₦airaland Forum

The Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC has recorded yet another milestone by becoming the 1st Companies Registry in the World to issue a Certificate of Incorporation with a QR Code.

The Registrar General/CEO Alhaji Garba Abubakar stated this today during a Media Chat with Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria CICAN on the upgraded Companies Registration Portal CRP

The RG who spoke extensively on the workings of the upgraded CRP enjoined the Commission’s accredited Customers to strive to revalidate their account on the Portal before the end of March,2021 as that was necessitated by the fact that some customers were now deceased, changed details or their location without updating the database amongst others.

He stressed that any account not revalidated by the deadline will cease to have effect by 1st of April,2020 until the Customer comes forward to re-validate.

He however said the right of public users to register companies on their own remains sacrosanct as there’s an interface for accounts by public users.

The Registrar General further revealed that the interface for the Registration of new legal entity types introduced by the CAMA,20 namely: Limited Liability Partnership LLP and Limited Partnership will be unveiled by 1st of April,2021.

On the Implementation of Nigeria’s commitment under the Open Government Partnership OGP and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative EITI on the disclosure of Beneficial Owners of Companies, the CAC Scribe revealed that the New Portal provides for the disclose of Persons with Significant Control and the legal framework was modelled after the United Kingdom’s concept of PSC.

He said that was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment during the 2016 Anti-Corruption Summit in London that Nigeria was going to deploy a publically available register of beneficial ownership adding that the information was available free of charge via: search.cac.gov.ng

While giving update on the Federal Government Free 250,000 Business Name registration, the RG said 30,000 certificates had been generated and therefore urged applicants to exercise more patience as the Commission was being diligent to ensure that the data provided by the selected Aggregators were genuine.

Former Imo State Governor and the Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Rochas Okorocha has dropped a huge hint on the prospect of a new political force ahead of the 2023 general elections in the country.

Okorocha at the Commissioning of the Rumueche- Rumuakunde- Ohna- Awuse Road in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State called for the integration of like minds from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and the All Progressives Congress APC to accelerate the level of progress in the country.

Okorocha, who said he was in Port Harcourt on grounds of his friendship with the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike called on the people of the South East and South-South to synergize in view of the similarities in culture.

The former governor noted that there are good people and bad people both in APC and PDP and urged the alliance of like minds from the two political parties to make a difference.

“There are very bad people in APC and there are very bad people in PDP. So, I think the good people in APC and the good people in PDP must come together for the purpose of making Nigeria great.

“Then just imagine that I join forces Wike; something will happen.

“Governor Wike, this is my hand of friendship. Let us bring like-minds and all the great people of Nigeria and those that are complaining let us make this nation greater,” Rochas said.

Earlier, host Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State said his decision not to complete the monorail project started by his predecessor Rotimi Amaechi was the choice of Rivers people.

He chided political opponents in Emohua for doing nothing to improve the lives of the people and mocked those who criticize his government saying they will remain perpetually blind since they claim to see nothing he has done.

Professor Oyedamola Oke is now the acting Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University. Before his appointment, he was the Deputy VC Administration of the school.

Today, at around 11 am death found my house and took my father, my protector, my hero. Allah ya anshi bakwancin shi, yasa shi cikin jannahtul firdausi, ya mishi Rahama. AIG (retired) Muhammed Tambari Yabo, Garkuwan Yabo. And Giwa to our family.

Tambari Yabo, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), is dead.

He died in Sokoto on Saturday at the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) after a brief illness.

The former police chief was 64 years old.

A family member, Faruku Yabo, told NAN that the deceased was survived by two wives, 14 children and many grandchildren.

He has been buried in line with Islamic rites.

The funeral prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Yabo, Sheikh Lema Faruk.

In attendance were Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi; ex-Governors of Sokoto, Aliyu Wamakko and Yahaya Abdulkarim; Chief of Staff to Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Muktar Magori, among others.

Dingyadi described the deceased as a religious, disciplined and patriotic man, who had served his nation meritoriously.

He prayed Allah to grant Yabo Jannatul Firdaus and his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Court dismisses Certificate forgery suit against Governor Godwin Obaseki

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the alleged certificate forgery suit filed against the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed delivered the judgment on Saturday in a suit filed by the All Progressives Party (APC) and a chieftain of the party, Williams Edobor, against the governor.

