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62-Year-Old Pastor Bags Two Years In Jail For Defiling Minor

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62-Year-Old Pastor Bags Two Years In Jail For Defiling Minor

From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

An Egor Magistrate Court in Benin on Friday  sentenced a 62-year old pastor, Alfred Idonogie, to two years imprisonment for defiling a 10-year old girl.

Chief Magistrate Taye Omoruyi found Idonogie guilty of the offence after the prosecutor presented five witnesses who testified in proof of the charge.

The prosecution witnesses included the victim’s grandmother, the girl, the investigating police officer and a medical doctor, who established that the accused had intercourse with the little girl.

The court said that he committed the offence on June 25, 2013 at Onaghino Street, medical stores road, Benin City.

The judge said the convict would spend six months in jail if he agreed to pay a fine of N200,000

The coordinator, Edo State Child Protection Network, Jennifer Ero, who took up the matter, said the judgment was a victory for the child.

She urged the public to be committed in the fight against child abuse.

Meanwhile, counsel to the accused, U. Osa-Uwagie, indicated that he would contest the judgment.

Gov Oshiomhole Gives N14 Million To 7 Widows Of Slain Policemen

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Gov Oshiomhole Gives N14 Million To 7 Widows Of Slain Policemen
From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin
 
The governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, on Thursday presented cheques totaling N14 million to seven widows of police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Oshiomhole also supported the education of each child of the fallen seven policemen with N500, 000.

The slain police officers are assistant superintendent of police, Sunday Paul; Kennedy Ozegin, a sergeant; Timothy Edward, a corporal; inspectors Bakare Kong, Sunday Ewansiha, Akpada Michael and Paul Agbonavbare.
During the presentation, the governor sympathized with widows and children of the deceased officers, stressing that “the way we look after those who were widowed in the course of their husband’s duty and those who are orphaned or fatherless in the course of their father’s work; how we treat them, more than what we say, will send the correct signals to those in uniform that whatever happens in the line of their duty, society appreciates.”

He noted that the security of lives and property is the minimum responsibility of every government to the people and commended members of the state Police for their resolve in ridding the state of criminals and making it safer and more welcoming for residents and visitors.
Oshiomhole urged them to continue to carry out their duties efficiently, sterssing that “the reward for hard work is more work.”

Earlier, the Edo State police commissioner Foluso Adebanjo, appreciated the support by the administration in the fight against criminality.

He said the command under his control in the last one year had reduced crimes in the state to zero tolerance and warned criminals in the state to “repent or relocate”, as the state will no longer be conducive for their operations.

Council Boss Accused Of Misappropriation Of Funds

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Council Boss Accused Of Misappropriation Of Funds

From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

Chairman of Owan West Local Government Council in Edo State, Gordie Aigbodion has been accused of high-handedness abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

A petition written to the state House of Assembly by nine of the 11 councillors of the council, alleged that the chairman on assumption of office in April last year, embarked on a spending spree without legislative approval.

They further accused Aigbodion of harassing them with thugs and also frustrating them from carrying out their oversight function, contract inflation, refusal to disclose the total income of the council and illegal deduction from the councillors emolument without their consent.

“We approved N15 million for the construction and building of the legislative arm and he built it for N28M without sending supplementary appropriation bill for the project. Most of these projects were renovation and cost of execution them where outrageous,” the councillors alleged in their petition.

They also alleged that Aigbodion’s claim that he is a barrister was not true, adding that he collected council funds to attend the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA conferences without going to any.

The lawmakers appealed to the state legislators to wade into the matter before things get out of hand.

However, the council boss in his reaction said the petition was a grand plan to discredit his administration, admitting that he was having some misunderstanding with the legislators but that efforts were being made to resolve the matter.

Missing $20 Billion: Finance Minister Calls For Audit Of NNPC

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Missing $20 Billion: Finance Minister Calls For Audit Of NNPC

The minister of Finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Thursday in Abuja called for independent forensic audit to resolve the puzzle over unremitted funds to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

Okonjo-Iweala made the call at the Senate committee on Finance hearing on the alleged missing $20 billion.

“Our judgment is that a proper examination of these documents requires technical expertise beyond the capacity of the reconciliation team. Therefore, we believe we should have an independent forensic audit to manage these submissions,” she said

Earlier, the chairman of the committee, Ahmed Makarafi, had charged the reconciliation group to carry out the forensic audit and get back to the committee in one month.

He said that the committee would reconvene on February 20 to enable the Attorney General of Federation, Mohammed Adoke, give legal advice on the issue.

The minister of Petroleum, Deizani Alison-Madueke, NNPC group managing director, Andrew Yakubu, and CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi, were all present at the hearing.

