₦airaland Forum

Detectives in Oyo State are currently investigating the allegation by a 38-year-old pregnant woman, Mrs. Halira Adegoke, that she was raped in a farm, by one of her neighbours, one Francis Etenikang, 32. The incident occurred at Abule Adisa area of the state.

According to the victim, Etenikang had demanded some water from her and after drinking, the suspect grabbed, wrestled her to the ground, stripped and raped her. She explained that all efforts to free herself from the grip of the randy man or get assistance from people, proved abortive.

“I sought for help but none came, as the suspect had his way and escaped on his motorcycle,” she alleged. The case was reported to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) but the officers couldn’t handle it properly, leading to the escape of the suspect. But aggrieved members of Abule Adisa community later reported the matter at the Iwerele Police Station, Oke-Ogun.

Still recalling the sad event, which traumatised her for weeks, she said: “I went to the farm with my husband and he left me in the hut. Suddenly, Francis came to beg for some water and after drinking, he barricaded the entrance to the hut and held me. When he wrestled me to the ground, he tore my pant and clothes.
I told him I was five months pregnant but he ignored and raped me. I started shouting and crying, calling my husband, Baba Iseyin! Baba Iseyin!”

“But before my husband could come, he had sped off on his motorcycle. When he came, he saw me half naked, and rushed me to the hospital for treatment. Thank God I didn’t lose the pregnancy. We reported the matter to the NSCDC but the officers didn’t handle the case very well. A community leader in Abule Adisa later reported the matter to the police,” she said. One of the community leaders, Alhaji Rasheed Badejo, condemned the act, describing the suspect as a beast.

He said: “It sounded ridiculous and unbelievable when we heard the news. We had to report the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of Etenikang. The community wants justice to be done.” The victim’s husband, Mr. Afonja Adegoke, confirmed the incident and said the suspect was one of his neighbours.
“We live together in this village. My wife and I came to the farm and she prepared a meal for me, which I ate and went to work, before I heard her, shouting. I saw my wife on the ground, half naked. He tore her clothes, including pant. I was mad and started searching for Etenikang but I found out that he had sped off on his motorcycle,” he added.

The suspect, who is being interrogated at State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), also admitted being the victim’s neighbour. He, however, denied the allegation. Etenikang said: “I was thirsty and requested water from Halira. She gave it to me and after drinking, I went away on my bike, that was all. I was later invited by the NSCDC. The officers discontinued the case, and it was reported to the police, leading to my arrest.”

It was alleged that I raped Halira, who was five months pregnant, but I didn’t touch her. I have my own four children in Cross River State. I don’t know what she is talking about.” The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Okanlawon, said the victim was actually raped. Okanlawon described the incident as unfortunate. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Moses Onireti, said the suspect would appear in court at the conclusion of investigation.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/crimewatch/2012/mar/08/crimewatch-08-03-2012-001.html

For the umpteenth time, members of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers engaged in an orgy of violence resulting in the death of two people.

PUNCH Metro also learnt that scores of people sustained the violence, which began on Monday but climaxed on Wednesday.

It was learnt that the violence started when some members of the union sought the removal of a former chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the union, Alhaji Rafiu Olohunwa, who was in charge of the Lawanson branch.

A member of the NURTW, who craved anonymity, said, “Olohunwa was the chairman of the state chapter of the NURTW but after his tenure ended, he returned to his former position as the chairman of the Lawanson branch.

“A number of units constitute a branch and many of us were not satisfied with how he treated us. So, this morning, we challenged his loyalists and we were able to subdue them.

“Although Olohunwa is presently not in Lagos, we have been able to overthrow him and hopefully change will soon come. We also want to benefit from the revenue being collected.”

An eyewitness, Abosede Adediran, told our correspondent that the violence began around 6am on Wednesday.

Adediran added that the violence lasted for three hours before the police quelled it.

She said, “Around 7am, I was at Lawanson Bus Stop trying to board a bus to work when I saw thugs fighting and shooting indiscriminately. People were running for their lives

“I ran immediately into Lawanson Market for cover and remained there for almost 20 minutes. The police later came to disperse the thugs but after they left, some of the thugs started fighting again and the violence escalated.

