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Border Closure : Republic Of Benin Counts Loses

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Border Closure : Republic Of Benin Counts Loses

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]ozens of baskets brimming with newly-picked tomatoes gently rot in the sticky heat, becoming the latest casualty in a bout of trade tension between Benin and Nigeria.
On August 19, President Muhammadu Buhari unexpectedly closed Nigeria’s borders to goods trade with Benin and Niger, declaring the time had come to end rampant smuggling from those countries.
In Benin, Nigeria’s neighbour to the west, traders say the impact has been devastating.
“This is a distressing sight,” Agriculture Minister Gaston Dossouhoui said this month, visiting markets in the town of Grand Popo, one of the main agricultural communities of southern Benin.
“It’s very difficult for our producers. It’s a disaster.”
“Financially speaking, Benin’s small producers are under water — they’ve already had to run up millions (of CFA francs) in debt,” said Adjeoda Amoussou, head of Benin’s Chamber of Agriculture.
Buhari defended the closure by saying Benin and Niger — Nigeria’s neighbour to the northeast — had failed to police their borders properly, and chronic smuggling was the result.
“The borders will remain closed until our neighbours control what goes through the borders and comply with the laws,” warned Hameed Ali, comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The move immediately caused a shockwave.
Unilateral border closures go against all commercial and freedom of movement treaties signed under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The announcement also cast a shadow over a historic free-trade agreement, signed by 54 out of 55 African countries, that reached a key operational threshold just five weeks earlier.
Nigeria, as well as Benin, had signed onto the pact on the eve of the landmark day — a move hailed as a crucial push towards ending the continent’s trade barriers.
– David and Goliath –
That smuggling goes on is clear, although it goes in both directions.
Huge quantities of frozen chickens, rice, fabric and cars arrive at the port of Cotonou, Benin’s economic capital, where they are taxed locally before being routed — often illegally — to Nigeria.
Benin has few functioning petrol stations, and its fuel is far more expensive than in Nigeria, where it is subsidised by the state. A common sight is smuggled Nigerian petrol, sold by the side of the road in jerrycans.
Beyond contraband, though, trade with Nigeria is crucial for Benin and Niger.
Ranking among the world’s poorest countries, they find themselves as David opposite the Nigerian Goliath — a market of 190 million and Africa’s biggest economy.
– ‘Fear of God’ –
In Benin, business people in some parts of the economy are panicking, and unfounded rumours that Nigeria will even go so far as to cut off its electricity supply are spreading in local newspapers.
“Buhari and his country want to put an end to us,” said Barthelemy Agon, a pineapple producer. He like many others have been hard-hit by fruits and vegetables no longer being exported to their big neighbour.
As for taxi and truck drivers, it’s barely worth the effort to hit the road since a litre of imported contraband fuel has risen by about one euro ($1.10) since the frontier was closed.
“We are suffering seriously from this situation — without petrol we can’t do anything,” said Aristide Samson Assogba, a motorcycle taxi driver.
Sebastien Deguenonvo in Cotonou’s Casse-Auto district said sales of his low-quality diesel had slumped from at least 30 26-litre (six-gallon) cans per day to just 10.
“I beg the Nigerian president to have pity on us,” he said.
But if his stoney reputation is anything to go by, Buhari — an ex-general whose first spell as Nigeria’s leader, in the 1980s, came after a coup — is unlikely to be merciful.
“President Buhari should be a little bit afraid of God,” said Henry Assogba from the National Association of Petrol Sellers. “The big one cannot live without the little one.”

By: Emeji Noble

Police rescue 19 pregnant women from Lagos ‘baby factory’ – Official

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Police rescue 19 pregnant women from Lagos ‘baby factory’ – Official

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he police in Lagos have announced the rescue of 19 pregnant girls from a ‘baby factory’ at Ayanwale area of Ikotun.

The arrest was made on September 19.

According to a statement made on Sunday by Bala Elkana, the Lagos police spokesperson, the pregnant girls are between 15 and 28 years old. Two suspects involved in the scandal were arrested.

