N225, 000 Bribery Scandal: Rickey Tarfa Knows Fate March 2

N225, 000 Bribery Scandal: Rickey Tarfa Knows Fate March 2

 

Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court in Lagos will on March 2 decide whether or not to admit fresh evidence brought before him by embattled Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rickey Tarfa, in opposition to an allegation made against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he offered a bribe of N225, 000 to Justice Mohammed Yunusa.

In what appeared as a turnaround, Tarfa, who had earlier admitted in a fundamental rights enforcement suit, that he gave the sum of N225,000 to Justice Mohammed Yunusa is now claiming in an affidavit of urgency deposed to by his head of chambers, Segun Odubela, that the money was actually given to a former staff of the chambers, Mohammed Awwal Yunusa.

At the last sitting of the court, Justice Idris had adjourned the suit to Monday for judgment, but he could not deliver the judgement due to the attempt by the lawyer to introduce the new evidence.

 Tarfa had approach the court asking the court to award him the sum of N2.5 billion as damages against the EFCC over his arrest and detention.

In a motion on notice brought pursuant to Sections 33, 34, 35, 37, 41, 44 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Articles 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) ACT CAP 10, LFN,1990; the silk is seeking for an order granting him leave to re-open and adduce further evidence by way of a further and better affidavit.

While arguing the application at yesterday's proceedings, Tarfa's lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) urged the court to grant the request.

According to Ayorinde, the respondents will neither be prejudiced nor suffer any miscarriage of justice if the application is granted by the court.

He also submitted that the purpose of bringing the further affidavit is to show that the account in question does not belong to the judge.

"We are not arresting the judgement of the court but we are only putting facts before the court so as to help the court arrived at a fair and just conclusion'', Ayorinde said.

The lawyer further maintained that it is necessary for the court to consider the application because it bothers on the fundamental rights of the applicant.

However, the EFCC counsel, Wahab Shittu, opposed the application, stating that if the applicant is allowed to introduce fresh evidence at the stage of the matter, the respondents will be over-reached.

He argued that the rules of the court only allows the introduction of fresh evidences only at the hearing and not after the conclusion of hearing when judgment date has been fixed.

"The court should look at whether or not, the applicant is making credible assertions and is truthful in his submissions. The applicant is not factual and truthful and does not deserve any favour from the court. This is a ploy by the applicant to arrest the judgement of the court. This should not be allowed", the lawyer submitted.

He also stated that paragraph 11 of the affidavit in support is blatant falsehood in that the cheque in the sum of N225,000 annexed as exhibit E in the affidavit
of one Mohammed Awwal Yunusa dated 23rd Day of February, 2016 is in the
name of Mohammed Awwal and not Mohammed Awwal Yunusa.

Shittu also accused the applicant of telling obvious lies about his age and the alleged N225,000 bribe money.

The lawyer said he was perturbed by the action of the applicant in denying ever given any money to the judge after he had earlier admitted giving out the said money for the burial of Justice Yunusa's in-law.

Justice Idris adjourned till Wednesday for ruling.

In the substantive suit, the embattled lawyer is asking the court to compel the anti-graft agency and his Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Mustafa Magu to pay him N2.5billion.

Joined as defendants are; the Commission’s acting chairman, Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, the EFCC operatives that arrested him, Moses Awolusi, and the Deputy Director Operations, EFCC, Lagos office, Iliyasu Kwarbai.

Apart from the monetary compensation, Tarfa also asked the court to compel the defendants to release his two mobile handsets allegedly collected from him on Friday, February, 5 2016 at their Ikoyi office in Lagos.

He stated that EFCC intended to destroy all information, data and other retrievable materials stored in the two handsets.

He also sought an order urging the court to direct the defendants to release his Mercedes Benz SUV with registration No. KJA 700CG unlawfully seized from him.

The Senior Advocate also asked the court to order EFCC, Magu and two other defendants to publicly apologize to him in at least two widely circulated national newspapers, social media and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as well as Channels Television within 24 hours from the day of the judgment of the suit.

Besides, he asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining all the defendants and their agents from further violating his rights.

 

#FreeEse: Falana Threatens To Drag IGP To Court

#FreeEse: Falana Threatens To Drag IGP To Court 

 

 

As outrage over the alleged abduction of 14-year-old girl, Ese Oruru by one Yinusa, aka Yellow continue to spread, Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has threatened to drag the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase to court if he fail to ensure the immediate release of the girl by Monday.

