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Tag: Abuja

  • Man beats pregnant wife to death in Abuja

    The police in Abuja have arrested 38-year-old, Matthew Ankoor, for beating his eight months pregnant wife, Hannah, to death in Lugbe, a suburb in Abuja on June 6th.

    Hannah moved into Matthew’s house nine years ago and they welcomed three daughters within the nine years. Mathew longed to have a son and had been putting pressure on Hannah to give him a male child.

    Hannah began moving from church to church in search of a boy. This infuriated Mathew who insisted that she remains a devout member of the Catholic Church which they had always belonged to, but she insisted she was going to go to different churches so she can give birth to a male child.

    On the day of the incident, Mathew had instructed Hannah to wash his dirty clothes before he returned from his outing. The mother of three, who was eight months pregnant, left their house for her ante-natal appointment and on her return in the evening, she was so tired that she decided to postpone the laundry to the next day. When Mathew came back, he was infuriated that Hannah failed to wash his clothes. All attempts to explain to him that she was tired fell on deaf ears and he began to beat her until she passed out. She was rushed to the hospital where she was confirmed dead. Hannah was pregnant with a boy.

    A former neighbor of the couple, Mrs. Precious Igbokwe, alleged that the suspect had always made life a living hell for the deceased just because she had girls.

    “I lived close to their apartment as a single lady for over six years; we were close neighbours. Though they were not married legally as confirmed by Hannah, she was hopeful for the future. She really suffered much in the hands of that beast,” Igbokwe said. She recalled that when the deceased delivered her last girl, her lover abandoned them at the hospital and stopped the neighbours from bathing the baby or assisting the mother.

    “Thereafter, he continued maltreating them and calling the baby a bastard. He is a sadist. He doesn’t greet or respond to greetings from neighbours,” she added

    A friend and neighbor of the deceased, Mrs. Joy Ogu, said the late Hannah lived in fear all throughout her stay with Matthew who she respected and adored.

    “In a bid to make life meaningful for herself and children, she engaged in menial jobs in a nearby school, where she sneaked out every morning to clean without the knowledge of her husband, through which she was able to save N10,000 to enable her to set up petty business. Painfully, when she started selling kerosine and some foodstuff, he stopped giving them token for feeding, leaving her to worry about their upkeep. Our pastor and some members of the church took her to the mortuary. They evacuated the baby before taking her to the mortuary. They testified it was a handsome male child. What a tragic loss! I feel so bad that she died a painful death. Why would a man beat an eight-months-old pregnant woman as if he was in wrestling contest with his fellow man? Whitish substances were gushing out from her mouth and he saw her losing life, yet he continued beating her to accomplish his mission,” she said

    The accused who is a computer engineer and owner of his own business located at Wuse, Abuja, alleged that his wife was the one that started fighting with him.

    Mathew said the deceased was suffocating him and that as he pushed her away from himself, she fell on the floor and started shouting “My Chest, My Chest”. According to him, he helped lift her from the ground to her feet and then she went to seek prayers from their neighbors before he went out to buy recharge card for his mobile phone: He said he had an intuition to return home immediately. On getting home, he saw his wife on the ground outside their house with neighbors surrounding her, praying.

    “When I saw her condition, I quickly rushed to the main road to get a taxi to take her to the hospital. Unfortunately, when we got to the hospital, the doctor confirmed she was dead,” he said

    He planned to hurriedly take his wife away for burial but the neighbor who followed him to the hospital, raised alarm, informing the doctors on how the deceased died. The police was invited and Mathew was arrested.

    According to Mathew, he met his wife in the village and married her nine years ago. He said he regretted killing her but advised young men to carefully study the kind of women they wanted to marry before going into marriage. He also advised young men to court their would be wives for a period of 10 years so that they would be able to know her well before marrying her because youthful exuberance forced him into early marriage.

     

  • Appeal Court overrules CCT, voids Orubebe’s conviction

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday, nullified the decision of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, which found former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, guilty of allegation that he falsely declared his assets in 2007.

    ImageFile: Godsday Orubebe
    Godsday Orubebe

    In a unanimous judgement, a three-man panel of Justices of the appellate court led by Justice Mohammed Abdul Aboki, voided Orubebe’s conviction on the premise that the CCT verdict occasioned a miscarriage of justice against him.

    Orubebe had in his Notice of Appeal marked CA/A/633c/2016, urged the appellate court to not only set-aside judgment the Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal delivered against him on October 4, 2016, but to equally discharge and acquit him of the charge.

