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Showing posts from October, 2015

Code of Conduct Bureau to arraign Orubebe

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(Nigeria) The Code of Conduct Bureau will arraigning former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs,  Godsday Orubebe on November 8, 2015 on a four count charge, at Code of Conduct Tribunal, bordering on breach of Code of Conduct of Bureau and Tribunal Act. This was sequel to service of summon on the former Minister by the bailiff of the Code of Conduct Tribunal. The charges were filed by of Code of Conduct Bureau, on behalf of Attorney General of the Federation. The charges are: that you Orubebe on or about June 29,  2011 did make a false declaration in your Asset Declaration Form by failing to declare plot 2722 Kyamu District Abuja on assumption of office on September 26,2007 and on leaving office (at the end of your tenure), on June 29, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1) & (2) of part 1 fifth schedule to the Constitution of the Fe

Wike's aide lauds A-Court decision striking out paragraphs in APC petition

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(Nigeria) The decision of the Court of Appeal to strike out paragraphs in the petition of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress, APC Governorship Candidate, wherein he made allegations against named and unnamed security agents and alleged political thugs is a welcome development and a confirmation that the April 11 governorship election was credible,  said Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant,  Media, to the Rivers State governor. In a statement on Saturday,  Nwakaudu noted that the Appeal Court decision was critical to the appeal process as the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal did not take this development into consideration while delivering its judgment.  According to him,  the process of Appeal would consider the fact that the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had earlier thrown out these paragraphs, but inexplicably added same in its final judgment.  He pointed out that the governorship election was a true reflection of the people of

PDP needs rebranding says APC

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(Nigeria) The All Progressives Congress, APC, has said that the personal attacks by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, spokesman Chief Olisa Metuh‎ in his latest statement was a clear vindication of the party's (APC's) stand that the PDP should urgently rebrand or go into extinction.  APC in a statement in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, noted that with a combustible and out-of-control spokesman like Metuh, there is no way the PDP will survive in opposition. ''Metuh has shown, time and again, that he lacks the temperament, presence of mind, sobriety, analytical mind, decency in the use of language and panache needed for anyone to be the face of any organisation, not to talk of a political party.  ''It was the realization of this obvious fact that ‎made us to offer to provide the excitable Metuh a crash course on how to function as an opposition spokesman. Unfortunately, it is too late now as he seems to have become tota

Kogi workers to stay home over non-release of bailout fund

(Nigeria) Public service workers in Kogi State have been directed to stay off work on November 2,  to protest against non-release of bailout funds by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN . The directive is contained in a statement issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in Lokoja on Saturday. The statement, signed by the State Secretary of the NLC, Mr John Faniyi, and his TUC counterpart, Mr Joseph Kolawole, expressed dissatisfaction with the non- release of the N50.8 billion bailout fund due to the state. ``This directive is to serve as protest against the non-release of the money.’’ In the statement, the unions said they were surprised over the silence by the CBN/the Federal Government. While asking workers to fully comply with the order, the labour unions warned commissioners, permanent secretaries, directors and other categories of senior public offices not to report for work to avoid embarrassment.

Telecoms active users reduce to 150m --NCC

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(Nigeria) The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, on Saturday said that active lines in the nation’s telecommunications industry reduced to 150,660,631 in the month of September. The commission made this known in its Monthly Subscriber Data which was obtained in Lagos. Active lines in the country which was 151,018,624 for the month of August, reduced to 150,660,631 as at September 2015. With the reduction in number, service providers in the industry lost a total of 357,993 subscribers. According to the data, the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network which had 148,708,160 in August, was now left with 148,427,043 active customers in September. The GSM network operators, which comprises of MTN, Airtel, Globacom and Etisalat, lost 276,117 users, in the month under review. The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators lost 83,926 active users, as their 2,125,941 customers recorded in the month of August reduced to 2,042,015 in September. However, the monthly

Ex-PDP council officers fault Oshiomhole on sack of council bosses

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(Nigeria) The association of People's Democratic Party, PDP, former council chairmen,  an umbrella political organization of all former executive council chairmen of the PDP in the 18 local government areas of Edo state has slam Governor Adams Oshiomhole over what it termed,  "illegal sack of local government chairmen." Mr Victor Enoghama, state chairman of the association in a statement by it state secretary, Mr Vincent Akhere  in Benin City,  stated that: "For quite some time now, the association has observed, with great concern, the happenings in many local government areas in the state ranging from inactivity and non payment of council workers' salary to illegal and arbitrary sack of elected council chairmen by the governor. "While we do not support corruption, indiscipline and dereliction of duties by either elected or appointed public officers, we uphold tenaciously the tenets of democracy as powered by the constitution and on which provisions the go

