NIGERIA BECOMES AFRICA'S LARGEST ECONOMY WITH $510 MILLION

Article written by Associated Press writer, Michelle Faul. It's Mind blowing. Read!

Nigeria's recalculated economy is worth $510 billion, by far the biggest in Africa, officials announced Sunday using long overdue revised data that gives the West African nation continental bragging rights but does little for the 70 percent of its citizens living in poverty.

The new value of Nigeria's GDP adds previously uncounted industries like telecommunications, information technology, music, airlines, burgeoning online retail outlets and Nollywood film production that didn't exist when the last GDP count was made in 1990. Then, there were 300,000 landlines. Today, Nigeria has 100 million cell phone users.

The new figures also will take account of growth in agriculture and tourism that have flourished since democracy was restored in 1999, ending decades of military dictatorship.

With one fell swoop, Nigeria knocked out of the ring South Africa, whose GDP of $353 billion was previously counted the biggest on the continent and which is the only African member of the G20.

"Nigeria's success is a reminder that Africa is moving ahead despite its current challenges," said investment manager Kevin Daly of UK-based Aberdeen Asset Management, which invests in Africa. He pointed out that it is a Nigerian, billionaire Aliko Dangote, who is building Africa's largest privately owned oil refinery.

Investors' attention will be drawn by the fact that while oil remains the biggest source of government revenue, about 80 percent, oil production is declining while Nigeria's agriculture, communications and service sectors are enjoying healthy growth.

Nigeria has been Africa's biggest drawer of direct foreign investment despite myriad woes, from massive corruption and oil thefts costing the country some $20 million a day to an Islamic uprising in the northeast that has killed more than 1,200 people so far this year, to a paralytic electricity supply that keeps businesses dependent on diesel-run generators.

Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told a news conference Sunday that the new data makes Nigeria the 26th largest economy in the world and raises its per capita income to $2,688, making it No. 121 in the world, up from No. 135.

That is still feeble compared to South Africa's $7,336 for its population of 48 million. South Africa, bedeviled by mining strikes, violent protests over services and a lackluster performance that has kept annual growth at around 3.5 percent, still has infrastructure unrivaled on the continent, most notably a power sector that generates 10 times more electricity than Nigeria.

Nigeria's revised figures will lower its much-vaunted growth rate of 7 percent but also will decrease an already low debt to GDP ratio of 21 percent, which should lower interest rates should the government want to borrow more, economists said.

Okonjo-Iweala blamed decades of military rule for the delay in repositioning Nigeria's economy, but the country is not alone. Ghana's economy jumped by 60 percent when it recalculated its goods and services production in 2012, and Kenya and Zambia are considering the same.

Okonjo-Iweala has said that Nigeria's economy needs to grow at about 10 percent to address massive poverty and youth unemployment. Government statistics say unemployment increased from 12.7 percent in 2007 to 23.9 percent in 2011; the World Bank says unemployment among young Nigerians stands at 38 percent but analysts say it is as high as 80 percent in many parts of the country.

Financial analyst Bismarck Rewane called the revisions "a vanity. The Nigerian population is not better off tomorrow because of that announcement. It doesn't put more money in the bank, more food in their stomach. It changes nothing."

Question: How does this mitigate the threatening poverty rate in Nigeria?

NIGERIAN MEDICAL DOCTOR SHOT DEAD BY HER HUSBAND IN THE US

Dr Isioma and her Daughter

A 36 year old Nigerian Medical Doctor was shot dead by her 63 year old husband on Saturday March 22nd 2014 at their home in West Harris County, Houston, Texas.

Dr Isioma Awele Ebegbodi nee Unokanjo (pictured above), a mother of two and a medical resident physician at Marshfield Clinic in Texas, was shot dead around 3.am on that fateful day after getting into a fight with her husband and the father of her children, Martin Ebegbodi (also pictured above).

