[dropcap]A[/dropcap] staff of Alimosho Local Area of Lagos State simply identified as Samuel Koro-toe was on Tuesday stabbed to death by an officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. The incident happened at the secretariat of Agege Local Government Area.
Late Okoro-toe, an activist, was at the Council for the ongoing celebration of the 40th-year anniversary of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, across the country.
According to a source who captured the moment on camera, and posted it on social media, trouble erupted after some NDLEA officers, who have an office in the council, fired several shots into the air. They were said to be heavily drunk.
Their action was said to have been met with indignation from Council’s staff, particularly NULGE Excos, who protested against the vile act.
The reaction infuriated the NDLEA officers and they went overboard shooting sporadically and stabbing Koro-toe with a machete. The latter was pronounced dead at the scene, while the perpetrator fled but his colleagues were arrested by the police whose arrival averted a reprisal attack.
•Senator Dino Melaye on the ground after allegedly jumping from a police vehicle, Tuesday in Abuja
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he police on Tuesday evening re-arrested Senator Dino Melaye in an Abuja hospital where he was receiving treatment. Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Jimoh Moshood, confirmed the development in a statement issued last night.
He said: “At about 1200Hrs of today Sen. Dino Melaye while in lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force personnel and being taken for arraignment in Federal High Court Lokoja from Abuja, escaped from lawful custody when hoodlums and miscreants in two (2) Toyota Hilux Vehicles blocked the Police vehicle conveying Senator Dino Melaye around Area 1 Round About, Abuja and in the process the Senator jumped out of the Police vehicle through the window and was rescued from the Policemen by hoodlums and miscreants to an unknown destination.
“The Police team re-enforced and trailed Senator Dino Melaye to Zankli Hospital, Abuja where he was re-arrested. The Senator would be arraigned in court without further delay.
“Meanwhile, one of the Toyota Hilux vehicles used by the hoodlums and miscreants in aiding the escape of the Senator has been recovered by the Police investigation team.
“The Inspector General of Police has therefore directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the rescue and escape of Senator Dino Melaye from lawful custody.”
[dropcap]U[/dropcap]nited Bank for Africa (UBA), on Monday, endorsed the payment of N22.23 billion final dividend declared by the board for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2017. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the shareholders gave the approval at the bank’s 56th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos.
The final dividend translated to 65k per share when compared with the final dividend of 55k paid in the corresponding period of 2016.The dividend was in addition to the 20k per share paid as interim dividend earlier.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Boniface Okezie, the National Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), commended the board and management for the dividend in spite of unfriendly operating environment. Okezie lauded the bank for the enhanced dividend and its great work as well as achievements in the continent. He said that the bank had shown that good things could come from Africa, noting that the bank would continue to showcase the strength of Africa.
The shareholder activist urged the board and management of the bank to live up to the desired expectation.
Okezie, however, called on the shareholders to leverage on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) e-dividend initiative in order to bring down the bank’s unclaimed dividend totaling about N7 billion. Mr Nona Awo, a shareholder also urged the bank’s management on investors’ enlightenment on the benefits of e-dividend.
Awo said that the bank should engage the company secretary and the registrars to tackle the unclaimed dividend figure.He also commended the bank’s subsidiaries for improved contribution to the company’s performance indicators.
Mr Timothy Adesiyan, Grand Patron, Nigerian Shareholders’ Solidarity Association, appreciated the bank for the dividend and achievement during the year under review.
Adesiyan said that the bank should conform to regulatory rules and regulations to avoid payment of unnecessary fines.
Responding, Mr Tony Elumelu, the bank’s Chairman, assured the shareholders of enhanced returns in the years ahead.
Elumelu said the bank had opened a banking license a few months ago to operate UBA London, noting that it would continue to increase its footprint across the globe.On unclaimed dividends, he said that the bank would continue to create e-dividend awareness in partnership with APR Registrars to reduce the figure.
