GOODWORK: Long live "Akinaka Richard" as he shows off a great kindness to kids on the streets struggling to earn money for Xmas wears.

This is a great slap to all the polictians in Nigeria that claims to be leaders and what so ever they call themselves. This young, caring and kind hearted man who was sent by God to save his people has shown to them what it means and the purpose of being a wealthy man, rather than being selfish stealing all the money in Nigeria to a foreign country and allowing their own Nation to die in Poverty.
"Akinaka Richard" We say may God Almighty Add excess lives to the one you have now so that your good work would continue.

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Masquerade killed by speeding car driver in Akwa Ibom (Photos)

A masquerade was reportedly knocked down by a hit and run driver on the Nwaniba Road by Use Offot, Uyo, in Akwa Ibom State.

According to online reports, the driver who was on high speed, tried to avoid another vehicle on the road, when he knocked down the masquerade to death.

The identity of the masquerade is yet to be revealed.

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MUSIC) SMART KID – CYNTHIA (PROD. MULLASOUNDS) | @ETZSMARTKID

Sensational, versatile singer “Smartkid” decided To Start Up the New Year with another Unique Style of Dancehall. After working Hard in the past year he was Able to Produced Hits song’s like Deborah, Dumebi, Bola, Question And Ibakalamisi…. And So now He decided to Drop the CYNTHIA to start up the year with it…..   Production credits goes to Mullasounds..

Enjoy

                  DOWNLOAD NOW

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Gunmen snatch seven weeks old baby

Three armed men on Wednesday snatched a seven weeks old baby at Okungbowa Street, Uselu quarters in Egor local government area.

The men were said to have stormed the residence and asked everybody to lie down at gun point before snatching the baby.

Mother of the baby, Ruth Okungbowa, said the incident happened at about 8pm.

Ruth said she was surprised when the gunmen left and she was told it was her baby that they took.

According to her, “I was just finishing eating and my sister was carrying the baby. Suddenly three men entered the house with gun. Two were with us inside, while the one was with my sister.

“After they left, I heard my sister crying that they have taken the baby away. They escaped with a car and my brother used bicycle to purse them.”

Her father, Mr. Albert Okungbowa, said he asked his daughter to bring the sick baby because two previous babies his daughter had died.

He said he was surprised that the father of the baby did not show much concern when they informed him about the incident.

When contacted, father of the baby, Osayomore Igbineweka, said news about his stolen baby was still strange to him.

He said he was yet to believe the story as his wife was supposed to have returned home.

“I have told my wife to come back him but she did not. The story is still strange to me. I beg God to make them bring my baby back.”

When contacted for comments, Edo Police Public Relations officer, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said he would have to get clearance from his boss to discuss the incident on the phone.

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Truck hits Air Peace aircraft at Lagos Airport

Truck operated by one of the ground handling companies yesterday hit and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, disrupting some of its flights.

The incident occurred in the morning during the loading of passengers’ luggage into the cargo hold of the aircraft scheduled to service the carrier’s Lagos-Uyo route.

A statement issued by the Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah, said the door of the rear cargo hold of the aircraft was impacted and damaged in the incident.

The aircraft, it added, had been declared unserviceable.

The airline’s Uyo-bound passengers were rescheduled to fly later in the day.

The airline said it deeply regretted the disruption of the Lagos-Uyo service and the delay the incident caused its passengers.

It assured that arrangements had been made to take the affected passengers to their destinations.

A truck belonging to another ground handling company also hit and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Benin Airport in April, this year.

Air Peace confirmed that officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) were already investigating the incident at the Lagos airport yesterday.

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Kaduna Police Command arrest 2 suspected kidnappers

The Kaduna State Police Command, on Thursday said that it had arrested two  suspected kidnappers operating on major highways in the state.

The Command’s Public Relation officer, ASP Muktar Aliyu, who made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the suspects were arrest on Dec. 17.

