Presidential panel recommends establishment of state, LG police

A presidential panel on the reform of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has recommended the establishment of State and local government police to confront the growing spate of insecurity in the country.

The panel chaired by the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu said the establishment would assist in addressing the security challenges in the country.

Ojukwu explained that the panel received 113 complaints on alleged human rights violations from across the country and 22 memoranda of suggestions on how to reform and restructure SARS and the Nigeria Police in general.

He said, “At the end of its public hearing and having listened to complaints as well as defendants and their counsel, the Panel recommended thirty seven (37) Police officers for dismissal from the force. Twenty four (24) were recommended for prosecution.

”The panel also directed the Inspector General of Police to unravel the identity of twenty two (22) officers involved in the violation of the human rights of innocent Citizens.

“The police was directed to pay compensation of various sums in forty—five (45) complaints and tender public apologies in five (5) complaints and directed to obey court orders in five (5) matters.

“The Police was directed to immediately arrest and prosecute two (2) retired senior Police officers found to have violated the rights of citizens (one for extra-judicial killing and the other for illegal takeover of Property of a suspect). The Panel also recovered two vehicles illegally auctioned by SARS Officers and returned them to their owners.”

“Some other key recommendations of the Panel include,” Significant improvement in the funding, kitting and facilities of the Nigeria Police Force; Strengthening Information and Communication Technology of the Force; Establishment of State and local government Police.”

- DAILY POST

Ghanaian minister under pressure to deny TheCable’s story on rail contract

Joe Ghartey, the Ghanaian minister of railways development, has come under intense pressure from a former Nigerian minister to do “damage control” on the exorbitant rail contract costs in Nigeria as reported by TheCable at the weekend.

In two separate reports, TheCable had compared the costs of two rail projects in Ghana with that of the Lagos-Ibadan project.

.A 340-kilometre standard gauge railway to be constructed by Ghanaian-European Railway Consortium (GERC) will cost $2.2 billion

By contrast, the Lagos-Ibadan 146-kilometre rail was awarded at $1.5 billion.

This comes to $6.5 million per kilometer in Ghana and $9.6 million in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the China Railways Construction Corporation (CRCC) has offered to rehabilitate and construct a 560-kilometer standard gauge railway line for Ghana at $2 billion.

This is THRICE bigger than the Lagos-Ibadan project, although the Ghana contract scope covers both rehabilitation and construction — unlike the Nigeria case which is greenfield construction.

TheCable understands that Ghartey, who is currently in London for a meeting, has come under intense pressure from the former minister to issue a denial “at any cost”.

Ghartey had been quoted by a Facebook user as saying, in a private chat, that the report is not correct.

He is yet to make an official pronouncement, and TheCable stands by its story.

The information on the $2.2 billion project is still available on the website of his ministry.

- THECABLE

Why Nigerian states can’t grow, baby-feeding centre blamed

An industrialist, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, has said that the monthly federal allocation being shared by the federating states of Nigeria is responsible for the retardation of Nigerian states and their failure to think outside the box.

Ohuabunwa, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) made the allegation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while reflecting on the economic challenges the nation was facing.

He spoke with NAN after he delivered the 6th Public Lecture organised by Crawford University, Igbesa, on “When will Nigeria Become a First Nation” on Saturday.

He said that he was in a support for the restructuring of Nigeria, adding that only a return to regional government could engender the type of economic development Nigeria aspired to have.

“I am a full time supporter of restructuring because it is the only way to go if we want to have meaningful development as a country.

“It is only independent children that will find a way of catering for themselves not those tied to the apron spring of their parents, they will not have the motivation to be self-sufficient.

“The centre or the Federal Government is still baby-feeding the states, so how do we expect them to grow? They are on scholarships, so anything that happens after the allocation is not their concern.

“The states government executives will go to the centre to collect what they think is theirs and share it. After paying salaries and few other expenses, they will pocket the remaining money,” he said.