Buhari's 60 impeachable sins in 6 months

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(Nigeria) By Emeka Umeagbalasi October 29, 2015 marks 150 days in office of the Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency as Nigeria’s sixth civilian instituted Presidency, having been constitutionally sworn in and administered with oaths of office and allegiance on 29th May 2015. It is also observed by the Intersociety that Nigeria has in the past 150 days (29th May 2015 till date) been run and administered without a functional federal cabinet or government by Buhari’s Presidency.  In furtherance of our firm promise five months ago to keep the Buhari’s Presidency on its toes by providing constructive assessment of all his policies and actions and steadily raise alarms over destructive and retrogressive or likelihood of destructive and retrogressive policies and actions; we wish to inform Nigerians and members of the international community that we have empirically identified at least 60 constitutional  sins and breaches in the past 150 days of the Buhari’s Presidency and the sins and breaches

APC laud senate confirmation of Amaechi, others

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(Nigeria)The All Progressives Congress, APC,  has said the confirmation of all the ministerial nominees by the Senate, despite some misgivings by the opposition, has shown clearly that there was no no nore division within the APC family. ''The cohesion and unity exhibited by the APC Senators on Thursday have shown that our legislators are ready to work with the executive and the party to ensure that the the agenda of the party is implemented for the benefit of all Nigerians,'' the party said in a statement in Lagos on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. ''We commend all our members and leaders in the Senate and indeed the leadership of the APC for this show of unity,'' it said. APC said democracy was clearly at work in the Senate on Thursday, despite the decision of the opposition PDP Senators to stage a walk out over the confirmation of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi. ''It is part of democracy that while the

Pastor wants 32-year-old marriage dissolved over beating from wife

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(Nigeria) A 65-year-old pastor, Kunle Akinseyi, on Thursday pleaded with an Igando Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his 32-year-old marriage, alleging that his wife constantly beat him. Akinseyi told the court that his wife, Titilope, with whom he had six children, had turned him into a punching bag. "I live every minute of my life in fear; save me from the cruel hands of my wife; I have suffered so much in silence. ‘’Anytime we have misunderstanding, she can beat the hell out of me. "Most times, it is our neighbours that always come to rescue me from her hands," he said, describing his wife as a ‘’troublemaker and a fighter’’. "My wife's hobby is fighting; she fights me and neighbours regularly, and because of her frequent fighting, we are always ejected from any house we rented," Akinseyi added. He therefore prayed the court to dissolve the marriage, saying that he was tired of the union and was no longer in love. In her response, Titilope, 56,

Man, 75, arraigned for possession of human head in Ekiti

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(Nigeria) The police on Thursday arraigned a 75-year-old, James Adeniran, and three others in an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ekiti State for alleged conspiracy and possession of human head. The other three accused persons were Tope Omoleye,19, Femi Ajayi, 20, and Dada Owoeye,45. Prosecutor Caleb Leramo told the court that the accused persons on October 27 at Iloro-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area conspired and unlawfully had in their possession human head of one late Peter Ajayi. Leramo said the offence contravened Sections 516 and 329 (a) of the Criminal Code of Ekiti State, 2012. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge. Their Counsel, Mr Busuyi Ayorinde, urged the court to admit his clients to bail, promising that reliable sureties would be available to take them on bail. Magistrate Richard Adegboye granted bail to each of the accused persons in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties each in like sum. Adegboye adjourned the case till November 23

Man, 35, in court for allegedly defiling minor

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(Nigeria) A 35-year-old man, Bunmi Adeoye, on Thursday appeared before a Chief Magistrates' Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State for allegedly defiling a minor. The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Caleb Leramo, told the court that the accused committed the offence on October 27 at Otun-Ekiti, in the Otun Magisterial District of Ekiti. He said the offence contravened the provision of Section 221 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012. The prosecutor, however, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him prepare for the case. The accused had earlier pleaded not guilty to the count charge of rape when the charge sheet was read to him. Counsel to the accused Mr Busayo Sule prayed the court to grant bail to his client in liberal terms, promising that reliable surety would be provided. Chief Magistrate Richard Adegboye granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum. He adjourned the case till November 11 for hearing.

