Plateau Government House Chapel on Wednesday started a three-day ``solemn assembly prayers’’ for the healing of the state and the return of peace. The programme, being held at the chapel, would have 24 ministers offering prayers f...
The former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, said on Wednesday in Ibadan that the gang up against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would fail. Alao-Akala, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while reacti...
President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday announced a gift of N5 million to the Football Supporters Club of Nigeria, for cheering the Super Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations victory. The President announced the gift when the Minister of Sports, Mallam...
A Kaduna Senior Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday ordered three farmers to be remanded in prison custody for alleged murder.
The accused persons, Annas Kabiru, 27; Rabo Dogo, 21, and Sundee Usman, 21, of Zantar village, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State are standing trial for allegedly killing one Gajere Jibrin Gwanma.
The police prosecutor, Insp. Simon Abbah, told the court that the accused persons were reported to the Kaura Police Station by one Danjuma Gajere of the Kaduna State High Court, Zaria, in September 2012.
He said Danjuma told the police that he got a message that the accused persons beat to death, his father, Gajere Jibrin Gwanma, following an allegation of sorcery levelled against him.
Abbah said after Gwamna's death, the accused persons went to his house and set it on fire, which also led to the death of one Tela Kanasame.
The prosecutor further said the offences were contrary to sections 97, 221 and 337 of the Penal code.
The accused were charged with criminal conspiracy, mischief by fire and culpable homicide.
Senior Magistrate Shittu Bello said his court had no jurisdiction to try the accused and that they were only in court for cognizance.
``My court cannot try this case until a legal advice from the State Ministry of Justice has been sent through the police to the court”.
He adjourned the matter till February 28 for further mention. (NAN)
The Plateau House of Assembly on Wednesday expressed disappointment over the implementation of 2012 budget, describing it as ``very poor’’.
Mr Ponmak Rindap, Chairman of the assembly’s Committee on Works, told newsmen in Jos that the general performance, especially from the ministry of works, was ``abysmally poor in 2012 despite an appropriation of N7.1’’.
Rindap, who spoke shortly after the ministry defended its proposals for the 2013 fiscal year, attributed the ministry's performance to the ``non release of the appropriated funds to do its work’’.
He said N7.1 billion was approved for the ministry for completion of on-going road projects in the 2012 budget, but they remained undone.
``The budget performance last year was just absolutely poor,’’ he declared.
Rindap said no new roads had been awarded in the past five years ``even though there were appropriations and releases for the completion of on-going road works''.
``There has been no new project in the works sector; we met on-going projects which have not been completed up to now as I am talking to you.
“So, budget performance is far below expectation, but we expect more releases from the government this year.”
He urged the ministry to be sensitive to the plight of road users, especially in the rural communities, and advised government to ensure prompt release of appropriated funds to relevant ministries and departments.
The law maker said part of the requirements for budget defence included proofs that projects were actually executed and advised that more funds should released to contractors.
“It is our desire that by the end of 2013, all road projects will be completed,” he said.
The Commissioner for Works, Mr Chris Hassan, also told newsmen that contractors had been directed to immediately mobilise to site, to complete all on-going road construction before the end of March.
He lamented that some of the projects were awarded in 2008 and that their period of completion had elapsed.
Hassan also disclosed that the State Executive Council, in 2012, approved the award of 12 new road contracts which had been captured in its 2013 appropriation.
``Already, the work agreements have been signed between the government and the companies expected to carry out the jobs,’’ he said. (NAN)
The Plateau Commissioner for Works, Mr Chris Hassan, said on Wednesday in Jos that the state government had awarded 20 road contracts worth N33 billion to be completed in two years.
Speaking shortly after signing the contract papers, Hassan said the Gov. Jonah Jang's administration was executing a 10-point agenda with a special focus on the provision of a sound road network.
``Roads have been a major focus because all developments are anchored on the movement of goods and services. We cannot develop without roads.’’
He said that much had been done in the area of road construction, but that government intended to construct more roads and bridges to open up the hinterland so that development could flow.