According to Mr Elkana, detectives from Isheri-Osun Police Station led by the Divisional Police Officer, Chike Ibe, acted on information from a reliable source which led to the arrest of the suspects.

“The pregnant women were brought from Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Abia and Imo states.”

The young women were said to have been abducted by the suspects for the purpose of raping them, getting them pregnant and selling the babies to potential buyers.

The girls were reportedly told they would be employed as domestic staff in Lagos before they were held hostage.

“Two suspects namely Happiness Ukwuoma ‘f’ 40 years old and Sherifat Ipeya ‘f’ 54 years old were arrested in connection with the case. The suspects did not receive formal medical training but operate as nurses,” the police said.

The principal suspect, who was identified as Madam Oluchi, is at large as the police are making efforts to apprehend her. She is from Mbano, Imo State, and is a mother of five children, the police said.

The police said the arrested suspects are natives of Imo and Lagos states respectively.

“The babies are sold between N300,000 and N500,000 depending on the sex. Boys are sold for N500,000 and girls for N300,000.”

In addition to the rescued pregnant girls, the police said they rescued four kids. The kids were recovered from four different locations in connection to the case.

Zubairu Muazu, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police has directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case.

Buhari administration has given enormous patronage and support to his firm-Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing

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Buhari administration has given enormous patronage and support to his firm-Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman, Innoson Group of Companies Nigeria limited, said the Buhari administration has given enormous patronage and support to his firm, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM).

Chukwuma made the disclosure in an interview on Sunday in Nnewi, Anambra.

He also named states such as Enugu, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Anambra, Gombe, and Bauchi as well as Nigeria’s Military among the patrons of Innoson vehicles.

Chukwuma said if more patronage is given to his firm is sustained, it could transform Nigeria into vehicle manufacturing hub in Africa in no distant time.

“I can say that Innoson vehicle manufacturing is doing well, especially with the level of patronage and support the company is enjoying under the present Federal government.

“I must equally say that some state governments like; Ekiti, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Kogi, Gombe, Anambra and Bauchi are giving us a great boost.

“As at today, Innoson vehicles are being used in some West African countries like Mali, Sierra Leone and Ghana and some Nigerians residing abroad return home to purchase our vehicles”, he said.

Chukwuma said that his vehicle factory has the capacity to manufacture all brands of vehicle, adding that he hoped to expand the company, soonest. He said the company recently employed between 7,300 and 7,500 workers to boost production.

“With more support and patronage from Nigeria, we hope to expand our vehicle manufacturing firm to help provide more employment to our youths.”

Chukwuma, who responded to question on the performance of youths from Niger Delta trained under the amnesty programme by his firm, described most of them as highly talented.

“Some of the youth of the Niger Delta whom we trained are very talented, after their training, we retained some of them and they are part of the success story of Innoson vehicle manufacturing can boast of today”, he said.

On the recent report that Anambra lawmakers rejected Toyota Prado Jeep and demanded for Innoson products, Chukwuma said he knew nothing about the report.

He, however, said “Anybody, including the Anambra lawmaker is free to buy any brand of vehicle of his or her choice.

“As we speak, Anambra Government ordered for 40 vehicles which it fully paid for and we hope to deliver them to the state by next week.”

Chukwuma said he enjoyed very warm relationship with Gov. Willie Obiano and his government, saying that he was willing to leverage on the relationship to impact positively on the state.

 

By: Emeji Noble

Non-teaching workers threaten to withdraw services from WAEC offices

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Non-teaching workers threaten to withdraw services from WAEC offices

[dropcap]M[/dropcap]embers of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), working in Nigeria offices of West Africans Examination Council (WAEC), have threatened to withdraw their services from October 14.

The General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi, in a statement on Sunday, said the action, which is slated to commence on the October 14, became necessary following WAEC management’s delay in responding to the union’s previous letters.

On the letters, NASU said it listed a review of scheme of service, need to create more establishment for its members, and the refusal of the management to implement the policy on ex-grata. It also listed the dichotomy of payment allowance to members serving Council’s Meetings amongst others as its requests.