Aliyu said the operatives of the  Intelligence Respon Team (IRT) attached to Operation Absolute Sanity Along Abuja-Kaduna Express way arrested the suspects.

“The two suspected kidnappers  were operating along Jere/Katari axis of the Abuja-Kaduna express way and Jere-Kagarko Road all in Kaduna State.

He said the two suspects, Adamu Lawan, 30, and Aminu Lawan, 25, were on the police’s wanted list.

Aliyu said items recovered included two  AK47 rifles and 135 rounds of live ammunition.

“The kidnappers were arrested with bullet wounds after gun battle with IRT operatives.

The PPRO said the suspects had confessed to being part of  several kidnappings along the two major highways.

He said serious efforts to arrest more gang members were in progress. (NAN)

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Catholic Priest Released in Calabar After Paying Huge Ransom

Some kidnappers who abducted a Catholic Priest have released him in Calabar after collecting ransom.

Kidnappers have released an abducted Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Cyril Essien, after a N350,000 ransom was dropped at a designation point on Edgerton Street in Calabar, Cross River State, a report by Punch has revealed.

It was gathered that Essien was abducted on Friday from a Catholic Church in Awi, in the Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state, by some gunmen. He was said to have been released on Sunday after the ransom was paid.

Speaking over the incident, an eyewitness, Okon Ayi on Monday said that Essien was kidnapped shortly after the church’s evening programme by five gunmen who stormed the premises and shot continuously.

“It was the sound of gunshots that drew my attention. I looked around and saw armed men. They took the priest away in a waiting vehicle,” he said.

A police source confirmed on Monday that the priest was released after the ransom was paid.

 

“He was released on Sunday after the kidnappers got the ransom. They dropped N350,000 in a particular spot on Edgerton Street in Calabar,” he said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the kidnap, said the priest had been released.

Ugbo said, “The priest was kidnapped in front of the church on Friday and was taken away by five armed. We immediately swung into action when information got to us.

 

“We dispatched our men who rescued the victim.”

The PPRO said he was not aware that any ransom was paid to secure the priest’s release.

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89 per cent of Nigerians unhappy with Okorocha

•Gov. urges Air Force to create Happiness dept

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has said that 89 per cent of Nigerians are unhappy “in the real sense of the word happiness”.

According to him, only 4 per cent could really be happy to some extent, while 7 per cent might claim to be happy. He added that the vital aspect of human existence, which is happiness, must be addressed.

Governor Okorocha, who recently created the Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment, spoke at the weekend when Airmen, led by the Air Officer Commanding Ground Training Command, AVM Sampson Akpasa, visited him at the Government House in Owerri.

He noted that agitations, insurgence, hate-speeches and the likes, come up when people are unhappy.

His words: “I thank you for your efforts in bringing Regiment 211 to Imo State. In appreciation, we have donated a 200-bed hospital to the force. This morning I spoke to the Chief of Air Force, about our intention to also donate the school to train electricians and artisans; you are doing a wonderful job.

“But if you can observe recently, the level of crisis and agitations are on the increase. While we fight insurgence, I would want to advise that we also should go deep down to find the root cause of this agitation.

“Agitation comes up when people are not happy, and the whole essence of life is to be happy. For this reason, I will advice that the Air Force too, just like I did recently, which most people didn’t understand, should create a department for Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment. This will help to address the need of even junior officers, who may have some forms of dissatisfaction in the discharge of their duties. Sometimes, you may think they are happy when they are not, and this sabotages the efforts of the Federal Government.

“Mentorship is another aspect which can help people achieve their purpose in life. If people are happy, there will be less agitation. The amount of money we spend on aircrafts and in the purchase of arms would have reduced by 50 per cent. This could also end issues of restructuring, Niger Delta and all other forms of agitations…”

AVM Sampson hailed Okorocha for the tremendous transformation his administration has recorded in the state. He said they had come on a familiarisation tour of the constituent security outfits established on July 3, 2017, adding that Enugu was carved out of other commands due to clumsy administration, and that their new training ground has helped handle insurgency in the Northeast.