    The tribunal had in its verdict, said it was satisfied that Orubebe shielded his ownership of Plot 2057 Asokoro District, Abuja.

    Justice Umar who maintained that there was merit in the one-count amended charge the Federal Government entered against the former Minister, held that the said property should be forfeited to the government.

    The tribunal noted that though Orubebe claimed that he had already sold the land before he submitted the assets declaration form, the title documents still had his name six years after.

    Even though the tribunal confiscated the land from the defendant after it found him guilty of the offence of false declaration of assets contrary to section 15 of the CCB & Tribunal Act, Cap C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2007, it however declined to ban him from holding any public office.

    Meanwhile, dissatisfied with the verdict, Orubebe, through his lawyer, Mr. Selekowei Larry, SAN, raised three grounds he said the appellate court should consider and nullify his conviction.

    He prayed the appellate court to determine “Whether the tribunal was right in convicting the defendant for false declaration of plot 2057, Asokoro District, Abuja.

    “Whether the tribunal was right in holding that the said plot 2057 remained or remains the defendant’s property despite exhibits D1, D2, and D3 being documentary evidence of transfer of interest executed in favour of one Divention Properties Ltd by the defendant.

    As well as, “Whether the tribunal was right in suo motu raising the issue of non registration of Divention Properties Ltd’s title in respect of plot 2057 Asokoro District, Abuja and convicting the defendant thereon without granting party opportunity to be heard thereon”.

    The embattled ex-Minister prayed the tribunal to allow the appeal on the premise that the prosecution woefully failed to prove the false declaration of assets against him.

    According to him, “The said plot said not to be declared in the charge on September 26, 2007 was not yet given to the appellant as at then.

    “The appellant did not make any declaration of assets on June 29, 2011 as alleged on the charge. He only made a declaration on June 28, 2011, by which time he was no longer the owner of plot 2057. The plot 2057 Asokoro District, Abuja, was a gift of empty land by the respondent (FRN) which he received on June 13, 2011 and parted with the same day.

    “Having sold the said plot and executed D1, D2 and D3, he could not be reasonably expected to still declare it as his assets.

    “That the tribunal based its decision on an issue that was not put before it, but raised suo motu by it without giving parties opportunity to be heard, thereby rendering it a nullity

    “Accordingly, that the decision of the tribunal be set aside, the conviction quashed and the appellant be discharged and acquitted”.

    While upholding the appeal on Wednesday, the appellate court panel held that the tribunal went beyond the case that was brought before it by the prosecution.

    The court held that Orubebe’s trial was not based on his none declaration of title deed of the said property, but his alleged false declaration of his assets.

    It stressed that as such, the unregistered instrument of transfer of the said property was admissible evidence in proof of the payment of purchase price, which showed that the property was already acquired by Divention Properties Ltd.

    The appellate court stressed that the appellant could not have declared the same property he had parted with.

    The court faulted the CCT for raising the issue of non-registration of title deed of the property suo motu (by itself).

    “On the whole, it is our view that this appeal succeeded on its merit and is therefore allowed. The appellant is accordingly discharged and acquitted”, the court held.

     

     

  • JUST IN: Benue social activist, Franc Utoo kidnapped in Abuja

    JUST IN: Benue social activist, Franc Utoo kidnapped in Abuja

    …as Gov. Ortom calls for his immediate release

    Foremost Benue born social activist, Barr. Franc Utoo has been abducted by unknown gunmen.

    Utoo was abducted on Saturday, in the presence of his 2 kids, around Chambian Plaza in Gwarimpa-Abuja.

    The unknown gunmen, who were said to be in mufti, apparently trailed Utoo from his house when he went out with the kids and house help to pick some groceries from the supermarket.

    The abductors, however, were alleged to have told the house help that they had orders from some powerful politicians in Benue State Goverment and the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to pick Barr. Utoo.

    When contacted, a Police source in Makurdi, Benue State capital, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the arrest of Utoo.

    The source disclosed that the APC stalwart was being held by the Police Authority at the state command on the order of an APC chieftain, who complained that Barr. Utoo insulted him on facebook.

    It could be recalled that, Barr. Franc Utoo contested for House of Representatives under the APC in 2015, but his name was allegedly substituted.

    He has, consequently formed an opposing voice to what he described as “impunity”, in running the affairs of the party by the State Chairman, Yaro.

    Utoo has also been a resounding voice against the government of Gov. Samuel Ortom.