Mr Adeyemi said none of the union’s letters to WAEC management has been responded to so far.

“I, therefore, express concerns about the nonchalance of WAEC management in their treatment of these important lingering issues, which could put the global campaign for decent work policy and wellbeing of workers in WAEC Nigeria in jeopardy.

“It is on this premise that your management is hereby given a period of 21 days from the date herein to positively resolve all the issues listed above.

“Failing to do this would leave the union with no other option than to direct our members in WAEC throughout Nigeria to proceed on total strike by Monday, Oct. 14.”

The letters also listed irregular recruitment of examination officers and the incessant and unwarranted query to some union’s officers as the union’s grievances.

Mr Adeyemi noted that though the union’s headquarters is reliably informed that work on re-review of the scheme of service has reached an appreciable level, the management’s alleged reluctance to harmonise the grey areas is delaying its approval and operation.

“In view of the importance of scheme of service in daily administration, it is highly imperative that the Head National Office (HNO), not only talk the talk but also walk the walk as he promised in one of the meetings held with NASU executive branch committee.

“Part of the agreement is to immediately set up a committee of management and NASU to work on the grey areas and come up with scheme of service that meets international standard and the yearnings of staff.”

The union said the review of scheme of service has been lingering since the year 2013 till date without any positive resolution despite the union’s favourable disposition to collective bargaining with the WAEC management on the matter.

The NASU scribe, who described the level of stagnation of officers in the Council as worrisome, said the situation is a clear case of injustice on the affected staff.

He said: “The truth of the matter is that the affected staffers are due for promotions and are also qualified but they are denied.

 

“I therefore call for the creation of additional Establishments to take care of the affected staff in the spirit of fairness and equity.”

NASU also flayed the decision of WAEC to neglect the implementation of the policy on ex-gratia.

“The union believes that it is improper for the payment to be stopped midway, as there is no justification to change the goal post in the middle of a game.

“The stoppage is a gimmick from the management to polarise the workers in the council. Therefore, those who were schemed out of the payment should be paid without delay,” Adeyemi stated.

NASU also decried the dichotomy of payment allowance to members serving the council’s meetings.

“The dichotomy in payment of allowances to staff serving council’s meetings and conduct of examinations offshore is a great injustice which should be stopped as there is no justification for such pernicious action as what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

“Such equality and fairness should be maintained in the payment of allowances to those involved in such crucial and important assignments,” the union noted.

The union said the management should as a matter of policy look inward on the employment of Examination Officers as some staff are already trained and have the qualification to assume such position.

According to Mr Adeyemi, this is better instead of employment of fresh hands that need to be trained in order to fit into the system.

NASU also observed the regularity of queries issued to some of the union officers noting that most of the queries are issued based on flimsy and inconsequential offences, which, it said, is a form of intimidation, targeted at witch-hunting the members of the union.

Enugu Airport: FAAN begins rehabilitation on runway

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Enugu Airport: FAAN begins rehabilitation on runway

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has commenced the rehabilitation of the runway at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday.
NAN reports that FAAN had on August 24 announced the closure of the airport, which is the only international airport in the South East region for the reconstruction of its runway.
Yakubu told NAN that work has finally began at the airport ahead of the December 2019 deadline set for the completion of the runway repairs and other renovation works.
NAN reports that following the closure of the airport, international flights have been diverted to the Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers State by Ethiopian Airlines.
Similarly, domestic flights were diverted to the Sam Mbwkwe Airport, Owerri, the Port Harcourt Airport and the Asaba Airport in Delta State.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, had in a meeting with South East governors assured them that the Enugu airport would be reconstructed to meet the Abuja International Airport standard.
Sirika had also disclosed that the runway repairs and other renovation works would be completed by December 2019.
NAN.