“The policemen later reinforced and came with an armour tank and patrol vehicles, which they stationed in the area.”

It was learnt that one person was killed in the violence and his corpse had been evacuated.

It was gathered that the most affected streets were Jubril Martins and Itire Road where broken glass littered the ground.

A policeman, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said no one was killed but many sustained injuries.

He said, “To my knowledge no one was killed but many sustained injuries. The thugs are members of the NURTW and they claim they have been cheated by the present administration and they want a change.

“We as policemen have to remain here until the dust settles because the moment we leave, these guys will start fighting again.”

At the time our correspondent left the area, shops remained locked while two filling stations, Oando and MRS, remained shut as well.

Meanwhile, another person had lost his life on Lagos Island on Tuesday while scores were injured after thugs suspected to be members of the NURTW clashed yet again.

Our correspondent learnt that the fight, which began around 6am, started on Freeman Street when thugs clashed over the control of a unit of the union.

A resident, Wasiu Balogun, told our correspondent that the fight also reached Sangrouse Market where one person, Daniel Adeyemi, was reportedly killed.

He said, “These thugs usually start their fight early in the morning around 6am. The thugs went around, robbing people and vandalising vehicles parked on the side of the road, “he said.

Another resident, Matthew Soneye, ascribed the violence to the do-or-die politics in the state.

“If you notice, this problem of fighting among members of the NURTW is only common in the South-West because of the style of politics that is being practiced, “he said.

The NURTW Secretary in the state, Mr. Akin James, said the problem was an internal one that would soon be resolved.

“Some of the members at Lawanson branch were not happy with Olohunwa and they claimed they felt cheated and complained and we are looking into the matter. The union will look into the matter and normalcy will be restored soon,” James said.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Mr. Joseph Jaiyeoba, said normalcy had returned in the area. He, however, added that three people had been arrested.

He said, “Around 7am on Wednesday, information was received that at Lawanson Motor Park, Lagos, that Olohunwa’s supporters, were having internal problems.

“The gun-wielding men later engaged in a free-for-all which created pandemonium in the area.

“A combined team of policemen from Area D, the Rapid Response Squad, were quickly drafted to restore peace and order. When the situation was getting out of control, half a unit of the Police Mobile Force was mobilised to support the team on ground.

“Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored in the area and men are still on ground monitoring. No death was reported to the police and except we receive report of someone’s death we cannot say someone died. We rely on information as well.”


http://www.punchng.com/metro/two-killed-as-transport-workers-clash-over-leadership/

I dey laugh oh.

Ofemmanus will stop at nothing to claim Lagos

Even after the feud is resolved, every South African must tender HIV status card before allowed entry into Nigeria. These guys should be shipped back to their racist country

The people that paid you guys for the protest has gone to collect their money and you are here moaning. Dont worry FG will build 100 refineries, when GEJ was fighting the cabal, you traitors and tribalists went to pitch tent with them to protest and insult GEJ

Nigeria should keep deporting them and when the feud is resolved, any South African coming into Nigeria must present HIV status card before the person will be allowed entry. Rubbish

[quote author=~Killz~ link=topic=756971.msg10350792#msg10350792 date=1331137076][color=#000030]Smh! So you know what goes on in my life from comments? Interesting. Judging from your comments on Nairaland, High Chief, you are lonely offline, and a mama's boy. You chose this username to feel important online, since you are a nobody offline. . . Am i correct? Why are you concerned about my health? I catch fun on here. . . cant say the same about you though. . . you cut across as lonely and forlorn. . . Cheers! [/color][/quote]You are a kid and stop getting into people's business, thats so sissy. You take NL way too serious, try and loosen up dude. I have a life you can only dream about outside NL. I will ignore you henceforth, cos its demeanin to anyone that joins issues with you these days as you have seemingly lost whatever that was left of your credibility.

^^^I dont think so mate, cos you dont sound like who is happy in real life. Must you insult people back? You fight in almost every thread you comment on and its bad for your health.

