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Tag: Kogi State

  • Kogi government orders arrest of persons rejecting old naira notes

    Kogi government orders arrest of persons rejecting old naira notes

    The Kogi State Government has given ordered security personnel to arrest persons rejecting old naira notes in the state.

    He emphasized that Individuals and businesses rejecting the old notes would be prosecuted accordingly.

    A statement by Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo congratulated Nigerians on the “historic ruling of the Supreme Court”.

    The apex court last week ruled that both the old and new naira notes remain legal tenders until December 31, 2023.

    Fanwo explained that the Yahaya Bello administration joined other states to pursue the case to ease the hardship occasioned by the unavailability of cash.

    He said it was unacceptable that some persons and businesses continue to reject the old notes, even after the court validated their use.

    “Rejecting the old naira notes is a clear disobedience of the Supreme Court ruling,” the commissioner stressed.

    “Anyone who rejects the old naira notes should be reported to security and government authorities for immediate action. Also, banks that refuse to accept old naira deposits shall be sealed.”

    Fanwo warned that the government will not accommodate financial institutions “that willfully disobey court orders, moreso, the orders of the highest court in Nigeria”.

    “Since the banks are issuing the old naira notes, they are bound to also receive it. We cannot continue to kill our economy after the Supreme Court has granted us freedom.”

    The statement announced the establishment of a high-powered committee to ensure full adherence and compliance to the verdict.

  • INEC threatens to cancel results in some parts of the country

    INEC threatens to cancel results in some parts of the country

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that it could cancel the election results of crisis-ridden areas during the presidential and NASS election in Kogi State.

    The Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Hale Longpet, sounded the warning while reacting to the crises that erupted in some local government areas.

    There were reports of thugs interfering with some polling units in Anyigba and Dekina in the Kogi East and Mopa in the Kogi West, as well as parts of Kogi Central, where voting materials were allegedly carted away by thugs.

    However, Longpet said: “You know the electoral Law says that where there is a disruption to the process, the result will be cancelled, the very particular units’ results will be cancelled.

    “The issues initially were only in the Kogi East and Central but I can’t tell exactly where and where in the state have been affected until the results are brought by the electoral officers.

    “We understood that because of the violence those affected areas couldn’t conclude the election there.

    “I’m shocked that people can go to that level and disrupt something that everybody should have enjoyed.

    “Election is a peaceful and willful thing that people are offered to freely participate in.

    “Again, If people are given assurance that everyone will enjoy a pleasant experience, why then should we have thugs invading the whole town or the local government, disrupting the conduct of the elections?

    “This is very sad and shocking, when you look at the loss of lives involved.”

  • Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara Govts sue FG over Naira redesign policy

    Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara Govts sue FG over Naira redesign policy

    Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states have instituted a suit against the Federal Government seeking a restraining order to stop the full implementation of the Naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    In a motion ex-parte filed before the Supreme Court, the three states are praying the court to grant an interim injunction stopping the CBN from ending the timeframe within which the old N200, N500, and N1000 notes will cease to be legal tender.

    They submitted that the 10-day extension is insufficient to address the challenges plaguing the policy.

    The plaintiffs also filed a motion on notice to abridge the time within which the respondent may file and serve a counter-affidavit for an accelerated hearing.

    The states are seeking a declaration that the demonetisation policy of the CBN is not in compliance with the extant provisions of the constitution, and the CBN Act, 2007.

    The plaintiffs said since the announcement of the policy, there has been an acute shortage in the supply of the new naira notes in Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara states.

    They added that citizens who have dutifully deposited their old currency notes have increasingly found it difficult and sometimes next to impossible to access the new notes for their daily activities.

    Asides from the unavailability of the new notes, the plaintiffs also submitted that the notice period given by the federal government was inadequate.

    They are also seeking a declaration that the three months notice given by the federal government through the CBN is in gross violation of the provisions of Section 20(3) of the CBN Act which specifies that reasonable notice must be given.