$480m Tinapa Rots Away After Donald Duke’s Tenure

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$480m Tinapa Rots Away After Donald Duke’s Tenure

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he saying that ‘when the owner or originator of an idea or a business is no more, the idea goes with him’ seems to be very true of the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort Ltd. When he held sway as governor of Cross River State, especially during his second term when he conceived and built Tinapa Business Resort and Leisure Ltd, Mr. Donald Duke passionately nurtured it to global prominence.
Duke constantly used local and international media outlets to publicise it. At its peak, its fame grew globally to the extent that TINAPA was not only a beehive of activities but a must-visit place. It hosted conferences almost round the clock. Tourists and fun seekers flooded the place.
It is a massive and structurally imposing business concept by the former governor of Cross River State to complement his idea of tourism, which was the focal point in the second term of his administration.
Tinapa sits on a land mass the size of about 20 or more Olympic size football fields. Over $480 million was reported to have been used to build the sprawling complex, which has array of emporiums, each as big as half of a football field. These were meant to be taken up by business organisations to retail their goods. Within the complex, there are conference halls of international standard, a 3-storey hotel of nearly 100 rooms, children arcade, office complexes, cinema halls which Hollywood stars had patronised when the place boomed, artificial river, monorail etc.
It would appear that the successive governors – Senator Liyel Imoke and Professor Ben Ayade did not sustain the tempo, lending credence to the belief that maintenance and continuity are not on the minds of successive governments in Nigeria. Tinapa is not only moribund today, it is a sorry sight.
The purposeful and gigantic structures, which were meant to boost tourism and economy of the state and sustain itself, are simply lying in ruins. Much of the structures have since been overwhelmed by wild grasses. The infrastructures are decaying. As at today, all of the occupants of the shops and emporiums have since left, even TMart (owned by Donald Duke) which was the only one that remained. Revenue has ceased.
Recent reports indicate that thieves frequently vandalise many of the equipment, cables, lightings, as there is no security. Criminals are reported to freely hide away in the bushes that surround the structures. It is understood that they have also tampered with the monorail. Perhaps, it is only the Lakeside Hotel and the adjoining swimming arcade that have semblance of life, especially during festival holidays or some weekends when one or two conferences are lucky to be hosted there.
The originator of the TINAPA concept, Donald Duke, has often bared his mind over the abandonment of the project which staggering state resources were sunk into. Till today, the state government is still paying back loans to the federal government and banks. At a book launch in Calabar penultimate week, Duke regretted that the infrastructure has been allowed to waste, saying the non-usage of Tinapa was the greatest disservice his successors have done to the state.
“Tinapa has not been put to use and we shot ourselves on the foot when we did not put it to use. Government is continuous and the successor is always smarter than the predecessor,” he stated. He said so much was expended on Tinapa and was supposed to be the pride of the state, but said the place has been left to rot because his successors did not understand the concept.
He was unhappy that the monorail project said to be valued at over $130m was abandoned soon after he left office.
However, when Ayade came, he seemed to have activated it even though it has again been abandoned due to inactivity in the resort. Imoke and Ayade’s governments have often insisted that lack of regulatory framework to determine its operations impeded its functionality. Their spokespersons said when the project was completed, the area was absent.
In an interview, the general manager, Mr. Francis Ekom, denied that Tinapa is moribund and maintained that some activities are still on course.
He however consented that a good number of the businesses which once flourished in Tinapa had closed shops but that they have new proposals from some investors.
“We are still functioning. Some business activities are still going on. What has been impacting against the resort is the government regulations since inception. However, there is hope now for businesses such as ours going by what the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo marshalled out last week.”
To further confirm that life is about to be breathed into the resort once more, Ekom disclosed that a foreign manufacturing concern will soon take up part of the complex to do ‘light manufacturing’.
“They may not yet be allowed to do heavy manufacturing so that it does not affect the ambience of the resort. With them around, many more businesses will return,” he said.
On the wild and over grown grasses which have overtaken the complex, Ekom confessed that it takes several millions of naira to dress the grasses and maintain the ambience.
“Even though the state government occasionally helps in this regard but we cannot dress the grasses because it consumes millions of naira. TINAPA was supposed to generate its funds but where do we get such money today when we have not yet been able to offset much of the loans and other indebtedness.
“It was not the state government that was supposed to pay back the loans raised to build Tinapa but ourselves.”
Many believe that some federal government agencies such as the Nigerian Customs Service have a hand in the plight of the resort. It is believed that the many stringent measures and taxes at seaports on importers of goods meant to go to Tinapa discouraged investors and business owners. As if that was not enough, the citing of a similar concept few metres away – the Summit Hills Estate which houses array of leisure and business outfits, including international golf course and the Calabar International Conference Centre (CICC), by former Governor Liyel Imoke compounded the challenges of Tinapa. It pulls traffic of conferences away from Tinapa.
A concerned and critical stakeholder in the state, Chief Benjamin Ani, asked why Imoke couldn’t channel the massive funds used in building another events centre into Tinapa.
“He also wanted to be seen as having built such edifice which the current government has named after him, as Tinapa was named after Duke. Why didn’t Imoke or Ayade continue to ensure that Tinapa is sustained through entrenched interest?”