[quote author=~Killz~ link=topic=756971.msg10349397#msg10349397 date=1331127762][color=#000030]Chop your father's off first. . . He was a disgrace, and still is! Ok. I've acknowledged your idiocy enough. Stick your thumb in your arse, and go suck on it! Deal with you later! St[i]u[/i]pid kid![/color][/quote]What kinda home did you grow up in? Must you be fighting in every thread you rear head into? Tells a lot about your personality.

An Yoruba Oba would have easily collected money and endorse him. Nice one Omo N'Oba!!!

This Modakeke Chief must be high on something

[img]http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.144773725559669.31987.130935336943508&type=1[/img]

FOR almost 20 minutes on Tuesday, the City Hall, Lagos, was in turmoil, following verbal attacks launched by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State against his Ondo State counterpart, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

The event, organised by the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) to launch Development Agenda for Westen Nigeria, was attended by other Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governors from the South-West, who spoke one after the other on what they had been doing to integrate their states with others in the region.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Sola Ebiseeni, who represented Mimiko, in his speech, noted that there were some factual inacu-racies and omissions in the document being launched, citing, for instance, the fact that oil was first discovered in Araromi, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, in 1908 by the German Bitumen Company, whereas history gave Oloibiri the credit.

He also noted that the ARG document was too centred on Lagos, neglecting developments in other states, particularly Ondo.

When it was the turn of Aregbesola, he started by attacking Mimiko for not doing anything positive in Ondo State, while he also berated former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who, he said, did nothing to develop Nigeria.

While taking on Mimiko for his observations on the document, Aregbesola described Mimiko as someone who wanted to reap where he did not sow, wondering where he was when they were fighting for democracy, agitating for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993 election.

Aregbesola added that integration could not take place in Yorubaland unless all the states were controlled by the ACN, stressing that the Ondo State governor had been frustrating all efforts by the ACN to let him see “light,” by crossing over to the ACN.

The Osun State governor added that anyone who was not in the ACN “is an Amulumala, not an Omoluabi.”

Aregbesola, who reportedly told Mimiko last week, at the Odu’a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, that he was “committed to his removal” as Ondo State governor, restated that pledge again, on Tuesday.

It was at that point that Chief Ebiseeni, who represented Mimiko at the event, cut him short, asking the chairman on the occasion, Mr Fola Adeola, to call Aregbesola to order and that he deserved a reply.

Three attempts by Adeola to, however, call Aregbesola to order failed, as the Osun State governor continued to rail against Mimiko while the hall became rancorous and its crowd uncontrollable.

The situation temporarily went out of hand as other governors and dignitaries at the event expressed shock at the conduct of Aregbesola, while Senator Bola Tinubu and Dr Frederick Fasheun stressed that the gathering was for Yoruba unity and progress and not for politics.

Former speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Dimeji Bankole, who also spoke on the incident, told Aregbesola that it was against the concept of Omoluabi in Yorubaland for a younger person to attack or abuse his senior.

Bankole asked Aregbe-sola to stop being carried away by the position he occupied which, he said, was a very temporal one, adding that “you are governor today, whether by hook or crook, you won’t be there tomorrow. Look at me here for instance.”

Aregbesola came into the event midway with six bodyguards around him, who carried some flags and followed him to the high table where other notable personalities, including General Alani Akinrinade, were seated already.

The governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said the development in the country dated back to 1958, though it had degenerated, adding that all hope was not yet lost.

“We should stop speaking about Awo but follow his footsteps and practice and also improve on the things he has done. We should call ourselves together and look for the way forward,” Amosun said.

Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, also said nothing being done was strange to him, since he was part of the planning and development of Afenifere.

Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said “I am pleased that the launch of the book took place in Lagos and also welcomed everybody,” adding that Lagos was solidly cooperating to see to the implementation of the project.



http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/37171-aregbesola-causes-uproar-attacks-obj-mimiko-at-afenifere-meeting-in-lagos-says-qif-you-are-not-in-acn-you-are-not-omoluabiq

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Tuesday ruled out the possibility of building refineries as a precondition in the allocation of acreages in the oil and gas sector of the nation’s economy.

