Benue suspends eating of rats over Lassa Fever

The Benue State Government has directed its citizens to stop the eating of rats in the meantime in order to curtail the spread of Lassa Fever.
The state governor, Samuel Ortom, disclosed this to State House correspondents shortly after meeting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Ortom said the decision was taken because the state had recorded a case of the fever.
Rat is a delicacy popular among the people of the state.
The governor said, “Benue is affected; we have one case of Lassa Fever right now that is under control.
“We have advised our people, rat which is a major carrier, is a delicacy; I am finding it difficult but I have told them to suspend eating rats now until further notice.”

Ortom said he decided to make agriculture a priority programme of his administration because he suspected early enough that a time would come when the nation would face revenue generation challenges.

Eight killed as earthquake hits India

Eight killed as earthquake hits India

6016

At least eight people were killed and scores injured Monday when a strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck northeast India, sending panicked residents fleeing into the streets even hundreds of kilometres away in Bangladesh.

Five were killed in India, the government said, while three people died in Bangladesh after suffering strokes or heart attacks following the early-morning quake.

Anurag Gupta of India’s National Disaster Management Authority said buildings had been damaged in Imphal, capital of Manipur state where the quake centred.

“Five people are confirmed dead and 33 have been injured in Imphal. A six-storey building in the capital was partially damaged and some small structures have also developed cracks,” he told AFP.

An official at one of the main hospitals in Imphal however said more than 50 people had been admitted since the quake with head injuries and limb fractures.

Imphal resident Deepak Shijagurumayum whose house was severely damaged described scenes of chaos after the quake.

“Almost everyone was asleep when it struck and were thrown out of their beds,” Shijagurumayum told AFP by telephone from the city.

“People were crying and praying in the streets and in open spaces. Hundreds remained outdoors for several hours fearing aftershocks.”

The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at 4:35 am (2305 GMT Sunday) 29 kilometres (18 miles) west-northwest of Imphal.

The Press Trust of India news agency said buildings had collapsed near the epicentre and the electricity supply had been cut in parts of Manipur, which borders Myanmar and has a long history of separatist unrest.

Nearly 60 victims were being treated for their injuries in hospitals in Bangladesh, where the earthquake triggered panic on the streets of major cities.

One 23-year-old Bangladeshi man died after suffering a stroke when he ran out of his house, while another two people — a farmer and a university official — died of heart attacks, police said.

One of the wounded was a university student who jumped from a fourth-floor balcony and was in a critical condition.

There were similar scenes in the northeast Indian city of Guwahati, the main commercial city of the mineral-rich state of Assam, where an AFP correspondent said residents were “in a state of shock” after being woken by the shaking.

AFP

Sign register or forfeit your salaries, LASU dares workers

Sign register or forfeit your salaries, LASU dares workers

LASU

As workers of the Lagos State University, Ojo, resume for work on Monday (today), the management of the institution has mandated them to resume the signing of nominal roll or risk forfeiting their salaries.
The university made this directive known in its official bulletin obtained by our correspondent on Sunday.
According to the bulletin, workers are to sign the nominal roll before the fifth day of every month to ensure the payment of their salaries.
It added that the directive was for both the academic and non-academic members of staff.
The bulletin, dated December 30, 2015, said members of staff must henceforth resume the signing of the nominal roll in their various faculties, colleges, schools, departments, centres and units from January 2016.
It added, “The university management also reiterates that as it is the practice, failure to submit the nominal roll by the fifth of every month by any faculty, college, school, department, centre or unit will lead to the forfeiture of salary of the concerned member of staff for that month.”
The signing of the nominal roll, which our correspondent gathered was not new in the institution, stopped last March at the height of the disagreement between the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa, and the workers’ unions, comprising the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Senior Staff Association of Universities.
The former VC, it was learnt, introduced the directive to check absenteeism among the workers.
The LASU-ASUU Chairman, Dr. Adekunle Idris, on Sunday said the fresh directive was not for public consumption.
The directive, Idris said, was more of an internal administrative memo than an issue for media consumption.
“I cannot say more than that,” he added.
The Registrar of the university, Mr. Akin Lewis, did not answer the call put across to him.
Meanwhile, both the workers and the students are looking forward to the appointment of a new VC for the institution by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who is the Visitor to the university.
The university Joint Committee of Senate and Governing Council last December 7, had shortlisted Prof. Lanre Fagbohun of the University of Lagos, Prof. Hamidu Sanni of the Department of Islamic Studies, LASU, and Prof. Ibiyemi Bello of the LASU’s College of Medicine, Ikeja, for the post of the VC.
No fewer than eight professors applied for the post.
The post became vacant last October 31 following the expiration of the tenure of Obafunwa.
The Lagos State Government last November 7 appointed Prof. Fidelis Njokanma, (DVC, Administration), as the acting VC of the institution.
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Professor suspended for wearing headscarf

