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  • Five feared dead as armed robbers attack banks in Ekiti

    Five feared dead as armed robbers attack banks in Ekiti

    A deadly bank robbery in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Wednesday afternoon, reportedly left five people dead, including two officers of the Amotekun security outfit.

    the robbers, who wore masks, stormed commercial banks along the major road in the town and opened fire to gain access to the banks’ premises.

     

    Eye witnesses said the robbers positioned themselves in strategic locations and shot indiscriminately for up to an hour, causing panic and chaos among the residents.

    while trying to escape to safety.

     

    Our correspondent gathered that the masked armed robbers, numbering about twenty, stormed the town at about 4:15 pm and robbed the banks located at Odo Oja and Oke-osun simultaneously.

     

    According to sources, they first attacked the Ikere command of the Amotekun Corps along Ise Road and reportedly shot some operatives before attacking the banks.

    The armed robbers broke the security doors of the banks with the aid of dynamite, and carted away an unspecified huge sum of money.

     

    However, the Ekiti State Police spokesman, Sunday Abutu could not be reached as of the time of filing this report, as several calls and messages to his mobile phone were not responded to.

     

    Meanwhile, in a telephone chat, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Alagbado expressed shock over the robbery incident

     

    He said it was unfortunate the armed robbers carried out the operations for several minutes unhindered and escaped despite the presence of military checkpoints and a Police Area Command in the town.

     

    Oba Alagbado said he had discussed the matter with the security agents and that those who carried out the dastardly act must be arrested and prosecuted..

     

  • FG exempts tertiary institutions from IPPIS

    FG exempts tertiary institutions from IPPIS

    The Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday, approved the removal of universities and other tertiary institutions in the country from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information Systems, IPPIS, allowing the schools to deal with the salary issues of their staff internally.

    Minister of Education, Prof. Mamman Tahir, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, presidential villa in Abuja.

     

    He said FEC took the decision to remove the institutions from the system because of its concern for efficiency and the management of the institutions.

     

     

     

    According to him, apart from the opposition to the payment system by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the IPPS issue had proved time consuming for university vice chancellors, “dragging the efficiency of the management of the institutions.

     

    The minister explained that as the tertiary institutions were governed by laws, they should be allowed to exercise their autonomy.

     

  • NDDC restates commitment to accelerate development of Niger Delta

    NDDC restates commitment to accelerate development of Niger Delta

     

     

    By Desmond Ejibas

    Port Harcourt:   Mr Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the Governing Board, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), says the commission is poised to fast-track development of the Niger Delta region.

    Ebie spoke at a send-forth held for retired staff of the Commission.

    This is contained in a statement issued by NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

    He said the newly inaugurated board had committed towards accelerating the region’s development to enable the people benefit democratic dividends.

    “So, we intend to put in our best to ensure that we change the narrative concerning the NDDC and the perception about the Niger Delta out there.

    “But more importantly, we need to work as a team to bring the much-needed development to the region.

    “The current governing board of NDDC is committed to quickening the pace of development of the Niger Delta region,” he said.

    Ebie commended the retired NDDC directors for the decades of meritorious service they gave to the Niger Delta and the nation at large

    In his remarks, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged both serving and retired staff of the commission to see NDDC as their common patrimony that must be protected.

    According to him, the commission acknowledges the importance of recognising and rewarding the efforts of members of staff and retirees.

    “So, I tagged this event ‘The Unbroken Chain’ because NDDC is a family.

    “Even those who have retired must be respected and promoted for sacrificing the best of their lives for the success of NDDC.

    “I commend the retired directors and pledge that NDDC governing board will ensure that all their outstanding benefits were paid as soon as possible,” he assured the retirees.

    Earlier, the NDDC Director, Administration and Human Resources, Mr Patrick Ekade, said the send-off was a landmark event being the first time the commission was formally celebrating its retirees.

    He said the current NDDC management thought it wise to make the retirement process seamless, going by the recently introduced Federal Government eight-year retirement policy for directors.

    “The eight-year retirement policy of the Federal Government makes it imperative that many directors in the commission retired in one go.