Falana said he would approach the court on Tuesday (March 1) to seeking redress for Ese Oruru if she is not free by the police.

The lawyers who said this in a press statement he issued on Monday in Lagos, insisted that the abduction, enslavement and forced marriage of Ese Oruru constitute serious contraventions of several provisions of the Criminal Code of
Bayelsa State.

He also maintained the incident is also brutal  violations  of the fundamental
rights of the victim to the dignity of her person guaranteed by the Child's
Rights Law of Bayelsa state and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.

Falana stressed, “It is a shame that the Kano state police command has not deemed it fit to free the girl and arrest the suspects involved in the barbaric
conduct.

“ Meanwhile, I have contacted and requested the Inspector-General of
Police, Mr. Solomon Arase to ensure the immediate release of the girl. If
the authorities fail or refuse to free her today my law office will
approach the court tomorrow with a view to seeking redress for her,” he stated.

Court Jails Nine 22 Years For Pipeline Vandalism, Death Of Policemen

Court Jails Nine 22 Years For Pipeline Vandalism, Death Of Policemen




Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court on Monday convicted and sentenced nine men to 22 years imprisonment over pipeline vandalism and the murder of nine policemen at Arepo area of Ogun State on May 24, 2014.

However,  the court discharged and acquitted 11 others accused persons of the offence on the grounds that the prosecution failed to link them with the crime.

Those who were sentenced are: Felix Yayu, 25, Yakubu Ebiwei, 45, Augustine Ebiwei, 28, Owei Atile, 37, Atinuke Odewale, 42, Ijoufaya Legbe, 42, Ahmed Bashorun, 42, Odewale Waheed, 43, and Tuesday Filatei, 36.

They were arraigned before the court by the police on a 14 count charge of pipeline vandalism, illegal transportation and sale of refined petroleum products.

In his judgment, Justice Okon Abang sentenced the accused to a term of 10 years imprisonment on count 1, and a term of 12 years imprisonment on count 2, 3 and 4 respectively, while he discharged them of counts five to 14.

The court held that the term of imprisonment shall run concurrently, beginning from Monday.

The Judge stated, "The seed of wrong doing maybe sown in secret, but the harvest cannot be hidden;Today is the day of harvest for the convicts.

"While reviewing evidence in this matter, I came to a conclusion that the following convicts Felix Yayu, Ijoufaya Legbe, Yakubu Ebiwei, Tuesday Filatei, Owei Atile and Augustine Ebiwei, have no sympathy for the corporate existence of this country and her citizens.

"Inspite of the genuine efforts made by federal government and the Lagos state government to protect NNPC pipelines, they felt that vandalising the pipeline and killing the policemen sent to guide pipeline, was best.

"The facts of this case are miserable, sordid, shameful to remember and ghastly to believe; Even though they have not been convicted of killing the nine policemen, it is not in doubt that they all conspired to do so in cold blood

"Imagine one of the convict Tuesday Filatei, taking photographs of how the policemen were burnt to Ashes; the convicts before me are wicked, heartless and harbingers of evil.

"The conduct of the convict has reflected the moral decay we find our selves; the convicts sowed the wind and they must harvest the whirlwind.

"They expect the court to show mercy when they had no mercy for their fellow human beings.

"A drastic situation requires a drastic solution, and a decision of a court of law in a situation like this, will act as deterrent; Even though others will not learn, I have to do my duty.

"I hereby sentence the convicts Felix Yayu, Ijoufaya Legbe, Yakubu Ebiwei, Augustine Ebiwei, Owei Atile, and Tuesday Filatei, to a term of 10 years imprisonment on count one, and a term of12 years imprisonment on counts 2, 3 and 4 with effect from today.

"The convicts, Ahmed Bashorun, Atinuke Odewale and Odewale Waheed are sentenced to a term of three years imprisonment on counts one to four with effect from June 1, 2014

"On account of the plea for mercy by counsels to the accused, the terms of imprisonment shall run concurrently,- I so hold.

In the charge, the accused were said to have committed the offence on May 24, 2014, at Arepo near Ikorodu, Lagos, by breaking oil pipeline and engaging in illegal transportation and sale of refined petrol, as well as maliciously setting ablaze the pipeline.

The convicts were also said to have unlawfully shot dead, nine policemen on patrol work in the area.

The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of sections 3(6), 4 (a), 7(a), 7(b), and 17 of the Miscellanous offence Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

The prosecution led by Odion Raymond called only two witnesses for the prosecution, while the defence called a total of 21 witnesses.

