Photo News: Comedian and comic actor Akpororo welcome new baby. See photo of his beautiful wife and baby looking cute!

BREAKING: Massive Employment For OND,HND and University Graduates at Nigerian Railway Corporation - See How To Apply

NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION

JOB VACANCY OPPORTUNITIES

1) Due to recent expansion and introduction of new routes, Nigerian Railway Corporation is hereby recruiting into the underlisted post.

A. MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL/S&T DEPARTMENT

I. PUPIL ENGINEER (GL 08)

II. HIGHER TECHNICAL OFFICER (GL.08)

III. TECHNICAL OFFICER (GL 07)

IV. ASSISTANT TECHNICAL OFFICER (GL 06)

B. CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

I. PUPIL ENGINEER (GL 08)

II. HIGHER TECHNICAL OFFICER (GL. 08)

III. TECHNICAL OFFICER (GL. 07)

IV. ASSISTANT TECHNICAL OFFICER (GL. 06)

C. CORPORATE PLANNING DEPARTMENT

I. PUPIL HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER (GL. 08)

II. PUPIL RESEARCH OFFICER (GL. 08)

III. PUPIL SENIOR STORE OFFICER (GL.08)

IV. EXECUTIVE STORE OFFICER (GL. 07)

V. HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT ASSISTANT (GL. 06)

VI. RESEARCH LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (GL. 06)

D. ADMINISTRATION/HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

I. PUPIL HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER (GL. 08)

II. CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY (GL. 07)

III. EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GL. 07)

IV. SENIOR NURSING SUPERINTENDENT (CONHESS 8)

V. PUPIL PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER (GL.08)

VI. PUBLIC RELATION ASSISTANT (GL.07)

VII. ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GL06)

VIII. CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY (GL.06)

E. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT

I. PUPIL ACCOUNTANT (GL08)

II. EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GL.07)

III. ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GL.06)

F AUDIT DEPARTMENT

I. PUPIL INTERNAL AUDITOR (GL.08)

II. EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GL.07)

III. ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GL.06)

G. OPERATIONS & COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT

I. PUPIL TRAFFIC OFFICER (GL.08)

II. PRINCIPAL STATION MASTER (GL.07)

III. SENIOR STATION MASTER (GL.06)

2) METHOD OF APPLICATION

Interested candidates should send detailed curriculum vitae with a covering letter by e-mail to nrc.recruit@nrc.gov.ng

3) Deadline for application is 18th September, 2016.

4) ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

5) GRADE LEVEL 06

QUALIFICATION:

OND IN RELEVANT FIELDS

GRADE LEVEL 07

QUALIFICATION:

OND WITH MINIMUM OF THREE(3) RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

GRADE LEVEL 08

QUALIFICATION:

HND OR UNIVERSITY DEGREE IN RELEVANT FIELDS.

SIGNED

MANAGEMENT

I got N650 million as my running cost as the Chairman of Appropriation Committee. see what Dogara, Gbajabiamila and others get, you will be shocked!!!

IN SANE SOCIETIES THESE MEN WOULD'VE BEEN BEHIND BARS

"I got N650 million as my running cost as the Chairman of Appropriation Committee.

Speaker Yakubu Dogabra got N1.2 billion,
 His Deputy Yusuf Lasun got N800 million.

House Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila got N1.2 billion,
 Deputy Majorty Leader Buba Jibrin got N1.2 billion.

House Whip Alhassan Ado Doguwa got N1.2 billion,
 Deputy House Whip got N700 million.

House Minority Leader Leo Ogor got N1.2 billion,
 Deputy Minority Leader Onyema got N800 million.

Minority Whip got N700 million,
 Deputy Minority Whip got N700 million.
 I have documents to back up all these."

 ~Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin.

WE’LL PROTECT FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN NIGERIA, PRESIDENT BUHARI ASSURES JAPAN PM ABE

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday night, strongly assured existing and prospective foreign investors that their investments in Nigeria will be fully secured and protected.

Speaking at a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, on the sidelines of the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Nairobi, Kenya, President Buhari outlined several steps taken by his administration to secure the country and ease doing business in Nigeria.

He told the Japanese leader that with the defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists by the military, the attention of the administration is now focused on stopping the destruction of the country's economic assets by militants in the Niger Delta region.

He said the militants must dialogue with the Federal government or be dealt with in the same way like Boko Haram.

"We are talking to some of their leaders. We will deal with them as we dealt with Boko Haram if they refuse to talk to us.

 “As a government, we know our responsibility, which is to secure the environment. It is clear to us that lenders won't fund projects in insecure environments.

“We realize that we have to secure the country before we can efficiently manage it," the President said.

President Buhari told the Japanese Prime Minister that security in the Gulf of Guinea, which is greatly affected by piracy and armed robbery at sea, was a priority for the Nigerian government.

‘‘We have provided funds to our Navy to buy new platforms, train and effectively organize the personnel to protect the area. We are looking forward to support from developed nations for satellite surveillance covering the Gulf,’’ the President said.

Recalling his audience with G7 leaders in Germany, which was attended by the Prime Minister, President Buhari thanked Japan for responding positively to the requests by Nigeria for the rehabilitation of victims of Boko Haram and rebuilding of infrastructure in the North Eastern part of the country.

The President however said there was still more to do on education, health and other infrastructure to ensure quick and voluntary return of displaced persons to their native communities.

On the United Nations Security Council reform, President Buhari agreed to work with Japan for the reforms, stressing that  the case for a permanent seat for Africa on the Council was a moral one.

He equally expressed Nigeria's support for Japan in their bid for a UN resolution on the problems in East China and South China as well as the "uncontrolled nuclear tests by North Korea."

‘‘The UN system is sufficient for the resolutions of all disputes and no nation should be above the United Nations.

“This has to be made absolutely clear and I assure the Prime Minister that I will meet as many leaders as possible at the forthcoming UN General Assembly concerning the issues."

In his remarks, Prime Minister Abe congratulated President Buhari “for courageously tackling Boko Haram terrorism."

He said Nigeria and Japan must work together to improve the investment climate in view of the many Japanese companies wishing to invest in Nigeria.

He reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to rapid development in Nigeria through quality delivery of ongoing projects in the country, including Jebba hydro power scheme and the Lagos railway project.

