Robbers kill security guard

A trained information technology technician, Ahmed Lawal, who also works as a security man, has been shot by six hoodlums at Banji Lawal Street in the Bariga area of Lagos State.

The 30-year-old native of Imosan, Ogun State, said to be a member of the Oodua People’s Congress, was employed as a security guard by the residents of Banji Lawal.

An eyewitness, Segun Olawaiye, who also work as a security man on the street with the deceased, toldPUNCH Metro that they had closed for the day on Wednesday when they were accosted by six armed men.

Olawaiye said, ‘’We were just leaving work about 5.30am for our respective homes when we saw six boys marching towards our direction. When they noticed we were the security men, one of them brought out a gun and fired at us; I was lucky to escape, but Lawal, unfortunately, was hit.”

Some other people on the road at the time of the incident were said to have fled for safety. After firing more shots, the gunmen were said to have eventually left.

Olawaiye said, “When I called for help, our supervisors came and took Ahmed to the General Hospital, Gbagada. Ahmed was bleeding profusely from his head and other parts of his body where he had sustained gunshot injuries.

“Unfortunately, Ahmed was not at the hospital because they were on strike.  We equally tried the General Hospital Somolu without success. It was while we were on our way to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital that Ahmed died. His corpse was also rejected at LUTH because he was brought in dead.’’

PUNCH Metro gathered that Ahmed’s remains had been taken to his home town for burial.

There was no response from the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ngozi Braide as she did not respond to telephone calls and text messages.

NSCDC nabs woman for selling twins

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State Command says it has arrested a woman, Ms. Regina Udo, for selling her twins.

Udo, an indigene of Mkpok in Onna Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, was said to have sold the baby boys to one Favour Chukwu, who worked for Precious Survivor Maternity Home in Oboma, Oyingbo Local Government Area, Rivers State.

It was learnt that the driver of the clinic, Mr. Chikerom Ezelu and a lady who claimed to be a housemaid, Miss Queen Ubanu, and 13 others involved in child trafficking were also nabbed.

The state Commandant, Mr. Pedro Ideba, told PUNCH Metro on Thursday that intelligence officer of the NSCDC arrested Udo after she had sold the first boy for N480, 000.

He said Chukwu could not buy the second child because he had wanted to pay N400, 000.

He said, “We told Udo to agree for N400, 000 and when Favour Chukwu arrived to buy the second boy, we arrested her. She led our men to a clinic, Precious Survivor Maternity Home.

“We found out that the owner of the clinic also recruits young girls, whom they used as baby factory. People go there to buy children.

“So far, we have arrested 16 persons and have handed them over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other related matters for prosecution.

“All these arrests were made with the cooperation of other security agencies.”

Police arraign three for kidnapping, raping UNILAG student

Tinubu Magistrate Court

Three men, Bashorun Babajide,  Aje Olumayowa, and Babajide Ajayi, have been arraigned before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, for allegedly kidnapping and raping an undergraduate of the University of Lagos.

In the eight counts which the police preferred against the defendants, it was alleged that after raping the girl, the men also took snapshots of their victim and posted them on the Internet.

It was alleged that within a few days of the upload, the nude photographs went viral on social media, exposing Titiloye to ridicule and shame.

It was reported in June, 2013 how the 22-year-old girl was abducted and raped at Ajose Street, on the Lagos Island.

The crime was said to have been uncovered and reported to the police after the attention of the family members of the victim was called to the pictures circulating online.

The police told the court on Thursday that Babajide, Mayowa and Ajayi also assaulted and attempted to murder their victim.

The police said the incident occurred in April, 2013.

The three accused persons were arraigned for kidnap, rape, assault, battery, unlawful detention and attempted murder.

The charge read in part, “That you, Bashorun Babajide, m, Aje Olumayowa, m and Babajide Ajayi, m,   on the 28th day of April 2013, at about 1930hrs at No 1, Ajose Street, Lagos Island in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire to wit kidnap and rape.

“That you, Bashorun Babajide, m , Aje Olumayowa, m, and Babajide Ajayi, m, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did detain one Tolulope Titilayo,f, 22 years without her consent for the purpose of unlawful sexual intercourse.

“That you, Bashorun Babajide, m , Aje Olumayowa, m and Babajide Ajayi, m, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did unlawfully take the nude photograph of one Tolulope Titiloye,f, 22yrs, without her consent and posted same on the internet.”

The prosecutor said the offences were contrary to and punishable under Sections 409, 269, 144(1), 258, 135(2), 150(1)(2), 228, 56(a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The defendants said they were not guilty of the charges.

It was reported that the complainant was not in court because she had not recovered from her ordeals in the hands of the culprits.

The magistrate, Mrs. S.K Matepo, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties each in like sum.

The matter was adjourned till October 2.

Lagos shuts buildings for discharging waste into canals

LASEPA official on duty

The Lagos State Government on Thursday sealed off 13 buildings on Nnamdi Azikwe Street in the Idumota area, which it said were sources of environmental pollution.

Officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency in company with some policemen conducted an early morning raid on the street.

They shut the buildings which were partly residential and commercial, saying they indulged in dislodging human waste into public drainage channels.

Our correspondent, who visited the area, observed that odour of human waste, was oozing out of the drainage channels connected to many of the houses.

General Manager, LASEPA, Mr. Rasheed Shabi, said the action followed series of warnings issued to the owners and occupiers of the houses.

He said, “We actually received petitions from concerned residents of the area about the activities of some people on the street. And from our investigations, we realised that a lot of buildings on that street have toilets with no septic tanks.

“And whenever they pass out their waste, it directly dislodges into the drainage channels which in turn washes into streams, rivers, lagoon and other water bodies. This act has been causing water pollution and contaminating aquatic life. When the fishes are eaten, it could lead to outbreak of diseases.

“Initially, we engaged the residents by issuing them warnings and over the past three weeks we have been urging them to stop to no avail.’’