Professor suspended for wearing headscarf

Larycia Hawkins. Source: Chicago Tribune

A professor at Christian college in the United States has been placed on leave for wearing a headscarf to show solidarity with Muslims.
Fox News reported that Larycia Hawkins, a Christian and an associate professor of political science at Wheaton College in Chicago, was suspended on Tuesday.
Hawkins, however, defended her action, saying it was a demonstration of her own faith and that she began wearing a hijab to counter “vitriolic” rhetoric against Muslims in recent weeks.
The associate professor said she felt it was important to show solidarity with Muslims who may feel threatened after the terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino in California as well as the call by Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump for Muslims to be blocked from entering the US.
“Theoretical solidarity is not solidarity,” the tenured faculty member said.
The college said in a statement Tuesday that it placed her on leave because of statements she made about similarities between Islam and Christianity on social media.
“In response to significant questions regarding the theological implications of statements that Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Larycia Hawkins has made about the relationship of Christianity to Islam, Wheaton College has placed her on administrative leave, pending the full review to which she is entitled as a tenured faculty member,” the statement read.
In its written statement the college said it had “no stated position” on the wearing of headscarves as a gesture of care and concern. But it also said that “overtures of Christian friendship must be enacted with theological clarity as well as compassion.”
The school insists that Hawkins’ suspension doesn’t reflect on her desire to wear the headscarf, but rather the explanation she gave as to why she was wearing the headscarf.
The Chicago Tribune reports Hawkins said on social media that Christians and Muslims share the same God, despite some differences between the religion.
“I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book,” Hawkins wrote on Friday. “And [as] Pope Francis stated last week, we worship the same God.”
While Hawkins had received some support from her colleagues, Denny Burk, a biblical studies professor at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. told the newspaper that Hawkins didn’t clarify her statement well enough and claimed she denied Christian teachings.
“We’re people of the book, but our books are very different. They’re witnessing to two different ways of salvation. The Bible is witnessing to Jesus Christ, the son of God. That’s unique of all the world religions, and that uniqueness was what I thought was missing from what she said,” Burk added.
Hawkins’ suspension will last through the spring semester and sparked protests on the Wheaton College campus from students who called for her reinstatement, according to the Tribune. Christian leaders also supported Hawkins at a news conference Wednesday.

Hawkins also told the news conference “I affirm the creeds of the church,” and added that she hopes for an amicable resolution with the college.

I’ve no apology kneeling down to worship God – Ooni

I’ve no apology kneeling down to worship God – Ooni

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has said he owes nobody any apology for kneeling down to worship God during the thanksgiving service held in his honour at the Paul’s Anglican Church, Ife, after his coronation.
The Ooni said this in statement in Osogbo on Thursday by the Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Ife, Mr. Moses Olafare.
The monarch spoke in reaction to criticisms against him by an online medium that he knelt down to worship God during the church service.
Ogunwusi said it was wrong to equate any king, no matter his status, with the Almighty God who created the heavens and the earth, saying the comment was an attempt to embarrass the throne.
Ogunwusi said since the Almighty God is not Ooni or any king’s mate, he would not stop to worship and revere Him because it was God who enthroned him.
The statement partly read, “It is sacrilege to equate Ooni’risa or other kings to the Almighty God. God is the creator of mankind and it is God that made it possible for the enthronement of any king.                             
“The attention of Ile Oodua has been drawn to a publication released on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 by an online medium, in which His Imperial Majesty, Ooni’risa and Arole Oodua, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), was criticised for bowing to God.
“God remains the highest, the King of kings who has kept all kings alive and has made it possible for me to be crowned as the king of the source of Yoruba civilisation.
“I have no regret whatsoever for kneeling down to exalt the Almighty God, who did not only create me, but also kept me alive, saw me through all the storms in my life journey and eventually crowned me as the custodian of the Oodua race.
“This act of equating me with the God of gods, of the King of kings and the sole owner of the universe is sacrilege planned to embarrass the throne. My emergence as Oba has been made possible only by the Almighty Olodumare, to whom I remain eternally grateful.”

MTN to sue NCC over N1tn fine

MTN to sue NCC over N1tn fine

Ozioma Ubabukoh
The MTN Group on Thursday said it had asked its Nigerian subsidiary not pay the N780bn fine imposed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission.
The NCC had initially fined MTN Nigeria N1.04tn for its failure to disconnect 5.1 million unregistered Subscriber Identification Module cards, but the fine was later reduced by 25 per cent to N780bn upon pleas by the firm.
It said having discovered that the imposition of the fine was not in accordance with the NCC’s powers under the Nigerian Communications Act, there were valid grounds upon which to challenge it.
“Accordingly, MTN has followed due process and has instructed its lawyers to proceed with an action in the Federal High Court in Lagos seeking the appropriate reliefs,” the telecoms firm said in a statement.
The Group Public Affairs Manager, MTN Group, South Africa, Chris Maroleng, signed the statement.
He said that prior to seeking legal redress, “all factors having a bearing on the matter were thoroughly and carefully considered, including a review of the circumstances leading to the fine and the subsequent letters received from the Nigerian Communications Commission.”
“MTN is advised that in the current circumstances in line with the lis pendens rule (pending legal action), the parties are enjoined to restrain from taking further action until the matter is finally determined. This is consistent with previous judicial decisions in Nigeria,” he stated.
Maroleng added that notwithstanding the action, the MTN Group would continue to engage with the Nigerian authorities to try to ensure an amicable resolution in the best interests of the company, its stakeholders and the NCC.
“Shareholders are, therefore, advised to continue to exercise caution when dealing in the company’s securities until a further announcement is made,” he added.
However, the Public Affairs Director, NCC, Tony Ojobo, said the commission had yet to receive any court summons on the matter, adding, “When we get it, the NCC will react appropriately.”
According to him, the court is for everybody and it will serve as an opportunity to test some of Nigeria’s laws.
“The commission is ready for them. When we get the summons, we shall meet them in court,” Ojobo added.