Garba Shehu
SSA to the President (Media & Publicity)

HEALTH TIPS ON CUCUMBERS AND WHY YOU SHOULD START TAKING IT.!!! WHO KNEW CUCUMBERS COULD DO ALL THIS!!!

HEALTH TIPS ON CUCUMBERS AND WHY YOU SHOULD START TAKING IT.

1. Fat busting: Do you ever wonder why women put cucumbers
on their eyes to relieve puffiness? The photochemical in
cucumbers makes the collagen in your skin tighten, thus the lack
of puffiness. Did you know that you can rub a cucumber on a
problematic spot of cellulite anywhere on your body to lessen the
visibility of it? Did you also know that it has the same effect on
wrinkles? Wow, it makes purchasing those fifty dollar creams
seem a little silly, doesn’t it? You can also rub a little bit under
your kiddo’s eyes after a long bout of crying to avoid that puffy ‘I
cried for an hour straight’ look.
2. Defogger: Do you get annoyed when you get out of the shower
and you have to fight the fog on the mirror? Who has time for
that when the kids will be awake at any moment? Try rubbing a
slice of cucumber on the mirror before you hop in and not only
will you get a fog-free mirror, but you’ll have a nice smell that
will boost your mood.
3. Headaches: If you suffer from headaches from chasing your
babies all day (or pets or your husband), or had a little too much
wine with dinner and want to avoid a hangover, eat half of a
cucumber before bed. Cucumbers are high in B vitamins, sugar,
and electrolytes, and they replenish the nutrients missing in your
body to help you avoid a hang over or to beat that headache
that’s been threatening to take over.
4. WD-40 replacement: Did you know you can get rid of a squeak
by rubbing a cucumber on the hinge? Wow, now you don’t have
to tear your garage apart looking for that little can with the red
straw, and the baby won’t wake up when you slowly open the
nursery door to check on him.
5. Crayon on the walls: Take an unpeeled cucumber and rub the
crayon off of the walls in the event that your kiddo left you some
art. You can also use this technique to erase a pen mistake.
6. Halitosis killer: Take a slice of cucumber and put it on the roof
of your mouth. Hold it there with your tongue for 30 seconds. The
photochemical that you love for cellulite and puff reduction will
also kill the bacteria that is causing your bad breath.
7. Tarnish remover: If you’re finding tarnish on your stainless
steel kitchen faucets and appliances? Rub it off with a cucumber
slice. Not only will it remove years of tarnish, it will leave it streak
free and your hands will thank you, and your kids won’t be put at
risk from a dangerous chemical.
8. Energy booster: If you’re feeling tired in the afternoon, don’t
give Starbucks your five bucks. Instead, grab a cucumber. There
are just enough carbohydrates and B vitamins to give you a
longer-lasting and healthier boost of energy than soda, coffee, or
those health hazard energy drinks.
9. Munchy madness: Did you know that European trappers ate
cucumbers for energy and to keep from starving to death? If
those big burly manly men can eat a cucumber to keep from
starving, you can eat one as a healthy choice when the munchies
hit. Slice some up and take them in a small plastic container to
the movies if your theater doesn’t offer healthy alternatives to
munching on butter soaked popcorn.
10. Frugal facial: Slice up a cucumber and boil it in a pot of
water. The chemicals inside of the cucumber will mix with the
steam. Remove the pot from heat and lean over it, letting the
steam hit you. Your skin will be more radiant and healthy, and
you will feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
11. Shoe polish: Cut a slice off of your cucumber and rub it on
your shoe. It will not only shine it up, but it will repel water.
12. Pest control: Put three or four slices of cucumber in a small
pie tin and place them in your garden. The chemicals in the
cucumber have a reaction that pests hate. You won’t smell it, but
it will drive them from your garden all year long. Replace them
periodically.
13. Sunburn: Sometimes sun block doesn’t always protect your
little ones from sunburn. If you have burnt little kiddos you don’t
have any aloe, rub some cucumber on them. Many doctors even
use cucumber to treat patients with irritated skin and sunburns.
14. Blood pressure: Cucumber has been long used to treat high
blood pressure. If you have it, add cucumbers to your daily diet.
There is also ongoing research into the use of cucumbers for
lowering cholesterol.
15. Constipation remedy: The seeds of a cucumber are a diuretic.
If you’re constipated, try eating a cucumber. If you suffer from
chronic constipation, add cucumber to your daily diet.

TROOPS ARRESTS SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS IN BAUCHI STATE

Following a tip off by well meaning Nigerians, troops of 33 Brigade Nigerian Army, deployed at Forward Operation Base (FOB) Toro, Toro Local Government Area (LGA) of Bauchi State, yesterday arrested 2 suspected kidnappers; Dayibu Abdullahi and Nasiru Adamu at Badiko village along Gumau road, Toro LGA, Bauchi State.

Troops also recovered a bag containing the sum of Four Hundred and Thirty Nine Thousand Naira (N439,000.00k) and some personal items from the suspects.

Preliminary investigation shows that the amount was their share from a paid ransom  of a recent kidnap incident.

Similarly, another suspected kidnapper, Jibrin Dakam, was arrested same day at Magama, also in Toro LGA, by the troops.

Preliminary investigation confirmed that he escaped from their den at Jenge following the military Operation FOREST KUNAMA at Lame-Burra Forest recently.

It was further confirmed that he frequently supply alcohol and other stimulants to the kidnappers.

In a related development,  troops deployed at "Kano 2" checkpoint near Durum, in Bauchi LGA, of the same unit, also arrested a  suspected armed bandit named Adamu Saleh who was found to be in possession of 8 rounds of 7.62mm (Special), 2 mobile telephone handsets and local charms.

All the suspects are being interrogated further before their eventual handing over to other relevant security agencies.

See What Bukola Saraki Did to Rashidi Yekini’s Mother’s House & Business (Photos)

The aged mother of Nigerian football legend, Rashidi Yekini, who has been struggling with abject poverty and recently cried out publicly for help by concerned citizens of the country, has been finally remembered by the Senate president, Dr Bukola Saraki.

Grace finally smiled on the woman when the senate president decided to take the sad situation up and rehabilitated the woman’s living conditions and revived her almost failing petty trade business, and now the transformation is simply amazing.

Below are the before and after photos her apartment and business;

Lagos cult leader, Small Jpron, arrested for five murders

The Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday paraded a self-confessed leader of the Eiye Confraternity, Ibrahim Balogun, aka Small Jpron, for allegedly killing five persons during different cult wars.

