February 2022 – Page 63

Post Date : February 8, 2022

Abba Kyari May Be Extradited To US By FG, Says Malami

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, on Monday, said the Federal Government may consider a request to extradite the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, to the United States of America, USA, to face trial over his alleged involvement with an internet fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, popularly known as Hussipuppi. Malami, who appeared as a guest in Channels Television’s night program, Politics Today, disclosed that “reasonable ground for suspicion” was established against DCP Kyari in the report of a police panel that investigated corruption allegations that were levelled against him by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI. Though the AGF noted that the case has both national and international dimensions, he said the FG would not rule out the possibility of Kyari’s extradition to the US or his prosecution in Nigeria. “It is a work in progress, nationally and internationally”, he stated, adding “we will ensure that justice is done regardless of personalities involved”. He stressed since multiple jurisdictions are involved in the case, including the United Arab Emirates, US and Nigeria, it would require collaborations, with the country providing “the necessary support”. “What I am saying is that locally and internationally, all hands are on deck. Nigeria is indeed doing the needful by way of supporting what America is doing, for the purpose of ensuring that the cases are tried accordingly, within the context of the American aspect of it. And eventually, if there is need for local prosecution, nothing will stop it”. Speaking further, Malami, said: “There could be a need for making request for extradition. Parties are discussing and collaborating, with the exchange of correspondences for the extradition and associated issues”. It will be recalled that DCP Kyari was indicted by the FBI in the multi-million naira advanced fee fraud said to have been perpetrated by Hushpuppi. The Nigerian Police Force earlier constituted a panel to probe Kyari who was promptly suspended from his position as head of its Intelligence Response Team, IRT.

Post Date : February 8, 2022

We’re set for indefinite strike, FG dribbling us – ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has said its members in universities across the country will embark on another strike soon if the Federal Government fails to implement the Memorandum of Action it signed with the union last year. The Chairman of ASUU in the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Dr Biodun Olaniran, and Secretary, Dr Toyin Abegunrin, who said this in a statement issued after the congress of the union held on Monday, stressed that the failure of the government to fully implement the agreements was worrisome. The union said it had resolved to embark on an indefinite strike if the Federal Government fails to accede to its demands within a certain period of time. It said members had resolved to embark on an indefinite strike since the government was not ready to do the needful. While asking Nigerians to prevail on the government to avert the impending strike, the union said it had allowed many stakeholders to talk to the government, which had portrayed the union as a dog, which could only bark but could not bite. The statement read in part, “Our union, ASUU, is using this medium to call upon the Federal Government of Nigeria once again to implement the agreement it signed with ASUU. It is unfortunate to mention that the FG signed an agreement with the ASUU since 2009, but the agreement is not implemented till date. “The agreement was renegotiated in the name of peace. But to our dismay, the government has refused to sign the renegotiated agreement. In order to make the implementation of the agreement easy for the FG, the union has limited its demand to only three. “These include the signing/implementation of the renegotiated agreement of 2009; and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Software instead of the controversial IPPIS.” Similarly, the Chairman, ASUU, Kwara State University, Malete, Dr Salau Sheu, said that the Federal Government was trying to dodge its responsibility by directing ministers to oversee the implementation of the MoA. He said, “It is wrong for President Muhammadu Buhari to assign two ministers to oversee the implementation of the Memorandum of Action signed last year with ASUU. First, the assigned ministers are not part of the agreement. Only the ministers of Finance and Education were part of the agreement. The Federal Government is trying to take away university autonomy through its designed programmes and it is trying to shy away from implementing the resolutions of the negotiations. “ASUU is having its National Executive Council meeting at the University of Lagos on February 12 and 13. If nothing is done by the government between now and then, the lecturers may go on strike.” However, the Chairman of the University of Ilorin branch of ASUU, Prof Moyosore Ajao, said the branch would observe the work-free day today (Tuesday.) Members of the University of Abuja chapter of the union are set to meet on Wednesday over the proposed industrial action. The Chairman of the union, Dr Kasim Umaru, disclosed this in an interview with one of our correspondents on Monday. Umaru explained that members of ASUU in the chapter would meet on Wednesday and come up with resolutions. “We are meeting this week, precisely on Wednesday, and we are going to make our own resolutions. The government has failed to honour our demands times without numbers. The plan is to hold our congress on Wednesday, make our own decision and transmit it to the national body,” he stated. Meanwhile, a member of the ASUU National Executive Council, who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity, stated that the union would have no choice but to embark on another strike. “At this point, we have no choice but to go on strike; that is the only language the government understands. We have been going back and forth, but it seems as if they are not ready to listen and do what is right,” the NEC member said. The National President, ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Oshodeke, asked the Federal Government to honour the intervention of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council in the crisis. He said the union did not trust the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). Oshodeke explained that the union decided to embark on mobilisation across the universities so as to intimate students and lecturers on its demands and possible decision. “The mobilisation started last week and it is for two weeks. Each branch is expected to pick a day and have theirs. Then, we will meet and collate all the findings and address the press. The National Executive Council will meet and take a decision going forward,” he stated. When asked why the union decided to mobilise for a strike despite NIREC’s intervention, Oshodeke said, “The mobilisation started before NIREC’s visit to the President. Until we see action, we don’t believe the Federal Government; it cannot be trusted. “The President and the government should respect the highest religious body in the nation, the NIREC; they should honour the organisation and implement the agreement we reached with it in line with the intervention of NIREC. This is also in the interest of our children; all their children are abroad, but our children are here on the streets; the government should implement the agreement so that there will be no distortion in the system.”

