TheNewsGuru

Tag: newsletter

  • Edo APC crisis: Abuja Court dismisses suit querying Oshiomhole’s eligibility as APC National Chair

    Edo APC crisis: Abuja Court dismisses suit querying Oshiomhole’s eligibility as APC National Chair

    THE plot by the Governor Godwin Obaseki faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state to outs Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, as National Chairman of the APC, failed yesterday, after a High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice S.O.Oriji, has dismissed the suit filed by one Steven Oshawo and others who were seeking to remove Oshiomhole from office.

    Recall that Oshawo and others from ward 10, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, (Oshiomhole constituency), had gone to court asking it to stop Oshiomhole from parading himself as National Chairman of APC while alleging that Oshiomhole has been suspended from the party.

    But Oshiomhole in his defence, argued that the appellants do not have the powers to suspend him according to the constitution of the APC, besides all the plaintiffs in the suit were earlier suspended in their respective units in ward 10. Therefore, at the time they purported to have suspended the National Chairman, they have no such powers anymore since they were earlier on suspension.

    Oshiomhole also noted before the court that article 21 of the APC constitution automatically expels any party member who ran to court without exhausting the provisions of the APC constitution, therefore described the suit as lacking merit and should be dismissed.

    However, on the 20th of January, 2020, upon being served with all the processes by the Defendant, the Plaintiffs filed a motion seeking to withdraw the suit filed against Oshiomhole. But Counsel to Oshiomhole, Ikhide Ehighelua Esq. opposed the application through a counter-affidavit and urged the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

    Ehighelua stressed that “My Lord, this matter should be dismissed because discontinuance is not directed at any peace. The Plaintiffs have gone to file another matter with similar reliefs in the FCT High Court so the issue of discontinuance in this matter does not hold water because they knew already they have no case here, so the suit should be dismissed in its entirety my Lord and award damages to the Defendant”.

    Counsel to Oshawo and others, Abang Peter, said the plaintiff were no longer interested in the suit against the National Chairman, adding that “upon deep reflection, the Claimants thought it wise to instruct that we discontinue the suit against the APC National Chairman”.

    However, in his ruling, Justice S.O.Oriji, strike out the matter and awarded N100,000 cost against the plaintiffs.

  • Ban: Lagos denies licensing companies to run ‘okada’ business

    The Lagos State Government has denied giving licence to any company to operate commercial services with motorcycles popularly known as Okada, following a ban it placed on the means of transportation in six local governments and nine local council development areas of the state.

    Lagos State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state, Gbenga Omotosho who disclosed this on ‘Sunrise Daily’, said what the government has been trying to do is to regulate commercial motorcyclist so that their excesses can be curtailed.

    He said; “You are talking about registration; as far as I am concern, the government has not registered any company to come and be running okada. In fact, what the government was trying to look at is how to regulate these people so that their excesses can be curtailed.

    “But as far as I know, nobody has been licenced to go and start running okada because it is unfortunate that … the rate at which people are dying; the rate at which people are being robbed on the roads; the police are worried, everybody is worried.”

    Omotosho also disclosed that the Lagos State Government decided to enforce the ban after a robust assessment of the debate on the rate of accidents in the state. He alleged that the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) recorded about 104,000 accident cases involving the common Lagosians with broken arms and legs.

    The Commissioner also made a clarification on the ban, stating that courier services operators are allowed to ply all routes because they don’t constitute so much danger.

    Omotosho added; “The guys who are doing courier services, for example, they don’t carry passengers and they don’t constitute so much danger. So, those ones are allowed.

    “They have to be above 200cc and you have to have a box behind you that you are doing courier service and you don’t have to carry passengers; you have to be well-kitted and wear your helmet.”

  • Christians using Amotekun as cover up to dominate South West – Sharia Council

    Christians using Amotekun as cover up to dominate South West – Sharia Council

    The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria has reacted to the establishment of Amotekun, a security outfit it claimed was a subtle plot by Christians to dominate the South-West region of the country.

    Speaking to newsmen in Osogbo, Osun State’s capital, the Muslim group’s Vice President Sheikh Abdurrasheed Hadiyatullah alleged that the affairs of the Christian-dominated State Police Force was designed and determined from the Church at the expense of the Muslim majority in the region.

    He added that the Amotekun program is viewed as a subtle method of further Christianization of the Southwest by its promoters.

    Hadiyatullah said; “The Amotekun program is viewed as a subtle method of further Christianization of the Southwest by its promoters in their usual manner of having political and power dominance over the Muslims in the region.

    “It is another elusive way of establishing a ‘Christian-dominated State Police Force whose affairs would be designed and determined from the Church at the expense of the Muslims majority in the region.