3 teenagers charged for gang rape of 13-yr-old girl

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(Nigeria) Three teenagers, Elijah Adebowale, Suleiman Balogun and Shefiu Adam, were on Thursday charged before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over the alleged gang rape of a 13-year-old girl. Adebowale (15), Balogun (16) and Adam (14), who all resides at the Iju area of Lagos, are being tried on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor. The Prosecutor, Insp. Rita Momah, told the court that the teenagers and three others, now at large, committed the offences on October 5, in an uncompleted building at Olopade St., Iju-Ishaga, Lagos. Momah said that the accused all conspired to lure the 13-year-old to the building, where the six of them took turns with her. She explained that the accused persons spotted the 13-year-old coming out of a church and sent her to get drinks for them. According to Momah, the accused offered the 13-year-old a bottle of assorted drink that was already spiked and each of them all had carnal knowledge of her. The pro

Guinea records three fresh Ebola cases

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Three more people in Guinea have been infected with the Ebola virus, a senior health official said on Thursday, further dampening hopes of an imminent end to the world's worst recorded outbreak of the disease. Fode Sylla, spokesman for the national centre for the fight against Ebola, made this known to newsmen in Conakry, reports Reuterd . ``The three were infected in Forecariah in western Guinea from the family of a woman who died of Ebola and whose body was handled without appropriate protection. ``In all, nine sick people are being treated at our centres throughout the country and most of them are connected to the dead woman,’’ Sylla said. He added that the authorities had known of the three fresh cases since Saturday. The epidemic began when a 2-year-old boy fell ill in a remote Guinean village on December 26, 2013, and risked dragging into a third year and into 2016. According to UN, WHO figures it has killed around 11,300 people out of around 28,500 known cases in Guine

Nasarawa tribunal sacks APC Rep, declares PDP candidate winner

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(Nigeria) The National and State Assemblies Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has annulled the election of Saraki Dahiru-Maiyama of All Progressive Congress, APC, representing Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. The nullification followed the petition filed by Joseph Kigbu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, challenging the victory of Dahiru-Maiyama of APC. Delivering judgment on Thursday in Lafia, the Chairman of the tribunal, Mr Peter Oboira, declared Kigbu as winner of the March 28 elections. Oboira declared the re-run election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on April 18 as illegal. “The cancellation of results and subsequent conduct of a re-run election in Chiroma Electoral Ward by INEC was unlawful and I thereby annul same. “The declaration of Dahiru-Maiyama of APC as the winner of the election after the conduct of the re-run was also illegal and I hereby annul same,” he ruled. He, therefore, de

Clark's statement on Jonathan malicious --- IJF

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(Nigeria) The Ijaw Justice Forum, IJF, has said that it was malicious for Chief Edwin Clark, an Ijaw leader to say that he did not get anything from the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration. IJF  in a statement by its president and secretary, Karona Etonye and Ekenwan Akwagbe said that it was surprised at media report quoting Clark to have said among other things that he did not get any contract and never asked for job slots for either his children or relatives in Jonathan regime. “This is the peak of ingratitude from a man, who called himself the 'father' of the former president. He attracted patronage from the high and mighty from all parts of Nigeria and received  gifts of cash and kind because of their perceived closeness of him to Dr. Jonathan. “It is wicked and mischievous for Clark to say that he did not get anything from the Jonathan administration,  including contracts. Perhaps, Clark made this statement to the Vanguard reporter in his dream, has he for

Nigerian Airforce carries out 1448 attacks on Boko Haram

(Nigeria) The Nigerian Air Force has between July and October 2015 conducted a total of 1448 air attacks against Boko Haram locations in support of the ongoing counter insurgency operation in the north east. It also deployed over 300 ground troops from its special forces to fight along with the Army in the field. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed this on Wednesday when he received in audience officials of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) led by the Executive Director, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (retd) who paid him courtesy visit in his office. The Air Force, he said, is doing everything possible to see how peace can be restored in the troubled areas as soon as possible.  According to him, the air component is fully integrated in the counter insurgency operation plans and as such, NAF is using different aircrafts in its arsenal including F-7NI, Alpha Jet, C-130 AC, Augusta 109 LUH, Mi-35,  Mi-24, Mi-17, Supa Puma Helicopters, among others to carryout logis

Edo plans teacher posting reforms to stop cheats

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(Nigeria) Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that the state will carry out reforms on the recruitment, deployment, promotion and posting of teachers in the state to ensure fairness in the system and promote optimum performance of the teachers. The governor made the revelation during a meeting with the Chairman and Members of the State Post Primary Education Board in his office, yesterday. Oshiomhole said, “The key issue in appointment is competent and in recruiting these numbers, we would start from the top, from those who score the highest mark. The idea here is to give priority to the employment of the best in our schools. Our teachers must be the best. In those days, when you are very brilliant, you go into academics. “Just that things have changed now, the brilliant ones go into banking, oil industry, they want to go to customs, immigration and all of that  but we need the best brains to impart knowledge and that is why we are ready to pay special incentives to thos

