₦airaland Forum

Indications have emerged that the former chairman of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Chief Olabode George, may have been tried in error by the Lagos State High Court, which sentenced him to two years imprisonment for contracts splitting and inflation in 2009.

Revelation by the Acting Director of Public Prosecution of the Federal Government, Mr. O.T Olatigbe, according to documents made available to National Mirror shows that there was no fiat from his office ordering the trial of George, a former National Vice Chairman (South- West) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Olatigbe, in a response to a memo by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke, which requested for the fiat upon which the trial was based, said there was no record of any such fiat with his office.

It will be recalled that a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja division, presided by Justice Joseph Oyewole, had convicted George and five others over alleged contracts splitting and inflation and slammed them with a two-year jail term without option of fine.

They include the former Managing Director of the NPA, Arc. Aminu Dabo; Captain O. Abidoye; Alhaji Abdulahi Aminu Tafida; Alhaji Zanna Maidaribe and Engr. Sule Aliyu who was joined as 6th defendant after the charge was amended.

The DPP in the memo dated February 25, 2010, stated: “I contacted the legal adviser of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Chile on phone and he told me that the Lagos State Attorney-General, gave EFCC the fiat to prosecute Chief Bode George at the Lagos State High Court, since the offence is a state offence and that no fiat was issued Mr. Festus Keyamo, and that it was the commission that engaged him for the matter, based on the fiat issued to it.

“Based on the above premise, it is my humble submission that EFCC failed to secure a fiat for Festus Keyamo to represent a Federal Government agency in court, and that action alone is fatal to the trial of Chief Bode George, for it is only a legal officer in the employment of the Federal Ministry of Justice or under the employment of EFCC that can prosecute any matter for EFCC without a fiat,” he said.

He also stressed the fact that the Federal Ministry of Justice always deploy competent legal officers to EFCC to prosecute its cases.

The AGF had in a memo dated April 16 with reference no: HAGF/ EFCC/2010/1/47 and addressed to the chairman of the EFCC, requested to be furnished with “details of any fiat issued to Mr. Festus Keyamo to prosecute the case against George in the High Court of Lagos State and also defend the appeal arising therefrom to this office immediately.”

Read more on:
Source: http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/bode-george-tried-in-error-says-dpp/

The contractor handling the construction of the popular 5-Junction in Benin City, Edo State, has dismissed the claim by the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemenmen, that the road is being constructed by the Federal Government.

The contractor handling the road project, Reynolds Construction Company Limited, RCC, denied the claim yesterday when Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, inspected the work along with top officials of his government, during which he told the contractor how impressed he was with the quality of work done on the road even as he urged the contractor to hasten the pace of work so as to meet the deadline.

It will be recalled that Onolemenmen, who was speaking at a town hall meeting last Tuesday in company of the Minister of Information and Orientation, Mr. Labaran Maku, as part of the Good Governance Tour to the state, claimed that; “The junction of Akpakpava and Dawson Road, is what we called kilometre 0.00. So from that kilometre 0.00 up to 5-Junction, to Uselu to Ugbowo and to Ekiadolor, is being handled by the Federal Government.”

Debunking the claim a week later, the RCC Works Supervisor, Mr. Yaniv Dabah, told National Mirror that the project was exclusively financed by the Edo State government.

Dabah’s words: “Edo State government is doing 5-Junction; the road, the erosion control, beautification and street lights at the 5-Junction are being financed and executed by the Edo State government.”

Dabah said the construction work on the junction, including the beautification and walkways will all be completed within two weeks. He added that the construction company has already completed the asphalting and street lights on the road.

Furthermore, work on Adolor area of Ugbowo, the workman added, will be completed within a month from now. “People in the area will be relieved from the perennial flooding in the area as the rainy season approaches,” he added.

Dabah also acknowledged that the state government is constructing additional lanes on both sides of the Akpakpava- Dawson-Uselu-Ugbowo Road with walkways and street lights.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/contractor-debunks-onolememens-claims-on-road-project/

The crisis rocking St Paul’s Millennium Anglican Church in Odo-Owa Ekiti in Ekiti State over the N5 million donated by Governor Kayode Fayemi has taken another dimension with the compulsory retirement of the church’s vicar, Rev Michael Ogunniyi.

This is despite the threats and protests by members of the church that the rank of the cleric, who had earlier been demoted from Archdeacon to Canon by the Anglican Bishop of Ekiti West Diocese, Most Rev Oludare Oke, should be restored.

It will be recalled that the crisis began when the cleric, in defiance of the order of the Anglican Bishop that the N5 million donated by Governor Fayemi during the burial of the former Anglican Primate, Most Rev Abiodun Adetiloye, should be kept in a special fixed account, saying it was an endowment fund and not a gift to the Odo-Owa church alone.

But some members disagreed with the bishop and prevailed on Rev Ogunniyi to use the money to buy a new bus for evangelism and for renovation of the church.

The church consequently bought a new bus for N3 million, spent N1 million on renovation and kept the remaining N1 million in bank. This consequently earned the vicar a demotion.

In a statement yesterday, the Diocesan Communicator Emeritus Dr Kunle Olasope and Diocesan Communicator Prince Sola Adetule, said the Bishop had on March 1, 2013 handed over a letter of compulsory retirement with six months’ notice to the cleric.

The statement reads: “The question of Vicar Ogunniyi is strictly a matter of discipline which must be maintained if the person, position and authority of the bishop are not to be rubbished and dragged in the mud”.

The diocese also allayed the fear of demotion of the Odo Owa church from archdeaconry as it announced the Dean of the Cathedral, Very Revd Julius Olaosebikan, as supervisor of the church until Rev Ogunniyi would bow out.

The vicar, who was originally billed to retire in 2017, said he had accepted the compulsory retirement, adding that he did not regret the action.”