Mr Kennedy Uzoka, the bank’s Group Managing Director, said that the bank would leverage its Pan-African platform to deepen and formalise intra-Africa trade through cross-border synergies across its group operation.
Uzoka said that the bank would focus on growing its market share and would remain committed to sustainable banking principles and risk management practices.“Notwithstanding the ever-increasing competition from traditional peers and emerging Fintechs, we are approaching 2018 with strong optimism,’’ he said.
Uzoka said that the bank had made a lot of investment in technology to drive business operations.
He assured the shareholders that the bank would ensure efficient service delivery in its operations.
NAN reports that the company posted the profit before tax of N105.26 billion during the period compared to N90.64 billion in the previous year.
Its profit after tax stood at N78.59 billion in contrast with N72.26 billion in the comparative period of 2016.
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Pervasive impersonation of Comptroller Mohammed Uba on ‘Facebook’
Comptroller Uba Garba Mohammed CAC, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja
The attention of the Management of Nigeria Customs Service ,NCS, Federal Operations Unit ,FOU, Zone ‘A’ has been drawn to the persistent activities of impersonators on social media platform, specifically ‘Facebook’, who are impersonating the Customs Area Controller ,CAC, of the Unit, Comptroller Mohammed Uba.
The Unit hereby formally informs the public that Comptroller Mohammed Uba, the CAC of FOU does not have any‘Facebook Account’. He does not even operate any ‘Facebook Account’ bearing his name or using his picture.
FOU is hereby alerting the public to be aware that any ‘Facebook Account’ bearing Comptroller Mohammed Uba is a fraudulent account being handled by impersonators, trying to mislead unsuspecting members of the public by using the CAC’s name and his images.
We are utilising this medium in urging the public to be perpetually conscious of such ‘Facebook Account’ (s), and desist from following the impersonators and similar accounts. We further ask that you contribute in exposing and reporting them till they are arrested.
These perpetrators are strongly warned to stop handling such pages, because impersonation is a criminal offence. We would not hesitate to take legal actions, to ensure that those behind this crime are traced using ‘Facebook Administrator’s back-end, and prosecuted according to the law.
The NCS appreciates your continuous support. We remain committed to trade facilitation, while ensuring that smuggling is brought to its barest minimum.
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he embattled senator representing Delta Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, Mr. Ovie Omo-Agege has denied his alleged involvement in the invasion of the national Assembly with thugs and carted away the mace, its symbol of authority.
In a statement signed from the office of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, signed by Lucky Ajos, noted that they read in several media reports suggesting that the senator personally encouraged the removal of the Mace of the Senate, adding that “This weighty allegation is not true at all.”
“On Thursday, April 12, 2018, the Senate purportedly suspended Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. However, based on legal advice and his understanding of the current position of the law, Senator Omo-Agege today resumed work and sitting with his colleagues.
“A few champions of the unconstitutional, invalid and tyrannical suspension tried to stop him but those who opposed it welcomed and protected him throughout the sitting. We are grateful to the many Distinguished Senators who stood by Senator Omo-Agege. “We are aware of several media reports suggesting that Senator Omo-Agege personally removed or encouraged anyone to remove the Mace of the Senate. This weighty allegation is not true at all.
“Following the said media reports on the Mace issue, the Police authorities decided to hear from Senator Omo-Agege. He has told the Police his perspective to help them carry out a proper investigation. He has since left the Police. Senator Omo-Agege trusts them to thoroughly investigate this very serious matter.
“We are also aware of a statement allegedly issued by the Senate Spokesperson, Senator Abdullahi Sabi. Without any investigation, Senator Sabi willfully, deliberately and unfairly made very serious allegations against Senator Omo-Agege on the Mace incident.
“We are carefully studying Senator Sabi’s allegations to ascertain their full ramifications. Appropriate responses will follow, as may be necessary.” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the police has released Mr. Omo-Agege who was arrested shortly after the invasion and carting away of the National Assembly Mace.