Post Date : February 8, 2022

Assembly Serves Zamfara Deputy Governor Impeachment Notice, Lists Offences

The Zamfara House of Assembly continued its bid to impeach Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, the deputy governor of the state with the service of the impeachment notice and list of his offences on him on Monday. The Assembly had last Friday received a request to commence impeachment process against the Deputy Governor following submission. In a statement signed by Shamsudeen Basko, House Standing Committee Chairman, on Monday, the House of Assembly said it has now informed the deputy governor through the Secretary to the State Government of the impeachment proceeding against him. “Having satisfied the requirement of Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which requires 1/3 of whole Honourable Members of the Honourable House to endorsed notice of impeachment. “The House under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Speaker accepts that particular notice as proper and in accordance with the provisions of the Law,” he said. Basko added that when in 2021 the House invited the deputy governor to appear before it, he refused to honour the invitation and instead went to court, when there was no intention to impeaching him then as being alleged. He added that the House complied with the court verdict. Basko added in the statement that the deputy governor is being accused of abusing office, criminal self enrichment using public fund and failure to discharge official duties. He said, “Abuse of office. This includes Constitutional breached of section 190 and 193 (1), (2) (a)(b)(c), of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). “Criminal self enrichment using public fund; includes criminal diversion of state fund, conspiracy to defraud the state and approval of dubious retirement in his office. “Failure to discharge constitutional duties which give rise to insubordination.”

Post Date : February 8, 2022

Mother Of Four Arraigned For Inflicting Razor Blade Injury On 12-Year-Old Boy For Stealing Meat In Ondo

Police in Ondo State have arrested and dragged a 36-year-old mother of four, Mrs Opeyemi Omoyemi, to court for inflicting a razor blade injury on the body of his 12-year-old house help, Joel Sunday, who allegedly stole meat from the cooking pot. Omoyemi, a widow was arraigned before the Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital on a five-count charge bothering on attempted murder, child abuse, violence against person prohibition among others. The defendant was said to have used a stick and razor blade to inflict multiple injuries on the body of the house help, accusing the young boy of stealing pieces of meat from the pot. The Police Prosecutor, Emmanuel Tanimowo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on February 6, 2022, at her residence located at Idi mango Adewale axis of Ondo road, Akure, the state capital. Tanimowo informed the court that the crime was reported to the police by one Mrs Alice Ayedun, a community health officer, who rushed the boy to the hospital after seeing the boy writhing in pain with blood oozing out from various parts of his body. The prosecutor said “Mrs Ayedun Alice was going to the church when she saw one Sunday Joel crying, with a pool of blood on his body and the woman was forced to branch to see what was happening and she saw the defendant beating up the boy at the back of the house. “She immediately rescued the boy from the woman. The defendant had asked the boy to wash the blood off his body after she used a razor blade to cut his body and made open injury.

Post Date : February 8, 2022

Catholic Church Suspends Lagos Priest Who Banned Igbo Songs In Parish

The Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa Gberigbe in Ikorodu, Lagos, Rev. Fr. James Anelu, has been “suspended” for banning Igbo songs and choruses in his parish. The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Alfred Martins, in a “disclaimer”, directed the priest to proceed on “an indefinite leave of absence”. Anelu was reported to have banned Igbo songs and choruses in his parish, arguing that the excesses of Ndigbo must be contained. It was learnt that he had angrily stopped a soul-lifting chorus during the second collection, noting that Igbos cannot keep dominating other people in his Catholic parish. He reportedly cited the case of his Benin Diocese where Igbos dominate to the point of becoming the Bishop, allegedly claiming that the spirit of God recognises only geographical languages of the parish. While announcing the suspension, Martins in the letter dated February 7, said, “It has been brought to our notice that Rev Fr James Anelu, the priest-in-charge of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ewu-Owa, Ikorodu, made some completely unacceptable comments about Igbo songs being sung in the Church and unsavoury remarks that do not represent the Catholic church’s position on the common brotherhood of peoples of all tribes and religions. “For this reason, he has been asked to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence to give an opportunity for a thorough investigation of all the matters relating to his ministry on the parish. The leave of absence takes effect from Tuesday, February 8, 2021, till further notice “We, therefore, urge all Catholic faithful to hold on to the faith and continue in worship of God as one big family united and not separated by language, culture, or race.”