Court orders Kanu’s release, five die as pro-Biafran supporters, soldiers clash

Court orders Kanu’s release, five die as pro-Biafran supporters, soldiers clash

Nnamdi kanu

No fewer than five persons died in Onitsha on Thursday following the wild jubilation that greeted the court judgment, ordering the release of the leader, Independent Peoples of Biafra and Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.
Twenty persons were also said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries after the supporters reportedly clashed with some soldiers and policemen in the Anambra State commercial city.
According to a source, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, trouble began when soldiers and other security agencies on guard clashed with the pro-Biafran jubilant agitators.
The incident, which occurred at the Onitsha end of the Niger Bridge, reportedly caused panic among motorists and commuters, who fled in different directions to safety.
The IPOB members had, on hearing the court’s verdict ordering Kanu’s release, converged on the location of the statute of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in large numbers for a procession.
Their celebration was, however, cut short following the intervention of soldiers and policemen, who arrived at the scene to put them in check.
“When the jubilant IPOB members were asked to stop their match towards the Niger Bridge, the group bluntly refused, and this triggered a disagreement between the traders and IPOB members and later degenerated into violence,” an eyewitness told one of our correspondents.
“It was at this juncture that the soldiers started shooting sporadically, probably in a bid to scare away the crowd of IPOB members, that the five IPOB members were killed by stray bullets.”
In the confusion, motorists and commuters, who could not bear the heavy gunshots, jumped out of their vehicles and ran in different directions.
“The IPOB members threw pebbles at the soldiers, who retaliated by shooting at them,” the source added.
The Chairman of Fundamental Rights League International, Mike Umezulike, condemned the alleged killing, saying the protest of the IPOB members was peaceful, wondering why the soldiers would shoot at them.
Umezulike said, “Do you know that the Naval officers at the Uga Junction always order civilians to frogmarch whenever they commit any minor offence like crossing the expressway without using the pedestrian bridge?
“Sometimes, they will order the offenders to kneel down and carry tyres up and also to climb the electric pole. This is inhuman and an act of wickedness and I believe that their commander may not know the atrocities these officers commit at Uga junction on a daily basis.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ali Okechukwu, who spoke to one of our correspondents on the telephone, said, “Only three are feared dead.”
Okechukwu added that one person was in a critical condition in a military hospital.
The PPRO explained that the military commander in the state had told him that trouble began “when the IPOB members attacked one of his captains”.
In Enugu, members of IPOB and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra took to the streets to celebrate the release of Kanu.
The pro-Biafran agitators, numbering over a thousand, sang solidarity songs as they paraded the streets with Biafran flags in a peaceful rally.
The groups had earlier in November held a rally in Enugu demanding Kanu’s release as well as the recognition of Biafra as an independent country.
Governors of the South-East states had, during a meeting in Enugu, agreed to hold a dialogue with the Federal Government over the renewed pro-Biafran agitation in the region.
In Port Harcourt, some members of MASSOB and IPOB converged on the Olu Obasanjo Road, drumming and chanting Biafra’s ‘Freedom is now’.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had, earlier on Thursday, ordered an unconditional release of Kanu, from the custody of the Department of State Services.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in a ruling on Kanu’s bail application, held that his continued detention for about two months without any pending charges against him was in breach of the provisions of Section 34 of the Constitution.
The judge upheld the contention of Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Vincent Obetta, and set aside an order, which he (the judge) granted the DSS on November 10, 2015, permitting the security agency to keep Kanu in its custody for 90 days.
Earlier on Wednesday, a Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 2 of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, struck out the charges instituted against Kanu by the DSS.
Kanu was arrested on October 14, 2015 in Lagos and arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court in Abuja on October 19.
DSS had, on November 22, applied for the discontinuance of the case before the presiding Chief Magistrate, Shuabu Usman, to enable it to file charges of terrorism and terrorism financing against him in a court with requisite jurisdiction.
But Justice Ademola ruled on Thursday that the continued detention of the pro-Biafran leader for over two months showed that the DSS lacked sufficient material to prosecute him or had yet to make up its mind to do so.
“The respondent does not have enough materials to prosecute the applicant or the respondent has yet to make up its mind to prosecute him.
“While the respondent is pondering, this court holds that the detention of the applicant for more than two months without any pending charges against him is contrary to Section 34 of the Constitution,” he said.
The judge held that the provisions of sections 158, 164 and165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act made the granting of bail to an accused more liberal.
He held that from the facts in the applicant’s supporting affidavit and the counter-affidavit by the DSS, it was obvious that “the state has no sufficient material to prosecute the applicant” and that by admission of the lawyer to the DSS, Mr. Moses Idakwo, “there is no pending charge against him (Kanu)”.
The judge therefore set aside the order of permitting the DSS to keep him in custody for 90 days.
“By the admission of the respondent that there is no pending charge against the applicant, the applicant is hereby released unconditionally,” the judge ruled.
But the judge rejected a prayer by Kanu asking for an order voiding Section 27 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013, which empowers the court to grant an order remanding a terrorism suspect, who is under investigation, for a period of 90 days at the first instance.
The judge noted that such provisions were found in the laws of the United States of America, France and other developed countries.
“The United States, France, etc all have this kind of legislation and there is nothing unusual about it,” Justice Ademola ruled.
Kanu was, however, not released immediately because the process for the release had not been completed, according to his lawyer.