Shabi, who described the level of pollution in the area as worrisome, said the sealed buildings would not be reopened until the affected residents sign an undertaking to contruct their septic tanks.

He added, “We are not victimising anybody but trying to improve and safeguard the quality of life and the environment. If people at the helms of affairs can’t protect the lives of citizens, what then is the essence of government?

 One of the affected residents, who identified herself simply as Peju, said she knew about the warnings after her building had been sealed, saying she was not aware that the residents were causing any environmental pollution.

She said, “This is really unfortunate. Where do they want us to sleep? I just got to know that we were served notices today. The person who received the notice on our behalf didn’t inform us. But we regularly engage in the cleaning and clearing of the said drains.”

Meanwhile, the agency also sealed off two giant generators in a residential apartment on Magbon Close, Ikoyi. The agency said the emission from the generators constitute “nuisance and discomfort to residents.’’

Two brothers arrested for beating tailor to death

Busari’s remains being recovered

The Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos State, has apprehended two brothers, Wasiu Bada and Nurudeen Bada, for the alleged murder of a 32-year-old tailor.

According to the police, the suspects and others at large were seen beating the deceased, Quadri Busari, with iron rods and clubs.

It was learnt that the fight broke out after Busari had a disagreement with the culprits over the location of a grave on Ogun River Road, Isheri Oke, Church area of the state.

A lawyer, Mr. Lekan Odunsi, who spoke on behalf of the Busari family, said the fight was also related to a scuffle between Olofin and Oshorun families over the right to the monarchy in the area.

Odunsi said, “Two families are involved in a scuffle over the kingship title in the area. The Olofin of Isheri ruled from 1901 to 1923 and he was buried next to Busari’s house. Busari happens to be a descendant of the late king.

“On August 3, 2013, around 6pm, some hoodlums, believed to be loyalists of Chief Lawal Oshorun, came around the grave and attempted to erect a kiosk beside it. The grave of the late king was the vestige of evidence that Olofin family was entitled to the throne. Busari, who sighted the hoodlums, went to challenge them.

“The thugs used iron rods, clubs and other items to beat Busari to death. Some of those that were seen beating the deceased are, Wasiu Bada, Nurudeen Bada and one man identified as Burger.”

Odunsi said that the deceased was not seen after the beating and when it was nightfall, his relatives became worried.

He said the matter was reported at the Isheri Police Division but the police did not arrest the suspects since there was no corpse to establish the case.

It was however learnt that two days later, the tailor’s corpse was seen floating in the Ogun River.

Odunsi however said the family was disappointed with the manner the police at Isheri handled the matter.

He said, “The police arrested the culprits but later granted them bail, saying there was information that Busari jumped into the water. We refused to accept this because his corpse showed evidence of beating. There were injuries all over the body.

“The police told us to settle the matter out of court but we were not satisfied so we demanded that the matter be transferred to Zone 2 Command.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 2, Mr. Lewi Suleiman, confirmed the arrests to our correspondent, adding that efforts were on to arrest more suspects.

Suleiman said investigations were ongoing and only an autopsy would determine the actual cause of death.

He said, “Some people wanted to erect a kiosk at the grave on the said day and there was a fight between them and the deceased. His corpse was seen about three days later floating in the river. We have recovered the corpse and taken it to a mortuary for autopsy.

“Two brothers have been arrested and we have charged them to court. Oshorun was also arrested but was later released because no one saw him at the crime scene but investigations are on to determine his level of involvement.

“Oshorun’s house was also vandalised by some infuriated youths following Busari’s death but that is under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.”

When contacted on the telephone, Oshorun referred our correspondent to his lawyer, Mr. Kola Idowu. Idowu, when contacted, said he would call back.

Couple charged with kidnapping, torture of 13-year-old relative

A Seattle-area couple is in custody for allegedly holding captive and torturing the man’s 13-year-old brother for three months – including driving a nail through the boy’s hand and keeping him in a cellar for days without food, the prosecutor said Wednesday.

Brandon Gunn, 27, and his wife Viviana, 34, are in the Kitsap County Jail outside Seattle on $500,000 bail each, charged with kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment and four counts of assault, county prosecutor Cami Lewis said.

Brandon’s brother is from Atlanta and went in May to stay with his brother for the summer, Kitsap County Deputy Sheriff Scott Wilson said.

“We’ve been crying for days,” the teen’s aunt, Marsha Thomas-Jones, told CNN Atlanta affiliate WSB. “My sister is devastated.”

The alleged torture began as early as May 1 and lasted until the teenager escaped from his brother’s cellar two weeks ago, according to the prosecutor’s complaint, filed Tuesday.

Thomas-Jones said the family suspected something was wrong months ago when communication ceased, and it tried unsuccessfully to get law enforcement involved early, WSB reported.

The attorney for Brandon Gunn, Michele Taylor, was given the case only Wednesday and has not received any discovery documents, said her paralegal, Samantha Badkin. She said they don’t expect to speak to their client until at least next Tuesday.

A voicemail message for Viviana Gunn’s attorney, Jeniece Lacross, was not returned late Wednesday.

According to the probable cause certificate filed Monday by the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, the boy was sent to the Gunns’ garage where he was duct-taped to a chair with tape over his eyes and mouth, then beaten in the head, torso and legs with a baseball bat and metal bars, losing consciousness at times.

Ex-PTA president in child porn scandal

A Washington man is facing federal child pornography charges after allegedly recording and posting online the sexual assault of an 8-year-old girl at an elementary school where he was once the PTA president.

Federal prosecutors say David M. Navarro, 37, shot a cellphone video of the girl performing oral sex at Belfair Elementary School – and shared it on the web.

Court documents don’t say whether Navarro was the man in the video, CNN reports.

At the time of the incident, Navarro was the president of Belfair’s parent-teacher association.

Navarro faces multiple charges, including the production, ownership, and distribution of child pornography.