After killing his wife, Martin Ebegbodi went to a neighbors house and asked him to call the police. When deputies arrived, Martin Ebegbodi was arrested and charged with the murder of Isioma.

Martin Ebegbodi, her husband.
Isioma Ebegbodi attended Queens College Yaba and studied Medicine at the University of Lagos Medical School. May her soul rest in peace.

GUNMEN ATTACK YOBE MOSQUE, KILL 20

Gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram, yesterday struck in Yobe State killing no fewer than 20 worshippers in a mosque.
A civil servant, Musa Ibrahim, who spoke with the Associated Press, said the gunmen struck before dawn as residents of Buni Gari village were getting set for the first prayer of the day.

The village is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, in an area that has been attacked numerous times.
Mosques have been targets of the insurgents, who threaten Muslim clerics they consider to be preaching against their extremist doctrine.

The insurgents also routinely attack churches and schools, killing Christians and students and setting buildings – both public and private – and other property ablaze.

More than 1,200 civilians have been killed this year amid more frequent and deadlier attacks by the Boko Haram terrorist network.

'I cut her neck with cutlass for sacking me' - houseboy who killed magistrate says

David Idah, the houseboy of  retired Chief Magistrate Funmilola Timeyin who killed her at her residence in Laderin Estate in Abeokuta on March 28th says he killed her because she sacked him. 

Idah, in an interview with Punch, said he and his boss had a good relationship when he started working with her but they fell out when she started to complain about his attitude. Idah says he wasn't paid his salary and so stole two mobile phones, a DVD player, speakers, perfume, wrist watches, three trousers and four shirts belonging to her son in order to sell them, get money and leave.

She discovered he had stolen these items and invited the police who came in and was about to begin prosecution of the 21 year old Benue indigine when she (Justice Timeyin) pleaded with them to let him off the hook and even wrote a letter of withdrawal to the police. She said she did not want Idah tried but she sacked him and told him not return to work for her again.

A few days after he was released from police custody and angered by his sack, Idah went to the retired judge's house, scaled the fence, got hold of the cutlass he used for gardening and waited for her to step out of her house and then attacked her with the cutlass, cutting her three times on the neck. She screamed for help which attracted her neighbors and vigilante in the area who caught Idah in the bush behind the house where he had gone to hide and was trying to escape...

Sadly Justice Timeyin died before she could get to the hospital.

Idah was employed by the 65year old retired chief Magistrate to help around her house since all her children had all grown up and left the house. Idah was yesterday arraigned before the magistrate, Anthony Araba, of the Magistrate Court 1 and pleaded guilty to one count charge of Murder. 

ANOTHER RITUALIST DEN IN OGUN STATE

The ritualist activities have continued to take preeminence in recent weeks as Another den was discovered yesterday, April 3rd in Akinremi Estate in the Adigbe area of Obafemi-Owode LGA of Ogun State, Vanguard reports

A pregnant young lady in a bid to set herself free from the ritualist ran out of a duplex in the estate on Wednesday night and informed the estate residents of what was happening in the building. The young lady said she was from Abia state and was sold to the ritualist by her elders sister for N100,000. 

 By Thursday morning, youths in the area, mostly students of the Moshood Abiola Polythecnic, invaded the building and engaged in a thorough search of the building and amongst the things they found in the building were charms, ivory plate containing fresh blood, coffin, and effigies. Continue

Also discovered in the building were passports and Identity cards of Senior and Junior Students of Sacred Heart Catholic College, Oke-Ilewo who are believed to have been killed by the ritualist. Other male and female clothings were found in the building. Three pregnant ladies and three kids were rescued from the building.

Angered by the act, the youths of the area took laws into their hands and burnt the building down with the cars in the building.

The Ogun State Police Deputy PRO officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, while confirming the incident said the police has arrested two suspects, one Muibat Yusuf and her brother, who are indigenes of Kwara State.