Federal High Court to rule on Kanu’s bail application today

Federal High Court to rule on Kanu’s bail application today

A Federal High Court in Abuja will today (Thursday) rule on an application by the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, asking for bail.
Kanu, in the application, also wants the court to set aside an order permitting the DSS to remand him for 90 days in the first instance, pending the conclusion of the investigation on terrorism and terrorism financing allegations against him.
A Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 2 of the Federal Capital Territory had on Wednesday struck out the charges instituted against Kanu by the Department of State Services.
The Chief Magistrate, Shuaibu Usman, struck out the charge after he granted the application by the DSS for the discontinuance of the case to enable the Federal Government to prefer its proposed charges of terrorism and terrorism funding against Kanu in the court of requisite jurisdiction.
Kanu was on October 19, 2015 arraigned on charges of criminal conspiracy, managing and belonging to an unlawful society as well as criminal intimidation, offences said to be contrary to Section 97 (a) and (b) and 397 of the Penal Code.
Part of the particulars of the charges against Kanu was that he appointed himself Commander of the Loyal Forces of Biafra and was broadcasting to the whole world the dire consequences the government and people of Nigeria will suffer should they attempt to hinder the actualisation of the Republic of Biafra.
The DSS, through its lawyer, Mr. Moses Idakwo, had on November 22 applied for the discontinuance of the charges against Kanu in line with the provisions of section 108(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 due to what he described as fresh facts in the case which could not be entertained under the magistrate court’s jurisdiction.
Kanu’s lawyers, led by Mr. Jude Aboje, had however opposed the application for discontinuance of the case, demanding that the orders of the court directing the release of the accused from DSS custody must be complied with before the case could be struck out.
Aboje urged the magistrate not to grant the prosecution’s application until the order of the court granting bail to the accused person and the other directing DSS to relinquish custody of the accused person to prison authorities were complied with.
He accused the prosecution of not being diligent enough in the verification of the property presented by the surety for the bail granted his client.
He also accused the DSS of going behind his client to obtain an order from Justice Adeniyi Ademola of a Federal High Court in Abuja to keep the accused in custody for 90 days through an ex parte application, after the magistrate’s court had earlier granted him (Kanu) bail on October 19.
In response, Idakwo said contrary to the impression created by the defence lawyers, the accused persons had not met the bail conditions imposed by the court, as the DSS was still in the process of verifying the location and worth of the landed property presented by the surety as directed by the court.

Replying on points of law, Idakwo debunked the allegation of secretly obtaining the order of the Federal High Court to keep Kanu in custody, arguing that the law permitted the DSS to apply for such order only through ex parte application.

BREAKING: Appeal Court upholds tribunal’s judgment nullifying Wike’s election

BREAKING: Appeal Court upholds tribunal’s judgment nullifying Wike’s election

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the judgment of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which nullified the election of Nyesom Wike as governor of the state.
The five-man‎ panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice M.B Dongban-Mensen in its judgment dismissed the appeals filed by Wike and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, against the judgment of the tribunal on the grounds that they lacked merit.
‎In the judgment read by the Presiding Justice, Donghan-Messen, the appeal court held that the tribunal was right to have held that the All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate in the April 11, 2015 election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, had satisfactorily proved their petition that the poll was conducted in substantial non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The appeal court, which resolved all the seven issues formulated in the appeal against the appellants, ‎held that the non-usage of the smart card reader and disregard by officials of INEC in Rivers State on the commission’s directive on the mandatory use of the card reader machine was a direct violation of the Electoral Act.
The appellate court also held that contrary to the contention of Wike and PDP‎, the manual and guidelines issued by INEC for the conduct of the 2015 general election were in conformity with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Wike and the PDP still have the opportunity to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal had in October nullified the April 11 governorship.
The tribunal had also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election within 90 ‎days.
This followed a petition by the All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, alleging that the election was characterised by widespread electoral malpractices.
In nullifying the election, the Justice Suleiman Ambrosa led-tribunal said the evidence provided by Wike and INEC’s witnesses was not credible.

Wike had, however, challenged the decision of the tribunal with the counsel to the PDP, Chris Uche (SAN), questioning the tribunal’s reliance on accreditation by card readers to nullify the election.