He told journalists on phone yesterday that “the matter is all about purchase of the bus which the church had been longing for in the past 15 years. My loyalty is to the church and not to the bishop. I have no regret”.

Ogunniyi, however, advised members of the church not to engage any violent act because of the bishop’s action.

Some members of the Provincial Church Council (PCC) had last week threatened that they would sue the bishop if he did not restore the rank of the vicar, adding that they might be compelled to move out of Ekiti Anglican West Diocese.

But the Diocese, which said the board had passed vote of confidence in the bishop for the effective way he has run the affairs of the diocese, added: “As for those who threaten court action at Odo Owa, they are entitled to their rights, but the Diocese will not be deterred”.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/church-vicar-sacked-over-fayemis-n5m-donation/

No fewer than 10 buildings belonging to the Pure Fire Miracles Ministries (PFMI) in Lekki have been demolished by the Lagos State Government at the weekend. National Mirror gathered that the demolished buildings, which comprised six auditoriums, offices and residences were said to have been erected on the parcel of land earmarked for the proposed Lekki International Airport.

The airport, when completed, is expected to serve the Lekki Free Trade Zone and boost the state’s economy.

The church’s authorities valued the cost of the demolished property at N100 million. It was learnt that the state government demolished the church partially in December last year, but the authorities of the church obtained a court injunction to stop the government from further demolition of its property. But the High Court of Lagos last Thursday ruled in favour of the government.

The court ruling facilitated the weekend’s demolition of the main church’s auditoriums and several of its buildings by the officers of the Lagos Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit.

The task force was accompanied by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD) officials. Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, said that the land on the demolished structures were erected was illegally acquired.

Ayinde also said that there was no approval for the construction of the buildings in the first place, adding that notices had been served on the church to vacate the land.

He said: “We have served the church quit notices since 2011 and another one was served on them in November, which the church did not comply with.” But the church debunked the claim by the government that it had no approval, saying it bought the land following information contained in the Lagos State of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 29, Volume No 27, September 1, 1994.

Meanwhile, a document by the legal adviser to the church’s pastor, Enoch Idowu Aminu of Probono Chamber, indicated that the land was bought from Ikujenya Okanlawon Ikuforiji Chieftaincy Family of No 3, Ikujenya Street, Bado Oke, Epe, Lagos State, on 21 May, 2010.


Source: http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/planned-lekki-airport-lagos-demolishes-10-church-buildings/

Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has raised the alarm over plot to blackmail him because of his perceived interest in the presidential seat in 2015. Aliyu said every Nigerian had the right to aspire for any elective position in the country therefore no amount of conspiracy could stop him. He said: “Now, you cannot make a statement without people saying you are looking for the presidency.

The whole process has now resorted to blackmail, where they want to silence you. “Some of us have a belief system, to forget the noise around. We will continue to agitate; we will continue to ask questions.

No conspiracy will succeed, except God allows it.” The governor, who spoke in Minna, when addressing a rally by the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, also said if more money was channelled to the grassroots, it would reduce the tension currently witnessed at the federal level. Aliyu faulted the current revenue sharing formula, where the Federal Government takes the larger chunk of what is accrued from the Federal Account, leaving the balance to be shared between the states and the councils.

He said: “Local government is the foundation of democracy and if the foundation is bad, you expect things to be bad with democracy. If more is given, there will be no strive as we see in Abuja; people will concentrate on the grassroots. “This is why you hear us make noise about revenue sharing formula.

“In democracy, those of us who are courageous must continue to talk and if you have a better argument, bring it forward for the development of the nation. “You must continue to make your point because in democracy, if you don’t, people will feel you are satisfied.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/no-conspiracy-blackmail-can-stop-me-aliyu/

The decision by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State to shun the sponsoring of the state leg of the Good Governance Tour organised by the Minister of Information and Orientation, Mr. Labaran Maku, may not have gone down well with the Federal Government spokesperson.

National Mirror gathered yesterday at the Government House in Benin that Maku did not only keep Oshiomhole waiting for an already scheduled courtesy visit, but failed to show up before he unilaterally rescheduled the same for another day, which may not hold as the governor already has an event scheduled for about the same time.

It was learnt that Oshiomhole, who had spent part of the weekend in his hometown, rushed down to the Government House yesterday morning for the minister’s visit fixed for 1:30pm. As Governor Oshiomhole waited endlessly for the visiting team that never showed up, his aides learnt later that the minister could no longer come as scheduled because he was inspecting a Federal Government project at Sobe and that he had decided to reschedule the visit for another day.

Sources said the governor thereafter travelled to Abuja for the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting scheduled for yesterday night. It will be recalled that Oshiomhole last weekend rejected a N130 million proposal from the minister asking the state government to bankroll the Edo State leg of the tour after describing it as a waste of public fund.

Oshiomhole had said: “The resources accruable to Edo State cannot afford to accommodate the expenses of hosting the Minister of Information and his good governance tour team. Why should I take Edo State tax payers money to finance a Federal Government project? I don’t need Abuja to help me to tell Edo State people what I am doing in the state. Anytime a state official goes for official duty in Abuja, the state takes responsibilities for the expenses.

So, I expect the Federal Government to finance its own official tour.” National Mirror, however, learnt that the proposed tour would have cost the government about N180 million, which the governor said he would find difficult to reconcile with the state’s lean resources. Owing to the governor’s refusal to sponsor the state leg of the tour, Maku decided to still go ahead with the inspection, but with plans to cover only Federal Government projects in the state.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/tour-maku-visits-edo-shuns-oshiomhole/

The Federal Government has introduced a new International Certificate of Vaccination popularly called Yellow Card. Production of the new card, the Federal Government said, would be the sole responsibility of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, against its present multiple sources of production. Speaking at the launch which also coincided with pre-National Council on Health, NCH, meeting in Abuja, yesterday, Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the decision was part of last year’s 55th NCH resolution.