Ohuabunwa said that the state could not be economically viable if they are collecting free money without any urge to improve their internal revenue generation.

“Our states are not economically viable because they still receive free money from the centre, with this type of arrangement, we may not get anywhere.

“Some states executives are not motivated to work or increase the capacity of their states as long as they rely on the proceeds from the Niger Delta oil which they don’t have to labour for.

“With the oil money coming, how many state executives will think about agriculture or investment? We need to do away with oil money to open our eyes to Nigeria’s potential.

“Restructuring is the only way to go if we are sincere about development in the country; let every state make itself economically viable and stop relying on oil money,” he said.

- PM NEWS

Boeing 737 jets face new safety warning

Over 310 Boeing 737 jets contain 148 potentially defective parts may need to be replaced, the Federal Aviation Administration said on Sunday.

The safety warning comes as the Chicago-based manufacturer continues to work to try to lift an international grounding of its recent update to the fleet.

“The affected parts may be susceptible to premature failure or cracks resulting from the improper manufacturing process,” the FAA said in a statement.

The issues, which the agency indicated do not pose an immediate threat, must be fixed within 10 days of a forthcoming directive from the regulator.

In a statement, Boeing said “it has not been informed of any in-service issues” related to the equipment.

“We are committed to supporting our customers in every way possible as they identify and replace these potentially non-conforming tracks,” said Kevin McAllister, CEO of the company’s commercial airplane division.

- PM NEWS

Nigerian soldiers flee as Boko Haram captures Borno town

Boko Haram, on Sunday, captured Marte, headquarters of Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, dependable sources have confirmed in Maiduguri.

One of the sources said the insurgents stormed the Marte military base, 153 Task Force Battalion, shooting sporadically and, in the process, razed “everything.”

“The insurgents seem not to have intended harming any civilian, but only to capture the town; so they stormed the military base, taking troops there unawares at about 6pm, much less than an hour to break fast time,” the source confirmed.

“We engaged them in a fierce encounter for about an hour,” a source who fled the base unscathed to Maiduguri, narrated to Daily Trust on Monday, adding that, “initially, we were about getting victorious over them, but they overpowered us, and all troops in the burning base were set asunder, with all of us fleeing in all directions in the bush.”

He stressed: “I can tell you that we were about defeating them; but God knows the tactics they later deployed and the defeat turned against us; we all fled; they are in control of the town now.”

According to another fleeing source, “casualty figures cannot be confirmed on both sides, with all of us fleeing in all directions into the bush, and many of us finding their way to Maiduguri, and majority still roaming in the bush.

“Many of us who are lucky to find our way to Maiduguri or any safe community will elope to their home states across the country to relieve themselves of the trauma for a few weeks before returning to Maiduguri for the convergence of the troops,” the source, who was on his way to his home state in the Northwest region said.

Though security agencies in Maiduguri have not yet issued any statement on the incident, Daily Trust has made efforts to reach the military authorities and will update the story as soon as reactions are received.

- PM NEWS

Forbes has named American music mogul, Jay–Z, as the richest musician in the world.

Forbes has named American music mogul, Jay–Z, as the richest musician in the world.

The rapper is now the first rapper to become a billionaire.

“It’s clear that Jay-Z has accumulated a fortune that conservatively totals $1 billion, making him one of only a handful of entertainers to become a billionaire—and the first hip-hop artist to do so,” Forbes said.

Forbes’ breakdown indicated that the rapper’s chief source of wealth is his $300-a-bottle Armand de Brignac champagne brand (at $310 million), but also boasts of investments at well over $200 million (including a large stake in Uber).

Forbes said the reason Jay-Z’s wealth went all up on the table is his new business interest in alcohol.

His streaming service, Tidal allegedly supplies about $100 million of his net worth, just behind his cognac D’Ussé.

Jay-Z recently gave a special performance to celebrate the re-opening of the celebrated NYC venue Webster Hall.

He and wife Beyoncé were recipients of the Vanguard Prize at the GLAAD Awards in March.