Dasuki, others will abscond if granted bail –EFCC

Dasuki, others will abscond if granted bail –EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has opposed the bail applications filed by the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), and two others before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, where they were on Monday arraigned on 19 counts of misappropriation of about N32bn meant for the purchase of arms.
The prosecution, led by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), in separate counter-affidavits to the bail applications, said the accused persons could abscond if granted bail by the court.
Those arraigned along with Dasuki, before Justice Yusuf Baba on Monday, are a former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu, and Aminu Baba-Kusa.
Aminu-Kusa’s two firms – Acacia Holdings Ltd and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited – are also part of the accused.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the 19 counts involving the misappropriation of about N32bn when the charges were read to them on Monday.
Baba-Kusa pleaded not guilty for himself and on behalf of his two firms.
Dasuki was represented by his lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), who is also defending him in his trial of money laundering and illegal possession of firearms, instituted against him before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
While Salisu was represented by Mr. A.U. Mustapha, Baba-Kusa was represented by Ms. Umahani Ali.
The judge adjourned till 12pm on Tuesday for the hearing of the accused persons’ bail applications.
In the counter-affidavit, filed by the EFCC against Dasuki’s application, sighted by our correspondent on Monday, the prosecution stated that “the severity of the punishment upon conviction, which awaits the applicant, is an incentive for him to jump bail.”
The prosecution also opposed his bail application on the grounds that as “a former military officer and a former NSA,” Dasuki had the power to influence witnesses and in effect frustrate his trial.
It added that the accused person was still under investigation for more allegations against him and currently facing other criminal charges before the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court.
The accused persons were led away by the EFCC operatives, who produced them in court earlier in the day.
There is also facing another set of charges involving Dasuki, Salisu, a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; his son, Sagir Attahiru, and their firm, Dalhatu Investment.
Justice Peter Affe of the same FCT High Court in Maitama, where the case against them was filed, on Monday, granted the EFCC leave to prefer the charges against the accused persons.
The second set of charges involves 22 counts of misappropriation of about N13.651bn meant for the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram in the North-East.
The accused were said to have misappropriated a total of N13.651bn between August, 2013 and May 7, 2015.
In the 19 charges on which Dasuki and others were arraigned on Monday, the EFCC alleged that a former Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Warimpamowei Dudafa, was on the run for his involvement in the release of N10bn from the NSA office to the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential primary delegates.
They were accused of misappropriating about N32bn between January 13, 2013 and April 17, 2015, amounting to an offence of criminal breach of trust against the provisions of Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, and Section 17 (b) of the EFCC Act, 2004.
They were also charged with dishonest receipt of stolen property in breach of sections 97 and 317 of the Penal Code Act as well as receipt of proceeds of criminal conduct in breach of Section 17(b) of the EFCC Act.
Part of the charges in the first set are, “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser and Mr. Waripamowei Dudafa (now at large), whilst being Senior Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs to the President, on or about November 27, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: the sum of N10bn, being part of the funds in the account of the National Security Adviser with the CBN, the equivalent of which sum you received from the CBN in foreign currencies to wit: $47m and €5.6m (Euros), committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you claimed to have distributed same to the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Primary Election delegates and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.
“That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser, between January 22, 2015, and March 19, 2015, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: N2,120,000,000, which was in the account of National Security Adviser with the CBN, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property by remitting the said sum into the account of DAAR Investment and Holding Company Limited, controlled by one Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, for the funding of media activities for the 2015 Presidential Election Campaign for the PDP.
“That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser, on or about December 12, 2013, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacities entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: N90m, which was in the account of the ONSA with Diamond Bank Plc, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property by remitting the said sum into the account of Brains and Hammers Limited for the purchase of 7-bedroomed duplex house at No.11 Mansur Bamalli Drive (D1064), Apo 1, Abuja.
“That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser, on or about January 28, 2015, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacities entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: N170m, which was in the account of the ONSA with Skye Bank Plc, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property by remitting the said sum into the account of Urban Abode Nigeria Limited for the purchase of 4-bedroomed duplex house at Plot 2562/2643, Platinum Villa, Asokoro, Abuja, in the name of AVM M.N. Umaru.
“That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser, between October 19, 2014 and April 17, 2015, in Abuja, dishonestly misappropriated certain property to wit: N1.45bn, belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which sum was transferred to Acacia Holdings Limited’s bank account, controlled by one Aminu Baba-Kusa, purporting same to be payment for organising prayers.
“That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki, whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser, on or about April 17, 2015, in Abuja, dishonestly misappropriated certain property to wit: N750m, belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which sum was transferred to Reliance Referral Hospital Limited’s bank account in favour of one Aminu Baba-Kusa, purporting same to be payment for organising prayers.