Court documents reveal Navarro was arrested and charged in San Diego in 2009 for “lewd and lascivious acts with a child” as well as “indecent exposure,” but the charges were dismissed due to a lack of evidence.

North Mason School District Superintendent David Peterson issued a statement Wednesday, describing Navarro as a “school volunteer” who passed a “State Patrol” background check in 2011.

He also said he has been in contact with the lead FBI investigators, saying “the FBI informed us today that this is not something the school could reasonably have prevented.”

Peterson assured parents that the North Mason School District “takes the responsibility of the safety and welfare of all students extremely seriously.”

US Federal authorities were tipped off to the information by investigators in Denmark and Australia, who came across a “large number of files” of suspected child pornography, which had been appearing on sites across the globe.

Anambra: PDP suspends Andy, Chris Uba, others

Uba

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday suspended Senator Andy Uba and his brother, Chris from the party.

Also suspended are Ejike Oguebego, Chief Benji Udeozor and  Mrs. Tonia Nwankwu.

The five men were accused of conducting a parallel state congress for the nomination of governorship candidate in Anambra State on Saturday.

A letter announcing the suspension of the Uba brothers and others had been sent to the affected party chiefs by the acting National Secretary, Dr. Charles Akintoye.

The acting secretary was  directed to write them on their current status having snubbed the NWC which invited them to explain the role they played at the parallel congress.

The letter, dated August 29, read in part,  “The NWC at its 353rd meeting held on Wednesday,  28th August,  2013 reviewed the happenings in Anambra PDP regarding the Anambra Primary election.

“It was noted that you organised a parallel state congress which was unauthorised by the party contrary to section 58 (1) a, b, c, f, h and j of the PDP constitution (2012 as amended).

“As a result of this, you were invited to meet with the NWC on Wednesday 28, August,  2013 for fair hearing,  but you did not appear.

“In view of the seriousness of the issues involved,  you are hereby suspended from the party and the case referred to the appropriate Disciplinary Committee for further necessary action.”

However, sources close to the affected party officers said that the affected party chieftains have obtained a Court order stopping the party from taking and disciplinary action against them but the party had served them with the decision before they got the court order.

Reacting to the suspension, Chris Uba, expressed surprise at his suspension, adding that there was no reason for the action taken by the PDP.

He said, “I was surprised to hear that I have been suspended. I want us to respect democracy and the rule of law. We must protect the rule of law and the judiciary.

“Why the rush in suspending me and the five others? There were more than a million PDP members at the congress. They should have suspended all of us.”

Also, Andy said he had not been served with the suspension from the party and because of that, he would not react to it.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has assured participants at the National Convention of the PDP and FCT residents  that the police would provide water-tight security during the party’s convention taking place  on Saturday at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

Consequently, the IG had issued an Operational Order directing the FCT Commissioner of Police, FCT, Femi Ogunbayode, to ensure a tactical and well coordinated deployment of personnel and other operational equipment in order to provide a safe and conducive atmosphere for the convention.

Drop 2015 ambition, Nwabueze urges Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan

The Patriots, a group of eminent Nigerians, on Thursday met with President Goodluck Jonathan on the state of the nation.

It was gathered that at  the meeting which was  held behind closed doors in the President’s office in Abuja, the  group, led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, renewed  its call for the convocation of a national conference.

A  13-page memorandum  covering issues such as the need for a people’s constitution, the expansion of the agenda for national transformation to include economic emancipation as well as good governance, was presented by The Patriots to the President.

Nwabueze, who took over the leadership of the group from the first Nigerian SAN, the late Chief Rotimi Williams, told State House correspondents after the meeting  that Jonathan  must  shun the urge to seek reelection  in 2015 and concentrate on his transformation agenda.

The legal icon insisted that it  was  practically impossible for the President  to combine efforts aimed at national transformation with contesting election.

He said although the President was eligible to contest in 2015, he could become an instant national hero if he summoned  enough courage not to  do so.

Nwabueze said, “That is not the purpose of our meeting today(Thursday),but that is my  view and I still maintain that view. I still believe that the problem of this country is national transformation;that you cannot combine national transformation with contesting election.

“The two are so different because once you get involved in electioneering, you undermine your authority to lead the nation for national transformation and I said if I were the President,  I would restrict myself  to serving the nation,   transforming this country and  creating a new Nigeria.   These  would be my concern and I would go down in history as a hero.

“So, if Mr. President does that, he would become an instant hero in  this country;  but it is for him to choose. If I were him, I would choose to become a hero to lead the country into transformation and abandon the ambition of a second term. That is what I said and I still stand by it and that is what I would do if I were the President of this  country, but unfortunately, I’m not.”

On Jonathan’s eligibility to participate in the election, he said, “That is not an issue. Mr. President is eligible, nobody is questioning his eligibility, the President is eligible. What makes him ineligible? Nothing, he is eligible, that is a personal decision for him to take.”

On the purpose of the meeting, Nwabueze said he and members of  the group  told the President that the nation was in dire need of transformation.

He said The Patriots  position was that the desired transformation could only be achieved through a national conference of the about 389 ethnic nationalities in the country.

Nwabueze said the conference which should be used to discuss how Nigerians could live together in peace and unity must hold before the 2015 general elections.

While arguing that the 1999 Constitution is a schedule to Decree 24, the legal luminary said the constitution would disappear once the decree is repealed.

He said, “If you read Section 1(1) of the decree, they are all preambles to that Decree and the 1999 Constitution that you are talking about is a schedule to Decree 24.

“Repeal the decree and the constitution will disappear and you enact a brand new constitution which would derive its authorities from the people, that was what was done in 1963, when we adopted the Republican Constitution to replace the Independent Constitution.

“That 1960 Constitution was also a schedule to British Order-In -Council just as the 1999  Constitution isa schedule to the Decree 24. In 1963, we abolished the schedule under Section 2 of the Order-in-Council and made a new Constitution called the Republican constitution. That is what we should do now, abolish the schedule and relieve yourself entirely free to make the people’s constitution.”

