₦airaland Forum

Out of fear of possible Boko Haram bombing, the 2012 Afan Festival, also known as Kagoro Day in Southern Kaduna, has been cancelled. The event, the largest and most popular ethnic festival in Northern Nigeria, is normally held on the 1st of January.

The cancellation is in recognition of the bombings the Boko Haram sect vowed to unleash on Christian communities on 31st December 2011 and 1st January 2012.

The cancellation came today as President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was vowing in Abuja that his government will fight Boko Haram, the “group of evil-minded people who want to cause anarchy, to the end”.

Mr. Jonathan was speaking to Mr. Mohame Bazoum, Deputy Prime Minister of Niger Republic, who brought a solidarity message and condolences to Nigeria for lives lost during the Christmas Day attacks from President Issoufou Mahamadou.

Today’s unprecedented cancellation of Kagoro Day was contained in a statement SaharaReporters received today in Kagoro, Southern Kaduna.

Signed by Sunday Gwafan, National President of Kagoro Development Association, it said, “The Traditional Council and the Kagoro community in Kaura local government area of Kaduna State, wish to inform the general public and in particular, the friends and well wishers of Kagoro Chiefdom that because of the current mood of the nation the usual National Afan Festival which holds every 1st day of January of the year will not hold in the usual manner.

“Instead, the Kagoro community being predominantly Christian, has decided to observe the festival in a solemn manner in all Churches, praising and worshiping our God and thanking Him for all the blessings of the year past and praying for peace, protection, unity and more blessings for the chiefdom, state and nation at large. We therefore invite all Kagoro sons and daughters, including friends and well wishers, to come home for these prayers that will be held on the 1st January 2012 in all Churches in Kagoro land. The Chief of Kagoro and other government functionaries will worship at ECWA Hausa Fadan Kagoro by 10:00 am.”




Last week’s attacks in Southern Kaduna occurred in the same area, and about ten persons were killed.

In Mr. Jonathan’s statement today, he seemed to have backed off a widely criticized utterance last week where he said that Nigerians would learn to live with the Boko Haram attacks.

In today’s more carefully-worded statement, he said that both Muslims and Christians were victims of the explosives planted by Boko haram, and called for a concerted effort by all well-meaning Nigerians to bring this problem under control.


President Jonathan agreed with President Issoufou that this was not a religious war, adding that “no religion asks its followers to throw bombs to kill people they don’t even know”.

Mr. Jonathan called on neighboring countries to cooperate with Nigeria in the struggle against the menace because “the perpetrators pass through borders at will and we have to ensure that there are no safe havens for them in the sub-region”.

Earlier, Mr. Mohame Bazoum, Deputy Prime Minister of Niger Republic, said President Issoufou was concerned about the violence and loss of lives, and assured President Jonathan of the Nigerien President’s support in the efforts to check the activities of Boko Haram.


http://saharareporters.com/news-page/boko-haram-southern-kaduna-festival-cancelled-jonathan-vows-fight-%E2%80%98-end%E2%80%99

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Nigeria claims to have spent N1.2 trillion on subsidy this year, but many Nigerians believe the bulk of the money was pocketed
There have been allegations of how a cartel, in collusion with officials of PPPRA and NNPC, has hijacked the process of petrol import to rip off the country through fraudulent claims of subsidy payments. Various examples of alleged foul play by the importers facilitated by corrupt officials of the two regulatory agencies have been given by those familiar with the process of fuel importation. Peter Esele, President, Trade Union Congress, TUC, who is also a worker in the oil industry, in an article in a national newspaper noted that a chunk of the expenditure paid out as subsidy is as a result of “corruption, deceit and other inefficiencies” by NNPC. Owei Lakemfa, Acting Secretary General of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, recently noted that there have been reports of how some of the importers bribe their way to get quota allocations. Based on the alarm raised by Senator Bukola Saraki on how the NNPC had by August spent N931 billion on subsidy payment even though the total allocation for the year in the budget is N240 billion, the Senate set up an ad -hoc committee to probe subsidy payments and administration by the NNPC and the PPPRA over the years.

Gov Bukola Saraki
The revelations from the sittings of the committee so far have confirmed suspicions of corruption in the subsidy administration process. For one, the joint committee said it has discovered overpayment of N192.5billion to some importers as subsidy. Consequently, it directed the Minister of Finance to make available to it details of fuel imports audit certificate for the past 11 months. The committee also said it discovered that NNPC imported 17 billion litres of petrol between January and September, above the 14.5 billion litres it should have imported based on the import quota allocated to it during the period. This means NNPC will make an excess demand of subsidy of 2.5 billion litres chargeable to revenues accruable to the Federal Government for the excess import. Even PPPRA and NNPC could not agree on the amount shared out as subsidy during the period. Another revelation from the committee sittings is that the government has been violating set rules for accreditation of petroleum importers. Magnus Abe, Chairman of the committee confronted the boss of PPPRA at the meeting that one of the companies granted licence to import petrol was a construction company. In the same vein, Senator Saraki, also a member of the committee, noted that though part of the guidelines for licence as oil marketer specifies that applicants must own a tank farm and the company registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission, information available to the committee indicated that some importers who do not own tank farms use names of oil majors to receive subsidy as marketers.
Also, it was discovered that the list of companies benefiting from subsidy, which was three as at 2006, has progressively grown to over 100 companies sharing N1.42 trillion between January and August 2011. Thus, even as the President argued and begged for support on subsidy removal, the corruption that has dogged the process was pointed out to him. National Assembly members, after one of such consultation sessions on 16 November told the President that rather than spend his time on the plan to remove subsidy, his focus should be on how to tackle the fraud that has dogged the process. While arguing that removal of subsidy will make life more unbearable for Nigerians, the lawmakers said if fraud is taken out of the process, the total subsidy payment in a year will not exceed N500 billion. This amount, they argued, is affordable by the country.
Some Companies named by the Senate and the amount of money they received this year.
Oando Nigeria plc – N228.506 billion
Integrated Oil and Gas plc – N30 billion
MRS – N224.818 billion
A.A. Rano – N1.14 billion
A-Z Petroleum – N18.61 billion
A.S.B – N3.16 billion
Arcon plc – N24.116 billion
African Petroleum – N104.58 billion
Aminu Resources – N2.3 billion
Capital Oil – N22.4 billion
ConOil – N37.96 billion
Avante Garde – N1.14 billion
Avido – N3.64 billion;
Boffas and Company – N3.67 billion
Brilla Energy, - N960.3 million.
D. Jones Petroleum – N14.86 billion
DownStream Energy – N789.648 million
Dosil Oil and Gas – N3.375 billion
Inco Ray, - N1.988 billion
Eterna – N5.574 billion;
Folawiyo Energy – N113.32 billion
Frado International – N2.63 billion
First Deepwater Oil – N257.396 million
Heden Petrol – N693 million
Honeywell Petrol – N12.2 billion
AMP – N11.417 billion
Ascon – N5.271 billion
Channel Oil – N1.308 billion
Fort Oil - N8.582 billion
Enak Oil & Gas – N19.684 billion
Bovas & Co. Nig Ltd – N5.685 billion
Obat Oil – N85billion
AP – N104.5 billion
IPMAN Investment Limited - N10.9 billion
ACORN – N24.1 billion
Atio Oil – N64.4 billion
AMP – N11.4 billion
Emac Oil – N19.2 billion




http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/12/19/real-subsidy-or-subsidy-fraud/

