TheNewsGuru

Tag: Lagos State

  • David Dafinone burial rites begin with night of tributes [Photos]

    David Dafinone burial rites begin with night of tributes [Photos]

    The burial rites of late renowned accountant, Senator David Dafinone, began in Lagos on Thursday, where one of the sons described his father as a caring man who impacted greatly on his children.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the Dafinone family had announced details of the following events in celebration of the life of the patriarch, who passed on Sunday 30th September 2018.
    Lagos: Thursday 25th October: Service of Songs and Night of Tributes. 5pm Harbour Point, Wilmot road, Victoria Island.
    Sapele: Thursday 1st November: Service of Songs. 5pm, His residence, 7 Dafinone Way, Sapele. Friday 2nd November, Funeral service, 11am Bethel Baptist Church, 1 Oghene road, Sapele. Reception follows at Sapele Athletics Club.
    Here are photos from the night of tributes:

























     

  • Airtel formally launches 4G that works in Nigeria

    Airtel Nigeria formally launched its 4G network in Lagos state on Wednesday, following launch of the network in several parts of the country.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Airtel Nigeria first launched its 4G network coverage in the country in the city of Ibadan February this year.
    Airtel’s CEO & MD, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya said the telco hopes to empower Lagosians, and indeed Nigerians with the largest and best 4G network coverage that works in the country.
    Since the first launch in Ibadan, Airtel has also launched the 4G network in cities in Rivers State, including capital of the state, Port Harcourt; Warri, Onitsha, Asaba, amongst others, before proceeding to Lagos.
    With the Lagos launch, Airtel 4G network is now live in the federal capital territory (FCT) Abuja; Delta, Anambra, Kaduna and Akwa Ibom states, with Airtel promising to further expand the network coverage across the country.
    Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Mr. Ogunsanya made the promise of Airtel expanding the coverage, stressing that the Nigeria foremost telecoms firm hopes to empower more Nigerians by launching 4G coverage for other states in the country soon.
    “Airtel’s 4G network is now in over 60 major cities and towns in Nigeria across different States, making Airtel the network with the widest and largest 4G coverage in the country,” he said.
    He said Airtel is stamping it’s authority as truely Nigeria’s telco with the largest network coverage with the launch of its 4G network coverage across the length and breadth of the federation.
    “This launch serve as a great testimony of our commitment to empower Airtel users across Nigeria. We began building the largest 4G network in Nigeria early 2018, and since then, we have established our footprint in Ibadan, Abuja, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna and Lagos.
    “Our aim is to empower every Nigerian with the power of fast Internet connectivity. The good news is that Airtel 4G will help everyone in Lagos to do more and achieve more, regardless of status and location.
    “With fast mobile Internet, a young professional will be able to use his map to understand the traffic network, plan and connect with the right people.
    “The tailor will be able to take measurement through video calls; the fish seller will be able to share photos and short videos of his current stock. Ditto every other person.
    “Indeed, 4G comes with tons of benefits and the possibilities are endless: it will accelerate economic and commercial activities,” Ogunsanya said.
    The Airtel boss said the company’s target was to cover 100 cities by the end of March 2019.
     