Reacting to The Patriots’ call   for a national conference, the  President  said  his administration had no objection to Nigerians coming together to discuss how they  would  continue to live together in peace and unity.

 Jonathan, in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati,   said although he believed that the issue of Nigerians coming together to discuss their future  was not  out of place, he was constrained by the fact that the constitution had  given that responsibility to the National Assembly.

The President told the group that there had  been constant discussions within government on how to create an acceptable and workable platform for a national dialogue that  would  reinforce the ties that bind the country’s many ethnic nationalities and ensure that  their   diversity continued to be a source of strength and greatness.

“The limitation we have is that the constitution appears to have given that responsibility to the National Assembly. I have also been discussing the matter with the leadership of the National Assembly. We want a situation where everyone will key into the process and agree on the way forward,” he said.

He thanked The Patriots for acknowledging the Federal Government’s efforts to implement his administration’s agenda for national transformation.

“As a government, we are totally committed to transforming this country. Positive things are being done and by the grace of God, we will get to where we ought to be as a nation,” Jonathan added.

 The  Patriots  delegation   included Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Solomon Asemota, Chief  Chris Okoye,  Chief Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, Air Commodore  Dan Suleiman (retd.), Prof. Kimse Okoko and Mr. Michael Orobator.

Taraba assembly to Suntai: Go back to US hospital

Taraba State Governor, Mr. Danbaba Suntai

Barely 24 hours after Governor Danbaba Suntai, addresed the people of Taraba State through a recorded video,  the state House of Assembly on Thursday  advised him to return to the hospital  in the United States where he was on admission for further treatment.

The assembly, in a statement by its Speaker, Haruna  Tsokwa, and 15 other  members, also reaffirmed Alhaji Garba Umar as the acting governor of the state.

The lawmakers   claimed  that  before Wednesday, all their  efforts  to meet with the recuperating governor, who arrived in Jalingo on Sunday from the  US,  were rebuffed by people close to him.

They  pointed out  that from the manner the governor spoke when they finally  met with him on Wednesday,  they  doubted  that he  authored the letter in which he informed them of his return and desire to resume work.

According to the lawmakers,  their advice to the governor  and the position on who was in charge of  governance in the state,  were  in the interest of the  people.

“Be that as it may, we the undersigned members of the state assembly have unanimously resolved in our meeting that the deputy governor, upon whom power was earlier transmitted by the State House of Assembly, still remains the Acting Governor of Taraba State and he will continue to act in that regard until such a time the governor is capable of administering the state,” they added in the  statement

“The leadership of the assembly made several efforts to see the governor since his arrival, but till Wednesday, they were not allowed access to him. The ailing governor spoke in a manner that brought more doubt to his letter purportedly transmitted to the speaker,”the lawmakers  said.

The other legislators that signed the statement are  Tsokwa’s deputy, Tanko Maikarfi; Chief Whip, Mohammed Gwampo; and  the Deputy Majority Leader, Josiah Kente.

Others are  the Deputy Chief Whip, Mohammed Umar; the Minority Leader, Ibrahim Imam;   the Minority Whip, Yahya AbdulRahman;    Iratsi Daki, Rashida Abdullahi, Aminu Umar, Emmanuel Dame, John Bonzena, Dr Abubakar Jugulde, Hamman  Abdullahi, Abdulkarim Mohammed and Edward Baraya.

But an aide to Suntai and former  Commissioner for Information in the state,  Emmanuel Bello, dismissed the claim by the legislators that  the governor was unfit to continue in office.

He told an online news portal, on the telephone that the lawmakers who signed the statement did so  according to “the figment of their imagination”.

  Bello, who said he still speaks for   Suntai, described the action of the lawmakers as “null and void,” saying “they do not have the constitutional power to determine whether somebody is sick.”

He said it was only “medical experts that have the power to determine the state of health of a person.”

“What yardsticks and parameters  did they use to say the governor is not fit?  These people visited the governor yesterday (Wednesday) and he recognised all of them by their faces and names;  it is totally unfair of them to turn around and say he is unfit to rule,” he added.

Bello, who claimed that Suntai could  “read, write and sign documents;” asked, “What is the standard of who a governor should be?”

“These people are not fair to his Excellency, and they are wicked. Taraba people are not with them, and even the Majority Leader of the House has disassociated himself from them. What they are doing is unconstitutional and a violation of  Nigerian laws,” he said.

 Bello also stated that as long as the lawmakers  did not subject the governor to medical checks, they had no reason to state that he was unfit for office.

“Have they subjected the governor to medical check? Can they give us a medical report? As far as the people of Taraba are concerned, the governor is not sick; he addressed them yesterday(Wednesday) and they are satisfied with his state of health,” he said.

Umar, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kefas Sule  insisted that he remained the acting governor of the state.

He described the dissolution of the state Executive Council as “a mere attempt by a cabal to hijack the machinery of government in the state and not a directive given by  Governor Danbaba Suntai.”

Umar therefore  advised members of the public to ignore the sack of the  Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the State Government, commissioners and  special advisers.

The statement reads , “His Excellency, the acting governor wishes to remind Tarabans that a moment like this calls for greater restraint and vigilance. To this end, the bankers of the Taraba State Government are reminded to note that all financial instruments relating to the state government’s account should be honored only if they are in tandem with the provisions of the law, in which case, must contain:

• A veritable signature of the executive governor of Taraba State, His Excellency, Governor Danbaba Suntai, or

• A veritable signature of the acting governor of Taraba State, His Excellency, Alhaji   Umar, acting for the executive governor.

“Members of the public should ignore yesterday’s (Wednesday) announcement of the purported dissolution of the state executive council and the appointment of a new SSG as well as CoS.”

But a  Senior Advocate of Nigeria,  Sebastine Hon,  also faulted the lawmakers and  asked  Suntai to  go about his lawful business of governing the state.

 Hon, a specialist in constitutional law, argued that the assembly had by its action shown the level of ignorance of  its leadership.