He asked for collaboration and synergy as key in all security challenges, and craved for more cooperation in Imo and other Southeast states, saying the command needs every form of support to blossom into maturity and global excellence.

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Why Nigerian victims of slavery cannot sue Libya, by Falana

•Fed Govt urged to accept African Court’s jurisdiction 

Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) yesterday explained why it will be impossible for aggrieved Nigerians, who are victims of slavery to sue the Libyan government.

He explained that the Federal Government is yet to deposit its declaration accepting the jurisdiction of African Court on Human and Peoples Rights at the court’s registry in Arusa, Tanzania.

Falana gave the Federal Government till December 31 to deposit its declaration accepting the court’s jurisdiction.

He said: “If this request is not granted before December 31, 2017, I will not hesitate to approach the Federal High Court for an order of mandamus to compel the Federal Government to deposit the declaration at the registry of the African Court with a view to empowering Nigerian citizens to secure the enforcement of their human rights in the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights”.

The senior lawyer said this yesterday in a statement in Lagos titled: “Why Nigerian victims of slavery cannot sue Libya”.

Falana said unless government deposits its declaration with the registry of the African Court, it will be impossible for aggrieved Nigerians who are victims of slavery to sue the Libyan government.

The activist, however, advised government to demand for payment of monetary damages by the Libyan government to the victims in view of the facts and circumstances of the illegal human trafficking in Libya.

Noting that Libya has not formally accepted the jurisdictional competence of the African Court, Falana contended that the victims of the illegal slave trade could have submitted a petition to the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights and thereafter apply that the communication be referred to the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights for judicial determination.

The senior lawyer, who admitted that there was nothing to prove that Libyan government has been involved in the illicit trade, contended that the government was liable on account of its failure to curb the trade in slaved, which he described as crime against humanity.

In addition to the demand for payment of compensation to the victims of the illegal slave trade in Libya, Falana advised the Federal Government to take urgent steps to facilitate access to the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights by aggrieved Nigerian citizens and non-governmental organisations by depositing the declaration accepting the jurisdiction of the court.

He said this is in pursuant to Article 1 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, which imposed a duty on the Government of Nigeria to recognise the rights, duties and freedoms enshrined in the Charter and undertake to adopt legislative or other measures to give effect to them.

Falana noted that over the past 20 years, his law office has been inundated with complaints from Nigerians who were brutalised in some African countries. Falana explained that some of the complaints pertain to the barbaric killing of 18 Nigerians during an armed invasion of the Nigerian Embassy in Guinea Bissau on October 8, 2013.

According to him, it is common knowledge that Nigerians living in South Africa have been subjected to xenophobic attacks, which have led to loss of lives and destruction of properties on several occasions while other Nigerian have been brutalised or killed gruesomely in some other African countries.

He noted that of recent, there have been reports of young men and women who were killed in North Africa while crossing the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea on their way to European countries for greener pastures.

Falana said in the process of such trips, many of the travellers have been captured and sold into slavery in Libya.

He noted that Federal Government has ordered the evacuation of thousands of Nigerian youths held in notorious slave camps in Libya.

He added that Nigeria has itself to blame for the tragedy in Libya for blindly supporting “the illegal resolution of the United Nations Security Council which authorised the invasion of Libya to effect a regime change”.

“Today, not less than five armed gangs are laying claim to the leadership of the country. It has been confirmed that the arms and ammunition looted from the armory in Libya were sold to the dreaded Boko Haram sect. It is also true that the shameful slave trade which Nigeria is battling with is part of the fallout from the removal and brutal killing of President Muammar Gaddafi by armed gangs supported by the allied forces of imperialism led by the United States under President Barrack Obama,” he said.

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Lawmaker caught by camera displaying the act of cultism by handshake in public - photo

The Delta state house of Assembly member , ,Evans in public displays his colour, or the cult group he and his colleague belongs to...This acts explains why they are much cultism in Delta state because the leaders are their Godfathers.