PUNCH Metro learnt that 29-year-old Small Jpron was arrested on Saturday by detectives attached to the Alade Police Division on Apata Street in the Somolu area of the state.

It was gathered that Small Jpron was arrested after some suspected cultists attacked the area on Saturday and the suspect came out with his boys for a reprisal.


 Our correspondent gathered that Small Jpron allegedly organised a gang which set a house ablaze in January 2016 on Oshinfolarin Street, Bariga, during which a 65-year-old woman, Adejoke Adefuye, was burnt to death.

A police source told our correspondent that Small Jpron had been declared wanted for five murder cases in the Somolu and Bariga areas in 2016.

Speaking while being paraded at the command headquarters, Ikeja, on Wednesday, the suspect said he joined the cult to avenge the murder of his friend in 2009 by suspected Aye Confraternity members.

He said, “I am an Eiye cult leader. I joined the cult in 2009. The reason for my joining was to avenge the death of a close friend, Sunday Folorunsho, aka Small Biscuits.

“It was the Aye cult members who killed him. So, the Eiye faction approached me and said I should join them and they would help me fish out the people who killed my friend. I had a lot of boys working for me. I have killed three persons among whom were Femi Wiper and  Lekan Akon.

“I cut them with knives. I shot some other victims. They were killed in the Somolu and Bariga areas. It was in the evening that Femi Wiper was killed. We were going out for a carnival during the Easter period on Alade Street in the Somolu area when a fight broke out. He was the one who first pointed a gun at me and my boys hacked him to death.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said Small Jpron had been declared wanted by the police for multiple cases of murder.

He added that the suspect was an ex-convict.

He said, “Earlier this year, there were major cult clashes, where criminal elements in the Somolu and Bariga areas engaged one another in a war of supremacy culminating in the deaths of some persons.

“The gang, led by Small Jpron, also set ablaze a house in the Pedro area in which an elderly woman was burnt to death. The suspect was the one who led the cult gang war. He is a known criminal in the Somolu area.

“He has multiple cases of murder and armed robbery which he has confessed to. Through him, we will look for other members of the gang who turned Pedro and Somolu areas into theatres of war.”

Copyright PUNCH.

CRIME: WOMAN SLAUGHTERED TWO KID IN KASTINA. (PHOTO NEWS)

She slaughtered these innocent kids of her co-wive in Katsina.

Some people can be wicked: see Photo below:

BREAKING NEWS: NIGERIAN AIR FORCE RAID KILLS BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS COMMANDERS..... SO CALLED “ABUBAKAR SHEKAU” FATALLY WOUNDED!

In what one could describe as the most unprecedented and spectacular air raid, we have just confirmed that as a result of the interdiction efforts of the Nigerian Air Force, some key leaders of the Boko Haram terrorists have been killed while others were fatally wounded.

The air interdiction took place last week Friday 19th August 2016, while the terrorists were performing Friday rituals at Taye village,  Gombale general area within Sambisa forest, Borno State.

Those Boko Haram terrorists commanders confirmed dead include Abubakar Mubi, Malam Nuhu and Malam Hamman, amongst others. While their leader, so called “Abubakar  Shekau”, is believed to be fatally wounded on his shoulders. Several other terrorists were also wounded. 

You are please requested to kindly disseminate this information to the public through your medium.

Thank you for your kind and usual cooperation.

Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman

Acting Director Army Public Relations

Our Comment: How many times will the army attempt to kill or have killed this Shekau?

FIRS Vacancy/employment is OUT! APPLY NOW

Dear all,

Please inform others who might need the information.

Application portal will open on Monday 29th August 2016.

Applicants are  to apply online.
Via : http://www.firs.gov.ng/FIRS-Careers/Pages/Vacancies.aspx
Or visit your Newspapers local vendors for more details.

Papers:
1. Punch
2. Guardian
3.Leadership
4. Daily Trust
5. Businessday
6. Vanguard
7. The Nation
8. Sun
9. Tribune
10 Thisday

Saudi Releases Nigerian Pilgrims Arrested For Drug Offence

Two Nigerian pilgrims arrested in Saudi Arabia over possession of substances alleged to be cocaine have been released, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has said.

A statement by the Commission issued in Abuja yesterday, said that the arrested pilgrims from Kwara State were released following investigation that they were not culpable for the offence.

According to the statement, reports obtained from the Kingdom revealed that the two suspects were set free after it was discovered that the allegation for which they were arrested was not correct. It would be recalled that two Nigerian pilgrims from Kwara State were arrested on August 9 and 12 over alleged trafficking of drugs into the kingdom.

The identities of the two pilgrims affected have remained unknown even as anxiety has continued to grow in Ilorin, capital city of Kwara State among residents who have relatives performing this year Hajj exercise.

(Master Planner) See How FIRS Plans To Raise N4.9trn Revenue

The Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS under the leadership of Babatunde Fowler, the executive chairman has raised non-oil revenue generation to the federal government coffers to an all-time high. Against a backdrop of N4.957trillion tax revenue target the agency handed down to itself for 2016, it is clear that its monthly remittances to the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC have raised the bar of tax receipts in the economy.

Wahab Gbadamosi, spokesman of FIRS told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the Service has been meeting up to 80 per cent of the target by monthly breakdown up to June.

The tax agency plans that Value Added Tax,VAT would account for N2 trillion, representing 40.35 per cent of the total target, while company income tax, CIT would account for N1.877 trillion or 37.87  per cent of the target. In specific terms, these two taxes will provide, approximately, 78 per cent of FIRS’ total revenue target of 2016 leaving 22 per cent of the target to be shared between Petroleum Profits Tax, PPT, Education Tax, EDT and National Information Technology Development Levy, NITDEL. In its blueprint, the FIRS earmarks about 50 per cent increment in CIT using a base of N1.2 trillion. This puts the CIT target at a minimum of N1.8 trillion, and at least 250 per cent increment in VAT collection using a base of N800 billion;             a minimum of N800 billion as PPT collection, and a minimum of N280 billion from other taxes.


In the month of June, the Service yielded N165billion to the Federation Account, out-performing both the NNPC and the Nigerian Customs. This feat from FIRS saw the month’s amount for sharing among the three tiers of government go up from N281.5 billion shared in April, N305.13 billion shared in May and N559.032 billion in the month of June.