Instead, she said the Federal Government would decide the requisite number of refineries the country would need given their viabilities.

Equally, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Austin Oniwon, denied that the daily crude oil production figure of 2.4 million barrels per day as against 4.2 million barrels a day was wrong and under-declared.

He said there were too many agencies overseeing the metering for such under-declaration, who were usually unnoticed.

Alison-Madueke disclosed this while fielding questions from State House Correspondents, during a visit alongside top management of NNPC at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to brief President Goodluck Jonathan on the outcome of the two-day retreat on the challenges facing the sector of the country.

The minister said it was not possible to insist that all acreages would host a refinery but added that what was rational was to determine how many refineries would be commercially viable in the country and approved such while the government was working with the original builders of the existing refineries to return them to at least 90 per cent refining capacity.

“In terms of attaching conditions to giving new licenses for refineries, I don’t think that it’s possible over the entire spectrum of acreage, it is not commercially viable obviously. For every acreage that is allocated to be attached to a refinery is impossible. For instance if you give 25 licences, we cannot be expecting 25 refineries to be built. What we are trying to do is to rationally determine the commercial viability and the quantum of refineries that will be needed in the country over and beyond the traditional national refineries and to attract that green field investment with private equity and the least government equity involved,” she explained.

Alison-Madueke said the two days was used to identify problems militating against the sector as well as proffer concrete solutions which she said were going to produce results shortly especially with the turning around of the existing refineries as well as the short, medium and long term framework for making things work in the country.

One of the worries, she said, was the high incidence of oil spills which she insisted was not permissible and would have to take action on the integrity of pipelines, as the environment was dear to the
country.

“The president wanted a brief summary of the very in-depth retreat and brain storming session that lasted for two days with all the operational and technical executives of our national refineries across the entire range of the refineries.

“We tried to encapsulate in a summary form the various challenges that we saw and the solutions across the board in short medium and long term framework. We looked at the Greenfield refineries and the turnaround maintenance as well as the governance structure, so in a nutshell, we basically gave him an overview of what came out of the retreat,” she said.
She listed some of the challenges encountered as high volume loss of crude oil through vandalisation of pipelines and other infrastructure while some of the equipment were obsolete and out-modelled, especially in the refineries and other supply chain problems, training of personnel and operationalisation of the Greenfield refineries.

She assured that there were moves to integrate solutions proffered at the retreat for agencies of the ministry which share facilities like the Pipelines Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and others for a robust and aggressive way of addressing the problems.

Asked her view on the position of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) that refineries were not viable due to global glut and would not be investing in it in Nigeria, Alison-Madueke said the company which is the operator of the Joint Venture of Nigeria’s oil and gas spoke with global perspective in mind which does not represent the position of Nigeria on the matter as more refineries were needed.

“Shell was talking on the global context because of the global downturn in the economy. Refineries all over the world are operation at a very slight profit margin at this time. That does not suppose that Nigeria will not ensure that its refineries are brought up to at least the 80-90 per cent capacity utilisation range which is the globally accepted range. Because whether we like it or not we must improve and maintain continuous improvement in the ability to refine our own products and supply at least the higher quantum of refined products for the country's use”, she said.

Also answering questions, Oniwon said the security concern of the Japanese company on was being addressed since it was a matter of perception and exaggeration of incidents and assured that the schedule would be completed within time.

“The government is taking appropriate steps, as you are aware the amnesty programme is working. The perception of the Japanese is a global perception but they are not on ground to see the reality. Any incidence that occurs is being exaggerated. You know and you live in Nigeria and you know the level of insecurity is not as hyped as it is being believed in the international community. But we have gone past that one because they are working with their other global partners that are working in Nigeria,” he assured.