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Man jailed two years for drug trafficking

A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Thursday  sentenced a 30- year-old man, Abubakar Nasir, to  two years imprisonment for drug trafficking.

The unemployed convict who was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) on a count charge of dealing in narcotics, had pleaded guilty.

He begged the court to temper justice with mercy and give him another chance and promised to be a better person in life, if given the opportunity.

In her judgment, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, found the defendant guilty as charged and accordingly convicted him.

She, consequently, sentenced him to two years imprisonment, beginning from the date of his arrest.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Jeremiah Aernan, had told the court that the convict committed the offence on Sept. 20.

Aernan said that the man was arrested at the Yadoya Market in Mile 12 Lagos.

He said that about 300 grammes of cannabis sativa known as Indian hemp was recovered from the convict and he was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act Cap. 30 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

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Police officers permitted to marry officers, says police

There is no law against a Police officer marrying another police personnel on officer cadre.

The Police Headquarters made this clarification o Sunday following a report credited to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris that he was free to have romantic affair with any policewoman.

There are three cadre in the Force; Rank and File cadre for Constable to Sergeant, Inspectorate cadre for Inspectors and Officers cadre.

Police personnel from the rank of an Assistant Superintendent of Police up to Inspector-General of Police fall under Officer’s cadre.

The Force Spokesman CSP Jimoh Moshood in a statement in Abuja on Sunday described the report credited to the IG as untrue and misleading.

Moshood said: “”What the IGP said in the document submitted to the Senate Ad-hoc committee investigating the spurious allegation against the IGP is that no law stops a Police Officer in Service to marry another Police Officer on an Officer cadre.

“He never said I’m free to have romantic affairs with Police women”.

When The Nation sought to know the section of the Law or Act where the permission is stated, a source in the Force said personnel of the Force are guided by Force Order.

The Source who pleaded anonymity said: “What we have in the Police is a Force Order and it prevents officers from marrying from the junior cadre but officers can marry themselves.”

“The order is just to enforce discipline because if any personnel is allowed to marry from any cadre, discipline might be compromised.”

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Banky W fixes date for his wedding with Adesua

R and B sensation, Bankole Wellington fondly called Banky W, is to have his traditional wedding to his actress bride-to be, Adesua Etomi next Sunday in Lagos.

He just had a successful skin cancer surgery

The event, we gathered, is strictly by invitation, as guests will be given access cards for entrance into the private event.

Banky W and the gorgeous Nollywood actress had their marriage introduction in Lagos last May.

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Police arrest six armed robbery suspects in Enugu

The Police in Enugu State have arrested six armed robbery suspects in Alulu Nike on the outskirts of Enugu metropolis.

The spokesman of the state’s police command, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, alleged in a statement on Saturday that the suspects carried out the crime on Oct. 25 at a house located at Alulu Nike at about 1 a.m.

Amaraizu said that those arrested included two suspected robbers, three suspected receivers, and a Keke NAPEP operator.

“Following intelligence information, the police operatives of the New Haven Division arrested two suspects who gave their names as Chika Ezenwa alias Chiboy and Emmanuel Sunday alias Daddy B.

“The two were arrested alongside other gang members who allegedly went to a victim’s house at Alulu Nike.

“They broke into the house and robbed the occupants of the building of their various valuables at gun points.

“It was further gathered that the hoodlums noticing that police operatives are aware of their misdeed; quickly escaped.

“They were pursued and in the course of their escape, they were promptly closed up that early morning at about 2 a.m. by police operatives.

“However, some members of the gang narrowly escaped while Ezenwa and Sunday were apprehended,’’ he said.

Amaraizu said that following their arrest, the case was transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) where in a follow up investigations, one Abraham James alias Latty was also arrested on Oct. 29.

“Also, one Onyebuchi Onwe of Obinagu Amuri in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, a notorious receiver of armed robbery exhibits, was arrested by the operatives on Nov. 2.

