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Category: News

  • Proliferation of boreholes caused by Water Boards’ failure – NIWRMC

    The failure of state water boards to provide water is the major cause for the proliferation of boreholes across the country, the Executive Director of Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRC) Engr. Magashi Umar Bashir, has said.

    Bashir, who spoke during the working visit of the Minister of Water Resources in Abuja, pointed out that the NIWRMC, which is an agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, is collaborating with borehole drilling association to curb the menace of rampant drilling of boreholes particularly in city centres.

    “The commission cannot stop people from drilling boreholes in their houses. That is why you have all this proliferation of boreholes everywhere. That is also due to the fact that the Water Boards cannot provide water to the people,” he said.

    The NIWRMC boss mentioned that through the Water Use Licence issued, the commission has generated N73,669,110 from the year 2020 till date.

    While announcing plans to increase its revenue, he explained that the commission’s current revenue represents almost 100 per cent increase in revenues generated between 2015 and 2019.

     “The commission is aware of the revenue deficit in the nation’s revenue needs and is determined to make sure that users of raw bulk water pay the appropriate charges.

    “In pursuit of our enhanced revenue generation agenda, the commission has issued demand notices with expected income of N826,215,000,” he added.

    He further reiterated the commission’s commitment to provide equitable and sustainable development, management, use and conservation of Nigeria’s surface and ground water resources through a water allocation plan for Upper Benue, Lower Benue, Lake Chad catchment areas.

    The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, hailed the Commission for its giant strides in discharging its regulatory duties despite the ferocious pushback of vested interest.

    Adamu pointed out that the Commission could have achieved more in terms of effective implementation of regulations of water resources if the Water Resources Bill had seen the light of the day.

    He expressed concern over the politicising of the Water Bill which according to him, the refusal of lawmakers to pass the bill has deprived the nation of the reforms needed in the water sector.

    He vowed to continue to pursue the bill till the very end, saying the independence of the NIWRC is crucial to harness the full benefit of the Commission.

    “The bill is trying to democratise the process of Water Resources in the country. We will not relent until we will get to the bottom of this. We will continue to operate within the framework of the existing laws for now. The antagonists of the Water Bill cannot change that,” he stated.

  • FCTA pledges to harmonise tax regulations

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that it is determined to harmonise overlapping regulations within the various secretariats, departments, and agencies (SDAs) that are militating against the ease of doing business in Abuja.

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammed Bello, made this known at the opening of a two-day retreat on the harmonisation of revenue and promotion of ease of doing business in the FCT.

    Bello was represented by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, at event, which was organised by the FCTA.

    He noted that Abuja, being the mirror of the country, must be a model in the ease of doing business agenda of the administration.

    “One of the biggest challenges we face is the need to harmonise revenue collection across the FCT.

    “As you are aware, there are currently multiple agencies and departments responsible for collecting various types of taxes and fees from businesses and individuals. This has created confusion, duplication, and inefficiency, within the system.

    “The FCT IRS was created to meet this challenge amongst others. However, despite its current efforts, we all must appreciate that there is a lot of room for improvement which I am sure this retreat will look into critically and recommend ways for advancement in this regard.

    “I have no doubt that we shall make significant progress in the collective revenue generation and business promotion drive,” Bello said.

    The retreat, according to Bello, brings together a broad spectrum of stakeholders to rub minds and exchange ideas on how best to ensure the FCTA attains the highest IGR-generating sub-national status.

    “As you all know, the uniqueness and dynamism of the FCT attracts people and businesses from all over the world. It is the seat of the Nigerian government, a budding centre of commerce and trade, and a hub for innovation and creativity.

    “However, as with any growing and evolving city, there are challenges that we must address to ensure that the FCT remains competitive, efficient, and attractive to investors and entrepreneurs.

    “The FCTA has, over the last few years, embarked on some reform programmes to encourage the establishment and growth of small and medium enterprises in the nation’s capital.

    “Amongst them is the implementation of a digital platform for the issuance of permits, licences, and approvals known as the FCT business portal, which will allow businesses and individuals to apply for and receive all necessary permits and licences online, without the need for physical visits to government offices.