Alimosho, Alimosho Concession Company?
Ikeja, Ikeja Concession Company?

Plans have been concluded by the family of a man, Ifeanyi Sunday, whose lover, Chinyere Ezeala, died in his home at Ejigbo, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria after rounds of sex, to marry the deceased as tradition demands in order to be able to bury her.
The late Chinyere was a final year student of the Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo before her death.
Families of the deceased and her lover allegedly reached this agreement at the Ejigbo Police Station where the matter was reported so that the criminal case against him can be withdrawn. But the police denied involvement in the arrangement.
P.M.NEWS had on Monday, 12 December reported how the man, Ifeanyi Sunday found his lover, Chinyere Ezeala, dead in his house at 36, Fayemi Street, Ejigbo, Lagos and reported to the police at Ejigbo.
He was immediately arrested and detained by the police at Ejigbo station.
Investigations revealed that the agreement to marry the deceased was one of the decisions reached at a peace meeting between the two families.
P.M.NEWS gathered further that apart from marrying the late Ezeala according to Igbo culture and tradition, he will also sponsor her burial rites.
When contacted, an uncle of the deceased who simply gave his name as Ezeala confirmed the ageement, adding that the two families had gone to the police station to get the autopsy report but the police said it was not ready. The corpse is at Isolo General Hospital, Lagos.
“We have reached agreement, there is no problem. We have agreed that Sunday will act as her husband during the traditional burial rites. The rites had to be performed before she can be buried,” he confirmed.
Co-tenants at the Ejigbo residence of Sunday confirmed that the late Chinyere was a regular visitor to the house every weekend and used to spend days before leaving for school.
P.M.NEWS sought the opinions of Igbo elders on the culture of marrying the dead in Igboland and this is what some of them have to say.
An Igbo chief based in Lagos, High Chief John Nwosu told P.M.NEWS that the practice is a well known tradition in Igboland. He said before such a person is buried, the man must marry the deceased, according to tradition, including paying her bride price, marriage ceremony and other rites before she is buried.
Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Eze Christian Nwachukwu said the practice of marrying the dead in Igboland was in the past, but these days, it depends on the family of the deceased who can insist on such demand.
He said a family may decide to wave it if it there was proper introduction but marriage has not taken place.
Nwachukwu said he had been treating such cases in his palace and sometime travel to Igboland to mediate on such matters. He added that the situation becomes worse if the parties are from different cultures.



http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/12/16/boyfriend-forced-to-marry-dead-lover/

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, southwest Nigeria this afternoon vacated an order of arrest issued against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Sabit Ikuforiji and his personal Assistant, Alade Atoyebi.

Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly
The decision of the court to vacate the order was sequel to an application made by the counsel to the accused persons, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, Dr. Joseph Wurobike, SAN, leading nine other lawyers.
In his submission, Oyetibo prayed the court to cancel the warrant of arrest issued against the Speaker and his aide because the defendants were not served with any court summons to appear in court before the bench warrant was issued.
Oyetibo argued further that the two accused persons came voluntarily from their houses.
“Therefore, the issue of bench warrant is no longer needed since the purpose of issuing the bench warrant was to compel the accused persons to appear before the court which they have voluntarily done,” he submitted.
In addition, Oyetibo assured that the two accused persons will honour the invitation sent to them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at their Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos on Monday.
The counsel added that the Speaker and his aide will also be in court on 17 January, 2012 for the purpose of arraignment.
In his reaction, the EFCC counsel, Chief Godwin Obla did not object to the request of the defence counsel.
He told the court that he believed that the two accused persons were honourable men who will honour the EFCC invitation on Monday so that the agency can take a second look at their administrative bail.
He said he also believed that the two accused persons will make themselves available on 17 January, 2012 for the purpose of arraignment.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice James Tsoho, vacated the court’s earlier order and adjourned the matter till 17 January, 2012.



http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/12/15/court-lifts-arrest-order-on-lagos-speaker/

40 Die In Rivers Boat Mishap

No fewer than 40 persons were feared dead on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State when a passenger boat carrying 47 passengers capsized and emptied its human content into the Rumuolumeni River.
The unfortunate incident, according to reports happened around 9:30 pm while the boat was travelling from high-brow Eagle Island in the state capital.
The Rumuolumeni River passes through the back of the expansive premises of the Italian oil giant, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to Iwofe, Port Harcourt.
Seven of the passengers, including a two-year-old baby, had so far been rescued, while divers, as at press time, were still combing the river for corpses of the victims.
Relatives of the victims have besieged the Rumuolumeni jetty; the Rivers State government-owned Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), where corpse of one of the victims was deposited and other hospitals in Port Harcourt, for information on passengers of the ill-fated boat.


http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news-update/29738-40-die-in-rivers-boat-mishap.html