  • Update: Court remands Fayose in prison custody, bars ex-Gov. from traveling

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos has said former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose should be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfillment of his bail condition.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Fayose, who was asked to deposit his international passport with the court, was granted bail, in sum of N50 million in bond, after hearing of his bail application at his second appearance before the Lagos Federal High Court.
    He was also asked to provide a surety who must have landed property in Lagos, and who must also have three-year tax clearance in Lagos.
    Fayose, arraigned on Monday, in his first appearance before Justice Olatoregun, prosecution counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo, had pleaded the court that Fayose be remanded in prison custody pending a trial date.
    Fayose, alongside his company, Spotless Limited, was arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering to the tune of N2.2bn.
    The former governor is facing trial in connection with N1.299 billion and $5.3 million allegedly allocated to him out of the N4.65 billion slush fund shared by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, through a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, according to an EFCC statement.
    “Fayose acquired properties in some parts of Lagos and Abuja from the money, which was released for his 2014 governorship campaign,” EFCC alleges.
    “That you, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and Mr. Abiodun Agbele (now facing another charge) on or about 17th June, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, took possession of the sum of N1, 219, 000, 000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million Naira) to fund your 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act.”
    “That you, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, on or about 17th June, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without going through the financial institution received cash payment in the sum of $5, 000, 000 (Five Million Dollars) from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the then Minister of State for Defence, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of the same Act,” EFCC counts read against Fayose in court on Monday.
    However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. It was in view of his plea the prosecution counsel had asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
    However, counsel to the defendant, Kanu Agabi, SAN, told the court that he had served a bail application on behalf of this client on the prosecution, and pleaded with the court to remand his client in the EFCC custody.
    Consequently, Justice Olatoregun adjourned the case to October 24, 2018 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the defendant to be remanded in EFCC custody pending hearing of the bail application.
    Following Fayose’s bail application hearing, Justice Olatoregun has said he should be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfillment of his bail condition.
     

  • EFCC custody congested, says Prosecution Counsel

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecution counsel, Idris Mohammad, on Monday told a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos that EFCC custody was congested and, therefore, would not be able to accommodate suspected criminals anymore.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Mohammad made this known during the arraignment of the duo of Ogbor Kehinde Eliot and Kelvin Ejere Chris before Justice O. A. Taiwo of the Special Offences Court on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N1.8billion.
    The defendants, who were charged alongside a company, Danium Energy Services Limited, were alleged to have fraudulently deceived Sterling Bank Plc into lending them money through a fraudulent scheme with the pretence to finance Local Purchase of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, for supply to Total Nigeria Limited.
    The first defendant, Eliot, an alleged serial fraudster, allegedly used his company, Danium Energy Services Limited, to obtain the facility from the bank and was said to have to defaulted in repayment of the facility, which was expected from the proceeds of sales of the petroleum products by the bank.
    One of the counts reads: “That you, Ogbor Kehinde Eliot, Kelvin Ejere Chris and Danium Energy Services Ltd., sometime in February, 2016 in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst yourselves to obtain the sum of N1, 820, 496, 000.00 (One Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand Naira) by false pretence from Sterling Bank Plc.”
    Another count reads: ” That you, Ogbor Kehinde Eliot, Kelvin Ejere Chris and Danium Energy Services Ltd, on or about 23rd of February, 2016 in Lagos , within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, induced Sterling Bank Plc to deliver to Danium Energy Services Ltd the total sum of N1, 820, 496, 000.00 (One Billion, Eight Thousand and Twenty Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand Naira) under the false pretence that Total Nigeria Plc vide Purchase Orders (PO) with Reference No. OPS/SUP/02/16/330 and OPS/SUP/02/331 dated 3rd of February, 2016 contracted Danium Energy Services Ltd to supply 20,000 metric tons of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in two tranches of 10,000 metric tons each valued at the aggregate sum of N2, 328, 000, 000.00 (Two Billion, Three Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million Naira) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.
    In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Idris Mohammad, asked the court for a trial date.
    However, counsel to the first and third defendants, Ladi Williams, SAN, as well as counsel for the second defendant, Dennis Omorojo, informed the court of applications for bail on behalf of their clients.
    After listening to both parties, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo asked the prosecution counsel why he did not oppose the bail applications.
    In his response, Mohammad told the court that he intentionally did not oppose the applications so as to allow the first defendant to attend his trials in other courts.
    Justice Taiwo then stood the matter down for ruling on the bail applications.
    In her ruling a few hours after, Justice Taiwo granted the defendants bail in the sum of N10 million each with two sureties each in like sum.
    The sureties must be civil servant on Grade level 16.
    They must provide known addresses, which must be verified by the court.
    The sureties are to also deposit with the court registrar their Permanent Voters Cards, National Identity Card or International Passports.
    The Judge ordered the defendants to be remanded in the EFCC custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
    However, the prosecution counsel prayed the court not to remand the defendants in the EFCC custody.
    Mohammad told the court that the EFCC custody was congested and, therefore, would not be able to accommodate them.
    The Judge, therefore, ordered the release of the defendants to their counsels in the alternative on the condition that they would undertake in writing to produce the defendants whenever the court requires their attendance.
    The defence counsels, without hesitation, opted to write an undertaking to produce the defendants at all times when needed.
    Justice Taiwo then adjourned the matter to November 20, 21 and 22, 2018 for commencement of trial.
     