    They also want the court to declare that by the express provisions of Section 20(3) of the CBN Act, the FG through the CBN has no power to issue a timeline for the acceptance and redeeming of banknotes issued by the bank, except as limited by section 22(1).

    Consequently, the plaintiffs want the court to direct the immediate suspension of the demonetisation policy until the relevant provisions of the law are complied with.

    No date has been fixed for hearing.

  • BREAKING: SDP candidate withdraws from House of Assembly race

    BREAKING: SDP candidate withdraws from House of Assembly race

    Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) candidate for Yagba West Constituency in the Kogi House of Assembly, Mr Opeyemi Ajagun, has resigned from the party.

    In a letter dated Jan. 25 and addressed to his Ejiba Ward, Yagba West chairman, Ajagun also notified the SDP leadership of his withdrawal from the House of Assembly election.

    Ajagun, who was the SDP chairmanship candidate in the 2020 Kogi local government elections, said his resignation was for personal reason.

    “I, Ajagun tender my resignation letter as a member of your party, the SDP.

    “I have participated actively as a loyal and dedicated party man, but I resign today, Jan. 25, 2023 based on personal reasons.

    “This letter also serves as a withdrawal from participating in the House of Assembly election slated for March 11.

    “I extend my utmost appreciation to members of the party across the state for the wonderful moments we shared during the time of my membership of the party,’’ Ajagun wrote.

    He sent copies of the letter to the Yagba West, Kogi chapter of the SDP, the party’s state and national secretariats and to INEC.

  • Gov. Yahya Bello’s aide warns against fake news

    Gov. Yahya Bello’s aide warns against fake news

    Dr Gabriel Ottah, Special Adviser to Gov. Yahya Bello of Kogi on Information and Communications, has warned vendors of fake news to desist from the act and focus on communicating development messages.

    Ottah gave the warning on Friday at the first Public Lecture Series of the Department of Mass Communications of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) Anyigba.

    Ottah who was the Guest Lecturer, said fake news emanated mostly from citizen journalists who had no rudimentary understanding of professional reporting.

    Citing relevant examples, the governor’s aide pointed out that social media had been abused by people who for selfish reasons, published fake news.

    He said while citizen journalists had no regard for social responsibility in passing information, professional journalists considered the positive and negative impacts of stories before publishing them.

    The educationist gave examples of how citizen journalism could be used to promote development such as reporting crimes and accidents or augmenting the traditional media.

    The don, however, lamented that the negative side of citizen journalism was more disturbing as it had caused Nigeria a trying time in our democracy.

    ”Of a particular example was the rumour that President Muhammadu Buhari was dead and that his look-alike, Jibril, from Sudan, was the one ruling Nigeria on contract.

    ”As the 2023 elections were near, if fake news were not discouraged, it could cast Nigeria into chaos,” he said.

    The media scholar and public speaker, therefore recommended that citizens should exhibit self regulation in posting information on the social media.

    He urged government to sanction vendors of fake news without shutting down the medium of communication, adding that scholars should carry out more research on the impact of citizen journalism.

    Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Marietu Tenuche, thanked the Department of Mass Communications for taking the bold step of organizing public lecture series.

    The VC used the occasion to highlight the success stories of the University, especially in the area of full accreditation of some courses.

    Tenuche said the Guest Lecturer, Dr Gabriel Ottah, had exhibited hard work and commitment to duties, a thing that had made it possible for him to have the opportunity for the lecture.

    On his part, the Head of the Department of Mass Communications, Dr Chris Attah, said the Public Lecture Series was a step in the right direction, adding that other academics would follow Dr Ottah in such presentations.

    In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr David Apeh, described Dr Ottah as a great scholar “who has dymistified the topic for the lay man to understand”.

    He urged the guest lecturer to keep up his contribution to the body of knowledge.