A showdown is imminent between landlords and tenants in Lagos State as Governor Babatunde Fashola has asked tenants to deduct five percent as withholding tax from the rent payable to their landlords and remit same into government purse.
The governor said the goal of the government in the new year is to aggressively collect withholding tax on consumption of goods and services.
Fashola spoke at the 5th Lagos State Taxation Stakeholders’ Conference held at The Haven, Ikeja, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
Addressing the audience, Governor Fashola said collection of withholding tax would be part of government revenue drive in the New Year. He promised to enforce the payment of the tax. He said withholding tax would be collected on rent, dividend, contract, among others, stressing that in the case of rent, the tenants would serve as the collecting agents of withholding tax from the landlords for the services rendered.
“Everybody who pays rent, for example, is collecting agents for withholding tax. And it is five per cent. Everybody who pays money to a doctor, lawyer for the services they rendered to him, is our collecting agent for that withholding tax.
“And we expect that they fairly collect, issue receipt and account for them. Once we have all of those documents and records, it should be easy for us at the end of the tax accounting year to set off all of these,” he said. The governor also said tax should be paid on gifts received by individuals and urged Lagosians to pay their taxes promptly so that government would have the money to carry out developmental projects.
Fashola added that churches and mosques who owned buildings used for business purposes were not exempted from paying taxes to the government because they earn income from such businesses.
“On the churches and the mosque, let us remember that whether it was a church or a mosque, it was first a building. And therefore, it is built with the same building materials that were used to build other private facilities.
“Nobody knows the difference at that time. And therefore, it cannot escape the regulatory law of the state in making building safe, it must comply. It is only when those who are ordained dedicate the building to the propagation of religion that it becomes a church.
“In the same way, churches own facilities. Churches who run businesses should give something back to the government. Render unto Caesar what is Caesar and render unto God what is God,” he stated.
Fashola appealed to Lagosians to be more tax compliant. “If more people voluntarily pay the right amount of income taxes, the government will find enough money it needs to transform the state,’’ he stated.
He explained that the only way to make life as good as they are in the other jurisdictions such as Europe was for the people to provide the government with more resources to do so.
“We have the idea; we have signed on to work and really, whether you think we can do it or not, I think our experience and our record in the past four years show clearly that even if you disbelieve what we say, the evidence before you today makes it difficult for you to disbelieve what we have done and it speaks of what we can do if you give us the chance,” he added
Governor Fashola said the role of tax consultants in the internal revenue drive of the state is to track and monitor revenues, payment that you make. “They don’t collect. The bills are still done by public servants now under the Internal Revenue Service.
“But at that time, our government did not know how many accounts it had and it did not know what was paid in. So, the money was there, depending on the benevolence of a bank that decided to be honest. But today, at the close of every business day, Lagos State Government can tell you how much it has collected and in which bank it is. That is the energy the consultants have brought,” he said.
Noting that organizations that provided services deserved to be paid, the governor declared, “they have provided service, they have invested in ICT. It is only fair that they be paid. The only issue that can arise is whether or not we are getting a fair deal for the service that they render. But the idea that somebody who rendered service in a free economy should not be paid is alien to me.”
Corporate organizations presented with tax compliance awards included Nigerian LNG, Julius Berger, Coca Cola, Citi Bank Nigeria Limited and Standard Chartered Bank, among others, while private individuals included Chairman of Elizade Motors, Chief Michael Ade Ojo; former Chairman of Punch Nigeria Limited, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola; former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Chief Akande and Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, among others.

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/12/14/fashola-to-tenants-deduct-5-from-your-landlords-rent/

There are indications that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has gone into hiding following a court order for his arrest.

•Ikuforiji, Lagos Speaker
A Federal High Court had issued a warrant for his arrest last Friday following his refusal to appear before it and answer a 20-count charge of accepting cash payment of N518 million from the House without due process.
His personal aide, Oyebode Alade Atoyebi, was also indicted by the EFCC.
Ikuforiji, who filed two applications against the ruling of the Federal High Court yesterday, has been absent from the House since the warrant of arrest was issued.
Yesterday, his absence almost stalled activities in the House as the lawmakers waited almost endlessly for his arrival.
Most of his colleagues also openly complained that they were left in the dark concerning his travails.
Some of the lawmakers, who spoke with P.M.NEWS concerning the development, said the Speaker’s absence may have resulted from the fear of being arrested if he showed up at the assembly.
They confided in P.M.NEWS that throughout yesterday, officials of the EFCC stayed within the assembly to know if he would come around.
They also said a decision was reached among them to adjourn sitting to 28 December so as to close any vacuum his absence may cause.
The Deputy Speaker later presided over the sitting of the House after a long await.
When contacted, the House Committee Chairman on Information, Strategy and Public Relations, Olusegun Olulade, said the Speaker did not abscond, but that he was not well.
“The Speaker had been complaining of symptoms of ill-health since we returned from the budget retreat, but issues of state had kept him busy”.
“He has always been in the House as you are aware. He was only absent yesterday in order to go and treat himself.”
“We are in constant touch with him. If he had gone into hiding, there is no way we would know his whereabout.
“Once he is fine, you would see him in the Assembly”, he said. Olulade said the Speaker could not neglect his position as is being speculated since he is already taking action against the decision of the court that issued a warrant of arrest against him.
“It is just unfortunate that his health challenges coincided with this EFCC issue, thereby fueling such rumours.
“Ask any lawmaker or legislative staff and they will tell you they have been in constant communication with him.”




http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/12/13/lagos-speaker-goes-into-hiding/

Don't talk to your girlfriends all day long about the date. You really shouldn't be thinking about the date at all.

Don't see your mother, grandmother, or anyone who absolutely can't wait for you to get married and have children. Being around them might make you reek of desperation on the date. You might mention marriage on the date and scare him away.

Do not pick up a date or meet him at some location for a date, unless it's a blind date. He must pick you up at your home.

On the first date, avoid staring romantically into his eyes. Instead look down at the table or your food, or simply survey the crowd at the restaurant

Don't tell everything about yourself

Do not talk about ex-boyfriends or ex-husbands. He may ask, but he doesn't really want to know

If you have kids, don't spend the whole night talking about them

Do not talk about your horrible childhood

Do not talk about being used by men

Do not talk about how you really want to find a husband

Don't be too serious, controlling, or wifey

Do not ask to meet his family and/ or friends. When he's ready, he will let you know.

On a date, you never show that getting married is foremost on your mind.

Don't sound cynical or depressed

Don't tell sarcastic jokes. Don't be a loud, knee-slapping, hysterically funny girl. This is okay when you are with girlfriends. But when you're with a man you like, be quiet and mysterious, act ladylike, cross your legs and smile

Don't act like a man, even if you are the head of your own company. Be feminine

Avoid any subject that are controversial for the first few months, such as politics and abortions.

There are moments on a date when neither of you has anything to say. Don't feel the need to fill in these silences. You'll end up saying something stupid and forced

When a guy is so eager to impress you on a date, many things can go wrong. Never use these blunders to make him feel bad.

Don't have him come to your apartment on the first date.