“Any visitor to Plateau will see the difference. We are doing all these because one day, we shall give an account of our stewardship to mankind, and ultimately to God.’’
The commissioner warned the contractors against ``substandard work’’ and urged them to put the public interest above the selfish desire to amass profit.
``And if you think Plateau is where you will come and learn how to construct roads, then I assure you this is the wrong place,’’ he warned.
Hassan warned further: “If you also think you can just come and take the 30 percent mobilisation fee and disappear, I assure you, again, that you cannot do that here.’’
He also cautioned the contractors against relegating technical and legal specifics to the background.
According to him, the corporate responsibility that entails the creation of job opportunities for Plateau indigenes should also never be compromised.
``You must strive to complement our efforts toward reducing poverty and unemployment,’’ he said.
Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Michael Dofe of P. W. Nig. Ltd thanked the state government for the offers and pledged to execute quality job.
Some of the projects include the construction of a fly-over at the Federal Secretariat junction, Jos, as well as the dualisation of the Old Airport-Rayfield-Government House Road in Jos. (NAN)
Gov. AbdulFatah Ahmed of Kwara on Wednesday urged Khadis of the state Sharia Court of Appeal to be committed to quick dispensation of justice. Ahmed made the call in Ilorin during the legal year ceremony of the court. The governor, ...
An Abuja Upper Area Court on Wednesday sentenced Kabiru Audu, 22, of NURTW, Jabi motor park, Abuja, to five months imprisonment for theft. He, was, however, given an option to pay N3,000 as fine. The Police Prosecutor, Mr Simon Ibrahim, had told ...
Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos State, on Tuesday said that the commission was set to embark on voter registration.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that everything had been put in place for the commencement of the exercise, adding that it had commenced sensitisation of the people of the state on the exercise.
“We told them that as soon as we are about starting, we will make it public.
”We have put everything in place to ensure that we commence as soon as possible.
“The machines that we will use are being cleaned up; the materials like the ink for the printers, are already with us and we have just recruited Registration Area Officers (RAO's)”, he said.
He said that RAO's would man clusters of wards in local governments with schedules of duty that would cover a wide range of exercises, include taking note of voters who died, with a view to de-listing their names.
He added that the others were manual registration of persons of 18 years and above, pointing out that the programme would continue till six months before the next general elections.
He said the RAO's would also process the transfer of voters from one state to another and identify voters who lost their cards with a view to replacing them and compile comprehensive voters list.
Ogunmola said that beyond their functions, the RAOs would educate voters about the election process and democracy for people to take informed decisions on voting, among others.
He noted that de-listing names of death persons from the voter register would commence as soon as the RAO's were deployed to their places of assignment.
Ogunmola expressed optimism that Nigeria politics would overcome money politics noting that many people were conscious of the fact that politicians who used money to entice voters, made their money through corrupt means (NAN).
Three persons, Amarachi Ojinkeya, Patience Igwe and Tochuchkwu Mathias were on Wednesday arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for stealing N5.1 million belonging to their master. Ojinkeya, 18, Igwe, 29 and Mathias, 20, are fac...
An Islamic cleric, Ibrahim Olateju, on Wednesday told an Abeokuta High Court that he was seeking the dissolution of his 10-year-old marriage because his wife, Rukayat, was allegedly a traitor.
Ibrahim, who spoke under oath in the witness box, said that the marriage had produced two children, aged five and three.
The suit is being heard by Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje of the High Court III in Isabo.
Olateju told the court that they (couple) had been living peacefully before he lost his job in January 2010.
``We never had any problem until I could not perform my financial responsibilities as the head of the home due to loss of my job.
``She refused to understand how bad things were for me. Rukayat will fight me to the extent that I will rely on our neighbours to come to my rescue.
``Apart from the fact that she betrayed my trust in her, she made me a subject of ridicule before our neighbours and her family members.
``I was thinking things will change but was surprised to come back home on May 5, 2010, to see that she had packed out with our children and my belongings, `` he alleged.