Findings by our correspondent showed that the tax agency is making much effort at ensuring compliance, including undertaking a nationwide VAT and Withholding Tax monitoring exercise and nationwide tax payer registration exercise anchored by the FIRS Federal Engagement and Enlightenment Tax Teams, (FEETT). The FIRS is also collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure effective enforcement of the tax regime just as it is equally expanding its dragnet to capture tax evaders.

A document from the Service which was made available to LEADERSHIP Sunday indicated that between December 2015 and now, the FIRS has stepped up its tax enforcement duties, shutting down over 40 company offices across the country.

Part of FIRS’s efforts at growing tax revenue, according to the document, is its collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning in designing strategies for enhancing non-oil revenues for the country.

Tax contributes only seven per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a situation tax professionals have blamed on recalcitrant attitude of taxable individuals and companies to tax payment and weak implementation of tax regulations on the part of tax authorities.

According to Fowler, only one in every three of corporate organisations in the country pays tax. He said FIRS has resolved to have at least 99.9 percentage success level of compliance. What that means is that every individual and corporate organisation at both the state and federal level that is within the tax net must pay the appropriate tax.

On assumption of office, Fowler directed a nationwide VAT and WHT compliance check. The result of this exercise saw a collection of over N122 billion in three months. The initiative, directly overseen by the office of the executive chairman also recorded a registration of 565,743 new corporate taxpayers as at March, this year.

LEADERSHIP Sunday recalled that while addressing the leadership of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, (NESG) who paid a courtesy visit to her office in Abuja last week, the minister of finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun revealed that the federal government was reworking the country’s tax system. “We are already overhauling our tax policy. We want to have a realistic picture of tax,” she said.

The FIRS success master plan includes ensuring a minimum of 90 per cent compliance across all tax types and all taxpayer categories, to be achieved by increased focus on sector based audits to ensure that all audit backlogs are cleared

It also included ensuring maximum possible registration of taxpayers, through a nationwide tax registration drive, which has commenced and which is expected to achieve a target of at least 500,000 previously unregistered campanies by end of 1st quarter, 2016. As at March this year, 565,743 corporate companies have been registered, out of which 2000 have paid various tax types totalling N 395,771,462.93. This strategy is driven by improved use of technology, collaboration with state boards of internal revenue and other relevant state and federal agencies such as Corporate Affairs Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Customs Service, Banks, tax consultants and private audit firms.

The tax agency is also deploying the use of technology to block leakages and improve efficiency in collection through introduction of auto-VATCollect platform for VAT collection in all key sectors such as telecommunications, power, hospitality, e-commerce and financial services.  It is also putting in place Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS)—an electronic platform which will ensure that VAT and WHT is collected from all government contracts and transactions at source.

The tax agency plans to strengthen tax administration by appointing new sector heads to drive tax compliance in different sectors. This will ensure specific focus on the relevant sectors, improve accountability and performance management as well as ensure targets are understood and achieved within agreed timelines. State coordinators have been appointed for each state of the federation, with a coordinator covering a maximum of three states. This will further strengthen tax administration across the nation and build on existing collaborative efforts with State Boards of Internal Revenue Service (SBIRS)

Part of the strategies included plans to improve performance management by a strategic use of reward for performance and sanction for non-performance. Leakages within the tax administration will be identified and blocked, while rewards will be paid to whistle blowers as provided under the FIRS Act.

There will be increased use of taxpayer education, publicity and enlightenment to achieve improved compliance. The  strategy is to complement Federal Engagement and Enlightenment Tax Team (FEETT)  which has been set up to carry out continuous engagement and enlightenment of taxpayers nationwide.

(C) LEADERSHIP

She's unstoppable! Check out the Photo of heavily pregnant fitness Fanatic in gym! (PHOTO NEWS)

Pregnancy is the perfect time for many mothers-to-be to take some much-deserved rest. But 29-year-old fitness fanatic Beki Gerrard refused to sit still and continued to sweat it out at the gym.

Saraki Celebrates Dream Team VI, Urges for Honest Reappraisal

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Saturday celebrated with Nigeria's Dream Team VI for winning the bronze medal in the men's football event at the Rio Olympics and called on Sports authorities in the country to embark on honest reappraisal.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, also congratulated Nigeria for the feat achieved by the team.

He extolled the doggedness of the Coach Samson Siasia-led boys and their ability to bounce back from defeat to claim a bronze medal for the country.

Saraki said: "I am excited about this last minute redemption of the nation's pride by the Dream Team VI. The game against Honduras was no doubt a make or mar cracker. But we are happy to have emerged victorious. Thanks to the team and their technical crew.

"You have made the country proud by winning the third place match against all odds and we are proud of you and your superlative outing. All those who prayed and supported the team to the end also deserve special commendation. We were not disappointed," he said.

Saraki noted that the fact that the nation's delegation did not perform as expected in the Rio Olympics Games billed to end on Sunday should not be a reason to engage in a blame game. Rather, he urged sports authorities in the country to immediately put their house in order and ensure that the country's athletes have better preparations for the next Olympics and other major sports meets in the world.

"We must immediately reappraise our participation and ensure that the factors that set us back in the various events are identified and immediately redressed in order to aid our planning and preparation for the next edition of the games," he said.

MEET THE JAPANES WOMAN WHO GIVE THE DREAM TEAM $390,000. Dr. @KatsuyaTakasu

PHOTONEWS Japanese businessman Dr. @KatsuyaTakasu kept his promise to give $390,000 to Nigeria "Dream Team" after winning bronze at the men’s football event of the Rio Olympics.
SEE MORE PIX:

I knelt and begged him, yet he slaughtered my daughter in my presence – Mother of MTN worker murdered by suitor in Ilorin the Kwara State Capital

The inch-long scar on the neck of 53-year-old Mrs. Christiana Ashinwo, is one of the physical reminders of the horror of Sunday, April 24, 2016.

She sat on a chair quietly in the sitting room of a house in Agbado area of Lagos, which she built with the sweat and suffering of many years as a single mother and plank vendor. Her head was bowed when our correspondent went to meet her.

But when Mrs Ashinwo looked up, her eyes were glazed with a faraway look that would easily giveaway the fact that she could have witnessed trauma, great trauma that she obviously had yet to recover from.

Who would blame her? Watching her daughter killed before her presence, is enough to give her chills every moment for the rest of her life. The horrific incident she witnessed and survived few months ago in Kwara State remains so fresh on her mind.