The wedding ring comes from paganism. It cannot be found in the Old or New Testaments. There was no practice among early Christians to wear finger rings as a sign of marriage or an engagement. Pope Gregory 1, in 860AD decreed that as a required statement of nuptial intent, the groom to be had to give his intended an engagement ring. He further decreed the ring be of gold to signify financial sacrifice. The first diamond engagement ring is the one given by King Maximillian in 1477 to Mary of Burgundy. Wedding rings can be traced to idols and heathen religions. It is not just the image of the idol we are commanded not to possess, but rather any part of the idol itself. Thus, to make ones self after the image of the idol is to practice idolatry. All images of false gods and goddesses show the use of earrings, finger rings, bracelets, nose rings, and other jewelry. Where do we find this same practice associated with the God of the Bible? Did Jesus wear jewelry? Did the Apostles and early Christians? The answer is no!

The wedding ring is first a circle which is said to mean eternal or unending. Marriages were never eternal in the Scriptures but rather until death. Afterward a spouse could be married again. The idea then of eternal marriages symbolised by the ring is not Biblical. This meaning of the ring is false. So the ring gives a false testimony. The wedding ring then is not representative of the true union of the bridegroom and his bride. The home of the couple is more a witness and testimony of marriage then a wedding ring. For it is in the home the marriage is honored and sustained.

The wedding ring originated in Babylon, the cradle of civilization. The most ancient ring discovered there is in the shape of the eternal serpent. The image of the serpent biting its tail to form the circle of the ring is an ancient satanic symbol (***satanic ouroboros) . The same symbol is used by the Theosophy Cult. Satan as the serpent, that great dragon of Revelation 12, has by this symbol joined a man and a woman under his cult. God is not the serpent symbol of any wedding ring, nor is he the symbol of the wedding ring in any fashion. We may trace the ring not to the God of the Bible but to the accuser of the brethren. Where is there any ring that symbolizes God? Did God provide wedding rings for Adam and Eve? Remove this idolatrous symbol from the Church and the Pastor is accused of being legalistic, against marriage, incouraging adultery and lust. The Pastor's Church is labeled a cult. The fact is, over 70% of married spouses who commit fornication do not remove their wedding rings prior to the act, during the act, or after the act. Wedding rings have not stopped one act of adultery. Not one husband or wife has said: "I cannot commit adultery because I have my wedding ring on."

The pagan origin of the wedding ring raise questions about its adoption by Christians to represent the marriage union. The value of symbols is determined by their origin and meaning. The Menorah, the Cross, the Lord’s Passover emblems of bread and wine with footwashing, and baptism, are all acceptable symbols, because they have been established by God to help us understand spiritual truth. Their value is derived from their divine origin and not from man-made paganism. By contrast, the meaning of the wedding ring as a symbol of marriage commitment finds its origin not in Scripture, but in pagan mythology and superstitions. To give a pagan superstitutious symbol a Christian meaning leads to perversion of the right ways of God. The fourth finger DOES NOT contain a special nerve to the heart. It is superstitutious to believe if a person removes their wedding ring that evil will befall the marriage. Did a ring join them together or was it GOD? When a ring is made to join two people, God is CAST OUT and replaced by a piece of jewelry. This is exactly what has happened with the use of the wedding ring, superstitution is believed and this is borderline witchcraft. Many claim they need to wear the ring to ward off men or women who might think they are otherwise available. This is not true, the man or woman who is married will not be a flirt, will not entice lust, and will come out plainly and say "I am married." There is no need to allow a pagan superstitutious symbol say what should be said with lips and conduct.

Christian religions that originally rejected wedding rings: The Methodist followed the teachings of John Wesley that wedding rings were pagan and should not be worn. Mennonites likewise rejected the wedding ring as pagan. All early Baptist in America rejected use of the pagan wedding ring. The original Seventh Day Adventist abstained from use of the wedding ring because of its pagan origin. All the holiness movements, including the more devout Apostolic Pentecostals rejected wedding rings as pagan. There was a time in America when the majority of Christians did not wear jewelry of any kind including earrings and wedding rings. But this was to change when Pastors wanted their Churches to be more world friendly. The theory behind this relaxation was that Christianity was more then holiness and wearing of jewelry. The emphasis on personal holiness fell into decline in the later 1800s and from that time wedding rings became more and more accepted.

A 32-year old applicant, Ahmed Hassan, has been sentenced to one month imprisonment by an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court for wearing shoes into a mosque in Nyanya.
The Senior Magistrate, Mrs. Nkwadimi Buba, however, gave Hassan an option of N2,000 fine.
Earlier, the police prosecutor, Corporal Silas Nanpan, had told the court that the crime was reported to the Nyanya Police Station on November 26 by one Umar Safe of Tipper Garage, Nyanya.
Nanpan said that the convict on November 25 trespassed into the mosque and lay down there with his shoes on, knowing that the act was un-Islamic.
The convict could not give a satisfactory account of his action, he said, adding that the offence of criminal trespass contravened Section 348 of the Penal Code. When the case came up for mention, Hassan pleaded guilty to the charge but begged the court for leniency.
Delivering judgment, Buba sentenced the convict to one month imprisonment with an option of N2,000 fine.
After the judgment, sought reactions of lawyers on the judgment. These are their comments.
Lagos lawyer, Festus Kayamo said it was not right for a magistrate’s court to sentence an accused to imprisonment for wearing shoes inside a mosque.
He described the judgment as ultra vires and not in the powers of the court to do so. He called on the convict to appeal the court’s judgment.
In his own reaction, human rights lawyer, Mohammed Badr, said there is no specific provision in the penal code that criminalizes the wearing of shoes into a mosque. According to him, Section 348 under which the man was convicted dwelt on trespass. “I believe the magistrate delivered her judgment under that section. The man may have been reported to the police for wearing shoes into the mosque but I believe the court sentenced him for trespass and not for wearing shoes into that mosque,” he added.
Another lawyer, Abdulahi Shehu of the Muslim Lawyers Association stated: ”We must distinguish here between the Penal Code and the Criminal Code. While such crimes as wearing shoes into a mosque may be unknown, I believe that the Penal Code may have taken care of such. Don’t forget that the Penal Code operates in the north, so, I am sure that the code may have carefully taken care of that act. I must say, however, that the magistrate must have convicted the man on charges of trespass and not necessarily on wearing of shoes into the court.”
Allen Agbaka, a Lagos-based lawyer said the punishment meted on the convict depends on the law under which he was charged. “In deciding the matter, the law prevailing in the location should also be put into consideration. Since the man is a Muslim, he could be tried under the Sharia Law which is used to try Muslims,” he explained. He added that since the offence was not committed in a public place, the Muslim sharia law should be applied.
“The victim was not compelled to be a Muslim. He knew that going into a mosque, one did not have to wear a shoe. He must be a stubborn man. He should be tried according to the law governing the Muslim faith,” he submitted further.
Mr. Babatunde Awotubo, a lawyer explained that what the court did was to adopt the doctrine of a religion and not necessarily a conviction under the law. He said such things can only happen in a Sharia Court.
“If such a case is decided at a magistrate’s court then such judgment is illegal and unconstitutional. To have sentenced someone for wearing shoes into the mosque is illegal and unconstitutional,” Awotubo opined.
However, Awotubo said if the penal code law in the state where the man was tried was the one applied, “then it is justifiable and right.”
A law scholar, Israel John Onwumerechukwubikemu also described the judgment as unconstitutional.
“Nigerian constitution does not select any religion, be it Christianity or Islam. Because of this, it is illegal to sentence to jail someone who entered a mosque wearing a shoe.
“But if such a person is a Muslim, he could be judged according to his religion or Sharia Law. But if he is not a Muslim, he should not be treated as such because there is no provision in the constitution barring anyone not to wear shoes before entering a mosque. If the convict is not a muslim, he should be set free,” he submitted.
Commenting on the judgment, Lagos State Chairman, Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, Comrade Isiak Buna said it is not permissible in Islam for someone to enter a mosque wearing a shoe.




