Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT patrol team has intercepted 11 Stowaways aboard GWANGZHOU HIGHWAY PANAMA ship enroute Ghana. According to a statement by the Base Information Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, H.A Collins, on Thursday, the individuals were intercepted on Tuesday at about 7pm during a routine patrol of Navy Ship BEECROFT patrol team. He said that the Western Regional Control Centre (WRCC) was immediately informed and prompted the vessel to halt within Lagos anchorage. Initially, 4 stowaways were apprehended from the stern of the vessel. However, information provided by these individuals revealed the presence of additional stowaways inside the ship. “Following a comprehensive search, an astonishing 7 more stowaways were uncovered within the ship, bringing the total to 11 stowaways who were promptly disembarked from the vessel and taken into custody,” the statement said. The official said the stowaways have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in accordance with the established protocols. The apprehended individuals as listed by the Navy are: Shedrack David, 19yrs from Ondo State. Emmanuel Godbless, 30yrs from Delta State. Ibrahim Hassan, 30yrs from Adamawa State. Solomon Francis, 21yrs from Ondo State. Bolaji Johnson, 28yrs from Ondo State. Samsom Aimy, 37yrs from Bayelsa State. Ayefuwei Collins, 27yrs from Delta State. Ayo Gula, 28 yrs from Delta State. Jolomi Daniel, 23yrs from Ondo State. Abubakar Ibrahim, 19yrs from Zamfara State and Precious Uwalogho, 30yrs from Delta State.

  The Police Service Commission (PSC), on Thursday, explained the recruitment of ‘repentant thugs’ as Police Constables in Kano State. This came amid viral videos showing how some repentant thugs were recruited as part of police constables drafted to fight crime in Kano. The situation drew condemnation from some Nigerians as they faulted the decision. In a statement, PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, clarified that the “repentant criminals” were recruited as police constabulary because they had realised that crimes do not pay. “The Commission wishes to state categorically that the Special Constabulary are not Police men and not recognised as such by the Commission and Government,” he said. “The Commission however notes that the Constabulary operations are covered and recognised by the Police Act and are readily useful and needed now that the nation is fighting to end the siege of criminals across the country.” He stated that the commission is in touch with the Kano State Police Command and is aware that the use of the Constabulary is to support the Police in building a crime-free Kano State. To Ani, it is necessary to state that the men and women recruited as Special Constabulary are posted to work in their locality where they will be in a better position to fish out the criminals terrorising the place. “Some of the repentant influential youths previously used in the past as political thugs and abandoned have realised that crime does not pay and have voluntarily offered themselves to assist fight for a crime free state,” he explained. The Commission is also aware that the Kano Special Constabulary has received adequate training and are working in their Local Government areas as required by law but under strict supervision of the State Police Command.” Noting that their engagement is to promote sustainable peace, economic growth and development of the state, Ani said the PSC Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, will continue to partner with the police to ensure an improved security of lives and property in the country. Arase, a retired Inspector General of Police, said that security is not only a government responsibility but that of every Nigerian and called for a citizen-based approach to security in Nigeria.