[dropcap]D[/dropcap]ino Melaye, a Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district has been arrested by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja. It was not immediately clear which agency carried out the arrest,The 44 years-old Mr Melaye made this known via a tweet on his Twitter page. Melaye, an ally of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said he was picked up on his way to Morocco for an official engagement sponsored by the Federal Government.
Mr Melaye was declared wanted by the police for gun-running and escape of suspects from police custody. He is also facing a recall from his senatorial district in Kogi.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] magistrate court sitting in Ekpoma, Esan West LGA in Edo State, has sentenced two graduates of Ambrose Alli University, sisters Judith Ivie Okosun and Juliet Obehi Okosun, to jail for unlawfully detaining and indecent assault on Dr Peter Otubu, a lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronics.
Chief Magistrate Maltina Iluobe, in charge sheet No: MEK/18C/2012, committed Juliet Obehi Okosun to two years imprisonment for unlawful detention of and indecent assault on Otubu. The other student, Judith Ivie Okosun, was convicted to a one-year jail term for the unlawful detention of the plaintiff in connection with a sexual harassment scandal, which led to the dismissal of Dr Otubu over seven years ago.
The first and second accused persons were convicted with a N20,000 fine on count 4, which bothers on indecent assault, while Juliet Obehi Okosun (sister to first accused) was found guilty on count 8, for the unlawful detention of Otubu.The court recalled that Juliet Obehi Okosun (second accused person) had admitted in her evidence before the court that she had the key to the apartment where (first accused person) Judith Ivie Okosun unlawfully assaulted Dr Otubu, who was held hostage and stripped naked in their one room apartment in a private female hostel near the University on the 17th of July, 2010.
In count 8, the court ruled that the failure of Juliet Obehi to open the door of their living room and release Dr Otubu, who was made to write a cheque of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) to Judith Ivie, counted as inhuman treatment against Otubu under the circumstances.
The court specifically established that in the recorded video clip, which was posted on the internet by one Oziengbe, now at large – that the second accused person had told the court that she was in possession of the key to the apartment where Dr. Peter Otubu was held, making her liable for conviction with an option of a N30,000 for unlawful detention.
Chief Magistrate Maltina Iluobe, however, discharged and acquitted Judith Ivie Okosun and Juliet Obehi Okosun (who were both undergraduate students at AAU at the time they were charged to court) on counts 1, 5, and 6, which bother on conspiracy and stealing and frivolous petition against Dr Peter Otubu, following the failure or the prosecution to prove the case to the court.
It also discharged and acquitted the 3rd to 7th accused persons: Esther Ogbeide (21), Samson Ogbeide (32), Igbudu Samuel (42), Ojeabulu Eghosa Clement (37) and Aruya Ohis Williams (24), for lack of substantial evidence.
The court revealed the failure of Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) to provide calls log of conversations between the first Principal Witness (Dr Peter Iluobe) and some of the accused persons, as required by the prosecution to prove his case.
The court however frowned on Dr Otubu’s conduct, saying he “suffered from the sins of immorality to have gone to the room of his student which resulted in the show of shame,” humiliation and torture which left his career in ruins.
The judgement went on to say that:
“This court is of the view that there is a very strong conspiracy and set up against the Dr Peter Otubu, even though the defense counsel had submitted before the court that suspicion does not amount to conspiracy.The court also held that “throughout the length and breadth of the case, there is a thread which runs through criminal procedure of the case against the accused persons.
“Therefore, I hold that count 1 has not been proven as required by law.
“For count 2, the first and second accused persons had testified that the allegations were communicated to the school authorities about the show of shame.
“I believe them in this because, judging from the position of the Principal Witness (PW1) and the first accused person, the whole truth was found and doctored, such situation is highly embarrassing to him as a lecturer, his family and the University Community,” the court said.