Our correspondent had reported on April 30 how Mrs. Ashinwo and her daughter, 30-year-old Oluwatosin Ashinwo, an employee of MTN in Ilorin, Kwara State were attacked by a knife-wielding obsessed suitor of the young lady, 45-year-old David Ogundele.

Mrs. Ashinwo survived the attack, her daughter didn’t.

The older woman’s injuries were no less extensive, as she spent many days in the emergency unit of a hospital in Ilorin as doctors battled to save her life. She would later spend another two months in the intensive care unit of the hospital.

Our correspondent paid her a visit in Lagos, days after she was discharged and brought back home.

With a very raspy voice and intermittent cough that came out with each word, one would conclude that all was still not well with the woman, who was left for dead in the pool of her own blood in Ilorin that fateful day.

For her, the agony she feels with each morsel of food and gulp of liquid passing through her knife-damaged throat was nothing compared to the daily torment of thinking about how she lost her first child, breadwinner, and daughter.

“I knelt down to beg my daughter’s killer as he held the knife that later took my daughter’s life. I thought kneeling would pacify him,” she said.

The story Mrs. Ashinwo told was one of agony, climaxing at the moment she laid in a pool of her own blood and tried with every ounce of her waning strength to crawl to where her daughter laid lifeless.

“I was dead; I don’t know why God brought me back. But I am sure I was dead that day. I tried to crawl and touch my daughter but my strength failed. I could see she was not breathing. There was blood everywhere; mine and my daughter’s,” she said.

According to her, the day of the attack was the first time he would meet the killer, Ogundele.

Mrs. Ashinwo said, “The first time we spoke, he called me and introduced himself as Engineer David. He told me he was my daughter’s friend and I should help him to appeal to my daughter to marry him.

“I was surprised but I told him that my daughter was a 30-year-old woman. She was free to make her own decision about who to marry.

“He called again some weeks later and said he and my daughter had settled the issue.

“The next time, he called, he was very angry. He said he had never been humiliated the way my daughter humiliated him. It was few days after my daughter’s birthday. He said he organised a birthday party for her and invited his friends and even bought a car as gift but she did not honour the invitation.

“I did not know what to say. My daughter already had a car and already has someone else she wanted to marry. I told him not to be annoyed and forget about the issue since my daughter had made up her mind.

“Prior to April 30, I started having some bad dreams about my daughter and became really concerned. I decided that it was time to go and check on her to know how she was doing.

“On my way to Ilorin, the man (Ogundele) called again and said as soon as I get to Ilorin, he would come and pick me at the park. I said nothing. But since I did not even know him I went straight to my daughter’s place without calling him.

“When I met my daughter, she took me to a woman, who seemed to be her confidante. We ate and the woman told me that my daughter had a fight with one man called Engineer David that day and the man threatened to kill her.

“I did not waste time; I stood up and told her I must report to the police. But my daughter told me to let the matter go. She said I was just making a big issue out of a small matter.

“She said that was why she did not like telling me some things some times. I let the matter go because I did not want to be like an overzealous mother.”

But that was one decision that would haunt Mrs. Ashinwo every second of every day.

The following day, Sunday April 30, without any hint about the danger that lurked in the shadow, she and her daughter had just got home from somewhere that day. As they entered Oluwatosin’s flat, Ogundele, who was said to be have been hiding around the flat, cornered them in the flat.

Mrs. Ashinwo said, “He entered and locked the door behind him and put the key in his pocket. I had just finished bathing when my daughter called out to me that he was in the flat. I quickly dressed and prepared to meet the man that had been disturbing me so much with calls. When I saw him, I said ‘Good day, pleased to meet you’ and he replied that, ‘there is nothing good about today.’

“As soon as I saw him, I sighted the knife he was holding. I asked him what the problem was and he kept quiet. I did not understand what was happening. He was saying so many things I did not understand. I asked him if my daughter owed him anything. I promised to pay back everything. He said she did not owe him anything. He was just angry.

“I told him that even if they offended each other, it should not be that bad that it would require the use of a knife. I told them they could still be friends. When I realised he had no intension of dropping the knife, I went down on my knees. I was begging him to drop the knife. Then, he came to where I knelt and carried me up.

“Just when I thought the issue would end, he rushed at Tosin and held her down on the bed. He started stabbing her furiously. As my daughter screamed, I rushed at him. I could not just stand and he stared stabbing me too over the body.”

By the time the attack was over, Mrs. Ashinwo had been stabbed at least 10 times in her torso, with the knife going through her throat in the

As all became quiet in the room where the dying women lay, Ogundele, dropped his weapon, the bloody knife and locked his victims in the room, Saturday PUNCH learnt.

Minutes went by as Mrs. Ashinwo tried to call out to her daughter who was bleeding from every parts of the body.

She said she was so weak she could not even call out to her daughter who had become lifeless at that point.

Lucky for her, she heard someone in a kitchen behind her daughter’s window. The woman said she used the last ounce of her strength to call the person, who later raised the alarm.

By the time the door was broken down, it was too late for Oluwatosin. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

As Mrs. Ashinwo told this story, there was no doubt it was with tremendous agony as she relived the gory details.

Saturday PUNCH had earlier reported that Ogundele was arrested in Osun on Saturday, May 14, after the police tracked him down with undercover agents.

But Mrs. Ashinwo said the police have not even contacted her to give evidence. She said she could not understand why Ogundele has not been charged to court.

The spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, said he did not have information about the prosecution of the suspect when our correspondent called him.

He said he would call back to give update about the status of the case but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report

Source: The Punch

KWARA STATE NAME STADIUM AFTER LATE FOOTBALL SUPER STAR; RASHIDI YEKINI MEMORIAL STADIUM

The highest recognition this state of Harmony can give to the late gangling Rashidi Yekini, is to be posthumously awarded with the renaming of the Kwara State Stadium Ilorin after the departed SOCCER STAR.

Just today at Ijagbo, Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, did the needful to the family by providing a nurse and house maid for the late soccer legend mother and giving a tricylce to the brother of the football legend. Also the state government under the administration of Gov. AbdulFatai Ahmed, rename the state stadium after the soccer star. Cheers.

Why Policemen Accepted N500,000 Bribe, By CP

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, has revealed why some quick witted policemen, attached to his command, accepted N500, 000 bribe from two desperate suspects. These daring suspects, Cissey Ibrahim, 39, and Taofeek Babatunde, desperate to evade arrest, first offered the policemen N300, 000, but the policemen told them that they needed to discuss further.