Post Date : February 7, 2022

Sanusi: Nigeria living on extra time

Muhammadu Sanusi II, former Emir of Kano, says whoever will win the 2023 presidential election will have more challenges compared to when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office in 2015. Sanusi spoke on Monday in Abeokuta, the Ogun capital, at a reception to mark the 80th birthday of Tayo Sowunmi, Babanla Adinni of Egbaland. He said Nigeria is living on “extra time”, adding that the new set of leaders must be ready to make difficult decisions. He also urged Nigerians to vote only for those who are competent and honest. Advertisement “To be honest, this country has — we are living on extra time. In 2015, we were in a deep hole. In 2023, we will be in an even much deeper hole than in 2015,” Sanusi said. “All those people who are struggling to be president, I hope they understand that the problems that they are going to face are multiples of the problems that were faced in 2015. “All of us have to be ready for difficult decisions and if they are taken, we are all going to pay for them.” Advertisement Underscoring the roles of traditional rulers, Sanusi, who is the leader of the Tijaniyya sect, said everyone cannot go into politics in a bid to solve the country’s problems. “The solution is not for all of us to jump into politics. This country needs good politicians; it needs imams, pastors and bishops who are going to stand up and remind them (politicians) of the fear of God,” he said. “It needs technocrats who are going to critique their policies. It needs traditional rulers who are going to speak as the conscience of the people. Everyone has a role to play and we should try to play that role to the best of our ability. “If we all go into politics, who will hold the politicians responsible? Who is going to tell them when they are going wrong? “I think it is because often, people don’t understand the role we play as traditional rulers that they think we should go and be a governor or a president. I think that the role I play can be more important than that of the president. It is different.”

Post Date : February 7, 2022

Alleged discrimination: Passenger sues Dana Air, claims N550m damages

For allegedly refusing and denying a passenger on Wheelchair from boarding and accessing their airline, a human rights organisation under the aegis of Disability Rights Protection Initiative has dragged Dana Air Limited to Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of a Federal High Court in Enugu demanding N550 million damages. The case comes up on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. The airline was said to have on August 5 2021 refused and denied a passenger, Gloria Ogoamaka Nwogbo from boarding and/or accessing their airline at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on the ground that she was disabled, after purchasing her air ticket and obtaining her boarding pass. By this action, the DRP is the first human rights organization in Nigeria that has used Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, to pursue justice for a disabled victim through court litigation, after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), signed the Bill into law on January 23, 2019. The Registered Trustees of DRP sued for Nwogbo (the applicant), native of Awka in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State. The applicant in the suit marked FHC/EN/CS/181/2021 filed by her lawyer, Kelechi Chukwu, obtained by Judiciary correspondents in Abuja on Monday asked the Court to declare that the action of respondent in refusing and denying Nwogbo from boarding and/or accessing their airline on the ground that she was disabled “is inhuman, degrading and discriminatory.” The applicant also asked the vourt to declare that the terms and conditions of the respondent’s air ticket which states that ‘special passengers: wheelchair (WCHR) and visually impaired (Blind) passengers cannot travel without an accompanied person, we are always happy to serve WCHR and Blind passengers but they cannot travel unaccompanied’, was discriminatory contrary to section 42(2) of the constitution as amended and therefore, illegal, unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void. Other reliefs were, “An order of this Honourable Court directing the respondent to pay the sum of N50 million only as exemplary damages to the applicant for the inhuman, degrading and discriminatory treatment meted out to the Applicant. “An order of this Honourable Court directing the respondent to pay the sum of N500 million only as general damages to the applicant for the shame, shock, public ridicule and psychological trauma suffered by the applicant as a result the inhuman, degrading and discriminatory treatment meted out to the applicant. “An order of this Honourable Court striking down the terms and conditions of the respondent’s air ticket which states that ‘special passengers: wheelchair (WCHR) and visually impaired (Blind) passengers cannot travel without an accompanied person, we are always happy to serve WCHR and Blind passengers but they cannot travel unaccompanied’ for being discriminatory contrary to Section 42(2) of the constitution as amended and therefore, illegal, unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void. “An injunction restraining the Respondent, whether by themselves, their servants, officers, agents or privies, in any manner whatsoever from further discriminating against the applicant on the basis that she is a disabled person. “An order of this Honourable Court directing the respondent to refund the sum of N28,800.00 only to the applicant being sum paid as the airfare by the applicant to the respondent. “A solemn order of thus Honourable Court compelling the respondent to issue an unreserved apology (the contents of which must first be acceptable to the applicant before publication) to the applicant for the violation of applicant’s fundamental rights and such publication to be made in at least four print media and one electronic media respectively which two of the print media shall be of intense local coverage and the remaining two with intense national coverage within one week of the judgment of this Honourable Court.