    “The honour the NDDC is bestowing on the retirees is to give hope to the serving staff that NDDC celebrates its retirees,” Ekade said.

    Responding on behalf of the retirees, the former Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Mr Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, thanked the NDDC board and management for recognising their contributions and celebrating them even in retirement. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • Breaking: Tinubu sacks MDs of FAAN, NAMA, other aviation agencies CEOs

    Breaking: Tinubu sacks MDs of FAAN, NAMA, other aviation agencies CEOs

    By Ismail Abdulaziz

    Abuja: Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, has been removed from office.

     

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the suspension, removal, and replacement of Chief Executive Officers under the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development

     

    The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, has been removed from office and replaced with Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku as the substantive Managing Director of FAAN..

     

    Also, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Tayib Adetunji Odunowo, has been removed from office and replaced with Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk as the substantive Managing Director of NAMA.

     

    This was contained in a press statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale.

     

    According to him, the sack is in tandem with his Renewed Hope Agenda, which is to bring world-class standards to Nigerian Civil Aviation in consumer protection and the promotion of the well-being of Nigerian passengers and the high cost of underperformance in the sector.

     

    The statement partly read, “The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, has been removed from office and replaced with Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku as the substantive Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

     

    “Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr. Tayib Adetunji Odunowo, has been removed from office and replaced with Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk is the substantive Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.“

     

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Engr. Akinola Olateru has been removed from office and replaced with Mr. Alex Badeh Jr. as the substantive Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.

     

    Also affected with the changes is the Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu. He has been removed from office and replaced with Prof. Charles Anosike as the substantive Director-General of the NiMET.

     

    The Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt. Alkali Mahmud Modibbo has been removed from office and replaced with Mr. Joseph Shaka Imalighwe as the Acting Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), pending the appointment of a substantive Rector, in accordance with Section 13(2) of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Act, 2022.

  • Don’t take your appointment for granted, CJN tells FHC judges

    Don’t take your appointment for granted, CJN tells FHC judges

     

    Abuja:  The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on Wednesday, cautioned the Federal High Court (FHC) judges against taken their appointment for granted.

    Justice Ariwoola, who made the statement while declaring open the 39th Annual FHC Judges’ Conference and the FHC’s 50th Anniversary Lectures in Abuja, urged them not to hesitate to consult to bring the best out of their rulings and judgments.

    The CJN enjoined the judges to be hardworking and diligent in justice delivery, while calling on them to always write their judgements in a way that the appellate court would always affirm.

    (L to R: The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), Justice John Tsoho, at the opening of the 39th Annual FHC Judges’ Conference and the FHC’s 50th Anniversary Lectures on Wednesday in Abuja.)

    “Anyone that is lucky to be appointed to this court, without mincing words, is indeed very lucky and should not take that for granted.
    “I implore you all to please continue to work very hard; work hard and harder and go extra mile each time.

    “Do not assume that what then are the gentlemen at the appellate court doing. No, let that (appellate) court affirm your decisions.
    “Always write your judgments that the appellate court will have no choice than to affirm your decisions.

    “Don’t leave any loophole,” he said
    According to CJN, to be a judge, certainly, is not a child’s play, particularly at your court where you don’t sit as panel; you sit as a lone ranger.
    “You sit all alone, you are the lord of the court. Please, always go extra mile even in what you consider a simple application.

    “It is your court. You are not there to impress anyone at all. If you need to take a break to consult your note, to consult your books before you rule, no application by counsel is simple.
    “Make relevant consultations and come to give your ruling,” he said.

    Ariwoola, who said the judges should not feel threatened if lawyers opted to go on appeal, said “an appeal is an entitlement.

    “That is what the Appeal Court is there for.”
    The CJN, who described the FHC as the largest court in Nigeria, said it was the best of the courts of trial.

    “The jurisdiction of the court has kept being expanded. It is the only court that has originating jurisdiction on electoral matters,” he said.

    He said though FHC was not the only federal court, it was, however, the best of the federal courts.

    He expressed optimism that the judges would gain a lot from the wealth of experience of the lecturers.