He asked, “Under what law, substantive and procedural, did the assembly bring out the so-called statement? It is settled law that the business of the legislature is done through resolutions and lawmaking and not through press statements.

“And even then, legislative business can only be lawfully done during plenary on the floor of the House and not in private or other premises.

Another  lawyer,  Mr Kayode Ajulo,  called on the Speaker of the state assembly to institute a  five-man medical team to examine the fitness of   Suntai.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria    in Abuja  on Thursday that the panel should include the personal physician to the governor.

Ajulo said, “The Speaker of the  assembly , Alhaji  Tsokwa, has the power under the 1999 Constitution   to set up a medical panel to ascertain the fitness of the governor.

“Section 189 (4a) and (4b) states that in a case where the governor is showing unfitness of sorts,  the Speaker  shall  constitute a  five-member medical panel to which  the ‘personal  physician of the governor must be a member,’’

It was gathered in Jalingo that with this   action of  the lawmakers, they might  commence impeachment moves against the governor.

Suntai was flown out of the country for urgent medical treatment following injuries he sustained in a plane crash in October 2012.The governor, shortly after his arrival, wrote to the 24-member  assembly informing it of    his  readiness to resume office.

The assembly, however, asked him to appear before it to enable it to decide on his request. Instead of accepting the invitation, Suntai dissolved the state executive council on Wednesday  and appointed a former  Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Timothy Kataps, as a  new Secretary to the State Government  and Alhaji Aminu Jika  as  Chief of Staff, Government House.

Meanwhile, the Police authorities   said on Thursday that  they were still studying the petition of Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) seeking a probe of the letter of intention to resume duty purportedly sent to the  assembly  by  Suntai.

Falana had on Tuesday given a three-day ultimatum to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, to probe  the letter  which he alleged might have been forged.

Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, on Thursday confirmed to our correspondent via sms that the police had received Falana’s petition.

“Yes, we have received the petition. We are currently studying the petition,” Mba’s message read.

Mayhem in Seme border, Customs officer killed

Motojelu

There was mayhem at the Seme border area of Lagos State on Thursday after a 35-year-old man, Saturday Joel, was shot by officials of the Nigerian Customs Service.

Eyewitnesses said Joel was hit by a stray bullet while some customs officers were trying to apprehend a motorist who was smuggling a red Volkswagen bus from Benin Republic into Nigeria.

It was learnt that after the shooting, some residents took to the streets in protest. The residents were said to have alleged that customs officials had killed at least three motorists this month under the pretext that they were smugglers.

It was learnt that in the ensuing pandemonium, the customs officials stationed in the area fled. However, a Superintendent of Customs, identified as J. I Motojelu, was said to have been driving by at the time.

It was learnt that in retaliation, the angry mob, led by a community leader, dragged the officer out of his Toyota Corolla car marked ABJ 663 DW, and killed him.

It was learnt that the irate mob, also set the deceased officer’s vehicle ablaze and set up bonfires at the centre of the road.

The culprits were said to have used the opportunity to steal some items that had previously been seized by customs.

A police source said, “Motojelu, who knew nothing about the incident was beaten to death. The mob opened a customs patrol van stationed nearby and took a G3 rifle with 30 rounds of ammunition kept inside it. They then set the vehicle ablaze.”

Sources told our correspondent that some customs officials and policemen later returned to the scene and fired shots to disperse the mob.

Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Razaq Fadipe, said his men attempted to put out the fire but they had to retreat because of the sporadic gunshots in the area.

It was learnt that the victim had been rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

But the NCS Public Relations Officer, Seme Command, Ernest Olattah, said in a statement that the officer was killed while on his way to attend a meeting at the command.

He said, “We announce the gruesome killing of one of our senior officers by some smugglers in the Ashipa area of Seme around 9.50am on Thursday. The deceased officer, while in his official uniform, unarmed, and driving to the command’s headquarters for a routine meeting, was accosted by a mob who forced him out of his vehicle.

“Led by an identified chief of the community, the officer was murdered in cold blood, while his vehicle was set ablaze.”

The customs spokesman said efforts were on to apprehend the culprits adding that the customs had achieved many feats this year alone.

He said NCS operatives, due to their uncompromising stance against smuggling and the protection the nation’s economy, had come under series of attacks by smugglers and some unpatriotic elements that saw smuggling as their rights.

The PRO said, “Customs Area Controller of Seme Border, Othman Abdu Saleh, has in collaboration with sister government agencies including the police, commenced moves to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book. The controller posits that this unfortunate incident will not deter operatives of the command under his watch from carrying out their lawful duties.

‘’This is indeed a sad day for us here in this command, but let me emphasised that we are not relenting in the discharge of our duty as we will not allow the darkness of criminality to dampen the light of our service to Nigeria.”

Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, told our correspondent on the telephone that seven suspects had been arrested, adding that they would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba.

She said, “Joel is recuperating at Badagry General Hospital while the slain customs officer has been deposited at the mortuary.”

AMCON takes over Ifeanyi Ubah’s Capital Oil

Managing Director, Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Patrick Ifeanyi Uba

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria has taken over the management of Capital Oil and Gas Industries.

The Head of Corporate Communications, AMCON, Mr. Kayode Lambo, said in a signed advertorial on Wednesday that the management’s takeover of the indigenous downstream player would last for two years.

He explained that the takeover became necessary after AMCON acquired Capital Oil and Gas’ outstanding facilities from various banks.

The corporation said, “Following discussions with COG, a resolution was reached, which was subsequently adopted as terms of settlement in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/714/2012 at the Federal High Court. One of the key conditions of this settlement is that AMCON takes over executive management of the COG for a period of two years.

“Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, the erstwhile Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, has consequently relinquished his role as head of the organisation. In the interim, AMCON has appointed an acting managing director to ensure accountability and continuity of operations.”

AMCON said its takeover of the executive management of the COG within the two-year timeframe would stabilise the company, adding that it planned to ensure seamless operations at the company.