Post Date : February 7, 2022

Osinbajo Asks Nigerians To Reject Politicians Using Sentiments To Get Power

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has advised Nigerians to reject politicians trying to use “sectional sentiments” to take power. The vice president gave the advice while speaking at the inaugural conference of APC Professional Forum themed “The Role of Professionals in Politics and National Building” held at the Old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, on Monday. iven by ethnic, religious and other parochial considerations, stressing that “the whole point of professionalism is that you are defined by merit, you are defined by your professional acumen.” Osinbajo stressed the need for all stakeholders to come to the realisation that it was no longer sustainable to keep finding individual solutions to collective challenges. He said: “Let me conclude with the following thoughts for further consideration. The usefulness of professionals in politics is that you have people who are used to being assessed on the basis of their own achievements, who are unafraid to make competence the first advertorial of their acumen. In other words, professionals emphasize the role of merit in public life. “So, one of the major advantages to our communities of having professionals in politics is lost if we do not recognise our role as merit driven persons must be to fight the temptation of ethnic, religious and other parochial considerations in making crucial decisions for the development of our nation. “And I just emphasise that there is no point having professionals in politics if these professionals are driven by ethnic, religious and other parochial considerations because the whole point of professionalism is that you are defined by merit, you are defined by your professional acumen. “Nobody would place their lives in the hands of an incompetent doctor because they share the same faith or continue to patronize a dangerously inept mechanic because they belong to the same tribe. If someone told me, for example, that the pilot who is to fly the plane that I’m to go in is not a very good pilot, but he’s from Ikenne, my hometown, I certainly won’t go in that plane. So, in the same way, we must especially refuse to be swayed by those whose sole argument for power is an appeal to sectional sentiments. We must resist it. And we must say no to it, because otherwise, we fail in our professional calling. “So, let me again commend the APC Professionals Forum for starting this important conversation. And I hope we will be able to mainstream some of the innovative ideas and some of the very important suggestions that are made here in our party and also in our governments across the nation.” While fielding questions, the senator representing Nasarawa Central, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, efforts would be made to make people considering politics a profession lose their job. The APC national chairmanship aspirant expressed belief that “this is the beginning of our winning streak in 2023” as the professionals with competences and values trying to come together and take interest in politics, saying “we will be able to sustain all the gains this administration has made”.

Post Date : February 7, 2022

Supreme Court To Deliver Judgement In Rivers, Imo 17 Oil Wells Dispute On May 6

The Supreme Court on Monday fixed May 6 to deliver judgement in a legal battle between Rivers and Imo states over the ownership of 17 oil wells. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who led the panel of justices, fixed the date after taking dates from the lawyers involved in the oil ownership tussle following the adoption of their written addresses. The plaintiff in the matter, represented by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joseph Daodu, while adopting his final addresses, asked the apex court to give judgement in favour of Rivers on the ground that historical evidence right from 1927 till date clearly indicated that the oil wells belong to the state. He drew the attention of the court to the boundary adjustment paper of 1976 where Ndoni and Egbema were confirmed to belong to Rivers State. Daodu disagreed with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) that adjudication of the suit on the oil wells ought not to have started in Supreme Court but the Federal High Court because oral evidence ought to be taken from the people in the area. He believes all the historical documents right from the colonial era are sufficient for the court to determine the real owners of the oil wells. In their arguments, counsels to Imo State and the AGF, Olusola Oke and Remi Olatubora, asked the apex court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that it ought to have originated from the Federal High Court. They claimed that because of the nature of the matter, oral evidence ought to have been requested from the people of the area to confirm where they actually belong. Both lawyers, (SAN) contended that Rivers ought not to have started the suit from the apex court and, therefore, prayed the court to dismiss the suit. Olatubora specifically stressed that witnesses, including officials of the National Boundary Commission, Surveyor-General of the Federation, and indigenes of the disputed areas, ought to be heard for the court to make appreciable and acceptable findings. Although he claimed that the AGF was neutral in the dispute over the ownership of the oil wells, he said scientific evidence must be considered along with an open court hearing for the Supreme Court to make a judgment. Justice Ariwoola, thereafter, announced May 6 to deliver judgement in the case.

Post Date : February 7, 2022

UNIBEN management denies alleged protest over death of student

Authorities of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), have denied a report that students of the institution staged a protest over the death of their colleague due to negligence after he was taken to hospital. The University, in a statement issued on Monday in Benin by its Public Relations Officer, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, said the alleged incident was not recent and should be disregarded. Urging the media, especially the online media to avoid sensationalism in their reportage, Ehanire reminded the practitioners of their social responsibility of ensuring peace and stability of the society. (NAN)