He said: “One of the key resolutions approved for implementation by the council at the 55th NCH, was for the Federal Ministry of Health to proceed with the introduction of the new International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, which should have an advanced security features. “The card was to be produced centrally by the Federal Ministry of Health, while a transition period of six months was to be allowed to withdraw the old cards after the introduction of the new card.

“I am glad to inform this gathering that the Federal Ministry of Health has come up with the new International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis (Yellow Card) with an enhanced security feature. “This, I believe, will put an end to the issue of fake “yellow cards” issued from multiple sources and the embarrassment it has caused Nigeria all over the world. This is another great milestone for the health sector,” Chukwu said.

The minister promised that mass vaccination on yellow fever would commence nationwide in May this year, while people in high risk states would be given priority. In a paper presentation on the significance of the card, Director of Public Health in the ministry, Mrs. Bridget Okoegwali, said; “ICVP is one of the instruments employed in international health to reduce the risk of vaccine preventable diseases.

It may be requested from an international traveller at entry points such as airports, seaports and land borders of countries if the traveller is coming from an area considered to be at risk of transmission of diseases, including Yellow Fever. “A Yellow Card is issued and signed by an authorised health worker bearing the official stamp of the designated vaccination centre after vaccination.

Valid Yellow Fever vaccination is given at least 10 days before travel and valid for 10 years. “Valid CSM vaccination is given at least 10 days before travel and valid for three years, especially during Hajj.

“The initial production of Yellow Cards was at the federal level, including the standardisation of the stamps. “Following the approval of the decentralisation of issuance of Yellow Cards by the National Council on Health, NCH, in 1988, Yellow Card issuance emanated from multiple sources in Nigeria.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/fg-introduces-new-yellow-card/

The Presidency yesterday defended the proposed N4 billion African First Ladies’ Peace Mission building project, saying that to abandon the project would not augur well for the image of the country. Special Assistant on Media to the First Lady, Mr. Ayo Osinlu told State House Correspondents that despite the pressure being mounted on the National Assembly not to approve the Peace Mission building, there was no going back on the project.

According to him, the office of the First Lady would rather do whatever it can to sensitise the public and the legislature on the importance of the project. Osinlu said that the project was not for the office of the First Lady to defend as the Federal Capital Territory Ministry has responded appropriately.

He said: “I can assure you, without any doubt that it is far from the preference and far from the objective of the first lady to have the project turned down. One, it will amount to an abdication of responsibility by Nigeria and the diplomatic recklessness will be worst for the country.

Certainly, the First Lady will not expect Nigeria to behave in such a reckless manner. “The First Lady would not also want the project abandoned because it is an undertaking that the country has made to the continent. It means therefore that the credibility of Nigeria will drop significantly if it goes back on its deliberate and willing commitment to host such an organ for the continent and at the request of the continent. “Africa First Ladies Mission said, give us a secretariat and you agreed that you will do it and then five years after, you wake up and say you don’t want to do it again.

I don’t think that level of irresponsibility would be expected of Nigeria and the first lady won’t encourage that at all. “What I want to do here is to sound a note of warning and to read a public alert.

This is to the degree that we must be very careful and very observant and not allow ourselves to be seen by certain persons as instruments to drive very private and very personal political objectives. “If there are politicians and other persons in the society who desire to make gains out of this kind of confusion, we should be careful and not let them see and use us as instruments to drive such objectives,” he said.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/no-going-back-on-n4bn-first-ladies-peace-mission-building-presidency/

About18 million Nigerians representing 12 percent of the nation’s 150 million population require medical attention on mentalrelated ailments, a United Kingdom-based Nigerian Consultant Psychiatrist and CEO of Snapse Services, Dr Vincent Udenze, has said.

Udenze spoke yesterday at a one-day interactive session on improving the role of the family in mental health care held in Abuja. He, however, said there could have been a drastic decline in the figure but for lateness in diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Udenze listed possible causes of mental disease to include addiction to drug and alcohol and excessive depression, noting that families of affected persons have basic roles to play in ensuring prompt diagnosis and treatment for people living with the disorder. While calling on private investors to come into the rescue in the country, he expressed displeasure with public attitude towards the patients, saying: “Those with diabetics go on the street, we don’t stigmatise them.

Those with high blood pressure go to work, we don’t stigmatise them. We talk about those people with mental disorder badly when they are actually someone dear to us; when they are actually members of some particular families.

“Unfortunately, when we say mental illness, most of us jump into conclusion and think of the man on the street, the person we call the mad man; we stigmatize him. That is a lady or gentleman who had been unfortunately let down by the society because he is ill, no one cares for him or her; she is left there on the street. In some cultures, they even get abused, raped.

There is thinking that if you sleep with a mad woman, you can make some money. So, society abuses them. All of us as Nigerians, what are we doing about this?” He added that families are often stigmatized along with the patients after a cure is achieved, and that such stigmatization could last for generations.

According to him, mental disorder did not mean that the person on the street could not be healed. Udenze said that services of professionals should be sought to save the patients from the disease. Mental illness, he said, is manageable like diabetics and hypertension, among others, stressing that early diagnosis and treatment was the best way to treating

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/18-million-nigerians-are-mentally-sick-expert/

Spiritual Leader of One Love Family, Sat Guru Maharaj Ji, yesterday expressed his intention to organise a civic reception for the Super Eagles for their victory at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations held in South Africa.

Maharaj Ji, who stated this while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also made a strong case for insurance covers for all footballers in Nigeria, saying that this is highly desirable to further encourage the players to put in their best at all engagements.

“It is high time we did everything possible to ensure that footballers in Nigeria are not made to suffer unduly any longer,” he said. He emphasised the need for the Eagles to continue winning laurels with particular focus on the forthcoming Confederation Cup billed for June this year and the 2014 World Cup scheduled to hold in Brazil.

