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  • Tailor docked over alleged N1.48m fraud

    Tailor docked over alleged N1.48m fraud

    By Adaeze Iroha

    A 47-year-old tailor, Popoola Abolade, was on Friday brought before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, for allegedly defrauding a company of N1.48 million.

    Abolade, who resides in Ikeja area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining by false pretenses, to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Oriabure, told the court that the defendant committed the offences at 1p.m. on Jan. 19, at No. 33, Olorunlogbon St., Anthony Village, Lagos.

    Oriabure said that the defendant was contracted by Slloyd Nigeria Ltd., to sew 222 uniforms worth over N1.6million for its workers.

    He said however that the defendant delivered only 48 of the uniforms to the company and promised to deliver the remaining 174 uniforms, which he failed to do.

    Oriabure told the court that instead of meeting his contractual obligations, the defendant locked up his shop and absconded with the balance of N1.48million.

    “My Lord, it was the company’s Human Resources consultant, Mr Olumide Oladipo that made the report at the station.

    “Upon investigation, the defendant was arrested and he signed an undertaking to supply the remaining uniforms to the company or return the money within three weeks.

    “My Lord, that was in May, up to date, he has refused to do either,” the prosecutor  said.

    Oriabure said the offences contravened Section 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 314 carries 15 years for obtaining by false pretences.

    The Magistrate, Mrs S.O. Obasa, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Obasa ordered that the sureties must be above 40 years and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

    He added that the sureties should show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case was adjourned till July 30, for mention.

  • Breaking: Pinnick impeached as CAF 1st Vice President?

    Amaju Pinnick

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Mr Amaju Pinnick, has been impeached as 1st Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    His removal took place on Thursday at CAF Executive Committee meeting,  after a well attended congress in Cairo Egypt.

    It would be recalled that Pinnick was elevated to the position after the corruption case brought against former Ghana FA President and CAF 1st VP, Kwesi Nyantakyi.

    CAF executive committee on Wednesday agreed to allow FIFA Secretary General take charge of the administration of CAF for a period of 6 Months.

    The FIFA Secretary is expected to take over the running of CAF in spite objection by some Executive Committee members.

    Samoura will be in charge for an initial six-month period due to begin on August 1, with her team responsible to carry out a “full forensic audit” of CAF, whose President Ahmad Ahmad is facing allegation of corruption.

    Ahmad was arrested over corruption charges in Paris last month.

    A twitter user Osasu Obayiuwana who is in Egypt tweeted a message saying that the it was unclear why Pinnick was removed.

  • ECOWAS official, others raise concern over illicit use of Tramadol in West Africa