Those discharged include: Tamara Dembofa, 32, Agbara Tiewei, 43, Rufus Godwin, 45, Tierry Koiyetin, 22, Ebis Sobijoh, 22, Ibori Lawrence, 45, Eberebu Ibori, 30, Susan Vianana, 54, Yellow Yeiyah, 28, Fatai Bolaji, 32, and Ismail Abdullahi, 47.

Electricity Tariff Hike: Court Threatens To Sanction NERC, Others For Disobeying Order

Electricity Tariff Hike: Court Threatens To Sanction NERC, Others For Disobeying Order

Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday threatened to jail anyone found to have ignored his ordered restraining parties in a suit brought by a Lagos lawyer, Toluwani Adebiyi against the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over the increase of electricity tariff in the country.

Justice Idris, who handed down the threat, while re-affirmed his earlier order restraining NERC, said, "let me warn that when the disciplinary jurisdiction of this court is properly invoked, anyone who is found to have ignored the order of the court will be dealt with severely.

“The order of this court that parties in this suit should maintain the status quo remains valid and binding until it is set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction".

"The issue of disobedience to court's order is one that affects the integrity of the court. There is a need for the court to assert its authority and deal with any issue that is capable of bringing it to disrepute.

“Those who intend to take the judicial system for a ride should think twice and those who have done so should retrace their steps, the long arm of the law will catch up with them no matter how long it takes", the judge stated.

It will be recalled that Adebiyi had urged the court to commit the NERC Chairman and the CEOs of the Distribution Companies (Discos) to prison for commencing the implementing of the new electricity tariff on February 1 this year despite a subsisting court order barring same.

Justice Idris, earlier in his ruling on the objections of NERC against the filing of contempt charge by the plaintiff, set aside the Form 49 and the motion for committal to prison filed against the defendants by the plaintiff.

The judge held that the issuance of form 49 on the defendants by the plaintiff without prior and proper service of form 48 is premature.

"In the circumstance, I hold that the defendant's objection has merit. The court has set aside the contempt application due to fundamental and procedural irregularities", the judge said.

The court has since adjourned till March 15 for hearing of all pending applications.

Adebiyi, in the substantive suit, is seeking an order restraining NERC from implementing any upward review of electricity tariff without a
meaningful and significant improvement in power supply at least for 18 hours in a day in most communities in Nigeria.

He also wants an order restraining NERC from foisting compulsory
service charge on pre-paid meters not until "the meters are designed to read charges per second of consumption and not a flat rate of service not rendered or power not used."

He also wants the service charge on pre-paid meters not to be enforced until there is visible efficient and reliable power supply like those of foreign countries where the idea of service charge was borrowed.

Adebiyi is further asking for an order of court mandating the NERC to do the needful and generate more power to meet the electricity use of Nigerians, adding that the needful should include and not limited to a multiple long-term financing approach, sourced from the banks, capital market, insurance and other sectors of finance to power the sector.

Finally, the lawyer is asking the court to mandate the NERC to make available to all Nigerians within a reasonable time of maximum of two years, prepaid meters as a way to stop the throat-cutting indiscriminate estimated bill and which must be devoid of the arbitrary service charge, but only chargeable on power consumed.

In an affidavit in support of the suit personally deposed to by the
applicant, the lawyer lamented that despite the motto and mission of
NERC which were expressly stated as "keeping the light on and to meet the needs of Nigeria for safe, adequate, reliable and affordable electricity," most communities in Nigeria do not get more than 30 minutes if electricity supply, while the remaining 23 hours and 30 minutes were always without light and in total darkness.

"Nigeria poor masses are paying an estimated and indiscriminate
residential bills ranging from N5, 000 to N18, 000, spending an
average of N15, 000 to N20, 000 for fuel to maintain generating set.

"Businesses have collapsed, industries have closed down, and residents cannot sleep comfortably at night due to inefficiency of our power industry".

"Companies and commercial Houses are groaning under throat-cutting power bill which they are paying for, yet not getting the benefit for such payment," Adebiyi stated.

He stressed that the proposed increase in electricity tariff was
coming amidst the tangled web of poor power supply with no reasonable proof of improvement.

"The situation is self evident, it readily speaks for itself because
everyone is suffering from poor power outrage.