    The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Idah, Dr Usman Baba, commended the Guest Lecturer for his “highly educative lecture at this critical time in Nigeria’s democracy”.

    Also, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Idah, Dr Nuhu Solomon Anyegwu, said the position of the guest lecturer should be taken seriously.

    Anyegwu said fake news had the capability to destabilise Nigeria, and if not tamed, could lead to more dangerous situations.

    The highlight of the event was the presentation of a TV set and a public address system to the Department by the Guest Lecturer.

    NAN reports that the first Public Lecture series of the department was attended by public and political officials, particularly the Special Advisers.

  • SAD: 15 feared dead, 5 injured in Kogi auto crash

    SAD: 15 feared dead, 5 injured in Kogi auto crash

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Tuesday confirmed 15 persons dead and five others seriously injured in an auto crash that occurred in Kogi.

    The crash followed a collision between J-5 Boxer Bus and a Petroleum Tanker, at Koton-Karfe along Lokoja-Abuja highway around 7.30am on Tuesday.

    Corps Commander Stephen Dawulung, Kogi FRSC Sector Commander, who confirmed the incident, said that the 5 injured persons were rushed to Ideal Hospital at Koton-Karfe for immediate medical attention.

    Dawulung said that the corpses of the dead victims have been deposited at the Morgue of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja.

    The sector commander explained that the cause of the crash was due to sheer violation of traffic rules by the  bus driver, who was driving against traffic while heading to Abuja from Lokoja.

    “The bus driver left his lane and was driving in the opposite direction on high speed only to have a head on collision with an on coming petroleum tanker.

    “Thank God the tanker which was laden with Petroleum product did not go up in flames, which could have been more devastating and worrisome.

    “The unfortunate thing is that the bus was conveying iron cramps with 17 passengers, 15 of which were terribly squeezed and chocked to death during the collision,.

    “It’s sad the prevalent disabuse if traffic rules and regulations by motorists and commuters. Vehicles meant for Goods should strictly Carry only goods and not passengers as in this unfortunate case,” Dawulung lamented

    The FRSC Commander, however, commiserated with the families of the victims and advised motorists to always adhere to traffic rules and regulations to avoid unwanted auto crash.

  • Ajaokuta Steel coy ready for concession – President Buhari

    Ajaokuta Steel coy ready for concession – President Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the Ajaokuta Steel company is ready for concession.

    President Buhari said the Ajaokuta Steel Complex will generate 1.6 billion dollars annually and provide 500,000 estimated jobs for Nigerian youths.

    Buhari made the disclosure at the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, which he also inaugurated as part of his one-day state visit in Okene, Kogi on Thursday.

    The President also spoke of the determination of his administration to position Kogi as an industrial hub as well as a solid mineral power base.

    He explained how the Federal Government achieved the resolution of all legal entanglements that had bogged down the progress of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

    According to him, the project stands to benefit the people of the state immensely.

    “No other single project holds the key to unlocking this vast potential as much as the Ajaokuta Steel Complex which we inherited as a long moribund complex strangulating under a tangle of local and international commercial disputes.

    “I am glad to report that as we begin to round off in office, we can genuinely say that our administration has rescued Ajaokuta from all legal disabilities.

    ”It is now ready for concessioning to a private investor with the right profiles to put it to work for Nigeria in general and Kogi in particular.

    ”The process has cost this Federal Government over 400million dollars so far, but I consider it money well spent as we move closer to achieving our objective of transforming Kogi State into Nigeria’s iron and steel powerhouse,” he said.

    Buhari added: “The benefits of getting Ajaokuta Steel Complex working again are numerous. It would provide over 500,000 estimated jobs and more than $1.6 billion in annual income to the Nigerian economy.

    ”Nigerians can rest assured that I remain committed to seeing this process to a logical conclusion before the end of my tenure in office.”

    The president said that Kogi also stood to benefit in diverse ways when the 614 km (384 mile) AKK gas pipeline which traversed the state commence operations in 2023.