The complainant disclosed that his investigation revealed that Rukayat had relocated to her mother’s house in Abeokuta.
He further explained to the court that he made futile efforts through their (couple’s) parents and relatives to persuade his wife to return home.
In her address, his Counsel, Mrs Olayemi Yusuf, alleged that despite the fact that Rukayat was served with summons and hearing notices, she refused to appear in court.
" By the attitude of the respondent (Rukayat) and evidences before this court, it is obvious that Rukayat is no longer interested in this marriage.
``In the instance case my Lord, I humbly urge the court to grant the prayers of the complainant by dissolving the marriage on the ground that it has irredeemably broken down, `` she pleaded.
The defendant, who had been absent in court since the commencement of the case in June 2012, was not represented by any counsel.
After the oral address by the counsel and testimonies of Ibrahim, the judge, thereafter, reserved judgement on the mater till April, 23.(NAN)
NFF President Aminu Maigari says he has not spoken to Stephen Keshi since the coach announced his shock resignation on Monday evening.
A Magistrates' Court in Abeokuta on Tuesday sentenced a 20-year-old man, Bidemi Jayeola, to one year imprisonment for stabbing a 16-year-old boy.
The Magistrate, Mr Matins Akinyemi, sentenced Jayeola after he pleaded guilty to the charge of assault filed against him.
Akinyemi, who did not give the convict an option of fine, said the sentence was with hard labour.
The magistrate said that the offence was classified as a violent crime.
He said that Jayeola inflicted ``serious bodily injury'' on another person, therefore, he had to go to jail and think about his actions.
Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court, Lagos, on Tuesday struck out an application for bail filed by four accused persons charged with pipeline vandalism.
Coach Stephen Keshi has decided to continue with his job as Super Eagles coach.
Keshi had tendered his resignation to the NFF, after leading the Super Eagles to their first Africa Nations Cup triumph in 19 years.
“I gave them (NFF) my letter of resignation immediately after last night’s game, but I haven’t heard from them yet,” Keshi told a South African radio station, Metro FM Monday night.
However, barely twenty-four hours later, keshi made a U-turn, saying all issues that led to his decision to quit the job had been resolved.
In a statement on Tuesday in Johannesburg, Keshi said: ``My attention has been drawn to reports in the media that I have resigned my appointment as the Head Coach of Super Eagles of Nigeria.
``While I have had cause to express my displeasure over some issues that happened in the course of our participation in the AFCON 2013, which my team won by the grace of God, especially concerning my relationship with the Nigerian Football Federation.
`` I have since had opportunity to discuss the various issues with all concerned. I am therefore pleased to say that I have reconsidered my position and have decided to continue with my job,’’ Keshi said.
He also thanked the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, for his swift intervention in the issues he raised the NFF concerning his position and the future of the team.
Keshi’s running battle with the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) heightened in South Africa following the team’s poor performance in the first two matches of the just concluded nation’s cup.
The minister of sports had told NAN in Johannesburg that in normal course relations there could be differences between an employer and employee when things are not going well.
``Keshi is one of Nigeria's football legend who has made history as a player and a coach having won the nation’s cup as player and coach. Nigeria is very proud of him and will continue to support him in the task of building an enduring national team,’’ Abdullahi said.
He, however, said that he would ensure that all outstanding issues concerning Keshi and team are resolved amicably.
``I do not Nigeria to be cited as a country that won the nation’s cup and failed to qualify for the second round of the competition in the next competition. We want Keshi and we like Keshi, he has recorded remarkable achievement as a player and coach,’’ Abdullahi said.
Meanwhile, FCT minister Bala Mohammed will today receive the Super Eagles at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Eagles are returning home in a chartered flight after their victory over Burkina Faso’s Stallions by 1-0 at the just-concluded African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
A statement by the chief press secretary to the minister, Muhammad Sule, indicates that the minister will receive the Eagles at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 1pm, after which they will make a stopover at the Abuja National Stadium for a mini reception. The statement says the team will later depart for the presidential villa where they will be hosted to a grand reception by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Additional report from NAN