ogojavoice: 10/09/16

Sunday 9 October 2016

From the wall of SSA PUBLIC AFFAIRS to the Governor of CRS: RECEPTION FOR GOVERNOR AYADE AND MATTERS ARISING

Our attention has been drawn to several commentaries on social media, to the effect that the Governor, Sen. (Prof)Ben Ayade, organised the Airport reception for his return from his trip to Abuja, last Friday, 7th Oct. 2016, upon which an empty casket was paraded at the venue, suggesting a procession for the burial of Mr. Joe Agi (SAN).
The reception was a spontaneous event masterminded and organised by all political appointees of the Governor,numbering well over one thousand as a demonstration of his good will and support. In the build up to the event, well wishers of the Governor and enthusiastic CrossRiverians joined the appointees to make a clear and resounding statement of support for the Governor's leadership. It is during this period of rowdy excitement and jubilation that some miscreants, notably our detractors infiltrated our ranks, bearing a casket with the inscription of Mr. Joe Agi.
We were, and still very saddened by the uncultured demonstration of these mischief makers and promise to subsequently take adequate measures to forestall the repeat of such ignoble acts.
For those who intend to make political capital out of this unfortunate episode, let them know that the Governor, Sen Ben Ayade is a very polished gentleman who practices politics with ethics and values the bond of friendship that is existing between him and his brother, Barr. Joe Agi (SAN). The Governor will never encourage nor support such primitive methods in advocating and advancing the cause of justice.
While we continue with and, pray for our digital Governor Sen. Ayade for God's protection, guidance and success, we state in unmistakable terms that the Governor had no idea nor encouraged the reception at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport.
As the Governor's public Affairs Adviser, I Want to state unequivocally that the confusion surrounding the parading of the empty casket at the reception venue is unfortunate and highly regrettable. On behalf of the political appointees, we take responsibility and hereby tender our unreserved apology to our illustrious brother, Barr. Joe Agi (SAN) for the embarrassment the ugly situation caused him.

From the wall of SSA PUBLIC AFFAIRS to the Governor of CRS: RECEPTION FOR GOVERNOR AYADE AND MATTERS ARISING

Patience Jonathan: Guilty plea by firms upheld

A bid to secure the overturning of the guilty pleas entered by four firms linked with Mrs Patience Jonathan was dismissed today in Lagos. EFCC boss Magu and Patience Jonathan Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday, October 7, 2016 dismissed two applications brought before it by the former Special Assistant on Domestic Matters to Goodluck Jonathan, Waripam-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa and his co-defendant, Azubuike Briggs on the ground that the applications constituted an abuse of court process. At the last adjourned date, the 1st and 2nd defendants (Dudafa and Briggs) brought separate applications through their counsels, Gboyega Oyewale and Tochukwu Onyuike asking the court to set aside the “guilty plea” earlier entered by the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th defendants. Dudafa’s counsel, Oyewale, fears that, the “guilty plea” entered by the four companies would adversely affect them since the proceedings were joint proceedings and the first count bordered on conspiracy. He also claimed that the purported directors of the companies stated in their statement to EFCC that they had nothing to do with the companies. Onyiuke, on his part, challenged the jurisdiction and competence of Justice Kuewumi to even entertain the arraignment of the four companies, in the first place. “The condition precedent to this Honourable Court assuming jurisdiction, to wit: authority to represent the 4th to 7th defendants by their purported representatives further to Section 477(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, is completely lacking”, Onyiuke argued. He said accepting the “guilty plea” of the companies who admitted that they conspired with his client to launder the money would occasion a miscarriage of justice against his client. Responding, counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo urged the court to dismiss both applications as it was an abuse of court process at this stage after the court had already assumed jurisdiction and the plea of the defendants had been taken. According to him, it was too late for the 2nd defendant to challenge the jurisdiction of the court. Rotimi also called the attention of the court to the statements of accounts from Skye Bank where the $15.5m was kept, showing that Davies, Baro, Fredrick and Ebenezer were the authorized persons with mandate to operate the accounts. He said the accounts were opened pursuant to documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, where Davies, Baro, Fredrick and Ebenezer were registered as directors in the companies. “The prima facie evidence before Your Lordship is that those who appeared before Your Lordship are the directors of the 4th to 7th defendants”, Oyedepo submitted. In his ruling, Justice Keuwumi agreed with the argument of the prosecution that the applications were indeed an abuse of court process and accordingly dismissed same. The case has been adjourned to November 2, 2016 for trial.

Islamic Movement to challenge Kaduna state govt ban on Shiite group

K

aduna state government where clashes between the military and Shiite Muslims led to over 300 deaths last year has banned the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), saying it was a security threat.

Two days of violence began on December 12, when supporters of the pro-Iranian cleric and IMN head, Ibrahim Zakzaky, refused to allow the chief of army staff’s convoy to pass through the northern city of Zaria in Kaduna state.

In April, rights group Amnesty International accused Nigeria’s military of shooting dead more than 300 Shiite Muslims, burying them in mass graves and destroying evidence of the crime.

The Kaduna state government later confirmed the Amnesty report, saying that the army used “excessive force” and that those responsible for the killings should be prosecuted.

But in a press release issued late Friday, Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai said IMN was a threat to Nigeria.