The agency added that it would, within the two years, “drive the turnaround of the company’s operations in order to meet various timelines and goals set by COG’s board of directors and AMCON.”

“This change of management was effected on June 21, 2013,” AMCON said.

When contacted on the telephone by our correspondent, the Administrative Manager, Capital Oil and Gas Industries, Mr. Ugochukwu Ehighibe, confirmed the development.

“Yes, we have an agreement with them,” he said.

AMCON had shut the premises of Capital Oil and Gas in 2012 following an Abuja Federal High Court ruling that the agency should take over the company’s properties and assets over an alleged N48.014bn debt.

The closure of the company’s 196-million-litre capacity storage tank often used by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation for products storage had hampered products distribution across the country then.

Justice Abdul Kafarati, however, on December 13, 2012 set aside the ex-parte order of November 13, which directed AMCON to take immediate possession of the properties and assets of Capital Oil and Gas as well as those of its managing director, Ubah, over the firm’s alleged indebtedness to the corporation.

But AMCON in an advertorial said it remained firm in its “resolve to vigorously pursue the indebtedness and ensure the recovery of the debt in the interest of the economy.”

The Managing Director, AMCON, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, had put Capital Oil and Gas’ total indebtedness at N65bn as of December 2012.

“It was N53bn plus N12bn of interest accumulated over the last two years, and the interest is accruing at the rate of about N800m to N900m a month,” he had said.

Man arraigned for stealing BlackBerry

Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

A 27-year-old man, Lekan Mohammed, has been arraigned before Igbosere Magistrate’s Court , Lagos State, for allegedly stealing a Q10 BlackBerry phone valued at N130,000.

Mohammed was said to have stolen the phone at a night club in Victoria Island area of  the state.

The charge read, “That you, Lekan Mohammed,m, on the August 24, at “about 0430hours at Liquid Night Club Balarabe Musa, Victoria Island, Lagos in Eti-Osa Local Government Area within the Lagos Magisterial District, did steal one Q10 BlackBerry phone, white in colour, valued N130,000, property of one Abiola Ajimobi.”

The prosecutor, Corporal Okoye Olusegun, said the offence was contrary to and punishable by Section 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

Mohammed said he was not guilty of the charges.

The defence counsel, Emmanuel Ubani, while asking for the bail of his client, told the court that the police were only out to abuse court processes.

He said the complainant was not in court and the police did not have any exhibits.

The magistrate, Mrs. M. Olanipekun, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties each in like sum.

Ritual killers behead boy, 10

Niger State Police Command on Wednesday arrested three persons for allegedly beheading a 10-year-old boy in Amale Village in Paiko Local Government Area of the state for rituals.

It was gathered that one Salleh Ibrahim lured the victim and took him from Amale  to two of his accomplices, Usman Sarki, and Dantala Doma.

Our correspondent learnt that during police interrogation, Sarki confessed that he was contracted to bring the boy’s head by one Gajere who was on the run for money-making ritual.

It was said that during investigation, the severed head of the boy was found in Salleh’s house.

Salleh later took the police to the residence of the other two accomplices.

Police sources told our correspondent that after the discovery of the head in Salleh’s house, the suspect took the police to an area near river Erena in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state. The headless body of the boy was found buried in a shallow grave.

Salleh said he was contracted by Sarki to bring human head so that they could use it to make money.

He said, “Sarki told me that one Gajere contracted him to bring the head of a little boy for them to make money. I initially resisted  to be part of the business, but I was later convinced by Sarki.

“I found the boy along Amale road. I asked him where was going, he said he was going to his house. I offered to help him. So I took him on my bike to Sarki’s house.

“Sarki and I later took him to Doma’s house. It was Doma who beheaded the boy with a cutlass. This was after Usman had hit the boy and killed him. We have not been able to get Gajere who gave us  the job.”

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Richard Oguche, said investigation into the matter had commenced, adding that the suspects would be arraigned in court at the conclusion of the investigation.

He said, “We want to make a discreet investigation, so we are not rushing the case. We want to get to the root of the whole matter  and at the end of it, we will charge them to court.”

He said the command had directed all police out posts within Kaffin-koro division and the Divisional Police Officer in Kaffin-koro to reach out to the community leaders in the area to know if there was any reported case of a missing child.

The PPRO added thatno such report had been received.

He called on parents to always monitor the movement of their children so as not to fall into the hands of ritual killers.

Confusion as flood sweeps away nine-year-old boy

Scene of the incident

Fear and uncertainty has enveloped Oke-Ekoro, Sango area of Ogun State, over the whereabouts of a nine-year-old boy, Gbenga Gbadamosi, who was seen being swept away by flood on Tuesday.

It was learnt that the community had experienced a downpour before the incident occurred.

When our correspondent visited the area on Wednesday, youths and other members of the community were seen draining the water in a gully in the area   with the hope of retrieving the body of the youngster. As of 12noon when the exercise was completed, no body was found there.

 Our correspondent learnt that Gbenga fell into a canal in the area while attempting to pick his sibling’s slippers which had fallen into the water. It was initially believed that the water in the canal swept Gbenga into the gully.

The community leader, Emmanuel Keshiro, said that although the rain fell for a short time, it was quite heavy.

He said, “Gbenga and two of his siblings were coming from their mother’s shop after the rain. They were walking by the edge of the canal, when the slippers of one of them fell into the canal.

“Gbenga, being the first  child, wanted to pick it, but his leg slipped into the canal and the flood swept him away.

“The two siblings were only crying, so nobody knew what happened until they ran to the shop and told their mother. She was the one that raised the alarm.”

Our correspondent visited the scene and observed that the canal passed through the community to connect with another town. Weeds and grass cover up the surface of the gully, which also has sharp pointed edges.

Gbenga’s father, Agunbiade, a driver, said he was at his place of work when he heard the news.

He said his wife had earlier informed him of the rain and he told her to hurry home to look after the children.