A Federal Court In Lagos Awards Sanusi N50million Damages, Orders Release Of His international Passport

A Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services from arresting or harassing the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido.

The court also ordered the DSS to release Mr. Sanusi’s passport to him immediately while also awarding the embattled CBN boss N50 million in exemplary damages.

Mr. Sanusi’s passport was seized on February 20, as he arrived the Lagos international airport, hours after he was suspended as CBN Governor by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He was briefly detained as well.

Mr. Sanusi, in separate suits, challenged his suspension, and asked for an enforcement of his fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

The court had on February 21 granted an interim order, restraining the respondents from arresting, detaining, or harassing the applicant pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The interim order was sequel to an affidavit of urgency filed by the applicant on the same date.

On Monday, the court adjourned to April 4 ruling on the preliminary objection raised against the restraining order by the SSS and the police.

The court has now ruled, saying the government and its agencies have no basis to arrest or harass Mr. Sanusi. The court also frowned at the seizure of the CBN Governor’s travelling documents.

During the hearing of the rights’ suit, on Monday, the respondents – the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF; the Police; and the SSS – made different claims.

The agency SSS said it was investigating Mr. Sanusi for allegedly financing terrorism.

The SSS counsel, Moses Idakwo, said Mr. Sanusi’s interaction with SSS officials did not last for up to an hour and did not constitute a violation of his rights.

He said the provisions of Section 6 of the National Security Agencies’ Act empowered the Service to impound the international passport of suspects pending the conclusion of investigations.

It is not clear how this fresh allegation by the SSS is related to the dubious claims by Mr. Omokri.

PREMIUM TIMES and a few citizen journalists had exposed how Mr. Omokri, using a non-existent alias, Wendell Simlin, created a document linking Mr. Sanusi with financing the terrorist Boko Haram group.

The document was later shown to have been created by Mr. Omokri, with several Nigerians calling for his sack. The presidency has kept mum since the scandal was exposed.

On Monday, however, Mr. Sanusi’s counsel, Kola Awodehin, accused the SSS of falsehood in its new claim against the bank chief, saying the agency had no shred of evidence.

The counsel to the AGF, Fabian Ajogwu, had objected to the suit, urging the court to strike it out for want of jurisdiction.
Mr. Ajogwu argued that the provisions of Section 254 (c) 1 (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) ousted the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

He noted that the case before the court borders on the applicant’s employment, saying that labour -related cases are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court, NIC.

“Section 254 (c) 1 (d) of the Constitution vests exclusive jurisdiction on the National Industrial Court, with respect to civil causes or matters touching on employment, labour or industrial relations.

“We respectfully urge the court to hold that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the reliefs sought by the applicant,” he said.

The counsel urged the court to strike out the suit.

Mr. Ajogwu also argued that the applicant should not, by the suit, seek to restrain the respondents from performing their constitutional duties.
He argued that Mr. Sanusi was being investigated based on the FRCN’s claims. He said the suspended bank chief was being investigated in accordance with the provisions of the law, which the respondents had a statutory duty to perform.

Citing the dictum of retired Justice Niki Tobi of the Supreme Court in the case of Adeniran vs Alao, Mr. Ajogwu submitted that a perpetual injunction would be everlasting and could not be granted by
a court of law.

“The applicant’s suit is basically an action to shield him from the machinery of administration of justice, which has been kick-started by the respondents,” Mr. Ajogwu submitted.

While the AGF said Mr. Sanusi was being investigated based on the FRCN investigations, the police said it was not investigating the CBN boss.

The counsel to the police, David Abuo, said nobody ever reported Mr. Sanusi to the police.

He, however aligned with Mr. Ajogwu, saying the case should be struck out as it seeks to bar government agencies from performing their duties.
However, responding to the respondents’ preliminary objection, counsel to Mr. Sanusi, Mr. Awodehin submitted that the court was vested with the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

He argued that the suit had nothing to do with the terms of employment of the applicant or industrial relations, since it was not a case of the applicant against the Central Bank of Nigeria.