Buhari pledges $1m for Africa’s water infrastructure

Buhari pledges $1m for Africa’s water infrastructure

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday pledged the sum of $1m to the African Water Facility for the development of water infrastructure in Africa.
Buhari, who made the pledge in Abuja at the AWF’s 10 anniversary celebration, said the financing requirement for water infrastructure in Africa was estimated at $20bn annually from year 2000 to 2025.
The President, represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, stated that the AWF’s mandate was to mobilise water investments for Africa, but stressed that the greatest challenge confronting that body was the need to secure adequate funds.
He said, “In fact, the funding gap is almost at a critical point. The AWF urgently needs to receive indication of pledges at this meeting today. I also use this opportunity to note that most of the pledges made by African countries in 2012 have not been paid up, with the sole exception of Burkina Faso. May I remind all of you of the importance of making good on these pledges.
“It is noteworthy and especially to our development partners that African countries greatly value the work of the AWF. As is our custom to take the lead in worthy causes, I am pleased to announce that the Nigerian government hereby pledges to contribute the sum of $1m.”
On the $20bn required annually for water development in Africa, Buhari stated that out of this sum, $10bn would be needed yearly from development partners, adding that the rest would be provided by local and private sector sources.
He said, “Current estimates suggest that actual flows are around 20 per cent of the estimated financing requirement. This is grossly inadequate and requires a major scaling up to safeguard Africa’s future.”

The President urged stakeholders to play their roles efficiently and enjoined African governments to accord increased priority to water sector in their budgetary allocations.

Nine professors shortlisted for LASU VC contest

Nine professors shortlisted for LASU VC contest

Nine out of 14 professors have been shortlisted to contest for the post ‎of the Vice-Chancellor at the Lagos State University.
A competent source, who pleaded anonymity at the University’s Registrars office, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos.
The source said that 14 professors had applied for the position within the six weeks of the advertisement.
“Nine were shortlisted after several considerations of their qualifications and pre-requisites for absorption,” the source said.
The source noted that among the five candidates who were not shortlisted was the immediate former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa, whose tenure ended on October 31.
According to the source, the candidates who were not shortlisted do not possess a PhD certificate, while others had not spent up to 10 years as professors.
“Although the advertisement had outlined that the professorship of the candidates must have lasted seven years, it was extended to 10 years during the screening as it applies in federal universities,” it added.
The source said that while six of the shortlisted professors were from LASU‎, the other three were from outside the institution.
It named the shortlisted professors as Dean, Faculty of Arts, Prof. Abolade Adeniji; Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Senna Bakre; and Prof. Olatunji Bello, Lagos State University College of Medicine.
Others are Prof. Nurudeen Olasupo, Department of Microbiology, Prof. Hamidu Sanni of the Islamic Studies Department and Prof. Babajide Elemo, Science Faculty‎.
The professors from outside LASU are a professor from Texas, U.S., simply identified as Oki, Prof. S.A. Tella, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun, and a former LASU staff now in the University of Lagos, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun.
The source also ‎said that the interview for the shortlisted candidates had been scheduled to hold on December 7 at LASUCOM, Ikeja.

NAN reports that the post of the Vice-Chancellor at LASU had been vacant, following the expiration of the tenure of the former, Obafunwa on October 31.
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Navy hands over woman rescued from kidnappers to Police

Navy hands over woman rescued from kidnappers to Police

NAN
The Commander, Nigerian Navy Naval Base, Yenagoa, Commodore Yakubu Wanbai, on Friday handed over a woman rescued from kidnappers on Bayelsa waterways to the Bayelsa Police Command.
Wanbai handed over the victim, Mrs. Tokoni TrustGod, to police representatives, CSP James Ejure, from Criminal Investigation Department, and Mr. Richard Ogwuche of the Anti Kidnap Squad of Bayelsa Police Command.
Ejure, who received TrustGod from the commander, stressed the need for the security agencies in Bayelsa to continue to work together to effectively fight crime.
He commended the Navy for the feat and assured that the Police would conduct ‘’discrete investigations’’ into the matter with a view to apprehending the alleged kidnappers for prosecution.
Wanbai told the News Agency of Nigeria shortly after the handing over, that the kidnappers had struck residence of the victim at about 2 a.m in Angiama-Gbene on Thursday.
He said, “My men on patrol in the waterways got a distress call and the gunboat headed to the scene of the incident.
“The suspected kidnappers, whose speedboat had developed a fault, abandoned their victim and fled on sighting the patrol boat.
“My men rescued the woman and brought her to the base, in line with the existing inter-agency cooperation, we handed over the woman to the Police for preliminary investigations.”
Narrating her ordeal, TrustGod told NAN that the kidnappers, numbering five and armed with gun and machetes, invaded her residence at Angiama-Gbene.

Russia raid Turkish firms, send exports back - Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera
Russian police have been raiding Turkish companies in different regions of Russia and, in some cases, have suspended their operations, two Turkish businessmen with investments in the country have told Al Jazeera.
Moscow has also started sending back Turkish trucks loaded with exports at the border and stopped Turkish tourists – who normally do not need visas  – entering the country, at least two businessmen said.
Turkish and Russian foreign ministries, contacted by phone, had not replied to Al Jazeera’s questions at the time of the publication of this story.
Moscow’s move comes after Turkish fighter jets shot down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 warplane on Tuesday for allegedly violating Turkish airspace.
The two sides, who are at odds over the Syrian crisis, have opposite claims over whether the airspace breach is true or not.
“Turkish companies in Russia, particularly construction companies, are being raided,” a Turkish executive with a manufacturing company active in Russia told Al Jazeera, on condition of anonymity.
“They check if anyone with expired or no working visas is actively working in these companies or not. They check if working regulations were implemented or not.
“There have been serious breaches in this area within construction companies and Russian authorities know it. Activities of some companies have been frozen on these grounds.”

