someone like me, the Deputy Speaker of this country, does not travel (with) domestic airlines, it means something must be definitely wrong with the (aviation) sector,” he said.

Senate Screens INEC, NPC Commissioners-Designate

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Senate Screens INEC, NPC Commissioners-Designate

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The Senate has commenced the screening of six nominees for Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, whose names were forwarded to the upper legislative chambers by President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was agreed during the consideration of executive communications at the floor of the senate on Tuesday.

The commissioners-designate were directed to appear before the senate committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

They are: Okechukwu Ibeanu – Anambra; May Agbamuche-Mbu – Delta; Ahmed Mu’Azu, Gombe; Mohammed Haruna – Niger; Adekunle Ogunmola – Oyo and Abubakar Nahuche of Zamfara state.

The Senate also considered the request by the President for the confirmation of five commissioners for the National Population Commission, NPC.

They include Benedict Ukpong, Akwa Ibom; Gloria Izonfuo – Bayelsa; Kupchi Iyanya, Haliru Bala – Kebbi and Eyitayo Oyetunji.

The commissioners-designate are expected to appear before the Senate Committee on National Population.

The committees were asked to report to the Senate in two weeks.

Buhari Promises Improved Relations With China

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Buhari Promises Improved Relations With China
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the Chinese government that his administration would continue to make efforts at improving the bilateral relations between Nigeria and China.

The president gave the assurance when he received the letter of credence from the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Buhari said that Nigeria will continue to provide counterpart funding for all agreements reached with China to fast- track ongoing efforts in closing infrastructure gaps.

He also commended the willingness of the Chinese public and private sectors to invest in Nigeria.

Buhari said: “We really appreciate the efforts of the Chinese government and its people in supporting Nigeria’s development by always seeking to improve our bilateral relations.

“We are also happy that China is working with Nigeria as partners in progress. We will work hard to always meet the counterpart funding for all the agreements reached during my visit to China in April, as we look forward to stronger ties.”

The President said Nigeria was ready to receive prospective investors from China who had signified interest in the country.

The Chinese ambassador, Pingjian , told President Buhari that he has received many requests by investors in his country who were ready to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria.

Pingjian said the investors were attracted by the ‘‘remarkable and audacious’’ change process being implemented by the current administration especially in the areas of security and anti-corruption.

President Buhari also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, Warner Senfter; Ambassador of the State of Israel,  Guy Feldman and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, Jens-Petter Kjemprud.

Court Sacks Two Enugu Lawmakers, Asks Them To Refund Salaries

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Court Sacks Two Enugu Lawmakers, Asks Them To Refund Salaries

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An Abuja Federal High Court has removed two House of Representatives members from Enugu State and ordered them to refund all emoluments they have earned.

The lawmakers were removed as the judge ruled that they were not the actual winners of the legislative elections of 2015.

The court held that Gabriel Okafor was the rightful winner of Igbo-Etiti /Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency seat election, not Stella Ngwu, who is currently occupying the seat.

Also Nmachi Agbo was ruled to be illegally occupying the Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency seat, which the court held was duly won by Chijioke Ugwu.

The judge ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to immediately issue certificates of return to both Okafor and Ugwu.

The removed lawmakers may however, chose to appeal the ruling at the court of appeal.

Senate Wants Census In 2018

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Senate Wants Census In 2018
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu

The Nigerian Senate has resolved to call on the President Muhammadu Buhari to issue a proclamation for the holding of a Population and Housing Census in 2018 since 2016 is no longer feasible.

The lawmakers reached the resolution at Tuesday’s Plenary which was conducted by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Meanwhile, before the call for motions of the day was made, the Senate approved, Ejembi Eko, as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The approval was given by majority of the lawmakers through Electronic voting instead of voice vote; the first time E-voting was being used on the floor of the Senate.

On the issue of the 2018 National Census, the Motion was sponsored by Hunkuyi Suleiman and co-sponsored by Abubakar Danladi, Gbolahan Dada, Kabiru Marafa and Baba Garbai.

Supporting the motion, John Enoh said a National Census was important, adding that “we need to work and plan ahead to get the proper results.”

Enoh charged the executive arm of government to immediately commence preparation for the census and to make adequate provisions for it in the 2017 budget proposal.

All of the lawmakers that spoke with regards to the Census were of the opinion that efforts be made to ensure that the exercise turns out better than previous exercises.

Ekweremadu concluded the debate by speaking on the great importance of the data from census, adding that it helps national development.

In December 2015, at a luncheon organized for population correspondents in Abuja, reporters sought to know why the National Census would not be held in 2016 as initially expected.

The Chairman of the NPC, Eze Duru-Iheoma, who was represented at the event by Federal Commissioner Enugu, Festus Uzor, replied; “We set out planning for 2016 cen­sus because going by United Nations guidelines for census, it should hold between five to ten years, the 2020 round of censuses which this one falls into, was to hold in 2016 in Nigeria going by the fact that the last census was held in 2006.

“Now, the reality on ground is that the re­quired minimum of two years to plan for census, even if the mon­ey required is giving to us today, we would not be ready by 2016 to do a good job.

“And it’s our posi­tion; that we rather not do a job at all, than do­ing a bad job, because that will be a waste of national resources, the Nigerian media would be part of those that will condemn us if we fail to do a good job.

“So the chairman has made it clear that the way things are; 2016 is not realistic, not that we don’t want it to hold it, but for us at the commission, to do a very good job, will now be in 2017 provided all preparations are put in place in earnest which means, funding have to be available, but on the part of the commission a lot has been done in terms of planning,” he said.

Well, from all indications, it is now obvious that the promise to hold the National Census in 2017, has been put aside.

Airlines Suspend Flights To Abuja

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Airlines Suspend Flights To Abuja

airlines-suspends-flights-to-abuja

Emirates airlines and Kenya Airways have announced they are suspending flight operations to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja . While suspension of Emirate flights takes effect from October 22, 2016, that of Kenya Airlines would begin on November 15, 2016.

Emirates airlines has written to the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, of its decision, citing inability to access forex and make returns. On its part, the Kenya Airlways said the flight suspension was part of its restructuring plans to save further losses.

The letter was said to have been received by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation on behalf of the Minister, Rotimi Amaechi.

The letter indicated that if the condition persists, Emirates airlines may have no other option than to also suspend its flight operations to Lagos; which would mean that the company has exited the Nigerian market.

A source quoted by Daily Trust Newspaper said: “Emirates has huge money in naira at the banks. It cannot repatriate its sales because it cannot buy dollars. This is having negative effect on their operations.”

Kenya Airways, on its part, said it was suspending flights to Abuja as a result of dwindling traffic from Abuja to Nairobi.

The company’s CEO, Mbuvi Ngunze, said in a statement that it will continue to operate its daily flight from Lagos to Nairobi.

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