He argued that the applicant never sought an order of perpetual injunction, adding that the reliefs he sought were qualified.

“It cannot be suggested that the applicant is restraining the respondents from performing their duties, but they must be restrained from doing so without due process of the law.

“The seizure of the applicant’s international passport by the third respondent is a derogation of his freedom of movement,” he said.
Mr. Awodehin also argued that the different submissions by the three respondents showed that laws were being violated in Mr. Sanusi’s treatment.

“The first to third respondents give conflicting reasons as to the complaint made against the applicant.

“This conflict goes to show that they acted without due process of the law,” he said.

The counsel also argued that the SSS’ claim of financing terrorism was bogus.

“The allegation against the applicant as to funding of terrorism is an afterthought by the respondents which is not backed by facts, as there is no reasonable suspicion that the applicant committed any crime,” he said.
He urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objection and uphold the case of the applicant.

PROSTESTERS ARRESTED AND DETAINED IN ABUJA

UCHE BRIGGS

JAPHETH OMOJUWA

Public speaker, blogger and activist Japheth Omojuwa were arrested yesterday afternoon in Abuja alongside Uche Briggs for leading a protest for victims of the Nigerian Immigration Service employment test that took place on March 10th. The two men and one other person were taken to NSCDC office and there are reports that they were beaten by NSCDC officers at their headquarters.

Twitts from Uche Briggs showed they were released yesterday night by 8pm and asked to return this morning.

POLICE OFFICER DISMISSED FOR RAPING A FOUR YEAR OLD GIRL

According to a Punch report, a policeman attached to the Plateau State Police Command was dismissed yesterday from the police force after being found guilty of luring and raping a 4-year-old girl identified as Helen .
Around 9pm on March 26th, corporal Damudu Bzibu (pictured above), allegedly lured the little girl and raped her in Kassa Barakin Ladi Local Government Area.

According to the Plateau State Police Commissioner, Chris Olakpe, who paraded Damudu alongside other criminals, the little girl's father found blood gushing from her vagina and upon serious enquiry, the girl told him it was uncle Damudu that raped her. The Commissioner said Damudu was immediately given an orderly room treatment, found guilty and is now dismissed from the force. He is to be charged to court soon.

Also amongst the criminals paraded yesterday was a man, Benjamin Tofa, who killed his wife for not accepting his sexual advances.

EBOLA VIRUS: NIGERIA ISSUES RED ALERT ON THE DEADLY VIRUS

The Ebola Virus.

Nigerian government has issued a red alert on Ebola virus, the causative agent of Ebola hemorrhagic fever. 

In the alert, Nigeria's federal ministry of health is urging individuals with high fever, headache, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and bleeding to report to the health authorities, especially individuals who had traveled to Guinea, Sierra Leone and/or Liberia.

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister of Health, Mr. Dan Nwome, the health ministry said members of the public should take measures to avert the outbreak or spread of the disease. It added that Nigeria has the capacity to diagnose the disease if it appears here,

Nwome said: "The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is currently studying the outbreak trends and has mobilised its rapid response teams and developed a detailed response plan that includes a comprehensive health education/health promotion to sensitise Nigerians, enhanced surveillance to detect and treat the disease, while mobilising its treatment/isolation centres. An alert has been issued to all State Commissioners of Health to mobilise against the disease."

He added that the Federal Ministry of Health is working closely with West African Health Organization (WAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and is ready to deploy experts to Guinea on request by the affected country to strengthen its response capacity.

Below is a little information on what Everyone should know about the Ebola Virus:

One of the most virulent viral diseases known to humankind", reads the WHO's alarming first sentence on Ebola, the group of five viruses with a case fatality ranging from 25-90% in humans. Ebola infects humans through direct contact with a sick person's (or animal's) blood or bodily fluids, or through contact with contaminated objects (such as needles and bed sheets). A "viral hemorrhagic fever", symptoms at first resemble those of a normal fever, infections spread quickly among family and friends caring for sick people, and then among medical staff who haven't confirmed the cause of sickness.