He then charged sports authorities in the country to discountenance the agitations from some quarters that foreign coaches be appointed to manage the affairs of the Super Eagles, stressing that all issues of divisive tendencies should be jettisoned forthwith.

He added, “Whoever is talking of foreign coach for Nigeria’s Super Eagles must be a Boko Haram because charity begins at home.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/sat-guru-set-to-host-super-eagles/

Beggars in Lagos State have adopted new strategies to ply their trade and escape the long arms of the law.

This follows the government’s resolve to rid the state of beggars.

Governor Babatunde Fashola had, last week, vowed to eradicate begging as an option for idleness or unemployment in the state, saying that the state, through its agencies, would intensify efforts in this regard.

To confirm government’s determination to rid the state of beggars, 39 people were arraigned and later remanded in prison for begging in the state.

When our correspondent moved round the Lagos metropolis, some of the notable spots where beggars usually stay to collect alms were deserted.

Many had to leave their wards to beg for alms on the roads while they went into hiding.

Some of the beggars restricted their operation to places of worship to avoid being arrested by the security agents.

Meanwhile, mixed reactions have continued to trail government’s decision to rid the state of beggars.

Some people, who spoke with National Mirror, hailed the development, while others condemned the clampdown.

The latter said the government was treating as kings social miscreants known as Area Boys, or Agberos, who violently extort money from commercial motorists, while it was maltreating the beggars for soliciting alms.

A postgraduate student of the University of Lagos, Abdul Mutallib Abubakar, who hails from Kano State, lauded the development, but urged the government to sensitise the beggars to the need to shun begging.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/beggars-flee-as-lagos-begins-clampdown/

The President of Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria and a senatorial aspirant of CPC, Kaduna Central Senatorial District , Mallam Shehu Sani has said that if the governor of Lagos state, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) emerges as the presidential candidate of the newly formed party , All Progressive Congress (APC), he would receive his backing.

Sani told Sunday Mirror that what mattered to him was that whoever emerges as the presidential flagbearer of the party should be the best candidate and if Fashola emerges as the best candidate backed by the entire party, there would be no opposition from the North.

“If the PDP is presenting a candidate and APC is presenting a candidate, Nigerians will definitely go for the best candidate; but whoever is going to represent the APC must have proved himself over the years.

He should be incorruptible, should have a vision for Nigeria and should be someone that is widely acceptable to all and should not be seen as representing any ethnic group or religious background and should be someone who places national interest above his personal ambition. So if Fashola is the popular choice of the party, we are certainly going to back him,” he maintained.

He added: “Well, as a potential member of the APC, if the party finally decides on that, I will support whoever emerges as the party’s choice. We need someone that is ideologically, fundamentally and characteristically different from what the PDP is presenting”.

Sani cautioned that Buhari and Tinubu should be ready to play key roles that would make the APC victory in the coming polls. “Well, what we should understand is that, this merger is not all about Buhari and Tinubu factor and if it is about Buhari and Tinubu, then, it is going to fail.

The merger should be seen to be a consensus of ideas, vision and hopes that can be found in one aim, which is to rescue Nigeria and bring Nigeria forward.

Buhari and Tinubu should be ready to play any role to which they need to play for the supporters of the party and Nigeria as a whole.”

Speaking on the development, the National Publicity Secretary of the CPC, Engineer Rotimi Fashakin said the Fashola option for the Presidency is largely speculative and lacks any basis, saying “ we have not got to that bridge at all. Where they are getting all these kinds of speculations is funny’.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/northll-support-fashola-as-apc-candidate-shehu-sani/

lekanoladeinde@yahoo.com

A Nigerain women empowerment group, Women Arise (WA) today staged a protest march in Lagos to kick against the allocation of N4 billion by the minister of the Federal capital Territory to construct a "first lady mission house".

http://saharareporters.com/gallery/photonews-nigerian-women-group-protest-against-n4-billion-budget-allocation-first-lady-missi

The Registrar of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde met with some journalists in Lagos recently ahead of the forthcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and spoke on many issues as affecting the board. MOJEED ALABI brings excerpts of the interview.

What are the striking breakthroughs recorded by the board in the recent time?

I assumed office in 2007 and that was when most of JAMB’s operations were done manually and the results were also being released four months after examinations.

Now, we have moved farther from these. We recently had a discussion with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on its invitation seeking to know what to do on how to ensure that only right candidates are moblised for the service. On our part, we have developed a compendium of details and list of various individuals admitted to various institutions, which we call JAMB Admission Year Book. So with this initiative, we now have the details of each of the student we send to various institutions across the nation.

Their details in terms of courses of study, sex, age, states of origin, among others, are with the board and this is a great asset to us and several other institutions including employers of labour. Now, NYSC believes that, now is the right time to use this very important document and various institutions have been calling the organisation to get hold of the document to ensure correct mobilisation of their graduating students.

The document is now the authentic list for NYSC and this is just part of the efforts to sanitise the system. The latest development is the introduction of the computer-based testing method for the forthcoming exam. We are using the CBT system to conduct part of the examination this year.

We have been able to secure a total of about 77 centres across the nation for the method. We are using the centres that are adequately equipped with internet facilities to avoid hitches. They include the University of Agriculture in Benue State, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, University of Ilorin, University of Lagos, Chams Computers office in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, among others.

We are doing this to the extent that as soon as candidates step out of the examination halls, they receive the graphic representation of their results and we will only give the real scores when we have compared them with the results of the Paper pencil test (PPT) mode.

We have also got what is called DBT which is Dual-Based Testing mode. With this, we will give questions on the screen and allow the candidates to present their answers on paper. And I think this revolution is being endorsed by more and more people on daily basis.

