TheNewsGuru

Tag: travel

  • $1.6bn fraud: Court grants Diezani-Madueke’s aide permission to travel abroad

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, granted Jide Omokore, an aide to Alison Diezani-Madueke, the former Petroleum Minister, permission to travel abroad.

    Justice Dimgba had on April 26, 2017, granted Omokore permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    Omokore was arraigned alongside Victor Briggs, Abiye Membere, and David Mbanefo, on an amended nine-count charge of diversion of money.

    The alleged diverted money was said to be part of the proceeds from the sale of petroleum products belonging to the Federal Government.

    Two of Omokore’s companies, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited, and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited, were also joined as defendants.

    When the matter was called up for hearing, the prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), informed the court of the new application filed by the defendant seeking for permission to travel.

    Jacobs did not oppose the application, stating that the defendant was granted a similar permission in April to travel for medical treatment and this is a follow up on the treatment.

    The prosecution, however, urged the court to make the defendant travel within the court’s long vacation, to last from July 10, 2017 to Sept. 10, 2017.

    He also informed the court of another application filled by the 5th defendant (Membere), challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

    Jacob said the application was on grounds that the prosecution filed additional proof of evidence, which would allow it call more witnesses, but he informed the court that he was yet to file his written address.

    The EFCC lawyer, therefore, sought for adjournment to enable him file his written address, opposing the application.

    Osahon Osiyinwen (SAN), counsel to Membere, said that with a new proof of evidence being filed there was need for the defendant to approach the court for interpretation.

    He added that the prosecution had to prove the need for the additional proof of evidence.

    Justice Dimgba in a short ruling, granted Omokore permission to travel on grounds that he must sign an undertaking to embark on the trip between July 11, and must be back before the court’s resumption on Sept. 10.

    The judge adjourned hearing on the application challenging its jurisdiction until June 22.

     

     

    NAN

  • Buhari’s doctors to determine duration of trip to London – Presidency

    Buhari’s doctors to determine duration of trip to London – Presidency

    President Muhammadu Buhari traveled to London on Sunday for a “follow-up medical consultation” with his doctors, after weeks of mounting concern about his health.

    Presidency spokesman Femi Adesina said the 74-year-old doctors would determine how long he stayed in the British capital, where he spent nearly two months undergoing treatment from mid-January.

    “The president wishes to assure all Nigerians that there is no cause for worry,” Adesina said in a statement posted on the presidency’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.

    “He is very grateful for the prayers and good wishes of the people, and hopes they would continue to pray for the peace and unity of the nation.”

    Buhari’s previous trip to London in January was billed by his office as a 10-day holiday combining “routine medical check-ups” but it was extended from early February and he only returned in early March.

    “The length of the president’s stay in London will be determined by the doctors. Government will continue to function normally under the able leadership of the Vice-President (Yemi Osinbajo),” Adesina said.

    Parliament had been informed, as required by the constitution, he added.

    Buhari had not been seen in public for several weeks until last Friday, when he attended weekly prayers at the presidential villa, after missing the last three cabinet meetings and other engagements.

    Aides have said he was working from home and had undergone a “long period of treatment” in London.

    Buhari has been under pressure to disclose the nature of his illness but has said he would have to have follow-up treatment in London.

    Earlier on Sunday, he was pictured sitting in an armchair at his residence, dressed in white traditional robes, looking painfully gaunt, surrounded by 82 recently released Chibok schoolgirls.

    Adesina said Buhari would have left earlier on Sunday but wanted to meet the students, who were kidnapped by Boko Haram Islamists in northeast Nigeria in April 2014, causing worldwide outrage.

     

  • Just in: ‘New passport holders now need NDLEA certificate to travel…’

    Just in: ‘New passport holders now need NDLEA certificate to travel…’

    Nigerians with new passports seeking to travel to Indonesia will need to present a certificate of recommendation from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, among other documents to process their visas.

    Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Harry Purwanto, who told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said that that the new visa policy, was in line with global measures to promote safety for its citizens.

    He said that it was reviewed in October 2016.

    He, however said that it was easier for those with frequently used passports, to get visas.

    He explained that applicants seeking to travel to Indonesia also need to be invited or have certain recommendations to visit that country.

    The envoy added that the policy had made visa application process for Nigerians “quite tough” but added that it was for the safety of all.

    “We (the embassy) could authorise the issuance of visas without having to get in touch with Jakarta but since Oct. 2016, we have to send visa applications from here to Jakarta for approval.

    “We here can make only recommendations on visa applications, especially if applicants have programmes to undertake in Indonesia, but it is at the discretion of authorities in Jakarta to approve the visas that will be issued.

    He also said that about 2000 visas were issued to Nigerians in 2016.

    Purwanto also said that in 2015, the embassy issued 2000 visas.

    He further said that both countries were working on programmes that could enhance people-to-people relations adding that such relations would promote understanding between both cultures.

    “We have about 50 Nigerian students in Indonesia, some under scholarship, and they serve as ambassadors for Nigeria there.

    “The Nigerian community in the country is not so large that is why crimes committed by a few could tarnish the image of others.”

    Purwanto, however, assured that both governments were working to change such bias.