- DAILY POST

PL NEWS : Chelsea to replace Sarri with another manager

Chelsea are considering Watford head coach, Javi Gracia, as Maurizio Sarri’s replacement if the Italian eventually leaves for Juventus, ESPN reports. 

Sarri’s future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain despite winning the Europa League last week and finishing third in the Premier League.

The Blues are prepared to let him leave for Juventus, who are looking for Max Allegri’s successor.

Allegri, who leaves after winning Serie A in each of his five seasons in Turin, could yet trade places with Sarri.

But it is believed that there is a reluctance at Chelsea to appoint a third successive Italian manager because the players are struggling to embrace the approaches of either Sarri or his predecessor, Antonio Conte.

Gracia has impressed senior figures at Chelsea during his season-and-a-half at Vicarage Road.

The Spaniard, who has previously coached in Spain, Greece and Russia, guided Watford to the FA Cup final in the just-ended season, where the club were beaten by Manchester City.

- DAILY POST

Messi tells Barcelona who to sign between Neymar, Griezmann

Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, has made a recommendation to the board as to who they should try to sign this summer between Neymar Jr. and Antoine Griezmann.

Messi has told the club to abandon their chase for Griezmann and bring Neymar back to the Nou Camp.

The Brazilian international left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain back in 2017 in a world record-breaking £198million switch.

Barca has since attempted to replace Neymar with the signings of Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho, but still, feel they are short in attack.

Antoine Griezmann has been linked with a transfer to Barcelona in recent months after he announced in a vlog his intention to leave Atletico Madrid this summer.

According to RMC Sport, Barcelona has now approached PSG about the possibility of re-signing Neymar.

But PSG president, Nasser bin Ghanim Al-Khelaifi has issued a hands-off warning, telling the Catalan club he is not for sale.

- DAILY POST

China explodes as US visa refusals hit citizens

China’s Ministry of Education on Monday expressed anger as students hoping to study in the United States face a growing number of refusals and limitations on their student visas.

The visa denials appeared to be affecting more countries in recent months including Nigeria.

According to Dpa, Xu Yongji, the ministry’s deputy director of international cooperation and communication, said that the U.S. had denied visas to 13.5 per cent of Chinese students applying to study there between January and March.

The figure is up from a 3.2-per-cent rejection rate from 2017 to 2018, he said.

“These acts have already hurt the dignity of Chinese students studying in the United States, and have seriously hurt the feelings of the Chinese people,’’ Xu said.

“The behaviour of the United States is causing a cold snap to Sino-U.S. exchanges and cooperation.’’

Xu noted that Chinese students nevertheless accounted for a third of all international students in the U.S. and had brought in 13 billion dollars in 2017.

In April, U.S. FBI Director Christopher Wray said the U.S. visa system for students and academics was being “abused and exploited’’ by Chinese researchers and academics.

- DAILY POST

Falana: It’s unconstitutional to fine citizens who challenge illegal policies

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, says it is unconstitutional to impose fines on “angry citizens” who challenge illegal policies of government.

In a statement on Sunday, Falana said no judge of the high court is empowered to fine litigants who have not been convicted for crimes.

The lawyer described the award of costs as a “renewed attack” on public interest litigation by judges.

“Specifically, the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 have enjoined judges to encourage public interest litigation in promoting the human rights of Nigerian people. Ex abundanti cautela, the doctrine of locus standi has been abolished in the area of human rights by Order III of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009,” he said.

“Since access to court has been guaranteed by sections 6 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution and article 7 of the African Charter on Hunan and Peoples Rights Act, it is illegal and unconstitutional to impose fines on aggrieved citizens who approach the courts to challenge the illegal official policies or unconstitutuonal legislations under the current democratic dispensation.

“As far as the law stands no judge has the power to order a litigant to pay costs outside the ambit of  the Rules of the respective High Courts.”

Falana said fair hearing should be given to litigants and lawyers in the award of costs.