  • Alleged fraud: Fayose might go to prison on Wednesday

    Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose might be remanded in prison custody on Wednesday if hearing on his bail application fails to pass through Justice Mojisola Olatoregun.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the former Governor was on Monday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Olatoregun of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
    Fayose, alongside his company, Spotless Limited, was arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering to the tune of N2.2bn.
    The former governor is facing trial in connection with N1.299 billion and $5.3 million allegedly allocated to him out of the N4.65 billion slush fund shared by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, through a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, according to an EFCC statement.
    “Fayose acquired properties in some parts of Lagos and Abuja from the money, which was released for his 2014 governorship campaign,” EFCC alleges.
    “That you, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and Mr. Abiodun Agbele (now facing another charge) on or about 17th June, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, took possession of the sum of N1, 219, 000, 000.00 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Nineteen Million Naira) to fund your 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State, which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust/stealing and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act.”
    “That you, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, on or about 17th June, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without going through the financial institution received cash payment in the sum of $5, 000, 000 (Five Million Dollars) from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, the then Minister of State for Defence, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 16 (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of the same Act,” EFCC counts read against Fayose in court on Monday.
    However, the defendant, Fayose pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
    In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
    However, counsel to the defendant, Kanu Agabi, SAN, told the court that he had served a bail application on behalf of this client on the prosecution, and pleaded with the court to remand his client in the EFCC custody.
    Consequently, Justice Olatoregun adjourned the case to October 24, 2018 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the defendant to be remanded in EFCC custody pending hearing of the bail application.
     

  • Buhari hands over ECOWAS border posts

    Buhari hands over ECOWAS border posts

    President Muhammadu Buhari and his Republic of Benin counterpart, Patrice Talon will on Tuesday perform the official hand-over of the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Border Posts at Seme-Krake and Neope-Akanu in Badagry.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the Lagos State Government in a statement on Sunday said all necessary arrangements to ensure hitch-free unveiling ceremony had been firmed up, while President Buhari would be accompanied to the venue by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
    According to the statement, the President would be received at the Airport by the Governor, while the duo would thereafter proceed to the venue.
    “Already, all necessary security and logistic arrangements have been firmed up by the State Government in partnership with relevant federal government agencies.
    “To this effect, the Lagos State Government is soliciting the usual support and cooperation of residents throughout the visit,” the statement read.
     