    “In addition, we are working to streamline and simplify regulations and procedures for business registration, property registration, and land use planning. These will help to create a more transparent, predictable, and efficient regulatory environment for businesses,” the Minister added.

  • Ondo Pastor bags 18 years for raping, impregnating tenant’s daughter

    Ondo Pastor bags 18 years for raping, impregnating tenant’s daughter

    An Ondo State High Court has sentenced a 63-year-old pastor, Ajayi Famakinwa, to 18 years imprisonment for raping and impregnating a teenager.

    The 15-year-old victim is the daughter of one of the convict’s tenants.

    Pastor Famakinwa was said to have carried out the act on the pretense of healing the victim of the demonic spirit tormenting her

    Famakinwa was said to have also had sex with the victim at the market at night.

    Presiding Judge, Justice Yemi Fasanmi, sentenced Famakinwa after he found him guilty of rape and defilement of his tenant’s daughter. The convict was first arraigned on February 2022 on two counts of rape and defilement along with sexual abuse and exploitation.

    The Prosecutor, H.M Falowo, informed the court that the defendant had unlawful sexual intercourse with the victim which resulted to pregnancy.

    The victim had told the court that Famakinwa sexually abused her three times in his room and in the market stall at night.

    Justice Fasanmi, in his ruling, held that the denial of the convict of being responsible for the pregnancy was an afterthought.

    The Judge condemned the convict’s act for impregnating the poor girl and turning her to a struggling single mother.

    “The defendant’s conduct, his admission of the crime to the Divisional Police Officer at Ayede Ogbese on October 17, 2021 in his voluntary confessional statement to be responsible for the pregnancy and other evidence of the prosecution amounted to sufficient corroboration that the defendant committed the offence.

    “Based on the above and in strict adherence to the provisions of the law, I have no alternative than to sentence the defendant accordingly and I so hold.”

     “Though the defendant appeared remorseful in court, he is convicted as charged and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment.”

  • Court ruling on NBC dead on arrival- FG

    Court ruling on NBC dead on arrival- FG

    The Director, Legal Department, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mr. Nelson Orji, has said that the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which stopped the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) from imposing fines on erring broadcast stations “is ill-conceived and dead on arrival because of legal encumbrances”.

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had earlier given a contrary decision that NBC had the power to impose sanctions on erring stations.

    He said Justice N. E. Maha in April 2022 had ruled in a case brought against NBC by seven organisations led by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project.

    In a Certified True Copy of the judgment, Justice Maha had interpreted the provision of Section 2(1)(n) of the NBC Act, 1992.

    The provision states, “The Commission shall have the responsibility of determining and applying sanctions including revocation of licences of defaulting stations which do not operate in accordance with the broadcast code and in public interest.”

    Relying on the provision, Justice Maha held, “The law is settled that a regulator imposing fines under its enabling law in the discharge of its functions could not have acted unconstitutionally.

    “In Moses Ediru v Federal Road Safety Commission and 20 others (supra) the court held that the FRSC Act gives the Commission the right to impose and enforce sanctions and such right does not derogate from the judicial powers of the court as provided in the constitution.

    “In essence, there is no confluence point where the powers of FRSC and that of the court meet.

    “In that Moses Ediru case, the court further observed that FRSC and the court are mutually exclusive such that the FRSC powers of enforcement of sanctions is not a usurpation of the judicial powers of the court.”

    Speaking on the two cases, Orji said there existed conflicting decisions of the same court of coordinate jurisdiction on the same issue of whether NBC can impose sanctions.

    He said by the convention of the law, “where there is conflicting decision of courts of coordinate jurisdiction a party can choose which of them to obey and it will not be held in contempt of any court.

    “It is worthy of note that the judgment of Justice Maha is first in time and still subsisting as it has not been set aside by any appellate court.

    “In this light, NBC is still well within its right to continue to impose sanctions on broadcast organisations which run fowl of the NBC code.”

    Orji further said the case against the 45 erring stations were strict liability offences and they had all complied by paying their fines.

    He contended that if the judgment was allowed to stand it would mean that government agencies such as the NBC, FRSC, and Quarantine Services, would be rendered redundant.