Unfortunately, the disease shares early symptoms with any number of other other illnesses, ranging from a passing fever to malaria, cholera and meningitis. Between two and 21 days, infected people might have red eyes and a rash, or suddenly experience "onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain and sore throat", "followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding".

Contagion survives so long as the virus is in people's blood and secretions, and with no vaccine or specialized treatment, victims must simply try to beat the disease with "intensive supportive care" to fight off near constant dehydration. Ebola requires lab tests to confirm, and usually appears around tropical rain forests.

Please be cautious of your environment, report any of the above signs to the nearest hospital and stay healthy-R101

A PRIEST, 20 OTHERS PARADED BY SSS FOR CHILD THIEFT

Officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Akwa Ibom State yesterday paraded a Catholic priest and 20 others for their alleged involvement in child theft.

The priest, Rev Okono Joseph of St Peter’s Parish of Owerri Catholic Diocese in Imo State, was arrested for buying two boys, age three and four years, at N900,000.

State Deputy Director, Fubara Duke, who spoke at the DSS headquarters in Uyo, said the cleric bought the children self-styled man of God bought the children from an agent sponsored by Uche Joel Canice Onyekedru from Ogiri in Imo State.

Other suspects are: Mercy Etim; Collins Edet; Caroline Nkwonna; Cecilla Ngene; Eleka Okoye; Nwaonu Okoro; Adaobi Onyeke; Elizabeth Onubogu, Umeh, Ebele Nwadika, Florence Onyodobi, Emenka Anaefuna, Nnamdi Onuchukwu, Ifeoma Gladys Nweze, Chiyneyen Roseline, Idam Vivian Ogbona and David Ogbuagu.

The deputy director noted that over 60 children had been sold in the last eight months, adding that leader of the syndicate, Onyekedru, had lost count of the number of children he has sold off to members of the public.

According to Duke: “He (Onyekedru) usually operates in conjunction with agents, who liaise with government officials in children homes and maternity hospitals.
“The investigation took our men to Abia, Imo and Ebonyi states before they arrested some of the suspects. Over 20 children were rescued.
“Though some of the suspects are still at large, efforts are being intensified to ensure that they are all arrested”, he said.

The SSS boss advised parents to be wary of strange faces.

BREAKING NEWS: SUICIDE BOMBERS ATTACK MAIDUGURI AGAIN

 Four insurgents suspected to be suicide bombers in four Volkswagen golf cars have died in their IED laden vehicles along the Damboa-Maiduguri road, Borno State.

According to a statement by the Defence Headquarters, the insurgents were apparently heading for an NNPC facility in the area when they met their waterloo.

The explosions took place at Mule in the outskirt of Maiduguri.

Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said three of the four explosive laden vehicles were demobilized when soldiers manning a checkpoint along the road fired at them while the fourth one rammed into a military truck thereby resulting in explosions.
Five soldiers were confirmed wounded while it is not yet known whether there are civilian casualties.

More Updates later.

SHOCKING NEWS: SSS ACCUSES SANUSI OF FINANCING TERRORISM

The former CBN governor has been accused by the SSS for financing terrorism. According to naij.com,

The SSS stated this on Monday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, while defending its decision to seize Mr. Sanusi’s international passport.
Mr. Sanusi’s passport was seized on February 20, as he arrived the Lagos international airport, hours after he was suspended as Central Bank Governor by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The new charge, which Mr. Sanusi’s lawyers described as false and baseless, tallies with a similar surreptitious but baseless allegation thrown at the bank chief by a presidential aide.

Reno Omokri, the Special Assistant to the President on New Media, had, on February 26, used a pseudonym, Wendell Simlin, to circulate an article that tried to link the recent spike in Boko Haram attack to the suspension of the CBN governor.