The court also confirmed that the Institution had launched an internal preliminary investigation into sexual harassment allegations by Judith Ivie Okosun against Dr Otubu, who was Judith’s elective course lecturer, and had solicited sex from her in exchange for passing his course and graduating.Responding, counsel to the defendants, Mr Olayowola Afolabi, concurred with the judgement on sexual promiscuity of PW1 as “a show of shame”.
But he pleaded with the court for clemency for the convicted persons on the ground that they were first offenders, stressing that the second convict is a nursing mother.“The first accused person, my lord, is about to get married. I had to plead with the husband to allow her to come to court.
“My lord, the first and second accused persons were first offenders.
In his words, “my lord also has the option to caution the convicts in view of the circumstances. My lord is a woman who knows where the shoe is pinching us.
“So, my lord, I am pleading. Literarily, my lord, I am on my knees.
“It is a show of shame for the lecturer to come to the house of his student.”
Having heard the submission of Mr Olayiwola Afolabi, counsel to the defendants, the court handed down an option of fine to the first and second accused persons in lieu of imprisonment.
On his part, Dr Peter Otubu, said the judgement had vindicated him, clarifying however that he was not sacked but dismissed by management of AAU to enable him prove his innocence.
“I am okay. The principal suspect, Ivie Okosun, and her sister, Juliet Obehi Okosun, have been jailed. Whether they were given an option of fine or not,” he said.
“To correct the erroneous impression, I was never dismissed from AAU, my appointment was terminated based on the video that was posted on the internet,” Otubu explained.
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]r Iheanacho Emeka Franklin, an Imo State born Medical representative with Geneith Pharmaceutical Limited has tied the nuptial knot with his heartthrob, Racheal, last Saturday, April 14, 2018 at St. Gabriel The Archangel Catholic Church, Benin-City. The wedding ceremony was reportedly attended by both family members, friends and well wishers as personalities from all walks of life graced the occassion. Reception equally took place at Fantasy Hotel, No. 62 Ugbor Road, Benin-City.
The Couple
Racheal Victor, who hails from Oviorie Ovu in Ethiope East L.G.A, Delta State is said to have been in a quiet relationship with this Biochemist who graduated from Imo state University, Owerri to avoid the prying eyes of paparazzis.
A source who is also a close family friend of the groom described the pair as ‘extremely suited pieces of a bigger puzzle’.
SOME PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
Emeka and Racheal exchanging their marital vowCouple showcasing their marriage certificate Mr & Mrs Emeka Iheanacho in their glamorous native attireEmeka and his Damsel posed with friends in a colourful outfit during their traditional marriage
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria religious leaders has rejected British Prime Minister, Theresa May call for same-sex marriage in Nigeria and all other countries within the Commonwealth. At the first joint forum at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Westminster yesterday, the prime minister said there should be no laws criminalising same-sex relationships across the Commonwealth.
May said she understood that most of the laws against same-sex marriage in the Commonwealth nations were made by the UK, arguing that “those laws were wrong then, and are wrong now.”
“Across the world, discriminatory laws made many years ago, continue to affect the lives of many people, tens of millions of young people, criminalising same-sex relations and failing to protect women and girls. As the UK’s prime minister, I deeply regret that those laws were introduced, we must respect one another’s cultures and traditions, but we must do so in a manner consistent with equality, as it is clearly stated in the Commonwealth charter,” she said.
In swift reactions, some leading Nigerian religious leaders rejected the call for same-sex marriage.
The Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, who was bitter with May’s call, said Nigeria should pull out of the Commonwealth.
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who spoke to The Guardian on phone from Rome, said: “In my church, we condemn same-sex marriage. The National Assembly has clearly taken a position that is very much in line with that. It is also against our culture, which considers it as an abomination.
“Theresa May can say whatever she likes, but I hope that our own leaders know what is good for our people. I think she should also think of releasing the looted funds in their banks if she really wants to help us. The era of imperialism is over. I don’t know whether the Commonwealth has now become a legislative assembly. It is not a place where you legislate for everybody. We should let her know that we do not want it.”