"Bringing further increase amidst this tangled web of hardship and
without any improvement in power supply, will be highly unjustifiable
and will be an economic burden on Nigeria populace. It is totally
absurd and not for the good of the people, and therefore must be
stopped," Adebiyi submitted.

 

CBN clarifies status of accounts without BVN

CBN clarifies status of accounts without BVN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Thursday, said that bank accounts without the Biometrics Verification Number (BVN) would be operated as “No Customer Initiated Debit”.
The apex bank said this in a circular titled: “Classification on Accounts with BVN Related Issues” sent to all commercial banks and posted on its website.
The circular signed by Director, Banking and Payments System Department, Mr Dipo Fatokun, said that such accounts would remain dormant until the account holder obtain and attach the BVN to the account.
The circular read, “It has, however, come to our notice, that some customers could not link their BVN to their accounts.
“This is due to discrepancies between the record on the BVN database and the records on the core banking applications of the DMBs.
“Such customers can approach their bankers for correction, but some of the banks could not effect the corrections.
The bank, in the circular, said that in view of this development, it had become imperative for the CBN to issue the clarifications.
It said that such clarifications included corrections of Date of Birth on the BVN record. This should be allowed once, with supporting documents, evidencing the correct date of birth.
The CBN said that change of names due to marriage should be allowed with supporting documents, such as marriage certificate or affidavit, among others.
The apex bank said that minor correction of names, due to misspelling should be allowed, with supporting documents such as international passport, showing the correct name.
According to CBN, change of names that are totally different should only be allowed after customer has produced supporting documents.
The CBN said that this should be reported to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) as a suspicious transaction by the bank customer.
The customers of the BVN database should be same in all his/her accounts, across the banking industry, the circular said.
On closure of accounts, the CBN said that customers that wished to do so should be allowed.
“Where the account is not linked with the BVN, a payment instrument should be issued in the name in which the account was opened.
“In case where the balance on the account is more than what is legally allowed on a paper instrument, the bank should seek for and obtain clearance from the EFCC.
“This should be done before the account can be closed and the balance transferred electronically to another account,’’ the circular said.
The CBN, however, said that where the bank is suspicious on the activity of its customer, such suspicious transaction should be filed with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
It said that the timeline for the resolution of BVN issues should be five working days from the time a customer submits all the required documents. (NAN).

Red meat linked to acute heart failure

Red meat linked to acute heart failure

*Scientists confirm why junk foods are addictive, triggers urge to overeat


PATIENTS with acute heart failure often have high levels of the metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)- of which red meat is a major dietary source- according to researchers from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom (UK).
Red meat, which has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular disease, is a source of L-carnitine, which is broken down by gut bacteria to form TMAO.
In previous studies, TMAO has been associated with mortality risk in chronic heart failure but this association in acute heart failure is still unknown.
The team, led by Professor Toru Suzuki from the University of Leicester’s Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and PI within the Leicester Cardiovascular BRU, measured circulating TMAO levels in approximately 1,000 patients admitted to University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust with acute heart failure.
The study, published in the journal Heart, was the first to investigate association of TMAO levels in acute heart failure patients, a condition associated with high mortality and morbidity — and suggests involvement of the gut microbiota and diet in outcomes of acute heart failure.
This study shows an association between circulating levels of a metabolite of this process with prognosis of acute heart failure.
Suzuki said: “Patients with acute heart failure showed higher levels of the oxidised metabolite TMAO in those that died or had a repeat admission to hospital with heart failure within the first year.
“Our study shows that higher levels of TMAO, a metabolite of carnitine derived from red meat, is associated with poorer outcomes associated with acute heart failure, one of the main diseases of the heart.
“This metabolic pathway provides a possible link between how red meat is associated with heart disease.”
Meanwhile, experts have warned that junk food is addictive, and gorging on the guilty pleasure triggers the urge to binge eat.
Highly-calorific fast food floods the brain’s reward system with the feel-good chemical, dopamine.
The hormonal surge makes people want more and more.