    In the wake of wanton destructions of lives and properties by the Fulani Mercenaries, Utoo was one of the formidable persons, who stood against open grazing and also led series of protests to the National Assembly.

    Meanwhile, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has condemned the abduction of Barr. Franc Utoo.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, through his social media handle, said, “the Samuel Ortom administration recognizes the fact that Franc is one of the courageous voices of reason who have spoken out against the invasion of Benue communities and killing of innocent people by herdsmen.

    “Franc Utoo is one of those who have remained resolute in condemnation of the senseless killings and have supported the passage of the anti-grazing law.

    “He is one of those who have risen in support of the present administration in its push for the ranching revolution of this country. This administration is not only proud of men like Utoo but also appreciates their selfless contributions for a safer Benue”.

    The Governor described Utoo as a brave man and said his abduction was uncalled for.

    “I join you and numerous friends of Franc Utoo to call for his immediate release.

    “We can’t afford to have one of our bravest men held hostage at a time we need him most”, Ortom said.

  • FIRS introduces six online tax solutions

    FIRS introduces six online tax solutions

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service has introduced six key electronic solutions (e-Services) to enhance convenience, transparency and round the clock processing and payment of taxes.

    Some of the e-Services, which could now be accessed online, are taxpayer registration (through e-Registration); payment of Stamp Duties (through e-Stamp Duty); payment of taxes (through online payment: e-TaxPay, Remita); receiving of electronic receipt after payment of taxes (through e-Receipt); filing tax returns online (through e-filing); and online Tax Clearance Certificates (TCC) through electronic Tax Clearance Certificate (e-TCC solution).

    The Chairman of the FIRS, Tunde Fowler, who explained this in Abuja, said the e-Services innovation represent “a revolution in tax administration in Nigeria”.

    Fowler said: “The idea behind the six ICT solutions is to make tax payment as easy as ABC, to bring convenience to our taxpayers. The ICT solutions which we are bringing to the doorsteps of taxpayers will ensure that taxpayers could pay, get receipt, and get TCC, from the comfort of their homes and offices anytime, anywhere in the world and round the clock. This saves the time of taxpayers, is transparent, fast, easy to use and convenient.”

    The implication of e-Receipt, for example, is that when tax payments are made, an electronic notification will be automatically sent to the taxpayer’s email and or phone number within 24 hours after payment.

    If for any reason a taxpayer loses the print out, they can access FIRS e-Receipt platform by log in into the FIRS website and download their receipt.

    This process eliminates manual interventions.

    The e-TCC provides an e-repository of all Tax Clearance Certificates (TCCs) issued by FIRS.

    It enables FIRS Staff and authorised third parties to obtain their TCC online without visiting a tax office.

    E-TCC reduces incidence of fraudulent certificates. E-TCCs are automatically sent to the emails of taxpayers.

    Taxpayers can also request for and print their TCCs online.

    Although hard copies will still be available for collection, a system generated TCC is as tenable as the hard copy.

    The aim of this process is to ensure that taxpayers do not suffer unduly where there is need for urgent tendering of the TCC.

    The system allows for TCC validation so that a TCC could be verified by third parties online using the TCC number.

    Restricted TCCs could also be generated online for temporary use where there is an unresolved dispute.

    This will ensure that the taxpayer does not suffer unduly.

    To do business with FIRS, one needs to be duly registered.

    Now, you could get registered and authenticated online by visiting the FIRS website: www.firs.gov.ng, and taking the following steps:

    Log in and proceed to the e-Services tab Click on the log-in or register tab and input your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or RC Number Choose a user-name and password upon successful registration

    Click on Register and a PIN will be sent to your email for authentication to complete the process.

    For taxpayers who have been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) but have no TIN, the e-registration process is as follows:

    Log onto https://apps.firs.gov.ng/tinverification/ Enter the CAC registration number (i.e your RC or BN number Enter the Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA) image that will be displayed If your search is successful, you can input your email address and click on the send to my mail button to have the detail sent to your mail

    Also check your spam folder if you do not see the mail in your inbox.

    Newly incorporated businesses are to go to: www.cac.gov.ng and follow the end to end process which includes payment of Stamp Duties to complete your incorporation process.