“On Nov. 6, arrested in connection with the incident is one Agu Ebuka for allegedly receiving robbed and stolen properties together with one Yakubu Huseli.

“Huseli was arrested for his role of always conveying suspects and exhibits with a tricycle popularly known as Keke NAPEP,’’ he said.

The spokesman said that items recovered from the suspects included three 32-inch Plasma televisions; three vehicles, an Apple laptop; two small laptops; and one ipad.

Amaraizu said that the suspects had been helping the police operatives in their investigations while man-hunt had been intensified against other fleeing members of the gang.

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Attack on APC govt: Presidency hits back at Jonathan

The Presidency responded to the dismissal of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as a failure by former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying that the former president has no moral ground to criticise Buhari.

Receiving a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship aspirant in the forthcoming national convention of the party, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Jonathan had said the All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by Buhari had not recorded any achievement after two years, adding that the ruling party was feeding Nigerians with lies and propaganda.

“Those who are giving us some kind of names, what have they done?” Jonathan queried, saying that the Buhari government had taken propaganda and lies to professional level.

The former President recalled that his administration was “severely criticised for increasing the pump price of petroleum from N67 to N97 at a time that global crude price was going for over 100 dollars.

“The pump price was later reduced to N87 when the price of crude oil dropped and they attacked us that it was supposed to be lower.

“Those who criticised my administration are not talking again now that the global crude oil is about 53 dollars per barrel and the pump price of petrol is N143.”

But the Presidency yesterday explained to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan why the generality of Nigerians accepted the increase of petrol price from N89 per litre to the current N143 in good faith.

The Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said it was all down to the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“When petrol went to N145 under PMB, Nigerians held their peace, unlike when they shut the country in 2012. The difference is trust. Simple,” Adesina tweeted yesterday in response to Jonathan’s statement on Thursday.

An APC chieftain, Mr.Osita Okechukwu, also advised Jonathan to quietly retire to any part of the country he chooses and stop challenging the APC and the Buhari government to a public debate.

Okechukwu, who is the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), told The Nation on the phone that the Jonathan Administration failed the nation, leaving major infrastructure to decay while public funds were freely looted.

He challenged the former President to point to any project he was able to complete during his six years in office as President.

Okechukwu said: “The President was very clear that the man (Jonathan) left almost an empty treasury, which is why we have a huge infrastructure deficit.

“The world knows that almost all the infrastructure that Jonathan inherited went bad. We are challenging him to show us one project he completed.

“Is it the Green Field refineries? He told us on May 13, 2010 that he was going to build three green field refineries at $23 billion.

“The contract was awarded to the Chinese under Public Private Partnership. One was to be located in Bayelsa, one in Lagos and the other in Kogi State.

“We challenge him to show us the three green field refineries or tell us where the money he voted for the projects is. I am talking about a time when our Excess Crude Account was in the excess of short $17 billion.

“The Chinese came back and told him they were going to contribute about 80 per cent of the three green field refineries. We have not seen any of them.

“If we had seen the three green field refineries which he publicly announced, the billions we lost in importation of refined petroleum products and the gross unemployment engendered by the looting of that fund would have been avoided, and that is what we are talking about.

“Before and during his regime, there was money voted for the cleaning of Ogoni environment that was degraded by oil spill.

“It is the Buhari regime that started that project now. Did he do anything there? Did he complete the East/West Road? That is a road that covers the nerve centre of the Niger Delta where he comes from.

“If there is any project that he promised to implement and he did, he should tell us.

“Don’t forget that the average price then was about $100 per barrel. I don’t see how he can be calling for a public debate, because I am talking of just one region.

“Even the development he did in the Nigerian airports, is it commensurate with the amount of money voted or the amount of money borrowed? He said he did this or that. Is it commensurate with the amount of money voted?

“If I were in his shoes, I would retire to the village or any city of my choice and keep my cool, because if he talks of a debate, we will bring out what happened during his time.