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In experiments feeding mice plenty of sweetened high-fat food for 24 hours increased the levels of dopamine in their brains, and led them to eat more.
But, when the hormone insulin with injected into the pleasure centre of their brains – a central area known as the ventral tegmental area – researchers noted a drop in appetite.
It is believed the findings published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences could also apply to humans – and could lead to a new way of combating the obesity epidemic.
Dr. Stephanie Borgland, of Calgary University in Canada, said: “In an environment rich with easily accessible, low-cost, palatable food, this plasticity may be a significant driver of overeating.”
She said: “These data indicate mice have increased food approach behaviours and consumption two days after the 24-hour access to the sugary and fatty food.”
Dopamine acts on regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, motivation and feelings of pleasure. When activated at normal levels this system rewards our natural behaviours.
But overstimulating the system produces euphoric effects which produces an urge to repeat it.
Borgland said: “In an environment with easy access to highly palatable and energy-dense food, food-related cues drive food-seeking regardless of satiety – an effect that can lead to obesity.
“Priming effects of food-related advertising and consumption of palatable food can drive food intake. However, the mechanism by which this effect occurs, and whether these priming effects last days after consumption, is unknown.
“Here we demonstrate short-term consumption of palatable food can prime future food approach behaviours and food intake.”
But she said insulin – a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and helps you feel full after eating – can reduce food consumption.
Borgland said: “Targeting this circuit with brain delivered insulin may provide a strategy to suppress food cravings.”
Previous research has shown fatty or sugary foods can be as addictive as cocaine.

Nigerian, Akinwande, to Get Highest Research Award from Obama

Nigerian, Akinwande, to Get Highest Research Award from Obama

Deji Akinwande, a professor at the University of Texas in Austin, is one Nigerian scaling hurdles, pushing boundaries and breaking stereotypes.

Akinwande has been identified by US President Barack Obama as one of the recipients of “the highest honours to be bestowed by the US government for science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers”.

Alongside 104 researchers, he will receive the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers in Washington DC later in the year, according to online news website, The Cable.

“These early-career scientists are leading the way in our efforts to confront and understand challenges from climate change to our health and wellness,” Obama said while announcing the winners.

“We congratulate these accomplished individuals and encourage them to continue to serve as an example of the incredible promise and ingenuity of the American people.”

Akinwande is an associate professor in electrical and computer engineering and a Jack Kilby/Texas instruments endowed faculty fellow in computer engineering in the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas.

He graduated from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, bagging a double degree (B.S/M.S) in electrical engineering and applied physics. His master’s research in applied physics pioneered the design and development of near-field microwave probe tips for non-destructive imaging and studies of materials.

He obtained his PhD degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 2009, conducting research on the synthesis, device physics, and circuit applications of carbon nanotubes and graphene.

According to the Akinwande Nano Research Group, the professor is known for his groundbreaking research on nanomaterials, sensors, devices and flexible technology. He is considered one of the top researchers in the world in the areas of graphene, silicon electronics and 2-D nanomaterials for use in flexible electronics.

In 2015, Akinwande created the first transistor out of silicene – the world’s thinnest silicon material – and he is continuing to advance the capabilities of computer chips and other electronics.

He is the co-inventor of a high frequency chip-to-chip interconnect and an electrically small antenna for bio-electronics.

Prior to his selection for the presidential award, Akinwande had won several other awards in the US.

Obama To Propose $200m To Battle Insurgency In Africa

Obama To Propose $200m To Battle Insurgency In Africa

President Barack Obama is proposing about $200 million in new military spending to confront Islamist militants in north and west Africa, U.S. defense officials said ahead of today’s budget rollouts for the next fiscal year, the Reuters reports.

U.S. officials declined to specify to which nations the funding would be directed. The disclosure comes as the United States and its allies discuss ways to halt the spread of Islamic State in Libya and elsewhere in Africa from its self-declared caliphate in Syria and Iraq.

The proposed increase in U.S. defence spending for north and west Africa is a component of a larger $7.5 billion Pentagon request for fiscal year 2017 to counter Islamic State.

“The marginal increase is on the order of about $200 million associated with north Africa,” one U.S. defence official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to a small group of reporters.

Another U.S. defence official told Reuters the funds would also be directed to west Africa.

Vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force, General Paul Selva, said the new funding was aimed at addressing threats from militant groups across Africa, including al Shabaab in the east, Boko Haram in the west, and Islamic State in Libya.

“The monies that we’ve put into the budget to address those threats in Africa are to be able to work with indigenous forces as well as partner forces to get at those three particular threats and others that might emerge,” Selva said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter last week announced his intention to ramp up spending to counter Islamic State as he unveiled the broad details of Obama’s proposed $582.7 billion defense budget.

A key part of the $7.5 billion would go to munitions. Carter said the United States has used so many smart bombs and laser-guided rockets in Iraq and Syria that it is running low and needs to invest $1.8 billion for 45,000 more.