Read more on :http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/graduates-not-in-jamb-admission-book-wont-go-for-nysc-scheme-again-ojerinde/

The House of Representatives held a Plenary session for members of the victorious Super Eagles today in Abuja
Source: http://saharareporters.com/news-page/house-reps-hold-special-plenary-session-victorious-super-eagles-photos

The Federal Government has directed the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, (PHCN), to import commercial number of new pre-payment meters for distribution to consumers nationwide.

The importation of the meters is aimed at ending the exploitation of consumers through estimation of their bills as a result of lack of meters.

The importation which is also based on the nation’s inability to produce the facility locally is to be carried out through local and foreign vendors.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi who confirmed the development in a telephone interview said: “It is not the duty of NERC to import the meters. It is the direct responsibility of electricity distribution companies, DISCOs to do so.

He said the commission has already directed them to import the new meters without delay. Investigations showed that the directive followed massive exploitation and complaints of consumers who petitioned the Commission from different parts of the nation.

The exploitation is said to have gotten to its climax when the PHCN stopped the issuance of new meters to consumers in all parts of the nation as well as raise its estimated tariff by over 150 per cent without any explanation.

This, it was learnt compelled consumers who live in two-bedroom flats that used to pay about N5,000 monthly tariff to now pay between N12,000 and N15,000, depending on the policies and practices of the distribution companies, DISCOs.

Consumers who live in three-bedroom flats and duplexes pay between N16, 000 and N20, 000 per month against about N7, 000 they used to pay.

These bills include Value Added Tax and “meter maintenance charge” even though most consumers do not have meters. Industry sources remarked that PHCN officials had purposely stopped the issuance of pre-payment meters after a noticeable drop in revenue as consumers adopted measures to reduce their tariff.

Consequently, many consumers who have been waiting for months to get the new meters after upfront payment are compelled to continue to pay bills estimated based on the so-called “dynamic average” consumption in a particular locality.

For instance, a few days ago, the youths of Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State took to the streets, protesting alleged extortion by the PHCN.

The protest nearly turned violent but for the timely intervention of the police. The youths, who carried placards with various inscriptions, were protesting what they termed illegal billings and extortion by the PHCN officials.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/fg-directs-phcn-to-import-prepaid-meters/

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has threatened to embark on a nationwide protest from February 25 in order to draw attention to the suffering its members are undergoing.

The National President of NUP, Alhaji Ali Abatcha, told journalists that a meeting between the union and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr. Emeka Wogu, ended in a deadlock.

He said the meeting was attended by the representatives of the Head of Service of the Federation and the Ministry of Justice among others, adding the union is seeking the release of the one per cent check-off dues which members voluntarily contributed, but seized by the Pension Reform Task Team. Abatcha said: “The meeting ended in a deadlock because none of our demands was met.

We are also demanding the 53 per cent increment, which civil servants have been enjoying for the past three years, among others.

“The minister told us to come back by February 13 so that the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission can explain why the circular is yet to be released.

For the check-off dues, the Ministry of Justice said we did not have the right to levy our members, but we told them it was not levy but voluntary contribution.

“We will not accept a situation where genuine pensioners suffer for their entitlements, which are not paid, while the chairman of the task team claims to be saving money for the government.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/pensioners-set-for-nationwide-protests-feb-25/

Ojukwu Transport Limited has filed a N140 million suit before a Lagos High Court against Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, the widow of the late Chief Emeka Odumegwu- Ojukwu over a two-storey detached house located at No 29, Queens Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos.

In the suit LD/1680/2012 filed before Justice Adedayo Oyebanji, Ojukwu Transport Limited is demanding payment of N40 million being expected rentable value per annum of the said premises from September 27 until the defendant (Bianca) gives up possession of the property. Oyebanji adjourned the suit till March 25 for hearing.

The claimant, represented by one of its directors, Dr. Ike Ojukwu, is also asking for N100 million as damages from the defendant. At the resumed hearing of the suit yesterday, counsel to the claimant (Ojukwu Transport Limited), Chief George Uwechue (SAN), informed the court that Bianca was served with court processes.

However, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu has not filed a defence against the suit, neither was she represented in court.

In its statement of claim, the litigant said that by a letter of attorney dated May 4, 2012, it appointed Mr. Massey Udagbe of Massey Udegbe & Co as its agent to manage the property in dispute.

The claimant added that the said property was earlier occupied by one of its directors, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, who relocated to Enugu State over 10 years ago.

It added that the said property was left in a dilapidated and unsafe condition before it was handed over to Massey Udegbe & Co, the managing agent of the claimant.

The plaintiff added that by a letter dated July 19, 2012 with reference number MUC/MAN. OTL/222, the managing agent informed Bianca of his appointment and requested her to hand over physical possession of the property but she allegedly refused.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/ikoyi-property-firm-slams-n140m-suit-on-bianca-ojukwu/

The factions of the Congress for Progressives Change, CPC, have agreed to sheath their swords for the interest of the newly formed All Progressives Congress, APC.

This is as Senator Rufai Hanga has said that he was willing to withdraw his case from court. Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, also said the formation of APC by four opposition parties was in the interest of the country.

Tinubu said this yesterday after meeting with the Rufai Hanga faction of the CPC in Abuja.

The CPC, All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and All Progressives Alliance, APGA, last Thursday merged to form APC.

Tinubu told journalists that the meeting was successful, adding that the parties were meeting in the interest of the people. He said: “How do you ask a politician not to meet? We are meeting in the interest of our various objectives.

To me, I am working in the interest of Nigeria and particularly in the interest of APC.” On whether APC would succeed, Tinubu said: “I am a committed individual and we are in a committed group founded by people of vision, conviction and great commitment. “It would succeed.

Our rivals will not want it to succeed, they do everything, that is part of the political intrigues and environment particularly in Africa, but we worked hard at it in the interest of this country.”