http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/11/30/job-seeker-jailed-for-wearing-shoes-in-mosque/

Lagos Island, Victoria Island and Ikoyi: The entire Lagos Central Business District Area (CBD), Ozumba Mbadiwe (from Bonny Camp – 1st Roundabout), Awolowo Road Ikoyi, Bourdillon Road, Gerrard Avenue, Alexander Road, Osborne Road, Alfred Rewane Road and CMS (outer Marina)
Mainland: The entire stretch of Funso Williams Avenue, Eko Bridge, Apongbon, Murtala Muhammed Way from Jibowu-Yaba-Oyingbo-Ido-Idumota.
Ikorodu Express Road: From Jibowu to Ikorodu Town Roundabout
Third Mainland Bridge: From Toll Gate through the entire stretch of Third Mainland Bridge
Badagry Express Road: The entire stretch of Badagry Express Road
Apapa-Oshodi Expressway: The entire stretch of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway (excluding the service lanes)
Ikeja: The entire network of roads around Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Awolowo Way, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way-Maryland Junction.
Lagos Abeokuta Expressway/Agege Motor Road: The entire stretch from Moshalasi-Oshodi-Abule Egba-Boundary of Ogun State and Lagos State.
Bridges: All Lagos Bridges
In addition, the following roads have been added to the restricted areas.
These are: Herbert Macaulay Way, Nurudeen Olowopopo Road, Agidingbi Road, Adeola Odeku, Ajose Adeogun, Akin Adesola, Adetokunbo Ademola, Kofo Abayomi, Inner Marina, Allen Avenue, Opebi, Kudirat Abiola Way, Adekunle Fajuyi, Oduduwa Way, Oba Akinjobi, Isaac John, Joel Ogunnaike, Mobolaji Johnson Way, and Adeniran Ogunsanya.
The Lagos State Government will not hesitate to deal decisively within the confines of the law with any motorcycle operator that henceforth violates the law and order. The law enforcement agents especially LASTMA, KAI and the Nigeria Police have been directed to ensure zero tolerance. Government is seriously disturbed with the rate at which motorcycle operators flagrantly disobey the law and have no regard for the safety of other road users.



http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/11/29/the-no-go-routes/

Massive Crackdown On Okada Riders; Over 200 Arrested In Lagos; More Roads Banned


The Lagos State Government has begun a massive clampdown on commercial motorcyclists, a.k.a. Okada riders with the arrest of over 200 yesterday.
The government, after due consultation with the relevant Okada riders’ associations gave the riders a period of grace which expired by midnight on Sunday. The clampdown began yesterday in all the affected zones.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT… A commercial motorcycle (Okada) operator arrested for driving against traffic on Mile 2 - Badagry road by the enforcement team of the Governor of Lagos State, recently
The clampdown is coming on the heels of orders by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola to the state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, to ensure that Okada riders obey the traffic laws of the state.
Opeifa declared last Thursday that ”government can no longer watch and allow Okada riders break the laws of the state with impunity.”
In the new regulations guiding the operations of okada riders in the state, Okada riders are not allowed to operate without a valid rider’s licence; a standard crash helmet with full head protection; carry more than one passenger; carry pregnant women, school children and load and drive against traffic. They have also been banned from operating beyond 10 p.m. in all parts of the state except Victoria Island and Ikoyi, Ikeja GRA where they were restricted from operating beyond 8 p.m.
Okada riders have also been banned from plying the expressway, bridges, Awolowo Way, Bank Anthony Way and some other roads in the Lagos metropolis.  The police, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA and other security agencies have been directed to arrest any Okada operator found to have violated the law.
General Manager, LASTMA, Engineer Babatunde Edu confirmed that aggressive enforcement of the law had begun and that over 200 Okada riders had been arrested so far.
He lamented that several criminal activities were being perpetrated through the use of Okada by men of the underworld.
Governor Fashola, who was bitter about the menace posed by Okada riders, vowed that the enforcement would be total. To show his seriousness, he personally led a team of officials to arrest five Okada riders who drove against the traffic in Apapa area of the state last week.  Fashola disclosed that a new policy was in the offing to deal decisively with the problems posed by Okada riders.
“As I have said to all those who cared to listen, if Okada is a problem to you, stop using it; because it is a business and if you don’t patronize it, it will leave you alone,” he stated.
The governor arrested more Okada riders driving against the traffic on Sunday in Badagry during his tour of ongoing projects in the state.
“You will see my next line of action in the fullness of time, but I think ultimately Lagosians must decide whether or not they want Okada.
“In the meantime, they have to comply with our rules and if they don’t, they will have the law enforcement agencies to contend with. We will not allow this incessant and sheer disregard for our laws, those who cannot comply should leave our state.”
Rising from the state Security Council meeting last week, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr. Tunde Sobulo disclosed that a new policy on commercial motorcycle is on the way to deal with errant riders who still disobey government rules and regulations on the operation of commercial motorcycles (Okada) on the state’s roads.
According to him, “Okada riders are still giving us problems. They are still riding against the traffic and carrying two to three passengers and without helmet. Majority of the culprits are those that are not members of the motorcyclists’ unions. There is nothing to identify them with. But I believe there is going to be a policy soon and when it is out we will know how to deal with them.”





http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/11/29/massive-crackdown-on-okada-riders-over-200-arrested-in-lagos-more-roads-banned-for-riders/

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday refused to stay the execution of its earlier judgment in which it declared that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority lacked the power to impose fines on traffic offenders.