On the under declaration of crude production figures, he said: “It is totally impossible to declare half of what you have produced. What is produced is measured and is not only measured by the producer, that is the IOC, you have DPR, NNPC, the special team appointed by the Federal Government, so what is being declared as being produced is real and any barrel that has no source in the international market will come out. If you go to Brass you will see it there. So that insinuation that we are declaring less than what we actually produce is not true. And there is adequate metering system.”


http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fg-rules-out-building-of-refineries-as-condition-for-awarding-acreages/110837/

https://www.nationaldailyngr.com/images/stories/318sanusi.jpg

THE Office of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is usually expected to be quiet and devoid of drama, noise however came in with Prof. Charles Soludo; the incumbent, Mallam Lamido Sanusi has not helped matters, the CBN has turned itself into a production company churning out series of ever unending drama.
The latest being the reluctance of the apex bank to explain how it is managing the public fund in its possession. The bank has so far refused to submit details of its 2012 budget for legislative scrutiny and approval. Rather than the full budget, CBN submitted a medium-term budget forecast for 2012-2015.
National Daily investigation showed that Appropriation Committees in both chambers are asking for the full budget which would include details of past and present expenditure profiles.
The lawmakers are pointing at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which for the first time in its 35 years existence submitted its full budget for scrutiny.
“We didn't ask for a budget forecast from the CBN. We will insist on a budget with details because the NNPC, which hitherto wasn't bringing its budget to the National Assembly has already complied. That of the CBN cannot be different,” he said.
In the medium-term forecast, CBN said it spent N221.091 billion for 2011 with a projection of N242.053 billion for 2012.
Shadowy details

Details from the 2012-2015 income budget forecast submitted to the National Assembly indicate that the nation's apex bank hopes to spend N242.053 billion for this year while N211.906 billion would be spent on recurrent expenditure.

In a further breakdown of the 2012 forecast, CBN would earn N25.512 billion interest on foreign investments and another N24.9 billion interest on domestic investments.

Another N49.548 is being forecast as interest that would be earned on domestic loans and advances, while the sum of NN140.078 billion is simply tagged “other income.”

In the recurrent expenditure forecast, CBN staff of 6, 478 would earn N59.234 billion as salaries and wages plus allowances. “The expenditure estimates were based on the base year 2011 and anticipated review of emoluments in 2014.

“By 2014, staff salaries and wages plus allowances would climb to NN96.965 billion capping at N98.765 billion in 2015” while N87.847 is being budgeted for currency management and monetary policy operations, N24.816 billion is for capacity building and development expenses.
In the document under review, N2 billion is earmarked for “provision. In the explanatory note submitted to the National Assembly, provision is explained as “yearly estimates to cater for unforeseen contingencies which may arise at budget implementation.”

Senate refused to entertain an amendment bill of the CBN Act by the Chairman of the Senate Rules and Business Committee, Senator Ita Enang. In the proposed amendment, Enang posited that the CBN has refused to comply with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, which mandates the apex bank to seek approval for its budget from the National Assembly every financial year.

Meanwhile, the CBN has blamed crisis in the Eurozone, inflation, and some financial insolvency as mitigating factors against its operations in 2011.
“The financial crisis in the international arena gives a challenge for predicting certain parametres for the budget forecast, especially on the income budget.

“These were characterized by the sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone, the US deficit problem, inflation in emerging markets and financial solvency concerns.

The bank's 2012-2015 medium-term budget framework is premised on the anticipated developments in the local and international economies and based on the expected level of activities, the direction of policies, practices and objectives of the bank.

Call for probe
The Organised labour recently called on the National Assembly to immediately initiate a probe into the activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Labour demanded the need to unravel the source of free funds available to it and the way in which the apex bank has managed its various assignments.

A case in point was the recent apex bank's donations of N125 million victims of Boko Haram bomb attacks in Kano and Niger states. The leadership of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) frowned at the action of the Sanusi, describing it as a misplacement and abuse of statutory prerogatives.
President General of the Congress, Peter Esele, stressed the need for the CBN governor to concentrate efforts in initiating policies and programmes that would drive the nation's economy and bring about stability to the Naira rather than embarking on charitable projects.