He added that the parties involved in APC were determined to make sacrifices in the interest of the country. According to the ACN leader, leadership entails the ability to carry others along, resolve conflict and mobilise the people to do those things that are necessary for the progress of nations, communities and organisations. These, he added, were the things that had been achieved at the meeting which lasted for several hours.

Meanwhile, Hanga said his faction was committed to the merger and would do everything to ensure its success in the interest of the country. He said: “For Nigerians, for the masses, for down trodden and for what we are suffering now, I am ready to do anything.”

SOURCE: http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/tinubu-reconciles-cpc-factions/

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday described the Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Chibuike Amaechi, as the best for him.

Tukur explained that considering Amaechi’s excellent, fantastic performance and achievements in the state and the numerous people-oriented projects embarked upon by his administration, he deserved accolade.

The PDP chairman spoke during an interview with journalists after inspecting projects, including the new world-class Kesley Harrison Hospital and the ultra-modern state-of-the-art Maxillo- Facial Dental Hospital built by the Amaechi-led administration in Port Harcourt.

Earlier on Friday, he had seen the Port Harcourt-Owerri Road, a 42-kilometre federal road done by the Amaechi administration, the new model primary and secondary schools, one of the over 120 new health centres, Songhai Farm in Tai, Afam Power project, Obiri-Ikwerre Interchange on the East-West road, and the over 38,000-seater new stadium being constructed in the Greater Port Harcourt city.

Read more on :
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/tukur-endorses-amaechi-says-hes-best-for-me/

Nine months after the death of the gangling Super Eagles’ striker, Rashidi Yekini, the estate and properties he left behind are yet to be managed. His lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Ju b r i l , disclosed this while s p e a k i n g with the National Mirror in an exclusive interview in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

According to him, the estate cannot be managed because the Letter of Administration of those to manage the estate is still being processed at the Probate Registry of Oyo State.

He said processing of the letter of administration did not start until last November due to the fact that Yekini’s family did not release his Death Certificate on time. Jubril stated that it was six months after Yekini’s death that his younger brother brought the death certificate to him in his Ibadan office, adding that it was after this that the process of the letter of administration began.

He revealed that one of the two wives that would manage the estate had signed the form while the other one was yet to sign because she was not in the country, stating that one of the two witnesses had also signed the form.

The lawyer said after the necessary processes have been completed Yekini’s account with the First Bank that has been declared dormant would be reactivated by the managers of the estate. But presently, there are no tenants living in Yekini’s Ibadan house as the late footballer was living there alone before his death.

According to Jubril, the two twin duplexes and a duplex boys quarter will remain vacant until everything is normalised, while proceeds from his other building in Ijagbo, Kwara State, comprising of six flats and two bedroom boys quarter, are used take care of his mother.

He said that Yekini’s mother and other family members had been living in two flats and one other used as a shop, while the rent of the others was collected by the mother before his death and that the situation has not changed since his death.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/rashidi-yekinis-estate-remains-unmanaged-lawyer/

Established in 1982 by the community, Government Day Senior Secondary School is the only secondary school in the ancient Birin-Fulani village and the neighbouring communities in Gombe State. However, since it was taken over by the state government about eight years ago, the school has lost all its past glories and now has only one permanent teacher. DANJUMA WILLIAMS, in this report, gives account of the school’s quest for rescue.

By 2020, Nigeria hopes to be one of the 20 largest economies in the world with ability to consolidate its leadership role in Africa and establish itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena. This desire, christened ‘Vision 2020,’ to many stakeholders seems unachievable as long as schools like the Government Day Senior Secondary School, Birin-Fulani in Nafada Local Government Area of Gombe State, where only one teacher is on government payroll, continues to exist. Birin-Fulani is a rural but ancient community with a population currently growing into tens of thousands. Its retarded growth is linked with the people’s lack of western education, and that informed the decision by its leadership to set up a secondary school in 1982.

The development, which was described by Babawuro Biri Usman, one of the community leaders as a good boost to its social-economic activities, drew many people to the community as students also enrolled from neighbouring villages. “Our children also stopped trekking many kilometers to attend secondary school and many now work with the government having attended higher institutions.”

However, in 2004, the Gombe State Government decided to take over the control of the school from the community to achieve, what it termed, better administration and academic excellence. But this was a mere wishful thinking, as the school that used to be the community’s pride has steeply degenerated to an eyesore. Apart from the dearth of teaching and learning tools, teachers, are also not available.

With a current students’ population of 306, the school has only one permanent teacher, who is also its principal. All other teachers are either volunteers or youth corps members who are having their mandatory one-year primary assignment in the school.

“Getting permanent teachers for the school has been a problem since the government took over from the community about eight years ago,” said the Principal, Mr. Maxwell Manga. Manga, who was posted to the school just last October, told National Mirror that because of the inability of the ministry of education to get teachers on permanent appointment, the local government controlling the area had to deploy four teachers to the school recently. Two of these teachers, according to the principal, are holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate while the rest are NCE certificate holders.

“We would have been two permanent teachers employed by the state’s ministry of education but the second person, Mr. Adamu Abubakar reported only twice. The first time was the day I assumed office as the principal.

The second time was during the staff verification exercise, which was carried out by the ministry. Ever since then, I have not set my eyes on him again. What he told me on his last visit was that he was sick but he never disclosed the exact ailment and where he got the permission to stay away from work,” he explained.

Piqued by the degeneration, the principal said he had to send a letter to the ministry requesting for more teachers, especially those who could take the core subjects like Mathematics and English Language, but “all I got since then was a promise.” Manga, however, disclosed that despite the fact that many students of the school were interested in learning; the inadequacy of teachers has continued to affect their performance in public examinations.

According to him, those that sat for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations conducted by both West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) in the last two years, performed very poorly. “The best results the school recorded was by those who obtained credit in just about four subjects, including Mathematics in NECO exam while that of WASCE was generally poor,” he said, adding: “And expectedly with this kind of results, only a few of the students would be able to gain admission into tertiary institutions.