By: Emeji Kelechi Noble

DELSU 1st Class Graduating Student presented with #5m by Delta Scholarship Board

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DELSU 1st Class Graduating Student presented with #5m by Delta Scholarship Board

[dropcap] M[/dropcap]r. Abel Maviano Jonathan, the wonder kid from Enhwe, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State was  presented with a cheque of five Million Naira for academic brilliance to enable him pursue masters and Ph.D studies by the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board.

Mr.Jonathan, a first class graduate of mathematics from Delta State University, Abraka was presented with the by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Hon Sunny Orishedere, at a brief but impressive ceremony in his office at Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Jonathan, a 23 years old orphan, lost his both parents to death; his father, late Jonathan Owarie died 15 years ago, and his mother, late Mrs. Roseline Owarie died 13 years ago. He made 4.91, making him the best first class material since DELSUS’s inception, and an overall all time best student. He was accompanied to the event by one of his uncles, Barrister Bayagbon David.

Hon. Sunny Orishedere and the Management of the Board with Mr. Abel Maviano Jonathan

Presenting the cheque, Hon. Orishedere said: “What we are doing today is our usual way of showing to the youths of Delta state, especially that this administration is committed to encouraging them to any positive height they may want to attain.

“The state government didn’t even know that he is an orphan. Government just made the policy to come to the aid of exceptionally brilliant students of the state origin to encourage them. Abel is an example that every Delta child needs to emulate. His determination has brought him to this height. He did not feel that he has no parents; a situation that would have made someone to lose hope and resort to doing negative things,” the Executive secretary said.

He continued: “We thank you for making Delta State proud. We are happy to see and to hear that Deltans are excelling in their various fields of endeavour. To have made this possible, Delta State Government wants to encourage you. Delta State Government wants to encourage outstanding youths of the state to achieve and reach the best heights.”

Orishedere then hand to Jonathan the letter of scholarship award and the first cheque to enable him pursue post graduate studies.

Jonathan’s uncle, representing his parents, Barrister David Bayagbon thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board for being magnanimous and caring. “This is an encouragement. I was there when Governor Okowa made the promise to help indigent but brilliant students, and today, that promise is being fulfilled.”

Expressing his appreciation for the government’s good gesture and aid to him, the recipient, Mr. Jonathan said: “I thank God for this support and I believe that it will help me to achieve my height. I thank the Scholarship Board for this support.”

Jonathan, who came out as the best overall student for the 2017/2018 academic session, is also the overall all time best student with 4.91 in the history of Delta State University. He pledged to be useful to the state by playing his own good part on completion of his post graduate studies.

Speaking to journalists later, Jonathan said he was inspired by the pushing of his aunty, and that the first result he had as an undergraduate he made all ‘As’ and one ‘B’. “When I entered the university, first class was not on my mind. The grace of God helped me,” he said, pointing out that “I put away my browsing phone. There were days we studied for 15 hours.

“Once I resumed at school I avoided all social events. I can’t remember being in any social gathering apart from going to church. I never eyed any girl. I was not eyeing girls. I was nick named the Reading Room.”