“The Kaduna state government has issued an order declaring the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) an unlawful society,” a statement said.

It said the term applied to “any organisation whose activities are dangerous to the security and good governance of the state.”

The IMN said it would challenge the move.

“We are not surprised by this decision of the Kaduna state government to ban the IMN,” spokesman Ibrahim Musa told AFP.

“What do expect from someone that attacked you in your house, killed people in hundreds and demolished homes for no just reason?” Musa said.

“We condemn this illegal decision in the strongest terms and we will challenge this decision through all legitimate means.”

IMN leader Zakzaky, who lost an eye and was left partly paralysed in the violence, has been held in custody since December.

He has previously been imprisoned for calling for an Iranian-style revolution to create an Islamic state in the country’s north.

There have been fears the military action against the Shiite group in Zaria could trigger another violent uprising similar to that of Boko Haram, whose insurgency has left some 20,000 dead since 2009.

JOB VACANCIES: Federal Civil Service Commission Portal Is Now Open

Job vacancies: federal civil service commission portal is now open

Federal civil service commission recruitment portal is now open.

Please note for clarification that there is nothing like ‘’ first come, first serviced’’ on federal civil service commission recruitment portal. Qualified applicants are only required to submit applications online at any time within the six (6) weeks portal opening period.

Nigerian Customs Lifts Restriction On Rice Import Through Borders

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has ordered the immediate removal of rice from import restriction list and the re-introduction of import duty payment at land borders.

The Public Relations Officer of customs, Mr Wale Adeniyi, disclosed to newsmen in an interview in Abuja.

He said the restriction was only applied at land border stations before now, adding that the customs boss had lifted restriction on rice at border stations.

“Over the years importation has been restricted to the seaports because border authorities have found it difficult to effectively monitor and control importation of rice.

“When the decision to ban it (rice) was taken it was not an effective measure because smuggling of the product thrives with people using different means of conveyance including small trucks, bicycles and even animals – putting them on donkeys and some actually carry it on their heads.

“These new measures will be for customs to re-organise their anti-smuggling operations in the border areas and ensure that all those importers through the borders bring their rice through approved routes and pay their extant duty.”

Adeniyi said that all rice imports through land borders by rice traders would attract the prevailing import duty of 10 per cent with 60 per cent levy and that rice millers (preferential levy) with valid quota allocation would also attract duty rate of 10 per cent with 20 per cent levy on rice importation.

Source: PM News

NAMES OF NIGERIAN JUDGES WHOSE HOMES WERE RAIDED BY THE DSS

The DSS in the early hours of Saturday raided the homes of several high court justices nationwide.
Adeniyi Ademola (Federal High Court, Abuja)
Nnamdi Dimgba (Federal High Court, Abuja)
Sylvester Ngwuta (Supreme Court)
John Okoro (Supreme Court)
Kabiru Auta (Federal High Court, Kano)
A. I. Umezulike (Enugu state Chief Judge)
Muazu Pindiga, (Gombe State judge)
Justice Samia (Sokoto State Judge)
Justice Mohammed Liman (Rivers State Judge)
A DSS official reportedly said the operation was ordered after months of investigations, during which the secret police established credibly that the affected judges were involved in questionable financial dealings.

Tragedy! 911 crushes JSS 3 student to death in Benue.

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A 911 lorry Friday afternoon crushed a JSS 3 student to death in Kastina Ala area of Benue State.
IDOMA VOICE reports that the vehicle, loaded with building materials from Onitsha to Zaki Biam lost control and rammed into the student who was returning from school on a bicycle.IVB revealed that the young boy on sighting the lorry quickly jumped down from his bicycle and ran into the bush but unfortunately, the driver at veered off the road and crushed him inside the bush.
They abandoned the vehicle and ran to a nearby police station to report themselves for fear of being lynched to death by angry mob.
They are still in custody of the police at the time of this report

REVEALED: THE UNTOLD STORY OF WHY SSS RAIDED THE HOMES OF COURT JUDGES IN ABUJA, SIX STATES

A new report has established the real reason why officials of the Department of State Services raided the homes of serving court judges.

An investigative report by Premium Times has shown that why the State Security Service raided the homes of some senior Nigerian judges late Friday and early Saturday was to gather evidence of corruption. This revelation was made by officials.

According to the report, the officials revealed that the raids on multiple residences in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Gombe, Kano, Enugu and Calabar, were not aimed at arresting the judges.

An official said the operation was ordered after months of investigations, during which the secret police established credibly that the affected judges were involved in questionable financial dealings.

The SSS initially submitted parts of its findings to the regulatory body, the National Judicial Council.

According to Premium Times, officials said the SSS moved in after the council merely recommended two of the judges for retirement, and not prosecution.

The council also refused to cooperate with the SSS as the agency launched wider investigations into the cases for more evidence.

The source explained that judges whose homes were raided include Adeniyi Ademola, and Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Abuja as well as Sylvester Ngwuta and John Okoro of the Supreme Court.

In Kano, the source said the home of a high court judge, Kabiru Auta, was raided along with another residence in Enugu belonging to the Chief Judge of the state, A. I. Umezulike.

The two judges were earlier recommended for retirement recently by the NJC.

The residences of a Gombe State judge, Muazu Pindiga, as well as that of his counterpart from Sokoto state, Justice Samia, were also raised during the operation.