“The fact that his wife was coming to claim $15 million, saying it was out of her hand work as First Lady and permanent secretary in Bayelsa State. Is it that other Nigerians are not working hard to be worth $15 million? So, let us not go into his matter.

“We are not talking of Diezani who was Minister of Petroleum under his government, who failed to do anything to develop the Niger Delta and rather resorted to illegal accumulation of wealth.

“I have great respect for him as a former President and being gracious enough to accept his defeat. But if he wants to open the vault, then we can go back and open the Pandora box for him. So, let us leave it at that.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State expressed disappointment at the statement made by Jonathan.

Spokesman for the party, Abayomi Adesanya, believes Jonathan has not recovered from the shock of his defeat in the 2015 election.

“For the avoidance of doubt and for clarification that is known to the public though, Jonathan plunged Nigeria into this present quagmire of unprecedented corruption and economic crisis,” Adesanya said.

“If I were Jonathan, I would keep quiet and beg for forgiveness from Nigerians and God, rather than making uncomplimentary comments about the present government.”

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Buhari Offers to Host D8 Ministers in Abuja Next Month

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Istanbul, Turkey pledged Nigeria’s preparedness to host the meeting of D8 Ministers of Industry between November 14 and 17, this year in Abuja.

The President’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to international trade and development and urged D-8 leaders to prioritise incentives and measures aimed at increasing trade and investments among member countries.

‘‘As the D-8, we need to intensify our activities with a view to enhancing various measures and incentives introduced to promote trade and assist the business communities from Member States to invest in our countries and widen our cooperation.Shehu said Buhari who made the appeal at the ninth summit of the D-8, observed that the private sector and business communities in the economic organisation must be assisted with incentives to widen economic cooperation among member-states.

‘‘We need to work hard to establish integrated manufacturing structures and markets. I will like to reiterate the importance of increasing trade and investment among our Member States,’’ Buhari was quoted as saying.

Highlighting the attractive business and investment opportunities in the country, the statement added that the President stressed the need for prospective investors to take advantage of the federal government’s new policies on trade facilitation.

‘‘Nigeria is committed to, and is actively pursuing a policy of trade and investment facilitation for growth.  The gains from trade are reflected in greater competitiveness, improved productivity, job creation, consumer welfare and prosperity.

‘‘Economies that grow fastest and at more sustainable rates are those that actively promote trade and attract investment. We are committed to creating an enabling environment and making Nigeria an attractive place for business and investment,’’ the President said.

Shehu said the President also urged D-8 member countries to support the efforts of the African Union (AU) to establish the first ever single market for trade in goods and services on the continent and described the AU-backed Continental Free Trade Area for Africa as a ‘’win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.’’

Buhari added: “I am pleased to inform you of positive market developments currently in Africa, that will support our efforts as members of the D-8 to enlarge our markets, facilitate our trade and investments, and develop our economies.

‘‘In Africa, we are on the threshold of finalising negotiations to establish the first ever Single Market for Trade in Goods and Services on our Continent, in the Continental Free Trade Area for Africa.  This will be a win-win for all, including member countries of the D-8.

‘‘As partners, I urge that we work together to support this effort of the African Union that will have a positive effect on global economic development and integration.’’

Earlier, Buhari had congratulated the outgoing Chairman of D8, Pakistani government, and Dr. Seyed Ali Mohammad Mousavi, the outgoing Secretary-General, on their commitment and strong resolve to forge the organization ahead even in the face of serious challenges.

He also congratulated Turkey on assuming the new leadership of the economic organization.

He assured D-8 leaders that Nigeria would continue to support the secretariat in its assignments to achieve the visions and objectives of the organization.

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Wike: FG Weakening Nigeria’s Justice System with Systematic Intimidation

• Fight against corruption in the judiciary dubious, discredited  
• Judges lack courage to defend our collective rights to an impartial judicial system

By Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has accused the federal government of weakening the justice system in the country by clamping down on judges “to lay the grounds for the wholesale politicisation of the justice sector in the country.”  