    Recall that the Incorporated Trustees of Media Rights Agenda had approached Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who held that the NBC lacked the power to impose fines on broadcast stations.

    The judge voided the ₦500,000 fine imposed on 45 broadcast stations on March 1, 2023 on the ground that NBC, not being a court of law, lacked power to impose sanctions.

    According to the court, the NBC Code, which vested the Commission with the power to impose sanctions, was in conflict with Section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which vested such judicial powers on the court of law.

    Justice Omotosho said the court would not sit idle and watch a non-juristic body arbitrarily impose fines without recourse to the due process of law.

    Meanwhile, the NBC has said it would appeal the judgment.

  • Buhari procured 20 ships in eight years- Naval Chief

    Buhari procured 20 ships in eight years- Naval Chief

    President Muhammadu Buhari bought 20 capital ships for the Nigerian Navy (NN) during the eight years of his administration, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Saidu Garba, said on Friday.

    According to Garba, who spoke via a signed statement, the ships comprise of Offshore Patrol Vessels, Landing Ship Transport, Hydrographic Survey Vessels, Seaward Defence Boats, Helicopters, as well as, over 300 Inshore Patrol Vessels and Assault crafts.

    According to him, Buhari’s contribution to the development of the NN during his administration, has set him to give receive a befitting Presidential Fleet Review (PFR).

    The PFR with the theme: ‘Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity’ will hold in Lagos from May 19 to May 22.

    The naval chief added that the president also commissioned two locally built ships in 2016 and in 2021 respectively and laid the keel for two more, which would be ready by 2024.

    “The PFR 2023 is therefore in honour of Buhari, in recognition of his generous contribution to the service and the nation at large.

    “It involves assemblage of ships and other maritime assets at a designated area for the purpose of demonstrating loyalty and allegiance to the state.

    “The review also provides an avenue for the president to assess the navy’s preparedness to meet statutory obligations in maritime security, safety and defence within a global collaborative approach,” he said.

    Garba said that the last PFR was conducted in 2010 in honour of then President Goodluck Jonathan,  and to mark the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.

    He also noted that the NN had attended many Fleet reviews of other countries with the nation’s Flag Ship, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) ARADU.

    “Also, the NN sent personnel to participate in the Bangladesh Navy Fleet Review in December 2022, to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the country’s Independence,” he said.

    The naval chief said that the PFR-2023 exercise would involve 16 NN warships, 3 x AW109E NN helicopters and a mix of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft.

    “Foreign warships from allied nations like Spain, Brazil and Ghana are also set to participate in the exercise.

    “Other activities lined up for the day include capability demonstration by NN Special Forces, defence/maritime expo exhibition, combined naval parade and exercises,” he said.

    Garba said that the tenure of Buhari marked a period of profound transformation of the NN Fleet.

    He said that the president demonstrated enormous political will in ensuring the recapitalisation of the NN Fleet, which had become the pride of the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

    “Therefore, the PFR-2023 is in celebration of Mr President’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s naval assets and capability to project her instruments of maritime power for national prosperity,” Garba said. 

  • Save me from my diabolical wife, husband begs court

    Save me from my diabolical wife, husband begs court

    A divorce-seeking husband, Mr. Oyeyinka Adegoke, on Friday passionately pleaded with a Mapo Grade A Customary Court in Ibadan to save him from his wife, Wuraola, whom he alleged was diabolic.

    Adegoke, who stated in his testimony, said that his fortune had nosedived since he exchanged marital vows with Wuraola.

    He added that his wife was not only diabolic but that she was also stubborn and disobedient.

    `My lord, Wuraola recently destroyed two of my vehicles and a motorcycle which I use for business.

    “Worse still, I gave her a car for transportation, but she caused the car to suffer mishap.

    “As if those were not enough, Wuraola has been aborting the pregnancies she had for me,” Adegoke said.

    The petitioner pleaded with the court not to waste any further time in terminating the marriage.

    At the conclusion of his testimony, the court’s President, Mrs S.M. Akintayo adjourned the suit until June 29 for the respondent to state her case.

  • FRSC to impound trucks conveying passengers

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said it will start impounding haulage trucks conveying passengers.