The Air Force budget includes about 4,500 small diameter bombs, doubling the previous year’s purchase. It also calls for more than 30,000 Boeing Co (BA.N) Joint Direct Attack Munition tail kits, which turn unguided bombs into all-weather smart munitions using GPS guidance systems, compared to about 22,000 the previous year. The Navy is slated to buy 100 Hellfire missiles built by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), with the Air Force planning to buy around 280.

Russia says its Ebola vaccine ‘effective’ in initial test

Russia’s health minister said Monday that an Ebola vaccine developed by the country over the last 15 months had shown encouraging results and would undergo further testing in West Africa.

“Phases one and two of testing were managed in Russia with volunteers and showed that the vaccine was very effective,” health minister Veronika Skovortsova told reporters in Geneva.
Skovortsova said the vaccine GamEvac-Combi, developed at a government vaccine research institute, would now be put to additional tests in Guinea.
The West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have been hardest-hit by the worst-ever Ebola outbreak which has killed more than 11,300 people since December 2013.
The Russian minister made the comments ahead of a meeting Tuesday with the UN’s World Health Organization chief Margaret Chan.
The WHO is hoping to study the Russian findings before giving an opinion on the new vaccine.

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WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told AFP in an email that the UN agency was aware that “Russian regulatory authorities had approved an anti-Ebola vaccine.
“The WHO secretariat is actively hoping for the possibility to study the data,” regarding the performance of the vaccine, she added.
According to the Russian official, the preliminary testing showed limited side effects in isolated cases, including headaches and slight body temperature rises.
Russian officials at the briefing who led the testing said the sequential injections led to surge in antibody production among the trial subjects.
So far no approved vaccine or treatment for Ebola exists and the WHO has authorised the fast-track development of drugs.

Police boss drowns during Valentine party

 

An Assistant Commissioner of Police, who was also in charge of the Area K, Morogbo, of the Lagos State Police Command, Osung Ekpo, has drowned in a hotel on Valentine’s Day in the Ajah area of the state.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Ekpo died at about 5pm on Sunday while swimming in the hotel’s swimming pool.

Our correspondents gathered that Ekpo was in company with friends on Sunday and had decided to relax in the swimming pool before he drowned.

He was said to have been rescued from the pool by policemen and hotel workers, who rushed him to a nearby hospital. But he reportedly died a few minutes after, and was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.

According to witnesses, Ekpo’s corpse has been moved to a morgue while investigations to confirm the cause of his death were ongoing.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus, confirmed the death, adding that investigations are ongoing.

Abuja rail project awarded without design, MoU – Chinese firm

 

The Project Manager of Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Company, Etim Abak, on Monday told the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory  that former President Olusegun Obasanjo awarded the Abuja Rail Project in 2007 without engineering design or Memorandum of Understanding.
The Minister of FCT and current governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, allegedly signed the  $841.645,898 contract based on uncalculated estimate.
The committee was also told  that the contract, which stood at 60.67km, was inflated by $10m  per km and that the length was later reduced to 45km without refund of the cost for the 15.67 km that was dropped off from the project.
The Senate committee, led by Dino Melaye, who were at the site of the project to carry out oversight functions,  therefore demanded the refund of $195,878,296.74  being the amount for the 15.67km that was cut out, from the Chinese firm, which is handling the project.
Abak told senators that the contract was signed by the then FCT Minister without design and MOU, and that it was carried out based on  conceptual design.
Abak said, “The contract was awarded based on conceptual design and estimates were not properly done. There was no formal design submitted and rail bridges and crossover bridges were not captured in the contract.”
Melaye said his findings revealed that rail project was inflated by over  $10m per km and wondered why such act was perpetrated by the handlers of the project.
The senator added that the contract sum was $841.645,898 and that the project completion period was 48 months while the scope of work was 60.67km standard gauge, with double railway tracks  and associated permanent way within FCT.
He wondered why the 60.67km project was later reduced to 45. 245km without reduction in its  cost which was initially paid for.

EFCC Arrested Rickey Tarfa SAN, 2 Foreigners For Allegedly Obstructing Investigation

EFCC Arrested Rickey Tarfa SAN, 2 Foreigners For Allegedly Obstructing Investigation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arrested Rickey Tarfa SAN for allegedly obstructing investigation and arrest  of his Republic of Benin clients.

Tarfa arrest took placed at the premises of the Lagos High Court in Igbosere took placed after about five hour standoff between him and some EFCC operatives. 