The policemen stepped aside, conferred and returned to the suspects minutes later. Before the policemen returned to the suspects, they agreed to use available means to further nail the suspects. The policemen told the suspects to bring additional N200, 000. Immediately the policemen collected the balance, they urged the suspects to follow them to the police station.

When they got to the police station, they were arrested and detained. The suspects were first arrested for allegedly vandalising cables belonging to the Nigeria Telecommunication Commission.

They are however now being held for vandalism of government property and offering bribe to law enforcement officers. Owoseni said the suspects were caught vandalising, cutting, stealing and loading NITEL underground cables into their truck, along Water Works Road, besides the Ikeja High Court.

Owoseni said: “When these suspects were accosted, they offered the policemen N500, 000, bribe. The policemen played along with them. The policemen pretended as if they would collect the money, but cleverly led them to the office of their Divisional Police Station (DPO). The policemen recovered tools used in cutting the underground cables.

They also recovered the suspects’ operational truck, which was already loaded with the cables Owoseni said that there was a third suspect, named Wasiu Salami, still at large. He said policemen were already on the trail of the fleeing suspect. Narrating how he became a guest of the police, Ibrahim said: “I’m a scrap dealer. I buy iron, copper, zinc and all.

Yesterday, some guys came to me and said they had a big market for me; these guys usually bring market for me, but usually in small quantity. When they came, they said they brought a big market, which would fetch me a lot of money.

They told me that they were doing the business with a police patrol team. Even before I accepted, they made me to speak with the policemen on phone. I followed them to the agreed venue at night. I didn’t know they were going to vandalise government cables. The only thing I used to do is to buy and sell. Everyone knows me for that. I don’t steal.” Ibrahim continued his narration: “When we got there, the patrol team was there.

The guys who brought me into the business were also there. They had already started working. I left there and went to a club located at Computer Village to relax. After a while, I returned to join them. Another patrol team came. The two patrol teams discussed at length with each other. They asked me how much I was willing to pay.

I told them to say how much they wanted; so I’ll be able to know if I could afford it. They told me to pay N300,000. I didn’t have up to that amount. I had only N250, 000. I had to go back home, to raise the money. I returned and gave it to them. The guys that introduced me to the business were still around; they were the people that loaded all the cables into the truck.”

He further said: “They said the money I gave them wasn’t enough. They said I should pay additional N200,000. I had to go and meet some of my friends to raise the N200,000, to make the money N500,000.”

Ibrahim said that immediately the policemen collected the money from him, they asked him and the driver of the truck to follow them. “The people who introduced me to the business ran away and abandoned me. I don’t know where they live; I don’t even know the driver whom I was arrested along with. That day, was my first time of setting eyes on the driver.”

Source: Tribune

NIGERIAN PILGRIMS’ COCAINE SCANDAL: BUHARI ANGRY WITH NDLEA

Strong indications emerged last night that President Muhammadu Buhari may have ordered a “thorough” probe into the circumstances that led to the arrest of three Nigerian pilgrims, who were alleged to have trafficked cocaine to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The probe, it was gathered, emerged on a day the Federal Government in a bid to “redeem” its image begun an enhanced screening of pilgrims to the holy land, following the arrest of the pilgrims.

It will be recalled that three pilgrims from Kawara State were recently arrested for drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia and the Presidency has issued a threat to punish some agencies for negligence.

An impeccable source at the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), who confided in this newspaper, stated that the “embarrassment” caused the President as a result of the arrest had contributed in making the president “sad”, hence the probe of the drug agency to unravel the circumstances which led to the arrest of the Nigerians in foreign land.

According to the source, who pleaded not to be mentioned, the president “was hugely embarrassed and as such felt those who allowed the unholy incident leave the shore of the nation’s borders must be made to explain what happened.”

The source, who also hinted that a woman pilgrim was among those were arrested, noted that the president also felt that “travelling standards” were compromised by the NDLEA officials, which negated the Federal Government’s stance on corruption.

To underscore this fact, the source stated that: “The president is very angry because he believed that standards were compromised. In fact, the Federal Government is already considering a total overhaul and restructuring of the NDLEA.

In the past, for instance, the culture had been that any pilgrim travelling is allowed to come in with his relatives and luggage. “But since this occurred, relatives are not allowed again including helping their relatives who are going on the pilgrimage.

This is a sharp contrast and a departure of the past. Here every pilgrim carries his or her luggage and awaits officials to screen them individually.” In another vein, Saturday Telegraph gathered that government has commenced full scale investigation to unravel how the drug was not detected by the Nigerian security operatives at the Hajj camps across the nation.

There were indications that heads are likely to roll over the incident as a high powered investigative team had been set up to determine if there was a compromise or just security laxity at the camps. Spokesman for the NDLEA, Ofoyeju Mitchell, who confirmed this, said the Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.), had ordered investigation into the arrest of the trio in Saudi Arabia, in connection with substances suspected to be cocaine.

Abdallah who expressed disappointment over the unfortunate incident constituted a panel of inquiry headed by the Director of Operations and General Investigation, Mr. Olugbenga Mabo, to immediately investigate the incident.

He stated that the agency would address the situation with every sense of seriousness and urgency, while also stressing that the agency had also deployed more investigators to all the screening camps nationwide.

Although, Mitchell could not speak further on how far the investigation would go, but sources said the problem might lead to the reshuffle of operations heads in most of the states and heightening of screening and searches of all remaining intending pilgrims.

The sources further stated that there is no full proof security anywhere in the world, stressing that even in the United States, there is tendency to miss some details. Most times, security at the camps is relaxed because of the belief that pilgrims are going to perform holy rites. According to the NDLEA boss, “narcotic smuggling is criminal and the involvement of pilgrims is utterly reprehensible.

This is unfortunate and we are working very hard to get to the root of it. The agency is handling this case with every sense of seriousness and urgency because this action has negatively affected the image of Nigeria.

We have also taken measures to intensify the on-going screening of pilgrims who are yet to depart to Saudi Arabia to prevent a reccurrence of the sad incident.”