The APC and Edobor had filed the suit alleging that Governor Obaseki presented a forged certificate to seek re-election in the Edo State governorship election held on September 19, 2020.

According to the plaintiffs, the said document was purportedly issued by the University of Ibadan, while the governor presented same to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which conducted the poll.

Before Justice Mohammed delivered the judgement in the suit, counsels to both parties in the matter had closed their cases after they presented witnesses and evidence to the court.

During proceedings on Thursday, lawyer to the Plaintiffs, Akin Olujimi, adopted his final written address.

He urged the court to affirm their position that the governor presented a forged certificate to the electoral umpire and was unfit to occupy the office.

This was, however, rejected by Governor Obaseki’s counsel, Ken Mozia, who asked the court to dismiss the suit over what he described as the plaintiff’s failure to prove their case.

A Dramatic Switch, Yet Same Result

Governor Obaseki contested and won the governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a bid to extend his stay in office by another four years.

Although he was elected into office for the first term on the APC platform, the governor later defected from the party after he was screened out from the party’s primary which saw Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu emerging as the APC flagbearer for the election.

This came in the middle of a lingered dispute between the governor and his predecessor and immediate past APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

After defecting from the APC, he got the PDP’s ticket and went ahead to defeat Ize-Iyamu for the second time to claim the governorship seat in what can be described as a dramatic switch of political parties.

Governor Obaseki had defeated Ize-Iyamu as the APC candidate in the 2016 governorship election while the latter was the PDP candidate.

Four years later, he secured 307,955 of the total votes, 84,336 more votes than Ize-Iyamu who got 223, 619 votes.

Officials of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja have barred supporters of the All Progressives Congress from entering the court in a move to restrict the crowd.

Many visitors and journalists that came to witness the ruling of Justice Ahmed Mohammed on the alleged certificate forgery case filed against Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki were also stopped from entering the court.

A police officer told the visitors that the restriction order was from the judge.

He explained that only counsels in the case, party members and journalists are allowed in.

But many who were stranded outside the court expressed displeasure at the directive.

Meanwhile, our correspondent observed that critics of Obaseki were expressing hope that the court ruling would dethrone him.

“I’m hopeful that APC will win and I urge Ize-Iyamu to be magnanimous in victory while advising Obaseki not to waste tax payers money in going to the Appeal court,” an APC supporter told our correspondent.

Some of the visitors also claimed that they were frustrated as they came from Benin to witness the case.

The judgement was scheduled to commence by 12p.m., but the judge, Ahmed Mohammed, has not arrived as of 12.05p.m.

BREAKING: Parties in the alleged certificate forgery suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja against Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki adopt their final written addresses.

- Court fixes 9th of January for judgment.

A Baghdad court has issued a warrant for the arrest of US President Donald Trump as part of its investigation into the killing of a top Iraqi paramilitary commander.

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of Iraq's largely pro-Iran Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary network, died in the same US drone strike that killed storied Iranian general Qasem Soleimani at Baghdad airport on January 3 last year.

The strike on their motorcade was ordered by Trump, who later crowed that it had taken out "two (men) for the price of one".

The UN special rapporteur for extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard, has described the twin killings as "arbitrary" and "illegal".

Iran already issued a warrant for Trump's arrest in June, and asked Interpol to relay it as a so-called red notice to other police forces around the world, a request that has so far gone unmet.

The court for east Baghdad issued the warrant for Trump's arrest under Article 406 of the penal code, which provides for the death penalty in all cases of premeditated murder, the judiciary said.

The court said the preliminary inquiry had been completed but "investigations are continuing in order to unmask the other culprits in this crime, be they Iraqis or foreigners."

In the run-up to Sunday's anniversary of the twin killings, pro-Iran factions stepped up their rhetoric against Washington and Iraqi officials deemed to have colluded with it.

The Governor of Edo State Godwin Obaseki has closed his case in the alleged certificate forgery suit instituted against him by the All Progressive Congress and its chieftain Williams Edobor.

The Governor who opened his case on Monday called 3 witnesses to his defense.