“I wish to state that no judge is empowered by the Constitution, High Court Law or Rules of Court to impose fines of N5 million or N10 million on a litigant who has not been tried and convicted for committing a criminal offence in Nigeria,” the senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said.

“We  are therefore compelled to draw the attention of our judges to the case of Fawehinmi v Akilu (1997) NWLR (Pt 65) 979 wherein the Supreme Court overruled the  case of Abraham Adesanya v The President (1981) ANLR 1.

“Since the anachronistic doctrine has been set aside to pave way for public interest litigation our judges should desist from striking out or dismissing cases which are filed to challenge impunity of public officers in Nigeria.”

- THECABLE

Pastor arrested for allegedly raping, impregnating 16-year-old

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has arrested a 48-year-old pastor in Abuja for alleged rape and sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old orphan.

NAPTIP’s Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Stella Nezan, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Nezan alleged that the suspect, a pastor in the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Church (MFM), Gwarinpa branch, impregnated his victim in the process, NAN reports.

She said that the suspect, who volunteered to provide shelter for the girl and deliver her from evil spirit after she had been accused of witchcraft, took advantage of the situation.

“NAPTIP operatives effected arrest of one pastor with MFM in Gwarimpa, Abuja, for rape, sexual molestation and impregnating a 16-year-old orphan.

“The suspect from Nsukka in Enugu State, was said to have volunteered to provide shelter and also conduct deliverance on the girl after she lost her parents and was accused of witchcraft.

“But he took advantage of the vulnerability of the innocent girl and repeatedly devoured her sexually,” she said.

Nezan said that the victim, a Junior Secondary School (JSS) student in Abuja had lived with the pastor, a widower, and his daughter for sometimes before the sexual exploitation started.

The suspect was said to have confessed to committing the crimes “only twice” and blamed it on the devil.

“The victim, a JSS2 student of one of the government schools in Abuja, suddenly dropped out of school and was in dire need of accommodation shortly after the death of her parents in 2018.

“Investigation revealed that the pastor was living with his daughter in the same compound with the victim’s deceased parents in Karmo, a suburb of Abuja, and volunteered to assist her in her education.

“According to the victim, after the first year of their living together, the pastor started making love advances toward her, an action she constantly resisted.

“She narrated that the first time the pastor raped her was in March, after her birthday outing,” Nezan said.

She added that the pastor continued to rape her afterwards and it resulted in pregnancy.

“During interrogation, the pastor confessed to sexually abusing the girl only twice and attributing the evil act to the devil,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Director General of NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah-Donli, has described the action of the suspect as the highest form of wickedness against a fellow human being.

Okah-Donli promised that the case would be diligently prosecuted in order to secure justice for the victim.

- DAILY POST

TRANSFER : Liverpool winger leaves Anfield for new club after winning Champions League

Liverpool winger, Bobby Adekanye, is set to be unveiled as a Lazio player after winning the Champions League over the weekend.

The 20-year-old Nigerian-born forward rejected a new three-year deal from Liverpool and will leave the Reds as a free agent this summer.

Adekanye opted not to renew his contract with the Premier League giants after he was left out of Jurgen Klopp’s first team pre-season tour of the United States and lack of more playing time at Anfield.

The former Barcelona and Ajax Amsterdam youngster is expected to sign a four-year contract with Lazio once the transfer window becomes official in a few days’ time.

”Bobby is going to Lazio, the deal is 85-90 percent completed. There are a few things to be ironed out before the transfer becomes official,” a top source close to Adekanye told Allnigeriasoccer.

”He has one leg in Lazio and will sign a four-year contract.

”He is happy with Liverpool but the coach did not give him a chance the way he was giving chances to other players.”

Meanwhile, speaking on why he rejected a new three-year deal with Liverpool, Adekanye told Voetbalzone in March: ”But that didn’t happen in the end. That is disappointing and it has contributed to the fact that I do not want to renew my contract.

”If they promise such things and it doesn’t happen, I don’t know what will happen if I sign for three years.