    “Provision of effective safety for lives and property of the people at any point in time is a collective responsibility one that is devoid of any iota of elements of religious, ethnic and primitive bigotry; a type of garment that Amotekun presently but unfortunately wears.

    “Issues of security of the peoples ought not to be premised on the altar of politics and personal interests as doing such would amount to building an empire on mere propaganda and the figment of the imagination of the gullible. It stands to collapse shortly after its creation.

    “Any form of the Christian agenda camouflaged as a Security Outfit, such as the Amotekun, where the Muslims population from the Southwest and in the country at large is viewed as a target is an act of injustice, unfairness, inequality, barbarism, savagery and wickedness taken too far and therefore outright unacceptable and thereby condemned in its entirety”.

  • Why I ordered probe of Oshiomhole’s projects as Edo governor

    Why I ordered probe of Oshiomhole’s projects as Edo governor

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has explained why he ordered probe of the new five star Bénin Specialist hospital.

    The five star Bénin Specialist hospital was built during the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and commissioned by President Mohammadu Buhari in November, 2016.

    It took several protests before the hospital was opened last year but operated through a consultancy firm.

    Governor Obaseki had on Monday constituted a Commission of Inquiry headed by Hon. Justice J.U. Oyomire (rtd) to conduct a detailed inquiry into the process leading to the conceptualization, design, construction and equipping of the hospital.

    The commission would also determine if there was a breach of the Edo State Procurement Law and other extant laws and procedures.

    Other members of the Prof. Emmanuel E. Obaseiki-Ebor, Mrs. Elizabeth Uwaifo, Enemaku Hilary Igemoh Esq., as members. Mr. Anthony Izevbekhale Esq. is to serve as the commission’s secretary.

    Speaking in a chat with reporters, Governor Obaseki said he ordered the probe because he was beginning to see many things he didn’t understand about the hospital.

    His words, “We have opened that hospital. We had consultant there working. So much has been said about the hospital. I am beginning to see many things I don’t understand. Oshiomhole did a video that went viral.

    “It is only fair for Edo taxpayers to understand what happened and why they decided to build the hospital. How much was spent to build the hospital, the state of the hospital today. I cannot be held liable for something I didn’t do. I want to make sure that at the end of my tenure I can explain everything that has happened.”

    On the crisis rocking the Edo APC, Governor said President Buhari should be left out of the crisis.

    “It is party matter. We have a party chairman who has been suspended in his Ward. He has no legitimate business to act in the capacity. We will not accept any decisions from him.

    “This is the party, I have the 18 local government chairmen of the party behind me. The entire party structure in Edo is one. They are solidly behind the President and behind me as a governor.”

  • Breaking: Court absolves Omo-Agege of perjury

    A High Court sitting in Bwari, federal capital territory (FCT) on Wednesday dismissed a suit seeking the sack of Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege over allegations of perjury.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Bwari court received the suit filed by Incorporated Trustee of Patriotic Youth Organization of Nigeria, who are seeking to sack Omo-Agege on allegation that he concealed information about his earlier conviction in the United States (U.S.).

    The trial judge, Justice Othman Musa dismissed the suit for lacking in merit, and in his judgment held that Omo-Agege was never convicted by any court in the U.S.

    Justice Musa held that there was no evidence before the court that Senator Omo-Agege was convicted or indicted over any corruption charge.

    Justice Musa held that the suit was a mere waste of the court’s time, ruling that there was no evidence that Omo-Agege was ever convicted by any court of law nor was he under any criminal sentence.

    The court also held that Omo-Agege was under no obligation to furnish the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with such information even if it was true.

    The trial judge also ordered the plaintiff to pay Omo-Agege the sum of N1 million in damages, while stressing that the disciplinary proceedings involving Omo-Agege in the State of California in the US, even if it ended in punitive action could not be elevated to criminal proceedings, convicting and sentencing as provided under Section 66 (1) and (2) of the Constitution.

    The judge said the conviction recognised by the Constitution, and which could prevent one from holding public office in the country for 10 years is the conviction and sentencing entered by a Nigerian court, not a court of foreign jurisdiction.

  • Good news! NYSC members to now receive N33,000 as allowance

    The Brigadier General and the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Shuaibu Ibrahim on Wednesday said the monthly allowance of corp members has been increased to N33,000.

    Ibrahim announced this during a working visit to the NYSC secretariat in Bauchi.

    He said the increase is in line with the new minimum wage approved by the federal government.

    According to a statement released on the service’ official Facebook page, Ibrahim said provisions for the new allowance have been made in the 2020 budget and “payment would commence as soon as funds are released by the appropriate authorities”.

    In September, Ibrahim had hinted that the monthly allowance of corps members would be increased “immediately the federal government starts the payment of the new minimum wage”.