    Mr Cheikh Toure, the Regional Programme Coordinator on Support to ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on Illicit Drug Trafficking, has joined other concerned individuals to condemn the excessive abuse of illicit drugs in the region.
    Tour expressed worries over the non-medical use of Tramadol by youths in West Africa, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, at the end of UNODC launch of the West African Drug Report 2014-2017.
    He noted the growing presence of illicit drugs especially Tramadol, in markets across the region.
    According to him, a recent report on unemployment linked drug abuse to unemployment stating that unemployment was high in the region.
    He noted that although Tramadol was a problem in the region, there should be a balance because of people who need it in the treatment of terminal illnesses.
    “Tramadol is a problem and also we have to ensure that those who suffer from terminal disease with chronic pain, have access to pain medicine but if this medicine is diverted by criminals,  actions should be taken.
    ” But I think this is why we have to strike a balance to ensure that the state regulatory board take themselves  seriously and control this type of medications coming into Africa, to ensure that those drugs are used for what it is intended for.”
    Prof.Isidore Obot, Director, Centre for Research and Information on Substance Abuse (CRISA) in  Uyo, said that the issue of illicit trafficking of drug like Tramadol was becoming a global issue.
    He said that those undergoing treatment according to UNODC report, were children from 10 to 19 years, stating that early prevention advocacy from primary school was needed to curb this menance.
    Obot said that teachers and parents had a role to play on drug abuse prevention, stating that control measures was needed at this point for the consumption of Tramadol.
    “The issue of concerns to people in the region and across the world is the  use of Tramadol, the abuse of Tramadol  Which is a potent pain killer analgesic drugs , this is a drug that we never heard about some years ago.
    ” But now, you can get it anywhere  and Cannabis remain a big problem in the region.
    ‘” We find large number of very young people from 10 years old going for treatment because of drugs.
    “Which means they might have started way too young, that is something we need to look into.
    ”Tramadol is a very important pharmaceutical substance used to moderate severe pain,  what needs to be done is a form of control.
    “The Tramadol for prescription is not usually abused, the Tramadol that is abused are usually manufactured from  the illicit market, alot of enforcement is really needed .
    “Prevention is the beginning of wisdom, we need to intervene much early.
    ” One lesson we should learn is not just to focus on interventions from just secondary school children, we need to start from primary school.
    ” We should start the prevention programme and awareness programme early, parents and teachers have a role to play and it is a wake up call for us in the region.”
     Also, Mr Oliver Stolpe,  United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Representative in Nigeria, said that the non-medical use of prescription such as Tramadol appeared to be growing rapidly in the region.
    He said that there was a dramatic increase in Tramadol seizures from 17 tonnes in 2014 to about 232 tonnes in 2017 which calls for concerted effort.
    According to him, the fact that more than 60 tonnes of Tramadol seized in 2017 were in transit to other countries, emphasises the need for increased cooperation and intelligence sharing among countries in the region.
    “The most frequently used drug across the region remains cannabis and the majority of persons accessing treatment facilities do so to tackle cannabis related drug use disorders.
    “Of particular concern in this context is that, one in five persons who accesses drug treatment services were younger adults of between age 10 and 19 years old.
    “The non-medical use of prescription such as Tramadol appears to be growing most rapidly.
    “The coming into existence of a massive illicit Tramadol market in just a few years, is of great concern to citizens and governments in the region,”
    Similarly, Baba Oseni, Director, Drug Demand Reduction of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), reiterated the agency’s commitment towards the fight against drug trafficking.
    He said that most of the drug users that visited the agency’s rehabilitation centres were youth nothing  that it targeted sensitisation efforts to address the youth and sensitisee them on drugs.
    “The NDLEA has been committed to support all the efforts of the sub-region both in terms of supply reduction and demand reduction.
    “We have seven counselling centres with the efforts and support of our friends and we hope to increase the number as soon as possible so that we can have more data.”(NAN)

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  • Expert advises MPC to reduce MPR by 50 basis points as inflation declines

    A Financial Expert, Prof. Uche Uwaleke has advised the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reduce the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 50 basis points.

    Uwaleke gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday ahead of the MPC meeting scheduled to hold on Tuesday, July 23 in Abuja.

    He said it was also pertinent for the committee to maintain 30 per cent Liquidity Ratio and 22.5 Cash Reserve Ratio.

    According to him, the call for adjustment of MPR is due to declining inflation rate from 11.35 per cent in May to 11.20 per cent in June as well as the growing external reserves and stability in exchange rate.

    Uwaleke said the reduction was also necessary because of persistent bearish performance of the stock market due to high interest rates.

    The expert said a gradual reduction in the MPR which was the benchmark interest rate was consistent with the CBN Governor’s pro-growth five-year blueprint which he unveiled recently.

    Uwaleke, also a professor of Capital Market at the Nasarawa State University Keffi, emphasised that further adjustment was also in line with global trend as the United States and many other economies were pursuing an expansionary monetary policy.

    “Reducing the MPR from 13.5 per cent to 13 per cent will still leave real interest rate in the economy positive and it will also most likely result in increased lending to the real sector.

    “This is the expectation, especially now that the CBN is encouraging this including through specifying for banks a minimum of 60 per cent of deposits which must be channelled to the real sector,” he said.

    Uwaleke noted that relaxing the MPR would also increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth which was presently put at 2.01 per cent as at first quarter of 2019.

    He said that besides, the risk to inflation arising from the new national minimum wage might not crystallise while threat to food production due to farmers and herders conflict was no more as rife as it was previously. (NAN)

  • CBN tasks banks, other financial institutions on customers relationship

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has advised banks and other financial institutions in the country to be transparent in their dealings in order to build customers’ confidence.