    Earlier, the Chief Judge of FHC, Justice John Tsoho, said it had been the practice of the court from inception for judges of the court to meet annually to appraise the activities of the previous year, with a view to finding solutions to identified problems.

    “The object of this conference, therefore, is to critically discuss any issues confronting us as a court and seek remedies to them.

    “We will also be addressed by practitioners in different fields of knowledge and learning, which will help us to continue to have a grip on our health and intellectual competence,” he said.

    He said the FHC would always seek ways and means to enhance justice delivery in the country.(NAN)www.nannews.ng)/ Flowerbudnews

  • Group petitions IGP, urges alleged visa scam, sexual exploitation

    Group petitions IGP, urges alleged visa scam, sexual exploitation

     

    By Peter Okolie
    Owerri:   A South-East-based Civil Society Coalition (CSC), ÓNÚRÚBE, has petitioned the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, over a series of visa scams allegedly perpetrated by one Chiadikaobi Nnaji.

    The coalition alleged in the petition, made available to newsmen in Owerri on Wednesday, that Nnaji defrauded at least 14 persons.

    The petition was signed by the Convener of the CSC, Mrs Marjorie Ezihe, and 12 others from different civil society groups across the zone.

    The coalition alleged that Nnaji obtained money by tricks from his victims, believing that he was a citizen of different countries and with the necessary contact to effect and perfect their travel plans.

    The group, which combats gender-based violence, also alleged that the suspect mischievously targeted young ladies in the five South East states for emotional and sexual exploitation.

    “In some instances, he is alleged to proceeding as far as contracting traditional marriage proposals and ceremony with some female victims, whilst fraudulently siphoning money from these unsuspecting ladies and family members,” the CSC stated.

    It noted that the mental health of the victims were greatly compromised, leading to the alleged death of two female victims.

    The petition, which was copied to the Assistant Inspector-Generals in-charge of Zone 9 and 13, further alleged that Nnaji defrauded a dozen women and two men between 2011 and 2023.

    The petition reads in parts: “Sir, we received information of his apprehension from Lagos and detention by the Imo Police Command Headquarters on November 22 and went to the Police Command Headquarters the next day to confirm the report.

    “Accompanied by one of his female victims, who came in from Enugu, we were informed by the Gender Unit of the command that he has been released due to the6 absence of complainants.

    “We were to go to Enugu to look for him as they believed he was re-arrested by Zone 13 Enugu.

    “Ónúrúbe considers this action worrisome and justice pervasion to release a serial criminal suspect, who was apprehended through the physical and logistical efforts of a victim of his alleged crime.”

    The group described the release of the suspect from police custody as “grossly insensitive to the plight of the victims and ignorance of the very police regulations.”

    It further said that Nnaji’s release threw up suspicion of police compromise.

    “We ascertained his presence in Enugu as well as credible information of moves by some Police Officers of Independence Layout Police Station, in further harassing and traumatising Nnaji’s victims in search of justice, and trying to get them to sign agreements in favour of the suspect,” the group stated.

    It alleged that the action of a certain serving senator, allegedly visiting the suspect, said to be his relation, “and the reported preferential treatment he receives in custody are prevailing concerns, which necessitated our making this petition an open advocacy for justice”.

    It also noted that Nnaji, through his alleged nefarious activties, had caused many of his victims’ loss of livelihood, accommodations and outright job sack.

    According to the group, this has caused depression to many, who constantly live in fear and trauma, as Nnaji allegedly threatens blackmail with nude pictures of the victims as well as alleged calls from self-claiming assassins, amongst other threats.

    The group, therefore, demanded thorough investigation into the allegations for Nnaji’s diligent prosecution in line with the Jurisdictional Legal frameworks through active engagement of Police mandate responsibility mechanisms.

    It also demanded that all details of accounts through which payments were made to the suspect as alleged should be investigated, while the owners of such accounts should be arrested and tried as accomplices.

    “That the family members of the suspect, including his mother and three sisters, be arrested as accomplices.

    “That all Police State Commands, especially in Zone 9 and 13, should explain their role and or the lack of it in perpetuating this alleged crime.

    “And that all police officers found complicit of aiding and abetting the suspect should be summarily tried and disciplined,” the group stated.