The witnesses are Charity Aguobawekhina, Chairman Edo State Law Reform Commission, Abayomi Ajaji Deputy Registrar (Legal) University of Ibadan, and Eghosa Emmanuel Professor of Comparative Politics, University of Ibadan.

The Federal high court Abuja , has admitted the original certificates of Governor Godwin Obaseki as evidence in the alleged certificate forgery suit instituted against him by the All Progressives Congress and its chieftain Williams Edobor.

Presiding judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed admitted the documents as exhibits while the defendants 1st witness Charity Aguobawekhina attested to their originality.

The documents admitted are his primary school leaving certificate of 1971, Ordinary level certificate of 1973 and higher school certificate 1976.

Other documents admitted are Governor Obaseki’s Bachelor of Art degree certificate issued by the University of Ibadan in 1979 and Master’s degree certificate issued to him by the Pace University, New York in 1994.

Counsel to the plaintiffs Akin Olujimi had raised an objection to the primary school certificate and original copy of his certificate from the University of Ibadan.

He said the documents were on front loaded and all arguments in respect to the objections raised will be taken to the final written address.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has approved over 50 per cent hike in electricity tariff effective January 1, 2021.

The new tarrif hike regime is to be paid by customers of the 11 electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs.

This is coming just two months after the Commission forced implementation of much opposed hike on Nigerians in November 2020.

In a revised Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) signed by the new Chairman of NERC, Engr. Sanusi Garba, on December 30, 2020, the new tariff increase took effect on January 1, 2021, and supersedes the previous Order NERC/2028/2020.

In the new Order NERC/225/2020, the commission said it considered the 14.9% inflation rate rise in November 2020, foreign exchange of N379.4/$1 as of December 29, 2020, available generation capacity, US inflation rate of 1.22% and the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) of the power firms to raise the tariff.

The revised Service Based Tariff (SBT) also saw increase in the rates payable by all classes of electricity users unlike the one of November 2020, that exempted low power getters.

This is effective till June 2021 while a Cost Reflective Tariff (CRT) expected to raise the new cost higher will be activated from June to December 2021, the NERC Order revealed.

Recall NERC earlier in December, 2020, notified that it had begun a review for another tariff, which has been completed and had taken effect from January 1, 2021.

NERC had raised tariff for the DISCOs in September but that drew outrages from customers and the organised labour, prompting the Federal Government to suspend it to pave ways for parties to dialogue.

Subsequently, by November 1, 2020, the suspended tariff was implemented after some discounts were given for customers who get 12 hours and above power supply daily.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Mohammad Alibak has said Iran is ready to help Nigeria end terrorism.

Speaking in an interview with Nigeria Tribune, on Monday, the diplomat noted that his country is disturbed with the insecurity challenges bedevilling the country.

To this end, he posited that “if Nigeria is willing to cooperate, we can help to end terrorism in the country.”

He said, “the Islamic Republic of Iran has gained valuable experience in this field due to its long-term fight, against terrorism.

“From the beginning of the formation of ISIS in the region by the US terrorist government, Late General Qassem Soleimani has been at the forefront of the fight against this group, and without any expectations, he shared his experiences in the fight against insecurity with the countries of the region.

“The principled policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is always to share such experiences with countries involved in insecurity.

“For this reason, we have had various meetings with Nigerian officials and have always expressed our readiness to cooperate on security issues.”

Speaking on the one year anniversary of the murder of late General Soleimani who was killed by the Americans during an official visit to Iraq, Ambassador Alibak he said the late General Soleimani travelled to Baghdad for an official engagement.

“He was carrying a political message to bring peace to the region. The message was supposed to be delivered to Saudi officials through Iraq.

“In fact, in addition to mastering military affairs, Soleimani was diligent in the field of diplomacy and peacekeeping, and in reducing tensions and expanding friendships in the region.

“Unfortunately, the US government violated the national sovereignty of Iraq by assassinating a foreign official, within the sovereignty of Iraq, which is completely, an illegal act and in violation of international law and regulations.

“The assassination of the counter-terrorism expert, General Soleimani, was no doubt meant to weaken Iran’s determination to rid the region of the artificial crises imposed on it by the United States and its allies.