To the youth like him, Jonathan said: “It might take long, it might take a while but don’t give up. There are honest ways to making money, and that money is not everything. To Delta youth, I want to encourage them to understand that making fast money does not pay in the long run. Just make money through the right way.

“I had financial challenges; I never had luxury in school, yet, I did not suffer. I ate. And I am very grateful to y family people. Sometimes, I had to go to people, who are ahead of me to seek help,’ Jonathan disclosed.

On what he wants to be and do in life, he said: “My ambition is not just to be lecturer. I want to apply this knowledge. Mathematics is about solving problems. I want to solve problems. I want to come out to help develop models that will help to solve human problems. I thank God for my uncles and aunties who took care of me and my siblings.”

Edo College Old Boys visits Motherless Homes and Hospital in Asaba,donates Foods,gifts

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Edo College Old Boys visits Motherless Homes and Hospital in Asaba,donates Foods,gifts

[dropcap]E[/dropcap]do College, Benin City established in February 1937, is the pioneer secondary school in the old Midwestern Region or Bendel State, and the numero uno school in terms of perception which is largely a function of the academic excellence of products of the school. It started as the Benin Middle School with forms, I, II and III. In April 1937, the school, with a total student enrolment of 76 pupils, moved from its temporary site at the old Government School, Benin City to a permanent site, the present Idia College premises. In 1973, the school further moved from Idia College premises to its present site along Murtala Mohammed Way, Benin City.

Edo College has since inception been a citadel of excellence in academics, sports and students’ character. It has maintained this status through the years, till date and remains a reference point in the educational landscape of Nigeria.

Edo College Old Boys have continued to make indelible imprints in the sands of time in Nigeria and all over the world, and the Association, otherwise known by the acronym, ‘ECOBA’, is clearly primus inter pares among alumni associations in Nigeria. The ECOBA has been in existence for over decades and is a well organized association, duly incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The Edo College Old Boys Association (ECOBA) clocked eighty two years (82) this year and to celebrate the anniversary, ECOBA members Asaba branch visited  Motherless Babies’Homes and Federal Medical Centre (FMC) at Asaba and distributed in foodstuffs, such as rice, milk, oil, spaghetti, garri,Yam and palm oil and also presented gifts to patients at Federal Medical Centre (FMC)as part of its activities to mark its 82ND anniversary.

Members of the ECOBA spent some time with the children by playing games and discussing with them,ECOBA visits to the motherless Babies Homes and Hospital brings joy,show care,put smile on their faces and build up humanity and make communities around a better place to live in.

Hunger and Starvation is one of the problems identified in our present day Society. Negligent of the Government in providing affordable food for her citizenry gives rise to NGO,s attaining to SOS cry for Various destitute Homes, Orphanages and Motherless babies homes as well old peoples homes. Edo College Old Boys Association (ECOBA) of Asaba Metropolitan has in season and out of season visit these homes and donate food and toiletries to them.

FRSC : Commuters blamed the gridlock on the deplorable road at the Asaba-Onitsha highway

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FRSC : Commuters blamed the gridlock on the deplorable road at the Asaba-Onitsha highway

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Command has assured commuters and motorists plying the Onitsha-Asaba Expressway that it is committed to easing the daily gridlock on the Niger Bridge.

FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Ayodele Kumapayi, gave the assurance while reacting to complaints by motorists and commuters over the daily gridlock in the area. Commuters have complained that the gridlock inhibits their movement at the bridgehead for many hours on a daily basis.

A commercial bus driver, Mr. Chijioke Oraegbunam, blamed the gridlock on the deplorable road at the Asaba end, adding that the highway has been overtaken by potholes right from the Niger Bridge to Tipper junction, Asaba.

Another road user, Mr. Tunde Ojo, who also decried the gridlock, called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the repair of the road to reduce the sufferings of road users.

But, Mr. Kumapayi said that FRSC officials were always at the Onitsha-Asaba Expressway on a daily basis controlling traffic.

“The major problem is at the Asaba end where we have bad portions, but thank God that the FRSC in Asaba has been liaising with the Federal Ministry of Works and they have started palliative works.