”That confidence is no longer there, even though I still greatly respect the club.”

Adekanye added: ”They don’t just extend for three years, so maybe there was a schedule behind it. But I no longer have faith in that.

”In terms of money, things are fine, but you have nothing if there is no perspective behind it. Money will come later, I now need playing minutes.”

- DAILY POST

555 Biafra flags, vehicles, other items seized in Onitsha

A joint taskforce of the Police, Military, National Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, have siezed no fewer than 555 Biafra flags and other insignia during a clampdown on Biafra agitators in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The Onitsha Police Area Commander, John Obuagbaka, told a press conference in Onitsha that the items seized included belts, caps, shirts, books, fliers, stickers and a vehicle.

Obuagbaka denied beating, extorting and forcing of residents into their vans in the name of clamping down on agitators before, during and after celebration of Biafra Day.

He explained that the flags recovered excluded torn and worn out ones.

According to him, “Only members of the banned groups were arrested while pulling down flags hoisted on electric poles on Obodoukwu road and other strategic positions.

“The JTF saw a blue-painted car on the road, loaded with MASSOB flag and other insignia, and we recovered those things from there.”

- DAILY POST

‘There shall be no war’ – Ooni declares

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has expressed optimism that peace will reign in the country.

The monarch spoke at the grand-finale of the World Ifa Festival held in his palace on Sunday, in Ile-Ife.

According to him, the Ifa Festival signalled the beginning of a new calendar year.

“I’m happy that our culture is still thriving despite stiff opposition, the thought of many is that, we do not believe in God.

“Ifa corpus is the bedrock of life because no mortal can survive on this planet earth without leaves and herbs.

“We are not in contention with anybody simply because we know that God is Supreme and He will not share His glory with anybody,” he said.

He said the message of this year’s festival revolved around peace.

“The message is simply that: In this year; we would witness peace all round. There shall be no war,” the monarch said.

The other message, he said, was that Nigeria should care for its women.

“I was highly elated because God has visited our land to heal all the wounds and straighten the rough edges.

“You can see adherents from Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and USA who are here to celebrate the festival.

“With the Ifa festival that ushers us into another year, it’s a new dawn. By August /September, there will be new yam to be followed by Olojo Festival which is a world festival.

“This is to tell us that before the advent of the whites, we had our ways of doing things meticulously,” he said.

Also speaking, Chief Awodotun Aworeni, the Araba Awo Agbaye, expressed gratitude for the success of the very first World festival he participated in since assuming this position last year.

Aworeni specifically thanked the Ooni for making the occasion colourful.

He implored government to do the needful by providing necessary support.

Chief Sola Atanda, President, Ancient Religion Society of African Descendants of International Council (ASARDIC), applauded the Ooni for promoting traditional festivals.

Atanda, however, lamented that government was paying lip service to Ifa religion, saying “worshippers are not duly recognised as Christians and Muslims are recognised.”

- DAILY POST

Woman in court for allegedly stealing He-goat

The police on Monday arraigned one Caroline Afor in a Kubwa Grade I Area Court for allegedly stealing a He-goat, valued at N8, 000.

Afor, who resides in Kubwa village, Abuja is charged with theft.

The Prosecution Counsel, Chinedu Ogada told the court that one Kajida Umar of Arab Road, Kubwa reported the matter at the Kubwa Police Station on May 16.

He said the defendant acted in a dubious manner and stole the complainant’s he-goat valued at N8, 000.

Ogada said during police investigations, the goat was recovered from the defendant adding that the offence contravened Section 287 of the Penal Code.

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

The defence counsel, Lilian Ibrahim, prayed the court to grant her client bail in the most liberal terms adding that a reliable surety would be provided if bail is granted.

Judge Ibrahim Balarabe admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50, 000 bail with one reliable surety who must be a civil servant from Grade Level 8 and resides within the court’s jurisdiction.

He adjourned the matter until June 17, for hearing.

- PM NEWS