“But, instead of this dastardly act to weaken the Islamic Republic of Iran, it strengthened its resolve in the fight against this proxy army.”

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, has formally assumed office at Fidelity Bank Plc, as the fourth managing director and CEO and first female to occupy the position.

Her appointment took effect from Jan. 1.

Onyeali-Ikpe took over from Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, whose contract tenure ended on Dec. 31, 2020, in line with the bank’s governance policy.

“Under Mrs Onyeali-Ikpe’s leadership, the bank will consolidate on the already laid foundation and track record of performance, to execute the next growth phase,” the bank said.

“Onyeali-Ikpe was formerly the Executive Director, Lagos and South West Directorate of the bank, and has been an integral part of management in the last six years.

“She joined the bank in 2015 and spearheaded the transformation of the Directorate, leading it to profitability and sustained its impressive year-on-year growth across key performance metrics, including contributing over 28 per cent of the Bank’s profit before tax, Deposits and Loans.

“She is vastly experienced and has spent over 30 years working across various banks, including Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Citizens International Bank/Enterprise Bank, where she held several management positions in Legal, Treasury, Investment Banking, Retail/Commercial Banking and Corporate Banking.

“As an Executive Director at legacy Enterprise Bank Plc, she received formal commendation from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), as a member of the management team that successfully turned around Enterprise Bank Plc.

“She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from Kings College, London.

“She attended executive training programmes at notable global institutions, including Harvard Business School; The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; INSEAD School of Business; Chicago Booth School of Business; London Business School and IMD,” the bank said.

Frank Lampard has the worst points per game of any Chelsea manager under Roman Abramovich �

The Federal Government has approved a Subscribers Identification Module, SIM, Card replacement policy for subscribers who may have lost, misplaced, or damaged their cards.

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and Kayode Adegoke of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, jointly made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Mr Adinde explained that the policy was part of the government’s efforts to reduce the burden on subscribers and simplify the exercise so as to enable telecommunications services to the public.

He said that the Ministerial Task Force, under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali-Pantami, had set up a Technical Committee, made up of representatives of the NCC, NIMC, The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, and Mobile Network Operators, MNOs, to facilitate the policy.

He said the minister had approved some conditions, based on recommendations of the Technical Committee, that required the subscriber to present a NIN, an effective verification of the NIN by NIMC, and adherence with the relevant Guidelines and Regulations of NCC, before replacing SIM Cards.

According to him, the government’s drive to ensure all subscriber registrations were linked with NINs was on course and all stakeholders in the industry are working together to ensure a seamless process.

Mr Adinde added that the committee was also charged with the operationalisation of the process, to ensure an expedited linkage of all SIM Registration Records with the NIN.

He said that the government sincerely appreciated Nigerians for the understanding and the commitment demonstrated towards ensuring the overall success of the exercise.

JUST IN: FG releases fresh guidelines for SIM cards replacement.

The guidelines are:

i) The subscriber must present a NIN;

ii) That an effective verification of the NIN is carried out by NIMC

iii) Adherence to other NCC Guidelines and Regulations concerning SIM Replacement

Omoyele Sowore, rights activist and former presidential aspirant, has been reportedly arrested in Abuja.

Sowore and other activists, according to Sahara Reporters, were carrying out a peaceful procession to mark the New Year when they were arrested by Nigerian security forces in Abuja.

According to the report, eyewitnesses said policemen suspected to be with the Rapid Response Squad stormed Gudu junction in Abuja, injuring Sowore before carting him away with other activists at the location.

Bukola Saraki, former president of the Nigerian Senate, has revealed the reason behind most actions the upper legislative chamber took under his leadership.

Mr Saraki, now a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held sway as the eight Senate President from 2015 to 2019. He emerged against the wish of his then party, the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The ruling party had attempted to install the incumbent Senate President, Ahmad Lawan then but failed after lawmakers of the red chamber dropped their political inclinations and elected the former Kwara State governor to lead the 8th Senate.

Under his leadership, the executive arm of government led by President Muhammadu Buhari clashed severally with the legislative arm. Several attempts to oust him and Ike Ekweremadu, his deputy from PDP met brick walls.