According to sources, the senior lawyer had gone to court to represent the foreigners, Gnahouse Sonrou Nazaire and Senoue ‎Modeste, who were standing trial before court over forgery and conspiracy. 

Drama started after the proceedings when the EFCC operatives attempted to re-arrest the Beninoise for a separate ongoing investigation, the move was resisted by the accused persons and their lawyer.

It was alleged that Tarfa hid the accused persons in his car from about 12 noon till about 5pm before the EFCC operatives could effect their arrest.

The commission's spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the arrest to LEADERSHIP on Friday night through a telephone conversation.

He said the SAN was  arrested for obstructing investigation and arrest of criminal suspects and that they still in their custody.

A legal practitioner,  Ferdinard Egede and two foreigners, Gnahouse Sonrou Nazaire and Senoue ‎Modeste have been arraigned before the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere on charge bordering on forgery and conspiracy. 

The two foreigners were docked before Justice Raliat Adebiyi  by the EFCC alongside legal practitioner,  Ferdinard Egede on a four count charge.
 
The EFCC prosecutor, Chikezie Udozie had told the court during arraignment that the accused persons committed the alleged offences in May 28, 2007. 

He said that the defendants conspired among themselves to forge Rana prestige Industry Ltd ordinary resolution, which was purported to have been signed by one Madam Rasheedatu. 

Udozie also alleged that on November 22 2005, ‎the defendants forged Cooperate Affairs Commission form (CAC) 17 and also alleged that it was signed by Madam Rasheedatu.

The prosecutor further stated that on the same date the defendants uttered the forged document of CAC form which was also purported to have been signed by the same Rasheedatu to the commission as genuine. 

However, they all pleaded not guilty to the charge. 

The case has been adjourned till February 11 by the court.

Breaking News: Supreme Court Dismisses Saraki's Appeal Against CCT Trial

Breaking News: Supreme Court Dismisses Saraki's Appeal Against CCT Trial

The Supreme Court this morning dismissed the appeal filed before it by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to challenge the legality or otherwise of his arraignment and trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for lacking in merit.

The apex court in a judgement delivered by Justice Onnoghen and agreed to by the six other member of the panel resolved all the five issued raised in the appeal against Saraki.

According to the court by virtue of Section 28 of the Interpretation Act, sitting of CCT with 2 members is valid and that the tribunal has quasi jurisdiction and so can issue bench warrant.

Justice Onnoghen also agrees with the procesution that the intention of CCT law is to make its proceedings criminal.

Detail later

Hillary Clinton wins Iowa caucuses

Hillary Clinton wins Iowa caucuses

(CNN)— Hillary Clinton has won the Iowa Democratic caucuses, according to final results from the Iowa Democratic Party.
She just edges Bernie Sanders in the total of state delegate equivalents awarded Monday night.
Still, Clinton faces the prospect of having to wait until late February for a realistic chance to put a solid win in her column -- Nevada holds its Democratic Caucuses on February 20 and South Carolina follows a week later. Campaigns are fueled by victories and Clinton's muddled Iowa showing will leave her supporters, donors and campaign staffers without bragging rights, possibly dampening enthusiasm and further ceding ground to Sanders.
Speaking at a rally in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Tuesday, Clinton didn't seem concerned about her razor-thin victory.
"I am so thrilled to be coming to New Hampshire after winning Iowa! I have won and I have lost there, it is a lot better to win," she told the crowd.
However, Sanders moved quickly to capitalize on his little-guy-fighting-the-Democratic-machine narrative in his speech last night, suggesting that with his Iowa finish, his "political revolution," had finally begun.
Sanders is turning his attention to New Hampshire's primary on February 9 and beyond.
"We're going to fight really hard in New Hampshire and then we're going to Nevada, to South Carolina, we're doing well around the country," the Vermont senator said shortly after his campaign plane landed in New Hampshire.
The Iowa results showcased a Democratic Party with stark demographic fissures along class, race, age and ideological lines. While it appeared that Clinton would wrap up the nomination quickly, the caucus results suggest the primary battle will be a long and hard fought referendum on what the Democratic Party should be.
And the eventual winner will be tasked with bridging a party that could be much more split -- and damaged --than it was in 2008 after Clinton's battle with Obama.