    Mr Kofo Salam-Alada, the Director, Consumer Protection Department of CBN gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    Salam-Alada said Nigerian banks  and other financial institutions rendering financial services must be transparent and ensure fair treatment to customers.

    “For banks to keep their customers and ensure they remain in business, there is the need to build confidence of customers and ensure that they are happy with the services provided by the banks.

    “What we are doing here is to help the business of the banks and our expectation is that at certain stage, the regulators will have less to do in terms of market conduct.

    “A satisfied customer goes out to advertise the bank because to me, good  treatment of customers should be the best advertisement for banking business, capital market, and Insurance among others.

    “If thousands or million of bank’s customers decide to withdraw their money from a particular bank, it will affect the health of such bank,” he said.

    The director said that due to what happened in the past in the sector, had made  the apex bank to put measures in place to ensure that consumers of financial services were protected.

    He said that investigations CBN had shown that the neglect of customers had contributed to the global financial crisis experienced worldwide in 2007 and 2008.

    Salam-Alada assured all customers of financial institutions in the country that CBN would ensure that all their investments were protected.

    He also advised the banks to stick to the rules and operate within the confines of set out financial regulations.

    According to him, CBN will not leave any stone unturned to grow their businesses and will continue to put necessary regulations in place for them to thrive. (NAN)

  • Presidency speaks on $1bn security fund spending

    President Muhammadu Buhari

    By Ismaila Chafe

    The Presidency has dismissed Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) allegation that the one billion dollars drawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was spent by the Muhammadu Buhari administration on the 2019 general election.

    The Peoples Democratic Party in a statement on Sunday asked Buhari to explain to Nigerians what his administration had done with one billion dollars drawn from the ECA in 2017 and meant to address the nation’s security challenges.

    The amount was approved by the National Economic Council in December,  2017, to be used to purchase weapons to fight insurgency across the country.

    However, Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said “this unverifiable allegation’’ clearly indicated that the PDP was suffering from socio emotional distress.

    He said  PDP ”thinks that all governments in the world run on the basis of freewheeling looting as they did their own.

    ”Here is what happened to that 1,000 million dollars.

    ”It’s on record that the Buhari administration paid about 490 million dollars for a dozen Super Tucano fighter aircraft in a direct, government-to-government (no Contractors or Commission Agents) transaction with government of the United States.

    ”Various other military procurements have been made. Balance of expenditure stands at about 880 million dollars or so.

    ”The PDP spent Defence procurement funds on their failed 2015 political campaigns as proven in court.

    ”That is not to say every succeeding government, more so one led by a Buhari will do the same.”

    The presidential aide added that, barring considerations of national security, the details of the stage of implementation, the procurements made and the suppliers will be obtained and made available on Monday.

  • Osinbajo, Okowa nominated for Niger Delta Leadership awards

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta are to be given Niger Delta Leadership Awards 2018 by Gbaramatu Voice Newspaper, a multi-media organisation.

    The award ceremony will hold at Transcorp Hotel in Abuja on Aug. 8.

    Mr Jacob Abai, the Publisher of the newspaper, said in Lagos on Sunday that the awards were to reward excellence in governance.

    “GbaramatuVoice wishes to announce the name of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as winner of Niger Delta Peace Laureate of the year award for going out of his way in sustaining peace in Niger Delta through his lectures, townhall meetings, consultations and discourses.

    “His Excellency, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, is Niger Delta Best Governor of the year on Grassroots and Rural Community Development,” he said.

    Others to be awarded are the environmental rights activist and the Special Adviser to Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs and the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, who is to receive Lifetime Achivement Award.

    The Chairman of Niger Delta Bishops’ Forum, Archbishop Goddowell Avwomakpa, and Comrade Joseph Evah, the Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, are also to receive Lifetime Achivement Award.

    “Mr Matthew Tonlagha will receive the Niger Delta Philantropist of the year award.

    “Comrade Sammy George, Chairman, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Rivers State will receive Niger Delta Most Active Youth Leader Award of the year for Peace, while Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), a Niger Delta based NGO, will receive Niger Delta Most Outstanding NGO of the Year award.

    “Ijaw Women of America Inc, based in the U.S., will receive the Niger Delta International Most Outstanding Women Organisation Award for building solar power borehole in five Niger Delta communities.