Justice Okon Abang, in a ruling, also encouraged members of the public to approach the court for the enforcement of the judgement if they were harrassed by the operatives of the agency for the purpose of collecting fines.

Abang had earlier in a judgement declared some provisions of the Establishment Act of LASTMA as unconstitutional, null and void.

He declared that LASTMA lacked the power to impose fine on traffic offenders in Lagos, saying that such act amounted to the agency serving as the judge in its case.

The provisions of the LASTMA Act which the judge declared as inconsistent with Nigeria’s constitution were contained in Sections 9, 11, 12 and 13 of the Act.

The judge said those sections of the Act were contrary to Section 36 of the Constitution which guaranteed the right of fair hearing to Nigerians.

He also awarded the sum of N500,000 against LASTMA.

Following the judgement, the respondent, dissatisfied, had filed an appeal against the judgement, and asked the lower court to stay execution of the judgment while its appeal was pending.

But Abang, in his ruling, dismissed the appeal, saying it lacked merit.

He told the court that he was driving his car on the Third Mainland Bridge, in March 2010, when the vehicle suddenly developed some mechanical fault.

He said further that he immediately called for a towing van to take the vehicle of the road to where it would not obstruct traffic flow.

http://punchng.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=6108:court-rejects-lastma’s-plea-for-stay-of-execution&Itemid=542

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Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State has lifted the suspension placed on the collection of toll on the Lagos-Epe expressway.
Announcing this during his budget presentation, Governor Fashola stated that he had formally lifted the suspension on the collecttion of toll on the expressway because government could no longer bear the huge financial outlay used in constructing the road.
Following this, the governor directed the Lekki Concession Company, LCC to fix a new date to begin the collection.
The government was forced to suspend the collection of toll on the expressway last year when residents of Lekki protested vehemently against the planned introduction.
Giving reasons for his action, Governor Fashola disclosed that the government had spent N4 billion this year alone in paying part of the toll which the people in the area refused to pay. He described it as a huge burden on the government.
“The politically motivated resistance to the commencement of toll collection on the Eti-Osa, Lekki-Epe Expressway means that your government had to part with N4 billion for year 2011 which could have been used to provide more schools, inner roads, hospitals and social needs in Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe areas.
“This decision was sensible and necessary in order to maintain much needed and growing investor confidence in the Lagos economy, in order to maintain our credit rating and reduce our credit risk.
“It was critical to maintaining the stream of emerging investments required to create business opportunity and jobs for young people,” he said.
He added that “regrettably however, our financial realities cannot sustain such funding to the detriment of other developments that are crying out for funding in other parts of the state.
“It is undeniable that property values have risen in that area because of the road work on Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway; we have also recently completed the Falomo ramp. It is only fair that the investors begin to collect their toll.”
“I accordingly lift the suspension on toll collection and leave the concessionaire to announce the date for commencement of tolling.”
Reacting to the lifting of suspension of toll on the expressway, Assistant Director, Contact and Mobilisation, Lekki Estate Resident and Stakeholders Association, LASA, Andrew Eretan, described the move as anti-social and anti-people, saying that the residents would resist the new move.



http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/11/15/fashola-lifts-ban-on-lekki-toll-collection/

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State today presented the 2012 budget of N485.292 billion to the State House of Assembly for approval.

Gov. Raji Fashola
The budget comprises N227.47 billion recurrent expenditure and N257.821 billion capital expenditure. The capital to recurrent ration of the budget is 53:47 as against the 56:44 in 2011.
The budget also represents an increase over the 2011 budget which stood at N245 billion
The deficit financing requirement proposed in the budget is N59.781bn which is 1.19 percent of the State’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
The total revenue is N399.834bn and comprises Ordinary Revenue, N289.676bn and a Federal Transfers of N110.158bn.
The components of the total overhead costs of N145.960bn are: Overhead Cost, N79.797bn; Dedication Expenditure, N25.595bn; Subvention, N28.668bn, Staff Housing Fund,N0.050 bn; Debt Charge (External),N1.050 bn; Debt Charges (Internal), N6.958 bn and Debt Charge (Bond),N3.842bn.
Capital Receipts for the Year 2012 Budget is put at N25.677bn and is made up of: Grants, N3.468bn; Investment Income, N0.289bn and Other Capital Receipts, N21.920bn.
The capital expenditure of N257.821bn consists of: Core Capital, N222.868bn; Capital Development (Dedicated), N21.920bn; Grants, N3.468bn;Counterpart Funding, N3.465bn, Special Expenditure 6.000 bn and Risk Retention Fund, N0.100 bn.
The sectoral allocation of the Budget in size and percentage are as follows: General Public Service, N108.526bn (22.4%); Public Order and Safety, N13.849bn (2.9%); Economic Affairs, N154.419bn (31.8%); Environmental Protection, N44.227 (9.1%); Housing and Community Amenities, N42.812bn (8.8%); Health, N39.754bn (8.2%); Recreation, Culture and Religion, N5.989bn (1.2%); Education,N72.346bn (14.9%) and Social Protection, N3.370bn (0.7%).
Presenting the budget, Fashola said “significantly, this will be a most challenging budget to implement. Critically, it is the first full budget in this term of great expectation, when we must again begin to fulfill new electoral promises and meet citizens’ expectations at a time of enormous economic and security challenges.
“For a start, let me assert very clearly that our purpose and commitment towards delivering the greatest good for the greatest number is not in doubt. We have a clear plan, informed by a progressive manifesto of the fastest growing political party, the Action Congress of Nigeria.
“We are concerned about the quality of life of working and middle class people and those who are vulnerable in our State. This has led to many strategic policies aimed at making life better and less challenging.”
According to him, “these policies are administrative and legislative. Three of such that readily come to mind are the recent laws to create the Office of Disability, review the Criminal Law and the Tenancy Law.
“The law creating the Office of Disability gives legal backing to some of what we are doing already, to recognize that some people are physically challenged and require special provision to make them lead as normal a possible life in spite of their disabilities.”
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, while re-echoing the resolve of the House to support Fashola in order to meet the expectations of the people, drew the attention of the governor to the challenges of the Local Government Areas and the Local Council Development Areas in the State.
The Speaker told the governor that to ensure that the success recorded at the state is replicated at the grassroots, they LGAs and LCDAs must be carried along in the budget.
“The local government is the third tier of government and the closest to the grassroots. They can in no small measure enhance the all-round development of the people at the lowest ladder of our society.
“However, it is imperative to vividly underscore the fact that the local governments across board in the country is not only neglected but most often than not it is treated with levity and ignominy. This sore point must be promptly addressed in Lagos State so that we can again serve as torchbearers for others to emulate,” Ikuforiji said.
He advised the governor on the effective management of the public finances which he described as paramount to good governance.
Ikuforiji said fiscal consolidation “or bringing down the budget deficit to reasonable levels is vital to avoid inflation.
The Speaker noted that the State is bedevilled with wide-ranging encumbrances while commended the governor for his efforts so far in the development of the State.
He lamented what he described as a grinding poverty one of the challenges facing the State just like it is facing Nigeria.
Other challenges, he said, included unemployment and infrastructural challenges adding that the process of transforming the State can never be a finished business, but work in progress.
The budget presentation was witnessed by members of the State Traditional Council led by Oba Akiolu of Lagos, members of the national Assembly including Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Others at the presentation included members of the State Executive Council, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora and past members of the State House of Assembly.