Nnamdi Kanu’s detention, an extra-judicial captivity

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(Nigeria ) Emeka Umeagbalasi Following torrential calls made to us and concerns expressed by millions of Nigerians, the media and foreign nationals and bodies over the ongoing ordeal of detained Citizen Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Radio Biafra (RB) who was given a controversial judicial bail on 19th October 2015 by the Abuja Municipal Magistrate Court, at Wuse (Zone 2); the leadership of International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety) is sad and happy. This follows our latest findings and updates arising from our latest communications with the Counsel to Citizen Kanu (Barr Egechukwu Obetta) over the ordeal of the persecuted Biafran self determination activist. We are sad because a new potentially dangerous dimension has been introduced into the ordeal of the detained Biafran self determination activist. His detention has now graduated from judicial detention to extra-judicial detention. That is to say that he is no

Aisha Buhari calls for consumption of healthy foods

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(Nigeria) The Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has urged nurses to educate mothers on the need to consume healthy foods to prevent diseases. Mrs Buhari made the call at 27th Annual National Scientific Conference and General Meeting of the Professional Association of Public Health Nursing Officers of Nigeria, PAPHNON, in Abuja on Tuesday. Aisha, represented by the wife of Nasarawa State Governor, Mairo Al-Makura, said it had become necessary to create public awareness on healthy foods to promote good health. The President’s wife said the theme of the conference: Public Health Nursing Practice; Promoting Nutrition and Food Safety in Nigeria, was apt. ``The theme is apt, especially at this time when the family unit, more ever than before, should be aware and conscious of what its members consume. ``We are particularly in an era when food nutrients are being lost through various methods of processing, storage and eating of junk foods as a result of the presence of

Buhari congratulates new Ooni of Ife

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(Nigeria) President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi on his emergence as the 51st Ooni of Ife and successor to the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade. A statement in Abuja by Mr Femi Adesina the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, said that Buhari, on behalf of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, rejoiced with Adeyeye on his nomination as Ooni by Ife kingmakers. The president noted that the new Ooni emerged after a keenly contested but peaceful selection process and his subsequent confirmation by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on Monday. He urged the Ooni-designate to commit himself to carrying his subjects along to a new era of peace, stability and progress in Ife, Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole. ``As you prepare to begin the rites of ascension to the revered throne of your great ancestors, you should be prepared to put your new position as Ooni and principal custodian of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Yor

FG to unveil Strategic Communications to tackle insurgents

(Nigeria) The Nigerian Government will soon unveil National Strategy for Strategic Communications, NSSC , to tackle the ideology and narrative of the Boko Haram terrorists and other insurgent groups in the country. The strategy which is similar to the Soft-Approach programme of the previous administration will coordinate government communication across the Ministries, Department and Agencies, MDAs and reinforce their core-values towards de-radicalisation of terrorists. Speaking at a two-day 'Counter Violent Extremism (CVE)-Media Round Table' in Abuja, a Deputy Director in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Ahmad Gusau said the NSSC, is a policy document put together by ONSA. Mr. Gusau who represented the National Security Adviser, NSA, Maj-Gen. Babagana Mongonu (retd) at the occasion said: "A validation workshop on the draft NSCC was held in June, 2015 and contributions of the various departments of government and other stakeholders are being integrated

EFCC re-arraigns Secretary of Delta Scholarship Board for stealing

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(Nigeria) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC, on Tuesday,  Ore-arraigned the Peter Amromanoh , Executive Secretary Delta state Scholarship Board and Its Accountant, Andrew Boji Nkwor on five count charge of conspiracy and stealing to the tune of N169million. They were docked before Justice F N Azinge of the Delta State High Court sitting on Asaba. The accused persons are alleged to have paid bursary to "ghost" students. They pleaded not guilty to the five count charge preferred against them. Prosecution counsel Steve Odiase asked the court for a date for hearing but A.P. Ogefere, counsel to the two accused persons asked the court to allow the duo remain on the bail granted by the former trial judge Justice Emifoniye, Justice Azinge adjourned the case to December 8 and 9,  2015 for hearing, while allowing the accused to continue to enjoy the terms of bail earlier granted by court. It will be recalled that the duo were first arraigned in May 2014 before J

Court convicts man of N10m fraud, breach of trust

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(Nigeria) Justice Salisu Garba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday,  convicted one Alhaji Uba Mohammed, who was charged before the court on a two count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Mohammed was alleged to have been entrusted with the authority to collect the rent of a property situated at Plot 1143 Asokoro District of the FCT, Abuja by Zaibadari Company Limited from the "Office of the Presidential Committee on Dairy Production" to the tune of N10million. The accused, upon collection of the said sum converted same to personal use and disappeared into thin air. Mohammed was arraigned on October 13, 2009 and pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him. One of the counts reads: "That you Mohammed on or about August 5, 2006, at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being entrusted with the