Eight Die In Benin-Lagos Expressway Accident

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Eight Die In Benin-Lagos Expressway Accident

From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, on Thursday confirmed the death of eight persons in an auto crash at the Ugbogui axis of the Benin-Ore-Lagos Expressway.

The FRSC tollgate unit commander, Adewale Ameen, told newsmen that the accident which occurred early on Wednesday, involved an 18-seater bus with registration number CT 874 FST belonging to a Pentecostal church and a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number MUS 570 SS.

Ameen attributed the crash which he said was avoidable to fatigue on the part of the bus driver.

He said the driver rammed the bus into a stationary truck while driving from Lagos to Benin and although he survived, eight passengers in the bus died.

“From my interaction with the survivors, they had consistently warned the diver about his recklessness before the accident occurred. They were coming from Lagos after an all night prayer session before the accident,” Ameen said.

To avert more road crashes in this Valentine season, the FRSC zonal commanding officer of Benin zone, Charles Akpabio, said the agency has rolled out the “Operation Valentine” initiative aimed at intensifying enlightenment advocacy to remind road users on the need to be cautious while driving during thie season.

The programme will also see the waiving of the fines for road offenders in the spirit of showing love and road marshals have been instructed to increase their friendly disposition towards road users.

Akpabio noted that past statistics showed that road crashes between February 12 and February 16 since 2010 to 2013 have always been on the increase.

“During this period, our men are encouraged to be more friendly to traffic offenders not arrest them and make them pay fine, but to educate then on the need to obey traffic laws to enjoy live with their loved ones. Road users need to be reminded that while celebrating the Valentine season, they do not have to kill themselves from been drunk,” he said.

The zonal commander stressed that only recalcitrant offenders will have their vehicles impounded and will only be released after February 17 when they become sober.

Reps Probe Sale Of NITEL, MTEL Assets

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Reps Probe Sale Of NITEL, MTEL Assets

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday mandated its committee on communications to investigate the sale of non-core assets of the Nigeria Telecommunications Limited, NITEL and Mobile Telecommunications Limited, MTEL.

The committee is expected to report back to the House within three weeks.

The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Ali Yakubu, a member from Yobe State, which was unanimously adopted without debate when put to vote by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal.

The motion was entitled ‘Urgent need to investigate the sale of non-core assets of Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTEL)”

Moving his motion, Yakubu said the essence was to ensure probity and accountability in government transactions.

The lawmaker said that in 2005, the federal government appointed a Liquidator to take over and sell all the non- core assets of NITEL and MTEL.

He said that the liquidator sold the assets without remitting the amount realised to the designated federation account.

The lawmaker told the House that the non-core assets of the two telecommunication companies all over Nigeria amounted to billions of naria.

He expressed concern that the money realised from the sale of the assets “may have been fraudulently frittered away without proper accountability to the detriment of government.”

Yakubu urged the House to look into the matter to ensure proper accountability.

“The House will be failing  in its duties as parliament saddled with the responsibility of ensuring probity and accountability in government transactions, if it does not act now in a matter that involves national assets like NITEl and MTEL,” he said.

Gov Okorocha Suspends Commissioner

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Gov Okorocha Suspends Commissioner

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has suspended the commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mma Onyechere.

This is contained in a statement signed by the secretary to the state government, Anthony Anwuka, in Owerri on Wednesday.

Anwuka, in the statement, said the decision to suspend the commissioner was taken after the State Executive Council, SEC, meeting presided over by the governor.

However, no reason was given for the suspension.

Meanwhile, the commissioner for Primary and Secondary School Education, Uche Ejiogu, has been directed to take over the running of the affairs of the women affairs ministry.

I Will Sign Death Warrants Of Convicted Persons – Gov Aliyu

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I Will Sign Death Warrants Of Convicted Persons – Gov Aliyu

Like his Edo State counterpart, governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, says he would sign the death warrant of any person sentenced to death by courts in the state.

Aliyu said this in Minna on Wednesday when the assistant comptroller of Prisons in charge of Zone “D” comprising Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Sokoto, Zamfara and FCT commands, Abubakar Falke, paid him a courtesy visit.

“Let me know how many inmates are on death row in Niger State and I will sign the death warrant because it is my job,” he said.

He, however, urged individuals and society to treat prison inmates and ex-convicts well so as to assist them to resume normal life after serving their sentences.

The governor also said it would be good if the prison authorities collaborate with the state government to ensure the welfare of prisoners, even as he promised to provide vehicles to the command in the state to ease movement of inmates to court.

Earlier, Falke told the governor that the number of inmates in the eight prisons in the state was 1,039, adding that out of the number, 442 had been convicted while 597 were awaiting trial.

He noted however, that no convicted person of Niger State origin was serving jail term in the state.

The comptroller lamented that the prison command in the state had only six vehicles for its eight formations and 155 courts and appealed to the governor to assist the command with vehicles.