During the hearing of the rights’ suit, which continued on Monday, the respondents – the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF; the Police; and the SSS – made different claims.
The fresh terrorism-related allegation against Mr. Sanusi came from the SSS.
The agency said it was investigating Mr. Sanusi for allegedly financing terrorism.

According to SSS counsel, Moses Idakwo, the provisions of Section 6 of the National Security Agencies’ Act empowered the Service to impound the international passport of suspects pending the conclusion of investigations.

On Monday, however, Mr. Sanusi’s counsel, Kola Awodehin, accused the SSS of falsehood in its new claim against the bank chief, saying the agency had no shred of evidence.

Nigerian journalists had exposed how Mr. Omokri, using a non-existent alias, Wendell Simlin, created a document linking Mr. Sanusi with financing the terrorist Boko Haram group.

The counsel to the AGF, Fabian Ajogwu, had objected to the suit, urging the court to strike it out for want of jurisdiction.

Mr. Ajogwu argued that the provisions of Section 254 (c) 1 (d) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) ousted the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
He noted that the case before the court borders on the applicant’s employment, saying that labour -related cases are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court, NIC.
The counsel urged the court to strike out the suit.
The court, however, adjourned ruling on the preliminary objection to April 4.

READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/63320.html

READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/63320.html

FOOLS DAY! WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU

Good Morning, Today is one day in the entire year a fools day is celebrated it is actually hilarious and fun. For some of us April Fools Day means a lot of things, so we would want everyone to share with us what this day means to you or share an experience you have had on this day. Share your thoughts, it might just be what someone may need.....


Happy April fools day and a wonderful new month. And please do not play scary pranks on people....ENJOY your DAY!!!

BOKO HARAM RIDICULES THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE IN A VIDEO, SAYS CHURCHES ARE THEIR TARGET

The Boko Haram sect has ridiculed the Nigerian Police in a 24 minute video posted yesterday. The sect referred to the Police as 'women' who are incapable of stopping them, the video also gave details of  how the sect attacked Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri on March 14,  2014. According to Sahara reporters,

The video shows the sect exhibiting their warfare techniques, shooting targets from specialized armed vans, as well as holding and firing grenades from the ground. It also shows the sect's commanders coordinating operations by giving orders. 

The footage contains details of how the sect launched attacks from several directions in and around the military barracks. It also shows hundreds of people the sect claimed to have freed from detention by the Nigerian military.

Warning Nigerian police officers to stay off their path, the sect sang, “Police give us way, you are too weak and small to stop us. You are all women and we understand you.”

The sect sang that their demand for Sharia cannot be compromised. They restated that their targets remained churches, Christians and the Nigerian state. Part of the song stated, "We are working for Allah and must bring Shariah to existence; we are committed to protecting Muslims from being annihilated by infidels. We are going to kill them. We will enter Churches and slaughter Christians and barracks. We are calling on all Muslims to come out and fight Jihad. If you joke, these infidels will annihilate Muslims. You see how they are killing our women and children.”

The group boasted that it had demonstrated its prowess in Borno, Bauchi and Abuja, and the infidels of Plateau, Kaduna, Adamawa and Gombe.

They vowed to fight for Shariah will all their might until success was achieved.

National Conference “Sleeping Delegate” Hamma Misau Is Dead

A delegate at the ongoing National Conference in Nigeria, retired police AIG Hamma Misau has died at the National Hospital in Abuja. Mallam Misau died last night of an undisclosed illness at the age of 67.

Mallam Misau became famous after a photo of him taking a nap at the conference was shared on social media three days ago.

Barrister Mohammed Hamma a cousin to the retired police officer confirmed his demise to SaharaReporters. He said a Muslim funeral is due shortly in Bauchi for the late delegate. Mallam Hamma Misau hails from Misau in Bauchi state.