    The convener cautioned that any intention to compromise the case and pervert the cause of justice in the matter would be resisted by sister groups and all the civil society organisations in Nigeria and beyond. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)/ Flowerbudnews

  • N30bn Demolishing Compensation: Kano Govt says garnishee fraudulent

    N30bn Demolishing Compensation: Kano Govt says garnishee fraudulent

    By Aminu Garko

    The Kano State Government says the garnishing order freezing its accounts obtained by some victims of its demolitions from an Abuja High Court is fraudulent.
    The government also assured on Wednesday in Kano that it was still operating its various accounts to administer the state.
    This is according to the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Haruna Isa-Dederi.
    Isa-Dederi confirmed to newsmen that there was no way Court of same jurisdictions could even sit on a case it has decided on and which was since appealed against.
    He said it was on notice that the Kano state government had filed an appeal against the N30 billion punitive and compensation judgment handed down by Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court in Kano.
    The judgment was in favour of the Incorporated Trustees of Masallacin Eid Shop Owners and Traders on behalf of the victims.
    Isa-Dederi therefore wondered how can same Court of the same jurisdiction would give a judgment in Kano.
    According to him, the judgment ”was even done out of jurisdiction of the court”, which was also appealed against, querying how a similar court could issue another order on the same matter.
    Isa-Dederi explained that the Kano state government had filed an Appeal because the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, saying it revolved around ownership of the property in the first place and all records of proceeding were transmitted to the Appeal Court.
    The state chief law officer said even before the appeal, the government had filed a motion seeking a stay of execution pending the appeal, asking  ”so how can same court even sit on same case”.
    Besides, he confirmed that the record of the Federal High Court proceedings had already been transmitted to the Court of Appeal.
    The attorney general also disclosed that the Court of Appeal had already scheduled the hearing of the motion on stay of execution for Dec. 4.
    He stressed that it would be futile for the Federal High Court to make any orders on the issue, as the case is pending before the Appeal Court and it would be akin to a court sitting in appeal on its own judgment.
    Isa-Dederi reiterated that the Kano state government’s actions were supported by the provisions of the Land Use Act, which empowered the government to grant and revoke land allocations.
    He emphasised that the demolition of the properties was executed in overriding public interest.
    NAN
  • Airlines to pay compensation for delayed, canceled flights-Minister

    Airlines to pay compensation for delayed, canceled flights-Minister

    By Naomi Sharang

    The Ministry of Aviation, says it is working on plans to ensure that commercial airlines operating in Nigeria pay compensate to passengers for delayed or canceled flights as from January.

    The Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus Keyamo, said this when he appeared before the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Aviation for 2024 budget defense.

    He said that the ministry also plans to publish the list of airlines that delayed or canceled flights in the media on a weekly basis as part of the efforts.

    “I have called the customers’ satisfactory commission regarding the treatment of Nigerians.

    “And I have said at the last address that I gave during our stakeholders meeting in Lagos and our retreat in Warri.

    “I said on a weekly basis, please publish the list of airlines that dont fly as at when due, canceled flights, delayed flights, how many hours it was delayed,” he said.

    Keyamo added:“For every delay, there is a report, an actual report by the regulator, what did they do? did they pay compensation?

    NAN

  • Medical leave: Ondo Assembly confirms receipt of letter from Akeredolu

    Medical leave: Ondo Assembly confirms receipt of letter from Akeredolu

    Alaba Olusola Oke

    The Ondo State House  of Assembly, on Wednesday, confirmed receipt of a letter from Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo requesting to proceed on medical leave in Germany.
    Mr Olamide Oladiji, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure.
    Oladiji explained that the governor’s action was in line with Section 190 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
    According  to the speaker, the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, would assume the responsibilities of the governor in acting capacity pending when Akeredolu communicates to it his return to take-up his duties.
    He said that the letter stipulated that the leave would commence on Dec. 13.
    Oladiji, who expressed appreciation to God for the speedy recovery of the governor, expressed optimism that the governor would soon resume his duties.
    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the governor had similarly in July written to the legislative to request for medical leave and returned to the country on Sept. 7.
    NAN