Gov Shettima Donates N100 million To Bill Haram Attack Victims

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Gov Shettima Donates N100 million To Bill Haram Attack Victims

Musdapha Ilo, MaiduguriGovernor Kashim Shettima of  Borno State has approved the sum of N100 million to rebuild about 2,000 houses destroyed during Tuesday’s attack on Konduga, headquarters of Konduga Local Government Area of the state by suspected Boko Haram members.

Shettima approved the sum on Wednesday when he paid visit to the affected area and saw the destruction perpetrated by the group even as surviving residents fled the area to safer places.
The governor could not hold back tears at the partly destroyed central mosque when he participated in prayers for 33 persons who had been slain in the attack and were about to be buried.
Eighteen persons had already been buried in Madarari, one of the wards in the local government area.

“I will remain with Borno people and share their pain. I am ready to face the problem with my people and together we will find solution to it. Whatever resources it will take to build the houses, I will spend it,” the governor said.

He said that part of the N100 million would be spent on the purchase of relief materials for victims of the attack and also set up a six-man committee headed by Kaka Yale, a senator, to work out modalities for the reconstruction of the houses as well as purchase of relief materials.

Eyewitnesses say about 100 persons were killed in the attack in which 50 others were injured and many others are still missing.

It was alleged that at least 25 teenage girls were abducted.

Some of the burnt structures included the headquarter building of Konduga local government council, the house of the district head, mosques, schools, hospitals, courts, library, among others.

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PDP Demands Apologies From APC Over Bribery Allegation

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PDP Demands Apologies From APC Over Bribery Allegation

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has asked the National Assembly to compel the All Progressives Congress, APC, to withdraw its allegation that the ruling party is bribing defecting members with huge sums of public money and offer apologies to the entire country.

National publicity secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, said the APC was merely making spurious claims, with the aim of casting doubt in the minds of Nigerians regarding the integrity of duly elected persons, politicians and the entire democratic institution.

“The truth is that the APC has reached its peak. Diminishing returns has set in and the party can only go down further. It is a clear sign that it has exhausted all its strategies and now seeks to cover its premature boast of majority in the National Assembly,” he said.

Metuh said that the PDP under its new national chairman, Adamu Muazu, is reaching out to all its members including those that defected in a reconciliation drive that is already yielding dividends.

“We are not surprised about the flurry of defections and return to our fold. The PDP remains the only national party while the APC is quasi national. The PDP is owned equally by all its members irrespective of race and religion, the APC is owned by a tiny clique of civilian and civil-clothed dictators whose major agenda is to capture power for selfish ends and turn Nigeria to either old Sudan or Somalia,” he further stated.

In his view, the PDP is the only political party with a consistent structure, vision and achievements in the transformation of Nigeria since 1998 and the party expects more defections to its fold in the days ahead.

The APC in a statement on Tuesday alleged that the PDP had rolled out an enticement package that promised $2 million (N328 million) to each senator who returns to the PDP, $1 million (N164 million) to a member of the House of Representatives, and $10 million (N1.64 billion) to a “leader” who dumps the APC for PDP.

It also claimed that the price tag for the federal legislators from Rivers State was even higher – $5 million (N821 million) each.

PDP Demands Apologies From APC Over Bribery Allegation

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has asked the National Assembly to compel the All Progressives Congress, APC, to withdraw its allegation that the ruling party is bribing defecting members with huge sums of public money and offer apologies to the entire country.

National publicity secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, said the APC was merely making spurious claims, with the aim of casting doubt in the minds of Nigerians regarding the integrity of duly elected persons, politicians and the entire democratic institution.

“The truth is that the APC has reached its peak. Diminishing returns has set in and the party can only go down further. It is a clear sign that it has exhausted all its strategies and now seeks to cover its premature boast of majority in the National Assembly,” he said.

Metuh said that the PDP under its new national chairman, Adamu Muazu, is reaching out to all its members including those that defected in a reconciliation drive that is already yielding dividends.

“We are not surprised about the flurry of defections and return to our fold. The PDP remains the only national party while the APC is quasi national. The PDP is owned equally by all its members irrespective of race and religion, the APC is owned by a tiny clique of civilian and civil-clothed dictators whose major agenda is to capture power for selfish ends and turn Nigeria to either old Sudan or Somalia,” he further stated.

In his view, the PDP is the only political party with a consistent structure, vision and achievements in the transformation of Nigeria since 1998 and the party expects more defections to its fold in the days ahead.

The APC in a statement on Tuesday alleged that the PDP had rolled out an enticement package that promised $2 million (N328 million) to each senator who returns to the PDP, $1 million (N164 million) to a member of the House of Representatives, and $10 million (N1.64 billion) to a “leader” who dumps the APC for PDP.

It also claimed that the price tag for the federal legislators from Rivers State was even higher – $5 million (N821 million) each.

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