The governor said the “systematic intimidation of the judiciary by the federal government” had nothing to do with “its dubious and much discredited fight against corruption in the judiciary”. 

According to Wike: “The danger in the incremental politicisation of the judiciary has started manifesting in the poor quality of justice from the election tribunals where judges are appointed and directed to execute pre-determined results, and also in the quality of the Court of Appeal, where seniority, proven competence and integrity are blatantly passed over for partisan affiliations in the appointment or elevation of judges to that court.Speaking during the Special Court Session to mark the opening of the 2017/2018 Legal Year, Wike said the federal government was guilty of impunity, and threat to rule of law and impartial delivery of Justice. 

 “When all is said and done, let us not forget that Nigeria is still a nation of laws and not of strong men. While the federal government is guilty of impunity, the greatest threats to the rule of law and the independence of our judiciary are the judges who lack the courage to defend our collective rights to an impartial judicial system or compromise their oaths in order to remain in office.” 

The governor noted that the present federal government operates in denial of the fact that the judiciary is a separate arm of government, which must be unreservedly respected, protected and preserved for the sustainable development of the country. 

He alleged that since 2015, the nation had not seen any single initiative from the federal government to either reform or correct real or perceived inefficiencies in the nation’s judicial system. 

He said: “We continue to witness an insidious erosion of the Rule of Law and the independence of the judiciary through a combination of vile threats, unwarranted interferences and opportunistic pressures on judges in a manner and scale never seen before in the political history of this country. 

“Indeed, judges appear to have been intimidated to the point where some now find it very uncomfortable even to attend official State functions with governors for fear of being blacklisted thereafter and eventually punished,” he stated. 

On the achievements of his administration in the Justice sector, the governor said his administration had built new courts and renovated existing courts. 

Wike said: “Just two months ago, we flagged off the residential housing scheme for judicial officers, including those serving at the Federal level so that our judges can have the peace of mind to do their work in their own comfortable homes for life. 

“Today, I am happy to announce that we have equally designed a similar housing scheme for magistrates, which construction we shall flag off in a couple of weeks”. 

In her address, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyaye-Laminkara, stated that the Rivers State Judiciary would continue  to uphold justice in the state.

 She lauded the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for his regular release of funds for the administration of Justice.  

Also speaking, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) urged the Police and other security agencies to  respect the tenets of the law. 

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, Victor Frank Briggs and the Spokesman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chief Onueze Okocha ( SAN). 

 Wike later inaugurated the New Ultra-Modern Block E Building and Newly Renovated Electronic Library at the State High Court Complex. 

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Special Courts to Try Over 6,000 Bayelsa Suspected Payroll Fraudsters

At least 6,280 suspected payroll fraudsters and employment racketeers in the civil service in Bayelsa are to face special courts currently being set up by the Bayelsa State Government, WE has learnt.

 In addition, the government’s prosecution team is said to be targeting those working with computer-generated certificates, beneficiaries of ‘indefensible’ astronomical promotions in violation of civil service rules and those receiving salaries from multiple agencies in the proposed action plan.

Already, Governor Seriake Dickson, told members of the Committee on Public Service Reforms that he had alerted the Commissioner of Police and had constituted a committee on prosecution on the ‘massive’ fraud in the state.

 Dickson said that those indicted would be given the opportunity to appear before the  nine-man judicial commission led by Hon. Justice Doris  Adokeme.

 “We have contacted the Commissioner of Police on the need for prosecution. I can assure you that no innocent person would be affected. That is why the Judicial Commission of Inquiry is there. Anybody who has a case, anybody who feels he is not fairly treated has the chance to go there.

 “The prosecution team is waiting and the courts are waiting to commence action soon,” Dickson said.

 It was gathered that the commission has discovered 3, 243 unauthorised employees in the Rural Development Authorities and 3,037 in the eight constitutionally recognised Local Government Areas of the state, making 6,280 so far.