Esele, who maintained that the apex bank is not a political party or a charity organisation, urged the apex regulatory body to immediately purge itself of this action by publicly acknowledging it as a mistake.

He also enjoined the bank to take a further step to ensure that neither the incumbent officials nor any other incoming official is in a position to embark on such divisive action now or in the future.

He called on the Federal Government to put in place measures to remove whatsoever principles, rules and traditions that made it possible for the Central Bank to donate tax-payers money to any cause.

He added that any extant law that empowers the CBN to so should be amended by the National Assembly, in order to avoid any form of abuse by government agencies and institutions.

“The CBN is not supposed to be involved in conducts that would distract it from its statutory roles to the economy and the Nigerian people. Actions that could portray it in anyway, as being sectional commonsense dictates, should be avoided.

“We demand that the National Assembly embarks on an immediate probe of the activities of the CBN to unravel the source of these free funds that have suddenly become available to it and to throw more light on the way it has managed its various assignments,” Esele said.

Missing N1.26trillion
Also in the offing is a lawsuit filed by two civil society groups, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) against Sanusi over “alleged failure to release information and documents on the authorization by the CBN of over N1.26 trillion as subsidy for 2011.”

The suit number FHC/IK/CS/23//2012 filed at the Federal High Court Ikeja followed a Freedom of Information request by SERAP to Mr Sanusi dated 15 January 2012; also joined as party to the suit is the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Mr Muhammed Adoke.
The motion exparte with suit number was brought pursuant to section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act, and Order 34 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009, and signed by the organization's Staff Attorney Chinyere Nwafor.

The plaintiff is arguing that under the FOI Act, it has the right to request for or gain access to information which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution.

The information being sought relates to the spending on fuel 'subsidy' in 2011 and in particular the authorization of the sum of N1.26 trillion paid by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The groups said that, “Since the 1st Defendant has failed to provide the information requested by the Plaintiffs, within the time limit stipulated by the FOI Act, it is therefore submitted that he has, by that very fact, refused to give the Plaintiffs access to the information requested for. Furthermore, the power or discretion to refuse to give access to information requested for cannot be exercised in vacuo. Such a power or discretion must be provided for by the FOI Act itself.”

The organization is also seeking the following reliefs: A. A DECLARATION that the issuance and release of the sum of N1.26 trillion above the initial sum of N250 billion allocated for fuel subsidy for 2011 without authorization by an Act of the National Assembly to wit; a Supplementary Appropriation Act, is a breach of section 80(2), (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as such is unlawful and unconstitutional.

B. A DECLARATION that by virtue of the provisions of Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, the 1st Defendant/Respondent is under a binding legal obligation to provide the Plaintiffs/Applicants with up to date information on government/public spending relating to fuel 'subsidy' in 2011, including: (a) The basis on which the issuance and release of the sum of N1.26 trillion on fuel 'subsidy' was made.

(b) Detailed information and justifications for the issuance and release of money for fuel 'subsidy' which rose from N250 billion for 2011 to over N1.3 trillion by the end of October 2011, N1.5 trillion by December 2011 and subsequently N1.26 trillion without supplementary appropriation authorising the expenditure.

C. AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS directing and or compelling the 1st Defendant/Respondent to provide the Plaintiffs/Applicants with up to date information on government/public spending relating to fuel 'subsidy' in 2011, including: (a) The basis and expectations on which the issuance of the sum of N1.26 trillion on fuel 'subsidy' was made.

(b) Detailed information and justifications for the issuance and release of money for fuel 'subsidy' which rose from N250 billion for 2011 to over N1.3 trillion by the end of October 2011, N1.5 trillion by December 2011 and subsequently N1.26 trillion without supplementary appropriation authorising the expenditure.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the application.



http://www.nationaldailyngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3523:cbn-faces-fraud-allegations&catid=306:business-news&Itemid=561

THE brewing diplomatic row between Nigeria and South Africa further deepened on Tuesday, as both the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, took the South African government to the cleaners over the deportation of 125 Nigerians by the immigration officials of the country, with a strong warning that Nigeria’s maturity and friendliness should not be taken for granted.