    The Sector Commander in Kaduna State, Mr. Zubairu Mato said this in Kaduna at a stakeholders’ engagement on rising fatalities involving haulage trucks carrying passengers.

    The theme of the event was “Reducing Road Traffic Crashes Through Stakeholders Engagement”.

    He emphasized that haulage trucks were meant for the conveyance of goods, as such the corps would also prosecute truck owners and drivers conveying passengers.

    “Any vehicle arrested, the passengers will be dropped to find another means to take them to their destinations and the driver would be sanctioned accordingly.

    “The Corps henceforth, will prosecute any driver or truck owner whose truck is involved in road traffic crash that resulted in the death of any passenger,” he added.

    He lamented that road traffic crashes involving haulage trucks carrying passengers have been on the rise in recent times.

    According to him, these crashes have resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries, causing significant economic losses and social disruptions to families and the nation.

    Mato said stakeholders such as government agencies, trucking companies, and passenger transport associations, should work together with the corps to reduce the number of road traffic crashes.

    “The nation continues to be outraged by the frequency of road traffic crashes and high fatality rate involving overloaded vehicles with goods and passengers on Nigerian roads” he said.

    The sector commander added in the fatality passengers got crushed under the weight of goods, animals and sundry haulage items.

    Mato said reducing road traffic crashes involving haulage trucks required collaborative efforts of stakeholders, on improving safety standards, education and awareness.

    “These measures can help prevent crashes, reduce fatalities and injuries, and ensure safety on our nation’s highways.

    “By working together, stakeholders can create a safer and more sustainable transport system that benefits everyone,” Mato said.

    Also, the Commander, Zone RSI Kaduna, Mr. Godwin Omiko, said government would not allow the situation to continue.

    Omiko, represented by Deputy Corps Commander, Hauwa Rilwan, said, road safety is a collective responsibility.

    “I therefore employ each of you to go back and talk to your drivers to desist from this attitude of carrying passengers and goods under any circumstance,” he said.

    The North West Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Abbani Garki, lauded FRSC for organising the sensitization.

    Garki said road traffic crashes had consumed many lives and efforts should be made to stop the carnage.

    Also, the Organizing Secretary, Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Kaduna branch, Mr. Nathaniel Zuntu said most overloading of vehicles take place outside designated motor parks.

    Zuntu called for partnership with law enforcement agencies in addressing the problem of road traffic crashes.

  • Abductions/Killings: Engineers give FG 18 days’ ultimatum

    Abductions/Killings: Engineers give FG 18 days’ ultimatum

    The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has given the Federal Government 18 days’ ultimatum to fish out and prosecute killers and abductors of its members across the country.

    The President of NSE, Mr. Tasiu Gidari-Wudil gave the ultimatum at a news conference in Abuja on the killings and abduction of its members.

    He said over the years, the society has been inundated with reports of abduction and vicious killings of its members across the country, especially in the South-East.

    Gidari-Wudil said the most recent of such cases was the report of the killing of Mr Donatus Udeh, who was abducted on April 22.

    “Three days later, his mutilated, lifeless body and vehicle were found at different locations within 9th Mile Corner, Ngwo, Enugu State on April 25.

    “The late Engr. Udeh was, until his demise, the Vice Chairman of the Enugu Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

    “In a similar way, five Engineers from NELAN Engineering Consulting Limited were abducted on their way to inspect a project site in Ebonyi on Nov. 3, 2021.

    He said the victims, Nelson Onyemeh, Earnest Edeani, Ikechukwu Ejiofor, Samuel Aneke and Engr. Stanley Nwazulum were to be on a supervisory visit to the $150 million Abakaliki Ring Road project.

    The president said that until this moment, the Police have not unraveled the mystery behind the disappearance of the hardworking professionals.

    He said presently, the life of one of the Executive Committee members of NSE was under threat just because she was supervising a project in Ebonyi.

    The president said it was a shame to continually witness these cruel killings without any respite from the government.

    He said that the primary purpose of government was the security and welfare of the people, as provided in section 14(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

    Gidari-Wudil said that when all the professionals are killed, who would construct the roads, build bridges and waterways.

    “The engineer saves lives and improves the quality of living by her innovative ideas and inventions.

    “The slain engineers were exactly on such patriotic nation-building and economy- stimulating course when they were cut down.