Meanwhile, the NDLEA boss also called on pilgrims to uphold the principle of probity, patriotism and eschew any act capable of bringing the image of the country to disrepute

SEIZED JEWELLERY CAN BUY A HOUSE —MINISTER

As the Federal Government commences the disposal of assets confiscated from past government officials, Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun has disclosed that the price of just a single piece of seized jewellery is enough to buy a house.

She also disclosed that the Federal Government would reduce import duties on used vehicles that come in from neighbouring countries.

Speaking at a media parley in Abuja on Friday, Adeosun, who declined to give details about the identities of those who forfeited the jewellery, however, said her ministry had now been given the mandate to manage the recovered assets.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) some time ago disclosed that its operatives seized jewellery worth billions from the home of a former minister in Abuja.

She said that so far, she has released over N400 billion for capital projects since May when the 2016 budget became operative and another N60 billion was going to be released by Friday evening.

According to her, the present administration was taking giant steps towards expanding the economy but that there is always a delay between policy formulation stage and the time that its effect would be felt in an economy.

For instance, Adeosun disclosed that work on the international wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport which was suspended due to paucity of funds, N4.5 billion counterpart funding has been paid to the contractors.

Speaking on revenue and expenditure, the minister explained that of the N1.5 trillion projected independent revenue for the Federal Government in 2016, about N200 billion has been collected but gave the assurance that innovative methods are being deployed to meet the target before the end of the year.

This, she said, would include reduction in import tariff on used vehicles (Tokunbo) being imported into neighbouring countries but smuggled into Nigeria.

Government discovered that import duty in one of those countries was just 10 percent while it is 30 percent in Nigeria and this has encouraged smuggling with the attendant loss of revenue.

Presently, Adeosun said a committee was working to review this high tariff as a way of discouraging smuggling and consequently improving revenue.

But, some other taxes, which she described as colonial rates, will be jerked up to reflect present realities.

She lamented that over that over the years, successive governments neglected to invest in massive infrastructure but concentrated on recurrent expenditure such that the monthly wage bill of the Federal Government is currently N165 billion per month, which is sufficient to fix the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Copyright: Tribune.

The multi-billion Naira Calabar Light rail project would soon be inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

As part of efforts to ease movement in the state capital, the multi-billion Naira Calabar Light rail project would soon be inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The 12-car monorail system, when fully operational, would use an Intamin P8 electric powered passenger shuttle train to convey passengers from Tinapa Resort, across Lake Tinapa to Calabar International Conference Centre (CICC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the light rail project has three stations, Tinapa, Tinapa Lakeside Hotel and the Calabar International Conference Centre.

The monorail would also allow access to Studio Tinapa, Tinapa Shopping Centre and Tinapa waterpark as well as provide a quick alternative access to Summit Hills.

Built by Ponet TFZE, the train with a cruising speed of about 40 kilometres per hour, has 12 cars, including 10 passengers and two equipment cars.

Each car is primed for seven to eight passengers all seated, while the train’s length, width and height are approximately 38, 1.95 and 2.2 metres, respectively.

When fully operational, the electricity-powered air-conditioned train with 1.62 metres height approximately in its passenger compartment, would provide a 24-hour service.

Gov. Ben Ayade had recently told journalists in Calabar that Buhari would inaugurate the train to mark his first year in office.

Ayade announced this during a second test ride of the train to ensure that the project was ready for inauguration.

The governor said the launching of the monorail would be a step toward boosting the economy and expand employment opportunities in the state..

He said the state government was determined to extend the facility to Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, as panacea to envisaged congestion of the city centre through rapid investments inflow.

NAN also reports that the parking space at the train’s take-off point at Tinapa can conveniently accommodate 150 cars.

Mr Mba Mba, the station’s Electrical Engineer, said the light rail project was completed in December last year.

“Right now, the Calabar Monorail is ready for use pending inauguration by appropriate authorities.

“We have test-run the system and confirmed its readiness. Gov. Ben Ayade was here with his team to see for themselves what is on ground.

“Tourists troop here on daily basis to take a ride. But were disappointed at they were turned back.

“ We always give the excuse that although services are ready, they can only have their way when it is officially inaugurated.

“School children on excursions, families and other curious residents, who have not seen this kind of train before, have been coming to feed their eyes and seeking to take a ride.’’

Mr Christian Ita, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Ayade, also confirmed that the project was completed.

“It is awaiting inauguration; we are waiting for a date from the presidency for its inauguration.’’ He stressed

(Shocking) Kidnappers Caught After Killing Their victim and Burying Her In The Bush In Anambra (graphic)

Mr Obiora and mr Livinus of Umuanu in Ndia Agu kidnapped a grand mum, killed and buried her in the bush after collecting the sum of Five million naira from her relatives. They were caught by a combined team of policemen, local vigilante and hunters..

See more Photos below:

News Anchor Breaks Down While Reporting On This Haunting Photo Of A 5-Year-Old Bombing Victim

“This is Omran. He’s alive. We wanted you to know.”

In the clip, CNN anchor Kate Bolduan tears up while reporting on a heartbreaking photo from Aleppo, Syria.

The image and footage of a little boy named Omran Daqneesh is going massively viral. It’s a haunting and disturbing representation of the current war in Syria. In the photo, Omran is covered in blood and dust, wearing a Nickelodeon T-shirt and silently waiting for medical attention. The image was captured after his home was destroyed by an airstrike on August 16, 2016.

Omran lived in the Syrian city of Aleppo with his mother, father, brother and sister.

Miraculously, everyone in his immediate family survived the bombing.

In the live footage, Omran is seen wiping his face and looking down at the blood on his hand before a civil defense worker carries him into an ambulance.

The Aleppo Media Center, where Omran was treated, said he was in extreme shock, hence his eery stillness and silence throughout the footage.

After an hour of digging through the rubble, Omran was reportedly one of the first bombing victims pulled from the massive destruction.

Compared to the injuries sustained by many of the other victims, doctors say Omran was one of the lucky ones.

Thankfully, Omran has since been released from the hospital and is recovering, along with his family. His story is drawing cries for peace from people all over the world.

Three ministers told me Buhari would lose in 2015. Read who full story!

A member of the Board of Trustees of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Mr. Olisaemeka Akamukale, on Wednesday said no fewer than three members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet did not believe he would emerge as President in the 2015 election.

Akamukale, a former National Auditor of the APC, however, did not mention their names.

The APC leader, who was the Chairman of the defunct Democratic Peoples Party, one of the parties that merged to form the APC, said this against the backdrop of allegations of neglect by some members and supporters of the APC and Buhari who worked for the President during electioneering.