Cevdet Seylan, a businessman with trade relations in the city of Kazan, also confirmed that police had been raiding Turkish companies there.

FG stalls Orubebe’s trial, CCT adjourns till Jan 27

FG stalls Orubebe’s trial, CCT adjourns till Jan 27

The Federal Government again on Thursday stalled the commencement of the trial of a former Minister of Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe, with a proposal to amend the four counts of N70m bribery and false assets declaration preferred against him.
‎Earlier on November 9, 2015, the prosecution asked for two weeks to prepare its witnesses when asked to commence the trial shortly after the accused pleaded not guilty to the four counts.
The Danladi Umar-led tribunal had then adjourned till Thursday for the commencement of trial.
However, on Thursday, the prosecution led by Mr. Peter Danladi, rather than call its first witness, proposed to orally amend counts two, three and four, an application which the defence lawyer, Mr. Selekowei Larry (SAN), opposed.
Danladi while applying for the amendment of the charges cited section 216 of the Admini   stration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which he said allowed the prosecution to amend or alter the charges it filed at any time before judgment was delivered.
He said, “The matter was adjourned till today for hearing. But before we proceed, we are applying to amend counts two, three and four.
“The applications is brought pursuant to section 216 of the ACJ Act and pursuant to the inherent jurisdiction of this honourable tribunal.”
The prosecuting counsel was about to give details of his proposed amendment when Larry raised an objection.
In opposing the application, Larry said it could only be done through motion on notice and not orally.
He said, “This is serious business. You ‎can’t just jump up and say you want to amend the charges. You have to notify us about what you want to do. You have to do it through motion on notice. You cannot come and take us by surprise. We have to know what you are doing.
“This is a court of record. Whatever they want to do let them do it properly by way of motion on notice.”
In response, Danladi said the use of word, “anytime” in section 216 of the ACJ Act showed that an application for amendment of charges by prosecution could be done orally.
However, while the tribunal chairman agreed that the prosecution had the right to amend the charges as it wished, it needed to put the defence on ‎notice.
Danladi then asked for two weeks to file the necessary processes for the amendment.
But Umar said since the year was already winding up, the tribunal would only be able to entertain the case in January.
The matter was then adjourned till January 27, 2016.
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FG stalls Orubebe’s trial, CCT adjourns till Jan 27

FG stalls Orubebe’s trial, CCT adjourns till Jan 27

The Federal Government again on Thursday stalled the commencement of the trial of a former Minister of Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe, with a proposal to amend the four counts of N70m bribery and false assets declaration preferred against him.
‎Earlier on November 9, 2015, the prosecution asked for two weeks to prepare its witnesses when asked to commence the trial shortly after the accused pleaded not guilty to the four counts.
The Danladi Umar-led tribunal had then adjourned till Thursday for the commencement of trial.
However, on Thursday, the prosecution led by Mr. Peter Danladi, rather than call its first witness, proposed to orally amend counts two, three and four, an application which the defence lawyer, Mr. Selekowei Larry (SAN), opposed.
Danladi while applying for the amendment of the charges cited section 216 of the Admini   stration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which he said allowed the prosecution to amend or alter the charges it filed at any time before judgment was delivered.
He said, “The matter was adjourned till today for hearing. But before we proceed, we are applying to amend counts two, three and four.
“The applications is brought pursuant to section 216 of the ACJ Act and pursuant to the inherent jurisdiction of this honourable tribunal.”
The prosecuting counsel was about to give details of his proposed amendment when Larry raised an objection.
In opposing the application, Larry said it could only be done through motion on notice and not orally.
He said, “This is serious business. You ‎can’t just jump up and say you want to amend the charges. You have to notify us about what you want to do. You have to do it through motion on notice. You cannot come and take us by surprise. We have to know what you are doing.
“This is a court of record. Whatever they want to do let them do it properly by way of motion on notice.”
In response, Danladi said the use of word, “anytime” in section 216 of the ACJ Act showed that an application for amendment of charges by prosecution could be done orally.
However, while the tribunal chairman agreed that the prosecution had the right to amend the charges as it wished, it needed to put the defence on ‎notice.
Danladi then asked for two weeks to file the necessary processes for the amendment.
But Umar said since the year was already winding up, the tribunal would only be able to entertain the case in January.
The matter was then adjourned till January 27, 2016.

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APC chieftain arrested for contract scam

APC chieftain arrested for contract scam

Mr. Miebi Bribena, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa State, has been reportedly arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged contract scam at the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Bribena, said to be a major beneficiary of the PAP Amnesty, was arrested early on Wednesday by operatives of the anti-graft agency.
He was said to have be taken to the agency’s headquarters in Wuse in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where he was quizzed for several hours.
He was still being detained at the EFCC office as of the time of this report.
It was learnt that Bribena was being interrogated over allegations that he absconded after collecting huge mobilisation fees from the Amnesty office without executing the contract for which he was paid.
Bribena was said to have collected about 95 per cent of the contract sum but that nothing was on the ground to justify the amount collected.
The Director, Media and Publicity, Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organisation, Chief Nathan Egba, while reacting to Bribena’s arrest, said he had not been fully briefed on the matter.
He, however, clarified that Bribena was not a spokesman for Sylva but a member of the APC.
“If the arrest is true, it means that Muhammadu Buhari is a President who does not shield anybody from corruption, irrespective of whether you are an APC member or not. However, I have not been fully briefed on the matter,” he said.