I know the few, who are really the best among them, they are currently studying at the Federal College of Education, Gombe and the School of Health Technology, in Kaltungo,” he said. Just like the principal, the youth corps members, who are currently serving in the school, also expressed their disappointment over the distasteful condition the school has found itself over the years.

They clamoured for more teachers; better infrastructural facilities, as well as the provision of teaching aids that can enhance the quality of teaching in the school. Investigations revealed that the school also has only three classrooms for the entire students from SS1 to 3 in the following arrangements: SS1 (104), SS2 (98) and SS3 (104).

An overcrowded classroom, that runs afoul of the UNESCO’s recommendation of maximum of 40 students per classroom, makes the teachers’ work more tedious and unenviable. One of the corps members, Mr. Godwin Adey, said he uses his personal textbooks to teach the students, saying they also had to condone a lot of excesses from the students just to ensure they learn something.

Babawuro Biri Usman explained that the indigenes of the area in 2011/2012 academic session pooled resources together, through which they built one of the three classrooms and one hall which is now dedicated for exams.

“We love education in our community. We want our children to go to school and that is why we are doing everything possible to assist the school since inception,” he said. “And our next plan now is to build a science laboratory and equip it very well so that we can be able to encourage students to develop interest in science subjects,” Babawuro disclosed.

However, as terrible as the condition of this school is, it is noteworthy that it still ranks better among the schools in the neighbourhood. On the effect of lack of teachers on learning in the school, one of the students, Isah Adamu, praised the youth corps members, who he said have been teaching them tirelessly.

“These corps members are very wonderful. Apart from teaching us, they also give us moral support,” he said. While expressing the wish of the students in having permanent teachers that could stay with them for a longer time, he said over 75 per cent of children in the area were interested in going to school.

However, efforts to get the reaction of the state’s Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Aishatu Ahmed, on the efforts of the government to address the challenges were unsuccessful. All other senior staff refused comments. But about a month ago when Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, while touring the Nafida Constituency, visited the school, promised to look into its deplorable condition by fixing the necessary facilities that, would make the teaching and learning friendly to the teachers and to students.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/31-year-old-gombe-school-has-only-one-teacher-and-he-is-the-principal/

The people of the South-West under the aegis of Yoruba Unity Forum, YUF, yesterday lambasted the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for the lopsidedness in appointments at the federal level.

At a press conference addressed by former Secretary to the Federal Government, SFG, Chief Olu Falae, the forum said Jonathan had been unfair to the region in the sharing of federal offices.

The conference was attended by prominent Yoruba leaders such as the YUF Chairman, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi; Mrs. Kofo Bucknor- Akerele; Senator Bode Olajumoke; Chief Abiola Ogundokun; Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa; Chief Dipo Jimilehin; Prof. Adenike Grange; Chief Tony Adefuye; Dr. Kunle Olajide; Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin and Chief Akin Omojola.

The forum tasked the President to consider the interest of the region in any other top federal appointments.

The group said the Yoruba people were being systemically short-changed in the distribution of entitlements under the Jonathan administration and thus being deprived of their rights to equality of treatment.

The YUF warned that the complaints about the systematic marginalisation of the Yoruba should not be equated by the President to the usual cries of marginalisation from all geopolitical zones.

The forum regretted that no Yoruba man or woman is ranked in the 12 topmost positions that constitute the apex of the political power hierarchy in the country.

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http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/yoruba-blast-jonathan-over-marginalisation-of-south-west/

Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development have arrested a 39-year-old bricklayer for allegedly raping his 14-year-old daughter several times.

The alleged rapistfather, Olanrewaju Wasiu, was arrested in his Awoyaya home in Ajah area of Lagos State by officials of the Youth and Social Development arm of the ministry.

National Mirror gathered that the little girl told the authorities of her school about her plight, confessing that her father had been sleeping with her as well as maltreating her whenever she refuses.

Hence, the school authorities reported the case to the state government, which led to Wasiu’s arrest while the little girl is currently being kept under government’s custody.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the state Task-force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences, Bayo Sulaiman, said the 39-year-old would be arraigned in court for allegedly raping his daughter.

The suspected rapist, however, confirmed committing the offence, but claimed that it happened only on two occasions.

His words: “I did not know what came over me; it was not my fault, I don’t know how it happened. It was the devil at work. I only slept with her twice.

“The reason why I beat her was that she stole my money.”

The suspect was brought to the taskforce office by the officials of the state government to be kept in custody pending the time he would be arraigned.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/man-arrested-for-raping-own-daughter/

President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Super Eagles for defeating the Eagles of Mali.

Again, coach Keshi and our skillful and patriotic players have shown the world the indomitable Nigerian spirit. It is this spirit that Nigeria's leading lights came together to celebrate on Monday the 4th of February 2013 as we began our centenary celebrations. The Super Eagles have done us proud, the Cup is within reach and Nigeria is indeed grateful and expectant of a special centenary gift from our players. GEJ

https://www.facebook.com/jonathangoodluck/posts/513831718667207

The Federal Government yesterday disclosed that it has uncovered no fewer than 1, 497 illegal entry routes into the country, a development which has fuelled arms smuggling and the consequent rise in violent crimes and insurgency in the country.

Speaking with some international journalists in Abuja yesterday, Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro, who said that Nigeria actually has 84 regular borders, lamented that these illegal entry routes have contributed to the current security challenges facing the country.

His words: “Since I assumed office we have taken deliberate steps in conjunction with the National Boundary Commission, NBC, to identify our borders and the routes that lead to Nigeria from other countries, and I have repeatedly told Nigerians that in that process we have been able to identify 84 regular borders and over 1, 497 irregular routes into the country.”

According to him, the current administration under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan would not just fold its arms as he announced that the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, under the purview of the Ministry of Interior has taken far reaching steps towards patrolling and controlling movement around the identified regular border routes.