    “Comrade Daniel Ezekiel, a Niger Delta Human rights activist, will receive the Niger Delta Humanitarian Service of the year award for advocating for the rights of the common man.

    “Comrade Esimaje Awani, a fomer President of Itsekiri National Youth Council, will receive Niger Delta Most Outstanding Youth Leader award, while Chief Barriater Smooth, Niger Delta Music Icon award.”

    He said Chief Timipre Sylva, a former Governor of Bayelsa, would be the chairman of the occasion, while Deacon KIngsley Otuaro, the Deputy Governor of Delta would be the Chief Host.

    “Prof. Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, the Chairman of Aboki Publsihers and Investment Limited will be the keynote speaker, while Prof. Tosam Harriman, Director, Centre for the Development of Social Research in Nigeria, Kano, will be the speaker.

    “Royal Fathers of the Day are His Majesties, Oboro-Gbaraun II, Aketekpe, Agadagba, Pere of Gbaramati Kingdom, His Majesty, Elder (Capt.) Joseph Timiyan, Ebenanawei of Ogulagha kingdom and others.”

    Abai said that the awards were created in 2015 to recognize individuals and collective contributions to the Niger Delta, “especially those undervalued and unrecognized people who are making a difference in various areas”.

    “All across the Niger Delta, the nominees have demonstrated exceptional works through their philanthropism, environmental awareness, love for the Niger Delta, community service, rule of law and sundry issues,” he said.

    He said that the nominees were named after a thorough scrutiny by independent evaluators.

    “Categories of awards for which nominees have been shortlisted include Niger Delta Governor, philanthropist, woman, musician, Showbiz impresario, business personality, cooporate organisation, legislator and sports personality of the year.” NAN)

  • Nigerian pilgrims boost Madinah hospitality industry

     

    The hospitality industry in Madinah has witnessed a boost, following the arrival of Nigerian pilgrims in the city for the 2019 Hajj,

    Our  correspondent in Madinah reports that many Nigerian pilgrims were seen booking for lodging in some of the hotels located in the Al-Salam area of Madinah.

    A check  revealed that several Nigerians lodged in some of the hotels such as Wefadah Alzalrah, Gulnar Alsalam and Diyar Alsalam.

    It is also reports that some of the pilgrims, especially women, are engaging in purchase of gift items and other basic needs.

    The gift items, according to them, are meant for presentation to their families, friends and well-wishers upon return home from the pilgrimage.

    Some Nigerian women were also seen selling Nigerian foods such as rice, beans, chicken and tuwo masara, among others.

    An operator of a provision store, AbdulAziz Abdulmalik, in an interview, described the presence of Nigerian pilgrims in the city as a positive development.

    Abdulmalik added that the Nigerian pilgrims are boosting commercial activities in Madinah.

    “I have made some profits since the arrival of pilgrims in Madinah, especially those from Nigeria who check into my shop to buy one thing or the other,’’ he said.

    Sources from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) indicate that no fewer than 15,629 pilgrims from Nigeria had so far arrived Madinah in 33 flights for this year’s Hajj.

    Ahmed Magari, the Madinah Coordinator of NAHCON for 2019 Hajj, told journalists that the commission had contracted a Madinah-based transport company, Hafil, to transport about 35,000 Nigerian pilgrims from the city to Makkah for continuation of their Hajj rites.

    In a show of hospitality to the pilgrims, some Arabs were seen giving them chilled bottled water and other packed foods.

  • Four Turkish nationals kidnapped in Kwara

    Four Turkish nationals kidnapped in Kwara

    Four Turkish nationals were Saturday night abducted at a local drinking joint at Gbale village,  Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    This is coming barely one week after attacked a cargo ship off the coast of Nigeria and kidnapped 10 Turkish sailors.

    The captives, identified as Yasin Colak, 33; Senerapal, 40; Ergun Yurdakul, 35 and Seyit Keklik, 25, were said to be working with Instabul concrete limited, Gbale.

    The spokesman of the state police command, Ajayi Okasanmi, said the Commissioner of Police had dispatched men of Operation Puff Adder to rescue the captives and arrest the captors.

    Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye, said he was working with the security agencies to ensure rescue of the abductees.

    The governor urged for calm.