IMMIGRATION STAMPEDE: FG ORDERS FRESH RECRUITMENT

The Federal Government yesterday has set up a Presidential Committee to assist para-military agencies to conduct a fresh recruitment exercise into the Nigerian Immigration Service. The statement issued by the Secretary to the Government the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said the committee had 12 weeks to conclude its assignment. 
Also, President Goodluck Jonathan approved the composition and mandate of the Special Presidential Committee to assist the Civil Defence, Fire Service, Immigration and Prisons Board to conduct a fresh exercise in place of the aborted recruitment into the NIS.
The SGF further said the committee is also to assist the Civil Defence, Fire Service, Immigration and Prisons Board by processing the applications, short-listing potential candidates and conducting the necessary interviews for the purpose of the exercise.

Other terms of reference of the committee are to assist the Civil Defence, Fire Service, Immigration and Prisons Board by following all relevant laws, public service rules and guidelines, to determine successful applicants and announce their appointment into the NIS. The committee is also to ensure that three family members of each deceased applicant from the aborted exercise, at least one of whom should be a female, are given immediate and automatic employment in the NIS; and ensuring that all those injured during the aborted exercise, are given immediate and automatic employment in the NIS.

The SGF named the chairman, as Federal Civil Service Commission-Chairman. Other members include Comptroller General, NIS; representative of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation; representative of the Commandant General; representative of the Comptroller, Prison Service; representative of the Corp Marshal, FRSC; representative of the Director General, DSS; and the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, who will serve as the secretary.

Source:The Punch

COURT DECLARES NEW PLATE NUMBERS ILLEGAL

Osita Chidoka, FRSC Corps Marshal.

Yesterday, a Federal High Court in Lagos declared that the new number plates introduced by the Federal Road Safety Commission are unconstitutional and as such cannot be imposed on vehicle owners.

 According to The Punch;

The judgment was delivered by Justice James Tsoho on Wednesday, the court held that the redesigning of the old number plates was not backed by any law.
Tsoho, who was delivering the judgment in a suit by a lawyer, Emmanuel Ofoegbu, against the FRSC, therefore, held that the FRSC had no power to impose the redesigned number plates on vehicle owners, who had not acquired them.

The judge said, “The issue of redesigning new number plates by the respondent, is not covered under the provisions of any law in Nigeria.
“The respondent cannot force Nigerians to acquire new plate numbers by impounding cars without the backing of any legislation to that effect.
“I hold that the act of the respondent amounts to an arbitrary use of power, and is therefore illegal and unconstitutional.
“Judgment is therefore entered in favour of the plaintiff, and all the reliefs sought is hereby granted, I so hold.”

Ofoegbu had instituted the suit on September 30, 2013, to challenge the power of the FRSC to impound vehicles of motorists who failed to acquire the new number plates.
The plaintiff contended that the threat by the FRSC, which gave October 1 deadline for all vehicle owners to acquire the new number plate, was a gross violation of the provisions of Section 36 (12) of the 1999 Constitution, which guaranteed the rights of individuals.
He maintained that the threat by FRSC was illegal, since the amended National Road Traffic Regulations (2012) should not affect everything that was done, based on the revoked NRTR (2004), under which the old number plates were issued.

According to the plaintiff, Regulation 230(2) of the National Road Traffic Regulations (2012) states that the revocation of NRTR (2004) “shall” not affect anything done, or purported to be done pursuant to that regulation.

He submitted that the NRTR 2004 was a subsidiary legislation, made under the Federal Road Safety Commission Act, Laws of the Federation, as revised in 2004.

He, therefore, asked the court to declare as unlawful, the threat by the respondent to arrest motorists, using the old number plates, as according to him, “there is no law validly made in accordance with the constitution, prohibiting its use.”

The applicant also sought a court injunction restraining the FRSC from impounding vehicles, arresting or harassing vehicles owners, who refused to comply with the directive.