http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/11/14/fashola-presents-n485b-budget/

Siasia Wants N1b From Nff, It’s Unfortunate —toro

Sacked Super Eagles’ coach, Samson Siasia is demanding the sum of N1 billion from his former employer, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, for wrongful termination of his contract.


Samson Siasia
Reports monitored on Brila FM in Lagos early today says the former Nigerian international who failed to qualify Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in January has dragged the NFF to an Abuja high court for sacking him without fulfilling some parts of his appointment contract. He said he wants N1billion as compensation for breach of contract.

Siasia said he was not given a 30-day notice prior to his dismissal as stipulated in his contract before the NFF went ahead to sack him despite owing him two months’ salary. He claimed that the NFF failed to secure a free and furnished accommodation in Abuja for him and he was also not given a fitness trainer as contained in his contract.

The NFF is, however, unperturbed by the action of the 44-year-old Siasia, who was given a four-year contract with a condition to qualify the Eagles for at least the semi-finals of the 2012 Nations Cup.

President of the federation, Aminu Maigari, said the NFF has received the ‘originating summons’ from Siasia’s lawyers, adding that the football authority is ready to confront the sacked coach in the law court. Media Officer of the NFF, Ademola Olajire, said the board has directed the legal department to begin work on the summons to enable the NFF prepare for the hearings.


http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/11/03/siasia-wants-n1b-from-nff-its-unfortunate-%e2%80%94toro/





Meanwhile, former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association, Alhaji Sani Toro, has condemned Siasia’s move to take his former employer to court.

Toro argued that the coach should have found another way of seeking redress other than resorting to the law court.

The former member of the House of Representatives opined that the issue must be properly handled by the NFF and settled out of court as soon as possible because of the series of court cases the football authority is currently facing

The Lagos State Government has sacked 400 officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, in the last one week over cases of corruption and other misconduct.

The state government also said it would abolish the use of consultants by the Lagos Internal Revenue Service, LIRS to collect taxes in the state as their activities have become inimical to the government.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Bola Shodipo disclosed these on Thursday while presenting a paper at the 341st Council Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Ikeja Branch in Ikeja, Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

While he was speaking on the collection of illegal levies by unscrupulous individuals in the state, he disclosed such act of corruption led to the sack of 400 LASTMA officials in the last one week as the government would not condone illegality.

The LASTMA officials were sacked over various acts of misconduct, such as extortion, dereliction of duty, disrespect to constituted authorities, fighting on the road and failing to comport themselves properly while discharging their duties.

The sack cuts across the senior and junior categories of the officials.

Governor Babatunde Fashola had been warning unscrupulous officials of LASTMA to stop misbehaving or be prepared for the way out.

However, Shodipo admitted that there were many illegal levies being collected in Lagos State, while he cited his personal experience at the Kuramo Beach where some touts claiming to be representatives of Iru/Victoria Island Local Council Development Areas, LCDA wanted to collect illegal parking fee from him.

He said he had to call the taskforce to arrest the culprits but that they ran away before the taskforce could get to the scene.

“I know that not everyone will have access to this taskforce but it points to the fact that we know we have a few bad eggs working against us among us and we are also working to fish them out and prosecute them,” he stated.

According to him, “these people we call touts cannot operate without some elements in the society,” adding that some politicians use them during the election to aid and abet their practices.

“To say we will totally eradicate them will be difficult but their impact on the society is what we are trying to reduce,” he added.

On the use of consultants by the LIRS, Shodipo disclosed that from January 2012, the state government would stop using consultants to collect taxes in the state, saying that he had already submitted a proposal to that effect.

According to him, consultants were doing more harm than good in the collection of taxes in the state, adding that maybe at inception they might have been very helpful.

He said the government had received lots of complaints through text messages, e-mails, among others on the illegal activities of these consultants.

“We are addressing it and by next year, it will be clearer to you, as government would phase them out.”

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/10/14/400-lastma-officers-sacked/

Indomie. mama wey cook indomie

The national and state House of Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta on Monday dismissed the petition filed by former Speaker, House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Bankole approached the tribunal on April 29, in suit number EPT/OG/FH/02/201 challenging the outcome of April 9, National Assembly Election in Abeokuta South federal constituency.

Bankole had told the court that he polled majority of lawful votes cast as against his opponent Segun Williams of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who was declared winner.

His counsel, Adedayo Adegbile, who prayed the tribunal to declare Bankole winner, said that more than 5,000 voters were disenfranchised in many polling units.

He also said that there were unlawful substitutions of candidates before the election and alleged that there were irregularities that favoured the ACN candidate during the election.

However, counsel to ACN, George Oyeniyi, refuted the claims of the plaintiff, declaring it frivolous with no legal backing. Citing many relevant sections of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, Mr Oyeniyi urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition and declare his client winner.

In the judgment, Justice Michael Obi, on behalf of other members of the tribunal, said that the petitioner had failed to prove the allegations beyond doubt.
http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5744869-146/tribunal_dismisses_bankoles_petition__.csp
The judge said that it was the opinion of the tribunal that the defendant won the majority of lawful votes cast. He, therefore, declared him winner of the election and subsequently dismissed the petition.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Yakubu Alkali has warned that his men should not demand money from suspects for bail because granting of bail is free of charge.


Alkali, Lagos Commissioner of Police.
He advised Lagosians to report any police officer who demands money for bail for displinary action.