“When it was evening, I began to dial her line to know her whereabouts. I discovered it was switched off. Someone later called to inform me that flood had swept my son away. I was shocked.

“Gbenga is my first child and he was a well-behaved and gentle child. I love him so much because even everybody in the area knows him for his quiet conduct. I can’t still believe what is happening now.”

He decried the attitude of the police and the fire service to the situation, which he described as nonchalant.

A resident, Bomi Akintade, said the police merely put up appearance at the community on Tuesday and left the residents to grapple with the crisis.

He said the residents started rescue efforts at 4pm on Tuesday till late into the night and resumed 6am on Wednesday.

He said, “We have employed all means to no avail. This water came from Joju, a neigbouring town. It is unfortunate that the government has not been helpful. It was even the landlords’ association that constructed the bridge over the canal. We will continue to search for the boy.’’

Another resident, Lawal Mansour, said it was the second time in three years, that such tragedy would befall the community.

He appealed for the intervention of the Ogun State Government to help in building a safe water channel.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident. He said, “The case was reported at Ota division.”

Police arrest fake CNN reporter in Bayelsa

The Police in Bayelsa State have arrested a 36-year-old man identified as Paul Yempe in Yenagoa, the state capital, for claiming to be a  correspondent of the Cable News Network in the Niger Delta.

A source close to the police said the suspected fake CNN reporter was arrested with identity cards of the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation and that of theCNN.

It was learnt that Yempe was arrested in the office of the state’s Commissioner for Energy, Mr. Akio Francis.

It was gathered that his apprehension was made possible by the coincidental presence of the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bayelsa State chapter, Mr. Tare Akono.

Sources within the NUJ and the SSS said the fake reporter had allegedly swindled the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Markson Fefegha,  and the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Edmund Allission-Oguru.

They said while Fefegha allegedly parted with a huge sum of money to feature the activities of Governor Seriake Dickson on the CNN, the SSG was alleged to have kept the suspected fake reporter in a luxury hotel in Yenagoa while perfecting a memo to raise money to pay for the anticipated documentary on CNN before the truth was revealed.

Reacting to the development, Akono said, “Attempts by the fake journalist to affirm his genuineness led to the discovery of a fake CNN ID card in his bag.

“He came to the office of the commissioner claiming to have come for an interview as part of a documentary he was working on for the state.

“When he came in, we asked him for  his camera but he said he was using his mobile phone as a recorder. When we further interrogated him, we noticed he was a fake reporter as he started shivering and confessing he was not a CNN employee. That was how we handed him over to the police.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the arrest.

“We have arrested the man. The matter is under investigation,” Akhigbe said.

Assassins attack Young Shall Grow boss, kill escort

Chief Vincent Obianodo

Some suspected hired killers attacked the Managing Director, Young Shall Grow Motors Limited, Chief Vincent Obianodo, killing his driver and police escort.

It was learnt that Obianodo was shot in the arm during the attack.

A police source said the incident occurred in the FESTAC area of Lagos State on Tuesday night while Obianodo was returning from work.

Our correspondent learnt that two of the attackers were killed after policemen engaged them in a gun duel.

The source said, “On Tuesday night, Obianodo was on his way back from work. A police corporal, Ngozi Chijioke, and another private guard were in the vehicle with him.

“When they reached 22 Road, FESTAC, the entire place was deserted. From nowhere a vehicle crossed Obianodo’s  and some armed men opened fire on them. The policeman, who sat in front, was killed instantly while the driver was also killed.

“The assailants also shot Obianodo in the arm. However, the shooting attracted the attention of some policemen on patrol who rushed down to the scene and engaged the culprits in a gun duel.”

It was learnt that two of the attackers were killed while others escaped with bullet wounds.

The source told our correspondent that the assailants were probably hired killers.

He said, “The way the attackers operated seemed as if it was an assassination attempt. Most times, kidnappers do not shoot their victims while trying to abduct them. At most, they only kill the person’s guard and abduct the victim unharmed.

“In this case, they shot him in the arm and would have killed him if the police had not arrived on time.”

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the attack to our correspondent on the telephone, adding that efforts were on to apprehend the suspects.

“The attackers escaped with bullet wounds. We are therefore calling on hospitals to report cases of bullet injury to the nearest police station as this would increase our chances of arresting the culprits,” she said.

Braide said she could not say for sure if the attack was a kidnap, robbery or assassination attempt .

Gov Suntai speaks briefly on videotape •Tape played on Taraba television • Cabinet dissolved, lawmakers meet gov

Taraba State Governor, Mr. Danbaba Suntai

The Taraba State Governor, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, finally addressed the people on Wednesday , exactly  four days after  his return from a 10-month medical sojourn abroad.

The brief address was however not live but through a video shown on the state-owned television station in Jalingo.

His failure to do so earlier  and appear before the state House Assembly to formally intimate its  members of his desire to resume work had created suspicions that he was incapable of continuing to function as the state governor.

Before the video was brodcast, he met with  the  lawmakers and  inaugurated the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government, Timothy Kataps,  as well as the Chief of Staff, Mallam Aminu Jika.

The governor, who is recuperating  from injuries he sustained last October when a small aircraft he flew crashed, had earlier dissolved the state Executive Council, leaving only his special assistants.

In the address, Suntai  commended the people of the state  for their prayers and  for standing by him in his moment  of  trial.

“I thank  the people of Taraba State  for standing  by me and my family.I  also thank the commissioners for holding the fort  while I was away. Also enjoin all of you to continue to live in peace,” he said.

Suntai, who  wore  a sky  blue suit  and  a stripe shirt,  also congratulated the people on the  22nd anniversary  of the state which was   on  August 27.

He had while inaugurating  the new SSG and the  CoS  enjoined them  to to work in the interest of the people. The new SSG (Kataps), a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,  took over from Mr. Garvey Yawe while Jika, who  once served in the same capacity  in 2007, replaced Alhmed Yusuf.