The condemnation came during an interactive session by the Honourable Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje led Foreign Affairs Committee with Ambassador Ashiru, who came to the House to brief the committee on the steps taken by the Federal Government over the unfortunate incident.

Ambassador Ashiru, who was visibly angry while addressing the members, informed them that he had earlier directed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa to make a strong protest on the ill-treatment to the South African government and as well demand for punishment of the officials on duty during the incident.

Though Ambassador Ashiru noted that both President Goodluck Jonathan and Jacob Zuma of South Africa enjoyed good personal relationship, such could not be said of the citizens of South Africa.

He said that over 500,000 Nigerians currently reside in South Africa and that deliberate efforts had been put in place to protect the rights of Nigerians living abroad

Ambassador Ashiru, however, blamed the South African immigration and police for always treating Nigerians in their country shabbily, stressing that,“we are going to make sure that we convene the next session of the Bi-national Commission (a commission between Nigeria and South Africa) to iron this issue out.”

He said: “I want to make one thing clear: African countries, including South Africa, should not take Nigeria’s maturity and the friendliness of our people to foreigners for granted. Also, they (South Africa) should not take the friendly business environment we have in Nigeria whereby companies are making more profits from Nigeria than in South Africa for granted.

“I believe as we go on, these are the issues we’ll bring to the table and sort out. I believe that the present administration is determined to ensure the dignity of Nigerians anywhere. When you deport two Nigerians from a country, there will be appropriate reaction. It may not be retaliation but we will know that we are responding one way or the other.”

The minister pointed out that, “the underlying problem has to do with the attitude of the ordinary South African to Nigerians. They have a xenophobic attitude towards Nigerians. We have to address this under the Bi-national Commission and also the immigration procedure, deportation of Nigerians, police harassment, attitude to Nigerians, will be covered during the meeting.”

Speaking further, he said, “South African immigration authorities and officials do not have the monopoly of deporting travellers. I am sure you also saw the newspapers today. So we will get to the root of the problem. South Africa will know that we are very serious about this matter and henceforth any deportation of any Nigerian, we will meet it with equal reciprocal measure. We will not let it go unreciprocated. That you can take from me, and we intend to do that.”

Earlier, the committee which expressed displeasure over the maltreatment of Nigerians by the South African authorities in 2008 and 2009, called for a review of diplomatic policy and put necessary measures in place to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians living abroad.

The chairman of the committee also noted that South African companies, including MTN and DSTV, enjoyed concession and other benefits as a result of the enabling business environment provided by the Federal Government.

Nigeria is also contemplating retaliatory measures against South Africa over the recent deportation of 128 Nigerians.

Ambassador Ashiru, at a meeting with the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday, insisted that the reason for the deportation was flimsy, adding that the recent deportation of 28 South African nationals was one out of the many retaliatory diplomatic measures already listed by the Federal Government.

He told the committee that the government would take what he called “mature but calculative measures to pay back the country.”

Ashiru said “this is not the first time South Africa would be unleashing this inhuman treatment to Nigerians. And I call it assault on Nigerians and we will not let it go.”

He added that the Federal Government was ready to reciprocate the treatment to South African nationals, saying that nobody had the monopoly of deportation.

The minister said Nigeria would look into the South Africa-owned companies operating in Nigeria, insisting that most of them did not comply with the expatriate quota and “this is time to enforce the law.”

Chairman of the committee, Senator Mathew Nwagwu, had earlier said Nigeria was conscious of all the things the South Africans were doing to its nationals, adding that the recent deportation of Nigerians was the height of inhuman treatment.
Nwagwu said the Senate would support the Ministry of foreign Affairs in any action it might deem fit to take, to pay back the people of South Africa.

He urged the Federal Government to consider immediate closure of Nigeria’s embassy in South Africa and the closure of all South Africa-owned companies in Nigeria.



http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/37169-south-africa-vs-nigeria-itll-be-fire-for-fire-fg

This is the only outspoken and sincere Gov in the north. They should have allowed him do another term

They always take over any crime they go into. 48 + 30 = 78years. From Tinubu to Adegboyaga, I hail children of Oduduwa

Onlytruth:
The Ikemba has begun his journey into immortality.
His greatness is only beginning.