He said the government was already considering adopting the Public Private Partnership, PPP, model to further demarcate Nigeria’s border posts with her neighbouring countries in order to ensure a better border management of the nation.

“We are contemplating using the PPP model, to see how we can construct graders, around our borders, because as it is today, if you go to most of our land borders, you hardly can define when you are in Nigeria and when you are out of Nigeria, and that is because of lack of physical structures that will separate Nigeria from other countries.

“So, this is what we plan to do and I hope that within this financial year, with the arrangement we have put in place, construction work will start immediately in some of these borders, and of cause we are contemplating, giving the resources that will be given to us, that we should also complement the physical effort at patrolling our borders. We believe it will ensure a better border management for Nigeria,” he said.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/nigeria-has-1-497-illegal-entry-routes-says-fg/

The Lagos State Government yesterday denied planning to impose N500 toll at the new Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge.

This was disclosed before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos by the state government’s lawyer, Mr. Olarewanju Akinsola, in a preliminary objection and counter-affidavit filed before the court.

Akinsola urged the court, presided over by Justice Saliu Saidu, to dismiss the plaintiff’s suit on the grounds that it was premature.

He told the court that the project was yet to be completed by the contractors since they had not yet handed over the completed project to the state government and, therefore, no decision to impose the N500 had been taken yet.

Akinsola told the court that the suit filed by the applicant was like “jumping the gun,” as the government was yet to make decision on whether or not to collect toll on the bridge.

He added that the case is therefore “premature and devoid of basis”.

In his ruling, Justice Saidu said he would treat all respondent’s processes together.

The judge consequently adjourned the case till March 21.

A Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, had sued the Lagos State Government for the proposed collection of N500 toll on the newly constructed Lekki- Ikoyi Suspended Bridge.

The applicant, through his counsel, Mrs Oreka Adegboruwa, is seeking an injunction restraining the government from collecting any toll from motorists on the bridge.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and the National Inland Water Ways Authority (NIWA) are joined as co-respondents in the suit.

In his originating summons, Adegboruwa contended that the toll of N500 per vehicle was uncalled for in view of the hardship, hunger and unemployment in Nigeria.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/lekki-toll-lagos-denies-proposing-n500-levy/

April fool in February

The Lagos State Government has begun move to tackle flooding in some parts of the state. The state government has planned to construct drainage channels to solve the perennial flooding on Olaniyi Street in the popular Abule-Egba area and its environs.

The government’s decision followed residents’ appeal to the state to tackle the flooding, which had claimed many lives and destroyed property worth several millions of naira.

Speaking during an inspection tour of ongoing dredging and construction of drainage channels in Agege axis of the state, the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, said that strategies had been put in place to curtail flooding this year, assuring that several ongoing projects would be ready before rainy season sets in.

Acknowledging that the state government was aware of the destruction caused by flood in the area, Bello assured that lasting solution would be proffered to flooding on Olaniyi Streets and the other area where two kids were said to have been drowned last year.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/lagos-to-residents-no-flooding-this-year/

Ministers of Ijaw origin in President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet on Sunday shunned a reconciliatory meeting convened in Lagos by the leaders of their ethnic nationality over the reelection bid of their boss in 2015.

The meeting, held at Eko Hotel and Suites, was initiated by a group of Ijaw elders led by the South-South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark; former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and former Minister of Aviation, Chief Alabo Graham-Douglas, to unite notable Ijaw people, apparently to support the second term bid of President Jonathan.

It was gathered yesterday that cabinet members, including the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe; his counterparts in Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke and Housing and Urban Development Ms. Ama Pepple, who were duly invited by the Ijaw elders, shunned the forum.

Findings by National Mirror also revealed that the Special Adviser to the President on Millennium Development Goals, Dr. Precious Kalamba Gbeneol, also did not honour the invitation to the meeting. Investigation by National Mirror yesterday showed that only the Presidential Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku; Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Ziakede Akpobolokemi and Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation, Mr. Oronto Douglas, appeared at the meeting.

Our correspondent learnt that only Alison-Madueke excused herself from the meeting, saying that her role in the visit of the Indonesian President, Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, prevented her intention to honour the invitation. However, her colleagues did not offer any reason for their failure to attend the strategic meeting.

Similarly, some notable ex-militant commanders in the Niger Delta, including Chief Ateke Tom, Mr. Ebikabowei Victor Ben, alias Boyloaf and Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, alias Tompolo, did not attend the meeting. Reliable sources at the meeting told our correspondent yesterday that the absence of the top government officials frustrated the vision and mission envisaged for the forum. It was gathered that the meeting was eventually adjourned till a later date to enable all stakeholders, including the key government functionaries to be part of the initiative.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/2015-orubebe-alison-madueke-others-absent-at-ijaw-peace-talks/

The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Board of Internal Revenue have begun clampdown on motorists using fake number plates and driver’s licence.

Speaking at the presentation of certificates to the proprietors of all Certified Driving Schools on the theme: “Rid Kaduna State of Fake Driver’s Licence and Number Plates,” the state Sector Commander of the FRSC, Olumide Michael Olagunju, warned motorists to desist from obtaining fake driver’s licence and number plates. He said violators would be jailed in line with the provisions of National Road Traffic Regulation, 2004.

Olagunju described driving school proprietors as strategic stakeholders in ensuring quality drivers and safety management.

The sector commander urged the proprietors to justify their certificates by ensuring that their students were well-trained and must maintain high integrity so as not to abuse the policy on Driving School Standardisation Programme, DSSP.

He said: “The general public is also enjoined to patronise only the certified driving schools for drivers training in compliance with the provision of the National Traffic Regulations which stipulate that proprietors of certified driving schools must present pupil drivers to the Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO, for test before a licence is issued.”


http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/procure-fake-number-plate-go-to-jail-frsc/