SENATE CONFIRMS EMEFIELE AS CBN GOVERNOR

It is offical,the Nigerian Senate today confirmed former Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Godwin Emefiele as the new Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Confirming the president’s nominee, President of the Senate, David Mark expressed assurance that Emefiele would lead the bank “without fear or favour”.
Emefiele will take over the reins of CBN from Dr. Sarah Alade, the most senior deputy governor at the bank who has been Governor in acting capacity since Sanusi’s suspension.

We say congratulations on his new appointment.

PHOTO STORY:GOV AKPABIO SPENDS BIG ON PRIVATE JET TRIPS

Governor Godswill Akapabio coming down from a private jet.

As the news about the petroleum minister's extravagant spending continues to fuel the air, Governor Godswill Akpabio has also been seen enjoying the luxury of the best of these private Jets on his numerous trips. According to Sahara reporters;

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State spent $10 million over a twenty-five trips or 600 hours of service. The governor hired a private jet, a Canadian Challenger 604 from Swiss-based Vista jet, an investigation by SaharaReporters has revealed.

Mr. Akpabio paid the sum to the jet charter company owned in part by Kola Aluko. Mr. Aluko is known to be quite close to Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and has been described as one of a few fronts for the minister’s extensive money laundering schemes.

Mr. Aluko was also instrumental to the private jet provided to the Nigerian Petroleum minister who caused the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to spent N10 billion naira to charter another Vista jet, Challenger 850 Aircraft marked OE-ILA which has now been moved out of Nigeria following an investigation launched by the House of Representatives.

The charter jet used by the governor was registered in Switzerland as OE-INI. The governor and his entourage used the jet on trips within Nigeria and Europe within the period. Records seen by SaharaReporters indicated that Mr. Akpabio spent close to $400,000 per day for the period of the jet charter, which started in January 2010.

Mr. Akpabio later purchased a Bombardier jet for $45 million in 2012. SaharaReporters reported exclusively on the governor’s purchase of the jet.

A few months after splurging on the jet, Governor Akpabio also bought a bullet-proof van from a US armory company for $1 million dollars.

In 2012, Vista jet made at least 900 trips within the Nigerian airspace using four jets that were making at least three landings per day.

See more pictures of the Jet below;

Private Jet scandal: Reps Uncover Second Jet Used by Alison-Madueke For Private And Official Trips

As the Jet scandal of the petroleum minister continues, Indications appeared on Tuesday that Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, maintained a second jet, which she allegedly used for private and official trips abroad. According to naij.com:

It has been gathered that a return trip on such a XRS plane cost taxpayers 600,000 euro.
Meanwhile the first discovered jet, the Challenger 850, was said to have gulped N10bn in the last two years to fly the minister.

Punch has gathered that the House Committee on Public Accounts came across the second jet in the course of the ongoing probe into the N10bn expenditure on Challenger 850.
Interestingly, the owners of Challenger 850 have probable fled Nigeria as soon as the House ordered an investigation into the transaction between them and Alison-Madueke and asked for assistance.

Although it had been previously reported that the committee would summon the owners of the plane to testify before it, now it seems hardly possible.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Solomon Olamilekan, said that he was “shocked by the latest information”.
The official also confirmed the information about the uncovering of a second jet.
According to him, they are currently trying to establish how many trips it made outside the country.

Punch journalist managed to obtain a document, which provides that Alison-Madueke flew in Global Express XRS on two occasions in 2011 and chartered the same jet twice in 2013 on a return trip bill of €600,000 per trip.

Abuja lawmakers angrily wonder how it is possible for a serving minster to travel as the expense of the country taxpayers. One of them, who pleaded anonymity, inquired:

“Where is the law that authorises a government minister to be flying around the world in chartered private jets? You are going to London, why did you not not use the British Airways or any other international airline?”

It would be recalled that Alison-Madueke is accused of spending about 500,000 euro monthly to maintain the first aircraft.

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