  • One great lesson from our father – Edeh Dafinone

    Following death of their father, Edeh Dafinone, son of Chief (Senator) David Omueya Dafinone, the late patriarch and ex-lawmaker, who represented Bendel South during the Nigerian Second Republic, has said there is no rancour in their family and that one great lesson they learnt from their deceased father is unity.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Edeh stated this while addressing Urhobo leaders, under the aegis of Urhobo Social Club Lagos, who paid condolence visit to the children and family of the late Urhobo icon.
    “We are grateful to God for the life he lived on earth. We are more grateful for the name he lived behind as family of accountants in Guinness Book of Record. We have been working assiduously together in one accounting firm without rancour.
    “Rather, there is tight unity in the family. This is one of the lessons we learnt from our father. We are equally trying to push on to also see that there is one united Urhobo nation in the nearest future,” he said.
    Members of the social club who visited the Dafinone’s family to commiserate with them were Chief Goodie Ibru, Chief Johnson Barovbe and Prince Austine Enajemo-Isire.
    Others were Chief (Barr.) Jitobo Akanike, Chief Austen Tadafe and Mr Frank Ewerido, in the company of others.
    Addressing the children and family of Dafinone, Chief Barovbe described the death of the Senator as a great loss to Urhobo in particular, Delta state and Nigeria in general.
    He took consolation, however, on the fact that the Senator achieved and left a great legacy behind.
    “He was a front runner in ensuring that Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) came into existence.
    “What people are enjoying in NDDC today was the handiwork of Dafinone and some of us who were with hm. He was always working for peace, unity and betterment of his people,” he disclosed.
    Consoling the children, Prince Tadafe recalled when Dafinone mobilized to handle the first oil spillage in Urhobo land which occurred at Ekakprame.
    He said Dafinone is a very good man whose attributes need to be ameliorated by his upspring.
    “You have to work hard to occupy the big shoe he left behind,” Tedafe advised Dafinone’s children.
    On his part, Chief Ibru, who described Dafinone as an icon and an epitome of unity, thanked God for the good life in lived.
    “Dafinone promoted Urhobo development and culture in his life time. We thank God for his life and the Almghty God should bless those he left,” he prayed.
    President of the Urhobo Social Club Lagos, Prince Enajemo-Isire described Dafinone as a role model who he emulated to study Accounting profession.
    “Chief Dafinone is a pillar. We will miss him, but God loves him most. We members of Urhobo Social Club Lagos promise to stand by his principles. He was the patron of the Club.” he revealed.
    Meanwhile, in a special obituary announcement, the Dafinone family has announced details of the burial rites of the late patriarch and ex-lawmaker.
    The funeral procession will commence with a Service of Songs and Night of Tributes that will hold on Thursday 25th October by 5 pm prompt at Harbour Point, Wilmot road, Victoria Island, Lagos.
    TNG reports, on Thursday 1st November, a similar Service of Songs will hold by 5 pm prompt at his 7 Dafinone Way residence in Sapele, Delta state.
    A Funeral service would be conducted on Friday 2nd November by 11 am prompt at Bethel Baptist Church at 1 Oghene road, Sapele, with the reception of guests to be followed immediately at Sapele Athletics Club.
    Senator Dafinone died on Sunday 30th September 2018 morning in Lagos at the aged of ninety one years.
     

  • Lagos, Delta ports await 27 ships – NPA

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says 27 ships will bring into the country petroleum products, food and other goods from Oct. 8 to Oct. 27.
    According to the NPA, the ships are expected to berth at Apapa and TinCan Island ports in Lagos.
    Four of the 27 ships will sail in with petroleum products while others will bring in buckwheat, frozen fish, general cargo, bulk sugar, bulk gypsum and containers carrying different goods, it said.
    Thirteen other ships laden with bulk fertilizer, container and petroleum products have already reached the ports waiting to berth.
    Besides, NPA said five ships with oil, diesel, dredgers and butane will berth at Delta port while eight ships will bring in general cargo, petrol, among others at the same port.
     