 Dickson was said to be alarmed that many ghost workers were still in the civil service system, despite the fact that he had been able to cut down the wage bill from about N6 billion when he came in five years ago, to roughly N3.6 billion currently. 

Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said that full action on the committee’s report would commence soon, adding that the prosecution of those who committed crimes against the state, was expected. 

“I think that should be expected. If you go out of your way to commit acts against the law, you will face prosecution. 

“We are talking about a fraud perpetrated over the years that has made the state to lose billions of naira. So if the governor, who demonstrated the courage to take on this evil, is making moves to prosecute them, then it should not be a surprise,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the governor yesterday inaugurated a whistle-blower  programme  code-named “Operation Flush out Payroll Fraud.” 

Dickson said the policy was designed to give the citizens the opportunity to communicate directly with  him on security, fraud and related issues in the state.

While giving out the four dedicated lines and social media handles tagged ‘Contriman Direct’, Dickson said it was designed to give the citizens the opportunity to communicate directly with him, adding that all information from concerned citizens would be treated with confidentiality.

He described  payroll fraud as a crime against humanity and the Ijaw nation, stressing that citizens had a responsibility to act against those who receive salaries without working or those receiving multiple salaries.

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Fresh Yellow, Lassa Fever in Plateau

Plateau State government on Friday reported two cases of hemorrhagic fever also called yellow fever in the state. Commissioner of Health in the state Dr. Kuden Kamshak Deyin disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Jos yesterday. He said on the 3rd of October 2017, there were two suspected cases of Hemorrhagic fever at Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BhUTH) Jos. “Of these two cases, one proved positive to both Yellow fever and Lassa fever after laboratory tests, while the other tested positive to only Yellow fever; the children are from the same family in Tudun Wada ward of Jos North local government area. They’ve both been treated and discharged from the hospital. Yellow fever is caused by Flavi virus, and it is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito called Aedes agypti.

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Kogi CJ Frees 19 Awaiting Trial Inmates from Prisons

No fewer than 19 inmates awaiting trial at Koton-Karfi and Okene Medium federal prisons have been released by the Chief Judge of the state,  Justice Nasidi Ajanah. 

The exercise was part of the effort of his office to decongest all the prisons in the state  

Ajanah gave the order of unconditional release to the inmates awaiting trial  after  reviewing their cases.  

Of the number,  six  were released from Okene facility while the rest were from the Koton-Karfi prisons.  

At Koton-Karfi,  it was discovered that there were 228 inmates consisting of 173 awaiting trial, 51 convicts  and four life sentences out of which 13 were set free.  

Those granted unconditional release were Mohammed Hassan, Yahaya Musa, Yusuf Sanni, Ibrahim Haliru, Mohammed Sani, Abdul Mudi, Nuhu Usman, Alhaji Shanga, Nura Suleiman, Gabriel Atoge and Hawal Tijani.  

Bala Ibrahim was granted bail for N10,000 with a surety resident in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. 

 Ajanah said the number of awaiting trial far exceeded the number those convicted.  

He commended both the personnel of the Nigeria Prisons and the magistrate in the Koton Karfe/Lokoja jurisdiction for a job well done  

The chief judge said 160 awaiting trials not released or granted  bail were facing serious offences and due to the security situation.  

The chief judge directed the magistrate court to dispense accelerated judgement to Nicholas Ojochegbe, who is a final year student of the Kogi state University, Ayingba department of mathematics. 

In Okene Medium Prison, six inmates awaiting trial were released. The facility has 126 inmates and out that  41 were convicted the court,  while 82 are awaiting trial.  

He noted that he was not happy with the Police prosecutors and the Ministry of Justice the way they handled cases.  

He charged them to be proactive and not to be delaying cases. 

The Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah is expected to visit Idah,  Ankpa and Kabba Prisons for the continuation of Prisons tour in the state. 

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