    Under the new e-Stamp Duty from the FIRS, stamping could be done from the comfort of your home or office. In the past, it required a physical stamp. For a dutiable instruments, the process is as follows:

    Log on to www.firs.gov.ng Click on the e-Services Click on e-Stamp Duty Log in or sign-up Obtain your credentials (username, password) through your mail Choose a username or password upon successful registration Log in and select the relevant Stamp Duty instrument Fill in the form and pay online through the Integrated Payment Gateway

    A link to download your e-Stamp Duty certificate will be automatically sent to your mail.‎

    Stamp Duty is a tax levied on documents such as receipts, land transactions and other legal documents.

    One of the solutions: e-filing will ensure that taxpayers do not need to visit an FIRS office to file their tax returns. Like others taxpayers trying to access other online solutions of the FIRS, they can now file online by going to e-Services on the FIRS website: www.firs.gov.ng

    Fowler said that the introduction of the new solutions is one of the key steps to make FIRS services convenient, easy and available everywhere and at all times. “It is a revolution in tax administration that combines innovation, convenience and transparency,” the FIRS Chairman said.

     

  • FUTA, partners launch satellite, NigeriaEdusat-1 into space

    FUTA, partners launch satellite, NigeriaEdusat-1 into space

    At Exactly 10:07 a.m. on Saturday, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, made history when the SpaceX Falcon9 Rocket launched Birds 1 satellites, comprising 5 CubeSats belonging to Japan, Ghana, Mongolia, Nigeria and Bangladesh, into Space from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, USA.

    The Nigerian CubeSat, code name NigeriaEdusat-1, is designed, built and owned by FUTA in collaboration with the National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, Abuja, Nigeria, and Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan. Ibukun Adebolu of FUTA’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is the representative of Nigeria on the project. The initial launch scheduled for Thursday June 1 was aborted due to adverse weather condition.

    The satellite is expected to dock at the International Space Station, ISS, on June 5 at 10:30 a.m. Nigerian time. It is the first ever University satellite to be launched in Nigeria. From the International Space Station, the satellites will be deployed into lower orbit during the last week of June 2017.

    The major objective of NigeriaEdusat-1 is capacity building, i.e. domesticating the satellite technology in a Nigerian university, FUTA, and making the technology a common business among staff and students of the university in Nigeria for the purpose of research, resources and environmental management and sustainable socio-economic development of the nation.

    The satellite technology development in the long run shall have spillover effects on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education that is an essential tool for a country industrial development.

    Mr. Adebolu, who is involved in the Structure Configuration Design, BIRDS Project gives details of his role on the project, “My role in the Birds’ Project is Structure Design. Drawing on my background in Mechanical Engineering, I am saddled with the task of ensuring that our satellites have sufficient strength and rigidity to survive the rigorous launch and space environments. In order to achieve this, I have to ensure that all payload and Bus System are properly accommodated within the 10-cubic centimeter structure. I find this very challenging, because it involves a lot of optimisation and trade-offs. In the future, I hope to work more on other aspects of satellite design.”

    The Vice Chancellor, Joseph Fuwape, said with the successful launch, FUTA has shown the capabilities of Nigerian scientists and would build on the success to concretize its leading position in cutting edge researches and scientific breakthroughs.

     

  • 2019: Photo: Sule Lamido’s campaign posters flood Abuja

    2019: Photo: Sule Lamido’s campaign posters flood Abuja

    Barely two years into the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the 2019 Presidential campaign posters of an ex-governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido have flooded some parts of Abuja – the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    As early as 6am on Thursday, the posters of Lamido with the inscriptions: “Dr Sule Lamido for President 2019”, written beside a photograph of the ex-governor in which he beamed with smile were seen along Central Business District, Ahmadu Bello Way, Cadastral Zone, Gudu and other strategic locations within the city, indicating that they were posted the previous night.

    The campaign posters bore the logo of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the former governor who was recently arrested and subsequently detained by officials of the Nigeria Police Force for alleged inciting comments had repeatedly said if he decides to contest the 2019 presidential elections, nothing can stop him from winning except God.

    He reportedly made this claim after policemen were deployed to Bamaina village of Birnin Kudu in Jigawa, to stop a rally organized by youths urging him to run in the next general elections.

    The former governor had previously attempted to clinch the Presidential ticket of the PDP in the 2011 general elections, but was persuaded to drop his ambition to pave the way for the then incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan.

  • Local content policy will reduce software import – NITDA

    Local content policy will reduce software import – NITDA

    The Local Content policy of the Federal Government on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) would reduce the importation of ICT software into the country, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said.

    The Director-General of the agency, Dr. Isah Ibrahim, stated this in Abuja at the 2017 International Day of Girls in ICT organized by Veritrax Solutions.