Akamukale, while interacting with journalists at the national secretariat of the APC, stated that contrary to the claim that Buhari was selecting only technocrats to work with him (the President), most of the politicians who worked for his presidency were professionals.

He said, “I know about two or three ministers who are serving today who told me Buhari would never be President of Nigeria. Today, they are benefiting from Buhari’s government. But it is only them that have their shame because it is only a dog that goes back to its vomit. I have nothing against them.

“These are political jobbers. They tell you, ‘go for technocrats. You are not a technocrat. Who is a technocrat? Who is not a technocrat? I know my profession. Is Fashola not a Senior Advocate of Nigeria? Because he abandoned his Law profession for eight years and become a governor; he is back tomorrow and you tell me he is not a technocrat. I am a technocrat, I know my strength. But most of them are interlopers, because it only takes somebody who is in the party to understand where the party is heading.”

When asked if those who did not share in the ‘change’ vision of the APC but who were now part of the government were misguiding the administration, Akamukale noted that most of those who formed the party were now in government.

 He however added that there were “strangers” in the current administration.

Copyright PUNCH.

(Scholarship and Empowerment) 2017 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships is now open.

The application process for the 2017 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowships is now open.

The Fellowships offer the opportunity to work in the executive offices of either the African Development Bank Group (Abidjan), the Economic Commission for Africa (Addis Ababa) or the International Trade Centre (Geneva).

Prospective fellows who meet the eligibility criteria are invited to apply - full details for each Fellowships can be found via the: http://mif.link/2017-fellowships

Jonathan's Aide, Dudafa, Others Face Trial For Alleged $31.4m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos Mr. Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, Amajuoyi Azubike Briggs, a lawyer, and three others over an alleged fraud of $31.4 milion.

Others charged before the court, presided over by Justice Abdul Aziz Anka, are Demola Bolodeoku and five limited liability companies. The companies are Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Limited, Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited, Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited and Globus Integrated Services Limited.

In a 17-count criminal charge (No. FHC/337C/2016), the EFCC alleged that the accused persons, between November 13, 2013, and May 28 2015, conspired, through various banks, to conceal the total sum of $31.4 million, which they knew formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.

They were allegedly abetted by one Sombre Omeibi, now at large, through account numbers 2110002269, 2110002238,2110002245, 210002252, 2110002207, 2110002269 and 0122493290 domiciled at Skye Bank Plc.

The alleged offenses are in contravention of sections 18(a) and 15(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same act.

But the arraignment of the accused persons could not take place because of the absence of Mr. Dudafa and representatives of the accused companies. When the case was mentioned, the EFCC's prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, sought for an adjournment to enable the anti-graft agency to serve the charges on the other accused persons. Mr. Oyedepo told the court that the agency needs a court order for proper service of the charge on Mr. Dudafa, who he said rejected service in prison custody.

The prosecutor also urged the court to make a pronouncement to enable the EFCC to serve the second accused person, Mr. Briggs, who was the secretary to the companies and served as the referee in the allegedly fraudulent transactions made by the accused companies., according to the prosecutor.

"The first defendant is a private individual and under Section 123 of ACJA. We are to serve him personally. We went to prison on August 12, 2016, to serve him the charge but he declined service. We have charged him in a related case before Justice Idris, though he was granted bail, but an issue cropped up. Consequently, he is still in prison. I also need the order of the court to serve other accused persons in the service of the fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth defendants. The companies were opportune to know who and who are their directors. In the course of the investigation, we came to know that the chambers of the accused lawyer incorporated those companies and in his wisdom, he inserted addresses that are not available," the prosecutor said while seeking an adjournment.

Mr. Oyedepo further told the court that the accused lawyer 's statement dated July 7, 2016 confirmed that his firm registered those companies and that the companies appointed him as their secretary.

But T. J. Onyeieke, Mr. Briggs’ lawyer, urged the court to discountenance the submission of the prosecution on the ground that his client is not a  director in any of the companies mentioned in the charge.

He argued further that if the prosecution wanted to serve the companies’ charge on the lawyer, it should be done through a proper application, not an oral one. He therefore urged the court to refuse the prosecution's application.

However, while granting the prosecution's application for service of the charge on Mr. Dudafa in prison custody, Justice Anka adjourned the ruling on the service of the charge on the companies and the accused lawyer till September 8.

CREDIT: SR

FG okays four oil wells for Lagos, rejects one

The Federal Government says four of the five oil wells discovered in Lagos belong to the state.

It added that the fifth oil well could not have belonged to the state since its location fell outside the approved distance.

The Chairman, Indices and Disbursement Committee, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, on Wednesday explained that the disproved oil well fell beyond 200 metres isobaths and could not have legitimately belonged to Lagos State.


Mohammed spoke at the Lagos Governor’s office, Lagos House, Ikeja, during the visit of a delegation of the committee, adding that the delegation was in the state for the purpose of verifying crude oil and gas production from the recently discovered Aje oil wells.

He said the verification by the committee and its recommendation would facilitate the disbursement of 13 per cent derivation fund to the state in line with the Nigerian Constitution.

According to Mohammed, as part of procedure and in pursuant to its constitutional mandate, the commission set up an inter-agency technical committee which comprised the commission, the Department of Petroleum Resources, Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation and the National Boundary Commission to determine the location of the Aje oil wells.

He said, “The technical committee recommended that for the purpose of derivation as spelt out under Section 162 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as the provision of the Allocation of Revenue Act, 2004, Aje oil wells 1, 2, 4 and 5 fall within the 200m isobaths and therefore should be attributed to Lagos State.

“As a result, the commission and members of the inter-agency committee had to embark on this working visit to conclude the process. Please, note that Aje oil well 3 falls beyond the 200m isobaths and therefore cannot be legitimately attributed to Lagos State.”

He added that the commencement of oil production from Aje oil field by Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited was the first time oil was being produced outside the Niger Delta.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode described the visit as historic. He pointed out that the visit marked the beginning of the official step that would take Lagos to the final destination as an oil-producing state.

Ambode said, “The discovery of oil in Lagos State is significant for Nigeria. It is the first time that oil would be produced outside the Niger Delta.

“It means that a new path to diversification is what we are now witnessing. We will also encourage other states to start activating their mineral deposits to expand the Internally Generated Revenue.”

Copyright PUNCH.