Drama as Tinubu ‘takes over’ Ekweremadu’s seat

Drama as Tinubu ‘takes over’ Ekweremadu’s seat

Senator Oluremi Tinubu

Senators who are members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party created an hilarious scene on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, when they stopped the member representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, from addressing the chamber from the seat of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
The drama ensued when the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, asked the wife of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress to second a motion moved by Senator Kabiru Gaya, who was seeking the approval of the red chamber for him to submit the report of his committee on the $200m foreign loan being sought by Lagos State.
Mrs. Tinubu was seated on Ekweremadu’s seat who was conspicuously absent from plenary when she was asked to second the motion.
However, no sooner than she put on the microphone on the seat of the deputy senate president than the PDP senators, protested against her action, and insisted that she should relocate to her seat to speak.
Attempt by Mrs. Tinubu to explain that she was on Ekweremadu’s seat because the microphone on her own seat was not working was rebuffed by the PDP senators.
She left angrily for her own seat and attempted to use her dysfunctional microphone to convince the PDP senators that she was speaking the truth.
Mrs. Tinubu then went to a seat close to hers, and sought the permission of her neighbour to make use of his microphone.
It was after she got the permission of the senator sitting beside her that she was able to address her colleagues.
She nevertheless returned to Ekweremadu’s seat and sat down there for over one hour the plenary lasted.
Meanwhile, the Senate on Wednesday inaugurated the Senate Committee on Appropriation and six other standing committees.
The committees and their chairmen included Appropriation, Danjuma Goje (APC-Gombe Central); Finance, John Enoh (PDP-Rivers Central); Banking, Insurance and other financial institutions, Rafiu Ibrahim (APC-Kwara North); and the Independent National Electoral Commission, Abubakar Kyari (APC-Borno North).
Others are committees on Public Accounts, Andy Uba, (PDP-Anambra South); National Security and Intelligence, Sha’aba Lafiagi, (APC-Kwara North); and Communications, Gilbert Nnaji, (PDP-Enugu East).
Inaugurating the committees, Saraki urged the members to hit the ground running in view of the need to reposition the economy.
He urged them to be innovative in the discharge of their oversight functions.
He also advised them to observe ethical standards in the discharge of their duties, adding that any committee member found wanting would be adequately dealt with.
He said, “The Senate will continue to support the committees particularly in terms of funding. We are also assuring government institutions of our readiness to work with them in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.”
Saraki added that the Ad hoc Committee on Legislative Agenda would be charged with the responsibility of monitoring the performance of the committees.
He also charged the INEC committee to ensure that the gains of democracy were not eroded.

Car crushes highway sweeper in Lagos

Car crushes highway sweeper in Lagos

A Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria who was at the scene of the accident reports that the sweeper was hit when the vehicle had a bust tyre.
NAN reports that the accident occurred at about 11am behind Kam Salem House, the Police Headquarters annex at Obalende.
The driver of the vehicle, a military personnel, was said to be on a top speed when his tyre burst and the vehicle somersaulted severally.
The victim, according to eyewitnesses was flung into the air and thrown over the bridge to the ground.
The unconscious military personnel was taken to a nearby Military Hospital in Ikoyi in a tricycle, popularly known as ‘Keke Marwa’ by his colleagues.
The victim, who was identified as Bisi by her colleagues was said to be a dutiful worker who loved her job with passion in spite of the little salary she earned.
An official of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority, who spoke anonymously, confirmed to NAN that the owner of the Peugeot 407 car was on top speed when the tyre burst.

As of the time of this report, the mangled body of the victim was covered with a cellophane wrapper while her colleague awaited their managers to arrive at the scene.

Biafra Radio: Lawyers battle over representing Kanu

Biafra Radio: Lawyers battle over representing Kanu

Kanu is standing trial on three counts of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to unlawful society which he pleaded not guilty.
At the resumed hearing of the case, Egbule who represented the accused when he was arraigned announced appearance for Kanu.
But Obetta, an Enugu-based legal practitioner, also announced appearance on behalf of the accused.
The double appearance resulted in serious argument.
Egbule tendered a letter from Kanu’s wife to represent him in court, but Obetta told the court that he received a consent letter from kanu’s father and the indigenous people of Biafra to represent Kanu.
Obetta also said that it was as a result of his inability to appear at the arraignment that Egbule was briefed to appear in the matter.
Prosecution Counsel Moses Idakwo informed the court that the accused was not in court.
Idakwo said their inability to bring the accused was as a result of the application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try the matter.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Shuaibu Ahmed, said in a criminal trial it was binding on the prosecution to bring the accused to court as required by law.

Ahmed adjourned the case till November 23 to enable prosecution produce the accused and for Kanu to choose his legal representative among the battling lawyers.