  • Breaking: Ambode releases N795 million to retirees

    Another batch of Public Service Retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme has been paid N795 million as accrued pension rights for the month of September 2018 by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led Lagos State Government.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Dr. Akintola Benson-Oke, the State Commissioner, Ministry of Establishments Training and Pensions, made this known on Wednesday while addressing retirees at the 55th Retirement Benefit Bond Certificate Presentation Ceremony held in Ikeja, capital of the State.
    According to Akintola, 9,804 retirees have so far received accrued pension rights of N40,245 billion into their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) from the inception of the Ambode-led administration.
    He reiterated that despite the huge funding obligations of the Contributory Pension scheme, Governor Ambode is committed to the well-being of the pensioners in retirement, stressing that, for this reason, funds are released monthly into the Retirement Savings Account of employees and also accrued rights of retirees are paid to enable them have access to their RSA.
    Earlier, the Director-General, LASPEC, Mrs. Folasade Onanuga said that the State Government appreciates the retirees’ service to the State and wishes them well.
    She also educated the retirees on the move by the National Pension Commission to fulfil the provisions of the Pension Law on guaranteed Minimum Pension for life for retirees under the Programmed Withdrawal benefit option.
     

  • Google Free WiFi: Traders in Computer Village express different views on operation

    Google Free WiFi: Traders in Computer Village express different views on operation

    Some traders at the Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos, have expressed divergent views about the effectiveness of the Google Free Wifi service installed in the market.
    The traders in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos expressed gratitude for the gesture by Google, and some said that the service was not yet as effective as it should be.
    Google had launched its free WiFi service called the Google Station for Nigerians in Ikeja, Lekki and other parts of Lagos.
    The tech giant had on September 20th installed six work stations in Computer Village in order to provide free Internet service in the environ.
    Mr Adeniyi Ojikutu, the President, Computer and Applied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN), told NAN that the Google free WiFi was very effective.
    “This service is very effective, and I have been using it in my office since its installation.
    “There is cause for Google to be commended. The service is so efficient that even when the network trips off, it reconnects immediately in spite of the volume of users,’’ Ojikutu said.
    The CAPDAN president said that the service had saved him money which he would have spent to buy data to power his internet.
    Mr Chinedu Osuala, a dealer in information technology equipment, however, said that the WiFi was not serving its purpose.
    According to him, the network is so weak that heavy task cannot be performed on it.
    “Even to send a Whatsapp message is very difficult due to the weak network,’’ Osuala said.
    He said that since the installation of the free WiFi service on Sept. 20, he had not been able to carry out any meaningful Internet transaction successfully with it.
    Mr Joseph Etim, a manager with the Computer Village Hub (Cvhub) said that the free WiFi service was commendable and was a plus for the computer village, a known hub for IT equipment and services.
    Etim, however, said that use of public Internet was not very safe as it could make one’s personal details available to be captured for marketing purposes.
    “There is nothing free about this service because when accessing public Internet, it means that one will disclose his or her personal details.
    “This personal details can be used for anything,’’ Etim said, adding that personal details of individuals when collated could cost money.
    However, Google Country Director in Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, said: “It is live in some locations already like the MMA 2, Ikeja City Mall, the Palms, Lekki, Computer Village and the University of Lagos (UNILAG).”
    She said that Google collaborated with a fibre network provider, 21st Century to launch the Google Station.
    According to her, the free Wi-Fi service will be launched in 200 locations in five cities across Nigeria by the end of 2019.
    Also, a Google Brand Ambassador, who preferred to be called Greg, said that all the fears about the service were unfounded as the WiFi was effective.
    Greg said that users expected that the network should be accessible even inside their shops, adding that this was not so as the effectiveness of the service depended on the distance between the router and the user.
    He said that the user should not be more than 50 km from the router if he or she wanted excellent service.
    “Basically, the purpose of the free WiFi is to get more people connected and allow Nigerians to access the internet at a lower data rate.
    “It allows you to watch, read or download information, movies, video among others, and to share information with someone that has the app.
    “It does not buffer or stream or advert before you download.
    “The free WiFi is effective because at some certain kilometres from the router the signal strength tends to be low this is why it may seem not to be so effective to some people.
    “People expect and have said that the service should be at their own comfort, but this is not possible due to the volume of users,’’ Greg said.
    There are six WiFi work station locations in the Computer Village and the environ, namely: Aina Street, Olayemi Street, Otigba Street, Oshitelu Street, Oremeji Street and the CAPDAN office.