A man is never considered Great, until he carries his Greatness to the grave

These people again. I give up on them, I swear

Mods, Pls can we have this thread on the front page to create more awareness to our youths who might be gearing up to tow same path.

This thread could serve as a deterrant.

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-886501.0.html

Thanks

^^^ ;d ;d ;d ;d

Obiagu1:
OAM4J started off good but he is turning out to be the worst moderator on NL.
Very pathetic front page news all the time.

Nwanne OAM4J is about the best Mod here. Cut him some slacks bro

^^^My friend sgut up already if have nothing meaningful to say. When a man uses all possible means to achieve peace and it fails, then what do you expect him to do? He tried his best to settle everything amicably but the young naive Gowon turned his face and pretended everything was fine. Go read your history books and also work on your thinking process.

This is the highest I have heard meehhhn. 1Billion whattttttttttttt

Nigerian, Adegboyega Adeniji, jailed 30 years in London over N1b cocaine seizure

A NIGERIAN, who is believed to be responsible for smuggling hundreds of millions of pounds worth of drugs into the UK has been jailed for 30 years, following an investigation by the UK Border Agency. Adegboyega Adeniji, 48, of Sandmere Close in Hemel Hempstead, was stopped by border officers at the Heathrow Airport, London after he arrived on a flight from Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Searches of his two suitcases revealed they contained a huge quantity of drugs – 31 kilos of cocaine, five kilos of heroin and two kilos of methamphetamine.

In total, the haul had a street value of N1 billion (£4million).

When UK Border Agency investigators searched a flat he rented in Regent’s Plaza, Kilburn, they unearthed another 23 suitcases, many of which tested positive for traces of drugs.

They also found evidence that he had done the same journey to Amsterdam on many previous occasions, travelling under the guise of a businessman who supplied heavy machinery to the oil business in Nigeria.

Deputy Director Jim Jarvie, from the UK Border Agency’s Criminal and Financial Investigation team, said:
“Adeniji was clearly a significant figure at the centre of an extensive criminal network. He was involved in the importation and distribution of class A drugs on a grand scale.

“Although the true amount of drugs he smuggled into the UK will never be known, it is probably safe to assume he has been responsible for the importation of tens – if not hundreds - of millions of pounds worth.”

The flat in Kilburn was the hub of Adeniji’s criminal business, the place where he stored the drugs that he, and probably others who worked with him, had smuggled into the UK.

As well as the abandoned suitcases UK Border Agency investigators also found scales, a money counting machine, further packages of drugs and around £2,000 cash.

Analysis of his mobile phone showed he had regular contacts with associates in Amsterdam.

Some of the texts he sent read like shopping lists of illegal drugs and prices.

Adeniji would then use a room in a nearby hotel in Maida Vale or rented apartment to do his drugs deals.

Text messages were found inviting others to the hotel, and these matched his pattern of travel to Amsterdam.

Many of the names in the texts matched names found on the packages of drugs he was found with at Heathrow.

Checks on his bank records showed unidentified cash deposits of almost N250 million (£1m) had gone into his account.

Since Adeniji’s arrests, assets of between N125 million (£500,000) and N250 million (£1 million) have been frozen by UK Border Agency investigators.

They will now be the subject of Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation proceedings.

Adeniji admitted importation charges, but denied conspiring to import class A drugs. A jury at Isleworth Crown Court unanimously found him guilty. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison.via COMPASS


http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigerian-jailed-30-years-uk

^^^You know I can make you Igbo, by getting married to you. But you must have completed your medication thou

^^^Tpia@ on rampage again, what do you know about Universities?

As long as its constitutional, GEJ can contest again come 2015. Kpomkwem!!!

Out: Lampard, Drogba, A. Cole, Malouda, Kalou, Ferraira, Mikel, until these guys leave, no coach will ever get it right. They are playing for their names and not the team. Rubbish