“I am aware that they are trying to fill the areas that are bad. I believe that after the palliative works, traffic movement will improve.

“We are not resting, what we are doing as FRSC is to ensure that our presence is there always,” he assured.
The Sector Commander also noted that the organisation on September 2, commenced the ‘ember’ month campaign which will last till December 18.

“We have been visiting churches, mosques and conducting advocacy visits to communities and holding town hall meetings targeted at sensitising the motoring public on what is expected of them.

“We will have a formal launch in one of the motor parks in the state on October 1,” the Sector Commander disclosed.
He said that the corps has also began the enforcement of critical offenses such as speeding, overloading and use of phones while driving as part of measures to reduce fatal road crashes within the period.

 

By: Emeji Kelechi Noble

Court remands Journalist Agba Jalingo in Prison in Cross River State

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Court remands Journalist Agba Jalingo in Prison in Cross River State

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] Federal High Court sitting in Nigeria’s southern port city of Calabar, Cross River State capital, presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda on Wednesday, remanded Journalist and Rights Activist, Agba Jalingo in Prison.

Mr. Jalingo is facing charges of terrorism, treasonable felony and attempt to topple the Cross River State government. The charges received widespread condemnation after they were leaked to the public.

He pleaded not guilty to the four (4) charges preferred against him.

Justice Amobeda in his ruling said that the counter affidavit by the prosecution filed in response to the motion for bail by the defendants counsel was added to the file on Wednesday morning and has not had time to look at it. He said that he perused the file on Tuesday night and did not see the counter affidavit.

The prosecution counsel, Mr. Denis Terhemba, a Deputy Superintendent of Police claimed the counter affidavit was filed on September 18, 2019 but Jalingo’s counsel, Mr. Attah Ochinke said he was served shortly before the court began sitting.

However, after a brief discussion with the Clerk of the Court who whispered a few words to him, Justice Amobeda ruled that Jalingo be remanded at the Afokang Prison center in Calabar.

He adjourned the case to Thursday, September 26, 2019.

Reacting to the ruling of the court, Mr. Ochinke who described the charges as “sensational,” also averred that: “We have looked at the proof of evidence and we know that they have no base.”

“We had an application for him to be admitted in to bail; but because (of) the reaction, the counter affidavit was only brought to the attention of the Court today, the Court graciously granted us to come back tomorrow for the argument on the application of the bail. We hope that by tomorrow, the court will give a considered opinion on it and Agba will be admitted to bail,” Ochinke added, stressing that the journalist is ready to stand trial.

When pressed for what will happen if he is refused bail on Thursday, Ochinke posited that: “I will prefer that we cross that bridge when we reach it. There are legal remedies in that respect which we can explore,” adding that: “He has been in detention for about 35 days and the Police has completed their investigation and charged the matter to court so there is no reason to continue to keep him in detention.”

When reached for comments, Mr. Terhemba said he was not at liberty to discuss the matter with the press.

“The fact is that, the matter as it is, is a matter that is before the Federal High Court 2 here in Calabar. The fact and whatever transpired in Court, I cannot reveal to you unless you go to the registrar of the Court, get the details from the registrar and he will give you exactly what transpired in Court except the Court grants a leave for me to release such information which such leave has not been granted. So, you make contact with the registrar of the Court to get such details,” Terhemba said.

Jalingo was arrested in his Lagos residence on August 22, 2019 and remained in detention for 34 days before he was arraigned.

He was invited by the Police command in Cross River State over a petition that an article he wrote on the State’s Microfinance bank had affected it’s business negatively. The interview which was billed for August 19th was rescheduled for August 26th and later September 3, 2019.

Jalingo had, in the article, queried the whereabouts of the 500 million Naira approved and released by the Cross River State government for the floating of that bank.

The Spokesman to Governor Benedict Ayade, Mr. Christian Ita had claimed in an interview with Premium Times, that Jalingo’s arrest was based on his participation in the #RevolutionNow movement. He later told Love FM that the State was been fingered because it was the easiest thing to do.

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