The relationship between the two arm of government further deteriorated when appointees of the president refused to appear before the National Assembly when summoned.

Some appointees of the president who required confirmation by the Senate to fully man their positions were rejected while security chiefs, including the then Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, looked the other way when summoned by the Senate.

One of those rejected severally is Ibrahim Magu, the now suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr Magu, who continued to pilot the affairs of the anti-graft agency despite a report from the Department of State Services (DSS) to the Senate which adjudged him unfit for the position, was removed from office after Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation, levelled corruption allegations against the anti-graft czar to Mr Buhari.

Stating the reasons behind their actions, Mr Saraki said the upper legislative chamber under him had always fronted national interest in all its dealings.

In a series of tweets Wednesday, the former Kwara governor cited due diligence as one of the reasons some of the appointees were rejected.

“When we didn’t confirm certain appointees, it was because we did our due diligence,” Mr Saraki said in response to a tweet which praised him during his stay as the top lawmaker.

“When we invited the IG & the security chiefs, it was because we wanted to find solutions to the issues of insecurity at the time. It was never about a personal agenda. It was always about Nigeria!” he added.

When we didn’t confirm certain appointees, it was because we did our due diligence. When we invited the IG & the security chiefs, it was because we wanted to find solutions to the issues of insecurity at the time. It was never about a personal agenda. It was always about Nigeria!

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) December 30, 2020

Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa has regained freedom from his abductors.

Sources close to Government House Benin City say he was freed on Monday night.

Okungbowa was kidnapped by suspected herdsmen along Oza Road in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the State on Saturday evening.

KIDNAPPERS of Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, Vanguard gathered last night have opened negotiation with the family and they are reportedly demanding for N100m to release their captive and his police orderly whose whereabouts was declared unknown on Sunday.

This is as Vanguard gathered that besides the driver of the HoS, one of the policemen with him who was shot also died yesterday from gunshot injuries.

A source close to the family said “Negotiation has been on and we gathered that they are demanding for N100 million naira. You know his orderly was declared missing and his driver was killed. The orderly is there with the kidnappers while another policeman with him in the convoy who sustained gunshot injuries died today. We are only praying and hoping”.

The police to date have not come out with any official statement on the development.

The HoS was said to be coming from a social event organised by a politician in Oza, Orhionmwon local government area on Saturday when he was kidnapped.

Senate Passes 2021 budget of N13.588 trillion with an increase of over N500 billion from the initial budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on October 7 2020

PRESS RELEASE: 18TH DECEMBER, 2020 NJC RECOMMENDS THE COMPULSORY RETIREMENT OF TWO JUDICIAL OFFICERS, DISMISSES PETITIONS AGAINST 18 OTHERS; RECOMMENDS APPOINTMENT OF 69 (SIXTY-NINE) JUDICIAL OFFICERS

The National Judicial Council at its 93rd Meeting of 16 December 2020 held virtually has recommended the compulsory retirement of Hon. Grand Kadi, Shu’aibu A. Talba, the Grand Kadi of Yobe State and Hon. Justice Abdulkareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq of Osun State High Court with immediate effect.

Hon. Grand Kadi Shu’aibu Talba
Hon. Grand Kadi Shu’aibu Talba was recommended for compulsory retirement following an investigation into a petition against him written by one Malam Zakar Adamu, Chairman, Movement for Justice in Nigeria, alleging that His Lordship falsified his age on two occasions, i.e. from 1st February, 1955 to 27th August, 1955 and later to 30th December, 1959.
Findings revealed that he was supposed to have retired on 1st February, 2020 by virtue of his declared date of birth of 1st February 1955.
Council, after deliberation, decided to recommend His Lordship’s compulsory retirement to Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State. Furthermore, Council requested the Government of Yobe State to deduct all salaries received by His Lordship from 1st February, 2020 till date, from his gratuity, and remit same to the National Judicial Council that pays salaries of all Judicial Officers in the Federation.