  The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has struck out the charge filed by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) against Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and his company, Capital Oil and Gas limited, over an alleged N135bn indebtedness. Justice Nicholas Oweibo struck out the charge following an oral application by counsel for AMCON, Oluwaseun Onabowu, seeking the withdrawal of the suit. Ubah, representing Anambra South Senatorial District, was absent in court. At the last sitting of the court on June 13, the court had directed that criminal summons be issued on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and his company, Capital Oil and Gas Limited. The court gave the directive in the criminal prosecution of the Senator by the Federal Government of Nigeria on an 8-count charge bordering on his alleged indebtedness to AMCON. At the proceedings today, counsel for the complainant informed the court that following a consent judgements reached in a sister case which was before the Federal Capital Territory court in Abuja, parties had agreed that the case against the Senator should be withdrawn in the Lagos. The counsel urged the court to strike out the charge filed against the Defendants. Counsel for the defendants, Mrs Ifeoma Esom, also confirmed to the court that agreements have been reached with the complainant. In his ruling, Justice Oweibo struck out the charge. Background AMCON had in its 8-count amended charge alleged that Ifeanyi Uba and his company Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited conspired together in making false claims in relation to the actual values of certain assets transferred to AMCON under a consent judgement he and his company made with AMCON. The Defendants were also alleged to have obstructed AMCON in the realization of part of his outstanding debt of N135Billion by frustrating the sale of a property at Banana island, Lagos. The charge as stated in the amended charge reads: “That you, Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah, and Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, sometimes between 2012 and 2018, in Nigeria and within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, conspired together in making false claims in relation to the actual values of certain assets transferred to Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) under the Consent Judgment delivered in Suit No FHC/L/CS/714/2012 – AMCON v. Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited & Mr. Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah on the 1st day of July, 2013 in partial payment of the indebtedness of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited with a view to defeating the realisation of the said judgment debt of Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited to AMCON then standing in the sum of 135Billion Naira contrary to Section 54(1)(a) and (d) of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria Act, 2010 (as amended) and punishable under the same Section of the Act. “That you, Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah, and Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, sometimes between 2012 and 2018 in Nigeria and within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, being guarantor and debtor respectively, negligently, wilfully or recklessly made a statement or gave information knowing it to be false in relation to the actual values of the assets transferred to AMCON under the Consent Judgment delivered in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/714/2012 -AMCON v. Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited & Mr. Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah on the 1st day ofJuly, 2013 in partial satisfaction of the outstanding loan of N135 Billion Naira owed to AMCON contrary to Section 54(2) of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria Act, 2010 (as amended)and punishable under the same Section of the Act. “That you, Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah and Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited, sometimes between 2012 and 2018 in Nigeria and within jurisdiction of this honourable did obstruct the implementation of the provisions of the AMCON Act vis-avis the realisation of part of your outstanding debt of 135Billion Naira by frustrating the sale of of the landed property at banana island to Dayspring Development Company Limited,which property you both transferred to AMCON by virtue of consent judgement delivered by this honourable court on the 1st day of July,2013 in suit No FHC/CS/714/2012-AMCON V Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited &Mr. Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah and which act is contrary to Section(5)of the Asset Management Corporation ar Nigeria Act, 2010 (as amended) and punishable under the same Section of the Act. “That you, Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah and Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited sometimes between 2018 and 2019 in Nigeria and within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, did fraudulently convert the loan given to Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited (the company) and the proceeds derived there from under a direction that same be invested in the company’s business to funding campaign for the election of you, Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah, into the Anambra South Senatorial District seat of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2018 – 2019, and which act is contrary to Section 383(2) and punishable under Section 390 both of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. “That you, Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah and Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited sometimes between 2011 and 2019 in Nigeria and within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, being mortgagors of properties listed In the Consent Judgment of this honourable Court in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/714/2012 – AMCON V. Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited & Mr. Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah, with intent to induce Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to accept the title offered with respect to the said properties and with intention to defraud, concealed from the said AMCON instruments material to titles to the said properties which you subsequently failed to produce and thereby committed an offene contrary to Section 423 of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under the same Section of the Act”.

  A final year accounting student of Gombe State University (GSU), identified as Abubakar Muhammad Adam, yesterday collapsed and died while writing his 400 level examination. A message sent on social media by Adam’s classmates stated that: “This is to inform you that Abubakar Muhd Adam, male, with registration number UG18/ASAC/1113 at 400 LEVEL, Accounting Department, was rushed to the university clinic this morning during accounting exams. “Unfortunately, he passed away at the school clinic. He was later taken to the specialist hospital mortuary along with the university ambulance driver, representative of the university clinic, University Deputy CSO, SRC VP and some of his friends.” The statement added that Adam’s uncle, his only guardian in Gombe, later joined them at the mortuary. The uncle is the headmaster of Kamara Primary School, Bolari in Gombe. According to our source, the uncle has already called his brother, who is the father of the deceased and they are on their way from Jos for the burial. A university official, who sought anonymity, confirmed that Adam, who was rushed to the university clinic, was dead on arrival. The official said the family of the deceased student has been contacted and his burial will be conducted tomorrow. The State Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, ASP Mahid Mua’zu however said the police has not been briefed about the incident. Mua’zu said he will get in touch with The Nation as soon as the matter is officially communicated to the police.