    “It is an irony that such breed of humans would be targeted for such brutality without a convincing action by the government to bring the perpetrators to book.

    “Going forward, I hereby make an appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to wade into the matter,” he said.

  • NEMA sends food items to stranded Nigerians in Sudan

    NEMA sends food items to stranded Nigerians in Sudan

    *2,246 stranded Nigerians evacuated to the country

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has dispatched assorted food items to the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan to cater for stranded Nigerians waiting to be evacuated to Nigeria from Sudan.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the agency, Mr Manzo Ezikiel in Abuja.

    Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General of the agency, explained that the food items are meant to cater for the Nigerian citizens who are awaiting evacuation.

    The items consist of 100 bags of rice, 50 bags of beans, 10 cartons of seasoning, 50 cartons of spaghetti and 5 bags of iodized salt.

    He said that the items had since been transported to Port Sudan via a TARCO aircraft which brought 123 stranded Nigerians to Abuja at about 12:25 p.m.

    This brings a total number of 2,246 stranded Nigerians evacuated to the country from the war-ravaged country.

    According to him, the evacuation exercise is still in progress as efforts are being made to engage more Nigerian airlines to strengthen the process of transporting more Nigerians willing to come back home.

  • States now to feed, accommodate inmates – FG

    The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has said state governments will now be feeding and accommodating inmates in their domains.

    He said this followed the recent consultation amendment which placed Correctional Services on the concurrent list.

    Aregbesola gave the insight while speaking at a 2-day High-Level Conference on Decongestion and Corrections Management, on Thursday in Abuja.

    “This simply means that states are now empowered to establish their own Correctional Services and facilities.

    “States which do not have correctional facilities would have to pay the Federal Government for the feeding and accommodation of their inmates,” the minister said.

    According to him, this is a huge relief to the Federal Government which used to shoulder the burden of accommodating and feeding inmates.

    In 2023, the Federal Government had earmarked N22.44 billion to feed inmates across 244 correctional facilities in the country.

    The minister lamented that the huge amount was draining the coffers of the Federal Government.

    “These facilities are being run by the Federal Government. It should be noted that the criminal justice system of Nigeria makes provisions for state and federal offences.

    “However, until the amendment of the Constitution, only the Federal Government was in charge of custodial centres.

    “With the amendment of the Constitution, states are now empowered to build correctional centres and facilities to house offenders who are convicted and sentenced for committing state offences.

    “Where states are unable to build custodial centres, it is believed that they can suggest ways to collaborate with the Federal Government in feeding and housing these state offenders,’’ he added.

    Aregbesola said that the conference had brought to the fore,  applicable laws to aid the reform of correctional services, including custodial and non-custodial measures .

    He said that Section 12 (4-12) of the NCoS Act, gave the Service the powers to reject inmates when custodial centres are full.

    “By the provision of the Act, the Controller-General, NCoS, is mandated to inform the head of the judiciary of when the custodial centres have exceeded their capacity.

    “This is necessary, so that more offenders are not sent to the centres to serve their sentence. Where his information is not heeded, he is mandated to reject new inmates.

    “It is hoped that the above measure will curb the dumping tendencies leading to overcrowding of the custodial centres.

    “This will be by encouraging the payment of fines for simple offences, non-custodial sentencing and also building and construction of new correctional facilities,’’ the minister said.

    The Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa said that the sad cases of jail breaks had claimed the lives of of officers and inmates, and escape of prisoners.

    Nababa said that the trend, posed a grave threat to the sovereignty and prosperity of the country.

    “However, we are not resting on our oars to ensure that we stem the tide.

    “We have stepped-up security in and around our Custodial Centres by fortification of access controls.

    “We have increased the capacity of our Armed Squad Personnel through specialized training and deployment of high caliber weapons.

    “We have up scaled our use of technology for security, with the improvement of the Correctional Information Management System for inmates’ biometric capturing to cover more formations.

    “In like manner, a Situation Room has been established at the National Headquarters to enable real-time monitoring of Custodial Centres in phases.

    “Similarly, we have continued to improve collaboration with sister security agencies at strategic, tactical and operational levels,’’ Nababa said.