HON. JUSTICE ABDUL-KAREEM BABATUNDE ABDULRASAQ

Council also considered a petition by Chief Yomi Alliyu, SAN, and found merit in his allegation against Hon. Justice Abdul-Kareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq that His Lordship falsified his date of birth from 3rd September, 1955 to 3rd September, 1957.
Council, therefore, recommended His Lordship’s compulsory retirement to Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State with effect from 3rd September, 2020. It also requested the Osun State Government to deduct from His Lordship gratuity, salaries received by him from 3rd September, 2020, and remit same to the National Judicial Council.
Meanwhile, in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, the National Judicial Council has suspended Hon. Grand Kadi Talba and Hon. Justice Abdul-Kareem Babatunde Abdulrasaq from office pending the approval of the recommendation of their compulsory retirements by their respective Governors.

REPORT OF PRELIMINARY COMPLAINTS ASSESSMENT COMMITTEES

Council also considered the Reports of its two Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees and agreed with the recommendations to dismiss Eighteen (18) petitions against the following fourteen (14) Judicial Officers:
Federal High Court
Hon. Justice Simon A. Amobeda,
Hon. Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo,
Hon. Justice Nnamdi Dimgba
Hon. Justice R. O. Dugbo Oghoghorie

Delta State High Court
Hon. Justice T. O. Uloho
Hon. Justice Michael N. Obi

Lagos State High Court
Hon. Justice G. M. Onyeabo

Rivers State High Court
Hon. Justice A. I. Iyayi-Lamikanra, Chief Judge, Rivers State
Hon. Justice A. U. Kingsley-Chuku
Hon. Justice J. N. Ukpugwnum

Taraba State High Court
Hon. Justice F. B. Andetur, Chief Judge, Taraba State

Enugu State High Court
Hon. Justice Comfort C. Ani

Gombe State High Court
Hon. Justice M. A. Pindiga

Kebbi State High Court
Hon. Justice M. M. Umar
INTERVIEW COMMITTEE
Similarly, Council considered the Report of the Interview Committee and recommended the appointment of Sixty-nine (69) Judicial Officers as Heads of Court, Judges of High Court of States, Kadis of States/FCT Sharia Courts of Appeal and Judges of the Customary Courts of Appeal.
In another development, Council also received and approved the Report of its Committee on Appointments, Promotion and Discipline which recommended the promotion of Seventy (70) Members of Staff of the National Judicial Council.

NOTIFICATIONS OF DEATH AND RETIREMENT OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS

The notifications of retirement of 12 Judicial Officers and notifications of death of three (3) Judges of Federal and State Courts were also received and noted by Council.
Soji Oye, Esq
Director, Information

Some armed men, on Saturday night, intercepted Islamic school children returning from a Maulud Nabiyyi (Prophet Mohammad’s birthday) celebration in Unguwar Al-Kasim and kidnapped an undisclosed number of them in Mahuta B Ward.

The ward is located in the Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State, northwest Nigeria. Sources from the community told HumAngle that the number of abducted children has not been ascertained during the incident that started at about 11:30 pm in Baure village.

The invaders also made away with some animals, sources said. No group has claimed responsibility for this attack.

It was learnt that the terror gang waylaid the students on foot, unlike previous attacks which they carried out using motorbikes.

Hamisu Ya’u, a resident of Mahuta disclosed to HumAngle that “nobody will tell you the exact number of the abducted children because it happened at night and the place where the abduction took place was very dark”.

“But the vigilante group intercepted the group and rescued some of the children,” Ya’u added.

“As of now, we don’t have the exact figures of the rescued ones and the missing ones.”

Confirming the incident, one of the Islamic teachers who was with the Islamic schoolchildren when the attack happened and asked not to be named, told HumAngle that “they attacked us on our way back to Mahuta”.

“Security agencies and vigilante groups followed them and rescued all the children and rustled cattle. The cattle and other animals are in the palace of the district head now,” he said.

Ya’u, however, insisted that “the group has some of the children with them now.”

He disclosed that the group invaded some villages and abducted some people before attacking the children at Baure village.

HumAngle learnt that there was an exchange of fire between the security agencies and the group. One vigilante member sustained serious gun wounds and is currently in the hospital receiving treatment.

As of the time of compiling this report, it was not clear how many students were either hiding in the bush or in the custody of the gunmen.

This incident happened about eight days after armed groups abducted over 300 students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The students after spending six days in captivity were released on Thursday after negotiations between representatives of the government and their abductors.