    “Your monthly allowance would be increased immediately the Federal Government starts the payment of the new minimum wage to all public servants nationwide,” he said in an address delivered at the NYSC orientation camp in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

    “Efforts are in top gear at all levels to ensure adequate welfare for all corps members.”

    Sunday Dare, the minister of youth and sports development, also confirmed the increase although he did not provide details.

    President Muhammadu Buhari signed the new minimum wage bill into law in April 2019.

    Federal civil servants and some states have started implementation, adjusting the salary scale.

  • MUST READ: Pastor Adeboye dishes relationship advice, speaks on why married people cheat

    MUST READ: Pastor Adeboye dishes relationship advice, speaks on why married people cheat

    General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, fondly referred to as Daddy G. O. took to Twitter, the micro-blogging platform mostly used by Nigerians to dish out relationship advice on Wednesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Pastor Adeboye titled the Twitter session as, “Crush that Crush”, and stated that it is sad that many married people are still having crushes with persons apart from their spouses.

    The RCCG GO said that having crushes with persons apart from their spouses leaves a married person vulnerable to fall into the trap of cheating. He admonished married people to spend more time with their spouses and make them their confidants.

    Pastor Adeboye’s tweets read: “Today, I will be focusing on the married. It is sad that many married people are still having crushes with persons apart from their spouses.

    “If there is any fellow aside from your spouse you are admiring unduly, you must see such a person as the devil and get rid of them immediately.

    “One of my sons once told me that he was always excited to resume in the office every Monday because he would get to see his secretary again. I told him to fire her immediately. Nothing and no one is worth your marriage.

    “What is a married woman doing on the phone with another man for countless minutes? Why would a married man be spending so much time with another man’s wife? Why would you prefer to discuss intimate issues with your “friend” of the opposite sex instead of your God-given spouse?

    “Oh, you may say “I am not doing anything with the fellow; we are just friend.” That is exactly where it starts from. The devil knows you are a Christian and would not fall for someone just like that.

    “So, he makes you become good friends with the fellow and before you know it, you would have fallen. May you not fall for any strategy of the devil in the mighty name of Jesus. If you have any friend that you talk to more than your spouse, break that friendship now.

    “Proverbs 5:18 has this to say: “Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.”

    “Spend more time with your spouse and make him/her your confidant. Exchange compliments. The reason many people have crushes outside their marriage is mostly due to a distance between the couple.

    “They no longer communicate as they used to. When they talk, it is only on serious issues about the children or other family needs, instead of talking/gisting about just anything as they used to in the early days of their marriage.

    “They no longer go out to fun places or take walks together except they are going for family functions. If there is no distance between yourself and your spouse, no crush can come between you.

    “No one should be closer to you or know more about you than your spouse. Shalom”.

  • Trouble looms as actress accuse Oge Okoye, Uche Elendu of sleeping with married man

    Trouble looms as actress accuse Oge Okoye, Uche Elendu of sleeping with married man

    Popular role interpreters, Oge Okoye and Uche Elendu have both been accused of sleeping with married men by another actress, Doris Ogala.
    The actress took to her Instagram page where she shared screenshots of chat conversations revealing that Oge Okoye has allegedly been sleeping with Prince Walter Ogochukwu Igweanyiba, Uche Elendu’s ex-husband.
    “This is 4 Uche E***DU and Oge Ok*ye and co…Those who specialize in fuc*king people’s husbands …still claim to be your bestie and friend…Pls ooooo, stay far far away…..If u are friends with them..take off. Part 1 I’ll mention names 1 by 1…no time,” she wrote.

     

    Speaking further, she went on to imply that Uche Elendu tried snatching her husband “spiritually” after wiping her face with a handkerchief on her wedding day.

    Ogala also debunked claims that her marriage was on the brink of collapse and that it would be difficult for anyone to break up her union.

     

    “HMMMM E DE PAIN THEM OOOOO… HAHAHA. U NA NEVER START TO PAY BLOGS… EVEN THOSE U PAID WILL SPREAD UR STORY… AND POINT OF CORRECTION. NOBODY CAN TAKE THIS MY HANDSOME. ODOGWU NWOKE… ODIM N’OBI… FROM ME… WE DEY KAMKPE… WE FULL GROUND… NO, LEAVE NO TRANSFER… NOW BACK TO BUSINESS.. #NOLLYWOODDOINGS COMING YOUR WAY SOON… A STORY THAT WILL SHOCK YOU #EPISODE1TO100LOADING STAY TUNED,” she said.