Yawe and Yusuf were among the members of the  sacked state Executive Council. The others are  all the commissioners and  22 special advisers.

The  Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Sylvanus Giwa,  had  at a news conference in Jalingo, said that the   appointments of Kataps and Jika  were  aimed at strengthening the machinery of government.

The governor also met on Wednesday evening with  members of  the House of Assembly led by their Speaker,  Haruna Tsokwa.

The lawmakers had resolved at their sitting earlier on Wednesday to meet with  the governor  to confirm his true state of  health before taking any position on his letter stating his intention to resume office.

Journalists, who were asked to wait at the assembly complex for the lawmakers to meet with the governor, were stunned when they  returned, held a brief closed-door session, and  said  they would  speak to the press on Thursday(today).

Suntai’s Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Mijinyawa, said  the meeting  was “meaningful.”

The Speaker had on Monday alleged that the House leaders were prevented from seeing  the governor.

Our correspondents learnt that the news of the sack of the executive council members  had  worsened the political logjam in the state  as Tsokwa  said  the  governor   had  no right to do so.

Tsokwa   had added that  the assembly recognised   the Acting Governor, Garba Umar, as the man in charge of the affairs of the state.

Also, Umar insisted that he remained the acting governor until there  was a contrary directive from the assembly.

The acting governor,  through his Chief Press Secretary, Kefas Sule, said  the  sacked  executive council was worried that some individuals were bent on fomenting trouble in the state.  He therefore  urged the people to continue with their normal activities.

“We shall definitely resolve this crisis. It is only one government here – the Suntai administration,” he explained, adding that he would address the people of the state on the  development.

Umar   said  since he was empowered in  acting capacity, the lawmakers had the right to ask him to revert to his former position as deputy governor or still continue in acting capacity.

  “I am waiting to hear from them. As I speak to you, if the assembly tells me to revert  to the position of deputy, I will comply,” he  said.

It was gathered that some of the sacked  commissioners and aides  accused    Suntai’s wife, Hauwa, of spearheading  the dissolution of the cabinet.

Our correspondents also learnt that a  faction in the  state assembly loyal to Umar insisted  on Wednesday that Suntai must appear before them to personally tender  the letter he wrote intimating the  assembly of  his desire to resume duty.

 A source close to the faction said that  the assembly  would have no alternative but to initiate impeachment moves against   Suntai  and  save the state from avoidable bloodshed. It was further gathered that some of the legislators close to the acting governor had started collecting signatures preparatory to the governor’s impeachment.

The source, who did not want his name in print,  said the state could not afford any crisis at this point, more so when such  could be avoided.

 “The pro-Umar lawmakers are  collating signatures  to impeach the governor because we  cannot afford this type of  avoidable crisis,” he said.

 Suntai’s  letter seeking to resume duty   had divided the political class   as the Speaker of the state assembly had insisted that the governor  needed  to  address the  lawmakers or allow principal officers of the assembly to have an interaction with him.

But  the Majority Leader, Mr. Joseph Albasu , asked the governor to start work with immediate effect.His  position was shared  by the attorney-general, who said that Suntai  needed not    appear before the lawmakers before resuming work.

Why I sacked youth minister –Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan
| credits: nigerianbulletin.com

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday confirmed that his decision to sack his erstwhile Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdulkadir, was based on the latter’s mishandling of the National Youth Council of Nigeria’s elections in Makurdi and Minna which resulted in the factionalisation of the council.

It was reported exclusively on Tuesday that investigations showed that the minister must have been sacked on Monday among other reasons because of the allegation of imposition of a candidate at a recent election of the NYCN.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said he was “very displeased” by the former minister’s action.

He said Abdulkadir’s failure to provide appropriate leadership towards open and transparent youth council elections was unacceptable to him and his administration.

He said because he was committed to ensuring that the Nigerian youth were given the best possible upbringing and orientation, he expected all officials of his administration to exhibit greater rectitude and sensitivity on issues related to youth development.

The President added that he expected his appointees to comport themselves at all times in a manner worthy of emulation by Nigerian youths.

He however denied media report that he sacked the former minister for  failing to ensure that his (the President’s) candidate emerged as president of the NYCN.

Describing the report as baseless, Jonathan said he regarded all Nigerian youth as his wards and constituents and there was no reason for him to prefer one candidate over others.

The statement read, “We have noted with regret the several false speculations in the media yesterday (Tuesday) on the reason for the termination of the appointment of the former Minister of Youth Development, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir by President Goodluck Jonathan.

“While many media outlets erroneously attributed the minister’s sacking to his disloyalty or closeness to a particular governor or governors said to be opposed to the President, the most disingenuous and malicious speculation was by a national newspaper which claimed that Alhaji Abdulkadir was fired for ‘failing to ensure that a pro-Jonathan candidate emerged as president of the NYCN.’

“We wish to assure the general public that nothing could be farther from the truth. President Jonathan regards all Nigerian youth as his wards and constituents. Claims that he had a preferred candidate in the NYCN elections are completely baseless and without justification as there was absolutely no reason for him to prefer one candidate over others.

“President Jonathan remains sincerely and unwaveringly committed to doing all within his powers to promote the credibility and integrity of the electoral process at all levels in the country.

“He firmly believes that a culture of free, fair and credible election must be constantly nurtured and encouraged amongst Nigerian youth and all other sections of the country.

“In point of fact, it was Alhaji Abdulkadir’s regrettable deviation from this presidential commitment in the management of the NYCN elections that led to the decision to relieve him of his appointment as Minister of Youth Development.

“President Jonathan was very displeased with the mishandling of the NYCN elections in Makurdi and Minna by the Ministry of Youth Development which resulted in the unfortunate factionalisation of the youth council.

“The President found the ministry’s failure to provide appropriate leadership towards open and transparent youth council elections unacceptable.

“President Jonathan is sincerely committed to doing everything possible to ensure that the Nigerian youth, on whom the country’s aspirations for a bright and prosperous future depend, are given the best possible upbringing and orientation.”