Pastor Tunde Bakare, who spoke to The Guardian from the United Kingdom, said: “That is a perversion that will never be legalised in our country. It is for reprobates and not human beings.”
The National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Felix Omobude, said May could do that in her country but not in Nigeria.
“This is Nigeria, we have our values. I am sure our president understands that. Our relationship with the Commonwealth does not cause us to sell out our values.”
The Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Prof. Lakin Akintola, urged Nigeria to reject same sex marriage. He said May’s call was a means to globalise corruption, lawlessness, adultery, fornication, homosexuality and lesbianism.
“We cannot allow colonialists to force their morally barren lifestyle on us. It is obvious that morally upright Muslims and Christians would reject it in totality. They have offered us before with conditions that they would give us support, transfer technology to us which is a lie. Colonial masters will never teach you what will benefit your country, they only think of their own country.”
The President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Dr. Saheed Ashafa, said same sex marriage remained an abomination.
“Theresa and others with similar desires only need to remember that we are an independent nation with our own autonomy; our freedom of thought remains sacrosanct. Here in Nigeria, same sex marriage is unlawful, and it is so held. It is an abomination and a call for it is a call for destruction.”
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] group of officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has cried out over what it described as ethnic and religious biases exhibited in the recent junior officers’ promotion exercise carried out by the Service. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, had penultimate week approved the promotion of 775 junior officers.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Joseph Attah, said the promotion was based on merit, while the availability of vacancy determined the beneficiaries.But in a video released weekend, the officers alleged that the promotion was biased and not based on merit as claimed by the management.
They accused the Comptroller-General and the Deputy Comptroller General, Human Resource Development, Ronke Olubiyi, of favouring officers from the northern part of the country. According to the officers, of 3,216 who wrote the exam, only 427 representing less than 15 percent were promoted.“A total number of 3,216 officers sat for the exams, 28 Assistant Inspectors pursuing the rank of Inspectors of Customs, 417 Customs Assistant I pursuing the rank Assistant Inspectors of Customs and Customs Assistants III seeking the rank of Customs Assistants II respectively.
“Unfortunately, the outcome of the exam came with a serious bias. They promised to do it based on merit but rather; they did it based on family and friends. Most of the officers who got promoted are from a particular religion, tribe and geopolitical zone and the same thing had happened in 2016 where they promoted all their boys leaving behind those that are more intellectual. This is ridiculous.
“Remember, we are your guards, we are your orderlies, escorts and we are the ones being sent to ensure full security of national borders. During these operations, some of our colleagues were assassinated in cold blood. Some were beaten up and robbed at the same time. The only thing you will do to appreciate our effort is to promote us and take care of our welfare packages.
“Therefore, we are calling the NCS management to give us our right. This promotion needs to be looked at again. We do not accept it and we will never accept it because on no account should a 2012 intake get promoted while the 2009 set is left behind.
“I wonder what kind of injustice is this. Moreover, with regard to our welfare package, we can’t wait to see changes. If no immediate positive action is taken, we are going to call a press conference to expose all the dirty work you people are doing.
“Mr. CG, you are trying indeed as you meet the target revenue given to you on one hand, but in regard to welfare, promotion and salary, with due respect sir, you have failed. Remember, your success depends on our tireless effort. If we fail, you will also fail and we cannot be efficient when we are hungry.
“Your attention needs to be drawn to what is happening in the HRD. There are a lot of partialities and sectionalism. Do checkmate them, if you are not aware, but if you know about it and do nothing about it, you will give account of that on the big day,” one of the aggrieved junior officers, who did not disclose his identity confided to us.
However, the NCS spokesman, Joeseph Attah, when contacted, reaffirmed that promotion was based on merit.
He said that if any officer has complaint about the exercise, he should come forward to present his case.
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