The crime wave in Benin City, the Edo State capital, took a dive on Saturday evening as the Head of Service, Mr Anthony Okungbowa, was kidnapped.

Tribune Online gathered that Okungbowa, who was appointed HOS by Governor Godwin Obaseki in April, was kidnapped along Oza Road in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.

A source in the Edo Civil Service, who confirmed the incident but asked that he should not be mentioned, disclosed that the gunmen also killed Okungbowa’s official driver before taking him away.

The victim was said to have gone to the locality where he was kidnapped to attend a social event.

“He was kidnapped on his way back to Benin City after attending a social event in Oza. His driver was killed,” the source added.

Another top civil servant who is also close to the kidnapped Head of Service, and worked in tje Ministry of Justice, from where Okugbowa was made the Hhead of Service, also pleading anonymity, simply said “we just got the information. It is true.”

Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, did not pick his calls when he was contacted over the incident.

President Muhammadu Buhari will meet with the released Kankara schoolboys by 3pm today.

Secretary to Katsina state government, Mustapha Inuwa, disclosed this newsmen on Friday.

He added that the meeting would take place at the presidential lodge of the government house.

Inuwa spoke through Abdullahi Yar’Adua, his media aide.

A first class traditional ruler in Kogi State, Alhaji Shaibu Usman has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Alhaji Usman, who is the current Acting Eje Of Ankpa, was kidnapped on Friday at about 5:30am, while entering a Mosque in Ankpa.

It was further learnt that the kidnappers had laid ambush at the mosque, and zoomed off immediately with the Traditional Ruler to yet to be ascertained destination.

DAILY POST gathered that the abductors of the monarch are yet to make any contact with the family.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the kidnap of the traditional ruler.

Speaking to DAILY POST on Friday, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Edeh said the command was not resting on its oars until the Acting Eje of Ankpa was released.

He stated that the police had cordoned-off all entry and exit points into the State, with the view to rescuing the Traditional Ruler.

Speaking on the incident, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said efforts are on to ensure that the traditional ruler is secured safely.

According to him, “The State Government is working with security agencies to ensure his release”.

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Edward Ajogun, on Wednesday gave 48 hours ultimatum to leaders of Aba Tuntun community and its environs in Ijebu Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area, to release the missing Constable, Emmanuel Gene, either dead or alive.

Ajogun flanked by the State Commissioner for Forestry, Tunji Akinosi, threatened the showdown at a fact finding meeting with leaders of community in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The missing constable was held hostage in the community on December 1 when some hoodlums attacked policemen.

Daily Trust reports that arms wielding hoodlums had abducted four policemen and shot a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in an attack on the security operatives at Aba Tuntun.
It was gathered that the security agents had stormed the village on a disarm mission following a petition written by the head of the community.

It was further gathered that the Baale had earlier petitioned the police, complaining that some people within his community were in possession of firearms, which they use to terrorise the villagers.

In a swift response to the petition, a joint team of 15 officers and 35 local vigilantes raided the community in search of weapons in the circulation.

However, their cohorts waylaid the security agents on their way out of the community and opened fire on them.
In the ensuing attacks, the DPO who led the team was shot in the arm while some others sustained degrees of gunshot injuries.

However, three of the four abducted officers have been rescued, but a Constable, Emmanuel Gene remains in the hoodlums’ custody.

Speaking at the meeting on Wednesday at the state ministry of forestry, Oke Mosan, Ajogun said the community must produce the officer or face the consequences.

The visibly enraged CP said the command had refrained from attacking the community since the incident occurred in order to avoid bloodshed.

Ajogun noted that the command may not be able to keep peace at bay if the missing cop is not produced dead or alive.
“I don’t want to set the community ablaze because in the end, you will all run away.

“So, dead or alive, let me see my constable,” the CP said.

Earlier in his address, Akinosi re-echoed the ultimatum, saying the state could not watch while the community engaged the security operatives in a bloody attack.

Akinosi noted that the community is dominated by illegal occupants who had been ordered the vacant the area.

“If you could attack police with guns, I wonder what you can do with government officials,” the Commissioner said.

The family of the cop had accused the police command of not “doing enough to secure release of their son.”