FG charges 44 pro-Biafra supporters for treason at magistrate court

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(Nigeria) In what appeared to be a ploy to further keep suspected members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOF, in prison custody, the Nigerian government on Tuesday, charged 44 person before a Port Harcourt, Rivers State on treason charges, a court that clearly has no jurisdiction to entertain such offences. As may have been envisaged, Presiding Magistrate, Mr Andrew Jaja ordered that the 44 suspected pro Biafra supporters arrested in connection with a protest by the Indigenous People of Biafra,in Port Harcourt recently  be remanded again in prison custody till November 26. At the resumed sitting of the court on bail application by counsel to the accused the Presiding Magistrate, Mr Jaja  said his court lacked jurisdiction over the matter since they were charged for treasonable felony, a capital offence, He also said the court lacked powers to grant bail to the accused because the offence for which they were charged was beyond the magistrate court. Before adjourning the matter to

Ajudua: Former court registrar knows fate Dec 21

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(Nigeria) Justice Lateef Lawal - Akapo of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja has adjourned till December 21, 2015 for judgment in a $330,000 scam case involving a former registrar of a Lagos High Court, Mrs Rosulu Oluronke. Oluronke was charged to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence. Specifically, the ex- court registrar was alleged to have collected a sum of $330,000 from a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Ishaya Bamaiyi( retd) at the Kirikiri maximum prison, Lagos, where he was an awaiting trial inmate. Justice Akapo, adjourned proceedings in the trial to allow him deliver his judgment after the adoption of the final written addresses by the parties. EFCC's counsel, Mr. Seidu Atteh, had called six witnesses and tendered 10 exhibits to prove the case. Besides, Atteh is relying on oral evidence made by Bamaiyi against Oluronke. Bamaiyi had in his testimony before the court

Edo govt gets order to move against Land Use charge defaulters

(Nigeria) Edo State Government has secured a High Court order to seize the property of 60 defaulters of the Land Use Charge Law, until the charges on the property are paid.   Also the state government has resolved to clamp down on any landlord who hides under banner of the Land Use Charge to increase rents arbitrarily. Addressing newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting in Benin City, Tuesday, on compliance with the Land Use Charge Law which came into effect in 2012, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Francis Evbuomwan said, “the Edo State Government through its agency, the Board of Internal Revenue has successfully got a court order enforcing the Land Use Charge against 60 property. “This is just the first tranche of court orders and more are still in the pipeline. In the coming days, we will be publishing the full list of 60 defaulters of the Land Use Charge with the addresses of the property  that the court has given Edo State Government the power an

Abuja's Rivers tribunal had territorial  jurisdiction -----Supreme Court

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(Nigeria) The Supreme  Court  on Tuesday  held that  the  Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has territorial  jurisdiction  to sit in Abuja following perceived  security  challenges  in the state. The Rivers  State  Governorship  Election  Petition  Tribunal  sitting in Abuja  had dismissed   a preliminary  objection raised by Governor Nyesom Wike  on the territorial  jurisdiction  of the  tribunal  and the failure  of  the  President of the Court of Appeal  to consult  the  Rivers State Chief Judge  and President of  the  Customary Court of Appeal before  constituting the  tribunals. Dissatisfied,  Governor Wike approached the  appellate  courts.  In a lead judgment  read by Justice  Sanusi, the Supreme  Court  held that the  President of the Court  of  Appeal  had the powers to transfer  the  sitting  of the tribunal  to  Abuja  to safeguard  the  lives of  the  judges  and their staff. The Supreme  Court  also ruled that  in view of  the  fact that Rivers State

China protests US Navy ship sails of Chinese-built island

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A United States Navy warship sailed past one of China's artificial islands in the South China Sea on Tuesday, in a challenge to Chinese sovereignty claims that drew an angry protest from Beijing, which said the move damaged US-China relations and regional peace. China's Foreign Ministry said authorities monitored and warned the USS Lassen as it entered what China claims as a 12-mile (21-kilometer) territorial limit around Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands archipelago, a group of reefs, islets, and atolls where the Philippines has competing claims, reports AP . "The actions of the U.S. warship have threatened China's sovereignty and security interests, jeopardized the safety of personnel and facilities on the reefs, and damaged regional peace and stability," the ministry said on its website. "The Chinese side expresses its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition," the statement said. The sail-past fits a U.S. policy of pushing back against China