    He also affirmed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had delivered on the promises its to Nigerians at all levels.

    He said Gov. Yahaya Bello had performed creditably in his two terms as governor of the state.

    “We are an administration that prides ourselves in the fulfillment of our electoral promises to the Nigerian people, at both national and sub-national levels.

    ”This is why I am glad that we have an impressive array of legacy projects through your own state government as proof of our stewardship of Kogi.

    “The APC Administration has indelible footprints in Kogi,” he said.

    The president cited some of the projects executed by the federal government in the state to include; the Itakpe to Okene bypass, the Obajana to Kabba concrete road and the Itakpe to Warri railway service, among others.

    The Obajana – Kabba Concrete Road was built by Dangote Industries Limited under ‘roads for taxes initiate’ (Executive Order 7).

    “I am very pleased to be here today to commission several projects executed by the administration of His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello,” he said.

    He commended the governor for rising up to the occasion in many sectors especially security.

    ”We are proud of him and I encourage the people of Kogi State to continue to support him and his team as they are working hard to ensure peace, security and development in the state.”

    Projects inaugurated by the president included, the Reference Hospital Okene, which boast of the first ever hyperbaric treatment chamber in Nigeria and the fleet of ambulances attached to it and the new Ohinoyi’s Palace at Okene.

    Others were the Ganaja Junction Flyover and interchange at Lokoja; the GYB Model Science Secondary School, Adankolo, Lokoja; the Muhammadu Buhari Square (Civic Centre) at Lokoja; and a fleet of high – tech security vehicles to combat crimes and criminalities.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Gov. Yahaya Bello thanked the president for showing leadership and for the various programmes and interventions which had positively impacted on the state and its people.

    These, the governor said, included the Itakpe – Warri Rail Line which he noted, had brought relief to travellers and business owners in the state.

    Bello informed Buhari that the projects inaugurated were in response to his commitment to serve.

    He stated that since his swearing – in on 27th January, 2016, his administration constituted a multi-sectoral committee that went round the nooks and crannies of the State, identifying the needs of the people.

    “This document has been our guide,” he stated.

    While acknowledging the commitment of Buhari toward the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, the governor thanked the president for his unrelenting interest in the project.

    Bello also stated that his administration had cordial relationship with the traditional institution in the state, stating that the new Ohinoyi’s Palace being commissioned by President Buhari was a testimony to this.

    Earlier, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ibrahim Ado, represented by the Ohi of Okengwe, Alhaji Mohammed Anage, on behalf of the traditional rulers of the Central Senatorial Zone of the State, thanked Buhari for his support to Bello’s administration.

    He also commended the president for being the first sitting President of Nigeria to visit Kogi on a working visit.

  • Gunmen attack Kogi patrol team, kill 2 police officers

    Gunmen attack Kogi patrol team, kill 2 police officers

    Gunmen on Wednesday ambushed a police patrol team,  killing two and wounding two other officers in Kogi.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye-Aya.

    Ovye-Aya said the attack on the police patrol team occurred on the Agbaja road, Lokoja where the hoodlums emerged from the bush and attacked the team after they arrived for their routine patrol.

    “Today, Dec 21, our Command received the unfortunate report and wicked attack on our patrol team on the Agbaja road, Lokoja in the attention by some hoodlums.

    “The hoodlums emerged from the bush and attacked the team when they arrived for their routine patrol on the said road.

    “Unfortunately and sadly, the command lost two of its personnel.

    “The gunmen, however, fled before a re-enforcement team arrived at the scene of the ugly incident, ” he said.

    Ovye-Aya said that State Commissioner of Police, CP Akeem Yusuf, has deployed a team of tactical operatives to the area to trail the hoodlums in order to apprehend and bring them to book.

    According to him, the CP has further directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Investigation to commence investigation into the ugly incident.