  The cumulative revenue of the 36 Nigeria states grew by 28.95 per cent from N5.12 trillion in 2021 to N6.6 trillion in 2022, a report has said. BudgIT, a civic advocacy organisation, disclosed this in its 2023 edition State of States report released on Tuesday. The report explained that the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the 36 states appreciated by 12.98 per cent from N1.61 trillion in 2021 to N1.82 trillion in 2022, denoting a strengthened domestic revenue mobilisation capability. Nonetheless, the report said the IGR to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio remained very low at 1.01 per cent. “The increase in IGR did not reflect across the board as 17 states experienced a decline in their IGR from the previous year while 19 states recorded positive growth. “Occasioned by a 49.2 per cent increase in global oil prices, gross federal transfers rose by 35.68 per cent from the previous year to N4.05 trillion, despite a 12.55 per cent drop in crude oil production,” it said. Cumulatively, it said states’ reliance on transfers from the federal government increased from 58.4 per cent in 2021 to 61.45 per cent in 2022. It said that taken apart, at least 70 per cent of the total revenue of 16 states comprised federal transfers, while 32 states depended on transfers from the federal government for at least 50 per cent of their revenue. The report said the viability of states still depends largely on their ability to mobilise revenue internally, primarily through taxes. To do this, it said states will need to implement reforms aimed at strengthening their tax mobilisation capacity, broadening and diversifying their tax base, formalising their informal sector using technology, and establishing a robust consequence management regime to address and deter instances of corruption. Expenditure According to the report, the total expenditure of the 36 states put together stood at N8.2 trillion, 24.7 per cent more than the N6.58 trillion spent in 2021. “Save for three states Anambra, Cross River and Rivers 33 States had an increase in their total spending in the 2022 fiscal year.” The report added that considering the huge deficit in infrastructure, primary health care, education, and key ease of doing business metrics, several states are concentrating their resources on improving infrastructure and security, improving transparency and accessibility to information, reforming the regulatory environment, and improving health and educational outcomes. Commendably, it said not only did 9 states exceed the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation of allocating 20 per cent of the annual budget and spending to education, 15 per cent of the total expenditure for 17 states went to education. Regarding health, the report said just two states, Sokoto and Jigawa, surpassed the Abuja Declaration recommendation of earmarking 15 per cent of total expenditure for improvement in healthcare delivery. On a per capita basis, it said while 24 states spent below the national average of N4,499.48 in 2022, Anambra and Abia spent below N1,000 per capita on health. Similarly, the report said just twelve (12) states spent above the national average of N2,200 per capita on education. Furthermore, it said eight (8) states spent below N1,000 per capita on education. A look at expenditure more broadly revealed that a 19.26 per cent increase in cumulative operating expenses of the 36 states was accompanied by a 28.54 per cent increase in capital expenditure, year-on-year. “Despite the fact that 15 states are yet to implement the minimum wage of N30,000, the cumulative personnel cost of the 36 states grew by 13.44 per cent to N1.75 trillion from N1.54 trillion the previous year. In a similar fashion, overheads grew by 23.42 per cent to N1.24 trillion in 2022,” the report said

  The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Kogi State, Bethrand Onuoha, has ordered an investigation into the alleged clash between his officers and officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state. The commissioner, in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Williams Ovye-Aya in Lokoja, expressed surprise over the alleged incident. Mr Bethrand, who condemned the incident, stated that the clash was avoidable since both personnel misunderstood themselves. “It was revealed that the operatives of NDLEA trailed the woman who turned out to be the wife of an Inspector of Police attached to Area Command Lokoja to the car where it was parked in front of Bishop Delisle College opposite the Area Command Office. “The woman was arrested and taken into the NDLEA vehicle with the intention of taking her away. But one of the police personnel on duty at the gate of the area Command Office challenged the NDLEA officials. “But unknown to him, the woman was trailed to the car and equally arrested with a package of substance suspected to be Indian hemp. “Luckily, a senior police officer intervened and brought normalcy while the woman was taken away by the NDLEA operatives without any incident. “The said police officer (an Inspector) is already in custody. He has been defaulted and an orderly room trial has commenced,” the CP said. The police commissioner reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to sustaining the level of synergy between the police and other sister security agencies in the state for optimum results. He, however, advised all personnel of the command, especially the junior ones, to eschew over-zealousness in the course of their duty to avoid such unwanted infractions. When contacted, the Kogi NDLEA Commander, Olusegun Adeyeye, confirmed the incident and that the said woman and substance were already in the agency’s custody. “The said suspect and the substance are in our custody. Investigations have commenced to enable the law to take its cause,” Mr Adeyeye said. (NAN)