Hillary Clinton wins Iowa caucuses

Hillary Clinton wins Iowa caucuses

(CNN)— Hillary Clinton has won the Iowa Democratic caucuses, according to final results from the Iowa Democratic Party.
She just edges Bernie Sanders in the total of state delegate equivalents awarded Monday night.
Still, Clinton faces the prospect of having to wait until late February for a realistic chance to put a solid win in her column -- Nevada holds its Democratic Caucuses on February 20 and South Carolina follows a week later. Campaigns are fueled by victories and Clinton's muddled Iowa showing will leave her supporters, donors and campaign staffers without bragging rights, possibly dampening enthusiasm and further ceding ground to Sanders.
Speaking at a rally in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Tuesday, Clinton didn't seem concerned about her razor-thin victory.
"I am so thrilled to be coming to New Hampshire after winning Iowa! I have won and I have lost there, it is a lot better to win," she told the crowd.
However, Sanders moved quickly to capitalize on his little-guy-fighting-the-Democratic-machine narrative in his speech last night, suggesting that with his Iowa finish, his "political revolution," had finally begun.
Sanders is turning his attention to New Hampshire's primary on February 9 and beyond.
"We're going to fight really hard in New Hampshire and then we're going to Nevada, to South Carolina, we're doing well around the country," the Vermont senator said shortly after his campaign plane landed in New Hampshire.
The Iowa results showcased a Democratic Party with stark demographic fissures along class, race, age and ideological lines. While it appeared that Clinton would wrap up the nomination quickly, the caucus results suggest the primary battle will be a long and hard fought referendum on what the Democratic Party should be.
And the eventual winner will be tasked with bridging a party that could be much more split -- and damaged --than it was in 2008 after Clinton's battle with Obama.

WHO declares Zika virus a global emergency

WHO declares Zika virus a global emergency

The World Health Organisation has declared the on-going Zika virus epidemic, a global health emergency.
The WHO director-general, Margaret Chan, who issued the health alert after a meeting with the organisations disease control committees in Geneva on Monday, said it is high time the world began a united response to fight the virus.
Chan said that experts are worried at the alarming rate of infection and its deadly consequences.
By this action from the global body, the WHO alert puts Zika in the same category of international concern as Ebola.
Chan said, “I am now declaring that the recent cluster of Zika virus- related microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities reported in Latin America following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014 constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.She said countries priorities were to protect pregnant women and their babies from harm and to control the mosquitoes that are spreading the virus.
The WHO warned that Zika is likely to spread explosively across nearly all of the Americas with more than 20 countries, including Brazil reporting new cases daily.
Chan added, “Currently, there is no vaccine or medication to stop Zika.The only way to avoid catching it is to avoid getting bitten by the Aedes mosquitoes that transmit the infection.”
There have been around 4,000 reported cases of microcephaly – babies born with small brains – in Brazil alone since October

Pipeline Sabotage: Tompolo’s brother sets up probe panel

Pipeline Sabotage: Tompolo’s brother sets up probe panel

George Ekpemupolo, the brother to ex-Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and Chairman Warri South West Local Government Council has inaugurated a seven-man committee to fish out the bombers of crude oil and gas in Warri, Delta state.
Sequel to the bombings of the pipelines and in an effort to assist the Federal and Delta State Government to track down perpetrators of the recent bombing of crude and gas pipelines in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, Ekpemupolo said he will find “the immediate and remote causes of the heinous crime”.
To make good his promise, he inaugurated the committee with prominent community leader, Chief Godspower Ebenekama as chairman and Mr. Jimmy Faka as Secretary.
The committee is also to ascertain “the effects and level of damage caused and proffer solutions to forestall future reoccurrence”.
Ekpemupolo while inaugurating the board at the Warri South-West Council Secretariat in Ogbe-Ijoh, described the recent bombing of pipelines in the area as “a worrisome and unwholesome act which should not be condoned”, adding that, no plausible reason can justify the “dastardly act”, which “is an economic sabotage and threat to the lives and property of the people of Warri South-West Local Government Area”
He noted that the criminals who perpetrated the abominable act are domiciled in “our communities”.
Other members of the seven-man committee which has two weeks from the day of their inauguration to submit their report are: Vice Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government, Hon. Blexons Omadoye, Mr. Emmanuel Adun, Chief Wellington Bobo, SP Umar Dugu and Mr. N.J. Ufot.
In his response on behalf of other members, chairman of the committee, Chief Godspower Ebenekama assured the council chairman that members will carry out the task in the most diligent and responsible manner within the stipulated period.
He called for the cooperation of all the people of Warri South West Local Government,including the leaders and youths to enable the committee succeed.