    Ovye-Aya said that the commissioner has appealed to the people of the area to assist the Police with credible information on the identity of the hoodlums to enable the command to check their criminal activity.

  • Gov Yahaya Bello’s nephew in trouble over alleged N10.3b fraud

    Gov Yahaya Bello’s nephew in trouble over alleged N10.3b fraud

    Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, remanded Aliyu Bello, a nephew to Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello and one Dauda Sulaiman in prison pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.

    They were remanded upon arraignment alongside one Abdulsalami Hudu, Cahier of Kogi State House Administration ( now at large) on a 10-count charge of misappropriation and money laundering

    Bello and Sulaiman are accused of fraudulently withdrawing a sum of N10, 270,556,800 (Ten Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Fifty-six Thousand Eight Hundred Naira), from the Kogi State treasury, which they delivered to a Bureau de Change operator, Rabiu Tafada in Abuja to keep or change to foreign currencies for personal gains.

    One of the charges reads: “That you, ALI BELLO, DAUDA SULEIMAN AND ABDULSALAMI HUDU (NOW AT LARGE)between January and December, 2021, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured RABIU USMAN TAFADA to take possession of the total sum of N5,865,756,800 (Five Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty Five Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: criminal misappropriation from the treasury of Kogi State and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18 (c), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act”.

    Another count reads: “That you, ALI BELLO, DAUDA SULEIMAN AND ABDULSALAMI HUDU (NOW AT LARGE) between January and December 2021, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided RABIU USMAN TAFADA to retain the total sum of N2,509,650,000.00 (Two Billion Five Hundred and Nine Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: Criminal Misappropriation from the treasury of Kogi State Government and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18 (a) 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act”.

    They however pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC.

    In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

    Counsel to the second and third defendants, Abdulwahab Mohammed SAN, informed the court of his application for the bail of the defendants.

    Justice Omotosho admitted the defendants to bail in the sum One Billion Naira each and two sureties who are to provide a bond of N2billion each and have a landed property valued at N500 million. The title of the properties shall be registered with the chief registrar of the Court.

    Each of the sureties and the defendants shall submit their bank statements and international passports to the chief registrar of the Court.

    The sureties must also produce an affidavit of means and evidence of tax clearance for at least 3 years.

    The judge thereafter sent the defendants to Kuje Correctional centre, Abuja pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter till February 6, 2023 for hearing.

  • FRSC confirms six dead, 25 injured in Kogi road crash

    FRSC confirms six dead, 25 injured in Kogi road crash

    The Kogi Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that six persons died while 25 others sustained various degrees of injury on Saturday in an accident on Okene-Ogori road.

    Mr Stephen Dawulung, the Sector Commander confirmed the accident  in Lokoja on Sunday, stressing that the lone accident involved an articulated vehicle loaded with 45 persons and cows

    The sector commander said that the accident which occurred at about 12 noon also left some of the cows dead.

    Dawulung said that the victims of the accident were taken to Ageva General Hospital, Okene, Ajunko Clinic and Maternity Ibilo, and Ogbagidi General Hospital, Okene.

    “When the accident, which involved an IVECO trailer conveying cows and 45 persons down South, occurred by a grave yard just a few kilometres to Ogori Magongo along Okene-Ogori road, Kogi, our officers and men were timely in response to it.

    “Our officers in conjunction with the Police and military personnel came to the rescue and rushed the injured to four different medical centres for medical treatment.

    “The corpses of the dead have also been deposited at morgue of the Ageva General Hospital, Okene,” he said.

    Dawulung said the accident was caused by speed which could not be controlled at “a sharp bend.”

    The sector commander, who described the incident as “sad and unfortunate”, said the command would continue to carry out enforcement and enlightenment programmes against speed, overloading and mixed loading.

    He explained that mixed loading is the loading of goods and passengers in trucks and other vehicles meant to convey only goods.

    He advised motorists to always exhibit high level of discipline towards adherence to road traffic regulations to avoid such ugly incidence.