     

     

    As at the moment of publishing this report, Oge Okoye and Uche Elendu are yet to release any statement concerning the allegations.
  • How Lassa fever killed my brother- Lawan tells court

    How Lassa fever killed my brother- Lawan tells court

    Former-chairman of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee that investigated the fuel subsidy regime in 2012, Farouk Lawan, told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Apo, Abuja, on Tuesday, that his first defence witness’ brother in his ongoing bribery case was murdered by Lassa fever in Kano on Sunday.

    Lawan gave this as the reason for his failure to open his defence in the six-year-old bribery case instituted against him since 2012.

    The Kano-born politician, who was present in court, is being indicted for allegedly accepting $500,000 as a bribe for the removal of billionaire businessman, Mr Femi Otedola’s company’s name, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, from the list of the firms indicted by the committee for alleged fraud in the subsidy scheme.

    Justice Angela Otaluka in her ruling on October 17, 2019, dismissed the no-case submission Lawan filed after the prosecution closed its case with five witnesses, including Otedola.

    The judge ruled that contrary to Lawan’s contention in his no-case submission, the prosecution made a prima facie case against him which he had to defend.

    The court directed him to open his defence on November 11, 2019.

    For undisclosed reasons, the trial was adjourned till Tuesday.

    But Mr Benson Igbanoi, who stood in for Lawan’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said despite being ready for the trial, they were unable to proceed to open the defendant’s case because his “sole witness” who was meant to testify at the hearing could not attend the proceedings because he was bereaved.

    Igbanoi said they were informed that the witness’ brother was killed by Lassa fever on Sunday.

    He said, “We are very much ready to open our defence today (Tuesday).

    “However, late Sunday night, we received news that the sole witness of the defendant lost a brother to the dreaded Lassa fever that hit Kano.

    “My lord in the circumstance, regrettably, we are unable go on to open our defence today.

    “We are therefore constrained to plead with my noble lord to grant us a short adjournment because our sole witness is so devastated.”

    Igbanoi said his team had written a letter to the court and a copy of which was served on the prosecution stating the defence team’s “predicament” and suggesting an adjournment of the case till February 11.

    The lead prosecuting counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), confirmed that he received the letter dated January 27, 2020 (Monday) from Ozekhome’s law firm.

    He said he had to “reluctantly concede to another adjournment since the reason for it involved the loss of a human being.”

    But he urged the court to direct the defendant “to keep to February 11 so that he does not come that day and say he is asking for another adjournment of the case.”

    Justice Otaluka granted the request and adjourned the case till February 11.

     

  • Nigeria’s First Deep Seaport Set For 2021 Completion

    Nigeria’s First Deep Seaport Set For 2021 Completion

    As part of plans to expand seaport operations in Nigeria, the Lekki deep seaport is now halfway near completion. The project is expected to be completed in 2021, while commercial operations are scheduled to start in 2022.

    Technical Director of the port, Mr Steven Heukelom, said in Lagos that when completed, the facility will conveniently berth larger vessels of 18,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit) with its three container-berth of 680 metre long and 16.5 metre depth, as well as one liquid and one dry bulk terminals.

    He said the project was 50 percent actualised in the breakwater construction and noted that there were still work on some critical parts of the construction.

    “We are now almost half way in the breakwater construction. We have done 900 metres – close to one kilometre – and the full length will be 1.9 Kilometres.

    “We will also dredge the channels going up – around 11 kilometres long, before we reach the natural depth of 16.5 metres and then we are good to go.

    “In phase two, we will put the liquid jetties, while the basin in the channel will be deepened to 19.5 metres. The maximum size of container vessel that we can receive will be 18,000 TEUs. So, having big ships like this in the port will be a game changer,” he said.

    Also, the port’s Landside Infrastructure Manager, Mr Kunle Fadunmuye, explained that 30,000 X-blocks were being produced to reduce the wave impact along the breakwater.

    He said, “There are three types of X-blocks – the three-meter, two-meter and five-meter.

    “We are using sulphate-resisting cement to build the X-blocks; the three-meter X-blocks are 7.2tons; two-meter X-blocks are 4.2 tons while the five-meter X-blocks are about 13 tons. The breakwater is like an egg. Its edge comprises the X-blocks, while the core consists of quarry rocks.

    “We will be having the whole 50 hectares of Lekki Port floor covered with interlocking blocks. Presently, we are doing the dynamic compaction to increase the bearing capacity of the soil.”

    He assured that the breakwater being built would stand serious wave impact, adding that groynes were also being constructed to complement the breakwater, which protects the harbour areas from sea waves.

    Meanwhile, the Media Counsel/Relationship Group Director, Ms Adesuwa Ladoja, noted that the Federal Government and the port promoters were already working to connect the facility site in the Lekki Free Trade Zone by rail, this would be done in order to avoid the Apapa ports pitfalls.