Alkali explained that a suspect can be granted bail free of charge if such a suspect could provide a credible person that will stand for him as surety before his case is taken to court.

He stated this at the weekend in Lagos during the graduation ceremony of participants in a training on the rights of the citizens organised by a non governmental organisation, Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria, CRIVIFON.

Speaking at the occasion, through the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Samuel Jinadu, the CP said the era of collecting money for bail was over and warned police officers in the state to desist from such act.

He noted that the public has certain rights and obligations at the police stations and the police were expected to treat the citizens in a civilised manner.

He added that the police should be treated with respect as well because they have their rights and obligations in dealing with citizens while performing their lawful duties.

The training was organised by CRIVIFON to educate Nigerians on their rights while facing challenges at the police stations.

The Managing Director of CRIVIFON, Barrister Gloria Egbuji, said that the organisation was founded to educate the Nigerian police and the citizens on their rights and obligations while working towards a better society.

She said “we can build a better society if all the stakeholders know their rights and responsibility in the society.”

Egbuji said that the group had so far trained at least 5,000 police officers who are now working at various police stations at human rights desks in the state.

She said, while educating the police on how to treat citizens at the station, it was also proper to educate the citizens of their rights and for them to know how to relate with the police.

At least 31graduands received certitificates and distiguished Nigerians were given awards.

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/10/10/don%e2%80%99t-pay-for-bail-lagos-police-boss-warns/

The management of Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) has sacked 222 of its personnel for corrupt practices and misconduct.
Its Chairman Mr Young Arebamen told our correspondent that the sack affects all cadres of the workforce.
Arebamen disclosed that 156 were dismissed while 66 had their appointments terminated. Of those dismissed, 129 were junior officers (level 06 and below). The remaining 29 were on level 07 and above.
He said the appointments of 55 junior staff were terminated while 11 senior officers were also kicked out in this category.
LASTMA boss said the affected officers were given opportunity to defend themselves before final decisions were taken.
He said: “When we receive complaints from members of the public, the Provost department will investigate. The complainant is also given the opportunity to explain his allegation.
“If the allegation is true, the internal rules and regulations will be visited on the official. It depends on the gravity of the offence. If it is a very serious allegation of misconduct, the official may have to pass through a process of trial. At the end of the day, he could be dismissed, be reduced in rank, be reprimanded or receive verbal or written warning.
“Apart from those that were sacked, there are those who had their promotion deferred, probation extended or their rank reduced. We want the public to know that LASTMA officers are not above the law. The internal working system controls the conduct of our men and women”.
To minimise corrupt practices, Arebamen said: “We have evolved a system that no LASTMA official operates with cash. The traffic offenders pay the fines to designated banks. All we need is evidence of payment before we can release the vehicle.”
According to him, the number of days we hold the vehicle depends on the owner. After 24 hours, he pays demurrage. It is advisable that the offender pays his fine as soon as he can to avoid excess demurrage.
On the Federal High Court judgment barring LASTMA from imposing fines on traffic offenders, Arebamen said “the governor and the Attorney General have said we are going to appeal the judgment. Nothing has changed that position.”
He explained:“I wish to say that the law that established LASTMA passed through a process. If the society is not regulated by law, then we are heading for a state of anarchy. If the actions of the road users are not regulated, we are creating a state of anarchy and we don’t want that in Lagos.
“We are yet to get to the end of the case. The judgment is a test case for the development of Nigerian law. The case may even go to the Supreme Court. At the end of the day, we will know who is on the side of the law. But we are sure we are on the side of the law”, he added.


http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/22357-lastma-kicks-out-222-for-misconduct.html

Na wa N2.5b for just 150metre bridge ? So what about 3rd mainland bridge how much will babangida use then to construct it ? my People no b small thing ooo

The Federal Government on Tuesday carried out a major shake -up in the aviation industry, with the removal of three heads of aviation agencies namely- the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, the Chief Executive of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Alhaji Ibrahim Auyo and the Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Captain Adebayo Araba.
According to sources, Aisuebeogun has been replaced by Mr. George Ureisi, who was a director of airport operations, while, the former director of electronic services, Nnamdi Udoh, now assumes duties as the managing director of NAMA.
The former head of the flying school at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Captain Chinyere Kalu, takes over as the college new rector.



http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news-update/21819-faan-nama-mds-sacked.html

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said President Goodluck Jonathan got it all mixed up when he implied that his critics want him to rule with an iron fist, saying all that Nigerians are asking for is a president who is firm, decisive and responsive.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the comments credited to the President portrayed the him as being totally oblivious of what his compatriots want or being out of tune with the situation in the country.


Alhaji Lai Mohammed, ACN National Publicity Secretary.
”For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. President, Nigerians are yearning for good and purposeful governance.

They want their leader to hearken to their yearnings by addressing, decisively, issues of security, against the background of rising violent crimes, including kidnapping and armed robbery, and deadly bombings by Boko Haram.

”They want their leader to act urgently in taking measures that will reverse the decay in infrastructure, especially roads; uplift the economy and raise the living standards of the people. Mr. President, it does not take a lion, dictator, or a pharaoh to do this,” it said.

ACN said a President who is ready to dance to the tune of his party to clamp down on the opposition or thwart the Constitution just to achieve set objectives is far from being assertive; a President who vacillates when urgent actions are required is not decisive; and a President who carries on as if all is well when citizens are being daily tormented by the scarcity of kerosene, or who is ready to add to their burden by signing on to the removal of a nebulous petroleum subsidy is not responsive.

The party also expressed shock at the statement credited to the President, in which he insinuated that he is not appreciated at home when he is being praised by foreign leaders, especially President Barack Obama of the US.

”We sincerely hope that Mr. President was misquoted on this issue. When did cheeky praises from foreign leaders become the yardstick for measuring the success of a leader?

”The President of Africa’s most populous nation and the largest black nation on earth should not be seen to be pandering to anyone. By that statement, President Jonathan has confirmed speculations that he is more interested in what foreign leaders think of him than the opinion of Nigerians who voted for him.

”This simply reinforces all the stories coming out from Wikileaks, that our elected and appointed officials troop to foreign embassies to sing like parrots, thus compromising the security of their country and putting their domestic and foreign policy in jeopardy,” it said.

ACN advised President Jonathan to be more reflective and circumspect when making comments, especially during the kind of opportunity given to him last Sunday at the Church to reach out to his countrymen and women.

”Leaders are judged as much by what they do as by what they say. That’s why they must eschew banality and superficiality when they talk,” the party said


http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/09/27/you-got-it-wrong-mr-president-%e2%80%94acn/