    Ibrahim, who was represented by Assistant Director, Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, Engr. Salisu Kaka, said the agency has made it compulsory for contractors to ensure that at least the computer systems they buy are from local original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Nigeria.

    He said “In 2013 there was the local content policy passed by the federal government on ICT and NITDA being the regulator has quickly established office of the national content on ICT (ONC).

    “This office is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that at least 30 per cent of whatever we consume locally or within the country there is local component of it, that is from the hardware to the software aspect of it.

    “We made it compulsory for contractors to ensure that at least the computer systems they buy are from our local original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).”

    He said the agency has created the enabling environment that would allow genderless communities at different levels to have equal opportunities in terms of digital divide.

     

     

    TODAY

  • WATCH: Chibok girl dances with father as FG reunites 82 freed girls with parents

    WATCH: Chibok girl dances with father as FG reunites 82 freed girls with parents

    After more than 3 years, the newly-released 82 Chibok girls reunite with their parents and their 23 schoolmates today in Abuja.

  • BREAKING: Parents of released Chibok girls arrive in Abuja

    BREAKING: Parents of released Chibok girls arrive in Abuja

    Parents of the 82 Chibok schoolgirls who were released after being held for more than three years by Boko Haram have arrived in Abuja to reunite with their children.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that the Federal Government had through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the girls will soon reunite with their parents when photographs of the girls were sent to them (the parents) for identification.

    In his words: “Chibok is not one village; the girls are from several communities. You need time to contact the parents. The Minister of Women Affairs has met with members of the Chibok association and they have been given pictures and names of the girls and in the next few days, we will get feedback.

    “We don’t want a situation where somebody’s daughter, who is not there, will come all the way to Abuja only to be disappointed while the parents, whose daughters were actually rescued, would be left behind.

    “So, it will take a few days to coordinate these things.”

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls also that the Chairman, Chibok Community in Abuja, Mr. Hosea Tsambido, said some Chibok representatives, who met with the Federal Government last week, were given photographs of the girls while the representatives handed over the pictures of the released girls to the parents in Chibok for identification.

    It was learnt that the concerned parents had been able to identify the girls and were therefore asked to come to Abuja to meet the girls on Friday.

    Tsambido stated, “Many of the parents have identified their children through the photos and I was told that they are coming on Friday.”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that mobilisation by the Federal Government for the concerned parents to meet with their daughters had started last week.

  • Alleged corruption: Court transfers INEC officials case from Abuja to Port Harcourt

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday transferred the case filed by the Police against 23 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to Port Harcourt division of the court.

    The officials were docked for allegedly receiving N360 million as bribe from the Rivers Government to compromise the results of the Dec.10, 2016 re-run parliamentary elections in the state.

    In his ruling, Justice John Tsoho said the argument of the Police that the insecurity in Rivers would affect the trial was not tenable.

    He said that there was no evidence placed before the court to show pervasive insecurity in Rivers.

    Tsoho further said that the video clips and photographs tendered by the Police were incidences that happened before the Dec. 10 rerun elections.

    He said that the responsibility of providing security in any part of the country rests on the security operatives and not the court.

    “I haven’t found out that Rivers has become ungovernable based on the alleged security situation in the state.

    “So, based on Section 22 of the Federal High Court Act, the case has been transferred to the Port Harcourt division of the Federal High Court.

    “Also, in line with Section 93, Sub.1 and 2 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Section 45 of the Federal High Court Act, which states that the trial of a case should take place where the offence was committed, I hereby transfer the case,” he said

    The defence counsel, led by Ahmed Raji(SAN), had on the last adjourned date urged the court to decline hearing of the charge on grounds of territorial jurisdiction.

    Alternatively, the defence asked the court for an order transferring the matter to the Port Harcourt division of the court.

    The defence said the prosecution has not placed any evidence before the court to support the reason for charging the defendants before a court in Abuja for offences allegedly committed in Port Harcourt.

    “We are challenging the court’s jurisdiction because all the alleged acts took place in Port Harcourt and none of the 1st to 20th defendants live here in Abuja.”

    They also had argued that the defendants’ trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja was in breach of the constitution and the Criminal Justice Act.

    The prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Alilu, however, argued that there was insecurity in Rivers , which could interfere with the trial.

    Alilu urged the court to dismiss the defendants application challenging the court’s jurisdiction as it lacked merit.

     

     

     

    NAN